Mon 15 Feb 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, April 15, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,527

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

‘Senators don’t collect funds, award contracts for constituency projects’

By Seye Olumide and Tunde Akinola UITE in contrast to what is Q commonly believed, lawmakers neither collect funds

Wife of Lagos State Head of Service, Adenike Ogunlewe (left); Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, First Child of Nordica Fertility Centre, Oluchi Onwudinjo, and members of the Board of Directors and Judges, during the 10th anniversary ceremony of the Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

nor award contracts for constituency projects, according to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

The contracts for such projects, according to the panel, are executed by relevant ministries.

“Our real worry is that there has been the notion, and we have given this explanation severally against the belief that senators are being given certain funds for our constituency projects. There is no such thing, we have never collected any money for constituency project or awarded any contract. The projects are being executed by the different ministries, which also determine who gets the contracts,” the panel Chairman, Abaribe, said during a visit to Rutam House, the corporate headquarters of The Guardian, in Lagos recently.

The clarification was partly a CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Fresh anxiety over rising insecurity From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt) Terhemba Daka (Abuja) and John Ogiji (Minna) SPECTRE of a graver securiA ty crisis hangs over the nation as the Movement for the

• MEND threatens to avenge Boko Haram’s attacks May 31 • Northern leaders seek action on amnesty • Speakers want Northern govs included on panel

Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday threatened to avenge killings by Boko Haram .

This is coming as the 19-member Northern Speakers Forum rose from a one- day conference yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital with a call on the Federal Government to include the Northern governors on its planned amnesty

committee to be set up to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

But a member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Ali Wudil and the Lagos State Vice Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Alhaji Sakiru Sekiri have differed over the planned pardon for the members of Boko Haram.

While Wudil lauded the move , Sekiri faulted it, arguing that the group had remained faceless.

And worried by the growing number of miscreants being recruited by Boko Haram to unleash terror on the North, the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said that the region is the architect of its own misfortune

and the current insecurity that has defied a solution.

MEND spokesperson Jomo Gbomo said the group which had since its formation been concerned with the Niger Delta question, would begin from May 31, 2013, to embark on a crusade to save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.

“The bombings of mosques,

hajj camps, Islamic institutions, large congregation in lslamic events and assassination of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate, will form the core mission of this crusade code-named ‘Operation Barbarossa’ “ Gbomo said.

He explained that MEND may only stop “Operation Barbarossa” if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the

IMF okays Nigeria’s banking reform

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Catholic Church and Henry Okah, “one of the few leaders in the Niger Delta region it respects for his integrity”, intervened.

MEND said it had no problems with Boko Haram’s attacks on security agencies including the prisons, for their role in extra-judicial killings, torture, deceit and corruption.

It added that its campaign against the activities of Boko Haram would not in any way interfere with the ongoing “Hurricane Exodus” – which on April 13, 2013, at about 1a.m. swept through the Ewellesuo community, Nembe, Bayelsa State, leading to the destruction of an oil well belonging to Shell Petroleum .

In a statement in Minna yesterday at the end of the conCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

4 NEWS

‘Senators don’t collect funds for constituency projects’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 reaction to an editorial published in The Guardian of March 26, 2013, which bordered on execution of constituency projects.

The editorial reads in part: “…The decision by the Presidency to monitor the implementation of so-called ‘constituency projects’ is one more example of the odium that practitioners have brought constitutional democracy into in Nigeria.

Every year since 1999, each of the federal legislators or his or her constituency has been voted millions of naira to execute projects in the said constituency.

“The first question to ask is what exactly is meant by ‘constituency projects’? In jurisdictions where the current style of government is borrowed from, it means projects that may be executed by the central government in exchange for a legislator’s support on key issues. Such projects may then serve the purpose of showcasing a legislator as a ‘performer’ capable of bringing home the federal bacon. The desperation, to the point of blackmail, with which Nigerian legislators insist year-in year-out, on this component of the budget is however baffling. There are hardly instances of similar pressure for Executive action in respect of more pressing matters of public interest. And the point must be made that, the practice in other climes does not allow for direct pay-

ment to the legislators or their direct involvement in execution of projects as we have in Nigeria.”

During the visit to The Guardian, Abaribe, who was accompanied by his colleague in the Senate, Babafemi Ojudu, said the situation was different from the way the editorial presents it, noting that the National Assembly had taken time to explain several times to Nigerians the truth about the projects with the aim of correcting wrong impressions.

Abaribe also debunked claim that the Legislatures are arm-twisting the Executive to ensure that the projects are executed, saying “if we are the people collecting the funds and executing the projects, then there would not have been any reason for conflicts with the Executive with regard to execution.

Most of the conflicts between the Executive and the National Assembly have always been with regard to the execution of these projects.”

He explained that when the National Assembly took off in May 1999, a budget was already running. “The very first budget was done at the end of 1999 which of course spilled over to the following year, 2000. By the time the 2000 and 2001 budgets were made, it was obvious that the budget process was poor in certain ways. It was poor in the sense that budgets were being done in Abuja and at that time, there was no proper Budget Office. The bill for setting up the Budget Office

came around 2003, and so those budgets were prepared top down, and by then, members of the National Assembly were already under pressure from their constituencies, who wanted to know how the budgets would affect their lives” Abaribe said most of the constituency projects were domiciled within the different ministries. “We neither receive any fund, execute any project nor award any con-

tract. For instance, the River Basin Authority did all the water projects while all the electricity projects were domiciled within the Ministry of Power, all these claims are verifiable. The fact is that, in trying to do it very well, each senator is supposed to be able to identify the area of his constituency that has the most need of a particular project so that he can say locate it in a particular area. The question of who

executes the project was left for the different ministries or agencies to determine.”

According to Ojudu, the people being represented seem not to be informed enough about the constitutional roles of these legislators. He said the nature of the numerous calls lawmakers received from those that voted them into National Assembly weakens their morale.

Ojudu noted that most constituencies yearn for federal

presence but unfortunately they do not recognise what the government is doing because they expect a big project instead of the little their lawmakers were able to influence to be executed in their constituency.

He urged the media to help the Senate enlighten the populace, noting that the success or progress of any country depends a lot on the strength of the media of such country.

MEND threatens to avenge Boko Haram’s attacks May 31 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ference, the northern speakers commended the Federal Government for taking steps that would lead to possible peace in the North.

The speakers therefore called on various state governments, elders and traditional rulers in the North to ensure that amnesty was accepted to allow peace to return to the region in the interest of its overall development.

Wudil who is the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Works said the plan to grant amnesty to members of the group was reasonable, and should be immediately pursued to a logical conclusion.

The lawmaker who fielded questions from reporters at the weekend at the National Assembly, said he did not believe the group was as elusive as being portrayed in some quarters and urged the Federal Government to find its members wherever they were and grant them pardon.

But Seriki disagreed, stressing that the planned amnesty programme for the group was ill-conceived as it was bound to fail since the group had remained faceless.

He said many people who opposed the planned amnesty for the group had been vindicated by its rejection of the Federal Government’s gesture to them.

Rather, he called on the Federal Government to be more proactive by ensuring that it tackled the group’s menace frontally since its agenda was against national interest and aimed at creating religious and ethnic tensions in the country.

He also urged Nigerians to be more security conscious, and co-operate with security agents to check the insurgency.

According to Kwankwaso who spoke at the weekend, all governments at all levels have their own share of blame for the insurgency in the North. But he attributed the major share of the blame to Arewa parents and communities that have abandoned their responsibilities in bringing up their children

or wards with the fear of Allah.

The governor spoke with The Guardian in an interview, while reflecting on the activities of the insurgents in Kano State and the North in general, saying that the country had to approach the security problem in the country from two perspectives.

According to him: “First, the perspective of ensuring that there is no violence, and in case there is anyone lingering it has to be controlled and managed. And on the other hand, government should do so many other things. Because, what we are facing today is just a symptom of what has been happening in the past.

“We all believe in this part of the country that parents, both fathers and mothers have abandoned their responsibilities. Communities have done the same. Ulamas, traditional rulers, politicians, businessmen and women have also abandoned their responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, despite the rejection of the amnesty proposal by Boko Haram leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, Arewa leaders have urged the Federal Government to continue with the programme, saying that it was the only way out of the insurgency in the North.

The Northern elders, under the auspices of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) met with the Patrons, made up of former Heads of State in Minna, Niger State and agreed to work towards putting an end to the security crisis facing the region.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani yesterday, he said the leadership of ACF “met in an emergency session with the patrons of the Forum”, to join hands with the government in ensuring that the security challenge facing the North was resolved.

He said that while Nigerians still believed that amnesty was the only means of tackling the insecurity in the North, “opinion leaders across the country have urged amnesty not to en-

courage groups to use violence as veritable means of addressing their concern and court government’s attention or patronage, but because amnesty as a strategy of war is one that is yet to be tried.”

Sani continued: “All options should be explored in our endeavour to put an end to further killings of innocent Nigerians for whatever reasons. In a way, it is possible to say amnesty and dialogue with people who take their own lives and those of others is a necessary evil.”

Citing the cases of other countries that were faced by insurgency like Iraq, Palestine, Afganistan and even Nigeria under the late President Umaru Yar’adua, Sani explained that amnesty and dialogue “have not delivered on the desired peace, since in all these places the terrorists remain un-subdued; and in such circumstances, an alternative approach or strategy is imperative, even if not popular.”

However, the ACF chief said that in the case of the insurgency in the North, “amnesty may persuade members of the insurgencies to come out and show their faces on the negotiation table without any fear of security agents”, pointing out that “without any form of mechanism in place by government that guarantees the security of the insurgents, nobody can reasonably expect them to show their faces.”

According to Sani, “an amnesty scheme should spell out clear terms and conditions for all those who decide to accept it as well as the benefit they stand to gain by doing so. The terms and conditions should specify the concessions government will make to the insurgents and other possible incentives it will provide; all within a time-line, also to be specified. It should address the losses suffered by the victims of insurgency.”

He further explained that “one way of exterminating terrorism in the long run is counter-terrorism strategy through which radicalisation, recruitment, inflow of arms and chemicals used for explosives can be checked”,

adding that “monitoring of sources of financing, transportation and borders is imperative.”

Also, the Governor of Bauchi State, Malam Isa Yuguda has lamented the activities of some politicians and armed robbers who embarked on unpatriotic acts under the cover of Boko Haram insurgency.

Yuguda who spoke during the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service monitored yesterday in Kaduna, commended the Federal Government for setting up a committee on amnesty for Boko Haram members in order to put an end to the insurgency in the North.

But he expressed sadness that some politicians and armed robbers were now committing atrocities under the cover of Boko Haram.

His words : “Didn’t I tell you that there is political Boko Haram, it is the para-military arm of some politicians and Allah will punish all the politicians that are doing this, those using our children, giving then drugs to commit heinous acts, they are the political Boko Haram.

“There is also the armed robber Boko Haram, these are those who rob people with arms and now are hiding under the cover of Boko Haram.

They (Boko Haram) are talking about religion, not to rob with arms or to be given N2000 to go and kill someone. Just to give one boy N2000 and ask him to go and kill Yuguda.”

On the rejection of the offer of amnesty by a leader of the group, Shekau, the governor said: “I’m yet to be convinced that it was actually Shekau who spoke in the video or someone else. I have never seen him and I don’t believe. You shouldn’t trust this, anytime there is a disaster, nobody knows where it will end. You don’t know how many people claim to be Shekau in Nigeria.

“You don’t know the number of people using the name of Shekau to commit atrocities in Nigeria. I have told you there is political Boko Haram and armed robber Boko Haram. Why can’t one amongst them come out openly and say he is Shekau?”

Commenting on the call by the British government that its nationals should not visit 22 states in Nigeria, Yuguda said: “They mentioned 22 states in Nigeria but do they mention Bauchi? I assure you that Bauchi as it is now in the 36 states of the federation, there is no where that people move freely and enjoy peaceful coexistence like Bauchi.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

NEWS 5

News ‘How Nigerian leaders mismanaged resources’

IMF okays Nigeria’s banking reform

From Bashir Bello, Kaduna

By Chijioke Nelson

HE International Monetary EADERSHIP of Nigeria be it T Fund (IMF) has said that L civilian or military governments has criminally mis- there is a considerable sucmanaged the country’s affairs and resources, Anglican bishop of Kaduna, Rt Rev. Josiah Idowu Fearon has said.

According to him, “The Nigerian state, from the first democratic experiment in 1960 to military regimes and back to democracy as practiced today, has been managed by leaders who are selfish and corrupt.”

Speaking while delivering a paper titled “The Crisis of Leadership in Nigeria as a Source of Insecurity in the County: The Way Forward” organised by Arewa Media Forum at the weekend, Idowu-Fearon said since independence in 1960, the state had produced leaders who had blighted the lives of Nigerians who now wallow in poverty, illiteracy, hunger and unemployment.

He stated that the world and Nigerians were watching to see the direction of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration, adding that the analysis of past and present leaders of Nigeria showed evidence of massive failure on their part.

The archbishop suggested as a way forward that “Nigerians particularly the Northern states must go back to basic religious teachings and take seriously what our two communities: Muslim and Christian share in common as far as leadership is concerned.”

“What I propose as a way

CBN may deploy 150,000 PoS, ATMs over cash-less economy

By Adeyemi Adepetun ITH the Central Bank of W Nigeria (CBN) getting set for the next phase of the cash-less policy in the country, indications emerged at the weekend that the apex financial institution might target the deployment of about 150, 000 Point of Sales (PoS) terminals and increase the present Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the country.

Indeed, the CBN has fixed the second phase of the pilot scheme for the cash-less economy initiative for July, with focus on six more states ( Abia, Abuja, Anambra, Kano, Ogun and Rivers.)

A CBN source, who spoke to The Guardian at the weekend, but on the condition of anonymity said the apex bank was warming up seriously for the second phase of the initiative.

He said at the inception of the phase 1, which was Lagos, the CBN’s target was to have deployed 40, 000 PoS terminals last December, “but by March 2013, we exceeded that. We have over 150,000 PoS terminals now. The plan now is to double that and encourage players to deploy more ATMs in order to expand the initiative.”

cess recorded in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banking reforms, which now serves as a model for both developed and developing countries.

The commendation was part of the IMF report on the recent Financial System Assessment Programme (FSAP).

According to the report, “the Nigerian commercial bank-

ing system as a whole can absorb most credit and market risk shocks, withstand liquidity pressures and absorb moderate potential losses.”

“Nigeria banks are now well capitalised, liquid, and profitable, with three small systemically unimportant banks demonstrating some weakness”.

The report added: “These three banks are in the process of being merged or acquired through the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and possess

no systematic risk to the banking system.

Also a source from the apex bank added: “It is interesting to note that some of the bold measures taken by CBN are now being considered and implemented in other jurisdiction more than four years after it implemented its bracing but forward looking reforms.

“This timely, swift and carefully planned reform measures have no doubt put the apex bank above the curve and has established it as a for-

ward looking and proactive central bank.

Speaking on the achievements so far, the source said the reform has resulted in improvement in banking supervision since the financial crisis, through better onsite and offsite practices and higher standards of corporate governance.

“There have been macro-prudential and systematic oversight measures and strengthened ‘conventional’ microprudential supervision and regulation framework.

It has developed new instruments and framework for improving supervision and regulation, including, enhancing stress testing techniques and better analyses of financial data.

There has also been enhanced capacity of the supervision staff for better efficiency and effectiveness. Since Nigerian banks are increasingly becoming international, emphasis on cross-border supervisory practices and collaboration have improved as well.”

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana; Olori Olubadan, Moriyike; founder, Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Bishop Wale Oke and Bishop of Okeogun Anglican Diocese, Rev. Solomon Amusan at the 99th birthday thanksgiving service of Olubadan in Ibadan …yesterday

Experts alert on rising male factor infertility in Nigeria

By Chukwuma Muanya

• Nordica marks 10th anniversary

ERTILITY experts have Fdone warned that if nothing was urgently to reverse the

niversary and the birth of over 1000 babies through IVF at the clinics.

As part of efforts to enable more Nigerians benefit from the high cost technique, the clinic yesterday offered free pre-IVF treatment screening opportunity to 12 ‘infertile’ couples with the promise of giving free 100 per cent IVF treatment to only three after the screening exercise.

Managing Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi and Prof.

Stanley Okolo, a Nigerian Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at North Middlesex University Hospital, London yesterday at the

trend, more Nigerian men will not be able to impregnate their spouses even as they blamed most cases of childlessness in marriages to male factor infertility.

Also, most fertility clinics in Nigeria are recording more successes in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)/test tube baby technology with the birth of more babies through the technique.

A foremost fertility centre in Nigeria, Nordica Fertility Clinic, with centres in Lagos, Asaba and Abuja yesterday in Lagos celebrated its 10th an-

clinic’s celebration, blamed the rising male factor infertility in Nigeria on the largely environment and lifestyle.

Meanwhile, a minute silence was observed in honour of the joint pioneer of IVF in the world, Sir Prof. Bob Robert Edwards. VF pioneer, Robert Edwards who died last week, at 87. Edwards co-developed technique that has helped bring more than four million children into the world.

Ajayi said: “Yes there is rising cases of infertility in the country. It is usually a male factor issue. Most of the infertility cases in Nigeria are due to problem with the men. These issues especially of low sperm count are

because of environmental issues and lifestyle. Several studies even in Denmark have shown that male sperm count is plummeting.

“The earlier they go for treatment the better because the age of a woman can determine the success of any treatment. Men should stop blaming women for the problem.

Both male and female factors can cause infertility.”

The gynaecologist identified low sperm count as the commonest cause of infertility in men. According to him, men with low sperm count cannot impregnate their wives, no matter the rounds of intimate intercourse they have.

Explaining the causes of low sperm count, he said, “Infections can cause it. A lot of

Four feared killed in Osun building collapse From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo O fewer than four persons N were feared dead while three others sustained injury at the weekend as a building collapsed at Ikirun the headquarters of Ifelodun council of the state.

The house, located close to a

private secondary school and a mosque at Moboroje area of the town was said to be in dilapidated condition but eventually caved in and killing its occupants.

The Guardian gathered that the occupants of the house were relaxing outside when the house collapsed.

It was learnt that only the occupants of the house who had gone to the mosque for prayers escaped the unfortunate incident.

Efforts by residents of the area to rescue the victims did not yield positive results, as they could not be reached good time.

The victims were later rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where four of them were confirmed dead.

It was gathered that three of the victims were severely injured and they were still receiving treatment at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

people are born that way.

Some people inherit low sperm count. Sometimes, it is a tough thing for them to understand.

“They will tell you that their fathers have many children.

But we know that in genetics, some genes are recessive, while some are dormant. So it is possible for your father to have a recessive gene for low sperm count, which now manifests in you.”

Ajayi, however, said that in women factors that could cause infertility included blockage of the fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders and fibroids. ”There are some women that do not ovulate,” he added.

He stated that an accident that affected the testicles could also lead to low sperm count. Other factors, according to Ajayi, are occupation, drugs, such as antibiotics; obesity and smoking.

“It has been documented that long truck drivers suffer low sperm count. It has also been documented that those who work in fuel stations suffer it. Commercial motorcyclists, whose testicles are exposed to high temperature for a long period can also suffer low sperm count,” he added.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

6 NEWS

EFCC probes alleged sleaze in Enugu secretariat project

By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Economic and FinanT cial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun a full-scale investigation into an alleged sleaze in the ongoing construction of new secretariat project in Enugu State.

Official figures released from Enugu government put the cost of the complex at the cost of N13.6 billion.

In November last year, Enugu zonal office of the EFCC had carried out preliminary investigation into the secretariat project, based on a petition by the Co-ordinator of Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in Enugu State, Mr. Osita Okechukwu.

During the preliminary investigations, which took place while Governor Sullivan Chime was away on his prolonged vacation, the then Accountant-General, Eunice Ugwu, reportedly told EFCC investigators that the project would cost N8 billion and not N13.6 billion as claimed by the petitioner.

She also told the EFCC that the government only released money for the feasibility studies and demolition of old state secretariat building, adding that such was provided for in the 2012 budget.

Ugwu was removed as accountant-general soon after Chime returned to the country in February this year, and re-appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service Commission.

It was further gathered that based on findings from the preliminary investigations, the Abuja office of the EFCC has taken over the case file and launched a full-scale probe.

A copy of the EFCC invitation letter extended to Okechukwu, through his lawyers, T.M. Eke and Associates of Magnolia Chambers in Enugu,

urged the CPC co-ordinator to appear at the commission’s Abuja office by 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2013.

The letter titled “Investigation Activities: Re-Petition Against the Accountant-General of Enugu State”, reads: “You may recall that you wrote a petition dated September 18, 2012 on behalf of your client, Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), against the Accountant-General of Enugu State.

“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to inform your client to report for an interview with the undersigned through Mr. Chris Owobu on April 18, 2013 at No 5, Block C, Fomella Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademole Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, by 1000hrs. Your co-operation in this regard is highly solicited please.”

When contacted, Okechukwu confirmed receipt of the invitation for an interview.

Earlier, while testifying at the zonal office in Enugu on November 16, the petitioner alleged that the construction of the new secretariat amounted to financial recklessness and misapplication of funds, and definitely carried a baggage of corruption.

He further submitted that Enugu, a state which suffers deficit in infrastructure and high rate of unemployment, was financially weak and illequipped to embark on the project, except through borrowing, going by the state’s financial profile and revenue accruing to the treasury.

He also alleged that there was no provision made for the project in the 2012 budget, even for Environmental Impact Assessment, stressing that if no such provision was made in the budget, it then means that the project did not follow due process.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (left) and President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during the latter’s condolence visit to the governor over the death of his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti… at the weekend.

New rules for electricity plants owners underway

By Emeka Anuforo, Abuja O make new plant owners T stick to their terms of engagement with the government under the ongoing privatisation process, the Federal Government is putting together a set of regulations.

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said in Abuja at the weekend that the guidelines would en-

sure that operators do not breach their licence obligations, and “are able to temporarily operate out of compliance where the urgent need arises.”

The NERC said it is also finetuning work on a draft health and safety code to ensure the safety of persons during installation, operation or maintenance of electricity equipment. The commission

is currently harmonising stakeholders’ input into the draft document, its officials said.

A statement from NERC noted that “the undeniably weak state of the industry that will be inherited by the new players has necessitated this move. There are many flaws and sub-standard equipment, among others, in the system which will make it difficult for

Rep tasks FG on Nigerians in Bakassi From Tunde Akinola, Port Harcourt MEMBER of the House of A Representatives from Cross River State and former Nigerian Envoy to Ethiopia, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, has described the recent invasion of Efut Obot Ikot (the Efut people of the hills) as a “clear vindication” of the Bakassi Support Group last year on the clamour for revisiting of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment.

According to her, the failure of the Nigerian state to seek revision of the verdict was a

political miscalculation.

In a statement, Toyo, who is a member of the group, said she wondered at the options left for the Federal Government in the face of the very weak position it has put itself. She said the recent pronouncement by Minister of Interior that it will protect the Nigerians in the Peninsula was “laughable” as similar promises were made last year by the Attorney-General of the Federation at the time Nigeria conceded to Cameroun. “What has the AGF done since then? It behooves

on the people to now choose their destiny, as the situation is extremely hopeless for the Nigerians who own the place.

The green tree agreement (GTA) in Article 3 makes its obligatory for the Camerounians to protect and respect the rights of the Nigerians who own the Peninsula. However, rather than do so, Cameroun, through the Gendarmes, has engaged in deliberate acts of forced eviction and forced occupation of lands belonging to the Efik and Efut people of old Calabar,” Toyo said.

Anambra condemns demolition of govt property in Onitsha

By Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka NAMBRA State government has condemned the demolition of the state veterinary quarters and other structures located at the GRA, Onitsha, by some indigenes laying claim to the land.

The affected areas are along Plot 14, Ring Road, Bent Lane behind judges’ quarters, Regina Nwankwu Avenue, Park Road and Enugu Road, all in GRA, Onitsha.

The Ekwerekwu family of Onitsha had on April 5 allegedly called for the demolition of structures on the affected plots, insisting that they were out to reclaim their land, which also housed the Police Barracks at Enugu Road, Onitsha.

The Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Okoli Akirika, who went on inspection at Onitsha yes-

A

terday to ascertain the extent of damage as a result of the demolition, said even if the lease of the affected areas had expired, there are proper ways of doing things.

He argued that the government is not against any person espousing any possessor’s right, but certain things should be done within the ambits of the law.

“This is government property anchored and situated on legality and we expect that whoever wants to espouse any right should do so within the ambit and procedure as prescribed by the law.

“We are open to complaints and petitions which could be legitimately lodged at the ministry so that we look at it for determination on its merit. If there will then be need to release property back to the

owner, re-acquire the property or pay compensation, government shall do that.”

The commissioner stressed that the Governor Peter Obiled administration is anchored on decency, legality, responsibility and responsiveness.

Although Akirika refused to ascertain the monetary value of the property damaged and when government acquired the land, he stressed that “this is something that involves landed property and is essentially been governed by documents.”

Reacting however, one of the lawyers to the original owners of the land, Mr. Azubuike Anyakwo, who came to the demolition site, told the commissioner that the action was carried out on the order of a court.

the new operators to comply with all the standards set by NERC to govern generation, transmission, distribution and overall customers’ care.

“Operators will be able to apply to NERC seeking for time to comply with codes and standards, and then submit detailed plans and timelines for eventual compliance. The commission will consider these applications, and if found not to impinge on health and safety issues, and are justifiable, derogation may be granted.”

Lagos NUJ guest house ground-breaking holds tomorrow OvERNOR Babatunde G Fashola of Lagos State; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former governor, Bola Tinubu; as well as former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, are expected to grace the ground-breaking ceremony of Lagos NUJ multi-million naira Guest House slated for tomorrow in Somolu.

While Osoba is expected to chair the occasion, Fashola would be the chief host, just as Ikuforiji would lay the foundation. The event, which is expected to hold by 10.00 a.m. at 3, Adeola Street, off Apata Street in Somolu, would also have the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Garba Mohammed, as well as past and present leaders of the union, in attendance.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Council, Deji Elumoye and Secretary, Sylva Emeka-Okereke, the project was conceived on the heels of several requests by Lagos journalists to invest on facilities that would yield revenue to the Council. The two-storey building is expected to be completed in one year.

The statement further noted that the project was part of the decision to reduce huge sums of money spent on hotel accommodations for members in transit, hence Lagos,

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Jonathan greets Olubadan at 99 From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has sent birthday greetings to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana who turned 99 yesterday.

The President, in a statement through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Rueben Abati described the frontline monarch as a great ruler who had used his vast experience in serving his people and ensuring peace and stability.

The President noted that Oba Odulana has deployed his immense experience, knowledge and wisdom for the great benefit of his people since his assumption of the ancient throne of Ibadanland.

Jonathan prays that God Almighty who has already blessed the Olubadan with such extraordinary longevity will grant him many more years of good health and commendable service to his community and the nation.

P

NEWS

ACN decries rise in oil theft, pipeline vandalism HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned that the rising cases of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta will definitely worsen the country’s economic woes, when placed side by side with other problems besetting the country’s troubled oil sector, unless the Federal Government acts decisively to stop the criminal act.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said oil theft and

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pipeline vandalism, the cost of which has been put between $6 billion and $12 billion per annum, have now reverted to the pre-amnesty period, when oil theft peaked at about 350,000 barrels of per day higher than the quantity of oil produced daily by Gabon or Equatorial Guinea. ‘’On February 24, 2013, we raised the alarm that the country’s economy was heading for the rocks, citing the skyrocketing cost of oil production, from $4 per barrel in 2002 to $35 per barrel presently; the

massive corruption in the oil sector; the sharp fall in the discovery of new oil and gas reserves due to the low investment in the sector, and the challenge posed by alternative sources of global supply of oil and gas. ‘’For raising that alarm, we were pilloried by those who acted more out of emotion than facts. Today, we say the situation is actually worse than we had thought, exacerbated by pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, which have reached an unsustain-

Adamawa PDP factions hold separate primaries From Emmanuel Ande, Yola HE crisis rocking the T Adamawa State Chapter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened, as the two rival factions at the weekend conducted two separate primaries for the Nassarawo/Jereng House of Assembly constituency seat in Mayo-Belwa Local Government the home of Governor Murtala Nyako.

The Joel Madaki executive, backed by the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, held its primaries in Tula, while the Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama led executive backed

by Nyako held its primaries in Nassarawo/Jereng on the same day.

The officials of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervised the two separate PDP primaries.

At the Kugama PDP primaries, 37 delegates voted and two aspirants contested for the Assembly vacant seat. Alhaji Mohammed Ciroma was declared winner by the returning officer, Alhaji Babayo Hassan.

Why we want maritime academy, by Dickson From Adamu Abuh, Abuja HE Bayelsa State governT ment has justified its resolve to establish a maritime academy, noting it was aimed at empowering the citizenry in the state.

The agreement for the proposed academy was signed at the Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja at the weekend between Deputy Governor of the State, Rear Admiral John Jonah and the Chairman of Poland based firm, Navimor International, Mr. Romuald Kinda.

Jonah, who stood in for the state Governor Henry Seriake Dickson at the occasion, stated that the youths that would be empowered with requisite knowledge in the academy would be able to hold their heads high in any part of the world.

Listing the benefits derivable from the initiative to journalists, he said: “Our plan is to establish an academy that will have international touch, international recognition. We want graduates of the academy to be employable anywhere in the world.

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Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; flanked by the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi (right); and his Deputy Director, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau (left) during a condolence visit by the top management of CBN to the governor over the demise of his Deputy, Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti…yesterday

N29b teaching hospital projects to be completed 2013

By Chukwuma Muanya

• Govt gives Oct 1 deadline on new Yellow Fever card

HE Federal Government T has given assurance that the N29 billion teaching hos-

tal partners and individuals spend for malaria control, test, drugs and treatment yearly.

He also announced October 1, 2013 deadline for the validity of the old Yellow Fever Card and the full enforcement of the new card.

Chukwu said Nigerians should not pay more than N1, 000 for the new Yellow Fever card, which can be obtained at the nearest Primary Health Care (PHC).

The minister dismissed insinuations that Nigeria is a donor dependent country but said that less than 10 per cent of all health sector expenditure is from donors.

Chukwu also disclosed that 77 per cent of the N280 billion budgetary allocation to health in 2013 national budget is for paying the salaries of workers, even as he said the Federal Government spends about N5 billion yearly on procuring HIV/AIDS drugs for the free national treatment programme.

pital projects will be completed this year with the commissioning of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi; even as it expressed satisfaction over the execution of the projects.

Eleven years after the contract was signed between Vamed Engineering and the Federal Government, the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu over the weekend at a media parley in Lagos said the projects have met its promise of providing state-of-the-art medical equipment comparable to others in the world.

Chukwu denied reports credited to him in some Nigeria media that the Federal Government was spending N480 billion yearly on the management and treatment of malaria in the country.

The minister, however, said the N480 billion is the estimated cost of malaria to Nigeria including what the Federal Government, states, local councils, developmen-

The minister said for the first time in the history of the country, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a National Oral Health Policy and the Federal Ministry of Health has set up two committees to see how to develop traditional medicine by introducing it into the medical schools curricula.

He said the continued rejection of the polio vaccine by some Nigerians, not insecurity, is the major challenge to the Federal Government in its efforts to eradicate the Wild Polio Virus (WPV).

Chukwu also regretted complaints of long waiting hours and patients’ overflow in most hospitals, even as he blamed the situation on the dearth of medical consultants and low bed capacity of most teaching hospitals like Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, with 800 bed capacity and National Hospital Abuja with 250 bed capacity.

able level. Add this to the resurgence of attacks by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and we are compelled to cry out again,’’ it said.

ACN said the action taken in recent times by two major oil companies, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), is the clearest indication yet of the seriousness of the situation. ‘’In March 2013, SPDC announced that it will shut down the 150,000bpd Nembe Creek oil pipeline this April due to the urgent need to clear away illegal connections meant to facilitate the theft of crude oil from the pipeline. Also in March, NAOC declared a force majeure regarding crude oil liftings at the Brass terminal and suspended its activities in Bayelsa State, following the intensification of illegal bunkering activities and the vandalisation of the 10’’ Kwale-Akri-Nembe-Brass oil delivery line. ‘’The shutdown of these two key oil delivery trunk lines by SPDC and NAOC has cut nearly 300,000 barrels per day from already dwindling Nigeria’s oil output, now put at 2.2 million barrels per day, down from 2.75 million barrels per day a year ago, resulting from increased, organised and sophisticated illegal bunkering of oil by criminals operating in the creeks of the Niger Delta. ‘’To worsen matters, it has been alleged that some bad eggs in the military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to the region to protect oil personnel and facilities have been

accused of complicity in the illegal bunkering activities.

This is why the Federal Government must quickly engage key stakeholders in a dialogue with a view to finding ways to stop the criminal act before it cripples the economy and bring Nigeria down to its knees,’’ the party said.

ACN said it is particularly worrisome that the relative peace witnessed in the Niger Delta following the amnesty programme for oil militants seems to have waned, going by available statistics: A total of 350,000 barrels per day was lost to illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta in 2012, representing an increase of 45 per cent over the figure for 2011 and 67 per cent over that of 2010. It added that the trend for 2013 is alarming. ‘’We are particularly concerned that the Nembe Creek axis seems to have been the worst hit by the criminal act, despite being the operating base of a key former militant who has cornered a lucrative Federal Government contract to protect Nigeria’s coastline from the same bunkering activities that are now getting out of control,’’ the party said.

It said that without prejudice to whatever solutions that key stakeholders may proffer to the criminal act of pipeline vandalism and oil theft, it is important for the security agencies operating in the Niger Delta to ginger up their efforts to safeguard lives and property in the Niger Delta; and the government must recommit itself to enhancing security of investment in the region, while at the same time tackling headlong the grinding poverty in the oil region.

8 NEWS

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

ACN chief, ruler fault govt on persistent Tiv/Fulani crisis, insecurity • Tsav links Police incapacity to neglect • ECWA wants compensation for Northern Christians From Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) and Charles Akpeji, (Jalingo) ARAMOUNT ruler of the P Tiv nation and Tor Tiv IV, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkura, has expressed worry at the poor interest the Federal Government is showing towards resolving the recurring Tiv/Fulani crisis in Benue State over the years.

Baring his mind during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend in Anyiin, Logo Local Council of the state, Torkura maintained that government’s lukewarm attitude to the crisis as shown in its non-implementation of several recommendations by different commissions of inquiry and traditional councils was not good enough.

Similarly, a former governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, has blamed the lack of commitment by both states and Federal Government for the present security challenges in the country.

In an interview with The Guardian in Jalingo, Taraba State, Ikenya also frowned at the incessant interference of state governments in councils’ affairs.

He wondered why governments at all level have turned their back on agriculture, which he said, “is the mainstream of our economy, especially in the northern part of the country.”

Meanwhile, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Dr. Abubakar Tsav, has said that the inability of the Nigeria Police to perform after over 50 years of existence

is not due to lack of officers and men but because the Force has been bastardised and rendered inefficient, grossly neglected and starved of funds, as well as equipment.

Tsav, speaking with The Guardian in Makurdi at the weekend, further regretted that about one-third of the police strength is wasted as orderlies to public office holders, who are wallowing in ill-gotten wealth. He called for the withdrawal of such orderlies.

Nevertheless, the Evangelical of Church of West Africa (ECWA) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to compensate churches and Christians, whose property were destroyed during the post-election violence and those destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country.

ECWA also called on Christians in the country not to entertain anxiety in the face of the prevailing challenges facing the nation and the world in general.

In a communiqué presented at the 60th General Church Council meeting at ECWA Headquarters in Jos, its President, Dr. Jeremiah Gado, said the church maintains its stance on zero-tolerance to corruption in the church and the society.

It further reaffirmed its support for Jonathan’s earlier position not to grant amnesty to Boko Haram.

According to Torkura, the insinuation that Tiv people hate the Fulani is baseless because people from both tribes marry one another. He enjoined council chairmen

in the state to always involve and work with their traditional rulers so as to enthrone peace in the state instead of recognising them only at the wake of emergencies.

On his part, Tsav maintained that due to the neglect, the police could not handle security challenges, a development that paved way for the military to take over their responsibilities in such ways that often left tears and sorrows on the track as its trademark.

He noted: “Democracy strives only with an efficient police. We appeal to the Federal Government and National Assembly to restore the police’s lost glory by providing them with sufficient funding, increased manpower by massive recruitment, training and re-training of its personnel to achieve professionalism, and

National Sales Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Seye Ogunwole (left); Commanding Officer, NAF Clearing Agency, Wing Commander, M.S. Ibrahim; Commercial Director of the company, Lanre Jaiyeola; Commanding Officer (Receipt and Dispatch), Group Capt. Ali Balogun and Marketing Manager of the firm, Sola Abati, during the presentation of Honeywell Consumer Products to the flood-affected communities in Bayelsa State through the NAF “EbinyeRin” exercise…recently

NCC unveils five-year strategic plan, fine-tunes focus From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a five-year Strategic Management Plan (SMP), which is a roadmap to drive its telecommunications regulatory mandate in the fastevolving telecommunications industry from 2013 to 2017.

The plan would ensure the alignment of day-to-day work to the commission’s strategy, prioritise programmes and projects to achieve its goals and objectives, ensure optimal use of NCC’s recourses, and provide objective basis for performance monitoring and management.

The Commission also an-

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nounced a retuning of its mission, which is now to “support a market-driven communications industry and promote universal access,” while the vision now is “to be a responsive worldclass communications regulatory organisation.”

Speaking during the formal unveiling of the plan in Abuja, the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the plan was the culmination of over 12 months of industry consultations in a process managed

by PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PWC), with a cross-section of the industry’s stakeholders and members of staff of the commission.

Juwah noted that the new SMP would serve as a

roadmap for the future, taking into consideration the current and emerging trends in the industry and the numerous expectations of the diverse stakeholders.

According to him, the SMP is a living document that must be consulted regularly to ensure that the commission is on track towards achieving the objectives that have been collectively articulated.

The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, explained that the new vision and mission are predicated on the dynamic nature of the industry today.

The new mission, designed to support market-driven communications industry and promote universal access, he said, is due to the

new direction the industry is taking, especially in the area of convergence and frontiers of broadband Internet services - aimed at providing quality access to all.

On the new vision, which is to be a responsive communications industry regulator, he said this is to enable the NCC quickly respond to the dynamics of the industry for optimum delivery to all its stakeholders, especially the consumers.

The overarching principle behind the new mission and vision is “to promote an information-rich environment that can compete globally through the provision of quality communications service”.

Akhigbe, others condemn Edo campaign violence, killings Group warns of threat to lives, destruction From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Tosin Fodeke (Lagos) ORMER Chief of General Staff (CGS), Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd), yesterday condemned the fracas that took place in Etsako-Central constituency last week when supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed, leading to the death of two persons and the arrest of the ACN chairmanship candidate, Emma Momoh.

In a statement yesterday, Akhigbe condemned the killing in his Fugar hometown and called on the Inspector General of Police to fish out the killers. He described the killing as a taboo “because an Avianwu clan person cannot shed the blood of a fellow Avianwu,” just as he expressed dismay at the “show of power by incessantly arresting opposition candidates and taking them to Abuja instead of Benin City.”

He said the action amounts to abuse of power “and that is why people no longer respect the police in Edo State.” He warned the police

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not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians.

Speaking in same vein were the ACN National Youth Leader, Miriki Ebikibina, and the lawmaker representing Etsako in the state’s House of Assembly, Johnson Oghuma.

Oghuma, in press conference at the weekend, accused the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Ogiadomhe, of being behind the arrest of Momoh and his transfer to Abuja while Ebikibina, in a statement to The Guardian, demanded Momoh’s unconditional release. He also urged Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians.

Meanwhile, ahead of next weekend’s council polls, a pro-democracy group, Democracy for Nigeria Group, has notified President Jonathan of imminent violence that could cause loss of lives and property in the state.

The group, speaking through its national coordinator, Godstime Osagie Adun, said it has observed a

high presence of thugs and strange faces as electoral officials instead of the traditional use of teachers and civil servants, which is causing panic among the people.

It noted that its fears were based on reports of use of spouses of some candidates as electoral officers and presiding officers in their wards, as well as public declarations by Governor Adams Oshiomhole that, “we have perfected strategies to beat them in their game.”

The group said in a statement: “We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to shift Federal Government’s attention to the state so as to prevent imminent violence that could cause unnecessary loss of lives and property.

“We also call on the Federal Government and the security agencies to investigate the numerous allegations of manipulation of the process, thuggery and threats of mayhem, as well as the proposed use of thugs and cultists as electoral officers rather than teachers and civil servants, as had been the norm over time by the electoral body (EDSIEC) and the state government.”

NEWS 9

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Results of NECO’s common entrance exam out Wednesday From Chuks Collins, Awka ARING any unforeseen cirB cumstance, the results of the national Common Entrance Examination written in about 432 centres nationwide at the weekend would be ready on Wednesday, the Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Promise Okpala, has disclosed.

They would thereafter be sent to the Federal Ministry of Education for final vetting, approval and release to the public. According to him, about 87,555 candidates registered for the exam nationwide, while 6211 candidates registered in Anambra State alone.

The details further showed that Lagos State has the highest number of (23,329) while Yobe State has the lowest (86) candidates. Okpala, who monitored the exam process in most of the 29 different centres in Anambra, adjudged it a huge success in terms of organization, punctuality and orderliness on the part of the organizers and the candidates.

UK mayor seeks increased political office for women

Canadian envoy proffers ways to fast development From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta OR Nigeria to develop fast, Finfrastructure most of the economic and developments must take place at the state level, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, said in Abeokuta yesterday. He stated that in any federation such as Nigeria, rapid development mainly depends on the states.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, he explained: “I have been to other countries and of course Canada itself, which is a federation like Nigeria, and most of the progressive governance and economic development occur not at the national level but the states level.”

Cooter commended Amosun for “really pushing forward with innovative ways of improving governance and getting service to the people and attracting investors so that the people of the state

will prosper.”

The Canadian envoy told Amosun at the Government House yesterday: “We have a long history of supporting education in Nigeria. We’ve been in Nigeria on agriculture, research development, investment, infrastructure and transport. That is Canada’s greatest interest of coming to Nigeria.”

Cooter later told journalists: “We discussed the upcoming conference in May, where a large number of senior Nigerian decision-makers and business people will be going and the purpose of that conference will be to introduce Nigeria to Canadian business.”

And on how the Canadian government could be of assistance to the state in the area of employment, he stated: “We are looking at a big project with our association with Canadian community, colleges in Canada, they will work here with your employers.”

After the inspection tour, he said he was impressed that

Amosun had not concentrated efforts in developing the state capital alone but other cities too, just as Amosun solicited the Canadian government’s assistance in education and agriculture.

Meanwhile, Amosun assured the people that contrary to

speculations, his administration would complete all ongoing projects before the end of his first tenure. He also pledged to spend every kobo of state funds in the interest of the state.

He spoke at the weekend during his inspection tour of

some on-going road projects within the state, including the Iperu-Sagamu six-lane express road and Ilo-Awela six-lane express road in Ota, both of which, he said, have standard overhead bridges and are scheduled for completion in May.

Jigawa procures equipment for specialist hospital From John Akubo, Dutse

• Censors’ Board to enforce film regulations

OWARDS boosting health T delivery in the state, Jigawa State government has award-

also set aside to train the staff, who would operate the machine.

According to the Commissioner for Health, the machine will upgrade the hospital to a referral system, where difficult cases would be taken.

Meanwhile, the state’s Censors Board is set to enforce the rules and regulations on film industry in line with its mandate, according to its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar

ed contract for the procurement of an x-ray computed tomographic (CT scan) machine and other accessories at the cost of N52 million, to be installed at the Rashid Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse.

The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, disclosed after the executive council meeting recently that N43 million was

Kaugama.

Speaking at the state secretariat in Dutse during a sensitisation meeting organised for filmmakers and operators of viewing houses, he said the board has since embarked on programmes aimed at uplifting the film industry in the state.

Muhammad said the Board would soon commence registration of association of filmmakers, viewing centre owners and authors’ associations to enable them enjoy the activities of the Board.

By Bertram Nwannekanma HEAD of the 2015 Nigerian A general elections, a United Kingdom-based Nigerian politician and Mayor of Enfield Borough in London, Mrs. Kate Anolue, has called for increased women participation in politics.

Anolue, who is canvassing the allocation of 35 per cent elective positions for women, told journalists in Lagos that women should be given the opportunity to contribute to national development.

Lamenting that “what we have now is not even up to 10 per cent of the 35 per cent affirmative action,” she said: “This is very disappointing because I believe women can contribute so much to the development of the country.”

The lawyer turned politician, who commended President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing women into key positions in his cabinet, called for an equal platform for women in the democratic space by political parties, urging the parties to focus on merit instead of gender in selecting candidates.

Senator denies owning Facebook account From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HAIRMAN of Senate C Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, has denied owning and operating a Facebook account or authorising anybody to open and operate one on his behalf.

In a statement in Enugu yesterday, the senator, who represents Enugu-North senatorial district, called on his constituents, supporters and friends to disregard a purported Facebook account currently being run in his name, while warning operators of the account to desist or face the wrath of the law.

The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a Facebook account purported to belong to me. I wish to state categorically that I don’t have any Facebook account anywhere.

“This Facebook account has been opened without my authorisation. I dissociate myself from it and urge my friends, constituents and family members to ignore it.

Executive members of the Women Organisation of St. James Catholic Church, Gombe, cutting a cake to mark Mothers’ Day…yesterday

PDP chieftain faults amnesty for ‘faceless, unremorseful terrorists’ From Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) and Isa Abdulsalami (Jos)

• Gesture sickening, ridiculous, says Rep

HOUGH he supported in T principle the granting of amnesty to the insurgent Boko

ance/s against the Federal Government so as to make the seemingly imminent amnesty reasonable and meaningful and not be seen as imposed on them.”

More so, the member representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives, Bitrus Kaze, has described as indescribably sickening and ridiculing the amnesty being considered for Boko Haram by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Kaze said in a statement yesterday: “In my honest view, granting amnesty to remorseless and unrepentant terrorists is the most weird policy ever contemplated by any government in the history of Nigeria.”

Ikoh, while urging northern leaders to take the lead in addressing the issue of Boko

Haram group, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has queried the move when the intended beneficiaries remain faceless and have not shown remorse for the crime for which they were being considered for pardon.

Speaking with journalists in Umuahia at the weekend, Ikoh expressed doubt at the workability of the amnesty programme “when the group remains faceless and has not stated its members’ grievances against the country and why their wanton destruction of lives and property.”

He said: “Let them come out and openly state their griev-

Haram, which activities he said adversely affected their people and non-indigenes resident there, however, noted that both Christians and Muslims were victims of the atrocities of the group.

For Kaze, “the pro-amnesty pronouncements and efforts so far by the government have been completely rubbished by the intended beneficiaries of the programme; they have continued in their uncurbed destructions of lives and property of innocent Nigerians virtually on a daily basis.

Condemning the amnesty offer, Kaze said “it stands every sense of reasoning on its head that a government, which is unable to defend its citizens from years of incessant brutality by the Boko Haram terrorists, has proceeded to reward

the same terrorists even when they, in their characteristic remorselessness, have categorically rejected the offer.

“It is indescribably sickening that the merchants of death have since declared their innocence and have instead, offered amnesty to President Jonathan’s government. The rejection of amnesty by the Boko Haram terrorists has completely exposed the fact that the real motive of the advocates of their amnesty is anything except the security and wellbeing of Nigerians.”

He added: “I am not sure any government has suffered so much ridicule since Nigeria’s independence. Our national pride and sovereignty is being eroded by inconsistent statements and policies, which are antithetical to our security and collective wellbeing.”

According to him, the amnesty programme being

contemplated by the Jonathan government exposes Nigeria’s intelligence community and its families to inexplicable dangers.

He noted: “Nothing can be more de-motivating than for a crack detective to see a terror suspect, against whom he has painstakingly gathered overwhelming evidence, now being rewarded by a government on whose behalf he risked his life.

He warned: “President Goodluck Jonathan must not sacrifice the security and wellbeing of innocent citizens in a bid to court regional political patronage. I am unable to see any motivation for rewarding unrepentant killers other than an attempt to please their mentors, who in the long run will never support Jonathan’s political ambition anyway.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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WorldReport Central African Republic: AU walking on a time bomb, as Nigerian envoy urges calm From Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor HREE weeks after reneT gades truncated yet another African democratic government in the Central African Republic (CAR), that country continues to slide towards possible anarchy in the absence of an African Union (AU) intervention.

But it was learnt by The Guardian at the weekend that a sensible AU intervention beyond condemnations and imposition of ineffective sanctions is the most potent panacea to the political crisis in that country. Landlocked CAR, a country of some 4.2 million people and surrounded by unstable countries including Chad, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Incidentally, attempts by some African Countries including South Africa to intervene fell through in a manner that that highlights a possible Nigerian success had Africa’s giant been involved as has repeatedly been demonstrated in flashpoints where she took up the gauntlet or led other states to achieve a peacekeeping goal. South Africa quickly withdrew its 200 troops stationed in Bangui, after 13 of their soldiers died during the insurgency leaving the country more vulnerable to external (beyond Africa) manipulation.

The number of people who have fled from the Central Africa Republic has risen to 37,000 since the start of a rebellion in December last year according to the United Nations (UN) figures. Over the last four months, another 173,000 people have become internally displaced owing to the unrest. And there are genuine fears that the situation could get out of hands if democratic order is not quickly restored.

As the Michael Djotodia- led junta tries to stabilise, the Nigerian ambassador to CAR Prince Roland Ola Omowa has urged about 3,000 Nigerians living in that country to remain calm as the federal government has and will

“continue to do” everything to secure their lives and property.

When the rebels ousted former president Francois Bozize himself (Who then fled to Cameroon) last month, about 180 people including the country’s head of Parliament and two army Generals sought refuge in the Nigerian embassy in the country’s capital-Bangui.

Speaking with The Guardian at the weekend, ambassador Omowa who was in Nigeria to deliver a special message from the ousted Bozize to president Goodluck Jonathan when the rebels struck said Africans must find solutions to African problems.

According to him, the colonial interests in the Country has meant that it is constantly watched over and while the discovery of oil and the entrance of China as a player in the CAR economy has not gone down well with entrenched interests.

“Yes, there is nothing wrong if Nigeria stations troops in CAR. That country and its leaders adore Nigeria and looks to Nigeria for continental leadership. But it has been abandoned over the years.

Those who are of the opinion that we should build on our healthy bilateral relations are correct. We can have a security partnership. And why not?

If France, a former colonial power always has troops stationed on the ground,” He added” It was further learnt at the weekend Nigeria has decided to focus more on the West African Sub-region for interventionist purposes especially with its security challenge at home.

A high-level source at the ministry of foreign affairs said that, “It is imperative that we allow the continental instrument to take care of that. Remember, our ambassador is here. It has been discussed and this is the federal government’s position” But so far, the United Nations (UN)’s reaction to the CAR crisis has been a warning that the region has little absorptive capacity. The AU had in

January this year warned against any form of coup in CAR. The AU has maintained that the rebels should consider holding elections in one year.

African leaders including South African President Jacob Zuma met last week in Chad’s capital N’Djamena to hash out a regional response to the coup in the face of attacks of its troops by rebel forces. The aftermath of the storming of Bangui insurgent fighters, who accused the government of failing to honour an agreement.

Encouragingly, the AU’s com-

missioner for peace and security Ramtane Lamamra, said that, “the best transitions are those that are short,” “There have been other examples in Africa where just a year was needed to return to constitutional order. We think this is possible, but it is left to the Central Africans to decide,” He added.

The Seleka rebels, an alliance of armed groups, seized power after a peace deal negotiated with Bozize collapsed.

Their leader Djotodia has already tried to contain international condemnation by creating a transitional gov-

end to celebrate the death of former British Prime

Thatcher

Minister Margaret Thatcher as a mass protest predicted by some failed to materialize.

According to Reuters, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson had warned of potential rioting as organizers promised thousands of opponents of Thatcher, who died aged 87, would descend on London’s Trafalgar Square to mark the passing of a leader who was loved and loathed in equal measure.

Current British politicians and world leaders past and present have paid tributes to the former premier, Britain’s

RAQI authorities say a roadside bomb explosion Ifollowed by a gunbattle north of Baghdad killed three people, including a Sunni candidate running in the upcoming provincial elections.

Police officials said yesterday’s attack occurred when a roadside bomb hit the convoy of Najam Saeed. The blast was followed by shooting between gunmen and the candidate’s bodyguards.

Police say two of Saeed’s brothers were killed and that the candidate’s son and three bodyguards were wounded in the attack near Muqdadiyah town, 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the death casualties.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Saudi prince backs women driving AUDI billionaire Prince Sindicated Alwaleed bin Talal has support of allow-

United States Secretary of Sate, John Kerry (left) with Japanese Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida prior to their meeting at Foreign Ministry’s Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo yesterday. After meeting with top Chinese leaders in Beijing, Kerry traveled to Tokyo to discuss the continuing North Korea crisis with Japanese officials. PHOTO: AP

U.S. intensifies diplomacy, as N’Korea takes hard line HE United States and abandoning its nuclear pro- out conditions. But the U.S. T Japan opened the door gram. and allies South Korea and yesterday to new nuclear Japan’s foreign minister, Japan fear rewarding North talks if North Korea lowered tensions and honored past agreements, even as the saber-rattling government rejected South Korea’s latest offer of dialogue as a “crafty trick.”

AP reported that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Tokyo that North Korea would find “ready partners” in the United States if it began

Fumio Kishida, also demanded a resolution to a dispute concerning Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by North Korean officials.

The diplomats seemed to point the way for a possible revival of the six-nation talks that have been suspended for four years.

China long pushed has for the process to resume with-

Hundreds attend Thatcher ‘death party’ in London EVERAL hundred people Scentral turned up for a “party” in London at the week-

ernment headed by civilian Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye and promising elections in three years.

But, conflict resolution experts say more is needed beyond condemnation of the coup in the mineral-rich former French colony. The AU had until the weekend only suspended CAR (routine action) and imposed sanctions on rebel chief Michel Djotodia.

Nigeria established diplomatic relations with CAR in 1960.

The mineral rich country gained independence from France just two months earlier

Attack kills Iraqi election candidate, two others

longest serving prime minister in over a century, but she continues to divide Britons over policies which saw her crush trade unions and privatize swathes of industry.

The event, which had been planned by left-wing activists in the event of her death decades ago, had been billed as “the party of a lifetime”.

But in cold and rainy conditions, it attracted only several hundred jovial and noisy supporters, chanting “Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, dead, dead, dead”. Some danced to drums and loud dance music, waving ban-

ners bearing messages such as “Rot in hell Thatcher”.

Others held up an effigy of Thatcher, complete with light blue suit and handbag, cracked open bottles of champagne which were passed around the small crowd and burnt a mannequin head, shouting “burn Maggie burn”.

“I’ve been waiting to celebrate this for 30 years. Best day of my life,” said Simon Gardner, a wildlife photographer from central England who was wearing a top saying “Rejoice, Rejoice, Thatcher is dead”.

Korea for its belligerence and endless repetition of a cycle of tensions and failed talks that have prolonged the crisis.

Kerry’s message of openness to diplomacy was clear, however unlikely the chances appeared that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s government would meet the American’s conditions.

“I’m not going to be so stuck in the mud that an opportunity to actually get something done is flagrantly wasted because of a kind of predetermined stubbornness,” he told U.S.based journalists.

“You have to keep your mind open. But fundamentally, the concept is they’re going to have to show some kind of good faith here so we’re not going to around and around in the sameold, same-old,” he said.

Tensions have run high on the Korean Peninsula for months, with North Korea testing a nuclear device and its intercontinental ballistic missile technology.

ing women there to drive.

He says that would help the kingdom’s campaign to cut down on the number of foreign workers.

According to AP, Saudi Arabia follows an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam and bans women from driving.

“The question of allowing women to drive in Saudi Arabia will save more than 500,000 jobs in addition to the social and economic benefits,” the prince wrote yesterday on his Twitter account.

Thousands of foreign workers have been fired from their jobs and then deported, part of a government campaign against foreigners who illegally reside and work in the kingdom.

Reptiles, insects, otter die in Scotland zoo inferno fire has claimed the lives of reptiles, insects and a A male otter at the Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland, AP has reported.

Officials said yesterday the blaze started in the zoo’s tropical house and was fought by some 50 firefighters.

Visitor services worker Lesley Coupar said the fire was “the worst nightmare” because the zoo is owned and staffed by animal lovers.

She said “everything” in the reptile house had died but that some dwarf west African crocodiles housed next to the reptile house were saved.

There were no injuries to personnel or visitors in the early morning fire in Polbeth, a town about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Edinburgh.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Politics Real Boko Haram will accept amnesty, says Yuguda • PDP will win 35 of 36 states in 2015

By Ehichioya Ezomon AUCHI State governor, Mallam Isah Yuguda, B has labelled those kicking against the amnesty package extended to Boko Haram as criminal and politically-motivated members of the sect.

Hence, it is left for the government to deal with such members when the real Boko Haram have accepted the amnesty proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Yuguda told journalists in Lagos on Saturday that the real members of the sect, who have various problems agitating their minds, would accept the amnesty offer.

The governor also addressed other issues in the polity, denying there was crisis in the Nigerian Governors Forum and that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party would win 35 of the 36 states in the next elections.

On the matter of Boko Haram, the governor said that no true Muslim would pick up weapons and kill a fellow man.

He urged the government to look into joblessness and illiteracy that might have prompted the sect members to embark on unholy attacks against the people.

Maintaining that there were criminal elements among the sect pushing for rejection of the amnesty offer, the governor said: “On the issue of Boko Haram, amnesty has been given to the real Boko Haram and I believe they are willing to accept that.

“That is my belief but you know there is the criminal Boko Haram and there is the real Boko Haram. But the criminal and the political Boko Haram are the armed robbers and that arm of politicians that call themselves Boko Haram and they go about attacking people.

“Maybe, it is the criminal Boko Haram that are responding to say that they don’t want amnesty because they have a different intention.

“Some of them are gunrunners, some of them are armed robbers and some of them are doing that on behalf of politicians. So, they just hide

under Boko Haram and perpetrate evil.”

For those that are actually Boko Haram, Yuguda said: “I would want to believe that there is something that is agitating their minds, not about killing human beings but probably there are certain things that have agitated their minds — probably joblessness.”

“I understand some of them are university graduates —15 years, no job. Now that the president has extended that olive branch to them, I would like to believe that they are quite happy.”

The governor said there had to be an end to all these. “Once they have accepted, we know that we have to face the criminals,” he said.

“Any other person that is calling himself Boko Haram, we know they are the armed robbers and the political Boko Haram.”

Saying that Boko in Hausa means “learning in English,” including learning rocket science, medicine, biology, chemistry, Hausa, Yoruba or anything learnt in English characters, the governor queried: “But if you learn rocket science in Arabic, is it Boko, too?”

Yuguda said it was wrong to refer to Boko Haram as a religious sect or Islamic sect. Rather, he said that there was a serious need to look at the sect and find out why the members were agitating.

“If you read the Bible from the beginning to the end, there is nowhere it said, ‘go and kill for God.’ Even the Bible said if you are slapped on the left (cheek), you turn the other cheek.

“What is the justification for the killing of people? Certainly not from the Bible!”

The governor added: “As for you being a Muslim, you cannot be a Muslim without believing in the Bible.

“In the Quoran, Jesus is Isah, the son of Mary.

You must believe in his mother and believe that he was given birth to by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yuguda “You must believe in the Bible, even though there are minor variations, that which relates to the crucifixion and the Trinity.

“For any Muslim or Christian, who picks up a weapon and says, ‘I want to kill,’ that man is a criminal. He is not a Muslim; he is not a Christian.

“And the earlier you start preaching this philosophy, the better for all of us. We must find a reason for the killing. It is either poverty, tribal or look for the reason. It is not religious.”

However, in the midst of the serial attacks in the North, Yuguda said Bauchi State was peaceful.

Emphasising that neither Islam nor Christianity permits its adherents to kill, he said: “I become really worried when I read about mayhem, insecurity and all that in Bauchi. What is all this?

“I am telling you that the crimes committed in one city in any of these developed countries is more than those committed in Nigeria (as a whole).

“Way back in 1999, the budget for security alone was in the region of about $30b. I am telling you that in one city alone (without identifying the city and the country).

On the 2015 elections, Governor Yuguda gave the assurance that PDP would win 35 out of the 36 states of the federation.

“PDP is going to win 35 out of the 36 states of the federation, come 2015,” he said. “Somebody is saying that APC is a banned. We are winning in Lagos.”

Insisting that there was no crisis among the governors in the Nigerian Governors Forum, he said the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF) was necessary to discuss matters resulting from the PDP manifesto.

“It (founding of the PDP-GF) is not a crisis; formation of association is provided for in the Constitution,” he said, adding that, “today, the opposition parties form an association and they call themselves APC.” He contended that if the PDP governors felt that there were certain things that are exclusive to them as PDP governors — in the PDP manifesto that they needed to discuss “and try as much as possible to make sure that they implement the programmes and manifesto, we should do that.”

“But the Governors Forum is Nigeria’s Governors Forum. I had the privilege of going to the annual general meeting of the American Governors Forum. PDP has its own interest to unite and discuss our own problems,” he added.

Taraba PDP sets up committee to check indiscipline

Okorie wants INEC to adopt electronic voting system

From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be empowered to commence the application of the electronic voting system, according to the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie.

Addressing reporters on the outcome of the second national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the UPP at its national secretariat in Abuja recently, Okorie enjoined the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to achieve evoting.

Listing bad governance, appalling security challenges and the encumbrances placed

by INEC on day of voting as among reasons for voter apathy, he believes that Nigerians could still be encouraged to exercise their franchise on Election Day through the electronic voting system.

Referring to the recent Area Council polls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to buttress his assertions, Okorie maintained that with the introduction of the electronic voting system, the appalling incidence of voter apathy across the country would be curtailed drastically.

He cited the instance of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) poll where 13 political parties that participated scored an aggregate vote of 28,000 out of the total 477,000 registered voters in the coun-

EADY to check the ill attitudes of its members, a standing and disciplinary committee has been inaugurated by the Taraba State chapter of the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The seven-man committee was inaugurated at the multipurpose hall of the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, during a stakeholders’ meeting.

According to the state party chairman, Victor Bala Kona, the committee is aimed at bringing to their knees party members who had derailed.

Wondering the sudden emergence of factions in the party, Kona said the committee would checkmate members “who are fond of fomenting troubles within the party.”

He cited the recent petition to the national headquarters of the party by the immediate past chairman, Dr. Abdulmumuni Vaki-led faction.

“A week ago, we were privileged to stumbled on a petition jointly written by some members and non-members of the PDP, which captioned, ‘protest visit by some Taraba State PDP stakeholders to the national secretariat,’ he said.”

The petition, as sighted by The Guardian, admonished the leadership of the national headquarters of the party to,

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Kona as a matter of urgency, dissolve the state executive and go ahead to order for fresh congresses in the wards, local government and state levels.

The petition tenaciously denied any congresses in the state and that the present executives of the party were forcefully imposed on members by the ailing governor, Danbaba Suntai.

Kona described the petition as “most unfortunate,” charging the committee to tread the path of justice by bringing to book erring members of the party, especially those who had gone outside the party constitution.

On his part, the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Ishaka Bawa, said the petition had not yet been “presented to our committee (National Working Committee).”

He enjoined the party faithful to be steadfast, as the petition would no doubt be thrown into the trash, adding, “we will do everything humanly possible to protect and defend Tarabans.”

Bawa warned moneybag politicians, “who think they can use their wealth in igniting crisis in the state, to seek alternative route, as the National Assembly members from the state will not live any stone unturned in defending the people of the state.”

Describing the petition as “baseless and unfounded,” the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, opined that the petitioners were “bound to fail.”

“We will continue with the process of building consensus and wooing new members to the party,” he said.

Umar stressed the need for the aggrieved persons to “come back home” so as to join in promoting “peace and unity of the state.”

Present at the stakeholders’ meeting were members of the National Assembly from the state, members of the House of Assembly, party elders, commissioners, ward chairmen as well as their counterparts at the local gov-

From Adamu Abuh, Abuja

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Okorie cil.

“This equivalent to six percent participation of the registered voters in the area council,” he said.

Apparently piqued by the outcome of the AMAC poll where the UPP fielded candidates for elective positions, Okorie said: “The AMAC election does not meet the minimum qualification for legitimacy. The government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, INEC, political parties and the Nigerian people should be worried at the trend that suggests, in clear terms, that Nigerians have lost total confidence in the democratic process. This in the opinion of

NEC is dangerous.

“The compelling need for legislative action to empower INEC to commence the application of the electronic voting system in subsequent elections cannot be wished away.

“The confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process and in our democracy must be restored without further delay, to avoid the dangers that lie ahead.”

Okorie, who disclosed, among other resolutions, that the NEC of the UPP endorsed the appointment of Mr. George Ozodinobi as the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, expressed concern that in spite of huge budgetary provisions, there was the near absence of security of life and property of the citizenry.

On insecurity in the nation, especially the menace posed

by Boko Haram, Okorie advised the Federal Government to reach out to countries like the United States of America, China, and Britain to tackle the problem.

‘We need to reach out to friendly nations with proven record of acquisition of relevant technology to assist with the provision of modern technology and expertise to combat violent crimes and terrorism in the polity,” he said.

He also lamented the high rate of unbridled corruption and youth unemployment in the polity, he urged the authorities to do the needful in that direction.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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TheMetroSection Soldiers arrest suspect for kidnapping uncle

By Odita Sunday

The Army Quick Response Group, which operates on Lagos-Ibadan-Ogere axis, stopped a Honda car, blue in colour with Registration No: LND 751 AP in Akara village,.... During an interrogation, somebody in the vehicle by name Mr. Dominic Nwaezegu shouted that he was a kidnap victim..

ONY Anene, a 37-year-old man from Delta State is now in custody of the Nigerian Army, 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly conspiring with two others to kidnap his uncle, one Mr. Dominic Nwaezego in Lagos.

The suspect was arrested by men of the Brigade attached to the enhanced security squad popularly called “Quick Response Group” (QRG) at the weekend.

Parading the suspected kidnapper, the Commander 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, General Adeniyi Oyebade warned criminal elements still wandering in Lagos to find another place for their criminal escapades or be ready to be “weeded out” of the city.

The Army General noted that Lagos was now a “no-go area” for kidnappers and other criminal elements.

The victim, Nwaezego, was said to have been held incommunicado,

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The suspect, Anene blindfolded without food or water for three days before he was rescued and the suspect arrested by the Nigerian Army Quick Response Group (QRG).

Gen Oyebade said: “This morning, a few minutes to 1. 00a.m., the Niger-

ian Army Quick Response Group, which operates on Lagos-IbadanOgere axis, stopped a Honda car, blue in colour with Registration Number: LND 751 AP in Akara village, somewhere around Ogun State.”

“They observed that the vehicle was just wobbling along with one of the tyres in bad shape. During an on-thespot interrogation, as part of the “stop and search operations”, somebody in the vehicle by name Mr. Dominic Nwaezegu shouted that he was a kidnap victim,” he said.

He added: “On hearing that shout, two out of the three kidnappers jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the bush. Unfortunately for one of them, Mr. Tony Anene, he was apprehended and brought into the military custody for interrogation.”

Oyebade further explained that from the details from their preliminary investigation, there was an “insider-job,” stressing that the suspected kidnapper, Tony, was a relation to the victim, Nwaezego.

The victim was said to have been kidnapped on the April 9, 2013 at his residence using the name of the Economic Adviser to the President, Mr. Augustine Uwaizi Ohidikpe, to lure him out of his house, knowing full well that the victim had maintained a good relationship spanning over 10 years with the Economic Adviser.

It was disclosed that the suspected kidnapper, Anene, took advantage of the fact that his uncle’s son, who lives in Abu Dhabi had visited the country recently to attend a wedding; perhaps Anene and his cohorts suspected that he came in with some money to give to his father.

The Commander reiterated that another mystery, which they were still trying to unravel, was the fact that there was a land dispute in Okpoije Umueze Quarters of Ibusa, Oshimili Local Council of Delta State.

“It was under the guise of the land dispute that the elderly man was kidnapped using the name of the Economic Adviser to the President Augustine Uwaizi Ohidikpe to lure him out of his house,” he noted.

He revealed that investigation had exonerated the Economic Adviser who was said to have nothing to do with the kidnap incident.

“His name was merely used to lure the victim out because he knew the Economic Adviser very well and they have been relating for the past 10 years,” Oyebade added.

Anene confirmed that there was, indeed, a land dispute that they were trying to resolve in the village.

He claimed that, “a few weeks ago, my uncle Mr. Dominic called me that some people actually called him and wanted to get into the matter in the village. They invited him to Ikeja but when he got there he didn’t see anybody.

However, he did not deny his involvement in the crime.

Oyebade noted that the Nigerian Army was synergizing with other security agencies to track down the two suspects that escaped claiming that they were allegedly in possession of weapons.

He assured that the army would continue to support the Nigeria Police towards ensuring that crime rates are brought to the barest minimum in the state.

In Kaduna, widows of military officers get relief materials

From Bashir Bello, Kaduna IDOWS and children of officers of Armed Forces were at the weekend remembered by its umbrella body, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Officers’ Wives Association (AFCSCOWA) at a reception, which saw the widows going home with cash, food items and other relief materials worth thousands of naira.

The reception was aimed at reviving the officers’ wives empowerment programme.

The President of AFCSCOWA, Adebisi Osim, an engineer, said the purpose was to give the widows a sense of belonging in the society.

“It is very important to show the widows love, care and encourage them. Widows are not always remembered.

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They are dejected and as a result, some of them have died.”

“It’s not the desire of any woman to lose her husband and so we should support them, show them love and care and give them a shoulder to lean on,” Osin said.

On her plans for the future, she said: “My plan is to look out for youths in the society, particularly in the barracks to see how I can engage them in vocational training. They will be given training in computer wares, laundry and food nutrition,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries and widow of Sergeant Ishaku Yakubu, Mrs. Janet Ishaku, described the gesture as that which came with feelings of happiness and sadness.

Four die, three injured in Osun building collapse From Tunji Omofoye,Osogbo O fewer than four persons N were feared dead while three others sustained injuries at the weekend when a building collapsed at Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Council of the state.

The house, located close to a private secondary school and a mosque at Moboroje area of the town was said to be in dilapidated condition but even-

tually caved in and sent the victims to their early grave.

The Guardian gathered that the residents of the house were relaxing when the house collapsed.

It was learnt that only the residents of who had gone to mosque for prayer escaped the unfortunate incident.

Efforts by residents of the area to rescue the victims did not yield positive results as the victims could not be

reached good time.

The victims were later rushed to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital where four of the victims were confirmed dead.

It was gathered that three of the victims were severely injured and they were still receiving medical treatment at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

Photonews

“My husband, Sgt. Ishaku Yakubu died on March 23, 2008 in a motor accident. After his death, we were not paid and nobody gave us any support,” Mrs. Ishaku said.

Mrs. Jummai Alfred, widow of Mamman Alfred and mother of six, also narrated her ordeal.

“My husband, Mamman Alfred, died on July 6, 2012. We have six children, the first is in the university. Catering for them has not been easy. Thank God that we are remembered today. I’m overwhelmed by the kind gesture,” Mrs. Alfred said.

Relief materials distributed to the widows include bags of rice, gallons of oil, salt and sachets of tin tomatoes, among others.

Briefs Medplus organises free blood pressure check-up PHARMACEUTICAL firm, Medplus has begun a week-long free Blood Pressure Assessment Initiative.

A statement by the Managing Director, Mrs. Joke Bakare, said “ The initiative is coming on the heels of this year’s World Health Day which is focused on the control of blood pressure and cutting the risk of heart attack and stroke. ” Bakare revealed that Medplus would also embark on a one-day radio enlightenment campaign tagged ‘Medplus Quarter Hour on Blood Pressure Control’, a campaign, which she said aims at promoting and achieving the WHO objectives, which is primarily to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure; provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure and related complications; and encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure such as regular blood pressure monitoring with BP Monitors.

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Fayemi lauded over launch of Advisory Forum

Chartered Accountant and indigene of Ekiti State, Peter AdeA bayo, has commended the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the official launch of the 47-man Ekiti State Elders’ Forum in

Chief V. E. Uloko of Bekool & Associates Ltd (left), Mr. Celestine Cliff, first indigenous Managing Director of Schlumberger; Regional Head of SME, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Ebi Momoh and Chief Patrick Osunu of Patos Multilink Limited, during a Business Parley organised by Standard Chartered Bank for Shell Nigeria Limited vendors in Port Harcourt…

Ado Ekiti recently.

According to Adebayo, the forum was set up in furtherance of the eight-point agenda of the Fayemi administration to promote good governance by expanding the basis of government in the state.

He described the forum, which brings together some of the most accomplished citizens of Ekiti from all walks of life who are keen to draw on their experiences to improve the policy process as well as programme performance of government, as brilliant.

He called on Ekiti indigenes at home and in Diaspora , to support the Fayemi-led government in actualizing its goals on governance, infrastructural development, modernizing agriculture, education and human capital development among others.

Briefs Graceville men begin yearly convention RACEVILLE Chapel, a new G generation church in Lagos, will begin its men’s convention on Friday, April 26, with Praise Night at 10.00 p.m. at the church auditorium at 129, Awolowo Way, off Allen Roundabout (by De Plaza Ville Shopping Complex) Ikeja, Lagos. It will end with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, April 28, at 10.00 a.m. Presiding minister is Rev. (Mrs) Tope Ogunnoiki; Rev Israel Ibironke will speak while Bishop Tayo Odunuga will minister during the thanksgiving service on Sunday, April 28.

Praise Tabernacle holds anointing service HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Praise Tabernacle, will on Sunday, April 21, hold its Special Anointing service at the church auditorium, Nos. 9, 10 and 12, Ebun Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos at 7.45a.m. (first service) and 10.00a.m. (second service) respectively. Pastor Sola Adeyeye will minister while Host is Pastor Amos Emovon.

Odionwere of Egba land dies at 109 HE Odionwere of Egba land T in Uhunmwode Local Council of Edo State, Pa Ben Ekhovbiye Onaghise has died at the age of 109.

According to one of his sons, Julius Onaghise, funeral rites begin on Thursday, April 25, 2013 with a service of songs in his compound, Egba Town, at 300p.m. He will be buried on Friday, April 26, after a funeral service at Egba Baptist Church, Egba at 10:00 a.m.

Outing service holds on Sunday, April 28, at 10.00 a.m. at the same church.

Onaghise

David Ohovwore, 86, for burial Saturday HE burial rites for Dr. David T Ohwofajivwie Ohovwore, who died on September 27, 2012 at the age of 86, begin on Friday, April 19, 2013 with a Service of Songs at Eregbe Street, Okpara Inland Ethiope East Local Council of Delta State at 4.00p.m.

A statement by his son, Efejai N. Ohovwore on behalf of the family, said a Funeral Mass would hold on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Okpara Inland at 10.00a.m. followed by interment at his residence along Mission Road, Okpara Inland.

Thanksgiving Service holds on Sunday, April 21, at the same church at 10.00am.

Ohovwore

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Photonews

Elder brother of Senator Rowland Owie, Sir F. O. Owie (left), representative of Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Delta State Commissioner of Water Resources, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen at the wedding ceremony of daughter of Senator Rowland Owie, Eki to Mr. Kingsley Momoh Ogbeni ...at the weekend

President, Kings’ College Old Boys’ Association ( KCOBA), Hakeem Bello-Osagie (left) presenting a cheque during the commissioning of the Astroturf 2000 King’s College Facility to the first goal scorer as the CEO Astroturf 2000; Prince Aderoju Ademoroti. Others are the Principa,Kings’ College, Lagos, Otunba Dele Olapeju and KCOBA Sports Secretary, Mr Adeoye Adetuyibi.

FCTA raises technical committee to resettle Jabi-Yakubu community

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja

HE Federal Capital Territory T Administration (FCTA) has constituted a Technical Committee for the resettlement of Jabi-Yakubu cmmunity from its present abode to a new resettlement town at ShereGaluyi in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. The community, which comprises about 500 households, had on March 5, 2013, written the FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide requesting to be relocated to the new town earmarked for them.

The Technical Committee is chaired by the Deputy Director of Planning & Resettlement in the Resettlement and Compensation Department, FCT, Mrs. Helen Obiechina and the Special Assistant (Legal) to the FCT Minister of State, Mr. Festus Tsavsar, is the Secretary of the Committee.

Other members include: Spe-

cial Assistant (Resettlement Matters) to the FCT Minister of State, Mr. Benedict Ogenyi; representative of Urban and Regional Planning Department, Mr. Adamu Adamu; representative of Public Building Department, Mr. Ibrahim Momoh Jimoh; Head of Admin in the Resettlement and Compensation Department, Mr. Awwal Abdullahi Ibrahim; Security Chief, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr. Kelechi UkoAbasi, and a representative of Satellite Towns Development Agency.

The community has two representatives as members of the Committee namely Chief of Jabi Yakubu, His Royal Highness Yakubu Auta and the Madaki of Jabi Yakubu Community, Mr. Ishaku Suleiman.

The Minister of State, who inaugurated the Technical Committee in Abuja, said the movement of Jabi-Yakubu community to the new reset-

tlement town was in line with the policy and programmes of the FCT Administration on resettlement matters.

“The setting up of this Technical Team became imperative because of the willingness of the Jabi-Yakubu Community to move to the ShereGaluyi Resettlement Town.

The Community identified environmental hazards and the need for expansion as reasons for the relocation request,” Akinjide stated.

She assured that the Administration was committed to proffering a lasting solution to the problems that have hindered the success of the resettlement scheme.

“This has become imperative for the Administration to realise its dream of an environmentally functional and befitting world-class cityscape in accordance with the Master Plan provisions of Abuja,” the minister added.

The Baba Ijo, United African Methodist Evangelical Church, Abule Ijesha, Lagos, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd.) (right), elderstatesman, Senator Anthony Adefuye and matron of the church, Dr. Olufunke Adebajo at the dedication/opening of the new Cathedral at Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos...

Perform or be sanctioned, governor tells contractors From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin ONTRACTORS handling various projects in Kwara state may be in for “a serious battle” with the state government unless they live up to their deadline contractual agreements mainly fixed for May 29 this year, which like many other states of the federation, marks the second year anniversary in office of the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Besides, all the political office holders in the state may put their appointments on hold unless they meticulously monitored all the governmental projects sited in their constituencies.

According to Ahmed, who

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paid a recent on-the-spot assessment visit to over 15 capital projects in the state, every money received in trust on behalf of the people of the state must be judiciously spent to justify the mandate conferred on him by the people of the state.

The governor, who said he would ensure systematic development of the state, disclosed the reasons for making health, water supply and road construction the kernel of his policies, warning that he would not accept any haphazard completion of projects in the state.

He said, only a healthy people could turn around the socio-economic situation of

the state, just as he described a good road network as harbinger of rapid economic growth especially in the agricultural sector.

The health projects are General hospitals at Ilorin, Share, Lafiagi, Offa and Omu Aran.

The Ilorin project in particular is meant to decongest the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH) which though a tertiary institution, is at present being used for primary, secondary and tertiary purposes.

Road projects include: modern bridge on Ilorin- Afon road, Obbo/Ilorin asphalt lay, and Oko Bridge, along OkoOro- Ago road, Ilemona-ErinIle road.

Chief Executive Officer, Swiss Biostadt Ltd., Prince Emmanuel Ajayi (left); Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu; Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Chairman, All World Network and Professor of Harvard Business School, Professor Michael Porter; and Regional Managing Director, West Africa, Ernest & Young, Henry Egbiki, at the presentation of award to Swiss Biostadt as the second fast growing company in Nigeria, in Lagos...

Cleric urges Nigerian youths to be focused

By Sunday Aikulola RRESPECTIVE of the present economic challenges confronting the nation, the National Presbyter of the Church of God Mission International Incorporated, Ojodu Province, Rev. Matthew Atchor has urged Nigerian youths to be focused in order to achieve their purpose on earth.

Speaking at the church’s youth summit tagged: “ Flight 2013, Dare to Believe” Atchor said in addition to being focused, Nigerian Youths must also have firm belief in whatever they do.

According to him, “if Nigerian youths could be focused and have strong belief in their pursuit then, they would have outstanding success. ” He further stated that it was important for youths to focus on their strengths and not their weakness.

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He, thereafter , advised them to stop pursuing other people’s dreams, stressing that all youths must take time to develop themselves.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Frontiers International Services Ltd., Mr. Muyiwa Afolabi, also urged Nigerian youths to identify their God-given talents.

Speaking on the topic “Success Beyond Certificate,” Afolabi said acquiring education was the foundation for success but discovering their God-given talent would enable them succeed outstandingly.

On her part, an actress Mrs. Abiola Segun Williams said it was very important for Nigerian youths to have a particular vision of what they wanted to become in life. According to her such a vision must not be a selfish one but the one that would affect the lives of people

positively while also urging the youths to study hard in order for them to excel in their studies.

The church also provided a zebra -crossing and road signs in front of Ojodu Primary School gate.

In his speech, Atchor said the zebra-crossing was provided in order to reduce situations where road users on the road knock down school children.

“We call on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police to strengthen awareness on the use of zebra crossing and educate drivers to ensure enforcement of its use,” he added.

The Vice Chairman of Ojodu Local Government Development Area (LCDA), Abiodun Ayileka expressed happiness with the gesture of the church and urged other churches to do the same.

Consultant Physician/Cardiologist, Dr. Emeka Okocha (right), Managing Director, Cardinal Developers & Trust Ltd. Mr. Okeke Olisa, Co-ordinator, St. Edward Specialist Hospital, Dr. Ndubueze Ozoemena and Head Nurse, St. Edward Specialist Hospital, Miss Sophia Gbinigie at the commissioning of Digital Mammography Unit at the hospital in Ajah- Lekki, Lagos

TheGuardian

14 THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Between Oteh and the House of Representatives HE raging feud between the House of Representatives and the Presidency over T the former’s call for the removal of the Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunmah Oteh is taking unduly too much time to resolve. Worse still, it does not appear that the resolution of the matter is in sight as the parties involved appear to be digging deeper into the trenches. This is a huge disservice to Nigeria.

Ironically, none of the disputants is entirely blameless, even though it is very clear that the larger share of the blame is in the domain of the House of Representatives, which has needlessly insisted that Oteh be removed from office and for which reason it has denied the commission its annual budgetary allocation as a way of getting President Goodluck Jonathan to kowtow to its illegitimate and immoral demand. Who has the statutory responsibility to hire and fire the DG? The answer obviously is that it is the unquestionable prerogative of the Executive arm nay, the president. Is it morally right, therefore, for a person to demand the sack of another who is not his employee and to punish the employer in kind for refusing to heed the demand? Is there any special benefit the legislators stand to gain from Oteh’s removal? How many times has the presidency dictated to the legislature who or who not to engage to run its business? What the world is used to, is a dictatorial and arbitrary executive; it is not common to have an overbearing legislature as this National Assembly. What Nigeria used to have at the inception of the current democratic experience was a presidency that rode roughshod over the legislature. That often pitted the two arms against each other, but Nigerians identified with the legislature in its struggle against executive domination. This was just a few years ago.

The table has now turned! Today, it is the tyranny of the legislature; one that is out to overawe the executive and make it a spineless stooge. This is the purport of the Representatives’ stance in the matter of Oteh.

This is not to say that those who fault Mr. President, or better still, the Presidency for failing to find a way round the problem all along are totally wrong. The controversy should have been resolved through the many channels of interaction between the House and the Presidency without allowing it to drag to this embarrassing extent. In other words, it is not a problem to which there is no political solution. And, in another context, it would not have been out of place to say that Oteh herself, seeing that the matter was getting out of hand could equally have swallowed her pride and voluntarily withdraw her services. This would certainly fetch her accolade and leave Nigerians to fight the battle for her against the domineering and burdensome legislature, hell-bent on running the executive arm of government against the spirit and letters of the constitution. This was what Susan Rice did when the Republicans complained about her pending appointment as United States of America’s Secretary of State. Such a gesture of grace would not have been

LETTERS

Rethinking our society paupers in that regard. The IR: Wealth accumulation, wealth in the society?

Sandwanton killings, morality The best way, I feel, to decide standard injunction is to the society; put these ideas how morality can play a part in spend less money, and give it together and the result tends to be a lot of heat and not much light. Currency baskets, oligopolistic rivalries, ethnico-religious bigotry float uncertainly in the streams of debate on the morality of our society, and such spats rarely result in a change of people’s minds.

These are too important subjects to leave to the soupspoon though, but of utmost worry is the unbridled clamour for wealth in all spheres of our society. How to make progress? The answer is to leave the hypotheses and the polysyllables to the philosophers and make the issue personal. There is no better way to kick off this question than to ask, what should be our personal morality regarding

our disorientated and disordered society where the leadership, who are supposed to be leading by example seem to be straying away, is to make sure that it plays a part in oneself. John Ruskin, the Victorian visionary saw this clearly. He defined a rich man as “someone who has the widest helpful influence, both personal and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others”.

That is a pretty good starting point, since it bypasses the unanswerable questions and brings it down to personal behaviour. It puts on us an obligation, not an option, to rebalance those things that the implacable forces of economics distort.

Of course, we can give our time, but we capitalists are generally

away to good causes instead.

Many, both givers and receivers, would no doubt benefit from that dynamic.

William Rathbone VI (18191902) once wrote: “my feeling with a merchant was that when he got over $400,000, he was too rich for the Kingdom of Heaven”. Our politicians, captains of industries, youths should learn for once that accumulation of wealth is a dangerous thing that shackles even the most easy-going of plutocrats, morality is not a mere social convention, and life’s purpose is not about the pursuit of pleasure, money and power.

• Emmanuel Afunwa, Enugu, Enugu State.

At last amnesty for Boko Haram IR: The decision by President Samnesty Goodluck Jonathan to grant to members of Boko Haram should be seen as the last resort for lasting peace in the Northern part of this country and the nation as a whole.

The singular effort of some northern elders and some notable Nigerians who toil day and night to make this country a peaceful place should be commended in its entirety. When the president insisted on negotiating with people he could see physically, this comment drew a lot of condemnation from

Nigerians taking into consideration his previous comment on Boko Haram; then turning around to say Boko Haram were ghosts surprised many Nigerians.

What Nigerians want at the moment is lasting peace to prevail in the country, for people to go back to their normal life and continue to live happily without fear? Nigerians are looking forward to such a moment. Equally, members of Boko Haram should use this opportunity of amnesty to come out from their hiding and embrace this gesture for the

country to move forward. No nation survives in this kind of conflict, where innocent lives are wasted while investments and the economy suffer huge setback.

The Federal Government should also be committed to this amnesty to ensure that the committee to be set up consists of people of proven integrity. Also the mechanism meant for the implementation of the amnesty should be put in place to make it work.

• Bala Nayashi, Lokoja.

too much a sacrifice for such a brilliant and patriotic Nigerian as Oteh. To continue to hold on to the office of DG, SEC in the face of widening schism this has caused between the legislature and the executive is to want to outdo members of the House in their self-seeking and unpatriotic ego-tripping.

But the merits of such an argument appear obviated by the regular display of immaturity and arrogance by this House of Representatives.

Their insistence that Oteh must be removed appears vindictive and reduces the legislature to one that will go to any length to settle scores with perceived enemies.

This is not part of the attributes of statesmen. The reason the legislators are at daggers-drawn with Oteh is a matter of common knowledge. She had openly accused the Chairman of its Committee on Capital Market of demanding a bribe from the Commission and traced her travail in the hands of the committee to her refusal to play ball. This allegation culminated in the arraignment of the committee chairman for corruption charges. Since then, it has been no love lost between the House of Representatives and the President who has been under sustained pressure to remove her. The height of this is the legislators’ refusal to allocate fund to SEC. Of course, this is blackmail carried too far, which does little credit to the image of the House and that of its members who at all times are expected to be good ambassadors of the people.

Legislative powers in all civilized democracy are meant to be used for the good of the nation and its people. They are not deployed to gratify the ego and whims of the legislature or its members. It is becoming too frequent for the House of Representatives to pick on anyone who takes it to task even when there is justification for doing so. For example, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi’s comment on the emolument of the Representatives put him at loggerheads with the legislators. In a brazen show of megalomania orchestrated to teach Sanusi a lesson, the Representatives embarked on the amendment of the CBN Act purposely to curtail the powers of its governor, disregarding the fact that his term as governor of the apex bank would soon end. This shows the extent to which the legislators could go to deal with its perceived “enemies”.

It is hereby considered necessary for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to challenge this overbearing attitude of the legislators in court as a way of curbing its excesses.

It must be stated that it is sheer arbitrariness to refuse to appropriate money to an existing agency of government that has several Nigerians in its employ and which has a statutory obligation to perform. Since it is a creation of statute, it is entitled as of right to allocation from the federation account. The House has no discretion in the matter since it has not deemed it fit to outlaw or scrap it.

It should therefore purge itself of this arbitrariness by doing what is right.

The GuARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Business Parlous infrastructure and stinging effect on nation’s competitive edge P.54 NCC unveils plan to boost Nigeria’s $25b telecoms sector

By Adeyemi Adepetun FIVe-year Strategic Master Plan (SMP) that will improve and increase the level of investments in Nigeria’s $25 billion telecommunications sector was at the weekend unveiled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Specifically, the five-year plan, which is from 2013 to

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ANAN, ICAN seek strategic role in economic management

By Chijioke Nelson he Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) have unfolded collaborative plans to contribute meaningfully in the development of the country, noting that the two bodies must “begin to think of a joint advisory role to government.”

The President of ANAN, hajia Maryam Ladi IbrahIm, made the disclosure on Wednesday, when she received the President of ICAN, Adedoyin Owolabi and the Chairman of ICAN Lagos Mainland District Society, Chief Raphael Anyama, at the association’s Secretariat in Lagos.

She said the association is looking forward to collaborating with ICAN on several areas in the interest of the economy, adding that “it was not proper for issues to come up and both associations would give different versions to government.”

The ANAN President explained that both bodies had a long struggle to get to where they were today and by virtue of the profession, their members should be holding forth as Minister of Finance, adding that without collaboration, the associations would not get there.

“If there is an internal arrangement that we want to use to correct the ills of the society, we start thinking that way by collaboration,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim noted that accountants were constantly being accused of all the rots in both the private and public sectors, but added: “If you know any accountant perpetrating such, report to either of the professional organisations, so that the person can be disciplined.

“In ANAN, we are taking it very serious, because it is the only way we can show we are a serious association. every week, government releases billions of Naira for contracts, ANAN and ICAN should be able to do the right thing by

2017, would also see the NCC improve on its regulatory functions.

The formal unveiling of the plan by the executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. eugene Juwah in Abuja, was the culmination of over 12 months of industry consultations in a process managed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), with the cross section of the industry stakeholders and staff of the commission

The new mission and vision is to promote an information rich environment that can compete globally through the provision of quality communications service. making inputs at various stages of its articulation.

Juwah who presided over the presentation of the details of the plan by PWC to the senior management of the commission, before handing over

to executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Okechukwu Itanyi, said the formal unveiling of the new SMP will serve as a roadmap for the future, taking into consideration the current and

emerging trends in the industry and the numerous expectations of the diverse stakeholders. he said the SMP document is a living document, which must be consulted regularly to ensure that the Commission is on track towards achieving the objectives, which have been collectively articulated.

“A robust SMP like ours has many purposes such as ensur-

ing the alignment of day-today work to the Commission’s strategy; prioritizing programmes and projects to achieve NCC’s goals and objectives; ensuring optimal use of NCC’s recourses; providing objective basis for performance monitoring and management, and meeting the Commission’s vision and mission”, he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chandrasheker Thampy (left); Executive Director Access Bank, Okey Nwoke; and Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Michael Ade-Ojo, at the launch of new Toyota RAV4, in Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

NeRC may announce new meter acquisition modalities this week

By Sulaimon Salau equeL to the meeting held Sbution with the 11 electricity districompanies in the country (Discos), the Nigerian electricity Regulatory Commission (NeRC) has begun arrangement to formulate new acquisition modalities for the prepaid metering system.

Besides, there are indications that the fixed amount instituted in the Multi Year Tariff Order 2 (MYTO2) would be eradicated, to pave way for outright payment for acquisition of meters. The payment, as planned by NeRC, would be deducted in energy consumption and attract about 12 per cent interest element.

The NeRC Commissioner for Marketing, Competition and Rates, eyo ekpo, told The Guardian, at the sidelines of the eSq summit in Lagos at the weekend, that having

gone through the necessary procedures, the commission would possibly announce the new modalities in the third week of April. he said: “NeRC had a meeting with the discos last week Thursday (April 4th), they were happy with it.

Although, they pointed out few challenges that we may face and we have addressed them accordingly.

“Internally, we are working to approve the scheme, we have talked with the bankers, customer groups, manufacturers and suppliers, we are now doing the listing of supplier, vendors and installers so that we will have a pool of them that the discos can procure from.

“We have also developed the costs of meters from suppliers, which are fixed, (we factored in all the cost including meters and accessories). We don’t want it to turn to excessive profit making. And we will now give the

discos the go ahead. I expect that the announcement will come sometimes in the third week of this month, after which we would have secured approval from the commission,” he said. ekpo explained that the new formula was far from policy summersault, but a temporary modality that would further benefit the consumers, and eradicate double payment system.

“There is no turn around in the policy, meters like every other assets must be paid for.

We only changed the modalities for payment. We brought in a tariff framework, we have not yet privatized, but we have encouraged privatization, and for that reason inefficiencies particularly with the use of fund which was a big problem are still there. So instead of using 40 per cent of revenue for capital asset acquisition, they (the discos) use close to 90 per cent to pay

operating cost and not capital acquisition, which is killing the entire use of funds.”

According to him, what we have done is that instead of

the discos collecting money for meters through the fixed charges (in MYTO2), what we said is that you don’t have to pay twice, what has been happening is that you pay your bills and you still buy a

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Accounting bodies chart path to professionalism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 advising government.”

According to her, budget implementation and monitoring should be a joint effort and on national issues, “we should be able to have a com-

mon ground.” She proposed a joint workshop, which will be meaningful to government and Nigerians.

But ICAN President said he was particularly happy that the relationship between the

two bodies had metamorphosed into a purposeful and better image.

“Initially, the International Federation of Accountants, said we should sponsor and mentor our sister accountancy body. I am happy that we have proved to the whole world that if we must move forward positively, then, we

must work together. This is a day in which I have fulfilled one of the things I love doing most – building bridges.

“Whatever we can do to assist your association in the future will be promptly done. At the international arena and locally, we shall be cooperating with you. Both bodies should see each other as active partic-

ipants in the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria,” Owolabi said.

He congratulated Ibrahim for her recent appointment as the Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, describing the appointment as another feather to her cap, which she actually earned.

He said said both bodies shall continue to work together, particularly in technical areas of the accountancy profession.

On Budget implementation and planning, the ICAN president said the institute was ready to team up with ANAN to do the same thing ICAN had been doing for government.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Uche Orji (left); Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, during a reception in honour of Orji's appointment, at Heirs Holdings, in Ikoyi, Lagos, at the weekend.

NCC unveils new plan for telecoms sector CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 The Commission also announced a retune of its mission which now says is to “support a market driven communications industry and promote universal access” while the vision now reads, “to be a responsive world class communications regulatory organization”.

Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo who expatiated on the new vision and mission said both are predicated on the dynamic nature of the industry today.

He recapped that the idea of the new mission designed to support market driven communications industry and promote universal access is because of the new direction the industry is taking, especially in the area of convergence and frontiers of broadband Internet services which are all aimed at providing quality access to all.

On the new vision, which is to be a responsive communications industry regulator, he said this is to put the Commission in a position to be able to quickly respond to the dynamics of the industry for optimum delivery to all the industry stakeholders, especially the consumers.

He said the overarching principle behind the new mission and vision is “to promote an information rich environment that can compete globally through the provision of quality communications service”.

The Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Ms. Funlola Akiode, said the journey to produce the SMP was arduous but worth the while, stressing that it will add value to the telecommunications sector in the country.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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BUSINESS

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Group drives Nigeria’s $15m software development initiative

By Adeyemi Adepetun O fast track the implementation of Nigeria’s $15 million software incubation scheme, a group of intellectuals, known as Information Technology Developers Entrepreneurship Accelerator (iDEA) has expressed readiness to ensure the success of the initiative, which is already being supported by the Ministry of Communication Technology.

Specifically, the iDEA, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), noted that through scheme, it would create and export locally developed and relevant software applications in the country.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos, the Programme Manager of iDEA, Ms Helen Anatogu, said iDEA is a not-for-profit organisation founded this year, with the primary purpose of accelerating the development of the software industry in Nigeria.

Anatogu said idea would achieve this by nurturing and helping Nigerian software technology businesses.

According to Anatogu, who explained the various strategies being put in place and the state of activities, said iDEA provides essential support to entrepreneurs to build software skills, solutions and businesses critical to their success.

She said that entrepreneurs accepted into iDEA Centres have access to physical work space, shared facilities, training, business services as well as access to capital, stressing that iDEA is partnering with technology companies to offer training and access to software development tools

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across a number of platforms.

“Entrepreneurs will also have access to guidance from our network of mentors,” she said.

On the support so far received from the government, Anatogu said the Federal Government through the Ministry of

Communication Technology, had supported the scheme with N500 million seed capital, saying that an independent fund manager hired for

the scheme had also disclosed a $1.2 million support fund to run the software project.

“More fund would also be

sourced from angel investors and other willing investors, through whom we expect to realise the rest of the $15 million,’ she added.

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Canada seeks more investment in Nigeria From Mathias Okwe, (Assistant Business Editor, Abuja) HERE is so much determi“T nation by the government and people of Canada about investment in Nigeria because everywhere I go in Canada, Canadians tell me they see great opportunities in Nigeria. And I think this determination is a match between what Nigeria needs and the expertise that Canada can offer.”

With these words, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, spoke of his country’s rising appetite for foreign direct investment (FDI) drive in Nigeria and advised Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the forthcoming Nigeria-Canada Investment Conference in Toronto Canada to strike partnership with their Canadian counterparts who are already willing to come to Nigeria to invest.

Govt boosts online presence with launch of service portal

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Minister of T Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, will tomorrow launch the Federal Government Service Portal in Abuja as part of the initiatives for ‘Getting Government Online’’ to improve service delivery to citizens and other stakeholders.

This is in furtherance of one of the key mandates of the ministry centred on deploying information and communication technology to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality of public service delivery The primary objective of deploying the Government Service Portal, an initiative of the Ministry of Communication Technology according to the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Efem Nkanga, is to create an easy and single point of entry for Nigerians and other stakeholders to access government services online.

Nkanga explained that the services portal, which is built using the latest web technology brings together a directory of existing online government services, as well as newly automated services from the ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Education, Health and Communication Technology.

Indeed, she said some of the newly automated processes and services on the portal are patent and trademark registration, evaluation and accreditation of academic certificates, farmer’s registration, registration and accreditation of seed companies, seed import and export permit, application for spectrum license, License Procedure for Class type license and License procedure for individual type license.

According to her, the services portal has several key benefits, which include improved access to government information for citizens and improved efficiency in the delivery of government services to the citizenry.

Cooter spoke at a press briefing in Abuja where his counterpart, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, addressed the press on the preparation towards the conference, which comes up between May 2nd and May 4th, 2013.

He said Canada was upbeat about the conference and has thrown so much into organisation as she has never done on any international conference hosted and revealed that Nigerian business entrepreneurs attending the conference will enjoy concession in visa processing procedure and advised as many business people as possible to register for the conference.

Past President of Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACMB), Lanre Alabi (left); Husband of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Lanre Olayinka; ACAMB President, Tunde Shofowora; and Treasurer, Mrs. Morin Adeyemi, during the association’s visit to the Olayinkas… on Wednesday.

THE THEGUARDIAN, GUARDIAN,Monday, Monday,April June15, 6,2013 2011

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TaxWatch IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

‘

By Taiwo Oyedele

The exposure to excess dividend tax for bank holding companies is not the main exposure banks (and other companies) face with respect to the subject.

The main exposure is at the operating bank level where all exempt income such as interest on government securities, agricultural loan, and previously taxed profits will trigger excess dividend tax at 30% upon distribution by the operating entity.

’

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) reT cently issued Information Circular No. 2012 /01 to address the critical tax issues for the operation of bank holding company structure in Nigeria. The circular covers a number of issues including “excess dividend tax” on franked investment income of a bank holding company, applicability of minimum tax, VAT and capital gains tax on transfer of assets, withholding tax on dividend distribution, commencement and cessation rules. The focus of this discourse however is “excess dividend tax” which is unfortunately not well understood by many tax

The new FIRS circular and the lingering problem of “excess dividend tax”: administrators, tax professionals and taxpayers.

Section 19 of the Companies Income Tax Act (“CITA”), Cap C21, LFN 2004 as amended states that: “Where a dividend is paid out as profit on which no tax is payable due to: (a) no total profits (this means taxable profit); or (b) total profits which are less than the amount of dividend which is paid, whether or not the recipient of the dividend is a Nigerian company, the company paying the dividend shall be charged to tax at the rate (that is, 30%) prescribed in subsection (1) of section 40 of this Act (CITA) as if the dividend is the total profits of the company for the year of assessment to which the accounts, out of which the dividend is declared, relates.”

The above provision of the law is usually interpreted and applied by the FIRS to impose tax on a company whose dividend exceeds taxable profit regardless of whether the profit being distributed has already suffered tax (as in the case of dividend income received by a holding company or taxed retained earnings) or whether the profit arose from tax exempt income such as interest on government securities, exempt gains on shares or profit which has already suffered capital gains tax. This leads to double taxation in many cases and the nullification of all tax incentives granted under the law.

As a result of this and in view of the bank holding company structure as directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), some bankers approached the FIRS for a ruling and argued that under the bank holding structure any dividend paid by subsidiary companies within each group is franked investment income which should not form part of the holding company’s

How bankers missed the point and lessons for others taxable profits and should not trigger excess dividend tax provisions of CITA. This position is further supported by Section 80(3) of CITA which provides that dividend received after deduction of withholding tax is regarded as franked investment income of the company receiving the dividend and shall not be charged to further tax as part of the profits of the recipient company.

‘

I do not blame the FIRS for the inadequacies of the ruling but the bankers who did not demonstrate sufficient depth in their analysis of the issue as shown by their request to the FIRS. I however have some questions for the FIRS one of which is “why restrict the Circular to banks when the issue is a general one affecting all companies taxable under CITA?”

’

The bankers raised the concern that where a bank holding company does not earn sufficient income other than dividend from its subsidiaries, any dividend distributed to its shareholders may exceed its taxable profits and trigger excess dividend tax under Section 19 of CITA, thus negating the tax shelter provided by Section 80(3).

Unfortunately the bankers missed the point. First, the

excess dividend tax exposure is not reduced or eliminated by earning “sufficient income” other than dividend. Regardless of whether a company earns significant other income and notwithstanding that it is an operating or a holding company, the risk applies to the full amount of dividend income received. The amount exposed to the tax is only reduced by permanently disallowed expenses such as unapproved donations which have the effect of making taxable profit more than accounting profit, all things being equal.

Second, the bankers missed the big picture and the main issue. The exposure to excess dividend tax for a bank holding company is not the main exposure banks (and other companies) face with respect to the subject. The

About PwC PwC firms help organisations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a network of firms in 158 countries with close to 169,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ng

main exposure is at the operating bank level where all exempt income such as interest on government securities, agricultural loan, and previously taxed profits will trigger excess dividend tax at 30% upon distribution by the operating entity. This is particularly important because it affects all banks regardless of whether they have adopted the holding company structure or not.

Based on the bankers’ request, the FIRS confirmed that any dividend paid to a bank holding company will not be subjected to any further tax including excess dividend tax on redistribution. The Circular further states that this exemption does not extend to any other income or profits earned by the holding company from other sources aside from dividends from its subsidiaries. This means a bank holding company is still exposed to the excess dividend tax on its other exempt profits such as interest on government securities in the likely event that dividend received is reinvested before redistribution or where the holding company’s paid up capital is invested to earn exempt income.

I do not blame the FIRS for the inadequacies of the ruling but the bankers who did not demonstrate sufficient depth in their analysis of the issue as shown by their request to the FIRS. I however have some questions for the FIRS one of which is “why restrict the Circular to banks when the issue is a general one affecting all companies taxable under CITA?” I was recently invited to represent the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in a Committee of the National Economic Council

(NEC) to address some issues raised by MAN relating to multiplicity of taxes. We recommended that the FIRS Circular be applied to all companies. This recommendation was adopted by NEC which is good, but this should have been done automatically by the FIRS – since what is good for the goose is always good for the gander.

Although a good opportunity has been missed and some avoidable exposures created especially for operating banks who have recently declared huge profits but with very little income tax liability, it is never too late to begin another round of engagement with the FIRS. This will resolve some of the issues as a temporary measure. However the lasting solution to address the problem is its entirety will be an amendment to the relevant section of CITA to exempt profits previously taxed and profits relating to income duly exempted under the law. It is never right anytime or anywhere under any circumstance to impose double taxation or to give tax incentives with one hand and collect back with another.

Taiwo Oyedele is a Partner and Head of Tax and Corporate Advisory at PwC Nigeria. He is a regular writer and public speaker on accounting and tax matters.

Blog with Taiwo for indepth analyses, unique insight and superlative perspective on tax matters: www.pwc.com/nigeriataxblog. Subscription is free!

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Insurance Security challenges heighten demand for life assurance cover

By Joshua Nse

NSECURITY of life and property in the country may have heightened demand for life assurance policy as hedge against eventuality of sudden death.

Besides, interstate transporters in collaboration with some insurance companies, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have intensified campaign for road safety as they have made motor (third party) insurance of passengers mandatory on travelers, to provide protection against the risk of liability from death, bodily injury and damage to third party property in the event of accident on the roads.

Life assurance managers,

I

who spoke to The Guardian, attributed the development to the rising wave of armed robbery cases, sudden death, kidnappers, terrorist activities, which poses threat to life and property.

Industry managers explained that through consistent public enlightenment in radio, electronic and print media, insuring public are increasingly becoming aware of the importance and benefits of insurance as good alternative security for their lives and property.

Also, prompt payment of claims, practitioners said, played a prominent role, as demand for life products particularly among businessmen and women, selfemployed, armed forces per-

sonnel, legislators, private high net-worth individuals, are beginning to take advantage of life assurance as security in providing for tomorrow.

Also, the reforms in the industry by way of regulatory enforcement of insurance laws as well as desire to instill a new culture in the management of insurance business, by embracing international best practice and good corporate governance, the insuring public is beginning to realise the positive benefits of life assurance as useful security mechanism.

A top life manager in Aiico Insurance Plc, a leading life assurance outfit in the country with more than 4,000 sakes agents told The

Guardian “The rise in demand for life products is not surprising if you take into consideration the rising wave of insecurity in all parts of the country.”

According to him, businessmen and women, selfemployed, high net-worth individuals, they constitute 50 to 70 per cent of our valued-clients are now buying this cover. Also, members of the security forces are now realizing the benefits in life assurance policy because of the information on the deceased families in the barracks, whose bread-winners have sealed a life assurance policy with Aiico.

He said: “We do not necessarily advertise Aiico, but our reputation is advertised by our clients. We do not

Director General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Adegboyega Adepegba (left); Resource Person, Wale Yekini; President, CIIN Wole Adetimehin, and Resource Person and Vice Chairman, Oyo Chapter, CIIN Omotunde Omoshola, during a media retreat organised by the Institute for insurance journalist held in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently.

Mansard Insurance launches deferred annuity plan ANSARD Insurance Plc M has launched a new product, Mansard Deferred Annuity plan. Carefully tailored to suit individual needs, Mansard Deferred Annuity allows annuitants to accumulate funds as regular savings during their productive working lives for the purpose of earning regular income for life from their chosen retirement age. The product was launched at the company’s Head Office, Santa Clara Court, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Mansard Deferred Annuity plan is not an alternative to the statutory pension scheme espoused by the Pension Reform Act of 2004, but is another long-term

investment vehicle that would guarantee easy and immediate regular income after retirement.

Speaking on the relevance of the new product, Mr. Yomi Onifade, the Divisional Director, Retail Business Division stated that “in an age when retirement creeps in on us because of the fast pace at which we live today, it is important to have an adequate plan for our retirement. With the Deferred Annuity, you don’t have to be an employee to look forward to a pension; you can take your future in your hands and plan for your retirement either as an entrepreneur or employee”.

Some of the unique features

of the product include a savings accumulation phase to be determined by the annuitant and a disbursement phase, which commences at retirement or the annuitant’s chosen age. Part withdrawal of up to 25 per cent of the accumulated principal is allowed once in five years during the accumulation phase and up to 35 per cent of the accumulated funds as a lump sum at retirement.

Yomi Onifade further disclosed that the features and benefits of the product have been carefully designed with the customers in mind, as according to him, once annuity kicks in at retirement, (or the chosen age) the annuitant would receive

a steady income for life.

Another unique feature is an option to choose spouse annuity type, wherein the annuitant’s spouse can continue to receive an income for life, upon the demise of the annuitant during the disbursement phase. The new product comes with a free life insurance cover of up to N1 million during the accumulation phase.

The most capitalised insurance company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mansard Insurance plc is licensed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to underwrite both life and non-life insurance businesses.

believe in unnecessary documentation, once a genuine claim materialises, we settle it promptly. Besides, we have a culture in this company, which is to “place smiles on frowning faces”. This feat has remained a watchword in the claims department of this company”.

According to him, people in the past developed phobia for life assurance in this country because of bad experience they may have had in the past. But with the strict regulation of the industry and monitoring of the activities of operators by the industry regulators, all the underwriting company are trying to play within the rules because insurance is based on trust.

The company’s managing director, David Sobanjo, speaking recently with journalists in Lagos, collaborated the views of his management staff, adding that after commencing operation in the country in 1963, Aiico is now a household name in the Nigerian insurance industry with 33 branch network to ensure that the people have easy access to insurance services in all parts of the country.

He said that the stability, strength, security and trust over the years have placed the company at a better advantage in all classes of life assurance, its global affiliations have also enabled the company to provide the widest range of non-life insurance solutions to its valued-clients.

In his remarks, the managing director and chief executive, Niger Insurance Plc, Kolapo Adedeji, said that due to persistent public enlightenment campaign by the industry, Nigerians are becoming more conscious of the benefits of insurance, and I think it is a welcome development. In

the more advances countries of the world, there is no transaction that would be made without an insurance element being built into it.

As you are aware, he said, Niger Insurance traditionally is a specialist life office, with more than 48 branch and eight regional offices spread around the country.

The objective of this strategy is to refocus our distribution channels, put more resources and energy to the production of individuals, group life products that meet peculiar needs of our valued-clients.

Also, the managing director, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Tokunbo Bello, said at the inauguration of Cornerstone/Federal Road Safety campaign in Lagos that in the past couple of years the country has lost some of her best brains to the cold hands of death through various road accidents, therefore, the need to educate and re-orientate motorist on better driving habits and the need to enlighten the people on the benefits of insurance to protect life and property.

According to him, Cornerstone Insurance is composite underwriting company, and our sales distribution and product development capabilities are being strengthened as we extend our frontiers to the retail segment of the market.

Accordingly, he said, we are consolidating and expanding our agency networks, exploring bancassurance and other strategic distribution alliances and developing simple and value-based consumer insurance products to penetrate the market. We are also deepening our relationship with brokers to ensure a more mutually beneficial relationship.

Custodian & Allied absorbs Crusader Nigeria expanded product portfolio.

“The merger between Custodian & Allied & Allied Insurance Plc has Insurance Plc and Crusader taken over the assets and lia- (Nigeria) Plc leverages on 79 bilities of Crusader Nigeria combined years of insurPlc. The enlarged entity ance and financial services would be known as experience. The merger has Custodian & Allied Plc. created invaluable integraIn a statement made avail- tion of skills, information able to The Guardian, Brand technology and back office and Communications processes. All these to the Manager, Custodian and benefit of our customers Allied Plc, Chukwudum and other stakeholders,” said.

Ofomata, said the merger Ofomata has created integration of He noted that the strengths skills, information technolo- of Custodian & Allied Plc lie gy (IT) and back office in its stronger balance sheet, processes which would be to financial capacity, improved the advantage of the cus- operational efficiencies and tomers of the company. an expanded product portAccording to him, cus- folio adding that the compatomers can now take advan- ny has greatly expanded its tage of the company’s scope of services with the increased spread, improved merger with Crusader operational efficiencies and (Nigeria) Plc. OLLOWING the concluFbination sion of the business comprocess, Custodian

INSURANCE

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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FUG upgrades ICT platform HE management of Future T Unity Glanvil Pensions Limited (FUG), in line with its quality assurance policy, has pledged prompt and better service delivery for its existing and potential customers this year and beyond.

To achieve this feat, the company’s information communication technology (ICT) platform has been upgraded and redeployed to drive the processes.

The assurance was given by the management of the frontline pension managers through the Head, Business Development, South West, Kayode Oyebisi-Oba, at the just concluded customers’ forum organised by the company in Oshogbo, Ilesha and other locations around Osun State, South West of Nigeria. The yearly forum is slated to hold in other states of the federation within the period under consideration.

The company’s customer forum, an annual event, provides an avenue for interaction between retirement savings accounts (RSA) holders across various operating locations nationwide and the management.

Customers’ complaints (if any) are being addressed during the interactive session, among any other businesses.

“The company would continue to strive to serve you better.

Our information technology has been upgraded with the aim of serving you faster and more efficiently. This therefore means speed in our service delivery. Likewise, our investment management function has been strengthened to ensure optimal returns on the investment of pension fund under our management”, Oyebisi-Oba told

his audience.

In another development the company has acquired an owned property along Commercial Avenue in Yaba, Lagos State. The three storey edifice would serve as the company’s corporate head office when it is finally ready for use.

FUG in the post consolidation pension industry prides itself with N1.5 billion capital base, a quantum leap from the statutorily required minimum capital base of N1 billion. The company, in a statement added that it is out to prove its mantle in pension administration in Nigeria in all aspect of its business portfolio.

Future Unity Glanvills Pensions Limited (FUG Pensions) is one of the licensed pension fund administrators (PFAs) that crossed the statutory induced recapitalisation hurdle ended June 2012. The board in its proactive nature made good the opportunity to raise the company’s paid up capital to N1.5 billion making FUG Pensions one of the most capitalised PFAs in the industry.

The boost in capital has also enhanced the company’s financial capacity in meeting up with its information technology needs to meet and surpass customers’ expectation.

The company prides itself with core professionals and technocrats manning every operational unit of the company. FUG operates from over 26 zonal offices in six regional offices strategically located across the country.

FUG Pensions brand, a corporate citizen of high repute is also a friend of its immediate environment with effective participation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) pro-

LASACO Assurance appoints management executives HE Board and Management and internationally.

Mr. Akinwale Sofile joined T of LASACO is pleased to announce the promotions and LASACO as the DGM (Finance & appointments of three Deputy General Managers (DGM), an Assistant General Manager (AGM), Acting Company Secretary, four Controllers and three Senior Managers.

According to the Managing Director, Mr. Olusola LadipoAjayi, “the elevations reflect our confidence in their continued ability to deliver the highest quality management services.

They have all demonstrated tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and loyalty to the company. These promotions are the result of LASACO’s continued growth and there is no doubt that they will continue to provide our stakeholders with quality service in their new roles”.

Mr. Biodun Dosunmu who was appointed as the DGM (Business Services and Risk Management) is the Chief Risk Officer and Chief Compliance officer. A 1990 graduate of Insurance from the University of Lagos, he also holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Law Degree from the same University in 1993 and 2006. He was called to the Nigerian Bar as Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2007. He is a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. Prior to his appointment, he was the DGM (Plans & Programmes); He has also attended various Courses and Conferences both locally

Accounts) and he is the head of Finance and Accounts. He graduated from The Yaba College of Technology in 1997 and also got a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Adekunle Ajasin University in 2004. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Associate Member of Nigerian Institute of Management.

Mr. Oluyemi Samson who was formerly the AGM (FCT/Northern Region) was promoted to the position of Deputy General Manager (Plans & Programmes). He joined LASACO in 1991 and graduated from Lagos State Polytechnic in 1996. He qualified as an Associate Member of the CIIN in 1997 and got his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in year 2000.

Mr. Ademoye Shobo an accomplished marketer was promoted to Deputy General Manager (Marketing) and heads the Marketing Division. He joined LASACO Assurance in 1993. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the Lagos State University in 1988 and became an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London in 1998. He worked in various departments of the company in Lagos and in Northern Nigeria as the head of the FCT/Northern Region.

Secretary of Alimosho Federal Constituency Day, Femi Olajide, presenting the Alimosho achivers award to the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Laide Osijo in Lagos, recently

INTTRA offers cargo, e-commerce insurance network “We’re always looking for NTTRA, the world’s largest insurance platform Alto, we issuance of the certificate of Iwork multi-carrier shipping net- can offer INTTRA customers a insurance are available online ways to enhance the INTTRA for ocean freight, has unique and customised solu- and integrated into the ship- network and make it an endlaunched a new member service that enables shippers to purchase cargo insurance from marine insurance specialist, FP Marine Risks, via INTTRA’s e-commerce platform.

Leveraging the buying power of the INTTRA network, INTTRA members can elect to purchase cargo insurance at competitive rates during the shipping process through Alto, FP Marine Risks’ online insurance platform. Effective immediately, shippers can click a link to request a quote from FP Marine Risks through the INTTRA platform, embedding the ability to purchase cargo insurance into their shipping workflow – automating and streamlining the insurance buying process and eliminating duplicate, errorprone data entry. Insurance certificates are issued online and serviced by Lloyd’s of London broker FP Marine Risks.

“Purchasing cargo insurance is a part of the shipment management workflow. Enabling shippers to simplify this process and embed it into their automated ocean freight management workflow is a win-win for shippers,” said Philip Bilney, Group Chief Executive at FP Marine Risks. “Now through the combined strengths of INTTRA in ocean shipping ecommerce and our cargo

tion at a very competitive rate.”

Small to mid-sized shippers and freight forwarders will be able to insure cargo more easily with the competitive rates offered through INTTRA, with no requirement for bonding, and premium payments due on a net 30 basis. Shippers can further avoid the time consuming process of calling brokers and waiting for quotes and certificates of coverage.

The quote, purchase, and

ment management process.

Coverage offered through FP Marine Risks is door-to-door and includes protection against “all risks” for the full cargo value – including freight charges. FP Marine Risks offers coverage for all types of cargo including more than 12,000 codes from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS codes), shipments to high-risk areas, and options for additional storage coverage before or after arrival at destination.

SA Insurance rewards workers Regional Head and Mr. keeping with its avowed IingNpolicy Ekundayo Mobayo, the of continually rewardDivisional Head, Financial outstanding workers, the difficult business operating terrain notwithstanding, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, one of the nation’s foremost general underwriting companies, has rewarded not less than 49 of its deserving workers with promotion to their next cadres with effect from March, 2013 just as it has appointed two key workers to head its strategic businesses.

A breakdown of the promotion as indicated in a release signed by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Nelson Egboboh, showed that of the 49, 10 workers were elevated to assistant manager’s position and above.

The release explained that whereas Miss Anietie Udoh, the company’s South-South

Institutions, were elevated to the positions of a General Manager and Assistant General Manager from their earlier Deputy General Manager and Principal Manager’s cadres respectively, Messrs. Akanni Oladele, Jide Fasanmi who heads the company’s SouthWest operations and Koko Adewale who were Senior Managers before now are Principal Managers.

According to him, other officers promoted to management level included Mr. Aiyeola Ayodeji of the company’s Abuja Office who is now a Manager, Messrs. Iranloye Samson (Ibadan Office), Ajibare Rotimi and Morakinyo Roland now Deputy Managers while Miss Fubura Ibiene Waribo

to-end solution that drives efficiency for our members.

Our relationship with FP Marine Risks enables us to expand the solutions available to our members and offer the option to purchase insurance right through the INTTRA platform. These packaged and integrated offerings allow us to deliver increased efficiency to INTTRA shippers,” said Sandra Moran, Vice President of Industry & Product Marketing at INTTRA.

(Port Harcourt Office) got Assistant Manager’s promotion.

He expressed the company’s good wishes to them, noting that management was of the confidence that all promoted workers will work to justify its gesture.

Meanwhile, the company has appointed Mrs. Jatto Fidelia Omodoro and Mr. Ifidon Jonathan to head its MultiClients/General business and Mid-West/South-East operations respectively.

Egboboh said that Mrs. Omodoro, a well-rounded Marketer, joined SA Insurance Plc as the Divisional Head, General Business/Multi-Clients in February this year from AIICO Insurance Plc where she had resigned as Group Head, Multi-Clients and the Hospitality/Services Units respectively.

Thomson Reuters launches accelus compliance manager for insurance HOMSON Reuters, the T world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, today announced the launch of Accelus Compliance Manager for Insurance, a solution that enables United States (U.S.)-based insurance organisations to manage the impact of regulatory change on their business and mitigate the increasing amount of compliance risk to which they are exposed.

The U.S. insurance industry faces a rapidly changing regulatory environment that is made particularly challenging due to its multi-layered supervisory framework that includes state- and federallevel regulation, as well as legislation and essential industry

guidance. With typically over 22,000 laws passed and over 275,000 pending bills each year, it is becoming increasingly difficult for compliance managers to stay abreast of insurance industry-specific changes as well as the constantly evolving environment across all pending and enacted legislation.

The launch of Accelus Compliance Manager for Insurance uses the tried and trusted technology that currently helps major banks with their compliance workflow. It will introduce defined workflow capabilities for the insurance industry that enable compliance executives in insurance to track relevant regulatory change, map and assign regulatory events to

respective owners, document impact assessments, assign action plans, document and manage associated policies and controls, and provide reports to management and regulators.

This workflow is powered by Thomson Reuters leading global regulatory intelligence for insurance, which includes latest updates, pending and final regulations, regulatory guidance, administrative codes, insurance bulletins, statutes, pending bills, enacted laws, agency guidance, and agency decision material from close to 2,000 state and federal regulatory bodies.

“Complexity in the insurance sector has been exacerbated by the recent financial crisis,” said Mark Schlageter, manag-

ing director, Governance, Risk & Compliance. “As a result we have seen the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), created within the Department of Treasury, increase focus on regulatory gaps, and the international regulatory capital alignment project leading to the introduction of the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment regulatory reporting in the U.S. Consequently, some of the traditional and existing approaches of using spreadsheets and ad hoc processes to manage regulations, regulatory updates, impact assessments, policy management, compliance audits, and reporting to regulators will no longer scale to meet the new demands.

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Stockwatch In association with Lead Capital

Stock Market Report for the week Friday, 5th April to Thursday 11th April, 2013 N this week, the total vol- ANNOUNCEMENT AJOR equity markets around the I91.38% ume appreciated by globe moved downwards as their M URING the period under review, twenty two and value traded various indexes gained marginal (22) stocks recorded price appreciation D appreciated by 65.35%. A points. In our universe of sample equicompared to forty six (46) that depreciated in ty markets; the S & P 500, NASDAQ and Dow Jones all gained points by 2.16%, 2.44% and 1.73% respectively, at the end of last week. In Europe, The German Dax, FTSE 100 and France CAC 40 lost points by 0.81%, 0.51% and 0.30% respectively. In the Asia/Pacific region, Hangseng lost points by 1.06%, while the Nikkei 225 and BSE Sensex gained points by 7.24% and 0.18% respectively.

In Brazil, the Bovespa gained point by 1.12% while Russia’s RTS INDEX gained points by 1.95%. On the local setting, NSE ASI closed at 33,466.76 recording 2.54% depreciation at the end of the week’s trading.

turnover of 2.22 billion units of shares valued at N24.62 billion was recorded, in contrast to a turnover of 1.16 billion units of shares worth N14.89 billion that was recorded in the previous week.

Volume this week was driven by activities in the shares of ACCESS, IHS, DIAMONDBNK, FBNH, UBA, TRANSCORP, ZENITHBANK, UBCAP, GUARANTY and UNITYBNK.

the previous week, WAPIC was first on the top gainers chart to close with 29.91%, followed by UPL with 10.00%, CONOIL with 9.98%, BOCGAS with 9.95%, OKOMUOIL with 9.86% and IPWA with 8.57%. Other gainers in the top ten categories were CAP with 7.82%, PORTPAINT with 6.54%, ETI with 5.90% and ASHAKACEM with 5.27%.

On the flip side, fifty four (54) stocks depreciated in price last week compared to twenty eight (28) that depreciated a week ago. AGLEVENT led on the price losers’ table with 26.71%, followed

by TRANSCORP by 25.17%, AFRIPUD by 21.32%, UBA by 19.02%, AIRSERVICE by 18.53%, AIICO by 17.58%, ACCESS by 16.48%, DIAMONDBANK by 15.89%, WEMABANK by 15.15% and SKYBANK by 14.93%.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Lead Capital Stock Valuation

COMPANY’S RESULT

CONTINUE ON PAGE 51

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Homes & Property Planners flay Lagos LFZ firm over urban design competition Professional Practice

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam, Assistant Housing & Environment Editor NEW effort to prepare urban design for the South West quadrant of the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) in Lagos, which will throw up plots for industries and special residential area may have drew the ire of town planners, who are accusing the promoters of not creating a level playing field between foreign professionals and their Nigerian counterpart.

The grouse of the town planners under the aegis of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) are that the terms for expression of interest in the urban design proposal for LFZ advertised by Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) exempted Nigerian consultants and opened way for only Chinese companies or consortium to submit proposals.

LFZ comes as a tripartite agreement between Lagos State Government, Lekki World wide Investments Limited (a private limited liability company of Lagos State Government) and Chinese Consortium, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

The history of Free Free Zones in Nigeria dates back to 1982 when the Federal Government set up a committee to look into alternative sources of foreign earnings as against the dependence on oil exports which resulted in the establishment of the Export Processing Zone Act 63 0f 1992 and the establishment of the Calabar Export Processing Zone, fully government sponsored, in 1993.

The entire scheme comprises 16,500 hectares to the south-

Minister seeks alternative mate- A rials as UPDC unveils Metro City Page 32

12 contractors pioneer River’s N14.1b Golf estate project Page 33

Lagos to complete 2,624 houses for mortgage scheme Page 45

Illustration of the proposed Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) in Lagos

A bitter quarrel is brewing between members of the town planning profession and the Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) over the criteria set in the international competition for urban design of the South West quadrant zone, which will integrate business life and recreation. They say the qualifications are discriminatory and favour Chinese companies. east of the city of Lagos, two peninsulas of infinite opportunities bounded by the Lekki lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.

The free zone was launched in 2004 as a vehicle to fully utilize the investment and tourism potential of Lagos.

Lekki is a new city under development that will operate in accordance to best international practices. It is also one of the fastest developing urban areas with an annual economic growth of 16.8per cent. The

Lekki free zone is a multi-use facility with zones for oil and gas, industry, manufacturing, business and financial, media centres, commercial, real estate, recreation and tourism.

Specifically, LFZDC in it’s international competition is seeking internationally famous design institutes for urban design for the key areas, especially, the South West quadrant of the Lekki free zone, a one with an Eco-friendly orientation that will developed into

an industrial satellite city, integrating business life and recreation.

The company said the Request for Proposal (RFP) is open to reputable and experienced local and internationally recognized design companies, certified by professional bodies in home country, equipped with grade A design qualification for urban design (Chinese companies) and ISO British Standard-can bid independently or work with

Chinese company as consortium.

In fact, prospective consultants were supposed to obtain pre- qualification documents from the planning department of the LFZDC with a non refundable payment of N20, 000.

Under the scheme, LFZDC has subdivided the area into four main quadrants each having its own land use and consequently its own theme. The competition is meant to drive development within the South West Quadrant (SW) - General mixed industries, and a new special residential area in the north of the industrial zone, with both low and high-densi-

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Govt in fresh initiative to kick-start housing sector The government believes affordable homes could be delivered through the reduction of current high cost of property transactions, comprehensive review of current legislation and regeneration of a durable mortgage industry as well as injecting life into key agencies

Housing From Nkechi Onyedika and John Okeke, Abuja O ensure delivery of T affordable homes to the teeming Nigerian popula-

Goshen Beach estate, Lagos

tion, President GoodLuck Jonathan last week hinted on his administration’s resolve in reviving several of its agencies saddled with the responsibility of providing housing in the country.

He also reiterated government’s preparedness to recapitalize the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), strengthen the Federal Housing Authority

(FHA), Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and also to review other institutions of government in the built environment.

Speaking at the third Aso Housing Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, the President noted that government was working to achieve affordable mass housing units for Nigerian citizens, adding that the Federal Government in collaboration with states is exploring the possibility of reducing consent and registration

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HOMES & PROPERTY

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Minister seeks alternative materials as UPDC unveils Metro City Projects

By Emmanuel Badejo OLLOWING the inability of Fdeliver the housing providers to medium and low cost houses, the Federal Government last week called on all developers and stakeholders in the housing and construction industry to explore the opportunities associated with alternative building materials.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, made this disclosure in Abuja, while inspecting an on-going building project, Metro City, a mixed development by UACN Property Development Company (UPDC).

Till date, Nigerian building industry heavily depends on the usage of the conventional building materials like cement and concrete blocks, though several experts have been advocating for alternative materials. They have said usage of alternative materials is becoming an emerging technology in the world.

Confronted with the challenge of providing mass housing, Pepple said that there was no way the construction industry could measure up if concerted efforts are not geared towards employing and exploiting the innovation of alternative materials.

According to her, many Nigerians are still in great need of affordable, social homes; noting that, the government is committed to make this become a reality soonest.

“Mr. President is committed

Emerging trend in building production is the use of alternative building materials, which in some cases have proved to be cost effective and fast when compared with conventional materials to deliver affordable houses.

This is part of the transformation agenda promised to Nigerians. We have started to deliver mass houses through alternative materials and extensive engagements with local manufacturers of building materials too. We are open for private investors to come partner with us so as we can make this dream a reality.”

The minister said, though her ministry had been affected by circumstance of instability, now that it is on ground and we will ensure we deliver affordable homes.

After inspecting the project, the minister said she was delighted at the pace of work, urging other developers to invest more in development of mass and affordable houses. She specifically tasked UPDC to consider the option of using alternative building materials.

Responding, UPDC Managing Director, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran, said his firm also has plans to deliver more affordable homes, through alternative building materials.

Ogunniran, had earlier said that UPDC would soon unfold it’s plans on alternative mate-

UPDC’s Abuja Metro City, last week rials. He appreciated the minister for giving the private investors the needed support and encouragement, adding that his firm, which has enjoyed some of the offers, would not let the government down.

Metro City, located in the serene environment of Apo Dutse, Abuja, near Grand Towers, Abuja Mall, sits on 11.17 hectares of land and will deliver 228 housing units. The proj-

ect, which commenced in 2011, was said to be another UPDC’s effort to further entrench its presence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as complementing government’s desire towards providing housing for Nigerians.

16 two and three bedroom flats, shopping centre, estate office and community centre.

Already, 2.2 kilometres lengths of internal roads,

1.4km access road have been constructed. Also, a 4.4km reinforced concrete drains, 376,000 litre overhead water tanks, 48,000 litre water treatment plants, 432,000 litres of ground water tank, 216 cubic meters sewage treatment plant, a 2.5mVa and four 750kVa transformers and two number 800Kva and four number of 500kVa generators have been put in place.

Facilities to be provided are

swimming pool, fitness room, children’s play area and pool bar. Others are ample parking space for residents and visitors, seven industrial boreholes, fire alarm system, central security system, PHCN Electric supply and retail shops.

General Manager, Marketing, Titilayo Ajayi, apart from the 3 bedroom flat totally sold out, other variants are still available.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Prime Estates 12 contractors pioneer River’s N14.1b Golf estate project Housing

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam MID huge interest by the A high fliers in the society, mostly middle and high income earners, developers of the multi-use estate in the River State capital, Port Harcourt have picked 12 indigenous contractors to jump-start it’s property development, as part of a strategy shift to focus more on public private partnerships and groom small and medium enterprises in the art of building quality affordable houses.

Coming as a joint venture project between Taf Nigeria Homes Limited and Rivers State government and Taf Nigeria Homes, the projectGolf Estate is driven through a vehicle, RIVTAF Nigeria Limited. The parent company, Taf Holdings International, developed a 600 housing unit estate known as Brufut Gardens in The Gambia, which is 95 per cent completed.

Golf Estate, sits on 38 hectares of land along Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, and estimated to cost N14.1billion as well as provide houses of various categories to 750 families. The deal

will enable River State Government workers get 308 apartments and provide basic external infrastructure such as power supply, roads and other utilities leading to the project site.

Specifically, some of the selected contractors include, Contek, Haddad Associates, Lexcel Nigeria Limited, Solidago Construction, Geodynamics Engineering Nigeria Limited and Shappai Nigeria Limited. The contractors have already moved to site and some of the houses have passed foundation levels in the first phase of the project, to be delivered in June 2014. The 30 months project will end in June 2015.

The estate offers both residential, commercial and recreational facilities with its 200 two-bedroom apartments; 408 three-bedroom apartments; 30 three-bedroom town/terrace Houses; 32 fourbedroom town/terrace Houses; 10 four-bedroom villas/duplexes; 21 five-bedroom villas/duplexes; 50 plots of site and services; retail and shopping mall; recreational facilities and a 9-hole golf course.

Amenities pledged by the developers are round-theclock modern services such as 24 hours electricity, water sup-

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On-going work at the Golf Estate, along Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

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Lagos NIA plans conference on urban architecture Professional Practice

By Emmanuel Badejo HE principles and practice of urban design is a must for every stakeholder in the construction and building industry, if the plan to make Lagos State a world’s destination is to be achieved; architects under the aegis of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter have said.

They spoke last week in Lagos while unveiling its 4th conference, tagged: “Architecture and Urban Design”, billed to hold between Wednesday 15th to 17th May 2013, at Lantana & Orchid Halls, Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Represented by its Chairman, Mr. Ladipo Lewis, Vice Chairman, Mrs. Titilayo Adeleye, Publicity Relation Secretary, Mr. Samson Akinyosoye and the immediate past Chairman, Mrs. Abimbola Ajayi, the group said nothing would deliver the dream of making Lagos State a toast of the world, if urban design was not embraced.

Urban design is the process of designing and shaping cities, towns and villages.

Whereas architecture focuses on individual buildings, urban design address the larger scale of groups of buildings, of streets and public spaces, whole neighborhoods and districts, and entire cities, to make urban areas functional, attractive, and sustainable.

Urban design is an inter-disciplinary subject that unites all the built environment professions, including urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, civil and municipal engineering. It is common for professionals in

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Whereas architecture focuses on individual buildings, urban design address the larger scale of groups of buildings, of streets and public spaces, whole neighborhoods and districts, and entire cities, to make urban areas functional, attractive, and sustainable all these disciplines to practice in urban design. In more recent times different substrands of urban design have emerged such as strategic urban design, landscape urbanism, water-sensitive urban design, and sustainable urbanism.

Urban design is an inter-disciplinary subject that unites all the built environment professions, including urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, civil and municipal engineering. It is common for professionals in all these disciplines to practice in urban design. In more recent times different substrands of urban design have emerged such as strategic urban design, landscape urbanism, water-sensitive urban design, and sustainable urbanism.

The concept demands a good understanding of a wide range of subjects from physical geography, through to social science, and an appreciation for disciplines, such as real estate development, urban economics, political economy and social theory.

Still, Urban design is about making connections between people and places, movement and urban form, nature and the built fabric.

Urban design draws together the many strands of placemaking, environmental stewardship, social equity and economic viability into the creation of places with distinct beauty and identity.

Urban design is derived from but transcends planning and transportation policy, architectural design, development economics, engineering and landscape. It draws these and other strands together creating a vision for an area and then deploying the resources and skills needed to bring the vision to life Also, its theory deals primarily with the design and management of public space and the way public places are experienced and used. Public space includes the totality of spaces used freely on a day-today basis by the general public, such as streets, plazas, parks and public infrastructure. Some aspects of privately owned spaces, such as building facades or domestic gardens, also contribute to public space and are therefore also considered by urban design theory. Important writers on urban design theory include Christopher Alexander, Peter Calthorpe, Gordon Cullen, Andres Duany, Jane Jacobs, Mitchell Joachim, Jan Gehl, Allan B. Jacobs, Kevin Lynch, Aldo Rossi, Colin Rowe, Robert Venturi, William H. Whyte, Bill Hillier, and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.

While the two fields are closely related, ‘urban design’ differs from ‘urban planning’ in its focus on the proactive design of urban areas, whereas the latter tends, in practice, to focus on the management of private development through established regula-

Overseas property seekers turn to holiday destinations Real Estate OME 51 per cent of overseas Sincrease property locations saw an in search activity in March while 48 per cent saw a decline and one per cent stayed the same, according to the latest monthly report from Rightmove Overseas.

Cyprus, where prices have been steadily falling and are expected to continue doing so in the wake of the island’s banking crisis, saw searches increase taking it to the seventh most popular destination, above Ireland.

The Portuguese Island of Madeira also saw a substantial increase in interest with searches having risen 105 per

cent month on month and Turkey has risen to 11th most popular destination, replacing Germany.

The number of searches for properties in Australia fell, as they usually do at this time of year when searchers think about the summer holiday season ahead in Europe.

Likewise searches were down in alpine regions like Austria and Switzerland as the ski season has now come to an end. South Africa has fallen out of the top 20 and been replaced by the United Arab Emirates and other destinations seeing an increase in interest include Bulgaria and India.

“March saw a record 5.4 million searches conducted on

Rightmove Overseas.

Traditional relocation destinations such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all fell in activity and emigration thoughts turn to summer holidays,” said Shameem Golamy, head of Rightmove Overseas.

For those looking to move to March was a better month for currencies, according to Charles Purdy, managing director at Smart Currency Exchange.

“It was a better month for Sterling with small increases against Euro and US Dollar currencies largely driven by the Cyprus debacle which showed just how quickly the currency market can move in a relatively short period of time,’”he explained.

Engineers’ foundation design workshop Professional Practice

By Tosin Fodeke O stem the occurrence of T collapse buildings, bridges and other structures in the country, the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), in collaboration with a United Kingdom based Consulting firm, Messrs Deep Foundations Specialists (UK) Limited, has announced plans to host a two-day Professional Development Workshop.

President of NIStructE, Busola Awojobi, an engineer, said the workshop will hold between 1st and 2nd of May and will focus mainly on the Design and Construction of Deep Foundations, Deep Basement Structures, SoilStructure Interaction, Ground Stabilization, Earthworks, Groundwater Seepage Analysis and Groundwater Control among others.

Other areas that seminar will cover are, the Fundamentals of the Design and Detailing of the

Structural Engineering Elements of Medium to HighRise Buildings and their appropriate Foundations.

He said participants are expected from the Professionals in the Built Environment including Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Builders and Town Planners.

Also expected are Specialist Contractors’ Representatives and officials of the relevant Federal and State Governments’ Ministries and Parastatals.

tory planning methods and programs, and other statutory development controls.

For these reasons and others, Lewis, said it became imperative for NIA to bring stakeholders in the building industry together to discuss salient developmental issues that will assist to sharp the development programme of Lagos as well as management of land.

Known as Lagos Architects Forum (LAF), it is an annual event meant to provide opportunities for participants to meet with the various stakeholders in the building and construction industry; establish bilateral ties with companies; showcase their products and services; learn about best practices and update skills in current trends in design, development and construction; understand the current economic climate; discover innovative methods of development within the current economic climate and understand critical issues affecting viable developments.

According to Akinyosoye, this year’s event is billed to attract speakers from the local and international arenas. Amongst those that are lined up to share their thoughts include Dr. Noah Kofi Karley, Mr William Nii Teiko Evans-Anfom; former Ghana Institute of Architects’ President, Osei Kwame Agyeman; Martin Baerschmidt and other facilitators. The event is expected to feature conferences and workshops that dwell on contemporary urban development issues.

Modules to be considered include Urban Design, Master Planning, Real Estate

Development, High Density Mass Housing, Construction Technology, Design Technology as well as Pre/Post Conference Site

Tours.

The event will attract not only architects but, allied professionals in the building and construction industry. It is also open to the general pub-

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ATOPCON begins use of TOPREC stamps on projects Professional Practice

By Tosin Fodeke new chapter may have A begun in the town-planning profession as consulting planners have commenced enforcement of a new code of practice that makes it mandatory for members to use an official seal on their development projects.

The new form of identification, according to Association Of Town Planning Consultants Of Nigeria (ATOPCON) involves the use of a stamp bearing the insignia of Town Planners Registration Council Of Nigeria (TOPREC).

Chairman of ATOPCON Lagos branch, Adedire Adebisi, who revealed this during a visit to the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASPPPA), explained that the body devised the new strategy in other to standardize the services of professionals and edge out quarks.

He added that the use of TOPREC stamps on development projects handled or supervised by registered consultants is a new token of authenticity began this year.

“We therefore pray the management of the agency to look out for these stamps on development documents seeking permit before turning on the green light and dishonour development proposals without such stamps” Adedire earlier lamented the tiresome procedures involved in processing development permit for proposals as well as delay in obtaining title documents adding that it has drained the faith of the public in it.

“We believe that the process can be fast tracked by reverting to the operation 30-30 policies which prescribed the approval process be completed within 30 working days. This helps to build faith of the public in the activities of planners especially in government agencies who have been misconstrued as corrupt.

Adedire while observing that the heart of delay in development permit process has been the movement of documents through multiple offices suggested that relevant experts on issues associated with physical development and building such as engineering, transport, environment and so on, be present within the agency.

"Whatever verifications or evaluations can be done inhouse and thus reduce the rung of permit process ladder.

"We believe that every professional in the built environment by virtue of training has some knowledge of the operation of other sister professions. However, you will agree with me that there is usually an edge of knowledge that an architect for example has over sister professions. This makes them better managers in their field of study. In light of this we suggest that relevant professionals should be made heads of their respective departments within the agency. This would not only fast track the work process but also ensures efficiency and obliterates animosity

IN the wake of the proposed reform by the town planning professionals, a major change in the practice has begun which will allow new identification model for future developmental projects undertaken by members. among professionals.

At Lagos State Building Control Agency, Adebisi called for the establishment of a coordinating body to receive reports on the developments within the state. “ Consultants could be assigned to different zones that will report back to the body or agent. In this way, we believe no illegal development would escape the pry-

Members of ATOPCON, Lagos chapter during their visit to the Lagos State Building Control Agency

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How my govt’s urban renewal averted building collapse, Fashola A thorough investigation by professionals and Lagos officials prevented the collapse of buildings in the Ikeja Millennium Housing Estate. Tests carried out showed that the base of the foundation was constructed on loose soil, filled with disused tyres and refuse heaps officials, led by the former Housing Stories by Tunde Alao TWO- pronged approach A adopted by the Lagos authorities in its urban renewal scheme may have unraveled defects in eight blocks of housing estates located in the old secretariat, and increasing contraventions of laid down physical development rule and regulations.

The feat was achieved through an interface between professional bodies and the Ministry of Housing, which confirmed that the former buildings occupying the current site, opposite the Lagos State Police Command, where Emeka Anyaoku Housing Estate is located were prone to structural failure.

The revelation was made the Governor Babatunde Fashola at the commissioning of 76 units of four-bedroom Maisonettes, last week. He said that the demolished blocks of buildings were at the verge of being occupied when it was spotted to lack structural stability, and the decision was conveyed to the Lagos State Executive Council (EXCO).

According to Fashola, “if not for the urban renewal drive by the state government that involved the engagement of professional bodies, especially, in the area of housing provision “and by extension, the painstaking efforts by our

Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Dele Onabokun, the collapse of the former buildings would have been incalculable in term of human casualty and material cost”, said Fashola.

He explained that when the report of the structural defects of the estate brought to the EXCO, opinions were divided on whether to demolish the entire buildings or not. “But after a thorough deliberation, it was accepted that lives must take precedence over money that would be wasted, hence, the decision to demolish the buildings”.

After the demolition, he said it was discovered that the base of the foundation was constructed on loose soil, filled with heap of refuse, and disused tyres.

The foundation of the newly constructed ones had their foundations replaced with laterite, instead of loose soil, combined with pilling and iron cast.

Speaking on the project, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje, disclosed that the new buildings were tested and can stand the test of time. “We are pooling the different housing estates to ensure that when we commence their selling to the public, there would not be a short supply. It is a massive housing project that comes with mortgage facility.

Whenever we have sufficient number of houses on

The proposed 1,008 estate urban renewal scheme in Ijora Badia, Lagos ground, information will get to the public so that it is those are in need of accommodation that would be the beneficiary”.

The scheme forms part of the LAGOS HOMS, which is

yet to take off. It comprises 10 blocks of 76 units of fourbedroom Maisonnettes, and named after the former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as ‘Emeka

Anyaoku Housing Estate’,

by Fashola. Initially, it was named “Ikeja Millennium Housing Estate’.

“To make the estate functional and self sustaining, complimentary infrastruc-

ture such as paved road networks, car parks, miniwater works, power supply and landscaping were provided”, said Jeje. The estate also comes with perimeter fence and manned gates.

Lagos to complete 2,624 houses for mortgage scheme Housing PIRITED to deliver on its promise of producing more houses for its swelling population, the Lagos Government has said that it would soon complete about 2, 624 units packaged under the Lagos housing programme, LAGOSHOMS. While many of these houses have been completed, though unallocated, others are still at different stages of construction.

Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje, made revealed this last week, while rendering account of his stewardship, in commemoration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s 6th year in office.

Implementing agencies include the Ministry of Housing, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), New Town Development Authority (NTDA) and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD).

The lists include 22 Blocks of Igbogbo 2B, comprising

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Lagos and its implementing agencies such as Ministry of Housing, State’s Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), New Town Development Authority (NTDA) and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development plan to warehouse about 2,624 housing units for the state’s mortgage scheme of 264 units developed by the Housing ministry, while LSDPC delivered the Shogunro 1, 144 units of 12 blocks, 96 units of eight blocks in Shogunro II, and 36 units of three blocks in Shitta.

The NTDA delivered 492 units of 41 blocks, in Igando, 844 units of seven blocks in Omole II, 48 units of four blocks in Magodo2 96 units of eight blocks in Lekki 1 and 84 units of seven blocks in Lekki II respectively.

Others are NTDA (Specials) that comprised of 540 units in Sangotedo, 120 units in Ilupeju and 60 units in Mushin, while MPP&UD delivered 560 units of 70 blocks in Odo-Onasa Agbowa.

According to Jeje, the delay in allocating the houses to the interested public was to ensure that the state pro-

vides the greater number of the housing units.

Although, he has been defending the delay at different fora, Jeje still maintained that it would be wise to have a sufficient number on ground before the LAGOS HOM Scheme fully takes off.

He said the government wanted to avoid a situation where demand would outnumber the supply, a situation that may mess up the scheme. “But government is not unmindful of the desire by our people to benefit from the scheme. Any moment from now, we will let the public know the procedure that allocation would take”.

Besides, Jeje called on the property owners in Ijora Badia, where demolition took place recently, and

who are in possession of legitimate document to come forward for possible discussion on compensation.

Responding to the allegation of “selective settlement” of affected land owners in Ijora, the Commissioner noted that so far, only Ojora family has been able to produce title document, urging those that are in possession of such document to forward theirs, instead of blackmailing the government.

“I am saying it here categorically that so far, only the Ojora family has been able to produce any document.

So, I am appealing to those who are in possession of land document to come forward for discussion”.

He also reemphasized government’s decision at the wake of demolition of what

Fashola it considered illegal structure that the victims would be given offer of first refusal, meaning that when the housing estate planned for the area is completed, they would be considered

first, adding that the demolition exercise was not done to deprive the people of their property, “but rather, to effectively develop the site that was illegally occupied for the purpose of functional housing estate.”

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Planners fault firm’s urban design competition CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 ty housing, largely intended for as a leisure and residential resort with tourist facilities.

NITP’s 1st Vice National President, Dr. Femi Olomola told The Guardian that the competition “ clearly excludes local consultants from the Expression of Interest for the job. It was clearly stated that two of the four conditions that must be met by any interested company are as follows: Be equipped with grade A design qualification for urban design (Chinese Companies) and Be equipped with grade one ISO British Standard and can bid independently or work with the Chinese company as a consortium.”

He argued that no relevant indigenous firm is qualified to bid for the job. “The advert emphasized urban design and spatial layout. Only town planners and architects are professionally involved in this. Right in our own country we are suffering racial discrimination.

Why should a democratically elected government of Governor Raji Fashola be absolutely uninterested in developing the capacity of

indigenous professionals in a state-funded project?”

Olomola recalled that what happened four years ago when Governor Babatunde Fashola, awarded the consultancy for the preparation of Lekki Master Plan to Dan-An-Darsah – a foreign firm seems to be playing out once again. For Moses Ogunleye, Vice President, ATOPCON, “Ordinarily, members of my profession are not averse to competitive bidding or design competition like this.

Usually, most of the services procured by us or for which we are engaged are through competition. Referring to the one by Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) as international is just saying that bidders or applications are expected beyond Nigeria.

“Besides, although the title of the advertisement is “Expression of Interest”, the content has Request for Proposal (RFP). Ordinarily, the two should not be merged. The Expression of Interest should come before Request for Proposal. Alternatively, the organisation could ask for Request for Proposal straightaway.

“By standard practice, Expression of Interest is supposed to be relatively open to many applicants from whom the advertiser will make selection. It is odd that a fee was made a precondition for collection of Prequalification documents. What are PreQualification documents?

“Even the Public Procurement Act 2007 in Section 23 (2) says pre-qualification documents shall reflect only the cost of printing the documents to consultants. What is LFZDC offering to consultants? If the organisation wants the job done faster, they should have focused on Request for Proposal. From there select a preferred consultant.”

Lagos Chairman, ATOPCON, Mr. Adebisi Adedire urged the company to create an enabling environment for professionals in the built environment to operate. However, he said that such competition is a call for local consultants to broaden their scope and partner with foreign firms for international jobs.

Efforts to get response from the officials of the LFZDC, especially from Bukes Okukulabe and Rain Tao proved abortive.

Govt to recapitalise FMBN, review other housing agencies CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 fees, stamp duties and other charges associated with property transactions in the country.

Represented by the Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, he said: “We will continue our policy of engaging the private sector to play a more dominant role in this sector. Our common goals and strategic objectives in this critical sector are clear.

We must have many Nigerians living happily in a better affordable homes as soon as possible and the provision of affordable mass housing is a core priority of this administration.”

He further stressed that his administration had taken an appropriate steps in this direction towards achieving its target by approving both the National Housing Policy and National Urban

Development policy, as the coordinating frameworks for an appropriate response to the challenges in this sector.

He observed that through other viable housing and urban renewal initiatives, government would facilitate the development of 1million new homes every year for the next 10 years adding that government would partner with the Aso Savings and Loans PLC towards meeting its targeted 500,000 housing units by 2016.

The President noted that with the national housing deficit presently estimated at 16 million units, his administration recognizes the significant role the private sector could play in bridging the gap adding that, as an integral part of value chain that the private sector is well placed to meet the housing needs of the zero-income, lower medium income and the informal sector workers

and by so doing facilitate job creation.

In his address, Managing Director, ASO Saving and Loans PLC, Hassan Usman, said that the organization had created over 15,000 mortgages in the excess of N40billion and had financed the construction of several housing estates.

He noted that the company was committed to financing the provision of affordable housing nationwide adding that championing affordable housing initiative was critical to economic prosperity, poverty eradication and curbing of corruption Usman observed that the exhibition provides an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase cutting –edge products and services to members of the public adding that, the conference would serve as a clear road map on how to achieve the 500,000 affordable housing by 2016.

RIVTAF begins River’s N14.1b Golf estate project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 ply; round-the-clock security; central refuse collection, and maintenance of streets and public areas.

Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Mustapha Njie also explained that the joint venture agreement gives government a 20 per cent stake adding that the decision to venture into the Nigeria market was motivated by the huge housing gap in the country.

Njie disclosed that the off takers have made the scheme most rewarding as all the town houses and villas sold out before the commencement of construction works.

He restated his confidence in the Nigerian property market and believes that the best is yet

to come from the firm. Njie said there is a great demand for houses, and “if we could build 600 housing units at Brufut Garden for a population of 1.5 million people, 750 housing units for Nigeria’s 150 million people is just a scratch on the surface.”

According to Njie, said the project is not only providing homes but also creating employment opportunities for various skill sets such as engineers, electricians, builders, construction labourers, and all the people in the distribution chain,” he said.

Prospective subscribers have the option of mortgage from First Bank, Aso Savings and Loans and Zenith Bank as well as outright payment or

through National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme. A buyer who goes for the normal mortgage product is expected to make 30 per cent equity contribution and pay 18 percent interest rate on the loan while the NHF scheme attracts 10 per cent equity contribution and six per cent interest rate.

The Guardian learnt a twobedroom apartment goes for N13.5 million; three-bedroom, N19 million; four-bedroom Town/ Terrace House, from N40 million (depending on size); four-bedroom villa/duplex, N65 million and above; five-bedroom villa/ duplex, N70 million and above, while each of the site and serviced plots goes for N35 million and above.

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TheEnvironment Air pollution scourge underestimated, says U.N. The Environment IR pollution is an underestiA mated scourge that kills far more people than AIDS and

Untreated industrial sewage of a textile dyeing factory is drained from an outlet into a river

NESREA to sanction firms over environmental abuse The Environment From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja ENCEFORTH, any defaultH ing facility owners, who flaunt the laid down rules and regulations on the environment, will now be sanctioned, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has said.

The agency said it would not be business as usual, as war against environmental degradation would not be won if erring stakeholders and environmentalists were not brought to book.

NESREA’s Director General, Ngeri Benebo, handed down the warning last week during a stakeholders one-day workshop for NESREA accredited environmental consultants in Abuja.

Benebo, who first commended the consultants, whom, she described as mediators

While all environmental consultants are tasked to ensure total compliance to rules and regulations guiding the sector, erring facility owners would not be spared, as stern sanction would be meted out appropriately. between the agency and business owners in the country, urged them to ensure total compliance at all levels, so as to complement government’s efforts towards achieving green economy.

The DG explained that the workshop was meant to serve as a platform for exchange of knowledge, information and experience between the agency and the consultants whom she described as competent and well informed.

“It is an awakening call to their environmental responsibilities, they are putting in place things that would stop the degradation of the environment; they are adhering more to environmental rules and regulations and even when we send compliance concern to them about issues

to be corrected, they respond faster than before.

So the consultants are doing a good job, but we just want to sharpen their expertise for them to do more for us. We are pleased with what they are doing for now but they still need to do more because there is always room for improvement.”

“They are competent people, most of them are from the academia, but most times they give environmental audit report to their desk officers to prepare, and that is where we have issues with them, but as soon as their attention is drawn to errors in their reports, they quickly make amends. They were painstakingly selected before accrediting them. We want them to monitor and super-

vise their workers closely in order to achieve the desirable.”

She reiterated that the agency would not hesitate to sanction any erring facility that fails to cooperate with consultants in order for standards to be sustained.

According to her, a good number of the consultants had complained of facility owners who had refused to heed the advise of the consultants on what needed to be put in place in their factories and work environments.

“We cannot allow the degradation of our environment to continue, we are all witnesses to what has happened in recent past - the flooding, the rain fall, all these sum up to show that there is a lot of insult on our environment.

New agency on Lagos parks, gardens gets coordinator The Environment

By Tunde Alao N a renewed effort to sustain and ensure effective performance of its on-going urban renewal initiatives, Lagos Government has appointed a retired Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of the Environment, Dr. (Mrs.) Titi Anibaba as the helmsman for the newly created Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK).

LASPARK was established to consolidate and advance the effort of the State government in the area of green infrastructure such as beautification and landscaping projects across

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the state. The agency is also expected to increase the percentage of green areas through the development of additional sites and continuous tree planting at strategic locations across the state.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, hinted that the creation of LASPARK, as the flagship of the greening initiative is the devolution of powers to agencies of the ministries. He spoke last week at the ministerial press briefing to marking 6th year of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

According to him, the agency is committed to building on the work done by the Conservative and Ecology Department of the Ministry of

Environment, the champion of the green initiative in the state.

Among major achievements of the agency, enumerated by Bello, included the pruning of over 250 trees with 80 trees felled across the state within the last one year.

The Agency, according to him, is currently working on a partnership with an indigenous company, Polaris Digitech Limited, on Tree Enumeration and Greenery Mapping Solution for Lagos State, using Satellite Imaging and Geographic Information System.

Reacting to the allegation of non-performance by the Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators with the Lagos

Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in some parts of Lagos and the withdrawing of waste bins from major roads, LAWMA Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, who denied the allegation of non-performance by the operators, advanced reasons for the withdrawal of the waste bins. One, some residents who did not want to pay their bills usually deposit their wastes inside the bins. Secondly, because of some happenings that was discovered in some parts of Lagos metropolis, where dismembered human bodies were dumped inside these bins, especially, in areas such as IdiOro, Fadeyi and few other places.

malaria and a shift to cleaner energy could easily halve the toll by 2030, U.N. officials said on Tuesday.

Investments in solar, wind or hydropower would benefit both human health and a drive by almost 200 nations to slow climate change, blamed mainly on a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from use of fossil fuels, they said.

“Air pollution is causing more deaths than HIV or malaria combined,” Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the U.N. Industrial Development Organization, told a conference in Oslo trying to work out new U.N. development goals for 2030.

Most victims from indoor pollution, caused by wood fires and primitive stoves in developing nations, were women and children.

He suggested that new U.N. energy goals for 2030 should include halving the number of premature deaths caused by indoor and outdoor pollution.

A 2012 World Health Organization (WHO) study found that 3.5 million people die early annually from indoor air pollution and 3.3 million from outdoor air pollution. Toxic particles shorten lives by causing diseases such as pneumonia or cancer.

“The problem has been underestimated in the past,” Maria Neira, the WHO’s director of public health and environment, told Reuters. Smog is an acute

problem from Beijing to Mexico City.

The data, published as part of a global review of causes of death in December 2012, were an upwards revision of previous figures of 1.9 million premature deaths caused by household pollution a year and 1.3 million outdoors, she said.

The revision reflects better measurements and changes in methods, such as including heart problems linked to pollutants, she said. The numbers cannot be added together because they include perhaps 500,000 from overlapping causes.

“Still, it means more than 6 million deaths every year caused by air pollution,” she said. “The horrible thing is that this will be growing” because of rising use of fossil fuels.

By comparison, U.N. reports show there were about 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths in 2011 and malaria killed about 660,000 people in 2010.

Solutions were affordable, the experts said.

“If we increase access to clean energy ... the health benefits will be enormous. Maybe the health argument was not used enough” in debate on encouraging a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies, she said.

Almost 200 governments have agreed to work out by the end of 2015 a deal to combat climate change. But negotiations have stalled, partly because of economic slowdown and divisions between nations about how to share out the burden of cuts.

FCMB, council partner on climate change initiative Climate Change

By Tosin Fodeke S part of efforts aimed at promoting sustainable environment, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has entered into partnership with Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) towards establishing a Climate Change Unit and Special Green Brigade.

The climate change unit which was inaugurated last week is for a two-year period, will see FCMB support climate change initiatives of the LCDA as they collaborate to remedy the depreciation of the environment from all forms of waste usage.

Already, the council in conjunction with FCMB has recruited 25 special green brigade personnel who will be trained to monitor waste collection and disposal as well as ensuring there are greens where there should be greens within the council area.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Shamsudeen Olaleye expressed delight over the collaborative effort, stressing that FCMB has really lived up to its billing as a responsible corporate citizen that is mindful of the effect of climate change on the environment as well as the

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well-being of the people.

Olaleye explained that the inauguration of the Climate Change Unit and Special Green Brigade would facilitate the LCDA’s alignment with the global green movement. He added that due to the impact of climate change and global warming. “It has become necessary for the LCDA to inaugurate a unit which will assist the public in both mitigating and adapting to the threat of Climate Change,” he emphasized.

He added that the Unit would be working towards emission reduction, with the initial priority on waste management and sanitation. The Special Green Brigade will also ensure that members of the public are adequately sensitized on environmental sanitation and waste management.

Also speaking at the launch, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Olufemi Bakre, said that the project would go a long way to adequately enlighten and educate the public on environmental and waste management issues so as to combat these problems.

Also, as a demonstration of FCMB‘s commitment to these initiatives, staff of the bank, Isolo LCDA workforce, market men and women as well as community leaders cleaned the popular Aswani Market and its environs.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Festac sewage system, an environmental disaster, says official Rehabilitation to cost N4 billion The Environment HE Central Sewage System T (CSS) in Festac Town was put to use in 1977 during the African Black Festival Arts and Culture. It was designed for a projected population of 75,000 and consists of a network of pipes, pumping stations and treatment plant.

The network of pipes carry the sewage from the houses to the pumping stations by gravity and from the pumping stations, transported to the treatment plant under pressure by use of pumps.

The treatment plant is located in Satellite Town, about five kilometres from the estate, where the sewage is treated biologically using the activated sludge process.

The system collapsed almost 15 years ago and resulted in the fouling of the air and the pollution of the surrounding waters around the estate because of the discharge of raw sewage into them.

The write up will bring to the attention of the public and the Federal Government (FG) on the present deplorable state of the CSS, highlight the dangers it pose to residents and the environment, attempt quantifying the magnitude of the problem, and finally, suggest how to go about sourcing the funds for the remediation works.

The mismanagement of the CSS is very obvious all over the estate.

Sewage overflow and ponding on the road pavements are very common, especially along 2nd and 7th Avenue, the lowest areas.

The pavements are overgrown with weeds and vegetation because of the rich nutrients in the sewage.

The estate is filled with malodorous smell from the putrefying sewage overflows on the roads. The open and conduit drains carry raw sewage and emit very offensive odour because of the putrefaction.

The seven pumping stations are no longer functioning and because of this, sewage generated in the estate remain within and can only find escape through the storm water lines, as the sewer-lines are completely filled up and blocked.

The treatment plant is an eyesore. The compound has been taken over by weeds, vegetation and is continuously under flood during the rainy season. It is infested with dangerous reptiles like snakes, alligators and crocodiles.

The reasons for these developments are many, the principal one being the scaling down of routine maintenance of the system almost 15 years ago by the owner of the estate, Federal Housing Authority (FHA). This followed the discontinuation of subsidy to the Authority of the FG, coupled with the refusal of residents to pay enhanced serve charges.

The injunction obtained by a faction of the executive of the residents associations stopping the authority from collecting the enhanced charges and any other charges until the determination of the suit, compounded the finance problem.

Other reasons are, abuse of the system by residents in the use of wrong ablution materials, dumping of refuse in the manholes, building on sewers and blocking of sewer-lines by developers.

Some activities of residents contributed to the deplorable state.

Festac...recently

The treatment plant serving Festac Town has collapsed 15 years ago, posing great danger to lives of residents and the environment, which now results to offensive odour from manholes, storm water, open drains and surrounding canals, says N.T. Obiechina, an engineer and Deputy General Manager (Projects), Federal Housing Authority (FHA). He recommends reconstruction and rehabilitation of the system through Ecological Fund.

In order to ease sewage flooding of the road pavements and even some houses that are mostly on the ground floors, residents have resorted to connecting the sewer lines into the storm water lines. This has helped to reduce sewage flooding problem but has created new ones. The storm water lines, namely the open and conduct drains are now carrying raw sewage, which is now discharged into the waterways and canals around the estate.

The result is the very offensive odor from manholes, storm water, open drains, the surrounding canals and waterways.

The introduction of the septic tank/soak away pit contraption in areas not covered by the CSS, appear a panacea but it complicates the already deplorable sanitation status of the estate.

Because the water table is very high within the estate and almost all year round, the use of septic tank has the potential to pollute the ground water, which is a very serious problem in itself. Consumers of water from boreholes will be at great risk.

The adoption f the cesspool system of on-site sewage treatment will not eliminate the pollution of the ground water, as users will not be disposed to the punctual and frequent evacuation of the pools because of high cost. The effluent from these pools will flow freely into the surrounding ground, thereby polluting the ground water.

Dangers of the System THE present state poses great danger to the lives of the residents and the environment.

The sewage overflows open up

the possibility of spread of diseases. Flies and other vectors help in spreading pathogens from the sewage to human beings when they come into contact with the untreated and exposed sewage.

In addition, the stagnated sewage in the open drains provides the right nutrients for the lush vegetation to thrive and the conducive habitat for the breading of mosquitoes and other vector insects. The different diseases that can develop and spread are typhoid, cholera, infectious hepatitis, scabies, trachoma, bacillary dysentery, schistosomiasis, guinea worm, sleeping sickness, yellows fever and hookworm.

The ponding and flooding of sewage especially during heavy rainfall, result in the pollution of the ground water and infiltration of the pipes of the water reticulation network, resulting in the supply of polluted water (it must be noted that joints of the pipes are not completely water tight). The pollution of the ground water pose very great health hazard to consumers of water from boreholes. The population using water from this source is very large. This is because the water supply to the estate is very erratic and almost non-existent Most owners of these boreholes do not bother to treat the water for pathogens believing it safe for drinking, because it appears clear and un-contaminated.

The disease earlier mentioned are associated with poor sanitation, debilitating and can result in high morbidity and mortality.

The time to act is now, to reverse the present state of things, as delay may lead t the outbreak of these diseases. This is also to forestall such diseases translating from epidemic to pandemic proportions.

Magnitude of the Problem The cost estimates for the remediation of the CSS is very enormous as the level of deterioration are very extensive. The various aspects of the re-mediation works are discussed below.

The entire pipe network, which is about 100km in length comprising of different sizes and types (asbestos cement and case iron) are completely blocked with caked sewage. It ill requires jetting with water under very high pressure and chemical treatment to free the pipes of the blockage and situation.

Some parts of the network have collapsed due to subsidence of the surrounding soil (reclaimed site). These will need t be re-constructed at very great cost, as some of these pipes are laid over 3 metros below grind level.

The cost for unblocking stations whose main function is to pump the sewage from one collection point (sump of the pumping stations), to another until it gets to the treatment plant, located in Satellite Town, (about 5km away).

Each of the pumping station contains a minimum of two large capacity submersible pumps. Most of these pumps are bad and more importantly, have become obsolete because of age. For proper functioning of the pumps, they need to be replaced with modern surface pumps, called munchers. They

are more efficient and easy to maintain but very expensive.

Replacing 20 pumps with capacities ranging from 110m3/hr-400m3/hr will run into hundreds of millions of Naira.

The treatment plant, which treats the sewage by the biological process of Activated sludge, has been left to not only dilapidate but gone into ruins because of lack of maintenance. The massive investment and the state of the art contraption at the time it was put in place now constitute threat to lives and properties, and to the surrounding settlements.

The different components of the treatment plant are namely, the complex electrical installations and control panels, the different motors and pumps; conveyor bells, aeration and oxidation tanks, digesters, drying beds and un-serviceable equipments.

Another major problem is the nature and location of the Treatment Plant (TP). It is about the lowest lying ground in the neighborhood and because of this, during heavy rainfall, all the storm water ends up in the premise. This has compounded the problem, because coupled with the sewage overflow, the vegetation there is very lush and dense, providing suitable breading ground and habitat for different animals, especially reptiles, like large and dangerous snakes, alligators and crocodiles, tutees.

The cost of re-directing illegal connections of sewage into storm water lines shall be computed and aggregated. Other cost items include the provision of specialized sewage dislodging tankers that will have facilities for jetting. It shall be used for the maintenance of the system.

The cost of replacing and rebuilding all the damaged or obsolete parts of the TP including that of the re-construction of the roads and drains shall be computed and added up. The total cost of re-construction

and rehabilitation of the CSS is conservatively put at about N4 billion.

Need For Intervention THE magnitude of the problem in terms of the quantum of funds required for the re-construction and the rehabilitation of the CSS is far beyond what the Authority can shoulder. The lean financial state of the Local Government Council and the lack of the technical know-how ruled it out of providing any reasonable assistance, notwithstanding that the headquarter is located in the estate.

The State Government through the relevant ministry paid a couple of visits to the estate to assess the problem and see what kind of help it can offer. She saw the magnitude of the problem and tactically withdrew.

There are compelling reasons why the FG shall intervene; this is the first and the largest modern estate developed by her (the flagship), she must act in a socially responsible manner, it is more cost-effective to prevent the outbreak of cholera and other poor sanitation related diseases, than to wait for it to happen (because of health cost and the loss of lives that will follow), leading by example is the best way to convince State and Local Governments, and corporate bodies of the seriousness of the FG on issues relating to the environment.

There is the urgent need for the FG to intervene through the Ecological Fund in the Presidency, because of the reasons advanced above and the threat to lives and properties, the subsisting state of affairs pose to about half a million residents.

Donor agencies such as USAID, OXFAM, UNDP, and UNEP, Japanese and Canadian counterparts shall be approached for assistance in funding the project. These organizations are very well disposed to providing assistance in matters concerning the environment.

The donor agencies are usually more willing to provide financial or technical assistance or both, if the organization can show a sustainable strategy for the operation and maintenance of the CSS after the re-construction/rehabilitation.

The outbreak of the diseases associated with poor sanitation, namely typhoid and cholera is very imminent in the estate. It may even assume epidemic and pandemic proportions that will result in high morbidity and mortality rates, if not immediately addressed.

There is the need for the FG to intervene urgently, as the magnitude of the problem is beyond the parastatal in charge of the estate, FHA, More so, as the State and Local Governments are not much of assistance.

Also, funding of the re-construction/rehabilitation can be sourced from international donor agencies or from the FG Ecological Fund.

Among the recoommendations are that area provided with septic tank/soak away pit contraption should be connected to the CSS and all illegal cross connections from sewerlines to stormwater lines should be re-directed.

Finally, there should be a sustainable strategy for the operation and maintenance of the CSS after the reconstruction/rehabilitation works.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Weekly Lead Equity Ratings

COMPANY’S RESULT

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 30

STOCKWATCH 51

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

52 STOCKWATCH

Nigeria and renewable energy resource INTRODUCTION HE unused abundant renewable energy resource endowed Nigeria has reinforced clamour for its integration into the nation’s energy mix, particularly the electricity sector which reform is on-going. While the global renewable energy industry is growing rapidly as investment in the industry is significantly increasing, Nigeria has yet to tap into its huge renewable energy resources to drive its industrialization agenda. Countries like Denmark, Germany and Austria were said to be successfully moving towards 100 percent renewable energy. Denmark has committed itself to 100 percent renewable energy in the electricity, heat and transport sectors.

The time is, therefore, ripe for Nigeria to focus on protecting our environment through clean energy.

DEFINITION Renewable energy is energy that comes from resources which are continually replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewable resources, with 10% of all energy from traditional biomass, mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 19%, with 16% of electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of 282,482 megawatts (MW) at the end of 2012, and is widely used in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

At the end of 2012 the photovoltaic (PV) capacity worldwide was 100,000 MW, and PV power stations are popular in Germany and Italy. Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of these is the 354 MW SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert. The world's largest geothermal power installation is The Geysers in California, with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugar cane, and ethanol now provides 18% of the country's automotive fuel. Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA. While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. As of 2011, small solar PV systems provide electricity to a few million households, and micro-hydro configured into mini-grids serves many more. Over 44 million households use biogas made in household-scale digesters for lighting and/or cooking, and more than 166 million households rely on a new generation of more-efficient biomass cook stoves. United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity.

Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization. New government spending, regulation and policies helped the industry weather the global financial crisis better than many other sectors. According to a 2011 projection by the International Energy Agency, solar power generators may produce most of the world’s electricity within 50 years, dramatically reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that harm the environment.

TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY The United States currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. In contrast, the many types of renewable energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-are constantly replenished and will never run out. Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings, for generating electricity, and for hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial and industrial uses.

The sun's heat also drives the winds, whose energy, is captured with wind turbines. Then, the winds and the sun's heat cause water to evaporate.

When this water vapor turns into rain or snow and flows downhill into rivers or streams, its energy can be captured using hydroelectric power.

Along with the rain and snow, sunlight causes plants to grow. The organic matter that makes up those plants is known as biomass. Biomass can be used to produce electricity, transportation fuels, or chemicals. The use of biomass for any of these purposes is called bioenergy.

Hydrogen also can be found in many organic compounds, as well as water. It's the most abundant element on the Earth. But it doesn't occur naturally as a gas. It's always combined with other elements, such as with oxygen to make water. Once separated from another element, hydrogen can be burned as a fuel or converted into electricity.

Not all renewable energy resources come from the sun. Geothermal energy taps the Earth's internal heat for a variety of uses, including electric power production, and the heating and cooling of buildings. And the energy of the ocean's tides come from the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun upon the Earth.

In fact, ocean energy comes from a number of sources. In addition to tidal energy, there's the energy of the ocean's waves, which are driven by both the tides and the winds. The sun also warms the surface of the ocean more than the ocean depths, creating a temperature difference that can be used as an energy source. All these forms of ocean energy can be used to produce electricity.

Biomass Biomass resources include trees, food crops, algae, agricultural and forestry byproducts, and even Methane fumes from landfills. These biomass resources provide fuels, power production and products typically made from nonrenewable fossil fuels. Such bioproducts include plastics, insulation, adhesives and fabric. Energy production from biomass is important because it can help reduce dependence on foreign oil. In addition, it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agricultural and forestry industries also benefit from the demand for biomass.

Water Water, or hydropower, is the renewable energy source that produces the most electricity in the United States. In 2009, it accounted for 7 percent of total U.S. electricity generation and 35 percent of generation from renewables in 2009, according to the U.S. Energy Administration. Like wood, water has a long history as an energy source. Paddle wheels used to grind grain are an early example. In the 1880s, the Wolverine Chair Factory in Michigan made use of a water turbine and the first hydroelectric plant was built on Wisconsin's Fox River to harness the power of swiftly-moving water. Hydroelectric power plants proliferated with the ability to transmit electricity over longer distances. The release, as needed, of water stored in reservoirs behind dams produces electricity by spinning turbines as it flows through pipes.

Geothermal Geothermal energy comes from harnessing heat from the Earth. A large

T

utility company, for example, can directly use a geothermal reservoir to drive generators and produce electricity for their municipality. In contrast, residential heat pumps use the shallow ground temperature of the Earth to heat and cool a home on a smaller scale. The shallow ground temperature remains between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Other applications put geothermal heat to use in commercial buildings, roads, agriculture and industrial factories.

Wind Wind is just moving air created as the sun heats the Earth's surface. As long as the sun is shining, the wind remains an infinite, renewable resource.

Wind power is clean energy because wind turbines do not produce any emissions. The classic Dutch windmill harnessed the wind's energy hundreds of years ago. Modern wind turbines with three blades dot the landscape today, turning wind into electricity. Although wind only generated little power in the United States in 2009, it is the fastest-growing source of new electric power, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Solar The sun has produced energy in the form of heat and light since the Earth formed. Solar energy systems do not produce emissions and are often not harmful to the environment. Thermal solar energy can heat water or buildings. Photovoltaic devices, or solar cells, directly convert solar energy into electricity. Individual solar cells grouped into panels range from small applications that charge calculator and watch batteries, to large systems that power residential dwellings. PV power plants and concentrating solar power plants are the largest solar applications, covering acres.

THE ADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES Overreliance on nonrenewable resources over the past few centuries has revealed their inherent vulnerabilities. In the past few decades, mounting environmental problems, increasing worry over secure supply chains, and economic instability due to volatile energy prices have routinely plagued industrialized and developing nations as they strive to meet ever-growing energy demands. Although there are still technological hurdles to clear before renewable energy can be efficiently exploited, the economic and environmental benefits of renewables suggest that this is a sound area of investment.

Reduced Pollution Collectively labeling renewable energy resources as nonpolluting would be inaccurate; environmental and aesthetic costs are associated with building and operating renewable energy facilities. Renewable resources, though, present fewer environmental problems than fossil fuels. Perhaps most significant is the elimination of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous emissions in using wind, solar and hydro power. Carbon dioxide emissions from biomass -- organic waste, such as wood and livestock manure, that can be used as a fuel -- create no net emissions when new plants take up the carbon.

Stable Supply According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2010 the U.S. imported roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day from Mexico and Saudi Arabia, and nearly twice that from Canada (see References 5). Political and social events often create shock waves through energy markets as risks to the supply are assessed. Associating energy prices with abundant renewable resources reduces exposure to the riskiness of depending on a depletable energy resource that must be imported to meet demand.

Additionally, the need to continually locate and secure new nonrenewable energy deposits places the economy of the supplier and the consumer in jeopardy. The nondepletable nature of renewable energy resources and the capacity for domestic production --- the U.S. has within its borders tremendous solar and wind power potential --- provide a more stable supply system.

Environmental Policies For aesthetic, health and economic reasons, national, state and municipal governments have increasingly sought to protect the environment. While reducing soil, water and air pollution produces long-term benefits, and the costs associated with cleaning up pollution can be staggering, industrialized economies must also consider how regulations can negatively impact economic growth, especially in the short term. Renewable resources can bridge the chasm between environmental protection and economic growth. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies coal-burning power plants as a major source of the compounds that lead to acid rain. Title IV of the Clean Air Act seeks to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions to levels below those recorded in the 1980s. Conversion to renewable energy sources would enable the U.S. to meet the demands of this act while continuing to generate the electrical power that a growing population requires.

Regional Development The utilization of renewable energy resources is far more decentralized than that of nonrenewables. Underdeveloped areas can capitalize on local renewable resources to promote development that was previously restricted to areas with greater access to the large-scale infrastructure needed to support fossil fuel power plants. Other industries can benefit from the switch to renewables. The travel industry, which is often a major player in regional growth, particularly in developing nations, is greatly affected by the environmental damage caused by worldwide reliance on nonrenewable energy sources; for example, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill effectively crippled tourism along the U.S. Gulf Coast (see References 6). At the same time, tourism is highly dependent on abundant energy resources.

Unfortunately, that energy must be imported at great expense or produced locally, which can impair an area's desirability. Renewable energy resources, on the other hand, can provide the energy needed to support tourism while protecting the aesthetic qualities required to entice travelers and minimizing the amount of emissions and pollution created in the process. Additionally, renewable resources, especially decentralized ones, tend to create more jobs than their nonrenewable counterparts, which further boosts regional employment.

DO NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES CAUSE POLLUTION? Renewable resources beat nonrenewable alternatives coming and going -literally. The process of creating energy from nonrenewable resources generates greenhouse gases, pollutants and toxic chemicals, whereas renewable energy is produced from clean sources such as sunlight and wind.

Throughout their working lifetime, renewable energy producing systems have a miniscule carbon footprint and emit no hazardous chemicals. By contrast, the extraction and processing of nonrenewable resources creates a great deal of pollution -- the air pollution exacerbated by these practices, for example, contributes to a variety of respiratory disorders.

Life Cycle Assessment Life cycle assessment (LCA) is central to the process of making environmentally sound decisions. Ideally, all the products we use should come from renewable resources and continue being useful after they biodegrade or are recycled. LCA evaluates the full environmental impact of the materials and systems we use. The LCA methodology utilizes a thorough analysis that extends through every aspect of a product's expected life, starting with the

extraction or harvesting of its raw materials, the energy involved in transportation and its manufacturing or refining process, its actual use and its disposition after its use is finished. Applying LCA principles, even renewable resources such as solar energy have a small carbon footprint because of the materials and energy extended in the process of manufacturing and installing photovoltaic power cells; however, nonrenewables rate significantly worse. (References 4 and 5) Electric Power Generation When an electrical utility company creates power by burning nonrenewable fossil fuel, that's not the only product they're generating. On average, electric power plants also produce about 2.3 pounds of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt of electricity. (Reference 1) In 2009, electric power generation emitted more than 2,160 million metric tons of CO2 (Reference 2). In addition, fossil fuel-burning power plants pour massive levels of sulfur dioxide into the air -- the main culprit of acid rain -- and release high levels of nitrous oxide and other harmful chemicals into the atmosphere (Reference 3). By contrast, electricity generated from an installed residential photovoltaic system or wind turbine creates virtually no pollution.

Natural Gas Natural gas used for home heating may be one of the cleanest-burning nonrenewable energy resources. It emits 43 percent less carbon to the air than coal per unit of energy, and significantly less nitrogen oxides, sulfur and particulates. But any LCA of natural gas must also consider the environmental costs of extracting the material from the ground. For example, there are concerns that the practice of extracting natural gas from shale by use of hydraulic fracturing -- fracking -- can pollute drinking water.

Automotive Fuel Burning 1 gallon of gasoline creates 20 pounds of equivalent CO2. Fossil fuelpowered transportation pumps more than 1.7 billion tons of carbon equivalent emissions into the air annually. (Reference 6) Petroleum fuel exhaust from motor vehicles also contains staggering levels of carbon monoxide, sulfurous gases and reactive hydrocarbons. (Reference 7) Gasoline pollutes throughout its life cycle. Oil refineries are one of the largest industrial sources of benzene emissions, and along with natural gas refineries, the largest stationary source of VOCs -- which contribute heavily to smog -- in the United States.

STATUS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NIGERIA The Energy Commission of Nigeria has a Renewable Energy Masterplan but does not provide data of sources of wastes and fuels derived from them. In 2005 a presidential directive was given to the NNPC for the exploration of Renewable Energy as a source of energy i.e. energy that is replaced by a natural process at a rate that is equal to or faster than the rate at which that resource is being consumed.

NNPC was to spearhead the launch of a bio-fuel program for Nigeria which aims at creating a sustainable domestic industry by integrating the energy and agricultural sectors of the country. The rationale for the program, which is aimed at growing a thriving home grown industry includes; providing jobs and economic empowerment to rural communities, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels and protecting the environment while participating in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) program.

The NNPC initiated the Automotive Bio-fuel program for the production of fuel-ethanol and bio-diesel that would be blended with PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) otherwise know as Petrol and AGO (Automotive Gas Oil), in proportions not exceeding 10% volume. The resulting new fuel which is to be called “Green Gasoline” will reduce the volume of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, improve air quality and ultimately reduce global warming and its catastrophic consequences. This has not taken off National Renewable Energy Masterplan Project The project is initiated by the Federal Ministry of Environment in fulfillment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s obligation as part of African strategy on emission reduction. The long term renewable energy masterplan for Nigeria is to address the challenges of moving towards clean, reliable, secure and competitive energy supply which is long overdue.

The objective of this programme is to develop and implement strategies that will achieve a clean reliable energy supply and establish mechanism to develop the sector based on International best practices to showcase viability for privatesector participation. Setting up and implementing integrated Renewable energy programmes that are expected to provide inputs to national sustainable development and agenda to meet the followings targets:• National Agenda on Emission reductions • Millennium Development Goal • Vision 20: 2020 Environment sub-sector • Clean Development Mechanism • Federal Government Programme on development on alternative sources of energies that clean and sustainable • Income augmentation and rural poverty alleviation through RE services • Generation of local employment • Local capacity building • Market development • Local and global environmental benefits The main goal of the project is to reduced projected energy use by 20% by 2020 and meets 20% of the Nation’s electricity needs with Class 1 renewable energy sources by 2020. The combination of energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy resources, should allow Nigeria to meet any future increase in demand without increasing its reliance on non-renewable resources.

• GOAL 1: Secure, safe, and reasonably priced energy supplies • and services • GOAL 2: Economic Growth and Development.

• GOAL 3: Environmental Protection and Impact Why Nigeria Must Make This the Decade of Renewables If global civilizations want to avert the looming energy and climate crisis in time, then all societal forces need now to be convinced, entrained and practically involved in the sustainable energy vision. The concept of sustainable energy infrastructure has to be vigorously pushed through now. The alternative to investing in a green energy revolution is the much higher cost of climate change. Instead of spending billions and trillions on decadent industries in need of restructuring, it is time we massively invest in renewable energies as well as supplying broad information and running demand activation campaigns that can spur enthusiasm and trigger green investment.

CONCLUSIONS Today, the industrialized world holds the key to triggering this boom, not only because it possesses the financial means and skills to do so, but also because it created most of the problems and thus has an obligation to act for improvement. Nigeria MUST capitalize on this. A key question is whether it is possible to accelerate technology transition in order to tear off another wave of fossil based power and usher in a new low-carbon economy in Africa. And if India can, Nigeria too can.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

BUSINESS

Ogun signs MoU on light rail project HE Ogun State government T last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on the construction of a light rail mass transit.

Speaking while signing the MoU in Abeokuta, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said there could be no development without putting the necessary infrastructure in place.

He said the project when completed would enhance the transportation system and contribute to the economic development of the state.

“We have been doing our best on roads but it is high time we paid attention to rail as well.

“We are starting the mass transit within Abeokuta metropolis; this will be extended to all our major towns including the Ado-Odo/Ota axis which will encompass all the border areas with Lagos.

“Our first focus is intra-city rail mass transit, thereafter we will embark on linking the cities together.

“Within the next couple of years, you will begin to see the results of what we are trying to do to improve transportation of goods and services,” he said.

Amosun said the population

of the state was projected to rise significantly in the next few years, adding that there was the need to boost the transportation system to accommodate the growth.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of CCECC, Mr. Cao Bao Gang, lauded the Amosun administration for its vision for the state.

He said high standard would be maintained in the implementation of the project.

“The project will provide jobs for residents and help the unskilled ones to gain adequate knowledge through training and involvement in the whole process”, he said.

Executive Director, GTBank, Wale Oyedeji (left); Executive Director, Mrs. Olutola Omotola; Managing Director, Segun Agbaje; Executive Director, Ohis Ohiwerei; and Deputy General Manager, Retail Division, Mrs. Deola Ogunyemi, at the launch of the bank’s social banking platform on Facebook, in Lagos…on Thursday.

Dangote Co-operative savings hit N717.5m

By Helen Oji ANGOTE Group Staff Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited (DANCOOPS) has announced 46.30 per cent growth in its total savings, which increased from N490.4 million to N717.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

During the period under review, the Society achieved gross earnings of N51.85 million in 2011 compared with N36.32 million in 2010 with an increase of 43 per cent while its operating expenses increased by 23 per cent.

The society also proposed a dividend payout of N18 million to members whose names appeared in its membership register as at the close of business on 31st December 2011, while the loan portfolio grew from N294 million in 2010 to N509 million in current year under review indicting an increase of 37 per cent.

Speaking recently at the year-

D

ly general meeting of the society, the President of the Cooperative, Reuben Oluwole, explained that despite all odds during the period under review DANCOOPS made significant progress in all key performance indicators.

With the significant improvement recorded, Oluwole said the Society’s objective remains the pooling of funds through monthly savings by members to encourage savings culture among its members, just as its membership had significantly increased by 15 per cent from 3619 in 2010 to 4156 in 2011.

The president stated, “The main objective of the Society is to make loan in any form available to members without delay. Our loan scheme has continued to attract high rate patronage by members compared to previous years.”

He said that the Society has attained a giant stride in the reduction of loan interest rate

from 10, 12, and 15per cent to 5, 7 and 10 per cent respectively.

The former manager of the co-operative, Mr. Thomas Ayonote, stated that the plan of the Society was to make DANCOOPS become the biggest co-operative in Africa, by diversifying into different project like landed property, tricycle, building of houses for members and acquisition of home appliances.

On its achievements so far, Ayonote who emerged as the financial secretary at the end of meeting explained that on the housing scheme, the Cooperative have secured the Certificate of Occupancy and Governor’s consent on 83.7 acres of land at Mowe, Ogun State.

He added that the Society has the acquisition of 620 plots of land at Zango Daji Lokoja Kogi State, 23 hectres (460 plots) of land at Makurdi from Benue State government fully paid for its members in and outside the Benue Cement Plant.

Perm Sec prescribes NigComSat facilities for stakeholders

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Permanent Secretary, Ministry Communications Technology, Dr. Henry Akpan has prescribed usage of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat) facilities across the country.

Akpan, who was on familiarization tour of NigComSat facilities in Abuja at the weekend, said he was impressed with what he saw at firm, saying “beautiful things they are doing here. Very impressed, very impressed with what they are doing here. This is not only a process but rather we are seeing outcomes and hope it will impact on the lives of Nigerians.”

A statement signed by the

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Head, Corporate Communications, NigComSat Ltd, Sonny Aragba-Akpore said Akpan, in company of directors in the Ministry, was highly elated when they were taken round the facilities in the complex by the Managing Director of the company, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai and members of his management team. ‘‘I am very impressed, we are seeing beautiful things here and the outcome of these efforts and hope it will impact on the lives of Nigerians.

Government should look inward’.

According to him, the tour, which took him round from the Micro-Electronic Centre (MEC) to the Satellite Control Centre (SCC) where he was

shown the dynamics in satellite technology operations and the telemetry control, was later taken to the Network Operating Centre (NOC) where billing process was demonstrated.

At the Direct-To-Home (DTH) Centre, the NigComSat boss stated that the company has what it takes to digitalise the entire Nigerian Broadcasting industry in the shortest time possible in order to actualize the digitilisation deadline of January 1, 2015.

Ahmed-Rufai said: “Content providers could use the DTH for uplink and transmission of their contents to viewers which will save the providers the risk of spending billions to build facility (DTH)”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

BusinessInterview Nigeria’s competitive edge compromised

Singhal

Deepak Singhal is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie brand of noodles, among others. In this interview with Business Editor, ADE OGIDAN, he spoke on the challenges and allure of production in Nigeria, especially against the background of lingering parlous infrastructure, but big market.

When your company decided to establish its plant in Nigeria some years ago, did you project the level of success that has now greeted your efforts?

EALLY, we started by importing the product by 1990 and in 1996, we decided to produce in Nigeria because we were already seeing the potential. We believe in the product we projected that given the right environment and approach, we can really make success out of this here.

It is a meal for all, cost-effective and very enriching and hygienically packed.

It wasn’t really a familiar food when it came in.

What were the initial challenges that you encountered especially in the area of marketing?

R

It was very challenging because most people did not know what it was then. For several months, we were just giving out the products as sample for people to understand and accept it.

I will say it took us years to get it accepted in the market. Now, we can say there has been an improvement. We have employed over 20,000 Nigerians directly and about 120,000 indirectly within the period of our stay in the country.

One would have expected you to feel more comfortable importing because of the environment and other production challenges in the country.

You are right. But we as a group, agreed since 1976 when we stated production business in the country that we were going to have a manufacturing plant in Nigeria rather than just import-

ing. It was a long-term plan for us. We have since then have about seven plants in Nigeria; we are planning the eighth one since 1996, when we started this.

You said you have been manufacturing in Nigeria since 1976. Which area of manufacturing was that?

Not noodles and as a group. Especially in the textile area.

From textile to food production, what has been the experience?

Textile business was thriving in Nigeria until 1990s, when lots of imports from China started coming into Nigeria. The competitioness was not there anymore and China took over the market. Chinese textile products took over the market.

Food is different. It is a growing sector of the economy and we have done extremely well in that area.

But it is curious that Indomie is not experiencing competition from importation like other products?

Yes, that was because noodles and pasta importation have been banned in the country. Today, they are being made here. It will interest you to note that there are several companies, about 16 manufacturers now in the noodles sub-sector, so I don’t think there was need for importation.

Besides import prohibition, which other support are you enjoying from the government?

We have enjoyed, support from NIPC (Nigerian Import Promotion Council). That is the only incentive we have enjoyed. Other incentive,

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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by parlous infrastructure, says Singhal which we would appreciate, is to have proper infrastructure, especially power. All our factories are 24/7 on self-generated source of power.

If power is provided, rail infrastructure is there for product distribution, those things will help.

Despite the import prohibition, aren’t you experiencing competition from smuggled noodles?

Yes. There are smuggled pasta and noodles in the country, but still there are lots of manufacturers in the country. We shall love government to help in curbing influx of substandard products into the country.

You described them as sub-standard?

Yes. This is because no serious player will like to play with any government policies. They should allow their products to come in legitimately.

We have seen a lot of competition on the local scene. How have you been able to cope with this?

Like in any other business, we help in developing it and we are glad that it is growing now.

Competition and any healthy competition for that matter is good because it will help. I can say today that we were made through consumer acceptance of our product. Consumers’ acceptability is what has given us edge and we shall continue to draw on that for the growth.

Besides local competition, the greatest challenge Indomie faced was the alleged contamination saga that came up some years ago, which I think rocked the foundation of the company. How did you come out of it?

The very fact that you still remember that is good. It was nine years ago. But, we came out very strong, even stronger. We have grown from that time till now about seven times what we were then. We have moved tremendously in our sales chart. It was proved that the stuff was rumour based. It was not authentic. The consumers themselves protested against the rumour. They equally supported us. We assured them of improved quality and we have been fulfilling that pledge and that is one of reasons for our rising streangth in the market.

Did you see the hand of competition in the allegation?

We don’t have any idea about that Specifically, what is the current production capacity profile of Indomie in the country?

We produce yearly about 300,000 tonnes. And we have invested in the state of the art Kaduna plant, about $15 million in the last two years.

We started the planning in the last two years. I mean in 2011 and we doubled the capacity in 2012.

Have you been impacted by the country’s security challenges?

Yes. It is a problem. Reason why the rate of growth in the North has not come the way we expected it. There is a complete down sizing in the North. But we have got lots of support from our local communities in Kaduna and the state government With your present level of production, do you think you can satisfy the level of local demand?

Yes. We always have a philosophy of building before the demand will go up. So, we have excess. Currently, what we have can confidently meet the demand of the country. We have always kept on increasing our production capacity because we know the rate of demand will continue to rides.

But are you projecting for the export market?

Yes. We are already exporting. We started exporting to Ghana. This we started since last year and we are also venturing into other West African countries. We are making about $30 million as export revenue.

That is impressive, but with the local cost of production in Nigeria, especially the parlous state of infrastructure, how have you been able to achieve competitiveness in the sub-regional market?

We want to grow the new market and we value the foreign exchange earnings. But at the same time, the export grant of the government also helps in this regard. The process is in support of some of our initiatives.

But how do you see prospects of the export market, especially in the near future?

In the last five years, we have grown a million dollar business to over $30 million business.

Although, there are lots of difficulties, for instance, taking a container from Nigeria to China costs the same as sending to Ghana. You

As manufacturers and like others, we want sustainable policies and improved infrastructure. We want the export grant to be more timely and faster. Manufacturers are value-addition people. The government is helping in the power sector, but we are yet to see major difference. We are being patient to see it come to fruition. Even for railway reforms, we shall be glad to see it come up.

It will really help us.

In the last two years, we have invested more than $200 million in infrastructure and factories. We are also thinking of the ninth factory.

it took us years to get it accepted in the market.

Now, we can say there has been an improvement. We have employed over 20,000 Nigerians directly and about 120,000 indirectly within the period of our stay in the country.

will say that Ghana is just about four hours by road and 45 minutes by air, while China is thousands of kilometers and about 17 hours in flying.

You can imagine the inconsistencies in the ECOWAS region trade pattern. So, if these kind of things are taking care of, export will boom.

It’s like your marketing strategy has actually focused on children and they have equally accepted it. How will you assess the acceptance by the adults?

People, lots of times tell us that we are children brand. That we focus on children doesn’t mean we have neglected the adults. It is a family meal.

It started with children and even when they grow into adults, they still eat it.

It will interest you to note that people within 60 and 70 years eat indomie because it is light on stomach and easy to digest. Results have shown that it is a food for all ages.

What really has been the expansion profile of your production facility for noodles and pasta in the country?

We built the first plant in 1996 in Ota, Ogun State. In 2003, we built another in Port Harcourt.

Later, we built seasoning plant in Ota again in 2008.

Then we brought up flexible package plan in Lagos in 2009 and the Kaduna factory came up in 2011. In 2012, we started flour milling in Port Harcourt and pasta plant in Ota. That makes it a total of seven plants. We are building the eighth plant in Lagos, to be completed soon. In the last two years, we have invested more than $200 million in infrastructure and factories. We are also thinking of the ninth factory.

You have talked about your expectations from the government. Can you really elucidate on that?

The government has been good to us. We couldn’t have grown this much without its support in this country. We would say that as manufacturers and like others, we want sustainable policies and improved infrastructure. We want the export grant to be more timely and faster.

Manufacturers are value-addition people. The government is helping in the power sector, but we are yet to see major difference. We are being patient to see it come to fruition. Even for railway reforms, we shall be glad to see it come up.

It will really help us.

Also, if government can provide gas to manufacturing sector, it will be very good, as it will allow us to generate our own power.

How have you been faring in the area of corporate social responsibility?

We don’t advertise your CSR. But since you have asked, I will say since 2009, we have been giving away limbs, I mean artificial limbs. We have done more than 3000 so far. We offer scholarships for students even at the university level.

We also run social nutrition scholarship scheme for pharmacy students. We also do Indomie Independent unique award to reward them with the act of bravery. This year’s is the sixth and comes up October 1. We also make hospital donations.

What is the level of the local content in your production lines?

99 per cent of our production is local. As we said, our production is in favour of backward integration. We buy our products locally, like palm oil and sugar. When we started, about 60 per cent of our raw materials were foreign but because of the backward integration model that we adopted, we have changed all that.

Are the prices of the local raw materials competitive enough for your bottom line?

No. They are expensive. For example, palm oil on the international market is $1000 a tonne whereas in Nigeria, it is around $1700 a tonne. If you take flour for instance, there is 20 per cent duty on it now, which used to be five per cent.

The costs are high here compared to international prices. That is why export grants compensate for all these expenses.

But why did you assume such huge cost when some of these products are not prohibited?

It is because we want to increase our local content. To improve supply chain here, increase reliability and timely delivery. Quality is paramount to us.

How about local content issue in respect of personnel?

We have around 6,000 employees working for the company and about 5,980 of them are

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INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Six EU nations seek bank detail sharing HE European Union (EU) T moved closer to agreement on a coordinated crackdown on tax evasion as a total of nine countries backed an initiative for automatic sharing of bank details across borders.

The bloc’s six biggest nations won support from the Netherlands, Belgium and Romania for their proposal to adopt the United States (U.S.)’s FATCA informationexchange program, EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta said in Dublin.

Semeta also said the 27nation EU is closing in on updates to a savings tax accord as holdouts Luxembourg and Austria show willingness to compromise.

“I see a clear window of opportunity,” Semeta told journalists on the longdelayed measure requiring nations to exchange information on savings income

across borders. “Considering the strong political will, I think we’ll be able to manage” an agreement on it by next month, he said.

Governments from the United Kingdom (UK) to Poland are eyeing what the commission estimates is €1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) of lost tax revenue as many European nations struggle to narrow budget deficits. Politics is also spurring the initiative, notably in France, where President Francois Hollande’s popularity has slumped after his budget minister resigned and admitted having an offshore bank account following months of denials.

The message to anyone avoiding taxes is that “the places you can hide are getting smaller and smaller and fewer and fewer,” UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said at a joint press conference with his counterparts from Germany,

France, Italy, Spain and Poland.

Luxembourg, one of the countries that previously resisted giving up its banking secrecy rules, dropped its opposition April 10, though Finance Minister Luc Frieden has said that he wants Europe to win broader global support for the initiative within the Group of 20 nations.

“We will play a very constructive part in this,” Frieden said in an interview. Yet we need to “ensure a level playing field. Our partners in the G-20 must make sure that the new trend we see, the automatic exchange of information, will become the global standard.

Otherwise, we risk the delocalisation of capital out of Europe.”

The position of Austria, the other EU nation that has defended banking secrecy, may also be shifting.

China’s economic reform and dream of clean economy

By Stephen Green S a new leadership takes A charge in Beijing, all eyes are on President Xi Jinping and his team to see how they plan to change China into a consumption-led, bubble-free and clean economy.

After a soft patch last year, China’s economy has now settled into an acceptable growth pace of around eight per cent, defying critics who have been forecasting a hard landing for some time now.

Growth can continue at a slightly slower, but more sustainable, pace given the momentum generated by rapid urbanisation, industrialisation in western China, and rising aspirations of a growing middle class.

But we all know that the current investment-led growth model cannot continue to drive the economy over the longer term. So, how does the new leadership begin to solve the looming problems and ensure that China stays on the right road?

China’s economy has faced multiple imbalances: between the east coast and the west, between investment and consumption, between the city and the countryside, and between rich and poor. Over the past decade, policy makers have tried to rebalance the economy by building an urban social welfare system, by incentivising manufacturing investment in western China, by cutting taxes and boosting subsidies in rural areas, and by encouraging rural-urban migration. There were some successes.

The challenges now facing the economy, though, are more complex. There are dynamics in play that are undermining the sustainability of growth.

Rapid economic development generates pollution – a lot of it over time if regulation is weak, a fact that Beijingers now understand all too well. Loose monetary policy that saved the economy from a nasty recession in 2009 has pushed up land prices. It is time to re-engineer the system, instead of implementing one-off policy changes, so that positive outcomes are generated again.

However, the reformers face

Green big stumbling blocks in the form of interest groups that are blocking such large-scale reengineering. Powerful stateowned enterprises, for instance, like to retain all their profits – even if the monies could be much better spent on boosting health-care and education spending.

The other big challenge is that reform these days is complicated: allowing farmers to grow their own food was a tremendous reform in the 1970s, but was easy to do. Setting up a national health insurance system is a little more complicated.

To surmount the obstacles, the leadership will need some deft political manoeuvring to garner popular support. Coordinating the reforms would be crucial too, as the problems are increasingly interconnected. The focus should be on building long-term institutions and establishing the rules of the game.

Putting these principles into practice is easier said than done. Recent steps to revamp the Railway Ministry and spin out its commercial operations wing, or the move to give more powers to the food and drug regulator to improve safety are a good start. We hope the reformers will carry on. Indeed, they must focus on five broad areas of reforms in the next couple of years.

First, abolish the one-child policy and close down the National Population and Family Planning Commission.

The recent decision to merge the Commission with the Health Ministry goes only half way. Demographers say that

abolishing the Commission would not cause China’s birth rate to explode – bringing up kids is expensive these days.

Most importantly, this move would send a clear message, that of personal freedom, to both the bureaucracy and the populace.

It is a message of change – that the government now has no business to tell you how many children you can have. It is also a message that the government is willing to close down parts of the bureaucracy that are no longer useful.

Second, support urbanisation through meaningful policies that attract more people to the cities and help them to integrate into urban life. This would entail offering social welfare to the new migrants, perhaps starting with partial access to pension and healthcare services in the first five years and then upgrading them to full-benefit status.

The government would also need to provide a larger supply of housing, perhaps funded through government-guaranteed bonds that are paid for with the rental income from social housing and a subsidy from the Finance Ministry.

Additionally, they could let villagers living in the outskirts of large cities build low-storey, for-rent housing.

Third, deliver a level playing field for the private sector to compete with state-owned companies. China has big ambitions to build a 21st century industrial base made up of safe food-processing companies, patent-filing biotechnology firms and clean-energy producers.

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61 Published in association with

InvestmentWatch Investment Portfolio Structuring Introduction N previous editions of INVESTMENT ONE “Investment Watch” education series, we highlighted the processes of investing and the benefitofhavingprofessionalshelpyouplanandmanage your wealth. In this edition of the series, we present a foundational study for investors seeking to understand the principles of using portfolio structuring tools.

To ensure that you position your investment to minimize risk and maximize returns, you need to deploy well-structured investment portfolio management process under the guidance of your financial adviser.

Investment Portfolio An investment portfolio is a collection of assets owned by an individual or by an institution. Most investment portfolios are assembled to cater for income needs, development projects, retirement( among others); and are made up mainly of securities, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, moneymarketfundsandexchangetradedfunds.

An investor's portfolio can include real estate and commodities such as gold bars.

Effective investment portfolio structuring in the capital market employs three major tools for minimizing risk and maximizing investment returns which include Asset Allocation, Market Timing and Security Selection.

Asset Allocation According to Investopedia; there is no simple formula that can find the right asset allocation for everyindividual.However,theconsensusamong most financial professionals is that asset allocation is one of the most important decisions that investors make. In other words, your selection of individual securities is secondary to the way you allocate your investment in stocks, bonds, and cash and equivalents, which will be the principal determinants of your investment results.

Asset allocation strategy must aim to balance risk and reward by apportioning a portfolio's assets according to an individual's goals, age, risk tolerance and investment horizon. Note that the three main asset classes - equities, fixed-income, and cash and equivalents - have different levels of risk and return, so each will behave differently over time, thereby requiring bespoke asset allocation plan for each individual or institution.

Asset Allocation Strategies Establishing an appropriate asset mix is a dynamic process and it plays a key role in determining your portfolio's overall risk and return. Strategic asset allocation is a method that establishes and adheres to what is a "base policy mix." This is a proportional combination of assets based on expected rates of return for each asset class. For example, if stocks have historically returned 10% per year and bonds have returned 5% per year, a mixof50%stocksand50%bondswouldbeexpected to return 7.5% per year.

The following are strategies of establishing asset allocation: Constant – Weighing Asset Allocation Strategic asset allocation generally implies a buyand-hold strategy, even as the shift in the values ofassetscauseadriftfromtheinitiallyestablished policy mix. For this reason, you may choose to adopt a constant-weighting approach to asset

I

allocation. With this approach, you continually rebalance your portfolio. For example, if one asset were declining in value, you would purchase more of that asset, and if that asset value should increase, you would sell it.

Insured Asset Allocation With an insured asset allocation strategy, you establish a base portfolio value under which the portfolio should not be allowed to drop. As long as the portfolio achieves a return above its base, you exercise active management to try to increase the portfolio value as much as possible. If, however, the portfolio should ever drop to the base value, you invest in risk-free assets so that the base value becomes fixed Dynamic Asset Allocation Another active asset allocation strategy is dynamic asset allocation, with which you constantly adjust the mix of assets as markets rise and fall and the economy strengthens and weakens. With this strategy you sell assets that are declining and purchase assets that are increasing, making dynamic asset allocation the polar opposite of a constant-weighting strategy.

Integrated Asset Allocation With integrated asset allocation you consider both your economic expectations and your risk in establishing an asset mix. While all of the abovementioned strategies take into account expectationsforfuturemarketreturns,notallofthestrategies account for investment risk tolerance.

Integrated asset allocation, on the other hand, includes aspects of all strategies, accounting not only for expectations but also actual changes in capital markets and your risk tolerance.

Market Timing Some experts say that accurately identifying the best time to enter or exit the market is next to impossible. However every market has cycles that repeat itself over time The following are phases of typical business cycles that investors must take cognizance of to ensure they are well guided in their investment decisions: Recession This slow period in the economy is characterized by falling production, peaking inflation and weakenedconsumerconfidence.Althoughitnever seems like it at the time, recessions are usually a good time to buy cyclical stocks (such as automobile companies, paper companies and other heavy manufacturers). Their earnings may be flat, and their stock prices may be floundering, but they are among the first stocks to take off when the economy turns around.

Recovery Hope begins to emerge. Recoveries are marked by stimulatory economic policies, falling inflation and increasing consumer confidence. They are a good time to buy stocks, long-term bonds, commodities, oil and gas, and even precious metals to hedge against a possible up-tick in inflation..

Early Upswing Once the recovery period passes, consumer confidence is up and the economy is gaining some momentum. The early upswing is probably the healthiest period of the cycle because economic growth can continue without any signs of overheating or sharply higher inflation.

Unemployment falls, but inflation may pick up.

Higher operating levels allow many businesses to cut unit costs and increase margins and profits.Thestockmarketshouldremainstrong,while commodities will continue to rise modestly.

Late Upswing It’s hard to distinguish between the early upswing and the late upswing. But you need to look for subtle signs. The economic boom is in full swing. Manufacturing capacity utilization is at or near a peak. Stocks are rallying, and unemployment is falling. Real estate prices and rents move up strongly, prompting a construction boom. Inflation picks up as wages increase in the wake of labour shortages. With interest rates rising, bonds become less attractive.

Economic Slowdown Once the economy has gone through its recovery and upswing cycles, it’s time for a nap.

Economic activity starts to slip. Short term interest rates move up sharply, peaking as confidence drops.Theslowdownisexacerbatedbytheinventory correction as companies, suddenly fearing recession, try to reduce their inventory levels.

Manufacturing capacity utilization begins to drop while wages continue to rise, resulting in increasing inflation. In the markets, bond yields top out and start to fall.

Principles guiding efficient stock selection Giving the current low price valuation of many stocks in the Nigerian market, investors are buying up as much equities as they can afford; often without applying their time and effort to ask and seek answers to basic questions about the short and long term prospect of these equities. The reality of investment remains that investing in not an act of gambling and choosing to follow the crowd may leave many an investor with burnt hands.

Securities Selection Stock selection is the process or art of finding and selecting good stocks ( and avoiding bad ones) based on certain criteria, with the aim of maximizing the total return on investment (appreciation plus any dividends received) for the targeted holding period, limit risk (according to an individual's risks tolerance levels)and maintain an appropriate degrees of portfolio diversification.

What is the price of the entire company?

Before making an investment decision, it is important you look at more than just the current share price of the entire company. The "cost" of acquiring the entire corporation is called market capitalization (or market cap for short). The market cap is the price of all outstanding shares of common stock multiplied by the quoted price per share at any given moment in time. A business with one million shares outstanding and a stock price of N50 per share would have a market cap of N50 million.

How does the broader economy affect things?

Some stocks are highly cyclical--in other words, the company's performance is heavily dependent on the state of the economy. And cyclical stocks aren't always the bargain they appear to be. For example, when the economy is on a downswing, the stocks of paper companies may begin to look cheap. But there's a good reason for that: In tough economic times many businesses cut

back on their advertising, newspapers and magazines get thinner, and paper companies therefore sell less paper. Of course, the opposite effect usually occur coming out of a recession.

How is the company doing against competition?

Before buying a stock, it's vital to know how it is faring against the competition. The first readily accessible place for an investor to start analysis is with sales figures. "The best clue as to whether a company is out performing its competitors is to simplywatchyear-over-yearrevenues."Areitssales growing as fast as those of its competitors, and have sales been holding their own over the past few years?

Earnings growth rate In investments, earnings growth refers to the annual rate of growth of earnings, or the amount of profit a company produces during a specific period, usually defined as a quarter (three calendar months) or year. Earnings typically refer to after-tax net income. When the dividend pay-out ratio is same, the dividend growth rate is equal to the earnings growth rate.

Debt ratio If a company’s debt levels are excessive, it often proves extremely difficult for managers to raise sufficient cash to finance continued expansion.

Without expansion into new markets, corporate growth eventually slows down. Companies with lower debt often have better prospects for future expansion. Before buying any stock, you must check out the amount of debt on the balance sheet, too much debt is risky.

Is the company buying back shares?

One of the most important keys to investing is that overall corporate growth is not as important as per-share growth. A company could have the same profit, sales, and revenue for five consecutive years, but create large returns for investors by reducing the total number of outstanding shares Is management sweeping expenses under the carpet?

Investors should be wary of seeing one-time charges such as the early retirement of debt refinanced at a lower rate appearing in at least three of the past five years of income statements; often the charges spell bad news for potential investors.

Management /ownership issues Management issues involve examining perceptions about management and perceptions by management. It includes various qualitative judgments regarding the competence of current and prospective company management, as well as issues related to insider buying, future strategies to increase operations and market share. It is a positive sign when members of management are also shareholders.

What is your reason for investing in the company?

Before purchasing stock in a company, you need to ask yourself why you are investing in that particular opportunity. It is dangerous to buy a stock because people you know are buying or to buy out of love for the organization.

Investors must be certain the fundamentals of the company (current price, profits, good management, etc.) are the only reason for investing.

Anything else is based on emotions; this is detrimental and leads to speculation rather than intelligent investing.

The importance of making wise investment portfolio structuring decision is critical to the success of every investor’s aspiration to grow and protect wealth.

For efficient investment portfolio structuring, we advise you to consult an investment adviser that can partner with you to achieve your investment goals.

Join us next week Monday to learn more on how you can invest in capital market instruments to achieve your investment goals.

Kindly let us know if you have found this article useful. Please contact us at: enquiries@investment-one.com.

You can download related articles on INVESTMENT ONE education series at www.investment-one.com

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Oil & GasWeekly Remi Aiyela, Editor-in-Chief

editor@NOGintelligence.com www.NOGintelligence.com

UPSTREAM NEWS

Shell Returns To Ogoniland After 19 Years

EARLy 20 years after leaving Ogoniland, the Shell N Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd Joint Venture has re-entered the community, not, it is keen to stress, to resume operations. It is theretoconductaninventoryofitsassetsinOgoniland.

This, it said in a statement, is in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland. As part of the UNEP report, SPDC JV says it was required to conduct a comprehensive review of its assets in Ogoniland and develop a decommissioning plan.

The Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chairman of Shell Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu confirmed in a statement that the company has held engagements and consultations with the Ogoni communities after which the asset inventory commenced withbushclearinginQ4lastyear.Theassetsbeingidentified include flowstations, compressor and gas plants and pipelines. Seven fields have so far been covered in the asset inventory.

Mr Sunmonu said: “I wish to make clear that the exercise is not an attempt to secretly resume oil production in Ogoniland.”

“The intention is to determine the state of our facilities since we suspended operations in the area in 1993, and determine how best to decommission them. We are grateful for the co-operation of local government councils and the communities, including traditional rulers, and are working to complete the exercise later this year.”

Previous moves by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to resume oil production from 30 or so oil fields belonging to the SPDC Joint Venture in the area were unsuccessful in the face of opposition from the Ogoni people who were said to oppose the re-entry plan due to the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the UNEP report on oil pollution in their environment. It appears that SPDC has managed to convince them that its re-entry is purely for the limited purposes it has indicated.

FINANCIAL NEWS

External Reserves Rose To $49 Billion In March

IGERIA’S external reserves rose to $49 billion in N March 2013, from $47 billion in February. The news of the rise in external reserves, which has just been released by the National Bureau of Statistics, has been greeted with general optimism, some analysts commenting that this is likely to increase foreign investors’ confidence in the stability of the economy.

However, some are warning that it is time to diversify the economy and reduce the continued reliance on oil especially at a time when the market for Nigerian oil is shrinking, particularly with the US’s increasing self sufficiency in oil. Whilst the Asian market is growing, the distance from Nigeria, makes Nigerian crude less attractive to that market in the long run.

Shell Signs MOU For $5 Billion Oil Contractors’ Support Fund

MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) has been A signed between Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and five financial institutions for a $5 billion support fund for Shell contrac-

tors in Nigeria.

The five institutions which will contribute to the fund are Fidelity Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Limited and DLR Integrated Services Limited.

At the MoU signing ceremony and awareness session for the Shell contractors support fund, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Igo Weli, said that the contractors’ support fund was a partnership for local content development as each of the banks is expected to provide $1 billion for the fund, which is spread over a period of five years.

He said Shell embarked on the programme in order to sustain the growth of indigenous enterprise in the country. According to him, lack of access to affordable funds has been identified as a major constraint to the performance and growth of indigenous contractors.

“Financing of projects has traditionally been a major challenge to contractors’ growth and participation in the delivery of goods and services to the oil and gas industry. But as it appears the banks have committed themselves to relaxing the collateral security requirements, reducing interest rates and establish their competitive advantage to become global players.”

In its presentation, Fidelity Bank Plc, identified key features of the $5billion fund to include reduced interest rates; reduced loan receipt time; absence of hidden charge and a relaxed collateral requirement.

The Team Head, E&P/Projects of Fidelity Bank Plc, Emeka Nkemakolam, said the bank was fully committed to supporting the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy.

“To qualify for the fund, contractor must have successfully executed contracts of similar nature and value in the last 12 months and must have lodged such proceeds with a bank. We shall review and appraise credit request and inherent risks. We also liaise with Shell on confirmation of contract and domiciliation of proceeds. We are also responsible for the disbursement and monitory of the facility,” he added With the signing of the MOU, Shell contractors are to be supported by these financial institutions towards the realisation of the country’s local content aspirations.

DOWNSTREAM NEWS

ter, led to a seasonal drop in demand from refineries.

The predictions come hot on the heels of reports earlier this week from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also predicting weakening world oil demand.

The OPEC report said that worldwide oil consumption will rise this year by 800,000 bpd, or 0.9 per cent, revised down from 840,000 last month. The report disclosed that demand for OPEC’s own crude is forecast to drop to 29.75 million barrels a day this year, compared with 30.16 million in 2012. Meanwhile, the United States based EIA which provides independent energy information downgraded its worldwide consumption estimate by 50,000 bpd to 960,000 bpd.

OPEC, EIA Blame Nigeria For Decline In Crude Oil Supply

RUDE oil production from the Organisation of C Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) fell in March to its lowest level in the last two years, according to the April reports of OPEC and the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The decrease, the OPEC report noted, was as a result of oil theft in the Niger Delta, which resulted in several force majeures declarations by oil companies operating in the country. The OPEC report revealed a decrease in Nigeria’s crude oil production from 2.035 million barrels per day (bpd) it recorded in February to 1.971 million bpd in March.

OPEC, which supplies about 40 per cent of the world’s oil, produced 30.19 million barrels of crude a day last month, according to OPEC estimates based on secondary sources. That compares with 30.29 million in February.

Also, EIA in its Short-Term Energy Outlook, said that OPEC members pumped 29.83 million barrels a day last month, revise down from 29.88 million barrels a day in February.

The United States based agency which provides independent energy information, said that the drop in crude oil production in March marked the organization’s seventh straight monthly decline. “The slide in OPEC crude output has coincided with tepid global demand for crude oil, thanks to uncertain economic expansion in China, sluggish U.S. growth and the continuing debt crisis in Europe,” the report said.

“Last month, the reduced production largely came from Libya and Nigeria. Both nations saw their output cut by 500,000 barrels a day last month-to 1.35 million barrels a day for Libya and 1.95 million barrels a day for Nigeria,” according to the report.

REGULATORY NEWS

OPEC Daily Basket Price Stood At $103.26 A Barrel

HE price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at T $103.26 dollars a barrel on Wednesday, after dropping to $102.72 the previous day, following the dim outlook for global oil demand growth forecast by three international agencies in the same weak.

Introduced on 16 June 2005, the new OPEC Reference Basket is currently made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

IEA Forecasts Third Year of Weak Global Consumption

HE International Energy Agency (IEA) expects 2013 T to be the third consecutive year of weak growth in demand, adding only 795,000 barrels per day (bpd),

according to the April Oil Market Report (OMR) published on Thursday.

The Agency predicts a relatively strong demand growth among non-Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries of 1.28 million bpd. This will be moderated by shrinking OECD consumption, predicted to go down by 480,000 bpd and by 340,000 bpd in Europe, the weakest since 1985, says the Agency which advices 28 industrialised countries on energy.

Oil Market Report (OMR), the monthly IEA publication, which provides a view of the state of the international oil market and projections for oil supply and demand 12-18 months ahead, estimates in its April edition that total global demand for the year will remain roughly the same as in its March report prediction of 80.6 million bpd.

The OMR estimates that non-OPEC oil supply output for the quarter averaged 54 million bpd, a gain of 650,000bpdfromthefirstquarterof2012.OPECturned lower in March, falling 140 kb/d to 30.44 mb/d, in the wake of disruptions in Nigeria, Libya and Iraq and against a backdrop of seasonally weaker second-quarter refiner demand.

The IEA also forecast lower supply from non-OPEC countries with an average of 54 million bpd for the quarter representing a gain of 650,000 bpd from the first quarter of 2012. The IEA also said that OPEC output had declined after falling by 140,000 bpd to 30.44 million bpd. The report partly blamed disruptions due to oil theft in Nigeria. In addition, many refineries doing their spring maintenance in the second-quar-

ESQ Summit Speakers: Legal And Regulatory Inconsistencies Mar PIB

NCERTAINTy sums up the situation created by the U inconsistencies in the legal and regulatory framework meant to govern the petroleum industry, which has led to the delay in the passage of the contentious Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Stakeholders including lawyers and oil and gas executives who spoke at the just concluded ESQ Energy/Oil and Gas summit 2013 in Lagos reiterated this fact whilst speaking on the theme “Looking Beyond The Wave Of Reform: Opportunities And Challenges In Nigeria.”

Managing Partner at Adepetun, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun, Sola Adepetun said the existing provisions in the Bill are such that if not revised, could lead to confusion and uncertainty as there are various vexed issues thrown up by them.

On the issue of renewal of licenses, with particular emphasis on OMLs 71, 72, 73, 74 and 79 owned by Shell, he said the Bill provides that a written application is required 12 months before the expiration of an Oil Mining License (OML). He then wondered how an applicant (licensee), for instance, Shell is expected to complywithsucharequirementiftheprocessofapplication has to wait until the new law comes into effect.

Consequently, he said this could result in strings of litigation as parties try to advance their different positions.

On the issue of the identity of indigenous companies, he noted that the provision in the Bill gives different connotations to “indigenous companies,” arguing that this may lead to an identity crisis.

“Indigenous companies deserve a distinct identity which the Bill appears not to be clear on. As a matter of fact there is no uniform definition from the Bill of whoanindigenouscompanyshouldbe.Forme,Ithink indigenous companies should be hundred per cent owned by Nigerians. But the PIB does not sufficiently deal with this. In actual fact it is not clear if foreigners are allowed to be part of the indigenous companies, a situation which is gradually becoming the norm now,” he said.

in association with

Owing to the prevailing regulatory uncertainties, Adepetun warned that a disincentive could be caused to further investment and development adding that a consequential divestment by the IOCs would then become the rule and not the exception.

Mr Chidi Momah, the Executive General Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Total Upstream Companies said it was incredible to know that no transition plan was made prior to the formulation of the PIB. With about $133 billion expected to be spent in the next five years on deepwater production currently at about 850,000 barrels per day, Momah wondered why such a far-reaching action could be taken without a proper transition plan.

He said that as much as he believes the Petroleum Act was obsolete and requires reforms, the reform should have been done in a manner that encourages investment.

Although admitting it is the prerogative of the government to formulate laws, Momah noted that the governmentshouldrealizethatanyharshpolicycould put the huge investments in the industry in jeopardy.

He said, with the current status of the bill, no new deepwater project could happen in the country adding that about $100m investment would also not proceed.

Momah said the issues of dispute resolution, measurement point, and sanctity of contract, fiscal terms and funding challenge are some of the grey areas of the bill.

Mrs Asiyah Alao-Mutallab, Legal Adviser, Mart Resources Incorporated said that if the country is to stay competitive and avoid more divestments, the Bill should be revisised as the terms would not work.

She said that Ghana understands that for the emerging industry to thrive the terms must be right and this explains why the Product Sharing Contracts (PSC) for its deepwater operation is 25 years. She said for an industry such as Nigeria’s, stability should be key as an air of uncertainty would not do investment opportunities in the country any good.

DOWNSTREAM NEWS IOCs Perceived As Not Fully Committed To Nigerian Content

HE Nigerian content advocacy group, Borderless, T has carried out a survey on the Nigerian content development perception in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act. The survey carried out by Nigerian law firm, Kusamotu Associates on behalf of Borderless, revealed that leading international oil company operators are perceived as not doing enough to integrate their suppliers. In addition, they were seen as not doing enough to achieve the requisite transfer of technology, expertise and skills and also did not appear sufficiently transparent in their dealings.

Among the 6 of the leading international oil companies, Shell was ranked as having the highest perception of commitment. Second was Total, while Chevron was third and Mobil ranking joint 4th with Agip with Addax coming in at the bottom of the perception index.

The survey was carried out among a cross-section of oil and gas service companies.

Speaking further on the survey, Mr Tunde Kusamotu gave NOGintelligence some more details of the survey. He said: “From the look of things, I simply don’t think the oil companies are really showing interest in this local content initiative by getting the transfer of skills from the Tier 1 suppliers who are the actual manufacturers from abroad to the Tier 2 suppliers who are the oil servicing companies. Despite their clout and financial resources, they have been unable to attract the Tier 1 suppliers to the country for the purpose of transferring skill and technology to Tier two suppliers for business growth. This can be attributed to no other reason than lack of sincerity.”

He noted that the half-hearted commitment is even noticeable in their training programmes where they abide by the letters of the law but not the spirit just as it is in their award of contracts where they have preference for short term contracts rather than long term ones.

The report also chided the organised civil society, which was perceived to have not done well in sufficiently monitoring the Nigerian content activities of international oil company operators for greater compliance.

In the light of the survey Borderless is calling for a speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“One greatest challenge faced by the local content initiative is the non-passage of the PIB by the legislators. We must understand that one of the objectives of the local content is to attract investment which has not been possible in recent times due to the non-passage of the Bill by both chambers,” he said.

“The National assembly has not performed creditably well in monitoring the implementation of the law through its oversight function. So also the civil society, which has failed in the monitoring of oil companies for accessibility of information for performance assessment,” he added.

Castigating the operators for their nonchalant attitude towards providing information, he noted that their “arrogance” had made it difficult for non-partisan bodies and NGOs to get data that could have helped in determining the effectiveness of the Nigerian content law. He therefore urged them to be more transparent by making their records book open and available upon request for analytical purposes.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Friday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 13/4/2013

65

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

66 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 13/4/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

FBN Money Market Fund gets Augusto’s rating BN Money Market Fund, FAssetmanaged

by FBN Capital Management, has been assigned “Aa(f)” rating by Nigeria’s foremost research, credit rating and risk management company, Agusto & Co, in its first quarter rating, less than a year after the Fund was launched.

In the report published on its website, the respected rating company said the Fund is deemed to have “minimal low risk of investment loss due to net asset value volatility”.

According to the report, the rating is supported by good credit quality of underlying

assets. All investments must have a minimum ‘A’ rating and at least 25 per cent of net assets are invested in short term Federal Government Securities.

“The Fund has conservative investment guidelines with respect to interest rate risk. All investments mature within 365 days, with a maximum weighted average maturity of 90 days. The portfolio manager is well qualified, with over 13 years of liquidity and investment management experience”, the report said.

The Managing Director of FBN Capital Asset Management,

Michael Oyebola, said: “We are pleased with the result of this first rating for the FBN Money Market Fund. FBN Capital Asset Management has created a balanced suite of mutual fund products which are accessible to varying levels of investors, including lowincome earners, in support of the SEC’s mandate to drive investor participation in collective investment schemes; and in line with FBN Holdings’ Group objective of increased financial inclusion.”

The FBN Money Market Fund is an open-ended mutual fund with a minimum subscription

of N5, 000 only. The fund invests in short term money market an instrument including Treasury Bills, high quality commercial papers/notes, bankers’ acceptance and fixed deposits, and the primary objective is to provide investors with an opportunity to earn an above average current income stream over a short term period consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity.

FBN Capital Asset Management also manages the FBN Fixed Income Fund and the FBN Heritage Fund.

The FBN Fixed Income Fund

invests in long tenured debt instruments of the FGN, States and highly rated corporate institutions.

It also invests in money market securities such as Treasury Bills, Commercial Papers, Bankers Acceptances and Certificate of Deposits with rated banks in Nigeria, with the main objective of preserving capital and maximizing investment returns on capital.

With the FBN Heritage Fund, investments are made in stocks, bonds, money market instruments, real estate and other securities in the Nigerian Capital Markets; and

the primary objective is to achieve total return through a combination of income and long-term capital appreciation.

Duly registered and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, FBN Capital Asset Management offers generic and customized investment products and services tailored to fit client’s needs by considering their investment capacity, risk tolerance and return expectations.

The company also offers specialist portfolio management services.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Opinion The theology of political pardon

By Emele Uka T is the prerogative of the President in IhasCouncil to grant clemency to anyone who been under one kind of punishment or the other. The Nigerian Constitution section 175(1) states that the President may grant any person ... convicted of any offence ... a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions. In other words, presidential pardon is an act of grace which exempts individual(s) from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime the individual might have committed. This legal discretion on the part of the Nigerian President is not a privilege enjoyed only by the Nigerian Presidents, even the President of the United States enjoys such a privilege. It is reported that former President Clinton of the United States granted 140 pardons on his last day in office, and defended his action by stating that the framers of their constitution vested such broad powers on the President so that he would have the freedom to do what he deemed to be the right thing regardless of how unpopular such a decision might be.

So what offence has President Goodluck Jonathan committed in granting pardon to some offenders, including his former boss, former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha? I think the opposition to the President’s action is due to a wrong understanding or wrong interpretation of the concept of forgiveness. The essence of forgiveness is divine not human. It is in this connection that Shakespeare said in one of his works that, “if Justice by thy plea consider this, that in course of Justice none of us shall see salvation, we do pray for mercy and that same prayer doth teach us all to render

the deeds of mercy.”

Essentially, forgiveness is divine. Since theology helps any religion to give an intellectual explanation of its beliefs and practices, even so, we can interprete the concept of forgiveness theologically to mean a spiritual factor that does not measure or limit the number of times it forgives an offender. Why? Because forgiveness is a thing of the spirit; a quality of the spirit. All spiritual sensibilities or realities such as love, mercy, grace, joy and forgiveness can not be measured or limited.

They are by their very nature spiritual not physical.

Forgiveness is a reality of the spirit. It is to be practised at every opportunity. The spirit of forgiveness is to forgive 70 times seven i.e without counting. So says our Lord Jesus Christ in Matt. 18:21-27.

Good human relationships are impossible without a forgiving spirit. Offending others is common to all. We are all sinful and we all offend others. If we kept score, there would be little time to do any other thing. To keep relationships healthy, sweet, strong and stable, we need to note at least four things.

• That sinning, failing and offending others are common to us all.

• Offending others is usually unintentional.

All of us offend others, but we are often unaware that we have offended them. Keeping this in mind helps us to forgive others when they offend us.

• We offend others as much as they offend us.

We are as human as the next person, and we need forgiveness as much as the next person.

• The common response to being offended is to react: react by withdrawing, or engaging in retaliation or vengeance, or retreat into selfpity or in to a spirit of un-forgiveness.

The lesson here is that we all are bankrupt (unable to pay) God what we owe Him. Sin makes a man bankrupt and puts him in debt to God. We are made so bankrupt by our sin that nothing can pay our debt yet God forgives us all our debt. In spite of this, we often find it difficult to forgive our fellowmen who have wronged us.

The attributes of an un-forgiving spirit are basically those of ill-nature, self-centeredness, and spiritual immaturity. Un-forgiveness reveals that a person has not grown to be like Jesus Christ in understanding, compassion, mercy and love. There is a parable in Matt. 18: 28 – 35 where the king forgave his servant who could not pay the huge debt the servant owed him. The lesson here is that we all are bankrupt (unable to pay) God what we owe Him. Sin makes a man bankrupt and puts him in debt to God. We are made so bankrupt by our sin that nothing can pay our debt yet God forgives us all our debt. In spite of this, we often find it difficult to forgive our fellowmen who have wronged us. Why? The reason is shown in the story below.

In the same parable quoted above, the servant who was forgiven saw a fellow servant who owed him. He reacted severely by attacking the debtor; and attempting to squeeze the payment out of him. He got angry and showed malice, no mercy. The offended servant rejected the cry for mercy and refused to forgive. He acted selfishly although his reaction was in accordance to law and justice. The man really owed the servant. The debt was a just and legal debt. The servant had every right to demand and force payment. Such is justice. But remember as Shakespeare would put it if justice by

Autism with benefits

By Kemi Barrow PRIL each year marks the World Autism month, and as a parA ent of a child on the spectrum as well as a provider of education, therapy and care for children on the autism spectrum I like to sit back and reflect on some issues regarding the disorder, and help to build more awareness among the public – parents, health professionals and educators about one of the greatest health mysteries of our age.

One thing is clear however, that despite its typically painful impact on the families of children on the spectrum, autism does come with some benefits. As human beings we must look for the silver lining behind the cloud, and I think there is a lot of positives that we can find in raising and educating children on the autism spectrum. It is important for parents and families especially to look for and hold on to these positives as they weather the storm of some of the difficulties and challenges that autism brings. Many authors on the subject, especially those sharing their personal and family experiences often give examples of failed marriages, broken homes and almost destroyed lives that have arisen because of autism. The shock and disbelief that parents face when they realize that their children cannot perform at the same level with other children – socially, cognitively and in terms of communications skills can be daunting. But like every challenge, we need to encourage ourselves to firstly accept the reality of our condition and work dutifully and prayerfully to break through the clutches of autism.

One way to make our journey easier and our load lighter is to think back and reflect on some of the good things that autism may have done for you and your family and your child, and use these positive experiences as a springboard for even more success. It is a lot better than leaving in grief or shame regarding your child’s condition. No amount of grief or anger, whining or

Autism also has a humbling effect on people. Some of the people I know with children on the spectrum will clearly rank in the 95th percentile of intelligent, sociable and successful people in their business or professions. Having a child that is challenged can be a great lesson in humility and also a fantastic lesson in diversity, tolerance and patience.

complaining will help your child get better, so we must all stay positive. These are the kinds of messages and words of encouragement that our parents in our Autism Support Group in the Thoughtful House in Abuja share with each other, that keeps us strong and focused on our goals.

One interesting benefit that we have derived from our autism experience is the closeness that it has brought to our family life. Once you have decided that you will fight autism to its knees, you find a cohesiveness in family life and a congruence on key family goals. It may be tough for some families, but many families have forged stronger bonds as they battle together to take care of their children – like every challenge a family faces, autism can make or mar you, but for many families, it has made us – made us stronger and more committed to our families and our children much more than anything else.

Autism also has a humbling effect on people. Some of the people I know with children on the spectrum will clearly rank in the 95th percentile of intelligent, sociable and successful people in their business or professions. Having a child that is challenged can be a great lesson in humility and also a fantastic lesson in diversity, tolerance and patience. Such parents learn to appreciate the diversity of humanity and understand clearly that people are challenged in different ways and should be appreciated in spite of their challenges. I even read somewhere many years ago where a researcher tried to show a strong correlation between children on the autism spectrum and parents with very high IQs (I am not sure that this theory has been proven).

Autism helps us also appreciate the growth of our children more. Working with them every step of the way. It is the ultimate test of parenthood and parental love – to wait patiently with your children, teach them patiently, and watch them respond. Looking back at some of the developmental milestones that our children have achieved over time is a great source of encouragement. Remembering when they said their first words, began to run errands, respond to their names, hold a pencil, write, colour and take themselves to the toilet and clean up afterwards are unforgettable moments. With neuro-typical children these things happen so fast that we take them for granted. With children on the autism spectrum, we savour each of these moments and are grateful to God for his gift of creation and life.

Our family like many others has significantly benefitted from the lifestyle changes that autism has taught us. We have em-

the plea, consider this, that in the course of justice none of us shall see Salvation, that is why we plead for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.

Again, let’s remember the divine point Christ here: The King, (God), does not act towards us legally, executing justice; He has compassion and mercy upon us and forgives us, wiping out all our debts. The question is how often should we forgive our brother? The divine answer is as many times as he offends you. So let us have compassion and mercy, and not demand justice per se. Do not execute the law; do not trample an offender underfoot; do not act cruelly, swallowing him up and destroying his spirit. Love him and forgive him ‘just as Christ in God forgives you’ (Eph.4:32).

The President has never made any pretences about his Christian persuasion. So I proffer Christian theological perspective to the concept of pardon to mean a divine spiritual virtue that reminds us that to err is human and to forgive is divine. There were many sick people at the pool of Bethsaida, but Christ chose to heal only one person. That was an exercise of his discretion. Even so, President Jonathan should be allowed the freedom to exercise his presidential discretion in granting pardon to his former boss.

• Rev. Uka is the Prelate and Moderator of The General Assembly, The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.

braced a healthy lifestyle – changing our diet, avoiding harmful chemical substances in food and other household items and striving to live healthier lives. We wouldn’t be eating a quarter of the vegetables and fruits we eat today, and actively taking advantage of organic and healthier food and household products if not for the gift of autism in our lives. I cannot imagine the amount of unnecessary sugars that we have eliminated from our bodies just to ensure that when we seat at table, everyone, including our daughter eats something healthy and similar. The autism diets and lifestyle promotes discipline for our entire family. A discipline that already pays off and will pay off even much more as we grow older by God’s Grace.

They say if you want to hide money in the house, hide it in a book – Nigerians and Africans we hear do not like reading.

Well, most unlikely for parents with a child on the autism spectrum. Due to the low level of understanding among the medical community in our part of the world, it is quite common for doctors to refer parents to the internet for help about autism – that was what my husband and I got after our daughter’s diagnoses about four years ago. Since then we have purchased every Internet device possible, and invested in a growing library of books, resources and teaching aids on autism. Autism has helped us develop a passion for reading that may not have existed. It challenges us to broaden our thinking and our world view as we search for answers. It has even further challenged us to acquire professional skills and set up the Thoughtful House where we are able to care for other children and develop other autism therapists and interventionists.

Above all else, autism has helped us and many other children to provide real love to our children. The intimacy that exists between many children on the spectrum and their parents can even leave siblings and other family members jealous. The strong connections that you build with your child are very important in helping that child break through this condition.

Parenting is about love, and autism has given us and many other parents an opportunity to love our children like never before.

Autism does have benefits, and I truly encourage parents to find these benefits and hold on to them as we journey together on this sometimes daunting, challenging, yet highly fulfilling journey to heal our children.

• Barrow is an Early Childhood Educator, and Autism Interventionist. She is the Director of The Thoughtful House and the Creative Learning Centre, based in Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Opinion A triangular conspiracy

By Ifeatu Dickson HE story of the ordeal of Alhaji Attahiru DalT hatu Bafarawa, the former Governor of Sokoto State, in the hands of his prosecutors over alleged financial crimes while in office makes an interesting reading. The story has all the trappings of moviedom. From the Sokoto State Government to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the story is a classic example of a concentric circle of conspiracy. Each of the aforementioned trio is an interested party in the case and they have been playing ping-pong with the freedom, reputation and integrity of Alhaji Bafarawa.

We need to remind the general public about how it all started. Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, the Governor of Sokoto State had, on assumption of office on May 29, 2007 claimed that he inherited an empty treasury from his predecessor, Alhaji Bafarawa. The claim ran counter to that of Bafarawa who held that he handed over the sum of N11,893,624,428.54 (Eleven billion, eight hundred and ninety three million, six hundred and twenty four thousand, four hundred and twenty eight naira, fifty four Kobo).

Obviously piqued by Wamakko’s claim, Bafarawa swiftly petitioned the EFCC on 30th May, 2007, a day after he left office, urging the commission to freeze the accounts of the state government and investigate the claims made by him and the incoming governor.

Curiously, however, the EFCC did not act on Bafarawa’s petition. It allowed Wamakko to get away with the spurious claim. But the watching world was taken aback when the EFCC, on 6th May, 2008, one year after Bafarawa’s petition, invited him (Bafarawa) for an interview “to shed more light on the issue under reference”.

But what baffled the civilized world was that Bafarawa, on honouring the invitation, was detained by the EFCC and his international passport seized. The result was that the complainant had become the accused.

But it was not difficult for people to under-

stand what went wrong. The EFCC was not prepared to investigate Wamakko’s claims because it knew quite well that they are hollow. It therefore turned a blind eye to the issues raised by Bafarawa. But when Wamakko set out to hunt his predecessor for political reasons, the EFCC made itself a willing tool in the hands of Wamakko.

It decided to harass and embarrass the former governor so as to weaken his political strength and followership. That was the witchhunt that Bafarawa was subjected to.

However, as a law-abiding citizen who believes in the rule of law, Bafarawa went to court to seek redress. The court ruled in his favour and he had his passport released. Beyond that, the court was scandalized that Bafarawa was held by the EFCC without charges. The court therefore ordered the commission to bring charges against Bafarawa. Again, and even more curiously, the commission could not come up with any charges against Bafarawa for one whole year.

The questions that then arose were: why did the EFCC detain Bafarawa if it had no charges against him? Why did the commission arrest and detain a complainant while doing nothing about the accused? These were some of the questions that agitated those who took interest in the matter.

But apart from the worry, which these issues generated, the action of the EFCC lent credence to the suspicion that Bafarawa was being hunted and stigmatized for political reasons. But the real regret in the entire scenario was that the commission made itself look like a conspirator in the drama of the absurd.

Then, when EFCC decided to take Bafarawa to court, it still had no charges against him. It was only in court that the charges were read. But again, much more curiously, the charges preferred against Bafarawa were based on an audit report brought to the EFCC by the Attorney-General of Sokoto State. It is significant to note that Bafarawa was never invited by the Attorney-General’s audit committee to explain anything or defend himself. He was

tried and convicted in absentia by a committee set up by a government that is bent on giving him a bad name.

Then we ask again: why did the EFCC choose to rely on Sokoto State government’s audit report? Why did the commission not carry out its own independent investigation as Bafarawa requested in his petition of May 2007?

These questions cannot be answered satisfactorily by the EFCC. If anything, attempts to provide answers to them will only prove to discerning minds that the commission is working in concert with the Sokoto State government to nail Bafarawa over spurious allegations of financial malfeasance.

However, Bafarawa, while still relying on the rule of law, petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, intimating him of the injustice he was suffering in the hands of Sokoto State Government and the EFCC. Specifically, Bafarawa asked the office of the Attorney of the Federation to transfer his case to a federal High Court instead of the Sokoto State High Court where he is currently being tried. Bafarawa’s argument is simple. Since he stands accused by the Sokoto State Government, the government will be acting as a judge in its own case if he is tried in the State High court. Besides, all EFCC cases against former governors are all in Federal High courts.

Why then should Bafarawa’s case be different? That was why he approached the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to intervene.

But the matter is getting curiouser and curiouser. Since June 2012 when Bafarawa petitioned the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, no word has emanated from that office. The number one law officer of the federation has not responded to such an important petition.

We then ask: Why? Is it proper for Bafarawa to be tried in a State High Court instead of a Federal High court where cases similar to his are being handled? Is it justifiable for Sokoto State Government represented by its Attorney-General to be a judge in its own case as obtains in the Bafarawa affair? What, indeed,

could be responsible for this silence?

No answer appears to be forthcoming from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

But we are constrained to say that the action of the AGF has completed the concentric circle of conspiracy. The conspiracy has assumed a triangular shape. From Sokoto State Government to EFCC and then to the office of the AGF. We hold strong to this conspiracy theory because the case in question is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 19 accused persons, with Bafarawa as the principal accused. This being the case, it is the office of the AGF that should be the prosecutor in this case, not the AttorneyGeneral of Sokoto State.

It is also significant to note that the number of accused persons has continued to decrease. The number thinned down at first from 19 to 15.

Now, Bafarawa is standing trial with less than half of the original number of accused persons.

The Sokoto State Government and the EFCC have been dropping charges against some of them for curious reasons. But the major consideration to qualify for reprieve is an accused person’s readiness to jump ship to the side of the state government and join in the conspiracy to nail Bafarawa. This is the travesty that is going on in Sokoto State. This unjust treatment of Bafarawa is not only reprehensible, it exposes the hypocrisy in high places in Nigeria.

We can understand the desperation of Wamakko and his hirelings to send Bafarawa to jail.

Wamakko as Bafarawa’s deputy was a disaster.

He could not manage his relationship with his boss owing to disloyalty and lack of respect for constituted authority. He therefore fell by the wayside before the expiration of Bafarawa’s second tenure. Obviously, Wamakko is on a revenge mission. He wants to humiliate Bafarawa if only to remind him that he (Wamakko) is now in charge. However, we consider this petty because vengeance belongs to God and not men.

But where do the EFCC and office of the AGF come in? Why did they make themselves accomplices in a matter where they are supposed to play moderating and impartial roles? That is the question.

• Dickson writes from Abuja.

Countries that cease to exist

By Eric Teniola ROJA fuit is a latin word that means “Troy was, Troy is no TItmore”. illustrates a city that once, was but is no more. Troy is a city according to Greek legend that was captured by the Greeks under Agamemnon after a 10-year siege. Historical Troy was discovered by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann at Hissarlik in north-western Asian Minor, a few miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The excavations conducted by him from 1870 to 1890 and by others since then have revealed 10 periods of occupation of the city, which was destroyed and rebuilt each time.

The first five settlements at Troy belong to the Early Bronze Age, ending soon after 2000 BC. Troy II in particular was a flourishing community, with impressive fortifications and domestic buildings, but was destroyed by a major fire. Troy VI saw an influx of new settlers who introduced horses, but an earthquake shattered their city in about 1300. It was followed by Troy VIIA, but this phase did not last long before being destroyed by fire. The indications are that this was not an accidental disaster, but accompanied the capture of the city by enemies. The date of destruction approximately by 1250, coinciding with a flourishing Mycenaean civilisation in mainland Greece, indicates that it was this event, which lies behind the iliad, and that the conquerors of Troy VIIA were Greeks. Troy remained unoccupied for perhaps 400 years before Troy VIII was established.

Troy IX lasted into the Roman period.

But today in spite of all its beauty, Troy is no more. In fact, when we refer to Troy today, it’s all in the past tense.

There is a drink in the modern day world served at social events for celebrations and anniversaries by the very privileged, rich and powerful in the society. It is called Champagne.

But the name Champagne was once a province in the Northern east France adjoining Lorraine. International trade fairs were held there in the Middle Ages. In 1284 the marriage of Jeanne, daughter of Henry III, the last count, to Phillip IV (the Fair) led to union with France. The discovery of the method of making its celebrated sparkling wine, Champagne, is attributed to a Benedictine monk, Don Perignon (1668-1715).

It is not only Troy and Champagne that are no more, but to lack of space let me limit myself to some specific provinces and empires.

There was an Ottoman empire, Persia, Prussia, Tripolitania, Catalonia, Bengal, Corinth – a province in the old Greek, Daaphine – a former province in France, East Anglia of East England, Saragossa – a province in Italy, Herlots in the ancient Greek, Chempa, Corsica, Gran Colombia, Cilicia – a province in the old Turkey, Pergamum, Northumbria, Funj empire in the old Sudan, the Frisians of the old German territory, Byzantine empire, Anjou – a province in the old France and even the Roman empire. These were cities or provinces or empires that once existed.

Now, let us turn to the present, let me cite a few nations that have fought civil wars. They include Georgia, Guatemala, Rwanda, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Nepal, Ireland, Haiti, and Yugoslavia.

Countries like Kashmir are still in a war just like Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen. There is civil insurgency in Laos today, Moro uprising in the Philippines and Islamic insurgency in Thailand, drug war in Mexico and civil disturbances in Uzbekistan.

In the Global Peace Index compiled by Mr. Jeremy Nester, he listed only 10 countries in the present world today as safest countries. They are Slovenia, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and New Zealand.

According to him, “attitudes and demographics determines the safety of a country, the index include the number of homicides per 100,000 people, the potential for being the target of a terrorist attack, level of hostility to foreigners, educational attainment and unemployment rates and several other factors.

Of course nobody can predict the future, and by definition travel involves some inherent risk. These include both statistically improbable occurrences like plane going down in the Andes Mountains, to more likely events like being pick-pocked on a crowded bus. Travelling to the world’s safest nations does not guarantee an incident-free trip however. In travel as in life, there are no guarantees”.

Unfortunately today and very unfortunate indeed, Nigeria is listed among the 20 dangerous countries in the world by the

Global Peace Index (GPI). The listing raises a concern whether this country can break up or not. In short, can Nigeria’s glass ceiling be shattered? The answer is that it can, but it is not desirable. I do not want to contemplate a situation where Nigerians will part ways among themselves.

It is true we are facing serious challenges like other nations, but divorce is not the best solution to a troubled marriage. I want to believe that no matter what we are passing through at the moment, we shall overcome. We shall survive. For, the best comes out of us when we are down.

And why should this country break up and for what? We should not even contemplate it at all. We have been together for long and we shall continue to be together. And there is no easy way to part. Let us think of the on-going war in Afghanistan, Syria, to teach us a lesson.

Let us also think of what is going on in Burundi, Congo, East Timor and the Central African Republic. This brings to mind to the pre-civil war meeting that took place, when our military rulers had to proceed to Aburi to solve a crisis on 4th and 5th January 1967. Aburi by the way is a town North-East of Accra, the capital of Ghana. From Accra to Aburi will take 45 minutes’ drive and it will be less when the dual carriage road from Tetteh Quarshire circle to Adenta Barrier is completed by next year.

At Aburi the Nigeria military rulers, including Yakubu Gowon, Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, David Ejoor, Odumegwu Ojukwu, J.E. Wey, Mobolaji Johnson, and Timothy Omo Bare all assembled. After much discussion in Aburi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police at that time, Omo Bare, stood up and told the meeting that “We cannot sit here… and divide up Nigeria, because the way things are now moving is towards regionalisation of everything, and I do not think it is safe or that we are right to divide up Nigeria at this table”.

No leader, tribe or group of people has the right to break up this country. And the present political class must be reminded that they cannot escape if Nigeria should degenerate further into a major crisis.

This country must be saved. Nigeria must not go the way of Troy or Champagne.

• Teniola, a former Director at the Presidency, lives in Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

69

Media Enough of on-the-spot reporting, Idowu cautions journalists Interview

By Kabir Alabi Garba

For print media organisations to continue to be relevant, professionally and market-wise, especially in this digital age when access to information has been greatly democratised through the instrumentality of social media, the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Publications Limited: publishers of Media Review, and organisers of the yearly Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), LANRE IDOWU has suggested what he terms Trend Reporting as against what, he insists, is now obtainable in the industry: on-the-spot reporting. He spoke on this and other issues including how media organisations have sustained the yearly hosting of DAME in more than two decades of its existence. Excerpts: N how the media is discharging its responO sibility to the society in this current dispensation.

The media is certainly trying. But there is a lot of room for improvement. We must continue to ask the question, why are you a medium of communication? Why are you an organ? What is your role? What is it that you want to do that is different? How do you distinguish yourself?

Who are you catering for? Who are you ministering to?

These are questions that policy makers in the media houses must take seriously. These are questions that operatives – reporters, editors – should continue to engage with. We must understand our mission: one as professionals; two, as professionals working in specific media houses. There are some things that are general and common; there are some things that have some peculiarities which we must understand, appreciate and grapple with them. I consume media fares regularly through newspaper, radio, television, online whatever, and I always find myself asking the question, what is the intention of the writer? Or what did the medium that publish this have in mind in publishing this? What is it supposed to achieve?

And sometime, I find the treatment of some of these stories incomplete. I find gaps and almost involuntarily I pick pen and I begin to raise questions.

Sometime, I would say I expect follow up on this. But it is like, quite often, what we do is to mention something, scratch it, then abandon it and move to something else. I do not see enough follow up and that is a serious weakness. There is too much of on-the-spot reporting – something is happening and we just mention it. What is the larger implication of what is happening? We should team up to do trend reporting. We should provide our audiences with news that have meanings to them; news that they can use. Things that can improve their lot!

What are the issues, for instance, in the economy? How do those issues connect with the people in the sector? We should begin to help people make informed decision! I have N10 million, what can I put it into? How can I invest it?

Where can I get the information? I should be able to get it from a paper of general intelligence. There should be column where readers can get such kind of information that can guide people’s investment decision. If I want to start up a business, what are the challenges that I need to surmount? I have been doing a particular line of business for X number of years, these are the challenges I have faced, how do I crossover?

I am not saying that we don’t do stuff like this, we do! But we need to begin to have compelling sections that people will look forward to. Specific targeted audiences will seek your publication or medium out for such informa-

Idowu tion. Because they need it and you can arm them with that. The world is really an information world, there are a lot of things you can get in the Internet on your own without even waiting for a particular medium, so, you that call yourself a news medium, you must recognise that there are more opportunities and outlets available to the consumer.

So, what are you giving them? Are you giving them what they already know? They may even know more than you. We need to emphasise more of analysis. What does this thing mean?

That is where journalists still stand out. We have citizen journalists. Anybody can gather information, put it together and distribute via social media. But not everybody is trained to process information. To put him/herself in the position of the consumer, and be able to anticipate questions that consumer will ask and provide answers to through well processed, well researched stories. That is where we need to begin to emphasise our expertise more. That will help us to be current, to be relevant.

His assessment of the media scene in the almost two years of the existence of Freedom of Information Act. We must be grateful for the strides that have been covered till date. When you have something new, there is period of novelty, and that novelty we have experienced it, and what we are agitating for is now on our lap. I think we have moved a step further now to begin to grapple with the larger meaning and implication that FoI legislation has for the freedom of information regime. And because media people generally trade in information, the expectation has always been that they would be the greatest beneficiaries, they would be the people to use it more.

Not necessarily so! And I think that is what is coming out. One can see that a lot of people in the civil society have gone to court to challenge public servant’s attitude towards some of the requests that were legitimately made. I think that is the way it should be. And the courts have pronounced and from those pronouncements, you have seen a regime of compliance. Some of these public institutions have then gone forward to comply. We are still testing it. The next line in the struggle is that ... it will get to a point we will now be more comfortable with it. Some of the things that we are going to court for, by the time we have two, three, four pronouncements, even from high court, there will be no need, except you just want to waste time, there will be no

need to slow down your response to those requests.

So, I am not terribly worried, I think it is a gradual process. We should salute the courage of those who are testing the law, who do not just accept rejection from the public servant. I believe thing is going to get better.

And DAME in the last 22 years?

Media organisations such as Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), TELL Magazine, including professional groups like the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have always supported the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).

But you know that even giving cash prize and plaque is just one aspect of the awards project, what goes into the event itself is huge. And DAME has its own character with regards to providing an ambience like a family reunion. That is why we insist it must be a dinner. Some of the best understanding is reached over a dinner table. So, we have maintained that approach. And it is not cheap! It is not even cheap to get good hands and bring them together to process the entries.

Rather than be worrying on our needs on year by year basis, what we need is good capital for long term planning. Once we have that, it would ease a lot of things. That is the greatest challenge that we have now.

And again, if you look at the list of our sponsors, we try to link the sponsor with the prize. For instance, if we say Mobola Onajide as sponsor of TV Reporting, somebody may ask, who is Mobola

Anybody can gather information, put it together and distribute via social media. But not everybody is trained to process information. To put him/herself in the position of the consumer, and be able to anticipate questions that consumer will ask and provide answers to through well processed, well researched stories. That is where we need to begin to emphasise our expertise more. That will help us to be current, to be relevant.

Onajide? But that is the first woman to work as a news person in radio. Most people, especially, women that we know, they were mostly newscasters, but this one was like the first female graduate to hold a news position. She is about 77 years old now. We have to go and fish her out. She was part of WNBS and she was the first GM of Bendel Radio in those days. For us, it is an honour to have her as our sponsor. It is an honour to her for DAME to have fished her out for honour and recognition. Then, the prize that TELL has endowed for political reporting in memory of chief Enahoro, that again... we all know chief Enahoro’s antecedents when it comes to politics in Nigeria. It is fit and proper to have somebody like that as the sponsor of the award. So also is the one for Judiciary Reporting endowed by Justice Onalaja who, apart from having a successful career in the Judiciary, he was also one of the pioneers of Law Report in Western Nigeria. He was, for a long time, Editor of the Law Report.

Again, you have a person like Tunji Oseni whose name is tied to Editorial Writing. As a matter of fact, in his life time, he was the one who proposed to us, the need to have such a category and he offered to endow it. Somehow, we have been able to keep the endowment going, even after he passed on. DAME Trustees have a special relationship with him, and we think sustaining the award is our little way of also perpetuating what he stood for.

You have Radio Nigeria sponsoring the Radio Reporter of the Year prize. On their own, they have come round to show support. But we need to take it beyond that by widening it and make it have strong impact on the output. This is because, it is supposed to encourage people to take their craft seriously, encourage people to be able to continue to render quality service to the profession and the society. And society is not independent of the media. Society and the media go together. There must be stakeholders within the media who are in the larger society who should collaborate with DAME. But the critical challenge is getting credible endorsement. DAME does not just want anybody to be its sponsor. DAME loves its independence. And the belief still remains that it is private media that is driving a lot of things happening in the field of communication and the society at large, and that the future belongs to that private media and that DAME wants to be counted as one of the promoters of the cause of

70 MEDIA

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Study tour to U.S. opens for health reporters Awards HE International Centre for T Journalists (ICFJ) in collaboration with the African Health Journalists Association has launched a contest for journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa for the best stories published or aired about vaccines and immunization between March 15 and May 15, 2013, including World Immunization Week (April 2430).

The top prize is a cash award and two-week study tour of the United States to meet health experts. There are also other cash prizes. Who qualifies: Journalists working for print, broadcast or online media qualify, and affiliated freelance journalists. Rules: Stories must have appeared in media outlets based in the region or distributed mainly in the region between March 15 and May 15, 2013.

Submissions may be made in English, French, Portuguese or Amharic. Submissions in other languages must include an English translation.

Criteria: Entries must relate to diseases that are preventable or treatable with vaccines, such as polio, measles and pneumonia, discovery of new vaccines, testing of vaccines, public attitudes toward vaccination, innovative approaches to delivery of vaccines, or the efficacy or failure of vaccination campaigns. Entries may include feature articles, indepth, investigative or explanatory stories, multimedia reports, documentaries or discussion programmes.

“Stories must be wellresearched and well-written or presented, and we encourage stories that use data, mapping and/or citizen voices to support their coverage. We are especially looking for stories that use innovative tools and techniques to engage or reach the public, such as Facebook chats, Twitter feeds, or the use of text messaging to solicit citizen reports on the spread of preventable diseases,” Jerri Eddings, ICFJ Programme Director, notes in a statement.

Applicants may submit more than one entry. The deadline for submitting stories is May 20.

Winners will be announced on July 1, 2013.

ICFJ, in the last 28 years of exis-

tence, has been committed to “advancing quality journalism worldwide” through engagements such as workshops, exchange programmes among others. Already, 10 journalists from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda are participating in the 2013 Exchange Programme for Media Professionals, courtesy of ICFJ. The participants who were selected through multilayered process that involved submission of applications and oral interview on phone arrived in the United States since April 7, 2013. They had undergone three days of intensive orientation programme that focused on how print news organisations in the U.S. carry out their daily operations.

Specifically, the exchange programme is targeted at providing opportunity for participating journalists to study and become involved in journalism as it is practiced in the States. They would also examine the role that journalists play in society and the challenges they face while doing

Hamza Idris of Media Trust Limited (left); Curtis E. Huff of Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs; and Kabir Alabi Garba of The Guardian during the visit of the African journalists participating in the on-going Exchange Programme for Media Professionals to U.S. Department of State... last Wednesday in Washington DC. their jobs.

Some of the issues tackled during the orientation exercise (run from April 8 to 10,

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social media strategies, digital tools for African journalists and diversity. They have left Washington since Thursday

for their respective media organisations where they will undergo three-week of internship programme.

The Guardian’s Garba, others, in US for media exchange programme HREE Nigerian journalists T selected to participate in the maiden International Centre for Journalists’ (ICFJ) Exchange Programme between Nigerian and United States journalists have arrived in the US for the exercise.

The journalists are Kabir Alabi Garba of The Guardian Newspapers; Hamza Idris of Daily Trust Newspapers and Lasisi Olanrewaju of Channels Television.

Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), LagosNigeria, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said in a statement that the exchange programme commenced with a three-day professional Fellows Congress in Washington DC from April 8 to 10 with the three Nigerian journalists as participants.

Seven other journalists from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda also participated in the Congress.

According to Arogundade, the 10 African journalists will

spend a total of four weeks ‘working’ with media organisations in the United States during which they will share practical experience with their American colleagues.

Mr. Arogundade said prior to their departure last week, the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate in Lagos held a debriefing session with the representative of the three Nigerian Fellows, Mr. Kabir Garba.

Present at the debriefing were the Public Affairs Officer, Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab; the Cultural Affairs Specialist, Ms. Bene Uche and the Information Specialist, Mrs. Joke Omotunde.

“The Public Affairs Officer and her colleagues told Mr. Garba and his colleagues to see themselves as Nigerian ambassadors during the program and to that extent conduct themselves with the highest social and professional standards,” Mr. Arogundade said.

LTC celebrates silver jubilee with awards, refocuses for future

By Gbenga Salau AWSON, Thomas and Colleagues (LTC) Advertising last week in Lagos celebrated its 25th anniversary with a colourful dinner where it feted staff, colleagues, clients and industry stakeholders.

The founders of the marketing communication outfit used the platform to narrate the company’s story — how it started, goals and objectives when it was setting out and how it weathered the storm.

Mr. Billy Lawson, one of the founding fathers of the firm, gave the teething problems they had and the first job the organisation got.

The founding Chairman of the firm, Mr. Vincent Maduka, who noted that few companies survive 20 years, said it was a great pleasure for him serving on the board.

He commended the owners of the firm for putting in a place a new management with none of the founders as a member describing it as a great achievement.

2013 in Washington DC) were introduction to the United States and its media, the dual nature of U.S. news media,

On her part, a former Managing Director, Mrs. Bola Thomas, said that marking the 25th anniversary was not just their effort, but because God was in it.

Thomas disclosed that they set up the business because they wanted to change the face of advertising, adding it was same passion she took to serve as the first female President of AAAN when she was elected.

She, however, called on all marketing communication enterprise to emulate LTC in having succession plans.

The chairman of the outfit, Mr. Tunde Dabiri, gave account of how he supported the promoters of the company as a banker then through wooing investors to believe in the project when they mooted the idea, but lacked the financial resources to drive the dream.

Dabiri said that the organisation is at the stage of going back to the drawing board because the market has changed, now more interactive and youth focus.

He promised that when the company celebrates its 50 years, it would be a new LTC doing great things in a special way.

Some of the company’s clients and suppliers were presented awards for their support. They included Nokia, DB world studios, Grand Oak, Unilever, First Bank among others.

The Group Managing Director, Pastor Charles Abraham, stated that the agency was incorporated on October 27, 1986 and officially commenced full business on November 3 of the same year.

“The anniversary is to appreciate the founding members, celebrate with clients and loyal suppliers who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the agency,” said Charles.

The Group Managing Director stated further that the aim of the anniversary is to showcase its achievements in the last 25 years and possibly highlight the goals in the next 25 years.

(L-R) Lanre Lasisi, Kabir Garba, and Hamsa Idris at the lobby of Club Quarters Hotel in Washington.

At workshop, young journalists urged to be committed, passionate

By Gbenga Salau N order to help young journalists to find their feet in their chosen field, The Omololu Falobi Foundation with support from Guarantee Trust Bank organised a oneday interactive, skills development and capacity building forum for young journalists with the theme, expanding the media frontiers for young journalists.

The resource persons were The On-line Editor, The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, former Chief Operating Officer of Super Screen TV, Mrs. Funke Alli, Features Editor of Thisday Newspapers, Mr. Adeola Akniremi and Online-Editor of Tell Magazine, Mr. Segun Adeoye.

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In his session, Otufodunrin, who spoke on building a viable media career, enjoined young journalists to be committed and passionate about their job, noting that passion and commitment are critical ingredients for success and relevance in the larger society. He also suggested that they must constantly improve their skills including having the right qualification and attitude to work.

“Be a professional, act, talk and dress like one. Your appearance is very key, we are not the poorest paid,” Otufodunrin said.

He argued that there are many professions where people are not well paid, yet the professionals in such fields do not dress shabbily. He main-

tained that journalists have no excuse to dress shabbily.

Alli, in her presentation on balancing media career and life goals, harped on the need for journalists to live a balanced life.

She, however, said that knowing how to manage time judiciously is essential to having a balanced life. She copiously drew personal examples to support some of the points and issues she raised on how to manage home and career.

The Online Editor of Tell Magazine, Segun Adeoye, emphasised the need for young journalists to constantly participate in developmental and skill building programmes. He implored young journalists to more with the trend especially on informa-

Nigeria photography expo begins April 29

By Omiko Awa HE Nigerian photography space will, from April 29 to May 2, be a beehive of activities with the Nigeria Photography Expo and Conference 2013 (NiPHEC) occupying it.

The four-day event being put together by eloPhotos Academy will have seminars, photography classes, exhibitions and master classes.

Expected to be the largest gathering of photography enthusiasts in West Africa, with over 10,000 participants from across Nigeria and beyond, the event aims at enhancing the skills of professional and amateur photogra-

T

phers, apart from showcasing photography as a career.

According to Seun Akisanmi, head, eloPhotos Studios and eloPhotos Academy, notable photographers from the United States and Nigeria, including Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Joe McNally (USA), Ayo Animashaun, Michael Grecco (USA), Yetunde Babaeko, Jide Alakija, Leke Adenuga and others will be on ground as facilitators.

Some of the areas to talk on are lighting and posing, wedding photography, business and marketing, social media, software and workflow, and video and multimedia.

Holding at Olufunmi Okikiolu Street, Ikeja, Lagos, the expo will also serve as platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services alongside some of the leading brand names in the photography industry such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Epson, Adobe and many others.

One of the attractions at the event will be the unveiling of Africa’s first blind photographer, Taivis.

Various grades of discounts await those that register before the start of event.

Additional information could be sourced at www.niphec.com.

BrandiQ restates commitment to robust marketing reportage, inaugurates editorial board

MEDIA 71

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

HE concept of marketing has come to T prove very essential in today’s business climate in Nigeria. Businesses both big and

small are fast adopting new marketing paradigms in order to remain relevant in their businesses.

The marketing communications industry over these years in Nigeria and the world over, has recorded tremendous growth.

In Nigeria, the industry is worth billions of naira and is growing at a very fast pace. The continuous emergence of foreign investors as well as the projected influx of FDI’s has resulted in increased activity in marketing activities.

Despite the growth of the marketing sector overtime, it has been quite difficult for industry players, market analysts, regulators and even the general public to have a qualitative convergence platform that vividly captures and informs about the happenings of the marketing sector in Nigeria.

It, therefore, came as a laudable development when last year, BrandiQ Magazine (pronounced Brand-i-Q) made a glorious entry into the Nigerian media scene with the objective to provide practitioners and the general public with exhaustive journalistic explorations in Marketing Communications such that has never been seen in this part of the world . With a focus to provide its audience with quality and authoritative journals in integrated marketing communications that meets global standards, BrandiQ is keen to elevate the level of awareness and intellectual discuss relating to all aspects of marketing as well.

The magazine is designed to cover various areas of marketing communications such as marketing, advertising, branding, media, public relations and their adjuncts.

After months of pains-taking efforts to gather seasoned experts into its elite team of editorial board members, the publication decided to inaugurate the board last week at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

In the words of the Editor-in-chief, Mr. Desmond Ekeh, “we were determined to ensure that our editorial board is not a feeder team from the industry, we wanted to assemble Nigeria’s ‘first eleven’ in marketing communications. So, we had to spend some time to identify, select and bring in tested professionals from all segments of the industry. Any objective individual that takes a look at this team would realize that we have made a very strong statement on the kind of impact we want to create in this industry.”

This unique editorial board, which is constituted by distinguished marketing as well as seasoned academic professionals, is chaired by Dr. Phil Osagie, a wellrespected PR & Global Communications Strategist and CEO of JSP Corporate Communications. Other members of

Sitting (l-r) Mr. Richard Ikiebe, Senior faculty member, School of Media and Communications, Pan African University, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media and Communications, Pan African University, Dr. Phil Osagie, Global Communications Strategist JSP Corporate, Communications, Mr. Bola Akingbade, former Chief Marketing Officer MTN and Mr Desmond Ekeh, Editor-in-Chief BrandiQ. Standing (l-r) Ntia Usukuma, Editor BrandiQ, Mr. Joko Okupe, Senior Associate, Pan African University, Mr Chuddy Udenyi, Mr Agbo Agbo, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BrandiQ and Mr Rufail Ladipo, CEO Scanad Nigeria at the inaguration of the editorial board in Lagos. the board include; Mr. Richard Ikiebe, Senior faculty member, School of Media and Communications, Pan African University, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media and Communications, Pan African University, Mr. Rufai Ladipo CEO, Scanad Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade, former Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Mr. Idorenyen Enang, former Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Prof. Kwaku Atuahene-Gima, Executive Director, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Africa, Apostle Hayford Alile, Dr. Casmir Onukogu, Senior Lecturer, ESUT Business school, Dr. Josef Bel-Molokwu, former APCON Registrar and Senior Associate, Pan African University and Mr. Joko Okupe.

At the inaugural meeting of the editorial board, Osagie stressed that the team would not be like the board of most other publications where members are listed just to create positive impression.

He added that the board of would always make great input to enhance the intellectual depth of the magazine. In this light, he promised that the next board meeting would be an intensive brainstorming that would sift

APRA kicks off campaign for strategic summit

By Gbenga Salau st

S the date for the 1 All A Africa Public Relations and Strategic Communication Summit draws closer, the organisers of the event, African Public Relations Association (APRA), has announced that the publicity campaign for the International Summit has commenced on the Cable News Network (CNN), Sky News and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Channels as well as the Africa Magic/Africa Magic Entertainment bouquet, courtesy of M-Net Africa.

In a statement by the APRA Summit Coordinator, Mr. Kayode Yeku, over the weekend, the maiden edition of the APRA International Summit will attract the top echelon of the African Union Commission (AUC), PR Professionals, Communication Brand

experts, and top government functionaries as delegates, speakers and participants drawn from all parts of the African Continent, Europe, France and Asia.

The Summit, which has as theme, Rising Africa: The Imperative of Communication, is also expected to bring together over a thousand professionals in print and electronic journalism, filmmaking, advertising, branding, publishing, new media and communication generally from within and outside the African continent.

To this end, the summit coordinator stated that APRA seeks further partnership with Public Relations’ practitioners as well as corporate organisations who may want to take advantage of this summit to further boost their presence in the continent of African It will be recalled that APRA recently announced its col-

laboration with the African Union Commission which culminated in the official recognition of the 1st All Africa Public Relations and Strategic Communication Summit as part of the activities marking the AU @ 50 celebrations.

The Keynote Address at the Summit scheduled to hold at the prestigious African Union Headquarters (New Hall) in Addis- Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 8 to 10, 2013, will be delivered by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, who incidentally, is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana.

Judging from the huge response and attention it is receiving from various quarters, APRA Addis- Ababa 2013, is definitely the marketing communication event of the year on the continent.

out the best for the magazine.

Ekeh expressed his profound gratitude to all editorial board members for their prompt attendance. He also used the occasion to highlight to the editorial board members the publication’s three core focus which include, to blaze the trail in the reportage of burning issues within the ambit of marketing communications in Nigeria and subsequently west Africa; mentoring students and marketing communications trainees aspiring to join the industry through Marcomm tutorials and growing the intellectual depth of the industry with BIQ journal. He also promised that the publication would always seek to connect with its readers across the globe and consolidated on its relevance with each edition.

The editorial board members deliberated extensively on many issues relating to growth and relevance of BrandiQ with a view to continuously enhancing the quality and intellectual depth of the magazine as a global reference point.

So far, readers have seen three editions. The magazine’s crop of broad-based cerebral writers and seasoned practitioners in the sphere of the integrated marketing communication industry, have made the publication the bastion of contemporary specialized journalism, especially in higher institutions within the west African sub-region where BrandiQ’s Marcom Tutorial segment has become very popular.

Avid readers of BrandiQ’s tutorial segment

have seen that it is fashioned after the intellectual heritage of Harvard Business Review with the reportorial typology of the Economist and the Content patterned after Ad Age, brandchannel, bizcommunity.com, Adweek etc.

The tutorial page in the magazine is designed as a specific tutorial package aimed to appeal and meet the research and academic needs of the teeming population of students who really have the desire and need to understand the marketing communications world beyond the theories they are taught in school.

The current edition of the magazine tilts its focus towards creativity. A galaxy of quality interviews are lined up in the magazine, including that of Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc and Group Chairman, STB McCann, seen by many creative persons as a living legend in the field of advertising.

Also in the magazine, the Editor of The Guardian, Martins Oloja, speaks on the low level of creativity in the media, especially in in this age dominated by digital technologies and intense competition.

However, the edition is not just about creativity. There is an extensive story on the controversial APCON reform as well as a special focus on the brand of the moment in Nigeria’s energy sector, Network Oil & Gas. Excellent and incisive features, interviews and articles are also part of this bumper package.

The Group Managing Director, Lawson Thomas & Colleague Group, Pastor Charles Abraham, Director LT&C, Mr. Billy Lawson; former Managing Director, Mrs. Bola Thomas, and Chairman Board of Directors, Mr. Babatunde Dabiri, LT&C Group at the 25 years Anniversary of LT&C held in Lagos, at the weekend.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

Sports CAF Confederation Cup fall-out

English Football

Makanjuola wins second National Table Tennis Classic

Heartland had enough time to prepare for U.S. Bitam game, says CAF official

By Christian Okpara IGERIA’S Heartland Football Club, which was thrown out of the CAF Confederation Cup for failing to arrive on the match venue, had enough time to prepare for the game, an official of the football body has said.

Heartland was eliminated from this year’s Confederation Cup after CAF affirmed that it was walked over by U.S. Bitam of G a b o n .

The body said Heartland had no reason to plead force majeur because it had enough time to ensure it arrived at the venue of the game on time.

CAF had earlier asked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to prove that Heartland bought flight tickets days before the kick off date if it desired reprieve for the club in the tie.

The Nigerian team won the first leg 2-1 in Owerri, but arrived Libreville airport on the match day and could not reach the stadium before the scheduled kick off time, a situation that gave U.S. Bitam the opportunity to record a walk over and progress to the next round of the com-

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petition.

Speaking on the CAF decision yesterday, an official of the body, who pleaded anonymity, said Heartland treated the Confederation Cup as an unimportant tournament hence its ‘faulty approach’ to the game.

“Heartland had more than two weeks to plan its trip to Gabon. The club was expected to arrive the venue at least 48 hours before the game, but it chose to come on match day, so it should bear the consequences of its action.

“We have a calendar in CAF and there is no way we will bend it for one club.

“Aside that, CAF rules stipulate that the host team notifies us and the opposing club the venue and date of the game at least two weeks before the match. We have evidence that U.S. Bitam complied with that rule, so we cannot punish them for Heartland’s errors.

“If we ordered the game to be played on another day, tomorrow another club would do the same thing and expect to be given a second chance because we have set a precedent. That is

COD boss faults Nigeria’s CHAN withdrawal

By Olalekan Okusan HE decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to withdraw from the qualifiers for next year’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) has been faulted by the Executive Director of COD United, Shola Aiyepeku.

Aiyepeku believes the decision would affect the local players negatively after some of them distinguished themselves at the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“I think the decision to withdrawal for CHAN is uncalled for considering what the home-based players did at the last AFCON. I think CHAN should have been another opportunity for some of them to showcase themselves to the national team. So withdrawing from this competition will not help the players after what some of them did in the midst of the foreign-based in South Africa,” he said.

Aiyepeku, however, charged the NFF to reverse their decision, saying, “I think it is very important for the NFF to think about the players rather than just saying that they have no

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money to execute CHAN.” “The exposure of the players should be taken to consideration and CHAN will have given them a great opportunity to be exposed and attract the national coaches,” Aiyepeku added.

To help the coaches and officials in the Nigeria League, he charged the NFF and League Management Committee (LMC) to get partners from Europe in order to expose the coaches and officials on latest in football.

AZEEM Makanjuola of K Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the weekend

Chelsea’s Spanish striker, Juan Mata (right); tries to score past Manchester City’s Romanian goalkeeper, Costel Pantilimon during the FA Cup semifinal match between at Wembley Stadium in north London at the weekend.

PHOTO: AFP

Ubah agrees to fund Flying Eagles’ World Cup preparation From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja IGERIA Football Federation’s (NFF) ambassador for youth football, Ifeanyi Ubah, has taken over the responsibility of camping the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, in its preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

The NFF has also approved the U-20 Coach, John Obuh’s programme, but moved the team’s camping from April 15 to 2, while it continues to search for states that will come to its aid.

The NFF had earlier written to Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, appealing that the state government come to its aid and take over the preparation of the team. But

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• Seeks support for Keshi while the federation was yet to get the Anambra State government’s response, it got a reprieve from Ubah, who was recently appointed the federations’ ambassador for youth football.

Speaking while accepting his appointment by the NFF at the weekend in Abuja, Ubah, who is the chairman of Capital Oil, disclosed that he has concluded arrangement to move the team to the Beverly Hills’ Hotels in Nnewi, Anambra State, stressing that the team will not waste any day from the coach’s proposed April 15.

On Super Eagles’ preparation for the busy June matches, Ubah urged the

NFF to give its full support to Coach Stephen Keshi and his technical crew, stressing that they must work as one for the team to get good results at the World Cup qualifiers and FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

“I feel been honoured by the NFF with this appointment and will accept with thanks and pledge that I will work hard to ensure that the nation’s youth football is taken to the next level.

“With my appointment as NFF youth football ambassador, we will now join hands to search for genuine sponsors, who will put their money into the development of football in Nigeria.

Man City beats Chelsea 2-1, qualifies for English FA Cup final Cup holder, Chelsea FhalfAstaged a spirited secondcomeback at Wembley, but it was not enough to prevent Manchester City from progressing into its second final in three seasons.

The encounter appeared to be over when Sergio Aguero headed City’s second goal a minute after the half-time interval, but a Demba Ba volley and late onslaught from Chelsea so nearly forced extra time.

Samir Nasri had provided Manchester City with the lead in a first period completely dominated by Roberto Mancini’s side, with the

Frenchman making the most of a ricochet in the Chelsea box before lifting the ball past Petr Cech.

Chelsea entered into the break rattled but not damaged beyond repair, although a place in the final appeared to be beyond its reach after Aguero doubled the advantage so soon after half-time.

Gareth Barry stood a cross up into the Chelsea area, and Aguero spun off the shoulder of Branislav Ivanovic before directing his header beyond a static Cech and into the top corner.

Chelsea produced a stunning revival against

Manchester United in its first encounter of the quarterfinal, where it had been two goals down, and the Blues summoned the spirit of Old Trafford at Wembley.

Ba provided Chelsea with hope when he netted a wonderful acrobatic effort, before Juan Mata so nearly skipped past Costel Pantilimon in the Manchester City goal.

The young ‘keeper, holding onto his place ahead of Joe Hart, then used all of his sizable frame to keep out Mata again, before David Luiz went close with a free-kick from distance.

Manchester City also con-

tinued to press forward, with Yaya Toure central to every surge, and could have netted a third goal were it for more decisive passing.

Chelsea had claims for a penalty dismissed as Fernando Torres tussled with Vincent Kompany, while Aguero was incredibly fortunate not to see red for an inexplicable stamp on Luiz.

Javi Garcia and Joleon Lescott were thrown on in the late stages tasked with closing out victory for their team, and Chelsea was unable to break down Manchester City’s stubborn resistance as the seconds ticked away.

won the second edition of the National Table Tennis Classic Invitational, held at the Table Tennis Section of the Lagos Country Club.

Makanjuola, who is ranked seventh in the country, trounced the 2012 National Sports Festival Table Tennis Men’s Single champion, Ganiyu Ashimiyu, 4-2 in a very engaging final that intermittently drew loud applause from the crowded hall.

Ashimiyu, exhibiting confidence, had looked set to clinch the trophy when he won the first game of the final. He, however, lost steam midway and got punished for it by losing three straight games to his opponent, who eventually won the championship.

Makanjuola cruised to the final by defeating Kayode Adedeji 4-1, while Ashimiyu beat Gbenga Anthony 4-2 to qualify for the final.

Rashidat Ogundele, also of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, won the Women’s Single, thrashing Hussein Alimat 4-0 in the final.

Ogundele had beaten Aminat Fashola 4-0 in the semi- final to set up a final with Hussien, who defeated Tinuke Olaide 4-2 in the second semi-final. Hussein was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Co-ordinating sponsor of the tournament, Femi George, who is also the secretary general of the Lagos Country Club, explained that the National Table Tennis Classic Invitational is aimed at showcasing the abundant talents Nigeria has in the game and exposing them to the conditions that are similar to what is obtainable in Europe and America, thereby encouraging them to develop a career in it. .

NSC Southwest inaugurates Federations’ polls committee N line with the directive of ISports/Chairman the Minister of National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdulahi, the NSC at the weekend inaugurated the Southwest zonal electoral committee at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Ibadan.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the minister by a deputy director in the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Tayo Oreweme. The NSC said it was beginning another phase in the history of elections onto non-concessioned sports and sports management in Nigeria.

Former zonal co-ordinator, Southwest zone one of NSC, Peter Nelson was named as the chief electoral officer of the zone, while Dr. Steve Olarinoye, the incumbent zonal co-ordinator of the zone 1, would serve as its secretary.

Also in the committee are the former General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council, Tosin Ogunmiyela, and a senior Police officer from Oyo State Police command.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Handball Challenge Trophy win excites team, plans big for world championship

By Adeyinka Adedipe OACH of the victorious Nigerian team to the International Handball Federation (IHF) Challenge Trophy in Djibouti, Fidelis Obi has called for early preparation ahead the world championship, which comes up later this year.

The Nigerian team defeated Senegal 29-21 in the final last Thursday to book a place in the world event.

Obi said that the team needed the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as soon as the venue of the event was made known by the IHF. He stated that playing at the world level required adequate planning, as the country would come up against top teams at the event.

Obi noted that getting the team to this level took painstaking planning and high level of player management even when it was clear that the team was not in top shape due to late preparation for the championship in Djibouti.

He also expressed happiness over the team’s victory but admitted the team was 40 per cent fit for the competition.

“I am happy that we won and it is God that we have to thank for it. We only had three days to train before the event, which was very inadequate.

“What I agreed with my Assistant, Solomon Yola, is that we had to manage the

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players to survive the competition because most of the players were only 40 per cent fit.

While the players were improving as the competition progressed, we made sure that they were not overstretched by making sure no player stayed longer than necessary on the court.

“I must also commend them for playing to instruction and brining the trophy to the country. Most people did not give us any chance but I am delighted that we brought back the trophy,” he added.

According to Obi, the players showed their potential do after they won the zonal event in Ghana last year and coming second at another competition in Cameroun. He, however, said the players must undergo serious training programme to excel at world championship.

Captain of the team, Madashiru Abdulmajeed said that the win meant a lot to him and his teammates. He also noted that the team was happy to have done the country and the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) proud.

“We are the dream team and we have set a standard by winning in Ghana and Djibouti. It wasn’t easy but what we have achieved will be a talking point for a long time,” he added.

Abdulmajeed called on the NSC to support the team with more funds as they prepare to take on the rest of the world later this year.

Heineken picks five Nigerians for UEFA Champions League final ITH the much-anticipated W UEFA Champions League final billed for May 25 at the

Head of delegation to Djibouti, Musa Hamza, who is also the vice president of the HFN, said it was a great achievement to have won the trophy and assured that it was the beginning of great things for Nigerian handball.

Though the team went to Djibouti with reservation due to inadequate preparation, Hamza, however, stated that the team improved as the competition progressed. He said the Nigerian team has come of age and it would be impossible to match the players, once they start playing in the national team.

He said the female team was unlucky to have lost to Congo DR 18-19, promising that everything would be done to uplift the team.

Ondo and Kano states fighting for points, during the last National Sports Festival, tagged: Eko 2012. Nigeria has qualified for the World Championships.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU.

NSC is not broke, says official

Why we joined COD United, by Alausa, others

By Christian Okpara N official of the National Sports Commission (NSC) has debunked the story that the commission is broke as reported by the media at the weekend.

The media on Saturday reported that the South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup took a heavy financial toll on the NSC to the extent that it is now difficult for the Commission to meet its financial obligations.

But an official of the NSC, who pleaded anonymity, said the report was the handiwork of mischief-makers, who wanted to use the media to disseminate lies.

“Somebody circulated the report to the media using an address that cannot be traced, but I want to say that it is all lies. The story was meant to embarrass the NSC, but I can say that discerning Nigerians are not easily fooled.

“The NSC is not in competition with any organisation, rather, it is the superior authority controlling sports in the country. So, anybody, who thinks he can embarrass it by lumping it together with organs under it is wasting his time.”

He assured Nigerians and the federations that the NSC would continue to discharge its duties and obligations to the best interest of the country.

By Olalekan Okusan O inspire the young players, to gain promotion to the Premier League, as well as, to face new challenges are some of the reasons why former highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Kabiru Alausa and five others team up with a Nigeria National League (NNL) side City of David (COD) United.

Alausa, a veteran in the league, who had also featured for teams like Julius Berger, Heartland, Gateway, Sunshine stars and 3SC told The Guardian that he decided to pitch his tent with the Lagosbased side in order to return to where he started from.

“One of the main reasons I joined COD United is for me to be closer to my fans because I started from Lagos and it has been long I play in Lagos. So joining COD will afford me the opportunity to be closer to my fans again and also enjoy the good support of my fans,” he said.

He, however, added that the quality of organisation of the team coupled with good environment provided by the club, would surely entice every player to team up with the team.

“I want to say COD is a good team with quality organisation, the team camp is superb and encouraging for any player. So for me COD is a club every player desires to feature for. I am happy joining the

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Heineken Champions planet Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the presentation Wembley Stadium, England, of flight tickets to the winners Heineken, the international at Champions Planet, Senior premium beer brand, has cho- Brand Manager Heineken, sen five Nigerians to sponsor Jacqueline van Faassen, said to the game. the “Road to the Final” chalThe lucky five, Diana lenge was to reward conNwajiaku-Smart, Isaac sumers who have displayed Onochie Ijeh, George Mayowa inspiring and imaginative Opeyemi, Franklin Chukwu character to earn them the Ijeh and Nwafor Felix tickets to the UEFA Amobichukwu, on Saturday Champions League Final in through their ingenuity and Wembley, London. resourcefulness were able to “Heineken invited open win an all-expense paid trip to minded Nigerian UCL fans to watch the final live at the take part in a race to win five Wembley Stadium in London. tickets to UEFA Champions The lucky winners proved to League Final in Wembley as a be exceptionally intelligent way of interacting and using their mental, as well as, rewarding their loyalty to the the physical ability to out- brand for over a century.” smart 350 other participants that registered through the Heineken website and participated in the challenge.

They were able to solve complex and interesting puzzles through the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology where they had to clock-in to receive and solve clues in order to continue the journey.

The exciting “Road to the Final” challenge, which broke early this month, kicked off from the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, as early as 8.00am where the contestants registered and hit the road to be among the last five standing.

The contestants were expected to cleverly solve some clues to decode the five locations and head to the final road to emerge as winners. The exciting road to the final took the participants to Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Town, Sailors Lounge Lekki, Ikeja City Mall Executive Director, COD United, Shola Aiyepekun (right); Kabiru Alausa (centre), and Team Manager of the club, and terminated at the Victor Akinmoyo, during the unveiling of new signings by the club in Lagos at the weekend.

team and the task ahead of us is to get the team to the Premier League, which I think is achievable considering the qualities of players as well as the coaching crew,” he explained.

Alausa, who started as a striker, however, said that the versatility of a player is determined by his ability to play any position assign by the coach.

Also, Ikedi Nwakanma, a former Rangers of Enugu striker and a member of the Super Eagles team that featured in the 2004 LG Cup in Tripoli, Libya, told The Guardian that his decision to join COD United was in a bid to relaunch his career.

“COD United remains a good example for others with the quality of organisation in the team.”

Victor Adama, a former goalkeeper with Makurdi-based Apa United said he wanted to showcase himself to national coaches as well as improve his career were among the reasons he teamed up with COD United.

Other players that put pen to paper for COD include, Yemi Andre, a defensive midfielder, who has played for elite teams like Gateway FC, 3SC and Crown FC of Ogbomosho.

Ebube Okpokwu, a top scorer with Abia Comets in the first stanza of NNL said he was attracted to COD based on the team’s integrity and excellence on and off the pitch.

Chimezie Okoro, a former goal machine with Rangers Feeders’ team moved to COD from Abia Warriors and he believes his goals would lift

Again, rugby stakeholders fault concessioning

By Adeyinka Adedipe TAKEHOLDERS have called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to rescind the concessioning of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), saying it has done more harm to the game.

Tempers rose at a meeting held at the weekend at the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) between the rugby stakeholders and the concessionaire but at the end calm returned as the stakeholders called on the NSC to stop the concessioning since the president arrangement has not benefitted majority of the rugby family.

The well-attended meeting had in attendance the President of the NRFF, Richard Ajayi, representative of the six-geopolitical zone and other exco members failed to find a lasting solution to the problem rocking the body.

Ajayi, who pleaded to be allowed to chair the meeting since he was still the president of the concessioned board, left mid-way and mandated Tunde Akerele to take his place.

Before his departure, the president said that concessioning of the board was good but faulted that it was concessioned to a particular club,

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which only succeeded in creating disunity among the stakeholders and also hampering the growth the sport.

He, however, said that the sports ministry must look at ways of involving all the stakeholders in future arrangement if concessioning has to continue.

Secretary General of the NOC, Tund Popoola pleaded with everyone at the meeting to embrace peace, adding that no society develops under disagreement and tension.

According to him, the tension in Nigeria rugby is as a result of the passion and love the stakeholders have for the sport and as such, they must be allowed to air their views.

Popoola pleaded with all concerned to put the past behind them in the interest of the sport so that it could move forward again.

Having faulted the report presented by the president, the stakeholders in their communique at the end of the meeting, resolved as follows that the rugby should not be concessioned again since the present dispensation has succeeded in killing the sport in Nigeria and that election be conducted to usher in a democratically elected board.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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Botswana 2013 WCL Division Seven Championship

Triumphant Nigerian team returns today

By Christian Okpara HE Nigerian team, which at the weekend in Gaborone, Botswana, defeated Vanuatu to win the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Seven Championship, is expected back in the country today.

According to officials of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), the team will arrive in Lagos aboard a Kenyan Airways flight Flight KQ0532T by 11.00 p.m.

On arrival, the team would be received by officials of the NCF and cricket enthusiasts, with journalists allowed a brief period to interview the boys before they depart the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

Nigeria won the WCL Division Seven play-off by six wickets.

The victory was made possible partly by a superb 150run fifth wicket partnership between Captain Adekunle Adegbola and Oladotun Olatunji on Saturday.

Adegbola and Olatunji finished unbeaten on 51 and 67 respectively, as Nigeria achieved its 134-run target for the loss of four wickets against the team that had not lost a match in all tournaments.

Nigeria’s target was adjusted to 134 according to the Duckworth-Lewis method (D/L method) after an early rain interruption, and Adegbola and Olatunji, who later picked up his third man-of-the-match award of the tournament, came together with Nigeria struggling at 19 for four, having lost both openers in the second over.

The two batsmen played cleverly, with the skipper batting patiently and Olatunji scoring quick runs, including nine boundaries,

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Team Nigeria celebrating its triumph over Vanuatu at the just-concluded WCL Division Seven Championship. By winning the championship, Nigeria qualified to play in the Division Six of the league.

Maritime Cup: Customs, Ocean Star for final showdown

By Adeyinka Adedipe HE Nigerian Customs and Ocean Star will square up in tomorrow’s final in the 5th Ships and Ports Maritime Cup Competition, which will come up at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium.

Ocean Stars defeated Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the first semi-final match by a lone goal scored in the 42nd minute by Femi Otunla.

Customs, which had earlier defeated last year’s runner-up, Micura Stevedoring Services 3-1 in the quarterfinal match, secured its third consecutive final ticket by defeating ENL Consortium 2-1 in the second semi-final.

Abubakar Mukaila scored Customs’ first goal in the first half while Joseph Edet scored the second goal. ENL Consortium’s only goal was scored by Deji Abolarin.

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ENL Consortium will play the third place match against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Ships and Ports Communication, Bolaji Akinola has decried the violence that almost marred Wednesday’s quarter-final match between Micura Stevedoring Services and the Nigerian Navy, as well as, the semi-final match between ENL Consortium and the Nigeria Customs Service.

Akinola said that the violence during both matches were uncalled for and were not in consonance with the spirit of the Maritime Cup Competition.

“We did not create this competition to become a breeding ground for hooliganism or violence. This competition was created to serve as a platform for mar-

Okpekpe LOC meets Oshiomhole A press briefing has also HE Local Organising T Committee of the been scheduled to hold in Okpekpe 10km Benin immediately after the International Race will meet the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, today at the Government House in Benin City.

Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama confirmed yesterday that the LOC would meet with the governor to brief him on the programme of the international race that will attract several top African athletes to the state.

“We are going to Benin City to brief the comrade governor on the programme of the Okpekpe International 10km Race.

We are also going to use the opportunity to finalise other matters regarding logistics for the race,” observed the AFN technical director.

meeting with the governor.

Meanwhile, National Long Distance Coach, Stephen Nuhu has hinted that his wards will not allow the East Africans win the Okpekpe race without giving them a fight for the mouth-watering $25,000 at stake for the first position.

“Our camp is opening on Monday (today) for the Okpekpe race. We are opening the camp with 45 runners out of which we are going to pick the best 30 to challenge the foreign athletes coming to Nigeria for the race,” Coach Nuhu, who was at the AFN Golden League in Sagamu at the weekend revealed.

He promised that the Nigerian roadrunners would be availed the opportunities of training on the course for over a two-week period before the race on May 4.

itime industry operators to interact freely without any form of acrimony. We set out to build friendship but the way some of the participating teams are going about it all is quite disheartening,” Akinola noted.

He said that participating teams stood the risk of being disqualified from participat-

ing in future editions of the competition if they and their fans fail to conduct themselves in peaceful manner.

Akinola also charged the Police to live up to its responsibility of providing adequate security during the remaining matches of the competition.

Good reception awaits Eagles in Nairobi, says Akinsola IFA Security Officer in rity at the 2013 Nations Cup FAkinsola Nigeria, ACP Gideon in South Africa, stressed that has maintained all security apparatus will be that there is no cause for any security alarm as the Super Eagles prepare for the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Nairobi, Kenya scheduled for June 5, 2013.

The Harambe Stars before forcing the Eagles to a 1-1 draw at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar, had raised a false alarm of being maltreated by the Nigeria Football Federation upon arrival in Lagos, while promising the Nigerian contingent a hostile reception when they visit.

But Akinsola, who was in charge of Super Eagles’ secu-

provided by the host nation as directed by FIFA, who will also appoint another external security expert as observer.

“Securing a national team is not a kids glove because that is the first thing FIFA consider before a match is approved by the football governing body.

“The Kenya we all knew raised a false alarm when they visited Nigeria and we are aware there will be one form of intimidations when the Eagles visit for the reverse fixture but there is no cause for alarm or any panic.”

on the way to his 64-ball 67.

The two were still at the crease when Nigeria reached its revised target of 134 in 32.1 overs to record its first victory over Vanuatu in the tournament.

Olatunji’s superlative innings capped off a great tournament for the youngster, having already achieved the two highest scores of the tournament – 127 against Ghana in the team’s second round clash, and 125 not out against Botswana to help his team to a 171 run victory against the host.

Captain Adegbola was delighted with his side’s performance against the previously undefeated Vanuatu.

“It was an excellent performance from the Nigerian side. Awesome bowling and impressive batting too. Well done guys,” he said.

Vanuatu Captain, Andrew Mansale was gracious in defeat, saying, “well done Nigeria. I am proud we worked hard enough to get promoted to Division 6, and I am confident we will improve.”

Nigeria, which had earlier lost two games, against Fiji and Vanuatu, in the early rounds, qualified for the final game when the hitherto all-conquering Fiji was beaten on Friday by Botswana tom push it out of the final and promotion race.

Nigeria then defeated Germany to take its place in Saturday’s final.

At the end of the competition, Nigeria placed first, followed by Vanuatu in second place, while Botswana took the third spot.

Fiji came fourth, with Ghana and Germany taking the fifth and sixth positions respectively.

Minister, NFF commend Glo for academy initiative INISTER of Culture, M Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke has commended Globacom for its unrelenting commitment to the development of football in Nigeria and West Africa.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday when he formally received the 16 finalists of Glo Soccer Academy, who just arrived in

The 16 finalists of Glo Soccer Academy, the Dream Team, flanked by the NFF General Secretary, Musa Ahmadu (right), Glo Divisional Director, Northwest, Kazeem Kaka (Middle), and Assistant Chief Legal Officer, NFF, Barrister Okey Obi (left) when the NFF Board hosted the team in Abuja at the weekend.

the country after undergoing training on fundamentals of modern football at the famous Manchester United Soccer Schools in Carrington, U.K, a highly elated Duke said the company, through the academy, has started a process of transforming the lives of young Nigerians.

“The Glo Soccer Academy is an eloquent testimony of practical sense in transformation and I commend Globacom for this unique initiative,” the minister added.

He, later on behalf of Glo, presented cheques of N1 million each to 15 members of the team while the Most Valuable Player; Muri Lawal received N5 million.

Earlier, the team was received by the board of Nigeria Football Federation, where the President, Aminu Maigari, represented at the occasion by the General Secretary of the Board, Musa Ahmadu, described Globacom as the best thing to happen to Nigerian football.

He acknowledged Globacom’s several investments in Nigerian sports, which are gradually transforming the sector.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

76 SPORTS

European Round-off

Hold your nerve, Wenger urges Arsenal RSENAL Manager, Arsene A Wenger has challenged his team to hold their nerve after moving up into third place in the Barclays Premier League as three late goals saw off Norwich with a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

With Chelsea’s FA Cup semifinal date at Wembley meaning their clash with Tottenham was postponed, the Gunners had the perfect opportunity to put themselves back in the driving seat for Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, it was a hardfought victory by Wenger’s men, whose run of eight wins in 10 Premier League games has clawed them back into the driving seat for top-four finish.

Indeed, Arsenal will play twice more - at home to

Everton on Tuesday night and then at Fulham - before Spurs kick off against Manchester City at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Wenger said, “it is a question of nerves.

“The win over Norwich was a balance of nerves, quality and intelligence. We did not do anything stupid when we were 1-0 down and kept faith in our game. That side of the game will be important. We know we cannot drop points and we have to go until the end with this consistency.”

Wenger, though, conceded the longer Norwich held their own, the most testing it became.

“In these type of games, you need to open it up and to do that you have to score, but we did not do that,” the Arsenal manager said.

“Then you think ‘let’s not make a mistake, and you lose a bit of your spontaneous fluency and it becomes a bit more difficult.”

As well as being less than impressed by the award of the spot-kick, Norwich felt it was never a corner in the first place.

Wenger, however, believes the calls were correct.

“The real question is was it a penalty or not? If it was a penalty, then it does not matter which end it is,” he said.

“If you go into that kind of speculation we will question every single decision of the referee. What you have to question is was it a penalty or not? Everybody says yes.”

Ferguson rejects Falcao talk Alex Ferguson has SingIRrejected speculation linkManchester United with a summer move for Atletico Madrid striker, Radamel Falcao.

There have been plenty of press reports touting the Colombia international with a switch to Old Trafford after a report in Spanish newspaper Marca claimed that United were close to agreeing a deal.

“Do you honestly believe that?” he is quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

“Really? It does amaze me that you come up with that one.”

Pellegrini worries over Malaga’s future ANUEL Pellegrini says he M is “worried” about Malaga’s immediate future Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward, Lucas Moura (right); contests with Troyes’ French defender, Eloge Enza-Yamissi during the French L1 match at the Aube Stadium in Troyes at the weekend. Paris won 1-0.

PSG moves closer to title France’s Ligue 1, PSG take ItitleNanother step towards the after the team laboured to a 1-0 victory over rock-bottom Troyes to move a step closer to the title.

Coming off their away-goals Champions League exit to Barcelona, PSG seemed to find the Stade de l’Aube somewhat less inspiring than the Nou Camp and afforded Troyes the better chances in the first half.

However, Blaise Matuidi’s 65th-minute strike eventually sank his former club to send PSG 10 points clear of Marseille before L’OM travel to Lille yesterday.

Lorient breathed life back into their fading European hopes with a convincing 4-1 victory over in-form Bastia.

Christian Gourcuff’s Lorient had slipped down to eighth after winning just once in six matches but they picked up a valuable three-point haul thanks to goals from Yann Jouffre, Benjamin Corgnet and a late brace from Jeremie Aliadiere.

Mid-table Bastia, who had won four of their previous five matches and scored 12 goals in their last three, had pulled a goal back when 2-0 down through Anthony Modeste

but that was all they had to show for their trip to the Stade du Moustoir.

Bordeaux put a major dent in Montpellier’s European hopes as they claimed a convincing 4-2 win at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Ludovic Sane put Les Girondins ahead in the 11th minute and two quickfire goals from Cheick Diabate and Jaroslav Plasil had them 30 up before the half-hour.

Two late goals gave Evian a 42 win over Rennes, which could prove vital in their battle for survival.

With the drop very much on their agenda, Pascal Dupraz’s men were a point clear of the bottom three entering the last 12 minutes of this game.

Milos Yinkovic and Yannick Sagbo quickly changed that, though, with Evian ending the night three points ahead of the pack and able to look ahead to their midweek Coupe de France quarter-final with a little more optimism.

Before the late surge they had got and squandered the lead twice, with Jean KanaBiyik’s own goal and Kevin Berigaud’s strike scrubbed out by Julien Feret and John Boye.

after the club’s 1-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday.

The Andalusians have been banned from entering European competition by UEFA for the next time they qualify after failing to meet financial requirements, a punishment the club still hopes to overturn.

“It would be a shame,” Pellegrini told AS when asked about the club’s troubles. “The club’s future not up to me - we’ll see what happens in the coming months.

It is a subject that is on our minds and continues to keep us worried.”

Malaga currently sits fifth in La Liga with 50 points from 31 games, one point behind Real Sociedad, and was grateful to Julio Baptista for his 93rd-minute strike to take the three points on Saturday.

“We played one of our best games of the year and the goal came at the death. It was difficult to go out of the Champions League (3-2 on aggregate against Borussia Dortmund), but physically and in terms of the football we played, the team responded,” Pellegrini said.

“Julio has had a hard time, and scored a goal. I’m happy for him - he is a very important player for us. Hopefully this will increase his performance.

“I also want to thank the Malaga fans for the emotion they made me feel today. I lack the words to explain it.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

78 SPORTS

Masters 2013: ‘Woods did not consider withdrawing’ IGER Woods said he never T contemplated withdrawing from the Masters despite

Tiger woods at the Masters… yesterday

the controversy over his second-round two-shot penalty.

Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo was among the critics who said Woods should have disqualified himself after taking an incorrect drop at the 15th.

But four-time winner Woods, who shot a 70 on Saturday to reach three under, said he had “abided by the rules.”

“I made a mistake, I took an improper drop and got the penalty,” said Woods. If it was done a year or two ago, whatever, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. But the rules have changed, and under the rules of golf I was able to play.”

The controversial incident happened after Woods’s third shot at the long 15th hit the flagstick and rico-

cheted back into the pond in front of the green.

Woods took a drop, made bogey and eventually signed for a one-over-par 73. “I wasn’t even really thinking,” he added.

“I was still a little ticked at what happened, and I was just trying to figure, OK, I need to take some yardage off this shot, and that’s all I was thinking.”

Tournament officials initially deemed Woods’s drop legal, but decided to review the incident after he said in a post-round interview he dropped the ball “two yards further back.”

It was then determined he had violated the rule governing drops from yellowmarked (lateral) water hazards and handed a two-shot penalty.

Historically, that would have meant disqualification as he had signed for the wrong score - a six rather

than an eight.

Instead they decided to apply a recent reinterpretation of the United States Golf Association rules, meaning that, rather than disqualifying him, they gave him a two-shot penalty.

The amendment was made to stop players from being disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard when television pictures later showed they had unknowingly moved the ball.

“He should really sit down and think about this and the mark this will leave on his career, his legacy, everything,” said Faldo.

“It’s just dreadful. Tiger is judge and jury on this. There is absolutely no intention to drop as close to the divot.

That’s a breach of the rules.”

But senior Augusta official, Fred Ridley denied Woods had received preferential treatment.

“If it’d been John Smith

from wherever he would have got the same ruling,” said Ridley, the competition committees chairman of the Masters.

“It is the right ruling. I can’t really control what the perception might or might not be. All I can say is that unequivocally this tourna-

Samsung pledges support to Greensprings Kanu Football Camp, as two get scholarships

By Olalekan Okusan

AMSUNG Electronics Sweekend West Africa Limited at the pledged support to Greensprings Kanu Football Camp as two players from the camp were awarded scholarships by the school.

The camp, which is being organised by Lagos-based Greensprings School in partnership with Super Eagles former captain, Nwankwo Kanu marked its second edition with the participants handled by coaches drawn from English Premier League (EPL) and the Dutch league as well as coaches from the Lagos State Football Association.

According to Samsung, Director of Hand Held Product (HPP), Emmanouil Revmatas, the clinic was in line with the company’s belief at supporting young people to maximise their potentials.

Revmatas told journalists at the weekend that having partnered current African Champion, Super Eagles; European champion, Chelsea, as well as, Kanu, associating with the exercise was apt as it was in tandem with the ideals of the company.

“We believe in the initiative because youth are the future leaders and for us at Samsung, we cherish the youths. We were also impressed with the organisation of the camp as it was not limited to certain participants. Our support this year showed that we are child friendly company and we hope to be part of the camp in near future,” Revmatas said.

He lauded the school for muting the idea, saying this would surely help to identify stars in schools.

“The camp is well-organised with the right flavour and it has the opportunity to grow more than this in future,” he said.

Meanwhile, for their exceptional skills coupled with their conduct in the camp, Musa Alli and Elvis Onyese have been awarded scholarship by the management of Greensprings School.

Alli, a student of Longford International School, Ebute Metta, was singled out by the coaches for having the skills to become a super star in soccer while the technical crew also identified Onyese, a student of Iba Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, as a future star.

Also David Shepherd, a sports agent and UEFA Licensed agent, who was part of the camp charged the organisers not to make the camp an annual event, saying, “There is need for the camp to be staged at least once in a quarter.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, April 15, 2013

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TheGuardian

Monday, April 15, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Dolapo Ajala Pre great depression EFORE the 1930s, Smithsonian Economics held sway - an economic theory, which followed the classical laissez faire approach as propounded by Adam Smith. The summary of this approach is that markets are inherently self-correcting.

In essence, if there were ever any disequilibrium in the market, the ‘invisible hand’ would simply adjust the markets and restore it to a state of equilibrium; therefore, there was no need for government intervention or interference in the market.

At the outset of the Great Depression in 1929, classical economists assured the world that the invisible hand would come to the rescue. However, the depression persisted into the 1930s. The ‘invisible hand’ did not to show up to help, neither could the classical economic theorists get it to do so. Misery thus persisted. A Nobel Prize winning economist would later tell us that “the reason that the invisible hand often seems invisible is that it is often not there.” How true!

In any case, the pangs of depression gnawed deeply across the world and there was nothing the classical economic midwives could do. Their only face saving explanation was that since the “invisible hand” was probably on a journey in the short run it was bound to return in the long run to correct the market.

The rise of Keynesian economics In the midst of the crises, one of the best thinkers in economic history emerged— John Maynard Keynes whose famous quote “Long run is a misleading guide to current affairs, In the long run we are all dead,” set the pace for revolutionary ideas that challenged classical orthodoxy.

Contrary to Say’s law which is based on supply, Keynesian economics stresses the importance of effective demand. Effective demand is derived from the actual household disposable income and not from disposable income that would be gained from full employment, as classical theories state.

To stimulate effective demand Keynes recommended a mix of expansionary fiscal policy - more public spending/investment and lower taxes, and monetary policies. His new ideas worked! Keynes had saved the world from a debilitating depression and thus Keynesian Economics held sway from the 40s through the early 70s.

The rise of the Chicago school of thought The Chicago School of Economics was founded in 1892 with the appointment of J. Laurence Laughlin as head professor. An uncompromising advocate of laissez faire and free trade, Laughlin may be said to have set the tone for much of the department for the next hundred years. Thus while most Schools of Economics/Economic Departments (with exception of the Austrian School) around the world switched to the teaching and developing Keynesian Economics, University of Chicago’s Economic department kept teaching classical/laissez faire economics.

Milton Friedman, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, joined the department in 1946, the year Keynes died. He later re-invented classical economics by using elaborate mathematical models and technical analyses, tools that were described by Harvard professor John Kenneth Galbraith as “Divorced from Reality.” Milton later led a new movement (The Monetarist School) in economic thought that transcended economics to law and psychology. The Monetarist school laid emphasis on the importance of money supply in the economy.

Friedman and his followers denounced Keynesianism and any form of governmental intervention. Friedman himself said “Chicago stands for a belief in the efficacy of the market as a means of organising resources, for skepticism about government intervention into economic affair.”

And as such from the mid 70s Chicago School scholars began a neo free market movement, receiving world wide acclaim by winning the highest number of Nobel prize in Economics than any other University in the world. Friedman himself won the Nobel Prize in 1976. The Chicago School developed financial models and instruments, thereby creating a new field of financial engineering.

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‘No growth, easy money’

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi

The making of a financial crisis Friedman reviewed the early research of Professors Fischer Black and Myron Scholes who gave Chicago theories a bigger and more direct role in the financial markets. The pair provided a foundation for trading call options on stocks by creating a formula to link the value of options to share price and volatility, time remaining on the option and interest rates. The Black-Scholes model helped spark the global derivatives market.

At the time Eugene Fama, another Chicago School scholar, posited that securities’ prices reflect the collective wisdom of all participants. This “efficient market” theory helped make him the No.1 scholarly business writer. Fama’s theory helped pave the way for the recent economic crises by sanctioning limited government.

Notre Dame’s Mirowski says, “Fama taught that no human being knows enough to understand how resources should be allocated.” He says, “All you can do is let the market have greater and greater ability to repackage information and risk. The result is, people bought mortgage-backed securities with no idea whether borrowers could repay.”

Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan held interest rate at insanely low levels during the boom years a policy that Keynesians opposed. The result was a flooding of Wall Street with so much cash that banks could increase profits with short term borrowing to service long time liabilities. The mismatch grew more dangerous as Greenspan resisted regulation of off-balance sheet structured investment vehicles, which banks used to circumvent capital requirements.

A similar scenario played out in Nigeria under the leadership of Prof. Charles Soludo, the former governor of the Central Bank. Soludo had opened an Expanded Discount Window, a vehicle through which banks that couldn’t get inter-bank loans easily borrowed from the CBN. Soludo also left interest rates at very low levels. The CBN did not as well scrutinise the balance sheets of the banks properly neither did it enforce the existing financial regulation. The result was that many Nigerian banks recklessly lent money without following proper risk assessment and management procedures.

Thus the global financial crisis of 2008/2009 was ushered in which led to economic turmoil that analysts described

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as the worst since the Great Depression.

“The Chicago School bears the blame for providing a seeming intellectual foundation for the idea that markets are selfadjusting and the best role for government is to do nothing,” says Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stieglitz.

Friedman’s view was that banks failed in the 1930s because money supply contracted encouraged Central Bankers around the world to pursue expansionary monetary policy.

In response to the global financial crises, governments had to intervene in the markets by bailing out banks and tightening financial regulations.

While governments around the world have realised the need for stricter regulations of the financial markets, most refuse to pursue expansionary fiscal policy – efforts to increase government expenditure, lower taxation and invest in long-term productive output which would boost demand, increase growth/output and employment. Instead most governments especially in the Euro-zone believe that implementing huge cuts in public spending, increasing taxes, reducing wages, which, in sum, is known as austerity measures/programmes, is vital to kick-starting the economy.

Meanwhile, expansionary monetary policy of increasing monetary supply available to lenders and businesses, with the expectation that easier access to credit is more effective in generating productive growth has been undertaken. So far, the availability of easy money hasn’t generated any growth whatsoever instead unemployment in the Euro-zone especially in countries such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy have climbed to record highs of over 20 per cent.

Social unrest is rife and there are even reports of soaring suicide rate due to economic hardships in some of these countries. Lenders and businesses are not hiring or investing because they are waiting for the economy to get better. It is against this background that the topic of one of the policy discussions in the just concluded World Economic Forum in Davos was “No Growth, Easy Money” unfortunately all Euro-zone policy makers still maintain that the path of austerity is the right path.

The U.S., on the other hand, during the first term of President Obama, injected a fiscal stimulus of $800 billion while the Fed simultaneously pursued Quantitative Easing QE1. The simultaneous expansion in fiscal and monetary policies saved the U.S. economy and the world from slipping into a “Great Recession.” The policies brought down unemployment levels in the U.S. from 11 per cent to 7.8 per cent, indeed now to 7.7 per cent, and boosted growth during the past few years.

However, the Republican controlled House has opposed any further fiscal stimulus. This scenario left the Fed with the sole responsibility of managing the crises. The Fed introduced QE2 with limited success and is thinking of QE3, which analysts say would have no significant impact on the economy as interest rates are already close to zero.

Last week the U.S. GDP report showed that the economy contracted for the first time since the second quarter of 2009. Gross Domestic Product dropped at a 0.1 per cent annual rate. A report from the Labour Department showed that the unemployment rate increased to 7.9 per cent from 7.8 per cent. This indicates that monetary policy alone won’t drive growth.

If there are any lessons to learn from this financial crisis, it is that: • Markets are not efficient, they are never self-correcting and some form of government regulation is needed.

• During recessions, monetary policies alone hardly ever engender growth. It is a combination of moderate expansionary fiscal and monetary policy that works.

The world has learnt the former (as can be seen in the formulation comprehensive financial regulatory infrastructure articulated in Basel 3 which is to take off in 2015) but is yet to learn the latter maybe because the economics of balance is a tough and tricky science. In any case policy makers and regulators must begin to master the science from now on.

• Ajala is a strategist and wrote from Abuja.