Wed 17 Apr 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,529

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Boston blast death toll hits three, 176 injured • Obama decries attacks, FBI begins probe • Pakistani Taliban deny role From Oghogho Obayuwana (Abuja) and Bola Olajuwon (Lagos) (with agency reports) RESIDENT Barack Obama P yesterday described the Boston marathon bombings, which have claimed three lives and injured 176 persons as a “cowardly” act of terror.

But Obama, at a White House media briefing on the attacks, said it was still unclear if a foreign or domestic group or individual was behind the attacks.

The Pakistani Taliban, which claimed the 2010 Times Square bomb plot, yesterday denied anything to do with the Boston explosions.

“We believe in attacking the U.S. and its allies but we are not involved in this attack,” Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told Agence France Presse (AFP).

“We have no connection to this bombing but we will conPresident Goodluck Jonathan (right); South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma; Political Adviser to the President, Ali Gulak; Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Godsin Bristol and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Sunday Samuel, during Zuma’s arrival on a one-day visit to the State House, Abuja … yesterday.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Anxiety as Jonathan, service chiefs meet over insecurity From Mohammed Abubakar, Collins Olayinka, Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja), Charles Coffie-Gyamfi (Abeokuta) and Seye Olumide (Lagos) RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with the nation’s security chiefs. The meeting was said to have considered a report of the panel on amnesty set up two weeks again.

This came barely 24 hours after prominent traditional rulers from the northern part of the country under the aegis of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) met with the President and presented him with their roadmap on how to resolve the security challenges.

Yesterday’s meeting, it was

P

• Consider amnesty committee’s report • ‘More Christians killed by insurgents in North’ learnt, was a follow-up to the one held a fortnight ago when the Presidency announced the decision to raise a committee that would advise on the viability or otherwise of amnesty for members of Boko Haram.

The meeting between the President and service chiefs, it was learnt, was ostensibly to consider the report of the Amnesty Security Committee

set up two weeks ago for consideration of modalities and feasibility of granting amnesty to Boko Haram members.

At the meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ibrahim Ola Said, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; his Naval counterpart, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; that of Air Force, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Inspec-

tor-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, among others.

The meeting also was meant to consider the position paper presented on Monday night to President Jonathan by the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.

The outcome of the meeting, which had the Vice President, Namadi Sambo in attendance, was not made available

to State House correspondents who tried to get officials for comments. Instead, they all walked towards their waiting cars and drove off.

The two weeks given to the amnesty committee to turn in its report expires this week.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted comments credited to Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI), which claimed that Muslims were the major victims of Boko Haram.

The General Secretary of CAN, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

How Lagos council chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan, was abducted - Page 12 Geo-Earth Resources introduces new technology for oil, gas and mineral exploration - Page 16

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

How to rebuild Nigeria, by govs, Onaiyekan • Cardinal : Boko Haram has religious dimension • Aliyu: Group does not represent Islam From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja ROM eminent Nigerians Fsuggestions came yesterday different on how to rebuild the country to save it from a looming danger of becoming a failed state.

At the event, which was the 2013 yearly conference and awards ceremony organised by the Leadership Newspapers Group, Catholic Bishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said that in spite of the numerous challenges confronting the country, Nigeria was not a failed state and that there was great possibility it could avoid suffering that state.

Onaiyekan who spoke for himself and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the event in Abuja said there was the need to urgently rebuild the nation , adding that what was rewas not the quired dismantling of the entire ediCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

2 NEWS

CAN says more Christians killed by insurgents in North CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Rev. Musa Asake, told journalists yesterday in Abuja that about 1,250 Christians had been killed and more than

200 churches burnt in the last three years by Boko Haram.

He said: “Statistics released by international agencies show that more Christians were

killed in Nigeria in the year 2012 alone for their faith than the rest of the world combined. In the last three years, besides the isolated bombings in Abuja, the Boko Haram members have bombed over 200 churches and killed over 1,250 Christians worshipping in their churches, burnt and destroyed whole villages, targeted specific communities/individuals and have made good every threat they published at inception, to wit the elimination of all Christians from northern Nigeria and the total Islamisation of the North by imposition of strict Sharia rule.”

The cleric insisted that amnesty could not precede reconciliation, compensation, restitution and other ameliorating steps for victims and called on President Good-

luck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, dismiss the whole idea of amnesty for the group.

“The President should ignore this so-called northern elders who are putting pressure on him and turning serious security matters into politics,” he said.

According to Asake, any processes of seeking peace, security and development that do not take into consideration the victims would be unacceptable to the association.

“Since Boko Haram does not see any wrong with their style of jihad, and shows no remorse, evident in its relentless murder and arson against the church, all we can do now is to pray while making efforts to defend ourselves and communities. While we respect the fundamental human rights of Cardinal John On-

aiyekan, and Bishop Mathew Kukah on amnesty for Boko Haram, they cannot speak for CAN. Only CAN is vested with such powers. Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and Bishop Mathew Kukah do not speak for Nigerian Christians, not even for CAN in any of the 19 northern states.”

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has appealed to members of Boko Haram and the armed forces to respect civilian population.

The Head of Delegation of the ICRC in Nigeria, Mr. Zoran Jovanovic, made the appeal yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the first ICRC Emergency Room Trauma Course for medical doctors who work in hospitals receiving emergencies.

Also, a cleric has urged Jonathan to tread with caution

over his proposed amnesty for Boko Haram.

The Bishop of the Egba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Rev. Emmanuel Oludaisi Adekunle who spoke in Abeokuta yesterday, also condemned the recent state pardon the Presidency offered to former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyesiegha.

On his part, former member of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, called on Jonathan to beef up security in the country.

He said the insecurity was a pointer to the fact that the nation needed to be restructured.

While reacting to the kidnap of the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kehinde Bamigbetan, Opadokun said it was another sad situation in the country.

Boko Haram has religious dimension, says Onaiyekan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 fice but a radical and substantial renovation and updating of the architecture of the nation and the consolidation of the structures that make up the nation .

The two religious leaders who were honoured with the “Leadership Persons of the Year”, stated that the major obstacles to the attainment of the nation’s dream was high profile corruption and insecurity, adding that the insecurity problem in the country was difficult because there was also corruption .

The cleric observed that the debate on amnesty was very healthy “because we are talking of a solution and not just sitting down and suffering violence.” He urged the Federal Government to bring all stakeholders together to redeem the nation.

He said: “As far as Boko Haram is concerned, I believe there is a religious dimension, it is obvious and that means that those of us who really believe in religion cannot claim that we have no part to play, religious bodies must find way of increasing dialogue in such a way that whatever religious element that is in this problem on our hand, we can offer our own contribution to solving it.”

According to Onaiyekan , the poor people of Nigeria have

been deprived of their just resources and called for national ethics that guide the country in order to sustain the dream of being a great nation and work for it.

He said: “ I am afraid many Nigerians seem to have lost faith in the possibility of a great Nigeria but I beg to differ. We belong to the first League of Nations not only in soccer, we should never forget that the whole of the black race is looking up to Nigeria to redeem its image. If we fail, which other black nation can succeed? We have all it takes to succeed, all that is required is good leadership that is wise, transparent and service-oriented.”

On his part, Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu said that the insecurity in the country was as a result of moral decadence that had caught up with the country According to him, the insurgency of Boko Haram, Niger Delta crisis and kidnapping in some parts of the country “must be properly situated in terms of what is happening in our country today as a result of our activities, our politics is so militarilised.”

According to Aliyu, Boko Haram is not a Muslim organisation and does not represent Islam, adding that their activities were anti-Islam.

He said: “ In my belief system, if a Muslim commits suicide,

he goes straight to hell, if a Muslim kills another person without justified reasons, all the sins of that person are transferred to him in addition to his own. There is no compulsion in the religion of Islam, you cannot compel a person to become a Muslim, instead, you persuade him through your actions and not through gunpoint.

“We have solved the Niger Delta problem, now we are talking about amnesty for Boko Haram and another group will come up tomorrow. We must find a way to tackle unemployment or we will continue to tackle the problem of one militia group or the other. We need to take steps towards bringing our people together. The Lord who created us has created us into different tongues, tribes and religions”.

The governor who stressed the need to rebuild the nation’s institutions observed that the economy was in a shambles and what was being done now was pretence.

He said: “ We need to rebuild our economy and run away from the monoculture of depending solely on oil revenue.

We spend N380 billion annually on rice importation from countries that are not up to two local government areas.

We have been talking of refineries for many years but they have not seen the light of

the day because some people are benefiting from oil subsidy. We have been talking of producing rice locally but not much has been done because some people are benefiting from importation.”

He added: “May economic meltdown come upon all those that have stolen our funds and taken them abroad and when they die, may their children never see the money.”

Also, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, noted that the problem with Nigeria was that of leadership, stressing that urgent steps should be taken to address the leadership questions in the country.

He said: “Leaders must know how to show the light, we have politicians who are not leaders. Politicians think about the next election while leaders think about the future generation. Politicians discuss sentiments of tribes and religion and are myopic but leaders see tomorrow and make sacrifice so that it would be well with generations yet unborn.

Where there is no vision, the people perish, we need visionary leaders. Our leaders must rise up to solve the problem of Boko Haram and other issues confronting the country.”

The event had in attendance, the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

Obama decries Boston attacks, FBI begins probe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tinue to target them wherever possible,” Ehsan added.

The explosions at the Boston Marathon, one of America’s top sporting events, forced cities from New York to Los Angeles to go on high alert and conjured up memories of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

As part of investigation into the explosions, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has vowed to “go to the ends of the earth to identify the subject or subjects who are responsible for this despicable crime.”

According to the Cable News Network (CNN), the police have said that the number of people injured by the bombings has risen to 176. Three people were killed and about 10 people were amputated.

Boston authorities have warned the city’s residents to keep their guard up amid a massive investigation to uncover a clear reason for the bombings.

“This was a heinous and cowardly act… Any time bombs

are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror,” Obama declared.

Obama said while the impacts of the attacks near the finish line of the Boston marathon on Monday, which killed three people and wounded more than 176 others, were clear, the motives and the identity of those responsible were not.

“What we don’t yet know, however, is who carried out this attack or why, whether it was planned and executed by a terrorist organisation, foreign or domestic, or was the act of a malevolent individual,” he said.

But the president again vowed to bring whoever was behind the assault to justice, and warned that America would not be cowed by terrorism.

“We also know this — the American people refuse to be terrorised,” he said.

In frank and direct language, Obama vowed to keep Americans up to speed with developments in the investigation and asked them to remain vigilant.

“What I have indicated to you is what we now know. We know it was bombs that were set off. We know that obviously they did some severe damage.

We do not know who did them,” he said.

“We don’t have a sense of motive yet. So everything else at this point is speculation.”

The city’s leaders vowed to emerge from the attack unbowed.

“Moments like this and our response to them define who we are,” Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley said yesterday.

Investigators spent Monday going over the 12-block crime scene and fanning out to interview witnesses, with FBI Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers vowing to go to the “ends of the earth” to find out who was behind the bombings.

Despite earlier reports that more bombs had been found, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said there were no explosives other than the two

that detonated.

DesLauriers said authorities were aware of no new public safety threats, but police officials asked Boston residents for patience with swarming investigators and increased security precautions around the city.

The blasts happened in quick succession, near the row of international flags that led up to the finish line. The impact was so powerful, it whipped the limp flags straight out, as if they were caught in a hurricane.

Some runners said they thought the first blast was from a celebratory cannon.

Such illusions were shattered when the second blast erupted, startling the exhausted runners out of their post-race daze.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis told Bostonians to “combat evil with good” while runners in Atlanta staged a silent run to commemorate the victims, as Americans mourned and nervously wondered who was behind the violence.

NEWS | 3

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

News NCAA may sanction foreign airlines over revenue data

By Wole Shadare OREIGN airlines that fail to abide by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) revenue automation requirements risk sanctions.

The Acting Director General of the NCAA, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam gave the warning yesterday when he held a meeting with the carriers in his office yesterday.

Nkemakolam was piqued by alleged non-compliance of a substantial number of the airlines to NCAA’s revenue automation requirements.

He, however, gave the erring firms two weeks to comply or face sanctions, just as he commended some of the foreign airlines that have been complying.

According to NCAA’s regulations regarding revenue collection, the operating airlines are mandated to forward derivable data at the end of every flight operation to the regulatory authority at the shortest possible time.

F

Bakassi returnees seek release of detained kinsmen, others From Anietie Akpan, Calabar O fewer than 200 disN placed Bakassi indigenes yesterday stormed the United Nations’ (UN) office in Calabar demanding the unconditional release of their kinsmen detained by Cameroonian authorities in the wake of the March 7, 2013 attack by the gendarmes.

The group carrying placards with various inscriptions like

“We need security, we need our monthly N5,000 payment from social welfare. We don’t need the Bakassi Local Government Area intervention for returnees matter. Take us to Day Spring” also rejected moves by the Cross Rivers State government to relocate them to a resettlement camp in Ikang.

The displaced Bakassi people stormed the UN (Cameroon/Nigeria Mixed Commission) office to protest

their neglect by the Nigerian government and the international community.

The protesters, who were peaceful decried the deplorable condition they are living at the Ikot Eyo Edem Primary School since they were forcefully displaced by the Cameroon authorities in Bakassi despite the Green Tree Agreement (GTA) of 2006.

Speaking on behalf of the displaced persons, Joseph

Aston said, “we are fishermen and we prefer to move to Day Spring Island because it is close to the Atlantic where we can do our fishing.

“We demand for the immediate and unconditional release of our people from Cameroon prisons.

The Federal Government of Nigeria should step in and do something.”

UN official, Mr. Emmanuel Sowatey, who addressed the

protesting Bakassi returnees said, “the UN is aware of the development and is doing everything possible to resolve the impasse.

Sowatey who disclosed that the UN office in Calabar was established ‘to facilitate the implementation of the Green Tree Agreement,’ noted that ‘the authorities were aware of the problem and was doing something about it.”

Jonathan, Zuma pledge to promote African unity From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja FTER several months of lull A in the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, the two countries appear set to put the past behind and forge better ties.

The visiting President of South Africa Mr. Jacob Zuma stated this yesterday after about one hour behind the closed door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.

Zuma, who is on a working state visit to Nigeria, addressed State House Correspondents after his talks with Jonathan and said his visit was to consult with Jonathan on a wide range of issues affecting Africa. He also said his visit was a prelude to Jonathan’s forthcoming state visit to South Africa.

Govt launches scheme on good governance From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Federal Government T has launched a service portal that would enable it deploy Information Communication Technology (ICT) to drive transparency in governance and improve the quality of public service delivery.

The portal, which is a single point of entry for Nigerians and other stakeholders to access government services online is www.services.gov.ng Speaking at the event in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson explained that the project resonated with the outcome of the survey, which UN carried out across 48 countries on Innovative E-Government

President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina (left); Chairman, Somolu local council, Gbolahan Bagostowe; wife of the former Governor of Lagos State, Adebola Jakande, her husband, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former Governor of Ogun, Aremu Olusegun Osoba and President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Muhammad Garba, at the turning the SOD for Lagos NUJ Guest House in Lagos …yesterday.

Why progressives alliance is imperative, by Momoh, others From Adamu Abuh, Abuja ATIONAL Chairman of the N opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Prince Tony Momoh and the Lagos State ACN Vice Chairman, Sakiru Seriki yesterday reiterated the desire by progressive forces in the country to join hands in ensuring the defeat of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls.

The duo claimed that it was unfortunate that the PDP-led administration had failed to live up to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians since the return of democratic rule in the country.

Momoh spoke to members of the National Executive Committee of the CPC who converged at the party secretariat in Abuja to take a final stand on the idea of merger with other opposition parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Persuading NEC members of the CPC to adopt the merger deal in the interest of Nigerians, he listed appalling poverty, unemployment, the spate of insecurity and destruction of lives and property as the legacies bequeathed to the nation by the PDP led government.

He noted: “Let me use this

opportunity to mention that the merger is not all about trying to take over power from the PDP and do what the PDP has been doing all these years.

“The merger is being promoted to set an agenda, to look at the constitution and ensure

that Nigerians who have sovereignty, that this sovereignty is returned to them because the sovereignty has been stolen from them for the last 12 years.”

Continuing, the former Information minister argued:

“We would ensure that those we elect will be those who merit the election because they are those who were voted for, those in whose favour the vote counted. We will ensure that welfare and security as specified in the constitution

are reached.

“Now, there is no welfare, now there is no security. There is no social justice. Instead what we have is chaos everywhere in the country, there is insurgency and no safety in the country.

NMA, others laud lab-grown kidneys’ transplant

By Chukwuma Muanya EPORT of the first successful R transplant of laboratorygrown kidneys in rats, may have raised the hopes of millions of patients with end stage kidney damage in dire need of donors.

Scientists in Nigeria including the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, and President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo, are excited over the feat by their colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, United States, who on Monday reported to have fitted rats with kidneys that were grown in a lab from stripped-down kidney scaffolds.

They called on researchers, physicians/clinical pathologists, scientists, various research institutions and universities in Nigeria to take up

the challenge of the breakthrough by not only replicating the study in the country but even advancing it further, especially as there was greater burden of management of chronic renal disease in Nigeria and other developing countries.

They said without adequate funding by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, perhaps the world would not have been availed of this landmark achievement, and therefore called on federal, state and local governments as well as private entrepreneurs to take active and serious interest in the funding of researches in Nigeria so that researchers in the country could produce even better research findings.

Reacting to the breakthrough, the NMA President said: “It is a major breakthrough and landmark development. It will sort out the long waiting time for patients with end stage kidney

damage for donor kidney. This holds promise for them.”

Enabulele, however, called for caution. “As well as we celebrate there is need for caution. There is need for more studies especially in humans to know whether it is possible in humans. We also have to be careful because of Lassa fever. Rats are careers of Lassa fever. We need to wait for further studies to know how applicable it is to humans,” the NMA president said.

Akintayo said: “A regenerated kidney that could be implanted in humans remains very, very far in the future. In almost every area in medicine, the leap from rodent to man has been extraordinarily difficult, and that has seemed to be the case with organ scaffolds as well.

However, that the team’s work still provides a platform for understanding how kidneys develop and repair themselves.

This may end up being the area

in which the paper has the most impact.”

According to the work published yesterday in Nature Medicine, when transplanted these ‘bioengineered’ organs starting filtering the rodents’ blood and making urine.

The team, led by organ-regeneration specialist Harald Ott, started with the kidneys of recently deceased rats and used detergent to strip away the cells, leaving behind the underlying scaffold of connective tissues such as the structural components of blood vessels.

They then regenerated the organ by seeding this scaffold with two cell types: Human umbilical-vein cells to line the blood vessels, and kidney cells from newborn rats to produce the other tissues that make up the organ. Ott and his colleagues developed this method in 2008, and have since used it to grow hearts

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

4 NEWS

Tukur swears in new Rivers PDP executive amid protest From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE removal of the proT Amaechi’s Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executive by an Abuja High Court on Monday has elicited protest from the House of Representatives.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, some River State politicians, including members of the House of Representatives from the state, described the judgment as a travesty of justice.

Asita Honourable, who presided over the press conference, said: “This injustice will surely not stand the test of time as the triumph of evil is usually only temporary.

“This travesty of justice and broad day light robbery leaves much to be imagined and casts doubts in our minds over the much talked about reforms in the judiciary” he stressed.”

The judgment delivered by Justice Ishaq Bello, sacked the Chief Godpower Umejuru Akeled Executive Committee of the party in the state on the ground that their swearing-in was unlawful because the election that produced the executive was conducted by persons not nominated by the national headquarters of the party.

The duo of Felix Amaechi Obuah and Walter Ibibia Opuene, who had in the suit sought an order to be sworn in, were said to have accordingly been declared as chairman and secretary respectively.

Other members of the House

of Representatives at the press conference were Andrew Uchendu and Sokonte Davis.

Serving commissioners in Rivers State, including the Commissioner for Power, Austin Wokocha and his Agriculture counterpart, Emmanuel Chinda were also at the conference.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the party has sworn-in the new executive committee.

The brief ceremony was done by the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, in the presence of the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Mr. Felix Amaechi Obuah became the PDP chairman in River State just as Walter Ibibia Opuene became the secretary.

The new State executive is made up of 29 members.

In a remarks, PDP Acting National Secretary, Solomon Onwe, said the exercise was in compliance with a judgment served on the NWC on Monday by an Abuja High Court “We had an emergency session to deliberate on it and we decided to inaugurate the new executive committee immediately.” He urged the new executive members to adhere strictly to the oaths taken.

Also present at the ceremony were the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, former House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker, Austin Opara, Senator Lee Meeba and a prominent Rivers State politician, Sergeant Awuse.

Chairman of the occasion, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (left); awardees, Catholic Bishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, during the 2013 leadership conference and awards in Abuja … yesterday.

Dutch journalist objects to publication of her article RS. Femke Van Zeijl, a M Dutch journalist and author of an article titled, ‘Femke becomes Funke: Celebrating Mediocrity,’ has complained that The Guardian published the article without her knowledge and permission.

The article, published online and available on Google, was a major reference in the story

‘Mediocrity overtakes graft, wrecks Nigeria’, published by The Guardian on April 2, 2013. It was reproduced fully in the newspaper, under the headline “Mediocrity overtakes corruption to wreck Nigeria”, and Van Zeijl was identified and acknowledged in the footnote as the writer.

Writing through her lawyer,

Mr. Patrick Ohadike, however, Van Zeijl objected to what she called the “unauthorised publication”, stressing that it was an infringement of her copyright. She also expressed displeasure that the title of the article was taken “out of its original context”, and that the author’s photograph was also published.

Court adjourns Braithwaite’s suit for defendant’s reply

By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE Doris Okuwobi of LaJongos High Court, Igbosere, Monday adjourned hearing in the suit filed by the renowned Lagos lawyer and politician, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, against Standard Chartered Bank to April 25 to enable the claimant file a reply on point of law to the defendant’s counter-affidavit and written address.

After announcing its compliance with required penalty for responding out of time, the defendant, represented

by Mrs. Oluwatosin Iyaye, was allowed by the court to move her counter-affidavit and written address.

The claimant did not oppose the application but requested for a short adjournment to enable him file a reply on point of law.

The elder statesman had declared that the 14-storey building and five-level car park being constructed close to his residence in Victoria Island by Standard Chartered Bank of Nigeria Limited is illegal.

Braithwaite’s declaration is contained in a 34-paragraph affidavit deposed to on his behalf by Ismaila Shaib Usman and filed before Justice Okuwobi. The affidavit is in support of his amended pleadings where he sought the order of court to stop the bank from constructing such building in a residential area.

Braithwaite averred that the development permit which the defendant purportedly obtained from the state government authorising a mixed development in the area is invalid and unlawful. He also noted that the bank had continued to build on the land even while the case lasted in court.

“The claimant further avers categorically and puts the defendants to the strictest proof otherwise that the building approval/development permit allegedly obtained by it is unlawful, invalid, null and void, having been procured without compliance with the requirements of the law”, he stated, adding that at the trial, he will prove that the underlying processes and relevant procedural preconditions to applying for and obtaining requisite development permit were not met by the defendants.

Braithwaite, therefore, insists that the purported change of user obtained by the defendant for the purpose of erecting the structure is totally unlawful.

He said he would rely on the evidence of building experts who undertook a thorough environmental impact audit of the building and turned in a damning report. He averred: “The claimant sometime in December 2012 commissioned a team of renowned international scholars and experienced architects, physical planners, urban designers and landscape architects to undertake a thorough Environmental Impact Audit (EIA) of the defendants building vis a vis its immediate environment with particular reference to claimants residence.

“The report of the EIA, prepared and submitted by Urbach Tropical Designs (Architects, Physical Planners, Urban Designers, Landscape Architects, consultants) is hereby pleaded and shall be relied upon at the trial, and that the evidence to be given by these experts shall also include the use of electronic devices i.e. computer video recording and projector, no-

tice of which is hereby given.”

Braithwaite is seeking a declaration that the construction of a 14-storey building at No. 142 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island and a five-level park at Plot 141 Elias Close, Victoria Island by the bank is unlawful and damaging to his rights.

He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the bank or its agents from using or causing or permitting to be used for any purpose other than residential the said site.

The claimant is demanding N10 billion as general damages for nuisance caused due to the noise and pollution of the bank’s giant electric generating sets, which led to his great discomfort over the period of 10 years. Besides, he asked for interest at the rate of 21 per cent till final judgment.

In his statement of claim, he averred that the proposed building, if erected, would substantially affect the amenities value of his residence in terms of availability of air as well as creates constant noise pollution, thereby breaching the general peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.

The claimant also swore that every plan for development of the various sites suitable for building along the said Elias Close was designed and approved for High Class Residential purposes only. The claimant maintained that the proposed 14-storey building and five-level car parks would infringe upon his fundamental right to access to light.

But the defendant urged the court to dismiss the application, insisting that the structure is not harmful and does not infringe on the right of the claimant.

Maku to lead FG’s delegation to Awolowo’s burial From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan yesterday named Information Minister, Labaran Maku, as the head of the Federal Government delegation to attend the burial of scion of Awolowo family, Chief Oluwole Awolowo, scheduled for Friday at Ikenne-Remo in Ogun State.

Other members of the delegation as announced yesterday included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru; the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati and Special Adviser to the President on Research and Strategy, Oronto Douglas.

The President had paid a personal condolence visit to the Awolowo matriarch, Chief H.I.D Awolowo, at their family residence in Ikenne recently after Chief Oluwole’s demise last month.

Globacom set for mobile number portability N compliance with a direcInications tive by the Nigerian CommuCommission (NCC) to all mobile telecommunications companies to be ready for the commencement of number portability on April 22 this year, national operator, Globacom, has announced its full readiness for the exercise.

In a statement in Lagos, the telecommunications giant said it is set in terms of system, process and operational readiness for the smooth take-off of mobile number portability on its network.

In terms of system readiness, Glo has completed the procurement and implementation of the network signal routing system (STP) and the porting process or gateway management system (NPG) which is the first to be commissioned in the country and now completely ready for MNP service. The upgrade and customisation of the network systems, the IT systems, the billing systems that will handle mediation and fraud management and the value added systems (VAS) have also been completed.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

S’West PDP raises reconciliation committee in five states From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the SouthWest yesterday raised a fiveman peace and reconciliation committee in each of the states in the region with an assurance from the interim chairman, Ishola Filani, that total reconciliation is achievable in the party.

Filani, who fielded questions from reporters shortly after the inauguration, said the committees had between three days and one week within which to work.

He argued that the party carefully chose the committee members so that the party could tap from their wealth of political experiences.

He maintained that the party is aware that there are issues to be sorted out in the region.

“We have lots of confidence in the men. They are people of enormous goodwill. They will assist the zone with their goodwill”, Filani noted.

The PDP chief stated that the party believed that a lot has happened in the zone in the past, hinting that if the party lost three states in the region to judicial tsunami, it lost other states to intra-party differences.

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Lagos council chief, Bamigbetan kidnapped, abductors demand N155 million

By Tope Templer Olaiya, Abiodun Fanoro and Odita Sunday

• Lagos ACN wants release, Fasehun tasks OPC

HE Chairman of Ejigbo T Local Council Development Authority

to the family, while close associates of the chairman were consoling Fatima in the wee hours of the morning, “her phone rang and it was the chairman’s number calling her. Immediately she picked it up, she was told by a male voice that her husband was safe and would only be released to her if she cooperated with them by not informing the police.

“A few minutes later, they called back with the same number that she should not

(LCDA), Kehinde Oladapo Bamigbetan, was on Monday night abducted by unknown gunmen at Ejigbo in Lagos.

The suspected kidnappers, using Bamigbetan’s handset, made contact with the wife of the chairman, Fatima, a few hours after he was abducted, demanding $1 million dollars (N155 million) ransom.

According to a source close

attempt to play smart because their men were everywhere and that the ransom was $1 million.”

Information available to The Guardian revealed that Bamigbetan and his driver, Abiodun Olayiwola, were the only occupants of his black Special Utility Vehicle with customised plate number ‘Lagos KOK’, when the incident occurred.

He was reportedly on his way home from an official function at about 11pm when the incident hap-

New action plan for N’Delta development under way From Abosede Musari, Abuja INISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, said yesterday that the new action plan being prepared for the Niger Delta will further the development of the region.

Orubebe, who was speaking at a press conference held to announce the forthcoming Niger Delta stakeholders’ conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, explained that the plan would harmonise all existing development policies for the region.

While asking for the support of all stakeholders on the Niger Delta project, the minister noted that a coordinated effort is needed to achieve the development the people of the region desire.

“The Niger Delta Action Plan, which we are going to present at this stakeholders’ conference and the National Council meeting, provides us the means to commence the intensive development effort in the region”.

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Uduaghan defends road projects • Asaba, Warri to get industrial courts From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan has defended the construction of roads in Delta State, saying that apart from social benefits and economic variables, his administration’s Delta Beyond Oil economic policy was of paramount consideration in executing road projects in the state.

Speaking with journalist shortly after inspecting the progress of work done on the 7.6 kilometre Umeh Road in Isoko-South Local Council, Uduaghan said that when completed, many communities would benefit from the road, adding that it was estimated to be completed within 18 months but for the flood, which ravaged coastal communities last year.

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Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati (left), receiving the Ebonylife TV Africa first Global Black Entertainment Channel from the Presenter Moment with MO, M.O. Abudu, at the State House, PHOTO: PHILLIP OJISUA Abuja…yesterday

pened.

According to the driver, immediately the gunmen intercepted the chairman’s vehicle, he made a frantic effort to escape by putting the vehicle in reverse. The effort was abortive as the vehicle reportedly hit a pole, trapping it.

Olayiwola managed to escape, but his boss could not, as the gunmen fired into the air preventing his attempt to escape.

Lagos State Police Command Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the Command was making efforts to ensure he was released.

Ozoani said: “His safety is important to us. We are managing the situation to ensure he is released. At this point, all hands are on deck.

All men are on ground doing what is expected of us”.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, The Guardian gathered, had set up a team of crack detectives to fish out the kidnappers and rescue Bamgbetan alive.

Manko, who was quoted to say that a kidnap of such magnitude had never occurred in Lagos, assured that the Command would get at the abductors just like it had smashed others in the state.

According to him, “We are

Army arrests two suspected recruitment scammers From Karls Tsokar, Abuja FTER severally alerting members of the public on activities of fake recruitment syndicates, the Nigerian Army has arrested two men suspected to be using a fake on-line website to swindle Nigerians under the pretext of recruiting them into the officers’ cadre of the Nigerian Army.

Parading the suspects yesterday in Abuja at the Headquarters, the Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said the two suspects are members of a seven-man gang that has been using the an on-line forum www.topix.com/forum/wor ld/nigeria/T87E0G7JBTNOP11 7 to advertise application forms “for recruitment of officers into the Nigerian Army.

General Attahiru said: “The Nigerian troops deployed to the Niger Delta are doing well in the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism…are doing their best in securing these oil installations, which can be further enhanced if the oil companies endeavour to take more stringent measures to secure abandoned oil well heads in the creek as it will go a long way in deterring criminal activities in the Niger Delta”.

He said in setting the trap to catch the suspected cyber scammers, “investigation by the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police established contacts with the fraudsters through the phone numbers posted on

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their website.

Investigation further revealed that the bank account details of the fraudsters have been used to defraud innocent members of the public”.

The DAPR said a request from the Military Police to the bankers to furnish them with the account details of the numbers was forwarded, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Attahiru said the two suspects Oronye Augustine, a 500 level student of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State and Emeremini Stanley Nwabueze, also a student of the Department of Civil Engineering, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia Nasarawa State, would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

He stated that the recruitment forms into Short Service Combatant Commission Course 42/2013 and Direct Short Service Commission Course 21/2013 are on sale with effect from March 27 and the website for logging in by eligible Nigerians is www.nigerianrmyms.org.

He said the two suspects and their partners in crime, who are said to be at large, have been successful in carrying out their criminal act because of the ignorance of desperate Nigerians.

He said: “The success of these criminally-minded

Nigerians could be attributed to lack of awareness on the part of a segment of the public who do not know the criteria for recruitment or commissioning into any of the services of the Armed Forces,” adding, “some applicants, out of sheer desperation, become gullible to the deceit of the fraudsters, who take advantage of the them”.

Though Nwabueze, one of the suspects, denied that he was not involved in the

scam as he just went to the bank to collect N1,000 that his sister sent to him before he was arrested, Oronye however, confessed to media that he has been involved in cyber scam for a while now.

He said the Nigerian Army has continued to review the situation in the Niger Delta so as know the threat analysis for the mission in Niger Delta following the threat by the some disenchanted militants in the area.

monitoring the situation.

The kidnappers are using the telephone of the victim to call the family. We would get them.”

However, one of those in the car, who claimed to have been abducted four days ago, was left behind at the scene of the kidnap.

According to the young man in his 30s, who has since been detained at the Ejigbo Police Station, he was released on the spot by his captors after his family members paid a ransom of N500,000.

Lagos State Police Command Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the Command was making efforts to ensure he was rescued.

Ozoani said: “His safety is important to us. We are managing the situation to ensure he is rescued safely.

At this point, all hands are on deck. All men are on ground doing what is expected of us.”

Also, Spokesman of the Lagos chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Joe Igbokwe, has ordered the abductors to release Bamigbetan within hours or face dire consequences.

Igbokwe issued the order in a message broadcast on his Facebook page this afternoon.

“The kidnappers have just a few hours left to release the council chairman or face the unimaginable strength of Lagos security outfit,” Igbokwe said.

He urged “these criminals to run away from Lagos because nobody steals or kidnaps in Lagos without being caught and the consequences are better imagined.”

Also, National President of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has ordered members of the group to launch a manhunt for Bamigbetan, directing them to collaborate with security agents and other interested parties, including government officials involved in the search, to ensure his safe release.

Court grants Leadership newspaper’s journalists bail From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal High Court, T Abuja Division, yesterday granted two journalists with the Leadership Newspaper Tony Amokeodo (Group News editor) and Chibuzo Ukaibe (Political Correspondent), conditional bail upon their arraignment by the Federal Government on an alleged 10-count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The duo were detained by the police for over 24 hours before they were charged to court for allegedly forging government’s document and publishing same for public consumption.

However, the accused persons did not enter their plea as the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, ruled that the charge must be accompanied with the proof of evidence, statements, exhibits and list of witnesses before their plea could be taken.

The court also insisted that

the 3rd accused person (Leadership Group Ltd) must be served before any arraignment.

Justice Adeniyi released the duo conditionally to the company’s Secretary, Umar Jibril and ordered that they be produced in court for arraignment on April 23, 2013.

“The accused persons are hereby released conditionally to the 3rd accused person’s secretary, Umar Jubril, who undertakes to produce the 1st and 2nd accused persons in court on the next adjourned date for arraignment”.

But the judge stressed that it is premature for the accused persons to apply for bail since they have not been arraigned or taken the plea.

“No bail application can be moved at this moment because the submissions of both counsel at this stage are premature. The accused persons have not been

arraigned or taken any plea”, the judge declared.

When proceedings began and the two journalists were docked, their counsel, Samuel Ogala, informed the court that the arraignment of his clients came to him as a surprise, hence the absence of other two accused persons.

Ogala also told the court that he was served the charge in court yesterday morning.

Although the prosecution lawyer, one DSP Joseph Nwadike, claimed to have filed the charges since April 12, 2013, he admitted that he has served the accused persons’ lawyers in court shortly before the case was mentioned.

Nwadike further claimed to have given the court eight copies of the charge and he expected the court officials to have served the accused persons, but the judge quickly corrected the prosecutor that that it is not the practice.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

6 | NEWS

Lagos begins registration of residents

By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE Lagos State Government has launched an initiative to compute every resident in the state in a database to enhance government’s efforts at providing adequate social services to its over 20 million people.

Saddled with that responsibility is the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), which General Manager, Ms Yinka Fashola, revealed yesterday at a stakeholder’s forum at City Hall, Lagos, that the move was to establish a reliable and up-to-date database of all residents of the state.

In addition to providing useful information for social, political, business and financial activities, every resident will possess a secure and unique identification number and card, which will remove the veil of anonymity from every citizen of the state, she said.

According to her, about 1,000 personnel will be engaged in the process with sophisticated technological features to capture fingerprints, which will be employed to authenticate and validate the registration process as well as identity cards, which could be used in transactions with any government agency.

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Reps probe police extra-judicial killings From Terhemba Daka, Abuja OLLOWING wide-held noFmonetary tion among Nigerians that allocations to members of the National Assembly for their constituency projects are actually spent or even pocketed by the legislators, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has called on the Executive arm of the government to stop the “deliberate misrepresentation of facts and suggestions” that the parliamentarians execute their constituency projects.

This came as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged the House of Representatives to fast track the con-

sideration of two proposed legislations - Chemical Weapons Prohibition Bill and Pension Reform Bill - in a letter he sent to the parliament and read on the floor by the Speaker.

Tambuwal spoke while reacting to submissions by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Works, Mohammed Ali Wudil, who in a motion under matters of personal explanations cited a newspaper publication to the effect that the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, made a wrong and misleading statement.

Wudil said he had never

been involved in the execution of constituency projects and that the minister’s statement was a continuation of the age-long misrepresentation that often pitted the legislature against the Nigerian public.

However, Tambuwal explained that, “whether it is misinformation or deliberate misrepresentation, members of the National Assembly had never at any time handled the execution of constituency projects.”

He stressed that their only input was to ensure the inclusion of such projects for their respective constituencies in the national budget while concerned govern-

ment MDAs handle the execution. He further warned all members of the Executive to stop misinforming the public on the execution of constituency projects.

Meanwhile, the House has tasked its joint Committee on Human Rights and Police Affairs to investigate recent cases of extra-judicial killings by men of the Nigeria Police Force. This followed a motion

by Raphael Nnana Igbokwe, who cited the reported killing of one Mr. Chrisantus Nwabueze Okorie by the police in Mushin, Lagos State, while on his way back home, among several other ugly incidences.

OR two awaiting trial inFandmates, Richard Momete Esther Augustine, yester-

From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE Nigeria Labour Congress T (NLC) has commended Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode

I was duly elected, Saraki insists ORMER Governor of Kwara FKwara State and representative of Central Senatorial District, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has told the defeated candidate in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries that produced him in the 2011, Alhaji Lak Jimoh, that he has no case against him because he was duly elected.

Speaking through his lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Saraki, while challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal to hear the case, urged the appellate court to decline jurisdiction and also dismiss the appeal in its entirety as the PDP fully complied with its guidelines in submitting his name as its candidate in the election.

Citing several authorities, Fagbemi advised Jimoh to update himself with the recent Supreme Court decision in Halima Hassan Tukur versus Garba Umar Uba and two others. The presiding Justice Yahaya, leading two other justices, thereafter reserved judgment.

Court frees two awaiting trial inmates after five years

By Joseph Onyekwere

NLC hails Ekiti’s transformation under Fayemi

Fayemi, for the physical development of the state.

In a letter to the governor, which was made available to journalists yesterday, the NLC President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, said the recent hosting of the body’s National Administrative Council (NAC) by the state afforded the labour leaders the opportunity of witnessing Fayemi’s developmental projects.

He expressed optimism that the electorate in the state would reward the governor with another four years in office after his first term. Omar said: “It is instructive that you have placed emphasis on human capital development.

The lawmaker argued that it was more disheartening to the bereaved family that the Lagos Police Command’s spokesman described the late Okorie as possibly “a hired killer,” which necessitated his killing.

Members, including the Chairman of House Committee on Education, Aminu Suleiman, and Col. Benjamin Aboho, described the action of rank and file of the police as continuously denting the human rights record of the country in the international community.

Former Chief Justice Alfa Belgore (left); Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire; a guest; Managing partner of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN, his wife Mrs. Elizabeth Idigbe and the guest lecturer and President of Mirabaud Private Bank Geneva and Director in-Charge of Africa, Mr. John Cross at the 2013 PUNUKA’s yearly lecture with the topic ‘Wealth Management and Succession Planning: Best Practices, Anti Corruption Compliances and Red Flags’.. in Lagos yesterday.

Belgore advocates parliamentary system as panacea for corruption

By Bertram Nwannekanma ORMER Chief Justice of NigeFterday ria (CJN), Alfa Belgore, yesadvocated the adoption of parliamentary system of government to solve corruption problems in the country.

Belgore, who proffered what could be termed as a radical approach to tackling corruption in the country, said parliamentary system would address the endemic nature of corruption in the nation.

Speaking in Lagos at the 2013 PUNUKA yearly lecture organised by PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, with the topic, Wealth Management and Succession

Planning: Best Practices, Anti-Corruption Compliances and Red Flags, the renowned jurist said there was need to adopt a culture-based system of government instead of one that alien to the people.

The former CJN said the inclusion of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s constitutional processes would also help in the fight against corruption, adding: “I believe sincerely, to kill corruption, we must go back to the system that we understand best.

“Culturally, we are different, we have a very established society. We call Nigeria the Fed-

eral Republic of Nigeria but it is a different republic from other republics. We still have obas, we still have emirs and they are still very useful but are not involved in our constitution making. The respect for these traditional institutions is dying gradually.”

However, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, who was the special guest of honour at the event, believes that corruption is more of the issue of personality than system. According to her, a corrupt person will always be corrupt no matter the system of government in place.

She anchored her position on the grounds that the current presidential system has inbuilt checks and balances mechanism to address the incidence of corruption but that no system of government could check corruption without attitudinal change of those in leadership.

Earlier in his address, managing partner of the organising firm, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), described the topic as germane as life itself because it cut across social strata and creed but is rarely discussed.

He called for adequate planning to deal with succession issues, both in public and personal lives.

Stakeholders brainstorm on new financial reporting standards

By Felix Kuye OLLOWING adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Nigeria, stakeholders in accounting, tax and allied professions are brainstorming in Lagos on the challenges of preparing companies’ accounts in the country with the new method.

Essentially, the experts who are gathered at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, are assimilating the details of the IFRS with a view to understanding the tax implications and how to address them in the course of their professional duties and in dealing with relevant government tax agencies.

At the three-day seminar organised by Ijewere and Co, which began yesterday, the Managing Partner of the com-

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pany, Mr. Rufus Jegede, said it has become imperative for every stakeholder to get acquainted with the IFRS, which will henceforth be the basis for financial reporting in the country.

“Before now, accounts had been prepared using the local standards in Nigeria, but with effect from January 1, 2012, Nigeria became one of the countries that are adjusting to the IFRS as the basis for preparing accounts. Certain things have to change in the way we report financial account for companies. The change in financial reporting came with certain tax implications. The purpose of this seminar is to look at the tax implications of adopting the IFRS.” According to Jegede, the adoption of IFRS will have some pos-

itive implications for the Nigerian economy in the sense that when foreign companies look at the way Nigerian firms report their accounts and are satisfied because it conforms with the way the task is handled in their home countries, they become more interested in doing business with the local companies.

“IFRS is not new, there has been the International Accounting Standards (IAS), but there was no compulsion for the Nigerian companies to report their accounts based on the IAS. There were Nigerian standards, which was an offshoot of the IAS. But now, the IFRS has become the global standards, it will achieve uniformity in the way we report accounts,” he said.

Jegede, who noted that argu-

ments are being advanced that accounts prepared based on IFRS should be acceptable for tax preparations, said “but the tax laws in most countries are older than the IFRS that presents some recommendations that are not in consonance with these laws. These are some of the issues. The government will have to look at the laws with a view to making them conform with the IFRS rules.”

Earlier, one of the partners, Mr. Ibikunle Apata, said the introduction of IFRS was informed by the fraud that characterised the old regime where each country prepared accounts based on its own standards, which always led to sharp practices that have negative effects on the economy.

day would remain evergreen as they were set free by Justice Christopher Balogun of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, for lack of diligent prosecution.

They had been in prison custody since 2008, awaiting trial for conspiracy, stealing and malicious damage. Though they had been re-arraigned about four times after their first arraignment in 2008, the prosecution did nothing concrete to conduct the trial, thereby prompting the judge to dismiss the suit and discharge the accused persons.

Both of them, traders, allegedly committed the offence on July 3, 2007 at Apapa Road, Costain, at about 10 p.m.

According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to steal and damage furniture and electronics, which values were yet to be ascertained.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were said to have contravened Sections 285, 316 and 348 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Though the prosecutor, W. A. Quadri, urged the court for a last opportunity to provide his witnesses, stating that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) was on course at Enugu, while the complainant travelled overseas, counsel to the defendants, Mrs. O.O. Salami, objected to his application.

She notified the court that the defendants had been in custody since arraignment, adding that the prosecution had failed to produce its witnesses since 2008. Salami urged the court to strike out the matter for want of diligent prosecution, as the defendants would not continue to languish in prison custody.

After due consideration of the facts, Justice Balogun set the defendants free, striking out the charges against them following the inability of the prosecution to produce witnesses for five years.

He said: “It is obvious that prosecution is not ready for the case and also, the defendants have been in custody since 2008. The defendants were re-arraigned in 2012 for stealing and malicious damage and the case had been adjourned on three occasions, this is the fourth and prosecution still cannot produce witnesses.

“The court cannot continue to keep the defendants in custody for a prosecution that will not take place. The case is hereby struck out and the defendants discharged and allowed to go home.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Orji tasks Abia indigenes on tax payment From Gordi Udeajah, Aba BIA State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, has urged citizens of the state to promptly pay their taxes to enable him succeed in his drive towards returning the state to its past glory as an industrial and commercial hub. Thereafter, they can hold him responsible if he fails to deliver on his pledges.

Orji spoke on Monday during the formal commissioning of 10 of the 16 roads built/rehabilitated by his administration, which contracts were awarded last December. He reiterated his resolve to sustain the rebuilding and provision of infrastructure in the city, which he stressed, is strategic to both the state and nation’s economic growth.

“We shall not stop to provide the enabling environment for economic and other legitimate activities to thrive in our state,” he said, adding: “We successfully confronted kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes and thus paved the way for meaningful development.”

However, he remarked that he was working with inadequate resources, urging them to: “Just pay your taxes and hold me accountable and responsible if I fail to deliver on my pledges. All forms of double taxation and levies have been abolished and this has reduced the tax burden complained about.”

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Osoba, Garba, Media Rights Agenda warn against arrest of journalists

By Tunde Alao, Emmanuel Badejo, Bertram Nwannekanma and Florence Utor ORMER governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba and President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mallam Muhammad Garba, have called on security agencies in the country to desist from repressing the nation’s press through summary arrests and detention.

Both spoke in Lagos yesterday at the turning of the sod of a multi-million naira guest house, promoted by NUJ, Lagos Chapter, as they reacted to the arrests of journalists, the most recent being that of four journalists with Leadership Newspaper household.

Though Osoba observed that

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• SERAP, seeks African Commission’s intervention over attacks on media the needless provocation of journalists was not new, as many had gone through similar experiences, he said it was imperative for journalists not to be deterred in their responsibility.

On his part, Garba maintained that though the security agencies could not be prevented from doing their jobs, they should bear in mind that cases of arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists are associated with military rule and should not be seen in the current dispensation, which allows for freedom of expression and of the press.

Also, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) yesterday condemned the re-arrest on Monday of Mr. Tony Amokeodo and Mr. Chibuzo Ukaibe of Leadership Newspaper, describing the action as “systematic and unwarranted harassment.”

The body called for their immediate and unconditional release, stating that it had alerted the international community on the matter through the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), as the journalists “were simply being harassed for exposing government’s political machina-

tions.”

The MRA condemnation came just as the Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), petitioned the Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Pansy Tlakula, over the “increasing level of attacks on journalists and media houses in the country.”

Signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the petition urged the commissioner to urgently intervene to stop the Nigerian government from further in-

Six docked for filth IX residents of Morgan Sdocked Street, Idiaraba, Lagos, were last Thursday by the Environment Safety Department of Mushin Local Council Area at the Grade B Customary Court, Zone D, Mushin. They are to appear again tomorrow for judgment.

The residents were arrested for unsanitary conditions of their place of residence. According to an eyewitness, the residents alleged that they were caught unawares as the place had been cleaned up.

Their trial continues.

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Some of the newly appointed permanent secretaries taking their oath of office before Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State…yesterday

timidation and harassment of journalists and media houses and to prevail on the government to respect internationally recognised rights to freedom of expression and press freedom in the country.

According to Osoba, “the Nigerian journalists have sacrificed a lot for this country. I urge the leadership of this profession to remain courageous in the face of intimidation. We have seen it all before and we survived it, and by the grace of God, we shall still continue to survive it.”

For Garba, a good working relationship should always exist between media men and security agencies, because both are working towards the nation’s progress and development.

On the other hand, he charged Nigerian journalists to always enthrone professionalism in their day-to-day work, stating that all journalists should be guided by the ethics of the profession in the discharge of their duties.

Leadership’s Group News Editor, Amokeodo, and a Political Reporter, Ukaibe, were re-arrested when they reported at the police station in compliance with their bail condition. Both were first detained and held for about two days after they honoured a police invitation.

They were detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention facility in Abuja while their mobile phones were confiscated. According to reports, they were held incommunicado for refusing to disclose the source of the stories published by their newspaper about two weeks ago.

Firm seeks court’s intervention in rent payment on Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s property

By Joseph Onyekwere N oil firm, West Africa Offshore Limited, yesterday told a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, to determine whom it would pay a rental fee of N24 million for a property owned

by Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) on Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which it occupies.

The firm joined Emmanuel Omuojine, trading under the name and style, Omuojine and Associates, Massey Udegbe, trading under the name and style, Massey Udegbe and Co, and OTL as first, second and third respondents respectively. The first and second respondents are estate agents for the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and OTL respectively.

At the proceedings yesterday,

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counsel to the oil firm, O.C Smith, informed the judge that at the last adjourned date, the court granted an order of substituted service on the second defendant (Udegbe), adding that the said service had been effected.

She thereafter prayed the judge for a further date for hearing on the application.

However, counsel to the respondents, Chief George Uwechue (SAN), told the court that the matter was so simple that there ought not be any disagreement or confusion for the tenant since he knows the owner of the property.

In its originating summons dated October 5, 2012, brought pursuant to Order 43, Rules 1, 2 and 10 of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Pro-

cedure) Rules, 2004 and Section 6(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and signed by one Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the oil firm prayed the court for an order directing the payment of the sum, which it said, represents two years’ rent - from March 16, 2012, to March 15, 2014, in respect of the property known as 30, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to the court.

The firm is also asking the court to direct that the said amount be lodged into an interest-yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar (CR) of the High Court of Lagos State for either of the respondents or as may be directed by the court.

The applicant brought the

suit on the grounds that there were rival/adverse claims and instructions as to the title and who is authorised to collect the money, the subject matter of the application.

The suit was also brought on the ground that there was an express intention to institute a suit against the applicant if it fails to follow a particular instruction. The applicant, in an affidavit in support of the summons deposed to by its Finance Manager, Frank Iwelu, informed the court that in January 2007, it took a five-year tenancy of the property at the rate of N8,000,000.00 per annum.

It stated that it took the tenancy from the third respondent (OTL), with the first respondent acting as agent of

the third respondent and owners of the said property, and that it paid the sum of N40,000,000.00 only to the first respondent as agent of the third respondent in respect of the said property.

The oil firm also explained to the judge that the said tenancy did not take effect until March 16, 2007, when it was put in possession by the first respondent as evidenced by the first respondent’s letter dated October 15, 2007, to its solicitors.

It also contended that “prior to the expiration of the five years’ tenancy, the rent payable in respect of the priority was revised and the sum of N12,000,000.00 only per annum for a period of three years, with two years’ rent

payable in advance and the balance subsequently, was agreed as evidenced in the letters dated March 14, 2012, by the applicant’s solicitors and October 14, 2011 and March 16, 2012 by the first respondent respectively.”

However, the respondents, in denying all the averments in their counter-affidavit to the originating summons deposed to by one Lotanna Ojukwu, who is a director in OTL, said the transport company has commenced the process of recovering possession of its property from the claimant, as well as money for unlawful occupation.

The trial judge, Justice Sybil Nwaka, however, adjourned the matter till May 27, 2013, for hearing of applications.

Marginalisation of Isoko, threat to peace, Ekoko, Sogolo, others warn

By Anote Ajeluorou ROMINENT indigenes of the area have cried out over the marginalisation of the Isoko people of Delta State.

Under the aegis of Isoko Action Forum, they said they are aggrieved that though their people are the third largest ethnic group in the state and their land the site for the second oil well in Nigeria, the area has not had any meaningful representa-

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tion at the state and national levels since 1999 in terms of elective or political appointment.

The forum said unless the marginalisation of Isoko people was stopped, the peace that has so far reigned in the communities would not be guaranteed for long, as the youth were increasingly getting restive on account of frustration from lack of empowerment.

In a statement by its presi-

dent and former Sole Administrator of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Abednego E. Ekoko; vice president, Prof.

Shiney Yul-Ifode; secretary, Prof. Godwin Sogolo, and other prominent indigenes, the group noted that since 1999, the Isoko have only produced the Speaker of the House of Assembly (2003 to 2007) in the late Young Igbrude, and the current Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozuorie S. Macaulay.

They pointed out that the Isoko were marginalised on several fronts, including the creation of councils, which left them with only two as against others with three in the same Delta-South Senatorial District that comprises Isoko, Itsekiri and Ijaw.

According to them, since the current democratic dispensation, no Isoko has been a governor. Also, none had been appointed minister or ambassador, or into any high

position of reckoning at the federal level.

“The second oil field in Nigeria was discovered in Uzere (Isoko) in 1959. Since then, oil and gas production has spread to many parts of Isokoland,” the group noted.

“Today, the area contributes over 20 per cent of the total oil production in Delta State, which is the third largest oilproducing state in Nigeria.

Decades of oil and gas exploration and exploitation have

left Isokoland environmentally degraded, the people impoverished and deprived of their traditional means of livelihood.

“In spite of their population, size and immense contribution to the economy of Delta State and Nigeria, the people have been consistently marginalised in the distribution of amenities and political offices at both state and federal levels.

There can be no greater injustice.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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AfricanNews ‘Kenyan elections valid but by no means perfect’ HE presidential elections won by Uhuru Kenyatta were marred by problems but overall were acceptable, Kenya’s highest court said yesterday, detailing its decision last month to uphold the results.

“The evidence, in our opinion, does not disclose any profound irregularity in the management of the electoral process, nor does it gravely impeach the mode of participation in the electoral process,” the 113-page ruling read.

However, it did accept that there had been multiple problems in the March 4 vote.

“We came to the conclusion that by no means can the con-

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duct of this election be said to have been perfect,” the ruling added.

The ruling details why the six judges last month threw out a petition over irregularities brought by defeated prime minister Raila Odinga, as well as challenges by civil society groups.

Odinga conceded defeat for the sake of national unity, while Kenyatta was sworn in as the country’s fourth president on April 9.

The court, which had ordered re-tallying of presidential votes in 22 polling stations, said discrepancies were found in five centres, the report revealed.

C’Africa picks council head to oversee post-coup transition HE transitional council T charged with carrying out parliament’s responsibilities

after a coup in Central African Republic last month has chosen a president to oversee its work.

The president is a former lawmaker and opposition leader, Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, who is relatively unknown on the political scene. He will head the 105member body.

The RPR opposition party that Nguendet founded at the start of this year was the first to recognise the authority of

Seleka rebel leader, Michel Djotodia, who took power in a coup on March 24, which ousted then-president Francois Bozize.

Djotodia was named Central African Republic’s interim president for an 18-month period by the council at the weekend.

The transitional council was created after the six-nation Economic Community of Central African States bloc pushed for a body to take charge of the post-coup political transition in the notoriously unstable and impoverished nation.

UN condemns deadly terror strikes in Mogadishu NITED Nations (UN) U Security Council has condemned in the strongest possible terms terror attacks that left 34 people dead in Mogadishu.

The 15 council members, in a statement on Sunday’s attacks, said they “underline their willingness to take action against those whose behaviour threatens the peace, stability, or security of Somalia.”

They likewise “reaffirm their resolve to support the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, including through the imminent deployment of

a new UN Special Political Mission.”

Moreso, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “confident that such appalling acts will not derail the determination of the Somali people to achieve peace and security in their country.

Ban reiterated “the commitment of the United Nations to support the Federal Government of Somalia, its institutions and the Somali people.”

On Sunday, a nine-man suicide commando unit blasted its way into Mogadishu’s main court complex, some

blowing up their explosive vests while others sprayed gunfire in a rampage that left 29 civilians dead, while a separate bomb attack killed five more.

The Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility for the courthouse attack.

Meanwhile, analysts said the spectacular attack by the Islamists in Mogadishu, unprecedented in Somalia in terms of its operational complexity, has enabled the extremists to show they remain a serious threat.

Though they are widely de-

scribed as severely weakened, the attack by the Al-Qaeda linked militants shows that the authorities have not restored security to Mogadishu, as they like to claim.

Experts said the modus operandi of Sunday’s attack is one frequently seen in Afghanistan, but so far unprecedented in Somalia.

“The combined use of suicide bombers, light weapons and car bombs is a first in Somalia,” explained a military source in the African Union force (AMISOM), who, like all the other sources questioned, asked to remain anonymous.

Sudan’s forces staged counter-attack in Darfur, rebels allege The insurgents 10 days ago insecure for aid agencies to access right away to assess URALDIM Mohammed the people’s condition and N Taha, London represen- began an occupation of enter.

Ali Al-Za’tari, the UN’s chief provide relief supplies. tative of the Sudan Labado and Muhagiriya, Liberation Army’s Minni Minnawi faction, yesterday alleged that Sudan’s forces staged a counter-attack at a rebel-held town in southern Darfur.

The claim came as United Nations (UN) top official in Sudan called for immediate access to help thousands of civilians.

“This morning we resisted a government attack on Labado,” Taha told Agence France Presse (AFP) from London.

strategically located communities about 100 kilometres east of the South Darfur state capital, Nyala – Sudan’s second city.

Their extended stay in the area is unusual as rebels normally stage hit-and-run attacks.

Sudan’s Defence Minister Abdelrahim Mohammed Hussein vowed last week to move against the insurgents.

The UN said authorities have deemed the area too

in Khartoum, said government figures showed that about 36,000 people have gathered around the bases of international peacekeepers in Muhagiriya and Labado.

“Reports received by the United Nations indicate an outbreak of diarrhoea among children requiring urgent and immediate assistance,” Za’tari said, expressing “serious concern” for civilians in the area.

He said aid workers need

Za’tari urged the government and Minnawi rebels “to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities to protect all civilian populations.”

He stressed that civilians wanting to leave the area must be allowed safe passage.

Minnawi and other ethnic rebels in Sudan’s far-western Darfur region rose up against the Arab-dominated Khartoum government in 2003.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

WorldReport Iran quake kills 34 in Pakistan POWERFUL earthquake in A southeastern Iran yesterday reportedly killed 34 people across the border in Pakistan.

The 7.5-magnitude quake damaged more than 1,000 mud houses in the town of Mashkail in Pakistan’s remote Baluchistan province, close to the desert border with Iran.

State television, PTV , said mud houses were damaged in Mashkail in Washuk district, where the deaths occurred, and 47 wounded were taken to a rural health centre in the area, around three kilometres (1.8 miles) from the Iranian border.

There were cracks in government buildings in the area and PTV said President Asif Ali Zardari had

expressed grief over the losses in Iran and Pakistan.

Local hospital official Ashraf Baloch told AFP by telephone from Mashkail that at least eight people had been killed and several hundred houses had been damaged.

“The Washuk has been destroyed and also hundreds of houses have been damaged in surrounding villages,” Baloch told AFP. State television said that troops had been sent to the area to carry out a rescue operation.

A military statement said two military helicopters carrying a medical team had landed in Mashkail while additional paramilitary troops were being moved to supplement the relief efforts.

Lawmakers, others pay last respects to Thatcher, funeral holds today EMBERS of British M Parliament and Westminster staff yesterday

Mayor of Boston in United States (U.S.), Thomas Menino, arriving at a media briefing yesterday in the aftermath of two explosions that struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon last Monday.

PHOTO: AFP

Cruel irony in Boston blasts’ child’s death IGHT-year-old Martin E Richard died near the 26mile marker of the Boston marathon – the one dedicated to the young victims of the Newtown massacre.

The lad was among the three dead and more than 176 injured when two bombs went off within seconds of each other on a sunny Monday afternoon near the finish line of the world’s oldest international foot race.

“This is how bad this is,” wrote Boston Globe columnist, Kevin Cullen.

“I went out Monday night and bumped into some firefighters I know. They said one of the dead was an eight-year-old boy from Dorchester who had gone out to hug his dad after he crossed the finish line.

“The dad walked on; the boy went back to the sidewalk to join his mom and his little sister. And then the bomb went off. The boy was killed. His sister’s leg was blown off. His mother was badly injured,” Agence France Presse (AFP) reported Cullen as claiming yesterday.

Just days earlier, organisers of the Boston marathon said they were dedicating the 26-mile marker to the 20 children and six educators shot and killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, four months ago.

Those children – gunned down by a 20-year-old with an assault rifle who had earlier killed his mother and who went on to take his own life – were six and seven years old.

The father of Martins yesterday said he was trying to both grieve the death of his eightyear-old son, help his wife and daughter recover from injuries they suffered during the terrorist attack.

“My dear son Martin died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and

Martin daughter are both recovering from serious injuries,’’ Bill Richard said in a statement released yesterday afternoon.

“We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin.’’

He added, “we also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you.”

Grief-stricken neighbours described the eight-year-old Dorchester boy as a child full of life who was part of a very closeknit family.

“They were always together,’’ neighbour Jane Sherman said of the Richard family, who live next door to her on Carruth Street in Dorchester.

“This is the worst tragedy I have ever been through in my life. It’s a horrific situation.’’

Martin Richard is one of three people to die in the blast that also wounded 176 others, 17 of them critically, according to family and officials.

According to a Richard family spokesman, Bill Richard did not

run the Marathon on Monday.

His wife and all three of the couple’s children were at the finish line at the time of the explosions. The second son, who is the youngest, was unharmed.

Yesterday, a woman stood on her Carruth Street lawn looking toward the Richard home, her arms crossed across her chest and tears in her eyes. In a brief conversation, she said she knew the family because they all shared a love for running.

“He was a great little kid, full of life,’’ said the woman, who declined to identify herself.

“Always smiling.’’

As word spread among the many friends and acquaintances of the Richard family, people stopped by the family’s home, some leaving flowers, some balloons, and some leaving stuffed animals on the front porch, all adding to the makeshift memorial.

Among them was a regular playmate of Martin, Kaytlyn Lynch, who is in the third grade at the Neighborhood House Charter School with Martin.

Kaytlyn Lynch, who was interviewed by the Globe with her mother’s permission, said she played with Martin almost every Friday.

Marathons are 26.2 miles long, or a tad under 42.2 kilometres, so the 26-mile marker would have been just 1,056 feet (nearly 322 meters) from the finish line.

Overnight and into yesterday, surgeons performed amputations on many of the injured, although an overall figure from all Boston area hospitals was not immediately available.

“If I have my numbers are right, we have performed four amputations” at Massachusetts

I went out Monday night and bumped into some firefighters I know. They said one of the dead was an eight-year-old boy from Dorchester who had gone out to hug his dad after he crossed the finish line.

General Hospital, its chief of trauma surgery, George Velmahos, told reporters.

“There are two more limbs that are at risk, but I hope that we will save those legs... This bomb obviously was placed probably low on the ground, and therefore lower extremity injuries are to be expected.”

Velmahos said he knew of patients at his hospital as young as 28 and as old as 71.

At Boston Children’s Hospital, meanwhile, one of eight children admitted after the blast was reportedly a two-year-old with a bleeding head injury.

Liz Norden, a mother of five, told the Boston Globe how two of her sons had lost a leg in the blast. Both had gone to Boylston Street to see a friend finish the race.

She said she was taking groceries into her home in Wakefield, north of Boston, when her phone rang. She picked up to hear her 31-yearold, in an ambulance, say: “Ma, I’m hurt real bad.”

He didn’t immediately know where his 33-year-old sibling was, but in the ensuing hours the terrible news emerged — both lost a leg, from the knee down. The two had been taken to separate hospitals.

Lucky to be alive and unhurt was avid runner, Bill Iffrig, 78, of Lake Stevens in Washington State, who fell onto his knees as he neared the finish line and the first blast went off to his left.

He told his local newspaper, the Everett Herald, that he briefly saw an object that resembled a coffee can, which he thinks might be a remnant from the explosive device.

“Then all this smoke was coming from someplace, and I wasn’t able to see too much,” said Iffrig, who amid the melee got back up on his feet and ran the roughly final four metres to complete the race.

gathered to pay tributes to Lady Margaret Thatcher as her coffin was laid in a Westminster chapel for a private service.

The Telegraph reported that queues of friends and colleagues formed outside the chapel of St Mary Undercroft yesterday before the service at 4p.m.

Crowds also gathered on the pavement outside as the former Prime Minister’s coffin was brought into the Palace of Westminster in the afternoon.

Atop the coffin sat a card with a hand-written note

from Lady Thatcher’s children. It read: “Beloved Mother - Always in our Hearts.”

The short private ceremony for around 100 close associates of the former prime minister was conducted by the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, the Dean of Westminster, ahead of today’s funeral.

David Cameron did not attend. However, there were several Government ministers, including Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, plus John Bercow, the Speaker, Andrew Lansley, the Leader of the House, and Sir George Young, the chief whip.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Politics ACN days in Ekiti numbered, says Fayose Former governor of Ekiti State, • PDP must allow free primary contest among aspirants Mr. Ayodele Fayose, says he remains the only aspirant out of about 30 in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that can chase out of the Government House the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He told Head of South West Bureau, Muyiwa Adeyemi, in Ado Ekiti, that this could only happen if the PDP allowed a free and fair governorship primary. you assess the chances of the PDP in CTheOULD next year’s governorship election in Ekiti? political equation in Ekiti has changed, but there is no denying the fact that the PDP, despite all challenges, is forging ahead. And I want to tell you that my return to the party has further enhanced its chances.

The growth and the support for the party have increased tremendously since I returned to the party about one and half years ago, because I am a grassroots politician and that has been my strength.

The truth is that I have always been with them. I am living permanently in Afao-Ekiti; so, I am a grassroots man. If we continue at this pace, we shall win the next election without any stress because already in Ekiti — forget about propaganda and persecution from the ACN government — the PDP is doing well in the state.

How did you come to that?

The influence of a party is measured by how much it endeared itself to the electorate. The percentage of partisan politicians, I mean those card-carrying party members, is less than seven per cent of the electorate.

And if you look critically at the public that constitutes the bulk of electorate, there are targeted groups, that is, the workers. The large chunk of the state revenue goes to them. They are connected to the grassroots, and they determined who becomes the leader or governor in this state.

The workforce includes the teachers and they are about 20,000; civil servants are not less than 19,000; and there are also thousands local government workers. Then, consider the artisans that are up to 40,000; they all have wives, children and dependents.

These are my people. They know I love them and I care for them. I am not a politician that caters for only few politicians around me but the real people. Some of them have never met you, but they follow up what is going on with you and your party.

They are the critical elements that will determine who becomes the governor and they have a lot of sentiment for the PDP now because of the love they have for me, and the way I treated them when I governed the state.

These permutations are in disregard of the government in party in the state?

As I always tell anybody that cares to listen, Governor Kayode Fayemi has not done anything. He has not embarked on any road project started and completed by his government. (He should) go to the bush, cultivate the bush, do bush clearing, do drainage works, do culverts, edges and underlay and asphalt overlay.

All he has been doing is to repair my job.

Fayemi is a repairer and I challenge him to come out and deny it or prove me wrong.

The only expansion work he did is between Old Garage and Atikankan area, which is less than two kilometres and he did it for N1.9 billion.

So, all I am trying to tell you is, that the people of Ekiti State love me. It is the love that members of the Catholic Church have for Jesus Christ that has grown the church; it is

Fayose the love that members of the Deeper Life have for Pastor Kumuyi and his impeccable life style that makes the church to grow; while the love for Pastor Adeboye has made the Redeemed Christian Church of God to grow.

And Ekiti people have this kind of love for me. I have got the followership because I didn’t just do the roads but I endeared myself to the people. The roads are meaningless when you have no relationship with the teachers, no relationship with the civil servants, and you are not in good terms with the artisans.

When I was governor, I was using generator to power the streetlight in Ado Ekiti, but Fayemi and his group were condemning me, but they are doing the same thing now. The median I did on the roads and they removed have been returned to the same roads.

The governor has no direction; Fayemi was not ready for this job. But he came in when Ekiti wanted a change desperately; that is why I called him unprepared governor.

But let me tell you and note it: I am the next governor of Ekiti State. Ekiti people are still saddened by my removal because I was removed from office at gunpoint, and even seven years after I left office, I am still an issue in Ekiti politics.

Do you think forces that removed you as the governor would fold their hands or would you say those forces are no longer there?

There will always be forces to work against anybody’s progress, but a lot of facts have come to the knowledge of those forces and they have come to the understanding that I was either misunderstood or blackmailed or there was a conspiracy against me.

All our party leaders have realised that now.

You know the masses of our people were against my removal and that is the reason I remain an issue in Ekiti politics till this moment.

But the truth is that we have put all those behind us, and the good thing is that our leaders have seen that I was not what they

Fayemi painted me; they now see that I remain a gentleman and an experienced politician.

What is your opinion about the zoning formula some PDP leaders, especially from the southern senatorial districts, are clamouring for?

I will answer this question by putting the issue in perspective that nobody can controvert. In Oyo, all the governors that had governed the state apart from Alao-Akala came from Ibadan and that is Oyo South senatorial district. Who is talking about zoning there? All the governors in Kogi State from any party you may think about came from Kogi West.

It is the weak aspirant that looks for the short cut; the advocates of zoning formula are weak.

It is wrong for a student to tell the examiner how he wanted the question paper to be. The examiner examines everybody from everywhere.

If we go for the primary election today, I will defeat all of them. Don’t forget that I left PDP for over six years and I had a good showing at the last congress. Some of the advocates of zoning formula contested against me and I trounced them and I will repeat the same feat now.

The problem they have is that they are weak aspirants and I cannot help them. It is not the fault of anybody that the South senatorial district does not have a strong aspirant now that can win election for the party. You need a good horse to win a horse race and I am the only horse in Ekiti to win this horse race. You can’t give what you don’t have.

How do you think different groups or cleavages in the PDP will work together to win election?

There is no political party that you don’t have groups but they are all integral part of a political party. In 2000 when we started our campaign of the election that we won in 2003, there was LACO, there was Irede Group led by Okondus and Awoyelus. We went for the election and I defeated them.

The question is; can the PDP in Ekiti State win election without me? I can stop them from winning the election but they cannot stop me from

There will always be forces to work against anybody’s progress, but a lot of facts have come to the knowledge of those forces and they have come to the understanding that I was either misunderstood or blackmailed or there was a conspiracy against me. All our party leaders have realised that now. You know the masses of our people were against my removal and that is the reason I remain an issue in Ekiti politics till this moment.

winning election. Why are they afraid of transparent primaries?

They are afraid because they know I will whip them with koboko (horse whip) on their buttocks with votes. They know that I am not their mate, politically; I am far away from them and they have to respect me. Where were they when I was governor of this state?

Will the PDP candidate emerge by consensus or primaries; what is the position of the party?

I am not the party but I know we have passed the era of Stone Age where somebody would come from Abuja to pick a candidate. Whoever comes here to pick anybody without primaries should bring people that will vote for him from Abuja. The moment you impose, you must bring people that will vote for that person.

Most of the peace meetings we are holding would not have been necessary if we have been doing the right thing. We can’t go back to the era when people would just be dropping names that, ‘Baba said this; Mama said that.’

We have reached a stage where Ekiti people must decide who their governor should be. The electorate must decide, and I am confident that in a transparent election, I will defeat them.

I don’t want the party to impose me; if the party tries it, I will not accept because some of them will say they would have defeated me. I want to defeat them in the market square, so they will respect me and I will equally give them the respect they deserve and that will make any reconciliation to be smooth and easy.

With due respect to them, they must know their level, no be my oga at the top matter o. We have passed that era and it is obvious that I am a major factor in Ekiti politics.

All I am saying is that there should be a level playing ground for all the aspirants. I know that once I get the ticket, the teachers, local government workers, and artisans will follow me.

What gave you the confidence that you can still win election; don’t you think you are basking in the euphoria of old glory?

I am the most popular politician in Ekiti today and go to streets and ask. You know Ekiti election next year will be different; it will be difficult for anybody to rig because it is going to be an isolated election and whoever tries to cause violence will be disappointed.

Once PDP picks Fayose for this election, the ACN should start counting their days in the Government House.

What happens if PDP did not pick you?

That will be too sad because they cannot win and they can come and do comprehensive study of political situations here. I am the only person that can chase the ACN out of office.

What about the cases you have with the EFCC? Audu Abubakar of Kogi that ACN fielded in 2007 and 2011 still has cases with the EFCC. Governor Orji of Abia won the case (election) from the EFCC cell. Omisore was in Agodi prison in Ibadan when he became senator. An accused person remains innocent until proved guilty by court.

You know once they see you as a strong man, they will concoct lies to pull you down, but they have failed. I have counted the cost and I am fully in this race.

Are you not concerned about the spate of politically motivated violence in the state?

I am concerned like any other serious person but there is no way violence will be curbed unless the police are alive to their responsibility. They have the duty to protect everybody and prosecute anybody, no matter how highly placed that ran foul of the law.

On the recent one, I mean the killing of Ayo Jeje in Erinjinyan; I consider this to be very unfortunate. I don’t want to indict anybody now but all I want to say is that the police must be thorough in their investigation.

Besides, I want the Force Headquarters to take up the matter. Unless those that perpetrated the previous ones are prosecuted, the violence will continue.

But on this Erinjinyan matter, I am warning the state government or any other person, including myself, not to obstruct the cause of justice; whoever that tries it will have his fingers burn. You may choose to be above the law but God is above us all!

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

TheMetroSection How my boss was kidnapped, by driver

Briefs Chrisland opens in Abuja HRISLAND Educational OrC ganisation has opened its school at Wumba District, off Lokogoma, Abuja.

According to the Head, Business Unit Development, Mr. Olajide Onigbogi: “Chrisland School, Abuja will resume fully in September 2013. Though the facilities would accommodate 500 students, we intend to start with 200 pupils and we are admitting from Primary Four downward.

“As an international school, Onigbogi further disclosed that the school would soon be set up in South Africa and Accra, Ghana in the next five years.

Kayode Sodimu, 52, for burial Saturday ASHINGTON DC Metro PoW lice Officer and United States of America Homeland Se-

Bamigbetan

By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor

The suspected kidnappers made contact with his wife, Fatima, a few hours after he was abducted, demanding $1 million dollars HE middle-aged driver of Ejigbo T Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Kehinde Bamigbetan, who was kidnapped on Monday night, Abiodun Olayiwola, said those who kidnapped his boss at about 11pm, were patiently waiting for his arrival at the junction to his street on Ona Iwa Mimo Street, Ori-Oke, Ejigbo.

He was with his driver in his black Ford Everest Jeep with special registration number KOK, without any police orderly, as the chairman was never known to use police escorts since assumption into office.

The suspected kidnappers made contact with the wife of the chairman, Fatima, a few hours after he was abducted, demanding $1 million dollars.

According to a source close to the family, while close associates of the chairman were consoling Fatima in the wee hours of the morning, “her phone rang and it was the chairman’s number calling her. Immediately she picked it up, she was told by a male voice that her husband was safe and would only be released to her if she co-

Security officials His damaged Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in which he was abducted operated with them by not inform“Immediately, I put on the jeep’s full ing the police.” light to blind them while I put the ve“Few minutes later, they called hicle on reverse gear to escape but I back with the same number that accidentally hit a PHCN pole. On my she should not attempt to play next attempt to negotiate, I drove into smart because their men are every- a ditch. At that point they started where and that the ransom is $1 shooting, at first into the air and later million.” they directed the shot at the car.”

According to the driver, who sus“A bullet entered through the bontained minor injuries, the gunmen net to break the engine cover. It was released several gunshots into the at that point I ran out of the car into air to scare away residents before the darkness thinking the chairman catching up with Bamigbetan. would follow me. I left the car run“We were coming from Victoria Is- ning just in case they were robbers, so land on Monday night where we they can make away with the vehicle. had gone to visit Hon. Dele Alake.

“It was when I returned that I disFrom there, we went to Bourdillion covered my boss had been captured. to see the ACN national leader, Ashi- They took his phone and laptop. It waju Bola Tinubu. When we left was only his shoes I saw on the floor. there, he said we should not pass Throughout they never said a word, through Third Mainland Bridge.” so I couldn’t know if they were He continued: “So, we went Yorubas or Igbos,” he added. through Stadium, Ojuelegba to The driver, fondly called Abbey, had Agege Motor Road to Akowonjo, been driving Bamigbetan since 2007.

Egbeda and Ikotun. When we got to The council chairman had on Monday Ikotun, my boss got on the phone evening visited Bungalow in Jakande with a friend. Nobody followed us Estate for his ongoing tour of Comfrom Ikotun because I was always munity Development Associations watching my rear mirror. We got to (CDAs) before making a quick Ile-Epo bus-stop and I turned back stopover at the secretariat. He eventowards Ori-Oke.” tually left his office around 8pm to “Even when we arrived Ona Iwa head for Victoria Island.

Mimo Street, there was no vehicle He was on the phone with a friend tailing us. Just a few metres to the (name withheld) when he was abchairman’s house, I saw a black sa- ducted. According to the friend, “we loon car, which I slowed down for were deep in conversation for over 10 and before I could know what was minutes when the communication happening, the vehicle double- started shaking and immediately I crossed me and they opened their sensed something was wrong with doors and headed towards us. the chairman. All I heard though were

at his house

PHOTOS: TEMPLER OLAIYA

Outing ceremony for Helen Maboreje INAL outing ceremony for FMaboreje, Chief (Mrs.) Helen Iyabode the Iyalode of Isale-

Bamigbesan’s personal driver gunshots in the background and the chairman’s voice suddenly going silent.”

Continuing, his driver said: “Before I ran out, I saw him bend down to avoid being hit by the bullet and I whispered to him to get out that they would be blinded by the full light. But I didn’t know they were almost near the car. There was a young man they dropped from the car. The man told us that he had been abducted four days ago and was released at that spot after paying N500,000, but I was the one who said he should not be allowed to go.”

According to the young man in his 30s, who has since been detained at the Ejigbo police station, he was released at the spot by his captors after his family members paid a ransom of N500,000. .

Police arrest pregnant woman for allegedly setting husband ablaze in Lagos

By Odita Sunday HE Lagos State Police Command yesterday arrested a woman for allegedly setting her husband, one Anayo Kenneth Peters, ablaze at Ijedemo village, Isheri Osun, in the outskirts of Lagos.

According to Police sources, the suspect, Esther Peters, was alleged to have commit-

T

ted the crime in the early hours of Tuesday.

Men from Isheri Police Station were said to have responded to a distress call, thereby intercepting the woman when she was trying to escape.

Although the woman denied being responsible for the crime, neighbours said she was in the habit of al-

ways having a brawl with her late husband.

Lagos State Deputy Police spokesman, Mr. Damasus Ozoani told The Guardian that she had been arrested while the husband’s body was deposited in the mortuary, pending police investigation on the matter.

“The police at Isheri Osun got a report that a woman

at Ijedemo village had set his husband ablaze. When our men got there, they saw the woman trying to escape.

They saw the man burnt to death. “ Immediately, the police arrested the woman and took the body of the man to Yaba General Hospital. The woman alleged that it was the candle light they left in

the house that sent the man to his early grave, but neighbours said the man had a quarrel with the wife a day before the incident.

We are investigating the matter. The woman would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba for discrete investigation,” Ozoani said.

Another wife found on Facebook... Facebook feature leads to bigamy charge LAN L. O’Neill discovered another reason to keep AA Tacoma, your private life off Facebook.

Washington resident was slapped with a bigamy charge when Facebook suggested that his wife’s friend, a woman, has turned out to be his other wife, the Oakland Press reported Tuesday.

Court documents say that O’Neill changed his name after separating from his original wife in 2009. He then married another woman without di-

vorcing his first wife.

“He is extremely embarrassed and remorseful,” O’Neill’s attorney told the Tacoma News Tribune when his deceit came to light last year.

“I’ve never done anything intentionally wrong in my life,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill, due in court later this month, faces up to a year in jail.

A similar case occurred in Melbourne, Australia

curity Protocol Officer, Mr. Ken Kayode Sodimu has died at the age of 52.

Sodimu, who was the elder brother of the “Love Me Jeje Crooner” Seyi Sodimu, died on April 8, 2013 at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland United States.

He is survived by wife, three children, parents and other siblings. He will be buried on Saturday, April 20, in Washington DC USA.

this week, when a local woman received a Facebook message from the wife of the man she had just married, according to news.com.au.

“Hello, new Mrs Keyet. How can you be Mrs. Keyet when I am still Mrs. Keyet? From the old Mrs. Keyet,” the message read.

The new Mrs. Keyet had her marriage annulled, while Mr. Keyet faces bigamy charges.

Culled from Facebook.Com

oja; Iya Agan of Agege Kingdom, who died on March 14, 2012, at the age of 80, holds on Friday, April 26, at 1, Bus Stop, DopemuAgege, former Oniwaya High School, beside Anwar-Ur-Deen Islam High School, Agege, Lagos at noon.

Maboreje

Badozie-Chukwurah, 83, for burial Friday HE death has occurred of T Ogbueshi Samuel Ikechukwu Badozie- Chukwurah.

He died on February 25, 2013 at the age of 83.

A service of songs holds tomorrow at his residence, 1A, Kwekagbor Quarters, Asoba, Delta State. There will lying-in –state on Friday. April 19 at his residence 1A, Kwekagbor , to be followed by burial after a funeral service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Asaba.

He is survived by children and great grand children among are: Ven. Andrew and Mrs. Amaka Iheagwa of Health Care Int’l, Lagos.

Badozie-Chukwurah

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Photonews

Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Muhammad (right) with Director, Primary Health Care System Development (PHCSD), Dr. Muhammad. J. Abdullahi at a workshop recently organized for Basic Midwives in Kaduna…

Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed inspecting some projects under construction in Ilorin...

House to summon commissioner over poor handling of project

By Wole Oyebade

HE Lagos State House of T Assembly is to summon the Commissioner of the

Environment, Tunji Bello over poor handling of Stormwater Drainage Channel Phase II (System II) at the Somolu area of Lagos.

The lawmakers on tour of projects in the state yesterday found that the 1.5 km stretch drainage from Apata in Somolu to Fola-Agoro in Bariga was still far from completion despite government’s release of funds.

Deputy Speaker of the House and leader of the team, Kolawole Taiwo said the lawmakers were disappointed with system II project and “have told them we are inviting the commissioner.”

“Particularly, when you are carrying out embankment, we expect that we will not be seeing silts again. But the contractor is still on site and we are seeing this amount of silt in a canal

Bello that is being embarked, then that is unacceptable.

Even the Engineer corroborated our worries. They too are not happy because they have asked them to do it.

We are going to invite all of them to the House, the Commissioner and the contractors,” he said.

The lawmakers’ worries were not unconnected with the coming rainy season,

coupled with predictions of heavy flooding.

A representative of Zapex Construction Company said the project had reached 67 per cent completion stage, but his claim was not accepted by the visiting party.

The official noted that though the state government had released funds for the project, but the cost variation “following the soil test conducted” has since been delayed, “causing the contractor funding challenges.”

Chief Whip of the House, Rasaq Balogun said the excuse was unacceptable and the House would take proper action to the trend, which he described as a “recurring decimal”.

The lawmakers, in fulfillment of their oversight function, also visited the Olusosun Dumpsite, Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre, 3.1km road construction in Somolu, the new site at Isale Igangan and Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.

Chief Executive of Business School Netherlands, Lagos, Lere Baale; Managing Director of SKG Pharma, Oke Akpa, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo at a workshop organized by the SKG Pharma to mark the 2013 Trade Partners Conference...

Man arrested for allegedly selling six-year-old daughter From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia BIA State Police Commissioner Mr Usman Tilli told journalists in his office yesterday that his command recently arrested a 32-year-old

A

man named Obinna Obu, a native of Umudim Imeziowa in Ezeagu council area of Enugu State while bidding to sell his six-yearold daughter, his only child,

Brief World President of JCI, Milani, visits Nigeria HE World President of Junior Chamber International (JCI), Mrs. T Chiara Milani, is to visit Nigeria from April 23- April 26, 2013 as part of her official tour of countries in Africa and the Middle Eastern region of the organization. Her visit is planned to coincide with the world malaria day and she will use the opportunity to engage leaders in public and private sectors who play significant roles in critical sectors that align with the vision and mission of the organization.

National President, Banjo Okunuga and chief host of the visiting world president stated that “Nigeria is delighted to host a world president for the second time in two years which is an indication that Nigeria is deemed as an important player in Africa towards the attainment of the United Nations millennium development goals MDGs of which JCI is a partner.”

whose name was given as Adaobi Obu. He said that following a tipoff to the Police, the suspected child-seller was arrested at Tonimas Petrol Station located at Umuode in Osisioma Ngwa council area near Aba while negotiating the selling price of N500, 000.00 with one Mr Eze Ochiegbu, aged 25 years, who hails from nearby Isiala Ngwa South council area of the state and rescued the said child.

The CP added that the another suspected child trafficker was arrested in a restaurant call Becoz Eatery in Osisioma council area where three women and a man were luring a pregnant woman into selling her yet-to-be-born child.

Corporate affairs Manager, Cadbury West Africa, Kufre Ekanem (left); Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Emil Moskofian; Marketing Director, Cadbury, Dele Anifowoshe and Brand Manager, TANG, Bunmi Adeniba at the PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU launch of TANK in Lagos at the weekend.

Middle-aged man charged for assault

By Tolulope Okunlola and Adebisi Olonade OR allegedly assaulting one Cynthia Frank, 37-yearold Okosun Solomon was arraigned before the Oshodi Magistrate’s Court onMonday.

The accused allegedly committed the assault on April 10, 2013 at No 38, Odalume Street, Shogunle in the Ikeja magisterial district against Cynthia by hitting her with a heavy fist blow on her jaw, thereby doing her grievous harm.

He also allegedly assaulted

F

one Mrs. Frank Doris by pushing her and hitting her head on the wall.

The Police Prosecutor, Corporal Olatunde Kehinde informed the court that the defendant had on April 10, at about 9:45pm at the abovenamed street in Ikeja assaulted two women named Cynthia Frank and Doris Frank.

Solomon pleaded not guilty to the two count charges leveled against him. He was charged for pushing and hitting, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 170 of the Criminal Law,

No 11 Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

He was also charged for hiting with a fist blow, an offence that the prosecutor, Mr. Kehinde Olatunde, said was contrary to and punishable under section 243 of the criminal law, No 11 Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

The Magistrate, Adebowale Akeem Fashola, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000:00 with two sureties gainfully employed with three years tax clearance.

The Magistrate adjourned the case till May 8 for further hearing.

President, Love Angels Foundation, Amaka Nwosisi (middle) with the members of the Association at the Seventh Anniversary Fund-raising of the Foundation in Lagos...

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

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TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 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 Margaret Thatcher: There was a woman

HERE are leaders who are unforgettable for being grossly inept or corrupt; there T are those largely ordinary types who manage their nation’s affairs with neither vision nor passion, thereby ending up as mere footnotes to history. And there are the

ones who stamp their presence on an era, change the spirit of the age and transform their societies. Margaret Hilda Thatcher, who is being buried today, for good or ill, belongs in the last category. The first and only female British Prime Minister, she won three consecutive elections and pulled the centre ground of British and perhaps global politics to the right. A woman of very deep convictions, she effortlessly and confidently espoused the superiority of the ideals of free enterprise, individual choice, low taxation and low inflation over state ownership and control. Many love her for her ideas and doggedness in their pursuit and many loathe her for same. But no one can deny this: For her country and for her time, she was the best man for the job.

The true measure of Margaret Thatcher’s impact is not only in her achievement in rescuing Britain from economic dysfunction and restoring her leadership in Europe and on the wider global stage. It is also, perhaps especially, in her absolute conviction about the precise course of economic action to pursue and her doggedness in staying that course in the face of intense opposition from Labour Unions and doubts within her party and government. The British Government owned vast chunks of the British economy and subsidized many loss-making industries to keep people employed. The vast expansion of state control of the economy had taken place under both Labour and Conservative post-war Prime Ministers. Inflation in the late 1970s rose to 25 per cent. Strikes became known as the “British disease” and Britain “the sick man of Europe” as a result of the power of the Labour Unions. British Prime Ministers had resigned to this state of affairs and managing Britain’s slow but steady decline.

Margaret Thatcher came into office with a clear understanding that the state needed to be rolled back and free enterprise unshackled. Private investment needed to replace government spending to generate employment. Government subsidies were withdrawn from loss-making industries, most famously the coal mines. Alarmingly, unemployment rose to three million. Mrs. Thatcher sacked the ministers who urged a change of course, stuffing her government with true believers in private enterprise.

She went on to privatize a host of industries and state assets – British Airways, the electricity company, British Telecoms and many others, and gave ordinary Britons the opportunity to buy shares in former state firms and local council houses rather than being government’s tenants. Unfortunately, her free market ideas were carelessly exported to many parts of the world by the World Bank and the IMF, including to countries like Nigeria where irresponsible and deeply corrupt dictatorships abused them for their own ends.

Thatcher’s deep convictions about individual liberty and free markets were also extremely useful in rallying the Western Bloc to confront and eventually dismantle the Soviet Union and communism. She formed a formidable partnership with President Ronald Reagan of the United States whom she described as “the second most important man in my life after Dennis” (her husband). Under her, Britain punched above its weight in international affairs and was regarded as an equal partner to America.

Thatcher’s good qualities were almost equally matched by her flaws. In standing up so fiercely for her core beliefs, she was often blinded to the beliefs of others even when those were superior to hers. And she therefrom exhibited a narrow-mindedness that was fatal. She proudly declared herself a conviction rather than a consensus politician. Her self-confidence and ideological clarity grew into an erroneous belief in her own infallibility. She never aimed to convince her enemies. She aimed to defeat them and made enemies of “wets” i.e. people who didn’t share her crystal clear certainties. Her deep hatred for communism and narrow-mindedness led her into declaring the African National Congress (ANC) and Nelson Mandela “terrorists”. She was isolated in the Commonwealth in her wrong-headed belief that sanctions would restrict economic freedoms and hurt black and white South Africans, even though she abhorred apartheid, which she described as evil.

Thatcher was, however a pragmatic politician. She eventually asked the hardliner P. W Botha to release Mandela and vigorously pressed his moderate successor F.W de Klerk to negotiate with the ANC. That pragmatism made her realise that recognising Bishop Abel Muzorewa’s government was not acceptable to the world then and she, though reluctantly, took the advice of Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, began the process that led to the Lancashire House Conference and the eventual independence of Southern Rhodesia as Zimbabwe. Her combative attitude to European integration poisoned her Conservative Party till today and eventually led to her removal as party leader and Prime Minister. At home, the division her economic and social reforms fostered still rankle, evident in the jubilations that greeted her death and is attending her burial in some parts of Britain today.

A grocer’s daughter who went on to score many firsts in academia, politics and all, she was an inspiration to many across the world, especially women, that any one could change his or her world and that no matter your origin, doors and ceilings can come crashing down before the weight of your ideas.

Margaret Thatcher was an exceptional politician, who rose to the top of her career in a male-dominated society and boldly confronted challenges her predecessors had avoided. Her life underscores the importance of personal convictions in politics and her doggedness on principles speaks vividly to leaders, especially in Nigeria where the majority of politicians stand for nothing.

While the world needs another clear thinker to reinvent capitalism, what Nigerians need most urgently are politicians who have clear ideas about the country’s economic and political problems and the courage to pursue those ideas and rally Nigerians behind them.

LETTERS

FG owes Orji Uzor Kalu apology IR: Deceit is the worse SMachiavellian form in the principles of a government, after propaganda. The Federal Government (FG) taking on former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, over his purported comments that security agencies were behind some of the bombings being recorded in some parts of the country, is as well “outlandish and sad”.

Information Minister, Labaran Maku was reported a fortnight condemning Kalu’s comment and described the claim as “outlandish and sad.” Maku said that it was disheartening that highly placed people in the society like Kalu could be

making such statements that were capable of discouraging security operatives from putting in their best.

But apparently, Nigeria went to war in Mali with the belief that the country was the epicentre of the dreaded Islamic Boko Haram’s coordination points before they are unleashed in Nigeria. The leader of the notorious group, Sheik Abubakar Shekau, who was hiding in Mali to further the group’s dastardly inhumane acts, was wounded and caught, but he later escaped.

(Who doubted President Goodluck Jonathan when he said that Boko Haram members are also in the security apparatuses of Nigeria?).

Today, Nigeria’s intelligence unit was said to have traced the fugitive to Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad etc., but to no avail of spotting the hideout of the terrorist, and the security personnel have returned.

Is it not time we tell each other the truth in this country? So, was Kalu not right? From the above comments, what is the difference between Kalu’s seemingly tendentious comment thus: “The people behind Boko Haram are the security agents. They are the ones planting bomb everywhere so that they will get more money.”

(Did Obasanjo not once say, “I dey laugh o?)

• Odimegwu Onwumere, Rivers State.

Much ado about Nigeria Governors’ Forum IR: The Presidency seems to amendment of the forum’s given Rivers State an AA+ in fisbe losing sleep over the constitution, are obviously cry- cal policy, and Transparency Saffairs of the Nigeria Governors’ ing more than the bereaved. As Nigeria voted Kano the best in Forum (NGF). Not minding call for its complete annihilation, meddling in the affairs of the forum is quite disheartening as it infringes on their constitutional right of association.

What exactly is wrong with the NGF anyway, and why all these interests? After all, they are just a couple of guys rubbing minds and comparing notes; so why the obsession with their affairs?

Opponents of the NGF, those currently calling for the

a think-tank, the NGF does not need outsiders to tell it what to do and how to go about conducting their business. The composition of this present forum is mind-boggling – Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), doctors, technocrats and seasoned politicians – so they are intelligent and competent enough to make their own rules and how to live it; we doubt if babysitters are welcomed at the forum.

Fitch, a global rating firm, has

budgetary implementation.

Lagos, Edo and Rivers stand out in terms of infrastructure, Ekiti and Osun in education, Ondo, Imo and Akwa Ibom in social welfare. So, instead of crying wolf where there is none and creating an air of animosity, the Presidency should borrow a leaf and learn a thing or two about policy and governance from the governors.

• Lloyd Robinson, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday April 17, 2013

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Business MaritimeWatch P36

Compulife P25

Curbing graft in maritime sector

National Identity Number and electronic fraud reduction

Spanish firm to build $15 billion refinery in Cross River From Anietie Akpan, Calabar EPRIEVE seems on the way R for the Nigerian petroleum energy consumers as private firms begin their foray into local refining, with a Spanish firm, Aregon International Spain, prepares to build a $15 billion refinery in Cross River State.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CanaanGate Petroleum, PetroChemical, Fertilizer and Power Plant Co. Ltd, Mr. Ernest Edu, who disclosed this in Calabar during a

recent courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information, Akin A. Ricketts, said that construction would commence soon on the refinery to be located in the outskirts of Calabar.

Edu said that his mission to bring investors to build the refinery in Cross River was coming to fulfillment as they had already obtained a license to that effect.

Accompanied by the Managing Director, Aregon International of Spain, Mr. Arsenio Montorio, and the

visitors that General Electric has been attracted to Cross River to make the biggest investment ever in Africa.

He urged them to commence the project without further delay, pointing out that the warm reception accorded them was the same

Special Assistant to Governor Imoke on Political Matters, Egbala Edom, Edu informed the commissioner that the project is valued at $15 billion, which Bank Guarantee Australia has approved.

Non-Interest banking will attract foreign investment, says NISER

On his part, Ricketts assured the investors of good business environment, noting that Calabar is investors’ hub and the safest place in Nigeria, according to reports. He informed the

Managing Director, WELTEK, Pedro Egbe (left); Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa; President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Africa, Jay Ireland; and Supply Chain Head, GE Global, Phil Griffith, at the engineering fair organized by GE in Abuja.

‘CBN’s intervention measures stabilise financial system’

By Chijioke Nelson HE periodic interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Open Market Operations and other monetary policy tools may have assisted the nation’s financial system to stabilise in February.

The monetary policy tools, which were basically deployed to curb the inflation trend, were mainly targeted at mopping up excess liquidity in circulation.

The revelations, which were contained in the bank’s Economic Report for the month of February, showed that among the monetary policy tools deployed were the FGN Bonds and Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs), issued at the primary market on

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DMBs’ assets, liabilitities rise by 1.4 per cent behalf of the Debt Management Office.

The report also indicated that total assets and liabilities of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) amounted to N22,057.4 billion, an increase of 1.4 per cent above the level at the end of January.

CBN Economic Report, designed for the dissemination of financial and economic information on the Nigerian economy on current basis, analyses developments in the financial, fiscal, real and external sectors, as well as international economic issues of interest.

According to the report, subscriptions to the FGN bonds remained impressive

culture of the people, which endeared some Brazilians to participate in their carnival.

Speaking through an interpreter, the Managing Director of Aragon International, which is building the refinery, Montorio, said he was glad for the warm reception accorded them.

Ricketts assured the investors of good business environment, noting that Calabar is investors’ hub and the safest place in Nigeria, according to reports. He informed the visitors that General Electric has been attracted to Cross River to make the biggest investment ever in Africa.

as a result of the sustained interest of foreign portfolio investors, given its attractive yield and the global acceptance of its international index and the elevated liquidity levels.

However, provisional data indicated that the value of money market assets outstanding at end of February 2013, was N5,943.37 billion, a decrease of 4.9 per cent, in contrast to the increase of 0.5 per cent at the end of January.

The development was attributed to the 9.4 per cent and 11.3 per cent decline in FGN Bonds and commercial paper outstanding, respectively.

At the primary market segment, NTBs auctions were conducted in three tenors- 91 days, 182 days and 364 days, with amount offered, subscribed and allotted recording N354.92 billion, N1,076.36 billion and N354.92 billion, respectively, in contrast with N331.30 billion, N694.40 billion and N331.30 billion in the preceding month.

FGN Bonds of 5-year, 7-year, 10-year and 20-year tranches totalling N469.91 billion were reopened and offered to the market in the month of February 2013, with the amount offered, subscribed and allotted recording N105.00 billion, N259.91 billion and N105.00 billion, respectively.

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan HE Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) yesterday disclosed that the introduction of Non - Interest Banking (NIB) in the nation’s banking sector will attract foreign investments to Nigeria especially from friendly Islamic countries.

A researcher at the institute, Prof Gabriel Falokun, who led three other colleagues described as baseless the belief that NIB would islamise the country.

The seasoned researcher in his paper at the monthly seminar series of the institute titled, “Non - Interest Banking in

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Nigeria”, said NIB would consolidate the friendly relations of Nigeria with other foreign countries as well.

“NIB is viable and accepted by countries across the world without any issue of religious attachment. Indeed, it has produced fruitful results in such countries as the United Kingdom, Kenya, Uganda and even South Africa. Yet, none of these countries has been Islamised through non - interest bank” he said.

Falokun said the NISER study found out that NIB was a very good way by which loans could be made available to small and medium scale CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Geo-Earth Resources introduces new technology to oil, gas and mineral exploration WITH the parent company Geo-Resurs based in Ukraine winning different awards including the Ukrainian President Award, Research and Production Complex, and the European Quality for its research and mineral exploration methods, Geo-Earth Resources Ltd, a company that has developed new technologies in the field of geology, geophysics, mining and geoecology, study and explore mineral deposits aside from providing services in areas such as hydrogeological, geotechnical engineering and scientific support of exploration activities has not only come into the Nigerian economy to repeat the parent company’s feat, but to impact on allied companies and promote their latest technology. The Vice Chairman, Ruslan Havrylyuk, was last week in Rutam House, where he had a chat with OMIKO AWA on his company’s new technology and the forthcoming Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorations (NAPE) Conference holding on April 17 in Lagos. hat is your company W into?

We have just come into Nigeria and Africa. We have the latest technology in mineral, oil and gas exploration that is different from any other in the world. In fact, this technology has not been used anywhere in the world. It has to do with different methods used in the installation of different solid minerals, oil and gas. It shows the flow and capacity that could determine where to drill.

For 20 years, we have carried out different projects across the globe, including Tatarstan, Russia and the United States of America. All the processes where almost 100 per cent successful with just about 0.5 metres mistake, which was in-depth.

The company is unique and can make in-depth research up to 10000 metres or 10 kilo-

metres, which no company has ever done. Its unique devices include the use of soft wares, as well as machineries and equipments.

Since 1999, we have been improving our technology from year to year, which has made us to work faster that any other company in the field.

Our approach to investigation and exploration are quite unique, and in addition to conventional methods, we apply the Transient Electromagnetic Sounding (TEMS), which provides depth distance section with accurate minerals and water dislocation data. The advantage of this approach is that it enables us to solve wide range of task in any geological, climate and relief conditions for any type of mineral resources.

TEMS technology is the most

efficient in the construction of a detailed geological model and the design of optimal schemes of development of hydrocarbon deposits.

The company’s preliminary work stages are quite simple, as seismic companies could work alongside with us, using topography, data and field analysis.

How many companies have you worked with since you came into Nigeria?

We have just started negotiation with almost all the oil companies, including Federal and state governments. Though we are new in the country, we hope to make Nigeria our head office in West Africa. And parts of the activities to create a level ground for our latest technology to be known and work with other companies, we shall be part of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) conference holding at the Oriental Hotel, today, April 17.

Here, we look forward to seeing all stakeholders in the solid minerals and oil exploration.

What is the importance of the conference?

It will serve as avenue to showcase and talk about the revolutionary technology in geological and geophysical research. It will expose how operators in the field will save time, money and energy for their companies, including government, as we have never had a dry drill. As you must have known, that huge sum of money is spent each time on drilling; so, we will through the conference highlight the technology of which

when used will give the accurate recommendation up to the field work, the exact place to drill and what kind technique and equipment to use.

So, the conference will reveal the cost effective way of exploration?

Yes, it will. And it is not only limited to oil and gas, but to other solid minerals. Nigeria has huge deposit of solid minerals, but proper analysis must be done to attract investments and investors to the economy. With our latest technology, it becomes easy to determine the quantity of mineral deposit in the reservoirs, reduce drilling cost, provide the full picture of flows and minimise time of extraction.

Are you saying your technology will help reduce wastages such as in the case

of natural gas flaring?

For sure, it will; because it will enable you know the quantity of mineral deposit at a particular site, and also the exact equipment to use to access the information. However, with Geo-Earth Resources Ltd now registered to do business in the country, we can

work as partner with any company to provide services in areas such as technical, recommending the exact quantity of mineral on certain field or even do the exploration; all we need is to apply our technology without wasting time — it’s accurate, better and to precision.

‘Non-Interest banking will attract foreign investment’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 enterprises to do business.

He said because of this, the banking system had been able to contribute greatly to the process of poverty reduction.

The researcher who said the banking system predated Islam and was practiced by the Jews in the Holy Bible, however said some problems

had been associated with NIB but they could be easily surmounted.

“The system may inhibit macro - economic stability of the country due to non-availability and functioning of the interest rate as one of the monetary policy instruments of government for financial and economic stabilisation “ he said.

The Vice Chairman, Geo-Earth Resources Limited, Mr. Ruslan Havrylyuk, in a warm handshake with the Managing Director, The Guardian Newspaper Commercial Press, Mr. Tive Ibru, during Havrylyuk’s visit to Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos.

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

BUSINESS

Govt bridges access to MDAs, launches service portal

By Adeyemi Adepetun O broaden access to activiT ties of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), the Federal Government has launched a service Portal.

At the launch in Abuja yesterday, the minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, described the portal as one of the ministry’s projects to leverage on the use of ICT in the country.

“What we have done is that we have developed a single point of entry for all Nigerians or anybody wherever they may be in the world to access government services online. “`This single point of entry is domiciled in www.services.gov.ng domain name.

“This is not the first time we are launching service online.

There are a number of government services that are actually delivered online but

what has happened over time was that each of the MDAs was working on their own.

“Now, you can tell from a single point, what is exactly available to services online through government agencies.’’

In addition to creating a single window of entry into government services, Johnson said that ministries would work with other ministries to launch 10 additional services that are going to be offered online.

According to her, what the ministry has done was to create a standard template for all government Website and ensure that transactions on the web are secured.

She said with the launch of the service portal, government would begin to offer faster, cheaper and more efficient service deliveries and business that could always be accessible.

Johnson said the ministry would soon launch other

innovations it has been working on, to promote the use of ICT to ensure transparency and better services from government.

“This Friday, we are going to be launching our innovative centres in Lagos and also, in a few weeks in Calabar, we are going to lunch government contact centres’’, she stated.

The minister, however, called on the media to sensitise Nigerians to the services available on the portal, as the country has the highest Internet traffic in Africa.

“With about 44 million Nigerians connected to the Internet every day. Every one of them should be able to transact business on the portal.’’

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Henry Akpan, also expressed optimism that the launch of the portal would promote investment that would enhance the wellbeing of Nigerians.

He said that the ministry

was committed to promoting effective service delivery using ICT. Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, said the separation of roles between the programme coordinator, the

technology provider and online services providers was critical to the programme’s success.

He said that similar programmes had failed in the past due to confusion and overlapping roles.

Ilukwe also explained that

Galaxy backbone, as the ICT provider of the federal government establishments, remained a key partner in the programme. ``These services will continue to be owned and provided by the respective MDAs,’’ Ilukwe said.

Chief Executive, BSN, Lagos, Lere Baale (left); President, PSN, Olumide Akintayo and the Managing Director, SKG Pharma, Oke Akpa, at a workshop to mark this year’s trade partners conference in Lagos

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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MoneyWatch e-Payment policy: Trudging further amid challenges Infrastucture woes, lack of knowledge, the question of right product development, among others, have been identified as major impediments to e-payment system’s seamless operations in the country. Yet, the journey remains “no retreat, no surrender” for the Central Bank of Nigeria, just as deposit money banks are identifying with the scheme. CHIJIOKE NELSON writes.

ITH the Central Bank of W Nigeria (CBN) getting set for the next phase of the cash-less policy in the country, indications emerged that the apex financial institution might target the deployment of about 150,000 point of sales (PoS) terminals and ensure increase in the number of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the country.

But the target areas for the second phase of the pilot project for the cash-less economy initiative, which might take-off in July, will be Abia, Abuja, Anambra, Kano, Ogun and Rivers.

CBN source who spoke to The Guardian, said the apex bank was warming up seriously for the second phase of the initiative. This may have been informed by the assessed success in Lagos pilot run, which overshoot its target of 40, 000 PoS terminals as of 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.” The source said the apex bank was also working to ensure that the challenges experienced in the first phase were mitigated in the second phase.

“Cash-less society” refers to an economy where financial transactions are driven by electronic cards across various payment channels rather than the traditional physical office or “brick and mortar” office. These alternative channels include ATM, POS terminals, Mobile Phones and other Mobile Devices, Web, and various e-corporate solutions often provided by regulated financial institutions.

But amid the challenges, the nation’s deposit money banks may have keyed into the project with the deployment of various electronic payment channels, products and services specifically designed to be compliant with the initiative. With this effort taking effect early in the year, Keystone Bank has significantly upgraded its electronics and cashless banking transactions to a world-class standard that provide services to its customers outside the banking hall and ensure that the bank’s numerous customers enjoy seamless transaction processing in Lagos State and in all the states in Nigeria.

It has also introduced various ebanking products designed to meet the needs of its customers, which included Internet Banking, ATM Cards, online payment solutions like Active Pay, PayDIRECT, EasyREMIT and an array of e-cards - Naira Credit

Lamido Sanusi, CBN governor Card (NCC), MasterCard, VISA and other Partner Services for Merchants.

Today in Nigeria, there are an estimated 10,000 ATMs, 15,000 Point of Sales (POS) Terminals and over 100 million mobile phone subscribers in the country, serving as a veritable foundation to build the framework for cash-less economy.

But Keystone Bank, taking advantage of these channels, has introduced its MasterCard, which is accepted in over 210 countries.

Cardholders of the bank can withdraw cash (in the local currencies of their host country) from over 500,000 ATMs and pay for goods and services at over 40 million locations worldwide. Furthermore, it can also be used for web purchases and hotel reservation.

The product, which recently won Keystone Bank, the Most Innovative and Improved Bank of the Year, with as little as N2,000, reputable customers of the bank stands to enjoy convenience, safe, and prestige that comes with owning one of the world’s leading brands at their disposal. The bank’s Naira Debit MasterCard is a Naira denominated card acceptable worldwide and directly linked to customer’s current or savings account.

Keystone Bank MasterCard and all MasterCards issued by other banks (both locally and internationally) are accepted at all Keystone Bank ATMs nationwide. The financial institution’s internet services were remodelled to facilitate easy access to online transactions, turning the bank into an electronic and cash-less commercial banking in the country.

Customers of the bank benefit from saving money without visiting the bank; manage funds more actively and profitably; issue online instructions from

Philip Ikeazor, MD, Keystone Bank anywhere applicable to online by the bank. To curtail companetwork connection; export ny’s salary administration, it account details to their account- introduced a payroll and bioing packages and ability to access metrics incentive that offers information on interest rates, organisations the capability to foreign exchange trends and new administer world-class human products offerings. resources and payroll functions.

Detailed information on how The application can be deployed users can easily access the bank’s with ActivPay or as a standalone internet banking services is pro- application. These solutions vided with strict warning on how resolve human resource chalcustomers can protect their lenges with large workforce and access codes and passwords. On ghost workers’ management. the Mobile Money scheme, But the CBN source added: “The Keystone Bank introduced bank- CBN is also looking at expanding ing platform, which enables cus- the scheme with the mobile tomers of the bank to conduct money initiative and make it banking transactions electroni- successful. You know if the peocally via their mobile phones. ple have access to these faciliThis product is tied to customers’ ties, that is another advantage.”

Verve Cards, thereby providing The source told The Guardian enhanced security based on Card that the apex bank has learnt its Number, Personal Identification lesson in the cash-less Lagos iniNumber (PIN) and Customer’s tiative and was prepared and phone number.

Through being meticulous not to repeat Keystone Mobile, users stand the any mistakes learnt. chance of accessing their balance “You know the target of CBN enquiry; mini statements with the initiative was to drastirequest; full statement request; cally reduce cost of currency funds transfer (own accounts maintenance, risk of carrying and intra-bank transfers); bills cash around among others. We payments (DSTv, PHCN and Zain) have relatively achieved that in and funds transfer to other the phase 1. The second phase banks. will be for the apex bank to It also introduced ActivPay, a explore adequately the deployself-service web solution that ment of more PoS terminals, allows authorised personnel ATMs and we shall also ensure within an organisation process and explore deepening the inibulk or single transactions irre- tiative through mobile money. spective of time zones and cur- More Nigerians need to explore rency and credit beneficiaries’ that area. It is very strategic to account irrespective of the bank succeeding. It will also interest account domiciliation in Nigeria. you to note that CBN is also purTransactions that are carried out suing Federal Government’s taron this robust solution include get of creating a robust financial but not limited to the follow- system in the country with ing: Salary payments, vendor’s Vision 20:2020. The cash-less payments, taxes, and dividends economy is also targeted at payment. helping government achieve Corporate organisations, govern- this”, he stated. ment establishments (MDAs) at It noted that the initiative is all levels, Foreign Embassies and still at the pilot mood, stressing All organisations with at that the national roll out may least five employees are already start soonest. He said that CBN benefiting from these initiatives was studying the challenges,

You know the target of CBN with the initiative was to drastically reduce cost of currency maintenance, risk of carrying cash around among others. We have relatively achieved that in the phase 1. The second phase will be for the apex bank to explore adequately the deployment of more PoS terminals, ATMs and we shall also ensure and explore deepening the initiative through mobile money. More Nigerians need to explore that area.

especially the connectivity and deployment of more facilities, awareness creation among others.

“The national roll out depends on the success of the pilot phases. We have made tremendous progress.

The fact remains that we cannot completely eliminate cash, but the CBN target is to reduce drastically the use of cash. I can say that we are on top of the situation.”

Meanwhile, a Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc report obtained by The Guardian revealed that connectivity and network challenges were the major obstacle that faced the initiative in Lagos in its first year.

The report titled: “Lagos PoS Adoption Survey,” showed that in 24.5 per cent of respondents complained that the network quality on PoS were very bad. NIBSS said transaction charges and charges to bank accounts, accounted for 18.9 per cent of the challenges.

Others were that 12.7 per cent of consumers/merchants’ insisted on paying cash for their transactions; 11.8 per cent respondents rejected the transactions. The challenge of card reading/technical difficulties was 11.3 per cent; 10.1 per cent of consumers/merchant lack of card/PoS. The report also noted that 6.6 per cent of respondents complained of access to after sales funds, with other unforeseen challenges put at 4.3 per cent. The NIBSS report recommended that for improved connectivity, there should be an improvement in the level of coordination among banks, mobile operators, and existing payment networks, adding that inter-operability across provider solutions (mobile, financial institutions, networks) will be necessary to drive mass market adoption.

It suggested that there should be a partnership between it, the CBN and mobile network operators, stressing that collaboration between the key regulators and mobile network operators will bring about efficiency in the processes; quick identification and resolution to network and connectivity issues and thus enhancing the merchants, endusers improved PoS. Meanwhile, the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has called for an industry collaboration that will ensure improved connectivity to PoS terminals and ATMs deployed to drive the cash-less economy in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of the association, Mrs. Onajite Regha, said the number of PoS terminals so far deployed in the cash-less scheme has hit a record high, noting that the cashless initiative was recording success and had continued to impact positively on the Nigerians. She however, lamented that the issue of connectivity of the PoS deployed remained a major challenge. “By the time we started the cash-less Lagos scheme, the projection of the regulator was that by December, 2012, we would have recorded 40, 000 PoS terminal deployment. But available data showed that we now have about 150, 000 PoS machines in Lagos. However, the question is: how many of the PoS are working? So, that is where I believe we need to work on. We need to increase better connectivity to these terminals to encourage the merchants and the consumers to use the devices for seamless payment transactions,” she said.

22 MONEYWATCH

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

‘CBN needs to rethink policy on ATM, PoS’ charges’ Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemi is the Managing Partner/Chief Executive of Intermarc Consulting, the organiser of the yearly CardExpo Africa and a former banker with specialisation in electronic banking and card payment systems. In this interview with CHIJIOKE NELSON, he assesses the e-payment system’s developments so far, saying that while the policies have made huge impact, there is a need to review some issues around Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) transactions. Excerpts.

OW would you assess the implementaH tion of payment system’s reforms so far?

To start with, I like to state categorically here that the policy of the Central Bank is an initiative that was long overdue, even as at the time that it was implemented. Don’t forget that the industry already has history of 10 to 12 years before that policy came to be. Since that policy was implemented, we have seen tremendous growth in terms of the transactions. And that is really the basis to adjudge any implementation. From the time it was implemented, we have seen transactions growing in six months to N1.3 trillion in terms of electronic transactions in Nigeria, which is huge and I am talking about June to December. Now if you look at where we were before the implementation of the cash-less policy, nothing nears that figure. Once government steps into any policy to begin to drive the implementation, you will begin to see massive action in the direction and that is what we have seen.

We have also seen the Nigeria Electronic Transfer System (NETS) run by Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), as well as NIBSS Instant Payment transaction rise to N40 billion.

Now this would have never been possible without government policy on implementation of the cash-less policy. Before this policy came to be, it was free market, every player was doing what they wished to do without enforcement of regulation, yet regulation was there but we didn’t realize its

enormity and how that would impact the general economy. We can now see the response both on the business side and on the market. So, I think it is something that is quite commendable that CBN’s leadership came up with the initiative to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the benefit of electronic transactions in terms of security, speed of transactions and convenience.

You know before now, it was very difficult for people to do business. They had to carry huge amount of cash in “Ghanamust-go bags,” not just politicians alone, but even in commercial sector, to buy cars and every other thing, but today you wire money seamlessly without even thinking about it. So, this has come to impact on the larger economy. And it will surprise you that one of the indices of measuring development of any economy is how business is conducted. There is a measurement by the economic commission where if you are below par in your electronic transactions, you are rated below average. So, since that has become a global indices of measuring development, I am sure that is where the wisdom of CBN must have come from to begin to promote this policy. So, in a nutshell, it is very commendable and very encouraging for the players in the industry.

Do we have enough supporting policy in place to sustain the cash-less policy?

Don’t forget that cash-less policy also has other successes. For instance, the policy of mobile banking in Nigeria. There is another one in the pipeline, but I am not sure it has been ratified yet- Agent Banking, which will support mobile payment system. There are policies on PoS and ATMs. So, if you put all of these together, you will then begin to appreciate the intentions for regulations in this sector. Cash-less policy is not just about the limits of withdrawals, N300, 000 for individuals, N3 million for corporate bodies. If you drive down into

the details, you will then begin to see how that policy is actually aimed at reforming the entire financial system and one of the things I find very interesting is that almost overnight the bullion vans have disappeared from the system. Two years ago, you would not go on the streets on a daily basis without hearing the sirens and bullion vans pulling through but today they have practically disappeared. And the infrastructure costs banks a lot of money, the same thing with cash sorting center and cash handling.

So, banks were actually being constrained by a lot of cost going into managing cash that would in turn hit the bottom line. Now through the wisdom of CBN, all of that has been removed and banks can actually perform their functions on a more profitable basis. And I think that’s just smart.

There has been a significant policy change from the CBN, particularly in respect of ATM charges. What is your take?

Well, I can understand where the CBN is coming from, even though I am not fully convinced that it is the right way to go.

From the point of view of CBN, if we would want to expand electronic banking or electronic payment in Nigeria, why are we putting constraints in terms of fees, especially if you want to provide service to customers?

That is essentially where CBN is coming from and they are saying that to make this electronic payment more accessible to the common people, they may not be able to afford this fee that we are talking about. So, it is a game of numbers, lets drop the fees may be transactions would increase.

However, I am of the opinion that in the place where banks are providing values to the customers they need to be compensated for the service. Maybe, from a N100 to N50 is a different story. Banks are providing convenience, speed and security for customers as a result of ATMs and so, it should be paid for. That is number one. Number two, is that I don’t think it is proper for CBN

I would imagine that CBN would have left that fee as penalty for people who want to collect cash and spend, and then do something about PoS. Telling me PoS is zero fee to customers because you want to encourage PoS transactions for people actually using their cards to buy goods and services is understandable.

to come up instantly with that decision overnight to say remove the fee because ATM is actually not a full e-payment device. My understanding of electronic payment is that you do not pay with cash.

But with ATMs, you withdraw your cash and then pay with cash. That is still not electronic transactions as far as I am concerned. So, I would imagine that CBN would have left that fee as penalty for people who want to collect cash and spend, and then do something about PoS. Telling me PoS is zero fee to customers because you want to encourage PoS transactions for people actually using their cards to buy goods and services is understandable. So, there has been argument in the industry on exactly what CBN is trying to push. Is it cash transactions via ATM or is it electronic payments via PoS? But I am sure that over a period of time, CBN would rethink and correct that policy, because the support should be for how we can grow PoS, mobile banking and make it less expensive for the customers and even for the operators.

If the CBN sustains this policy, what is the implication for banks and the development of e-payments?

The cost is huge from three angles. One angle is loss of revenue. I know some banks that lost up to N4 billion. It’s actually anything between N500 million and N4 billion in terms of actual loss arising from the removal of that N100 fee.

Number two is that banks have to continue to support the ATMs in terms of the connectivity fees, maintenance costs and ATM’s depreciation provision. These are costs to banks and it is huge. So, besides the fact that you are losing revenue, your costs are still there. So, you are losing on both ends. But the implication to the industry would be the fact that banks would be discouraged from further investments on ATMs. So, if a bank has a plan to deploy 50 ATMs per year in their budget, while the deployment is supposed to be funded by this fee, now that revenue has disappeared overnight, then it has to be looked at again. This means slowdown on further deployments of ATMs. These are the few implications as far as I am concerned.

23

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

In partnership with Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

2013 Will Define The Frontier Kenya will be “confirmed”, the Horn will gain recognition, North Africa will look shabbier and watch this space: Liberia is the next big thing in the West African Transform Margin

By Toyin Akinosho 013 is going to be one determining year for 2African Kenya, says Mwendia Nyaga, the East Energy consultant. His conclusion is derived from Tullow Oil’s proposed extensive drilling campaign: 11 exploration and appraisal wells including follow up projects on last year’s onshore discoveries, Ngamia and Twiga South; this year’s ongoing wildcat drilling in Anza Basin as well as proposals to drill a number of prospects.

Tullow’s successful testing Twiga South as of late February 2013(2,800BOPD in three sands) corroborates Nyaga’s optimism, although the

light hydrocarbon encountered in the Paipai well in Anza Basin could not be flowed.

Nyaga sets so much store on Kenya’s offshore prospects. Here, I refuse to share his optimism.

Apache’s 53metre net gas pay in Mbawa South in Block 8 only served to encourage my apprehensions. It’s the first gas discovery in Kenya’s offshore terrain, which has been a graveyard of exploration dreams. The fetch area of the geologic structure is small. Apache itself is not overly excited. The country’s hydrocarbon prosperity, I believe, lies onshore, in the several compartments of the East African rift basin system. It will be oil, it will be waxy. Some of it will be unlocked by Tullow’s 2013 drilling.

Tullow’s 2013 campaign will also help clarify the hydrocarbon status of the Horn of Africa.

Malaysian operator Petronas was forced out of Ethiopia’s Ogaden region by militant attacks. The government handed over the property to Chinese company PetroTrans and revoked the contract a year later. Horn Petroleum drilled two dusters back to back in Somaliland in 2012, but the company says it’s going back to the seismic worksta-

tion.

For offshore prospects in East Africa, it’s “safer” to look farther southeast of Kenya. The trend is that the farther southeast you go, the gassier you get, but the larger the hydrocarbon tank.

Mozambique’s offshore gas reserves keeps increasing over that of Tanzania, its northwestern neighbour. In late February 2013, Eni, the Italian major, reported that Coral 3, a new discovery within the Mamba Complex, confirmed the potential of Area 4 at 75 trillion cubic feet(Tcf )of gas in place. Eni and Anadarko are working together on unitization of their straddling structures. Combined, the two companies are looking at an excess of 150Tcf (notional, technical reserves). The Final Investment decision, for the proposed Two Train LNG project, will not be taken before 2014.

This year, the BG/Ophir partnership in Tanzania is hoping to drill some prospects in their Block 1.

They have seen images on the seismic data, that mimic those basin floor fans and amalgamated channel sequences that have delivered massive gas deposits on the adjacent Mozambique side of

The farther southeast you go, the gassier you get, but the larger the hydrocarbon tank. Mozambique’s offshore gas reserves keeps increasing over that of Tanzania, its northwestern neighbour. the Rovuma Delta. Meaning: these operators are hoping that Tanzania could be Mozambique. We’d see. Don’t expect any final investment decision on the proposed LNG train in Tanzania in 2013 either. Apart from the fact that the operators in Tanzania are still tallying up the figures to be sure they can run with an LNG project, there is need for a company, like Shell, or Chevron, which has vast experience in LNG gas development, to join ExxonMobil and Statoil, in these efforts, if such a project is to go forward.

Out in the west of the continent, Liberia is proving to be the next best thing after Ghana (in the new scheme of things). The Bee Eater-1 discovery in 1,067metres of water in Block L09 is the second discovery by African Petroleum(after Narina-1, 2012) within a year, and the company is upset that the failure of CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

24 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

KICKSTARTER

What does Africa Look Like In The Global Oil and Gas Production?

ILFIELD activity kicked off all over O Africa this year with mixed messages.

With the first ever valid test of an oil well in its territory, Kenya was confirmed as a place to mine commercial sized pools of crude. A headline grabbing Al Queda attack in a gas facility left 68 people dead and put Algeria nearer the no-go zone for investors. Libya is still working itself through the civil war hang over. It will take another year for the new superintendents of Africa’s largest crude oil tank to get things right.

Angola announced its LNG project would at last come on stream. Nigeria looked more uncertain than ever, with legislators squabbling over which ethnic group has more oil licences than the rest, Petrobras announcing it would pull out, ConocoPhillips finalizing its exit transaction and vandals ensuring shut ins of crucial export pipelines operated by Shell and Agip.

Meanwhile, Uganda passed two foundational Petroleum Bills, while investors wait, with bated breath, for her approval of the development of the 1 Billion barrels of oil stored in the Albertine Graben. Egypt is overwhelmed by its subsidies of prices of natural gas and petroleum products.

The country is chronically broke; it is finding less and less hydrocarbons by the day and Israel is threatening to use the same pipelines through which it once received Egyptian gas, to export gas back to Egypt.

It’s clear now that there still can’t be final investment decision for Mozambique ‘s LNG project in 2013. No, it’s not about government officials dragging feet and holding up signature so they can get some “slice of the action”, like Nigeria. It is more because the engineering details of the start -up phase of the project still have to be worked out.

Now, what on earth does the Shale Gas revolution mean for proposed LNGs on the continent?

The Africa Oil+Gas Report is the primer of the hydrocarbon industry on the continent. It is the market leader in local contextualizing of global developments and policy issues and is the go-to medium for decision makers, whether they be international corporations or local entrepreneurs, technical enterprises or financing institutions, for useful analyses of Africa’s oil and gas industry. Published by the Festac News Press Limited since November 2001, AOGR is a monthly, 40 page hardcopy publication delivered to subscribers around the world. Its website remains www.africaoilgasreport.com and the contact email address is info@africaoilgasreport.com. Contact telephone numbers in our West African regional headquarters in Lagos are 2348130733523, 2347062420127, 2348034449079, 234803652979, 2348023902519. Please enjoy what this edition of the Pullout has to offer.

-Toyin Akinosho, Publisher

Editor

2013 Will Define The Frontier CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 the rig Eirik Raude did not allow it to drill the planned second well in the campaign. AP made some particularly significant claims, one of which is that the Bee Eater-1 tested the Narina accumulation, as far as 9.5km west of the discovery.

In Angola, the plan is to do a licensing round for 10 acreages onshore. This is a new, unique path for this southwest African country, whose hydrocarbon treasures lie largely offshore.

Cobalt Energy, the U.S independent, will complete two Drill Stem Tests(DSTs) on its pre-salt Cameia Discovery. A lot is riding on this probe.

Cobalt is claiming that this is the key to prove the theory that the billions of barrels of oil found in the pre-salt sequence in the Lula(formerly Tupi) Field in Brazil’s Santos Basin extend to Angola. In geologic prospects offshore Southwest African countries like Angola, the next frontier is the Pre-salt sequence. Angola has auctioned acreages in the pre-salt segment of its Kwanza Basin and is hoping that operators will begin drilling to unlock those reservoirs. .Yes, 2013 will define the African frontier. But for now, let us look at some development projects.

Of all the outstanding development projects, the Angolan LNG project will likely come on stream before June 2013. Sonangol, the Angolan state hydrocarbon company broke the silence while announcing the annual report in late February 2013. The operators have had to surmount some major mechanical problems.

After years of negotiations, the Nigerian state hydrocarbon company NNPC gave the go ahead for the field development of ExxonMobil operated Erha North and the TOTAL operated Egina field. The drilling of the many wells to drain the reservoirs will start sometime in 2013.

The contracts for field development facilities for Erha North have started being awarded. It wouldn’t take much more time for Egina to get to this stage too. There have been a swirl of conversations around the way and manner government imposed the main FPSO contractor for the Egina field on TOTAL. But that’s not the pur-

Anadarko's MOZAMBIQUE LNG PLAN-1

pose of this article.

The Ugandan government is expected to approve what’s called the entire Lake Albert Basin development by July 2013. Tullow, CNOOC Limited and TOTAL presented a joint development plan concept to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in July 2012. A Committee was then set up by the Government of Uganda comprising representatives of key ministries and the three Operators to discuss the remaining issues in order to progress the plan with a view to harmonising plans for the development during the first half of 2013. Constructive discussions are ongoing.

There are anxieties for operators in North Africa, specifically in Algeria and Libya. It’s unlikely they will be rushing to do any new work in either country in 2013.

BP has said it was holding up drilling in Libya, on account of the tragedy wrought by The Al Queda-related hostage taking episode at the In Amenas Gas Plant in neighbouring Algeria. The British major had been bidding its time about implementing the terms of the 2007 Licence

contract, excercised at the time of Ghadaffi. As the Libyan civil war loomed, however, BP postponed its drilling campaign, both in the prospective onshore tracts and the geologically murky deep-water acreages. Now, a full year after the war, with American diplomats murdered in a fatal attack on the country’s embassy in Benghazi, and the new government unsure of securing the peace, Ghadaffi- the -devil –thatwe knew hasn’t exactly been properly replaced with an environment of certainty. BP’s decision about its drilling campaign might be reflecting the thinking of most majors regarding investment in greenfield projects in Libya.

In spite of all the post- revolutionary marches, Egypt is the one oasis of certainty for oil explorers. But it is the smallest tank of all the region’s three major hydrocarbon provinces. The big discoveries have been less forthcoming, but going by what we’ve always known, this country will keep helping small companies to grow and possibly transform, granting them access to low hanging fruits, but for big companies, it only acts to top up their reserves a little.

Who Is Drilling What And Where In Africa In The Next Eight Months?

Herewith, a rough, intelligible schedule of exploration and appraisal wells in Africa’s Frontier Basins..and some more..

By Fred Akanni VERLAP from 2012: The Sapele-1 O exploration well on the Deepwater Tano Block off Ghana

one of the two reservoirs in which it conducted Drill Stem Test in Ango 1Stk 3, in Oil Mining Lease(OML) 59.

The tested reservoirs are located between 15,400ft True Vertical Depth and 15,550ft TVD. This probe has opened up a whole new sequence in the southwestern, swampy part of the continent’s most productive basin.

Now to 2013…

Tullow has three rigs operating across Kenya and Ethiopia, including Weatherford-804 and Sakson PR-5 One successfully completed testing Twiga South(2,800BOPD in three levels) as of late February 2013, another drilled and suspended the Paipai well (both in Kenya)and the third was on the Sabisa well in Ethiopia. Tullow also plans to drill Kongoni structure , Twiga North and Etuko, all in Kenya, as well as Sabisa North and Tutule in Ethiopia. These are some of the 11 exploration and appraisal wells in the region that Tullow hopes to drill in 2013. One of the company five well tests the company planned to de-risk the country’s basins have been successful. The second is ongoing. This is why Kenya is likely to be the country where, at the end of 2013, many would be sure whether to bet on or

was spud in December 2012. The well is targeting multiple Turonian-aged reservoirs, below a water depth of approximately 1,840 meters. Drilling had reached a depth of approximately 3,900 meters as of the time of our going to press. The primary target encountered a high-quality waterbearing reservoir. Drilling operations at Sapele-1 are continuing to additional reservoir intervals, with total depth for the well planned to be approximately 4,100 meters.

The well is expected to reach its total depth in the first quarter of 2013.

Paipai-1 in Kenya had been suspended after a total depth of 4,255 metres. Light hydrocarbon shows were encountered while drilling through Lower Cretaceous sands but they couldn’t be flowed. This suggests that Kenya is still not the defacto oil country.

African Petroleum made a discovery in the Bee Eater-1 well in Block LB-09 offshore Liberia drilled with Ocean Rig’s semi-submersible rig, the Eirik Raude. The Bee Eater-1 well is located 9.5 km north west of the 2012 Narina discovery. AP could not move to the second well in this drilling programme with the same rig, because of the repeated failure of the rig’s Blow Out Preventer, which stretched drilling for 20 days more than could have been achieved.

Conoil, the Nigerian independent, successfully tested the two hydrocarbon filled reservoirs in its deep well in shallow offshore Nigeria. The company flowed in Twiga South-1 Cross Section excess of 2,000BOPD of light oil in

not.

Drill Stem Tests(DSTs) are ongoing in Ngaima 1, as we write this. The first of six reservoirs has been tested, and it flowed only 281Barrels of Oil Per Day of heavy oil. Not exactly encouraging. But the geoscientists say that this is not the most prospective reservoir. The next series of DSTs are scheduled for the more forthcoming zones.

This testing is crucial. Ngamia-1 is the basin opening well, drilled in early 2012. It encountered over 100metres of Net Oil Sands.

Ophir Energy plans to upgrade the Mbawa South lead offshore Kenya to a drillable prospect and drill the structure by second quarter 2013. The location is in Block L09 offshore Kenya Meanwhile, Kenyan authorities insist that Vanoil Energy must commence drilling its first well in the country before July 31, 2013. With sufficient technical justification, the government says, the company may place its first two wells anywhere within the boundaries of Block 3A and 3B to satisfy the work programme obligations within the Initial Exploration Period of its Production Sharing Contract (PSC).

Ophir Energy planned to spud one of two wells in East Pande, in Tanzania’s shallow offshore Block 7, before the end of the First Quarter 2013, but that has not happened. In the country’s deeper waters, however, the BG led BG/Ophir consortium has proposed two wells (4H and 4J) in Block 4, scheduled for drilling before March 31, 2013. In the second quarter, the partners will return to appraise the structures that have shown so much promise, as discoveries. They will be drilling one appraisal well each on the Chewa, Jodari and the Mzia structures.

Jodari-1, drilled in 2012, was reportedly the partners’ largest discovery in Tanzania. With 124 metres of net pay “in two high-quality base Tertiary sandstone reservoirs”, Ophir thinks the well “de-risked Lower Tertiary section, of comparable age to outboard basin floor fan play in Mozambique” and exceeded “pre-drill mean estimate of 2.2 TCF by 55%”.

Tullow Oil’s Net production for 2012 from the East and West Espoir fields in Cote d’Ivoire averaged 3,400 BOEPD as natural field declines continue to be managed. A new drilling campaign of eleven infill wells (seven producers and four injectors) across the field is to start by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

Several companies, especially Lukoil, feel strongly about Cote D’Ivoire. At over 30,000BOPD, the country is doing better than it has done for most of its E&P history. But it can’t congratulate itself.

Neighbouring Ghana is looking forward to new field developments, that may double the current production of 115,000BOPD by 2017.

In Angola, Cobalt Energy plans to drill six wells in 2013, some of them to appraise the Cameia-1 discovery.

None of them had been spud as at the end of the first quarter. The company is hoping the results would convince government to sanction its plans for early production Kosmos Energy told the world it

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CompuLife Role of NIN in curbing electronic theft, security challenges The management of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) recently engaged journalists on tour of some of its facilities ahead of the planned roll-out of National Identity Numbers (NIN) to Nigerians and legally resident foreigners in the country. One of the advantages, as emphasized by the commission, was that NIN would help the country curb identity theft. ADEYEMI ADEPETUN, who was there, reports. Excerpts...

S the countdown to the inauguration and the registration A for the issuance of National Identity Number (NIN) by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) reaches feverish pitch, concerns have continued to assail stakeholders, particularly on the ability of the project to stem electronic and identity theft in the country.

While many expect it to be very relevant in also curbing security lapses, the question in the minds of pundits is to what extent will the scheme offer support to identity management.

Others are worried that the exercisemay likely go the way of previous ones, owing to duplication, not forgetting the national identity card; Independent National Electoral Commission’s voter’s registration; the ongoing N6.1 billion Subscribers Identity Module registration exercises being handled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the telecommunications operators, among others.

Another issue bothering citizens is the mode of registration and eventual acquisition of the card.

Indeed, going by the harrowing experiences of queuing in the scorching sun and the rainfalls, as witnessed during the previous exercises, not many Nigerians seems prepared to go through such task again, atleast not now that there are growing security challenges, where any crowd has become a potential bombing targets for militants in the country.

Indeed, it will be recalled that the Federal Government had in 2001 awarded a contract worth $214m to a consortium led

by French firm, Sagem, for the production of national identity cards for all Nigerian citizens.

Several bureaucracies and allegations of fraud marred the project, with many unable to get the ID cards despite registering. Interestingly, even those who got theirs complained of several typographical errors, which till today, are yet to be corrected.

But NIMC, while defending the NIN project, during the facility tour of both Abuja and the Data Recovery Center in Minna, Niger state, promised to tighten every loose ends and ensure its success.

According to the Director General, NIMC, Dr. Chris Onyemenam, the target is to give identity numbers to the over 167 million Nigerians and legally residents’ foreigners in the country.

Onyemenam said the electronic identity card, which will contain the NIN to be given to Nigerians will curb cases of identity, electronic theft among others in the country.

The NIMC boss, who said Nigeria had focused on issuing identity cards in the past, noted that the current mandate of the commission was not just to issue ID cards but give national identity numbers to duly registered persons in the country.

Methodology and Process Onyemenam explained that NIN is a non-intelligent set of uniquely assigned numbers to individuals upon successful enrolment.

According to him, the enrolment involves the recording of people’s demographic data as well as capturing their 10 fingerprints, head-to-shoulder facial picture and digital signature.

These, he explained, were all used to cross-check whether the person’s data had not been previously entered into the National Identity Database.

Onyemenam said the NINs would be issued after the enrolment, followed by issuance of the ID card.

“This will be followed by the issuance of cards that are Chip and PIN-based and designed with more than 18 security features embedded, making it difficult for the cards to be cloned by fraudsters.

“We are not perfect but we are completely in compliance with necessary International Standard Organisation and International Civil Aviation Organisation certifications. We have made much effort to ensure that the cards are not easily forged.”

He said the NIMC would begin a nationwide enrolment of

At a glance . IBM’s strategy incomplete with Nigeria…P26 . How SAP can aid MDAs on performance…27 . IXPN, NiRA move to boost local Internet…P28 . Why connectivity challenges remain high…P35

Jonathan Nigerians and legally resident foreigners before the end of second quarter of this year.

Though the pilot scheme started in Abuja on February 23, 2012, Onyemenam said the exercise had been extended to each state and the 774 local government areas; adding that the nationwide enrolment would commence before the end of June.

“By the end of second quarter of 2013, we expect the actual nationwide enrolment exercise will be launched by the Presidency. From the time it is launched, it is our target to have hit 100 million enrolments in 30 months.”

The NIMC’s National ID Management Systems infrastructure, according to Onyemenam, will provide a common key for the disparate databases in the country.

He disclosed that NIMC has upgraded its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) first deployed in 2010 to 100 million capacity, stressing that this would allow more coverage and authentication of datas.

Place of biometrics The Director, Information Technology and Databases, NIMC, Mr. Aliyu Aziz, said that 75 per cent of identity cards in Nigeria were counterfeit without any form of verification or authentication, adding that over 100 million Nigerians had no official identity at all.

Aziz disclosed that the mobile enrolment services would also be offered to the people in the far rural areas to make it convenient for more Nigerians to get enrolled on time.

He stated that there were several forms of identity systems by private organisations such as banks and government agencies that did not communicate together.

According to him, cases of multiple enrolments would not happen, because of the deployment of Automated Biometric Identity System (ABIS), which allows real-time registration of persons.

Aziz explained that the ABIS when it was first deployed had only two bimodal functionalities – fingerprint and face, but a third functionality has been added which is ‘Iris’.

He said “Government had approved the upgrade to 70 million database record size on the two modal functionalities as part of the N30.066 billion, three year funding approved for the accelerated implementation of the back end component of the National Identity Management System (NIMS) in 2011.

But the management of NIMC had been able to utilise the same funding to achieve a higher upgrade due to its cordial relationship with the service providers L1 identity Solutions, USA. “With the upgrade, NIMC will be able to process volume databases from institutions like Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerian Communications Commission, since the ‘de-duplication’ system, the ABIS, now has a larger record size capacity capable of taking all the records.”

He explained that the ABIS is what enables the determination of unique identities in the database before the National Identification Number (NIN) is issued to an individual.

The Director of Director, Corporate Communications at NIMC, Mr. Anthony Okwudiafor, buttressed the importance of ABIS, saying that it enables the determination of unique identities in the database before the NIN is issued to an individual.

He said this will help provide identity management.

Okwudiafor further noted that the deployment plan includes an upscaling in a matter of hours to 200 million whenever the commission desires. He said this means that the ABIS

Onyemenam infrastructure is currently the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, stressing that already, about eight members of staff of NIMC have been trained on the use of the system which will be maintained in partnership with a local technology solutions firm and the Biometric Unit of the NIMC. He pointed out that the process was also an important step taken by the commission towards achieving its mandate of integrating identity databases in government agencies.

Registration so far The NIMC Director General informed that the enrollment would begin by the end of second quarter of the year. He said that about 33 states in the country have been provided with 10 enrolment centres, while states including Lagos, Abuja and Bayelsa would have about 20 enrollment centres.

Though the pilot exercise started in Abuja on February 23, 2012, Onyemenam said the pilot phase has been extended to each state and to the 774 local government areas.

“By the end of second quarter of 2013, we expect the actual nationwide enrollment exercise will be launched by the Presidency. From the time it is launched, it is our target to have hit 100 million enrollments in 30 months”, he stated.

Already, the commission informed that he had earmarked more equipment for the project throughout the country. The Deputy Director, Corporate Communications at commission, Abdulhamid Umar said but for seven states, the commission had activated the equipment and started registration ahead of the planned formal ceremony to announce the national identity enrolment exercise.

According to him, the exercise has yet to begin in seven states in the North where there have been intense security concerns.

He said, “We have established presence in all the states of the federation because we have deployed equipment in all of them. We have activated the equipment in 29 states of the federation.

“As we speak now, you can walk into any of the centres in the states and get registered. In the Federal Capital Territory, we already have 10 enrolment centres.”

The NIMC boss explained that should the holder of the card misplaced or it got damaged, say as a result of fire or others, “the holder, after confirming that we have his or her identity in our database, will be issued a new one, but such would attract a small fee.

“The first one to be issued is going to be free, but subsequent demands, will attract a token for a new one. The Federal government said the first issuance should be free. The cards have 10 years life span.”

Tackling possible limitations With an assurance that NIMC’s National ID Management System infrastructure will provide a common key for disparate databases, Onyemenam explained that the commission is focusing on providing more redundancy and increase availability of infrastructure.

He explained that when the exercise becomes fully operational, the commission is also going to explore mobile enrolment services, especially to be able to provide registration for people in the rural areas.

In the area of multiple registrations, the Director-General explained that the ABIS technology has been positioned to guard effectively against such challenge, stressing that it will alert the commission of such move.

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‘IBM’s global strategy incomplete without Nigeria’ • Partners IFC on SMEs’ growth

By Adeyemi Adepetun and Bankole Orimisan HE importance of Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) came to bear recently with the declaration by IBM Fellow and Chief Technology Officer, Middle East and Africa, Dr. Mark Dean, that the country plays strategic role in IBM’s global strategy.

Dean, who was on a visit to Nigeria, noted that the country exhibits greater potential, which are yet to be tapped.

According to him, Nigeria, being the country with the largest population in the African continent, holds greater portion of IBM’s global strategy, reason why much emphasis is placed on the market.

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“Africa in general and Nigeria specifically play major role in our growth initiatives. Reason why we have put a lot of focus in our strategy and how to address the opportunities provided in Nigeria. Reason why I am around, not just to see the opportunities, but engaged with businesses to know what they think and what services are needed”, he stated.

Dean said IBM’s growth has been tremendous and attributed largely to the contributions from clients, stressing that the country’s target, about 60 per cent is to see how clients can be more successful in their business operations.

Lagos opens competition for innovators on urban, social challenges AGOS State along other major 22 forLopened ward thinking cities of the world has a competition for innovators to win the opportunity to implement their solutions in a real environment in the areas of urban and social challenges.

Among the 2,535 innovators that competed, 120 providers were selected and invited to present their commitment to partner with cities and help improve the lives of 121 million citizens by implementing their high impact solutions to challenges such as social exclusion, energy management, urban dereliction, mobility and health.

To get the innovators to compete, the cities involved publicly published their most pressing urban and social challenges in areas such as social inclusion, health and well being, economic development, urban management, mobility, lighting, energy and sustainable lifestyle. Lagos is seeking solution to provide access to the social and economic benefits of Internet.

Participation of Lagos and other cities in this progamme represents a joint commitment to spread proven innovations in a more cost – effective and sustainable way by helping to build more resilient and smarter communities.

Considering the fact that Governments all over the world spend

so much money each year to deliver services that shape the quality of life of the majority of world’s population, the LLGA initiative helps cities discover innovative, yet ready solutions to meet their problems and match their commitment to act with the willingness of businesses and organizations to share initial risk.

According to a statement from Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, signed by Rotimi Oluwayemi, the past editions of this programme have proven that this process can deliver solutions to citizens at least three times faster at 80 per cent lower cost by leveraging smart solutions and avoiding re-invention.

The statement informed that from May 14 – 16, leaders of the 22 partner cities and the 120 nominated solution providers will come together at the LLGA/Cities Summit in San Francisco to deepen their partnerships, announce the 22 most promising solutions, debate their challenges and kick-start implementation.

Citymart.com/LLGA is the organization in charge of the programme. It is a global marketplace for cities; it is based in Copenhagen in Denmark and Barcelona in Span. The organization has worked with more than 80 cities and 1,200 companies, NGOs and research centres in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

role in economic development.

At the SME’s forum, where IFC marked the 10th anniversary of SME Toolkit, said the forum allows it to share experiences, train partners on the latest initiatives, and gather ideas for future programme development.

IFC said the SME Toolkit was an innovation it developed in partnership with IBM, which leverages the latest information and communication technologies to help entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises in emerging markets learn and implement sustainable business management practices and increase their productivity, In a related development, IBM has announced capacity, and access to finance and new markets. partnership with the International Finance It explained that through a network of global Corporation (IFC) on Small and Medium partners and local distribution partners, the Enterprises (SME) development in the country. Toolkit provides entrepreneurs and SME managers The partnership will see IFC, a member of the with online and mobile phone access to key busiWorld Bank Group, serve more entrepreneurs ness management information, interactive tools, in Nigeria to boost their businesses. and educational resources free of charge.

Dean said IBM needed to be more successful IFC’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Solomon locally, regionally and globally, reason why the Adegbie-Quaynor, said: “One of IFC’s strategic prifirm has remained committed to the Nigerian ority is supporting small and medium enterprises market. so they can create jobs and reduce poverty in Dean, who gave an example of Bharti Airtel as developing countries. The conference further one of the firms, IBM has helped, informed that strengthens the SME Toolkit to become the ’go-to’ the company helps firms to differentiate and resource for small businesses to help improve SME make them more competitive. productivity, competitiveness and employment On innovation, he said most of the compacreation potential.” ny’s products are soft and services, manufactur- Highlights of the event include interactive sesing capabilities, which results in high revenue sions with local SME managers, technologyfor client. enabled learning innovations, training on the On the skill gap in the country, he said next generation of Toolkit features, and hands-on Nigerians are very talented but needs to be activities. Delegates came from over 20 countries. encouraged to be able to deliver appropriately.

Director, EDC, Peter Bamkole, said, “Building a To fill the gap in skills development, the network of entrepreneurial leaders is the core Country General Manager, IBM West Africa, focus of EDC and partnering with IFC helps us Taiwo Otiti, said IBM is partnering with the achieve our goal of promoting and supporting Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) to develop enterprises that contribute to economic developcapacities for various sectors of the economy. ment. The SME Toolkit Global Partner Conference “Our partnership with NCS is collaborative in provides the platform to strengthen partnerships nature to see that we improve skills developthat grow enterprises.” ment for students and for the firm to play huge

Africa in general and Nigeria specifically play major role in our growth initiatives.

Reason why we have put a lot of focus in our strategy and how to address the opportunities provided in Nigeria. Reason why I am around, not just to see the opportunities, but engaged with businesses to know what they think and what services are needed

MTN may spend $8b on foreign acquisitions OUTH Africa’s MTN Group has revealed that Stions it could spend up to $8 billion on acquisiand is currently looking for potential targets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The company is already one of the companies shortlisted to bid for a licence in Myanmar.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Dabengwa, told the Reuters Africa Investment Summit that “Growth through M&A is still an important part of our strategy,” adding that

deals in the region of US$4-8 billion is something the company could look at.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of $34 billion.

However, the company is facing a multi-billion lawsuit over how it acquired its operating licence in Iran, and may have to sell up if U.S. sanctions are intensified.

Previous attempts to merge with India’s Bharti Airtel were blocked by South African government.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Ericsson advocates managed services, sees huge potential in Nigeria’s ICT expansion and boost productivity.”

On the managed service process, Jejding said the process allows the operator to do everything technology on its business without hindrances and be able to concentrate on other business functions including marketing, outsourcing among others.

Managed service is the practice of outsourcing day-to-day management responsibilities as a strategic method for improving operations. This can include outsourcing HR-activities, Production Support and lifecycle build/maintenance activities.

According to Jejding, Africa jumped late on the managed service train, but he believed that soonest, managed service will be what operators will adopt, stressing that this is already operative A solar-powered base station in India. been constrained by poor infrastructure.

Jejding, who restated the com- Africa.

To the out-going Ericsson chief—Linden, For the Managing Director, Nigeria; Head of mitment of Ericsson to getting Regional Accounts, RSSA for Ericsson, Kamar about 50 billion devices connect- connectivity is critical to the next level of Abass, the lack of physical infrastructure is a ed by 2020, stressed that the firm development on the African continent.

Linden, who said there has been strong problem in the development of broadband facilwas also working towards its OR improved visibility of its activities, the Electronic Payment Networked Society project for demand for data services, noted that this has ities.

Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), has launched its magazine - E-Payment Review.

The Chief Executive Officer of E-PPAN, Mrs. Onajite Regha, said the launch was to further show the various activities of the members of the association, stressing that most of the players HE relevance of the Software Application Products, (SAP) and said the current administration is focusing on priority issues are doing a lot to improve the electronic payment landscape of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, PM&E, to planning such as Good Governance, Human Capital Development, the country, but not much is heard of them. and achieving set objectives and outcomes has been highlight- Security, Power, Infrastructure and the Real Sector.

Regha at the media unveiling in Lagos recently said before ed Also the Head of Business Analytics and Technology, now, the magazine was published quarterly as an insert in one Speaking at the “SAP Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Aderinola Oloruntoye, in his presentation on “Performance of the national dailies, but was stopped for some reasons.

Executive Seminar” for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Monitoring and Evaluation for Government,” emphasised According to her, “from inception, the magazine is designed to (MDAs), held in Abuja, SAP Managing Director of West Africa that SAP’s Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Solution be the voice of the e-payment industry and also a platform to Region, Richard Edet, said that PM&E enables government to is one of the best globally and will help the MDAs drive effishowcase the innovativeness of our members, celebrate their effectively plan for growth and interventions in various sectors ciency in planning, budgeting, execution, reporting and achievements while setting the agenda for a geometric leap and to stimulate further growth and development. evaluation. “Information and intelligence required for decidevelopment in the industry.

In his keynote address, “Achieving Nigeria’s Transformation sion making are made available at the click of a button.

“As the e-payment frontier continues to widen and demand Agenda Through Effective Performance Monitoring & These will enhance proper resource allocation, proper alignmore roles, we deemed it fit to expand the size and scope of the Evaluation”, the Minister of National Planning, Shamsudeen ment with the vision and goals of the leadership,” he publication to capture fully and represent the growth in the Usman, stated that the transformation agenda of the Federal affirmed. industry.”

Government is a medium term development strategy to speed SAP is the world’s largest Enterprise Business Software The stand-alone publication provides readers with informaup Nigeria’s march towards becoming one of the 20 largest Application Company. It empowers people, enterprises and tive, educative and exciting news and features, profiling all economies in the world by 2020 anchored on job creation and government organisations to work together more efficiently developments in the industry backed up with research statistics laying a foundation for robust economy. using insights for decision-making and broad transformaand empirical analysis.

Represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, he tion across enterprises and institutions of government.

By Adeyemi Adepetun

ESPITE huge growth in mobile devices, applications development, data services among others in Nigeria and other markets, the newly appointed Head of Region, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, Frank Jejding, has said the potential of the African markets are yet untapped.

Jejding, which took over from Lars Linden noted that investments in Africa is yielding fruits, but that governments in the continent must find a way to accelerate the current level of development.

Besides, Jejding said operators should embrace managed services, stressing that this promises reduction in capital expenditure among others.

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Speaking in Lagos at his media unveiling, he said Nigeria and other African markets must fashion out ways to deepen broadband penetration.

According to him, the benefit of mobility in broadband connectivity has become very critical and government must support its growth.

“The fact remains that where broadband connectivity has been rapid and as reports have it, a 10 per cent broadband growth brings about 1.3 per cent growth in GDP. “Africa needs to combine mobility, cloud technology and broadband. This will improve the continent’s development. I believe that ICT solutions will address poverty, increase

E-PPAN boosts operations with magazine launch F

How SAP can aid performance of MDAs, by minister, others T

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IXPN, NiRA move to boost local internet content in Nigeria

By Adeyemi Adepetun O ensure increased local internet content development and mitigate the increasing usage of foreign domain names in Nigeria, the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), in partnership Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), is hosting a two-day Local Internet Content (LIC) forum.

The parley, which has MTN as the platinum sponsor, and is expected to galvanise the push for local players in the Nigerian local content ecosystem, will come up in Lagos between April 25 and 26.

With the theme: “Sustaining Local Internet Content, The Way Forward for Nigeria”, it aims at facilitating increased Nigerian content on the internet by driving a new momentum towards local content.

The forum is also expected to tackle the challenge of a dearth of internet content produced and hosted locally in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, it will beam radar on the hosting of such content locally and promote an increased adoption of .ng as the domain name of choice particularly among Nigerians.

Chief Executive Officer of IXPN, Muhammed Rudman, explained that though the .ng is Nigeria’s unique identity on the domain name space, yet there is predominant adoption of .com and .co.uk due to some misconceptions about the country’s unique identity on the internet.

Rudman noted that the forum will address these misconceptions while adding that the purpose of the event is to sensitise all stakeholders, key players in the sector and the general public on the significance of

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Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Dr. Henry Akpan (left); Head, Direct to Home (DTH) Centre, NIGCOMSAT, Shehu Kaura and Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufa’i during a facility visit to the ground control station of NIGCOMSAT Ltd Abuja

HP Africa plans more products for Nigeria, others

By Bankole Orimisan P Managing Director (MD) for Africa, Alaa Alshimy, has said the company will continue its lead in the global Information Technology (IT) market because of its rich range of products portfolio.

Alshimy who was visiting Nigeria for the first time since his appointment as the MD for Africa, told journalists during a press briefing in Lagos that the company’s huge investment in Research and Development (R&D) has not only increased the fortune of the company but has helped create a new product experience in virtually all the product segments that HP plays.

According to him, “globally, HP company today is the No 1 IT player. We have the largest number of patent.

Last year, we recorded $10 bil-

H

lion profits so we have more money to invest; we put $4 billion in R&D which is translating into success; we have the richest portfolio of products in networking, software, security, printers and so on.

We introduced the HP Envy, the world’s first display with integrated beat audio and the first touch notebook.

In PC and notebook business we are No 1 worldwide and we are consolidating by producing more PCs, all these are competitive advantage” He said the HP has continued to take the lead in innovation enterprise solutions and is proactive to providing solutions that will take care of the new style of IT. He noted that the IT industry is undergoing a transformation, which requires a rapid response to accessing information in spite of the huge data

that is generated today.

“HP realizes this new way of information very well that is why there must be cloud.

Cloud, big data and security are the big thing in the industry so HP provides the solution”.

Collaborating his views, HP Storage Division Manager, Ashraf Helmy who was also present at the occasion enjoined Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) in Nigeria to leverage on the cloud computing technology to boost their businesses and reduce the cost of doing business.

“The best solution for SMEs is the cloud because it will reduce the cost of power, infrastructure, and networking.

The cloud will provide the connectivity, software and all that are needed”, he said.

Helmy maintained that the company is committed to pro-

viding a complete IT solution suite which will help customers in Africa to reduce the cost of business ownership.

Speaking on the growing incidence of counterfeiting, the MD of HP in Nigeria, Ime Umo, said the company has developed small machines which will detect counterfeit products, and that massive educational campaign is ongoing to educate customers on the right channel partners to obtain HP products from.

Umo added that HP is not only in the business of selling innovative products alone, but is also very active in social services as a way of giving back to Nigeria society.

According to him, the company has a culture of training youth graduates and possibly integrates them into HP workforce when the time is right.

local internet content.

It will also cover the nation’s identity in cyberspace as well as the emerging relevance of local hosting of content which has a multiplier effect on the economy through capacity building and job creation, among others.

To him, IXPN embodies the physical network infrastructure that allows ISPs, telecommunications operators, educational institutions and other IP-centric organisations to exchange data traffic between their respective networks.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, Ope Odusan, boosting local content development in internet usage is important not just for the economic gains for the country, but also to improve individuals’ business senses.

Ope, who said NiRA has slashed .ng’s registration fees from N200,000 to N15, 000, noted that the new price becomes effective from today. He stressed that this was done to further encourage the adoption and increase usage of Nigeria’s domain name.

According to him, there has been upward swing in the registration of .ng of late, saying “NiRA registers about 700 .ngs’ weekly. The traffic volume on .ng is changing every week.

The registration price has been slashed from N200,000 to N15, 000.

“That is not to say that the impact has been much. I must tell you that the influx of .net; .org; .com on our internet space is huge.

About N300 million is lost yearly to all these foreign domain names. If you calculate how much we might have lost say five to 10 years to today, you will agree with me that it will be pretty much.”

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Why connectivity challenges remain high in Africa, by Meads David Meads is the Director of Cisco Africa. At the 2013 Cisco Forum held in South Africa, he spoke to ADEYEMI ADEPETUN on why connectivity has remained a huge challenge for operators in Africa, among others. Excerpts.

AN you expatiate on the C Cisco’s “internet of things, internet of everything,” in the context of infrastructural challenges in the emerging markets, where you operate?

Fundamentally, there are arguably many countries in Africa where they have more challenges in terms of connecting the unconnected before they start talking about the internet of things and everything. I think it has a way in Africa, but it is probably some years away before it becomes more relevant.

When you take somewhere like Nigeria, which is the greatest country in Africa, I think you have a very innovative and emerging ICT sector in Africa, which we talked about at the conference. But the major issue has been the ability to connect the unconnected. This has been a major issue. You have a number of national and multinational ICT operators who are investing in infrastructure in Africa, but they will need to do more to meet the growing expectations of consumers. I met with Mrs. Johnson, your Communications & Technology minister. I think she is a fantastic entrepreneur who has done and is doing a great job with her organisation. The biggest challenge she’s got, and many other operators like her, is connectivity. This is the biggest challenge they are facing now.

There are so many under sea cables in Nigeria, but the bandwidths are not being fully utilised in the country. What can the country do to accelerate usage?

I think government has huge role to play in this regard. This will include them allowing more spectrum allocation.

Also, operators must move beyond the rhetoric, they must start creating contents. The price must be looked into and see opportunities in the rural areas. There is need for collaboration among government, content providers, and telecommunications operators if the bandwidth must move beyond the shores.

How relevant has CISCO become to the telecoms operators?

Candidly, two years ago, CISCO was not particularly too relevant to a mobile operating customer; they were into radio technology. When you look now, we are much more relevant to mobile companies than we ever were before and that is because IP is moving out to the edge of the network.

One of the places we are seeing a lot of attraction in Africa is in the space of SPYY. Lots of operators got 3G networks in populated areas; they have a challenge to manage the traffic going on in the network 3G offloads using SPYY technology. We have develop a world leading SPYY technology. You can be roaming into an area with the SPY file and seamless-

Meads ly transfer, you don’t have to log in. The use of SPY is much more affordable technology for mobile operators to be deploying because you can reach a wider population, it being cheaper.

There is a lot more intelligence you can get to the consumer and then out of the consumer. The biggest challenges operators get is how to monetise the network. You can invest huge amounts of money into it but you need to increase the ARPU. The ability to do that over an IP network using some of the software we recently developed and acquired into our portfolio technologies.

I was in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and I have never seen CISCO stand so busy as it was then. Two years ago we were not as relevant as we are now. The question now is where is the biggest challenge? The biggest challenge is neither Lagos, Johannesburg or Cairo. The biggest challenge is the area that has more connectivity and I think we are much more relevant and able to help our customers adjusting there challenges A lot more spectrum will be available in 2015 when ITU switches off analog signals.

What challenges and opportunities do you see for Cisco Systems?

I see more opportunities than challenges. If I am sitting here as an operator which I am not, I am a vendor, I see lots of opportunity. if I am sitting here as a government minister or governor then I would have lots of challenges because the operators won’t have access to the new spectrum so that they can start to roll out high speed services. The governments obviously want to do two things: they want to balance the revenue generating opportunity to them in auctioning, they also want to make sure they are not selling to all of the operators to the same market which is the heavily populated market which actually have

got money to spend. The biggest challenge of the ICT is that of how do you accelerate those new services faster?

With new technologies how do you make sure your operators invest in the rural areas? So it is a challenge for government to negotiate with the operators what they would do with the spectrum.

My plan starts with appointing a country manager for Nigeria; I don’t have a country manager for now. We use to have somebody who is non-Nigerian before now.

What role is Cisco playing in the migration of telecoms operators from 3G to LTE among others?

Like I mentioned earlier ago, about some years ago, we were not really common with the mobile operators, but after a particular acquisition, we become more visible with the telecoms. Today, we have brought more intelligence into the networks.

Actually, whether it is radio access or some others, we now provide access to the IP network and with the APC technology; there is a lot more intelligence on the network. Our solutions today have brought more visibilities to the network and they have been able to sell more contents, all of that requires some form of smart technology and that is where our strength lies. If you look at all the developments we are making now, the acquisitions, backhaul supports, they are all given us the analytics of what we can really do with the mobile operators. Today, our presence in the mobile space is growing and that is because we daily improve on our solutions to serve well.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

MaritimeWatch Curbing graft in maritime sector

Umar

By Moses Ebosele N pursuit of its agenda to curtail alleged wide spread graft in the maritime sector, an inter-agency committee raised by the Federal Government commenced its assignment on Monday.

Members of the committee are representatives of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and Technical Unit on Government & Anti-corruption Reform (TUGAR).

The committee is working in collaboration with related stakeholders such as United Nation Development Project (UNDP) and Maritime Anti Corruption Network (MACN).

Already, the anti-corruption agencies have been scheduled to visit Ports in Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Onne between Monday, this week and middle of June this year.

According to the committee, its main objectives are to identify vulnerable areas that are prone to corruption, proffer recommendations, and jointly with the relevant agencies develop ‘integrity plans’ that would strengthen accountability and transparency towards enhanced service delivery.

A member of the committee who preferred to remain anonymous explained in a chat with The Guardian that there are “22 assessors” in the committee sub-divided into four groups.

The source said: “The Federal Government has given us a strict mandate. We have been directed to do a detailed job.

The field work has started. There are four groups. One in Lagos, Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri. We also have consult-

I

Jonathan

Okonjo-Iweala ant working with us. The aim is to stop corruption before it takes place”.

According to the source, the management of the respective agencies have been directed by the Federal Government to make relevant documents available during the exercise.

Addressing stakeholders in Lagos, UNDP team leader, Prof Sam Egwu said the initiative seeks to strengthen mechanisms to prevent corruption within the selected Nigerian Ports by identifying “gaps and vulnerabilities, proffering practical recommendations and developing an integrity plan to address the identified gaps and vulnerabilities”.

Present at the Lagos forum were representatives of NPA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Customs Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Immigration Services, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Port Reform Committee, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) among others.

Explaining further, Egwu said: “The corruption risk assessment process, being driven primarily by ICPC, TUGAR and BPP, began in 2011 with the development of a corruption risk assessment methodology.

“The developed methodology eventually formed the basis for the development of a comprehensive training module that has now been used to successfully train over sixty corruption risk assessors drawn from government ministries, depart-

ments and agencies at both federal state level, civil society and the anti-corruption agencies.

“It is from this pool of trained assessors that a team has been constituted to work in close association with experts and in consultation with relevant stakeholders for the conduct of this pilot corruption risk assessment in the Nigerian ports sector.

According to Egwu, the UNDP) is proud to be associated with the initiative and has “supported the corruption risk assessment initiative from inception” He explained that the support of UNDP for the exercise derives from its commitment to respond to the priorities set by the Nigerian Government, “which include fighting the malaise of corruption and achieving the countries broader development goals one of which is to increase Foreign Direct Investment, to which the ports sector is crucial”.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman, ICPC, Ekpo Nta, who was represented

by Alhaji Ozi Salami said to execute the assessment in the ports, ICPC deployed a set of 20 trained and certified corruption risk assessors “who would work with an InterAgency Advisory Committee and a team consultants, the targets ports are Lagos, Onne, Calabar and Warri.

He added: “We solicit the cooperation of everyone present and organization

represented here as we commence this assignment.

“In addition to this assessment project in the seaports, ICPC will very soon commence an extensive corruption risk of our Airports”.

He said ICPC intend to assist institution to study and design internal systems that reduce corruption loopholes through integrity plan. This might sound academic, but we know that no factory or industry can run effectively if there is no deliberate quality assurance or control put in place to check bad products or services. It is in this spirit that we are undertaking this exercise and it is in everybody’s interest that we work as a team desirous of promoting the well-being of all stakeholders, our citizens and the nation”.

The ICPC boss also use the opportunity to explain that the exercise was in line with the Federal Government’s current drive to address impediments to Foreign Direct Investment through the ongoing reforms within the ports which are aimed at preventing corruption by strengthening accountability mechanisms in the sector.

“The Port sector is very essential for the growth and development of the economy as well as the security of any nation. It is an industrial lifeline and hub that performs multiple functions in Local and Foreign commerce and massive job creation,

The objective of the CRA project in the port sector is three-fold: first to study the procedures at the ports, then map out corruption risks and, finally, design a comprehensive integrity plan to help the ports system address existing and future corruption-prone processes at Nigerian ports on its own.

amongst others.

“The sector is one of the highest revenue generating in the country that must be guarded jealously to avoid loss of resources and to ensure proper and efficient running of the facilities”, said Nta. Making reference to relevant laws, Nta explained that Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA), is a corruption prevention tool, which works with an organisation’s management to identifying vulnerable areas that are prone to corruption, proffer recommendations, and develop integrity plans that would strengthen accountability.

“CRA is not a tool of criminal investigation. It is strictly a tool for prevention of the occurrence of corruption.

We are not here to apportion blame, but to carry out a systems study. Since it is much better and wiser to prevent the occurrence of corruption than to expend huge resources in investigations and prosecution after the damage has been done, the Commission places much stock on the CRA process.

“The objective of the CRA project in the port sector is three-fold: first to study the procedures at the ports, then map out corruption risks and, finally, design a comprehensive integrity plan to help the ports system address existing and future corruption-prone processes at Nigerian ports on its own.”

Besides, Egwu in his presentation at the stakeholders forum in Lagos said UNDP remains committed to promoting public accountability and transparency in Nigerian, “an objective that that is crucial and closely tied to our larger goal of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development in

order to empower lived and build resilient nations.

“In furtherance of this, UNDP remains committed to working in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders to mainstream anticorruption measures into public sector management as indicated by our ongoing support to this corruption risk assessment initiative”.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at the weekend pledged to support activities of the Committee.

The Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi who gave the assurance in Lagos also expressed optimism that the nation’s port industry would be better off at the end of the Committee’s assignment.

Receiving members of the Committee during a courtesy call, the Managing Director compared the relevance of the Committee to the ongoing Anti-corruption drive.

He said the peculiarities of the nation’s port industry had made anti-corruption an imperative crusade, “so that the port sector is seen to operate maximally and efficiently”.

Under the existing concession regime, Abdullahi said NPA now has sufficient time to supervise and ensure free flow of good and service in the nation’s ports where cases of ‘corrupt practise is at its barest minimum’.

The Head of the Committee, Mrs. Lillian Ekeanyanwu, was quoted in a statement issued

by NPA’s General Manager, Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, as saying the purpose of her Committee’s visit is to carry out a “Corruption Risk Assessment of ports operations in order to enhance integrity and strengthen the port industry.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

MARITMEWATCH

37

Cosco Vessel

Global sea piracy drops by 35% in first quarter

By Moses Ebosele ETWEEN January and March this year, world sea piracy dropped by 35 percent.

However, sustained armed attacks in West Africa, where Nigeria is a dominant player is attracting the attention of the international community.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) disclosed on Monday that 66 attacks were recorded worldwide in the first three months, down from 102 in the same period last year.

According to data compiled by the group, four vessels were hijacked with 75 crew members taken hostage and one killed during the period.

The bureau said five attacks were reported off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, including one hijacking, down from 36 cases reported within same period last year.

IMB attributed the drop to beefed-up naval patrols led by the United States (U.S.) and increased security measures on ships transiting the region, adding that in the year 2010, 49 vessels were hijacked off Somalia and more than 1,000 crew members were taken hostage.

Available information indicates that sea piracy dropped to its lowest level in five years

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• Anxiety over sustained attacks in Nigeria in 2012. A total of 297 attacks were recorded worldwide, down from 439 in 2011.

Meanwhile, piracy is becoming a greater concern in the Gulf of Guinea in western Africa. The bureau reported 15 attacks in the gulf, including three hijackings.

It said Nigeria accounted for 11 attacks with pirates hijacking a vessel with 15 crew members.

IMB explained that a crew member of a chemical tanker was killed when the vessel was fired upon at Lagos, adding that another three incidents were reported in Ivory Coast, with two fuel tankers hijacked.

The global body pointed out that Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has escalated from low-level armed robberies to hijackings and cargo thefts and kidnappings.

Last year, London-based Lloyd’s Market Association - an umbrella group of insurers listed oil-rich Nigeria, neighboring Benin and nearby waters in the same risk category as Somalia.

The bureau praised naval forces for quick action that led to the prompt release of a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel and in another case, the cap-

ture of 12 pirates after the targeted vessel foiled an attack.

It explained that outside of African waters, Indonesia recorded 25 incidents, pointing out that there were mainly lowlevel thefts.

Still searching for a permanent solution to the menace of piracy in Central and West Africa, the Heads of States and Government of the regions including president Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria are expected to append their signatures to a new security code in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Already, the implementation of the new code of conduct which is structured round the prevention and repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the region had been adopted at a ministerial meeting in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Reviewing the security situation along Nigeria’s waterways recently, the Consul General, United States of America (USA) Embassy, Jeffrey Hawkins advised the Federal Government to tackle alleged armed attacks and oil theft along Nigeria’s waterways.

Hawkins blamed the development on alleged lack of com-

munication and cohesion among security agencies charged with the responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s waterways.

He advised the Nigerian Government to develop the political will to tackle the menace, adding that since the beginning of this year, over a dozen attacks have been recorded.

“Indeed, we (U.S) heard report of two dozen attacks just since January 1 of this year.

The criminal activitieswhether armed robbery or piracy or kidnapping extends along Nigeria’s coastline.

“On February 4, in the lagos anchorage. On February 6, along the River Forcados. On February 7, off Brass. On February 10 and 11, two sepa-

rate two separate attacks off Bonny. On February 17, two separate attacks, one in Lagos and one off Brass. On February 22, again off Brass, and on February 25, in Calabar Channel. And that’s just three weeks in February”, said Hawkins.

He added “We (US) have talked with a lot of individuals associated with Nigeria’s maritime environment in the past few months-Nigerians and expatriate alike-and I would like to share with you some of what we have heard.

“From cargo theft to kidnapping for ransom, the Gulf of Guinea is becoming known as a very dangerous place to do business. It is becoming known as a place where you must sail in convoys and where you must hire armed guards- who themselves are

MHI joins World Ocean Council ITSUBISHI Heavy ocean use. responsible ocean compaM Industries MHI is the first Japanese nies and organisations, and limited (MHI) has joined entity to join the organisa- proactively engage with oththe World Ocean Council (WOC), an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and the sole international, crosssectoral industry leadership alliance on responsible

tion, and through participation in the WOC’s activities MHI aims to acquire firsthand knowledge of policy and practical issues affecting the future of ocean industries, deepen exchanges with

Police intensify security at Tin Can Port, arrest 64 hoodlums

By Moses Ebosele

S part of measures to A curtail criminal activities, the Police command of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has beefed up security within and around the Tin Can Port in Lagos State According to the Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Sherifat Didu-Olajoku, 64 hoodlums were arrested recently during an

unscheduled raid around the Port vicinity.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ENL Consortium, Princess, Vicky Haastrup, the commissioner said the 64 arrested persons have been handed over to a Police Task Force in Alausa, Ikeja for further investigation and prosecution.

While expressing displeas-

ure at the high human and vehicular traffic at the ports in Lagos, she said the raid would be a continuous exercise.

“When I assumed duties a few weeks ago, I observed that people just wake up and head for the port even when they have no business being there. They loiter around the port premises and constitute security risks to the system. We will no longer tolerate such acts. We will carry out

Nigerian police officers or sailors and rhetorically should have responsibilities other than serving as hired guns. “ The Gulf is becoming known as a place where you must prepare your crew to be attacked at any time. It is becoming known as a place where maritime security enforcement is weak, when it exists at all. We have heard many accusations that entities involved in providing maritime security collude in some of the illegal activities that take place off Nigeria’s coast.

“When the very bodies that are expected to protect and defend the maritime commerce that constitutes such an essential component of this country’s economic livelihood are instead perceived to be undermining it, I think we can all agree there’s a problem”, said the Consul General.

these raids from time to time and it will be a regular exercise until we rid the port premises of undesirable elements”, said DiduOlajoku.

Warning criminals to stay away from the port premises, she said high priority will also be placed on traffic control to ensure smooth flow of traffic in and around the port area, adding that traffic congestion in and around the ports is usually caused by

indiscriminate parking of trucks.

She solicited an improved level of cooperation between the port police and stakeholders in the maritime industry especially the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) which Haastrup heads as Chairman.

“Security should concern everybody and that is why we are going round to sensitise stakeholders to part-

er sectors on areas of mutual value.

In addition to becoming the first Japanese member of the WOC, MHI is also the world’s first shipbuilder to join.

ner with us and rally round us to ensure enhanced security. For the criminals, I will do everything within my power to get rid of them and their nefarious activities because I am not a friend to criminals or lawless people”, she said.

Haastrup commended the Inspector General of Police for appointing a woman as the Commissioner of the Port Authority Police Command, pointing out that the appointment was long overdue.

38

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

IndustryWatch Accelerating industrial growth through effective cluster system Stories by Femi Adekoya HERE is a truism that isolation and barriers have never worked to develop prosperity, and constituted daunting obstacle for the wellness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with respect to capacity in competitiveness, and robust industrial growth.

According to United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), firms that have bonded within the precinct of proximity had leaped economically and provided leadership on sustainable basis in export markets, significant employment generation and preservation of high-value-added jobs.

Furthermore, studies from both developed and developing countries show that SME cluster development provides for reconciling the objectives of economic development, poverty reduction and social equity.

In most climes, general recommendations that ensure industrial cluster growth include direct government intervention in areas of infrastructure, access to credit, official corruption, and streamlining administrative and regulatory requirements.

Many successful industrial developments around the world are cluster based and for most of them, the cluster concept and its methodology remain a national industrial secret.

However, the recognition that enterprises and not policymakers generate growth and jobs forms the bedrock of the effectiveness and growth of industrial clusters and is in line with government’s ability and commitment to generate jobs, create wealth and reduce poverty.

Already, the nation has been described as one in a state of flux and decay, where per capita income and standard of living are very low; there is insecurity of life and property; infrastructural support for productive activities is extremely weak; the economy is mono-cultural with attendant adverse consequences; there is gross capacity under-utilization in existing industries; and where experts are migrating to other countries that can provide the enabling environment to help them practice their professions.

Nigeria’s economic prosperity and job creation requires resilient industrial structures, and strengthening the country’s industrial base should be a key priority and a thriving competitive industrial clusters is key in achieving such objectives as It will provide new challenges and opportunities for firms to compete, innovate, create employment opportunities and lead to

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social capital that is lacking in the society.

To aid industrial growth and capacity utilization, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga had earlier in the year expressed government’s intention to enhance power supply in key industrial estates in the country.

One of such industries that requires the cluster system is one involving the Small and Medium Enterprises, the supposedly backbone of the Nigerian economy, having played important roles in triggering and sustaining its growth and development over the last forty years.

Comprising about 58 percent of all business enterprises in the country, SMEs are one of the most viable economic groups with tremendous growth potential. Unfortunately, they largely fit at the bottom of the formal sector ladder, and as a result are often overlooked when it comes to policy decisions and recommendations.

Furthermore, because of their size and the myriad problems encountered in operating in such a difficult business environment characterized by lack of mediumand long-term capital despite high liquidity, dilapidated physical infrastructure, limited information, and inadequate enterprise support services, these businesses are hardly profitable and are very rarely able to participate in group efforts for policy planning and influencing. This further removes them from being involved in the issues that positively drive the economy.

Clusters consist of dense networks of interrelated firms that arise in a region because of powerful externalities and or spillovers across firms within a cluster.

Clusters must have strong rules that have a legal framework, which will encourage firms to act in collaborative and competitive manners.

The rules and norms also apply to workers and unions, which help to shape the community’s culture and bring what, some writers call “collective efficiency”.

A number of regional organisations worldwide have embarked on the cluster concept, especially with advancements in manufacturing technology, which have reduced the cost per unit of production. This measure is still regarded as too expensive for the developing countries’ entrepreneurs to afford. The only way to compete against the owners of these sophisticated and expensive technologies is to form a cluster system.

References are made to the phenomenal successes of Industrial Clusters in different countries and industrial

A cluster system in China

regions of the world. In Latin America, the Brazilian Shoe Cluster of Snios Valley is a notable example. Brazil is one of the world’s leading producers of leather shoes and the bulk of her exportoriented leather shoes are produced in the Sinos valley industrial cluster.

Three factors are particularly germane to Sinos Valleys’ economic success.

These are: first, backward linkages that shoe producers have with local suppliers of inputs, machinery and producer services; second, forward linkages between producers and buyers, especially export agents; and third, the strategic intervention of local support institutions in facilitating the cluster’s ability to move into higher value added product markets.

Similarly, the Pakistan, an export oriented industrial cluster that produces surgical instruments exists in Siatkot. Siatkot Surgical Instrument Industrial Clusters is a huge success because the producers in the cluster struggled to meet higher standards required by export market.

It also made extensive use of blueprints, drawings and technical experts brought from Britain as well as the setting up of a technical institution for training workers with the support of the federal government.

The Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association (SIMA) lobbies the Pakistan government for financial and technical support and hired quality assurance consultancy firm to upgrade and train local enterprises.

This enabled them to begin to meet ISQ quality standards by employing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

In East Asian Clusters, the successful imitation and assimilation of foreign technologies, the formation of geographically dense industrial clusters consisting of a large number of small enterprises producing similar and related products and the advent of multifaceted innovations leading to a great leap forward in the industrial structures were the critical success factors.

The successful development of Japanese industries became the model in other

East Asian countries such as China and Taiwan.

In Nigeria, approaches and methods of industrialization had hitherto been quite different leading to not too impressive results.

Adopted in 2007 in the country, the cluster concept was argued, would create a community of businesses located together in which members would seek enhanced environmental, social and corporate performance towards effective global trade competitiveness, while enabling government to concentrate infrastructure and other amenities necessary for the smooth operation of business in identified locations.

Past experiences have equally exposed the lack of capacity in most of the country’s industries owing to the fact that they had to provide their own facilities. But by virtue of location within a common cluster, the cluster policy encouraged the use of common facilities.

According to the initial policy, the Cluster Concept would operate on five planks: Free Trade Zones; Industrial Parks; Industrial

Clusters; Enterprise Zones; and, Incubators.

Though its implementation was hinged on the effectiveness of public-privatepartnership (PPP), industry watchers have emphasized on the need for government to play its role in the realization of the objectives of the cluster system.

At the moment there are about 25 free trade zones in the country ostensibly established to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) with less than five doing any serious business.

Elsewhere, and especially in Taiwan upon which Nigeria’s free trade zone concept was modeled, these zones are known to have played a key role in the economic development of their territories.

With contributions from the real sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) still paltry, industry watchers have tasked government to address its policy inconsistency and the lack of political will to implement as the real challenges of Nigeria’s industrial development.

Cadbury raises bar on safety programme Spartofmeasurestoprevent A operational hazards at its manufacturing sites, Cadbury Nigeria Plc has commenced a safety awareness programme to further enlighten its employees on the need to embrace safety standards and procedures in the company.

Speaking at the commencement of the company’s safety week, with theme, “Work, Play, Live, Safe” in Lagos on Monday, the Managing Director of the company, Emil Moskofian, explained that the initiative was part of the company’s culture to ensure that safety standards are not compromised.

According to him, developing

a proactive approach to health and safety issues helps to mitigate workplace accidents and other forms of potential hazards to employees.

He said: “Safety is number one for us in everything that we do and we have a programme that is run across the business. With this Work, Play, Live, Safe programme, we will have awareness programmes where employees are enlightened to ensure that adherence to safety policies becomes a way of life.

We do not compromise on safety and for us, every success recorded has been hinged safety, without which nothing would be achieved.”

Moskofian explained that the company already enjoys one of the best health and safety records in the country, with zero casualties in the 2012 financial year as the company continues to look forward to avoiding theincidenceofworkplaceaccidents.

Also, the company’s Director Integrated Supply Chain West Africa, Nasir Malik explained that the company has a safety scan programme through which proactive measures are taken on potentially risky actions within the work environment.

He noted that the company has reached a stage where it is effec-

tively best in class and is searching for a couple of years for a behavioural programme that would develop its health and safety objectives even further.

The strength of the safety programme is basically about encouraging the teams to look after one another and ensure each other’s safety, He said, adding that: ‘Improving health and safety has been shown to offer a wide range of benefits to companies, not only by reducing injury costs and cutting sicknessleavebutbyincreasing profitability, raising morale and lowering insurance premiums. It also helps businesses comply with legislation.’

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

INDUSTRY WATCH | 39

How policies set tone for industrial revival

By Femi Adekoya HE last one year has seen Nigeria’s real sector move on a slow, steady path to enhance its competitiveness at the global front, while attracting foreign direct investments to the country. Though, its growth remains slow-paced, going by available statistics on activities of the sector. It has had its fair share of gains and pains within the period under review, especially in the areas of backward integration of certain products, trade liberalisation, and incentives for growing industries, among others.

With the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga serving as the primary driver of key policies affecting the sector, industry watchers believe the Minister may need to holistically examine fundamental issues affecting the sector with a view to sustainably addressing them.

Formerly Minister of Finance before eventual redeployment to the Trade and Investment Ministry in July of 2011, Aganga had hitherto been challenged on his ability to effectively revive key industries in the real sector.

For instance, under his purview are no less than 14 parastatals with equally demanding official schedules, functions linked to the different facets of citizens’ lives. Industry operators believe that it would take only a man with managerial acumen to keep these parastatals wielded together but without losing touch of their special roles in the economy.

Specifically, the list includes the Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange, Bank of Industry (BOI), Consumer Protection Council, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

Others are the National Automotive Council (NAC), the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), as well as the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

What Aganga’s headship of the ministry has ensured, is renewed vigour and better synergy amongst these federating parastatals, enabling each to aim for their best.

In the mean time, the BoI, CAC and SMEDAN are currently implementing a job creation programme with unequalled synergy that is expected to yield huge dividends to the economy, thereby reducing the number of unemployed in the country.

With a background as a Chartered Accountant, and career life with Arthur Young in Nigeria, Ernst & Young in London UK, and Goldman Sachs International in London, as

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well as Board Membership of the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission, and Technical Committee membership of the Nigerian Capital Market Structure, some industry watchers believe that Aganga has the acumen to drive the nation’s industrialization plan.

For instance, the revitalization of hitherto moribund steel sector, encouragement of local producers of cement; some level of improved local operating environment for business as well as increasing awareness for patronage of madein-Nigeria are some issues that readily come to mind when one considers Aganga.

The issue of cement for example, took his intervention for the three big players in the industry – Dangote Nigeria Plc, Lafarge WAPCO and Ibeto Nigeria Limited to come to a compromise following the issue of glut that arose among them.

Some operators acknowledged that without Aganga’s handling of the face-off, the economy, especially the cement sector, would probably have had a negative effect on the economy.

Aganga had said, “In 2002, the major priority of the country’s Backward Integration Policy was about cement production from limestone. I am delighted to say that after 10 years of implementation of the BIP, the good news is that we started with two million metric tonnes capacity, but today, we have about 28 million metric tonnes capacity of cement or investment of about $6bn; which provides direct and indirect employment for about two million people. And because of what we have done together, we have been able to save the country foreign exchange of about N210bn per year.

“This means that we need to look at the overall structure, including the current pricing, availability and affordability, in addition to developing an export strategy for the sector.”

The minister noted that his ministry would work with all the stakeholders in the sector to ensure sustainable growth and development.

“This is the key message that I want to pass across in terms of where we are today and what our plans are in terms of where we want to be, going forward. I want to carry everyone along in terms of what we are looking at and incorporate your inputs into what we are planning to do so that at the end of the day, it will be a win-win situation for all the manufacturers, consumers and the Nigerian economy at large,” he added.

Furthermore, his commitment to the revitalisation of the industrial sector could be seen in his campaign for patronage of made-inNigeria products.

Specifically, he proposed that ministries, departments and agencies of the government should actually lead the campaign supporting local firms by buying Made-in-Nigeria products in line with the local content provision for government procurement.

According to him, it is not

Aganga

enough to do a campaign to encourage consumption of locally manufactured goods, but by also backing such campaign with a policy that would further drive its implementation.

He said: “We have since discovered that monitoring and enforcing the use of made-in-Nigeria products is a key challenge and this would be addressed through a policy that would be ready in a few weeks.

There is no country that has managed to transform itself without adequate industrial growth or wholesome dependence on imported goods.

“Local industries need to be empowered and that is why developing a policy to enhance local consumption of made-in-Nigeria products is key to the economy. We are looking at replicating the success story in the cement industry to some other key sectors through local capacity utilization that would further spur exportation”.

Before the pronouncement, he had interacted with leaders of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) who expectedly are lead supporters of the idea.

Dangote’s Gboko cement plant

He had equally stated that as part of the Ministry’s industrial revolution plan, the Federal Government was considering a new paradigm that would boost the development of the steel industry.

For the steel industry, Aganga noted that government would implement a backward integration policy that will enable the country explore and process the abundant iron ore deposits across the country to support industrial growth and development.

He said: “We are embarking on an industrial revolution which is anchored on areas where we have comparative and competitive advantage such as agri-business, solid minerals and petrochemicals. Also, we are concentrating on growing the industries that are labour-intensive so that we will be able to create jobs for our teeming population. For example, in the mining-related industry, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Mines and Steel to develop the chain in the steel sector.

“There is no country that has industrialised without growing its iron and steel

industry. In Nigeria, we import raw materials for the steel industry yet we have a lot. As part of our industrial revolution, we need to embark on big strategies, working with the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, to process the raw materials used for the steel industry.”

In terms of Foreign Direct Investments, Aganga said: Nigeria is now the number one investment destination in Africa; recording FDI inflow of $8.9 billion in 2011, about 16 per cent of Africa’s total, estimated at $55billion. However, we must turn the nation’s resource advantage and investment opportunities into economic fortune. The United States, for instance, is the world’s number one in manufacturing, particularly in those sectors we have prioritized under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, such as the iron and steel, aluminum, automobile and petrochemical sectors, among others.

This means there is already a good foundation for a winwin trade and investment collaboration between the two countries.

On trade liberalisation, Aganga said effective regional integration in Africa would not only enhance trade within Africa but would also attract investment into the manufacturing sector.

According to him, Nigeria aims at expanding IntraAfrican trade by breaking down tariff and non-tariff barriers and enhancing mutually advantageous commercial relations through trade liberalisation schemes.

He had said: “Nigeria urgently needs to overcome the challenges of trade, mainly the free movement of goods and services to ensure accelerated industrialisation and facilitate growth within the region. To this end, we have already commenced several trade facilitation initiatives. My Ministry is at an advanced stage, working with NEXIM bank, on the proposed sea link coaster ferry services along the West African coast to reduce the same journey to less than one week. In addition, we are focusing on

formalising informal trades along the borders.

Only recently, Aganga led the federal government’s inauguration of a task force to review the country’s investment policies, which are expected to be anchored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3), a UK Department for International Development (DFID)-funded programme.

The review would cover investment policy, investment promotion and facilitation, trade policy; competition policy and corporate governance.

Aganga added: “For the first time, we have Nigeria in a different area where you can describe as the high growth and high return environment, compared to at least 75 percent of other global economies. This means that we are in a very unique position to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

However, the only thing that stands between us and taking advantage of this huge opportunity is having a wellcoordinated and systematic investment policy,’’ He explained that the OECD and DFIC had a good track record that had been tested based on what they had done in 60 other countries, noting that the review, which would be done at both the national and state levels, would be used as a model, globally, based on the successful implementation of the programme.

He said: “For us in Nigeria, it is the first time ever that we will have a well-coordinated investment policy framework, which we have never ever had in the country.

By implication, there are series of other action plans up Aganga’s sleeves, which are expected, would leave far reaching impacts on allied sectors of the economy.

Industry watchers however believe that Aganga will do better to initiate policies to streamline investment, business transactions and exports. These will create more jobs than the palliatives of the past.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT 41

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

When SPE Went For “Catch ‘Em Young”

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)Entrance Gate

By Abiola Onikoyi HE University of Nigeria roared into life two weeks ago as four hundred student delegates from twenty five universities from all over Africa arrived the campus to participate in the 11th Students’ Technical Conference and Exhibition.

The event, organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council (SPENC) witnessed the presentation of twenty seven undergraduate technical papers, four graduate (PHD) technical papers, the exciting Petroquiz competition and a first of its kind Career Fair organized by Shell Petroleum Development Company.

The Annual Conference started with a welcome address by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria who was represented by Prof Mosto O. Onuoha (PTDF Chair, UNN).

He welcomed the Society of Petroleum Engineers and all the delegates to the University of Nigeria and thanked the SPENC for giving the university the singular honour of hosting the conference. He also commended the efforts of the Society towards promoting professionalism in the Oil and Gas industry and in congruence with the theme, hinted on the need to grow Africa’s hydrocarbon reserves in existing fields and frontier areas.

Engr. Osayande Igiehon, the Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council, appreciated the Vice

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Chancellor and his management team for supporting SPE in achieving the Students Technical Conference and Exhibition. He attributed the growth and development of the organization to the sponsoring organizations, membership and volunteers in the last 40 years. He cited the debuting Career Fair organized

by Shell Petroleum Development Company and the upcoming Petroleum Engineering Education Summit planned to hold on April 22 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja as two initiatives being championed by the Council to improve human capital development in Nigeria. He urged the students from Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda to take advantage of the opportunity and build themselves for the future of the oil and gas industry through the Petro Quiz and paper presentations and invited the entire participants to the 37th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) holding from July 30 to August 1, 2013 at the Eko Hotel, Lagos The theme lecture was presented by Dr. Saka Matemilola of Shell Petroleum Development Company.

He exhaustively discussed the fundamentals of oil and gas exploration and production which he identified to be of three facets viz; Technology, Human Capital and Government.

With the theme of this year’s conference “Way forward for Growing Africa’s Oil and Gas and Reserves through Technology, Human Capital

Development and Sustainable Government Policies” he stressed on the need for individuals to possess the right skill and competence and appropriate policies by the government to enable the industry carry out its activities properly in addition to a clarion call for transparency in the award of oil blocks and effective monitoring of compliance with the terms of award.

The keenly contested Petroquiz competition saw Unilag emerging tops as they waltzed through the other twenty schools, emerging the best in Reservoir Engineering, Geology, Drilling, Mathematics and HSE/General Knowledge after the 8hour contest. They were followed closely behind by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Nnamdi Azikwe University in second and third place respectively. The winning chapters got a cash prize from the National Council and a sponsorship to the 37th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE).

Similarly, the technical paper contest witnessed participation from thirty one candidates. The results were announced by Engr. Osayande Igiehon with contestants from the University of Ibadan and IPS University of Port Harcourt emerging first in the undergraduate and post graduate categories respectively.

The Career Fair powered by Shell featured several enlightening discussions with a keynote address deliv-

ered by Engr. Victor Udora, the Maintenance Integrity and Execution Manager of SPDC. He inspired the raptly listening audience with his personal experiences and gave advice on how to maximize life opportunities.

The event came to a glistening close

with the presentation of awards to the participating dignitaries as well as the deserving students. In all, it was another milestone contribution of the Society of Petroleum Engineers to the African continent, a feat they have become famous for seamlessly replicating all over the world.

‘New African Discoveries Don’t Devalue Nigerian Influence’-NAPE President

By Sully Manope EORGE Osahon, president of the G Nigerian Association Of Petroleum Explorationists(NAPE), has dismissed the widespread concerns that new discoveries of hydrocarbon all over Africa might diminish the profile of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

“Sometimes these things are overblown”, says Osahon, a former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the operating arm of NNPC, the state hydrocarbon company. ”There are a number of exploration activities going on in the West African sub-region. Ghana made a discovery but they’ve had oil for a long time, since the early 1970’s. It’s not a new situation. Cote d’Ivoire has had oil for quite some time, there are some new boys on the block; Liberia, Sierra Leone, but the big ones actually are in South East Africa; Tanzania, Mozambique, but I don’t see them as any threat,” he

told NAPE News, the in-house publication of the association.

With 3,000 members, NAPE is the largest single grouping of oil and gas technical professionals in Africa.

The 37 year old body has contributed to the country’s policies and legislations through the years. So the view of NAPE’s president matters. Mr Osahon himself consults regularly for the Nigerian government.

He says that the fear is that if any country becomes a huge oil and gas producing country, what happens to us in Nigeria? He answers the question himself: “Absolutely nothing happens to us. People will continue to discover oil, to discover gas, what happens to Saudi Arabia when someone discovers oil. But there have been discoveries everywhere.”

Mr Osahon admits that new discoveries elsewhere “will put us under pressure”, but argues “that means we need to get our act together to make sure that we continue to be the place that attracts investors into the oil and gas industry.

Who Is Drilling What And Where In Africa In The Next Eight Months?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

ration well elsewhere in country’s offshore Zarat Moktar permit onshore Essaouira Basin in Permit.

Central Morocco in first half of 2013. In the was going to spud the Sipo-1 prospect, which is Tullow’s drilling campaign in Mauritania, sched- same country, Circle Oil plans a six well drilling located onshore Cameroon on the Ndian River uled to commence in the second quarter of 2013, programme for first half of 2013 in the Sebou Block, in early February 2013. The date has lapsed. is designed to drill new deeper plays in the offand Lalla Mimouna Permits. The campaign is Results from Sipo-1 were expected to come in shore Mauritanian basin which have not been aimed at boosting natural gas reserves on the around the end of the first quarter 2013. tested by previous exploration wells. Three of acreages. Circle projects over 50% increase in Cameroon needs this well badly. The country has the four wells are scheduled to be drilled in 2013 gross production from 4.5MMscf/d to between struggled with falling production. using the West Leo rig which has been operating 6.5 and 7.0MMsc/d in First Quarter 2013.

Equatorial Guinea- Ophir will pursue its lucky in Ghana for Tullow. The Group believes that Meanwhile, the least likely drilling project on streak off the coast of this small, volcanic island there is significant follow-on potential if any of Kosmos Energy’s 2013 schedule is in Morocco. on the Gulf of Guinea with three wells: Silanius these wells proves to be successful.

The company, says that “first drilling offshore East, Viscale East and Helius East, all in the third Longreach plans to drill its first well on the Sidi Morocco is targeted to commence as early as quarter of 2013.

The Australian independent also proposes to drill Manga MN1 prospect in its 100% operated Manga block offshore Gabon. There’s \a likelihood that Petrobras will drill the seemingly highly prospective Ntsina Padouck Deep in the Ntsina Block. Tullow plans a two well exploration drilling campaign in the Kiarsseny Block, to commence in the middle of 2013. Beyond exploration, the company expects “significant offshore and onshore drilling activity to continue on all fields in 2013, with a programme exceeding 60 infill wells across the Gabon portfolio”.

Statoil plans to drill two wells in Block 5, in the prolific deepwater offshore Mozambique, starting with the Cachalote well which is scheduled to commence drilling in Q2 using the Discoverer Americas rig.

North Africa: Kenya's first discovery, Ngamia-1. The DST results not encouraging, so far PA Resources plans to drill an appraisal well on the Elyssa Field in Tunisia 2013, and an explo-

late 2013”.

Kosmos’ planned capital programme in the country provides for additional geologic studies, as well as further processing and interpreting of 3D data already acquired on the Agadir Basin Blocks. Included in the 2013 capital programme are funds for the completion of the Company’s acquisition of an additional 37.5 percent interest in the Essaouira Block.

Exxoil plans a two well drilling programme in Tunisia, including one well onshore on the Sedouikech prospect in the Ras Marmour permit targeting 20 MMBO STOOIP and one well planned for the offshore Mahdia permit targeting up to 179 MMBO STOOIP. The proposed drilling on the Mahdia permit is the less certain of the two, as the operator only commenced, in mid February 2013, a 300 sq km 3D survey, to delineate the drilling location.

Vegas Oil and Gas’ 2013 work programme in Egypt includes the drilling of 4 further wells (1 producer and 3 injectors) in the first half of the year. The NW Gemsa Concession, containing the Al Amir and Geyad Development Leases, covering an area of over 260 square kilometres, lies about 300 kilometres southeast of Cairo in a partially unexplored area of the Gulf of Suez Basin.

Compiled from company reports, interviews and Africa Oil+Gas Report’s own continent wide intelligence. Key partner is Upstream Information Update(UIU). Phone:+2348025010347, +2348055298423

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

42 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

BACK PAGE/OPINION

Nigeria’s Oil Empire – Who’s Oil? Who’s Interest?

By Dayo Ojo RUDE oil as a commodity and a culture is arguably one of the most unifying and paradoxically, most contentious platforms for its owners, traders and users. The wealth, power and possibilities derivable from oil have escalated discourse on oil and related issues to the platform of a grand political chess game all around the world.

From Moscow to Washington to the Niger Delta to Iraq and to Vienna, politics, mischief and intrigue colour conversations on oil.

The competition for the control of oil rich economies and communities and the near bestial approach by power seekers remain ever dynamic.

From history to geo politics, examples abound of what Duncan Clarke proposes as the onslaught of barbarians in his 2007 treatise, “Empires of Oil”.

With the ongoing debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Nigeria’s complex oil game is afoot – one that has always been there and will remain. The contest is between and among several intertwined and intermingled interestsInternational Oil Companies (IOC’s1) and Indigenous Oil Companies (IOC’s-2), geo ethnic bedfellows (Northern and Southern contraptions), oil traders, rent seekers and “politrickcians” – madmen and specialists – apologies to WS. This PIB debate has naturally pitched southern politicians against their northern compatriots. To calm frayed nerves of his colleagues, David Mark, President of the Senate, the upper chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature, offered a sombre albeit repetitive remark: “ the bill is not North versus South; it is far from that. . . what is good for the North is also good for the South and what is bad for the South, is bad for the North ... (the bill) is like the lifewire of this country. . . the IOCs are very interested in the debate that is going on, just as Nigerians are interested in the debate” he said.

The Senate President is on point.

The entire hoopla is all about politics, or shall we say, the politics of oil! , or oil politics.

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Enang and the Oil blocks The comment by a Senator, Ita Enang representative of Akwa Ibom North East in the senate, claiming that over 83 per cent of oil blocks are owned by northerners was the most

ludicrous. Unfortunately, most commentators missed the point by arguing that the statistics by Enang was faulty and inaccurate. Yes, the data on which he based his contribution was conjured in his imagination but it was deliberate!

In oil politics around the world, different players with diverse interests emerge on the scene – the knowledgeable, the powerful, the meddlesome, the uniformed, etc – each with a varied set of interests – social, economic, political et al. Recognising this, no one should be seduced by the antics of politicians who sex up statistics at will to achieve political ends.

Perhaps a simple and practicable model for understanding the politics of oil is that proposed by Duncan Clarke in the earlier cited publication - an understanding of the complexity and the irony of oil through the Machiavellian prism – a model that suggests looking at the results in order to judge the motive.

But isn’t that the way politics has been played in this part of the world.

Even if Enang were wrong with his data, and we know he is deliberate, it is equally ironic that it is not only in Nigeria that oil is found in remote and primitive communities and the resulting wealth goes mainly to those who prospect for oil from modern super civilized and hi –tech western society.

The pretence about having a foolproof model for how the oil empire is run has to stop! No empire is ever run successfully by feeble hearted lords! There can be no half measures. Consider this: Nigerian indigenous private acreage holders produce, collectively, 80,000 barrels of oil per day, less than 5 per cent of national production of about 2.4 million barrels per day. The rest is produced by foreign owned oil companies. Are the so called foreign owned companies from the northern part of Nigeria as suggested by Enang?

Pull the veil further and it becomes crystal clear that of the approximately 80KBD production from so called indigenous producers, net production/benefit to Nigerians is less than equivalent of half of that figure. The reality being that most of the indigenous companies also have technical and financial partners whose contractual interests must be taken care of. In the few cases where

there are no direct equity holding by technical partners of the indigenous companies, funding has come mainly from financial institutions from outside these shores. So, the moot point is: Where is the real indigenous holding in oil production?

The place to commence correction of the flaws in how Nigeria’s oil empire is run is not around volume of production. The required building block has been laid by the Nigerian Content Law. The path to follow is to strengthen the Nigerian Content Management Board and set more realistic but aggressive targets. When Nigerians and Nigerian companies can provide basic technical services to the oil sector, they can from there gradually graduate to acquiring acreage assets and graduate to production.

Those indigenous companies who got marginal field more than 10 years ago and have streamed production should be encouraged. They should be challenged by offering them incentives. These are issues that right thinking law makers ought to focus on. The most significant accomplishments in gas utilisation has been made by those Toyin Akinosho stylishly refer to as “minnows”. Let the lawmaker’s create more of those “minnows” from the south, north, west and the east.

IOCs’ Interest The interests of the Multinational Oil Firms’ are vigorously represented in the Nigerian National Assembly. As expected, “Big Oil”(as these companies are collectively called) is strongly participating in the discourse to further its interest and the interest of the capitalist states it represents. “Big Oil” has profited immensely from Nigeria’s oil. But why would anyone suggest that “big oil” should sit arms akimbo and see its investment and profit fritter away? It takes a lot of effort to convince investors to come and invest in any country; and investors only go to places where they are certain that there will get return on their investment. The truth is that the IOCs are participating in the politics of the PIB to protect their profits.

But for the profits from oil, the IOCs will not stay here one day longer.

PIB devoid of Politics No discussion of oil can be apolitical for the nature of oil is political. What no one has argued against is that the spirit and the letter of the PIB are laudable. That being the case, it is

imperative that all the stakeholders, including the diverse interests from groups and regions, the government and the IOCs, should engage and meet each other midway.

The oil and gas industry is too critical to the Nigerian economy to be left only to political consideration.

Success in the other sectors of the economy will ultimately be tied to the success of the oil industry and by extension, the success of the PIB. The world does not have any perfect laws. The PIB is not, and will never be perfect. We need to make the best of it. Nigeria will be better for it if the PIB is passed into law.

Adedayo Ojo is Lead Consultant/CEO of Caritas Communications, a specialist reputation strategy and corporate communication consultancy with offices in Lagos and Accra.

Caritas is the West Africa affiliate of Regester Larkin, a pioneer reputa-

Dayo Ojo tion strategy/management consultancy with offices in London, Washington, Houston, Singapore and United Arab Emirates.

EVENTS/CONFERENCE

NAPE Calls For Abstracts For 2013 Conference HE Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists(NAPE) has called for T abstracts for papers for its 31st Annual International Conference, scheduled for November 10-14 2013 at the Eko Hotel.

The theme is Stimulating Exploration and Reserves Growth In A Maturing Basin.

The organization expects to receive the abstracts by July 1, 2013 and send out notice of acceptance by August 2, 2013. NAPE wants its presenters to have submitted their full papers by September 27, 2013.

Sub-themes include: Seismic technologies and the development of new play concepts; rock physics models; characterization and prediction of rock properties from surface and subsurface data.

Contending and competing exploration technologies, how far and how well?

Reservoir management strategies for sustained production and improved recovery.

Technology application and exploitation of small accumulations.

Policy initiatives for enhanced exploration and reserves growth.

All abstracts are to be emailed to Matthew Oton(Ph.D), of the Department of Geology at the University of Ibadan at ntonme@yahoo.com and copied info@nape.org.ng

NAPE Plans A Workshop On MArginal Field Scorcard/Nigerian Independents HE Nigerian Association Of Petroleum Explorationists(NAPE) has decided, for its 2013, annual industry workshop, to tackle the subject of operational T and business environment in which Nigerian marginal field operators and the country’s emerging indigenous independents are working.

“We want to examine the experiences, the challenges and the successes of the Marginal Field Operators, 10 years after the licences were awarded to them”, says Adedoja Ojelabi, President Elect of NAPE and Chairman Of The Conference Planning Committee, of which the workshop is a part. “We want to understand the growth of the Nigerian indigenous E&P operating space. We want to sit down with Bankers, Lawyers, Oilfield Economists and other professionals involved in these unique aspects of value creation”.

Mrs Ojelabi, herself an earth scientist with Chevron says that speakers will include some CEOs of these companies, as well as ranking Bankers and Investment Analysts both in Nigeria and abroad. The NAPE Pre-Conference workshop was launched by NAPE in 1990, to open up the association to the general business environment. The first set of industry ‘elders’ were retiring from the multinational companies. The workshop was meant to help NAPE members interface with the larger issues of the Nigerian economy. This is where we were meant to share ideas with bankers, accountants, others; treat topics that are broader than inversion seismic attributes and basin analysis.

The NAPE Annual Pre-Conference workshop was launched by NAPE in 1990, to open up the association to the general business environment. The first set of industry ‘elders’ were retiring from the multinational companies. The workshop was meant to help NAPE members interface with the larger issues of the Nigerian economy. This is where these technical professionals were meant to share ideas with bankers, accountants, others; treat topics that are broader than inversion seismic attributes and basin analysis. The workshop took off with the theme Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the Upstream Sector of the Nigeria Petroleum Industry in 1990. In the 23 years since, it has examined, among others, Financing The Upstream Sector, Opportunities and Risks(1991)Building Real Indigenous Capacity for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry(2001), Nigerian Content: Capacity Building and Utilization(2006), Special Workshop On The PIB(2009)and The Nigerian Content Law: Application and Implications(2010) .

“We think it’s an opportune time for NAPE to invite the entire industry, as well as Nigeria’s business professionals, in Banks and related spaces, to interrogate the species named The Nigerian E&P independent and of course the “marginal field segment of the larger body of Nigerian Independents”.

Members of the Committee assigned the task of delivering the workshop include Mrs Patricia Ochogbu of ExxonMobil and Messrs George Oguachuba(TOTAL), Gilbert Odior(ExxonMobil), Isaac Arowolo(Chevron), Nedo Osanyande(Shell) Bashir Koledoye(D’Harmattan Energy Services) and Austin Avuru(SEPLAT). Three of seven member strong committee are former Presidents of NAPE. “We needed to have an influential committee to deliver a high impact workshop”, Mrs Ojelabi says.

For participation in Oil & Gas section, contact: The Manager: Lagos: 01 7736351; Abuja: 07098513445

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Energy West Africa Gas Pipeline to resume operations …Allays fears of environmental hazard from flaring in Lagos

By Roseline Okere EST African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), the operator of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) has concluded plans to commence the flow of gas from Nigeria to Ghana after being shut for almost eight months.

WAPCo shut down the pipeline system after experiencing a loss of pressure around the Lome, Togo segment of the pipeline in August last year.

Already, the company has lost over $80 million revenue since its gas pipelines were shut due to ruptures, which resulted to gas flaring in Lagos station.

Already, the WAPCo and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have alleyed fears of environmental pollution as a result of gas flaring from the Lagos plant.

Ghana, which depends on the pipeline for power production, has been experiencing power cuts due to shortages of gas as a result of the shutdown of the pipelines.

General Manager, Corporate Affairs, WAPCo, Harriet Wereko Brobbey, said the company is expected to resume flow of gas by April 30. “The damaged pipeline is receiving intensive repairs and it is being tested to make it leakage-proof.

“We have replaced the damaged segments; we have tested the joins and made sure that there are no leakages.

Now the next thing that we have to do is to clean the pipeline to make sure that there is no water and debris. And after we clear that out then we will dry the pipe and once it is dry enough we will be able to flow gas. We are expecting that all things being equal if everything goes well then April 30 is the date when we will be ready to resume the transportation of gas. We will just announce to our shipper that the pipeline is ready so push the gas through”, she noted.

She added that efforts were being made to protect and safeguard the pipeline to avoid future damages along the coasts of the four countries.

“We have actively engaged the naval forces of the four countries namely Togo, Nigeria, Benin and Ghana and they have agreed to help us to protect the pipelines so they are doing their normal patrols. In addition to that, we have an agreement with the navy of Benin and they are now patrolling regularly with a focus on our pipeline to make sure that it is secured. We are hoping that there will be a greater focus just on protecting the pipelines against incidences such as third party breaches”.

Speaking on gas flaring at the company’s station in Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria, the Station Supervisor, Lagos Beach, Olugbenga Agboola, explained that the flare was used to dispose off purged/wasted gas from the gas plant.

He added that the flare serves as the

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last line of defence in the safe emergency release system of the gas plant when the pipeline was damaged.

Agboola hinted that flare has been designed to ensure safety at all times to personnel, neigbouring communities, environment and equipment.

“WAPCo is continually committed to the safety of people and community at all times”.

He disclosed: “Waste gas from various parts of the plant are gathered together and sent to a liquid knockout drum (The flare scrubber). This will remove any liquid in the waste gas. The gas from the flare scrubber proceeds to the flare stack where it is burned.

The liquids from the flare scrubber are pumped to another tank where it will be removed with a vacuum truck.

“The main by-product of the combustion, water and carbon dioxide ( CO2 & H2O) do not impact the environment hence the flare does not constitute air quality pollution to the environment.

“There is air injection to the burner tip to ensure smokeless burning hence minimizing air quality environmental pollution.

Air injection to the burner tip reduces flame luminosity reducing visual pollution. Complete combustion byproducts are environmentally friendly i.e. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O)”, he added.

He said that there is minimum green house effect on environment due to lean burn combustion at very low pressure (0.05Barg).

“The flare in its normal operation has very low or no flame visible at the tips.

The flare is only large when there is a process upset and during emergency.

The design is such that heat radiation is very minimal”, he said.

The Health/ Environment & Safety Specialist, Romeo Obaye, said the plant was designed in such a way that gas could be flared in an environmentally friendly manner.

He said the main by-products of the combustion (water and carbon dioxide) did not constitute any environment threat.

“We obtained air emissions permit

Gas Pipeline from the Federal Ministry of Environment in February 2012. We also obtained flare permit for initial facility commissioning from Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and another flare permit from DPR for pipeline re-commissioning following pipeline breach in August 2012,” he said.

General Manager of LASEPA, Mr. Adebola Shabi, who confirmed the development, said his office had visited the area to assess the situation.

According to him, LASEPA and the affected company, WAPCO has already assessed the situation and succeeded in putting in place some measures that has drastically reduced the inten-

sity of gas being released into the air.

He said: “We have been to the site two times to carry out assessment and the company told us their challenges. The company did not inform us before embarking on gas flaring. If they had informed us, we would have been able to sensitise the community on what they are about to face.”

Global petroleum industry mergers, acquisitions hit $20.6 billion in first quarter

By Roseline Okere OUSTON-based research, transaction and advisory firm, Petroleum Listing Services, in conjunction with its international partner, Derrick Petroleum Services, has put global Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity for first quarter of 2013 at $20.6 billion in 106 separate transactions.

The global M&A activity was $140.9 billion in 208 deals during the fourth quarter of 2012 and $41.9 billion in 197 deals in first quarter of 2012.

According to the report released at the weekend, the first quarter of 2013 deal value was the lowest since 2007, which was $21.8 billion and also the lowest

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since the record of 64 deals in first quarter of 2009.

The report stated that the United States accounted for 63 per cent of deal value and 51 per cent of deal count.

“Canada saw numerous small deals and accounted for 28 per cent of the deals. Though its share of deal value slipped dramatically to under three per cent (compared to a trailing four-quarter global market share of 20 per cent)”.

Director, Derrick Petroleum Services, Mangesh Hirve, disclosed that while Canada and the United States finally approved CNOOC’s acquisition of Nexen, they did so with some hesitancy. “In Canada, the government signaled this

to be the last deal of its kind that would grant a NOC rights to take a majority stake in Alberta’s strategic oil sands. That being said, Chinese NOC’s buying spree continued, taking a record of 41 per cent share of the overall market this quarter with $8.6 billion of buys. Since 2008, this latest buying brings Chinese NOCs total over the $100 billion mark to $104.7 billion.”

Regionally, in terms of deal value this quarter, North America had $13.7 billion, followed by Africa, $4.2 billion; the FSU, $1.4 billion and Europe, $0.9 billion.

Managing Director, Brian Lidsky,

stated that after a record level of activity late in 2012 due to U.S. fiscal cliff concerns, the oil and gas deal markets slowed dramatically in early 2013 as buyers digested their acquisitions.

He said that deal activity slipped to about 40 per cent from the prior fourquarter average and deal inventory has grown by about a third.

He added that in North America, buyers are getting an upper hand for early stage and higher risk projects . “Also, highly-prized resource play positions, particularly ones that are operated, de-risked and going into full development will continue to command premiums,” he added.

Shell to invest N632 billion in gas-gathering facilities

By Roseline Okere HELL Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has unveiled plans to invest $4 billion (N632 billion) in projects to develop new oil and gas fields that will include gas-gathering facilities in the country.

The company said in its 2012 Sustainability Report released at the weekend, that the facilities would also help reduce flaring further by processing gas from other SPDC fields that is currently flared. “Once these projects are completed, SPDC’s flaring intensity is expected

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to be below the current industry average”.

It disclosed that the company’s production was around 20 per cent below capacity in its onshore facilities due to pipeline shutdowns resulting from crude oil theft in 2012.

SPDC noted that improved security by the government amnesty for militants and stable cofunding from its partners enabled the company to continue its multi-year programme to install new gas-gathering facilities and repair existing ones damaged by militants.

“As a result, SPDC ’s flaring fell in 2012 by around

25 per cent from the previous year, while production fell by eight per cent”.

It stated that SPDC’s flaring intensity – hydrocarbons flared per tonne of production – fell by around 20 per cent in 2012 compared to the previous year, to the lowest level SPDC has recorded.

“The volume of operational spills onshore from SPDC facilities improved again in 2012, falling to 0.2 thousand tonnes, a drop of over 50 per cent from the previous year. The number of operational spills also improved, falling to 36 in 2012, a decrease of over 40 per cent.

“There were 137 spills caused by sabotage and theft in the area immediately surrounding SPDC pipelines and other facilities in 2012, totalling 3.3 thousand tonnes. Operational spills accounted for around five per cent of the total volume spilled from SPDC facilities in 2012. Of 316 sites in need of remediation at the start of 2012, SPDC had cleaned almost 80 per cent by the end of the year”, it added.

The report SPDC has replaced almost 500 km of pipeline in the last three years and work continues to replace further pipelines.

48 ENERGY

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Oriental, Afren commission community projects in Akwa Ibom The company said in a media statement that 60 youths have RIENTAL Energy Resources graduated from the Oriental and Afren Nigeria have and Afren-sponsored procommissioned two major de- gramme. “They have comvelopment projects in Akwa pleted training at various skills Ibom, which is part of their acquisition centers where they community development studied welding and fabricawork in the region. tion, aluminum works fabricaAlready, Oriental and Afren tion, fashion design, hair have completed the renova- dressing and auto mechanic retion of and provision of equip- pairs and maintenance. The ment for the Chemical & students were each provided Petroleum Engineering De- with a complete set of Starterpartment’s laboratories and Packs of all the equipment libraries at the University of needed to practice their reUyo. spective trade and a take-off This, the companies said, has grant of two hundred thouhelped the school re-attain ac- sand naira each to enable them creditation from the Nigerian establish businesses of their University Commission (NUC) own. and Council for Regulation of Commenting on the various Engineering in Nigeria development projects, Afren (COREN) and forms part of a Chairman, Egbert Imomoh five-year project to transform said, “Together with Oriental, the department into Nigeria’s we have set the standard for number one Chemical and Pe- Marginal Field Operations troleum Engineering Studies whilst responsibly maintaincentre.

By Roseline Okere

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ing the environment in which we operate in and making a profound impact on the lives of the host communities in Akwa Ibom State.

“In our effort to leave a lasting legacy in Uyo, we envision this project being implemented in phases, with the ultimate goal of transforming the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department of the University of Uyo into the number one destination for Chemical and Petroleum Engineering education in Nigeria.

“Our vision doesn’t stop there, as we intend to also make it a world-class institute comparable to the very best in the world, which would consequently turn out well-educated graduates in petroleum and chemical engineering.

These graduates will provide the much-needed local workforce that will serve the petro-

leum industry in Nigeria and the world at large,” he added.

Vice Chancellor Comfort Ekpo said that the Afren and Oriental Energy collaboration was strong invitation to other organizations to key into the boundless opportunities and challenges in the universities for collaboration and support, and to put to use the various equipment to enhance teaching, learning and research.”

Oriental Energy Resources Chairman, Muhammadu Indimi said, ‘Contributing value to our communities is central to our business model and the breadth of these projects demonstrates our commitment. We are particularly proud of the strength of the partnership we have with Afren and with the Akwa Ibom State Government. We look forward to continuing to work closely together to deliver real value for local communities.”

Expert tasks govt on use of indigenous engineers

By Sulaimon Salau HE Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the Federal Government to consider local engineers in championing some power projects in the country, in view of the local content development agenda.

The branch Chairman of NSE Egbin Power Station chapter Engr. Obidiegwu Onuora Onura made the plea during the investiture reception ceremony in recognition of the award of fellow (FNSE) conferment on MD/CEO of Egbin Power Station in Lagos.

He said that the local engineers had excelled in various power projects within and

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outside the country which they deserved to be at the vanguard of any engineering projects in Nigeria.

Onura said that local engineers should be encouraged by giving them jobs to execute in any project be it power, road, civil engineering among others.

“The idea is to encourage capacity building of the indigenous engineers and to also empower them financially to realise the dream of self-independence.

Onura said that the engagement of local engineers would enable them to be in position to compete internationally and urged his col-

leagues to put in more efforts.

He however urged government to find a way to assist in tackling issues confronting engineering in the country.

The chairman said that it was wrong to wait until there was a problem before looking for a solution.

According to him, “Bringing foreign engineers into the country is not the problem but for them taken over the position of Nigerian engineers remains the major challenges that needs to be addressed.

“Our national body is working towards meeting all the concerned government’s authorities in other to ensure

that such act is addressed and lasting solution is applied to put a stop to it,” he added.

He urged government to embrace an effective the act of local content development act on Nigerian engineers’ modules.

Onura said that the NSE has a local content department in all of its branches, which the association has asked all its branches to ensure that local content stand in all organisations of their operations.

“Nigeria engineers are equal to the task, we can compete with any engineers outside the country, we are better informed and highly qualified.”

He said.

Fuel scarcity not imminent, says NNPC

By Roseline Okere

IGERIAN National PetroN leum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream and marketing subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) have debunked reports on imminent fuel scarcity in the Southwest carried in a section of the media.

The acting Group General Manager Public Affairs, Tumini Green, said the corporation was not facing any challenge in respect to fuel loading.

She added that it was only the depot at Atlas Cove, which was temporarily shut down for the maintenance of its power generator, which is a standard industry practice.

Green added that the Atlas Cove depot is not a loading but a storage depot, underscoring the fact that loading could not have been affected.

“What happened was that one of the major generators at the Atlas Cove was undergoing a routine maintenance

which resulted in a shutdown of pumping activities.

The suspension of pumping from Atlas Cove for maintenance did not in any way affect distribution activities as the depots serviced by the Atlas Cove Jetty through the System 2B Pipeline have enough products to keep all the states in the South-West Zone wet throughout the period of the maintenance,” Green stated.

“As at this morning (yesterday), the maintenance which started on Wednesday has been concluded and pumping has resumed”, she explained further.

She said the depots under the System 2B Pipeline have an average of 5.4 days fuel sufficiency with the breakdown as follows: Mosimi – 6.4 days, Ibadan – 5.9 days, Ilorin –4.2 days, and Ore – 5.1 days.

Green urged members of the public to avoid panic buying, as there is enough fuel in all the depots to service the zone.

NLNG awards contract to MTL IGERIAN Liquefied NatuN ral Gas (NLNG) has awarded contract to Multinational Technologies Limited (MTL), for the provision of Non Destructive Testing (NDT) services for three years.

The contract awarded covers NDT services using ultrasonic testing, penetrant inspection, magnetic particle inspection, Visual inspection, positive alloy material identification.

The advance inspection services includes long range Ultra-sonic Testing (LRUT), eddy current testing, Radiography, Leak Detection Specialist, NDT services, while the De-

structive Testing (DT) services uses the spectroscopy, microscopy and mechanical testing of weld/metal samples.

According to the Managing Director of the company, Dr. Daniel Agina, the need to acquire the latest version of these equipments was borne out of company’s desire to meet the aspirations of its clients and provide greater alternative to the conventional methods of pipeline inspections.

While maintaining that MTL will continue to provide the lead by matching its words with actions.

‘How to utilise clean energy to boost industrialisation’ Mr. Oyebode Oyeleye, an engineer, was the Director of Power at the Federal Ministry of Power. He is presently the President of GoGreen Light-up Nigeria project, a project aimed at promoting clean efficient energy. In this interview with SULAIMON SALAU, he proffers solutions to Nigeria’s power sector crises. Excerpts. ow would you describe the H present state of Nigeria’s power sector?

Obviously, the power supply situation in the country is still far below the expectation of an average citizen. It is one thing for government to say that we have achieved this much and it is another thing for the citizens themselves to now be able to say that we can truly feel the impact of government. There is a lot of disparity between the two, what government is claiming and what the citizen are experiencing.

The general view of an average citizen is that the power generation is still not up to the expected level.

I am aware that government has made a lot of investment in the area of power generation, transmission and distribution, although I consider the investment as a drop in an ocean.

I believe strongly that if this effort is complemented by the private sector participation, such as GoGreen light up Nigeria project, I am sure that we will achieve stable electricity supply in a very short while.

All eyes are now on the power sector reforms, we are presently above average in the process of privatization. Do you see the privati-

zation rescuing Nigeria’s power sector?

Yes, based on what is going on, the bidding has been concluded, am aware that by the middle of this year, some the firms will take over the discos and gencos, if things are still on order, but government needs to show more commitment in terms of making sure that they deliver within the timeline.

Nigerians are worried about favouritism, as we have experienced in the past in the NITEL case. In this case, with the caliber of companies listed as winners, do you see competence in them?

I think they carried out due diligence in the selection process, (both financial and technical diligence). I want to believe that the committees that were saddled with that responsibly have put national interest above every other consideration. So, I believe in it strongly and I have confidence in that committee, I believe they are patriotic citizens and believe that whatever they do they must have put the country’s interest first, knowing fully well the state of the nation as regards power sector.

Recently, government made a policy summersault of the free prepaid meters. Don’t you see the inconsistence policies, indicating negative signs toward the reforms?

On the issues of prepaid meters and inconsistence policies. What I want Nigerians to appreciate is that even if everybody gets prepaid meters, the purpose is for economic reasons and not for energy consumption pattern. The citizens believed that they are over billed, and they needed a

Oyeleye technology to account for whatever they are consuming. The clause I see in the prepaid meter saga is that the prepaid meter should not be something that the discos will be selling. Just like the telecoms sector, a consumer will buy any his or her type of phone anywhere and then register it with the appropriate network. It think there should be a way of liberalizing the market. This can be done I way that the manufacturers will have a distributor or agent where consumers can go and buy, and later take it to the disco for registration as well as buying card. So, if we can augment the process be making sure it is more liberal, the acceptability is guaranteed, the consumers can even buy the prepaid meters cheaper, but in a scenario whereby it is an agency of government alone that sells meter, even the manufacturers will have to manufacture for the discos, is a reason why we are having a lot of bottlenecks.

I think the issue is that we don’t have companies producing prepaid meters in this country, although the minister recently said we have two, one in Lagos and the other in Kaduna. Even two cannot take care of the whole country, what should the government do to encourage local production of meters?

You have to understand this, how many companies are producing cell phones in Nigeria? There are appropriate regulatory agencies to enforce standard. If I am interested in importing prepaid meters for a company that has been certified by the appropriate regulatory agency, is should be able to bring it. If you want a phone now, you can choose to buy anyone. So if these bottlenecks are resolved, I am sure that every Nigeria will buy prepaid meter at a price far cheaper that what they are buying now, and the whole country will be better for it.

So, which area is the Go-Green Nigeria project is ready to assist in lighting up Nigeria?

The Go-Green Light up Nigeria project is a outcome of the study that was carried out at Oduduwa, where by 500 tcp energy saver lamp was used to replace 500 incandescent lamp, and the result indicates a very significant drop in the power consumption pattern of that community and the result was immediate. This kind of massive replacement of incandescent lamp that is associated with a lot of wastage of energy generated in the economy has been carried out in countries like Cuba, Venezuela, even in Africa, Ghana solved their power challenges but just injecting 6 million energy saver lamp to replace six million incandescent

lamp and that totally changed things around for them. The total power generation in Ghana is 2065mw, I know that there population is much, but if you look at this power generation of 2065mw, it is just like what used to generate in the 70s and 80s when we were a the peak of our industrial utilization in this country. Today, Ghana is taking over all our manufacturing sector with 2065and we are boasting of 5000mw capacity now. If you look at that, it means that our industrial utilization has dropped because most companies have closed down, and the major demand now will be for domestic consumption and it is growing because of increase in population. The Go-Green Light up Nigeria project is a concept like a partnership with the Technical Consumer product of USA, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the distribution of 100million tcp energy saver lamp, under a special arrangement in the country. if we achieve this distribution, it is equivalent to avoiding generation of 7013mw of power. Since 1999 to date Nigeria’s total power generation is about 5000mw, in 1999, total generation was 1,850mw. Therefore, between 1999 to date we have been able to only add about 3,150mw to it. So, what we are planning with GoGreen project is to avoid generation of 7013mw in the next four years, the result is instant. GoGreen Nigeria platform will provide that platform for individuals, families, government, and others to be able to complement government in its drive to regular power supply.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Opinion A people in denial

By Femi Fani-Kayode “Boko Haram has not committed any wrong to deserve amnesty. Surprisingly the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you (government) pardon” – Abubakar Shekau, the spokesman and leader of Boko Haram speaking to the French News Agency AFP.

HILST our President is still busy offering W amnesty to those who have rejected it and whilst the Nigerian people and intelligensia are involved in a barren and futile debate about the merits and demerits of granting amnesty to terrorists, Boko Haram continues to kill, maim and destroy. It is clear to me that our people are in denial and that our government is deluded, irresponsible and insensitive. As we are busy debating about amnesty or no amnesty for Boko Haram, the Niger Delta terrorist organisation known as MEND have quietly given us notice about their sinister plans for our country. After killing 14 policemen in a ruthless attack just last week, they have told us through their spokesman, one Jomo Gbomo, that it is their intention to “start killing Muslims and attacking mosques as from 31st May, 2013 in order to protect and save Christianity in Nigeria”. This warning and statement of intent was published and reported in the American website magazine called Bloomberg.com on 14th April 2013.

Yet despite all these troubling signs and signals, the Nigerian people and the Nigerian government, in their usual manner, are still napping and pretending as if all is well. Perhaps we all deserve what is coming. A people that do not even have the guts to courageously demand that their government rise up to the occassion and do their job by protecting the lives and property of its citizens deserve prayer and pity.

When Boko Haram and MEND finally face one another in a terrible war of reprisal killings and bombings that is when our people will understand the implications of tolerating a government that is incapable of doing its job and

confronting terror with a firm and decisive hand.

It is very clear to me that Pastor Tunde Bakare’s assertion that President Goodluck Jonathan’s destiny is to “bankrupt and balkanise Nigeria” and that he is merely “dancing to the drum beat of his destiny” may well be prophetic. Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to bleed and die as many of her citizens are bombed to pieces, maimed and have their throats slit open every day by islamist terrorists who do not know, or care to know, the meaning of peace, restraint, decency or dialogue. President Goodluck Jonathan has handed our country over to a bunch of butchers who have no value for human life.

Under his watch our people continue to die and die whilst he sits in the Presidential Villa and drinks champagne.

Worst still is the sheer irresponsibility and shameless behaviour of one or two of our northern governors who, instead of attempting to provide more security for their people in their respective domains, are besides themselves trying to either get on the lucrative gravy train known as the Boko Haram Amnesty Committee or are actually speaking for Boko Haram and explaining their actions. If the latter were not the case how do you explain the illogical and frankly absurd contribution from my old friend Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State who said that “the real Boko Haram will accept amnesty’’ and that “it is their criminal and political sect members that are rejecting the offer?” (Leadership Newspaper, 15th April, 2013).

I have three questions here. Since when has a democratically elected governor of one of the largest and most important states in northern Nigeria and a man that was a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under President Obasanjo’s government for almost eight good years become the official spokesman for Boko Haram? How come he appears to know who is who within that terrorist organisation and the attitude and na-

and General Sani Abacha’s decisive response to such madness?

When Abacha was in power he knew exactly how to handle the islamist tendency that plagued Kano in his time, including those that organised and incited the mob to kill Akaluka. He had them killed quietly one after the other until the problem was solved and the plague of islamist terror was abated. One of the leaders of those that killed Akaluka, as a consequence of his royal connections, survived and escaped death only because he was hidden in a Sokoto prison for two years whilst Abacha was told that he had been killed. That individual certainly came bouncing back into the public space and the circles of power and has now reached “high places” but that is a story for another day. How I wish that the present leadership of our country could learn a lesson or two from General Sani Abacha’s approach to the islamist rebellion that we have been confronted with. They can also learn a lot from the approach of another moderate Muslim by the name of Kamel Attaturk who was the founder and father of the modern Turkish state. He knew what to do to the islamist terrorists in his midst and he did it without thinking twice or batting an eyelid.

Yet sadly Nigeria is not blessed with such leaders today. Instead we are saddled with a President who, only a few weeks ago, described Boko Haram as his “siblings”. We have a President who does not appreciate the fact that it is his job to provide security for our nation and to protect the Nigerian people from the enemy within and the enemy without. We have a President who is on his knees morning, day and night begging the islamist terrorists to accept an amnesty that they never asked for in the first place and which they have consistently rejected. We have a President and a people that just don’t know what they are up against. We have a President and a people that are suffering from the worst form of denial.

May God save Nigeria and may He send us a deliverer.

• Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation.

ture of each of it’s factions and why does he seek to absolve his preferred faction of the evil that they have collectively visited on the Nigerian people in the last two years? The third question is this – since when has any part or faction of Boko Haram not been criminal and political?

I daresay that every part and every faction of this wicked organisation of heartless men and women is not only criminal but they are also political and religious.

Boko Haram is an islamist organisation who are dedicated to imposing and establishing an islamic fundamentalist state in northern Nigeria through the use of violence. They also wish to wipe out Christianity and true islam in the north and they reject the idea of living in a country where Christians can take any position of leadership let alone be President. Yet these are the type of people that Governor Isa Yuguda and a number of other northern leaders is now speaking for and trying to absolve? A vicious group of people that have slaughtered no less than 4,200 Nigerians and non-Nigerians in the last two years and that have burnt down and bombed virtually every church that existed in some commiunities and states in the north? If anyone doubts that they should find out from the Catholics what happened to 50 of the 52 churches that they established in Borno State.

The implication of Yuguda’s contribution is that there is a faction of Boko Haram that is wholesome and righteous. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Every single person and group that is a part of or is in any way associated with Boko Haram is evil, is destructive and has blood on their hands. And anyone, no matter how highly placed, revered or distinguished, that tries to rationalise their actions or absolve them of their murderous ways is equally evil and equally guilty of murder. Nigeria is a country in denial where leaders are always ready, willing and able to rationalise, defend and forgive the actions of beasts. Yet this has not always been so. Remember the public beheading of Gideon Akaluka in Kano in the 90’s by an irate mob of islamists for allegedly using a page of the koran as toilet paper

The meaning of humility (2)

By Paul Kokoski Continued from yesterday UR Lord’s Eucharistic life in the tabernacle also reproduces examples of humility. It is here that the Divinity of Christ is veiled perhaps to a greater extent than it was in the crib and on Calvary. It is here that He continues to suffer affronts from non-believers as well as Christians who either ignore Him or at times, either out of weakness or shame, make sacrilegious communions. Nonetheless, Christ incessantly proclaims, “Come to me, all you that labour and are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you”(Matt. 11:28).

We can practice humility, after Our Lord’s example, in many ways toward God, our neighbour and ourselves. Toward God we can practice the spirit of religion whereby we contemplate God as the fullness of being and perfection while at the same time joyfully acknowledging our own sinfulness and nothingness. From the heart we cry out to Him “Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art Lord, Thou alone art most high.” In union with our Blessed Mother we can also show our humility toward God by thanking Him for all the good He has bestowed upon us: “My soul doth magnify the Lord...He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His name”(Luke 1: 46-49). Mary’s humility consisted in gratefully recognizing that all her sterling qualities and endowments were pure, gratuitous gifts from God. She did not selfishly appropriate them to herself or selfishly hoard them.

We can also exercise humility towards God by confessing, in the spirit of dependence, our inability to do any good of ourselves. We should thus never undertake any action without first placing ourselves under the influence of the Holy Spirit – whose grace alone can supply for our deficiencies.

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In regards to our neighbour, we can practice humility by seeing in him both the natural and supernatural good, which God has placed in him and admire it without envy or jealousy.

This means rejoicing at his successes and virtues. At the same time we must overlook, while praying for his conversion, those defects in our neighbour that it is not our duty to correct.

This attitude enables us to see ourselves as inferior to others: “In humility, let each esteem others better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3). We must avoid the pitfall of the self-righteous who, as often manifest in the form of sarcasm, take pleasure in contemplating the defects of others, against which their own superiority stands out more glowing. In them there lives an evil resentment against the virtues of others, which they experience as a threat to their self-glory. In this regard St. Vincent de Paul gave his disciples the following advice: “Every man can and should judge himself; and when he knows himself intimately, he sees clearly that he is indeed guilty, and further, that there exist in him evil tendencies. From this he concludes that he must hold himself in contempt. Others, however, he should not and cannot condemn, since he does not know their motives, which are essential elements for the appraisal of conduct.”

To practice humility with respect to ourselves we must, first and foremost, consider our defects, our nothingness and our sinfulness without failing to recognize the good in us and to give the proper thanks to God. This makes it easier to practice humility, which must extend to the whole man, to mind, heart and outward conduct. Humility of mind requires a proper distrust of self that prevents us from overrating our ability, and disposes us to feel humiliated at the ill-use we have made of the gifts of God. We must use our talents for good without seeking to be noticed or to be praised.

Humility of mind requires that we practice in-

tellectual docility. This includes accepting, as having a greater wisdom than our own judgements, the official teachings of the Church – even those which do not possess the character of infallibility. Humility of heart requires that we shun the exalted life of honours and glory and “Sit down in the lowest place” (Luke. 14:10). We ought not to dwell on the talents we have, for they are not ours; we are only the bearers of them, and even with these gifts we can lose our souls. For this reason no one should flatter himself, nor take any complacency in himself...he should rather humble himself and acknowledge that he is but a poor instrument, which God deigns to employ.

External humility is the outward manifestation of inward sentiments born of decision of the will. There are numerous ways in which, by our outward conduct, we express the virtue of humility: by not seeking the finest lodgings or the most expensive clothes; by rejecting petty pleasures and honours; by avoiding slavery to conventions; by having an unassuming posture; by engaging in humble occupations.

The same may be said of the condescension, marks of deference and acts of courtesy shown to others. In our conversations we should seek not to discuss our own interests but those of others. Saint Josemaria Escriva lists 17 evidences of a lack of humility: • Thinking that what you do or say is better than what others do or say.

• Always wanting to get your own way.

• Arguing when you are not right or – when you are – insisting stubbornly or with bad manners.

• Giving your opinion without being asked for it, when charity does not demand you to do so.

• Despising the point of view of others.

• Not being aware that all the gifts and quali-

ties you have are on loan.

• Not acknowledging that you are unworthy of all honour and esteem, even the ground you are treading on or the things you own.

• Mentioning yourself as an example in conversation.

• Speaking badly about yourself, so that they may form a good opinion of you, or contradict you.

• Making excuses when rebuked.

• Hiding some humiliating faults from your (spiritual) director, so that he may not lose the good opinion he has of you.

• Hearing praise with satisfaction, or being glad that others have spoken well of you.

• Being hurt that others are held in greater esteem than you.

• Refusing to carry out menial tasks.

• Seeking or wanting to be singled out.

• Letting drop words of self-praise in conversation, or words that might show your honesty, your wit or skill, your professional prestige.

• Being ashamed of not having certain possessions.

True humility is thoroughgoing poverty of both heart and mind. St. Theresa of Avila simply calls it “walking in truth”. It is the correlative human effort to know both God and oneself as the two parties are objectively. Humility is primarily a disposition of our will to restrain that tendency, which we all have to claim an esteem and consideration, which is beyond our due and to assert an independence of judgment and of will that does not belong to us as creatures.

In the words of St. Augustine: “If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts our meaningless.”

• Concluded.

• Kokoski wrote from Ontario, Canada.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Opinion How much oil is being stolen in Nigeria?

By Patrick Cole NE of the most fundamental issues at the heart of the deO bate on oil theft is how much oil is really being stolen in Nigeria and where is it stolen.

Last year the Ministry of Finance said the country was losing 400,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to oil theft while the Ministry of Petroleum took a more conservative view of 180,000 bopd. Independent observers, including the leaked version of the Petroleum Revenue Task Force Report have put it at between 180,000 and 250,000 bopd. Last month, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced that oil theft has reduced to between 50,000 and 80,000 bopd following intervention by the government and security services, but recent claims by Shell have suggested that it is still losing up to 60,000 bpd appear to dispute that claim.

Whether we use the top level or bottom level estimates, these figures rightly elicit a sense of outrage, especially when considered in terms of the development programmes that could have been executed with the expected oil revenue. Perhaps the most pertinent problem associated with the range of numbers in use is whether or not we will ever know if oil theft has been

stopped? The lack of consensus as to the amount of oil that is being lost to the illegal oil trade clearly indicates a need for an independent assessment of the volume of theft and its geography/form.

For there to be any proper assessment, there must first be accurate data on oil production and exportation. This aligns with the calls for proper and real-time monitoring of activities in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil sectors. The use of technology in oil exploration should be extended to supporting solutions to end oil theft – a transparent government owned system of calibration and improved measurement of oil production/export needs to be agreed and implemented.

Late last year, while the Petroleum Industry Bill stalled at the National Assembly, the Department of Weights and Measures of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment was mandated to start the application of the Weight and Measures Act 2004 to operations in the oil industry to reconcile inconsistencies in oil production figures and ultimately check oil theft. The deployment of legal meteorology infrastructure at strategic points of the oil exploration and production value chain was much discussed. Several months on however, it is unclear what real steps have been taken towards ensuring the deployment of the required infra-

structure.

Conflicting claims in the last two weeks from the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Shell on the current volume of oil theft underlines the pressing need for an independent assessment and improved measurement of oil production/export in the industry. The number of recorded pipeline vandalisations and pirate attacks off the coast in recent weeks would suggest that oil theft may indeed have spiked as is claimed by the company.

But at the same time, in spite of identified challenges, illegal refineries are being destroyed and suspected oil thieves arrested daily. This issue should not be one that can be debated.

It should be clear to all.

The government and the IOCs must sit down with inspection and verification agencies and companies and maritime experts to agree on the implementation of measuring infrastructure in oil exploration and production. Proper measurement of production on the one hand, and export, on the other, will assist in determining how much oil is being lost via the activities of oil thieves. It may likely also assist in determining at which points the theft is occurring – key information if the work of the security agencies is to be truly effective.

• Amb. Cole, OFR, is a Consultant to The Guardian Editorial Board.

Koshoni: Sea power icon @ 70

By Olutunde Oladimeji PPROPRIATE sea power is the answer to many maritime security challenges facing Nigeria today. The current vicious A “creek warfare” is one of the reasons, Sea Power, Maritime Security, Naval Strategy and similar terms have become topical.

But is the nation responding appropriately?

Admiral Patrick Koshoni made outstanding contributions to the maritime defence strategy of Nigeria. As we celebrate the career of one man who has spent his naval career articulating enduring concepts of maritime security strategy, we should ponder and seek ways to actualise maritime security for the economic wellbeing of the nation.

Sea power is the possession and use of sea-based capability supported by land-based installations to further the national interests of a maritime nation within its maritime jurisdiction, on the high seas and beyond, in defence of her sovereignty and in promotion and protection of her maritime trade.

We owe a lot of gratitude to Captain (later Rear Admiral) Alfred Thayer Mahan to six main principles of sea power, namely: • Geographical location astride vital sea lanes.

We can apply this to the strategic position of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea and the South Atlantic.

• Physical configuration.

The thousands of oil-rich creeks in the Niger Delta entering the Atlantic are a challenge for naval surveillance and maritime security enforcement.

• Extent of territory.

The extent of Nigeria’s territorial sea, EEZ and the country’s area of maritime interest in the sub-region dwarf the capabilities of the Nigerian Navy of today. Given Nigeria’s commonly accepted sub-regional leadership position, which is also often referred to as the nation’s “manifest destiny,” Nigeria’s Maritime Area of Interest officially “encompasses the entire West African maritime environment to the outer limits of the Gulf of Guinea in Central Africa.” This maritime space covers approximately 574,800 square nautical miles with a coast length of 2,874 nm.

• Size of population.

Nigeria is fortunate to have a big population, a veritable rich market for maritime trade and from where to draw operators of sea power. The size of import and largely by ship into Nigeria is legendary.

• Character and aptitude of the people.

Although Nigeria is blessed with a huge population – the highest concentration of black people in the world – training and mobilizing them toward positive application of their Godgiven potential is a real challenge for advocates of sea power for the nation. Crimes at sea have risen astronomically in the last three decades. Piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering, illegal anchoring, illegal fishing, indeed “illegal everything” have been taking place in our sea area. The Nigerian Navy and other maritime security agencies are stretched. They need Marshall Plan type of financial and logistic back up to cope.

• Character and determination of government to build sea power.

This is the crux of the sea power project in Nigeria. Building a credible sea power in which a strong Nigerian Navy should be a hub has for decades proceeded by fits and starts.

• An icon of sea power Vice-Admiral Patrick Sebo Koshoni is an intellectual prodigy, a prescient naval thinker, planner, public policy analyst and three-times Federal Minister during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He held sway in the Ministries of Health; Transport and Avia-

tion; as well as Employment, Labour and Productivity, before his dramatic appointment as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) from October 1986. As an accomplished seaman officer, he regarded his coming back to the Nigerian Navy after those extra-military appointments as a return to his “natural professional habitat” where he has left a lasting legacy.

Three outstanding qualities of the Admiral Three things stand out in Admiral Koshoni’s life. He has intellectual substance, which he exhibits whenever opportunities permit. He was acknowledged by his contemporaries in the federal cabinet as outstanding because of his penetrating analyses of Council memos and his “laconic presentation” of his views.

Secondly, his athletic poise, simplicity and boyish look belie his official status, especially in civvies. On one occasion, as CNS, he went with his wife to visit a senior naval officer in Apapa.

He drove his personal car to the gate and introduced himself to the sentry, “I’m CNS.” “You’re not CNS,” retorted the sentry.

“I’m CNS,” trying to convince the sentry. His wife who was with him, wondered that the sentry didn’t recognise him.

The CNS then ordered the sentry to “Go and call your boss,” As the Commodore who lived in the house came out and raised his voice “Good evening, Sir,” the sentry simply dropped his riffle and ran away.

Thirdly, Admiral Koshoni has administrative and procedural strategies for carrying out his official and professional assignments. He has leadership smarts and administrative style.

These skills made him an attractive choice to head many naval and extra-military challenging appointments, committees and task forces.

On the whole, Admiral Koshoni made it clear that Nigeria is caught in a “maritime trap” for which she needs a strong Navy: “Nigeria as a maritime nation with all the regional and sub-regional ambitions (and responsibilities) is caught in a maritime trap. The need to develop a credible sea power is now very urgent.”

He went further to tell the nation: “If you do not fund your Navy adequately, you will not get your Navy to discharge its roles optimally. If we don’t discharge our roles optimally, we are hazarding, willy-nilly, the economic lifelines of this country, which are predominantly offshore based.”

Other quotes Priority High Navy the Accord “The economic lifeline of this country is and will be, for a very long time to come, maritime-based. If we are therefore to maintain law and order, to protect this economic maritime-based resource, if we are to ensure no illegal expropriation of this resource, if we are to further ensure that international maritime trade passing through the sea lanes …the role of the Navy in establishing and maintaining law and order within our coastal zone of national jurisdiction becomes high on our national defence agenda.”

In his farewell speech at parade marking the end of his appointment as CNS: On Code of Conduct for the Navy “Time was, say about a decade ago, when incontrovertibly the Navy had the best image; as far as the public is concerned anyway. But it seems that over the recent past, we have very gravely dented this image. Perhaps this is a reflection of the general national indiscipline. Naval personnel have acquired very grave anti-social behaviour. If we must redeem the image of being officers and gentlemen, we have to impose very strict code of social behaviour on ourselves.”

In his maiden address as Chief of the Naval Staff in October 1986.

On Coast Guard

“I do not believe that in the short term there would be a need to deliberately carve out another service, more or less to be labelled the Coast Guard. I do not believe the economic situation in the country today can comfortably sustain another and come with service labelled the coast guard. So long as we (the Nigerian Navy) can configure our own platforms and come up with standard operation procedure (SOP) we should be able to effectively prosecute the roles that will be expected of any coast guard.”

During an NTA interview on Maritime and National Shipping Policy, Wed. 25th February 1988 published in The Sailor magazine Jan/Mar 1988, page 19.

Vice Admiral Patrick Sebo Koshoni, CFR, FSS, DSS, psc, mni was born in Lagos on 17 April, 1943. He joined the Nigerian Navy on the 11th of June 1962 after a brilliant secondary school education at St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka Lagos. That same year he started the naval cadetship training at the National Defence Training Academy in India and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 16th July 1964.

From the very beginning of his career, Admiral Koshoni displayed strong leadership, exemplary character and intellectual agility. These qualities he brought to bear on the many naval, management and leadership courses he attended. These qualities made him an attractive choice to head many naval and extra-military challenging appointments, committees and task forces. These qualities also helped him as a three-time minister during the military regime – Health, Transport and Aviation, Employment, Labour and Productivity.

His dramatic appointment as the 6th Nigerian to become Chief of the Naval Staff from October 1986 to January 1990, after several years of political appointments, provided the Nigerian Navy – which he regarded as his “natural habitat” – the opportunity to benefit from his many sea-and-shore appointments, management and organisational reform experiences.

Vice Admiral Koshoni’s tenure as CNS gave the Nigerian Navy a renewed sense of direction. He led a vibrant team that chalked up many innovations and several transformational initiatives. These include the often-quoted Nigerian Navy Trident Maritime Strategy, which articulates the Nigeria’s maritime strategic imperatives while streamlining the acquisition of platforms for the appropriate size and shape of the NN. For 25 years until 2012, it was the main guiding principle of Nigeria maritime defence.

His long list of accomplishments include: Manpower rationalisation, training programmes, logistic reform and morale boosting welfare schemes. Above all, Admiral Koshoni bequeaths to the Navy an enduring legacy of “cold professionalism,” personal and organisational integrity, teamwork, robust debates through the peripatetic Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference (CONSAC), which he initiated at Oguta Lake Resort in Imo State, to fish for the best ideas, and to “engender esprit de corps and promote camaraderie” within the naval community. He used the CONSAC to do what navies in democratic societies do: take the navy to the people. He also strongly and repeatedly advocated for uncompromising loyalty to the Navy and the nation.

His motto – fear of god and simplicity – should be recommended to many people in leadership positions.

As we celebrate our Icon of Sea Power, we also appreciate his indefatigable wife, businesswoman, and philanthropist who, as President of NOWA, has contributed immensely towards his success. She is Margaret Aderoju Koshoni. They have four children: Patrick Adedotun, Kenneth Adekunle, Leonardo Omobola, and Bukola. They are also blessed with many grandchildren.

• Oladimeji is a retired Commodore of the Nigerian Navy.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 16/4/2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

54 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 16/4/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

Skye Bank grows profit by 873 per cent

By Bukky Olajide and Helen Oji KYE Bank Plc yesterday Sindustry’s announced the banking highest profit growth of 873 per cent and dividend increase of 100 per cent, triggering a huge scramble for the shares of the bank.

Skye Bank’s market consideration at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by the highest allowable daily percentage change of 10 per cent with a gain of N2 to close at N8 per share as investors reacted positively to the earnings report.

Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed remarkable improvement in profitability

as the bank harnessed its vast business base and increasingly efficient cost management to deliver impressive returns to shareholders.

The audited report, prepared in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and approved by all financial services regulatory agencies, was presented to the investing public at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday.

Key extracts of the audited report showed that profit after tax leapt to N12.64 billion in 2012, representing a whooping increase of 872.6 per cent on N1.30 billion recorded in 2011. Profit before tax had jumped by

Royalex leads gainers on the Exchange 480.9 per cent from N2.84 billion in 2011 to N16.51 billion in 2012. The bank maintained a steady top-line in 2012 with net interest income and net non-interest income of N44.50 billion and N22.60 billion respectively.

On the basis of the impressive bottom-line, the board of the bank has recommended an increase in cash dividend per share from 25 kobo paid for 2011 business year to 50 kobo for 2012.

This performance underlined Skye Bank as a returndriven bank. Earnings per share increased to N1.01 in 2012 as against 20 kobo in 2011. At current market value, earnings yield stands at

about 16.6 per cent while dividend yield stands at 8.2 per cent, within the top bracket of earnings and yields of quoted equities.

A dividend cover of 2.02 times for 2012 as against 0.80 times for 2011 underlines the ability of the bank to sustain its impressive dividend payouts.

The bank’s balance sheet also showed similarly impressive performance as the bank’s focus on quality growth brought down the relative level of non-performing loans to its lowest level. The bank’s assets quality improved considerably as non-performing loan/gross loans ratio surpassed indus-

try’s target of five per cent at 4.95 per cent in 2012 as against 6.39 per cent. Deposit base expanded by 22.4 per cent at N790.09 billion in 2012 compared with N645.45 billion in 2011, reflecting the strong profile of the bank in the intensely competitive banking industry. Total assets crossed the N1 trillion mark to N1.07 trillion in 2012 as against N914.27 billion in 2011. Equity funds firmed up to N106.89 billion as against N100.11 billion in the previous year.

Commenting on the report, the Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the report reflected the commitment of the bank to its goal of quality and sustained growth and returns to share-

holders.

He noted that the improvement in the intrinsic profitability of the bank underscored management’s grasp of competitive edges that the bank should build on as it progresses to its target of a leading top-tier bank.

According to him, “in a year of impactful regulatory interventions, including tight monetary policies, we recorded growth in the most of our performance indicators. For instance, we grew our interest income by 35 percent from N74.9 billion to N101.0 billion, signaling an accretion in our volume of business transactions, while customer deposits grew by 22 percent, from N645.5 billion to N790.1 billion.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

ARTS

55

Midweek Art

‘Teddy Bear,’ Moses, Sings Idol’s

‘Teddy Bear’, Moses, sings Idol’s The story of Moses-Obi Adigwe, the first male winner of Nigerian Idol, is not strange, but very rare. It is a combination of share determination and perhaps, destiny. The proud winner of the third season’s contest had participated in a similar show, but couldn’t make it to the final, as he was evicted in the third round. Determined and resolute, as well as knowing in his heart that music was all what he wanted, he auditioned for the Etisalat-sponsored musical reality show, for a possible chance to become Nigeria’s ‘idol’.

His hope of making it seemed lost, as he was not part of the top 12 that made it to the finals because he couldn’t muster enough votes. However, the platform that understands that voting system especially in Nigeria may not exactly give the best contestant a choice, considering that, most people will first vote based on relationship and sentiments before the real talents, saved him and he got to the finals. He became the eventual winner. In fact one of the judges, Jeffrey Daniels, had said, “if Nigerians can’t take Moses to the finals, then they don’t know what talent is.” Fate played a good one, and Moses, the ‘Teddy Bear’, as he was fondly called on the show, got the judges nod to be in the show. After being declared winner, he spoke with FLORENCE UTOR. USIC is what I have always wanted to do and I M have pursued it all this while. I was on a similar show Naija Sings and I was kicked out, I really felt terrible, but I knew I was not going to give up, I went back to school and waited until I was done with studies. I just graduated in December, and the week I was submitting my project, all I had on my mind was, ‘I am going for Nigerian Idols auditions’ and got on the show and here I am, the rest is history,” the sweet-voiced crooner, who was visibly stunned and floored by the news that he was the last one left standing, said.

As the pyrotechnics went off and the confetti fell, Moses expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his friends, family, voters and especially God, saying, “being the winner today is awesome. I mean a sports utility van (SUV), N7.5million cash, another N7.5million recording deal and other things involved, it is God and the voters and all those

that have supported me sending me messages that I should not give up, I say a big thank you.

My family has been very supportive and I’m blessed to have them as mine.”

He added, “being on the show has not been easy, because for each eviction, anything can happen. Most times, the person you least expect is kicked out and it comes as a shock, and then, you are thinking, what will happen next. You never know how people are going to vote, you just never know what the viewers out there are waiting for, you just give your best and pray that God, let them vote for me.”

Apart from his share determination, he said what took him that far was his family and friends.

He added, “more importantly, it was God’s will; anybody could have been the winner. The fact that people picked you out and decided that they were going to keep voting for you even when they don’t know you showed there was God’s hand in it.”

It may seem hard to believe that the lovable ‘Teddy Bear’ was not an immediate shoo-in for the top 12 contestants in the competition. He was in the tough wildcard round, but the university graduate gave a heartfelt rendition of Back to Black by Amy Winehouse that saw him safely through to the next stage of the competition.

The Public Administration graduate said, “the judges had a life-line to save talents they feel had a lot to offer, but were evicted because of lack of votes. On this show, they also understood that most times, Nigerians don’t really vote for talents, but whom they knew and whom they liked for one reason or the other. The judges saw the talent in me and decided to bring me back as part of the top 12.”

Patiently and painstakingly, he proved the judges right. He said, “I tried to give my best. I performed like it was going to be my last and I think that helped me.”

His initial audition in Benin singing, One Night Only, from the smash hit film, Dreamgirls, floored the judges and made a memorable impression.

Since then, his unique vocal characteristics that once saw him being teased have now become his signature calling card, and propelled him into the top two.

In Top 12 category, he sang Domino, by Jessie J. He followed it up with Breathless, by Shane Ward for the Top 10. Maroon 5’s She will be Loved was his song for the Top 8.

And in Top 6, Moses serenaded the house with Oliver Twist by D’Banj, (duet with Debbie Rise) Bottom Bele by Omawumi and Flavour. He also did If Only for one Night by Luther Vandross and Sweet Mother by Nico Mbaga for the Top 5.

In Top 2, he did Forget You by Cee-Lo Green, Redemption Song by Bob Marley and Oliver Twist

by D’banj.

Moses (second left),showing off his new SUV key During the show, he had promised that if he wins, he hopes to kick start a brilliant music career… and maybe throw a celebratory party.

And shortly after his victory, when the same question was asked, he said: “I’m going to the studios straight away to begin to make music, have lots of collaborations with the already successful stars, make sure that people don’t forget me and they keep hearing my music. I want to have a very successful music career that transcends Nigeria and beyond.”

On what genre of music he would be singing, with tears of joy still dripping from his cheek, the University of Benin graduate said, “right now, I’m in an experimental stage, I want to try fusing rock and fuji or rock and some other genre. I am still young, so, I want to take my time and decide what I want to do, I want to play around and have fun with different genres, because to me, that’s what music is all about.”

Though bold and daring, he saw Abasi as his strongest opponent, not even Debbie. “For me, I always saw us in the top two. Though I was competing with him, I was really hurt when he had to go,” he said.

And how would he spend his money, Moses drew a long smile, and said, almost in a low voice, “well, after my tithe, and family, I will put the rest back into my career.”

On how he is going to make a difference in the pool of talents out there, Moses, whose drive and energy, tempered by his fun-loving personality, gave him the desired victory, said: “I am Moses the ‘Teddy Bear’, there is no one else out there like me, I mean from my voice, swag, attitude and what have you, God has blessed me differently from anyone else.”

Rotimi Pedro, chairman, Optima Media Group, organisers of the reality show, while assessing the three seasons, said, “the show is getting bigger and better. We started off with a target of four years to make it the number one reality show in the country and I think we have achieved that. It is the most popular show from all data — audience, and all indices by international profiling, it is the biggest show in the country and we achieved that in just two seasons. So, we are just consolidating on what we achieved last year. The two people that we have put before Nigeria today are next national sensation.”

Looking at Moses’ emergence, even when he was evicted on the other show, Pedro said, “it is important we realised that the Nigerian spirit lives in the youths of this country, the resilience, people go back and try and try again. Safiyat, who came third this year, has been on the same show since inception, I mean year in, year out.

She went back and trained herself because she was told she was not good enough. She came back and went back to train again. Moses, for instance, is going to be the biggest singing sensation in this country, yet he failed in Naija Sings and he came back better, today he has the grand prize.”

He concluded, “I can only see this show growing better and bigger. Don’t forget this is the only show that in purely Nigerian for Nigerians.

We are focused to get the biggest Nigerian act to be able to cross over internationally, like we have Femi Kuti who has crossed over, D’banj and that’s what the platform Nigerian Idol stands for.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

MIDWEEK ARTS

AFAC 2013, NCAC to host Chinese delegation Stories by Bridget Chiedu Onochie N preparation for this year’s African Arts ICouncil and Crafts Expo (AFAC 2013), National for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organisers of the annual craft market recently played host to Chinese Culture Counselor, Mr. Jin Honggue. The visit, according to Honggue, who came in company of a culture officer from the Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr. Chen Peng, was to facilitate the attendance of Chinese delegation to the expo.

He disclosed that about eight groups of exhibitors including famous Chinese art and crafts producers, who have made great inputs in the areas of textile, embroidery, woodcraft and jewelry, would be in attendance.

Honggue told his host that China’s participation in the expo was one of the very important ways of consolidating existing relationship between both countries.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, early this year, hosted Chinese culture delegation from Beijing whose prospect was to collaborate with two of the parastatals in the ministry – National Gallery of Art (NGA) and National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in the areas of visual art exhibition and preservation of artifacts.

Honggue appreciated the fact that Nigeria and China have maintained strong relationship over the years in areas of business and infrastructural development. According to him, building a strong cultural tie will go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s cultural industry, especially indigenous crafts and technology.

He disclosed that Chinese delegation to the expo would exhibit typical Chinese crafts and in return, take away some Nigerian local crafts that are close to those of China.

He noted, “We will bring typical Chinese craft to Nigeria and at the same, we are coming to see the quality and beauty of Nigerian arts and crafts, especially those that are close to what we produce in China. And we will take back Nigerian art to China and consequently, invite you to participate in China Expo holding later in the year.

“We believe that locally produced Nigerian wood work, painting, leather and bracelets will excite our people and that is the more reason we will invite you to also participate in our country’s expo.”

In his response, the Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. M.M. Maidugu, commended his guests

Culture Counselor, Chinese Embassy, Mr. Jin Honggue; CEO, NCAC, Mr. Maidugu and Chinese Culture Officer, Chen Peng during the visit for taking the lead among invited countries in Africa and beyond.

He informed that the expo, which is the sixth in the series, would hold between June 1 and 15 in Abuja. Elated by the increasing acceptance and interest in the annual arts and crafts market, Maidugu emphasised that though it was tagged African Art and Crafts Expo, participation was not limited to Africa.

Maidugu stated, “It is not only a regional affair but a world platform for sharing of ideas in areas of quality of products, packaging and marketing of local arts and crafts. Engaging

Chinese participation therefore will create a platform for further sharing of ideas, especially from advance technology such as China.”

With ‘Leveraging the Arts and Crafts Industry for Job Creation and Economic Empowerment’ as this year’s theme, Maidugu expressed his belief in the capacity of the regional market to provide over 50,000 jobs for Nigerians directly and indirectly.

The two-week market showcases creativity, crafts and culture in areas of textiles, fabrics,

fashion, cane, raffia and wood designs, classic ceramics and decorative pottery, handmade bronze, brass and metal designs, cultural souvenirs, traditional African cuisines, music and dance, apparels, weaving, embroidery and exquisite leather and jewelry designs.

African Arts and Crafts Expo was initiated in 2009 as an annual regional arts and crafts market. Since the first edition, the platform has continued to increase in the number of participation and products. Aside 36 states of the federation, participants are drawn from neigbouring African countries and beyond.

Artistes on warpath with minister over National Theatre landmass S controversy over the National A Theatre landmass rages, some artiste evictees at the National Theatre have concluded plans to oppose the Minister of Culture, Tourism and national Orientation, Chief Edem Duke in his bid to implement the original masterplan of the national edifice.

Artistes using the facilities at the cultural village and other aggrieved groups are regrouping to design their resistance strategies.

Spearheading this group of artistes is Mr. Aremo Tope Babayemi, an operator of a 100seater theatre in the artistes’ vil-

Nigerian act, Darey with fans at the MTN-sponsored Calabar International Jazz Festival

lage disclosed that although he and other groups were yet to receive the quit notice as at last week, information had reached them on the development.

While applauding President Goodluck Jonathan for his empathy towards the culture sector, he expressed worry that the president

might not be getting true picture of affairs in the sector from the people presiding over the culture industry including the minister.

In an anger laden voice, Babayemi wondered why the Minister was in a hurry to displace occupants of the annex.

“If it is for the common good, why are they in a hurry to eject us? I believe there is a hidden agenda between the General Manager of National Theatre and the Minister.

We, the artistes are meeting to determine the way forward.

“They will destroy culture in Nigeria if they get away with this.

This is the only culture headquarter in Nigeria. The management of the Theatre lacks the capacity to mobilize resources to have their own programmes. They lack the specialized skill to market themselves to the private sector.

“People will resist the move to destroy the cultural hub of the nation because it is not well thought out. It is not inclusive and it is tyrannical. The artist does not respond well to tyranny because he has the God-given right to be the mirror of the society. The artistes village is the only one of its kind in the whole of West Africa – a cluster of producers, dancers, choreographers, directors and actors – a creative hub servicing local, national and international audience”, he said.

Babayemi said his theatre was built at the cost of N47,000 in 1986 and was commissioned by the then Minister for Information and Culture, Mr. Tony Momoh. “If one

looks at the investment now in terms of pay back, it runs into hundreds of millions of naira.”

Pledging full support for Mr. President, the play director said an open letter would be communicated to inform him “that the people he entrusted with the responsibility to run the sector are not giving him good counsel.

“We dare not question his authority and judgment but we will tell that this is all we do for the living and contribute to the society.”

People will resist the move to destroy the cultural hub of the nation because it is not well thought out. It is not inclusive and it is tyrannical. The artist does not respond well to tyranny because he has the Godgiven right to be the mirror of the society. The artistes village is the only one of its kind in the whole of West Africa – a cluster of producers, dancers, choreographers, directors and actors – a creative hub servicing local, national and international audience

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

57

Sports Morocco 2013 African U-17 Championship

Imo probes Heartland Confederation Cup fiasco, donates new 28- seater bus

Nigeria battles Cote d’Ivoire for World Cup ticket IGERIA’S Golden Eaglets go N into today’s second West African derby against the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the on-going Morocco 2013 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-17 Championship knowing that a win will guarantee them a place at the FIFA World Cup in UAE later in the year.

Nigeria leads Group B section of the tournament after beating Ghana 6-1 win on Sunday, while both Cote d’Ivoire and Congo cancelled themselves out in a 1-1 draw.

Mathematically, Nigeria would be through to the World Cup with a win against Cote d’Ivoire irrespective of the outcome of its last game against Congo on April 20th since it can either come first or second in the final analysis.

All the semi-finalists automatically qualify for the World Cup. Speaking ahead of the game, Coach Manu Garba reiterated that the objective of the team remains the same. “We are happy that we won our first game against Ghana, but winning the second game against Cote d’Ivoire is very important because it would take us to the World Cup. “I saw a bit of their match against Congo and the

Ivorians are not a bad side though they are physical but we know how to handle such team.”

Garba said he has high hope about his wards delivering the goods having prepared well before the tournament, adding that they are battle-hardened already.

“We have prepared well for this championship,” he said matter-of-factly.

“We have not lost a match since we assembled this team and we are certainly not ready to lose now. My confidence is reinforced in their ability against any team following how they handled a big team such as Al Sadd of Doha, a team that had won the Asian Champions League in the past complete with a great player like Raul Gonzalez,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the CAN Under-17 leading goal scorer, Success Isaac, who grabbed a remarkable four goals against the Black Starlets, has equally promised to score more goals to ensure the team’s passage to the World Cup. “I have not set any personal target at this tournament but what is important is for us to beat Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday,” said Success, who has been nicknamed Nasarah (which translates to success in an Arabic and Hausa language) by Coach Garba.”

Eaglets to wear green against orange Ivorians • Get Mozambican match officials IGERIA would for the secN ond time at the 2013 Morocco Under-17 Championship wear green jerseys against orange-shirted Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

The land was truly green for the Nigerian youngsters on Sunday when they thrashed Black Starlets 6-1 and it’s no secret that the lads enjoy playing in this traditional home colour. Though they are designated as the away team this time, they would enjoy the privilege of wearing the green colours since it’s in sharp con-

trast with the Ivorians that would be wearing their orange jerseys.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked officials for the match, which will kick off by 4:30 pm Nigerian time.

The centre referee is 30-yearold Mozambican, Samuel Chirindza, who was enlisted as an international referee by the world’s soccer ruling body, FIFA, in 2010. He will be assisted by compatriot, Arsénio Marengula, who is aged 30 and appointed by FIFA in 2010.

Runners were stopped before the Massachusetts Avenue overpass due to the explosions in the area. Officials of the London Marathon say the race would go ahead as planned.

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE Imo State government T has set up a panel to probe the immediate and remote causes of Heartland’s failure to arrive early in Gabon for its recent Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup against U.S. Bitam.

Heartland was walked over by the Gabonese club for not appearing for the second leg of their Confederation Cup tie.

The Owerri team led 2-1 from the first leg, but CAF threw it out following the referee’s report that Heartland failed to show up in Libreville.

Speaking while presenting a 28-seater bus to the team at the Government House, Owerri, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, represented by his Deputy, Eze Mudumere regretted the circumstances that led to the ouster of the club.

The governor said it would react appropriately on the decision of CAF against Heartland, while promising to provide another vehicle for the management of the club and other officials for their trips within the country.

Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Kenneth Emelu commended the governor, stressing that it would assist in handling the numerous problems confronting the club.

Golden Eaglets’ four-goal hero against Ghana, Isaac Success, is ready to feast on the Junior Elephants.

Kill Junior Elephants, Garba tells Eaglets E had a subdued game tribution as well as the ability Ugbade, told the midfielder H against the Black Starlets, to score a goal out of nothing! during yesterday’s briefing at Sidi Youssef Ben Ali Stadium. but Ifeanyi Matthew has been given the licence to thrill against the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire today at the Grande Stade de Marrakech.

It is Golden Eaglets’ second game at the on-going 10th CAN U-17 and Matthew, who wears jersey Number 15, has been told loud and clear to orchestrate the demolition of the Ivoirians.

On a good day, Matthew is as good as his idol, two-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, in terms of ball dis-

In fact, he’s reckoned to have scored arguably Golden Eaglets’ best goal so far (in the friendly against Botswana in Calabar) when he cracked a volley that could be compared with that Zinedine Zidane’s famous match-winning goal in Real Madrid’s 2–1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final.

“You are the head of the diamond and playmaker of this team,” assistant coach, Nduka

“Go and enjoy yourself against Cote d’Ivoire because you are the don of this team.”

Matthew has accepted the challenge, promising to put up a better performance in subsequent matches.

Said he: “I know I can be of great help to my teammates and I’m ready to do more.

“Of course, we have so many players who can decide the course of a match and with all humility; I can count myself amongst the lot.”

London marathon to go on despite security fears ONDON Marathon organisLmeasures ers will review the security for the showpiece following the horrific events at the Boston Marathon.

At least three people were killed and more than 100 injured by the blasts near the finish line of Monday’s U.S. event, according to reports.

British Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson said he was “absolutely confident” the London Marathon could be kept safe.

The Met Police’s Ch Supt Julia Pendry, the commander in charge of policing the London Marathon, said of Sunday’s event, “a security plan is in place. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in partnership with London Marathon.”

London had “enormous experience” of delivering

major events and the UK had some of the best security professionals in the world, he told the BBC. “This is one of those instances where the best way to show solidarity with Boston is to continue,” he added.

Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry, the event commander for the London marathon, said they would review security for the event, which draws spectators from all over the world.

She said, “a security plan is in place for the London Marathon. We will be reviewing our security arrangements in partnership with London Marathon.”

London Marathon Chief Executive, Nick Bitel said in a statement, “we are deeply saddened and shocked by the news from Boston.

“Our immediate thoughts

are with the people there and their families. It is a very sad day for athletics and for our friends and colleagues in marathon running.”

Marathon organisers and police have been liaising ahead of the event in light of the incident in Massachusetts yesterday.

A Police Scotland source said, “an event like this will see intelligence re-sifted and security arrangements looked at with completely fresh eyes.

There’s literally no way the Edinburgh event could take place without it being looked at coloured by the awful scenes we’ve seen coming out of Boston. If I was in charge I would have a security briefing immediately to establish if there are any areas of weakness, if there is anything that needs to be addressed.

Shagba wins Sixth JK Gadzama golf tourney From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja ILFRED Shagba at the W weekend emerged overall winner of the sixth annual Joseph Kyari Gadzama LLP golf tournament, which took place at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Abuja-based Shagba, who played at handicapped 18, recorded a total of 87 gross to outplay his closest rivals, S.O Sanya and Mohammed Suleiman, who finished at 80 gross each to pick the runners up and best gross positions each.

About 200 golfers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the one-day tournament, which is annually sponsored by the law firm of the former captain of the IBB Golf Club, J.K Gadzama, as part of his contributions to the development of golf in the country.

Speaking at the tee off at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Chief Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Ibrahim Auta, as well as, the Vice Captain of the IBB club, Debo Olateju, thanked the sponsor for his continued efforts in bringing the members of the club together every year to exercise themselves and keep to their health through the game of golf.

In his speech, the sponsor, Joe Kyari Gadzama disclosed that he developed the idea to sponsor a yearly golf tournament during his reign as the captain of the IBB Golf Club.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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CricketWeekly

Nigeria’s Captain, Adekunle Adegbola (second left) and his Vanuatu counterpart, Andrew Mansale (middle), watching with keen interest as the umpires toss the coin to decide who will bat first in the final match of the just concluded WCL Division Seven Championship in Gaborone, Botswana.

Ahead WCL Division Six Championship

We will not rest on our oars, says Sharma

By Christian Okpara IGERIA’S wicket keeper at the just concluded Botswana 2013 ICC-Pepsi World Cricket League (WCL) Division Seven Championship, Ricky Sharma, says the country’s victory in Gaborone is the beginning of its climb up the international ladder.

Sharma played a prominent role in Team Nigeria’s victory in the championship that also had such big nations in cricket as Vanuatu, Fiji, Botswana and Germany, attributes the gold medal to the doggedness of the players and the managerial ability of Coach Uthe Ogbimi.

The Nigerian team returned to the country on Monday after beating Vanuatu in the final match of the Division Championship to emerge the over all winners of the competition.

But the championship could have ended differently if Botswana against all predictions did not beat Fiji with a high margin towards the closing stages of the event.

An elated Sharma told The Guardian yesterday that Nigeria had to brave all odds to overcome better rated teams in Botswana.

“We lost to Fiji in our first game because we were not used to the conditions in Botswana. But then we knew

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we had the talent to do well in the competition.

“Even when we lost to Vanuatu, we felt the result was not normal because we could have won the game. We made some mistakes in that match, but we corrected all the flaws in our subsequent games, and I must say that Botswana’s defeat of Fiji helped us,” he said.

Sharma said the team has pledged to continue working hard in order to come out successful in the Division Six Championship in Jersey, the Channel Islands in July.

“We have a hardworking team, which self belief is second to none.

“In Skipper Adekunle Adegbola, Endurance Ofem and Dotun Olatunji we have guys who can drag the others even when things look rough.

“One thing Coach, Ogbimi has taught is the self confidence and the need to be ready for every challenge and I must say we have benefitted immensely from his guidance,” he said.

Nigeria won the WCL Division Seven play-off by beating Vanuatu by six wickets in the final game of the championship.

The victory was made possible partly by a superb 150-run 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 manof-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 clev-

erly, with the skipper batting patiently and Olatunji scoring quick runs, including nine boundaries, 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 allconquering 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.

Pietersen out of England/New Zealand series EVIN Pietersen has been K ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after it was decided he needed further time to recover from his knee injury.

Pietersen was forced to miss the final Test in New Zealand last month and was diagnosed with bruising on his right knee.

He has since been wearing a brace to aid his recovery which he has yet to come out of - and will not be risked for the two-Test series, which starts on May 16, with his next target being the Champions Trophy in June although the

ECB have not confirmed a new timescale.

Pietersen, who is currently in Dubai, tweeted, “injuries are a sportsman’s worst nightmare!

This one is hurting me the most.”

When he flew home from New Zealand his recovery time was estimated at around eight weeks, which always left it unlikely that he would be fit for the start of the international season.

An ECB statement said, “England and Surrey batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the upcoming Investec Test series against New Zealand

as he continues his recovery from significant bone bruising to his right knee. Pietersen will have a repeat scan next week to determine when he is able to resume training.”

Pietersen first picked up the problem before England’s warm-up match in Queenstown ahead of the Test series, possibly when he slipped during a fielding drill, and although he played the Tests in Dunedin and Wellington he was not fully fit.

Although there is still a month before the New Zealand series starts at Lord’s on May 16, the ECB have taken

an early decision on Pietersen’s fitness, which will avoid conjecture and allow the selectors to assess the form of his likely replacements in the County Championship.

Jonny Bairstow came in for him in Auckland, as the only spare batsman on tour, and struggled having played one first-class innings in seven months. If the selectors maintain consistency, Bairstow should be the first in line to play at Lord’s although the next few weeks of Championship action will allow others to stake their claim.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

SPORTS 59

Why Nigerian league is stuttering, by former SA league boss, Matthews

By Eno-Abasi Sunday WENTY-THREE years after the commencement of professional league in the country, the gains of the endeavour have been far from commensurate with its long years of existence even as the league itself has remained comatose.

And former Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Stan Matthews says several factors ranging from the persistent belligerent tendencies between the Football Federation and league bodies to legal disputes were the root cause of the stunted growth.

Mathews, who is the Sports and Commercial Director of Supersport, was speaking at a two-day media workshop organised by Supersport in Lagos.

In a paper titled: “Understanding the Commercial and Promotional Angles that

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Partnering with Business Presents to Sports,” Mathews lamented that football authorities in the country have missed several opportunities to make Nigerian football fly and consolidate as the pride of the continent.

The former PSL boss, who said Nigeria was the highest football exporting country in the world said, “the Nigerian domestic league should be a showcase league for the continent but that is not the case.

According to him, “lack of corporate confidence, legal disputes, high leadership turnover, club ownership structure, safety and security issues, fixture management problems, perception of league players as inferior and lack of clear compliance criteria or incentive programme for top-end product delivery, were some of the niggling problems that were constantly besetting the league.

Maintaining that his company’s romance with countries like Kenya has brought about exponential growth in the country’s domestic football, the football administrator urged Nigeria, which has a huge football market, passionate football culture and a long history of successful players to take steps towards repositioning its football.

“The raw materials that you have in this country, have not translated to Nigeria having the most successful domestic league on the continent, especially in commercial terms.

“So on the way forward, he said, “football authorities must maximise television rights and make very conscious efforts to build the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) brand. They should also spare no efforts in ensuring safety at match venues as well as ensure that facilities are standard.”

Matthews, who decried the fact that English and indeed European football dominates our local dailies, stressed that Supersport as an institution takes pride in contributing its quota to grassroots sports programmes on the continent.

“We as an institution invest and take pride in initiating and executing grassroots projects that have a direct bearing on our continent with programmes like “Lets Play.” We are also involved in improving the knowledge of our sports administrators, as well as, creating job opportunities for different classes of persons in the sports sector.

Enyimba’s Samuel Tswanya up against Ambrose Onyema of Enugu Rangers, during a recent league game.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEWBESIN-KUTI.

Ubah Foundation partners Mikel, Anichebe for Anambra Youth tourney From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation has revealed that it has packaged a partnership deal that will see Chelsea of England Star, Mikel Obi and his Everton

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Mitchell Obi is AIPS Africa’s president HE Guardian’s former Sports Tbeen Editor, Mitchell Obi has elected president of the MTN Marketing Manager (North West), Aliyu Musa, presenting the MTN Runners-up Cup to Ashimu Seibu, at the Presentation Ceremony of this year’s MTN International Polo Tournament in Zaria… over the weekend.

MTN/Zaria Polo 2013: Max Air retains Royal Signal Cup HE MTN Zaria the Governor’s Cup respecT International Polo tourna- tively, just as Katsina Sultana ment galloped to an exciting made history by winning the end, with pomp and pageantry, over the weekend in the ancient city of Zaria, with the all-conquering Katsina Max Air retaining the event’s top prize, the Royal Signal Cup, after a hotly contested tournament.

Max Air paraded top-rated players like Bello Buba, Prince Umar Kabir, Muhammedu Seriki and team patron, Lawal Mangal, edged out hard fighting Abuja Rubicon 7-6 in a tense final, to keep the biggest title of the tournament, which they won last year, while Yola Acadian, which witnessed Asharaf Yahaya, Aliyu Dahiru, Mohammed Baba and Nura Rabiu, outscoring Katsina Massanawa, in a keenly contested final to retain the coveted Governor’s Cup. Reputed for its cuttingedge competition, the MTN Zaria International Polo Tourney, lived up to its ratings, as two defending champions, Katsina Max Air and Yola Acadian fought well to retain the Royal Signal and

first-ever Emir of Zazzau Cup. The MTN Zaria Polo extravaganza hit a milestone this year, with the return of the Sokoto team to international limelight, after decades in the doldrums, thanks to Musa Maccido, who bankrolled their participation and Nura Kangiwa, who supported the team throughout the fiesta.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Haruna Shagari-led Caliphate team could not make it to the final of the crowded University Cup that attracted a record 17 teams, from across the country.

The low-goal prize eventually went to Musty Junaid-led Abuja Guards Lukat, who upset favourites, Kaduna Makblow 7-51/2 in the final.

Other top winners of the week-long MTN International Polo festival include the Baba Kyari-led Super Server side that defeated their Team B opponents, 75 to clinch the glittering MTN Cup.

International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Africa at the elections held in Sochi, Russia.

With the involvement of 24 countries, the assembly backed proposals for a consensus to pick the 13 members for the AIPS Africa Executive Committee following the withdrawal of three candidates, Kabulo Muana Kabulo (DR Congo), Mamadou Koume (Seneh) and Morad Moutaouakkil (MOR) in favour of Obi. After reports of AIPS Africa meetings in Innsbruck 2012, and Dakar, co-ordinated by AIPS Treasurer, Jorge Ribeiro, the assembly-endorsed members proposed by Obi and also co-opted others, who had been nominated for various posts.

The newly elected AIPS Africa president, who will also sit on the AIPS Executive Board as one of the vice president, said he is committed to work closely with the present members and get more countries to join AIPS. “Together we can bring back a voice of AIPS Africa that stands for the future of Sports. Together we can build a treasure that can take care, sincerely the growing needs of a blossoming field of sports journalists in the continent.

“Here the women journalists are close to my heart and they will provide the reassuring pillar,” said Obi, who has served on the AIPS board as member since 2005 when outgoing President, Moroccan Boumid Belaid took the helm of the continental body.

counterpart, Victor Anichebe, interacting with about 50 youths from Anambra State.

The youths, according to the Foundation, will be selected for a trip to the United Kingdom at the end of the maiden edition of the N5 million Ifeanyi Ubah Youth Unity Cup. The football tourney, featuring youths from the 21 local councils of the state from next month, would be used to launch Anambra State back to the mainstream of Nigerian football.

Speaking on the project, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Youth Football Ambassador, Ifeanyi Ubah said the Local Organising Committee

(LOC) of the tournament is already in place, adding that the winners, runners up and third placed teams would share the N5 million prize money.

He also disclosed that a total of 50 youths, who excelled at the championship, would be selected by a team of coaches for the trip to England for the interaction with Mikel Obi and Victor Anichebe.

“We will select players from the 21 local government areas of the state for the London trip where they will interact with our state born professionals in the EPL,” he added.

By Tony Nwanne ARP Larger, a Guinness Nigeria brand has announced a partnership with five premiership clubs in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). The partnership is part of efforts by the brand to support and develop the local football.

The clubs, Rangers International Football Club, Lobi Stars, Dolphin FC, Heartland FC and Sunshine Stars Football Club, will enjoy full supports from the brand.

The partnership was unveiled in Lagos yesterday by the Guinness Nigeria in Lagos.

Speaking at the announcement of the partnership, Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu said that it is a deal that will boost the clubs, adding that it would also go a long way to uplifting football, at the same time identifying more players that will play for the country’s national team.

“Football, as big as it is, tends to bring unity in the country, which prompted Harp to deem it fit to sponsor these notable football clubs in the Nigeria Premier League. We all know that Harp is best enjoyed among successful people and that is why we choose to identify with successful clubs in the country,” he said.

Harp partners Rangers, Sunshine, three others H

Guinness Managing Director, Seni Adetu (second right); Lobi Stars’ Vice Chairman, Dominic Iorfa (second left), Marketing Manager (Lager), Paul Asemota (left), and Corporate Affairs Director (Guinness), Sesan Shobowale, during the unveiling of the club’s jerseys sponsored by Harp Lager in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

60 | SPORTS

PSG denies making Rooney bid, to strenghten squad ARIS St Germain Coach, P Carlo Ancelotti has played down reports that the club could sign Wayne Rooney in the summer.

Reports yesterday morning suggested the Manchester United striker was on another ambitious shopping list being prepared by the bigspending Parisiens, who appear destined to win their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years this season.

However, Ancelotti has responded by saying he could not imagine the England striker being for sale.

“Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world,” the former Chelsea boss said in comments reported by L’Equipe. “I think he is impossible to buy. He is an idol for Manchester United.”

Ancelotti’s comments come after the club’s director of football Leonardo told Gazzetta dello Sport that no offer had been made for Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and he was unaware of any plans to sign either Rooney or Napoli’s Edinson Cavani.

“On Ronaldo, there has never been an offer,” Leonardo said. “I’ve never heard anything about (Wayne) Rooney or (Edinson) Cavani either. I do not rule out big signings,

but only if there is a suitable opportunity.

“We do want a larger squad with adequate cover in all areas in order to avoid the sort of problems we had in January in midfield with all the injuries and suspensions.”

PSG have pulled nine points clear in Ligue 1 to put themselves in line for their third domestic title, and also put together an impressive

Champions League run, exiting the competition after being knocked out by Barcelona on the away goals rule at the quarter-final stage.

That success has come on the back of major investment from the club’s Qatari owners, and further spending is expected this summer ahead of another assault on Europe’s premier club competition.

Rooney

El Shaarawy has ‘no problem’ with Allegri C Milan forward, A Stephan El Shaarawy has said he understood the choice of his Coach, Massimiliano Allegri, to leave him on the bench for the match with Napoli.

The Rossoneri started with Robinho and Giampaolo Pazzini in attack and drew 11 with their opponents, a result, which keeps them third, four points behind Napoli in second place.

“It was a decision taken by the coach and I fully respect it, like I have always respected substitutions in the past,” he told the Milan Channel. “He has given me lots of confidence and

shown a lot of belief in me, so there is no problem whatsoever. I respect his choices and, in the game against Napoli, he preferred to start with Robinho.”

He added, “there is no problem between the coach and I, we have a good relationship and we always have had. I am relaxed, I have done well until now and I just want to keep improving.”

The Italy international explained that his goalscoring has been affected by the arrival of Mario Balotelli from Manchester City.

“The arrival of Mario Balotelli hasn’t changed

Di Canio demands more goals AOLO Di Canio has chalP lenged Sunderland to score enough goals to get out of relegation trouble despite seeing their biggest threat confined to the treatment room.

Eleven-goal striker, Steven Fletcher’s season was prematurely over long before the Italian was handed the reins at the Stadium of Light as predecessor Martin O’Neill packed his bags.

However, far from bemoaning the loss of O’Neill’s £12 million summer signing, Di Canio has simply ordered the men he has left behind to do what they do further up the pitch to provide his team with a greater goal threat.

That was a familiar theme too during the latter days of the Ulsterman’s reign, but it paid swift and glorious dividends on Sunday when the Black Cats struck three times without reply to clinch a famous derby win at Newcastle.

Di Canio said, “it will help to create more chances. People

like (Adam) Johnson, who in the past used to run 70 yards with the ball and then arrive at the edge of the box and be empty in the legs without the chance to strike - maybe now there will be a chance that sometimes he can get the ball near the box and use his talent and maybe strike on goal.

“It’s exactly the same on the other side with James (McClean) or Sebastian (Larsson). From the middle, one midfield player always has to attack the edge of the box so with a rebound, we are not 60 yards or 40 yards from the goal, we are close.

“The mechanism and the system will help this team to cancel out the fact that we don’t have a top scorer who can turn the game on his own.

“In any instance near the box, we are going to find a way to score, I am sure. The fitness has grown a bit and the belief is higher that we are going to score enough goals to stay up.”

things that much. As a team we still create chances, but I am a little less clinical in front of goal but that is because I sacrifice myself for the team. I am happy with what I have done over the last few months and I want to help the team as much as possible.”

El Shaarawy has scored 16 goals in 30 Serie A matches this season.

UCL: Everybody wants a Clasico final PAIN boss, Vicente del SChampions Bosque believes that a League final between Real Madrid and Barcelona would be the perfect ending to the competition.

The Blaugrana were paired with Bayern Munich during Friday’s semi-final draw, while the capital club will have to deal with Borussia Dortmund if it is to make it to the showpiece at Wembley.

And the former Blancos boss feels a matchup between the two Spanish giants would be ideal.

“Everybody wants a final between Barcelona and Real Madrid,” Del Bosque told reporters. “It would be a great final if Barca and Madrid were to meet as the majority of the players also play for Spain’s national team. It would be another huge step for Spanish football.

“Over the past decade or so we have seen a Spanish hegemony with teams like Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal and Deportivo doing well, too.”

Spanish teams have won five out of the 13 Champions League finals since the beginning of the millennium.

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TheGuardian

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Kolawole Oludamilare Dan HEN red light beams to mean not ‘Stop’ but ‘Run’ and eye starts witnessing smoke not from under the cooking pot but from the nozzle of a gun, then stories will not just come and go but stick in memory leaving behind scars.

I was privileged to have lived in the northern part of this country; Kano to be precise and I enjoyed staying next to one of the numerous streets in Dukanwuya that were known for the then very popular, adventurous and celebrative journey of the Emir on his yearly visitation to his mother’s house on horses. The journey used to be very phenomenal with beautiful and welldecorated stallions on which the King, his sons (from the youngest to the eldest), guards and numerous followers mounted through the journey.

The yearly activity, which comes with horse displays as a side colourful show attracts spectators from every works of life which makes the whole of the ancient city change in tone and in its atmosphere. Despite the fact that I was very young then, I marveled at the enormous love and respect the people had for their King. People mounted cars bought with their hard-earned money just to catch a glimpse of the Emir and his sons. Many more followed the king to his destination and returned with him while those living abutting the street provided water in containers and placed them by the streets for people and horses that might need it through the whole journey. It was often a memorable spectacle.

I also do remember that heated arguments did rage among the youths over who of his sons bore what names as a reasonable number of them at the time knew and indeed delighted in knowing the princes by their names. It used to be a lot of sacrifice and display of uncommon love from the people for their king and leader. This is why the recent news of the attack on the Emir and his sons gave me a rude shock.

I received the news of the attack with the certainty that a lot must have gone wrong since I left the ancient city. If the big plan of eliminating the Emir and his sons could get to the stage of execution without as little as a hint getting to the Emir before the attack then a lot must have seriously gone wrong. Where is all the love and respect? Where are all the sacrifices? It was something inconceivable in times not too far back.

There can only be one explanation for where the love and respect for the king all went. They must have disappeared in widespread and deepening poverty which is ravaging the land and which then gave rise to unmitigated anger.

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In Ibadan recently, a woman left her six kids in the house, went into the bush and hanged herself. It was later discovered that she took the action because she was no longer able to bear the abject poverty that had plagued the family since her husband passed away.

It was reported that she left the kids in hunger. There was also the case of a man who went into an uncompleted building and hanged himself because he owed a lot of debt, which he had no means to pay.

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The Emir and his people

Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero

I served in Gamji Girls College in Rabba Local Government in Sokoto State years later for my NYSC programme and I was dazed by some of the conditions in which I found people were living there, and even in the city. Of course, I am aware of the poverty in the country generally and I see a lot of it in Ibadan, too, where I now live but that of the state where I served was chronic and I can’t but be convinced that anyone living under such conditions where welfare and dignity to life is at its lowest could be capable of any act of misconduct against humanity, to put it mildly.

In Ibadan recently, a woman left her

six kids in the house, went into the bush and hanged herself. It was later discovered that she took the action because she was no longer able to bear the abject poverty that had plagued the family since her husband passed away. It was reported that she left the kids in hunger. There was also the case of a man who went into an uncompleted building and hanged himself because he owed a lot of debt, which he had no means to pay. There are reported cases of people throwing babies into wells and young mothers burying them alive for the simple reason of not having the capacity to feed and take care of

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Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

Even then the poverty level I witnessed in Sokoto was by far worse than that in Ibadan, yet people were not that desperate as to go to commit suicide for being poor.

No one throws children away or bury them alive for not being able to feed them. The truth is that poverty in Sokoto and most northern states has found a way to be part of the culture of the people. It is clear that the northerners and southerners for reasons too complex to comprehend do not see poverty in the same light and thus react to it differently. them.

In Ibadan, you don’t have to be physically challenged to beg; anybody can beg for alms on the streets of Ibadan… old, young, deformed or not and the trend is on the increase by the day. The old culture of personal and family pride has given way in the face of unprecedented and acute deprivation.

Even then the poverty level I witnessed in Sokoto was by far worse than that in Ibadan, yet people were not that desperate as to go to commit suicide for being poor. No one throws children away or bury them alive for not being able to feed them. The truth is that poverty in Sokoto and most northern states has found a way to be part of the culture of the people. It is clear that the northerners and southerners for reasons too complex to comprehend do not see poverty in the same light and thus react to it differently. This may explain the high volatility in temper of an average northerner since hunger is known to simply lead to anger at the slightest chance while an average southerner simply takes it out on himself, not on anybody else or on the state from poverty induced lack of self-esteem.

If Sokoto is similar to her sister city, Kano, in the level of poverty and degenerated human condition to the point of no dignity, then one should not look farther… hunger leads to anger and takes away all I once admired and loved about the people’s relationship with their king. The love, respect and freedom the king once enjoyed in his Kingdom has been drowned in the people’s stream of anger.

I wonder if there was any relationship between the Emir’s travel to London and the attack on him. I cannot help coming to the conclusion that a king is after all a king because his people say he is and they want him otherwise how else does one explain the seeming estrangement between the Emir and his people and in a manner totally unexpected. In my reflection I begin to ask myself how clearer can a message be to the king that there is gap to be bridged between the leader and the led.

In another development, to prove his loyalty and innocence to the king and ultimately remind the people of his powers and his ability to use it for the good of all, the governor took a quick and drastic step of stopping the activities of the commercial motorcycle riders in the state… further, impoverishing the people. Again I ask, if this line of action that obviously increases hunger is the solution to the proven decline in the love and respect the people now exhibit for their king and their leaders.

• Dan is a farmer, lives in Ibadan.