Fri 30 aug 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Friday, August 30, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,664

Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi and Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, during a Yoruba Unity Forum meeting in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State… yesterday.

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko addressing supporters celebrating at Democracy Park after the Supreme Court judgment which upheld his re-election in Akure … yesterday. Story on Page 2.

PHOTOS: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Suntai’s letter not written by him, says Taraba Assembly From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Adamu Abuh (Abuja) and Charles Akpeji (Jalingo) DECLARATION by the Taraba State House of Assembly yesterday that Governor Danbaba Suntai was still recuperating underscored the lawmakers’ opposition to his bid to resume work.

In fact, the lawmakers stated that a letter transmitted to the House seeking approval for Suntai to resume his constitutional duties was not written by him but by those bent on governing the state by proxy.

In a statement endorsed by 16 out of the 24 members of the House, the Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, said the recent visit of the leadership of

A

• Insists governor not fit to work, deputy to take over the House to the governor showed that he was still recovering.

The statement noted that the House leaders visited Suntai on August 28 and that they were convinced that governor could not have written the letter transmitted to the Speaker.

Consequently, the House, according to the Speaker, has resolved that the deputy governor of the state, Garba Umar, “remains the acting governor of the state and would continue to act in that

regard until a time Suntai is capable to govern the state.”

The statement noted: “The leadership of Taraba State House of Assembly made several efforts to see the governor since his arrival, until yesterday, August 28, 2013, that they were allowed access to the ailing governor and their visit revealed that he spoke in the manner that brought more doubt to his authorship of the letter purportedly transmitted to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

“In view of the above, we are convinced that he could not have authored the purported letter transmitted to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly. Be that as it may, we the undersigned members of the State House of Assembly have unanimously resolved in our meeting that the deputy governor to whom power was earlier transmitted by the state House of Assembly still remains the Acting Governor of Taraba State and will continue to act in that regard un-

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til such a time the governor is capable of administering the state.”

The need to bring to book those behind the letter, The Guardian learnt, has now become a source of concern to the people of the state who have vowed to embark on a mass protest should the authority fails to expose them.

“This is indeed a scandalous act. The perpetrators of such an act should be fished out and made to pay dearly for that because this is the mother of all forgeries,” the state Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) ChairCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Rivers delegates to boycot convention - Page 4; PDP suspends Uba, others - Page 5

UEFA Champions League Groups revealed UROPEAN football governE ing body (UEFA) yesterday held the draw for the 2013/2014 Champions League, which revealed some mouthwatering pairings.

Below are the groups from A to H. Group A: Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad.

Group B: Real Madrid, Juventus, Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen.

Group C: Benfica, Paris St-Germain, Olympiakos, Anderlecht.

Group D: Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow, Manchester City, Viktoria Plzen.

Group E: Chelsea, Schalke, Basel, Steaua Bucharest Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli.

Group G: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Zenit St Petersburg, Austria Vienna.

Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, Celtic.

77 licensed oil blocks remain unproductive since 2007 - Page 15

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

2 NEWS

Supreme Court affirms Mimiko’s election From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja OR Ondo State Governor FfreshOlusegun Mimiko, it was victory yesterday as the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals by Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Chief Olusola Oke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against his electoral victory.

The duo challenged the verdict of the Court of Appeal which upheld the victory of Mimiko in the state governorship elections.

Akeredolu and Oke had argued that Mimiko’s victory at the polls was fraudulently attained by tampering with the voters’ register and through

• Dismisses appeals of Akeredolu, Oke multiple registration.

In its judgment prepared by Justice Walter Onnonghen and read by Justice Sylvester Nguta, the apex court held that Akeredolu and Oke did not prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.

The court held that the appellants failed to prove that members of the Labour Party (LP) engaged in multiple registration.

In his appeal, Akeredolu had told the court that there was multiple registration by members of the LP that sponsored Mimiko for the election.

When the case was heard last Tuesday, a full panel of the

Taraba Assembly insists governor not fit to work, deputy to take over CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 man, Hamidu Suleiman, said.

Some of the lawmakers had refused to acknowledge the letter, pending when the governor would address the people through the House of Assembly.

This development has made members of the House to be divided, with some wanting Suntai to resume and others opposing it.

Amid this controversy, security personnel have taken over the streets of Jalingo as they continue to patrol them.

Condemning the political crisis, the leader of Coalition of Northern Civil Society, Shehu Sani, has warned that it is capable of tarnishing the image of the nation’s democracy.

“Taraba State is in the grip of power-hungry and desperate cult hell-bent on plunging the state into a deeper political crisis,” he said.

Sani also condemned the kidnap of a lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, saying that his abduction exposed the reality of the level of insecurity in the country, which the government had failed to address.

In a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday, Sani who is also the President of Civil Rights Congress (CRC), said: “Governor Suntai’s alleged letter written to the state House of Assembly through the Majority Leader makes no sensible meaning… Mr. Suntai did not formally write when he was flown out of the country in October last year, and as such, he should make a physical appearance before the state House of Assembly to confirm and validate his return.”

He continued: “Suntai cannot take back his seat until and unless he convenes and presides over the state executive council meeting. The dissolution of the Taraba executive council by ‘Suntai’ is nothing but a scripted handiwork of parasites and cronies profiteering from the plight of Governor Suntai.”

The civil society leader stressed: “Governor Suntai deserves all the medical attention needed to return

him to good health but not at the expense of the stipulations of the constitution and the rule of law. The desperation to cling on to power by Governor Suntai’s gang stands unreservedly condemned.

“Carting an ailing man from the hospital bed to the seat of power for political gains is inhuman and ungodly. Suntai needs health recovery not power recovery. He needs bed rest not power nest.”

He then urged two Middle Belt governors, those of Plateau and Benue states, to immediately intervene in the political logjam in Taraba State.

“I call on Governors David Jang and Gabriel Suswam of Plateau and Benue States to act responsibly and help in ensuring due process of law is applied in Taraba. Those who claim to be friends of Suntai should not force an ailing man on the people of Taraba.”

On its part, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) yesterday warned that the Taraba crisis could threaten the country’s democracy.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullah, the group urged Suntai to respect the wishes of members of the Taraba House of Assembly before he resumes office in the interest of peace.

Canvassing the intervention of the leadership of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to save Nigeria from another untold embarrassment as witnessed in the case of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua by ensuring that rule of law prevails, the group lauded the courage and wisdom of Taraba State House of Assembly for calling on the governor to personally address the Assembly to ascertain his physical and mental fitness to continue his job as the Chief Executive Officer of the state.

Calling on the Nigerian political class to conduct their activities, utterances and behaviour in a manner that would save the country from crisis, the TMG said that it was unethical to shield necessary information concerning the governor’s health from the public, most especially the people that elected him to office.

apex court headed by Justice Walter Onnonghen, struck out the name of the second appellant in the first appeal (ACN) for no longer existing having merged with other parties to form All Progressives Congress (APC).

Consequently, after listening to arguments of all parties in the two appeals, the court fixed its verdict for yesterday.

Counsel to Mimiko, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) after announcing his appearance, had asked the court to note that the second appellant in the first appeal, ACN, was no longer in existence as it had become part of another party which was not before the court.

Counsel to Akeredolu, Wole Aina, prayed the court not to acknowledge that ACN was no longer in existence since there was no evidence before the court to prove this. But he, on the alternative, moved an application to substitute the name ACN for APC.

Counsel to Labour Party, Yusuf Ali (SAN), submitted that no one of school age would say he was not aware of the death of ACN as being part of APC. After listening to the submissions of all parties, the court stood the matter down for ruling.

In its ruling, the apex court held that it was the duty of the second appellant to inform the court that the ACN had become part of APC. “We have carefully gone through the provision of Section 109(2) (g) and 97 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended which the second appellant drew our attention to.

“It does not avail the appellant as the section deals with the candidate and not the party as in this instant case.

“We agree with the submission of the INEC counsel that this court lacks jurisdiction to grant the application because doing so will amount to amendment of the appeal.

“The application is hereby refused, consequently, the

name of the second appellant is hereby struck out,” he said.

Akeredolu had submitted that the election was invalid as there were many irregularities and gross violation of the election, adding that the conduct of the exercise was not in compliance with the Electoral Act. He prayed the court to order a fresh election.

Opposing the submission, Olanipekun prayed the court to dismiss the appeal on the ground of the court ruling striking out the name of ACN in the case before it.

He argued that the appeal had become an academic exercise, adding that what qualifies a party is the sponsorship of a candidate for a particular election but in the instant case, APC was not in existence when the election was conducted.

Arguing the second appeal, counsel to Olusola Oke, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the court to order a fresh election in Ondo State.

He premised his argument

on the grounds that the voters’ register was not displayed as provided for by the Electoral Act and that over 100,000 names were infused into it.

Also opposing the application, counsel to Mimiko submitted that the lower court did not at anytime agree that names were injected into the voters’ register list and that the issue was a pre-election matter.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, had cut short the vacation of the court for the first time in 50 years all in a bid to beat the 60 days’ deadline provided for the hearing of appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

The court had earlier fixed September 24 to commence hearing in the appeals but following protests from some quarters that the date would be outside the mandatory 60 days to determine the election petition appeals, the CJN adjusted the hearing date to Tuesday.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) (left), Managing Director and Chief Executive, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, during the Johnnie Walker Blue Label CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leader Award for West Africa held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos… on Wednesday.

Labour may go on strike over minimum wage From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE move by the Senate to T move the National Minimum Wage Law from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list may attract the wrath of the labour movement.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, who refused to disclose the specific action labour would take should the Senate make the move, revealed that the NLC would await the outcome of the deliberations of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) expected to take place this weekend before unfolding its plans.

Speaking at the end of its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday, Omar said the NLC is also worried by the breakdown of negotiations between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the

•Urges govt to dialogue with ASUU Federal Government over the on-going strike action by the universities’ lecturers.

Omar, who lauded the House of Representatives for resisting the pressure from some state governors to move the wage law to the concurrent legislative list, said the labour movement would mobilise its members against any move to further pauperize the working poor.

“We will not want to pre-empt the outcome of the NEC of TUC which will be held this weekend. But we are ready to ensure that the Senate does not succeed in its attempt to move the national minimum wage to the concurrent list. This is because that will expose the workers to danger and put them at the mercy of employers who are willing to pay less than the N18,000. Besides,

there is no provision for the private sector in the amendment and this is a worry to us.

However, we thank the House of Representatives who has refused to tow the line the Senate is treading in this matter.

We will mobilise and resist the move. While we don’t want to say too much at least for now, we will put in some steps aimed at stopping the Senate from achieving what it sets to achieve,” he said.

He hinted that both the NLC and TUC would harmonize their positions next week and roll out what they plan to do to thwart the possible amendment of the law.

Omar, who said most of the state governments are now paying the N18,000 minimum wage, explained that some workers at the local councils are still facing difficulties ow-

ing to the instability of the allocation going to local councils in the country.

The NLC chief also berated the Anambra State government for paying its workers less than their colleagues in other states and attempting to return public schools to missionaries and privatize the public health institutions. He alleged that the state pays the lowest wage to its workforce in the country.

He stated that the labour centre would soon unfold plans aimed at redressing the low wage in Anambra State.

Omar expressed NLC’s unhappiness about the breakdown of negotiation between the government and ASUU, offering to mediate in the matter not just to ensure that negotiation resumes, but that it results in tangible end that will ensure speedy return of teachers back to the Ivory Towers.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

4 NEWS

The Patriots wants national conference before 2015 From Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja), Abiodun Fanoro (Lagos), Charles Coffie Gyamfi (Abeokuta) and Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) HE need for a national conT ference to discuss the basis for a peaceful co-existence among the various segments of the country topped the discussions between President Goodluck Jonathan and a group of eminent Nigerian elder statesmen, called The Patriots, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Led by a former Secretary of Education, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze (SAN), the group met with Jonathan behind closed doors for close to an hour, where it presented to him a 13-page memorandum entitled, “Transforming the Nation through a National Conference.”

In his response, Jonathan said his administration has no objection to Nigerians coming together to discuss how they would continue to live together in peace and unity, noting that ordinarily, the issue of Nigerians coming together to discuss their future should not be out of place.

The President told the group that there has been constant discussion within government on how to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue that would reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that its immense diversity continued to be a source of strength

• We are not opposed to Nigerians discussing, says Jonathan • YUF lauds South-West govs on peace, performance and greatness.

“The limitation we have is that the constitution appears to have given that responsibility to the National Assembly. I have also been discussing the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly. We want a situation where everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward,” Jonathan said.

Close to the issue of negotiated co-existence, accusation by the South-West of political maginalisation reverberated again yesterday as a group, the Yoruba Youth Alliance (YYA) threatened a revolt against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 through their votes unless President Goodluck Jonathan corrects the imbalance.

In a statement yesterday, YYA National Leader, Jackson Lekan Ojo, said the group would stand against voting for Jonathan’s party in 2015 if the injustice done to the zone in the sharing of political offices under the present administration is not corrected.

Meanwhile, a socio-cultural organisation, the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), yesterday in Ikenne-Remo, the country home of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, passed a vote of confidence on the entire South-West governors for their effort at maintaining peace and security in the region.

The meeting, which was chaired by the matriarch of

Jonathan the Awolowo family, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo, also noted that the region has been spared the spate of crisis and kidnappings that have become the lot of other regions of the country.

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, read by YUF National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Kunle Olajide, the forum observed that the region has witnessed “peace and sta-

bility” in the last two years and that the governors manning the states should be applauded for it.

In her goodwill message, HID charged politicians of Yoruba race not to allow personal interest override the collective progress and unity of Yorubaland while pursuing their legitimate ambitions.

However, pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), has berated Senate President David Mark over his statement that Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is not workable under the 1999 Constitution.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, in a nation that is still grappling with the scourge of extremism and insurgency, this statement is no less a malfeasance.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Nwabueze said The Patriots drew the attention of the Pres-

ident to the dire state of the nation, which calls for urgent need for the nation to discuss how to live together.

“Nigeria is a wobbly state in part because it stands on a very weak foundation, which creates a necessity to transform it,” he said. “The foundation of a polity or state, that is to say, its super-structure, is its constitution.

“A polity or state rests on a very weak foundation if the source of authority of its constitution, as the supreme law of the land, is not the people directly, acting in a constituent assembly (or a national conference) and a referendum; that is what characterizes a constitution as a democratic one, otherwise called a Peoples’ Constitution.”

He noted that the argument of members of the National Assembly that the conference was not necessary because of their existence does not hold water, as the 1999 Constitution was a schedule in Decree 24, and the only thing the President needs to do is repeal the decree and a brand new constitution would emerge for the country.

Rivers delegates to boycott PDP convention From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt LECTED representatives E from Rivers State, members of the Governor Chibuike Amaechi cabinet and all other automatic delegates are to boycott Saturday’s mini-convention of the People’s Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

The mass boycott is predicated on what was described as unconstitutional suspension of the governor by the national working committee of the party and the indifference of the national leadership to the crisis rocking the state PDP since April when an Abuja court ousted the Godspower Ake-led executive and replaced it with that led by Felix Obuah.

But the PDP chairman has dismissed the decision of Amaechi’s loyalists as inconsequential, as their action would in no way affect the state delegates’ list of the Abuja convention, but would rather help filter the state delegates of infiltrators, untrustworthy elements and expelled members of the party.

The leader of the Rivers caucus in the House of Representatives, Asita. O. Asita, said 10 out of the 13 members of the lower chambers met and resolved to boycott the mini convention in solidarity with the Amaechi, who by virtue of his suspension will not be the leader of the Rivers State delegation to the convention.

Asita who was accompanied by his colleagues in the House of Representatives, explained that having watched overtime how the state PDP was gliding into disrepute and with the forthcoming mini-convention of the party on Saturday, they had hoped that the leadership of the party at the centre would have taken steps to put things right, but to avail.

“We have as the duly elected delegates to the national convention of the party, by virtue of our offices, came to the conclusion that because the party at the centre has failed in its duties to put the PDP right in Rivers State, especially the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of our leader, the governor of Rivers State, the best thing to do in the circumstances is in solidarity with our governor, to boycott the convention for Saturday.

“We believe that this is the best thing to do. So, we have inter-

acted with the different delegates to the convention. I am speaking as chairman of the National Assembly caucus in Rivers State and I have interacted with members of the National Assembly. Ten members of the House of Representatives and two senators are supporting what we are doing. I am aware that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 23 local councils chairmen, who are delegates to this convention, as well as PDP chairmen in the 23 local councils, are in support of this boycott”.

The leader of the Rivers caucus said anyone who goes there in their name should be regarded as impostor by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that the legitimacy of the whole exercise should be questioned.

Obuah’s spokesman, Jerry Needam, said the boycott was not unexpected in view of the way and manner Governor Amaechi and his followers have been carrying on, with no regard to party rules and regulations.

According to him, it is no longer news that Amaechi and his allies are acting this way as it was glaring that they have over the period allegedly been playing destructive politics and have surreptitiously, although not hidden to the current executive of the party, been making frantic moves to join and, or form, another political party.

“We have consistently said we would not tolerate insubordination and disrespect in the party or habour any individual or group of people who choose to be a thorn in the flesh of the party. So we welcome their position to allow us conduct our convention peacefully.”

The party further said it wished Amaechi and his cotravellers well in their future political endeavours, “particularly as they carry on the affairs of the emerging ‘Voice of the People’ and the All Progressives Congress (APC)” which they allegedly co-sponsor.

EFCC declares four wanted over Nnamani’s case OLLOWING the arrest warFYunusa rant issued by Justice M. N. of the Federal High Court, Lagos, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the trio of Jude Benjamin Amanze, Chinelo Nwigwe and David Nwigwe wanted.

A statement on Wednesday by the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, read that they are wanted in connection with the case instituted against the former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who is alleged to have diverted public funds and embezzled billions of naira as governor of the state from 1999 to 2007.

Amanze, who was his special aide, is alleged to have served as a conduit in siphoning over N514 million belonging to the Enugu State Government. EFCC investigation revealed that a road construction contract awarded to one Chief Jacob Nwatu between 2002 and 2003 was not executed, yet N514 million was paid for it but traced to Nwatu’s Zenith Bank account.

Further investigations revealed that N350 million was latter moved from this account into three Zenith Bank accounts operated solely by Amanze, who was also said to have warehoused other funds in the said Zenith Bank accounts, which were disbursed either directly to or for the benefit of persons connected with Nnamani, his companies or associates.

Nnamani

Muslim women lament woes of Boko Haram From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HE Federation of Muslim T Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) yesterday identified the Boko Haram insurgency as the most serious crisis afflicting the nation with the worst negative consequences.

Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the body’s 28th yearly national conference in Makurdi, Benue State, FOMWAN National President, Maryam Idris Othman, expressed sadness that the Boko Haram insurgency has been hijacked by politicians, cultists and other criminals.

She noted that even as insecurity has become a world phenomenon, it has negative effects on human lives and co-existence, adding that it was because of this that the association has taken it upon itself to invite scholars to address pertinent topics relating to insecurity in the country.

Meanwhile, Othman said that FOMWAN seeks to empower women to be self-reliant as well as understand the value of live and bring up their children as useful members of the society.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

NEWS | 5

News Reps panel demands details of funds released to varsity

Govt blames rising oil theft on insecurity in Gulf of Guinea

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

HAIRMAN of the House of Representatives Committee on Education, John Dyegh, has urged the University of Jos (UNIJOS) to furnish the panel with details of the 2013 capital appropriation released by the Federal Government to enable the House take it up with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Dyegh, who lamented poor funding of federal universities in the country by the Federal Government, blamed the poor performance of the institutions on the inability of government to give the sector adequate attention.

The lawmaker spoke yesterday when the House of Representatives Committee on Education was at the institution for an oversight function, saying the House is not pleased that money was mopped up from the university in 2012 when there were more projects begging for attention for implementation at the permanent site.

C

Glo, at 10, thanks Nigerians LOBACOM, a national opG erator, is celebrating its 10th anniversary, thanking Nigerians for their support since it started business on August 29, 2003.

In a statement in Lagos, Group Chief Operating Officer of Globacom, Mohamed Jameel, said it had been an eventful and fulfilling first decade of operations. He expressed appreciation to the government, subscribers and all Nigerians for believing in the company.

According to him, the company had since 2003 remained committed to providing its customers with world-class information, communication and technology (ICT) services through constant deployment of latest tech.

Niger to outlaw street begging

HE Federal Government T has blamed the massive oil theft, petroleum prod-

Olumu of Omupo, Oba Yakubu Buhari (left); Elese of Igbaja, Oba Ahmed Babalola Arepo III; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Elesha of OkeOde, Oba Abdulkadir Adelodun, during a courtesy visit to the governor by traditional rulers from Ifelodun Local Council Area of Kwara State… yesterday

Why health workers called off nationwide strike From Chukwuma Muanya, Joseph Okoghenun (Lagos), Collins Olayinka and Emeka Anuforo (Abuja) ULL activities have reFment sumed in Federal Governhospitals nationwide after health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) Tuesday night called off their seven-day industrial action following a two-day meeting with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu and his Health counterpart, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Leaders of the unions making up JOHESU told The Guardian yesterday that they called off the strike after getting a written and signed assurance in form of a comprehensive Memoran-

• Full activities resume at hospitals dum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Wages and Salary Commission.

They say that both parties agreed on a one-month period for implementation of the agreements reached, and constituted a Presidential Committee to see to the implementation of the agreement. President of JOHESU, Ayuba Wabba, said the union therefore decided to suspend the strike.

JOHESU is made up of five unions in the health sector: the Medical and Health Workers Unions of Nigeria (MHWUN); the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM); the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals,

Research Institutions and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI); the Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine (NUPMTAM) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, in an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday night after the strike was called off by JOHESU said: “It was a fruitful deliberation.

The strike has been called off and we signed an MoU on the implementation timeline. A Presidential Committee to oversee the implementation of the MoU has been set up.”

On what happens with the case at the appeal court,

Chukwu said: “The important thing is that the strike has been called off. We have taken care of those issues. We are looking forward to the health workers resuming duties and taking care of the patients.”

Issues deliberated upon included the constitution of board of management of teaching hospitals, retirement age and implementation of 2008 Job Evaluation Report, and promotion from Consolidated Health Salary Scale (CONHESS) 14 to CONHESS 15.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity who announced the call off of the industrial action on Tuesday in Abuja, after a 12-hour closed-door meeting with the union leaders said the strike was suspended based on an agreement reached between the Federal Government and the union.

ucts’ hijack and kidnappings in the Niger Delta on the insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the first Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel Africa Conference (OPV).

Speaking through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu, she said the worrying trend was “unacceptable.”

Quoting the United States (U.S.) Naval Intelligence report, Alison-Madueke hinted that the region in the first half of 2013 witnessed nine hijack incidents in addition to 55 cases of unauthorised vessel boarding, vessels being fired on and kidnaps.

She emphasised that maritime security is not only essential to maintaining the flow of revenue from oil and gas but also impacts greatly on the region’s broader economic development. She added that maritime resources such as fish, aquaculture and an intact ecosystem directly contribute to the livelihood of many Africans.

Providing a breakdown of oil and gas operations in the region, Alison-Madueke noted that the Gulf of Guinea comprises 15 countries with oil production exceeding 5.4 million barrels per day in 2012. She stressed that oil supply from the region in 2011 was equivalent to 27 per cent of EU consumption and 29 per cent of total U.S. petroleum consumption in the same year.

According to her, Nigeria and Angola account for 47 per cent and 34 per cent of the region’s total oil supply respectively.

From John Ogiji, Minna IGER State is set to follow N the footsteps of Lagos and other states now mounting campaign against street begging, as the government has sent an executive bill to the House of Assembly to regulate street begging and rehabilitate beggars.

According to the bill, the state will send juveniles who flout the rule to their parents or their states of origin. Similarly, adults who violate the law will be liable to one month imprisonment or N50,000 fine for the first time, while a repeat will attract N100,000 or two months’ imprisonment.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdullahi Bawa Wuse, who gave details of the new bill after a meeting of the State Executive Council, said the bill aims at putting beggars off the streets and outlawing begging in public places and urban centres.

PDP suspends Uba, others over Anambra parallel primary From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) and Chuks Collins (Awka) ENATOR Andy Uba, his SChris younger brother, Chief Uba, and factional chairman of the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ejike Oguebego, were yesterday suspended by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for allegedly conducting a parallel state congress and nominating a governorship candidate in the state.

Also suspended were the former state chairman of the party, Chief Benji Udeozor, and Mrs. Anthonia Nwankwu. A letter to this effect was dispatched to the affected persons by the acting

• Insists on zoning, cautions against sabotage • ADC elects Arinze, ACD picks Ekelem National Secretary, Dr. Charles Aderemi Akitoye, who was directed to write them on their current status after failing to honour the invitation to explain their roles in the said election.

In another development, more parties have produced guber candidates ahead of the September 2 deadline for the submission of flag-bearers for the November 16, 2013 governorship election in the state.

The latest were Chief Anayo Arinze of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and America-based Dr. Ifeatu Ekelem of the Advanced Con-

gress of Democrats (ACD).

Arinze emerged in a peaceful primary through a unanimous voice vote by party members, officials and delegates from the 21 council areas of the state.

Handing over the party’s flag to him, the ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, charged him to carry everyone along in the drive to lift the state to higher heights when elected.

Also, Ekelem was elected yesterday by the ACD at the primary held at Choice Hotels, Awka. He was to be the ADC sole aspirant and ulti-

mately its candidate until a few days ago when he had a disagreement with Nwosu over the payment of nomination fees.

Meanwhile, the PDP also yesterday declared that the principle of zoning has become its most respected attribute that could not be dropped.

To that end, it cautioned members across the country against the tendency to frustrate the zoning formula, particularly in its special convention tomorrow.

Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, said the exercise has been designed to strictly adhere to the principle of rule of law, fairness and transparency, noting that it was the reason the South-

West special congress was put off to respect an existing court order.

Earlier yesterday, some aspirants for some of the vacant positions protested against perceived moves to shut them out of the contest through the zoning formula.

An aspirant for the deputy national chairman position, Peter Dongo Isibor (Delta State) dismissed as unacceptable reports that the position has been reserved for Rivers State.

It had been reported that PDP leaders from the SouthSouth zone, led by the chairman of the party’s board of trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, had endorsed Chief Uche Secondus from Rivers for the position.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

6 | NEWS

Okorocha appoints Ekenze, head of service From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri OVERNOR Rochas OkoG rocha of Imo State has approved the appointment of

Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof. Hilary Odo Edeoga (left) and Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christy Atako during the working visit of the latter to the institution.

Ekiti accuses govt of withholding ecological funds From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti) KITI State government yesterday accused the Federal Government of denying the state of ecological fund meant to address flooding and other ecological problems in parts of the state.

The state Commissioner for

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Local Government Affairs, Mr. Paul Omotoso, who disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing in Ado-Ekiti, said despite the fact that the state has a legitimate right to it, the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi had on several occasions pursued the fund without any success.

Nigerian Ropes raises the alarm over adulteration of products

By Adeniyi Adunola HE Nigerian Ropes Plc, world leader in the manufacture of ropes in cordage technology, has raised the alarm to the public and especially its customers in the oil and gas, mining, fishing, construction and shipping industries over its products, which were being adulterated.

Briefing the press at the Nigerian Ropes Plc, Eric Moore, Lagos office yesterday, the Managing Director, Mr. Joao Pereira said Nigerian Ropes products adhere to both national and international standards and maintain positive quality assurance and control practices.

Pereira added that her test certificates are now being faking by some ropes businessmen to cover sub-standard importation of wire ropes.

Currently, about five companies based in Port Harcourt are being suspected to be involved in this illegal practice,

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he added.

He said due to this illegal act the company has commenced actions to mitigate faking of her Test Certificate, which includes redesigning of the existing Test Certificate format and changing the paper colour, which will take effect from September 2, 2013.

According to him, “Some of our communities are being ravaged by flooding and other ecological challenges but the state has been denied of the fund by the Federal Government despite the fact that it is our right. The federation account has never taken care of cognisance of the fact that we need ecological problems. Instead of the Federal Government to assist us, they are not doing anything. It is a legitimate right, we should not be begging for it.

Omotoso disclosed that to confront ecological challenges that might arise from this year, the local councils had created a special project fund tagged “Community Development Fund.”

He listed Efon, Gbonyin and Ado local councils as some of

the local government areas in the state suffering ecological problems.

The commissioner, who also said the government had concluded plans to construct a modern neighbourhood market in each of the 16 local council headquarters in the state, said that sites for the proposed markets have been located and inspected for suitability, adding that bids have also been received from prospective contractors.

Assuring that the initiative would boost economic activities in the state; Omotoso said that the design of the markets would ensure security to lives and property with the provision of perimeter fence and gatehouse in each of the markets.

He highlighted the features

Fashola, minister list ways to boost health care

By Chukwuma Muanya and Joseph Okoghenun

OVERNOR of Lagos State, G Babatunde Raji Fashola, and the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 56th National Council on Health (NCH 56) at Civic Centre, Lagos, listed five steps that must be implemented to the letter to ensure accessible and affordable care for all Nigerians by 2015.

They said five critical success factors that will trans-

form health care delivery in Nigeria include: The provision of adequate human resources for health and the even distribution of same; the institutionalisation of universal health coverage and especially universal and compulsory health insurance; the greater involvement and participation of the private sector in the health sector.

They also called for increased public spending on health; local production of affordable essential medicines and commodities; and

the institutionalisation of accountability in all facets of health care delivery.

They said Nigeria has recorded 40 per cent reduction in under-five mortality in four years from 157 per 1000 live births in 2008 to 94 per 1000 live births in 2012; and 35.8 per cent reduction maternal deaths from 545 per 100,000 live births in 2008 to 350 per 100,000 live births in 2012; concluded plans to take herbal medicine to medical schools; and set October 1, 2013 deadline for the phase

Catholic church holds prayers for Ozekhome, others From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

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ITH one week in the hands of suspected kidnappers, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Gabriel Dunia has directed church members to keep a prayer vigil for God’s intervention for the safe and quick release of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who is a Knight of St. Mulumba of the Catholic Church, and his driver and

of each of the markets to include 28 lock-up shops, 60 open stores, 16 toilets and six urinals while the external pavement will have asphalt overlay or interlocking stones.

Omotoso disclosed that the state government in conjunction with the local councils have set machinery in motion for the construction of another 96 kilometres of roads spread across the 16 local councils of the state under the second phase of the Fayemi administration’s fivekilometer road projects.

He said the township roads development project would bring the total length of local government roads constructed under the Fayemi administration to 176 kilometers.

Athansius Ugbome who were kidnapped in Ehor along the Benin-Auchi expressway last Friday.

Speaking to journalists in Auchi yesterday on various national issues, Bishop Dunia expressed worry over rampant cases of kidnapping in the country, particularly in Edo State in recent times.

He said he received the news of Ozekhome’s kidnap at about 11.30 p.m. last Saturday through a telephone call

from one of the Knights of the church and immediately called Governor Oshiomhole and his aides but he could not access them.

“I called some Priests, then I called the Reverend Father in his hometown, Iyuku in Agenebode, that they should immediately mobilise the faithful to the church to pray, to create adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus Christ in the blessed Sacrament bring about quick res-

olution as regard the release of Chief Mike Ozekhome and all others who have been kidnapped, and that they should follow it up subsequently the following day with Rosary procession with candle light in the night or without candle light during the day so that if it’s because of our sins that God allows us to be punished, the Heaven being led by the mother of Jesus will now pray on our behalf that God will have mercy on us.

out of old Yellow fever cards.

The theme of the NCH 56 is “Health Sector: Now and Beyond 2015” with sub themes- “Public Health Emergencies” and “Mutual Accountability for Results.”

Fashola said: “For me, healthcare is very critical because one primary responsibility of our government is to protect life and property, that is security. Paying attention to healthcare is paying attention to security.

“How do we provide universal coverage for health?

We have to do what other societies have done, to enable our people contribute and benefit from health insurance fund. There are about 3,500 health facilities in Lagos including laboratories and hospitals. Not less than 1,000 are run by the private sector. But they are not running at full capacity because people cannot pay for them.

“Free health care is here to stay but how many people can we reach and what happens to the people between the time they get sick and when we run our free medical outreaches?

Mr. Calistus Ekenze as the Acting Head of Service.

A statement signed by the newly appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri; Mr. Chinedu Offor Wednesday evening said Ekenze is to replace Mrs. Nkechi Onumajulu, who has proceeded on pre–retirement leave.

The statement added that the governor wished Ekenze success in his new appointment and Onumajulu on her retirement.

Ekenze, The Guardian gathered had served as the chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, and just before now, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities and Public Safety.

He hails from Mbaitoli Local Council Area of the state.

Britain Chevening awards scholarship to 11 Nigerians From Lillian Chukwu and Joke Falaju (Abuja) HE United Kingdom (UK) Chevening scholarship scheme has awarded 11 Nigerian students education opportunities in various fields of study for the 2013 and 2014 academic year.

The programme, which is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organisations, offers grants to scholarly excellence and students with leadership potential globally to study postgraduate courses at different tertiary institutions in the UK. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock said at a reception held in honour of the alumnus and departing students of the programme in Abuja said that over 1,050 students have benefited from the scheme.

He said that the agenda is aimed for “brain gain and not brain drain” so as to enhance individual’s capacity building for quality education for productivity for their countries.

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Mind Plus trains road safety officials on emotional intelligence S part of its corporate soA cial responsibility initiatives, a firm “Mind Plus Facilitation Company has organised a day training programme for senior officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Command on emotional intelligence to enhance their effective operations.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Mind Plus, Mr. Noruwa Edokpolo said that the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative is part of the company’s contribution towards the country’s developmental goals.

He stated that emotional intelligence is critical for developing better inter-personal skills, which would greatly enhance the quality of the interaction among the rank and file of the command.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Orji slashes cost of treating renal diseases From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has ordered a reduction in the medical cost of treating patients with renal problems at the state-owned Dialysis Centres in Umuahia.

He stressed that the cost should be made affordable to patients.

The governor, who announced the reduction of cost after he visited the first set of patients at the Umuahia Dialysis Centre yesterday, said the chargeable fees at the centre should be less than what obtains in other places, pointing out that the essence of the centre was to help the patients.

The governor, while expressing elation that the centre has become functional, said by this development, the state government has recorded a major milestone in the treatment of renal diseases.

He pledged to pay the medical bill of the first patient at the centre for four sessions and urged Abia people and other Nigerians who have renal problems to seek treatment at the centre and not to patronise quacks.

According to him, the dialysis centre remains the solution for renal problems and not for money making.

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Rivers Deputy Speaker seeks speedy action on East-West road From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt IQUED by the number of P lives lost on the deplorable East-West road and the incessant attacks on the road by gunmen, the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, has called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, to expedite action to complete the road project to save the lives of people.

Kwanee made the call in Port Harcourt shortly after visiting the state Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe, in the hospital, who was attacked by armed men at the bad spots of the road recently.

While regretting that the bad state of the road has claimed several lives, Kwanee reasoned that if the road were in good shape, the armed men would not have been able to attack the commissioner.

Gombe APC chief laments misuse of nation’s resources From Ali Garba, Gombe CHIEFTAIN of All ProgresA sives Congress (APC) and the immediate past chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Gombe State, Survey Hassan Suleiman, has accused state and Federal Governments of mismanaging resources meant for human and infrastructural development projects.

The former CPC chairman, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Gombe, said there is need for political office holders to change their attitude to governance for a better Nigeria, so that the society will benefit from the vast wealth of the country, which has been abused and misappropriated by past and present leadership of the country.

Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onuwalu (left); Director, Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Dr. Danazumi Mohammed Ibrahim and Director, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Dr. Diya’uddeen Basheer Hasan during the Nigerian Knowledge Transfer Partnership (NKTP) Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Christians move to produce political leaders in Lagos, Kwara From Abiodun Fagbemi (Ilorin) and Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku (Lagos) EMBERS of the Christian M Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State have demanded a fair share in the next local council polls in the state.

CAN, through its former secretary, Dr. Olusola Ajolore, yesterday in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, believed that Christians in the state have allegedly not been given enough recognition while sharing political offices “as it ought to be.”

Ajolore, who disclosed that Christians in Kwara have a sizeable population that

could determine winners in any election in the state, warned that they may henceforth be forced to vote along the lines of their faith in future elections.

In a similar vein, Lagos State chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared that it is only fair and just and in line with equity that a person of Christian faith should emerge as the next governor of the state in 2015.

Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Guiding Light Assembly, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, the state chairman of the organisation, Apostle Alexander

Bamgbola, said it is time for a person of the Christian faith who is tested and has the fear of God to rule the state after 16 consecutive years of rule by the Muslims.

Bamgbola said: “We believe by the spirit of God in us, that it is time for a person of the Christian faith, who is tested and has the fear of God, to rule this great state after the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015”.

Ajolore of Kwara CAN alleged that the reports reaching him showed that only one slot out of the existing 16 local councils in Kwara was allocated to a

Christian ahead of next month’s council polls in the state.

“I don’t want to mention the name of any political party at this stage for its insensitive nature to the existence of Christians in Kwara. But what we are saying is that, if the same party should continually toe this line, we know what to do.”

Ajolore commended Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his leadership qualities in the state, adding that his current good endeavours would be a veritable factor that would guarantee a new Kwara where quality rather than sentiments would

Vet doctors sensitise poultry farmers to infectious diseases From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos O reduce losses incurred T through infectious diseases, the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Plateau State chapter, is sensitising fish and poultry farmers on bio-security.

The state Chairman, Dr. Sati Ngulukun, said in Jos yesterday that many farmers had suffered severe losses because of preventable infectious diseases.

Ngulukun described bio-

security as a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.

He said many farmers were out of business because of the diseases that they bring to their farms themselves and there was need to enlighten them on how best to operate.

“We organised a workshop last Saturday to educate the farmers on the best practices on how to manage their farms. Just as you know, a country cannot be

secured if there is no security; the same with a poultry or fish farm, there has to be certain practices called biosecurity,” he said.

The NVMA stated that the sensitisation workshop was not just for the farmers but also for veterinary doctors who need to update their knowledge.

According to him, “Knowledge is a continuous process, the workshop would not just help our farmers but it will also update the knowledge of

practising veterinary doctors in order mitigate losses.”

He said eminent resource persons were selected across the country to educate the farmers.

Dr. Dotun Oladele, Consultant/Specialist on Fish Production from Ogun State presented a paper on “Fish production, the diseases of fish and control measures”, while Prof. Paul Abdu of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, presented a paper on “Bio-security in poultry farms”.

NEXIM Bank to lift entertainment sector

By Sony Neme HE Nigerian Export T Import (NEXIM) Bank has decided to engage in strategic partnerships and sponsorship support of some creative and entertainment industry in the area of marketing, advocacy and capacity building programmes, which are intended to create awareness.

NEXIM Bank will also build capacities, facilitate monetisation of intellectual proper-

ty, as well as showcase Nigeria’s talents.

Managing Director, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Robert Orya, said at a recent event in Abuja that NEXIM’s contributions are in the areas of provision of finance and guarantees to enhance industrial capacities; support the acquisition and adoption of new and clean technologies, thereby ensuring competitiveness of Nigerian movies in the global market.

According Orya, “In the last

few years, the bank has supported the Nigerian non-oil export sector to the tune of N20 billion. As regards the funding intervention in the next five years, the bank’s strategic plan projection is to support non-oil export sector to the following minimum levels: from N41 billion in 2012, we hope to expand to N50 billion by the end of 2013; 2014 would be N63 billion, while we plan to support the non-oil sector with N94 billion by 2015.”

He noted that the bank’s funding interventions thus far were for various entertainment value-chains like distribution, exhibition infrastructure, digital studios and digital equipment, as well as film production.

Orya said that part of the synergy is to eligible companies in all the value chains within the creative arts and entertainment industry under the Nigerian Creative Arts and Entertainment Industry Facility Scheme.

count in appointment issues.

Lagos PFN said: “We do believe that this is what God is saying now, because He is the God of justice and equity. He is a fair God, who knows the end from the beginning as the Alpha and Omega.

“It is only fair and just, that in line with God’s will, we all come together (Christians, Muslims and all others of different faiths) as stakeholders, to elect a bona-fide Christian of integrity who will take over the mantle of rulership from Fashola in 2015 by the grace of God.” Bamgbola said that Christians, who form the majority of the population of the state, have over the past two tenures supported the former governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incumbent, Raji Fashola, whom he, however, described as great and visionary leaders and the new face of Lagos with their votes.

He, therefore, called for same support for a Christian governor in the next election especially from the ruling party in the state, in line with equity.

He noted: “It is time for us to reason together”, he said.

“We are saying that by 2015, it will be 16 years that we have been voting for Muslims to rule the state. Now, we believe it is time for a Christian to rule Lagos.

“If the ruling party in the state decides to field a Muslim candidate, there are other parties that will field Christians. But what we are saying is that we are going to vote for a Christian. Let it be known. The church will vote for a Christian in the next election.”

He called on all Christians in Lagos State to brace up for the coming elections by registering and participating actively in it and also urged Muslims to return the gesture shown them in the last two elections.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

PHOTONEWS

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (left); President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu; Managing Director, KAM Industries Ltd, Alhaji Kamaldeen Yusuf; and Chairperson, MAN, Kwara and Kogi states, Princess Omolola Olobayo during MAN visit to the governor in Ilorin

Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Yemi Odubiyi (left); renowned Nigerian artist, Professor Bruce Onabrakpeya; and General Manager, Lagos Mainland region, Sterling Bank Plc, Tunde Adeola during Sterling Bank Children Art exhibition and auction for charity in Lagos

Commissioner for Health Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris (left); Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Governor of Lagos State; Babatunde Fashola; and representative of World Health Organisation, Dr. Adrew Mbewe during the 56th National Council Health Meeting with the theme “The Health Sector Now and Beyond 2015” in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Abia State Governor, Theodore A. Orji (right); Chief Executive Officer, Greenfield Assets Limited, Paul Obanua, and Managing Director QB Construction LLC, USA, Paul Lavergne, at the signing ceremony of Public Private Partnership Development Lease Agreement, between Abia State Government and Greenfield Assets Limited with its development partners from Canada, United Staes and United Kingdom for the development of a 5830-shop Aba Mega Mall at Osisioma-Ngwa Aba, Abia State

Indian Cultural Association celebrated India’s Independence Day in Lagos. Mrs. Rukhi Mitra (left); General Secretary, Indian Cultural Association, Chief Sanjay Jain; First Secretary, High Commission of India in Nigeria, Mrs. Rani Malick and Principal, India Language School, Mrs. E. Matthew, lighting the ceremonial lamp to open the cultural programme during the occasion.

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor (left) with Evang. S. O. Olotu during the burial ceremony of Olotu’s mother in Evwreni, Delta State

Bishop Sunny Faith Samuel Ugbah and wife Rev. Dr. Mrs. Mercy Ugbah surrounded by their daugthers Ruth (1st left) and Wisdom (right) during the Bishop’s 50th birthday at Church of God Mission, Bishop Headquarters, Ajao Estate Lagos

Former Central Bank Governor Sir Joseph Sanusi (left);wife of the celebrant Lady Betty Obieri; the celebrant Sir Raymond Obieri; and Mrs Abigael Sanusi during the reception and book launch to mark Raymond Obieri 70th birthday

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

WorldReport Syria braces for Western attacks • Ban Ki-moon orders UN inspectors out of Damascus • U.S. sends fifth destroyer to eastern Mediterranean • Britain despatches Typhoon jets to Cyprus base From Laolu Akande, New York (with agency report) ITH Western powers W inching closer to launching military action,

United Nations arms experts and opposition fighters in Damascus’ eastern Ghouta suburb as UN officials inspect the site where rockets had fallen during an investigation into a suspected chemical weapons strike near the capital. INSET: An image grab allegedly shows UN arms experts collecting samples during an investigation into a suspected chemical weapons strike near the capital…yesterday.

PHOTOS: AFP PHOTO / YOUTUBE / ARBEEN UNIFIED PRESS OFFICE

Italian judges claim Berlusconi ‘was the mind behind tax fraud’ UDGES from Italy’s supreme Jfraud court who upheld a tax sentence against Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday that the billionaire former prime minister was no innocent victim as his defence had claimed.

Berlusconi “was the mind behind the mechanism” that allowed his Mediaset business empire to dodge taxes, they said in a written explanation of their decision to turn down Berlusconi’s final appeal on August 1.

They also said the theory that Berlusconi was in fact a victim of the fraud was “absolutely improbable”.

“The players were a restricted circle which was not at all on the sidelines of the group but was so close that they all personally frequented the owner, the defendant Berlusconi,” the judges said.

Fierce fighting resumes in eastern DR Congo RESH fighting flared in the Focratic resource-rich eastern DemRepublic of Congo yesterday, with government forces backed by UN troops shelling rebels near Goma and tensions spilling over into neighbouring Rwanda.

Artillery fire could be heard around Kibati north of Goma, the capital of the turbulent North Kivu province, where the DR Congo army and a newly-formed UN intervention brigade have been battling M23 rebels for a week.

A Rwandan woman was also killed and her baby injured in what the country alleged was “deliberate” cross-border shelling by the DR Congo army.

Ghana’s Supreme Court upholds Mahama’s victory HE highest court in Ghana, it,” Akufo-Addo told journalT the Supreme Court, yester- The first respondent ists at his home in the capital, day upheld President John (Mahama) was validly Accra, as dozens of supporters Dramani Mahama’s win in elections last year, dismissing the opposition’s case that alleged voter fraud in a test for one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

The decision ended a months-long saga that had riveted the West African nation of 25 million people seen as a rare beacon of democracy in the turbulent region.

Shortly after the ruling was announced, opposition leader, Nana Akufo-Addo, conceded defeat and said he would not seek further review of the decision.

Mahama was due to address the nation yesterday evening, but a statement on his Twitter account said “this is a victory for Ghana’s democracy.”

In the December polls, Ghana’s electoral commission said Mahama took 50.7 percent of the vote over exforeign minister AkufoAddo’s 47.7 percent.

“The first respondent (Mahama) was validly elected and the petition is therefore dismissed,” presiding judge William Atuguba said, read-

elected and the petition is therefore dismissed. ing from the verdict issued by the nine-justice panel.

The tense proceedings were broadcast live on radio and television and were followed closely across the nation.

There was a heavy police presence around the court ahead of the ruling, with access to the chamber tightly restricted.

After the decision was announced, opposition NPP supporters quickly filed out, while the president’s loyalists waved party flags and cheered. There were no immediate reports of trouble.

While observers had broadly declared the vote fair, the NPP levelled an array of allegations, including that tally sheets had been doctored and ballot boxes stuffed.

Some of the judges found merit in certain NPP allegations, but as a group they declared Mahama’s win legitimate.

“Whilst I do not agree with the court’s decision, I accept

gathered outside.

“We shall not be asking for a review,” he said, adding that he had spoken to Mahama and congratulated him.

Hundreds gathered to celebrate outside the headquarters of Mahama’s NDC party.

Both parties had said beforehand that they would accept the court’s ruling.

The 2012 elections were generally unmarred by violence and many in Ghana are wary of the type of bloody unrest seen after recent elections in Nigeria or neighbouring Ivory Coast.

There had been widespread calls for restraint ahead of the court’s decision.

Everything from the conduct of the lawyers and witnesses to the quality of the evidence had been debated on the airwaves and written about in Ghana’s feisty press.

In June, irate judges declared that anyone making disparaging public statements about the court could be held in contempt.

Those who ran afoul of the order were kicked out of the courtroom, fined, or, in a few cases, jailed.

Syria yesterday began tightening security and juggling its military assets, forcing the people of Damascus to get ready for the imminent and dreaded inevitable.

This came as United Nations (UN) might have received its clearest indication about a possible imminent military strike against Syria from the United States (U.S.) as the UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon announced yesterday that he had already spoken to President Barack Obama on pulling out the UN inspectors from Syria by tomorrow.

Even with all permutations pointing to imminent strikes against Syrian regime’s political and military infrastructure, envoys from the five permanent UN Security Council members still met yesterday on Syria’s alleged chemical weapons attack, diplomats said.

Diplomats from Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States met behind closed doors from 2:30 pm New York time to discuss a fiercely disputed British draft resolution that could allow military action against Syria.

Decision from the parley was not available at the time of going to the press.

A first meeting on the British proposal on Monday broke up without any accord on taking action over the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria on August 21.

But Kuwait called yesterday for international “deterrent” action against Syria.

A government statement urged the international community “to assume its moral responsibility towards the crimes committed in Syria and take practical deterrent measures to prevent” new attacks.

The statement came as the U.S. and Britain laid out their case for punitive military strikes against Damascus.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed for the West to give peace a chance, saying arms

inspectors on the ground in Syria would report back to him by Saturday on their probe into the alleged attack.

However, the U.S. Navy has deployed a fifth destroyer to the eastern Mediterranean, a defence official told AFP yesterday, as expectations grow of an imminent strike on Syria.

The USS Stout, a guided missile destroyer, is “in the Mediterranean, heading and moving east” to relieve the Mahan, said the official, who said both ships might remain in place for the time being.

Other destroyers in the region – the Ramage, the Barry and the Gravely – criss-cross the Mediterranean and could launch their Tomahawk missiles toward Syria if so directed by Obama.

Also, Britain has sent six RAF Typhoon jets to its Akrotiri base in Cyprus in a move to protect British interests as tensions grow over Syria, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.

The jets will not take part in any direct military action, the ministry said, as the British parliament debates a government motion on a possible response to the chemical attack near Damascus last week.

“This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our Sovereign Base Areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region,” the ministry said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament yesterday that he was convinced the Syrian regime was behind a chemical weapons attack, but admitted there was no “100-percent certainty”.

Opening a debate in the specially recalled House of Commons, Cameron told lawmakers that they had to “make a judgment”.

In Damascus, a stronghold of the regime, residents and the security forces are mobilising amid increasingly palpable tension.

The police are out in force, many streets have been shut off to traffic, and public buildings have been fortified with sandbags.

Forum tasks African govts on accountability, good governance From Ajibola Amzat, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania TAKEHOLDERS from differSingent African countries meetin Dar es Salaam, Tanzania have made a fresh demand for accountability and transparency in the deployment of public resources by the stateactors within the continent.

The forum called on African leaders to lift their citizens

from the morass of poverty and underdevelopment using the instrument of government budget as one of the important public resources.

Also, the gathering has charged African citizens to heighten their demand for better governance and for improved public service delivery by pushing their civic engagement beyond voting.

The calls came during a

three-day conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between 27th and yesterday, which was sponsored by various international organisations such Public Service Accountability Monitor, Policy Forum, MS TCDC, Forum Syd, Actionaid and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The joint meeting of government officials, civil society

The forum called on African leaders to lift their citizens from the morass of poverty and underdevelopment using the instrument of government budget as one of the important public resources. organisations, constitutional oversight bodies, academics, researchers, donor agencies and media professionals stressed that the progressive realisation of the human

rights of the African citizens could only be guaranteed when governments make effective use of the state resources for the common good of the citizens.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Politics Anambra Poll:INEC gives conditions for PDM, ID participation From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja NLESS the two newly registered U political parties (Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Independent Democrats (ID)) puts together an INEC approved structure that will enable them organise congresses and primaries for their candidates, they will not be allowed to participate in the November 16 governorship elections in Anambra State.

The parties will also ensure that they comply with the legal provisions in the process of conducting their congresses and primaries within the INEC-stipulated period, in readiness elections. the for These were some of the conditions that the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) gave to the parties to meet and be listed for the November election in the state.

The INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who gave the stipulations when the commission met with national youth chairmen and women leaders of the various political parties in Abuja noted that the extent to which the parties complied with the conditions would determine their particielection. the in pation He said that the commission’s legal department had gone through the rules and advised that the parties be allowed to take part in the elections provided they complied with the conditions.

“We have looked at the laws through our legal department. So long as you can comply fully with the timetable that we have issued for the Anambra election, you will be able to participate in the election,” he said.

“If you are able to do your primaries, with your structures in place, you have to conduct your primaries and you are able to make your nominations in compliance with the legal provisions, you should be able to parelection. the in ticipate “The extent to which you comply will really be the issue. This is because most new parties have the problem of having the structures on the ground.

“But if you have the structures on the ground that can enable you hold

• Accuses party leaders of behaving like military commanders your congresses; then there should be no problem and you can participate election.” the in Jega, who urged the youths to shun any attempt by politicians to use them as thugs for violent activities during elections, regretted that Nigerian political leaders have turned themselves into military garrison commanders by equipping youths with military weapons, drugs and other violent weapons for the purpose of hijacking ballot boxes.

He said that such activities would continue to pose negative and damaging consequences to the nation’s democracy. maturing The INEC chairman urged the women and youth leaders of the participating political parties to encourage their party leadership to see elections as a political process, rather than going into a battlefield.

He noted that Nigeria’s young democracy could only be encouraged to grow if politicians would have a rethink of their activities in arming youths with drugs, guns and other destructive weapons during elections.

Jega disclosed that the commission has employed certain strategies to monitor the expenditure of both political parties and candidates during elections, emphasising that INEC would be taking adequate measures to prevent violence during electoral process.

His words: “We will keep taking the necessary, adequate measures to prevent violence in our electoral process.

We will also have to do everything possible to minimise the negative use of money in the political process.

“In INEC, we are doing our best to have effective structures so that we can work effectively to control campaign expenditure by candidates and 2015. in parties political “It is clear that there are certain limits in the legal frameworks about limits to candidates’ expenditure; regrettably, we have not been able to monitor it in the past but we are doing our best to ensure that as we approach 2015, we will be able to monitor the campaign expenditure

Jega

of both candidates and political parties so as to know whether candidates have extended their approved limits or not. These are very imporissues. tant Jega noted that lack of internal party democracy was the major problem being confronted in the electoral process, stressing, “it has more negative damaging consequences of our maturing democracy.”

“This is because a situation in which candidates will compete in a party and somebody will win and INEC will observe and see what happened in the party, but then the person nominated by the party to run will not be the person whom we have seen that won the democratic primary, this is one thing that has to said. he change,” “We must change that attitude of leaders; the must behave. Like de-

mocrats, they have to be accommodating and be civil in the way they manage and run their parties.

“If they act like military garrison commanders in their own parties, obviously, there will be serious problem in terms of nurturing and deepening of democracy in our country.”

Jega craved for partnership with the stakeholders. “We have to work together as stakeholders, particularly the youth leaders; we have much responsibility in this regard,” he said.

“Youths have been always misused if not abused in all political processes.

Political leaders and candidates will provide drugs, money and arms and will negatively direct the energies of youths in the political process; this should not be allowed to happen.

“So long as politicians will go and arm youths and rent, keep them in particular places to hijack ballot boxes or to attack polling officials,

whatever you do, it will affect the process. electoral “You must help us to ensure that candidates must not come into political process as if they are going for a war with a military commander them. behind “We should stop using war metaphors in elections. Election is not war and polling units are no battlefields and certainly ballot cards weapons.” not are Jega told the gathering that, “your voters’ cards are powerful instruments, which you must use for change for progress and development and everybody must use it effectively.” and properly He warned that politics is not door-die, and therefore, “the issue of preparing as if you are preparing for battle or going to war is something really that we have to disabuse our off.” minds “Really, you as youth leaders, have the responsibility to ensure that the energies of youths are channeled properly towards constructive engagement in the political process towards ensuring that you are not used to cause violence in the said. he process,” He also noted that, “in this age and time, it is no longer fashionable for politicians to be abusing each other campaigns.” in “They (politicians) used to preoccupy themselves with telling Nigerians how they would alleviate their problems; that is how it is practiced all over the world,” he said.

“You say what you want to do and the citizens will hold your promise.

If they believe in what you have promised and see you as having the capacity to fulfill those promises, then they will vote you.

“When they vote you, they will have something to hold on to in case you do not deliver on your promise.”

Regrettably, Jega said: “We have seen throughout campaigns in this country; historically, it has been devoid of issues and focusing specifically on personalities and insults, quarrels, accusations and counteraccusations.

“We want to move forward and leave all these negative tendencies behind us as we move towards

Elders move to legalise Abia Charter of Equity for power rotation From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia N attempt is being made to enact the Abia A Charter of Equity into law and specify how the state power (governorship) will be orderly

to look into the matter.

“We also produced the draft Bill but as ordinary people, we went through the state government and the Bill is being fine-tuned by the Ministry of Justice.”

rotated and shared among the component sections of the state.

The said Charter, which was prepared by the founding fathers of the state before its creation, is a document that specified how state power (governorship) would rotate among the component sections or divisions, which then comprised old Bende, Aba, Afikpo divisions and Isuikwuato district.

Chairman of the state Advisory Council and member of the founding fathers of the Abia, Ezeogo Anagha Ezeikpe, made this known at the weekend while addressing a press conference as a prelude to the 22nd anniversary celebration of the state’s creation on August 27, 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida military regime.

Ezeikpe, flanked by a member, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, said the Advisory Council had been pressing for the Charter, which he described as a document produced in good conscience, to be passed into law by the Abia State legislature.

He said: “It was the resolve of the founding fathers that whenever Abia State got created, members of the State House of Assembly would be persuaded to enact it into law so as to compel the enforcement of its provisions.

“We have approached all the past state legislatures, but the present lawmakers have agreed Orji

He pointed out that the situation prevailing when the Charter was produced (i.e., before the state creation) no longer exists because old Afikpo is now in Ebonyi State; hence, in the present Abia State, there exists old Bende, old Aba and Isuikwuato district.

According to Ezeikpe, who is a medical doctor, “there is re-engineering and re-arrangement now; hence, we are pressing the House of Assembly, as it is the only institution that would look at it and take cognizance of the political situation and sectional interests and arrange power rotation or succession in an orderly manner where it can be easily interpreted and nobody offended.”

Presently, there are agitation and claims over which section of the state should produce the next governor in 2015, to succeed Chief Theodore Orji.

Based on the Charter, it the governorship will go to old Aba division, as the old Bende had taken its turn.

But this view is being challenged by a section of old Aba division on the basis that because the past two slots were effected on senatorial basis, it ought to go to Abia South senatorial zone in 2015.

Abia North senatorial zone took its turn through former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu; Abia Central zone is taking its turn through Governor Orji while Abia South senatorial zone insists it should be allowed to take its turn in 2015.

Expectedly, if enacted into law, the Charter would provide specifically how power should

be rotated in the state — whether on senatorial or old division basis.

It should be stated that the said Charter had/has no force of Law even though the document was prepared to give every section of Abia a sense of belonging in the state when created.

Ezeikpe lauded the creation of the state by former military President Babangida, noting, however, the N250 million take-off grant reportedly given to Katsina and Akwa Ibom States on their creation was not extended to Abia State. Thus, Abians had to task themselves for the new state to take off.

He recalled that three attempts were made before Abia was created, the first being from 1981 to 1983. The second stage was after the death of the former Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara when the state elders resumed the agitation.

The third was from 1990 when Abia people all across the country started to write the Federal Government, highlighting the injustices of not creating more states in the Southeast area.

He gave kudos to past governors of the state, saying that while Dr. Okpara ruled well, Governor Theodore Orji is the most listening and performing governor Abia State has had.

According to Chief Bob Ogbuagu during the press conference, if every citizen of the state did and does what he/she ought to do, the state would have been better than it is today.

“What are being put in place by Governor Orji are our very necessities,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

POLITICS | 11

‘To Jonathan, politics is not a do-or-die affair’ Chief Chris Ukpabi, Second Republic senator, was the sole NPN representative from the Southeast, chairman of the NRC in Abia State in the Third Republic, and pioneer leader of the PDP in the state in 1998. He spoke to newsmen in Abuja about the 2015 elections, reports Seye Olumide.

HAT would you say is the cause of the crisis W we see everyday in the PDP? I wouldn’t call it crisis. It is a question of somebody wanting to occupy a position and another wanting to occupy the same. And that is life.

Somebody can’t tell you I want to be president or governor and you just allow him; no, that is not democracy.

The very moment you say you want a position, then there would be disagreement naturally.

And as a mature political grouping, we disagree to agree.

Doesn’t this a source of alarm in view of the emergence of the APC? There is nothing like that. I can tell you there is no cause for alarm. I am telling you that we will settle the matter. Anybody who thinks we are down and out because of this crisis must be joking. They will be making a big mistake. We will be stronger than ever.

What of the threat of the APC? APC is a good opposition and there is nothing that goes on well without a good opposition.

What opposition does is check and balance.

So, the PDP is not scared of the APC? Who are those in there?

They have Buhari and Tinubu…

How many times have they failed elections?

Let’s talk about something else. They are not a threat because what they know we know, too.

What is it that they know?

I won’t tell you. What they know and which we also know, they know that we know it.

Has it to do with rigging machinery?

I am not talking of rigging; I am talking of the political game.

What is so unique about Jonathan’s administration that you think Nigerians should appreciate?

He is humane and then he looks at matters very dispassionately. He gets along with people. He has come to show Nigerians that politics is not a do-or-die affair. And if you kill somebody you want to take charge of, who will you take charge of then?

Because of his Christian nature, knowing that he has reached the peak, he now decides to take everybody as himself, believing that it is better to make people realise their mistakes than to force them.

Take, for instance, a number of times, people have tried to mess him up. They used languages that are not very complimentary to the president of a country but he had not reacted.

This is man has all the powers. If he says kill, it happens and if he says spare, it happens. But he decides to follow the part of peace and love for every human being that comes around him.

That is very unique.

But his critics see this as weakness…

It does not show any sign of weakness. I am a Reverend. It is not for you to start hitting people back because there is strength and valour in making sure that the man who has insulted you is shown kindness. He (the person), on his own, will regret.

That is why the religious side of it is better. You don’t go to and take revenge; leave God to do the rest for you. And anybody who says that is weakness may not know the will of God for you.

At the recent NEC meeting of the PDP, President Jonathan said Nigerians would begin to appreciate what he has been doing by early next year.

What are the things the President has done?

I want to first say that there is no president, governor, or council chairman that can handle all the problems around them. They come in, do their bit, and move on. That is the background around which I will lay out some things he has done.

Look at the railway system that has been moribund for so many years. Many people from my own place, who speak Hausa today, do so because they are offsprings of those who worked in the Railway Corporation. That has helped in binding the country together.

Now, from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, it is only a small place in Aba that is left, it (railway line) would have been completed. Look at the Lagos to Kano route; people can now use it. And the more you use these rails, the more our roads last

Ukpabi longer.

It makes me remember those days when we used to go to secondary schools. We would jump into the train; sometimes, we don’t pay.

We got to the next station and stopped.

Look at electricity; he has taken it to a whole new level. I was reading one of the reports and it stated that from 1999 till Jonathan came into office, we were using only 2,000 megawatts. But only two years in office, we now have 4,500 megawatts and he has promised, and put in motion things that would be done to make Nigeria, within a short time, to enjoy uninterrupted power supply. What can be better than that?

Go into agriculture. We are almost 60 percent self-sufficient in the production of rice. Look at the jobs it has brought; it is something to be glad about. If you know the amount of money we used in importing rice in the past, you will know that he has done so well.

There are a lot of areas that Jonathan has shown he is ready to work. Last year, as someone from the Southeast, we were afraid where we would be in a position to get to our villages.

The roads were so bad, but he set up a team; incidentally, the chairman of that team is my friend and they had to do the roads. Now, I can drive from Abuja here to my place in the East without any problem of bad roads.

Look at the Second Niger Bridge. Our people were jubilating and praising God when Julius Berger mobilised to the site to start work. Most of these things have been left all along and this young man is doing them; why don’t we appreciate him for once?

I am sure people traveling through our airports in recent times would be proud to say they are a Nigerians. The airports were eyesores but today, they are very beautiful. These are things Jonathan would be remembered for within such a short time — just two years.

I was reading where somebody was scoring him low. Unfortunately, for those writings, they were hooking the failures of the past administrations on him. How can you? If you are looking at past administrations, then blame those responsible for them and praise him for what he has done within such a short period.

But northern leaders and elders are agitating for power shift to their zone; what is your take in that despite the achievements you credit to President Jonathan?

It is a laughing matter. They are merely playing out a script, which had been handed over to them by that our respected leader from the North, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

On October 12, 1960, that highly respected sage of ours addressed a magazine and he said this nation called Nigeria was their own private property bequeathed to them by their great grandfather, Usman Danfodio and that they would resist any change in power.

Take note, he said they would resist any change in power. That the minorities of the North would be manipulated while the south would be regarded as a conquered territory.

This is the script they are playing out.

Unfortunately, they cannot do that. How can they be talking about this now after how many years of Nigeria’s independence? They have ruled for more than 38 years. Others are also entitled to be there. You can’t rule for 38 years and expect others to continue to look at you. Nobody will take it.

Now, these 38 years, they maintain they were military regimes. But I want to tell you this, whether civilian or military, they are northerners.

There is a popular Latin adage, which, when translated, says, “The gown does not make a mock.” What you are is what you are, whether you are wearing babariga or not. If you are

There are a lot of areas that Jonathan has shown he is ready to work. Last year, as someone from the Southeast, we were afraid where we would be in a position to get to our villages. The roads were so bad, but he set up a team; incidentally, the chairman of that team is my friend and they had to do the roads. Now, I can drive from Abuja here to my place in the East without any problem of bad roads.

wearing khaki, as a General or you are wearing babariga as a civilian, you are from the North.

In any case, they are the ones pushing for North and South. As far as I am concerned, the northern issue ended during the Southern and Northern Protectorates. Today, we have six geopolitical zones and we should operate on that.

So power should rotate within the zones?

Of course, power should rotate within the zones; there is nothing like North and South.

I stand to be opposed by anybody.

There are six geopolitical zones because they are entities of their own. It should rotate within the zones and not North and South.

This North and South thing is an imaginary demarcation.

Proponents for power shift will say the SouthSouth has taken its turn; hence, power should shift to another zone in 2015.

But Jonathan has not done a second term; the Constitution empowers him to do that at section 137 subsection 2. It is only when you have been voted into that office twice. But he has only been voted into the office once.

You are supporting him to go for a second term?

Yes, why shouldn’t I? If I, as a PDP member, refuse to allow the man to go for a second term, the entire PDP should get out of the stage and allow the opposition, because we will be shooting ourselves in the leg.

This is a man we brought out to be the president of this country. He has only done once, and the Constitution allows him to do a second term and we in the PDP say he shouldn’t do. It means we are saying he has not done well and the best thing to do is for the whole PDP to get out and allow the opposition to take over.

What of people from the Southeast clamouring for their time to rule in 2015?

I am from the Southeast, and I am entitled to be president of this country. I was a senator in the Second Republic. I left the Senate a long time now. I am well read to be president of this country. But we are not going to stop him this time.

We are saying we will not because if we go in there, we will also clamour to go for a second term. If we refuse Jonathan from going for a second term, what will be the morale behind our demand going for a second term?

Unless we have made up our minds to be there for once when it is our turn. But if we must be there for a second term, we must allow him to do his second term.

How would you rate Jonathan’s performance on security?

I must tell you that he is doing well so far. If he were not doing well, the menace of Boko Haram would have been worse. Note that the insecurity is man-made; it is as a result of those who were disenchanted for losing the 2011 elections.

I am not pointing at any particular individual, because I am a man who has a lot of respect for people because I will also demand it. But when you say this country will be ungovernable when you lose — and we see what is happening, then, it is suffice to say that you are responsible. So, you have to prove to us that you are not responsible.

Secondly, the insecurity must not be focused on Jonathan alone. I say this because in other states outside Boko Haram, we have kidnappings and so on. And this arises as a result of abject poverty, hunger, unemployment; people are looking at other areas to have their daily bread. If our people are doing the little bit they can do, by making sure there is adequate employment, it won’t be this bad.

I recently heard that some young graduates were running around, trying to fill forms over openings for about 10 million jobs.

When we have this type of thing, people will be so engaged. If not for abject poverty, how can somebody give me N5,000 to kill somebody, or bomb a place? But this is possible because of hunger in the land.

So, our people at the various levels (governors and council chairmen) should also do their bit so that people are employed and the security challenge would be curbed.

You can also see that Jonathan has taken the issue of Boko Haram calmly. At a time, he was thinking of giving them amnesty. I was one of those who did not agree to it. How can you be killing people and you are giving them amnesty? What of those killed; you give them double amnesty? I said I don’t agree to that.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

12 | POLITICS

Finally, court rests Ondo poll tussle From Niyi Bello, Akure HE fog over the political firmament of Ondo T State created by the controversial legal tussle arising from the October 20, 2012 governorship election, won by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP), was finally cleared yesterday.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court declared as incompetent, the petitions written against the exercise by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke and his defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) counterpart, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The apex court reiterated the positions of the earlier courts that the conduct of the poll was held in substantial compliance with the electoral law and that the petitioners could not prove their cases beyond reasonable doubts.

As the news of the victory of the LP filtered into the state, hundreds of supporters of the party moved into the Democracy Park at the centre of Akure metropolis to jubilate and congratulate themselves over the verdict.

Several groups, including women, youths and leaders of the party, created an atmosphere of carnival in the town, causing traffic gridlock at Adesida Road, the main transport artery in the metropolis.

Many people made brisk business selling materials made in the LP colours.

The crowd was thrown into frenzy as Mimiko, who drove to the venue straight from the airport where his Deputy, Alhaji Alli Olanusi and other members of the cabinet welcomed him, punched the air with his fists in celebration.

The governor, who eulogised the judiciary for rising again “to protect our democracy,” said the judgment had shown that he won the election convincingly and that the position of the opposition had been found to hold no water.

While urging the petitioners to prepare for the next elections, the governor said: “I think it is time for the opposition to sheath their sword. I think it is time to be humble and accept the mandate given to us.

“I think it is time for them to join hands with us in lifting our people from the abyss of poverty.”

He told the crowd that a new lease of life that would introduce economic prosperity to the state would soon be unfolded, as the state’s desire to industrialise would manifest in the establishment of cement and fertilizer companies, which would tackle the problem of unemployment.

Also on hand to felicitate with the ruling party were members of the state branch of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) led by its chairman, Ayo Isijola, who urged the opposition to join hands with the governor to move the state forward.

However, dismissing the court verdict, Oke expressed regrets about the outcome of his petition.

In a press release he personally signed, he said: “This final ruling marks the end of a titanic battle to challenge and invalidate the result of what we are convinced was a heavily compromised and highly flawed October 20, 2012 governorship election.

“It is clear that this Supreme Court judgment con-

Mimiko

Akeredolu

Oke

stitutes a brazen defeat of the expectations of the people of Ondo State who had desired light after four years of total darkness.

“It also demonstrates a serious shatter to the sensibilities of the people, who had expected a lease from the shackles of poverty, want, disease, unemployment and frustration.”

Oke said his party’s mission was to rescue the people of Ondo State from the excruciating pains of poverty, bad governance and pains.

“We set out to rebuild hope and confidence in our people by bringing them a government with integrity, focus and action,” he said.

“Though the battle is fought and decided, we need to thank the good people of this state for their endurance, fortitude, faith and perseverance throughout the period of this trial. We also wish to encourage them to keep the peace and walk tall through the rest of the days ahead.”

While profoundly thanking all the good people of Ondo State for their uncommon support and encouragement, Oke reminded them that the fight to enthrone democracy, justice and freedom is not an easy walk.

“For us, our spirits remain strong and undaunted. Our commitment and struggle to ensure the enthronement of good governance in our country remains unwavering, even as we remain as one with our people throughout this period of pains and sadness,” he said.

As residents of the state received the judgment with different reactions, depending on which side of the political divide they belong, and as senior stakeholders expressed relief that the state could now put the issue of October 20 behind it and move forward, the Master of Ceremonies (MC) at the gathering that celebrated the LP victory yesterday jokingly said members of the opposition could still seek redress at “Ijoko Ojogbon”.

This is an ombudsman programme on the stateowned television station in which a panel of “wise men” settles disputes among members of the public.

Back to the matter of the court processes leading to the Supreme Court verdict yesterday!

The duo of Oke and Akeredolu had approached the Akure three-member Election Petitions Tribunal, headed by Justice Andovar Kaka’an, praying it to declare, as null and void, the election in which the LP candidate and incumbent governor, Dr. Mimiko, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While Oke, a lawyer and former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, prayed for the cancellation of the election or in the alternative that he be declared as the winner, Akeredolu, also a lawyer and former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urged the court to declare a repeat of the exercise.

Both predicated their arguments on the grounds of massive irregularities, exhibition of violence and disenfranchisement of thousands of voters.

They claimed these malpractices substantially affected the outcome of the poll, to the extent that the final results, as announced by INEC, could not be the true reflection of the political aspiration of the people of the state.

Central to the case of the petitioners was the allegation that the Voters’ Register used for the election was fraudulently handled by INEC to include thousands of new names hitherto not in the original register used for the 2011 elections, even when no exercise, to generally update the document, was carried out.

While delivering its judgment on May 3 this year, the tribunal held that the matter of the allegation of illegal injections of names into the register was a pre-election matter that should have been handled by a High Court prior the poll.

It said that the election was generally held in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the petition-

ers approached the Appeal Court and on July 1, the appellate court affirmed that the alleged illegal injection of names was not convincingly proved that it negatively affected the outcome of the election.

This was even though after the Appeal Court ruled that the tribunal should have done justice to the issue of the illegal injections, as the register is the most important document of an electoral exercise being the foundation of a poll.

Declaring the legal challenges from the petitioners as frivolous, the Appeal Court said: “Our politics should be devoid of post-election rancour. Perhaps, when our democracy matures, the loser in an election will be bold enough to congratulate the winner. We hope that day will come very soon.”

The appellate court expressed dismay about the penchant of Nigerian politicians to reject the outcome of elections even if it was obvious that they had lost out, describing the act as unbecoming of good sportsmanship that politics should promote in a functional democracy.

The position of the court tallied with the submission of the lead counsel to Mimiko, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who told the five-man panel of learned Justices, led by Justice M.L Garba, that the cases of the opposition against the outcome of the poll were only targeted at causing general confusion on the premise that “if we cannot have it, you too should not have it.”

Despite the court’s admonition, the appellants declared, moments after the judgment that they were proceeding to the Supreme Court for further determination of the case.

But yesterday, the court put paid to further litigating on the Ondo State governorship election of last year. It gave judgment to Governor Mimiko and the Labour Party.

Limits of arbitrary power (2) (Continued from yesterday under Perspective)

In this reflection on the malady of arbitrary use of power, Unwana Udofia advocates a check on its growing tendency in keeping with the intent and spirit of democracy.

NOTHER line of thought proA voked by the display of naked power in Uyo in recent times is: What or who will set limits to the whimsical display of power by elected leaders in the country? In other jurisdictions, the force of custom and tradition is a powerful restraint on power. Leaders would think twice before they take a capricious step away from a custom-ordered

and tradition-sanctified practice that has served their people well in the past.

Not so in this country where a leader can wake up any day and inflict his quirk of fancy on the people and damn the consequences. Well, do they actually run the risk of consequences?

The people appear to be unwilling or unable to make leaders pay for their willful eccentricities that go against the grain of what the people hold dear to their heart. The developing story in Akwa Ibom State illustrates this point.

Since 1999, the political tradition in the state has been that of an open contest for the office of governor. It was such open contest that brought the incumbent governor into office.

Now, the governor wants to stand that tradition on its head.

News reports say that the governor recently called in leaders of thought

in the state, to inform them of his decision to hand over power to a hand-picked man from Eket Senatorial District and stop all other parts of the state from running for the office of governor in 2015.

Is the governor’s reported decision consistent with the political tradition in the state? Does he have the right to set aside such important political value of the people such as free contest in order to indulge his whims and caprices?

We acknowledge what the media have done to hold leaders to account even with respect to the latest executive rascality in Akwa Ibom State. The point, however, is that the action by the media is not concerted enough.

The forces of caprice and arbitrariness are formidable and unyielding.

They have to be combated with equal resolve.

A kindred issue, some would even say the crux of the matter, in the

show of mischief in Akwa Ibom State, may be what has been canvassed in a recent paid advertorial in the press.

Entitled ‘Tortoise Politics,’ the advertorial argues that Akpabio’s acts of intimidation and attempt to brush aside tradition and the right of the people to freely choose their leaders without let and hindrance are fed by his ambition to retain the reins of power while a hand-picked successor holds the formal title of governor from 2015.

This is a troubling conclusion, which brings to mind Herbert Ogunde’s political theatre entitled, Yoruba Ronu! (Yoruba Think!) during the Western regional crisis of the 1960s.

Akwa Ibom is a fiercely democratic, anti-feudalistic society that clearly demonstrated in the past that it has no interest in dynasty. So, why should they accept the Akpabio

dynasty now? Here lies the need to borrow from Herbert Ogunde and say, Akwa Ibom Think!

Akwa Ibom has become the pride of the nation and envy of other states in the union because the current leadership was forged on the furnace of fierce competition — Akpabio contested against a crowded field of 58 other candidates from all senatorial districts in the state. That is how the Akwa Ibom electorate got to pick the best.

Why is the governor unexpectedly going against competition that brought him into office and evidently delivered the best to the state?

Akwa Ibom Think! Insist on your right to freely choose your leader based on an open contest, which is the only guarantee for selecting the best that the state can offer.

• Udofia, a public affairs commentator, writes from Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday August 30, 2013

13

TheMetroSection Fire razes house, kills three-year-old girl in Dutse According to eyewitnesses, the Power Holding Company of T was a day of grief for Sergeant Nigeria (PHCN) brought electricDaniel Jalmet Namu and his ity in a flash and it went off. A spouse Paulina on Wednesday minute later when it was renight when fire outbreak suspected stored it sparked off an inferno to have been triggered by electrical suspected to be triggered by elecfault killed their three-year-old trical fault in the wiring system. daughter, Faith, in their two-bedPaulina who was relaxing outroom apartment located at Takur side was jolted when her other Adua in Dutse. children rushed out to alert her Namu told The Guardian that he was that the house was on fire. in Kano on an official duty with the By the time they remembered Joint Task Force (JTF) as one of the that Faith was sleeping inside crack force checkmating the activithe room, it was too late as ties of the insurgents, so he was not smoke from the smoldering at home to know what exactly was properties in the room had the cause of the fire. chocked her.

He said he was alerted by a neighNot even the efforts of neighbour that his house was on fire at bors to rescue her after breaking about 10.30pm, adding that later the the burglary-proof on the winsame neighbour called again to indow could save her. form him that his daughter died in She was rescued unconscious the fire incidence. from the room and rushed to the He said he instructed that everyhospital but the doctor conthing should be put on hold till he firmed her dead. returns on Thursday morning for Paulina, the mother of the dethe burial. ceased could not hold back her Namu lamented that he lost everytears as she wailed uncontrolthing to the fire and his family now lably. She expressed shock over squats with their neighbour. her daughter’s death who she

Briefs Arowolo passes on at 77

From John Akubo, Dutse

I

HE death has occurred of T Alhaji Jemeel Shittu Arowolo who died on Sunday

Scene of the fire incident. described as the last born very dear to her heart.

According to her, she was relaxing outside when the fire broke out as her other children came screaming not knowing

that Faith was sleeping right inside the inferno.

The little girl was buried at the cemetery by members of the All Saints Protestant Church in Takur Adua, Dutse.

Smugglers kill Customs officer, set vehicle ablaze has led to the making of over 686 seizures since January N unidentified senior of- 2013, has placed us on the danficer of the Seme Area ger of attacks like this from Command of the Nigeria criminals who are being preCustoms Service (NCS), was al- vented from using the border legedly murdered by smugfor their anti-economic and glers yesterday. other nefarious activities.”

According to the ComOlottah said: “Our operatives, mand, the officer was killed in due to their uncompromising the Ashipa area of Seme while stance against smuggling and in his official uniform “unprotecting the nation’s econarmed and driving to the omy, have come under series Command’s headquarters for of attacks by smugglers and a routine meeting.” some unpatriotic elements A statement signed by the who see smuggling as their Command’s Public Relations right. In some cases attempts Officer, Ernest Olottah, exmade at disarming some of plained that the officer was ac- our operatives in the recent costed by a mob who forced past were rebuffed.” him out of his vehicle.

“Comptroller Othman Abdu “Buoyed by an identified Chief Saleh, Customs Area Conof the community, the officer troller of Seme Border has in was murdered in cold blood collaboration with sister govand his vehicle set ablaze”. ernment agencies including The command attributed the the police, commenced moves alleged murder to its antito bring the perpetrators of smuggling operation “which the heinous crime to book.

By Moses Ebosele

A

The Controller posits that this unfortunate incident will not deter operatives of the command under his watch from carrying out their lawful duties.” ‘’This is indeed a sad day for

us here in this command, but let me emphasise that we are not relenting in the discharge of our duty as we will not allow the darkness of criminality to dampen the light of our service to our great coun-

try, Nigeria. In collaboration with the police and other security agencies, we hope to arrest and bring the perpetrators of this crime to book’’, Saleh was quoted as saying.

Demolition: Ogun compensates septuagenarian with new storey building the house located at Fajuyi Road, along Ago-Oba area of Abeokuta in 1968.

GUN State Government has put smiles on the face The Permanent Secretary, Minof 78-year-old Pa Folorun- istry of Works, Engr. Kayode Ademolake, who handed over sho Agboola whose house was the keys to Pa Agboola on behalf demolished to pave way for of the Commissioner in the Minroad construction works in istry, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite Abeokuta. at a brief ceremony in Abeokuta The septuagenarian has been yesterday said the state governcompensated with a storeyment decided to build another building built by the governhouse on a land owned by him ment at Obada Oko, also in because of his advanced age.

Abeokuta.

According to Agboola, he built Ademolake appealed to all

From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

O

those whose houses were demolished but are yet to be compensated to be rest assured that government would fulfill its obligation, assuring that the “Ogun State Government would not relent in its effort to put smiles on the faces of the people.”

Pa Agboola, at the ceremony, disclosed that the demolished building was the first house he built in 1968 and thanked the state government for the gesture.

Foundation offers free health screening to Surulere residents ESIDENTS of Surulere local council and its environs recently enjoyed free hypertension, diabetes and obesity screening at a public enlightenment programme, designed reduce cases of heart diseases by the Olaniba Heart Foundation.

From 9: 00am till 2: 00pm, scores of people thronged the council premises, venue of the screening, to benefit from the programme, which the health unit of the local council partnered the Dr. Adesina

R

Olaniba Heart Foundation to organize.

The foundation, named after the late Dr. Olaniba, a British trained Nigerian surgeon, who died in 2003, plans to periodically work with public and private organisations to promote good health, through various workshops, health screening, and research studies on cardiovascular diseases.

Established by his wife, Dr. Mrs. Adenike Olaniba, the foundation parades other trustees such as Prof. Adewale

Oke, Chief Mrs. Leila Fowler, Chief J. B. Oke, Mr. Ayodeji Osilowo and Dr. Adebowale Olaniba.

Mrs. Olaniba explained that the initiative is a labour of love in memory of a dedicated professional who died of heart attack (myocardial infraction), at 58. “It was a painful loss, which we hope other families can avoid if they have requisite information on conditions which predispose one to heart diseases and promotion of heart health.”

August 25, 2013 in his residence and had since been buried according to Islamic rites. Alhaji Arowolo was until his death the Chief Imam of Nawair-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ebute-Metta Branch. In a statement issued by his son, Mr. Abdulrasheed Arowolo, Pa Arowolo 8th day Fidau prayer holds on Sunday, September 1, at Temidire Primary School, Oke-Odo, Alimosho, Lagos.

He is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

Chiejina, 48, for burial today HE death has occurred of T Mr. Felix U. Chiejina of Akwu Quarters, Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, on August 21, 2013. According to a statement jointly signed by his family members, Mrs. Patricia Okoronkwo (nee Agwegwe) and Rita Chiejina, his remains would be laid to rest today at Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos at 10a.m. He is survived by brothers, sisters and a host of relations.

Akinwunmi, 77, for burial

HE burial ceremony for T Chief (Mrs.) Aderemi Amope Akinwunmi who died on July 23, 2013 begins on Thursday September 5, 2013 with Service of songs/ Christian-wake coordinated by Saviour’s African Church Agege at her Lagos residence, 47 Maracas Road, Agege by 5pm.

Commendation service holds at the same church while internment is at Christ African Church, Erinja-Orile, Yewa South Ogun State on Friday September 6, 2013. She is survived by children and grandchildren among who is Mr. Tunde Akinwunmi, a Lagos based Chartered Accountant.

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

TheGuardian 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 For Nigeria, a blessing LESSING Okagbare’s appearance on the medals podium for Nigeria B at the just concluded World Championships in Moscow, 14 long years after Gloria Anozie and Francis Obikwelu got similar recognition at the Seville, Spain edition in 1999 is worth celebrating. Of course, the long spell before Okagbare’s feat emphasises the tardiness in the affairs of a country so blessed with human and material resources enough to produce the world’s best in most sectors. Blessing’s precious silver medal in the long jump and a bronze in the 200 metres dash are therefore significant as they ended a dry run and a national heartache. She even made a record as the first individual Nigerian athlete to return home with more than one medal in the global show.

Without taking anything away from the input of her compatriots who starred in other events at the Moscow tournament, Okagbare’s blessing to a country desperately in need of an end to the shame of always making up the numbers at competitions was a product of real determination. That determination was incontestable in her jumps and the time returned against the winners: 0.2 metres short of golden girl, American Britney Reese’s 7.01metres leap and a photo finish of 22.32 seconds shared with Ivoirien Murielle Ahoure. Okagbare could not have been more apt in saying “my hard work through the season was not in vain”.

Nigeria has definitely witnessed decades of official mismanagement or even neglect of sports in terms of funding and provision of worldclass facilities while athletes suffer on welfare and inadequate coaching to compete against stars from other nations. The country has missed so many opportunities over many years. The few sportsmen and women who brought honours actually did so through personal investments and exertions. Missed chances are definitely not for lack of capacity. In short, the environment to excel is just not there.

Experience has shown that many sports administrators have promoted selfish interests under the cover of government interference and this is regrettable. It is noteworthy that this peculiarly Nigerian spectacle is even against international bodies’ rules on sports, especially the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA). Sports associations are not supposed to be government entities. Surely, they can do with better management and focus in private hands. And that is why the current efforts in football through the League Management Company are commendable.

Among the many ills plaguing the country as a result of poor management is the exodus of sports men and women, athletes in particular, to foreign countries that appreciate their worth and accommodate their talents. Many of them are winning medals for other countries at the expense of Nigeria.

Shortly before the close of the Moscow competition, Team Nigeria’s sprinter, Gloria Asunmnu who competed in the 100 metres, reportedly regretted as a huge mistake switching allegiance to Nigeria from the United States (U.S.), two years ago. Her lamentation that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (the AFN) “is not set up for you to be the best you can” is a sad but factual commentary on the association and should be addressed. Ironically, another Nigerian athlete, James Osadolu, who normally competes for the U.S. is also reportedly considering competing for honours for Nigeria soon – a position that has attracted warnings from his colleagues who see the proposed move as a potential setback. What is needed now are actions and comments that would encourage even foreign-based athletes to do more for Nigeria.

Not surprisingly, Nigeria’s outing at the 2013 championship has reportedly led to a blame game between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) over poor management of the training regime for athletes, which indirectly hinders medal chase. The government should actualise its pledge to energise pre-championship training through proper funding (at least until private interest begins to play a bigger role in funding). Nigerian coaches should also be assisted with in-depth technical courses.

The lesson in all these is that Nigerians would love to give all in the service of their country if they are given the right atmosphere. Leaders should also learn to plug into the fact that no activity builds better public relations for governments and nations than sporting honours at international levels. With proper planning and funding, Okagbare’s blessing to Nigeria would not be an isolated case.

LETTERS

Re: Cloud over ceasefire agreement Love him or hate him, Mr. Stent.IR:Abubakar Shekau is consisIn a sane clime, Mr. Tanimu Turaki will throw in the towel.

The ‘Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North’ has overstayed its welcome. We implore President Jonathan to disband the committee forthwith before it becomes another gala affair.

If indeed the committee brokered a ceasefire with Boko Haram (BH), it would have been savvy of it to ask BH to announce the ceasefire themselves and not the other way round. It is interesting to note that government has since proscribed BH. It beggars belief that this same government is bent on force-feeding a group it outlawed with negotiation, ceasefire and prob-

ably amnesty. Does this not depict inconsistency, policy summersault or is this Nigeria’s adaptation of a carrot and stick approach?

Nigeria has become synonymous with leadership by jumbled committees. We must do away with this penchant for setting up paper-tiger committees/panels. Sooner than later, the report of the committee will be consigned to the archives and it will be business as usual.

Let us have a template that stipulates how incidents should be handled. It is high time Nigeria articulated a “Coherent and Comprehensive Terrorism, Counter-terrorism Policy/Strategy”. In its latest video, the de facto leader of Boko Haram threatened to sustain its attacks on schools.

Security-conscious establishments in Nigeria must be proactive, carry out sporadic “Extensive Vulnerability/Resilience Analysis’’ of their domain and take appropriate steps to nip this recurring decimal in the bud. Efforts and resources must be geared towards intelligence gathering.

Every thoughtful and securityminded country or individual hopes for the best but prepares for the worst. A wise saying goes that after a battle, sharpen your sword.

Peace is a sine qua non for development. No country or individual will actualize its potentials in a haze of insecurity and unpredictability. Nigerians Unite Against Insecurity and Terrorism. See it, hear it, say it, stop it!

God bless Nigeria.

• Don Okereke, e-mail: donnuait@yahoo.com

Russia’s move on gay campaign I commend Russia for banStheIR:ning all gay propaganda at Sochi games. The elevation of perversion to the level of a fundamental value that has to be nurtured and nourished and promoted is absolutely sick.

Men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

Nonetheless, homosexual acts must be considered wrong and intrinsically disordered because they are contrary to the natural law.

The Bible clearly and unequivocally condemns homosexual

acts (Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 2:24; Matt.

19: 4-6; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:10; 1 Tim. 1:10 etc.). Science too has found no “gay gene”.

There is a distinction between the word ‘homosexual’ and ‘gay’. A homosexual is a person who has, to some extent, this homosexual condition. If he honestly and quietly deals with it in cooperation with the grace of God he may come out of this difficulty and come back to normal human relationship. In contrast a ‘gay’ is somebody who says, ‘I am like this, I will be like this, I want to be treated

like this, and I want special privileges because I am like this.’ Now if somebody is not only homosexual, but a gay, declaring, ‘This is how I am, and I want this to be respected legally, socially and so on’ – such a person will never come out of the difficulty.

Like Russia, all nations must work together to curb the danger of identifying with the homosexual condition as if it was the supreme expression of the identity of the individual which would deprive the individual of healing and happiness.

• Paul Kokoski, Ontario, Canada.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

15

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Angst as 77 licensed oil blocks remain unproductive since 2007

By Roseline Okere HE plans by the Federal T Government to boost the country’s crude oil production to 2.4 million before the end of this year, may have been thwarted by the inability of the about 77 oil blocks issued licences between 2005 and 2007 to begin active production.

The Guardian gathered that the development has resulted to unpaid signature bonuses of over $2 billion (N320 billion) accentuating public controversy, including lawsuits, indictments, sacking, cancelled or revoked awards and legislative probes Indeed, The Guardian learnt that only one out of the companies offered offered oil block has started producing while the rest have not made any meaningful progress.

The inability of the blocks to commence full production has also been identified as one of the reasons for the inability of the Federal Government to hold another oil licensing round since 2007.

The country’s crude oil production is currently between 1.8 million and two million in the last three years, according to Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC), while Nigeria’s crude oil

reserve stood at 36 billion barrels despite government’s effort to meet the 40 billion barrels target set few years ago.

The Federal Government had in 2012 set a production target of 2.48 million barrels per day, of which 1.5 million where expected from the onshore and shallow water terrain, while deepwater concessions to account for 900,800 barrels per day.

Information from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) identified lack of finance, technical challenges, limited capacity and packaging issues, partnership and partner relations as some of the challenges hampering the progress of the oil blocks.

Speaking at a one day forum on the 2005 to 2007 licensing rounds awards yesterday in Lagos, the Director, DPR, George Osahon, expressed concern over the inability of the oil blocks to start full production and pledged government assistance to the investors where necessary.

In expressing the concern of the Federal Government, Osahon stated: “The government is concern about the inability to meet the industry’s target for reserves and production capacity. We are are also worried about our inability to establish national competitive

advantage at the global level.

There is also wrong impression about the country’s investment climate with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being touted as the reason for limited industry activities. The

industry is having limited attraction from investors”.

Speaking on the way forward, he encouraged the awardees to build synergies where possible, as in contiguous blocks for for data acquisition or conjugate development.

He said that the DPR will be ready to assist the awardees in finding solutions to their technical challenges. “Approach the DPR for your technical challenges and we will now help you in contacting an expert. In respect to the securi-

ty challenges, we encourage the awardees to partner with each other to reduce to effect of insecurity|”, he said.

The Managing Director, Oando, E & P Limited, Pade

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

MD, First Bank of Nigeria Limited Bisi Onasanya (Left), CEO, Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismarck Rewane, His Royal Highness, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya, the Onibereko of Ibereko representing Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Mrs. Mojisola Bakare-Asieru, at the 2013 Lagos Bankers’ Nitewhich took place last week in Lagos.

SURE-P unfolds unemployment reduction agenda From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HE pangs of lingering T unemployment crisis may have hit no fewer than 40 million Nigerians, who are currently in search of virtually elusive job placements, the Chairman of Subsidy Reinvestment & Employment Programme (SURE-P), Dr. Christopher Kolade has revealed.

Kolade however expressed optimism that the current SURE-P agenda would tackle the unemployment saga,

given the avowed support from the Presidency.

The unemployment figure was computed through the estimation of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which indicated that 23.9 per cent of Nigerians are unemployed.

Speaking yesterday during the Sensitization and Mobilisation Programme organized by the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) in Ado - Ekiti, Ekiti State, he disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan is com-

mitted to solving the employment problem through the SURE-P Kolade, who was represented by the Technical Assistant to Community Services, Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) noted that through the GIS, the President Jonathan was making all efforts to ensure that the employment problem which has accumulated for years is being addressed drastically.

“Through the GIS, we have the mandate to create

50,000 jobs. This sensitization workshop is therefore very important to us because it is part of our commitment to ensure that the GIS achieves the objectives for which it was set up”, he said.

He noted that President Jonathan has demonstrated his commitment to tackling the challenge of youth employment by providing the necessary platform and funds.

The programme, which was organised by the GIS in

collaboration with Kalends Consulting, was aimed at making most Nigerian graduates more employable through training and mentoring.

The Project Director of the GIS, Peter Parka said: “National Bureau of Statistics in 2011 indicate that 23.9 per cent of Nigerians are unemployed. This means that about 40million Nigerians need employment.

Government is concerned about this high unemployment rate and he is doing

everything possible to reverse it.”

He noted that one of the challenges of graduate unemployment is inability of the system to absorb the nearly 300,000 graduates churned out by our universities and other tertiary institutions each year.”

The Ekiti State Chairman of the SURE-P, Femi Akinyemi disclosed that about N120 million has been released by the Federal Government to address the unemployment problem in Ekiti State.

Sweden targets closer economic ties with Nigeria From Adeyemi Adepetun, Stockholm, Sweden N recognition of the Iopportunities immense investments in the country, the Swedish Government has initiated fresh moves to establish closer economic ties with Nigeria.

Sweden, whose present trade volume with Nigeria grew by over 62 per cent, reaching $1 billion as at 2011, noted that

there is a shift in Africa, focused on building sustainable activities to grow trade and investments.

In a session with journalists from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya yesterday, in Oslo, Sweden, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gunnar Oom said there has been a clear change in business climate, with huge growth coming from Africa, which is presently not seen in

Europe, stressing that countries like Nigeria, South Africa must continue to work harder to improve their foreign development ties.

Oom, who said emerging markets like South Africa and Nigeria are critical to Sweden, added that this will facilitate foreign investments.

Besides, Sweden has also advised Nigeria in particular, to develop its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), scheme

,stressing that the country has what it takes to excel.

While calling for closer ties with Nigeria, Oom, who said the country is one of the richest in the world, noted that for the country to attract more foreign investment, basic infrastructural facilities are critical.

The Swedish State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said issues around electricity; good road networks and other infra-

structure development should be Nigeria’s priority at this time.

“Nigeria is very rich. Infact, one of the richest in the world, but 10 per cent of the population have access to electricity.

There is need to work on that.

We have seen appreciable growth in telecommunications, but operators should strive towards accelerating data growth because that is where the world is going now.

“Nigeria and others need true competition and they must fight corruption.

Corruption is a distortion to business and building of long term prosperity.

“I must say this, wherever we have Swedish companies, they stick to the rules and that has been our focus in rendering quality services. There is need for transparent procedures.

Sweden seeks closer ties with Nigeria”, Oom stated.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Why NDDC Advisory Committee should act now

By Belema Opukiri S far back as the third century B.C., the “Legist” school of philosophy in China had made a case for the existence of law in society. The underlying idea, around which this case is built, is that man is by nature evil and the law is needed to keep his evil inclination in check. It concluded that only the restraint of penal law would bring good back to the society. The school was reacting to the decadence and chaos that then characterised the Chinese society.

Interestingly, at about the same time, the “Shastra coriters” of India were making a similar argument. According to this school, man by nature is greedy and if left to operate without law, life itself would become a sort of “devil’s workshop” operating on the “logic of the fish”. The big fish will feed on the smaller ones. In the words of Thomas Hobbes, “a society without law is a veritable recipe for disaster”. His arguments are copiously and eloquently outlined in his book Leviathan, published in 1661.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was statutorily set up by an Act and charged with various responsibilities with a view to bringing development to member states and, by implication, Nigeria as a country. Recently, the tenure of its Board expired and an acting managing director has been

A

appointed to steer the ship of the commission pending the constitution of a new board by the President, Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces.

What has become obvious are the incessant challenges that seem to arise every time a new Board has to be constituted.

This situation arises in relation to which of the member states will produce the three key executive positions namely, Managing Director, Executive Director (Finance) and Administration, and the Executive Director (Projects).

However, from recent publications, it appears that this persistent horse-trading and manoeuvring has reared its ugly head again. It will not be out of place to imagine that it may already be playing out in the corridors of power as to which state gets what position among member states in terms of appointment of executives for the in-coming board.

This situation, which has become repetitive every time the tenure of a board expires, tends to create the impression that there is no law in place to guide the process for appointing the executive team. It has become pertinent therefore, that there be some new thinking to remove this cog in the wheel of progress of the commission.

The NDDC Act upon which the commission was established is explicit regarding the appointments of members of the board and other relevant

issues. Part I Section 4 of the Act is clear on the rotational process (based on alphabetical order) for the appointment of its Chairman among the nine member states. And Part IV Section 12 equally states how the Managing Director and two Executive Directors shall be appointed. With current emphasis on applying the rule of law to address societal harmony, it is therefore of paramount importance that appointments into the in-coming board take into cognisance the letter and intent of the NDDC Act to avoid altercation or misapplication.

In addition to applying the rule of law, there are other critical stakeholders recognized as relevant to assuring the continued growth and sustenance of the commission. The Act also makes provision for these important organs of government who should play a crucial role in guiding the progress of the commission, clarifying uncertainties or resolving controversies that may arise from time to time, including such issues as appointments into the board.

In fact, Part III, Section 11 of the NDDC Act defines a specific role for the State Governors of the member states, composed as part of an Advisory Committee, and it says: “There is hereby established for the Commission, a Niger-Delta Development Advisory Committee (in this Act referred to as “the Advisory

Committee”) which shall consist of (a).

T h e Governors of the member states of the commission. (b) Two other persons as may be determined, from time to time by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. (c) The Advisory committee shall be charged with the responsibility of advising the board, and monitoring the activities of the commission, with a view to achieving the objective of the commission. (d) The Advisory committee may make rules regulating its own proceedings.”

Hitherto, it does appear that, in consideration of the above, the governors of the member states have been consulted and played some role in the identification of nominees to fill various positions in the board.

However, it is a considered opinion that besides the nomination of candidates, the governors of the member states, being the principal stakeholders within the Advisory Committee, can hobble together after the expiration of

a particular board to identify in advance which states may be entitled to which positions, and their decisions can therefore be communicated to the Presidency in advance. This will obviate the situation where each state has to try to lobby and prize any of the executive positions for itself based on its proximity to the Presidency. If unfortunately the much-touted rule of law is set aside for political expediency, then a governor who is not in favour with the Presidency may be disfavoured outright.

Under such circumstances, it is so easy to forget that it is not the right of the governor, but rather that of the State that has been trampled upon.

The undercurrents and ongoing powerplay relating to the composition of the in-coming NDDC Board is ludicrous and certainly calls for the Advisory Committee to do the needful and the lawful at this critical time. This should be able to stave off the potential for misinterpretation or misapplication of the law, which ordinarily ought to be rather

evident even to the lay reader.

From the foregoing, therefore, it would be a welcome development for all the governors of the member states (as contained in Part 1 section 2 of the Act) to mull over and harmonise positions in compliance with the intent of the Act, and thereafter they may be in a position to advise on the current uncertainties regarding appointments into the board.

Therefore, this is a clarion call on Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Governor of Delta State) who is understood to be the current chairman of this Advisory Committee to call an emergency meeting where he and other governors of member states, together with other primary stakeholders, would resolve the current uncertainties and ADVICE the President accordingly. Besides, we suggest that such meetings be held before the expiration of an existing board to minimize the time for transition to a new one.

A stitch in time saves nine.

•Opukiri is a Port-Harcourt-based public affairs analyst

Oil production target suffers setback CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Durotoye, said that the company was awarded oil blocks in the 2005 licensing round but has been facing series of challenges.

He listed the challenges to

include volatile region with history of militancy; inability of the company to secure seismic crew to work within acreage to security concerns; and inability to secure finance for the project.

Durotoye stated: “We have tried collaborating with other companies in respect to the security issues and we have not been able to have positive result. Our bond from local banks was initially rejected but later accepted due to the intervention of the minister of petroleum resources. By the time we went to the bank for funding, we later encounter other challenges, which impacted on our plans. Due to the challenges in the financial

climate, banks were requesting for 100 per cent cash collateral for the bond. The cash collateral double cash burden of developing the block”.

Speaking on the possible way out, he emphasised the need to remove performance bond requirement as well as the provision of an effective platform to renegotiate minimum work commitments in line with current realities of developing the assets.

He stressed the need to organise buy out terms for local content vehicles that have no funding and require carrying and ensuring the detachment of downstream commitments from Production Sharing Contract obligations.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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Weekend Martin Luther King’s Dream, 50 years on

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

20 WEEKEND

Martin Luther King and the race riot

By Nick Bryant ISTORY remembers the speech, the huge H numbers and the peaceful protest. Yet behind the scenes, the famous march on Washington in 1963 provoked suspicion, anxiety and deep-seated fears in the White House that the day would end in violence.

Across America, black fury had broken loose. A swirl of protests, touched off by weeks of racial strife in Birmingham, Alabama, where police dogs had torn at the flesh of protesters and powerful fire hoses had been trained on children, now engulfed much of the country.

Between May and late August in 1963, there had been 1,340 demonstrations in more than 200 cities. Some were communities long splintered along racial lines. Others had never before been touched by violence. The randomness of the disturbances made it all the more terrifying. Now, with 200,000 protesters about to converge on the nation’s capital, there were fears that Washington itself could witness the same chaos and disorder.

For the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the untitled leader of the civil rights movement, the events of the early summer had transformed the struggle for black equality from what he called a “Negro protest” into a “Negro revolution”. America, he feared, had reached “explosion point”.

Anxious voices made themselves heard within the Kennedy administration as well.

“Issues which are not settled by justice and fair play will sooner or later be settled by force and violence,” warned Vice-President Lyndon Baines Johnson. President Kennedy’s sole black adviser Louis Martin also raised the spectre of a breakdown in order.

“The accelerated tempo of Negro restiveness,” he warned privately, “may create the most critical state of race relations since the Civil War.” During a tense White House meeting in May, Attorney General Robert Kennedy also warned his elder brother that the situation risked getting out of hand.

“Negroes are now just antagonistic and mad and they’re going to be mad at everything.

You can’t talk to them,” he said. “My friends all say [even] the Negro maids and servants are getting antagonistic.”

For most of his presidency, John F Kennedy had viewed civil rights as a political issue to manage rather than a moral question to champion. To take on the south was to risk splintering the Democratic Party, then an angry amalgam of northern liberals, southern segregationists and pragmatists like the president, who tried to straddle the divide.

Nor did Kennedy, who was famed for his cool detachment, have a strong emotional commitment to the freedom struggle. He had largely been a bystander to the great social revolution of the age.

By the summer of 1963, however, he realised that his presidency might come to be defined by his response to the racial crisis.

Inaction was no longer an option. As he cautioned during a nationwide television address in June, the “fires of frustration and discord are burning in every city, north and south”.

To get protesters off the streets, he had finally introduced a long-awaited civil rights bill that would begin to dismantle segregation, the system of racial apartheid that prevailed across much of the American south.

But even after he had made his nationwide address, and finally lent the weight of his office to the black struggle, the protests and violence continued. A massive demonstration in Washington, then, was fraught with danger.

My friends all say [even] the maids are getting antagonistic” Robert Kennedy’s warning to JFK When the administration learned midway through June of plans for the march on Washington, its first response was to pressure black leaders into cancelling. At a White House meeting, Kennedy told Martin Luther King and other civil rights leaders that he did not want “a big show on the Capitol” because it would complicate efforts to enact the civil rights bill into law. When attempts at persuasion failed, the administration decided instead to try to wrestle control of the

Dr. Martin Luther King as he prepares to deliver the famous “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. demonstration. Here, the president was adamant shockingly so. “They’re liable to come down here and shit all over the [Washington] monument,” he told aides. “I’ve got a civil rights bill to get through. We’ll run it.”

To prevent the demonstration turning into a massive race riot, Kennedy ordered a mobilisation of the federal government’s security apparatus unprecedented outside of wartime. To start with, the FBI ramped up its already vast surveillance operation on the civil rights movement, which included electronic eavesdropping on King. It instructed every field office across the country to provide intelligence on how many local black activists planned to converge on Washington, and whether they had any affiliation with communist organisations.

An additional fear was that black radicals, who had rejected the non-violent tactics of the more moderate civil rights groups, would hijack the march. Almost 150 FBI agents were assigned to mingle in the crowd, working in tandem with secret service agents. Others were stationed at rooftop observation points on the Lincoln Memorial, Union Station and the Commerce Department overlooking the Mall. At the FBI headquarters, which director J Edgar Hoover feared might come under attack from protesters, security was also tightened. Staff were warned to sit away from the windows.

For weeks beforehand, the prospect of violence also preoccupied the Washington police department, which was placed on its highest state of alert. It came up with no less than 72 potential disaster scenarios, and plotted a response to each one. It helped that the Lincoln Memorial was enclosed on three sides by water, which made it easier to police. But every corner of downtown Washington would also be protected. On Capitol Hill, a thin blue line of officers, standing 5ft apart, would surround Congress.

A policeman or National Guardsman would be stationed on every corner in the downtown business district to guard against looting. To beef up the police presence, hundreds of additional officers were drafted in from neighbouring suburban forces, who attended specially organised riot training courses. So many law enforcement resources were devoted to policing the march, the FBI feared a spate of bank robberies in the capital’s outlying neighbourhoods.

Despite this massive mobilisation, police dogs remained in their kennels. Mindful of the ugly images from Birmingham in May, where the photographs of young protesters being mauled by snarling dogs had shocked so many white Americans, their presence could easily incite the crowd.

Because so many arrests were expected, a team of local judges was placed on round-the-clock stand-by in the city’s courtrooms. At the District of Columbia’s jailhouse, 350 inmates were evacuated to create space for disruptive protesters. Elective surgery in the greater Washington area was can-

celled, so that more than 350 beds could be set aside for riot-related emergencies. The DC General Hospital even went as far as to activate its “national disaster plan”.

Life in Washington was completely disrupted in the run-up to the march. Government offices shut down and federal employees were advised to stay home. There was a 24-hour ban on the sale of alcohol, the first time it had been banned in the nation’s capital since Prohibition.

Fears about the violent potential of the march also worried its organisers, led by the charismatic Bayard Rustin, who decided to work closely with the administration to make sure it passed off peaceably. They agreed to bring forward the start time so that protesters would not be left wandering the streets after dark. More reluctantly, they consented to a change in venue. The original plan, for a mass protest on the steps of the US Congress, was shelved. Instead they chose Lincoln Memorial, a more manageable and less politically sensitive site.

Even after weeks of meticulous planning, administration officials could not rule out the threat of violence. So on march day itself, the District of Columbia was placed under virtual martial law, with the president ordering the biggest peacetime military build-up in US history.

By mid-morning on 28 August, five military bases on the outskirts of the capital were bursting with activity, as a heavily-armed 4,000-strong task force with the code-name Inside prepared for deployment.

At Fort Myer, Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade, Quantico Marine base and the Anacostia Naval Station, 30 helicopters had been flown in especially to provide a rapid airlift capability. At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 15,000 Special Forces troops, dubbed STRICOM, were placed on stand-by, ready to be airlifted at the first sign of trouble.

If violence flared, speed of deployment was essential. All the necessary presidential proclamations, executive orders and letters of military instruction were prepared in advance. If rioting erupted, the White House would issue a presidential proclamation calling on protesters to disperse forthwith.

If the violence continued, the president would sign an executive order authorising the Pentagon to take “all appropriate steps” to disperse the crowd. As a confidential memo put it: “Desire for use of minimum force must not jeopardise successful completion of mission.”

In response to an escalating situation, troops would first brandish unloaded rifles with bayonets fixed and sheathed, then bare bayonets. If that failed, tear gas could be used, and then loaded rifles with bare bayonets fixed. The mission went by the code-name Operation Washington. So heavy was the military build-up that one reporter observed that “the city was transformed from the capital of a nation at peace to a nation at war”.

Throughout the morning of 28 August, as the

demonstration took shape outside his windows, President Kennedy remained safely inside the White House chairing a meeting of foreign policy advisers on Vietnam. Ahead of the march, he had resisted demands from King and the other leaders of the so-called “Big Six” civil rights organisations for a presidential audience that morning, since he did not want to be identified too closely with a demonstration that might become violent.

His advisers also worried that black leaders would arrive at the White House with a list of unreasonable demands which the president would find impossible to meet. If they left the Oval Office aggrieved, the whole tenor of the demonstration could rapidly change. Much to the march organisers’ disappointment, Kennedy also decided against sending protesters a presidential statement, fearing it could spark demonstrations against him on the Mall. Instead, he agreed to host a delegation of black leaders at the White House after the march was over, hoping it would soften their rhetoric against him.

As a further precaution against fiery speechifying - and also to prevent subversives from seizing control of the public address system - an administration official was positioned to the right of the Lincoln Memorial with an automatic cut-off switch and a record turntable. If protesters overran the speaker’s platform, the sound feed would be cut and replaced by Mahalia Jackson singing “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”

At 1.40 pm, West Wing aides wheeled a small television into the Oval Office, and Kennedy began to watch just as King was about to speak. Standing midway up the steps of the most magnificent pulpit that America could offer, the preacher looked out over a stirring tableau of some 200,000 demonstrators, stretching down either side of the Reflecting Pool, way down the Mall to the spire of the Washington Monument.

Thousands were stretched out on the grass verges, jammed elbow to elbow, while others waded knee-deep in the water to escape the heat. A few were perched in the elm and oak trees, lilting from side to side in the late afternoon breeze. They were singing, praying, hugging, laughing and applauding.

With the brooding statue of Abraham Lincoln peering down at him, King began by telling protesters that their presence in the symbolic shadow of the “great emancipator” offered proof of the marvellous new militancy sweeping the country. For too long, he complained, black Americans had been exiles in their own land, “crippled by the mana-

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

that never was

WEEKEND 21

‘In the face of hatred, they prayed for their tormentors’ Excerpts from President Barack Obama’s speech on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech O the King family, who have T sacrificed and inspired so much, to President Clinton,

President Carter, Vice President Biden, Jill, fellow Americans, five decades ago today, Americans came to this honored place to lay claim to a promise made at our founding.

We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In 1963, almost 200 years after those words were set to paper, a full century after a great war was fought and emancipation proclaimed, that promise, those truths remained unmet. And so they came by the thousands, from every corner of our country — men and women, young and old, blacks who longed for Obama freedom and whites who could no longer accept freedom for by the content of their character”. Then he cles of segregation and the chains of disthemselves while witnessing reached his impassioned finale. crimination”. the subjugation of others.

King asked the crowd to yell so it was heard The whirlwinds of revolt would continue Across the land, congregations the world over. to shake the very foundations of the country: sent them off with food and Watching at the White House, the president was “And those who hope that the Negro needed with prayer. In the middle of the riveted. Like so many Americans, it was the first to blow off steam and will now be content night, entire blocks of Harlem time he had heard the 34-year-old preacher dewill have a rude awakening if the nation reliver a speech in its entirety - the first time he had came out to wish them well. turns to business as normal,” King said. It With the few dollars they taken its measure, listened to its cadence. “He’s would be fatal for the nation “to overlook scrimped from their labor, good,” Kennedy told one of his advisors.

“He’s the urgency of the moment and to underessome bought tickets and damned good.” The aide was struck, however, timate the determination of the Negro”. boarded buses, even if they that the president seemed impressed more by Wearied by the suffocating heat, the couldn’t always sit where they the quality of King’s performance rather than the crowd’s initial response was muted. The wanted to sit. Those with less power of his message. speech was not going well. “Tell ‘em about money hitchhiked, or walked.

But a vital message it was.

King had made a comthe dream, Martin,” shouted Mahalia They were seamstresses, and pelling case for non-violent racial change, and Jackson, referring to a rhetorical riff that steelworkers, and students, and done so with such eloquence and power that it King had used several times before, but teachers, maids and pullman reverberated not only on Washington’s Mall, but which had not made it into his prepared porters. They shared simple also in the living rooms of white Americans. speech because aides insisted he needed meals and bunked together on fresh material. But King decided to cast aside Terrible and violent days lay ahead. But, for all the floors. his prepared notes, and launched extempo- fears beforehand, this one, 28 August 1963, was And then, on a hot summer staggeringly beautiful. raneously into the refrain for which he will day, they assembled here, in our So happily, the march proved anticlimactic for nation’s capital, under the forever be remembered. the Washington police. By dusk, there had been “I have a dream that one day this nation shadow of the great emancipator, to offer testimony of injuswill rise up and live out the true meaning of just three arrests, all involving whites. In the event, the only threat to police came not from un- tice, to petition their its creed,” he shouted, his out-stretched government for redress and to right arm reaching towards the sky. Soon he ruly protesters but the chicken box dinners handed out earlier in the morning, which had awaken America’s long-slumwas hitting his rhythm, invigorated by the not been properly refrigerated. Just after 4pm, bering conscience. chants and cries of the crowd. “Dream on!” the police chief issued his most important order We rightly and best remember they shouted. “Dream on!”

Dr. King’s soaring oratory that With his voice thundering down the Mall, of the day: that under no circumstances should his officers touch the chicken. day, how he gave mighty voice King imagined a future in which his chilAt the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, King and his to the quiet hopes of millions, dren could “live in a nation where they will how he offered a salvation path not be judged by the colour of their skin but colleagues were bundled into a caravan of govfor oppressed and oppressors ernment limousines, which then edged slowly alike. His words belong to the through the departing crowds to the White ages, possessing a power and House. Kennedy met the black leaders with an prophecy unmatched in our out-stretched hand, and a jaunty reprise of the time. lilting refrain that had lifted the whole civil But we would do well to recall rights movement to a new spiritual plane: “I have that day itself also belonged to a dream.” those ordinary people whose And with that, he ushered them into the Oval names never appeared in the Office. history books, never got on TV. Culled from the BBC. .

Many had gone to segregated schools and sat at segregated lunch counters, had lived in towns where they couldn’t vote, in cities where their votes didn’t matter. There were couples in love who couldn’t marry, soldiers who fought for freedom abroad that they found denied to them at home. They had seen loved ones beaten and children fire- hosed. And they had every reason to lash out in anger or resign themselves to a bitter fate.

And yet, they chose a different path. In the face of hatred, they prayed for their tormentors. In the face of violence, they stood up and sat in with the moral force of nonviolence. Willingly, they went to jail to protest unjust laws, their cells swelling with the sound of freedom President Barack Obama (left), former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton (right) and Mitchele Obama (secsongs. A lifetime of indignities ond left), at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

“The Dream” eventually manifested when President Barack Obama was elected first African American President of the United States (U.S) in 2008

had taught them that no man can take away the dignity and grace that God grants us. They had learned through hard experience what Frederick Douglas once taught: that freedom is not given; it must be won through struggle and discipline, persistence and faith.

That was the spirit they brought here that day. That was the spirit young people like John Lewis brought that day. That was the spirit that they carried with them like a torch back to their cities and their neighborhoods, that steady flame of conscience and courage that would sustain them through the campaigns to come, through boycotts and voter registration drives and smaller marches, far from the spotlight, through the loss of four little girls in Birmingham, the carnage of Edmund Pettus Bridge and the agony of Dallas, California, Memphis.

Through setbacks and heartbreaks and gnawing doubt, that flame of justice flickered and never died. And because they kept marching, America changed. Because they marched, the civil rights law was passed. Because they marched, the voting rights law was signed. Because they marched, doors of opportunity and education swung open so their daughters and sons could finally imagine a life for themselves beyond washing somebody else’s laundry or shining somebody else’s shoes. Because they marched, city councils changed and state legislatures changed and Congress changed and, yes, eventually the White House changed.

Because they marched, America became more free and more fair, not just for African-

Americans but for women and Latinos, Asians and Native Americans, for Catholics, Jews and Muslims, for gays, for Americans with disabilities.

America changed for you and for me.

And the entire world drew strength from that example, whether it be young people who watched from the other side of an Iron Curtain and would eventually tear down that wall, or the young people inside South Africa who would eventually end the scourge of apartheid. Those are the victories they won, with iron wills and hope in their hearts. That is the transformation that they wrought with each step of their well-worn shoes. That’s the depth that I and millions of Americans owe those maids, those laborers, those porters, those secretaries — folks who could have run a company, maybe, if they had ever had a chance; those white students who put themselves in harm’s way even though they didn’t have to; those JapaneseAmericans who recalled their own interment, those Jewish Americans who had survived the Holocaust, people who could have given up and given in but kept on keeping on, knowing that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning on the battlefield of justice, men and women, without rank or wealth or title or fame would liberate us all, in ways that our children now take for granted, as people of all colors and creeds live together and learn together and walk together, and fight alongside one another and love one another, and judge one another by the content of our character in this

‘I have a dream’ HAVE a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live Iself-evident: out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning: “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.” And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California.

Excerpts of the speech, titled ‘I Have a Dream, delivered by Dr Martin Luther King on August 28, 1963

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

ExecutiveBrief In association with TRIPPLEA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

EDITION 278

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT INFOTECH4DEXECUTIVES CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EXECUTIVE FINANCE eet Banerjee, a young and motivated entrepreneur, technoloJhave gy expert, and consultant looking to create innovations that a lasting effect on the world. He is the 19 years old founder of StatFuse, a revolutionary tool allowing students to calculate their chances of admission and making the transition from high school to college easy. This is a parade of unusual entrepreneurs who are changing the world and profiting from purpose.

Profiting from purpose by changing the world isn’t an impossible dream as many tend to think of it, but a realistic one as many unusual entrepreneurs have extraordinarily proven. In this unusual interview with Tito Philips Jnr., Jeet spoke on the purpose of entrepreneurship.

Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your business?

What do you do? How do you do it? Why do you do it and who do you do it for? Yeah sure! I’m basically a 19 year old serial entrepreneur, technology expert, consultant, author, blogger, and college student. I essentially come across problems in the world every day. I write every problem I face down and try to create a unique solution out of it. Once I have created that unique solution, I begin to think of ways to turn the idea and solution into a successful business. I created my first startup company at the age of 17; JB Media Force which was a basic service oriented company offering web design, web development, and internet marketing solutions to small businesses. I recently sold that business to focus more attention on my startup companies. Currently, I have one startup company launched StatFuse and I recently just launched my second startup company called Vintelli. I am also in the development stage of two other startup companies that are set to come out later this year.

The businesses I create are simply to help others solve a problem. I do it for people that I know that face problems or think of common troubles many people face. I do it for the passion and enjoyment I get when I am able to help others while making it a profitable business!

How would you describe your entrepreneurial journey into the world of business? Where there any key incidents or life changing events that inspired your decision to become an entrepreneur? When I was 15, my Dad sent me off to work. If I wanted to

Awakening the Spirit of Entrepreneurship have the pleasures of going to the movies or buying video games, he thought I should earn it. Thankfully, he gave me a job working as his assistant at his software development company. While working there for about two years, I quickly realized that I hated what I was doing. I was only there for money and I was absolutely miserable (not because of my Dad, but just because of the work I was doing). I quickly realized that I really wanted to be my own boss, work on my own terms, and be in control of what I do. That’s when I decided to find a way where I can make the money I was making working at my Dad’s office while being able to work on my own terms. That’s exactly what I did in a few short months and was able to develop JB Media Force into a successful business.

What is your personal life mission as an entrepreneur? That is; what contributions do you want to make with your life or what would you like to be remembered for as an entrepreneur through the businesses you create when you die? My personal life mission as an entrepreneur is to create businesses and solutions that can outlive me. I want to help others with my innovative skills while doing enough as an entrepreneur to say that I really made a positive difference in the world. I just want to be remembered for who I was and what I tried to accomplish. I hope that my businesses and achievements through my life are enough for people to know who I was and what I wanted to do.

What would you describe as the purpose of entrepreneurship?

That is; what role do entrepreneurs play in the world?

When you started out in business, what specific idea, purpose Personally, I think every entrepreneur has their own purpose. or vision was your key driving force? When I first started out Some entrepreneurs are in it for profit, others are in it to change with JB Media Force, my sole purpose of creating the business the world, and some are even in it to escape a 9 to 5 job. I think was to escape working under someone else. I did it so that I the purpose of an entrepreneur is to be who they want and to could be my own boss while making just enough to have the express themselves through their ventures. I think entrepreluxuries and fun I wanted. However, when I began working neurs help the world grow because everything around us was on my first startup company….I quickly realized that I wanted built by an entrepreneur at some point of time. to create businesses to help others more than gaining for profit. Thus, I sold JB Media Force and began working on start- How do you identify business opportunities and what metrics ups that fit my vision better. do you use to measure their viability? Everything starts with a problem. Even though we live in such an advanced society, we What is your take on the general notion that entrepreneurs still have lots of problems. When you identify the problem, you should build a business around what they naturally love to have to find a solution that greatly improves or fixes the way do? I definitely agree! If you aren’t happy with something, it is things are. If I am able to get past the last step, then you have to really hard to give a 100% effort. When I wasn’t passionate find a way to implement the solution into a business. I have had about the work I was doing, I could tell because the results a lot of great ideas, but more often than not, those ideas would were severely slacking. When you work on something you make horrible businesses. Your idea has to be something others love, nobody has to tell you to get up and do something. You would be willing to pay for. You can find out whether people are your own motivator and you achieve much more because would pay for a product or service by researching the market, you want to. surveying individuals, or looking at industry trends.

Do you have mentors, business coach or external consultants that you work closely with to grow yourself and your business?

If yes, to what extent would you describe their impact on your business? If no, are there any particular reasons? No, until this point of time I have not had a mentor or business coach that I have worked closely with. I have learned everything I know today through experiences, the internet, resourceful blogs, and books. I never really put too much thought into obtaining a mentor or coach and until know I have really felt that I can grow and achieve what I want to without their help.

How do you strategically use your time as an entrepreneur?

What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs use their time for? I strategically use my time as an entrepreneur for what really needs my attention. I try to work smarter instead of working harder. There are thousands of tasks that come up, but you do not need to do everything yourself. Whether you have partners, employees, or assistants, you should value your time.

If someone else can do a task, let them do it. I would recommend entrepreneurs use their time for things that really need their attention. With the thousands of tasks that come up, maybe hundreds of those require the attention of the entrepreneur. If something cannot be done without the entrepreneur himself, then he needs to go do it.

How do you generate profitable customers for your business?

What unusual approaches do you adopt for marketing your products/services? It really depends on a business to business basis. I always research my demographics and look at other businesses in my industry that have been successful. In order to obtain clients or sell a product, you need to really pinpoint who your buyer is. When you find your ideal buyer, you need to figure out the best and most successful methods of getting your product/service in front of them.

Jeet Banerjee

Many entrepreneurs complain about not succeeding in business due to lack of adequate funding, what is your take on this matter and how do you cope with funding issues in your business? Having funding is always great. However, a business does NOT need to have funding to be successful. Funding is just a bonus to have because you have more marketing choices to choose from. When I created my first startup company StatFuse, I never had any money to use on marketing. Instead of praying for a miracle, I decided to find free marketing strategies that will get my website in front of my demographics. I was able to do just that and obtained over 12,000 users in a few short weeks.

The following were the marketing strategies I used; Social Media – It is free for the most part to promote anything you like on places like Twitter or Facebook. Given that our demographics spend hours a day on these social networking sites, we decided to find creative ways to get our website/product in front of students. Whether it was by having friends of friends of friends share/tweet our product or us directly notifying students of our product on high school group, it really helped us acquire users.

Press – You do not need a publicist or PR agency to get your busi-

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THE GUARDIAN, August 30, 2013

24 | EXECUTIVEBRIEF

Executive Management

By James D. Best LWAYS ENGAGED Entrepreneurial titans stay engaged in every aspect of their business. Genuine titans never put their companies on cruise control. In return, the titans receive unflagging loyalty from their customer. From product development, pricing, packaging, staffing, brick and mortar, strategy, publicity, financing, and myriad other details, the titans tend to hold tight reins. This doesn't mean they don't delegate, but they tend to restrict subordinates' freedom until they demonstrate a consistent application of the titan's vision.

Entrepreneurial titans possess a vision that is larger than they can deliver on their own. They must employ people, so the titans spend the majority of their time tuning other people's work so it stays consistent with their vision. Walt Disney described his management style as being like a bee, flitting from point to point pollinating ideas. People with a vision of their own tend to learn the ropes from the titans, then move on to a venue where they have more personal freedom of expression. Entrepreneurial titans run entrepreneurial schools, where graduates frequently build related businesses in close proximity to their mentors. In the long run, however, entrepreneurs do not work for entrepreneurs.

A

STRATEGIC, TACTICAL, AND OPPORTUNISTIC Entrepreneurial titans think strategically. Their strategy tends to remain consistent

CSR

By Mallen Baker t's possible that people become leaders of major businesses with the full intention of earning money in the most unethical, disreputable way possible. But more likely, they don't. Companies end up doing the wrong things for a variety of reasons - none of which necessarily begin with evil intent. The four factors that often create irresponsible businesses:

I

1. Believing that you are protected from consequences.

The phrase 'too big to fail' is the most recent illustration of this factor. It comes from an irrational belief that the status quo is more fixed and reliably stable than logic might suggest - and that therefore decisions are made that only make sense if that status quo persists. It's ironic that businesses are, in theory, the types of human organisation that are most adaptable to change, and many of which have succeeded by exploiting or creating change in a way that helped them overtake slower moving competitors. And yet, the natural human state is to resist change - and it keeps getting in the way for all businesses.

When the dot com bubble was in full swing, there were plenty who were pointing out that market sentiment was drifting into irrational territory. The way some companies were being valued just did not make sense on any traditional measure. But people did not want to be left out because, on the way logic seemed to be working, all you had to do was climb aboard the gravy train in order to get fabulously rich.

2. Building a business model that depends on customer ignorance Banks and insurance compa-

over a long period-frequently for their entire life. They know exactly where they want to go and chart a course to get there.

Because their vision doesn't waver, their strategy can remain relatively constant. No annual strategic planning exercises for them, the vision and strategy are so imbued within their entire organization that they concentrate on tactical plans. The titans adjust their tactics depending on competition, finances, the economy, and industry trends.

Bill Gates originally underestimated the importance of Internet technology, but quickly redirected resources when his mistake became obvious.

Despite the reallocation of resources, his strategy of desktop dominance never wavered.

In fact, his strategic imperative of controlling the desktop accelerated his awareness that a threat existed from another technology. Once refocused, Microsoft used the same business strategy to vanquish competitors in the browser wars.

That is the advantage of a consistent, well-thought-out strategy; the whole organization can change directions in lock-step without detailed instructions.

DRIVEN AND TENACIOUS - Titans approach life with a single-mindedness that scares mere mortals.

These highly goal-oriented people feel compelled to take their dream to the next level and make it a reality. To accomplish any huge undertaking requires endurance, tenacity and a strong force of will and will to achieve far outweighs any other talent or asset. These are driven people.

Attributes of an Entrepreneurial Titan 2 We may not share the strength of their compulsion, but we all understand that our smaller dreams also require a concerted and sustained effort. The lesson here is that if you don't really want it bad enough, luck will seldom present it as a gift.

You need to get out there and earn it the old' fashioned way.

Henry Ford once said, "Nobody is proud of what they intend to do."

3. Becoming so absorbed in the micro-reality of your business so you fail to see the bigger picture.

You've heard everyone complaining about how the bankers seem to be out of touch with reality with their addiction to eye-watering bonuses. Well, yes.

They literally are. Most people at higher levels in business are as well - it's just that the micro-reality around their business sector isn't so far removed from what seems reasonable to the wider population. People get caught in a world made up of their own beliefs, the things that they see, and the terms of reference that make sense to their own values.

You don't have to be in business for this to happen. So from the perspective of the senior banker, the rule that says you

COLLECT BRIGHT AND TALENTED PEOPLE - Talent does not intimidate true leaders. They know they need highly capable people with many different skills to build their dream. The entrepreneurial titans recognize talent in an eye blink and immediately pull these people into their organization. Smarter, more capable, and experienced people give the titans a distinct advantage over their average competitors. Microsoft has been criticized for its policy of annually dismissing people whose performance puts them in the bottom ten percent. Since Microsoft's average skill level exceeds the industry, a low performing Microsoft staff probably would be a high performer in another company. Gates objective is not to punish the bottom ten percent, but to make sure that Microsoft doesn't get complacent and allow performance to drop closer to their competition.

As you examine your staff, continuously work to raise the average performance level. You can do this by making sure every new hire exceeds the capability of your average performer. If you want to build something great, you need a continuous upward spiral in organizational performance.

same ten traits as obsessive, dogmatic, glib, monopolistic, hypercritical, tyrannical, lucky, stubborn, foolish, and as weak players who exploit the skills of others. Taken to an extreme, this characterization might hold some validity. But we are not talking about Al Capone or Adolf Hitler. Entrepreneurial titans play by the rules. True, they continuously test the

perimeter, and may even venture a little over the line to probe the limits, but the people we discussed in this chapter are competitive creatures who want to win accolades as victors in a hard fought, honest game. If you want to do something monumental, you cannot go about it the same way as everyone else.

CONCLUDED

RISK TAKERS - What separates dreamers from doers is a willingness to take enormous risks.

The titans always retain supreme confidence in their vision, so even when they're unsure about their abilities, this faith gives them the confidence to repeatedly risk their accomplishments-to-date to reach for the next plateau.

Once you become content to ride your previous accomplishments, growth stops, and entrepreneurial titans never stop. Nothing comes free, and continued success requires assuming ever-increasing risk.

An ability to realistically appraise the potential reward against the required risk separates the foolish from the astute businessperson. Bill Gates worked in partnership with IBM until he calculated that the potential rewards of going on alone compensated for the risk. Disney felt comfortable with his repeated bet-yourcompany ventures because he had a longer time horizon than PRACTICE THE TRAITS his bankers. The titans take Detractors of the enormously risks-but their multi-dimensuccessful often portray these

Four factors that create irresponsible businesses nies have made plenty of profit in recent decades on the principle that their customers don't understand the complex details behind some of the products that they buy. Therefore there is not so much downward pressure on price, and customers often don't choose optimal products for their circumstances. In the UK, this has led the government and regulators on a never-ending quest to provide the right tools to force the companies to clean up. This has taken the form of the 'treating customers fairly' initiative. The trouble with this is that it is pretty much impossible to avoid the situation where a company can sell a sub-optimal product. Doing the wrong thing on the basis that it's difficult to see how you could be caught, and it's all deniable, plus the fact that everyone is doing the same so there's strength in numbers that's the kind of logic that gives succour to companies that have slipped into an irresponsible business mindset.

sional thinking finds an edge that the more conventional overlook.

pay your senior people telephone-number bonuses in order to keep hold of the best talent - that rule has the unbreakable truth usually reserved for something like the laws of gravity. The realisation that this only works within a certain contextual setting - and that context has been severely impacted by the financial crisis - this is outside their terms of reference.

4. Believing the reality that it is most comfortable to believe.

US Motor manufacturers over the last few decades believed that higher efficiency requirements for vehicles could and should be fended off, and they believed as well that the US consumer would always prefer the ultra big gas guzzling vehicles which would be OK because the price of gas would always be cheap. It's not that any rational analysis of the likely future changes in the world energy market, or the environmental agenda, would support this. But it was the version of reality that suited the companies' business plans the best. So that is the version of reality they wanted to believe. A bunch of businesses believing the comfortable, lazy lie is often the prompt for new, aggressive competitors to move in to use their greater clarity to steal market share - exactly what Toyota and Honda did, for instance. But if the reality you're ignoring is one where the act of ignoring it will have major social consequences climate change comes to mind - then the stakes are higher. And believing the comfortable, lazy lie pushes you over the edge into irresponsible business practice.

Executives Health

By Angelo D Ortiz tress is an extremely common problem today. Part of the reason for this is that modern life detaches us from what our primitive ancestors might have done in response to stress, which makes the condition stay with us longer and more often than it should.

Read on for some ways to tap into your body chemistry and the sort of thing your body was designed for to relieve stress the way nature intended.

S

Proven Ways to Relieve Stress Removing yourself from a stressful situation is the first step toward eliminating your stressful feelings. If you're angry because of a phone conversation or something on the computer, just turn it off and give yourself some time alone. Come back to the problem later when you feel more rational.

Laughter Works Laughter is one of the best ways of dealing with being stressed out. Laughing releases endorphins, which create happy emotions and push out stress. It's Relieve Stress with Breathing An easy way to reduce stress is hard to be stressed out when to watch your breathing. Many you're having a good time. If you people breathe shallowly and get home feeling angry and stressed out, try watching a quickly, especially when stressed out. This is the worst funny video or reading something you can do! Poor breath- thing funny, and really let youring that doesn't get to the bot- self laugh out loud. Laughter is tom of your lungs means you fun and has a fantastic effect on get a lot less oxygen into your your body chemistry. blood, which means less oxygen to your brain. When the brain doesn't have enough oxygen, it goes through a stress response, releasing adrenaline, which worsens your mood. When you notice yourself feeling stressed out, the most important thing you can do is take deep, calming breaths.

Stress Balls Stress balls are another great way to respond to stress. This is because muscle use helps to make your lymph system flow, which is responsible for flushing out toxic stress chemicals from your blood stream.

Squeezing a stress ball uses your arm muscles and gets your lymph flowing. Try it out, it works!

Removing Yourself When something is stressing you out, an obvious solution that many people don't exercise is to simply walk away.

Action is the foundational key to all success. Pablo Picasso

Exercise More Another way of dealing with stress is getting some exercise.

Exercise, like laughter, gets endorphins going in your brain, as well as stimulating lymph flow like the stress ball.

A great way to deal with stress is to go out for a walk or run in the fresh air. This gets you away from your stressful problems and gives your lungs plenty of oxygen-rich air.

Stress in the modern world has a lot of new, unnatural triggers, but stress relief will always come from the way primitive humans would have dealt with it. Our ancestors wouldn't have sat at a desk stressing out over what is on a screen, they would have got lots of exercise, breathing deeply, and laughing around a fire. Keep these things in mind the next time you get stressed out!

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Revue ‘Government’s funding of films not commercial venture, but cultural policy’

By Shaibu Husseini

countries because you are only counting Nigeria’s video productions.

People have created the impression that hundreds and billions of naira are coming in from video productions from Nigeria. I don’t know on what basis those statistics have arisen. It is an illusion. In fact, what they get now as income is mostly from sponsorship and not from sale of DVD’s and if you even look at how much some cable stations pay you will see that there is no basis for that rating. But it is a happy development that at least government has expressed a desire of wanting to have a film industry in Nigeria in which they set aside a tangible sum of money to fund film production. So the question now becomes how is that funding to be put to good use?

No reporter with bias for the cinema would encounter veteran filmmaker and Nigeria’s first known professional filmmaker Dr. Ola Balogun and want to leave in a hurry. This is because the novelist, scriptwriter, bandleader, essayist, cinematographer, film producer and director is an interviewers delight any day. The alumnus of Paris National Film School, former staff of the Federal Ministry of Information who served as a diplomat for Nigeria between 1968 and 1971, has impressive film credit - Money Power, Black Goddess and Ija Ominiran. But it was at the ninth congress of the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI) held in May 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa that Uncle OB agreed he would hold the conversation. In this encounter, he speaks about his career as a filmmaker, why he transited to music, and explains why Nigeria does not have a movie industry yet Cinema in Nigeria WOULD say that we first became exposed to films through the popular film shows in the open air cinema theatre and then the actual production that were initiated by the British during the Second World War which they used to propagandize their war effort. That was what led to their establishing the Federal Film Office in Lagos and they made one feature film then shortly before independence. Now, we were the first generation of filmmakers that made films. I was a director and also produced; there was also Francis Oladele who produced and Sanya Dosumu and others.

Now the unfortunate thing that happened is that our representation to the government for production to be institutionalized and for some steps to be put in place if there is to be a film industry fell on deaf ears. The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) that developed from the effort of the then Director of Culture, late Dr. Garba Ashiwaju, was not conceived for production. Fortunately, however the first set of people who now took over the running of the NFC after Dr. Ashiwaju left, including my colleague late Adamu Halilu, planned to run an NFC that support productions. They even planned to produce a series of films and they made a representation to government for the funding of that and I don’t think that materialized.

And so after that, a new leadership for the NFC led by Brendan Shehu came in; he now shifted the emphasis to establishing a film laboratory and because government understands proposals that are based on funding for concrete objects like buildings, government fell for that but of course the NFC failed woefully in that regard. So we, I mean the pioneer filmmakers, insisted that a number of steps must be taken for there to be a film industry and we posited that if those steps were correctly taken, there will be a film industry.

I

Why no film industry yet When you talk of an industry, whether to manufacture shoes or to make bread, there are three requisite—one, there needs to be a source of funding; there needs to be people who have the technical know-how to produce whatever there is to be produced and then there has to be outlets to distribute what has been produced. The funding I talk about here is a film fund. If you go to Britain, France, Italy, Australia and Brazil you see that government has set up avenues for funding films. Once these funds are made available, they appoint reputable people into a board who now examine projects that are brought by filmmak-

Balogun ers and this board decides which one should be funded. The emphasis is not on the commercial value of the film. But there has been nothing like that here.

Anyway, when we started there was no help from anywhere. Most of us had to go and borrow money from elsewhere—from banks and so on. So you find that most people never made more than one or two attempts because once you try it and you cannot make your money back you cannot attempt it again. And that is the mistake that has been made now by setting up funding through the NEXIM Bank, through the Bank of Industry (BOI) and through a contraption called Project Act Nollywood. It is not a correct approach. These funds will not be used for the purpose it was meant. It will go into private pockets.

But let us follow the examples of countries like Australia that have tried to stimulate indigenous production. What they have done is to set up sources of funding that are independent of commercial factors. The odd thing in Nigeria is that culture has no support from government and there are no policies in the field of culture. It is the same government that says that it is going to put million of dollars into the development of football that says to the artiste that they are on their own. So no funding ever comes to the arts from government in Nigeria—either for publishing books about Nigeria, for producing Nigerian music and distributing it around the world - no government funding. There is even no government funding for distributing Nigeria fine arts; no funding for film production and not a dime has been provided for theatre arts. It is a lamentable situation. However, it is fortunate that the attention of government has been drawn to the potential of film although we don’t have a film industry yet.

Home video industry What we have is home video production. But it has created a kind of notoriety, a kind of popularity, for home videos emanating from Nigeria

to such an extent that people mistakenly have come to accept the point of view that Nigeria is the largest producers of films in the world. But it is a tale, because what we are making are not films and I am not saying that as a criticism because people keep misunderstanding me but you have to compare apples with apples and bananas with bananas. You cannot lump everything together. Because if you want to say what the state of production of video in other countries of the world is, then you will have a basis of which you will compare Nigeria. Now look at countries like France or China which have so many television stations, producing all the time material on video plus a film industry, plus also making films that are showing all over the world, and you say that Nigeria is doing more than those

Dr. Ola Balogun and Nigerian filmmaker, Mahmood Ali Balogun at FEPACI a recent congress

How films are funded Unfortunately, film production is not funded the same way you fund building of multiplex and so on. So when you say that filmmakers should go and bring evidence of their own real estate holdings and bank guarantees, you defeat the essence. That is not the mode of funding that is suitable for film production. That is not what is done elsewhere. And so anyone who would be ill-advised enough to go and borrow money from those banks especially now that there is no real distribution in Nigeria for films will find that his collateral will vanish because they cannot make it. So government should withdraw the funding it has put in the hand of the banks and put it in a film fund that can be disbursed to filmmakers along the line of funds that are already operational in the major countries of the world like in Egypt, France and Australia.

They need to appreciate how films can be funded as part of the cultural policy.

Two or three countries have gone into this. Even a small country that is totally disorganized like Chad has gone into funding productions and what they did was not to expect the funds to come back from the filmmakers. They targeted a percentage of the money that is being made by the telephone companies in that country which they now use to top up the fund so they have a continuous source of funding. The real question is what is the interest of government in funding a film industry? Government is not a trader. The filmmaker is not a trader. It is not for the commercial benefit but for the prestige of the country. It is for the future generation. It is to help establish knowledge of the history of the culture of the country. Every country that puts funding into cultural activity does not do it with a view to making commercial return.

If the German and French governments wake up and say they are setting up Goethe Institut and French Cultural Centres all over the world, it is not for the purpose of making commercial return or it is not because they don’t know what to do with their money; they are simply concerned about propagating their culture all over.

So government in Nigeria cannot afford to say that they will fund cultural products like films and say they are expecting returns. It is not always done for the purpose of getting any commercial gain. It is for the prestige of Nigeria.

Imagine the impact of a worthwhile Nigerian film being shown on Broadway, or West End or being shown in Cannes and all over Africa.

Because you see there are a lot of false images about Nigeria and Africa. What you see on television about Africa and Nigeria in most of these foreign stations is not pleasant at all. They focus on war situation and where there is famine. So we have a duty to carve out a positive image for Africa and Nigeria. We have a beautiful history and culture. I wonder why we are shying away from telling our stories.

We are not making good use of television Also we need in Africa to harness television to our advantage. We don’t have television at the moment because there is no funding for production in television any more. Unfortunately, the bulk of funding to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) goes inevitably to overhead and personnel cost. No funding for production. And people all over the world would be interested in knowing who we are, how we are and what we are which is what the home video industry has

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…Wrong for NFC not to make films CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 established to a large extent. Unfortunately, the home video industry tends to be stereotyped because there is that pressure for quick commercial benefit. So by funding the film and television industry properly, the government will take that pressure off and then create opportunity for quality stories to be told that will be shown at festivals around the world.

We need funding that is not under the pressure of immediate commercial benefit. That is why small African countries like Senegal, Mali and Chad have been able to provide funds for production to make quality films and those films have won great acclaim for these countries in big festivals around the world. So Nigeria should follow suit—-we don’t need just the money; a strategy should be put in place to disburse the funds so it can be used for the proper purpose. People who are knowledgeable about film and who are of proven integrity should be constituted into a board that should manage the funds.

Evolution of Nigerian film industry To start with, we didn’t expect there would be opportunity for us to make films. I remember when I made the first major indigenous film Ajani Ogun and I went to see someone with it and he asked who sent me to him with the film because he never believed that a Nigerian could make films. Yes, I shot my first film Amadi before Ajani Ogun but it wasn’t really a commercial film.

It has a strong message about people going back to the land. So when we realized that we were on our own and had to raise monies for ourselves, we had to find a way of making films that have a popular appeal. It was then that I noticed that the Yoruba theatre already has that and it was loved and appreciated all over Yoruba land.

They had this storytelling technique, which was highly appreciated and so in collaboration with the late Duro Ladipo, I put together Ajani Ogun and that was from where we identified the late Chief Adeyemi Afolayan who was popular as Ade Love as a good material for the screen. Ajani Ogun was a huge success. Interestingly, when I took it to Glover Hall to show it, the man in charge laughed. In fact, the laughter was so contagious that I had to join him and we laughed together.

The man told me straight to my face that I couldn’t have made a film because Nigerians don’t make films. But I begged him to just allow me show a bit of it during the advertisement break.

So, he agreed and when the people saw their own stars on screen, speaking their own language they went wild and so he said we would show it just for one night and the night we wanted to show it, we had about 30,000 people struggling to get into Glover Hall. Unfortunately, I was very naïve. I was standing from afar watching while the man who lost his shoes and had his Agbada torn, was inside the box office counting money. We were too naïve and badly cheated by cinema houses but we proved that it was possible to make films and get your monies back at that point in time.

Lost cinema crowd and collapse of the middle class First of all, there was a Nigerian middle class and the naira and the dollar were at equity even though the naira was relatively stronger. There were also cinema houses and people went out to see films. For instance, people went to the National Theatre to watch films and if they find it interesting, they might even go once or twice to watch the same film. The middle class flourished then. But two things have happened. The middle class has collapsed. People do not have budget for entertainment. There are just a few people who now can go out and spend money on entertainment. The bulk of people have their funds reserved for the education of their children, for clothes and housing and for food.

So, entertainment is not a priority anymore. And secondly the cinema houses have all gone under.

There are just a few efforts to have cinema houses but those cinema houses that are coming out now are elite-oriented. And the films that are shown there are mostly films from abroad of a popular type—the superficial Hollywood kind of films that are hyped. Even the relationship between the filmmakers and the cinema houses has not been satisfactory. I hear that people are being cheated. The cinema houses are not properly rendering accounts but again there has to be some government supervision.

In other countries, it is very difficult to cheat somebody who brings a film to cinema because the government is watching for tax. So the government supervises strictly how the tickets are sold because they need their tax. So, at the end of the day the filmmaker is sure that what is being declared is correct. So there need to be a proper procedure that should be put in place. What we recommended at the outset is that some percentage of the tax coming from cinema houses and monies being made by all of these telecommunication companies be set aside for film production instead of these claims that they are bringing artistes from America and they are spending $5 million for this and that. If you take $5 million

and put it in a fund where culture and entertainment can be funded, it will do wonders for Nigeria.

Nigerians are writing books that are being appreciated the world over but how far has government gone in supporting book publishing?

We should have a policy that will get these people who are making so much money put in at least two percent to fund things that are meaningful in education and in culture.

Home video industry and bane of non-professionals I will say that at the continental level we have been more successful, ironically. The problem in Nigeria is that anybody can declare himself a filmmaker, especially with the advent of video.

You don’t even need any professional knowledge to shoot home video. To be a film director in India you have to serve certain number of years as an apprentice. So it is very easy there to organize a professional body - all the film directors, sound engineers, cameramen are registered professionals. The same thing happens in France.

You cannot just get up and say you are a film director.

So, in Nigeria, of course, there will be confusion because any group can just wake up and say they have formed an association. Even the music union has not been able to organize itself. But on the continental level we have been more successful.

Problem with NFC My grouse with the NFC is that they keep spending monies on attending festivals with no films to show at these festivals. I stand to be corrected.

Sometimes when I say these things, people misunderstand me and just say that I am merely criticizing. In fact, Nigeria has not been showing films at these festivals. A wrong impression is being given to the Nigerian populace. The NFC has not been showing films at these festivals that they spend taxpayers’ money to attend. Even a country like Venezuala has films that are showing in different festivals. The reality is that all these countries are making more films than Nigeria. It is wrong and misleading to say that Nigeria is the third largest film producing country in the world.

How can you compare Nigeria’s output to China or even to Hong Kong? China alone has so many studios. They are making so many films. So we have to have better budget and trained filmmakers. We have people who don’t know how to light a scene, yet photography and lighting are the basis of proper pictures in filmmaking.

Fortunately, the home videos in Nigeria are successful with the Nigerian audience. But the quality is not there. We have to work on quality. That is all I have been saying. But I am constantly misunderstood.

From filmmaking to Iroko Band It is not a transition at all. I have continued in film but unfortunately I now make documentaries. I found it frustrating that my contemporaries in other parts of the world are making films with budgets of $40 million and I am supposed to make a film with N2 million, which is like $20,000 dollars. Of course, it is not possible for me to compete with a man with such a budget. I wanted to have proper budget to work with.

So it is out of self-respect that I have not cranked a camera. But give me the opportunity even if it is just a position to counsel and advice or guide on how to make good quality film from the experience one has accumulated so that we can make quality products that will make Nigeria proud and I will be happy to do so.

So I have taken interest in music because it is another avenue of self-expression, which requires less funding but again I have discovered that it requires a lot of money. I have kept my musical group for about 13 years and things are getting more and more difficult because there is no assistance from the government, either at the federal or state level for music practitioners. I mean it is taking me almost 10 years to finish work on a CD for my group - Iroko Band and it is because there is no money to complete it. And everything I have made in film has gone into sustaining the music project. How much are people prepared to pay you for a show? I don’t want to sound too bitter so people do not say I am complaining.

So it is only when there is sponsorship from some of these companies that one can do something and sadly they are concentrating on hip hop, which, unfortunately, is the wrong path because no one outside Nigeria wants to hear Nigerian hip hop because they know where to get the original. People want to know our music type. We should be interested in creating an indigenous music that has a word wide appeal just like what people like Salif Keita, Mariam Makeba and Hugh Masekela have done. These are people who have created a music that has worldwide appeal that is based on our African musical heritage.

Problem with the film laboratory in Jos We have to look again at the argument on its merit. If the purpose was to stop capital flight,

Dr. Ola Balogun, new FEPACI Secretary Geneneral Cheil Ourmar Sissiko and international film programmer and curator June Givanni I Ougadougou then it means that the laboratory must have been processing films in Nigeria. Has that been the case? There are no films that were processed there. The only commercial film that was processed there was the film made by the one time Managing Director of the NFC Brenda Shehu who incidentally was the initiator of the project. If you read the rebuttal the NFC sent to the point of view I expressed on how badly the NFC was being run, you will see that they claimed that some films made by students were processed in the lab. Is that what a film lab should be doing?

A film lab processes dozens of films everyday. It is even not just about the machine, but the expertise. That film laboratory in Jos has not worked same thing for the bogus one that was commissioned in Port Harcourt by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he was a military ruler.

So what you find is that the film laboratory was just a pretext to get funding from government, which disappeared into people’s pockets because the machines that were bought were not through tender. Even the source of the expertise was questionable. They didn’t source expertise from where we have film labs that are operational. What I am saying and have always said is that the funds that were wrongfully expended in putting up that lab would have been expended in film production because we are talking of $ 2 or 3 million. Imagine the impact it would have made if the funds have been made available to produce films in Nigeria.

Instead, they sunk it into infrastructure that has no impact on filmmaking. Even if they wanted to invest in infrastructure, why not in the form of equipment that will be made available free of charge to practitioners? So, it is a misguided expenditure.

Again it is not true that people were using it to siphon monies abroad. In fact, very few people ventured into filmmaking and once the value of the naira fell in relation to foreign exchange most people stopped making films and processing in celluloid. For you to spend foreign exchange at that time you have to apply for permit from government and you have to justify it with the bills from the laboratory. That lab is a complete waste in Nigeria. Even the argument of the salted Lagos water is a ludicrous argument.

Fortunately, I am a living witness to many things that transpired. When I first came back to Nigeria I worked as a Scriptwriter in the Federal Ministry of Information. I was employed in one of the then film units. But the British had a lab

Balogun

that we were using so process black and white films. They never complained about the quality of the water. So, it has nothing to do with it. Even if the water is salty, can’t it be purified? Can’t it be filtered? And how much water do you use to process films? I think it was just an excuse that was made to justify relocating NFC to Jos. And now look at the NFC. What impact have they made in film production in Nigeria? The NFC has not helped in funding films.

Meanwhile, it was set up to produce films and participate in film production in Nigeria. If all the NFC has been doing since that time is correct, we should have a film industry today. But instead we have an organization that has even been side tracked completely by government.

Government did not even talk to them at all before setting up this funding scheme. It shows that they are not relevant. So I would say that the film corporation has to get back on track and be relevant. All these monies they are throwing around on frivolous trips can produce a film that can be taken to big festivals like the Cannes.

That has been my headache.

I am not fulfilled…but I have given filmmaking my best shot Of course, I am not fulfilled. No artiste is ever fulfilled because you have dream, visions and plans you want to execute but somehow you won’t get to accomplish them. There are many things that I set out to achieve as a person. There are things you would like to do because you don’t know when your life will run out. But I think given the circumstances and the difficulties one faced, I think I have given it my best shot.

Of course, I made mistakes. Perhaps, one should have been more interested in generating high returns so that I can have a financial base on which to operate upon. And you see most people think you can just make money from an individual effort. It usually doesn’t work like that. You have to have like say 10 projects. If three don’t work, three will be able to break even and three may be able to make you smile to the bank. So on that basis you will be able to carry on. But you see if you come into it with only the means to tackle one project, once that project fails you are out of business. I have spent years paying back debts, monies borrowed to make films—I have lost two houses - one in Britain and one in France to film production because you cannot always predict the outcome of a film project. If it were possible to predict I would have been in money now. But you see, even the big producers have no way of predicting. It is difficult to tell sometime the taste of the public.

But, of course, there is still a lot to do. It’s a pity maybe a proper production budget will never come into my hands again especially in my lifetime.

My most important desire now is to pass on the experience that I have to help facilitate things for other people. Of course, if I have access to funds, I think I can make a superlative film because I spent 40 years learning this profession. I would have done much more if I had the resources. It is not over for me yet. Because I know that I can still do much more. But it doesn’t matter. I have a documentary that I have made that has been applauded. It is not the cost of the equipment but the quality of work.

Again I have heard so many astonishing things.

For instance, people say that I criticize the home video people for nothing. Some even say that I am jealous of them. I am not jealous of them. As an individual I am quite fulfilled. I have lived an interesting life. I have done most of the things that I planned to do. But of course I know that with what I know I can still do much more but I may not get that opportunity before I leave. But it doesn’t matter. Because with what we have done in FEPACI I think we have made a contribution and have set the stage for people to take it from there. But my most important desire is to pass on the experience I have garnered. Will I be

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ARTS

Theatre

By Segun Ojewuyi HIS week the department of Theatre at the T University of Ibadan celebrates 50 years of Theatre in the African academy. The celebrations mark fifty years of formal Theatre training in Africa, the University of Ibadan being the first of such in the whole of the continent. In those years, graduates of the department have provided high value leaderships in Theatre, Music, Advertising, Film, Radio and Television, Print Journalism, Politics, Business, Civil service, International Diplomacy, Academics and even institutional religion. They have served both country and the world with vision and distinction, wielding major global influence.

Earlier in the year, Professor Wole Soyinka – Africa’s first Noble Prize winner in Literature and an early head of the University of Ibadan School of Drama had opened the celebrations with a public lecture. Now as the events of the week kicked off, Professor Abiola Irele – a one time actor on the Ibadan stage, who then went on to become a Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, headlined the events with a Key note address. As an alumnus of the UI department, I have often bragged the pedigree of my alma maters – University of Ibadan (my African Ivy league in Theatre) and Yale University (my American Ivy League in Drama). The combined depth and quality of Ibadan’s training continue to ring loud and strong on the global stages we have found ourselves! Yet on this same week, we are reminded of one of the most unnerving ironies of being Nigerians. This great irony rests on the fact that our country is one where the potential for greatness is humongous but greatly dimmed by our government’s propensity for mediocrity, cronyism, corruption, violence and greed. Amidst the pomp of what is tagged the ‘Homecoming’ at Ibadan this week, one hopes that there are new and pragmatic strategies for resolving the combative challenges that our art, our professional calling and our cultural accounts, demand of us!

Nigerian Theatre suffers from what I call “Neomalice’. Malice is the expressed and actualized desire for evil, where evil is not religion specific, but a cultural and political affliction. Theatre as we must emphasize, is defiant of normative constructs. Instead of patterns of order, which other fields observes, theatre distinguishes itself by its core fascination with explorations of entropy and disorder. African performance, says Kenyan writer and activist Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, was the first to be assaulted by the cultural forces of colonialism, to give space for the construction of a colonized being. That was the first ‘malice’. Initially our immediate post-colonial response in Nigeria led the rest of African Theatre with an added urgency. Wole Soyinka, Hubert Ogunde, Femi Osofisan, Ola Rotimi, Zulu Sofola, Bode Osanyin, Ben Tomoloju and many first runners of Nigerian Theatre proved this, not only through their plays, but also to the extent of their activist roles as our collective social conscience. As dreamers we seek to create utopias. But their fervor, the commitment of the sixties, seventies and eighties has dimmed, our dreams atrophied as our apologetic generation stumbles along in stupor! Our lungs, our dreams are clogged with gluttonous portions of self-centeredness, sycophancy and cowardice.

We are now so afraid to speak the truth to ourselves, much so to anyone we deem to be in some form of power. So we are doubly colonized and we perpetuate this evil upon our art, our profession.

Wa Thiong’o concludes his observation on a darker note, identifying the origins of the neo-

Of theatre and our Duke of errors malice in African, and more specifically Nigerian Theatre. “The same colonized being”, he says, has “mutated into a neo-colonial dictator, who sees theatre as a threat, and he often sends theatre practitioners into prisons (Ogunde, Soyinka), exile (Soyinka/Sowande et al), impoverishment or even death in some cases (Ken Saro Wiwa). These colonized beings mutating into dictators and politicians have progressively brought our Theatre academies and Theatre practitioners to their begging knees, dazed and comatose! But Theatre thrives. It cannot be killed either as text or practice. Theatre constructs our human encounters between knowing and unknowing participants, generating a spatial and experiential energy that is simultaneously catalytic and cathartic. It is not dissimilar to the basic run of life – inhaling and exhaling. We must breathe to stay alive, as our society must “theatre” to live.

Why is it that our appointed government officials and the artistic community they are called to serve, never meet for open, frank and deliberative collaborations? Why? In a sector of human engagement, where creativity and innovative thinking are the marks of the stakeholders, why is idiocy often foisted upon the artist of the theatre and upon the nation by uncivilized civil servants and miscast ministers, who hop from one poorly conceived ‘rebranding’ project to another! Carnivals, that self-inflicted minstrelsy from our Caribbean cousins, have suddenly become the obsessions of money gobbling administrations; their new tool for the cannibalization of our traditional festivals, dances, masquerades and of our rich pantheon. They seem content with turning the

Duke performance of theatre and the transmission of our culture into these shallow and inconsequential expressions of irrational spectacles. We on our part have dispersed into related fields and sometimes do not even want to be known as Theatre artists!

Edem Duke, the Minister of Culture is called to speak on the issue of whether the national theatre is being sold or not. The question is simply to find out what our government’s clear agenda for the development of Theatre in Nigeria will be, going forward. It is not as if the government and its officials are permanently and completely

Entry for Etisalat Prize for Literature closes today AGOS, Nigeria; August 29, 2013: LtheEtisalat Nigeria, has announced end of August as the closing date for the submission of entries into the Debut Fiction category of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

This category which opened on the 5th of June will officially close on Friday, 30th of August 2013 to kick off the judging process by the panel of judges chaired by Pumla Gqola.

Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Communications at Etisalat Nigeria, said the entries received spanned across the continent, a testament to the abundance of literary talent out of Africa. “We have

received some exciting and quality entries since the call for entries of the Etisalat Prize and what we are doing with this Prize is to focus attention on first time published writers. We are delighted to have provided a platform that showcases and celebrates the uniqueness and creativity in the literary arts as it relates to fiction in Africa.”

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first ever pan-African prize to applaud first time writers of published fiction books. The Prize boasts of a seasoned panel of Judges from across the continent, each with the aim of identifying new writers of African descent. Submit-

ted works must be the writer’s first fiction book of over 30,000 words, which has been published in the last 24 months.

Entries for the Fiction Novel category will be assessed by four preselected judges chaired by Pumla Gqola, Associate Professor in the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa); Zakes Mda, Professor of Creative writing at the University of Ohio; Billy Kahora, Managing Editor of Kwani Trust, of the literary Journal Kwani and Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic.

With a prize money of £15,000, along with a Samsung Note, the

bereft of ideas. It just seems that the moments of visionary clarity are far in between the preponderance of mediocrity and blatant corruption.

Duke is in error when he assumes he and his private sector friends know best. He is in error when he believes he alone can survive the political rings being woven around him, without taking his constituency along. His attempt at some intentional conflation of the current problems will not suffice. In one breath he agrees with us when he says “the culture community does not have any other iconic infrastructural asset other than the National theatre”. Yet in a fit of neo-malice, he declares “the National theatre would translate into a leisure and entertainment centre, the first leisure and entertainment duty-free zone in West Africa”. What is a leisure and entertainment center? How is this so-called “leisure and entertainment center” different than a casino? How is this leisure and entertainment center the same as a national theater, like the National Theater of Great Britain in London or the Kennedy Center in Washington Dc? There is a good reason American mogul Donald Trump builds Casinos – leisure and entertainment centers - instead of Theatres. There is a reason American pornography business lord Flynt builds strip clubs and bars, never theatres. It is disingenuous to lump theatre in the same wool. We get it but does he?

I want to believe Duke does get it and he is indeed working hard to ensure the revitalization of Theatre in Nigeria. What we want therefore, what we know will work best for him, is to call for an open forum with Theatre artists in Lagos, Abuja or both, where he can explain the details of his plans and answer the questions the artists have. Just a simple and sincere collaborative gesture, an expression of mutual respect, not condescension, will do.

He just might be surprised to know the number of Theatre artists who are on his side and who will defend his agenda, if they are truly in the best interest of the sector. Fifty years on after Ibadan, thirty-six years after the World Black Arts festival FESTAC, two decades and more after the establishment of the National Troupe of Nigeria, wasting our hard earned national legacy of Theatre has to stop.

Finally, our Academics and Theatre artists for most part can no longer remain safely segregated, each on their own side of the continually widening gap between theory and practice, between reflection and creation. The ‘Homecoming’ at Ibadan should be the rebirth of Theatre in Nigeria.

winner of the Fiction Novel category will also go on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour in three major cities and be awarded a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, the pre-eminent school for creative writing and mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of the Last King of Scotland. The second place winner will receive a cash prize of £1,000, also go on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour with a Samsung Note. Etisalat will also purchase 1000 copies of the three shortlisted books, which will be distributed across libraries and schools in the continent as a • Prof. Segun Ojewuyi – alumnus, University of way of also celebrating the publish- Ibadan Theatre; senior lecturer, Southern Illinois University, USA ing industry.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

ARTS 29

Literature The poet and the poetic in Chinua Achebe

By Remi Raji

Early this month, Achebe’s first publisher, Heinemann Educational Books Nigeria (HEBN) in which Achebe was also a board member, hosted the literary community in Achebe’s alma mater university, University of Ibadan in honour of the departed iconic writer, whose writings defined a continent’s writing. Among the eminent presenters, poet and professor of English, Remi Raji-Oyelade put in perspective Achebe’s poetic muse, which is rarely talked about in discussing Achebe’s literary output Two fatal events can be adduced as the catalysts for the artistry of Chinua Achebe as a poet: the outbreak of the Nigerian/Biafran Civil War, and the death of Christopher Okigbo, Africa’s memorable Symbolist poet. The resultant product of that adventure was Beware, Soul Brother.

Introduction T is with great feeling and pride that I accept to speak about a man whose literary achievement has earned international reputation for this country and for our continent for more than half a century.

From his magnum opus Things Fall Apart (1958) to his magnum petard, There was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra (2012), Chinua Achebe’s place in the almanac of world literature is assured.

Pathfinder among pathfinders Achebe’s penchant for excellence is evident through his unique creativity and ability to reconstruct his world through literature. Like most renowned African pioneer writers, such as Mabel Segun, J. P. Clark, Wole Soyinka, and Christopher Okigbo of Nigeria, Ama Ata Aidoo and Ayi Kwei Armah of Ghana, Ousmane Sembene of Senegal, Okot p’Bitek of Uganda, Ngugi wa Thiong’o of Kenya, Mongo Beti of Cameroun, among many others, Achebe’s robust exploration of literature as a reconstructive tool cannot be overemphasised. His critics home and abroad have therefore shown tremendous respect for his literary excellence. His literary oeuvre, spanning over fifty years, has continually served as an inspiration to other successive African writers, paving way for more respectable literary responses to African experience at various levels.

The Poetic Storyteller No doubt, Achebe is, first and foremost, acknowledged as an innovative novelist, given the popularity of Things Fall Apart, written in 1958, two years before Nigeria’s independence. His other novels, which no doubt further enlisted him as a visionary and successful writer, include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). According to several critics, his originality of style, which centres on the exceptional description of the Igbo (African) oral tradition, situates his work among first-class writers.

In addition and more importantly, Achebe’s representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory go beyond aesthetic dimensions, a sweet song of victory which silenced a throng of anti-African criticisms that Africans are simply barbaric and therefore have no culture or even a literary language of its own. In summary, he was a grand narrative master, deeprooted in his inventiveness, as he enraptures his readers through his astute mastery of the prose genre. Be that as it may, many among Achebe’s teeming literary devotees remain quite oblivious of Achebe’s poetic expedition, as well as the factors that practically established him as an iconic poet.

But irrespective of his outstanding achievement, there is still an aspect of Achebe’s ingenuity that remains hidden or under-explored by literary critics. Here, I speak of Achebe’s literary voice as a published poet.

Achebe and Poetry Achebe’s recourse to poetry was kick-started with the experiences of the Nigerian civil war from 1967 to 1970. The principal reason was the attempted secession of the Igbo ethnic group, led by the late General Odumegwu Ojukwu. Therefore, it was indeed a surprise when in 1971 Achebe’s collection of poems titled Beware, Soul Brother was published by Nwankwo Ifejika, a new publishing company in Enugu. The collection was revised the following year, with an addition of more poems, totalling thirty poems. That same year, the collection was jointly

I

Achebe

Raji

awarded the first (British) Commonwealth Poetry Prize and in 1973, an American edition was published by Doubleday, with the title changed to Christmas in Biafra and Other Poems.

The collection was fully realised in four years, beginning shortly before the war and coming to completion months after the prosecution of the war itself. The first edition contained twentythree poems. Later, more poems were added and together, all were published in the second revised edition by Heinemann Educational Books in London. This enlarged edition is divided into five sections by the poet, namely: Prologue, Poems About War, Poems Not About War, Gods, Men and Others, and Epilogue. Essentially, the unique collection of poetry revolves round the futility and brutal consequences of war. And of course, he was a direct victim of the drastic destruction and desolation meted out on the Igbo people, given the fact he and his family only escaped a bomb attack by the stroke of luck. Therefore, Achebe’s personality (and conviction) about the Biafran resistance and quest for autonomy becomes the focal thrust of the poetic renditions.

The Poetic Energy of Achebe’s Prose But some pertinent questions remain: why did Achebe switch from his typical convention of prosaic writing to a relatively more condensed form of literary expression – poetry? Why did he, at a period of socio-political chaos and psychological imbalance, choose an intense and subjective pathway (perhaps a fictional appraisal of the war would be much more defining) towards the ideological representation of his thoughts about a significant epoch in the history of his nation, his people? Or perhaps more pertinent is the question, how? How did Achebe transit from his open-ended narrative style to a watertight distillation of words that do in earnest represent a distinctive poetic discourse?

The various possible responses to these questions are conjectural. But it can be argued that Achebe’s fictional prowess stems from his underlining poetic artistry, all too obvious in his early novels. Part of what makes Things Fall Apart to be successful today is the remarkably expressive texture of the novel’s language. Embellished with graphic imagery and lyrical resonance, the overbearingly stoic narrative form gently mutated to a more fluid, lyrical melody. That was, and that is the touch Things Fall Apart has had on its readers, and it is that same touch that differentiates this eminent novel from many others. Pressed further, radical critical thinking can posit that Things Fall Apart is more aesthetically realisable and readable as a narrative epic sprung on the dialogic heritage of traditional African poetic imagination. Given its rich proverbial discourse, figurative expressions enmeshed in many subnarratives, the book opens up a gateway of relentless imagery that indubitably challenges or in some cases provokes the reader’s mental potential to retain visual and acoustic representations of the world of the characters. Permit me to recoup a representational passage from the text: That night the Mother of the Spirits walked the length and breadth of the clan, weeping for her murdered son. It was a terrible night. Not even the oldest man in Umuofia had ever heard such a strange and fearful sound, and it was never to be heard again. It

seemed as if the very soul of the tribe wept for a great evil that was coming – its own death. (60) This is not mere narration, and the language of this short excerpt cannot be interpreted only from mere morphological patterning. Instead, there is a cocktail of poetic features – rhyme, assonance, alliterative cadence, and symbolic representations - which provokes deep metaphorical interpretations. That is the poetic grip and allure of Things Fall Apart…

Achebe’s voice in this novel resonates his literary ingenuity as a thoughtful, philosophical and visionary writer, instantaneously responding to the pressure and constraints of his society. As he aptly notes in his introduction to his poems in Don Burness’s anthology, Echoes of the Sunbird: An Anthology of Contemporary African Poetry (1993:3), ... a hugely traumatic event occurred in the life of my people in the late 1960s: one of the bloodiest civil wars in history. This was the Biafran War. It turned me away from fiction into a brief poetic phase in which I wrote my first and only sustained body of poetry. (Burness 3) Beware, Soul Brother Going by the common saying that writers don’t write in a vacuum, the excruciating experience of the civil war perhaps provoked the creativity of Achebe to re-invent his thoughts through poetry. Yet, the master storyteller once refuted being described as a poet. A decade before the appearance of Beware, Soul Brother, in a 1962 response to an interviewer’s question in Jeune Afrique, (a newsmagazine which covers political, economic and cultural spheres of Africa), Achebe said: “No. I am not a poet and up to now, I have never had the desire to write poetry” (Lindfors, Conversations with Chinua Achebe 8).

Need it be said that the finest of the world’s storytellers are real approximate poets, makers and beauticians of the word who choose the deliberate form of prose in order to speak in the language of man and society?

For Achebe, there was also the personal historical context of his formal arrival as poet. Arising from the destructive effects of the war, Achebe’s sense of loss was further compounded by the death of his close associate, Christopher Okigbo, who was killed at the Okigwe battle. Achebe’s essay written in 1978, “Don’t Let Him Die: A Tribute to Christopher Okigbo” practically describes Okigbo not only as an enigmatic African poet, but more of Okigbo as having a strong attachment with Achebe and his family. Although equally bonded by their mutual craft of publishing, Okigbo’s demise can be accurately described as the inspiration to Achebe’s emergence as a published poet.

In honour of his friend, he wrote a poem, which he titled “Dirge to Okigbo” in 1971, originally written in Igbo but which he later translated into English. It is a celebration of the intriguing life and memory of Okigbo as a colleague and friend, whose contributions to Africa’s literature would forever be acknowledged. Through these monumental legacies, Achebe believes Okigbo would continue to live on. He wrote other poems, one of which is the famous “Refugee Mother and Child” which showcases the pains and anguish of the war as it personally affects the poet.

This poem, together with others, is collected in Beware, Soul Brother. The 38-page collection is indeed a reflection of the Achebe’s world, in an era of intense discomfort and despoliation. A quick analysis would be made on a few of these poems.

The Poems Through some of his poems, Achebe visualises a

reflection of himself as an entity, channelling his efforts towards self-rediscovery in a chaotic atmosphere. Also, his poetry is about cultural reconstruction. Two of the poems in Beware, Soul Brother worthy of attention here are “The Explorer” and “The Journey of No End”.

The poem “The Explorer” dramatises a surreal profile of a man who seems lost in a sea of unanswered questions. Somehow, he manages to find a certain level of fulfilment, given the needlessness of seeking answers. Here, Achebe describes a scenario of non-fulfilment and futility in life.

Perhaps occasioned by his own personal loss, both human and material or collective disappointment in the war, Achebe advocates a psychological order of purgation, redemption and restoration. “The Journey of No End” deals with the theme of futility and hopelessness in a more revealing manner. The poet persona speaks thus: I sailed the sea, I walked the land In all the world I was alone Quietly I paced the shores...

Here, we have a more confident speaker.

Although well versed in knowledge about his environment, he is evidently in a closed state of mind, oblivious to everything else but himself.

He is a fellow whose loneliness and grief transcends the physical world. The second line here showcases deep-rooted pain, travails and sorrow which surge from within. The last line here validates the hopelessness and helplessness of the situation in which the poet persona finds himself.

The cultural reconstruction of the African society remains the poignant message of the poem “Beware, Soul Brother”. From its title, the poet persona’s elicits caution and vigilance. This poem further illustrates that every society must prepare to establish a smooth transition, especially in a rapidly degenerating African society.

Remember also your children For they in their time will want a place for their feet when they come of age and the dance of the future is born for them.

Thus, Achebe buttresses the fact that Africa’s future remains bleak, given the nonchalant and despicable atrocities that seem to cripple the growth and development of the continent. There should be an attempt towards channelling the right path for unborn generations to thread in safety. The onus lies on leaders to revamp the cultural ethos of African heritage and at the same time embrace cultural re-integration, propelled by the fast pace of science and technology.

Hence, Achebe can be described as a seer, validating the Information Communication Technology-driven twenty-first century, whose shoes the receding African generation is yet to fill. Achebe has warned against this very huge gap, this very lack of transition, as a result of selfish gains and individualistic Western tenets, militating against the development of the future of Africa.

The poem “Home Coming” succinctly addresses the problem of individualism, which in the end entrenches division and disunity among the people. There is a cold response to a fast changing African world, brewed by cultural alienation.

Finally, the poem “And I am a woman” symbolises Africa as a desolate world, ravaged and raped by colonial repression and again lost in her sea of betrayal, nepotism and the desecration of its land by her own children. and I am a woman ravished and naked chanting the words of a little girl lost treading the edge of the waves...

It is sad but significant that Achebe’s only poetic work is saturated with a heaviness of heart and the feeling of disenfranchisement. This physical and psychological weariness stems from the lack of proper cultural integration and socio-political improvement in his county and Africa in general. It is as if one is consistently betrayed by the very society one spends one’s life defending.

Beware, Soul Brother is indeed a rare gift from Achebe’s fecund imagination; it is as well a subjective recollection of the degeneration and dissolution that accompanied and transcended the prosecution of the civil war., and in the tradition of the writer/poet as seer, Beware, Soul Brother and Other Poems is both a poetic chronicle and admonition of self and society. In this rare collection, the poet is saying, in the overwhelming intensity of war, and with great brevity, “beware, soul brother”, “beware, Nigeria”, “beware, Africa!”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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History&Heritage

Sesu Tilley-Gyado, CEO Africa Heritage Group

What is ‘African Art’?

OR the purposes of this article, we define Fgraphical African Art as art produced within the geoexpression of the African continent, and art produced by people who self-identify as Africans. The definition may also include the art of the African Diasporas, such as the art of African Americans.

Origins of African Art The origins of African art lie long before recorded history. African rock art in the Sahara in Niger preserves 6000-year-old carvings. Along with sub-Saharan Africa, the cultural arts of the western tribes, ancient Egyptian paintings and artifacts, and indigenous southern crafts also contributed greatly to African art. Often depicting the abundance of surrounding nature, the art was often abstract interpretations of animals, plant life, or natural designs and shapes.

Overview of Classical Art of Nigeria In West Africa, the earliest known sculptures are from the Nok culture, which thrived between 500 BC and 500 AD in modern Nigeria, with clay figures typically with elongated bodies and angular shapes.

More complex methods of producing art were developed in sub-Saharan Africa around the 10th century, some of the most notable advancements include the bronzework of Igbo Ukwu and the terracottas and metalworks of Ile Ife Bronze and brass castings, often ornamented with ivory and precious stones, became highly prestigious in much of West Africa, sometimes being limited to the work of court artisans and identified with royalty, as with the Benin Bronzes.

The Nok culture appeared in Nigeria around 1000 B.C. and vanished under unknown circumstances around 500 AD in the region of West Africa. This region lies in Northern and Central Nigeria. Its social system is thought to have been highly advanced. The Nok culture was considered to be the earliest sub-Saharan producer of life-sized Terracotta.

African Traditional Antiquities: Masks, Sculpture, Carving Traditional art describes the most popular and

Picasso influenced by African Art

El-anatsui

Appreciating Africa’s visual heritage studied forms of antique African art which are typically found in museum collections.

Most African sculpture was historically in wood and other organic materials that have not survived from earlier than, at most, a few centuries ago; older pottery figures can be found from a number of areas. Statues were usually of wood or ivory, are often inlaid with cowrie shells, metal studs and nails. Decorative clothing is also commonplace and comprises another large part of classical African art.

Masks are important elements in the art of many peoples, along with human figures, often highly stylized. There is a vast variety of styles, often varying within the same context of origin depending on the use of the object, but wide regional trends are apparent; sculpture is most common among “groups of settled cultivators in the areas drained by the Niger and Congo rivers” in West Africa. Direct images of deities are relatively infrequent, but masks in particular are or were often made for religious ceremonies; today many are made for tourists as “airport art”.

African masks were an influence on European Modernist art, which was inspired by their lack of concern for naturalistic depiction.

Later West African cultures developed bronze casting for reliefs, like the famous Benin Bronzes, to decorate palaces and for very fine naturalistic royal heads from around the Yoruba town of Ife, in terracotta as well as metal, from the 12th–14th centuries. Many West African figures are used in religious rituals and are often coated with materials placed on them for ceremonial offerings.

The Mande-speaking peoples of the same region make pieces from wood with broad, flat surfaces and arms and legs shaped like cylinders. In Central Africa, however, the main distinguishing characteristics include heart-shaped faces that are curved inward and display patterns of circles and dots.

Wooden masks, which might either be human or animal or of mythical creatures, are one of the most commonly found forms of art in western Africa. In their original contexts, ceremonial masks are used for celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, and war preparation.

The masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. During the mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he “communicates” with his ancestors. African masks often represent a spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer

been the primary subject matter for most African art, and this emphasis even influenced certain European traditions. human figure may symbolize the living or the dead, may reference chiefs, dancers, or various trades such as drummers or hunters, or even may be an anthropomorphic representation of a god or have other votive function. Another common theme is the inter-morphosis of human and animal.

Visual abstraction: African artworks tend to favor visual abstraction over naturalistic representation. This is because many African artworks generalize stylistic norms.

Emphasis on sculpture: African artists tend to favor three-dimensional artworks over two-dimensional works. Even many African paintings or cloth works were meant to be experienced three-dimensionally. Distinct from the static form of traditional Western sculpture African art displays animation, a readiness to move.

Emphasis on performance art: Most societies in Africa have names for their masks, but this single name incorporates not only the sculpture, but also the meanings of the mask, the dance associated with it, and the spirits that reside within. In African thought, the three cannot be differentiated.

Nonlinear scaling: Often a small part of an African design will look similar to a larger part.

More recently it has been described in terms of fractal geometry.

African Art’s Influence on Western Art

Colonization and the slave trade in Africa during the nineteenth century set up a Western understanding hinged on the belief that African art lacked technical ability due to its low socioeconomic status.

At the start of the twentieth century, artists like Picasso, Matisse, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Modigliani became aware of, and inspired by, African art. This period was critical to the evolution of Western modernism in visual arts, symbolized by Picasso’s breakthrough painting “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.” In a situation where the established avant garde was straining against the constraints imposed by serving the world of appearances, African Art demonstrated the power of supremely well organised forms; produced not only by responding to the faculty of sight, but also and often primarily, the faculty of imagination, emotion and mystical and religious experience.

These artists saw in African Art a formal perfection and sophistication unified with phenomenal expressive power. The study of and response to African Art, by artists at the beginning of the twentieth century facilitated an explosion of interest in the abstraction, organisation and reorganisation of forms, and the exploration of emotional and psychological areas hitherto unCommon Characteristics of Clas- seen in Western Art. By these means, the status of visual art was changed. Art ceased to be merely sical African Art Emphasis on the human figure: and primarily aesthetic, but became also a true The human figure has always medium for philosophic and intellectual dis-

In association with

Art is the expression of a people- the story of their history, a documentation of their actuality, an expression of their future, and a glimpse into their hidden psyche. An appreciation of art goes beyond a mere appreciation of aesthetic values. It informs us of humanity, and transforms our experience of life.

Over the next few months on these pages, we will be exploring the rich heritage of African and Nigerian visual art and artists. course, and hence more truly and profoundly aesthetic than ever before.

Ironically, today much African contemporary art is now seen by Westerners as an imitation of European and American cubist and totemic artists, such as Picasso, Modigliani and Matisse, who, in the early twentieth century, were heavily influenced by traditional African art.

Contemporary African Art

Africa is home to a thriving contemporary art fine art culture with Art Bienniales held in Dakar, Senegal, and Johannesburg. This has been sadly understudied until recently, due to scholars’ and art collectors’ emphasis on traditional art. Notable modern artists include El Anatsui, William Kentridge, Yinka Shonibare, Zerihun Yetmgeta, Nnena Okore, Odhiambo Siangla, Olu Oguibe, Olu Amoda.

Promoting Contemporary African Art Many indigenous arts patrons and collectors such as the renowned Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Mr Constantine Ogunbiyi, and Prince Yemisi Shyllon have championed the appreciation and value of contemporary and antique African Art worldwide.

Arts Bodies such as Azu Nwagbogu’s Lagos based ‘African Artists Foundation’ (www.africanartists.org) and the Centre for Contemporary Arts (www.ccalagos.org) have helped expand interest in the subject both locally and abroad, while empowering new generations of artists.

Companies such as Nigerian Breweries, Afren PLC, and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria have been sponsors of many Nigerian contemporary art initiatives in Nigeria and abroad.

Overseas, exhibitions at the Museum for African Art in New York, October Gallery, Air Gallery, and Tate in London have also gone a long way to countering many of the myths and prejudices that haunt Contemporary African Art and showcasing Africa as at the fore of art: both contemporary and classical.

Olu Amoda - Contemporary sculpture

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Showblast

...The buzz in town

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Stories by Chuks Nwanne

BBA The Chase: Dillish got USD300,000 prize, but Melvin is the Big Brother T the last eviction show, where South Africa’s representative Angelo and Ethiopia’s Bimp were evicted from the Big Brother Africa, observes tipped Nigeria’s Melvin and Namibia’s Dillish for the big prize. Forget their fine faces, both housemates have a lot going for them. With that on mind, everyone waited for that moment when both Melvin and Dillish would be the only ones left in the House.

But at the grand finale, the results were different; it was a shocker for many. Nigeria’s second contender Beverley was the first to be evicted from the house; to many, that was expected. However, no matter the way you see Beverley, the young lady has set a record that would take a very long time for anyone to break; the only housemate in BBA The Chase that was never up for eviction. Whatever kept her in that ‘crazy’ house that long without her name coming up for once, our girl deserves to take a bow!

However, the big surprise for viewers all over the world, especially in Nigeria where the reality show commands large followership, was the eviction of Melvin as the second housemates to leave the house. Immediately his name was mentioned by the presenter IK, who was obviously surprised that the Delta State native was eliminated at that stage, the social media went on ‘fire’; Melvin’s fans went gagger, twitting and facebooking their disproval of the result. Obviously, the fact that Melvin was leading the poll the previous day, must have contributed to the outburst from his fans; how that result changed overnight, is still the question on the lips of many. However most viewers, who queried that result, actually didn’t vote; in Big Brother, votes count.

Having taken Nigeria’s contenders out of the house, IK, who kicked off the show with a spectacular dance routine, headed into the house to evict Ghana’s Elikem, leaving Dillish and Cleo in the house to ponder their fate.

Few minutes later, ever dramatic IK broke the bad news for Cleo, leaving Dillish as the winner of the season 8 of the Big Brother Africa reality show.

Other contestants took turns to greet tearful Dillish, who had always dreamt of buying a gigantic TV set; they couldn’t wait but rushed into the house to congratulate the ‘queen’. Her man, Steven, crowned the evening by presenting Dillish with a tiara crown.

“Dillish, it’s official, you’re rich,” proclaimed Big Brother Africa host IK, as fire-

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Dillish

Melvin and Beverly works and streamers signaled the end of 91 days of drama and intrigue. The stunning 2hour Finale, which was screened live on Africa Magic Entertainment and Channel 197 and 198 on DStv, kept viewers enthralled and amazed, with some of the continent’s hottest entertainers lighting up the stage as the tension built.

New Media specialist Boity Thulo joined IK on stage to remind viewers that they could relive all the magic of The Chase by visiting www.bigbrotherafrica.com to watch all the video highlights, from day 1 to 91. She also announced the winner of the ‘Most Romantic Gesture’ – Elikem, for making breakfast in bed for Pokello. He won an amazing holiday package: a 5-night all-expenses-paid trip for two, to the Sarova White Sands Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, two return tickets from RwandAir and some spending money – all valued at USD10 000. He made no bones about the fact that he’d be tak-

ing Pokello along as his ‘plus one’!

Meanwhile, the stage was rocked by some of the continent’s hottest performing artiste, including Nigeria’s Ice Prince, who performed Aboki, Ghanaian duo R2Bees rocked with Life (Walahi), while Ugandan rap superstar Keko registered his presence with See Ya. There was also spot for evicted housemate Sulu to make an appearance, performing Ruby Ruby, featuring Salma. South African DJ Ganyani played out the show, as guests moved for the after party.

And so, the curtain came down on 91 days of romance, suspense and pure entertainment, Big Brother: The Chase, sponsored by Airtel and produced by Endemol South Africa.

Nigeria’s representatives at the just concluded show Beverly Osu and Melvin Oduah have since arrived home and met with the

press yesterday in Lagos. Both arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International airport on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 around 8pm, two days after the grand finale, in company of show host I.K Osakioduwa. They were welcomed by a crowd, which included friends, family and fans.

An over-whelmed Beverly shed a few tears as she was received by her mum, TV presenter, Denrele Edun and close friends. But nice guy Melvin held his head high, as he greeted fans, who waited for hours, just to receive them.

Though Namibia’s Dillish got the prize money, Melvin Odua remains the Big Brother; his behavious in the house was outstanding. A true Nigerian, Melvin has proved to the whole world that character makes a man. Despite the intrigues and politicking in the house, especially the perceived ‘attack’ on West African housemates, Melvin carried everyone along like a big brother. Never quick to anger and a perfect gentleman, his performance in house will surely influence other well meaning Nigerian youths to entre for the show, which was before now viewed in many quarters as ‘immoral.’

Recall After his swap decision that sent Hakeem packing, an emotional Melvin was still haunted and he didn’t want to face the same situation of guilt again. But still his guardian decision was and is still the last thing any chaser could do at that early stage of the game with other heads still in the house. He was one of the housemates, who found it hard to nominate a fellow housemate with a valid reason; he even reached an extent of nominating himself.

“After witnessing Hakeem being saved two times by Africa, I thought that he was to be saved this time too but I was shocked when he got evicted,” Melvin said remorsefully.

Again, on the night South Africa’s Angelo was evicted from the house, Beverly, his lovebird, cried out her eyes. While she was sobbing, Melvin, who was always quiet in the BBA house, went to Beverly Osu’s bed to console her and gave her a sweet message.

“You still have me; you will be fine. I will still be here for you. My bed is the biggest in the House; you can share it with me.” What a brotherly love!

Oh yes, Dillish won the price money, but Melvin Oduah is a Big Brother Africa with true Naija spirit.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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SHOWBLAST Rocking the Garden City with D’Banj, Burna Boy others HE oil rich city of Port Har- performances; he thrilled the T court, Rivers State capital, gathering with a five star percame under heavy sound of formance. On his part, Port music as notable music stars stormed the Garden City for the Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour. With Beat FM presenter Olisa Adibua as host, the groove staged at the Lamborghini Club, GRA, was a convergence of fun loving Nigerians from different parts of the country.

With energetic performances from fast rising acts such as Pucado and Phyno, the event kicked off on a high note and fans sure got in the party mood. But Koko master, in his usual character, brought the house down with pulsating

Actress Ngozi Nwosu in victory dance at a special reception organised by Prince of Anthony Hotel, Lagos, to thank God for healing the lovable actress

Maltina Dance All goes live Sunday AVING selected contestants for the H season 7 of the Maltina Dance All (MDA) reality show, the stage is now set for the family dance competition, as the organised have announced plans to commence screening on Sunday. Meanwhile, 13 out of the 25 family representatives that were selected during the regional auditions were able to qualify their families for the show. The number would be further reduced to 10 families, who will eventually be admitted into the MDA academy. Based on the schedule, the show will continue on a daily basis until the grand finale, which will be held on September 21, 2013 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tagged The Evolution, MDA has over the years attracted a cult following among Nigeria’s youths and families because of its ability to bring family members together. The current season will be

beamed on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) 5.30pm, Silverbird TV (STV) 8.00pm and Galaxy TV 8.00pm.

Contesting for the big price are the Ebute, Ebenezer, Dosa, Briggs, Ibrahim, Clement, Asiyefia, Ekado, Enweribe, Ikumoinein Tom, Ibeatuchie and Idundun families, who are currently rehearsing and strategising on how best to outsmart others in dance routines. A sum of N6 million and a brand new car is at stake in this year’s edition, while the first and second Runners Up will also get N1million and N500, 000 respectively.

The show, according the senior brand manager Ngozi Nkwoji, Maltina, is renowned for sharing happiness and promoting togetherness with friends and loved ones.

“We are glad with where we are with Maltina today. We are very excited about the 7th season of MDA, 7 years is a long time

for a show to still be relevant and we’re very glad Maltina through MDA continues to bring the brand experience of sharing happiness and fun to the consumer.

“We put a lot of work into it. Every year there is something bigger and better. We also create more emotional connection with consumers because families and dance are two winning components in the Nigerian environment. Nigerians love to dance. Maltina is continuously nourishing millions of Nigerians. It’s still the most fortified malt drink in the market. It’s also the biggest malt brand in the market.”

From all indications, MDA The Evolution will excite, entertain and enliven the family space more than the TV audience would ever anticipate. Evidently, the stakes are higher, and dance instructors are ready to go.

Ayoka axed from Project Fame Academy AST weekend witnessed anLanceother beautiful performby the contestants, who opened the evening with tribute to James Brown and Ray Charles of blessed memory.

After their impressive group performance, the four contestants on probation took the stage one after the other to fight their way back in contention for the big prize.

They repeated the songs that landed them on probation

and the judges noted the significant improvements over the previous week’s performances.

After all said and done, the moment of truth came and all four contestants were summoned on stage. While viewers at home save Jimoh, Niniola found favour in the sight of the judges and Johnny narrowly escaped elimination as he fell on the popular side of the other contestants’ votes, leaving Ayoka as the eliminated contestant. How-

ever, Ayoka took the eviction in good spirits and appreciated everyone for their support so far.

Sunday was another evening of pure music and maximum entertainment as the contestants took up the stage one after the other to wow not only the judges, but also the entire audience. Opening the stage for the evening was Jimoh singing Elton John’s Sacrifice and the others followed with Roland

MOMO joins forces with The NET newspapers FTER weeks of deliberations and consultations, the Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) has announced

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Ayeni Adekunle Samuel and Abisoye Fagade.

a strategic content partnership with Movie Moments, a Nollywood resource organisation based in Lagos Nigeria. The deal, according to NET publisher Ayeni Adekunle, is a three-year venture that’ll see Movie Moments (also known as MOMO) deliver its digital editorial contents through NET’s weekly print newspaper.

MOMO currently runs one of Nigeria’s most respected and most trusted Nollywood information and entertainment websites, with audiences from Nigeria, Kenya, London, USA, France, South Africa and Brazil.

“We’re keen to have our presence felt on all platforms, and having done exceedingly well in our first year online, we’re extending our reach to traditional platforms like print, radio and TV. Instead of going out alone, we’re partnering with brands already established

on these platforms, and there’s no other entertainment brand with a successful print edition right now like Nigerian Entertainment Today,” MOMO founder Abisoye Fagade said.

The partnership will see a weekly MOMO pull out in NET, featuring reviews, news, gossip, interviews, and other juicy content.

“This is a collaboration that will help both parties’, noted Adekunle. “We’re happy to enrich our Nollywood coverage while giving our friends at MOMO a platform to reach a new set of audiences across the country.”

According to particulars of the partnership, both organisations will also jointly train reporters and provide opportunities for engaging the industry on sundry issues.

MOMO was a key partner for the inaugural Nigerian Entertainment Conference organized by NET on April 26 2013.

performing Careless Whispers

by George Michael. Nancy performed Flashdance by Irene Cara, while David did Close To You by Maxi Priest. Johnny Drille performed Beautiful by James Blunt, while Margaret did Believe by Cher. Blessing did Beyonce’s classic, Irreplaceable, Omolayo performed You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate, while Simon did That’s The Way I Like It by KC and The Sunshine Band. Olawale, performed Gimme The Night by George Benson, Immaculate did All In All by Joyce Sims, while Niniola wrapped up the evening with I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.

At the end, the judges pulled a surprise one on everyone; rather than place four or five contestants on probation, the judges decided to put everyone on probation. They were all advised to work hard and let the audience be the judge by voting. So, the five contestants with the least votes will perform next weekend to escape the claws of elimination.

The voting lines are therefore open now.

According to Mr. Olumide Akinlabi, the Head, Media & Publicity of Ultima Limited, the producers of Project Fame, “the competition is getting tougher by the day, and we have put certain measures in place to ensure that this competition remains the best in the whole of West Africa.”

In his own words, Okundola Bamgboye, MTN’s Events & Sponsorship Manager, enjoined Nigerians to continue to vote for their favourite contestants.

Harcourt’s biggest artiste, Burna Boy was also in town to party with D’banj and fans present.

Meanwhile, D’banj will make his second club appearance in Lagos later in September. The next stop for the Hennessy Artistry club tour this weekend is Club DV8 in Victoria Island, Lagos and will feature performances from Phyno, Kay Switch and Chidinma.

The Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour supporting acts include Olamide, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Phyno, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch

Iweala’s book, Beast Of No Nation goes on film ED Crown Productions has R set Idris Elba to star and Cary Fukunaga to direct Beasts of No Nation, an adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala’s bestselling novel.

The story follows the journey of a young boy, Agu, who, when civil war engulfs his West African country, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters. Not only must Agu face the death of his father and disappearance of his mother and sister, but must also join a life of violence and brutality.

Agu befriends a mute boy named Strika and together they face the crimes and hardships of war. Elba will play the lead role of Commander and he will serve in a producing capacity as well.

Elba joins Red Crown Productions’ Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Parliament Of Owls’ Cary Fukunaga and Primary Productions principal Amy Kaufman as producers on the film.

Daniel Crown and Bill Benenson will serve as executive producers, while Red Crown is funding the film.

Beasts Of No Nation was packaged by WME Global, which arranged the financing and will make the domestic deal.

IM Global’s specialty label Acclaim will make international sales at the Toronto Film Festival. Fukunaga has helmed Jane Eyre and Sin Nombre and is currently helming the HBO se-

ries True Detective. Elba is really hitting stride. He reprises his title role in a new season of Neil Cross’s celebrated detective series Luther, which premieres on BBC America in September, and he plays Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, which The Weinstein Company releases in November. He’s coming off the Guillermo del Torodirected Pacific Rim, which is approaching the $400 million mark in worldwide gross.

“We fell in love with Iweala’s powerful narrative and Idris and Cary are a tremendous pairing,” said Red Crown Productions partner Lundberg.

Said Fukunaga: “This project has been seven years in the making, so to say I’m excited to start shooting this — and with Idris Elba as lead — would be me trying to play it cool. Red Crown has real moxie standing behind this story.”

Iweala

Okposo takes Praise Party gig to the US The tour starts today in New OR the first time since inFgospel ception, award-winning York, as the official opening artistes, Sammie Ok- event for the 2013 Nigerian Enposo will be staging his Praise Party in the United States. A Praise session featuring African rhythms from the country of Nigeria, this gig is going to be a great experience for both the artistes are their fan in the US. From local favorites and rising stars to well-known names, artistes will take their turns on stage t entertain the audience at the event billed for North America. Aside Okposo, other artistes on the bill are Bouqui, Jedi, Soji Isreal, Nikki Laoye, Akpororo, Dara, Najite, Bumie and Minister Kenn (Mk).

The Praise Party brand is special and incomparable; it’s a unique, intimate, electrifying, high energy, and an African praise experience lead and delivered by a renowned artist in the industry.

tertainment Awards Weekend. It will then proceeds to Washington, DC for a Concert/Live DVD Recording, September 7, 2013. Other cities are to be announced on a later date.

Okposo

ThE GUARdIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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ShOWBLAST

‘Cinemas not the main market for Nigerian movies’ ers that believe cinemas are his/her market, need not wait hE main market for Nigerian for more to be built but can hit films is not the cinema; we the road with his own distribuneed to quickly establish this tion van and projector to screen and have a consensus on it now the movies at hotels, event centhat the FGN’s N300 billion tres and the schools.

The scaring reality of such a grant is set for disbursement.

Anyone doubting this asser- move however, is the major reation, especially those in govern- son why, after some halfment at any level should please hearted attempts at cinema ask him/herself a question of screening, everyone puts the when he/she last went to a cin- work for public home distribuema compared to when last tion or if that fails to get it on he/she last watched a Nigerian the pay TV. It is not for nothing movie bought or hired from a that we are known and referred video shop or from TV, cable or to as the first and perhaps only direct-To-home (dTh) industry terrestrial.

In the context of today’s Nige- in the whole world. Cinema ria, cinemas are elitist form of business is capital intensive and entertainment; with little or no will not bring return in less impact on about 95% of the than a year. Almost all the runfilmmakers. Even to the elites, ning costs are fixed from elecgoing to cinema rates second to tricity supply to manpower and their noisy and equipment. This means that unwasteful Owambe parties! less a certain level of revenue is Again, anyone doubting this consistently generated, bankshould go to the nearest public ruptcy will follow. Even now in America market a n d and ask across t h e Europe, traders cinewhen m a s last anyrecord one of impresthem sive inwent to come watch a only at movie s t u at the dents’ cineholim a s , d a y s c o m a n d pared during to when last that person watched a festivities because of stiff commovie bought or hired from a petition from triplex screening, video shop or on TV, cable or ter- on-line downloading not to talk of pay TVs and other modern restrial.

Our high profile Producers, day modes of entertainment. who have made a ritual of cine- dVd sales and hiring incomes mas screening are doing so on the other hand keep growlargely to impress their spon- ing.

Not long ago, Nigeria too pasors or attract new sponsors. devoid of the financial might of raded a set of flourishing cinsuch sponsors, they all know it ema houses but that was when is business suicide to rely only economy was relatively buoyon the cinema box offices re- ant and the populace had a reaturns. If anyone of them wants sonable level of peace of mind to challenge this, the right and to spare a thought for going to simplest thing to do is answer cinema. Then, cinema patronwhy after so many of their age was stimulating to intellecblockbusters, they are still un- tuals as it was to the royalties, able to fund their new produc- courting couples, families, protions by themselves or how letariat and potentates. But much returns they have been with the decline of our econable to make to their investors? omy came the twin problems of From the quality of our movie transportation and insecurity productions as regularly seen to lives and properties, which afon the television, the main rea- fected the patronage to the exson why the bulk of Producers tent of all the cinemas closing prefer to stand on a long queue down or get converted to wareto hawk their works to the only house, event centre or church! paying cable TV in the country Added to those two now is the now, is for no other reason than battle for survival that keeps the stark reality of poor finan- everyone on the move for an avcial returns from the cinemas. If erage of 16 hours a day! Where it had been a paying proposi- then is the time or inclination to go tion, we have Producers, whose to cinema?

That is why and how watching productions can meet the quality benchmark of any cinema the movies at home become the house in the country or inter- most favoured option to the nationally. It is not also correct people. It is also why the focus of to blame the paucity of the cin- the grant should be on ema houses as the reason why strengthening our direct-ToProducers do not embrace the home (dTh) distribution. A single grant to build even the cinema option.

I recall my late uncle, Adeyemi cheapest cinema will comfortAfolayan, better known as Ade ably put about 10 Producers to love confidently telling us at Su- profitable work; 100 cast and rulere Super Cinema, where the crew members in gainful emthird or fourth of his film was ployment and will be more screened, that he could start to than enough to help almost all rely on the patronage by people the licensed Regional distribuof his films to fund the future tors activate their business with ones. Few days later at his Orile all the community retailers of Igannmu house, he proudly that same region formalising showed us his fleet of vans tak- their retail trade to give piracy a ing his films to nooks and cran- frontal attack. Cinema screennies of the country as his ing is not entirely useless antidote to the high govern- though but its focus should be ment entertainment taxes. The behind that of our dTh distripoint here is that, any Produc- bution.

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By Olayinka Ogundaisi

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Marketing manager Guinness Nigeria, Austin Ufomba; General Manager, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. Felix Enwemadu; Marketing Manager Diageo, Sola and Johnnie Walker brand ambassador Tim, at the launch party for Johnnie Walker Gold held at One Eleven Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With Win & Shine Promo, it’s reward time for Star consumers N a bid to reward its loyal Ifrom consumers, Star lager beer, the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc., has launched the brand’s second national consumer promotion for the year. Tagged Win and Shine promo, the campaign is coming on the heels of the Star League Text and Play that excited, engaged and rewarded the teeming loyal consumers of Star in a uniquely different way.

According to the Marketing director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Walter drenth, the promo is a unique consumer reward scheme set to redefine consumer experience in brand promotion and usher in another exciting period for consumers of Star Lager beer. drenth, who spoke at a media parley to herald the promo, described the consumer reward scheme as epoch making.

“For the first time, consumers of our 33cl cans will have the opportunity of winning prizes in our promotion. This is another milestone in the annals of consumer promotions in Nigeria.” drenth said consumers could participate via two categories: instant and non-instant. To win under the Instant Prizes category, all a consumer needs do is buy a 60cl bottle or 33 cl can of Star beer; and check under the crown cork or can lid. Prizes that can be won in this category are N200 airtime and free bottles of Star lager beer, which are redeemable at 5000 redemption centres.

According to the Marketing director, the increase in number of redemption centres was in response to “the aspirations of our consumers to make redemption (of the free bottles of Star) easy.”

Winners of Star’s previous promotions could only claim their prizes in about 1, 400 redemption centres.

To win the recharge cards, consumers will find unique alphanumeric codes under their crown corks or can lids which they need to send via SMS to 30383 to win airtime top-up worth N200.

On the second category,

which is non-winning crown cork based, he said: “The second category of crown corks or can lids will bear the message ‘dRAW ENTRY’. To ensure that a vast majority of the consumers partake in this promotion, there will be 100 consumer draw events called the Win and Shine parties spread across the country. At each of these Win and Shine parties, 50 consumers will go home with exciting prizes.”

Some of the prizes to be won include 32 inch LCd TVs, home Theatres, BlackBerry phones, Football jerseys, branded carpets as well as N100,000 and N50,000 cash prizes.

“We have also been blessed by consumers’ decision to consistently choose STAR, the Shine Shine Bobo, above others. So, it is always a delight for our team to share the news of exciting innovations and interesting offerings for our loyal consumers. As you may be aware, our company has made a commitment to deliver superior customer values through our products, events and promotions.” drenth revealed that Star did not offer consumers the opportunity of winning brand new cars like it did in previous promotions because of the need to extend the prizes to a

much larger number of consumers.

“In previous consumer promotions, we have rewarded consumers with cars, but you will agree that only a handful of consumers can win. We have adopted this approach so that we can have many more winners. don’t forget that 50 winners of various prizes will emerge from each of the 100 Win & Shine parties.”

The Star Win and Shine Promotion, which will kick off on Monday, September 9, will end on Saturday, November 2, 2013.

Uyo Model Search… A new season begins hEAd of the White Ribbon Supermodel A (WRS), an initiative of the Akwa Ibom State government, which comes up later this month, organisers of the Uyo Model Search (UMS) have re-positioned the project for a better result. however, the model talent search competition still retains its objective of promoting the global campaign against women abuse, especially rape and domestic violence.

The new season of the contest will be produced with technical collaboration with the Top Model Gulf of Guinea and National Fashion Chamber of Bulgaria. A total of 15 successful applicants will be selected to participate in the competition, which will include a four-day model boot camp. The finalist will appear in a live fashion spectacular from which the winner will be selected.

Top three girls from the contest will automatically qualify for the Top Model Gulf of Guinea, slated for February 2014.

Notwithstanding, both the UMS and WRS are geared towards affecting the lives Nigerian girls for the better, by taking the most talented and most able on a journey that will radically improve not only their own life prospects, but their ability to act as forces of positive change within their own community through the Wear Your White Ribbon project that will be promoted by winners of these competitions.

Open to Akwa Ibom indigenes, Uyo Model Search will be held in the city of Uyo. Judges for this year’s edition include, Ngozi Constance Ayiam, CEO Top Model Gulf of Guinea, Feron Felix Aaron, Creative director Feron Nigeria, Albert Baruch, Chairman Bulgarian Fashion Photographers Association and Chike Mordi, Creative director Zhalima Grazioni.

According to the director of Kardynal Kommunikationz, Ubong Ekanem, “audi-

Jennifer Chukwurah, Winner Uyo Model Search season 1 tions for the White Ribbon Supermodel will be held in Enugu, Lagos and Abuja next year; the 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners-up from the second edition of Top Model Gulf of Guinea competition will have automatic entry to the White Ribbon Supermodel contest,” he said.

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events

The GUARdIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

In association with

KEEP CALM AND DATE FOR A CAUSE Date(s): 06/09/2013, 07/09/2013 Location: Ember Creek Promoter: Porcelain Are you fun, adventurous and want to support a worthy cause?

Date for a Cause is a fun way to support a cause and also meet new people! The event features a charity date auction where our selected hunks nd pretty damsels will be auctioned for a date. The proceeds go to Slum2Schools, a non-profit initiative aimed at improving access to education for children who live in hard-to reach slums across Nigeria. TICKETS: Regular- 3,000naira

NIGHT WITH THE MASTERS

SOMeWheReeLSe Chris Brown And Karrueche Tran Back Together?

hRIS Brown and Karrueche Tran appear to have rekindled C their on-off relationship once again.

Tran posted a picture of the pair looking cosy in hawaii on her

Instagram account earlier this week. The 25-year-old captioned the snap “aloha” and added an emoticon of a heart.

Chris and Karrueche were also seen in paparazzi shots messing about on the beach in hawaii where Chris was filming his latest music video.

The pair have been dating on and off for several years, most recently splitting at the end of last year when Chris was once again linked to his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Reports that Karrueche and Chris had reunited first surfaced last month when the model called the singer “my baby” on Instagram and wished him luck for the BeT Awards.

Lady Gaga Teases New Song ‘Swine’ In Rehearsal Clip

Ady Gaga has unveiled a new track entitled Swine ahead of her performance at the LMother iTunes Festival on Sunday (September 1).

Monster took to Twitter to post a youTube clip of her rehearsing the new song for the gig, which is due to take place at Camden’s Roundhouse.

The one-minute video sees Lady G practising Swine - which is thought to feature on her new ARTPOP LP - with the 27-year old also revealing some of the tune’s lyrics.

She is heard singing: “I know you want me. you’re just a pig in a human’s body.

“Squealer, squealer, squeal out! you’re so disgusting. you’re just a pig inside. Swine!”

Gaga also posted a rehearsal picture on her website, Littlemonsters.com, which was tagged with the hashtags #SWINeFeST #GeTReAdyTOSQUeAL. The Bad Romance star has coined her iTunes show #SWINeFeST, and has already tweeted a list of “acceptable attire” for the night, including seashells, seahorses and starfish.

Date(s): 13/09/2013 Location: Eko Hotel & Suites, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Promoter: OVER THE TOP For the first time ever, six legends in the Nigerian music industry will gather on stage for a concert tagged Night with the Masters. This is one concert put together for the enjoyment of many Nigerian music lovers who have been left out of the entertainment scene as a lot of events are targeted to only lovers of hip hop music.

TICKETS: Regular- N25,000; VIP- N100,000; VIP (Couple) - N150,000; TABLE N1million

Vin diesel Tells All On Marvel Studios Talks

TEDX LAGOS - THEMED: INCLUSION Date(s): 14/09/2013 Location: Oriental Hotel, 3, Lekki Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Promoter: SLIMTRADERTEDxLagos was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals for and in Nigeria the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences in Lagos. TEDxLagos conference is multi-disciplinary; our theme: inclusion is broad enough that it will encapsulate the work of all our speakers and performers in their wide range of fields. It gives a common thread that will tie our live speakers and performers; helping ideas flow from one presentation or performance into the next.

TICKETS: Meal Voucher – 1, 800naira; Registration - Free

IN diesel has been spilling the beans on his talks with Marvel Studios - revealing that he V was originally discussing a bigger role than the Guardians Of The Galaxy part he has been given.

The star of the Fast & Furious movies told The hollywood Reporter that he had originally met the disney subsidiary to discuss appearing in a movie featuring a fresh intellectual property, possibly for release in 2016.

But the ensuing buzz after he dropped hints about it on the internet led to plans for his entry to the Marvel universe being accelerated.

“What can I say about Groot? I can say something about Marvel. I take my hat off to them for being so creative and thinking outside of the box.

“That was the focus of our conversation — a fresh IP that would come out in 2016 or 2017, and potentially launch the third phase.

“With my schedule, it was almost impossible to imagine I could do anything immediate.”

Vinny was awarded a star on the hollywood Walk Of Fame this week.

Public Speaking and Presentation Training Course Date(s): 14/09/2013 Location: Precinct Comfort Hotel, Yaba, Lagos Promoter: LiveSpeech Ventures During this highly participatory 2-day training, delegates will go through five course modules working on a relevant topic of their choice, developing a presentation, presenting to the group, and getting feedback. You will learn step-by-step how to build a clearer, more organised, and more compelling presentation from start to finish ALL

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Kim Kardashian ‘Shocked By Lamar Odom drug Use’

IM Kardashian is reported to have been shocked to learn KTheabout her brother-in-law Lamar Odom’s drug habit.

US reality TV star is claimed by e! News - the channel

which broadcasts Keeping Up With The Kardashians - to have only recently learned from sister Khloe about her husband’s problems.

The new mum is apparently being “very supportive”.

And the source says: “She only wants what’s best for Khloe.”

It was reported yesterday that NBA star Odom had returned home and that he and Khloe were not separating, as had been claimed by some media outlets.

The source added that Kim wanted them to work things out: “She knows how much they love each other. everyone in the family feels divorce should be the last option.”

Ajayi’s inspiring words for the physically challenged in society

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku he is physically challenged with Simbecility, what people can refer to as near but she didn’t allow the disability to deter her from achieving and becoming what she wanted to be in life. This is the story of Tobiloba Ajayi.

She is a lawyer, having bagged her LL.B. at Igbinedion University, Okada, and a Masters in International law at University of hertfordshire, United Kingdom at less than 30. Now Ajayi has come out with her first book, Inspirations, a 78-page nugget of wisdom and very inspirational words, as the name rightly signifies, and written in poetic form.

In launch last weekend, she had inspiring words for the physically challenged, as she said: “I have spent a greater part of my life encouraging a lot of people with

challenges, and telling them ‘look, this thing might be an issue but it doesn’t define you; it doesn’t stop you from doing the things you need to do’. It is actually something that you can turn into your advantage because that’s what I have done. I turned it into an advantage when I was in school and I always got what I wanted through the sympathy I got from people.

“I always say to them, ‘I have a Masters degree in not any course, but law; and I am less than 30 years.

If I can do it, anybody can do it.”

The launch was held at The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Magodo, Lagos. Tobiloba noted that the book is a piece that would bolster and build the faith of every Christian, challenge them and gets them thinking.

According to her, “this book is for everybody. In Nigeria especially, we are very religious but a lot of us have

no clue of the God we say we believe in. Inspirations is just what you need because it is a book that is good for every Christian no matter the class or level you feel you are in your walk with God. In it, you are sure to find something that will stick to you like a glue, get you thinking and help you in your growth in faith”.

Tobiloba also revealed that her inspiration came from God, and stated that the book is a product of happenstance, as a result of encouragement from rightthinking people around her and her “fantastic” pastor who stretched her and brought out the spiritual deposits in her.

“The inspiration is from God” she said, “but I got the courage to make it a reality because I have a fantastic pastor and also the right people around me who encouraged me.

“The book was born out of a lot of lessons I was learning in a growing

walk with God. When I started writing Inspirations, it was like I just started my walk with God afresh and I started learning a lot of things.

I couldn’t take everything in; I couldn’t keep them to myself anymore, so I started to write them down.

“I started writing not really planning to write a book but to get the words out of my head so I could have space. Over time, I realised that it was becoming too much and a lot of people needed to benefit from it.

Sometimes, I would write and paste on my facebook wall and a lot of my friends will start commenting, urging me on and telling me that they would like to see more of it.

“So, I started looking at publishing it and I decided to put it in the form of a book which everybody can have access to because it is not everybody that has access to internet.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

ARTS 39

ArtHouse Savage, MI, olamide to thrill at Summer Jam Concert LANS are underway to stage the maiden edition of Summer Jam P Concert in Nigeria. It’s being packaged by JML in conjunction with Inspiration 92.3FM. The concert is scheduled to hold on September 13, starting from 10pm till dawn at the New Ballroom of the Lagos oriental Hotel, Lekki. Artistes billed to perform at the event are Tiwa Savage, MI, olamide (Badoo) and Dami krane while Bovi and Bash will keep the night hot and sizzling with rib cracking jokes.

Speaking ahead of the show, General Manager JML, Mr. Akinyemi Akindele, said the concert is now a part of the country’s entertainment industry, adding that the show is expected to make the lead as the hottest and most exciting music and concert in Nigeria.

Chief executive officer of Inspiration FM, Chief Soni Irabor said, “the concert is targeted mainly at youth who constitute more than 60 percent of the Nigerian population and the young-at-heart.

obey, Chimezie, onwenu for Night with the Masters VER the Top Entertainment will present Night with the Masters o featuring top acts like Ebenezer obey, Bright Chimezie, onyeka onwenu, Shina Peters, Femi kuti, Wasiu Ayinde in like performance. It holds September 13. Time is 6pm at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

75th Ikoyi Club anniversary set to kick off th

HEAD the 75 anniversary of Ikoyi Club 1932, which is expected A to start September 23rd, the organising committee of the anniversary has promised a fun-filled show. It will kick off with a charity walk, with a theme An Enduring Legacy. Members of the committee and some of the club’s members will lead some delegates to visit the less privileged in Lagos followed by a lecture later in the evening.

Also, there will be an inter-sectional game competition among club members as part of activities marking the anniversary. other events includes a jazz session, a cultural evening, which entails the displays of different cultures among the members; food exhibition, children’s party and will climax with a closing ceremony, with prize presentation and a variety of shows.

Chairman, 75th anniversary sub committee, Yomi orenuga, revealed that the choice of theme was because the club has indeed stood the test of time in the country, and has proven its prominence in all ramifications.

Compiled by: Florence Utor

Curb writers’ award enlivens Quill Awards 2014

By Florence Utor S Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of cowbell milk and other consumer goods, prepares for its second edition of Quill Awards, it is already thinking of the future by introducing a special category tagged Best Future Reporter of the Year, for the 2013/2014 edition.

This category is to promote and reward excellent writing skills among budding journalists in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Also included in the next edition of the awards is the Best Report on Children thereby increasing the categories to seven apart from the five categories in its maiden edition. They include Brand Advocate of the Year, Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of the Year, Most

A

Educative Report of the Year, Best Report on Nutrition and the Best Photo Story of the Year.

The award was created to reward the media for its contributions and encourage professionalism. According to the Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. keith Richards, “The media are taken for granted and are not appreciated despite all that they do. We want to remind people of the importance of journalism.”

While indicating increase in the number of categories Richards said, “Best Future Reporter of the Year category has been thoughtfully picked to encourage young writers that will eventually take up the mantle of journalism in future.

L-R: Chief Macaulay Mbeang, Chief Nsan Egu, Chief Obol Inah and Chief Patrick Bassey, Traditional Chiefs from of Ikori, Yakurr L.G.A., Cross River State, at the MTN supported Yekurr Leboku International Festival, held in Ugep, Cross River State, on Monday August 26, 2013.

Rain of awards for Sabina as she celebrates nine years on stage

By Tony Nwanne FTER adding two awards to A her catalogues of medals, onAir-Personality, Sabina Umoren, continues to draw attention from fans, colleagues and wellwishers, as she celebrate nine years on stage.

Popularly known as Naija Pastor and one of the most loved voices on radio, Sabina recently bagged two local and international awards - Best on-Air-Personality at the Crystal Award 2013 (Nigeria), and Radio Programme of The Year at the Africa Gospel Music Awards 2013 Award, (United kingdom).

An establ i s h e d g o s p e l artiste, her

journey into broadcasting started about two and a half years ago when Megalectrics Limited, operators of Naija FM 102.7, Beat 99.9 FM, and Classic 97.3 FM confirmed her originality and on-air prowess. Little did she know that her competence would keep her on the airwaves two and a half years and still counting. on the journey so far on radio, Sabina, “Radio has been good to me, especially working with a man of vision like my Mr. Chris Ubosi has been quite an experience. The working environment is great and this has enhanced my growth on the profession quicker than expected.”

An author, motivational speaker and gospel artiste, Sabina, who recently celebrated her birthday with friends and family, co-presents the ‘Morning R u n s ’ w i t h Ushbebe a n d Godwin o n Sundays.

Day Farafina Trust fetes literary enthusiasts, graduates workshop participants

By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi ook lovers, literary buffs B and pundits, with a longing for new, honest voices in Nigeria’s vibrant writing community, gathered with great fanfare, penultimate week, at the grand ballroom of oriental Hotel, Lagos to usher in the latest writing discoveries by Farafina Trust.

Tagged Farafina Literary Evening, the event was to mark the end of the 10-day Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop, in which 22 writers from Nigeria, kenya and the United States participated. Sponsored by Nigeria Breweries, the workshop this year had among the participants a mix of scientists, social scientists, medical doctors, engineers, and a blend from the humanities.

It was facilitated by the Creative Director, Farafina Trust, and award winning novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of One Day I Will Write About This Place, Binyavanga Wainaina; the new boss of Farafina books,

and author of To Saint Patrick and Fine Boys, Eghosa Imasuen among others.

In her opening address, Adichie, who thanked Nigerian Breweries for the opportunity to host budding writers, expressed joy for the opportunity to relate, teach and inspire participants emotionally and intellectually.

She said she was delighted to have been in the same room for 10 days with young minds who shared the same passion to tell stories.

Chimamanda

How Osun Oshogbo’s blue river flowed in Goldberg’s gold HIS year’s edition of the osun oshogbo festival T may have come and gone, but the ‘golden’ moments would remain indelible in the minds of visitors for years to come.

Signs that visitors’ experiences in this year’s edition of the osun oshogbo festival would be ‘golden’ was imminent the moment Goldberg signed the dotted lines as one of the event’s major sponsors. Libation is an age-long tradition in which drops of drinks are poured on the ground to appease certain deities. In obeisance to extant cultures, Goldberg also ‘libated’, as its sponsorship of the event connoted dropping jots of its liquid gold in the osun oshogbo river. The ricochet effect was immense as Goldberg ensured that the 2013 osun oshogbo festival ambience was turned into ‘golden’ moments while the event lasted.

It may not be out of place if Gbogan Road is renamed ‘Goldberg Road’, albeit temporarily for that was where the Goldberg beer village was located. For 21 days, culture and tradition enthusiasts, tourists, revellers and visitors trooped to

the Goldberg beer village to relish bottles of Goldberg lager beer.

What the visitors to the beer village got in return was the best of fun and excitement in an atmosphere of conviviality. Several comic and musical acts thrilled the crowd and ensured that there was no dull moment.

Speaking on Goldberg’s sponsorship of the 2013 osun oshogbo festival, Brand Manager – Goldberg, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Mfon Bassey, said: “The osun oshogbo Festival is one of the most prominent cultural festivals in Nigeria.

As a premium lager beer, Goldberg is proud to be associated with a festival of iconic status. our association with the festival reflects our commitment to upholding the tenets of a prominent Nigerian tradition and ensuring that it does not go into extinction. That’s why Goldberg came on board as a major sponsor.” on why the brand set up the Goldberg beer village, Mr. Bassey said: “The Goldberg beer village served various purposes. As you well know, the

osun oshobo festival attracted tourists from Nigeria and outside the country. The Goldberg beer village served as a relaxation point for them. We also used the Goldberg beer village as an avenue for local acts to showcase their various talents. We had musical acts and deft dancers thrilling the crowd. So the consumers got more value for their money. Just for buying bottles of Goldberg, they were treated to lively music and various forms of entertainment.”

Goldberg’s sponsorship of the 2013 edition of the osun oshogbo festival also coincided with the first visit of the Executive Governor of osun state to the grand finale procession, since he was sworn in in 2010.

In his speech at the festival on Friday, August 23, ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said: “We gather again to savour the inexhaustible economic, spiritual and sociological benefits that the festival of this period of the year make possible. Ladies and gentlemen, in celebrating this prominent festival, we must not forget what it connotes. We must

continue to imbibe and deepen the non-material values of this socio-cultural engagement.

Courage, sacrifice, selflessness, brotherliness, hope and faithfulness remain some of the major values undergirding the celebration of the osun oshogbo festival.”

The festival ended a few weeks ago.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

40 ARTS

VisualArts At foundation lecture, Jari broadens debate on art pricing

By Tajudeen Sowole

RICING and evaluating art, which are traP ditionally based on the reputation or status of an artist, have been very contentious, particularly in this era of emerging secondary art market in Nigeria. But artist and scholar, Prof. Jacob Jari has challenged professionals in his presentation The Price of Art and Its Implication on Art Practice in Nigeria to rescue creativity from the jaws of short-cut syndrome.

Presented to a full house of participants inside the conference room of organisers of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Foundation (OYASAF), Maryland, Lagos, Jari’s paper was the third edition of the host’s lecture series, which started in 2012. The first of the OYASAF lecture series, organised in collaboration with Wotaside Studio, was delivered

by Prof. Frank Ugiomoh of the University of Port Harcourt and the second by Dr. Kunle Filani of Federal College of Education, Osiele, Ogun State.

Jari, a professor of Art History, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, noted imbalance and unfairness in evaluating art in Nigeria. He argued that such pricing of art, erroneously based on who creates the work rather than its quality as art piece, was wrong. He cited quite a number of examples, including personal experiences.

Jari’s argument is not new. A section of the art community not well favoured or left out completely in the recent emergence of big sales in Nigerian art market, has always expressed strong sentiments on the criteria used in pricing art.

Having created the impression of Nigeria’s academia that is art-blind, Jari distilled the worth of an artist’s labour as core of his lecture. From a 1991 personal experience of what he considered unfair treatment by a gallery in Lagos, to subsequent similar situations in selling his art, Jari’s search for a balance in pricing art kept expanding without an answer. In fact, he admitted that in one of such situations when he demanded for a certain price for his work from a gallery, someone asked him ‘who do you think you are?’ Sometimes, he said, such question could be as direct as ‘Who knows you?’

Since then he said he has been pondering over the question, and added, “but the more I read about art and its practice, the more I realised that the last question was based on a certain naivety”.

Although he said further experimentations confirmed to him that an artist’s reputation may make or mar the chance of being rated high in the art market. Jari, however, brought the example of two masters, whose works have been sold, with each showing at the extreme end of market value variables.

“To put this issue in context, let us consider two artists, Jimoh Akolo and Demas Nwoko and their performance at a recent auction”. He noted that the two artists were classmates in the 1950s era of Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST, now ABU), Zaria.

But during the 8th auction of Arthouse Contemporary in Lagos, May 2012, Akolo’s painting, Untitled, (oil on canvas, 48 x 36 in), was sold for N700,000 naira, an amount far below Nwoko’s Praise Singer (oil on board, 96 x 48) sold for N7 million. He stressed, “both artists are alive”, and then asked: in selling the works, “what parameters were used?”

Indeed, Jari brought a classic example in the Akolo (b.1934) and Nwoko (b.1935) comparison, confirming the dynamics of art pricing. Although not mentioned in Jari’s presentation is another interesting factor: Nwoko’s Praise Singer was a final year work of the artist at NCAST in 1961; Akolo’s Unti-

Prof. Jacob Jari (left); founder of the host, OYASAF, Prince Yemisi Shyllon and Jessica Williams during the 3rd Lecture Series organized by the host recently… in Lagos tled a 1998 painting.

Nwoko’s work estimated at N8 to N10 million, it should be recalled, ended as the highest sold at the said auction. On display during the sales, Praise Singer looked like a piece just rescued from improper preservation; the tone was like a third generation of badly reproduced copy from an original painting. And the auction house, Arthouse was wise not to bother restoring the faded colours before presenting it for sale, which indeed added to the hype and rarity that sold the work at such a high price.

And this was after Nwoko, a renowned architect, had earlier recorded the highest sale for his wood sculpture, The Wise Man sold for N9 million, at three previous auctions before the 2012 sales; all these could not be removed from the hype or build-up that led to the sale of Praise Singer.

A stylized, impressionistic piece, Praise Singer is thematically semi-satirical, but stresses the artist’s consistence in native contents – as pronounced in his architecture works. It depicts the traditional entertainers’

A section of the audience during the lecture

intrusion into the privacy of highly placed personalities, mostly in Yoruba culture of old. For Nwoko’s depiction, it’s a solo effort in drumming and singing of a character in danshiki (short robe), complete with kembe (baggy trousers) and gobi (cap). With just trousers and cap, the unwillingness of the host is obvious, even though he seems to be enjoying the moment - given the attention captured by the artist’s rendition of a man sitting at the edge of a bench.

However, as comparative aesthetics of works of two masters is very complex in pricing, Akolo’s Untitled – a capture of horsebacks scene of ceremonial setting – could not be exactly said to be a lesser piece of art.

So, what exactly went wrong such that Akolo’s painting sold for a distant N700,000 to Nwoko’s N7m?

Prolific painter, Kolade Oshinowo who contributed to the debate in the audience, seemed to provide the answer. Presentation, Oshinowo argued, “is important when artists are selling their work”. He warned that whoever is presenting a work of art

must properly represent the artist who created the work. He cited a personal experience of how he insisted on a higher price against what London, U.K.-based auctioneers, Bonhams, placed on his work sold recently. But he was vindicated when “later I got calls that the work even sold higher than what we eventually agreed on”.

From the context of proper representation of artists, Jari’s question of artist’s right value for his or her labour is more salient from the lecturer’s two important examples. His choice of Nwoko and Akolo’s comparison appeared even more crucial in the debate: texts in the Arthouse catalogue of the said auction explain that each of the works was consigned from “collection of the artists”, suggesting that the artists represented themselves, separately.

Whatever myth had been restraining artists in Nigeria from attaining their height, Arthouse auctions’ dealings since 2008 appeared to have shattered it by creating new collectors. In fact, the Arthouse’s revolution of the secondary art market in Nigeria has been resonating across the entire art scene, home and the Diaspora.

On the ‘implication’ of art pricing over the future of art practice, Jari argued that the race to sell at higher prices appear to have reduced Nigerian artists’ ability to compete in actual contents at international gathering such as biennales and other exhibitions.

He stressed, “absence of any obvious change in the works of modern Nigerian artists is encouraged primarily by the price of art which is not founded on any logical basis”.

Born in 1960, Jari attended St. Murumba College, Jos and ABU. A few selected milestones Jacob has achieved include coordinating the Aftershave Workshop from 1998 to 2008; curating the Accident and Design exhibition at the Brunei Gallery, University of London, London in 2000; heading the Department of Fine Arts, ABU, Zaria from 2005 to 2007; external examiner to Makerere University, Kampala from 2006 to 2008; external examiner to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi from 2011 to 2013; and the Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, ABU from 2013.

His scholarship revolves around topical issues in art practice in Nigeria while his practice elevates rejects to prominence.

41

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Continue from Page 23 ness in the press. You have to simply find a personal way to appeal to an editor or press segment with your business. You looking for media outlets that fit your industry or niche and contact them. Be prompt and let them know the basic details about what your business does and why it’s a great article for their readers. If they like it, they will contact you.

Through the press, we were able to gain rapid numbers of users.

Partnerships – Find people that work to serve the same demographics you do. Chances are that they are also looking to acquire more customers. Forming a partnership (not with your competitors), but rather with people who are catering to a similar audience is a great way to

Customer Experience

acquire customers. You scratch their back by plishments in the context of business? To be completely honest, till this date I do not conpromoting their product and they do the same. You guys are now able to do cross-pro- sider anything I have done as an accomplishment. Everything I have done thus far has motion to increase growth. If I really need been steps toward my accomplishments. My funding and have no other options, I then goal is to create million dollar businesses that begin to approach investors. Investors are will help millions of people. Once I reach that great because they are willing to give you funding in exchange for equity in your busi- point, I would consider that as my most outness. If you can find an investor who wants to standing accomplishment in the business world. invest, you should take it if you really need the money.

What would you describe as your major setSince you became an entrepreneur – someone backs and what lessons did you pick from who solves problems for people profitably; them? My biggest setback was when I created what has been your most outstanding accom- a business without a clear vision of how I was

The Methodology of Customer Service

By Errol D Allen hile being interviewed on a local radio show, one of the co-hosts posed this question - "Errol, exactly what is customer service?" I don't ever remember being asked that particular question but here's my reply -"Customer service is a methodology that when put in motion, creates a customer's experience." This definition is not specific to any particular industry nor does the size of the organization matter. Now someone is probably wondering what I mean by methodology.

When defining customer service as a methodology, I'm speaking of the systems that an organization chooses to put in place to provide a customer experience.

OK, now someone may be asking "Errol, now what systems are you referring to?

Allow me to explain.

W

Awakening the Spirit of Entrepreneurship

be pleasant and professional goes a long way in creating a positive customer experience.

When choosing who gets the opportunity to be the face of your organization through your hiring methodology, again you're creating an experience for your customer. It's important to carefully establish your hiring criteria. What characteristics are critical for your customer contact personnel?

Is industry experience more important than personality traits? Remember, you're attempting to create a great customer experience. Your hiring choices will bear fruit! Make sure it's good fruit!

When exercising your personnel management methodology, remember that this too creates an experience for your customer. Just as you must strive to make sound customer contact personnel hiring decisions, it's even more important to utiWhen determining what your organizalize sound management practices. Make sure tion's customer service methodology will managers have the proper tools required for this be, you are actually determining the expe- position - people skills, products and services rience your customer will receive when knowledge, coaching skills, leadership skills and a interacting with those within your organi- good comprehensive understanding of the organzation. For instance, when your customer ization. Should your customer contact personnel calls and your inbound call methodology become frustrated with management practices; dictates that persons answering calls will your customer will eventually be impacted. perform certain tasks while on the call and Employee turnover, discontent and low producdo so within a certain time frame, those tivity all create an experience for your customer. requirements lead to the customer's expe- Manage employees in a way that will certainly rience. When that person's performance lead to a great customer experience. review and salary increase is tied to their When developing complaint resolution methodsuccess in meeting the goals of that inbound call strategy, this too determines ology - you got it - you're creating an experience the customer's experience with your organ- for your customer. We all know that sometimes ization. If your strategy induces this person mistakes are made or things get left undone. to be more concerned with meeting goals When these errors happen, the need for a quick and thorough resolution is paramount. Is your than taking the necessary steps and time for each customer's situation, this too cre- methodology in this area customer friendly? Does every resolution require a supervisor/manager's ates an experience.

When creating core values for your organi- approval or are your customer contact personnel zation, you are creating an experience for equipped with options for a speedy resolution? your customer. If words such as integrity, Are you tracking customer complaints for pathonesty, respect and valued are included in terns and trends? Doing so allows one to identify possible operational issues which once corrected your core values, your customer should experience these words when interacting will alleviate repeat complaints which in turn with your organization. Core values are the you guessed it - creates a positive customer experience. frame-work from which your customer service methodology is created. Every component of your strategy should be ground- When choosing the methodology to gets your customer’s opinion regarding your products or served in your core values. ices - one more time - you're creating an experiWhen choosing your training methodolo- ence for your customer. We all know the value in getting the customer's opinion. Most love the gy, once again you're creating an experiopportunity to let you know what they think of ence for your customer. Your customer is depending upon customer contact person- your organization. Make it easy for them to do so as the more customer feedback you receive, the nel to be experts on your products and services. Keep the customer's experience in more data you have to make decisions. Do you mind when developing training programs. need to make adjustments to your product or services? Do your customers contact personnel I suggest focusing on creating ambassaneed additional training? Provide regular feeddors for your organization. Are customer back opportunities in order to stay current on contact personnel educated on your various products or services? Have they actual- what's important to your customer. These various ly utilized or experienced your products or methodology components create an organizaservices for themselves in order to gain the tional customer service system which in turn creates customer experiences. Examine your methodcustomer's perspective? What tools will ologies to insure that they all are geared toward they need to provide a great customer providing what's important to your customer. experience? Be sure to equip them with Now put them all in motion and create great cusbasic soft skills training as one's ability to tomer experiences!

Executives Finance

Financial Planning For Survival

By Rosetta Carrington Lue or some people, one of the most difficult transitions to make from carefree youth to responsible adult involves finances. The various money matters that seem to plague America's busy, upwardly mobile citizens are not even on the radar for most teenagers, for whom the term "financial planning" means hitting up the folks for movie money. Not having to worry about paying rent and electricity bills is nice, but there comes a time in people's lives when they have to assume responsibility for money matters that were formerly handled by someone else. Not knowing how to handle money can affect both one's home and one's business. When it comes time to consider the vagaries of life - employment, insurance, health care, retirement -- there will be a lot to learn about financial planning, and not a lot of time to do it.

Kids' advice for grown-ups now - Not too long ago, most people would have said that the introductory statements to this article should be for kids, since adults "already know what to do." As we head toward the end of the first decade of the 2000s, the incredible imploding economy of the world proved that grown-ups, in fact, have not been acting their age. The entire modern, industrialized world has been living beyond its means, and individuals, businesses and governments all need to get back to the basics of financial planning, for survival now if nothing else. One does not have to be in danger of going bankrupt just to get some good financial planning information, which is also available online with a simple few searches. It is definitely a benefit to the community and the local business economy to have well-managed, solvent households, so the business community is historically quite generous in offering this assistance.

Good for home, good for office

F

going to generate revenue. At the end of the day, every business is about the money. For my startup company StatFuse, we wanted to help everyone and so we decided to go free and thought we could make a lot of money from advertising. Unfortunately, we were unable to make the type of money we thought we would from advertising. Thus, we had to change things up and create a paid business model system. This whole experience taught me to always have a clear plan to monetize your business from the start. You do not want to waste months of your time only to find out that this idea isn’t a good business.

amount of bogus advice, and con men regularly take advantage of people who should know better by making ever more astonishing claims for their particular investment strategies. Of course, if you get a solid grounding in the basics of financial planning, you will remember that investing is only one of many activities, and not the first on your To-Do list, either. That would be saving, of course, and it is the cornerstone of any solid financial plan.

Loss prevention now key - In addition to everything else that is necessary to do, everyone needs to focus on preventing waste, which means losses to do negligence, inattention, bad habits, theft, robbery and fraud. This applies to every level of government from city and state to Washington, D.C., as well as your businesses of all sizes, public agencies and school districts, and individual homeowners and private citizens. Focusing on the elimination of waste and loss will help develop better working habits and more effective policies and procedures.

Crime can be deterred quite cost-effectively by deploying the appropriate amount of video security, and since systems are easy to set up and start at around $100, everyone can afford to protect their property today. This is a very important step to creating a safe environment for renewed business growth in the future.

Frankly, it is just common sense to put effort into keeping what you already own, whether you're thinking of your home stereo or your jewelry shop's inventory.

Tying it all together - Surveillance cameras and burglar alarms can help with loss prevention, but in business the important thing is an attitude of efficiency balanced with customer servAs far as financial planning goes, business own- ice. Of course it is essential to manage the ers would be wise to do the same thing in their books correctly, and keep track of expenses, corporate lives as they do in their personal ones. and negotiate for the best deal, etc. Protecting The famous "4P Method" -- Planning Prevents your property is also key. But the most imporPoor Performance -- is a broadly applicable tru- tant thing is to see all of these various activities ism in life, and is a particularly appropriate as being related, one to the other, and existing reminder for entrepreneurs and others who as a cohesive approach to managing income, may build businesses or be self-employed. There expenses, assets and liabilities. It all works is no one who will be more motivated to together, from video security to customer improve your long-term financial picture than retention, from loss prevention to intelligent you are (family, too, of course), so you really do tax planning, and it's basically the same for have to take responsibility for putting together businesses, individuals, government agencies your plan. For both home and business, then and any other individual or group. financial planning is a fundamentally important task. Nothing secure or self-sustaining can Start with the basics, study diligently, stay discibe built on a faulty foundation, so learning the plined -- and you will look back with gratitude at the day you started learning what real finanbasics of money management, budgeting, cial planning is. It is primarily a matter of being insurance, risk assessment and investing is essential for success in both settings. The fact is, sensible, logical and consistent. Particular finances are also quite important in most every investments may go up and down in the short relationship and marriage, and their condition term, but with a simple, straightforward approach, you will be quite well served in the can powerfully affect one's own sense of selflong term. Protect what you have, keep earning worth. more through hard work and diligence, pay Clearly, an investment of time and energy is attention to the details and stay positive. needed to learn how to handle your personal Everything will work together for the good if and business finances. At some point, of course, you persist, so never give up! you may become too busy to do it all yourself, and you may have to hire financial professionals to help you in both your personal and corporate affairs. However, you will still need to have sufficient knowledge of the subject to judge the expertise and recommendations of the financial planners that you interview.

Diligence and discipline - The advent of the Internet, of course, has been both a blessing and a bit of a curse as far as financial planning is concerned. With day trading and online accounts, a reckless amateur can burn through a decade's worth of savings in a matter of days, if not hours.

There is also a tremendous

THE GUARDIAN, August 30, 2013

42 | EXECUTIVEBRIEF

Success Strategies

By Cassandra George Sturges

Continuation from...

Secret # 6 - The greatest, most important and most beneficial assets that you will need to succeed in life is not money. The most important assets that you will need to succeed are priceless. The primary characteristic of a successful person is confidence, determination, self-discipline, and an unshakable belief to make their dreams come true. People who are "about their business" don't have time for drama or riff raff. They are like the swan, they have the inner strength, integrity and focus to protect and develop situations that are in their best interest. They may not always be well-liked or popular. They do not care about what others think about them.

Secret # 7 - Only focus on what you can control. You can't make people read your book, buy your album, watch your television show or listen to you on the radio. You can't control other people's response to your paintings, sculptures or the way you dress. People have a right to like or dislike you and your dreams. The only thing that you can control is whether or not you write the book, attend the class, sing the song, or play the instrument. All you can control is how often you practice, how long you study and how much you write. No matter who you are and no matter what you do, there will always be people who disagree with you or dislike you. Do your part and feel good about yourself.

Secret # 8 - Be your own hero.

Who do you think inspired Harriet Tubman, Marie Montessori, Madame C. J. Walker, Oprah Winfrey, or Thomas Edison? You may be the first person to cure the common cold or build a house

on mars. This leads me back to rule # 1- listen to the God inside of you, believe in your self, and believe in your dream. Validate, create, anoint and bless your own dream. If you are waiting for Oprah, a book agent, a music producer, or modeling agent to find you and blow you up to stardom, you are setting your self up for grave disappointment in life. You know what? What makes you who you are is the "act" of doing what you love, not whether someone likes, purchases or agrees with your style. If you sing everyday, but you never make it on American Idol, you are still a singer. If you write a book that never becomes a New York Times Bestseller, you are still a writer. No one will ever believe in you until you learn to believe in yourself. You are what you do, not what you say you will do.

Secret # 9 - Delete and remove all of the characteristics that have nothing to do with the real dream. For example, your dream may be to attend Harvard Law School, but you can't afford it, or maybe weren't accepted into their law program. You must ask yourself whether your dream is to attend Harvard School of Law or law school in general. You must then ask yourself whether your dream is to become a lawyer or attend Harvard. Are there other reputable law schools? If you decide that you only want to attend Harvard, do you believe in your heart that attending Harvard will validate your worth and intelligence as a human being. Are there any successful attorneys who did not attend Harvard? If you really want to be a lawyer get in where you fit in, do your Godgiven best, and start your own law practice! If your dream is to attend Harvard go visit the

INFOTECH4DEXECUTIVES

By Atul Khanna arlier days had people pledge their livestock, belongings or trade them in a transaction of any sort. Then there came a time, when people took the 'word' of the promise in a transaction. This was followed by some memoirs that were 'pledged' until the time of transaction.

However all these modes worked because the number of transactions was either limited or 'manageable'. In the present day, every interaction is considered a transaction Your regular interaction with your business partner, a colleague, someone at the office pantry or even with your family members. In such a scenario, how do you take note and caution of such transaction? The answer is documentation.

E

Advantages of Documentation The advantage of good and timely documentation is multifold: • Serves as evidence for the transaction that was executed.

• Reminds both parties of the transaction & the details.

• Actions spoken are better documented for tracking purposes.

• Easy to handover Forward or down to the next level.

• Forms a historical record.

So far, there has been reference to personal documenta-

11 Down-to-Earth Secrets to Success campus or get any available job that will allow you to be on campus.

I am going to share a very painful story with to illustrate this point. After completing my bachelor's degree, I decided that my dream was to complete my doctorate degree. I had fallen madly in love with learning. I completed my first master's degree and applied for the doctoral program in sociology. I completed all of my course work for the program and passed my theoretical section of the doctoral exams. One of my professors said to me, "I am not asking you would you sleep with me, I am asking you could you sleep with me?" This professor misplaced my dissertation proposal several times before inquiring whether or not or I could or would sleep with him. He also made it a point to tell me that I was a breath of fresh air and the type of woman that would cause a man to leave his wife.

I didn't mind his sexual advances or him touching intimate parts of my body, I felt I could hold my breath and make it through the program. I was more concerned with him losing my proposal. When I felt in my spirit that I could not graduate from the program without submitting to his sexual advances, I did a very, very, very stupid thing. I filed a sexual harassment complaint. The dean and the ombudsman told me that I was committing political suicide by filing a formal complaint.

I reasoned, I have had sex with men whom I did not love and it did not include the perks of earning any type of degree, let alone my dream of a doctorate degree. I chastised myself for being naïve without thinking about the long term conse-

quences of my behavior. The funny thing is, if I had slept with my professor and earned my doctorate from the "creditable" university, no one will have ever doubted or questioned my intelligence or integrity as a human being. I realized that my dream was to complete my doctorate degree.

Not only did I change schools, I changed my major from sociology to psychology and studied an additional 5 years until I completed my doctorate in psychology.

I am now a full-time, tenured professor at a community college. Believe it or not, but the chair of my department graduated from the same university.

On the day that she hired me, she said that out of all of the hundreds of applications she chose mine because we both had graduated from the same school. She lovingly refers to us as "sorority sisters". What if I had refused to attend California Coast University because it is not a traditional program? What if I had slept with my professor-- is there any guarantee that I would have my doctorate degree? Or worse yet, would I like and respect myself? You know what I love the most about this story? I don't have to tell the story of how-I-almost-graduated-withmy-doctorate-degree-but-failed.

Always keep your eye on the real prize. Don't be fooled by bells and whistles. Don't be blinded by insignificant details that don't matter. If you are riding a bike or catching a bus due to lack of money--you need transportation, you don't care if the car is green, purple or green and purple polka dot.

Focus on what is the most important aspect of your dream and go after it with all of your heart.

Secret # 10 - Don't dictate how, when or what your dream

should look like when it manifests. Sometimes you will experience drawbacks that have nothing to do with your talent or ability. I have learned that many times incidents in your life that appear to be a failure or delay your dreams are really spiritual obstacles designed to give you an opportunity to develop psychological and emotional tools to handle the next level of manifesting your dream. For example, I think I would have been a horrible, horrible, college instructor five years ago, because I hated my appearance; seven years ago, because I had not found the inner strength to complete my doctorate. I believe that before I could truly love and accept other people, I needed to love and accept

myself. You will find that your level of success will correlate directly with your level of selfesteem. Your level of self-esteem will correlate directly with your level self-discipline. Self-discipline is having the ability to follow through on exactly what you say you are going to do.

Secret # 11 - When you are doing your best, it is impossible to make mistakes. Imagine yourself using a cookie cutter to cut a star shape from the cookie dough. The dough left over are the perceived mistakes and errors that you make on the way to becoming a star. You see, you needed all of the dough in order to become a star. Each perceived mistake or error that you make is just life shaping, forming and directing you to the ultimate person that you want to be.

The Importance of Documentation

tion. Now, there will be a quick review of how corporations and organizations follow this practice.

Organizations earlier followed a practice similar to what has been defined above. There were promissory notes, pledges, etc. Now if you would want to purchase a commodity, there are lots of documents that come into picture like Specification sheet, the setup guide, the operations manual, the Warranty papers, the final invoice, etc.

Similarly if you are looking for a service, the number of papers you would need to fill in would be too many - The experience description, the requirement that warranted the need for the service, etc.

How does documentation get complicated?

If you look at purchasing a property, the documentation would be high. The underlying reason for all documentation is simple - The type, complexity and number of transactions involved. As you can fathom, in a property purchase, the number of transactions involved are numerous and each with its own complexity. That explains the amount of paperwork that goes into each

transaction.

Or you can look at the procedure in applying for a loan or

a credit card. Here the transaction may be less for the applicant. However the transaction complexity gets multiplied when the liability goes up.

The liability for the loan or card provider is high. Hence the documentation becomes important and almost the deciding factor.

After understanding all of this and with your own experience, you will realize the importance of documenting the transactions the critical, minor or even

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

43

AutoWheels Affordable automobiles with best performance in service delivery

Nissan Sentra Sedan SL

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid Stories by Taiwo Hassan OR many car lovers, comfort, efficiency, performance, and value for money is

F

the ultimate dream. When you consider the variants in the standard of living among people, especially with the

economy as yardstick, you will conclude at the end that there’s no reason to compromise on any of these fronts.

2014 Toyota Camry

2013 dodge dart

There’s also no need to spend much more than N3 million or $20,000 to get new car and a good one!

Here are some of the affordable cars that make the daily commute a pleasure.

2013 Dodge Dart SE (N2.4 million or $15, 955): There is a little sportiness in the look of the 2013 Dodge Dart SE, a compact car that sits well with any budget. The Dart’s base price is under $16,000, it gets 36-mpg highway (25 city), and it packs a bit of punch with a 2.0L Tigershark engine capable of generating 160 hp on 148 lb-ft torque. That’s not bad for a car that will squeak into any parking spot in town.

2013 Mini Cooper Countryman (N3.31 million or $22,100): For a four-door wagon with a dose of European style, drivers can do far worse that a Mini Cooper Countryman from BMW. There’s no muscle to speak of (a paltry potential 121 hp) in the 1.6L 16-valve engine, but getting 35 mpg (27 mpg city) on the highway and landing at a base price just over N3 million, you’ll forget about the hassles of traffic and enjoy the comfortable ride.

2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid S (N4 million or $26,200): Though many will balk at spending over N4 million on a commuter ride, the 2014 Fusion Hybrid S Sedan by Ford is worth the relative splurge in this segment.

For starters, the car is pretti-

er than many of the midsize sedans on the road. Then, there is efficiency. This car offers drivers considerable savings by getting 47-mpg city and highway.

It’s also capable of generating a respectable 188 hp on the combined electric/gas motors and has optional comfort upgrades in the SE (N5 million) trim.

2013 Nissan Sentra SL (N2.9 million or $19,590) Nissan has a top-ten selling car in its Altima, but the more affordable Sentra provides superior value for those workday commutes.

The 1.8L 4-cylinder engine only scratches out 130 hp, yet the Sentra SL trim is all about efficiency, delivering 39 mpg highway and 30 city for drivers. Interior tech upgrades make it a fun car to drive as well.

2013 Honda Civic (N2.7 million or $18,165): It’s easy to see why the Honda Civic is perennially one of the top-selling automobiles in the United States.

With a winning combination of reliability, safety, and efficiency (39 mpg hwy), drivers can be certain they’ll appear at the office every day in good shape.

Interior options allow for substantial entertainment upgrades before coming close to the N3.7 million or $25K mark for the 2013 model.

2014 Chevy Cruze Eco (N3 million or $19,835): Many wonder

why it took General Motors so long to get the commuter car down, but the automaker has a hit on its hands with the Cruze — the ninth best-selling car in the U.S. for July 2013.

Starting under $20,000 and featuring an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway, there’s a lot to love about the 2014 Cruze Eco and its 1.4L turbocharged engine’s efficiency.

The interior options and Zlink suspension make it a comfortable ride as well.

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid (N3.9 million or $26,140): It would be difficult to make a list of practical commuter cars without a Toyota, and the automaker has done great things with its 2014 Camry Hybrid LE, which delivers a little of the style the Prius never had while getting an EPA-estimated 43 mpg on the highway.

There’s little question about the reliability of Toyota, and though this car ranks at the top end of the price list with the Fusion, it will make commuting a treat.

For around N3.7 million, you can find efficiency, comfort, and even some punch in a car that will take you to work in style.

With the low base prices in some of these rides, there’s room to make entertainment packages your commuting car’s secret weapon.

Westar opens new showroom for Sunny Motors brand ESTSTAR Associates W Limited, the authorised general distributors of Mercedes-Benz brand in the country has opened a Sunny Motors’ new Mercedes-Benz showroom at Lekki, Phase One in Lagos.

According to the company, the new auto showroom was part of its efforts to grow the company’s fleets in the country, especially being an opportunity for customers to see the latest brands in the nation’s auto industry.

Managing Director of Sunny Motors Limited, Sunny Asemota, while speaking on

the company’s new showroom event in Lagos, said Sunny Motors, one of the popular Mercedes-Benz dealerships of Weststar, was delighted with the opening of the new auto centre, adding that customers and lovers of the brand who reside in Lekki and Ajah now have the convenience of another showroom in the axis.

“Mercedes-Benz is undeniably a good choice of investment as it’s one of the best brands of cars worldwide. You only need to take a look at the new EClass. It has won the hearts of customers all over the world.

The Mercedes-Benz prices are reasonable and even with the after-sales you get premium service. I have no regrets for choosing the Mercedes-Benz path.

On the showroom, he said: “There was need to further expand the business and get the Mercedes-Benz cars closer to the customers and potential customers all around Lagos. There is quite a market for it in the Lekki-Ajah area.”

According to him, this is definitely another proud achievement for Sunny Motors who have their head office located in Surulere, noting that the

company had first begun with Daimler in Stuttgart, Germany before finally aligning with Weststar in Nigeria.

“The new showroom is very attractive as well as spacious.

It is definitely more than adequate to accommodate and fully display the Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Customers and visitors will find it thoroughly comfortable and conducive to relax and check out the models on offer.

“The Mercedes-Benz, as a vehicle brand, is undoubtedly one of great quality. It has remarkable second hand value as seen from history as well as

The new Sunny Motors showroom the experience of its owners. It advertises and markets itself, not just here in Nigeria, but all

over the world,” Asemota concluded.

The Managing Director of

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

44 AUTOWHEELS

Lamborghini@50: Automaker to build three new 2013 Veneno TRIBUTE to automobile A Lamborghini on the occasion of its 50th birthday, the Veneno is the ultimate party favour.

Boutique hyper cars derived from the overachieving Aventador, the arrowshaped Veneno pushes the performance envelope even further.

The car makes use of the Aventador’s mid-mounted 6.5-litre V12, bumped from 700hp to 739hp, and drives all four wheels through a 7speed automated manual gearbox.

Its chassis, featuring an inboard pushrod suspension bolted to a carbon fibre monocoque structure, is pure prototype racer, but Lamborghini is proud to note that the Veneno meets all worldwide road-car safety and registration requirements.

Top speed is a breezy 220mph. (For those keeping track, the Aventador is good for 217mph.)

The Veneno is a sequel of sorts to the Gallardoderived, and similarly futuristic, Sesto Elemento show car from 2010.

But whereas Lamborghini said it would craft 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento, the automaker plans to build just three Venenos during 2013, priced at a cool €3 million each (at writing, about $4.1 million, plus tax).

And before you get your hopes up, the company has already found buyers for its triplets, save the one on the Geneva motor show stand – chassis number 0, whose future, to quote Lamborghini, has not been determined yet.

As for the name, Veneno, according to the company, was the name of a particularly bad-tempered and fearsomely fast Spanish fighting bull that gained notoriety in 1914 for goring bullfighter José Sánchez Rodríguez to death. A vicious pedigree for a vicious machine.

Lamborghini Veneno

Ford takes on Toyota in battle for global domination N what some may consider IJapanese a strange move, the government has purposefully devalued the yen – enough to cause the currency to lose 20 per cent of its value against the dollar over the past year.

For Toyota, the move has been a boon for business. But it’s been bad news for American automakers such as General Motors and Ford – and now Ford’s stepping up its attack on the yen. Here’s what you need to know.

As fellow Fool John Rosevear

put it: At the beginning of 2013, one dollar bought about 86 yen.

Now, a dollar would buy almost 99 yen. That means that every dollar earned by a Japanese company in the U.S. is worth more money at home.

And that means the Japanese companies can charge fewer dollars for their products and still have a nice profit when those dollars are converted to yen.

To put it simply, Toyota can charge less and make more

money because of the devalued yen, thus giving Toyota a leg up on the competition.

That’s important for a number of reasons. First, for midsized cars, Toyota’s Camry has been America’s best-selling car for years.

But thanks to its Fusion, Ford has made considerable gains to claim that title. And in 2012, Ford’s Focus beat Toyota’s Corolla for the No. 1 spot in its segment.

Second, Ford is struggling to keep up with supply and demand in large part

because it had to close 16 factories during the Detroit vehicle debacle.

On one hand, the need for increased supply is great, as it means sales are booming, but on the other hand, it means that – thanks to significant vehicle inventory in Japan, made possible by the devalued yen – Toyota can capitalise on Ford’s weak supply by flooding the market with cheap Camrys.

“The industry is growing, and capacities are a little tight in North America,” said

Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of operations, in an interview. “Where is the extra available capacity going to come from? If Japan’s one of those places, in lieu of more manufacturing in the U.S., the American worker does lose in that proposition.”

Further, while American auto sales are important, China represents a significant opportunity for growth.

According to researcher R.L. Polk & Co., sales of the Focus rose 153 per cent in China, making it the No. 1 market for

the car.

In addition, Ford stated that last year, the Focus outsold the Corolla in global sales, making it the No. 1 selling vehicle – a claim that Toyota disputes.

Regardless of who’s right, with the yen having dropped in value, Toyota can manufacture vehicles in Japan for less.

As such, it can export and sell them for less.

Toyota’s vehicle sales have been slow in China for a number of reasons, but according to Forbes:

Volkswagen group records slight increase in vehicle deliveries in half year

By Taiwo Hassan HE Volkswagen Group, Germany announced it has attained about 4.70 million vehicle deliveries worldwide in the first half of the year.

The figure represents 5.5 per cent, when compare with 4.45 million achieved in the previous’ half year.

According to the company, vehicle deliveries in the month of June were slightly up at 827,800 or 3.7 per cent in

T

Director of Public Transport, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Gbenga Dairo (right); British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Carter and a staff of Blue Rail project (Okokomaiko-Marina), Olaseni Akinwunmi, during the Deputy High Commissioner’s visit to the Lagos rail project, in Lagos.

comparison to 798,500 last year’s June.

However, the company’s Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler, said the month’s under review was satisfactory to the group in spite of the harsh business environment.

“Volkswagen Group deliveries made satisfactory progress even though market conditions were not always easy.

However, the economic cli-

mate remains tense, especially in Europe”, Klingler said in Wolfsburg, Germany, adding that “We remain on course and are entering the second half of the year with confidence.

Nevertheless, the enormous challenges persist.”

Group brands delivered a total of 1.87 million vehicles on the overall European market in the first half year compared to 1.93 million in the previous year, representing -3.5 per cent.

A skeleton built from carbonfibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), the first application in a mass-production passenger car, replicates the tensile strength of steel at roughly half the weight.

CFRP is related to the stuff found in the $400,000 Lexus LF-A and $250,000 McLaren MP4-12C supercars, and it does not come cheaply.

The lateral-impact strength is also sufficient to forego a Bpillar – the brace that would typically separate the frontand rear-passenger windows.

Consequently, when the front and rear coach-style

doors open wide, the aperture is massive.

The design should indicate that the future starts now, according to Adrian van Hooydonk.

Indeed, the story of the i3 is just as much about what’s not there. Outside, the car looks no bigger than a Ford Focus, but through savvy packaging, the impression inside is that of a minivan.

Rare is the family-mover, though, that integrates compressed dry grass into the dashboard structure, or recycled soda bottles into the seat covers.

BMW i3: Game-changing electric vehicle HE BMW i3 was unveiled T just four weeks ago at simultaneous press events in London, Beijing and New

York.

It is the first electric vehicle (EV) to be sold by BMW, a brand that to date has only

dipped its toes in the EV marketplace via lease programmes for its 1 Series-based

BMW i3 EV car

ActiveE and, from its Mini division, the Mini-E. BMW has invested heavily in its project, a fact appreciable by the roll call of executives present in New York: Adrian van Hooydonk, design chief for BMW Group; Ulrich Kranz, project manager for the company’s sub-brand; and Dr Norbert Reithofer, member of the board.

There are other from-scratch EVs that undercut the BMW’s price point, the Nissan Leaf most readily, but none match the i3 for virtuosity – be it in design, materials or engineering.

45

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

BusinessTravel Stowaway puts Nigeria’s aviation security to test

By Wole Shadare HE recent discovery of a T teenager in the wheel well or undercarriage compartment of an Arik Airline aircraft from Benin to Lagos last week has raised salient questions on security at most of Nigerian airports, including that of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

While the incident shocked the world, Arik and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) traded blames over who was at fault. The development could best be described as a sad commentary for a nation that is grappling with many security issues and challenges.

The success of the stowaway in accessing the sensitive areas of the Benin airport tarmac and the aircraft on which he entered Lagos illegally no doubt is a serious security breach.

The truth is that lack of perimeter fencing or adequate security personnel at Nigerian airports makes it very easy for people with sinister motives to cause havoc at the gateways.

All over the world, pilots and other personnel conduct aircraft checks as many as two hours before takeoff, raising the prospect that the stowaway climbed aboard after the landing gear was examined on the ground, therefore, the collaborators are within the airside of the airport.

Analysts said that the security apparatus at virtually all Nigerian airports must be urgently overhauled if sustainable success is to be achieved.

They also expressed shock that a man who successfully sneaks into an airplane can equally wreak havoc undetected by planting explosives inside the airplane or the airport building.

A stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vehicle, such as an aircraft, bus, ship, cargo truck or train to travel without paying and being detected.

Poor perimeter security at a number of airports in Africa and in other parts of the world makes it easier for people to stow away on planes It is quite difficult to understand why Arik Air has become unfortunate to be at the centre of stowaway saga, considering the fact that the same incident happened last year.

Also, three years ago, a man dangerously drove a car, broke all the wooden barriers, and

rammed his car into the engine of Arik’s B737-700 airplane at the Calabar airport, causing extensive damage to the aircraft, further raising questions on who is after Arik?

The incident caused huge panic among passengers who had already boarded the airplane and they were immediately disembarked.

Experts who spoke to The Guardian said that it was worrisome that anybody could just stroll into the wheel well of an aircraft on the tarmac at an airport without being detected by either security agents or the officials of the airline.

It seriously questions the vigilance of airport security personnel who are expected to secure both the tarmac and the aircraft on it. This is more so as this is not the first time such incident has been recorded in the country.

In November 2012, the corpse of a young man was discovered in the wheel well or undercarriage compartment of an Arik Airline aircraft that returned to the country from New York, in the United States.

There have been other similar occurrences, such as the March 2010 discovery of the corpse of a Nigerian identified as Okechukwu Okeke, in the nose wheel compartment of a plane operated by the United States carrier, Delta Airline, at the Lagos Airport.

Key aviation security expert, EU/ACP Group Project for the improvement of Aviation Security, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) said: “FAAN is expected to conduct background checks on all workers working in the airport security controlled areas and airports security fence in addition to perimeter fence, but what evidence do we have that adequate background checks are done on workers.”

He however maintained that incidence of stowaway is not new to civil aviation, adding that they happens in other places.

Stowaways in aircraft wheel wells face numerous health risks, many of which are fatal: being mangled when undercarriage retracts, tinnitus, deafness, hypothermia, hypoxia, frostbite, acidosis and finally falling when the doors of the compartment reopen.

The landing gear compart-

A Stowaway man trying to hide at the undercarriage compartment of an aircraft

All over the world, pilots and other personnel conduct aircraft checks as many as two hours before takeoff, raising the prospect that the stowaway climbed aboard after the landing gear was examined on the ground, therefore, the collaborators are within the airside of the airport ment is not equipped with heating, pressure or oxygen, which are vital for survival at a high altitude.

According to experts, at 18,000 feet (5, 500 m), hypoxia causes lightheadedness weakness, vision impairment and tremors.

By 22,000 feet (6,700 m) the oxygen level of the blood drops and the person will

struggle to stay conscious.

Above 33,000 feet (10,000 m) their lungs would need artificial pressure to operate normally. The temperature could drop as low as −63 °C (−81 °F) which causes severe hypothermia.

Those stowaways who managed to not be crushed by the retracting undercarriage or killed by the deadly condi-

tions would most likely be unconscious when the compartment door re-opens during the approach and fall down several thousand feet to their deaths.

An aircraft engineer who pleaded anonymity told The Guardian about a lot of ignorance in this area. He suggested that no one would be willing to risk such journey, hav-

ing full understanding of this kind of ordeal.

According to him, stowaways who survived usually traveled relatively short distances or at a low altitude.

The Guardian learnt that one case is known of a person who survived an altitude of about 39,000 feet (12,000 m), the youngest known survivor was aged nine. Almost all aircraft stowaways are male.

From 1947 until September 2012, there were 96 known stowaway attempts worldwide in wheel wells of 85 separate flights, which resulted in 73 deaths with only 23 sur-

SAA bags global awards, named best customer choice

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi OUTH African Airways Swinner (SAA) has been named the in the airline consumer category at the recent Top Brands Awards 2013, an accolade, which showed that its valued customers chose the airline as their number one airline of choice.

The South African national carrier was also voted amongst the top five companies in the Business to Customer Most Desired Company to work for, shar-

ing the stage with companies such as Eskom, Coca Cola and Telkom.

Furthermore, the airline dominated the awards at the second Annual Business Traveller Africa Awards (ABSA), which was held in association with ABSA at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg; earlier this week as SAA was awarded the top award in four categories: Best African Regional ShortHaul Airline, Best African Long-Haul Airline, Best Business Class and Best

Airport Business Lounge was awarded to our Baobab Business Class Lounge at OR Tambo International Airport.

With these latest awards to its record of excellence, the airline has won 11 awards thus far this year including the Best Airline in Africa Skytrax Award in which SAA has won 11 times consecutively.

Skytrax Award ceremony is the most prestigious recognition for airlines worldwide.

Other accolades received by

SAA in 2013 includes the 4-Star Skytrax Rating which was retained for the 11th consecutive year, the On-time Performance Service Award

by Flightstats as the winner in the Middle East & Africa category and the African Cargo Airline of the Year Award from STAT Times for SAA Cargo, which is an international award for excellence.

In April, SAA was awarded as the Top Performing Airline and Best Airline Generation X at the SA Tourism 4th Annual Ubuntu Awards.

Aero re-launches flight operations on Lagos-Kaduna route

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi ERO Contractors Airlines has re-launched A its Lagos-Kaduna route, aimed at serving their increasing passengers better on the route. The route was suspended about two years ago due to lack of enough patronage but was re-launched to expand it route network in the country.

The airline stated that it would increase the operations to twice daily with a promotional

ticket fare of N13, 000 one way.

The flight would operate with the modern Q400 aircraft. It will depart Lagos at 7 a.m. to arrive Kaduna at 08.25 a.m. and thereafter leave Kaduna at 08.55 a.m. to arrive Lagos at 10.20 a.m.

The afternoon flight will depart Lagos at 3 p.m. to get into Kaduna at 4.25 p.m. and leave Kaduna for Lagos at 5 p.m. to arrive Lagos at 6.25 p.m.

Aero Airlines in its inaugural flight said that the re-commencement of the route would further

provide choices to passengers and improve flexibility on the route.

It added that the customers could take advantage of the promotional fare offer when they book ahead and pay online via www.flyaero.com.

The airline’s decision to resume Kaduna is borne out of the importance attached to the ‘Liberal State’ now ‘Centre of Education’ and Kaduna city which once served as the capital of old Northern Region of Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists at the Kaduna Airport, the Domestic Airport Operations Manager, Aero, Mr. Peter Omaka disclosed that the airline would deploy Q400-8 aircraft to the route and assured that its operations would be prompt as advertised on its passengers’ tickets He said that the country’s aviation industry is becoming dynamic daily and stressed that as a leading carrier in the sector, it would always strive to provide to the passengers quality, effi-

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

46 BUSINESSTRAVEL

Med View tasks govt over aviation fuel, acquires additional aircraft Stories By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi ED View Airlines has M acquired a Boeing 737500 to raise the number of aircraft in its fleet to four.

The additional aircraft is one of the two, the airline planned to acquire before the end of the year to boost its flight operations.

It promised that the second aircraft, Boeing 737-800 would be launched soon.

According to Med View, before the end of the year also, another bigger aircraft will come in to join up to be doing the international and regional operation, which has been designated by the Federal Government to the airline.

The airline noted that the B737 is not a lease, adding that, the aircraft was taken by the international leasing finance corporation, which is the only biggest and the largest leasing company worldwide. It said the aircraft has flown since the day it was manufactured only with one company and now MedView and that keeps a track record of maintenance and efficiency of the airplane.

The B737-500 aircraft, the airline said was owned by only one airline and it has been flying for that airline just like the 737-800. It was manufactured in 1998, December, so it is about 14 years old, it added.

Speaking at the launch of new aircraft in Lagos, recently, the Managing Director, Med View Airlines, Alhaji Munir Bankolewe, said that the airline has been designat-

ed to six international stations. He stated that Med View has been given Accra with 14 frequencies, which they are going to start very soon.

“We have been given Darka, we have Libreville as well as Jeddah which we are commencing from Lagos en-route Abuja to Jeddah and also from Kano to Jeddah, four frequencies, Dubai by the grace of God in December, 2013”, he added.

Commenting on the newly acquired aircraft, Bankole said that the aircraft composition was built to accommodate 12 Business-class passengers and 104 Economy-class passengers.

He said that the aircraft was purchased in order to give passengers the best comfort that they deserve with a reduced air fare, stressing that the motive of the airline was to ensure that passengers have seamless travel experiences across the country.

“As passengers, they are key to our heart and we show the passengers that we love them all, we are not saying that we are not making profit but we want a break even point where the passenger have the feel to fly and that is what we are selling, because what we are selling is different, we are selling on time, punctuality, reliability, in-flight services”, Bankole stressed.

He also urged the Federal Government to come to the aid of domestic airlines operating in the country to get access to sufficient aviation fuel also known as Jet A1 in order to have a smooth flight

operation across the country.

He pointed out that the lack of aviation fuel to power the aircraft is one of the major problems that most airline operators in the aviation industry were grappling with.

Furthermore, he maintained that the problem has degenerated to a national issue thus calling on the government to come to the aid of domestic airlines in the country by giving the major fuel suppliers some window that will make the products easily accessible and available to airline operators in the country.

His words: “For us, it is a national assignment, so you will help me tell President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum. It is a national issue, so we don’t want to talk as Med View, we want to talk in general with other operators, it affects not only Med View Airlines, it affects other operators because we need the government to come to our aid, so that government can give those major fuel suppliers some window to get full accessibility of the product because it is very difficult to

find outside”.

The Med View boss stressed that because of the heavy growth of passengers patronising the airline, enough aircraft is needed to meet the demands of the passengers as well as make air travel a memorable and seamless experience to the flying public.

“We are going to expand to Port-Harcourt, Abuja, we also are expanding to Enugu. For our domestic operations, the traffic load has been very heavy, I want to say categorically, we move close to 1,300, 1,400 passengers on daily

bases, so on our traffic monthly, we have been between 30,000 and 35,000 passengers monthly. So we have carried over 250,000 passengers.

“So as I am talking to you we have just been issued our permit, our international permit, we are the first airline to be given that permit by the current Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which is a new designation for an airline of this nature to go outside this country”, he added.

Delta Airlines provides purchasing devices for flight attendants ORE than 19,000 flight M attendants of Delta Airlines have started using new Windows Phone 8 handheld devices that will streamline on-board purchasing as the airline continues its investment in technological innovation to improve the customer experience.

The Windows Phone 8 device, a Nokia Lumia 820, would enable the flight attendants to offer near realtime credit card processing for on-board purchases, including upgrades to Delta’s popular economy comfort seating.

While, on-board economy comfort upgrades will begin on transcontinental and international flights before being offered on flights across Delta’s system, the convenient eReceipts can be emailed to customers and their use of pre-paid credit cards for on-board purchases.

The Senior Vice President, In-flight Service, Joanne Smith said: “Delta’s 19,000 in-flight professionals are there for the safety and comfort of our customers, and equipping them with innovative solutions means they can better meet our customers’ needs on board every flight. “This is yet another way we’re investing in technology to improve the customer experience.”

In the future, Delta said it

expected to provide flight attendants with certain customer-specific information to enable more personalized service.

The Windows Phone 8 devices, according to the airline will include a Delta-specific customer experience developed by Avanade on the Microsoft dynamics for retail mobile point-of sale platform and will operate over Wi-Fi and AT&T’s 4G LTE Network.

The agreement includes plans to expand the solution over the next three years to the newest Nokia devices. The new handheld device is Delta’s latest investment in technology for customers and employees, which in the past year has included the Fly Delta app for iPad, the launch of the new delta.com in December 2012 and revamped self-service kiosks in September 2012.

Delta has also offered its popular Fly Delta app for iPhone, Windows Phone, Android and Blackberry smartphones, with in-flight Wi-Fi on more than 800 aircraft.

Delta Airlines has served more than 160 million customers each year. Delta was named by Fortune magazine as the most admired airline worldwide in its 2013 World’s Most Admired Companies airline industry list, topping the list for the second time in three years.

Passengers enjoying in-flight serviices on United Airlines’ flight

United Airlines, Mercator partner for logistics solutions NITED Airlines and U Mercator, a leader in aviation Information Technology (IT) solutions have joined forces to migrate the airline’s cargo logistics and revenue accounting systems to Mercator’s SkyChain and RAPID Cargo solutions.

The decision, according to the airline has created one of the largest cargo IT solutions in the airline industry.

The migration has also helped United Airlines move away from around 20 legacy

systems, saving millions of dollars in operational costs.

United Airlines said it expected to have over two million bookings and 1.5 million air waybills every year on its more than 6,000 daily flights with over 700 aircraft that fly to 10 major hubs and over 400 airports worldwide.

The Vice President, Mercator, Mukund Srinivasan, said: “With the customer in mind, streamlining processes and enabling significant cost sav-

ings are critical when shaping future air cargo technology.

“It means much more than simply moving goods from origin to destination.

“While the global industry grows, and the world becomes better connected, we strive to put our aviation expertise to our customer’s service,” Srinivasan stated.

For the past 10 years, global air cargo traffic has grown 3.7 per cent per year.

According to the airline, long-term projected eco-

nomic and international trade growth, the continuing globalisation of industry, increasing adoption of inventory reduction strategies, and on-going renewal of the world freighter fleet are set to steer the world air cargo market to grow approximately 5.2 per cent per year.

Also, North American air traffic has been projected to average 2.3 per cent growth over the next 10 years and to sustain that rate over the full 20-year forecast period.

NAMA charges Servicom on efficient service delivery IGERIAN N Management (NAMA) has

Airspace Agency charged Servicom officers in the aviation industry to adopt the “One Thing” principle in ensuring quality service delivery to airlines and the travelling public.

The Managing Director, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, who lauded the recently introduced passengers’ bill of right by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, frowned at the shoddy handling of passengers by the airlines in

terms of late departures and cancellations of flights at the airports and charged the industry Servicom team to brace up.

Udoh who made this remark at NAMA headquarters during the quarterly Servicom Networking meeting of all agencies in the Ministry of Aviation in Lagos disclosed that NAMA has already keyed into the zero complain principle where the customer is the focal point of the agency’s operations.

He stressed that for effective service delivery among the different agencies of the sector, there are needs for peer review mechanism among the agencies.

According to NAMA boss, this system would further ensure that the various agencies apply checks and balances among themselves, ensuring customer satisfaction, which is the ultimate goal of all service organisations.

Also, the Chief Servicom Officer, Nnenna Akajemeli,

explained that Servicom officers in the various agencies have an onerous duty of not only reminding workers about their service obligation to the customer, but must also ensure that people do their jobs right, compliant with the service charter whose bottom line is that high service standards are met.

She also charged desk officers to work proactively especially in an industry like Aviation, which is essentially service driven.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

51

Opinion New agenda for the bar conference

By Kunle Fadipe S this year’s bar conference rounds off in CalA abar, it will be sheer hypocrisy if the conference merely ruminates over societal malaise and laments over Nigeria’s political problems without sparring a thought for the problems holding the temple of justice by the jugular. One major problem that requires urgent attention and which the conference ought to deliberate upon is the overbearing attitude of some judicial officers in respect of cases before them. It is becoming more the norm for judges to descend absolutely into the arena and seize the initiative or conduct of cases completely from the counsel as if that is not against the rule.

To make matters worse, judges descend heavily on lawyers and take them to the cleaners unnecessarily for daring to assert their views and prosecute the case of their client as demanded by professional ethics even when such views and approach are in tandem with the law and supported by decisions of the highest court of the land.

It is no longer strange to hear judges say to lawyers “you are dumb”, “you must be foolish”, “I will walk you out of the court” even when there is no justification for such degrading and insulting remarks. Yet the bench recruits from the bar, meaning that the man described as a fool today may end up on the same bench that once described him as such. In other words, the fool of today is a potential learned brother of the judge who derides him as such. What is more, no one becomes a lawyer unless he has been certified “fit and proper” by the Body of Benchers who would not call anyone to the bar without reminding him that legal profession is a noble one.

To ridicule a lawyer undeservedly in the open court as some judges do with relish, takes the shine off the nobility of the profession. I was the peti-

tioner’s counsel in a divorce petition at Sagamu High Court, Ogun State where I had sought to tender the original of the marriage certificate.

His lordship warned me that the original certificate was not admissible and that only the CTC was admissible. My effort to address the court on the issue drew the ire of His Lordship as I was seriously upbraided for my effrontery in arguing with the court.

The provocation became worse when I made to cite a Supreme Court authority to persuade my lord that primary evidence is the best in all situations. Out of anger, the learned trial judge dismissed the petition immediately even when the witness had not concluded his evidence and in the absence of final address as punishment for my effrontery, forgetting that such an attitude smacks of deliberate perversion of justice and a violation of the judicial oath of office and that the person who bears the pain directly is the litigant and not the lawyer. It took the Court of Appeal to come to our rescue by setting aside the judgment which the Justices found bizarre and unbelievable.

Some judges even feel offended when you remind them of the existence of Supreme Court decision on any issue they feel strongly about and ask you to go and cite your authority at the Court of Appeal. I still remember the retort of a judge in a criminal case at the Ikeja High Court when reminded of the position of the Supreme Court on a matter under consideration. His Lordship retorted pointedly, “I don’t care whether it is a Court of Appeal decision” as though the latter is higher in the hierarchy.

As young practitioners in the 1980s, we watched admirably warm exchanges between the bench and the bar which projected glowingly the beauty of the legal profession. From

those exchanges, we learnt the art of advocacy and decided what kind of advocates we would like to become. The judges were never provoked that lawyers asserted their views once they were reasonable and courteous. The judges never rubbed it in all the time the fact of their superiority to the point of denying counsel the right to play their role. It may well be because there were not too many female judges at that time. Male judges appear more tolerant and less hostile than their female counterpart.

Another issue is the festering corruption in the rank of the judiciary staff. Why is it that no one is paying attention to the arm-twisting and blackmailing going on among the court registrars, bailiffs and other administrative staff? Although the law is that bail is free, the truth is that nowhere is bail free in Nigeria. The impunity with which those registrars, particularly at the magistrate court, demand for money before processing bail applications is embarrassing and frightening. It is a big shame that provides justification for the racketeering at police stations which our NBA always decries.

Let us begin to hold the magistrates responsible for the corruption of their registrars for failing to supervise their staff properly in a manner likely to bring the administration of justice to disrepute.

It is not unusual for registrars to demand openly outrageous amounts from counsel before the bail bond would be taken in to the magistrate for approval and anyone who refuses to play ball is not only ridiculed but frustrated completely and made to look incompetent in the eyes of his client. This also applies to court rulings and judgments as no one, except for a few courts, obtains a court

order without gratification. I have personally taken up this matter at one of the branch meetings and urged branch executive to do something about this ugly situation. I had also consistently taken up this issue with the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court when the bar appeared clueless on the issue.

What this means is that there must be conscious and deliberate effort on the part of the NBA to fight corruption in the citadel of justice. This will entail working with the Chief Judges of the state and the Judicial Service Commission to enthrone efficient, effective, enduring, credible and proactive mechanisms. Anyone who cannot survive with his earnings should ply his trade elsewhere. The temple of justice is sacred to accommodate such infidels.

Thankfully we have at the helm of affairs a Chief Justice that is poised and determined to stand up to unprofessional conduct in the judicial arm. There can therefore be no better time than now for the NBA to wrestle impropriety in the court arena to the ground than now.

Finally, the conference must address the relevance of the NBA branches to the needs of their members.

It must do impact assessment analysis or performance evaluation report for all the branches to see how far they have ministered to the needs of their members professionally. Any branch that falls below standard must be sanctioned. It is high time every branch began to live up to its responsibility of protecting the interest of members. The national leadership of the bar also deserves to be more virile and outspoken on national issues than obtains at present. This leadership would have been celebrated had it been as active in other matters as it proved to be on the issue of practising fee. This is the only way to justify the yearly dues paid by members.

• Fadipe is a legal practitioner and visiting member of The Guardian Editorial Board.

A revolution in the sugar industry

By Suleiman Abdullahi T is true that Nigeria, like many other evolving economies, has Iorhad several industrial development plans which for one reason the other failed to achieve advertised goals. The sugar industry has had a few of such plans failing to address its major constraints.

The pertinent question therefore is: how is this plan different from the ones before it? In other words, what will make this one succeed where others have failed? The first basic difference is that the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) is an integral part of the present administration’s Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), developed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to holistically revolutionise the industrial manufacturing sector and radically diversify the economy. It is the first time the country will benefit from an industrial development plan that concentrates on a few areas where Nigeria clearly has both comparative and competitive advantages, considering the present public infrastructural deficits.

Coming specifically to the sugar sub-sector, which is the subject of the 2013 GAIN Report, Nigeria aims to significantly expand both sugarcane and sugar production capacity over the next 10 years from January 2013 by bringing some 250,000 hectres of land under cane cultivation to produce about 1.8 million tonnes of sugar, 161 million litres of ethanol, generate over 400 MW of electricity and most importantly create over 115,000 job opportunities for Nigerians. The key to achieving this admittedly ambitious plan lies in the unique mix of government policies and strategies that for the first time, address the major constraints that had militated against the development of the sugar sector over the years.

Since the establishment of the premier sugar factories in Bacita and Numan 30-40 years ago, the sector could not attract any significant investment due primarily to the complete lack of protection for sugar investors. Importation of all manner of cheap sugar was an all-comers game, unlike the situation in most developed economies. Even when the old government-owned sugar companies were privatized, they could not be revived because of the subsisting investment-unfriendly environment.

However, for the first time ever, the Master Plan has come up with policies that offer real protection to investors in the sector. The ban on sugar in retail packs and the high fiscal tariff are to serve as effective deterrence to cheap foreign imports and ensure that locally produced sugar is competitive. Given that with about 2.8 million tonnes installed sugar refining capacity, over 98 per cent of the refined sugar we currently consume are being produced by local refineries, which depend on imported raw sugar, government, in the Plan, has allowed a transition period of three years during which refiners will import at a much lower tariff while speeding up the development of local sugarcane-to-sugar farms under the Backward Integration Programme (BIP).

This strategy was successfully used in the cement sector to grow local capacity from 2.5 million metric tonnes in 2002 to over 28.5 million metric tonnes by December 2012. Unknown to the general

consumers of sugar perhaps, it is this temporary concession that has ensured much lower sugar prices for consumers and significantly raised capacity utilization from 55-60 per cent to 75-90 per cent across the refining sub-sector. It has also translated into higher sales volumes and higher profits as revealed and acknowledged by the published half-year audited accounts of Dangote Sugar Refinery and even confirmed by the non-publicly quoted refiners!

Low prices will ensure that the implementation of the BIP projects of refineries are on track that they have been required, again for the first time ever, to sign-on to their plans with the government, a practical demonstration of their commitment to the implementation of those plans. Besides signing-off to these plans, in line with the provisions of the NSMP, government has also decided to benchmark raw sugar import quota on the progress made in local sugar production effort. This essentially means that any failure or laxity in BIP implementation will attract a reduction in raw sugar quota allocation to the refiners. To ensure that no industry player is unduly denied the raw materials needed for factory operations, a robust monitoring framework would be utilized by both government and industry players to review BIP project progress and raw sugar utilization in a transparent manner every quarter.

The report of the quarterly monitoring and review exercise which may open doors for more import quota allocation to refiners is a new strategy, not only to tighten the sugar import regime but also make it an investment promotion tool.

The impacts of all these measures taken together are, not surprisingly, the very encouraging interest so far shown by the investing public since the commencement of the implementation of the Master Plan. The commitments that the existing refineries have made in their BIP plans that were signed-off with government in July this year, as well as the prospects of several new green-field projects by investors, barely seven months after take-off, confirm to stakeholders that this new plan is right and therefore gives much ground for optimism.

According to media reports, some of the investment commitments made so far include the Dangote Group, the current biggest player in Nigeria’s sugar industry which has developed its own Sugar Master Plan to invest about two billion dollars to produce 14,286,000 tonnes of sugarcane on about 139,535 hectres of land to produce between 1.0 - 1.5 million tonnes of sugar annually, by 2020.

BUA International Group with vast interests in cement, pasta, etc, also has a 650,000 tonnes capacity refinery and has committed to sugar BIP to produce 400,000 tonnes of sugar yearly from lands acquired at Lafiagi, Kwara State and Kogi State. Flour Mills, another major player with interests in cement, flour and rice milling, pasta etc, has recently established a 750,000 tonnes sugar refinery and also signed-on to the first phase BIP commitment to produce 60,000 tonnes sugar yearly from its 13,500ha farm in Sunti, Niger State by 2018.

New Green Field Projects include Confluence Sugar Ltd., Ibaji, Kogi State, in partnership with American Trans National Oil Corpora-

tion will invest $240 million to produce 200,000 tonnes on about 37,000ha of land. It has already established a 50 ha seed-cane nursery. Crystal Sugar Mills, Hadejia, Jigawa State, recently acquired the 1500 TCD plant formerly owned by the Jigawa State Government and plans to invest $30 million to expand operations to produce 60,000 tonnes sugar per annum by 2018. The company has also established its cane seed nursery. Honey Gold Group, a new investor in partnership with Costas Negocios - a Brazilian Group based in Sao Paulo plans to invest $300 million on two sites in Adamawa State to produce 200,000 tonnes of sugar annually, also by 2018.

Investors like UNIKEM, a big player in the local ethanol production, Heirs Holding, Mara Group and Honeywell Group are also believed to have made enquiries. There are reported commitments from state governments like Adamawa, Kogi and Niger states, among others, to provide substantial land for investors. All these investments are completely new and give cause for cheer.

Regarding low cane yield raised in the GAIN Report, NSDC has in the past two years been importing cane varieties from countries that share similar growth conditions with Nigeria. To date, Nigeria has imported 90 varieties from Barbados, 25 from Mauritius, 30 from the U.S., 10 from Brazil, with plans to still import more from India and Australia etc, all in a bid to expand the genetic pool of sugarcane varieties in the country and provide improved and tested parent materials to assist research institutes. These varieties are currently either in quarantine or with the two existing cane research institutions - the National Cereals Research Institute and the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute.

In addition, the NSDC is the Project Executing Agency (PEA), to a five-year regional sugarcane variety development project being funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), whose aim also is to evaluate and release higher yielding sugarcane varieties for the sugar industries in Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Finally, a Sugarcane Biofactory has been established by the Council to rapidly multiply and produce 2000/day pure cane seedlings at Samaru, Zaria to address provision of enough cane seeds of high-yielding varieties.

This unique mix of policies and strategies and the various efforts aimed at addressing all the major constraints militating against the survival and growth of the nation’s sugar sub-sector, provide the grounds why the NSMP and its implementation modalities represent to industry observers radical departure from previous attempts and has a much better chance of succeeding. The demonstration of the renewed interest of the investing public in the Nigerian sugar industry, as already indicated above, topped by the recent announcement by the Dangote Group of the appointment of Mr. Martin Clarke, the erstwhile Managing Director of the renowned Illovo Sugar of South Africa, to help drive the Group’s sugar master plan, are important indicators that Nigeria’s sugar industry is about to witness a revolution. The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, though ambitious, is quite achievable.

• Abdullahi was Managing Director of Savannah Sugar Company, Numan.

52

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Opinion A boy, his dream and his flight

By Cosmas Odoemena Y guy how you dey?”

“M “We are managing for obodo Naijer o.”

“Managing, yes in a country where wonders shall never end.”

“Is there another Merican wonder, sorry I mean Naijer wonder?”

“Didn’t you hear about a teenager that hid himself inside the wheel well in a plane from Enin Airport to the one in Eco? “Oh, yes o, I heard about it.”

“What do you think?

“But I can’t imagine that a 13-year-old boy could take such a risk.

There must be something behind it. And I feel that he must have been aided somehow by people who should know better, or by something else.”

“Meaning?”

“Ah, am sure ‘insurance cover’ the boy.”

“How would you talk like that? You know insurance companies are not into child’s play.”

“I mean he must have some kind of power.”

“How, please, or do you mean he has a godfather?”

“The boy must be a witch” “Sorry, am sure you meant wizard.”

“Na you sabi, Mr grammer. Ok o, he is a wizard.”

“In fact, from what I heard the boy was wondering what the fuss was all about as he has not committed any crime and that his main disappointment was that he landed still in Naijer. They say he thought the plane was going to God’s own country. Imagine yourself if after taking that risk you still find yourself trapped in the same country you planned to escape.”

“Now let us get serious. The point is that we are worried that a serious breach in airport security has occurred. If he was carrying a bomb he could easily have detonated it. And I also gather that the plane was carrying high level officials of the state government. Up till now, the Airport Authority and the airline in question are trading blames.”

“You are talking as if you are a JJC. Is bomb exploding here still news?”

“But you can see the government’s emergency rule and military options are now working. We have not heard any more explosions in a while and there has been relative peace as even people in those states have started going about their normal activities.”

“As they say, when one door closes another door opens. The Roko Baram people have known that bombs attract greater attention so they have now become smarter and – more cruel. Even in Iraq and Afghanistan they have not reached this level of wickedness. What they are now doing is to use knives to slit their victims’ throats surreptitiously. A neighbour or even a friend who is unknowingly part of them can come on a normal visitation. After hosting them, and when they are being seen off they can deliberately lag behind, so that they can catch their prey from behind. Their victims are usually those or communities they believe are sympathetic to the government.

Scores have died like that, and are still dying. The military have no answer to this.”

“But this is where the local or state police will come in handy.”

“And how would they themselves do it?”

“Anyway, let us change this heart-rending and rankling topic and go back to the one we were discussing before.”

“The main thing for me about that boy is that he has been able to ridicule our so-called airport security. And it means if you are travelling by air you are on your own. Secondly, he has shamed our Nollywood people who say they are celebrating 20 years.”

“You mean he has outdone them in juju?”

“Well, not even that. In all their 20 years of existence have you seen a stunt done?”

“The boy’s mum said he is a movie buff and that he may have decided to practise what he has been watching. And I am dead sure the boy must have been watching serious foreign movies.”

“The boy’s mum also added that he has always loved flying.”

“Maybe he will be a pilot tomorrow.”

“But am still baffled by how the boy maneuvered into that space. I can imagine him running after the plane like Harnold Swasnigger.

It must have been a sight to behold.”

“I don’t think he ran after the plane. The boy must have jumped from a low fence around the airport. I think the plane had probably halted while taxing and while it was about to move the boy sneaked in.”

“I wonder how long this boy must have been standing somewhere with this dream and admiring the planes and hoping for the dream day.

“I still wonder how the boy survived.”

“He was wearing a rosary.”

“But you called him a witch earlier. I mean wizard. Please don’t make my tongue slip.”

“I still maintain what I said. That area the boy is from has the highest number of witches in the world. And yet no one can be more church conscious than them. A friend of mine who is from there if you accidentally touch his head he gets angry to paranoid”.

“But we have witchcraft everywhere in the world.”

“Yes, it is everywhere in the world. But while other people try to hide theirs, these ones boast about theirs.”

“Another fella I know from there does not know his village because he grew up knowing that he could be bewitched if he set his foot there. His folks have properties in major cities in Naijer but not one block on another there.”

“So don’t be surprised that a boy from there could have been playing also the serial movie “The invisible man” and we are blaming security people.”

“Please, I don’t want to argue what I am not well informed about.”

“The boy wanted to check out like Andy who complained in the 80s that he was particularly tired of no light. Today the man is dead and the light issue has not been resolved, with a colossal amount of money wasted.”

“Do you blame the young boy who wanted to go to a country that has a dream? He fears his dreams may never be realized here.”

“Perhaps he is also scared that if he becomes somebody tomorrow he may be kidnapped.”

“At least it is not like a former minister of ours who was kidnapped, drugged and hidden in a crate in a plane in the land of Her Majesty to be repatriated home to face corruption charges or was he dressed like a woman in a plane to evade arrest like an ex-governor who stole his state blind and still “honoured’ with a state pardon.”

“You are right my brother. There are stowaways and there are stowaways.”

• Dr. Odoemena is a medical practitioner in Lagos.

PhD drivers: The prestige, the provision

By Ugoo Anieto HE Dangote Group once advertised plans to hire T professional drivers and train them for employment as truck drivers for the type they call 18-wheelers here in the United States. The scheme known as “Graduate Executive Truck Driving Trainee Program” attracted applications from Nigerians which included as widely reported six PhD holders. I took time out to weigh the opinions of Nigerians especially friends and family members and it was to my surprise that more 90 per cent condemned in its entirety, the good gesture of Aliko Dangote in providing the much needed employment for the army of Nigerian graduates roaming the streets in search of unavailable job opportunities.

My friends contended that Dangote’s offer belittles the grandeur of academic diplomas, reduces the Nigerian graduate to the mere title of a truck driver and makes nonsense of the several years spent in the pursuit of higher education. It became obvious that my friends’ disdain for this job opportunity has nothing to do with the physical demands of the job but has everything to do with ego. Truth be told, while training is required for one to be able to drive any kind of vehicle and maybe a more specialized training to drive an 18-wheeler, it does not necessarily require any kind of academic diploma especially the graduate degrees of master’s and PhD. Furthermore, successive Nigerian governments from the 70s till date have not done enough to make the economy totally independent of the government. At present, lots of graduates see our government as a job provider, people are willing to take up government jobs not necessarily for the pursuit of excellence but for the “security” it provides. The result is overstaffing across the board, an army of “workers” with little or no productivity from the federal down to the local government jobs. It is therefore easier for most of us, to take up a job as a “Principal Administrative Officer (II)” in the Ministry of the Interior with a hard earned PhD in Chemistry than to find a research scientist job in a reputable private organization. Behind those desks, intellectualism is wasted and Nigeria’s opportunity at becoming a leading producing economy is further diminished.

Some stealing opportunities might also present themselves down the line being employed within government circles thereby making it a job of choice for many Nigerians.

So if people are comfortable with looking for jobs

within government establishments and such jobs have no direct link to their educational training, why then is it “wrong” for someone who has no “connection” to seek for a legitimate means of providing for himself and his family by taking up the less “prestigious”, no title, no razzmatazz, no ego tripping truck driver job? I am privileged to have been around “town” and so have lived in Nigeria, in the United Kingdom and currently in the United States and I have seen different governments in action, sadly ours is nothing to write home about for decades, not just Nigeria’s but majority of the black race.

Some of us are quick to blame systemic failures and resulting circumstances on centuries old slavery and colonialism but I blame it on greed, stupidity and lack of love by the black man for fellow black men. While living in the United Kingdom, I met and interacted with many Nigerians, mostly southerners. Most of these people at that time had already obtained their bachelor’s degree, some had master’s or working on it, some had PhD’s or working on it and even some had the coveted MB.BS degree from Nigeria. One thing stood out amongst all the people I met in the United Kingdom and that was that they all worked different jobs, with most of the jobs not requiring any form of superior academic training. Chief amongst favourite jobs for Nigerians nay African immigrants and students in the UK was security personnel. All you needed was to get yourself a licence called SIA, which is issued after a few weeks of training. Why security? It offers long hours which meant more income, it offers the opportunity to multitask, and so you could in fact be in the security post while you get your school work done. You may be required to patrol the premises from time to time and to keep an eye on the security monitors. Its most fraternal “twins” is known as care and support for the medically challenged.

The telesales customer service is the favourite for UK’s high school certificate holders, it requires nothing more than talking to people on phone and updating their online accounts on things such as their credit cards, store cards, to their council tax bills. Some worked in retail as store associates, shift and store managers, some worked as janitors, others as taxi drivers; the list is endless. I must not fail to include that I also met some Nigerians who were hardcore profes-

sionals in the UK, working in areas reserved for very skilled people so the picture is not entirely that of gloom. Additionally, I heard of some who did nothing but defraud the system in any way possible, engaging in illegitimate businesses which included drug trafficking, advance fee fraud (AKA 419) etc.

In the United States, the land of the Yankees, the land of freedom and the home of the brave, one is met with an array of Nigerians working in professional fields from university professors to computer engineers and high school teachers. It is more diverse in terms of what we do in America, it is more progressive too and chances that one would end up with a respectable job are much higher in the U.S. than in the United Kingdom, even much higher for those with science and engineering degrees and with legitimate immigration documents. However, amid the razzmatazz of living the American dream are Nigerians who are engaged in the “not so desirable” jobs in the society, but some of them are using it as a launch pad. Most common of those jobs is the one they called direct care workers, who work mostly in group homes where the disabled live. Some Nigerians in the U.S. just like some in the UK and other parts of the world, have also perfected the act of defrauding the system and making it a sport in its own right. The only good news is that the criminal justice system in the U.S. is fairly rock solid for fraudsters.

Some do more 20 years in prison.

What is a desirable occupation abroad is treated with disdain in Nigeria, why? Not many Nigerians living abroad who are engaged in the not so professional fields are willing to do so in Nigeria. One argument against my assertion will be that those abroad earn more money and have better conditions of employment than those in Nigeria and this may be true but one fact remains, everyone has bills to take care of whether in Nigeria or abroad. Those abroad usually engage in long and gruesome hours of labour, to be able to meet up with their bills and probably spare some for the larger family in Nigeria. Such gruesome hours and financial pressure usually put a lot of strain on families here, leading to arguments and possibly higher consequences.

Are you one of those employed under the Graduate Drivers Trainee Program with the Dangote group? Please drive that truck with all serious-

ness. Even the holy bible is clear on this and it says “Whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). The underling wisdom in your occupation whether you have a PhD or first school leaving certificate is the need for provision. Bills are not paid with PhD diplomas, the food vendors require money from you not your diploma, children eat food not diplomas etc. Whether we like it or not, successive government has failed woefully at providing or creating conducive environments for businesses to provide meaningful employments to the millions of unemployed or underemployed Nigerian graduates.

The government does not have the ability to employ everyone. Take a look at the decay all around you. The bubble is burst already. The Environment, Education and Research industries in which we ought to have sunk in billions of dollars have nothing serious going on in them yet. What matters most is your ability to prove your competence on this job as a truck driver. If you are doing this with a PhD degree, please do not despair rather use the same intelligence and hard work required to obtain a PhD, to drive your truck for the benefit of the company while you wait for that dream job.

My late father used to say in Igbo language “Ofu ike na ebu ike nile” meaning that the strong ones will exhibit their strength in very venture they undertake.

Do your job well, ignore those who look down on you, the deal is as sweet as it gets- It says a decent monthly salary, a generous travel allowance and an opportunity of owning the truck after it has clocked 300,000 miles under your control. This is a golden opportunity to launch your own trucking company across West Africa. One of those 18-wheelers you now drive cost more than five million Naira for a well-used one with a “zillion” miles on it and here you have been given an opportunity that no bank will give you without a solid collateral. It is still better to drive a truck than to loot our treasury with your PhD. At the end of the specified two years and you have done your work well, you will be a proud owner of what your PhD diploma could not buy when you took the job. It is better than joining a political gang, it is better than stealing from the government or private businesses and by extension stealing from other Nigerians and it is a legitimate means of making a living.

• Anieto lives in the United States.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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GlobalStocks U.S. stocks rise as economy expands

Some stockbrokers on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange... yesterday NITED States’ (U.S.) stocks U rose, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index higher for a second day, as data showed the economy expanded at a faster pace in the second quarter and concerns over Syria eased.

Verizon Communications Inc. added 2.7 percent as Vodafone Group Plc said the companies are in talks over their Verizon Wireless venture. Guess? Inc. (GES) rallied 12 percent after the apparel maker reported secondquarter profit that exceeded analysts’ estimates.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent to 1,642.03 at 2:06 p.m. in New York, paring an earlier advance of as much as 0.7 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 38.86 points, or 0.3 percent, to 14,863.37.

“That’s just one confirmation that the data is continuing to move the right direction,” Anastasia Amoroso, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Funds, which oversees about $400 billion, said in a phone interview.

“That gives more evidence why the Fed should ultimately taper. But over the last couple of months the markets have been a lot more comfortable with that notion.”

Gross domestic product rose at a 2.5 percent annualized rate, up from an initial estimate of 1.7 percent, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 79 economists surveyed by Bloomberg pro-

jected a 2.2 percent gain.

Jobless claims in the week ended Aug. 24 dropped 6,000 to 331,000 from a revised 337,000 the week before that was higher than initially reported, the Labor Department said today in Washington. The median forecast of 50 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a drop to 332,000.

The equity benchmark has fallen 2.6 percent in August amid speculation the Fed will pare stimulus measures and concern the U.S. will take military action against Syria.

Minutes of the Fed’s July meeting released on Aug. 21 showed policy makers supported cuts to the central bank’s bond-buying program this year if the economy improves in line with its forecasts. Fed stimulus helped push the S&P 500 up as much as 153 percent from its March 2009 low, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

The prospect of imminent military strikes on Syria receded as the U.K. and France said they favor waiting for the results of a United Nations investigation into alleged use of chemical weapons. The U.S., which says it has evidence that Syria’s government was responsible, won’t act without allies, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.

“We’re back to focusing on economic data, specifically out of the U.S. and Europe, and the Fed tapering, as the market is coming around to

believe the Syrian conflict poses only a short-term risk,” said Manish Singh, who helps oversee $2 billion as head of investment at Crossbridge Capital in London. “I am of the opinion that tapering will happen in September, regardless of data.”

Trading volume in S&P 500 stocks was 18 percent below the 30-day average at this time of day, two sessions before the Labor Day holiday weekend. Trading on U.S. exchanges is poised for the second-slowest month in at least five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. An average of about 5.5 billion shares

Obama, U.S. President

changed hands each day this month. That’s about 80 million shares more than last August.

The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, or VIX, increased 2 percent to 16.82. The equity volatility gauge has surged 42 percent since a five-month low on Aug. 5.

Eight out of 10 main groups in the S&P 500 rose, with phone companies advancing 1.5 percent to lead gains.

Verizon Rises Verizon Communications rose 2.7 percent to $47.83. The company is in advanced talks to acquire Vodafone’s 45 percent stake in their Verizon Wireless venture for about

$130 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said.

In a statement, Newbury, England-based Vodafone said there’s “no certainty that an agreement will be reached” as it holds discussions with New York-based Verizon. Bob Varettoni, a spokesman for Verizon, declined to comment.

An S&P index of homebuilders climbed 2.4 percent, after dropping 3.7 percent over the previous two days.

PulteGroup Inc. rose 3.2 percent to $15.87 and Lennar Corp. advanced 3.2 percent to $32.64.

The Bloomberg U.S. Airlines Index rose 2.2 percent as US

Bernanke, U.S. Fed Chief

Airways Group Inc. advanced 5.3 percent to $16.15. Delta Air Lines Inc. jumped 2.3 percent to $19.56.

Guess soared 12 percent to $30.70.

Second-quarter adjusted earnings per share amounted to 52 cents, exceeding the average estimate of 35 cents in a survey of analysts. The company raised its full-year earnings guidance to $1.78 to $1.92 a share, from a previous prediction of $1.70 to $1.90. Analysts had forecast $1.79.

Campbell Soup Co. fell 2.7 percent to $43.49 after the company reported fourthquarter sales lower than analysts’ estimates.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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The GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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Sports Abidjan 2013 Afrobasketball Championship

Onyeali-Ikpe, Bolaji Abdullahi to speak at football media workshop

Beaten Team Nigeria to regroup, as Bakare comes under fire

By Christian Okpara hey were touted as the T team most likely to win the on-going 2013 African Basketball Championship holding in Cote d’Ivoire, but the Nigeria senior basketball team, D’Tigers, failed to move beyond the quarterfinal stage, falling marginally to Senegal on Wednesday. They lost the game 63-64.

Now, after taking stock of their performance in the championship, D’Tigers acknowlegded their undoing in Abidjan and have vowed to make amends. But that may not be the end of the story.

Feelers from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) indicate there is a groundswell of opinion that national coach, Ayo Bakare, should not have been entrusted with the team after leading the country to an early exit at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Those baying for the sack of Bakare say that recalling him to the position when he voluntarily threw in the towel was the biggest disservice the NBBF board did the nation, adding, however, that now that the country’s ambition in Abidjan has been derailed, it is time to move on.

Moving on, they say, includes getting a better technical crew and embarking on programmes that would throw up more quality players, especially in the local league.

But there are those, who believe that Nigeria failed in Abidjan because the elements were against the country. Such arguments are hinged on the injuries that denied the country the services of some of its best stars. however, the underlying feeling among the players,

the officials and the followers of the Nigerian team is disappointment.

Co-captains of the team, Olumide Oyedeji and Ike Diogu, who spoke separately yesterday, expressed the disappointment of the entire players and promised to get better and hopefully win the next edition of the competition in 2015.

“It’s really sad that we lost to Senegal after the initial progress we made. I still can’t believe we have lost… it’s like a dream to me.

“It is unfortunate that we disappointed Nigerians but I hope it will get better because we have young players, whose average age is 24, 25. There is future for the team and I know they will get better,” Oyedeji said.

Oyedeji is among the players expected to announce their retirement from the team now. his co-captain, Diogu, who is the second oldest in the team after Oyedeji, said he too, like the whole team, feels they have let Nigeria and Nigerians down after showing that they were capable of winning the competition.

“I feel disappointed that we have let our nation down after the support they gave to us. It is a learning process, we promise to get better and come back stronger,” he said, reiterating Oyedeji’s position that they still have years ahead of them.

“We started well but played some hard games against Cameroon and Congo. In the match against Senegal, we kind of didn’t play our game and they took advantage of it.

It is really painful because we put in our best but it didn’t work out as planned,” Diogu stressed.

On the ball… D’Tigers’ Al Farouq Lawal was of the stars of the Nigerian team in Cote d’Ivoire.

NNL promotion, relegation battles go to the rubber however, the teams with Groups A and B respectively. eveR in the recent time The above scenario has good chances of picking the N has the participating remaining three tickets are made the final matches of teams fought till the last match to know if they will pick promotion or demotion tickets to play either in the lucrative Glo Nigeria Premier League or the amateur league next season than it will be witnessed when the NNL ends tomorrow.

As all the teams in Group A and B gear up to play the final round of matches of the 2012/13 season, only Giwa Football Club has gained promotion to the NPL elite division next season, while four other clubs will have to wait for the last blast of the whistle on Saturday to know if they will join Giwa to play in the Premiership next season.

Abia Warriors, which will be needing a home win to top Group B, even as Crown FC of Ogbomosho and Remo Babes are hot on the heels to join the big boys party.

Also, Ranch Bees, FC Taraba, Plateau United and Kadunabased DSS FC are struggling to go through with Giwa in Group A. In the same vain, there is also fierce battle to avoid relegation to the amateur rank as teams go to the final battle tomorrow to win to escape relegation to the less fancied third tier league.

Among the troubled teams are Adamawa United and Niger Tornadoes; Prime FC and Rising Stars FC in

the NNL very unpredictable for each club would not know their faith until the end of the game, especially the table toppers and back backbenchers alike.

Meanwhile, NNL chairman, emeka Inyama, has reiterated the resolve of his board to ensure the competition ended on a good note to crown all the hard work management staff, board members, the media and clubs have put in the league. ‘’ I have no doubt in my mind that we shall see perfect ending of the league with the logistics deployed to ensure a flawless handling of the final matches nationwide”, Inyama boasted.

Super Cup: Bayern Munich takes on Chelsea UROPeAN champions, FC e Bayern Munich take on europa League winners,

Franck Ribery was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe 2012/2013 in Monaco after the Champions League draw…yesterday.

LeADING media planning A strategist and marketing communication scholar, Dr.

Chelsea FC in today’s Super Cup, which will be more than just revenge for the Bavarians’ painful defeat at the hands of the Londoners in the 2012 Champions League final.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Chelsea lifted europe’s most coveted trophy at the Football Arena in Munich.

While Bayern recovered to prevail in the following year’s decider against Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea

redeemed themselves for a group stage exit with success in the UeFA europa League setting up a clash against Bayern at the Stadion eden in Prague.

Both clubs have seen the arrival of new coaches over the summer, with Bayern hiring former FC Barcelona trainer, Josep Guardiola and Chelsea welcoming back José Mourinho. The two contested a healthy rivalry in Spain at the respective helms of Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, but Guardiola insisted today’s reunion is about the spectacle itself.

“Once the referee starts the game, the focus will be on the players,” said the Spaniard, who won the UeFA Super Cup with Barça in 2009 and 2011.

“The reason we’re here – that’s why kids love football and millions of people around the world will tune in to watch these two marvellous clubs in action. Not the coaches.”

Guardiola, who labelled the Czech capital a “beautiful city”, added that he had the “utmost respect for Mourinho’s career” and lauded the Portuguese tactician’s ability to create strong defensive sides able to counter

quickly: “he’s a master at that.”

Mourinho, who led the Blues to two Premier League titles during his first spell with the club between 2004 and 2007, believes facing such high-calibre opposition so early in the campaign can only be advantageous.

“It’s good for us to play Bayern before the Champions League starts because I don’t want the players to believe they can win the europa League, then keep playing at the same level and expect to do well in the Champions League,” he said.

Ken Onyeali-Ikpe, will be the guest speaker at a conference/workshop to explore strategies to improve media coverage and public followership of domestic football in Nigeria.

The workshop is being organized by Lagos State sports journaluists on September 12 and 13 in Lagos.

An alumnus of the Lagos Business School with a doctorate degree from the Academy of Sciences, School of African Studies, Moscow and a Master of Science Degree in Development economics from the Donetsk State University, Onyeali-Ikpe is the Managing Director of All Seasons Mediacom Limited and a director at the Troyka Group. he will be speaking on the theme: “Promoting, Projecting and Re-positioning Nigeria’s Domestic Football: A Challenge of the Media’.

The Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, League Management Company and the Nigeria National League are among the special guests.

Also expected at the event are the President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nduka Obaigbena, as chairman, President of the Nigeria Guild of editors, Femi Adesina, the leaderships of Nigerian football sponsorship brands, media owners and top media executives and football club managers.

Fourth NISONM Games begins in Lagos

By Abdulwaheed Usamah he fourth edition of the Nigerian Schools of Nursing and Midwifery Games (NISONM), got underway yesterday at University of Lagos Sports Centre, Lagos.

A total of 10 schools are taking part in the games, which is hosted by the School of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching hospital (LUTh).

Some of the schools participating in the Games are Ado ekiti School of Nursing, ekiti State, Ondo State School of Nursing, Akure, School of Midwifery, Akure, Oyo State School of Nursing, University College hospital, Ibadan, School of Midwifery, Obafemi Awolowo University hospital (OAUThC), among others The Chief Medical Director (CMD), LUTh, Prof Akin Osibogun, said hosting the event outside the Zonal headquarters of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Ibadan, shows the competition has come to stay. he said LUTh has created a record by hosting the Games and the development would the prepare ground for other schools to follow, even as he added that the host was not hosting to win at all costs, but to discover new talent and develop sport at the grassroots.

T

The GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

SPORTS 57

Lagos International Table Tennis Classics

Congo Brazzaville’s Suraju upsets Bobocica, mixed doubles final hold today

By Adeyinka Adedipe IFTh seed, Sakla Suraju of FdledCongo Brazzaville bunout second seed. Italy’s Mihai Bobocica to book his place in the semi final of the men’s single of the Lagos International Table Tennis Classics.

Bobocica’s dream of playing against top seed, Omar Assar would not come to fruition as he lost to Suraju 4-3 (8-11, 1113, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9).

Today, Nigeria top-ranked player, Nigeria’s duo of Segun Toriola and edem

Offiong will clash with Saka Suraju and han Xing in the final of the mixed doubles event. It will be a tough battle between Toriola and Offiong, who are seeded number three and Suraju and Xing, rated number two in the event. The number one seed, egypt’s Omar Assar and Nigeria’s Funke Oshonaike were bundled out in the first round by Nigeria’s duo of Seun Ajetunmobi and Olaide Atinuke.

Toriola and Offiong defeated their compatriots, Aruna Quadri and Ganiyat

Olatunde 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 in the semifinal clash on Wednesday to book a final ticket. Quadri and Olatunde had thrown out giant-killing duo of Ajetunmobi and Atinuke in the quarterfinal before setting up a semifinal clash against Toriola and Offiong.

Also, Congo Brazzaville’s Suraju and Xing didn’t drop a match from the first round until their semifinal clash against Nigeria’s duo of Kazeem Makanjuola and Ganiyat Ogundele.

With huge support from the

home fans, Makanjuola and Ogundele gave their best against the Congolese but their efforts fell short as the Congolese won 10-12, 12-10, 14-16, 9-11 to berth in the final.

Speaking ahead of the mixed doubles final, Congo Brazzaville’s Suraju said they were in Lagos to sweep all the titles at stake in the tournament.

“As a Nigerian, I would admit that it has been a long time that a competition of this status was staged in the Nigeria. For me, it is a plus to the country. But now, I am

representing Congo Brazzaville, we are not here to watch others but for others to watch us win titles.

There is no doubt that the organisers tried their best to put up a good show but there is room for improvement in future. The lighting is not too good but the facilities are okay,” he said.

Suraju, who defeated Nigeria’s Lanre Aremu in the men’s singles round of 16, said he was confident of playing in the single’s final “I want to say that all the players taking part in the

tournament are in good shape and everybody has a chance to make it to the podium. I am really impressed with the Nigerian-based players because they played very well. For me, I am here for the title and I am capable of achieving the feat of being the first player to win the tournament,” Suraju added.

Also, the final of the junior mixed doubles hold today as the pair of Azeez Ogunlade and Ayo Udoh take on the duo of Bolaji Shobayo and Bose Odusanya.

Ahead Budapest 2013 World Championship

Nigerian wrestlers begin camping in Bayelsa he Nigeria Wrestling T Federation has begun preparations for the World

Suraju

NRA axes four referees from FIFA fitness test From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja OR failing in the compulFtainsory medical test to ascerthe fitness of all referees registered for the ongoing FIFA referees fitness test in Abuja, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) has withdrawn the names of four of its members from the physical test.

The NRA said yesterday that it decided that all the referees that registered for the test must first all be examined by the NFF medical committee in line with FIFA directives to ensure that only referees certified medically fit to undergo the test were allowed.

Speaking at the Abuja National stadium venue of the physical test yesterday,

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees committee, Muazu Suleiman, revealed that out of 54 referees registered for the test, only four were certified not medically fit, according to reports from the medical team.

“It has been very excellent, as you must have noticed, we have not had any casualty so far. They have all done very well and we have insisted on the FIFA rules for the test. This is because they have realized that if you do not perform, you are dropped, finish, It is as simple as that.

“We just received the list of four from doctors from the villa, who examined their fitness for the physical training, that they should be dropped. They have to go

back for further examinations to ascertain their fitness before they are allowed to take part in the programme.

“So we have sent them back based on the medical report

from the doctors that examined them. We rely hundred percent on what the doctors said because that is where they have the facilities that will give dependable results.

The FIFA referees fitness test, which ends tomorrow, has some assistant referees from football, FUTSAL and Beach soccer as participants.

Wrestling Championship in Budapest, hungary between September 16 and 22, 2013. The three female wrestlers, who qualified for the World Championship arrived in Yenagoa on Wednesday with an ambitious desire to win laurels in hungary.

Speaking with journalists from Yenagoa, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali, expressed optimism that the female wrestlers, Adekuroye Odunayo, Blessing Oborududu and Ifeoma Iheanacho, would shock the world and ‘I can put my money on them to return with medals’.

Dr. Igali also expressed regrets that no male wrestler will make the trip to Budapest but promises that his federation is working round the clock to produce world class wrestlers within the shortest period.

In all, nine wrestlers have reported at the Yenagoa camp as the coaching crew and technical director of the Federation, Damian Ohiake, are sweating profusely to acquaint the athletes with the latest wrestling rules and techniques.

“We are going for the World Wrestling Championship with just three female wrestlers, but I can vouch that they will come back to Nigeria with medals,” Dr. Igali said.

“We have received the go ahead and support from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and we want the athletes to prepare well.

“Unfortunately, our male wrestlers did not qualify, but that does not remove the fact that we will represent Nigeria well.”

Eight Falcons dropped over passport, as 26 players train in Abuja From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja IGhT of the newly invited e players to the Super Falcons’ camp in preparation for the international friendly games against Japan may have been dropped by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for not possessing the required travelling documents.

Nigeria meets Japan in two friendly games on

• Team depart Sept. 19 September 22and 26 in the Asian country.

The NFF, The Guardian gathered, may have decided not to call for replacement for the eight players, who are yet to report to its camp as only 26, out of the invited 35, were able to resume training yesterday in Abuja.

All the 26 players in camp have their international

passports because they have featured for the country in past international championship or the competitions.

The Guardian also learnt that veteran Super Falcons’ striker, Stella Mbachu, may have opted out of the team due to a leg injury she sustained when her team, Rivers Angels of Port harcourt, beat Pelican Stars

of Calabar in a Women Federation Cup semifinal match in Abuja.

Mbachu, who told The Guardian in telephone interview yesterday that she was yet to report to the camp because of her leg injury, said she could only join the team if she recovered fully from the injury.

A source in the Super Falcons’ camp revealed that the team is expected to depart on September 19.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

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Heroes Of Monday Akpoyibo: The schoolboy flicker Former national hockey player, Monday Joe-Pere Akpoyibo hails from Kpakiama community in Bomadi, Delta State, where swimming is a tradition. But he decided to toe a different line by romancing with the athletics and hockey from his elementary school days at St Thomas’ Primary School, Benin City in the then Mid West region and his post elementary days, first at New Era College, also in Benin City, and later, St Columbus College, Agbor. He got the reward in the stick game, as he rose to become one of the pioneer hockey players from the region. Akpoyibo featured in all categories of hockey competitions for the Mid West region under the administration of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia. From the U-13 team, he graduated to the Intermediate level and later, the senior team, where he won all the trophies available in the country between 1981 and 1984. He was part of the Bendel Flickers team that won the National League consecutively in 1987 and 1988 to represent Nigeria at the African Hockey Championship in Egypt, where they finished second after losing to Shakia of Egypt 4-3 on penalties. As a university student at the Bendel State University, Abraka, the young Akpoyibo became a household name at both the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) and the West African University Games (WAUG). He was in the team to Burkina Faso ’85 WAUG Championship, which picked a silver medal after losing to their counterparts from Ghana in the final. Since retirement from active play, Akpoyibo, a senior staff of the Delta State Sports Commission, has contributed his quota to the growth of Nigeria’s sports at various times. Under his administration as secretary of Delta Athletics Association, the likes of Blessing Okagbare, Olusoji Fasuba and Bamidele Taiwo were discovered during school sports competitions in Sapele and its environs. He served in that capacity for 13 years. Akpoyibo also served as secretary of the state’s Special Sports Association for many years. Fielding questions from GOWON AKPODONOR during the week, Akpoyibo spoke on a number of issues, including how a scholarship offer from Governor Samuel Ogbemudia changed his life. He also counseled parents to give their children the best of education, just as he advised young students to cultivate the habit of combining sports and education, especially at the secondary school level. good in the sack race and during our primary school inter house sports, our coach, the late Christian Okoh, was very impressed Mid West region. Monday Akpoyibo be- with my performance. He decided to pick longed in the golden and nostalgic era me and some other young boys into athletof Nigerian hockey, when the country ics. That was how tn began.”

The young Akpoyibo did not stay long in was a force to reckon with in Africa. athletics before he changed to the game of As a teenager, Akpoyibo encounhockey. As at that time, there was the state Utered ‘some rough paths’ in his education, as his father, the late Markson 13 camp in Afuze, which Governor Ogbemudia set up to nurture up young talents to Akpoyibo, found it difficult to shoulstardom. der the financial responsibility re“By this time, I was already playing hockey quired in giving his ‘many children’ with the likes of Felix Gheghor. Then, Nduka secondary school education.

Odizor had started his career in tennis, while His three children, ThankGod, Ayo Ejiro Omonode was playing hockey and and Monday completed their pricricket. Bright Omokaro and the likes of Sam mary school education the same year. To free himself from the pres- Okpodu, Lucky Imafidon, Paul Emordi and sure for school fees and money for Humphrey Edobor were in the U-13 football books, the father, Markson, came team,” he said.

The first National Sports Festival was held up with an option. in Lagos in 1973. To present a winning team, “One evening, my dad called three of us and said that he could Governor Ogbemudia sent coaches to the only afford to train one. He then nook and crannies of Mid West to assemble talented stars in readiness for the fiesta. The said that Ayo and I should conyoung Akpoyibo was one of those invited to sider the option of learning trade as roadside mechanics or the Afuze camp in the U-13 category. His two some other things outside sec- brothers, ThankGod and Ayo were also invited, thus opening a new chapter in the ondary school education.

ThankGod is the senior boy fol- family.

The trio did not only make the trip to Afuze, lowed by Ayo and I am the but were included in Mid West State continthird male child. I am happy gent to Lagos. The result was rewarding. The God intervened quickly and Akpoyibos and the ‘gang’ bulldozed their changed the situation,” way to the final in the hockey U-13 category.

Akpoyibo told The Guardian.

Their opponent in the final was the host, As at the time of the ‘meetLagos State. ing’ with their father, the “We beat them and won the gold medal. It young Akpoyibo had already began his romance with the was so exciting wearing a medal at the nagame of hockey. It all started tional level. I felt on top of the world because I had heard so many wonderful stories about during the school’s inter house sports competition in the city of Lagos as a kid and coming to the National Stadium to win a medal was mar1971. velous to me.

He recalled: “I was very “Mid West eventually won the Sports Festi-

ANY prefer to call him ‘Prof,’ a nickM name he bagged in his active days as a schoolboy hockey player in the then

Akpoyibo

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

School Sports nurtured in Afuze Games Village tion, a position he occupied till early this year. val and before we returned to Benin City, our sports-loving Governor Ogbemudia had Reminiscing on his elementary days at St prepared New Era College for us. You can see Thomas’ Primary School at Airport Road, Benin City and secondary life at New Era and St how God’s miracle works. My two brothers Columbus College, Akpoyibo advises governand I got a scholarship and we started from ment at state and federal levels to bring back class one at New Era with the governor pro‘those exciting’ sports programmes that made viding books and taking care of our needs. the primary, secondary schools and university From that moment, my parents fell in love so thick in those days. with sports because it rescued the family “There were so many sports programmes then from its financial dilemma. We will forever and they offered a broad range of skill developremain grateful to Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia for ment for the youths. We need to revitalise his foresight and foundation he laid for proper inter-school competitions to promote sports,” Akpoyibo stated.

From there, the Akpoyibos became lords in talented players and athletes to higher levels.

“Additionally, coaches should be trained and lihockey. While the duo of ThankGod and censed. Administrators should be trained to Monday played the game to the university properly manage funds, train sportsmen and and national level, Ayo died just before he organise competitions. And to ensure success, could gain admission into the university. they should employ experienced and licensed From the U-13 category, the Akpoyibos coaches. I want other states to take a cue from graduated to the state’s U-18 level (the secwhat the government of Delta State is doing in ondary school group). One of the competitions Akpoyibo will live to re- sports. Any time we win the sports festival, people will insinuate all sorts of things shouting member in his secondary school days, was ojoro, ojoro. No, it is not so. The government of the contest between the star- studded New Era Collage, which represented Bendel State, Delta State starts planning for the next festival and the Government College, Kaduna at the soon after the completion of one. It has really worked. That was how Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia 1978 edition of the All Secondary School was doing it in his days and I am happy GoverGames in Calabar. nor Emmanuel Uduaghan was able to borrow a “We defeated them to emerge overall leaf from it,” Akpoyibo added. champions and that gave some of us the ticket to the national team,” he said.

Akpoyibo changed to St. Columbus College, Mid West eventually won the Sports now Igbinoba Grammar School, Agbor, Festival and before we returned to when New Era College was changed to all female school by the government, which took Benin City, our sports-loving Governor, over from Ogbemudia.

Ogbemudia, had prepared New Era The change in location, not withstanding, College for us. You can see how God’s Akpoyibo continued his exploits in hockey.

He became a regular member of the Bendel miracle works. My two brothers and I Flickers, which flew the nation’s flag for got a scholarship and we started from more that a decade.

Even when he gained admission into the class one at New Era with the governor Bendel State University in 1983, Akpoyibo providing books and taking care of our combined his academic work in the classroom with the national team assignment. needs. From that moment, my parents Under the late coach Christian Okoh, the young Akpoyibo won five titles with the na- fell in love with sports because it restional hockey team, including the Sani cued the family from a big dilemma.

Abacha Hockey Championship, T.Y DanWe will forever remain grateful to Dr. juma Championship and the Shehu Musa Yar Adua National Hockey trophy.

S.O. Ogbemudia for his foresight and The Bendel Flickers defeated all contenders foundation he laid for sports. to win the 1987 and 1988 national league titles and went on to represent Nigeria in the African Hockey Championship in Egypt. The team made it to the final only to lose on penalties to Shakia of Egypt. It ended 4-3.

Before then, Akpoyibo led the Nigeria University team to the 1986 edition of the West Africa University Games (WAUG) and got a silver medal after losing to Legon University of Ghana in the final.

The success story of Delta State in the National Sports Festival since its creation in 1991 will not be compete without a mention of the role played by the likes of Akpoyibo and his ex-hockey teammates like Felix Gheghor and Peter Itawansan.

Off the hockey pitch, Akpoyibo has been part of the state’s success story in national and international sports, from its participation at Makurdi ’96 National Sports Festival down to Imo ’98, Bauchi ’2000, Abuja 2004, Gateway 2006, Kada 2009, Garden City 2011 and Eko 2012.

He was appointed secretary of Delta Athletics Association in 1999 and during his tenure, the state discovered great athletes like Blessing Okagbare, Olusoji Fasuba and Bamidele Taiwo from school sports competitions. He was moved to Special Sports Association in 2003 to impact on the physically challenged athletes. That he did very well by turning special sports into a multi-medal winning sports for Team Delta State in the sports festival.

After the state’s victory at the Gateway 2006 National Sports Festival, Akpoyibo was again redeployed to the Athletics AssociaWith his wife

Akpoyibo (right) on national duty with the Nigeria Hockey team

Akpoyibo (second from right standing) with the all-conquering Bendel State Flickers

Akpoyibo (first right squatting) with the likes of Felix Gheghor during a national hockey competition.

With his childhood friends, Peter and Paul Itawansan in Bendel Flickers

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THe GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

SchoolSports NSC explains decision to shift Youth Games He National Sports T Commission (NSC) on Wednesday said that the

Uplift Football Team players in action during their friendly match against Udinese FC Giovanissimi Regionali (Udinese FC Under-15 Team) at the Bruseschi Centre beside Udinese FC Stadium located in Udine, Italy.

National Youth Games (NYG) was shifted to ensure effective staging and maximum turnout.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game, which was earlier slated to hold from September 9 to 19, was shifted to between December 5 and 15 in Abuja.

Speaking in Akure, NSC CoOrdinator for Zone 11, Peter Nelson, disclosed that the games could not hold as scheduled as students were in session, adding, “the commission would have gone ahead with the initial date but found out that the principal would still be fully engaged in academic programmes.

“The major actors, the secondary school students, will be fully engaged with academic activities by September.

“The commission will not want the games to disrupt the students’ academic progression,’’ he said.

According to Nelson, the arrival date has now been fixed for December 5, while physical screening and technical meeting would be held on December 6.

He added that the opening

Uplift Football Team beat Udinese 3-1 He Ogun State grassroots T football team, known as Uplift FC, yesterday defeated Udinese FC’s Giovanissimi Regionali (Udinese FC U-15 Team) in a friendly match by three goals to one.

The 22 talented players of Uplift Football Team, who were discovered during UPLIFTing Under-15 Grassroots Football programme organised by the Wife

of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun in April 2013, are currently undergoing a twoweek summer football internship at Udinese FC in Italy.

The match, which was played at the Bruseschi Centre beside Udinese FC Stadium located in Udine, Italy, was watched by the officials of Udinese FC and among other spectators.

The Uplift Football Team

dominated the game from the blast of the whistle to the end of the game, showing high quality football skills and talents. They were applauded for their brilliant performances.

Some of the Udinese FC officials commended the Uplift Football Team for their wonderful football displays.

“The Uplift Football players are quite fantastic and skillful. They need to be nurtured very well to continue mastering the game of soccer. every one is happy to see them playing against their age-mates from another country and they indeed demonstrated good football skills. Well done guys, I wish good luck,” says Simone

Dall’arnelina.

Mrs. Amosun, who accompanied the players to Italy, had earlier charged the players to put up their optimal performance and be self-confident, explaining to them that the programme was designed to expose them to the arts of the round leather game and sharpen their football skills.

Abuja Council plans basketball camp for 15 schools He Federal Capital T Territory (FCT) Sports Council will hold a basketball camp for 15 schools in the FCT from September 21 to September 25, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Head Coach, Basketball, FCT Sports Council, emmanuel Odah, disclosed that public and private secondary schools in the FCT would be involved in the programme, adding, “We really want to go to the `roots’ of the grassroots because when you refer to grassroots in Nigeria, it’s not really the grassroots you and I know.

“What you see is a 22-yearold man playing an under-17 competition and they call it `grassroots development,’’ the head coach said.

“However, we are deviating from the norm; that is why I said we want to go to the

‘roots’ of the grass-roots.

“For instance, if we get a spectacular player that is five or six years old and he can play, we will put him in the team, give him the time to grow and try to perfect his skills.’’

He explained that the purpose of the camp was to discover new talents, Odah added that the objective is also “to teach the ethics and rudiments of basketball and also discover new talents for the upcoming under-16 national youth sport festival.

“We are doing this in collaboration with the U.S. embassy, under the council’s Social Development Secretariat,’’ he said.

He said that guests and professional players, including Detlef Schrempf , a retired German NBA player from the U.S., would be at the event.

Students diving into the pool during the last Cross River Primary/Secondary Schools Sports Championships… the state government has started distributing equipment to schools identified as ‘centres of excellence’ for the training of talented young athletes.

ceremony would hold on December 7 while the closing ceremony was billed for December 14.

Nelson added that the shift would also give the commission more time to prepare well for the competition.

“The shift in date will ensure more time for effective staging of the competition,’’ he said.

The National Youth Games was instituted by the NSC to give Nigerian youths in secondary schools, especially those denied participation in the National Sports Festival by the presence of elite athletes, the opportunity to showcase their skills.

It also gives team selectors the chance to discover fresh talents for the country for international youth champi-

Kaduna coach appeals for govt support to revive cricket eAD Coach of the Kaduna H Cricket Association, Joe Oche, has appealed to the state government to assist the association with better training equipment to facilitate the promotion of the sport, which has more than 360 students playing it in the state.

Oche says the students need a good turf to enable maximise their potentials, adding, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the state government to come to our aid because we need adequate training facilities.

“Our pitch is supposed to be the best in the entire Northern Region, but it has turned into multipurpose facility, which people use for various purposes.

“Government should assist us with a good scoreboard, plant more grasses and erect a fence around the pitch,” Oche said.

He added that the state had produced some of the best cricketers in the country in the past and had contributed enormously to its development.

“Kaduna is known to be the second best in the sport in the country and have trained players for National and international events.

“A lot of our players out there are doing well at the moment and we want to do more, if only more equipment will be provided,” he said.

According to him, the more than 360 students currently playing the game within Kaduna and environs are inhibited by the absence of equipment.

He acknowledged the efforts of some individuals who had been supportive of the development of cricket, saying that some of them had promised to provide the association with a bowling machine.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

Transfer Update

Chelsea signs Eto’o from Anzhi HELSEA have signed Eto’o started his career at C Cameroun striker, Samuel Real Madrid but was loaned Eto’o on a free transfer from

Martinez blasts window ‘circus’ VERTON boss, Roberto E Martinez says reports suggesting Leighton Baines asked to leave Goodison Park are not accurate while he’s also branded the current transfer window as a “footballing circus”.

With four days remaining before the window closes, Martinez finds himself in the uncomfortable situation of awaiting bids for Baines and Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United.

Martinez has largely sidestepped questions regarding reports Baines had pleaded with the Merseyside outfit to let him go, although he did state after Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup win over Stevenage that the speculation was not accurate.

Should Baines and particularly Fellaini eventually join United, it would almost certainly trigger a chain of transfers, that would include an Everton bid for Wigan’s James McCarthy.

Given his side are now four games into the new season, Martinez finds the situation deeply unsatisfactory.

“I am sure the authorities will look at it and do something about it because it is becoming a bit of a footballing circus and it is not helping anyone,” said Martinez.

“It is not just for Everton. It happens at every football

club up and down the country, not just the ones who are fighting to win the title or avoid relegation.

“Unfortunately it is the reality of the game. I do feel a bit worried about it. It is not getting easier and it is not getting better.”

Knowing Everton are hardly in a position to resist a bid from United should it reach the levels his club require, Martinez has to have contingency plans in place, and his philosophy is simple.

“You always need to make sure when the window closes, the squad is stronger than it was when you started,” he said. “That doesn’t mean you will never lose players. It means you need to be prepared for any situation.

“That is what we are focusing on for the next four days in the window. There is a lot of speculation and stories, but once you have important games to prepare for, it is a bit of a farcical position that goes against the values we are trying to present in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Martinez confirmed midfielder Darron Gibson would return to training this week after recovering from a knee injury.

However, the Republic of Ireland international is unlikely to be involved at Cardiff on Saturday.

Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala.

The 32-year-old joins the Premier League club on a one-year-deal.

Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho moved for Eto’o after seeing two bids rejected for Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

Earlier this week, it emerged Rooney was not prepared to force a move by handing in a formal transfer request, effectively ending the Blues’s hopes of signing the England striker.

Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Eto’o was a key part of Mourinho’s Champions League-winning Inter Milan side in 2010, and he then became the highestpaid player in the world when he moved to Anzhi in 2011.

Anzhi have also sold Brazil winger Willian, 25, to Chelsea after their billionaire owner, Suleyman Kerimov decided to significantly reduce the club’s budget.

Eto’o

out to Leganes and Real Mallorca before making a permanent move to Mallorca in 1999.

The striker, who was part of the Cameroun team that lifted the African Nations Cup in 2002, won the Copa del Rey before making the switch to Barcelona in 2004.

During his time at the Nou Camp, he won the Champions League twice - in 2006 and 2009 - scoring in both finals, as well as winning the Spanish league three times.

In 2009, Barcelona paid Inter Milan £40m plus Eto’o for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the striker went on to win the Champions League again in his first season under Mourinho at the San Siro.

He joined Anzhi, where he reportedly earned £167,825 a week, in 2011.

Flamini back with Gunners RANCE midfielder, Frejoined Mathieu Flamini has Arsenal on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old, who made 153 appearances for the Gunners from 2004 to 2008, returns to the Emirates Stadium after five seasons in Serie A with AC Milan, having become a free agent earlier in the summer.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is confident versatile Flamini - who played at left-back in the 2006 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona - will settle quickly into life back at his old club, having spent some time training at their Hertfordshire base this month.

“We are very pleased

Mathieu has agreed to rejoin us,” Wenger said on www.arsenal.com.

“He is a player of real quality, with a fantastic work rate and great mentality.

“As we know, Mathieu is a strong midfielder, but is also is comfortable playing in defence too. He is a very good addition to our squad.”

Flamini

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

GolfWeekly Ojomo, Ayomike to represent Nigeria at International Pairs world final USTIN Esosa Ojomo and A Tim Ayomike have emerged winners of the 2013

Chidi Momoh (left), Oyibo Muhammed, past captain of Ikoyi Club (golf section) Frank Gboneme and Edo Ukpong, on the club’s tee box during a past edition of The Nigeria Cup

Nigeria Cup qualifier holds Sept. 14 Stories by Eno-Abasi Sunday th

HE qualifiers for the 17 T edition of The Nigeria Cup will hold on Saturday,

September 14, at the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos.

According to Adedayo Ojo, head of the media subcommittee, the line-up of events means that the course will witness high and quality traffic between the September 14 qualifier and October 6 when festivities marking the tourney will draw to a close.

With the theme of this year’s tourney is “Giving Back,” Ojo said, proceeds from the tourney would be committed to a key clubhouse project, strengthening of the management cadre, donations to charity and institution of a golf academy at the club.

The head of the media subcommittee stressed that by the end of the celebrations, “our growing list of sponsors...” will benefit greatly from the golf extravaganza.

The Nigeria Cup, an annual tourney, is the club’s flagship tourney, as well as, the most prestigious amateur competition at the club and on the Nigerian golfing calendar.

This year’s edition, formally begins on Thursday, September 26, 2013.

Senate President, David Mark is expected to tee-off the finals in Lagos on Saturday, October 5.

In this year’s event, where over 200 members of the club will be vying for honours, the ball would be set rolling by select professionals with their three-day, 54-

hole contest on the par 72 course, while children will join the fray in the Junior Championship. This takes place on Saturday, September 28.

On Monday, September 30, caddies will take to the course and this will be followed by the all-comers Independence Day Kitty on Tuesday, October 1. Lady golfers will join the parade

on Thursday, October 3, while guests, veterans and super veterans will have their way on Friday, October 4.

Gentlemen golfers will mount the tee-box for the finals on Saturday, October 5.

The 10-day golf extravaganza is expected to climax on Sunday, October 6, with the gala night/presentation of prizes at The Civic Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street,

Victoria Island.

Chairman of The Nigeria Cup 2013 Organising Committee, Ted Iwere, in announcing the 17th edition said, “the Nigeria Cup is arguably the most anticipated golf event in the country, because it caters for every category of golfer and the goal this year is to take the look and feel of the tournament one notch higher.”

one-off finals of the International Pairs Golf Tournament organised by the CMCL Golf Tours Ltd. To win the keenly contested competition, the pair garnered a total of 122- stableford points to beat over 80other pairs who took part in the competition.

For their efforts, the duo would embark on an allexpense paid trip to Scotland, as Nigeria’s flag bearers, to play in the world finals of the International Pairs, schedule to hold in October.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after being declared winners, they said they were ready to make Nigeria proud by raising their game at the world finals.

“We have the experience; we have the ability to do well in Scotland. We know it won’t be easy but we will give Nigerians something to cheer about in Scotland and therefore boost the nation’s image,” they said.

While the winning pair relish the opportunity of playing in Scotland, others went home with consolation prizes.

Some of the beneficiaries of this include the pair of Alaba Adetunji and Abiodun Oyewoga who finished second in the competition. They had a two-day score of 118-stableford points to beat the pairs of Michael Anukwuem and S. Winston on countback.

Other winners in the keenly contested event were Abing Tankon, Chris Obije, Gen Ojo Miri-Dashe (rtd), Evelyn Oyome, Oyaide among others.

He also thanked NNPC, Oando, Sona Tusk, Dangote, Coca Cola Nigeria, Airtel, Sheraton, Park and Shop, SPAR, Jungle Film Works, La Bash, Promassidor and Blue Bunny Ice Cream for their support for the competition.

Uhunmwagho, Samuel emerge champions at 2nd SSL tourney IGHTEEN-handicapper, E Isaac Uhunmwagho fought off stiff challenge from other contenders to emerge overall winner of the 2nd Soft Solutions Limited (SSL) Invitational Golf Tournament.

This is as sponsors of the tourney say they were utterly thrilled by the large turnout of golfers at the event, which recently ended at the Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos.

The tournament, only in its second edition, saw over 250 golfers, made up of select professionals, ladies and gentlemen golfers as well as sponsors guests and veteran

players, trade swings while it l a s t e d .

The turnout was an improvement over the maiden edition, which witnessed about barely 150 golfers, at the end of which Ropo Olarenwaju emerged the gentlemen’s category winner.

In this year’s edition, Uhunmwagho, an engineer with a returning net score of 68 emerged overall winner in the men’s category of the week-long tournament. Ms Bella Samuel, 16-handicapper carried the day in the ladies category, as she carded 68 net score.

In the veterans men category (over 60), Segun Otenaike, who plays off handicap 21, carded 73 net score to win on countback while Gen Olayinka Sule towered in the over 70 category have scored 72 net score. Homeboy, Chidi Tobias won the pros event.

In her remarks at the dinner/ prize giving ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Soft Solutions Limited, Ms Fatumata Soukouna, said her firm was excited “that over 250 golfers played in the week-long tournament.”

According to her, apart from the tourney providing

a platform, where both our most valued customers and our world-class solution partners can meet and interact in a relaxed and stimulating environment, it also provides a unique opportunity to gain key insights and feedbacks from key individuals, who are responsible for driving Information C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology (ICT) investments in Nigeria and the sub-region both in the private and public sectors.

She was full of praises for ElAlan Construction Nigeria Ltd, Provast Limited, VACC Limited, Panther

Investment and Alan Caray Limited, for partnering SSL in the tournament.

Captain of the club, Mr. Adewole Sowole, in his remarks expressed appreciation to the sponsors for keeping their words and returning to the club for the second edition of the tourney despite the prevailing tough economic climate.

He noted that the event was greater in scope and attendance than the maiden one, hoping that subsequent editions would be even better as the tourney grows in leaps and bounds .

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, August 30, 2013

GOLFWEEKLY

63

Woods back in Boston after injury scare HE question was inevitable T and the answer was predictable. Tiger Woods says his

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the first round of The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey... last PHOTO: AFP week.

back is fine.

Woods played in the pro-am yesterday morning at the Deutsche Bank Championship and appeared to be swinging freely. The last image of Woods on a golf course looked much worse.

Four days ago, he dropped to his knees after a back spasm during the final round of The Barclays.

Woods said after that round it was “hypothetical” whether he would play the Deutsche Bank, adding that he had just walked off the course and wasn’t feeling very good.

Golf Channel had a camera on the practice range at the TPC Boston to document his arrival. Woods warmed up, and then headed to the first tee for his pro-am round with a group that included New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

One of his amateurs asked Woods about his back, and Woods gave a short answer that he was fine.

The Deutsche Bank Championship is the second playoff event for the FedEx Cup. Woods remains number one in the standings, narrowly ahead of Scott with Phil Mickelson at number three.

Those three players will be in the featured group the opening two rounds of the tournament that starts today for its traditional Labour Day finish.

Woods, who already has his 10th season of at least five wins on the PGA Tour, has still not made it through an entire season without a health issue since returning from reconstructive knee surgery in 2009.

He missed two tournaments this summer, including the AT&T National, which benefits his foundation, because of an elbow injury suffered in early May. He had tightness in his lower back during the final

round of the PGA Championship, one week after his seven-shot win at Firestone.

Woods said last week he experienced stiffness in his lower back and neck because of a soft mattress in his New York-area hotel. He decided to only chip and putt on the back nine of his pro-am last week at Liberty National as a precaution.

Over the next four days, he said his back was OK at the start of the round but got progressively worse.

The FedEx Cup playoffs take a one-week break next week before resuming north of Chicago.

After collapsing to his knees, and despite wildly hooking his approach to the par-five 13th hole into a swamp after suffering the spasm mid-shot, Woods very nearly managed to force a play-off, falling one stroke short of Adam Scott’s winning score of 11 under par.

He hit the deck after smashing a fairway wood so far left that his ball ended up in a hazard on the other side of the 15th fairway.

After collecting himself, Woods got back to his feet and made bogey on the hole after taking a drop from the hazard, in the end a par on the hole would have been enough to tie Scott’s winning score.

After his round, Woods said he felt twinges in his back on the previous hole.

‘It actually started the hole before, my little tee shot there started it and 13 just kind of accentuated it,’ he said.

The bogey at 13 cost him in a tight race in which he had been part of a four-way tie for the lead early on the back nine. Woods had another bogey at the 15th and was bending over gingerly to take his ball out of the cup.

Finchem happy with PGA Tour’s television deals Sports, which had been televising the U.S. Open since 1995 at Shinnecock Hills. NBC also has 12 other PGA Tour events this “robust” conversations with year, and it broadcasts the Fox Sports in two of the last three television negotiations, Ryder Cup. Johnny Miller, the former U.S. until scheduling conflicts with the network kept the dis- Open champion and NBC golf analyst, said when the Fox deal cussion from going anywas announced that the tour where. “must be licking their chops” Fox entered the golf landscape in a surprising manner and that Fox might offer three weeks ago by signing a “crazy money to get the tour 12-year deal with the U.S. Golf package.”

Association worth about $100 The PGA Tour has contracts with two networks, NBC and million a year. Fox, which does not televise any golf, is to CBS, and with Golf Channel through 2021. start with the U.S. Open and other USGA championships in Even so, Finchem said Wednesday that having Fox 2015. involved in golf is good for the The USGA accepted its bid over a strong offer from NBC tour over the long run.

HE PGA Tour had what T Commissioner Tim Finchem, described as

“It’s always nice to have multiple entities in the sport,” Finchem said at the Deutsche Bank Championship. “There are positives, a few negatives, but there are positives. To have companies invested in the sport in any way results in more focus on the sport from those broadcast companies. ...

So there are different advantages. I think it’s to our advantage long term. There will be some transition challenges there, but I think it’s to your advantages long term to have them involved.”

He said the tour has spoken to Fox “a number of times” in the last 10 to 15 years.

“We just never got to an arrangement, but we know

they have an interest,” he said.

“We had serious, robust conversations in the middle of two of the negotiations in the last three. One of the main issues with them is scheduling. I mean, they have a lot of baseball. They have a lot of NASCAR. They have stuff, given the way Fox is set up.

And we really like our two-network arrangement right now, anyways.”

Fox is to deliver 146 hours of USGA golf, including at least 70 hours of its three main events, the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open.

Fox Sports 1, the company’s new cable channel, was launched August 17. Fox has

been aggressively chasing rights to bolster its content, but there weren’t a lot of options in the immediate future because of the increasing length of sports deals.

Finchem did not say if the tour was concerned about Fox’s ability to handle golf because it had never televised the sport. Miller was particularly critical, saying that, “you can’t just fall out of a tree and do the U.S. Open.”

“It’s going to be a work in progress,” Finchem said.

“They’ve got to build a capability there, working with the USGA, and I’m sure they will.

They’re professionals. They do an excellent job in producing the other sports that they

have. I’m sure they’ll get the talent together to do a good job for the USGA, but it will be interesting to see what happens when that lines out.

When they get certain people in certain positions, we’ll find out.”

Greg Norman has said that Fox has contacted him about being the golf analyst for the U.S. Open.

“I don’t think he has the interest in doing it, but I think he would be good at television,” Finchem said. “I think he’s charismatic, he comes across good on the air, he’s opinionated. There are a lot of options out there. But I think he’d be good.” ___

TheGuardian

Friday, August 30, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Simon Abah IGERIA’S economy has not reached the N height that it should be and the reasons for this are numerous. A nation’s economy is driven by entrepreneurs, big and small. Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian and the richest African, at the moment, was not born an entrepreneur but he strove to be one through interest, and by the experiences of his life. Today, his companies in Nigeria and abroad not only employ thousands of men and women but provide humanity with basic needs. As a country we need to draw up and implement policies to expose our children early to these entrepreneurial experiences.

What is entrepreneurial education? It is the education that makes people self-reliant leading to career alternatives; an education that does not glorify certificates and put them on a pedestal higher than the skill education of the plumber, electrician and mechanics. True education requires that we are able to solve the challenging local needs that arise daily in this country. An undergraduate student of engineering, for instance, should have the mindset of an entrepreneur. Whilst in school he should be able to design models to solve local and pressing national problems. Our education policy should disabuse the minds of students who see the possession of a certificate as a haven for a meal ticket. Aspiration to higher learning should not be for certification alone but based on what we hope to contribute to making life better for humanity. I am a victim of this type of education.

We have a good educational policy in place, no doubt, but I am advocating a type of policy that will train the mind of our people in the classroom and make them see Nigeria as a country we must help develop. To achieve these goals, policy makers may have to overhaul our curriculum; a curriculum that will promote ingenuity and make it a given for every Nigerian scholar. What is the benefit of having a degree in the natural sciences if that degree cannot help Nigeria with a breakthrough? As I write, the renowned British theoretical Astro-physicist, Prof. Stephen Hawking, is carrying out research on the innermost part of the earth to ascertain how human factors could lead to the destruction of the Earth.

There are myriads of challenging problems and needs in Nigeria and these may remain unsolved unless we train people to see opportunities in our problems; thus making it easier for us to address them and develop our space relative to our individual environment.

How come our scholars and intellectuals are

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Requiem for certificate education in Nigeria celebrated outside our shores and never ple despite their ingenuity? How come the within? How come we do not export prod- government and the private sector do not ucts bearing our country’s name on a mas- fund research projects or even when they do, sive scale despite our position in Africa and they are not sufficient? How come university despite the number of graduates our institu- and polytechnic graduates that should work tions churns out yearly? How come students in sync for national development are daily are admitted to universities, polytechnics, clamouring for equity in status? Any wonder, colleges of education in Nigeria, but they are therefore, discoveries and inventions have not been credited to never asked what Nigeria. they hope to conWe need to ask ourtribute to the citadel selves how life would of learning and the have been if creative country by way of people did not invent practical research? the telephone, smart How come the acatelephone, internet etc demic work of scholin the wonder telephoars in our universiny family; if creative ties, polytechnics are people have not never quoted in any designed the airplane public forums in and made many other Nigeria? How come discoveries.

They the building of thought long and hard bridges and roads by to achieve this feat. We most Nigerian comshould be inspired by panies are not as stanall of this and do somedard as that of their thing to make Nigeria foreign countergreat. I am hopeful for parts? How come a better future for this heavy duty mechancountry despite strong ics, electricians, reservations and misplumbers, masons, givings expressed by etc. are deemed not me and other people. to be educated peo- Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai

Our teachers in primary school should begin to expose our children to little details about money and the economy and what to do to be successful. Students should then take the higher step to the skills they need to acquire and develop in their different professions once in the university or polytechnic. The central idea is the possession of the entrepreneurial mindset by astutely following a practical curriculum that will make students think up ideas and develop themselves and our country and not the over-emphasis on certificates.

In this century we also need to encourage and celebrate people who are creative but are not in school. We don’t have to lay emphasis only on those who are scholars. Instances abound of great inventors who never had a formal schooling. Development, therefore, is by all and not in a vacuum. We should also frown at the policy of passing children automatically to the next class even when these children cannot pass a class examination. This kills competitive spirit in children and gives them the negative impression that hard work is not rewarded.

It is in our collective interest to see a Nigeria where entrepreneurial education is the bedrock of our development, a Nigeria where people all over the world will love to come, study and copy our model thereby making us positive reference point around the world unlike the scenario that currently exists where there is so much capital flight outside our shores to acquire certificates from foreign lands.

The government must de-emphasise the rush for certificates and partner with stakeholders to improve our system. People, in industries, like shoe manufacturing, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, welding etc. need to be recognised and treated as professionals. This will improve and boost self-esteem, a vital asset for innovation. Education should be accessible to everyone especially at the lower levels. The culture of making lower-level education (especially in the private schools) expensive and beyond the reach of the majority will hinder development on a larger scale.

In the words of Cardinal Ottaviani, “Today nearly everyone can read, but only few can think.” We desire a thinking-type of education that will make Nigerians masters of our environment for development. I have been asked if this will work. I believe it should work.

• Abah is an executive team leader, Rinasham Multi-Services Ltd, Port Harcourt.

Last amendment and unknown party (1)

By Macdonald Amaran HE man who wakes up and finds himself a success, reports just reaching me indicates he was never asleep’- Macdonald Amaran. ‘Evil communication corrupts good manners, a companion of fools shall be destroyed’- a great book. Section 40 of our Constitution 1999, (As Amended) provides for the Right to peaceful assembly and association. Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests: Provided that the provisions of this section shall not derogate from the powers conferred by this Constitution on the Independent National Electoral Commission with respect to political parties to which that Commission does not accord recognition.

The question is has every Nigerian assembled or belonged to a political party? To that we may have a yes only that the assembly to which we have our yes cuts across all spheres - religious, social, professional, tribal, economic and political. But if we separate political association from the pack and ask the same question what we would get is a No as our answer. There is a new breed of young Nigerians, energetic, intellectual, self-willed, lone rangers, law-abiding, respectful, well-behaved, charismatic, disciplined and outstanding in their various fields of endeavours. They have never met physically in totality, they are not many, but they are increasing in number gradually by the day.

Most of them do not belong to any political party or organisation (some of them may have been spotted and taken to these parties and there is nothing wrong with that provided they don’t let us down) most of them they are just watching, you may wish to call them ‘jokers’ but they are game changers. These young men and women are graduates. Nobody knew they existed because there was no prominent platform for their constructive and analytical expressions.

Some of them write on the back pages of newspapers, some of them are bloggers. Just a minute please. Section 41.(1) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended ) provides (1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom. The point here is,

T

if I can move freely and reside in any part, it problem with this section is with the word ‘a’ therefore means I can vote in that part, true or the first letter of the English alphabet, reprefalse? And everybody says true. ‘The trues have senting a vowel sound. It is my view that the it’. GBAM! (Sound of the gavel). But sir, can I real- word be changed to ‘any’ for the purpose of clarly be voted for in any part of Nigeria? Oh my ity and in contemplation of the pursuit of unity, goodness, I can believe peace and progress. As it’s taken this long to an adjective ‘any’ means answer. If I can vote in without limit: An unlimany part why can’t I be ited or indefinite voted for in any part? amount or number of; Let me give an examevery person or thing of ple: Section 177 of the a particular category or aforementioned description, no matter Constitution provides: who or what. We must A person shall be qualbe able to accommodate ified for election to the ourselves with the enactoffice of Governor of ‘a’ ment of laws and creState if (a) he is a citiations of institutions zen of Nigeria by birth; that will promote our (b) he has attained the unity in diversity. One age of 35 years;(c) he is word can change your a member of a political life a great man said. Let party and is sponsored me add that one word by that political party; can also change a and (d) he has been nation’s belief systems, educated up to at least behavioural pattern. A School Certificate level Buba Marwa should, if or its equivalent. The INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega

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Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

he desires, be able to conveniently run for elections in Lagos State or any other state. The people should decide whether he wins or not. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) should, if he desires, be able to run for elections in Zamfara State, the people should decide. But can these scenarios see the light of day? These are some fundamental problems plaguing our country, Nigeria.

The Electoral Act of 2010 (As Amended) provides in its Section 12: (1) A person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter if such a person: (a) is a citizen of Nigeria; (b) has attained the age of eighteen years;(c) is ordinarily resident, works in, originates from the local government/area council or ward covered by the registration centre; (d) presents himself to the registration officers of the Commission for registration as a voter; and (e) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria.( Let me state here, that the law concentrates more on the voter (follower) and less on the voted (leader). Why, for example, would a man leave Maiduguri in 1965 to Idiaraba by LUTH or Obalende in Lagos State, GRA Port Harcourt, Ikpoba Hill Benin City then set a nice thriving smoked or roasted beef (popularly called Suya), pay his taxes, even marry a Yoruba girl of 28 years old, loved by his neighbours and he cannot become a councillor or Chairman if he chooses to run, and you want him to go and run in Maiduguri? Or an Igbo man from Aba sets up a business ‘Nnaemeka and Son’ aka ‘NNA BROS’ in Potiskum and a branch in Akwanga pays his tax to the host state and he voted for the governor of the day and he cannot become a chairman of the local council or counsellor? He has to go back to his state. That’s the time we begin to hear songs like ‘for my own town no do gra gra for me’ or ‘face fear faceeeee face fear face!’ meaning don’t think you can be better than an indigene. A completely flawed perception. For me these are the kinds of problems we need to address; everything happening around us now is the effect, are consequences, or if you wish, results of the unsolved problems illustrated above. If we don’t solve these kinds of problem now which can only be solved with commitments from all citizens we will continue the way we are.

To be continued.

• Amaran is a legal practitioner, an unpublished