Mon 10 Feb 2014 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, February 10, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,828

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Fresh anxiety in Enugu as Chime goes overseas for treatment It’s routine checkup, says CPS From Kodilinye Obiagwu and Lawrence Njoku, Enugu NXIETY has gripped residents of Enugu State following reports that Governor Sullivan Chime has been flown overseas over ill-health. It was learnt that the governor would be away for at least 90 days to enable him undergo a chemotherapy section over deteriorating cancer. Contacted on the issue yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, said that the governor travelled overseas “as part of his routine medical checkup” but dismissed as ‘untrue’ speculations that he would spend up to three months there. He recalled that the governor had upon his return from a four-month medical trip in February last year told Nigerians that he would be travelling periodically to the United Kingdom (UK) for checkup as directed by his

Chief Executive Officer, GSK, Lekan Asuni (left); Co-chair, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Jim Ovia; Founding Patron, PSHAN, Aliko Dangote; Co-chair, PSHAN, Muhammad Ali Pate; Representative of Mr. Herbert Wigwe; GMD, Access Bank; ED/NPHCDA; Dr. Ado Mohammad; Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; and DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive Officer, PSHAN/Executive Secretary of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace, Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, during a strategy meeting on private initiative to improve health at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos ... at the weekend.

NNPC boosts electricity supply by 1,505MW From Collins Olayinka (Abuja) and Sulaimon Salau (Lagos)

ITH the completion of the repair of a damaged gas pipeline by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), electricity supply is expected to be boosted in the country. And for the corporation, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido has been unable to give the actual amount the oil company is allegedly owing the Federation Account because he lacks adequate knowledge of how the sector works.

Blames allegation of missing funds on ignorance of operations A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the completion of the repair of the Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline would re-inject the equivalent of 1,505 megawatts into the national grid. Ibrahim stated that the repair, which had ended al-

most seven months of gas supply shortage caused by hacking of the pipeline in Delta State, would enable the re-injection of almost 200 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of gas into the grid, the equivalent of about 700 megawatts. Just last week the corporation also completed the repair of the Trans-Forcados Pipeline which accounts for

230 mmcf/d of gas, the equivalent of 805 megawatts. The corporation hinted that with the latest successful repair of the ELPS, the NNPC within the last one week had been injecting a total of 430 mmcf/d of gas into the grid which translates to 1,505 megawatts every day. Ibrahim also stated that an additional 60mmcf/d would be expected within three

weeks when the ongoing repair at the Utorogu gas plant would be completed. He said that Nigerians should expect steady improvement in electricity through the course of the year. He noted that despite shortterm challenges being experienced as a result of a deliberate pipeline sabotage, the gas sector reform was on course. “The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, directed an accelerated implementaCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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APC extends membership registration to Wednesday - Page 3 Fashola introduces Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Company to Lekki Free Trade Zone - Page 4

Plateau CP to redeploy police chiefs over council polls - Page 4

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Monday, February 10, 2014

Anxiety in Enugu as Chime goes overseas for treatment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 doctors. He had travelled to London not less than three times since then and on one occa-

sion, he revealed that some of the cells that were destroyed in his body in the course of the chemotherapy treatment he underwent

were not growing appreciably as expected. Although the matter of Chime’s health condition has been kept as a top secret by the his “kitchen cabinet”, sources said that the governor, who is suffering from cancer of the nose, travelled on the morning of February 4, 2014 after his health relapsed the previous night. Chime had on February 2, 2014 hosted the meeting of the South-East Governors’ Forum with certain government officials at the Governor’s Lodge, Enugu. It was learnt, however, that he left Enugu after the event on Monday morning for Abuja for the Council of State meeting which held on February 4, 2014 at the State House. Though he was in Abuja, he was absent from the meeting following ill-health which struck him leading to his being flown to the UK for medical attention.

It was learnt that the urgency of his travel could not allow him prepare a handover note to his deputy. Section 190 Sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides: “Whenever the governor is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly to that effect, and until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary, the deputy governor shall perform the functions of the governor as acting governor.” Since his return to the state from London in February 2013 where he stayed for over 100 days treating a “nasal cancer”, Chime had regularly returned to the hospital for checkup. Addressing reporters on his return to Enugu in 2013, he had acknowledged that his

long stay was to enable him obtain treatment for the cancer on the nose which he said he was lucky to have detected early enough. He said that with the level of treatment given to the disease, he was certain that he had been ‘cured’, stressing that he was convinced that there was cure for cancer. Meanwhile, in the contest for the senatorial seat in Enugu West, Chime has been given a fresh endorsement. Yesterday, the Executive Committee of the Awgu Council of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) passed a resolution endorsing Chime as the candidate of their choice for Enugu West in the 2015 senatorial contest. The committee members who are also the statutory delegates to the senatorial congress of the party made the endorsement at a meeting in Awgu following a motion to that effect moved by the member representing the Awgu North Constituen-

cy at the State House of Assembly, Sunny Udeh-Okoye. The leaders cited the peace, security and total transformation the governor had brought to the entire state since he assumed office in 2007 as the reason behind the endorsement. They noted that Awgu had continued to enjoy tremendous benefits from the state administration, including the urbanisation of Awgu, provision of good road networks, securing important appointments for Awgu people as well as the establishment of the largest farm, the San Carlos pineapple farm in the Awgu area. According to them, “we are endorsing Chime for Senate, because he ensured that Awgu got its fair share of democracy dividends in Enugu … As the reward for good work is more work, we are saying that he should go and represent the Enugu West in the Senate come 2015.”

NNPC blames allegation of missing funds on ignorance of operations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion of the Nigerian gas master-plan and this has resulted in an aggressive infrastructure development drive and major reforms of the commercial framework for gas in Nigeria. In the last three years alone, over 400km of new gas pipelines have been completed and we are expanding pipeline capacity and enhancing connectivity between various gas supply sources,” he stated. According to him, all PHCN and NIPP power plants are now connected to gas pipeline infrastructure while an additional 450km is under construction, out of which 340km is due for completion by the end of 2014 and the balance by 2016. He added: “The ongoing gas infrastructure work is the most extensive the nation has ever seen, with many new kilometres of pipeline being added every day. Gas production and supply has also grown to an all-time high of 1500mmcf/d from less than 500mmcf/d four years ago. A major part of this new supply is being directed to the power sector, whilst the non-power sector such as cement, manufacturing, etc have seen double increase in supply within the same period. Unfortunately, challenges of pipeline attack continue to undermine the impact of these great efforts.” Reacting to Sanusi’s claim that the NNPC was yet to remit $20 billion to the government contrary to his earlier figure of $10.8 billion, the corporation’s Group Executive Director, Production and Exploration (GED E&P), Dr. Abiye Membere, said that though the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua gave a directive to stop subsidy on kerosene in 2009, the decision was later reversed but did not have a memo backing it because of his illness. His explanation: “After the late President Yar’Adua’s directive to stop subsidy on

kerosene, other series of meetings were held where it was decided that removing subsidy on kerosene would be greeted with formidable opposition. In fact, the memo that was sent to the PPPRA for suspension of the subsidy was categorical in saying public announcement should be avoided. So, there was a meeting attended by the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Mansur Muktar; former Petroleum Minister, Lukman Rilwan and the then Director of Budget Office with about nine other government officials where it was observed that kerosene subsidy cannot be treated the way subsidy was removed on diesel. It was then reasoned that kerosene is for the poor masses. The NNPC was then directed to step down the implementation of that presidential directive and that they would go back to the president to reverse it. It was at this point that the president fell ill and never made it. But the NNPC continued the subsidy regime.” Indeed, The Guardian obtained a letter with reference number SH/PSP/24/A/819, dated June 17, 2009 and signed by David Edevbie, a former Principal Secretary to Yar’Adua which stated that a public announcement on removal of subsidy be avoided. It read in part: “(i) Eliminate existing subsidy on the consumption of kerosene, taking into account that subsidy payments by government on kerosene do not reach the intended beneficiaries. Public announcement of this measure should be avoided.” Membere noted that government had since accepted that the NNPC should continue to import kerosene and that subsidy would be paid by government. In fact, Olusegun Aganga as Minister of Finance approved the payment of subsidy claims between 2009 and 2011 to the NNPC. The NNPC GED (E&P) said the PPPRA and other govern-

ment agencies scrutinised NNPC documents on subsidy claims as against the belief that it was done unilaterally by the NNPC. According to him, payment to marketers does not attract the same attention the NNPC has attracted due to the nature of relationship between government and the NNPC. He said: “There is a difference in government-to-government transaction as against private sector-government transactions. The private sector does not have anything to do with the Federation Account, which is why they are paid subsidy claims directly into their accounts. What do people want us to do in the NNPC? They want us to first collect the money from the ministry and then pay back into the Federation Account? Nigerians must understand how these things work.” Membere declared that the “missing money” was never in the hands of the NNPC, adding: “This subsidy is not the money that the NNPC collected from government. For example, the subsidy on kerosene, it is not that government will pay the NNPC the remaining N100 on the product directly. What happens is that the NNPC sells the product at N50 and then pays that into the Federation Account and then expects government to balance it up in the Federation Account with the subsidy claims of the NNPC. Nigerians must understand that NNPC has never collected any money from government as subsidy claim. The NNPC simply paid the N50 we collected at pump into the Federation Account. Now, people turn around and say the NNPC is owing government. It is simply because the Federation Account is not balanced and they think that because the NNPC has defaulted simply because we have not paid the required figure forgetting that the balance of what we ought to pay is with the Federal Government. The Ministry of Finance has not denied this position. The CBN must know that the NNPC cannot pay what it

does not have.” According to Membere, the NNPC submits documents on domestic crude and subsidy claims to the Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC), adding, “it is therefore done in a netin net-out basis. All we do is to submit the subsidy claim and the crude we have sold and handed it over to government.” On the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAAs) signed with Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Ltd and Septa Energy Nigeria Limited (subsidiary of United Kingdom-based Seven Energy), Membere stated that the companies were not operators but financiers. “Contrary to the erroneous belief in some quarters, Septa and Atlantic do not carry out any operation. It is NPDC that carries out operation and pay the necessary fees to government through the NNPC. These companies provided alternate funding for NPDC to carry out operation. The $2 billion, which is the third party fund that was paid into the CBN account that the governor said he does not recognise, is the royalty and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) that the NNPC paid into the Federation Account. The NNPC paid its royalties and PPT out of the profit that arose from the operation of the NPDC.” Membere also said it was wrong to expect the NPDC to pay any form of tax into the Federation Account, saying, “NPDC cannot pay into the account. It is the NNPC that pays because NPDC is a subsidiary of the NNPC. NNPC simply pays the tax into the Federation Account. The NNPC cannot pay all the profits directly into the Federation Account because the Federal Government is not the one funding the operation. In this case, the NPDC went to borrow money from a third party just as Shell does not pay its money into the Federation Account but pays into its parent company, which in turn pays government tax from its profits.”

Monday, February 10, 2014 | 3

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News NPAN seeks to halt bill on electronic communication By Gbenga Salau ITH a verdict that it is W “obnoxious”, the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has called on the Federal Government to withdraw the bill that aims to empower security agents to intercept and record electronic communications between individuals and track data use from Internet service providers and mobile networks. In a communiqué made available to The Guardian in Lagos following the association’s executive council meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the body demanded that the bill be withdrawn in line with the constitutional obligation to protect the rights and liberties of the citizens. In the statement, which was signed by NPAN President, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, the group noted that the bill is a dangerous potent to the constitutional guarantee of free speech and therefore an invitation to arbitrariness.

Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Phillips Oduoza (left); Chairman of the bank, Amb. Joe Keshi; and Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), Soji Apampa, during a ceremony to formalise UBA’s membership of CBI in Lagos… at the weekend.

APC extends membership registration to Wednesday From Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin), Anietie Akpan Calabar, Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt), Ali Garba (Bauchi), John Akubo (Dutse), Eric Meya (Sokoto), Isah Ibrahim (Gusau) and Willie Etim (Yenagoa) O accommodate the huge number of persons seeking membership of the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended its nationwide registration exercise by two days. In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the exercise would now end on Wednesday instead of today. “While we are aware that the good people of Nigeria have accepted our party, the APC, as the agent of the much-needed change that our country desperately needs at this time, we have apparently underestimated the number of those who are eager and willing to participate actively in the change process by joining the APC,” he said. “Even with one day to go in the original registration schedule, we have exceeded the number of members we set out to register, and many more have reached out to us to give them the opportunity to join the APC train, hence our decision to extend the registration.” However, the party said it was not unaware of efforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sabotage the registration process in Abia, Delta, Gombe and Rivers, among other states, but stressed the need to ensure that people in those affected states are not disenfranchised. Therefore, it urged all interested citizens yet to register to

• Letter or not, we are in APC, says Abe • Bayelsa Assembly denies defection of 11 members utilize the opportunity offered by the extension to do so. Meanwhile, the 11 PDP senators planning to defect to the APC have said that whether the Senate leadership read their joint defection letter or not, they have left the PDP for good. Revealing their position in Port Harcourt at the weekend, Senator Magnus Abe said he has directed his lawyers to file a rights violation suit against the police for shooting him with rubber bullet and tear gas during a botched rally in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, last month. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Down Stream) told newsmen that he has become a member of the APC and cannot be sitting with PDP members in the Senate where lawmakers sit according to their party. Abe who registered as a member of the APC at the weekend in his village in Ogoni, explained that concerted effort were being made to enable him and 10 others to sit with their colleagues in the APC and contribute on the floor. Nevertheless, he hinted that there might not likely be a leadership change in the upper house irrespective of their defection. He noted: “We have a situation in the Senate and we have confidence in its leadership. “We have confidence in the Senate as an institution to find a solution that will enable us as individuals find our own satisfaction and self-expression, that will allay the fears of the concerned, that will protect the democracy of our country and uphold our constitutional

right and the right of all Nigerians, particularly the lawmakers, and to abide by what their people want.” He added: “So, it is to craft a solution that takes all these individual elements into it and satisfies all of them; that is a challenge before the Senate and it is not a new challenge. That is what the Senate is known and respected for. One way or the other, we will find a solution that will not threaten the unity of the Senate.” Abe, who returned to the country last week after undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom, said it was erroneous for some people to assume that the incident was not true because he was not killed by the police bullet. “I was not alone there. There were over 200 people who saw what happened. This young man was there with a camera. He was beaten up and his camera destroyed,” he said. “So, if nothing happened, why were they eager to make sure that no picture of what happened got out? “They opened fire on us in their midst, we were not in any crowd, they opened fire on us. To say that I was not shot is the ‘largest’ understatement or the biggest lie of the century. These people opened fire, teargas, everything was fired everywhere.” And following Celestine Omehia’s failure to curtail the tenure of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the senator implored all political stakeholders in the state to cooperate with the government to build a better Rivers, urging them to end vio-

lence and allow the governor to complete his tenure peacefully. “Since last year, there has been a concerted attempt to remove the governor from office and overthrow the government of Rivers State by force, and there is no provision in our constitution for that kind of behavior,” he stated. “Having tried by all earthly means and failed, I will appeal to them to now sheathe their sword and let us work together to help the people of Rivers State; that is the reason we say we are playing politics. What we are doing now is not helping the people of the state. “It is clear that the governor cannot be removed without the law. So, since that is clear and that is what we all agree as citizens of Nigeria, let us work with the governor; let him do his job and let all of us who also have work to do be allowed to do our jobs.” On their part, the APC in Jigawa State has debunked claims of factionalization in the state, with the interim secretary, Ibrahim Hadejia, noting that the former chairman, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, was the only member of the interim committee that objected to their resolutions. Speaking to newsmen in Birnin-Kudu, Fulata said the interim committee comprised 12 representatives each from the three unity parties, 10 of whom were former leaders, among whom three were supposed to be selected interim leaders. Out of those of us in the interim committee, there were 28 of

us at that meeting and we deliberated on the issue of leadership and a decision was arrived at for the three former governorship candidates to take the mantle of leadership.” According to him, Fulata’s objection at that meeting was countered by somebody from his former party, who challenged him to present himself for any of the three positions and be vote for, to which he declined. “So, if out of 28 people one dissents, where is the splinter? It is not a splinter group, it is not a faction. He is an individual, so let us put things in perspective please.” On the recent allegation by the PDP that the APC was using its ongoing registration to give a bogus figure of its membership strength so as to create problems if it losses the 2015 election, the interim chairman, Badaru Abubakar, said the ruling party was only using false alarm to heat up the polity. He said Nigerians have seen people coming out to register, and that it was impossible to blow up figures when people have to present their pictures to be registered. “In all our registration (exercises), we have pictures on the temporary membership card. Nobody can put pictures of goats or animals there, but pictures of people who are willing to be the members of the party,” he noted. And faulting the police redeployment of top officers last Thursday, the Kwara State APC alleged yesterday that the posting of a new Commissioner of Police to the state was “in order to do the bidding” of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 polls.

At a press briefing yesterday in Ilorin, the interim chairman of the chapter, Ishola BalogunFulani, said they got the hint from some members of the PDP in the state “boasting of the new posting designed to favour the PDP members in Kwara.” While urging the police boss to discharge his duties in the state in accordance with the constitution, Fulani said that only development would make the state regain its appellation as a state of harmony. “It is expedient to draw your attention to the recent redeployment of Commissioners of Police across the country. As a law-abiding party and peaceloving people, we fully welcome and support the Nigeria Police in the performance of its constitutional roles. “However, we have it on good authority that the new Commissioner of Police has been allegedly posted to Kwara State at the instance of the frustrated members of the PDP in the state and to fulfill the PDP’s agenda of intimidating our members and frustrating our constitutional rights to free association, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. “Finding himself in a state that is almost 100 per cent APC, it is tempting for the new CP to want to do the bidding of his masters in Abuja and their errand boys here in the state. The police may choose to be partisan and be used to intimidate our members and in the course disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state. “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that unlike other states with doubtful political majority, Kwara State, as demonstrated earlier and historically, is without any iota of doubt fully under the control of the APC leadership.”

4 NEWS Monday, February 10, 2014

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Fashola formally introduces Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Company to Lekki Free Trade Zone MILESTONE was achieved yesterday in the quest to speed up development in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) formally introduced President of the Dangote Group of Companies and arrowhead of the proposed Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Company in the new economic hub, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to the host communities, signalling the formal take-off of the multi-billion naira investment there. The major highlight of yesterday’s ceremony was the unanimous agreement by the host communities to accept and cooperate with the company and other investors in the development of the zone. Answering questions from newsmen after the ceremony which featured unanimous acclamation by members of the communities, including Obas, Baalesand other leaders as well as youths, Fashola expressed joy at the development, saying it signals a breakthrough in the quest to fast-track development in the zone. The governor, who acknowledged that there is no relationship where there will be no misunderstanding, declared: “We have reached an agreement in public. There has been a clear understanding today. We spoke in both local language and dialect and you can see that by clear show of hands, the people themselves have given their support. It wasn’t a voice-vote; it was a unanimous show of hands that they want this project; so we are ready to go. Pointing out that whenever there are misunderstandings, it is the duty of government that such do not disrupt the activities in the trade zone, Fashola, however, asserted: “I find it hard to reconcile the demand for jobs and disturbing the factories and industries that will provide jobs.” He went on: “Lekki Free Trade Zone is beginning to take shape. The master-plan is be-

ing realised, investors are trouping in. Tank farms and major refineries are springing up to service the demands of the country and make room for export. The refineries create a major selling point and release of the opportunities that lie ahead in this zone, create opportunities for the local people and the potentials for Lagos and the Nigerian economy.” Alhaji Dangote praised the governor for the initiative to establish the trade hub, saying it would be the biggest of such zones in Africa. “Looking at what the governor has done by bringing this here, I can assure you that this is going to be the biggest free

trade zone in the African Continent and I know that the people will begin to show their appreciation,” Dangote said. Expressing confidence that the zone holds enormous economic benefits for Lagos State and the country, Alhaji Dangote declared: “For instance, there is no way we can put down over nine billion dollars ($9 billion) of our money here without making sure that the zone is going to work.” Dangote had earlier said the communities stand to benefit enormously as over 8,000 engineers would be trained while jobs would be created for youths of the communi-

ties. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu, said establishing a refinery in the zone has opened up enormous economic opportunities not only for Lagos but also for Nigeria. She added that only about 35 per cent of the goods to be produced in the zone would be consumed in Lagos while the rest would be exported. In his vote of thanks, the House of Representatives member representing IbejuLekki Federal Constituency, Yomi Aiyeola, commended the Fashola administration for the giant strides already taken in the new business

hub, saying that the investment would in no distant future blossom into a world class zone. He pledged that by the consensus reached, it would henceforth be an abomination for any member of the communities to disturb investors in the area or interrupt development of the Free Zone. Also present on the occasion were traditional rulers, including Aladeshonyin of Noforija, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; Alara of Ilara, Oba Akeem Adesanya; Justice George Ade Oguntade (rtd), community leaders, residents and other stakeholders.

By Chuka Odittah and Joke Falaju, Abuja HE National Root Crops ReT search Institute (NRCRI) has debunked claim that species of cassava grown on Nigerian soil are lethal due to high cyanide contents, saying it is false and baseless. Chairman of NRCRI, Dr. Oluwole Oludaisi Aina, who dismissed the claim at a press conference to showcase the agricultural transformation policies of government on cassava and other root crops in Abuja, stressed that plot to downgrade the country’s huge cassava resource may also be at play. “Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides (a cyanide compound). These cyanogenic glycosides are water soluble and the bulks of cyanies evaporate or are removed when cassava products are processed. “According to Dr. H. Bradbury, cyanide compounds are also produced by many other plants as a defence mechanism. Cassava produces its cyanide to deter predators but given its hardness, the plant’s roots and leaves are valued sources of food. Therefore, the issue of poison arising from cassava diet is totally unfounded and should be ignored.”

Northern govs meet on oil, gas today From John Ogiji, Minna IGER State Governor and N the Chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Fo-

General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Archbishop George Amu (left); Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the Inter-denominational Divine Service 2014 at The Apostolic Church, Ketu, Lagos... at the weekend.

Plateau CP to redeploy police chiefs over council polls From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos) and Ali Garba (Bauchi)

Hoodlums kill two guards, arms recovered in Bauchi

O ensure fairness during the forthcoming local council elections slated for February 25, Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, has said that all the state divisional police officers (DPOs) will be reshuffled for electoral duties.

Olakpe, however, revealed that the DPOs in Jos North and Wase Local Councils would not be affected as they are exempted from the exercise as directed by the state government for security reasons. Olakpe stated this at the weekend in a chat with The Guardian on the prepared-

Nigerian cassava not poisonous, says NRCRI

ness of the police for the elections. He said that no DPO would stay in his area of domain during the exercise, as they will be moved round. According to Olakpe, it is the resolve of the police to ensure peace reigns during the council polls to conduct the elections without violence or breakdown of law and order. “The police will discharge its mandate through the effective utilisation of both human and material resources to ensure a hitch-free election.” The police boss said he had held meetings with both the party chairmen and candidates where he advised them to shun do-ordie politics, thuggery and to also avoid the use of abusive or vulgar language, adding that they should not contemplate ballotsnatching or hijacking of electoral materials, stressing that political mandate should be confined to the rule of law. “I told them to

adhere strictly to the Electoral Act so that they don’t run foul of the law.” And in Bauchi State, the police are unravelling the circumstances surrounding last Monday’s attack on the Soro Divisional Police Station in Ganjuwa Local Council of the state by unknown gunmen in which a policeman and his son were killed with another left injured. The command announced that it has however, recovered 22 AK47 rifles with magazines and police uniforms last Friday. The Soro attack came barely a week after some gunmen attacked Giade Divisional Station, destroying part of the station and freeing detainees in police custody. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, said the discovery was made by the police in a forest between Darazo and Soro following intelligence reports, adding that

police equipment like walkie-talkie, among others, were also discovered in the forest. Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), stated that the rifles and other equipment discovered were believed to have been used by the hoodlums who attacked the Soro Police Station. He added that the police had cordoned off the forest in order for them to conduct further search, while efforts were being made to apprehend the suspects. The PPRO also revealed that some hoodlums yesterday between 2.00 a.m. and 3.00 a.m. attacked and killed two Danga Security guards on duty at Yankari Filing Station at the Games Village area of Bauchi metropolis. The hoodlums, according to Mohammed, inflicted deep machete cuts on the guards, one Adamu Ustaz of Zango village in Bauchi and Suleiman (surname unknown yet) of Bishi village, while they did not steal anything from the filling station.

rum (NSGF), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, will on Monday (today) declare the meeting of the Association of Petroleum Inland Basin States of Northern Nigeria (APIBONN) open in Minna, the state capital. The meeting of 13 northern states, which fall under the region’s sedimentary basin, is expected to kick-start oil and gas exploration activities in the Inland Basin States. According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Danladi Ndayebo, the 13 northern governors will be attending the meeting. The statement said Governor Aliyu in his capacity as the Chairman of the forum has invited his counterparts whose states fall within the region’s sedimentary basin to direct their relevant commissioners to attend a meeting of the association in Minna, to enable them brainstorm on the modalities and action plan that would kick-start and sustain oil and gas exploration activities in the North.

Why land use act will be removed, by Ekweremadu From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja EPUTY President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, over the weekend gave reasons for removing Land Use Act from the on-going review of the 1999 Constitution. Ekweremadu was speaking in Enugu at the official presentation of the book, ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria, authored by the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike. Noting that effective land administration was central to national development, he however expressed concern that although the act was due for review, it had been difficult to do so considering the complex processes and hurdles in constitution amendment.

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Displaced Borno villagers return to communities

Bayelsa poly stops salaries of workers over alleged murder

From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

HE Federal Polytechnic, T Ekeowe in Southern Ijaw Local Council Area of Bayelsa

VER 2,455 Borno villagers O that were displaced by the recent attacks of Boko

State has agreed to a request by the state police command to stop the payment of salaries of seven persons on its employment over their alleged involvement in the last year killing of a 37-year-old worker of the institution, Frank Moses. The slain Frank Moses, a father of two, was allegedly shot dead on November 8, 2013, some distance away from his home at the Agudama suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital, after seeing off a visitor. The late Moses, an indigene of Okiki in Ogbia Local Council Area was until his death the Financial Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANP) of the institution. Bayelsa State Police Command had last year written to the institution, requesting that the salary of the seven persons declared wanted for questioning over last year gruesome murder of Moses be stopped.

Haram insurgents are returning to their respective communities and residences following the distribution of relief materials by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders to affected residents of Alau, Ngauwo Fate and Kauwuri villages, among others. Speaking yesterday at the resettlement centre at the Federal Training Centre, Maiduguri, Borno State, the North-East Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, said with the completion of distribution of relief materials and beefing up of security in the affected villages by the military and other security agencies, many of the displaced persons are returning to their residences.

From Willie Etim (Yenagoa)

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu (right) being presented a coconut by the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, during a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace in Badagry… at the weekend.

NERC wants early adoption of local content in electricity sector From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

• Jonathan hosts power infrastructure financing summit today

AUNTED by the mistakes in the oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) wants to commit the electricity market to early entrenchment of local content. In a first major insight into what the policy, which would this week be subject of a public hearing, would look like, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, told The Guardian that the policy aims at avoiding the errors that the nation witnessed in the oil and gas sector where the development of the sector did not

lead to increase localization of technology, services and employment until many decades afterwards when a local content law was eventually enacted. By the new policy, he said electricity utilities would be required to first consider Nigerians who are qualified for any position before getting expatriates, noting that NERC would only approve the recruitment of expatriates in circumstances where there are no appropriately qualified Nigerian. He stressed that though the

electricity sector was different from the oil and gas sector, they shared many similarities. He told The Guardian “One key commonality is the great importance of gas as a feedstock to electricity. We note that it took a long time for the oil and gas sector to establish a local content law. Now that law is in place and we are seeing the transformation going on in the sector. So, we are cautioned by the error of the oil and gas sector to move fast to put in place this regulation. “We are also inspired by the little success recorded by the local content law in that sector to move on courageously with this innovative initiative.” He said the main objective of the local content regulation in the Nigerian electricity indus-

try is to establish a framework that ensures that the development of the electricity sector adds maximum value to economic development in Nigeria. His words: “This regulation represents a bold effort to make the electricity sector a creator of real and lasting value for the Nigerian economy. It is an inspired and inspirational effort to leave a legacy of an articulated economy where improvement in the commanding heights cascades to other sectors of the economy.” Amadi disclosed that the local content regulation in the electricity sector would be implemented through a mixture of incentives and sanctions. According to him, “The regu-

lations lay a framework that begin with system planning by the utilities. They have to develop a framework for the development of local content and submit to the commission an annual Nigerian Content Performance Report covering all projects that they want to execute. The Commission will evaluate the report and monitor compliance. There are three components of local content. “First, is employment. We require that Nigerians fill lower and middle level management positions. The second component of the regulation relates to transfer of technology. We expect continuous localization of technology in the sector. Licensees have to ensure that a minimum of 51 per cent of equipment deployed for execution of work is owned by Nigerian subsidiaries.

Mimiko pledges to complete Igbokoda road From Niyi Bello, Akure ESPITE reports that the N27 D billion Igbokoda-Ugbonla road project, which opened up the hitherto inaccessible oilproducing communities in the coastal stretch of Ondo State, awarded by the administration of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu has been abandoned by the state government, the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko announced yesterday that the road would soon be completed. The governor stated this at Igbokoda, headquarters of the oil-bearing Ilaje Local Council where he commissioned a model primary school built by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and assured the people that the road would soon be laid with asphalt.

Albinos, CITN, traditional worshippers seek roles in confab By Chijioke Nelson (Lagos) John Okeke and Ezeocha Nzeh (Abuja) S the proposed national A conference draws near, more interest groups: The Albino Foundation (TAF) and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and the International Conference for IFA Religion are seeking representation in the national discuss to give them opportunity to make contributions. President of TAF, Jake Epelle, who made the call during a press briefing to journalists at the weekend, said that the ravaging effect of skin cancer among persons living with albinism (PWAs) has become traumatic. According to Epelle, an attempt by the Federal Government to exclude PWAs from the proposed list of delegates to the national dialogue would deny over six million PWAs in the country the opportunity to lend their voice to an important national discourse. “We need to nominate at least one person in the national dia-

logue, otherwise, six million persons would be voiceless, and our exclusion would further draw us apart from the scheme of things,” Epelle insisted. Epelle also noted that the Federal Government has spent not less than N17.8 million in the treatment of about 700 persons with albinism affected by the skin cancer last year. The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) also protested its exclusion from the number of professional bodies to nominate delegates for the conference. In a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, signed by its President, Mark Anthony Dike, and made available to journalists, the tax body stated that “having reviewed the list of guidelines for the nomination of candidates, with specific reference to the section relating to professional bodies, it was discovered that our institute was not listed to nominate a delegate to attend the conference.” Dike wondered why the only professional body empowered

by Act No. 76 of 1992 (now CITN Act CAP C.10, Vol. 2, laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004) to regulate the taxation profession in Nigeria and which has severally contributed immensely to various fiscal policy reforms aimed at achieving sustainable economic development of the country, would not be involved in this historic national conference. He, therefore, called for the correction of this omission by including CITN. Also in Abuja, President of the International Conference for IFA Religion, Prof. Idowu Odeyemi, yesterday expressed regrets that government has left out traditional religion worshippers, an indication that descendants are ignoring the Nigerian forefathers and regarded as inconsequential in the development of the country. Odeyemi, who doubles as the head of all traditional religious worshippers in the country, urged the Federal Government to have a rethink on its decision to exclude traditional worshippers from the proposed conference, noting that

he had been receiving series of complaints from traditional adherents from all over the world for explanation on reason for government’s decision. IFA religion head, who is a Professor of Geology and Dean of School of Earth and Natural Sciences at the Federal University of Technology, Akure said his group appeared before the Senator Femi Okunrounmu-led advisory committee on national conference in Lagos where it presented a position paper on the way forward for the country, adding that the religion has millions of adherents in the various regions and tribes of Nigeria. “The government knows that African traditional religion is alive and kicking in this country, the mere fact that we are not shouting or not in a war of attrition with other religions does not mean we do not exist. What we ask for is that we should be given a minimum of three slots to send representatives to this conference because we represent a large number of people in Nigeria,” he said.

Monday, February 10, 2014 NEWS 7

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AGPMPN seeks special fund to save health sector By Wole Oyebade O save Nigeria’s health secT tor from collapse, general practitioners have again ap-

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left); member, National Assembly, Osun-East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare (left); Archbishop of Ibadan, Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin (middle); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports and Special Needs, Biyi Odunlade (second right) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Senator Iyiola Omisore, during an annual vigil organised by Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, Oke-Maria, Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State… yesterday

pealed to the Federal Government to provide infrastructural development fund to strengthen the sector. The fund, similar to about N500 billion worth of intervention fund recently injected into the aviation and agriculture sectors, is to enhance capacity and support infrastructure in the private sector, responsible for over 60 per cent health service delivery in the country. The practitioners, under the aegis of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), made the call at the weekend at their National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos, where they raised the alarm on crisis facing the health sector. National President of the body, Dr. Anthony Omolola, noted that the worsening

Edo PDP opposes competency test for teachers From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE controversies generT ated by the Edo State government’s plan to carry out competency test on teachers in primary schools, who have insisted they would not participate, continued at the weekend as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Orbih, at a rally in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Council Area, vowed to resist the move which it alleged, is a ploy by the state government to sack workers. But Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the proposed competency test is not meant to witch hunt anybody. Meanwhile, as a way of appeasing protesting students of Edo State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery who

• It is not to witch-hunt anybody, says govt • Seeks accreditation for nursing school last week protested the withdrawal of the schools’ accreditation over statutory conditions, the government yesterday said it has embarked on moves to revalidate the accreditation of the schools to reduce apprehension among the students and their sponsors that certificate from the school may not be honoured. “While our people are trying to engage our youths who are unemployed, we now have a state government that is busy putting competency test before our teachers so that they can sack them. We, in PDP in Edo State, have said no to competency test. We want to appeal to the govern-

ment at Osadebey House, they should think of how to engage our youths, how to provide employment and not to sack those who are under the employment of the state government.” In a statement later issued by the party, Orbih berated the state government for “using every means possible, including the proposed competency test for teachers, to generate revenue. We condemn in very strong terms the decision to conduct the competency test. It is discriminatory and unacceptable. For it to be justified, the state government should first of all subject everyone to competency test, starting from the

Government House. We sympathise with teachers at this time because we know they are being made the sacrificial lamb.” Edo PDP said “as we have repeatedly stated, the proper thing is to organise in-house training for teachers as done by the administration of the late Ambrose Alli. Teachers, who were found lacking then, were not discarded as being planned but trained to become useful for themselves and their families. We say Governor Adams Oshiomhole should not turn people who are bread winners in their families to bread seekers. Oshiomhole denied witch hunting anybody with the competency test when he met with members of the Civil Society Organisations in

Northern professionals endorse Jonathan for 2015 From Abba Anwar (Kano) and Charles Ogugbuaja (Owerri)

• Ihedioha, others rally support for President

N amalgamation of the Northern Nigeria Professionals has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election in 2015, should he indicate interest to run, adding that all Nigerians should work towards ensuring that the able leadership of Jonathan continues. The development came as the people of Owerri zone in Imo State, in their multitude, on Saturday evening converged on the popular Ugwu Ekwema Arena, along Egbu Road, Owerri, to show their support for President Jonathan to return to power in 2015 and to ensure that an Owerri zone man becomes the governor in the same year. They also used the opportunity to launch a booklet 50 Reasons Why Owerri Zone Must Produce Imo Governor in 2015. At an emergency meeting organised by the professionals under the aegis of Northern Professionals

Network, the members maintained that Nigeria is in serious stage of nation-building, which for a more serious reflection of the patriotic posture of the founding fathers of the country. The group comprises professionals from various fields of study ranging from engineering, medical practice, and journalism to legal practice. The delegates came from all the 19 northern states. In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the chairman of the association, Jibrin Dalliti, challenged all those condemning the policies of Jonathan administration to take all the transformation agenda items one after the other and see whether a lot have been achieved or not. According to him, it was the northern political class that first introduced politics with ethnic and regional colouration. “It is still fresh in our memories how northern leaders bastardised our economy and stupefied the national cohesion when they were captaining the ship.

“We are all concerned about the state of the nation as typified by the so-called northern elders that connive with their cohorts from other parts of the country and bastardised the national integration for selfish ends in the past. President Jonathan is doing his best to correct such anomalies. “The election of the former governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, as the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is another pointer to the fact that Jonathan means well for the country. Mu’azu is a progressive politician that commands respect from many quarters in the North and of course, including the southern part of the country.” Regarding the issue of insecurity in the North, the group commended the efforts by Jonathan administration in taming the menace of Boko Haram to some few areas of Borno and Yobe states. “It is the handwork and commitment of or security agencies

under the control of the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jonathan, that the wicked attack of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency was flushed out from many northern states that were hitherto affected by the menace,” the group said. The recent sack of the service chiefs by Mr. President, according to the group, was a clear testimony that the issue of insecurity in the North is being taken very seriously. They maintained that the action was taken to tame insecurity across the nation, not in a particular section of the country. “This group of informed northerners wants to make it categorically clear that the step taken by the Northern Elders’ Forum against President Jonathan in condemning all his policies should be given a rethink. Agreed that there could be some lapses in the implementation of some policies, but that does not mean all good ones should not be seen”, the communiqué reads.

the state who had pledged to wade into the matter by meeting with leadership of the teachers. The governor noted that only those incompetent to teach should be afraid of the test. “Any of the problems that has bugged us down, the earlier we identify it and find the courage to fix it the better, we can still make up for lost time. “I now find that the key element that would define the outcome is the teacher and the NUT is not willing for us to carry out this competency test. The teachers still earn what is called the Teachers’ Special Allowance.”

health indices and condition of healthcare facilities would attest to a sector on the brink of collapse. He said while industrial disharmony and inter-professional rancour have also become recurring decimal in the system, the government has failed to foster partnership with the private sector, to utilise its abundant capacity in meeting the healthcare needs of the people. According to him, “it is obvious that the public sector cannot meet the demands of healthcare delivery by the people.” AGPMPN had, in several studies, found wasting capacities in private sector that would have been useful to the entire health system. “But we also know that there will be very little in terms of 21st Century service delivery without genuine interest of the government to partner with the private sector,” he said. Omolola, who observed that the government has been proactive in meeting the needs of other important sectors like agriculture and aviation with the intervention fund, wondered why such gesture has not been extended to the health sector. He said: “Given this emergency on our hands, why should health come last in getting intervention fund? Without good health, no one can go to the farm or fly in an airplane. It goes to show that health sector is more important, if all industries must thrive. “It is, therefore, our appeal to government at all levels, especially the Federal Government, to ensure health intervention/infrastructure development fund for the health sector. This may not have to wait for bureaucracies of legislations because it is an emergency. With executive fiat, the fund could be provided to promote investment in the health

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Sultan, Onaiyekan task politicians, religious leaders on better Nigeria From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja ATHOLIC Archbishop of C Abuja, Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on political leaders to use power and all that God has given them to uplift human dignity, stressing that this is the only way to achieve peace and tranquility in the land. Speaking at the church service yesterday to mark his 70th birthday in Abuja, Onaiyekan urged political leaders and all Nigerians to be a good influence in the society, and work hard to impact positively on the lives of people around them to make the world a better place. The cleric, who solicited prayers from Nigerians, said: “Pray for me that I may be a saint because that is the only thing that matters, ask God for pardon for all I have not done well and things I ought to do, but was unable to do. I look into the future with belief for God’s will and preparing for eternity as the clock winds up, looking into the future with joy and hope. Pope John Paul appointed me a bishop at the age of 38 years, ordained me a bishop in 1983”. At the launch of his book, Seeking Common Grounds, InterReligious Dialogue in Africa, which was part of activities to mark his birthday, Cardinal Onaiyekan blamed the sociopolitical malaise being experienced in Nigeria today on the inability of the political leadership to properly manage the nation’s resources. According to him, the massive corruption in the country today is possible only because we have massive funds to loot. He lamented that religion, which he described as a great asset, is being misused in Nigeria, adding that the situation has reached a stage that many now see it as a major problem in the country. According to him, one major cause of the situation is the political manipulation by selfish people who take advantage of the sincere religious people and mislead them into embracing agenda that have nothing to do with true religion. He decried the utterances, as well as activities of those he called religious extremists who practically claim the role of God in the lives of people, condemning to hell whoever differs from them in any way. Onaiyekan said: “It is a wellknown fact that our country Nigeria is a very religious nation. We have nothing to apologise about for this, rather we are proud of it. That we are religious is an asset, which the world today is in great need of. But every asset needs to be properly exploited and utilised for the good of the people and to the greater glory of God. We need to ensure that

religion is liberated from political manipulations and extremism to enable it play its positive role in the society as a healer”. The Cardinal stressed the need to seek and discover our common grounds, which would be our firm action to effectively face the many common challenges that weigh us down, adding that the major problems that afflict Nigeria make no distinction of tribe or creed. “We are struggling to restore reasonable security to every part of Nigeria against murderous gangs that kill and maim, claiming to be acting in the name of religion. We are seeking to find our way through the political clouds gathering in the horizon towards the time that we put to the best use the precious asset that God has given us which is true religion based on the pillars of love of God and love of neighbour,” he added. Also speaking, the Sultan of

Oniru of Iruland, HRM, Alayeluwa Oba Idowu Abiodun (left); Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu 1 and Chief Financial Officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Julius Modayo-Owotuga, during the opening of Onimi Filling Station at Lekki, Lagos…at the weekend. PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON

‘Umar can’t give conditions for handing over to Suntai’

Bauchi flood victims get relief materials

From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

From Ali Garba, Bauchi

GROUP, Taraba Democratic A Coalition, has called on the Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, to, as a matter of urgency, “respect the constitution” and stop impersonating Governor Danbaba Suntai. Reacting to a recent interview published in The Guardian, the group expressed belief that the ongoing political crisis in the state would have been long laid to rest had Umar respected the constitution of the country. In a statement titled “Umar cannot demand conditions for handing over to Suntai”, the group claimed that the acting governor has no constitutional right to give conditions for handing over to Governor Suntai. The statement, which was

signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Japheth Issachar, reads in part: “Umar, on the other hand, is the one that needs to respect the nation’s constitution, or at least respect himself, and stop impersonating as the acting governor. “The constitution does not make any provision for the kind of parallel government Umar is running today in Taraba i.e. a situation where there are two sovereignties in Taraba. There are now two secretaries to the state government, two chiefs of staff and several first ladies! “This only happens because Umar has destroyed the fabric of the rule of law in Taraba and made a mockery of constitutional governance. If he wants any condition before he hands over to his boss, one

(and the only one) has already been given: Governor Suntai is back and has since transmitted a letter to that effect to the House of Assembly.” In the said interview, the acting governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kefas Sule, was said to have given three conditions, which Suntai has to meet before ascending his position of responsibility as the executive governor. The conditions are that the governor needs to invite Umar to give an account of his stewardship while Suntai was away and the House of Assembly should make a pronouncement that Suntai is now the governor, announce that the acting governor reverts to status quo ante and that Suntai should withdraw his suit on the matter from the courts.

Quoting various sections of the constitution, the group opined that “none of the above conditions has any place in the nation’s constitution and they are the strange conditions of an equally bizarre administration, which is as illegal as it is criminal.” “All the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution envisage a situation where the governor returns after a long absence either for a vacation or, like in our own case, medical reasons. “But, while this is going on, the facts on ground is that Governor Suntai is back and ready to work. Since his return, he has dissolved the cabinet, sworn in an SSG, and has even addressed the state in a televised broadcast. He is back and he is in charge. That is what the constitution says,” the coalition said.

ELIEF materials worth milR lions of naira have been distributed to victims of September 2013 flood in Bauchi-North Senatorial District by Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa. Distributing the materials at the weekend in Gamawa Local Council Area, Gamawa said he officially requested for the materials through National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Gombe operational office that oversees North-East in November 2013 with the aim of assisting the affected persons in his constituency. He said a seven-man committee has been set up to ensure equal distribution of the materials to reach the true victims.

Two House of Representatives members empower youths, women From John Akubo (Dutse), Abba Anwar (Kano) WO members of the House T of Representatives, Leo Okuweh Ogor and Safiyanu Ubale Taura, have empowered thousands of people, especially youths and women, with packages worth over millions of Naira for self-employment. Meanwhile, about 3,000 patients with different ailments received free medical treatment courtesy of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, who represents Kano North Senatorial District. A statement by his media aide,

• Senator sponsors medical treatment for 3,000 patients Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, said the exercise was conducted in three districts of Gwarzo Local Council that covers 10 wards, under the aegis of Kano State Medical Students Association led by Comrade Rufa’i Datti Gwarzo. Ogor who represents Isoko Federal Constituency of Delta State distributed the poverty alleviation materials in Oleh and other towns recently. He was commended for this and for “pursuing other laudable programmes and projects, “ by

an Isoko youth leader, Emonena Cyril Oshogbo. In a statement, Oshogbor who is also of Isoko Act ion Group, said: “Hon.Ogor’s contribution in the House are also well known and documented. However, those he entrusted the relief items to for distribution mismanaged them, giving to their cronies and girlfriends. Hon.Ogor should therefore, take note.” Taura, representing Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State,

empowered 1,000 youths and women with packages worth over N40 million. Kari Abba Cheche, who got a grinding machine, said it was not for her alone but her community has been empowered because it ws one of their greatest needs. Lami Alhassan Tofa got a motorcycle, which he said, would be used to make money to buy more motorcycles for other unemployed youths to be engaged. Yau Mato, who got a ‘vulcanising’ machine, thanked Governor Sule Lamido and the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the lawmaker, whom he said, has come to improve the lot of his constituents. Taura, who was represented by Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura, said the gesture was to complement Lamido’s effort on poverty reduction and youth empowerment. According to Garba, beneficiaries were given all prescribed drugs and other medicaments for their ailments. Datti, who led the “Medical Caravan” commended the senator for the kind gesture.

Envoy expresses worry over Nigerians in Ghana’s private varsities From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja ORE than 150,000 M Nigerians are currently studying at various universities in Ghana, including some institutions that are obscure and substandard. Deputy Head Mission, Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, Mr. Mohammed Kurmawa, who confirmed this, expressed regret that

some of the private universities were established to defraud unsuspecting Nigerian parents and students. Kurmawa spoke when he received a team of National Universities Commission (NUC) officials and journalists from Nigeria to understudy Ghana university system. According to him, in 2012 alone, Nigeria lost about N1.6 billion through remittance to students in Ghana.

The Nigerian envoy revealed that some universities were cashing in on the high rating of Ghanaian universities to create private ones for purely materialistic considerations. He said the reason Nigerians opt for the mushroom universities is because of the flexible nature of admission requirement, low tuition, as well as nonchalance of some parents to the future of their children. He blamed parents for allow-

ing their undue desire for their children and wards to obtain university education to becloud their sense of judgment about the institutions they should attend. The envoy, however, advised parents to be selective of the universities they send their children to in Ghana, adding that it was fruitless to earn a degree from a private university that ultimately would highly limit one’s scope.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

PHOTONEWS

Executive Director, Human Resources & Customer Services, UBA Plc, Obi Ibekwe (sixth left); Vice Principal, Special Duties, Queens College, Joy Okoye; MD/CEO, UBA Foundation, Ijeoma Aso; Principal, Queens College, Ekwutozia Osime and Vice Principal Administration, Queens College, Akinyemi Osagwu, with students of the school during the ‘Read Africa’ session and presentation of literature books by UBA Foundation in Lagos.

Director, Sales and Marketing, Dangote Cement, Aki Adesokan (left); Ojo Oniko of Ikolade, Idiroko, Oba John Oladele; Managing Director, Jimi Enterprises Limited, Jimi Azeez and Area Sales Manager, Dangote Cement, Sola Taiwo, at the official opening of Dangote Cement Depot in Idi Iroko, Ogun State. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Founder, Culinary Academy, Tiyan Alile (left); Bex Nwawudu; Chairman, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor; Victor Ogiemwonyi and Saiid Gerges, during the Academy’s Private Investors Forum in Lagos.

Airport Manager, Mallam Othman Abubakar (left); Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi, during assessment visit to Sultan Saddik Abubakar III Airport, Sokoto.

Professor of Paediatric, University Medical Centre, Groningen, Netherland, Prof. Henkjan Verkade (left); President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Ngozi Nnam and member, Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigerian Plc, Isaac Agoye, during the ninth Olu Akinkugbe WAMCO nutrition seminar in Lagos. PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Iyiola Omisore (right); Chairman of the state PDP, Gani Olaoluwa; Senator, Grace Folashade-Bent and former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Shuaibu Oyedokun, during Omisore’s declaration of his intention to contest the 2014 guber election in the state at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State.

A cross section of matriculating students during the matriculation ceremony of Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State.

Coordinator, BCPG Alimosho Cell, Mr. Chike Enenmoh (left); Chairman, Tribunal of Inquiry into Collapsed Buildings in Lagos State, Arc Abimbola Ajayi and Immediate Past President, Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, Dr. Busola Awojobi, at the general meeting of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) in Lagos.

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WorldReport Egypt is now ‘republic of fear’, says former presidential hopeful

moderate Islamist who A came fourth in Egypt’s 2012 presidential election

won by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi, accused the armybacked authorities yesterday of creating a “republic of fear”. Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, 62, one of the few Islamists left in public life after a crackdown on the Brotherhood and its Islamist allies after Mursi was ousted by the army, said Egypt was not on a path to democracy as the government says. “Our conscience does not let us participate in an operation to deceive the Egyptian people and act like there are elections when there are not,” Abol Fotouh said, confirming his decision not to run for president this year. Although he has not yet confirmed he will run, army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win after the army said it would back him. He has wide support among many Egyptians who were relieved to see an end to Mursi’s rule, but is reviled by Mursi sympathisers as the leader of a coup. Sisi deposed Mursi on July 3 after mass protests against his rule. Supporters of Mursi’s removal say it was a revolution. “This is a republic of fear,”

Abol Fotouh told a news conference convened to declare his final decision on whether he would run in the election that could happen as soon as April. Popular leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in the 2012 election, on Saturday became the first politician to clearly state he would run. The government says it has charted a course to democracy after Mursi’s overthrow. Abol Fotouh said: “There is no democratic path in Egypt”. Abol Fotouh pointed to what he said were 21,000 jailed activists and said a hotel manager had turned down a request to host Sunday’s news conference not because of instructions from the authorities but because of his own fears. “Any Egyptian who wants to express his opinion is afraid that he will be harmed, detained, that his house will be stormed, or a case against him will be fabricated, or it will be said that ‘you are insulting the judiciary’,” he said. Abol Fotouh was a senior member of the Brotherhood until 2011, when the movement expelled him after he decided to stage an independent bid for the presidency. A doctor who was jailed

under deposed President Hosni Mubarak, Abol Fotouh was fiercely critical of Mursi during his one-year presidency and called for early presidential elections before the army’s decision to remove him on July 3. Activists from Abol Fotouh’s Strong Egypt party were detained while campaigning against a new constitution approved in a referendum in January. “Egyptians will not live in this republic of fear after January 25,” he said, referring to the 2011 uprising that led to Mubarak’s downfall. “The nations that have broken the fear barrier will not again surrender (to it),” he said.

A man draws a cart full of pieces of furnitures he looted, as he walks not far from a convoy of French soldiers of the Sangaris military operation in the 5th district of Bangui…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Iran agrees new action to address U.N. nuclear concerns N a bid to help allay internaITehran’s tional concern about nuclear program, Iran yesterday agreed to take seven further steps within three months under a deal with the United Nations (UN) atomic watchdog. According to Reuters, a diplomatic source said one of the measures related to a longstalled investigation by the U.N. nuclear agency into possible military dimensions to Iran’s atomic activities. Iran has repeatedly denied any such ambitions. That would be a potentially significant step forward as

the probe into suspected atomic bomb research has been deadlocked for years because of what the West sees as Iranian stonewalling of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It could also send a positive signal to separate, highstakes negotiations between

Iran and six world powers which are due to start on February 18, aimed at reaching a broader diplomatic settlement of the decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear work. The IAEA had hoped to persuade Iran in the talks that started in Tehran on Saturday

to finally start addressing suspicions that it may have worked on designing an atomic bomb. Iran has rejected Western and Israeli accusations that is working to develop nuclear weapons as baseless and said it will cooperate with the IAEA to clear up any “ambiguities”.

Danish zoo kills giraffe to prevent inbreeding of people and offers from 20,000 signatures. HE Copenhagen Zoo killed Stenbaek Bro said the zoo, zoos and a private indiTMarius, its two-year-old other vidual to save the animal, offi- which now has seven giraffes giraffe, and fed its remains to lions yesterday, ignoring a petition signed by thousands

cials said. The zoo said it acted to avoid inbreeding among its giraffes in keeping with recommendations by a European association. Marius, a healthy male, was put down using a bolt pistol, said zoo spokesman, Tobias Stenbaek Bro. Visitors, including children, were invited to watch while the giraffe was then skinned and fed to the lions. Marius’ plight triggered a wave of online protests and renewed debate about the conditions of zoo animals. Before the giraffe was killed, an online petition to save it had received more than

left, was recommended to put down Marius by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria because there already were a lot of giraffes with similar genes in the organization’s breeding program. The Amsterdam-based EAZA has 347 members, including many large zoos in European capitals, and works to conserve global biodiversity and achieve the highest standards of care and breeding for animals. Stenbaek Bro said EAZA membership isn’t mandatory, but most responsible zoos are members of the organization.

Zuma’s son investigated over fatal car crash

killing one person and critically injuring two, son Fof OR South African President, Jacob Zuma, Duduzane, is being investigated for culpable homicide after his Porsche 911 sports car ploughed into a minivan in Johannesburg. The crash happened late on the evening of February 1 during heavy rain but was only linked to Duduzane this weekend, just one day after his father announced a general election on May 7. If Duduzane is found to have been driving recklessly, the incident will be another embarrassment to Zuma, who is already fighting a scandal over a 206 million rand ($18.6 million) state-funded security upgrade to his pri-

vate home. Police confirmed the details of the accident but declined to name the driver or victims, in line with common practice in South Africa. “One person died and two are still in hospital. We are investigating culpable homicide,” Johannesburg police spokesman Neville Malila said. The investigation might take two to three weeks to complete, he added. The Sunday Times newspaper named the dead person as 30year-old Zimbabwean Phumzile Dube. It quoted her husband, Themba, criticising Duduzane for not contacting the family or offering to help pay for her funeral.

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Politics Many sides of Mark’s visit to Jigawa From John Akubo, Dutse President David Mark’s recent SOne,ENATE visit to Jigawa State has its many sides. it was seen as tactical strategy of staying away and at time the Senate was embroiled in the critical issue of a very important letter that needed to be read on the floor to pave way for 11 senators to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Party (APC). The “leave of absence” was also seen by many as a strategy to keep the senators at bay while the PDP continues to explore options that will truncate their bid to defect. The second was his purported homecoming, which has to do with his passion for the game of golf that he shares with the Emir of Dutse Alhaji Muhammed Nuhu Sanusi that has resulted in a longstanding bond of relationship. The main beneficiary of the visit however was the host, Governor Sule Lamido who has been using every opportunity to showcase his achievements especially the Dutse Airport, which has become a toast for every visitor. Though the governor has never made any declaration as to his ambition to run for the Presidency in 2015 but speculation has been rife that he is eyeing the Presidency. Lamido who was one of the arrowhead of the governors who staged a walkout on the president at the Eagle Square and went to form the G7 in a dramatic move refused to join the five governors who defected to the APC. However despite his “wise decision” to stay back, all has not been well between him and the presidency notwithstanding an alleged reconciliation between the two parties. Hence as soon as the former Chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur resigned and former Bauchi State Governor, Adamu Muazu was appointed, Lamido was the first to rush to Abuja to pay homage to the new chairman of the party even though he had earlier stated that the resignation of Tukur was not a solution to the crises in the party. The governor who has been seeking relevance invited the Senate President to commission the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Regional Development House to booster his image and probably shore up the confidence he enjoins within the PDP. David Mark on his part lived up to his invitation as he showered encomiums on the governor in his speech earlier at the Government House during a courtesy call. Mark, said in spite of the crisis in the PDP, Lamido didn’t abandon the party for APC. He said “ When the PDP crisis started I called him phone and I told him that I heard that he is planning to leave the PDP and he said am I a mad man? How can I leave the house I have built to unknown destination? He said he would remain in the PDP and correct it from inside. Though our crisis in the PDP is far from being over but the constructive criticism from Lamido has helped to find solution to some of the problems. Lamido has always been bold and fearless. Please remain fearless and always speak the truth to power. I commend you for your patriotism” He said the achievements of Lamido in Jigawa is a pride to the PDP adding that the way Lamido managed the little resources of the state to achieve the transformation of Jigawa is highly commendable. Govenor Lamido in his remark described David Mark as his friend, brother and collaborator with whom he has collaborated over so many things in the past, adding that Mark symbolised unity and hope for the country.

Mark He commended the August visitor for the way and manner he has steered the affairs of the Senate in the last seven years. At the Emir’s palace in Dutse, the Senate President said his visit was a home coming because the Emir was not just a brother but also a father. “I know the number of times you invited me here that I could not honor, but when the Governor invited me I deemed it necessary to visit early in the year. “ So I had to leave a session today in the Senate for my home coming which is Dutse.” He pointed out that when he was showed round the palace what fascinated him most was the armoury of the Emirate. “It only shows that at any given moment defence is a very important area in the life of all of us because when we can defend ourselves properly then we can ensure that there is peace and tranquility in any area at all times. According to him the development in Jigawa is indicative of the harmony between the traditional institution and the democratically elected government. “The traditional council plays a major role in stabilising democracy. The traditional council remains an integral institution in democratic development. “I have always insisted that there must be a provision in the Nigerian Constitution for the traditional institution because anywhere that you see peace in any area means that the traditional institution there has worked round the clock to ensure that there in peace. “So anywhere there is peace it means the traditional institution there is working round the clock so that that peace exists.” He noted that it is networking by traditional institutions that have ensured the peace and tranquility that exist in the

Lamido country today. “It is this cooperation that has ensured the level of development that the governor has been able to attain because if he has had to divert attention trying to resolve some of the little issues he would not have enough energy and time to devout to development that would be real dissipation of energy.” On Golf he said he would be the first person to come and play any time a Golf tournament is scheduled for Dutse. “We need to do a lot of sports to keep us very healthy” The Emir of Dutse Alhaji Nuhu Muhammed Sanusi commended Mark for his excellent leadership quality which he exhibited in ensuring that the law against same-sex marriage despite the pressure the Western world. The Emir who spoke when the Senate President paid him a courtesy call in his palace said democracy is all about the people. He said Nigerians in unanimity of purpose rejected the deviant same-sex marriage as being antithetical to their culture. His words, “I want to on behalf of the people of Jigawa State particularly the North thank you for your stand against same sex marriage and this has endeared you to many people in this country. Your effort to quench the shenanigans of the Western World is most commendable. “It is an example of your good leadership, democracy is not meant to encourage people to deviate from natural course of life, and it is not meant to encourage deviant activity. Nigerians who look up to you as a leader don’t want to have anything to do with same sex marriage.” He charged leaders to continue to stand by the dictates of the law regardless of

what the Western World propagates. At the commissioning of the building Mark said he knew Lamido had performed but he did not expect that the performance would be as much as this. The Senate president has this to say about the airport, “I wanted to land in Kano and then from Kano take a helicopter or come by road but the governor said no, if I am going to land in Kano I should not come to Jigawa State. He said he has built an airport and that I can land in Dutse. “I asked the three senators from the State if the airport was okay, they said they don’t know and that when I get there I would see for yourself. Because I also fly I know that normally you circle round to see the airport but the pilot didn’t circle round he just kept going and going straight and when we landed I discovered that the airport in Dutse is as good as any other airports in the country if not better than most of them. Continuing he said, “It is comparable and better than the airports done by Federal Government in this country. When you are visiting any place your first impression is the airport so Jigawa airport has shown that Jigawa State is one of the fast growing States in the country today and I thought that this development was confined to the runway. We went through the terminal building and I said to myself here is an example of a state; other governors should come and copy from.” “When we moved round the cities to the town I turned to the governor and said look my brother you are a blessing to Jigawa State, a blessing to PDP and blessing to Nigeria. That is what governance is all about which is, giving your best to the people. “What I am taking back from Jigawa is one thing none of you will think is important but it is the most important that I have found in Jigawa; that this time of the year that you can find green grass in Jigawa State is the most important development. Most people don’t look at the grasses that we plant but this time of the year when everything is brown Jigawa is green. It is the type of development that you cannot describe but I told him the people cannot thank you enough, the party cannot thank you enough but God will reward you because you worked for the people from your heart.” It would be recalled that in the wake of the defection to APC by five of his colleagues in the G7 Governors Forum, Lamido met with the Presidency along with his Niger State counterpart, Babangida Aliyu and the Presidency sent the Aviation Minister, Stella Odua to inspect facilities at the Dutse airport According to Odua “the airport is Lamido’s vision, which is an excellent vision because he understands the need to mainstream aviation towards accomplishing several economic purposes”. The Minister said one of the economic benefits would be to enhance the lives of Jigawa people and to ensure that commerce and connectivity are prioritized. “I am very proud of what he has done and I think other governors should emulate what he has done which he did in a record time of eight months. “We were here eight months ago when the President laid the foundation and here we are at this wonderful terminal I am always proud of you and in particular today I am very proud of you.” Though the airport project is a masterpiece and world-class edifice but the opposition in the state sees it as a misplacement of priorities going by the endemic poverty that still ravages most of the State’s peasant farmers.

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Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Putting out the smoke

LETTERS

In total support of anti-gay

T is quite refreshing that a regime of impunity by smokers is being terIjustminated and healthy living is being enthroned in Lagos State via a bill S passed by the state House of Assembly after months of deliberation and public engagement. The move is laudable in setting the tone for other states and bolstering a federal legislation still in the works to control cigarette smoking without trampling on the rights of whoever chooses to indulge in the habit. Notwithstanding smokers’ preference or choice, hardly are they conscious of passive or secondary smokers’ fundamental right to unpolluted air. Among the health implications of smoking, according to medical experts, is the debilitating lung cancer which affects both smokers and non-smokers, passive smokers. Professor Robert West, from Cancer Research United Kingdom, said: “Cigarettes at the moment are killing in the region of six million people every year. The Health Ministry’s campaign, ‘The Federal Ministry of Health warns that smokers are liable to die young’ displayed on every cigarette pack is good but not enough to stop die-hard consumers. ” Essentially, government at all levels has a duty to promote good health and good living among their people by embarking on campaigns and actions targeted at unnecessary afflictions or diseases militating against the survival of citizens, or ultimately the overall interest of the country. The Lagos bill, awaiting the assent of the governor, prohibits smoking in all public places including libraries, museums, toilets, schools, hospitals, day care centres, public transports and restaurants, among others. Any contravention of the law attracts up to six months imprisonment or fines as appropriate penalties. Part of the 16-section bill obliges owner, occupier or person in charge, apart from designating “no smoking areas”, to properly display a picture showing a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across both at the entrance and key locations in the premises. Any owner/occupier risks N100,000 or six months or other non-custodial punishment. Penalty for smoking in a restricted area is N10,000 fine or a term not less than one month and not exceeding three months in prison or both. Repeated violation will attract N50,000 fine or six months term or both. The bill’s promoters have a thought for children too: smoking in the presence of a child is an offence punishable by N15,000 fine or one month in jail or both. This is indeed encouraging. Anti-tobacco campaign is not new. Serious campaigns against tobacco smoking especially after linking it to lung cancer began to emerge in the 1950s, eventually assuming a global dimension in the 1990s. More countries have since taken measures to protect citizens. Since then too, many advocacy groups have sprung up to push campaigns against tobacco companies. Business interests have kept the manufacturers on, however. Many have remained relevant through social responsibility campaigns in areas of their operations besides their contributions to the country’s revenue base. It is instructive that a key player, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) and sundry stakeholders have endorsed the Lagos State Public Place Smoking Bill as balanced, “not excessive or discriminatory…respects choices” while maintaining responsibility to protect residents from effects of second-hand smoking. Owners of hotels, bars, lounges and cafes have a six-month grace period to implement any changes envisaged under the law. In the race to address tobacco issues, some anti-ban campaigners argue about inherent dangers in the global drive to eliminate tobacco use and manufacture, citing the possibility of increased smuggling in a regime of restrictions. They may have a point but the protection of health of citizens is imperative. Their claim that the war on tobacco companies is not yielding any meaningful results in countries where such has been introduced is doubtful. Of course, the control measures are not designed to push companies out of business. Rather, it is more about guaranteeing public health. It is also imperative to pursue discussions and conclude the debate on two other bills stuck in the House of Representatives and the executive bill championed by the Federal Ministry of Health. That may at least spur all states to domesticate the regulation if they are not to continue putting their human resources at risk. Enforcement of the laws is also very necessary. The country is replete with cases of regulations and laws that are beneficial to the people but are hardly enforced. There may also be need to empower the citizens to demand for rights on “no-smoking” zones to complement the law enforcement personnel. A lot of public enlightenment by the government and its agencies, in this connection, will go a long way in this campaign, while industry practices are thoroughly and constantly monitored.

IR: The under-mentioned concerned Nigerian lawyers wish to emphatically state that the letter entitled: “Anti-Gay, a crime against reason” published in The Guardian Newspaper of Wednesday, January 30, 2014, and purportedly authored by a group of Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora, lampooning the Nigeria Anti-Gay Law is pathetically at variance with common sense, right reason, legal and socio-cultural reality in Nigeria and what is reasonable in a democratic society. Contrary to the letter, 99% of the entire Nigerian population is in support of the Nigerian Ant-Gay Law. Laws are made in consonance with the values of the people. Every country is interested in protecting its cherished values. Homosexuality is a complete break with African civilization. It is suicidal to import practices and lifestyles in America and Europe which are alien to Nigeria and seek to impose them as laws all in the name of “the private affairs of two consenting”. No right to privacy is absolute; no freedom of expression is absolute, oth-

erwise right to privacy or freedom of expression becomes a licence for indulging in homosexuality. That is why sections 37 (right to privacy), 38 (right to freedom of thought and conscience) and 39 (right to freedom of expression) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution are curtailed by Section 45(1) of the same Constitution; to the effect that nothing in those sections: “shall invalidate any laws that are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health”. The call by the authors for sanctions against Nigeria is childish and laughable. It shows that the authors are not so well educated. The Nigerian anti-homosexuality Act is not “inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations” because there is no known domestic or international law which obliges Nigeria to refrain from enacting any anti-homosexuality law. Besides, Nigeria as a sovereign State is free to enact any law which she believes is good for her citizens without any apology

to the U.S., UK, Canada or any pro-gay country. Homosexuality is aberration in all Nigerian cultures. According to the Nigerian Law Reform Commission: “the very notion of same-sex cohabitation or marriage, as the case may be is abhorrent to African sensibilities, and quite contrary to the norms of the Nigerian society…it is our view that it would be a great disservice to our society, which is currently bedevilled by so many societal ills, to accord more than a passing mention to such unions in the course of a family reform exercise. Despite our awareness of the assurance to the contrary by authorities in some of the developed countries, our view is that homosexuality is an acquired habit that ought to be eradicated and not be transformed into an acceptable human conduct by law…our recommendation with regard to same-sex marriage is absolute prohibition…” Signed: Chuka Agbu, SAN; Kola Olusola Esq., Chief Frank Agbedo Esq; Mary Ekemezie Esq., Sonnie Ekwowusi Esq., Ifeyinwa Awagu Esq; Patience Andoh Esq., Chukwuma Ezeala Esq.,, Tonia Onobanjo Esq.

Monday, February 10, 2014

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Opinion APC and the myth of sameness By Pat Utomi LICHÉS have a way of reinforcing stereotypes C and shielding either the truth or an understanding of trends that result in more than the narrow visions of the point. There is perhaps no better example of this than the frequently repeated view that there is no difference between the major parties. It is cliché that needs discerning exploration. It may be true that no clear set of ideas defined engagement of political parties in the wake of the hurried departure of the military, in 1999 but lessons from history suggest that the kind of groaning and travails that currently mark the system have had a way of giving birth to something new and more desirable. It is this history that leads me to being more cautious in judgment. It is in fact my expectation that not only are the more carefully observed signs pointing to an All Progressives Congress (APC) that will be ideologically left of centre, and very peoples oriented, a kind of people sensitive and responsive enterprise economy that is justice focused, but also that even the PDP will come out of this process, less prone to impunity, even if conservative, and may become more disciplined. Why do I think so. On this matter I like often to point to the history of how the Republican and Democratic Parties in the United States have evolved in relation to African Americans. Many young people who presume the Democrats have always been the more liberal of the Parties with higher sensitivity to the minority groups are shocked to learn that the Republican Party was once the Party opposed to dehumanizing slavery, and that Abraham Lincoln who fought to end it, as state policy, and who put the people at the centre of the purpose of government was a Republican. In the nature of how political party traditions emerge, as I indicated at the keynote I gave at the Leadership

Newspapers annual lectures two years ago, referring liberally to Reberto Michels and his 1911 study of political parties, trends of how parties thrive, abound, and of Michels Iron law of oligarchy, informs of anything, it is the important place of the political parties structure in evolution. This is why I think a close look at the political history of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Bisi Akande and some workroom people in APC do a better job of revealing where APC may be going than the excitable pundit on television points to or that the journalist seeking sensation is likely to see. Let us take Tinubu. I can speak with fair amount of authority to some of his strengths that I see leaving an imprimatur on the APC the pundits miss. This is because I spent a fair amount of time being part of or facilitating retreats of the-would be cabinet from when he was Governor-elect until some time into his first term. The first of the strengths is captured in his passion for competence and his comfort level with having the best around him. A U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria once said to me that he wished the Federal cabinet were half as good as the Lagos State Cabinet. That disposition and the courage of the lion in taking on daunting obstacles is a flavor I see clearly affecting the course of the APC. With General Buhari, his austere and ascetic ways with a clear following by the people at the bottom of the pyramid who are looking for people of integrity with a monomaniacal focus on the needs of the downtrodden mark him out and show the imprint his preference will leave on how the party is shaped after all the building of critical mass settles. Then there is Chief Bisi Akande. As I have indicated before, when The Concerned Professionals wanted a speaker for an event many years ago and decided it wanted someone who had been in government and

had shown uncommon touch, for the common Good while living integrity, it settled for Chief Bisi Akande. Mesh this with the intellectual wing of APC which includes elements from the Restoration Group that emanated from the Concerned Professionals and people like Nasir El-Rufai who has unusual capacity for faithful execution and the kinds of conversations quietly going on with the principals mentioned here that I have been involved with and you see that the APC will crystallize into a peoples Party that is left of centre with programmes of free education, decentralization of authority and large scale small business support for massive job-creation based on value-chains derived from the factor endowment of local development areas. At a discussion I participated in on instructions of Chief Akande, to shape party policy, one professor summed up the nature of the vision of the party that emerged as “Ijoba mekunu” or party Umu obenye, in the spirit of the Talakawa focused thrust of Aminu Kano. To see the in cross carpets as coming to party in the Party, and think there is no ideology in Nigerian politics or that there is no, difference between PDP and APC is to miss the point of parties in evolution and watch a test of analytic power on the part of commentators. The parties are clearly in evolution and the future of Nigeria depends on the expectation that power can swing back and forth between parties. Nigeria is richer for the fact that the alternative is not now only much bigger than those who were previously in opposition, to but it is developing an ideological bent. There are, in one orientation, or tendency in APC, people like myself who are more interested in principles, systems, values and institutions that shape human progress. Our path to the APC began with escalating roles in social enterprise and civil society, to trying to set the agenda for the political arena in 2007. On that

track I was matched in the top traunch of the Presidential debates with candidates Umaru Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari. Mallam Yar’Adua was either unwilling or unable to come, so I debated General Buhari on that fateful nationally televised debate. As permanent video records indicate, my last words at the end of the debates as we shook hands was: This country can be fixed, General; we can work together to change this country for our children. We must fix Nigeria. In that spirit I ended up in his Hotel Suite for dinner that night. From that moment forward the main role I have played has been to try to pull together a formidable opposition and help build a value platform on which it could rest. After the terribly rigged elections that brought Yar’Adua to office, I worked with General Buhari, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and others to show how flawed those elections were. In 2010 and 2011 I worked, first with the late Chief Anthony Enahoro and Chief Olu Falae in pursuit of the same goal. When Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu invited me to accompany him on a similar mission a year ago, I confessed that I was near exhaustion on that track but will work with him where necessary. He succeeded where we had failed and I have praised that accomplishment and been working, as promised to help with future content and structure. I have no doubt that this is not perfection on day one but it is a strong head start in what may be one of the biggest left of centre people centred political movements in the world since Fabian socialism gripped the soul of Europe after World War II and catapulted the Labour Party into prominence in the United Kingdom. This is both an article of faith and statement of hope on the one hand as it is a rigorous reading of trends on the other. • Utomi, Political Economist and Professor of Entrepreneurship, is Founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership.

Issues that vitiate the 2014 Budget By Bayo Ogunmupe HE Jonathan budget of 2014 was presented to Parliament on T January 19, 2014. It was presented on behalf of the President by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy. The 2014 Budget contemplates expenditure of N4.6 trillion. This comprises various expenditures, including a recurrent expenditure component of N2.4 trillion and a capital expenditure of N1.1 trillion. The balance is split between debt-servicing of N0.7 trillion, statutory transfer of N0.4 trillion and SURE-P of N0.3 trillion. Unfortunately, only 23.7 per cent of total expenditure is for capital projects, while recurrent expenditure stands at 76.3 per cent. Thus, the disparity skews the budget towards consumption at the expense of infrastructure, maintenance and expansion. Moreover, the absence of wisdom in the formulation of the budget did not stop at the micro distortions between capital and recurrent, specific items analysis revealed that the budget formulators have surrendered the treasury to embezzlers and fraudsters. Indeed, there are some egregious matters in the budget. For example: Healthcare is herewith shown: • Building a VIP Wing at State House Clinic – N705 million; • Capital budget for Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital: N328 million; • Capital budget for University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital: N310 million; and • Total budget for NOMA Children Hospital, Sokoto: N89 million. From the foregoing, you can see that the budget formulators rated VIP Wing of the State House, Abuja higher in importance in terms of priority than two teaching hospitals, a children’s clinic and a pediatric institute combined. These lopsided budgetary allocations vitiate the propriety of this vaunted transformational budget. To spend this disproportionate amount of our revenue on a suitably kitted and exclusively resourced clinic is embarrassingly wasteful. The waste is all the more disconcerting when set against the negative reality that the very important persons set to use the clinic are known to travel abroad for medical treatment. It is, therefore, questionable why money was allocated in the manner it was done. The manner of allocation and itemization is questionable.

In the area of defence and national security, we believe the armed forces must be sufficiently motivated to compensate for their onerous task of combating the Boko Haram menace. The amount allocated to militants cannot be justified. Training and making ex-militants to be self-employed will cost less that half of what has been allocated to them. Thus, this 2014 budget proposals reward bandits, encourage militancy as against the officers and men of our armed forces. It is reprehensible that the salaries and allowances for 30,000 militants exceed by more than 50 per cent, the cost of providing facilities for the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force combined. No wonder the opposition parties are calling for the blockade of the passage of the budget, more so when government can legally spend as much as they budgeted last year. But more worrisome is the cost of reintegrating the militants which exceeded the capital expenditure of the three service arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces. And what does the monetized cash benefit of N200 million to Oladipo Diya stand for? Isn’t Diya’s military benefit part of military pensions? Also, it is objectionable that the budget for the presidential air fleet is more that 50 per cent of the budget of the Nigerian Air Force. It is even more obnoxious that the budget allocation of the presidential air fleet’s rehabilitation is more than 30 per cent of the cost of rehabilitating all military barracks in the country. A backward country like Nigeria needs urgent development in electric power, small scale industries and youth employment. We cannot, therefore, fritter those moneys as government allocated. It is an affront to the Nigerian people for this budget of profligacy and larceny to be passed by the National Assembly. We believe that low human development and lack of job opportunities for the youth are responsible for the rise of terrorism in Nigeria. Which is why full employment should be the cornerstone of the 2014 budget. This 2014 budget of 1820 pages will go down in history as one of the worst budgets, for being totally detached from the Nigerian reality. It is a shame that it was prepared by our Harvard educated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance. This bizarre budgetary bazaar cannot be justified by any stretch of the imagination going by the hardship and unemployment ravaging the country now. The allocation of N250 billion to the National Assembly is also exceptional. All the more so with 109 senators and 360 Repre-

sentatives, per capita cost of maintaining them comes in excess of N530 million per member. This is all the more objectionable in a country where one out of five kids born today will die before his fifth birthday. Indeed, a fair budget should seek to eliminate reckless and larcenous planning and opt for the allocation of resources for social security and full employment. It is therefore necessary for the National Assembly to scrutinize the budget, pruning it of its larcenous aims and building it into a people oriented budget. Sadly, the recurring problems of dilapidated infrastructure in the universities and polytechnics do not seem to have been noticed by the budget. However, our major problems remain untouched by the budget. Our problems are poverty which can only be solved by full employment. That is employment for male and female, young or old. This can be tackled by our own Marshal Plan. This plan is simply achievable through interest free and collateral free loan programme for every citizen willing to borrow for import substitution industries. Such programmes have achieved miraculous economic development in China, Germany, India and Brazil. Our second problem is corruption. This is solvable through the establishment of social security. When there is social security for the young and aged alike, there will be no incentive to steal or embezzle. Let the Federal Government institute a social security scheme for all tax payers, it does not need to cover everybody at the beginning. Let us start it gradually such that it covers tax payers first, we can extend it to other strata of the society as time goes by. Thus, unemployment and corruption create or prolong poverty in the land. Poverty, disease and illiteracy create conflicts, the Boko Haram war facing Nigeria in particular. The solution, therefore, lies in the twin policies of social security scheme to take care of every citizen from cradle to the grave and a Marshall full employment Plan by which Federal Government provides interest free, collateral free loans for anyone wishing to borrow to establish a business of his own. It is trite economics to have separate banks for industry or agriculture. What it is required to develop the country is to provide loan facilities for every category or sector of the economy. We urge the National Assembly to rewrite the budget and put relevant indices there. • Ogunmupe is a columnist with The Guardian

16 | Monday, February 10, 2014

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Opinion Religion and the Nigerian state By Henry Onwubiko HROUDED with uncertainty yet a goad, Semerged blurred by fantasy and dogma, religion has as a determinant factor in the outcome of any social contest in Nigeria from politics, business to employment; from admission into schools to matters of justice, from birth and marriage right down to funerals. Rather than be retired as a pre-science to the archives of human history or left to the private bosom of individuals as is the case in progressive nations, in this present era of science and space exploration, the Nigerian government continues to encourage the fusion of religion with government business, the church and mosque with the seat of power, despite the visible and grave consequences of this contradiction to its secular constitution and its future corporate existence. Of daily occurrence is the incessant bombardment of the people with the pious images of a benevolent Christian president, supported by a benign and sanctimonious Moslem vice president through our national television and print media. If it is not the vice president off on many of his pilgrimages to Mecca escorted by some key members of the National or State Assembly, then we are shown the president, his mother, and ebullient wife accompanied by our powerful ministers, standing by the front row of the church yelping out the hymns or reading the lessons of the day. In one occasion he was palm-headed to his knees by an intrepid pastor, whose teeming multitude have endeared him to the cream of the nation’s politicians. Only recently, the media also beamed out colorful images of the president’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his embattled aviation minister. As if his faith and obedience to the Empire was ever in question, the president further epitomized this fusion of religion and the Nigerian State when he constructed a magnificent church for God and his people in his home state of Bayelsa, with the assistance of nationally recruited contractors. Even the Senate leadership is not left out in the use of religion as a goad to win the people’s hearts, and capture their votes. As the Deputy Senate President openly built and donated a church to his Enugu State constituency with millions of naira while in power, in preparation for the coming election which he may seek their mandate this time as governor, the Senate President never fails to capitalize on every opportunity with the media to project his unparalleled religious spirit as an ardent disciple

of the church. Religion has always served as a pyrrhic balm to crime, corruption and broken promises because it assures forgiveness, instant redemption and further re-invigoration of power to exceed human boundaries. Thus leading actors in the Nigerian state in their bid for power inadvertently have encouraged national disintegration when they project the largely bipolar colonial legacy of religion regularly replenished by Western Evangelism while inflaming Islamic fanaticism. The argument is often raised that the executive, legislative and judiciary members have their individual freedom guaranteed by the constitution to worship as they choose. But why make their visit to the church and mosque, or pilgrimages to Israel and Saudi Arabia a national event through the national media? Why is it so important to our elected rulers to daily display their impeccable holiness to their impoverished and largely ignorant population? Federal and state government officials are also known to contribute huge sums of money to the coronation of sultans, emirs, cardinals, bishops, pastors and popular Moslem clerics. The present Federal Government sent one of the largest delegations among other nations to Rome to congratulate the present Roman Catholic Pope after his election. It also repeated the same feat to the head of the Anglican Church in England. Indeed without the separation of religion from state power it becomes an inevitable determinant factor for election preparations: the reflection of the religious image of a candidate on the largely ignorant and dogmatic majority of the people, their social response or electoral outcome. Thus, the haunting issues of our underdevelopment are concealed by the fog of religion while the power mongers appealing to our hearts are uninterested in submitting to the interrogation of the people’s critical mind. Indeed religion is truly opium to the people. The impact of the marriage between religion and the State and the need to divorce it from state power can be also observed in most of Nigeria’s federal institutions. All our federal or state universities have a minimum of two churches and a mosque within their premises. These are only the defined and labeled infrastructure as there are over 10 religious denominations per university that congregate in university classrooms, laboratories, and theatres in the evenings or on Sundays. The various religious groups struggle to compete for the souls of students and organize regular evangelical revivals ministered by local pastors

or invited Western evangelists, who often fund them. Churches and mosques need to be separated from the premises and activities of federal and state schools and made the private affair of each interested student to locate a worshipping centre outside the school campuses. Removal of churches and mosque and their organizational influence from federal and state universities will minimize evangelism and its chicanery, provide more study time for students to concentrate on their academic disciplines, reduce religious prejudice which often affect admission, promotion and employment, and above all enhance a scientific environment and culture that lay the foundation for an innovative, skilled and more productive workforce for the nation’s industrialization. Religious colonialism in Nigeria also imposes secondary contradictions that can trouble and divide the African family. A Moslem or Christian is often confronted with the dilemma of marrying in a church or mosque; whose choice is it? Also church marriages are certified with legal certificates during the marriage, while traditional marriages often are imposed with the inconvenience of obtaining the marriage certificate in court. Also the Catholic may not wed in the Assemblies church, the Anglican not in the Methodist church, the Deeper Life not in Jehovah Witness church and so on. The antagonism between the different denominations often lead to rejection or cancellation of the marriage. In death too, brothers of the same father and womb can be divided by their churches. A church may reject conducting a funeral because the deceased is not a member or belong to another denomination. These religious controversies, often the cause of family violence, never existed before the European adventure into Nigeria. Making religion a private matter distant from state power, and function, may reduce much of the harm and religious terrorism plaguing cities such as Jos, Borno, Kaduna and other parts of Nigeria, because religious terror is energized and often originates from the State. For instance the state polarized the Moslem and Christian communities that had coexisted peacefully in Northern Nigeria by its own negative actions into a pogrom projected to the people on a bipolar religious platform, thus initiating and bolstering the Nigerian civil war. Indeed it is the Nigerian state that turns existing religious harmony between the citizens or among its ethnic groups into social contests and the resulting violence. Therefore, to eliminate religious wars, and the subsequent terrorism that threatens the nation’s

corporate existence, very strict laws and penalties are urgently needed to prevent politicians and serving statesmen from using religion to seek or retain state power. A glimpse at the past indicate that, many religions have coexisted peacefully in Africa and multiethnic Nigeria before the advent of Western Imperialism and the Emergence of the Nigerian State without the present ubiquitous terrorism, epitomized by Boko Haram and Elshabaab. Of the many definitions of the state, Engels is perhaps the most thoroughly researched. In his Origin of the Family, Private Property and State he concludes that the state emerged as a band of armed men who used force, chicanery, and religion to rob the toiling majority of the people of their natural resources, and proceeds of their labour. The colonial Nigerian state set up by the British invaders had its armed wing, the West African Frontier Force, transformed to the present Nigerian Army and police. The other components of the colonial state of Nigeria were missionaries or religious workers whose job was to pacify the natives and weaken their resistance against exploitation and oppression. Despite Nigeria’s Independence, the religious component has continued to serve as an aggregate of state power to this day; serving to weaken Nigerian people’s resistance to exploitation by inducing internal conflicts and other secondary crisis of disunity. These crises are often aggravated during periods of economic and financial crisis still affecting some of the world’s major capitalist powers, who shift their economic burden to their commodity, and raw material supplying client states such as Nigeria. Besides creating instability and underdevelopment, religious induced wars enable them to sell their guns and drones to obtain necessary capital for the recovery of their depressed economy. The outflow of badly needed capital for development used to purchase arms to combat terrorism leaves the Nigerian nation not only in disorder but at the mercy of Western arm dealers. Thus, the separation of religion from the powers of state, from the seat of power and all our Federal and state institutions, by making religion a strictly private affair, will reduce internal crisis in Nigeria, increase stability and increase the financial and material resources needed to develop our roads, railways, education, health facilities, and other infrastructure for the industrialization and social progress of Nigeria. •Prof. Onwubiko is with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Lagos’ threat on telecom infrastructure By Anazodo George S you read this piece, the Lagos State Government’s threat A to uproot about 4,000 telecom masts by January 2014 is still hanging on the necks of the various service providers/owners. The Lagos State Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) issued the threat mid-December, warning all concerned to take positive action before December 31, 2013. Joe Igbokwe, head of the unit, alleged during a press conference, that collapsing substandard or aging masts and other communication facilities have killed more than 10 persons in the last five years in the state. Although the threat is not limited to telecom companies as it cuts across all institutions with such facilities such as banks, insurance houses, government agencies, construction companies, internet service providers, etc, it can be anticipated that such an action would cause unforeseen difficulties in communications for both citizens and institutions in the state and beyond. Moreover, the threat is despite the fact that on December 2, 2013, a significant milestone was reached in the relationship between telecom operators and the Lagos State Government which ought to permanently put this and other contentious issues such as multiple taxes and sundry levies to rest. According to a news release by the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Lagos State had agreed to reduce the cost of Right-of-Way fees from N3,000 per linear metre to N500 only. This, however, was on the condition that operators agree to use approved and qualified contractors to ensure the integrity of the road is restored after disruption. A meeting between telecom operators led by the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson and La-

gos State Government led by Governor Babatunde Fashola ended also in an agreement that only galvanized steel frames are used for constructing telecom masts. Serious as the concern of the Lagos State Government over safety and security of the people is, the question needs to be asked as to how it came to be that as many as 4,000 masts, base stations and towers were erected without the necessary quality inspection in compliance with environmental and safety regulations. A situation that could warrant a blanket shutdown of such a huge number of telecom infrastructure can only aggravate the poor quality of service being experienced in the sector. What is generally not known is that whenever one telecom station is shut down for security or other reasons, the quality of service goes down with it. Such a station could either be primary, secondary, or ancillary in the signal transmission chain. One broken port along the chain naturally forms a handicap, and with this, poor signal relay and the attendant poor quality of service. Obviously such a scenario bodes no good for an industrial and commercial city like Lagos which is home to the headquarters of most leading business organisations in Nigeria. Such organisations may not stop counting their losses and other attendant problems that could result from the forced closure of their communications facilities. While we must applaud the Lagos State Government for its diligent attention to the safety of its citizens, it has to be wary of the effects its measure will have of its people and begin to consider more workable alternatives such as a phased removal and replacement of the offending facilities rather spontaneous shut down. On their part, owners of such defective facilities owe themselves a duty to ensure that they do all that is necessary to protect the safety of members of their host communities. They

need to comply with laid down procedures in setting up their equipment at all times to avoid possible tragedies as those the Lagos State government now cites as justification for wanting to close down base stations. The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has been at the forefront of the campaign for the passage of the Critical Infrastructure Bill by the National Assembly. This bill which classifies telecom facilities as critical infrastructure seeks maximum protection for such facilities to guarantee efficient service for both individuals and the state. Pending the passage of this bill, the NCC has played a significant mediation role between state governments and telecom service providers to persuade the former to grant the latter access and right-of-way for the mutual benefit of both parties and in the overall interest of the public. If for instance the government or a ministry refuses to provide the enabling environment for right-of-way, that means the operators would not be able to deploy sufficiently enough to attend to the needs of the people in terms of quality of service. The interest of NCC is for Nigerians to enjoy quality and accessible telecommunication services across the country and in all cities and villages. The simple logic is that where there are no masts, there can be no access – I don’t think this is what the Lagos State government wants. It is at this juncture that one must appeal to the sense of reason on all sides: It is necessary for the owners of masts and IT facilities to do the needful and play by the rules of business and common sense; it is equally important for government and other regulatory bodies to be broad-minded and egalitarian as the ultimate responsibility for everything – including poor communications lies with them. • George is a new media professional based in Ibadan.

Monday, February 10, 2014 17

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TheMetroSection Black Saturday in Owerri… • 7 Up Bottling truck crashes, injures scores in an accident residents say has become a recurring decimal From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri AST Saturday would definitely remain indelible in the minds of the residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo state. This is not because of any fortunes, but because of the tragic incident that made some lose their dear ones, while a legion of passersby, motorists, commuters, petty traders and those who parked their expensive vehicles and tricycles, had them squeezed and damaged. Bloodstains were seen scattered everywhere in the area. The accident which occurred about 8.30 p.m., a few metres away from the Imo state University, Owerri (IMSU) junction under construction, and precisely under the yet-to-be-commissioned pedestrian bridge, involved a lengthy truck said to belong to 7up Bottling Company, with its depot at Orji, along Okigwe- Owerri Road in Owerri North Local Council. It was alleged that the articulated vehicle was moving towards Owerri main city on high speed when the incident happened. This is not the first time such accident is happening there, The Guardian gathered. Several other scenarios had taken place before that incident in the same vicinity. About five months ago, an enterprising young man, who had returned from one of the European countries, had just taken a decision to settle in Owerri, establishing a big poultry farm near that spot, where he met his untimely death. Just about to tie the nuptial knots, he came out from his farm, parked his car and recharged his phone with airtime when a truck loaded with concrete heading towards Owerri metropolis, suddenly lost track on the main road, jumped over the drainage at the roundabout, veered into the fence area where he was standing and buried the vibrant young man inside the ground. It took some time before his body could be dug out. By that time, he was already dead. The rescue team then carried the body to a nearby morgue. He was committed to mother earth a few weeks later. Several other scenarios had taken place before and after that incident in the same vicinity. According to eye witnesses, that Saturday, the truck was fully laden with bottles of 7up and other soft drinks, descending from Orji, a sloppy side and nearing the IMSU massive roundabout under construction, when it suddenly swaggered before it got to the point, with some of the drinks falling gradually until it finally jumped the culverts, dividing the dual carriage-way and resting finally with

S part of measures to rid A the nation’s waterways of all forms of illegal activities, operatives of the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, have arrested three vessels for suspected illegal fishing. The vessel, FT Silver Streak, was said to have been arrested by men of the Navy Ship Beecroft, (NNS Beecroft) an operational unit of the Western Naval Command while engaging in illegal fishing activities at the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). Speaking on the arrest, the

Jonathan’s aide loses father HIEF Franklin Ateki Obah, C the father of the Personal Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Patrick Obah, is dead. Pa Obah, who died at the age of 80, according a statement, would be buried according to Christian rites on Friday, March 7, 2014 after a Service of Songs at his hometown, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Council of Bayelsa State. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Victoria Obah, children and many relations.

The scene of the accident

Obah

Bernadette Akuka, 76, for burial RS. Bernadatte IhemesM imnanwa Akuka (nee Adinna), who died on Friday, January 10, 2014, at the age of 76, will be buried on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 in her late husband ’s compound at Isieke I, Awo-Omamma, Imo State after a funeral church service at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church AwoOmamma. A nurse, teacher and devout Christian mother, she is survived by nine children including Bertram, Henry, Michael and other relations.

PHOTOS: CHARLES OGUGBUAJA

Another view of the accident scene force on the ground. Some of the containers and the bottles broke into pieces, burying a lady. A legion of traders and merry makers also got serious cuts and wounds on their bodies. It took time to rescue the lady who was buried under the broken containers of drinks. Scores of tricycles were damaged beyond repairs, while traders’ wares were equally damaged. Some persons who came to eat and relax in a popular eatery located near the accident spot also had their vehicles severely damaged. The driver immediately disappeared after the crash. A combined team of security personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps

(FRSC) and Police, including Imo state Government-owned Rescue Ambulance vehicles began to convey injured victims to the hospital while students of the IMSU, in annoyance, took over traffic control at the junction. As at the time of filing this report, casualty figures could not be ascertained. Also, financial losses of destroyed wares of traders could not be ascertained, but was estimated to be in millions of Naira. The debris of the truck was still turned sideways totally covering the lane. Motorists managed to ply only one lane with serious traffic gridlock. A few people argued that the roundabout was contributory to the inces-

Navy arrests vessels for illegal fishing By Odita Sunday

Briefs

Commanding Officer of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, said it was made possible through the commitments and renewed efforts of the command to make the maritime environment difficult for illegal activities to thrive. The vessel was handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture by the navy for further action and prosecution. He said: “Silver Streak was arrested on January 27, for illegal fishing. She was licensed for shrimping. At the point of arrest, she had about four tonnes of shrimps and five tonnes of

fish and that translates to about 253 bags of fish and that is in commercial quantity and it does not conform to the extant laws of our

sant accidents at that junction, but others dismissed the argument, saying that any careful driver should slow down on getting close to any junction, while others attribute the ugly problem to brake failures of such big trucks. But an official of the state government said all over the world, roundabouts exist, adding that they help to ease traffic hold ups. He claimed that before the construction of the roundabout, there were problems of traffic jams, stating that after the construction, tremendous change occurred, as vehicles were moving quickly. He cautioned drivers to be more careful when driving.

land regarding fishing, so she was arrested.” “The Nigerian Navy has increased its presence at sea and we have tried to make il-

Patrol vessels, which carried out the operation

PHOTO: ODITA SUNDAY

legal dealings on our water difficult. Actions of sea pirates and robbery are being reduced by increasing presence of the Nigerian navy at sea,” Ezekobe said. He added: “The Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, has declared a zero tolerance for illegal activities in Nigerian waters and this has resulted in enhanced maritime patrols.” He noted that increased presence of the navy at sea was geared towards ensuring that the Nigerian maritime environment is safe for legitimate economic activities for the well being of Nigerians.

Akuka

Beatrice Akinbode, 80, for burial February 14

RS. Beatrice Idowu AkinM bode, mother of Yemi Akinbode, the Director of Media and Publicity of Bisi Omoyeni For Ekiti Revival (BOFER), has died at the age of 80. A Christian wake holds on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at her residence, No. 2. Akinbode Crescent, Are Ekiti at 5:00p.m., while funeral service is at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Are Ekiti on Friday, Febrary 14, at 10.00a.m. Entertainment of guests holdS at St. Andrew's Primary School's playing ground. She is survived by many children, grand and great grandchildren.

Akinbode

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18 Monday, February 10, 2014

Ajibodu becomes fourth Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral By Isaac Taiwo HE fourth Dean has emerged at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, in the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Com-

munion). He is Venerable Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu, who was confirmed the Dean of the Cathedral in a grandiose ceremony that was attended by the Archbishop of Lagos Metropoli-

tan, the Most Revd. Adebayo Akinde, the Bishop of Lagos, the Most Revd. Ephraim Ademowo, hosts of Bishops, the former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel among others.

It was an occasion that drew a lot of worshippers from various churches and Archdeaconries, especially where Ajibodu had ministered, which inferred that he did not only make a good impression of his out-

Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, the Rt. Revd. James Olusola Odedeji (middle) with the new Dean, the Venerable Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu and his wife, Esther after Ajibodu’s induction and installation at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO

NDLEA officers injured, four suspects arrested during raid in Mushin By Odita Sunday WO officers were injured and four suspected hoodlums were arrested when a combined team of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Military officers raided the notorious Akala Street, Mushin, in Lagos at the weekend. The officers also seized 541 kilogrammes of cannabis and 32 pinches of heroin. However, the joint operatives met stiff resistance from hoodlums and drug peddlers during the raid as they barricaded the road. The team of officers, led by NDLEA Assistant Com-

mander, Operations and Intelligence, Mr. Ojo Ogbechema recovered cannabis weighing 541.9kg and 32 pinches of substance that tested positive for heroin. According to the NDLEA Lagos Commander, Mr Sule Aliyu, the operation was successful in spite of the resistance from the drug barons. “A combined team of NDLEA and army officers participated in the operation. It was a very successful raid because bags of cannabis weighing 541.9kg and 32 pinches of heroin were recovered. During the opera-

Briefs Strive for excellence, new PTI students told HE acting Principal/Chief Executive Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, Mrs. Nnenna C. Dennar, has advised the matriculating students of the institution to strive for excellence. She said this recently during the school’s matriculation of the new students for 2013/2014 academic session. Dennar said: “Since it inception, 41 years ago, the Institute has been a hub of Petroleum expertise with a reputation for providing high quality technical education and research in petroleum related disciplines. It has continued to develop competent technical manpower that is driving the oil and gas sector in the country. I am glad to say that PTI is a household name in the oil industry, as there is no oil company that does not have PTI graduate in its employment. You are therefore, expected to maintain the high academic standard set by your predecessors. The Institute is well equipped with a team of professionals and state-of-the-art equipment that is second to none in the sub Saharan Africa to develop fit for purpose students. You must therefore, pride yourself very high above students from other higher institutions. For the Institute to be at the cutting edge of technology, the academic standards are raised. With effect from 2014/2015 academic session minimum entry qualifications for admission into the Institute will be five O’level credits including English language and Mathematics. ” She also urged the students to exhibit a high level of discipline. “As new students, you are expected to be disciplined. This is one of the hallmarks of the oil industry for which you are being groomed. Management therefore, does not encourage any type of social vices and deviant behaviours, such as drug abuse and peddling, cultism, examination malpractice and unlawful protest. Let me warn against unlawful protest on campus. It is an act of indiscipline. No student should take the laws into his or her hand. Any student caught or involved in unlawful protest on campus is deemed to have breached the matriculation oath; and severe penalties will be meted out to such student(s). Let me state that Management has zero tolerance to these social vices. ”

tion, there was an attack on the officers by a large number of hoodlums who threw bottles and stones at the officers.” “The road was also barricaded but the officers shot into the air to disperse the crowd,” Sule stated. The commander said that two officers who sustained injuries have been treated. Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade commended the officers for their bravery and sense of discipline in the face of threat to their lives. In his words: “The conduct of the officers is commend-

able. They exhibited bravery and high sense of discipline in the face of threat to their lives. We shall continue to carry out raid operations on drug barons. Unless they quit the criminal act, they will have no peace.” The NDLEA boss while thanking Brigadier General Ohifeme Ejemai Commander 9 Brigade for his support, assured that the Agency would continue to fine-tune its strategies in dislodging drug trafficking syndicates. He said the four suspects arrested would be charged to court soon.

NYSC member provides free anti-rabies care to Akwa Ibom communities SERVING member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Uyo Local Council of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Oyebanji Victor, A has provided free healthcare service to hundreds of dogs and goats in Upenekang and Iwuo Achang communities in the Ibeno Council of the a state. Her said this public health initiative was borne out of his desire to ensure that the people are protected against any animal related disease. Oyebanji noted that rabies is one of the major diseases transmitted from dogs to human beings through dog saliva. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 60,000 people die yearly from rabies, despite the fact that it is both preventable and manageable. The body added that children are the most affected by the disease, with four out of every 10 deaths by rabies being a child under the age of 15, noting that rabies is a widespread disease which potentially threatens over three billion people in Asia and Africa, where the people most at risk live in rural areas where human vaccines and immunoglobulin are not readily available or accessible. Oyebanji said: “If the dog owner or a child with wound plays with their dogs, they could easily contaminate themselves and become infected with rabies. So this public health initiative tagged “anti-rabies vaccination and other zoonoser treatment” is a free treatment to prevent dogs from infection. “We also extend the care to goats and sheep because they can also transmit diseases such as mange, fungal infections and other related diseases, which could be easily transmitted to man because, in rural areas, these animals walk around freely just like man.” Victor disclosed that if a dog had the history of vaccination, then it could be saved, the wound could be treated like normal wound. He advised that any dog bites should be reported immediately at the hospital where the patient woulld be given anti-rabies injection. The village head of Upenekang, Obong Joseph Eshett, appreciated the NYSC member for extending the free care to his community.

standing leadership qualities wherever he ministered, but always left behind such indelible marks and footprint of a ‘fatherhood’ very difficult to erase. In his comment, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, the Rt. Revd. James Olusola Odedeji enthused: “We have just instituted our new Dean. I was the Dean before and after my election as the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, the post of the Dean became vacant and somebody has to be in charge. “We have, therefore, today, installed the Venerable Abel Ajibodu as the new Dean. “We believe he is a capable man, a humble man, very spiritual, who has the wherewithal by the Grace of God to influence our congregation here positively. We also hope that his administration would also make for a better future of this country,” he said. Ajibodu after successful completion of his Ordination Course at the Vining College of Theology, became a deacon June 24, 1990 and was ordained into the order of priesthood June 23, 1991. He started his priestly

work as Curate at Christ Church, Bariga. He later became Vicar of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ojodu-Abiodun, Lagos, Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Oto-Awori, Christ Church, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos where he was preferred a Canon and later an Archdeacon. He was Vicar of St. John’s Church, Satellite town and pioneer Archdeacon of Satellite Archdeaconry. He simultaneously served as the Archdeacon of Oto-Awori Archdeaconry with that of Satellite Archdeaconry for seven months. He was Chairman, Board of Governors of the Pentecost College, Iba until he became the Dean of the Cathedral. Ajibodu later became Vicar of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ipaja and Archdeacon of Ipaja Archdeaconry. He is married to Esther and blessed with godly children. In his comment, Ajibodu promised to be diligent not only in moving people to study the Word of God but also to mobilize them to be doers of the Word with a view to making them a blessing to others in their environment. Six canons were also in-

NMA holds memorial medical mission as Benin monarch’s wife is buried

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu , Benin City S preparations for the burial rites of the wife of the Oba of Benin, Oloi Esther Omoyemwense Erediauwa, begins today, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday said it would hold its quarterly medical mission in the state capital where it would render health services to the people in the state in memory of the late queen. President of the association, Dr Osahon Enabulele stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the Benin monarch over the death of his wife. Accompanied by both national and state officials of the association, Enabulele said the association would also station medical personnel in relevant points within and outside the palace throughout the duration of the burial to attend to any medical emergencies that may arise. “This is one death that pained us because we had very close relationship with her and we cannot forget how she also counselled us when we had our own challenges. She was one in a million who extended love and care to those who came across her.” He said the quarterly medical mission, which is held in different parts of the state, would give medical attention in various fields to needed persons. A press release from the Benin palace, signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, said the 13-day burial rites would begin today. Meanwhile, the Commissioner representing Edo State in the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Oladele Bankole-Balogun on his part commended the monarch

We had a very close relationship with her ...She also counselled us when we had our own challenges. She was one in a million who extended love and care to those who came across her. for maintaining the traditions of the empire that made it a reputable kingdom in African and World history. “I have come here today to commiserate with the monarch and the entire African continent. It is difficult for someone like me to console an institution, it is my prayer that Almighty God will console the Benin kingdom, console Edo State, console His Royal Majesty, console Nigeria and, indeed Africa, on the passing of such a monumental person in the life. I am in awe to stand before His Royal Majesty of the Great Benin empire, I have come here as a son to commiserate not only with the palace chiefs, not only with the Benin kingdom, not only with the people of this state, not only with people of this country but for those who understand the place of the Benin kingdom in African history, and world history. The good Lord will continue to help this empire, your chiefs, our town, our state and our country,” he said. On his part, Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, accompanied by top officials of the ministry to the palace, described the death as a loss to the entire state and the country, but urged the Monarch to continuously provide the needed direction for the people.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014

NPDC to invest N288b yearly on capital projects By Roseline Okere HE Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the upstream subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has unfolded plans to invest $1.8 billion (N288 billion) yearly as capital expenditure in the next two years. Besides, the company is expected to drill over 40 oil wells in the next four years. The Managing Director of the company, Victor Briggs, made this disclosure in the analysis of the state of the divested assets from Shell. According to him, the company is expected to scale

Drills 40 wells in four years down its capital expenditure lion standard cubic feet of gas to $800 million yearly by 2016. Stating the reason for projected reduction in spending by 2016, he explained that lots of investments are going into the newly acquired assets to optimise their production capacity and connect the well to where crude can be piped to the export terminals through the flow lines, flow stations and trunk lines. Briggs disclosed that compaproduces currently ny 140,000 barrels per day (bpd) and expects to increase it to 160,000 bpd by end of this year, while it delivers 410 mil-

per day (mmscfpd) and plans to raise it to 600mmscf/d by the end of the year. He also explained the extent of work done on oil mining licences (OMLs) 26 4340 42 34, their current levels of production, plans and timelines to increase their outputs. “The company started in 1988 with few assets. At that time the company was producing less than 1000bpd. NPDC then was very active in exploration and production. Most of the fields that are keeping up production were discovered by NPDC, as well as some of those of Conoil, but because NPDC

had no funds to continue with the development phase of these assets, they were taken away and given to other companies to develop. “We started with OMLs 65 and III but today NPDC is involved in several OMLs about 28 with some in deep offshore where we are not operators but equity partners. One is shallow offshore (OML119), which we are operating, some in swamp where we have OMLs 40 and 42, which we also operate. “The remaining OMLs are on land. Currently, we are concentrating on swamp, land and offshore, which we have been doing over a long period.

“Today, NPDC has the capacity to produce about 140,000bpd. Production varies each day depending on absence of any issue. If there is any breach on our pipeline or flow line, the safe thing to do is to shut down. “The main impact on our production is really when there is a breach on a trunk

line, which is a big pipe, which carries production from different companies’ pipe to the terminal. The essence of the trunk line is that it is cost-effective for the oil companies. Therefore, if there is a breach on such line, all the companies using it will be forced to shut down,” he added.

Treasury Bills Maturity Date Bid

08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

Offer

12.10 11.85 12.10 11.85 12.05 11.

NIBOR Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Andrew Yakubu, GMD, NNPC

Deziani Alison-Madueke, Minister, Petroleum Resources

FGN Bonds Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.20 2.52 3.22 5.39 7.97 16.46

Bid Price 90.25 99.20 103.80 109.15 113.70 76.55

Yield 12.98 13.43 13.58 13.54 13.53 13.60

Offer Price 90.40 99.35 104.10 109.45 114.00 76.85

Yield 12.83 13.36 13.46 13.47 13.47 13.54

Exchange Rates as at Friday, February 7 Currency US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL

Buying (NGN) 154.75 252.3199 209.1292 1.5254 0.3005 236.3267 25.5274 41.2612

Central (NGN) 155.25 253.1351 209.8049 1.5303 0.3105 237.0903 25.6103 41.3945

Selling (NGN) 155.75 253.9504 210.4806 1.5352 0.3205 237.8539 25.6933 41.5278

Rate (%) 10.8333 11.2500 11.5833 11.9167 12.1667 12.4583 12.750

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2014

FINANCIAL GUARDIAN

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Oando targets N100b earnings with ConocoPhillips acquisition Stories by Helen Oji ANDO Nigeria Plc has the that disclosed (COP) ConocoPhillips Nigerian assets would boost its earnings before tax to N100 billion yearly. The Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Wale Tinubu stated this at the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos at the weekend, assured stockbrokers that all the financial obligations for the acquisition have been concluded. He re-emphasized that the company is not raising fresh capital to finance COP acquisition, adding that all the finance needed for the deal

have been raised. “All we require now is the consent of the minister, which is the legal requirement. The transaction will not be fully consummated until the minister consent is received.” He assured stockbrokers that ministerial consent ‘is a near certainty’, saying the final approval will be granted very soon. He pointed out that the company, through its subEnergy Oando sidiary Resources (OER), had in 2012, entered into an agreement with COP to acquire ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian businesses for a total cash consideration of $1.55 bil-

Major Globla Markets (U.S., Europe, Asia) DOW S&P 500 NASDAQ TR US INDEX

15,794.08 1,797.02 4,125.86 164.07

+165.55 +23.59 +68.74 +2.10

+1.06% +1.33% +1.69% +1.30%

FTSE 100 DAX CAC 40 TR EUROPE

6,571.68 9,301.92 4,228.18 170.68

+13.40 +45.34 +40.08 +1.42

+0.20% +0.49% +0.96% +0.84%

NIKKEI HANG SENG SENSEX

14,462.41 21,636.85 20,376.56

+307.29 +213.72 +65.82

+2.17% +1.00% +0.32%

lion. He said an initial deposit of $450 million was paid and a combination of equity and debt was raised to secure the balance financing towards the acquisition. According to him, the acquisition is very strategic for the future growth of the disclosing that it will be of great benefit to all stakeholders.

He disclosed that the COP assets would increase the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of Oando to N100 billion, from the current average N45 billion annually. The increased earnings, he said, would also lead to improved dividend payment to shareholders going

forward. Tinubu said “Oando embodies a multifaceted approach in spite of our origins as a predominantly downstream company; and the successful acquisition of COP Nigerian assets is part of our diversification strategy into the higher margin upstream. “We aim to maintain our

dominant positioning in the mid-stream and downstream sectors but see this acquisition as holding unprecedented opportunities for the business.” “The acquisition is a game changer for Oando as it will immediately position the company as the largest indigenous oil producer in Nigeria,” he added.

Financial stocks lift NSE’s turnover by N23b in one week TURNOvER of 1.591 billion in 3,441 deals. About 1,090 units of FGN Lotus II by 0.93 per cent to A shares worth N23.079 bilTrading in the top three bonds valued at N1.212 milclose at 2,889.44. lion were traded in 26,257 equities- Zenith Bank lion were this week traded However, the NSE deals by investors on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week, lower than 2.221 billion units, valued at N21.045 billion that changed hands in 27,855 deals during the preceding week. Again, the financial services industry (measured by volume), led the activity chart with 1.116 billion shares valued at N10.718 billion traded in 13,044 deals, thus contributing 70.13 per cent and 46.44 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. Similarly, the conglomerates industry followed with a turnover of 175.543 million shares worth N1.042 billion in 1,954 deals. The third place was occupied by the oil and gas industry, with 97.145 million shares worth N2.499 million

Nigeria Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc and Universal Insurance Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 495.494 million shares worth N4.997 billion in 3,159 deals, contributing 31.15 per cent and 21.65 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. Also traded during the week were a total of 165 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N326,855 million executed in three deals compared with a total of 545 units of NewGold valued at N1,080 million transacted last week in two deals.

in 11 deals compared with a total of 4,295 units of FGN bonds valued at N4.772 million transacted last week in 10 deals. The NSE All-Share index and market capitalization appreciated by 0.50 per cent and 0.50 per cent to close on Friday at 40,773.50 and N13.070 trillion respectively. Likewise, four of the NSE sector indices appreciated during the week, with the NSE 30 inching up by 0.03 per cent to close at 1,846.15; NSE Insurance by 2.32 per cent to close at 151.44; NSE Oil/Gas by seven per cent to close at 323.45; and NSE

Consumer Goods index depreciated by 0.35 per cent to close at 1,047.46; NSE Banking index edged lower by 1.64 per cent to close at 408.78; the NSE Industrial Goods index shed 0.38 per cent to close at 2,603.66; while the NSE-ASeM closed flat. Also, 46 equities appreciated in prices during the week, higher than 15 equities of the preceding week, while 39 equities depreciated in prices, lower than 64 equities of the preceding week and 113 equities remained unchanged lower than 119 equities in the previous week.

Currency Table Currency EUR/USD GBP/USD USD/JPY USD/CHF USD/CAD AUD/USD

Last 1.3633 1.6409 102.33 0.89760 1.1029 0.89570

Day High -1.6409 --1.1031 0.89570

Day Low -1.6405 --1.1029 0.89570

% Change -+0.02% ---0.01% +0.00%

Bid 1.3633 1.6409 102.33 0.89760 1.1029 0.89570

Ask 1.3637 1.6414 102.35 0.89840 1.1035 0.89620

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Monday, February 10, 2014

MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 7=2=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Monday, February 10, 2014 MARKETREPORT

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MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 7=2=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

24 Monday, February 10, 2014

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INSIDE TAX

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN DLM BOND WATCH: February 10, 2014

Monday, February 10, 2014 25

BONDWATCH

Published in association with

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Homes&Property Court orders IGP to produce AGF, others over sealed property Page 32

Controversy over cement standard rages as Dangote, other producers differ We produce 42.5 grade of cement - Dangote The 32.5 products have actually been part of building in Nigeria - AshakaCem,LargeWAPCO, SokotoCem, UNICEM Building Materials By Chinedum Uwaegbulam

New Calabar Golf course excites investors Page 33

Dubai property prices to rise 1015% in 2014, says report Page 39

MINOUS clouds loomed O large at the weekend over allegation that some cement producers are short changing the end users in terms of quality and standards, as key players that once belonged to the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) differ, with contending parties confirming that the nation’ s cement industry still adopt 32.5 grade, the cheapest quality globally. Following an alarm raised by a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry that nearly all the cement manufacturers and importers in the country are in the habit of taking advantage of the lax regulation and lack of enforcement to vary their pigmentation in favour of the lower grade cement (32.5) which in most cases is used in building works, and seen to be partly responsible for building collapse. The group noted that the practice which is quite prevalent, is usually overlooked by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and claimed in advanced countries, there is migration from the lower grade of cement or 32.5 to the higher level 42.5 specification and even 52.5 with a uniform standard set by government, manufacturers

One of Dangote Cement plants, recently

Cement grade possesses higher strength capability and is rapid setting making it the preferred grade among blockmakers, builders and construction workers. Why should SON insist on 42.5 grade as the standard for import and then allow a lower grade in terms of local production. and importers who can be held accountable whenever

there is infraction or reduction in agreed specification. But apparently displeased

with the allegation and emerging development, Dangote Cement revealed at the weekend that all the products rolling out from its three cement plants are certified 42.5 grade in line with international standard and quality benchmark. Speaking to the media in Lagos, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Devakumar Edwin said that Dangote Cement chose to

produce 42.5 cement grade as it is stronger and has better qualities. For the company, the cement grade possesses higher strength capability and is rapid setting making it the preferred grade among blockmakers, builders and construction workers. Explaining why Dangote Cement is laying emphasis on the production of 42.5

CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

Appeal Court admits fresh evidence in Abuja land feud The ruling of the Appeal Court holds that the appellant can tender and argue fresh evidence, more so when the jurisdiction of the lower court is affected in a dispute surrounding a choice landed property, located at Plot No 1809, Cadastral Zone AO4, Asokoro, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

Litigation By Emmanuel Badejo COURT of Appeal, Abuja, A has endorsed a bid to tender and argue claim of fresh evidence in a controversial ownership tussle over a prime landed property situated in the Federal Capital Territory. Justices Abubakar Datti Yahaya, Joseph Tine Tur and Moore Adumein, unanimously agreed that tendering new evidence was not out

of place, particularly when integrity of the court was at stake. Their ruling was at the instance of the appellant, Mr. Imonhuede Ohikhuare and respondents, Ambassador Shehu Malami, FCT Minister, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mohammed Habib Aliyu and Sir Emeka Offor over the ownership tussle on a choice property located at Plot No

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Plot No 1809, Cadastral Zone AO4, Asokoro, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

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Monday, February 10, 2014

HOMES & PROPERTY Court orders IGP to produce AGF, others over sealed property Litigation By Bertram Nwannekanma USTICE Olubunmi FemiJCourt, Adeniyi of an Ikeja High yesterday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to produce the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) in court on March 27, 2014 to defend a N18.7 billion suit filed against him over a sealed property. Also to be produced alongside the AGF are; the coordinating Minister of Defence, Mr. Labaran Maku, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and the Nigerian Army. The order contained in a bench warrant of arrest issued by the judge followed the government officials’ refusal to appear in court yesterday. Justice Femi Adeniyi had in December granted an ex-parte motion for commencement

of contempt proceeding to be served on the defendants following their refusal to comply with an earlier instruction to re-open the closed Mammy Market located within Giwa Barracks, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos. The authorities had in February 2007, sealed off the 225 shops in the market as a result of one week notice given to the market men and women to vacate the place. This did not go down well with the operators because of the volume of their investments and property in the market – as the notice did not convey compensation. The market association met with the then Commanding Officer, Group Captain Patrick Mbanugo and pleaded that the military see reasons with them but was told that the closure order was at the instance from above. But on February 19, 2007, the association commenced a civil action at the court seeking amongst others perpetual

injunction, declaratory reliefs and the sum of N18.7 billion as damages against the defendants. The court subsequently granted an interlocutory order against the defendants on April 25, 2008, directing them to open and take inventory of all goods and properties of the claimants. The court also gave an order restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, developers and privies from demolishing, defacing, altering and/or removing in any manner, reconstructing and rebuilding of any or all of the claimants’ 225 shops at the market pending the hearing and determination of the suit. But the order was not obeyed, prompting the counsel to the market association, Mr. Stanley Ochoga, to ask the court yesterday to issue a bench warrant since settlement move by the defendants was delaying.

Lagos APBN workshop on nation building Professional Practice By Emmanuel Badejo ONSIDERING the pivotal C responsibilities of professionals in nation building, the Association of Professional Bodies (APBN), will this Wednesday hold its maiden discourse on the topic. The event, which would be

spiced with award ceremony, is billed to hold at the prestigious Agip Hall of the Muson Centre . Bashorun J.K. Randle will chair the event, while guest speaker will be Dr. ‘Uju Ogubunka, as other eminent dignitaries from the various professional bodies are expected to be at the event. Announcing the coming

event at the weekend, to the media, APBN Chairman, Mr. Are Adewale Adeyemi, said the group decided discuss this topic having taken cognizance of the how professionals can aid the process of building a nation. According to him, professionals could not be separated from nation building, as it has been done and still being done in other climes.

The 3rd Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Mr. Kunle Awobodu, decorating the newly elected chairman, Ogun State Chapter of the Institute, Mr. Sikiru Eyinfunjowo at the investiture/award ceremony, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently

Ogun urges professional synergy in tackling building collapse Professional Practice PPARENTLY to ensure proA fessionals in the building industry work to put an end to quackery and use of sub-standard materials, which had in recent times led to an upsurge in building collapse, Ogun State Government has called for synergy among professionals bodies in the country. The step according to the Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle

would not only check the menace and save lives usually lost, but also remove the embarrassment that practitioners and the country at large face whenever the ugly incident occurs. Mrs. Adekunle bore her mind in Abeokuta while speaking at the Investiture/Award ceremony of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB). She said much as it is

desirable for all to be a home owner, desperation and the “getting it at all cost” syndrome usually led to unapproved structures, unplanned communities, growth of shanties and collapse of buildings which are borne out of the use of sub-standard materials by quacks in the building i n d u s t r y . According to her, the need for combined efforts of profes-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Monday, February 10, 2014 33

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PRIME ESTATES

New Calabar Golf course excites investors Projects By Emmanuel Badejo NE of the emerging tourist cities in Nigeria, Calabar, would in less than 18 months from now witness the unveiling of an exotic but affordable residential estate, product of a frontline property development company, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC). c The residential housing estate christened Golf Estate, comes with 168 housing units and located within Summit Hill, Calabar, Cross River State. It was midwifed under a partnership agreement between the developer and Governor Liyel Imoke led administration. The estate, which was designed for upper and middle class cadre would provide 67 units of five-bedroom detached duplex with boys’ quarters, 13 units of four-bedroom detached duplex with boys’ quarters, 51 units of five-bedroom bungalow, 29 units of fourbedroom bungalow and eight units of three-bedroom bungalow. All the housing types, is designed with boys’ quarters. According to the developer, the choice estate, which reinforces UPDC’s leadership position in the real estate market, though being its maiden entry into Cross River, is expected to be handed over to would be subscribers by March 2015, and it would be managed by

An illustration of houses at the proposed Golf estate, Calabar UPDC. Earlier this year, UPDC’s Managing Director, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran justified his company’s stance to take on this development. At the unveiling of several residential projects

in Lagos last month, Ogunniran had said that the decision to spread its business to other cities in Nigeria outside the traditional cities of Lagos, Abuja and PortHarcourt, was based on the outcome of

the research which the company undertook in the Nigerian real estate market. The research led to the classification of Nigerian cities into A, B and C based on both the current and potential sizes of the market.

Explaining that before now, UPDC developed both residential and commercial accommodation only in Lagos, Abuja and PortHarcourt which were identified as ‘A’ cities,

Ogunniran noted however, that current research and the serious need for residential accommodation in the country, have propelled UPDC to consider the development of residential estates in some other cities in Nigeria. He added there are many reasons for this project to be investors and home-seekers’ delight. According to him, Golf Estate has an assured capital appreciation, premium rental income with good rental yield, good title, arguably No1 tourist destination in Nigeria with the biggest street party, boosted the cultural mosaic of Nigeria promoting cultural heritage and every choice investors’ destination among others. Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the developer, Cross River, Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham disclosed that, the signing of the MOU was the second of such partnerships between the Cross River State government and the private sector in its bid to provide first-class housing in the state for its workers. He noted that, the decision to partner the company to develop the estate was a wise one and would act as gateway for other joint-venture investments between the two partners. Responding, Oguniran, promised the construction of the housing units will be completed and delivered on

Monday, February 10, 2014

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HOMES & PROPERTY

NDDC completes 174-room hostel in FUTO Projects From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt O ameliorate the chalT lenge of inadequate hostel accommodation and boost the standard of living of students in tertiary institutions, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has draw curtains on the a 174-room modern hostel complex at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State. The commission had on July 18, last year, handed over a similar hostel to the Imo State University, in Owerri a l s o . The NDDC Managing Director, Bassey Dan-Abia, said the facility would ease the over-crowding of students and increase access to decent accommodation, which is in line with the millennium development goals. The NDDC boss who spoke at the handover ceremony also announced the approval of the request by the university for a 500KVA transformer and generator for the hostel. He said: “After consultation with other members of the board, approval has also been given for the installation of burglary proofs for the hostel.”

Earlier, Chairman of the Commission’s Governing Board, Mr. Bassey EwaHenshaw, reiterated that the facility would provide a conducive learning environment for the academic community and help students perform well in their studi e s . Henshaw assured that the commission would step up its partnership with institutions of higher learning in the Niger Delta region for the advancement of teaching and learning, noting that the training of students in science and technology “falls directly in line with the philosophy of the NDDC.” Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka, expressed delight over the donation, noting that the commission has fulfilled its mandate of facilitating the rapid development of the Niger Delta region by providing projects that significantly affect the lives of the peop l e . He thanked the agency for building a hostel for the university and requested for more facilities. He assured the NDDC that the hostel would be put to good use to significantly alleviate the acute accommodation needs of our students.

The newly completed 174 room hostel in FUTO, Owerri, Imo State

PHOTO: CHARLES OGUGBUAJA

Chinese becoming big investors in global real estate Real Estate HINESE cross border C investment into global real estate markets has risen rapidly since the global financial crisis of 2008, according to a new analysis from Savills. It says that wealthy Chinese individuals, with limited investment opportunities at home, have increased their overseas investment rapidly as they have sought to diversify portfolios, seek capital security and find a foothold in international markets. Mainland China, when combined with Hong Kong, is the

second largest source of cross border real estate investment in the world after the United States, the report points out. From 2013 to date, $23.7 billion cross border investment has flowed from China and Hong Kong but money invested directly from Hong Kong is now down 42per cent on 2007 volumes, while Chinese direct investment is up 1,165per cent. “Private capital is particularly important in the domestic Chinese market. China saw $152 billion private capital investment in the year to October 2013, “according to RCA, accounting for half of all transactions in the period.

This is well ahead of even the US, where private capital transactions stood at $85 billion in the year to date, accounting for 34% of all transactions,’ said Paul Tostevin, residential research associate at Savills. He explained that it is this private capital, particularly money flowing into domestic property, that was in the first wave of Chinese cross border investment. Those Chinese with overseas business interests were among the first to invest abroad, followed by a second wave of buyers seeking property for their offspring, often bases for student chil-

dren, or to achieve permanent residency. “These buyers sought out established, international markets in jurisdictions that have cultural ties with China or with a large Chinese migrant population. Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, have been followed by other top tier global cities with Chinese diasporas such as Vancouver, London and Los Angeles,” explained Tostevin. “We anticipate that a third wave of investors seeking income will follow, chasing higher yields in a wider range of locations than previously,” he added.

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HOMES & PROPERTY

Appeal Court backs fresh evidence in Abuja land feud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 1809, Cadastral Zone AO4, Asokoro, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The fact of the matter is that the subject matter under contention was formerly known as plot No. 865 (now plot No. 1809) within the Cadastral Zone ‘’A04’’, situate in Asokoro, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The first respondent, Malami, by an irrevocable power of attorney, appointed the fifth respondent, Offor to take possession, manage and administer the said property on his behalf. Furthermore, FCT, the second, and FCDA, the third, FCDA respondents subsequently revoked the plot in favour of the fourth respondent, Aliyu. Consequently, Malami initiated a suit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on 9th March 2010 against the second, third and fourth respondents claiming declaration and injunctive reliefs against them Part of the claims were that, the plaintiff, who is a retired Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria resides at No. 25 N’djamena Street, Wuse II, Abuja, FCT. It was also stated that the first and the second defendants administered land in the FCT, while the third defendant is a natural person to whom the

first defendant purportedly re-allocated the disputed plot. On the 8th day of June, 2010 Mr. Imohkhuede Ohikuare, applied to be joined as the fourth defendant in the suit on the grounds that he derived title since the year 2000 from Aliyu, the fourth defendant and that he had long developed it, hence he had an interest in the subject matter in dispute. The application was granted on 1st July, 2010 and Mr. Imonkhuede Ohikuare became the defendant in the suit. Paragraph 14 of the amended statement of claim sought the following reliefs against the first– 3third respondents: A declaration that the notice of revocation of undeveloped plots within Federal Capital City dated the 5th day of October, 2005 and signed by Oni, O.A. for the Minister (FCT) in respect of Plot No. 865 (now plot No. 1809) within Cadastral Zone ‘’A04,’’ Asokoro, Abuja, FCT is null. A declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to a new/recertified Certificate of Occupancy in respect of plot No. 865 (now plot No. 1809). An order of court setting aside the notice of revocation of undeveloped plots… and an order of court mandating the first defendant to issue to the plaintiff a new/recertified Certificate of Occupancy in respect of plot No. 865… An order of court setting

Eyinfunjowo becomes Ogun NIOB chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 sional bodies like the Nigerian Institute of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Nigerian Institute of Surveyors, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and the Nigerian Institute of Building among others cannot be overemphasized. Mrs. Adekunle stated that the determination to address this anomaly is one of the reasons the State government introduced the Home Ownership Programme, calling on the professionals to support the government in the quest to correct all illegalities of the past. “It is in realisation of the sub-standard nature and illegal position of many buildings in our State that has made the present administration in the state, ably led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to introduce the Home Ownership Programme to correct the anomalies in our structure and correct the illegalities of the past. The onus therefore lies on professionals as a major stakeholder to rise to the occasion and come to the rescue by encouraging home owners to embrace the laudable Home Owners’ Charter Programme of the state Government”, Mrs Adekunle tasked Speaking in the same vein, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, tasked members of the NIOB not to relent in efforts at ensuring building standard that would stand the test of time and improve socio-economic value. “I want to appreciate the

dynamism of the Institute, while enjoining members not to relent in their contribution to the state Homeowners Charter Programme, by encouraging Landlords to benefit from the huge discount in the building plan approval and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to become bonafide owners”, the Speaker a p p e a l e d . On his part, Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi commended the Institute for collaborating with the government in encouraging building standard and called for continued enlightenment of artisans in the building sector. “We should continue to enlighten artisans in the building sector, such as the bricklayers, carpenters, building materials association, through training so as to enhance their efficiency” Adejobi noted. In his acceptance remark, the new State Chairman of NIOB, Mr. Sikiru applauded the state government’s initiative on the Home Charter programme which he said would correct abnormalities which often lead to building coll a p s e . He affirmed that the Institute was prepared to support the programme, saying “we shall continue to support the government and offer services free of charge to reduce tension of those who are struggling to become house owners”. Awards of Excellence were later presented to notable professionals in recognition of their contributions to the growth of building industry in the State.

aside any allocation to the third defendant by the first defendant of plot No. 865… Also, the plaintiff also wanted an order of court setting aside the purported sale of the property by the FCDA to Aliyu for being null and void ab initio. In addition, the plaintiff wanted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from inhibiting or disturbing plaintiff’s possession and equanimity over the controversial property, while also sought for a sum of N20,000,000 (Twenty Million naira) only against the defendants jointly and severally for their wrongful conduct against the plaintiff. During the pendency of the appeal, Ofor brought an application to be joined as a party interested/respondent on the grounds he had an equitable interest in the property by virtue of an irrevocable power of attorney executed in his favour by he first respondent and added that the judgment of

the lower court had since been executed in his favour and he was in possession of the subject matter in dispute. The Appeal Court granted the application and thus Ofor became the fifth respondent. At this point the appellant aid he had discovered fresh evidence, which was not available to him while the case was on trial, and therefore sought for court’s permission to tender. But counsel to the first and fifth respondent, Mr. Udechukwu (SAN) vehemently opposed this request. According to the appellant’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, these evidences further led credence to his position that the high court verdict was gotten under fraud and that the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain the suit abinitio. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), alleged that these facts were conceded while the trial lasted. Ruling on the argument, their lordships, who having reviewed the submissions of counsel, said: “it seems to me

therefore if there is an allegation that a party in the lower court obtain “Leave is therefore granted the appellant to file and argue additional grounds of appeal to amend the brief of argument in line with the prayers in the motion paper… The appellant/applicant is entitled to n50,000.00 cost against the first and fifth respondents”, Justice Joseph Tina Tur, who read the lead judgment concluded. At the centre of the whole issue are three interests including Malami, Ofor and Ohikhuare. While both Malami and Ohikhuare are claiming the ownership of the disputed plot, Ofor’s stake is that Malami’s power of attorney is now in his custody. And the appeal is against a judgment of Justice A.S. Umar of the Abuja High Court, who has been accused of bias and miscarriage of justice in a suit initiated by Malami against Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Development Authority

(FCDA), one Mohammed Habib Aliyu and Ohikhuare. Malami claimed that FDCA had in 1984 allocated the plot to him. Then, a dispute arose between the duo and that led the former to sue the FCT Minister and FCDA in 2007. The suit was however, withdrawn and consequently struck out by the then trial Judge, Mr. U. A. Inyang on September 17, 2009. Ohikhuare claims to have purchased the land from former Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Habibu Aliyu at N50 million in 2006 after conducting the required legal search at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). According to him, at the time of purchase, he said the search conducted showed that the land was free from any encumbrance, and then went on to perfect his title documents. He added that he also obtained, in 2006, development and building approvals from the FCDA, upon paying all the requisite fees and charges.

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HOMES & PROPERTY

Dubai property prices to rise 10-15% in 2014, says report Real Estate ROPERTY price rise in P Dubai will continue to be much higher than rest of the world in 2014 though it will slow down compared to 2013, according to a new report. Knight Frank’s Prime Global Forecast report reveals that Dubai will top of the list for global cities that will witness double digit price growth in 2014. Liam Bailey, Global Head of Residential Research, states in the report that Dubai will see prices jump by 10 to 15 per cent in 2014 driven mostly by Expo 2020 development, buyer incentives and a relaxation of cooling measures. But in the last quarter of 2013, Dubai doubled the property registration fee to 4 per cent, the UAE Central Bank

announced mortgage caps for both expatriates and nationals and Emaar, Dubai’s largest developer, banned real estate agents from selling on off-plan property before completion to cool down the m a r k e t . “All of this has come into play in order to ease residential price growth in the emirate, which so far this year has been running at a rate of 18-22 per cent year-on-year,” Bailey s a i d . “Although there are signs that transaction volumes have fallen back since the introduction of these measures – which should dampen the quarterly rate of increase in the final three months of this year – we suspect that price growth will quicken again in the early part of 2 0 1 4 . ”

Earlier this year, global banking giants have confirmed that Dubai is not experiencing a property bubble and the market has been driven by growing sound economic growth and rising expatriate population, which will rise as employment opportunities soar in the run up to Expo 2020. Goldman Sachs Group has stated that fears of Dubai’s real estate market experiencing a bubble are “exaggerated”, stating property prices were still 36 per cent below their 2008 peak even after rising by about a-third from a low in the second quarter of 2011. Bailey, however, said home buyers have been showing signs of taking a “wait-andsee” approach – not surprising in view of the new cooling

measures and the fact that prices are quickly approaching previous highs. Following Dubai is Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney and Paris – markets that will show a price rise in the range of 5 to 10 per cent. London will see only a price rise of less than five per cent, while New York will remain stable. Singapore and Geneva will see prices fall by less than five per cent, while Hong Kong will be prices the maximum price decline of 5 to 10 per c e n t . Bailey asserted that the Eurozone debt crisis is not the overriding concern that it was a year ago instead rising interest rates and government intervention in the form of buyer restrictions now pose the greatest threat to luxury residential markets w o r l d w i d e .

Dubai Marina, recently

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HOMES & PROPERTY Investors, developers plan reform for nation’s retail sector, form group Facility Management TAKEHOLDERS in the retail Scourse business are charting a new that will promote the development of the sector and establish a networking platform to harmonise the interest of the various players as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry in the country. They met at a one day stakeholders’ forum organised by the Alpha Mead Facilities and Management Services (AM Facilities), in partnership with Cluttons LLP, in Lagos. A major highlight of the forum was an agreement by the stakeholders to launch the Nigerian chapter of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). RILA is a trusted source dedicated to telling the retail

industry’s story and informing lawmakers of the impact and consequences of the decisions they make. “For us in Nigeria, having such an association will also go a long way to help improve the credibility of the industry, build confidence in the international community and help to attract the best among the global players in the industry to Nigeria, according to the Managing Director, AM Facilities, Mr. Femi Akintunde. The event, which had as its theme, “Adopting Global Best Practices For Retail Centre Development and Management In Nigeria”, was designed to create a forum for key playersin the retail industry to network, deliberate and seek solutions to the perennial developmental hitches prevalent in Nigeria’s retail sector. It additionally sought to galva-

nize the stakeholders into pressure groups that would lobby for favourable government policies in the Nigerian retail market. In his opening remarks, Akintunde, stressed the need for players in the retail sector to collaborate to form an association that will systematically grow the retail industry in Nigeria. Also speaking at the event, Head of International, Cluttons LLP, Ian Gladwin noted that there were great opportunities here in Nigeria. He said: “Nigeria has great potential. Indeed, there is synergy with the retail market in the Middle East, and that is why we are here to share lessons from the Middle East and also to use the platform to enter into an emerging market like Nigeria.

Mr. Kenny McCrae, Director Facility Manageement Division; Engr. Femi Akintunde, Managing Director, Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Ltd and MR. IAN Gladwin, Head of International, Cluttons LLP.

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Akwa Ibom launches Uyo erosion control project Projects From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo fears being FUyoOLLOWING expressed by residents of metropolis on the likelihood of flooding in the Akwa Ibom State capital, the government has awarded contract for the control of the floods to Messrs Julius Berger. Under the holistic approach being dopted by the state authorities, the firm is adopting new system known as the pipe jacking system for erosion control within the 2.8 kilometre underground system meant to control erosion around Itam Junction, Calabar Itu Road, part of Ikot Ekpene Road, Tabernacle Road, Itam Motor Park and its environs. The project includes Uruan Street underground drainage that would safe haven for residents of Uruan Street, Oron Road by Uyo High School, part of Ewet Housing, part of Udo Umana Street, Ikot Abasi Street, Ewet Street, Atakpo Street, Nwaniba Road, Udo Ikpe Street, Orok Close, Urua Udofia Street and its environs. The ongoing drainage control construction across the Tropicana Entertainment Center he explained, would go through to Afaha Ibesikpo Aka Nung Udoe Road near Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, which when complete would safe Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Oron Road Intersection by Methodist Church, part of Ewet Housing through the newly constructed road within Ewet Housing, part of Edet Akpan Avenue, House of Assembly, Banking layout, Union Park, 100 Housing Unit, Tropicana, part of Osongama Housing Estate, Bassey Akpan Street. Another ongoing construction being handled by Julius Berger, according to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Matters, Mr. Etido Inyang who is also the Chairman of a committee set up by the Governor to assess the problem of erosion in the state, the project also includes the stadium area, the State Secretariat Complex, Federal Housing through Ukpong Ube Street by IBB Way, part of Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Aka-Etinan Road, C-Division Police Station, Atan Offot Community, part of Abak Road, Ukana Offot, Port Harcourt Street, Aka Community and its environs. The ongoing erosion control along Domoinic Utuk Avenue the Special Adviser would take care of Dominic Utuk, Udo Ekpe Street, Utang, Ekpo Obot, Gibbs Street, part of Paul Bassey Street, while similar control measure going on along Ikpa Road would safe Ikpa Road, Eka, Ikot Ekpene Road, Ekpanya, Ibiam, Itu Road, Udo Ette Street. Taking journalists on tour of erosion control sites across the city, the SA who was accompanied by Mr. Enobong Uwa, Commissioner for Environment and Mr. Aniekan Umana, Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the pipe jacking system of erosion control employed by the State Government was not meant to cover all of Uyo metropolis. “We need to emphasizes this because recently it was on internet that the pipe jacking

system was to handle all erosion problem in the state, it is not possible to design the pipe jacking system to go through all of Uyo metropolis”, he said Based on the erosion menace that ravage most areas within the metropolis in 2013, the governor set up a committee headed by Mr. Inyang, according to him, the committee had to involve the services of Ette Aro and Partners to produce a workable master plan that would serve as a road map for a permanent solution to erosion control in Uyo m e t r o p o l i s . “This is important for us to see because these are ongoing and not completed, that is why we see flooding around these areas, once the 3rd Ring Road discharge is completed and we connect all these arteries, we will not have this issues again”, he said. He appealed to land developers not to build on flood plains and channels, noting that such always impede the free flow of water thereby causing flooding once its r a i n s . Corroborating the Special Adviser, the commissioner for Information and Communication Mr. Aniekan Umanah appealed to residents of the city to appreciate government efforts so far in checking erosion menace, stressing that, this problem did not just start with governor Akpabio’s administration. Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Works, Mr. Don Etim said, contrary to speculations on high cost of

constructing most roads in the state by the construction giant, Julius Berger, the state was getting six and half per cent reduction in prices of its project compared to the Federal Government. He said the governor preference for foreign contractors stemmed from his passion for quality, timely completion of jobs and jobs that would stand the test of time. "We are even getting a lower cost from some of the construction giants, for instance, Julius Berger charges Akwa Ibom State government six and half per cent less than what it is charges the federal government. We force Julius Berger to bring in a lot of features in the construction of our road." he said. On the failed federal road in Oron council area, Etim assured Oron residents that the collapsed Oron road would soon be fixed, saying Governor Godswill Akpabio has directed Nigerpet, a construction company, handling road project in the state to move into the area.

On-going erosion project in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

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HOMES & PROPERTY Ondo wants maintenance culture as N2.1b Ugbe-Iboropa-Ise road opens Roads By Tunde Alao NDER its pledge of U regenerating the state’s infrastructure, the Ondo State Government last week delivered a N2.1billion UgbeIboropa-Ise road project, which authorities say would boost economic activities in the ‘Sunshine State.’ The state government had in 2011 awarded the 22.3kilometre road project in Ikare area of Ondo metropolis to Messrs Kopeck Engineering Nigeria Limited. The road had for 20years been neglected and consequently dilapidated. The state reconstruct it for the benefit of the masses. The Guardian learnt that the road, which gulped a whopping N2.1billion is so significant as it connects to Kabba, Kogi State from west end and Ekiti from another end. The Ondo State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Gboye Adegbenro, said the dual carriage way road was designed in a way that the entire stretch is free of water lodging on any section, because despite being a long high way, drainage facility was provided where necessary. Besides, a major bridge that cost N145 million was also constructed, while parking spaces equally provided in few areas incase there is break down of vehicles. “We took time to ensure that the road meets the best international prac-

The new look Ondo State, recently

Mimiko hinted that the goal of his administration is to construct, rehabilitate and expand 104 of roads, with asphalt lay across the state in 2014, while 753 roads are being targeted to be completed before the expiration of his tenure tices. Despite that the road is a long road, we ensure that drainages are provided where necessary. This is to ensure that the infrastructure is free from retaining water anytime it rains”, said the Adegbenro.

He listed other major ongoing road projects to include Ikare-Arigidi; Ajagba Okitipupa and Ondo Township Road dualisation among others, and promised that all road projects embarked upon would be completed before the expi-

ration of the current administration. He specifically emphasised that the Ondo Township road, slated to be completed last year was delayed for certain reasons, but added that it will be completed before

the end of first quarter of 2014. The Commissioner urged the federal government to expedite action on the payment of N9.1b it promised to pay to the state. In his address during the official commissioning of the road, Governor Mimiko, said the contract for the road was awarded in March 2011, with the hope of its completion in 2012, which he described as “promise made, promise kept”. According to him, the com-

pletion of the road, apart from impacting positively on the socio-economic condition of the people in the area and beyond, would definitely improve the safety of commuters and their goods significantly. “The importance of this road cannot be overemphasized. Apart from improving farming activities of the people, its early completion would also enhance commercial activities, thus, providing more opportunities for the economic empowerment of the youth, women and also improving safety of all road users”, said Mimiko adding that maintenance of vehicles would be minimized in terms of cost. He informed the gathering that included notable traditional rulers and political leaders, the intention of his administration to complete major roads that need either expansion, rehabilitation, or outright construction across the state, noting that N11 billion was budgeted for infrastructure development in 2014. “We intend to construct, rehabilitate and expand 104 of roads, with asphalt lay across the state in 2014, while 753 roads are being targeted to be completed before the expiration of the tenure of this administration”. The Governor tasked the traditional leaders to ensure that they take possession of the road and ensure that infrastructure in the state are not subjected to abuse by the users.

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HOMES & PROPERTY Dangote Cement urges SON to adopt new standard for local producers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 grade cement, Mr Edwin said that prior to the nation attaining self-sufficiency in cement production, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stipulated the 42.5 grade as the grade accepted one to be imported into the country and all importers complied. His words: “Dangote Cement as a responsible market leader has continued to produce 42.5 grade in its three plants in strict adherence to the stipulations of the SON.” Represented by the Director, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Ekanem Etim, he wondered why SON should insist on 42.5 grade as the standard for import and then allow a lower grade in terms of local production. “How come during the import era, we are all compelled by the regulatory authorities to bring in 42.5 grades and now since 2012 when import was banned, the same regulatory authorities condoned the production of 32.5 grades” New dimension was also added to the controversy as some other cement manufacturers also rejected recent claim from some quarters that poor cement quality is responsible for the increasing menace of building collapse in the country, while calling attention to the need to improve construction practices. In a statement from the representatives of Ashaka Cement Plc, Lafarge WAPCO Plc, Northern Cement Company of Nigeria, Sokoto and United Cement Company Plc, Calabar, they said: “It has been suggested that cement products should be limited and some removed from the market. Products such as 32.5 have actually been part of building Nigeria for the last 54 years and are used widely throughout the world. Limiting product choices will not be good for the consumer and will send the industry backwards and away from current international trend.” While assuring that the cement manufacturing community will “continue to support all initiatives in conjunction with other stakeholders to eradicate building collapse,” they added, “the Nigerian cement industry is one of the most modern in Africa, with significant new technology and capacity recently installed. Cement quality conforms to the highest international standards and the industry is constantly working with the regulatory authorities (Standards Organization of Nigeria) to ensure up to date testing, certification of products and quality norms”. The manufacturers insisted last week that the cement industry in Nigeria is “committed to the sustainability of construction and we share public concern regarding the menace of building collapse.” On the possible cause of building collapse, they said: “Experience throughout the world has shown very clearly that cement quality is not the source of building collapse rather, the root cause is most frequently related to

poor construction practices. The level of skill, education and awareness in the construction sector must be improved” The statement, noted some of the past and on-going efforts of the cement manufacturers to address the issue “There have also been several programs in conjunction with SON to educate and certify block makers and masons. We are committed to organizing even more education and awareness in this area and have recently participated with the Ministry of works to pursue this initiative” The cement manufacturers said that the Nigerian cement industry is leading the way in Africa in high quality by providing innovative products and solutions, which are required by a

growing construction sector. “We believe fundamentally that consumers should have a choice of products to suit their needs and applications. Current and future standards should continue to ensure that there is a good environment for choice, competition and quality. It is a fact that in the last few years, there has been more innovation and product choice, which have actually generated price reductions for end users.” Reacting to claims by a cross section of cement manufacturers that the root cause of building collapse is not cement quality but poor use of materials especially 32.5 grade by builders, Mr. Edwin advocated that the best way to ensure safety in the construction industry is to insist on 42.5 as the grade

to be produced and used in Nigeria. He explained that after seminars and training to educate builders on how to use 32.5 grade in building, the unscrupulous ones among them still cut corners to cheat on quality. This incidence of building collapse will be greatly reduced if we adhere to a common quality specification leaving no opportunity for manipulations, he contended. On the claims that switching over to 42.5 grades would impact negatively on their profit margins by some cement manufacturers, Edwin debunked the claims, saying that producing the grade will lead to a marginal cost increase and it should be seen as a patriotic gesture to stem the tide of building collapse. “We place a high premium on human lives

and not cost. Nothing on earth can be substituted for human lives. Those arguing that migrating from 32.5 to 42.5 will erode their profit margin are insincere and selfish as human lives are more important than profit taking.” As part of promoting best practices in the building industry, Mr Edwin said that Dangote Cement in the past two years has held several trainings and demonstrations with blockmakers across the nation to educate them on how to achieve premium results using the 42.5 cement grade. This has become a permanent feature in our operations. Giving a breakdown of the different grades of cement available, he noted that 92 per cent of Portland Cement produced in the United

States , are in 52.5 and 42.5 Grades, while other imported cement from China, Japan, Denmark and Paris are all 42.5 Grade. He said: “Over 90 per cent of consumers are not aware of the different types of cement available in Nigeria. Their expectations in respect to the performance of cement are the same regardless of the type. The grade (quality) of concrete to be used may allow 32.5 grade cement for certain construction work such as pavements, rendering (plastering) and culverts but would demand 42.5 grade cement for structures, columns, bridges and multi storeyed buildings.” Efforts to get SON’s Director General, Dr. Joseph Odumosu reaction proved abortive.

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TheEnvironment World’s megacities have power to accelerate climate action, says report

Govt expends N100 billion on Gurara Dam project Water Resources From Joke Falaju and John Okeke, Abuja HE Minister of Water Resource, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has said that the Federal Government has so far expended the sum N100 billion on the ongoing multipurpose Gurara Dam project situated between Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. The projects according to her, would provide water for agriculture and other industrial purposes. The Minister who said this during the inspection tour to the site in Kaduna State stressed that the agricultural potentials of the project would provide food to the entire country. “The Dam is not just going to provide water for domestic use to FCT but we can also use the water for agriculture and industrial p u r p o s e s . ” “You can just imagine the amount of food that will be cultivated here not just to service the immediate environment of the FCT and Kaduna State but also other parts of Nigeria.” “The Dam is located between two big cities in Nigeria, the Federal Capital City and also Kaduna . Just mid-way in between the two cities and so it holds a lot of potentials especially the agricultural part of it with 6,000 hectares of land with irrigation.” She a d d e d . The Multipurpose Gurara project will satisfy the FCT water demand, produce electricity for Kaduna city, allow development of modern irrigation areas for intensive agriculture in the Gurara valley and will boost the tourism potential of the surrounding communities. Ochekpe who said that the financial constrains was the major challenge for the completion of the projects stressed that the Dam have the capacity of supplying 30 mega watts of electricity to Kaduna State and it’s environ. “This Dam would have been completed long ago but there were funding issues but we are very appreciative of the measures taken to provide money for the completion of the project, which was released in 2012 and that has made the contractors to work earnestly toward the completion of the project.” “We have 30 mega watts of electricity that has been generated from here. About 319 towers will be erected for the transmission line to evacuate the power from here to Kaduna industrial estate.” The lake is about 50 meters deep and 6km downstream with ongoing pilot irrigation project, adding that the system consists of water supply from the dam through feeder pipes. The Lower Usuma Dam Water Supply project in Abuja, is expected to interconnect with the Gurara River Basin when completed.

Megacities like Lagos can build more livable, more sustainable cities for today’s children and future generations

The Environment HE world’s megacities have T the power to accelerate climate action on a transforma-

tive scale, according to new research published by the C40 Cities group last week. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) has released a report showing that the world’s megacities— roughly defined as cities with a total population of more than 10 million—are fast expanding efforts to curb climate change, such as implementing tough energy efficiency standards for build. s g n i The group represents 600 million people worldwide, five per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 21 percent of gross domestic product, according to the C40 website. Cape Town, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi joined the group this week, according to a statement released today, bringing the total C40 membership to 66. Mayors and top officials from more than 45 cities are taking part in the summit, hosted for the first Africa. in time The report, Climate Action in Megacities Volume 2.0, was developed in partnership with Arup to demonstrate how city mayors have the power to enact climate action on a wide scale, by analyzing trends across key sectors and l o c a t i o n s . With a growing awareness of climate change putting pressure on nations to reduce car-

Cities have also progressed in their efforts to address climate change. Of course, cities do this in a more granular way than national governments, because cities know what sustainability means on the ground, in every home, along every highway and every street, in every building and every recreation area bon emissions, the C40 is a group of mayors and senior officials from leading cities around the world that focus on climate-related actions that can be taken locally to help address climate change g l o b a l l y . C40 Chair and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, said: “Mayors have real power to cut emissions and improve climate resilience, and they are taking action. C40’s networks and efforts on measurement and reporting are accelerating city-led action at a transformative scale around the world.” Highlights from the report include: 98 per of reporting cities indicate that climate change presents significant risks to their city; the number of climate actions collectively taken has doubled to over 8,000; 90 per cent of respondents say they are taking actions to reduce emissions from outdoor lighting; actions to improve energy efficiency in buildings account for more than 20per cent of activities across all sectors reported on; and with an average of 175 actions per city,

North America reported more climate action than any other region. The C40 Climate Leadership Group is a network of leading cities from around the world which are addressing climate change, that The Climate Group helped initiate in 2005. This week the C40 are gathered in Johannesburg for the fifth biennial C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Mayor’s Summit where the report was released. “Hosting this C40 summit is a privilege for the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, and the African continent”, said Johannesburg Mayor Tau. “As mayors of big cities, we have a responsibility to provide leadership and to share our experiences, best practice and capacity for innovation with the rest of the globe. We take action on this front because of our shared conviction that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In the end, we are measured not by how much we undertake, but by what we finally accomp l i s h . ” Speaking at the Summit in

Johannesburg today, Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC highlighted the influence of city mayors such as NYC’s former mayor Michael Bloomberg and former C40 Chair. In her address transcript, Figueres said: “Last year we were all shocked by the power of destruction of Hurricane Sandy on New York, but not all were brave enough to publicly make the link to the growing waves of devastation of climate change. Mayor Bloomberg was clear and public in his assessment. “May I congratulate you Mayor Bloomberg for your courage, and for the ambitious ‘Stronger and More Resilient New York’ plan that you developed after the storm. I am delighted that the Secretary-General of the UN recently named you Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. May I publicly warn you that I will be frequently knocking on your door.” She spotlighted cities’ unique understanding of environmental efforts: “Cities have also progressed in their efforts to address climate change. Of course, cities do this in a more granular way than national governments, because cities know what sustainability means on the ground, in every home, along every highway and every street, in every building and every recreation area.” Figueres concluded by addressing the gathered city leaders with: “[...] I thank you for all you are doing in the present to address the urban

and the climate change agendas simultaneously. And I thank you for what you are planning to do in the future to build more livable, more sustainable cities for today’s children and future generations.” “Mayors have real power to cut emissions and improve climate resilience, and they are taking action,” C40 chairman, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, said at the release of the report at the group’s Mayors Summit in Johannesburg today. “C40’s networks and efforts on measurement and reporting are accelerating city-led action at a transformative scale around the world.” “If cities do not grip the issue of climate change, we will fail to address climate change,” Andrew Steer, president and CEO of World Resources Institute, said. While leaders in national government often do not realize the effects and urgency of climate change, mayors realize it, Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia, said. “We will have to drive national policy,” Nutter said. “On so many issues there is such gridlock at federal level that it must be driven at the local level and that is where most of these things happen.” The group plans to set up a City Director in the next two years to which cities can apply for staff resources to help with climate priorities. It will also ask the United Nations to include a specific urban target among its sustainable development goals, Paes said.

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THE ENVIRONMENT Lambertini named WWF Director General Conservation N international non-govA ernmental organization working on issues regarding

President, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Izoma Philip Asiodu (left), Desert Warrior, Newton Jibunor, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) and Galadima Nguroje, Alhaji Sani Muhammed at the two-day workshop on private sector participation in National Parks in Lagos.

NCF seeks private sector partnership to boost eco-tourism in National Parks Conservation By Tunde Alao MID challenges facing National Parks, nature conservationists and tourist investors have moved to facilitate private sector partnership to boost eco-tourism in the country. The parks have been bedeviled with heavy poaching, habitat degradation, infrastructure decay as well as managerial and administrative constraints including weak human and technical capacity and poor funding among others. A two- day workshop was organized for stakeholders recently in Lagos, to kick start the processes that will lead to the private sector participation in National Parks in Nigeria. Facilitated by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), with the support of T.Y Holdings, the workshop

involved officials of National Parks, representatives of African Parks and Wilderness Safari and other Nigerian based non-governmental organizations. The aim was to review the challenges and opportunities for private sector involvement in National Parks planning, management and development, Identification of best practices and institutional arrangements for private sector participation in National Parks and, developing action plans for private sector participation in National Parks, using some National Parks as entry points for action. General Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) said that his interest is to see how Nigerian national parks will be compared with other parks in the developed countries in terms of infrastructures, protection and attraction to tourists. “It is becoming an urgent thing to do, we must deploy every

resources needed and other intervention required to ensure that we maintain and sustain our nation heritages”, said Danjuma. The NCF President, Chief Philip Asiodu said, “we are all aware of the critical value of national parks in protecting biodiversity, and for education and research. We are becoming aware of the great potentials for eco-tourism of Gashaka Gumti, Kainji and Cross River National Parks. However, very significant investments are required in order to exploit these potentials and realize the income flows which wisely will improve the welfare of the communities around these parks, and also help in protecting the parks and financing education and research. “Environmental conservation is still abstract to many of the current leaders in all tiers of government. It is even more so amongst the newly emerging

groups of moneyed men, who would rather spend on something else than donating to the course of nature conservation. ”. The Conservator-General of Nigeria, Alhaji Haruna Thanko Abubakar said that, though the Nigerian National Parks are under the exclusive legislative list and managed by the Federal Government through the National Parks Service, the law governing the National Parks service is open to private sector participation to boost eco-tourism in National Parks. Some of the action plans drawn at the end of the workshop to be implemented between February, 2014 and June 2015 included: the review of the law establishing the National Parks Service ensure possibilities of a working relationship between the National Parks Service and potential investors in Gashaka - Gumti, Kainji and Cross River National Parks.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, others win $1m environment prize The Environment HE organisers of the presT tigious Zayed International Prize for the Environment Award have announced His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco as one of the global winners of the most valuable international environmental award worth US$ 1 million. A renowned conservationist and advocate for the earth’s marine and polar environments, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was honoured for the prolific environmental work carried out by the Prince Albert II Foundation, which he founded in 2006 after traveling to the North Pole and witnessing the effects of climate change on the Arctic’s weakening ice. The Foundation has tackled

A renowned conservationist and advocate for the earth's marine and polar environments, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was honoured for the prolific environmental work carried out by the Prince Albert II Foundation a number of issues related to biodiversity, water security and energy efficiency. It took up the protection of the Bluefin tuna in 2008, and, as a result of its efforts, a moratorium on the fish has been implemented in Monaco - the world’s first ‘Bluefin tuna free’ country. Winners of the other two Zayed awards-the 2nd category for Scientific and or Technological Achievement in Environment and the 3rd for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society-were also announced.

The 2nd Category is jointly shared between:- Dr. Ashok Khosla (India) , Founder of the Development Alternatives group (DA), whose mission is to help make national development strategies in India more environmentally and socially sustainable. Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid (Malaysia), Co-Chair of the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report, he was instrumental in developing a number of the report’s key findings, including the fact that humans have changed

ecosystems more rapidly over the past 50 years than in any comparable period of human history. The third Category is jointly shared between:- Paula Caballero Gómez (Colombia), Director of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs for Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under her leadership, Colombia was an early proponent of the SDGs, which rapidly evolved as one of the most significant outcomes of the Rio+20 Summit. The Zayed International Prize for the Environment was established in 1999 by UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to acknowledge the environmental commitment of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, hWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has announced the appointment of Dr Marco Lambertini as Director General of WWF I n t e r n a t i o n a l . Currently Chief Executive of BirdLife International, Marco will begin his new role with the global conservation organization on May 1, 2014. President of the WWF International Board of Trustees, Yolanda Kakabadse said: “Dr Marco Lambertini was the outstanding candidate in a broad field of exceptional applicants. We were searching for someone with proven global leadership credentials as well as a global mindset, first-class scientific and political acumen, someone who is an energetic fundraiser, a campaigner and a natural communicator, who demonstrates the passion and drive to save life on Earth. “Marco ticks all of these boxes and more. On behalf of my colleagues on the WWF International Board of Trustees, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Marco to WWF.” With 25 years of global conservation leadership, Marco

Lambertini Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy. Prior to his current role as Chief Executive of BirdLife International, Marco was Global Director of Network and Programme for over a decade. That role saw him broaden BirdLife’s global reach and relevance, and develop decentralized structures for most effective global conservation impact. Dr Marco Lambertini said: “I am delighted and incredibly excited to serve an organization like WWF – and to contribute to fully realize its immense potential as a catalyst and agent for change for the benefit of people and n a t u r e .

UNISDR welcomes Bloomberg appointment Disaster Management HE vital role of cities as T engines of climate resilience has been recognised with the appointment of the former mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg, as Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, by United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon. The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlström, said: “Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership in reducing New York’s disaster risks has been exemplary. During his time as mayor, he made urban sustainability and resilience a priority, demonstrating that cities on the frontline of disaster risk can innovate and adapt quickly. This appointment will provide a great boost to the mayors and other leaders representing the 1,600 cities and towns participating in UNISDR’s Making Cities C a m p a i g n . ” Mr. Bloomberg served for 12 years as the 108th mayor of New York City until December 31, 2013. He convened the first New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) in 2008, a body of leading risk management experts, climatologists and social scientists to help accomplish the goals outlined in PlaNYC, the City’s long term sustainability plan. He convened the second Panel following Hurricane Sandy in January 2013 with the aim of increasing the resiliency of communities, city wide systems, and infrastructure to a range of climate risks. The NPCC is obliged to meet twice a year to review recent scientif-

Bloomberg ic data on climate change and its potential impacts and to advise the City’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability on a communications strategy related to climate science. In this new role, he is set to work with mayors and mobilize action among cities to combat climate change and increase urban resilience. Elina Palm who heads UNISDR’s New York office said: “The Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability launched PlaNYC in 2007 under which sections of the city were rebuilt, rezoned and refashioned to better cope with hazards. “One of Mayor Bloomberg’s outstanding achievements was to ensure that disaster risk reduction became a priority for the city with a strong institutional basis for implementation as recommended in the Hyogo Framework for Action, the international agreement on disaster risk reduction. “

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Improved infrastructural investment will

Omotowa

Babs Omotowa is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Nigeria LNG Limited. In this interview with ROSELINE OKERE, he believes investments in infrastructure would help curb gas flaring in Nigeria. IGERIA LNG has been able to position N the country as one of the most successful gas exporters at the global level. How have you been able to achieve this feat? The story of NLNG started more than 40 years ago, when the Federal Government, through NNPC along with several international companies like Shell, BP, Elf, Agip, Phillips, worked on setting up two separate LNG projects in Nigeria. Over several decades, technology, innovation and market volatility made gas a much more valuable resource globally and with the additional determination of the Nigerian Government to diversify its economy, one of the two LNG projects became a reality. Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) Limited was incorporated in May 1989 and Final Investment Decision (FID) for Trains one and two was taken in 1995 and first LNG shipment left Bonny in October 1999. Now, 14 years after more than 3,000 cargoes have now been delivered to locations across North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We also dedicate 250,000 metric tonnes per annum of LPG (cooking gas) to the domestic market and since 2008, have kept the cooking gas market alive in Nigeria, supplying over 70 per cent of the requirement. In addition, we currently own the largest fleet of vessels in Nigeria with 23 LNG carriers directly owned and through long-term finance leases. This has also helped keep the Nigeria shipping industry in the international arena where our vessels operate and are manned mainly by Nigerians These achievements are due largely to

shared vision within our company, the hard work and dedication of staff; and cooperation from government and our shareholders, as well as other stakeholders including the communities and our loyal customers all around the world. The NLNG partnership is an inspirational business model for Nigeria as it has enabled us to leverage the best of two worlds - the best of what the international companies can bring in terms of global financing, technical expertise and development of Nigerians and the national oil company has ensured a focus on the Federal Government’s vision. This model also benefits from having an independent board with members of diverse backgrounds, which also enables quick decision-making, in the best interest of Nigeria, whilst operating to international standards. This solid model has been key to our success, and is a model that many stakeholders have recommended for wider adoption in Nigeria. I am truly proud of the achievements of this company, and all contributions of all those who have over the last 15 years made this success story a reality. NLNG has two subsidiary companies. What created the stimulus for that? Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) Limited came into being in 1989 as a subsidiary of NLNG to

provide shipping capacity for delivery of our products to our customers. It owns 13 LNG carriers and recently awarded contracts for the construction of six new ships. What this subsidiary has enabled us to do is to capture more value (shipping elements) in the LNG chain and thus making us more profitable. An interesting story about this subsidiary is that it gave NLNG its first set of revenues, as the ships were acquired before the plant was constructed and we were able to charter them out to generate revenue ahead of the plant’s completion. The NLNG Ship Manning Limited (NSML), was a new subsidiary established in 2008 (recently renamed NLNG Ship Management Limited) within the ambit of realising our vision of resourcing, development and management of shipboard personnel for BGT’s vessels as well as the addition of ship management in 2013. We have so far successfully produced six captains, four chief engineers and more than 170 officers from all the geographical zones of Nigeria. These are brilliant young Nigerian professional seafarers who now have remarkably bright futures ahead of them. The Final Investment Decision (FID) on Train Seven of the company’s LNG plant has suffered delay in the past years. What

Train 7 will boost the company’s total production capacity to 30 million tonnes a year of LNG, create an estimated 17,000 jobs during construction, attract over $10 billion in foreign investment and deliver additional value to government, shareholders, communities and local businesses among others.

is actually responsible for this? The uncertainty and concerns with fiscal and funding have delayed gas exploration and production projects by upstream companies which are required as feedstock for both domestic and export projects. We would certainly wish to see an end to the current uncertainty, and we are encouraged by the responses the industry has received from government at the highest levels, to the effect that the authorities will eventually come out with a win-win situation in which the interests and concerns of all key stakeholders are properly addressed. That said, there is no doubt that Train 7 is an enterprise with significant benefits to Nigeria, and is a project that we believe all stakeholders should pursue with vigour, especially before the windows of opportunities close, as other competing countries such as Australia, Mozambique, Tanzania, US (shale gas) are working to get ahead of us as a country. . Train 7 will boost the company’s total production capacity to 30 million tonnes a year of LNG, create an estimated 17,000 jobs during construction, attract over $10 billion in foreign investment and deliver additional value to government, shareholders, communities and local businesses among others. Along with all our shareholders, we are continuing to intensify efforts to bring this project to fruition. When do you think the final investment decision on Train Seven would be taken? A fair amount of the preliminary work has been initiated and further progress will naturally depend on a number of factors, including firming up feed gas supply plans and obtaining support of all shareholders

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curb gas flaring in Nigeria, says Omotowa NLNG has helped to reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading player in global energy supply and I am very proud of what my predecessors have achieved, as well as the improvements we are adding today. I am a great believer in Nigeria and can say that in spite of today’s challenges, our future remains bright. including government. We are cautiously optimistic that that will be sooner than later. Do you have plans for a possible eighth train in the nearest future? Our immediate focus is the delivery of the next phase of NLNG’s growth programme, which is the addition of a seventh train. When we have achieved that, we can then realistically focus on the next development phases. NLNG has helped reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading player in global energy supply and I am very proud of what my predecessors have achieved, as well as the improvements we are adding today. I am a great believer in Nigeria and can say that in spite of today’s challenges, our future remains bright. Can you assess the company’s contribution to the nation’s investment profile so far? Nigeria invested $2.5 billion in NLNG. Today our plant alone is worth over $13 billion as a result of the foreign direct investment that was attracted by this project. We also own 13 ships mainly financed by FDI and just last year, we awarded contracts for the construction of six ships and further attracted about $1.4billion foreign direct investment in this activity, What is more impressive about all these FDIs, which NLNG has attracted is that, over the last 15 years, we have honoured all our commitments 100 per cent, and have never defaulted. This in itself has been very positive for Nigeria’s image as a destination for FDI. We are proud of these achievements and are confident that when Train 7 is finally approved, we would easily attract further substantial foreign direct investments to Nigeria. Some people are of the opinion that the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill has put some major investments on hold. What is your take on this? Investment will naturally flow towards viable and stable environments and countries. While delay in passage of the bill may have had an impact on the overall momentum for businesses here, we still believe that we shall arrive at a bill which strikes what has been referred to as a “win-win” between government’s interest and the interests of the various other stakeholders whose investments and technical knowhow we rely on in this capital intensive industry. What are the major challenges confronting the company? Firstly, it is gas supply stability to the plant, which in the short term is impacted by the security problems of vandalism and sabotage. In the long term, it is affected by the complexities that are slowing down upstream investments in exploration and production for future gas, which include PIB, funding, project execution and others. Secondly, our plant is maturing and as this happens, making sure that the business remains able to sustain high asset integrity and reliability levels is something we need to continuously focus on. Of course sustaining our talent pool, our plant and infrastructure safe, remains a top priority for us. Gas flaring has remained a challenge in the Nigeria oil and gas sector. How do we resolve this lingering in the country? Sadly, this is a valuable resource being wasted in the face of considerable demand (domestic and export) levels. What is missing is the creation of the right framework

and incentives across the value chain from customers to exploration. Solutions are available and NLNG is an example. Before, we came on board, Nigeria used to flare about 60 per cent of its gas, but now, it is down to about 20 per cent. . With Train 7, we can still do more. . With the right framework and incentives, the power companies for example will be able to similarly contribute to the solution. Tell us a bit about NLNG’s recent face-off with NIMASA, and why did your company eventually pay what it initially called an illegal levy? Let me say for the avoidance of doubt that this matter is presently before the judicial interpretation and as such, it is not a subject I can go into in any detail. Having made this clear, NLNG remains a law abiding corporate citizen, which conducts its business in full accordance with the law and will never aspire to do otherwise. The dispute arose over what appears to be a conflict of interpretation between two laws enacted by the government of Nigeria. As a company, which believes in the rule of law, we believe that the court of law was the most appropriate place to seek correct interpretation of conflicting laws and also to seek protection under the law as any lawabiding entity should. To answer your question more directly, after our operation was forcefully impeded the first time, we sought legal advice and that advice was that we ‘pay under protest’ while we continue to seek protection of our rights as guaranteed under Nigerian law. The disruption of our operations led to direct losses in excess of $1 billion. As said earlier, the matter is before the courts and as a respecter of the law; I cannot go into further details at this time. How has the local content development policy contributed to the success of the company, and how responsive are you to the implementation of the policy in NLNG? Today at NLNG, we point out with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that the Chief Executive, the company’s entire senior management team and more than 95 per cent of the workforce are Nigerians. For us as a company, the local content agenda was driven right from the beginning by the shareholders and the directors, so the company didn’t just arrive here by default. It was a deliberate strategy, and a journey we embarked upon in demonstration of our vision of helping to create a better Nigeria During our construction phase, apart from training more than 11,000 Nigerians, our efforts also resulted in enhanced capacity for many Nigerian companies. We have also generated a number of special initiatives including the NLNG Local Vendors Financing Scheme established in 2013 in collaboration with five Nigerian banks to the tune of $ 1 billion. This scheme facilitates access to funds by NLNG registered contractors and suppliers of goods and services for their NLNG contracts or procurement orders at lower rates. I am also happy at the support we have given to several organisations in the Nigerian maritime sector including the National Maritime Academy at Oron in Akwa Ibom State. In what ways has the company been able to give back to the community where it operates under its to corporate social responsibility programme? NLNG believes in the concept of good

Before we came on board, Nigeria used to flare about 60 per cent of its gas, but now, it is down to about 20 per cent. . With Train 7, we can still do more. . With the right framework and incentives, the power companies for example, will be able to similarly contribute to the solution.

neighbourliness hinged on trust, respect and goodwill. Our unique approach is anchored on the key elements of partnership and sustainability and our programmes fall into two broad categories, namely human capital and business development as well as infrastructure development. Significantly, NLNG, in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Exxon Mobil through the Joint Industry Companies (JIC) currently provides uninterrupted 24 hour power supply to over 200,000 inhabitants and businesses on Bonny Island through a rural electrification project run by the Bonny Utility Company (BUC). BUC is an initiative of NLNG-led JIC which also oversees water supply to the Island. With its N500 million micro-finance scheme, NLNG has brought alive the concept of good neighbourliness in Bonny and 110 contiguous and pipeline communities. The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature: NLNG celebrates excellence in scientific breakthroughs and literary accomplishments through the prizes. The prizes were instituted in 2004 and reward winners with prize money of $100, 000 in each instance. The prizes have so far produced 16 laureates in sciences and literature. We are also engaged in other activities in the areas of business and human capacity development, education, healthcare, and agriculture and infrastructure development. These are some of the ways NLNG continues to use Nigeria’s gas resources to help diversify the economy and deliver benefits to communities and the country as a whole.

Nigeria LNG just exported its 3000th cargo to Turkey. What is the significance of this and what does it mean to the company? I am naturally proud of this milestone which highlights NLNG’s world class performance and its long-standing contribution to the objectives of reducing gas flaring in Nigeria and monetising the nation’s gas resources. Over a relatively short time, we have built up a solid reputation as an outstanding and reliable international energy supplier with a global customer base in places like the Gulf of Mexico including ports in Mexico and the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We have also built up an enviable shipping capacity profile and our fleet of 23 vessels is by far the largest in the country. Significantly our relationship with Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corporation, which is owned by the Turkish government, dates back to our very first year of operation in 1999. That was when NLNG delivered our very first cargo to them from the only train in operation at the time, to their terminal here at Marmara. Since then NLNG has grown into a six-train facility and we have successfully delivered more than 200 cargoes to Botas while our relationship has continued to improve steadily over the years. In that sense it is a very special occasion for us and we look forward to many more years of fruitful engagements with customers all over the world. I feel a very strong sense of satisfaction that this historic 3000th LNG cargo was delivered to Botas by one of our company’s vessels, the LNG Lokoja. Our fleet is manned by a workforce which is about 95 per cent Nigerian, in line with our aggressive pursuit of technology transfer and our Nigerianisation agenda.

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Insurance Industry sustains prospects, attracts more foreign investors By Joshua Nse HE harsh business environT ment in the country, notwithstanding, foreign investors are increasingly seeking investment avenues in the nation’s insurance industry. The latest entry in the league is the visit of the management team of UK base Prudential Life Plc visit to the National

. UK Prudential Life seeks investment Insurance Commission (NAICOM), seeking to invest in the industry, ias part of its strategic expansion drive in west Africa. The Deputy British High Commissioner, Peter Carter led a team from Prudential Plc, a life insurance company

in the United Kingdom on a courtesy visit to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in Abuja. Speaking during the visit, Carter said they were in the Commission to appraise the Commissioner for Insurance of the intention of Prudential

Plc to invest in the Nigerian insurance market and to inquire about the modalities for entry. The Director of Strategy & Corporate Development, Prudential Plc Mr. Matt Lilley, in his remark informed the CFI that his company is a

Capital Holding Limited/MMI Holdings, FBN Life by FBN Holdings/SAMLAM Group, S.A, and Mansard Insurance by purely Life insurance entity Assur Africa Holdings. and have been in operation Industry sources said the for 165 years. The company, he investors are being encoursaid, has its major invest- aged into the country princiments in Asia at the moment pally as a result of the the and have recently injected reforms in the Power sector, $5million into a small insur- infrastructure and telecomance business in Ghana. He munications, and the large announced that Prudential market with huge population Plc is keen and eager to enter of over 170 million. According the Nigerian market for big to him, the insurance sector in ticket business investment. Nigeria has capacity to Commissioner for Insurance, become the biggest market in Fola Daniel, expressed Africa and among the biggest delight at the visit and the in the world. Conscious efforts desires of Prudential Plc to have been made at growing invest in the Nigerian insur- the insurance market in ance industry. He promised Nigeria. For instance, the the support and cooperation industry’s minimum capital of the Commission towards increased from N150 million to the successful entry of the N2 billion for life business, company into the Nigerian land from N200 million to N3 insurance market. billion for non-life business. Other recent acquisitions in Also, minimum capital for the industry include he full reinsurance business acquisition of majority stake increased from N350 million in Oceanic Life Assurance to N10 billion. This capitalizafrom Ecobank by Old Mutual tion level in the industry is the Group, a South African base highest in the Afria insurance conglomerate, ADIC market coupled with the Insurance, taken over by NSIA reforms in the industry has Participations S.A Holdings, been the major attraction to UBA Metropolitan Life, by UBA foreign investors.

Firm boosts CPS British Deputy High Commissioner, Peter Carter, (left) and Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Fola Daniel, during the visit of the British High Commission to NAICOM in Abuja…recently.

LASACO Assurance grosses N4.4b premium ASACO Assurance Plc held Lmeeting its 33rd yearly general (AGM) in Lagos recently, grossing a premium income of N4.4 billion in 2012 as against N3.9 billion recorded in 2011. The Acting Chairman, Ashim Oyekan, disclosed that the firm recorded a growth of 11 per cent in gross premium income over the previous year. Oyekan further said that the group also paid N1.3 billion claims in the year under review, an increase of N448 million over what was paid in 2011. He noted that due to adjustments done in line with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), the group recorded a loss before tax of N180 million in 2012. He added that the group within the period grew its investment income by 34 per cent, stressing that this reflects the group strategic direction to leverage investment income as a key revenue source. “The growth from N249 million in 2011 to N334 million in 2012, is the immediate positive reflection of the efforts to restructure the company’s investment portfolio despite the difficult investment environment,” he said.

According to him, in a bid to maximise the opportunities provided by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the firm has initiated the move to partner Interswitch Limited to enable its customers avail themselves of services, through E-commerce, including payment real time online. He maintained that the firm would continue to assess its service platform to ensure it conforms to best global standards and flexible to meet customer’s expectations.

Oyekan said that the firm was poised to take advantage of the huge private investments in the power sector, adding that the overall strategy of the firm is to leverage its size and status, and channel investments into areas that would continue to ensure effective and efficient delivery of set goals. “The huge private investments in the power sector are expected to stimulate and expand appreciably the domestic economy. The gains from this economic growth should trickle down

to the common man, increasing his purchasing power and improving his standard of living. “we expect that the healthy economic environment thus created will heighten awareness and demand for insurance. we will leverage our expertise to create insurance products that will meet all such needs. “we expect that the retail segment of the insurance market that will be a blue ocean, will drive our growth and open up the potentials of our company,” he added.

Insurance lawyers hold forum TwO-DAy forum for A lawyers in the Nigerian insurance industry, with the theme “The role of Lawyers in the development of insurance business in Nigeria”, will hold in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The forum organised by Adegboyega Adepegba & Co, a firm of Legal Practitioners with strong bias for Corporate Practice, Commercial and Business Law in conjunction with the Nigerian Insurance Law Association (NILA) is expected to be a gathering of, company secretaries, legal advisers, and compliance officers

in the insurance industry. The two-day programme has Anthony Idigbe, as the theme speaker. Idigbe, will be sharing his over 30years experience as a successful commercial lawyer with insurance lawyers at this forum. Other Speakers are Olusina Sofola, of Idowu Sofola & Co. O.O Ladipo Ajayi, managing director of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Tola Adegbayi – executive director of Leadway Assurance Co Ltd, Dr. Talmiz Usman, company secretary/legal adviser National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). Prof. Adedeji Adekunle – Institute

of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos, Dr. Abiola Sanni - senior lecturer University of Lagos. The two-day forum, which holds at Equity Resort Hotel, Ijebu – ode, Ogun State also has on its programme, a Round Table discussion on Landmark cases in insurance. Pro J.O Irukwu, a notable insurance lawyer in Africa will chair the ceremony while the attorney general of Ogun State is expected at the forum. Already enthusiasm about the unique forum is palpable in the industry. Registration closes on February 20th 2014.

REMIUM Pension Limited P has promised a rewarding experience in the advancement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria and Delta State in particular. The Managing Director/CEO, Premium Pension Limited, wilson Ideva, speaking at the inaugural yearly public lecture in honour of the outgoing Head of Service of Delta State recently, said that the federal government in 2004 decided to deregulate the rendition of the country’s pension service as a consequence of the unsustainable system hitherto operated in the country. It was unsurprising, he said, that the government adopted an ingenious and globally tested and acceptable approach of unbundling the entire system. The current pension regime in the country is such that the workers take ownership of their contributions while the relevant government institution superintendents. It is now a system in which the responsibility of contribution lies with both the employer and the employee. It is now a system in which the retiree decides within the ambit of the law establishing the industry when and how he/she should be paid. The contributory pension scheme has no doubt eroded the numerous bottlenecks associated with the previo0us pension system in the country and rekindled the hope and confidence of workers and retirees alike in the Nigerian system. It is very important, he said, to note that the new pension industry was greeted with

some measure of skepticism in certain quarters at its inception. Pension management in the country had at that time begun to be associated with disorder, ineffectiveness and lack of accountability. All these have to a great extent been dissipated by the tremendous successes in the industry in the past decade. The pension industry in Nigeria today stands out as one sector that has recorded unassailable growth in recent years and has continued to exude promise of instigating development in other sectors. All stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the passage of the reviewed pension reform bill to further catalysed growth and take the industry to the next level. According to him, the contributory pension industry today in the country has scheme assets of more than N3.7 trillion by the end of last year and a membership of almost six million. The numbers and figures are still growing by leaps and bounds. we are proud to say that Premium Pension Limited (PPL) has been a part and parcel of this untrammeled success. PPL is one of the registered pioneers Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) in Nigeria. we have remained a front-runner in the industry. PPL manages almost 10 per cent of the assets under management in the new scheme in the country. we are one of the leading PFAs in terms of customer and asset base, return on investment and security of assets. Our core values of integrity, ethics and professionalism have continued to propel us to greater heights.

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Goldlink Insurance restructures HE recent restructuring of T our Board by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has repositioned the company for increased productivity within the market. The new Board is made up of veterans and professionals in various fields whose wealth of experience has given the Company a competitive edge in the industry. The Managing Director/CEO, Goldlink Insurance Plc, Gbolahan Olutayo, in a news statement said that the company was a financial institution driven by a passionate client-centered philosophy. We are licensed to underwrite all classes of Insurance. These include: Life & Pension Business, Motor Business, Oil & Gas, Marine and Aviation, Special Risks, Property and Casualty, Engineering and Contractor All Risks, among others. Our corporate theme is “Innovation driven by Experience” and we are committed to building trust and confidence through delivery of first-class service. He said that whatever class of insurance you consider for yourself, family, education, property and business this year, you have reasons to make Goldlink your first choice. According to him, one of the reasons that underline the heavy patronage we enjoy from our customers is our vision for excellence and exceptional service delivery. This, through the synergy of technology and all our stakeholders, has powered our high agility and commendable operations despite the existing streamlined business environment we are all

witnesses to. This has thus carved a niche for our brand and business. “Our deployed state-of-theart technology has facilitated the automation and optimization of our internal and external processes with resultant reliable and efficient service delivery to our clients, an important factor that guarantees our success in all areas of our operations.” He said: “Goldlink Insurance Plc is unarguably among the leading insurance companies in Nigeria. Our core selling point is ‘prompt claims settlement’. This is the company’s way of reassuring our clients and the insuring public of our stance: Indemnity and provision of compensation at the time of loss. As a composite insurance company, Goldlink paid a total sum of N1.4billion in 2013 to our various insured, in the following breakdown: N872.5 million for General Insurance Business and N569.8 million for life business.” In order to consolidate the prompt claims settlement culture, he said, “Goldlink, upon notification, keeps reserve for each and every claim immediately. We also engage the services of competent and qualified engineers and professional loss adjusters for immediate claims’ investigations and handling, where necessary. We maintain 24 hours cashcall funded accounts with our major Bankers in settling urgent claims’ demands. “In order to decentralise our claim-handling and administration process, our branch managers are authorised

Olutayo (subject to their individual branch limits) to issue settlement offer to their concerned clients before recourse to the Head Office. Above all, it is the company’s policy to deliver claims’ settlement cheques within 48 hours of the receipt of all duly executed discharge vouchers. “Our vision and aim for our insured is “A Life without Fears!” This is why all our products, even the most basic process in our company have been designed and tailored to cater for the insurance needs of Nigerians, other nationals and the insuring public, irrespective of class, income, geographical location, religious beliefs, traditions and culture, thus removing fears from their considerations. “Our branches and outlets have been strategically located across the country to enable us service our regular and prospective customers optimally.”

HE British Insurance T Brokers Association (BIBA) BIBA promises support for has promised to assist the Nigerian Council of Registered NCRIB on capacity building Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in building the capacity of its members for effective insurance brokerage service delivery in Nigeria. Towards this end, BIBA said it will continually avail the NCRIB with relevant advice and strategies on how it could effectively engage its crucial segments, notably government and other relevant stakeholders, as being effectively done by the Association in the UK. BIBA was formed in 1977 and is the UK leading general insurance intermediary organisation. Speaking during his courtesy visit to the Association in London, the President of the NCRIB, Ayodapo Shoderu, said that the NCRIB had great reverence for BIBA as a frontline global insurance intermediary institution and that the intention of his administration was to create and leverage on a robust relationship with the Association for better insurance brokerage delivery in Nigeria. Shoderu disclosed that in spite of the enormous potentials of the insurance industry in Nigeria, the contribution of the sector to national economy was still insignificant, partly due to low capacity of the existing professionals and poor image of the industry. “Among other things, The NCRIB is soliciting the support of BIBA in the provision of market information, continued and constant working relationship and regular exchange of ideas by the two bodies.” He disclosed that his tenure would be devoted to initiating strategic working relationship

with notable institutions and network individuals across the world and at home, in order to break down the barrier of ignorance about the insurance broking profession, and by so doing creating more opportunities for its members. The Chief Executive of BIBA, Steve White disclosed that the Association had continually initiated strong interactive platforms through its several

events and publications, for the engagement of government, customers and the general public on the value of insurance broking services. As part of its support to NCRIB, White said that BIBA would assist the council to facilitate its membership with the World Federation of Insurance Institutions (WFII) as well as feature its activities in editions of its annual publication, The Broker

HIVSovereign Trust supports HIV project OVEREIGN Trust Insurance SCorporate Plc has extended its Social Responsibility efforts to secondary school pupils across the country with the sponsorship of the pet project of the industry’s reigning beauty Queen, Miss. Sefiya Sadiq. The project tagged “Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS”, is focused on engendering positive behavioural change in the lives of young adults through effective education and sensitisation on pertinent health issues with special focus on the scourge of HIV/AIDS. According to the beauty queen, “the project sets out to secure the future of our young people in the country by providing them with enduring moral lessons as their guide for right direction in the passage of life.” Sadiq mentioned that an essay competition had been instituted amongst secondary schools drawn from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to

evaluate the level of their understanding of the dreaded disease and the best three write-ups will cart away prizes for themselves and their schools. She further stated that it was imperative for the youngsters to be appropriately sensitised and empowered with adequate knowledge and detailed information that would enable them adopt premarital sex abstinence as the most preferred option for the prevention of HIV/ AIDS. She equally mentioned that the young lads would as well, extensively discuss the various transmission routes through which the dreaded disease could be contracted at the grand finale of the pet project, which is scheduled to hold on Thursday, February 20, 2014. She said that the main objective of the initiative was to positively engage the youths and letting them fully understand that HIV/AIDS is a major health pandemic.

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FINANCIALGUARDIAN

MONEY & BANKING

UBA pledges ethical business practices, joins CBi By Helen Oji NITED Bank for Africa Plc U (UBA) has expressed its resolve to promote ethical business practices to ensure long-term profitability and

sustainability in its operations, as the bank, last week, joined the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi). CBi was established with the aim of promoting ethical business standard, trans-

parency and fair competition in the private and public sectors. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group Managing Director of the bank, Philip Oduoza explained that the

bank ranked number 23 among institution that have signed on with the organisation. Oduoza pointed out that the membership of this corporate statement of principle

Stanbic IBTC raises stake in new business initiative By Chijioke Nelson TANBIC IBTC has indicated its support for the “Tech Cabal Battlefield” competition for startup businesses by offering cash prizes to the winners. According to the bank, the support was in affirmation of its commitment to boosting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment of the Nigerian economy, The Executive Director for Personal and Business Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue, said that technology is a significant enabler of global com-

petitiveness and Stanbic IBTC will support Nigerian businesses with the financial solutions needed to compete in the dynamic global environment. “The SME segment is the major driver of the Nigerian economy and Stanbic IBTC has shown its commitment to highlighting the remarkable work of entrepreneurs that energize the different growth sectors of the economy,” he said. The TechCabal Battlefield is a showcase of Nigerian technology where start-ups will get the chance to present

their businesses to an audience of users, technology enthusiasts and investors during the 2014 edition of Social Media Week Lagos. However, to enter for the competition, start-ups must not be older than two years; have received less than $200,000 in funding; a substantial tech component which is live at the time of competition; and serve Nigerian customers/be based in the country, among other things. The Editor of Techcabal.com

and convener of TechCabal Battlefield, Bankole Oluwafemi, said: “Our belief in the Nigerian start-up ecosystem just got a huge dose of validation. The first thing for us is in a space dominated by the usual big-tech interests, mainstream entities in the financial sector that have seen the future and are beginning to participate actively in it. “Already bullish on SMEs, Stanbic IBTC Bank is playing a rather visionary role in Nigeria’s technology.”

underscores the bank’s commitment to promote ethical business practices, transparency and further entrench high level of corporate governance in its operations. “Integrity is one of our values and it is stated in one of our principles. For us, this corporate statement of principles are not just concepts, they shapen us and clearly define how we do business. “We are glad to join 22 other institutions that have signed into the code. We would continue to entrench good corporate governance and risk management to enhance profitability and sustainability of our business. “It is a demonstration of commitment to highest standard of corporate governance in UBA and we would continue to do so in order to build an enduring financial institu-

tion that support Africa and future generation would be proud of.” He assured. The CBi Executive Director, Soji Apampa who explained that the CBi is aimed at ensuring strict adherence to corporate governance among listed companies also added that membership of the convention rejects the idea of introducing corruption in corporate organizations and financial institutions. “The code above law, not a legal document but has moral value. It monitors what its members does and has rating system to check corruption among members. “This ceremony is a signal to all stakeholders in Nigeria and international countries that UBA is committed to highest standard of operations.”

MoneyGram confident of further growth in Nigeria By Chijioke Nelson ONEYGRAM, one of the world’s money transfer firms, with over 20,000 points of sale in Africa, has reiterated its confidence in the nation’s economy, affirming its interest in supporting the ongoing financial inclusion agenda. The Executive Vice-President for Europe, Africa and Emerging Channels, MoneyGram International, Carl Olav-Scheible, said this in Lagos, on his arrival for a week long duty visit. Olav-Scheible, who is accompanied by a high-powered delegation of MoneyGram senior executive, explained that the was also to mark key

achievements by MoneyGram Nigeria in its 17 years of existence. These include its 15 millionth transaction, network growth to over 6,000 locations and potential enablement of over 80 million phone users in Nigeria through the recent launch of MoneyGram on the PocketMoniMobile wallet. MoneyGram offers over-the counter money transfer services in Nigeria through its agent partners such as Access Bank, First Bank , United Bank for Africa , Union Bank, Enterprise Bank, Sterling Bank, WEMA Bank, Fidelity Bank, Skye Bank, Mainstreet Bank and Keystone Bank.

ICAN appoints Enterprise Bank as revenue collector By Chijioke Nelson NTERPRISE Bank has been appointed the lead bank, as well as collecting financial institution for various payment schemes of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). A letter from the institute to its stakeholders, titled: “Appointment of Enterprise Bank as collecting bank for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN),” stated: “We are pleased to inform you that Enterprise Bank has been appointed as a Lead Bank as well as Collecting Bank for various ICAN payment schemes. The schemes include student registration

fees, annual subscription, examinations fees, and practicing license fees. Also, the bank in a statement said that while celebrating the appointment of Enterprise Bank to collect revenue for a body as strategic as ICAN, the main platform to process all ICAN payment schemes in the bank is the Pay-Direct platform, which all the branches have been enabled to seamlessly participate. The latest appointment also indicates an expression of ICAN’s confidence in Enterprise Bank and has added to the growing list of collections the bank undertakes on behalf of the federal and state governments, parastatals and other institutions.

Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, IBM, Bruno Di Leo (left); Managing Director, Bankers Warehouse Plc, Victor Hammond; and Country General Manager, IBM West Africa, Taiwo Otiti, at the opening of IBM’s Innovation Centre in Lagos.

Unity Bank’s loyalty promo rewards more customers By Femi Adekoya S part of its loyalty programme, Unity Bank Plc has rewarded its customers in its just concluded ‘Aim Save and Win’ promo. The draws, which were held in Lagos, recently, saw several other customers win various prizes including motorbike, hero bicycle, washing machine, LED TV and huge cash rewards as well as scholarships. Indeed, the bank rewarded customers that had deposits in its Savings accounts, Business Empowerment Thrift Account (BETA

Account), Unity kids Savings account among others. The event, which was closely monitored and authorised by the Nigeria Lottery Commission and the Consumer Protection Council, saw the Immigration Cooperative IPCI Limited, winning the star prize of a brand new car during a zonal draw. Other winners are Ajayi Emmanuel who won Motor bike; Ojo Adekunle, Adeleye Sunday, Adesina Bamidele Blanton Victor among others. Furthermore, winners in

the Unity Kids account category were David Ayomide, Abolade Emmanuel, Onifade Bukola, Adikan Adeola among others. The bank’s Zonal Executive Director, Elems Mahmud Umar said the bank is committed to rewarding its customers. He said: ‘We have found time to reward our customers. We want to delight our customers as they the ones whom have kept the bank in business and that is why we have provided consolation prizes too, because everyone is a winner under this

scheme. “We are rewarding customers who have shown loyalty and this is just one of the numerous ways of doing such”. The Lagos Southwest zonal draw is the last for the star prize presentation, previously held in Northwest (Kano); Northeast (Gombe); South (Owerri) and Central (Abuja). Umar said four customers in other zones emerged as star prize winners of the car (KiaRio). The students also won scholarship awards, while others won empowerment tools.

Fidelity Bank extends ‘helping hands’ project to Adamawa By Chijioke Nelson IDELITY Bank Pl, under its Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), has raised funds to support the Women Development Centre, in Yola. Adamawa State. The bank’s Yola Branch, which contributed the funds, renovated two workshop blocks and donated sewing machines to the Centre,

under the FHHP to achieve its avowed commitment to the wellbeing of rural women and children. Commissioning the projects, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Halima Mohammed Hayatu, said that the financial institution has blazed the trail in corporate social responsibility in

the country. She commended the board and management of the bank for taking such a bold initiative and for their genuine commitment to improve the lives of the communities in which they do business. Specifically, Hayatu said that the gesture would go a long way in alleviating poverty and empowering women in the

state, while calling on other corporate institutions and wealthy individuals in the state to emulate the bank. But presenting the projects on behalf of the Managing Director of the bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, the General Manager, North Bank, Idris Yakubu, explained that the FHHP is the bank’s CSR platform by which the workers of

the bank initiate and execute projects in communities, using funds contributed by themselves, with matching funds from the bank. He explained that the bank, through the FHHP, had drilled water bore holes, rehabilitated prisons, developed medical centres, supplied catering and tailoring equipment, renovated schools and

embarked on other poverty alleviation projects nationwide. Also, the Chairman, Yola South Local Government Area, Alhaji Ahmadu Waziri, commended the bank for coming to the aid of the center, adding that the center had been in dire need of financial support and unable to meet its set objectives.

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Media On digitisation, print media is our key partner, says Mba Issue By Kabir Alabi Garba ROADCASTING outlets (public and private) B in the country are effective platforms for digitization campaign, yet, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has acknowledged the indispensability of the input and collaboration of other stakeholders, especially print media towards a successful digital transition. At an interactive session with print journalists in Abuja recently, Director General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba was pointblank saying, “it is simply not possible that we will have a smooth digital switch over campaign without the input and collaboration of all the stakeholders. And I think the media is a major stakeholder in this regard.” The media, Mba asserted, would not only help to disseminate information about the digital transition, “they will also assist in asking questions and finding out whether we are doing the right thing and meeting our targets. Indeed, the media will serve as a kind of check on the things we do, whether we are doing it to time and how well we are doing it. So, it is critical to have this interaction.” He insisted. Tagged First Media Parley for 2014, six major issues including Africast 2014; Political coverage; Digital switch over (DSO); COSON vs BON/IBAN copyright conflict; workshop for broadcast operators; and regular engagement with the media engaged the attention of participants, but 70 per cent of the two-hour briefing was spent on DSO. But this was deliberate as Mba would later acknowledge, “I have spent this much time talking about the DSO because really that is my exam, that is how I am going to be graded come 2015. That is really the major aspect of what we are doing at the NBC.” He began the presentation thus, “the number one thing is the digital switchover. If you recall, the Commission conveyed a broadcast summit in October last year during which very important resolutions were reached in order to meet the deadline for the switchover on June 17, 2015. Even though we have a deadline of June 17, 2015 set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), we have put a date for ourselves for the end of this year, December 31. Principally, because we want to give ourselves a kind of window so that if there are things we have not done quite well, we have the liberty of six months to adjust and correct them before we get to the June 17 deadline. The deadline, there is no coming out of it and we have to keep faith with it. “The Federal Government has established Digiteam and they have been working even though quietly in the background and at the October summit, Engineer Edward Amana who is the chairman of the Digiteam had the opportunity to make several presentations, chief of which formed the resolutions that came out of the event. “Based on the document produced by the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on Transition from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, the Digiteam has set the guidelines on how the transition will happen. We have the signal distribution companies, which will be the companies that will be licensed for the distribution of all terrestrial signals and the Digiteam is really working quite hard with the NBC for the licensing of that and categories of operators and it is our hope that we will finish this on or before the end of March. “We are also working with the National Assembly to amend all the necessary laws, especially the NTA Act because if you look at the PAC document and the work that the Digiteam and NBC are doing, one would see that the government has reserved independent national signal company to come out of the NTA, which means that the transmission facilities would be used as the bedrock for the distribution company, which would be known as the national signal distribution company. This will be an independent company that will come out of the NTA. It is not the NTA and I know that during the broadcast summit, there were a lot of issues whether it

would be owned by the NTA. Not necessarily, but it would come out of the NTA and the transmission facilities of the NTA will be used to set up this brand new company. NBC is working with Digiteam, NTA and others and there is progress being made on that front. “But this would require some levels of amendment of the NTA Act and to some extent it will also require the amendment of the NBC Act. But as it is, we have sufficient leeway because the NBC Act as well as the Code gives us the flexibility to act in a digital domain or analogue domain. So, there would be some amendment to the NBC Act as we go ahead and we are very encouraged by the support we are getting from the National Assembly and we are hopeful that this will be concluded by the second quarter of this year. I cannot give a date, I am not in the position to tell you how the National Assembly will work, but from the support we get from the very top of the leadership of the National Assembly, we are very confident that they would fast tract the two amendments. “Also, we are working with other government agencies principally the Customs Service, because one, if the switchover happens, there will be no more importation of analogue TV sets. Last year, we had a meeting in Lagos with Customs and major dealers as well as retailers of TV sets and broadcast equipment and discussion continues with the Customs to ensure that after the switchover, we would not be importing any new analogue sets. The Customs is key in that. “It is also important to note that we have a duty to keep Nigerians informed about certain development that will arise as a result of digitization. One of such is the information that will go out to help the members of the public to know that some TV sets will not work, because there are some people who have digital TV sets which would work. It will not necessarily be a decoder but a Set Up Box. If you have a digital ready TV sets, with a digital tube, you will be able to pick digital TV signals. And that will require antenna because it is free to air services. That kind of information will have to go out to members of the public and so we will work with all relevant government institutions and agencies to achieve that. “We are also working with the environmental protection agencies to have a clear road map of how we deal with the electronic waste. We have started the process of engaging the agency and that process will continue and not just for the consumers but also for the analogue consumers, which required the process that NBC will retrieve those materials and find ways we can dispose of

Journalists at the parley

In all the other jurisdictions where DSO has happened whether in the UK or America or Italy, or Ghana, it has always been about public information and that is critical and that is why we see print journalists as our number one stakeholder group, outside our broadcasters. Without your support, this will not be as successful as we really want it to be.

Mba at the parley them properly. We are at the moment conducting a survey and we are beginning to get feedback of all the existing transmitter locations and transmitters in the country. We now know how many transmitters are available. All kinds of transmitters available in this country, the NBC has the information. So, we know those that can work so that when the signal distribution companies come, it would not be that they will be setting up brand new TV towers, but make use of the available ones that are digital compliant. “We are also going to engage the National Orientation Agency in the area of putting public information across to Nigerians. We know that the orientation agency has resources and manpower all across the local government areas, in fact, in all the nooks and crannies of the country. So, we are going to engage them, discussion has started already with the leadership of the agency about how this will happen. And we are encouraged by the level of support we are getting. Also, the police are very critical allies

in this regard. “As mentioned earlier, if you look at how DSO has happened in other countries, it is a massive public information campaign project. It is not just about technology or engineering because at the end of the day, it is about people using these things. So, it is about how you get them to understand how they are going to use it. Technology these days is about utility, it is not going to make sense to me when people start questioning. In all the other jurisdictions where this has happened whether in the UK or America or Italy, or Ghana, it has always been about public information and that is critical and that is why we see print journalists as our number one stakeholder group, outside our broadcasters. Without your support this will not be as successful as we really want it to be. “We have a campaign that we will break out soon. We are working on it, perfecting the strategies so that once we roll out, it will continue seamlessly. Because once you start the campaign and the message is not very corroborate or integrated, people will… imagining we start the campaign yesterday and we put up the message, ‘we are going digital, we are switching over’, people are going to ask questions, but website is not ready! People will ask, who will I call?, and the call centre is not ready! It is very integrated, so, it is not something we want to approach simply by putting up adverts in newspapers, but about making very detailed plans and I believe the first phase of that plan will commence at the end of this month.” Two weeks ago, Jos, the capital city of Plateau was declared as the pilot city for digital switchover signaling the commencement of the campaign. The decision was premised on the need to give substance to the digitisation plans, so that a pilot city will provide a suitable testing ground for the switchover, to help foresee and take care of potential issues for the rest of the country. The choice of Jos, Mba had explained during the interaction, was attributed to available data on the number of TV households, accessible terrain and sufficient variety of broadcast outfits present in the Tin city.

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Data journalism is crucial to future of newspapers African Media Initiative (AMI), the continent’s largest association of media owners and operators, in partnership with the International Centre for Journalists (ICJF) recently organised a training workshop for the 20 finalists of the African Story Challenge competition in Lagos. Peter Verweij, a data specialist from Netherlands was one of the trainers at the training camp. A Sociology and Philosophy graduate, Peter lectured politics at the Utrecht School of Journalism in the Netherlands for 40 years. In the last 20 years, he has focused his career on teaching digital journalism. In this conversation with AJIBOLA AMZAT, he said the future of media business in Africa would be depended on the knowledge of data journalism. Why do you think data journalism matters? HERE are two developments. The first development is the introduction of computers and computers networks. And that means all kinds of organisation are going to collect data. So, the amount of data is growing by the day. Data are very important for determining policies and evaluating policies. Journalists should do it in order to check the policies. Once you have access to the data and the data is the basis for certain policies, you can look at the data and the policies and write stories about it. That is one thing. The other thing is, news is everywhere now. On the internet, everywhere, there is news. And newspapers and TV stations will not be at attention of the readers, listeners and viewers, if they just copy the news that is already available. So, what should they do? If you look at the Western world, US, Europe, also South Africa, you see there is a turn down in the subscription of newspapers. There are enormous layoffs, major companies are

making loses, so they have to restructure. The only thing they can do is focusing on high quality news, more vibrant, more features, more analysis. These details are already in the news, but they are not enough. They have to add something to it. After all, there are various possibilities, you can do more multimedia, more photographs, more command and description, and you can also add more data to it. You can then bring in journalism; journalist can enhance the quality of the reporting, and therefore the quality of the newspapers, attracting new readers to the newspapers. I think this is important. Have you considered the challenge or lack of interest in reading data by the audience in Africa? In this part of the world, there are several challenges, not only one. The first is the amount of data available is different from what is available in the Western world, meaning, you are building up your data basis and trying to do your best, but sometimes, these data are accurately available and there are problems with accessing it. That is one part. The other part is the skill of journalists. Already, there is a programme titled ‘Increasing the Skill of Journalists’, a very good programme, but there is no much awareness of this development in journalism in Africa. The newspapers are doing well; they sell well, and the advertising rate is high, so they are not in trouble. But the young people are not going to buy newspapers; they will access the news from their cell phones. They will use computers to do it. They are online, so they don’t buy. That is the serious threat to the media in general. The only thing you can do is better reporting, more interesting on offer. How can journalists do data journalism without availability of data, which is a serious challenge in Africa? The World Bank, World Health Organisation and NGOs are active, helping to collect data for national bureau of statistics. In addition to that, international organisations build their own data, which provides data about countries in Africa. So you can go either through international organisations and NGOs or through the national bureaus of statistics.

Verweij How can journalists in Africa with no opportunity to attend capacity-building workshop access knowledge of data journalism? It is impossible to train all journalists in Africa on the science of data journalism. It is too much; it is too big. But you could see different initiatives in each country. Now, I am in Nigeria, I regularly receive

invitations to South Africa. Next month, I will go to Namibia, and I have been to Kenya. However, the exposure of this training is limiting because I can only train 20 journalists at a time. These journalists can spread the message; meaning, they could become trainers for other journalists in Africa. So, what I am focusing on is not just training the journalists, but also turning them to trainers, so that they could spread the message in the newsroom and help colleagues learn these skills. In the last few days you have been in Nigeria, what experience are you taking back home? I haven’t seen much. I have been in the compound of this hotel in the last few days. I only visited Makoko, which was a stunning experience. I had never seen something like that before. I have seen some townships and how they work. What I didn’t see is the life in the city. I would have loved to go to downtown Lagos to see what is going on there, probably the traffic jam, people in the street, fights, riots going on, poverty, and everything going on there. There are huge differences among African countries. The South African black people are totally different from the ones Kenya or Nigeria. Nigerians are more colourful, more into colorful clothing. It is a different type of people, and that makes Africa interesting as a continent. For me, seeing different part of Africa has given me a better impression of the differences, which are also in culture. What worries me is that you have influence of one side being Islam, the other side, Christianity. And you see a lot of conflicts. I have not been to Ivory Coast, but I have the impression that it is a developed country. It was destroyed because of the fight. And African is taking off, If you look at the economies in Africa, it is going well. But the whole economic development could be destroyed because of all kinds of local conflict. Well, that is a political thing, and I can’t help that. But I just see it. You should have politically stable countries, build institutions, and avoid civil wars because as long as guns are talking, that is the end of policy and that is the beginning of trouble.

New helmsmen for NAN, FRCN, NTA By Tope Templer Olaiya NEW lease of life was last A week injected into three government’s media institutions when the president appointed new heads for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). Nearly three years after he left office, erstwhile Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, was appointed Managing Director of NAN. The exit of Niboro in July, 2011 paved the way for the emergence of Dr. Reuben Abati, who was the Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian at the time. The statement announced former broadcaster, Mr. Sola Omole, who later moved to Chevron, as the new DirectorGeneral of the NTA and another veteran broadcaster, Alhaji Ladan Salihu as DirectorGeneral of the FRCN. Until his appointment as DG, Salihu was the Zonal Director of Kaduna National Station of FRCN. According to Abati, “all appointments made in furtherance of efforts to continually strengthen President Jonathan’s administration on all fronts, take effect immediately.”

Ladan Salihu Niboro was a professional journalist with one of the best news magazines based in Lagos, TELL, before he was ‘snatched’ away by politics and politicians to become a spokesman of the then Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, while Olusegun Adeniyi was made spokesman to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. The 1999 CNN African Journalist Award winner was thrown into the fray of political

Ima Niboro turbulence in 2010, days leading to the death of Yar’Adua, as he had his hands full coordinating the inflow and outflow of information during the edgy early days of Jonathan’s presidency. Upon Jonathan’s assumption of office as substantive president, Niboro had hosted his predecessor, Adeniyi, at the villa during a send-forth party, where he made the famous comment that there was no rift

between Yar’Adua and Jonathan, even until death. According to him, both men worked closely as one indivisible body till the last day. “Only those who do not know about the working of the presidency were talking about rift that never existed between the two. Notwithstanding the unfortunate events of the last few months of Yar’Adua’s life, he and President Jonathan related like bothers. And so did all the

staff,” Niboro had said. For Sola Omole, it is a return to his first love – broadcasting. Omole was famous then as a newscaster in the 80s as the anchor of the NTA 9pm news before moving to Chevron. A First Class graduate of Communication Arts, University of Ibadan, Omole, worked at the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria between 1974 and 1976 as a radio announcer. He later joined the NTA, where he rose from a reporter, to editor and television news anchor in 1980 before moving to Chevron Nigeria Limited in 1985. He rose through several assignments at Chevron to become General Manager, Government and Public Affairs in 1995. Omole was transferred to the corporate headquarters of Chevron Corporation in California, USA in 2004 as Senior Advisor, Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement. In 2007, he was appointed Chevron’s Africa Representative in Washington, D.C. He retired from the services of Chevron at the end of 2010. In 2012, he was appointed by the board of Trustees of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) as the Chief Executive Officer for the society.

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Health workers may continue strike next month By Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) and Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos) F the Federal Government fails to speedily meet their demands by March 13, health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) will proceed with their planned industrial action, which was suspended last Thursday. JOHESU put the strike on hold till March 13 when it will meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. In a telephone chat with The Guardian yesterday, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo, said: “We have not called off the strike; we have only suspended the strike. “We want government to show commitment to the res-

• ASURI’s industrial action paralyses veterinary institute • Nigeria may get polio-free status soon olutions and move with the speed of light in meeting them. We want them to issue regular circulars. If they have not implemented the resolutions to our satisfaction, we will go back to strike.” In a statement jointly signed by Akintayo and JOHESU Chairman, Wabba Ayuba, the body added: “Other issues include receiving encouraging attention from the SGF with a view to meeting them before the next meeting. In line with the above, the pending strike is hereby put on hold. The resolutions at the February 6 meeting at the instance of the SGF included: (i) The Minister of Health liaising with the boards of management of all federal health institutions through the direc-

tor of hospital services with a view to correcting existing lopsidedness in any affected facility; and (ii) The SGF liaising with the Head of Service of the Federation for a feedback on the position of the National Council on Establishment with respect to retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years. Towards this end, all member-unions at the federal health institutions should demand full implementation of these circulars and give a feedback within two weeks to enable JOHESU know the position(s) of the management of the hospitals on the matter, among others. Meanwhile, the nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) is paralysing activities at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, near Jos. ASURI began nationwide indefinite action last Monday to compel the Federal Government to implement the agreement it reached with the union. NVRI Branch Chairman, Dr. Isaac Ago, told newsmen in Jos at the weekend that the industrial action was total and that no member of the union would work, adding that the union wanted immediate release of conditions and schemes of service as negotiated with relevant ministries and agencies for the past nine years. The strike, if not urgently addressed, would have overwhelming negative effect on veterinary activities as in the case of NVRI because, “NVRI is the only research institute in Nigeria that researches on all aspects of animals, including laboratory animals, their diseases, control and preventive measures. “What this means is that the public cannot get the services of research officers within the strike period. For instance, when a dog bites somebody, the person and the dog are usually brought to the institute for diagnosis for proper advice of either pre-exposure or post-exposure vaccination. “Once there is a problem in poultry and there is no veterinary research to carry out proper diagnosis to determine the exact cause of the problem, a solution may not be got.” He said that cattle breeders would suffer the effect of the strike, as their cattle would not be vaccinated during the strike. Meanwhile, Nigeria is the only polio endemic country not to report any case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in eight weeks; the last case of WPV type one (WPV1) was recorded on December 15, 2013. According to the latest edition of the Weekly Polio Update published yesterday by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the country also has not reported any case of type three WPV (WPV3) in over 14 months and the most recent case of WPV type two (WPV2) that is circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (cVDPV2) from Konduga, Borno State, had paralysis on November 6, 2013.

Monday, February 10, 2014

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Focus CBN, NNPC back to the trenches Despite being criticized for throwing up “unsubstantiated figures” in respect of funds not remitted to the federal treasury by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi came up with yet another allegation last week, which NNPC immediately debunked. ROTIMI LAWRENCE OYEKANMI examines the arguments of both parties. R. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s fresh M claim, tabled before the Senate Committee on Finance last Tuesday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was yet to remit a whooping $20billion to the Federation Account, has raised additional questions over the true nature of government’s businesses. Although, the committee overruled the fresh allegations raised by Sanusi on the “illegal transactions” being carried out by the NNPC, the knotty issue of accountability in NNPC’s dealings is clearly yet to be cleared. Sanusi, a Risk Management expert, who studied Economics at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), is the 10th Governor of the 55-year-old Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He is due to bow out in June. While some regard him as a courageous patriot, with genuine intentions and little patience for mediocrity, other innuendoes have dismissed him as a controversial, loquacious and attention-seeking alarmist, who is simply playing out a script designed by some yet-to-be identified forces. But in truth, neither the Kano prince, nor his pronouncements when he decides to speak, can be ignored. In a country where corruption is endemic and civil servants are not known to challenge the establishment, Sanusi’s unconventional approaches have won him many friends and enemies. Although the NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, swiftly debunked Sanusi’s allegation at the hearing, some critical issues still remain foggy. The NNPC is Nigeria’s cash cow; the official conglomerate, which makes the money everybody else shares. It was, in 1988, divided into 12 business units, encompassing everything about the oil business. Among its four core values, one of them, the third, stands out: Integrity, Transparency and Accountability. But this particular value is what the CBN Governor has serious issues with. Sanusi, told the Senate Committee that the background to the whole saga derived from his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan last September, in which he affirmed that there was a difference between the value of crude lifted by the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013 and the amount of foreign exchange repatriated into the Federation Account. This difference, he noted, was about $50billion which prompted him to “respectfully advise” the President to order an investigation into a number of areas. “My letter,” he continued, “was sadly leaked and published in a highly politically charged atmosphere.” The CBN, Sanusi said, was then accused of involvement in politics “and in December, it was clear to me that no tempered and positive discussion would take place. In order to calm nerves and avert major crisis, I agreed to a joint press conference with Finance Ministry, the Petroleum Ministry and also to present a common front at the National Assembly. “Since December, however, there has been an orchestrated campaign aimed at undermining our credibility and misleading Nigerians into believing that all monies due to the Federation Account have been either remitted or accounted for. I am, therefore, compelled to present to this committee detailed evidence that NNPC has in violation of the law and con-

Sanusi

Yakubu

stitution, been diverting money from the Federation Account, and involving itself in activities that warrant full investigation for more serious violations of the law.” Specifically, Sanusi said the claim by the NNPC that it paid for Kerosene subsidy amounted to serious infractions. He insisted that kerosene was not a subsidized product and that the “so called subsidy is rent generated for the benefit of those in the kerosene business.” Besides, the CBN governor stated that in any case, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua had issued a presidential directive eliminating the subsidy payment from July 2009. He said despite this fact, the huge losses inflicted on the Federation Account have not been appropriated. He went on: “The burden of proof on NNPC is to show where they obtained authorization to purchase kerosene at N150 per litre from Federation Funds and sell at about N40 per litre, knowing fully well that this product sells in the market at N170-N220/litre. At what point was the presidential directive reversed? NPA’s (Nigeria Ports Authority) records would suggest that NNPC imports about 4-6 vessels of kerosene a month. Industry sources place the value of each vessel at $30million and the amount of “subsidy” per vessel at $20m. This means, at an average of 5 vessels a month, the Federation Account loses $100 million every month to this racket. “I have also shown, in my submission, that claims by NNPC of spending the money on PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) subsidy are not credible. I have submitted proof that as from April, 2012, NNPC has consistently rendered returns to FAC indicating that it made no deduction for subsidy. This is after rendering returns on

amount deducted monthly for 20 consecutive months to March, 2012. NNPC had previously explained that it had stopped deductions from 2011 and that the N180 billion taken in Quarter 1:2012 related to fuel imports for Quarter 4:2011. As from 2012, the directive was for NNPC to submit its papers to (the) PPPRA, (Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Authority) the relevant government agency set up and given the responsibility for verifying and paying subsidy claims. Having officially reported that it was not making deduction for fuel in 2012 and 2013, it is surprising that the GMD (Group Managing Director) and GED of NNPC would now claim that $8.49billion was used to pay for subsidy.” Sanusi is convinced that a major source of revenue leakage from the system “is NNPC’s unverified claims for subsidy and unilateral deduction from the Federation Account.” He further argued: “If we take the PPPRA template, subsidy/litre of PMS is about 1,136litre/MT, the subsidy is around N1.5b. This means that for every $1b claimed by NNPC as subsidy deduction, the corporation is claiming to have imported at least 100 vessels of PMS. In addition to the N180billion reported in Quarter1: 2011, NNPC had deducted N845 billion in 2011. According to the Farouk Lawan report, NNPC deduction for PMS subsidy in 2011 alone amounted to N1.7 trillion, if we add claims on Excess crude naira account. Any serious investigation into these matters will require an audit of NNPC’s database, which it is statutorily required to keep based on subsidy guidelines. Only verification of the legitimacy of these claims can form the basis for a true reconciliation. “Based on NNPC’s disclosure to the effect that it shipped $6b worth of crude oil on behalf of NPDC, I have argued here

that at least a part of this amount is due to the Federation Account. This part relates to oil produced from blocks operated under “Strategic Alliance Agreement”. I have given you three legal opinions that unanimously argue that these agreements merely serve to transfer revenue due to the Federation to private hands. I have also shown how, based on these arguments, NNPC has effectively given tax relief and concessions to its business partners.” He further explained: “In summary, it is established that of the $67 billion crude shipped by NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013, $47 billion was remitted to the Federation Account. It is now up to NNPC, given all the issues raised, to produce the proof that the $20 billion unremitted either did not belong to the Federation or was legally and constitutionally spent. There is no dispute that $20 billion out of $67 billion has not been paid into any account with the CBN. Our recommendation remains that this matter requires thorough independent investigation, as simple explanation will not suffice.” However, the NNPC quickly reminded the committee that it was not the first time that the CBN governor had made what it described as “wild allegations” about the corporation, only to admit later that he made a mistake. Yakubu told journalists in Abuja, that Sanusi’s claim on the unremitted $20 million was untrue, and that the true position would be made clear when current investigations are concluded. Yakubu wondered why Sanusi would, after “extensive clarifications,” still confuse NNPC’s upstream operations. He also faulted Sanusi’s submission that the NPDC’a gross earnings ought to have been remitted to the Federation Account, insisting that the company was a registered limited liability outfit. He also averred that the issues raised by Sanusi were not fresh and would eventually be reconciled by the Inter Agency Committee established to settle the $49.8 billion issue. He said: “Let me make this point clear. CBN is a banking outfit, not a petroleum outfit. It is therefore understandable why they keep making unsubstantiated claims, with a little understanding of the technicalities of the oil industry.” Yakubu added: “They (CBN) are not the auditors. We have certified bodies and arms of agencies that are charged with the responsibility of auditing. So what he (Sanusi) said was not really new. We said clearly that we stated an amount that went to NPDC and that amount was the gross lifting. But there are other streams that go back to government in terms of taxes, just like any other business player. So we have Royalties, we have Petroleum Profit Tax and so on and so forth. Now, these are subject of other detailed discussions and investigations and they are o p e n . “We give access to the Auditor General of the Federation, we give access to (the) Accountant-General, we give access to agencies that have business to do with auditing our own business. And at the Federation Account too, we render this report on monthly basis and these are issues that are subject of reconciliation on monthly basis. So really, for issues like this to come to the public glare again becomes worrisome, that we throw up numbers, we throw up allegations that, at the end of the day we clarify, but then the damage would have been done.”

Monday, February 10, 2014

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Sports Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup

Stakeholders caution NFF over alleged plot to impose foreign coach on Keshi By Alex Monye TAKEHOLDERS in the country’s football at the weekend cautioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to stop the alleged plot to impose a foreign technical adviser on Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, ahead the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Keshi currently has Daniel Amokachi, Valere Houandinou and Ike Shorunmu in his technical team. The news recently made the rounds that the NFF was planning to bring a foreign coach to assist Keshi in preparing the Super Eagles for the World Cup. But sports journalists in Lagos yesterday described the move as retrogressive and capable of dividing the Super Eagles in the run up to the Mundial. While urging the NFF and the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to close ranks and uphold the spirit of teamwork to properly prepare Nigeria for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, a statement signed by the journalists, reads: “We are informed that both Keshi and the NFF agree on the need for an assistant, especially in the area of training. We are further assured that Keshi has been given liberty to seek the assistant, local or foreign, by himself but within the prisms of affordability and acceptability. “The contention is whether the NFF should reverse itself

on the issue of discipline with regards to Sylvanus Okpalla as Keshi is said to be insisting. We believe that the conflict can be resolved with a sense of mutual understanding and respect between employee and employer. “We are in no doubt that the NFF would and should give Keshi all necessary support to succeed, but it is also crucial that the institutional authority and discipline within the organisation of the NFF be respected and maintained without, which it will be condemned to a corrosive disorder with potential ripples into other grades of our male and female national teams. We therefore advise both parties to understand each other and work out a common ground before it is too late and do not allow the issue to degenerate into a major distraction.” The statement signed by Fred Edoreh, said there were basic assurances which makes the matter a lot simpler to resolve, adding, “while there have been fears that talks about a foreign technical assistant might just be a ploy on the part of the NFF to bring in a foreign technical adviser above Keshi, we are assured from our inquiries that the football house is not contemplating any such thing which they very well know holds no guarantee and have amounted to no reasonable effect over the years.”

Keshi rubbing minds with the Super Eagles before a training session at the Abuja National Stadium.

Quadri, Makanjuola listed for ITTF Kuwait, Qatar World Tours By Olalekan Okusan LL Africa Games bronze A medalist, Aruna Quadri and bronze medalist at the maiden Lagos Classics, Kazeem Makanjuola, have been listed in this month’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tours, tagged Kuwait and Qatar Opens. The Kuwait Open kicks off on Wednesday at the Salwa Sporting Club with over 243 players drawn from 33 countries taking part in the fiveday $210,000 prize money championship. According to the list of players released by the organisers of the Kuwait Open, Quadri and Makanjuola will compete in the men’s singles

Fulham hold Man United, Tottenham continue fight for top four spot rock-bottom Fulham snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw. The Cottagers took a shock lead through Steve Sidwell but were unable to keep United out as they fell under ever-increasing pressure and were beaten twice in the space of as many minutes by Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick. Rene Meulensteen’s men refused to throw in the towel, though, and grabbed a stoppage-time leveller through Darren Bent to pile more pressure on United boss, David Moyes. Emmanuel Adebayor’s second-half strike gave

Tottenham a 1-0 Premier League home win over Everton yesterday. The two top-four chasers played out a goalless draw at Goodison Park in early November but on this occasion, Spurs’ Togo international frontman was able to make the breakthrough when he brought down Kyle Walker’s chipped free-kick in the 65th minute and fired past Tim Howard. The victory at White Hart Lane moved Tim Sherwood’s side above the Toffees into fifth spot, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. Everton were the better side in the first half and should have taken the lead through Leon Osman. The

midfielder was presented with several chances but couldn’t find a way past Hugo Lloris. After the break, Spurs came into the contest and took the lead with their first shot on target. Walker lofted a quickly-taken free-kick up to the edge of the box where Adebayor held off Seamus Coleman before drilling the ball low past Howard. Everton pressed for an equaliser and had a decent shout for a late penalty turned down when Etienne Capoue appeared to trip Coleman inside the box. Both clubs are back in league action on Wednesday night. Everton host Crystal Palace, while Spurs travel north to face Newcastle.

pion lauds the President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi for supporting him in his quest to feature in the tournament in Kuwait and Qatar. Also speaking on the Tours, Portugal-based Quadri, who last week led his Portuguese club, G. D. Toledos to retain the Portuguese Cup yesterday departed for Kuwait, while assuring to put up a good performance at the tournaments. Meanwhile, China’s Ma Long and Liu Shiwen, the players currently in top spot on the respective Men’s and Women’s World Rankings,

head an all-star cast for the forthcoming 2014 ITTF World Tour Kuwait Open. At the closing date of entry on Monday January 13, 2014, a total of no less than 243 players from 33 national associations had enrolled being the biggest entry ever received for the Kuwait Open which was first staged in February 2006. The previous highest was in 2010 when 193 players enrolled, the average over the years being 175 entrants. The Men’s Doubles could well witness over 60 pairings and the Women’s Doubles some 35 partnerships.

Okoya-Thomas to chair Lagos First Lady golf awards By Eno-Abasi Sunday

English Premiership

ANCHESTER United M endured more Old Trafford misery yesterday, as

and doubles events and they are expected to use the tournament to tune up for this year’s Commonwealth Games holding in Scotland. Makanjuola, who hopes to cause one of the major upsets at the Kuwait Open being his first outing in an ITTF World Tour, said, “I am so happy that I am taking part in my first World Tour and for me this is another opportunity to prove myself. I am targeting that I will qualify from the group and also defeat some of the top players in the competition. I am eager to better my performance with this championship.” The current national cham-

SOJU Oba of Lagos and sole sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships for over four decades, Molade OkoyaThomas, is expected to chair the forthcoming Lagos First Lady Golf Awards, which holds on Friday, February 14th at the Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos. Okoya-Thomas, a celebrated philanthropist, would be joined by other dignitaries at the event by dignitaries including wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is also a co-sponsor of the awards. First Lady of Lagos State, Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola is conferring on some individuals and organisations, the Lagos State First Lady Outstanding Golf Awards in recognition of their contributions to golf development in the country. The awards ceremony

would, however, be preceded by a tourney at the Ikeja Golf Club, where gentlemen, lady golfers and children from different golf clubs within and outside the state would vie for honours. Some of those to be honoured are Chairman of CMCL Golf Tours Limited, Olusola Adekanola, resident professional of Royal Valley Golf Club, Offa, Kwara State, Peter Akakasiaka, who was once the face of professional golf in the country, as well as Elizade Nigeria Ltd, founded by Michael AdeOjo. Ade-Ojo and Elizade have also been in the forefront of promoting golf in the country. Beside the annual Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Championship, which Elizade Nigeria Limited sponsors, Ade-Ojo has developed the now famous Smokin Hill Golf Resort Ilara Mokin part of Ondo State. Others organisations and

individuals, who would receive awards in the different categories include Mathew Aderiye, Dr. Nike Marinho and Guinness Nigeria Limited. Speaking ahead of the competition, lady captain of the club, Bose Ransome-Kuti said apart from Mrs. Tinubu, other notable Nigerians would also grace the occasion while informing that all necessary arrangements at ensuring that the event goes as planned have been put in place. According to her, the tournament, which precedes the event, is expected to tee-off on Wednesday, February 12th, running through to Friday, February 14, when the award night would hold. “We are doing all we can to make sure that the tournament go as planned. We have put all necessary arrangements in place and we will make sure every participant is well catered for,” the she said.

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Uzoenyi rejoins Rangers, as club clarifies stance on Agbim NUGU Rangers at the weekE end revealed that South African 2014 ChAN star, Ejike Uzoenyi, was expected to return to the club’s camp in Oba, Anambra, yesterday, just as they clarified their stance on home-Based Eagles’ Skipper, Chigozie Agbim. Enugu Rangers General Manager, Paul Ozor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the club was not aware of any contract talks between the winger and any South African club or clubs. Uzoenyi, who emerged as the most valuable player at the 2014 Championship of African Nations (ChAN) in South Africa, reportedly failed contract talks with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. he also had talks with Super Sports United but all appeared to be stalled as Rangers management refused to let him go as a ‘’free agent.’’ Ozor, however, said that the former Rennes of France player was coming back latest yesterday to sign a fresh deal with the Flying Antelopes. “Ejike will join Rangers camp latest on Saturday or Sunday and on Monday we will discuss with him.

“We don’t know anything about any contract talks with any club or clubs in South Africa. “All we know is that he is coming back to join his colleagues in training ahead of the commencement of the new league season later this month; he should be talking to us face-to-face,” Ozor said. On the non-clearance of goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim for the new season, Ozor said Agbim was now a free agent because his loan deal with Rangers from Warri Wolves has expired. “If you recall, Warri Wolves said they are giving us Agbim on loan. We had earlier told them that we preferred an outright contract but they (Warri Wolves) refused. “We wrote a cheque of N12 million for them (Warri Wolves) to release Agbim and Sunday Mbah but they refused, insisting that we make it N20 million for Agbim to be ours. “We refused to take Agbim on loan because we knew his contract with Wolves will end that season. “however, Agbim’s contract with us is over; he is now a free agent because he was never a full time goalkeeper of Rangers.”

Commonwealth Games’ preparations not good enough, says Ali African long jump FnowORMER champion, Yusuf Ali, who is a coach with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), says the nation’s athletes to 2014 Commonwealth Games needs more preparation to excel in the games. Ali told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that 73 athletes have been in camp, ahead of the 2014 Glasgow Games scheduled to

hold from July 23 to August 3, 2014, saying that the second phase of camping had just ended. The former Olympian, who disclosed that there would be a competition at Ijebu Ode to further prepare the athletes, added: “We just finished the second phase of our training, but by next Saturday, we will start our competition in Ijebu Ode.

Ejike Uzoenyi (middle) celebrates with teammates after his goal against Morocco in the quarterfinal of the just concluded 2014 CHAN. PHOTO: MTNFOOTBALL.COM.

MTN Lagos Street Soccer: Players, coach list gains of S’Africa training tour By Olalekan Okusan hEY never believed they would make the trip to South Africa, but after spending five days on a training tour of Johannesburg, the players and coach of Folarin Gbadebo, winners of the U-15 category of the yearly MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship, have admitted that the tour has opened their horizon. From Coach Sulaimon Oritogun to captain John Daniel, the team admit that the trip has afforded them the opportunity to acquire new skills and also interact with their foreign counterparts. Tunde Alade, 14, is still in cloud nine over the trip, saying, “I am enjoying every moment of this tour from the

Nestle celebrates, lifts champion, St Jude’s angels with basketball uprights, jerseys By Olalekan Okusan UST as they did in Lagos, Nestle Nigeria at the weekend in Yenagoa celebrated Bayelsa’s St Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School, which won the yearly Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship. At the colourful event held at the school premises in Amarata, dignitaries from Bayelsa State Ministry of Education and Sports led by the Commissioner for Education, Salo Adikumo, as well as parents and guardians of the celebrated team, were present at the occasion. The atmosphere was animated with students gracing the event in their hundreds, just as the Principal of the 52 yearold school, Celia Apreala, could not hide her joy for the honour on the school and the team. The principal, a former student cum games master/ teacher in the school, said she

was happy that sports has brought the school to national attention. “I think what MILO is doing will go a long way in inspiring the students to aim high in their lives. For us, we will remain grateful to the company for helping the kids to achieve their dreams. I think this feat was made possible through personal efforts especially the singular efforts of the coach, Tony Nelson, who has been an inspiration to the students,” she said. From the captain of the team, Monica Ezekiel to the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Bridget Dibiya and the youngest member of the team, Faith Jeremiah, it was a day not to forget in a hurry. An excited captain Ezekiel described it as a honour to the school and the state, which she believes would spur the team to aim for a repeat of the feat in this year’s edition. “I am so elated that MILO

could come down to Bayelsa to celebrate us and I want to say this gesture will surely inspire us to do well this year. I also want to than our parents for supporting us throughout the competition,” Ezekiel said.

accommodation and training.” “I was doubting it initially that we may not make it, but when I boarded the plane, it now became real to me. When we arrived in South Africa, we were treated to an exciting time by the organisers and for me MTN has really enriched my life with this rare opportunity. “Aside being my first time of boarding a plane in my life, the training was very tasking and impressive as well as a bit

different from what we were used to in Nigeria,” the junior class three student of Meiran Community Junior high School said. Skipper Daniel was very grateful to MTN and Lagos State for making their dream a reality, saying, “we enjoyed every minute we spent in South Africa and I am hoping that we can retain our title to have this kind of opportunity again. On behalf of my teammates, I say we are indeed very happy and grateful to the organisers,” he

said. Team coach, Oritogun, never imagined the kind of experience he had during the oneweek trip. “If they told me that I would go out of this country through football, I would not have believed it, but I want to thank MTN and Lagos State for providing the avenue for me and these young players. This will surely spur me on to continue to work hard and hoping that we can retain the title this year,” Oritogun said.

170-man UniAgric Makurdi contingent storms Ife for NUGA Akiga donates to university hE University of T Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, who are incidentally the host of the 2014 edition of the Games are to appear in a new kit in Ile-Ife courtesy of former Nigerian basketball international, Felix Akiga who last week made a donation of same to the university man-

agement and principal staff at a colorful ceremony held at the conference hall of the Vice Chancellor of the university. Making the donation of the kits, Akiga who is the Group Managing Director of Choice Leisure Limited, said it was to encourage other private/ public sector to support the school

Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Education, Salo Adikumo (sixth left), Brand Manager, Beverages, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Onome Asagbra (seventh left) and the victorious St Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School, Amarata when the Nestle team presented the upright and the branded set of jerseys to the school… on Friday.

in realizing their set objectives. The kits, which would serve management and principal staff of the university at the Games in Ife is put at N1.5m. During the donation, Akiga used the opportunity to introduce his company, which he said is ready to partner the university in redeveloping their facilities in good time for the hosting of the 2014 edition of the NUGA Games. Receiving the kits on behalf of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, the Vice Chancellor said he is glad that Choice Leisure Limited known for construction of facilities in many Nigerian universities is identify with the university especially when they are the next host of the the NUGA Games. “We’re glad that Akiga is identifying with us at this time and we believe this is going to be the beginning of a relationship that would also attract others to us as we prepare to host the NUGA Games later this year. We’re very grateful that this gesture is coming to us at this time when we’re getting set to hit Ife.”

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English Premiership

Again, Mourinho plays down Chelsea’s title chance HELSEA Manager, Jose C Mourinho, again downplayed his side’s title chances after Eden Hazard’s hat-trick earned a 3-0 win over Newcastle which took the Blues to the top of the Premier League standings. Mourinho is now tired of his little horse metaphor coined after Monday’s win at Manchester City, but he maintains Chelsea are still third favourites behind Arsenal and City despite taking advantage of their rivals’ slips on Saturday. “It’s time to kill the horses,” Mourinho said. “We are playing well. People individually are in a good moment, the team is getting results and we are top of the league. “That is something that we can’t hide, but I say the same and I feel the same. I don’t change.” When told that bookmakers had made Chelsea title favourites, Mourinho said, “I don’t bet.”

Hazard struck two goals in eight first-half minutes and a second-half penalty as Chelsea capitalised on Arsenal’s 5-1 loss at Liverpool and Manchester City’s goalless draw at Norwich. “A big result is always surprising,” Mourinho added. “When two big teams are playing against each other, you are never expecting such a big result, but sometimes it happens. “Norwich is not easy. We beat them there in the last minutes. These are the results that can happen to any one of us. But when it happens to City it’s more surprising, because City are City, their attacking power is fantastic, so when they get this kind of result, it’s a bit surprising.” Chelsea have won the title once since Mourinho’s departure - in 2009/10 under Carlo Ancelotti - and his second Blues team is often compared to his first. The Chelsea boss believes his

Monk

current squad have the potential to replicate the long period of success enjoyed by his first team, who won the Blues’ first championship in 50 years in Mourinho’s first season in 2005. “My team here was an amazing team, it was a team that lasted for almost a decade and won lots of trophies for the club,” Mourinho said. “These people here are just starting and I don’t want to compare. Potentially this team is good and hopefully we will have a good decade because only John (Terry) and Frank (Lampard) and a couple more are over 30, after that they are young guys with lots of years to play.” Hazard could be the cornerstone of the Chelsea of the present and future. But Mourinho does not believe the Belgian’s performance against the Magpies was any better than other displays in recent weeks. “The only difference was that he scored a hat-trick for the first time,” Mourinho added. “But it was a very similar performance to the one he had at Hull, at City, at home against (Manchester) United, against Liverpool, at Southampton. “He’s playing basically the same way. In my opinion he’s playing really well. Big evolution, consistency, ambition fantastic.” The latest victory came without captain Terry, who missed his first Premier League minutes of the season as a precaution due to a muscular strain but could be back for Tuesday’s match at West Brom. “It’s not an injury, it’s almost an injury,” said Mourinho, who revealed Fernando Torres could also play at The Hawthorns. “We decided not to risk and to protect him. Normally he’s ready for Tuesday.”

Monk: Cardiff win is my proudest moment Manager, Garry Sto WANSEA Monk says guiding his side a 3-0 victory over Cardiff in the south Wales derby ranks as one of the proudest moments of his career. Goals from Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Wilfried Bony secured three points that moved Swans up to 10th in the Premier League. Club Captain Monk was put in charge for “the foreseeable future” after Swansea sacked Michael Laudrup on Tuesday. “This is my proudest part,” he said. “The players were magnificent.” The win was only Swansea’s second in 11 league games, but boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation to the Championship as they moved four points clear of 18th-place West Brom. Monk, who has been with Swansea since 2004 and has made 270 appearances for them, added, “we can keep the ball as well as anyone in this league. “Confidence is the biggest thing. Half the battle is the mentality, if you can get the mentality right the football takes care of itself. “We need to take the belief from this game and into the

games coming.” Monk said he does not know how long he will be in charge but has said that he wants the job on a permanent basis. “It doesn’t feel like an audition,” he said. “The chairman asked me to

take over with the first team and I would do anything for this club - be it the undereights, the academy or the first team. Fortunately it was the first team and there is no prouder man than me tonight.”

Chelsea’s Belgian, midfielder Eden Hazard (right) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League match against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday

Mancini ‘betrayed’ by bosses ANCHESTER City were in M talks with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti months before sacking Roberto Mancini last May, the Italian has claimed. The 49-year-old, now in charge of Turkish giants Galatasaray, was shown the door at the Etihad Stadium towards the end of the 2012-13 season after City had relinquished the Barclays Premier League title they won 12 months earlier to arch-rivals, Manchester United. Mancini believes Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak was heavily influenced by chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki

Begiristain when it came to dispensing with his services, and has since heard the wheels were in motion long before he left the hotseat. He told The Sun on Sunday, “I know a lot of people in football and I found out afterwards that they were talking to three or four managers in February, March and April. “I know they were talking to Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. And these were the same people I was sat down with for dinner before the FA Cup final. “It was like Judas. I trusted the chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak 100 per cent, but not those other two guys. Probably he just followed

them.” Mancini hit out at what he described as cowardly attitudes of the trio in dealing with his departure. “Some people just don’t have the courage to talk face to face,” he added. “Even Khaldoon did not tell me to my face what was happening. He could not just come up to me and say ‘we did four years together, we won everything, we are happy, but now the job is finished’. “Instead they were working behind me and sacked me two games before the end of the season. I did not even have the chance to say goodbye to the Manchester City fans.”

No fear over Toure, says Pellegrini ANUEL Pellegrini says he and I’m not concerned about M is not worried Yaya that.” Toure could end up on a misCity has now failed to score

Yaya Toure after missing a chance in a league match.

PHOTOS: AFP

conduct charge following Saturday’s game at Norwich. Toure appeared to kick out at Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the final minutes of Manchester City’s frustrating goalless draw at Carrow Road in the Premier League. Norwich striker, van Wolfswinkel reacted angrily, drawing referee Jon Moss’ attention to the incident, and Toure must wait to discover if he faces retrospective action from the Football Association. The standard suspension for violent conduct is three matches, but Pellegrini said after the game, “I didn’t see it

in successive games for the first time this season, and Pellegrini believes recent injuries to his strikers are to blame. Sergio Aguero was missing at Norwich, while Alvaro Negredo has been playing despite a shoulder problem. Pellegrini said, “the most important thing at this moment is that we are with players who are not 100 per cent fit, that’s a problem. “We have seen that with the strikers - Sergio Aguero, we saw the other day that Alvaro Negredo is not 100 per cent fit, and Edin Dzeko the same thing.

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78 | SPORT Monday, February 10, 2014

European Round-Off Napoli deny talk of Balotelli abuse APOLI have denied Milan N striker, Mario Batotelli was subjected to racial abuse in Saturday’s Serie A clash at Stadio San Paolo. Balotelli was in tears in the dugout after being substituted late on in Napoli’s 3-1 win over Clarence Seedorf’s side. The Italy striker’s display of emotion sparked suggestions that he had been racially abused by the home supporters. Napoli responded on Sunday by insisting the former Inter striker had not been on the end of taunts from their supporters. A statement on Napoli’s official Facebook page said: “With regards to some debates that appeared on Facebook according to which Mario Balotelli cried at the stadium last night because of alleged racist chants towards him, Napoli underline that, as everyone present at the stadium could tell, there were no racist chants against him, just as there have never been racist chants at the San Paolo against anyone.” Seedorf on Saturday reacted to Balotelli’s tears as a “beautiful” moment. Speaking to Mediaset Premium, the Milan coach said, “Mario is human. These are things that happen many times in football and sport in general. I’d say it was actually beautiful, but I’d prefer to talk about the game.” Milan defender, Ignazio Abate also suggested the tears were solely due to on-pitch maters, “Mario really cares about doing well with Milan and making his mark. “He is sentimental. It’s a shame that he got so downhearted about it, as he needs to keep his head up.”

Barcelona’s goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto (left) stops the ball during the semi-final match of Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) between his side and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 5, 2014 PHOTO: AFP

Low Camp Nou attendances affecting our performances, claims Pedro EDRO has admitted that P small crowds at Camp Nou are extremely noticeable to the Barcelona players and make for an unpleasant

playing experience. Only 60,000 witnessed the Catalans’ 3-2 defeat against Valencia last week, while Copa del Rey attendances, including in the 2-0 semifinal win over Real Sociedad last Wednesday, have been very low. Pedro, who spoke ahead of his side’s trip to Sevilla, expressed his discomfort at playing in front of so many

empty seats at the 93,000seater Camp Nou, yet refused to criticise fans as he acknowledged that there are a number of reasons behind the poor turnouts this season. “You really notice when the stands are half empty - you can’t fail to notice it,” the 26year-old told a press conference. “And playing in front of 90,000 fans isn’t the same as

playing in front of 38,000. For us it is tiring to kick off matches at 10pm. We would prefer matches to kick off at 8pm but we have to accept the timetable we are given. “Late kick-off times, the cold weather and other factors all have an effect but our fans always support us and that’s why we are obliged to put in a good season. “I don’t know if the public is

fed up with us or not, we always try to entertain them although we had just suffered a league defeat. Better games will come and we will try to give our best as we always do.” Before yesterday’s game, Barcelona sat third in La Liga with 54 points from 22 games, three behind Atleti and Madrid who have played a game more.

Guardiola only wants ‘victory, perfection,’ says Muller AYERN Munich star, B Thomas Muller says Coach, Pep Guardiola only

Milan’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli during their Italian Serie A football match against SSC Napoli in San Paolo Stadium on Saturday. PHOTO: AFP

wants “victory and perfection”. The former Barcelona boss took the reins at the Allianz Arena in the summer and has led the Bavarians to an unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season. “I think that Guardiola only wants victory and perfection,” he told Telefoot. “That’s why he’s in his per-

fect place here, at Bayern.” Muller has started a handful of Bundesliga games on the bench this season, but understands that no one is guaranteed a start at a club of Bayern’s size. “It’s price you have to pay at a big club. When you look at other big clubs, you see that

Dortmund confirm Reus, Bender injury blows ARCO Reus and Sven yesterday that they expect to clash with Eintracht M Bender both picked up be without Reus for around a Frankfurt on Tuesday, with thigh injuries in Borussia fortnight and Bender for a Bender potentially being fit Dortmund’s 5-1 demolition of Werder Bremen on Saturday. The Germany internationals were withdrawn in the second half of the clash at the Weserstadion, which marked Dortmund’s second straight Bundesliga win after a run of four top-flight games without victory. And the club confirmed on their official Twitter account

week. “Marco Reus retired in the game in Bremen (due to) a torn muscle in his right thigh and is expected to be (out for) two weeks,” Dortmund stated. “Sven Bender has (injured) a muscle in his right thigh in the game and is expected to (be out for) one week.” Both players will therefore miss Dortmund’s DFB-Pokal

for their league fixture at home to the same opponents next weekend. Reus, meanwhile, could return against struggling Hamburg on February 22. Dortmund Coach, Jurgen Klopp will hope to have the pair back fully fit when they resume their UEFA Champions League campaign against Zenit St Petersburg three days later.

Muller

there are great players who need to be on the bench. It’s like that, you’ve got to accept it.” Muller started Bayern’s 2-0 Bavarian derby win over Nurnberg on Saturday, but was replaced by Javi Martinez 20 minutes from time as the club extended their unbeat-

en streak to 45 games. After a bright start from the hosts, Mario Mandzukic put Bayern ahead in the 18th minute. After two injury-enforced alterations Nurnberg lost their shape and Bayern took control of the game, going close numerous times to making it two before Philipp Lahm sealed victory number 18 of the season on the hour mark. Elsewhere sameweekend, Borussia Dortmund kept up the pursuit of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen thanks to an emphatic 5-1 win at Werder Bremen, which leaves the northern Germany side in serious relegation danger. Robert Lewandowski put Jurgen Klopp’s men in front in the 26th minute before Henrikh Mkhitaryan made it two before the break. Defender, Manuel Friedrich added a third just after the break before Mkhitaryan netted his second. Lewandowski then sealed Dortmund’s second straight win before Levent Aycicek grabbed a consolation.

Monday, February 10, 2014 SPORT

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‘Nigeria will be nobody’s whipping boy in Malaysia’ By Christian Okpara MONG the six teams slated A to compete for promotion to the Division Four at the Malaysia 2014 World Cricket League (WCL) Division Five Championship, which holds from March 6 to March 13 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nigeria is the least ranked side. But officials of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) are not bothered by the ratings. Rather, they have assured Nigerians that the team would come back from the championship with their heads held high. The NCF Technical Committee, led by Olisa Egwuatu, at the weekend named the players that would represent the country at the championship. Speaking on the team’s expectations at the championship, which also has Malaysia, Jersey, Cayman Islands, Tanzania and Guernsey competing for the two promotion slots, Egwuatu told The Guardian that the players are primed for success despite the high rating of their opponents. According to Egwuatu, “we have a chance just like the other teams based on the intensive training we have been having in Abuja. We have recreated the conditions we will face in Malaysia in Abuja to prepare the boys physically and the training module is basically to hone their skills and prepare them for the hostilities. “We are not making huge promises because we are very much aware of the class opposition we will face in Malaysia,

but we will not be intimidated. “Nigeria is no longer minnows in world cricket, but we still have an element of surprise even though everybody now has our dossier. But we don’t care about that.” Olisa said the Nigerian team is buoyed by their improved bowling attack, “ which is very strong and has been our strength over the years.” He added, “our batting is beginning to come to the party and going into this competition, we selected a team based on experience and we are carrying no passengers. Our bench is very strong,” he enthused. One of the things that will count for Nigeria in Malaysia, according to Olisa, is some of the players’ knowledge of Malaysian cricket. “Our Coach, Uthe Ogbimi played semi-professional cricket in Malaysia, while in 2011, eight members of the teams also played professionally in Malaysia. So, it is a bonus that we are returning there because the players and coach know the condition and the pitches. We wickets are hard, fast and bouncy and we are preparing for that,” he said. He revealed that the Sri Lankan High Commission has been helpful to the team, adding that the ambassador is instrumental to the national team’s impending tour of the Asian country ahead of the competition. He added, “the Sri Lankan High Commission has given us a platform, which we will utilise to prepare adequately for the championship.

The national cricket team celebrating promotion to the WCL Division Five last year. The team will begin a training tour of Sri Lanka on February 21 in preparation for the Malaysia 2014 WCL Division Five Championship. “Sri Lanka is among the bi eight teams of the world and the opportunity to play with their facilities and against their top teams is one that will sharpen our team ahead the championship. “In Sri Lanka, we will play four games, two each against Colts Cricket Club and Moores CC right on the main pitch of the cricket stadium in Colombo. We will begin the 10-day tour of Sri Lanka on February 21.” Egwuatu sees Malaysia as posing the biggest threat to Nigeria’s ambition, adding, however, that all the other teams would be difficult customers.

“We are the least ranked team in the championship based on international matches played and the facilities available in all the participating countries. But we are not daunted by such statistics.” Egwuatu, who returned to the team last year, revealed that Nigeria is going into the competition fully aware that “in high class sports, what separates teams are match awareness, technical and tactical approach, as well as mental state of the team and we intend to keep things simple. ‘If we get our A game right against any side we will win. Our first game is against Jersey, which beat us in the

Division Six last year. We will play Guernsey next; the third game is against Cayman Islands before we meet Malaysia. The last match is against Tanzania, which is one of the best teams in Africa. Tanzania came to Division Five from Division Four,” he said. Egwuatu revealed that the NCF has not received any financial support from the National Sport Commission (NSC), adding that the NCF is sponsoring the training tour with support from Dr. John Abebe, Chief Philip Asiodu and Toye Timinadi, a cricket coach, who gave the team N250, 000. “Now, we are going for a higher challenge, which

requires more intensive preparation but the challenge is the lack of funds to take the boys out. “Fund could be a major hindrance, so we are appealing to the private sector to come to our aid. “We are appealing to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to rally round us because what we are going for will bring honour and good image to Nigeria. “You know when you go up, the task becomes tougher, but we are hopeful that with the help from the NSC and the private sector we will be well prepared for the challenges in Malaysia,” he said.

TheGuardian

Monday, February 10, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Nwajiugo Anthony Chukwuebuka OLLOWING the ongoing privatisation in the FElectricity Nigerian electricity market, the Nigerian Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Market Operator stand as the key watchdogs of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM). While NERC is the regulator of the market, the Market Operator is the administrator and they both share the common goal of stabilising the market. It is needful to evaluate these institutions for a clearer understanding of their roles and scope of operation. NERC as a statutory corporation was created pursuant to the provision of section 32 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) and assumed the cloak of a legal person with all the consequent rights which include the right to sue and be sued, the right to borrow, the right to own properties, the right of perpetual succession etc. The Market Operator on the other hand was not reflected as a distinct legal person under the EPSRA but however assumed life as part of the administrative structure of the system operator under the Transmission company of Nigeria (TCN), which is one of the successor companies unbundled from the defunct PHCN pursuant to Section 8 of EPSRA. The system operator also functions as the market operator and is officially known as the Operator of Nigerian Electricity Market (ONEM). The uniqueness of the reform process is that TCN, which primarily holds the function of transmission service provider, also operates with a system operator’s licence as both the system operator and market operator. This lumping together of functions makes TCN a hydra headed company designed to assist the reform process scale through its transitional stage of market development in accordance with the provision of Section 25(b) of EPSRA. NERC under the privatised electricity market is charged with various functions spanning from those contained in the EPSRA and in other subsidiary legislations. The principal function of NERC is to create, promote and preserve efficient industry and market structures and to ensure the optimal utilisation of resources for the provision of electricity service. To this end, NERC is the regulator of the Nigerian electricity market and in furtherance of this regulatory function, issues licences, formulates regulations, and settles disputes among other functions as contained in section 33 of EPSRA. The market operator on the other hand administers the market through guaranteeing an efficient, transparent and non-discriminatory market among all participants. It admits participants (licensees) into the market by entering into a market participation agreement with all the participants and also oversees the activities of the participants in the market. Consequent to the above, it is clear that every person natural or artificial that intends to participate in the Nigerian electricity market has to first obtain a licence from the regulator just like obtaining a ticket from the doorkeeper

It is well appreciated that notwithstanding the diverse functions of the Regulator as reflected in both the Act and other subsidiary legislations, the realization of an efficient stable electricity market can never be achieved without the proactive role of the market operator. These two institutions drive the industry towards a competitive and stable market similar to the relative success achieved in other sectors like the telecommunication industry.

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Charting a new course for Nigeria’s power sector

standing at the gate of a dinner banquet issuing tickets. The regulator examines such a person through the process of public hearings to know if he is properly dressed for the dinner

banquet and thereafter certifies such a person qualified by issuing a licence in deserving cases. This certification now qualifies such a person to be welcomed and recognized by the market

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

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operator who is like the master of ceremony of the dinner but is nonetheless a guest of the dinner banquet. The master of ceremony carries out this recognition process through signing of the market participation agreement with all the participants, which process is referred to in the market rule as ‘admission’. The market operator likened to the master of ceremony of the dinner banquet thereafter informs the guests of the need to behave properly by abiding by the code of conduct issued by the doorkeeper who in actual sense is the regulator. This code of conduct mentioned earlier is primarily embodied in the market rules and the grid code issued by NERC in consonance with its function of formulating regulations for the Nigerian Electricity Market as enshrined under section 96 of EPSRA. These are rules, which every participants of the Nigerian electricity market must abide by for the smooth operation of the market. This is followed by the master of ceremony introducing the items on the programme, which is the market procedures, issued by the operator of the Nigerian electricity market. Through the course of the dinner, the market operator oversees the guests and practically takes charge of the dinner to prevent any form of chaos during the banquet hence the requirement for the market operator to administer the market. Among the activities of the dinner include the operations of the various participants in the segments of the electricity industry, which are power generation, distribution, transmission, system operation and trading. The market operator administering the market sees to the enforcement of the market rules and other market related standards. It need be stated that in the event of anarchy or issues, which is beyond the master of ceremony who in this case is the market operator, such dispute shall without delay be relayed to the doorkeeper to take necessary steps in resolving the issue. Hence the need for the continued presence of the Regulator. The doorkeeper of the dinner, which is the Regulator after issuing the tickets, need not leave the venue of the dinner as his function goes beyond just issuing tickets but also includes ensuring the safety of the venue and the general success of the dinner. This he strives to achieve through the help of the Master of ceremony, which is the Market Operator. It is well appreciated that notwithstanding the diverse functions of the Regulator as reflected in both the Act and other subsidiary legislations, the realization of an efficient stable electricity market can never be achieved without the proactive role of the Market Operator. These two institutions drive the industry towards a competitive and stable market similar to the relative success achieved in other sectors like the telecommunication industry. The role of NERC as the Regulator and an independent parastatal under the Ministry of Power is evident following the clear regulatory framework under the Act. The market operator, viewed from a mirror is not just a participant but also a moderator within the market who sets out the contract and meter data exchange procedures and manages the payment and settlement system within the wholesale electricity market and ultimately reports to the Regulator. NERC, which is at present under the chairmanship of Dr. Sam Amadi and the Operator of the Nigerian Electricity Market (ONEM), have made giant strides by issuing several regulations and other oversight measures designed to give the Nigerian power sector a smooth sail through the various stages of market development particularly pre-transitional and transitional stages of the market. We can only be hopeful of significant improvement in the sector at the commencement of the transitional stage of the market slated for this month, February 28, 2014, specifically. • Nwajiugo Anthony Chukwuebuka smdonmac@yahoo.com 08069544555.