Mon 07 April 2014

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, April 7, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,884

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Nigeria, 149 others gather for World urban forum in Colombia RESH steps are being takFsuchen by all the urban actors as governments, local authorities, civil society, private sector and academy with the view of making a ‘New Urban Agenda’ for the 21st century at the Seventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF7), starting from today in Medellin, Colombia.

The urban settlement actors

DETAILS ON PAGE 31 are coming together under the largest United Nations conference on sustainable urban development and cities.

Nearly 25,000 people have registered as participants from about 150 countries including Nigeria. They will examine the most pressing issues facing the world today in the area of human settlements, including rapid urbanization and its impact on cities, communities, economies, climate change and policies.

30 feared killed in Zamfara attack A cross section of pro-Russian protesters with national flags during a rally in eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk… yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

WHO, NMA alert on vector-borne diseases

By Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) and Emeka Anuforo (Abuja) UMANITY was yesterday H alerted by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) over the rising cases and risk from vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, schistosomiasis and yellow fever that are carried by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, water snails and others.

WHO, in the newly-published document entitled “A global brief on vector-borne diseases”, said more than half the world’s population is at risk from vector-borne dis-

• No vaccine for Ebola, dengue, says ministry • Herbal medicine studies for Nigerian varsities eases and every year, more than one billion people are infected and more than one million die from diseases – borne by the aforementioned vectors.

The NMA in a statement yesterday by its president, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, blamed the situation on dwindling poor allocation for health. Enab-

ulele said that not until an aggressive, deeply committed, well-funded and supervised environmental management programme is instituted, Nigeria may not heave a sigh of relief in her fight against the menacing unsolicited advances of the disease-laden organisms which have undoubtedly contributed to the

huge disease burden in Nigeria.

To mark World Health Day, April 7, WHO is highlighting the serious and increasing threat of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan “Small bite, big threat.”

According to the WHO, vector-borne diseases affect the poorest populations, particu-

• I have not boycotted confab, says Braithwaite –Page 7 • Tiv flee Taraba over insecurity –Page 8

larly where there is a lack of access to adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation. Malnourished people and those with weakened immunity are especially susceptible.

Dengue fever, also known as break-bone fever, is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

According to the WHO, mosquito-borne dengue, for example, is now found in 100 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

• Arewa chief links insecurity to local collaborators From Saxone Akhaine Northern Bureau Chief with agency report UNMEN suspected to be Fulani herdsmen stormed a meeting in Zamfara State killing 30 people, police said yesterday.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the unabated violence in the northern part of the country, Arewa chieftain and former spokesman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony Sani, has blamed the situation on the activities of dreaded al-Qaeda militant group and their local collaborators in the country, adding that the recent community clashes in parts of the North were part of their scheme to destabilise the nation.

“Thirty people were killed and several others injured,” Zamfara State police spokesman, Lawal Abdullahi, told Agence France Presse (AFP).

“The incident happened in Galadima yesterday during a meeting of community leaders and representatives of vigilance groups who were discussing ways to thwart CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Arewa chief links insecurity to local collaborators CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 armed robbers and cattle rustlers”, he said.

He said security forces had been deployed to the area.

Survivors said more than 60 people might have died in the attack.

“We counted 61 bodies from the scene of the attack last night, while many people were wounded,” a survivor who gave his name as Babangida from neighbouring Kaduna State told AFP. He said he was lucky to escape and implored the security forces to stem incessant attacks by Fulani rustlers on villages in the area.

The conflict between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers over land rights, particularly in north central Nigeria, has persisted for more than a decade despite a series of peace efforts across several states.

Last month, some 100 people were killed in Kaduna State when assailants armed with guns and machetes attacked farming villages. local Fulani leaders had for years complained about the loss of grazing land crucial to their livelihood, and resentment between the herdsmen and their agrarian neighbours had risen over the past decade.

Under the country’s law, indigenous people have enhanced rights in their home areas, including preferential access to public education and jobs.

The Fulani claim they have been systematically disenfranchised. The disputes vary

from state to state and often have a religious element, especially in areas where farmers are predominantly Christians.

Sani, who is also a northern delegate to the National Conference spoke at the weekend in an interview while reacting to the clashes among Fulani herdsmen and some native communities in parts of the northern states, coupled with the Boko Haram insurgency that has continued to ravage the states in the North-East.

He pointed out that “the violent clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and some native communities in some northern states is a source of concern to all, especially when regard to the fact that they are also attacking people in the North-West that is predominantly Hausa-Fulani”, just as he queried, “could the herdsmen attack their kith and kin in Katsina and Zamfara states?”

“I have my doubt because the phenomenon calls into question and reconsideration of our continuous association of the attacks with ethnicity and religion. And that is why we believe our intelligence community and security apparatus need to brace up and improve their operations for performance.”

“They cannot afford an impression that they can be overwhelmed.

Challenges are meant to be overcomed by consciously-directed efforts of those with the mandate to do so. As it is now, I do not think anybody can tell you he is all-knowing, all-wise

and holds all the truth about this menace because there are many facets to it, namely foreign elements, unemployment, poverty and ignorance as well as failure of leadership at all levels of governance”.

Lamenting over the clashes in the North which have claimed so many lives and property in recent times, Sani said: “It is quite possible for these attacks to be inspired by the insurgents since they have different strategies depending on the circumstances”.

While linking international dimension to the crisis in the northern part of Nigeria, he

argued that “consider that alQaeda has one of the most decentralised system of management in the world”, stressing, “and when you relate this to what Osama Bin Laden told the world that even if he was killed, he would leave behind many Osama Bin Laden, then you cannot reasonably rule out foreign connections to these attacks, however called”.

Sani argued further: “When people keep hampering on this matter of the government not being fully equipped with trained personnel to confront the insurgence, I feel they are

over-flogging the issue, precisely because the government and the security agencies have since admitted to the nation that the insurgence is a new phenomenon which took them by surprise and unprepared”.

“But they have assured the nation that they have no option but to get prepared and face it. However, getting prepared is not a one-day job.

More so, for an insurgence that uses suicide bombing as one of its strategies. Mind you, suicide-bombing is inspired by the highest of commitments”.

However, the ACF chieftain

explained that “while it is understandable for Nigerians to become frustrated and cry out that the government was not doing enough in the face of endless killings of innocent Nigerians, it is equally understandable to be a bit patient with the government and join the government against the menace, since matter of insurgence cannot be left with government alone”.

He insisted: “I believe given purposeful leadership at all levels of governance and the best in most Nigerians, we shall overcome the problems.”

No vaccine for Ebola, dengue, says ministry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 countries, putting more than 2.5 billion people - over 40 per cent of the world’s population - at risk. Dengue has recently been reported in Nigeria, China, Portugal and the state of Florida, in the United States (U.S.) Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, last week confirmed a case of dengue fever in Nigeria. Unpublished reports from the Federal Ministry of Health blame some cases of untreatable fever or rather suspected malaria in the country on dengue fever.

Reports from Greece say that malaria has returned there for the first time in 40 years.

This highlights the continual threat of reintroduction and the need for continued vigilance to ensure that any malaria resurgence can be rapidly contained.

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and spread by the bite of certain types of sandflies.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by a tick.

Schistosomiasis, transmitted by water snails, is the most widespread of all vectorborne diseases, affecting almost 240 million people worldwide. Children living and playing near infested water are particularly vulnerable to this disease, which causes anaemia and a reduced ability to learn.

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.

Meanwhile, the WHO also emphasised that these diseases are entirely preventable.

The newly published “A global brief on vector-borne diseases” outlines steps that governments, community groups and families can all take to protect people from infection.

WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, said: “A global health agenda that gives higher priority to vector control could save many lives and avert much suffering. Simple, cost-effective interventions like insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying have already saved millions of lives.

No one in the 21st century should die from the bite of a mosquito, a sandfly, a blackfly or a tick.”

Enabulele said it is a known fact that vectors are most commonly found in areas and habitations characterised by scarcity of potable water, poor housing conditions, poor en-

vironmental hygiene and abject poverty, succinctly summarised by the WHO as “Communities left behind by development”.

The NMA President explained: “We are however worried about the dwindling budgetary allocation to the health sector which is capable of incapacitating these established agencies of government in rendering their statutory as well as contingency roles in healthcare delivery.

“Aside from the fact that Nigeria is yet to implement the 2001 Abuja declaration of African Heads of State, which prescribes an allocation of a minimum of 15 per cent of the national budget of African countries to the health sector, the budget for health is sadly on the decrease, with inexplicable poor budgetary releases for health programmes.

“The poor fund allocation has greatly hindered some important public health programmes like active disease surveillance, epidemiological studies, research activities and mass media campaigns.”

Enabulele, who is also the Vice President, Commonwealth Medical Association, “therefore call on the various arms of government at all levels involved with appropriation to reconsider the amount allocated to the health sector to enable concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) prepare adequately to manage whatever emergencies and pandemics that might likely ensue.”

The NMA earlier noted with utmost regret that at this point in Nigeria’s history, the country is still grappling with issues of development at the very foundational levels.

The association, however, had applauded government on the historic eradication of Guinea worm in Nigeria in 2013 under the leadership of the Minister of Health, Prof.

C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as well as certain landmark achievements of the Federal Government in the establishment and sustenance of certain government agencies/bodies such as the National Malaria Eradication programme of the Federal Ministry of Health; National Arbovirus and Vector Research Institute, Enugu; National Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Kaduna; National Reference Laboratories for the diagnosis of Lassa fever in Ekpoma, Edo State, and Lagos; Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba; and the successful take-off of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (N-

CDC).

The NMA President urged the Port Health Services units to intensify their efforts as it concerns their very strategic role in identifying and quarantining infected persons migrating from affected nations of the world, especially with the recent reported outbreak of Ebola Viral Disease in some countries within the African continent.

Enabulele also appealed to the mass media, National Orientation Agency, Federal and State Ministries of Information to more patriotically and religiously disseminate genuine and accurate information about disease outbreaks and modalities for containment.

He urged government at local, state and federal levels to scale up their public health enlightenment and environmental management strategies. “We expect them to enforce strict implementation of enabling public health and housing laws; institute measures for proper waste/sewage disposal and other preventive measures, construct roads with standard and well-maintained drainages.”

The NMA President also called on government to ensure that Nigerians are vaccinated against vector-borne diseases that have preventive vaccines, while providing drugs for known vector-borne diseases.

“Finally, as we mark the World Health Day, we wish to advise Nigerians not to abandon the ideals of personal hygiene, environmental and home sanitation, as well as other home-grown innovative vector control measures, even as we strive hard to achieve global best practices in vector control,” he said.

Meanwhile, within the past two decades, many important vector-borne diseases have also re-emerged or spread to new parts of the world. Environmental changes, a massive increase in international travel and trade, changes in agricultural practices and rapid unplanned urbanisation are causing an increase in the number and spread of many vectors worldwide and making new groups of people, notably tourists and business travellers, vulnerable.

Director of WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Dr. Lorenzo Savioli, said: “Vector control remains the most important tool in preventing outbreaks of vector-borne diseases. Increased funds and political commitment are needed to sustain existing vector-control tools, as well as medicines and diagnostic tools – and to con-

duct urgently needed research.”

On World Health Day 2014, WHO is calling for a renewed focus on vector control and better provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene-key strategies outlined in WHO’s 2011 roadmap for the control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases, which sets targets for the period 2012 to 2020.

Meanwhile, Information Minister, Labaran Maku’s claim last week that government was taking precautionary measures, including getting the vaccines and medicines for deadly Ebola disease, may not have any scientific basis.

This is because the Ministry of Health has categorically stated that there is no vaccine for Ebola.

Chukwu told newsmen at the weekend that the impression that there was a vaccine for Ebola was not true, stressing rather, that prevention was key in the management of the disease, which had gone viral in some African countries.

He said: “What is important is prevention. Give information to the people so that if people are having symptoms, they quickly see appropriate authorities. They need to be separated before they spread it and we can also start treatment in time by giving all the supportive treatment.

“So, I don’t think anybody will say there is a vaccine. There is no vaccine for them. But the country, through us, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, our partners, including laboratories in various teaching hospitals, the CDC of the United States, the World Health Organisation (WHO), we are closely working together to see how we can the spread.”

He was emphatic that there was no vaccine for treating Ebola and dengue infections.

His words: “There is no case of Ebola in Nigeria; and we are putting things to tract it because it is not something you stay and say it will not come.

You are not God that you will say it is not possible to have Ebola. Nigerians travel a lot.

Even if we monitor them at our seaports and airports, we have so many land borders. It is not always too easy to monitor people.

“So, it is possible someone can visit a place and come back with a disease. It is possible.

But, we have taken time to do surveillance. We are strengthening everything. So, if we pick a case, we quickly quarantine so that it doesn’t spread to others’’.

Monday, April 7, 2014 NEWS

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News ‘How phone use makes men impotent’

Ilorin varsity to produce cassava bread, table water

CIENTISTS found that men Smore who hold their mobiles for than four hours a day are

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

more likely to suffer from impotence than those who limit usage to less than two hours.

Two separate studies from Cleveland, United States and Egypt reported in the Central European Journal of Urology and recently featured in the Environmental Health Trust’s newsletter showed that men who use mobile phones could be risking their fertility.

In the Cleveland study, men who made calls on a mobile phone for more than four hours a day had the worst sperm counts and the poorest quality sperm.

The Egypt research noticed the correlation after six hours of phone use a day.

However, neither study found sperm count was affected.

Doctors believe the damage could be caused by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by handsets or the heat they generate.

Previous studies found using a laptop has a similar impact on fertility levels in men, due to the heat released from the

HE Vice Chancellor of the T University of Ilorin, Prof.

Abdulganiyu Ambali, has dis-

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State laying a wreath at a cenotaph in Uyo, the state capital, in memory of Akwa Ibom State citizens who died during the Nigerian Civil War… yesterday.

closed plans by the institution to promptly commence commercial production of bread made from cassava flour.

Already, feasibility studies have been conducted by the university on the suitability of the sprawling arable land housing the institution for cassava cultivation just as experts on food production from the university have been assembled to make the proposition a reality.

Ambali, in a chat with reporters in Ilorin yesterday, also said the university, in collaboration with relevant agencies in and outside Nigeria, has concluded plans to introduce the use of solar energy as an alternative to hydro power electricity in Ilorin, the host community. Besides, as a way of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the university has just secured the nod of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to commence massive production of table water.

Nda-Isaiah flays second term for Jonathan, Ijaw youths urge support for president From Adamu Abu and Abosede Musari (Abuja) PRESIDENTIAL aspirant of A the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Sam NdaIsaiah, has kicked against the idea of zoning key positions like that of the president, saying it is responsible for the multi-faceted problems besetting the country.

Speaking to journalists at the weekend, he warned the electorates against voting for President Goodluck Jonathan who hails from the SouthSouth geo-political region.

But the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) is calling on Nigerians to support President Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015, stating that it is the right of the Niger Delta to complete the eight years term.

When asked why the political class would not allow President Jonathan to com-

plete his two terms since it is the turn of the South-South geo-political zone to produce the presidency, Nda-Isaiah retorted that merit and not parochial interests should guide the electorates at the poll.

“What do you mean by zoning? So it is the turn of anybody to destroy this country?

First, I have never believed in zoning; I have been saying this for 15 years now that what zoning would do to us is what we are seeing now.

“Why would people say it is the turn of South-South geopolitical zone? If the SouthSouth says it is their turn, it is okay, but they should bring a good candidate that can win.

But if it is this Jonathan, I don’t think that in the name of zoning we should destroy this country, because this country cannot survive another term of Jonathan and this is not pol-

itics, we can see it. Sincerely speaking, do you think that what is happening now can continue till 2019? It is not possible. Let’s tell ourselves the truth, no country can survive it,” he said.

Nda-Isaiah, who is full of optimism that he would fly the flag of the APC, maintained that it is in everybody’s interest that President Jonathan should not continue beyond 2015 polls.

Lamenting the high level of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in the polity, he said Nigeria needs what he termed a “leader with history changing ideas that can propel the country to the path of greatness.”

Saying he wants to be remembered as a president that turned around the fortunes of the country, he said the incumbency factor would no longer count in the 2015 polls

as Nigerian electorates would have their way.

He also faulted the on-going confab saying it is a sheer waste of public funds.

“The responsibility of leadership lies with the President, with the leader, not with people that have no responsibility. Besides, this confab, why do you want to waste N7 billion. In fact, it would get to N10 billion eventually. Why do you want to spend such amount of money on something that would not achieve any result?

“If you want to change the constitution or you want to do anything, there are clear ways and path of achieving it. If you want federalism, do you need to spend N10 billion to get that? Why do you spend N10 billion to bring people together to say the same thing and you take this to the National Assembly? In fact, in this particular case, you don’t

even need a new Bill, if you want to change anything, start to draft a Bill and send it to them and convince people the way it is meant to be in a democracy,” the presidential aspirant said.

The Ijaw youths, who spoke through their president, Udengs Eradiri, at a meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, in Abuja, called for a peaceful election devoid of blood shedding, insisting that it is the right of the Niger Delta to also have an eight-year term.

“The President has the right to contest. As Niger Delta people, we don’t believe that we should shed blood for 2015.

The works of the President are enough manifesto. Those calling for battles and bloodshed should desist,” Eradiri said.

According to him, President Jonathan should not come

home if he fails to contest the 2015 elections. “He should complete our tenure of eight years.”

Eradiri also used the opportunity to call on Niger Delta states as well as the international oil corporations to contribute their quota to the amnesty programme because they are the biggest beneficiaries of its resultant peace translating into higher production and revenue. He urged states to float similar programmes that will ensure that youths are trained. He also urged the oil companies to train youths in the areas of their institutional needs so that employments can be provided for the people.

Lauding Kuku for the success of the amnesty programme, Eradiri said, “the programme has taught our people how to fish. We are happy. You have made us proud.”

The party wondered why Fashola remain bent on congesting the already congested Lagos Island.

Also, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, faulted Fashola over the indigene status of the Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, after the issue had, according to him, been resolved.

Fashola was on Tuesday quoted as complaining that in spite of recording 1.2 million votes from Lagos State, the Jonathan administration has not given the state equal representation in the appointment of ministers, adding that Aganga does not represent Lagos as an indige-

nous person.

“If I recall correctly, I think it is section 147 of the constitution that states that every state be represented by a minister indigenous to the people of those states. Mr. Aganga as far as I know is from somewhere in Edo State, not from Lagos. He is not an indigene of Lagos to his credit, he has supported our initiatives here, and he has supported the free trade zone,” Fashola was quoted to have said.

But speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President, Namadi Sambo, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, George said while it is true that Aganga is not an indigene of Lagos State by birth, he grew up in the city.

Lagos PDP defends stoppage of Fashola’s housing project From Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja) and Seye Olumide (Lagos) AGOS State chapter of the L(PDP) Peoples Democratic Party has insisted that the land at Ilubirin area of Lagos where Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration is constructing a housing estate belongs to the Federal Government.

Reacting to alleged accusation by Fashola that the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, used soldiers to stop construction of houses on the land he claims belongs to the state government, the spokesman of the PDP, Mr. Taofik Gani, in a statement yesterday, alleged that the governor’s takeover of the land is illegal.

“The Ilubirin land area belongs to the Federal Government and not Lagos State. Fashola has, however, jumped on the land to continue his penchant and notoriety for usurping individual’s, organisation’s and government’s rights and privileges,” he said.

The Lagos PDP spokesman particularly cited Fashola’s alleged unchecked takeover of the property and constitutional functions of councils in the state as the reason for now usurping Federal Government rights.

According to the state PDP, the decision to stop the construction is appropriate in order to call Fashola to order. It noted that, “Ilubirin land is a waterway, and by the law of

the country, it clearly belongs to the Federal Government.

The mere fact that Fashola’s administration sand-filled it cannot, and does not automatically transfer ownership to the Lagos State government.

“The necessary step for Fashola to follow is to seek permit and support from the Federal Government before encroaching on any Federal Government’s property.

Unless the governor shows the world valid proof of ownership of the land by the state, he shall remain an illegal occupant.”

Lagos PDP also faulted the position of the governor that the land is meant to build a housing estate for the masses, saying “this is only an

attempt to whip up sentiment by such warped and belated argument. Indeed, the cost of completing a house on that land can’t be less than N75,000,000, which obviously makes it unaffordable for the masses.”

“We boldly accuse Governor Fashola of developing the landed area for himself and his cronies. It cannot be true that a housing project for the masses is contemplated on such land. We have said it several times that dry land areas abound in Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Alimosho, Ojo and others for low cost housing development. The cost of building houses in such areas will be affordable to the low income earners and it would also decongest the Island.”

6 NEWS Monday, April 7, 2014

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Ekiti holds memorial service for ex-dep gov

Shettima sacks commissioner, three aides

E

From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri Kashim OVERNOR G Shettima of Borno State on Saturday dropped his Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture along with three other Senior Special Assistants over alleged anti-party activities.

Observers are linking their sack to “political differences” between the immediate past governor, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and the Shettima administration.

The dropped commissioner and government aides include, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, Makinta Zarami, Ali Umar and Ali Bolori.

The sack and governor’s directive on replacements were contained in a press statement of the Permanent Secretary (Administration), Hajiya Maryam Bukar Ibrahim and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri yesterday at the Government House.

Mr. Olamide Agboola (right); daughter of the deceased, Yeside; husband of the deceased, Lanre Olayinka; wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, and the sisters of the deceased, during a wreath laying ceremony at the graveyard of the former deputy governor, the late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, after the memorial service in Ado-Ekiti…yesterday

Govt discovers 1,200 abandoned mining sites

By Wole Oyebade

Environmental activists urge caution in coal mining deal with Indian firm

HE Federal Government T yesterday said it has identified 1,200 abandoned min-

have been reclaimed through biological and other means then,” he said.

Meanwhile, environmental activists, under the aegis of Environmental Right Activists/Friend of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), yesterday warned the Federal Government to be cautious in the proposed deal with Jindal Power and Steel of India.

Leaning on a report, which indicated that the Nigerian government might have tipped the Indian firm to tap the country’s vast coal mine deposits, the activists said antecedents of Jindal in other African countries should get the Federal Government worried.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Ojo, said it was unfortunate that while the rest of the world is moving in the direction of clean

ing sites across the country.

Acting Director of Mines Environmental and Compliance Department in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Salim Adegboyega, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that more abandoned mining sites would be identified, as the field surveys were still ongoing.

Adegboyega recalled that the Federal Government reclaimed many abandoned mining sites, which were managed by the Northern Regional Government in 1955.

“The Federal Government gave some grants to the Northern Regional Government and about 1,000 mines were said to

From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado-Ekiti KITI State government yesterday held a memorial service in commemoration of the first anniversary of the death of the deputy governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, on April 6 last year after a long battle with cancer.

The service is the first in a series of other activities lined up for the memorial of the late deputy governor. The other programmes include a rally and cancer awareness walk/health talk at Ido, Ikere and Ado-Ekiti billed for Monday (today) and Tuesday (tomorrow).

Speaking shortly after the church service, the Governor, Kayode Fayemi, thanked the people of the state for their love and support for the family of the late deputy governor, whom he described as remarkable. He stressed that the late Mrs. Olayinka served the state selflessly with commitment and integrity, as well as exemplary character.

The memorial service was attended by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; wife of the governor, Bisi Fayemi; the widower, Mr. Lanre Olayinka and one of their daughters, Yeside; Senator Tony Adeniyi, some members of the state House of Assembly including Deputy Speaker, Tunji Orisalade; Head of Service, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, former World Bank consultant, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, among others.

energy, “Nigeria is on the reverse gear, pushing for dirty energy projects like coal and the engagement of companies with a track-record of disregard for host communities and the environment.”

Ojo said: “Not only is this planned engagement with Jindal disturbing, it clearly indicates that the Nigerian government is yet to get a grasp of the magnitude of environmental challenges that dirty energy ignites.

“Our position is that government must stop hobnobbing with so-called investors only interested in promoting dangerous and outmoded extractive operations,” Ojo said.

Adegboyega said that the Federal Government also reclaimed several abandoned mining sites in 1980.

He said that the ministry had reclaimed 17 abandoned mining sites out of the 1,200 identified sites.

The acting director said the reclaimed sites were in Ebonyi, Plateau, Kano, Borno, Abia, Kaduna and Cross River states, among others.

Adegboyega said on the average, the ministry spent between N80 and N100 million to reclaim a mining site, but added that the expenditure could be less depending on the size of the site.

“We estimated about N6 billion for 100 sites in 2007, but

only N1.1 billion has been released,” he said.

Adegboyega said the ministry would reclaim three mining sites in the country this year, but the management was yet to decide on the locations of these sites.

He said it was virtually impossible to reclaim all the abandoned mining sites because some of the ponds at the sites were now being used for irrigation farming, fishing and water supply for domestic and industrial purposes.

Adegboyega said that where research had shown that a mining pond contained mercury and heavy matters, the site would be reclaimed or the communities would be advised not to use the water for any purpose.

New national ID card now ICAO- compliant, says official

By Ibe Uwaleke N Independent A Laboratory and Field Test (ILFT), conducted on the New Smart National Identity Card (NSNIC), has shown that it is in compliance with the security recommendations and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

This was disclosed by the Deputy Director of the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC), Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, while fielding questions from journalists at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos, at the weekend.

Umar explained that the successful test confirms that the new smart card would be used as a travel document when it is launched and issued to Nigerians, as it has all the security details for individual profiling and iden-

tification.

The deputy director further explained that the Card Personalisation Facilities (CPF) had passed the User Acceptance Test (UAT), which was followed closely by the successful testing and validation of the EuroMasterVisa (EMV) compliance testing.

This test, he said, showed that the new National Identity Smart Card could be used at points of sale (PoS) and ATM machines for transactions currently available on the conventional ATM Cards.

A different source close to the Commission has also confirmed that arrangements have been made for the card launch to herald the commencement of the e–ID card issuance to Nigerians, but the process was slowed down due to lack of funds.

“There are plans to precede the card issuance with a massive awareness campaign that is only held back by lack

of funds,” the source said.

“NIMC had called on banks and telecom companies to support it so that it can scale up enrolment activities, which have been hampered by the non-performance of the private sector companies CHAMS Consortium Limited and OnesecureCard Limited who were given a concession to create enrolment centres,” the source added.

In October 2013, the Presidency mandated the Commission to ensure that all eligible persons in Nigeria were enrolled into the national identity card programme and that all agencies of government should switch over to the NIMC infrastructure.

It was gathered that the Commission is seeking corporate sponsors to support its programme because the budget of the commission, which had not been fully released for the past two years, was cut by 75 per cent.

Lagos commends World Bank over loan facilities

By Seye Olumide AGOS State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, has commended the World Bank over the recent approval of two concessionary loans of $42.3 million for the Lagos EKO Secondary School Project and $200 million budget support for the state.

Speaking on the significance of the loans, Gbeleyi described it as yet another eloquent acknowledgement of the stellar performance of Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration and its positive and purposeful leadership that has continued to improve the living standards of the people and strengthen investment climate.

The commissioner averred that Fashola’s effort is making Lagos investment destination in the West African sub-region “the loan facilities are coming at a time when an International Rating Agency, Fitch Ratings on March 21, 2014, report released concurrently in London/Milan/Frankfurt reaffirmed its Long-term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings at “BB- Stable Outlook” for the state with simultaneous National Longterm Rating remaining at “AA (nga) Positive Outlook” for the second year running.

He noted that this further speaks of the state’s continued fiscal prudence and sustainable public financial management strategy, even in the face of dwindling federal allocations to Lagos.

According to him, “There is no denying the fact that Fashola’s concerted efforts at implementing people-centered policies and programmes and its steady journey towards actualising the vision of making Lagos Africa’s model megacity are surefooted and right on course.”

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I have not boycotted confab, says Braithwaite

Fayemi’s wife, Cecilia Ibru, others task women on politics

By Tunde Akinola LDER statesman, Dr. Tunji E Braithwaite, has refuted the rumour that he had boycotted the ongoing national conference sequel to his absence since the dialogue commenced.

Braithwaite told The Guardian yesterday that his absence at the conference was due to the fact that he had not been in the country for some time, but he said he is “back on ground” and would “hopefully” join the conference today.

The legal icon reiterated his belief in the conference, saying boycotting it would amount to jeopardising the efforts he and some well-meaning Nigerians had invested in the venture in the past.

Braithwaite said: “I am not boycotting the national conference because that would amount to waste of efforts we have put in the process. I have been away for some time but I will join them tomorrow (Monday) to make my contribution to the rebirthing of a new Nigeria.”

By Tunde Akinola IGERIAN women, espeN cially the highly placed ones, have been urged to

Some members of All Progressives Congress (APC) during their ward congress in Kwami Local Council of Gombe State…at the weekend

Senate to strengthen law against rape, others From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ORRIED by the growing cases of rape in the country, the Senate is currently considering a bill to strengthen the existing law on sexual violence and harassment against women in the country.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Helen Esuene, said this in Uyo at the weekend shortly after being adopted as a sole governorship aspirant for the 2015 gubernatorial race by a leading political pressure group in the state, the Ibom Consolidated Assembly (ICA).

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For now, she maintained that the existing law on rape was not enabling because it makes it very difficult for a rape victim to report and seek justice in the law court.

She said: “The issue of rape is very unfortunate. It is one crime that should not be at all because there are more women than men in the country; so why should a man go raping a girl or a woman. It is really very unfortunate and sad.

“The laws are there but the inhibitions people have. Rape victims are already traumatised and often times, they are

scared to even go to report to the Police. Sometimes, they are afraid of being stigmatised and harassed by the society.

“There is a bill currently in the Senate on Sexual Violence Against Women. It is supposed to address the issue of rape, to make it easier for victims to come out to report. With this new bill, I am very confident that when it becomes law, more victims of rape will be able to seek justice and rapistis will be properly punished.”

Senator Esuene, who was honoured as the grand patron of the Ibom Consolidated

Ifowodo joins House of Reps race

By Anote Ajeluorou EXAS State University, T United States don, former student unionist and leader, civil and pro-democracy campaigner, poet and scholar, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, will today in his hometown, Oleh, IsokoSouth Local Council of Delta State, declare his intent to run for the Federal House of Representatives to represent Isoko Federal Constituency. He is seeking to replace Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Majority Leader in the House, Leo Ogor, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.

Ifowodo, a tested democracy campaigner and civil rights activist, who was imprisoned during the dreaded Gen. Sani Abacha regime for his quest to end military rule, said it was time those who drove the military away and consequently watched on the sidelines since 1999 took active interest in how the country was run, with a mission to rescue it from the mess political usurpers have made of it since 1999. He said his mission would be to put an end to the pain and suffering of the Isoko people, which the current incumbent has only served to aggravate by failing to give them quality and selfless representation.

Prior to today’s declaration, Ifowodo, on Saturday, had visited the paramount ruler of his maternal hometown, Owhe, Opuzo Romanus Ejiromeme Inana I, JP Odio-Ologbo of Owhe Kingdom, to intimate him of his political ambition. He told

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the monarch that having fought for and retrieved the current political dispensation from the military, it was time he took active interest through direct participation to end some of the shenanigans bedevilling the system.

He informed that he had a track record as human rights campaigner and democracy activist and could be trusted to

initiate a measure of change needed to bring democratic dividend to Isokoland and the entire country.

While praying for him to succeed in his current endeavour and to remember his promises to the people when elected, Opuzo Ejiromeme Inana I tasked Ifowodo to be watchful and vigilant of political predators so he could avoid their bobby-traps.

Assembly, noted that democracy has come to stay in the country and urged Nigerians not to lose faith as the country’s democracy was still a nascent one.

She urged Nigerians to be patient.

Senator Esuene, who is often described as a bridge-builder in the state given her motherly care for people, pointed out that “democracy is a partnership with the people and that is why it will continue to grow in Nigeria. Whatever you see now may not be perfect and this is because democracy is still new and fresh.

“However, we also have to balance it with the fact that Nigeria marked its centenary, 100 years as a nation; it is time that we started doing things differently, maturely as we cannot continue to be a baby at 100 years”, the senator said.

Speaking on her installation as the Grand Patron of the Ibom Consolidated Assembly, Esuene said she accepted the post because of those involved, adding that before now, she was very skeptical about groups, especially during this political time.

Suspected assassins kill 70-year-old during church service From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta RAGEDY struck yesterday T morning in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Council Area of Ogun State, when some assailants stormed a church and shot dead a popular furniture maker.

The assailants were said to have stormed the St. John’s Anglican Church, Oke-Sopen, a suburb of the town and pumped bullets into the head of a 70-year-old Otunba Tola Okuneye, popularly known as Ajagajigi.

The suspects, said to be 10 in number, managed to escape in the two vehicles they drove into the venue.

An eyewitness told newsmen: “We were in the church and at 11am, just as the pastor began to preach his sermon, those killers, 10 of them, stormed the church and headed straight towards Ajagajigi and pumped bullets into his

head”.

The eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, added: “We were shocked and everybody was in panic and started running helter-skelter, forcing the service to come to an abrupt end. Some people, especially the elderly, are still in shock as I am talking to you now. No one can say anything about his death. He was not a politician; if he were to be one, we would have been thinking that his political opponents carried out the act. But as it is now, the church has been deserted, except a few people who are with the pastor”.

A source close to the deceased stated: “Otunba is not a politician; so, the issue of linking politics with his death is not correct. But what I can say is that the man is a controversial man who had issues with so many people. I know that he had a lot of cases in various courts and from my little observation, we cannot rule out

this area in his killing, but God knows best”.

The deceased’s resident at Kazeem Street, Shokas area, Oke-Sopen in Ijebu Igbo yesterday, turned into a tourists’ centre as people trooped to the house to either catch a glimpse on the situation in the area or to commiserate with the deceased’s family members.

Otunba Okuneye is a wellknown personality in IjebuIgbo and its neighbouring towns. He was among the earliest furniture makers in Ijebu area. He is survived by six wives and over 20 children.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at IjebuIgbo General Hospital mortuary.

Efforts to get the State Police Command’s Spokesman, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to react on the matter proved abortive, as several calls to his cell phone did not go through.

help one another to succeed to address their marginalisation in politics and also gender inequality in the nation.

The Federal Government, state, local government authorities and corporate organisations were also tasked to work towards achieving women’s empowerment to enable them attain leadership positions and gender equality on boards of corporate organisations.

These were the aggregation of speeches made in Lagos at this year’s Women Directors’ Conference titled: “Women as Leaders: Discovering Authentic Leadership”, organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) at Eko Hotel and Suites.

Addressing participants at the event, wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, said Nigerian women should channel their influences in business and various sectors to create sustainable power for their counterparts.

According to Fayemi, women need to engage themselves actively in the country’s political processes so as to curtailed marginalisation born out of apathy or negligence of the political process.

She said: “We still do not have enough women in the decision-making process considering the number of women at the parliament, both at the Senate and House of Representatives.

We need a vibrant platform to make political demands if we desire to be relevant in politics,” She also bemoaned what she referred to as “displaced priorities among Nigerian women”. As women, we need to know the choices we have and the position we want to occupy, Fayemi said.

Director at Michael and

Cecilia Ibru Foundation, Cecilia Ibru, said Nigerian women needed to be persuasive in their demands, adding that they should not relent in their efforts.

“We need to network with one another and persuade our men. Whatever height women achieve, they should always endeavour to carry others along. Women are impoverished because they have allowed themselves to be. We should always help one another to progress.

There is no woman that cannot make it; all they need is encouragement. There is also the need to educate our women as this remained a way out of poverty,” Ibru said.

President/Chairman of Council IoD, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi, noted that today, many countries of the world are making efforts to bridge the gap between men and women in leadership positions whether in politics or on corporate boards.

Fadayomi added that in Nigeria, the representation of women, though has improved marginally, is still very low compared to what obtains in other countries, especially in the developed nations. “A consideration of the first 20 listed companies in the Nigerian Stock Exchange revealed that seven companies have no single woman on their board; five of the companies have a woman each while eight of the companies have either two or three women on their boards.

“It has been said that Nigeria stands to be the world’s 15th largest economy by 2050 and for me, this could only be realisable with women empowerment, as the education of a woman is the education of a nation.

There is no doubt that women have a lot of potentials and rights to contribute to the socio-economic development of this nation,” she said.

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Govt promises speedy completion of bridges, roads Blames delay on compensation From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City O ensure that every part of T the country is linked as a way of fast tracking the current administration’s transformation agenda, the Federal Government has promised to ensure completion of all bridges being rebuilt or constructed across the country.

Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, stated this in Benin City at the weekend when he inspected bridges being constructed in parts of Edo State by the Federal Government, where he also flagged off the construction of a N3.2 billion Egba-Akure Road, which he said would ease the movement of agricultural produce between Edo and Ondo states.

Meanwhile, Onolememen has attributed the delay in completing the BeninLokoja-Obajana Junction dualisation, which is less than 35 per cent completion, to difficulties in working out compensations for settlements and buildings that would be affected by the dualisation of the road.

“A number of reasons account for the time lapse and it is not uncommon to have such time lapse as a result of compensation issues,” he said. “To get our right of way for the contractor, people whose settlements, houses and businesses are located on the right of way need ne-

Minister warns on increasing pollution of water bodies From Joke Falaju, Abuja INISTER of Water M Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has expressed worry over the incessant pollution of the country’s water bodies through illegal mining activities, dumping of industrial waste and poor farming practices, among others.

She warned that if the indiscriminate activities were not checked, they would deplete the nation’s water resources, leading to its scarcity by 2030.

Relying on the forecast that world population would increase to 8.3 billion people, she noted that feeding over eight billion people by 2030 would require efficient use of water.

In her keynote address at the weekend during a National Consultation on water in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Ochekpe noted that “many water bodies in Nigeria are being polluted at an alarming rate through illegal mining, poor farming practice, dumping of waste and discharge from industries, which render them unsuitable for use downstream.

“Even if fresh water is a renewable resources, its total worldwide availability remains constant. At the same time, the demand for fresh water is dramatically increasing while the world’s population has tripled during the century.”

gotiation to relocate, and usually that accounts for time lapse on the completion of the project.”

He said the bridges in the state were started in June 2013 and have all been completed, adding: “For some time now, the Federal Ministry of Works has embarked on systemic replacement of substandard bridges across the country.”

Meanwhile, House of Representatives Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, said at the flag-off of the Egba-Akure Road construction that he had been fighting for the actualisation of the project since 1999, and that it had been in almost every budget he had the opportunity of participating in.

Representative of the Vice Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of Science, Federal University, Lafia, (FUL), Prof. Martin Ogbe (left) and Director General, National Gallery of Art, (NGA), Abdullahi Muku, during a courtesy visit by NGA at the institution’s prize for best student in the Department of Visual & Creative Arts (2014-2019) in Lafia, Nasarawa State

Tiv flee Taraba over insecurity From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City), Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) and Charles Akpeji (Jalingo)

Residents in Edo seek divine help from herdsmen Monarch wants Al-Makura probed over terrorism

HE worsening insecurity in T Taraba State, made worse by the unresolved hostility

the habitation of terrorists in his territory which means that if properly investigated, the insurgency at the borders would end.

He also accused Al-Makura of hosting a terrorist group disguising as international hunters for a competition in the Nasarawa South Senatorial District, asking security agents to investigate them.

He said: “If Al-Makura insists that those insurgents killed in Keana during military operation were not terrorists but ordinary Fulanis and went further to say that he knows the real insurgents that stay in the forest, he should better tell the world that he is the No.1 terrorist.

“I think he will better answer questions at the war crime (tribunal) in Hague when he is no longer with immunity. If Al-Makura insists that the insurgents are his indigenes, whose funeral were they doing? Can he present their voters’ cards?

“And if he said he would review the military action, why has he not reviewed the Tiv killing in Doma, Aglinna, Rukubi and Dookaa in Ike Development Area of Doma council of Nasarawa State?”

against the Tiv community by Fulani herdsmen, to which many lives and property have been destroyed, is compelling the people to relocate to neighbouring Benue State.

As at the time of filing this report, no fewer than 15 persons were said to have been killed yesterday in some Tiv villages of Wukari local council and several others displaced.

Some of the fleeing Tiv told The Guardian that the state government’s refusal to take positive action compelled their mass movement to the neighbouring Benue, where they believe their lives would be more secure.

Meanwhile, a Benue monarch, Ter Tyoshim, Chief Daniel Abomtse, has called on the Federal Government to investigate the allegations that Governor Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa State is harbouring Fulani mercenaries, who have been terrorising Tiv/Agatu farmers in Benue communities.

Abomtse told newsmen yesterday in Makurdi that several reports in some national dailies have portrayed the governor as acknowledging

Also, the Tiv ethnic association in Edo State yesterday took the plight of their people in Benue to God, seeking His intervention to end the crises that “have killed their loved ones and rendered them homeless in their homeland.”

Speaking to The Guardian shortly after a thanksgiving mass at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Ogbeson, in Benin City yesterday, President of Association of Tiv Community, Edo State Chapter, Sir Alfred Iordyeh, said though the Federal Government was doing its best to stem the tide, it was important they sought divine intervention.

Iordyeh said: “The purpose of the celebration principally is because God has kept us alive throughout 2013 and now, and the most important thing is that the Fulanis are killing our people at home, so we are calling on God to please relocate to Benue.

“We know that God is everywhere, but we want Him to relocate to Benue principally to look at us, have mercy on those who have lost their loved ones, people who have lost their farmlands.

“People have lost their prop-

erty, their farmlands have been taken over by Fulani herdsmen for grazing purposes. We are calling on God to please look at us because if we say we are relying solely on human beings, human beings will fail us, but God will not fail us.”

Apart from the killings, three villages - Nayinawa, Yayimini and Tudunwada were said to have been razed by the attackers last night.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Daniel Ishaya Gani, told The Guardian that the state government was incapable of addressing the crisis.

“We have discovered that the government of Taraba State, under the control of Acting Governor, Garba Umar, is not capable of securing the lives and property of the citizens of Taraba State, which was why most of the people, especially the Tiv, are moving out to a secure place,” Gani said.

“A lot of Tiv people have moved out of Taraba, a lot of Fulani have moved out of Wukari, Ibi and even Donga areas. What we are saying in a nutshell is that the government should sit up to its responsibility by providing

enough security personnel that would not only be stationed on the main roads but should be moving from the main roads to the interiors, assuring the people in the rural areas that their lives are safe.”

He urged the Federal Government to extend the scope of the committee set up to resolve the Nassarawa/Benue crisis to include Taraba, especially Wukari and Ibi local councils, to see the level of damage done in these communities.

More so, Abomtse said the peace and reconciliatory committee for Benue farmers and Fulani herdsmen lacks credibility to handle any meaningful peace building, and depth of knowledge of the crisis, its dynamics, therefore cannot give the people any meaningful result, especially where people are alleging use of chemical weapons.

According to him, Bayali lacks the official capacity to talk on issues that bother on Miyetti Allah because he is no longer the porter’s secretary of the body and was indicted by the committee on communal clashes between Tiv/Fulani at the borders between Benue and Nasarawa states, set up in 2011, the report of which was submitted in 2012.

Union seeks entitlements for sacked textiles workers From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ORRIED by the plight of W hundreds of textiles workers, who were relieved of their jobs by the 19 northern governors following the closure of factories in 2002, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) is weighing in to solicit the payment of their entitlements.

NUTGTWN explained that the root of the current crisis in the country “is economic and social, traceable to unemployment and poverty.” In a statement at the weekend by its Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Sylvester Chimezie, the

body said the union was “disturbed by the continuous closure of Kaduna Textiles Limited since 2002.”

It said that more worrisome was the continuous delay in settling the entitlements of the workers by company’s owners.

According to him, “KTL workers are suffering untold hardship due to nonpayment of their benefits since the unilateral closure of the factory in 2002,” though “the union since September 2005 (had) obtained a court judgment for settlement of the entitlements amounting to N687,073,346.00.”

Chimezie added: “Unfortunately, the manage-

ment and owners of the company are yet to comply with the judgment through settlement of the entitlements of the workers in spite of repeated appeals, rallies and protests by the union.”

He lamented that the outcome of the meeting of the committee the governors set up since 2012 to proffer solutions towards the resuscitation of the moribund company remained unknown.

Noting that the union was exhausting its patience following the attitude of the governors to the concerned workers’ plight, the union again called on the northern governors and the management of KTL to settle the computed terminal.

“The point cannot be overstated,” he noted. “These workers have suffered untold hardship due to long lay-off from work without pay.

Urgent settlement of their entitlements will go a long way in reducing their burden and alleviating their increasing destitution, poverty and desperation, capable of causing communal/industrial disharmony. Many of the workers have died as a result of the hardship.

“But beyond the settlement of the entitlements of workers in particular, the Northern Governors must also bring back to life Kaduna Textiles Limited.”

Meanwhile, officials of the textile union have com-

mended the National Industrial Court for striking out a stay of execution brought before it by the management of Gaskiya Textile Mill, Kano, last month.

On the plight of Finetex/Nortex Textiles workers, the officials expressed happiness with the success recorded, noting that payment of benefits to the workers has since commenced.

They disclosed that so far, “three installments of N50 million each have been paid to the workers out of the N250 million the directors of the company offered to pay as full and final settlement of benefits payable in five installments of N50 million quarterly.”

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Ondo Reps bye-election inconclusive, says INEC From Niyi Bello and Seun Akingboye, Akure HE Independent National T Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared as incon-

Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (left); and former National President of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief John Odeyemi, during the later’s 75th birthday thanksgiving service, at Ile-Ife, at the weekend.

500 benefit from group’s health programme in Abia From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia VER 500 persons in in Bende and Isuikwuato local councils of Abia State participated in the “Aging Gracefully” programme held at the weekend at Alayi Health Centre and Amiyi Ahaba Imenyi Hall respectively.

Organised by the Lagosbased non-governmental Fruitful Vine Ministries Inc. (FVM), the programme featured counseling and lectures on aging gracefully, prayer session and free medical diagnosis and treatment, while drugs were distributed to the targeted elderly persons from 50 years and above.

One of the volunteer doctors, Oji Onuoha of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department a the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, listed the common ailments yet diagnosed to include arthritis, high blood pressure, malaria, upper respiratory tract infections and peptic ulcer, among others.

Addressing the people before the programme kicked off, FVM Co-ordinator, Mrs. Honour Onyebuchukwu said that one’s longevity or otherwise depended on the combination of God’s will, one’s feeding habit, access to medicare and rest, among others.

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clusive, last Saturday’s election to fill the vacant seat of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, citing irregularities in some areas.

Although the final collated results of the exercise, which was mainly between Adewale Omojuwa of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Kolade Akinjo of the Labour Party (LP) and Adewale Kukute of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saw the LP leading its closest rival, the PDP by 1,298 votes, the electoral umpire declared that a clear winner can-

CPC, NCC partner to end telecom abuses From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja ETERMINED to bring relief to the groaning telecom subscribers in the country, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have constituted a joint panel to work out modalities to end abuses in the sector.

The chief executives of both organisations took the decision at the weekend when the CPC Director-General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, paid a courtesy call on the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Atoki, who said there was need for a better deal for Nigerian consumers of telecom services, added that time was rife for the operators to shift from their often highlighted challenges to assuaging the feelings of millions of their displeased consumers over poor services.

She commended the NCC for initiating fines against the offending operators in line with its enabling law, adding that moves must, henceforth, be made beyond the fines to ensuring that consumers got value for their money.

According to her, “the fines are legal and we do not dispute (it), but we want to

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move beyond fines to see what we can do to ensure that consumers get value for money. What comes out from our side is that the operators use the challenge of doing business as a reason they cannot give value for money.

“From the consumer side, we say it is not fair because if providers are in business and are making profit and that profit emanates from the resources that consumers put into that business, as long as, they are in business, it means it is profitable; as long as no operator has filed for bankruptcy, it means business is good.

“Therefore, in the light of the above, the concern for CPC is how operators plan to assuage consumer complaints.”

Meanwhile, Atoki said the two agencies have common challenges because, as regulator in the telecom sector, the challenges faced by Nigerians have come to light and NCC has said several times that the telecom providers do not meet the Key Performance Indices (KPI) that have been set for them, which has led the agency, on several occasions, to use its powers to fine them.

Though such fines should ordinarily serve as deterrent

to re-occurrence, she noted that it does not seem to reflect in its overall objectives because infraction continues. Therefore, both agencies would ensure that consumers get value for their money, which necessitates their working together to achieve the aim.

She added, “from our side, as the protector of consumers, what we believe the operators should be thinking about is at the minimum how to refund the unused airtime that subscribers have paid for which, due to whatever reason, has not given value for money.

“I believe the time has come for the operators to recognize the fact that they have an obligation to the consumers to make sure they get value for money.”

Responding, Juwah said the NCC would support CPC in its determination to seek redress for consumers in any way the council feels right with its mandate because it is in line with its KPI. Admitting that vandalisation of facilities and lack of infrastructure are some of the challenges facing telecom operators, he noted, however, “lack of infrastructure has not affected them to the extent they want us to believe.”

E. K. Clark’s kidnapped son released From Chido Okafor, Warri was relief yesterday as IIjawTEbikeme Clark, son of the national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who was abducted few days ago at Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Council of Delta State, was released in the early hours of yesterday, according to officials of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

Ebikeme was whisked away by gunmen while allegedly inspecting works at the E.K. Clark University of Technology through the Kiagbodo River. It was not yet clear if any ransom was paid for his release.

However, the IYC

spokesman, Eric Omare, who disclosed the release, said on telephone yesterday that he was released unconditionally after security agencies and the IYC joined forces in tracking his whereabouts.

“Few hours ago, Mr. Ebikeme Clark regained his freedom. To the Ijaw Youth Council and Ijaw youth, who insisted on his unconditional release and joined forces with security agencies towards his release, this is a triumph of collective will against criminality,” Omare said.

The IYC commended the exNiger Delta agitators, led by Chief Government

Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chief Boro Opudu, Vice Chairman of the Delta State Waterways Security Committee and members of the Delta State Waterways Security Committee towards Ebikeme’s release, as well as, the security agencies in both Bayelsa and Delta states.

The group had alerted all clan officials in Oporomo, Ingbelebiri, Mein and Seimbiri in Bayelsa and Delta states immediately after he was kidnapped and mandated them to trace and fish out the kidnappers.

While thanking the Ijaw nation in particular and Niger Deltans in general for their resolve against criminality,

the IYC called on other Nigerians to borrow a leaf, especially in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

It also used the opportunity to urge oil companies and state governments in the Niger Delta region, which oil revenue has increased as a result of the cessation of militancy in the area, to live up to their responsibilities of providing and creating jobs for the natives in the postamnesty era.

It warned that the training acquired by the ex-agitators through the amnesty programme would not achieve its purpose without the provision of jobs for the beneficiaries.

not be announced because of the recorded lapses.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, the authenticated results that showed the APC scoring 9,232, the LP, 23,926 and the PDP 22,628, could not be a true reflection of the electoral wish of the people because a substantial number of the electorate were disenfranchised in the exercise.

The Returning Officer for the poll, Babatunde Adeyemi stated at the Constituency Collation Centre at Igbokoda headquarters of Ilaje Local Council that the decision to declare the poll inconclusive was hinged on the fact that the difference between the winner and the runner up was far less than the number of cancelled votes.

He pointed out that over 7,000 voters could not participate in the election and that the development “violated the electoral law and hence the need for INEC to conduct supplementary elections in areas where elections could not hold. I can not return the LP candidate despite polling the highest number of votes as the electoral law empowers INEC to declare such elections inconclusive.”

The electoral umpire has therefore fixed next weekend for supplementary poll in the entire Arogbo Ward 2 of EseOdo Local Council where vot-

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ing did not take place because some youths, who claimed to be ex-militants, did not allow voting materials to be taken out of the collation centre thereby preventing about seven thousand registered voters from exercising their civic duties.

Apart from Arogbo Ward 2, other areas where the exercise would be repeated are New Jerusalem unit in Arogbo Ward 1 where about one thousand voters are registered, three units in Ogogoro, Mahin Ward 2 of Ilaje local council that contained about 1,500 voters and Itu-Igboran unit of Apoi Ward 2 in Ese-Odo local council where about 600 voters are registered.

While the PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka welcomed the conduct of a supplementary poll to redress the anomalies of the election, the LP, through its Chairman, Dele Akinyele expressed shock at the decision of INEC. Fadaka in a press release yesterday where he commended INEC for organising a credible election and also congratulated all the security agencies for their professionalism and vigilance during the conduct and collation of the results, called on the people of the areas where supplementary election will be conducted “to brace up to cast their ballot for a party that has pedigree which the PDP represents.”

10 | PHOTONEWS Monday, April 7, 2014

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Lanre Jaiyeola (left); best graduating student, Sunday Haruna and Managing Director, Bofik Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Bolanle Adereti, during the 24th Honeywell Baking School graduation ceremony in Lagos.

Public Relations Executive, MultiChoice Nigeria, Timothy Okwu (left); Adamawa State Director of PostPrimary Education, representing the Commissioner for Education, Mallam Timothy Adamu and the CEO, Innovative Technology Literacy Service Limited, Aderonke Bello, at the commissioning of 10 MultiChoice Resource Centres in Yola, Adamawa State.

Partner, Koya & Kuti Solicitors, Kenechi Tinuade (left); Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun; Managing Partner, Koya & Kuti Solicitors, Olajide Kuti; Taiwo Sonola of UBA Global Investor Services and Managing Director, Chapel Hill Denham, Mrs. Irukwu at the Chapel Hill Denham Millennium Fund extra-ordinary general meeting 2014 in Lagos.

(Back roll) Chairman, Wheelchair Committee, Rotarian Jemilu Bawakata (left); District Governor, Olugbemiga Olowu; representative of the First Lady, Lagos State, Aderiyike Gbeleyi; wife of the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Adeoluwa Folashade; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde and Secretary, Wheelchair Committee, Ndudi Osakwe. (Sitting) Former Miss Wheelchair, Kogi State, Bukayo Adebayo (left); recipients, Tijani Idris, Islamia Owolabi and guest speaker, Cosmos Okoli, during the presentation of wheel chairs to secondary school students by the Rotary Club District 9110, Nigeria in Lagos.

PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (middle) cutting the tape to commission a four-classroom block at Qua Iboe Church Secondary School, Ika Annang in Oruk Anam Local Council.

Branch Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Udofia Benjamin (left); National President, NUPENG, Igwe Achese and Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Brown Ogbeifun, during the third Quadrennial Delegates Conference of NUPENG, PPMC branch in Abuja.

Ecobank Executive Director, South East and South South, Kingsley Umadia (right)Â handing over keys of Hilux vans donated by the bank to the Executive Director, Operations of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Warri, Engineer Emmanuel Wowo. This initiative is to support the PPMC to check pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta.

Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker, Gbolahan Sani (left); Marketing and Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Austin Ufomba and winners of the third Johnnie Walker Step Up to VIP Lifestyle Promo, Mr. and Mrs. Ayodeji Balogun during the presentation of the BMW car won by the couple, in Lagos.

Monday, April 7, 2014 11

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WorldReport Israel threatens unilateral moves against Palestinians SRAELI Prime Minister, Ithreatened Netanyahu Benjamin the Palestinians yesterday with unilateral reprisals as the two sides prepared for last-ditch talks with a United States envoy on salvaging teetering peace talks.

He said Israel would retaliate if the Palestinians proceed with applications to adhere to 15 international treaties.

“These will only make a peace agreement more distant,” he said of the applications the Palestinians made on Tuesday.

“Any unilateral moves they take will be answered by unilateral moves at our end.”

Netanyahu’s remarks, made at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting, came as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators prepared to meet US envoy Martin Indyk in an attempt to save the peace process from collapse.

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, the driving force behind the peace push, warned on Friday that there were “limits” to the time and energy Washington could devote to the talks process, as his appeals to both sides to step back from the brink fell on deaf ears.

Afghan presidential hopefuls raise fraud concerns DAY after millions defied A Taliban threats and turned out to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai, leading candidates in Afghanistan’s presidential election voiced concern yesterday that voting was tainted by fraud.

World leaders praised the courage of voters, who came out in force to cast their ballots despite bad weather and a violent campaign of intimidation, and urged patience during the long counting process.

Ahead of the poll there were fears that a repeat of the massive fraud which blighted Karzai’s re-election in 2009 would undermine the winner’s legitimacy at a testing time for the war-torn country.

There were reports of polling stations in numerous parts of the country running out of ballot papers, leaving some people unable to take part.

More than 1,200 complaints had been received by the Election Complaints Commission (ECC) by yester, spokesman Nadir Mohsini said, and the number was increasing.

“Complaints include late opening of polling centres, shortage of ballot papers, encouraging of voters to vote for certain candidates and mistreatment of some election officials,” Mohsini said.

Face ‘difficult truth’ of your role in genocide, Rwanda tells France days, the length of time it took government soldiers and Hutu militia to kill hundreds of thousands of people.

Wreathes will also be laid at the national genocide memorial, before ceremonies in Kigali’s football stadium, where United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon is due to attend.

MID a major diplomatic A spat on the eve of commemorations marking the 20th anniversary of the killings, Rwanda yesterday told France to face up to the “difficult truth” of its role in the 1994 genocide.

The French government has decided to boycott today’s events after Rwandan President, Paul Kagame again accused France, an ally of the Hutu nationalist government prior to the 1994 killings, of having helped the murder of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis take place.

“For our two countries to really start getting along, we will have to face the truth, the truth is difficult, the truth of being close to anybody who is associated with genocide understandably is a very difficult truth to accept,” Rwandan Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo said.

She said is was “impossible for our two countries to move forward if the condition is that Rwanda has to forget its history in order to get along with France,” which has repeatedly denied the accusations and insisted that French forces had striven to protect civilians.

“We cannot move on at the expense of the historical truth of the genocide,” Mushikiwabo said during an international forum held as part of the 20th anniversary events. She called the French boycott “not justified” and an “overreaction”.

Speaking to the weekly Jeune Afrique, Kagame had denounced the “direct role of Belgium and France in the

Kagame political preparation for the genocide”, and said French soldiers who were sent to Rwanda when the killings started were both accomplices and “actors” in the bloodbath.

French foreign ministry spokesman, Romain Nadal said he was “surprised” by Kagame’s accusations, saying they went against reconciliation efforts between the two countries.

He also announced that French Justice Minister, Christiane Taubira would be staying away.

Former colonial power Belgium, which unlike France has apologised to Rwanda for failing to prevent the genocide, said it would still be sending a senior delegation.

Official mourning, which began three months ago with a flame of remembrance touring the small nation from village to village, culminate today when the torch arrives at the national genocide memorial.

President Kagame will light a flame that will burn for 100

More deaths recorded in Egypt tribal clashes FTER 48 hours of violence A that left 23 dead, at least two more people were killed in renewed tribal clashes in southern Egypt yesterday, security officials said.

The fresh violence came despite a beefed-up police presence in Aswan province to end fighting between the Bani Hilal, an Arab tribe, and the Dabudiya, a Nubian family.

Tribal vendettas are common in Egypt’s poor, rural south, but police called the latest outbreak of violence

the worst in recent memory.

Apart from the two dead, at least five other people were wounded in yesteray’s clashes, the security officials said.

Long-standing rivalry flared Thursday after a woman was sexually accosted and both sides scrawled insulting graffiti, the interior ministry said.

Twenty-three people were killed in clashes over the next two days, including three people in a botched reconciliation meeting that ended in a gunbattle.

12 | Monday, April 7, 2014

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THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Booby trap Nigerians must avoid at confab, by Okechukwu From Adamu Abuh, Abuja ATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has enjoined Nigerians to be on the lookout for ethnic and religious jingoists ready to capitalise on the national conference to undermine the country.

One of such booby traps, he said, was President Goodluck Jonathan’s turnaround proposal to subject the outcome of the confab to a referendum. According to him, the president’s about turn is suspect.

Fielding questions from The Guardian in Abuja, Okechukwu maintained that the turnaround was part of the grand design by the Presidency to distract the attention of Nigerians from the core issues of governance ahead of the 2015 polls.

He said: “Mr. President and his handlers are very much aware that the ingredient of an election is a referendum on the incumbent. Looking backwards, they are aware that comparatively from February 6, 2010 when he took over from President Yar’Adua till date, no major projects have been achieved.

“The Jonathan handlers are intelligent enough to know that the current ingredient of election is referendum on their performance.

So, in order to blur it, they are trying to use the national conference to raise sentiments about ethnicity, about religion and these sentiments can drown the major issue that the election could have achieved.

“Looking backwards, they are aware that nothing has been achieved; that it has been one corruption or the other. Can you imagine a president that approved N2.1 billion for automation of the furnishing of the federal executive

N

chamber when the entire federal polytechnics in the country have been on strike for nine months; where the federal universities were on strike for six months?

“We don’t talk about the medicals and other missing links. They are now putting a snider by telling the National Assembly to give them a referendum.”

Stressing that he had nothing against a referendum, Okechukwu said: “There is no quasi conference that can achieve as much as a general election when there are two parties that are of equal strengths.”

“That could have been a good opportunity for a regime change and that regime change is what the Ghanaians boast about; that regime change is what the man in the United States of America boasts about,” he said.

“The fear is that with the confab, the issues of corruption, economic growth and infrastructural development might not be there. The issues that would crop up are that: ‘I am Igbo, I am Hausa, I am Yoruba; the power is our own; if you don’t go this way, I will go that way.’

“It would be the issue of raising sentiments and emotions and not the core impediments to the growth of the country, as witnessed during the last immigration recruitment because all the stadia in the country were filled up for less than 4,000 jobs.

“I am sure even if you are playing football at the national stadium, you won’t have that kind of crowd. That shows that the uniformity of what we have is common poverty, common hunger, common gross unemployment and gross inequality.

“So, those dangers that are militating against the development of the country is what they are trying to cover with the confab, which is dan-

Okechukwu gerous for the security of the country and the growth of democracy.”

Okechukwu enjoined Nigerians not to play into the antics of the Presidency, which, he said, was keen on using the confab to divide Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines.

He said: “I say yes, it (confab) is a booby trap because of the hidden agenda. The president said he has no hidden agenda but he has unveiled it. That was what he unfolded.

“He initially said whatever agreement reached at the confab would be subjected to the approval of the National Assembly because he could not lead a squad to the disintegration of the country.

“But on the other hand, he is now

coming back either as afterthought or a deliberate attempt to subvert the process and the process of the election because if Nigerians would ever be given the chance to do a regime change, they would go to bed, wait for the APC and use their power of the vote.

“And immediately this is done, whoever becomes the president would call his in-laws, his kinsmen and say, ‘look, gentlemen, steer clear of state activities since you have seen what happened to the incumbent.’”

Okechukwu argued that if the conferees finished and insisted or got divided and insisted that if there were no referendum, they won’t participate in the affairs of Nigeria again, there would be problem.

“A patriotic president would have worked hard over the years to get the referendum issue inserted into the Constitution through an amendment instead of saying it now,” he said.

“That is my fear. What I am saying is that the timing and the intendment is evil. It might blur the votes, which could have taken Nigeria to the next level.

“Today, Mr. President is thanking the National Assembly for the provision in their proposed amendment of the Constitution for a referendum. Yet, we know that the National Assembly has never met on the amendment.

“So, we don’t know where he stumbled on the idea. Inquiries have shown that there is nothing like that on their papers. It was being cooked up. This is the only danger we are facing in this democracy.”

Okechukwu, who hails from the Southeast, said he was old enough to know that Igbo people are not happy with five states in the zone,

adding, “but I also know that there are other strategic processes in the democratic process to redress the anomaly.”

According to him: “Every group in Nigeria has their own item relating to marginalisation but that could be done through the democratic process, which is gradual and incremental.

“We have people at the conference who were not even elected. Looking at the eyes of the delegates there, you would see that they are taking it as if Mr. President has done them a favour, and naturally good people rely on those who feted them.

“No matter how principled you are, somebody that had been somewhere in Enugu State, and all of a sudden he is walking away with N12 million, you shouldn’t be surprised if he is singing a different song that they told him to sing. That is my fear.”

On whether the votes would count at the 2015 polls, Okechukwu said that would depend on the outcome of the confab.

He said: “That is my fear. My fear is whether there would be votes. The ethnic merchants and the religious jingoists put at the national conference would be beating their drumbeats to stop the elections.

“Initially, we thought they had been tamed when they told them that whatever you did here (conference) would be subjected to the approval of the National Assembly.

“That would have been enough to tame them but now that they have been given a small leverage that it might be a referendum — I am not saying there is anything wrong with it but it is just that the intendment is evil; the intendment is not for public interest; it is meant to blur the power of the votes.”

‘Outcome shouldn’t be put to National Assembly’ Mr. Denzil Kentebe, National President, Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA), spoke to Lawrence Njoku in Enugu on the thoughts of their people on the national conference, among others.

HAT are your views on the conference?

W I think it is ideal. People in the country, especially from the Southeast, South-South and Southwest, are clamouring for the conference.

There was a bit of resistance from the North on what they felt about the conference. But they seem to have bought into the conference the same way the President really saw the conference and we are now going to have a national conference. We hope it will be to the benefit of the country.

It is a welcome development for us, especially the Ijaw Professionals. We think it will enlighten us the more on the things we need to do to make our country greater.

We really support it and pray that the people there will see it as tending towards the unity and development of the country and not one that should further divide us.

What do you make of the recent comment by Usman Bugaje that the North owns the oil in the Niger Delta because it occupies 72 per cent of the landmass of Nigeria?

We all know that it is a wrong statement; and we all know that as we go into this conference, every part of the country is jostling for superior arguments and I think the intention is for us to have something to negotiate with.

There is no iota of doubt that the oil in Niger Delta belongs to Niger Deltans. There is no iota of doubt also that Bugaje and his likes know and understand that they have no claims to this oil. So, I think it is politics, as usual, so as to have something to go in there (national conference) to negotiate with.

Was Bugaje speaking for himself or probably trying to throw a gamble, which could be raised at the conference?

Well, it should be raised at the confab, but in

the same way it will be raised, it will also be shut down. No one person can rewrite the history of the country in terms of resources. We have historical facts, and as I said, this is a kite that is being flown, but it will go nowhere.

We have had several times where people would lay claims to our oil and other resources. In the early sixties, no one was laying claims to oil but groundnut and other produce then in the North.

So, in 2014, it will be very surprising if anybody should take Bugaje seriously on those claims. This is just a way of trying to cause confusion at the conference.

The Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought has called for right of secession to be enshrined in the Constitution. What’s your opinion on this?

I don’t think it is proper to force anyone to live together. We have a country where we have different regions. If you look at the Ijaws, for example, we have been complaining because we have been balkanised in every state — from Ondo to Edo, Delta, Cross River to Bayelsa to Rivers and Akwa Ibom and we want a situation in which our people can live together. We share the same language, we share the same culture and why do we have to be balkanized and living as minorities in other states?

I believe that if any part of the country feels it wants to secede — that it will be in their interest and be viable — I don’t think anyone should stop them.

A GROUP called, Biafra Zionist Movement, recently hoisted a flag at the Enugu Government House, as part of its effort to reclaim the former Eastern Region and part of Middle Belt for Biafra. Would you see this as secession?

While I said that any group has the right to seek self-determination if they so choose, such should, however, be done under the ambience of what we have as existing rules and laws in Nigeria.

I have not seen a situation where the Zionist

Kentebe Movement has called for a conference of the former Eastern Region, or even asked those people whether they want to be part of the group.

I am even saying that we, as Ijaws, are spread over six states and we want to be together. But let’s cross that bridge first before we go into saying whether we want to be in Nigeria.

Earlier on, we talked about collaboration between the Southeast and South-South of Nigeria and these are things nobody can disrupt.

We should go it by the law. Let’s go to the conference, let’s discuss and see how it goes and not that any group will take the laws into its hands and want to secede from what we now know as Nigeria.

Will it be possible for the Ijaw, for example, to come and live together?

Bayelsa State, as you know, was carved out of Rivers State. What they are asking for, as Ijaws, are two other states. We feel that asking for those states, we can sustain ourselves.

Asking for true federalism means that whatever resources come from there belong to us, we pay taxes to the federal government (if Nigeria still exists). And so, every other region is at liberty to do a similar thing.

You are not relocating physically but if you look at the Ijaw from the map, you will discover that it is located on the coast lines: we have Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States; then we have Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

We are not going to move physically; we are just saying trace the border line and give us our specific states, so we can live in harmony.

It is like having the eastern region; when you move from one state to another, you will discover that there are similarities.

Do you have the population, among others, to meet up with this demand?

We are the fourth largest ethnic nationality in this country.

Will the conference, being a delegate conference, allow ethnic nationalities to push for those things affecting them?

I would have wished it were an ethnic nationalities conference. But having said that, the people at the conference come from one ethnic group or the other and because you are a Nigerian, you must come from an ethnic group.

First, I believe the people going for the conference are there to represent their people; so, they can live in unity with other Nigerians.

I do not think that anybody will go there and accept anything being said against his ethnic nationality, no matter who has nominated them into the conference.

How would you want the outcome of the conference handled, going by the challenges it has had so far?

I think the Ijaw people have said that the confab should end in a referendum and should not be put to the National Assembly. I think strongly there is need for that.

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Monday, April 7, 2014 13

TheGuardian

14 | Monday, April 7, 2014

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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 GOK Ajayi: There goeth a man HE demise of renowned lawyer and patriot, Godwin Olusegun T Kolawole Ajayi has, expectedly, cast a pall over the fold of legal practitioners. But his death is a debilitating loss not only to the legal profession but also to all those who cherish industry, brilliance and above all, love Nigeria. It is yet another decimation of that thinning rank of lawyers deeply rooted in the finest tradition of the profession and its rich culture of dignifying practice.

G.O.K Ajayi as he was fondly called, was revered for his industry, calmness, tenacity of purpose, high ethical standards and persuasive skills, all of which endeared him to the crème de la crème of the society, the downtrodden and the vulnerable who found in him a staunch ally.

Though he would ordinarily pass for a conservative in the existing divide within the legal profession, he appeared more comfortable in the company of the radicals and pleaded the kind of causes associated with them without necessarily engaging their tactics often considered offensive to the tradition of the legal profession. Those close to him know he was an exceptionally quiet man who never courted undue publicity but instead abhorred unnecessary sensationalism and unethical practice. He was not known to speak tongue in cheek or sit on the fence on any issue of national interest to him but took positions based on his strong convictions. Unlike many lawyers who had his kind of clout, G.O.K never went out of his way to curry the favour of anyone or adopt sharp or unorthodox practice to prosecute or win his cases. He relied absolutely on his skills and sound knowledge of the law for which he was highly respected by judges and his professional colleagues. The fact that he was aloof most of the time from matters that had little or no bearing with the practice of law nay his profession insulated him largely from unhealthy controversy and enhanced the pride of place he occupied. For a long time, he was more or less the leading advocate always found in or around highly controversial cases. His kind of practice, devoid of pettiness, frivolity and grandstanding was inspirational to young advocates and close followers of courtroom practice.

The law reports are replete with several cases handled by him many of which were to drive home certain principles of law as opposed to pecuniary considerations. He was unique in so many ways and to a reasonable extent a legend in a world of his own. And as was said by Bayo Ojo, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, ‘GOK was at the forefront of law for the benefit of humanity. He stood permanently on the side of the oppressed. You can always predict where you would meet him. When history of legal titans who shaped and reshaped their worlds is being told, a befitting page is assured for the legendary G.O.K.’ Born on May 29, 1931 and called to the English Bar in 1955 and the Nigerian Bar in 1957, some of his landmark cases included election petition cases such as Adekunle Ajasin v. Akin Omoboriowo, Obafemi Awolowo v. Shehu Shagari and Bola Ige v. Victor Olunloyo. He was also the lawyer to Shugaba AbduRahman Dahman who as the minority leader in the Borno State House of Assembly was deported by the Federal Government of Nigeria to another country in a classic case of political pettiness. At one moment of Gani Fawehinmi’s many travails, GOK led other lawyers at the Transition to Civil Rule Tribunal to defend the fiery lawyer and crusader during his trial for the offence of trying to subvert the military government of Ibrahim Babangida. It was the same GOK who stood solidly up for General Zamani Lekwot and his native Atyap community in Kaduna State who were charged with murder before a Special Military Tribunal over the Zango Kataf crisis. His brilliant advocacy led to the acquittal of the embattled General for which an eternally grateful tribe honoured him with the title of ‘ACHOK ATYAP’, meaning ‘The Guardian of Atyap.’ In 1993, he led other lawyers to defend the presumptive winner of that historical presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, also charged with treason by the better-forgotten Sani Abacha regime for insisting on his mandate to rule Nigeria following the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In the field of law practice and procedure, anything G.O.K. Ajayi did not know was not worth knowing.

His legacies are absolutely indelible.

LETTERS

That Ibadan forest of horror IR: Few years ago, the story of the existence of SOkija Shrine located in the Eastern part of the country broke and the authorities dealt with it.

Thereafter kidnapping became profound in the southsouth and southeast geo-political zones. With the sudden discovery of another forest of horror where human skeletons, human parts were located, a new dimension has been added to issues of national security in our country. I found it difficult to even look at the images taken from the site of horror. And so, Ibadan may no longer be as safe as earlier imagined. Other gory tales have been told from the ancient city.

The question now is whether there is still any safe part of this country when viewed from the activities of the BokoHaram in the northeast and in the northwest coupled with the marauding army of Fulani herdsmen in the middle-belt.

These situations pose serious challenges to national security. Security agencies may have to

adopt holistic measures in tackling these challenges.

In doing so, the principle of community policing should be embraced where local farmers or hunters on expeditions can report suspicious movements in their localities to the chiefs and community leaders who will in turn pass on the information to the relevant security agents, especially police stations that are based in their areas.

The issue of intelligence gathering should not be left alone to the operatives of the DSS, CID/CIB, NIA or DIA, if desired results must be achieved. As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Communication has a crucial role to play. Nigeria’s satellites launched into the orbits a couple of years ago should not be for agricultural and erosion control alone, the images taken by these satellites can be analysed for results by our security agents, for instance if isolated buildings are located in the forests.

Citizens should also work in collaboration with security agents to make this nation safe while the government continues the battle to fix our basic/social

infrastructures and education sector.

As long as we still have our lives, there is hope of a better tomorrow for the nation, sooner or later. Let us keep hope alive.

Since governments have politicised the issue of security in the country, wisdom or even common-sense demands that we shouldn’t leave such issues solely to them. People should indeed watch and pray. To watch means to be vigilant and even take proactive measures if need be. Individuals, religious organisations, communities, communitybased organisations (CBOs) or neighbourhoods should be more vigilant and take proactive measures in other to checkmate sudden invasion/attacks or the activities of suspected kidnappers/armed robbers that have vowed to either make life unbearable for them or even aimed at cutting short such lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ states: “The thief cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy….” It is the Lord that can give life and give it abundantly.

• Gbemiga Olakunle, JP General Secretary, National Prayer Movement

Monday, April 7, 2014

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15

Opinion Best practices in Central Banking (1) Temitope Oshikoya S the tidal wave of commentaries on the conA troversial Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ebbs, we can begin to soberly reflect on the economic principles underlying the mandate, functions, governance structure, independence and accountability in central banking. This article examines some of these key issues drawing from economic literature, global practices, with the objective of contextualising central banking in Nigeria. It also draws from my experience of heading an international organisation, which worked with governors of Central Bank in West Africa, as well as interaction with some peers and colleagues who are governors and deputy governors of Central Bank in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Why do Central Banks exist?

The economic justification for the existence of a modern central bank is rooted in a branch of Economics, called Welfare Economics, and not Monetary Economics! Government, its institutions or agencies exist and are justified due to the provision of public goods and presence of externalities, which implies that individuals will not capture the full benefits or costs from their actions. If the externalities are not properly internalised or taking care of, the issue of “tragedy of the common” will arise. Hence, with nobody taking responsibility, we have land that can be overgrased; water that can be polluted and other resources that can be overused. A classic example of public good is national defense, which is provided by a national government that is justified because most people will not voluntarily contribute their resources to the military, and once the national defense service is provided, most people cannot be excluded from benefitting from it.

How does this apply to central banking? Central Banks exist to attain the public good of promoting the economic welfare of the citizens.

The primary overriding task of a central bank is to improve general economic welfare by managing and reducing systematic risks and economy-wide instabilities, where everyone is impacted (that is, cannot be excluded).

The Bank of Canada captures this point very well by noting that its principal role “is to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada.” The Central Bank of Mexico indicates that its main goal “is to preserve the value of Mexico’s currency in the long-term in order to improve Mexican’s well-being.” It is worthy of note that the phrase “economic welfare or wellbeing of Nigerians” does not appear in the CBN Act, 2007.

The mandates of the central bank derive from the need to manage and reduce systematic risks and instabilities, which could impact the public good of promoting general economic welfare. The instabilities and systematic risks that threaten the general economic welfare are high inflation, high unemployment, low real economic growth, unstable exchange and interest rates, and unstable financial systems.

While different countries may assign different ranking and priorities to these goals, central banks across the world have essentially the mandate of primarily ensuring low and stable inflation, low employment and sustainable economic growth. Financial stability, exchange rate stability, and interest rates stability are secondary goals, and even instruments for achieving the primary goals.

Inflation, unemployment and sustainable growth High and unstable inflation, low economic growth and high unemployment are threats to the promotion of public good of ensuring the general economic well being of citizens. Inflation creates uncertainty and makes rational economic planning difficult for individuals and firms. It erodes the purchasing power of currency, reduces its role as a store of value, while distorting the information contents of prices. High unemployment contributes to economic and financial loss to individuals and families. High real output growth close to potential output growth is also equally important.

The economic literature has also established that at least in the short-run, there is a trade-off between inflation and unemployment. Thus, it is important to know the welfare cost of inflation and the sacrificing ratio between inflation, growth and unemployment. It has been estimated that for Nigeria, the welfare cost of inflation is more than a third of gross domestic product (GDP). With inflation down by half from a high of 15.6 per cent to eight per cent over a period of five years, the cost of disinflation is estimated to be close to a fifth of GDP. With an estimated protracted unemployment rate of 24 per cent in Nigeria, it is not possible to recover the economy-wide output that unemployed people could have produced.

Nigeria’s real GDP growth has averaged about seven per cent in the same period, while its potential output growth is in the neighborhood of 12 per cent. Growth has been driven more by accumulation of factors of production than by sustained productivity of the factors of production. When population growth is factored in, adjusted real per capita GDP growth will be

around five percent, while its adjusted potential growth will about 10 per cent. An economy that grows at 10 per cent will double in size in seven years, while a growth rate of five per cent will double the economy in 14 years.

Thus, the primacy of central bank’s focus on inflation, employment and sustained economic growth is undisputable. The U.S Federal Reserve is mandated to “maintain long run growth of the monetary and credit aggregates commensurate with the economy’s long run potential to increase production, so as to promote effectively the goals of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates.” In Canada, the Central Bank is expected to “mitigate by its influence fluctuations in the general level of production, trade, prices and employment.” The Bank of England’s monetary policy objective is to “deliver price stability and, subject to that, to support the Government’s economic objectives including those for growth and employment.”

In Korea, the Central Bank is expected to “contribute to the sound development of the national economy by pursuing price stability through the formulation and implementation of efficient monetary and credit policies.” In South Africa, “the Reserve Bank is required to achieve and maintain price stability in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in South Africa.” In Kenya, in addition to monetary stability and financial stability, the Central Bank of Kenya is mandated to “support the economic policy of the government, including its objectives for growth and employment.”

Interestingly, and in spite of the global practices and domestic economic realities, the words ‘employment or unemployment’ and “sustainable economic growth” do not appear in the CBN Act, 2007. The Act states that the principal objects of the CBN are to ensure monetary and price stability, issue legal tender currency in Nigeria, maintain the external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency, promote a sound financial system in Nigeria, and act as banker and provide economic and financial advice to the federal government.

Among the principal objects, it has become more glamorous and exciting in Nigeria to devote attention to supervision of banking institutions and regulation of financial markets. A modern economy cannot operate efficiently with an unstable banking system. Yet, there are models of banking supervision and regulation outside of the central banks that have worked well. Financial regulation and banking supervi-

sion are outside the remit of central banks in Canada, China, Korea and a few other countries.

Yet, in terms of soundness of its banks, Canada ranked first among 134 countries; they are well capitalised, managed and regulated. Canada was also the only G7 country that did not have a government bank bailout in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

While financial stability is a desirable goal, it is also a secondary means of achieving the primary objectives of low inflation, low unemployment, and high sustainable economic growth. While commenting on sustainable banking initiative, the acting governor of CBN recently noted, “the financial sector in emerging markets has a critical role to play in fostering sustainable economic growth.”

Technocratic and economic management institution Given the justification for its existence as promoting the public good of general economic welfare of citizens and its primary focus on inflation, unemployment and sustainable economic growth, central bank, all over the world, is essentially a technocratic economic management institution. For the positions of board of directors, Central Bank governor, deputy governors, and members of monetary policy committee, it has been well articulated that there are global best practices that support the theme of a combination of strong economics expertise, evident by a Ph.D in Economics, hands-on banking and finance experience, and policy and institutional leadership exposure.

The global best practices cut across developed, developing, and African countries. Of the seven members of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve Bank of the USA, four are highly trained Economists, including the chairman and vice-chairman. Of the 12 presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks, 10 are Ph.D Economists.

At the European Central Bank, the president is an Economist, and four of the five deputies are Economists. The governor of Bank of England has a Ph.D in Economics, with a decade of leadership and operational experience at Goldman Sachs, an investment bank. The governor of the Bank of Canada has a Ph.D in Economics, with leadership experience in central banking and served as president and CEO of Export Development of Canada. All five deputy governors of Bank of Canada are highly trained Economists.

The governor of Japan’s central bank is an Economist and a former president of Asian Development Bank.

•To be continued • Dr. Oshikoya, an economist and a chartered banker wrote in from Lagos.

Zongo: State obligation to protect journalists Chidi Odinkalu & Ibrahima Kane N Friday, March 28, 2014 in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa’s highest court, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, delivO ered a far-reaching decision in a case concerning the rights of journalists to practice their vocation free from intimidation or the fear of death.

The court held that the failure of a government to diligently seek and bring to account the persons responsible for the assassination of a journalist intimidates the media, has a chilling effect on free expression, violates the human rights of journalists, endangers truth and should not be allowed. The journalist in question was Norbert Zongo, publisher and former editor of I’Indépendant in Burkina Faso, who was killed over 15 years ago.

On December 13, 1998, passersby discovered four bodies in a badly burnt car near Sapouy, about 100 kilometres from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The burnt bodies, it emerged, also had bullet wounds: they were identified as belonging to Norbert Zongo and his brother, Ernest Zongo, as well as another journalistcolleague, Blaise Ilboudo and his driver, Ablasse Nikiema.

At the time of his death, Zongo was working on a story about how David Ouedraogo, driver and domestic employee of Francis Campaoré, was tortured and killed in 1998 for allegedly stealing vast sums of money from his employer. Francis Campaoré is younger brother to Burkina Faso’s President, Blaise Campaoré. A presidential commission later concluded that Zongo’s killing was politically motivated, triggered by his journalistic investigation into the killing of David Ouedraogo. The commission also identified five members of Burkina’s Presidential Guards as implicated in the killing.

Yet only one of the five, Marcel Kafando, was ever charged for these killings and the charges against him were subsequently dropped. All efforts by Zongo’s family and their lawyers to seek accountability for his killing were thwarted: the case was reassigned

to different prosecutors and judges and the fees paid by the family for processing the case returned.

In 2011, Zongo’s widow, Genevieve, instructed lawyers led by Sankara Benewende to make one last ditch effort for redress and take her search for justice to the African Court. It was a courageous gamble. With the assistance of the African court, a multi-national legal team was assembled with lawyers from Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Tanzania and Senegal.

Burkina Faso first argued that the African Court, only fully established in 2005, could not hear a case about a killing that occurred in 1998. The court wisely threw out this objection, ruling that the failure to diligently look for and find the killers, if true, was a continuing one, which had not yet ended. In November 2013, nearly two years after the case was originally filed and almost 15 years after Norbert was killed, his family finally had the opportunity for the first time to put their appeal for justice before a court not controlled by the government of Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso next argued that its government could not be held responsible for failing to find the killers (and noting that no one had held the United States of America, the most powerful country in the world, responsible for failing to find the killers of John F. Kennedy).

In its judgment, the African Court decided that what Burkina Faso did was in effect a cover-up, which violated the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It also found the government in violation of the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which requires it not only to protect freedom of expression, but also the vocation of journalism.

Explaining the reasons for its decision, the court pointed out that the legal proceedings before the courts in Burkina Faso were unduly prolonged; that Burkina Faso didn’t diligently investigate the crimes that the families of the victims had not been contacted over eight years after the beginning of the case they initiated that no proper investigation was ever conducted into the case and

that the government showed no will to hold the killers to account. The court also held that the killing of a journalist was a method of intimidation that should not be allowed anywhere.

The decision of the African Court has far-reaching consequences for the protection of free expression. Journalists around the world face many hazards, including assassination on the job. In the last ten years, according to UNESCO, “more than 600 journalists and media workers have been killed... Attacks on media professionals are often perpetrated in non-conflict situations by organized crime groups, militia, security personnel, and even local police, making local journalists among the most vulnerable.” In nearly all these cases, no one gets punished for these killings.

The true inspiration in this prolonged struggle for justice has been Norbert Zongo’s widow, Genevieve. Mrs. Zongo has singlemindedly kept alive the newspaper - l’independent - in the course of whose work her husband was killed. She remains the leading independent editor and publisher in Burkina Faso. Mrs. Zongo personally attended the hearing in Arusha in November 2013 with human rights advocates from Mouvement Burkinabe des droits de l’homme et des peoples (MBDHP). Her quiet dignity, determination and resilience inspired and touched everyone who participated in the proceedings. Although she never got to address the court the court declined the application for her to do so - her presence at the hearing did make a huge difference. And at the end of the arguments in November 2013, she simply whispered, “At last!”

The Zongo case is only the second successful decision to be handed down by the African Court. The first was in a case against Tanzania. Both Burkina Faso and Tanzania have accepted right of individuals to petition the court directly without the need to exhaust domestic remedies. Other countries that have accepted this right are Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, and Rwanda.

• Odinkalu, a Nigerian lawyer & Kane, a Senegalese lawyer, acted as counsel for the widow and survivors of Norbert Zongo before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

16 | Monday, April 7, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion Let politicians tackle the insurgency Simon Abah will smoke them out of their holes.” That “I was one of the many quotations of President George bush just after the infamous September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States. The speech-mark overhead sounded unpresidential at that time to me but it revealed the ‘will’ and ‘firmness’ of a president determined to go after the masterminds of that terror and others that might come after it anywhere in the world under his watch.

In contrast, I have paid attention to administrators in Nigeria obliquely accuse other groups and politicians of sponsoring acts of terror without publicly identifying who these politicians are. I have also watched so many security experts criticise the military for not rising up to the occasion to fight the insurgency that is wrecking the country.

The military today, owing to pressure and on the spur of the moment gave a time frame to end the insurrection in Nigeria. But how can the military win a war it didn’t create without the efforts of the politicians who created it and who are still sponsoring the anguish that has put Nigeria on a negative pedestal in the world; what with a government lacking the will to name them?

The military may not be able to win this war unless they are aided by the political class who have refused to expose the arrowheads of these unspeakable carnages and who are left behind the scene to invite more sufferings on the innocent and hapless Nigerian people.

I recall the politicisation of Sharia at a time that it Sharia had never been in disagreement by people of other faith who from time had lived in unity with their peaceful Muslim citizens and to the attitude of the country’s president (at that moment) who only proclaimed that Sharia will ‘fizzle out’.

Maybe, if he had used his constitutional powers to negotiate a truce with the politician in

that state, who, instead of delivering his electorate undertaking chose to be a cleric, we may not have been plagued with the religious wars then and the irreligious war now. Need I tell you that the ill-judged actions of these politicians and as a result have left Kaduna State today polarised along religious lines similar to a state in war (Kaduna North inhabited by Muslims and Kaduna South by Christians).

The northeast, once reputed to be very peaceful is in disarray because of the unabashed conduct of political benefactors who armed hordes of young men in the beginning to fight political opponents. The same can be said about the uncontrolled killing by Fulani herdsmen of which analysts are beginning to refer to as systemic genocide. And it is disturbing that a stock known for peaceful nomadic expeditions is inspired by benefactors to overwhelm people in the country.

In the light of the above, it is therefore discourteous to the Nigerian people for politicians to play the politics of blame-game when lives are lost daily in ways that cannot be recounted. It smacks of a hoax to say that they mean well for our safety when right-wing people are barefacedly oiling the wheels of the destruction of the Nigerian state and people while those in authority refrain from doing the needful to prevent the country from continuing its present downhill course.

Warfare everywhere in the world is engaged in and sometimes won when soldiers are motivated. As such, war planners do all they could to motivate the troops. But, the Nigerian military today is dispirited and lack modern arsenal to fight 21st century wars. The politicians have not yet seen the need to acquire up-to-date armaments for the military.

There was an occasion of a widely reported case of soldiers, most of who ran out of bullets in the heat of war. We also watched a prominent politician say on national television that

soldiers’ wages were not paid on time (politicians starving soldiers of funds in battle) but are encouraged to fake tranquillity when emoluments necessary for motivation of troops in line of fire are not paid when they should.

But, the military today lacks the discipline it was known for, caused by the meddlesomeness of this political class that decimates their number at will leading to early retirement of officers ( since 1999 even at this time) who should be serving their country.

But some rank and file in the military have been indoctrinated with promises of state booties by politicians to accept religious principles above country and to be disloyal to the Nigerian state without qualms.

Politicians must help soldiers understand the ethical basis of the wars they create(d) if they must win. Whilst at the war front, the actions of soldiers must also not be second-guessed by the same politicians who sent them to the war front. They should refrain from reheating the polity with tirades most times along ethnic and religious lines.

The Department of Security Services should be reformed, helped and funded to achieve the objective of receiving first-rate information necessary to prevent acts of malevolence before they fester. It is grief-stricken to read and hear about increasing criminal activities, where hordes of brigands invade villages to murder people in multitudes even with a security service that should either get an advanced warning or apprehend culprits immediately.

The military should revive the literacy schools in the barracks as was done in the mid-1980s so that soldiers can be proficient not only in reading and expression of selves but also to improve on self-esteem, appreciate the ideology of wars, respect for the multi-ethnic diversity in the country and patriotism.

They should also bring around physical trainings as was compulsorily done in the barracks in the 1980s up to the 1990s (in the late after-

noon). That was a period when military men of all cadres (officers and rank and file) came together to engage in all sports thereby strengthening comradeship. This is not the case nowadays in most military establishments around the country.

It is also important that the welfare of retired service men is taken seriously by politicians.

This will encourage the serving troops to have more faith in the country, bearing in mind that their loved ones will be taken care of by the military and country in the event of death in battle.

The opposition parties, should, without being unnecessarily partisan (on national security) offer constructive ideas on how to tackle insurgency in the interest of the country. The power struggle amongst party chieftains who should care about security of lives and country is off-putting and it is no wonder that we haven’t met international security standards to make our streets safer, lives safeguarded, homes/properties protected and country free from crimes.

Nigeria can only win the war on terror when the political class are honest enough to admit that the war is sponsored by people within; when the security agencies begin to expose such people; when all parties work together to ensure peace; when our motor parks are rid of clerics who are sponsored by politicians to brazenly preach hate messages as was witnessed recently by my boyhood friend in a major motor park in Katsina State; when politicians take military bilateral relationships earnestly (the disorder was predicted by the United States few years ago, but we kept on sleep-walking); when we become humble enough to ask for help, and when the undertakings of the president of the country and all elected officials are exclusively guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and their conscience.

• Abah sent this article from Port Harcourt.

Time to halt the fiddling

By Olubunmi Adetunmbi N the classic, Quo Vadis, a 1951 American epic film adapted INero from Henryk Sienkiewicz’s classic 1896 masterpiece, Emperor is said to have played the fiddle while Rome burned. The most contemporary parallel of that fable is perhaps the tenure of Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The allusion to the ancient Roman leader who, according to legend, played his fiddle while Rome burned may not be misplaced when juxtaposed with the disconcerting happenings in the polity especially in the security sector and the reaction of the Jonathan-led administration. Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar described it as ‘mind-boggling’ in a recent interview. The killings at the headquarters of the State Security Service, SSS, a stone throw from the presidential villa, as a result of an alleged jailbreak clearly shows the huge security challenges the present administration is currently facing.

In an orgy of mindless killings, 14 people were allegedly killed in Taraba and Plateau States a few weeks ago.

According to media reports, seven persons were brutally murdered on a Sunday night and several houses burnt during an attack on Buwa village in Ibi local government area of Taraba State by armed men. In Wase town in Wase local government area of Plateau State, gunmen invaded the community and sent seven other Nigerians to their untimely death.

On January 26, at least 78 people were killed in two separate attacks in northeast Nigeria, one on a busy market in Borno State and the other in neighboring Adamawa. Again on February 15, a vicious attack blamed on the Boko Haram sect left 106 dead in a village of Izghe in Borno. A few days after, on February 19, another attack by scores of the insurgents again in the northeast town of Bama left 60 people dead, many with their throats slit.

Perhaps to crown its claim to supremacy over the nation’s armed forces, on February 25, insurgents killed 43 people when they attacked a secondary school in Buni Yadi in Yobe State. Recent hostilities between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv youths have claimed about 50 lives at Gbajimba, in Guma Local Government Area headquarters in Benue State. The Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLC) in the aftermath of the crisis claimed that Boko Haram might have killed about 3,300 youths in the north.

According to Human Rights Watch, more than 700 people

have been killed (and still counting) in 40 separate attacks across the northeast in 2014 alone.

These are just a few incidences of the growing spate of killings of innocent Nigerians in many parts of the nation. As I write, the dailies are awash with another violent killing of five policemen, and three civilians in the ancient city of Maiduguri, the hotbed of the insurgency that has ravaged the country in the past three years. Also about 60 persons have been killed in the raging Benue crisis. A timeline of terrorist motivated killings in the country in the past few years shows that thousands of civilians, many of them children have been killed.

This evil, like a cancerous strain, has spread across states such as Katsina, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe states, among other parts of Nigeria. In Katsina, a day before a state visit by the president, scores of people were also killed by terrorists. It is intriguing that the severity of this dastardly act did not prevent the president from cancelling his trip.

Worse still, it is not on record that the president paid any condolence visit to the families of the deceased during the insensitive visit. The question on the lips of many Nigerians today is when will the killings stop? But a much more pertinent question for many is: when will GEJ stop fiddling with the time bomb of insecurity ravaging the north and other parts of the country and offer lasting panacea to the crisis which has claimed many lives he is supposed to protect as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces? It is rather saddening that the president has started trading blames with the governors on an issue that falls squarely on him.

The president has spent a great part of the current year junketing across the globe with public funds in needless ventures that could have been handled by subordinates in government.

While the country witnessed a mounting and coordinated assault on its citizens a few weeks ago, Jonathan was a on a six-day trip around the world in which he attended the celebration of Namibia’s 24th Independence Anniversary before departing for Rome and the Vatican for talks on March 22 with Pope Francis and Monsignor PietroParolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

He also spent ample time in the Netherlands after conferring with the Pope where he met with Dutch officials and attended the Nuclear Security Summit.

Meanwhile, at the home front, while the president wines and dines with world leaders of more developed nations, hundreds

of Nigerians continue to lose their lives in terrorist-related events.

The other area that calls for concern is the president’s reactions whenever such killings occur. In other climes where a measure of sanity applies in governance, it is not out of place for a sitting president to shelve official engagements to commiserate with the families of such victims. Apart from emotionless and stilted utterances of regret and condolence by his handlers to the victims’ families, the president usually chooses such sensitive periods to embark on foreign travels or organize state-sponsored events, which blur the national mourning of the events. The case of the centenary celebrations, a few days after the killing of young secondary school students perhaps shows the president’s disposition towards such sad occurrences. Since the killings, he has hosted a wasteful centennial celebration, travelled across Nigeria to organise regional rallies and also illegally commenced his campaign for the 2015 elections. He has also journeyed to Namibia, Italy and The Netherlands, in a needless globetrotting that belies the massive security problems confronting the nation.

Alas, his rhetoric at the regional rallies he has attended also shows the hitherto dictatorial side of him Nigerians must carefully study in the coming months. At the rally in Kwara he was reported to have subtly threatened to withhold crucial developmental projects from states whose ‘governors continue to abuse the president.’ Also at the rally he promised retribution for any political appointee who ‘steals PDP’s mandate.’ These statements are certainly not presidential, neither are they accepted utterances of a true statesman.

The above listed events shows that we may perhaps have a president who is clueless on one hand and also largely insensitive to the plight being faced by Nigerians, (many of whom have been brutally murdered in recent times) who have lost hope of safety and security in the PDP led government and are yearning for an alternative. More disturbing however is that fact that we now know that we have a president with a dictatorial tendency he has struggled to keep hidden for so long but which has started manifesting for all to see. The end of fiddling of fiddling Emperor Nero is a lesson that does not need to be told.

• Adetunmbi, a Senator, represents Ekiti North Senatorial District and is also the vice-chairman, Senate Committee on Interior.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, April 7, 2014 | 17

Focus Nigeria, United Kingdom visa quagmire TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA writes on how stringent visa policies tend to hurt trade relations and slow down investment opportunities between Britain and Nigeria HE stories about what thousands of T Nigerians go through to obtain visas of developed and developing countries have been well documented. But what many do not know is that Nigeria also has what some have described as “stringent regulations” for issuing visas to foreigners, which many analysts now blame for the drawback of the country’s quest for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

This was the crux of a sidebar discussion at the United Kingdom (UK)-Nigeria Trade and Investment roundtable, held in London recently, and organized by the Nigerian London Business Forum (NILOBF), in conjunction with the Business Chamber Trade Association of the UK. The roundtable seeks to promote bilateral trade and investment relations, by bringing together business people from the two countries to establish, locate, renew and seek fresh investment opportunities. Besides, it hopes to develop long-term business relationships and finalize existing contracts.

Nigeria’s ambassador to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, set the tone for discussions in his keynote address on activities of the Nigeria High Commission (NHC) in the promotion of bilateral economic relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to him, Nigeria and the UK have continued to enjoy cordial bilateral trade and economic relations due to historical antecedents and shared ties in language, education and legal systems, which “have reinforced the robust relations and positively impacted on the economic prosperity of the two countries.”

His words: “Presently, Nigeria is UK’s second largest trading partner in Africa after South Africa and it is 32nd largest worldwide.

The drive for improved trade and economic relations made the leaders of the two countries, President Goodluck Jonathan and David Cameron, in June 2011, to set an ambitious goal to double bilateral trade to eight billion pounds by 2014. Nigeria and the UK are very well on the way to achieving and possibly, surpassing the ambitious goal set by the two leaders.

“It is instructive to note that in 2011 when the goal was set, the volume of bilateral trade was about four billion pounds and rose to seven billion pounds. There is also a conscious effort on the part of the two countries to diversify and shift focus from oil, financial services and food products, which had dominated Nigeria-UK trade relations in the past to the non-oil sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, creative industry, information technology and retail business.”

However, one of the organizers and member of the NILOBF Board of Directors, Dr. Chris Onalo, in a chat with The Guardian in Lagos, said it was shocking to participants at the conference when some UK businessmen revealed that Nigeria’s stringent visa policy, based on the doctrine of reciprocity, may hamper the realization of the eight billion pound trade volume target set by leaders of the two countries.

He said: “We recognize that the operating instrument between Nigeria and other countries of the world is based on the basic doctrine of reciprocity. Sadly, Nigeria has not yet come to the level where we can demand such from the international community. And because we are a consuming population, we tend to depend solely on other countries for most of what we consume. We have not engaged ourselves in a constructive direction that can position us to reciprocate whatever foreign policy other countries throw at us.

“Singling out Nigeria and United Kingdom for example, at the recent business forum where issues that would promote bilateral relationship between the two countries were discussed, a lot of the issues centred on the visa requirements. I realised that the immi-

Immigration boss at Nigeria High Commission in London, representing the Minister for Interior, Aminu Muhammed; Director of Nigerian London Business Forum, UK, Dr. Chris Onalo; and British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Carter, at the UK-Nigeria Trade & Investment Roundtable event, held recently.

Jonathan

Cameron

gration policy of Nigeria to the UK is even much more stringent than the regulation of the British to us.

“I was shocked. These stringent conditions for issuance of Nigerian visas to British business visitors will not help the growth of bilateral relations between the two countries. The response from the Nigerian delegation was that, in the international diplomacy, it is more about reciprocity. It does not make sense that as a British businessman, I apply for a type of visa that allows me (only) 24 hours access to Nigeria.

“It was strange to us that such treatment exists in this age. Issuing 24-hour business visa to citizens of countries not blacklisted or under any watch list? No businessman would come here and refuse to go back to his country, especially not a British,” he concluded.

Applicants for Nigerian business visa are required to pay visa and processing fees totaling over $200. For expedited action, an additional $85 is required, alongside an invitation letter from the host company in Nigeria, which would accept full immigration and financial responsibility; a letter of introduction from applicant’s company; proof of legal residency and copy of airline ticket or flight itinerary.

Participants at the roundtable noted that apart from the advertised official rates, Nigerian consular officials also create unnecessary bottlenecks for applicants; a situation which, they argued, encourages corruption. It is also seen by some as a subtle retaliation for the “jungle of regulations and visa rules” the British Home Office institutes for immigrants to the United Kingdom from Nigeria.

Efforts to get an official response from the

Tafida Nigerian High Commission in the UK were unsuccessful as enquiries sent to the commission’s e-mail address got no reply and calls made to the Second Secretary (Trade, Industry and Investment), J.D. Pam, were not returned last week.

An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministry remains committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians by constructively engaging the diplomatic and consular missions in Nigeria, especially on visa matters.

“As we demonstrated in our swift and effective response to the deportation of Nigerians from South Africa over the issue of yellow fever cards last year, we have made it clear that Nigeria would not tolerate the maltreatment of its citizens at home and abroad. We hold no responsibility for how citizens of other nationals are treated.”

Last year, the Federal Government announced the introduction of a new Visa Policy, applicable to expatriates seeking to visit or invest in the country. The new policy seeks to transform the visa issuing process and guarantee easy access to immigration facilities by genuine visitors and foreign investors.

Under the new regime, the five categories of visas are: Visa at Points of Entry, Short Visit Visa, Temporary Resident Visa, Employment Based Visa, and Scarce Skills Transfer Visa.

The new policy also allows the issuance of a visa at the entry point, removing the barriers that currently prevent business people, tourists, and government delegations from visiting the country at short notice. Those visiting from countries where Nigeria does not have an embassy can now obtain visas at the

port of entry.

Also in the new policy aimed at boosting tourism, attracting foreign direct investments, opening up the economy for employment opportunities and securing Nigeria’s borders, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) will now issue a 30-day non-extendable tourist pass at the port of arrival. This will apply mostly to visitors from countries where Nigeria does not have Foreign Missions.

Furthermore, Nigerian Foreign Missions will henceforth issue one-year multiple entry permits/visas to all genuine visitors and tourists who wish to visit Nigeria. Visitors who are in Nigeria for investment purposes are eligible to be issued 10-year visas where they meet laid down criteria.

Foreign investors, with as much as $10,000,000 investment prospects, may be given up to a 25 per cent employment quota without sacrificing employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The UK business visa requirement is similar to those requested from British businessmen visiting the country. In fact, one requirement that stands out is the UK Home Office’s insistence on copies of bank statements from the past three months, which must be well funded to the satisfaction of the issuing official. The official rate, though, is USD 136 for business visitors.

Last year, Britain had planned to force visitors from six “high-risk” countries including Nigeria, to pay a cash bond of £3,000, but it was reversed after diplomatic consultations.

According to a Conservative peer, Lord Howell, the UK’s visa rules are creating a “nasty” impression of the country and leaving many people “in despair.”

He warned that tighter immigration controls could damage the economy. “We are concerned that the visa system is keeping out genuine business people and students. A new report by peers is urging ministers to make sure legitimate visitors get visas quickly, easily and cheaply. Also, the government’s language on immigration do not discourage those who would add to the UK’s prosperity from coming to the UK and supporting its businesses,” he noted.

But Home Secretary, Theresa May, has rejected such claims, and launched a number of initiatives aimed at attracting wealth creators to the UK, including an invitation-only, fast-track visa service for top business people.

New restrictions on graduate’s ability to remain in the country after finishing their degrees have seen the number of students coming to the UK fall. The move is part of a clampdown on so-called “over-stayers” – those remaining in the country after their visas expired.

On the flip side, a Nigerian and member of the NILOBF, Patrick Ochuba, was denied visa to the roundtable after he had submitted all the relevant documents He narrated: “The visa officer wasn’t sure if I will return to my country of residence despite being a businessman and managing director of a thriving firm in Nigeria. I was made to understand that the stringent requirements or standards are mainly applied to visa applicants in countries with economic deficiencies who pose a risk to immigration rules.

“Though, it is a general requirement to provide bank details with six months statements, but as an applicant who is legally residing in the USA or UK, you should be fine with one of three months provided the Visa Officer (VO) is satisfied in other aspects.

“Furthermore, your travel history will put you in position of advantage, but each application is treated on its own merit, therefore, the requirements must be fulfilled. I was, however, pained that my application was rejected despite fulfilling all requirements and even providing the covering note from organizers of the event, which was endorsed by the Nigerian High Commission in the UK.”

18

Monday, April 7, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection Please, save us from epidemic • FUTO students, residents cry for help over bad road and poor sanitation in Imo From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

F

OR students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), residing in the hostels located at the Eziobodo, Owerri West Local Council end of the area is very agonising, and they are crying for help.

The road stretches about 4.5 kilometers to the FUTO. Similarly, the indigenes, businessmen operating in the community and residents who majorly ply the only road, have been crying for help from the Imo state Government and well spirited individuals to urgently intervene and fix the only access road that takes them to both the university and Owerri, capital city for their needs.

Each hostel, The Guardian was told accommodates about 30 students. There are legions of hostels built as storey buildings.

In the same vein, residents in Owerri have made a passionate plea to the agencies of the Imo State government responsible for refuse disposal and evacuation to quickly save the state capital from epidemic by evacuating, and timely too, all the mounting refuse dumped in some locations in the city.

The residents are worried in view of the deadly strange disease (Ebola), ravaging some countries in Africa. Since the source of the ailment is not known, the residents who spoke to The Guardian recently said it was disheartening that government officials have allow rubbish to heap and decay with offensive odour in the city. An example is the mountainous heap at some sections of Okigwe Road, close to Okigwe Road Roundabout and just about two minutes walk to the Government House, Owerri.

Also in the ever- busy Ekeukwu Owerri Market, located along Douglas Road, garbage heaps, which have littered, the place are already decaying, too.

Regarding the Eziobodo, FUTO Road,

The collapsed portion of the road near FUTO, the students who spoke to The Guardian in tears, regretted that the road to their institution could be left unattended to, stating that the gradual setting in of the rainy season was making the area impassable.

An indigene of the area, Ugochukwu Iheagwam, a businessman who runs an eatery around the vicinity, Mr. Emeka Obialo, a student, both recounted their ordeals on the road to The Guardian.

“We are living in hell here. We cannot move with ease. Transport cost is now high because of this bad road. We are calling on the authorities to assist us reconstruct it.”

As a way out the landlords, under the auspices of the FUTO Road Landlords Association, headed by Chief Alozie Obialo, raised the sum of N3 million to purchase about 230 tippers of red mud sand to fill the areas badly affected. The job requires about N15 million for drainage to be constructed, according to them, to make it slightly passable, but they cannot raise such huge amount. This has left the road heavily waterlogged and almost impassable.

Motorists are suffering the pains as their vehicles are being damaged on a daily basis. The area has turned a seri-

Commercial motorcyclists plying the route

N Sunday, April 13, 2014, O the Eventi Cocktail Weekend, Lagos is billed to take place at Zen Terrace of the Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event has been put together by Eventi Cocktails one of Nigeria’s premier and exclusive cocktail outdoor catering brand championed by the young and fast-growing entrepreneur- Lara Rawa, CEO & Chief Mixologist - Eventi Cocktails.

The company has catered for major and exclusive events in Nigeria ranging from weddings, birthday parties, financial institutions end of year parties, seminars, and political gatherings to grand openings of major brands in fashion, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

HE Estate Surveyors’ and T Valuers’ Registration Board of Nigeria will hold an

A pool of water on the road ous nightmare to them.

According to the businessmen (traders) in the area, the Owerri West Local Council officials allegedly collect what they called tenement rates ranging from N50, 000 to N100, 000, wondering why they were unable to fix the road.

When The Guardian approached officials of both the Owerri Local Council and State Government for comments on the road and poor sanitation in the state, they asked for patience.

An official of the Ministry of Works who craved anonymity preferred anony-

mous said: “You can see that there is massive work going on by the present administration in all nooks and crannies of the state. People should have patience to be attended to within the resources available.”

“The Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, is visibly angry with contractors who collect large sums of money without executing the contract appreciably. He has ordered for the arrest of about 10 contractors so far. He promised to work on and finish the bad roads and others before the end of his administration,” the source said.

How I was lured into prostitution in Burkina Faso, by victim

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief FFICIALS of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) have lain to rest the widespread speculation in the country that the use of mobile phones was injurious to users’ health, saying that the use of the mobile devices was hazard free.

The commission stated this in Zaria when the officials created an avenue where all mobile telecommunication service providers met their subscribers, and also used the opportunity to dispel the speculations over the health implication of the use of mobile phones.

Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Eugene Jumah while responding to questions from subscribers at the consumer parliament

By Bertram Nwannekanma NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD girl allegedly lured into prostitution in Burkina Faso, in her quest to work abroad on Thursday, stunned a Federal High Court, Lagos, when she narrated how she was tricked into the trade by two middle-aged men.

The victim, in her testimony, at resumed trial of Awanebi and Olowede at the court presided by Justice Saliu Saidu, said the two men, namely: Christian Awanebi of Pagilaidi-Onagadouguo, Burkina Faso and Ariwayo Olowede of Block 337, Flat 2, Ilasan Estate, Lekki, Lagos, took her to Burkina Faso sometime in 2011.

The girl, who was a sales representative on Victoria Island, Lagos, before she was taken to Burkina Faso, said Awanebi and Olowede promised her a sales girl job in a big super market at Burkina Faso.

Led in evidence by Mrs. Anthonia Mgbemeje, a prosecutor from the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the girl told the court that rather than give her the promised job, she was asked to sleep with men so that she would make up to N200,000, to repay the expenses for her trip to Burkina Faso.

According to the victim, she was made to sleep with more than 10 men per day to make up the money.

She said: “I collected the equivalent of N5, 000 per person and the men made me to take a blood covenant not to tell anyone about my ordeals”.

But the defence counsel, Mr. Mac Johnson requested for an adjournment to cross-examine the victim.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till April 10, for continuation of trial.

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Eventi Cocktail weekend holds April 13

Estate surveyors hold induction Wednesday

Use of GSM phones not injurious to health, NCC officials allay customers’ fears held at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria pointed out that not even telecommunication service providers’ masts have health hazards.

Represented by the commission’s Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs, Dr. Femi Atoyebi, the NCC Vice Chairman explained that, “there has not been any scientific prove that radiation from mobile phones is harmful to the health of subscribers”.

He also noted that telecommunication masts have recommended height, stressing that, “the commission always ensure strict compliance to it, in order to prevent harmful radiation from getting down to human beings and animals around.”

According to him, “as it is now, for someone to be af-

Briefs

fected by radiation from masts, that person must have climbed the mast naked. If such radiation is so harmful, all the people in United State of America would have died, because they have been using it a long time ago”.

Besides, commenting on the essence of the programme, the NCC boss said that the consumer parliament was a necessary forum to subject telecom service providers to questioning from their subscribers.

Meanwhile, service providers such as MTN, Airtel, Glo and Etisalat representatives at the event answered series of questions from their subscribers and pledged to take all observations to their managements for further action with a view to serving their subscribers better.

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induction ceremony for newly registered estate surveyors and valuers on Wednesday, April 9, at the old Senate Chambers, National Assembly Complex, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island at 9.00a.m.

A statement by the Registrar, Thomas I. Audu advised participants to be seated by 8.30a.m.

Halogen Security opens new office in Ikeja

ALOGEN Security, the foreH most integrated security solutions and fleet manage-

ment company in Nigeria has opened its new state-of-the-art head office in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State.

According to the company, the opening of the new office located along Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way represents a new era in the history of the company, which began operations in 1992. Speaking at the event, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Halogen Security, Mr. Wale Olaoye said the management and staff of the company remained steadfast in the resolve to uphold their vision of being the number one provider of professional security solutions in Nigeria, using competent personnel and superior resources.

Total Praise at Praise Tabernacle HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Praise Tabernacle, LP 23, Area 3, will today begin its week of Total Praise and Worship with the theme.

Shabbach at the church auditorium at Nos. 9. 10, and 12, Ebun Street, Surulere, Lawanson, Lagos at 6.00p.m on Monday , Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6.30p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. It will end on Sunday. Host is Pastor Amos Emovon.

Church holds proramme HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Redemption House Parish, Lagos Province 2, will hold its Praise Explosion on Sunday, April 20, 2014 at 3.00pm. at 09 Junction, Garden Chicken & Meals, Mowe, Obafemi/Owode Local Council of Ogun State.

Monday, April 7, 2014 19

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Briefs Club marks anniversary HE Ogbomoso Recreation Club will begin activities to mark its 25th anniversary on Saturday, April 12, 2014, with a golf tournament to be teed off by the President, Otunba Alao Akala by 7.00am at the Club’s Golf Course. It will be followed by the commissioning of projects signifying the completion of the original master plan of the club. Also, a book which, chronicles the evolution of the club in the past 25 years would be launched It will be rounded off with an evening of glamour and awards as the club recognizes outstanding contributors to the club. Award recipients are:Chief Layi Akano; Chief Bode Adewuyi; Aremu Makinde; Akanmu Elijah Ayanwumi; Folusho Aremu; the late Prince Oyetunji Oyewole (posthumously) Alao Akala has confirmed that the evening would be eventful.

The Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is the Special Guest of Honour while the Chairman of the occasion is A. K. Amadu.

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Rotary Club embarks on cancer screening

By Isaac Taiwo HE Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, District 9110 in collaboration with St. Leo’s Catholic Hospital recently organized screening exercise for prostrate and cervical cancer for residents of the community.

Flagging off the event, the District Governor, Olugbemiga Olowu, who was represented by the District Secretary, Bola Oyemade, said it was a unique opportunity to be in partnership with St. Leo’s Catholic Hospital. He lamented the loss of many lives through cancer due to ignorance and therefore, lauded Rotary Club of Ikeja for organizing the screening exercise, which he described as a ‘big project’.

He was excited to learn of the response of a lot of men and women who had made themselves available for the screening and appreciated the management of the hospital for their open arms to

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Trailer crushes Okada rider as thieves make away with his motorcycle in Lokoja From John Akubo, Lokoja MOTORCYCLE rider in Lokoja on Thursday was crushed to death after his motorcycle collided with a private motorcyclist and a kerozene tanker ran over him before rescuers could come to his aid.

An eye-witness, Johnbosco told The Guardian that Enojo Alfa, who was carrying a passenger along IBB Way, was hit by a private motorcyclist along with his passenger.

Continuing, he said, while the deceased was still lying on the road, the tyre of a trailer loaded with kerosene ran over him and his grey matter was spilled on the road.

The witness said just as the deceased was being taken from the road, his motorcycle was nowhere to be found.

‘The motorcycle was stolen’ The trailer driver oblivious that ran over and killed somebody continued his journey but other commercial motorcyclists gave him a hot chase and caught up with him.

The eyewitness said he was almost lynched before the police rescued him.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Emeh Emeka, said the trailer was carrying kerozene from Port Harcourt to Sulejah.

He said the motorcyclist was hit by an unidentified taxi- cab who ran away.

He said the motorcyclist fell under the trailer crushed while the passenger sustained injuries.

Emeka said the deceased and the injured were taken to the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja for autopsy and treatment respectively.

He said the tanker was removed for safe-keeping and for Vehicle Inspectorate Officers (VIOs) while the driver was arrested and detained.

A close relation of the deceased, who did not want his name in print, lamented that he just finished Diploma in Public Administration from the Kogi State Polytechnic, adding that he just joined the motorcycle business two weeks earlier.

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The late Alfa and his fiancee

Photonews

A piece of block lying dangerously on the road from Local Airport (MM2), opposite the Police Station. Motorists stand the risk of ramming into it.The accident could be prevented, if the block is removed from the road by the appropriate authorities, as prevention is always better than cure.

Incoming President, Godwin Osamede (right), Chartered President, Wale Osomo, Sister Rita Ogidan of St. Leo’s Catholic Hospital, President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, GRA, Akin Akinfolurin, District Secretary representing the District Governor, Bola Oyemade and Assistant Governor, Kemi Popoola at the flag-off ceremony of Prostrate and Cervical Cancer at St. Leo’s Catholic Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos...

PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO the entire society so that receive and collaborate with shall be able to increase the men and women would be the club. number to between 100 and able to know their status “We, hereby, thank the 200. Then, we will be considwith regard to the endemic management of St. Leo’s ering the possibility of carrycancer, do what is needful Hospital through the Hospiing out surgery for victims and stay healthy. tal representative with us and we are collaborating “Though we are targeting here today, Sister Rita Ogiwith a big hospital that has screening of just 45 people dan, who expressed the hapdeclared its readiness to till the end of June before we piness of the hospital to partner with us and also fly review the number of beneficollaborate with us. We canpatients abroad when necesciaries, I have been reliably not regard you less than a sary. We plead with every told that about 87 people “big partner,” he said. man who has attained the have registered. We are not Speaking at the occasion, age of 45 to participate in the going to turn anybody back. the President, Ikeja Rotary exercise. The Rotary Club The cost of screening one paClub, GRA, Prince Adejuwon members too would not take tient is N15,000 but with the Akinfolurin said the proanything for granted. collaboration of our partner, gramme was very imporHe disclosed other projects we are paying between 50% tant to the club as it did not of the club to include and 65% of that cost. only symbolize the flag -off “School in the bag project, “It is a continuous project of the screening exercise for which the club is also that would be taken over by but also the commencepartnering with Rotary Club the in-coming President at ment of the club’s project of Yobe in the United Kingthe end of my tenure in June for the Rotary year. dom as well as save the child and with the privilege of askAdejuwon thanked the hoscampaign, aimed at ensuring for grant from Rotary pital authority for its beneving safety of children to ward Foundation, we would not olence in contributing to off any kind of danger, which turn anybody back as we the project for the benefit of would also be carried out in

partnership with Road Safety, Lagos State State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Government.

He declared the inclusion of Ikeja GRA Road and directional signs to enhance easy movement for those moving within Ikeja GRA and its environs without asking direction from anybody.

Representative of the hospital, Sister Ogidan said the management was happy to be part of the programme.

“When we got your letter, requesting to make use of our facility, we quickly responded positively because we have been looking for an opportunity like this to impact on the society for which we have been training ourselves for the past two years.

We love what you are doing and we are supporting you and if I need to fill a form for myself and the medical centre to be fully involved in your projects, we will not hesitate to do so. I am promising you on behalf of my boss, Monsignor Aniagwu as well as members and management of St. Leo’s Catholic Hospital, that we will always be there for you.

The past District Governor, Deinde Shoga, who was there, commended the effort of the Club, told them to enlarge the programme to touch many lives and assured them of the support of Rotary Foundation.

Police arrest suspected fake Naval officer in Lagos

By Odita Sunday HE police in Lagos have T arrested 36-year-old Samuel Adekanle, who specializes in impersonating the Nigerian Navy to commit heinous crimes.

For allegedly impersonating as a Naval Commander and stealing five posh cars, detectives at the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police in Onikan, specifically arrested Adekanle.

Parading the suspect Wednesday at Zone 2, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, (ZPPRO) Chief Superintendent Of Police (CSP), Lewi Suleiman said the suspect was arrested sequel to a petition from a Nigerian -based in the United States of America (USA).

The petitioner claimed to have given a freight forwarder five cars to clear at Apapa wharf but the freight- forwarder embezzled the money and ran away to an unknown destination.

Suleiman said the Police swung into action and arrested the agent who claimed that a Naval Com-

The suspect mander collected the vehicles from him.

The Police, therefore, declared manhunt for the assumed Commander who later turned out to be a fake Naval personnel.

The Police officer told newsmen that when the assumed Commander was arrested, detectives discovered that the suspect was not a Naval officer but an impersonator.

According to Suleiman, the police conducted a search at the suspect’s house and recovered many “incrimi-

nating” things including navy uniforms, an identity card of a Naval Commander and other military accoutrements.

Suleiman said during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was not a Naval officer but was using the uniform to deceive unsuspecting victims. “I have committed many other crimes with the uniform,” the suspect told newsmen.

The police image-maker added that the suspect would soon be charged to court for impersonation

and obtaining money under false pretence.

He warned members of the public to verify the genuineness of men in uniforms before doing business with them as many fake uniformed men are on the prowl.

The suspect who spoke to newsmen said: “I am not a Naval commander actually but a merchant navy personnel, but I use to wear the uniform to do some businesses. On the issue of stealing, I am very sorry because it is not as the police are seeing it. It was a business transaction between the clearing agent and me. We used the five cars valued at N13 million to deposit to one Alhaji who promised to give us loan but until now, the Alhaji has not given us the loan and he has refused to give us back the cars.

“I feel ashamed of myself because, my family members and friends who see me as a Naval Commander will now discover that I am fake. Well, I won’t go back to the uniform but I shall use my HND certificate in Marine Engineering to look for a credible job.”

Govt inaugurates peace committee in Anambra community From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka O ensure order and tranquility, a nine-member caretaker committee has been inaugurated at Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Council Area of Anambra Atate to ensure peace returns in the area.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano on Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Godfrey Moutolu, while inaugurating the committee in Awka, charged members of the Enugwu-Ukwu community to embrace peace.

It would be recalled that the community has been

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shrouded in crisis for the past four years following the existence of two factional town union executives.

Moutolu strongly charged them to oversee the affairs of the town union for the next five months and take decisions that would further unite the people of the area in addition to forwarding monthly reports on their activities to his office.

He said: “We want the crisis in Enugwu-Ukwu town to end with this inauguration. People should take advantage of having your son, Dr Nkem Okeke, as the deputy governor. The

peace and tranquility needed among the various indigenes was paramount to the socioeconomic development of Njikoka, Dunukofia and Anaocha council areas of the state.”

He further reminded them that they were expected to conduct election and handover to an elected executive by the end of August.

Responding, the chairman of the caretaker committee to the council, Mr Peter Nwaokafor, assured that his committee would collaborate with stakeholders to resolve the lingering leadership crisis

rocking the town.

He commended the traditional ruler of the town for starting the process of reconciliation, which he noted led to the inauguration of the committee.

In his remark, the chairman, Enugwu-Ukwu Development Union, Youth Wing, Mr. Ossy Akwubuike, expressed confidence in the committee and pledged the support of the youth, adding, “We are here to support the new caretaker committee just to make sure that they conduct and handover to an elected executive.”

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Monday, April 7, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS INTERvIEW /58,59

PROPERTYGUIDE /31

Nigeria, 149 others gather for World urban forum in Colombia

‘Deregulation is bedrock for oil sector’s effective transformation’

MONDAY, April 7, 2014

Sterling Bank, GTB, others lift NSE turnover by N26.8b

By Helen Oji TurNOvEr of 1.937 billion A shares worth N21.26 billion was exchanged in 21,641

General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke (left); Manager, Government Relations, Charles Okon; Chairman, Osobonye Rogers Longjohn and General Manager, Commercial, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Umar Isa Aliya, at the NLNG Stand at the 42 Gastech International Conference and Exhibition held in Seoul, South Korea.

‘Nigeria’s capital market remains competitive’ From Tunde Oyedoyin, London HE suspension of the T Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi did little to dent the confidence of investors in Nigeria, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema.

Speaking exclusively with The Guardian after his keynote speech at the Nigerian Capital Market Forum in London on Friday,

Onyema said it is natural for investors and the markets to react to any new information. ”People just reacted about what happened and not about the individual.”

Besides, the equity market worked well because people bought and sold shares.”

Onyema explained that “on the day of the announcement of Sanusi’s suspension was made, the equity acted very well because the market was open, unlike the fixed income and foreign exchange market.

“On the first day, the market was down by 1. 48 per cent.

The next day it was down, but later started stabilising. I think the shock of the news made investors to react more than the actual substance, because people react to policy changes not necessary the individual.”

Indeed, the nation’s economy appears to have turned the corner in its ability to attract direct foreign investments and it may even receive a boost if the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed by the National Assembly.

These were the submissions of experts at the London Forum.

According to Miguel Melo Azevedo, Head of IB,Portugal and Africa, “ the interest in Nigeria is great these days,” and “it’s the only market where investors feel safe. I feel investors are very comfortable,” with Nigeria and “if Nigeria becomes the country with the largest GDP in Africa, it won’t be big news, it will only generate more interest.”

Onyema said that not only

CONTINUE ON PAGE 22

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deals by investors on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week, in contrast to 1.87 billion shares valued at N26.81 billion transacted in 21,632 deals during the preceding week.

Specifically, at the close of transactions last week, the financial services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.683 billion shares valued at N12.69 billion, traded in 12,631 deals, thus contributing 86.88 per cent and 59.67 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The consumer goods industry followed with a turnover of 74.112 million shares worth N5.325 billion in 3,439 deals.

The third place was occupied by the conglomerates sector, with 63.863 million shares worth N576.140 million in 1,167 deals.

Trading in the top three equities- Sterling Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc (measured by volume), accounted for 751.520 million shares worth N6.282 billion in 3,500 deals, contributing 38.80 per cent and 29.54 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Also traded during the week were 86,775 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N2.210 million, executed in 30 deals compared with a total of 284,750 units of valued at N5.889 million transacted last week in 27 deal.

Similarly, 900 units of FGN bonds valued at N936, 348.16 were traded this week in nine deals compared with a total of 100 units of FGN bonds valued at N N109, 155.39 transacted last week in one deal.

The NSE All-Share Index and market capitalisation appreciated by 0.99 per cent to close on Friday at 38,712.76 and N12.435 trillion respectively.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 Monday, April 7, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

‘How to make Mortgage Refinance Corporation work’

By Ben Okuzu HAD previously written an opinion about the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) in which I gave some pointers on what should be an integral part of its structure and operation. Since then, a structure has been adopted and the corporation subsequently launched.

The advent of this institution is generating a collective, almost orgasmic reaction in finance and housing circles.

Commercial banks and primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) are ecstatic about the promise of liquidity, investment bankers are already calculating underwriting fees, and capital market operators are jumping for joy at the thought of a new product to hawk. It is almost as if a magic wand is going to be waved and all the woes of housing finance will immediately disappear. There is good reason for these reactions, but I am cautiously optimistic. That the NMRC is even a reality is an achievement in itself and the CME, Ngozi OkonjoIweala should be lauded for birthing this initiative.

Let me first go on record, as saying that I believe this initiative to be a good idea, but only time will tell if it turns out to be a great one. Given that it is tasked with ensuring that long term financing at affordable rates for home purchases is available to all who qualify, it will by default drive the mortgage markets.

The first attempt at tackling this problem was with the establishment of the federal

I

mortgage bank which as we all know has produced very limited results, and has clearly not lived up to expectations. It is partly because of this failure that the NMRC has become necessary. The timing couldn’t be better though. The elements that will produce the alchemy to boost the housing market are in place- government commitment, support from the World Bank, increased capital requirement for Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), anticipated robust secondary market activity with the establishment of the over-thecounter (OTC) market, stronger banking sector, and investor appetite for diverse capital market products.

The task at hand is enormous, as is illustrated by the following statistics. There is presently a deficit of 14.7 million housing units in Nigeria.

Mortgages as a percent of GDP is less than a measly one per cent. Only 0.6 per cent of the loans in Nigeria have been applied to housing purchases, and only five per cent of existing housing have been purchased with a loan. There is a direct correlation between the developmental stage of a nation and the percentage of its GDP that housing represents, ranging from less than one per cent in Nigeria, three per cent in Brazil, 10 per cent in India, and 72 per cent in the US. All of this is made possible by mortgage penetration. These mortgages are however, concentrated in the middle class so making credit available to this group would unleash activity in every aspect of the

long value chain associated with housing, and consequently foster economic growth.

The Federal Government following conventional wisdom has rightly stated that the activities of the NMRC will be targeted at this group. That being the case, I would hope that the NMRC in its guidelines would establish individual borrowing ceilings as obtained at the federal Mortgage Bank, to ensure that the program is not skewed by banks to the more affluent and therefore less risky borrower.

In the conversations around this initiative a lot of emphasis has been placed on the tenor of the mortgages. If bonds will be issued to finance the operations of the NMRC then they can be structured with re-funding features that will achieve any desired tenors, as long as there is no deterioration in the quality of the underlying mortgages. I however, am more concerned about rates.

Achieving affordable rates will pose a greater challenge.

A cornerstone of the initiative is that the Federal Government will provide credit enhancement for the securities to be issued by the NMRC thereby allowing the bonds to be priced at par with corresponding treasuries. That being the case, then mortgage rates will be in the range of 13 to 15 per cent when credit spreads are factored in. These rates are exorbitant. Although a 50 per cent drop in prevailing rates, it is still a far cry from what would be affordable no matter the length of the amorti-

zation period. The rates should be single digits, and closer to the six per cent that the Federal Mortgage bank is currently lending at. What it means therefore is that there has to be some form of interest rate subsidy. The Federal Government should establish a pool of funds to do just that and provide second mortgages that will blend down the rates, with qualifying criteria. There is a ready source for the subsidy pool. There is the world bank loan which I understand is interest free, donor funding for housing, funds accumulated from petroleum subsidy removal domiciled in SURE-P, any windfall from sudden increases in oil prices resulting in unanticipated revenues, and taxes from all manner of things taxable. These funds can be placed in the custody of the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

I firmly believe that low rates more than anything else, will fuel demand for mortgages.

Then there is the supply side.

The Federal Government’s 2020 development strategy includes a vision to build over 10 million units of housing between 2012 and 2020 (Approximately 1.3 million units/annum) One of the targets that the NMRC has been assigned is to drive a process that will deliver 75,000 units of housing per annum, far short of the stated goal. It is

clear that the model for delivering housing by the Ministry of Housing and its parastatals in which they are self-producing has failed. In 2012 the Federal Ministry of Housing delivered only 8,096 units of housing. Since inception in 1973, the Federal Housing Authority has only delivered 37,000 units. As a result of this failure, the federal government is rethinking its housing delivery model and plans to implement the vision through PPPs in which government will create an enabling environment and provide support, while private enterprise will deliver the product.

To deliver on what has been promised, the following are key areas where the NMRC should influence the process directly: Play the role of catalyst for the mortgage markets. For this purpose, issuing securities should begin early in the life of the corporation so it is not sitting around waiting for banks to find liquidity to fund mortgages; encouraging diverse loan programs that will targeted various income groups; find ways to bring the selfemployed into the mortgage markets. This will fuel demand and grow the market. Though there are no hard statistics, everyday observation would suggest that there are more people working

outside the organized private sector than in; expand activity to include multi family rental mortgages. This segment of the housing market is one that is often left out in the conversation. If we consider that 85 per cent of urban dwellers live in rented accommodation and that close to 50 per cent of the population live in or around urban areas and growing, we can begin to understand the need and the impact it can have both on the mortgage markets, and economic growth, and why it must be a prominent factor in the equation. Moreover, if rent-to-buy is one of the programs being contemplated for funding by the NMRC, it presupposes that the supply will be available. Multi- family rental mortgages therefore should be front and center in these discussions.

The NMRC must be proactive, and continuously evolve to deal with challenges that it will face in the mortgage markets. It cannot just exist to bundle and securitize mortgages. If done right it will produce a paradigm shift in the thinking and methodology of housing finance in Nigeria, thus driving growth in housing production.

Mr. Okuzu, formerly a Senior Banker at Citigroup Inc., is presently a housing finance consultant.

NSE remains competitive, says Onyema CONTINUE FROM PAGE 21 are “the markets back,” after the global recession, the “market is actually on the move.”

He revealed that in 2012, “NSE posted 38 per cent returns in dollar terms,” adding that, “you’ll see Nigeria has been very competitive and is one of the top 10 (investment destinations) in

the world, in terms of all share index.”

Onyema described NSE as a “truly international market,” noting that: “liquidity is also coming back,” and that “half of the market is foreign and half is local.

“The NSE is here to stay and we’ve built a solid foundation to ensure it stays.”

He disclosed that the global

recession of 2008 was “the first downturn” to be experienced by many local investors and that the “reforms we’ve seen in the Nigerian financial sector- was driven by foreign investors who came back. The reforms were particularly needed, because we cannot afford a scandal where investors lose confidence in the economy.”

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MOnDAy, APRIl 7, 2014 23

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Shareholders laud APR’s performance, approve dividend plan

By Helen Oji of African ShaveHAREHOlDERS Prudential Registrar Plc commended the company’s board on its performance, even as they endorsed the company’s n700 million dividend, culminating to n0.35 kobo per share, due to every investor of the company for the 2013 financial year Speaking at the first yearly general meeting of the company in lagos yesterday at the weekend, the shareholders who lauded the management for enhancing their returns on investment through dividend payout, also urged them to do every thin within its powers to consolidate on the performance.

Specifically, the national Coordinator of Progressive Shareholder Association of

nigeria, Boniface Okezie, commended the board on the dividend payout, while urging the management to sustain the growth recorded in the current financial year.

Also speaking, the national Coordinator, Shareholders Renaissance Association of nigeria, Olufemi Timothy, lauded the company on the improved performance, expressing the need for the company to continue with the positive trend in order to be ahead of its peers in the industry.

“The performance is quite impressive owing that it is a new company and the company first dividend. It is indeed commendable but the management should ensure that as the revenue increases, shareholders reward would increase as well. Shareholders

should never be relegated”, he said.

The chairman of the company, Eniola Fadayomi, Mrs. explained that the company recorded an improved performance amid harsh operating environment.

“In the year under review, your company recorded significant success. Our financial results indicate that the

Group’s profit before tax grew by 82 per cent from n667.5 million in 2012 to n1.2billion in 2013.

“The total asset of the Group in the year under review stood at n16.4 billion having increased by 95 per cent from n8.4 billion in 2012. The Group’s profit after tax was n914.5 million an increase of 63 per cent over that of 2012,”

she said.

On the company’s plans to sustain growth in future, she said APR has put in place strategies that would provide clear-cut direction for the development of both human and capital resources.

“The company’s vision is to create long-term and sustainable value for our shareholders in our chosen markets. In

order to realize this long-term objectives, the company is making every effort to identify and take advantage of every investment opportunity that will complement its long-term strategic objective”.

The Managing Director/CEO of the company, Peter Ashade, said that the year under review a high witnessed percentage turnaround in

ForexTime to hold currency trading competition uRREnCy traders may have the chance to win top prizes will be for new forex traders, said: “We’ve launched these C been locked in for the bat- worth $10,000. while the other is for those live trading competitions in The company said that both more suited to entrants with order to challenge our traders tle of expertise as ForexTime unveils plans to host two live trading competitions, with $10,000 prizes to be won.

According to the company, traders who want to join in the competition have until April 10th to register and join in on

trading competitions are intended to encourage traders to test their strategies and sharpen their skills in a live trading environment.

However, the competitions that will run simultaneously,

some investment experience.

Getting involved is easy with an entry fee starting at just $25 and a total prize pool of $35,000.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Olga Rybalkina,

and encourage them to carefully plan and execute their trading strategies in a competitive environment. To our great delight, both competitions have been met with worldwide success and popu-

24 Monday, April 7, 2014

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN

EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

MARKET REPORT AS AT 4=04=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Monday, April 7, 2014 | 25

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN

MARKET INDICATORS

MARKET REPORT AS AT 4=04=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

THE THEGUARDIAN, GUARDIAN,Monday, Monday,April June7,6,2014 2011

26

TaxWatch IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Conscience Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Tax Agenda for the National Conference

‘

By Taiwo Oyedele

In Nigeria … tax matters are relegated to the background, treated with disdain or totally ignored. Ironically we tax individuals and businesses that are struggling to survive, but subsidize those that are thriving, while we overregulate others that should have kept us moving until they became comatose.

’

N his 1986 address to the IonWhite House Conference Small Business, former American President Ronald Reagan said, “the government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.

And if it stops moving, subsidize it”.

I dare say that this was the ideal philosophy of taxation at the time although the world has moved on since 1986. Tax regimes are now designed to gain competitive advantage with focus on simplification, sustainability, and transparency. Ironically this is not the case in Nigeria where tax matters are relegated to the background, treated with disdain or totally ignored. We tax individuals and businesses that are struggling to survive,

As a nation we have ignored taxation for too long. We must now seize the moment and write the tax history of our future. but subsidize those that are thriving, while we overregulate others that should have kept us moving until they became comatose.

With the on-going National Conference consisting of about 500 delegates, there is not a single person with the right knowledge to focus on tax matters. In fact, about 15 professional bodies were invited to the exclusion of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. This is quite unfortunate given the overwhelming tax issues of national importance plaguing the country.

These issues range from the defects in constitutional provisions regarding taxation, the complexity of fiscal federalism, the menace of multiplicity of taxes, the granting of arbitrary tax waivers, to derivation and revenue sharing formula, difficulties in establishing the right framework for the taxation of natural resources, and so on.

It is difficult to see how we can truly re-launch Nigeria without discussing the way and manner in which revenue will be generated to fund the economy through taxation rather than the usual habit of focusing on how to share revenue from crude oil. It is conventional wisdom that you cannot build something on nothing. We will all be forced to be on perpetual hunger strike if everyone continues to focus on sharing the national cake and no one is thinking of how to bake more.

To remedy the situation, I have put together some salient tax issues for consideration by delegates at the National Conference.

Given the very tight schedule of the Conference I have limited this to what I consider the top three issues.

Tax Agenda Item #1 – Review the Fiscal Provisions of the Constitution As presently constituted, Nigeria is a federation without fiscal federalism. The taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains is in the exclusive legislative list except as it relates to persons other than companies. The latter is contained in the concurrent legislative list.

The State House of Assemblies can also legislate for the collection of taxes, levies and fees by local government councils. This creates ambiguities and confusion leading to multiple taxation and endless earmark taxes. Had earmark taxes been the answers then the Tertiary Education Tax should have resolved the incessant problems in our education sector.

The Constitution should be amended to ensure fiscal federalism and address multiple taxation. The Approved Tax and Levies Act predates the 1999 Constitution raising issues of legitimacy. This should also be addressed. It should be mandatory for the President to announce fiscal policy measures every year along with the budget. This should flow from a tax policy framework covering the short, medium and long term perspectives.

A special tax court should be created to avoid the controversy around the jurisdiction of the existing Tax Appeal Tribunals to entertain cases bothering on federal taxes.

Tax Agenda Item #2 – Em-

bark on a Comprehensive Reform of the Tax System A comprehensive tax reform across all tiers of government is required. This should cut across tax legislation, adjudication and administration. Tax laws should be written in plain language and translated into the major Nigerian languages. Tax dispute resolution should be expedited and tax administration should be simplified and be taxpayer friendly.

There should be a harmonisation of federal revenue authorities and coordination with and among states. Create robust tax institutions which should be empowered and respected. These institutions should be resourced with professionals rather than staffing based on fed-

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

eral character. There should be continuity and succession planning. It is not ideal to have the position of the FIRS Chairman vacant for 3 years as is currently the case. In addition, we should give legal teeth to the Joint Tax Board and enlarge it to include private sector representation.

There should be clarity regarding tax audit and not the current state of confusion with spate of tax audits by every and anybody from the National Assembly to EFCC, NEITI and so on in addition to FIRS and states tax authorities. Incentives and waivers should be strategic, sectorial but sparingly used and monitored for desirability based on cost benefit analysis.

Overall, we should keep the tax system under constant review through periodic reforms.

Tax committees should be created at the state and national assemblies to focus on tax matters. This will prevent tax bills dragging endlessly.

Tax Agenda Item #3 – Set Key Tax Performance Indicators and Monitor Implementation Review and implement the National Tax Policy and set key performance benchmarks in key areas including competitiveness (say to become a top 20 country by ease of paying taxes ranking, currently Nigeria ranks 170). Other areas of performance measurement include tax transparency and accountability. Tax can be used as a panacea for corruption or at least complement the efforts to deter it.

Political office holders must have a history of full

tax compliance before, during and after holding public offices.

The Personal Income Tax Act was amended in 2011 to impose tax on the President, Governors and their deputies but it is doubtful if they are complying. Even lawmakers tend to only vote for a tax and then escape the obligation to pay it. I challenge any of these public officers who have paid the right amount of taxes to publish their records.

Conclusion Taxation is the sustainable life blood of any nation, income from natural resources is only a complement. Even countries with no income taxes charge levies and hidden taxes to fund their government. As a nation we have ignored taxation for too long. We must now seize the moment and write the tax history of our future.

Let’s use the opportunity of the on-going National Conference to launch Nigeria into a new era of fiscal prosperity for the current and future generation.

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

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

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Monday, April 7, 2014

MARKET INTELLIGENCE

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28 MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Access Bank targets $6.4b share in global trade

By Chijioke Nelson and Helen Oji CCESS Bank Plc has unfoldA ed plans to grow its market share in global trade platform from $4.1billion to $6.4 billion.

The move, according to the bank, was increase its services

and support to trade and project-based financing for customers.

The head of Small and Medium Enterprises Desk, Oyediji Atoyebi, who disclosed this at the bank’s breakfast forum titled “Capacity Building for Business Owners,” said that

the institution’s trade lines are currently at around $1.5 billion, which according to him is sufficient mix to support the nation’s growing business needs.

According to him, over a period of time, Access Bank global trade platform remained strong, with growing market

share of $3.3 billion in import in 2010; $6.5 billion in 2011; $4.2 billion in imports 2012; $4.1 billion in import 2013. he affirmed that the institution, which had been among the top four trade banks in Nigeria by value of initiated transactions and value of foreign exchange utilized, would

Report raises hope on private equity’s fortunes in Africa

By Chijioke Nelson hE private equity investT ment in Africa is now firmly rooted, with increasing numbers of new local and global entrants to the market over the last few years emerging alongside existing players.

These investors have been attracted by the large number of opportunities to invest in rapidly growing economies, led by increasingly stable governments in many of the continent’s economies.

These were contained in the report put together by EY and AVCA, titled: “Broadening horizons: how do private equity investors create value?”

According to them, the market has grown in recent years, and transaction multiples have inched up accordingly for private equity investments and more developed economies that attract greater competition for deals lie behind this trend.

“Our study found that the

multiples on entry for private equity deals completed from 2005 onward are, on average, 33 per cent higher than those done up to 2004. “however, there are some significant regional variations, largely related to maturity of the markets in question. For example, countries with a greater concentration of private equity capital and where more deals have been completed, such as South Africa and Nigeria, have higher transaction multiples than markets in Central Africa, where competition for deals is lower,” the report said.

They also noted that there were variations by deal size.

Bigger companies in general attract higher purchase multiples, but this issue is compounded in Africa by the fact that there are few deals in the region at the larger end of the spectrum.

“Our study found that deals in our exit sample valued at between $30 million and $75 million on entry, achieved by far the highest returns, fol-

lowed by those in the $10 million to $30 million.

“We have reinforced the view that the African private equity industry is maturing fast and moving out of its infancy, especially as it is home to fast-growing economies and more stable political environments. African PE is moving to a new phase of maturity,” the report added.

The Transaction Advisory Services Leader for Africa, EY, Sandile hlophe, at the presentation of the study in Lagos, said: “Typically, the growth drivers in private equity primarily in emerging markets, more so in Africa, are sectors that are exposed to what we call the growing middle class.

“Nigeria’s private equity market is very big. The number of domestic private equity companies has more than doubled in the last three to five years. There are probably more than 10 firms and the number keeps growing as many are looking to set up shop in the Nigerian market.”

however, the Partner, Transaction and Advisory Services, EY, Bisi Sanda, noted that the private equity firms are able to achieve returns on investment, which is far higher than that obtained on the capital market, while those operating across Africa have achieved higher returns on investment than private equity in North America, Europe and Australia, said.

Also, the Partner, African Capital Alliance, Paul Kokoricha, said: “The private equity market in Nigeria is an interesting market. The Nigerian potential is huge.

Every sector requires capital.

The FMCG sector requires capital; oil and gas, particularly creating domestic capacity to take advantage of the abundant oil resources that we have requires capital.

“One of the challenges we have in the power sector is that gas has not been properly developed to be able to power the plants. So there is no sector that does not actually require capital.”

be among the top three by 2014 by market share.

On the bank’s effort to grow opportunities for businesses and small enterprises on international trade, Atoyebi said the financial institution had continued to grow and diversify customer base to 500 plus active trade customers across all major economic sectors. he pointed out that Access Bank was the first bank to launch an electronic e-Form M platform in Nigeria through its trade services platform with trade innovation solution to ensure that customers initiate and track their transactions on-line real time.

“We are today a preferred partner with several first class correspondent banks as we have a very firm understanding of the local market and the various trade finance structures that are acceptable to international markets,” he said.

Speaking on the growth opportunities for importers and exporters, a member of the Treasury Group of the bank, Kingsley Azom, said the financial institution has created services for prompt processing and approval of Form M, efficient e-channels, trained and highly skilled workforce, competitive products and pricing, accessibility of loans and advances, financial and business development advisory services.

Azom, who identified some of the major challenges in the

imports and export sector as financing, regulations and logistics, assured of the bank’s effort to provide tailor-made (AccessTrade), robust payment solutions, structured finance, value-adding advisory services and others.

Also speaking on Access Bank’s role on foreign exchange market and hedging solutions for customers, the Group head, Abuja Business Banking Group, David Aluko, who disclosed that 88 per cent of products in the Nigerian market are imported, assured that the bank would continue to create growth opportunities in international trade for local businesses in Nigeria.

“In line with its pivotal role in the Nigerian foreign exchange market, Access Bank provides innovative solutions for its customers, developed online trading platform called AccessFX- the only by any Nigerian Bank, through which it provides direct liquidity in all G-10 currencies, as well as other third currencies for its customers.

“Customers can now have access to real time online rates at the click of a mouse and close-out through spots or hedge via forwards and swaps, third currency transactions anywhere in the world.

“Importers can now accept invoices in the local currency of the country of origin of their products and immediately close out the third currency position with Access Bank’s online real-time,” he said.

Ecobank partners PPMC in fight against pipeline vandals

By Chijioke Nelson COBANK Nigeria has E donated two hilux Vans to the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Warri, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to support the fight against pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Warri, Delta State, at the weekend, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, said the negative impact of pipeline vandals on Nigerians and the economy, is quite enormous, stressing the need for sustained efforts to stem their growing activi-

U.S. investors to attend NDFF forum hE United States T Department of Commerce (USDOC) has confirmed its participation at the fifth edition of the Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) conference, slated for May 29 to 31 in New York.

The development was part of the results of several months of planning by the organising partners of the conference led by the Financial Nigeria International Limited, convener of the yearly NDFF. A press statement by the organisers noted that the USDOC, which has become the latest institutional partner to the conference, would lead U.S. business delegation, which will seize the opportunity to examine opportunities in agriculture, power, hospitality and small and medium enterprises.

“The conference has also drawn significant interest of both Nigerian and U.S. investors in the real estate and housing finance. NDFF 2014

conference is organised to foster better market access and networking for U.S. investors and the Nigerian business community,” said the statement.

Titled Entrenchment of Economic Growth in Nigeria, the 2014 edition will focus on topics such as Macroeconomic Outlook and Country Competitiveness in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigerian Banks and their Ability to Fund the Growth, SME Opportunities in Nigeria for Private Equity and Venture Capital Investors, Governance and Political Risk Outlook and Investment Opportunities in Agriculture Value Chain.

Jide Akintunde, Director of the Forum, said the huge potentials of the Nigerian economy as frontier in the merging markets, provide opportunities to U.S. investors to diversify their asset into key sectors, including financial services, power, infrastructure, agriculture, retail and services and hydrocarbon.

ties.

Aku, who was represented by the Executive Director, South South/South East, Kingsley Umadia, said: “Vandalisation is totally unacceptable. People suffer unduly during fuel crisis and same with the economy. We will continue to do whatever we can to support PPMC in this fight.” he reiterated that the donation is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy to contribute and make meaningful impact in its host environment, adding that will continue to support initiatives that affect people’s lives.

Aku, who lauded the mutual relationship that has existed between the bank and PPMC over the years, used the opportunity to explain the pan African vision and objectives of the bank and the several CSR initiatives.

The Managing Director, PPMC, haruna Momoh, expressed gratitude to Ecobank for the donation, stating that, it would go a long way to assisting the company in pipeline surveillance and repairs on timely basis.

Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Emmanuel Wowo, he called on other corporate organisations to emulate Ecobank in its effort at ensure pumping of crude oil to Warri and Kaduna refineries, as well as supply of white products to the public.

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Monday, April 7, 2014 29

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30 MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Seven Energy, FBN Capital, others seal $170m acquisition deal

By Chijioke Nelson EVEN Energy International Sowned Limited, with its whollysubsidiary- Accugas Limited, closed a $170 million medium-term acquisition finance facility with FBN Bank (UK) Limited and Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

The nation’s FBN Capital Limited acted as structuring bank, sole initial mandated lead arranger, financial modelling bank and global facility coordinator, would help

Seven Energy to acquire East Horizon Gas Company Limited (EHGC).

The 5.5-year period facility, also involved Aluko & Oyebode as lenders’ legal Royal counsel; HaskoningDHV Nederland BV represented the lenders on environmental/technical due diligence matters, while UUBO and Addleshaw Goddard acted as the borrower’s local and international legal counsels respectively.

The facility part-finances the

acquisition of the entire issued share capital of EHGC for a total consideration of $250 million.

EHGC was established by Oando Plc with the intention of constructing and operating an 18-inch, 128kilometre gas pipeline that connects with the ObigboAlscon pipeline at Ukanafun to supply gas to an industrial offtaker located in Mfamosing, Cross River State, and to meet the needs of other industrial users in

the Calabar region.

But Seven Energy’s acquisition of EHGC has already been adjudged as in line with its strategic plans to expand its gas infrastructure assets in the south east Niger Delta.

Through its assets and subsidiary- Accugas, Seven Energy has a number of infrastructure projects in the region, including a gas processing facility at the Uquo Field and a gas pipeline network, which will have the

capability to supply gas in the Port Harcourt, Aba and Calabar areas.

The Chief Executive Officer, Seven Energy, Phillip Ihenacho, said: “This is a landmark transaction for us.

We are delighted to expand our midstream operations in Nigeria with this investment. It is a perfect fit to our strategy of investing in core midstream infrastructure assets in the south east region of the country. I would also like to thank the

entire team for their achievement in bringing this important financing transaction to a close.”

Also commenting, the Chief Financial Officer, Seven Energy, Bruce Burrows, commended the lenders for their support, and in particular, their dedication to ensure that the completion of the EHGC acquisition process was in line with the sponsors’ timetable.

Burrows also lauded FBN Capital’s role, particularly in working closely with Seven Energy, the lenders and the various independent consultants in concluding the transaction.

However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FBN Capital Limited, Kayode Akinkugbe, said: “FBN Capital is very proud of the instrumental role it played in assisting Seven Energy to structure and arrange the financing for the acquisition.

“FBN Holdings Group feels a strong sense of responsibility towards fostering growth in the power, gas pipeline and oil and gas sectors and we will continue to deploy our extensive debt arranging experience and structuring expertise in executing robust transactions in record time”.

The Director and Head of Debt Solutions, FBN Capital Limited, Patrick Mgbenwelu, said: “We appreciate the responsibility and trust Seven Energy has placed with FBN Capital to advise and arrange the financing for the acquisition of EHGC. FBN Capital remains committed to further strengthening this relationship and supporting Seven Energy in realising its various financing goals and objectives”.

Osun stems rural-urban migration, drives developmental projects for Page 37 suburbs

UPDC’s Vintage Gardens redefines Rivers’ land space Page 33

Environmentalists launch new public spending scheme for greening global Page 48 markets

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014

Nigeria, 149 others gather for World urban forum in Colombia Urban Development From Chinedum Uwaegbulam, Medellin, Colombia

From today, World Urban Forum delegates will begin its long tradition of discourse and engagement in urban development with different actors on a global level in order to create a sustainable and inclusive New Urban Agenda for Habitat III and Post-2015 Development Agenda as well as ensure equitable urban development RESH steps are being Factors taken by all the urban such as governments, local authorities, civil society, private sector and academy with the view of making a ‘New Urban Agenda’ for the 21st century at the Seventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF7), starting from today in Medellin, Colombia.

The urban settlement actors are coming together under the largest United Nations conference on sustainable urban development and cities. Nearly 25,000 people have registered as participants from about 150 countries including Nigeria. They will examine the most pressing issues facing the world today in the area of human settlements, including rapid urbanization and its impact on cities, communities, economies, climate change and policies.

This year’s theme is “Urban Equity in Development - Cities for Life”, and addresses the pressing issue of inequality nearing the end of the Millennium Development

Goals, and in preparation for Post-2015 Agenda and the Habitat III Conference in 2016.

Confirmed speakers at the WUF7 include Nobel Laureate Economist, Joseph Stiglitz, Professor and writer, Richard Florida, Planner and Urbanist, Brent Toderian, and Professor and writer, Richard Sennett.

WUF 7 draws a wide variety of experts from all over, such as national governments among others, represented by heads of state and ministers; regional governments; mayors; multilateral organizations; financial institutions for development; academia; private sector; professionals; NGOs, and other civil society organizations.

Medellín has made a remarkable transformation in recent years, using progressive urban planning to battle social exclusion and leave its violent history behind. For these efforts, the city was named the World’s Most Innovative in 2012.

Medellín was selected as host of this year’s WUF for its achievements in setting a new global standard for urban policy and innovation. The city has undergone a remarkable transformation, from a violent past, to becoming one of Latin America’s cultural and commercial centers. Here, architecture and public transportation are used as means of social inclusion.

The conference is held in a different city of the world, every two years and convened

by UN-Habitat, the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements.

The Forum’s Seventh session has a special relevance in the

A typical slum in some African countries process of preparing the new Post-2015 Development Agenda and the review process of the new urban agenda for the Third Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Habitat III, scheduled for 2016. The Forum also contributes to the mobilization of sustainable

urban development in the worldwide political and media agenda.

The Post-2015 Development Agenda refers to the process led by the United Nations with the purpose of defining the future global development framework, which will follow after the UN Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs), a list of eight goals on global development ending in 2015.

The WUF 7 forms the basis of the discussion about the complex connection between equity, inclusive growth and sustainable urban development towards the new Post2015 Development Agenda, to propose the adequate formu-

lation on urban challenges in this new framework.

Similarly, the Forum also means a great first encounter in the preparing process for the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III).

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

Lagos intervenes, investigates possession warrant in Lekki-Peninsula land battle Land Matter

By Tunde Alao and Emmanuel Badejo ET to unravel allegation of fraud in the execution of a warrant and certificate of execution of a Supreme Court judgment over a prime landed property located in LekkiPeninsula, Osapa Village, Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, the Lagos State has directed enquiry into how representatives of Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu family obtained an “irregularly procured warrant.

The state’s intervention was sequel to a petition by a firm, Suncity Properties Limited, developer of classic Milverton Flats and friends of Colony

S

Amidst claims and counter-claims of ownership to a choice Lagos sprawling settlement on the Lekki-Ajah corridor, the state government has directed an enquiry into a warrant of possession order in a suit between Gbadamosi Bandele Etelu and Ojomu Chieftancy Family Estate, both located at Ajiran area of Lekki in Lagos State.

Historical records, obtained by The Guardian revealed that the Ojomu Chieftaincy family as owners under native law and custom from time immemorial had been in exclusive and undisturbed possession of a vast area of land in the Lekki axis and had exercised rights of ownership over the said land, which is bounded by the land of the Elegushi Chieftaincy family to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the South, the land of Olumegbon

Chieftaincy family to the East and the Lagos Lagoon to the North. The Supreme Court upheld this claim in its decision in Suit No. FSC 1268/1963.

The Ojomus had also from time immemorial sold portions of their land to many individuals including late Mr. Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu and had instituted customary tenancies as well.

In the exercise of their rights of ownership over this vast area of land, the Ojomus alienated 254.558 hectares of land to the late Mr. Gbadamosi

Bandele Eletu. This transaction was documented in a Deed of Conveyance (“Deed”) in favour of late Mr. Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu dated 23/8/1977 and registered as No.36 at page 36 in Volume 1648 of the Lands Registry in the office at Lagos.

The Lagos State Government however in the exercise of its powers under the Land Use Act and extant laws, vide Revocation Notice No 10 published in the Lagos State Official Gazette No 8 Volume 14 of 19th February, 1981 and Revocation Notice No 14 published in Lagos State Official Gazette No 9, Volume 14 of 26th February 1981 respectively, revoked all rights and interest in land in Lekki Peninsula and Ibeju Lekki including the 254.558 hectares of land earlier

acquired by late Mr. Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu from the Ojomus.

But the successors of late Mr. Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu did not challenge the right of revocation exerted by the Lagos State Government, while the Ojomus did via Suit No. ID/1883/89 and the High Court decided that they were entitled to the vast expanse of land on which they had exercised acts of ownership from time immemorial.

Furthermore, the Lagos State Government whilst acknowledging and accepting the validity of the judgment of the court in Suit No. ID/1883/89, went ahead to publish in the Lagos State Official Gazette No 20 Volume 26 (Revocation Notice No 34) of 13th May 1993,

the revocation of all rights of occupancy granted to the Ojomu Chieftaincy family by virtue of the suit for overriding public interest. This revocation also affected all other existing rights to land in Lekki Peninsula and Ibeju Lekki. This revocation remains unchallenged till date.

The Lagos State Government thereafter entered into negotiations with the Ojomus and in view of the judgment in Suit No. ID/1883/89, a portion of land measuring 604.19 hectares (approximately 7 per cent of the total land formerly owned before the acquisition

by Lagos State) was subsequently excised to the family.

Following allegation of tres-

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PROPERTY GUIDE

BUILDING MATERIALS Aluminum producers laud govt over new tariffs on billets, profiles Building Materials

HE Federal authorities have T acceded to the plea of indigenous aluminum manu-

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam

facturers who are clamouring for increased local content in production by dropping the duty on raw materials such as billets from five to zero per cent and increasing duty on imported aluminum profiles from five to 35 per cent.

In a new circular issued by the Federal ministry of Finance, signed by Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently, the new duty is part of the fiscal policy measures for 2014 and amendment of the tariff lines of the 2008 – 2012 Common External Tariff (CET), which has also been extended for a period of one year with effect form January 1, 2014.

Members of the Association of Primary Aluminum Producers (APAP), a sub sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) producing aluminum raw materials and inputs such as profiles, sheets, and colour coating had earlier written to the Minister of Trade and Investment on the inappropriate low import tariff of some products, uncompetitiveness with imported cheap and substandard products, operating challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and lack of access to long term funds at affordable interest rates.

A member of the group, and

Managing Director, Nigerian Aluminum Extrusions Limited (NIGALEX), Mr. Iyiola Ishola who spoke during a factory tour of the company in Lagos by the Nigerian Institute of Architect (NIA), last week, commended the government for partially acceding to their request to lower tariff on imported raw materials and increasing duties in imported profiles.

He said: “ This is commendable and will reduce to large extent importation. This will enhance capacity utilization of local extruders including NIGALEX and ultimately lead to more employment not only in aluminum but the building industry as a whole.”

Ishola disclosed that the industry needs special financial windows support in view of its peculiar manufacturing pertains, especially the aluminum rolling mills and supports for the acquisition of power supply plants as well as to replace their machineries to catch up with modern technology.

He said that NIGALEX has made strategic investments in powder coating extrusions. “ These investments, which is worth N1.2 billion will enhance our capacity and ultimately improve the quality of our products. In pursuance of the green revolution, we ensure the greenness of our metals through recycling of aluminum scraps generated in the course of our operations.”

Ishola appealed to the Federal

The treasurer, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Mr. Paul Eghwakhide, Managing Director, Nigerian Aluminum Extrusions Limited (NIGALEX), Mr. Iyiola Ishola and NIGALEX Chief Engineer, Mr. David Watt during NIA’s factory tour of the company in Lagos, last week

Government to consider as a priority, the resolution of the tussle on the sale and ownership of ALSCON, so that the cycle of restoration in the aluminum industry may be completed. He also urged architects to support the government in the quest to increase local content by patronising made in Nigeria aluminum

products and other building materials.

“One of the key indices of development is the rate of consumption of aluminum in Nigeria. The per capita consumption of aluminum in Nigeria is still less than 1 kilogramme, whereas countries that make up BRIC have climbed to 10 kilogrammes.

The extruders in Nigeria have enough capacity to meet the growing demand and more investments are in the offing to cater for the future,” he said.

Lagos NIA Chairman, Mr. Ladipo Lewis said the visit was part of efforts to familiar themselves with various suppliers, distributors and building materials’ production companies in

the industry.

On the assumption that architects patronise only imported products, Lewis refuted the allegation. “There is no truth in that. NIGALEX produce here in the country, virtually all architects specify their products. It is when we cannot find the product locally that we import it from abroad.”

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PRIME ESTATES

PROPERTY GUIDE

UPDC’s Vintage Gardens redefines Rivers’ land space Project ByEmmanuel Badejo IVING to its promise, a total unit of 54 housing estate, packaged as Vintage Gardens Phase 1, located in the heart of Port Harcourt city, within Nigerian Air Force Foundation (NAFF) estate, Rivers State, is billed for delivery this week.

The residential estate project, development of Messrs.

UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) when completed boosts of different house types including fourbedroom semi-detached houses, four-bedroom terraces, three-bedroom flats, three-bedroom terrace apartments and two- bedroom flats.

Facilities to make living worthwhile in the estate are swimming pool, borehole and water treatment plant, central security system, PHCN electricity and backup power with ample parking lots for residents and visitors .

According to a statement made available to The Guardian last week, the developer said: “It is our plan to hand over this estate to buyers within the next one week; while we encourage potential buyers to visit Vintage Gardens for a first-hand experience of the estate and its facilities.”

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Commenting on the project, Customer Relations Manager, Onikepe Akinsanya, UPDC, said: “At UPDC, we don’t just sell houses, we sell lifestyles too. On completion, Vintage Gardens, Port Harcourt will be a serviced estate like our other estates in different parts of the country and one of the best in Port Harcourt where buyers can get the comfort and security they desire. Buyers and Investors can be rest assured that they will be getting value for their money. It is our plan to hand over this estate to buyers within the next one week; while we encourage potential buyers to visit Vintage Gardens for a first-hand experience of the estate and its facilities.”

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony 24 months ago, the Chairman of UPDC, Mr. Ettah said the company’s history in the garden city began many years ago with the development of several residential and commercial properties within the GRA and elsewhere in the city. “UPDC Vintage Gardens is however our first project within the last few years and we are indeed glad to become active again in this city of great potentials,” he said.

Mr. Ettah lauded the Nigerian Air Force Foundation who sold the

Vintage Garden parcel of land on which the estate will be built to UPDC. We believe that with Vintage Gardens, UPDC will add great value to the lives of the people of Port Harcourt and Rivers State in general. Our promise concerning Vintage Gardens is that it will be a haven for its residents, where a good quality of life is assured. The estate when

completed will comprise of 90 housing units complimented with state of the art facilities.

Its strategic location within the NAFF Estate ensures that residents have easy access to all areas of Port Harcourt. We want to assure the good people of Rivers State that in building this estate, we will conform to the best interna-

tional practices and we will not have a negative impact on the environment. Vintage Gardens when completed will indeed offer delightful living experience to its residents,” Mr Ettah assured.

Flaunting the advantages of investing in the estate, the company’s managing Director, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran assured

buyers of capital appreciation, premium rental income with good rental yield and a good title.

He stated that the fact that the estate is sited in one of the best locations in the garden city, which is easily accessible to the Port Harcourt International Airport, is an added advan-

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PROPERTY GUIDE

INFRASTRUCTURE

Nigeria, others gather for World urban forum in Colombia CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 Habitat III will be the first

global conference after the definition of the Post-2015 Agenda.

Lagos intervenes, investigates possession warrant in Lekki-Peninsula land battle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 pass committed by the successors of late Mr. Gbadamosi Bandele Eletu, on the excised landed property to the Ojomus, the family decided to institute a court action against the Eletus. Both the trial and appellate court decided in favour of the Ojomus.

Rejecting the Court of Appeal verdict, the Eletu family subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court.

In his lead judgment, Justice Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs awarded 10 hectares to the successors of Eletu in July 12, 2013. Still displeased, the Eletus headed back to the apex court for a review of its earlier decision claiming the 254.558 hectares of land earlier purchased from the Ojomus. And the apex court in its ruling last month awarded 216.758 hectares of land to the Eletus.

Soon after the initial Supreme Court judgment, the Eletus, who claimed to have secured a warrant of possession and certificate of execution of the warrant had invaded premises of Suncity Properties Limited and in the process demolished caused some damages.

But according to the petition

by Suncity to Lagos Attorney General, it was stated that the property company, who got its title from UACN Property Development Company (UPDC), had earlier gotten a court order setting aside the purported warrant and its certificate of execution claiming that it was void on the basis of gross documentary irregularity; and not based on any subsisting order of a court of law.

In its reaction to the alleged fraudulent execution to the Supreme Court judgment, the office of the Attorney General had directed an enquiry into the allegation.

The letter reads in parts: “It was brought to my knowledge that a warrant of possession dated 18th September, 2013 over land measuring 254.558 hectares of land at Osapa Village was fraudulently procured. In the course of executing the said warrant of possession, the Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu Family has taken over and destroyed properties covering an expanse over 1,000 hectares in Lekki axis from Osapa Vilalge to Agungi, C/hevron Estate and Shell Housing Estate.

“I have taken time to read the judgment of the Supreme Court in Appeal No: SC/146/2005, in Major Muritala Gbadamosi (Rtd.) & 2 Ors. (‘‘Appellants’’) and H.R. H. Oba tijani Adetunji Akinloye & 2 Ors. (‘‘Respondents’’), upon which the warrant of possession was based, I see nowhere in the lead judgment and other concurring judgments, where the Supreme Court specifically ordered that the appellants are entitled to possession of land measuring 254.558 hectares at Osapa, Village in Eti-Osa Local Government and covered by a Deed of Conveyance dated 23rd August, 1977 registered as

No. 36 page 36 Volume 1648 at the Lands Registry, Lagos.

Three Justices of the Supreme Court, Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, Olukayode Arioola and Clara Bata Ogunbiyi who sat in the appeal in their various judgments also allowed the appeal and abided by consequential orders made in the said lead judgment including the order as to costs. Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour who also sat in the appeal also allowed the appeal but made no consequential orders.

In the circumstances, the said warrant of possession appears to have been irregularly procured.

I have therefore requested the Hon. Judge of Lagos State to investigate circumstances leading to the issuance of the warrant of possession.”

Meanwhile, Suncity has filed a fresh suit at the Lagos High Court seeking a determination whether or not the revocation of land at the Lekki Peninsula Area by Notice No.20 published in the Lagos state Government official Gazette No. 20 Volume 26 of 13th May in Eti-Osa Local 1993 Government of Lagos is still valid and subsisting among others.

The Forum represents the opportunity of integrating equity into the development speech, ensuring that urban-

ization becomes in a positive strength for all present and future generations in the cities of the world.

Central discussions at the Forum include equitable urban development to

achieve peace, resilience to disaster, and gender equality with safer cities.

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PrOJECTS

PROPERTY GUIDE

Osun stems rural-urban migration Rural Development

By Tunde Alao ImED at decongesting the metropolis and boosting A the morale of the rural dwellers, the Osun State Government has is driving several developmental projects spread across the suburb communities in the state.

The projects, conceived in line the transformation vision of the state Governor, Ogbeni rauf Aregbesola, are geared towards making the hinterland more attractive to the indigenes and residents alike, including, the youth and discouraging migration to big cities. Also, the state government believes that employment opportunities, economic development and quality standard of living would remain a mirage if urban centres lack the necessary infrastructure and amenities.

To this end, a combination of projects such as road construction, market facilities, industrial centres, school buildings and agriculture related projects are either

Anambra plans road, industrial park projects From Chuks Collins, Awka nAmbrA State Governor, A mr. Willie Obiano has said his administration will embark on massive road construction in the agricultural belts of the state. besides, he also said the development of more industrial parks in the state will form part of his priority. This he said would boost the economic activities of citizens.

The Governor who disclosed this during an inspection tour of the Amansea-EbenebeObaofemili and the OzubuluAtani road projects last week, said infrastructure development is an ongoing priority.

He disclosed that the Amansea-EbenebeObaofemili road with two bridges under construction would be extended to link up the Ayamelum Local Government Area, while the Ozubulu-Atani road that has three bridges under construction would service a proposed industrial layout.

Obiano said: “Provision of access roads to the food basket areas of the state is part of our cardinal strategy to implement the agricultural component of the four pillars of development conceptualized to achieve food sufficiency and job creation through expanding agricultural production”, he said.

He told the communities around Atani Industrial layouts that the provision of infrastructure like roads, power supply, water and effective security is part of the plan to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

Executes developmental projects in surburbs

completed or ongoing in many towns and communities across the state. besides, more than 1,800 hectares of land had been acquired for various projects that situated across the different communities.

There are Aje International market, Dagbolu market and International Aiyegbaju market, located at different locations.

Also, there is the development of railway Service, establishment of Omluabi Garment Factory; factories where footwear, leather works and others such materials are being produced.

Among the notable ongoing infrastructures are the Olabisi Akande Interchange bridge, in Oshogbo, the capital city of State of Osun; the importance of the bridge, according to “Although, in line with our determination before our assumption of office, we had decided to do things in an unorthodox way. We decided to do an ‘unusual’ by shifting away from conventional ways of governance to a more practical way that can address the degeneration that we meet on ground”, said Aregbesola.

Currently, the administration has not restricted its massive road construction, grading and rehabilitation to urban centers alone; its equality trained its searchlight to rural roads under its rural access and mobility project, (the new ministry is creating favourable and conducive environment for farmers in the rural areas, particularly those in the farm settlements to gain access to

their farmland. besides, the administration now operates the ministry for rural Development through the Department of rural, Infrastructure, Community Development and Finance and Administration. Aside, being armed with five agencies, which include rural Access mobility Project, (rAmP), rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (rUWESA), Agency for Community and Social Development Programme (CSDP) and European Union-Water Supply and Sanitation Sector, as well as reform programme, the hitherto moribund office, with no special attention by the people of the state, especially rural dwellers, breathed air of relief as the Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor, mr. Adekunle Emmanuel Ige, took over the mantle of leadership in the office.

Under this project, the ministry has completed Iwo to Pataara 12km road, 18.7km mokore Farm Settlement road in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of the state and 5km Esa-Oke to Esa-Odo Farm Settlement road in Obokun Local Government Council Area, as well as 10.8km Idiroko to Akinleye road in Iwo Local Government Council Area of the state.

“To sustain the roads and ensure that over n2 billion spent on rural roads by government is not wasted, the ministry formed maintenance groups to carry out routine maintenance on the roads. This giant stride has given farmers unrestricted access to trans-

port their farm produce from farm to market in urban cities. The intervention is now paying-off, as it is aiding government efforts of guarantying food security in the state”.

There is no doubt that major compelling challenge confronting rural dwellers is how to access portable and drinkable water.

To ameliorate this challenge, the ministry under its rural water and environment agency has redefined the situation through construction of boreholes in rural communities.

The ministry has constructed over 125 pumps and motorized borehole in various communities in the state. Aside from construction of boreholes, the ministry, through the agency, has succeeded in supporting the present administration’s stride in stemming the tide of environment degradation in the state. To certain extent, the ministry has inculcated the culture of hygienic living in rural communities through its environmental sustainable agenda. The agency achieved the feat through campaign, sensitization, enlightenment and involvement of stakeholders in environmental policies and programmes of the state.

“To say the present administration in the state is committed to environmental sustainability is stating the obvious.

Governor Aregbesola has committed huge resources to environment through dredging of major rivers in the state to control flood,” Ige said.

The global phenomenon of public private partnership as model for development has equally made its imperative for the ministry to mobilize people to participate in the development of their communities. The ministry, through its agency for community and social development project has fast-tracked some developmental projects in rural communities. In the last two and half years, the agency has furnished a tworoom hostel at Aduralere Community in Olorunda Local Government Council Area, construction of VIP toilet at Iwata Community in Orolu LGA, construction of civic centre at Ibukun Oluwa Community, Osogbo LGA and construction of a block of three-classrooms in Oru-Oba community, boripe Local Government Council Area, as well as construction of ventilated improved pit VIP toilet at Ola Community in Ejigbo LGA among others.

To further enhance the per-

formance of the agency, government has earmarked the sum of n200 million for its activities.

“The present administration in the state however did not take chances when it comes to any rural developmental programme. This is the reason why Governor Aregbesola joined other six states in the federation to collaborate with European Union, water supply and sanitation sector reform programme.

Governor Aregbesola has approved over n400 million as counterpart fund for the programme takeoff. The aim of the programme is to improve water supply in rural communities to ensure sustainable sanitation service in rural communities.

Ige noted that by paying its counterpart fund, the State of Osun government stands the chance to draw a total of n2.6 billion from European Union for provision of water and sanitation in the state. “The whole essence of creating the ministry of Water resources, rural Development and Community Affairs in the state has been justified through the achievement recorded by the ministry within the short period of its creation. This achievement could easily be attributed to the ingenuity, determination, doggedness and passion of Ogbeni rauf Aregbesola in improving quality of life of rural dwellers”, said the official.

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PROPERTY GUIDE

Ondo begins N4.3 billion Igbokoda-Ugbonla-Aiyetoro rehabilitation road project Infractructure CTIVITIES within the riverine settlement of Ondo State are set to receive a boost with the take off of a rehabilitation project of dilapidated IgbokodaUgbonla-Aiyetoro road in Ilaje community of the state.

Already, the contract for the 34-kilometre road has been awarded to Messrs.

CRCC Construction Company, a leading global construction outfit at the cost valued of N4.3billion.

Messrs.

Advanced Engineering Consultants (AEC) has also been appointed as the consultant for the project, which is targeted for 12 dry months completion date.

The project is to be executin collaboration ed between the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, and the Ondo State government.

The road is designed to accommodate three major bridges, culverts and drainage facility at the strategic locations. Besides, it was also designed to accommodate water network’s reticulation to the necessary locations.

The purpose of the water facility, according to the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Gboye Adegbenro, an engineer, is to ensure a quality source of water in Abutu to all communities in Ilaje land and the adjoining environs, adding that the existing water sources are having saline effects.

According to Adegbenro, the road is expected to ameliorate commuting in the riverine communities that included Igbokoda, Ugbonla, Aiyetoro and their environs, noting that at the completion of the project, it would boost economic and social activities of the people.

“The strategic importance of the road cannot be overemphasized. The road leads to Olokola Free Trade Zone (OFTZ), in Ayetoro, that is being prepared for industrial revolution of Ondo State, coupled with its capacity to reduce time and cost, especially, to those who want to go to Lagos, are part of its importance”, said the Commissioner.

He also hinted that the contractor would maintain the road for at least, six months after completion.

This was corroborated by the Contractor’s spokesperson, Mr. Y.G Huang, who said the pedigree of his firm would be put into action.

He said: “CRCC is a competent construction company. We have executed different jobs in different countries in different terrains.

This cannot be an exemp-

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The belief amongst officials and members of the affected communities is that the road, after completion, will not only ameliorate commuting in the area that included Igbokoda, Ugbonla, Aiyetoro and their environs, but would also boost economic and social activities of the people tion. We are going to complete the project at a record time without compromising quality”, he said.

Commenting on the project, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, while vouching for government that the project will complete as scheduled, noted that the riverine communities of Ondo State, which are located in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of the state, have always been agitating for better living condition and developmental projects right from the creation of the state in 1976.

According to Akinmade, the peculiar situation of the people has always put them at the mercy of successive governments in the state, with many past administrations leaving them worse than they met the people.

The basic infrastructural facilities that could aid the socioeconomic development of the areas like good road, electricity, potable water, health care facilities will modern schools are lacking in most cases in the areas. Where such facilities are existed, many of them are in a very bad shape and could not meet the acceptable standard in a civilized society.

He noted that the development has made both the state and the Federal Government to set up commissions that are saddled with intervening in the areas of need of the people and be able to appropriately bridge the gap. The Federal Government established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while the state government set up the Ondo State Oil -Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), with the aim of using the derivation fund accruing to them for the development of the communities.

“It was at the instance of OSOPADEC that the first major road to link Ilaje communities was conceived during the tenure of late Chief Adebayo Adefarati and implemented during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, which did the first phase of the road from Igbokoda to Ugbonla.

The over 30-kilometre road has however become deplorable. Many portions of the road have failed, making a journey from Igbokoda to Ugbonla that should not be more than 20 minutes to more than an hour’, he said.

Dr. Francis Ugbasan, community leader, said many indigenes and groups from the area raised the alarm over the bad condition of the road. He urged government to give the necessary support to the contractor to ensure that the road is completed on time.

In her own comment, Chief (Mrs.) Ruth Edu, another community leader, said the road was so strategic to the Ilaje community, adding that its completion will not

only improve the socio-economic condition of the community, but would also increase employment opportunity.

Earlier, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, at the flag off ceremony promised the people that his administration is committed to the improvement of Ilaje Community in particular, and the generality of people of Ondo State.

He assured the people that the project would complete on time without compromising quality.

Developer unveils Garden Elysees estate Projects

By Ajibola Amzat O assist Lagos State Government meet the housing need of its citizens, an estate developer, Temple & Aegeadas Limited, through the state PATH economic programme, has offered to build about 192 housing units at Lakowe, Sapati Town, Lagos State.

The estate, which shall be known as Garden Elysees, is named after the famous and beautiful street in Paris, Chaps Elysee.

Already, the State government has granted five acres of land towards the execution of the project, and has accelerated approvals for permits, building plans and other documentation required.

Lagos, one of the most populated cities in Africa, is trying to narrow a national housing shortage that the World Bank estimates at 17 million.

But, the goal to provide affordable housing for Lagosian, is only realizable through private estate developers’ intervention, said the

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Managing Director, Temple & Aegeandas Limited, Mr. Mani Robson The project, he said, would be delivered in two options.

Option one, which would consist of executive two-bedroom flat with servant quarter, would cost N12 million with initial deposit of N2.4 million, while option two would comprise of executive 3-bedroom flats with servants quarters, and would cost N17 million with initial deposit of N3.4 million.

After the initial 20 percent down payment, the balance would be spread over a period of 18 to 24 months.

Mr. Robson said after a successful delivery of Philip Harriet Estate Scheme I and II and NNPC Mini Cooperative Estate, the firm is set again to increase the number of house owners in Lagos.

“Philip Harriet Estate Phase 1 has been a huge success as the plots were oversubscribed. Following this turn out, management has decided to build phase 2 in order to accommodate investors who did not receive their plots in Phase 1.”

Garden Elysees

Women engineers seek fresh insight for technological education Technology OMEN engineers have W once again pledged their commitment to the on-going process of national rebirth, saying that they are ready to take up the challenges for the country’s benefit.

Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Mrs. Nimot Muili stated this recently during her investiture and scholarship foundation launching that the association’s ultimate aim is to stimulate women to achieve professional excellence as engineers and leaders.

Muili, a Principal Engineer (Civil Infrastructures) with Arup Nigeria, one of the reputable consulting engineering firms within the civil engi-

Incoming Lagos Chairman of the women engineering group, APWEN, has pledged the group’s resolve to its dual motherly and engineering roles, chiefly to ensure the nation’s technological development neering consultancy industry, has built in the cause of working on different engineering projects locally and internationally with specialization and work experience in Civil Infrastructures design, project management, quality assurance and quality control.

APWEN was formed by a handful of women engineers led by Engr. (Mrs.) J. O. Maduka in 1982, and was formally inaugurated in 1983. It was originally meant to be a pressure group since most men hiring engineers then would rather have women in the kitchen and not on construction sites nor behind the desk carrying out engineering designs.

APWEN is a division of the

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), focussing only on professional female engineers in all disciplines of engineering.

It is also a member of the National Council of Women Societies.

She told The Guardian that the goal of the association is to expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life and generate enough awareness that engineering is a career for girls too and to improve on the numerical strength of female engineers in Nigeria.

Amongst other objectives of the association is encourage engineering studies and practice amongst female

Nigerians and create a platform by which women engineers can collaborate with other women in other professions in Nigeria and elsewhere.

The chair of the Lagos State Chapter of the association noted the scholarship scheme is being re-launched to make it more sustainable through a foundation. Last year, the branch gave a one-off scholarship to ten students worth N1million.

Under the new scheme, the scholarship has been broadened to include students in the primary and secondary who are interested in science education including youth corpers and teachers.”It is not going to be like one off thing, we will give them opportunity to know what they can do.

Explore their talents and use their creative minds to invent things.

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PROPERTY GUIDE

brent Mortgage debuts, targets multiple home financing projects Mortage Finance

By Chijioke Nelson HE mortgage sector may have expanded further with the coming on-stream of brent Mortgage bank Limited, which was unveiled in Lagos, last week.

The bank, which assumed the new corporate identity, with expanded scope of operations, was formerly skyfield savings and Loans Limited.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the financial institution, Kola Abdul, said “the journey to this point has been arduous, energy-sapping, turbulent and very expensive.

We are happy that after the terrestrial darkness, the celestial day has finally emerged.”

According to him, the mortgage firm’s success was a struggle among 82 savings and loans institutions in Nigeria, with each striving to become a mortgage bank. skyfield savings and Loans was incorporated and licensed in 2002, while the board was reconstituted in 2010.

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Abdul noted that the new management was confronted with poor liquidity, massive deposit withdrawals by customers, decayed infrastructure and recapitalization challenges, among others.

“We were strongly motivated by the fact that nobody the world over is celebrated for being a conformist but a change agent. The result of our efforts is a complete paradigm shift and we remain focused on the four cardinal principles of sound bank management-governance, compliance, risk and returns,” he said.

The bank’s chief said the survival strategy was also hinged on the firm’s definition of risk tolerance level, while refusing to join the bandwagon.

“After working assiduously to be counted among the newly licensed Mortgage banks in the country, the shareholders, board and management decided that we deserve a new corporate identity, to herald a new beginning, fresh perceptions and vista of opportunities.

Perhaps, brent being philosophically derived, Abdul point-

ed out that it is the best grade of crude oil and an acronym of “building relationship on Efficiency and Trust.”

“We want to be the benchmark for other mortgage banks in the country by leveraging on efficiency and trust. We have horned our strategies in pursuit of what we now stand for. “brent Mortgage bank would grow organically, capitalizing on management’s avowed commitment to sound corporate governance; unflinching support of the board; retrained, retooled and motivated workforce; efficient and effective processes and procedures; carefully designed business structure and strategy; effective use of technology and electronic-channels and loyalty and connection of our wellserved customers.

“We want to tell this story 10 years to come. There are many home ownership projects we have identified for financing.

We have done our due diligence and are most confident that these would add value to us and all the stakeholders,” he added.

NIEsV’s chief endorses regional infrastructure integration policy Infrastructure HE ongoing regional infraT structure integration being canvassed in the southwest, Nigeria has been described as the best arrangement that can foster strong economic development. besides, the initiative, if properly articulated, will bring real estate, in particular into an enviable position in the region. speaking on the past and future prospects of estate surveyor in Nigeria, at the commemoration of his 15th anniversary of his firm, Principal Partner, J.Ajayi Patunola &Co., Dr. b. Joshua Patunola-Ajayi, said it would be a great transformation strategy if every zone in Nigeria can initiate such integrative policy, because it would be a surest way of creating infrastructure and economic outburst in the country.

Patunola-Ajayi, who is also the first Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Estate surveyors and Valuers (NIEsV), said under such arrangement, real estate and other economic

activities have potential of developing exponentially.

The renown estate surveyor, while attributing the success of his firm to what he described as “ God’s grace, personal discipline and transparency, said challenges confronting the profession today is that some old practitioners refuse to update themselves with modern training. Noting that now, real estate has gone digital.

“Today, someone who is in this profession and fail to update his knowledge will lag behind. besides, if the trend persists, by and large, such persons would be out of business. The practice has developed from analogue to computer knowledge, and sooner than later, it would go online. In essence, those who are not in tune with current trend would leave gaps for those who are not even in the profession, but are computer literate”, said Patunola-Ajayi. besides, he added that the intrusion of quacks who though may have or not formal education or professional trainings into the practice of estate surveying and valuation has created a serious challenge to the practitioners.

He was of the view that estate agency has gone from small business to big time business.

Estate agent has gone up to become a developer, compensation and valuation has been added to their professional activities, a development that requires continuous updating of ones knowledge.

“Today, real estate practitioners have gone beyond being property managers. With different fields being coming up such as in the area of valuation where we have vessels, maritime, aircrafts and other aspects of valuation, it becomes imperative that as the business is expanding, the professionals in this field are facing more challenges”.

Tracing his professional history of his Patunoal-Ajayi said the firm commenced in 1989, after his Industrial Training (IT) and National Youth service Corp (NYsC), between 1980-1984. He disclosed that he started in Lagos, but today, to the glory of God almighty, we have nine branches located in the different parts of the country with almost 100 staff. “by the grace of God, in five years time, the partnership is expected to reach 50”.

Govt charges labour unions to invest in mass housing From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja EMbErs of the organized labour have been asked to invest in mass housing as a deliberate way of supporting government’s housing policy.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu who said this at the commissioning of a 22-bed room health workers’ lodge in Abuja, also urged the unions to ensure greater prudence in the utilisation of public funds.

Worgu noted that this is a positive step towards keying into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “On behalf of Mr. President and the government of Nigeria, I thank you for keying into the transformation agenda in various aspects. One

M

of this is physical development of properties and I believe you started with this level of development in property and I hope that you go into housing which is one of the main thrust where your workers will buy houses, that is one central thrust of the transformation agenda”, he said.

The Minister noted that the union has not only created employment in assistance to the federal and state governments, but also created wealth because the people it is going to employ will equally be in a position to employ others at the end of the day.

President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, said the union had concluded plans to go into mass housing .

He said: “Now unions are realizing the fact that it is better to diversify that is why they are combining social service issue to creating other means of livelihood.

“I can see a bright future because, for example, as you know, the NLC has an outfit that is called Estate Development Company. We are now trying to revitalize it so that it will also go into this venture and begin to develop estate for commercial purposes, certainly with the hope that they are going to be made affordable and they are going to be qualitative.”

Officials said the edifice was built at the cost of over N300 million.

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REAL ESTATE

Mortgage Refinancing A Positive Option For Real Estate Investment

THE INSTITUTE FOR REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE (IREE)

ments that is quite noticeable.

THE IREE

The IREE was inaugurated in 2012: Vision: To raise the standards in the Nigerian real estate industry through professional training and coaching to meet international standards.

Cutting Edge Real Estate News. Trends . Advice he Intelligent Real Estate Series is a bi-weekly column aimed at educating readers on matters relating to the real estate industry.

We will be discussing the various factors that affect the industry, current trends and future projections in practicing real estate in the 21st century as the industry is continuously evolving and business is no longer business as usual.

Enjoy!!!

T

HE Nigerian real estate industry experiT enced a breakthrough at the start of the year with the launch of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).

This has brought a welcome change to the industry that has a housing deficit of about 17million units (with additional 2 million units added each year) and would significantly improve access to housing finance this year.

What is Mortgage refinancing?

A mortgage refinance refers to applying for another mortgage to replace an existing mortgage on a property. This situation is common in times where there is a fall in mortgage rate. For example, if mortgage rates happen to be lower at the present moment than when the home was originally financed, or if the homeowner decided upon an adjustable rate mortgage accompanied with a lower interest rate than the current rate, the monthly payment will actually go down. Even an interest rate reduction of one-half of a percent can make a difference in the pay-

fixed rate loan • Provides an opportunity to cash out home equity Type of Mortgage Refinance Depending on your situation, different types of home mortgage refinance will be better suited to address your needs.

Common ways to refinance your mortgage include: Fixed Rate – With this refinancing option, the homeowner is given a fixed rate interest amount. This gives them peace of mind, because they know that ten or fifteen years down the road, their interest rate is going to be exactly the same as it is now.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage – The opposite of the fixed rate mortgage, the adjustable rate would allow individuals to experience seriously low rates. It’s a bit of a gamble, but if interest rates go way down, individuals will be able to enjoy the break. There is always the risk that the rates will increase, though.

Cashing-out Equity with Refinancing – This option allows individuals to cash out their equity and use it for major purchases, improvements, bills, etc. Individuals who decide to go this route can often still choose from a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage and can sometimes increase the term of their loan, making payments smaller and more affordable.

Creative Terms – Some companies offer creative terms for refinancing, such as interest only refinancing and more. The refinancing company should work with each individual to determine what kind of creative terms would best benefit their situation.

Mortgages are refinanced as it; • Shorten the term of the loan • Lowers interest rate and payment • Provides an opportunity to refinance from an adjustable rate mortgage to a

Understand the Reasons for Refinancing Homeowners often have different reasons for refinancing. Some simply seek to reduce their rate of interest. However, that may not always be to their advantage, as the related fees may end up being more that the gains from the rate reduction. In order to make the best decision, it is important to have an understanding of their reasons. It could be for consolidation of debt, home improvement, or for a major purchase. It could also be for other personal or financial reasons, perhaps taking a loan for cash to purchase a car. Some purchases may be used for deductions on interest payments on the tax return. It is always wise to consult a tax attorney, accountant or financial planner prior to making those decisions.

Benefits of NMRC The foremost objectives of the NMRC is to bridge the funding cost of residential mortgages by promoting the availability and affordability of good housing through increased access to liquidity and longer-terms funds in the mortgage market.

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Intelligent Real Estate

Mortgage financing through NMRC would also extend maturities for Nigerian home-buyers to as much as 20 years. This means that a longer period of payment would result in a lower amount in repayments on a monthly basis.

The NMRC is also expected to help push down the interest rates for mortgages in Nigeria, from 20 percent currently, to 13 – 14 percent, helping to make mortgages more affordable for prospective home buyers.

What to be aware of when refinancing Borrowers need to be aware that some mortgage companies may include prepayment penalties in the loan contract.

Offered as a clause in the contract, they may require a penalty payment if the property is refinanced or sold prior to a specified date. While most lenders do not insert penalties for pre-payment in the contract, there are some less than reputable lenders who impose excessive penalties – sometimes as high as 85% or six months of interest on the original balance of the loan. It is important to learn what penalties may be in the contract prior to signing. Employing the services of a professional real estate consultant would ensure that your interests are protected.

REAL ESTATE TRIVIA Question.

What five basic components of a "smart home" can be controlled by technology?

Answer.: Lighting and window treatments, security and access control, data communication, environmental/energy management, and audio/video entertainment can all be operated by a "smart home".

Please send your questions or comments to iree2013@gmail.com.

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MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 53

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Gateway to forex trading success

By Abiola Akinwale

AVING been in the H forex industry for over 10 years, I have witnessed the industry’s growth and change, from the early days when retail forex burst onto the scene with a flurry of new online brokers, to the past few years where platforms have been consolidated and a real focus on customer service has been observed.

An increasing number of Nigerians have enthusiastically turned to forex as a new and exciting alternative asset to invest in; the community of forex traders in Nigeria is currently around 400,000 and it continues to grow on a daily basis.

But this wasn’t always the case. Back in the early 2000s, as retail forex was first capturing the attention of Nigerian investors, the platforms were purely about giving ordinary investors a chance to access the forex market for the first time. Before then, forex trading had been solely the domain of big banks and financial institutions. But the advent of the Internet and changes to regulations brought about the most significant change in the history of forex: forex became accessible for everyone.

What was quickly learned is that access to forex is not the be all and end all; the foundation of being a successful trader lies in proper education, and traders need to understand how the forex market works in order to reap any benefits. I was one of those many early adopters of forex that dived into forex trading without a proper education or understanding of the market and the experience was not a good one.

If you were training to be a pilot you couldn’t begin to fly a plane on the first day of flying school; you would first have to undergo training and many hours of practice before getting a license to fly. The same applies in forex; you need to take the time to educate yourself properly and practice, practice, practice before you try and get your feet off the ground!

Opening a forex account is very simple and the practical act of opening a trade is also straightforward. However, in order to be a successful trader, you need to understand the basics of trading early on how the market works, the different instruments for trading and how to forecast the direction of the market.

Forex trading is conducted in pairs - you sell one currency and you buy a different currency. By doing this, you are effectively investing in the economy of the country whose currency you have bought.

Each currency and economy is affected by different factors which is why it is

important to learn those key indicators that influence each currency’s movements. Currency pairs also tend to perform in patterns and being able to read and understand the different charts that indicate these trends is critical.

I did not have a good first experience when I started out my career as a trader, because I didn’t understand the market and the strategies for success. I failed many times before realising the importance of a good education. After participating in some short training sessions with ForexTime my journey changed and I gradually developed the skills to

become a good trader.

All of the reputable forex brokers offer some level of training for traders new to forex and many also offer further education to support traders as their experience grows. However, the real key to trading success is practice. Repetition is the cornerstone of skill and I recommend that traders keep a diary of their trades and the strategies they have applied, in order to reflect upon this data to establish patterns

for success and areas for improvement.

One of the most common mistakes made by investors new to forex is that they risk far more than they can afford to lose. Instead, traders should apply what is known as a “positive riskto-reward ratio”. This means that your level of potential reward (profit) outweighs your risk of loss.

Maintaining consistent trading with lower risks is critical to longevity in

forex trading. These are all skills and strategies that can easily be learned with the appropriate education and training.

I have also come to understand that listening to other people’s trading experiences and learning from them is important.

Forex trading is perceived as a somewhat lonely activity, but it doesn’t have to be. At ForexTime Nigeria, we actively encourage forex traders to come together and share their

Access to forex is not the be all and end all; the foundation of being a successful trader lies in proper education, and traders need to understand how the forex market works in order to reap any benefits.

trading experiences and the lessons they’ve learned.

As a result, our forex community has swelled and we now see traders with all levels of experience participating in the market and learning from each other.

You can become part of this forex community by joining ForexTime Nigeria at one of the Traders Empowerment Conferences organised around the country, where forex industry experts will impart their knowledge on forex trading strategies and tools to help traders widen their knowledge base and sharpen their skills.

Mr. Akinwale works with Lagos-based ForexTime Nigeria.

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58 Monday, April 7, 2014

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

‘Deregulation is bedrock for oil

Obi

The Executive Vice Chairman, Techno Oil Limited, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, is one of the few industrious women of international repute, who have made remarkable achievements in the nation’s petroleum downstream sector. She has garnered several awards across professional, industrial and international communities including the national honour of Member of the Order of Niger. In this interview with SULAIMON SALAU, she examines the effect of inconsistent policies on the petroleum sector. Excerpts. oW would you assess the downstream secH tor of the oil and gas industry in terms of performance and challenges?

Investment in the downstream sub-sector has continued to be on the increase notably by Nigerians and I believe that passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would increase the level of investment in the sector. The downstream is one area that has recorded the greatest indigenous participation as more Nigeria-owned companies are springing up regularly with huge investments. This is an area where the local content Act has worked remarkably well. However, developmental efforts are being frustrated by funding and infrastructural challenges. The biggest challenge in downstream is funding and deep sea Ports. on funding, there is no clear policy from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on accessing intervention funds to help with either projects or trading unlike what obtains in some other sectors. Even with the difficulty of obtaining funds at very high interest rate, which has resulted in very slim margins, the ministry of finance has not kept to agreed

terms of payment which is 45 days after the issuance of SDS. This action of theirs has totally eroded our slim margins. I hope this year will be better.

Besides, government has to as matter of urgency provide deep sea Port which by extension allows access to large and heavily loaded vessels and by extension boasts economic activities and curtail alleged diversion. Deep sea port is expected to make distribution of petroleum products convenient for all stakeholders as big vessels discharge products directly to tank farms in Lagos and other locations. We need to stop diversion of petroleum cargo to neighbouring countries like Cotonou

and Lome. Alleged revenue leakages in this sector is very huge. We must block all leakages. We must also ensure that other countries do not take advantage of our weak system to reap fortunes from our economy through the Port.

I am aware that the Federal Executive Council in the year 2013 approved the construction of lekki deep sea port, building of ship dock at koko and dredging of warriAlaja/Koko and Calabar port. This is excellent but i wish to solicit for Federal Executive Council to reciprocate such gesture in the East by dredging and upgrading the obuaku river in Ukwa West, Abia state to a deep sea

To postpone deregulation, even for one day, is dangerous for products’ supply and distribution in the country. If we fail to deregulate now, the whole downstream sector of the Nigeria oil industry would collapse years to come and the consequences would be too grave for our national economy. indeed deregulation is an economic inevitability.

port to enhance business activities in the Eastern region.

PIB has been a major issue hindering the progress of the industry in recent past. What is your opinion about the legislators’ role in the bill’s passage?

That is one issue that has been over-politicized.

Honestly, the PIB is a veritable vehicle for the transformation of the petroleum industry and it is my desire that the bill is passed and implementation commenced accordingly.

It is perceived that some provisions of the bill do not suit certain interest groups. My position is that we need to start somewhere and gradually perfect the reforms and align ourselves with best global practices. The speedy implementation of the PIB to enable deregulation policy would go a long way in encouraging inflow of private sector and international investment in the downstream sector.

I think the industry has recorded significant landmark which will be enhanced by the passage of the PIB. The continued delay in passage portends great consequences for Nigeria and the economy since the industry has already lost billions in investment. Most investment

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BUSINESS INTERVIEW

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

sector’s effective transformation’ have their ways into neighbouring countries because they have more stable policies. As a matter of urgency, the National Assembly should pass the bill to end the uncertainty, which the industry has been experiencing.

Since Nigeria economic development is anchored on the petroleum industry, the numerous issues facing the industry such as funding, challenges, illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism must be addressed for Nigeria to maintain her place as a key contributor to global energy supply.

Some industry operators believe that deregulation is the solution to some of the challenges facing the downstream sector. What is your view about this?

Full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector is vital to enable a viable oil and gas sector and efficient economy that would provide employment and encourage investment in different sectors.

Government must hands-off the downstream sector, we have been on this issue for too long. I have always been an advocate of deregulation, currently the downstream sector is over regulated and the earlier we deregulate the system the better for everybody. Ultimately, I see no reason why government should continue to be a key player in the downstream sector because the resultant effect has always been the stiffening of the operations of the downstream sector operators.

To postpone deregulation, even for one day, is dangerous for products’ supply and distribution in the country. If we fail to deregulate now, the whole downstream sector of the Nigeria oil industry would collapse years to come and the consequences would be too grave for our national economy. indeed deregulation is an economic inevitability. Today, the three tiers of government are well funded as a result of improved earnings from crude oil. It is our collective responsibility to challenge and demand commensurate performance in the provision of basic amenities, improved education and health, provision of infrastructure and excellent and functional transportation mode nationwide.

Without mixing words, let me state that my support for deregulation is not because I am a player in the industry, but because this is the only way that majority of Nigerians will derive fair deal from the abundant petroleum resources in the country. With deregulation, consumers will enjoy fair product prices and operators will be in a position to recover full cost and reasonable margins on their operations. The implementation of the policy by government will give rise to efficiency in product usage, products availability and effective competition among investors.

It is only when a deregulated regime is put in place that the private refineries that have been licensed can really take off. Investors who have been licensed to build refineries are scared of venturing into the multi-million dollar project because of the regulated regime in Nigeria. Deregulation is the bedrock for the transformation and growth in the downstream sector. My suggestion is for government to continue to put complimentary measures in place to cushion the effects of the policy. I hope Sure-P, YouWin and other recently introduced interventions will address the socio economic life.

What roles do you think the government can play to deepen Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption in Nigeria?

The two most critical chal-

lenges in the adoption of LPG as a means of generating energy in Nigerian homes today are; one, the high cost of the cylinders which is a serious adoption barrier for those who would ordinarily want to switch to LPG. Another challenge that is tied to the above is the issue of filling plants. We must find a way of standardizing our filling stations to be able to accommodate LPG refilling capability. A situation whereby Nigerians would travel for over 14 kilometres before they can access a refilling facility works against the adoption of this product.

In terms of gas utilization, I don’t think they have met the industry expectations, because Nigeria is still unable to fully utilize gas, and we flare quite a very high quantity of the resources. We are not there yet, because countries like Ghana and Morrocco are doing fine.

We have a good number of gas reserves, but as at today our gas consumption is still very low. So, government must wake up to this challenge. That is why, we at Techno Oil are using our Going Green Campaign to reach out to the masses on gas utilization. We have expended so much money in this advocacy, because we see it as a Corporate Social Responsibility.

As at today, we have distributed well over 20,000 units of our cylinders.

We have also gone into partnership with indigent mothers and market women as a way of empowering them to use LPG. We give out our cylinders at highly discounted prices in other to encourage Nigerians switch from kerosene to gas, and we believe that the federal government would soon join us on the campaign to be able to capture the entire popu l a c e .

There has been a slight increase actuall y from

120,000 metric tonnes to about 240,000 metric tonnes in 2012. We have been commended recently by the government and we are happy that our efforts are appreciated by the government.

We believe that government should be able to support the efforts of the few investors in this industry by extending to them duty waivers or reduction on all the cylinders and stove accessories of which most of the parts are imported. It would also be more rewarding for government to redirect the current subsidy on Kerosene to the procurement of cylinders. Studies have confirmed that high cost cylinder procurement is one of the barriers to the switch from kerosene to LPG .

How is Techno Oil helping to ease product supply challenges in the country?

Despite challenges faced by the sector last year, the country witnessed unprecedented stream and sustained sanity in the supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide particularly the premium motor spirit (PMS). Techno Oil was one of the major companies that contributed immensely to actualizing this feat. We are one of the major players. At any point in time, we have adequate stock of PMS, AGO, and DPK in our depots. In the past ten years, we have done so well in terms of meeting the demand of our customers, we have our filling stations scattered across the country and plans are in the pipeline to roll out more stations to ease fuel distribution across t h e

country. Already, we have launched 20 new filling stations located in strategic areas of the country. The stations are one stop shop where you can get our lubricants, LPG, and cylinders.

We are also introducing 50 new trucks to aid transportation of products to the filling stations.

We believe that government should be able to support the efforts of the few investors in this industry by extending to them duty waivers or reduction on all the cylinders and stove accessories of which most of the parts are imported.

It would also be more rewarding for government to redirect the current subsidy on Kerosene to the procurement of cylinders.

Studies have confirmed that high cost cylinder procurement is one of the barriers to the switch from kerosene to LPG .

How far have you contributed to socio-economic growth in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility?

For us at Techno Oil Ltd, our sole objective is not all about profit. It is about service. It is indeed cardinal in our business approach to recognize the virtue of giving back to the larger society and more importantly our host community where we do business. Techno Oil is a socially responsible organization committed to good corporate governance and sustaining its foremost position in Corporate Social Responsibility.

At Techno Oil, our philanthropic activities are anchored irrevocably on the premise, ensuring that we are passionately giving back to host communities and society for providing an environment that is supportive and conducive for the pursuit of enterprise. Our CSR is centred on education with special focus on providing infrastructure to schools. Today, we look back and believe we have recorded significant progress in this quest.

As part of our drive to improve the quality of education, Techno Oil awards scholarships annually to indigent students with a view to promoting youth education. In 2009, the Techno Oil Adopt-a-School programme was initiated in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education to promote for less privilege youths. In our humble effort, we have provided a fully furnished Blocks of Classrooms and ICT centres to a lot of schools like the Dr. Lucas Memorial College, Kirikiri, Lagos state, Boys high school, Agulu in Anambra state, Isingwu Community Secondary school, Isingwu, Umuahia Abia stata e.t.c to mention but a few.

Under the scheme, Techno Oil has carried out renovation of existing structures, including provision of water, sanitation facilities, facilitation of capacity building, provision of learning aids and donations to library projects in schools This initiative has helped create conducive learning environment for schools and improved standards of teaching.We pride ourselves in being seen as a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen while operating in an environmentally, economically and socially responsible manner. My vision is to institutionalize Techno Oil through strengthening the policies and procedures and building a strong management team. With all this in place, I strongly believe the brand Techno Oil will outlive me.

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INSURANCE

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Insurers reassure investors of good returns on investment

By Joshua Nse PERATORS of the O nation’s insurance industry have reassured investors of good returns on investments, having successfully transited to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

According to practitioners, IFRS is a set of high quality accounting standards that are understandable and enforceable, it enables you prepare a high quality financial reports that is acceptable across the globe.

This operators believe will strengthen the financial reports and enhance the confidence of investors in the industry.

The Managing Director/CEO, Consolidated Hallmark Plc, Eddie

Efekoha said, we have been quite hopeful of a change in tide towards improved insurance penetration via patronage year in year out.

Expectations of appreciable growth in premium from commendable industry efforts like the Market Research and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), have not yielded desired results.

However, there are expectations that collaboration efforts such as the recent deployment of Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) for compulsory motor insurance will improve insurance penetration.

According to him, the adoption of the thematic guidelines approach in industry regulation by the National Insurance

Commission (NAICOM) is being pursued with more vigour especially in the area of the usage of the IFRS in preparation of the accounts.

We have remained proactive in the adoption of IFRS. We have again emerged as one of the very few operators to have their accounts approved early under these standards.

He said “The renewed drive for enforcement of the “no premium no cover” credit policy is expected to lessen the burden of bad and doubtful debts as the policy provides for stiff penalties for operators who grant cover for risks without premium payment in advance.”

The Chairman, Royal Exchange Plc, Kenneth

Odogwu in his remarks to shareholders recently said “The proposed enforcement of the “No premium, no cover” policy by NAICOM in 2013 and the on-going sensitization programmes on compulsory insurance regulation driven under the MDRI initiative is expected to eliminate premium receivables, boost premium production and enhance insurers’ profitability on one side, while also improving insurance penetration and giving players the necessary leverage to re-strategize and capture new clientele through prompt service delivery and product innovation.”

In addition, he said, the regulator’s plan to introduce the micro-insurance and takaful insurance

frameworks in 2013 is viewed as another excellent development which, we believe, should help insurance companies deepen their market reach going forward.

Chairman, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Aliyu Yahaya Sa’ad, told shareholders, the Nigerian insurance sector, as one of the composites of the financial system, was laced with viable prospects amidst surmountable challenges.

The industry meandered from a hitherto ill-perceived sector to one acquiring a dominant role with the purview of the Federal Government’s vision 20:2020. The government envisions an insurance industry that will rank among the twenty (20) largest markets in the world by the year 2020.

He said “The industry further got wind of its regulator’s commitment to implement and monitor a strict policy rule under the “no premium, no cover” on all insurance services and products come January1, 2013, therefore lowering the credit risk associated with the industry. Other features of 2012 include but not limited to the renewed interest of Nigerians in the industry activated by prompt settlement of claims and its market penetration as well as the compulsory implementation of IFRS in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. Te perceived lack of confidence in prevailing disclosure standards further confirmed the need to provide stakeholders clear financial information for comparison across board.

Firm strategises to deepen pension market HE management of Future Unity Glanvills T Pensions Limited (FUG),

President, MicroInsurance Centre and MILK Project, Michael J. McCord (left); Director, Legal and Technical, Nigerian Insurers Association, Lawunmi Idowu, Consultant, microinsurance centre, MILK Project, Richard Koven at the presentation on “Microinsurance Learning and Knowledge (MILK) held in Lagos.

NIA enlightens members on micro-insurance S part of effort to enlightsible, valuable and efficient. ty in Nigeria through micro tee government subsidy A en its corporate members According to the speakers, insurance and takaful insur- because the insurance are for the benefit of the poor who on micro-insurance busimicro-insurance business is ance. ness, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) organized a one day workshop aimed at proper understanding of the key lessons of microinsurance.

Facilitators of the programme, Michael McCord and Rice Kowan, told participants that to operate the retail business of microinsurance successfully in the country, from the beginning , the product must be simple, easily understood, acces-

based on trust from the word go, it must be affordable, and deliver on its promises to the client.

Micro-insurance business, they said, covers funeral services, financing property damage, financing hospitalization, among others.

Meanwhile, the association has advised the government on the need to support the quest for accelerated insurance penetration and densi-

The chairman of the association, Remi Olowude, in a presentation to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Board recently said “The need for Federal Government to support the quest for accelerated insurance penetration and density in Nigeria through micro insurance and takaful insurance. To enhance the development of these forms of insurance, there is need to enact laws that will guaran-

cannot afford conventional insurances . Without government subsidy, agricultural insurance would be unable to play its role in the development of farming.

Moreover, he said, micro insurance will play very important role in poverty alleviation programme of the Federal Government by guaranteeing compensation to the poor who are perennial victims of flood, fire and other natural disasters.

has moved to capture a proportional market share and deepen business reach through strategic market development initiative.

The initiative is also designed to capture more state accounts, multinationals and local governments’ employees’ retirement savings accounts (RSA).

The company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Usman Suleiman, said the restructuring, when completed would catapult the company to be among the top players in the industry.

According to him, it is aimed at growing its market share and reposition the company for higher profitability.

To achieve this feat, he said, the company has commenced the restructuring of its operation to align with best global practices.

The company which currently holds sway in key states’ accounts says the ongoing restructuring of operation is geared towards improved market share, effective and efficient service delivery .

In line with its quality assurance policy, FUG Pensions has also pledged prompt and better service delivery for its existing and potential customers in 2014 and beyond, given its robust information communication technology (ICT) platform recently upgraded and deployed to drive processes. The company has staff strength of over 85 members with

thorough bred professionals manning each unit. Embedding the right culture and values in the organization is similarly important. As part of this process, senior management is formally assessed to ensure that they demonstrate the company’s desired values.

FUG Pensions’ leadership development programs and retreats help to develop the mindset and skills needed. For employees at all levels, the company has training and recognition schemes focused on instilling workplace behaviors desirous of the organization.

In a similar development the company has concluding plans to move into its own property along Commercial Avenue in Yaba, Lagos State. The edifice would serve as the company’s corporate head office when it is finally ready for use. FUG Pensions prides itself with a N1.5 billion capital base, a quantum leap from the statutorily required minimum share capital of N1 billion. The company, added that it is out to prove its mettle in pension administration in Nigeria in all aspect of its business.

FUG operates from about 26 business outlets in six regional offices strategically located across the country. FUG Pensions brand, a corporate citizen of high repute is also a friend of its immediate environment with effective participation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs across the country.

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INSURANCE

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers takes retirement planning to Abuja TANBIC IBTC Pension Staken Managers Limited, has its drive for retirement planning to Abuja, the Nigerian capital, with a call to Nigerians to understand the importance of early retirement planning.

Unveiling the second phase of its interactive pre-retirement seminar in Abuja, the company said it believes that raising awareness of retirement would help companies and their employees in particular to better understand the imperative of retirement planning.

Speaking at the seminar, which had the theme, “Life renewed at 55 and beyond,”Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Dr. Demola Sogunle, stated that the pension system, with defined contributions as its foundation,presents a clear

path for employees to maintain a stable standard lifestyle even well after retirement.

He said:“People are apprehensive about retirement because they do not plan for it early enough. Ideally, planning for retirement should commence from the day one takes on a first job. It demands setting aside part of current income into a retirement savings account. Our central mission at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited is to help Nigerians address their retirement needs.”

The seminar also provided a platform for the leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) to forge closer ties with its customers and to enlighten the public on developments in the pension industry. Other activities that featured at the event were presentations on Lifestyle and Health and Managing

Finances, delivered by Dr. Chito Nwana, Medical Director, Tabitha Medical Center, Abuja and Emmanuel Olumuyiwa Olu-Ayeni, President /CEO StarBright Consulting Limited, respectively.

“In addition to creating awareness about the necessity of having a retirement plan and enjoying a comfortable life post-retirement, another objective of this campaign is to further deepen the relationship with our customers by reminding them of our availability at anytime and anywhere to attend to their needs. In so doing, we obtain significant feedback with which to develop solutions that address their specific needs. This will not only put them at ease; we are also motivated to go the extra mile to deliver on our promises,” Sogunle stated.

Managing Director, Continental Alarm Limited, Okwy Okeke and Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Adebiyi Mabadeje, during a seminar on curbing losses due to fire and allied claims held in Lagos

Sovereign Trust Insurance promotes media excellence Trust Insurance aimed at further promoting professional capacity and by towards DAME in promoting SwithOvEREIgN Plc recently collaborated professionalism amongst extension, equip them with professionalism and meritocDiamond Publications journalists with special focus modern methods of news racy amongst Journalists’ in Limited, organizers of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), which has run for over two decades since inception. This time around, the Underwriting Firm in conjunction with the Publication Outfit has organized a oneday media workshop for journalists in the country across the print and electronic media. The workshop was

on insurance reporting. The theme of the one-day Journalism workshop was tagged ‘Widening the pools of Excellence’ and was held at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers on April 1, 2014.

The Chief Organizer and Administrator of DAME, Mr. Lanre Idowu said the initiative was borne out of the pressing need to enhance journalists’

gathering for greater impact and better reporting. He further stated that, “If the goals of impacting positively on the Nigerian Media development landscape are to be realized, reporting standard must be urgently improved upon”. He appreciated the Management of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc for continuously lending its hand of fellowship

the country. He said the support from the underwriting firm have been very monumental and hopes that other corporate organizations would emulate the laudable initiative of Sovereign Trust Insurance plc.

The Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Segun

Bankole, said that the Media in any society act as the barometer for social conscience and they must be encouraged to continue to play this very critical role. He mentioned that the company signed on with Diamond Awards for Media Excellence DAME, since 2008, to sponsor in perpetuity, the Insurance Award for Journalists at the annual event. Segun Bankole said that, enhancing media credibility through standard

reporting will provide the required platform to engage the society and stimulate positive change in the insurance industry and any other sector for that matter. He conclusively enjoined other organizations to partner with DAME to provide a robust platform in encouraging increased creativity and strengthening media capacity through such exercises that can help accentuate the trust and confidence that the public repose in the media.

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Media DAME retools journalists for excellent reporting

By Tope Templer Olaiya T was at the Function Hall of the Sheraton Ijournalists; Hotel and Suites, Lagos, a venue not strange to but on this day, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm had converged at the exquisite hotel not to hunt for stories as usual, but to be reskilled on how to write better and award winning stories.

The one-day workshop, with the theme Widening The Pools Of Excellence, was convened by the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) as a follow up to the promise made at the last DAME presentation on November 11, 2013, which was anchoring a training session to strengthen journalists’ capacity to identify relevant storylines, boost their understanding of pertinent journalistic values and improve their writing and research skills.

According to the organizers, there had been a discernible weakness in the quality of entries for some reporting categories in the last few years, a trend that has led to prizes not being given in some categories for failure of entries to match up to DAME’s basic criteria of ABCDER used by its panel of assessors.

The ABCDER marking scheme represents Accuracy of facts, Balance, Contextual Analysis, Depth of research and investigation, Engaging use of language, and Relevance of subject matter.

The workshop, which polled 68 journalists from media organisations, which included The Guardian, The Punch, The Nation, Daily Sun, Leadership, Thisday, Daily Independent, Businessday, National Mirror, Blueprint, and Nigerian Tribune, lived up to its bill of impacting positively on the Nigerian media development landscape and providing an excellent learning opportunity for journalists through its judicious mix of theory and practice delivered by resource persons, who rank among the leading names in the industry.

Resource persons for the workshop, sponsored by Punch Nigeria Ltd., Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, and Vintage Press Ltd, included former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Mr. Femi Kusa; Dr. Bisi Olawunmi of the Mass Communication Department, Bowen University, Iwo; Managing Director, Daily Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr. Ted Iwere; Vice Chairman of Harpostrophe, Mr. Taiwo Obe; and Mr. Jide Ogundele, former banker and Deputy Editor (Business) of The Guardian.

Others were ace photographer and documentarian, Mr. Tam Fiofori; Editorial Page Editor of The Sun, Mrs. Wale Sokunbi; Executive Director, Head High International, Mrs. Tinu Odugbemi; former Editor of Daily Independent, Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi; and Mr. Lanre Idowu, the DAME Trustee, and CEO Diamond Publications Limited, publishers of Media Review.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director/CEO of Sovereign Trust Insurance, Mr. Wale Onaolapo, said the firm has been committed to the promotion of the positive ideals that the insurance industry represents in driving the growth of the Nigerian economy both internally and externally.

“We remain resolute in ensuring that the insurance industry takes its rightful position in the comity of financial institutions in the country and beyond. The theme of the workshop, ‘widening the pools of excellence’ couldn’t have been more apt than this, considering the fact that, there is a huge skill gap to be filled if the insurance industry is to transcend its current level of development.

CEO, Diamond Publications Limited, Lanre Idowu giving the welcome address

Participants at the workshop “As change catalysts, a lot is expected from your constituency and I want to believe that you are well positioned for the assignment ahead. I make bold to say that we will continue as a company to lend our voice to all initiatives that will promote the human resource development of the Nigerian Insurance Industry,” he noted.

One of the resource persons and a judge of some DAME award categories for more than 10 years, Mrs. Wale Sokunbi, observed that some of the entries for awards fell short of assessors’ standard due to the following reasons: Duplication of studies in journals, conference/seminar reporting, library or armchair reporting, routine reporting, poor quality of writing, proofreading and editing, un-engaging use of English, lack of depth and organization.

She concluded that the awards are given for reporting and not just story writing or flowery use of language without substance. “There should be some element of news, initiative and enterprise.

“I appreciate the impact of constraints of deadlines and space, but then, writing that has the potential to win an award, is most times, not accidental. It is deliberate because it usually requires special effort to determine the subject; more research, careful writing and editing. Good writing has an intro, the body and

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practice, which began last week, according to APCON Head of Planning, Research, Corporate Affairs and Strategy, Ralph Anyacho, took the enforcement team to advertising agencies and media organizations identified as employing unlicensed persons. The offenders have

M-Net holds stakeholders forum

By Florence Utor

APCON wages war against illegal advertising practice FTER several sensitization visits to advertising establishments and warning notices against illegal advertising practice, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON has commenced the arrest and prosecution of offenders.

The crackdown on illegal

captivating conclusion.”

After lively discussions, illustrated with practical examples, which spanned seven hours, participants agreed to the following resolutions: • The power of observation remains an important tool of the journalist and must be deployed effectively since journalists as finders must know what they are looking for.

• Impactful or award-winning works do not come from routine reporting; they result from enterprise borne out of keen observation, enterprising reporting, rigorous questioning, deep investigation and analysis, and independent verification of claims by sources.

• Journalists must be creative in the way they present their findings; conscious that the only way they can stand out is by enriching their content, branding their products to break from the mould of buy-one-by-all that is prevalent in much of current media fare.

• Journalists should explore the widening opportunities available to them to share their findings through blogging, webcasting especially in cases where their stories cannot be published in their traditional platforms because of conflicting in-house policies/inter-

been invited for questioning by the police. Police investigation, Anyacho reiterated, “is the first step in the process of prosecution of illegal advertising persons.” Act 55 of 1988, empowers APCON to arrest and prosecute persons not registered by it to practice advertising in Nigeria.

ests, having weighed their options.

• Journalists are enjoined to respect the foundational values of their profession of truthseeking by observing the doctrines of accuracy and depth of investigation, fairness by pursuing balance and reflecting context, regard for their audiences through use of engaging prose and appropriate choice and framing of subject matter relevant to their lives.

• To protect professional values, journalists are enjoined to embrace self regulation and deepen public confidence in the Nigerian media through willingness to correct lapses and obedience to professional censure.

• To deepen confidence in media content shared with their publics, Media houses are urged to strengthen quality control units with knowledgeable and experienced editorial staff.

• To strengthen professional capacity, the Nigerian Press Organisations, incorporating the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors, and other media bodies should institute a well structured Media Capacity Building Fund for continuous training and re-training of journalists.

• Media operations should be well funded to reduce the embarrassing spectacle of media houses owing accumulated Staff salaries and exposing journalists to compromising situations.

• In response to the changing landscape for news presentation, especially with the advent of New Media, journalists are encouraged to always look for fresh angles to present their stories. They should report analytically and interpretatively, shunning value-laden words and adjectives as those words only show the biases of the journalist and turn off their audiences.

• Media houses are encouraged to get the time sequence of news distribution right and also set up radar desks that will routinely scan the news and feed the newsroom with fresh angles to deepen their news judgment and presentation.

• To survive in the News business, Media houses are encouraged to check their weaknesses and develop a new Management Model that strengthens their capacity to attract greater revenue without resorting to granting desperate advertisement discounts that cannot help them keep their heads above waters.

• One way to improve media content is by segmenting a storyline into as many as 12 parts, which if well executed can generate an exclusive running story for one week, which if well promoted can engage audience interest and patronage and improve the bottom line.

• Media houses should set up project teams to increase their competitive performance in the market.

• Journalists are encouraged to utilize the multi platforms available to present news by incorporating elements of video, graphics, and charts to illustrate their stories, enhance believability and connect better with their audiences.

• The organizers and participants commended the sponsors—Punch Nigeria Ltd, Sovereign Trust Insurance Co and Vintage Press Ltd. for enhancing media capacity by collaborating with DAME to organize the training and called for more of such training with other partners for the good health of the profession.

N keeping up with the market pace, Multi-Choice Nigeria held an interactive session with critical stakeholders in Lagos recently.

At the venue, several stands displayed the various African channels available to Nigeria and West African countries.

In each stand, attendants, who answered queries put up by visitors, provided information and insight into the

I

offerings of the company.

Explaining the relevance of the event, M-Net Africa’s Regional director, West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said, the interactive session was organized to keep stakeholders and clients abreast of its activities and new developments.

“There might be new entrants into the market, there might be people who really are not sure of services

we offer. We don’t assume that everybody knows what we do. So, it is a platform where people gather to ask questions and get more understanding about us.”

According to her, it is also an opportunity to get feedbacks from the stakeholders and clients.

“No one is hundred percent perfect, so we need some feed back as well. This is what this gathering is also providing.”

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Why media must play its critical role in election fairly, by stakeholders

By Gbenga Salau HE 2015 general election is about a year T away but preparation by political actors, especially politicians, for the election is in top gear. One stakeholder whose contribution is critical for the successful conduct of the election is the media.

Understanding this, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria with the support of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Democratic Governance for Development project (DGD II) recently organised a-day roundtable discussion on setting media and public agenda for the 2015 elections.

According to the organisers, the forum, which had fifty participants in attendance, was put together to critically examine the interconnections between the public, the media and elections towards developing an agenda that seeks to strengthen the role of the media in facilitating a credible electoral process.

The roundtable which aimed to set a media agenda that fully reckons with the public interest in reporting the 2015 elections was also to bring to the front burner the collation of opinions of Nigerians on priority issues that the media should focus on and with which politicians should be engaged ahead the 2015 elections.

Remarks were made at the opening ceremony by the Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, the DG of Voice of Nigeria, represented by the Director News, Mr. Ahaziah Suleaeman; the Project Director of DGD11, Dr. Mourtada Deme, represented by the Media & Communications Expert. Mrs. Toyin Gabriel; the President of the NUJ, Mr. Mohammed Garba, represented by the Chairman of the Abuja Council, Mr. Chuks Ehirim; the President of RATTAWU, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose and the Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi.

The opening ceremony was followed by the presentation of the outcome of IPC’s opinion poll on the top five priority issues that the public want the media to report ahead 2015 elections. The 2012 Nigerians who participated in the poll voted power supply topmost followed by education, youth employment cum job creation, security of lives and healthcare.

The roundtable also had two front presenta-

Director, News of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Ahaziah Suleaeman (left); President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina; and Special Assistant to President on Media, Bolaji Adebiyi... at the event in Abuja on March 26, 2014 tions: ‘The Media, INEC and the Public’s expectation for credible elections in 2015’ by Mr. Femi Adesina, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and ‘INEC, the Media and Civil Society: Seeking common grounds for credible elections’ by Mr. Nick Dazang, Head of Publicity, INEC. The participants observed that the Nigerian media does not yet seem to recognize how important the roles it can play in ensuring credible free and fair elections.

It however argued that the media can play a critical role in setting electoral agenda by engaging politicians to know how their manifestoes address the priority development needs of the

citizenry.

“The Nigerian media, its practitioners and related professional bodies should have a blue print on public interests concerns that it should use to engage politicians ahead of the 2015 elections.”

They recommended that media practitioners should make public interest reportage paramount at all times as well as maintain the doctrine of accuracy, truthfulness, impartiality and fair play in election reportage.

“Media practitioner should have a sense of balanced reporting and decency and not become tools in the hands of politicians in order not to aggravate election related conflicts.

“Media practitioners should have understand-

ing of and be guided by electoral laws including the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act.” The participants want the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ should ensure adequate protection for practitioners on election duty as well as defend the rights of journalists to freely cover the elections without any form of molestation or harassment.

It called on media regulatory agencies to effectively monitor media conduct during elections besides ensuring compliance with regulatory codes on media coverage of elections.

It also suggested that media support groups should aid media professionalism by building the capacity of media practitioners on advanced knowledge of election reporting.

MARKETING EDGE holds summit, rewards agencies S part of activities to mark a A decade of operation, Nigeria’s leading brands and marketing publication, MARKETING EDGE, is set to hold two high profile events. They are a Marketing Stakeholders Summit and a Legacy Award Night.

Both events will take place on Friday, April 11, 2014 at Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos. The Summit which has the theme: “Exploding the Myths of Advertising and Marketing Communications Industry in Nigeria,” will hold in the morning and the Legacy Awards in the evening.

A renowned and erudite professional marketer who is also a leading icon in the integrated marketing communications industry in Nigeria, Mr.

George Thorpe, will deliver the Keynote Address at the Summit while the Chairman of Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, will be the Chairman of the occasion. Key players and gladiators in the integrated marketing communications sector are expected to attend the Summit where the myths and challenges of marketing in Nigeria will be dissected and solutions proffered.

The awards which are in several categories will reward eminent marketers including former Marketing Director, MTN Mr. Bola Akingbade, and Chairman, MediaReachOMD Mr. George Thorpe, who bill both receive Lifetime Marketing Achievement Awards. Managing Director of

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, will be recognised as Brand Personality of the Decade. Also Managing Director of Promasidor Mr. Kachi Onubogu, Unilever’s Brand Building Director Mr. David Okeme and First Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney will be honoured as Marketing Personality of the Decade.

The likes of First Bank, Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank will receive Bank Brands of the Decade Awards.

Other categories are Telecommunication Companies of the Decade, Experiential Agencies of the Decade, Outdoor Agencies of the Decade, Media Buying Agencies of the Decade, Media Monitoring Agency of

the Decade, Marketing Research of the Decade and lot more.

Speaking on the epoch making event, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of MARKETING EDGE, Mr. John Ajayi, said the magazine actually reached the milestone of 10 years of operation in September last year but decided to shift the commemorative events to this year in order to make it a robust one.

Ajayi said the Summit and Award Night will serve as the magazine’s way of celebrating a decade of surviving the gruelling and often turbulent business environment in Nigeria.

“Ten years of operation without going under in Nigeria’s challenging business environment is not a joke. The publishing industry is littered with

Laugh Out Loud... from Maltina

By Gbenga Salau N order to project the brand as one that keeps Ithem exciting its customers and positively engage thereby building on its brand equity, Maltina has decided to sponsor two of Nigeria’s most exciting comedy shows, AY Live and Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laffmattaz.

The two shows, which are inline with the company’s Sharing happiness payoff line, which are annual events will thrill consumers this Easter, 20th of April 2014 in Lagos and Ibadan respectively.

Addressing the media, the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, gave reasons for the partnership.

“Three years ago Maltina was relaunched with the payoff line ‘Sharing Happiness.’ This gives the brand more leeway to ensure that more consumers get to feel the brand at various consumer touch points. Now, Maltina is broadening its ‘Share the Happiness’ message to a broader audience embracing comedy, a very relevant and widely accepted platform via a new campaign tagged ‘Maltina Laugh.Out.Loud’. We are pleased to announce that we are partnering two great comedy shows in happiness: AY Live anchored by AY and Laffmattazz anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st.”

Justifying the choice of the shows, Ekanem noted that AY Live has been voted the comedy event of the year for the last three years, besides gaining a large

following on social media. Also, “Laffmatazz, the Gbenga Adeyinka & Friends Comedy and Music Concert is an experiential platform for the whole family which features notable Nigerian entertainers in its fourth edition, tagged ‘The Evolution.’”

These two shows, AY Live Happiness edition will hold at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites with comedians and music artistes like I Go Die, Gordons, Elenu, Apkororo, Helen Paul, Funny Bone, Osama, Pencil, Ajebo, Shina Peters, Tiwa Savage, Kcee, Davido, J. Martins, Oritshe Femi, Harry Song performing live in Lagos while GbengaAdeyinka1st will be rocking Ibadan at ‘The Kings are coming’ with Ali Baba, Tu Face Idibia, Julius Agwu, 9ice, M.I, Laffup, Okey Bakasi, thrilling consumers.

tales of high mortality rate of newspapers and magazines. Glory be to God that we are waxing stronger and stronger.

“In those 10 years, we have experienced our own share of tribulations and triumphs but we have remained unequivocally an avant-garde agenda-setting medium for all those involved in the business of brand management and management of brand business in Nigeria. We have also served as witness to the fortunes and misfortunes of players and gladiators in the integrated marketing communications industry and positioned the magazine as a valuable source of intelligence on the evolution, growth and development of the industry in Nigeria.”

Commenting, Executive Editor of the magazine, Mr. Adewale Okoya, said MARKETING EDGE is a magazine that has come to stay. He said this will not be the first time that the magazine will be organizing awards. “We have, in the past, recognized some outstanding players by bestowing our Brand Personality of the Year Award on marketing titans like Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of the Troyka Group and Mr. Enyi Odigbo, Chairman of the Casers Group respectively. The Award Night will serve as our own way of promoting the brand idea, in line with the vision which we have religiously kept faith with since we hit the newsstands 10 years ago,” Okoya said.

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FG to recruit paramedics From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

• Edo re-awards hospital project contract

HE Federal Government T will soon recruit paramedics into the civil service

ect when completed will be another signature of this administration and we are doing everything possible to encourage the new contractor to meet up with the new dead line.

“I think from the assurance given by the contractor, hopefully by next week they will start work and in the next nine months to 1 year from

apparently to forestall preventable and avoidable deaths like those that happened during the recent exercise by Nigeria Immigration Service.

Speaking in Benin City at the training of over 150 healthcare personnel in paramedics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Director, Hospital Service and Head, Trauma and Emergency Response/Distress Management, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Amedu said government was committed to qualitative healthcare and safety of lives especially in emergency cases, just as he tasked Nigerians and Non Government Organisation to key into the transformation agenda of the present administration by putting measures in place to provide things like ambulance services, which he said, was not a sole responsibility of government to help its effort in addressing the health challenges in the country. The training was organised by Fountain of Living Waters, a medical mission from the United States, led by Dr. Celeste Nieves.

And Edo State government has formally re-awarded the 5Star Central Hospital Complex along Sapele Road in Benin to Messrs S & A Construction Company with a completion time of nine months. Parts of the structure collapsed two years ago after it was hit by a construction crane which led to the death of an expatriate worker.

Oshiomhiole announced this to reporters during his inspection of projects in the state capital and said the contractors are expected to mobilise to site and start construction within the next 14 days.

He added, “just last Wednesday, government decided to direct the new construction company handling the project work to go back to site and resume work.

“Again, even before now, the work has been redesigned before it was re-awarded because we know that the proj-

now, the job will be completed.

“Not only will the complex be competed, but it will be equipped with the state of the art hospital facilities because government has concluded plans with foreign expatriates that will supply the sophisticated equipment needed so that patients here will have no reasons to go abroad for treatment anymore.”

NLC pickets electricity firm From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos Nigeria Labour HE Congress (NLC) has picketed the headquarters of the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) at the Ahmadu Bello Way Jos, an outfit that replaced the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The NLC officials were at the JED company as early as 6.00 am and started turning back any JED official who wanted to resume duty. The workers complied. The NLC officials, who were in a high mood were beating drums and dancing and shouting the NLC slogan, “what we are saying, give us our rights.”

Addressing the crowd, the NLC North East Zonal Secretary, Comrade Anthony John Sule reminded the people that there was a change of ownership in November 2013 from the public sector to private sector, which culminated in the handing over of the various companies to private hands.

His words, “with the coming of the private hands, Nigerians have been made to believe that it is going to provide the magic wands for uninterrupted 24 hours power supply. Fellow Nigerians, do we have 24 hours uninterrupted power supply? Fellow Nigerians, are we getting the services of the new companies now? Fellow Nigerians, are you given better services now? Fellow Nigerians, can we say we have arrived in power sector?

“Fellow Nigerians, can we justify the handover PHCN to the companies? And that is why we are here today. We like to tell our fellow Nigerians

T

that what has happened between November and now is unacceptable. What has happened between November and now is evil, it is demonic, is exploitative, is barbaric, is animalistic and oppressive.

“We have come here today to tell you that workers are Nigerians, workers have rights to fight for themselves.

Workers have rights to belong to unions.

Between November and now, the companies say there will be no union. Are we going to agree?

That is what we are facing.

Several of our workers, unions that stood for the Nigerian massives, that stood for everybody, that power sector is a vital sector that should not be left in the hand of a private sector.

“We are watching with keen interest that five months after the coming of the new investors, no value has been added to the electricity sector.

But what we have witnessed is oppression, what we have witnessed is exploitation, what we have witnessed is annihilation, what we have witnessed is arrests, what we have witnessed is throwing us into perpetual slavery and neocolonialism. Several of our union leaders that fought for our rights have been sacked.

The companies have refused the unions to exist here.”

With all the rhetorical questions being asked by Sule, the crow shouted ‘no’ in response.

Sule revealed that university graduates are paid N10,000 per month, adding that the union is opposed to casualisation. He stressed that if the companies want to go ahead, they must conform to labour laws.

Ondo residency card takes off next month OVERNOR Olusegun G Mimiko has hinted that the Ondo State government’s residency card initiative, Kaadi Igbeayo, would become operational from May this year.

Mimiko dropped the hint while distributing some of the cards to pregnant women at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Moferere Oja in Ondo West Local Council.

According to him, plans have been concluded by his administration to ensure that full implementation of the cards commence in earnest.

Represented by Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Yele Ogundipe, Mimiko said all pregnant women who could not present the card on demand from May 2014 would no longer receive free health care anywhere in the state.

He said the cards have been distributed in several locations among them, Isolo, Oda, Arakale, and four other centres in Akure South and six centres in Akoko-South West in 2012.

He further disclosed that over 12,000 women have accessed their cards, adding that a total of 500 women would receive the cards at Comprehensive Health Centre, Moferere, Oja and other health centres within the council.

While describing the cards as a multipurpose card which allows the bearer to benefit a wide range of services provided by the state government, he said it is a smart card that stores the bio-data of individuals resident in the state.

According to the governor, the card will give the holders access to free health care services at Abiye Centres from

conception to delivery till the child is five years old.

It qualifies holders to access a free mobile phone that guarantees effective medical monitoring and to supply medical history of cardholder to make available whenever information is required.

It will also put an end to endless waiting at health centres while it gives access to child immunisation against preventable diseases.

Information Commissioner, Kayode Akinmade said the card would be used for the assessment of all the benefits from the government adding that the sustainability of the project is guaranteed.

He said the card will allow for accurate data of many Nigerians who have been trooping to the state from other states in the country to enjoy dividends of democracy.

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN

INSIDE TAX

Doing Business in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fiscal compliance & incentive considerations

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BONDWATCH in association with

DLM BOND WATCH: April 7, 2014

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Remi Aiyela, Editor-in-Chief

editor@NOGintelligence.com www.NOGintelligence.com

UPSTREAM NEWS

Shell Delays Confirmation of Winning Bids for its Oil Blocks is continuing to delay the result of its latest round of divestments. It was expectSedHELL that bidders would have been confirmed before the end of last month and it postponed the announcement. Now, news reports have emerged that indigenous downstream traders, Taleveras and Aiteo were the highest bidders for prize asset oil mining lease (OML) 29. However, according to the report, Shell is holding back from announcing the winners, as it wants the two to partner in the bid with more experienced upstream players.

NOGintelligence has independently confirmed from its own sources that the two companies emerged the highest bidders after placing a joint bid of $2.85 billion.

Shell had recently shortlisted candidates for the auction of its interests and that of its joint venture partners Total and ENI in OMLs 8, 24, 25 and 29 in Rivers State. The four OMLs, which Shell operates, and in which, together with its joint venture partners, it has a 45 per cent stake, together produced 70,000 barrels per day in the year before the sale was announced.

Shell had been keen to avoid a protracted bidding process and would have been encouraged after the likes of Glencore, Mercuria and Dangote Group join the race. However, the company is keen to ensure the success of the divestment by seeing the highly valuable blocks going to experienced operators.

Whilst some are left wondering why Shell should be concerned, analysts are unsurprised. Recent international oil company (IOC) divestments have seen winning bids far in excess of their true values. Oando’s winning bid of $1.79 billion for ConocoPhillips was said to be higher than it is worth. They have been trying to close that deal for over a year.

Again, Britannia-U’s winning bid of $16 billion for Chevron’s three OMLs was said to be several hundred millions of dollars over the nearest bid. Analysts have also reported the bid to be way over its real value and Britannia-U has gone to court over Chevron’s refusal to name the indigenous company led by the formidable Uju Ifejika the winner.

The trend seems to be for indigenous companies to overprice these assets in their desperate bids to outbid everyone else. As a result, the IOCs have become wary of high bids, which put the ability of the winners to close the deals in doubt. The same thing seems to be happening here and if, as reported Taleveras and Aiteo have been asked to join forces with a known operator, it is not just the matter of a successful operatorship that Shell will be worried out. It is not even certain that the winner will be allowed to operate, given government petroleum company, Nigerian National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)’s stand on the matter of operatorship.

NPDC insists that the right of operatorship reverts to it following the divestments.

The major concern for Shell right now is the

ability of the winner to close the transaction.

If the winning bidder has overpriced the asset then raising finance could be extremely difficult unless they are partnering with another asset owner where they can leverage off those other assets to secure the finance they need to close the deal. That could be what Shell has in mind when it asked the two marketers to join forces with Seplat. Soon-to-list Seplat is the darling of the industry right now and it seems it can do no wrong, after successfully concluding arrangements to list on the main board of the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote’s company is said to have submitted the winning bid for oil mining lease (OML) 18, as he begins his quest to achieve self-sufficiency in gas to power his energy guzzling cement factories. The block is a gas producer and already has a gas processing plant on the block with a capacity to process 120 million standard cubic feet per day (mmsf/d) although it is currently producing just 80 mmsf/d.

The Shell joint venture has sold a series of blocks since 2010 for more than $2 billion, but the latest sales will represent the largest so far in terms of production. The theftplagued key pipeline, Nembe Creek Trunk Line is also up for sale along with OML 29.

Financial analysts had said the sale should fetch between $2 billion and $3 billion for Shell and its partners. Shell could be looking at a bumper harvest with the kinds of bids that it seems to have received. However, unless Shell swallows its nerves and gets on with the sale, this one, like the two before it, could run and run.

Angola About to Overtake Nigeria as Top Africa Exporter NALYSTS are predicting that Angola will soon overtake Nigeria as Africa’s top A exporter if the current spate of vandalism of vital oil pipelines continues unabated. The prediction comes after a Reuters news report revealed that Nigerian crude oil exports have dwindled to its lowest since 2011.

According to the report, Nigeria’s exports for May are set to drop to about 1.59 million barrels per day (bpd). At its peak in 2011, Nigeria was able to attain a 2.2 million bpd.

Currently, Forcados grades have been deferred after the pipeline supplying oil from the oil fields in that region was hit by a pipeline leak. Although the militant group, MEND, claimed responsibility for the damage, Shell said it was shut after it was discovered that the pipeline had been breached by unknown persons who were siphoning crude oil from the pipeline in a water depth of over eight meters, The current force majeure declaration by Shell is the latest in a series, which the company says is losing the nation $7 billion a year.

The grossly inadequately equipped Joint Task Force set up by the Federal Government to deal with the problem is powerless to put a stop to the problem, which the Shell Country Manager, Mutiu Sunmonu, has described as a fight against “princes and principalities.”

MIDSTREAM

BPE Begins Consultation on Sale of Refineries HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPD) has begun consulting with labour organisaT tions after confirming reports that the nation’s refineries are up for sale. The news, revealed last year by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke was immediately denied by the Federal Government following widespread

agitation by labour organsiations. Now BPE has begun a round of consultations to ensure that they garner the support of labour orgnisations for the sale of the underperforming refineries. Last year, they were found to have underperformed by up to 75 per cent. Alison-Madueke has admitted that the Government is not good at running the refineries and expects the private sector to do better with the refineries.

DOWNSTREAM NEWS

OPEC daily basket price stood at $101.57 a barrel Thursday, 3 April 2014 HE price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $101.57 a barrel on Thursday, comT pared with $101.72 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. Oil prices have been spiralling since 31st March when the price stood at $104.08, a loss of over 3 dollars in less than a week.

FINANCIAL

in association with

mental role it played in assisting Seven Energy to structure and arrange the financing for the acquisition."

He went further to state that the: "FBN Holdings Group feels a strong sense of responsibility towards fostering growth in the power, gas pipeline and oil and gas sectors and we will continue to deploy our extensive debt arranging experience and structuring expertise in executing robust transactions in record time."

Speaking on the transaction, the Chief Executive Officer, Seven Energy, Phillip Ihenacho, said: "This is a landmark transaction for us. We are delighted to expand our midstream operations in Nigeria with this investment. It is a perfect fit to our strategy of investing in core midstream infrastructure assets in the south east region of the country.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Century Power Generation, Chukwueloka Umeh has announced his company’s plans to raise $700 million. The deal he said would be used to finance the first phase of a 1,500megawatt power plant.

Expatiating on the plans, Umeh said that Standard Chartered and Diamond Bank will lead the process which he expects to be completed by the end of the year. He expects the acquisition finance to be structured with a split of 70 per cent debt and 30 per cent equity. AfDB will be the lead arranger for the finance.

Umeh expects the finance to be concluded by the end of the year and the first phase of the plant to be commissioned by the end of 2016.

General Electric and Daewoo Engineering and Construction will build the Plant, which is expected to have an initial capacity of 495 megawatts. Century Power is a subsidiary of indigenous upstream and oil services company, Nestoil.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS Shell Divestment – Nembe Community Warns Investors Seven Energy Closes $170 Million Part

Finance for Acquisition of Oando Gas Company LANSto significantly increase power availability for gas have received a boost with P the announcement of two significant gas finance deals.

Seven Energy International Limited has just sealed a deal with FBN (UK) Ltd and Ecobank Nigeria for a $170 million 5-year facility for its subsidiary Acugas Ltd. The facility will provide the finance for Seven Energy’s wholescale acquisition of Oando’s East Horizon Gas Company Ltd. Oando put its wholly-owned subsidiary East Horizon up for sale as it struggled to close the finance of its $1.79 billion acquisition of Conoco-Phillips Nigerian assets.

East Horizon operates a 128km, 120mmscf, 18-inch natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline (‘the Pipeline’) traversing the AkwaIbom and Cross River States. It also has a gas sales agreement to supply up to 25MMcfpd, increasing to 50MMcfpd in 2016, under a 20 year “take-or-pay” agreement expiring in 2032. They paid a total consideration of up to $250 million.

As Nigerian banks and law firms get more and more comfortable with energy finance, the plan for gas to power has become a significant beneficiary.

In the Seven Energy deal, FBN Capital Limited acted as the structuring bank, sole initial mandated lead arranger, and financial modelling bank, as well as global facility coordinator. Legal power-house, Aluko & Oyebode acted was the legal counsel instructed by the lenders on the deal while Udo Udoma and Belo Osagie was instructed on the borrower’s side.

Commenting on the transaction, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe, said: "FBN Capital is very proud of the instru-

OMMUNITIES in the Nembe area have issued a caveat emptor notice to potenC tial investors seeking to buy the stake of Shell and its joint venture partners in OML 29 and the Nembe Creek vital pipeline. The communities are alleging that there are unresolved liabilities with Shell. They say that Shell has failed to pay over $1 billion in compensation that it has demanded for environmental damage arising from their operations. They say that Shell has failed to make restorative payment for damage inflicted over 50 years of oil exploration in the Nembe Kingdom.

Chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Nengi James, said in a statement: “It is imperative that the new investors start on a clean slate by insisting that Shell should dispense with all liabilities arising from their operations to avoid running into conflict with the host communities early in their operations.”

Explaining the position of the community, James stressed that Nembe people were peaceful and wished potential investor peaceful operations in the area. However, he warned that a cordial welcome would not be given to investors unless the Nembe people are involved in any discussions over compensation for huge damage done to the community by Shell’s operations.

Industry watchers have long advocated increased indigenous participation in the industry as indigenous companies are likely to be much more sensitive to communities. It is generally expected that there will be better relationships and engagement between host communities and indigenous companies. The international oil company (IOC) divestments creates opportunities for indigenous companies to significantly upscale their involvement in exploration and production and it is hoped that as such involvement increases, clashes between operators and host communities will decline in view of improved relationship and understanding between them.

78 Monday, April 7, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sports Remita Corporate Champions Cup NEM Insurance draw Nestle, as Skye Bank get Leadway

Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup

Iranian team heads to Mozambique, Bosnians unite against Nigeria

By Christian Okpara, with agency reports WO of Nigeria’s opening T round opponents at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina, have finalized their programmes for preparation ahead the kick of the Mundial Coupe.

Expectedly, Iran is heading to Africa to face opponents they assume have the same playing pattern with Nigeria, their first group opponents in Brazil.

Iran will play Mozambique on May 7 but the venue is yet to be announced, reports Xinhua.

Iran will also take on Belarus, Montenegro, and Angola in their pre-tournament camp in Austria in May. A friendly against Trinidad and Tobago will be the final warm-up game for Iran before the start of the World Cup. The match will be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil June 8.

Iran will play their first 2014 World Cup group match against Nigeria in Curitiba June 16.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have the potential to be the great fairy tale story of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.

And despite the unrest that has engulfed the country, the national team have pledged to stick together to fight for a

good outing at the World Cup that could bring succour to their embattled countrymen.

The country was devastated by war 20 years ago and is still suffering from the effects of that painful period.

Recently there have been riots across the country as the nations’ economy continues to struggle.

But the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team have been a beacon of light for a troubled nation.

Since 2008 the side has narrowly missed out on qualification for the European Championships and the World Cup. But last October Vedad Ibesvic scored an historic goal the ensured the Bosnians would play in the first World Cup at Brazil 2014.

For the large community in Australia it was a special moment.

“It actually brought me to tears. I guess that’s why people get so emotional because since the war we haven’t achieved something this incredible,” Bosnian Australian, Jasmina Pedic, told www.sbs.com.au.

“It brings everyone together, back as one, even though there is many different background and nationalities living in Bosnia, when we qual-

Chukwumerije wins gold medal at 2014 Belgian Open IGERIA’S pedigree in taekN wondo received a boost at the weekend when Team Nigeria taekwondo captain to the 2011 All Africa Games, Uche Perez Chukwumerije clinched a gold medal at the 25th Belgian Opens.

The tournament, which is a Grade One World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-sanctioned competition have athletes across the globe competing to amass points for their world ranking.

Uche Perez is brother and mentor to triple Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, whose engagement with the National Youth Team to the 2014 Junior World Championships in Chinese Taipei, caused Chika to miss the opportunity to gain vital ranking points alongside his older brother.

To win the gold, Uche defeated Rob Van Der Ploeg of Netherlands 2-1 in a terse opening bout, defeated Josip Mara of Croatia 14-2 in the semifinals, before completing the trilogy by flooring Hicham Massaoudi of

Germany 4-1 in a very tactical final.

The current All Africa gold medalist, whose current World ranking as of February 2014, is 33, has earned a valuable 10 points that would impact positively on his world ranking, which is due to be released this week.

EM Insurance will meet Nestle Plc in the opening N game of the Remita Corporate

Ashkan Dejagah (left) is in Carlos Quiroz’ provisional squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Kids scramble for registration, as Warri Tennis Clinic begins

By Gowon Akpodonor RGANISER of the maiden Warri Tennis Coaching Clinic seems to be having a hectic time controlling the huge number of kids, following high demand for late registration by some parents who want their kids to be part of the event. It will serve off today at the Shell Club, Ogunu, Warri, Delta State.

The clinic, a grassroots tennis talent development programme, will hold from April 7 to 19. It is for children between the ages of 6 and16 years.

It was learnt yesterday that some parents, who could not beat the deadline for free registration, have resorted offering money to buy late registration form to enable their kids participate.

Leading a team of tennis experts from Lagos to Warri

O

is veteran tennis coach, Robinson Roy Odoko while Coach Peter Osagie will assist him. Five other coaches drawn from Asaba, Benin City and Port Harcourt have arrived Warri for the exercise.

Chief Executive Officer of Iso-Black Concepts Ltd, Igho Okor, said yesterday that the need to teach young tennis players the various techniques and strategy to adopt for winning matches is the reason for the exercise.

“Most tennis tournaments and coaching clinics are organised in Lagos and as such, people in other urban centers are not opportune to witness and benefit from these initiatives. This has been working against talent hunt and tennis development in some parts of the country,” Okor said.

Everton humiliate Arsenal 3-0 VERTON yesterday took a E step closer to fulfilling Roberto Martinez’s pre-season promise of Champions League football as they swept past Arsenal to move a point behind the fourth-placed Gunners.

Martinez’s team produced a devastating display of attacking force, Steven Naismith opening the scoring by tucking in a 14th-minute opener after Romelu Lukaku’s shot was saved.

Belgium striker, Lukaku, then fired in his 14th goal of an impressive season after another fine sweeping move, and compatriot Kevin

PHOTO: AFP.

Mirallas forced Mikel Arteta into an own goal after the hour mark to complete the scoring.

Everton’s front four, which included early substitute Ross Barkley, purred throughout and at times reduced Arsenal’s defenders to a squabbling mess.

It was another humiliating day on Merseyside for the Gunners after their 5-1 drubbing at Liverpool in February.

With Everton having played one game fewer than Arsene Wenger’s side, a place in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2005

is now in their own hands.

The Toffees still have to face Manchester City and Manchester United at home, but the manner in which they beat Arsenal for the first time since 2007 will give supporters the belief that Martinez can deliver on the pledge he made to owner Bill Kenwright at the start of the season.

With an easier-looking runin than their hosts, Arsenal boss Wenger will hope his side can recover from this latest setback - and that Everton do not show form as impressive as this against the likes of title contenders Manchester

He further explained that the programme is aimed at introducing the rudiments of tennis to the kids, saying that talents and potential champions in Warri and its environs would benefit greatly from the project.

The organisers are targeting 500 kids for the clinic, but the number increased to 800 as at yesterday following interest shown by parents who want their kids to benefit from the exercise.

Okor said that equipment for the clinic such as playing racket; tennis balls and other kits have just arrived from London.

Champions Cup, which kicks off on April 12 at the Onikan Lagos.

Stadium, In the draws held at the corof headquarters porate SystemsSpecs, one of Nigeria’s leading e-payment company, the second game of the opening day will see Skye Bank taking on Leadway Assurance at venue. same the On Sunday, April 13, Etisalat will battle with Standard Chartered Bank, while PZ Cussons will meet MTN immediately after the game.

The semifinal will see the winner of the first game of the competition meeting the runner up in match three for a final ticket, while the winner of game two will contend with the runner up of the opening match.

Speaking at the draws, which was also used to unveil the competition’s logo, System Specs Managing Director, John Obaro, said his company chose to sponsor the competition because it brings together the champions and runner up from each of the Corporate Games platforms, which include the Nigeria Bankers Games, Nigeria Telecoms Games, Nigeria Insurance Games and Nigeria FMGG Games.

“Over a three-week period, the tournament is guaranteed to showcase the best of football skills and passion held within the walls of Nigeria’s top corporate brands. This is indeed a great avenue to promote a healthy work-life balance, as well as encourage cross-industry bonding among professionals and their families in a competitive yet fun and relaxed environment,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos FA Chairman, Seyi Akinwunmi, assured the teams of fair officiating, adding that the atmosphere would be good for the teams to exhibit their skills.

Globacom hails Abdullahi’s contribution to sports development ELECOMMUNICATIONS T outfit, Globacom Nigeria, has commended the efforts of the immediate past Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, in uplifting the sports sector, describing the former as one of the successes of the current administration.

IN a letter made available to The Guardian, Globacom recalled that “during your tenure as the nation’s number one sports administrator, you recorded impressive achievements, some of which include the settlement of various legal disputes hampering the effective and sustainable take off of the Nigeria Premier League and the subsequent emergence of a new title sponsor for the league.”

It added: “You were also

central to engineering a vivacious and enterprising spirit in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which gave birth to victories of the Super Eagles in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa and the Golden Eaglets at the U-17 FIFA World Cup in UAE. Your tenure also witnessed the painstaking re-packaging of the National Sports Festival and School sports.”

The letter signed by Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, also recalls the “the wise counsel you brought to bear in managing sundry other issues that affected the nation’s sports and the smooth relationship Globacom enjoyed from the Ministry of Sports under your stewardship.”

SPORT Monday, April 7, 2014 | 79

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

European round up ‘Every club wants to sign Suarez’ IVERPOOL Managing Lrivals Director, Ian Ayre, admits clubs will “rattle their

Customs’ Abayomi Joshua (right) tries to dribble a Royal Hoopers player in their NBBF DStv Premier Basketball League at the sports hall of National Stadium, Surulere. Customs won 58-46.

DSTV Premier Basketball League

Pillars beat Mentors, Dodan Warriors lose to UBN

By Adeyinka Adedipe ANO Pillars Basketball Club took control of the Savannah Conference by beating their closest rivals, Mark Mentors, of Abuja 69-62 in a week five game of the DStv Premier Basketball League played at the weekend.

The epic encounter brought out the best in both teams, but the defending champion, Pillars were not ready to relinquish their unbeaten run, as they remain the only side yet to taste defeat.

Hard as they tried, the starstudded Mark Mentors BC could not hold off the Coach Sani Ahmed tutored-Pillars, who are looking to defend their title in the Final Eight.

Pillars now enjoy a 5-0 record and have accumulated 418 points, which translates to an average of 83.6 points a game.

In the Atlantic Conference, the tie between Union Bank (UBN) and Dodan Warriors ended 64-62 in favour of the Stallion Boys (UBN).

The Stallion Boys trailed by three points at the end of the

K

third quarter (46-49), but came back strong to win the game and stay fourth on the log.

UBN, with a 3-2 record, was led in scoring by its Togolese import, Arnold Yacoubou, with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assist, Solomon Ajegbeyi landed a doubledouble of 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Emeka Ajaegbu added 10 points and 3 steals.

Islanders Basketball Club returned to the zenith of the Atlantic Conference with a hard fought 68-55 points victory over Oluyole Warriors Basketball Club of Ibadan.

The high profile game saw both sides sharing the four quarters evenly with Islanders winning the second and fourth quarter (21-10 and 22-15), while Oluyole Warriors won the first and third quarters (13-10 and 1715). With a 4-1 record, Islanders now lead the Atlantic Conference, garnering 316 points in five games.

Islanders’ quartet - Ibrahim Okpe, Seyi Ayodele, John

Ohwe and Chiwendu Nwaigbo hit a double figure to aid their side victory. Okpe (16 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assist); Ayodele (16 points, 2 rebound and 2 steal); Ohwe (15 points and 3 rebound) and Nwaigbo (12 points, 9 rebound and 4 assist).

Nigeria Customs completed the Lagos wing of the Atlantic conference win with a 58-46 points victory over two-time champion of the league Royal Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt.

The Border Boys (Customs) came off a 07-14 points first quarter deficit to out-play the Hoopers form the second quarter to fourth (16-11, 15-11 and 20-10).

Customs forward and Captain, Victor Kadiri, led his team with a double-double of 14 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 block-shots with youthful guard, Emmanuel Balogun adding 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, just as Police Baton snatched an away 62-60 points win over Kwara Falcons Basketball Club of

Ilorin.

The win is a big boost for the Police side, which began the season on a bad note, losing its first three games. Police Baton handed Customs a 5547 points defeat in a week four game and followed it up with another over the Falcons.

In a weekend, which has turned out an exciting one, Niger Potters of Minna ended its winless season with a 52-47 points away win over Nigeria Immigration in Kaduna with Plateau Peaks Basketball Club of Jos adding to the woes of Kaduna-based teams when it humbled Kada Stars 70-48.

DStv League new entrant, Gombe Bulls continue with its superb form when it posted a massive 85-45 points victory over neighbours, Bauchi Nets at the National Sports Commission (NSC) gymnasium in Gombe.

The Abdulrahman Mohammed-coached Bulls are now third on the log of the Savannah Conference with an eye on the Final Eight playoff.

Quadri finishes in top 16 at ITTF World Tour in Spain OR the first time in recent Fpresence time, Nigeria made its felt at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned Spanish Open after Aruna Quadri ended among the top 16 in the men’s singles.

The unseeded Quadri fought his way from the preliminary rounds to the main draw beating Spanish players in the presence of their fans and also won all his games in the qualifying round. Quadri defeated Carlos Machado, who is also ranked in top 90 in the world to progress to the round of 32.

The Portugal-based Quadri met France’s Mehdi

Bouloussa in the round of 32, a game, which ended 4-0 (11-5, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6) in favour of the Nigerian.

But in the round of 16 game against one of the seeded players, Japan’s Masataka Morizono, Quadri could not withstand the pace of his opponent, as he surrendered to the Asian.

The match ended 4-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-7, 12-10).

Also in the men’s doubles, the pair of Quadri and Kazeem Makanjuola made history by qualifying from the preliminary to the main draw. They eventually lost in the round of 16 to Chinese Taipei, but they won crucial

matches against Denmark and France.

The performance of Nigeria will surely improve Quadri and Makanjuola’s world ranking in May. Quadri performance is an indication that with more competitions, he can be among the best in the world.

He however, admitted that he had to be brave the odds to win most of his matches at the Spanish Open.

“None of my matches was a walkover, but in the round of 64 match, I repeated my London Olympic games victory (4-2) over Carlos Machado of Spain, while Bouloussa Mehdi could not

cope with my style of play, which gave me a four straight sets win to qualify for round of 16. I believe I could have gone further if I had support like the players from other countries,” he said.

“It has not been very easy since February because we could not afford to stay in the organisers’ hotel due to our financial difficulty and we have been staying in another hotel far from the tournament venue. Most times, we get tired since we have to far to get to the venue We really need support and motivation and the sports authorities must give priority to other sports apart from football.”

cage” trying to lure Luis Suarez away from Anfield but he is confident the striker is set for a long stay.

Manchester City are the latest to be linked with a bigmoney bid for the Barclays Premier League’s 29-goal leading scorer, but Ayre brushed that off as coming with the territory of having one of the most in-demand players in world football.

The 27-year-old signed a new contract in December, less than six months after trying to manufacture a move away in search of Champions League football.

And Ayre believes, with the club in a race for the title, there remains a mutual understanding between the two parties after the club stood by him during his bans for racism and biting Branislav Ivanovic.

“There has been a lot written about Luis and he is a fantastic individual and we know he loves this club and the fans and has repaid anything he has done wrong in full,” Ayre BBC Radio Five. told “We have always been supporters of Luis and he has stuck with us and is having probably the best season of his career.

“All the conjecture which went around last summer leading up to the January window was dispelled by the fact he signed a new contract.

“I think when you have a play-

er like Luis, that is going to be a perennial issue.

“The important thing is we remain committed together.

We have supported Luis through thick and thin and he has done the same by signing up to a new long-term contract recently.

“We would expect that to continue, but we’d also expect people to come in and rattle our cage every transfer window.

“The most important thing was Luis said from the outset, when people started showing an interest in him, he wanted to play Champions League football and where better to play that than England’s most successful Champions League team?

“We love having him as part of the club and I know he loves being here so we would expect that to carry on.

“We don’t want to sell Luis Suarez and we’ve been consistent with that in every transfer window since he came here.

“We are a team on the up and he is a fundamental part of what we are trying to achieve.

“We would never wantonly Luis Suarez.” sell Ayre also dismissed claims captain Steven Gerrard was set to sign a new two-year contract.

The England skipper only agreed a new 24-month deal last summer and, although talks will undoubtedly take place, nothing has happened so far.

Liverpool best EPL team I have played, says Kompany ANCHESTER City captain, M Vincent Kompany says title rivals Liverpool are the best team they have played this season.

Second-placed Liverpool are a point ahead of City in the English Premier League (EPL) and the sides meet at Anfield on April 13.

In their last meeting, at Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day, Kompany scored as City came from behind to win 2-1.

“They are the strongest team we have played this season,” Belgium international Kompany, 27, said on Match of the Day. “They have a great squad and they are not there by luck.”

Third-placed City beat Southampton 4-1 on Saturday, while Chelsea returned to the top of the table at Liverpool’s expense with a 3-0 win over Stoke City later in the day.

Liverpool travelled to West Ham yesterday, after which City will have two games in

hand on both their title rivals.

“We have different styles but the same philosophy of trying to score goals, so I think it will be an entertaining game,” Kompany said of next weekend’s trip to Anfield.

“It’s hard to predict because so much is at stake, but we remember the game we played at the Etihad and I’m not surprised at all (that they are challenging for the title).

“Our strongest part of the season when we won the league (in 2011-12) was when we had no other competitions to play in, and Liverpool have had that this season.”

Despite Chelsea’s victory over Stoke, manager Jose Mourinho again dismissed their title chances, saying the table is “fake”. But Kompany said: “If I was in Chelsea’s position I would still believe.

It’s going to go to the wire.”

• Culled from BBC Football

Simeone showers praise on team TLETICO Madrid coach, A Diego Simeone, hailed his side’s 1-0 win over Villarreal as an “important victory” in the race for the Primera Division title.

Atletico remained on top of the table, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, thanks to a hard-fought win.

Raul Garcia’s 14th-minute goal settled the contest, but the hosts had to withstand heavy pressure in the closing stages to see out the match.

“We’ve been making a huge effort, incredibly so, I can’t find the words to keep congratulating the players’ effort,” Simeone said on the club’s official website. “It was a complicated match and we achieved

an important victory.

“At the end we were tired, which is normal. The strength and energy we had in previous occasions were not there, but the team was level-headed, and that made up for the lack of energy.”

Atletico are now six games from the title, with a trip to Barcelona coming on the final day of the season, and the Argentinian admitted none of them would be straightforward for his side.

“I can’t imagine an easy game seeing what’s ahead of us,” Simeone said. “Getafe and Elche, Malaga with their needs, Valencia and Levante.

And you know about the last one.”

TheGuardian www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, April 7, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Why expend so much on frivolities and self -serving projects? What is the importance and relevance of embarking on the twin projects of NASS complex expansion and the construction of new mansions for the principal officers of our legislative arm with N40.2 billion and N1.5 billion respectively?

By Onome Oride HARACTERISED by quite a number of death C cases, the massive turn-out recently for the Immigration Service recruitment test nationwide became the latest installment of the degree of joblessness and poverty that ravage the land. Such influx is no misnomer as it is the case with several aptitude test centres. Had they any premonition of any lurking danger perhaps such unwarranted death would have been averted. Certainly, the mandatory N1,000 deposit the heartless creatures behind the game instituted as a parameter for selection may have prompted many to attend the test. Several others decked in frustration may also have honoured the call based on ‘try your luck’ tendency; in either case, the question is asked if the various positions advertised are truly vacant and still available considering the ‘slot system’ that permeates employment system in Nigeria.

Rather pathetic: Those unfortunate applicants had to sacrifice their lives for job opportunities that have been awarded families and friends of the cabals with seeming monopoly of power even before advert placement, what a state! May you be blessed our dear fallen heroes.

Ruminating on the state of our nation, on the disheartening socio-political upheavals that bedevil it like Orwell’s Animal Farm, soon compels one to ask if Nigeria is truly our nation or some persons’ private property. For clarity of purpose, this question transcends mere rhetorics; it is more than a billion dollar question. It is the evident of decadence and unprecedented moral degradation that hold sway in a nation with repetitive claims to continental greatness. The self acclaimed Africa giant must awake from her low-ebb effort to convince her citizens of the authenticity of her claims to continental greatness.

True greatness is not embedded in one’s oratory prowess or massive landscape. Nigeria cannot claim greatness in the African region when biting questions are craving for answers and issues of exigencies abound unattended.

I dare again to ask: Is the geographical entity with the nomenclature Nigeria truly the nation of all Nigerians or the personal property of some few greedy political juggernauts?

Nigeria sits on a massive expanse of endowed land consisting of assorted minerals with transformational potentials; thanks to Divinity, affording us such coveted opportunity. Gratefully, human resources abound complementing the freely given mineral resources at our disposal.

However, the rich swim deeper in riches in contrast to the poor wallowing helplessly in poverty.

The dichotomy with the thick wall of partition between the rich and the poor has grown thicker that the falcon cannot hear the falconer.

Consequently, things are fast falling apart and the coveted centre of solace can no longer hold; what a state!

There’s a record of illogical placement of value on material things over lives, unabated interest in the comfort and security of the self-styled ‘Animals That Are More Equal Than Others ‘in the Nigerian Farm; a situation that is barbaric and provocative. It is share depravity on the part of our visionless leaders who shut their eyes to the plights of the impoverished masses. I am convinced not a quarter of the corrupt practices and infrastructural decay prevalent in our nation obtained in the then Russian society the pseudo George Orwell depicted in his allegorical and dystopian novel ‘Animal Farm’. Yet resolution for revolution was non-optional.

The gross abuse and crass profligacy of both leaders and lawmakers cum law-breakers like Napoleon and his pigs has reached high heavens.

Nigerians may be too forbearing, tolerant and perhaps too timid to contemplate a bloody revolution of a sort. Whether restrained by timidity or the constant intimidation and resistance that greet them from the sycophantic heavily armed agents and guards of the ‘custodian of power’ we would embark on an intellectual revolution until the day is gone.

Directly or subtly, all animals in the Nigeria Farm have never been equal despite the democratic system of government in vogue. Severally but verbal-

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Is Nigeria still our nation or their property?

ly the sermon of egalitarianism is harped.

Nonetheless, we scarcely embrace the euphoria of liberty and lots that frolick the egalitarian society.

What truly is the essence and relevance of the confab in motion if not a systematic orchestration aimed at self-aggrandisement?

Had previous confabs transformed or imparted us in a way that this confab has become a do or die affair? Why expend so

much on frivolities and self -serving projects?

What is the importance and relevance of embarking on the twin projects of NASS complex expansion and the construction of new mansions for the principal officers of our legislative arm with N40.2 billion and N1.5 billion respectively? Is this a right thing to behold in a rich and fruitful land with yet so many people poor?

Spurred perhaps by the chains of vain and

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

unfulfilled promises, with perspiration and scorching sun to combat, innocent faithful Nigerians queue endlessly en mass over and again, probably with empty stomach, to cast their votes and contribute their quota to national development. For all the pains, dehydration and perseverance, they get in reciprocity are bad roads, epileptic power supply, parlous health facilities, unemployment, abandoned projects, untimely death in their search for jobs among other disheartening menace. Beyond inhumanity and insensitivity, this’ is an outright attestation that all animals are not and may never be equal in the Nigeria Farm save divine intervention. Or else, is there any moral justification for the presidency unperturbed attitude that saw the gates of our ivory towers shut for months?

How can it be told Nigerians lack access to potable water yet her government lavishes money in great dimension on itself and gullible subordinates?

The answers may be right but I refuse to believe the bank of justice has gone bankrupt. I and the impoverished masses wish to know if Nigeria is still our nation or the private property of the few depraved animals who are more equal, who parade the corridors of power. When all is said and done, please do well to transit with you to the realm beyond all the looted monies of national interest meant for people oriented projects but diverted to your personal accounts.

• Oride wrote from Lagos.