Wed 30 April 2014

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,907

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame (left); former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Tony Blair and Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Phillips Oduoza at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, California … yesterday.

Senate pushes for total war against insurgents From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Adamu Abu, Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Azimazi Jimoh Momoh, Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri)

ED up with the cruel disreFbygard for life and property members of Boko Haram, the Senate has called for declaration of total war by the Federal Government on the insurgents.

In a sober mood, the Senate, on resumption from Easter break yesterday opened public debate on the un-abating violence and killings of innocent citizens heightened by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents and called for declaration of total war against the terrorists.

Similarly, a legislator representing Chibok in Borno State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Biyo, has urged the Federal Government to immediately embark on a total demolition of the Sambisa Forest, saying this will ultimately put an

end to the insurgency and other terrorist acts in the North-East zone.

Also yesterday, the House of Representatives summoned the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, to explain why it is taking the security outfits too long time to ensure release of the school girls abducted by members of the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

Also to appear before the lawmakers who did not mince words in saying it was high time the country seeks foreign assistance to curb the menace of Boko Haramare the Chief of Army staff, Lt. –Gen. Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu and Chief of Naval

• Lawmakers ask FG to seek foreign assistance • Reps summon service chiefs • ‘Sambisa Forest should be demolished’ Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin.

Adopting a motion moved

by Mr. Peter Biye Gumtha at the plenary session presided by the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, he said the service chiefs are expected to brief the lawmakers who had just reconvened after a threeweek Easter break on steps taken so far to ensure the release of the girls who were abducted while writing their Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

The lawmakers, who observed a minute silence in honour of the repose of the soul of those that lost their lives in the recent Nyanya bomb blast, also urged the authorities to engage sub-regional and international bodies with the aim of eliciting the support of neighbouring Cameroun, Niger and Chad to combat the Boko Haram terrorists.

Meanwhile, four additional girls who are among those kidnapped in Chibok recent-

ly, were on Sunday rescued by anonymous volunteers in Monguno village and handed over to the personnel of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJF) yesterday for treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to immediately seek the co-operation of international community, including the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOW-

• Shock, grief as filmmaker Amaka Igwe dies at 51 –Page 5 • Police disperse protesting poly teachers in Abuja –Page 6 • Kenya legalises polygamy Page 9 • Experts warn Gencos, Discos against retention of incompetent hands–Page 27

AS), in its fight against terrorists.

In a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and 107 others on the abduction of school children in Chibok, the Senate expressed disappointments that two weeks after the ugly incident, the girls’ whereabouts are still unknown.

“Besides the uncertainty as to the whereabouts and fate of these innocent girls is lack of authentic information from school authorities, security agencies and their parents as to the exact number of girls that were abducted and the processes leading to same.”

President of the Senate, David Mark, in his contribution to the debate that lasted for about three hours, noted that the nation is not dealing with terrorists but insurgents and as such, the war must be aggressively fought CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2 | NEWS Wednesday, April 30, 2014

FIRS nets N418 billion in first quarter From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE Federal Inland Revenue T Service (FIRS) says it received a total non-oil tax collection of N418 billion in the first quarter this year. This is shortfall of N140 billion against the projected target of N558 billion.

These disclosures were made yesterday in Owerri by the Acting Executive Chairman of the service, Alhaji Kabir M. Mashi, in his speech during the opening ceremony of the Eastern Region’s Regional Management meeting held at the All Seasons Hotel, Owerri, Imo State capital.

Mashi said the non-oil tax collection profile dropped from N155 billion in January to N133 billion in February, reducing further to N130 billion in March, a situation he advised that the tax officials in the agency in all parts of the country should re- double efforts.

“Unfortunately, our results so far this year have fallen short of our expected targets. For the first quarter of this year, we had a total non-oil collection of N418 billion against a target of N558 billion. This means that we already have a shortfall of N140 billion at this

stage of the year, which we must work very hard to cover”, he said.

The FRIS boss also lamented: “If we do well, good. Our salaries are at stake. All we want to do is to accept the challenges and I mean it. In a responsible manner, please, live by example.”

According to him, in the meeting attended by the Coordinating Director, Bamidele Ajayi, and others in charge of other states, the focus before them would be anchored on eight key areas - “audit arrears and debt enforcement, tax exemption, evasion of rental taxes, taxing high net worth transactions, registration, filing and utilising communication as a means of enforcing compliance.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Police quiz Amaechi’s aide From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt OLICE in Rivers State have interrogated the Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha, for alleged destruction of Nigerian flag hoisted in Obio/Akpor Local Council Area ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s planned visit to the state this weekend.

Okocha’s interrogation was based on a petition dated April 23, 2014, and titled: “Desecration, abuse, removal and damage of Nigerian flag, PDP flag and Obio/Akpor local council flag by agents of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and APC members, Rivers State chapter”, by Emma

P

Utchay.

The Guardian gathered in Port Harcourt that Okocha, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was invited by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, for questioning based on the allegation.

The petitioner, who is also legal adviser to the Obio/Akpor Council PDP, alerted that the destruction of the PDP and Nigerian flags has caused serious apprehension among his party members. He said except security agents adequately interrogate the motive, this action, which has already trigged disaffection, might eventually snowball into serious mayhem.

A Police source told The Guardian that Okocha reported to the Port Harcourt headquarters yesterday afternoon and was interrogated by men of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) for over one hour. Details of the interrogation could not be ascertained as at press time.

Ogunsakin confirmed that Okocha was invited by the police based on the petition sent to the Command by Utchay.

Chairman of the state APC, Davies Ikanya, described the allegation for which Okocha was quizzed as false and spurious. He said no APC member was involved in the destruction of flags belong-

ing to another political party or the Nigerian flag. He told journalists that the allegation might be part of a scheme by PDP to destroy APC billboards in state.

“We wish to state that no member of the APC was involved in the destruction of Nigerian flag or PDP flag anywhere in the state, including the PDP office in Obio/Akpor.

If you look at our state secretariat and our offices in the local councils, you will see that Nigerian flags are conspicuously mounted there.

So, the allegation by the PDP that they saw some people at night removing Nigerian and APC flags is spurious and frivolous”, he said.

Lawmakers ask FG to seek foreign assistance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to the level insurgents will call for dialogue with the Federal Government.

His words: “The people we are dealing with are not local, they know what they want.

They are not terrorists; they are insurgents. I have been at the fore-front of those saying we must dialogue with them but I think we must take this battle to where the insurgents will beg for dialogue and we cannot do this unless we co-operate with the military”.

Mark, who expressed belief that there is an external connection to the insurgency, noted that if the local environment has not been conducive, they would not have been successful in their activ-

ities.

On the adopted girls, Mark urged the military to adopt the habit of briefing the nation daily on their efforts at rescuing them. He also expressed fear that the oncoming Economic Forum would be devoted to discussing the issue of abducted girls rather than economic matters.

“What has happened in Chibok can happen anywhere because these are people who are prepared to die. We have our different constituencies but we must appeal to our people.

“The military is not getting it right on information management. The nation ought to be briefed daily on the actions that the government is taking to rescue these girls.

“I believe there is external connection to the insurgency because this is not normal. Unless the local environment is conducive, terrorism and insurgency cannot succeed. The world is such a small global village now and Nigeria should not be ashamed to ask for assistance. We must see it as a national challenge and work together to see that Nigeria survives. When the Economic Forum opens, they are not going to discuss economy but the 234 girls”.

In a unanimous resolution, the Senate urged the Federal Government and all security agencies to intensify efforts at immediate rescue of the abducted students of the Federal Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

It also urged the government and the security agencies to seek the co-operation and aid of UN, ECOWAS and other countries as well as international security institutions to deploy advanced technology and dialogue towards rescuing the adopted children safely.

While praying for safe release of all the abducted children, the chamber also resolved to have a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan for more frank talk on security matters.

They also mandated government at all levels to provide adequate security for schools in their respective areas.

Taking advantage of the privilege enjoyed in the chamber, the three senators from Borno State revealed what they knew about the operational bases of the in-

surgents.

The senator representing Borno Central, Ahmad Zanna, testified thus: “I have been in constant touch with the security agencies, telling them the developments, the movement of the girls from one place to the other and then the splitting of the girls and eventually the marriage of these girls by the insurgents.

“What bothers me most is that whenever I inform them where these girls are, after two to three days, they will be moved from that place to another and still, I will go back and inform them that see, this is what is happening. “ I lost hope two days ago when I found out that some of the girls were moved to Chad and Cameroun. Actually, some of them moved through the Mandara Mountain that is in Gwoza, which is just a stone throw from their barracks. Even now as I am talking with you, they are in Cameroun because it is in Kolofata, which is in Cameroun, about 15 kilometres or even less to the borders. Because one of the insurgents called somebody in Bama and said I just got married and said I am now settling in Kolofata. Three or four days ago, some Fulani men reported that they saw some girls being taken by boats into the Island in Lake Chad and that some of them happened to be between Marte and Mungonu. Those ones might still be within Nigeria but that is the current and new base of the insurgents.

They just took over that place less than a week and that village is called Chikungudua.

The place is the constituency of Senator Maina Marji.

“I informed the security agents about the situation and from that place, they can just go into the Lake and to either Chad or Cameroun because it is very open. There are no weeds in the lake and so, they can go to anywhere”.

According to him, the insurgents have “snatched all the boats around that area, including the one for NNPC and so they are free to go anywhere without being chased by anybody. There are about 40 Islands there and they have ejected most of the occupants and have occupied the islands.

“What is most disturbing is that hitherto, Sambisa was

their base and is well known to the military and Nigerian security. After the abduction of those girls, they have started moving out of that Sambisa and even before then, I have been discussing with the military and they said they were going to attack that place about 15 or 20 days ago. I don’t know what delayed them. But eventually, when they launch the attack, all the insurgents would have gone out of the place.

Senator Mark expressed the seriousness of the security situation when he noted that “there is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the government beyond the imposition of a state of emergency is urgently required in this circumstance. This is an option we must consider now.

“It is obvious that we are dealing with insurgents and well funded nihilists who are determined to violently trample upon the secularity of the Nigerian State and destroy the country.

“A modern, vibrant, progressive, multi-ethnic, multireligious Nigeria is an anathema to them. Because they are fired by zealotry and extremism, they are not likely to be swayed by overtures of any kind. We must henceforth shift from fighting terrorism to fighting insurgency”.

Mark admonished the government to immediately identify the sponsors of Boko Haramand bring them to justice.

“The Government must do all it can to immediately identify the sponsors and the source of funds to the terrorists and the insurgents. In this connection, nobody who is implicated, no matter how highly placed, should be treated as a sacred cow”.

Biyo said unless President Goodluck Jonathan urgently orders the destruction of the Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram insurgents would continue to have a base in the North-East to terrorise and launch their deadly attacks against Nigerians.

According to him, the Sambisa forest which harbours wild animals is a den for the terrorists in his constituency, where darkness, due to its

thickness and strong vegetation cover, has made it difficult for the soldiers to track and deal with the terrorists in the forest.

The rescue of four additional girls has brought to a total of 47 of them who have been saved from the hands of the insurgents, as 43 of them escaped last week from the Boko Haram camps in Sambisa Forest, leaving 187 still held hostage.

Monguno is a border town with Chad and 134 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital.

A security source yesterday in Maiduguri said: “Four of the missing school girls were rescued by some good Samaritans in a village of Monguno Council on Sunday before they were handed over to security operatives in Maiduguri yesterday evening.

“Four abducted school girls who were smuggled out of Sambisa Forest to Monguno were in the last few days rescued by villagers. The girls who looked traumatised and frustrated were sighted around the outskirts of Monguno. Only one of them managed to talk, saying “we are students’ writing our final year exams in Chibok but were kidnapped by unknown gunmen, and that when four of us developed serious illnesses while being conveyed to unknown destination, we were later abandoned by our captors in the bush, before we were rescued by villagers.”

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, called for concerted efforts by the government to secure the nation’s land borders, airports and seaports to check the infiltration of illegal arms as well as illegal migrants into the country.

He specifically urged the Nigerian Air Force to ensure air surveillance of the borders to monitor human and other activities going on in the areas in order to address the problem of insurgency.

Speaking when he visited the office of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) yesterday in Abuja, Oritsejafor called for the release of the school girls abducted by the members of the Boko Haram sect so that they can return safe and sound to reconcile with their families.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

News Jonathan sacks Gulak From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has sacked his Political Adviser, Ahmed Gulak. The sack is with immediate effect.

A statement yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, said President Jonathan thanked Gulak for his services to the present administration and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Though no official reason was given for the action, The Guardian learnt that the action might not be unconnected with the disagreement with Akwa Ibom State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where Gulak reportedly went to Akwa Ibom to inaugurate Goodluck Support Group (GSG) allegedly to the discomfiture of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

ASUU opposes planned subsidy removal From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan EMBERS of the Academic M Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday stressed that the on-going insistence by the Federal Government on the removal of fuel subsidy would continue to meet stiff resistance from Nigerians if knotty issues surrounding the petroleum industry are not resolved.

National Treasurer of ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu, who

issued the warning while delivering a lecture, “Clamour for fuel subsidy removal: In whose interest?”, at the PreMay Day lecture organised by the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan, described government’s plan to remove fuel subsidy as illadvised.

According to him, subsidy cannot be removed from fuel without tackling other policy and socio-economic issues,

which can re-ignite the faith of Nigerians in their leaders.

“The starting point of this would be the removal of opacity, which has become second nature to oil business in Nigeria, albeit a general characteristic of the business all over the world. This could only be achieved through government’s accountability to its citizens”, he noted.

Wondering why government should expect the public to support fuel subsidy removal

in the face of the mistrust the people had in the current leadership, Aremu queried: “Is it possible for the government to give a near estimate of the crude oil being explored in Nigeria on daily, weekly or other such periodic basis?

“Can Nigerians be made aware of the amount of money invested in refining the crude oil being produced? Can the memorandum of understanding between the international oil companies and the

Edo youths protest non-inclusion in NDDC Board From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City RAFFIC flow to Benin Airport was obstructed yesterday morning as some angry Edo youths threatened to shut down Federal Government’s establishments in Benin City over non-appointment of a representative from Edo State into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board.

In another development, a group, Niger Delta AntiCorruption Network (NIDAN), staged a peaceful protest round the streets of the city, demanding that government at all levels should adopt an open-budget system that would allow Nigerians access information on “revenues that are collected, the amount of funds allocated to different types of spending, and how international donor assistance and other public resources are used”.

Spokesperson for the group, Iyamu Osaro, said: “We are here to urge President Goodluck Jonathan to give us Edo State NDDC commissioner within 21 days and failure to do so, we would barricade all Federal Government’s parastatals.

We are saying the era when politicians played with development is over. Other states have got their commissioners, why is Edo different? We call on the President to immediately do the needful”.

T

INEC rules out e-voting for 2015 polls Requires 750,000 ad-hoc staff From Karls Tsokar, Abuja S preparations for the 2015 A general elections gets underway, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the adoption of electronic voting system for the process.

The body also disclosed that it requires 750,000 ad-hoc staff to beef up its staff strength.

While making a presentation to the Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters yesterday in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Operations, Nuru Yakubu, said electronic voting system would have being good for the process but for legal constraints, the body would not adopt it at least for the next general elections.

He said, “we are Prohibited by law to use machines to conduct elections but the commission would use technology to monitor the process.

He also hinted that the commission would recruit 750,000 ad-hoc staff nationwide to participate in the 2015 general elections, more than the number recruited in the previous process.

When asked if there would not be complaints and legal issues caused by the ad-hoc staff to contend with, as experienced in the last process, he said the body is working out other modalities to curtail or bring to the barest minimum such concerns.

Yakubu also acknowledged that the ad-hoc staff sometimes because of the short time frame given for their training/orientation, cannot be allowed to work unsupervised, but he noted that using different modern techniques, the process would be properly and strictly monitored.

He also said the commission would start the issuance of permanent voters cards by May 24th 2015 to further combat rigging.

Nigerian government be made public with the rules of engagement stated in black and white?”

“These are some of the important questions to be asked in ensuring that subsidy removal would become accepted by Nigerians and yield the desired effect. But such a move can only be supported by the citizens if this were a people’s government”, the ASUU boss submitted.

Executive Director, Nollywood Movies Award, Dipo Winsala (right); Executive Director, Nollywood Movies Award, Alfred Sorah, Meida specialties to the award, Michael Adeyanju and Titilola Odufuye, at the Press conference on Nollywood Movies Award Centenary Edition in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Mohammed Abacha’s absence stalls trial over alleged N446.3b theft From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja TTEMPT by the Federal A Government to arraign the son of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Mohammed Abacha, for allegedly receiving about N446.3 billion believed to have been stolen by his father yesterday suffered a setback due to his illness.

But when the charge number was called up yesterday, the accused person for the second time did not show up

in court for his arraignment, although he was represented in court by another lawyer this time, Mr. R.O. Atabo who blamed his absence on illhealth.

He tendered a medical report to support his claim.

The report, which was read by the prosecution counsel, Daniel Enwelum, said Mohammed was suffering from blood pressure, severe back pains and headache and needed two weeks bed rest.

In view of the development, Atabo sought an adjournment to enable his client recuperate and take his plea.

According to Atabo, “we acknowledged the fact that the accused has been served in accordance with the undertaking of Abdullahi Haruna. However, we wish to inform the court that about four days ago, the accused person took ill and has to be rushed to hospital.

“So, the absence of the

accused person today is neither deliberate nor an attempt to frustrate his trial. I have confided with the prosecution counsel and in support of my application, we have a medical report to attest to the medical fitness of the accused person. In the light of this, we seek the indulgence of the court to grant us an adjournment to a favourable date when the accused can come for his arraignment.”

Three factional chairmen emerge at Ebonyi APC congress Ebonyi Deputy Speaker, two others suspended From Nnamdi Akpa, Abakaliki.

HE crisis rocking Ebonyi State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) took a turn for the worse yesterday following the emergence of three factional state chairmen of the party in state congress.

Also yesterday, the Deputy Speaker and member representing Afikpo South East, Blaise Orji, the member representing Afikpo South West Uduma Chima and the representative of,

T

Ohaukwu North constituency, Frank Onwe were suspended by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

The APC congress, which took place in three different locations in Abakaliki, the state capital saw the emergence of Elder Sam Igwe as the chairman and Mr. Ebere Bernard as secretary from of one congress conducted at the stadium.

Mr. Patrick Igwe and Prince Chima Otu emerged as chairman and secretary

from another factional election while the third election was held at the state party secretariat.

Heavily armed policemen and an Armored Personnel Carrier blocked the road leading to the party office.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 500 members of the APC in the state had gone on peaceful protest against the leadership of the state congress committee over alleged fraudulent activities and bias in the conduct of the congresses in

the state.

A chieftain of the party, Elder Sam Igwe, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, accused the committee of allegedly having been compromised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said they were against the state congress since the results of some local council congresses were still inconclusive.

The House sited insubordination and attempt to cause disaffection between

the Legislature and the Executive as reasons for suspending the Deputy Speaker and the others.

Moving the motion for the suspension, Ogbonnaya Nwifuru representing Izzi West Constituency and member from Ikwo South, Chike Ogiji said the actions of the trio were capable of disrupting the wheel of progress in the state.

The Speaker put the motion to voice vote and it was unanimously adopted.

4

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Cleric wants northern soldiers posted home over insecurity From Lawrence Njoku Enugu RCHBISHOP of Enugu A Province, His Grace, Emmanuel Chukwuma has said that the fight against Boko Haram could be better handled by security officials of northern origin and suggested their posting to the area.

Speaking during his 25 years of Episcopacy and 60th birthday celebration, held in Enugu on yesterday, he stated that the security officials of northern origin were conversant with the terrain and the hideouts of the insurgents than their counterparts from other parts of the country.

He said: “I am calling on the Federal Government, particularly the President of this nation to begin right now to deploy all northern officers

to go and fight Boko Haram in their areas because they know the terrain. They should go and fight their brothers and restore peace in the area.”

He recalled that when the late dreaded armed robber Lawrence Aninih was terrorizing Edo State, the government sent security operatives from the state to arrest the notorious robber, adding that the efforts of the government yielded fruits as Aninih was swiftly apprehended by his security agents, who were his kinsmen.

The cleric also stressed the need for relevant authorities to spend security votes for security people, stressing that it is when the funds do not get to them that those of them in the check points make the roads porous.

He expressed dismay over the degree of corruption in the country and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to tackle the ugly development even as he insisted the politicians of today must be put on their toes.

He thanked the almighty God that he celebrated his five years of Episcopacy and 60th Birthday when he was elevated as Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Province, adding that the projects that they have done in the church were evidence of what God has done in his ministry.

Chukwuma said that though he faced challenges and difficulties he was able to overcome them through the support and wisdom from God and thanked all his friends and well wishers for the contributions in his ministry.

OVERNORRauf Aregbesola G of Osun State yesterday de- Aregbesola decries dwindling cried reduction in federal allocations to the state by 40 per cent in recent times.

In his speech during a twoday economic summit organised by Peoples’ Welfare League (PWL), entitled “Orisun Aje 2014: Crux of Economic Developmental Masterplan” to critique the economic activities in the state and the radical development of the state, Aregbesola said no Nigerian had any reason to be poor in view of the enormous resources available in the country.

He averred the importance of developmental economics, adding that his administration had performed excellently in this regard by impacting on the people of the state through thoughtful programmes of his government.

Also, the National Co-ordinator of PWL, Mr. Abiodun Agboola, at the summit said the available indices about economic activities in Osun State had clearly shown that the state had moved up the ladder of economic development.

He said that the recent classification of Osun State by the

federal allocations to Osun

Aregbesola National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Renaissance Capital, an international financial rating agency, as the seventh largest economy in Nigeria was an indication that the state was in the “first row of developed economies” in the country.

According to him, the useful

NMA chides politicians on poor health care, budgeting Wants speedy implementation of planned intervention fund, Office of Surgeon-General

By Chukwuma Muanya OCTORS under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have blamed the poor health indices recorded in the country on lack of political commitment by political leaders at different levels of government.

They also called on Nigerians to vote for health con-

D

scious Nigerians who appreciate the veritable relationship between health and development and who truly appreciate the need to promote their health rights.

NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, yesterday at a valedictory press conference ahead of the Association’s 54th Annual General Conference and Annual Delegates

Meeting (AGC/ADM) billed for Benin City from April 30 to May 4, 2014, also called for the quick implementation of the proposal for establishment of a Health and Hospital Development and Intervention Fund (HHDIF) and the Office of Surgeon-General of the Federation, as well as other proposals to strengthen the healthcare system.

Enabulele, who is also the Vice President (WAR), Commonwealth Medical Association, said: “Undoubtedly, after 100 years of existence, Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system is still grappling with lots of challenges attributable to several factors. In virtually all national conversations on how to develop the Nigerian state,

health is hardly put in the front burner. The elites only remember the importance of health when they fall ill and have need for the services of medical doctors, most of whom are daily exiting the shores of Nigeria as a result of unsatisfactory government policies, poor workplace conditions/conditions of service.”

Work on 2nd Niger Bridge in progress, says ministry From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja ONTRARY to media reports C that works on the Second River Niger Bridge have been suspended due to non-compliance with environmental laws, the Federal Ministry of Works yesterday debunked the claim, saying it was inaccurate information.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the Director in charge of Information in the ministry, Mr. Bisi Agbonhin, noted that the JB-NMIC Consortium has assured that compliance with Nigerian Environmental Laws is of priority and that Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was an intrinsic part of the

early works, which is being carried out in compliance with the Environmental Laws of Nigeria.

He added that under an Early Works Arrangement, the nominated EPC contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has commenced full mobilisation to site and timely execution of scheduled activities as antici-

pated.

The statement reads: “Contrary to recent reports, work on the Second River Niger Bridge project progresses according to schedule, ensuring timely completion of the bridge, which is set to be executed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concessional period of 25 years through the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

“The Ministry is working with the Julius Berger-NSIA Motorways Investment Company (JBNMIC) Consortium, preferred bidder for the development of

the Second River Niger Bridge project, to ensure timely execution of the project”.

According to Agbonhin, the ministry had, during the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighted that the planned bridge was a landmark project and part of the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration”.

He assured the people of the South-East geo-political zone and Nigerians who are beneficiaries of this critical national infrastructure, of the Federal Government’s resolve to actualise it.

indices emanating from the state were responsible for the decision of the league to do a thorough critique of the economy with a view to finding out the veracity of NBS’ rating as well as the impact of the economy on the people of the state.

While explaining some of the key issues for deliberations at the summit, the national co-ordinator noted that discussants would x-ray the working formula of Aregbesola’s administration and the impacts of his economic formula on the people of the state.

“My group has been on ground critiquing budgets of the successive governments in the last few years, because we believe that budget, when passed into law, is one law that must be obeyed through administration of resources at appropriate places, and now we have pushed it to the economic summit, because there are indicators and indices to judge the performance of Aregbesola’s administration in the last 41 months,” he stressed.

One of the co-chairmen of the summit, Hassan Sunmonu, said the summit was timely in view of its capacity to open the state to outside world through unbiased critique of the state’s economy, adding that Osun State had every resource to develop and become the best economy in the country.

According to the former trade unionist and Secretary General of Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), any economy that refused to have any meaningful impact on the people was not a good economy, saying that developmental economics should identify the needs of the masses, meet the needs and chart a way forward for further development.

Nigeria restates commitment to be top cement exporter From Charles Akpeji, Gombe HE Nigeria government T has again expressed its readiness not only to become the largest producer of cement globally but as well establish the largest cement manufacturing industry in the world next year.

This was disclosed yesterday in Gombe State by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the ground-breaking ceremony for the expansion of the production line of Ashaka Cement located in the state. He assured that government would continue to provide the enabling environment for investors.

He was represented by the Minister for Trade Industries and Investment, Olusegun Aganga at the occasion.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to the sustenance of the cement and housing sectors by providing the enabling environment for a healthy competition among manufacturers.

Stressing that investment will be encouraged in the North-East zone of the country that has suffered a lot from insurgency.

The President also commended the state governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, for sustaining peace in the state; a factor which he said is responsible for remarkable achievements by investors, especially those operating small and medium scale industries.

On his own part, Dankwambo also showered gratitude on Ashaka Cement

Company for executing projects that improve the living standards of villages surrounding it.

He assured that the state government would continue to provide adequate security and support, to enable the company succeed.

Earlier, the Chairman of the cement company, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga said the operations of the company were focused on providing creative and qualitative solutions to the building needs of Nigerians, as well as developing the economy.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Kwairanga said the company has invested in its host community in sectors like health, water supply, education, infrastructural development.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 NEWS | 5

Abubakar, Fasola, Dangote, others offer recipe for peace, progress

By Kamar Tayo Oropo, Ajibola Amzat and Gbenga Salau NSECURITY in Nigeria Ilitical can be mitigated if poleadership and fol-

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Channels Television, John Momoh (left); Managing Director and Chief Executive, Airtel, Segun Ogunsanya, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, founder/Chief Executive Officer, Cable Newspaper Limited, Simon Kolawole, Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Chairman, Senate Committee of Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, Thisday Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena, during the announcement of the arrival of Nigeria’s online newspaper in Lagos yesterday.

‘Smugglers killed 46 Custom officers in 2013’ From: Karls Tsokar Abuja OT less than 46 officers of the Nigerian Custom Service were killed by smugglers in 2013, even as the agency urged the Federal Government to reduce the cost of tariff paid on imported rice to check smuggling as well as improve revenue for the nation.

Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko said this yesterday in Abuja while making presentations to the Conference Committee on Finance, said smuggling activities has risen to an unprecedented level due to the desperation of Nigerians to bring in the heavily taxed im-

N

• Comptroller General urges govt to reverse high tariff on imported rice ported rice, whilst making their profit.

Dikko said “there is need to make our taxes on rice more reasonable, so that there would be no need to smuggle. Because when taxes are high, people would want to evade it...but when they are reasonable, compliance level would be high and the income would increase.”

He said last year, with more than 200,000 trailer loads of rice seized by the service valued at N1.35 billion, it implies a huge revenue loss for the nation as these foreign rice is imported by countries bordering

Nigeria, through which it is smuggled into Nigeria. And the porous nature of the country’s borders contributes to the challenge of controlling the influx of these goods or tracking them to collect the necessary tariffs required.

As if to corroborate this, Conference Committee on Finance, Adamu Aliero said as a farmer, he is aware that indigenous farmers and millers of rice cannot satisfy the local demand in Nigeria, so relieving the heavy burden of taxation on rice would be better for the economy.

Aliero said “the 110% duty placed on rice is very unwise, because our neighbours have cashed in on this and lowered their tariff, and as at a point there was 30 ships loaded with rice waiting to berth in Benin Ports. That rice is coming to Nigeria but the revenue is going to that country as parboiled rice is eaten only in Nigeria on this side of the continent.

“It is killing our local millers as the capacity and quality of rice is different. We have advised the Minister of Agriculture that the tariff should be re-

Ogonis seek Rivers’ governorship slot in 2015 From: Ann Godwin Port Harcourt and Charles Ogugbuaja Owerri NITED States of America U Chapter of the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has lamented that as important as Ogoni is in the ethnic calculations in Rivers State, the nationality has not produced a governor, deputy governor or speaker of the house of assembly.

The group in a seven point communiqué issued at the end

• Monarchs decry neglect of Imo oil communities of its meeting in Atlanta-Georgia urged the state and the political groups to rectify the anomaly during the 2015 election by allowing the Ogonis to produce the next governor of the state.

According to the communiqué signed by the National Coordinator, ODM-USA, Godwin Kpea, “Political parties in Nigeria, stakeholders of political groups, and party chieftains who are in-

terested in governorship position in Rivers State should invoke an Ogoni candidature in its primary election to enjoy the benefit of Ogoni votes in 2015.

“We will never allow the world and in particular other Rivers State ethnic nationalities to cheat us anymore as we hold to keep our destinies in our cling fists. ODM stakeholders appeal to Ogonis in the Continental USA to support this campaign

because it is just and realistic.

“The high intellectual capacity of Ogonis in the USA will be harnessed to realise this aspiration.

Ogonis are urged to deploy every resource available to achieve this noble and achievable cause. Considering the obvious marginalization of Ogonis in the political scheme since the creation of Rivers State in 1967, the 2015 governorship election must produce an Ogoni as governor.

Shock, grief as filmmaker Amaka Igwe dies at 51

By Chuks Nwanne and Shaibu Husseini HE entire art community T was yesterday thrown into mourning over the death of renowned filmmaker, Amaka

Late Igwe

Igwe, who passed on Monday night in Enugu at the age of 51.

A statement issued by her production outfit, Amaka Igwe Studios, said the sad incident occurred in her hometown, Obinagu, Udi LGA, Enugu State, where she had gone in company with her husband, for pre-production preparations for a new Igbo soap.

The Nollywood icon was said to have suffered an asthma attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital after initial interventions had failed. Unfortunately, she passed on.

Though the late filmmaker and her entire family are still in Enugu, their Lagos home was besieged by stakeholders in the motion picture industry, entertainers and actors, especially those who had the

opportunity of working with the late filmmaker in the past.

“It was a shock for all of us hearing the news; we spoke last night. This is one woman, who gave a lot to people around her. I remember our first meeting about seven years ago in Abuja, during the yearly BoB Tv; since then, I’ve been working with her till date. To be honest with you, I m shocked by this sad news; I wish someone would wake me up later to say ‘it was a dream,” one of the producers, Chris Ihidero said.

A Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), Mrs. Igwe is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, an aged mother, siblings and extended family.

A visionary and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama

and film, she hit national limelight as the writer and producer of award-winning TV soap, Checkmate and its offshoot Fuji House of Commotion. Her works include RattleSnake and Violated, two critically acclaimed movies that set apart Amaka Igwe Studios in the much-criticized Nollywood industry.

Amaka Igwe studied Education/Religion at the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University), with a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan. She had her early education at All Saints School (Now Trans Ekulu Primary School), Girls High School Awkunanaw, Enugu and Idia College, Benin. She worked as a lecturer at the Anambra State University of Technology and briefly in oil and gas before settling for the motion picture industry.

lowership shun ethnic politics fragmenting the nation and pursue national interest.

A former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and other dignitaries at the offered the launching of a new online newspaper, TheCable, an online medium, were near unanimous when proffering their roadmap to ways of achieving peace and progress amidst the current challenge of insecurity in the country.

Abubakar, who was the Father of the Day at the launching said, it is in the interest of every Nigerian to live in peace and make the nation prosper because they have no other country to go.

“We cannot continue to complain. We all need to be part of the solution.”

He said Nigerians could not afford to play politics when the issue of security is at stake.

“Politicians especially can learn from the United States where, after elections, the citizens identify themselves with America and do everything to defend the country. Politics should not be destructive.

Therefore Nigerians need to cooperate for a common progress of the country.”

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, one of the four discussants queried the assumption that the political class is largely responsible for the

setback of the country.

“Out of 160 million Nigerians, only about 72,000 citizens constitute the political class. So, how did it (underdevelopment) happen?”

Fashola said election days should be considered a day of revolution, but often times that is the day most Nigerians fail to come out to exercise their rights.

He charged professionals, especially, “to leave their comfort zone of private practice to seek public office because Nigeria needs a pool of talents from the private sector.

“We need a re-deployment of our human asset to public sector where it is more needed.”

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who sent in an electronic message, said Nigeria has done very well; but with good government, it can do better and government needs to put in place good policies to set the tone for economic prosperity. “Government need to lay the rule and facilitate enabling environment to help the private sector create jobs for Nigerians.”

Founder and CEO of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, described the country as a mix bag of the good, the bad and the ugly, adding that the representatives of the bad and the ugly overwhelm the former.

Founder and CEO of TheCable newspaper, Simon Kolawole said the newspaper is styled to “deliver knowledge-based journalism in the quest for Nigeria’s development. Our news and views will be based on fact and reason.”

6

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Police disperse protesting poly teachers in Abuja • FG to inaugurate committee on HND/BSc dichotomy From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja FFICERS of the Nigerian Police yesterday in Abuja teargassed polytechnic lecturers and their counterparts in colleges of education who stormed the city to protest the continued closure of the two arms of the nation’s tertiary institutions of learning.

The teachers, under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), converged on the parking lot of the Federal Secretariat, where the protest took off at about 7.am, amidst stern-looking policemen who had surrounded the environ, perhaps to halt the protest.

The protesting unions carried various placards with inscriptions such as “Wike Must Go,” “FG meet COEASU and ASUP demands”, “Government systematically killing Teacher-Education”, Give Us Good Luck in Our Sector,” and Teachers-Education Realisation of E.F.A Targets,” among others.

Lecturers from ASUP and COEASU have been on strike for 11 and five months respectively over demands, which they claimed government had failed to meet.

Efforts by the police to stop the procession were strongly rebuffed by the protesters who condemned the Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The protesters were initially guided by the police, but the procession turned violent after they were addressed by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu.

Armed police officers barricaded the road leading to the National Assembly Complex where the leaders of the unions had intended to drop a letter of

O

their grievance and shot water cannon and tear gas at them.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Development, Jude Imagwe, later arrived the scene to pacify the workers. He decried the action of the officers, saying: “This is embarrassing to this government. Don’t let us give this government a negative name. If this people’s mission is to go and drop their letter, let us guide them to drop their letter, please, so that in few minutes, we can leave this place. If their mission is to give the letter without disrupting anything, please; I beg you in the name of God, allow them to go.”

Wogu had earlier pleaded with the lecturers to remain calm, commending them for the peaceful protest and assuring that government was working to resolve the impasse soon.

President of COEASU, Emmanuel Asagha while addressing the protesters said: “For a long time, we have been marginalized, but now, we are gathering here to say no to imperialism. Whoever continues to toy with the future of the less privileged in this country, I want to assure you that he will pay for it.”

While speaking with journalists, ASUP President, Chibuzo Asomugha called for the cooperation of all Nigerians so that the two unions would achieve their purpose for embarking on the strike.

Meanwhile, the committee for the implementation of the white paper for the bridging of the gap between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) may be inaugurated next week.

The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists on efforts by the Federal Government to resolve the

Editor, The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja (left); President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Malam Murtala Aliyu; Secretary, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Jide Oke; Deputy President, Mrs. Mercy Iyotyer and Vice President, Adegbemibo Ogunfidodo, during a courtesy visit to The PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON Guardian’s Head Office, Rutam House, in Lagos…yesterday

Confab panel wants autonomy for state electoral bodies From Karls Tsokar and Terhemba Daka, Abuja

• Again, feud stalls decision on resource control

ITING the need to build C public confidence in State Independent Electoral Com-

tions just as it is provided in section 160 in respect of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The subcommittee refrained from setting tenure for local council officials and listing of composition of SIEC, on the grounds that it would not be ideal to make such provisions as it would undermine the principle of federalism.”

While debating however, Senator Mohammed Jibril strongly opposed the power of governors to appoint SIEC chairman, saying it will make the body very subservient to the state chief executive as it has being, thereby giving room to manipulation and other inconsistencies.

Festus Okoye intervened that “What should guide us is what would work for Nigerians. There are certain things that the Nigerians want them to remain at the centre. How come our governors, belonging to different political parties be united in insisting that the SIEC must remain. Its because at a certain level, all of them find the body useful in their control of the local government structure to enable them retain power at the state level, that is why all of them are united on this.

“Over 70 per cent of Nigerians insisted that they no longer want the state independent electoral commission during the electoral reform committee tour, the same thing replicated in the report of the National Assembly from their public hearing, that more than 80 percent of Nigerians don’t have confidence in the state electoral bodies. So why are the Nigerians insisting that despite everything, the federal system should remain but at the same time not comfortable with the power given to the states.”, he said He further justified that the offices of both the state and the federal electoral bodies are domiciled in the local governments, “for four yeas, they are redundant, they don’t normally do anything, so why should we continue

mission (SIEC) and to curb the overriding influence of governors , the National Conference Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters has recommended financial and operational freedom for the state body.

Again, emotions rose yesterday at the venue of the National Conference on the issue of Mines and Minerals which is item 39 of the constitution as the Committee on Devolution of Power could not resolved the matter, even after a two hour closed-door session.

The Committee co-chaired

by Iyorchia Ayu and Ken Nnamani recommended among others that “Financial independence of SIEC be granted and operational control should be removed from the hands of the governors”, as this has being the basis on which governors have continually exploited to affect election results to the advantage of their party.

Ayu said the decision to recommend that the state electoral bodies be taken out of the clutch of the governors is hinged on the pre-recommendations of the Olusegun Osoba led subcommittee.

The sub-committee reviewed the provisions of the constitution that relates to SIEC and local governments, sections 7, 197-204 and part 2 of the schedule 3 of the constitution. And accepted the existing provisions such as that SIEC members should be appointed for a term of five years, members to be appointed by governor subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly and removal with the approval of two thirds majority of the state assembly.

The sub-committee found that funding of SIEC to be on first line charge on the state revenue, and wants section 204 of the constitution to be amended to remove the requirement for governors approval in the regulation by SIEC of its own procedures and in the exercise of its func-

to maintain the same structures at the local government level.

“We should unbundle the INEC, we should find ways of integrating the functions of the SIEC into one central electoral management body and professionalise them so that we don’t have politicians running and disturbing them.”

Co-Chairman of the committee, Obong Victor Attah who briefed media at the end of the session said that the committee had a robust debate on the issue but could not reach an agreement on the matter, a development which forced an adjournment till today Deliberations at the Committee’s session were temporarily halted yesterday as some delegates disagreed with the decision of other members to leave the Concurrent Legislative List unaltered.

Specifically, the committee has a task to examine the Legislative List as contained in the 1999 Constitution with a view to determining which items should be altered in furtherance of the goal of reducing the perceived over concentration of powers at the centre.

It, on Monday concluded deliberations on the Exclusive List during which it retained Police Affairs contrary to the position of some members that it should be moved to the Concurrent List to enable the states establish their own police services.

But trouble started when the committee carried out a screening and retained all the 30 items on the Concurrent List. They were at the cusp of concluding the process when Chief Adeniyi Akintola, a delegate from Oyo State, raised a point of order to register a protest on the drift of the proceedings.

Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said it was absurd that a committee which was meant to facilitate the devolution of powers had succeeded in making little or no changes.

According to Akintola, the decisions of the committee had made nonsense of the whole idea of power devolution. He threatened to mobilize his fel-

low delegates of South West extraction to stage a walk out of the meeting and to refrain from endorsing the resolutions of the committee.

“Where is the power devolution? We said State Police, you brought in, INEC, you brought it in and you expect me to append my signature to it. No Yoruba man will append his signature to anything done here. I can tell you that. I think the best option is to walk out, “ Akintola said.

The development elicited angry reaction from some other conferees including Senator Ibrahim Mantu who asked Akintola to go home if he was no longer prepared to participate in the deliberations of the conference committee. Mantu said there was no justification for any delegate to draw the committee back after it had taken a decision on an item.

The development degenerated into a Ping pong affair between Mantu and Akintola as both conferees tried to shout on top of their voices in order to be heard.

“Concurrent List means that the state and the federal government can share powers on certain items. If you feel that the state can do better on any issue, then it can set up its own institution to carry out the responsibility but the federal government will not stop the state from doing anything on the shared list. I think we should adopt the position we have taken and move on. If anybody is not comfortable with the decision, then he can abstain when we come to passing the final resolutions.”

In the confusion, Attah and Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie tried to calm down frayed nerves. Attah reminded the delegates that the committee had done a lot of things but still has a lot of things to do.

He said it was unfortunate for any delegate to postulate that the committee has not achieved anything.

Attah allayed the fears of delegates who felt that not much alterations had been made on the Legislative List, arguing that both the state and federal governments could share responsibilities particularly in areas where the state lacks the manpower or expertise.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 NEWS | 7

Confab committee recommends civilian oversight of military State police won’t work in north-east, says Goni From Terhemba Daka and Karls Tsokar, Abuja O ensure greater efficiency T of the military, the Subcommittee on Defence Infra-

President, Nigeria Baptist Church Convection, Rev. Supo Ayokunle (left); representative of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Abuja, Rev. Israel Akanji at the Centenary celebration of Nigeria Baptist Convention in Ibadan.

PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

EFCC arrests six over N5.5 million bank fraud From Abosede Musari and Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested six suspects for alleged fraudulent transfer of N5.5 million from an account in Skye Bank, just as it listed the different ways that local council officials perpetrate fraud in the system.

In a statement to The Guardian yesterday, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, listed the suspects as Ademola Okunlola (36), Tajudeen Oluwanisola (41), Kolawole Adams (52), Temitope Pedro (27), Bayo Olowoyo (39) and Otunba Biodun Adebanjo (56).

Also, the EFCC on Monday in Abuja listed inflation of prices, over-estimation of project cost, award and subsequent abandonment of contracts as some of the ways local council officials engage in corruption.

Others are through ghost

T

Govt okays registration of procurement bureau contractors workers platform, outright payment of huge amounts to godfathers, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds. EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of a training programme for council officials at the commission’s academy in Karu.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has endorsed the efforts of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to sanitize bidding process in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, disclosed this at a forum for Federal Government’s contractors, consultants and other service providers in Abuja on Tuesday.

The BPP is currently registering contractors, consultants and service providers doing or intending to do business with federal agencies with a

view to classifying them according to size and competences.

In an address read on his behalf by a director in the Office of the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Olusola Moore, the minister said that companies that fail to register on the database would be excluded from government contract and might be jailed.

According to the statement, the suspects were picked up at different locations in Lagos by the agency’s operatives for allegedly fraudulently transferring the said sum from the account of one Ajani Kareem Musibau, domiciled in Skye Bank Plc, on March 3, 2014.

One of them and member of staff of the Ikeja branch of the bank, Okunlola, set the stage for the scam when he covertly used his camera phone to capture Musibau’s photograph and signature specimen, then accessed the victim’s account and sent the details to another member of

staff of the bank, Bayo Olowoyo, of Toyin Street, Ikeja branch.

Both reportedly sent the photograph and signature specimen to a member of their syndicate, who effected the money transfer into two accounts: N4.1 million to Adebajo Biodun Olusola’s account with Wema Bank, Shagamu, Ogun State, and N1.450 million into another account operated by Temitope Pedro with Guaranty Trust Bank, Ikeja branch.

The suspects were arrested following a petition by the bank and would be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.

Lamorde expressed gladness that the programme was holding again after it had been suspended for some time, pledging the commission’s commitment to ensuring that council officials were enlightened to avoid unknowingly breaching the law in their duties.

Nigeria to eradicate polio by end of year From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja

Seeks tighter border surveillance to check spread

RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has reiterated the Federal Government’s

tion with the Ministry of Health.

Represented by the Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Jonathan also called on state governors to continue to provide personal leadership for the pogramme in their states by requesting and reviewing monthly reports from council chiefs on the progress being made in their domains.

According to him, he has had meetings with governors over the past months to personally discuss the challenges being faced by the least performing councils and to forge ahead, while recognising states and traditional institutions that have done well in ensuring that children in the country are

commitment to eradicating polio transmission in the country by the end of this year.

The Federal Government has also started boosting surveillance and routine immunization in border communities while collaborating with border countries to prevent further spread of the virus from such countries as Cameroun, which just suffered an outbreak.

President Jonathan disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the Nigerian Polio Summit, themed: “Sustaining the End-game Strategy Tempo,” organized by Rotary International, in collabora-

immunized.

“My administration, through the Ministry of Health, the Polio Task Force and the Emergency Operational Centre of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, shall continue to drive this programme nationwide,” he assured.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that the required funding for the polio eradication programme is provided, and I am sure the Coordinating Minister for the Economy is doing her utmost best to ensure that all our pledges are fulfilled.”

Earlier in his remarks, the District Governor, District 9125, Rotary International, Mr. Felix Aninze, revealed

that as at the end of 2012, Rotary International has committed $120 billion towards the eradication of the scourge.

He regretted, however, that due to civil conflict and inadequate infrastructure, among others, the chance to eradicate polio was missed.

“We are not unaware of the end game challenges as the summit is to catalyse and exploit the opportunities available to firmly root out polio,” he said. “We hope that this time next year, we shall gather to receive certificate of polio eradication from the World Health Organisation.”

Also, the past president of Rotary International, Mr. Wilfred Wilkinson, warned that a successful fight against polio must have the full commitment of the government.

structure has recommended a civilian oversight of the Armed Forces, stating that the current situation should be discontinued.

The committee also believes that the current Armed Forces Act should be reviewed to eliminate all inconsistencies with the 1999 Constitution as amended, citing the benefit of enhanced morale and welfare of servicemen as reasons.

Meanwhile, the former Governor of Borno State and representative of former north-east governors, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, has said the current campaign for the establishment of state police to curb insecurity in the country, especially in the region, would be dangerous at this time, as the states involved do not have resources to manage state police.

Chairman of the sub-committee, Maj.-Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga, representing Benue State, spoke on Monday when his committee briefed the main committee on National Security on their findings and recommendations, stating that the reserve system for the Armed Forces should be activated.

The committee also urged caution while making appointments into offices of the service chiefs, insisting that seniority and merit should be ensured to minimize the possibility of crisis among officers.

It further recommended that the Armed Forces should be properly equipped and made readily deployable. To that end, it recommended “not less than 2.3 per cent of the GDP.” More so, funding of Armed Forces should be “on first line charge to ensure uninterrupted flow of funds consistent with requirements of absolute state of military preparedness.”

Also, the committee said there was need for the Legion

Act to be replaced with Federation Act, urging the Federal Government to urgently facilitate the payment of 36 months pension arrears, including the withheld 20 per cent owed veterans, without delay.

However, fielding questions at the venue of the National Conference on Monday, Goni cautioned against allowing “the centre to scatter.” He said: “I am conversant with the issue of police because when I was governor, I had come across a lot of conflicts with the Commissioner of Police in my place.

“In the constitution, it is provided that even if the commissioner is to take any action, agree or disagree with the governor, he has to be cleared by the Inspector General of Police, who of course will speak to the President, and if it is a political matter, they will have to clear it there.

Group prays for Nigeria, calls for selfless leadership

By Isaac Taiwo RUSTEES of the Christian T Laity Association of Nigeria held their 34 annual Nath

tional Prayer Breakfast at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on Monday, calling on Nigerian leaders across all strata of governance to put away selfishness and cater for the people that voted them into power instead.

Speaking at the forum, a trustee, Mrs. Modupe Otukoya, lamented that “only a few are feeding fat on the blessings God has endowed the whole nation with and continue to do it with impunity, without the fear of God.” She said the association started its prayer project during the civil war, when some Christians volunteered to be praying for Nigeria, and “at the end of the war, we decided that the fire of prayer would not die, so it has continued since then.”

8 | THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

PHOTONEWS

Vice President, Namadi Sambo (Left); Kaduna State Governor, Ramallan Yero (Middle), and Mr. Peter Obi, during his condolence visit to the vice president over the death of his younger brother, Captain Sabo Sambo, yesterday.

Director General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu (left); presents SON plaque to Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, during the working visit of the DG to the governor in Akure.

Senate President, Senator David Mark (left; couple, Fredrik Goran Skog, Labara Susan Ogbeha, (Middle), father of the bride, Senator Tunde Ogbeha (fourth right), and family members, during the traditional marriage of Labara Susan Ogbeha, daughter of Senator Tunde Ogbeha in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Prof. Wale Omole OFR; Pro-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, (left), presenting Integrity Award to the representative of the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Council, Lagos State, Comrade Irikefe Evwibovwe, and Basorun Dele Momodu, publisher, Ovation Magazine, during the 8th yearly Global Leaders of Integrity Merit awards in Accra, Ghana on Saturday.

Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas (Left); Business Development Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Daesung Ra, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Brovo Kim, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi, and Head of Operator Business, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Ololade Shonubi, at Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Premiere 2014 event in Lagos.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Abiara (left); Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Pastor-in-charge, Treasurehouse of God, Pastor Seye Senfuye, and his wife, Oluwayemisi, during a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

His Royal Highness, Oba Moshuood Osanyintola Alani, the 3rd, Olota of Ota-Awori land (right), Managing Director/Chief Executive, Intercontinental Distillers Ltd. Chief, Patrick Anegbe and his wife, Dorothy, during the coronation ceremony as Baase Maraya and Yeye Baase Maraya of Ota Awori land by Olota of Ota land, Ogun State. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Lets Go Fishing programme of The Redeemed Church of God, at Oke-Owo Somorin Parish, Ifako, Gbagada, parishioners conduct sanitation exercise in their host community as part of their corporate social responsibility in Lagos.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | 9

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

WorldReport Death sentences encourage instability,

Kenya legalises polygamy ESPITE criticism from choice, but male members of D women’s groups, a law al- parliament overcame party dilowing men in Kenya to marry visions to push through a text

RAN has warned that the Idown 683 death sentences handed by an Egyptian court to suspected Islamists could add to a deteriorating situation in the country.

The verdicts passed on Monday in Cairo amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi were condemned by the United States and the United Nations.

In remarks that expressed concern rather than all-out criticism, Iran’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham said the judgements went against Egypt’s historic principle of tolerance.

“Issuing such verdicts could have many social and political consequences and encourage Egypt’s enemies to exploit the current situation,” Afkham said at a news conference.

The White House said that the court’s decision defied “even the most basic standards of international justice,” calling for it to be reversed.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon was “alarmed” by the death sentences and feared they could have an impact on the entire region, his spokesman said.

Iran and Egypt broke off relations after the Islamic revolution in 1979, which was later followed by a peace treaty between Cairo and Israel.

During Morsi’s one year presidency, ties flourished between Egypt and Iran, on the belief in the Islamic republic that the ousted president would usher in an Islamic awakening.

However since Morsi’s ouster ties between Iran and Cairo’s interim military government have become frosty.

According to the United Nations, more than 170 people have been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2014.

French President, Francois Holande (left) with Angola’s President, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

EU should be ‘ashamed’ over sanctions, says Russia USSIA suggested yesterR day that the European Union should be ashamed of itself for “doing Washington’s bidding” by punishing Moscow with sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministry said the EU sanctions imposed on 15 Russian and proMoscow Ukrainian officials would not ease tension in Ukraine, where the government is struggling to rein in pro-Russian separatists in southeastern regions who it says are backed by Moscow.

“Instead of forcing the Kiev clique to sit at the table with southeastern Ukraine to negotiate the future structure of the country, our partners are doing Washington’s bidding with new unfriendly gestures aimed at Russia,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“If this is how someone in Brussels hopes to stabilize the situation in Ukraine, it is obvious evidence of a complete lack of understanding of the internal political situation ... and a direct invitation for the local neo-Nazis

• U.S. reviving ‘Iron Curtain’ policies, Moscow insists to continue to conduct lawlessness and reprisals against the peaceful population of the southeast,” it said in a statement. “Are they not ashamed?”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grigory Karasin said separately that U.S. and EU sanctions were “an absolutely counterproductive, trite measure that will force the already critical situation in Ukraine into a dead end,” state-run news agency RIA reported.

Russia and the West accuse one another of failing to take steps to implement an April 17 agreement to ease tension over Ukraine. Russia retaliated against visa bans and asset freezes imposed following its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region last month but has not yet announced any steps in response to the new sanctions unveiled by the United States and EU this week.

Meanwhile, Moscow has accused the U.S. of seeking to revive Iron Curtain policies,

Uganda to repatriate Congolese refugees GANDA will begin repatriU ating as many as 184,000 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refugees after a large number of them asked to go home, a junior minister told Reuters.

Thousands, fleeing violence in eastern Congo, have streamed over the border in the past few years, but in November, the Congolese army, backed by United Nations troops, crushed the

last major insurgency threatening to return the region to all-out conflict.

Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence since 1997 when rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda deposed Mobutu Sese Seko. The ensuing conflict killed millions and left hundreds of thousands as refugees in neighboring countries.

“We expect to begin this repatriation process soon... no one

‘No peace with Israel without defining borders’ HERE can be no peace T with Israel without first defining the borders of a future Palestinian President, Mahmud Abbas has said.

“Since the creation of Israel, nobody knows what the borders are. We are determined to know our borders and theirs, without that there will be no peace,” he said as

as many women as they want was signed into law yesterday

by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

A statement from the presidency confirmed that the bill, which it said “consolidates various laws relating to marriage”, had been signed into law.

The bill, which amended existing legislation, was passed by parliament last month to formalise traditional practice regarding marrying more than one person.

“Marriage is the voluntary union of a man and a woman, whether in a monogamous or polygamous union,” the presidential statement added.

The initial bill had given a wife the right to veto the husband’s

Washington’s nine-month deadline for reaching a peace deal expired, leaving the process in tatters.

In a televised address, Abbas laid out his conditions for returning to the crisis-hit peace talks with Israel which have made no progress since they were launched on July 29 last year.

will be forced although a lot of them have willingly expressed a wish to be returned to their country,” junior minister for disaster preparedness and refugees, Musa Ecweru, said.

Ecweru said officials from eastern Congo were in Kampala for discussions with the Ugandan government and UN refugee agency UNHCR on exactly when the repatriation would begin, and how the repatriation would be effected.

Congo and the UN plan to eradicate all insurgents in the country, and early this year they launched an offensive to defeat Ugandan Islamist rebel group, ADF-NALU, that has been sheltering in the region’s jungles since the mid 1990s.

Ecweru said Uganda wanted to avoid the dangerous journeys that some refugees have already made across Uganda’s Lake Albert, which straddles its border. Several boating accidents occur on the lake every year.

saying Washington’s latest sanctions over Ukraine would hurt bilateral cooperation in high-tech and space sectors.

While Russian officials acknowledged that the latest US sanctions would harm the country’s economy and said Moscow would retali-

ate, they also sought to maintain a facade of bravado, saying the measures would consolidate Russia and improve production.

“The seriousness of these measures is absolutely obvious to us,” Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with online newspaper Gazeta.ru.

that dropped this clause.

When the bill was passed last month, female members of parliament stormed out of the session in fury after a heated debate.

The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK), which groups more than 40 churches and Christian organisations from across the east African nation, has also spoken out against the bill.

The national Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) has also said it would mount a legal challenge against the law.

“We know that men are afraid of women’s tongues more than anything else,” female legislator Soipan Tuya told fellow MPs when the bill was passed.

“But at the end of the day, if you are the man of the house, and you choose to bring on another party, and they may be two or three, I think it behoves you to be man enough to agree that your wife and family should know,” she added.

As in many parts of Africa, polygamy is common among traditional communities in Kenya, as well as in the country’s Muslim community, which accounts for up to a fifth of the population.

10

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Politics THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE DEBATE

Deliberations of Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters Committee HE Committee on Citizenship, T Immigration and Related Matters commenced sitting on Tuesday, April 22 with 19 members in attendance.

The Chairman of the Committee, HRH (Dr.) Muhammad Zaiyanu Abdullahi, presided over deliberations.

The Committee deliberated on its theme, as well as the following ten (10) thematic and other related matters: 1. Movement of goods, persons and services 2. Citizenship and nationality 3. Integrated national database 4. Immigration and internal security 5. Multiple citizenship of Nigerians 6. Residency 7. Indigeneity and residency (indigenes/settlers dichotomy) 8. Refugee and asylum 9. Census 10. Border control.

It was unanimously resolved that the issue of internally displaced persons (IDP) should be included as one of the thematic issues.

Members adopted the merging of related thematic issues into three (3) groups as follows: 1. GROUP 1 a. Census b. Integrated national database 2. GROUP 2 a. Citizenship and nationality b. Residency c. Indigeneity and residency (indigenes/settlers dichotomy) d. Multiple citizenship of Nigerians 3. GROUP 3 a. Movement of goods, persons and services b. Immigration and internal security c. Border control d. Refugee and asylum e. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) The Committee resolved that deliberations on the thematic issues should be done among all members of the Committee and not by sub-committees.

The Chairman indicated intention to invite the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service to its meeting the following day; and requested that the Conference Secretariat avail the Committee of relevant Memoranda as received from the public ahead of its next meeting.

A member of the Committee, Hajiya Hauwa Bukar, had suggested that the Committee should devolve into subcommittees to accommodate the various thematic issues but most of the members preferred the grouping of related thematic issues and subsequent deliberation of the issues by all members.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi suggested that the thematic issues be merged into three (3) or four (4) groups.

Similarly, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN) proposed that the issues should be captured in five (5) groups and that members should contribute papers on each issue as may be assigned to them.

Mr. John Dara also made a proposal of three (3) groups for the thematic issues. Dr. Bilkisu Magoro and Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi made suggestions on which thematic issues should be grouped together.

During the general discussion of the thematic issues, Mr. Atedo Peterside advised that the Committee should collectively deliberate on each thematic issue rather than create subcommittees to do so.

Chief (Mrs.) Nkechi Mba, Justice Mohammed Uthman (Rtd), Dr. Garba Ibrahim and Hon. Umar Kareto Lawan also supported the general discussion

Cross-section of the committee of thematic issues.

Aminu Mahmud advised that the Committee should evolve a work plan to accommodate all outlined thematic issues and ensure structured deliberations.

Prof. Olawale Albert suggested that the Committee should identify issues of utmost importance and deliberate on them in line with the respective professional competence of each member.

Barrister Anthony Akika in his contribution noted that some of the thematic issues seem non-contentious and advised that the Committee should prioritise deliberations on more contentious issues.

Dr. Magoro and Hajiya Ladi Ibrahim both suggested that the Committee should review recommendations of previous Conferences and Panels, which are related to its current theme.

Similarly, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife noted that the 1993 and 2005 Conferences, as well as the report of the Alfa Belgore Committee would be handy in this regard.

Dr. Garba Ibrahim requested that the Conference Secretariat should forward to the Committee all received memoranda relating to its theme. He also advised the Committee to be circumspect in extending invitations to relevant stakeholders like Service Chiefs, etc., in order not to encroach on other Committees with priority need to invite such persons.

Prof. Albert advised that the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) be included among the thematic issues but should be considered differently from the issue of Refugees.

He noted that the country is challenged more by the increasing number IDPs than the latter.

The Chairman agreed to the inclusion of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a thematic issue and endorsed the merging of related thematic issues into three (3) groups as follows: GROUP 1 i. Census ii. Integrated national database GROUP 2 i. Citizenship and nationality ii. Residency iii. Indigeneity and residency (indigenes/settlers dichotomy) iv. Multiple citizenship of Nigerians GROUP 3 i. Movement of goods, persons and services ii. Immigration and internal security iii. Border control iv. Refugee and asylum v. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) The Deputy Chairman of the

Committee, Dr. Chidimma Uwajimogu, deferred to an advice by Mr. Atedo Peterside that the Committee should, in the consideration of its thematic issues, determine where the country needs to get to, where the country is now and how the country can get to where it wants to be with regard to the various thematic issues.

She opined that these should guide the Committee in articulating and executing its work plan.

At its resumed sitting on Wednesday, the Committee, while deliberating on movement of goods, persons and services: • Considered the implications of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.

• Decried the lack of documentation of movement of persons, goods and services across the borders and constraints to free movement within the country.

• Recognised the need for government to improve infrastructure that would enhance free movement of persons, goods and services, especially road, railway and water transportation.

And on the issues of Citizenship and Nationality, it resolved to make appropriate recommendations, which may include advice for amendment of relevant sections of the Constitution; as well as to urge government to be more responsive to citizens as a means to enhancing patriotism and civic responsibility.

On Integrated National Database and Census, the Committee: • Decried the lack of an integrated national database despite advancement in electronic technology.

• Conceded that a well-maintained national database would ensure a reliable census for the country.

• Considered the responsibilities of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

• Considered suggestions that government should incentivise the issuance of National ID Cards to enroll more Nigerians.

• Resolved to make recommendations for State and Government agencies to vertically and horizontally integrate relevant data for multiple usage.

On Immigration and Internal Security, the Committee expressed concern over lapses in border control.

While resolving to make recommendations for improved funding of the Immigration Service and adequate training of its personnel, it considered suggestions to recommend for the establishment of Special Border Control Posts to address current border security challenges.

On the issue of multiple citizenship, the Committee aligned with extant constitutional provisions on multiple citizenship, but carefully considered

the implications of recommending that indigeneship be granted to Nigerians resident outside their States of origin.

It proposed to recommend that Nigerians, who seek to become indigenes of their places of residence, may be compelled to renounce their indigeneship of any other area in the country.

The Committee considered a proposal to recommend that to avoid conflicts, a Nigerian, who may change indigeneship, may not aspire to head Traditional Institutions at their new area(s) of indigeneship.

It also proposed to make recommendations for the amendment of the Constitution to address perceived contradictions on indigeneship, as well as to lay emphasis on nationalism rather than indigeneship in its recommendations.

On issues relating to refugee and asylum, the Committee recognised that Nigeria is contending more with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) than refugees and proposed to recommend for synergy between relevant Government Agencies to effectively manage IDPs. It considered suggestion to recognise in its recommendations, economically displaced persons with its attendant social problems.

While appearing before the Committee on Wednesday, the Comptroller-General Nigeria Immigration Service, David S. Paradang, mni, highlighted the challenges facing the Service, particularly inadequate Land Border Control Posts and manpower, as well as insufficient patrol vehicles, modern technology and the need for welfare and insurance for officers of the Service.

Paradang also enumerated the various efforts being made by the Service to address current immigration challenges, including the establishment of a Border Patrol Corps, which was recently approved by the Federal Government. The CG, who arrived the meeting room by 4.37pm, departed an hour later.

Assignment of members to sub-committees The Committee assigned members to three (3) sub-committees covering the three (3) groups of thematic issues as follows: GROUP 1 i. John Dara - Chairman ii. Barr. Anthony Akika iii. Hajia Maryam Ladi Ibrahim iv. Dr. Bilkisu Magoro v. Dr. Garba Ibrahim GROUP 2 i. Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN) - Chairman ii. Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi iii. Hajiya Hauwa Bukar

iv. Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife v. Chief Isaac O. Jemide vi. Aminu Mahmud vii. Chief (Mrs.) Nkechi Okemini Mba viii. Dr. Atedo N. A. Peterside GROUP 3 i. Dr. Maryam Abdullahi - Chairman ii. Prof. Olawale Albert iii. Abdullahi Ali-Kano iv. Hon. Umar Kareto Lawan At the resumed sitting on Thursday, deliberations by Sub-Committee 2 were anchored on the need to foster nationalism and reflect the same across all the thematic issues under consideration.

It considered that nationalism would greatly address conflicts arising from the sometimes polarising implications of emphasis on indigeneship and related issues.

Meanwhile, the sub-committee agreed to consider the issue of Residency together with Indigeneity (Indigene/Settler Dichotomy), rather than duplicate deliberations on the former, as reflected in the initial outline of the thematic issues.

The thematic issue on Multiple Citizenship was also restricted to Dual Citizenship, which is contained in the 1999 Constitution. The subcommittee concentrated on issues relating to Citizenship and Nationality, Indigeneity and Residency and Dual Citizenship.

During deliberations, it was agreed that the issue of Citizenship and Nationality was adequately addressed by the provisions of Section 25 of the 1999 Constitution.

Section 25 states, inter alia: 25 (1) The following persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth, namely– (a) every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria.

It therefore recommended that Sections 27(d) and 29(4)(b) be expunged from the Constitution; and that Section 26(2)(a) should read: “every person” in place of “any woman.”

On Indigeneity and Residency, the sub-committee recommended that Section 42(2) of the 1999 Constitution should over-ride any other contrary/conflicting provision, e.g., Section 147.

Section 42(2) states, inter alia: 42(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of his birth.

It further recommended that Section 42(3) of the 1999 Constitution be expunged. The sub-committee referred to page 28, item 26 of the Report of the Presidential Committee on Review of Outstanding Issues from Recent Constitutional Conferences, and recommends the proviso: … Provided that such a person meets his/her basic civic obligations.

The sub-committee aligned itself with extant constitutional provisions on Dual Citizenship and recommends that such Dual Citizens may not be restricted to aspire to any elective political office.

Other recommendations made by the sub-committee include the inclusion of “gender” alongside “sex” wherever it may appear in the Constitution, e.g. Section 41.

It also considered a proposal that married women should have the right to choose from State of origin or that of their husbands, with a caveat that where a choice is made, the woman should stick to the choice.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 11

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE DEBATE

‘Implementation of confab outcome entirely the president’s prerogative’ Mr. Albert Sam Tsokwa, Chairman, House of Representatives committee on rules and business, who represents Donga/Ussa/Takum federal constituency of Taraba State, spoke to reporters, including Adamu Abuh, on various issues of national importance. contract sum, how much would be N whether the process of constiO tution review can wait until the • Why Reps approved $1.56bn loan for NNPC outcome of the National Conference,

which could be subjected to a referendum, is made known There are two issues here. The powers of the National Assembly to legislate are donated by the constitution and whether we like it or not, we have a constitution in place and if people say it is not a product of Nigerians, when it suits them, they make reference to sections of the constitution.

Even the advocates of Sovereign National Conference; members of the ongoing confab, when it suits them, they still make reference to the constitution they love to hate.

If the constitution is not valid, why has it taken them some two-three weeks to debate Mr. President’s speech? Why is the President a president? It’s because of the constitution.

So, we reject the constitution with the left hand and receive it with the right hand.

Under the constitution, Mr. President has the power to convene a conference, as he has rightly done; whatever he intends to do with the outcome is entirely his prerogative.

It is neither here nor there for you or me to say this is what Mr. President is going to do with it. As it is, there is no law that has put the conference in place. If there were, there would have been provisions in the law that at this stage, this will happen.

So, the only authority over the conference is Mr. President and because of that, he told them (delegates) to touch on everything except on any issue that will result in tearing Nigeria apart.

It will be speculative for us to say that at the end of the day, this is what will happen.

Unfortunately, I am not too close to Mr. President; so, I am not able to reach his mind but you gentlemen of the press have had opportunity of interviewing him and I think the question will better be answered by Mr. President himself.

As for the attempt of the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution, it is the same constitution that says, ‘if you want to amend me, this is what you should do and

this is the person that should amend me and that person is the National Assembly.’

So, the National Assembly has taken steps following the rules and guidelines provided by the constitution itself. And the constitution has not said that, ‘in the course of amending me, if there is a National Conference, stop amending me until the result of the conference comes.’

Therefore, we will continue with the process of amending the constitution and if at the end of the day, Mr. President submits a bill, which he has the constitutional right to do, the National Assembly will be under duty consider it.

On fears that the 2015 elections may not hold in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe worst affected by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgency Let me start by saying it is not a question of the ruling party or the opposition raising concerns. This is an issue that should be seen outside the periscope of politics. It is a national challenge that we should all approach with all sense of responsibility outside of politics.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did indicate that in the event that the situation in the Northeastern states that are under emergency rule does not improve, elections might not hold. It’s a question of fact, Even in my house or your house, if you have the best food on your table, and there is no peace, you cannot eat let alone (considering) the issue of election.

Let us pray that by the time the election comes around, the situation would have been sufficiently brought under control.

As it is now, it’s not even Election Day and people are dying. Even if INEC says it’s going to conduct elections, and I am in the Northeast, I will not come out and vote. What is the point of voting if I will die after the voting?

Let us go to God in prayer so that this ugly situation will one day be put behind us for our good and the good

Tsokwa of Nigerians that are yet unborn.

But until we get there, we will know how to cross the bridge. As it is now, we are only speculating. Let’s wait till election time before making conclusions.

ON inability of the House of Representatives to act on some bills yet to be assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan We run a constitutional democracy and the powers of the three arms of government are demarcated by the constitution. The power to legislate is found in Section IV of the constitution; the power to execute laws is in Section V and the power to adjudicate in Section VI. Now, to ensure checks and balances, the constitution subjects the legislative process to a kind of check by Mr. President, by investing in Mr. President the power to assent to a bill before it becomes law.

But the same constitution provides that when Mr. President fails to assent, the House may override the veto by reconsidering the bill and passing it into law by two-thirds majority.

Every bill the National Assembly passes into law, it believes that it will serve the better interest of Nigerians.

The President is also elected; so, if he feels that for one reason or the other, it won’t serve the interest of Nigerians, he withholds assent. The House can go ahead and override the veto.

But since we are not contending but working for the interest of Nigerians, I think it is most appropriate that where Mr. President refuses to assent, dialogue should first be applied before that step is taken so that the man on the street, who does not know the intricacies, does not go home saying the arms of government are fighting.

On the non-assent to the Appropriation Bill Mr. President has not signed one of the most important bills, which is the Appropriation Bill, into law and this raises little issues, which will be sorted out.

You may remember that about three or four occasions, Mr. President’s veto was overridden by passing certain bills into law without his assent.

So, it’s not as if the House is shy of using its constitutional powers but it has to be done with understanding since we are all working towards achieving the same goal.

ON why the House recently approved $1.56 billion loan for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), accused of ineffectiveness and wastefulness I am not really too familiar with what you call “controversies” surrounding the NNPC. One thing that I know is that Nigeria, as a country, has some problems or challenges one of which is the issue of corruption and we have all agreed with all resolve that corruption has to be tackled.

Let me say that corruption has become endemic in Nigeria. Even in the lowest rungs of the ladder, even in the primary schools, you find corruption.

I was talking to some contractors who had a problem. Contract was awarded to somebody and they bought it and I said by the time they subtracted all that money from the

left?

So, at the end of the day, they would be one of those that would blame the leadership of the country. He (they) started giving explanations and I said if I had my way, I would report them to the ICPC or EFCC. NNPC is the cash cow of this country and it became a formidable organisation in the time of the military when impunity was at the highest.

As it is today, nobody can tell us how many barrels of crude we produce in a day, let alone how many we sell and how much we earn per day. Not even Mr. President or the Group Managing Director of the NNPC can tell us!

Whatever the reason is, God will help us out of it. Various departments of the NNPC have been brought under the searchlight, whether they appear before the committee(s).

I said in my opening speech that we operate under the rule of law. Now, fair hearing does not mean that you must be heard; it means being given the opportunity to be heard and if you refuse to exploit that opportunity, the panel will go ahead with its proceedings and come back with recommendations, which you cannot deny no matter how adverse they may be against you.

So, if they have been given the opportunity and they refused to appear, that will not deter the committee from proceeding with its work.

And the fact that our resolutions are sometimes treated as mere opinions does not deduct from the fact that this is a constitutional responsibility imposed on the National Assembly; if it doesn’t work today, it will work tomorrow.

NNPC, in spite of its challenges, must have to remain afloat for which it requires funds. If these funds can only come by the way of loans, which is legally permitted by the extant laws of this country, I don’t see any reason we should starve it of funds simply because some people there are mismanaging the place.

We have to continue to fund it because as it is, it is one of the agencies that generate revenue for this country and if we close it up, we will lose substantial revenue.

Violence that marred PDP congress in Kwara From Abiodun Fagbemi,Ilorin HE era of violence may gradually be creeping T back into Kwara State politics, going by the spate of aggression that marred the ward congress of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

It was reminiscent of past episodes of politics in the state when the fourth Executive Governor of the 47-year-old state, Mohammed Lawal, fell out with the godfather of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki.

Saraki, flamboyant former Senate Leader in the Second Republic, had presented Lawal as his candidate for the governorship poll under the banner of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP).

The keenly contested election saw the APP winning by about 56 per cent of all categories of elective positions in the state.

Animosity between the now deceased politicians however commenced when it was rumoured that Saraki would not be presenting Lawal for re-election to the office of governor.

Thereafter, the once united political hegemonic family in the state became polarised, leading to the emergence of ‘Gbosa’ (Lawal’s) and ‘Gbemu’ (Saraki’s) camps.

During the period under review, dangerous weapons were freely used at political rallies and campaigns, resulting in the untimely death of some cronies of the two politicians.

As if re-enacting that to-be-forgotten era, the PDP family in the state on Monday, April 7 this year, threw the state’s secretariat on Old Ilorin/Jebba Road, Kulende, Ilorin, into a mini warfront where dangerous guns and cutlasses were deployed by aggrieved party faithful.

two of their members.

But the timely arrival of the police forced the thugs to beat a retreat. Several tear-gas canisters were released into the air, making life unbearable for residents within the vicinity of the epicentre of the crisis.

The Police spokesman in Kwara, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the death of one person.

He said 19 suspects were arrested in connection with the crisis just as many dangerous weapons were equally recovered.

A source at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, claimed that two men were rushed into the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital at about 1:30pm with gunshot wounds in the legs.

TILL date, conflicting reports trailed the true Ajadi cause or causes of the bloody clash.

The bloody session, which lasted for over two A group claimed that the issue of haphazard hours (11.00am-1pm), according to eyewitness sharing of honorarium given by an unnamed accounts, led to the temporary closure of the stalwart of the party to his supporters caused the road, causing vehicles passing through a bye- mayhem. pass on the Kulende Housing Estate, to move at Another account disclosed that the feud was snail-speed due to the bumpy nature of the allegedly bankrolled by the opposition party with route. the sole aim of causing disaffection among the At the cessation of the hostilities, one person PDP faithful and thus scuttle the party congress. was feared killed while several others, includ- But the Local Organising Secretary of the PDP, ing a petrol station attendant at directly oppo- Rex Olawoye, described the crisis as a sign of site of the secretariat, received serious injuries acceptability of the party in the state. mainly from gunshots.

In a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, Olawoye Suspected thugs, who cordoned-off the Oke- said: “Everybody loves what has prospect and so Andi junction of Kulende, some 400 metres will want to be relevant at all cost. away from the secretariat, set up bonfires and “What happened could be the handiwork of the attacked unsuspecting motorists with cudgels opposition but we are leaving that for the police and broken bottles. to decide.”

They were allegedly protesting the death of The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara has

lambasted the local PDP for allegedly threatening the prevalent peace in the state.

According to the Interim Director of Publicity of the APC, Olayinka Buhari, the PDP should emulate the APC, which, a few days earlier, had conducted “rancour-free ward congresses of the party across the state.”

While “commiserating with those who lost their lives at the PDP secretariat,” Buhari canvassed due compensation to the family members of the deceased, just as he urged the people of the state to vote for “the party (APC) that will at all times guarantee the safety of life and property of all the citizens of the state.”

In the same vein, the Interim Secretary of the APC in Kwara, Yemi Afolayan, advised the state police command to either order a relocation of the PDP from its secretariat or extract from the party’s leaders peaceful conduct of all its activities.

According to Afolayan, the road on which the secretariat is built “remains the only road into the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH). Any nuisance or criminal acts on the road could lead to loss of lives.”

But the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Makanjuola Ajadi, described the APC pieces of advice as those coming from “people who are buying time in power and therefore looking for anything to cling on to.”

Ajadi queried: “Between the APC and the PDP in Kwara, who has the higher records of death during parties activities?”

As it is, Kwarans have one thing ahead of them, as the count down to 2015 polls begins: a choice between the ruling APC and the opposition PDP in the state.

TheGuardian

12 | Wednesday, April 30, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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 Of questionable duty waivers F effectively deployed, duty waivers, in any economy, are policy instruments to help indigenous companies take shelter from harsh operating environments.

Unfortunately, over the years in Nigeria, helmsmen of successive regimes have displayed blatant disregard for decency by turning the policy into a tool of political patronage or empowerment of cronies and powerful interests, to the disadvantage of other real businesses. This must stop.

The waiver regime as currently run is harmful to the Nigerian economy because it alienates genuine importers of value-added raw materials, goods and machinery. The economy will definitely benefit from a review.

Fact File: Concessions are not transparently handled by government as beneficiaries are often undeserving individuals and agencies who utilise the incentive to import unapproved goods including products of little relevance to a growing economy. Another variant of abuse is by beneficiaries of the Export Expansion Grant meant for export-oriented companies and local manufacturers who trade in the document to facilitate inflow of finished goods, against the objective of giving cover to local manufacturers for expansion and employment generation.

The discriminatory approach to issuance of duty waivers ensures the government unwittingly creates a monopoly rather than encouraging competitiveness among local businesses. Oligarchs of doubtful business pedigree have thus emerged to run the rules to the detriment of the economy, more so as the waivers were granted without conditions.

Waivers in wrong hands or deployed for undesirable imports have links to the Customs Act of 1995 that empowered the President to impose or remove any import or excise duty – a power that has seemingly been surrendered to an economic management team which may not be too discerning in wielding it.

The latest complaint of unfairness from the camp of the National Automobiles Manufacturers Association (NAMA) who warned of the loss of billions of naira by the government in a new wave of import duty, tax waivers deserves attention. Their agitation in a protest letter to the president, which captured the abuse aptly, pushes the case that “certain elements in our society, in pursuit of personal wealth, are prepared to stop at nothing to scuttle our aspirations to develop as a nation”.

The government would do well to respond to NAMA’s accusation that there was no constructive engagement or response to their offer to pay duty on the 290 cars being imported for the coming World Economic Forum in Abuja. It is bewildering that government instead “issued duty waiver valid for one year (for a one-week event) from February 2014 to certain automobile importers with no investment in the productive sector”. Instructively, the official double-dealing as alleged is coming barely six months after the National Automotive Policy to open up local industry was launched with fanfare.

NAMA boasts it has the capacity to meet the auto requirements of the WEF without duty waiver.

As a major force in the auto industry, the association fears the tax holiday will “usher in another era of treasury looting”, an observation worthy of the attention of any responsible government.

In the light of the above and many others that are not in the public domain, it suffices to ask: in whose interest are the concessions being made by government? Even some officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, an agency that is supposed to earn good revenue for government through duty charges at the ports believe most of the waivers issued since the return of democracy are questionable. For instance, about 1843 “illegal and indiscriminate” waivers were said to have been granted by the immediate past administration to “totally undeserving firms and individuals”. Going by the reckless application of the rules, Nigerians should have little cause to doubt that claim.

Not surprisingly, questions keep popping up from many quarters on abuses: Why are waivers given without conditions? Why is the implementation so difficult? Should duty waivers continue to be an instrument of political patronage in a tottering economy?

Must the government endlessly enrich a few oligarchs at the expense of other citizens?

Is it too much to detail the funds being utilized for waivers in the budget and subject such to debate by the lawmakers?

It is bad enough that governments, past and present, have been shamelessly profligate with duty waivers, as it is with many other sectoral allocations, but it is unbearable that they have to defer to a privileged few so created to call the shots.

A total of N91.506 billion is said to have been given as concessions to 290 beneficiaries between January and December 31, 2011. One beneficiary allegedly got N32.774 billion even without a clear line of business. Also listed is an aluminium smelter firm (N47.789 million) despite non-production since 2007. About N389.15 billion was reportedly listed for 149 entities in 2011 through concessions on fuel, lubricants and allied products businesses including major oil marketers getting over N145.7 billion worth of waivers. In 2012, a total of N191.545 billion was granted to 416 beneficiaries, including individuals and private businesses. Another 287 beneficiaries got a total of N83.260billion between January and September 30, last year.

A recent investigation by the House of representatives exposed, as usual, the conflicting figures presented by the Customs Service and the Finance ministry about the losses to the economy through waivers and other concessions in the past three years. The former claimed not less than N1.4 trillion was lost as opposed to the minister’s N171 billion.

Conflicting claims like these only advertise official tardiness in record keeping and an intractable web of corruption.

Countries such as Malaysia, Japan, India, China and others, at various times, used import duty waivers, concessions and exemptions to protect and build their local manufacturing, agricultural, textile and motor industries. Today, they have become major exporting giants. Nigeria can learn from them, of course, in an enabling environment hallmarked by transparency.

The National Assembly ought to check abuses if and when government officials err.

Among other moves, the lawmakers can be empowered to limit duty exemptions to mainly raw materials, machinery and spare parts as the law provides. A tighter regime could even provide for grant of waivers only if the National Assembly so approves. In the absence of this, the Finance Minister should do more to streamline policy incentives to attract investments in priority sectors.

The interests of local manufacturers must be defended against unfavourable policies or conducts. For Nigeria to truly develop, the duty waiver abuse and the web of corruption spun therefrom must be tackled headlong.

I

LETTERS

In defense of the Defence Minister Ir: The Lagos All S(APC) Progressive Congress have been attacking the personality of the Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro in a manner, which will make one wonder whether he (Obanikoro) is actually an indigene of Lagos. This is reflected in an article written by the Interim Publicity Secretary of the Lagos APC, Joe Igbokwe, which was widely circulated in the media few days back. The article, entitled “Musiliu Obanikoro Endangers The Nigerian Army” is a reckless media attack on the person of the former Nigeria High Commissioner to the republic of Ghana whose rising political profile Lagos indigenes are proud of.

Igbokwe, a politician, was raising issues regarding the way Obanikoro has been discharging his duties as a minister (with reference to the Nigerian Army). But rather than address the issue, the Lagos APC’s mouthpiece opted for name-calling, character assassination and lying.

This act is unexpected of a man of Igbokwe’s calibre and tells more about the desperation of himself and his co-travellers in the Lagos APC, who are seemingly threatened by Obanikoro’s pace in politics, just as the elections are drawing near.

Igbokwe said that the day

Obanikoro was appointed the Minister of State for Defence was the day he wrote off the Federal Government. That is his personal opinion.

Obanikoro has been a grassroots mobiliser and politician from Lagos Island for close to three decades. He was never indicted of any complicity in any case.

Igbokwe joined the band of ‘lying choristers’ on the false allegation that during the tenure of Obanikoro as Lagos Island Local Government chairman, the council was looted with reckless abandon and that when he (Obanikoro) was leaving office, the council secretariat was set ablaze by the “forces traced to his table in the bid to cover up.”

All these are baseless allegations the Lagos APC had been peddling for years, all in a bid to drag Obanikoro’s name into disrepute.

Igbokwe also lied that Obanikoro was forgiven, rehabilitated and made a commissioner by Senator Bola Tinubu in 1999. This is a blatant lie. Tinubu, being aware of Obanikoro’s political influence in Lagos Island approached him and he (Obanikoro) delivered Lagos Island for him. Hence he made him a commissioner. Asiwaju believed in him as a potential election winner and that was why

he supported him for the Senate seat in 2003. When Obanikoro decamped to the PDP. The AD knew that they had lost a big fish. Prior to Obanikoro’s ministerial appointment, President Jonathan had appointed him as the chairman of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

Igbokwe overflogged the issue of how the minister intervened in the Ilubirin Housing Project, which didn’t go through necessary process before its commencement, as well as his visit to Ondo State during the recently held byelection, (which doesn’t have any direct connection with Lagos).

Obanikoro has explained his involvement in the Ilubirin Housing Project case and how the LASG wanted to execute the project at the expense of Lagosians. The issue about the Ondo by election was also twisted by the peddlers of the false story to tarnish Koro’s image.

It is apparent that the Lagos APC sees Obanikoro as a big threat as the 2015 election approaches. They have resorted to the use of false public campaign against his person to discredit him. No amount of negative campaign by the APC and its cohorts can debar the fine gentleman from whatever political aspirations he wishes to pursue in the nearest future. Obanikoro cannot be shaken by cheap blackmail.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 13

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion Semi-presidential system to reduce governance costs

By Akin Mabogunje HE 1962-1966 political imbroglio led to the colT lapse of the First Republic and the parliamentary system of government. The succeeding military government noted the need to design a more robust Constitution that takes cognizance of Nigeria’s peculiarities especially its multi-ethnic character, its religious differences, the different levels of socio-economic and socio-political development of the various nationalities that make up the country Need for a system in which all these nationalities and ethnic groups could have a say in the selection of their Head of State and of Government of the Nigerian Republic.

Need for a system, which ensures that the Head of State/Government is sensitive to being acceptable to all parts of the country and not just his small constituency as was the case in the singlemember constituency structure of the parliamentary system of government.

Need also to minimise the importance of regional political parties in the determination of national affairs.

The 1979 Military Constitution thus chose a Presidential System of Government of the American type believed to provide the answer to all of these national challenges.

The system required that the President is elected by the majority of the Nigerian population in their different nationalities and states It emphasized the separation of powers as between the Executive (the President), the Legislature and the Judiciary It empowered the President (the Executive) to man the different Ministries of Government with personnel brought generally from outside of the elected members in the legislature It also empowered the President to employ in addition needed advisers and special assistants from outside the Legislature to facilitate governmental operations The system required that policies and programmes derive essentially (but not exclusively) from the President so as to provide a focused, consistent and decisive strategy for national de-

velopment and security with the Legislature having principally an oversight function to ensure transparency and accountability on the part of the Executive, apart from passing the budget for implementing the policies and programmes.

The striking demerits of the American presidential system in a country like Nigeria Separation of powers, however, ends up, as it were, by positioning the Legislature almost as the opposition to the Executive, even when the President’s party has a majority in the National Assembly.

In other words, the system does not necessarily align the majority party behind the policies and programmes of its President, thus rendering party manifestoes of little importance in an election It thus makes for weak party control and discipline of the legislators It provides virtually little opportunity for serious political education of politicians by denying them the reward system of ministerial promotion for those showing good grasp and expertise of tackling the intricacies of particular sectors of national socio-economic life and loyalty in promoting the policies and programmes of the party whether in government or in opposition The Presidential system is also very costly especially in terms of the range of personnel appointable by the Executive (ministers, advisers, special assistants, etc.) and the need to provide separate constituency development vote to the legislators even those whose party is in power More seriously, the Presidential system tends to foster and promote corruption in the decision (or budgetary) interface between unelected Ministers sitting on and dispensing large national resources while elected legislators are confined, as it were, simply to legislative and oversight functions The nature of the semi-presidential system of government By 1979, when Nigeria was opting for a Presidential System of Government, the Semi-Presidential System had not fully emerged

globally as an alternative to either the Parliamentary or the Presidential System Essentially, the system seeks to combine the best features of both systems.

It admits of an Executive President elected by all of the electorate and with powers over defined areas of government such as Foreign Affairs , Defence and Security whilst having a Legislature from amongst whose members Ministers and Prime Ministers are chosen, whose performance is constantly under the direct scrutiny of the Legislature.

There is no Vice-President in the system and the division of functions as between the President and the Prime Minister varies from country to country Similarly, the question of the tenure of office of a government under a Prime Minister is based on the ability to muster a majority in the legislature and can be determined by a negative vote of confidence in the National Assembly The Legislature thus elects its own Prime Minister and Ministers but these are formally approved by the President or vice-versa The President also has the responsibility of formally dissolving the Legislature whenever its term expires The major advantages of the semi-presidential system in the Nigerian situation By preserving the system of a President elected nation-wide, the semi-presidential systems meets the challenge of the Nigerian situation By removing the position of Vice President, it has done away with one of the causes of unnecessary tensions and conflicts in the administration of the country By emphasizing the choice of Prime Minister and Ministers from among the elected representatives of the party in power, it enhances the process of political and policy education among politicians Similarly, this capacity of political parties to choose from among their legislators both serving and shadow Ministers fosters greater party discipline and ensures greater loyalty, attention and commitment of party members to the implementation of the party manifesto

and programmes.

It also facilitates wide-ranging consultations among legislative members of the party in power and ensures their alignment behind critical policies of their government such as the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy The semi-presidential system also enables upand-coming legislators to fill in positions such as advisers and special assistants and even if these are needed from outside the legislature, the number can be pegged down significantly The semi-presidential system also obviates the corruption that is fostered in the interface of transactions between unelected Ministers and elected legislators More importantly, the Semi-presidential system drastically reduces the cost of governance in the country Conclusion The 1979 Constitution that opted for a U.S. type Presidential System did not have the advantage of considering the Semi-Presidential system since the model was just being tried out mainly in France at the time Since then, over 40 other countries especially in the developing region of Central and Eastern Europe and Africa have found it a more realistic and less costly model than the U.S.-type Presidential system.

For Nigeria, a system that makes recurrent expenditure more than 70 per cent of the annual budget can hardly be said to be in the best interest of the need for the rapid economic development of the country.

More than that, a system that has no in-built structure for the political education and reward for increasing competence among politicians cannot be good for a country in the early stages of democratic consolidation.

Furthermore, a system that does not enhance the capacity of a government to have an executive and a legislative majority aligned in promoting the election-winning manifesto and programmes of its parties cannot foster the growth of a disciplined multi-party democracy in the country.

• Professor Mabogunje wrote from Ibadan.

Republic of the mind and thralldom of fear (3)

By Wole Soyinka Continued from yesterday ND why should they feel abandoned in the first place? Why A not indeed? Permit me to impose on the leadership of this nation a simple, straightforward exercise in empathy. I want you to imagine yourself in a hospital ward, one among many of the over a thousand victims of the latest carnage in Nyanya – do remember that the actual dead and wounded are not the only casualties – I could refer you to JP Clark’s Casualties for a penetrating expression of the reality of the walking wounded – however, let us take it step by step, let us retain within the territory of physical casualties – imagine that you are one of them, on that hospital bed. You find yourself in the role of playing host to the high and mighty. You are immobilized, speechless, incapable of motion except perhaps through your eyelids. The guests stream in one by one, faces swathed in concern – local government councillors, ministers, legislators, governors, prelates, all the way up the very pinnacle of power – the nation’s president. They even make promises – free medical treatment, habilitation, etc etc. They take their leave. Your spirits are uplifted, you no longer feel depressed and alone.

Considerately mounted eye level on the opposite wall is a television set, turned on to take your mind off your traumatized state and provide some escape for the mind in your otherwise deactivated condition. A few hours after the departure of your august visitors, you open your eyes and there, beamed live, are your erstwhile visitors participating in chieftaincy jollifications a few hundred miles away, red-hot from your sickbed. A few hours later, the same leadership is at a campaign rally, where the chief custodian of a people’s welfare is complaining publicly about an ‘inside job’ – that is, someone had allegedly diverted his campaign funds to unauthorized use.

That national leader then rounds up his outing with a virtuoso set of dance steps that would put Michael Jackson to shame.

That is all I ask of you: to undertake a simple exercise in human empathy, asking the question – as that victim, what

would you think? How would you feel? That is all. Would you, playing back in your mind the reel of that august visitation, would you feel perhaps that the visit itself was all a sham, that those sorrowing visitors were merely posing for political photo shots, that the faces were studiously composed, their impatient minds already on their next engagement on the political dance floor? Or would you feel that this was a time that a nation, led by her president, should be in sackcloth and ashes – figuratively speaking of course? That there is something called a sense of timing, of a decent gap between the enormity of a people’s anguish and ‘business as usual’? And do let us bear in mind that that dismal day in Nyanya went beyond a harvest of body parts, of which yours could very easily have been part, there was also the dilemma of two hundred school children, some of whom could very easily have been your own – vanishing under violent conditions. Would you think that perhaps, in place of the dance floor, a national leader should have been holding round-the-clock emergency meetings on the recovery of those girl children, mobilizing the ENTIRE nation – and by entire, I mean, entire, including the encouragement of volunteers, for back-up duties to the military, demonstrating the complete rout of the prolonged season of denial, the total transformation of leadership mentality in the nature of responses to abnormalities that are never absent, even in the most developed societies.

If anyone requires contrasting models of simple, commonsense responses - not even the responses of experts, just leadership - then look towards South Korea. That tragic ferry disaster that overcame schoolchildren on an outing was not even a case of deliberate, criminal assault on our humanity. It was a human failing, probably of culpable negligence, but not part of a deliberate act of human destabilization. It was a frontal, in-your-face assault. Study the nature of leadership response in that nation! Today’s media carry headline banners that nearly two hundred children remain missing. Even if it were twenty, ten, one, is this the time for dancing? Or for silent grieving? What is the urgency of a re-election campaign that could not be postponed in such circumstances? Will the yardstick of eligibility for public office be the ability to dance to

Sunny Ade or Dan Marya? The entire world regards us with eyes brimful with tears; we however look in the mirror and break into a dance routine. What has this thing, this blotched, mottled space become anyway? It is a marvel that some still wave a green-white-green rag called a flag and belt out one of the most unimaginative tunes that aspires to call itself a nation anthem. It has become a dirge - that is what it is - a dirge, and what we call a flag is the shroud that now hovers over a people that are even incapable of the dignity of self-examination, self-indictment, and remorse, which would then be a prelude to self-correction and self-restitution, if leadership were indeed attuned to the responsibilities of leadership.

To sum up, one would rationally expect that the leadership mind, belatedly applied to cautionary histories such as YOUR FATWA DOES NOT APPLY HERE, will courageously attune itself to an altered imperative that now reads: YOUR FATWA WILL NOT APPLY HERE. This would be manifested in a clear response to the enormity of the task in which the nation is embroiled. Not all national leaders can be Fujimori of Peru who personally directed his security forces during a crisis of hostage-taking – no one demands bravura acts of presidents.

However, any aspiring leader cannot be anything less than a rallying point for public morale in times of crisis and example for extraordinary exertion. Speaking personally now, my mind goes to the lead role played by President Jonathan in this nation in the erstwhile campaign to ‘bring back the book’ an event at which we both read to hundreds of children. So where are the successors to those children? The reality stares us in the face: Among the walking wounded. Among the walking dead. In crude holdings of fear and terror. Today, we shall not even be so demanding as to resurrect the slogan bring back the book – leave that to us. It will be quite sufficient to see a demonstrable dedication that answers the agonizing cry of: BRING BACK THE PUPILS! Emperor Nero only fiddled while Rome burned. There is no record of him dancing to his own tune. There is, nonetheless, an expression for that kind of dance – it is known as dance macabre, and we all know what that portends.

Concluded *Professor Soyinka is a Nobel Laureate in Literature.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

14 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Opinion Experience must anchor transformation roadmap (2)

By Nicholas Alozie Continued from yesterday NDEED, it bears reiterating that one of the Itential reasons many remain skeptical about the poof the Abuja parley to spin into an instrument of national transformation moving forward, even if its outcome were fully implemented. Many Nigerians (me included) maintain that the nation has not taken off not because of the impotence of the 1999 Constitution, overly centralized federalism, warped governmental system, shortage of laws and regulations to anchor governance, or the litany of other structural features under discussion, even if they need to be revisited. They believe that our nemesis has been largely functional: we’re unable, just like the pervasive failings of our much heralded Freedom of Information Act (FOI) have amply established, to translate well laid plans on paper into viable outcomes in practice. Thus, when they encounter propositions about the supposed inadequacy of these structural features, they promptly swat them aside as mere case of a “bad workman quarrelling with his tools”. These are the “sentimental” observers who will advise anyone willing to listen that no governmental system or arrangement will work in Nigeria unless we transform drastically our modus operandi forthwith.

Given this sordid prescription of our nation’s experience that is being reaffirmed by President Jonathan’s alarm, that altering the way we do business is crucial to balancing this structural-functional bottleneck confronting us in governance, the pertinent question then becomes this: what approach can the Abuja Confab take in order for its results to carry the nation further along? Frankly, the answer is as compelling as it is challenging. The conferees, each one of them, should step back and ask the definitive question of what they’re in Abuja to fix. Reflection on this abstract inquiry should guide them to the inevitable realization that they’ve not assembled merely to evolve a new constitution or fine-tune some operating system. Nor have they assembled in another open season of gratuitous horse-trading to slice up Nigeria along ethnic, religious, linguistic, or topographic lines—-as we’ve been there, done that! My sense is that they’ve gathered to diagnose and fix the problems that account for the mass failure of our governance systems, by en-

suring that those fixes would guarantee (and sustain) the expected functional outcomes from whatever new pact they engineer.

Yes, having a people’s constitution in place has absolute symbolic value. But why, on earth, are we gloating as if merely installing a constitution is the antidote to the collapse of constitutions in Nigeria? Have the ruling elite who conspired to sidetrack previous constitutions relayed that their diabolical scheme was as a result of those documents not being of the people? The way we do things is what did these constitutions in—-everyone of them. Reality should advise us that the same destructive force is still lying in wait. Furthermore, why, for goodness sake’s, is our dialogue still trapped on the peripheral matter of choosing between the presidential and the parliamentary system, when both have already exposed their inherent generic inadequacies for our situation?

Shouldn’t we, instead, be fabricating a specific presidential or parliamentary scheme conducive to dealing with the strange way we do things, “Naija” style?

Additionally, why are we preoccupied with this minimalist pontification about form of federalism, as if that concept is alien to the extant Constitution and social contract? What happened to the three-tier federalism promised by the 1999 Constitution? Why didn’t we scrape out at least that much from the Constitution?

Our experience says the odd way we do things will equally suffocate federalism across any other structural dimension—-unless we address the root causes of the malfunction of federalism in the country. Advocates of return to regional federalism keep pounding on the supposed utopia of the early 1960s, as if that is some replicable magic wand in 2014. But they must understand that this is not the 1960s.

Many of the gladiators who authored that script have since exited the scene. In short, quite a bit of distortion has occurred in our setting since that could easily render the 1960s fleeting regional federalism experience obsolete.

Here we are, supposedly wary of excessive centralized federalism that should have, in the least in the last 15 years, created a greater sense of nationalism among our peoples but did not.

Now, we’re eagerly canvassing a more robust decentralized federalism, with its damning prospect for consolidating provincial parochialism. We need to be extremely careful (this typically occurs where a people have hungered for something for too long) not to allow

the pendulum to swing too far too quickly in that direction, without the appropriate functional checks and balances sourced in accordance with our peculiar experience, as such excessive loose-coupling will fortify segregationist tendencies and deepen our national identity crisis. In short, if you think we’re witnessing bloc politics and indigene/non-indigene chasms now, even when the 1999 constitution is unequivocal about citizenship right to reside and make a living anywhere, without discrimination, I would hate to contemplate what happens once federalism becomes an unbridled free-for-all. There are sundry ways to end Nigeria as a corporate entity: one thing we mustn’t do is federate her out of existence.

As well, we hear exaggerated enthusiasm about devolution of powers—-also, as if that concept is unknown to the 1999 Constitution.

Folks now gleefully speak as if once you write it down, power devolves automatically from the center. Anyone who buys into this prodigal fiction is either delusional or knows little to nothing about Nigeria’s governance milieu. For if that were the case, the question would be why it didn’t materialize with the 1999 Constitution—-at least across the constitutionally recognized three tiers of government. The 1999 Constitution provided ample room for devolution. However, we have instead, with the strange way we do things, angled the nation into a de facto fiefdom complete with an imperial presidency and governorships (thanks equally to our political culture that mirrors our social culture in extending the reference reserved for traditional rulers to elected officials and, in so doing, robbing our institutions of the capacity to apply the checks and balances clearly outlined in the 1999 Constitution).

Our President and governors are now glorified mini-deities. Append the qualifier “executive” and they become demigods, in the class of Emirs, Obas, Onugotus, Sultans, or what have you, masquerading as elected officials bound by legal-rational authority, as opposed to unrestrained traditional power. These people are basically greater than the nation, and are thrashing around like entranced mice in enclaves devoid of the cats (the legislature) that are supposed to checkmate them. Let’s be clear that none of this anomaly was intended by the 1999 Constitution. Since self-interest beckons on successive cohorts lucky enough to grace these offices (even a Prime Ministership) to

The way we do things is what did these constitutions in—-everyone of them. Reality should advise us that the same destructive force is still lying in wait. Furthermore, why, for goodness sake’s, is our dialogue still trapped on the peripheral matter of choosing between the presidential and the parliamentary system, when both have already exposed their inherent generic inadequacies for our situation?

Shouldn’t we, instead, be fabricating a specific presidential or parliamentary scheme conducive to dealing with the strange way we do things, “Naija” style? preserve the status quo, even widen its writ, devolving power on paper will be nothing short of mere theatre. Thus, rather the unfounded speculation (and that’s all it is) about how a Prime Minister will wield less power than a president, the discourse ought to shift to devising a plan that effectively ousts this imperial dynasty outright and reins in Nigeria’s callous “Ogas at the top”, once and for all.

Let me conclude by reiterating the odious lesson of our 53 years of frustration in self-governance and its import for the intricate assignment facing the Abuja Confab. The prime challenge facing Nigeria is not about the “what”, but the “how”. We’re a populace who, because of the untold way we do things, are unable to translate best laid governing blueprints into pleasant functional outcomes that deepen our democracy and herald economic progress and development. Admittedly, ours is a “rugged” environment. Our singular challenge, then, is to pioneer an equally “rugged” and sustainable arrangement poised to checkmate our ruggedness right at the gate by minimizing unplanned, dysfunctional outcomes. Inherent in all of this, of course, is social rehabilitation of the entire polity moving forward. The Abuja Confab must scale this herculean huddle of design outcomes—-otherwise, we’ll surely be back to square one with our elusive new constitution, federalism, system of government, and devolution of powers. *Concluded * Alozie, is professor of Public Policy and Head, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Letters and Sciences, Arizona State University.

A united front to combat malaria

By Ana Setas-Ferreira ROWING up in Angola, I witnessed the cruel and devastatG ing impact of malaria, as well as experienced this horrific disease firsthand. Later, as a mother, I was grateful to have access to preventive therapies while pregnant so that I could protect myself and my two sons could be born healthy. Now, as a physician, I am committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from this disease.

Thankfully, over the past decade, renewed investments and partnerships have driven remarkable progress against malaria.

Since 2000, more than 3.3 million lives have been saved and global deaths have decreased by 45 per cent. And right here in Africa, the number is closer to 50 per cent, with eight countries that are on track to meet the WHO 2015 goal of reducing their malaria case incidence rates by 75 per cent.

Despite this progress, malaria continues to kill more than 627,000 people each year, the majority of whom are children under the age of five. The disease also has broad repercussions for health and economic development, harming pregnant women and their infants, preventing children from attending and participating in school, and limiting adults’ economic potential and ability to invest in their families.

As we mark World Malaria Day (last week) partners who have joined the fight against malaria will take stock of progress made and reflect on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. While we should celebrate the gains we have made, we cannot become complacent. Our success is as fragile as it is remarkable and it must be sustained.

To continue progress against malaria, the global community must now, more than ever, reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that the tools to combat this disease reach each person in need. Unfortunately, there is no “silver bullet” capable of eradicating malaria singlehandedly. We’ve seen again and again

that combatting this disease requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the disease from different angles and with different approaches. We must deploy bed nets and other prevention tools, diagnostic tests, effective treatments and educational campaigns to combat malaria on the ground, while looking for long term solutions like improved drugs and vaccines.

Implementing an effort of this grand scale requires ongoing collaboration and cooperation across the board to effectively leverage the expertise and resources of each partner. Perhaps one of the greatest opportunities we have is to fully engage the private sector.

As a physician for ExxonMobil in Angola, I have been inspired by the integrated approach the company takes to address malaria.

Having seen the way malaria impacts workers, their families and communities in sub-Saharan Africa, ExxonMobil introduced a workforce malaria program and support for community malaria control efforts more than a decade ago. Our focus on the four ABCDs – Awareness, Bite prevention, Chemopro-

To continue progress against malaria, the global community must now, more than ever, reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that the tools to combat this disease reach each person in need. Unfortunately, there is no “silver bullet” capable of eradicating malaria singlehandedly. We’ve seen again and again that combatting this disease requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the disease from different angles and with different approaches. We must deploy bed nets and other prevention tools, diagnostic tests, effective treatments and educational campaigns to combat malaria on the ground, while looking for long term solutions like improved drugs and vaccines.

phylaxis and Diagnosis and early effective treatment – has been paramount to the effective control of malaria in ExxonMobil workplaces, the execution of our community outreach programs, and our ongoing support for malaria research and development.

In the past decade, this approach has helped avert an estimated 1,800 malaria cases among non-immune workers and, since 2007, no ExxonMobil workers have died from malaria. Similarly, our partnerships with leading malaria organizations are encouraging innovative and effective programs that address malaria from all sides. For example, in Chad and Cameroon, ExxonMobil supports a national multimedia malaria prevention campaign through Malaria No More and trains health workers to provide malaria prevention and treatment services— particularly for pregnant women—with Jhpiego.

ExxonMobil is not alone in our commitment to fight malaria.

We are part of a larger effort of businesses partnering with the public sector to drive a comprehensive response to the parasite.

In sub-Saharan Africa, this joint support has made a powerful impact, and it is emblematic of how corporations can be agents of change across a spectrum of control efforts. ExxonMobil’s partnerships alone have helped distribute more than 13 million bed nets, provide close to two million malaria treatment doses, and train 355,000 health workers. When combined with other companies’ initiatives, these efforts translate into expanded impact where it is most needed.

As a community, we can build on these successes. Going forward, the global malaria community must remain steadfast in its commitment to leverage the resources of its partners and foster greater collaboration to expand the reach of these interventions. Together, we can reduce the burden of malaria – and build a more prosperous and healthy future across the continent. *Dr. Setas-Ferreira is the Regional Advisor for Community and Public Health at the ExxonMobil Corporation.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 15

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection ‘Our hopes have been dashed...’

• Community cries out over abandoned Niger Delta project in Cross River From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE People of Ikot Nakanda in AkT pabuyo Local Council of Cross River State have raised the alarm over the abandoned federal government Skills Acquisition Centre in the state.

The construction of the centre by the Ministry of Niger Delta in the area came into being in 2009, approved by the late President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s administration as part of several measures to engage and train youths in skills acquisition and to reduce the high rate of restiveness and youth unemployment in the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration inherited the project and promised to complete and commission it through the tenure of the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe in June 2013.

The Community Liaison Officer of the area and youth leader who spoke on behalf of the Ikot Nakanda Youth Group, Effiong Effiom, said the hope of the community is being dashed as the community stands to lose from both sides if the project is abandoned as it is.

He said: “When the project was brought here the people in this community were very happy that their youths will benefit from the employment opportunities and training thereon, so the community was not given compensation for the land because our fathers were happy to see the place develop especially when we

The abandoned project were told that the project would be completed in 18 months time in 2009.”

“As it is now, we don’t even have any hope that the project will be completed, not to talk of the commissioning. The hope of our people to benefit from both short, medium and longterm benefits of the project in learning various youth empowerment programmes is being delayed because this is April and there is no hope.”

“We were told that the project would be completed within 18 months, which should have been 2011, but it appears it has been abandoned because the last time the supervising Minister of Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, came here, he talked of re-awarding the contract, that the ministry was having problems with the companies handling the project saying ‘they are not performing.”

“This has given us a serious concern because how can a minister say that a contractor is not performing and he has not announced the termination of the contract of such contractor?” he queried.

He noted that “the damage it has caused our environment is unquantifiable because if it rains now, we will be in trouble. The whole community is buying water due to the erosion coming from the project site, which has changed the colour of the only stream in the community and killed the aquatic animals in the river. “ Also a middle-aged woman, Florence Okon, said she has not seen the contractor since the beginning of this year, saying the last time she saw the workers working on the site was in late 2013.

“The last time I saw them working was last year, before December. It is affecting our small businesses here because the workers used to patronise us by buying food from us,” she said.

Reacting to the alleged abandonment of the project, the Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Darius Ishaku said the project was not abandoned, stressing that the ministry has problems with the contractor but will soon resolve it.

“The delay in the completion of Bakassi/ Akpabuyo Skills Acquisition Centre is due to poor performance from the contractor and we are trying to address it. We hope that very soon the work will begin again, “he said.

Landlord’s son docked for allegedly pouring human waste on tenant TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD SON of a Lagos landlord, ner likely to cause a breach of the peace by chasing one He alleged that the accused polluted A Lukman Alausa, was on Monday brought before an Ms Jennifer Ani, his father’s tenant, with a Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly pouring machete during an altercation the premises by emptying a bucket of faeces in a tenant’s apartment Alausa, a bricklayer, of No. 13, Adebowale Road, Epe, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of disorderly conduct and perpetuating harmful acts.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Babaje Ishiaku told the court that the accused committed the offences at 7.30 a.m. on April 23 in his apartment.

Ishiaku said Alausa also conducted himself in a man-

He alleged that the accused polluted the premises by emptying a bucket of faeces at Ani’s doorstep and passage.

According to the prosecution, the offences violate Sections 164 (a) and 166 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be sentenced to three years imprisonment

Two security men charged with negligent conduct HE police on Monday ar- some thieves to break into T raigned two security the house. men, Kelvin Nicholas and He said the thieves stole a Daniel Tsako of Lukela Shinning Star Security Nig. Ltd in an Upper Area Court in Kado for negligent conduct.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that Mr Opeyemi Oluwumi, who resides at No. 76, Ebitu Okirae Street in Jabi, Abuja, lodged a report against the accused at Utako Police Station on April 17.

Ibrahim said the accused, who are security guards in the complainant’s house, negligently left their duty posts, thereby allowing

He said the thieves stole a 50-inch plasma television and a HP laptop valued at N200, 000.

50-inch plasma television and a HP laptop valued at N200, 000.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provision of Section 196 of the Penal Code.

If convicted the accused persons are liable to six months in prison each or fine or both.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The presiding judge, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N10, 000 each and a surety each in like sum.

Sadiq ordered that the sureties must have a fixed address and be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the matter till May 22 for hearing.

faeces at Ani’s doorstep and passage on conviction.

The accused, however, denied the charges.

The Magistrate, Miss Oluwatosin Fowowe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with a surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned to May 15 for trial.

Three docked for alleged robbery The Prosecutor, Sgt. ChiBy Yetunde Ayobami Ojo nalo Uwadione, told the court that the defendant THIRTY-YEAR-OLD and others at large, comdriver, Azeez Isa and two others, who allegedly mitted the offences at 8:00 p.m. on March 19, at masterminded the robbery of his aunt, were last Ogabi Close, Nweka Area, Badagry, Lagos.

Friday docked before the Uwadione said that the Magistrate’s Court sitting defendant robbed one Alin Ikeja, Lagos.

Isa, alongside Akeem Na- haja Kowope of her handbag containing N150, 000. suade and Azeez He said: “Isa in his confesMustapha both 29-yearssional statement at the old were facing trial on a station admitted that he two-count charge of conmasterminded the robspiracy and attempted bery.” robbery.

“He confessed that he The trio pleaded not told the group that his guilty to the charge preferred against them by the aunt had money, showed them her house and gave police. them his motorcycle for The defendant resides at the operation. They were No. 28, Idiaro Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos, Pota area, caught while trying to esBadagry, Lagos and No. 22, cape after the robbery.”

Uwadione said that the Osun Street., MTN Area, offences contravened SecBadagry, Lagos respections 294 and 296(1), of the tively.

A

Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate A. O. Akinde, therefore, granted them bail each in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the matter till May 27,2014.

He confessed that he told the group that his aunt had money, showed them her house and gave them his motorcycle for the operation...They were caught while trying to escape after the robbery

Briefs Final burial for Onukaba burial for Hajiya Fof INAL Aishatu Onukaba, mother former Managing Director of The Daily Times of Nigeria Plc, Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, who died on February 12 at the age 82 and was buried on February 13, 2014 according to Islamic rites at Oboroke, Ihima, Kogi State, holds on Saturday, May 3, 2014 , in Kogi State.

She was a devout Muslim and a kind and caring mother and wife.

She is survived by her children and other family members.

Onukaba

Institute holds graduation ceremony HE Victory Institute of CaterT ing and Hotel Management, Ikeja will tomorrow hold its 24th graduation ceremony.

The Managing Proprietor of the institute, Chief Christian Francis Olaniyan and the Principal, Mrs. Modupe Ojo, said 42 graduands would receive diplomas while 59 students would also be matriculated at the school’s premises located on No. 3, Toyin Street, Ikeja.

The proprietor, Chief C.F.I Olaniyan added that the institute was set up in 1984 with the aim of assisting the students “who are interested in vocational courses such as Catering and Hotel Management.”

The Chairman of the occasion is Mr. Samuel Olugbenro, Human Resources Manager, Excellence Hotel while Mr. Lawrence Omidiora, Pastor (Mrs.) Agunbiade are special gue

Dele Ebojie, 70, for burial rites for Staff SerFwhoUNERAL geant Dele Ebojie (rtd.), died on March 22,2014, at the age of 70, begin today with a Christian wake at his residence, 26 Olabisi Street, Liasu Road, Idimu, Lagos at 5.00p.m.

He will be buried tomorrow after a funeral service at No. 47, Lasisi Igi Street, by College Bus Stop, Ikotun.

Reception follows at St. Anthony’s Event Centre, Liasu Road, Idimu, Lagos.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julie Ebojie and children: Blessing Mgbeke, Bose Awodapo, Friday Ebojie, Mary Idahosa, Favour Ebojie; Glady's Ebojie and Joy Ebojie.

Ebojie

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Roll Back Malaria partners, tasks church on disease prevention • Mortein unfolds prevention strategies for 500,000 nursing mothers

By Chukwuma Muanya and Debo Oladimeji S part of the activities A marking the 2014 World Malaria Day (WMD) commemoration in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partners in Nigeria on Sunday paid an advocacy visit and worshipped at the Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja.

The National Coordinator National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, stated that the theme of the WMD is “Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria” and slogan “Together We Can.” She said that malaria is caused by the germ called Plasmodium falciparum and transmitted from one person to the other by the female anopheles mosquito.

She said that malaria is preventable and curable and so it is painful that it is killing Nigerians. She told the congregation to always sleep inside Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and

always keep their surroundings clear of stagnant water bodies. Pregnant women should access intermittent preventive treatment of malaria for pregnant women (IPTp) during antenatal visits.

LLINs were given to pregnant women and the correct way to use the net was demonstrated by the members of the team. This involves airing the new net under a shade for 24 hours before hanging up for use.

Also all sides should be well tucked under the mattress or sleeping mat.

The activity was coordinated and made possible by Rt. Rev. Sunday Onuoha, Bishop of the Methodist Church and Executive Director of the Nigeria Inter-Faith Action Association (NIFAA) who was also present. The Chairman, House Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria, Hon. Dr. Joseph Kigbu and his wife, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, the National Coordinator Dr. Nnenna

Ezeigwe, Air Commodore Femi Olutoye of the Ministry of Defense, the Chief of Party, Abts Associate, Dr. Nduka Iwuchukwu, other Directors and staff of the Federal Ministry of Health as well as many other partners were also in attendance.

The service was principally conducted by Rev. Vincent Asuquo, with the support of several other Ministers. The sermon dwelt on the impact of malaria on our people and

the need to take measures to combat it.

The Minister stated: “We need Divine assistance to defeat malaria and that malaria war has been taken to the spiritual arena, in addition to the physical interventions put together by the Government of Nigeria and the RBM partners.

In another development, a leading insecticide brand, Mortein, has unfolded plans to reach out to no fewer than 500,000 new mothers with a series of awareness and educational programmes that could help in the precention of the scourge.

Speaking at an event to com-

memorate the World Malaria Day at the weekend in Lagos, the Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, said the intervention became necessary due to the alarming death rate among children under the age of five and pregnant women as a result of malaria.

He revealed that malaria has become a global health concern because millions of deaths occur yearly due to malaria while in Africa alone, over 3,000 children have been reported to die daily from malaria. ‘‘As I speak to you, millions of people are suffering from malaria all over the world and 3,000 kids in Africa report-

Toyin Saraki pledges support for midwives at international confab HE Founder/ President of T Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Mrs. Toyin Saraki has pledged to help the growth and development of the midwifery profession because of its critical role in health care delivery.

Mrs Saraki made this pledge while on a visit to the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in The Hague, Netherlands, where she reaffirmed her commitment to improving maternal health and preventing needless deaths during childbirth.

During the meeting with the President of the International Confederation of Midwives, Frances Day-Stirk; Chief Executive Officer, Frances Granges, Frances Granges and Board Member and Treasurer, Marian Van Huis, in addition to other staff members, Mrs. Saraki expressed the critical need to provide universal access to a well-educated, wellequipped and regulated midwifery workforce, especially at the grassroots level in developing countries such Nigeria.

She went further to explain to her hosts the immense work her foundation was caring out especially in the area of Maternal and Child Health Advocacy, equipping midwives with essential tools like the WBFA Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health Personal Health Record (PHR), which

supports expectant mothers and midwives to record and monitor progress during pregnancy and early childhood and its safe delivery kits (“Mamakits”), which contain essential items to assist midwives in the safe delivery of newborns.

Mrs. Saraki also stated that her foundation has also worked with the federal and local governments of Nigeria to improve the education, working conditions and remuneration of midwives, as well as deploying midwives to underserved, rural areas of the country.

According to her: “I am optimistic about the year ahead and excited to be working with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) to achieve our shared vision of a world where every childbearing woman has access to a midwife’s care for herself and her newborn.”

The International Confederation of Midwives is an accredited non-governmental organisation, which supports, represents and works to strengthen professional midwives associations throughout the world, the ICM consists of 116 midwives associations, representing 101 countries across every continent. Together, these associations represent more than 300,000 midwives each committed to combatting the global maternal and newborn mortality crisis.

Mrs. Saraki and other members of the International Confederation of Midwives at the conference

National Coordinator National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe; Chairman, House Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria, Dr. Joseph Kigbu, and his wife, at a church service to mark the 2014 World Malaria Day (WMD) commemoration in Nigeria held at Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partners in Nigeria...on Sunday

edly die daily from malaria’’, he said.

Silivrili also said that aligned to the company’s mission and vision of building happier lives and happier homes, the Mortein Anti-Malaria Campaign was launched in Nigeria and across some other African countries two years ago as part of its corporate social responsibility.

He said: ‘‘We began the antimalaria campaign two years ago and we have made significant progress, and now we are taking it to the next level this year. So, we are going to 500,000 new mothers to educate them because our idea is not just giving the fish, but also educating the people how to fish.’’

The Marketing Director added that combating malaria required a collective action both by government and the private sector. ‘‘So we will have to educate people how to prevent malaria instead of curbing it. In order to be able to do that we go to mums and we educate them.

We go to kids, we educate them, that is the mission we have.

“Our campaign this year is that even one mosquito bite can cause malaria, so that is why we need to kill hundred percent of the mosquitoes and in order to be able to do that, we will be educating them to use insecticide products and Mortein is one of them’’, he stated.

As part of the activities to mark the day, Mortein also presented certificates and gifts to babies that were born on the World Malaria Day at some public hospitals in Lagos. The hospitals included General Hospital, Ajeromi where Mrs. Gift Odia and her baby boy were presented with the certificates and gifts. The second hospital was the Primary Health Centre, Ijora where Mrs. Kafayat Tajudeen and her new-born girl also received a certificate and gifts from the Mortein brand.

Rotary German partner eulogises Ondo maternal health care HE maternal and child health care programme of the Ondo State government has been declared as the best in Nigeria.

The Coordinator of German Partner of the Rotary Maternal and Child Project, Prof. Robert Zinser made the declaration during a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in his office in Akure on Monday.

Prof. Zinser noted that the government has set a standard in health sector that could compete with global best practices, adding that they were amazed at the world- class hospitals and facilities put in place by the state government to address maternal death in the state.

He said they were in the state to seek collaboration with the state government on Rotary International quality assurance programme and door-to-door family planning of the organisation.

While corroborating the position of the organisation, Chairman of the project in Nigeria, Dr. Kolawole Owoka, assured of its readiness to scale up maternal and child health in the state, stressing that the state government had the pace in healthcare for other state to copy.

In his response,Governor

T

Olusegun Mimiko thanked the organisation for its positive role in addressing maternal death in Nigeria.

Dr Mimiko assured that

his government would key into the quality assurance programme of the project aimed at granting international accreditation and acceptability to facilities in all

health facilities in the State.

The governor thus promised his administration’s continued determination to reduce maternal death in the state.

Photo

Members of the Rotary Club of Abuja, Gwarinpa conducting free health services as part of the Rotarians for Family Health and AIDS Prevention in Abuja at the weekend.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 17

Focus Concerns over Nigeria’s low budgetary allocation to agriculture

By Itunu Ajayi OME July, it would be 11 years since African C heads of government including Nigeria, converged on Maputo, Zimbabwe and reached a common agreement that, at least, 10 per cent of each country’s annual budget would be dedicated to the boosting of agriculture and food security in Africa.

The agreement, popularly referred to as the Maputo Declaration, was further boosted by the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programme (CAADP), which seeks to eliminate hunger, food and nutrition insecurity and also reduce poverty in Africa.

Similarly, at the conference of heads of states in Yamoussoukro in 2002, ECOWAS was mandated to support and coordinate the implementation of CAADP. Consequently, ECOWAS developed the regional agriculture policy (ECOWAP) and in 2005, ECOWAS and the NEPAD secretariat developed a joint ECOWAS/CAADP action plan 2005 to 2010, for the development of the agricultural sector.

At a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja recently and tagged: ‘Maputo declaration: Strengthening capacity to keep the promise,’ participants unanimously agreed that the only way to ensuring food security is for Nigeria to honour the agreement made in Maputo 11 years ago.

The heads of government had given themselves five years to see the impact of spending 10 per cent of their annual budget on agriculture.

Ideally, by 2008, it was expected that all African countries would have attained the 10 per cent Farmers at work gate. They are still thinking for the people who benchmark and even exceeded it. Till date, only returns in agriculture are high. very few African countries have attained the feat, It is disheartening to know that Nigeria is are wearing the shoes and who know where with some exceeding by up to 20 per cent. endowed with 84 million hectares of land where they pinch the most. Rather than talking of reliHowever, Nigeria seems not to be in a hurry to everything and anything germinates, but less gious bigotry, ethnicity and people with private attain the benchmark as statistics show that than 40 per cent is cultivated. Cotton, for jets, we should be talking about the future of Nigeria kept appropriating less than 10 per cent instance, can be grown in 26 states of the federa- our young generation.”

He continued: “About 40 years ago, Wole to agriculture every year. For instance, public tion and Nigeria actually has no business allocation to agriculture has plummeted from importing rice. Ukaoha said N365 billion is Soyinka said his own generation was wasted, 6.2 per cent in 2009 to 1.4 per cent this year, far spent on importation of rice, N656 billion on when money was money. What can I say of your below the Maputo Declaration’s benchmark of 10 wheat, N217 billion on sugar and N97 billion on generation? It is hyper-wasted. Nigeria is counper cent. It was out of concern on the effect this fisheries annually. This brings the sum total of try of paradox. We will make sure that the curwould have on the agricultural sector that Ken money spent on importation of these four food rent land tenure system does not continue to hamper the growth of agriculture. The comUkaoha, the president, National Association of items alone to N1.335 trillion annually.

Nigeria Traders (NANTS) referred the federal govWith its official population of 170 million peo- mercial banks are not ready to support agriculernment to three countries of China, Brazil and ple growing at 8 per cent per annum, and with ture. They prefer to support commodity busiVietnam that had used public investment as the its access to ECOWAS region, the G8 communi- ness rather than the real sector.”

At another forum to launch the Do Agric engine to growing their agricultural sectors, driv- ties and part of African communities of about ing economic growth, creating jobs, and improv- one billion people, Nigeria can be said not to Campaign in Nigeria, the director, ONE Africa, Dr. ing incomes for millions of small farmers. match words with action whenever policy mak- Sipho Moyo noted that in spite of Nigeria’s laudable efforts in promoting agriculture, the counUkaoha said between 1980 and 2010, the ers talked about job and wealth creation.

Chinese government allocated an average of 8.7 Agriculture, which is being proposed with 1.46 try could not reach its full potential in the sector per cent of its total annual expenditure to agricul- per cent in the current year, is capable of creat- until and unless the necessary public funding is ture. This, he noted, represented a cumulative of ing jobs for nothing less than 70 per cent of the unlocked to catalyse private sector investments $1,387 billion over a 30-year period. This resulted total population, as the sector, which is the and support the key role of smallholder farmers in increased agricultural output at an average largest in terms of its share GDP representing who are responsible for a significant portion of annual rate of 4.5 per cent between 1978 and over 40 per cent, has a long value chain the agriculture’s 33.8 per cent contribution to 2009, while grain output grew faster than the teeming youths of the country can leverage on Nigeria’s GDP. Her words: “Studies have shown that the mulcountry’s population, enabling it to feed 20 per without necessarily carrying hoes and cutlasses. cent of the world’s population, using just 11 per This scenario was described by the deputy tiplier effect of agricultural growth in subcent of the world’s arable land. chairman of the Senate Committee on Saharan Africa is estimated to be 11 times greater His words: “Growth was driven primarily by Agriculture, Mr. Abidemi Olugbenga Babalola, in reducing poverty than in other non-agriculimprovements in staple crop productivity, inter- as the unseriousness of the Nigeria government tural sectors, such as utilities and mining. This nal policy reforms that abolished collectivisation in tackling food insecurity. He said the Maputo AU Year of Agriculture presents an opportunity and made redistributed land available to peas- declaration lapsed as far back as 2008 and the for Nigeria to reverse budgetary cuts and ants; and investment in Universities and public current year budget proposal for agriculture is improve a vital sector on which the majority of research Institutes on research, irrigation and just a paltry N28 billion, representing 1.4 per cent Nigerian citizens depend. The Nigerian or African path to success cannot rely only on formarket commercialization”. of the entire budget.

He added that Brazil, on the other hand, Babalola said N35 billion of this figure is for the eign direct investment or private sector comincreased government’s expenditure on agricul- running the Ministry of Agriculture, while the mitments only.”

Moyo further listed countries that had ture from an average of $4.8 billion to $9.0 billion remaining N7 billion is for the mainstream achieved significant economic growth, per year, and in less than 30 years, the country proper. turned itself from a food importer into one of the His words: “ Only 7 billion is meant for capital through direct public investment in agriculworld’s greatest breadbaskets and had overtaken expenditure for the entire country’s agricultural ture, while urging the Nigerian government to others to become the world’s top exporter of beef, development. What we are having is lack of seri- equally scale up its public investments in the poultry products, tropical fruits, sugarcane, ousness from our leaders. And it is time for the sector for greater results.

“In Ghana and Burkina Faso, export-led ethanol and tobacco, as well as the second largest youth to take their destiny in their hands. You growth in cocoa and cotton has contributed to exporter of soybeans. have people at the confab with an average age of Vietnam, which was one of the poorest and 65-70. Are they planning for the future of Nigeria improved development outcomes, and poverty famine plagued countries of the world in the or discussing to take care of their own resurrec- has reduced by 44 per cent and 37 per cent 1980s, invested a total of $47 billion in agriculture, tion because many of them are at the departure respectively. The remarkable advances in these countries have been spurred by targeted representing an average of just under 7 per cent of total annual government expenditure, which Ukaoha said was the country’s catalyst to its pro- It is disheartening to know that Nigeria is endowed with 84 million hectares of land gression from a stagnant, centrally planned economy, to a vibrant market socialism, under which where everything and anything germinates, but less than 40 per cent is it has now become one of the world’s largest cultivated. Cotton, for instance, can be grown in 26 states of the federation and exporter of rice and coffee.

Nigeria actually has no business importing rice. Ukaoha said N365 billion is spent According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), growth in agriculture is 11 on importation of rice, N656 billion on wheat, N217 billion on sugar and N97 billion times more effective in reducing poverty than on fisheries annually. This brings the sum total of money spent on importation of growth in other sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.

This means the opportunity for development these four food items alone to N1.335 trillion annually

reforms in areas such as land tenure security, research and development, irrigation and market development, all of which form part of the Do Agric It Pays recommendations for Nigeria and other African countries. We appeal to the Nigerian government to work towards meeting its Maputo commitments, underpinned by smart targeted policies, so as to enhance its objectives of achieving value chain development, public support to smallholder farmers, land rights, gender equality and youth economic empowerment,” She said.

Moreover, Nigeria ranks low on budget transparency. The country has a 16 out of 100 score on IBP’s budget index and the public information it does provide is unclear and confusing. Other African countries, including Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa all have relatively more transparent budgets than Nigeria.

All the three countries score higher than Nigeria on the IBP index and all provide more opportunities for public engagement in the budget process. While the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA) is ambitious and represents a strong commitment to commercialize farms and providing needed inputs to farmers, public investment in agriculture has declined sharply in the last few years.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s budget is not divided by functions (i.e. research, extension, etc.) making it nearly impossible to identify and ascertain the ministry’s priorities and how they compare with the country’s CAADP plan and ATA. Civil society organisations, including NANTS that analysed the budget, pointed out that there were numerous ambiguous budget line items, generous allocations to what were perceived as frivolous activities such as “maintenance of office furniture” and “welfare packages”, and that budget execution is poor.

Besides, there were few resources allocated specifically to meet the targets in the ATA. According to NANTS, only N45 million out of N66.6 billion allocated to the Ministry is available to projects that directly relate to the ATA. The AU Year of Agriculture and food security is an effort to reinvigorate and improve implementation strategies for those commitments that would boost agriculture, which would translate to food security. It is intended to accomplish the ambitious MDG goal of halving poverty by 2015 and the AU’s goal of eradicating hunger by 2025.

Central to this goal is the reform of policies and increased levels of investment, targeting agriculture at the country level. African leaders are expected to review their agricultural investment commitments at the next AU Summit in June 2014 in Equatorial Guinea.

18 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

19

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Business Kaduna seals pact with IDB on $141m facility From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ADUNA State K Government has entered into an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for a loan of $141.45 million towards the provision of critical infrastructural facilities n health, education and water supply sectors.

Under the partnership between the government and officials of IDB, the Islamic financial body endorsed the areas of intervention by government, with $81 million slated for the construction of Transmission mains and service reservoirs at the Zaria regional water supply project.

Others include $43.13million for the provision of modern equipment at the 300 bed-space Specialist Hospital at the Millennium City, which is presently at 67 per cent completion; and $17.32 million for the construction of four new Science Secondary Schools to be located in the New Kaduna City, Koreye in Sabon Gari LGA, Rigachikun in Igabi LGA and Manchok in Kaura LGA. A statement by the media aide to the State Governor, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, pointed out that “the actual total amount of $141.45 million is contrary to reports by some media outfits (The Guardian not

inclusive) erroneously putting the total IDB loan at $300million”.

Besides, speaking at the Start-Up Project launching of the IDB funded projects on Monday, which was held at the 300 bed-space Specialist Hospital in Kaduna, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing all projects inherited from his predecessors.

According to the Governor, “we have promised the people that we are going to complete all ongoing projects in the State and I want to assure the people that we have not abandoned any project and we remain committed to completing them based on availability of funds.

“Out of the three projects, two are to refinance payment to the IDB which are, the 300 bed-space hospital and the 150 MLD Zaria Regional Water Project.

The only burden are the science schools and I believe if we spend all the money we have as a State on education, it won’t even be sufficient to get us to where we want to be”.

However, the Governor cautioned all citizens of Kaduna State not to allow people from outside the state to create confusion, saying “we will not allow Kaduna State to be thrown into anarchy, every citizen must respect the law and we have to be steadfast in

Non-payment of N18.2b purchased power worries Genco

By Sulaimon Salau in the implementaLingAXITY tion of fiscal policy guidthe operations of the power sector in the post-privatisation era may have thrown Egbin Electric Power Company into confusion on how to recoup its targeted income of about N18.2 billion from the power purchasers since the period of take-over.

The Managing Director, Egbin Electric Power, Mike Uzoigwe, who made this known during the oversight function of the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation on Tuesday, called for intervention of the legislators to ensure that due payments are made to the power generating firm to encourage further investments.

According to him, Egbin is expected to receive about N18.2 billion from the power purchasers for services rendered since November 2013, but the purchaser are threatening to pay only N13 billion, thereby deducting N5 billion as discount on the services.

Uzoigwe said the company is uncomfortable with this arrangement, although, it was pledged to be settled lat-

ter in future, Egbin considered it as a frustrated act towards meeting its targeted goal of boosting power generation in the country.

He said the company has only been able to recoup N6.5 billion from the expected sum.

To further improve on service delivery, Uzoigwe said the company has entered into an agreement with Korean Electric Power Company (KEPCO) to carry out the operation ands maintenance of the power plant for five years, while arrangements are also in place to double the capacity of the plant.

According to him, the company is planning major overhaul of all units from 2014 to 2016. The overhaul will commence from Unit 4 scheduled for October 2014; Unit 1, March 2015; Unit 3, July 2015; Unit 2, October 2015, Unit 5, January 2016 and Unit 6, April 2016 accordingly.

ensuring that we don’t allow outsiders to come and create confusion and then runaway and leave us in trouble.”

He called on people in the state to remain peaceful and tolerant irrespective of their differences, adding that “we must learn to live peacefully with our differences.”

Meanwhile, in his speech,

the Country Manager and Senior Financial Analyst of IDB, Mahmood Kamara, said the bank provides funds for viable projects initiated by both public and private sectors, noting that “IDB is a true partner committed to supporting development projects in Nigeria, to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people and the IDB group is

focused on social and economic development of member countries.”

The Chairman Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Mallam Muhammad Ali, at the occasion, praised Governor Yero for remaining unflinching in his resolve to providing people oriented projects.

He affirmed the support of

the Legislative arm to the laudable projects being accomplished by the Governor saying “the Governor deserves commendation and that is why as lawmakers we shall always support him to lead us to achieve our aspirations.”

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, FBN Capital Limited, Kayode Akinkugbe (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane; Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), Enase Okonedo; Executive Director, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank Plc. Uzoma Dozie and Patron, Finance Club, Kayode Omoregie during a finance conference, organized by the LBS Finance Club, entitled: Resilience of the Nigerian finance industry in the face of changing global circumstances in Lagos.

Africa to attract $880b investment in agriculture by 2030, says report HE African Development T Bank (AfDB) has said that Africa has the potential to attract $880 billion (about N141.7 trillion) investment in agriculture by 2030.

The assessment was contained in a report jointly produced by the Agriculture and Agroindustry and Development Research Departments of the bank, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja.

The report said that investment opportunities in agriculture abound in Africa, adding that the continent accounted for about 60 per cent of the uncultivated arable land in the world.

According to the report, it is estimated that Africa has the potential to increase the value of its annual agricultural output from 280 billion dollars in 2010 to about 500 billion dollars by 2020 and to 880 billion dollars by 2030.

“Africa’s projected output is expected to impact significantly on its demand for upstream products such as fertiliser, seeds, pesticides and machinery.

“It is also expected to result in the growth of downstream activities such as bio-fuel production, grain refining and food processing.”

The report further stated that both upstream and downstream markets could be valued at up to 275 billion dollars by 2030, if the continent had credible public-private partnerships and sound investment environment.

It said that 16 private agents had been engaged in upstream and downstream phases of the agricultural value chain for the transformation of Africa’s agriculture and its economies.

“One major challenge, therefore, is how to develop new institutional arrange-

ments between the public and private sectors that foster private sector development without leaving smallholder farmers isolated during the transition.

“Currently, large investment opportunities still exist for viable agriculture and components of these investments will include expanding infrastructure across the agricultural value chain.”

This, according to the report, is meant to ease the movement of agricultural goods from farmers to markets, both locally and regionally.

It said that untapped value addition in agriculture as well as improvements in the business regulatory environment and expansion across the continent’s “supermarket” provided unique investment opportunities.

“Such market-oriented investments also promote

rural employment, facilitate technology transfer, and build a sound foundation for sustainability and long-term sector transformation.

“Despite the recent global financial and food crises, the longer-term inclusive growth prospects of Africa’s agriculture are bright, especially if smallholders are assisted to specialise, add value and reach these growing markets.

“In particular, the surge in food prices in 2008 and the persistent food price volatility, presents a unique opportunity for African countries to increase their investment in the agriculture sector, to ensure food security and price stability.”

The report said that current high food prices had been attracting large-scale foreign private sector investment in farming, describing it as “great potential for growth”.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednessday, April 30, 2014 20

NCC embargoes registration of old SIM cards

By Adeyemi Adepetun with Agency Reports HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Monday, embargoed the registration of old Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards by telecommunications service providers.

The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. A SIM card is issued by telecoms operators to provide the individual user with the appropriate number recognised by that network after it has been inserted into a mobile phone.

Today, Nigeria has about 130 million active lines, while over 155 million are connected.

Ojobo said the registration of old SIM cards ended in 2012, adding that network providers were only allowed to register new SIM cards.

“Registration of new SIM cards was allowed to enable subscribers to have freedom of entry and exit from a mobile network to be able to switch to a new mobile network of their choice.

“If the registration is stopped, how would foreigners that are coming to Nigeria or new citizens who are ripe to use mobile phones register? There is no time we can stop the registration. What was stopped was the registration of old SIM cards after nine months that the official registration started, for old SIMs it has stopped, but for new it shall continue,’’ Ojobo said.

He said network providers had the right to reissue any number that was not in use by subscribers.

Meanwhile, in Lagos at the weekend, the commission said its five points agenda deserved foremost recognition in Africa.

Ojobo, at the 2014 edition of the Beacon of ICT awards organized by Commun

T

icationsWeeks Limited, where NCC baged the ‘Regulator of the Year Award’ said that the commission had a focused leadership and staff, who ensured that the regulatory body was moved to enviable height in Nigeria and Africa.

He said that the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah came up with a five points agenda, which included broadband deployment, capacity building and strengthening international relationship.

According to him, it also includes compliance monitoring and enforcement, then consolidation, which is to deepen competition in the industry. ‘’All of these have been the driving force that has taken the commission to where it is today, as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognised NCC as the foremost regulator in Africa. ‘’Today, we have people from other regulatory agencies in Africa coming to NCC to understudy what we have been doing that have enabled us to remain at the forefront of telecoms regulation,’’ he said.

Ojobo said that the agenda was geared towards ensuring that the global community always recognises Nigeria as a destination country for telecoms investment.

He noted that the Juwah-led five point agenda had made it possible for the cost of Short Messaging Service (SMS) to be reduced from N15 to N4 per message.

The NCC chief said that the commission had also reduced the interconnect rates, which obviously led to reduction on call rates and other services offered by the operators. ‘’In the area of compliance monitoring and enforcement, within this time, we have had the Key Performance Indicators gazetted, that has given us the force to actually bite,” he added.

Executive Director, Corporate Investment Banking, Stanbic/IBTC, Victor Williams (left); Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic/IBTC Holdings Plc, Sola DavidBorha; and Head, Marketing and Communication, Stanbic/IBTC Holdings, Nkini Olumide-Ojo, at the press conference on the forthcoming World Economic Forum, in Lagos PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Skye Bank posts N13.6b interest income in Q1

By Helen Oji KYE Bank Plc has announced a net interest income growth of N13.6 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

This amount achieved is an increase of N13.4 percent when compared to N12.1 billion posted during the corresponding period in 2013.

Similarly, the bank’s operating income grew to N20.9 billion during the review, up from N19.5 billion posted in the previous year, which represent an increase of seven per cent.

In the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) compliant result submitted at the Nigeria Stock Exchange yesterday, the bank attributed the growth in its net interest income to a rise in income from commission and fees, investments and other activities.

However, the bank said its profit before tax declined from N4.6 billion during the first quarter in 2013 to N3.4 billion during the corresponding period in 2014. Profit after tax also decreased to

S

N2.8 billion as against N3.7 billion the previous year.

Explaining the reasons for the decline in its profit, the bank attributed the development to increase in its operating expense of N17.5 billion compared to N14.9 billion in 2013.

According to the bank, provisioning for regulatory payments and other operating expenses accounted for the increase.

“In a year beset with various regulatory headwinds on the

backdrop of monetary policy tightening with attendant impact on liquidity, cost, fees, and overall earnings, our results for the first quarter declined.

“Our operating expense increased during the review period by 17 per cent, from N14.9 billion the previous year to N17.4 billion as a result of increased statutory payments and other operating costs.

“We are confident about the successful implementation of

our Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital Raising Project within the year as planned, which would enable us deepen our penetration in existing markets, while also providing the avenue for exploring uncharted segments and other opportunities”, the bank explained.

The bank expressed optimism that the growth pattern would be improved upon in the remaining period of the financial year.

Firstmonie hits 1m subscriber-base

By Chijioke Nelson irstmonie, the mobile payment solution from First FBank of Nigeria Limited, has hit the one million-customer mark on its platform, in less than two years of its operations.

The mobile payment solution was launched in 2012 as part of the bank’s financial inclusion initiative to drive the provision of banking services to the growing numbers of the unbanked and the underbanked population in Nigeria.

The Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, said that surpassing the one-million mark on the Firstmonie platform, showed the extent the bank will go to ensure that cus-

tomers have more choices in accessing banking services from any location they find themselves.

“We are pleased by this achievement, which signifies the level of Firstmonie’s acceptance among subscribers. We believe that the tremendous growth it has recorded so far illustrated the important role it plays in providing easy access to financial services for customers on the go,” she said.

She pointed out that the platform, which was created to align with the nation’s policy on cash-less or cash-lite economy, offers an excellent medium for subscribers to disburse funds efficiently and securely to their loved ones across the nation.

“The Firstmonie solution was

created to provide convenient a n d safer banking for the underbanked and unbanked to access their bank account and transfer funds with the use of their mobile phones.

“This enables subscribers to send and receive money, pay bills, buy airtime, and make sundry purchases in Nigeria without owning a bank account. The transaction on the platform has no time barriers and can be carried out at any time of the day.

“The platform also supports wealth creation by providing opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs across the nation and has been associated with several initiatives like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant, among others,” she added.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FinancialReporting

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 21

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 Wenesday, April 30, 2014

In partnership with

Shipping

NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF SHIPPING

Challenges And Prospects Of Port Terminal Operations A LEAD DISCUSSION PAPER BY PRINCESS(DR) VICKY HAASTRUP AT THE STAKEHOLDERS’ BREAKFAST MEETING ON THE ROLE OF NIGERIA SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL AS A COMMERCIAL REGULATOR IN THE PORT INDUSTRY HELD AT WHEAT BAKER HOTEL IKOYI ON THE 16TH APRIL, 2014.

INTRODUCTION HE seaports are gateway to the nation’s economy as they are points of interchange between the sea and the land for international maritime trade which accounts for over ninety percent (90%) of the nation’s imports and exports. Therefore, the prospects of terminal operation cannot be over emphasized.

The federal government between 20005 and 2006 through the National Council on Privatization NCP decided to concession the Port’s terminal to private operators for various numbers of years ranging from 10- 25 years. This was done with the objective to enhance the efficiency of port services, diversify port services and promote competition, reduce the costs of port services to its users and to relieve the government of financial and administrative burden of port management. It was also to inject the private sector investment and expertise into port management.

By this agreement, cargo handling functions hitherto performed by the Nigerian Ports Authority were transferred to the

T

private terminal operators, while the Ports Authority was required to manage the marine and other ancillary services such as piloting and harbor.

Agreements (lease/concession agreements) were therefore signed between the Private terminals Operators and the Federal Government to guide the services and tariffs chargeable by the various parties.

By the provisions of the lease agreements, terminal operators are expected to provide stevedoring service, storage/ stacking infrastructure and adequate cargo handling equipment to facilitate discharge, storage, delivery and loading of cargo on board a vessel.

The Nigerian Ports Authority on the other hand is also expected to provide channels and aids to navigation management, general safety and security of the harbor and the common user area. It is also required to provide towage, piloting and berthing and maintenance of quay walls. The resources required for discharge of these services however include; the provisions of trained pilots, tug boats, light house and navigational aids;

dredging of port channels to a sufficient depts.

Etc In line with the functions discharged by the various parties to the agreements charged such as cargo dues, delivery charge, terminal handling charge , and storage/ rent and transfer charge dues, delivery charge, terminal handling charge, and storage/ rent and transfer charge are charged on cargoes by the leasee.

The Nigerian Ports Authority on the other hand imposes charges for the services it provides for the vessels laden with cargo. These charges includes; harbour dues, ship dues, environmental protection levy although collected from the shipping companies but ultimately passed to the consignees along with freights. The Authority also collects from Terminal Operators lease fee, throughput fee, moveable asset purchase fee, commencement fee etc.

There is however several other services provided in the Ports with their own tariffs. A port Cargo delivery operation is not limited to the relationship between the NPA and Terminal operator alone. It also involves

the services of the Shipping companies which are over 100, the Freight Forwarders (Customs Licensed Agent), Government Agencies (for example Nigerian Customs Service, NAFDAC, Nigerian Police, NDLEA, Nigerian Immigration Service) Transporters, Bonded Terminal Operators etc.

These Agencies also provide services and make charges.

PROSPECTS OF PORT TERMINAL OPERATION Comparing pre-concession era with port concession of 2006 clearly confirms that there are great prospects in efficient port terminal operations.

PRE-CONCESSSION ERA A summary of the ills being suffered by the system in the old order included: 1. Turnaround time for ships was too long, and usually calculated in weeks sometimes months, depending on the cargo being loaded or discharged.

2. Cargo- handling plants and equipment owned were few and mostly unserviceable, leading to shipping companies hiring these machines from private sector

sources to work in the port.

3. Dwell time for goods in ports was prolonged due to poor port management. Consequently, overtime cargo filled the most active seaports leading to port congestion.

4. Labour for ship work was held in the vice –grip of the wharf overlords who controlled dockworker unions and supplied less than the manpower paid for. This fraud, which became accepted by the maritime community lasted for years and was usually perpetrated to extract maximum revenue from helpless ship owners and their agents without a care of how this impacted on the Nigerian economy and the already dented reputation of Nigerian seaport.

5. Nigerian seaports were as a result of the compounded problems, rated as one of the costliest seaports in the world.

6. Many port premises and quay aprons had fallen to disuse and failed road sections inside the ports made movement of goods within port grounds cumber-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

From the Desk of the

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 23

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

DIRECTOR GENERAL

Dear Reader, ELCOME to another edition of our biW weekly journal on Maritime issues.

The Nigerian Maritime Industry as we know it has witnessed a tremendous innovation in its journey of improving its Standards of operation. Such innovations include but not limited to, the rehabilitation of our ports by the introduction of the Private Public Partnership Agreement structure (PPA) and recently the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers Council as an Interim Port Regulator, one which is long overdue. The absence of an economic regulator for the Ports had made room for all sorts of sharp practices and reduced the standard of operation in our ports. In a bid to apply International best practice in our port system the idea of a Port Regulator is therefore very welcomed.

The term Regulator generally refers to a body private or public with the necessary authority to govern person(s) within its jurisdiction by laying down a set of binding rules to supervise compliance and apply sanctions where there is a violation of those rules.

The core objective of a regulator in the ports would be to protect the interest of both the investor/consumers/stakeholders by ensuring that the market is fair, efficient and transparent resulting in total confidence in any dealings carried out in the Ports.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the appointed Regulator should therefore be able to look into the charges being imposed by every agency at the ports in order to reduce cost of carrying out business in the Ports.

Furthermore, for any regulator to succeed there is need for Autonomy / Independence even in areas such as funding its operations.

This way they would be Neutral in their dealings and carry out their duties without fear or favour. With all these in place, and provisions expected to come with the passage of the Ports and Habour Bill, we can only hope for the best in the Maritime Sector.

At the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping we are focused on providing the needed industry support in terms of useful advocacy, expedient capacity building contributions in terms of manpower training, workshops and sensitization programmes, etcetera. Our top of the shelf training programmes also come in very handy; The ABC of Shipping Course and the Understanding Cabotage & Local Content in the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry are recommended. Also, the novel PGD and Certificate programmes in Maritime, Oil & Gas which is a collaborative initiative between the Chamber of Shipping and the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amasoma, Bayelsa State will kick off in June this year.

These are opportunities available to the Industry, Financial Institutions, Oil companies, Maritime Organisations and Government /Public sector organizations which we enjoin all to grab with both hands.

We are positioned to positively affect our Shipping and Logistics sphere of business in the quest to strongly support the development of our National Economy through Local participation.

We welcome and encourage you to send in your relevant topical articles to be published within these pages.

Please join our boat. Welcome!!

God Bless.

IFY ANAZONWU-AKERELE Director General Nigerian Chamber of Shipping Info@nigerian-shipping.org

Challenges And Prospects Of Port Terminal Operations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 some and very slow.

7. Following the seaport congestion, complaints of untraceable or missing cargoes were being regularly lodged against the NPA, all to no avail.

8. Security inside Nigerian seaports was compromised by the relentless ingress of multitude of all shades of persons into the seaports. As a result, miscreants called wharf rats easily gained access into ports and pilfered goods in storage or vehicle parts. In fact, security within port grounds was at the mercy of an elusive racket.

9. Poor response by the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) to the call for cargo examination.

10. Unsolicited transfer of containers to bonded terminals and its attendant costs.

11. Imposition of unauthorized charges by the service providers.

POST- CONCESSION Upon concession the concessionaries went into action and the results have shown that government has no business in business.

Achievements of ports concession among others are: i.

Improved quick turnaround time of vessels.

Vessels that were spending weeks and months now spend few days to complete discharge. ii.

High cargo throughput. Unprecedented high cargo traffic was handled by concessionaries in terms of cargo tonnage and Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

For instance before 2006 Apapa Port handled only a maximum of 1.2 million metric tonnes per year whereas ENL Consortium alone has handled over 4million metric tonnes in one year. iii.

High berth occupancy rate of ninety percent (90%) has been achieved until recent economic policies that are diverting vessels for Nigeria to neighboring countries. iv.

High private capital investment on infrastructure. Billions of dollars investment by port concessionaries has lifted up the port infrastructure. v.

Regular and constant payment of throughput fee to the Nigerian Ports Authority. Government revenue through the Nigerian Ports Authority has increased tremendously thereby contributing to the GDP of the nation. vi.

Reasonable control of terminal workers.

Harmonious relationship between terminal operators and terminal workers which has reduced labour unrest to the barest minimum. vii.

Better manning scale for the dock workers has increased productivity and increase earning of average dock worker.

CHALLENGES i.

Waterfront security / Piracy: there has been increase in piracy and sea robbery attacks on vessels in the territorial waters. ii.

Slow pace of govern-

Haastrup ment in fulfilling its obligation in the concession agreement especially in the areas of access roads, provision of desired depths at the channels and berths. iii.

Host community problems especially in the eastern ports and prevalence of shanty villages within the ports environment. iv.

Inadequate pilotage.

Tug boats, and pilot cutters delay berthing and sailing of vessels. v.

Multiplicity of service process by customary government agencies in the port and frictions among maritime statutory agencies due to overlapping functions constitute bottleneck to international best practices in seaport terminal operations. vi.

Arrest of vessels at berth and attendant consequences encroaches on the terminal operators berth space and throughput. vii.

Port access vehicular traffic control system is chaotic. It has reduced the turnaround time of trucks resulting in high cost of haulage and congestion of the terminals. Dependency on only one mode of transport for movement of cargo from port terminal is a big challenge. viii.

Inadequate public power generating system: lack of public power supply is additional cost to the terminal while still paying NPA electricity bills. NPA should consider putting independent power plant production in place. ix.

Intermittent ASYCUDA++ connectivity failure is another challenge to terminal operator’s cargo release. x.

Uncoordinated and high level on unprofessionalism of freight forwarders which leads to improper documentation that delay cargo release. xi.

Lack of political will to implement port development policies. xii.

Cargos from developing countries are poorly packaged compared to those from

developed economy. This leads to damages, losses and delays in the course of discharge especially general cargo. xiii.

Inconsistent government policy and cumbersome documentation procedures such as Risk Assessment Report (RAR) to Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) is a challenge and hindrance to prompt cargo delivery from the terminals. xiv.

Delay from relevant agencies during ship’s “pratique” that is the inspections carried out by designated relevant agencies on the arrival of a merchant vessel before the ship commences discharge. xv.

It is a big challenge enforcing the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for port users such as freight forwarders and ship agents in order to achieve compliance level 1. xvi.

Unanticipated illegal levies by Government Agencies from federal, state and local government. xvii.

Incorrect declaration by some importers and their agents delay customs release and delivery from the terminal. xviii.

The need to adjust tariff on an annual basis in line with the concession agreement which is not being done as at when due by NPA. These challenges need to be attended to by the statutory organization responsible (NPA, Customs and NIMASA) in order to achieve the set objectives.

FUTURE PROSPECTS The terminal operators as patriotic investors are ready to fulfill all obligations that will make Nigerian Ports a hub to West and Central Africa with international best practices.

The under mentioned should be given consideration: i. There are bright prospects for Ports Terminal

Operations in Nigeria. The appointment of the Nigerian Shippers’ council as interim Economic Regulator of Ports is one major positive development in this direction. But this is only if the Council will be ready to take up this challenging assignment to sanitize the Ports and rid it of intruders and their undesirable activities. The council must be decisive in its regulatory role so to ensure uniformity in the imposition of charges and fees. It must also ensure that only those necessary require to be operating at the ports are allowed to operate. In doing this the council must be consistent, independent, accountable, transparent and predictable. ii. There is need to urgently pass the Port and Harbour bill still in the national assembly to give legal backing to the concession programme.

Iii. The shippers’ council as current commercial regulator should be an unbiased umpire therefore ensuring that every stakeholder including ministries, departments and government agencies (MDGs) play their role very well iv. There must be establishment of national coast guard to check water front security threats, and deal with sea piracy, which should be independent of all existing military / Para military agencies.

V. There is need for long term lease instead of current short term lease. This will encourage concessionaries to inject more capital intensive port operation. vi. Concession of dredging / pilotage service to private companies for efficiency. vii. Development of rail networks and in land water ways to de-emphasize port roads overland conveyance viii. Expansion and regular maintenance of port access roads. ix. Relocation of farm tanks installation within the port area to ease access to the port. x. Effective customs’ on-line service connectivity to all stake holders for a seamless port operation. xi. The need to have bigger berth draft in the port system.

Conclusion For more prospects that the maritime industries portends in terms of employment, revenue and international relevance, the federal government should encourage indigenous investors by maintaining stable policies and keeping to its end of the agreement on the concessions.

The federal government generates a lot of revenue from the port terminal. The recent policy somersault on imports resulted in revenue drop across board, even in the Nigerian customs, whose revenue dropped from N191.3Billion in the first quarter of 2013 to N77.9Billion in same period of 2014.

Port operation is capital intensive therefore financial concession should adversely affect the throughput and guaranteed minimum tonnage (GMT) of the terminals.

24 Wenesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 25

26 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

OPEC optimistic about crude oil resources in member-countries

Nigeria secures first Argentina’s crude oil order

/28

/29

/29

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Experts warn Gencos, Discos against retention of incompetent hands with the new investors in the power assets.

Y the end of today, employ- The lay-offs are coming at the ees of the defunct Power expiration of the six-month conHolding Company of Nigeria tractual agreement between the (PHCN) would have known investors and PHCN employees, their fate in respect to the con- which lapses today, Wednesday tinuity of their employment April 30.

By Roseline Okere

B

Though, Nigerian Electricity Employee Union (NUEE) has vowed to resist any attempt by the new owners to cut jobs, but experts and some stakeholders believed that the workers have no right to force the new investors into retaining their po-

Ghana takes lessons from Nigeria’s petroleum sector HANA National Petroleum Authority (GNPA) exG pressed its desire to learn from the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Determined to learn from Nigeria’s vast knowledge in the oil and gas sector, two staff of Ghana’s downstream regulatory agency were in the Department of Petroleum Resources to study the operations and regulatory procedures of the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The curriculum of the week long exercise covered the entire value chain of downstream regulations Nigeria; including regulatory guidelines for process engineering, plants installations, products metering, importation and storage.

The Deputy Director, Downstream Monitoring & Regulation, Oliver Okparaojiako, who represented the Director of Petroleum Resources at the opening session, advised that Ghana should endeavour to learn from the Nigerian experience, especially at this nas-

cent stage of its oil and gas activities.

The participants from GNPA, Steven Comnashar and Alexander Acheampong, were taken on study tours to downstream facilities as part of the weeklong study activities. They expressed appreciation to Department and asked that DPR and GNPA should evolve a collaboration platform to continue sharing experiences on

regulation.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), Ghana discovered commercial oil and gas in 2007, and, subsequently, commenced production in the last quarter of 2010. In the light of the potential economic boost that will accompany petroleum production, its discovery was welcome news for Ghanaians.

sition in Discos and Gencos.

Since the beginning of the privatisation exercise in 2013 about 40,000 of the PHCN’s total staff strength of about 45,000 had been verified and paid their retirement benefits by the Federal Government. Some of them were however retained on a contractual ground by the new investors over a period of six months, for the purpose of assessing and retaining relevant staff.

The Guardian gathered that the new investors have already retained some of the workers found to be competent enough to handle the new challenges in the power sector, while the others are supposed to be lay-off today.

Since the privatisation of the

power sector, the investors who bought over the successor companies have been complaining of numerous challenges confronting them. Notable among these constraints are the issues of inadequate gas supply, poor manpower base and obsolete equipment.

An energy Lawyer and Partner and Head of Energy Section, Law Kartel Solisitors, Barrister Bola Hassan, told The Guardian on Monday, that the new investors have the right to lay-off any PHCN employers, which they have found not to have the competency to handle the new technology in the power sector.

According to Hassan, the investors should not be forced to continue to engage any employees of PHCN if they do not meet

the standard needed for the electricity challenges in the country.

He stated: “The new investors have spent so much money in acquiring the electricity Discos and Gencos and they are still spending a lot of money in acquiring new equipment to handle these assets. They should be allowed to decide on those people they want to work with.

These new investors should be allowed to work with people they can trust.

“The new investors are already facing a lot of challenges such as gas the inability to get more loans from the banks”.

Another energy lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity stated: “No employees has the right to seek continuous employment when all the severance packages have been paid. I have read in the papers that government has paid billions of naira to settle the defunct PHCN employees. My advise is that government should endeavour to ensure complete payment of all those who may be affected by this exercise”.

He also urged the new investor to resist any form of blackmail from any quarter. “Government should also ensure that it assist the new investor ensuring that the right people with the required competency and skill are employed to manage the electricity companies”.

28

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Schneider, partners to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation to 10,000mw

By Roseline Okere HE Federal Government, and its French counterpart in partnership with Schneider Electric, has embarked on move to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity through a specialized programme for youths in the Niger Delta.

The programme, which has been scheduled to last for a period of one year, is expected to boost the country’s electricity to between 8,000mw and 10,000mw by the end of 2015.

About 30 youths from the Niger Delta region are currently under going a training programme in Electrical Engineering in Grenoble, France, in line with the government’s commitment to transforming the power sector.

Schneider Electric described the programme as a manpower development strategy of the government aimed at producing competent hands that will ensure that the transformation of the sector is achieved and sustained.

Schneider Electric, is one of the world leading energy companies with high competency and the Nigerian government hopes that the youths would, by way of hands on the job training, acquire needed skills and knowledge that would boost the power sector in Nigeria.

A consultant Engineer in Electrical Electronics, Mohammed Neheili, said that in the first part of the training, the youths would be made to become good workers and that the second part would involve design of domestic fittings.

He added that the students’ willingness to be part of the

T

solution to Nigeria’s power problem has shown in their commitment to ensuring they achieve a lot from the training.

The Director Programme, Scheider Electric, Francois Miliowi, said: “With their motivation, the time they spend to learn, their expectation when they are back, their vision of their role in their society in their country is really something that surprised us, sincerely”.

Flagging off the initiative on behalf of the Federal Government recently, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, said that under the programme, the Federal Government would generate and distribute between 8,000 and 10,000 megawatts of electricity by the end of 2015.

“Several of the power installations that would aid the attainment of this goal are located in the Niger Delta. If we do not train persons in the Niger Delta that would be deeply and properly involved in the generation and distribution of electricity, we may not attain this visionary goal of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

“This collaboration with the French Government and Schneider Electric of France is geared towards expediting the ongoing transformation in the power sector in the country.

“I am truly delighted at this collaboration between the Federal Government and the French Government. Nigeria is at the verge of a revolution in the power sector.

Power regulator tasks manufacturers on quality electricity equipment

By Sulaimon Salau HE Managing Director, Electricity Management Service (EMS) Limited, Peter Ewesor, has urged indigenous electricity equipment manufacturers to insist on quality that would leverage the socio-economic growth of the country.

Ewesor, who made the appeal in Lagos during the company’s visit to some electricity manufacturing companies in the state, said the company was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the use of quality equipment by the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

He said, the company was poised to ensure local manufacturing strive in the country and that indigenous meter companies in Nigeria are encouraged.

“No meter imported into the country will be allowed to go straight into installation without passing through the test for validation. There is need for distribution companies to promote indigenous meter manufacturing companies.

We should not allow foreigners to take over our local market in meter manufacturing,” he said.

Ewesor said that the Nigerian Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 provided for the EMS which has been incorporated as a government-

T

owned limited liability company under the ministry of power.

He said the importance of establishing EMS was informed by the need to have a professional and technical agency of government at this crucial stage of the power sector reform to close up technical gaps.

Ewesor said that EMS must be able to provide the needed services to drive support and sustain the emerging private sector-led electricity industry in Nigeria.

“The mandate of the company, according to the minister, includes providing all needed ancillary and support services to the Nigerian electricity supply industry which include engineering laboratory, meter test stations, central stores system as well as testing and certification of major electrical equipment.

“Other activities include providing the platform for standardisation in the industry, archiving the power sector data and information management,” he said.

He also said the newly inaugurated EMS would not receive all the subventions it needed to work from the government as it was expected to make profit for its operation and for the national treasury.

“In fact, we are preparing for a revolution of sorts in the power sector in Nigeria and that is why we have decided to massively develop manpower in that sector in collaboration with the French Government and Schneider Electric of France,” Kuku added.

The Chairman/CEO of Schneider Electric, Mr. Jean-Pascal Tricoire, reiterated the firm’s commitment to the total transformation of the power sector in Nigeria.

“The lack of trained engineers in the electrical and energy fields is a major obstacle to the successful and sustainable development of a number of regions in emerging economies.

It is in recognition of this fact that Schneider is pledging to assist Nigeria in human capacity building in the power sector.

“Schneider Electric, with the support of France’s Education Ministry, is proud to work

alongside the Nigerian government in the Amnesty programme for skills development and access to employment through this training initiative for the local population,” Tricoire said.

The Isaac Boro College is located in the main university area in Grenoble, in a building purpose-built by Schneider Electric. It houses three laboratories for practical classes, equipped with banks of equipment and products to provide

training on domestic and industrial electricity applications, including automation and medium voltage. The building also houses several conventional classrooms.

Teaching staff have devised a specially tailored course, designed to meet specifications laid down by the Nigerian government, paying particular attention to practical exercises to ensure students are fully operational as soon as they complete their year’s course. All training is delivered in English.

Oil processing facility

OPEC optimistic about crude oil resources in member-countries

By Roseline Okere HE Organisation of Petroleum Resources (OPEC) has said there are more than enough crude oil resources in member countries to meet demand for the foreseeable future.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said recently that the country’s crude oil reserves currently stand at 35 billion barrels, thus dropping by two billion (about 5.4 per cent) from 37 billion it earlier recorded few years ago.

Experts had linked the declining state of the country’s oil reserves to lack of investment in the sector due to the stringent content and non passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

But, the OPEC Secretary-General, believed that with necessary investment in the sector in member countries, there remained more than enough crude oil to meet the needs of the oil cartel’s customers.

OPEC Secretary General, Abdalla S. El-Badri, who gave this submission at the Ministerial Session of the 15th International Oil Summit, Paris, France, recently, stated that member countries expect to see the call on OPEC liquids from around 37 million barrels a day in 2018 to over 47 million barrels a day by 2035.

This, he said, is greater than the expected increase in nonOPEC liquids supply over the same period, at just less than nine million barrels a day.

He put OPEC’s crude production at close to 30 million barrels a day, which he noted, is what is required by the market.

T

El-Badri said that the Organization was making sure its consumer’s needs are met.

He stated: “In the mediumterm, the call remains fairly steady – at around 29-to-30 million barrels a day. It means that OPEC spare capacity is expected to rise, although expectations are that this will be towards comfortable levels.

“But let me add here that this is presuming that everything will stay the same and that there will be no disturbances to supply. History tells us that things rarely stay the same, and the market will have to evolve to ever-changing circumstances in the years ahead”.

El-Badri allayed fears from some member countries over the boom in the exploitation shale oil in some countries around the world.

According to him, there re-

main questions over how sustainable these tight oil developments will be in the long-term. “For example, many wells are already experiencing sharp decline rates – in some cases 60 per cent after one year. In OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2013, we see US tight oil, including NGLs, reaching 4.9 million barrels a day by 2018, before declining in the years following.

“In respect to actual production capacity, however, we have undoubtedly seen a transformation in the US with tight oil adding new capacity over the past few years.

“A number of other nonOPEC regions are also expected to see strong supply growth, both in the mediumand long-term – regions such as Brazil and some countries in Central Asia, particularly

Kazakhstan”.

He expressed the commitment of member countries over continuous investment in the oil production.

He hinted: “OPEC will continue to invest – to maintain existing capacity and add new production as well. However, like any investments, they will be influenced by various factors – such as policies, the price of oil and overall economic conditions.

“It is important to underscore just what investments we are talking about. In OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2013 it is estimated that global upstream investment requirements between 2012 and 2035 are $5.2 trillion.

Combined with expected requirements in the midstream and refining industries, this number approaches $8 trillion.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 29

CAMAC targets 14,000bpd production from Oyo field

By Sulaimon Salau AMAC Energy IncorporaC tion has expressed its commitment to drive crude oil production from the Oyo oil well to about 14,000 barrels per day (BPD) by the end of this year.

Already the company said plans at advanced stage to commence drilling operations at the field, after a due accent of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Besides, the company said it has identified 10 exploration prospects and 12 leads, and has currently high-graded three prospects containing unrisked prospective resources in excess of 200 million barrels per day each.

“Current efforts are focused on determining the first exploration well location to be drilled in 2015,” it added.

CAMAC, in its update on the company’s operations in West and East Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, said, “the Northern Offshore Energy Searcher drillship is currently located offshore Cameroon, where it is awaiting final clearance by the DPR to enter Nigeria and commence drilling operations at the Oyo Field.

‘The DPR has completed its inspection, and is expected to issue final clearance imminently. The drilling rig is anticipated to arrive at the Oyo Field by the end of April,” it stated.

Commenting on the update,

Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production, CAMAC, Segun Omidele, said: “CAMAC Energy’s continued focus is to improve our current production and cash flow, while making solid progress identifying and developing our world-class, high-impact exploration prospects and leads.

“We are confident about our current operational status, and look forward to ramping up net daily production from 2,000 barrels of oil today to 14,000 barrels of oil by yearend,” In order to optimize drilling, completion, and production activities, CAMAC said current plans are in the pipeline to spud Oyo-8 by middle of May, with well-hookup and first production expected in October.

“The drilling rig will then move to complete and hookup Oyo-7, with first production expected in November. Both wells continue to be on track to commence production this year, enabling CAMAC Energy to exit 2014 at an estimated production rate of 14,000 barrels of oil per day,” it added.

The company however said it recently received parliamentary ratification of its petroleum agreement relating to the expanded shallow water Tano Block in Ghana. The company has been named technical operator and will hold a 30 per cent interest in the Block.

Nigeria secures first Argentina’s crude oil order • To export 1.8 million bpd in June

By Sulaimon Salau with agency report RGENTINA’S state-run oil company YPF has awarded a tender to buy a one millionbarrel cargo of Nigerian Bonny Light crude to trading firm Vitol.

This marks the first time the South American country, which produces 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, has agreed to buy Nigerian crude since it lifted restrictions on crude imports in January.

However, Nigeria is scheduled to export about 1.8 million barrels per day of crude oil in June, compared with a planned 1.53 million bpd in May. The Argentine cargo, according to sources, is expected to arrive in second week of May to Bahia Blanca port.

“The cargo will be delivered in the second week of May at Bahia Blanca port and then the crude will be distributed by Enarsa to several Argentine refineries, including Campana, La Plata and Buenos Aires,” one

A

of the sources said.

Enarsa, another Argentine state-run oil company, will be in charge of receiving the cargo and will deliver the crude to refining companies.

It would be worthy to note that Axion Energy’s 90,000 bpd Campana refinery, the country’s fourth-largest, is undergoing a planned major maintenance.

YPF declined to comment and Vitol was not immediately available.

Traders expect the state-run company to keep buying light crudes to combine with local output of heavy and medium grades.

While Argentina’s oil output becomes heavier, as is the case in the rest of Latin America, it can now access cheap West African light crudes to feed domestic refineries and produce a larger volume of finished fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

Nigeria’s Bonny Light is a sweet crude with a density of 35 API degrees, produced by several foreign companies at

Head, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Sales and Operation, Oando Marketing Plc, Olabiyi Babafemi (left) Acting Matron, Lagos Cheshire Home, Feyiola Oforomeh, The Care Giver of the Home, Basirat Ogundare, Home Resident, Toyin Olowoporoku, Sales Business Development and Marketing Manager, Oando Marketing Plc, Taiwo Gaji and other Residents of Lagos Cheshire Home at the presentation of O-GAS Cooking Gas as gift items to Cheshire Home in Mushin, Lagos PHOTO; FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Danvic, partners to boost Nigerian content policy

By Roseline Okere ANVIC Concepts International Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Exploration & Production (E&P) Service company, in conjunction with technical partners, INEXS (Houston) and Sinopec (Beijing), have embarked on E&P services to boost the Nigerian Local Content policy.

The company, in collaboration with Society for Exploration Geophysist (SEG, (Tulsa)), Subsurface Consultants Association (SCA, (Houston)) and VJN Engineering (Aberdeen) is providing trainings for professionals in the oil and gas industry.

The Managing Director and a past President of the Nigerian Association Petroleum Explorationist (NAPE), Dr. Mayowa Afe, said that apart from the aforementioned services and a way of helping to enhance the quality of geoscience graduates from Nigeria universities, the company and her software technical partner dGB Earth sciences (Netherlands), has donated ‘OpendTect’ seismic exploration software academic licenses worth more than $5 million to Nigerian Universities.

In media statement, Afe disclosed that the company has trained more than 100 lecturers from more than 30 universities in Nigeria, with PTDF, Sapetro, Chevron, and Esso sponsoring the trainings on different occasions.

D

• Total harps on implementation He explained: “Danvic concepts ‘train the trainer’ programme creates an avenue where lecturers from Nigeria universities are thought modern geoscience technics in exploration and introduced to seismic software application.

The knowledge acquired during this training by the lecturers is then passed on to their students during their lectures.

“This ensures the passage of technology and recent ideas in exploration from the industry to the academia, thereby enriching the quality of graduates produced and helping to reduce the knowledge gap between the theories of the university classrooms and the practical needs of the oil and gas industry. The company has even taking a step further in this direction by partnering with some private universities in the country.

“The students in these schools are thought for two weeks and the schools are given free ‘OpendTect’ seismic exploration software academic licenses on their workstation. The students have a practical feel of how seismic and petrophysical interpretations are been done in the industry using demo data. This gives these students an edge over their counterparts who have not been exposed to this kind of training, during job interview after graduation.

The pilot scheme started with Wesley University of Science and Technology, in Ondo state. Convenant University will also benefitting from this partnership from their second semester and a host of other private universities that already contacted us for similar arrangement for their geoscience related departments”.

He added that Danvic concepts is aware that training undergraduates and post graduate students alone will not be sufficient, as there exist already an army of unemployed geoscience graduates who are relatively untrained to meet the needs of their potential employers.

“As such, a monthly in-house training is organized for this category of people and others like them who have geoscience background but are working in the non-oil sectors and wish to be employed in the oil and gas sector. Since the inceptions of this five days in house training, which started initially as a three day programme, close to 200 graduates have been trained and a good number of them have called us back after the training that they have now been employed in the sector.

The training is subsidized by the management of Danvic Concepts as a way of giving back to the community and the participant pay a token to cover for their feeding and training materials.

“The economic importance of this noble act from Danvic concepts on the Nigerian economy cannot be overemphasized. Apart from aiding in the human capacity development of our youths, it also helps to strengthen our local content participation in the oil and gas business. It places our graduates on a level ground to compete for employment with their overseas schooled counterparts, who are normally a toast for the industry with respect to employment because they are believed to be better trained.

“If more companies set aside a portion of their annual profit to invest in the enhancement of the quality of students graduating from our schools, like Danvic concepts is doing, Nigeria will in no time be ground where companies in west Africa and beyond, will be visiting to recruit graduates for employments as they do now in Europe and America” Meanwhile, following an intervention by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Total E&P Nigeria Limited (Total) has directed Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) a contractor on the NNPC/Total Joint Venture’s Ofon-2 Project, to ensure full compliance with all applicable provisions of the Nigerian Content Act.

Besides, the company has reiterated its commitment to promoting safety at work place with the launch of Mr. Safety, yesterday at the World Day for Safety at Work.

Total said that it supports the Nigerian Government aspirations in respect of Nigerian capacity development and increase of local content in the oil and gas sector. “Total has therefore directed HHI to significantly review the manning ratios to ensure the provisions of the Act are complied with.

Following Total’s directive, HHI has increased Nigerian manning participation from 29 per cent to 65 per cent. 50 expatriate workers from HHI have been replaced by Nigerians and 50 additional positions have been created on the site to train Nigerian staff during the prestart-up phase of the project”, it added.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigeria Content Development Monitory Board and its contractors to increase local capacity and to train workers for the up-coming projects in Nigeria.

“With a high ratio of Nigerian content over our major development projects over the last few years on Akpo and Usan and on the recently launched Egina project, Total and its partners are proud to be the leader in Nigerian Content development”.

Managing Director, Alexis Vovk, speaking in Lagos at the inauguration of Mr. Safety for all Total Filling Stations and Depots said safety is everyone’s business, while also encouraging everyone to speak out.

He said: “we encourage everyone to speak out. We must desire to give a sense of responsibility to every individual in the company and emphasise personal values to the safety of our organisation through the assurance of a safer work place for all staff, dealers, customers and neighbours”.

According to him, ‘Mr. Safety’ will be the pillar of the safety culture in the station. He will also be the one devoted to the objective of safety control during the service-station operations. Besides, he will be devoted to feedbacks on anomalies, near misses and enforcing good practices.

30 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Money IMF’s new strategy against AML/CFT Recently, International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed recent developments in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and proposed future strategy to combating the global menace. CHIJIOKE NELSON, writes.

ONEY laundering, as “corrosive” as it can be M on a country’s image, has persisted over the years and allegedly perpetrated by many in the

corridors of power of various governments, illicit drug dealers and human traffickers, among others. The activity has also been assessed as accessory to the growing global terror and its financing. More importantly, these illicit funds have also been assessed as passing through individual countries financial system, which calls IMF’s member countries to question of their readiness and contribution to combating it.

The global body- IMF, however, said for more than a decade, it has made important contributions to international efforts to fight money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to IMF, “originally, the Fund’s AML/CFT programme focused primarily on AML/CFT assessments– as part of the Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) programme and of the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP) and capacity development activities. More recently, AML/CFT issues have also been increasingly included in other areas of the Fund’s work, namely surveillance and Fund-supported programmes.”

The basis for AML/CFT assessments, it said, has recently changed as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)- the standard setter for AML/CFT, revised the AML/CFT standard in 2012 and adopted a common assessment methodology and procedures.

The FATF also took important steps to strengthen the quality and consistency of future assessments and adopted stronger quality controls for its own assessments, ensured that comparable measures are adopted by the FATF Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs), and established an ex post review mechanism to address sub-quality

reports.

Under the current policy, every FSAP should be associated with an AML/CFT assessment, conducted approximately every five years, and, to the extent possible, within 18 months before or after the relevant FSAP mission.

This framework, IMF said, was intended to provide an effective mechanism for addressing AML/CFT issues in the FSAP on a consistent basis, but despite coordination attempts with the FATF/FSRBs, it has not always been possible to align the FATF/FSRBs’ assessments with the FSAP schedule and provide useful inputs.

These circumstances however, compelled the Fund’s directors to discussed new ways of ensuring the incorporation of timely and meaningful AML/CFT information into the FSAPs and the impact of these developments on the Fund’s work, including under the current burden sharing agreement, whereby assessment reports prepared by the FATF and the FSRBs are converted into ROSCs. There was an agreement that the Fund’s work has significantly contributed to the international community’s response to money laundering and the financing of terrorism including the capacity building efforts in member countries on AML/CFT and encouraged continued cooperation in this area with the World Bank, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the FATF Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs).

The 2012 revision of the AML/CFT standard by FATF and the recent update of the assessment methodology for the Fund’s operational work, particularly, the greater attention to risks and country context, which should result in more focused and meaningful assessments, were adopted.

“Deficiencies in a country’s AML/CFT regime can

Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director have important implications for macroeconomic and financial stability. We therefore, broadly support the direction taken by staff in including financial integrity issues in Article IV consultations and Fund supported programmes,” IMF said.

The body encouraged its workers to sustain efforts to integrate AML/CFT issues into its surveillance and in the context of Fund supported programmes when financial integrity issues are critical to financing assurances or to achieve programme objectives.

“AML/CFT assessments are an important part of

the ROSC and FSAP programmes, together with ensuring adequate quality of assessment reports across the range of assessor bodies.

With the expansion of the FATF and FSRBs network in recent years, the Fund has increasingly drawn upon the FATF/FSRBs assessments for the purposes of its own work, in application of the burden of sharing arrangements between the international financial institutions and the FATF/FSRBs. “In this respect, we also welcome the steps taken by the FATF to strengthen quality and consistency controls for future assessment reports and looked forward to all assessor bodies implementing similar controls. We also encourage our staff to participate actively in the review mechanisms, as resources permit,” it added.

The current system of converting all assessments into ROSCs, following a pro forma review will be maintained as many directors, representing a majority of the board, preferred continuity, underscoring that the FATF’s strengthened controls will ensure that these reports meet the requisite quality standards.

The also stressed the importance of timely and accurate AML/CFT input into every FSAP, agreeing that where possible, this input should be based on a comprehensive quality AML/CFT assessment and, in due course, on targeted updates/ROSCs, in line with the approach taken under other standards and codes.

To facilitate this, continued efforts by all assessor bodies to align their assessment schedules with the FSAPs, was encouraged.

However, the resource implications of the increased inclusion of AML/CFT issues in surveillance and in Fund supported programmes; the assessments under the revised methodology; and staff’s participation in the strengthened quality and consistency controls, were weighed in the light of the overall budget situation and reduced to two or three per year, the number of Fund led comprehensive assessments.

Consumer confidence in global banking industry rebounds Stories by Chijioke Nelson global study on consumer confidence in the banking industry has indicated a resurgence, which is facilitated by trust in financial institutions and underpinned by the quality of people’s personal banking experience.

The resurgence, which has also raised competition, as customers consider using alternative service providers, was on the backdrop of a number of years of sharp decline in confidence in the banking industry.

The global study put together by EY- a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, pointed out that trust in individual banks is high and most customers across the globe are satisfied enough to recommend their main banking provider.

The EY’s 2014 global consumer banking survey, titled: “Winning through customer experience”, which surveyed over 32,000 banking customers in 43 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, showed that banks are now providing traditional banking services well, but are also viewed as falling short on important aspects of the customer experience, and increasingly vulnerable to competition from new providers of banking services.

The EY Advisory Banking Sector Leader for Africa, Colin Daley, said: “Despite another challenging year for banks globally, confidence in the banking industry among African customers has experienced a significant increase, most notably in Kenya and Nigeria, with South Africa tracking the global trend.”

According to him, customers in emerging markets in general have recorded a higher increase in confidence than the global average.

For example, confidence has increased most in Nigeria by 69 per cent; Kenya, 66 per cent; and South Africa, 33 per cent, while about 44 per cent of customers globally, expressed complete trust in their primary financial services provider, with the strongest levels in Africa observed among customers in Kenya, 59 per cent; Nigeria, 48 per cent; and South Africa, 45 per cent.

African customers also expressed stronger

A

Nigerians seek quick resolution of transactional issues advocacy (recommendation) for their primary financial service provider than seen globally, with Kenya leading at 62 per cent; South Africa, 51 per cent; and Nigeria, 46 per cent.

Specifically, Nigerian customers have the highest level of trust for the preferred financial service provider at 69 per cent in Africa and second globally, behind India and the highest sensitivity to close accounts based on poor experience in Africa and the second highest globally.

Nigerians are the heaviest users of the Automated Teller Machines at 61 per cent, above the globally average of 49 per cent and a heavy preference to carry out branch transactions at

48 per cent, representing the highest globally.

However, Nigerian customers prefer to use advocates such as friends and family when considering the selection of financial service provider. At 35 per cent, they represent the highest number across all countries surveyed, but are among the top three countries that use social media when making decisions on selecting a financial service provider.

The study also revealed that although banks’ customers in Nigeria have a high preference for branch usage, they are open to receive advice through other channels such as contact centres, online financial management tools or video

Africa’s growth opportunities: Need for ‘new thinking’ HE critical role of investors in securing T growth opportunities for African businesses in an increasingly competitive global economy may have become a major concern for stakeholders, even as the continent’s rising potentials continue to remain untapped.

This issue, which formed the fulcrum of the high level conference organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), in Johannesburg, South Africa, had its theme as “Africa: The $2.7 trillion Continent – Securing Growth Transformation”.

The event, which attracted more than 50 chief executives, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and other business leaders, however, provided the opportunity to share experiences and insight into how experts see the African economies, the development strategies and how CEOs and CFOs prepare to face the challenges and utilize opportunities that future developments will unleash.

According to ACCA’s Director for Sub-Saharan Africa Jamil Ampomah: “ACCA is committed to ensuring that business leaders have access to all the new thinking, and this convention provides an opportunity for those in the C-suite – the chief officers, to hear and share experiences from the continent and around the world and

to discuss how to ensure their organisations are in the best possible shape to maximise future opportunities.”

Ampomah pointed out that ACCA as a global professional accounting body, it aims to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people for application, ability and ambition around the world.

“We support our 162,000 members and 428,000 students in 173 countries to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers, as well as personal and business development. We work through a network of over 91 offices and centres and more than 8,500 approved employers worldwide, which provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through our public interest remit, we promote appropriate regulation of accounting and conduct relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence,” he added.

Meanwhile, the convention reviewed how business leaders in Africa work to ensure that inward investment continues to flow into the continent, considering the risks and the strategies to deal with those issues and emerging ones. There were also discussions on how to manage finance talent.

chat. They are happy to build engagements with banks that help them to reach their financial goals.

It pointed out that 24 per cent of the customers have experienced a problem with their banks that required resolution, but 72 per cent of the customers were either very satisfied or satisfied with the response that they received and 28 per cent were less than satisfied.

The survey listed customer experience to be the main driver of trust and the single most common reason that customers open and close accounts, more important than fees, rates, locations, press coverage or convenience globally.

“The vast majority of customers in Africa define their primary financial service provider as a bank, although a notable group of customers in Kenya (21 per cent), uses a mobile service as primary provider,” the survey noted.

Globally, 52 per cent of customers have opened or closed accounts for at least, one product, in the past one year and 40 per cent plans to do so in the coming year. In South Africa, 44 per cent of clients intend to open or close an account in the next year. This is higher than the average for the African countries surveyed (34 per cent) and the global average of 40 per cent.

To plug the assessed loopholes, the survey prescribed three key improvement areas for banks: Making banking simple and clear through transparency of fees, simplicity of offers, communication, and delivery of an omni-channel experience (a seamless approach to consumers across multiple channels); help customers make the right financial decisions in a complex environment through more and better advice, greater use of data and digital channels to empower customers; and work with customers when problems arise, become their advocate through improved problem resolution capabilities.

It also examined a fresh approach to segmentation, which brought to the for 31 core elements of customers’ banking expectations and preferences.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

31

32

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 33

34

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is targeting about one billion domain names in the next 10 years, The Guardian has learnt.

ICANN is a non-profit organization that coordinates the Internet’s global domain name system. A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control on the

T

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

ICANN targets 1b domain names in 10 years Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System (DNS). Any name registered in the DNS is a domain name.

Domain names are organized in subordinate levels (subdomains) of the DNS root domain, which is nameless.

The first-level set of domain names are the top-level domains (TLDs), including

the generic top-level domains (gTLDs), such as the prominent domains com, info, net, edu, and org, and the country code top-level domains (ccTLDs), such as .ng, .za and others According to the Managing Director of UpperLink Limited, a software and ePayment solution developer, Segun Akano, Nigeria must develop its do-

main name, the .ng to be competitive globally.

Akano, an accredited registrar with the Nigeria Internet Registrations Association (NiRA), who recently attended last month’s ICANN meeting in Singapore, told The Guardian that the body is targeting about one billion domain names in the next 10 years.

35

Akano informed that there are currently over 250 million domain names globally with .com having 200 million of them.

He said ICANN is currently liberalizing the domain space so as to allow for more adoption of other domain names, stressing that the .com platform has been exhausted.

“ICANN is currently liberalizing the domain space. The .com platform has

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Nigeria controls 29% of Africa’s Internet users’ population ICT sector grows by 24% yearly

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE growth profile of Nigeria’s Internet user in Africa continued on the upward swing, as the country currently controls 29 per cent of the about 167 million Internet users on the continent.

Besides, the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is said to be growing on a yearly basis of 24 per cent, according to a report from the Ministry of Communications Technology.

While Africa covers six per cent of the Earth’s total surface area and 20 per cent of the total land area, it represents only seven percent of the globe’s total Internet users, a market currently dominated by Asia Already, a Mckinze Global Institute study had projected that Nigeria and other African countries tend to gain about $300 billion by 2025 if it embraces Internet as it did mobile phones.

The report noted infrastructural gap, poverty and untapped population potential has held Africa back from competiting favourably on the global space.

Today, the Africa has over 650 million mobile phone subscribers, which even outnumbered those in the U.S. and Europe.

In Nigeria alone, while there about 130 million active mobile phone users, the number of telephone lines being used to access Internet service on GSM networks is 63.4 million, according to latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to reports, populationwise in Africa, Nigeria ranked number one Internet usage with 48.4 million, ahead of Egypt (29.8 million), Morrocco (16.5 million), Kenya (12 million), and South Africa (8.5 million).

Indeed, the Ministry’s report tagged: “Connected for Growth”—A progress report on projects and programmes implementation: July 2011 to February 2014 showed that ICT has become the fourth pillar of the Nigerian economy contributing about 7.8 per cent to the country’s GDP, making it the fastest growing sector.

According to the Ministry of Communications Technology, the percentage of national population with access to the Internet moved from 22.7 per cent in 2012 to 41.45 per cent in 2013, which represents an 18.75 percentage increase.

Similarly, the ministry’s report noted that ICT sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP grew from 5.69 per cent in 2011 through 7.05 per cent in 2012 to 7.8 per cent in 2013.

Additionally, the report noted that access, teledensity and computer density, which are major indicators of performance hace all been on the increase.

It informed that more government services are now online with more Nigerians having access to opportunities of eCommerce and other businesses activated.

T

Though, NCC statistics as February puts the nation’s teledensity at over 90 per cent, the ministry in the report stated, “in concerete terms, teledensity figures have moved up from 64.49 per cent in 2011 to 86 per cent in 2013, which represents a 20.5 percentage increase during the period.”

Growing the domestic ICT industry, the ministry said it recently facilitated the issuance of the Nigerian Content Guidelines

for the ICT sector, stressing that the guidelines was issued against the backdrop that the nation’s ICT is currently displaying a paradoxically economic defivit and a negative balance of trade.

The reason for this, according to the ministry is that the economic value generated locally in comparison with the imported technologies used by Nigerians are far below optimal.

Some of the oblectives of the Nigerian Con-

tent Guidelines, according to the ministry include to enable the local ICT industry contribute meaningfully towards the achievement of national development targets.

Besides, it objective also include stimulating and increase the production, sales and consumption of high quality original IT products and services developed by indigenous companies that serve the unique needs of local and global market.

NITDA board seeks restructuring of agency to improve performance From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Chairman, Governing Board of the T National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Tosin Ajayi has stated the board’s resolve to reposition the agency to become a full-fledged institution for continuous development of IT in Nigeria.

According to him, the agency needs to be restructured to move from projects to programmes for excellent service delivery.

Briefing journalists at the weekend in Abuja, the chairman who noted that technology is the greatest tool for progress, development and productivity, noted that

Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa has no choice than to lock itself with IT development for its human and economic programmes.

Ajayi observed that Information Technology is a critical driver for the transformation agenda of the present administration adding that the capacity and capabilities of NITDA need to be reset and move it from projects to population programmes for youths, women and children He noted that Black Africa missed the agricultural, industrial and mass production revolutions, warning that the Continent must not miss the revolution of the

Knowledge Age. “We have seen countries emerge in few decades to join the group of frontline Nations, we have seen economies transform fro low to the topmost level, IT has transformed individual human performance, Information and knowledge are the key for the future and IT is their tool, no human population can develop without IT”.

Ajayi also pointed out that the board would reset NITDA from projects to sectoral programmes for education, healthcare, agriculture, security, entertainment and energy while focus would be given to IT Infrastructure like the internet, Satellites and fibre-optic connections.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

36 i-Tech & Telecoms Wednesday, April 30, 2014

NCS seeks more input of stakeholders in ICT development HE Nigeria Computer SociT ety (NCS) has called for more developmental inputs and strategies from stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector to be able to move it forward.

According to NCS, the need to improve on ICT contributions to the economy, recently informed their visit to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau; SystemSpecs Chief Executive Officer, John Obaro; and the Managing Director, Precise Financial Systems, Yele Okeremi.

NCS President, Prof. David Adewumi said at the core of group strategy was practical engagement with partners and stakeholders on advancing Nigeria’s digital future for sustainable national development.

He observed that though Nigeria had come a long way, it was not far enough.

“Despite some recent achievements and improvements in the digital landscape in Nigeria, we need to do more, practically, on the ground. The role of technology is vital in empowering citizens economically and socially and laying the foundations for sustainable development.

“However, talk is cheap. We have had more discussions on technology than ever before.

But NCS is concerned that there is too much talking the talk without walking the walk.

Digital Inclusion is still a challenge that can’t be covered up by empty sloganeering”, he stated.

Adewumi said technology must transform people’s lives, while adding that words would not secure or advance

the country’s digital future.

He said the visits and NCS’s upcoming conference were, therefore, aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the need to start embracing individual and organisational responsibility for technological growth that creates a better, brighter future for the nation.

The 25th national conference of NCS with the theme: ‘Building a Knowledge-Based Economy in Nigeria: The Role of Information Technology,’ is

slated for Enugu State in July.

Adewumi said, “NCS is walking the talk through inclusive dialogue and strategic initiatives. Discarding the prevailing analogue mentality in leadership starts with the mainstreaming of technology into all vital practices and programmes; a sincere embrace of those driving the society and economy is required.

He said, “The nation fails when it fails to recognise those creating jobs faster and

playing critical roles in developing Nigeria’s knowledge economy. NCS is, therefore, calling for better and more strategic engagement with Nigerian IT professionals.

There is certainly a serious need for adequate representation of Nigerian IT professionals in decision and policy making in governance and the critical sectors. For example, how in all seriousness can the future of any nation be discussed in the absence of the

tech sector in the 21st century?”

To him, the knowledge economy in Nigeria remains a joke without a strong technology sector, and ‘We’re not shy about saying we feel strongly about addressing the absence of inclusion – the lack of professional representation in decision making in critical sectors, and the absence of follow-through as well as the digitally excluded.’

Cybercafés feign ignorance of order seeking clientele database management

By Adeyemi Adepetun OME Cybercafe operators have feigned ignorance to a Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) directive, which asked them to maintain a clientele database for all their customers in order to check the growing menace of cyber crimes activities in the country.

Those spoke to The Guardian on the condition of anonymity said they are not aware of any directive from the commission.

A particular one, which has its head office in Ajao Estate, a suburb of Lagos, claimed that it has not seen any advert or circular as regards it.

According to the director, when asked if the cybercafé has a license to operate, said, “ofcourse we have a license, but I may not be able to show you now. Infact, we cannot be operating with many branches spread across Lagos and not operate without a license.”

For effect, he said the regulator would need to do more than adverts, but engage stakeholders on the issue.

For Kingsley Obinna, who works at a popular Cybercafe in the Computer Village area of Ikeja, Lagos also claimed not to have seen or heard about such order.

Obinna said they monitor customers that use their cybercafé against cyber crimes, stressing that they even at times alert security operatives whenever they discover such discrenpacies in their café.

Indeed, the directive, according to the commission, was in line with the strategic measures being taken by it to ensure that increasing wave of cybercrimes; especially those mostly orchestrated through cybercafés are addressed.

S

Besides, cyber café clientele, who spoke to The Guardian also said they are not aware of such order.

Indeed, the commission, in its summary of compliance monitoring and enforcement activities for the fourth quarter of 2013, said it had issued a public notice to all cybercafé operators in the country to maintain a database for all their customers in order to check cyber crimes.

NCC said the mechanism for the monitoring compliance of the directive had been put in place by its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department.

According to other highlights of the report, the NCC said it has continued the compliance monitoring and enforcement of the Nigeria Communications Commission (Registration of Telephone Subscribers) Regulations 2011.

“To this end a Technical Audit was carried out on all (registered SIMs since registration exercised commenced in 2011. Consequently, the Commission directed all operators via its letter dated October 3rd, 2013, “to henceforth return all fully activated SIM Cards to “receive only” if no commercial activity was carried out on them after 48 hours of activation.

“This directive was aimed at checkmating the incidences of sale of preregistered SIM cards in the Nigerian Telecoms industry,” the report said.

Also, the Commission said its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department received a referral from Spectrum Administration Department regarding a complaint of interference on Channel 4(7205 MHz/7401Mhz) and channel 2(7149 MHz/7345Mhz) of Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) assigned radio frequency in Bonny and Port Harcourt environment.”

‘Ondo Information ministry to go digital’ NDO State Ministry of InO formation has concluded plans to move from traditional to digital mode of information dissemination with the aim of acquainting Information Officers in the state with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) techniques.

The State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, who made this known in his remarks at the opening ceremony of three-day training workshop for information officers on Information Centric Governance, declared that the training is aimed at empowering and equipping the officers with the necessary skills required for information management which is basically ICT-driven now.

He maintained that the ministry is putting in place a functional electronic-room as a way of advancing from traditional to digital information system, which promotes speed and transparent governance.

Corroborating the views, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Taiwo Kolawole, explained that the training is necessary to keep abreast of development in this digital world, noting that the world is becoming a global village and as such the establishment of an E-room will promote computer-based journalism.

She said the training would assist Information Officers in the area of news gathering and net-working with the so-

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 i-Tech & Telecoms 37

Firm to address cyber attack on Internet

By Bankole Orimisan O ensure Nigerians are no longer affected by cyber attacks on the Internet and to share mechanism geared towards blocking rising cases of breach in national security, DigitalJewels Limited, has unveiled the Nigeria’s Cyber Threat Barometer in the country.

Peter Carter, British deputy high commissioner for Nigeria, in his opening remark at the launch of the Nigerian Cyber Threat Barometer Report in Lagos, said that partnership between government and its agencies would ensure better national security.

Carter further noted that a critical element of partnership between government and businesses is in the area of information sharing, which should be established to allow government and business exchange vital information about the threats that exist in cyberspace.

According to him, “The watch word is partnership and this is what we as the British government would like to see developing countries like Nigeria engage in. We know that it works, all we need is to see it sincerely improve chances of frustrating cyber terrorism for greater confidence for our cyber network in the internet” Commenting on the Nigerian Cyber Threat Barometer Report, the deputy high commissioner further asserts that the report is an important contribution towards building that partnership in Nigeria. It

T

is an absolute channel of information. The research that has gone into it is rigorous. It is been very wide in the ways the information has been captured and crucially. It has involved some of Nigeria’s most respected ministries, public and private sector organisations all of whom have been anxious and keen about getting involved in this” he

added.

Speaking in the same vein, Adedoyin Odunfa, Chief executive officer, DigitalJewels Limited, disclosed that the 2014 Nigeria Cyber Threat Barometer is a landmark research project conducted by her company in Strategic partnership with Wolfpack Information Risk (Pty) Ltd and funded by the British High

NiRA meets today, as .ng sees 30% growth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 been exhausted. Infact the site is no more available”, he stated.

The UpperLink boss informed that the liberalization has allowed ICANN to create sites that are specific, which include .hotel for hotels; .hospital for hospitals; .bank for banks, among others.

He said there are about 25 new extensions, which also include .pharmacy for pharmacy stressing that the one billion domain name targets by ICANN is being fueled by the increase in phone users globally so that there will be more rooms for all.

While lamenting the low adoption of Nigeria’s top level domain name, the .ng, Akano stressed that the country started the implementation very late.

According to him, while the World Wide Web has been on for about 25 years, “Nigeria just got aware of the Internet about 10 years ago. It was during this

period that NiRA came up, but the impact has been low.”

He said most businesses in Nigeria agencies have hitherto shunned the country’s domain name with preference for .com; .net among others, which are hosted outside.

However, he said with the current aggressiveness on the part of the registrars and NiRA as a body, there has seen some increase in the adoption of .ng in the country.

“Currently, with the free hosting promo that we have introduced, there have been increases in the adoption.

Since January, we have recorded about 30 per cent growth. We do close to 1000 per month. It will interest you to note that there was a year we did only 2000”, he stated.

Meanwhile, the sixth edition of the yearly general meeting of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) holds today, at Muson Centre Lagos.

38

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 i-Tech & Telecoms 39

Verve unveils rewards programme for card holders

By Bankole Orimisan EADING payment card brand, Verve international, has announced its new ‘Verve Rewards’, a loyalty programme for card holders every time they make purchases, online or in-store, with their Verve cards, to earn instant discounts and cash back.

An instant discount enables Verve card holders to pay an amount less the total cost of items purchased. With Cash Back, Verve card holders receive a cash refund, which is a percentage of the amount purchased. These cash refunds are accumulated into a virtual Verve Rewards account which can be put to use on subsequent purchases.

Available instant discounts and cash back range from one

L

Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission, Ernest Ndukwe (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Uche Orji, Group Chief Operating Officer, Globacom, Mohammed Jameel, and Editor in Chief/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Communications Week, Ken Nwogbo at the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology Lecture/Awards in Lagos PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

New e-commerce platform binds 6000 Computer Village operators together

By Adeyemi Adepetun N eCommerce platform targeted at binding the entire Computer Village market operators together has been launched.

The platform tagged MyComputerVillage.com was the brainchild of eKnowvate Solutions Limited, a local software development and mobile strategy The Managing Director, eKnowvate Solutions Limited, Muyiwa Alawode, said the platform would provide opportunity for over 6 000 shops and an estimated 18 000 businesses at the popular computer and allied accessories market to showcase their products to a global audience for improved customer engagement and patronage.

A

He said with N1 000 per month, traders at the Computer Village could subscribe to have their products showcased on MyComputerVillage.com with ease, adding that there were no hidden charges attached.

“The launch of the e-commerce platform by eKnowvate Solutions Ltd in conjunction with the executives of the Market Association – CAPDAN has become expedient in order to preserve the market share of businesses in Computer Village in the sales of IT equipment and accessories in view of recent competition from a number of e-commerce platforms.

“MyComputerVillage.com offers a unique platform that promotes the company names and brands of the individual

businesses that subscribe on the platform as opposed to other e-commerce platforms that serve as mere aggregators of products,” he said.

He explained that the e-commerce provider, eKnowvate Solutions Ltd, does not share in the sales proceeds of shop owners for transactions that take place on the platform as the case in other e-commerce platforms.

According to him, a virtual shopping mall where businesses in the market can own shops, subscribers to MyComputerVillage.com platform offers its users all the tools needed to enable their business go live on the internet without needing to worry about technical setup skills, hosting and maintenance up-

grades. All that a subscriber has to do is sign up for the service and start trading.

Alawode said eKnowvate focused on delivering adaptive and innovative information technology solutions that transform for value, the business objectives of its customers across various verticals of the economy.

He added that MyComputerVillage.com is an affordable, convenient, effective and efficient online shopping mall, saying that with a monthly or yearly rental fee, entrepreneurs and businesses that currently have shops in Computer Village could effectively showcase their products and company brand to prospective buyers via an online shop.

per cent to 17.5 per cent depending on the specific merchant.

Verve Rewards is exclusive to Verve cardholders at over 100 merchant locations, including Wakanow.com, Health Plus, Konga.com, Samsung Sims, Yellow Chilli, Tripican.com and several others.

Charles Ifedi, Chief Executive Officer, Verve International, said: “It is a great pleasure to announce the introduction of our Verve Rewards scheme that will enable Verve card holders benefit from exclusive deals. Verve is the biggest pay-

ment card in Nigeria and Verve Rewards has been designed to ensure each of our 18 million customers across the country gets benefits every time they put their Verve card to use.”

The Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Konga,Sim Shagaya, said: “We are proud to partner with Verve to offer our customers 1.5% Cashback when shopping at Konga.com. Our customers benefit from this program by accumulating cash refunds from Konga.com and other merchants, which can be spent at Konga.com in the future.”

Samsung Galaxy S5, others enter Nigeria AMSUNG Electronics has for- smartphone on the market unveiled in Nigeria its today through people-inSnewmally Galaxy S5 smartphone and spired innovation.” the Gear Fit and Gear 2, its latest wearable devices.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 boasts of water resistant power for about 30 minutes and dust proof tectnology.

At the unveiling of the device, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Brovo Kim said the Galaxy S5 would redefine how technology innovation would enhance quality of life.

“With the Galaxy S5, Samsung is going back to the basics to focus on delivering capabilities that matter most to our consumers. Consumers today are on the lookout for mobile tools that inspire and support them as they improve their everyday lives.

“The Galaxy S5 represents an iconic design with essential and useful features that focus on delivering the ultimate

Also on display at the event were brand new additions to Samsung’s wearable-technology line-up, the Gear 2 and Gear Fit, offering consumers enhanced connectivity alongside an integrated communication experience.

The Gear 2, an upgrade of Samsung’s original Gear device, the firm said, incorporated a 1.63-inch screen, a 2-megapixel camera that is now located on the device’s screen, a sensor that enables usage of the device as a television remote control and a personal fitness coaching guide.

The Director, Information Technology and Mobile, SEWA, Emmanouil Revmatas, said, “at Samsung, we understand that the next generation of wearable mobile solutions must directly reflect the diverse interests and needs of consumers.

40 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

41

42

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Maritime Facilitating regulation through capacity building

Umar

By Moses Ebosele OW far can the Nigerian Shippers’ Council H (NSC) go in regulating activities and operations at the nation’s seaports?

Under the proposed regulatory functions, NSC is expected to among others register and regulate activities of all stakeholders at the ports including terminal operators.

Already, the management of Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) has pledged to make available office spaces as part of measures to enhance the Council’s regulatory function. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently, endorsed NSC as economic regulator for ports.

Indeed, as stakeholders await the passage of the Nigeria Transport Commission (NTC) Bill, expected to give legal backing to Shippers’ Council’s regulatory function, stakeholders have urged management of the agency to restructure its present staff strength.

For example, former Managing Director of NSC, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, who spoke at a forum in Lagos recently, emphasized need for the board and management of Shippers’ Council to restructure its workforce inline with what he identified as the challenges ahead.

Sarumi, also former Managing Director of NPA explained that the Council requires the services of professionals to successfully handle its new role as regulator.

Explaining further, Sarumi said: “ Have you done your SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) analysis? You need to do a SWOT analysis of the organization structure”.

He added: “There may be need to do an analysis of the quality of people you have there. Let the board be willing enough to open up to those who can come in from anywhere provided they have something to give you”.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Hassan Bello, has unfolded plans by the council to boost capacity of its workforce in line with its renewed mandate.

Bello said: “Our cardinal guidelines is consultation and communication. We are going to operate democratic regulations. We need the inputs of all the people. If the process is successful, its success is for all the parties in terms of regulation and revenue. It’s beneficial for NPA and terminal operators.

“Capacity to regulate is one of the factors that influenced the Federal Government to name Shippers’ Council as the economic regulator.

Shippers Council has been performing some regulatory functions.

“Therefore, NSC has the pedigree, trained staff and other tools to carryout this regulatory functions.

“However, it is important that we build further capacity. There are areas we have to build capac-

Bello ity. This we have already started. We have had training on regulation especially scientific ways of determining tariffs. We also had training to access the efficiency of Ports, to carryout audit on weather a terminal is efficient in accordance with the concession agreement.

“Our capacity will be geared towards accessing the quality of service and setting standard for providers of services. We will have capacity tariff assessment. To have capacity on efficiency of the terminals and also capacity on quality of services from providers. We will build further capacity on investment. It is very important that NSC advise the government on the right investment in transport infrastructure especially in the deep-sea port and others.

“We have the experience and pedigree. We also need to have intense capacity building.

The resolve to grow capacity is deliberate. It’s concise and deliberate”, Bello added.

Speaking in a similar vein at a stakeholder’s forum, recently, the minister of transport, Idris Umar said a committee headed by VicePresident Namadi Sambo has been raised by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to address grey areas in all transport sector bills including the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill and the Ports and Harbours Bill.

Umar explained that delay in the passage of transport sector reform bills was due to pending issues raised by some members of FEC. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Nebolisa Emordi, an engineer, Umar pledged to carry all stakeholders along in the on-going reform efforts.

Emordi said:“ The honourable Minister has presented this memo after which the Attorney General vetted it but due to certain issues raised by the Federal Executive Council, Mr. President had to set up a committee under the vice president to make sure that all issues are addressed before the representation to FEC for approval”.

He added: “The Vice President has since set up another sub-committee headed by the Attorney General and as soon as they finish their work, I believe within the next three, four weeks all these things will be completed and a representation will be made to the FEC.” According to Bello, the Council is adequately prepared to assume its new role, adding that “This is what we have been doing even with weak laws”.

According to Bello, the Council has over the years developed capacity. “I don’t think there is any agency in the transport industry that have the qualification of staff of the Shippers Council as far as commercial shipping is concerned. We have had people trained in transport economy. We have port operators. We have logistics and don’t forget Shippers Council is an economic institution. The first

Jonathan Managing Director of Shippers Council came from the Central Bank. All the past Chief Executive of Shippers Councils developed the institution. It is a versatile institution. It is an economic institution. The orientation, the culture of staff of Nigeria Shippers Council has made it most qualified and the most equipped to handle this very important assignment”.

Bello described the private sector as the engine room that will propel reforms in the sector, “We need some economic regulations.

Economic regulations simply means the government will have its eyes and ears in tariff and issues like competition. The idea is to prevent monopoly. We cannot replace public monopoly with private monopoly. There must be competition. Government must also be very serious about the entry and exit in the sector.

“The issue of regulation is not new to Nigerian Shippers’ Council. The section 3 of Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act provides that the council should be the government eye especially in the area of freight rate, availability and adequacy of shipping space, terms of shipment, class and quality of vessels, port changes and facilities and other related matters. That is economic regulation.

“But, this law was made when NPA was the one handling Cargo. Things have substantially changed with the coming of the private sector. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council also has to change to reflect such changes. The absence of an emphatic economic regulator is of concern to the government because a vacuum has created a lot of distortion. If you look at the port, efficiency has been recorded. We have more tonnage coming to Nigeria than before.

“The turnaround time for ship and dwell time for cargo has increased. The NPA has been alive to its responsibility as a landlord and technical regulator.

“The terminal operators have made investment and this has to be acknowledged and appreciated.

“However, the economic regulator is the umpire, is the coordinator and the moderator of many interest in the port. That has been missing. Nigerian Shippers’ Council has acted that role with weak legislation.

“The Federal Government seized the opportunity to say the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is the economic regulator. This is a temporary measure pending the passage of the Nigeria Transport Commission Act. The Nigerian Shippers Council is going to bring a lot of its experiences, pedigree, its qualification, the wealth of trained staff and its facilities and knowledge of the industry to bring about this very important and cardinal role of economic regulation”, said Bello.

The Shippers Council boss who spoke on sundry issues also spoke on how the agency handled legal challenges in the past.

He said: “We were created to take care of cargo interest. Over the years, the industry has gone through tremendous development. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has always found itself at the middle. You have providers of shipping services bringing complaints against the users. Before you know it, Nigerian Shippers Council is at the middle. Nigerian Shippers’ Council is the only government body with no interest. Nigerian Shippers’ Council sees things from a very impartial perspective. We have tremendous respect for the providers. We have been approach to settle certain disputes. We have developed the mechanism. We are experience in settling disputes. We have trained staff.

We also coordinate quality of service that providers give. Nigerian Shippers’ Council is well equipped to do that”.

Q1 pirate attacks at lowest level in eight years, says report IRACY on the world’s seas is at its lowest P first-quarter level since 2007, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has said.

The group in its first quarter report for 2014 also warned that the danger is still present.

The IMB report recorded 49 piracy incidents in the first quarter of 2014, adding that it is the lowest first quarter figure since 2007, when 41 incidents were recorded.

According to the report, in the first three months, two vessels were hijacked, 37 vessels boarded, five vessels fired upon and five

attempted attacks reported while forty-six crew members were taken hostage and two kidnapped from their vessel.

Off Somalia, five incidents were reported – the same number as the first quarter of 2013.

In 2014, three attempted attacks were recorded and two vessels fired upon.

IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan said: “Although the number of attacks continues to remain low, the threat of Somali piracy is still clearly evident.”

CONTINUE ON PAGE 43

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 MARITIME | 43

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘No maritime development without adequate security’

By Moses Ebosele ARTICIPANTS at the recently concluded P Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) have called on the Federal Government to give adequate priority to the security of the nation’s waters.

A communiqué issued at the end of the annual event explained that “there can be no maritime development without adequate security on the waters”.

According to the participants, “Nigeria must tackle the underlying factors that give rise to piracy and criminality at sea, such as poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, environmental issues among others” Explaining further, the participants in a 22–point communiqué said: “The key to maritime security is surveillance and response for which NIMASA (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency) and (Nigerian) Navy are acknowledged to be performing well. Enforcement will need to be strengthened by a purposeful synergy between the relevant security agencies that must work together and share information for the common goal of ensuring security in Nigeria’s maritime environment. This synergy should be structured to ensure that security agencies work as a team rather than merely assisting one another through MOUs (Memoranda of Understanding)”.

The communiqué added: “That some of the identified reasons for insecurity within our maritime domain are Lack of equipment and technology required to address the situation; Lack of political will to tackle the problem head-on; Arrested criminals are not properly prosecuted but in most cases released to continue with their criminal activities; Insurance companies and the KNR factor whereby insurance companies are now making money from kidnapping incidents.

Others include gangster activities and the Private Security organizations that threaten ship captains to make use of their services.

The banks that receive ransoms on behalf of kidnappers should be identified and duly sanctioned while Nigeria should embrace stricter deterrent measures against piracy like Cameroun.”

NIMAREX 2014 which had as its theme “100 Years Of Maritime Development In Nigeria”, urged the government to demonstrate the needed political will to develop the shipping industry, starting with the full implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Review of the Outcome of the Maritime Sector Retreat as an imperative measure to develop its shipping sector.

According to the communique, government needs to fast-track the development of the maritime/shipping sector by promptly granting it leave to begin to enjoy subsidy and duty exemptions, as applied to the aviation sector.

The communiqué said:

CMA CGM Vessel “that Nigeria as a maritime nation with abundant natural and human resources should harness her maritime potentials by improving indigenous participation in shipping, engender competiveness, earn foreign exchange, create employment and accelerate development of her national defense and security system.”

It stated: “that Nigeria should develop a novel policy or plan to guide her maritime practice. However, shipping policies and developmental initiatives should be strengthened by encouraging critical Legislative actions (including favourable legislation that is protective of indigenous operators/operations) and periodic reviews (for the National Shipping Policy, the Cabotage Act, the Local Content Act, the Petroleum Industry Bill, Harbour Bill, among others.”

The participants also urged the ministry of transportation to have accessible documentations and information data bank on all policy decisions and legislations.

On funding to boost indigenous capacity, the communique stated: “That the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF) and other funding support mechanisms and channels should be implemented to hasten equipment/tonnage development within the indigenous maritime/shipping industry.

“That further delay in the disbursement of the CVFF should be stopped as participants called on all those concerned –NIMASA, banks and the Federal Ministry of Transport to ensure the money is disbursed to their owners without further delay”.

Still on boosting indigenous capacity, NIMAREX

2014 said : “That Nigeria should adopt protectionist policies for indigenous ship owners as there is no nation in the world that has developed its maritime industry without protectionist policies. As the primary role of any maritime administration is to develop local shipping capacity, NIMASA therefore, should work to grow indigenous tonnage while government through the relevant agencies should secure fiscal incentives for ship owners to acquire ships.

“That more shipping companies should be accorded national carrier status and be encouraged to meet the expectations of the status rather than playing politics with it.

“That as a deliberate effort to grow the industry, greater attention must be given to ship building and repairs.”

Making reference to human capacity development, the communique stated: “That there should

be positive incentives to engage women in the industry. Female cadets should be given equal opportunities for sea-time training.

“That there is urgent need to close the manpower gap created by the demise of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL). The NIMASA’s NSDP (Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme) should be structured to emphasise sea-time training which has been a challenge for Nigerian Cadets. Indeed training of seafarers should go hand in hand with building shipping capacity to avoid training potential pirates. To achieve this, Nigerian shipping operators should be encouraged and assisted to acquire ships in order to offer the cadets training berths while the use of legislation to force the ships working in the oil and gas industry to take Nigerian cadets on board their ships for mandatory sea experience should be mandatory.

“That in the line with the

above, NIMASA should collaborate closely with MAN (Maritime Academy of Nigeria), Oron and the Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos to build capacity by sponsoring cadets in these institutions to foreign training.

“That in consideration of the proliferation of fake Seafarers’ Certificates in Nigeria and its attendant implications, NIMASA should live up to its mandate of regulating and standardizing Seafarers’ Certificates.”

Part of the communique read: “That the existing ports (especially in Sapele, Burutu, Warri) should be revamped and made to work efficiently even as new Ports are being planned. Ports logistics infrastructure like rail lines should be put in place as existed during the colonial era.

“That NIMASA as the maritime apex regulatory agency should strive to reduce inter-agency squabbles and ensure synergy in

the implementation of maritime policies.That government officials and policy makers should strive to be active participants at events like NIMAREX so that they can avail themselves of salient issues that are usually thrown up that affect the development of the maritime sector and indeed the nation at large.“That Inland water transportation should be given adequate attention considering the vital role it plays in the economic development of remote areas and the welfare of their inhabitants.“That there is a need to develop all the components of transportation as shipping cannot be developed in isolation. The development of intermodal transportation in the country was therefore canvassed.That government should allow a time frame for reforms to mature before making changes in the reform process to avoid truncating the aims and objectives of such reforms”.

Pirate attacks at lowest level in eight years, says report CONTINUE FROM PAGE 42 The report cites the example of an incident in January 2014 when a Panamax sized product tanker was fired upon approximately 115NM south of Salalah, Oman from a skiff launched from a mother vessel. The attack was repelled and the international navies subsequently intercepted the mother ship.

Eleven Indian crewmembers were freed and five suspected pirates apprehended.

“There can therefore be no room for complacency” he said, adding that “as it will take only one successful Somali hijacking for the business model to return.

Masters are, therefore advised to maintain vigilance and adhere to the latest Best Management Practices recommendations.”

Off West Africa, 12 reports were recorded including the hijacking of two vessels with 39 crew taken hostage and two crew kidnapped from their vessel. Nigeria accounts for six incidents including the hijacking of a supply vessel, which was used unsuccessfully to hunt for other potential vessels to hijack.

Mukundan added:“As in previous years there has been a significant number of attacks which have gone unreported in the first quarter of 2014.

These vessels may be used by pirates to conduct attacks on

other vessels.”

Angola saw its first reported hijacking in the first quarter of 2014 demonstrating the increased range and capability of Nigerian piracy “if left unchecked”. The incident involved armed pirates boarding and hijacking a loaded tanker from Luanda anchorage, Angola. The pirates stole a large quantity of the tanker’s gas oil cargo in three separate STS operations. The vessel was under the control of suspected Nigerian pirates for over a week before the owner regained contact, off Nigeria, approximately 1200 NM from the initial boarding. One crewmember was injured during the incident.

Indonesia ranks as the country with the highest number of attacks with 18 reports compared with 25 in the first quarter of 2013.

According to the report, vessels were boarded in all the incidents “whilst these are predominantly low level thefts from vessels, seven crewmembers were taken hostage in five incidents, while in four incidents it was reported that the robbers were armed with guns.

The report commends the actions of the Indonesian Marine Police which launched regular patrols of the higher risk anchorages in an effort to bring down the number of incidents.

44 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Industry Cement Production: Restoring consumers’ confidence through new standards Recent events in the cement industry have seen a renewed interest in, and uptake of, social and environmental standards and labels. To address the concerns bordering on the required standards expected of manufacturers in the sector, a number of different initiatives have sought clarity through standards harmonisation, and better information or differentiation through credibility tools as prescribed by regulators. With consumers still awaiting the resolutions of the technical committee set up by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to review standards of cement, the need to develop an agreed vision that would address consumer confidence in the industry remains key in the face of continued building collapse in the country. FEMI ADEKOYA writes.

LOBALLY, certain key principles underlie the G practice of standardization. They are consensus, which is to ensure cooperation, acceptance and benefits of all interested parties including consumers; consumer protection, which is to ensure safety of life and properties, and fair trade practice. The last principle places emphasis on implementation, which is to benefit trading at Odumodu both national and international levels.

Hitherto, consumers are seen as merely an end players, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria user or the one who consumes the product. (SON) recently commenced a process to What the consumers in the past expect from review the standards of locally produced goods and services are very simple. They expect cement. only quality, safety, performance, effectiveness, With the aid of a technical committee comreliability and interchangeability of the prod- prising of manufacturers, civil society organiucts and services. sations, academia, regulatory agencies and The “modern consumers” ask for more. They other stakeholders, the SON hopes to develop are concerned about the environment, health reviewed standards regulating the composiand safety, ethics as well as management system. tion and conformity criteria for common The consumers now care for the well being not cement alternatively known as the NIS 444only of themselves but of the consumers in other 1:2003. countries as well. Therefore, it becomes harder By that action, the reviewed standards would for the manufacturers and service providers to place additional responsibility on manufacrespond to the demand of the modern con- turers in respect to product labeling and sumers, especially in climes where rules are cir- enlightenment of users on the proper applicacumvented. tion of the commodity in the course of erecIn an industry rocked by confidence crisis, tion of various infrastructures. especially in the appropriateness of acceptable Also, key issues on the decisions to either grades of cement amid continued building col- reduce the cement strength classes or mainlapses, the need to address the commodity’s tain the status quo as well as end user enlightstandards has become key. enment would be determined at the end of the With yet another building collapse recorded in review process.

Lagos, last week with no about 10 persons sus- Odumodu had pointed out that “there is no taining varying injuries, a coalition of civil socie- sub-standard cement brand being produced ty groups and professional bodies in a docu- in the country”, saying that like other manument circulated in the media attributed the factured products, cement has its shelf life. increasing menace to the poor quality cement in According to him, unethical practices on the circulation, even though there is no compelling part of builders could compromise the integrievidence to such end. ty of a structure and this has been the trend in The coalition therefore called on the relevant the industry considering the low level of literaauthorities to make 42.5 grade of cement the cy among practitioners in the building sector. standard product in Nigeria instead of the lower Some stakeholders’ perspective grade 32.5, mostly patronised by builders.

According to the coalition, while there is a surOn the contrary, the Standards Organisation of plus of professionals in the building industry, Nigeria (SON) had held that there was no sub- the failure of the regulatory agencies to propstandard product in the market, rather a misap- erly perform their supervisory roles has given plication of the product by end users. way to situation where quacks have taken over The agency’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph with the effect that inferior materials are often Odumodu underlined the need to sensitise used in erecting buildings whose quality, block makers to operate in conformity with the integrity and lifespan are then greatly compronational standards. mised.

In a working document titled: “Cement: “That is why we believe there may be merit in Standardisation, Safety Versus Affordability and the allegation by the concerned stakeholders Poor Quality” made public last week, the coali- that substandard cement could be one of the tion asked: “how do you identify good quality factors responsible for the problem of buildcement: is it by the manufacturer’s name or by ing collapse in our country”, it added. its composition or pigmentation?” This is a quesThe Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers tion often parried by cement manufacturers and noted thus: “the construction of a building is importers in Nigeria who have always laid the expected to be managed by qualified profesblame for the incessant building collapse on sionals including structural engineers, poor construction practices, inadequate skills mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and lack of awareness by many of the people architects, quantity surveyors, among others. engaged in the industry. They have also dis“In an ideal situation where all these profesmissed the suggestion that the use of 32.5 grade sionals are engaged, there are site engineers cement is responsible for the problem, arguing and inspectors whose duty it is to ensure that that it is “used widely throughout the world.” everything is done in accordance with A new regulatory regime as necessity approved plans and standards. Above all, they With a need to address quality issues among the are expected to pay attention to the use of

Dangote quality materials”.

Hitherto, the SON boss, Joseph Odumodu, had consistently underlined the need to sensitise block makers to operate in conformity with the national standards, a position corroborated by some stakeholders who noted that the prevalence of sub-standard blocks in the country is a major cause of the incessant collapse of structures, alongside questions bordering on the cement quality.

The coalition added: “What the foregoing suggests is that there is a greater need for stricter enforcement and a complete overhaul of the nation’s building and construction regulations.

But much more importantly, relevant authorities should look into the concerns raised about the quality of cement within our country.

“This is an area we believe that SON should beam its searchlight to ensure that the cement being produced in the country and the ones being imported have the correct pigmentation.

Unless drastic steps are taken on some of these issues, the nation will continue to have these regrettable serial disasters of building collapse”.

Differntiating cement standards and strengths Using the European cement standard EN 197-1 on which Nigeria hinged its cement standard; composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements defines 27 distinct common cement products and their constituents.

The standard includes requirements for constituents and performance requirements in terms of mechanical, physical and chemical parameters for all 27 products.

Three standard strength classes are defined at 28 days (32.5, 42.5 and 52.5). In addition, three early strength classes are included for each standard strength class: low early strength, ordinary early strength and high early strength.

Cement is generally of two types, the ordinary Portland cement, which is available in BS 32.5, BS 42.5, BS 52.5 and BS 62.5 grades. The other variety is known as Blended cement, which is available as Portland Pozzolana cement or slag cement.

The grade carried by the Portland version is a number that indicates the minimum compressive strength gained by the cement-sand mortar mix in 28 days time. The cement type commonly used in Nigeria is the Portland cement, to which BS 32.5 and BS 42.5 are the two main grades in circulation, until the recent introduction of the 52.5 by Dangote Cement.

These higher grades of cements were specifically introduced to cater to the needs of industries engaged in the construction of long span bridges, high rise structures and other structures of gigantic magnitude requiring high grades of concretes.

All Portland cement grades are of the same ingredient base; however differ in terms of composition, which gives each grade its uniqueness in characteristics.

The BS 32.5 cement is designed to meet the structural requirements of ordinary and small-scale consumers (by its cost), seeking to build small to medium sized structures, pavements, rendering (plastering) and culverts.

The BS 42.5 cement is however designed to cater to a more specialised group of builders, looking to create precast concrete and all other forms of concrete required for High-rise buildings.

Finally, the BS 52.5 grade cement may be utilised by builders of heavy infrastructure such as bridges, fly over, large span structures and high rise structures.

ECCIMA lauds efforts to develop national quality policy NUGU Chamber of E Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has commended the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for midwifing the National Quality Policy Committee.

Speaking through its Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, the chamber stressed that constituting the committee was timely and necessary

in order to enable the country to achieve its economic goals while assuring the Committee of its readiness to support initiatives and decisions reached by it, in line with the formulation of the policy Okoye, who is Founder and Managing Director of Juhel Nigeria Limited also stressed that with the blue print for quality expected from the committee, technical barriers to global trade will be

removed for Nigerian-made goods, while the establishment of National Quality Infrastructure, which includes a national accreditation body, a national metrology institute, internationally recognized test laboratories, standardization of goods and services offered in all sectors of the economy and quality assurance would be catalyzed, thereby, ushering the Nigerian economy into a new phase of growth and develop-

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 INDUSTRY 45

‘We have lost our competitiveness to lingering power crisis, high interest rates’ Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar is the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). In this interview with FEMI ADEKOYA, he explained the need for government to assist the private sector in remaining competitive within local and global market place. Excerpts. ow has the lingering power crisis affected H businesses in Nigeria and how much of power supply do we need to cater for growing demand for electricity?

The lingering power situation has affected our business structures, particularly our ability to compete. We have we lost our competitiveness due to the inadequate supply of power. Those factories migrating to Ghana are doing so mainly because of the power crisis. When you don't have power and you have to power your generator, your cost of production can rob in and if goods are allowed to come in freely because of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme agreement, you lose your competitiveness and when you’ve lost your competitiveness, you shut down. So that is why we have been having serious problems compared to many years back. I’m however glad to say the new development on privatization and the recent summit on investment on power is a good one. If government continues to focus on this sector alongside the political will to drive the process, the power situation will be over in a very short while. Hence, the sincerity as well as the transparency in the whole process have to be done for the power crisis to become over.

In recent times, we have been advising the government to have an all inclusive approach to all the development policies and programmes. For instance, when we talk about investment in power generation, people importing generators cannot be hard to resist.

What do we do then at the national level, we invite the group importing the generators and let them take one or two of the power plants, give them some level of concession so that they are also involved in the process. Even for the automobile policy, we want to increase duty and stop importing automobile. Already, the importers are there, the dealers are there.

Having a meeting with this group may lead to them being a part of a consortium that would aid the dealership of made-in-Nigeria vehicles directly from the factories. So this is the new approach we are suggesting to government so that there is no conflict of interest and the policy will be addressed while everyone will go out happy.

With a monetary policy rate of 12 per cent, how are organisations coping with the high interest rates charged by banks?

This has a significant impact on businesses in Nigeria, particularly manufacturing and we have said this several times. The banks would not lend at below 12 per cent so that is why the leading rate hovers around 17 per cent to 30 per cent depending on the choice of bank. The implication of this action to our members is that they keep sitting at home to see our businesses being taken over by foreigners.

Somebody in China would borrow at six per cent and comes down to Nigeria buy a newspaper house and start doing business. How do you compete with him with a loan of 20-25 per cent. If he brings his rate of return to 10 per cent, he will still be making four per cent because he borrows at six per cent. This is in comparison with someone who looks for 20 or 15 per cent to pay to a bank. In such a situation, you close the business. You borrow at 17 to 30 per cent while somebody borrowed at four per cent and invests in your country. He has automatically taken over the business.

With the current interest rates hovering between 17 per cent and 28 per cent and for a growing economy like ours, it will be difficult to achieve the desired economic growth and motivate indigenous entrepreneurs to create businesses since they will not be competitive with their foreign counterparts who obtain fund from their countries at single digit and invest in the Nigerian economy. This is a very serious challenge and we challenge the government concerning this matter and we won’t rest until we get it solved.

Mohammed What is your assessment of the ETLS scheme considering the high number of trade barriers?

Well, the biggest advantage we have in the ECOWAS is that we do very well in production and we have much more advanced business members here. But the problem is the bottleneck you see like what we have in scheme. People take it to their advantage and do things that are not proper in some cases. The issues can be addressed if the government adds its input. If a regulator is not regulating well, there will be bottlenecks in the implementation. I am sure if the regulating agencies would do their jobs right Nigeria would stand to benefit.

NACCIMA is working with regional blocs as well as the ECOWAS commission in addressing challenges associated with bilateral trades among member countries within the region. The sealink in a viable project and we hope this can be effectively implemented as a means of achieving a cheaper form of goods movement among member countries.

Also, government should continue to identify and promote those products, which we believe Nigeria has competitive and comparative advantage of producing and exporting. Furthermore, government should create additional incentives and make sure the incentives are made to work more transparently.

The lingering security situation is taking its toll on the economy, especially in the Northern region. What is your assessment of this situation?

The effect is really massive. Many businesses within Kano, Maiduguri have experienced a drastic downturn as a result of prevailing situation in the states. For instance, many businesses’ revenues have dropped by more than 50 per cent why because in the North, many sell to other countries like Niger, Cameroun, Chad. Now, with the crisis, most of them hardly come around as restrictions in movements have made it impossible for the trade to continue hence massive withdrawal of business owners

The lingering power situation has affected our business structures, particularly our ability to compete. We have we lost our competitiveness due to the inadequate supply of power. Those factories migrating to Ghana are doing so mainly because of the power crisis...With the current interest rates hovering between 17 per cent and 28 per cent and for a growing economy like ours, it will be difficult to achieve the desired economic growth and motivate indigenous entrepreneurs to create businesses since they will not be competitive with their foreign counterparts who obtain fund from their countries at single digit and invest in the Nigerian economy. and from business activities in that area.

Almost all the border towns where neighbours come to patronize are under heavy security scrutiny. Nigeria has the advantage of economy of scale in ordering from aboard, as our neighbours find it cheaper buying from us and transporting it to their countries instead of making orders directly into their country as they don't have the capacity to order a large quantity because of their economy of scale. With the growing insecurity, they are being force to do the orders directly. If the insecurity lingers, Nigeria would be losing that market to other economies.

No doubt, the current insecurity in the North has had serious negative consequences on businesses operating in the region as most of them have either shut down operations or are already relocating/have relocated outside the high-risk areas in the North since business can only thrive in a conducive and peaceful environment, which would guarantee return on their investment.

How can high mortality rate of small businesses be addressed?

Hitherto, the Lagos branch of NACCIMA used to have more than 10,000 registered member companies. If you call a meeting today, you are not likely to get 1,000 member companies. For the industrial group, they claimed more than 50 per cent of industries within the group have gone comatose and it is even easy to verify. Take any of the industrial estates anywhere around Lagos and you will discover that many of the companies are no longer in business.

For instance, in the Oregun industrial area, there are more churches and warehouses in the area rather than production units. For small and medium enterprises, more than 60 per cent of the small businesses are no longer in operations.

However, many reasons can adduced to the closing down of many businesses today. It can be power; it can be raw materials, interest rates, mismanagement on the part of the entrepreneur among others. However, for us to remain competitive as a nation, areas where we have both competitive and comparative advantage must be properly harnessed.

There is a need for government to provide adequate infrastructure especially in the areas of power supply and transportation.

Government needs to accelerate the completion of the on-going power sector reforms so as to improve the present generating power capacity of below 4000MW to 10,000MW by December 2014. Government also needs to put in place an effective transport system management by providing adequate and reliable infrastructure for road, rail, air and waterways transportation in order to achieve supply chain efficiencies.

All these should be done through effective Public Private Partnership (PPP) synergy for optimal result to be achieved. There is need to ensure efficient and effective security system that promotes business/investment climate, as well as guarantees lives and properties of the citizens.

46

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 47

48

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 49

50

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 29-04-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 MARKET REPORT 51

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 29-04-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

FBN Holdings records rise in gross earnings

By Bukky Olajide BN Holdings has declared a seven per cent rise in gross earnings for the full year ended December 31, 2013.

The gross earnings grew from N370 billion in December, 2012 to N395 billion Net interest income of N230.1 billion was up by 1.5 per cent from N226.6 billion while non-interest income of N67 billion was down by 9.3 per cent from N73.9 billion.

Also, operating income of N296.1 billion was down by 1.7 per cent from N301.1 billion. Impairment charge for credit losses of N20.3 billion grew from N12.5 billion while operating expenses of N185 billion was down by 4.4 per cent to N193.5 billion.

Profit before tax of N91.3 billion was down by 2.8 per cent from N93.9 billion. There was dividend per share of N1.10 Total assets of N3.9 trillion was up by 19.9 from N3.2trillion declared in December 2012, while, customer deposit of N2.9 trillion increased by 22.3 per cent to N2.4trillion.

Customer loans and advances (net) of N1.8 trillion was up by 14.8 from N1.5 trillion.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive officer of FBN Holdings, Bello Maccido explained that the prevalent theme over the course of 2013 was one of moderate economic growth within the context of significant regulatory changes in the sector.

In his words: “Our financial performance was impacted largely due to revised bank-

F

ing charges, whilst the increase in the cash reserve ratio (CRR) impacted our overall performance as reflected through FirstBank, our flagship subsidiary.

During 2013, whilst the Group delivered a year-onyear rise in gross earnings of seven to N395.9 billion, profit before tax dipped marginally by three per cent to N91.3 billion.

“The scale and scope of our business, brand portfolio, geographic reach coupled with the diversity of our business portfolio creates highlyvaluable scale benefits that are difficult to replicate. The diversification and strong natural synergies, in turn, reduce risk and improve the quality of our earnings. ‘’With the recent acquisition of ICB banks across four West African countries, the acquisition of Oasis Insurance and our ongoing effort to strengthen the investment banking and asset management business through the acquisition of a merchant banking license, the Group is on track to deliver on its promises to its various stakeholders. ‘’ As we look ahead to the future, we will continue to enhance the contribution of the non-bank subsidiaries to the Group through deepening market penetration in each of our business lines, investments in other growing sub-sectors of financial services and driving cross-sell and synergy realisation across the Group and consolidating our position as the leading commercial banking franchise in Sub Saharan Africa.” He said.

Shareholders endorse UBA Capital’s N1.5b dividend

By Helen Oji HAREHOLDERS of UBA Sapproved Capital Plc, yesterday, the bank’s N1.5bil-

What Happened?

The NSE All-Share index decreased by 29bps (0.29%) and closed at 38,487.25. This represents a year-to-date performance of - 6.88%. Market Capitalisation also depreciated 0.29% to close at N12.670 trillion. Total value traded increased 130.54% to N2.828 billion and total volume traded also increased 50.97% to 221.91 million units.

Where?

At the close of trading, the banking sector represented 55.79% of the total market value traded, while the breweries sector represented 1.91%. The Top 5 stocks as a % of total market value traded were: SEPLAT (23.04%), ZENITHBANK (17.89%), FBNH (14.95%), GUARANTY (10.53%), and NESTLE (3.83%).

On a volume basis, the Top 5 most traded stocks for the day were: FBNH (30.82m), ZENITHBANK (23.15m), SKYEBANK (19.49m), DIAMONDBNK (16.07m) and TRANSCORP (14.48m).

lion dividend, translating to 25kobo per share due to every investor of the bank for the 2013 financial year.

Speaking at the yearly general meeting of the company in Lagos yesterday, the shareholders who lauded the management for enhancing their returns on investment through dividend payout, also urged the new Group Executive Officer of the bank, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni to ensure that the company sustain and surpass its current performance..

Specifically, the president of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Sir Sunny Nwosu urged the management to develop policies and strategies that would boost the activities of the bank, while stressing the need for the company to remain an investment banking institution to be reckoned with within and outside the country.

“Our CEO must work tirelessly to increase our profitability and ensure that the bank returns increased performance in the coming years. This will translate to more dividends for the shareholders,” he stated.

The Chairman, Ibadan Shareholders Association, Shola Aboderin also com-

mended the out-going Managing Director for the impressive performance achieved in 2013, as well as enhancing the banks performance during his tenure.

He urged the management to ensure that the bank’s operational cost is reduced to increase its bottomline in the next financial year.

Responding, Sunni said that the bank would focus on strategic and key areas to improve upon its activities in the coming years.

She said, “We are confident of the ability of the leadership of your company to optimise market conditions to deliver consistent results in achieving sustainable growth in 2014 by leveraging on the strength of management team as well as our new products, improved processes and systems.

“The expenses of 2012 were just of two of our smaller businesses, the original comprise of investment &Securities.

There are much bigger business. We are conscious of cost and we will make sure your cost is optimized.”

She pointed out that 2013 financial year would not have been achieved without the efforts of the past CEO, Rasheed Olaoluwa and other members of board.

The company’ gross earnings increased by 241 per cent to N4.6 billion in 2013 while its profit after tax went up by 24.33 per cent to N1.763 in 2013.

52

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Midweek Arts Publishing house, ALS partner for books, reading culture From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja EDNESDAY, April 23 was the World Book Day — a day set aside by the United Nations’ Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to help people across the globe explore the pleasure of books and reading.

In the spirit of the day, several agencies and individual organisations in Nigeria joined the world body in the campaign to promote a healthy reading habit.

An indigenous writing and publishing house, B&B Livres in collaboration with Abuja Literary Society (ALS), celebrated the day with the launch of Readers 100 Project — a project designed to promote a culture of reading and contemplation in the country.

The event, which held in a bookshop, had in attendance stakeholders in book advocacy including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Library of Nigeria, British Council as well as UNESCO. Executive Director of the project, Mr. Adedipe Oluwafemi, warned that with the sweeping influence of social media on the youths, it was only imperative that Nigerians don’t lose the conventional skill to read and write.

He said: “Regardless of whether those writings are about history, culture, governance, media or the rich imaginations of a novelist or poet, we believe there is a great need to promote reading as an alternative to consumerist entertainment”.

With the slogan, Celebrating the Power of Books to Change Lives, Adedipe pointed out that browsing, which has captured the attention of the youths should not be replaced with thought-engaging reading of texts.

He was of the opinion that while browsing entertains, reading engages the mind.

Unfortunately, only minority of Nigerians across ages take reading as a habit.

On the other hand, corporate organisations invest heavily on entertainment programmes and initiatives with little or no emphasis on the promotion of intellectual ability.

The Readers 100 Project therefore was designed to explore 100 ways of making reading interesting and consequently, a culture in the country.

“It is 100 different ways of promoting reading.

The project aims at celebrating readers.

Unfortunately, our culture celebrates entertainers.

“If we end up raising a generation of dancers and singers, who will run our banks, oil companies and political offices. We want to promote reading as an alternative to entertainment?

W

“Who will generate ideas and innovations needed to jumpstart Nigeria’s economy? How do we as a nation compete in a world that is currently teeming with various kinds of social, economic and technological complexities”?

Quoting the Director General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova, Adedipe emphasised the power of books and their capacity to change people’s lives.

“The history of the written word is the history of humanity. The power of books to advance individual fulfilment and to create social change is unequalled. Intimate and yet deeply social, books provide far-reaching forms of dialogue between individuals, within communities and across time”.

Adedipe added that some of the designs to reach out to the youths who are the major target of the project include establishment of book clubs in schools, especially tertiary institutions across the country.

To fund this project, the Obafemi Awolowo University — graduate of Computer Science, Adedipe stated that though it is presently funded through individual efforts, there is hope that the corporate world would find the initiative worth investing in.

“It is impossible for any one organisation to handle it. That is the reason for partnership with relevant stakeholders. We want to make reading an alternative to consumerist entertainment and consequently make it attractive to corporate organisations. We will present it as business opportunity to various organizations”, he said.

For the President, Abuja Literary Society, Victor Anoliefo, social media should not be blamed for the declining reading culture. According to him, it has the potentials to enrich any focused and committed student, who seeks true knowledge from the Internet.

He said ALS was attracted to Readers 100 Project because of its commitment to restoring reading culture in the country - a similar campaign that Society is committed to.

He also disagreed with the notion that Nigerians don’t read. Noting that Nigerians do read, he advocated policies that would make books readily available at affordable rates to readers.

Project’s Director of Communication, Emeka Onuoha, lamented a situation where, in spite of the centrality of books to one’s socio-cultural development, passion for reading has continued to decline in the country.

He referred to a research finding which put the percentage of adult Nigerians that never read a

non-fiction book from cover to cover since they graduated from school at 40 and stressed the need for urgent action to reverse the trend.

According to Onuoha, the project will work with libraries, educational institutions, government agencies as well as private organisations to promote and encourage the culture of reading in Nigeria.

“It will reach out to known book lovers across the country to build a groundswell of support for book reading. The goal is to, in the words of Adedipe, make reading cool again”, he said.

As part of the activities designed for the project, the initiator, B &B Livres would be producing a collection of brief compositions and insights from 100 select Nigerian role models, who are distinguished book lovers.

The goal, according to the publishing firm is to build a network of role models who can inspire Nigerians, especially the young ones to take up

reading.

In her goodwill message, Head of Section, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. AneneMaidoh, described reading as a universal phenomenon and a tradition.

Represented by the Section’s Secretary, Oguah Florence, Maidoh noted that aside being a dependable variable, there was practically any vacation in the that does not require reading.

She recalled with nostalgia past years when most towns and cities had public libraries that took care of the reading needs of residents.

“Nowadays, that interest has been directed more to watching televisions, movies, films and browsing the internet”.

Maidoh therefore called on parents, religious bodies, civil society groups as well as the media to join the on-going crusade to restore reading culture in the country.

Ikenne hosts book, arts fest, showcases new talents

By Omiko Awa kENNE, Ogun State will this year Idents attract different group of stuand personalities from diverse fields to the International Restoration Book And Arts Festival holding in the town known to be home of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo.

With exhibition and discourse on Awolowo’s books and photographs being one of the features, the event, which will run in sessions saw the first session kick off yesterday, Tuesday, April 29 and will be rounded off on Thursday, May 1, while the second session will hold from May 5 to 7.

Discourse on the first session started with books on A People Welfare Within An Emerging National Economy: Implementing The Nexus by Sam Omatseye, Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation Newspapers; The Words Of Psalm 23

by Prof. Michael Omolewa, former

Ambassador to UNESCO and president of the 32nd Session of the General Conference of UNESCO; and History Of Remo Thirty-Three Traditional Towns by Chief Olusegun Ayodele. The authors, using their books, spoke on diverse topics, including Demand For Accountability In Nigeria’s Leadership Space (Omatseye), Reflection On A Psalm Of David (Omolewa), and New Challenges And Aspiration From A Rich Historical Past (Ayodele).

The first session also saw different students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions participate in vocational workshops, book reading (novels) and as well staged a play titled, Women Of Owu, by Femi Osofisan.

Holding along side the discourse is a photography show with the theme People’s Vocation, Aspirations Workship Dance, Music, Trials, Trumphs, Culinaries And Lifestyle.

The second session, which will run for three days, will see students participate in a seminar titled Knowing How Your Body Works. This will be followed by a National Literary Quiz, Bible Quiz and fashion parade. Other activities include poetry jamz, to be performed by students, on poems written by students and poems prescribed by NECO, WAEC, JAMB for Literature examinations; food exhibition by students studying home management; music concerts and competition for school choral groups.

Aside from this, students will have the opportunity to visit Awolowo’s house and Library, and have book chat and reading.

Last year, students from Ogun State Schools were at Ikenne to celebrate the World Book Day and had a workshop titled How To Write, Publish And Sell Your Books.

This year, the students will be sub-

mitting their typewritten scripts — for plays, poems and novels — to be edited and screened for publication on gratis. They will also interface with established authors and professionals to enrich their entries.

As part of activities for this year’s festival, the award-winning actress of Fuji House of Commotion and Tinsel, Sola Onayiga will be on tour of schools in Ogun State on a book reading campaign.

Explaining the choice of Ikenne as the permanent location for the yearly event, the convener of the festival, Pastor Tosin Onayiga of the Ransomed Christian Centre and Herald Ventures said, “God instructed me to come to Ikenne in 2010 to wait on him for 120 days for the direction, He wants my ministry to take, when He asked me to leave the Redeemed Christian Church of God. And on the 75th day of the fasting, He drew my attention to the culture of my people and how the vacant

stool of the Alakenne of Ikenne for 27 years has brought wasted years to the town. And on Saturday, April 2, 2011, I organised a crusade on Restoring Ikenne’s Wasted Years and on Sunday, April 3, 2011, which was my birthday and the end of my 120day-fasting.

“So, we aim at using books and arts to develop the society and also to glorify the only living God,” he revealed.

The festival, which will be rounded off with prize and awards ceremony on Wednesday May 7 will be graced by dignitaries, including the late Awolowo’s jewel of inestimable value, Mama H.I.D Awolowo; the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Funsho Amosun; Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; Prof.

Olu Sofowora; Idowu Sofola (SAN); The Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and others.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 ARTS 53

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Half Of A Yellow Sun reignites love, evokes war memories

By Omiko Awa ARELY 44 years after the Nigerian civil war, B generally referred to as the Biafran War, ended, issues emanating from the war still resonate in the Nigerian air space.

With the recent film, Half Of A Yellow Sun, an adaptation of the award-winning novel by the Orange Prize-winner Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie hitting the cinemas, young generation will have a peep into some of the happenings of the period.

Directed by playwright and novelist Biyi Bandele and produced by Andrea Calderwood, the epic love-story centres on a generation of Nigerians, who grew up in the 60s, when most African countries, including Nigeria, gained independence.

The film reflects on how this generation then was enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of Nigeria and by extension Africa.

Using twin sisters Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose) from a wealthy Nigerian family as peg, the film tells the story of the ladies, who having spent years studying in the United Kingdom, but return to Nigeria to lead a new life. Arriving the country, the two young ladies make very different choices. Olanna surprises her family when she goes to live with her lover, Odenigbo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) the revolutionary professor and his devoted houseboy Ugwu (John Boyega) in Nsukka, a rustic university town.

Kainene unlike her twin sister takes over their family business, and becomes a successful businesswoman. Kainene later falls in love with Richard (Joseph Mawle), an English writer, staying in Nigeria.

Preoccupied by romantic entanglements and betrayal between the sisters, the events of their life loom larger than politics. However, they become caught up in the events of the Nigerian civil war, in which the lgbo of Southeastern part of the country fought an impassioned struggle to establish Biafra as an independent State.

Spiced with flicks of war scenes, gruesome murder and romantic love, the film paints the story of love-hate and how people once united by ambition and vision are pitched against themselves.

Though, a sweeping romantic drama, the film, in course of taking the sisters and their lovers on a journey through the war, throws caution into the air by highlighting the love escapades of the sisters. At the opening, it shows sensual scenes that leave much to be desired, which in no way tells the background from which the producer is coming from.

Judging from the African context, especially the Nigerian culture where sex-related issues are treated as a taboo, the film could be seen as being amoral, but since it is a mere interpretation of an individual’s view at the time, it could equally pass as a memorial, especially to those that were young at the time and enjoying one united country, which nationalism and quest for self rule enable them to establish.

With the technical quality, clear pictures and sound, the film uses realia to reflect the time and space it is talking about.

Onyeka

A Scene from the film Shot in Tinapa Studios, Calabar and in various locations in the Creek Town, Half of A Yellow Sun had its world premiere at the 38th yearly Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada.

Premiered recently in Lagos, the film directed by a Nigerian with large numbers of Nigerian cast and crew will be released Genevieve in all Nigerian cinemas on May 2.

Some of the cast and crew members include: Thandie Newton (Olanna). She made her film debut alongside Nicole Kidman in 1991’s Flirting. In 1994 Neil Jordan cast her as Brad Pitt’s maid in Interview With The Vampire.

Newton gained international recognition in the Merchant Ivory production of Jefferson In Paris in which she played Jefferson’s slave, costarring with Nick Nolte and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Odenigbo) the lead character was seen in Steve McQueen’s Oscar winning Twelve Years A Slave, alongside Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt and Paul Giamatti.

Ejiofor’s film career dates back to 1996, when Stephen Spielberg cast him in the critically acclaimed Amistad, alongside Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. He returned to the big screen in Stephen Frears’ 2001 thriller Dirty Pretty Things for which he won Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards and the Evening Standard Film Awards. In 2008 his performance in the title role of Michael Grandage’s Othello at the Donmar Warehouse alongside Kelly Reilly and Ewan McGregor won him Best Actor at the Olivier Awards and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. His other stage credits include Roger Michell’s Blue/Orange in 2000, and in the same year Tim Supple’s Romeo and Juliet in which he took the title role. In 2012, he co-starred in Salt, with Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber.

Anika Noni Rose (Kainene) shot to prominence in her Tony Award winning performance in the 2004 Broadway musical — Caroline or Change. Her first major film role came in 2006 with Dream Girls in which she co-starred with Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. The film received an AFI ensemble award, as well as a SAG Award nomination and both

the soundtrack and her song Patience were nominated for Academy Awards. In addition to the Tony Award, Rose has also received The Theater World Award, The Clarence Derwent Award, a Drama Desk nomination, the Los Angeles Critics’ Circle Award, an Ovation Award and an Obie Award.

Joseph Mawle (Richard). His first television role was Sir Tificate in the BAFTA-winning series Sir Gadabout, the Worst Knight in the Land (2002) for CITV. Mawle came to national recognition through the BAFTA winning drama Soundproof (2007), which won him a breakthrough nomination at the Royal Television Society Awards. His film credits includes the short film After Tomorrow, Heartless, Made In Dagenham, The Awakening (2011),The Cold Light Of Day, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Shell and others.

John Boyega, playing Ugwu, is best known for his leading role in Joe Cornish’s BAFTA nominated Attack The Block (2011), a South London set zombie thriller in which he starred with Jodie Whittaker. He has also been seen in JunkhearTS (2011), a drama starring Eddie Marsan, Tom Sturridge and Romala Garai. Boyega has taken leading roles in TV productions including Spike Lee’s Da Brick for HBO and the BBC’s My Murder, based on a true story about the gangland death of a London boy. Boyega has recently filmed BBC drama The Whale, a dramatisation of events that inspired Moby Dick. John Boyega has so far been nominated for a British Independent Film Award, an Empire Film Award, an Evening Standard Film Award and the Critics Choice Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

Genevieve Nnaji (Miss Adebayo) started her film career in 1998 and became the first actor to be awarded Best Actress at the maiden edition of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2005. Her popularity also transcends Nigerian shores.

In 2009, she made history by being the only African actress to be profiled on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

In 2010, she was fea-

as a ‘Connector Of The Day’ on ‘CNN Connect’ and soon afterwards she was profiled on CNN’s ‘African Voices’. In 2011, she received National Honours from the President of Nigeria, and was named a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Onyeka Onwenu (Mama) in a career spanning over 32 years has recorded some of Nigeria’s most memorable hits, and has collaborated with artistes including King Sunny Ade. As an actress, Onyeka Onwenu’s contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry has earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious AMAA award. As a journalist, she wrote and presented the widely acclaimed 1984 BBC/NTA production Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches. It remains the definitive film about corruption in oil rich Nigeria. She was awarded the Nigerian national honour Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Biyi Bandele is a prolific Nigerian playwright, novelist and screenwriter now based in London. Bandele has previously written and directed a short film, The Kiss (2009), a psychological thriller. For television, Bandele wrote Not Even God Is Wise Enough directed by Danny Boyle for BBC2 in 1994 and Bad Boy Blues for BBC2 (1995). His prolific writing for theatre includes his adaptation of Aphra Benn’s Oroonoko, which was a huge hit for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2000, and was successfully revived by New York’s Theatre for a New Audience in 2007. He wrote Brixton Stories for London’s Tricycle Theatre in 2001 and Yerma for the Edinburgh International Festival in 2000. His fiction writing includes Burma Boy, The Street, Picador, 1999; The Sympathetic Undertaker & Other Dreams, Heinemann, 1994; and The Man Who Came In From The Back Of Beyond, Heinemann, 1993.

tured

Bandele

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

54 Wednesday, April 30, 2014

GlobalStocks

Trader at the New York Stock Exchange

U.S. stocks rise on earnings results NITED States (US) stocks rose, sending the U Standard & Poor’s 500 Index higher for a second day, after results from Merck & Co. to Sprint Corp. topped estimates as the Federal Reserve begins a two-day policy meeting.

Merck gained 2.8 percent as earnings were helped by cuts in spending on promotions and research. Sprint added 11 percent after sales beat estimates as the company held onto more subscribers than forecast.

Coach Inc. fell 8.9 percent after sales at its North American stores plunged 21 percent amid increased competition and bad weather.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.3 percent to 1,874.42 at 11:15 a.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 61.81 points, or 0.4 percent, to 16,510.55. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.3 percent, after jumping 0.7 percent in the first half hour of trading.

Trading in S&P 500 stocks was in line with the 30-day average at this time of day.

“Earnings have been beating expectations and guidance will remain strong for coming quarters because of this spring thaw and economic rebound,” Patrick Spencer, who helps oversee more than $100 billion as London-based head of equity sales at Robert W. Baird & Co., said in a telephone interview. “That will continue to underpin the market.”

The S&P 500 (SPX) was little changed for the month as of yesterday’s close, after reaching an all-time high on April 2. The Nasdaq Composite is heading toward its worst monthly performance since October 2012, with a decline of 2.6 percent, as technology stocks have sold off amid

concern valuations have outpaced estimates for earnings growth. Nasdaq companies trade at 35 times reported earnings, about double the level of S&P 500 members.

Some 37 companies on the S&P 500 report earnings today, including EBay Inc. Twitter Inc. also posts results after the market close.

Earnings for members of the S&P 500 climbed 3.4 percent in the first quarter, according to analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. They had predicted an increase of 0.7 percent as recently as April 17.

Revenue for the index’s members probably rose 2.8 percent in the quarter.

About 74 percent of the 274 S&P 500 members that have reported earnings so far this season have posted profit that exceeded analysts’ estimates, data compiled by Bloomberg show. FedEx Corp., General Motors Co. and McDonald’s Corp. have all blamed weather for poor earnings performance as snow storms during the first three months of the year slowed shipments and kept shoppers indoors.

The Fed’s policy makers begin a two-day meeting in Washington today. At the conclusion, they will probably announce a fourth consecutive reduction to their monthly bond-buying program designed to stoke the economy, according to economists polled by Bloomberg.

Three rounds of monetary stimulus have helped fuel economic growth, sending the S&P 500 surging as much as 180 percent from its 2009 low.

“The economy is in a sweet spot,” Spencer said. “Growth isn’t so exuberant that the Fed needs to withdraw their support quickly, and not so

anemic that they need to be concerned about further weakening.”

A report today showed home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose at a slower pace in the year ended February as the residential real-estate market cooled. The S&P/CaseShiller index of property values increased 12.9 percent from February 2013, the smallest 12-month gain since August, after rising 13.2 percent in the year ended in January, a report from the group showed today in New York.

The Conference Board’s index of U.S. consumer confidence decreased to 82.3 in April from 83.9 a month earlier, the New York-based private research group said today. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 78 economists called for a reading of 83.2.

Data later this week will give investors more clues about the strength of the economy. The government’s initial tally of firstquarter gross domestic product tomorrow may show the slowest expansion in a year.

Payroll growth probably accelerated in April as companies remained upbeat about the economy’s prospects after a setback in demand caused by snowstorms and colder temperatures earlier this year.

Employers added 215,000 workers, the most since November, economists project a May 2 report from the Labor Department will show.

Merck rose 2.8 percent to $58.28. The second-biggest U.S. drugmaker posted firstquarter profit excluding certain items of 88 cents a share, 9 cents above the average of 16 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sprint jumped

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 55

56 | PHOTONEWSEXTRA Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Customs Area Comptroller, Enugu-Ebonyi-Anambra Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Kashim Ajiya (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Excise, Free Trade Zones and Industrial Incentives, Mr. Victor Gbemudu and Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem,at the Nigerian Breweries Plc/Nigeria Customs Service Interactive Session held at the Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu… recently

Work in progress on Lagos-Ibadan road after revocation of the concession to Bi-Courtney by FG

Director, Urban and Regional Planning, Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Administration, Alhaji Sola Salami (left) and Human Resources /Corporate Affairs Manager , CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited, Ajoke Ogunlaja at the presentation of the ‘Best Property Development Company in Nigeria’ award to the firm by the Luxury Living/Nigeria Urban Development at Sheraton Hotel and Suites , Abuja

Tayo Philips, Rasaq Jaiyeola both members of the Governing Council of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Rotimi Omotoso, Registrar Chief Executive of ICAN, Kabir Mohammed, President of ICAN, Wajdi Zard, Managing Director, Zartech Nig Ltd,Former ICAN President Doyin Owolabi and Lukman Dauda, Chairman of Ibadan & District Society of ICAN during the visit to Zartech by ICAN team...

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (middle), Prof. Alade Fawole of Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (left), Chairman of the occasion, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, National Coordinator, Peoples Welfare League, Comrade Abiodun Agboola and Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro at the Osun 2014 Economic Summit organised by the Peoples Welfare League...yesteday

The Managing Director, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Mr. Lanre Adisa receiving the Outstanding Young Agency of the Decade Award from Mr. Jimi Awosika, Managing Director Insight Communications Limited during the Marketing Edge Magazine 10th anniversary and award ceremony held… recently.

Commercial Director, Lagos and West Region, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Dan Frantil ; Master Temitope Ige, (middle) receiving the keys to the TATA Truck won by NBC Dealer, Toyin Stores, Alhaja Toyin Ige and Mr. Gbenga Olatunji, Commercial Manager, Marina Depot, NBC, at the Incentive Raffle Draw for Distributors, Lagos Region held at the NBC Ikeja Plant at the weekend

The Principal of the school, Victorial Odetunde (left), Principal, Meiran Junior Secondary School, Mrs Omotayo Atinuke, ( middle), current President, Ikeja Elite Lions Club, Mrs Madam Kunbi Olomola, Mrs Atinuke Akinwunmi and students during the commissioning / handing over of 100 dual desks and benches donated by Ikeja Elite Lions Club to Meiran Community Junior Secondary School, Meiran Lagos

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 57

58

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

INTERVIEW

‘Confab should focus on how to tackle Professor Ayo Olukoju is a former Head of Department of History, University of Lagos (UNILAG). While at UNILAG, he was twice named the best researcher in the arts/humanities (2006 and 2009). Olukoju, fellow, Nigerian Academy of Letters, an apex body of academic organizations in the Humanities, is at present the Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State. The professor of History told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that the ongoing National Conference should pay serious attention to tackling institutionalized corruption, indiscipline, impunity, erosion of values, insecurity, electoral malfeasance and destruction of institutions that are the greatest threats to Nigeria’s peace and progress.

O we really need the national conference at this point in D time when the polity has already been heated up?

It is precisely when a country finds itself at a crossroads that its peoples need to engage in serious soul-searching, since this is the only way that a bottom-up solution may be found to the contentious issues. Although the conversations may not always be cordial and raw emotions might trump reason, there is no viable alternative to a sincere and mutually respectful dialogue aimed at producing courageous outcomes. The timing may be problematic – elections are about a year away, the ruling party has never been so vulnerable, often displaying desperation, and terrorist activities appear to have intensified rather than abate – but nothing will be lost by engaging in this dialogue, provided the organizers and delegates are sincere and well-meaning.

Otherwise, it might be a futile exercise after all.

What are your expectations from the conference?

If delegates can tone down their harsh rhetoric, abandon hardline positions and reach a consensus on key issues, certain objectives can be achieved. The most important is devolution of power and resources to the States and the Zones in which they are located. This implies that the virtually untrammelled powers of what has been regarded as our imperial presidency can be prunned to break the stifling grip of the over-loaded centre on the regions. Another dimension to this devolution is the establishment of State Police to complement the Federal (Nigeria) Police. Each State should have a joint command of the two entities to forestall misuse of the police by their respective political overlords.

From the composition of the delegates, it is obvious that majority of them are of old age with few of them below 40, what do you see to this?

I cannot tell what principles or motives informed the selection of the confab delegates and can only assume that the preponderance of elderly people at the confab was accidental. However, it might have been done deliberately to harness the presumed experience of the elders, as the society associates advanced age with experience and wisdom. My concern is that several of such people are too old or frail for the rigour that the exercise deserves (and so might doze off during proceedings!). They might be unable to come up with fresh ideas, as they tend to be too set in their ways.

Besides, the selection reeked of the recycling of tired legs and patronage for a favoured few for whatever reason.

Considering that several of such people had served in previous governments that brought the country to its knees and some had even been enmeshed in one controversy or scandal, or the other, their choice is a disservice to a country that is so richly endowed with better alternatives. To be sure, the issue is not about age per se, for there are indications that even some of the younger elements too have imbibed the bad traits of members of the old brigade, who are their mentors. Moreover, many of the seniors are sprightly and mentally alert. One of such delegates is my old secondary school Literature teacher, who is still actively engaged.

So far what is your assessment of the conference?

After a stuttering start dominated by theatrics and tantrums, it appears that the conference is settling down to business. But I have reservations about some of their recommendations at the committee level. The issue of defection should have been sidestepped, as it is not the cause of our current crisis. Moreover, in the context of current political realities, the recommendation unduly favours a certain party, which had earlier profited from defections. The abolition of zones negates the principle of devolution. This is particularly so because States as individual actors – especially since the decimation of the Governors Forum - are too weak to stand up to an overbearing centre. Zones should rightly be recognized in place of the old regions that stabilized the First Republic and promoted competitive federalism as a veritable bulwark against an imperial presidency and as centres of coordinated development at the sub-national level. Any suggestion that zones might be so powerful as to threaten the centre is sheer bunkum, as is the facile argument that the zones are “artificial.” The question is: which of the 36 states is not artificial? The confab should focus on how to tackle institutionalized corruption, indiscipline, impunity, erosion of values, insecurity, electoral malfeasance and destruction of institutions. Those are the greatest threat to Nigeria’s peace and progress.

Do you see any tangible thing coming out of the conference?

If entrenched interests would allow national interest to prevail for once, the outcome of the conference might be positive. For example, the idea of a monolithic North or South should be jettisoned if any tangible progress will be made. Let each nationality, zone or cluster of States make demands that will ensure the peace and progress of its citizens without infringing upon the rights of the others. The

Olukoju focus should be on harnessing the local resources of the zones and States, and not about sharing the so-called national cake, the struggle for cornering the lion’s share of which has been the Nigerian albatross. That is why those who have had access to the centre, or, wish to either retain or retrieve it, have engaged in a cut-throat struggle that has diminished the country. So, I perceive that concrete steps will be taken to devolve to the States (and, zones) more of the power and resources concentrated at the centre, which have simply been misused over time. The right of States to create and fund their own local governments, and to have

police forces, in the spirit of true federalism, are also likely to be entrenched. Regional economic development based on locally formulated and implemented plans should ensue. A touchy issue is the indigene-settler controversy.

My position is unapologetic though unpopular in some quarters. It is that while we are free to reside everywhere in Nigeria as citizens of the federation, we must respect and defend the rights of the indigenes, no matter how few they may become over time because of the influx of Nigerians from elsewhere. I have resided in Lagos since 1987 and two of my children were born here. But we are indigenes of Oka-

Besides, the selection reeked of the recycling of tired legs and patronage for a favoured few for whatever reason. Considering that several of such people had served in previous governments that brought the country to its knees and some had even been enmeshed in one controversy or scandal, or the other, their choice is a disservice to a country that is so richly endowed with better alternatives

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

59

INTERVIEW

threats to Nigeria’s peace and progress’ Akoko, Ondo State, the land of our ancestors, and residents here! Residency does not prevent us from voting, investing, owning property or exercising our ordinary rights as Nigerian citizens in Lagos State. Unlike us, Lagos State indigenes, have no other place of origin. They should exercise the right of first refusal in selecting their Governor or Senator. We can relocate to our hinterland homesteads and claim whatever political rights we feel we have been denied here. The Chinese, in spite of their homogeneity recognize such residency rights in addition to common citizenship.

At least that is what my protege, Dr. Omon Osiki, says obtains there.

What is your view on the issue of no-go areas?

Any honest dialogue should not foreclose certain issues.

For example, the fear that Nigeria might break up if its unity was discussed is unfounded. The right of secession or feedom of association is ingrained in the existence of multiethnic countries. This is corroborated by the examples of Quebec in Canada, Scotland in the United Kingdom and Catalonia in Spain, where referenda on secession have been canvassed for years. Regions that cannot survive on their own or are marooned in an inhospitable region/zone might rightly fear secession by others. But, we should recognize that it is not fair to keep other people in an unhappy union against their will simply to serve our own selfish interests. As I stated in a recent lecture, if the others do not want a particular section of the country to go, they should engage it in a meaningful discussion and make necessary concessions to make it a happy member of the family. My point is not that secession is good or inevitable, but that everyone should be happy being Nigerian and not compelled to be surly, resentful second class citizens in a country where their rights are violated by some overbearing and insensitive majority. If all of us are happy to stay together as a united country, the idea of a big and powerful Nigeria, the economic, political and military giant of Africa and a lodestar of development in the comity of developing nations is both welcome and laudable.

From the utterances by some of the delegates, do you think it is a true representation of the country?

Delegates’ contributions expectedly ventilate the views and grievances of a cross section of the country. They are legitimate in the spirit of freedom of speech though greater tact could have been deployed in some instances. With reference to the sensational outburst of a delegate about his people’s options if Nigeria broke up, one should also draw some positive inferences from it. First, some of these grievances and bitter resentments run deep. Whether they are justified is a different matter. Second, that persons of high status could ventilate them at such a forum shows the pervasiveness of such views in their localities. They should not be ignored or dismissed out of court.

Third, it is good to recognize that Nigerian unity should not be taken for granted but subjected to mature and clear-headed debate to resolve issues and clear doubts. This is what renews normal human relationships within and beyond the family. Fourth, when we appreciate that certain regions and States have options, we shall strive to address their peculiar challenges. But we must not yield to blackmail. That said, we must subject all positions taken on power-shift, resource control, fiscal federalism and the like, to critical scrutiny to unravel the underlying currents behind them. Much of the posturing may turn out to be self-serving, with hardly a thought for the welfare and interest of the people on whose behalf the exertions are purportedly being made.

Do you think the conference can help to resolve the myriad of problems bedeviling the country?

The ideas that are being canvassed at the conference are not new. Indeed, previous conferences had handled them to a large extent. The only difference is that everyone now recognizes that we need to talk the country out of its self-inflicted mess, ironically with many of those who caused it being present or duly represented at the conference! The point is that the outcome of the confab will depend on what we make of it. For example, it will require self-sacrifice, bordering on class suicide, for the present holders of power and their proxies to agree to whittle down the overwhelming and overbearing powers of the central government, to unanimously and voluntarily shift resources and power to the States and zones (where the real people are), to allow federal and state police forces (like the Fire Bridage) to co-exist as complementary guarantors of national security, to institute developmental and pro-poor governance, to institutionalize transparency in the running of public affairs, and stamp out corruption, impunity a n d medi-

ocrity. It will take a certain kind of political will to do what is right in our current circumstances.

What do you see to the outburst and tensions that trailed the first few weeks of the conference?

Those outbursts were natural and necessary. The forum provided a platform to let off steam, and for delegates to release bottled up emotions and grievances, with salutary, carthatic effects. Delegates and the constituencies that they repreresent also needed to test the waters, gauge reactions and (re)strategize. Positions have to be taken and refined, and alliances formed and reshaped. It is all part of the game. Such is the nature of pressure group politics. For now, the master strategists and foot soldiers are at work.

What will make this conference different from the previous ones?

The context in which it is taking place. The cloud of political tension, the political manoeuvring, epitomised by defections, counter-defections and the rise of a major opposition party, the 2015 elections, the terrorist bloodbath and the socio-economic pressures across the nation combine to compel the entrenched interests to recognize their enlightened self-interest in the successful salvage of a country on tenterhooks at this time. It could well be the last time Nigerians will respond to a call to dialogue.

Dialogue fatigue will set in after this one.

Religious differences have started playing out at the conference, what is your take on this?

Such differences are more apparent than real. How may of the loud champions of religion actually live up to the tenets of their faith? Which religious inclinations are not well represented in the country’s Hall of Infamy for corrupt practices, arbitrary exercise of power and chicanery?

The point is that we should begin to suspect people when they raise the banner of religion in the political space.

Religion is an intensely personal affair which should reflect in public behaviour or action, in a person’s conduct in office and towards other human beings irrespective of gender, creed, ethnicity, class or race. We may ask: what good has the politicization of religion done to the country? In Western Nigeria, for example, many families subscribe to divergent religious beliefs, including syncretism, and yet the boundaries are respected by all. Religion is recognized as a person’s personal and private business, and only the all-

knowing God can judge the individual’s religious profession. But politics is a different

Any honest dialogue should not foreclose certain issues. For example, the fear that Nigeria might break up if its unity was discussed is unfounded. The right of secession or feedom of association is ingrained in the existence of multi-ethnic countries matter, a secular religion that is in the firm grip of mortals, and which directly affects one’s day-to-day activities, livelihoods and freedoms. So, while there is no incentive to get into religious combat (this is God’s jurisdiction and He alone is capable of defending Himself), the political struggle is the lifeblood of the society and makes for progress.

Other Nigerian groups should imbibe this attitude towards religious coexistence.

Criticisms have trailed the payment of allowances to delegates, what is your view on this as well?

We should not forget that Abuja is an expensive city and, ordinarily, adequate provision should be made for the upkeep of the delegates. But, given the state of the economy and the demand for resources by other (and more) compelling national needs, the cost of the confab, including the allowances of the delegates should have been much lower. Compared to the 2005 exercise, this one is way too extravagant. But it was not the delegates that fixed the rates or determined the overall budget.

What role can the conference play to help curb the insecurity permeating the country?

A national consensus on identifying the remote and immediate causes, and proffering workable solutions with timelines, can emerge from the conference. Much good can come out of the report of the Committee on Security as well as pointed remarks by influential delegates from the affected zones, supported by informed and helpful comments from other parts of the country. A clear message must emanate from the confab, devoid of political brinkmanship and posturing. What is required is mature statesmanship, empathy and patriotism.

Are the youths well represented at the conference?

I do not have the details of the number, status, constituencies and profiles of “youth” delegates at the conference. So far, and expectedly so, much attention has been on what the senior citizens did or failed to do. The latter have been around for so long and dominated the political space to the point that the media might have become fixated on them. The youth at the conference should seize the moment and come up with fresh ideas. To do so, they must take time to articulate their positions, ventilate them passionately and support their submissions with verifiable and credible facts.

They should resist the temptation to play to the gallery or conform to a certain stereotype of youth behaviour. Youth delegates must not be intimidated by the unfavourable views of some conservative seniors, but maintain positions that will appeal to the broadminded and stand the test of time. They have no better platform to present their credentials as ready and competent leaders who have so far been underutilized by the system.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

60 | Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sports RCCG Region 13 sports fiesta ends

NSC tracking match fixing allegation, says Elegbeleye From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE National Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday disclosed that it is following seriously allegation from a Singaporean jailed match fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal, that he helped Nigeria to win its South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifying matches.

Perumal in his recent book alleged that he helped Nigeria fix its qualifying matches to earn the Super Eagles the qualifying ticket to the South Africa 2010 World Cup, claiming that in an agreement with unnamed NFF officials, he paid the sum of $100,000 to the officials of Mozambique Football Federation to enable them beat Tunisia in their last qualifying match, thereby paving the way for Nigeria to secure the group ticket.

The NFF had earlier denied having any dealings with Perumal, claiming that the real heroes of the Super Eagles’ qualification for the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup were the Federal Government, the Federation and the players and officials of the team, while describing the match fixer’s claim as a “distinct fiction.”

Speaking on the allegation yesterday in Abuja, the Director General of the NSC, Gbenga Elegbeleye, noted that since it was a mere allegation, the commission cannot make any categorical state-

T

ment until it is proved with facts by the alleged match fixer.

“That is an allegation that needs to be proved. I do not have anything to say in a mere allegation… let us just wait and see them corroborate their allegation with instances. We are following it very seriously,” he said.

On the Super Eagles’ campaign at the World Cup, the NSC boss said the commission has played its own role in ensuring that the NFF is given the enabling environment to support the team to do well in Brazil.

He disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan has through the NSC provided all that is required for the team to have a successful camping and play series of grade A friendly matches.

“Our own part is to give them the enabling environment to participate successfully at the World Cup by providing the necessary required funding for camping, to support the players and officials.

“We are not holding any of their fund, if the Budget Office released money for the World Cup, we do not waste any time before we forward such to the NFF because we understand the special attachment Nigerians have for the Super Eagles’ participation at the world cup,” Elegbeleye said.

Okpekpe Road Race organisers install collapsible 1,500-seater stadium RGANISERS of the 10-kilometre Okpekpe Road Race have started installing a collapsible mini-stadium, capable of holding 1,500 people, in the race’s host community.

The presentation of prizes and other functions relating to the event will hold inside the moveable stadium.

The moveable stadium, according to one of the engineers on site, is the first of its kind in this part of Nigeria.

“As we were told, last year’s after event award was held in a sandy place. All we are doing is to meet international standard, hence the importation of the detachable mini stadium.

Many people have not seen it

O

before, it is strong and comfortable,” the engineer said.

Already, Nigeria Guinness and Globacom have started branding the entire area, including the detachable mini-stadium ahead of the Okpekpe international 10-kilometre road race.

Guinness is installing a makeshift beer bar in Okpekpe community, Apanna and Auchi, while Globacom says they would provide free Wi-Fi services for all visitors and the host community.

Meanwhile, former International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Cross Country champion, Joseph Ebuya of Kenya, is out of Saturday’s race.

HE maiden edition of the T Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)

Super Eagles praying before a match…recently.

PHOTO: GOAL.COM

Govt promises to transform 415 youth athletes as Elegbeleye receives NYG’s report Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE National Sports Commission (NSC yesterday promised to move the 415 athletes that were discovered during the November 2013 national Youth Games into the national high performance center to commence training that would transform them into the elite sport category.

The NSC director general, Gbenga Elegbeleye who promised this while receiving the report of the National Youth Games (NYG) from the local organizing committee yesterday in Abuja stated that some of the discovered athletes will be trained by national high performance directors to prepare them for the Africa Youth games that will be coming up in Botswana.

He promised that the NSC will sustain the stagingof the youth games. Stressing that it will give the Nigerian youths the opportunity to excel in sports.

Now that we have a high performance programme, the idea is for them to graduate from that system to become elite athletes. We cannot just discover and leave them. I am proud to announce that some of them have been involved in competitions outside Nigeria.

T

Some will be going for the African youth games in Gaborone, Botswana next month. We believe that they cab be useful to Nigeria by winning medal in international competitions. That is why we believe that the programme should be a yearly event.’

“Again to get that going, we are very much concerned in the development of school sports, We staged that last one in Ilorin and we are determined to stage the second edition in Benue state to ensure that Nigerian youths are groomed from secondary school level to the NYG” The NSC boss revealed.

Presenting the 102 page report which he noted contained all the technical and administrative processes that led to the successful staging of the 1st National Youth Games, to the NSC director general, chairman of the LOC, Alhasan Yakmut, who is also the director of grass root sports development at the NSC noted that the committee the committee discovered a total of 415 athletes that have the potentials to take Nigeria to greater height in sports, stressing that the number spread across football, athletics, boxing, weight lifting,

taekwondo, table tennis, badminton, handball, power lifting, squash, volleyball, wrestling and tennis.

He also called on the NSC to pay more emphasis on the development of youth sports, which he noted would add a lot in the development of the Nigerian youth, which according to the commission’s reports has over 65% of the Nigerian population.

Region 13 Mini-Regional Sports Fiesta will end today at the sports complex, Paragon group of schools, Etete, G.R.A, Benin City.

The sports fiesta, organized by the Region 13 sports department, officially kicked off at the weekend, with the Pastor in charge of Region 13 (PICR), James Dagunduro, along with all other Pastors in charge of Provinces (PICPs) and their assistants (APICP) and other anointed men of God within and from other ministry, in attendance.

Today’s events include the semifinal of the football event involving two qualifiers each from Delta and Edo states at Paragon sports complex.

The table tennis, scrabble, chess and track and field events taking place at University of Benin sports complex will also hold before the closing hour, with the football final slated as part of the closing event.

According to the Regional Director of Sports, Pastor Afe Johnson, the day’s events would be more glamorous than the opening day, as a lot of side attractions have been outlined for the event.

Pastor Johnson, who also is the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province Two, said the level of the competition were quite encouraging, adding that souls have been won into the God’s kingdom through this sporting event across all the centres in Benin City and Warri.

Glo Premier League

We will paint FC Taraba with goals, boasts Salami

By Gowon Akpodonor ARRI Wolves striker, W Gbolahan Salami has declared his readiness to score more goals as the team host FC Taraba at the Warri City Stadium today.

On his part, attacking midfielder, Kelvin Itoya has commended the management for prompt payment of their winning bonus in the game against Abia Warriors on Sunday. Wolves won the tie 10, its first away victory this season.

Salami who has scored four goals in the league, said yesterday he would use today’s game against FC Taraba to

increase his goal tally.

The former shooting Stars player who was recruited at the beginning of the season, said the team is blessed with good strikers, adding that his teammates are giving him the needed cooperation to achieve his mission of ending the season as one of the highest goals scorer.

“The truth is that I am hungry for more goals. I thought I could score against Abia Warriors but it did not happen, but against FC Taraba, I hope to score. The team is blessed with good strikers and we are beginning to understand ourselves, so we should expect more goals,” Salami said.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

61

Tokyo 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship

Team Nigeria’s women win, mixed fortune for men EAM Nigeria yesterday T recorded heartwarming victories in the men and

the only success for Belgium in the second match of the fixture, when he overcame Toriola 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2.

“I am really happy that we were able to beat Belgium, because we knew how good they are,” said Toriola, who now combines coaching with playing.

“We expected Jean-Michel Saive to be playing but instead they opted for young Cédric Nyutinck, who really surprised us, he beat me, a good tactical choice by Belgium, because they know I’ve played Saive many times and I know his game inside out,” added Toriola.

For the women’s team the triumph over Italy was a revenge of what the Italians did to the team in 2012.

Since the commencement of the tournament on Monday, the Nigerian ladies have lost to India 3-1 and Bulgaria 3-1.

But the needed victory came against the Italians when Edem Offiong defeated Debora Vivarelli 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 4-11 and Oshonaike increased the tally with another 3-0 bashing of Lisa Ridolfi. But Cecilia OtuAkpan was unlucky against Chiara Colantoni when she lost 3-2.

To make the victory certain for Nigeria, Oshonaike fought well against Vivarelli to win 32 to give Nigeria an overall 3-1

Team Nigeria’s Edem Offiong was among the winners in yesterday’s game against Italy at the Tokyo 2014 World Team Table tennis Championship.

women events of the ongoing Tokyo 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship, where they defeated Belgium and Italy respectively.

But the men team was brought down to earth in yesterday’s other game by Czech Republic.

The Segun Toriola-captained side began proceedings on a high yesterday when they defeated Belgium by 3-1, to add to Monday’s 3-0 defeat of Indonesia.

Following on the heels of the men team, the women team led by Funke Oshonaike recorded their first win of the tournament against Italy in their third group game of Group G. Playing in Group E, Nigeria beat Belgium 3-1 with Aruna Quadri the man of the moment and Ojo Onaolapo playing a vital supporting role in the victory.

Quadri started the onslaught for Nigeria when he beat Belgium’s Yannick Vostes 5-11, 2-11, 13-11, 117, 11-7 and Cédric Nyutinck 11-8, 2-11, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9; while Onaolapo accounted for Florent Lambiet 8-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3.

Cédric Nyutinck, recorded

Monarch lists gains of 10km Okpekpe road race

ITTF names Oshodi in Nominations Committee

• Akinsola begins security drills with Edo Command

HE International Table T Tennis Federation (ITTF) has appointed President of

LATED by the attention E the 10 kilometers international road race has attracted to his town, the monarch of Okpekpe Kingdom, Peter Abalume Osigbemeh, the Onwueweko of the kingdom, has started naming his blessings.

The monarch, who will host the second edition of the race this weekend, told journalists on Sunday that the road race has put Okpekpe in the world map and we cannot but thank the organisers of the event.

Okpekpe is a serene hilly community in the northern part of Edo State.

Looking forward to another successful event, the monarch said: “Last year it was good, this second edi-

tion will be better. We are ready to host the world, preparation is on top gear.

We are looking forward to host the world. I feel highly elated to be the host because is my kingdom.

“The only challenge is that we don’t have hotels where they will lodge. So, the total benefits of this event will share with other communities.

“Now that it is an annual event. I am appealing to investors to come and invest in our community… we also have tourism potentials here. They tap from it. Our community is hilly and mountainous, is a good environment to live in.

“Okpekpe is now a home of

sports. Few weeks ago, one of our own organised a National Open Weightlifting Championship here in Okpekpe. She was an international weightlifter.

“That was an eventful experience and what they are telling people is that Edo is known for sports and we have produced international athletes; so, I am glad with the organisers, my sister, Iron Lady and others that are bringing honours to us.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gideon Akinsola, who was recently seconded to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, is expected in Okpekpe tomorrow to firm

Ahead Niger 2015 African U-17 Championship

NFF lines up Egypt friendlies for Golden Eaglets

By Alex Monye O ensure that the national Under-17 team are in good shape when they begin the qualifiers for the Niger 2015 African Cadet Championship, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has agreed a series of friendlies for the Golden Eaglets with the Egypt Football Association, whose team are also preparing for the qualifiers.

According to NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Eaglets would play four

T

games, two in Nigeria and two in Cairo, with their Egyptian counterparts as part of the preparations for the qualifiers.

The Eaglets recently returned from the WAFU B U17 tournament held in Togo.

Sanusi disclosed that Nigeria would host the first two matches on May 28 and 30, adding, “the two teams will meet again in two more friendly encounters in Egypt in July, but we have not set the dates for those matches.”

The team, led by Emmanuel

Amuneke, which did not lose any game in the regulation time, won the bronze medal at the WAFU B tourney, got the Fairplay Award, while Goalkeeper Amos Benjamin was adjudged the best of the six-nation contest.

The reigning world champions will, in July, take on the winner of a preliminary fixture between Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, as the race for the 2015 African U-17 Championship in Niger hots up.

up security arrangement for the race, which holds on Saturday.

According to the race’s Director of Organisation, Zak Amodu, Akinsola, who is currently at the Kogi State Police Command as AC Operations, handled the security aspect of the first edition last year.

According to Amodu: “ To show the seriousness and commitment to the race, the IGP has graciously approved the release of ACP Gideon Akinsola to coordinate and work with the Edo State Police Command.

“We are very grateful for the strong interest shown towards the competition since it started last year by the IGP. Indeed, the IGP has in addition to Akinsola’s release for the race ordered the release of the police mobile bikes to assist in the traffic coordination and effective policing of the route.”

Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi, into its Nominations Committee.

In a letter signed by the Director, Operations and Para Table Tennis, Alison Burchell, the appointment takes effect from July 1, 2014 to 2016.

The Executive Committee

announced the appointment at the end of its meeting on Monday at the ongoing 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championship in Tokyo, Japan.

Chan Foong Keong of Malaysia will chair the Committee, while Qatar’s Abdullah Almula will deputise.

ITTF Vice President, Cherif Hajem, is also a member of the committee.

Babalakin, Lagos Justice Ministry qualify for BOA Lawyers League final ESURGENT Babalakin & Co R at the weekend continued their fairy tale run in the ongoing BOA Lawyers League when they defeated highly rated Probitas/B. Ayorinde by a lone goal to qualify for the final of the competition.

Babalakin & Co had a tough time in the competition last year, when they could only

Participants at the maiden edition of the Okpekpe 10-kilometre road race. The second edition of the competition holds… on Saturday.

finish in the bottom rung of the ladder.

But since the beginning of the current campaign, the rejuvenated team has taken no prisoners, dispatching their opponents as they come.

Last Sunday at the AstroTurf 2000, Chikezie Obimma scored in the 19th minute to give Babalakin & Co the lone goal that took them to the final, where they will meet Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

To get to the final, the Lagos Judiciary team walloped Falana & Falana 3-0 with Dele Adaramewa, Samuel Ajanaku and Ayodeji Fasheun accounting for the goals.

The Lagos Judiciary got to the semifinal by beating Banwo and Ighodalo 2-1 via penalty shoot out in the quarterfinals.

Babalakin & Co also got to the semifinal by defeating Tayo Oyetibo by a lone goal.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SPORT Wednesday, April 30, 2014

62

UEFA Champions League

Chelsea in high spirit, as Cech, Terry, Eto’o train for Atletico HELSEA keeper Petr Cech C and defender John Terry trained yesterday ahead of today’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Cech’s season was said to be over after he dislocated his shoulder in the first leg, while Terry injured his ankle in the 0-0 draw.

Midfielders John Mikel Obi and Frank Lampard are suspended for the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

They both received their second yellow cards of the knockout stages at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium.

Blues coach Jose Mourinho said after the match in Spain that both Cech and Terry would miss the rest of the Premier League season, with the Portuguese stating that the defender would only feature again if his club reached the Champions League final on 24 May. Captain Terry, along with Hazard and Eto’o, who both missed the first game, trained with the squad, while Cech took part in a collective warm-up before having a personalised drill.

When asked by Sky Sports News whether he was fit, the Czech keeper responded: “Of course.”

Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer, 41, came on in the 18th minute to replace Cech in Madrid and also played in the 2-0 win over Premier League title rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

Atletico will be without suspended captain Gabi. Former Chelsea midfielder Tiago Mendes is expected to take his place.

If ever there was a manager who appreciates the power of the away goal, that manager would be Mourinho, yet the Portuguese tactician, successfully, played for a scoreless draw in the Spanish capital.

With the second leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea must win today’s match outright in order to advance.

Eden Hazard, who collected the PFA Young Player Award on Sunday night, hopes to be fit, same can be said for Samuel Eto’o.

With those two, Chelsea could do the job, but Atletico Madrid looked the far superior side in the first leg. The Spaniards completed more than twice as many passes as Chelsea, but Mourinho successfully survived the first 90 minutes without conceding a goal.

Although Liverpool and Manchester City remain more likely to win the English Premier League, Chelsea still has the ability to win the domestic league title. Even if the Blues finish third, the manager and the fans can claim superiority over the eventual champion, as Chelsea beat Liverpool twice and Man City twice. Along with those claims, Chelsea is also the only English team remaining in the Champions League.

Chelsea goalie, Petr Czech (right) in training yesterday

Atletico will fight till end, Turan vows Atletico Madrid midfielder, Arda Turan says Chelsea Champions League campaign will come to an end today.

The Turkey international said he has the utmost respect for Jose Mourinho but believes that Diego Simeone is well on his way to becoming the best tactical coach in the world He revealed that Atletico Madrid still believe that they can upset Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and reach the final of the Champions League.

The Rojiblancos were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their semi-final clash with the Blues at the Vicente Calderon last Tuesday, prompting many pundits to make Jose Mourinho’s men the favourites to progress to next

C

Schurrle

side’s defensive approach in Sunday’s win over Liverpool

realise them. Atletico supporters know that we give everything we have on the playing field before leaving it win or lose. We believe we will reach the final.”

Chelsea boss Mourinho came in for some criticism for his side’s allegedly negative approach to the first leg but Arda has the utmost respect for the Portuguese and says that neutrals should be bracing themselves for an equally cagey affair at Stamford Bridge, as he feels that Atletico boss Diego Simeone is just as tactically capable as the two-time Champions League winner - if not more so.

“Simeone is on one side and Maurinho on the other ... [A tactical battle] is to expected,” he reasoned. “These are perhaps the two best tacticians in the world of football. A tactical battle is normal.

“On or off the field, Mourinho is someone I regard and appreciate highly.

As he says himself, he is a special coach. But we, too, have a very special coach. Perhaps he will even surpass Mourinho.

“So, it will be a very good game. Mourinho is a very special technically but Simeone is on his way to becoming the best technical coach in the world.”

Wenger blames injuries for Arsenal’s failed title challenge

Our rivals are jealous, says Schurrle HELSEA forward Andre Schurrle says critics of his

month’s tournament decider in Lisbon.

However, Arda says that the tie is still perfectly balanced and that Atletico’s faith in themselves has not been affected by their inability to secure a lead to protect in west London. “[0-0] is neither an advantage nor disadvantage, just a fresh start,” the Turkey international told the Andadolu News Agency. “We will see. We are a team that fight for every ball; for every second of the game.

“We believe in our ability, our dream. We chase our dreams and go as far as possible to

are just “jealous” of their success.

Manager Jose Mourinho was accused of “parking the bus”

by Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers in the 2-0 win at Anfield.

The victory saw Chelsea move to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool with two to play.

“Winning is what matters. It’s the most important thing,” Schurrle, 23, said.

Liverpool had 73% of the possession in Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea but struggled to open up the Blues’ well-organised defence.

“If people look at us and say ‘Chelsea can’t play’, even when we win, it’s just because they’re jealous.”

Chelsea took a similarly defensive approach in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final away at Atletico Madrid last week.

But Schurrle, who joined the London club from Bayer Leverkusen last year, added: “You can play perfect football, have lots of one-touch stuff, and you lose.

“But that’s not what you want - you want to win.

There’s no point in playing well and losing.

“If our plan is to win playing this way, and we win, then it is perfect.”

Chelsea’s final two league matches are against Norwich and Cardiff, who are both fighting relegation.

RSENE Wenger has refused A to blame Arsenal’s faded Premier League title challenge solely on the absence of Aaron Ramsey but said that the volume of injuries in his ranks prevented his side pushing for the crown.

The Welsh midfielder was in sensational form in the opening stages of the season before a thigh injury saw him sidelined for three months.

During that time, Arsenal slipped out of title contention, but Wenger insists there was more to their slump than the loss of Ramsey, who played in the north London club’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Monday.

“I would not like to take anything away from Aaron Ramsey but we lost a number of other players in the same period and altogether I think that would harm the chances of many teams,” Wenger told reporters.

“We would love for the season to be longer. We were top of the league but lost too many players at the crucial point of the season.”

Three league wins on the spin have put Arsenal back in the driving seat to claim the fourth Champions League spot, with Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud all finding the net during

Ramsey being challenged by a New Castle player

their win over the Magpies, and Wenger believes his men are now capable of taking six points from their final two games of the season.

“We had some problems at the start of the game, trying to find our way through the defence,” he added. “When we found an opening we became stronger.

“We are four points ahead of Everton and we want to take maximum points from now until the end of the season.”

Arsenal’s four-point lead over Everton means Wenger’s men are now just one win from Champions League qualification with two matches left to play.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

63

Keshi: There is a small community trying to ensure we don’t function well Stephen Keshi is one of the few new coaches going to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Although, a veteran of sorts in national team management, Keshi, who qualified Togo for the World Cup in 2006, but was sacked on the eve of the competition, is enjoying his most successful spell as a team manager. In this interview first published by WorldSoccer magazine, he talks about his career, the World Cup and other issues in the modern game. Excerpts.

EFORE you won the 2013 B African Nations Cup, you made it clear you had chosen a young squad with the 2018 World Cup in mind. So is this Nigerian side now one for Brazil 2014 or still for 2018.

Sure, sure I’m still in the process of building. If tomorrow I happen to see another high-quality topclass player, I’ll bring him in right away, so I’ll never stop building. But I’ve only been in this job for the last two years and it is not like I have been with these players all the time. I only get to work with them periodically when we have the international games.

Have you gambled on this young crop of Nigerians by discarding some of the more established players.

I don’t think so. I don’t consider myself as someone who takes a gamble with players. Before I put a player on the pitch I know what he can do. I know his confidence level. I know how prepared he has been. Other people might see it as a risk because they are unknown names with no experience, but I have worked with those players for a period of time. I know what they can do and I have belief in them.

What do you look for when scouting these unheralded players that you have introduced into the team.

I try to look for intelligence, which for me is the key.

When you have that intelligence, your decision-making is so much better. I also like the player to have that fire burning in him, that thing of “I don’t want to lose.” If I can have characters like that, then I’m good to go. If I can get them to have a

winning mentality, then they’ll enjoy their game. I want them to enjoy playing but to be a winner too. If you can have a combination of passion and winning, everything becomes a lot better.

Is there pressure on you, and Nigeria to do well in Brazil because you are African champions.

I’m still learning this trade.

I’m still young in this trade.

I’m thankful for what I have achieved. But when people talk about stress or about how I don’t feel the pressure, all I can say is that in the game there are three things that will happen. It’s either you win, lose or draw.

Whatever happens, you just have to welcome it and move on. It’s true everybody is now focusing a lot on us – there is always a lot of expectation from Nigerian people – but there is no panic. All I have to do is concentrate on my work and my players, and that’ it.

Did the Nations cup success come too early?

No, no, that was our game plan anyway, but we were not loud. We concentrated on every game that came our way. |Winning the cup was a dream come true.

Victor Anichebe of West Bromwich Albion is one of several Nigerian players, who are yet to make up their minds about playing for “Super Eagles”…

You need to understand the dilemma of the players, and their clubs. I was a player in Belgium and France, I know how it goes in Europe. The common thing is to understand your players and the relationships with their clubs. In all the teams that I’ve coached, I’ve never really had a problem between the

players and their clubs because I try to find some leeway. You’ve got to look for an understanding to make it go well. I’ve not had problems. I know my players, they want to play for me and at the same time they want to play for their clubs, so we have to find a balance that works for everybody.

Being Nigeria coach sometimes seems to be a nightmare job, with everyone trying to scythe you down. You seem to put up with it. Why? It’s like that in Nigeria but I’m not bothered with it. I do my thing. But it’s not all Nigerians that do that. It’s a small community of people trying to dismantle the team, poison it, make sure it doesn’t function well. But we all know them and we treat them like they don’t exist and just keep moving forward.

But it must frustrate you, with all that energy you have to waste with all these unnecessary shenanigans …

Not really, if you know them, I’ve known them as a player and now coach. They don’t count.

What kind of football will Nigeria play at the World Cup? When I was a player I liked an offensive style. I like people to come to the stadium and enjoy the way my team is playing; intelligent play, having fun. I want my players not to worry about ‘do or die’ but to have fun with a purpose.

National teams coached Togo– 2004 to 06 Togo– 2007 to 08 Mali –2008 to 10 Togo–2011 Nigeria–2011 to present.

•Culled from WorldSoccer magazine.

Skye Bank wins Remita Corporate Champions Cup kYE BANk again stamped ture with FMCG rivals, PZ victorious courtesy of a 2-0 Sgames its authority in corporate Cussons.

A fight back by the Robb win. For the two teams in the when it claimed the title for the 2014 Remita Corporate Champions Cup decided last Sunday at the Campos Square Stadium on Lagos Island.

Skye Bank, the Nigeria Bankers Games champions, defeated a gallant Etisalat, the Nigeria Telecommunications Games champions, 1-0 with Chukwu Okechukwu scoring the lone and winning goal in the first half.

It was a closing day packed with exciting activities including the third placed match won by Nestle Plc, makers of the hugely popular Milo beverage in a nervy fix-

boys late in the second half was repelled by Nestle after taking a two goals lead in the first half through Olubiyo Abayomi (7th) and Alao Idowu (26th). Adekambi Idris had reduced the deficit with his second half effort but that was all they could achieve as Nestle kept their nerves stiff to run away with a 2-1 win and the bronze medal.

The day had begun with a novelty match between Huawei, who will be making their debut in the Nigeria Telecommunications Games and Unilever, also preparing to fight for honors in the FMCG Games. But it was the Omo Boys who walked away

friendly encounter, it was a dress rehearsal for their appearance in corporate games this season.

The excitement of the day was heightened by the Peter Rufai Challenge, a free kick and penalty shootout that saw the former Super Eagles goalkeeper coming out of retirement to stop shots.

Dignitaries from games organizers, MediaVision Limited, sponsors, SystemSpecs, participating companies and fans took turns to try Rufai and at the end he made three saves and money realized from the event were marked for donation to charity.

Keshi

UEFA Champions League ticket winners converge at Heineken House Lagos LL the five lucky winners A of the tickets to watch the final match of the UEFA Champions League in Lisbon, Portugal, will be at the Heineken House tonight when Chelsea host Atletico Madrid at the Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their semifinal tie.

According to the Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji, all the five lucky consumers namely, Olufunsho Michael Akintoye, Nonye Christie Chalokwu, Usurhyel Auta, Jayne Nelson Uzuegbu and Sopuluchukwu Benjamin Ezeugo have been informed of the media meet and greet

during the interval of the Stamford Bridge encounter.

The Lisbon expedition for the five lucky winners had commenced with a winner from the famous UEFA Trophy Tour in March and followed by the winners in Port Harcourt and Abuja legs of Heineken ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ promotion and rounded up with the two winners from the celebrated draw ceremony held at the Heineken House Lagos.

However, while the duo of Uzuegbu and Ezugbo, who won from Lagos, are already familiar with the state-ofthe-art Heineken House

Lagos, it will be the first time the trio of Akintoye, Chalokwu and Auta will be enjoying the premium viewing experience at the hub of football follower ship and social activities in the country.

As promised, all the winners will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Lisbon, Portugal courtesy of International premium lager beer, Heineken, on May 22 and will be part of epic final match at the Stadium of Light.

Meanwhile, millions of football faithful world wide are still aiming to buy limited 65,000 available tickets put up for sale by UEFA early last

Chelsea’s Mikel Obi could face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League…today.

TheGuardian

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By George Olalekan Jimoh T started suddenly in April of 1994 in the beautiful city of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The day took off like every other and families woke up without any premonition of what the day would bring. Children prepared for school and parents for work all oblivious of how the day would turn out. The sun was bright and the day was full of promises but no-one was to know the day would turn into night and before it was over more than one million Hutus were dead.

The world, especially the United Nations, had turned a deaf ear to the cries and pleas from these people when they needed help most and urgently. The day lay wasted with bodies thrown everywhere as the perpetuators marched on the streets chanting war songs and brandishing dangerous weapons.

They went, entering homes forcibly pulling people out onto the streets and killing them simultaneously. The earth experienced a “river flow” of blood unlike any other in living memory, indeed in the history of the world.

Here in Nigeria, extremists called “Boko Haram” which means “Western Education is sinful” came into the country under the disguise of fighting to overthrow the State, establish an Islamic State and firmly introduce “Sharia law” as the only instrument to govern the state. In fact, they hosted flags at a point.

They came like a mist and suddenly became powerful, yet invincible that people till this day think they are a myth. They have overtaken the North Eastern part of the country comprising Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, unleashing terror and mayhem on communities in that part of the country.

Communities across lay in waste and in ruin across these states as they terrorise, maim and kill innocent civilians who may be unfortunate to be on their path of terror and violent destruction. Women and children in most cases are the victims of these wanton destruction of lives and properties with little regard for the children and the psychological effect this experience would have on them and on their future.

At this point, it is pertinent to say that considering the facts on the ground that Nigerian is actually heading for genocide like in Rwanda.

Villages and communities in these three states have been sacked and its former occupants and inhabitants hiding out in other communities. Despite the state of emergency in these states, violent and coordinated attacks on innocent citizens persist almost on a daily basis and one is left to wonder at this riddle. These men display such fine prowess using sophisticated weapons and machinery at their disposal, and they seem to be highly trained for combat and to survive the jungle and harsh weather conditions adapting so perfectly it’s like they are “ghosts” but the trail of wanton destruction of lives and properties is a rude wake-up call.

The international community like in the case of Rwanda is silent on the intense and rapid spate of killings in Northern Nigeria.

They have decided to turn a deaf ear to the killings and maiming going on in these states except to issue occasional lame diplomatic statements. Their citizens have been asked to

The international community like in the case of Rwanda is silent on the intense and rapid spate of killings in Northern Nigeria. They have decided to turn a deaf ear to the killings and maiming going on in these states except to issue occasional lame diplomatic statements

I

The world, especially the United Nations, had turned a deaf ear to the cries and pleas from these people when they needed help most and urgently. The day lay wasted with bodies thrown everywhere as the perpetuators marched on the streets chanting war songs and brandishing dangerous weapons

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

It’s April again…

President Jonathan

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon

be mindful of the security situation if they choose to come to Nigeria. Although, we don’t have an accurate record of the actual number of death because of our popular “Nigerian factor”, people have been able to give a fair number of casualties that can be to an extent relied upon and even at that the number is alarming. Are they going to fold their hands and watch another Rwanda happen right under their noses and under their watch? That has been the case in Nigeria with

the Boko Haram insurgency which operate freely and triumphantly right under the noses of the Military and Security Agencies and who at that seem powerless to bring them to book and end their reign of terror and destruction despite all the assurances.

The battle between Fulani herdsman and farmers at first started in Benue State with growing casualty and then it spread to Kaduna and Nasarawa States with severe and often violent clashes and attendant loss of

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’.

Also join our on-line conversation

RISE GROUP

@risenetworks

21676F3E

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotlines: Lagos 7736351, Abuja 07098513445; Circulation Hotline: 01 4489656 All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

.

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

lives and properties and yet no lasting solution has been proffered from either the Federal Government or the stakeholders and everyone is watching as this is becoming a “Horror Movie” right in our faces. The dust is yet to settle down and again the storm blows and this time it’s Taraba State and in each clash “Death walks away with its victims who are speechless not realising that they have a new home now” and the casualty keeps rising as more and more villages are attacked and innocent lives lost.

Whether we choose to acknowledge the truth staring at us in the face or continue ignoring it even with the mounting facts and evidence that assail our eyes and ears on a daily basis, the ominous is on us and we have to find a lasting solution to these incessant attacks and devastating loss of lives and properties before it’s too late and a genocide stares at us right back in the face; it was once upon a time in April that the Rwanda Genocide occurred and took everyone’s breath away.

As Africa and indeed the world reminisce and marks the 20th Anniversary of Rwanda’s genocide, there is urgent need for us to reflect on the lessons from the April 1994 massacre, in order to re-evaluate Nigeria’s security challenge.

• Jimoh (PPI) wrote from Ilorin.