Tue 23 Apr 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,535

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Govs move to resolve PDP’s crisis FTER months of being riven A by internal disagreements, the People’s Democratic Party

• APC better alternative, Buhari, Tinubu insist • Annulment of June 12 blessing for Tinubu, says Aliyu • Falana warns against culture of silence

(PDP) may launch a fresh search for peace as its governors meet tomorrow. The PDP governors will meet

tomorrow in Abuja to take stock of reconciliatory efforts so far made by its leadership. The meeting will also enable

By Abiodun Fanoro, Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja), Kamal Tayo Oropo and Seye Olumide (Lagos)

the governors to receive reports of different committees it set up on the crisis affecting the party in the South-West

geo-political zone and Adamawa State. Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Godswill Obot Akpabio, who is

also chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, has already put his colleagues on notice about the meeting. This is coming as former Head of State and erstwhile presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu,

stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained a better alternative to the PDP. Sources in PDP disclosed that Akpabio and his Bauchi State counterpart, Isah Yuguda, had already commenced fencemending efforts with other PDP governors to attract good attendance at the meeting. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NEWS

APC better alternative, Buhari, Tinubu insist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 A key issue at stake is the election of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) leader, which is tentatively fixed to take place next month. It was learnt that the PDP governors “loyal to the party” are already engaged in serious plots to get one of them elected as chairman of the NGF. The NGF has also fixed its meeting for tomorrow at 8.00 p.m. The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting would begin at 3.00 p.m. and end before 8.00 p.m. Two governors last week met with the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in his residence in Abuja. The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of PDP, Chief Anthony Anenih, had equally held a closed-door meeting with Tukur in his residence to harmonise ideas on the on-going reconciliation moves within the party. The PDP governors’ forum meeting, according to sources, would also consider some submissions made to it by Anenih regarding issues of reconciliation within the party. The creation of the PDP Governors’ Forum was widely reported to have emanated from the cold war perceived to be existing between Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and the Presidency and PDP national leadership. Remarks by Tukur and Akpabio shortly after the inauguration of the latter as chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum pointed directly to the motive behind the formation of the PDP Governors’ Forum. In a remark while receiving Akpabio in his House in Abuja after the inauguration, Tukur had said: “Now I can see very

well because I know, in form of leadership of PDP Governors Forum, they are for us.” “I can tell President Goodluck Jonathan if he was sleeping a few hours in the night because he did not know how the party was going, he can now go and have siesta.” Describing those working against party’s interest as ‘Judases’, the forum chairman noted that the internal crisis in the ruling party could be attributed to its size and the pursuit of parochial interest by some members he did not name. He counselled them to have a change of mind or risk being thrown out. “You know we are having challenges but the challenges for me, with what we have started now, have always been a function of PDP. What you saw was an implosion. What has happened to PDP is because of self implosion,” he said. “When there is an implosion, where there is treachery, where there are more Judases than you have disciples, we want to have good disciples. We know that even in Christendom when Jesus Christ had 12 disciples, there was one Judas, but if the Judases were up to nine, then Jesus could have been in trouble, the gospel would have been in trouble today. “What the PDP is trying to do now is to cleanse its house, to try to identify the ones they called Judases and whisper it to them and say go out, the train is moving and you cannot stand otherwise we will crush you.” And barely 24 hours after the Presidency lambasted proponents of the new merger party, the APC, as political liabilities,

Tinubu came down hard on the Jonathan administration, saying it was one with a trademark for corruption and impunity. Buhari said the APC was not afraid of the PDP and that the party would do all it could to mobilise members from the grassroots and stop any plans of rigging. The duo spoke at the public presentation of a book, Witness to History, Action Congress of Nigeria and the Struggle for Democracy, Liberty and Justice, written by the National Publicity Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The book contains about 1,200 of Mohammed’s press statements. Tinubu, who was lead presenter of the book, said it was pitiable to see presidential aides trying to tell a different story about the Jonathan administration despite feelers from all quarters about the rot going on. He said the President’s aides “can no longer hear the falconer, so they embellish facts. Where there is none, they attack the messengers rather than heed the message. “They have been there for too long. For the little good they have done, we acknowledge them. But let me set that aside. We have witnessed their empty history. Only two days ago, the U.S. Department of State in its yearly country report identified pervasive impunity and corruption as the hallmark of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. “Impunity remains a reference at all levels of government. That is what the State Department said. So, you hear loud attack against the State Department.” Stressing that the APC would present a better alternative, Tinubu declared: “The ruling People’s Democratic Party has been warned about the rot in the Judiciary. But they did not heed, they need to go. It has been warned against insecurity and insurgency in the Niger Delta, yet, it never listened, it is time for them to go. The storm is here. It is a positive storm. APC is the storm to effect needed change in Nigeria”. He said the ACN which had now matured into the APC was tired of playing the opposition, assuring that it would change its status in 2015. He said: “We have been in the opposition for too long. In fact, we should stop using the term opposition. We are progressives. We are government in waiting because we are progressives. We are not just opposition. We stand for something. It is for this reason we oppose those in power. We do not oppose for the sake of opposing. We stand for peace,

liberty and justice. Let me also add that we stand for prosperity, welfare, peace, empowerment, development, tolerance, unity, eradication of corruption and brotherly love. “That is the list we are presenting to Nigerians. We hate no one and oppose nobody. However, we do oppose injustice, poverty, ignorance, indifference and bad governance. We also oppose anyone in power whose activities create condition that allows corruption, injustice, poverty, unemployment and insecurity to lives and property to thrive. Either they like it or not, we shall always continue to oppose them for those things. Our overriding mission is to gain powers at the national level from those that are there and make progressive change that the party in government has not been able to achieve. That shows good governance is missing. Really, the government has so much at its disposal, yet it has done so little.” Buhari, who wrote the foreword of the book, said the ACN convention held last week in Lagos had kick-started the things to come for the APC, revealing that the CPC would hold its last convention on May 11 in Abuja while the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) will hold its own the same day in Zamfara State. “With this merger, we should mobilise our constituency, and I don’t think that any political party along the line will attempt to rig because there wouldn’t be any need for that. “Nigerians are very serious about it and we are determined to continue with our plan. This merger is going to be rare. We are very solidly ready to ensure that the vote of Nigerians counts in the next elections,” he said. The Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who was the chairman of the event, advised the leaders of the APC to dispel the fear of enemies in their endeavour, saying: “If you want to succeed and you do not have enemies, please create them in order to succeed. I do not see opposition as a problem.” He said that most Nigerians, particularly Tinubu, always accused a former Head of State of annulling the most popular and accepted election in the country “but unfortunately one of the consequences of the election is your emergence as the governor of Lagos. There is always a blessing in disguise in every negative action.” The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola, in his comment on the book said Mohammed simply portrayed the story of a party that had become a standard bearer of what a good political party should be. He, however, urged Nigerians

and the actors of APC to beware of the antics of the ruling PDP. According to him, “if a party is saying there is no vacancy in Aso Rock, then why are they organising an election? This is a statement Nigerians should take very seriously.” But the governor of Niger State quickly disagreed with him, saying: “There is no need to be afraid of enemies. You must work hard to create the vacancy.” Meanwhile, civil rights defender and former President, West African Bar Association (WABA), Mr. Femi Falana, has raised the alarm that Jonathan is planning to impose a culture of silence and fear on the polity as the country moves towards the 2015 presidential election. In a statement in Lagos yesterday, while reviewing some of the recent cases of media harassment by officials of the Jonathan administration, Falana declared that there were compelling indications that the administration was determined to use the tool of intimidation to silence critical and opposition voices. His words: “The resort to harassment of media houses and intimidation of citizens who hold divergent views has confirmed that the administration has concluded arrangements to impose a culture of silence and fear on the country. Let the Jonathan Administration be reminded that neither the colonial regime nor the military junta, which foolishly criminalised freedom of speech succeeded in cowing Nigerians to submission.” Just like the anti-corruption fight of the government, Falana lamented the administration was only paying a lip service to respect for human rights and freedom of expression. “In spite of the much-touted respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens by the Goodluck Jonathan Administration, the freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the nation is currently witnessing the progressive proscription of free speech. In the last couple of weeks, some Nigerians have been subjected to crude harassment and intimidation by security forces for making statements or expressing views which were considered subversive by the Federal Government”, Falana lamented. The civil rights defender, however, admonished Nigerians not to remain docile and that they should wake up to defend their rights as guaranteed by

NEMA tasks Nigerians over 2013 weather forecast From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan WING to the risks of predicted heavy downpour that could turn into sweeping flooding in identified towns and cities in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has enjoined Nigerians to take the 2013 weather forecast seriously by embarking on last minute activities against anything that would exacerbate the situation. NEMA at the end of its independent assessment exercise on the level of preparedness of all the segments of the Nigerian societies described as appalling the level of preparation to the warning of the agency by residents of the predicted affected areas.

The South West spokesman of the agency, Ibrahim Farinloye called on the other two tiers of government who are closer to the grassroots to mobilise the people towards mitigation actions of the fallout of heavy rainfall. Farinloye maintained that NEMA had embarked on an independent exercise to monitor the state of preparedness of all towards the readiness of the nation against the challenges of climate change which have been taking their toll on the African society, in accordance with the mandate that empowers the agency to monitor the state of preparedness of all stakeholders including private organisations with their equipment and person-

nel holdings for effective and efficient disaster management in the country. He hinted that NEMA had mobilised all critical stakeholders in the three tiers of government, private sector, individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations immediately after the presentation of 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions (SRP) in series of meetings. “State governments were fully involved but the outcome of the exercise has left much to do. In the South West geo-political zone, the prediction revealed that Saki and Ibadan in Oyo State; Ondo and Akure in Ondo State, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State are expected to experience excessive rainfall.

the Nigerian Constitution and other international documents to which Nigeria is a signatory. “… in Nwankwo v The State (1985) 6 N.C.L.R. 228 the Court of Appeal declared the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to sedition illegal and unconstitutional and urged Nigerians to resist any move to use the machinery of the State to erode freedom of expression in the country,” he said. Falana made specific references to the recent arrest and detention of some journalists from the Leadership Newspapers, the closure and imposition of fines on a Kaduna-based radio station for allegedly embarrassing the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, among many instances of government’s intimidation.

Maku leads good governance tour to Zamfara today From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau 126-member good governance team led by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, begins four-day tour of Zamfara State today [Tuesday], the state commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Muhammad Birnin Magaji has said. Speaking with The Guardian in Gusau, the state capital, the commissioner said that necessary arrangements have been concluded by the state government for a successful tour of the state, pointing out that, already sites to be visited for both state and Federal Government projects have been identified.

Court dismisses Rep’s bid to retain seat From Niyi Bello, Akure FEDERAL High Court sitting in Akure yesterday dismissed a motion filed by a member of House of Representatives (Akure North/Akure South), Ifedayo Abegunde a.k.a Abena to stop the vacation of his seat as ordered by the same court last June. Retired Justice Gloria Okeke had thrown out a case instituted by Abegunde against the Ondo State House of Assembly, Labour Party and others praying the court to restrain the respondents from declaring his seat vacant following his defection from LP to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Tanker fire razes 12 houses in Ibadan From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan BOUT 12 buildings were yesterday consumed in an inferno when a fully loaded petrol tanker fell, spilling its contents. It was learnt that the fully loaded tanker was trying to link Inalende Road towards the Mokola Roundabout area of the city when the driver lost control, leading to the vehicle falling and spilling its 33,000 litres content. According to an eyewitness, when the tanker fell, most of the people in the area rushed out of their buildings and it did not take long for the entire area to be enveloped in a thick smoke. He added that it would be difficult to determine whether any life was lost in the incident. An old man, whose whereabouts could not be ascertained, was said to be in one of the affected buildings. The fire was still raging as at press time.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

News Taraba lawmakers impeach Speaker, others From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo ARABA State House of Assembly yesterday impeached the Speaker, Istifanus Haruna Gbana, and the entire principal officers. Others thrown out of the leadership position of the House alongside the Speaker are the Deputy Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, Majority Leader, Charles Maijankai and the Deputy Majority Leader, Daniel Ishaya Gani. The Guardian observed that 17 of the 24 members carried out the impeachment on the floor of the House. The motion for the impeachment, which was moved by the member representing Lau Constituency, Joseph Albasu Kunini, was seconded by the member representing Gembu Constituency, Dr. A.A Jugulde. Reasons proffered for the action by various members who spoke include gross misconduct, abuse of office and misappropriation of allowances meant for the lawmakers. It was gathered from some of the members that change in the leadership of the House became necessary as a result of what they described as sudden loss of respect for the lawmakers by the residents of the state. “As you are already aware, the leadership of the House has overstayed their welcome. So I don’t think we have erred in our decision to remove them from their positions”

Scene of an inferno caused by a falling tanker at Atowada street, Inalende area of Ibadan …yesterday

Fire guts INEC headquarters By Ezeocha Nze, Abuja OR the second time in the year, the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was yesterday gutted by fire which destroyed some of its equipment and vital documents. The fire, which started at the commission’s legal department located on the second floor of the INEC building, destroyed many files and documents, especially in the office of the director, Legal Services. Although the real cause of the fire was not established at the time of filing this report, The Guardian gathered from inside sources that it might be due to the usual power surge in the affected building.

Absence of witness stalls Newswatch suit By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday adjourned further hearing in the suit filed by two minority shareholders of Newswatch Communications Limited, Nuhu Wada Aruwa and Prof. Jibril Aminu challenging the acquisition of the publishing outfit by businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, to May 26 at the instance of the claimants. The claimants’ counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN) craved the indulgence of the court for the adjournment, which arose as a result of the absence of the third prosecution witness who was to testify before the court yesterday. Oyesanya prayed for a short date to enable him produce their third witness. Already, Aruwa and Ray Ekpu, the former chief executive officer of the magazine had testified and cross-examined by the defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN). Ayorinde did not object to the plea for a short adjournment and did not ask for a cost as well. He jocularly said he was not going to ask for a cost because his learned colleague, Oyesanya “is a good man.”

Court adjourns Daniel’s trial to July 5 By Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE trial of former Ogun T State governor, Gbenga Daniel, over alleged fraudulent activities during his tenure was yesterday adjourned to Friday, July 5, 2013 and Thursday, July 11, 2013 for continuation of hearing of the case by an Abeokuta High Court. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has slammed a 38-count fraud charge against Daniel. But the former governor, in a motion before Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje had urged the court to strike out

count 1 to 13 on the grounds that he had been indicted already by a judicial panel set up by the state government and therefore it would amount to double punishment if Justice Mabekoje tries him on the same counts. But the judge ruled that Daniel could be tried since the judicial panel that indicted him did not punish him for the offence he allegedly committed. Through his lawyers, Daniel went to the Appeal Count sitting in Ibadan to challenge Mabekoje’s ruling. The Appeal Court was scheduled to give its ruling on the case on April 11. Based on this,

Mabekoje, at the last sitting, adjourned the case to yesterday for continuation. But when the case came up yesterday, Mrs. Titilayo Akinlawon, who led Daniel’s legal team yesterday informed the court that the Appeal Court could not sit as scheduled and that ruling on their application had been scheduled for Thursday, June 13. Based on this Mabekoje adjourned the case. The EFCC took Daniel to court in October 2011, preferring 43-count charge against him but later reduced it to 38. The commission also reduced their initial N57 billion fraudulent charge against the accused to N200 million.

one of the members who craved anonymity said. It was also learnt that alleged relegation of the legislative arm of the government to the background by leadership of the House by acting as errand boys to the executive arm angered the 17 members. Confirming this to newsmen, the new Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, said the lawmakers were all fed up with the leadership of the House. “We were no longer satisfied with the leadership quality.” The new speaker who was immediately elected alongside the new principal officers, said “the decision to impeached the leadership of the House was in good faith because we want to move the state forward.” He reiterated the readiness of the new leadership to operate an open door policy, which, according to him, would not drag the state backward but accelerate its growth. The impeachment, The Guardian gathered, was sponsored by some well-placed persons who had been harnessing all legitimate ways to ensure immediate confirmation of the acting governor, Garba Umar as the substantive governor of Taraba. The former Deputy Majority Leader, who doubles as the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Daniel Ishaya Gani, declined comment. “For now, we don’t have anything to say,” he however said.

Nigeria’s corruption indices exaggerated, says Jonathan By Mohammed Abubakar, Emeka Anuforo (Abuja), Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt), Roseline Okere, Sulaimon Salau and Tosin Fadeke (Lagos) HE problem of gas-to-power may soon be a thing of the past, as the World Bank Partial-Risk Guarantee (PRG) Support Agreement for Gas Supply has formally taken off. To kick-start the process, the World Bank guaranteed payment for a gas supply agreement between Nigeria’s largest power plant, Egbin Power Plc and Chevron Nigeria Limited at a ceremony witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday. Gas-to-power had in the past been characterised by uncommercial gas pricing, weak supply agreements and a system where major consumers such as Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) defaulted consistently in payment. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has also guaranteed electricity licensees of a 25year tenure, emphasising that the regulator would protect them and consumers. Also yesterday, the Federal Government handed over 25 per cent payment certificate to the bidders who successfully paid down the first 25

• W’Bank to ensure improved gas supply • Asiodu decries state of refineries • Alile wants PIB passed per cent installment of the purchase price for 10 of the PHCN successor distribution companies. Same certificates were issued to the five bidders that have paid 25 per cent for five of the PHCN successor generating companies. A ceremonial receipt of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Schedule of Delegated Authority (SODA) to Manitoba Hydro International was also conducted. The schedule had formally been issued to the Canadian firm last month. Meanwhile, Jonathan has said that the nation’s corruption indices were largely exaggerated. But the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012, released at the weekend, said Nigerian government officials and agencies frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Speaking on the corruption report, Jonathan, who supervised the Presidential Power Reform Transactions signing ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja,

admitted that though corruption existed in the country, it was not of the magnitude as reported on the global front. He said: “Let me continue to assure Nigerians that yes, there are issues of corruption in this country, but somehow, they have been over amplified. People should watch how we have been conducting government business. We have been bringing down the issues of corruption gradually. If you look at the fertilizer sector, you will agree with me that if government actors were interested, we would have continued the same story of buying all kinds of things, awarding all kinds of contracts in the name of fertilizer. But we are not doing that. We have sanitised that sector.” Also yesterday, elder statesman and former Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Chief Philip Asiodu lamented the state of the nation’s refineries, describing it as shameful. Asiodu, who spoke at the International Conference of Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (NAEE)

and International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) in Lagos yesterday, said “it is a national shame that Nigeria, with all the manpower available locally and in the Diaspora, cannot maintain and operate petroleum refineries properly and we have had to rely on imports for the bulk of petroleum products consumed locally.” He blamed the situation on corruption and crude, unpatriotic political interference in the management of the refineries and in the selection and deployment of personnel in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Appreciating the formulation of the new Petroleum Industry Bill, Asiodu picked out some misgivings in the proposed law, such as the proposition to make the Minister of Petroleum the chairman of the board of a new national oil company. Similarly, the pioneer Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Apostle Hayford Alile has urged passage of the PIB. Alile, while expressing his views about the development status of the country, yesterday blamed external forces for the delay in the passage of the PIB, lamenting that after 50 years of inde-

pendence, the nation is still dependent on foreigners. He spoke as Rivers State government advocated that control of the country’s petroleum resources should be vested in the government of the federation and oil producing states. The state government represented by Prof. Fubara Dagogo made these recommendations at the SouthSouth zonal pubic hearing on the PIB which held in Port Harcourt yesterday. Absent were representatives from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Edo states. It was learnt yesterday that the Federal Government paid N1 trillion as subsidy to oil marketers in the country in 2012. This is a reduction from the N2.9 trillion recorded by the government in 2011, according to Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). Besides, PPPRA has unveiled plans to begin the accreditation of international fuel suppliers to avoid future subsidy scam. The Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Reginald Stanley, who confirmed this development to journalists yesterday in Lagos, said the government was able to reduce oil subsidy payment to marketers through various initiatives introduced by the agency.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

6 NEWS

‘FG not responsible for bad roads in states, councils’

NBA faults manslaughter bill, seeks exclusion of MDAs

From John Ogiji, Minna

From Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday faulted a bill to create the Corporate Manslaughter Offence, arguing that the inclusion of government agencies among corporate organisations is counter-productive and could result in statutory loss to the government. Speaking at a one-day public hearing on a bill for an act to create Corporate Manslaughter Offence and Matters Incidental Thereto 2013, the association, represented by Paul Erokoro, accepted that

HE Minister of Works, Mike T Onolememen, has exonerT ated the Federal Government from any blame over the deplorable condition of roads in states and local councils across the country, stating that the two tiers of government have enough resources to fix their roads. Speaking in Minna yesterday when he declared open the 38th National Conference of Directors of Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Departments in federal ministries, Onolememen said that every tier of government has it own roads and should maintain them. According to the minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, all tiers of government collect money from the Federation Account every month. He disclosed that out of the estimated 194,200km of roads across the country, the Federal Government has only 34,120km, representing 17.6 per cent while states and local councils have 30,500km (15.7 per cent) and 129.580 (66.7 per cent) respectively.

there was a lot of negligence in public offices, but demanded that only erring officials should be held liable for such negligence. Erokoro also disagreed with the bill over conviction time of minimum of three and maximum of seven years, stating that “there should be no upper limit to the time a court should award judgment.” However, he suggested very severe punishment for corporate manslaughter to serve as deterrent. The bill, sponsored by Senator Pius Ewherido, seeks to make corporate bodies, entities and

agencies culpable for their willful act of negligence, dereliction of duty or gross incompetence, which lead to any event causing the death of a person or accessory to corporate manslaughter for persons who, while working with corporate bodies or agencies, fail, negligently to perform or sabotage their employers, resulting in any event causing the death of a person. After deliberations on the bill last year, it was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, said while de-

claring the public hearing open that if signed into law, the bill would raise the stake of corporate responsibility as well as the level of duty of care in organisations. Mark, who was represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, decried the protection of corporate bodies from punishment for crimes emanating from their negligence over time. According to him, the bill will rewrite the country’s line of thought towards creating a new offence of corporate manslaughter. “To hold corporate bodies

NUJ to rid Jigawa of fake journalists From John Akubo, Dutse HE Jigawa State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has started sensitizing the people against fake journalists parading the local councils and extorting money from government functionaries in the name of the profession. The resolution to this end was made after members of the union raised alarm over cases of impersonation and harassment of public officers by some quack newsmen, who sometime come from outside the state. In a communiqué issued at the end of its recent congress at the state NUJ Secretariat in Dutse, the union resolved to take urgent measures to end the illegal practice of quack journalists in the state to sanitize the profession. It also urged members to be committed to the payment of professional fees and ensure they are registered for the insurance scheme.

Ado-Odo crisis gets judicial panel From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta OWARDS a lasting solution to the breach of peace and the violence in Ado-Odo community of Ogun State last week, the Ogun State Government has constituted a judicial commission of inquiry into the causes of the crisis. The commission, according to statement in Abeokuta yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, is headed by Justice Elizabeth Osinuga. Other members are Immam Soliu Abanigbe, Samuel Agogo and J.O. Alabode, while Mr. Johnson O. Ojo is secretary. Their terms of reference are: To establish the remote and immediate causes of the violence; identify individuals, groups of persons and institutions directly or indirectly responsible for the unrest and their roles in the unrest, and recommend appropriate sanctions; and ascertain the extent of loss of lives and damage to property.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left); Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Bola Tinubu; ACN National Chairman, Bisi Akande; former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba; ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed; and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, during the launching of a book, Witness to History, by Mohammed in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

guilty of an offence of crime emanating from negligence will bridge the gap of duty of care, and it will apply to bodies such as MDAs, partnership and trade unions and all employers of labour,” he said. “The remedy will be penal and not only compensation; it is new and will raise the stake of corporate responsibility, level of duty of care and generate a lot of interest.” According to the Chairman of Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Umaru Dahiru, the bill does not only create the offence of corporate manslaughter, it will also bridge the lacuna created by the restrictive definition of Sections 316 and 317 of the Criminal Code. “The issue of whether our laws sufficiently cover this new offence is a matter that is open to the public, being the reason you are invited to contribute to this debate,” he noted. Furthermore, the offences created under this bill will unveil the protection hitherto being enjoyed by corporate bodies to the detriment of the supposed victim-employees, who carry out instructions resulting in injuries and death of another person.” Noting that the bill is legally and intellectually challenging and implications far reaching, he said the essence of the public hearing was to enable stakeholders make their inputs. For Ewherido, the research that gave birth to the bill was motivated by the crash of DANA Aircraft in June last year, which resulted in the death of over 153 persons and was alleged to have been caused by negligence on the part of the airline’s management.

Utomi cautions govt over amnesty, Ndoma-Egba hopeful From: Collins Olayinka, Abuja

F not directed to achieve a Ithere-orientation of the polity, adoption of amnesty as government policy to tackle social misdemeanours may escalate violent conducts in the country, Prof. Patrick Utomi has warned. Utomi cautioned yesterday in Abuja at the opening session of the second biennial Corporate Social Responsibility of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, against gradually trivialising amnesty policy into sharing of monetary benefits. He explained: “Right now, the approach to amnesty has strategic consequences that might make it unsustainable. These consequences include all kinds of people asking for amnesty and that will make

Martins urges national dialogue mockery of the essence of amnesty. I believe it is the duty of government to always engage and should engage with these people. I expect government to go underground and engage with this insurgency organisation just as it was done in Columbia. There is need for government to engage because of its obligation and duty. But this advertised amnesty business will become another drain pipe.” Utomi described the claim by government that it cannot negotiate with faceless group as mere statements that are uttered to elicit political response, saying, “this is not a matter of faceless or not faceless. The business of intelligence gathering is to know

what is going on and find out who is where.” However, Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said that the proposed amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect, which necessitated the setting up of a dialogue committee by the Federal Government, should be given a chance. Ndoma-Egba described the move in a statement issued by his aide, Michael Jegede, “as a welcome development that must be embraced by all citizens of the country as a way of finding lasting solution to the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians for no fault of theirs.” According to the Senate Leader, government must be

supported in the current effort to restore peace in the North and end insecurity in the country. His words: “We cannot allow this endless killing of innocent Nigerians to continue. Whatever we need to do must be done to stop these dastardly acts. That is why I think it is very much important that we give this option of amnesty a chance and see whether it will succeed or not. We hope that it succeeds because we cannot continue to watch our countrymen and women being sent to their early grave due to the activities of the Boko Haram sect. In a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Mar-

tins, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently initiate a broad-based dialogue with all the ethnic nationalities in the country in order to engender lasting peace in the nation. Reacting to the recent setting up of a presidential committee to recommend ways of commencing disarmament and providing amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect, Martins said except the President considers this option, any attempt to shortcut a holistic approach to resolving the insecurity in the land by offering unconditional amnesty to the Boko Haram sect, would only infuriate other sections of the country and serve as a springboard for the emergence of fresh wave of terrorism across the length and breadth of the country.

Two counsel battle over right to represent APGA in court From Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) and Ezeocha Nzeh (Abuja) T was confusion yesterday at the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, as two counsel engaged each other over who would represent the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in a suit filed by Charles Nwazojie restraining the newly elected national and state officers at the April congress from functioning in their capacities. Nwazojie had filed the suit for himself and on behalf of the ward, local council and state executive committees of APGA against INEC, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, the embattled National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, and the

Umeh asks INEC to reject Okwu’s convention Anambra Chairman, Egwuoyibo Okoye. However, it was a stormy session when hearing resumed yesterday at the Federal High Court presided over by Justice M.T Salihuas, as Umeh and Okwu camps locked in arguments over who should appoint counsel for APGA. Meanwhile, following the Federal High Court ruling in Awka, which restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the Okwu-led faction, the Victor Umeh faction has petitioned INEC over what it termed “fraudulent and illegal national convention con-

ducted by agents of the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi. In a petition to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and signed by Umeh and the National Secretary, Sani Shinkafi, which was made available to The Guardian yesterday in Abuja, the faction alleged that 21 of the 29 persons listed as state chairmen of the party were impostors, who were not even members of the party. Immediately the announcement of appearances was made, Dr. Onyinyechi Ikpeazu told the court that he was representing APGA based on the mandate he got from the National Chairman, Okwu, but

this was challenged by Kinsley Awuka, who said he was properly briefed by Umeh to represent APGA, which is the fourth respondent in the judicial review application brought by Nwazojie. Making his first appearance, Ikpeazu contended that he was properly briefed and duly authorized by Okwu, while Awuka submitted that the issue of change of counsel, which Ikpeazu canvassed, did not arise because his client, Umeh, never briefed the lawyer who is being replaced by Ikpeazu. Awuka further averred that the issue of legal representation for APGA was about fair

hearing, which should be resolved in favour of the APGA he was representing, and that his application was for the court to allow proper representation for the party. The court, after reviewing their arguments and submissions, adjourned the case to April 30. Nevertheless, the Umeh faction, stating that only the national chairman is vested with the power to convene a meeting of any organ of APGA, described the April 8 convention in Awka as a futile exercise. It argued that INEC only monitored the national convention without obviously monitoring the ward and council congresses.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Niger dissociates self from Lamido, Amaechi posters From Isa Abdulsalami (Jos) and John Ogiji (Minna) ORRIED by the sudden W appearance of presidential campaign posters of Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his Jigawa State counterpart Sule Lamido on the streets of Minna and its environs, the Niger State government has disassociated itself from the posters, which adored every strategic locations in the capital. Meanwhile, the posters of the two governors appeared yesterday in Jos the Plateau Sate capital. The poster carries the photographs of the two governors as President and vice president respectively with the title “support Sule Lamido and Rotimi Chibukwe Ameachi for president 2015”. The government said categorically that it has nothing to do with the presidential campaign posters of two serving governors in the country, which surfaced on every available billboards, and other public buildings in parts of Minna the Niger state capital on Sunday morning.

NEWS

Rivers lawmakers suspend council chiefs, ACN kicks From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) IVERS State House of R Assembly yesterday suspended indefinitely the Obio/Akpor local council chairman, Timothy Nsirim, his vice and the 17 councillors for reckless spending. Meanwhile, the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), Rivers State chapter has condemned the sack of the council chiefs. The lawmakers’ action followed an interim report on allegation of reckless spending of public funds without due process and security breach against the chairman, vice chairman and the 17 councillors of the council. The report was prepared by the House Committee on Local Government Affairs and presented by its chairman,

Mr. Lucky Odili, member representing Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Constituency. The committee in the report observed that the petition against the chairman and his councillors was weighty and required thorough investigation, stressing that the probe would not be feasible if the accused officers remain in office. Sequel to that, the committee therefore recommended that the chairman, vice chairman and the councillors of the council be suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation. It also urged the state government to appoint a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the council in line with Section 64 (4) of the Rivers State Local Government law. It also recommended that all accounts of the council be

frozen with immediate effect to pave way for the investigations. The committee chairman explained that the Rivers State Local Government law N0.2 of 2012 empowers the State House of Assembly to inquire into the running of any local council in the state and give such directive as it may deem necessary and urged the House to rely on the section and give appropriate directive in the circumstance. The lawmakers were, however, not allowed to debate the report as the Speaker, Otememaba Amachree said there was no need to debate on the report since it was an interim one but the House leader, Chidi Lloyd urged the speaker to follow the legislative process by calling for question and a vote on the

report. When a voice vote was called, 22 persons voted in support of the report to suspend the chairman and the councillors, while five others voted against. ACN spokesperson, Jerry Needam, observed that it was unfortunate that the House could take such decisive act when the matter was never debated and taken according to the provisions of the relevant sections of the law. It said the allegation of reckless spending of public funds without due process and security breach leveled against the chairman and councillors of Obio/Akpor LGA makes the entire process suspect. “By this action, the leadership and members of the Assembly have not only embarrassed themselves but

have gone further to demonstrate to the public that they do not know how to handle issues legitimately to prove their unbiased and objective posture and disposition in political matters”, the party said yesterday in Port Harcourt.” Needam noted that the conduct of the State Assembly in all of these issues have further confirmed the fact, and justifiably speak more of their rubber-stamp status, and the political immaturity of the members of the Assembly. “We feel disappointed and ashamed by this action which is undemocratic, unpopular, regrettable, unjustifiable and indefensible. It is a show of the failure of our Legislative Arm, which clearly portrays their total dependence on the Executive ”, Needam said.

‘Path to N’Delta growth’ From Itunu Ajayi, Uyo O ensure the development T of the Niger Delta region, the Ministry of Niger Delta has formulated a plan of action to achieve set goals. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a five-day stakeholders’ conference and 1st meeting of the national council on Niger Delta in Uyo yesterday, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe reiterated the need for all stakeholders to ensure the development of the region. According to Orubebe, the conference with the theme: ‘Niger Delta Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Coordinating Development Initiatives for Transformation”, was geared towards breaking what he described as ‘cycle of enduring poverty’ by investing in physical infrastructure, basic social services and institutional development to deliver a future of stability, peace and prosperity of the people of Niger Delta.

U.S. Congress, defence chiefs hold talks on security From Karls Tsokar, Abuja S the Chief of Defence A Staff and his Service Chiefs yesterday held close door session with a United States (U.S.) delegation on security matters, Nigeria said it wants to play in Africa the role America plays in the restoration of constitutional order, peace and conflict resolution around the world. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim stated yesterday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the U.S. Congress to his office. He said the Congressmen came to discuss on matter of defence, Boko Haram and the support mission to Mali. Ibrahim said the support Nigeria had gotten from U.S. qualified her to be friend of our country and it is in the spirit of this “friendship that underlines their visit here today to relate with us on defence and related issues.

A cross section of Dutse indigenes who won prizes at the just-concluded Quranic recitation with the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sanusi in Dutse …yesterday.

Court rules today on alleged contempt charge against FCT minister From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja N Abuja High Court would today deliver its verdict on an application filed by a property owner, seeking to commit the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and three others to prison for allegedly flouting its order. The others facing the contempt charge include former Director of Land in the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mrs. Altine Jibrin, Mrs. Ene Dakoru and Alhaji Yahaya Musa, who are judgment debtors and respondents. FCDA is also listed a respondent. The minister and his corespondents are said to be in contempt of court having allegedly demolished a multimillion naira hospital premises without deference to a subsisting court decision, which had ordered the contrary. However, Mohammed has prayed the court to strike out the application for contempt on the contention that he was not properly served with the court summon on the contempt charge The minister through his

The minister and his co-respondents are said to be in contempt of court having allegedly demolished a multi-million naira hospital premises without deference to a subsisting court decision, which had ordered the contrary. counsel Chidi Agashiese told the trial Judge, Justice Danlami Senchi that the contempt charge was served on him through a substituted service involving a newspaper publication as against the personal service required by law. Agashiese pointed out that contempt proceeding be of a quasi-criminal nature out to be served personally on the minister, submitting that anything short of that standard requirement was improper and therefore incompetent to be considered by the court. He argued that they got to know about the bid to get the minister jailed for contempt on April 13, 2013 when their attention was drawn to the advertised notice of committal to prison, insisting that the process of service was faulty and the charge be struck out. However, Chief Ogwu Onoja

(SAN), counsel to Asher Hospital and Maternity Ltd prayed the court to dismiss the minister’s claim and commit him to prison for contempt. Onoja submitted that since the substituted service was carried out on the minister through a valid court order issued by the High Court upon the conviction that Mohammed and others were deliberately evading service it was “proper and valid.” He drew the court’s attention to how the High Court judgment was being treated with “levity” and prayed Justice Senchi to safeguard and protect the sanctity of the judiciary by striking out the minister’s objection to the contempt charge. He said the minister’s objection was baseless, frivolous

because the minister did not first ask the court to vacate the substituted service. Upon the conclusion of their arguments, Justice Senchi

fixed today to rule on whether or not to sustain the contempt charge against the minister and other respondents.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

8 NEWS

Court voids Imo Assembly election, orders fresh polls From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri N Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital, at the weekend nullified the supplementary House of Assembly elections that took place last year in Oguta Constituency, ordering that polls should be conducted in all the 11 wards and not four as was held. Eugene Dibiagwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had defeated Mr. Walter Uzonwanne of the All Progressives Alliance (APGA). In his ruling, the presiding judge faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not conducting credible elections in the country, urging it to borrow a leaf from Ghana. In 2011, election into the

constituency’s seat was held in only seven wards, while the remaining four could not hold. As it lingered due to litigations, the Commission conducted polls in only four wards amid protests and boycotts by other candidates. Soon after Dibiagwu was declared winner, Uzonwanne headed for lower tribunal, winning his case that polls should begin afresh in all the 11 wards. Dibiagwu subsequently appealed the judgment, which upturned Uzonwanne’s victory. By the development, three main candidates in the yet to be fixed election are Dibiagwu, Uzonwanne and Henry Igbomezie of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

NANS to mobilise for Keyamo By Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu ECOUNTING his support all through their “battles and challenges with the authorities” over the years, students of tertiary institutions in the country have vowed to work for Mr. Festus Keyamo towards realising his governorship ambition in Delta State. Speaking under the aegis of the Joint Campuses Committee (Abuja axis) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during a courtesy visit to Keyamo in his Abuja office, the students said they came to assure him of their maximum support.

The students, who represented various institutions, said the decision to back Keyamo was taken at NANS’ 66th Senate Meeting at the Benue State University, Makurdi, which was attended by over 200 Students Union Government (SUG) presidents from various tertiary institutions. Following that meeting, the Abuja axis of the Joint Campuses Committee, led by its Chairman, University of Abuja chapter, Omoba Michael and his NANS counterpart, Peter Bassey, among others, took the initiative of the solidarity visit.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Richard Ofuru (left); the Commissioner for Education, Alice Lawrence Nemi; the state AttorneyGeneral, Wogu Boms; President of ZWH, Dirk Palige and another official of the German company at the handing over ceremony of the Rivers State Vocational Training Centre to ZWH

Rep, Ekiti council chief differ over attack on convoy EMBER of the House of Bamidele, representing Ado that as a founding and loyal M Representatives, Mr. Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun member of the party, he Opeyemi Bamidele and the would continue to hold it in Caretaker Committee Chairman in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Council of Ekiti State, Mr. Tajudeen Olufemi Awe, have disagreed over alleged attack on the lawmaker’s convoy in Igede-Ekiti on April12, 2013. Awe was said to have claimed that Bamidele was attacked by youths of IgedeEkiti who were angry that the lawmaker failed to fulfill his electoral promises. He allegedly accused Bamidele of mismanaging N187 million “released to the local council for the implementation of constituency projects.” But in a statement,

Federal Constituency, said neither himself nor any House of Representatives member received any money in respect of constituency projects, “wondering if Governor Kayode Fayemi releases money to members of Ekiti House of Assembly in respect of constituency projects rather than have the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state government execute the projects in the various constituencies as provided for by law.” While noting that he never alleged that he was attacked by ACN members in IgedeEkiti, Bamidele reiterated

high esteem. “I have not done anything that would make either the leadership or any of the wellmeaning members of the party take any step to hurt me.” He said no leader or member of the former ACN in Ekiti State would hold it against him for expressing dislike for “illegal dissolution of ward and local council executive committees of the party and the composition of same by state government appointees without ward and local council congresses in accordance with the party’s constitution.”

Kumuyi points way to total freedom HE General T Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Kumuyi, has declared that the only antidote to the manifold challenges of our contemporary world is a closer relationship with God and a life wholesomely devoted to His will. Addressing participants at the weekend at the church’s fourth edition of the Special Miracle Service held at its conference centre on LagosIbadan Expressway, Kumuyi said while perilous times may not abate, a life wedded to God has the capacity to weather the severest of storms. And those who are wise must seek to build bridges across to God rather than running helter-skelter looking for solution where there’s none. He emphasised that from time immemorial, Satan has been responsible for diverse afflictions in the lives of people, and in problems confronting nations, noting, however, that the only escape route is Christ Jesus. The General Superintendent, who spoke on ‘Restoring the Falling Foundation of the Righteous’, and ‘Destroying the Works and Weapons of the Devil’ affirmed that “no circumstance can defile the power of God”. Speaking to the gathering of over 150,000 participants, the cleric enjoined those so willing to abandon the recourse to self-man-

agement and instead find a willing partner in God who possesses the capacity to fight and overcome the many battles that may come across a man. Drawing various instances from the scripture, the General Superintendent said the power that loosed the woman bound for 18 years with a spirit of infirmity is still potent enough today to set free as many as will be willing to touch Him by faith. It is in the light of this that he admonished believers and citizens to seek repose in God, stressing that the weapons of a Christian’s warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to pull down strongholds. The cleric also revealed that believers have not only received redemption but have also been given restorative power to deliver the afflicted. The special service tagged: “Night of Supernatural Deliverance” recorded spectacular miracles as many participants testified to their instant deliverances following prayer ministration by Kumuyi. For instance, a middle-age man, Tope Agboola, was jubilant. He testified to receiving deliverance from strange voices and invisible personalities that had taken possession of his life, terrorising him in the process. According to Agboola, it was the affliction that caused his deportation from London, after

he developed a mental problem. But on the night of Saturday, he said he heard the sound of strange personalities flying out of his body with a terrifying speed. Monica Aina, from Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, who had an accident in 2009, and had undergone four hip operations, testified to receiving her healing. Aina, who came to the programme on crutches, abandoned the walking aids after the prayer session. “After the pastor’s prayer, I tried to move, I moved forward and I dropped the crutches. I suddenly realised I could move without the crutches, that was all and the healing came”, she said jubilantly. The event, which was transmitted through the satellite to all locations of the church in the country, the continent of Africa and beyond, was also streamed live on the Internet. The monthly miracle service is aimed at addressing the physical and spiritual needs of members and willing public, particularly people under various oppressions of the enemy, so that they can be of greater use to God and the nation. Pastor Kumuyi reiterated the fact that people need to be set free in order to serve God without encumbrances and other obstructions, which have the capacity to circumscribe the potentials of anyone.

Kano Poly teachers shun strike From Murtala Muhammed, Kano HE seven-day industrial action commenced yesterday by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUUP) may have lost its steam as the Kano State Polytechnic chapter of the union shunned the action. Secretary General of ASUUP, Usman Peni, last week served the union’s notice of the seven-day warning strike after exhausting their 21-day ultimatum. When The Guardian visited the two campuses (School of Technology and Management) of the polytechnic, academic activities were going on. Chairman ASUUP, Kano State Polytechnic, Abdullahi Ibrahim Nassarawa, however, claimed loyalty and solidarity to the national body, but maintained that the leadership of the union was evaluating the security situation in Kano before taking a position. “We are fully in support of the current warning strike in the country and our solidarity in the course of the action is not in doubt. But as you know the situation of our dear state, we need to evaluate the development if at all we are going to join the nationwide strike”, Abdullahi added.

CD tasks S’East govs on kidnapping From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Campaign for Democracy (CD), SouthEast region, has tasked the South-East governors to check the surging wave of kidnapping in the zone. In a statement signed by the Chairman, CD South-East region, Dede Uzor A. Uzor yesterday, the group lamented that an average of five persons per month were kidnapped in each state of the zone. The group, however, urged each of the governors to procure tracking devices for security agencies in order to check the menace of kidnapping in the zone. They also gave the governors a 14-day ultimatum to procure these devices, saying it would help to address kidnapping incidents, which they noted, was scaring away investors. They added that the tracking device had become expedient now since there is an upsurge in kidnapping and other heinous crimes.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

WorldReport Boston bomb suspect charged, faces death penalty Two arrested in Canada over Al Qaeda’s plot HE surviving Boston bomb suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was yesterday charged with using a weapon of mass destruction and could face the death penalty if convicted, according to United States (U.S.) Department of Justice. Tsarnaev, 19, was also charged with one count of malicious destruction of property by means of deadly explosives, the department said in a statement. He was arraigned in his hospital bed, where he remains in serious condition, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported. Meanwhile, two people have been arrested in connection with an Al Qaeda supported plot to derail a passenger train in Canada, police said yesterday. The two suspects – Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35 – were allegedly planning to carry out an attack on a Via Rail passenger train in the Toronto area.

The suspects are expected to appear in court today for a bail hearing. Charges against them include conspiring to carry out an attack and conspiring in association with a terrorist group to murder individuals. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police told a news conference the suspects “were receiving support from Al Qaeda elements located in Iran” but added “there’s no indication that these attacks were statesponsored.” The duo received “direction and guidance” from Al Qaeda, officials said. However, an official in the U.S. prosecutor’s office in the city said yesterday that a first hearing in U.S. federal court in the case has been scheduled for May 30. The federal charges “authorise a penalty, upon conviction, of death or imprisonment for life or any term of years,” the statement said.

Although our investigation is ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston, and for our country. “Although our investigation is ongoing, today’s charges bring a successful end to a tragic week for the city of Boston, and for our country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. Continuing, the statement added: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with each of the bombing victims and brave law enforcement professionals who lost their lives or suffered serious injuries as a result of this week’s senseless violence.” Tsarnaev and his older brother, Tamerlan, 26, who was killed in a shootout with police, are accused of the twin bombing at the Boston Marathon one week ago, which killed three people and wounded over180 others. If the teen, a naturalised U.S. citizen of Chechen descent, is convicted of the

federal charges over last week’s twin marathon blasts, he could be sentenced to jail time – or to death. “We’ve once again shown that those who target innocent Americans and attempt to terrorise our cities will not escape from justice,” Holder said. The unsealing of the federal charges against Tsarnaev, who suffered a gunshot wound to the throat after being captured late Friday, came as White House spokesman Jay Carney said he would not be deemed an “enemy combatant.” “We will prosecute this terrorist through our civilian system of justice,” Carney said, after some Republicans had said Tsarnaev should have the same status as the “war on terror” detainees held in Guantanamo Bay.

‘Iran, N’Korea threaten nuclear non-proliferation treaty’ HE United States (U.S.) has T again warned that the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea threaten the credibility of the global treaty aimed at avoiding the proliferation of atomic weapons. According to U.S. Assistant Secretary of International Security and Nonproliferation, Thomas Countryman, North Korea’s third nuclear test earlier this year and Iran’s “nuclear enrichment programme, which far exceeds any conceivable civilian use” constitute “the real challenges to the non-proliferation treaty.” Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a preparatory meeting for the 2015 review conference of the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), Countryman expressed particular concern about the conse-

quences if Iran, which remains a signatory to the treaty, were to obtain nuclear weapons. This came as Israel suggested yesterday during a visit by U.S. Defence Secretary, Chuck Hagel, that it would be patient before taking any military action against Iran’s nuclear programme, saying there was still time for other options. Also, the United Nations (UN) nuclear agency said yesterday it was in discussions with Iran about “possible dates” for a new meeting about inspecting Tehran’s disputed atomic programme, making clear the timing was yet to be fixed. Earlier yesterday, Iranian media reported that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would hold a new round of discussions in Vienna on May 21.

Britain’s royal succession change moves closer DRAFT legislation, which A will allow Prince William and his wife, Catherine’s first child to become monarch in Britain even if it is a girl, took a step closer to becoming law yesterday. The bill to end male precedence in the line of succession to the British throne has been cleared in the upper house of parliament – the House of Lords. The bill has been fasttracked through both Houses of Parliament in just three months and now only requires the formality of royal assent to become law. It ensures that younger sons will no longer displace daughters in the line of succession and permits an heir

to the throne to marry a Catholic. But the legislation still prevents Catholics from wearing the crown. The changes will mean that if William and Catherine’s first child, expected in July, is a girl, she can become monarch even if she later has younger brothers. James Wallace, the Advocate General for Scotland, speaking on behalf of the government, said the aim of the bill was to ensure greater equality. He confirmed the royal couple’s child, irrespective of whether it was a boy or a girl, would take their place “in the line to the throne ahead of any subsequent siblings”.

Napolitano flays Italian politicians at swearing-in CCUSING politicians of A being “deaf” to the urgent need for reforms,

Italy’s re-elected President Giorgio Napolitano (left) and Upper House President Pietro Grasso after Napolitano took the presidential oath at the parliament in Rome yesterday amid hopes of an end this week to a deadlock on forming a new government. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO

Hezbollah linked as scores die in Syrian army’s fresh operation Assad seeks Lebanon’s help to fight foes O fewer than 100 people have been reportedly found dead in a town near the Syrian capital of Damascus after a five-day operation to retake the town by regime troops. This was revealed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which also stated that Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite group and a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, was leading the fight in the Qusayr area of Syria’s central province of Homs. Following the fierce fighting in the strategic area in recent days, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that the newly appointed interim rebel chief, George Sabra, has warned that Hezbollah’s role in the fighting was a “declaration of war.”

Also, a report by Reuters yesterday indicated that alAssad has asserted that neighbouring Lebanon could not shield itself from the civil war in his country and that both states should fight his opponents, quoting three members of a Lebanese delegation who visited the Syrian president. But a senior Hezbollah leader has defended the group’s actions in Syria as a “national and moral duty” to defend Lebanese inside the war-torn country, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported yesterday. Speaking at a ceremony mourning a Hezbollah fighter killed in Syria, the vicepresident of the group’s executive council, Sheikh Nabil Qauk, evoked the plight of Lebanese citizens

What Hezbollah is doing with regard to this issue is a national and moral duty in the defence of the Lebanese in border villages. living in a string of villages inside Syria. “What Hezbollah is doing with regard to this issue is a national and moral duty in the defence of the Lebanese in border villages,” the official news agency quoted Qauk as saying. “To those who ask us to allow our brothers in these border villages to be victims of murders, kidnaps, massacres and expulsions, I respond to you: ‘Can we leave these Lebanese hostage to this situation?” he added. “Hezbollah’s martyrs are the martyrs of the entire nation because they are defending their Lebanese compatriots,” he said. Inside Syria, along the bor-

der with Lebanon, are five villages that are home to mostly Lebanese Shiites and another eight that are mixed but have large Shiite populations. However, Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told Agence France Presse (AFP): “There are 101 martyrs who have been identified in Jdaidet al-Fadl, which was taken completely by the army on Sunday. The victims are 10 women, three children and 88 men, including 24 rebels,” On Sunday, the group said it confirmed the deaths of at least 80 people killed during shelling on the area, fighting and in summary executions.

Italian President Giorgio yesterday urged political parties to strike a deal on a new government “without delay” as he was sworn in for an unprecedented second term. Italian sparring politicians have been at loggerheads for two months ever since elections in February that left no clear winner and revealed growing social unease. The main parties in the recession-ravaged country appealed to the 87-year-old on Saturday to stay on – the

first Italian president to do so – and elected him later in the same day despite his earlier insistence he would retire. Reform efforts “have petered out thanks to the deafness of the same political forces that asked me to stay on”, Napolitano said in a harsh speech in which he was sometimes overcome with emotion. “If I am faced with this deafness again, I will not hesitate to draw my conclusions,” he told lawmakers in an apparent hint that he could resign or call new elections if the deadlock continues.

Embattled Spanish king vows to bounce back MBATTLED King Juan E Carlos of Spain jovially vowed yesterday he would soon bounce back after the latest in a series of surgical operations, despite deepening scandals that have harmed his popularity. “I’ll soon be back causing trouble,” he joked as he stood without crutches in his first official appearance since surgery in March for a slipped disc – his seventh operation in three years. Juan Carlos, 75, made the comment in front of the cameras as he received the poet Jose Manuel Caballero Bonald, latest winner of the top Cervantes Prize for Spanish-language litera-

ture, at the Zarzuela royal palace. The appearance was closely watched by the media following the troubles afflicting the king’s family, which include a corruption probe implicating his daughter Cristina and her husband. His comment suggested he was resisting pressure over the scandals that have raised the question of him abdicating in favour of his son, Felipe, 45. The king won wide respect for helping guide Spain through a political transition after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, but his popularity has declined over the past year.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Politics Don’t equate President with a provincial player, says Dickson On the occasion of his monthly rendering of account of the finances — receipts, expenditure and savings of the state, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State spoke to journalists in Yenagoa on Friday on issues in the polity, including alleged dispute between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi, crises in the PDP and the coming of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), proposed presidential amnesty for Boko Haram members and checking ‘rumour mongering’ in the state, reports Ehichioya Ezomon. HAT is your position on the dispute W between Mr. President and the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi? You press people should not equate a provincial player with the elected President of the Federal Republic. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot have misunderstanding with a provincial player, as a governor of Rivers State or any other governor for that matter. I don’t know how you came by that, which is why we must be careful because you are also very important players in our democracy. As governors, we are elected to run our states, no more, no less. If you want the mandate to run Nigeria, you contest an election for it; don’t do it through the back door. If you want to be a leader of the opposition, you go to the opposition. What is happening is that people are taking advantage of our weak institutions and our fledgling democracy such that sometimes, you don’t even know who belongs to where socially, positioning and what makes politics. So please, I’m not aware of any misunderstanding between the President of Nigeria and a provincial player like myself, who is a governor of a state. You are demeaning the President and you shouldn’t that in this country. He (Amaechi) is the one that has been doing that because every little thing, he brings in the president, as if he is at the same level, at par with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whether that is right or not Nigerians will talk. But what we know is that for you to be a good leader, you must be a good follower first. So, I’m not aware (of any misunderstanding) and I’m not a presidential spokesman. How would you assess the crises within the PDP, especially in the face of the ongoing merger of opposition parties to form the APC? To the issue of what you perceived to be problem within the PDP, in a political grouping, and in a developing democracy, naturally, you will expect some pulling here and some pushing there once in a while, which is normal even with one-man-one-wife party. You saw what happens even in smaller parties that could not even win elections because in politics, you are managing not just a clash of ideas and vision; it is also a clash, inevitably, of ego and all of that. So, democratic politics promotes diversity and diversity sometimes generates conflict and tension but the democratic system must be managed in such a way that democracy and the rule, will at the end of the day, take care of all these things in their own time. What you are seeing as tension, at the end of the day, will resolve itself. On the APC, I want to use this opportunity to urge the leaders of the opposition to work hard, to bring about a virile, effective and viable opposition; an opposition that will play by the rule; an opposition that will be in a position to confront the ruling party in a market place of ideas and vision. We are looking forward to virile debates on various issues: on economy, on national security. If they are viable as a party, we want to engage them and let us see the alternative viewpoints that are contending for the minds and hearts of our people beyond issues of religion, ethnicity and zoning; that’s the whole

Seriake Dickson debate. The whole political engagement is all about grandstanding, manipulation, positioning and it sickens me, really. For me — I’m not speaking for my party — I would be very happy to see a very virile, effective and well-organised opposition because a democracy without an opposition is dictatorship. Democracy must have a viable opposition. In this state, with what we are doing, I cannot, for example, be scared of a strong opposition party; in fact, I had looked forward to an opposition party. Instead of rumours, blackmail and propaganda, I look forward to an engagement — an organised opposition that can confront us and then present an alternative vision. We have to develop that tradition in this country. It is not there now. With all due respect, if we are not careful, we will descend to a situation that even respected national newspapers will just be like a political pamphlet. Let us have virile political parties that will contest ideas. But for me as a person — I’m not a spokesman for the PDP — I don’t see any reason anybody in the PDP is supposed to be scared of the APC. We just need to focus on what we are doing and at the end of the day, if the electoral process is free and fair — Mr. President has always promised Nigerians that — Nigerians will decide who occupies the power. What is your position on the issue of amnesty for Boko Haram insurgent group? I want to commend the President for his large heartedness in proposing amnesty, even for Boko Haram members. Of course, we all know that Boko Haram, whatever is driving them, is very different from the factors that gave rise to the situation that we had here in the Niger Delta. Whereas the insurgency in the Niger Delta was founded on economic issues — issues that had to do with rights and deprivation of rights, the one in Boko Haram is religious fundamentalism; so, there is a clear distinction. Even with that, the president has come up with amnesty, I think as a result of the calls by some leaders in the affected areas so that amnesty can be given. And they want to see whether that can make the difference. So, we have to encourage that; I think we should give it a chance. Though those who say amnesty should not be

extended to Boko Haram members also have a very strong point on account of the mindless and criminal, despicable and wanton destruction of properties and lives — and even now, from what we are reading, they seem to say they have not done anything wrong and they are rejecting amnesty. But on the part of the leader of a country, I think the president has done well by proposing amnesty. Let that not be the excuse for not getting all hands on deck to address that issue. And on that, let me say we all need to be very careful, particularly those of us who are communicating and then disseminating views. Let us not politicise anything and everything in this country, particularly something as critical as national security. We are going through very serious trying moment in this country and I get bothered when senior political leaders and opinion leaders in this country, because they want to get an advantage, they want to play politics even with amnesty, Boko Haram and national security. When 9/11 came, you saw how political leaders in United States dropped their political differences and then united, first, to save the country. This country is going through a very serious problem and then we play with issues of national security simply because of politics. Call a spade a spade because even when you want to lead this country or play any role, you can only do that if you have a Nigeria — if you have a strong and stable environment. As we speak, fellow Nigerians, for no fault of theirs other than accident of birth and religion, are wantonly destroyed without apology to that effect. We should not play politics with it! I just want to make that clear. Is it actually necessary for you to propose a bill against rumour mongering in the state? We don’t have a bill on rumour mongering. People are just investing in disinformation. Because of underdevelopment and the several years of insufficient investment in education, we have a situation where one or two people will go to where they are selling newspapers every morning or the market place, for example, and say: “You don hear say Kalabari people don invade the Nembe people for this oil well something? That is what is happening o. They have burn down people and kill hundred people?” This one will call this, and in two to three hours in this state you are seeing, people will

be running. That is the reality we are dealing with here. Even for disgruntled political elements, instead of coming to confront you on issues, they will just stay in Abuja or Lagos and send one call or text message to some of those kinds of character, and before you know it, you that you are here seated, they will say you had collapsed yesterday and flown out. You see, it is a stage in development: they don’t read newspapers; not many of them will read newspapers as you and me read and write. So, it is peculiar social challenge we have. I don’t expect those of you who are living in societies that invested in education – who are at a higher level in terms of social awareness, to understand why it is necessary. Every honest Bayelsan will tell you that that (rumour) is a problem in this state. And we want to create a mechanism by which we will carry our people along. We are not punishing them; we have only pointed out that that is wrong and that it is not conducive to stability and development. So, what have done is to gather journalists — media practitioners and said, ‘okay, you guys come and guide the state; sensitise the people. Now, those who are complaining and funding some of these (reports) are those who know that we have hit the core of what they use to distabilise and cause disaffection. They know that once we are going on this rumour thing and we are re-orientating the people, the link that they use in controlling the people is being taken away from them. That is why they are reaching out to people. But we are not bothered; we know what is going on. You don’t have to talk with me; just go (out) there and ask how rumour in this state is; they will tell you. It is not just about government; in fact, everybody about anybody. They will wake up and say, “so, so person don do this o,” and everybody will be talking about it. While building roads, educating people and giving them things to do to occupy themselves, we also want success by which, working with the media, we will embark on a social re-orientation exercise. So, there is no law (on rumour) at the moment. How do you cope with the monthly transparency briefing of the state, and ensuring that it is being done at the local government levels? As a democrat, I’m not an accidental politician, I’m a politician by conviction and if you check my political antecedents you will see that I have spent the better part of my political life identifying with issues that are related to deepening and broadening the frontiers of our democracy. When I was member of the House (of Reps) committee on justice, and I was supporting the FoI, for example, I meant it. For me, it wasn’t just politics because in a democracy, the right to know is of great importance. We don’t seem to have enough of that. We are doing what we are doing and making the sacrifice — I have offered myself sometimes as guinea pig, to experiment on transparency, accountability and openness to the people because you need to arm the people. You see, empowerment of people is not just in the material sense; the most important empowerment is the mental, intellectual and the enablement that comes with proper information. The people must know. That is critical in a developing democracy; the people must know that we are here to serve them. They must know that things that we do are for their best interest. So, it’s our little way of submitting ourselves to the sovereignty that resides in the people. In this state, by the law that I proposed, which was institutionalised — I didn’t just announce it as a policy; the penalty for non-compliance, if I don’t do it for three months consecutively, is an impeachable offence. We put it there in the law and I signed it. I sensed that as I was doing, the chairmen of local governments were also doing it. By the grace of God, when I serve out my tenure — whenever it pleases God, I feel that anybody coming should also build on it so that after some time, transparency and accountability will be part of the political culture of this place.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

POLITICS

Igbo are third-rate citizens in Nigeria, says Kalu Governor of Abia State, FtheORMER Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has described Igbo as third-rate citizens in the Nigerian project. Kalu, speaking at the British House of Commons in the United Kingdom, whose audience included Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially those based in the UK, specifically reeled out statistics to back his assertions. For instance, he said the Northwest has seven states while others, including the Southeast, home to the Igbo, have six. In terms of local governments, the Southeast also has the least — 95 while the Northwest has 186, Northeast 112, North Central 115, Southwest 138 and the South-South 123 local governments. For the federal constituencies, which form the basis for election into the House of Representatives, the Southeast has 43 while the Northwest has 92, the Northeast 48, North Central 49, Southwest 71 and South-South 55 federal constituencies. For senatorial districts, the Northwest tops with 21; the North Central, North East, South-South and Southwest have 18 each and the Southeast with the least — 15 districts. Kalu added that these disparities have been taken further to the rulership of the country, stating that while the North Central had ruled for 17 years, 11 months and 20 days, as at the time of the address to the House of Commons, the Northwest had occupied the country’s presidency for 13 years, 11 months and 10 days; the Southwest for 11 years, 10 months and eight days; the Northeast for five years, three months and 15 days; and the South-South for five years and 23 days. “But for the Southeast, leading the country has only been for six months and 13 days,” he said. Kalu said the statistics, which form the very basis of the existence of the country, have glaring evidences that the Igbo, who occupy the Southeast part of the country, are not as highly valued as the Hausa and Yoruba ethnic stocks. He said the statistics, ranging from the distribution of the country’s commonwealth to the opportunities to govern at the federal level and the number of states, local government areas and senatorial districts in each of the geopolitical regions of the country, point glaringly to the value placed on the Igbo by the Nigerian state. “The Igbo in Nigeria have become the receptacle of anger, hatred, envy and frustration oozing out of their fellow compatriots,” he said. “But this is on the level of the transaction between private citizens. How

Kalu about the place of the Igbo in respect of the manner in which public affairs are conducted by the Nigerian Federal Government and its agencies? “The simple answer is that the rain has continued to beat the Igbo.” Kalu said the above table does not represent an opinion or a hypothesis; “it represents the blatant reality of the third-rate status forced upon the Igbo in the political space in Nigeria.” “We, the Igbo, have striven but thus far failed to persuade the Nigerian establishment about the hurt and humiliation and deprivation that come with the idea that we, as a people, are legally condemned to thirdrate status in our own country, as amply demonstrated by the above table,” he said. “The implications of this calculated fraud against my people are so massive and go entirely untold: unequal allocation of resources; unequal voice in the Federal Executive Council; unequal representation in the National Assembly (the gravest of all); unequal participation in the administration of justice in the federation; unequal participation in the federal civil service and adjunct bodies; unequal representation in the armed forces and paramilitary organisations; unequal representa-

tion in the diplomatic corps ensuring incapacity in showcasing the Igbo culture as part of a panNigerian culture in our foreign missions and embassies; and fewer primary, secondary and higher education opportunities for our children, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.” Kalu noted that rather than being accorded the status other major ethnic groups within the Nigerian project have, the Igbo have been consigned to the background in the scheme of things in the country. According to him: “The structural disparities are constitutionally entrenched (please see the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999), thus their grave implications for Ndigbo are beyond the primary questions of inequity and marginalisation. “The histories of nations are replete with evidence of existential threat to any group whose marginalisation is made a subject matter of constitutional enshrinement. He added that with unequal voice in the Federal Executive Council, in the National Assembly, on the federal judicial benches and a vast array of other fora in which the Igbo suffer sub-parity representation, “the strength of the advocacy of our problems and priorities is thus diminished.”

“Little wonder, then, that the Southeast zone, the area inhabited by the Igbo, still manifests the physical characteristics of a conquered and occupied land, 43 years after the Civil War.” Kalu also argued that apart from the psychological assault it represents for Igbo people, the practical issues of unequal representation and unequal allocation of resources are calculated to retard the development of the region and its people. “The massive difference, which the resources and human empowerment that we are denied might have made in our society, is something that calls not just for a sober reflection but a gritty resolve to bring about their speedy resolution,” he said. “The Igbo tenacity, drive and relentless optimism to pursue life’s enduring dreams of family, faith and success and to overcome life’s challenges will see them through. “But the world must listen to them whenever they cry out. For they have long suffered and endured in silence, as the rain continues to beat them.” The former governor said this was the major reason for the formation of Njiko Igbo, a group with the mandate to push for the election of a president of Igbo extraction for Nigeria in 2015. He said: “The presidency of the Nigerian nation has not eluded the Igbo by accident or by an act of divinity but by human design; and it is through human pressure that we can attain it. “Njiko Igbo is the catalyst and conduit for our collective action. We trust that you recognise as we do, that power concedes nothing without a demand. “Njiko Igbo is an organisation dedicated to the struggle for the ascent of a citizen of Igbo extraction to the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. “We are fully committed to the security and peace of our nation, and to the comradeship of a common justice and equality for all Nigerians.” Kalu said the organisation is neither supportive of nor opposed to any political party or the aspirations of any individual politician. “Our primary mission is to enlighten and mobilise the Igbo population, both home and in the diaspora, to stand firm and united in the pursuit of our collective goal. “Our secondary duty is to connect with and persuade the rest of the Nigerian population about the justice of our cause. He said Njiko Igbo is waging this struggle “precisely because there is an irrefutable evidence of blatant anti-Igbo bias in the manner in

which the political architecture of this federation is constructed.” “Gross injustice is the ultimate outcome of that deliberate discrimination. And every man or woman possessed of conscience has a duty to take a moral stand against injustice whenever and wherever it is manifest. This expression of conscience forms the tradition of the deepest value we share as a people.” To him, the impulse to demand justice and the instinctive revolt against injustice constitute the most essential ingredients of humanity. “If we recognise this philosophical essence of what truly defines our sentient nature, then we must accept that this struggle is not only inevitable but mandatory,” he said. H e listed the organisation’s strategic operations as two-pronged: (a) an intensive drive to build and foster a united front at home and, (b) an energetic national mobilisation campaign to marshal public opinion and secure the solidarity and support of a majority of Nigerians. “Our methods will be conciliatory, unaggressive, solicitous and flexible but without being amenable to the old easy compromises and defensiveness that reinforced prejudicial assumptions about us as a people,” he said. “We shall seek to accomplish our mission in a manner and style deferential to elders, respectful of the sensibilities of other tribal groups and faiths, attentive to criticism and open to disputations. “We are embarking on a big and noble dream borne out of the necessities of our history and the imperatives of our justice, equity and fair play. “While our history is a proud, large, and significant imprint in Nigeria, the reality of our contemporary existence has been rendered small by the politics of the Nigerian republic. This time calls for self-assertion and Igbo people must rise and answer the challenges with one voice.” Kalu preached that the body was not pursuing the orthodox argument connected with the zoning of the presidency; instead, a struggle for justice and equality of opportunity through the instrumentalities of persuasion, mobilisation, and projection of a creative vision for a stronger and a successful federation. “No one should be in any doubt that the political struggles and strife raging in this country today, and which will rage for at least another generation, represent the struggle to assert group identity and legitimacy, expressed through the mechanics of politics,” he said, adding, “Igbo people can ill-afford to take a passive stance in the maelstrom.”

Adeyeye vows to win Ekiti governorship in 2014 From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

• He’s day-dreaming, says Fayemi’s aide

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorP ship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has stated that the Southern senatori-

The former Publicity Secretary of the panYoruba socio-cultural group said if he emerged the governor, his administration would ensure that Fayemi accounts for all the loans he took and how he spent the allocations accruing to the state. According to him: “You all know that for the first time in the history of the state, our state is being run on credit. Funds that should accrue to the state in the next 20 years are being taken in advance through questionable loans and bonds. “With this, the future generations of Ekiti people will be saddled with the task of repaying loans already spent even when they were yet to be born. “More painful is the fact that loans and bonds are being taken by present government, not to execute income generating projects, but to construct a new hilltop Government House, even when the present one is perhaps one of the biggest in the country, build civic centre and to lay asphalt on already asphalted roads, power streetlights with generators and purchase fraudulent awards.” He expressed worry that the government had allegedly plunged the state into N30 billion debt, which, he said, had affected the fortunes of the state in all facets. However, in his reaction, the Chief Press

al district of the state should produce the candidate to run for the 2014 governorship in the state. Citing Chapter 1, section 7, subsection 3c of the PDP constitution, which supports zoning of political offices, Adeyeye posited that the party must comply with this section and zone the governorship to the South that has never produced a governor. He took a swipe at other aspirants that canvassed against zoning, as an argument of weak candidates, arguing that zoning the slot to the southern part of the state was a necessity in the spirit of “fairness, equity and justice.” Adeyeye spoke through the Director General of his campaign organisation, Mr. Bisi Kolawole, who disclosed that the governorship aspirant would submit his letter of intent on Monday and declare open his campaign office. He said the aspirant has the “capacity to govern Ekiti State responsibly and harness all its human and natural resources without plunging the state into unwarranted debt,” Adeyeye, who criticise Governor Kayode Fayemi for allegedly “running a government of deceit and debt,” branded the administration as the most profligate and most directionless in the history of the state.

Adeyeye Secretary to Governor Fayemi, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said Prince Adeyeye must have made his wild and unfounded allegations out of frustration, mischief or ignorance. “Whatever it is, he cannot be forgiven for this bogus claims and the dubious attempt to mislead the good people of Ekiti,” Oyebode said. He, however, advised Adeyeye to concentrate

on proper articulation of his programmes for the people and prepare answers to some allegations against him, rather than going about displaying ignorance on basic developmental issues. “Adeyeye will be making a big mistake to compare the Kayode Fayemi administration with the discredited administration under which he served as chairman of SUBEB,” Oyebode said. “While the current administration approached the money market and took a N20 billion bond with which it is developing the state, with a well structured repayment plan, which is being adhered to, the discredited government Adeyeye served left a huge debt with practically nothing to show for it.” He said aside from the bond money, the state has also increased its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N109 million to over N600 million through the introduction of some innovations in government. The prudent management of the resources of the state, he said, has also reflected in the various developmental strides of the administration, including the renovation of all secondary schools, distribution of computer laptops to every child in the state schools, renovation of all hospitals, massive construction of road networks and urban renewal projects. “The new Government House, Governor’s Office, Pavilion and Civic Centre, which Adeyeye attempted to ridicule, are part of the infrastructure development of the state,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

TheMetroSection Rain wreaks havoc, kills seven-year-old boy • Ekiti govt vows to demolish structures on waterways within two weeks From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South West Bureau, Ado Ekiti)

Olamide had gone with his 15year-old sister on an errand by their mother...When the rain started, she stayed back till the rain subsided. She held her brother’s hand as they made their way home but the flood had covered the culvert, which made the small boy to miss his step and fell into the drainage ANY residents of Ado Ekiti will not M forget in a hurry the havoc caused by flooding that followed the heavy downpour on Monday evening, which killed a seven-year-old boy, Olamide Ayeni, and also destroyed properties worth several millions of Naira. As at yesterday afternoon, the search team including residents of Dallimore area of the capital town and men of state fire service, were still searching for the body of the boy said to have followed her sister, Faith, on an errand for their mother. The rain, which began around 7.30p.m., lasted all through the night in parts of Ado Ekiti, causing rivers to overflow their banks and sending many people out of their residents. Narrating how Olamide was lost to the flood, his uncle Simeon, said Olamide had accompanied his elder sister on an errand across their home at Dallimore Street in Ado Ekiti. According to Simeon, who spoke with newsmen amid other sympathisers at their No. 45 Dallimore Street residence, “Olamide had gone with his 15-year-old sister on an errand by their mother, but she did not know that he had accompanied her.” He added: “When the rain started, she stayed back till the rain subsided, she

The late Olamide held her brother’s hand as they made their way home but the flood had covered the culvert, which made the small boy to miss his step and fell into the drainage. Her sister ran home to report what had happened while the people in the vicinity made attempts to rescue him. We called in the fire service and they came to join in the efforts we had been making to find him. Up till now we have not found his body.”

He said the parents of the missing boy had been moved out of their house on the street because of the trauma of the incident, saying, “they are traumatised by the tragedy and cannot cope in the neighbourhood.” However, the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who visited some of the affected areas yesterday, blamed people who erected buildings on the waterways for the flooding and threatened to pull down such structures within two weeks.

Fayemi who was apparently worried at the spate at which some people violate town planning laws while building their houses, stated that the demolition is aimed at protecting the lives and property of citizens, as some illegal buildings have posed threats to the safety of lives and property of those who had built their structures in the proper place by diverting the waterways. He stated that though government had in the past failed to enforce the laws guarding building constructions, it would henceforth begin a strict enforcement of the law to avoid more dangers that may be caused by flooding. Governor Fayemi, who spoke with journalists in the course of the inspection, said: “A lot of the houses that have been caught in harm’s way as a result of this flooding are houses built on flood plains and do not have development control approval. So the problem is at that level but there is also the problem of enforcement on the side of government. It is the duty of government to enforce the law. Even on an approved plan, there must be a setback. You have a certain metres that you must put between your house and the road. That has not been done in many of the places I visited today: Olorunda, Nova Road, Peace Avenue in Afao Road and Oke Ila.” He assured that government would make amends where it has shirked its responsibilities as larger drains and more channelisation projects will be put n place. “We will make sure that adequate room is provided for the drains so that water can flow into wider channels, dredge the channels and ensure that water flows properly. Anyone who has built on a waterway or in a place that will not allow water to flow seamlessly should be ready to hear from me. I have given instruction to the Ministry of Urban Planning and Lands to ensure that those houses are demolished in the next two weeks,” he asserted.

Briefs Church holds revival ELESTIAL Church of Christ, C Owodunni Parish, Iwaya Yaba, Lagos will on Friday, Aperl 26, hold its revival with the theme: Order my steps in your word,”at the church auditorium at Aderupoko Junction, Iwaya-Yaba, from 6.00p.m.-9.00p.m. Sup. Evang. Badaru will minsiter.

Special programme at Praise Tabernacle HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Praise Tabernacle, will on Friday, April 26, hold a Special Holy Ghost Service with the theme: Lifted by God at the church auditorium, Nos. 9, 10, and 12, Ebun Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos at 10.00p.m. Pastor Amos Emovon will minister.

Okereke, 90, passes on ADAM Grace Nnennaya M Okereke, mother of the publisher of the United Statesbased online news medium called Masterweb, Chief Charles Okereke, will be buried on Friday, May 3 , 2013 at her family home in Ogwumabiri Akoliufu Alayi in Bende Local Council of Abia State. A release by her son, Chief Okereke said the remains of the community and Catholic Church leader, who died at the age of 90, would be buried in her family compound in Ogwumabiri after a Requiem Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Akoliufu, Alayi.

How I duped 214 prospective tenants of over N40million, by suspect ‘By Odita Sunday House developer, Hakeem Olanrewaju, Llion,AGOS who swindled 214 house seekers of over N50milyesterday narrated how he was able to deceive his victims in Ketu, Lagos. The suspect told The Guardian at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos that he ripped off his victims in order to complete the 14 mini flats he was constructing for commercial use. The bubble burst for Olanrewaju, 34, a native of Igbaja in Kwara State when his victims came to take possession of the property situated at 12

Daniel Makinde Street, Ketu, Lagos and discovered that it had already been occupied. It was there they realized they had been duped. It was gathered that some of the prospective tenants had been given keys to their respective apartments only to discover at the point of moving in that the locks had been changed. It was learnt that the landlord of the said property was late but his children and wives hired different developers. “I collected the money from 214 people because of lack of fund to complete the 14 blocks of mini flats. I feel really bad. This is my first time of de-

frauding people. I actually took the sum of N40million in total.” “The people I collected money from were paying in instalments. When they came and saw the apartment, they paid. They all realized I duped them when they came and discovered that some people had moved into the apartment,” Hakeem said. Detectives at the SCID would charge Hakeem for conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing in court today. Police source at SCID told The Guardian that the suspect actually collected the sum of over N54million from his victims.

Lagos Assembly tasks NURTW on discipline at motor parks • As Union introduces bomb-detectors in garages By Wole Oyebade HE Lagos State House of AsT sembly has urged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to set up a task force team that will enforce discipline at various motor parks. The task force, according to the lawmakers, would arrest, prosecute and punish erring members, especially drivers that violate rules and regulations of the Union. Meanwhile, the road transport union has introduced the use of bomb-detectors at its various motor parks to uncover any passenger that may be in possession of bomb or explosive device.

Receiving the state Union leaders on behalf of the House, Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industries, Bisi Yusuf said the lawmakers were worried about vices that had continued unabated among NURTW members, within and outside the garages. He observed that while government was unrelenting in enforcing the law, prohibitions such as illegal possession of guns, selling of alcohol otherwise known as paraga, violation of traffic law, indiscriminate parking to pick passengers as well as pollution of the environment, especially urinating publicly were still

rampant among the Danfo drivers, “hence the need for an Internal Task Force.” Yusuf, in an interaction with the NURTW members at the Assembly Complex said the House appreciated the efforts of the Union’s new management team at reducing crime at motor parks and garages, but appealed to the Union to “intensify efforts in arresting some bad eggs among you.” His words: “I want you to realize that the state government cannot do it alone without your collaboration at ensuring that behaviours of your drivers are checked.” The lawmaker also expressed displeasure at the

filthy state of some motor parks, describing the Alagba by Orile-Agege Motor Park as an appalling example. In his contribution, the lawmaker representing Agege II, Oluyinka Ogundimu appealed to the Union to train their members regularly, adding that the state government would continue to assist the union in its programmes tailored at improving the living standards of the populace. Responding, State Chairman of the union, Tajudeen Agbede said one of the challenges facing the union was inadequate motor parks to accommodate commercial vehicles in the state.

He disclosed that since the inception of the new management team last year, a lot of improvement had been recorded in transportation business in the state. Agbede noted: “We have introduced bomb-detectors at our various motor parks to search any passenger that would be in possession of bomb or explosive weapon. “The Union has also employed security guards in all our various motor parks and garages for overnight protection of the garages.” Agbede, however, promised the lawmakers on compliance with traffic laws and support for the state government’s policies.

Okereke

Emmanuel Okafor, 40, for burial May 14 R. Emmanuel Okafor , M alias Manners, aged 40, is dead. He died on April 3, 2013. Funeral rites begin on Friday , April 26, 2013 with a Christian wake at his residence, 7th Avenue, E1 Close, Plot 1712, FESTAC Town. Lagos He will be buried on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, after a funeral service at 10.00am at St. John Divine Anglican Church, Oko, Anambra State. A thanksgiving service holds on Sunday, May 19 at St. John Divine Anglican Church. He is survived by wife, children, brothers and sisters.

Okafor

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

METRO 13

Photonews

Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi (right), Country Head, Deutsche Bank AG Lagos, Charles Weller and Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Nigeria Plc., Jibril Aku at the presentation of Deutsche Bank US Dollar STP Excellence Award 2012 for Error-Free Banking to Fidelity Bank Plc and Ecobank Plc in Lagos...at the weekend

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (ﬁfth left) during an inspecting of ﬂooded areas after a heavy rainfall in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

How to check kidnapping in Lagos, by Manko By Odita Sunday AGOS residents, expatriates and diplomats in Lagos, have been assured of adequate security against the backdrop of the increasing rate of kidnappings in the city. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, at a forum organized by Chief Security Directors of companies and corporate organizations in Lagos, assured that kidnapping, which is alien to Lagos, would soon be wiped out by his officers and men. He also gave an insight on how kidnapping could be nipped in the bud. Manko, who was represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, in charge of the Area ‘A’ Command, Mr. Imohinmi Edgal, while delivering a lecture tagged “Kidnapping as a developing crime trend in Lagos,” lamented that kidnapping was taking a new twist, saying that the target of kidnappers in the past were foreign oil workers. According to him, “Previously, the targets were foreign oil companies’ workers, who were taken by oil rebels, usually in the oil-rich Niger Delta

Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Seye Bolaji (left); Chairman, Committee of Deans of the University, Prof. Wale Fadare; Acting Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria(PCN), Gloria Abumere and Guest Speaker/Chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria Dr. Lolu Ojo, at the induction ceremony for new Pharmacy graduates of OAU in Ife, Osun State...

region. In Lagos, a recent surge in kidnapping has seen prominent members of society becoming victims. Now, criminal gangs are becoming even more interested in snatching wealthy locals. “Recently, in Lagos, specifically between January 21, 2013 and today, at least, 12 confirmed kidnap-for-ransom incidents have been recorded. These cases appear to be random and opportunistic but mostly, happened late at night. However, prolonged monitoring of intended targets usually precedes high-profile incidents. H To nip kidnapping in the bud, Edgal called for improved and specialized training for all levels of officers to counter kidnapping. He also called for awareness among potential targets about the offence of kidnapping to prevent them from falling prey to the offenders. Other solutions, he proffered, were: “Improved investigation of offences through an improved organizational structure at federal, state and divisional levels that focus on counter-kidnapping strate-

gies”. “The continued implementation of community policing is essential to improve police community relationship and partnership with other Nigerian security agencies, including Interpol. It is important to record the times and cycles of activities associated with the most common locations that kidnapping occur, as they have tremendous influence on the crime. Funding and logistics should be made available in support of the federal strategy, which is supported by state and divisional action plans relevant to local needs,” the police boss said. He listed challenges that undermine community policing in tackling kidnapping as inadequate funding, poor sensitization of the community, lack of police training in countering kidnapping and lack of detailed kidnappers’ profiles. Others are non-availability of community social security numbers, inappropriate legislation and insufficient punishments, lack of cooperation by victims and families during and after the offence and abuse of tinted car windows.

Fire guts Owerri market, destroys 20 shops However, the Community Government Liaison Officer of the area, Chief Emma Ugorji, inspecting the affected area and promised to come to the rescue of the affected traders by replacing their lost items with 10 sewing machines and big freezers. He said he would notify the state government about the incident for more possible assistance to the affected traders.

Head of Sales, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo (left), Samsung Electronics Brand Ambassador, Kate Henshaw; Marketing Manager, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics, Ms. OlaJumoke Okikiolu and Kimono Kollection’s Hakeem Balogun at Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 Design for Life Initiative for empowering young designers in Nigeria’s fashion industry...at the weekend

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri ROPERTY worth several millions of naira were yesterday reduced to rubbles at Nworie Lane Market, situated on the ever- busy Douglas Road, Owerri, the Imo State capital, a distance away from The Guardian Newspapers office, at 5, Rotibi Street. Items destroyed by the fire included sewing machines, freezers, clothing and wares among other electrical appliances.

President of Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Victor Awagu and Past President of the of the Chamber, Chief (Mrs.) Titi Adeleke, former Chief Executive Oﬃcer of Tate & Lyle Sugar Industries Ltd., at the funeral ceremony of Chief Abudu Akintunde, Adeleke’s father , in Lagos…

Managing Director, Ouch Couture, Uche Nnaji ( left); an artiste, Sasha P; Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman and Chief Executive Officer, Modela Couture, Mr. Bayo Adegbe during the choosing of the top 10 finalists of the Sterling Bank Sketchamania Challenge, a corporate social responsibility initiative by the bank for undergraduates in Lagos

Fire fighters arrived late to put out the fire, which razed over 20 shops. Shop owners made spirited efforts, using water from a nearby church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Owerri, to put out the fire. The Public Relations Officer of the market association, Mr. Jonathan Nwozu, said they could not trace the main cause of the fire, regretting that it had set them backward.

TheGuardian

14 THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 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 The Bayelsa 13 and respect for the police HE killing of 13 policemen by supposed ex-militants along the creek of Azuazuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government recently is an absolutely grievous and unacceptable crime. That was an affront to the Nigerian State and should be so treated. According to reports, some disenchanted ex-militants, who apparently felt angered by the consistent injustice done to them by one of the ex-militant’s leaders in terms of booty sharing unleashed terror on the policemen, who had been detailed to beef up security at the burial of the deceased mother of this former leader. The irate militants ambushed the policemen, shot them at close range and sank the boat conveying them to the funeral. Citing its earlier threat to resume hostilities against Federal Government presence in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed responsibility for the act, stating it was to drum in its displeasure over the Nigerian government’s alleged complicity in the trial and conviction of its leader, Henry Okah in South Africa. However, there are other accounts of who to blame. Whatever the blame game between MEND and the police, it is clear that it is unfortunate and sad that law enforcement officers are unjustly and unfortunately being picked out for killing. It should be realised that policemen are first and foremost humans. They are sons, fathers, husbands and brothers and fellow citizens in the service of Nigeria. It is therefore unjustified for people, under any guise, to subject them to such gruesome attack. It is in reality an attack on the nation. In unfortunate situations such as this, it is not out of place to recall with distaste the all too familiar foibles of the police and chastise them for poor intelligence and tardy response; after all, MEND for example, was categorical in its resolve to attack federal establishments. As typical of Nigerians, who have been exasperated by frequent news of poor policing, questions would fly about. Did the police act on the threat issued by MEND? Why didn’t the police respond promptly? What was the level of preparedness? In truth, no response to these questions will exculpate the police or elicit salutary comments from people, for such queries call to question the viability of the security forces, for as security experts are wont to say, poor intelligence necessarily leads to poor judgement. Moreover, they also magnify the already battered image of the police. But alas, with some patient introspection or deep thinking on the state of the nation, the Nigerian Police can still be appreciated. As flickers of violence spring forth from different spots of the country, there is a growing realization that as a geopolitical unit, Nigeria is systematically being squeezed in from top and bottom. The emergence of a dubious audacity is gradually dousing the potency of rightful law enforcement. The security situation in Nigeria is relaying the signs of a nation under siege. In consonance with many comments impugning the high command of an omnibus Nigeria Police for the poor state of law enforcement in the country, this is the time to re-emphasize unequivocally that it is high time the government considered the difficult terrain and the demoralizing condition under which the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies work. It is scandalous to know that the respected Mobile Police Unit, colloquially dubbed the punching arm of the police, has abandoned its crime-fighting function to the ignominious pecuniary-laden duty of orderlies of privileged individuals in society. There is need, therefore, for caution on the part of concerned authorities to be mindful of the use to which they put policemen so as to stem the abuse of their primary and official duties. Owing to the volatile security atmosphere in the coastal region and the apparent poor preparedness of the law enforcement officers, perhaps, the time is ripe to revisit the call for the constitution of Coastal Guards in line with the practice in more developed countries. Apart from providing adequate coastal surveillance by well-trained officers, it will relieve the police of extraneous functions for which it has little or no capability. The Nigerian police force has its challenges, including badly-behaved officers and men. But this is no justification for disrespect for them, let alone the wanton display of lawlessness exhibited by the killing of 13 policemen. It is the highest form of disrespect for the Nigerian state, which must not be condoned. Beyond this, while all stakeholders must be called for discussions to put an end to deep-rooted causes of unnecessary hostilities in the region, government must also exercise its might, find the killers of the 13 policemen and bring them to justice. The police are agents of the state and ought to be so appreciated.

LETTERS

Why amnesty may fail IR: The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal SOnaiyekan, was quoted as saying that the violent Boko Haram should repent and apologise before amnesty could be granted to the group. I call on President Goodluck Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to engender a good politico-economic order, including an equitable electoral system as panacea for sustainable peace. Jonathan should repent and apologise for telling lies that Boko Haram was invisible after stopping Sarah Jubril from dialoguing with the group. Jonathan and his PDP are guilty of negligence that dragged the Boko Haram crisis to unforeseeable length of time, and caused enormous national and personal losses and damages. President Jonathan and the PDP should repent and apologise for their unbridled corruption that has created abject poverty, and death of more innocent Nigerians than those killed by Boko Haram bombs and grenades. They should apologise for taking undue advantage of the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to deny the northwest of its second term of presidency, thereby destabilising the political order established in 1999 and followed in 2007 also by all the major opposition political parties in Nigeria. In 2011, only Jonathan’s PDP and some political parties deviated. Does it not stand to reason that if Nigeria is well ordered, politically and economically,

no Boko Haram can easily get the better of her? Only Jonathan and the PDP can explain why the oil thieves are not yet in jail and their loots retrieved. Yes, because the culprits are their cronies; they steal Nigeria’s oil wealth through proxies. Rather than implementing a trustworthy electoral reform, as recommended by the Justice Muhammed Uwais’ Electoral Reform Committee, Jonathan cleverly confused Nigerians by choosing Prof. Attahiru Jega to chair the electoral commission. When people went on rampage after the presidential election of 2011, because they did not trust the so-called Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jonathan and the PDP started to blame one of Nigeria’s most respectable persons, General Muhammadu Buhari. Rather than purging the oil thieves, Jonathan’s government increased petroleum price and worsened the eco-

nomic situation of most Nigerians. Lack of infrastructure has resulted in the collapse of businesses; unemployment, mass poverty, armed robbery, kidnapping, among other crimes. Yet, Jonathan and the PDP are still looking for a scapegoat in no other person than General Buhari! (Yes, in fear of 2015). Recently, the PDP was quoted as saying that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) control of the southwest is a setback for the PDP. Someone should tell the PDP that its own control of Nigeria is a setback for the nation. Christian leaders should tell them to repent and apologise. Without a just and equitable politicoeconomic order, including an acceptable electoral system, the amnesty will fail sooner or later. Meanwhile, the Christian leaders propose no way than continuation of violence. • Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Achebe, conscience of the violated IR: The conscience of the SChinualumogu violated — Professor Albert Achebe is undoubtedly through with his last chapter. This writer in whose company the prison walls fell down (dictum per Madiba) has deservedly fought a good fight. There has been so much hue and cries about Achebe and the Nobel Prize. However, methinks, winning the Nobel Prize would have enriched

the award and not the other way in the same manner Wole Soyinka’s name dignified the award! I do hope we will honour his memory as a nation, by ensuring peace and justice (not judgment) reign supreme. Iroko! Our maiden National Trophy for Literature winner, Sun re o! Nnunu ukwu, la na udo! • Opeyemi Ajala, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Business Appointments P31 Sustaining development agenda through women empowerment

African oil exporters earn $370 billion By Roseline Okere IL Exporters in the SubSaharan Africa generated $370 billion from export to other parts of the world in 2012, according to World Trade Organisation report. The report released recently by the organization hinted that Africa oil countries imported $179 billion worth of goods in the same period. The report puts Nigeria’s export at $2 billion (N316 bil-

…Nigeria earns N316 billion from export in 2012 lion), while it imported $27 billion (N1.2 trillion) worth of goods. This made the country to occupy the 21st position in world leading exporters and importers in global commercial trade. Africa’s total stands at $626 billion, representing four per cent of global trade, while its imported $604 billion worth of goods in the period under review.

The report stated that dollar value of world merchandise exports in 2012 was $18.3 trillion, which remained unchanged from 2011. “The stagnation in values reduced the average growth rate for the post-2005 period to eight per cent from 10 per cent last year. This contrasts with the stronger growth rates of 22 per cent in 2010 and 20 per cent in 2011”.

“Meanwhile, world commercial services exports in 2012 were only two per cent higher than in 2011 at $4.3 trillion. The 2012 growth rate for transport services was in line with total world commercial services exports at two per cent while travel services grew faster and other commercial services grew more slowly at one per cent”.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right); with Chairman Vigeo Holdings Limited, Victor Gbolade Osibodu, at the presidential power reform transactions signing ceremony, in Abuja

Nigeria loses N755bmonthly to inaccurate measurement,says Aganga From John Okeke, Abuja HE Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has said that Nigeria loses about N755 billion monthly, due to inaccurate weights and measurement scales in the country. The Minister who revealed this in Abuja yesterday during an official launching of the Legal Metrology Web Portal that would reposition weights and measurements in the Nigeria market, said that inaccurate measurement has gained access to Nigerian market He said “ Nigeria Loses potential amount of N755billion on inaccurate measurement. Nigerco Nigeria Limited will use the techni-

cal and management consultant services to ensure proper verification, cooperation of liters and billing system for water, electricity , hydrocarbon , telecommunication that will eliminate a lot of potential losses due to inaccurate measures at filling point. He said, it is more erring in the measurement whether you are buying your Garri, Rice in the market or you are buying petrol in some filling stations or you are using telecommunication. Aganga also said that the move will ensure accuracy, protect consumers and boost stakeholders confidents in the market, adding that the innovation would be crucial to the economic

growth of the country According to him,” Legal Metrology Web Portal will protect the consumers, Provide confident to the public stakeholders and facilitate acceptance of all exported goods and product moving .It is going to be beneficial to the nation’s economy.” Also, the Director of Weights and Measurement, Alhaji Bashir Zoru explaining the importance of the innovation said, “as you are aware, legal metrology is critical for economic advancement. This is because it instills confidence in the domestic trade, protects the consumers, as well as confer integrity to imported goods and prod-

ucts, facilitates acceptance of exported goods and products globally. It is also used in controlling and monitoring the safety of our environment, health and national resources.” In view of this, he noted that trade between countries often involves amount of money, adding that a small error in measurement, of flow of rates and quantities of oil and gas can represent a significant amount of money. ccording to him, the step was in line with Nigeria aspiration to be among the 20 most developed economies by the year 2020 by ensuring a robust national measurement system that support this vision is established

It added that commercial services accounted for roughly 19 per cent of total world trade in world goods and commercial services in 2012. “However, it should be noted that traditional trade statistics, which measure gross trade flows rather than value added at various stages of production, strongly underestimate the contribution of services to international trade. A joint initiative between the WTO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed new indicators of trade in value added that provide additional perspective on the role of services in world trade”. The report disclosed that world trade and output in 2013 and 2014 looks unset-

tled, as positive economic trends have also been accompanied by more worrisome developments. It noted that unemployment is falling gradually and private expenditure is pickingup in the US, but automatic government spending cuts set to take effect in 2013 could weigh on growth later in the year. “Political gridlock may be easing, which could allow more targeted and less sweeping measures to be agreed, with less risk to a promising recovery. The Federal Reserve has signalled that its most recent program of quantitative easing will not be withdrawn hastily, but as the economy picks up transitioning to a less accommodative policy stance could prove challenging”.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and Chairman, NIGERCO Nigeria Limited, Yusuf Sani, at the launch of legal metrology web-portal in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Fashola seeks relocation of tank farms, jetties from Apapa By Taiwo Hassan state governor, Lhasagos Babatunde Raji Fashola decried the number of tonnages (cargoes), petroleum products that are being carried by vehicles from the country’s gateways. According to him, the volume of products carried along Apapa-Oshodi route far outweighs the capacity of the roads. He urged the Federal Government to think about relocating the jetties or tank farms from Apapa for the safety of the people and the preservation of the road. The governor argued there was no city in the world that moves the number of tonnages (cargoes) on the roads, pointing out that the movement of haulages has taken severe toll on the ApapaOshodi Expressway. Besides, he said, the tank farms (jetties) along the road

has constituted danger to the Apapa community, as no where in the world where tank farms within residential areas, adding Apapa’s master plan was conceived as a residential area. Fashola, made the point when he hosted auto stakeholders to an industry meeting in Lagos, over the weekend, said that activities at the nation’s gateways, especially the tank farms (jetties) and the containers was worrisome to the state government because of the risk it poses to the residents of Apapa. He said that these factors have resulted to traffic gridlock and congestion along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, in Apapa. According to him, the state government has written several letters to the Federal Government on how to find lasting solution to the gridlock traffic and congestion at

Fashola the ports, but the Federal Government was not keen since the gateways remains the country’s second highest revenue earner. He berated the government for lack of minimal safety

standards for vehicles in the country, as it was the major factor for the road. ential houses because I have not seen anywhere in the world where jetties are built within residential areas.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

18 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Jonathan may announce FIRS, SWF appointments From Mathias Okwe, Assistant Business Editor and Bukky Olajide (Washington D.C) RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan may soon announce the appointments of the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) and the Chief Investment Officer ( CIO) of the Sovereign Wealth Fund ( SWF) , the Ccordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said yesterday. Already, she said the selection and recommendation for the best applicants for the jobs have been made and are on the table of President Goodluck Jonathan. She, however, declined to unveil the names of the successful applicants. The Minister gave the information in Washington while reacting to media reports that she was executing an ethnic agenda in the recruitment of key executive personnel in agencies within her Ministry. Describing the development as embarrassing, Mrs. Iweala said the accusation by a Federal Government Officer was in bad taste and a “ wrongful oppression of a Minister “ which requires a

Jonathan retraction because most of the appointments listed were done before she assumed office as Minister. However, the Central Bank Governor of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the briefing described the allegation as ridiculous because some of the appointments in question like the AMCON and Deputy Governor of CBN among others were facilitated by himself. He advised that it was high time the issue of Federal Character in appointments was jettisoned and emphasis placed on the merit because the development was the bane of the public service in Nigeria.

According to him: “I was the one who appointed Mustapha Chike Obi as the Managing Director of AMCON. It was one of those times I came for the Spring Meetings in the U.S. that, I looked for him because I know him very well as we were mates at Kings College and was also doing very well on his job in the financial sector in the US. “ I was also the one who recommended Kingsley Moghalu to the late Yar’Adua for appointment as as Deputy Governor of CBN. Sometimes, we do ourselves a damage with this federal character principles where we begin to count numbers and not the capacity of the individual.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

BUSINESS

World Bank to support FG mortgage financing with $300m, says HE Coordinating Minister T for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala, said the World Bank would support the Federal Government’s mortgage financing with 300 million dollars liquidity. Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this while briefing the Nigerian media delegation to the Spring Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on Sunday in Washington. She said that demand for housing mortgage was high in the country, adding that mortgage financing would help to boost the economy. “The World Bank has been a strong partner and it’s providing 300 million dollars of liquidity facility at concessional rate. “That is zero per cent interest, 0.7 per cent commitment charge, 10 years of grace and 40 years repayment period to help us do this. “This is very propitious and it will need to be coupled with other changes,’’ she said.

According to her, government has also asked for support of governors, who are ready to lift the constraints in achieving this project. She said the project would be kicked off in the six states that had accepted to key into the system, adding that most issues that would come out of the project would be ironed out before it is extended to other states. She said the states included Lagos, the FCT, Bauchi, Niger and Anambra. She expressed the hope that by the end of 2013 the institution would be put in place to enable people have access to mortgage. Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria had a deficit of 17 million housing units, but noted that government’s target was to add two million houses every year. The Governor of Central Bank, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said: ``There is work being done on land use, on the cost of titling and on the charges by the banks.

``Work is going on on how to reduce the cost of building materials because the issue of housing goes beyond just finance.

``There is the cost of construction, the cost of land, cost of perfection, absence of standardisation, so there is a whole holistic plan to address

the housing problem rather than just deal with how do give people loans.’’ He noted that the mortgage financing would deal with

how to reduce the cost of ownership, increase access, deepen the secondary market and provide liquidity for institutions.

Managing Director UPDC, Hakeem Ogunniran, (left); Chief Executive Officer 3Invest, Ruth Obih and Director, Enterprise Development Centre/Pan African University, Peter Bamkole, 3Invest’s launch of Real Estate Investor Network (REIN) and 3Investor Loyalty Programme

20 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Firm faults FAAN’s alleged moves to covert hospitality center By Wole Shadare ESPITE threat by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to revoke its hotel project, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services said its projects were on course and would be completed on

schedule. The firm, in a statement was reacting to reports (not in The Guardian) that FAAN’s workers were mounting pressure on the agency to convert the project to its headquarters. Spokesman for Bi-Courtney

Aviation Services Limited, operators of MMA2 terminal, Steve Omolale-Ajulo, said the latest of such stories was, “that the agency’s workers are mounting pressure on its management to convert our hotel and conference centre projects to its headquarters”. “Anybody or group is free to mount pressure on FAAN to convert another company’s property to its own. But, the position of the law is clear on that and Nigerians are aware of the decision of the court as far as the Hotel and Conference Centre projects are concerned”. He also decried what he described as attacks on its chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) by the agency. FAAN had last month through its spokesman, Yakubu Dati stated that it would revoke the multi million dollars four star hotel and conference centre located at the Lagos airport for allegedly violating the time stipulated for the completion of the proj-

ect. But Omalale-Ajulo said a Federal High Court had restrained the FAAN from revoking the agreement. “The latest of such sponsored stories is that the agency’s workers are mounting pressure on its management to convert our hotel and conference centre projects to its headquarters. Anybody or group is free to mount pressure on FAAN to convert another company’s property to its own. But, the position of the law is clear on that and Nigerians are aware of the decision of the court as far as the Hotel and Conference Centre projects are concerned”. “Bi-Courtney sympathises with FAAN for displaying its frustration and desperation so openly by using all sorts of tactics, from directly lying to the public and now sponsoring some groups and statements in the media in its already failed campaign of calumny against us”.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

BUSINESS 23

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Firm secures $225m to finance CPF, gas pipeline project By Taiwo Hassan CCUGAS Limited, a whollyowned subsidiary of Seven Energy, recently secured a $225 Medium Term Project Finance Facility for its Central Processing Facility (CPF) and second gas pipeline project in Akwa Ibom. The proceeds of this landmark transaction will be used for construction of the CPF and gas pipeline to provide gas to Ibom Power, located in Akwa Ibom and NDPHC’s Calabar power plant located in Cross River. The project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2014, will fulfil the gas supply contract obligations to both the Ibom and Calabar power plants the objective of which is to satisfy the growing gas demands from power plants and industrial users, following the ongoing reforms in the power sector. FCMB Capital Markets Limited, one of the Mandated Lead Arrangers (MLA) for the Facility was also appointed as Technical Bank alongside Stanbic IBTC Plc. FCMB Capital Markets and Stanbic IBTC are the only Nigerian banks with the demonstrated ability to identify and allocate the technical risks associated with such complex projects as both institutions previously performed the same role for Nigeria’s first senior secured Reserve-Based Lending financed by Nigerian banks. Speaking after the transaction signing ceremony in Lagos, FCMB Capital Market’s Executive Director, Tolu Osinibi explained that the Bank’s commitment to the Facility was a demonstration of

its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s power sector. He added that “the Technical Bank team ensured that all the technical issues related to this novel project have been identified and addressed and that he is confident that the project will be completed on schedule and it will add significant value to the country’s power generation capacity”. Besides, Osinibi commended the efforts of the Technical Bank team in ensuring due diligence while the transaction was being concluded. In transactions of this nature,

technical banks are primarily responsible for identifying and ensuring that all technicalrelated issues are satisfactorily addressed on behalf of the syndicate of lenders. For example, in this transaction, the Technical Banks worked with a competent Technical Consultant to ensure that the CPF and pipeline infrastructure are built to specifications and have the required regulatory approvals. They also ensured that the gas fields had sufficient gas to meet Accugas obligations to the two power plants. This was required to provide the muchneeded confidence to the lend-

ing banks, namely FCMB, First Bank, UBA and Stanbic IBTC. In the same vein, the Vice President, Project and Structured Finance, of FCMB Capital Markets, Mr. Robert Grant, described the facility as, “a landmark transaction, which supports the federal government’s gas-to-power initiative of providing gas to exist-

ing power plants to immediately increase total output”. He pointed out that “this further demonstrates that private sector investments will be instrumental to further development of the Power Sector Reform value chain post the Bureau of Public Enterprises privatisation exercise”. The Chief Executive Officer of

Seven Energy, Philip Ihenacho, thanked the entire team for the laudable work done to bring this material transaction to a close. He stated that, “the successful signing of the Accugas financing clearly shows the confidence that the financial institutions have in Accugas and Seven Energy, as well as the prospects for the Nigerian gas

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2012

BUSINESS

Fidelity bank, Ecobank win award for payment processes Bank Plc and FforIDELITY Ecobank Nigeria Plc, have the second year running,

The Project Director, Design and Management consultant to Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC), Otis Anyaeji (left); and the Managing Director, NDPHC, James Olotu at the commissioning of the biggest transmission station in Nigeria, Oke-Aro, Ogun State.

received recognitions from the Deutsche Bank for impressive performance and excellence in formatting international payments routed through the banks in 2012. Specifically, the two banks were at the weekend presented with the Deutsche bank’s Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Awards for US dollars payments. The STP awards acknowledge outstanding performance with respect to payments processing. Speaking at the presentation of the awards to the two banks in Lagos at the weekend, the Country Head, Deutsche Bank AG, in Nigeria, Charles Weller, explained that the banks were being

Dangote promises to create jobs through investments RESIDENT of Dangote P Group, Aliko Dangote, has promised to create more investments in the country aimed at providing more employment opportunities for Nigerians. Speaking at a breakfast session in commemoration of his 56th birthday in Lagos, he said that his Group was almost through with preparations for the establishment of a refinery, because “there is no alternative to the establishment of industries if jobs must to be created.”

He gave the assurance that all his investments would be tailored towards job creation for gainful employment so as to alleviate poverty among the people. Dangote, a member of the National Economic Management Team, added that what Nigerians needed most presently is economic empowerment and only a working population — selfemployed or engaged — could be economically empowered. He noted that economic

development of the country rest more on the shoulders of the private sector operators, while government’s role was to ensure that conducive environment is provided by putting in place right policies that would encourage setting up of businesses. Dangote noted that the situation in Nigeria was such that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the dream of Nigeria’s economic turnaround becomes a reality. He urged local investors to complement the efforts of the

Federal Government by ensuring the success of the economic agenda by going into manufacturing as one of the means of empowering Nigerians through job creation. He advised local businessmen to take advantage of abundant opportunities in the country to invest in employment generating businesses to empower Nigerians He promised that he would do all within his power to ensure that any investment

he makes is focused on job creation and urged other investors to do same for the nation to be where it ought to be by 2020. Dangote added that it was only through the active involvement of the private sector that the areas of infrastructure deficit could be tackled by government, adding that all countries of the world whose economy have made appreciable impact on the citizenry had done so through manufacturing.

presented with the awards following their consistency in maintaining minimal errors in their transactions and for achieving an exceptionally high percentage of payments without requirements for manual intervention. He added that the award which has been running for about a decade helps banks in setting higher standards and is focused on helping the bank’s clients to achieve the highest possible STP rates, resulting in high level of efficiency, lower costs and faster turn-around times for customers’ payments. He said: “In our drive to help create exceptional, efficient and customer focused straight through payment processing globally, Deutsche Bank introduced the Global USD STP Excellence Awards. Deutsche Bank is continually setting higher standards and is focused on helping our clients achieve the highest possible STP rates, resulting in high level of efficiency, lower costs and faster turn-around times for your customer’s payment. Our STP winners have displayed obvious commitment to meeting these standards and we are proud to celebrate you tonight.” Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, while receiving the award, ascribed the award to the bank’s well defined operating strategy, the passion and commitment of its employees and adherence to values.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Appointments Sustaining development agenda through women empowerment By Yetunde Ebosele SSUES bothering on the need to enhance Ination’s women’s welfare and participation in the economy have been a major item on the agenda of many international financial aid agencies like the World Bank Organisation and Department For International Development (DFID). The crux bothers on the need for developing countries like Nigeria to enhance the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the creation of meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities and poverty alleviation Proponents of sustainable development believe that increases in international trade can lead to greater employment opportunities for women, which fuels the creation of new jobs and ultimately economic growth. The value goes beyond the economic benefits. It generates improvements in health, education, and quality of life for current and future generations. While the recent International Women’s Day highlighted some examples of progress towards female empowerment across the world, it also served as a stark reminder of how far there is still to travel on the journey towards gender equality and empowerment. Twenty years ago, the final agreement from the first Rio Earth Summit, Agenda 21, set out actions to strengthen the role of women in sustainability by enabling them to participate equally, particularly in decision making. While there have been advances since Rio 1992, recent research by the Institute of Leadership and Management found that nearly half of women working in banking felt that they faced career barriers because of their gender and that 17 per cent of FTSE 100 companies have no female directors. Apparently, international trade alone cannot eliminate the gender gap; policies and projects are necessary to address the disparities that contribute to the gaps that exist. In recent time, female entrepreneurship in Nigeria is driven by micro-financing as well as family dynamics that work to shape and influence the birth of a business. This reality has further justified the need for women empowerment as advocated by international agencies. For instance, further reports show that women own approximately 35 per cent of private businesses in the formal economy, do 66 per cent of the world’s work but receive 10 per cent of the income and own only two per cent of the property, while they are only awarded less than one per cent of money spent on suppliers by large corporations and governments. In an effort to address challenges associated with advancing and promoting the role of women in a competitive global economy and their effective integration in business, many Nigerian firms are beginning to look inwards in a bid to enhance economic empowerment of women through the development and implementation of policies and projects. Statistics from the Global Fund for Women, which had shown that two/third of world’s uneducated children are girls, and, naturally, two/third of the world’s poorest are female, is changing in its percentage composition even though the figures are still far from world’s expectation. It has become clearer that if the world is genuinely interested in promoting posterity, good government, education and social good, the focus on the welfare of women must be increased. This reality has galvanised different segments of the society to devise means and strategies for accelerating steps that could almost guarantee improvement in our existence as human beings. With maternal education, it is believed that childhood malnutrition would be reduced. Also, increase in number of women in political leadership could suggest reduction in the level of corruption and incompetence that have crippled our society from functioning optimally. At the Women Empowerment Principles Leadership Group meeting tagged: “Inclusion: Strategy for Change” and held in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day in New York, stakeholders examined and deliber-

Jonathan

ated on how inclusive business strategies and practices could drive change in realising the objectives of Women Empowerment Principles. The stakeholders sought to increase opportunities for women-owned businesses to access new domestic and international market opportunities to grow their businesses and to create jobs. To that end, women need the business knowledge and networks that can help them identify and expand their companies. As stated, most trade policies and international development frameworks are typically developed without due regard for the impact on women’s economic empowerment. Despite commitments made to gender equality in national and international fora, governments have been slow to design policy frameworks conducive to women’s economic empowerment in general, and their access to markets in particular. In order to effect change, some Nigerian businesses have begun to develop strategies and programmes to create an enabling environment for women. For instance, Access Bank Plc, through its partnership with the International Finance Corporation under its Gender Empowerment Market programme has expressed commitment to provide over N2 billion as funding to the women segment of the market. Access Bank might not be new to the United Nations for its active support for issues of global importance following its donation of $1million towards the “Global Fund Gifts From Africa Project” and its Group Managing Director, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, leading a Private Sector delegation to the UN Millennium Development Goal Summit but the Bank’s commitment to the issue of gender empowerment is pleasing and commendable. According to the Bank’s Head Group Human Resources, Bolaji Agbede, who addressed the conference, “Access Bank is committed to gender equality and women empowerment. The Bank has developed programmes and initiatives that would encourage the ascension of female employees to the upper ladder of management cadre in the organisation”. She added that Access Bank is fully aware of the multiple roles and responsibilities bestowed on women by the society as well as the present limited opportunities available to them to accomplish these societal expectations as – wives, mothers, daughters, career women and individuals but at Access Bank we support employees in collapsing the societal barriers and help in actualising their full potentials. We are fair, open, transparent and an equal opportunity employer. Corroborating Agbede, the Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Omobolanle VictorLaniyan, referred to one of the Bank’s instituted Women Empowerment Initiatives tagged “Access Women Network” as a platform for breeding female corporate leaders and social engineers with huge potentials for transforming the human society”. Omobolanle added that “Access Women Network platform is an expression of Access Bank’s commitment to gender empowerment

Maina

and social integration”. Emphasising the importance of the global agenda on Women Empowerment, Ban kiMoon in his address described the several initiatives that have been taken by participating organisations as a giant stride and great accomplishment in the journey towards Women Empowerment; particularly the implementation of the WEPs initiatives by corporate bodies. He commended the CEOs whose organisations

Okonjo-Iweala

have signed on to the Women Empowerment Principles and announced the institution of the WEPs Leadership Awards to encourage effective application of the principles. He said: “the 540 companies present here today demonstrate that implementing the WEPs and advancing gender equality is possible through corporate leadership and innovative programmes that create change not only within their own organisations, but throughout the value chain.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

APPOINTMENTS

ITUC, IMF duel over global employment policies From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are exchanging banters over how policies prescribed by the global bank is stifling global unemployment. The ITUC declared that the IMF labour market prescriptions condemn workers to worse jobs and more inequality. The ITUC report released recently posits that its findings shatter economic myths behind so-called labour reforms. The report warns that IMF labour market advice, as part of the Troika, undermines democracy and risks economic dictatorship across Europe and beyond and will create more divisions and social unrest, without producing any economic benefits. The ITUC Frontlines 2013 report titled, “Ideology without economic evidence: IMF attacks on collective bargaining” is released on the eve of the IMF spring meetings as extreme levels of unemployment and rising inequality continue to dominate the global economy. ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow, said the new report provides empirical evidence demonstrating there is no sound economic case for attacking workers’ rights, with its devastating impact on families, communities and economies. “The global economy is no more secure today than it was five years ago. International

institutions are failing to regulate greed and prevent the next banking crisis. Wealth distribution tools such as collective bargaining are being stripped away. While the evidence shows countries with strong unions, high collective bargaining coverage and synchronised collective bargaining systems have distinct economic advantages. “Implementing labour market reforms and weakening protective labour market institutions at a time when the demand for labour is greatly depressed and there is already plenty of unemployment, will only condemn many more workers to join the ranks of the unemployed,” said Burrow. Speaking on a panel with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Burrow will warn that austerity is only adding to inequality. “Countries with strong collective bargaining systems have performed better in terms of unemployment as they produce a wage distribution that is more compatible with social cohesion and stable economic growth.” According to the OECD, the earnings of the richest 10 per cent of employees have taken off rapidly, relative to the poorest 10 per cent in most cases, adding to the long-term trend of rising income inequality. New data for the United States shows that the share of after-tax household income for the top one per cent more than doubled, from nearly eight per cent in 1979 to 17 per

cent in 2007. Over the same period, the share of the bottom 20 per cent of the population fell from seven per cent to five per cent. Using IMF data, analysis from Columbia University’s Initiative for Policy Dialogue and the South Centre of austerity measures around the world found that 119 out of 181 countries will engage in fiscal contraction in 2013. The number is projected to increase at least until 2016, and with it inequality. The ITUC is calling for a new reform agenda based on economic evidence. The ITUC scribe added: “Trust has been destroyed by austerity and draconian labour reforms. To rebuild trust, attacks on collective bargaining and workers’ rights must stop. Paying workers more in countries which have consistently recorded a surplus in their current account, and ensuring their rights are fully respected would help stimulate global demand and help rebalance the global economy.” The ITUC report concludes that sustainable growth, decent jobs for all, economic efficiency and greater equity are common ambitions which require comprehensive collective bargaining systems and strong labour market institutions in all countries. John Evans, ITUC Chief Economist, said: “Increasing economic equality and tackling vested interests are key policies to follow the great recession, just as they were after the great depression and World War II.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

APPOINTMENTS 35

Nigeria to ratify policy on child labour

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

HE Federal Government is T set to strengthen its fight against worst form of child labour as steps are being taken to ratify national policy on the inhuman practice. And to ensure speedy action on the ratification, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, has directed the Inspectorate Department in his ministry to undertake specialised inspections of work places across the country to identify child labourers and enforce extraction. Chief Wogu gave the directive in Abuja while declaring the validation workshop for the Draft Child Labour Policy and National Plan of Action on the Elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria. His words: “I have directed the Inspectorate Department of my ministry to ensure that labour inspectors in all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory double their efforts in carrying out specialised inspections across the country and where necessary enforce extraction of child labourers in workplaces in Nigeria.” The minister reiterated government’s commitment to the elimination of child labour, especially its worst forms, in line with global standard, adding that appreciable progress has been

recorded in that regards. Wogu added: “Nigeria has made substantial progress in the fight against child labour especially its worst forms with the update of our national legislation to tackle the menace of this scourge in the country.” Also speaking at the occasion, the Ambassador of the United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, who was represented at the event by Political and Labour Officer, Mr. Brant Beyer, appreciated the effort of the Federal Government on the elimination of child labour, stressing that Nigeria now has the opportunity to make giant strides in efforts aimed at reducing the number of child labourers in the country. “Nigeria continues to make progress against child labour. The United States Embassy Department of Labour has noted, in particular, Nigerian government’s efforts in respect to the ‘Almajiri’ Education Programme, the National Policy and National Action Plan will help Nigeria continue on its path towards development”, the Ambassador said. In her submission, the Director ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia, Sina Chuma-Mkandawire, said that the workshop was expected to produce two home-grown documents

that would have been validated. She mentioned the document to include the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria (2013-2017). Mkandawire pledged the continued support of the International Labour Organisation as well as that of the United States government through its Department of Labour to the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria at eradicating worst form of Child Labour. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, in his remarks appreciated ILO and United States Department of Labour for their consistent and continued support to the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling child labour in the country. He stressed: “My deepest appreciation to the ILO for its consistent and continued support to the ministry over these years in tackling child labour in all its ramifications in the country, More importantly, this process would not have reached this stage without the technical and financial support provided by both the ILO and United States Departments of Labour to drive and consummate this process.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

HR practitioners chart path to effective corporate performance By Wole Oyebade UMAN Resource (HR) practitioners in the country will at a Special Human Resource Forum (SHRF), organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Nigeria, chart path to effective corporate performance in workplace. The event slated for Thursday, April 25, 2013 is to address the needs of practitioners, business leaders and the general public with stake in the human capital management in Nigeria. An internationally renowned HR authority, who is also the Senior Manager, People and Change, PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PWC), Zimbabwe and Malawi, Ethel Kuuya, will anchor and deliver the

leading thoughts of the day. President and Chairman of Council CIPM, Victor Famuyibo, told reporters recently in Lagos that effective performance in workplace has shifted from individuals to end-performance, based on the quality of workers in an organisation. Famuyibo noted that while typical organisation - private and public – would invest in best equipment to enhance productivity, “but such investment amounts to nothing without the right personal and effective workplace motivation system.” “If you are keen on achieving excellent corporate performance, there must be synergy between investment in equipment and the human resource to achieve productivity,” he said.

Healthcare practitioners seek improved partnership at Lagos fair O boost healthcare delivery T in the country, healthcare practitioners will be seeking improved partnership at a private health sector trade fair holding in Lagos tomorrow, April 24, 2013. Objective of the fair is to facilitate stronger relationships among variety of stakeholders in the private healthcare industry; create and strengthen linkages between financial institutions and private providers and avail opportunity for public and private health sector stakeholders to come together and identify new opportunities for partnerships. The fair is organised by Strengthening Health

Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS), with the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Chief of Party, SHOPS, Ayodele Iroko, said the partnership is to stimulate action between the private and public arms, to improve quality of services that is rendered in the country and health indices of Nigerians. Exhibitors expected at the fair would include pharmaceutical companies; banking and financial institutions; healthcare equipment suppliers; healthcare professional associations and Health Maintenance organisations (HMOs).

APPOINTMENTS 39

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Appointments 53

Rivers hands over vocational centre to German company HE Rivers State T Government has handed over the Vocational Training Centre at Port Harcourt Primary School built by the Amaechi led administration to a German Company. Known as ZWH, the German Chambers of Crafts and the regional chambers of crafts for a six year contract period.

Commissioner for Education, Dame Lawrence Alice, Nemi spoke on Friday during the signing of the Vocation Training Agreement before the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wogu Boms in his office in Port Harcourt. Dame Alice said, the project is part of the economic reform

NSCDC threatens to shut down private security firm over poor wages From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau AMFARA state commanZ dant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC),Bashir Lawan, has threatened to shut down any Private Guards Companies operating in the state that underpay their employees. Lawan who spoke at a meeting with 17 Private Guard Companies, identified underpayment by the firms as a breach of trust.

He explained that the meeting was part of the organizations responsibilities towards monitoring and regulating the activities of private guards organization across the country. Explaining further, he said:” In a situation whereby these employees are underpaid, the tendency to connive to perpetrate crimes of theft and other things will be high. Private guards must be paid not less than N18, 000 per month”.

agenda of Governor Amaechi to create employment opportunity for Rivers people. She explained further that, the state government is desirous of collaborating with the private sector in improving the vocational Skill and competence of Rivers people, towards empowering them vocationally in order to make them self employed and employable by employers of labour in the state. Dame Alice also maintained that the training curriculum shall be designed in accordance with German standards and also make provision to accommodate local conditions and circumstances, including local trainers and training managers. She pointed out that the programme of engagement as contained in the Agreement, are divided into phases, A, B, C, and D, saying that, ZWH shall be responsible for the day to day running or implementa-

tion of the program while the Rivers State Government shall be responsible for general supervision of the program. Responding, President of ZWH, Dirk Palige said, the building of a vocational institution in accordance to German standard in Port Harcourt was a big compliment for the German Craft Sector and the Rivers State Government. He equally described Rivers State as an emerging state, where economy is prospering and heading for the right direction. “This is a truth for all sectors and of course also for the rapidly growing economy in Nigeria. Therefore I would like to congratulate you to your decision to build an educational institution here in Port Harcourt. We’d like to thank you (Governor Amaechi) explicitly for your trust and are looking forward to leading this project jointly to a success story. We are ready to

start with you immediately”, Dirk said. “We are sure that the practical vocational education of skilled personnel is indispensable and absolutely neces-

sary for the stability and positive development of economy and society as well for every individual person to lead a happy and contented life”, he added

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

58 APPOINTMENTS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

FUTA VC bemoans brain drain From Niyi Bello, Akure S much as 70 per cent of A personnel who got sponsorship of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to study for higher degrees abroad, in the institution’s quest to strengthen its human resource base, defect overseas, its ViceChancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, has disclosed. This, according to the university don, is despite the fact that the defected personnel all signed bonds of agreement to return and work within the university before their departure in a staff development initiative that had gulped millions of naira. Daramola who expressed displeasure about the development in a chat with reporters at the weekend, however, disclosed that the university has devised a strategy to put an end to the menace by collaborating with universities abroad in the staff training ventures. Under the new arrangement, instead of the personnel going abroad on their own and drawing finances from the pool of money provided by the Tertiary Education Training Fund (TETFUND), the university now has collaboration with foreign universities in the award of higher certificates to its workers. He said with a list of 148 professors, which made it one of the few with high number of that calibre of teaching staff among the second generation universities, “we have now perfected another option to train our staff without losing them and at reduced cost.”

According to Daramola, “instead of sending a young lecturer to a five-year course abroad and expose him to the temptation of abandoning us to live in a quality environment that exists in the developed countries, we now have a system that will accommodate only between one and two years. “That way, the beneficiary would not be tempted to take the spouse along because we discovered that having experienced raising a family abroad, it is very difficult to come back home and face the everyday hardship that we face in Nigeria. So in most cases, no matter the level of patriotism, they would consider staying back there to live quality life.” The university don said in the last five years, “only 30 per cent of those sponsored for higher education abroad deem it fit to come back even though they were made to enter into bonds of agreement before their departure. This has cost the university a lot of money in training fund.” He said the option now included maximising the high number of professors on its list of personnel and under that arrangement, “a professor here will be working with another professor abroad to facilitate the training of the personnel and the concerned staff would only have to go abroad for practicals. That one limits the time frame and reduces the cost of training. Apart from making funds available to handle more staff, the new arrangement is better and it guarantees us 100 per cent retention of our staff.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

78 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Japan records $83.4 billion trade deficit

Japan industrial plant

the world’s thirdJedAPAN, largest economy, has reporta record trade deficit for the year ended March 31, 2013. The deficit hit 8.17tn yen ($83.4 billion) as a slump in global demand hurt exports, while greater domestic consumption of fuel boosted imports. A weak yen, which has dipped nearly 20 per cent against the U.S. dollar since November, also boosted the value of the imports. Analysts said the deficit was likely to shrink in the coming months as the weaker yen will help Japan’s exports. The yen has dipped after policymakers introduced aggressive measures aimed at spurring a fresh wave of economic growth and stoking domestic demand. Japan, which has traditionally been known for its exports, has seen a shift in its trade pattern in recent times. It has seen its imports rise, driven mainly by an increased demand for fuel. This was after most of its nuclear reactors were shut after the earthquake and tsunami in 2011 which damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and resulted in radiation leaks. As a result, utility providers

have had to turn to traditional thermal power stations to generate electricity. These power plants need natural gas and coal to operate, resulting in a surge in imports of these commodities. Meanwhile, its exports have been hurt by a slump in

demand from key markets such as the US and Europe, while a territorial dispute has hurt sales to China. That has seen it report a deficit for nine straight months. Policymakers have been hoping that their recent measures, which have weak-

ened the currency, will help the country’s exporters. A weak currency makes Japanese exports more affordable to foreign buyers and also boosts profits of exporters. However, analysts said that while a weakening currency has an immediate impact on the value of imports, it takes

Ireland rejigs insolvency regulations EW plans to deal with per- and borrowers unable to Ireland will regulate “personal N sonal debt have been meet their repayments, which insolvency practitioners” announced by the Irish gov- the IMF says threatens expected to be lawyers or finanernment. A new state insolvency service has been set up to try to broker deals between debtors and lenders. That could force those in mortgage trouble to give up their cars, private health insurance and holidays and feed themselves on 8 euros (£6.80) a day. The period of bankruptcy will also be reduced from at least 12 years to just three. The measures are part of an overhaul of Ireland’s antiquated bankruptcy laws. They are in response to a stalemate that has developed in Ireland between banks with rising mortgage debts

Ireland’s prospect for economic recovery. Only a handful of bankruptcies take place in Ireland each year with the measure seen as a last resort under which banks have little prospect of recouping their losses. A 2011 court ruling in Dublin effectively made it impossible for banks to repossess family homes. Although some people have cut informal deals with lenders, the scale of the problem has forced the government action to provide new means of transparent and consistent debt resolution. The new Insolvency Service of

cial services professionals - who will broker deals between banks and debtors whose finances will be run according to new guidelines. Leaks of the draft guidelines sparked uproar in Ireland with suggestions that some parents might be forced to quit work and look after their children instead of paying out childcare costs. Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter denied this at the launch. “The guidelines on reasonable expenses provide an essential defensive shield to ensure that neither financial institutions nor other creditors attempt to deprive debtors of funds they

longer for it to help exports. At the same time, exports are also influenced by global demand, which analysts said had remained subdued. “The broad picture remains intact as the weaker yen is having more of an impact on boosting imports than exports, while the recovery in

the world economy, particularly China, is tepid,” said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute in Tokyo. “We’ll need to wait at least until around summer before the weaker yen enhances price competitiveness of Japanese products abroad to boost exports.”

truly need for reasonable household family expenditure, or indeed deprive debtors in employment from benefitting from continuing employment,” he said. The arrangements are designed to last for up to seven years, during which debtors must comply with the guidelines’ spending limits. These will mean serious financial and lifestyle restrictions, with an allowance for food limited to around eight euros a day in a country still one of the EU’s most expensive to live in, despite the economic crash. Cars are only allowed when there’s no public transport alternative, while all socialising costs are limited to just under 29 euros a week and

will not include items like cable television packages. Those who don’t enter into agreements could risk having their home repossessed, with the government expected to pass new legislation to make this easier. Ireland faces a mounting mortgage debt crisis after the collapse of the country’s economy in 2008. A property crash following years of boom has left many with high mortgages in negative equity. House and apartment values have fallen more than 50% nationally since 2007. Unemployment of 14 per cent and wage cuts in a weak economy have also hit those with mortgages hard.

UK unemployment figure hits 2.56 million NITED Kingdom’s unemU ployment figure rose by 70,000 to 2.56 million between December and February this year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. It pushed the unemployment rate to 7.9 per cent, raising further questions about the UK’s economic strength. The number of people in employment also fell, while earnings growth slowed considerably, according to ONS data. But there was positive news on the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance last month, down 7,000 to 1.53 million.

The number of people in work fell by 2,000 in the latest quarter to February, to just under 30 million, the first time the figure has dipped since autumn 2011. And the ONS said that average regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose by one per cent, the lowest since records began more than a decade ago. The news hit sterling, with the pound falling more than a cent against the dollar on concerns that a weaker labour market pointed to worsening economic prospects. It was up against the euro as the equity markets in London closed, having

reversed earlier losses. The Bank of England’s ratesetting committee remains divided over whether or not to boost economic stimulus, its last meeting has indicated The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6-3 against expanding the bank’s current £375 billion quantitative easing (QE) programme in its April meeting. Bank governor, Sir Mervyn King, again called for a £25 billion increase to QE. The minutes show the MPC also “saw merit” in extending the government’s Funding for Lending Scheme. The scheme was launched in August last year as a means of encouraging banks to lend to

businesses and individuals, by providing them with funds at low rates of interest. But recent figures suggested bank lending had actually fallen at the end of 2012, and the Bank said lending had “so far remained subdued”. In his Budget speech in March, Chancellor George Osborne said the Treasury and the Bank of England were considering extensions to the Funding for Lending Scheme, which is due to end in January 2014. Treasury ministers say it will take time for the scheme to feed money through to the real economy. Meanwhile the Bank’s minutes said “there contin-

Cameron

ued to be a case for a further extension to (QE)”. It said the prospect of growth in the economy “remained subdued”, and wage growth was slowing. Inflation remains above the

MPC’s target of 2%, and is expected to rise further this year, but those supporting an expansion to QE said the committee should look beyond “temporary, even if protracted, periods of above-target inflation”. Sir Mervyn, Paul Fisher and David Miles voted to expand QE by £25bn to £400 billion, but they were out-voted. The other six members expressed concern about high inflation, said monetary policy was already “highly stimulatory”, and added that the benefits of the existing QE programme would “continue to be felt”. The committee voted unanimously to keep interest rates at 0.5%, however.

BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday April 23, 2013

Nigeria joins Singapore, Ghana as number porters By Adeyemi Adepetun ITH the kick-off of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in Nigeria yesterday, the country has joined the likes of Singapore, United States (U.S.), The Netherlands and Ghana, among others, as number porting nations. MNP enables mobile telephone users to retain their numbers when changing from one network operator to another. The Nigerian telecoms sector, with an active subscriber-base of 113 million, a teledensity of 81.7 per cent, a combined 226 million lines capacity and an investment of about $25 billion, is currently the fastest growing telecommunications sector in Africa. During the launch in Lagos, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, and other stakeholders tasked Mobile Network

Minister tasks operators on success of scheme Operators (MNOs), including MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, on the need for seamless transitions within the networks. Omobola, represented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman, Mr. Peter Igho, said: “This is one project discovered to have gathered so much support from all over the country. More regulations and guidelines from the NCC are coming out that will ensure the scheme becomes a success.” According to the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah, MNP has been identified as one of such services that could further deepen the competition in the telecommunications market. He added: “With the growing reliance and dependence on

mobile communications for our everyday socio-economic interactions, our mobile subscriber numbers have become our identity. “With the launch of MNP today, consumers of telecommunications services will no longer need to acquire new numbers in order to move from one network service provider to another. They will simply take their existing numbers to any network of their choice. Meanwhile, Juwah warned that no operator should deny any subscriber the request to port out of it. Singapore was the first country to begin number porting in the world, having started in 1997, while Nigeria is the 64th. South Africa was the first African country (2006), then Kenya in April 2011 and Ghana in July 2011.

President Goodluck Jonathan congratulating Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Transcorp Plc, the preferred bidder for Ughelli Power Plc, during the Presidential Power Reform Transaction Signing Ceremony in Abuja yesterday.

Court adjourns subsidy protest suit to May 10 By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE Samuel CandideJCourt, Johnson of the Lagos High Igbosere, yesterday adjourned to May 10 the hearing in the human rights violation suit filed by the Chairman, Lagos branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, the Secretary, Mr. Alex Muoka, and human rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa against the Federal Government. The trio had slammed a N100 million suit against the defendants for breaching their rights to peaceful gathering. They challenged the deployment of soldiers to some parts of Lagos State during the January 2012 mass protest that

trailed the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent hike in the fuel pump price by President Jonathan. However, Candide-Johnson struck out the President’s name from the suit at the last hearing following an application by the plaintiffs informing the court of their inability to effect service of court processes on the President. Others named as defendants in the suit brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 included the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The plaintiffs had prayed the court for a restraining order

against the respondents from preventing their peaceful and lawful gathering and that of other Nigerians, at the Falomo Roundabout, Gani Fawehinmi Park and other public places in the state. In a 29-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adegboruwa, he explained that a team of armed soldiers harassed him and many others at some public places in Lagos State on January 16, 2012, during the protest. The lawyer also told the court that the soldiers shot live bullets into the air and threw tear gas on the peaceful protesters, causing them trauma. They had also wanted the court to order the withdraw of armed soldiers from the streets of Lagos State during the protest.

80 CAPITAL MARKET

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Monday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 22/4/2013

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 22/4/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

Flourmills pledges to enhance shareholders’ value, sustain profitability By Helen Oji LOURMILLS Nigeria Plc Fcommitment (FMN) has expressed its to continue to take strategic plans and decisions that would impact on its earnings, enhance profitability and improve shareholders’ value on a sustainable basis. The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Paul Gbededo, while commending the NSE on its role of providing platform for trading and mobilising investment on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recently explained that the Initial Public Offering and funds raised from the capital market by way of Rights issues in 1999, 2004 and 2011 has improved the company’s bottomline and repositioned it for good future potentials. According to him, the company has successfully commissioned its ultra-modern milling complex named ‘West Mills’ which was built at a cost of approximately $65 million, adding that it would accommodate the Golden Penny Flour’s sales growth for the next five years. “It houses three mills with a collective wheat grinding

capacity of 2,250 metric tons per 24 hours bringing FMN’s total milling capacity to over 8,000 metric tons and making Apapa milling site the largest in Africa and the second largest single flour milling site in the world. “The new complex can mill and mix a wide range of flour to a high level of efficiency. It has the manufacturing flexibility to meet the demands of a fast changing environment.” Speaking further on some of its achievements, the FMN boss told stockbrokers that the company has established a sugar refinery at Apapa through its wholly owned subsidiary; Golden Sugar Company Limited with an investment in excess of $200million. “The ultra-modern refinery with capacity to produce 750,000 metric tons of refined sugar was commissioned in January 2013 and its top quality sugar is penetrating the market gradually. “Our group has also embarked on the first commercial planting of imported sugar cane under centre pivot irrigation at our sugar estate, Sunti, Niger State. We

are on target to develop 10,000 hectares of sugar canes by 2016, boosting domestic sugar production, creating job opportunities and enhancing shareholders value.” The company, which had recently concluded its merger with Nigerian Bags

Manufacturing Company Plc and Niger Mills Company Limited its subsidiaries, according to Gbededo would continue to make huge investments to enable the company to consolidate its food and agro allied businesses. He commended the new

management of the NSE on its efforts in repositioning the NSE especially in terms of prompt processing of transactions, appointment of market makers and the recent upward review of maximum daily price movement from five per cent to 10 per cent . Gbededo however, urged

the NSE to intensify efforts on investors’ education in order to attract more participation in the market. He added that there was need to review the cost of capital market services, ranging from trading of shares to filling of applications for primary issues.

L – R Managing Director, Foods Division, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Edward W. J. Jackson; Executive Director, Market Operations Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo; Group Managing Director/CEO, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc , Mr. Paul Miyonmide Gbededo and Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri at the introduction of the newly appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc to the stockbroking community and Bell Ringing Ceremony at The Exchange at the weekend

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

GlobalStocks Global shares bounce back, as dollar dips

NYSE building in New York

HE dollar slipped against the T Japanese yen on Monday but remained within a hair’s breadth of the key 100 level while global equities erased earlier losses as Wall Street attempted a rebound after its worst weekly decline this year. U.S. stocks mostly rose by afternoon trade on Wall Street, reversing earlier declines on strength in technology shares, while the energy and material sectors advanced on encouraging results such as Caterpillar Inc and Halliburton. The day’s biggest gainers were in cyclical sectors, groups closely tied to the pace of economic growth. Last week, concerns about growth sparked steep declines in cyclical equities. “Ultimately, we think cyclical names will lead the market higher, but in the short term, the recent decline could continue,” said Eric

Green, senior portfolio manager at Penn Capital Management in Philadelphia, who said that cyclical stocks were oversold. In the currency market, the dollar climbed as high as 99.90 yen, within striking distance of a four-year high of 99.95 set on April 11 and the 100 level, where option barriers are said to be lined up. At 1358 EDT, it was at 99.240 yen, down 0.5 percent. Japanese officials said that the Group of 20 nations accepted that the country’s $1.4 trillion stimulus program is aimed at conquering 15 years of deflation rather than at weakening the yen. “The lack of pushback by the G20 effectively gives the BOJ room to ease further if needed and should keep the yen biased broadly lower,” said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst with Commonwealth Foreign Exchange Inc in Washington, DC.

The G20’s actions removed any remaining obstacles to further yen weakness, setting up a test of the symbolic 100 yen to the dollar level and boosting demand for Japanese stocks. Major central banks have been holding interest rates at rock-bottom levels since 2008 while pumping over $6 trillion into their banking systems through loans and asset-purchase operations, with only modest success so far. The euro also remained vulnerable against the dollar on central bank expectations. On Monday the single currency fell 0.2 percent to $1.3049. On Wall Street, Caterpillar Inc and Halliburton ranked among the S&P 500’s biggest gainers after reporting results. Caterpillar shares (CAT.N) were up 2.5 percent at $82.45 and Halliburton (HAL.N) rose 5.2 percent to $39.14.

European shares ended higher as signs of progress to break political stalemate in Italy outweighed fresh downbeat earnings news and concern over the health of the global economy. Milan’s FTSE MIB index .FTMIB, up 1.7 percent, proved the regional outperformer for most of the day after the re-election of Italy’s president. Broad agreement among various political groups raised the prospect of an end to two months of stalemate after an inconclusive election. The broad FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 rose 0.2 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 12.42 points, or 0.09 percent, at 14,535.09. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index .SPX was up 4.04 points, or 0.26 percent, at 1,559.29. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 20.30 points, or 0.63 percent, at 3,226.35.

In commodity markets, gold rebounded from its sharp sell-off last week, though sentiment remained shaky after the precious metal posted its biggest-ever daily loss in dollar terms last Monday. Spot gold rose more than 2 percent to a session-high of $1,438.66 per ounce, more than $100 above the two-year low of $1,321 hit on April 16. Brent crude futures edged up to hover above $100, extending gains from the two previous sessions as cheap prices from last week’s selloff drew buyers back into the market. June Brent crude rose 65 cents to $100.30 a barrel, down from a high of $101.04. The May U.S. contract, which expires Monday, was up 64 cents to $88.65 after reaching a high of $89.13. In Treasuries, the benchmark 10year U.S. Treasury note was up 3/32, with the yield at 1.6929 percent.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Opinion Why Nwaneri wants Owu’s name changed By Luke Onyekakeyah Y now, it is abundantly clear that the Imo B State Government did not change Owu Amakohia’s name to Owubinubi as being peddled by Mr. Ben Nwaneri, illegally occupying the traditional ruler stool of Owu Amakohia, which is being contested in court by Umugama, the rightful owners. The purported name change vide the Imo State Government gazette published on October 29, 2003, is therefore, not only a blatant fabrication but a calculated attempt by Mr. Nwaneri to blackmail the state government and drag it into his vicious propaganda. There is legally no Owubinubi in the administrative records of Ikeduru, Imo State or Nigeria. Owubinubi exists only in the imagination of Mr. Nwaneri and his faction. What happened was that a faction of the defunct Owu Amakohia Peoples Assembly (OAPA) led by Mr. Nwaneri as president general, deliberately falsified the documents used to apply for autonomous community status and Ezeship in 2001. Mr. Nwaneri had surreptitiously inserted Owubinubi as the proposed name of the new Owu Amakohia autonomous community without Owu people’s agreement or vote to change their name. He had lied to the people that the state government wanted Owu’s name changed as a pre-condition for granting autonomous community. The question then was why Owu Amakohia alone must change her name among the rest of new autonomous communities? Owubinubi is a private agenda of Mr. Nwaneri, designed with ulterior motive to annex Owu’s ancestral land. It is fraudulent for Mr. Nwaneri to falsify information presented to the State Government for his chieftaincy stool and autonomous community. His argument that he didn’t need to consult Owu people before changing their name because Nigerians were not consulted before Nigeria was adopted as the country’s name while Imo people were not consulted before Imo was adopted as the name of the state is ridiculous and smacks of crass ignorance. What a stark display of abysmal ignorance by someone calling himself a ruler? Mr. Nwaneri and his coterie don’t know that the name Nigeria was legally adopted and approved by the country’s parliament at the time. The parliament is made up of the people’s representa-

tives, so the people were consulted through their representatives. Nigeria is a legal sovereign entity recognized by international law. Similarly, the name Imo State was officially adopted and approved by the Imo State House of Assembly (again people’s representatives) at the time the state was created in 1976. So, the people were consulted through their representatives. Both Nigeria and Imo State are legally approved names recognized by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is impossible for anyone to change any of these names without going through the assemblies of the two political jurisdictions as well as amend the constitution. Neither the president nor the governor could change the names. Amakohia Ikeduru, in the same vein is a recognized legal entity. The town is in the administrative map of Nigeria. Owu Amakohia is recognized in the constitution as one of the communities in Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA). The traditional ruler does not have the power to unilaterally change the name of Owu Amakohia without going through due process. Changing the name by hook and crook is fraudulent and a criminal offence. Ignorance could be deadly. Mr. Nwaneri is ignorantly advancing towards a legal trap that could drag him into a cesspit. When that happens, those advising him will abandon him to his fate. Mr. Nwaneri adopted the title Ubi and is bent on changing Owu Amakohia’s name to Owubinubi because of land. His intention is to use his position as the traditional ruler to disposes people of their land, which he doesn’t have at present. And his target is Umuofo’s land. That is why he is playing pranks with names. The ignorant won’t understand the pranks of a cunning man. Some folks from landless families in Owu are following Mr. Nwaneri sheepishly. Ubi in Igbo means farmland. When Mr. Nwaneri decided to adopt Ubi as a traditional ruler title, he is saying that he is the land itself. He owns the land. He decides what happens to the land. You cannot even do anything on the land without his permission. He controls the entire land in Owu. Yet, this is a man whose father, Orihe, a washer man, never owned a piece of land in Owu outside

where he lived, which Mr. Nwaneri has inherited. How could a landless man answer a compound name Ubi (land)? Land is the bone of contention. Owubinubi merely refers to the people who live on the land itself. In other words, Owu people live on the farmland, Ubi, owned by the traditional ruler himself. Owu people will have to take permission from the “Eze Ubi” before using their land for any purpose. Nwaneri’s trick is akin to the trick of the tortoise who went to a feast in heaven with borrowed feathers but on getting there adopted the compound name “All of You”. Every food served at the feast was presented to all of you (meaning all the animals). But the tortoise, who cunningly adopted “All of You” as his name took the whole food to himself on the ground that it was given to him. The tortoise ate and drank to his full while the rest of the animals starved. In anger, each bird rushed to him and removed the feathers given to him and flew back to earth, leaving the tortoise stranded in heaven. The tortoise had no choice than to fall from heaven and broke into pieces (punishment)! That explains why the tortoise’s shell is rough after the pieces were patched together. It is important for the uninformed in Owu to know that Ubi cum Owubinubi is a treacherous scheme by the landless Nwaneri, with the active connivance of Mr. Edmond Nwachukwu, to disposes Umuofo of their ancestral land. It is not hidden that these elements, who are claiming to be senior to Umuofo, cannot understand how and why Umuofo owns about three quarters of the land in the Umuofo na Obodo kindred. It is not their making. What their settler fathers did not own they now want to inherit by hook and crook. A scheme they have failed to achieve over the years when there was mass ignorance, they hope to achieve in this age of Internet. But this evil design can only succeed if the entire Umuofo people are wiped out by Mr. Nwaneri and Edmond Nwachukwu. But since this is impossible now, Mr. Nwaneri might as well be chasing shadow. The fact that Umuofo’s land is the target of Mr. Nwaneri is not hidden. In a fictitious and

fabricated document dated June 29, 2012, purported to be the “Ruling on the headship tussle between Umuofo and Obodo”, Mr. Nwaneri and Edmond Nwachukwu had asserted that “There was no name like Umuofo between 1910 and 1921 based on another fictitious, antiquated document purported to have been gotten from the Enugu archive. My investigation at Enugu shows that the document has no legal Class Mark that gives it legal validity. Still, in another document purportedly written by a conjured Owubinubi Action Committee, Umuofo people were taunted to “be free to answer Owu Amakohia until they are disposed of their father’s land”. These are depraved, heinous and atrocious assertions against Umuofo people capable of causing a breach of peace. It is not new that a few disgruntled elements from Obodo, have over the years been longing to annex Umuofo’s land. Mr. Nwaneri sees his emergence as the traditional ruler as a historic opportunity to accomplish this evil design. Incidentally, Mr. Ben Nwaneri and Edmond Nwachukwu forget that by 1910 and 1921, their settler fathers, who migrated from Inyishi, Enyiogugu and Oparankwo (Nkwogwu), according to investigation, had not settled in Owu. Both Mr. Nwaneri and Edmond Nwachukwu cannot trace their ancestral lineage in Owu. I can trace my ancestral lineage to the seventh generation. Where they live today was where their fathers pitched their hut when they settled in Owu later on. None of them can point to a location in Owu where their grandfathers or great grandfathers lived (okpulo). They cannot move from their present location to anywhere in Owu without having to buy the land. That is why they want to disposes Umuofo of their ancestral land. Traditionally, in Igboland, where there are two sons, the elder gets the lion share of the inheritance. Why did their fathers not get the lion share of land if they were senior? Mr. Nwaneri should remove the hand of the monkey from the soup pot before it turns into a human hand. In Igboland, the traditional stool is reserved for fullblooded sons of the soil and not settlers. Owu people should ask for the ancestral decent of the man presiding over them as traditional ruler. These matters wouldn’t have arisen if Mr. Nwaneri had not awoken the sleeping lion by tampering with Owu ancestral land. Owu people want peace.

Did IMSG change Owu-Amakohia’s name? By Owubinubi Joint Action Committee HEN people who should be considered as knowledgeable W in a community use their western education to dish out lies in the name of opinion, your hindsight will tell you that they are being teleguided. It is also a known fact that applications for creation of autonomous communities go through government panels, be it judicial or administrative, before recommendations are passed to government that has the final say. During the process, all the guidelines are scrutinised and the panel ensures compliance before recommending to government that takes the final action. It is interesting to know that a son of Owubinubi occupies a respectable position in The Guardian newspaper to the extent that he has a page to misinform readers about his native land. We know that this son of ours named Luke Onyekakeyah does not know the difference between a village, community and even a clan. It is not our duty to educate him that neither Owubinubi nor Amakohia is a clan, except only in his imagination. For the records, we have only one clan in Ikeduru. The law of the land recognises Amakohia and Owubinubi as two distinct autonomous communities today with their separate traditional rulers. Mr. Onyekakeyah should not feign ignorance of happenings in his autonomous community to the extent that he does not know that Owubinubi is on its own and now gazetted for over 10 years as an Autonomous Community. A lot of things have happened since the creation of Owubinubi Autonomous Community. Our Eze Ben Nwaneri has superintended over the entire Ikeduru Council of Traditional Rulers for two terms of four years each and Luke Onyekakeyah is still calling us “Owu village.” Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah is not well groomed in chronicling events, otherwise he should have known that Nigeria did not wait for a plebiscite before adopting the name Nigeria. Imo State never conducted any referendum before adopting Imo as her name. One can go on and on, but in the imagination of the columnist, these information

are not what he wants to hear. He prefers pursuing destructive and selfish agenda against his native land. Mr. Onyekakeyah should know that there is no change of name. Owubinubi is just our ancestral name that was brought to the fore. Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah’s grouse is that we did not continue to remain an appendage. He is free to answer “Owu Amakohia” until he is dispossessed of his father’s lands. It is then that he will know academic knowledge alone is not enough, until one draws from the fountains of history. Our elders call it experience, which our son unfortunately is so much lacking, particularly when he discusses events in his native land, simply because he rarely visits home. He wrote that OPA is defunct, this is not true. OPA, which is a short form of Owubinubi People’s Assembly is still alive. What is defunct is OAPA – Owu Amakohia Peoples Assembly, which Onyekakeyah and his collaborators may still be members. In the old Amakohia project we have 11 villages in Okpuala Amakohia, six villages on the other side of former “Owu Amakohia,” bringing the total to 17 villages. He should crosscheck his facts before making caricature of his journalistic prowess. No wonder, Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah had sojourned so long in Lagos and does not come home often, hence he has lost touch with realities at home. This is the plight of Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah, who calls Owubinubi Autonomous Community a village. He should during his annual leave come home to see exactly what is happening, otherwise he stands the risk of losing the ancestral things his father bequeathed to him by living ‘abroad.’ For the purpose of accurate documentation, it is pertinent to point out to Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah that in the old Amakohia project, Owu-Amakohia, now Owubinudi was a separate community, though not fully autonomous then, with its town union called Owu-Amakohia People Assembly, while Okpuala Amakohia had its own separate town union. Both communities had two warrant chiefs. It was only in 1979 that these two

semi autonomous communities were merged for purposes of convenience. They were before now operating like in a confederal system where each settled and managed its affairs, revenue and resources, only to come together at Amakohia Chikwele Ibekam Union to relate on equal basis, when there was a common agenda to pursue such as the building of Amakohia Girls Secondary School, Ekeonumiri Bridge, etc. How can such a semi autonomous community that had existed for too long be referred to as a village? Mr. Luke Onyekakeyah can now see how and why Owubinubi should be elevated to an Autonomous Community status and not a village or kindred as existing in his narrow imagination. Mr. Onyekakeyah does not know that Owubinubi has all the necessary trappings of a modern town. A modern market, Owubinubi postal Agency, Owubinubi Primary Health Centre, Owubinudi Secondary School, four primary schools, MTN and Airtel communication facilities, a modern Catholic Church Parish with a pro-cathedral under construction. The seat of an Anglican Archdeaconry and a pro-cathedral are also in place. What of several pentecostal churches around. An Owubinubi town has also an ongoing state government road under construction that leads to the state capital Owerri as well as another Federal Government Ekeonumiri road under construction. All these put together, it is only a blind man that can still continue to call a town with such infrastructures a village. To crown it all, Owubinubi has PHCN light with over five transformers, four public water facilities in addition to several others that are privately owned. There is no home like Owubinubi and we are proud of our achievements within the period of gaining autonomy and of course without the contributions of the few non-believers in Owubinubi project. The Guardian is a national paper of repute that should not give their platform to people who pursue selfish agenda. • Owubinubi Joint Action Committee, Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Opinion Obama’s drones in West Africa By Ibrahim Yakubu ECENTLY Niger Republic gave permission R to the United States to station a surveillance drone base on its territory. The government of Niger has taken this decision without consultations with other members of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS). This is against the principles of the organisation’s member-states collective approach to tackle a key regional political issues and risks damaging the unity of ECOWAS. Now all hands are at the pumps in fighting terrorists in the sub-region. It could also damage ECOWAS efforts to create a regional stand-by-force which can lead to the weakening of national sovereignty of the organisation’s member states. The Niger government’s decision on U.S. drone base is equally not in line with the results of the African Union (AU) summit held from January 27-28, 2013 during which most African leaders expressed their intentions to limit the Western States activity within the frameworks of economic and humanitarian help. The AU Commission Head, N. Dlamini – Zuma believes that the West should reject the idea of neocolonialism letting Africa develop on its own. In this sense, Niamey’s position on the issue contradicts the ideas of Pan-Africanism and regional integration. The U.S. drone deployment in Niger could lay the basis for further extension of the U.S. military presence in Africa and strengthening U.S. positions in West Africa. Observers of the African political scene believe that U.S. military presence in the countries of the sub-region has connections with the destabilisation of the internal political situation in different states. For example, the Pentagon in the last three to four years had been training local special force units in Mali to operate in desert, and then in the Eastern part of the Central African Republic there are still about 70 U.S. soldiers who are allegedly fighting the secessionists there. Declaring that U.S. aims are fighting terror-

ism and Al Qaeda, Washington in reality pursues its own goals to take control over the region’s strategically important territories and airspace. The Pentagon assurance that surveillance drones planned to be deployed in Niger will be assigned only for intelligence purposes is not believed by many observes, because the use of drones can turn into the killing of innocent people, which have been proved by many victims in the countries of Horn of Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Pakistan and other places, the United States has not committed troops, an estimated 2,000 people have been killed by drones. By legitimizing the use of drones around the world, the U.S. government is giving the green light, albeit inadvertently, to far more unscrupulous regimes to acquire and use drones. The Iranians are believed to have shut down a drone sent by the Americans to spy on them, sometimes ago. Who knows whether the Iranian technicians are not now trying to construct their own drones by imitating the technology behind the American drone? The readiness of the United States to station a surveillance drone base on its territory point to a potential proliferation of drones around the world in much the same way as armaments of all types have been proliferated and sustaining the burgeoning terrorists industry in the world today. Already pressure is building up within the aeronautical industry in the U.S. for American skies to be opened up to drones for weather-spotting duties, detection of potential damage on oil rigs, and other installations that humans find difficult to police, and even tasks determined by U.S. Immigration and Customs. But President Obama’s drone programme is equally being attacked at home. The antidrone conservative, Senator Rand Paul, recently attacked Obama’s drone programme continuously on the floor of the senate for

13 hours! This was at the confirmation hearings of John Brenan, the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency CIA. Professor John Kaag, an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Co-author of a forth-coming book entitled Drone Warfare, writes that 10 years ago, he watched the Iraq invasion unfold on TV. “It was for me, like most Americans, a remote-control event, the type that you tuned into occasionally to see how it was going before changing the channel, like the Olympics. And, as often happens in the Olympics, we crushed the opposition. “But we Americans at home were not the only ones with remote controls. Many of our soldiers also had them, and used them to direct one of the most devastating military assaults in the history of modern warfare. “The technological superiority of the United States – its ability to strike with precision from a distance – produces something like ‘shock and give’ the media had retentlessly advertised. And it inspired a similar reaction in moral and legal theorists who were concerned about the relationship between advanced military technologies and the legitimation of warfare. “Some of my colleagues would like me to provide decision procedures for military planners and soldiers, the type that could guide them, automatically unthinkingly, mechanically, to the right decision about drone use… “I try to tell them that this is not how ethics, or philosophy, or humans work. I try to tell them the difference between humans and robots is precisely the ability to think and reflect in Immanuel Kant’s words, to set and pursue ends for themselves. And these ends cannot be set before-hand in some hard and fast way. What disturbs me is the idea that a book about the moral hazard of military technologies should be written as if it was going to be read by robots, input decision procedure, out-

put decision and correlated action. “Warfare, unlike philosophy, could never be conducted from an armchair. While drones are to be applauded for keeping these soldiers out of harm’s way physically, we would do well to remember that they do not keep them out of harm’s way morally or psychologically. The high rates of “burnout” should drive this home.” And the cronyism shown by Niger Republic by granting permission to the U.S. to station on its territory a surveillance drone base drives home the point that the war in Mali as being conducted and directed by France and the U.S. could in the long-run compromise the independence of West Africa as a whole. The U.S. move in Niger aims at strengthening its control over Muslim communities in parts of ECOWAS states with strong antiAmerican attitude, which could be used by Islamic extremists in their terrorism activity. The cronyism in Niger has equally showcased itself in Mali, the current centre of warfare. The “President”, Dioncounda Traore, recently appointed Capt. Amadou Sanogo as “Chairman” of a so-called “Military reform Committee” that reportedly fetches him $6,000 per month, and Sanogo’s hand-picked associates are also being handsomely remunerated. A Malian soldier criticized the granting of such high emoluments to a few people, while the generality of Malian soldiers – including those at the warfront – are receiving niggardly salaries and supplies. The soldier’s protest letter was published in a Malian newspaper. Bonkary Daou, Editor of the newspaper was arrested and charged with the serious offence of trying to incite mutiny in the Malian army – the authoritarian self-serving administration being propped up by France and the United States. This clearly shows how far Mali and Niger with their drone base have gone into the bosom of neocolonialists. • Yakubu is a foreign affairs observer.

Bafarawa, AGF and EFCC By Ducor Handel EADING through the article A triangular conspiracy by one R Ifeatu Dickson in The Sun of Thursday, April 4, 2013, I could not but wonder what the combination of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Sokoto State Government are up to in their dealings with Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, the former Governor of Sokoto State. It is obvious from the article in question that Bafarawa is being persecuted by a combination of forces for his stand on issues of governance and accountability. But if I can understand the problem of the Aliyu Wamakko led government of Sokoto State with Bafarawa, I cannot understand why the AGF and the EFCC are involved in the game plan if not to say that they have become willing accomplices in the hands of the Sokoto State Government. Let us look at the case of Mohammed Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. From the article under reference, I was able to understand that Bafarawa expressed worry over the fact that he was being tried unfairly in a State High Court where his accuser and prosecutor are in charge. He knows too well that he cannot get justice from such a court. As a believer in the rule of law and the respected principles of democracy, Bafarawa drew the attention of the Attorney General to this anomaly. Again, from my understanding of where the case stands now, the Attorney General has not deemed it fit to respond to Bafarawa’s petition. I consider the disposition of the Attorney General unbecoming of the chief law officer of the federation. His job is to ensure that the cause of justice is served. He is a servant of the people and should always rise to the occasion when situations demand. In the case of Bafarawa, situation demands that he addresses the worry and anxiety of a Nigeria citizen, which is what Bafarawa is. Adoke owes Bafarawa and every other Nigeria a duty to ensure that the law, which is supposed to protect them does not become a problem to them. It really beats the imagination that Adoke ignored Bafarawa’s entreaties. Is that how a public office holder should

treat issues that concern the citizens of the country? If Adoke cannot address issues of impropriety, illegality and abuse of court process, then I wonder what he is in office to do. Besides, courtesy demands that Adoke responds to Bafarawa’s petition. Even if he will end up not meeting Bafarawa’s request, he ought to treat it according to its own merit. But to remain silent and treat the matter as if it does not exist is most disdainful. It does not portray the Attorney General as one who has respect for the citizens and the laws of the land. This is most reprehensible. If Bafarawa, a former governor and a former presidential candidate, who, by every standard, is a prominent Nigerian can be treated this way, then you can imagine what less privileged Nigerians will get in the hands of those who are supposed to protect them through the instrumentality of the law. The unbecoming attitude of the Attorney General should be of interest to the human rights community in Nigeria. They should ask Adoke why a free citizen of Nigeria should be subjected to the conspiracy of silence from the office of the Attorney General. They should ask him why Bafarawa should be the only ex-governor being tried in a State High Court instead of federal courts where others are being tried. They should find out from Adoke if there is anything about Bafarawa’s case that demands that he must be differently treated. Indeed, somebody should call our chief law officer to order. If we move away from the office of the Attorney General, we cannot but also raise questions about the role of the EFCC in all of this. Is the EFCC playing the on-looker in a case in which it is supposed to be actively involved? Is it just following the dictates of the AGF and Sokoto State Government? Strictly speaking, Bafarawa is being tried because the EFCC preferred charges against him. But it is evident that the commission has been relying on the Sokoto State Government. The EFCC did not carry out an independent investigation. The EFCC, in a normal setting, ought to be fair and impartial in its dealings with accused persons. To be able to achieve this, it has to look beyond the content of petitions it receives on persons and institutions. In fact the petitions ought to be mere props. They are just what the commission needs to begin its work. But I am appalled that the EFCC, in the case of Ba-

farawa has done nothing other than to rely on the petition it received hook, line and sinker. This is a lazy way to deal with serious issues of transparency and accountability. From the way the EFCC is going, it appears that it is not interested in diligent prosecution of the Bafarawa issue. It does not want to deal with the issue conscientiously. This is really a worrisome development. At this juncture, I want to advise those in charge of government agencies to look beyond self. Public service is about the people. The office of the Attorney General is not about Adoke. It is about the people of Nigeria. If Adoke must succeed in office, he must be seen to be serving the interest of the generality of Nigerians. If he becomes disdainful of the people he is supposed to serve, then he has failed. What he is doing at moment is not in the best interest of the institution he is serving. I urge him to have a rethink and look into Bafarawa’s petition. Bafarawa is not asking to be let off the hook without trial. He is asking for fair trial. And he can only get this if he is taken out of the court where his accuser is the prosecutor and the judge. This is simple enough. Adoke should do the right thing by transferring Bafarawa’s case to a Federal High Court. As for Ibrahim Larmode, the Chairman of the EFCC, there is need for him to get out of his lethargy in this matter. He should assert his authority. He should take charge of his commission and resist external manipulation. As a seasoned hand in the operations of the EFCC, Larmode must avoid the open partiality of one of his predecessors, Nuhu Ribadu, who was freely used by Olusegun Obasanjo to hunt his enemies, whether real or not. The case of Ribadu’s immediate successor, Farida Waziri, was no better. Nigerians could not understand her style. But what they could hold on to was her complacency. The EFCC went to sleep under her tenure. Larmode must avoid these ugly stories of his predecessors. He should be seen to be different. He should not allow himself to be used. He should also not go to sleep. He can use the Bafarawa issue to make a difference. Let him demonstrate that the commission can be independent. Let him prove that it cannot be manipulated. Nigeria and, indeed, the world are watching. • Handel writes from Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Quote of the week

Law

The fight for justice against corruption is never easy. It never has been and never will be. It exacts a toll on our self, our families, our friends, and especially our children. In the end, I believe, as in my case, the price we pay is well worth holding on to our dignity. Frank Serpico judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke

How stock market can benefit from Investors’ Protection Fund, by Anga Interview By Joseph Onyekwere

Despite all odds, the leadership of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and its regulatory agencies such as the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) seem determined to restore investors’ confidence and rebound the market as quick as possible. To this end, machinery are already on ground to compensate investors who lost money in the market by way of fraud of dealing members through the setting up of the Investors’ Protection Fund (IPF). In this interview, the former Chairman of the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association (CMSA) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the IPF, Fubara Anga, says the market is bouncing back as a result of the various palliative measures put in place by the agencies. N whether the capital market is regaining O investors’ confidence after the crisis, he said: “Yes, of course! In the last few months, because of the various palliative measures that were taken into consideration, I have seen a restoration of some confidence in the market. People who have money to invest, you presume that they are rational; nobody wants to, especially when they said once beaten, twice shy. If you lost money in an unregulated and uncontrolled capital market, you will be very careful about going back. But there is no doubt in my mind that fundamentally, the crisis in the Nigerian Capital Market was not based on fundamental market issues in terms of the strength of the companies or their basic economic parameters. The crisis was more of a crisis of banking and not a crisis of underlying companies that are listed members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. And that is what is now being reflected. Once the banking system is stabilized, people now can focus on the actual problem. Of course, part of the problem is that in terms of market capitalization, the banking sub-sector constitutes a more than significant aspect. So if there is a crisis in banking, there will not only be a problem in the financial market, there will be a problem in the capital market because the banks are primary players in the market. So I am happy that the banking sector stabilized. I am happy with the various palliative measures. I was involved in several of the committees that worked. Currently, I am a member of the Board of Trustees of the Investors’ Protection Fund (IPF) of the stock exchange. And that is another example of where the government or stock exchange had taken action to raise the investor’s confidence. IPF is led by the doyen of the profession, Gamaliel Onosode. It is, at least, getting to a point where it would begin to make some returns to people who have lost some money in the market through fraud of dealing members. The fund is not there to pay people who lost money as a result of bad business decision. But if for example, your stock broking firm shut down or if the chief executive ran away with your money, then as an investor, you can look towards the investment trustees of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. At the moment, the rules and the guidelines are being finalized and very soon, I am sure that the fund will be utilised.” On whether lack of or inadequate regulation was part of the problems in the stock market in the past, he stated: “Well, I am one of those who

Anga feel that strong regulatory oversight is essential, especially in emerging economies like Nigeria. And I feel that there was less than efficient regulatory oversight in the financial services market as a whole; whether we are talking about the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before Sanusi Lamido Sanusi or you talk about the stock exchange. You have to also recognise that in the capital market, we have a lot of self-regulatory organizations. The stock exchange itself is a self-regulatory organization under the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). So it supposed to be self-regulatory and it supposed to set the standard to its members for fulfilling those roles and others. And I think in large measure, some of the global best practices of corporate governance to a large extent were not complied with.” Speaking on the implication of the parliament withholding appropriation for SEC, he said: “I will urge the National Assembly to reconsider its decision. I will not like to go into the politics of what had transpired before now, but what I can say to you is that the powers of the National Assembly are actually that of appropriation. That is the real check that the National Assembly has over the executive. They are the ones who appropriate funding. Without appropriation, the executive cannot work. The question that should be asked is: “Should that healthy and worthy power be used to target specific individuals contrary to the interest of the institution? I do not feel it is proper for the National Assembly to pass a resolution saying that unless a particular individual is removed, they will not appropriate fund from the national budget to a national institution, especially when that institution is the regulator of the whole market. It is a case of throwing out the baby with the bath water. I therefore urge the leadership of the National Assembly to quickly reconsider that decision because it does not set a good precedent for the future. That power is defective in wisdom in which it was

exercised.” In view of the fact that some multinational companies, especially telecommunication giants are not interested in listing at the Nigerian capital market and yet, some Nigerian firms are listing outside the country, Fubara explained: “The first question you have to ask yourself is: “What is the primary goal of a company listing at the stock exchange? Traditionally, it is to raise capital! You either raise debt (bond market) or equity capital (shares). For the debt market, you could go to the bank or you could raise bonds from the stock exchange. Now, if I can raise enough capital for my operations without diluting my shareholders base, without bringing in people into my business, why should I come and list? One of the primary reasons for Nigerian entities listing abroad is not because of capital reasons. Those of them who are already listed in the Nigerian Stock market, their issues are always over-subscribed. So the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank and others can raise money here locally. But the reason they want to list abroad is that by going through the process and all the corporate governance requirement to accomplish the listing, they move themselves out of the confines of a

IPF is led by the doyen of the profession, Gamaliel Onosode. It is, at least, getting to a point where it would begin to make some returns to people who have lost some money in the market through fraud of dealing members. The fund is not there to pay people who lost money as a result of bad business decision. But if for example, your stock broking firm shut down or if the chief executive ran away with your money, then, as an investor, you can look towards the investment trustees of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. As of the moment, the rules and the guidelines are being finalized and very soon, I am sure that the fund will utilised

Nigerian company and become a global brand so that when they want to expand their operations, they actually can diversify their capital base, especially when you look at the situation where the interest rate in the domestic credit market is high. Interest rates are extremely high here. So you want to put yourself in a position where you can raise credit through alternative sources. If Nigerian companies are listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in Canada, in London, you immediately make yourself a global care and your credit profile changes because everything about you is now open. And people can take a look at you and say, yes, this is the kind of company that we would like to invest in. I think there will be more Nigerian entities, domestic and indigenous companies that are conglomerates that see the benefit of listing. Although you must also recognize that if you are a private entrepreneur; and it is still first generation where you still have the primary entrepreneurs, (the key man syndrome). For some people, it is very difficult to move away from being the all and all and being accountable only to yourself to now move to a situation where you are accountable not only to shareholders that you don’t know but the regulators that would want to enforce rules on you.” On whether there are no advantages on getting citizens becoming part of a successful venture not primary motive of listing in the stock market, he said: “Well that is one of the perceived benefits, but if you look at it very carefully, you will found out that it is not true. If you ask what is the individual holding of an average Nigerian? It is very insignificant. They have absolutely no say in the management or the decision making process of the companies. And there is no way of collating them and getting them together to form a power bloc. So the promoters or the sponsors will always remain in control. I believe that the notion of privatization has a way of democratizing the ownership structure. Theoretically, it makes sense. But experience so far reveals that few people corner it. So it is how to move from the theory of it – which is shareholder democracy and given every single Nigerian a chance to the reality of it actually making a difference in every Nigerian’s pocket. I think that is where the real challenge lies.” On the role that the capital market solicitors play in the growth of the market and vis-a-vis the economy, he stated: “The Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) in its very short existence had managed to do several things. One is the advocacy role, especially as it relates to law. For many years, people misunderstand the Nigerian Capital Market. The fundamental basis of any capital market is legal. And lawyers never really played a significant formal role in the process. You had issuing houses, stockbrokers and other professionals leading the process. What had happened is that the CMSA had managed to put lawyers in the forefront of the capital market because everything is based on law. One of the fundamental principles that we always maintain is that lawyers themselves must be trained, knowledgeable and must add value. So the insistence on ethical standard and continuing legal education have been the corner-

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

86 LAW

LawPeople

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968); Minister, Civil Rights Activist

Udo: A lawyer who pursues peaceful resolution of cases Profile By Bertram Nwannekanma

Udo falls within the categoSwithILAS ry of a few Nigerian lawyers peaceful disposition. His love for peaceful approach to the legal profession has remained immeasurable, a complete departure from the norms, that those who come across him wonder whether he should really be in the profession. This assumption is hinged on the fact that several car stickers abound in the country with such scary inscriptions like “Trouble Na My work and Comot for Road, A lawyer is Passing”, thereby depicting lawyers as those that want trouble rather than peace. However, with a soft mien mixed with humility, Udo has demonstrated a high level of maturity and love for peace in his over 20 years of practice. For his peaceful dispositions, Udo has ensured that most of the cases he had handles ended up in out-of-court settlement without going through the whole hog of litigation because of his belief that litigation never brings actual peace. The revered lawyer has also gone a step forward to establish a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) named: “The Centre for Societal Values and Development” whose sole aim is the promotion of world peace through advocacy. Incidentally, Udo’s forage to the wig and gown profession came about by his desire to contribute to societal values and development by fighting for the course of the less-privileged. This was how he captured his motivation to study law: “ I had a passion for justice to the less-privileged, that was my main motivation because as a young man growing up in the village, I saw first hand, how injustice was meted to the poor, then I made up my mind to become a lawyer to fight these injustices. “My venture into the legal profession was with all due respect my own decision right from the secondary school without any influence from my parents after seeing the way and manner some lawyers resolve some complex issues even in the village”, he said. Today, Udo has kept the dream alive by devoting every resource in his disposal to fight for the common goods. He has gone ahead to set up a department in his chambers, where at least a lawyer is assigned to assist those who cannot afford legal fees until the chamber can no longer foot the bill. To him, there are so many matters that ordinary letters can solve which one does not need to spend

money filing papers in court. He said: “Ordinary letter of warning between two neighbours, who are quarrelling can settle the matter. “I have done it several times, the recent one being two neighbours, who had serious dispute in Ibafon, Ogun state. Although, two of them were of the same tribe but the quarrel was so intense to the extent that one of them attempted to knock down his neighbour’s wife with a car in the night. But some people saw the attempt and shouted before the woman was able to escape. The matter was brought to me and an ordinary letter to the man copied to the Police solved the matter and brought total peace”, he said. Udo had also saved many marriages at the brink of collapse through his wise counsel. Born in 1965 to the Udo family of Ibiakpan village in Abak local Council of the present day Akwa Ibom State, young Silas attended Government Trade Centre Uyo for his secondary education. He later left in 1982 for School of Basic Studies, Calabar, where he secured his A-levels in 1985. Thereafter, he gained admission to study law at the University of Lagos in 1986 and graduated in I989. Silas attended the Nigeria Law School, Lagos and was called to the Bar in 1990. Udo did his Mandatory Youth Service Corps at Mgbidi in Oru Local Council of Imo state, where he was attached to the local council as a legal officer. Upon the completion of his youth Service, in 1992, Udo served under late Chief Fola Akiri Nsola. Although, he had wanted to spend five years at Chief Nsola’s chambers for his pupilage, his stay was however shortened by his principal’s tragic death in a motor accident. He later left to start his own law firm in 1984, where he had grown to become a notable lawyer in the area of land and public interest litigations. Udo got his first courtroom experience at the Oru High Court during his youth service years where he was assigned to handle a land matter between two families. Although as a new wig, he was jittery and had wished the court never sat that day. But after he sought help from lawyers in the court, he gained confidence and courage to face the matter squarely. But Udo’s main baptism came shortly after the youth service when he appeared at the Lagos division of the Appeal Court, where he appeared against respected Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN). In that matter, Udo was to appear with his principal and he had gone ahead to enter their appearances but when the matter

The revered lawyer has also gone a step further to establish a Non- Governmental Organization named, ‘The Centre for Societal Values and Development’ whose sole aim is the promotion of world peace through legalI advocacy.

Udo

was called his principal was nowhere to be found. Udo did not know what to do and the court assumed that he was competent and Williams started moving his application, when Udo out of fear and anxiety jumped up to announce to the court that he did not have the case file with him. Although the court and Chief Williams was not happy the way he interrupted the proceeding they however sympathized with him and granted him an adjournment. His principal was so happy with him for that courage and he was rewarded with several other appearances both at the appeal court and the Supreme Court within one year of practice. Thereafter, Udo has made tremendous success in the legal practice especially in land matters, where he has carved a niche for himself. One of such matters was the popular Asamole v. Cooperative of the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). In that matter some land speculators had encroached his client’s land at Ikorodu and sold to some people, including to some senior professional colleagues. The matter was first commenced against unknown persons before NIALS cooperative, who were victims to the land speculators applied to be joined in the case. It took Udo’s legal sagacity and dexterity to arrive at an amicable settlement because of the calibre of people involved. Udo is also handling the Tinubu’s family land matter against the

Lagos State government at the State High Court over the government’s encroachment to his client’s land in Surulere and demolition of some houses on the land. Apart from land matters, Udo has handled several public interest and human rights cases. Some of the cases include, the popular Baby Eniola HIV case against the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, the Blessing Effiong matter against IMCO. It was a case where a newly employed casual worker was killed in the factory after she was made to operate a machine. Udo applied pressure after the government dumped the girl and was able to secure a huge compensation for Blessing’s family. He also handled some human rights cases like the one involving Chief Noan Anjorin v. IGP & Ors, Chibueze Onwuka v. IGP and many other immigration matters. Currently, he is handling the case of dismissed workers of the Union Assurance PLC at the National Industrial Court. Beyond the legal practice, Udo

belongs to several organisations. He is a member of several professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigeria Bar Association. His membership to these professional bodies, Udo said was aimed at increasing his knowledge in order to enhance his legal practice. Udo is also a former chairman of the Akwa Ibom lawyers’ forum, Lagos State, an association of lawyers from Akwa Ibom, whose main objective is the development of the state. He is presently the vice chairman of the Immigration Lawyers Forum in Nigeria. A well-traveled and religious person, Udo, believes that the legal practice is improving despite its many challenges including government interference. He is happily married with two children.

Do you know… Eccentricity: “Personal or individual peculiarity of mind or disposition, which markedly distinguishes the subject from the ordinary, normal or average types of men, but does not amount to mental unsoundness or insanity.”

See Ejinima v. State [1991] 6 NWLR (Pt. 200) 627 at 647, [S.C.], citing Blacks Law Dictionary, 6th edition.

LAW 87

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

LawReport Where a person dies instantly by act of another, medical evidence is not mandatory In the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, In the Akure Judicial Division, Holden at Akure, On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, Before Their Lordships: Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, Justice, Court of Appeal; Chima Centus Nweze, Justice, Court of Appeal; Chinwe Eugenia Iyizoba, Justice, Court of Appeal; CA/AK/39/2011 Between Ojuri Anjora (appellant) and The State (respondent). E equally endorse the lower court’s stateW ment of the law with regard to medical evidence in the circumstance of this case. In the first place, is authority for the view that where a person dies on the spot as a result of the act of another person, the absence of medical evidence would not be fatal to the case of the prosecution. So held the Court of Appeal, Holden at Akure in a unanimous leading judgment delivered by his Lordship: Chima Centus Nweze (JCA), his learned brothers: Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun and Chinwe Eugenia Iyizoba (JJCA), concurring while dismissing the appellant’s appeal. Justice Mukhtar (CJN) The appellant was represented by Abayomi Ojo while the respondent was represented by Oye by hanging. Fredrick. Aggrieved by the said decision, the appelThe facts are as contained in the body of the judg- lant has appealed to this court. Two issues ment. were formulated for the determination of At the High Court of Ondo State, Akure Judicial his appeal. They were framed thus: Division, the appellant was arraigned on informa- • Whether from the circumstances of this tion dated September 29, 2004. He was alleged to case, the prosecution proved its case have murdered one Sunday Ayodele “contrary to beyond reasonable doubt against the appeland punishable under Section 319 (1) of the lant in spite of the obvious and material Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. 11, Laws of Ondo State, contradictions in the evidence of the prose1978.” A proof of evidence containing a list of five cution witnesses; witnesses and the proposed exhibits was filed • Whether the trial court properly directed with the information. An additional proof of evi- itself in dismissing the alibi raised the dence, dated February 1, 2006, was also filed. The accused person when there is (sic) nothing trial of the accused person commenced on May 31, placed before the court to debunk same. 2006. In proof of its case, the prosecution called The respondent adopted these issues; two witnesses. The accused person testified for hence, they would be used in the determihimself as DW1. He called three additional per- nation of this appeal. sons who testified as DW2, DW3 and DW4. The When this appeal came up for hearing, case of the appellant was that he was not as at the appellant’s counsel, M.A. Ojo, adopted the locus criminis and could not have been responsi- brief of argument filed on November 16, ble for the death of the deceased. 2011. He placed reliance on the arguments At the conclusion of the case, the court (Coram therein as his submissions in this appeal. In Bola J), (hereinafter referred to as the lower the said brief, he contended that the evicourt), in its judgment of February 16, 2010, con- dence of the two witnesses for the prosecuvicted the appellant and sentenced him to death

tion, especially that of PW1, could not justify the conviction of the appellant without any other corroborative evidence in support of the case of the prosecution. Counsel explained that the PW1, the mother of the deceased person, testified that she saw the appellant stabbing the deceased, Sunday Ayodele, with a knife. The deceased fell down. He later died in the hospital. She further testified that her other son saw this development. He cited Ubani v State 92003) 18 NWLR (pt 851) 224, 241 for the ingredients of the offence of murder. It was argued that the prosecution must establish all these ingredients that constitute the totality of the offence charged. In the instant case, the prosecution failed to call any witness to corroborate the testimony of PW1. According to counsel, this was in spite of PW1’s testimony that one of her sons witnessed the fact that the appellant attacked and killed the deceased. Counsel submitted that if this son had been called as a witness, his evidence would have resolved the identity of the killer. The trial court ought to have invoked the provisions of Section 149 (d) of the Evidence Act against the prosecution for delib-

erately shielding the evidence of the son from the court. It was further submitted that the evidence of the two witnesses for the prosecution were fraught with contradictions and obvious inconsistencies. It was submitted that the prosecution has a duty to explain any such inconsistencies. This, they failed to do. These inconsistencies created a dark cloud on the evidence of the prosecution which the court could not ignore and which must be resolved in favour of the accused, Uguru v State (2002) 8 NWLR (pt 769) 367, 383; Egwim v State (1998) 1 NWLR (pt 532) 59. He urged the court to resolve issue one in favour of the appellant. On this issue, learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the prosecution was able to prove its case against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. They called two witnesses whose testimonies were direct and unequivocal in supporting the charge against the accused person. He contended that the PW1 was an eyewitness to the offence that appellant committed. She even interacted with the appellant before he struck his victim/deceased and ran away. He maintained that if the court believed the evidence of a single eyewitness to a crime to ground conviction, Effiong v State (1998) 8 NWLR (pt 512) 362; Ayogede v The State (1996) 4 SCN] 221, 233. It was noted that PW1 and PW2 were relations of the victim. In his view, there were no ambiguities or inconsistencies in this case to warrant this court determining this appeal in favour of the appellant. Equally, there was no reasonable ground for invoking the provision of Section 149 (d) of the Evidence Act 1990 (now section 169(d) of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended), against the prosecution. On the contrary, the provision was better invoked against the appellant for not calling Ejiro to testify on his behalf. He noted that the lower court closed that prosecution’s case when it was still trying to gather other witnesses. He urged the court to resolve this issue in favour of the respondent. Superior courts in England; Nigeria and other Commonwealth jurisdictions are unanimous on the constitutive ingredients of the offence of murder, as could be gleaned from the applicable code provisions. Thus, in a charge of murder, the prosecution is obliged to prove: (1) that the deceased died; (2) that his/her death was caused by the accused; (3) that she/he intended to either kill the victim or cause her/him grievous bodily harm. See for example, Woolmington v DPP (1935) AC 462; Hyam v DPP (1974) 2 All ER 41; R v Hopwood 91913) 8 Cr. App. R. 143, (England).

TO BE CONTINUED

Time to involve the media in combating corruption in Nigeria HE Global Compact T Network Nigeria, (GCNN) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), recently organized a workshop for the media on anticorruption entitled: “The war against corruption in Nigeria: A collective action.” The event took place at Protea Hotel, on Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. At the occasion, themes like ‘Looking back in time: The anti-graft war by governments; “Buck-passing game: The public/private tango; “Citizens’ attitude to corruption;” and ”Consensus: “Collective action strategies for accountability” were expressly canvassed. The workshop was sponsored by Siemens Integrity Initiative and made possible by the Director General of NESG and former Minister of Information,

Mr. Frank Nweke Jr. Facilitators of the event included: Simon Kolawole, Editor, ThisDay Newspaper; Professor Jamie Onwuchekwa of Business day Newspaper, Kayode Akintemi of Channels Television Station and Editor of The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja. While delivering his speech Oloja urged for anger by journalists in reporting corruption in Nigeria. According to him, exposing corruption perpetuated by politicians is the only way to deter them from continuing their looting from the country’s treasury. He asked the journalists to be fearless, courageous and determined to fight monster in the country.

Photo shows The Guardian Editor, Mr. Oloja, (on the podium), speaking on the topic: ‘Consensus: Collective action strategies for accountability’ in combating corruption in Nigeria, while Mr. Nweke Jr and other facilitators listen with rapt attention. PHOTO: IBE UWALEKE

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

88 LAW

FamilyLaw

I believe the best service to the child is the service closest to the child, and children who are victims of neglect, abuse, or abandonment must not also be victims of bureaucracy. They deserve our devoted attention, not our divided attention.

-Kenny Guinn

Assessing pecuniary value of an infant’s death in a negligent accident By Ibe Uwaleke, Head, Judicial Desk AST week, while discussing the topic on ‘signs Labused’, to watch when the girl child is sexually I urged for vigilance over the children. This was a concept that came readily to me because of the importance I attach to the safety and protection of infants who are not capable of making reasonable judgments on how to conduct their affairs. I also said that what these under-aged innocents need from us, the adults, is care and affection and not the opposite, of abuse and neglect. This week, I am going to give reason why we cannot afford to be careless and negligent over our children and wards, for any iota of excuse. Doing this for whatever reason, will expose the children to great risks that may be deadly. I am very sure no parent or guardian would like to lose a lovely child either through accident or by any form of violence due to the inability of parents to exercise control over the children. But where the inevitable occurs, how do you seek for compensation or damages to assuage the loss or injury suffered by these young ones? How does one persuade the court to agree with him or her that the offence committed against a child was no fault of his or the parents but that of the offender? Is it possible under the circumstance, to convince the court that one’s evidence is cogent and genuine enough to win an award by the court? Let us now examine the chances one has when faced with such challenges. I will discuss this in line with the case as adopted in Oluwole Aluko in his book ‘Cases and Material’ in the law of tort. In that case, Jenyo & Or v. Akinreti & Or (1999) 2 NWLR Pt. 135 Page 663, the deceased was an infant. She was sent on an errand and on her

way, the vehicle of the 2nd defendant/appellant, which was driven, by the 1st defendant/appellant knocked her down and she died in the hospital. The deceased was five years old at the time of her death. The plaintiffs who were her parents instituted action as administrators of her estate against the defendants and claimed the sum of N200,000 as damages from the defendants for causing her death by negligent driving of the motor vehicle of the 2nd defendant by the 1st defendant. The court of first instance held that the 1st defendant was negligent and that the 2nd defendant was vicariously liable for his negligence. The court of first instance awarded the sum of N25,000 to the plaintiffs as damages. On appeal by the defendant to the court of Appeal against the judgement of the court of first instance the court reduced the damages to N1,000 on the ground that there was no evidence by the plaintiffs that they have lost a reasonable probability of pecuniary advantage by the death of their infant child and that a mere speculative possibility of benefit will not suffice. The plaintiff/appellants appealed to the Supreme court. Their appeal was dismissed. By way of explanation, the pleading in the case was defective because there was no averment and evidence in respect of the loss of pecuniary advantage by the plaintiffs from the death of the deceased. All the plaintiff pleaded in their pleading was that the life of the deceased had been considerably and abruptly shortened at a tender age in consequence whereof her said estate and her parents have thereby suffered loss and damage. The Supreme court was of the opinion that the plaintiffs were not entitled to anything but since there was no cross appeal the sum of one

thousand naira that was awarded to the plaintiffs by the court of Appeal was not reversed. In a similar case, Bernett vs Cohe and Other (1921) 2KB page 461 the plaintiff sued as personal representative of his infant son under four years old at the time of his death to recover damages for the death of his son from the injuries caused by the negligence of the defendants. The claim of the plaintiff was dismissed on the ground that the plaintiff has not proved damage either actual or prospective. But the court in Wolfe vs Great Northern Railway Co. (1896) 26 L.R. Ex. Page 548, ruled differently as it considered the worth of the deceased, where the child was a daughter of 10 who helped her parents in the house and

was of such exceptional value as to enable her parents dispense with a servant. The court held that the evidence justified the conclusion that the services of the deceased child were of a pecuniary value exceeding the cost of her maintenance and education. It therefore awarded N100 damages to the plaintiffs. What is important to us here is not what is awarded or not awarded by the courts as damages when you lose children by negligence, but to take extra care not to allow such things happen as the consequences are far-reaching. Vigilance is the watchword.

YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi Fundamental human rights: Personal liberty (2) The Scenario S stated in the edition of last week A in the first part of this topic, the most easily abused reason for the deprivation of a person’s right to personal liberty is the one that renders permissible such deprivation upon reasonable suspicion of the person having committed a criminal offence or to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the commission of an offence. It is on the premise of that provision that a police officer can arrest a person, detain a person, search a person’s body and stop and search a vehicle. It is conceded that this power is necessary for the purpose of preventing crime, detecting crime and apprehending criminals. However, it is because the power to arrest and detain can be exercised merely upon reasonable suspicion that has rendered the power open to serious abuse by police officers. What is common in practice is, once there is a report or complaint to a police officer by a person, the first step to be taken by the police officer is to arrest and detain the person against whom a complaint is made without bothering to look at the complaint on its merit before deciding whether to arrest or not. The draftsman of the constitutional provision in question deliberately inserted the word ‘reasonable’ to qualify the adjective ‘suspicion’. The implication is that, an arrest or detention on this ground should be based, not just upon any form of suspicion but suspicion that is ‘reasonable’. The

test of reasonability or reasonableness in law is an objective one. The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, while interpreting a similar provision in the Zimbabwe Constitution, held in Bull v Attorney-General (1987) LRC (Constitutional and Administrative Law Report), 509, that the question whether there was reasonable suspicion of commission of an offence was to be tested objectively and the court must be informed of the grounds of the suspicion. Similarly, in the English case of Shaaban Bin Hussein v Chong Fook Kim, (1970) A.C. 948, the court held that, ‘for there to be reasonable suspicion, the circumstance of the case is such that a reasonable man acting without passion or prejudice would fairly have suspected the person of having committed the offence’. It is submitted that the test of reasonableness of a suspicion that will justify an arrest should be approached with an open mind and there must be an answer to the question, “do the facts available to the arrester at the point of arrest lead to the conclusion that an offence has been committed?” If the answer is in the affirmative, then the suspicion should be held to be reasonable, it is immaterial that at the end of the investigation into the complaint, no offence is found to have been committed. Conversely, if the answer is in the negative, the suspicion should be held unreasonable unless an investigation into the complaint subsequently reveals that an offence was, in fact, committed. This approach, if adopted, will checkmate the current trends in

Nigeria where police officers randomly and indiscriminately arrest people without any form of suspicion; only for those individuals to face extortion by making them part with money to bail themselves. It will also reduce the rate at which police officers arrest people upon frivolous suspicion. The ideal practice is for the police officer who receives a complaint from one person against another person to first evaluate the facts stated in the petition, by asking the complainant some relevant questions that will throw light on the veracity of the claim being made in the petition, then the person against whom the complaint is made should be invited to make assessment, either in admission or in rebuttal of the complaint. Then some preliminary investigations such as visiting the places where the offence is alleged to have been committed or inviting persons mentioned as witnesses, should be done so as to decide whether there exists a reasonable suspicion that the person against whom the complaint is made, is likely to have committed the offence, hence, the need for an arrest. However, in situations where it is not possible to carry out an investigation that will enable the police officer decide whether to arrest or not within a short time, the police can arrest and quickly grant the person bail

pending when investigation will be concluded. It is important to note that even in a situation where the police are certain that the offence has been committed, there is still a limit to the extent to which a police officer can detain a suspect. By virtue of Section 35 (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, “any person who is arrested or detained in accordance with subsection (1) (c) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time. What constitutes reasonable time for the purposes of subsection (4) above has been defined in subsection 35 (5) to mean a period of one day, if there is a competent court within a radius of 40 kilometres from the place of arrest or a period of two days or longer period as approved by the court. In Augustine Edah v Commissioner of Police, Bendel State (1982) 3 NCLR, 219, the court, laying down the principle,

among others, held as follows: • That when a person is arrested or detained by the police in connection with an allegation on reasonable suspicion of a crime and they are actively pursuing investigation of the matter, the duty of the police is in appropriate case to offer bail to the suspect and for bringing him to a court of law within 1 day or 2 days as the case may be, no matter whatever sections of the Criminal Procedure Act or Police Act, 1967, the Police may be purporting to act; • That whether the Police grant a person under arrest or detention bail or not, in appropriate case, it is their duty to bring any such person in their custody before a court within 1 day or 2 days as the case may be in compliance with the relevant constitutional provision. In Dele Giwa v Inspector General of Police (Unreported Suit No. M/44/83), the applicant was detained for seven days without being told of any offence committed by him and was later released without being charged for any offence. The applicant was awarded N1,000.00 against the respondent. In view of the above, there is no room in our laws for police officers to arrest and detain suspects indiscriminately. An arrest must be based on a well-founded suspicion of commission of a crime and the suspect must be taken to court promptly.

LAW 89

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Lagos judges train for quick dispensation of justice Event By Bertram Nwannekanma

HE adage that ‘justice delayed is justice T denied’ aptly describes the importance of quick dispensation of Justice. It was in light of this that judges of the Lagos state judiciary left their duty posts last Friday to attend an event aimed at ensuring improved, quicker and easier dispensation of justice in the state. The event, an Ipad training session was organized by Law Pavilion, a leading law report centre and law software provider in conjunction with the Lagos state judiciary at the Judges Recreation Centre, Ikeja. It saw judges from the state High Courts trained on the use of IPAD for faster and effective justice delivery. Some of the judges at the training include, Nicol-Clay, M.A Dada, Adeniyi Onigbanjo, Sybil Nwaka, Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, Y. A. Adesanya, Atinuke Ipaye, Atinuke Oluyemi, Ronke Harrison, L.A.M. Folami and Adenike Coker The Ipads were bought from Law Pavilion, by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Adeyoola Phillips last year to enhance justice delivery system in the state because of the role access to Justice plays in development of any country. The judges were trained on the software, with legal research platform, which includes Justices Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, (Left) Y. A. Adesanya and Law Pavilion Managing Director, Mr. Ope Olugasa at the event. decided cases, civil procedure rules, Laws of the Federation amongst other legal features like case management. Safari, who expressed delight with the to ensure that quick dispensation of justice resources. progress so far, noted that judges in the state “The whole case management system is is achieved in the state. They were also trained on robust case/docu- wrapped together in a project management On the part of the lawyers, he said they were judiciary could now work from anywhere ment management system on the software, process to engender creativity and efficiency working the Nigerian Bar Association to and improve their outputs. which makes it possible for the Judges to in the dispensation of justice in Lagos State. He said: “ Certainly, it is still a new innovadevelop case management for the lawyers monitor and view their cause list based on “There was also an integrated the National after that of the judges because of the Bar’s tion but from the interaction, most of them, the entry of cases done in the case diary. Judicial Council monthly report form for the critical roles in ensuring quick dispensation who hitherto depended on judicial officers Speaking on the motive behind the training, Judges which will make it easier for the of justice. for research, saw the Ipad as an easier avenue Managing Director of the company, which Honourable Judges to prepare and file their “ We are aware that there are other stake- for research, thereby checking the human championing IT revolution in Nigeria’s legal performance returns to the National Judicial holders in the business of ensuring quicker factors. There is a noticeable improvement in practice, Mr. Ope Olugasa, said the training Council (NJC). administration of justice, and we are poised delivery of their judgment without any hinwas aimed at deepening the CJ’s vision of Olugasa also said the soft ware would aid to reach all of them with user- friendly soft drances, as they no longer need to be in the employing ICT knowledge to improve the the judges to monitor judges performance wares,” he said. library all the time and this has improved administration of justice in the state in as peer review mechanism. For the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High their work rate” According to him, the event, which started Judges, he said, could proactively monitor Court, Mr. Ganiyu Safari, who represented The Chief Registrar also gave hope that suptwo weeks ago, and saw over 22 judges in their performance, report weekly or month- the Justice Phillips in the event, the idea port from the court registrars, who form an attendance, was aimed at ensuring that those ly report of their performances. behind the buying of the Ipad and training integral part of the dispensation of justice, products bought were ultimately maximized He said the company also planned the train- was to ensure that Lagos judiciary is IT com- would widen records of proceedings so that as well as to familiarized the judges with new ing of court registrars on case management pliant. judges would not work in isolation without

Capital Market Solicitors elect new leaders Event By Joseph Onyekwere HE Capital Market Solicitors’ T Association (CMSA) baton of leadership recently changed hands at the Protea Hotels, Westwood, Ikoyi, Lagos with the immediate past chairman of the association and the managing partner of ASP Ajibade and Company, Babajide Ajibade, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) handing over to the managing partner of Alliance Law Firm, Mr. Uche Obi. Obi, who was elected by consensus of all the members present, will now pilot the affairs of the association for two years. The leadership change, which hap-

pened at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, was preceded by the out-gone chairman’s report, where he rendered his scorecard. Highlighting some of the achievements recorded during his tenure, Ajibade expressed optimism that the current executive would build on the successes they had made. One of such achievements, he pointed, out includes constitutional amendments, which led to the creation of the associate membership category and reduced terms limit on the executive to a single term of two years. He also said that his tenure successfully concluded the registration of the association at the Corporate

Affairs Commission (CAC) as well as the creation of standing sub-committees of the executive, namely membership and Continuous Legal Education (CLE). According to him, the group participated actively in Security and Exchange Commission (SEC’s) CMC retreats and also got invitation to nominate a representative into the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) investors protection fund. All these, he noted, happened as a result of the increased recognition accorded to the association by key stakeholders in the capital market. Ajibade explained that the need to focus on continuous legal education of capital market solicitors has

From left, new CMSA chairman, Mr. Uche Obi, immediate past chairman Dr. Babajide Ajibade SAN and former CMSA chairman Fubara Anga exchanging plesantries at the event

became very imperative owing to the fact that law faculties in the Universities have no course on capital market laws. “We started with an introductory course, which will introduce lawyers who are specializing in the capital market into the rudiments of capital market so that they can be fully prepared. Capital market law generally is not yet a course taught in law faculties of Nigerian universities neither is it taught at the Law School. “I think the only faculty where it is taught is Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) by Dr. Ago, who runs the capital market course at the undergraduate and the post-graduate levels at the University. But it is not generally available. So we found this as one of the greatest problems of lawyers in the capital market. There was not any place where they can get a structured teaching in the capital market and it is a specialized area”, he declared. In addition, Ajibade and his group of executives also improved the treasury of the association greatly, a situation that gladdened the heart of members who suggested though jocularly that he might be allowed to return for another tenure of office. For Ajibade, it was not really all stories of successes. There were quite a few challenges. Those areas according to him, includes lack of quality newsletter for the association, inability to have efficient database of members and tracking of payment of members dues as well as a functional website. Other things his executives could not achieve include providing permanent office and secretariat for the association and organizing

joint seminar on dispute resolution and arbitration with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). On his part, the incumbent chairman, Obi who expressed delight for the confidence reposed on him and his executives by members, said the provision of operational secretariat would be of primary concern in his tenure. “One thing we would like to actualize within the life of this administration is the association’s secretariat project. We need to get our own secretariat and employ some permanent staff to man it. That way, we will be able to have more space; we will be able to have more efficiency in our organization. “We equally want to expand the membership base of our association. By virtue of our constitutional amendment recently done, we will be able to have in-house lawyers to join us, shore up the revenue base of the association. Reliance on subscription will not be enough to fund some of the capital-intensive projects we have. “We are also going to decentralize some of our activities. There are views in some quarters that most of our activities are centralized in Lagos with only one probably outside Lagos once in a while. So we will try to have some of our activities outside Lagos so as to give others sense of belonging. The association is for all of us. We want to get them more involved in what we are doing. So those are the areas we will be focusing at apart from some other routine things”, he stated. At the end of the meeting, delegates from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, South Africa were given an opportunity to give a presentation where they sought collaboration with CMSA, nay Nigeria, in the area of stock market investment.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Sports Top soccer manager’s secret Swiss account stuns Germany

Ahead Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup

NFF sets semi-final target for Super Eagles From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) says with the performance of the Super Eagles at the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa it would not be asking for too much if it charged the team to ensure at least a semi-final ticket at the FIFA Confederation Cup, which is billed for Brazil in June. According to the federation, only a semi-final performance by the Stephen Keshi led team is good enough for the country in the championship, which will also feature Spain, Mexico, Tahiti, and Uruguay, among others. It promised to give the team all the needed support to ensure it met the set target. NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu said yesterday in Abuja that the NFF has lined up some tune up matches to prepare the team for the last four target, adding, “as African champions, the Eagles should be able to go all the way by qualifying from the group that has the likes of world

NE of Germany’s most O admired sports managers, Bayern Munich President, Uli

champions Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti. “Cameroun’s Indomitable Lions have once reached the final of the Confederation Cup so it is not as if we are asking the Super Eagles for too much to reach the semi- finals. “The target is to at least qualify for the last four. We are lucky, our first game is against Oceania champions, Tahiti, on June 17 and if we are able to get a good result, that will give us the impetus to face the South American champions, Uruguay, before facing Spain in the last group match. “Reaching the semi-final is a realistic target but a reaching the final will be a plus that will be highly appreciated by the federation,” he said. Nigeria earned the right to represent Africa at the Confederations Cup by beating Burkina Faso in the final of the African Nations Cup in February. The Confederations Cup, which begins in June in Brazil, is for the champions of all the continents and the reigning World Cup holder.

Club managers dare NFF, sacks LMC From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE chairmen and manT agers of the 20 premier league clubs in the country yesterday ignored the threat of sanction by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as they went ahead to sack the Nduka Irabor-led League Management Committee. The LMC was set up last year by the NFF to manage the 2012/2013 league season following the club owners’ impeachment of he Victor Rumson Baribote-led board of he NPL. Addressing the press yesterday in Abuja, acting chairman of the league club managers, Isaac Danladi, stated that they regretted that the LMC failed to utilise the two weeks window given to it to convene an emergency congress, where all the aggrieved clubs would

iron out their grievances. The Nasarawa United chairman said the managers reached an agreement to henceforth disassociate themselves with the League Management Company (LMC), which it referred to as an illegal body, stressing that the company was registered without the consent and approval of clubs. They directed the NPL Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, to take immediate charge of the league pending the election of a substantive board for the league. The managers, who regretted that the 2012/2013 league season has been going on without rules and regulations, urged the NPL Secretariat to fashion out rules and regulation for the league to avert indiscriminate decisions and sanctions.

Super Eagles’ midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi (left); contests with Cote d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba, during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations quarterfinal match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.

National Council on Sports meets in Ilorin HE National Council on T Sports, which comprises National Sports Commission (NSC), the 36 states and the FCT, Military and Para-military sports representatives and other critical stakeholders, is meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State. The meeting, according to the NSC, will discuss amongst others: Key performance Indicators of Sports (KPIs), constitution of National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), introduction of National Youth Games and the National Open Sports Festival, elections into non-concessioned National Sports Federations’ board and

situation report and efforts of the NSC towards the concession of the national stadia. According to the NSC, the meeting is a follow-up to the Presidential Retreat on Sports held late last year. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting DirectorGeneral of the NSC, Mustapha Mohammed, noted that the plenary of the Council, which is the Technical Session, is expected to “prepare and discuss all memos and issues related to the business of sports in Nigeria for the Council.” He added that the meeting would also harmonise all the

memos and make appropriate recommendations to Council. In her opening remarks, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Kwara State, Ramat Adeshina Abaya said though sports has remained a strong tool that binds and unifies the entire citizenry irrespective of cultural, political, religious and social status. She added, however, that like other sectors of the national economy, it has been confronted with enormous challenges, which “if left unresolved, will continue to reflect in the nation’s unimpressive performances.”

Hoeness, voluntarily reported himself to authorities in a tax evasion investigation that has exposed the government to criticism it is lenient on tax cheats. The 61-year-old Hoeness, a former soccer star himself who is at once loved and loathed across Germany for his outspoken opinions on sports and politics, said he had voluntarily alerted tax authorities in January that he held the Swiss account. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who knows Hoeness personally and has sought his advice on business issues, felt let down by Germany’s top soccer manager, her spokesman Steffen Seibert said yesterday. Merkel is seeking re-election in September and the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) are trying to paint her as soft on white-collar crimes, especially tax evasion. The topic looms as a major issue in the campaign. Merkel is up against SPD candidate, Peer Steinbrueck, who led a crackdown on tax havens when he was German finance minister. “Tax evasion is without any doubt a serious crime and there can be no justification at all for tax evasion,” Seibert told a government news conference. “Uli Hoeness has disappointed many people in Germany, including the chancellor.” Hoeness has in the past railed against tax evasion in political talk show appearances, and won applause from soccer fans and ordinary taxpayers for speaking out in favor of higher tax rates on top incomes. This straight talk and his modest lifestyle - he lived for 30 years in a semi-detached house in a middle-class Munich suburb - gave him the image of a “Saubermann” (“Mr. Clean”). “I know it’s a stupid thing to do but I pay all my tax obligations in full,” Hoeness told Bild newspaper in 2005. Hoeness declined any further comment about the tax evasion probe after he told magazine Focus. “Through my tax adviser I turned myself in to tax authorities in January 2013. It was in relation to a Swiss bank account of mine.”

FIFA adviser quits over reform dispute NE of FIFA’s leading advisO ers has resigned in protest over her belief that key pro-

Blatter

posals to reform the organisation have been watered down. Alexandra Wrage, an authority on corporate anti-corruption, quit the Independent Governance Committee (IGC) last week, BBC Sport has learned. World football’s governing body set up the IGC to help it become more transparent following several scandals. In a recent interview, Wrage said the proposed reforms “neutered.” been had FIFA launched its reform process almost two years ago amid fierce criticism after

Mohamed bin Hammam, an election rival to President Sepp Blatter, was accused of bribery. Bin Hammam was later banned for life by FIFA, but he continues to deny any wrongdoing. Several executive committee members also faced allegations of corruption in the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. FIFA later admitted that candidate countries Spain and Qatar colluded over votes for the two tournaments. Wrage, a Canadian member of the IGC, said she was “frustrated and surprised” that FIFA had failed to back several measures she regarded as

“really bland, straightforward governance provisions” after a meeting of its leading executive committee in March. The IGC proposals included measures to: Toughen up the process for deciding how future World Cups are awarded Ensure independent oversight of FIFA’s powerful executive committee Disclose how much president Sepp Blatter and other leading executives are paid Ensure integrity checks for future executives are carried out independently It is understood she resigned from the IGC following a meeting in Zurich last week.

“Key provisions that are accepted in the corporate world have not been accepted here - our recommendations just seem to fall off the agenda,” she said last month. In a separate development, BBC Sport understands that a long-awaited report into the bribery scandal surrounding FIFA’s former marketing agency, International Sport and Leisure (ISL), will be released later this week by FIFA. A file prepared by FIFA ethics investigator, Michael Garcia was passed to HansJoachim Eckert, the governing body’s ethics judge, several weeks ago.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

SPORT

If you are good, wherever you are the NBA will get you, says Ujiri

Masai Ujiri.

Masai Ujiri is the highest ranked African in the United States’ National Basketball Assocation (NBA), the world’s leading basketball championship. Born in Zaria in 1970, Ujiri, who left for the U.S.A as a kid, is the general manager of the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. The position makes him the first African-born general manager of an American major league sports team. Ujiri, who originally played football as a youth, fell in love with basketball at age13, leading to a six-year playing career in Europe. On ending his professional playing career in 2002, he worked as a youth coach in Nigeria, before he met David Thorpe during an NBA summer league game in Boston. Thorpe eventually introduced him to college coaches, but his first breakthrough came in 2002 when he accompanied a young Nigerian player to a draft tryout in Orlando. There he impressed Magic scouting Director, Gary Brokaw, who then introduced him to Coach Doc Rivers and GM John Gabriel. Ujiri then became an unpaid scout for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, paying his own way when he had to and sharing rooms with scouts or players when he could. Since then, he has worked as an unpaid scout, a sporting director, a vice president and the director of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa programme, which promotes basketball throughout the continent. He also conducts two camps, one for Nigeria’s top 50 players, which is sponsored by Nestle Milo, and another for African big men, which Ujiri sponsors himself with help from Nike. Fielding questions during a conference interview involving journalists from the U.S., Europe and Africa, including The Guardian’s CHRISTIAN OKPARA, Ujiri talks about Denver Nuggets, basketball in Africa and what it takes to become successful in the NBA, among other issues. Excerpts: IGERIANS are very excited that they N have one of their own as a manager in the NBA. How has it been managing a big franchise like the Denver Nuggets? It has been good. Its tough work because there are so many things you have to keep up with. You have to take care of your team and the business side of the game. You have to update your own knowledge and then be able to manage your own coaches. It has been challenging, but it has been fun. We have a young team and we are excited about the team as they go out and compete against the big boys. The coaches and the owners of the club, as well as my players

make it easy. They are doing a great job. What is it in your background that has moved you through the ranks to the present position? I think it is more of the building I went through. The NBA is a process and you have to go through the process to get to where I am now. Obviously, I have had good people around me and I have had good general managers to learn from. I worked for so many good managers in Denver here. I have had many people to learn from and then the NBA itself with all the stuff we are doing in Africa gave me the opportunity to actually be in this position. It is a process. I don’t know if we are successful yet, but our

goal is to win the NBA one day and we will keep working hard knowing that one day we will achieve our goal. A lot of Nigerian kids want to play in the NBA. They want to be like the Olajuwons, are you doing anything to see that we get more Nigerians in the NBA. Again, the national team would be playing in the Afro-basketball championship are you doing anything to help the Nigerian national team? I was involved a lot before with the national team. But now it has been more difficult with the job I have here. It is a big job here, trying to run in the league and all that stuff. But I do keep an eye on it. I have contact with guys in the federation and I try to help where possible.

But I think we are in a good place with the progress we made being in this Olympics and the show we had in the qualifiers. Going forward, I think we are in a very good position, but we have to continue building the team. The African Championship is a big competition, and it has eluded us for so long. In terms of kids, you know we keep doing all the camps and trying to help all the young guys grow. There are a lot of them playing in colleges now. We will see how they develop because it is all about development.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 92

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

92 SPORT

The best will always get to the NBA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 91 The NBA is a very tough league with so many people now from all over the world wanting to get in because it has become such an international sport. But we will keep trying to help the Nigerian kids into it. It has always been on my mind and we have to get them there. But it is a process. Did you train in Nigeria before moving to the U.S.A? Yes, I was born here, but I have a Nigerian background because my parents are from Nigerian. What makes it difficult for Nigerians to break into the NBA? I think it has to do with our background. I will give you an example. I am a more talented soccer player than I am a basketballer. That is because I grew up with soccer. All over the world soccer is a big game and in Nigeria we start playing it early in life. Now you do not need so many facilities to play soccer. With basketball you need facilities and they are not really available. So kids start playing at a late age when they are 14, 15, whereas the Americans and some of the Europeans start playing at age nine, 10. It is a little hard for the kids in Africa to make it in the NBA. But we keep working to help them. What makes the Nuggets such a promising team? And do you think you have the power to compete with the big boys? We are trying to meet up with the big boys. We have one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but the boys go out to compete. They are never overawed. We have built a good chemistry together and we allow the players freedom to play. The boys play hard and fair, but the thing is that we want to take the game as far as we can. I think chemistry is a very big thing in team sport and I think our guys have built that. It starts with the big guys, the Andre Ighodalos, the Andre Millers and the rest of them. The young guys are getting better. We hope the chemistry and these bonding together will give us a unique team. We will keep driving it on. The most encouraging thing is that we are a young team and we have a bright future ahead. People are excited with the quality of the national team, although a lot of them were disappointed with the performance of the team at the London 2012 Olympics. Going forward, what do you think Nigeria needs to do to be able to compete well against the United States, and the big European teams? I think we need continuity. We have great momentum at the qualifiers and the Olympics. Preparation is the key to success because we can’t sit back and wait for things to fall in place. I think Ayo Bakare and Adoga have done a great job. They went to play in China, Brazil and a couple of other countries to play before the qualifiers and the Olympics. That’s key to building a team and I think the African championship, which is big, should be ours this time. That’s a trophy that has eluded us. We have won the soccer championship and I think now is the time to win it. I think continuity is the key because we can have five national teams with the players we have available to us. Continuity and consistency will take us where we want to be. What was your mindset going into the season? What do you tell the players before a game? And are you planning pre-season in African, is there something we should look forward to in the future? My president has a great vision, he wants to build a young team so we brought in fresh players and we have been working hard to get them ready for the challenges. Going into the season, we wanted to give the young guys the opportunity because when your team is filled with the old guys, the young guys don’t really get the opportunity. So we decided to let the team grow and see how much progress we can make from it. What advise would you give the teams in Nigeria to make them independent and successful like teams in other parts of the world? I think we have to keep being creative. We have to work collectively because one of our weaknesses is that people try to put it upon themselves and exclude others from the process. We have to accommodate all the ideas for us to move forward. Selfishness is our bane. We have so many experts in the game, so many people good

I think we have to keep being creative. We have to work collectively because one of our weaknesses is that people try to put it upon themselves and exclude others from the process. We have to accommodate all the ideas for us to move forward. Selfishness is our bane. We have so many experts in the game, so many people good at different things and I think everybody should put their ego aside and come together to work because we have something good going for us. We have young players eager to work hard and we need private companies to support the game. I really think that coming to work together will help drive the game. at different things and I think everybody should put their ego aside and come together to work because we have something good going for us. We have young players eager to work hard and we need private companies to support the game. I really think that coming to work together will help drive the game. What is the role of a GM in ensuring the ream functions effectively in the NBA? First of all, you have to create your roster, you draft, you work towards free agency and you try to find players. We had a strategy where we said that we were going to sign young players and not go too much outside. We like to take care of our own young players because we know them. Starting from there, there is a training camp, managing the business side, managing the coaching side, reporting to my owners and being as creative and open as you can be. You have to be as communicative – I am one of those that have relationships with all our players and I try to encourage them as much as possible. The NBA is an up and down league. You will go through winning, losing, injuries and so many things you have to manage carefully and try to help the players and your organisation grow. It is a hard job, there is a lot to it, but it is fun to do, it’s our job, we get paid to do it and we enjoy it. There are only 30 of those jobs in the world and I am humble and happy to have one of them. If I want to play in the NBA, what else do I require apart from my basketball skills? It is a process. First of all, you have to be tall. I always tell Nigerian kids that if they work hard to improve on their game, they will get to where they want to be. One thing I know of American coaches is that it doesn’t matter where you are, if you are good, they will find you. America is such a great country of opportunities and anybody, who shows that he is good enough, will get into the NBA. There is no room for laziness because hardworking guys always stand out. What was the hardest part of your journey to the NBA? It was the beginning. When you are trying to get in it is really difficult. You are trying to convince people that you can do it. After that, when you get in you have your destiny in your hand. You have to work hard to surmount all the obstacles you will find on your way. I tell people that if you treat others well, if you respect people and work hard and show that you have the talent, and then you have a chance. The toughest part is getting in and convincing people that you can do it. On my own part, I started as a scout and from there things continued to work out as I moved on through the process. I must say that I have had good people to learn from. Your team has had injury problems in recent times, which has affected its performance. Are you looking towards making the play-offs? We want to go as far as we can. We have broken some franchise records and the guys have continued to surpass themselves. We want to see where we will get to at the end of the season. One thing with the team is that we are not afraid of any challenge.

Ujiri explaining a point during one of the Basketball Without Borders’ sessions in Nigeria.

Denver Nuggets’ Andre Iguodala dishes the ball off while under defensive pressure from Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors during Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on Saturday. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 97-95. PHOTO: AFP.

SPOrTS 93

THe GUArDIAn, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Biting incident has no bearing on Suarez’s Anfield future, says Liverpool boss IVerPOOL Managing L Director, Ian Ayre says Luis Suarez’s bite on Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic, has no bearing on his Anfield future. The Uruguay striker appeared to sink his teeth into the arm of Ivanovic during Sunday’s 2-2 draw, and he has since appologised and been fined by the club. Many pundits have called for the reds to sell their star striker, while Manager, Brendan rodgers admitted that “anybody can be replaced” in his post-match observations. But when questioned on Liverpool’s official website, Ayre, who also believes the club have dealt with the issue sufficiently, refuted suggestions that Suarez could be shown the door. “not at all,” he responded. “It affects his future in the sense that we have to work with him on his discipline but Luis is a very important player to the club. “He’s a very popular player with his team-mates. As we keep saying, he signed a new four-year contract last summer and we’d all love to see him here throughout that contract. “He’s a fantastic player, top scorer and everything we’d

want in a striker, so there’s no change there. This is more about getting him back on the right track and it’s largely down to Brendan now to work with him on that side of his character.” Liverpool received criticism from all quarters over their handling of last season’s race

row involving Suarez and Manchester United left-back Patrice evra, but Ayre believes the club has done as much as they can this time around. “I think the most important thing is that we acted swiftly (Sunday),” he added. “Luis issued his apology and

then we spoke with him last night and then again this morning. “We’ve taken action to fine (Luis) Suarez for his actions. Brendan has spoken to him and I’ve spoken to him, and Brendan will be working with him further on his discipline.

Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (right) clashes with Chelsea’s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic (left) after appearing to bite the Chelsea player during their English Premier League match between Liverpool PHOTO: AFP / ANDREW YATES and Chelsea at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England… on Sunday.

Tottenham’s comeback delights Bale OTTenHAM star, Gareth T Bale has spoken of his delight at his return from injury in his side’s 3-1 victory over Manchester City on Sunday. Despite taking the lead through Samir nasri, City saw a resurgent Spurs score three times in seven second-half minutes to turn the game around and grab all three points. Bale was a key contributor, having recovered from an ankle problem to play the full 90 minutes at White Hart Lane and he told Spurs TV of his injury. “It was alright. It was touch-and-go whether I’d play but I got through it OK. “It was a bit sore, mainly in the first half. I got a bit more confidence in the second and obviously I got through it OK. It’s just about managing it now and just carrying on.” The Welsh wizard set up Clint Dempsey for the hosts’ equaliser before scoring the

third and securing a priceless victory. “It was amazing. I think as soon as we scored the first everybody had that belief and confidence, the fans raised the noise and gave us that belief to go forward and thankfully we were able to score two more after that,” he enthused.

“I think we knew it was a massive game going into it and obviously going 1-0 down was a bit disappointing but the lads showed their character, they showed what we’ve got in the team and it was a fantastic turnaround. “It was a great comeback, great team spirit and hopefully we can carry that into

the last five games.” Bale’s performance illustrated why he made the six-man shortlist to win PFA Player of the Year and the 23-year-old is thrilled to be in contention. “It’s massive,” he remarked. “It’s obviously great for players to vote for you. Hopefully I do win and to be nominat-

Arsenal appeals against Giroud’s red card against Fulham rSenAL have appealed the tunnel. and we have to deal with A against the red card Speaking after the game, that.” picked up by Olivier Giroud during the 1-0 victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. The French striker caught the ankle of Cottagers defender Stanislav Manolev when stretching for the ball and referee Andre Marriner, who had already sent off Steve Sidwell after 12 minutes for the home side, duly sent the Gunners star down

Arsene Wenger said that he had no complaints with the decision to dismiss Giroud, telling Sky Sports: “It looked like it a deserved red card. “I spoke with Giroud and he said he slipped when he went for the ball. I don’t complain about the decision. “We have to find a solution up front now for the final games but that can happen

But Arsenal have now chosen to appeal to the Football Association in order to get the three-match suspension quashed ahead of their four remaining league fixtures. The Gunners sit third in the Premier League table, one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Tottenham, but have played one game more than their London rivals

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

94 SPORTS

Tenebe wants EFCC to probe Maigari, Obaseki, others From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja EADER of the rival Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Jarret Tenebe, yesterday revealed that he has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the roles of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari, the former chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Oyuki Obaseki, as well as, telecommunications giant, Globacom, in the crisis rocking the Nigerian league. Tenebe told journalists in Abuja yesterday that he dragged the NFF president to EFCC to account for the tax payers’ money he has been wasting under an institution not known by the laws of Nigeria, while the former NPL chairman and Globacom were to account for the monies that came into the coffers of the league body during

Obaseki’s tenure. Tenebe, who supports the Club Owners for sacking the Nduka Irabor-led League Management Company (LMC), noted said the coming of the committee in the first place was illegal, adding that the decision of the clubs was in tandem with FIFA statutes and as such NFF has no power to meddle into the matter. “In fact, Nduka Irabor and all those, who were part of the registration of the illegal LMC limited should be arrested. To prove that the act was criminal, they knew too well that the NFF is an illegal body and to authenticate their act, they told Maigari to sign on behalf of NFA. This is because they know that the body that has the legal status to run football in Nigeria is the Nigeria Football Association. Why didn’t they sign on behalf of NFF?”

Akeem Sulaiman of Comet Basketball Club (left) trying to outwit Union Bank players during the ceremonial opening match of the 2013 DStv Premier Basketball League held at the weekend in Lagos. Union Bank won by 73-46.

DSTV Basketball League

Bakare, Johnson predict rosy season for Comets, Union Bank By Adeyinka Adedipe HE two teams that opened the DSTV Premier Basketball League with a ceremonial game last Friday, Union Bank Basketball Club and Ebun Comets, have vowed to improve their per-

formances as the battle for points begin on Friday. Coach Ayo Bakare says his team should not be judged by the defeat to Union Bank, promising a better performance against the same team on Friday. He said that the

Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship

NBA stars for Lagos finale, as Rivers, Bayelsa lift Atlantic conference trophies HE sponsors of the yearly T Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship,

Lobi Stars and Heartland battling for honours in a recent Nigerian League game.

Skye Bank, STI make Corporate Games final ANKERS Games’ all time B record winner, Skye Bank, and Insurance Games champion, Sovereign Trust Insurance, are to play in the final of the maiden Corporate Nigeria Games Quadrangular following their wins last Saturday in keenly contested knock-out matches at the University of Lagos Sports Complex. Chief Executive Officer of MediaVision Limited, the games organisers, Fela BankOlemoh described the matches as truly demonstrative of a tournament of the best corporate games teams in the country. “We have had a very exciting afternoon here because the quality of the matches shows why they are champions in their respective industry games,” remarked Bank-Olemoh. An interesting first match of the day that was dominated by PZ Cussons entered a twist when Skye Bank’s

Ismaila Sani broke the deadlock to give his side the lead. PZ pressed on for an equaliser but was again unlucky to concede against the run of play through an own goal. PZ’s industry and determination was overpowered by the experience of Skye Bank, veteran campaigners in the Corporate Games. A more exciting second match of the day between MTN and Sovereign Trust Insurance, however, failed to produce any goals in regulation time and stretched into penalties that ended with STI’s goalkeeper, Femi Mamunalo, as the hero. MTN’s Captain, Joseph Apata and his equivalent at STI, Jimoh Mabinori had provided the inspiration their teams needed to avoid defeat in regulation time as they dug deep to propel their team mates to excellent play.

Nestle Nigeria Plc has assured that NBA stars will be part of this year’s national finals slated for the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. Also yesterday, Rivers State University of Science and Technology International Secondary School, Port Harcourt and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Bayelsa qualified for the Lagos grand finale after the conclusion of the Atlantic Conference final held in Enugu. To emerge winners, the Rivers State defeated Bayelsa’s Winners International Academy Secondary School, 54-41 points, while the Bayelsa girls pummeled Abia’s Reinhold International Secondary School, Abiriba, 40-19 points.

Speaking at the Enugu final, the Brand Manager, Nestle Milo, Mrs. Funmi Oshineye said champions need to keep getting better after the national finals as the most valuable players of the competition would be tutor by stars from the NBA and some international coaches for three days. “Champions are determined to succeed, they have the discipline to practice to improve their game and they have the drive to be the best. These are values that have been exhibited here in these past five days of the conference. “The 15th Milo Secondary Schools Basketball championship will continue to expose and harness the enormous potential of our youth and the abundant basketball talents in our country.

absence of few players in the game might have worked against his team; he however, assured that the return of the players would boost his team. Bakare told The Guardian that his inclusion of new players for the new season has not rendered his team weak, adding, “we used many of our rookies because we wanted to see how they can handle the pressure. It was a baptism of fire for the new players and I hope they would get stronger. “The defeat doesn’t mean that were are weak, it only shows that we have a lot to do before the league begins fully on Friday. The game was an opportunity to test the new players who debuting in the league.” He said his team should be judged after taking on Union Bank on Friday, saying that it was premature to

conclude that his team was weak and might not live up to expectation in the new season. Also speaking on the coming season, Union Bank Coach, Ayinla Johnson said his team would keep up with the momentum and work on some of the mistakes he observed during the ceremonial game. He said he has brought in experienced players to balance his team, which was made up young players last season. He said his team would also become stronger when the injured players return to action. “Our aim is to battle for the title despite having other good teams who are favourites. With experience added to youthfulness, we will surely do well and avoid battling relegation as it happened last season,” he added.

Banwo/Ighodalo wins 2013 BOA League, dominate awards GAINST all predictions, A the firm of Banwo & Ighodalo defeated Olisa Agbakoba & Associates by a lone goal on Sunday to cart home the 2013 BOA football tourney’s trophy. The final day of the competition, also known as the

Players and officials of Banwo & Ighodalo celebrating their victory at the just concluded BOA Lawyers League at the Astroturf, Lagos.

Lawyers League, also saw SPA Ajibade losing the third place to Probitas/B. Ayorinde, also by a lone goal. In the final game of the competition, Koye KekereEkun, who also emerged the most valuable player of the league, scored the winner for Banwo & Ighodalo in the –minute to leave Olisa Agbakoba with the silver medal. Earlier in the third place game, Quadri’s 23rd minute goal was enough to hand Probitas/B. Ayiorinde the bronze medal. In the awards held immediately after the final game, Koye Kekere-Ekun of Banwo & Ighodalo beat Moruf Showunmi (Olisa Agbakoba & Associates), his team mate, Olamide Oshikoya and Folarin Falana of Falana & Falana to win the MVP award. Koye Kekere-Ekun also emerged as the highest goal scorer, while Lagos State Ministry of Justice won the highest goal scoring team award.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 23, 2012

SPORT 95

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Two of a kind clash, as Bayern takes on Barcelona EP Guardiola is not the only P connection between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who meet in their Champions League semifinal, first leg at the Allianz Arena today. Reuters reported that both teams are dominating their leagues to an almost embarrassing extent, have won the Champions League four times apiece, share an acrimonious rivalry with Real Madrid, and owe part of their success to the flamboyant Dutchman Louis van Gaal. Both have also been in two Champions League finals in the last four years, though the Catalans won both of theirs and the Bavarians came out losers on each occasion. Barcelona are 13 points clear at the top of La Liga, yet could be considered underdogs against a rampant Bayern, who wrapped up the Bundesliga two weeks ago and won two games by 6-1 margins this week even when resting their top players. “The players are just enjoying their football, and our attitude is superb. Every man was totally motivated, we put together some very fluid moves, we showed great discipline, and we created outstanding goals,” said Coach Jupp Heynckes after Saturday’s 6-1 win at Hanover 96. “Once again, the players have proved we don’t have a B-

team, we only have an A team.” Bayern’s dominance has caused some disquiet in the Bundesliga, which often proclaims itself to be Europe’s most open league. “There’s a big difference in performance levels in the league,” club president Uli Hoeness told Kicker last week. “We can’t be comfortable with that. We have to analyse why this is the case.” Barcelona’s superiority in La Liga has led to suggestions from Madrid media that it has become a formality for them and they will not even celebrate winning it. “It appears there are people, who want to make out that the league doesn’t count for anything, but that’s not the case, it’s a very important title,” said midfielder, Cesc Fabregas. “We have worked very hard.” “If we do eventually win the league, there is no doubt that there is great merit in taking four titles in five seasons,” stand-in Coach Jordi Roura said. “It’s a very difficult championship.” Bayern believe their playing style and policy of giving priority to players raised locally makes them similar to Barcelona and that it was only natural that Guardiola, who quit the Nou Camp last season, should continue his career at the Allianz Arena from next season.

Germans do not always win anymore, Pique claims HE era when German T teams always came out on top is over and Spain has replaced them as the dominant force in the world game, according to Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique. Barca and the Spanish national team created a style, which had changed soccer history, Pique said in an interview with Spanish sports daily As published yesterday, a day before the La Liga leaders play at Bayern Munich in their Champions League semifinal, first leg. “The period when football was defined as a sport of 11 against 11, which the Germans always won is behind us,” As quoted Pique as saying. “And it is us, who has ended it,” added the 26-year-old former Manchester United player. “It’s true that they (Bayern) are a great rival but nobody

should forget that we are still a great team.” Barca players, including Pique and the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, typically account for more than half of the Spain team and were key performers on their run to consecutive European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012 with a World Cup in between. Known as ‘tiki-taka’, their possession-based playing style has been criticised by some as boring but has put Barca within touching distance of a third Champions League crown in five seasons after victories in 2009 and 2011. Barca host Bayern for the return leg on May 1 and the successful side will meet Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid in next month’s final at London’s Wembley stadium.

Schweinsteiger fit to face Barca AYERN Munich Coach, B Jupp Heynckes has received some encouraging news from the treatment table in the build-up to the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona today as Bastian Schweinsteiger has been given the green light by the club’s medical staff. The Germany international has struggled with a minor ankle injury in the past few days and was consequently rested for this weekend’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over Hannover. Nevertheless, Bayern is confident he will be fully match fit

in time for today’s encounter at the Allianz Arena. “The players who did not start the Hannover clash completed a punishing workout on the practice ground, where they were joined by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has shaken off a minor ankle injury and will in all probability be fit to face Barcelona on Tuesday,” a statement on the Bayern website reads. Bayern will have to make do without long-term injury absentee Holger Badstuber, Toni Kroos and the suspended Mario Mandzukic, but the team doesn’t have any other noteworthy injury problems.

Fixtures Today Bayern Munich v Barcelona Tomorrow Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

19:45 19:45

Hoeness revealed recently that Bayern had been involved in talks with Guardiola long before he agreed to coach them in January. “I had the impression from the beginning that Bayern are a club who are quite close to Barcelona in footballing atti-

tude, so it was not that difficult for us to convince him,” Hoeness told World Soccer magazine. Then there is the Van Gaal connection. The Dutchman left Bayern when he was sacked two years ago, but has a legitimate claim to be the

Messi

Ribery

architect of the current side. It was under Van Gaal that Bayern began to press the opposition in their own half and play attacking, possession football, a style that makes them such formidable opposition. Van Gaal also put together the dreaded Arjen RobbenFrank Ribery parternship just behind the Bayern centre forward. Van Gaal left Barcelona in similarly unhappy circumstances in 2000, yet he also revived the Catalan club, winning successive La Liga titles to end a four-year drought and took the decision to make Guardiola captain. Matches between Bayern who will be without suspended striker, Mario Mandzukic and injured midfielder Toni Kroos - and Barcelona have been surprisingly rare, with

just six previous meetings. The last, a Champions League quarter-final four years ago, came when Juergen Klinsmann’s reign at Bayern was in its death throes and saw a 4-0 Barca rout in the first leg with all goals coming in a memorable first half. “I remember that game well and I don’t really like to think about it, because it was quite painful to watch,” said Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “However, it’s a wonderful opportunity to show that we have improved a lot since then.” Barcelona will be without injured defenders Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol, leaving Roura with a headache in deciding who will partner Gerard Pique at the centre of the defence.

TheGuardian

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Victor Emejuiwe SYNOPSIS of the Federal House of A Representative’s (2011-2015) Legislative agenda is composed of beautiful intentions in view of the mid-term legislative session. The 7th session legislative agenda of the House of Representative is a right step in the right direction if only the intents will not just rest in prints but will be translated into action. The legislators recognise that some of the things they have done may not have met public expectations, they seem keen on meeting and even surpassing these to represent the interest of the Nigerian people. Part of what they proposed within the mid-term, is to make their legislative agenda peoplecentred. Under the general principles for achieving this, seven vital commitments were made which include: • Fostering transparency leading to institutional integrity through efficiency in public expenditure management, • restructuring management and functions of legislative committees towards adequacy in capacity and improved productivity, • designing and implementing the e-parliament blueprint that would elevate National Assembly to international best practices and ensure public access to parliamentary information and process, • reviewing legislative branch budget in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability, • reviewing the constitution in all relevant areas to facilitate the implementation of the House of Representatives legislative agenda and in line with the aspirations of Nigerians, • engaging actively with other arms of government to restore public order and national security, and • institutionalising mechanisms that will facilitate more effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Over the years, Nigerians have complained about lack of quality representation from their elected representatives. There has also been a debate on the usefulness of operating two legislative chambers in the federation, the crux being that Nigerians spent much money maintaining the legislators without receiving commensurate impact from them back in the constituencies. From 2011 until 2013 the federally approved budget of the National Assembly has been put in the region of N150 billion, representing three per cent of the total federal budget. This amount has generated an outcry and dissent among Nigerians. Of course one cannot overlook the intrinsic value of having widespread representation, from across the divides of our geopolitical distributions. This representation is essential in any democratic society. Unfortunately, the Nigerian legislators have restricted their parliamentary hullabaloo to only where they derive self-benefits. This has created a disconnect between the people and their legislators, in breach of the norm. The legislators are alien to the people they represent. The 1999 Constitution part 11 of Section 4, provides in summary as follows: The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives; to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List, any matter in the Concurrent Legislative List; and any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provisions of this constitution. (See full details in the quoted section, 1999). Also Sections 88 and 89 of the same constitution grant the National Assembly investigative powers: • On matters, which it has the power to make laws, and on persons, authorities and institutions charged with the mandate of executing or administering laws, disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the NASS, • Make laws with respect to matters within its legislative competence, correct defects in existing laws and expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. Also provided in Section 89; in exercising this power, it has the power to

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Seventh legislative agenda and procurement in National Assembly issue warrants to compel attendance and the warrant can be executed by any member of the Nigerian Police force or ANY PERSON authorise on that behalf by the president of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In line with the above provision, members of the Senate and House of Representative are members of at least a number of Committees who carry out most of the detailed work in legislation. The Committees, embark on investigative or fact-finding tours, and public hearings. With these numbering over 140 in the NASS they carry out oversight functions on ministries, departments and agencies of governments on a plethora of issues. On this basis, the National Assembly as an arm of government, has an overriding significance in the democratic process of Nigeria, and Nigerians would have held the legislatures in high esteem if their acts have fallen short. It is worrisome that some legislators still pose as demigods who ignore useful recommendations from stakeholders. The integrity of most legislators is smeared with corruption. Some of them get involved in allegations of bribery scandals in the course of their oversight functions. Others are obviously good politickers, with

viable gerrymandering abilities, which does not take the masses into consideration. Well meaning Nigerians most times disengage from effective collaboration with the parliament. All these and more, together with its non-compliance with the public procurement Act are shortcomings that need to be addressed by the National Assembly. It is crucial that the legislators’ position themselves as true representatives of the people by first addressing the rot within their system. As a matter of concern, the NASS should itself ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Act. An assessment of the level of National Assembly’s compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007 was carried out by an NGO, using several public procurement indicators—about 14 of them. In its report the NGO observe that, in the procurement process of the National Assembly, utilised for the National Assembly commission and the legislators, some principal officers of both Houses may have been involved in the award or approval of award of certain contracts in the NASS, functions that ought to be handled by the NASS Tenders Board. The board

Senate President, David Mark

Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal

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Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

is composed of the Clerk of the National Assembly as the accounting officer, with a secretary as the assistant director of procurement, and directors heading departments in the National Assembly management. At this juncture it is pertinent to mention that the National Assembly has a commission, called the National Assembly Service Commission, which is the civil service arm of the National Assembly. All that is required of legislators is to raise procurement requisitions to be handled by the NASS management headed by the Clerk. The report, however, discovers that legislators seek to influence contract award processes. This results in inflated prices as in the case of the purchase of one torch light at a cost of N9,000. This accounts for the popular thinking that, oversight in the NASS is just a legislative ruse for appropriating funds for itself, rather than a genuine commitment to monitor the state of national projects. Huge funds are allocated to committee members to conduct oversight visits, but it is observed that none of the visits has been able to address the procurement malfeasance of the MDA’s. The shoddy procurement findings end up in a probe which takes a lot of money without anyone or committee getting appropriate sanctions. For compliance to be enforced on MDA’s the NASS must make sure it also complies with the Act. After all he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, it is said. The Public Procurement Act provides for transparency. This runs in tandem with the legislative agenda to make its budget fall in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability. All public funds must be subject to transparency and accountability and that includes the budget of the NASS. State actors like the CSO’s and other interested public should be able to have access to the procurement documents of the NASS as provided for under the FOI and the PPA in Section 38. From the PPA compliance assessment conducted, it was discovered that the NASS does not transmit copies of procurement records to the BPP whereas the Act in Section (16) requires that it is done not later than three months after the end of the financial year. The Act requires that information identifying the procuring entity and the contractors; the date of the contract award, the value of the contract and the detailed records of the procurement proceeding should be shown in the records and placed on the website of the NASS commission to make for public access. It is appalling that most legislators don’t have a functional constituency office, thus warranting the undue crowd in the NASS complex. There is a mix-up on constituency projects in the federally approved budget. The Executive doesn’t deem it fit to appropriate for constituency projects because it gulps a chunk of the budget revenue, but the NASS refuses to see reason with the Executive. Upon receipt of the federal budget, the National Assembly infuses constituency projects into it, leading to a row between the legislature and the executive with dire consequences of the budget being signed into law late. The NASS should see reason with the Executive because most of what are listed as constituency projects are projects meant for the schedule of the local governments. These projects include provision of boreholes, classroom blocks, building of culverts, streetlights etc. The LG’s would be in a better position to build, maintain and supervise such projects than the NASS. The NASS should concentrate on giving its constituencies vocal representations on issues that would mainstream their welfare in the Federal Government. If the NASS is bent on providing such facilities for its constituents, it should draw money from its constituency allowance. For the NASS to work with the CSOs they should create fora where CSOs are invited to contribute on national issues. Most CSOs have been able to build capacity around issues that address public concern. The NASS will find the contributions useful in their legislative deliberations. Further, pursuant to Section 30 of the PPA, the NASS should start inviting the public in all its bid openings. • Emejuiwe, a procurement specialist, wrote from Abuja.