Tue 30 Apr 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

N30b debt hampering gas-to-power project, says Nebo ously being hampered by the nation’s over N30 billion debt IGERIA’S efforts at attract- to international gas corporaing new investors to tions. boost gas production in the According to the Minister of country for various needs, Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, particularly to aid the indewho disclosed this in a pendent power plants, is seri- keynote address in Abuja yesFrom Karls Tsokar, Abuja

terday during the roundtable on Steady and Adequate Gas Supply to NIPP Power Plants, the gas-to-power reform act, though very laudable, faces challenges in dysfunctional regulations, commercial and infrastructure delay.

Nebo, who spoke at the forum organised by Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), said the other thing threatening the success of the project was the “huge unpaid gas debt of over N30 billion accumulated over the years to

IOCs, which is not encouraging and attractive to any new investor willing to invest in gas production. “In addition, lack of contract commitments (GSA/GTA) with securitisation, equipment availability and sustainability,

inadequate pricing methodology and implementation of a functional system for payment collection based on approved gas price also contribute to the challenges facing the gasto-power project.”

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,542

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Five expatriate workers abducted in Bayelsa State From Willie Etim,Yenagoa ARELY 24 hours after B about nine oil workers were kidnapped in Bayelsa, five foreign crew members aboard an oil vessel along the high sea close to Sagana waters in Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State were yesterday abducted by armed men suspected to be sea pirates. The abducted expatriates, according to a senior security source, were identified as Sri Lankan, Russian and Myanmar nationals. They were aboard oil vessels identified as Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV City of Xiamen. A full-scale manhunt was launched by a special squad of operatives of the Joint Military Task Force code-named Operation Pulo Shield and the anti-kidnapping team of the Nigerian police with the deployment of 20 gunboats along the waterways and creeks of the Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State. There has been a rise in kidnapping resulting in the weekend abduction of nine Nigerian oil workers. The armed security team is also investigating the reported kidnap of two oil workers with the Oando Nigeria Plc in Sagana area of Brass Local Council on April 20. According to reports, one of the kidnapped workers allegedly got drowned while trying to escape from his abductors. The company reportedly paid over N15 million to the renegade militants to secure the release of the other victim. The heavy deployment of troops in the Southern Ijaw waters has provoked fear among indigenes of the coastal communities. The deployment, according to the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, was ordered following last Thursday’s kidnap of nine oil workers attached to the Nigerian oil servicing companies of the Octopus Clan Nigerian Limited and the Deck Oil Services.

NIIA’s forum lauds OAU/AU at 50, tasks leaders on challenges - Page 10

Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu (right); Minister of Finance/Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Chairman, SURE-P, Christopher Kolade and Chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh, during an interactive session of the Graduate Internship Scheme in Abuja… yesterday.

Fresh trouble for Gov Amaechi over aircraft • PDP gives gov 48 hours to explain ownership • Suspends 27 lawmakers loyal to Rivers’ helmsman From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt FRESH crisis looms in A Rivers State with the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) giving Governor Chibuike Amaechi a 48-hour ultimatum to explain the real ownership of the state’s aircraft that was grounded last week or face a disciplinary action. The newly-inaugurated state executive council of the party, led by Felix Obuah, has also

suspended the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader, Whip and 23 other members of the State House of Assembly and declared their positions vacant for failing to rescind the suspension of the Obio-Akpor Local Council executive and legislators. Outraged at the crisis in Rivers, Nobel Laureate, Prof.

• ACN faults NCAA’s grounding of plane • Soyinka warns of anarchy

Wole Soyinka, has warned of anarchy in the country as the Judiciary is continually manipulated for political reasons. Soyinka told journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday that he was very much concerned about the imbroglio in which the state (Rivers State) appeared to be involved following an Abuja High Court

judgment that removed the Godspower Ake-led PDP executive in Rivers State. Addressing journalists after an emergency meeting of the state executive held at the state secretariat, Obuah said the party was concerned about the unfolding facts surrounding the grounded 700 Bombardier Global Express aircraft

belonging to Rivers State government and normally used in conveying Amaechi. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the weekend announced the grounding of the Rivers’ aircraft for operating illegally in the country. But the state Commissioner for Information and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Horror in Ringim as gunmen raid bank, ex-IG’s house - Page 12

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

News Cross River tackles flooding with N2b drainage

INEC denies stopping APC’s registration

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

ESIDENTS of Cross River State, particularly those in Calabar Municipal and Calabar South, which used to be heavily flooded, would have less to worry about when the rains return following the completion of the N2 billion underground drainage project, known as Channel Two. The project, which started in 2011, is now awaiting commissioning. The Commissioner for Works, Legor Idagbo, told newsmen shortly after inspecting the final lap of the work that the drainage would also strengthen the overstretched Channel One, which was constructed over 30 years ago. According to Idagbo, the project is now at its final point at the Murtala Muhammed Highway. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser, Department of Public Transport, Edem Ekong, who accompanied the commissioner on the visit, has urged commuters to bear with the ministry over the traffic jam occasioned by the construction work, as alternative routes have been created to cushion the Oby Ezekwesilli (right); Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and others, during a thanksgiving church service as part of activities for Mrs. Ezekwesili effect. 50th birthday at the Everlasting Arms Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja on Tuesday PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Why airlines’ collapse persists, by NCAA By Wole Shadare N insight into why airlines A in the country are ailing was yesterday given by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as it attributed the collapse of 33 out of 50 licensed airlines within 10 years (2003-2013) to global economic recession and the inability of operators in the sector to comply with newly introduced regulatory standards. Currently, only seven commercial airlines operate in the country while 10 others are on charter service and cargo. The seven airlines are Aero, Arik, Landover, Chanchangi, IRS, Medview, and Dana. The NCAA acting Director General, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam disclosed this yesterday at the training workshop on Aviation and Space Law with theme, “Safety and the Nigerian Aviation

Industry”, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, at the University of Lagos. Nkemakolam, who was represented by the NCAA Secretary and Legal Adviser, Pollie Okoronkwo noted that

notwithstanding the spate of accidents that the country had witnessed in the past, especially the Dana crash, tremendous progress had been made in the area of safety. To him, the safety reform agenda of the Federal

Government which he said was anchored on the recertification of the industry, infrastructural rehabilitation, fleet renewal and manpower development have successfully changed the course of aviation in Nigeria.

Nkemakolam listed funding as chief of the problems the industry was presently grappling with, stressing that aviation was capital intensive, requiring huge amount of money for infrastructural development.

Obasanjo’s administration not under probe, says presidency From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja ARELY 48 hours after forB mer President Olusegun Obasanjo said he was not afraid of being probed, the Presidency yesterday said that it was not investigating the administration of the former President and never intended to do so. Reacting to a statement credited to Obasanjo, which challenged President Goodluck

Jonathan to probe him (Obasanjo), the Presidency said there was no time it said it was probing ministers that served under Obasanjo. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, said: “I believe former President Obasanjo expressed his fears. Mr. President has never said that he was going to probe Ezekwesili or any other minister that served under

Obasanjo. Gulak said that it was even the Jonathan administration that had been consistently probed by the Nationally Assembly. “This government has always been under serious probe. The National Assembly has been doing their duty in probing this government. Let it be clear that this government has never said that Ezekwesili will be probed,” Gulak stressed.

On the fate of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s aircraft, Gulak said:“ The fact that you’re (Amaechi) a governor and you fly a private jet doesn’t give you the right to flout the law,” Gulak fired. Speaking further, he said: “There are laws regarding private jets. If you’re going to fly your private jet, do that within the laws of the nation. NCAA has their rules and regulations on flying aircraft. It has nothing to do with the president.”

Govt denies alleged plans to sack 20,000 electricity workers From Emeka Anuforo CHOING mischief, the E Federal Ministry of Power has dissociated itself from the reports in a national newspaper (not The Guardian) that it is planning to lay off 20,000 electricity workers. Power Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that at no point did government issue a directive asking the successor companies to sack workers. He said: “The attention of the Minister of Power Prof.

Chinedu Nebo has been drawn to a media publication alleging that the Federal Government has issued directives for the sacking of 20,000 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), ahead of take-over by successful bidders of its assets. “Contrary to the said report, neither the Federal Ministry of Power nor the Bureau for Public Enterprises, (BPE) ever issued any directive to Chief Executive Officers of PHCN successor companies to retrench workers before payment of their severance package.”

The minister said there was no such thing as nocturnal meetings between the Federal Government and all chief executive officers in PHCN where the decision to sack the workers was purportedly taken. Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the Minister, Kande Daniel, stressed that the minister won’t be discouraged by the allegation, describing it as an indication of mischief “on the part of those who appear to be bent on creating disharmony between government and electricity workers, and attempting to derail the now

moving train of the reforms.” The statement noted: “We reiterate the Federal Government’s position, explained at a recent media event by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali that the funds for the payment of the workers’ severance package was ready and that in a matter of weeks, they would be paid as part of the process of the take-over of the companies by private investors. He added: “The nation’s electricity workers are most valuable asset, whose experience and competencies are indis-

pensable, even in the new dispensation of privatisation. In the emerging new scheme of things, the Federal Government will ensure that private sector operators adhere strictly to the nation’s labour laws, and treat Nigerian electricity workers with the dignity they deserve. The power reform transactions signing summit presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan last week is an eloquent demonstration that the reform process had reached an irreversible point, requiring maximum support from all Nigerians, to succeed.

By Tunde Akinola HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied the reports published in some national newspapers yesterday, that it has rejected a bid by some political parties to merge as the All Progressives Congress (APC). INEC in a statement by its Chief Press Secretary, Kayode Idowu, said: “This is to affirm that the newspapers reports are utterly false. The Commission has not written to stop the merger bid as APC. He said: The Commission, in a letter by its Secretary dated April 23, 2013, only declined an application by another association seeking to register as the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APCN), for the reason that the acronym proposed by the association is similar to that of another already seeking registration.

Nigeria owes Chad Basin N600m From Joke Falaju, Abuja HE Executive Secretary, T Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Sanusi Abdullahi, has alerted that Nigeria was yet to pay its counterpart fund of N600 million to the commission. Abdullahi, who hinged the poor performance of commission on the inability of the member countries to meet their financial obligations, said that Nigeria had been contributing 40 per cent of commission’s total cost of operation, adding that with the country’s inability to pay, activities were at its lowest ebb. “Over the years, Nigeria has always being forthcoming in its payment of counterpart fund, but this year the case is different, we hope that they pay soon so that we will be able to commence some of our projects.

PDP okays panel report on Adamawa crisis From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE People’s Democratic T Party (PDP) has upheld the report of the Governor Sule Lamido reconciliation committee on the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter of the party. A statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja yesterday declared that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had received the report of the Governor Lamido-led committee and endorsed its recommendations. According to the statement, the committee recommended that the Executive Committee at the Ward and Local Government levels should remain as per the NWC ratification of August 29, 2012. The committee also recommended that the State Working Committee of the party should be harmonised to accommodate all interests.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

NEWS

Oil agency, Reps move to check pipeline vandalism HE Chairman of Petroleum T Products Monitoring Services (PPMS), Prince Henry Omorodion, has assured oil and gas workers who had threatened to stop production due to the menace of vandals, that adequate logistics are being put in place to curtail excesses of the criminals. In a statement in Lagos, Omorodion who is also the Chairman of Hensmor oil company, disclosed that PPMS is in partnership with the House of Representatives, with a view to finding permanent solution to oil theft. Apparently reacting to threats by the workers union to suspend production if the government fails to checkmate the vandals, the chairman disclosed that PPMS has brought in foreign experts from Georgia, United States of America (USA). He added that pressure from the Presidency and from the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum, Hon Ajibola, facilitated the action of PPMS in bringing the foreign experts and gadgets into the country. The oil magnate said PPMS and the House committee would meet next week to inspect the gadgets which would be mounted at strate-

gic locations for effective monitoring and curbing oil theft. PPMS introduced petroleum monitoring in all parts of the country since Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime. Last Wednesday, representatives of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) in the South-West with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), held a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan during which the latter tasked the former to provide logistics to enable the security outfit effectively curb activities of vandals.

President Goodluck Jonathan and South-East Council of Traditional Rulers during their visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja …yesterday. The Presidency said in a statement yesterday that a $400m loan was being negotiated to tackle erosion in the region PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Fresh trouble for Amaechi over aircraft CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said that all the documents of the aircraft were in place and that the state had applied formally to the minister of aviation for the import licence. According to her, that application was received in the minister’s office in September 2012. According to the PDP chairman, the facts available to the

party indicate that the controversial aircraft does not belong to the state and therefore the governor should explain its true ownership. He said that the party would not allow monumental fraud to be perpetrated in Rivers State, stressing that it was unacceptable and embarrassing to the PDP that public funds were completely mismanaged. “These questions must be an-

PDP’s plan to reconcile Ondo factions fails From Niyi Bello, Akure FFORTS by the South-West zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile the two factions in its Ondo State branch hit the rock yesterday as the warring groups dug further into their trenches. At a meeting summoned by the resolution committee set up at the zonal level and headed by Mr. Toye Olofintuyi, the two groups insisted on pressing home their different demands. While the party’s Elders Forum was confident in Chief Ebenezer Alabi as chairman of the party as well as members of

his executive committee, the faction loyal to Prof. Olu Agbi insisted that there was no state executive committee known law. the to However, the Elders Forum has mandated the faction loyal to Agbi to publicly renounce its support for Governor Olusegun Mimiko before it could be re-absorbed into the party. The elders added that the PDP Gbasibe, as the Agbi group is known because of its support for the ruling Labour Party (LP), must withdraw its frivolous case against the duly elected executive committee. Furthermore, they indicted Senator Bode Olajumoke,

Chief Segun Adegoke and Agbi for coming up with the phenomenon, PDP Gbasibe, after the party had picked its candidate for last year’s governorelection. ship According to the elders, this group supported Mimiko’s second term bid on the assumption that the PDP candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, would not win the election, just as they had issues with Dr. Olusegun Agagu on the marginalisation party. the within Besides, they accused the faction of raising Dr. Akin Olowookere, who scored zero during the party’s congress, to destabilise the party. The elders stated their readiness to reunite with the Agbi faction if it shows willingness to reconcile. However, the Agbi faction insisted that the party had no executive committee it could relate with, as a court of competent jurisdiction had disAlabi-led the solved

swered by the state government led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Where is the aircraft purportedly bought with Rivers State fund and tax-payers’ money? Where are the billions of naira taken from the coffers of the Rivers State government gone to and for what purpose were they appropriated and where were they diverted?” he said. Obuah, who replaced the Godspower Ake-led state executive which is said to be proAmaechi, said the PDP as a unit of government would not allow anybody or group of persons to corruptly enrich themselves under any guise. “The government of Rivers State led by Governor Chibuike Amaechi owes the explanation to the entire people of Rivers State and the PDP in particular as to the true ownership of the Bombardier BE700. They should also explain the identity and the role played by the Bank of Utah on the purchase of the aircraft and the identity of the owners. Rivers State governor should within 48 hours give an explanation of the whereabouts of the billions of naira expended on the aircraft or face a disciplinary action from the party,” Obuah said. The party chairman explained that penultimate Monday, his executive had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to rescind the suspension of Obio-Akpor Local Council chairman, Timothy Nsirim, his deputy and 17

councillors, but the party’s order had been flagrantly disregarded by the lawmakers who had since affirmed that they did not recognise Obuah as the party chairman. “It is on this note that the 27 House of Assembly members that refused to rescind the order to recall the Chairman of Obio-Akpor and its 17 councillors are hereby suspended from the party. A disciplinary committee that has been set up will further investigate their activities and submit to the party for further action. We cannot tolerate this. And … the governor has 48 hours to explain the issue surrounding the grounded aircraft,” he added. According to Soyinka, the Judiciary is trying to reform itself, but that there are still some dark areas and it is the effect of the dark areas that seems to be creating a crisis in Rivers State. “I am just alarmed. I am alarmed that a situation exists at all where it strikes me, it appears to me that the Judiciary is being manipulated. That is the impression which I had and that is an alarm which should be sounded in every corner of the nation,” Soyinka said. Soyinka, who also expressed concerns over pettiness in governance at any level, said it was not appropriate for any government in a democratic situation to pay attention to unimportant issues rather than serious matters. According to him, pettiness at any level is unbecoming of any democratic situation. “I see that I cannot escape all what is going on. I have also put some questions myself, I mean, obviously, I am a citizen of this nation, so I am affected personally by what is happening at the opposite end of the nation. Those who feel that any kind of transgression of the collective rights of groups will not affect, will not have a kind of ripple effect which will affect other parts of the nation must be living in a cloud,” he said. He continued: “I am very much concerned about the imbroglio in which the state (Rivers State) appears to be involved at the moment and my main comment is for heaven’s sake, whatever happens internally between parties and so on, please don’t debase and don’t manipulate the Judiciary. That is my appeal to governance at all levels. Please do not manipulate the Judiciary because when you do, you have chaos, you have total anarchy, you reduce the nation to a space of complete break-

down of law and order which is what this nation had better avoid.” He congratulated the government and people of Rivers State on the emergence of Port Harcourt as 2014 World Book Capital, and stressed the need to use knowledge to fight the forces of retrogression in the Nigerian society. “I am glad that we have got to assist Rivers State, that we are in a position to assist the Rivers State government using the instrumentality of literacy, of education, of knowledge to counter the negativists, violent negativists as represented in movements like Boko Haram,” he added. Meanwhile, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday faulted the grounding of the Rivers State Government’s private aircraft by the regulatory NCAA, describing it as “a glaring case of political witchhunt, despite the tepid denial of all concerned.” In a statement by the ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the action also amounts to “gross abuse of national institutions, and a pointer to what lies ahead for all perceived enemies of the Jonathan administration.” According to ACN, “the worst part of the whole issue is the fact that a body like NCAA, which is supposed to carry out its all-important duties without political interference, but in accordance with stipulated global standards, has now become a tool in the hands of vindictive politicians.” ‘’First, the plane was ostensibly grounded in Akure because the pilot did not declare the flight’s manifest to the appropriate authorities. Then, it was said that the plane’s clearance certificate has expired, hence it was banned from flying in the Nigerian airspace. ‘’The questions that arise, therefore, are: Has the clearance certificate for the plane really expired? When did it expire? Was this communicated to the Rivers State government before the plane was grounded? If so, when, and if not, why not?” the statement read in part. ‘’While the NCAA must be free to carry out its regulatory duties without hindrance, it must be careful not to be seen to be acting on the orders of politicians. If this is the new modus operandi of the NCAA, then the nation is in trouble, and must be ready to see the reversal of the positive strides recorded in the aviation sector in the past few years,’’ the party warned.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Fashola tasks Nigerians on democracy IGERIANS have been N enjoined to translate their religious beliefs and doctrines into values against crime to enable government realise its objective for an egalitarian society. These remarks were contained in the Lagos State governor’s address delivered on his behalf by the state Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, at the 7th Annual 2013 Synod of the Diocese of Lagos-West, Methodist Church Nigeria, hosted by the Opebi Circuit, Ajanaku Street off Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja. Extolling the sterling virtues of the leadership of the church, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola reiterated the need for Christians, especially Methodists and others, to adequately assist government at all times in its genuine drive for an egalitarian society, “Where No Man Is Oppressed”, more importantly in the areas of effective tax drive and the fulfillment of their obligations, for government to give hope to the hopeless.

HE Lagos State Medical T Guild has charged government at all levels to invest positively and meaningfully on the healthcare delivery, as a healthy mind is a sound body to adequately propel the accelerated, socio-economic and political stability. To this end, it enjoined all the stakeholders in the health sector to promptly address the deficiencies in the sector militating against the effective service delivery and to promptly arrest such. Chairman, Lagos State Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote and the Secretary, Dr. Sunday Luro, in a statement at the Health Screening Mission exercise, sponsored by the Guild at Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, Igando, advocated for functional partnership with the government at all levels and other meaningful Nigerians, corporate bodies and notable NGOs, to subsidise the high cost of healthcare delivery service currently being encountered in the society, especially by the teeming poor masses.

From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba ITING the failure to pay C their pensions years after mandatory retirement from service, Delta State contributory scheme pensioners have threatened to embark on mass protest to force government action on the issue. In fact, the government will need an estimated N2 billion to fully clear the pensions arrears of the retirees and calm their frayed nerves,

HE Primate, African Church T Nigeria Mission Incorporated and Overseas and the President, Christian Council of Nigeria, Most Rev. Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, has charged Nigerians, more importantly leaders in authority, to rule with the fear of God by demonstrating genuine love and passion to the plight of others. Udofia made the remarks in the sermon delivered at the formal dedication and the opening of a new cathedral of the United African Methodist Evangelical Church, 3, Akinsola Lane, Abule Ijesha, Lagos. Berating religious and political leaders and others indulging in shameful vices, he called for a genuine constructive functional service to God and man for the nation, the society and the church to witness a bumper harvest of responsible converts into God’s vineyard.

according to the Interim Chairman of the Delta-North Contributory Pension Scheme Retirees Association, Mr. Uwhen Ededijala. Ededijala told The Guardian yesterday in Asaba that pensioners’ situation have become so bad and inflicted deep wound in the psyche of the senior citizens while so many have died in penury, waiting in vain for months and years for the fruits of their labour. Responding, Chairman of the

state Bureau of Pensions, Mrs. Christiana Siapkere, admitted that pensioners who left in 2012 and in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, are yet to be settled but assured that the government was determined to settle them soonest and was very concerned about their plight. Siapkere said only recently, the government made available a sum of N1 billion to offset the arrears of pensioners for 2011, adding that just like any new scheme, there are

bound to be problems. He said he was confident that by next year, the problem will be solved. Ededijala traced the genesis of the problem to 2007 when the scheme started, noting that the government failed to remit money to the pensions fund administrators over the years ever since the scheme started. He said: “It is disheartening to know that some of our members who retired in 2010, 2011, 2012 and in the first quar-

Nigeria contributes 25 per cent of malaria burden in Africa ALARIA has been M described a major public health problem in Nigeria and continued to be a major threat to the human capital development component of the Transformation Agenda, as well as other national and international development goals. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday in Abuja during the celebration of the World Malaria Day 2013, said Nigeria contributes a quarter of malaria burden in Africa and over 97 per cent of the population in Nigeria is at risk. Chukwu said the process of developing another malaria strategic plan for 2014 to 2020 has begun and would be concluded by June 2013.

Chukwu said: “The Malaria Indicator Survey conducted in 2010 showed that about 52 per cent of children aged between six months and five years tested positive to malaria by rapid diagnostic test and prevalence was higher in rural areas that is about 55.9 per cent; about 42 per cent of households had at least one Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) while 25 per cent of households had more than one ITN. ITN used by children under five years was about 29 per cent and 69 per cent for households with ITN. It is also estimated that malaria contributes 30 per cent to childhood mortality and 11 per cent of maternal mortality in Nigeria.” “The process of developing another malaria strategic plan for 2014 to 2020 has begun and would be concluded by June, 2013. I must add

too that 11th Bi-Annual Review meeting of States’ Malaria Programme Managers was recently held in Ebonyi State. The forum was used to share best practices, build capacity and provide strategic focus for the national malaria programme.” Chukwu said in the ministry’s effort to scale up and gain more grounds in its malaria control effort, the focus for 2013 will include sentinel surveillance and Drug Therapeutic Efficacy Test, support for routine distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide treated bed Nets (LLINs) and uninterrupted supply of antimalarial commodities, scale up awareness creation and advocacy, scale up of in-door residual spraying, larval source management, and the strengthening of coordination, and monitoring and

Police mark anniversary, get seven helicopters, APCs From Karls Tsokar, Abuja

Cleric urges leaders to rule with fairness

Delta pensioners threaten protest over N2 billion arrears

By Chukwuma Muanya

Lagos medical guild seeks govt partnership

NEWS

GAINST the background of A not having held any ceremony to mark its establishment in the past 37 years, the Nigeria Police have concluded a week-long activities with the acquisition of seven helicopters and a promise of every state command being assured of one soon. The surveillance helicopters were commissioned along with 15 Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles, 20 Hilux pick-up trucks and 15 Steyr trucks and other communications gadgets for improved services. President Goodluck Jonathan, while commissioning the vehicles and equipment, said it is for the Police to remain “gallant and committed to the act of policing” because the Federal Government is committed to equipping the Nigeria Police with the necessary facilities to enhance their operations. Jonathan noted that the plan is for every state Police Command to have a helicop-

ter in the future. “The commitment of government is that every state police command must have a helicopter and that is why we set up a security trust fund, we must invest in air power for the police. The idea of armed robbers putting a state under siege for three hours without

any challenge from the police must be a thing of the past, “the President said. Stating that the police have a daunting task of enforcing the law in the country, he challenged them to increase their capacity to checkmate current security challenges facing the country.

evaluation. He added that 12 states have become sub-recipients of the Global Funds, which has provided additional funding support of $167, 000 (N27.56 million) for malaria intervention. The states, the minister said, include: Yobe, Cross River, Borno, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Nasarawa and Imo. “They will strengthen the states’ capacity and improve programme implementation at the sub-national levels,” he said.

ter of 2013 are yet to be paid their full pensions benefit. This because they were paid less than half of the money as a result of the template they used. So many retirees have died without receiving their money. The government should meet our demands because we are desperate.” Their chairman, a former staff of the state-owned Delta Broadcasting Station (DBS), Asaba, said when he retired last year, it was with high hopes that he stormed his pensions fund administrator but was disillusioned when he was told that the government was yet to pay its contribution and he was yet to recover from the shock. He said a series of letters written to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan have been unanswered, stressing that the N1 billion, which was approved early this year, was grossly inadequate. The Pensions Bureau boss remarked that the senior citizens have every reason to be hopeful considering the fact that the 2011 batch of retirees have been paid, assuring that the government will offset the arrears of the 2012 pensioners. As for the 2013 retirees, Mrs. Siakpere said they just have to be patient as the 2013 budget, which was recently signed into law by Uduaghan is yet to start running.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

8 NEWS

Some displaced Baga residents still in the bush, says NEMA • Monarch urges more aid to victims HE National Emergency T Management Agency (NEMA) says some of the displaced persons during the recent Baga crisis in Borno are still hiding in the bush. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NANS), a statement issued by Mr. Abdulkadir Ibrahim, the NEMA Information Officer in the North East Zone, in Yola yesterday read that following the return of normalcy and on arrival into Baga town, the agency discovered that most of the displaced persons are still scattered in the bush. “Other people are taking refuge in the homes of their relations in the neighbouring communities,” it said. Ibrahim said humanitarian workers led by the agency had commenced distribution of relief items to displaced persons affected by the crisis. “This is in line with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the agency that immediate relief materials should be given to the people. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, had dispatched a team of officers with the relief and medical items to affected persons in the area,’’ he said. The major task before NEMA is to ensure that people in the bush are relocated to temporary camps,’’ the state-

ment quoted NEMA Director, Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otebagde as saying. It also revealed that an immediate rapid assessment was being conducted in collaboration with Red Cross and other voluntary organisations. According to the statement, relief items are being distributed while those with minor injuries are being treated at a temporary camp clinic opened in the area. The statement listed the communities affected as Bayan Bulabulin, Anguwa Gajagaja, Aliya, Musarin Baga, Kasuwan Baga, and Layin Yannono. It appealed to the people to remain calm as no meaningful development could be achieved without peace. The items distributed by the officials together with other humanitarian workers were medical, sanitary, food as well as household materials and tents. Meanwhile, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has appealed to humanitarian organisations, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to provide more relief materials to the Baga victims. Garbai, who made the call yesterday in Baga during a sympathy visit to the people of Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno, said the victims were in dire

need of urgent support due to the magnitude of the disaster. The Shehu of Borno, who presented a cash donation of an undisclosed amount to the victims, commended the state government for its assistance to them. Senator Maina Ma’aji, who is representing Borno North in the Senate, also made similar calls. He urged the Federal Government to deploy doctors and medical supplies to the various camps in the town.

Consultant Builder, Mrs. Iyabode Bolarinwa (left); first civilian governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, during the official opening ceremony of the 13th Lagos Housing Fair Exhibition at Eko FM Radio House, Alausa, Ikeja… yesterday. PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Delta senator, Ewerido, gives scorecard From Chido Okafor, Warri ENATOR Pius Ewerido repSSenatorial resenting Delta Central district in the Senate has listed as part of his achievements the initiation of a bill which proposes penalties and criminal responsibility against corporate bodies in which lives are lost due to negligence. He also said he initiated a bill for an Act to alter the provision of the Constitution to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice. Ewerido gave his score card

at the yet-to-be completed Urhobo ultra modern edifice at Uvwiamuge, Agbaro, Delta State, which was filled to brim on Sunday evening. One issue that silently reverberated at the centre even before the senator arrived was the obvious lack of unity amongst the Urhobo which is making it impossible for the ethnic group to use its numerical strength to neutralise unfavourable political move in the state. It was agreed that if the governorship seat is to be won in 2015, the Urhobo should speak with one voice. On the political situation that spurred him to run for

the Senate seat in 2010, Ewerido said the journey to the Upper Chamber was an uphill task, but he drew inspiration from the support and goodwill of well-meaning people across the senatorial district. “We were not complacent as we took our campaign to every nook and cranny of Delta central senatorial district. The election day came and we saw our people coming out in their unprecedented numbers, the level of awareness, mobilisation, the enthusiasm, verve and vigour with which our people voted can only be ascribed to a constructive revolution,” Ewerido said.

FG bans award of unauthorised degrees by polys, colleges From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE Federal Government T has directed all polytechnics nationwide to stop the conduct and award of postHigher National Diploma (HND) or postgraduate diploma which is stipulated outside their mandate in law. Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of two key education agencies on polytechnics and colleges of education, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i urged the new councils to streamline programmes of these institutions for enhanced standards. The 180-member governing councils inducted include those for the National Teacher’s Institute, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, 15 polytechnics and 19 federal colleges of education. Rufa’i said: “By statute, governing councils are charged with the responsibility of the general control and superintendence and effective management of policy and prudent financial control of their respective institutions and agencies.” Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerijie stressed

the need for increased national drive for accelerated education growth in the country. The minister appealed to the council members to emphasise issues of limited funding, institutional master-plans and keeping themselves abreast with current laws, best practices, government policies, white papers, circulars, gazettes and other relevant documents that aid decision making. Chairman, House Committee on Education, Aminu Suleiman, said the collective pursuit of quality education is a strong mandate that will promote Nigeria’s progress to human capital development. The minister said a critical review and implementation of the various programmes and curricula of polytechnics and colleges of education is significant to refocus institutional mandates of teaching, research, training and community service. She advised the councils to “enlist the support of philanthropic organisations and individuals for funding, endowments and scholarships. New revenue funding and direct grants should be explored and exploited to supplement government funding.”

Court adjourns hearing in Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan appeal By Joseph Onyekwere HE Court of Appeal, Lagos Division yesterday T adjourned hearing in the appeal filed by Major Hamza Al-mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, an aide to the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola over the death sentence passed on them by Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Justice Dada convicted the duo and sentenced them to death by hanging in January 2012 over the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola wife of MKO Abiola in Lagos. The court adjourned proceedings at the instance of counsel to the respondent (Lagos State Government), Femi Adamson who informed the appellate court, presided over by Justice Chima Nweze that the respondent has an application for extension of time dated April 29, 2013, to enable the state government file its respondent’s brief of argument.

VAMED equipment in Zik varsity working in full capacity, says CMD By Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Chief Medical Director (CMD), Nnamdi Azikiwe T University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Dr. Anthony Igwebe has debunked reports that the VAMED machines delivered to the hospital are not functioning, insisting that they are working in full capacity. A report said to have been published in a national daily recently said most of the equipment supplied to the institution through the Federal Government/VAMED project were either left in the containers since arrival or not even commissioned after installation, while others have broken down, which had adversely affected services rendered to clients. But reacting to the allegations, Igwebe described the report as false and unfounded, maintaining that the machines are working effectively under the supervision of the VAMED engineers resident in the hospital complex.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Lagos Assembly passes confidence vote on Speaker By Wole Oyebade IS ongoing trial over H alleged N500 million scan notwithstanding, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday passed a vote of confidence on their embattled Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji. Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, had last week adjourned indefinitely the case brought against Ikuforiji by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), citing “deliberate act” to delay the trial. However, at yesterday’s plenary, which was presided by the Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Kolawole, the lawmakers held that the last court proceeding and the judge’s impression had further shown that the matter was more of “political scheming against the House than a legal matter.” Oluyinka Ogundimu, who raised the matter as an issue of public concern, said the judge’s concluding statement that “the case has witnessed unprecedented delay by the prosecutors and threats by some people to blackmail the court,” also confirmed that there were some unseen forces behind the allegation. Others, who spoke with the same breathe included Rotimi Olowo and Mudasiru Obasa. Nevertheless, as voice after voice echoed the same thing, Sanni Agunbiade and Mufutau Egberongbe cautioned the House to refrain from judgmental public pronouncements since the matter was still in court and remained sensitive.

AGOS State Attorney L General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a suit challenging the proposed collection of toll on the new Lekki-Ikoyi suspension bridge. The suit, filed by an activist lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, against the Lagos State government is challenging the legality of erecting the bridge on a federal navigable waterway and tolling same. When the case was mentioned, Ipaye informed the court of a preliminary objection contesting the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit. He told the court that the applicant’s suit is incompetent and premature, since there is yet to be a decision as to whether or not to collect toll on the bridge. His words: “All remedies sought by the applicant are in respect of the tolling since they have not suggested that the bridge be removed. In the first place, the applicant commenced this suit by an originating summons, which ought not to be the appropriate mode of commencing an action of this nature. “There are uncontroversial facts that the bridge in question has not even been formally handed over to the Lagos State government and so, the applicant’s action is

Wamakko, Sultan, others declare polio vaccine safe T

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, has appealed to parents to allow their children to be immunised with the polio vaccine because it is safe to be vaccinated. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abubakar made the appeal in Sokoto on Sunday at the launch of audio and video songs on polio, organised by the Rima FM Listeners’ Friendship Association, Sokoto. The Sultan, who was represented by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila

Mera, also said intensive researches had been conducted on the vaccine and it was found to be very safe. “We wouldn’t have accepted it if the vaccine is not safe. NAFDAC also certifies all the batches of the vaccine imported into the country,” he said. In his speech, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State commended the association for the gesture. “The effort will help in further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio and the need to eradicate it,” the governor, who was represented by the

Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said. Wamakko, who also noted the efforts of the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee (NTLC) on Polio and Routine Immunisation, urged the group to sustain the tempo. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Ali Pate, who spoke through Alhaji Ado Abdullahi, reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to wiping out polio from the country. Pate, however, cautioned

against politicising the campaign against polio by some Nigerians and commended NTLC for its sustained efforts. The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Mohammed, expressed delight that no polio case has been recorded in the state this year. Mohammed, who spoke through Shehu Abdulganiyu, said the agency was making frantic efforts, together with all the stakeholders, to fully eradicate polio from Nigeria.

Chairman of the association, Alhaji Nasiru Labaran, explained that the songs were produced with a view to further sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of polio. The association conferred on Wamakko a merit award for his contributions to the success of the association’s activities. Other recipients of awards at the occasion were the Sultan, Pate and the chairmen of Silame, Yabo, Tureta and Rabah local councils, among others.

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei (left); Senior Adviser to the Governor on Foreign Relations, Oma Djebah; his wife, Harmony; the state Deputy Governor, Amos Utuama and Political Adviser to the Governor, Fred Majemite, at the burial ceremony of Djebah’s father-in-law, Peter Ngedo Omede, at Ebedei, Ukwuani Local Council Area …at the weekend

‘No decision yet to collect toll on Lekki-Ikoyi bridge’ By Bertram Nwannekanma and Joseph Onyekwere

NEWS

too early in the day. The court does not deal with hypothetical cases of this nature, but with substantial evidence. “The sole evidence in support of the applicant’s claim is the newspaper publication, which does not testify to the veracity of the facts contained in it”. He argued that the National Inland Water way Act (NIWA) does not prevent states from building bridges upon its waterway. According to Ipaye, Section 315 (1) (b) of the Act empowers states to make laws touching on internal waterways. He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit for lacking merit, since there are no allegations that the bridge impedes navigation. In response, the applicant said the pivotal issue before the court concerns the supremacy of two laws. He argued that NIWA Act was duly enacted by the National Assembly, and vests all federal navigable waterways on the Federal Government. Adegboruwa objected to the contention by Ipaye that the Lagos State Inland Water Way Laws of 2011 had repealed the NIWA Act. “It is an anomaly for a state law to repeal a federal law. Section 4(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides for the superiority of federal laws over state laws and renders void any law which is inconsistent with it”, he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

WorldReport NIIA’s forum lauds OAU/AU at 50, tasks leaders on challenges Stakeholders want Nigeria to tie national interests to diplomacy By Bola Olajuwon FORUM of stakeholders in A the diplomatic circle and the academia yesterday dissected the 50 years of establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and African Union (AU) and agreed that the two bodies have recorded some level of achievements in the areas of shared goals of the founders such as speaking in unity, liberation of the continent from colonialism and apartheid, among others. However, participants at the event organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos yesterday have urged African leaders to tackle the myriad of challenges, including the desired goals of greater unity, cooperation, lack of financial contributions by most member-states, gender imbalance, integration, insecurity, poverty and socio-economic degradation affecting the organisation. Also, the Federal Government has been urged to narrate and list Nigeria’s contributions to the liberation of colonialism and racism in Africa since some current political actors in the affected countries have decided not to recognise the country’s efforts in their struggle and final emancipation. Owing to this lack of recognition of Nigeria’s contributions, the forum also asked the government to always

link national interests and gains to the nation’s involvements and policies in African and world affairs. The Chairman, Governing Council of NIIA, Senator (Gen.) Ike Nwacukwu, steered the hornets of discussion when he said that the event was organised to consider and deliberate on the history, activities and achievements of the OAU and 10 years of AU as two bodies transfusing into the other. According to Nwachukwu, the two bodies “in many ways symbolise our shared values and aspirations and of course achievements. 50 years of OAU and one decade of AU’s existence should be time of celebration and indeed of deep reflection on how we started, where we are and where we are going as a continent.” He said the transformation of the two bodies was done with a view to position the regional body to quicken the achievement of greater success at improving the African position in the light of the changing world order, dealing with challenges and problems affecting the continent. However, in his paper entitled, “The OAU at 50: The Titanic Struggle Against Racism and Apartheid,” Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo asserted that it started as a weak organisation but later succeeded in liberating the continent, especially South Africa, from colonialism and racism.

Cote d’Ivoire reintegrates 700 ex-combatants BOUT 735 former combatA ants in Cote d’Ivoire’s postelection violence have been reintegrated in various socioprofessional sectors, according to the West African country’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Authority (ADDR). ADDR official, Karna Soro, told Xinhua that the ex-soldiers from the northern town of Korhogo had jobs in the transport, commerce, mechanic, carpentry and livestock industries.

“None of the demobilised excombatant will be left out of the reintegration programme,” Soro said while appealing to the ex-combatants to be patient. “It is an inclusive process that targets all groups,” he explained, alluding to the excombatants allied to ex-president Laurent Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara in the post-election clash between late 2010 and early 2011.

A cross-section of participants at 14th Brainstorming Session of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Organisation of African Unity (OAU)/ African Union (AU) at 50 in Lagos…yesterday. urged that the AU must act as women to be educated and Ogunsanwo posited that the Kingdom (UK) to tag freedom under African a united force to tackle prob- join in political participation, AU achieved some successes fighters lems and challenges affect- as well as institute policies according to the limit of National Congress (ANC) as that deal with poverty and ing Africa and its people. resources and powers given terrorists. Nevertheless, speakers, They called on African lead- gender imbalance, in order to it. Ambassador ers to look inward to pursue to achieve development. He added that Nigeria and including However, some of the particeconomic independence, other frontline states like Akporode Clark, Chief Arthur regretted that Prof. George development and accelerate ipants Zambia and Tanzania individ- Mbanefo, integration without waiting Nigerian businessmen did ually and collectively con- Obiozor, Prof. Rafiu Akindele, for the contribution of their not take advantage of the tributed to the success of Prof. Ben Naanen, Dr. Franca western partners, who now nation’s contributions to the fighting colonialism and Attoh, Prof. Bolade Eyinla, struggle. contribute about 96 per cent liberation racism, while OAU managed Prof. Okey Ibeanu, Dr. Remi According to them, Nigerian of AU’s budget. to achieved its objectives Ajibewa, Prof. Osita Agbu, On gender imbalance and businessmen were mere condespite moves by the likes of Prof. Williams Alade Fawole, Olusegun lack of affirmative action on tractors to government after late President Ronald Reagan Ambassador gender mainstreaming, the Southern African nations like of the United States (.S.) and Akinsanya, Dr. Dayo Oluyemispeakers called on AU leaders Angola, Namibia and South late Prime Minister Margaret Kusa and Prof. Warisu to create opportunity for Africa were liberated. Thatcher of the United Oyesina Alli, among others,

Michael Jackson’s mother seeks billions from promoter AWYERS for Michael for negligently hiring Conrad found to have given the LKatherine Jackson’s mother – Murray, the doctor convicted singer a sleeping drug overdose, and Jackson’s clan Jackson – yesterday over his killing. opened their case for huge compensation from the promoter of his doomed final tour – the second trial over the late King of Pop’s death in 2009. Mrs. Jackson was at the Los Angeles court for the start of the wrongful death trial, which has pitted her against AEG Live, whom she blames

“We love you Mrs. Jackson,” screamed passionate fans as the 82-year-old family matriarch arrived in court in a blue trouser suit and amid a massive media crush, accompanied by Jackson’s brother, Randy, and sister, Rebbie. In 2011, Murray was convicted and jailed for involuntary manslaughter after he was

Two missiles target Russian passenger plane over Syria

Zambia’s first president, Kaunda, Assad’s forces beef up air defences marks 89th birthday unidentified people had fired AMBIA’S founding was fondly known as Mama UNIDENTIFIED assailants two land-to-air missiles which reportedly fired two landZPresident, Kenneth Kaunda, Betty, to whom he said “nothexploded in the immediate on Sunday celebrated his 89th ing could have been possible to-air missiles at a Russian pasbirthday for the first time without his wife who died last September, Xinhua wrote yesterday. Kaunda, who was married to his late wife, Betty, for 66 years and is a known vegetarian, celebrated his birthday with a modest lunch of vegetable dishes with Nshima (maize meal) at a restaurant in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, in the company of some of his children and grandchildren. Kaunda, who ruled Zambia from 1964 when the country got its independence from Britain to 1991, dedicated his birthday to his late wife, who

without her”. “It is a terrible thing that I’m celebrating my birthday without Mama Betty. We fought for independence together and she stood for me when I was in prison. She also helped me to rebuild the nation,” he said. The former Zambian leader, who is among a few remaining African leaders who fought for liberation struggles in southern Africa, recounted how his wife made him the man that he is as she took care of his children when he was either in jail or campaigning.

hopes to secure billions of dollars in damages from the tour promoter. Murray could be called to give evidence but has said he will claim his right to remain silent to avoid incriminating himself before an upcoming appeal. Yesterday’s court battle began with a 40-minute pro-

cedural debate between lawyers before the jury was led in. The case began nearly four years after Jackson’s death and could last more than three months. The singer died at his Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of the powerful sedative propofol, administered by Murray to help the “Thriller” legend deal with chronic insomnia.

senger plane carrying over 150 people when it flew over Syria yesterday, the Interfax news agency reported, citing an informed source in Moscow. However, with technical support from Russia, Syria has bolstered its air defences, posing a threat to United States (U.S.) aircraft if America decides to intervene in the war, an American official was quoted by Agence France Presse (AFP) as saying yesterday. On the missiles’ launch against Russian plane, a source was quoted as saying that “the Syrian side informed us that on Monday morning

proximity of a civilian plane belonging to a Russian airline.” “The crew was able to move the aircraft to the side on time and save the lives of the passengers,” the source said, adding that it was unclear whether the attackers knew that the plane was Russian. The plane was returning from a resort in Egypt, a popular destination for Russian tourists. The federal air transport agency, Rosaviation, issued a statement later yesterday, saying the crew of a charter plane flying from the Egyptian resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh to

the Russian city of Kazan had detected “signs of combat actions” when it was flying over Syria. The crew of the A-320 plane, which belongs to NordWind Airlines, believed that those actions threatened the aircraft’s safety, said the agency, adding that the plane landed in Kazan on time. The Russian foreign ministry said in a separate statement that it was taking “urgent measures” to clarify the situation and was in contact with the Syrian authorities. It said the plane carried 159 passengers. Neither the air transport agency nor the foreign ministry made any mention of the missiles. Russia, one of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s staunchest allies, is firmly

opposed to foreign intervention in Syria. Meanwhile, word of the upgraded defences takes on new urgency given U.S. assertions that Syria might have used chemical weapons against rebel forces – an assessment that will test President Barack Obama’s repeated statement that such a move would be a “game changer” for Washington. “The Syrians have stepped up their efforts in recent years to bolster their air defenses, particularly after the covert nuclear facility they were building was destroyed,” said the official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity. The official was alluding to a nuclear reactor destroyed in an Israeli air raid on September 6, 2007.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

TheMetroSection Briefs UMCA meets May Day

Horror in Ringim, Jigawa

HE University of Lagos (UNIT LAG) Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCA)

• Unknown gunmen raid bank, kill three policemen, two others

Bank security post where the two guards were killed

A patrol van razed at the former IG’s house From John Akubo, Dutse T least five persons lost their lives on A Sunday night in Ringim Local Council of Jigawa State in attacks launched by unknown gunmen, which targeted the Unity Bank and the residence of former Inspector General of Police Hafiz Abubakar Ringim. The attackers, who stormed the town in a Volkswagen Golf car, launched the first salvo on the Unity Bank along Kano/Hadejia Road where the two security men manning the gates were killed by explosives used to bring down the security gate. The main entrance to the bank was brought down by the IED though police confirmed the gunmen were unable to gain access to the safe. As at the time of this report on Monday afternoon, some IED that did not explode were found littered at the entrance of the bank though guarded by police antibomb squad. It is of note that though Jigawa is surrounded by states in the North that are facing serious security challenges, it has remained peaceful except for similar attacks in Gwaram late last year where another Unity Bank and the adjacent police station were bombed. The residence of former Inspector General of Police was not spared, though the attackers were unable to penetrate his compound, IEDs were alleged to have been thrown into the compound. A police patrol van assigned to the former IG’s house was razed and the charred remains of the vehicle were lying in front of the house. The Deputy Speaker of the Jigawa State

House of Assembly, Inuwa Sule Udi also had his fair share of the attack as bullets perforated the entrance gate of his house. A witness said the DPO’s intervention saved the lives of over 500 children who were taking Islamia lesson inside the Mosque within the divisional police headquarters. The DPO was said to have instructed his men to smuggle the children through the fence. Witnesses said that gunshots and explosions, which started at about 7.30 pm, rocked the entire town of Ringim, and many residents described the attack as a situation akin to laying siege on the town. “The explosions started after Isha prayers when heavy explosions were heard from the direction of the residence of the former IG while sporadic exchange of gunfire ensued immediately as residents scampered for safety.” Another witness added that the explosions and shootings were directed towards the ex-IG’s residence and the police Divisional Headquarters adjacent to the house. The Deputy Commissioner of Police Jigawa State, Muhammad Kabir Muhammad, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer Abdul Jinjiri confirmed that five lives were lost, three police officers and two security men at the bank. The State Commissioner of Police Mr. Theophillus Kayode also confirmed the incident and said that soldiers and policemen had been drafted to the area. According to him: “Initial reports

Society for Peace holds seminar today OCIETY for Peace Studies and Sholds Practice, Ogun State branch its first seminar today at

The bank...destroyed by the hoodlums reaching us said that the hoodlums had attacked a branch of Unity Bank in that place but could not get money and that was why they decided to seek alternative means. I cannot give you any casualty figures for now or the extent of damage because as I speak to you now (about 9. 30 p.m.), the shootings are still going on.” The Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmad Mahmoud, who was conducted round the affected places said the modus operandi was similar to that of the earlier attack that happened in Gwaram Local Council where the Unity Bank of the area was also bombed down. According to the deputy governor: “The attack was a purely robbery attempt, and from the brief I got the assailants must

Man bags 45 years for stealing governor’s phone From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo N Osun State High Court A yesterday sentenced a 31year-old man, Kelvin Igha Igbodalo, to 45 years imprisonment without an option of fine for stealing a Sony Ericsson phone belonging to Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola. The thief stole the governor’s mobile phone on November 27, 2010 during his inauguration ceremony at the Technical College, Osogbo. Igbodalo, who was convicted on a six- count charge preferred against him, would, however, spend 10 years in jail, as the jail term would run concurrently. The Guardian learnt that the convict recently concluded a six-year jail term in Ikoyi Prison in connection with a murder case.

will tomorrow hold its next General Meeting at the Auditorium of Westerfield College, at 7, Hughes Avenue, Alagomeji in Yaba, Lagos at 11.00a.m. The President of UMCA, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, said the meeting would discuss several key issues including the Town Meets Gown programme, forthcoming the proposed UMCA Awards Night, Reunion Party, among other issues. These mentorship programmes are designed by UMCA to continue supporting new ICT and practical industry skills development at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos. Omokhodion urged all alumni members from all walks of life to attend this allmeeting.

Igbodalo had pleaded guilty to the six- count charge of conspiracy, obtaining properties by false pretence, stealing, impersonation and Advance Fee Fraud when arraigned in court. According to the charge sheet, Kelvin and others now at large on May 24, 2011, impersonated the governor by using his phone with intent to defraud and obtain a sum of N500, 000 from his royal majesty, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran,the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland. He was also accused of impersonating Aregbesola by accosting one Shenge Rahman and subsequently defrauding him of a sum of N200, 000, but nemesis caught with him while furthering the mischievous act. The prosecution counsel Mr. Biodun Badiora had argued that the convict had commit-

ted offence contrary to section 8(c) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006. Counsel to the convict, Mr. Ameachi Ngwu prayed the court to commit the convict to community service adding that the convict should not be incarcerated but rather put where people can see him as a convict. In his ruling, Justice Jide Falola remarked that Kelvin Igbodalo does not deserve to be let loose and continue in his dastardly act and therefore should remain where he would learn his lesson in order to serve as a deterrent to others. He therefore ruled that Igbodalo should spend the next 45 years behind bars without an option of fine but the term would run concurrently for 10 years.

PHOTOS: JOHN AKUBO

have created a decoy to distract attention by attacking the I.G’s residence and the police station.” He confirmed that five people were killed in the attack that lasted for about four hours. The Emir of Ringim, Alhaji Sayyadi Abubakar Mahmoud stated that the incidence was the first of its kind in the history of the area. He commended the DPO, SP Lawal Yunusa, who was able to save the lives of about 500 Islamia students that were trapped in their school as the pandemonium of the blast lasted. The emir called on every Nigerian to pray for peace, saying “that it is the only antidote to the current security upheaval.”

Adeboye prays for NYSC members May 5 HE General Overseer, The ReT deemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Adejare Adeboye

Igbodalo

will be praying for members of the National Youth Service Corps on May 5, at The RCCG Headquarters, 1-9, Redemption Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos at 8.00 a.m. According to the Assistant Pastor in charge of Social Responsibility, Goke Aniyeloye, “though NYSC is a laudable initiative established by the Federal Government to instill the values of patriotism, productivity and hard-work among today’s youth, which have been yielding high results, it is not a hidden truth that NYSC members are also confronted with various challenges on welfare, insecurity, health and other teething problems in the course of the their national assignment., hence the General Overseer has decided to pray for them for God’s wisdom, guidance and protection at the programme.

NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin House, Oke Ilewo Abeokuta at 11.00am. The theme is: 'Religious Tolerance as a Panacea for Peace and Development.' Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour while Provost, Crowther Post Graduate Institute of Theology, Prof. Dapo Asaju is the guest lecturer.

Church holds programme AGLE’S Ministries WorldE wide will hold an allnight programme tagged; Night Battle of Total Freedom on Friday, May 10, 2013 from 9.00pm till dawn at Mayfair Big Hall, Owokade Bus Stop, Olowora-OjoduBerger, Ikeja, Lagos. Host is Pastor John Ify Mpumchi.

Olajide, 35, for burial DETOKUNBO Olasanmi A Iyanda Olajide, 35, is dead. He will be buried today at Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos, after a funeral service at The New Convenant Baptist Church, Heritage Estate, Akute, Ogun State at 10am. He is survived by his wife, a son, mother and brothers.

Olajide

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

TheGuardian

14 THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 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 LETTER

Expatriate economic WOsun health-friendly environment initiatives muscle, Nigerian regulatory weakness OVERNOR of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sansui, recently alertG ed Africa to the unequal economic relationship with China in an article in the global business newspaper, the Financial Times. His basic worry is that Chinese exports to Africa could possibly create a new colonialism in which African countries are maintained as captive markets for Chinese manufactured goods. While it is tough to fully agree with Mr. Sanusi’s position, because China is not in control of the diverse political and economic policy variables required to promote African manufacturing and indeed other critical sectors such as agriculture, it is desirable to examine the nature of the economic presence of not only the Chinese but Asians and others in Nigeria. Asian or any foreign economic presence cannot be seen as a menace for, afterall, they invest significant capital and create jobs in sectors such as telecommunications, infrastructure and manufacturing. Indeed, the government of Nigeria ought to court more of these Asian and foreign investments. The only concern is that the government should take urgent steps to ensure efficient regulation of these economic activities, including investment and import trading, to ensure that Nigerians derive fair benefits. While investment and trading activities are certainly welcome, it often seems that many expatriates deliberately set out to operate outside the confines of laws, regulations and even morality, depriving their workers and customers of as much gain as possible from the engagement with them. This has negative implications for the larger economy, from the low productivity of workers trapped in demoralizing jobs to the millions of naira worth of consumption power the Nigerian economy loses when workers are underpaid; and on buying or replacing counterfeit electronic goods and accessories. Fake and substandard goods in Nigeria range from counterfeit computer products to bogus electric cables and drugs for all sorts of banal and serious ailments. Apart from the material loss they impose on the consumers, counterfeit imports pose a threat to human lives. A lot of fire outbreaks, which destroy goods as well as lives are caused by fake electric cables. Of course, makers of counterfeit and often dangerous goods have many active Nigerian collaborators. These include the unscrupulous importers who are known to instruct, especially, Asian producers to produce substandard goods; and regulatory and enforcement agencies on whose complicity and/or inefficiency the criminal trades thrive. The same pattern of foreign excesses and Nigerian laxity obtains when the operations of some foreign firms in Nigeria is considered. The system of expatriate quota is treated with overwhelming contempt. Companies routinely hire nationals from their countries to occupy positions that thousands of unemployed Nigerians are perfectly qualified to do. Some of the companies don’t even bother at times to obtain the required permit; their nationals just jump on the plane to start working in Nigeria. A not so discreet discrimination is reportedly operated in many of these companies under which managerial positions are exclusively allotted to nationals from the home countries who are promoted over and above better qualified and more experienced Nigerians. While it is very difficult for the Nigerian government to prove or intervene in the indefensible preferment of expatriate staff over Nigerians, it can at least stop the abuse of the system of expatriate quota through which employment opportunities for Nigerians are diminished. These companies also have appalling labour standards. Wages are extremely low, job security non-existent and work-related injuries frequent. Unions are seldom allowed. The widely-held belief is that the companies treat workers shabbily, confident in their ability to manipulate the judicial and law enforcement system to protect and perpetuate these abuses. It is important to note that there are ethical, responsible, Asian, European, American and other foreign companies operating in Nigeria. And it must be said that the ones who have specialized in circumventing Nigerian laws with unethical conduct and varied abuses are doing so only because Nigerian politicians and bureaucrats would rather profit from that system than conscientiously have people do their job. It seems to be the case that unscrupulous expatriates in Nigeria take advantage of the nation’s corrupt system to break all laws and ethnical norms. It is however not wise for anybody to count on enjoying the advantages that the laxity and complicity of Nigerian officials confer. The chickens may one day come home to roost. Embassies and High Commissions as well as Ministries of Trade and business associations should take it upon themselves to promote ethical conduct in their trade and investment relations with African countries. The euphoria over some emergent continents as the preferred or rival sources of trade and investment to Africa, for example, may soon fade as some Africans are being converted to the view that other regions and nations who take an interest and legislate on the conduct of their companies’ operations in foreign countries, forcing them to develop strong ethical codes, may in the end be preferable sources of investment. This is not in the interest of those economies who are seeking a good foot-hold in Africa.

ITHOUT sounding like a propagandist organ primed with slush fund, I dare say that it feels good to be a citizen of the State of Osun, where evidently a visionary, purposeful government is fully on ground adding values to lives through structured and disciplined implementation of well-designed programmes. There is ample evidence that the present administration – judiciously superintended by Governor Rauf Aregbesola – places a high premium on the conditions of the environment and the health of the people. The dutifully observed monthly and weekly sanitation exercises; the clearing of waterways, canals and drainages; the organised and improved waste-disposal system; the landscaping, beautification of major junctions and road medians; and the introduction of environmental health officers, are part of the deft moves being made by Aregbesola’s administration to create health-friendly environments across the State of the Virtuous. What inspires my applause of the State Government’s concern for promoting healthy living through sanitisation of the environment is the unmistakable impacts of the idea on socio-economic development. When people inhabit environments devoid of avoidable causes of illnesses and dis-

eases, they are healthy and psychologically well-adjusted to bring about improved productivity. Equally remarkable is the fact that the efforts at ensuring clean environment makes the empowerment of many hitherto idle hands feasible. Surely, only a rigorously introspective government like the present one in Osun can make this happen. I recall that during the better-forgotten years of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) here, the cities, towns, markets, and major roads in Osun were largely defaced and made eyesores by heaps of refuse and waste items carelessly disposed. It was so disturbing that even the masked afrobeat maestro, Lagbaja, made it a subject of his masterful rendition, lamenting actually that “dirty full everywhere, no be small/dirty full anyhow, no be small ooo/ … for Osogbo, the same thing ni …”. The profusely hazardous environment (the subsisting conditions of the places where people lived and worked) had negative impacts on the wellbeing of the people as mosquitoes and their vectors found comfy breeding habitats from where they freely lobbed the lethal missiles of malaria into human bodies. No doubt, the capricious government of the time was out of tune with the modern method of waste disposal and management, even as it

was abominably ignorant of the fact that environmental conditions can cause and worsen health challenges. Those horrible realities defined the interred years of the PDP-led government in Osun. Since Governor Aregbesola took office, remarkable changes have occurred in the areas of health and environmental cleanliness. The reprehensible habit of improper disposal of waste and unsightly scenes that were roundabouts on major roads across the state have yielded space for effective system of waste disposal and beautification projects that now give engaging aesthetics to parks, motorway medians and bus-stops. Through its O’Clean programme, the government has been able to convince and mobilise the people to always ensure that their environments are in sanitary condition. Truth be told, the current health-friendly environment initiatives of the zealous Governor of Osun deserves not only applause but continuous support by the citizens of the state, clean environment advocates, and even the harshest traducers of the helmsman – if only for the sanitary environment in which they labour lucklessly to pooh-pooh the unprecedented changes birthed by Aregbesola. I counsel the government to not by any means take off or slacken

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Business Appointments P27 Ahead May Day, fresh clamour for improved workers’ welfare Fashola laments challenges facing auto assembly plant By Taiwo Hassan AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola has lamented that the harsh operating environment and other challenges have become major factors facing local assembly plants in the country. According to him, establishing local assembly plant in the country has been tough for local automobile companies including some state governments who wish to establish assembly plants. He gave some of the problems as government’s inconsistent policies, power failure, nonprotection of local market, bank’s high interest rate and lack of local sources of raw materials. Besides, he said government policies still allow foreign importation of finished vehicles into the country, the heavy reliance on foreign input and other factors was the reason why most of the country’s renowned auto plants became moribund and collapsed of local markets. The governor said that the sector remains a veritable development yardstick in measuring development of the country’s economy, adding the sector was only contributing as low as five per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and providing employment to about 10 per cent of the country’s workforce. Fashola, however, said that his administration has begun the process of establishing a bus production plant in Epe for the manufacture of big buses to support the BRT vehicles in the state. Specifically, he said the plant would be solely for the production of locally made buses, adding that the pilot scheme for the project has reached an advanced stage. He noted that the Epe plant would consist of state-of-the-art facility, where buses and spare parts would be manufactured and assembled for local markets. The Managing Director, Zahav Automobile Nigeria Limited, Nasser Jammal, said the Federal Government’s clarion call for local companies to come in and set up assembly plants in the country was far from the truth, pointing out that government has not done enough to protect local manufacturers towards such patronage, since some automobile companies are still being allowed to import finished vehicles into the country. Jammal, whose company is into the production of locallymade-in-Nigeria pick-up vehicles, blamed the government for the challenges facing manufacturers, adding that the sector cannot thrive unless government comes up with robust policy that will give first of right refusal to local manufacturers to dominate the local market.

Managing Director, Investment Banking Division, Goldman Sachs International, China Onyemelukwe (left); Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neil, at the Goldman Sachs Growth Market Summit, in New York

NPDC debunks irregularities in N59 trillion oil block deals By Roseline Okere OLLOWING fresh controversies trailing the award of four oil blocks, OMLs 26, 30, 34 and 42, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), yesterday, debunked the allegations, saying that there was no iota of truth in the said report as published by some newspapers. Specifically, NPDC said there was never any sale of equity involved with Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept, but a mere transaction between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), in compliance with the provisions of the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA).

The Managing Director of NPDC, Victor Briggs, said in a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, that the report, which alleged that the ministry of petroleum resources did not follow due process in the award of the four oil blocks, appeared very similar to the defunct NEXT234 publications of June 2011. Group of protesters from Delta State oil producing communities, had alleged that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Allison-Madueke secretly transferred four oil blocks to an unqualified contractor - Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited, a company that neither tendered nor bided for the blocks.” They said: “By this deal, 60 per cent of NNDC’s 55 percent stake of these assets is about

five billion barrels, which when calculated with the 2013 crude oil benchmark comes to $380 billion or N58.9 trillion, this figure is exclusive of the 4 trillion cubic feet (4TCF) of gas asset in the blocks valued at $15.72 trillion.” Reacting to the issue, Briggs described the allegations as false, unfounded, and malicious aimed at defaming the character of the Minister of Petroleum Resources. He however denied that Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts was never assigned equity in the oil blocks. According him, the 55 per cent equity interest in those blocks were assigned to NPDC, which is the country’s National Oil Company and an exploration and production (E&P) subsidiary of NNPC. “In line with the governing

Globacom’s 2013 network investment hits $1.25 billion By Adeyemi Adepetun ATIONAL operator, Globacom, has signed a new $500 million contract with another Chinese firm, ZTE for network upgrade, bringing its network investment for 2013 to a whopping $1.25 billion. Recalled that Globacom had signed a $750 million pact with Huawei, a global telecommunication infrastructures provider for the same purpose last Thursday. The latest contract, which is for a four-month period is to enable Globacom to “massively expand its current huge capacity.” Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr.

Mohamed Jameel, who spoke at the contract-signing ceremony held at the company’s head office in Lagos, yesterday explained that the network enhancement project was part of the plan to enhance the experience of millions of subscribers on the Globacom network. He said the contract with ZTE was to enable the network operator upgrade its facilities to the very latest technology in global telecommunications. The massive expansion project will involve network upgrade and overhaul of infrastructure across the country as well as expansion and densification projects that will on completion in four months

enable the network to cater more for its existing and potential subscribers. Under the partnership, Globacom will build new switches, increase mobile switching centres to ease congestion and construct additional 4,000 km of optic fibre cable, which will complement the existing fibre optic facility, which is the most extensive fibre coverage of Nigeria. Glo has state-of-the-art IP/MPLS and TDM technologies (30 gigabyte capacity) to meet requirements of enterprise customers, video, voice and data services. The TDM network will also be upgraded to a fully integrated Generalised Multi-protocol Label Switching (GMPLS).

provision regulating divestment or transfer of participatory interest in any oil block, the Minister after due consideration, approved the assignment of NNPC’s interest to

NPDC. Needless to say, the Minister’s action is within the scope of her statutory oversight responsibility and in essence for the greater benefit of the nation.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

16 BUSINESS

‘Telecoms operators warned against anti-competitive practices’ By Adeyemi Adepetun N I G E R I A N Communications Commission’s study on the country’s telecommunications sector has revealed the dominance of MTN and Globacom as leaders in the market. But having recognized the dominance of the duo in the sector, NCC said it would not allow any anti-competitive practices from any of the operators. Recalled that Main One Cable Companies and other smaller operators in the sector have constantly decried cases of anti-competitive practices, especially by some bigger operators, a development they claimed is impeding faster extension of telecoms services to the last man. Indeed, in the study conduct-

NCC study sees MTN, Glo as sector’s dominant players ed by KPMG on behalf of NCC, it revealed that MTN remains the dominant player in the country’s mobile voice market, while Globacom, which started operations in 2003 joins MTN as dominant player in the wholesale leased lines and transmission capacity market. The current sector’s statistics also buttressed this. MTN presently controls 44 per cent of the Nigerian market with 49.2 million subscribers. Globacom has 21 per cent market share with 22.9 million subscribers. Airtel and Etisalat control 21 and 14 per cent market share with 23.6 million and 15.1 million subscribers each. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators such as Visafone, Starcomms, Multi-

Links and the comatose Zoom Mobile having a combined subscriber base of below 2.5 million. Besides, MTN and Globacom have infrastructures more than their competition given that both now own West Africa Cable System and Glo 1 undersea cables respectively. Giving a vivid explanation on the development at the week-

end, the Director of Public Affairs at the commission, Dr. Tony Ojobo said NCC acknowledges the resoluteness and commitment of the network operators towards the development of the telecommunications industry and will continue to partner with them as key stakeholders in further advancing the telecommunications market for the benefit of consumers and the entire industry.

Notore partners U.S firm on 500MW power plant project By Roseline Okere OTORE Power Limited (Notore Power), an indigenous independent power producer (IPP), has signed a joint development agreement with a United States-based ContourGlobal to develop, construct, finance and operate a gas-fired power station with an available capacity of 500 MW in Onne, Rivers State. According to the company in a media statement, the plan was to sell the electricity generated by the plant to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC. Speaking on the deal, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Notore Power, Femi Solebo, expressed delight at the official commencement of the project through the signing ceremony. He stated: “This marks the commencement of change in Nigeria. We are committed to enhancing the quality of lives of Nigerians and electrical power is definitely of serious need in our nation today. We are happy to be partnering with ContourGlobal, a worldacclaimed and trusted organisation and we are confident that this project would be delivered as promised”.

President and Chief Executive Officer of ContourGlobal, Joseph Brandt, said the company has always given special consideration to Africa since its creation in 2006. He stated: “Our plants in Togo, Rwanda, Nigeria and lately Senegal are testimony to it. Nigeria may well have the highest potential, and the highest needs for new power generation in the continent, and we are extremely excited to contribute. We have found with Notore Power a strong and ambitious partner, and we believe a powerful fit. “The project will involve the construction of a 500MW gasfired power plant and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016. It will increase national power generation capacity and will directly contribute to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to improve power supply within the nation”. ContourGlobal is an international power generation company with power generating assets of more than 3000 MW in operations or under construction in 15 countries of the world. The company manages, owns and operates a portfolio of 31 power plants around the

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Transport minister decries theft of rail components By Taiwo Hassan HE Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has decried the continuous theft of rail components along the Port Harcourt-Enugu rail line. A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye, at the weekend said that the minister made this known during an inspection on the rail line. The statement said Umar was reacting after he was briefed by the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Adeseyi Sijuwade on the work done so far on the rehabilitation of the Eastern Rail Line. The minister said that regardless of the challenges, the 2013 completion date for the project remained realisable. He promised to liaise with the Ebonyi Governor, Martin Elechi to resolve the issues surrounding the Ishiagu quarry. He also directed the NRC to look into deploying police to specific areas of the railway in order not to jeopardise the completion of the project. Sijuwade had earlier lamented the inability of the contractor handling the project, ESER Contracting & Industry Company Incorporated, to access the main quarry located in Ishiagu, Ebonyi for the project. He said that the denial of access was seriously affecting the progress of work on the project and appealed to the minister to help resolve the problem. He said that a lot of stones (a major component of rail track-laying) had already been crushed at the quarry by the contractor but were prevented from reaching the

Umar site by some people laying claim to the quarry. He also stated that replacing stolen clips â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pandrolâ&#x20AC;?, another component of track-laying was also affecting the smooth execution of the project. In the course of his visit, the minister had earlier inspected other components imported for track-laying at the Railway Station in Port Harcourt as well as reconstruction work at Iyama Bridge in Enugu. He also inspected the erosion sites at Kilometre 63 in Aba, after which he proceeded to Gombe, Bauchi, Jos, Kafanchan and Lafia for further inspection. The Eastern Lines comprise (lot 1) 463 Km Port Harcourt to Makurdi; (lot2) 1,016 Km Makurdi to Kuru with the inclusion of spur lines to Jos and Kafanchan and (lot3) 640 Km Kuru to Maiduguri.

BUSINESS 21

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BUSINESS 23

Nigeria, China boost bilateral trade on automobile industry By Taiwo Hassan s part of the efforts to boost bilateral trade between the People’s Republic of China and Nigeria, especially in the automobile sector, the Deputy Mayor of Changchun Municipal People’s Government, Jilin Province in China, Gui Guangli, has pledged his readiness to lead a

.Mayor of Changchun to attend Lagos auto fair trade delegation from the Province to the opening ceremony of the eighth Lagos motor fair and auto parts expo. According to organisers of the event, The Mayor’s presence was a move to demonstrate China’s commitment to the development of the

Nigerian auto industry. Besides, Guangli’s visit was facilitated by one of the new entrants into the fair- First Automobile Works (FAW) of China through its Nigerian office, and was aimed to demonstrate the company’s desire to make a positive impact in the nation’s auto

industry. Guangli, who is also the Head Economic and Trade Delegation of Chang Chung City said that he will grace the event with other major players in the automotive business from the Province who are interested in investing in Nigeria, especially in the automotive sector. He said that his visit which is

SON to start revalidation of LPG cylinders HE Standards Organisation T of Nigeria (SON) has said that it would pursue the re-

qualification exercise for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the country. Director-General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed that it has become imperative to tackle the menace associated with the LPG cylinders. According to him, aside enhancing safety of lives and property in the industry, revalidation of cylinders would also boost the LPG business as well as create more confidence in

the minds of users on safety. Odumodu noted that part of SON’s statutory mandate is to protect lives and property through effective standardisation process. He said the re-qualification exercise would also involve the elimination of sub-standard cylinders from circulation and also lead to the scrapping of old cylinders. He added: “We have been meeting with key sectors of the economy and the operators in the LPG sector especially to enhance industrial safety

by ensuring that imported LPG cylinders and those produced in Nigeria meet the requirements of NIS 69: 2006. We are also seeking collaboration of the stakeholders’ to ensure quality gas is also dispensed to consumers.” According to him, a current situation whereby cylinders are imported or produced in Nigeria and sold to users without any programme for requalification and none for maintenance is no longer acceptable. He said that SON would soon

flag up a campaign to remove old cylinder from circulation, noting that “Cylinders above 15 years, which is the agreed period for their revalidation, would be affected. He said that all the stakeholders need to join hands with the SON to start doing something to safeguard the sector. According to him, some of the things the SON would be seeking to do, going forward, are to ensure that all importers of LPG cylinders have a defined programme for the maintenance of cylinders.

strategic in nature, would further cement the robust economic relationship between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by seeking ways to exploit the wealth of experience and resources of the private and public sectors of the province in developing Nigeria’s automotive industry. Reacting to the Mayor’s participation, Chairman of the organising committee for the auto show, Ifeanyichukwu

Agwu, said that it was a reward for hard work to see that such an eminent personality would attend the event since the inception of the auto fair seven years ago. According to him, the committee, in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, has worked tirelessly to see the fruition of this year’s event. The eighth Lagos auto fair is scheduled to hold between 10th to 16,th this month at the Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Appointments Ahead May Day, fresh clamour for improved workers’ welfare

Wogu

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja OR workers worldwide, May Day is not just about celebrating the freedom of worker to democratise their socialisation as evidents in unionism, but an occasion that presents unique opportunity to articulate their pains, gains and expectations from government. These expectations range from increase in wages, introduction of policies that are aimed at improving the standard of living of workers and clamouring against perceived anti-people policies that are deemed to be ‘servitude’ in nature. Here in Nigeria, government in compliance with the norm has declared tomorrow workfree day to allow workers partake in parades across the 36 states of the federation including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. As both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) converge on the Eagle Square for the celebrations, one issue that would be central in the addresses of the President of the TUC, Peter Esele and his NLC counterpart, Abdulwahed Omar, is the agitation for the punishment of those that have been fingered to have soiled their hands in the mismanagement of pension funds as revealed by various reports from the National Assembly. Piqued by government’s unwillingness to prosecute public officials that have been indicted in the mismanagement of pension funds by various reports raised by both the legislature and executive arms of government, the Labour movement had indicated its willingness to embark on nationwide protests. It subsequently chose Wednesday, April 10, for the action. The action of both the House of Representatives and Senate in unearthing the scam did not escape the movement as it lamented that the good works of the lawmakers had not been complimented by the Federal Government. Labour went further to list the non-payment of outstanding arrears to scores of pensioners, non-enrolment of thousands of pensioners on the federal pension payroll, non-payment of death benefits to the deserving next of kin, as contentious issues that must be addressed by government urgently. Promise Adewusi, one of the three Deputy Presidents of the NLC, who spoke on the matter in Abuja, added: “Other issues include the nonimplementation of payments to pensioners to reflect the 53.4 per cent salary review and payment of pension in line with relevant increases in the minimum wage to N18, 000, withholding of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) statutory check-off dues for over a year, and the slow pace at which pension payment is being processed by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.” The NLC also asked for accelerated payment of pension to deserving pensioners; re-visitation of the inconclusive verification exercise of 2010/2011 by the defunct Pension Reform Task

Esele

Force (PRTT) for the purpose of paying all outstanding pension arrears; payment to pensioners appropriate pension to reflect the 53.4 per cent salary increase and payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage in line with the provision of Section 173 93) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the full implementation of the report of the Senate Joint Report on pension scam. But on April 9th, the NLC after emerging from its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting cancelled the planned protest. NLC explained that Federal Government has sufficiently met with the demands of Congress and National Union of Pensioners (NUP) including the setting up of a joint Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to harmonise payments as well as resolve sundry matters connected with pension payment and administration of pension funds. As a result of the consultations therefore, the CWC resolves to: “Suspend forthwith the work stoppage/protest march billed to take place on Wednesday, April 10 in Lagos and Abuja; resume without warning the suspended action if by the end of April or there about, the Federal Government fails to implement all it has promised to do.” According to the NLC, government has accepted to restore the check-off dues of the NUP, which had been withheld for one year and an order to stop the withdrawal from the court the case between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and NUP in respect of the pension payment/matters. The joint Committee of Labour and Government which is headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is charged with the responsibilities of resolving the immediate payment of all pension arrears to deserving pensioners; re-visitation/resumption of inconclusive verification exercises of 2010/2011 that left scores of pensioners off the payroll; the review of pension payment to reflect 53.4 per cent wage increase to workers in 2010 and the payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage and perfect and fast-track the process of pension payment. The committee has till the end of April or first week of May, which incidentally begins today, at the latest to complete its work. This was one decision that did not go down well with the majority of pensioners who argued that such a mass protest would not only draw attention to the plights of pensioners in the country, but also serve as indicator to government that it can bark and bite. The May Day celebration is therefore an occasion that pensioners are hoping will provide a platform for feedback on how far the negotiations have gone. They will also be hoping that the Labour movement will use the occasion to declare its readiness to resume the suspended protest once the government does not adhere to the

Omar

terms of the agreement. Because May Day is seen as the end-of-theaccounting year for Labour movement worldwide, the case is not different in Nigeria. Therefore, the NLC whose internal politics have threatened its collective existence may want to use the opportunity May Day presents to address bitterness that now exist within the movement. While the NLC must be applauded for recalling its erstwhile General Secretary, John Odah, as a result of out-of-court settlement initiated by the President of National Industrial Count (NIC), Babatunde Adejumo, the processes of

the reconciliation efforts of some aggrieved unions must be accelerated. Odah has since taken the decision of the court in his stride pledging “to always work in the best interests of our movement. We cannot be stagnant in our thinking and therefore we all must make sacrifice in one form or the other to protect the integrity of our movement.” In its effort at ensuring a unified Labour movement, the NLC had appointed its first President, Hassan Sunmonu, with some first-generation Labour leaders to reconcile the aggrieved unions who were alleged to have sidetracked its members in the last delegate’s conference.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Peoples’Digest

Published in association with

The impact of schools on unemployment By Aruosa Osemwegie GPHR, SPHR Introduction HE school system is destroying our children and T our future. Alternatively, it should be equipping them to solve today’s challenges and create tomor-

ent with the realities of today and therefore inimical to our ability to compete or contribute in the future. It can be likened to a drowning man trying to rescue himself using the beam of a torch. Undeniable evidence exists to show that our tertiary education failed to sufficiently equip us for the 20th century, let alone the intellectually-driven 21st century. Outdated teaching materials A lot of lecturers still use the same notes they used when they were undergraduates. I still remember a friend of mine sharing with us an experience he had during his stint as a lecturer. When he went to discuss with his senior lecturer some research he was conducting towards preparing his lesson notes, the Professor told him not to bother, instead he should use the notes he wrote as an undergraduate student! My wife’s head of departmentin1999usedtoentrustherwiththenotes he wrote in 1969! Most students come across equipment they ought to have used in the course of their studies when they are posted to companies for industrial attachment. Wellequipped laboratories no longer exist. Tertiary school students largely go there for a certificate and not for learning. Lecturers are usually on one strike or the other (no thanks to the government and unfulfilled promises). Non IT-savvy scholars The story of graduates that cannot express themselves is an old tale. That our graduates leave school without being advanced users of the world’s most basic productivity tools (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is a singular reason to declare a national day of mourning. It’s no secret that loads of people are being ‘assisted’ by parents and lecturers into and through our tertiary institutions. The need to update trainers But even in the absence of these ills, the curriculum currently being used in Nigeria is out of sync with today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities. This simply means that our students aren’t been taught what they need for the world they are in, rather they are being prepared for a world that once existed. Who is lecturing our lecturers or, as in HR-speak, training the trainers? It is not possible to give what you don’t have, a man with a hoe and cutlass cannot teach another to use a tractor. The curriculum content and its users (lecturers) must be current and relevant. Our cur-

row’s opportunities. Where education is concerned, there can be no middle ground, it is either destroying or equipping. Such is the power that schooling wields. We spend our bestyears, the formative years, within the school system. Starting from age three, through the next 17 years, till we are about 25 years old, we are in one school or another. In the fourth part of this treatise on unemployment, our focus is on the role the school system has played in creating and sustaining this national problem. Given its lifemolding, destiny-shaping importance, it is therefore pertinent to ask this question: is the school curriculum contributing to and sponsoring unemployment? Is the school system, as presently designed and constituted, adequately preparing our youth to solve today’s challenges and create opportunities? Some challenges Let’s take a peek at the world we live in. What are the major challenges being faced? First example. Tesco (the UK-founded retailer) is in many parts of the world including South Korea. Its trading name there is Homeplus. As at 2011, Tesco Homeplus was the No. 2 retailer, next to E-Mart. ‘How do we become No. 1, without adding more stores,’ was the question they sought an answer to. The solution: capitalizing on the amount of time people spend in the subway, Tesco Homeplus opened the world’s first virtual store in the Seoul Subway in August 2011. About one year after that, it expanded its award-winning virtual stores to more than 20 bus stops in South Korea, giving busy commuters the opportunity to do their grocery shopping ‘on the go’. What is a virtual store? It’s a store where you use your smartphone (not Nokia 3310) to shop. The shops don’t have the physical goods; all they have are the live-sized pictures of the goods with QR codes (barcodes). You snap the QR code of the groceries or homeware that you want to buy using your smart phone, pay for it online and it’s delivered to your home or office. All this happens while you are at the bus stop or subway on your way to or from work! So, guess what? You don’t have to dedicate additional time for shopping since you can shop anywhere! A second example: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), which opened in 1998, is arguably oneoftheworld’stopthreeairportsonmanycounts. But that is not the story. This airport evidences one of the more intriguing ways technology, engineering and innovation are re-shaping our world. HKIA was built on a large artificial island. The project is the most expensive airport project ever, according to Guinness World Records. Construction of the new airport was voted in 1991 as one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century. It is accessed by one of the longest and largest doubledecker suspension bridges, a massive 50-feet (underwater) six-lane underground tunnel, and over 22 miles of hanging super-highways. Employing over 60,000 people, the HKIA was created so that the city would have an airport big enough to serve the level of international human and cargo traffic that Hong Kong was already attracting. The original airport had become too small, was in the centre of town, and obstructed by homes and buildings, with no room for expansion, let alone the land to build such a structure. For good measure, let me sneak in a third example. The 2013 top ten Most Admired Companies in the world shows that only three of them seem to manufacture anything (Apple, IBM and Coca Cola). The others are Google, Amazon, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, Berkshire Hathaway, Walt Disney and Fedex, which are more like 21st century solution companies, in contrast with the typical brick, steel and mortar companies of the 19th century. Is the curriculum now being undertaken in Kebbi, Benue State University, Unilag (former Maulag) or OAU preparing students to solve these kinds of problems? Is it equipping them with the mindset necessary for creating tomorrow’s opportunities? The role of curriculum Given the length of time spent in school, and its early-life timing, it goes without saying that our curriculum is aiding unemployment. There are sufficient pointers that show that our school curriculum, particularly in tertiary education, is incongru- Are schools creating unemployment?

riculum is preparing people for a time (in years gone by) when people graduated and jobs were waiting for them. In those days, people worked in one company all their life and then retired. The Post Office worked. The trains worked. The government was a big employer of labour. The society was very patient. Information wasn’t easily accessible. Change was slow and gradual. Life was predictable. The world was divided into several countries who largely kept to themselves; there wasn’t globalization as we know it today. Banks even gave out loans. The urgency of a questioning curriculum Many observers allege that our curriculum is based on Bloom’s classification of 1956. They add that even though this was revised in 2001, we are still stuck on the initial one. One of the major differences between the two is that the 2001 version has a new level called “Creating”. Can the student create a new product or point of view? Our curriculum is spewing out dependent people. People who are dependent on government, parents and right conditions, to make a living. It is churning out doers, instruction-takers, process-followers, job-expectants, jobseekers and risk-averse people. Looking at the examples of the Hong Kong International Airport and Tesco Homeplus in South Korea, you certainly get a sense that these qualities aren’t those required in these times. We need creators and questioners. Creators and questioners are intellectual dissidents. Questioners question every fact. They ask the golden question, “Why?” Questioning is the beginning of inventions. Creators on their part seek to birth new possibilities. They seek to create out of their imaginations and not out of their realities; they can create new business ideas, business models, solutions to social ills, life-enhancing drugs, etc. Please, when was the last time you heard that our tertiary education curriculum was being revised? Yes, we hear of the white-washing being done to that of primary and secondary education but not to the tertiary education curriculum. However, what we need isn’t refurbishment but a totally new curriculum. Then it seems we have also perfected the art of doing the right thing the wrong way. Like I always say, the process assures the product. The other day, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) announced the plan to introduce entrepreneurship into tertiary education.Thereandthen,Istartedwonderingwho came up with that idea. Again, the government recently announced the plan to scrap JAMB and NECO. Later, some Vice Chancellors (VCs) kicked against it and it set me wondering why VCs weren’t consulted in the first place. A curriculum that will

source: brainworldmagazine.com

meet our needs cannot be developed alone by educational regulators. It would require a confluence of the education sector, industry, human resources, social science, economics, technology etc. What does society expect of schools? The other day I stumbled on a United States report titled, “What Work Requires of Schools”. It was basically a curriculum-change advisory committee. “The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to determine the skills young people need to succeed in the world of work. The Commission’s fundamental purpose was to encourage a highperformance economy characterized by high-skill, high-wage employment. The primary objective was to help teachers understand how curriculum and instruction must change to enable students develop those high performance skills needed to succeed in the high performance workplace.” The 61 page report defines the five competencies and three-part foundation that constitute the SCANS skills. An excerpt from the report states: “The Commission spent 12 months talking to business owners, public employers, people who manage employees daily, union officials, and workers on the line and at their desks. We have talked to them in their stores, shops, government offices, and manufacturing facilities.” This gives us an idea how some nations went about crafting whole new curricula. If we are to win the war against unemployment in Nigeria, based on my years of observationandintellectualcuriosity,therearecertainoutcomesthatmustbedesignedintoour curriculum. Last year, I made the case through one of my articles that a major problem in this country is the low readiness index of our youth. A new curriculum must make attitudinal/behavioural and skill based changes. Its focus must be to breed young people with the ATTITUDES and COMPETENCIES for questioning and creating solutions. Gbam! Nothing more, nothing less! If you want to be an academic, you must be trained to question and create. We cannot have a Professor of Water Engineering who cannot solve problems at the water reservoir (Professor Roger Makanjuola, a former Vice Chancellor OAU, cited this in his book, Water Must Flow Uphill). If you want to be a writer, you must be trained to question and create. If your talent is music or any form of artistry, you must be trained to question and create. Philosophy? If we cannot train to question and create through Philosophy, then there is no need keeping such a course. In this light, we should do away with any course which doesn’t help us raise creators and questioners. Space would not allow us here to begin to expound on the specific details of this type of curriculum. Inevitably, we must develop teachers and lecturers who CAN raise questioners and creators. No need to give a Lamborghini to a Volkswagen-trained driver. Bad idea big time. We cannot exclude the quality of teachers/lecturers or the teacher development programme from the curriculum and the eventual result. Let me give the most worrisome example. With all due respect to our National Certificate in Education (NCE) holder friends, I am thoroughly against a situation where it is NCE holders that are teaching our children. The standards for getting an NCE are far lower than that of a university degree. Mind you, that is the university education that we’ve all agreed is below par. Colleges of Education are where most people who can’t get into university on the first trial go to. The cut-off mark to get into a college of education is by far lower than that of the university or the polytechnic. Please let’s be real and call a spade a spade. To breed the brightest and best minds, we must be taught by the brightest and best minds. Like begets like. We need to force/create an alignment between our education system, our curriculum, our curriculum handlers (teachers/lecturers) and the realities of our day and the opportunities of tomorrow.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

PEOPLES DIGEST

Executive coaching is hot!

Coaching helps the employed By Dr. Maynard Brusman HEbusiness reality that good people are hard to T find and harder to keep is the driving force behind the increasing trend towards executive coaching. With a constant need to stay competitive, companies are seeing coaching as a way to help valued employees develop swiftly in a rapidly changing business environment. The Executive Summit of the International Coach Federation defines executive coaching as “a facilitative one-to-one mutually designed relationship between a professional coach and a key contributor who has a powerful position in the organization. The focus of the coaching is usually upon organizational performance or development, but may have a personal component as well.” Why Executive Coaching? A growing number of Fortune 500 companies offer executive coaching to their top people. Whether hiring external coaches or training their own leaders in coaching skills, companies are finding that coaching is essential for creating change and evolving people towards their highest productivity and potential. Executive coaching can be very useful in helping executivescarrywhattheylearninleadershipdevelopment programs back to the workplace. One study examined the effects of executive coaching in a public sector municipal agency. Thirty-one managers underwent a conventional managerial training program, which was followed by 8 weeks of one-on-one coaching. Training increased productivity by 22.4 percent. The coaching, which included goal setting, problem solving, feedback, supervisory involvement, evaluation of end results, and a public presentation, increased productivity by 88 percent, a significantly greater gain compared to training alone (Olivero, Bane, & Kopeirnan, 1997). If the observations from this study bear out, it means that executive coaching coupled with management and leadership training can boost productivity and help build leadership competencies. Top Reasons for coaching One study shows that the top reasons for offering coaching include: 1. Sharpening the leadership skills of high-potential individuals (86%) 2. Correcting management behavior problems suchaspoorcommunicationskills, failuretodevelop subordinates, or indecisiveness (72%) 3. Ensuring the success or decreasing the failure rate, of newly promoted managers (64%) 4.Correcting employee relations problems such as poor interpersonal skills, disorganization, demeaning or arrogant behavior (59%) 5. Providing the required management and leadership skills to technically oriented employees (58%).

Xerox’s Paul Allaire says, “The key to the new productivity is people– helping them do what they can do,whattheywanttodo,whattheyinherentlyknow is the right thing to do.” In its simplest terms, masterful coaching involves expanding people’s capacity to take effective action. The Masterful Coaching Experience What makes a masterful coaching experience, one that provides long-lasting and magnificent results? On the surface, coaching sounds like simple goal setting with accountability and motivational pep talks thrown in. The athletic coach comes to mind, transformed into a business version. Even Ken Blanchard coauthored a book with Don Shula (1996), Everyone’s A Coach. But the truth is, not everybody is a masterful coach. The work of truly effective coaching within organizations involves much more than goal-setting. It involves unleashing the human spirit and expanding people’s capacity to achieve stretch goals and bring about real change. This does not start with techniques like setting goals, motivating people and giving feedback. It starts with considering and altering the underlying contexts in which these occur. Using Assessments with Coaching Many coaches begin the coaching process with assessments. Some coaching involves extensive feedback from 360-degree surveys in which the person being coached receives input from peers, subordinates and superiors. The astute coach will help the person examine gaps or openings between what they believe they do and what they actually do. This is fertile ground for personal growth and development, but is also the area where people can become defensive and resistant. It takes a talented coach to help someone out of these stuck areas, or blind spots– where they do not see with clarity. This is where the effective coach uses finely tuned listening and observing skills. Goals and Outcomes Increasingly, coaching seeks to enhance the performance of high-potential executives. The goals of executive coaching are shifting and broadening as more and more executives seek out coaching for a variety of different reasons. Here are some other important results cited in research on the outcomes of executive coaching: 1. Better management by enhancing an executive’s ability to navigate sensitive political issues 2. Strengthening strategic decision-making 3. Opening a window onto organizational and self explorations Coaching is effective when it leads to behavioral change, particularly when it affects the bottom line. However, for change to be lasting and meaningful,

the coach must reach for deeper levels of commitment and explore core issues with the client. David Whyte (1999) puts it eloquently: “It is incumbent on each of us, to start telling our story in such a way that you can grant magnificence back to your work and back to what you do. If you can’t grant magnificence to your work, you grant magnificence to yourself and have the courage to step out of it into something that is really commensurate to your gifts and is a place where you can really feel like you come alive again at the frontier of your own destiny.” How to Get the Most Out of Coaching 1. Talk about what matters most. Be selfish about your coaching time– talk about what really matters rather than what you “should” be addressing. 2. Focus on how you feel, not just on what you produce. Don’t avoid talking about feelings. Feelings drivebehaviors.Tochangeyourbehaviors,change how you feel. Awareness is the first step toward change. 3. Get more space, not more time, into your life. Coaching needs room in order to work. If you’re toobusy,you’llusecoachingtopushyourselfharder,insteadofusingcoachingtobecomemoreeffective. Simplification gets you space. 4. Become incredibly selfish. Coaching will help you to identify and reduce things that drain you, suchasrecurringproblems,difficultrelationships and pressured environments. 5. Be open to see things differently. Be willing to examine your assumptions, ways of thinking, expectations, beliefs, and reactions. As David Whyte has said, “Nobody has to change, but everybody has to have the conversation.” 6. Sensitize yourself to see and experience things earlier. Coaching conversations lead to increased awareness. The more you sensitize yourself to your feelings and thoughts, the faster you can respond to events and opportunities. This may mean eliminating alcohol, stress, caffeine and an adrenalinebased energy system for living. 7. Strengthen your business and personal environments. Design the perfect environment in which to live and work. If your surroundings are unpleasant, unhealthy, or disorganized, they can affect your success. Clean up, organize, beautify. 8. Be clear about your goals before ending the coaching session. Coaching is just conversation unless it leads to action. Make sure you know what your goals are, both immediate, near future and long term. 9. Improveyourabilitytogivefeedback.Successful leaders know how to give feedback to their key people. They do it frequently and with authenticity. Give your coach feedback, especially at the end of each session. Say what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d like next. 10. Be willing to evolve yourself, not just increase your performance Coaching is a developmental process and an evolutionary one. You’ll learn how to accomplish more with less effort. But you will also learn to

think differently, change outdated beliefs and assumptions and expand your view of yourselfandyourplaceintheworld,tobecomemore magnificent in your work and in your life. Key Coaching Principles 1. Synergy causes better results, much more easily. Proper coach/client matching is essential for synergy to occur. 2. When people are fully heard, they move forward immediately. Not being heard slows down personal development and human evolution. 3. Any situation can be optimized, turned around or improved. And if it cannot, get out of it responsibly. 4. Fewer problems occur when one has a strong personal foundation. Rising above the muck of life is step one in coaching. 5. Sometimes the client has the answer, sometimes the coach does. It doesn’t really matter where it comes from. 6. One can have a perfect life. It’s not a fantasy or pipedream. It really is do-able, and in this lifetime. 7. Humansoperateatonepercentorlessofourpotential. Coaching increases this figure. 8. Most people don’t really know what they truly want. A coach can help clients discover what that is. It’s usually simple. 9.Whatoneputsupwithcostsonedearly.Tolerations waste one’s spirit, one’s heart, one’s mind, and one’s pocketbook. 10. We are all Picassos-In-Training. The world is waiting for people to discover, express and share their creativity. Culled from Working Resources; Dr. Maynard Brusman is Consulting Psychologist and Executive Coach

FEEDBACK COLUMN We believe these articles contain great information that policy makers, business leaders, human resources practitioners and the general public can use for quality decisions. Your own reaction, positive or critical, can shed more light, in practical ways, on the body of knowledge that we are sharing. As such, your feedback is important to us. Please mail us at peoplesdigest@peopleprime.net to respond or expand the body of knowledge on any of our treated topics, including past publications. We appreciate your feedback. Please include the topic, date of publication along with your observations, questions or comments plus your contact information in the email.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Appointments 31

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Experts task HR managers, organisations on employees development By Wole Oyebade O boost productivity in the Nigerian working environment, leading Human Resource (HR) practitioners recently advised HR managers to invest more in employees development in their organisations. The practitioners, who spoke in Lagos at the fifth Special Human Resource Forum of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Nigeria, said ensuring rational and emotional commitment of workers to their organisation was important to cope with talent and skill shortage. Among those that made the call were Pioneering President of CIPM, Dr. Michael Omolayole; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria, Seni Adetu; Senior Manager, People and C h a n g e , PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PWC), Zimbabwe and Malawi, Ethel Kuuya and President CIPM, represented by his Deputy, Anthony Arabome. Adetu, who chaired the occasion, said the economic reality of doing business in Nigeria today and the search for talents had placed enormous responsibility on organisations to develop its workforce. Adetu noted that the world is changing and increasingly becoming difficult to do business amid economic downturns. To win notwithstanding the challenges, “organisation must develop framework that engages the people as citizens of the company. “It frightens me to see companies talk about re-organisation without talking about the people in it. There is no performance without the people. Our asset is the people, reputation

and the brand. It is a tripod that gives performance and sustainability, but it is the people that manage the brand and reputation,” he said. Adetu stressed that there exist a strong correlation between organisational development and exceptional corporate performance. “In order to achieve increased and sustainable business results, organisations need to invest in its people, systems and process among others. A step in the right direction for business leaders will be to focus on aligning and

engaging their people, the people management systems, and the structure and capabilities (including organisational culture) to the strategy,” he said. Speaking on the theme: ‘Organisational development: Driver for effective corporate performance,’ the guest speaker, Kuuya, said while the world currently has more educated people than ever before, it also has shortage of talents to cope with demands. This is because “schools in Africa are producing graduates with obsolete knowledge and archaic skills in a rapidly

changing world.” She noted that the effect, according to studies, is that one experienced hand enters the workforce for every two that leaves; current graduates will experience 11 to 13 companies in their lifetime; 60 per cent of new jobs in the 21st Century requires skills that are only possess by 20 per cent of the current workforce; turnover of management level is expected to exceed 20 per cent in the next few years; 40 per cent of managers (middle and upper) are eligible to retire in the next few years.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

thE GUarDIaN, tuesday, april 30, 2013

60 appointments

Govt to aid graduate employment through capacity building By Femi Adekoya XCEPt the country E enhances the skills of its potential and existing workforce, its goal of being ranked among top 20 industrialised nations may become unattainable, the Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said. already, the federal Government, as part of efforts to reduce the number of unemployed graduates in the country, has through a partnership with the private sector, concluded a phase of its graduate interns’ orientation, a scheme designed to improve graduate job placement opportunities through internship placement. the federal Government had expressed commitment to engage more companies and employ about 50,000 unemployed graduates this year through the Graduate

Internship scheme (GIs) of the subsidy reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (sUrE-P). speaking at the conclusion of the Graduate Interns Orientation/Induction training in Lagos, recently, the GIs project director, Peter Papka, who also represented the minister, noted that the agency has the mandate to prepare young job seekers between 18 and 40 years, for the work environment before they are employed. he said: “GIs is targeted at strengthening the capacity of graduates to enable them get job placements. GIs creates an avenue for interns to go into the firms, learn the technique of a working environment, and build their skill within the sector where they have been deployed on the basis of their current qualification. “It is clearly evident that government alone cannot deal

with the issue of addressing youth employment challenges that we have and particularly build the manpower base that will help us achieve Vision 2020 we have set for ourselves as a nation.” he said though the exercise is a short-term measure, GIs has high prospects for job creation, improve the welfare of youths and achieve the inclusive growth objective of federal Government’s transformation agenda. he said during the period of internship, the federal Government will be responsible for paying a monthly stipend to the interns while the participating institutions/firms would be expected to provide adequate opportunities for training and mentoring the interns. “GIs is targeting up to 50,000 graduate interns yearly. the process of selection is not competitive, as the federal PIU

would like to give an opportunity to all private/public firms to take part in this national intervention,” he said. he added that the orientation exercise is aimed at preparing hired interns for the working environment and skills acquisition. such, he said, would

also guide partnering firms and interns on the GIs, especially on their roles and responsibilities. GIs Communications adviser, Mrs. Mary Ikoku, said companies searching for the right employees to fill vacant positions always ask for four

or five years experience but many of the graduates do not have such experiences because they never worked before. however, by training these interns, they are able to get the required experience to confidently secure their dream jobs in the market.

Lagos pays benefits to 780 retirees ONsIstENt with his resolve Pension Commission, rotimi retirees had been paid a total C to always make life mean- adekunle hussain, in a state- sum of N14,486,214,538.53k ingful for employees of the ment released by the commis- only. Lagos state Public service, Governor Babatunde raji fashola of Lagos state will present retirement Bond Certificates to a set of 780 employees who recently retired from the Lagos state Public service. this was disclosed by the Director-General, Lagos state

sion at the weekend. he said that the ceremony, which comes up today, marks the eight edition of the fulfillment of the administration’s commitment to continuously give its workers financial independence in retirement. hussain affirmed that before this batch, about 2,604

he explained that the state’s pension commission has been working assiduously towards the fulfillment of her mission statement which is, “to provide exceptional services on pension matters to employees in the Lagos state Public service, deploying world class technology and utilising well motivated workers to ensure financial freedom for Lagos state retirees”, adding that the commission’s determination to fulfill this mission has continued to prompt her to render qualitative services to Lagos state government employees. hussain appreciated fashola for his support and commitment to the sustenance of the Contributory Pension scheme, saying where other states are still in the process of enacting their Pension reform Laws, Lagos state with the support of the Governor has continued to wax stronger and setting standards for others to follow in the administration of the Contributory Pension scheme in Nigeria.

Cashcraft appoints new helmsman ashCraft asset C Management Limited has announced the appointment of anthony Ikpea as the new Managing Director of the company. he replaces Deolu Ireyomi. Until his appointment, Ikpea was Executive Director in charge of Business Development and Market strategies, a position he held since 1996. a qualified broker and member of Council of the Chartered Institute of stockbrokers, he graduated from the University of Ife in 1986 and obtained his MBa in financial management from the Lagos state University. Ipkea also attended several courses locally and internationally, including the Wharton Business school of the University of Pennsylvania. he has extensive capital markets and financial services related experience. according to a statement from the company, the Chairman, Otunba J.a.O. Ogunfuwa, confirmed that the relevant regulatory authorities have duly been notified.

Ikpea

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BUSINESS 67

Dangote Cement’s new capacity raises sales to 10.4 million tonnes HE Dangote Cement’s masT sive investment in new capacity has paid off as it recorded upsurge in sales of its locally produced cement to the tune of 10.4 million tonnes in 2012, according to the company’s 2012 financials, presented on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), last weekend. The group increased its market share steadily during the year, averaging an estimated 57.1 per cent in 2012 compared with the 50.5 per cent achieved in 2011. During the last three months of 2012 the Group’s market share exceeded 60 per cent. During 2012, the report revealed that Dangote Cement consistently outperformed the growth of the Nigerian cement market, as well as outperforming the Building and Real Estate sectors of the Nigerian economy for much of the year. The success recorded in the sales of the locally produced cement led to an impressive performance, as it recorded a 14.7 per cent increase in the gross profit for the year. The shareholders are also in

for a good time as the directors recommended that they be paid 300k per share for the reviewed period. The Chief Executive of Dangote Cement, Devakumar Edwin, in justifying the company’s good outing said a combination of some managerial strategies adopted in the face of import dumping which led to the glut in the year under review accounted for the impressive performance. Said he: “Dangote Cement achieved a strong increase in revenues and profitability in 2012 despite severe flooding that affected demand and a shortage of gas that affected margins. “The group achieved several key objectives in 2012. In the first half of the year we launched 11 million tonnes of new capacity that brought Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement production. Because of our investments there is no more need for Nigerians to buy foreign cement. “By the end of 2012, we were preparing to make Nigeria an exporter of cement to neighbouring countries and in the first quarter of 2013 we

Cotton producers seek export grants From: Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE National Association of Cotton Producers has appealed to the Federal Government to provide Export Grants to cotton merchants in the country to enable them export cottons outside the country, provide funds for the ginners to enable them have working capital. President of the Assocition, Sani Dahiru, who made the call when the National Good Governance Team visited the resuscitated cotton ginnery at the weekend in Gusau, noted that cotton production over the years have been at its lowest ebb and solicited the intervention of federal government in order to restore the lost glory of the north. He said, “The major problem ginners are having is that of power, without continuous supply of power ginners are running at a loss. Ginneries are also asking the federal government through the bank of industry to support them so that they can have a working capital. Besides, the merchants too should be encouraged to export cotton to outside world. In fact, there is no amount of cotton that we produce in Nigeria that will not be sold, at the international market If these measures are taken, we are going back to the olden days, when cotton and groundnut are the major commodities through which federal government generate revenue”. Dahiru noted that the state government is trying to encourage the association by establishing cotton agency through which the farmers would be enumerated and encouraged by giving them fertilizer and other farming inputs at subsidised rate. He observed that the Federal Government has started giving seeds and fertilizer at subsidized price to peasant farmers but regretted that the large scale farmers are not being considered. According to him, “The large scale farmers need

minimum of one tone instead of two bags given to peasant farmers. Farmer and merchants are expecting more from the federal government since Zamfara is one of the leading states in cotton production”. Also speaking, the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, observed that Northern Nigeria is lagging behind, adding that government at all levels have realized that problem of unemployment if not addressed, it will not be good for this country. Abubakar said that his government has come up with so many programmes to support cotton production and export adding that his administration at assumption of office, established cotton agency to help the farmers get improved seedlings, marketing and regulation. “We are passionate to get genuine seed from Benin Republic so that we can come and give our farmers to enable us compete with them. The Federal government is doing its best to make sure that cotton production come back to what I t used to be in the past and support the nation’s earning”. In his remarks, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said that agricultural revolution of the federal government last year started a new revolution on agriculture adding that agricultural transformation has taken into account failures of the past adding that the abolition of the marketing board under the structural adjustment programme led to the collapse of agriculture in the north. “The agricultural boards were the one buy off from farmers, giving them seeds and encouraging them to produce and nothing was replaced. So, what the federal government is doing now is to support private sector to establish boards like the ginneries for every strategic crop. Our goal is for Nigeria to take its pride of place in agriculture”.

realised that goal, to the benefit of the Nigerian economy. Soon, we hope to be manufacturing cement in Senegal as we expand into other African countries to supply a basic but profitable commodity that is vital to Africa’s growth. “Current trading is strong. We estimate that demand for cement in Nigeria increased by almost 16 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 and I am pleased to report that our volumes rose by substantially more than the market’s growth rate in the same period. Such a strong start gives us confidence that 2013 will be a good year for Dangote Cement.” The company announced a profit after tax of N151.93 billion up from N121.4 billion of 2011 representing an increase of 25 per cent. DCP is planning to list on the London Stock Exchange next year. Already the largest cement producer in subSaharan Africa, Dangote

Cement is more than doubling capacity this year to 21m metric tonnes, and wants to reach 43m tonnes in 2015. Besides Nigeria, where it has three plants and 70 per cent

market share, the company has contracts to construct factories in eight African countries, from Senegal to South Africa to Ethiopia. The expansion comes at a time of fast growth in Africa,

with the IMF forecasting that regional economies will expand by 5.75 per cent this year. This is boosting spending on infrastructure and housing and driving demand for cement.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise bank, Ahmed Kuru (left); Board Chairman, Emeka Onwuka and the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Olufunke Olakunri at the bank’s maiden yearly general meeting in Lagos

68 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

SON tasks manufacturers on quality control, certifies Mandilas’ processes By Femi Adekoya HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has tasked manufacturers and service providers, especially in consumer goods sector on the need to innovate and improve on the quality of products in order to aid consumer satisfaction and improve their bottomline. Besides, the agency, at the weekend, presented to Mandilas Enterprises Limited a certificate of conformity to the requirements of NIS ISO 9001:2008 quality management system standard. Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Lagos, the Director General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, noted that the agency was recognising the efforts of the organisation in its pursuit of excellence to provide quality products to consumers. The SON boss who was represented by one of its senior official, Timothy Abner, explained that the SON used

the NIS ISO 9001:2008 standard to enhance quality production, while organisations could make it a key for achieving successful business results. “The new model of the quality management system standard NIS ISO 9001:2008, to which this company was certified, shifted emphasis from conformity to rules and regulations to actual performance output which aims at the development of a quality management system that is customer focused and provides for continual improvement with emphasis on reduction of waste in the supply chain. “By this achievement, the company has joined a privileged class of Quality Management System certified organisations in Nigeria. Achieving ISO system certification is a demonstration of conformity of management systems to internationally accepted standard requirements and the ability of the company to get it right the

first time. “The recent global financial crisis has greatly constrained incomes. The pressure on expendable income has led consumes to demand more value for every naira spent. Now a direct consequence of the increasing demand of value-for-money together with constantly evolving consumer requirements have made quality, even more central to spending decisions. Therefore, any organisation with a long term view must take delivery of quality and continuous improvement a strategic goal to pursue, as indeed, good quality service may well be the only strategy for survival and competition,” he added. On the version of the certifi-

cate issued to the firm, Odumodu said: This version of the quality management System standard to which your organisation is being certified has shifted emphasis from conformity to rules and regulations to the establishment of a system that delivers actual performance outputs and which provides for continual improvement. Achieving ISO system certification is a demonstration of conformity of management systems to internationally acceptable standard requirements and the ability of the organisation to get it right the first time. “The system having been certified has been placed on six months surveillance audits to ensure continued suitabili-

ty and effectiveness of the implementation of the quality management system. In the course of the audit exercises, where non-conformities are observed and are effectively corrected within specified time frame, the system will retain the certificate. However, the certificate will be withdrawn if the structures in place for certification break down and necessary corrective actions are not taken on observed conformities.” The General Manager of Air conditioning Service Division of Mandilas, Pal Singh, said that the company would continue to ensure the production of superior quality products, noting that it would continue to review its

Odumodu processes and systems to ensure that it meets consumers’ needs and expectations. He said: “We are grateful to SON for their valuable time and the assessment of our quality management system. We have done this to improve our services and we are confident that consumers will see more improvement in our operations, especially in the selection, supply and installation of Air conditioning systems.”

Minister commissions Kwali micro-finance bank From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide, at the weekend commissioned

the Kwali Micro-Finance Bank in fulfillment of the promise by the administration to encourage financial services to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs). The Kwali Micro-Finance Bank, which is located in the Kwali Area Council Secretariat, commenced operation with a paid-up

capital of N120 million. The minister said that the FCT administration was committed to ensuring the provision of enabling environment for residents of rural communities in the area of business support in order to achieve self-reliance and economic emancipation. “There is need to promote financial inclusion services for MSMEs and indeed the culture of micro credits and savings in Nigeria. Needless to emphasise that lack of access to finance and enthronement of necessary globally acceptable standards pose serious threat to economic growth and development. “It is on this premise that the FCT Administration set out to encourage the establishment of Micro Finance Banks in the six Area Councils of the FCT with the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) as promoters. “AEA is the FCT vehicle for wealth creation, employment generation, poverty eradication and value reorientation with a mandate to ensure business growth within the Territory,” she stated. The Managing Director of AEA, Aisha Abubakar, explained that the need to promote business growth and economic empowerment in the six area councils informed the establishment of the micro-finance bank. “The establishment of Kwali Micro-Finance Bank is targeted at micro enterprises in underserved communities to promote community development. It aims to deliver friendly, flexible and enduring capital access to credit and other financial services for the benefit of all segments of the population at affordable costs to the customers,” Abubakar disclosed. The minister canvassed the encouragement of genuine providers of financial services in order for the vast majority of the un-serviced entrepreneurs, particularly rural dwellers, the aged, socially excluded groups and the youths to benefit. “Needless to remind that inadequate funding of MSMEs affects positive economic growth. The FCTA is committed to the expansion of Kwali Micro-Finance Bank to all the Area Councils of the FCT to ensure easy access to financial services for our business operators, “We are positioned to encourage value addition and linkages and ensure the establishment of business clusters, trade zones and business incubators in the FCT,” Akinjide added.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Monday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 29/4/2013

THE GUArDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

CAPITAL MArKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 29/4/2013

LOSErS

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Diamond Bank posts N22 billion profit .To hold yearly general meeting today growth on an impressive IAMOND Bank Plc’s profsustainable path”. Dit after tax (PAT) for the and“Leveraging on these prin2012 financial year grew by over 250 per cent to N22.1 billion as against the Loss of N13.9 billion achieved in 2011. The bank’s profit before tax (PBT) also rose to N27.5 billion, which is a complete turnaround from the loss before tax of N18.0 billion recorded in 2011. Its PBT was achieved from gross earnings of N138.8 billion, an increase of 35 per cent over N102.7 billion earned in the previous year. The PAT resulted in earnings per share of 159k for the year. According to the Group Managing Director, Dr. Alex Otti, “2012 performance is a reflection of our collective decision to place the Bank on a growth pedestal towards becoming one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria having achieved N1 trillion balance sheet size. The year saw us building on our strong reputation for customer focus, innovative product development and quality service, thus returning to profitability after the cleanup exercise in 2011. These principles will continue to steer our

ciples and the focused development of our service delivery infrastructure, sys-

tems and technology, we have gained momentum and scale in all our markets. Our strong balance sheet, large customer base and solid risk management framework have helped us to build a robust institution capable

of guaranteeing quality growth,” he added. On the strength of the bank’s impressive performance, the market was expecting payment of dividend to shareholders. However, in view of the cur-

rent efforts towards capital injection, dividend payment in a year that the bank will be raising additional capital will not be advised. In line with its medium term capital raising program following the

approval of its shareholders to raise capital of $750 million at the last yearly General Meeting (yGM) that held on the 31st of May 2012, the bank is seeking an amendment to this approval in today’s yGM.

Enterprise bank declares N11.3bn profit NTErPrISE Bank Limited E has recorded gross earnings gross earnings of 40.4billion up from N10.5billion achieved in the five-month period ended 2011 and profit-before-tax of N11.3billion for the financial year ended December 2012. Enterprise Bank is one of the bridge banks that emerged on August 5, 2011 following the takeover by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) of the defunct Spring Bank Plc and its subsequent recapitalization and ownership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). Speaking during the bank’s yearly general meeting in Lagos recently, the Chairman of bank, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, explained that the percentage increase in gross earning is 283.9 per cent, noting that the profit was a marked improvement

from the loss of N5.2billion for the five-month period it operated as at December 2011. He added that the increase in profit represents a growth of 316.6 per cent during the period. According to him, the bank’s deposit also grew from N162.6billion to N208.4billion between the

year ended 2011 and 2012 respectively. This represents a growth of about 28.2 per cent. Total assets also experienced a growth of 31 per cent between the periods from N198.5billion as at end of 2011 to N261.1billion as at the end of 2012. Onwuka, attributed the achievement by the bank to

a sustained growth in quality risk asset creation, which equally engendered growth in interest income. He stated that in addition to “improvements in our other banking income items such as commissions, fees, electronic banking income, significant improvements in traderelated transactions, facili-

tated through our strategic focus on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) helped in boosting our fees and commission income.” Onwuka declared that by this sterling performance, “a solid foundation has been built by the bank to ensure a sustainable growth in its business activities.”

Skye Bank grows first quarter earnings by 25 per cent By Helen Oji KyE Bank Plc has posted gross earnings of N34.7 billion in the first quarter of 2013 against N27.8 billion recorded in the same period of 2012. The performance represents a 25-per cent year on year improvement, just as the bank is set to make early strides in the financial year, with strong support from the previous records. According to the interim

report and accounts for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, Skye Bank recorded double-digit growth year-on-year in income, with revenue growth largely driven by an impressive increase in its core banking operations. Commenting on the outlook for the bank, the Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Kehinde DurosinmiEtti, said the first quarter results placed the bank in a good stead to sustaining its

impressive year-on-year performance. “We are glad to announce our first quarter 2013 results with measured growth in key performance indices. Our improved risk management processes and various efficiency practices are a signpost towards an optimistic financial year. “Our gross earnings improved by 25 per cent yearon-year from N27.8 billion to N34.7 billion which is an indi-

cation of an increase in business volume. Interest income grew by 18 per cent year-onyear from N23.0 billion to N27.2 billion, and a reduction of 78 per cent year-on-year in impairments. “We recorded 56 per cent growth in our non-interest income lines, while a moderate increase in our operating expenses resulted in a Profit Before Tax growth of 13 per cent year on year from N4.1 billion to N4.6 billion.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Opinion Mass wedding and social re-engineering in Kano By Luke Onyekakeyah AST Saturday’s mass wedding of 1,000 couLKano ples made up of widows and divorcees in is highly commendable. It represents a positive step in the effort of the state government to stabilize the family institution and create a conducive social system in the state. It is interesting that while the Western world seems to be encouraging same sex marriage, Nigeria and indeed Africa is still committed to the traditional marriage involving a man and a woman. There is need to restore the values and dignity of the fast depreciating family institution. A gesture like the one extended to widows and divorcees by the Kano State Government is worthy of emulation. Other state governments should follow the gesture as a way of redressing the growing social dislocation in Nigeria. It is not hidden that grave social dislocation caused by natural and human factors has created a class of suffering widows and divorcees. Deaths and separations have thrown thousands of men and women out of wedlock. These people are exposed to all manners of abuse and deprivation by a society that doesn’t care. While the men may take drastic step to keep body and soul together, including joining criminal gangs, some of the women may resort to prostitution and other anti-social behaviours. Many are abused by their immediate families. Giving this class of men and women new life, new beginning, is the surest way to create social stability. It is pointless preaching sanity when thousands of people are out in the cold suffering. The surest way to get them is to give necessary support through social welfare package. The mass wedding was reportedly the third in a series of such weddings begun in May 2012 under the state government’s initiative to ameliorate social decadence and strengthen the marriage institution. The first batch, which took place last year, had 250 widows given out to their husbands. The second batch had 100 widows married off. The latest batch organized by the Hisbah Board of the Kano State Government

had 76 widows given out in marriage at the Kano Central Mosque, while 21 others wedded in each of the 44 local government areas of the state making a total of 1,000 ex-widows. Some 1, 350 women have so far been joined in marriage under the programme in less than a year. Reports say the ceremony, which was conducted under the supervision of Governor Rabi’u Kwakwanso of Kano State attracted large number of people from within and outside Kano. The state government worked in collaboration with a prominent Kano business tycoon, Sheik Isyaka Rabi’u to pay the bride price on behalf of the husbands. Each of the married women reportedly was paid N10,000 as bride price. It is not surprising that there are thousands of prospective husbands who cannot afford to pay a bride price of N10,000! The Kano State Government was sensitive to the plight of this group of people and acted appropriately. And if some men could not afford N10,000 to pay for bride price in Kano, the odds are more for thousands of men in parts of Igboland, where getting married is a lifetime project because of the high bride price and other essentials that are demanded from a prospective young husband. Something needs to be done by the state governments concerned to leverage the young men who could not get married to the many gradually aging single ladies who desire to get married. Having a family is in itself a job. The man has got responsibility and cannot afford to misbehave unlike a bachelor who has no backing. Governor Kwakwanso used the occasion to commend the traditional rulers and Islamic scholars who ensured the success of the programme. He urged the married couples to live in peace in order to have a long lasting relationship. It is remarkable that the state government did not just join the couples in marriage without examination. The couples were screened for HIV/AIDS and other blood test to establish their health condition. After

the wedding, they were treated to a special party at the Government House. This is an uncommon gesture in Nigeria where the Government House and its banquets are reserved only for the great and mighty in government, business and their acolytes. In a way, everything about the Kano event ranked first of its kind in Nigeria. Besides, it marked a positive departure from the bloodbath and destruction of lives and properties that has bedeviled Kano for quite some time. The people of Kano had cause to smile and celebrate. It was cherry news. In a country where there are no social safety nets (social security) to which the people could fall back on, what the Kano State Government is doing is innovative. That the state government came up with a programme to support prospective couples, especially, widows and divorcees, most of who are ravaged by poverty marks a departure from paying lip service to the welfare of the citizenry. The mass wedding programme of the Kano State Government is of immense significance when one considers the trauma to which widows are subjected in several parts of Nigeria. The plight of widows has been a topical issue. In many places, as soon as a woman loses her husband, she is subjected to untold pain and anguish. The persecution often starts with the false accusation by inlaws that the woman is responsible for the death of her husband. In Africa, it is often said that no one dies without someone being responsible. Lack of love is at the root of this cultural snag. As soon as the woman is accused of killing her husband, it opens the floodgate for humiliation and abuse. Depending on the cultural setting, the first thing is for the woman to wear unkempt hair and not to bath or eat. The woman may be required to sleep in the same room where the corpse of her husband is kept. She may be required to drink the bath water used in bathing her husband’s

corpse or forced to jump over the coffin in which her husband is to be buried. She could be subjected to torture, dehumanization and abuse. She may be required to sleep with some of her brothers in-law against her wish. After the burial of her husband, for one year, she would be required to wear black, shave her hair, among other things. Some families go to the extremity of disposing the woman of all her husband’s belongings and even her children. In one recent case in Amaimo in Imo State, after disposing the woman of her husband’s property, she was asked to sign off her children permanently. The woman bluntly refused and the case is in court. But where the children are not taken away, the woman may find herself in extreme poverty, unable to cater for her children. Poverty is a real issue in Nigeria. Millions of families are daily battling with abject poverty. The situation is more desperate when one partner alone is bearing the burden. It is on this basis that these classes of women are rightly classified as vulnerable. The males in the same category also go through excruciating pain and suffering. Since two good heads are better one, whatever measures could be adopted to ensure that families remain intact should be encouraged. The Kano mass wedding programme would certainly bring back joy and happiness to the hearts of hundreds of folks who hitherto were dejected and were at the verge of losing hope. Given the crisis in the north as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency, a young man who has no family, no job and no hope of living a good life may be tempted to join the insurgency. There is no doubt that lack of job is a critical factor that fuels the crisis. By causing 1,350 men to be settled in families in less than a year is a big plus in the effort to stem social instability in Kano. It is like giving job to the men. If every state government in the north were to do the same, some two million young men would be settled with family responsibility in the next one year. That would help to divert the number of the idle brains to more productive family responsibility.

Wanted: Substantial justice in Rivers PDP By Ahams Njoku HE recent verdict of the High Court of the Federal Capital TerT ritory (FCT) in Abuja, before Honourable Justice Ishaq U. Bello in the case of the Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State will continue to attract comments from intellectuals in view of the peculiar times we found ourselves. The comments are running parri-passu with the one generated by the 1979, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections. To win a presidential election in 1979, a candidate was regarded not only to obtain a majority of the votes cast at the election but also to obtain at least one quarter of votes cast in at least twothirds of the states of the federation. The 1977 Electoral Decree (as amended) stipulates further that, in a situation where none of the candidates was unable to emerge , the matter was to be referred to an Electoral College of the Federal Parliament (Senate and House of the Representatives) and Legislative Houses of all the States of the federation sitting and voting simultaneously. By a majority of six to one, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the then Federal Electoral Commission which declared Shagari duly elected as president. Expectedly, the verdict attracted comments from scholars both from this jurisdiction and from outside notably, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Dr. Olu Adediran and Prof. James S. D. Reed among others. The duo of Ade-Ajayi and Akinseye-George were of the school of thought in Awolowo-Shagari case that substantial justice should have been allowed to prevail. ‘’Thus, the Government and/or the Supreme Court in our view should have taken steps to apply the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act to their logical conclusion. The argument that the time for conducting another election through the Electoral College had expired begs the question. It would have been tidier, in our view to amend that time clause rather than resorting to any form of mathematical manipulation which led to the inclusion that the two-thirds of 19 states was twelve twothirds rather than 13. While we appreciate the importance of the said public policy considerations in constitutional adjudication we consider that substantial justice should not be lightly sacrificed on the altar of the political expediency’’, they reasoned. (For further reading please see an article by Gbolahan Gbadamosi titled, ‘’ Political expediency : Need for substantial justice’’ in The Punch of Monday, January 12, 2009 p. 54. In this Judicial Review of the Rivers State PDP case, the brief facts

are that, Obuah Amechi Felix and Walter Ibibia Opuene approached the court via an Originating Summons raising eleven questions for determination. They further urged the court to hold that should all the questions be answered in the affirmative, they should among others be declared as duly elected as chairman and secretary of the Rivers State Executive Committee of the party. The Suit with no: FCT/HC/CV/ 779/20/2012 named the following as the defendants: PDP, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairman and Secretary of the Electoral Panel of the PDP in Rivers State, Chief Dan Orbih and Steve Emelieze respectively and Chief Godspower Umejuruake (for himself and on behalf of other members of the state Executive Committee of PDP in the state). In his considered verdict, Justice Bello held that ‘’On the whole, it was my well considered and honest view that the two notices of preliminary objection challenging the competence of the originating motion and indeed the jurisdiction of this court must fail. It has indeed failed. This court has jurisdiction to entertain the originating motion, which is hereby pronounced competent. The objections in the application are unsuccessful and the application is hereby dismissed”. The first area of review from Justice Bello ‘s reasoning, with due respect is the issue of what is the duty of the court when a party attacks the mode of approaching the court by another party. That is, a party that raises an objection that the matter should be decided on facts and facts alone, such issue cannot be determined via originating summons like the case at hand. Here, both affidavits and counter-affidavits raised issues, which should have been resolved through full trial where evidence will be led, evaluated resulting in valid judgment. Besides, the authority of the Obiuwevbi v. CBN (2011) 7NWLR (PT .1247) 465, the court should have excused itself on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. After a cursory look at the parties, the FCT High Court ought and should have warned itself that the constitutional provision of Section 252(1) 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) should have been applied. It reads: ‘’ Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this constitution and in addition to such, other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly , the Federal High Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court in civil/ causes and matters”. To buttress our argument further on why the court erred in its conclusion is to call into aid what another apostle of substantive

justice over technicality, former Supreme Court Justice George Adesola Oguntade said in the case of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Ors V Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Ardua (2008) 12 SC (Pt. 11) 238. In his dissent voice nullifying the election that brought in Yar’adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in 2007 as President and Vice-President respectively, Justice Oguntade opined that, ‘’ In conclusion, I feel compelled to say that the courts in Nigeria have a duty to ensure that the march towards a true enthronement of democracy is not stalled. If elections are to be held in Nigeria, which are credible and rancour free, the starting point is the enforcement of the provisions of our Electoral Act. We cannot be witnessing violence resulting in the loss of lives at each election. An interpretation of the Electoral Act in a manner which undermines rather than promotes the advent of democracy is bound to create avoidable problem for the country’’. Justice Oguntade also as the Guest Speaker of the First Justice Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte Graduation Lecture Series of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in 2009 admonished judges to be independently minded. Delivering a paper, ‘’Dissenting Judgments and Judicial Law Making’’, he said, ‘’It is my firm view that in a nascent democracy as Nigeria, where our public law can be regarded very much as still in its infancy, judges must be encouraged to exercise independence of mind in the interpretation and application of law so as to protect the rights of the people’’. Speaking directing to the case at hand, Tunde Rahman’s Inside Politics of ThisDay, the Saturday Newspaper of April 27, 2013 held a strong view on the decision. Writing under the caption, ‘’Jonathan, Amaechi and the Road to 2015’’ Rahman concluded by saying that, ‘’However, the bit that worries me is the way and manner the courts are being dragged into the political fray. Indeed, the road to 2015 is being paved with thorns and bristles. When the court is being used to scuttle a democratic project it spells a danger to us all. The court is the last bastion of the common man, when that bastion is being debased as it seems to be the case at present we are all in trouble’’. It is therefore our humble submissions that the recent interventions of the National Judicial Council (NJC) should put our judges on their toes. The Nigerian public of recent has continued to beam its searchlight on judicial pronouncement. As Lord Denning, eminently submitted in a well-known judgment, ‘’Justice should not only be done, but manifestly be seen to be done.’’ It will be interesting to see what the reasoning of an appellate court would be in this case. • Njoku, an author is a Lagos-based lawyer.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Opinion How restructuring can develop Niger Delta (2) By Chris Akiri Continued from yesterday NDER the Oliver Littleton Constitution, which came into operation on October 1, 1951, Nigeria became a Federation. The 1960 and 1963 Constitutions continued the federal status of Nigeria. In its section 134 (1) (2) )5) (6), the Independence Constitution stipulated that: “134 (1) There shall be paid by the Federation to each Region a sum equal to 50 per cent of – The proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of any minerals extracted in that Region; and; Any mining rents derived by the Federation from within that Region. (2) The Federation shall credit to the Distributable Pool Account a sum equal to 30 per cent of – • the proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of minerals extracted in any Region; and • any mining rents derived by the Federation from within any Region. (5) In this section, “minerals” includes mineral oil. (6) For the purposes of this section the continental shelf of a Region shall be deemed to be part of that Region.” The foregoing provisions were repeated ipsissimis verbis in section 140 (1) (2) (5) and (6) of the Republican (1963) Constitution. There were three, and later, four Regions, each of which was substantially autonomous: every Region had its coat of arms, its constitution, its anthem, its judiciary (the Western Region even had its own Court of Appeal), its police force, etc., and each enjoyed financial independence and self-sufficiency. That was when groundnuts constituted the mainstay of the economy of the Northern Region, what cocoa did in the West, palm oil in the East and palm oil and rubber in the Mid-West. All those economic products were produced and mined by the native farmers of the respective Regions who sold their products to the Marketing Boards of their Regions, which acquired monumental wealth from the exportation of ‘their’ products for the development of their Regions. Then there were mineral products, like tin and columbite (Jos), iron (Lokoja), gold (Sokoto), coal (Enugu), etc. the proceeds from which were shared under the constitutional provisions cited above. At that time, hard work, resourcefulness, diligence, determination, assiduity and planning with the concomitant socio-economic development, were the order of the day. But the military came in 1966 and set at naught the principle of non-centralization of power as a means of preserving the plurality and autonomy of the constituent units. And things fell apart! Laziness, graft, systemic corruption and absolute dependence by all the federating units on the

petro-naira, cheap money for which nobody labours, held and continue to hold sway, no thanks to the provisions of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. The military then bequeathed to Nigerians a Constitution that is an amalgam of rank inconsistencies: federalism and unitarism; secularism and theocracy; democracy and autocracy, etc. The Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists contain 68 and 30 items, respectively. Local councils To further emasculate the federating units, particularly those in the oil-producing region, local councils, with over-sized constitutional powers, were created by the military that was bent on sustaining their unitarist creation. Aside from the councils serving as a counterpoise to the states, there is evident inequality in their distribution between the North and the South: whereas the former has nineteen States and 419 local councils (inclusive of the six Area Councils in Abuja), the latter has 17 states and 355 local councils. Thus, of the total sum of N74,437,136,993.33 shared among the 768 LGAs and the six Area Councils in Abuja in November, 2012, a whopping sum of over N44 billion was allocated to the North, whilst the South was fobbed off with about N30 billion (Source: FMF in The Guardian, Thurs., Feb. 21, 2013 @ p.42). It should be noted that under the provisions of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, the North, with 19 States, collects much more from the Federation Account than the South, with its 17 States. For good measure, over 80 per cent of the oil blocks in the Niger Delta are controlled by Northerners; yet the North is unhappy about the existing 13 per cent derivation funds and about a mere 10 per cent derivation provision contained in the Petroleum Industry Bill (FIB) in favour of the South-South, the goose that lays the golden egg! It should be further noted that section 313 of the 1999 Constitution (which came into force on May 29, 1999) regards the 13 per cent derivation funds to oil-producing areas as an impermanent provision (in section 162) that must be reviewed upwards as soon as the National Assembly could settle down to enact an appropriate law to that effect. Local council autonomy Overtures are currently being made to grant autonomy to local councils so that the councils and the States in which they operate could be in perfect counterpoise, operate, that is to say, on a plain of mutual equality. In that event, there would be 810 federating units (i.e. 36 States plus 774 LGAs) instead of 36. Quite clearly, the aim here is to administer the coup de grace to the Nigerian federation even as it is and usher in an unmitigated (a full-blown) unitary

system of government. Many polities, including federal and unitary States, such as the US, the UK, France, Australia, etc., operate the local government council system. In England, the councils are called boroughs or shires; in the U.S., they are called counties; in France, they are called communes, etc. These are grassroots devices designed to assist the governments to meet the needs of the people at the lower substratum of society. If you equate and politicize these social, apolitical devices with the government of any State, then you would have created a state within a state, a situation that precipitated untold political crises that culminated in the French Revolution of 1789. Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed...” And the Fourth Schedule thereto spells out details of the oversized functions of local government councils. I am persuaded that this provision and the said Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution are subversive of, and fatal to, the federal system; a priori, the call for the autonomy or independence of the mere apparati of government designed to operate within democratically elected State governments is a veritable death-knell to even the pseudo-federal system of government as we know it today. Way out I posit that the structure of Nigeria in the First Republic sired by the first federating units and encapsulated in the contractual Independence and Republican Constitutions are justiceable in that the said structure (vide paragraphs 18 and 19 supra) constituted the condition precedent to, indeed, the pith and marrow of the contract for independence between, on the one hand, the original federating units of Western Region, Northern Region and Eastern Region and, on the other, the Central (Federal) Government of Nigeria. Ipso facto, a return to that structure (vide paragraphs 18 and 19 supra) is a desideratum devoutly to be wished. Revenue allocation should, at worst, revert to what it was at Independence (vide paragraph 16 supra) or, at best be formulated on the basis of the absolute derivation formula (i.e. payment of 100 per cent of funds accruing from oil to the oilproducing States, which would then be required to pay a tax of say, 20 per cent to the Federal Government, as it was in the beginning. The intervention of the Nigerian military in politics in January 1966 might be legal in the eyes of International Law, but it was anti-people and, therefore, undemocratic: it rendered the then extant grundnum of the Nigerian legal system, the 1963 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nugatory, throwing federalism overboard and entrenching military unitarism even though

the ostensible status and appellation of the Nigerian nation-space remained the “Federal Military Government of Nigeria”. The present Constitution of the phony Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, is a relic of our sordid military past and should therefore be replaced by the 1963 Constitution. In this regard, a sizeable crop of the powers contained in the present Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists must be devolved to the States through the Residual List (vide paragraph 8 supra). In view of paragraphs 21-24 supra, the existing local government system should be expunged from the Constitution to enable the federating units to create as many councils as they think appropriate. The expurgation of local government councils from the Constitution will also obviate the problems associated with the controversial interpretations of the provisions of section 8 (5) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution concerning the level of the involvement of the National Assembly in the creation of local government councils, grassroots administrative formations designed to assist State governments in the discharge of their socio-economic functions. Executive summary In this paper, we have tried to establish the fact that Nigeria, as a nation-space, and the SouthSouth as a geopolitical zone, can only make so much motion without any perceptible movement if the country is not restructured to reflect a genuine federal State. This is because the subversion of the pluralistic nature of the Nigerian nationspace, which the pseudo-federal Constitution represents, and the reduction of Nigeria to a mono-economic culture, shorn of fiscal federalism, can only issue forth in enervating laziness, systemic corruption and consequent poverty on the part of the non-revenue-producing States, in particular and of Nigeria as a whole, and in the impoverishment of the South-South. We have, additionally, strongly suggested the abrogation of the local government system to usher in true federalism and an equitable distribution of the commonwealth. If Nigeria, as currently constituted, is cast in the matrix of the federal structure in the 1963 Constitution, complete with fiscal federalism on which the founding fathers insisted by reason, not only of the resources available to them at the time, but because of the fact that Nigeria comprises a disparate congeries of ethnic nationalities; if we had a Nigeria that is shorn of the constitution-powered local councils, imbued with the tendency to whittle down the powers of the federating units, the South-South would, before long, experience monumental socio-economic development. • concluded • Akiri, a lawyer, is a member of the South-South Development Think Tank (SODETT).

The Tunisian media since 2011 By Mounira Chaieb PRIVATELY owned Pan-Maghreb Tunisian TV station has just A launched three more channels this week: One for its audience in Tunisia, one for the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and Libya) and one for North Africans in Europe. Watching Tunisian TV and reading Tunisian newspapers today, I feel they have come a long way. It’s quite refreshing and encouraging. However, issues remain. I remember vividly on January 14, 2011 when the former Tunisian President, Zein El Abidine Ben Ali announced he was stepping down, how the main television station changed its name on that same night from ‘Tunisia 7’– after the date Ben Ali came to power on November 7, 1987 – to ‘Tunisian National Television’. The change did not just include the name – some faces that were close to Ben Ali’s government suddenly disappeared and new faces appeared. On that same night, the same station that was for 23 years (the length of time Ben Ali governed Tunisia) a mouthpiece of the government, hosted an unprecedented live political debate that questioned everything and everyone, including one of its main presenters. Watching that and the subsequent fundamental changes in the Tunisian media scene, it felt like a true revolution actually happened. But while ordinary Tunisians have since been expressing their reservations and frustrations that their uprising has done little to resolve their daily economic hardships, journalists cherish this new gain. In the months that followed the uprising, there was an explosion of new platforms for expression, including newspapers, magazines, blogs, television and radio stations hosting new talk shows, new films, comedy and public art. More than a hundred newspapers and magazines and seven new political party newspapers were licensed by July 2011. Since then, new grounds have been broken and there has been more investigative journalism into important and sometimes controversial issues. There is even political satire on privatelyowned TV stations where both government and opposition fig-

ures alike are ridiculed – something that was completely unthinkable before. However, this new-found freedom remains a work in progress. In the first few months following Ben Ali’s demise, the new media environment rapidly became characterized by what some describe as ‘media laxity’. Satellite TV channels, radio stations and newspaper columns were used as arenas in which personal and political scores were settled. Accusations were flung without proof and baseless rumours circulated. The new-found freedom was taken too far: there were numerous cases of libel and defamation. People were being discussed in live debates without giving them the right of reply and in the context of competition between the various TV channels for scoops, sometimes journalists did not check and double-check the accuracy of the news they were reporting. The situation reached a dangerous peak when a young man called for the execution of the then interim Prime Minister, Mohammed Ghannouchi live on TV. Some say this is was a natural reaction to the fall of entrenched taboos and the absence of any regulations. The interim government’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Communication – which used to monitor the entire process of media production as well as the dismantling of the Tunisian Agency for External Communication (ATCE) – formed by Ben Ali’s government and heavily censored foreign and domestic press – all this emboldened journalists to cross previous red lines. The use of the Internet and especially social networks, more prevalent in Tunisia than in Western countries, has been extremely important in all this. The ATCE was replaced by a temporary media advisory board, The Independent National Authority for Communication Reform (INRIC) charged with drafting Tunisia’s new press code. In addition to what some consider to be ‘tabloid’ style journalism and the deviation from professional standards of journalism by some channels and newspapers, there have been attempts by the new Islamist-led government elected in October 2011 to ‘control the media’, as journalists say. It has been doing this by appointing

top-ranking officials to head state-run TV, radio stations and newspapers. This caused outrage in the media community and forced the government to either make concessions or completely backtrack. Tunisian courts also fined the owner of Nessma TV, Nabil Karoui for ‘disturbing public order and violating sacred values’ when the station decided in October 2011, to air ‘Persepolis’ – a Franco- Iranian film considered blasphemous. A secular Tunisian intellectual and editor-in-chief of the weekly Al-Maghreb, Professor Hamadi Redissi, was violently attacked by Salafists upon leaving the courthouse after Karaoui’s hearing, which he attended to support freedom of expression. In February 2012, the Editor of a newly-created newspaper was also arrested and thousands of copies of his newspaper were confiscated when he decided to print on the front page a photo of a Tunisian footballer with his German girl-friend deemed immoral. Sami Fehri, a well-known TV presenter and founder of another private newly-formed TV station, Ettounsia, has been imprisoned without trial since November 2012. He has been accused of corruption under Ben Ali’s government. Numerous calls and legal orders to release him have been totally ignored. Journalists say the government’s intention is to take over the station because it feels it’s ‘too independent and too critical’. Recently, a young journalist and blogger accused a former highranking minister and son-in-law of Ennahda Leader, of misusing public funds in what has become known in Tunisia as the ‘Sheraton-gate’ scandal. The journalist, Olfa Riahi has been banned from leaving the country and is under investigation by the attorney general. She risks a two-year prison sentence and even execution if convicted of ‘maligning a public official with false information’. The current atmosphere of press freedoms in Tunisia is both new and dynamic but it is also quite fragile and journalists are facing daily challenges in doing their work. • Chaieb, a Tunisian freelance journalist and writer based in London formerly worked for the BBC.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Law

Quote of the week If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected—those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most!—and listens to their testimony. —James Baldwin, (The Price of the Ticket) judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke

‘Rule of subjudice bars media from analyzing pending cases’ Interview By Bertram Nwannekanma

SKED to juxtapose the principle of subjudice with the constitutional role of the media to the society, Pinheiro said since the society has the right to know, the media has a duty to report court proceedings but in reporting proceedings, the media must be fair to give transparent and accurate reportage of the proceedings. The problems start when the journalist or the media as an arm, decides to mix commentaries and opinions with accuracy of the proceedings before the court. Often times, media practitioners are unable to recognize the distinction between commentaries or opinions from the actual statements of facts of what transpires during the proceeding and that is when they begin to err in the path of contempt of court. I do not think and I say it with all sense of responsibility, that any judge or practitioner or stakeholder in justice delivery will be opposed to the media performing its constitutional role, which is about impacting information. Nobody. But then, there must be limits, if the practitioner is going to report proceedings, he must report accurately. On whether it is right for a judge to bar journalists from the courts, he said: “ I think it is improper for any judge to walk out any journalist from the court. I think it is improper because proceedings are supposed to be public not to be held as if it is a masquerade that is conducted in the secret. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. How else would justice be done, if fair-minded people are disallowed from entering the courtrooms and the courtroom is a public place. But then, I also understand the rationale behind some actions of the judges in the sense that some of the media practitioners have been very reckless with due respect in their reportage of proceedings. They, often times, give such an alarming and inaccurate report of what transpired in court, which by any standard, can infuriate any court and spur the courts of taking them up for con-

Pinheiro, SAN tempt. But where a journalist does his work efficiently, effectively and transparently, I do not see any judge or practitioner having any problem with that. When he was reminded of Nigeria’s peculiar judicial system, where courtrooms are too small to accommodate journalists, Pinheiro was of the view that it was part of the challenges of a developing justice system. He said: “It is part of what the media practitioners should engage some of the chief judges and other stakeholders in the justice sector. “ I agree with you that some of our courtrooms are so unbefitting that we need to pay attention and perhaps build more conducive courtrooms. There are some courts that can barely take 20 people but the solution is that we are not leveraging on the information technology, if we do, cases will be fixed for particular times. You go into courts at the time your matter will be called, you finish with your case and you leave. A situation where everybody will have to report to court at 9.00 a.m. does not augur well for the new justice system that we are trying to build. In a situation where the courtrooms are so un-conducive or so small, I don’t see why judges cannot fix matters at a particular time. Case management is the answer and you do it not only for space but you are able to manage your case effectively. On how journalists can effectively perform their duties with all these hiccups, he

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said, court proceedings were public records. Oftentimes, media practitioners are illtrained or not trained at all. Some do not even know the procedures and processes of obtaining court processes. Some of them do not see the necessity of obtaining these records before they write their reports. Sometimes the reports they give are either jaundiced or inaccurate and this is where they begin to err with the judges themselves. When he was told of the negative attitudes of legal officers towards journalists, which make it difficult for easy access of court processes, Pinheiro said there had to be a balance because of the sensitivity of court reporting. Whenever a proceeding is going on, a journalist must strive to report it accurately by recording in long hand or in whatever way he is able to take the substance of most of the proceedings. On what advice, he would probably give to the media on the issue of subjudice, Pinheiro said: “ The media should report accurately, no practitioner or judge will have any problem with accurate reporting of proceedings. It is also important that we take each case and circumstance on its own special basis, we should not generalize any case. If a journalist goes to court and what has transpired reveals a particular issue and the journalist on his own decides to report another matter, thereby distorting the proceeding of that day, I don’t think he should enjoy any protection. I think it is important that journalists remember their own oath; they must also recognize the ethics of their profession. In

I believe that journalists can comment on a court’s judgment but I don’t believe that journalists are equipped with the capacity to analyze or criticize the judgment of court. I think the only people who can criticize or analyze a judgment are those people who are trained in that aspect

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In law, the Latin word, subjudice, means: ‘A particular case or matter is under trial or being considered by a court or judge’. The rationale behind the rule of subjudice is to give a court an opportunity to exercise freedom to fairly decide a matter one way or the other in the absence of undue influence, harassment or intimidation of the judge or judges by parties and other interested persons. In compliance of this rule, all parties to or interested in a matter are expected to refrain from making comments through whatever medium in order not to bias the mind of the judge or judges. A violation of this rule leads to contempt of court. But some stakeholders believe that apart from jury trials, it is difficult to justify a ban on the media in commenting on cases under trial. According to this set of people, judges are independent though the law does not belong to them. It belongs to the people. The people, through the media or directly, have every right to discuss and even extend an opinion on any case before the courts. It is in this light that a senior advocate of Nigeria, OLUKEMI PINHEIRO, in this encounter, expounds the principles behind subjudice and what is expected of the media under the circumstance.

reporting, they must try to eschew any form of interference with the information they are trying to pass. It is important that they give the information as accurately as it has happened and let their readers be the judge of whatever they pass. They cannot enter into judgment in their reporting or skew their reporting in a particular angle just because they have a preconceived notion or ideas. In any event, we also know that journalism is not immune from corruption that has permeated every section of the nation. So as much as possible, it is important that journalists themselves are transparent in their reportage. Asked whether journalists could analyze the judgment of the court, the learned Senior Advocate said: “ There are two angles to it. Can a journalist who is not trained in law, who has no qualification in law be analyzing and criticizing a judgment delivered by a judge, who is not only trained as a lawyer but who is also experienced as a judge? There is a mismatch there. However, that does not mean that a journalist is not entitled to give his comment. But the comment must be fair and passionate, it must not be abusive. If you use the word criticize, analyze, my question is, can a journalist, who is not trained in the act of lawyering or the law, analyze or criticise a judge? If you use the word comment, commentary is an independent thing that anybody can give. Yes, I believe that journalists can comment on a court’s judgment but I don’t believe that journalists are equipped with the capacity to analyze or criticize the judgment of court. I think the only people who can criticize or analyze a judgment are those people who are trained in that aspect. So everybody is entitled to comment within the arm bit of making fair comment on any matter of his interest but I don’t agree that they can criticize.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

86 LAW

LawPeople

Hard work is the key to success, so work diligently on any project you undertake. If you truly want to be successful, be prepared to give up your leisure time and work past 5 PM and on weekends. Also, have faith in yourself. —-Charles Lazarus

Dabiri: An astute Bar leader

Dabiri

By Joseph Onyekwere ROBABLY with 1.50 metres tall or a little less, dark, rotund and ebullient, Nojiu Abiodun Dabiri, 74, walks with great gait such that the thought of retiring from the wig and gown profession may be far from coming. Brilliant and focused, Dabiri’s legal influence both at the Bar and the political stage is far-reaching. A Bar leader of note, his wealth of

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experience and wisdom is still being sought by current leaders of the Lagos Bar several years after his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ended. Besides, he had served as a member of the national executive of the Bar where he made valuable contributions to his cherished profession. He has and is still contributing to the growth of the legal profession in Nigeria and beyond through his advocacy skills and solicitorship in criminal law, land law, election tribunals and arbitration where he

He has and is still contributing to the growth of the legal profession in Nigeria and beyond through his advocacy skills and solicitorship in criminal laws, land laws, election tribunals and arbitration where he holds forte as the proverbial Iroko tree, among others

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Profile

holds forte as the proverbial Iroko tree, among others. As an active Bar man, he was elevated to the leadership of the Lagos Bar when his chairman was appointed a judge. And because of his sterling qualities, he was reelected in 2001. He served from then to 2003 as the chairman of the Lagos branch of the NBA. Prior to his assuming the chairmanship position, he had occupied the office of the vice chairman of the NBA in 2000. Between 1988 and 1990, he was a national executive member of the NBA. From 1995 to 1996, he was a representative of the NBA on Police Committee for Crime Prevention. Besides, he is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA). He was a member of the gubernatorial and House of Assembly election tribunal, Abia Zone in 1993, as well as the National Assembly election tribunal, Enugu Zone. Dabiri was counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the gubernatorial election petition tribunal in Jos, Plateau State. He is also verse in

solicitorship. He was the retained solicitor for United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation for the failed banks tribunal. Aside from the IBA, Dabiri is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London. He is currently the principal partner of N. Abiodun Dabiri and Company, a firm of solicitors and notaries public. He is currently the national president of the Ansar-Un-Deen College, Isolo Old Boys Association. Dabiri was born on December 24, 1939, in Lagos State. He had his primary education at the Zumratul Islamiyyah Primary School, Sura, Lagos and completed it in 1952. In 1954, he passed the Government Certificate and was subsequently admitted at the Ansar-Un-Deen College, Isolo, Lagos, in 1955. He left the college in 1959 with a West African School Certificate result. After leaving college, he got employment as Customs officer with the Customs and Exercise Department, Lagos, in 1960. He was in the employ of Customs until 1962 when he left for further studies in United Kingdom. After two years in England, he enrolled at the North Western Polytechnic, London, for his General Certificate for Education (GCE) (A) Level. Immediately after he got his (A) Level, Dabiri proceeded to the prestigious University of London in 1964 for a degree in law. In 1969, he graduated from the university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. He subsequently returned to Nigeria and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, which qualified him to be called to the Bar by the Council of Legal Education in 1976. And since 1976, he has been in private practice. Interestingly, Dabiri never set out to study law. According to him, he stumbled into the profession while in the United Kingdom. Initially, he had wanted to be a postmaster. He said he admired the dressing of postmen in those days and got fascinated by it and decided that was what he wanted to be. But somehow, fate had something different for him. He, like other youths of his time, decided to travel to the United Kingdom in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him. This is how he captured the experience: “I never had the ambition of becoming a lawyer. It was something that came by way of accident. At that time, I wanted to be a postman. I was fascinated by the uniform and I said okay, that was what I would like to do. But when I left this country in 1962 to England, I

did not really know what I was going to do. “I just know that some of my friends are doing A Levels there and I decided to join them. After my A Levels, I did some counseling and they said; ‘you better go for law with the subjects you passed’. That was how I came into law. It wasn’t predesigned. Maybe it was pre-ordained. It was a Divine something. But I found the course very interesting and useful.” Some of his contemporaries at the Nigerian Law School include Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Joseph B a n j o , Tani Molajo (SAN), former chairman of Lagos Island Local Council under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Derin Braithwaite, among others. After graduating from the Law School, he had his legal pupilage at the chambers of Justice Ishola Oluwa. He started a partnership with Barrister R.O. Daudu around 1978 but they later parted ways. He recalled that he was nervous in his first day in court and quickly added that it was expected since it was just his first. “Normally when you are appearing alone before a judge, you are nervous. I was nervous because that was my first appearance in court alone before a judge and I was making some sort of submissions. But in those days, you would have done your home work properly by looking at your file, read it and get some cases to support it. In fact, you really have to be prepared before you appear. Not now people go to court and say ‘my lord, my senior is not in court and he wants to handle this matter himself and we will want to ask my lord for an adjournment because he is not here now’. According to him, that is wrong. “A junior must be able to read a file given to him and be able to go on”, he added. But he advised that juniors should be meant to learn gradually and not to be sent immediately after Bar call to the Appeal Court without prerequisite experience. He believes that the lack of requisite training of young lawyers is partly responsible for the falling standard being experience today in the profession. “He should be learning. For the fact that you passed the Law School does not mean you can start to do the work straightaway. What it means is that you have just been prepared to a stage where you can become an apprentice to learn the job and not to practise it. This is because you don’t have the experience. All those things we read in the textbooks not all of them can be applied when it comes to the nittygritty of the practical aspect of the job.

Do you know… Occult Not apprehensible by the mind: recondite, mysterious. “Imperceptible by the senses… Applied to physical qualities discoverable only by experiment, or to those whose nature was unknown and unexplained… of the nature of, or pertaining to those sciences involving the knowledge or use of the supernatural (as magic, alchemy, astrology, theosophy, and the like)…magical, mystical.” See Awoniyi v. Registered Trustees of AMORC [1990] 6 NWLR (Pt. 154) 42 at 68-69, [C.A.].

LAW 87

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

LawReport Where a person dies instantly by act of another, medical evidence is not mandatory (2) 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).

Justice Bulkachuwa, Acting PCA

HE courts have taken the view that the above ingredients must be co-existent or co-equal; that is, they must be co-incident in the sense that the three conditions must co-exist. The effect is that when one of these Trinitarian ingredients is absent, the prosecution would not have discharged its duty, Ogba v State (1992) 2 NWLR (pt 222) 16, 168; Obade v State (1991) 6 NWLR (pt 198) 435, 456. As shown above, the appellant was arraigned on information before the lower court. He was charged with the offence of murder. Counsel for the appellant contended, and rightly too, that the prosecution had the duty to prove the above ingredients beyond reasonable doubt. The lower court, upon restating the above requisite ingredients of the offence of murder, dealt with them seriatim. At page 58 of the record, the court considered the first ingredient, that is, whether the deceased died. Having gone over the testimonies of PW1; PW2 (under cross examination);

DW1; DW2, it found as a fact that “Sunday Ayodele- the deceased- died on December 25, 2003. This finding and conclusion establish the first element of the offence of murder and that is that the deceased, Sunday Ayodele, has died. The prosecution has, therefore, proved this ingredient beyond reasonable doubt. The court expended considerable energy in the determination of the question whether the prosecution proved the second ingredient of the offence of murder, namely, that the death of the deceased resulted from the act of the accused person, 11-63 of the record. The court had, earlier in Bwashi v State (1972) 6 Sc 93 held that where the cause of death was obvious, medical evidence ceased to be of any practical or legal necessity in homicide cases. Here, there was the direct evidence of PW1

who, both in her evidence-in-chief and crossexamination maintained that the appellant killed the deceased in her absence. We equally endorse the lower court’s statement of the law with regard to medical evidence in the circumstances of this case. The authorities on this point are legion: they are many. Only a handful of them will be cited here. In the first place, there is authority for the view that where a person dies on the spot as a result of that act of another person, the absence of medical evidence would not be fatal to the case of the prosecution, Adamu v Kano Native Authority (1956) SCNLR 65; Mgbeko v State (1972) 2 SC 1; Akinfe v State (1988) 3 NWLR (pt 85) 729. The court dealt with the third ingredient of the said offence on pages 63-65 of the record. In doing so, it examined the cases that have interpreted section 316 (2) of the Criminal Code, which on page 64, the court observed “restates the general proposition that for a conviction of murder, proof of intent kill or cause grievous harm is sufficient.” It placed reliance on several cases. Finally, the court held that no other defence, “whether of accident, provocation, instantly or self defence was raised by the accused person. Neither did the submission of the defence counsel raise (sic) or contain any of the defence(s) capable of defeating criminal responsibilities on the part of the accused in respect of the crime of murder. In consequence, we endorse the approach of the lower court on this third element. In all, we resolve the first issue against the appellant. Learned counsel drew attention to the extrajudicial statement, which the appellant volunteered to the police, “exhibit A, “pages 13-15 of the record where he stated that he was not at the scene of crime at the time of the fight. Counsel to the respondent submitted that the defence of alibi could not avail the appellant. As such, the trial court was right when it dismissed that defence. He explained that the prosecution called two witnesses who testi-

fied on its behalf. In their evidence, they testified that they knew the appellant very well. They had lived together in the same house. He maintained that the evidence of PW1 at page 17line 19 of record, PW1 was not controverted or discredited. He contended that the defence of alibi is defeated when prosecution evidence fixes an accused person at the scene of crime, citing Yanok v State (2005) 4 ACLR 175, 182. On pages 6-7 of the brief, counsel sought to impugn the conviction of the appellant on the ground that DW2; DW3 and DW4 confirmed the story of the appellant that he was not at the scene of crime. With respect, this submission is not borne out of the records. The court, most painstakingly, scrutinise the testimonies of these witnesses on pages 59-60 of the record. The court did not believe their testimonies. In our view, counsel’s spirited efforts to impeach these findings were exercise in futility. From the above excerpts, it is obvious that the lower court believed the evidence of PW1 fixing the appellant at the scene of crime. On our part, in view of the court’s findings with regard to the shifting depositions of DW1; DW2; DW3 and DW4, on the whereabouts of the appellant at the material time, we too endorse the finding fixing the appellant at the locus criminis at the material time. We take the view that in the circumstances, the findings are unimpeachable. In our humble view, the cases of Ubani and Ors v State (supra) and Aighoreghian v State (supra), cited on page 7 of the appellant’s brief are inapposite. There was no ambiguity in the testimony of PW1 fixing the appellant at the scene of crime. That settles two on the defence of alibi. In all, for the reasons adduced above, we take the humble view that the lower court, on the evidence before it, rightly convicted the appellant. We find no justification for disturbing its findings. In consequence, we hold that this appeal is bound to, and is hereby, dismissed. We hereby affirm the judgment of the lower court. Appeal is hereby dismissed.

Professor Jadesola Olayinka Akande: Tribute to a legal icon Tribute By Adedayo and Adeboye Debo-Akande Swiss American psychiatrist and FhadAMOUS author, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, might have personalities like our mother, Professor Jadesola Olayinka Akande, in mind, when she wrote the ground-breaking book On Death and Dying, where she first discussed her theory of the five stages of grief. In this work, the renowned author stated: “It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on Earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had”. This aphorism captured in the piece aptly enunciates the dexterity of our late mother, who left this world five years ago for the world beyond at the age of 68 years. As we honour and remember this epitome of achievement, strength and courage, we take solace in the fact that she lived a very fulfilled life; she truly lived for the day. Professor Akande was a pacesetter among the women of her time. A distinguished lawyer, jurist and academia; notable is her service at the University of Lagos and Lagos State University at different times of her legal career. On a national level, she opened doors of several possibilities for the generations of women that came after her, including the ability for women to have a voice in governance, having herself served as a member of the Constitution

Review Committee and several other related committees. She also championed many civil movements that bordered on crucial social issues in Nigeria. As a catalyst of change in the way women were perceived and treated in all walks of life, she fought tirelessly for justice and equality for women, indeed justice for all. She was actively involved in the establishment and sustenance of several civil societies so much so that at her demise, 56 different civil society organisations held a four-hour session of tributes, each attesting to her invaluable contributions to their existence and achievements. Professor Akande was relentless in her pursuits and goals and she was an inspiration to many. For her, there were no barriers; any opportunity to do good, made a difference, ensured justice prevailed, changed things for the better; she took it and she used it. She was an ardent advocate of justice and liberty, a woman of great poise and decorum, who stood for what she believed in and never apologised for it. In her pursuits, she was not conscious of class or social status; her perception of life, of life’s issues, of people, was not in any way prejudiced. And she impacted lives. Innumerable lives. Her dynamic character remains a source of wonder to us. She was larger than life! Born into the very affluent and revered Ibadan family of Chief V.O. Esan and (Chief) Mrs. Wuraola Esan, Professor Akande maintained the dignity and decorum expected of a woman from her eminent background and distinguished parentage. In spite of her notably affluent background, she remained humble and for that, she was venerated all her life. She left

Late Prof Akande behind a name and deeds embedded in time. To us, however, she was a mother, our rally-

ing point. Even after the demise of our late father, Chief Adebowale Akande (SAN), she kept the flag flying and kept it all together. She remained our strength and our direction. She trained us, nurtured us, and brought to life the future our late father had planned for us, which he did not live to see through. She honoured him and loved us unconditionally. Our dreams became her dreams. And till the end, that’s how it stayed. We miss her counsel, her encouraging words, her wisdom, her doggedness, her vision, her fiery passion and ardent dedication to our late father’s heritage, driven so tenaciously to immortalise his values, his achievements, his person, his name. To let it never die! Prof. as we fondly called her, was instrumental to the men we have become today. She helped ignite in us that fire to keep the Debo-Akande flag flying, very high, and we strive daily and God is our strength. We love you, we miss you dearly and you remain in our hearts for all eternity.

Legal Brief House of Reps hears Administration of Criminal Justice Bill HE House of Representatives will today begin T public hearing on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill. The event scheduled to hold at the Committee’s Room 1 of the National Assembly complex begins at 10.00 a.m. In order to articulate civil society’s contributions to the hearing, Human Rights Agenda

Network (HRAN), Nigeria Coalition on the International Criminal Court (NCICC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the support of Justice for All (J4A), yesterday convened a preparatory meeting on the ACJ Bill at Rockview Hotel Royale, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

88 LAW

FamilyLaw

The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way, completely on its own feet. Isadora Duncan

Time to enforce inheritance, gift tax in Nigeria HE generally held opinion in Nigeria is that T there is no Inheritance and Gift Taxes in Nigeria. This is despite the enforcement of a 10 per cent estate fee charged on a deceased person’s estate when the administrators or executors of that estate apply for Letters of Administration, with or without a Will. As taxation is a statutory matter, there is in Lagos State, the Administration of Estates Law (AEL), which regulates the estates of deceased persons subject to Lagos State Law. The latter law does not however apply to the distribution, inheritance or succession of the estate of a deceased person whose affairs were regulated by Customary Law during his life-time. Probate and Letters of Administration The Probate Rules of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 provides that whenever a person subject to the jurisdiction of Lagos State dies, all applications for the grant of any Letters of Administration of the estate of the deceased person, with or without a Will attached, must be made to the Probate Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State. Such grant cannot however be entertained and issued within 14 days, where

a Will is attached, or 21 days where no Will is attached, of the demise of the individual. Applications for Letters of Administration, without a Will attached, are practically more burdensome and expensive as the applicants are required to provide under Oath, Affidavits, Bonds or Guarantees with Sureties before such applications can be considered. The value of the administrative Bond(s) can be twice the value of the estate. The latter attracts additional costs and expense especially as the higher the value of the estate, the higher the expense and the estate fee. Application for grant of Probate Section 14 of the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State requires the executors or administrators of a deceased person to, when submitting a Probate application, exhibit under Oath, a true and perfect inventory with account of the real and personal property of the deceased person. Every application for the grant of Letters of Administration, without a Will annexed, must file a true declaration of all the personal property of the deceased person with a true value of these properties also stated. Upon making the application, the applicant is issued a bank certificate, together with other statutory forms, where the bank

account balance and the value of shares of the deceased person is stated by the banks and the registrars of companies where the deceased person operated or owned shares. Probate application fees and inheritance There are various Court fees to be paid before a Probate or Letters of Administration application can be evaluated and approved. Once a Probate or Letters of Administration is approved by the Probate Registry, an estate fee of ten per cent (10%) of the value of the estate, which is tantamount to an Inheritance Tax, must be paid to the State, Government where the Probate application was lodged and approved. There is therefore in Nigeria an Estate or Inheritance Tax of 10 per cent of the value of the Estate of a deceased person. Beneficiaries and gift tax The Personal Income Tax Act, as amended in 2011, imposes Personal Income Tax on individuals, communities, families and the trustees of an Estate. Sections 16 and 27 of the Personal Income Tax Act, as amended, provides that the income of an individual or a trustee or executor of a deceased person is

ascertained in accordance with the provision of the Second Schedule to this Law, which charges to income tax any payment or benefit to a beneficiary out of a settlement, trust, or estate. Also see Article 3 of Part 1, Second Schedule of the Personal Income Tax Act, as amended for further elucidation on this point. This piece is a contribution by Oserogho and Associates, Lagos

YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi

Fundamental rights to private life (1) MONG the rights guaranteed A under Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution is the right to private life. By the virtue of Section 34 thereof: “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected”. This aspect of right deals with the right of a person to be secured and not interfered with in his physical person quite comparable with the American 4th Amendment right of people to be ‘secure in their persons’. There is a dearth of locally reported cases on the interpretation of this section, therefore much reliance will be placed on the interpretation of foreign courts and academics. According to the European Commission on Human Rights, right to private life means, “the right to live as far as one wishes, protected from publicity, together with, and to a certain extent, the right to establish and develop relationships with other human beings especially in their emotional field, the development and fulfillment of one’s own personality”. See Robertson et al, Human Rights in Europe: A Study of the European Convention on Human Rights (Manchester: Manchester University Press (1993), pg 128, quoted in “Human Rights Law and Practice in Nigeria”, Osita Nnamani Ogbu, 1999, Chapter 8, pg 168. It is under this provision that the right of a woman to terminate her pregnancy, the right to possess phonographic materials, the right to indulge in sexual orientations such as homosexuality, lesbianism etc are asserted. This submission is informed by the fact that it is under the equivalent provision in America and Europe that those rights have been tested and pronounced upon by the courts.

This provision however has wider scope. It covers inviolability of person’s homes and secrecy of correspondence. The current abortion law in the United States of America was created by the central court decision in the celebrated case of Roe v Wade, 410 U.S 113 (1973), where the Supreme Court ruled that women had the constitutional right to abortion and that the right was based on an implied right to personal privacy emanating from the 9th and 14th Amendments. In that case, the court said that a fetus is not a

person but ‘potential life’, and does not have constitutional rights of its own. The Court also set up a framework in which the woman’s right to abortion and the State’s right to protect a potential life shift: during the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s privacy right is strongest and the State may not regulate abortion for any reason; during the second trimester, the state may regulate abortion only to protect the health of the woman; during the third trimester, the State may regulate or prohibit abortion to promote its interest in the

potential life of the fetus, except where abortion is necessary to preserve the woman’s life or health. In further modifying the above case, the case of Doe v Bolton 410 U.S 179 (1973), which was decided on the same day, the Court ruled that a woman’s right to an abortion could not be limited by the state if abortion was sought for reasons of maternal health. The court defined health as ‘all factors – physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age – relevant to the wellbeing of the patient’. This health exception expanded the right to abortion for any reason through all three trimesters of pregnancy. Similarly, in Stanley v Georgia, 384 U.S 557 (1969) the same Supreme Court held that a law that prohibited and imposed penalty for the possession of obscene films was a violation of a citizen’s right to privacy. It is, however, submitted that the scope of rights covered categories, nature or the form of acts, behavior and practices that will be tolerated or conceded by a society to privacy is dependent on the cultural values and orientation of the people of the society concerned. Conversely to and only two years after the American decision, in the German case of Bundesver Fassungsgercht (1975) 39 BVerfGE, 1; 292, the Constitutional Court held unconstitutional, a provision which permitted abortion within the first 12 weeks of conception under certain circumstances. The court stated that the life developing in the mother’s womb is an independent legal interest protected by the constitution, which is the central value of every legal order and the State’s duty to protect, and not only forbids direct intervention with the life of the child, but also requires the State to protect it. This nascent life enjoys protection in principle with priority of protection

over the right of the mother to selfdetermination throughout the pregnancy and may not be subject to derogation at a certain time. This is because life in the developmental stage begun, according to established biological findings, on the 14th day after conception. The process thus begun is continuous and does not end at birth. Hence, the scope of the right to privacy in one society may be wider than another, while, as seen in the above two American cases, abortion is permitted up to the end of the first two trimesters in America, it is criminalized in Germany as it is in Nigeria under section 307 of the Criminal Code except one necessitated by the safety of the mother’s life, where the section seems to agree with Roe v Wade thus, “a person is a human being when it becomes independent of its mother’s body, whether or not the umbilical cord is severed”. Similarly, and only recently, possession of and display of phonographic materials are prohibited and sanctioned by imprisonment in the Criminal Code law of Lagos State, 2011. The recent attempt by the National Assembly in Nigeria to criminalise under the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill, homosexuality and other allied sexual orientations with the overwhelming support the bill received is an unmistakable pointer to the fact that the scope of right to privacy is dictated by the individual society. It is equally doubtful if Nigerian courts will interpret Section 37 above to include a wide range of acts and practices protected under the right to privacy by the European and American courts.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Sports Players get insurance claims, as Staco pledges support to Lagos MTN Street Soccer tournament

AFN’s three-year ban, suspension split athletics family

NJURED players in the seaIStreet son five of the MTN Lagos Soccer Championship at the weekend got their insurance claims from Staco Insurance Plc. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Staco Insurance Plc, Mr. Sakiru Oyefeso handed the trio of Nimota Ajayi, Saheed Issa and Oboh Onyebuchi, their insurance claims with a pledge to continue supporting the tournament. In his remarks, Oyefeso said, partnering Lagos State was borne out of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). “I want to let you know that we cherish this idea of street soccer and for us, we are doing this as part of our CSR and we believe it will also add colour to our company. We are determined to touch the lives of the public and what Lagos State government and MTN are doing is commendable and we are glad to be part of this noble event. As the organisers unfold their programmes for this year’s edition, I want to assure you that we will not relent in our support,” Oyefeso said.

• It’s good for the game, says Gbagbeke • We are fighting for our right-Omovoh By Gowon Akpodonor HE decision by the T Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to slam a three-year ban on two ‘rebelling’ athletes and indefinite suspension of the Golden League competition may have created a major crack in the athletics family. The AFN had banned the duo of Deinma Afiesimama (110m huddler) and Soetan Lekan (pole-vaulter), three years each, as ‘punitive measures’ for their roles in the fracas that led to the boycott of the second leg of the AFN/Solid Works Limited Golden League competition at the University of Benin (Uniben) campus at the weekend. The AFN also placed all the athletes on suspension asking them to re-apply for the golden league competition, which has also been put on hold till further notice. In two separate interviews with The Guardian yesterday, long jumper, Stanley Gbagbeke, and female sprinter, Knowledge Omovoh, toed different lines on the crisis. While Gbagbeke supported AFN’s ban on the ‘rebelling’ athletes who held the federation to ransom, Omovoh disagreed saying that the AFN’s decision was ‘too harsh.’ “To me, what the AFN did was in order because it was wrong of the athletes to come to Benin to hold the Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifier

Kenya battles Black Stars with strong field ENYA intends to field a K strong side for its June 1 international friendly match against Ghana at Nyayo Stadium. In this regard, the technical bench will invite Captain Dennis Oliech and number one goalkeeper, Arnold Origi, who are both suspended for the June 5 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. Ghana will set up camp in Nairobi ahead of its World Cup qualifier against Sudan and will use the Kenyan friendly as part of its build-up. Harambee Stars Assistant Coach, James Nandwa confirmed yesterday that the two will be part of the team to take on Ghana since they are eligible to play in the June 14 World Cup qualifier against Malawi. “We are taking the friendly seriously thus we want all our top players ready for it.”

federation to ransom,” Gbagbeke told The Guardian. “This is the year of the World Athletics Championship and it is proper for the AFN to set standard for the athletes to meet. The AFN wants a situation whereby only the best athletes make the team for the World Championship in Russia. I am sure those opposing the AFN’s decision at this stage of our preparation are those, who feel they can’t make the standard. If you must go to the World championship as an athlete, you must be ready to prepare well and meet the standard set by the federation. I am not in support of what those athletes did in Benin.” But female sprinter, Omovoh disagreed. “We fought for our right by telling the AFN to reduce the standard that was set for the World Championship. The AFN decision to ban those two athletes and asked others to re-apply was too harsh. They should also listen to us,” she said. Technical Director of the AFN, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama explained in an email to The Guardian yesterday that the athletes’ demands that the AFN should review the standard downwards and give prizes to the top eight in each Golden League event were unaccepted. He said, “the demand is an indication that they are not serious and probably don’t have the national interest at stake but just personal interest. We have chosen to do something different from what we were doing in the past in order to get a different and better result.”

Nigeria’s Noah Akwu (left); trails behind Usain Bolt, during the 200 metres event of the 2012 London 2012 Olympic Games. AFN and the athletes are at loggerheads over Golden League rules. PHOTO: AFP.

Springboks’ former coach, Mallet trains Nigerian coaches, as NRFF signs pact with Jaguar Beverages By Christain Okpara OUTH Africa and Italy forSMallet, mer rugby Coach, Nick who arrived in the country at the weekend to help the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) development its coaches, will hold a clinic with the trainers today at the CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos. Mallet, who is enthusiastic about visiting Nigeria and getting the chance to share his vast experience with Nigeria’s coaches, said yesterday that he came to the country because he believed “Nigeria could become world beaters given the right encouragement, development and training.”

According to the coach, who will also meet with stakeholders and sponsors of the game tomorrow, “Nigerians are big, powerful and fast which are all the natural ingredients needed for success in rugby. “I remember watching Victor Ubogu when he played prop for England and was always impressed with the power of his scrumming in the front row. “This is my first visit to Nigeria and I am very excited about being here and getting the chance to help the NRFF (Nigerian Rugby Football Federation) and the coaches here. “It is incredible that Nigeria that has produced so many

good sprinters and is blessed with men of huge physique has not developed rugbuy as a sport of choice. “It is not right that Kenya and Uganda are doing better than Nigeria in rugby. We have to spread the sport to the youths because they can earn fantastic money in clubs in France, South Africa, england and Wales, among others.” The NRFF also used the opportunity presented by Mallet’s visit to announce a sponsorship deal with Jaguar Beverages, which is sponsorsing this year’s 7s series in Lagos and Abuja. According to the NRFF, the rugby 7s, moved from Kaduna to Abuja, would feature at

least 12 teams drawn fom the across the country, while the Lagos leg would have more than 16 teams, including two international clubs. Relishing the privilege of sponsoring the series, Jaguar Beverages Chief Executive Officer, Aslim Aslim promised the event would be a great experience, which would draw mant sports lovers to the game. According to Aslim, “Rugby is all about strenght, it is all about purpose, it is all about discipline, which is what makes up Nigeria and we know Nigeria would soon become a world power in the game and we want to be part of that.

Zonal election into sports federations hold today By Eno-Abasi Sunday ARING any last minute B change of plans, zonal elections into the boards of the various non-concessioned sport federations in the country will hold at the headquarters of the six geopolitical zones in Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi. Since the National Sports Commission (NSC) released a timeline, which contained the election schedule, a groundswell of activities have taken place both on the part of the NSC and that of

stakeholders/prospective office holders. In the timeline, collection of nomination forms set the tone. This ran from April 10 to 15 and was dovetailed by submission of completed forms to the national office/headquarters of their respective federations. This was to be done from April 16 to 17. However, barely two weeks ago, the NSC, citing appeals by stakeholders and the need to ensure that the elections were hitch free, expanded the collection points for nomination forms.

The commission in a statement it released stated, “in addition to the national offices/headquarters of the various Sports Federations, interested stakeholders, who wish to participate in the zonal elections can also get the nomination forms from the six geo-political zones of the NSC: Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, Kaduna, Jos and Bauchi. The statement further added, “interested participants can also download the forms from the Commission’s website at www.sportscommission.gov.n

g. The completed nomination forms are to be submitted either at the zonal offices of the NSC listed above or to the national office/headquarters of the Federation concerned. The timelines and schedules for the elections however remain unchanged.” Announcement of the final list of qualified candidates was, however, done on April 27 preparing grounds for today’s all-important exercise holding at the headquarters of the six geo-political zones. Petitions/appeals arising

from the zonal elections will be heard from tomorrow to Monday, May 6, while elections into the offices of presidents and vice presidents shall take place in Abuja on May 14, 2013. The swearing-in ceremony is slated for May 17, after all appeals/petitions would have been dealt with. The NSC has repeatedly assured all stakeholders that it has put in place systems to ensure fair and credible elections at both zonal and national level, urging aspirants to consult the published guidelines to confirm eligibility and modalities.

92 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

DStv PBL: Club owners, NBBF back to the trenches By Adeyinka Adedipe NE week into the DStv O Premier Basketball League, all appears not to be well with the teams as the club owners are at loggerhead with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) over how the sponsorship fee should be shared. The club owners say that the 49 per cent allocated to the teams is very small arguing that the clubs should get a larger chunk of the fee since they are the ones, who host the games. However, the NBBF are saying that the 49 per cent does not include the prize money for the winners. The basketball federation also stated that the remaining 51 per cent would take care of officials and other logistics, which surrounds the league. According to the breakdown by the NBBF, 40 per cent will go to the clubs for the regular season, five per cent for the final four in both the Savannah and Atlantic and four per cent for the final four competition. This breakdown, according to the club owners, means that the N1.45 million

will go to each club in the regular season, which they believe is inadequate. Islanders’ proprietor, Damoye Oshikaye lamented that discussions between clubs and the NBBF is left too late, which has led to the present situation. He said clubs were burdened with high expenses and would need more money to run their affairs. He also said that the selfish manner in which clubs go about the game has left the NBBF with too much room to dictate to the clubs as they please. “You can’t imagine that I have to provide diesel for my game against Nigeria Police and yet, the federation did not make any provision for the DStv crew to test their equipment and they want to use mine for same. In principle I disagree with a lot of things and raised questions but the federation has gone ahead to do as they please.” For Tanko Dustse of the Yelwa Hawks of Bauchi, the NBBF does not have any business sharing the sponsorship funds as it pleases them. “The clubs are to have the majority share in the sponsorship funds. The real prob-

lem we have with our basketball is that we have left the administration to people, who have no business with the game. How much of their personal monies do they (administrators) commit to basketball,” he querried. He said the time has come for club owners to take the bull by the horn and demand their due. An NBBF source told to The Guardian that the clubs should know that there are other payments that would be made from the sponsorship money. “Apart from the fact that the prize money will come from the remaining 51 per cent, a percentage of the money is dedicated to the repair and upgrade of facilities at different venues. Already we have spent about N1m on the National Stadium hall. “There is also the need to upgrade facilities in other centres especially the ones that the television will go for coverage. The officials are also getting double the amount the got last year for the regular season. We are also purchasing equipment like the moveable score board, short clock and game clock,” the source added.

Why I want to join boxing board, by Adeniji-Adele By Tony Nwanne AGOS State’s former Sports Commissioner, Ademola Adeniji-Adele says he decided to vie for a position in the board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation because he believes he can help resuscitate the sport. Adeniji-Adele, who is one of those tipped to be in the new board expected to restructure the boxing federation, says it has become necessary for experienced individuals to come together to bring back the country’s lost glory in boxing. The former Lagos Island Local Council chairman told journalists yesterday, “I have decided to seek election to the board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation in the forth coming zonal and national election to pursue an agenda of returning Nigerian amateur boxing to the path to glory. “In doing this, I draw from the experiences I have garnered serving as commissioner of Sports and Youth Development in Lagos State, from my days as a national athlete, from other public responsibilities I have been privileged and from the contacts and networks I have made through the years. “The development model, which I hereby propose has worked for us in Lagos State in both boxing and football and I am confident that it will also work for our nation.” He cited some examples from the development strategies in Lagos State to buttress the plausibility of his development plan. Some of these strategies, he said, include the MTN Street Soccer, “which transformed roadside football to an event of international acclaim. The idea was to harness and organise the ordinary potentials on the streets and pro-

vide the youngsters with sponsorship and organisation to express their talents in a more conducive and gainful environment and manner. “The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, which we conceived to provide a platform for regular training, competitions and benefits for both male and female boxers in various categories and age grades. The programme has taken a life of its own and currently enjoys international exchange for partnership for training of boxers and coaches abroad. The project has also built an Ultra Modern Boxing Gym of its own in the heart of Lagos.” Adeniji-Adele said he would design and implement a programmed, workable and sustainable agenda for the development of Nigeria, adding that he would provide a conducive environment for boxers and coaches to excel in the sports, locally and internation-

ally, and in the process elicit the interest, attraction, sponsorship and investment of the organised private sector and individuals for the sport of boxing. He said the new boxing federation would set a target of at least five gold medals for Team Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which could be achieved by a planned developmental and training programme. “We will register all boxers, boxing enthusiasts, boxing clubs, boys and girls clubs, as well as, introduce boxing clubs to all schools in Nigeria through the National Council on Sports and Education, National Universities Commission, other institutions of learning, the academical committee, the Schools Sports Federation and other youth sports development platforms.”

Customs’ Afodu Habib (right) tries to outwit Oliver Joshua of Dodan Warriors during their DStv Basketball Premier League game in Lagos…at the weekend. Clubs and NBBF are at loggerheads over the sharing of the sponsorship fee.

FHA Tennis tourney begins today APTAIN of Federal C Housing Authority Tennis Club, Festac Town, Lagos, Evans Nwachukwu, has confirmed that the ladder Tennis tournament will commence today and end on May 25. Nwachukwu, who stated this after inspecting renovation works on the three courts at the club, said the club Grand Patron, Chief Vincent Obianodo, Chairman, Young Shall Grow Transport Company, would flag off this year’s edition. The captain said the tournament was open to every member of club irrespective of age, stating that the tournament, which is the flagship event of the club, has helped to promote fitness and sustained friendship among members. “What makes us different from other Tennis Club in the country is because we are a strictly a tennis playing Club, which explains why our members are always fit and discipline. We reject indiscipline and this has been the bedrock of our success. “From the president to the

Exp Sponsorship Consultant, Michael Archer (left), former South Africa and Italy rugby coach, Nick Mallett, CEO Jaguar Beverages Limited, Ahmed Aslim, Vice President NRFF, Akin Akintola, and Regional Director Exp West Africa, Tertius Strauss, at the breakfast parley in honour of Mallett, who is in Lagos to share his experience with local rugby coaches.

least members, we play Tennis, which forms part of the reasons why our members are free from strokes and high blood pressure. Nwachukwu said the courts have undergone renovation and would have modern umpire seat, players seat and members have been well motivated to participate in the year

edition, which has former captain Lucky Edovie has defending champion. “As captain my dream is to ensure we have a pavilion for spectator to seat. We need a corporate body to provide a pavilion that can take at least 1,000 spectators, which will further boost the club’s reputation as the leading tennis club in the country,” he added.

35th CBN Senior Open Tennis Championship

14 year-old Agbamu thrills fans, as top seeds advance By Olalekan Okusan T was his second appearIBank ance at the yearly Central of Nigeria (CNB) Senior Open Tennis Championship but 14 yearold Martins Agbamu thrilled the fans with this exceptional performance in the main draw of the tournament, which witnessed the progress of top seeded players. In his first outing last year, he managed to make it to the second round of the preliminary stage but his recent performance in series of competitions promoted the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to give wildcard to the senior class two student of P&P Comprehensive College, Ilasamaja, Lagos. Before the encounter against a much-older and experienced Olalekan Adebisi, the teenage sensation had told The Guardian that his target was to play in the semi-final of the competition. When the encounter began at the centre court of the National Stadium in Lagos, lots of fans had thought that the match was inconsequential but when Agbamu started dictating the pace of the game, they were forced to besiege the venue to catch a glimpse of the action. From the start of the first

set, Agbamu showed that he was up to the task against his hard-serving opponent with his creative style of play, which was a departure from other players. Fighting for every point and ensuring that all his balls were within the court, the lion-hearted Agbamu mesmerised Adebisi to win the first set at 6-3. However, the scorch afternoon sun began to take its toll on Agbamu and he failed to increase the tempo of the game and this allowed his opponent to take charge of the game. Also, his confident began to dwindle hitting all his balls at the net to allow Adebisi to win the second set at 6-0. In the final set, the young Agbamu tried to salvage the match, but when he realised that his opponent was leading at 4-0 coupled with the fatigue, he decided to retire for the encounter to be awarded to Adebisi at 3-6, 60, 4-0 (retired). “I actually enjoyed myself but my stamina failed me and I was also tired because of the weather which was not too friendly,” Agbamu admitted. In other first round matches played yesterday, seeded players like Abdulmumuni Babalola, Henry Atseye, Onyeka Mbanu, and host of others progressed to the second round of the tournament.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

UEFA Championship League

I will be blamed if Real are eliminated, Mourinho admits EAL Madrid Coach, Jose R Mourinho expects to take the blame instead of his players if they fail to overturn a 41 deficit against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League semifinal second leg today. Mourinho was hired from Inter Milan three years ago to help Real win the 10th European crown that has eluded them since 2002 but the La Liga side are on the brink of a third straight failure at the last-four stage under his stewardship. “In practically all football clubs success belongs to everyone but failure is always the fault of the coach,” the Portuguese told a news conference yesterday. “I am perfectly calm because I know that is the situation. “There are fantastic coaches in football, who have never won the Champions League, I

have won two, for which I must thank God. But I will continue to fight for a third.” Mourinho, who won Europe’s elite club competition with Porto in 2004 and Inter in 2010, again had to answer a host of questions about his future amid speculation he will leave Real at the end of the season despite having a contract until 2016. He has so far refrained from committing to staying beyond June and said this month a decision on his future would be taken at the end of the campaign. Some reports have said he is poised to rejoin Chelsea, where he failed to win the Champions League, and that Real had lined up Paris St Germain Coach, Carlo Ancelotti as a replacement. “If you want to know about contacts between Real Madrid and Ancelotti you

have to ask Madrid not me,” Mourinho said. Asked whether today’s game could be his last home match for Real in the Champions League, he added, “I feel that this could be the most important match for Real Madrid in the last 10 years. “But I felt the same thing before we played in Dortmund and we played there as if it was a friendly.” He also shot down a report that he had told Dortmund Coach, Juergen Klopp, he was moving to Chelsea at the end of the season. Klopp has also said the report, in Germany’s Bild newspaper, was untrue. “The truth is that I did not speak to Klopp about my future, and Klopp can only speak the truth, nothing more,” he said. “It’s a shame that people read the newspapers and then don’t listen to what Klopp said.”

Bayern Munich’s midfielder, Thomas Mueller (centre); vies with Barcelona’s defender, Gerard Pique (right), during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match in Munich, southern Germany last week. Bayern Munich won the match 4-0. PHOTO: AFP

Hitzfeld ‘convinced’ of all-German final TTMAR Hitzfeld is “conO vinced” that his former club Bayern Munich will face off against Borussia Dortmund in this year’s Champions League final. In the first leg of the semifinals, the Bavarians beat Barcelona 4-0, while Die Schwarzgelben will go into their second leg match against Real Madrid with a 41 advantage. Hitzfeld does not believe the two Spanish clubs will be able to turn around their ties at home this week.

“I still remain convinced that Dortmund will reach the final, where they will meet FC Bayern, but it won’t be easy,” the 64-year-old told Bundesliga.com. “I believe that neither Dortmund nor Bayern will lose in Spain.” Hitzfeld, who won the Champions League as a coach with both Dortmund and Bayern, was impressed by the way his former clubs defeated the two Spanish giants, and feels there may be a changing of the guard in

Europe. “If you consider that the Bundesliga leaders beat the Liga leaders 4-0, and the Bundesliga’s second-placed side that of La Liga 4-1, then the goalposts really have been moved,” he explained. “There is a changing of the guard taking place, but Dortmund and Bayern need to confirm that in the second legs.” Dortmund will play its second leg against Madrid today, while Bayern faces off against Barca at Camp Nou tomorrow.

Babangida in Heineken Champions Planet for Real Madrid, Dortmund clash member of the Nigerian A dream team that won football gold at the Atlanta ‘96 Olympic games, Tijani Babangida will be the ‘Legend of the Night’ at the Heineken Champions Planet during Real Madrid’s ‘come-back’ quest against Borussia Dortmund in the first semifinal second leg match of the UEFA Champions League this night. The Atlanta ‘96 Olympic gold medal winner over the week-

end confirmed his intention to be part of the premium viewing experience again at the Heineken Champions Planet in Victoria Island, Lagos. “I watched FC Chelsea’s historic win here at the Heineken Champions Planet last season. The frenzied atmosphere on the final day is something I would like to experience again, so I was very happy when this opportunity came about, I had no choice but to

accept,” the player, known for his dashing runs down the right wing in his ace days commented last night. The invitation of Babangida as the Legend would be a delight to several guests as the former FC Ajax of Amsterdam star had a wonderful evening last season, particularly with Chelsea fans as their darling team carted home the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, April 30, 2013

TheGuardian

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Adebote Seyifunmi HE giant of Africa’ - call it one of Nigeria’s many accolades, an eulogy, an appraisal, a title, whatever you consider it to be, but it’s ‘un-debate-able’, that this phrase ‘The giant of Africa’ often accompanies the presence of the country Nigeria at different occasions and scenes both at national and international levels. Patriotic Nigerians within and beyond the length and breadth of this great continent “Africa” utter the phrase “Nigeriathe giant of Africa” over and over again with so much pride and excessive confidence. Media houses and broadcasting organisations would not cease to emphasize at every available opportunity, especially where and when other African countries are on the scene, that Nigeria remains “The giant of Africa.” Virtually all sport personalities given the chance to represent the country would chorus it repeatedly like an anthem on their various fields of play- I represent “Nigeria- the giant of Africa.” Now I ask: Does it excite you each time you hear Nigeria being referred to as ‘’the giant of Africa”? How well does it gladden you as a patriotic Nigerian each time you are reminded that you hail from the country- that is the only giant among the 53 other countries on the African soil? Well, I used to feel the excitement of being opportune to come from the root of the giant of a whole continent. And now I seek the permission of patriotic Nigerians, only patriotic Nigerians, to read along with me and discover the reasons why we “Nigerians” must stand up tall, bold and define Nigeria - The giant of Africa”, thereafter renounce this deceptive phrase ascribed to her. According to the New 8th Edition of The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary International Student’s Edition which is widely accepted in Nigeria, a giant is defined as a very large and strong person who is often cruel and stupid—definition 1. A giant is also defined as a person who is very good at something—definition 4. Going by the definition 1 should we define Nigeria as the giant of Africa, as a very large and strong country that is cruel and stupid? Oh, yes, how best can we define Nigeria in her present state if not going by this definition, a country governed by cruel leaders and which is full of stupid acts? According to definition 4—a person who is very good at something, though a seemingly mild definition, not until you attribute to it the Nigerian factor, that it would be redefined as a 52 years old country that is very good at acts like terrorism, corruption, insincerity, heartlessness, offering bad standard of living, poor economy and presenting a flooded environment. We can see that a giant is not necessarily the ever imagined huge, broad faced, terrible looking, croaky voiced macho. We should now crave for an answer as to why such a term should be attached to our country, Nigeria. I search for the right answers to this question. We will do more by raising our voice regardless of how faint it may sound, make bold

‘T

Hmmm, as I watch “patriotic Nigerians” in their flashy green and white attires hopping and giggling from one tourist attraction to another event centre celebrating a 52 years old giant who is yet to conquer the least of his many lifethreatening problems, I would rather put on the darkest of material from my scanty wardrobe, move to the street and, in sobriety, sob as one that mourns the dead.

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‘Nigeria, the giant of Africa’: A title we must renounce

inscriptions on our placards and, in oneness, begin the wilderness journey to renounce the deceptive appellation “The giant of Africa.” Historically, it has been confirmed that good things and occurrences have never been and would not be associated with this creature—the GIANT. Many of the giants that have lived before now were no more than treats, objects of entertainment to their neighbourhood. They are not known to be useful to themselves and those who look up to them. Their generations never wanted to be associated with them. The giants, consequently, would rather remain tribeless because of the ignominy they may have brought that cannot be erased from record. The first occurrence of giant, as seen chronologically, was from Anak and they were known as the giants of Anakims. You would not be heartless

enough as to smile on hearing their present stand amidst other nations. The Anakims seem to have identified themselves with the Nephilim, the “giant” of the Antediluvian Age. There were various tribes of Anakims. Moreover, they were finally expelled from the land, thousands of years B.C except a remnant that found refuge in the cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod Quoting from one of the Holy books another notorious tribe of giant was known as GATH. They were described as men of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and 20 in number; and were born to the giant, whose champion, Goliath, was humiliated. Until today, he remains an example in teaching respect and fear among the adult and instigating a brave nature in the little ones. Have you read about Argob? This was an island of mighty men with descrip-

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While you see Nigeria as a country on the western portion of the African continent surrounded by other younger but more successful countries, I see a 00 km2 piece of land on which about 160 million unlucky creatures find themselves governed by unkind and inconsiderate people tion “sixty walled cities in a space of 308 square miles. The architecture is ponderous and massive. Solid walls 4 feet thick, and stones on one another without cement; the roofs enormous slabs of basaltic rock, like iron; the doors and gates are of stone 18 inches thick, secured by ponderous bars. The land bears still the appearance of having been called the ‘land of giant ‘ under the giant Og.” I still wonder why “giant” should be as fearful as to construct a place with such description to live in. Zamzummim was also a race of giant; briefly described as “a people great, and many, and tall. Nigerians should not wait until we are branded with infamy. You may see this article as not comprehensive enough as to convince all patriotic Nigerians on why we must renounce as soon as possible the title: “The giant of Africa”- attached to our motherland, Nigeria. Then I urge you to go the extra mile, read more of tales of cruel beings GIANTS, how useless they were to themselves and offered unnecessary and annoying services to their people and the type of hypocritical life they lived. Read between the lines and imagine how their ill-speeches enslaved their brethren, neighbours, destroyed their immediate environment and wasted their resources, with their feeble mind and cowardly yet hypocritical actions. While you see Nigeria as a country on the western portion of the African continent surrounded by other younger but more successful countries, I see a 00 km2 piece of land on which about 160 million unlucky creatures find themselves governed by unkind and inconsiderate people. While you see an exploration site with abundance of human and natural resources, I see a 52 years old giant whose speeches and actions have kept disappointing his people and messing them up in troubled, muddy waters for over five decades. Hmmm, as I watch “patriotic Nigerians” in their flashy green and white attires hopping and giggling from one tourist attraction to another event centre celebrating a 52 years old giant who is yet to conquer the least of his many life-threatening problems, I would rather put on the darkest of material from my scanty wardrobe, move to the street and, in sobriety, sob as one that mourns the dead. If a title must be attached to this country, Nigeria, it should not be a deceptive title that would relax the mind of an average citizen when there is fire descending from the mountains already. To those who deem it fit to paint Nigeria with accolades or titles they should rather come up with a better phrase that would send vital messages that would drive us to our desired destination. It should not be this deceptive and unworthy title: The giant of Africa. The time has come when Nigerians must rise in unity and renounce it with passion for a dream Nigeria, a land of happy people living in peace, in abundance, and an example to the other countries of the world. • Seyifunmi is a 400 level student, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.