Tue 12, FEB 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,465

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Pope resigns, Turkson, others in race as successor T was a stunning decision Imatic that was made more drabecause of its unexpectedness: Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement yesterday that he would resign.

The 85-year-old Pope, who served the notice just two days to Ash Wednesday, the traditional start of 40 days fasting by his one billion faithful worldwide, leading to Easter, cited old age for his resignation. This is happening for the first time in about 600 years when a similar step was taken by Pope Gregory in 1415.

XII The development paved the way for bookmakers yester-

• Benedict cites old age, steps down Feb. 28 • New Pontiff emerges before March 31 day to tip Peter Turkson of Ghana and Marc Ouellet of Canada as among the cardinals likely to take over from Pope Benedict XVI. The German-born Pope said he would step down on February 28, which will make him the first Pontiff to resign in centuries.

“I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate

exercise of the Petrine ministry,” the Pope said in a speech delivered in Latin at a meeting of cardinals in the Vatican.

More on Pages 5 & 10

Dressed in red vestments and his voice barely audible as he read from a written text, the Pope made the announcement in a hall in his residence - the Apostolic

Palace next to St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said he expected a conclave of cardinals to be held in March within 15 or 20 days of the resignation and a new Pope elected before Easter Sunday on March 31.

Benedict, an academic theologian who has written numerous books, including a trilogy on the life of Jesus

Christ that he completed last Christmas, will retire to a monastery within the Vatican walls.

“In order to govern the ship of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me,” the Pope said.

“For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome,

Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on April 19, 2005, in such a way, that as from February 28, 2013 at 20:00 hours (1900 GMT), the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked,” he said.

Tributes poured in for Benedict from around the world, including his native Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had the “greatest respect” for his decision, and hailed him as “one of the most significant religious thinkers of our time.”

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EFCC re-arraigns Fani-Kayode as Alao-Akala, Babalakin tackle fraud, debt charges From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan), Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos) HE Economic and Financial T Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged money laundering.

Fani-Kayode, who is facing a 47-count charge bordering essentially on money laundering and misappropriation of fund, had earlier pleaded not guilty.

When the case came up for hearing yesterday before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, he also pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

His lawyer, Chief Ladi Williams (SAN), had urged the court to allow the accused continue with the bail conditions granted by Justice Ramat Mohammed, the initial

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Pope Benedict XVI

‘Nigeria’s GDP rises by seven per cent’

By Chijioke Nelson ITH an average of seven W per cent growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) consistently for the past 10 years, the nation’s economy is on the path to more development, according to the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The minister said that the existing growth was in contrast with an average of 2.4 per cent recorded over the previous 10 years.

• Sanusi insists on interest rate benchmark She also said that the existing administration had succeeded in reducing the recurrent expenditure in the 2013 fiscal plan to 68 per cent, against 71 per cent of the 2012, and that plans were under way to bridge the widening gap of inequality in income distribution.

Yesterday too, the Governor

of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Lamido Sanusi, said that no amount of criticism could make the Monetary Policy Committee to change its mind on the nation’s interest rate benchmark of 12 per cent, except this was necessary.

He said that the committee was not in a hurry and that

nobody should be in a hurry too, adding that it was still monitoring the developments to be satisfied with the need for and possible change.

Both the minister and Sanusi made the disclosure at the fourth yearly Investors’ Conference of the Renaissance Capital in Lagos yesterday.

According to the minister, the time has come for the nation to admit its shortcomings, which continue to stare it in the face, while proactively seeking ways to overcome them.

She noted that unemployment which was put at over 23 per cent and rising underemployment in the formal sector and inequality - uneven distribution of wealth and widening gap between the haves

Eagles get Adenuga’s $1m amid confusion over Keshi’s status - Page 74

and have-nots - had become a national worry and weekly “agenda at the Federal Executive Council meeting.”

“We are not minimising our challenges. What we are saying is that the present administration is worried about the issues and working hard to fix them. Some of our challenges are global in nature, even the United States (U.S.) and Europe are going through them now.

“Nigeria is an exciting country to be in. While some are

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

2 NEWS

Sanusi insists on interest rate benchmark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 looking at the challenges, others are seeing opportunities from the challenges.

Nigeria’s economy is resilient

despite the challenges and that is why it maintained the growth record all these years,” she said.

According to her, “the new strategy included ensuring

the fiscal consolidation and growth. This means that there will be less borrowing, increased spending and investments into areas of challenge. Our target is to reduce recurrent expenditure to 65 or 60 per cent by 2015 and plans are being perfected.

“IMF has just concluded its Article IV and the report in debt dynamics for the country was positive. The debt to GDP is at 20 per cent, though high, but it is above global standard.

“There are also plans to establish a source of long-term capital. So, plans are under way for the establishment of a development financing institution, with private sector and multilateral organisations participating.

“Reforming the mortgage sector is also top priority. The World Bank is in partnership with Nigeria and has given $300 million pledge for its take-off. The mortgage sector would offer huge employment opportunities.”

On his part, Sanusi said: “It is

very easy to take financial and economic stability for granted, especially when there is seeming stability in the financial system. Even with low rate at this point, banks may still not be able to lend.

“There are structural issues that necessitated the decision.

Banks cannot lend even at low rate with poor power supply, which would not guarantee stable operations. Unemployment is still high and no bank would want to lend to people without stable jobs and stream of income,” he said.

He explained that the cashless project was a combination of other institutions - the telecommunications and the National Communications Commission, hence their ineffectiveness would also affect the project.

Sanusi also decried the nation’s dependence on oil, noting that the existing global view of oil may not be healthy for the economic sustainability of the country.

“Agriculture and power sector development is the game

changer for the economy. It will ensure equitable income distribution. All we need to do is to develop the sector for better results.

“Nigeria is the largest cassava producer in the world, but the problem lies in the development of the value chain.

We produce tomato in the country, but we remain the highest importer of tomato paste. The value is capable of creating the job opportunities that unemployed people are looking for,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Capital, West Africa, Yvonne Ike, said that “there is a phenomenal growth revolution in Africa and Nigeria is at the forefront.”

Ike reeled out the challenges facing the continent and the country, including infrastructure, illiteracy, corruption and security, saying that the continent and the country had defied these odds to beat the global record in growth terms.

“Nigeria is a resilient econo-

my. MTN Nigeria came into the country in 2002 amid infrastructure challenges. It was not long, it started declaring profits in millions.

GZI, a can-manufacturing company, started with a total asset worth $14 million. Last year, the company was bought at over $400 million.

Banks are rebounding after the reforms, with some declaring huge profits.

“If government can raise 1,000 mega watts of power, the nation’s GDP will rise by 50 basis point in one year. We believe that Nigeria is leading the change in Africa and that is why we are committed to the capital market development.

“The investors cannot wait until everything is fixed, because they can bring the change by their activities. The economy is still growing despite the challenges and leading other world economies in growth. The truth is that the government has taken many steps to address these problems,” she added.

Moment of glory: Super Eagles’ Captain, Joseph Yobo (left); the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, (GCON) and Coach Stephen Keshi, during the presentation of the African Cup of Nations trophy to the business mogul…yesterday.

Benedict cites old age, steps down February 28 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 French President Francois Hollande said the Pope’s decision was “eminently respectable.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the Pope had worked “tirelessly” to boost ties with Britain.

Benedict, formerly Joseph Ratzinger, was the Catholic Church’s doctrinal enforcer for many years and earned the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.”

He was elected in 2005.

The guiding principle of his papacy has been to reinvigorate the Catholic faith, particularly among young people and in countries with rising levels of secularism like Europe and North America.

Benedict has championed Christianity’s European roots and showed his conservatism

by repeatedly stressing family values and fiercely opposing abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage.

Pope Benedict, who has looked increasingly weary in recent months and often has to use a mobile platform to move around St. Peter’s Basilica during church services, had hinted in a book of interviews in 2010 that he might resign if he felt he was no longer able to carry out his duties.

The scandal over confidential memos leaked from the Vatican by the Pope’s once loyal butler last year was a particularly hard blow for the Pope.

“The Pope caught us a bit by surprise,” Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, said at a hastilyarranged press conference.

Lombardi stressed that the Pope’s decision was his own and was “well thought out” and that “there is no illness that has contributed to it.”

He said the Pope had chosen a consistory to make his announcement because it would group cardinals together, adding that most of them had not been informed of the Pope’s announcement beforehand.

The only other Pope to resign because he felt unable to fulfil his duties was Celestine V in 1294, a hermit who stepped down after just a few months in office, saying he yearned for a simpler life and was not physically capable for the office.

In 1415, Gregory XII resigned in a bid to end the “Western Schism”, when two rival claimants declared them-

selves pope in Pisa and Avignon and threatened to tear apart Roman Catholicism.

Other popes have stepped down for a variety of reasons in the papacy’s mediaeval history.

A quarter of the cardinals that can elect a new pope are Italian. The last non-Italian Pope before Benedict, who is a German, and his Polish predecessor John Paul II was Adrian VI, who died in 1523.

Turkson, the head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace who is considered a progressive candidate, is among 18 Africans in the Vatican’s College of Cardinals.

Ouellet, a respected theologian who heads up the world’s bishops and is seen as a “modern conservative”, has also been frequently named in Vatican circles as a possible successor to Benedict.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

POPE BENEDICT XVI’s RESIGNATION

Shock, disbelief trail decision ORE reactions yesterday M greeted Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he will resign later this month as Catholic faithful in St. Peter’s Square reacted with amazement and emotion over the decision.

Hundreds of believers converged on the heart of the Roman Catholic Church after hearing the historic news, swelling the usual small huddles of tourists on an overcast and chilly winter day in Rome.

“I love Benedict. We’re really shocked he’s resigning because he wasn’t pope for long enough,” said Sebastian Mazur, a seminarian from Poland.

“He hasn’t finished his plan,” the 21-year-old said.

Father Aaron Melancon, a 43year-old priest from the United States (U.S.), said: “The news is quite shocking. We have love and affection for Pope Benedict. I loved his writing as a cardinal and as a pope. I loved the leadership under him.”

“He is the second pope in history to break the tradition and I am not in favour of this decision, but it is his own,” Melancon said.

Marta, a 38-year-old Spaniard on holiday in Rome with her husband, said: “It’s a really bad thing.”

Pope Benedict XVI

World Council of Churches lauds Pope From Kelvin Ebiri, Port-Harcourt HE World Council of Churches said it has accepted the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. The Council’s general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, in a statement made available to The Guardian expressed his appreciation for the Pope’s love and commitment to the Church and to the ecumenical movement.

“We have to respect the decision of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to resign,” Tveit said from New York yesterday where he is visiting the WCC office, adding “With deep respect I have seen how he has carried the responsibility and burden of his ministry in his advanced age, in a very demanding time for the church.”

He prayed God to bless the Pope in this moment and this phase of his life. In addition, the Council asked God to guide and bless the Roman Catholic Church in a very important time of transition.

Tveit said Pope Benedict knew the WCC well, referring to the time in the late 1960s and early 1970s when as a Professor of Theology at the University of Tuebingen, Germany, he was a member of the WCC Faith and Order Commission.

T

“He should have stayed for life, you can’t just leave when you want to,” she said.

Jennifer, 30, from Colorado in the U.S., said: “I was really shocked. In our media-dominated culture, It’s a unique challenge for the pope to be so available constantly so if he has lost some of his faculties, I guess he’s done the right thing.

“It’s sadder today than when pope John Paul II died because at least that was natural,” she said.

Others were more critical of Benedict’s pontificate.

“I wasn’t his biggest fan even though I’m German,” said Eric, a 40-year-old tourist.

“It’s an interesting time to resign, what with the child abuse scandal, I wonder if it was all just too much for him?”

Bart Vanhatten, 20, an Erasmus exchange student also from Germany, said: “I didn’t like him at all. I expected more from him, especially on homosexuality. I hope the next pope will be more progressive.”

Dorina, a 22-year-old Swiss woman on holiday, was equally hopeful for change in the Church.

“I hope that the next pope will be black, that would really make mentalities evolve,” she said.

‘He promised a lot, but delivered nothing’ GROUP representing vicA tims of child abuse in Catholic-run institutions in Ireland yesterday welcomed the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI after “he promised a lot but delivered nothing.”

Also, an Australian group representing the victims of sexual abuse has okayed Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, saying he had done little to stop “the reign of terror of child rapist priests,” a report said.

“This pope had a great opportunity to finally address the decades of abuse in the church but at the end of the day he did nothing but promise everything and in the end he ultimately delivered nothing,” John Kelly, of the Survivors of Child Abuse support group in Ireland, told Agence France Presse (AFP).

Ireland has been stunned by a series of revealing reports in recent years that lifted the lid on decades of child abuse suffered at the hands of religious members that stretches back

to the foundation of the state in 1922.

“We asked the pope for sanctions against the religious orders who committed the abuse and the religious leaders in Ireland who allowed this to happen but to our dismay nothing has happened,”

Kelly added.

Kelly himself spent most of his childhood living in Catholic-run institutions and recalls being flogged with a whip and having a religious brother standing on his hands.

Groups such as Survivors of

Child Abuse have repeatedly called on the Vatican to bring to justice priests found to have carried out abuse.

“The Church needs to acknowledge that all of this happened. They need to acknowledge that they allowed the devil inside and had him

reside there for 50 years,” Kelly said.

“The Church cannot move on. This pope’s tenure has been plagued by scandals and that will continue unless the pope addresses the root causes and that can only start from the top.”

Catholic secretariat, CAN, others hail action From Chris Irekamba (Lagos) and Joke Falaju (Abuja) HRISTIANS in Nigeria yesC terday reacted to Pope Benedict XVI plan to resign on February 28, 2013 as Director, Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr Ralph Madu, said the decision came to them as a surprise.

In the same vein, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the pope’s resignation was shocking to them, as he had impacted

positively on the Catholic Church and the Christendom in general.

Also, Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins said: “It came as a surprise to me that the pope plans to resign. Nobody was expecting it. However, he is the only one who knows himself. He knows the state of his health. He knows how he is feeling when he wakes up in the morning. If he has examined his mind and he is at peace with his conscience. I think its good for him and the church in

general.”

Madu told The Guardian that the pope felt that his health was deteriorating and he needed strength of mind and body to carry out his duties of being the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide.

He noted that the Pope’s resignation was not against the law of the Cannon 332, part 2, that says the pope was free to resign and the resignation should be fully manifest, that is he should be able to openly declare his intention without allowing people to speculate.

While advising Nigerian leaders to take a cue from the actions of the pope, he said, “this is a lesson to all of us, especially sit- tight leaders not to wait till their health completely deteriorates before stepping down from office.”

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, Oritsejafor prayed that the Catholic Church would have a successor that would match his positive attributes and carry on with his reforms and sustain the enviable Roman Catholic doctrine.

‘My strengths are no longer adequate...’

HAVE convoked you to this not only for Itheconsistory, three canonisations, but

also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine

Pontiff’s speech announcing exit ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance

for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted

to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on April 19, 2005, in such a way, that as from February 28, 2013, at 20:00

hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new supreme pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.

And now, let us entrust the

Holy Church to the care of our supreme pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the cardinal fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new supreme pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

6 NEWS

Umeh appeals court verdict removing him

Police deny killing MASSOB members

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka

HIEF Victor Umeh yesterday approached the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, seeking to set aside last Friday’s decision by an Enugu State High Court, which ordered his removal as the Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and sacked the entire National Working Committee (NWC).

Umeh also yesterday filed a motion on notice before the Enugu High Court praying for an order staying the execution of the February 8, 2013 judgment delivered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, in the suit brought against him by one Jude Okuli pending the determination of the appeal he instituted against the court’s verdict.

In the motion filed by his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), Umeh told the lower court that he had filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the lower court, which raised fundamental constitutional issues and questioned the competence/jurisdiction of the court to entertain and adjudicate on Okuli’s suit.

Umeh stated that Umezulike had made an order of injunction against him as the National Chairman of APGA as well as the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

ITING falsehood, the C Anambra State Police Command yesterday refut-

C

Catholics mark Ash Wednesday tomorrow ATHOLICS all over the C world will on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 mark this year’s Ash Wednesday, signifying the commencement of the 40-day Lenten Season.

According to Msgr. Gabriel Osu, spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, “Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten Season, a 40day period of penance, reflection and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

It is a period of conversion, self- denial, renewal, reconciliation, change and growth; it is about denying self for the life of others.”

A major hallmark of Ash Wednesday, Osu said, is the marking of the forehead of Catholic faithful with ashes, making the “sign of the cross” as a reminder of their sinful nature.

Senator Abdul Ningi (left), Senate President David Mark, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Adaku Onwuliri, on their arrival in Abuja from South Africa as delegation of the Federal Government to cheer the Super Eagles during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final match in South Africa… yesterday.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

ed allegations in some newspapers (not The Guardian) by the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) that some of the 19 corpses recovered at the Ezu River, Amensea, in the state, were murdered by its operatives.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ballah Nasarawa, at a press briefing said that MASSOB was making the allegation because the Command had succeeded in checking its excesses in the state.

MASSOB had petitioned the United Nations (UN) and President Goodluck Jonathan, alleging the gruesome murder of nine of its members by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Awkuzu, Anambra State.

Alao-Akala, Babalakin defend fraud, debt charges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 trial judge.

He also told the court to allow the accused to travel abroad at will for medical check-up, adding that the second trial judge, Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, had granted such leave to him.

The application for bail was not opposed by the prosecutor, Mr. Nelson Okedinachi, who subsequently requested for a trial date.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, in her ruling, allowed the accused to continue with the earlier bail granted by Mohammed.

She adjourned the case to March 11, 12 and 13 for trial.

The re-arraignment was due to the transfer of MurtalaNyako (the second trial judge) from the Lagos jurisdiction of the court.

Ofili-Ajumogobia became the third trial judge to handle the case.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bi-courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN on Monday filed a stay of execution before a Federal High Court against the interim order granted to Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke to seal the assets of Roygate Properties Limited owned by Babalakin.

The applicant seeks an injunc-

tion restraining the AMCON and the deputy sheriff of the court acting by themselves or through any of their agents from taking steps or actions to enforce the ruling of the court made on February 5, 2013 pending the hearing and determination of the applicants appeal against the sad ruling.

“An order of stay of all proceedings in this suit pending the hearing and determination of the defendants/applicants appeal against the ruling which granted motion ex-parte for injunctive reliefs filed in the suit by the plaintiff”, the applicant prayed.

In addition to the stay, the company also filed a notice of appeal before the Lagos division of Court of Appeal challenging the lower court ruling.

Filed on behalf of Roygate by Olawale Akoni SAN, the appellant said the lower court erred in law when it heard the experte motion to take possession of the appellants property without affording the appellant Te opportunity to be heard.

The appellant contends that the lower court failed to consider the unconstitutionality of section 49and 50 of the AMCON Act 2010 which was the basis for granting the motion experte sealing the appellant’s property and frozen its accounts.

“An ex-parte order of injunction is not unconstitutional provided that the nature of exparte orders envisaged are the ones that go with extreme urgency and only seek to maintain the status quo pending the time the respondents are put on notice and are giving the opportunity to be heared and not such an order as in the instant case, that empowers the respondent to take possession of the appellants property”, stated the appellant and prayed the appeal court to remit the case to the federal high court but before another judge.

Also, A former Kogi Central Senatorial candidate, Alhaji Abdulazeez Bello will soon be arraigned by the EFCC on charges of impersonation and forgery.

Bello, 49, was arrested recently by operatives of the State Security Services, SSS, at the Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Lagos, for allegedly impersonating the Director of Operations of the EFCC, Mr. Olaolu Adegbite.

On his part, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala who is currently standing trial for alleged financial misapproriation alongside two others have approached the appellate court to quash the charges levelled against him.

He, his erstwhile Commissioner for Local government and presently the Deputy Chief Whip in the Senate, Hosea Agboola and Ibadan businessman, Femi Babalola (a.k.a Jogor) were arraigned by the EFCC before an Ibadan High Court for misappropriating N11.5billion from the joint local government account.

But Alao-Akala through his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) brought a preliminary application seeking to quash the charges and an order that they have no case to answer.

But Justice Akintunde Boade dismissed the application saying the three accused persons have a case to answer.

Fani-Kayode was first arraigned in December 2008 before Justice Ramat Mohammed on the charge.

He pleaded not guilty, and Mohammed granted him N200 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Mohammed was subsequently transferred from the Lagos Division of the court.

The case was then taken over

by Murtala-Nyako, who again was transferred from the court. The EFCC said he committed the offence during his capacity as Minister of Aviation and Minister of Culture and Tourism respectively.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offence contravenes the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.

Babalakin also yesterday reacted to the alleged N13.9billion it owed AMCON which prompted the take over order, saying his company is rather have judgment creditor of N132billion.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we are not indebted to AMCON or any federal agency.

On the contrary, we have a judgment credit of N132billion in our favour. The courts have directed that if we owe any debt to the federal government, it should be deducted from this amount of money.”

He explained that the issue of the ownership of the property in question is before a Lagos High Court. “in the said court,

AMCON through its predecessor-in-title, GTB claimed that the property had been sold to a “Red Company” for N6.5billion. If as claimed under oath

by GTB/AMCON the property has been sold to a third party, how then was GTB able to transfer a property already sold to AMCON?” he queried, adding that the property is owned by Bunbury Limited and was never mortgaged to any bank which would warrant AMCON inheriting it.

He expressed sadness that AMCON was fully aware of the facts of the case before secretly obtaining an experte order from the federal high courts to take over the property, adding that even though there was a preliminary objection in the file disclosing all the pending suits and the reasons why the order could not be granted, the judge went ahead to hear the matter.

He described as inexplicable, the fact that even though AMCON did not disclose the address of the property, the Court erroneously granted its application.

On the strength of that order, AMCON had sealed off a high rise building on 43A, Afribank Street, Victoria Island.

Aneke had granted AMCON “interim possession of the property at 43A” Afribank Street, pursuant to a tripartite legal mortgage registered on October 14, 2010 between Roygate (the borrower), Stabilini Visinoni Ltd (surety/mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank (the lender.)

The court also granted AMCON similar possession over property at Plots 270 and 273 Trans Amadi Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and restrained Roygate, its directors, subsidiaries and sister companies from transferring or dealing with any of its funds in 20 banks listed in the application, or anywhere else up to the N13.5 billion allegedly owed by the company.

Justice Aneke also restrained the banks from allowing Roygate operate any bank accounts held by it in the banks.

The court ordered the banks to serve on AMCON lawyers, within seven days of the service of the order on them, an affidavit disclosing the respondent’s (Roygate’s) balance on accounts held with the said banks jointly and severally as at the date of the order.

Justice Aneke also ordered the Nigeria Police Force to assist in the enforcement of the orders, which he held, should subsist pending the determination of the substantive suit and subsequently set February 19 2013 as the return date.

In carrying out the orders of the court, AMCON used a detachment of armed policemen and bailiffs of the Federal High Court, Lagos on Friday evening to take possession of and sealed off Victoria Island property.

On Bello, an EFCC statement said: “Bello was at the hotel premises to further an advance fee fraud agenda targeted at Mrs Mercy Orji, wife of the Abia State governor, Mr. Theodore Orji. He reportedly posed as the EFCC’s Director of Operations with a fake identity card bearing the name of E. Adegbite.

“Reports from the SSS indicated that Bello was arrested on January 27, 2013 while negotiating with some aides of his would-be victim. He was later handed over to the EFCC for prosecution.

“At the EFCC’s office, the politician-turned conman said that he was working with certain Nelson Ndukwe and Chuks Offor, both aides of Mrs. Orji to perfect his nefarious agenda of swindling her. He confessed that he impersonated the EFCC’s Director of Operations.”

The statement quoted Bello as saying: “I’m sorry that I impersonated the Operations Director of the EFCC. I did it to be able to arrest Mrs. Orji’s assistants who are said to be working for her to launder money.

It was my first time of doing this. EFCC should help me out of this.”

At the resumed trial of AlaoAkala and others yesterday, counsel to the EFCC, Godwin Obla declared his readiness to go on with the trial but Fagbemi who led other senior advocates including Nathaniel Oke, Muhammed Usman and Bolaji Ayorinde for the accused persons informed the court of their pending appeal at the appellate court.

Fagbemi told the court that they had filed an appeal against the ruling which said their clients have case to answer in the matter.

Justice Boade who would be bowing out from the bench later in the year subsequently adjourned the matter till March 27.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

NEWS

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Judge’s absence stalls hearing in Newswatch suit

Ajimobi opens Secretariat-Bodija Bridge

By Joseph Onyekwere EARING in the suit filed by two minority shareholders of Newswatch Communications Limited challenging the acquisition of the media outfit by a businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, could not go on yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos owing to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba.

The judge was said to be at an AMCON-organised judges’ conference in Lagos. Hearing will start today.

The shareholders, who filed the suit, are Nuhu Wada Aruda and Prof. Jubril Aminu. They said they are representing minority shareholders of the media outfit.

Justice Buba had at the last sitting of the matter turned down their motion for interlocutory injunction seeking to stop further publication of Daily, Saturday and Sunday Newswatch Newspapers.

Instead, the court ordered an accelerated hearing into the suit, declining award of cost against the defendants.

OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi G of Oyo State yesterday opened the Secretariat-Bodija

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Nigerian Army is apolitical, says Ihejirika From Madu Onuorah, Abuja HIEF of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday asked Nigerians to help shield the military from political influence.

Stating that “the unity of this country is not one of those things to be negotiated”, the Army Chief added that “anybody who doesn’t like Nigeria can check out.”

He added: “The Nigerian Army has come a very, very long way. Those thinking of dismembering this country will have to first kill over 100,000 Nigerian Army officers and soldiers.”

He said the military, particularly the Army, should not be used to settle political scores “because the Army is apolitical.”

Reacting to reports of lopsided recruitment, promotions and postings in the Army, Ihejirika said during a press briefing and the opening of the first quarter Chief of Army Staff conference in Abuja, that “there is no ethnic or religious consideration in these routine exercises in the Nigerian Army. The motive of the writers appears to be to destabilise the Nigerian Army and negatively affect its cohesion, thereby creating chaos in the country.”

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Flight operations to commence at Obudu From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja N a bid to boost tourism and commerce in Obudu Resort and environs, arrangements have been concluded to commence regular flight operations at the Bebi Airstrip in Obudu, Cross River State, next month.

To this end, the state government has procured an AGR42 aircraft with the capacity to carry 54 passengers, which would be managed by Aero Contractors.

The Deputy Director, Tourism Development and Desk Officer for Obudu Cattle Ranch, Mr. Clement Anike, disclosed this yesterday when the delegation of the National Good Governance Tour inspected the airstrip. He said the state government is collaborating with the Federal Government to develop the Bebi Airstrip to facilitate easy assess to its tourist sites in line with the drive to boost the tourism potential of the state.

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Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Prof. Charles Onocha (left); Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala, at a meeting with UBEC management and contractors handling girl-child and almajiri school project in Abuja…yesterday

Minister assures Nigerians in Austria on justice over deportation From Oghogho Obayuwana (Abuja)and Bola Olajuwon (Lagos)

• Immigrants protest

INISTER of Foreign M Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, has assured

claimed that many Nigerians were displeased with the attitude of Nigerian Embassy officials following their refusal to see Nigerian communities in Vienna despite a letter written and signed by all the executives of Nigerian ethnic nationalities requesting their attention over the issue.

But the minister urged the petitioner and other Nigerians in Austria to be patient since the ministry was according the neccessary attention to cases of Nigerians in foreign countries.

According to him, the Federal Government signed agreements with countries Nigeria had diplomatic relations with to accord Nigerians on their territories due respects and that no Nigerian would be deported without the Nigerian embassies in those countries investigating their cases.

Although there are no Nigerian key figures in the on-going protests, reports indicate that the current crop of mostly Asian agitators are on the verge of exten-

Nigerians living in Austria without legal documents that their cases would be treated with due process by their host country in conjuction with the Nigerian Embassy before they may be deported.

Meanwhile, Ashiru’s assurance is coming on the heels of protests by immigrants in Austria who on Sunday began hunger strike to press for better deal.

Ashiru disclosed this on Sunday to The Guardian in a reaction to a petition written from Vienna, Austria, by a Nigerian, Uzoma Ahamefule.

Ahamefule had alleged that since the news that the minister plans to visit Austria in return for the similar diplomatic-related visit by his Austrian foreign affairs counterpart, Michael Spindelegger, to Nigeria last year June, tension has been very high among Nigerian communities in Austria.

Also, Ahamefule had also

The Federal Government signed agreements with countries Nigeria had diplomatic relations with to accord Nigerians on their territories due respects and that no Nigerian would be deported without the Nigerian embassies in those countries investigating their cases. ding fellowship beyond north African citizens to Nigerian nationals who are known to constitute a good number of African immigrants in Austria, including asylum seekers.

Besides, The Guardian learnt at the weekend that most diplomats in Vienna who are from countries of high immigrants supply, prodded by their home governments, have been taking proactive steps to ensure that the “Immigrants spring” does not generate negative ripples.

The protests in Austria is coming ahead of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisation (UNAOC) Summit by the end of this month, as well as the Refugee Congress billed for Munich, Germany, in early March this year.

Immigrants’ rights featured

Fuel scarcity hits Makurdi From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi LACK marketers are making brisk business in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as fuel scarcity has remained unabated in the city. This is coming on the heels of the recent sealing off of some petrol stations in the city by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for indulging in sharp practices.

Many filling stations were under lock and key while motorists besieged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Station on New Otukpo Road but were not attended to.

Consequently, hawkers of the product have cashed in on the situation, making brisk businesses by getting the product at night at agreeable rates and in turn, selling same

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Consequently, hawkers of the product have cashed in on the situation, making brisk businesses by getting the product at night at agreeable rates and in turn, selling same to members of the public at exorbitant rate of N250 as against the official government approved price of N97. to members of the public at exorbitant rate of N250 as against the official government approved price of N97.

The situation has also led to hike in transport fares.

Commercial motorcyclists now charge N100 instead of the usual N50, just as long queues persist at stations.

One motorcyclist, Moses Guve, told The Guardian that the government should hold filling stations’ owners responsible for causing the artificial scarcity of the product and for turning round to

sell same to black marketers at night to exploit the masses.

It would be recalled that during the recent monitoring and sealing of defaulting filling stations in Makurdi, leader of the team and Operations Controller (Technical) Makurdi Field Office, Abdulrahaman Bima, assured the public that DPR in the zone will not relent in its responsibility of maintaining standards, as well as sensitising all the operators on the need for safety and elimination of sharp practices.

prominently in the recentlyheld presidential elections in the United States (U.S.) and is polarising that nation as President Barrack Obama is in the process of embarking on a comprehensive immigration reform.

Bridge in Ibadan, with a pledge that his administration would put a stop to the wanton destruction of lives and property by flooding.

The bridge, which is in the heart of Ibadan, was one of the bridges washed away by the August 26, 2011, flood that claimed several lives and property in the state.

The bridge was also affected by the floods, which ravaged the city in 1964 and 1980 and had since been neglected by past administrations.

Ajimobi said the bridge, built at the cost of N485 million, is another testimony to his promise to better the lot of the people of the state.

He recalled the unfortunate incident of flooding, which severely washed away the water channel, disrupted the socio-economic lives of the people and caused untold hardship.

The governor, who re-christened the bridge “Restoration Bridge”, said immediately after the disaster, his administration set to work. “We began a systematic and aggressive exercise of widening water channels and dredging of rivers so as to allow for free flow of water.

“I am proud to announce that our vision of repositioning the state is being achieved daily as this government marches on.

“Many governors have passed through; some wanted to do it, time did not permit them.

Some also wanted to do it, but politics and other distractions did not allow them. Some others also wanted to do it; they dreamt about it, but they have now woken up from their sleep. Now, we dreamt about it, we woke up and we have actualised it,” he said.

The governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue on this path to ensure the full accomplishment of its mission.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

8 News

Nigerian VC gets top UNESCO job

Tinubu moves to save merger of parties, meets CPC’s faction From Ezeocha Nzeh (Abuja) and Abba Anwar (Kano) ETERMINED to ensure that D the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was agreed last week by the four merging political parties is successful, the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Tinubu, yesterday met with the leadership of the Rufai Hanga-led faction of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) towards resolving the lingering crisis in the party.

Meanwhile, the National Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the NorthWest Zone, Alhaji Abdallah Ibrahim, has described the APC creation to dislodge the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections as a dead on arrival effort and an exercise in futility that would not augur well for all the parties involved.

Tinubu’s meeting with the CPC’s faction, The Guardian gathered, was at the instance of the ACN’s leader, who met with his CPC counterpart, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to seek his permission after receiving a letter from the Rufai Hangaled group, which notified the merging team of the party’s pending court case, as well as being the authentic faction in possession of the CPC certificate of registration.

The merger committees of both ACN and ANPP, it was also gathered, insisted that the meeting was necessary after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hinted that it would not permit the registration of the APC if any of the merging parties fails to relinquish its certificate of registration to the commission.

Tinubu, who met with the CPC’s faction for about four hours at the Arewa Suites in Abuja, promised the leaders of the determination of the merger to accommodate their group, urging them not to only withdraw their case against both Buhari and the

Tony Momoh-led national leadership of the CPC, but release the CPC certificate of registration, which is under their custody so as not to derail the process of registering the newly formed APC by INEC. Speaking at the end of the meeting, Tinubu said he had fruitful deliberation with the group, adding that the essence of leadership in a political party is to carry everybody along.

“The meeting was a very good one, sweet. We met in the interest of our various objectives. To me, I am working in the interest of Nigeria and APC. I am a committed individual; we are in a committed group, surrounded by people of vision and great commitment. It will succeed; our rivals do everything to scuttle us. But as committed people, we are ready to make sacrifices. Leadership is about carrying people along and resolving conflicts with the right people that are motivated to do those things that are necessary for the progress of a nation. These are the things that we have achieved here today at this meeting,” Tinubu stated.

Leader of the factional CPC group, Rufai Hanga, who described the meeting as the beginning of peace in the CPC, noted that his group would be part of the merger and the newly formed APC. The AD leader made the observation at a press conference recently in Kano. He further observed that when people talk of merger, it simply means the parties involved were not tight to their principles. He queried that when ACN, ANPP and CPC merged what would be the fate of their party ideologies and principles.

According to him, what the North is looking for is not merger, but a true Nigerian leader that would take the region to the promised land “not minding from the political party or ethnic group such a leader comes from.” He said the smaller parties would field candidates with merger or no merger.

ROFESSOR Barth. N. Okolo, P Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar (left); Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Bade, on board one of the newly acquired naval war ships in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: ODITA SUNDAY

Govt plans fresh test on Third Mainland Bridge

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam and Wole Oyebade OLLOWING fresh fears of Ftheshifting and vibrations on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, the Federal Ministry of Works has announced plans to engage a consultant to urgently assess the entire bridge substructure to determine the nature of maintenance work required.

The consultant’s scope of works will include echo metric test to check the structural integrity of the piles in water and selected piles on land (total of 988 piles), including coring on selected piles, testing and chemical analysis and underwater inspection of 658 piles. Report of the inspection of foundation piles is expected to include appropriate recommendations.

A statement by the ministry refutes claim by Senator Gbenga Ashafa in a motion at the National Assembly that the bridge is not safe for motorists. He claimed that the repair works carried out on the bridge in the last quarter of last year was “a mere window dressing on the expansion joints.”

Besides, Senator Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East Senatorial district, which has some part of the 11.8 km bridge, fears an imminent

collapse citing findings of an investigation conducted by Head of the Concrete Structural Engineering Laboratory, Yousei University, Seoul Korea, Prof. J.H.T. Kim. Ashafa told reporters in Lagos yesterday that Kim came on research in December 2012 and conducted an underwater examination of the structures holding the bridge and reported that damage to the structure was worst than what he had been briefed.

He said the professors’ report, presented on the floor of the Senate last Thursday, indicated progressive steel caisson deterioration in about 1, 318 foundation piles and extensive reinforcement bar deterioration in eight piles.

The Director of Highways Design (Bridges), Federal Ministry of Works, Aniete Effiong, however, said “the ministry has taken proactive steps in line with its mandate to ensure that the Third Mainland Bridge, a very important infrastructure

investment of government, is protected and kept in an acceptable service state.”

According to him, a report was submitted in November 2012 and the major findings were that the visual underwater inspection, the nondestructive tests and coring campaign carried out on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos confirmed the adequacy of pile concrete quality.

Some degradation was observed particularly in the first few meters of pile shaft, with a consequence of 35 years of bridge life.

“Although serious steel casing corrosion was noticeable, it was pointed out that the steel casing has no structural function regarding pile bearing capacity, as they simply serve as formworks to the piles; no cases of total loss of piles, clearance between the pile and pile cap or other major anomalies were reported on the tested piles; and based on the results of the investigations, there is no evidence of immediate threat of failure of the pilings.”

been elected as the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of a United Nations (UN) agency for the next four years.

The election was held by members of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at the premier university. It was part of a series of events put together by the International Biotechnology Centre, UNESCO Category 2, to mark its inaugural conference.

Speaking during the election, leader of the foreign delegates to the conference and Executive Secretary, International Basic Sciences Programme, UNESCO Headquarters, Prof. Maciej Nalecz, explained that Okolo’s choice was as a result of the board’s belief in his ability to steer the ship to greater heights in biotechnological developments.

Nalecz re-affirmed the commitment of the world body to the nation’s drive for biotechnological advancement through training, research and modern tools, among others, stressing that the Centre would facilitate the expected related outcomes.

Members of the board at the meeting included Lucy Hoareau, Desk Officer for Biotechnology, UNESCO Headquarters; Prof. Iqbal Parker, Director-General (DG), ICGEB, South Africa; Prof.

Dinakar Salunke, Director, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, New Delhi, India; Dr. Chris Nwoguh, Health Protection Agency, Salisbury, United Kingdom) (UK and Prof. Tim Crick, University of Sheffield, UK. Others were Prof. Walter S. Alhassan, SABIMA Accra, Ghana; Prof. Phillippe Desmeth, President of world federation for culture collection (WFCC); Prof. Dafna Feinholz, Chief of Section-Bioethics, UNESCO Headquarters; and Dr. Chikelu Mba, FAO, Rome.

Jonathan meets Cameron, urges more trade with Africa From Tunde Oyedoyin, London RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has pushed for more trade with Africa during his meeting with the

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British Prime Minister at 10, Downing Street yesterday.

Jonathan asked Cameron to use his current position as leader of the G8 countries the world’s most advanced economies - to help in getting more trading opportunities for African economies.

Speaking with journalists before his closed door meeting with Cameron, Jonathan said “trade” with the world’s strongest economies is vital for the growth of countries on the African continent.

Cameron, on his part, commiserated with the President on the killing of some foreign medical practitioners by religious extremists recently.

According to Cameron, Britain and Nigeria have a “very close relationship” and “we want to make it closer.”

This is because it is mutually beneficial to both countries.

“It’s a relationship based on successful trade and investment and that is set to double,” Cameron said.

But he noted that the day’s business meeting was primarily about Mali and how the two countries can work together on the situation.

“Today, we will be talking about the situation in West Africa, in Mali and how Britain and Nigeria can work together.” He then expressed his sympathy to the President on the killing of foreign medical practitioners in Kano. “I also want to

express my sympathy and condolences for the murder of eight workers in Kano and the attack on some Koreans. We are committed to working with you to try to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.”

Responding, Jonathan thanked him for supporting Nigeria and Africa with development aid and efforts and also in tackling terrorism. After congratulating the British leader on his chairmanship of the G8, he then asked him to use the post in facilitating more trade between the G8 countries and African economies.

Jonathan also asked him to help Nigeria fight the war against oil theft, describing oil stolen from Nigeria and refined outside the country as “blood oil.”

Jonathan, who prior to meeting the British leader, met with the deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, also told Cameron that the ECOWAS troops in Mali would need the support of “great intelligence network assistance “ in order to prevent the rebels from making a comeback in Mali. After his 9.30 a.m. meeting at the Downing Street, President Jonathan left immediately for Paris, where he is expected to also table the same issues with the French President, Francois Hollande, before returning to Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Yero wants Muslims, Christians to co-exist in Kaduna From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna OVERNOR of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramallan Yero, has lamented the division of Kaduna metropolis along religious lines, saying that such development should cease as it encourages mutual suspicion.

The division of Kaduna metropolis into north and south, which made both Muslims and Christians to pitch their homes accordingly in their respective geographical location, was fuelled by the Sharia riots of year 2000 and other crises in the state.

In a statement issued by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor, while hosting the Inter-faith Mediation Group led by Pastor James Wuye, alongside foreign delegates in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, explained that “the metropolis is divided along, before and after the bridge, with residents always cautious when crossing to the other side, which is not healthy.”

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Okerenkoko threatens violence over bombed buildings From Chido Okafor, Warri GAIN, the Okerenkoko Federated Communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West council, yesterday issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Delta State Government to address the abandonment of the rebuilding of the community, which was destroyed in 2009 by the Joint Task Force (JTF) at the height of the Niger Delta militancy, or they would resort to confrontation and violence.

In a letter of protest to Delta State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Solomon Funkekeme, signed by their Chairman, Chief James Tangbowei, Vice Chairman, Comrade Monday Akpos Mieyefa, Secretary, Comrade Ernest Bebenimibo, and PRO, Mr. Joel Ekpebide, the Okerenkoko federated communities said the multi-billion naira project to rebuild the communities, which were awarded to Accelerated Building Technology (ABT) since 2009, after the JTF air bombardment that reduced the over 300 houses-community to rubbles, had been abandoned and the contractor demobilised from site.

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Justice Auta unveils AMCON practice direction for judges

By Joseph Onyekwere HE Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, yesterday unveiled the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Practice Direction 2013 for High Court judges at the second judge’s forum held in Lagos.

The event was facilitated by Olisa Agbakoba and Associates.

Auta explained that the practice direction would help judges to do justice to AMCON cases, adding that the seminar would help them smoothen all rough edges. He regretted that not all judges were handling AMCON cases.

According to him, all the judges in other divisions outside Lagos and Abuja are automatic AMCON judges when AMCON cases come before them. However, he added that efforts would be made to assign AMCON cases to other divisions of the court in order to lessen the burden on Lagos and Abuja.

Auta said the essence of the practice direction was to quicken the process of justice delivery.

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NEWS 9

Seven suspects arrested for attack on Kano Emir From Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja) and Abba Anwar (Kano)

‘Suleja bomb suspects have case to answer’

ECURITY operatives in Kano Ssuspects State have arrested seven who were involved in

point along Sabuwar Gandu

by Mobile Policemen. He voluntarily confessed to have participated in the attack on the emir‘s convoy and so many other co-ordinated attacks in the state.”

The commissioner revealed that the suspect confessed that he was involved in the attack and killing of policemen at Yan Awaki Quarters, Tishama, Kwanar Freedom, and burning of primary schools at Gayawa and Sharada by Yahaya Gusau, among others.

“He also mentioned the members of his sect, who participated in and facilitated the attack, other terrorist activities and armed robbery in Kano State,” the commissioner said.

The suspect, Sani, confessed

the attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, on January 19, after the first suspect that was arrested provided useful information that led to the arrest of six more suspects.

In a press briefing in his office yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Ibrahim K. Idris, disclosed that immediately after the attack on the emir, police received a distress call and operatives were immediately mobilised to the area and cordoned the place where the event took place.

According to him, the first suspect, “Adamu Sani, who hails from Tofa council of Kano State, was intercepted and arrested at a nipping

that he was “recruited into the terror group by Mallam Salisu Mohammed of Unguwa Uku Quarters and the Chief Imam of Filin Cashew Mosque, Mallam Sharif Mohammed Ghali.” He further confessed that these people usually ordered them to go for jihad and anybody who decides to pull out from the way of jihad would be killed.

According to the suspect, they hold meeting at Malam Salisu Mosque after Isha’i prayers before subsequent attack on any target chosen

by Salisu and Ghali. In another revealing confession, Sani maintained that he was with Mubarak Sani, a student of Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, on his motorcycle for

Family sues Bianca over Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s firm’s property

By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE Adedayo Oyebanji of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, yesterday said he would on March 25 hear the suit filed by Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) against Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the widow of the late Biafran leader, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, over a two-storey detached house located at No.29, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos. The firm is suing for N140 million.

In the suit, OTL is also demanding payment of N40 million being expected rentable value per annum on the said premises from September 27 until the defendant (Bianca) gives up possession of the property. The claimant, represented by one of its directors, Dr. Ike Ojukwu, is also asking for N100 million as damages from the widow of the late Biafran leader.

At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, counsel to the claimant (OTL), Chief George Uwechue (SAN), informed the court that the defendant (Bianca) was served with court processes. However, Bianca Ojukwu has not filed a defence against the suit, neither was she represented in court.

The claimant, in its statement of claim, stated that by a letter of attorney dated May 4, 2012, it appointed Mr. Massey Udegbe of Massey Udegbe & Co as its agent to manage the property in dispute. The claimant added that the said property was earlier occupied by one of its directors, Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, who had since relocated to Enugu State over 10 years ago.

It added that the said property was left in a dilapidated and unsafe condition before it was handed over to the managing agent of the claimant, Massey Udegbe & Co. The claimant added that by a letter dated July 19, 2012 with reference number MUC/MAN.OTL/222, the managing agent informed Bianca of his appointment and requested her to hand over physical possession of the property, but she allegedly refused.

The claimant stated that it published public notices in several newspapers to ensure that the general public and in particular the occupiers of any of its property were aware of its appointment of Massey Udegbe & Co as appointed managing agent. It added that its solicitor also filed a notice

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of owner’s intention to recover possession of the property, yet Bianca allegedly refused to release the property.

The defendant’s continued illegal detention of the property, it further added, was seriously affecting the operation of its business.

In another suit filed against occupiers of a property situated at 13, Ojora Road, Ikoyi (for-

merly Hawksworth Road), the claimant is also asking for another sum of N40 million, being the expected rentable value per annum on the said premises from September 27 until the defendant (Bianca) gives up possession of the property as well as N100 million damages against the widow of the late Biafran leader.

the attack on the Emir, and that “the firearms used for the operation were all in possession of Malam Salisu Mohammed.”

He regretted that immediately after the attack on the emir, he and Mubarak were escaping from the scene to any safe place before the police intercepted them, and “Mubarak escaped with the firearms before I was later arrested by detectives, who trailed me to Malam Salisu’s house at Unguwa Uku Quarters.”

According to the Kano Police Commissioner, “the suicide bomber at the scene of the attack on the emir made a dying declaration. He identified himself as Idris Talba, an indigene of Borno State, residing at Shagari Quarters.”

Eight more persons were declared wanted by the police authorities in the state: the Imam of Filin Cashew Mosque and the spiritual leader guiding their actions, Malam Sharif Mohammed Ghali, Jigawa State-born Babangida Baba Salihu, who was an official of National Hajj Commission from Jigawa State in 2010, as well as a trader in Sabon Gari Market and co-ordinator of almost all the attacks in Kano, and Ibrahim of Hadejia local council of Jigawa State.

Others declared wanted by the police were Adamu from

Jigawa State, Alhaji Ali Na’ibawa, an Islamic scholar living at Na’ibawa quarters, Alhaji Ali Unguwa Uku, Habibu Gwammaja, an Islamic scholar living in Gwammaja Quarters, and Salmanu from Jigawa State, who was the sect’s armourer.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, yesterday declared that six suspected Boko Haram members accused of carrying out multiple bombings in parts of Abuja and Suleja have a case to answer. The six suspects, Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar BabaganaUmar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim, who are being tried over a fivecount charge, had filed a nocase application on the claim that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

Delivering her verdict on the application, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu dismissed the no-case application and held that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the suspects. Justice Aliyu ruled: “After going through all the arguments, it must be noted at this point that the court is to look at all the evidence presented to decide if they are enough to establish a prima facie case against the accuse persons in order to warrant them to enter a defence. “

Southern Cameroons seeks implementation of verdict on self-determination

By Bertram Nwannekanma HE citizens of Southern Cameroons, through their counsel, Okoi Obono-Obla, have written to Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), urging the Federal Government to immediately comply with the Consent Judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/30/2002 of March 25, 2002, delivered by the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Roseline Ukeje, which was in their favour.

The peoples of Southern Cameroons, represented by Dr. Kevin Ngwang Gumni, Augustine Feh Ndangam, Chief Ette Otun Ayamba, Prof.

Victor Mlkwele Ngoi, Dr. Martin Ngeka, Nfot Ngala Nfor, Hitler Mbinglo, Dogbima Henry, K Mundam, Simon Ninpa, Shey Tafon, Paul Yiwir and Isaac Sona, had sued the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the suit, the plaintiffs, through their originating summons, urged the court to determine whether the Union envisaged under the Southern Cameroon Plebiscite 1961 between La Republique du Cameroun and Southern Cameroons legally took effect as contemplated by the relevant United Nations Resolutions, particularly the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1352 (XIV) of October 16, 1959, and United Nations Trusteeship Council Resolution 2013 (XXIV) of May 31, 1960.

They also want the court to determine whether the termination by the Government of the United Kingdom of its trusteeship over the Southern Cameroon on September 30, 1961, without ensuring prior implementation of the constitutional arrangements under which the Southern Cameroons and La Republique du Cameroun were to unite as one federal

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state, was not in breach of Articles 3 and 6 of the Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of the Cameroons under British administration as approved by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 1946, the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 1352 of October 16, 1959, 1608 of April 2, 1961, the United Nations Trusteeship Council Resolution 2013 (XIV) of May 31, 1960, and Article 76 (b) of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Southern Cameroons also wants the court to determine whether the assumption of sovereign powers on October 1, 1961, and the continued exercise of same by the government of La Republique du Cameroun over Southern Cameroon after the termination by the government of the United Kingdom of its trusteeship over the territory was legal and valid when the union between Southern Cameroons and La Republique du Cameroun contemplated by the Southern Cameroon Plebiscite 1961 had not legally taken effect.

Other issues the plaintiffs want the court to resolve in the suit include: Whether the peoples of Southern Cameroons are not entitled to self-determination within their clearly defined territory separate from La Republique du Cameroun, and whether it is the Southern Cameroons and not La Republique du Cameroun that shares a maritime boundary with the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

But the Federal Government of Nigeria then sued for an out-of-court settlement, which led to the delivery of the consent judgment dated March 25, 2002, based on the agreement reached by the parties.

The consent judgment directed the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take any measure, as may be necessary, to place the case of the peoples of the geographical entity known as

at October 1, 1960, as Southern Cameroons, for self determination before the United Nations General Assembly and any other relevant international organisation.

However, after waiting in vain for the implementation of the verdict, the Southern Cameroons, in the letter dated January 27, 2013, and served on the Attorney General on February 8, 2013, urged the

Federal Government of Nigeria, in the spirit of respect and adherence to the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism especially the authority and integrity of the judicial branch of government - to take immediate steps to ensure compliance by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the terms/directives contained in the said consent judgment/order.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

10 WORLD REPORT

Pope Benedict XVI’s Planned Resignation

The making of a diehard traditionalist HEN Pope Benedict XVI W finally resigned by the end of this month, he will be remembered as a staunch defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy, a diehard traditionalist and a lightning rod for controversy.

The German intellectual known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger succeeded the long-reigning and popular John Paul II in April 2005 at the age of 78 after serving nearly a quarter-century as the church’s doctrinal enforcer, earning himself the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.”

The 85-year-old, who blamed his age for preventing him from continuing at the head of the papacy, will be the first pope to do so in centuries.

The outgoing Pope‘s hardline approach, his nationality and his age were all seen as handicaps to his becoming pope, Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated. But he had famously said in a 2010 interview that he would resign if he felt he could no longer carry out his papal duties.

As head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and then as pope, he rejected the ordination of women and marriage for priests. He opposed homosexuality and communism and was never afraid of upsetting political sensibilities.

In 1984, he said “communist regimes which came to power in the name of the liberation are one of the disgraces of our times.”

Ratzinger has also attacked rock music, calling it “the expression of basic passions”.

As pope, Benedict championed Christianity’s European roots and showed his conservatism by repeatedly stressing family values and fiercely opposing abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage.

He also reintroduced the long-discarded Latin mass under certain conditions.

Above all, Benedict will be remembered for a disastrous public relations record that

got him into hot water with Muslims, Jews, gays, native Indians, Poles, AIDS activists and even scientists.

Memories are still fresh of the fury the German pope unleashed in the Muslim world with a speech in September 2006 in which he appeared to endorse the view of an obscure 14th-century Byzantine emperor that Islam is inherently violent.

The academic lecture sparked violent protests in several countries as well as attacks on Christian targets.

In 2009, the pope struggled to mollify Jews after he invited a breakaway ultra-conservative faction back into the fold of the Roman Catholic Church by lifting the excommunication of four bishops, including one who insists that no one died in Nazi gas chambers.

Just weeks later, Benedict added AIDS activists to the list of groups he has angered.

On a trip to Africa, the region hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic, he said that condom use could be aggravating the crisis.

Born on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, in the predominantly Catholic southern German region of Bavaria, he was the son of a policeman.

Ratzinger gravitated gradually towards the priesthood, entering a seminary in 1939, the same year he was required to join the Hitler Youth movement.

He was ordained priest at the same time as his older brother, Georg, in 1951, and began teaching theology at Freising College in 1958.

Ratzinger went on from there to teach at several other German universities, notably in Bonn, Meunster and Regensburg.

The brilliant scholar caught the eye of Cologne Archbishop Joseph Frings, a cardinal who brought him to Rome to work as an adviser to the Second Vatican

Pope Benedict Council, hammering out modernisation reforms from 1962 to 1965.

Pope Paul VI named Ratzinger archbishop of Munich in 1977 and made him a cardinal the same year.

The German intellectual known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger succeeded the long-reigning and popular John Paul II in April 2005 at the age of 78 after serving nearly a quarter-century as the church’s doctrinal enforcer, earning himself the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.”The German intellectual known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger succeeded the long-reigning and popular John Paul II in April 2005 at the age of 78 after serving nearly a quarter-century as the church’s doctrinal enforcer, earning himself the nickname “God’s Rottweiler.”

The four-year stint in Munich was his only real pastoral experience before he became pope.

It was during the 1978 conclave of cardinals to elect a successor to Paul VI that Ratzinger got to know Karol Wojtyla, the future John Paul II. Three years later, he agreed to head the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation.

One of his first moves was to spearhead opposition to liberation theology, the movement with Marxist overtones that swept Latin

America in the 1970s.

It focuses on Christ as the liberator of the oppressed and emphasises the Christian mission of bringing justice to the poor and oppressed, particularly through political activism.

A quiet, almost shy person, Benedict never succeeded in generating the fervour enjoyed by John Paul II. Instead, he shunned rock star status, once describing himself as “just the vicar” at the Roman Catholic Church’s periodic World Youth Days.

The Polish pope was greeted

with enthusiasm bordering on hysteria at these events, and he did little to dampen down the adulation, to the consternation of some in the Church hierarchy.

The intellectual Benedict, an accomplished pianist, was a prolific writer.

Apart from three encyclicals, or instructions to the Roman Catholic flock, he wrote around 40 other works including a best-seller, “Jesus of Nazareth,” that contested political interpretations of Christ’s role.

…Leaving behind a church grappling with crises ESPITE his reputation as a D staunch defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy, Pope Benedict XVI will leave behind a Catholic Church grappling with crises from child abuse scandals involving priests to confronting radical Islam as well as struggling to find its place in an increasingly secular Western world.

The German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who will step down at the end of this month after an eight-year pontificate, was elected pope on April 19, 2005 at a time when anger at clerical abuse was at its height in parts of Europe and North America, shaking the faith of many ordinary Catholics.

In 2008, he became the first pope to express “shame” over the abuse and to meet victims.

But he was criticised for failing to realise the scale of the problem during his previous 24-year career as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the main doctrinal body of the Church, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).

Widely seen as an ultra-conservative, the first German pope in history has proved in many ways more flexible and modern than his Polish predecessor.

He was the first pope to speak about the possibility of using a condom, although only in the very specific case of a sex worker with AIDS. In a book of interviews that came out in 2010 entitled “Light of the World,” he said this could be a first step towards a “more humane sexuality”.

He has also avoided giving

moral lessons and has spoken – often in a very personal way – on matters of faith.

Benedict focused his papacy on restoring the Catholic Church’s identity, improving the coherence of its message and pushing for a respectful dialogue with other faiths and with atheists.

He has seen himself as a source of stability amid lingering uncertainties following the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s and the pontificate of John Paul II, which was marred by the late pope’s long illness and his hugely conservative outlook.

Benedict had began stamping his authority on the church even before becoming pope.

As pope, he preferred to be surrounded by prelates who were loyal to the faith and he was always distant from the

intrigues of the Curia, which eventually caught up with him last year.

The “Vatileaks” scandal in which hundreds of confidential papal memos were leaked to the press by his once loyal butler, Paolo Gabriele, revealed serious tensions in the Vatican, particularly between conservatives and progressives, advocates of transparency and of secrecy.

A reserved man, people who have met him say Benedict is attentive and hospitable in person.

He has been keen to communicate through new media, becoming the first ever pope with a Twitter account.

He has said he believes the Church will be marginalised if it does not keep up with the times.

At the same time, he has also said Christianity will only

The “Vatileaks” scandal in which hundreds of confidential papal memos were leaked to the press by his once loyal butler, Paolo Gabriele, revealed serious tensions in the Vatican, particularly between conservatives and progressives, advocates of transparency and of secrecy. remain credible in the modern world if it is demanding.

A smaller and more confident Church is preferable to a vague community of faith, he has said.

Concerning internal reforms, he has ruled out any change on the rule of priestly celibacy.

He also opened the door to conservative Anglicans opposed to the ordination of women and gay people.

At the same time, he increased dialogue with Orthodox believers and with

Protestants.

Initially shunned by Muslims over some misunderstood and controversial comments linking the religion to violence, he multiplied his appeals in recent years for a peaceful coexistence between the world’s two great monotheistic religions.

He has, however, been less of a diplomat than his predecessor John Paul II, calling for greater openness in China and peace in the Middle East with little tangible effect.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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Politics Why councils must have autonomy, by President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) told KELVIN EBIRI in Port Harcourt that the discord on critical issues on the proposed review of the 1999 Constitution between the National Assembly and some critical stakeholders is an indication that the process lacks the synergy to produce a people’s constitution. He canvassed the financial autonomy of councils and opposed the creation of states. Excerpts: HAT does it mean to have a peoples’ W constitution and do you think the ongoing effort to review of the 1999 constitution would produce a peoples’ constitution?

Is this just constitution amendment or the review of the 1999 Constitution? A look at the volume of amendments they are proposing suggests a review of the constitution. At the Bar, we said that the primary problem with the 1999 Constitution is the preamble, “we the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The people did not make that constitution. If they want to review that constitution, the first thing is to set up the mode of reviewing the constitution so they can give it some legitimacy. The 1999 Constitution carries a legitimacy burden in its claim that “we the people of Federal Republic of Nigeria” produced it.

We know that the military produced the 1999 Constitution.

How do we get the people involved? We don’t necessarily need to call a conference, but we think that the average Nigerian should be given the opportunity to participate in reviewing this constitution. And it is only through a referendum that they can all participate. The lawmakers have argued that the constitution does not say that there should be a referendum, but the provisions of the constitution make for amendments, it talks about the number of representatives in National Assembly that will vote, it does not say anything about the methodology of amending the constitution.

The Constitution is even silent on the public hearings and the meeting with the meeting in the 360 federal constituencies. They can add the referendum to the list of the rules of the house that allows them to make decisions on how they should carry out the business of the house.

We had asked if this is not just an amendment, this appears like a total review. We have also had situation where they say if Nigerians want a referendum, so be it. We need to amend the constitution and insert it there. We have said that with the way the constitution is today, we don’t have to. But if you insist that referendum should be in the constitution, I will say we don’t have to.

By the same power in which they spent money in 360 federal constituencies, they can do the same by organising a referendum.

They argue that it was open for all to come.

I want to know how many people they met in the constituencies. Every federal constituency has an average of 200 polling units and in a federal constituency that has 200 or 300 polling units, you decide to go to one venue to meet with people, do you think it will be enough to accommodate everybody in that constituency?

The NBA had noted when this process of amendment was started that the modalities were not clear and it is showing. We were further vindicated when they said that there were alterations and that the reports have been tampered with. If they want to amend or review the constitution, there should be guidelines on how it will be conducted. The Federal Government had set up

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the Justice Belgore committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution. The committee submitted its report but there is no White Paper on that report and the process is being concluded. What was the point in setting up that committee? There is no synergy, and this is the problem.

Financial autonomy for the councils has become contentious. Should councils be given autonomy?

The constitution recognises the council as the third tier of government. If the constitution has created it, does it create it a room for somebody to control the finances of the council? Should we ask whether states should have financial autonomy? There are reports of council allocations being tampered with in many states. We must respect institutions; we should build institutions and make them work. Some governors complain that the council chairmen are not up to it. Does the fact that some states are not performing justify that we should scrap states? Should we say that because the National Assembly is not doing well, then we should scrap it?

Countries in advanced democracies respect and appreciate their council system. In London, the average resident of the city is more familiar with the Mayor of London than with the Prime Minister. In New York, the concern of an average New

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Yorker is the Mayor of New York and there are instances where a Mayor is as popular as the president. That is the power of the council system because it is the system that brings government closest to the people.

The argument that council chairmen are not up to can be traced to how they were elected. Many states do not have elected council officials because governors think that the councils are appendages of the government. They appoint caretaker committees and the governor rules a state for eight years without conducting council election.

This is a problem. What we are passing through is the effect of military rule.

If elections are conducted properly and good people get elected, they will run the councils properly. It is sad that when the governors fail to conduct council elections and pick people as chairmen, they turn round to say that the people are not up to it.

Maybe we should scrap any state where a governor is not up to it. Elect the proper people; allow the process to run, they will make mistakes and learn; that is democracy. The time has come when we can have a man who has held a top government position run as council chairman just to serve his people, to bring his experience to bear on his people. That is the system we are overlooking.

Do you think that the National Assembly

We must respect institutions; we should build institutions and make them work. Some governors complain that the council chairmen are not up to it. Does the fact that some states are not performing justify that we should scrap states? Should we say that because the National Assembly is not doing well, then we should scrap it?

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should create more states?

No. Some states are not fit to be councils.

They cannot sustain themselves and that is why they go to Abuja to fight. We don’t need more states; we need to empower the councils so that they can get to the people. You cannot get to the people from the Government House.

Where do you stand on this never-ending debate on whether there should be a dialogue between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect?

We cannot underestimate the problems that come with security in any country. At the NBA Peace and Security Summit, we said that doubtful as the motives might be, the government should give dialogue a chance.

There is nothing to lose by giving it a trial. If it works, to God be the glory. We believe that the government should talk with whoever is willing to talk. We believe it is progress whether it is real or not. It is progress because for the first time some tendencies within the Boko Haram sect declared ceasefire. We have had some problems amid this ceasefire, but even at that, we believe government should give peace a chance. Dialogue is the right thing to do.

The outcome of the talks will determine what will happen. It is a difficult situation considering the magnitude of lives lost and properties destroyed. But it might be wrong to start giving preconditions for the discussions; everything should be on the table.

Where do you situate the outrage that has trailed the light sentence passed by the Judge in the pension funds case?

Criminals have moved faster and the law is far behind them. We need to look at our laws. The present Penal Code is an ordinance of 1916. In three years time it will be 100 years old. The crimes that we have today were not contemplated when that law was made. We keep addressing personalities and not problems. When that sentence was passed, people attacked the judge and it is possible we have problems in the judiciary with stories of judges getting compromised, but that is not the problem. The problem is more than the judge. In any case before a court, there is investigation, prosecution and defense before the judgment is made.

These three steps, will determine what the judge will do. Often, the hands of the judges are tied. If a case is properly investigated or prosecuted, the judge will find little or no room to maneuver. Those that took the pension funds case to court perhaps failed to see in the charge brought against the man that the penalty is maximum imprisonment of two years. If that is what the charge states, then there is nothing the judge can do. Stealing in the Criminal Code is not two years, but the man was charged under the Penal Code. Two years imprisonment for a crime like that will spur a lot of people to go and steal and spend a year in prison. The problem is beyond the judge. Blame the law and not the judge. The law is weak. This is the kind of offence that should put a man away for life.

There is a lot to be done and the National Assembly needs to get more focused on this.

I think that the National Assembly has set aside critical things that they ought to be addressing. Recently, they moved a motion that the Director General of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) should be removed. I believe that there are more important national issues than that.

The NBA has a committee that interfaces with the National Assembly and the association has sent in bills but they are there hanging. We will send more. We are determined to work on these matters at the risk of being accused of interfering. At one time, the NBA sent in a bill but the bill was put aside because a member of the House had sent in a private member bill. They even refused the bills to be harmonised. We are partners in progress and not contestants.

They are elected to make laws but we understand the law better. Some of them are lawyers but they are not in practice. We do the business of law, so we have more time to work on the laws that support and assist

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

TheMetroSection Family petitions IGP over son’s murder

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The young man’s name had allegedly been linked to a series of anti-social acts including rape, snatching of bags/handsets, kidnap murder and armed robbery.

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From Chuks Collins, Awka HEN the 25- year-old Accountancy University of Nigeria (UNN) graduate, who was also a native of Obosi in Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State, offered to drop off his mother, Blessing Anekwu, in her office on December 5, 2012, little did he know he would meet his waterloo.

Obiese Anekwu did not know that despite being a recent guest at the Criminal Investigation Department of the state Police command, where he was detained and later released on bail, he was still under watch.

So, a few metres away from their Ireh village, Obosi home, on their way to Nkpor Junction, he was shot dead, his mother seriously wounded, while their vehicle, a Toyota RAV 4 (SUV), was riddled with bullets.

His heartbroken father, Ikechukwu Anekwu, admitted he initially thought it was the handiwork of kidnappers or hired killers. But a few days after searching for him, he was told he was in the custody of the SSS in Awka. He also admitted that an encounter with the state Director of the SSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, unfortunately confirmed his worst fears that his son died during the Nkpor encounter.

A bitter Anekwu then went to take care of his equally fatally injured wife.

Narrating his pains to journalists who sought to know what really happened, Anekwu said his residence was a few weeks earlier invaded around 2.00a.m. by some men, who had asked him to

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The late Obiese

produce his son, or they would pull down the house.

“That though very agitated, he managed to tell them that his son was not at home and that he did not know where he was.

“He was also informed that a certain high calibre Ak47 assault rifle was ‘captured’ during a recent communal clash between Obosi and Nkpor communities, which was allegedly under the custody of his son, Obiesie.

“That after several failed demands and representations to him to hand it over, it had become imperative to recover it

by force.

The father said he denied being aware of the issue but promised to intervene.

The officers left, but promised to return.

Anekwu confirmed that consequently, he visited the Obosi traditional ruler, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (111) where he narrated his encounter and his discussion with the officers.

Following series of petitions before and after the death of his son, dated Nov 12, 2012 and Dec 13, 2012 to the Inspector General of Police, by Mr. Anekwu, the IGP sent a special investigative team from Police Headquarters to interrogate sus-

pects including SSS men and the monarch.

But Okeiyi told reporters that the late Anekwu was a notorious gangster and bandit who had been on the watch list of security agencies in the state, “until he fell to the superior of my men…”

In his reaction, Igwe Iweka confirmed the visit of Anekwu, but was quick to point out he told him to impress on his son to hand over the rifle to law enforcement agents. That he was out to rid the community of bad eggs. More so, that the young man’s name had allegedly been linked to a series of anti-social acts including rape, snatching of bags/handsets, kidnap, murder and armed robbery.

That he appealed to the father who incidentally is one of his relations to ensure he was handed in.

The monarch also linked the continued criminal activities in the community to the presence of regrouping of the disbanded members of the Adike Peace Foundation (APF), a notorious gang underground group, which comprises meat sellers, bus-conductors, okada riders and other jobless youths in the community in their large numbers.

Iweka thanked Gov Peter Obi immensely for outlawing the group. He called on all peace-loving citizens to join hands with him to rebuild the community to its hitherto enviable position, that according to him, was the pride of all.

Anekwu told reporters that he would continue the struggle for justice for his son until someone listens and something was done. That he has taken the battle to the National Assembly.

Police sources disclosed that the investigation had been concluded and the special team from the Force Headquarters had gone back with their findings and would be made public soon.

Abuja plans 1,500 houses for Centenary village From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has earmarked a plot of land to construct 1,500 houses for the Abuja Centenary Village as part of efforts to up scale its Social Housing Scheme in the territory.

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, made the disclosure in Abuja while receiving the Polish Deputy Marshal, Region of Wielkopolska, Poland, Mr. Leszek Wojtasiak who led a business delegation to his office at the weekend.

The minister also said although the houses would be built to commemorate the 100 years of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate of

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Nigeria by the British colonialists, the unit of houses would help to address the housing needs of the territory.

Mohammed stated that the FCT administration has unbundled land administration in the territory, which, according to him, has been opened for full participation of the Organized Private Sector, consortiums as well as other foreign investors.

He said: “The unbundling of land has culminated to the Abuja Land Swap Model initiative where about 13 investors are already partnering with the FCT Administration to open up about 10 new districts by providing infrastructure and recouping their investment from the sales of such

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed land.”

The minister called for closer collaboration with the Polish government as well as its crème of businessmen through the Abuja Investment Company Lim-

ited (AICL) and the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC) for the mutual benefit of both nations.

His words: “The FCT administration has opened its doors to all genuine investors in consonance with the vision of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his Transformation Agenda, which has been rewarded with direct foreign investment of over 6.6 billion US Dollars (about N1.086Trillion) into the Federal Capital Territory, including the sum of 2.6 billion US Dollars foreign direct investment for the Abuja Town Centre Development and over 1 billion US Dollars now being expended on the on-going construction work at the Abuja World Trade Centre”.

He further called for bilat-

eral relation with the capital city of Poland, Warsaw, to share experiences especially in city management.

Earlier, Polish Deputy Marshal Region of Wielkopolska, Poland, Mr. Leszek Wojtasiak appreciated the warm reception accorded the business delegation.

Mr. Wojtasiak, who spoke through an interpreter, acknowledged the aesthetic beauty of the FCT especially in the area of planning as well as management; adding that the delegation was particularly impressed with the infrastructural development and the road network in the city.

He said the delegation was in Nigeria, especially Abuja to rub minds and find areas of collaboration and partnership.

Briefs Meadow School trains young graduates

By Tony Nwanne TRAINING programme designed by Meadow Hall School, to assist fresh graduates to acquire more skills in their chosen career has begun.

Taggged Graduate Teacher Trainee Programme, it is a three-month teachers training and development programme for young graduates who are passionate about the teaching profession, regardless of their first academic discipline.

The program is a Corporate Social Responsibility project for Meadow Hall and comes at no cost to the graduates.

The Director of the School, Kehinde Nwani, stated noted that the programme’s objectives “is to instill professionalism in teaching by providing the required training for new entrants into the teaching field, thereby equipping trainable young entrants into the profession with the latest developments and international best practice for effective teaching and learning.”

According to Nwani, “Attracting into the teaching profession dynamic individuals who will acquire workplace and professional values to impact on children and ultimately, the nation is our major priority, and they will be trained by an international educational institution with best practice teaching tools, environment and methodologies”.

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Special service at Miracle Centre Feb. 27 HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Miracle Centre will on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 hold its monthly Jacob Service at 6.00pm. at 19, Bello Folawiyo Cresent, off Ikosi Road, by Mr. Biggs, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos.

Host is Pastor A. D. Doherty.

Israel Akilo dies at 81 Israel Babafemi Akilo PHeAhaswas, died at the age of 81. at different times, a teacher, a principal and a politician.

A Christian wake holds on Thursday, February 21, at his residence, G6, Ise Oluwa Lane, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, while funeral service holds at St. John's Anglican Church, Ido-Ekiti, on Friday, February 22 to be followed by interment. follows immediately.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, children and grand children, including Mr. Tunde Akilo, Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Works and Transportation; Toyin; Shade; Akin; Biodun; Ayo and Tope.

Court remands two in prison over killing of 16-year-old boy

By Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo AGISTRATE’S Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday remanded two young men, Dare Adekunle and Ismaila Bankole, in prison custody for allegedly killing one 16-year-old Ikechukwu Ijeoma during a robbery operation.

The duo and others now at large, were charged on a one-count charge bordering on robbery and murder brought against them by the Nigeria Police.

The Police Prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadime, said

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Adekunle and Bankole conspired together to commit felony and armed robbery at No 1, Tinomi Street, Ipaja area of Lagos.

Uwadime told the court that the defendants and others committed the offence on January 14, 2013.

Adekunle and Bankole were said to be armed with pistol and locally -made long barrel gun, with which they robbed one Boniface Ijeoma of N20,000 and also shot and killed a 16-year-old boy, Ikechukwu Ijeoma.

According to the prosecutor, he said the offence committed “is contrary and punishable under

section 5(a) of Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, Cap 398, Vol. XXii 1(2)(a)(b) laws of the federation 2003 as amended.”

However, their plea could not be taken due to the nature of the charge.

Magistrate S. A. Akinde ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, pending the Directorate of the Public Prosecutor’s (DPP) advice.

She adjourned the matter till March 11, 2013, for DPP’s advice.

Akilo

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

BUSINESS 21

Nigerian economy should be private sector driven, says NACCIMA boss

IRECTOR-GENERAL, Nigerian D Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture

(NACCIMA), Dr. John Isemede, yesterday, said that the Nigerian economy should be driven by the private sector.

Isemede told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the ``private sector is the engine of growth`` in advanced economies and the only solution to the challenges in the economy. ``The Federal Government should work to make the private sector to run the economy, while it focuses on making and enforcing economic policies and collection of taxes. ``The private sector seems to operate consistently because the regular government changes makes policy inconsistency and implementation challenges prevalent,” he said.

Isemede said that government should focus on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to lead business growth in the country.

He said that private sector had the

capacity to accelerate industrialisation process and open up access to capital for entrepreneurs. ``Ordinarily, non-national banks are mainly interested in using customers’ deposits to assist businesses to grow, `` he said.

Isemede said that the activities of

banks in the economy could be effectively influenced by the private sector operators. ``Government should only be concerned about taxes to provide the necessary infrastructure and create the ambience for enterprise to thrive,” he said.

Foundation pledges to assist women on manpower development

By Taiwo Hassan WESOME Treasures Foundation, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) has pledged to assist more Nigerian women by empowering them to engage in business opportunities, with the aim of contributing to the growth of the nation’s economy.

Founder and President of the foundation, Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo, made this known at a media briefing on the foundation’s activities in Lagos over the weekend that the foundation has already trained over 5,000

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women in Lagos on various skills acquisition in different areas of specialisation to empower them to be selfreliance in their various chosen fields.

She said that women are nation builders and the Federal Government should give them more roles to play to develop the country, especially, in the areas of economic development and maintaining peace/unity.

“We all know that there is still a long way to go for women in this country to play the part as nation builders. “

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Apprehend my husband’s killers, widow cries ‘From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

WANT my husband’s killers to be appre“I hended and punished because he didn’t deserve to be gruesomely murdered like that”.

With tears flowing freely from her eyes, the widow of the cocoa farmer that was murdered by yet to be identified gunmen in IlaweEkiti, Mrs. Funke Eniafe, has appealed to the state government and the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of her husband, Ropo, in his farm at the weekend.

The cocoa farmer was reportedly killed by suspected gunmen. While some people think he was allegedly killed by the Fulani herdsmen, his brother thinks otherwise. .

Mr. Eniafe, 51, was said to have gone to his farm last Friday with the promise to his family that he would not stay long. But when his wife did not see him till evening she raised an

alarm and the community quickly set up a search team who later found him dead in the pool of his blood in his farm.

While many in the community suspected that he might have been killed by the Fulani herdsmen, his younger brother, Boluwaji Eniafe, who spoke to The Guardian yesterday, lamented that his brother, who left behind four kids and a wife, might have been killed by some armed robbers, who had been terrorising the community in the last few weeks.

According to him, “he must have run into the armed robbers, who were escaping after robbing.

They must have killed him based on assumption that he must have seen them.”

He said that his brother never had any dispute with anybody before the ugly incident, adding that no part of his body was missing when they discovered his corpse.

He alleged that some Fulani herdsmen had in recent times been unleashing havoc on the community, dispossessing them of their money and belongings and would later escape to the bush.

He appealed to the government to find his brother’s killers and also put a permanent stop to the menace of robbery.

Meanwhile, there was a tension in the community as many stayed in-doors because of reprisal attacks from the youths that were accusing the Fulanis of the murder. When The Guardian visited the community on Monday, primary and secondary schools hurriedly closed and asked their students to go home while businesses and commercial activities were grounded as shops were closed.

Besides, farmers also shunned their farms because of the fear the incident had created in the community, which is in Ekiti South West Local Council of the state.

Prof. Gabriel Adesiyan Olawoyin (left), Mrs. Agnes Olawoyin, Justice Samuel Ilori (rtd.), Bishop of Ife, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, and Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Chuch Cathedral, Ven. James Odedeji at Olawoyin’s testimony of his life entitled “God In My Life” at AVMCC. Ikeja ...on Sunday.

PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO

Army commander promises technology -driven corps

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE new Commander, Corps of Engineers of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE), Maj. Gen. Funsho Owonibi has promised innovations and technologydriven acts in the corps, which would aid in repositioning itself to confront the challenges of the future and also contribute to national development.

Speaking at the handing and taking over ceremony at the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Engineers, Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island, Lagos, Owonibi said that innovative spirit and

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the spirit of enquiry would be strengthened under his command.

According to him, “No organization can make meaningful progress in this knowledge-driven world without utilizing modern technology.

“The corps will in the next era have to embrace technology, promote research and development and encourage innovation.

“The pursuit of research and development will also deliver usable products that will contribute to knowledge and industry.”

Continuing, he said: “We

Memorial Mass for Evelyn Okhuelegbe MEMORIAL Mass will hold today A at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos at 6.00 am for Lady Evelyn Okhuelegbe, who died on Sunday, February 12, 2006.

A statement by her husband, Sir Hilary Okhuelegbe, Worthy President of Commandery 557, Knights of St John International, said after the mass, friends and well-wishers would accompany him for prayers at her grave side at Atan Cemetery, Lagos.

Until her death, Lady Evelyn Okhuelegbe, a staunch Catholic, was a devoted wife, loving mother and Lady Knight of St. John.

She is survived by her husband and Okhuelegbe four children.

must, therefore, strengthen the capacity of personnel through requisite knowledge and competencies, adopting global best practices in project execution, adapt technology while exploring the fertile minds of all sappers to contribute to national development.

“With this approach, the NAE will reaffirm its leadership position as a professional corps and reposition itself to confront the challenges of the future.’

According to him, “the human resource remains the main key to achieving organizational goals. In this regard, the Corps will continue to build and develop the skills and core competencies of our personnel through comprehensive training and re-training as well as operational experience.

“To this end,” he continued, there would be an introduction of new courses and review of the curriculum of existing courses. There will also be opportunity for sappers to have placement for industrial attachment training. The idea will be to have NAE adequately acquire new artisan skills required in the industry thus improving our capacity to handle diverse projects.”

Choir Master General, Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church, Special Apostle Sunday Korode (left), Special Mother In-Israel, Grace Fakeye and Secretary, Choir of the Church, Senior Apostle Gbenga Ladejobi at the briefing on the 40th anniversary of the choir of the C&S, Surulere District, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Regional Bank Head, Cross River/Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Emem Etuk (second left) receiving her award from the Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza. Others are: Ms Angela Aneke (left) and Mrs. Foluke Abdulrasaq, both Directors of the Bank, during the yearly UBA CEO Awards ceremony in Lagos ...at the weekend.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (left); his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, during the funeral ceremony in honour of Olori Abigail Adejugbe, at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, in Ado-Ekiti... on Friday

Executive Director, Origination and Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Bank, Ade Adeola (left), Managing Director, United Cement Company of Nigeria, Olivier Lenoir, Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank,Bola Adesola and Chairman, United Cement Company of Nigeria, John Coumantaros during a special dinner organized by the bank in Lenoir’s honour in Lagos…

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Jonathan at the Police College HE horrible state of the Police College, Ikeja in Lagos State, as depicted in the television documentary broadcast on Channels Television, tells a distasteful story about the country’s foremost training centre for its law enforcement officers. The documentary highlighted an untold decay of infrastructure and an environment not even fit for reforming law breakers, let alone grooming law enforcers.

The rot shown in the documentary was so striking that it left no room for further explanation of the poor psyche and unprofessional attitude of the average policeman in the country. It would be unrealistic to expect anything less than a brutal mentality of police officers trained in that kind of environment. Rational behaviour is most unlikely from men trained under dehumanising and degrading conditions. The documentary was a real eyesore and a bad advertisement of the Nigerian police, nay, the Nigerian state! It was a situation that called for urgent and decisive government intervention.

On that score, President Goodluck Jonathan’s impromptu visit to the college, following the documentary was appropriate.

A presidential visit, in the circumstance, was ordinarily a welcome relief from the monumental ineptitude and indifference of the past. If well handled, the country can profit immensely from such unscheduled visits to other agencies and parastatals of government. Not only were police authorities caught unawares, the prospect of last-minute cover-up were eliminated. The high score on this front was exemplified by public commendation of the initiative. It is surprising, however, that it took the President a television documentary to discover the sordid state of the police college. Worse still, what should have been a plus to the government assumed negative connotations when the President seemingly squandered the attendant goodwill and instead, read politics into the documentary. The President reportedly claimed that the broadcast was meant to discredit his government, wondering and demanding to know how the TV station gained access into the college. This is at once petty and worrisome. In this age, propelled by an unprecedented revolution in information and communication technology, such a question was totally unnecessary. It portrays an unhelpful mindset that should be discarded forthwith.

Furthermore, the documentary and the President’s visit raise several other important matters, not only about the Police College, but also governance and national security. First, the use of the college for social events, particularly wedding ceremonies, could be a weak link vis-a-vis college security. The recent breach of security in the Army barracks in Kaduna represents a good example. While some may contend that using the barracks for social events could be a viable strategy of promoting stable civil-military or civil-police relations, the security implications of such a window should be given adequate measure.

Moreover, it seems that the ultimate driving force for such a strategy, in this particular case, was mere commercialisation and profiteering.

Second, as a result of the documentary, critical eyebrows are now being raised about the use to which budgetary allocations to police training institutions have been committed over the years. It certainly is important to appreciate the public interest, as well as Nigerians’ demand for accountability. Third, it is also an indictment of all oversight agencies, including the legislature, the Police Affairs Ministry and Police Service Commission (PSC) that are supposed to ensure adequate compliance with police statutory and regulatory norms. For instance, what has happened to the age-long Police Weekly Inspection?

There are lessons to be learned from the entire episode. The current state of the Police College is dehumanising and totally unacceptable.

Those responsible for the neglect, or connected with it, one way or the other, should be made to answer immediately, and an end must come to the rot. There is also an urgent need to restore dignity to police training colleges across the country. This requires immediate intervention by all stakeholders, most especially governments at all levels (federal, state and local), civil society and corporate organisations. All renovations should be carried out by independent contractors; and a system must be developed for adequate monitoring of budgeting and implementation to ensure accountability. A ‘sick’ police force can only be produced by a ‘sick’ training institution. What is more, that cannot be an asset to national security and, above all, to democracy.

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LETTER

Create benchmark for public projects IR: Every year, government Srecurrent budgets for capital and The same projects budgeted in the previous years expenditures. In the course of drafting the budgets, functionaries of various public ministries, departments and agencies at local, states and federal tiers of government present the items of expenditure to the public.

In some cases, they claim to defend these budgetary items before their respective legislative houses. The reason for yearly budgetary exercises is to provide funds to run public administration and provide amenities or infrastructures for citizens’ benefits, comforts and national productivity.

But I have noticed that the annual budgets have become sordid rituals of prodigals in public offices. Nigerians only hear or read about the huge funds budgeted for roads, power and water supply, agriculture, petroleum sector, education, security etc, but nothing tangible is seen in most cases. Within the budget years, no roads are constructed, and where constructed, craters emerge within weeks! The next year the callous prodigals return to the predatory budget exercise, without anything to show for the previous year’s budget implementation.

The same projects budgeted in the previous years are repeated in endless vicious cycle! If in the last 14 wasteful years of the so-called democratic government, all the funds for power sector had

are repeated in endless vicious cycle! If in the last 14 wasteful years of the so-called democratic government, all the funds for power sector had been judiciously utilised, Nigerians would have enjoyed uninterrupted power supply by now. But all we see are budget activities with poor implementation and scarce productivity.

been judiciously utilised, Nigerians would have enjoyed uninterrupted power supply by now. But all we see are budget activities with poor implementation and scarce productivity.

What is essentially lacking is sense of accountability and responsibility among most public office holders who feed fat on public funds to the detriment of the toiling citizens. The budgets for 2013 have been passed now at different levels of governance; the percentage of implementation in the past years is abysmal.

So, government needs to institute virile performance management, which can set in motion dynamic processes for documenting and delivering feedbacks, through key indicators, which the citizens can monitor as checklists for better implementation.

The performance management can then become a very powerful tool for helping public functionaries to develop and achieve their full potentials in the MDAs. Government ought to make the hawkish

public functionaries who are supposed to execute public projects undertake selfassessments in order to align budgetary expenditures with key performance indicators in their moribund MDAs. Public office holders in larger context ought to measure their office budgets against public expectations.

Government should therefore be able to create benchmarks for all public projects, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timebound for its functionaries, with resource capabilities to implement them.

These elements of productivity and development planning are lacking in virtually all tiers of government, thus leading to gross performance deficiencies in public offices.

It is very sad when government, which parades hordes of non-performing functionaries, on yearly basis, bestows national honours on those who have poor balanced scorecards in their units of operation.

• Kunle Rotimi, Lagos.

22 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Ogun set to end multiple taxation, woos investors with infrastructure From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE Ogun State governT ment has initiated moves to automate and harmonise levies and other taxes payable by companies operating in the state.

The State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who spoke in Abeokuta at the weekend, disclosed that the new scheme of tax would soon be published to end the era of multiple taxation in the state.

Amosun also disclosed that his administration had invested massively in road construction, power, security, environment, human capital as well as land reforms in its determined efforts to turn the state into an industrial hub of the country.

The Governor spoke during a breakfast meeting he held with existing and potential investors in the state at the Government House, OkeIgbein. Seventy-five potential investors and 25 Chief Executives of different companies operating in the state

were at the meeting.

He called on local and foreign investors to take full benefits of the enabling environment being created by his government to establish their businesses in the state.

Amosun informed his guests that his government had purchased 13 state-ofthe-art Armoured Personnel Carriers, 240 Hilux vans fitted with modern communication gadgets, among others to assist the security agencies to fight crime, observing that the era of banks not opening for business was over in the State.

His words: “Power is crucial to business success.

Investors can take advantage of the gas hubs in O l o r u n s o g o , Onijanganjangan, Sagamu and Ota; and we are ready to partner with you to lay pipes to these gas plants.”

He expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with investors to build power plants and roads that could be tolled.

“We are also fixing some federal roads all in a bid to provide an enabling environ-

ment for investments in the state,” he added and urged the business executives to pay attention to environmental impact of their operations in order to ensure a safe environment for all.

He explained that the proximity of Ogun to Lagos, its longest border with neighbouring Benin Republic, its deepest sea port and rich human resources offered any investment in Ogun boundless opportunities in terms of market and returns on investment.

The Governor informed investors that the interface of the public with government functionaries “is now without bottlenecks” and cited Bureau of Lands and Survey whereby land alloca-

tion to genuine entrepreneurs could be concluded within two weeks as an example.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state’S Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, said Ogun had the largest concentration of industries in the country and called on entrepreneurs to be part of the success story of state.

The Commissioner said the State could boast of vast land mass, fertile soil conducive to agriculture and natural resources like limestone, granite, phosphate, gypsum, bauxite, bitumen, feldspar, clay, glass-sand, kaolin, quartz, tar-sand and gemstones.

We are also fixing some federal roads all in a bid to provide an enabling environment for investments in the state,” he added and urged the business executives to pay attention to environmental impact of their operations in order to ensure a safe environment for all.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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Business Appointments P27 Prospects, challenges of contributory pension scheme

Insurance firms settle N219.2b claims, business volume hits N528.3b

By Joshua Nse HE nation’s insurance industry settled claims amounting to N219.19 billion to corporate and private policyholders in the past three years.

Besides, the volume of business written by the industry during the period also went up to N528.26 billion.

Specifically, the industry settled N85.56 billion claims, in 2010/112 financial year, representing an increase of nine per cent over N79.33 billion paid in 2009/10, while N53.3 billion was paid for 2008/9 financial year.

Operators who spoke to The Guardian explained that the rise in claims profile over the past few years was an indication that the insuring public has started showing more understanding on the importance of insurance, hence policy holders now put up claims application on the least misfortune, with expectations that claims’ profile will continue to rise.

According the 2011 Nigeria Insurance Digest – A statistical journal of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the claims portfolio was paid by the 60 strong corporate members of the association.

According to the report, the development has attested to the ability of underwriting companies operating in the country to settle genuine claims promptly.

Besides, the report said the

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Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga (left); Minister of State, Samuel Ortom; and Permanent Secretary, Dauda Kigbo, at a stakeholders retreat on the Textile sub-Sector in the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan in Abuja, yesterday. insurance industry has been restructured and was strong and solvent to underwrite any category of risks of any magnitude in the economy.

The Chairman, EHI Consulting (Oil, Gas Strategy), Tom Ogboi, said claims’ portfolio will also rise with the coming into force of the local content that allocates 70 per cent

of the business in the oil and gas sector to the insurance industry.

Besides, he said the state of the economy could determine level of claims “If the economy is in depression, what you find is that income level would go down and claims that the insured normally ignore would likely be reported.

Also, the insured housekeep-

ing is likely to be less than efficient because they begin to cut corners to save cost. As they do this, the quality of their housekeeping goes down, the likelihood of claims occurring will arise.”

According to him, when the economy is in such a situation, the environment leads to antisocial behaviour.

Consequently, more clams

Senate plans first-line charge on crude oil refining From John-Abba Ogbodo, Abuja O check alleged excesses in T the nation’s oil sector and encourage local refineries, plans are under way by the Senate to put refining of crude oil on first-line charge, according to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) Magnus Abe. First-line charges are allocations that do not pass through the Presidency, but are made directly by the National Assembly, such as those to the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Abe told journalists at the weekend in Abuja that the upper chamber would not hesitate to institute a legal action if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) goes ahead to obtain the $1.5 billion credit facility planned by the corporation.

Abe said that one of the ways of clearing the mess in the oil industry was to encourage local refiners by way of firstline charge.

“We should, as a matter of policy, introduce a first-line charge on all crude oil produced in this country for local refining so that if you build a refinery in Nigeria, you don’t even have to talk to the government once you show capacity to actually refine crude oil here, it is possible.

“You have the right to buy Nigerian crude before people who are taking it out unrefined and that rule applies in a lot of countries, including the United States of America [USA].

You can take it out of Nigeria but if you have a rule like that, it would help people who are uncertain as to what the climate would be in terms of, if you go and invest in building a refinery here, are you going to actually have access to crude to fix stock to run your refinery?

“Even in the Petroleum

Industry Bill [PIB], we are going to try to push some of these things to make it legal and be backed by law because it exists in other places.

“So, you must add value to our crude before you can take it out and if you are prepared, you will get preference over those who are not adding value. This is a common sense solution and it will help to fire up refinery business because it guarantees you full stock and compels those who are drilling in Nigeria to invest in trying to refine in Nigeria.

“So, there are lots of common sense recommendations that we have made to try to place the country in a position where we may not have to face some of these challenges again in the future. We have discharged our duties and I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to sit here and begin to analyze one recommendation after the other but we have tried to make what we consider to be common sense recom-

mendations. That is what we have done.”

On the $1.5 billion loan being proposed by the NNPC, the lawmaker said that the Senate would not hesitate to take a legal action if the proposal was carried out without the approval of the National Assembly.

“Now, we are hearing that NNPC is trying to take another loan of $1.5 billion to pay for existing debt and we have told them in clear terms that that transaction should not proceed without approval from the National Assembly. I don’t mind what kind of business entity that NNPC thinks it is.

The debt of NNPC is invariably the debt of Nigeria.

“So, nobody has the right to commit the country to that indebtedness without the approval of parliament. All the relevant committees in the National Assembly met and took a position that we need to be briefed on that loan before it can proceed.

will be reported. Therefore, in a state of depression, we have insecurity of lives and property.

He stressed that government needs to address these fundamental issues otherwise the claims may keep rising as a result of the state of the environment.

Similarly, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Wale Onaolapo, advised Nigerians to embrace the culture of insurance, adding that underwriters now pay all genuine claims promptly.

He said: “Nigerians are yet to fully tap into the benefits of inculcating an insurance culture into their everyday life.

Nigeria is blessed with so much natural and human resources, which has translated to a lot of wealth creation in the form of businesses and commercial activities, that we see around us in this country today, but the question is how many of these businesses have that continuity and longevity elements that insurance provides.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Experts task new minister on power sector reforms experts have advised SProf.OME the new Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, not to deviate from the power sector reforms instituted by his predecessor, Prof. Barth Nnaji.

The experts, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos yesterday, urged Nebo to improve on power distribution and gen-

eration immediately.

President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Makinde Adekunle, lauded the Federal Government’s initiative of re-appointing another engineer to head the ministry.

“We wish him success. He is as an engineer like us and we are believing that he will improve on the gains of the power sec-

tor reforms so far,” he said.

Adekunle advised Nebo to concentrate on power generation and transmission, which according to him, were fundamental to the sector’s transformation.

Managing Director, PowerCap Limited, Biodun Ogunleye, said that the new minister should complete the privatisation process initiated by previous minister.

He said that completion of the Independent Power Projects was sacrosanct for regular supply of electricity to every home in the country.

“The new minister should also be able to sustain various indicators so far achieved through our power sector reforms,” he said.

General Secretary, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE),

Hafeez Ajibade, said that Nebo should not stop to seek the advice of other professionals and engineers to move the sector forward.

“All hands need to be on deck.

The problems of our power sector cannot be addressed solely by government.

“This is the best time to reach out to professional groups and associations to get their inputs to our national devel-

opment.

“Regular and persistent acquaintance with these groups by the Federal Government and their recommendations will be in the national interest,” he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan, last Monday, deployed Nebo to the power ministry as its minister.

Nebo, a former ViceChancellor of the University of Nigeria, replaced Nnaji, who

Court asks Keystone bank for documents on N10.9b loan

By Bertram Nwannekanma and Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo N Ikeja High Court, yesterA day, subpoenaed Keystone Bank Plc (formerly Bank PHB) compelling it to produce some documents alleged to be in its custody relating to a N10.9 billion credit facility granted some companies linked two Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s witnesses.

The witnesses, whose companies were linked to the loan in the on-going trial of the former managing director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche and two others for financial impropriety, were Diamond Uju (PW1) and Elizabeth Ebi (PW3).

They had earlier testified before the court that the loans were granted to their companies without any formal request.

But the trial judge, Lateefa Okunnu had on January 28, ordered for their recall for further cross-examination by the defence, following an alleged resolution signed by the duo in which they demanded for

loans from the bank.

The defence had in their applications argued that recalling the witnesses was crucial in determining their case that the witnesses did not only have a relationship with the bank but actually demanded for the loans, which is the subject of the trial.

Justice Okunnu had in granting the application, directed that the witnesses should only be cross-examined in respect of the documents the defence had claimed was in their possession and fixed yesterday for cross examination of the duo.

But at yesterday’s resumption of proceedings, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) informed the court of the presence of the two witnesses in court and urged that the defence proceed with the cross-examination as scheduled.

Atuche’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) however, pointed out to the court that the documents requested from Keystone Bank to commence the cross-examination was not yet available.

Oyetibo, who noted that the

subpoena earlier issued on the bank to produce the documents was not signed and could not be enforced, said the documents were vital to the defence’s case since it contradicted the earlier testimonies of the witnesses.

The learned silk told the court that a copy of the documents from the bank will prove that the witnesses actually solicited for the loan facility.

The defence also rejected the prosecution’s suggestion that the witnesses could be crossexamined with a copy of the said documents, in possession of the defence, saying the prosecution may raise objection on it later in trial.

This submission was acceded to by the judge, who ordered that a duly signed copy of the subpoena be issued on Keystone Bank Plc and adjourned further trial till March 4.

Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu were being tried for allegedly stealing N25.7 billion belonging to the bank.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

CreditRegistry unveils SMARTScore for lending decisions

By Chijioke Nelson UCCOUR may have come the way of the nation’s lenders, as CreditRegistry Services (Credit Bureau) Plc,

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unveiled its credit scoring system known as SMARTScore.

The statistically-based credit score, which was developed exclusively for Nigeria, given

our peculiar business clime, is also the first of its kind in the country and a result of several years of evaluation, development and commitment to improve data quality.

Scoring, which is the use of statistical methods to help manage multiple decisions also incorporates mathematical models to predict the odds of future results.

The Chief Executive Officer, CreditRegistry, Taiwo Ayedun, said: “With the introduction of credit scores to the Nigerian financial industry, banks can now integrate this world-class instrument into their risk architecture, whether for monitoring risk, segmenting or evaluating new applicants for credit.

“With the introduction of SMARTScore, organizations can improve risk management, reduce loan processing time and market their products much more effectively.

Overall, SMARTScore enables creditors to identify risk in a standard and concise manner across all loan portfolios.”

According to the company, “Credit scores are used to help predict the credit behavior of customers and determine the creditworthiness or probability of not defaulting.

Scoring systems have been around for decades to enable bankers, insurance underwriters, service providers, retailers and many other institutions to make instant approval or rejection deci-

sions.

“Credit scores are determined by a variety of characteristics such as payment history, outstanding debt, type of credit exposure, new credit enquiries, number of delinquencies, among other things. Scoring systems are designed on a simple premise that past behavior predicts future behaviour.”

It however, noted that credit scores are not the only deciding factor in making lending decisions and in fact, “creditors can decide to override a score based on relevant information not considered by the scoring system.

“Generally, in developed economies, credit scores are the norm and creditors use such techniques to instantly evaluate customers for product offerings thus enabling fast easy access to credit to improve standard of living and stimulate economic growth,” the statement added.

CreditRegistry Services is Nigeria’s pioneer and leading credit bureau company, trusted with Nigeria’s largest credit information database of over 12 million borrowers both individual and corporate, including credit and profile information from deposit money banks, primary mortgage institutions, microfinance banks, finance houses, leasing companies, development finance institutions, telecommunication companies and other service providers.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 25

Google chairman sells $3.2 million shares

By Bukky Olajide, with agency report WEALTHY guy about to A turn 58 who arranges to sell a slug of his employer’s

stock to take a few eggs out of the company basket is a pretty routine bit of personal financial planning.

Yet when the guy is Google Inc. (GOOG) executive chairman Eric Schmidt, when the 42 per cent slug of his stake that might hit the market is worth $2.5 billion and the news of the sale plan comes with the stock at an all-time high, some reflex questions pop up about whether it makes for a sell signal.

Well, it doesn’t - not by the evidence of Schmidt’s motivation, the negligible impact the sales would have on the stock or the fundamental story that lifted Google shares to a new peak above $785 before backing off to below $780 Monday.

In a regulatory filing, Schimdt detailed his intention to unload up to 3.2 million Google shares – 42 per cent of his personal interest and about one per cent of the entire company. This automatic selling plan, under which he can sell at preset intervals over the next year, was set on paper Nov. 15.

Since then, Google shares are up 20 per cent, outperforming the sizzling market rally during that time - which is a pretty decisive clue that Schmidt’s impulse to sell came with no privileged judgment about the stock being near a top. The entire amount Schmidt might sell amounts to less than two days’ worth of the stock’s average trading volume.

On its merits, Google has been enjoying one of its peri-

odic bouts of rediscovery by the market as one of the bestpositioned mega-cap companies in the market. Its outperformance by about 15 percentage points over the Standard & Poor’s 500 index in the past year has essentially all come since the public’s ardent fever for Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares broke in September.

Though the companies have little in common aside from a Silicon Valley home and a name ending in “-le,” they seem to occupy the same patch of the collective investor mind - the two gaudily highpriced tech stocks of companies which in the last decade have usually had their markets figured out before the rest.

Yet unlike Apple, Google is not hit-product driven.

Google customers, in a steadily growing end market that Google dominates, passively pay small sums via advertisers renting their eyeballs. All

Google does is grow earnings at around a 15 per cent annual clip, convert nearly all earnings into cash and work steadily to overcome popular skept0icism about unexpected but strategically vital acquisitions (first YouTube, now Motorola Mobility).

It should be a comfort to Google investors that the stock’s recent ascent to a new high has unaccompanied by lots of aggressive speculative action and hoopla. At last report, only two actively managed mutual funds were larger Google shareholders than the index-fund managers who must own the stock in proportion to its S&P 500 weighting, an encouraging sign that the shares are not over-loved by stock pickers.

The Street, too, is pretty stingy with its enthusiasm for the stock, relatively speaking.

Only 65 per cent of Google analysts rate it a Buy, according to FactSet, with 35 per cent

at a Hold. That’s the lowest proportion of sell-siders recommending the stock in at least five years, another encouraging indication of muted expectations. The con-

sensus price target for Google is just $835, a mere six per cent above the current price.

Now, on a short-term basis, the fact that Google’s share price has nearly caught up

with the collective upside target suggests that the stock like the entire market - has covered a lot of ground in a hurry and could use a rest or retreat.

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Appointments 27

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Appointments Capacity building as catalyst for corporate growth

Wogu

By Yetunde Ebosele O doubt, training and development of human capital helps organizations attain specified objectives.

Across the world and in various endeavors, training is one of the most important aspects of human lives especially in a work environment.

Indeed, training entails everything that is expected for the enhancement of organisational development and competencies.

Besides, for total performance to improve, organizations need the services of trained and experienced work force. Most organisations set-aside training and development programmes for their employees to achieve this purpose.

Such training and development programmes are designed to fortify employees with necessary skills that are required for specified jobs.

Training and Development helps in increasing the productivity of the employees which in turns help the organization further to achieve its long-term goal.

According to experts, major benefit of training and development programmes is are that the employees who are trained need lesser supervision than those who are not. For example, a trainee acquires new knowledge, skills, and attitudes and applies them in any given assignment.

Development and training programmes are also avenues through which management of organisations create confidence among employees so that they can operate the tasks without any obstruction with all efficiency and effectiveness. To conduct such programs is to save resources because a company is likely to bear heavy expenditure on hiring new employees.

It is training and development programs that bring about tremendous change in terms of knowledge, attitudes and behavior of the employees. Owing to these programs, the employees are not only well acquainted with what is expected of them and how they need to enhance their skills and competencies but also it is a way to achieve overall organisational development, effectiveness and efficiency in a desired manner.

Organisations appoint leaders and managers, who influence the employees so that they can make goal directed efforts to produce the desired results. They inspire the employees for the accomplishment of organizational goals. They build up competencies and ethical standards. They direct the employees towards defined objectives of the organisation while providing effective training and development programs.

Depending on the needs of various jobs, different methods of training programs are conducted, such as, on-and-off the job methods, special lectures, conferences and seminars among others.

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Omar

The purpose of on-the-job method, according to an international management expert, Fareed Siddiqui is to involve the employees in learning while they are at work, whereas through off-the-job training program, the employees need to leave the work place so as to spend the required duration in the learning process.

He explained that special lectures are meant to create the awareness of fundamental knowledge, adding that by way of arranging conferences, various discussions are held on the points of common interest, in regard to the organization and various issues, ideas are collected and experience is shared in order to deal with the problems, “with critical discussions, the participants of seminars study the various aspects and the complexities of particular jobs”.

The sole purpose of training and development programs, according to him is to build the necessary skills of the employees and to create positive feelings among them.

Besides, he explained that training and development helps in inculcating the sense of teamwork, team spirit, and inter-team collaborations. It helps in inculcating the zeal to learn within the employees.

Another management consultant, Ndunuju Adiele explained that training and development is the frameworks for helping employees develop their personal and organizational skills, knowledge, and abilities.

The focus of all aspects of Human Resource Development is on developing the most superior workforce so that the organization and individual employees can accomplish their work goals in service to customers.

Adiele noted that all employees want to be valuable and remain competitive in the labour market at all times, adding that, “this can only be achieved through employee training and development. Employees will always want to develop career-enhancing skills, which will always lead to employee motivation and retention. There is no doubt that a well trained and developed staff will be a valuable asset to the company and thereby increasing the chances of his efficiency in discharging his or her duties”.

In a paper titled “The importance of training and development in a firm”, Adiele said trainings in an organization could be mainly of two types; Internal and External training sessions.

Internal training involves when training is organized in-house by the Human resources department or training department using either a senior staff or any talented staff in the particular department as a resource person.

“On the other hand, external training is normally arranged outside the firm and is mostly organised by training institutes or consultants. Whichever, training is very essential for all staff and helps in building career positioning and preparing staff for greater challenges “Employers of labour should enable employ-

Esele

ees pursue training and development in a direction that they choose and are interested in, not just in company-assigned directions.

Companies should support learning, in general, and not just in support of knowledge needed for the employee’s current or next anticipated job. It should be noted that the key factor is keeping the employee interested, attending, engaged, motivated and retained.

“For every employee to perform well especially Supervisors and Managers, there is need for constant training and development. The right employee training, development and education provides big payoffs for the employer in increased productivity, knowledge, loyalty, and contribution to general growth of the firm.

“In most cases, external trainings for

instance provide participants with the avenue to meet new set of people in the same field and network. The meeting will give them the chance to compare issues and find out what is obtainable in each other’s environment.

In a paper titled “Employee’s Training and Development for Optimum Productivity: The Role of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Stephen Talabi, Department of Arts Education, Faculty of Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, said employee’s training and development is seen as the most important formation of any competent management.

He said: “The reason is not far-fetched, the ever increasing technological sophistication especially in this age of computer technology has really made it compulsory for organizations to meet changing situations.

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Ogun recruits 481 health workers as 294 scale ASCON civil service exam HE planned recruitment T of 782 workers into the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board has kicked off with employment letters given out to the first batch of 481 successful applicants.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka said in Abeokuta that the exercise is in fulfillment of the electioneering campaign promises of the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration towards providing job opportunities.

He added that it was also a major step forward in delivering the healthcare promises enshrined in the five cardinal programme of the State Government.

The commissioner lauded Amosun for approving the recruitment exercise to fill vacant posts and said that patients and healthcare workers alike would feel the impact of the employment greatly.

He disclosed that the exercise covers all health care jobs, which include security men, gardeners, nursing sisters, medical officers, clerical officers and consultants.

One of the new recruits, Mrs. Ademola Babatunde, a nursing sister, according to a press statement expressed gratitude to the state government for her employment, saying she was “highly elated for being among the successful ones�.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 294 individuals who sat for the Administrative Staff

Officials said the need to fortify the State Civil Service and fill existing vacancies informed the decision to conduct the examination, pointing out that the importance, which the State Government attached to excellence, was responsible for the one-year period for which candidates underwent series of tests.

College of Nigeria (ASCON) and the other Specialized Cadres Examination conducted by the Ogun State Civil Service Commission have passed the examination.

Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Aderonke Folarin, who said this in Abeokuta, revealed that out of the 294 successful candidates, 114 are newly employed while the other 180 are those who did inter cadre transfer. They have all resumed duty.

She said the 180 serving officers are to resume duty immediately, while the newly employed are to resume as soon as they collect their appointment letters.

Folarin explained that the need to fortify the State Civil Service and fill existing vacancies informed the decision to conduct the examination, pointing out that the importance, which the State Government attached to excellence, was responsible for the one-year period for which candidates underwent series of tests.

The Chairman lauded Amosun for matching his words with action by facilitating employment opportunities. She charged the successful officers to recip-

rocate the gesture with improved commitment, devotion, loyalty and pro-

ductivity.

Speaking on behalf of the successful candidates, Mr.

Lamidi Fagbohun Asamu, an executive officer in the Bureau of Transportation, said he sat for the ASCON examination in order to be upgraded, adding that he has since assumed the cadre of accounting officer.

On the part of Disu

Ayobami Adedeji, an information officer in the Ministry of Information of Strategy said his decision to sit for the examination was to add value to his profession and he promised to contribute his quota to the development of the state.

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Why visionary leadership, respect for rule of law are key to Nigeria’s growth, by Esele, Udenta

By Yetunde Ebosele HE President-General of T Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, has identified visionary leadership at all sphere of society coupled with respect for the rule of law as major ingredient that can boost sustainable growth in Nigeria.

Also, a social commentator, Udenta O Udenta said the distance between the Government and the governed must be bridged significantly for progress to be made in various national directions.

Speaking at the just concluded 4th triennial state delegate conference of TUC in Rivers State, Esele said to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, equal opportunities for self-actualization for every citizen irrespective of creed/belief, tribe, socio-economic status must be given priority.

He also called for a generally accepted national ideology that is in tandem with our collective hopes and aspirations as a people, adding that there was need for precedence of rights of residency in any part of the country ‘over all rights of indigeneship’.

Making reference to the event tagged: “Building the Nigeria of Our Dream”, Esele said Nigeria has come to stay, adding that “we must explore the best institutions and ways to make it work”.

In his paper titled “Building the Nigeria of our dream: The role of trade unions, civil society and citizens”, Udenta, said without a doubt, “the Nigerian nation-building project is at a crossroads”.

Explaining further, Udenta said: “It is the crossroad between promise and despair; between dissonance and affirmation; between our collective historical possibility and the gradual, almost inexorable weakening of our historicist

They called for generally accepted national ideology that is in tandem with our collective hopes and aspirations as a people, adding that there was need for precedence of rights of residency in any part of the country ‘over all rights of indigeneship’ consciousness; and between the pontificating and sloganeering by our leaders on the grand themes of reconstruction, renovation and transformation”.

He added: “The construction of a nation begins with ideaconsciousness grounded in material images and imperatives. Nations don’t achieve their historic, geo-strategic and territorial expression upon the building of infrastructure and political, economic and cultural institutions.

“Nations begins as a conceptual design, as a paradigm of becoming located in the organized mindset of its envisioners.

“In 1914, the idea of a Nigerian nation as a material reality was concretized but that process took a while to occur. Under colonial imperialism the nation building idea was rooted in formulating a strategic agenda for the efficient exploitation of natural and material resources and the suppression of indigenous sovereignties through oppressive political control.

“It also encompassed an economic totalisation process that bound together different levels of pre-existing social formations into the capitalist mode of production and the de-legitimation of traditional philosophic, cosmogonist, spiritual, religious and artistic temper and spirit in favour of a Western-Modernist mode of thought and behavior”, said Udenta.

He explained that Statistics available indicates that while over 70 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, over 70 per cent of the youth are unemployed with over 98

per cent of the population struggling to make ends meet.

“This system of deliberate impoverishment of the population is tailored to shut the people out of the political space through a well thought out political commercialisation and monetisation process. And yet, these are the people who are expected to buy party nomination forms ranging fromN200, 000 to N10million, mount credible campaigns, recruit and pay canvassers, enforcers and thugs, and pray that they are declared winners of the elections, failing which they have to procure the services of wellconnected lawyers who know their way round the various judicial benches”.

He said Nigeria today grapples with several maladies including the “suffocating nuances of corporate disorder and systemic dysfunction witnessed in the collapse of public infrastructure and social services, the depreciation of human infrastructure and human security (poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, infant mortality, life expectancy, political, social and economic exclusion, among others), structural dis-

abilities and institutional inefficiency.

“Added to these are the daylight robbery and looting of the nation’s wealth, gradual descent into a state of intolerable anomie on the heels of old and new security challenges and criminalities. These criminal activities, which are perpetrated by state and non-state actors, include human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings, extremist insurgencies, kidnappings and abductions, oil theft and sea piracy.

Yet, in all these national oddities it must be noted that what is at work is not merely the weakening of the nation’s history and the very notion of its reality but the steady abortion of its very idea”, Udenta said.

He explained that when the idea or dream of a nation collapses, it becomes increasingly difficult if not out rightly impossible to ground it in substantial material terms in spite of persistent strivings.

“This, to my mind, is the tragedy of the Nigerian condition; the defeat of the very idea of the state, its sheer exhaustion under the weight of stupendous historical omissions and miscalculations and the difficulty in summoning the required agency for its remobilization and recuperation”.

He said the tragedy of the Nigerian state, and the persistent difficulties and setbacks in

constructing a wholesome national community subsist in the distance between the “ideas in the margin” and the indolent statecraft that powers the system.

Udenta added: “This sense of national dissonance and disconnection separates two tendencies; the intellectual strength and strategic capacity of a number of private citizens, at home and in the Diaspora, and the anti-cultural, anti-intellectual mindset of the bulk of the spiritually empty and morally sterile governing elite that rewards indolence, mediocrity, instant gratification and cargo-cult mentality.

“This distance must be bridged significantly for progress to be made in various national directions. Without a doubt, the worldview of the Nigerian elite must properly defined and located so that the spirit of the contemporary Nigerian age will be unfurled.

When that is achieved we will but agree with Karl Marx in the German Ideology that the ideas of the ruling classes are the ruling ideas in every age, and the classes which control the means of material production also control the means of ideas generation whether as social thesis, material practice or mental construct.

“Thus, the crisis of the Nigerian nation-state is struc-

tured as the conflict between two social forces, the first being the purveyors of true humanistic, cultural and intellectual values who insist, as marginal as their ideas and views are today, that a modern Nigerian state can only be crafted through reason and logic, intellect and superior ability, competence and cultural exposure.

“The second social force consist of those others, currently in the majority, who are secure in their settled indolent, anti-cultural, low-intellectual and mediocre mindset.

“For me, this is the greatest struggle of our time, the conflict between enlightenment, illumination and social epiphany in opposition to mindless mediocrity, obscurantism, incompetence and crass materialism that have for long seduced, ensnared and prodded an age of unreason and unbelief along the path of perdition and incoherence”.

In his welcome address, Chairman TUC, Rivers State Council, Hyginus Chika Onuegbu said the union has become a signpost for vibrant and effective articulation and projection of workers’ and people’s rights and privileges within the labour movement in Nigeria.

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PTDF bemoans sliding employment opportunities for oil engineers From Collins Olayinka, Abuja ITH the declaration that W Nigeria currently provides about 34 per cent of the personnel required in the oil and gas industry, it seems Nigerian oil and gas expatriates will not suffer employability quagmire.

This is the poser that the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) put out across to stakeholders at the presentation of certificates to the graduating trainees of the PTDF drilling Engineers Training Programme in Abuja.

The Acting Executive Secretary of PTDF, Jolomi Arenyeka, said while it is the duty of the Fund to train personnel for the industry, it is the duty of stakeholders in the industry to snap up the trained expatriates.

He said: “We carried out audit between 2007 and 2010 on areas of need by the industry with a view to bridging the manpower gap and fulfill the

Federal Government intention of increasing the participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas industry from 34 percent to 70 per cent. But the challenge is getting those we have trained get jobs. We need the cooperation of industry stakeholders to achieve this.”

Jolomi aid the need to fulfill its mandate of improving Nigerian Content that informed the training of 15 trainees at the prestigious French Institute of Petroleum (IFP).

He added: “It is worthy to note that that IFP is one of the most highly regarded Petroleum institutions in the world, offering oil and gas related courses to students and industry professionals.”

The training, which commenced on August 20, 2012 and ended on December 21, 2012, was designed to transit trainees to the International Well Control Forum (IWCF) certification in drilling and Production operations.

The PTDF boss also revealed

that in order to ensure that the trained Engineers gain hand-on practical experience on relevant industry projects and to be able to deploy the skills gained during the programme, the Fund has concluded arrangements to place the trained Engineers on a post Training Attachment Programme at the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Benin City, Edo state.

Again, he appealed to stakeholders and relevant organizations in the oil and gas industry to note the development in view of the need to ensure the engagement of the certified drilling engineers in the industry.

Jolomi added: “This will go a long way in ensuring the active participation of Nigerians in the activities of the industry in line with the Nigerian Content directives of the Federal Government in the petroleum industry.”

ELAN trains members on professionalism, best practices N continuation of its objecIalism tive of promoting professionand best practices in the Nigerian leasing industry, ELAN recently held a free advisory session on “Understanding the Regulatory Framework (Legal Consideration)” for its members.

The programme was intended to enhance members’ understanding of the legal nature of leasing amidst various misconceptions and how to use the knowledge to protect their businesses.

Over the years, according to a press statement, the Nigerian Leasing industry has been growing and is becoming more sophisticated, “which makes it imperative for stakeholders to fully understand the intricate business process and legal requirements”.

According to the statement, the session exposed practitioners to the various precepts to follow in lease process and packaging with special emphasis on lease documentation and legal interpretations

in lease business relationship.

“The generality of the participants stressed the positive impact from the training as they were exposed to the various baits they need to avoid to enable them package and manage their portfolio in various scenarios and life cases on equipment leasing practice, as well as avoiding pitfalls in drafting lease agreement and proposals.

“The participants greatly appreciated the programme and affirmed that it has direct impact on their day to day business transactions”.

Speaking on the programme, Jacob Danjuma of Access Bank Plc, said the programme “was impactful, interactive and insightful; business can only get better with the lessons learnt”.

On her part, B.A.Bello (Mrs) of LECON Financial Services Limited stated that “the programme is facts revealing and educating, it is good for both lessors and lessee so that each one would understand their right”

Commanding Officer, UnderWater Warfare School, Ojo Capt Tajudeem Osoba (left); Managing Director, Mieka Dive Limited, Mr Pondi Kestin and an ex militant graduate, Mr Okunbo Atapoboloukemi, a the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the Amnesty Trainee programme anchored by the Mieka Dive training institute in partnership with Nigerian Navy .

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Labour Bauchi ASUSS decries alleged illegal deduction of allowances From Ali Garba, Bauchi HE Bauchi State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) have decried the deduction of five percent from their 2012 leave grant allowances

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100 Dangote ‘super drivers’ graduate from transport institute

By Yetunde Ebosele FTER three months of intenA sive training at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, the first batch of the 2,000 Dangote Graduate Drivers have graduated.

The company explained at the weekend that the graduates who were issued with certificates and automatic employment into the Dangote Group of companies were very excited during the ceremony, which took place recently at the NITT Zaria, Kaduna State.

According to the Director General of the Institute, Alhaji Aminu Musa Yusuf the Graduate Driver Training Scheme is the first of its kind in Nigeria He said of the 100 shortlisted, 96 were able to make it to the end of the programme.

According to him, the programme was delivered in partnership with Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Federal Vehicle Inspection Office (FVIO).

A press statement quoted him as saying the ‘super’ drivers have the advantage of becoming members of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which is the lead professional body for the regulation of logistics and transport practice worldwide.

Dangote Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Dangote Group, Mr. Paramjit Pabby said the graduates were selected through a rigorous process.

He said the aim is to make Nigerians safe on the road, adding that “As graduate drivers, you are expected to run our newly formed super fleet with a professional touch, putting into practice all that you have been taught here.”

He said a female driver is among the graduates and that six other ladies will join her in the next batch.

“The scheme also envisages a competitive salary made up fixed basic salary plus incentive based on trips and safe driving. Based on conditions, the Drivers will have the opportunity to own their trucks in the future,” he said.

In her speech also, Nigeria’s first female commercial pilot and rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Captain Chinyere Kalu, said the training programme is part of Dangote’s Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme and a response to road safety which poses threat to peoples’ lives and businesses.

of grade level 14 and above, describing it as illegal and unnecessary.

The union leadership faulted the N18, 000 naira minimum wage negotiation carried out between the state head of service and Joint Negotiation Council of the state Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) According to the union, the State Chapter of the Nigerian Labor Congress, (NLC) did not show any concern over the deduction, saying that labor paved the way for the illegal deduction by remain-

ing silent over the matter.

Chairman of ASSUS in the state, comrade Abdullahi Tanko Ningi stated this recently while addressing a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) press centre in Bauchi.

The Chairman of the union accused the state government of taking advantage of the discontinuance of ten percent deduction from worker salaries which was earlier agreed from the month of September to December, 2012 to cushion the financial position of the

state government in place of retrenching any worker to further deduct the 5 per cent from 15 per cent of 2012 leave grant of grade level 14 and above.

According to him, the professional allowances given to secondary school teachers in the state was approved by the Governor of the state, adding that it is legally binding and there is no basis to deduct any part of the allowances without prior notice to the beneficiaries of such allowances.

He said, “the head of Civil

Service and the state government have further declined to tell civil servants and the entire people of Bauchi state the total amount generated from the 4 months deducted 10 per cent salaries of the civil servants and what it was used for, so as to encourage the workers to sacrifice more from their salaries for the development of the state as patriots, hence the state government only remained silent and created an illegal way of making illegal deductions from the salaries of workers” Abdullahi also

faulted the N18, 000 naira minimum wage negotiation carried out between the state head of service, the chairman of Joint Negotiation Council and the state NLC chairman, saying that the negotiation was a gross violation of the labour act.

He noted that the 18,000naira minimum wage in Bauchi state compared to some northern states, which fall within the same geopolitical zone, has been drastically affected because negotiations did not follow due process.

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NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Monday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 11/2/2012

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NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 11/2/2012

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

SEC appoints First Bank as lending agent for NSE’s transactions

By Bukky Olajide

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may have appointed First Bank of Nigeria as a Securities Lending Agent (SLA) for equities and bond transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

With the appointment, First Bank has joined UBA and Stanbic IBTC as lending agents on the NSE. The two banks were appointed SLA’s for Equities and Bond transactions at the Nigeria’s Exchange in August, 2012.

Securities Lending’s transaction involves the temporary loan of Securities from a lender to a borrower, usually through a Security Lending Agent. It is the act of loaning stocks, derivatives or other securities to an investor or firm.

The borrower (investor) is only required to put up col-

T

lateral, either in cash, security or a letter of credit to obtain the facility.

Apart from First Bank, one other bank was still being considered.

There are no specific num-

bers of firms required to operate as SLAs as long as a firm has good network and willingness to function effectively.

Requirements include : strong Information tech-

nology and good network and wherewithal to function effectively as SLAs. The appointment was meant to strengthen market making activities on the nation’s bourse.

The NSE in April, 2012 approved 10 stock broking firms out of the 20 firms that applied as market makers.

The firms are Stanbic IBTC, Renaissance Capital, Future

View Securities, Vetiva Capital and ESS/DunnLoren Merrifield.

Others are WSTC, Capital Bancorp, FBN Securities, Greenwich Securities and CSL Stockbrokers

PZ Cussons, Unity Bank, others enhance NSE market capitalization by N63 bn

By Helen Oji EAVY share price gains H recorded by major bluechip companies, especially PZ Cussons and Unity Bank, yesterday lifted market capitalization by N63 billion.

Volume of shares traded, also soared significantly, as 683million shares worth N4.3 billion changed hands in 7,300 deals, higher than 627 million units worth N3.2 billion exchanged in 7,412 deals on Friday.

Specifically, at the close of transactions yesterday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

56 companies constituted the gainers chart, led by PZ Cussons with 9.99 per cent to close at N44.48 per share followed by Unity Bank, adding 9.89 per cent to close at N1.00 per share.

AIICO gained 9.84 per cent to close at N1.34 per share, TransNational Corporation and Prestige Assurance garnered 9.82 and 9.71 per cent to close at N1.79 and N1.13 per share.

Royal Exchange Assurance, Wema Bank, Fidson gained 9.68,9.52 and 8.54 per cent to close at N1.02, N1.61 and N1.78 per share.

Custodian&Allied insurance added 7.84 per cent to close at N2.20 per share.

UACN also gained 6.00 per cent to close at N53.00 per share.

However, 19 stocks recorede price depreciation, as RedStar Express topped the losers chart with 6.22 per cent to close at N3.77 per share while JohnHolt followed with 5.00 per cent to close at N1.33 per share.

Flourmills lost 4.99 per cent to close at N76.01 per share.

FO shed 4.98 per cent to close at N15.84 per share.

International Breweries,

ABC Transport, Ikeja Hotel shed 4.76,4.69 and 4.42 per cent to close at N24.00,N0.61 and N1.08 per share.

MCNichols lost 4.00 per cent to close at N0.72 per share.

Portland Pains and Skye Bank also dropped 3.85 and N3.17 per cent to close at N5.00 and N6.10 per share.

Consequently, the All/Share index of the NSE rose by 198.14 points or 0.5 per cent from 33,313.49 recorded on Friday to 33,511.63 hile market capitalization increased by N63 billion from N10,658 trillion to N10,721 trillion.

Further analysis of yesterday’s transactions showed that the banking sub-sector remains the most active stock in volume terms with 363million shares worth N2.4 billion in 3,015 deals, followed by the insurance sub-sector which traded 147million units valued at N108 million.

Transactions in the shares of Unity Bank strengthened activities in the banking subsector with 115 million shares worth N115 million followed by Fidelity Bank with 43million units worth N146 million.

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Opinion Nations Cup: Doing what amalgamation could not do

By Luke Onyekakeyah HE enthusiasm and patriotic spirit with T which Nigerians of all shades awaited and cheered the final match of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Johannesburg shows that football is a more potent force to unite Nigeria beyond what amalgamation could do. There is no doubt that football has done what amalgamation could not do, assuming that the architects of that project had unity at the back of their mind. Having been forced into the marriage, as it were, the country has no other choice than to explore avenues to forge national unity. Football has proven to be the master stroke.

At any point in time, Nigerians have demonstrated that football remains the trump card that could forge national unity. Nothing else seems to have the capacity to unite Nigerians.

Not even the century old amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria protectorates. The two major religions – Christianity and Islam have not been able to unite Nigerians. The national flag is not reckoned with by Nigerians. Nigerians segregate in no small way in every other platform. The Nigerian philosophy doesn’t seem to register strongly. But where every other thing has failed, football has succeeded.

So, what do we do? How do we crystallize the power of football to realise the Nigerian dream? How about making football the new religion if only to forge national unity? I mean religion in the sense of having something that is of value and common interest to Nigerians. It is sad that Nigeria’s quest for supremacy in soccer has not been consistently bright. At one time, the country shines but at other times it fails woefully to show any appreciable performance. The lull in goals since the country lifted the Nations Cup in 1994 is a case in point. Something needs to be done to make football more meaningful and impactful in Nigeria. The authorities should think in the direction of making football to be part of the daily life experience of Nigerians. Maybe, that could help us forget that we are Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba, or other ethnic group.

The lifting of the Nations Cup by Nigeria in South Africa has re-invigorated the spirit of most people to once again believe in Nigeria. Coming at a time when cherry news is scarce, the trophy has brought life into a citizenry wearied by mounting graft in high places, bloodbath and economic hardship.

It is amazing that in the course of the soccer excitement between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, people literally forgot their problems.

Everyone cheered the Super Eagles. The mammoth crowd that besieged the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos to view the encounter on the wide television screen left no one in doubt that Nigerians were solidly united in the game. The stadium was charged from the beginning to the end.

Thank God that Nigeria lifted the trophy; otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened, how that crowd would have reacted if Nigeria had lost.

The 2013 edition of the Nations Cup, which kicked off on January 26, started on a rather lousy note for Nigeria. The lack-luster performance of the Super Eagles in the first round encounters made people wonder what the team was up to this time around.

The first opening group match with Burkina Faso ended in a one-one draw. The same was the second match with Zambia. It was only the third leg match with Ethiopia that Nigeria recorded a 2 – 1 victory. That cleared way for Nigeria into the quarter-final match with the tournament favorite, Cote d’Ivoire.

It was a slim chance for Nigeria to get to the quarter. The underrating of football teams from other African countries, while at the same time reveling in past glory, has often been the undoing of the Super Eagles. This and other internal issues bordering on football maladministration contributed in keeping Nigeria away from victory for 19 years.

Somehow, it was after Nigeria crossed the Rubicon by beating Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-final to get to the semi-final that a ray of hope came for lifting the Cup. Though the goal margin wasn’t much, Cote d’Ivoire goalkeeper, Boubacar, at the end of the match, compared Nigeria to Brazil. He said

that they played “Brazil” and not Nigeria because the Super Eagles mimicked the Brazilians in the pitch. They were everywhere and overwhelmed the Ivorians.

Team captain, Didier Drogba predicted that Super Eagles had what it takes to lift the trophy.

Nigeria’s encounter with Mali in the semifinal was a show of football prowess on the part of the Super Eagles. There was clear manifestation of superiority in the match from the beginning to the end. The 4 – 1 victory over Mali wasn’t very much expected.

The Malians showed signs of an emerging club side with promising future. It was the victory over Mali that shot Nigeria to the final match, where the Super Eagles had to once again meet Burkina Faso that held them 1 – 1 draw in the first group match of the tournament. The stake was raised. It was going to be a make or mar encounter.

Ordinarily, for Nigeria to encounter Burkina Faso in the final match wouldn’t have been something to worry about given that The Stallions have featured sparingly in the tournament. As a matter of fact, the 2013 competition is their first ever appearance in the final match. But by holding Nigeria to a 1 – 1 draw in the opening match and going ahead to beat the Black Stars of Ghana 3 – 2 in penalty shoot-out, there was everything to fear. My people say, if you wake up in the morning and a chicken starts pursuing you, you should run for you don’t know whether the chicken had developed teeth in the night. That captured the mood of the Burkina Faso. They have upset every calculation to progress to the final. That was enough reason to be apprehensive.

As for Nigeria, the opportunity she has been waiting for since 1994, when she beat Zambia 2 – 1 to lift the Cup appeared to have finally come. It would be unforgivable to miss this great chance after years of lull performance. Therefore, no stone should be left unturned in lifting the trophy this time around with its $1.5 million cash award. To boost the morale of the team, wealthy Nigerians made mouth-watering pledges. The Federal Government also sent a high-pow-

ered six-man delegation led by the Senate President, David Mark to South Africa to boost the team’s morale. As the match was scheduled to kick off about 7.30pm, Nigerian time, the atmosphere between Nigeria and South Africa was charged to the fullest not minding the distance.

When the match finally kicked off there was impressive performance from both sides, even though the Super Eagles dominated the game. The pressure put by Jonathan Pitroipa, Mohamed Koffi and Aristide Bance supported

by Henry Traore and Koulinaly in the defense did not save the day for the Stallions. The Super Eagles demonstrated superiority with Kenneth Omeruo, Mikel Obi, Ideye and Sunday Mba with Elderson Echiejile and Azubuike in the defence. Vincent Enyeama wedged the post. It was an unexpected left shot by Mba near the opponent’s post that gave Nigeria the long awaited victory in the 40th minute of the first half. The second half lingered and Nigerians were breathless as the Stallions fought like wounded lion to equalize, which never materialized.

When the Algerian referee, Slim Jedidi blew the final whistle after an extra four minutes time, there was wide jubilation across the world wherever Nigerians were present.

From South Africa to Lagos, the ovation was extraordinary. In Lagos, for instance, over-joyous fans blew fireworks (bangas) into the night sky. The victory was like showers of blessing on Nigerians after a long dryness.

Now that the tournament has been won, what next? What are the Nigerian football authorities going to do to sustain this victory as well as win more laurels? The football authorities have been embroiled in all sorts of in-fighting and financial scandals for quite some time. What is being done to ensure that Nigeria re-occupies her pride of place in the Africa and FIFA ranking? There are unconfirmed reports that despite the victory, the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is threatening to resign? Why? Instead of dislocating what seems to be a stable team with its local coach, the authorities should build on what has been achieved for a better performance in the future.

Tribute to Papa Abiodun Adetiloye (1)

By Bolaji Akinyemi HIS tribute to the late Primate of the Nigerian Anglican Communion, Papa Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye is comT ing rather late by all conventional wisdom. But for a spiritual leader who touched so many lives and was active during some of the most critical periods in the life of this nation, no tribute can be regarded as too late.

This tribute does not cover the totality of my relationship with the Primate who I first met in 1970 in Ibadan. This tribute is just to allow people a peep into some episodes of public interest.

Foreign Ministers by their assignment spend more time in foreign hotel rooms than in their own bedroom. I was no exception. The few days in a month that I spent in Nigeria were usually devoted to clearing the files on my desk. To achieve this, I usually set aside a day that was visitors-free every week. My front office foreign service officer (who is now an Ambassador) kept strictly to that rule. You can then imagine my consternation when the intercom buzzed and she said I had a visitor. I flew into a rage without even allowing her to finish to ask whether she knew what the rule was. She said she was aware of the rule but she thought there was something about the visitor that intrigued her. She said he announced himself as Abiodun. Nothing prepared me for what I saw when I glanced at the CCTV monitor that linked my office with the receptionist at the entrance to the Ministry. It was, you guessed it. I screamed “O my God, it is the Archbishop.” I yelled that he should be brought up right away using the lift reserved for the Minister and the Permanent Secretary. In the meantime, I flew out of my office using the private door. The look of consternation on the faces of my usually reserved officers who were used to proceeding at a royal dignified pace as they saw their Minister running down the corridor with his sleeves rolled up and shirt open at the neck is better imagined. They must have thought that

the South Africans had invaded my office. The only other time that I can remember such excitement bordering on an uproar was when Fela in the company of Beko came to visit me at the Ministry. On leaving, Fela gave me a present, which I took to be a Cuban cigar. Mark you; I had never seen a Cuban cigar that big before. When I asked Fela as to how he knew I smoked Cuban cigars at that time, it was Beko who roared with laughter. Anyway… back to the Archbishop’s visit.

Having seated His Grace on a settee, I asked him why he was dressed that way (he wore only a simple brown French suit without the cross worn by Bishops), and why he did not send for me since the Ministry was only three or four houses from the Cathedral. To the first question as to why he was not wearing the cross or the Bishop’s purple surplice, he replied that he did not want to draw any attention to himself and as to why he did not send for me, he replied, “you cannot move without security and it was by far easier for me to come without fuss.” I replied that I could also just walk down to the Cathedral without anyone with me. To which Papa replied that if anything happened to me how would he explain that he was responsible. To which I replied that nothing could or would happen to me on my way to see an Archbishop. He simply laughed and the issue was rested as he was already seated in my office anyway.

Papa said that two things had brought him to see me. The first question was: “Hon. Minister, could you honestly assure me that our membership of the OIC was not motivated by religion?” To buy time, I took issue with his calling me “Hon. Minister.” “Papa, you have always known me as Bolaji. So please call me Bolaji. Don’t forget you are my Archbishop”. I thought hard about the question the Archbishop posed especially with the way he emphasized the word “honestly”.

My mind flew to that epic confrontation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate when backed into the corner, Pilate was forced to confront his own conscience and asked “And what is the

truth?” I have often felt that what has always been portrayed as the trial of Jesus before Pilate was in actual fact the trial of Pilate before Christ. And that was precisely my answer to the Archbishop to the effect that his question reminded me of that biblical scene. Papa looked at me for a very long time and asked, “if Papa (my father) were alive and asked me the same question, would I have given him the same answer?” I replied that my dad would have asked me as a father and not as a Shepherd of the Nigerian Anglican communion. I then added, “besides, I did not give your Grace an answer.” We dropped the issue.

The other issue the Archbishop came to discuss was the status of St. Saviour’s Church. As usual, the Archbishop threw an elliptical question. “Do you know the status of your church? (I had been attending St. Saviour’s Church since 1975). Now in 1987, I was being asked if I knew the status of the Church. I knew there was something to that question but since I did not know where the Archbishop was headed, I merely shrugged my shoulder.

“Do you know that your church is a colonial church?”, the Archbishop asked. I smelt a rat. Why did he keep referring to St. Saviour’s Church as “your church”? After all, he was the Archbishop. When a husband says to his wife “your son”, that usually spells trouble. My reply was “Yes sir. I know that it was set up for the British Colonial Governor-General and his colonial officers.” He smiled. “Yes. But it is still under the Archbishop of Canterbury.” I sat bolt upright. I knew the vicar, The Revd Canon J. H. Payne, was British but that fact did not even register on me since he was the chaplain when I was a student at Igbobi College in the 50s. Still playing for time, I said, “Your Grace, does it matter”. His reply really floored me. “You have a reputation as a nationalist and you are asking me whether it matters.”

To be concluded.

• Prof. Akinyemi, CFR, FNIIA is a former Minister of External Affairs.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

70 LAW

LawPeople

“Every disability conceals a vocation, if only we can find it, which will ‘turn the necessity to glorious gain.”

C.S. Lewis

Profile

By Bertram Nwannekanma RS. Folasade Sowemimo’s forage M to the legal profession was as a result of providence. As a daughter of a banker, the late Mr. Paul Adejube Kolade, a former Deputy Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), she had dreamt of a profession along the line of finance.

Her upbringing at the CBN Quarters, Victoria Island, Lagos, where she experienced the high living standards provided by CBN for their management staffers, was also a major influence on her choice of career.

Mrs. Sowemimo reminisces those experiences thus: “They made us a big happy family at the CBN official quarters. We had a great time as kids riding bicycles and having fun with other children. It was beautiful growing up”.

However, the dream to become a banker fizzled out when she did not secure the required grade in the finance subject during her A Level days at the International School, University of Ibadan and was advised by the then principal to read law.

Today, that decision has not only made her a successful commercial lawyer but an Amazon in international commercial arbitration. Mrs. Sowemimo is also one of the few Nigerian lawyers whose firm in United Kingdom handles high-profile international commercial matters.

What finance lost, law has gained.

Today, her intellectual prowess and international exposure has expanded the jurisprudence on the areas of commercial law, international commercial arbitrations and maritime law where she has marked her footprint.

She said of the incident: “1976 was significant in my career because finance was no longer an option, however, my then principal, Cannon Iluyomade, counselled me to change my subjects to government, literature and economics so that I could read law. I re-sat my A Level in 1977 and read law at the University of Ife. The cannon played a pivotal role in that direction. My parents were supportive and my late father even said I should have studied law from the beginning, because I was a bit of talkative as a child. That is why and how I got into law and I am enjoying it and will not have thought of anything else”.

Born over 50 years ago, Mrs. Sowemimo attended Queens School, Ibadan and International School for her A Level in 1974.

In 1977, she was admitted to the University of Ife for her law programme. She met dedicated but young lecturers such as the then Dr. Gabriel Olawoyin, Dr. Itse Sagay and brother to her former principal, Mr. Iluyomade, who was to become the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice. These lecturers made her stay enjoyable. She cut her legal teeth at the law firm of Chief F.A. Akinbisehin (SAN), her father’s friend. The decision to join the firm was foundational to what she is today because Chief Akinbisehin had a corporate client base and was retained by several companies. Her tutelage with the law firm, having spent all her summer vacations working in the chambers, informed her choice of clientele on commencement of her practice later.

Sowemimo

Sowemimo: Amazon of international commercial arbitration She narrates her experience: “Whenever I left school, I was in his chambers. We did practically everything, from company to commercial law. But shortly after, I joined him after my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Chief Akinbisehin became a senator and that helped to launch me into practice.

“Even after I started my practice, he never ceased to counsel and advise me. I literarily learnt the ropes of commercial law from him. He was a brilliant commercial lawyer”.

Fola, as she is fondly called, started her legal practice in 1987, ably supported financially by her late father.

In agreement with her husband, she converted their living room at Obanikoro to an office, which she sparsely furnished with her limited resources. The firm subsequently moved to Lagos Island. And as they say, “the rest is now history”. She now has three offices, Lagos, Abuja and United Kingdom.

On her most challenging moment as a lawyer, Mrs. Sowemimo, who re-qualified as a Solicitor in United Kingdom as a result of her Nigerian

What finance lost, law has gained. Today, her intellectual prowess and international exposure has expanded the jurisprudence in the areas of commercial law, international commercial arbitrations and maritime law, where she has left her footprint.

clients’ involvement in many arbitration matters in England, Paris and Switzerland, said initially cases abroad were more challenging because the procedure there was different and very thorough and it took a while to learn the ropes.

“The case law was different and the court system is more advanced and sophisticated than what obtains in Nigeria.

“Being a black firm handling high value commercial matters without professional network presented challenges when it came to crossing certain barriers.

“My qualification to represent my client was challenged on occasions initially being an unknown lawyer in certain legal circles. Some of these circumstances were most unpleasant,” she said.

Mrs. Sowemimo, who has over 30 years experience at the Nigerian Bar and several years’ post-qualification in England, however, wants Nigerian government and established Nigerian companies to encourage and engage the legal services of overseas-based Nigerian lawyers with dual jurisdictional qualifications to develop our intellectual resource.

According to her, foreign firms should no longer hold sway in the delivery of legal services to our government who should be committed to growing Nigerian legal resource worldwide.

“We even proposed to develop a register of these firms abroad and make them available to all state and the Federal Governments in due course

because only a few Nigerian companies trust Nigerian firms prosecuting their cases abroad.

“Government organisations and departments still prefer foreignowned firms even when we have Nigerians who have dual jurisdictional qualifications and understand the terrain.

“I believe they should also instruct Nigerians, first and foremost, being nationals of this country. Nigerians understand legal issues that are peculiar to us. Even when we approach big organisations in Nigeria, the preference is still for the mega-city firms abroad to undertake their instruction”.

An adorable person, Mrs. Sowemimo believes that government should start promoting Nigerian lawyers abroad by instructing them regularly since the legal system in United Kingdom allows for the engagement of experts in different areas when the need arises.

“It is a disservice to Nigerian lawyers abroad and a near subservient mentality to continue to benefit from foreign firms exclusively with services that Nigerian lawyers can also pro-

vide. We need to protect our own and be seen to do so in pragmatic ways. I think it is time for us to make a concerted effort to do what is right for us”, she added.

For improvement in the Nigeria’s legal practice, the revered lawyer also called for better regulation as it is done in England and Wales.

“The activities of all lawyers should be monitored by both in-house counsels and those in private practice. A strict compliance regime should be introduced, monitored and enforced. Professional indemnity insurance for law firms should be introduced in order to protect the client.

“Clients should be given client-care letters at the inception of instructions. They should be made aware of their right to complain about professional services received, their right to challenge the bill given them by their lawyers if they think it is excessive and their right to claim insurance if the need arises.

“Client account of law firms should be audited by accountants registered by our regulatory body and client account reports for each firm should be submitted to our regulatory body. Our regulatory body should make sure firms are visited regularly to ensure compliance and that clients’ interests are protected all the time.

“This will increase the confidence the public has in lawyers and improve our standard.

“It might be necessary to carve out an independent regulatory authority from the Nigerian Bar Association that will oversee all the above and overhaul our Code of Conduct and professional ethics and see to its strict compliance by law firms. I am of the opinion that training contract for newly qualified Law School graduates should be introduced.

Fresh Law School graduates should be attached to accredited law firms for a period of 12 months before their Call to Bar. “They should be paid by the firms during this period. This will better equip our young lawyers for practice and give them a well-rounded education even if they decide not to practice but work as an in-house counsel with a company”, she noted.

Unlike many Nigerians, who built their law firms around their family, Mrs. Sowemimo, is more concerned in training worthy successors. She said: “I have good lieutenants, who probably would take over the chambers when I am gone. I have good juniors I have trained and have confidence in. It is not necessary that it must be your child that should take over the firm. I think we have to move away from that.

To her, the idea of mentoring juniors is important so that they can expand the frontiers and enlarge the practice. Forming mega-firms with branches all over the world with loads of partners instead of building a family-oriented legal practice, she said, is the future.

Married to the renowned Sowemimos of Abeokuta, she enjoys travelling as a form of relaxation.

A highly religious person, who finds peace and assurance in God and dwells in the atmosphere of praise, Mrs. Sowemimo belongs to several professional associations such as the NBA, Nigerian Maritime Lawyers’ Association, Law Society England and Wales and several

Do you know…

Lineage A direct line of descent. - Muojekwu v. Ejikeme [2000] 5 NWLR (Pt. 657) 402 at 434, [C.A.].

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

68

Opinion By accident is history made

By Bola Tinubu CCIDENTS do happen and yes oftentimes only a few of those accidents are good ones. Nasir’s accident with and in the civil service was a good and impactful one.

That is why today we have a book as testimony to that accidental experience. For every accident in life, one must pause to appraise the situation, an evaluation of why it happened, the circumstances and lessons learnt are critical to whatever future decisions one has to take.

Many talk about their accidents in life, be it in public or in private, but only a few dare document it and share it in such a bold, blunt and daring manner like Nasir has done in the pages of his book, “The Accidental Civil Servant”. In the pages of his book we learn wisdom, we glean brilliance and we are exposed to the follies, fooleries and vainness of power. We see exposed as mere mortals even those invested with enormous powers to lead Nigeria and direct our lives.

It is a book yet unrivalled in the annals of our history. The alacrity of its expositions, the candour with which the narrative unfolds and the intimacy of its revelations grant a delightful read and delivers an impactful work. Nasir was just not a spectator or a bystander; he was a player, constantly in the ring who later became one of the captains that battled for the sole of Nigeria.

Nasir was not just an eyewitness to power, he had his whole body in the power arena and that is why we must not be in a hurry to dismiss some of the most troubling rev-

A

elations in his book.

In as much as Nasir may not and cannot exonerate himself from all that happened, he has chosen a road less travelled by “telling it all”. One of “Yesterdays” men is coming clean.

The power and courage of Nasir’s work is not just in the carefully woven narrative, but in the mere fact that the key figures he has written alive are still alive and perhaps only one or two of them are dead. Hence, Nigerians should expect to get a few reactions and if lucky see more books churned out by a few who think Nasir has only told the story of that era from his own angle.

The most riveting of his narrative remains the criminal third term enterprise and how those elected to help build democracy worked tirelessly to subvert democratic tenets and turn Nigeria into a personal fiefdom. The compelling power of Nasir’s work is the fact that he has exposed us to the mindset of those that Nigerians have entrusted with power. He has captured the psychology of our leaders simply by exposing the underhand deals and bad boy behaviour of a big man president.

Nasir is an angry man and that is understandable. He is weighed down by the failure of the project a few of them under the government they served envisioned. He has demonstrated in his revelations how most of those entrusted with power even at that time could not shed their baggage and put Nigeria first.

His book is not just a window into our world. It has opened a door that leads us into seeing up, close and personal what Nigeria is and how those that wield power behave and

In as much as Nasir may not and cannot exonerate himself from all that happened, he has chosen a road less travelled by “telling it all”. One of “Yesterdays” men is coming clean. The power and courage of Nasir’s work is not just in the carefully woven narrative, but in the mere fact that the key figures he has written alive are still alive and perhaps only one or two of them are dead. Hence, Nigerians should expect to get a few reactions and if lucky see more books churned out by a few who think Nasir has only told the story of that era from his own angle. miss-behave. It is a book with the potential for a long shelf life and will remain a reference point for journalists, pundits, analysts and most of those in and out of power. Most importantly, the academia and students of Political Science will benefit from it.

Thanks to Nasir, we now know that most of our leaders are soon overcome and consumed by their unbridled lust for power and that the public or Nigerians are mere irritants. Their protests and complaints are insignificant in a situation of absolute power and too much money. The resources of the country that ought to have been deployed to better the lives of the people are being used against them to perpetuate them in poverty and political enslavement.

Nasir through this book has challenged all the others that took that power ride with him to come out and tell their stories. Nigerians want to know. However, most gratifying is the fact that some of what we knew happened and which we fought against have been confirmed by Nasir.

Sadly, the Nigerian narrative has not changed from what it was during the time Nasir has written about it. The narrative has

unfortunately worsened whereby Nigerians are saddled with a government concerned more about its survival, elongation in power and fighting imagined enemies than applying itself to running the country properly.

Nasir tells us Nigeria still has a long way to go and the architects of a new Nigeria are not yet in place. What we have now are wayfarers, scavengers in the corridor of power and apologists, professionals whose ethics evaporate the moment they come in contact with the paraphernalia of power.

But there is help coming. Help is on the way as the opposition moves to form a coalition that will send these characters out of power and put into gear the Nigerian project.

I commend Nasir for this rare courage. He has brought us closer to the truth and told us to our faces that there is something wrong with all of us, including him. Rather than shoot the messenger, let us take the message and run with it. We need more accidents like Nasir’s.

• Asiwaju Tinubu made these remarks at the launching of a book, “The Accidental Civil Servant”, authored by Nasir Rufai in Lagos last week.

For the love of the law

By Babatunde Faniyan th

HURSDAY, the 14 day of February, 2013 is Valentine’s Day T when the world will focus on the phenomenon of Love – in its various dimensions. A subset of this crowd would be pulled to a location at the summons of one who also knows a thing or two about what Love is all about – Love for the profession; the Legal profession. Mr. Segun Onakoya, Life Bencher; former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will formerly present his book, The Man, The Law and The State to the world. That comes up at the prestigious Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, on the Lagos Island.

When asked why, against great odds, he chose the date to present the book, Segun Onakoya simply smiled and said: “Because of my love for the profession.”

The book is a think tank of knowledge, as Onakoya tried to showcase what made the legal profession ticked in the yesteryears, at least much more than how he believed it is ticking these days. Onakoya should know. He was in the tick of the NBA struggle against military authoritarianism, despotism and the attendant arbitrariness in government, not to

The Man, The Law and The State is a book in which Onakoya tried to showcase his experience and life.

This was never going to be easy for a man whose more than 70 years on earth were full of activities, let alone his bar practice that has spanned more than 40 years. But at the end of the day, Onakoya leaves no one in doubt about the numerous things that both government and the people must address seriously if the Nigerian nation must move forward and take its rightful place as a leader in the committee of nations. His primary concern is simply to let the younger generations of Nigerians, particularly lawyers learn from the past and apply their knowledge to re-orientate the present.

talk of gross violation of human rights. Although it was not very apparent to many people at the time, Onakoya was the pillar behind the success of the administration of the late NBA President, Alao Aka-Bashorun. Their tenure, at the Bar Secretariat on Victoria Island at the time, was easily the most radical in the history of Nigerian Bar. Onakoya spent his entire time and faculties plotting to prevent the government from getting away with human rights infractions against Nigerians. And he did it through the only weapon he knows – the instrumentality of the law. He organised lawyers, mobilised Nigerians, arranged conferences and workshops, and went to court to ensure this. Onakoya’s success in this regard was basically informed by his thoroughness as a lawyer, along with the zeal and passion he put into law practice. In his days, things had to be done right; and there was no cutting of corners. If it was not right, it was wrong.

The Man, The Law and The State is a book in which Onakoya tried to showcase his experience and life. This was never going to be easy for a man whose more than 70 years on earth were full of activities, let alone his bar practice that has spanned more than 40 years. But at the end of the day, Onakoya leaves no one in doubt about the numerous things that both government and the people must address seriously if the Nigerian nation must move forward and take its rightful place as a leader in the committee of nations. His primary concern is simply to let the younger generations of Nigerians, particularly lawyers learn from the past and apply their knowledge to re-orientate the present.

How did the breed we know today as “Lawyers” come into existence? How was the practice established in Nigeria?

What is the state of the legal profession in Nigeria – Yesterday, Today and...? What are the fundamental responsibilities of the legal practitioner? How did the corruption in the larger society infiltrate into the legal realm? What are the implications of this infiltration – and the possible remedies?

What are the consequences of the tragicomedy drama of the absurd being enacted between Politics and the Law? How about an exciting experience of the nitty-gritty of a spectacular real life case in court?

And after the main course, how would you like a desert made up of a loaded appendix of speeches, papers, articles, etc, which could form a book by itself? Onakoya’s book

throws up a pertinent food for thought: the existence of two distinct kinds of practitioners in the field – those who have the love of the profession at heart, with this love dictating their total orientation and action; and those who are just in it for “Business as usual”.

Onakoya has seen it all in his over 40 years in the field. He feels a burden on him to download – so to speak – the “diet” in his mind to feed the minds of others, especially up-andcoming legal practitioners.

Listen to Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko, Head, Nigeria Law School, Lagos Campus, on a review of the book: This is a book to be read for its authoritative contents, current appraisal and diversity of topics. Indeed it is a compendium of history, autobiography and vintage legal practice in structure, in motion and in action. It is written in simple prose for enjoyable reading. Without doubt, there is a lot to learn from this well-written account of this thoroughbred, committed legal scientist who has shown a mastery of the art.

And in the foreword with which he graced the book, Chief T. J. Onomigho Okpoko OON, SAN said: “The author provided a simple and clear narrative of what he did as a young lawyer and in his 40 years of legal practice. He dealt with various issues affecting society and the legal profession and assembled and preserved for posterity what experience has taught him. From the stream of knowledge generated from practical experience as a legal practitioner, as a Bar man and as a politically astute lawyer in society, Segun has left a legacy for all to inherit. The appendix to the book provide a sumptuous menu fit for everyone’s consumption at any time”.

The pioneer indigenous merchant banker in the country, Otunba Subomi Balogun will be at the event – among other eminent personalities from the world of Politics, Business and the Law. When asked how he is looking forward to the D-Day, the author said: “This is a clarion call, a solidarity message, a friendly ‘summons’ to my Beloved Learned Colleagues in the legal profession. I look forward to seeing them beside me – and making my day!”

On Valentine’s Day, in the year of our Lord, 2013, all roads lead to the Muson Centre, Lagos to keep a date with The Man, The Law and The State.

• Faniyan is a communication consultant, author and public affairs analyst.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

69

Law

Quote of the week “The only Zen you find on tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there.”

Robert M. Pirsig judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke

Non-conducive courtrooms make litigation strenuous, says Okunnu Interview

By Joseph Onyekwere

The dilapidated state of the courtrooms in Nigeria is increasingly raising concerns among lawyers and litigants, who no longer find it funny to be in court for litigations. The state of many of the hallowed chambers of justice are shameful that many stakeholders wonder what manner of justice we expect from courtrooms that are worse than animal stables. In fact, some of these courtrooms, could easily pass for a kitchen such as we have at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

When stretched with a score of human beings, the congestion makes nonsense of the air conditioners and the people are drenched in perspiration. In this encounter, a Lagos-based senior lawyer, Yomi Okunnu, examines the issues and concludes that the courts are not conducive for work.

N the complaint about infrastructure in O courtrooms as in the Federal High Courts, he said: “I agree that the types of courts that we now have are below expectation. In the Federal High Court, Lagos for instance, our persistent complaint is that the courtrooms are too small. And we had the impression that new courts were going to be built and that they would be big enough to accommodate lawyers and litigants.

But the new structure at the Federal High Court premises at Onikan Abayomi Drive, is unbelievable. In fact, it is hardly bigger than this room; not big enough for the judges to sit with the registrars and other lawyers to hang around. I think it is a waste of resources to build the extension as it is done and purport it to be a courtroom.”

When asked the implication of such courtrooms to the psyche of lawyers? He said: “It is discouraging for lawyers. When you go to court and sit down as a lawyer and the litigants need to be there, anxious to observe proceedings, those kinds of courts cannot even accommodate them. It is discouraging. It gives people like me the impression that may be the days of litigations are over; because the law encourages the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism.

Litigation is becoming strenuous. Strenuous in the sense that you do all your preparations, dress up in the morning to go to court, get there and you begin to wait outside for somebody to finish before you go in and settle down. That’s most unfortunate. I never thought we would ever come to this stage.”

On the issue of judicial funding in relation to infrastructure in the courts, he said: “As far as judicial funding is concerned, from the little I know, having served in the Judicial Service Commission of Lagos State for a while, the judiciary is adequately catered for. Yes, there is a move, which Lagos State has succeeded in acceding to; which is full separation of powers. That is for the judiciary to be able to have its own budget. I don’t know how it happens at the federal level. But I know that in the past, the judiciary ran to the executive to solicit. In Lagos, it is changing. What that means is that if the judiciary considers certain issues, then, it should put them in a budget. It is so sad that for a period of time, like a year, that the judiciary would not be able to do as much as it has imagined it would do. And that is where the issue of training and facilities would come in. There is no use having judges without trained hands. There is no point having judges without facilities. You do a case and want to apply for proceedings; the machines are not working and the printers are

Okunnu dead. So, the little courtrooms we have, the nonavailability of facilities that we face and nontraining of staffers, have put us near where the colonial masters were in charge. In fact, when they were in charge, there was training. I qualified 34 years ago and the standard of practice then was different. The standard practice then was such that if you were a lawyer, you were proud to be a lawyer. You enjoyed it because when you got to the courts, there were enough rooms. The senior made his submissions and said things that you never thought of. So when you finished your own case, you stayed back to pick and learn from the seniors. It doesn’t happen again. There is no room in the court for you to sit, let alone, trying to sit back after your own case to learn. As soon as you finish with your own case, you want to get out of the place, otherwise, you are going to go out soaked in your own sweat.”

Does this circumstance have any link to the slow pace of justice system? He believes it does and responds: “It does. If there is no facility, then justice administration is going to go on slowly.

For instance, if I bring an application for injunction, the law enjoins me to serve the order on the party involved. If the machines are not working, there is no light and the secretary is typing with one finger, it is of no use because by the time you get the process out, it has defeated the purpose it was set to achieve. Injunctions are supposed to be a quick intervention. If it takes you one week to get the order to serve, the harm would have been done. So it affects the process of the law.”

On how we can wriggle out of the problem, he said: “It is very simple. It is done everywhere else – training. I will use Lagos State as an example because to me, it is a model for others to copy. In Lagos State, when it was decided by the Judicial Service Commission then to put electronics devices in the courtroom, it was obvious that you had to train people who would use these devices in the courtroom. It was obvious that not only that you would buy and supply the courts with such devices, there must be people trained to use them; which meant that the quality of staffers that was required would have to be improved.

Gone are the days when you would insist on employing a stenographer as a secretary. In the Lagos State high Courts now, we have lawyers who are judicial assistants and who are there managing administration with the judges. The

way out is the provision of better equipment. In some courts in Lagos State, proceedings are recorded electronically. Therefore, if you request for record of proceedings, you get a printout.

That makes it fast. It also enables the judge to concentrate during trials and proceedings – to listen; because when you observe, you listen.

That is why a trial judge is always relying on what you said and what he heard. He looks at the demeanor of the witness; whether you are lying, whether you are pretending, acting among others. He sees all that by himself. He sees your reaction to questions; so when he writes, he writes down what he has seen and observed. That is why the discretion of a trial judge is never questioned.”

On the argument that the quality of judges appointed to the B ench is low, he declared: “I disagree. What I will say is responsible for the appearance of such assumption is the attitude of some of the appointed judges. I have been involved in the process of appointing judges in the past, I know the rigours that they are subjected to, to find out those who are actually interested in the job. People do things for different reasons. Some people may feel because judges today are better than before, I want to be a judge.

Such a person we will not consider, when I was in the Commission because it entails more than passion. You must have to do something. The questions that we are going to put up to you elicit what you have been doing – what kind of practice you have been having, where do you work and others. It is not possible to say you practice in Lagos and you mention your principal and it is unknown to everybody in the Commission.

It’s impossible. We have had instances where competent and qualified people are appointed but like I said, the attitude is the problem. The attitudes include: late coming, complacency such as a judge sitting at 9.00a.m and rising at 10:15a.m.. That is: come in and adjourn every-

Litigation is becoming strenuous; strenuous in the sense that you do all your preparation, dress up in the morning to go to court, get there and you begin to wait outside for somebody to finish before you go in and settle down.

thing. There are different attitudes that people have exhibited. But lawyers themselves know the judges who are serious with their jobs. The question is: what do we do? Lawyers have the right to notify the Chief Judge. By the rules of the National Judicial Commission (NJC), judges are supposed to write reports. Reports are the product of your activities for a period. So, if you have sat in court in one month and all you have done is that you have written five rulings. No judgment, no trial! Then, what are you being paid for? There is a model for training and tracking, but whether it is being efficiently done; if you ask me, I don’t have an answer.

Judges at the Federal High Court may have their own frustrations.

Originally, I thought that Federal High Court judges were treated better, but I know one or two of them who have grumbled. What makes them to grumble? We started by talking about the size of the courtrooms; it is not conducive for work! The nature of work of the Federal High Courts requires a convenient atmosphere for you to work because a judge’s work is not physical; it is mental. So you need to be in an environment where you can apply yourself. So my feeling is that the Federal High Court, though it has the resources, but I don’t think the resources have been applied appropriately.

The Federal high court in Lagos is nothing to write home about. Unfortunately, most cases in federal high courts takes place in Lagos, so if Lagos has that, what’s going on?”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

LAW 71

LawReport For locus standi, rights and obligations must be peculiar and personal (2) In the Federal High Court, Holden at Lagos, Nigeria, On Monday, December 10, 2012, Before His Lordship: Justice O. E. Abang Judge FHC/L/CS/956/2012 Between Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative Ltd/GTE Captain Dele Ore (plaintiffs) and Alexander Oyetade Komolafe (sued as Coroner of the inquest into The Dana Air Crash of June 3, 2012), The Chief Judge of Lagos State, The Chief Coroner of Lagos State, Attorney General of Lagos State, Attorney General of Federation Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority, The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria Air Space Management Authority Dana Airlines Ltd. (defendants) O show their interest in this regard, learned T SAN stated that the plaintiffs have in their affidavit in support disclosed that they are citizens of Nigeria with the right to ensure that the constitution of this country and other existing laws are not violated.

My Lords, facts leading to this application are clear and straightforward. On June 3, 2012, one of the Dana Airline’s Plane with Registration No. 5N RAM on Flight 09322 flying from Abuja to Lagos, crashed into a residential area at Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State. There were no survivors. As a result of the accident, the law firm of Falana, Falana & Co and Messrs Olisa Agbakoba & Co. wrote a petition to the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State to invoke the Coroners’ Law of Lagos State to conduct an inquest into the cause of death of the victims of the Dana Air Crash of June 3, 2012. On account of the petition, the Honourable Chief

Judge of Lagos State set up a Coroner’s inquest in complaint No. CR/AL/01/2012 presided over by the 1st respondent to conduct investigations as to the cause of death of the victims of the air crash.

The acid tests to determine whether the plaintiffs herein have special and sufficient interest in instituting this action are as follows: • The court must consider whether the plaintiffs could have been joined as a party in the suit if another person commenced or filed this action. The next test is whether the plaintiff would have suffered or will suffer some hardships or injuries arising from the litigation if some other persons instituted this suit.

Therefore, locus standi is indeed the right to appear and be heard on the question before a court of law. It is the legal capacity of the parties to litigation. It is a condition precedent to the determination of a case on the merit though it is not dependent on the success of the case. Put differently, locus standi means that the plaintiffs must show sufficient interest, which is peculiar to him in the matter in controversy, which entitles him to be heard.

The Court of Appeal in Bewaji v Obasanjo (2008) NWLR Pt 568 added two additional tests to determine whether the plaintiffs have locus standi to file this suit. These additional tests are: The action must be justifiable and there must be a dispute between the contending parties.

However, it is to be noted that these tests are not exhaustive. In all of this, the affidavit in support of the originating summons, which is the only document to look at excluding the plaintiffs counter-affidavit to the objection and the defendant’s affidavit in support, which defines the confine of the plaintiffs’ cause of action, must disclose in clear terms the rights and obligations or interest of the plaintiffs, which have been or about to be violated.

Ibrahim Auta, CJ FHC Put differently, the plaintiffs here must show that the act complained of that is the constitution of Coroner inquest by Lagos State government to conduct inquest into the Dana Air Crash in line with Coroner system law of Lagos State, affected their rights and obligations peculiar or personal to them, it is not just enough for them to claim they have sufficient interest in the matter.

The plaintiff in order to have standing to sue, must show how their private rights have been infringed or injured or that there is a

threat of such infringement or injury.

Applying the above principle to the facts of this case, the court having carefully considered the depositions of facts in the affidavit in support of the originating summons, in my view, I have not seen to how the Constitution of Coroner Inquest by Lagos State government to conduct inquest into the Dana Air Crash on June 3, 2012, has affected the private rights of the plaintiffs to carry out its responsibilities of ensuring the observance and implementation of aviation safety, standard and aviation law in Nigeria.

It is my view that the rights to be enforced by the plaintiffs in this suit are not exclusively personal to them. The facts disposed to by 1st plaintiff in the affidavit in support of the originating summons do not vest in the plaintiffs any enforceable right to sue the 1st to 4th defendants. There is no personal dispute conflict or controversy in the constitution of Coroner inquest between the plaintiffs and the agencies of Lagos State government that is appropriate for judicial determination.

The other issues raised by learned SAN, learned senior counsel for the plaintiffs, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), which the learned counsel for the 1st to 4th defendants, Mr. Bakare, did respond to is the issue of the fact that the constitution of the Coroner Inquest by the 1st to 3rd defendant is contrary to the provisions of 1999 Constitution.

It is my view on this that a private person does not have unrestricted leeway, latitude or licence to question at all times the validity of an executive action in a court of law, I so hold.

Before an individual or a private person challenges a decision of an executive arm of government in court whether federal or state, he has a burden to discharge that his interest is capable of being affected by the claim sought to be litigated by him.

TO BE CONTINUED

Highlighting trends in ‘Referral to ADR’ by rules of court and contract clauses Focus

By Ademola Oluborode Jegede SSUES including limited or lack of Iwell flexibility in terms of remedy, as as delay and costs make litigation a less admirable option for the resolution of disputes. Alternative means of resolving disputes, including processes like negotiation and mediation have, therefore, become a preferred option. In strengthening access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options, at least two approaches are emerging, namely, referral by rules of court or through contract clauses.

Through the approach referred here as ‘Rules of court based referral to ADR’, actions commenced by filing conventional court processes are screened by the court registry and may be referred to ADR facilities or services with or without the consent of the parties.

In the other approach, termed referrals through ‘Contract Clauses’, parties may consent that disputes emanating from contracts in which they are involved be submitted to ADR facilities or services. This can be achieved through the insertion of a clause in the contract to the end that resort to ADR shall be made where disputes arise in the implementation of contract. Trends illustrating these two dimensions can be found in different legal systems. Along this line, this paper briefly highlights key developments in some legal systems,

demonstrating in the main that the coming into effect of the new High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 (2012 Rules) should be understood in the context of these global developments.

South Africa Rule 37 of the Uniform Rules of Court of the High Court of South Africa (1986, as amended), to some extent advances the concept of referral to ADR, although in doing so, it seeks to encourage parties to voluntarily approach ADR. According to Rule 37 (8) (a), a judge, who need not be the judge presiding at the trial, may, if he deems it advisable, at any time at the request of a party or meru motu, call upon the attorneys or advocates for the parties to hold or to continue with a conference before a judge in chambers and may direct a party to be available personally at such conference.

That ADR as an option within the meaning of pre-trial conference is strengthened in the provision of Rule 37(8)(b).

No provision of this rule shall be interpreted as requiring a judge before whom a conference is held to be involved in settlement negotiations, and the contents of a reaction to a request for a settlement proposal shall not be made known to a judge except with the consent of the judge and all parties.

If parties are able to reach an amicable settlement, litigation becomes unnecessary as judges are procedurally empowered to give order in respect of conclusion reached by the

Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Lagos State CJ parties one way or the other. To this end, Rule 37(8) (c) provides: ‘The judge may, with the consent of the parties and without any formal application, at such conference or thereafter give any direction, which might promote the effective conclusion of the matter, including the granting of condonation...

If matters proceed to trial, a party who refuses or frustrates ADR proceedings may be liable to sanctions in line with Rule 37 (9) (a), which stipulates that at the hearing of the matter, the court shall consider whether or not it is appropriate to make a special order as to costs against a party or

his attorney, because he or his attorney did not attend a pre-trial conference; or failed to a material degree to promote the effective disposal of the litigation.

France On the other hand, the civil law tradition in France offers an illustration on how the court has recognised and esteemed contractual clauses which prescribe ADR as an appropriate path to resolution of disputes. For instance, there is jurisprudence in support of the viewpoint that the court will consider as inadmissible any action brought before it in breach of any clause or provision requiring that matters first be settled through ADR. This is considering that it is in the interest of the parties and the proper administration of justice to give the parties the opportunity to find a compromise before beginning a potentially long and risky litigation process. An example of such a clause or provision is as follows: The undersigned undertake to submit the dispute, prior to any judicial instance, to conciliators, each party appointing one of them, unless they agree on the choice of a sole conciliator. The conciliators will endeavour to resolve the difficulties submitted to them, and to make the parties accept an amicable solution, within a maximum time limit of two months from their appointment. If an agreement is not reached, the courts of the seat of the company will have exclusive jurisdiction.

Indeed, the foregoing clause was a

subject of consideration in the matter of Chambre Mixte reported in Arbitration International, 19 No.3, 2003, pp 368-370. In that action, a special chamber of the French Supreme Court ruled that procedural penalty will apply when a party initiates a court action without first implementing conciliation proceedings prescribed in a contractual clause.

The Supreme Court confirmed this decision, in the following terms: “A contractual clause, providing for compulsory conciliation proceedings before a court action may be initiated, the implementation of which suspends the limitation period until its outcome, renders an action inadmissible and the court must apply it if the parties invoke it.

TO BE CONCLUDED

Legal Brief

Law book for launch HE official presentation of a book: T The Man, The Law and the State, written by Mr. Segun Onakoya (Life Bencher), holds on Thursday, February 14, 2013, by 10: 30 am at the Function Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The book, will be reviewed by the Deputy Director-General, Nigeria Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko.

The launch will be chaired by Oba D. V. F. Olateru-Olagbegi III, the Olowo of Owo.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

72 LAW

FamilyLaw

“Everyone is an abused child, if you think about what governments do” Tim Roth

Understanding legal issues in Child labour HILD labour remains a major source of C concern in Nigeria in spite of legislative measures. Child labour is defined as work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and deprives them of opportunities for schooling and development.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the number of working children under the age of 14 in Nigeria is estimated at 15 million. The high level of diverse and tedious jobs that children execute in dangerous circumstances is particularly worrying. These jobs include being street vendors, beggars, car washers or watchers and shoe shiners. Others work as apprentice mechanics, hairdressers and bus conductors while a large number work as domestic servants and farm hands.

Research also shows that child workers display poor educational achievements.

Girls start working at an earlier age than boys, particularly in the rural areas. They also suffer the triple burden of housework, school work and work out of home whether paid or unpaid. One of the most common practices is the use of children as child domestics - especially girls.

Major causes of child labour are widespread poverty, rapid urbanisation, breakdown in extended family affiliations, high school

drop-out rates, and lack of enforcement of legal instruments meant to protect children.

Traditionally, children have worked with

their families, but today children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. The money earned by the child’s family members has become a significant part of

poor families’ income.

These children, who work suffer from fatigue, irregular attendance at school, lack of comprehension and motivation, improper socialisation, exposure to risk of sexual abuse, high likelihood of being involved in crime.

Although the Labour Act of 1974 prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15 in commerce and industry and restricts labour performed by children to homebased agricultural or domestic work, little efforts are being made by both government and organisations to prevent or eliminate the worst form of child labour as the country is deeply rooted in poverty and cultural attitudes of the people.

These efforts, in most cases, are not backed by necessary data, which are needed to make it possible for national authorities and the international community to measure the nature and perhaps the extent of child labour in the country and identify areas where action is required to tackle it.

ILO policies are often flawed and violated, even though many countries of the world have developed statistical monitoring and information systems on child labour, often with the support of ILO’s Statistical Information and Monitoring Programme on Child Labour (SIMPOC).

YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi Where there is no revocation of title document, can guarantor allot same land to another person? stated in the cases of CSS Bookshop v RTMCRS, (2006) 11 NWLR pt 992 p 23, and Obikoya v Governor of Lagos State CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK (1987) 1 NWLR pt p 385.

HE person to be deprived of his In Nigerian Engineering Works Ltd v property interest has the right to Denap Ltd & Anor, (1997) 10 NWLR 482, know that he is being expropriated the court annulled the revocation of his title by the government, expro- for the failure of government to priation being, ‘compulsorily depriv- state the purpose of the acquisition ing a person of a right of property, even when the right holder, in belonging to him in return for com- breach of the law, did not develop pensation’. The government must the property within two years as set take some steps, which includes that out in Section 28(5) of the Act, there must be a notice to the holder which breach was the ground of of the land, stating that the land has revocation relied upon by governbeen acquired as stipulated by ment. Onalaja JCA, as he then was, Section 8 of the Act and stating rea- stated in that case, that, prudence sons for the revocation. In Osho v and law demand that a governor LSPD (1991) 4 WNLR (Pt 184), the revoking a right of occupancy for Supreme Court held that notice must public purpose or any purpose contain the grounds for revocation, should accord all those aggrieved must first be served on the holder of by the revocation fair hearing as a right of occupancy and it must give provided by the Constitution.

The notice must be served on the the holder an opportunity to challenge the rightfulness or otherwise holder and the holder must be adeof the revocation in accordance to quately compensated including compensation for crops and any the constitution.

In Administrator/Executor of Estate of structure or development on the Abacha v Eke Spiff, (203) 1 NWLR (Pt land. In NITEL v Ogunbiyi, (1992) 7 800) 114, the respondent, in 1975, had NWLR (Pt255) 543, the revocation been granted a lease under the State served on a land holder who lives in Land Law for a term of 89 years, but Lagos and which was pasted on the the state governor, in 1986, granted a property in Kwara State, was held statutory right of occupancy over the ineffectual for lack of proper notice. same parcel of land to General Sani Also, in Jegede v Citicon Nigeria Ltd, Abacha, who was then the Chief of (2001) 4 NWLR (Pt 702) 112, it was Defence Staff. This was followed by a held that the publication of the revcertificate of occupancy in 1987. After ocation order in an official gazette Abacha’s death in 1998, the respon- did not comply with the law. This dent sought a declaration for his particularly laudable court’s deciright, which he said, had been unlaw- sion was in spite of the fact that fully revoked. In granting the decla- unlike the Public Land Acquisition ration, the Court of Appeal con- Laws, LUA does not make provision demned, unsparingly, the grant to for compulsory publication of revothe late Head of State by the governor cations in gazettes.

In the light of the foregoing, the without first revoking the earlier controversy generated by Section grant.

The revocation must comply with 5(2) of LUA need not have hapthe requirement set under the law, as pened. That section provides:

Scenario

T

“Upon the grant of the statutory right of occupancy under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, all existing rights to the use and occupation of the land which is the subject of the statutory right of occupancy shall be extinguished”.

This literally implies that if government gives out an allocation twice, the second allocation revokes the first and that is exactly the interpretation the courts had given to the provision before the two Supreme Court decisions in Dantosho v Mohammed and Ibrahim v Mohammed, (2003) 6 NWLR (pt 817) 457.

The controversy has since been

settled by these two delightful decisions. In the two similar cases, which incidentally were decided on the same day, by the same set of the full panel of the Supreme Court, the governor granted a statutory right of occupancy, in both cases, first to one party and later to another party. The apex court upheld the right of the first party in each of the two cases.

It was reasoned in the Dantosho case

by Kalgo JSC, that Section 5(2) should be read together with other sections of the Act so as to give body and soul to the intendment of the Act. It is not intended that the governor should revoke a right of occupancy arbitrarily and for a purpose other than overriding public interest or where the terms of a grant

was contravened by the grantee.

Uwaifo JSC, stated in that case that, where a right of occupancy is involved, either in the nature of a statutory or customary right of occupancy upon the issuance of a right of occupancy or through a deemed right of occupancy by operations of Sections 34(2) and 36(4) of the Act, a later grant of the right of occupancy under Section 5(1) cannot, ipso facto, by operation of Section 5(2) extinguish the earlier right already vested. It will be necessary first to revoke that earlier right of occupancy for overriding public interest or for any other reasons as specified under section 28.

In the case of Ibrahim v Mohammed, Ogundare JSC, said that it would be incongruous and absurd to do a literal reading of section 5(2).

The above two cases have rendered per incuriam, all cases where the courts have decided and made pronouncements and interpreted Section 5(2) of LUA to mean that a second allocation revokes the first.

The only way the interest of a person could be revoked is by compulsory acquisition. This position was also confirmed in the case of Onanuju v AG Anambra (2009), 10 NWLR pt 1148 at 182.

Nevertheless, with respect to the case at hand, even in the light of the afore-stated principles of law, it would have been safe to conclude that the interest of the allottee in the land is intact and inviolable but for the fact that he cannot hold the two allocations together. Even if the allottee has fulfilled all the conditions and was not served notice of compulsory acquisition, the revocation is valid. Section 34(6) LUA firmly forbids the allocation of two plots of land to the same person.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

74

Sports Confusion over Keshi’s status

Nwobodo wants national honours, gifts for Eagles ORMER Sports Minister, Jim FEagles Nwobodo says the Super derserves national honours and gifts for winning the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which ended in South Africa on Sunday.

Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the finals watched

by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, South Africa President, Jacob Zuma, and Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. David Mark.

Nwobodo, who served as Sports minister when Nigeria won the Olympic football gold medal in Atlanta 1996, praised the Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud and urged the President Goodluck Jonathan to compensate the team adequately.

According to Nwobodo, who served as chairman of Enugu Rangers when it won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977, the Super Eagles’ feat “is a victory that is coming at a critical period of national reawakening and there can be nothing sweeter than this victory.”

He also commended the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, for his strategy in grooming a team of committed young Nigerians to conquer the rest of Africa.

“Keshi has shown that Nigeria is a complete country and with self-belief, it is possible for our country to achieve our dreams. Keshi and his team have given the nation the needed tonic to stand up and act as one in all aspect of our national life,” Nwobodo noted.

As Eagles storm Abuja for presidential reception

By Christian Okpara and Saxon Akhaine, Kaduna UPER Eagles’ Coach, Stephen SNigeria Okechukwu Keshi, who led to its third triumph in the African Nations Cup on Sunday, reportedly resigned his appointment as the chief coach of the national team yesterday.

The Super Eagles on Sunday defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the Nations Cup trophy for the first time in 19 years, a feat that makes Keshi the second person to win the trophy both as a player and a coach.

Although The Guardian could not confirm the story direct from the Eagles coach, MTNFootball.com reports that Keshi told South African radio station, Metro FM, that he handed in his resignation letter after the cup final on Sunday night.

“I gave them (NFF) my letter of resignation immediately after last night’s game, but I haven’t heard from them yet,” Keshi reportedly told the station.

Keshi had hinted after one of the matches of the just concluded Nations Cup that he might not remain in the job after the competition.

Another source, who pleaded anonymity, said Keshi’s action might not be unconnected with the reported moves by the NFF to appoint Belgian, Tom Saintfiet, as the national teams’ technical director.

Keshi in South Africa kicked against African countries’ penchant to employ ‘carpenters and bricklayers’ as national team coaches simply because of the colour of their skin.

Elaborating the story, a source, who claims to be Keshi’s close confidant, Emmanuel Ado told journalists in Kaduna yesterday that the coach decided to leave after fulfilling his promise to Nigerians to lift the African Cup of Nations.

According to Ado, the Super Eagles coach merchant said the disunity in the football family and Nigerians’ lack of faith in him was some of the reasons he was leaving.

Ado said, “Stephen Keshi has asked me to announce his resignation as the national coach with immediate effect.

It has nothing to do with late payment of his salary or lack of house or car. It is the lack of unity in the football family.

“He is grateful to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support.”

Ado said Keshi contacted him on Saturday to make the decision public, adding that the coach made up his mind to quit two weeks ago.

“It has been an on going thing, but Keshi decided that enough was enough two weeks ago and asked me to announce it to Nigerians. He will give further details of the decision later,” Ado said.

When contacted, Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, who is in South Africa with Keshi, said his boss had not told him of any intention to quit the job.

Alaiya, who has been working with Keshi since the ‘Big Boss’ took over the Super Eagles in

2011, directed The Guardian to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), “who should know if Keshi has left his job.”

Also speaking on the issue, NFF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire described the story as “news to me because we were all with Keshi on Sunday and he did not say anything like that.

“We are coming back to Nigeria tomorrow (today) where the Presidency will host the team and to the best of my knowledge Keshi will lead the technical crew to that reception.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ contingent will depart Johannesburg on this morning and arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in the afternoon.

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, who worked assiduously with the NFF’s top echelon to accomplish the glorious outing, will lead the Nigeria delegation of players, officials, NFF president, NSC management, NFF Executive Committee members and Management, NSC and NFF staff, stakeholders, media representatives and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, from the O.R. Tambo International Airport.

NFF officials confirmed that the players and officials will be driven into the Abuja metropolis in a motorcade, straight to the Presidential Villa, where President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR will host the team to a Grand State Reception and reward players and officials.

We will build on the current success, says Abdullahi Keshi celebrates Nigeria’s semifinal defeat of Mali at the just concluded South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup. The Super Eagles’ coach reportedly resigned his appointment…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP.

Eagles get Adenuga’s $1m, sponsorship to Confederation Cup HAIRMAN of Globacom, C Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., has splashed a $1 million (about N160 million) largesse on the Super Eagles for winning the 29th African Cup of Nations tournament, which ended on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Adenuga also promised to give the Chief Coach of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, a befitting official car and accommodation.

Adenuga announced the package shortly after the

team’s 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso’s Stallions at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The Super Eagles presented the gold trophy to Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. in Johannesburg during a breakfast session on Monday.

Those in attendance included members of the victorious team, led by Captain Joseph Yobo, the coaching crew, including Stephen Keshi and Daniel Amokachi and the Chairman of Nigerian Football

Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Adenuga commended the Super Eagles and the technical team for winning the African Cup of Nations and restoring Nigeria’s glory in African Football.

He described the victory as “well deserved,” saying, “your resilient spirit was evident in all the matches you played, coupled with the team work.

The highly entertaining football the boys played is a welcome breath of fresh air. You

have brought joy to Nigerians,” said Adenuga.

He also commended Keshi for equalling Egypt’s ElGohari’s record by emerging as the second African to win the African Cup of Nations as a player and coach.

Adenuga also promised that Glo would sponsor the Super Eagles’ trip to the World Confederation Cup in June where they would play against top football nations like current World Cup champion, Spain and Uruguay.

They want to kill me, Eto’o cries out N what can only be Iments, Anzhi described as shocking comMakachkala forward, Samuel Eto’o, has told of how he fears for his life from the Cameroon Football Associaton.

The comments come after the African legend spoke about his conflict with the Cameroonian Football Federation.

The former Barcelona man told Cameroonian magazine Je Wanda (via ESPN), “the leaders of the FCF want to attack my life, they

want to kill me. I live with a group of gendarmes (military forces) and one sleeping in front of my door. I do this not out of snobbery, but for my own safety. “(The federation) has swindled our money long enough.

Instead of managing football for the general interest, they are only concerned with fictitious missions, first class travels and untraceable bank accounts in Europe.”

The last few years haven’t proved too promising for Cameroonian football. In 2012,

they were bundled out of AFCON qualifying by Cape Verde. Les Lions Indomitables have also slipped down six places in the most recent FIFA rankings to 67th.

Eto’o‘s comments come just a week after the investigation into world-wide football match-fixing was announced.

His comments regarding money prove quite alarming, especially considering the extent Eto’o is alleging people will go to in order to cover their tracks.

Since his move to Anzhi in

Russia, Eto’o has somewhat fallen off the footballing radar. He is currently working to be fit for his side’s clash against Hannover in the Europa League.

The Cameroonian International further labelled those involved with the federation to be “incompetent and corrupt.”

There has not yet been any response from the Cameroonian Football Association.

• Culled from Bleacherreport.com

PORTS Minister/Chairman, SCommission National Sports (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has promised that the Federation Government would build on the achievements of the Super Eagles at the just concluded South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup, where Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the competitiojn for the first time in 19 years.

While thanking Nigerians for the massive support to the Super Eagles, which he said inspired the team to victory, Abdullahi further commended the players, Coach Stephen Keshi and other members of the technical and support team for their hardwork, dedication and discipline, which has translated into victory for the team.

According to Abdullahi, the Super Eagles have given Nigerians a cause for celebration and their victory has lifted the mood of the nation ahead of the 100th year anniversary of Nigeria.

He, however noted, “this is not the final destination. We will work with the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure that we build on the current success and make the Super Eagles world-beaters.

“We will not rest until enduring governance systems for sports management have been built and the culture of excellence is entrenched in not just football but in all our sports.”

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

SPORTS 75

2013 African Cup of Nations Fallout

Akanni attributes AFCON victory to dedication, Keshi

By Adeyinka Adedipe International, FutedORMER Waidi Akanni has attribSuper Eagles’ 1-0 win

Fans celebrate Eagles’ triumph at AFCON 2013 in South Africa

Shettima urges Nigerians to ‘adopt culture of togetherness’ From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri OVERNOR Kashim G Shettima of Borno State has advised Nigerians to adopt the ‘culture of togetherness’ the leaders and citizens shared on Sunday while supporting the Supper Eagles at the just concluded African Nations Cup in South Africa to overcome the security challenges facing the country.

Shettima in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Umar Gusau said, “for the first time in Nigerian history, the leaders and citizens set aside their political, ethno-religious and socio-economic differences to cheer the Super Eagles to clinch their lost glory in African foot-

ball.”

The governor said the prayers and solidarity and display of patriotism contributed in the country’s success in the competition, adding, “I am really amazed with the ‘we’ spirit displayed by all Nigerians at home and in Diaspora.

“I deliberately kept calling many Nigerians in many states across the six geopolitical zones and in different countries across the world, minutes before the match kicked off, during half time and immediately after the match for the purpose of experiment, and everyone I spoke with was full of patriotism, determination and prayers regardless of location, religion, sex, tribe, political affiliation and eco-

Guinness applauds Super Eagles’ feat at AFCON OREMOST supporter of the Fcongratulated Super Eagles, Guinness has the team for winning the AFCON 2013 trophy in South Africa. By this win, Nigeria became the first nation to win the Africa Cup of Nations in its new format.

The Super Eagles at the weekend beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso by 1-0 to clinch the AFCON trophy, an achievement that has been long awaited for 19 years. It alsovindicated Guinness’ belief in the team despite the challenges they have faced in their attempts over the years.

Congratulating the team, Managing Director/Chief Executive Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu said, “the Super Eagles have proved that truly with the support of 160 million Nigerian fans, they can certainly achieve heights unimaginable. They have demonstrated that they are truly made of more.

The team showed significant progress as the tournament unfolded and right up till the last whistle, they

maintained a positive attitude, not allowing the challenges they faced dampen their desire to win the trophy.

They have really driven themselves hard towards success and it paid off. The Super Eagles are once again the number one football team in Africa.”

As Guinness recently put Nigeria in the limelight by breaking the world record for the largest football jersey in the world, Adetu believes the never say die spirit in the Super Eagles team has further served to pull Nigerians together as we journey on the path of history.

Speaking on the effort of Guinness to ensure the team got the desired support before and during the tournament, the Marketing and Innovation Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Austin Ufomba said the success recorded by the Super Eagles at AFCON 2013 is worthy of the effort by Guinness and millions of Nigerians who believed in the team.

nomic status.

“Cars were off the streets, the rich and the poor embraced each other, Muslims and Christians hugged one another, northerners and southerners roared together, no one cared about the tribe and religion of the scorers in Nigeria’s six matches from three games at the group stage to the quarter, semifinal and final outings.

“What mattered to every Nigerian was a sole objective, which was to win the matches and lift the trophy. I then realised that if all Nigerians, from leaders to citizens within and in Diaspora, can be this united, determined and patriotic, we can confront all our challenges and move our country forward with the speed of l i g h t .

“The current security challenges can be easily overcome if everyone shows the same concern through the ‘we approach’. Unless we work together, we may only have isolated successes, which would always make other parts of the country vulnerable.

“As I have often said, crisis

is mobile, when one thinks crisis or any social ill, be it terrorism, serial killings, robbery, kidnapping or is merely a distant problem that isn’t his or her business, the crisis or social ill, eventually becomes a next door neighbour when the socalled distant area is fortified because those who perpetuate wrongs always move to where they think is safer to operate.”

Shettima further reiterated, “we must therefore approach our problems with the same spirit of togetherness displayed throughout the Nations Cup, especially the one shown ahead of the final match.

“I congratulate our very resilient and top flight Super Eagles, our persevering coaching crew and other football officials, our dear President and all Nigerians for this very important success, which I hope has taught us a lesson that with resilience and collective prayers, we can always triumph in whatever challenges we find ourselves, including the security problems and all other issues that hinder our steady progress as a nation.”

over Burkina Faso in the final of the AFCON to determination and Coach Stephen Keshi’s technical acumen.

While noting that the team was slow of the block, its match-winning performance against Cote d’Iviore and Mali in the quarter and semi final stages respectively gave Nigerians the belief that the Eagles would win the trophy.

Akanni also commended the players for rising up to the occasion even when they were written off after their disjointed performance in the group stage.

“I must commend the players for taking all the criticism in their chin and improving their performance, which culminated in their championship-winning performance on Sunday.

“Most players would have the downcast by the venomous criticism directed at them but its heartwarming to see them improve their game and win the trophy,” Akanni added.

He also said that the Eagles endeared themselves to the fans in South Africa, which reminded him of the 1994 squad that won the AFCON trophy in Tunisia “The way they played from

the quarter final stage was very difficult for many teams to match. They passed the ball very well and controlled possession and close down their opponents whenever they lost possession.

“The team peaked at the right time in the tournament and it was amazing to see a team put together in five weeks achieve the feat,” Akanni added.

The former international also singled out Kenneth Omeruo for special praise, stating that his experience belies his experience. He also commended AFCON’s hot shot, Emmanuel Emenike for his breath-taking goals that propelled Nigeria to the top in the competition.

He also congratulated Keshi for his technical input, noting that it took a lot of courage on his part to take 17 rookies to the tournament. “I think he believed so much in his players even when people criticised him for taking too many new players to the event.

“Taking as much as six home-based players, who were part of the first 11 showed that with good packaging our local league can churn out world class talents,” he added.

Akanni also urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to allow Keshi continue with the good job started.

Amaechi, Okorocha congratulate Eagles IVERS State Governor and R Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, at the weekend joined millions of Nigerians in congratulating the senior national football team, the Super Eagles and Nigerians, for winning the African Cup of Nations.

Amaechi, who is the leader of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation to the competition and was in South Africa to support the Eagles at the finals, described the victory as a victory for all Nigerians.

Amechi said, “this is a victory for all Nigerians. I must commend the Super Eagles for their sterling performance. The Team and the technical crew did very well. They have made us proud again.

Again, Nigeria has proved to the world that he’s indeed the giant of Africa, the real champions of Africa.

“This sweet and welldeserved victory is a testimo-

Super Eagles’ players jubilate after beating Burkina Faso in the final of AFCON 2013.

PHOTOS: AFP

ny that with the right attitude and spirit, determination, doggedness, and the will to fight for victory, we will always win and rise above whatever the difficulties or challenges that may want to hold us down. “ Amaechi urged Nigerians to emulate the Eagles and replicate this victory in other spheres of life and our national polity.

Tom Tom splashes $22,500 on Moses, Super Eagles ADBURY West Africa, makC ers of TomTom, the official candy of the Nigerian national football teams, has congratulated the Super Eagles for bringing soothing relief to millions of soccerloving Nigerians by lifting the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations after almost two decades.

The company also announced a cash reward of $22, 500 for the Super Eagles most valuable player (MVP) and the national team.

Corporate Affairs Manager, Cadbury West Africa, Kufre Ekanem, in a statement shortly after the final match, commended the Super Eagles for soaring above the Stallions of Burkina Faso to become the African champions, stressing that their tenacity, fighting spirit and the determination to succeed handed them victory.

Announcing then cash rewards, Ekanem said in keeping with the promise made by the brand, Victor Moses, who won the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) of the tournament in the Nigerian team would be rewarded with $10,000 for his excellent performance throughout the tournament.

76 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

UEFA Champions League

Fergie wary of Real in Madrid ANCHESTER United M Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson says the Champions League is Real Madrid’s ultimate goal ahead of tomorrow’s last-16 first-leg clash with the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos are currently 16 points adrift of La Liga leaders, Barcelona and have recently slipped up against Granada, Valencia and

ing their tail a bit because Barcelona’s form has been incredible.

I think Jose has set his targets firmly on the European Cup, no doubt about that. It can be harder for us but there’s a bit of pressure for them too.

“At this moment in time we’re involved in three things. Jose has still got the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, they play Barca next week and then again in a league game before we play them on the Tuesday at Old Trafford. So they’ve got a big programme themselves.

“You look at English football and say it’s a very, very difficult programme and every game is hard but you look at Madrid’s programme at the moment and it’s also very difficult.

Every game is hard.

“It’s always been important to them, the European Cup, and I don’t think it (pressure) necessarily applies to Jose as I think he’s done a great job there.

“He’s really built up a terrific squad of players and could play two teams, like us. I don’t think it applies to him but you never know in football.

“I don’t think there’s any secrecy in his own desire to win the European Cup as, don’t forget, he’d be the only person to win it with three different teams so it’s a fantastic challenge for Jose.”

Osasuna domestically.

With little hope of defending their Spanish crown, Ferguson believes opposite number Jose Mourinho will be hell-bent on steering Real to claiming Europe’s top trophy for the first time in 11 years at Wembley in May. Ferguson said, “I think their target is the European Cup. They got a bad start in the league and were chas-

Van Persie

Mourinho can’t wait for United clash OSE Mourinho has claimed JLeague this week’s Champions showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester United is the “match the world is waiting for”.

United head to the Bernabeu for the first leg on Wednesday, before the tie is decided at Old Trafford three weeks later.

The only certainty will be one of the heavyweights getting knocked out at the end, with Cristiano Ronaldo pitted against his old club in a mouthwatering duel.

“It is the match the world is waiting for,” Mourinho told MUTV. “People think we are under pressure because a big team will be out.

“But it is the kind of match we want and the people are not waiting for any other game.

“I hope we give them what they want.”

After Ronaldo bagged yet another hat-trick in Real’s win over Seville, Mourinho flew into Manchester to watch United overcome Everton at Old Trafford.

And, despite the impending battle, Mourinho was welcomed into Sir Alex Ferguson’s inner sanctum prior to the 2-0 win, a sign of just how much affection the pair hold for each other.

“I feel privileged about that because he is such an important person in the world of

football and, more importantly, he is good person,” said Mourinho.

“I have always had a fantastic relationship with him and I am proud of it.

“We have had so many matches between us which started with Porto. We had some with Chelsea, Inter and now Real. Some I had won, some I have lost, others I have drawn.

“Of course, I want to win and he wants to win, but I believe the loser will have a little bit of space to feel a little bit happy because of the friendship.

“But make no mistake, I want to win.”

Juventus is ready for Celtic, Pirlo insists NDREA Pirlo is confident A that Juventus has what it takes to see off Celtic in their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Scottish giant surprisingly beat Barcelona at home earlier this season, but Pirlo has stressed that Juve will not make the same mistakes the Catalans made as he believes the Bianconeri will be ready for anything Celtic throws his club’s way.

“We are ready for anything.

We have seen how Celtic beat Barcelona, but maybe we are better prepared than the Catalans on how to adapt to the circumstances,” Pirlo told Tuttosport.

“They play some fantastic football, but Celtic frustrated them with their approach. Whatever they will try, Juventus will be ready for it, though. If they want to play football, we’ll respond by playing football.

If they want to fight, we will be ready to go to battle.”

Juventus Director, Pavel Nedved believes Saturday night’s 2-0 victory over Fiorentina was the perfect way to prepare for the “lion’s den” that awaits the Bianconeri in Glasgow.

Nedved feels head coach Antonio Conte’s men have what it takes to handle the daunting atmosphere that awaits them in Scotland.

He told the club’s website, “I’m fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us in Glasgow because I’ve been there and experienced it first hand. We’ll be stepping into a lion’s den and I don’t think the team will need geeing

up. We’ll have to tough it out, but we have shown that we’re ready.”

He added, “we are very satisfied with how the team approached the match.

Fiorentina play a great style of football, they have a more than capable coach and a dangerous team.

“But we really wanted the three points and played well to get them. It was a great test of character and everyone worked towards the same goal.

“In January, we had a slight dip in form but you can’t be at the top of your game over the course of a whole season.

Now we’re in form and ready for Europe.”

Fixtures Celtic

v

Juventus

19:45

Valencia

v

PSG

19:45

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

By Michael Jegede ONTRARY to the thinking in some C quarters that the amnesty programme for Niger Delta former militants is a total failure, I make bold to say that the amnesty under the direct supervision of the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, remains the most successful programme ever run by the Federal Government.

I stand by my position in my previous piece on this matter that the amnesty declaration remains the most genuine, valiant and profound effort made by any Federal Government since the country’s independence to tackle the agitation for fairness, equity and development in the oil-rich Niger Delta. It has, in my view, been the most effective tool employed by any government in addressing a critical national issue.

Of recent, I have read several write-ups in which different kinds of unsubstantiated allegations of fund mismanagement were made against the leadership of the Niger Delta Amnesty office.

Some have even suggested that the programme should be brought to an end on the ground that Kuku and his team were only enriching themselves from the fund meant for the amnesty, arguing that there was nothing to show for the allocations they have received since inception.

Well, I do know that many discerning and perceptive Nigerians would agree with me that such argument is obviously illogical and therefore cannot hold water because the gains of the amnesty programme are there for everyone to see. Anybody who says that the funds meant for the programme have not been judiciously applied may have deliberately blindfolded himself such that he cannot see the progress being made by the introduction of the programme.

As I pointed out in my last publication, even though there were doubts at the incipient stage as to whether it was going to yield any fruitful upshot, today, the amnesty programme ably and adeptly co-ordinated by Kuku, has made significant impact in the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta, a region that was hitherto known to be the seal of violence and massive destruction with the activities of the ex-agitators.

I had equally pointed out that it is for

I had equally pointed out that it is for the reason of the huge success recorded by the programme that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, despite his death, has continued to receive accolades from most Nigerians for considering the option of amnesty in the long search for peace in the area. President Goodluck Jonathan has likewise received commendation and applause for deeming it fit to ensure the sustenance of the programme. The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, who led the delegation, said on behalf of the team: ‘We all know what brought about this programme because Nigeria decided to address a fundamental injustice to a section of the country. From what we have seen and experienced during our interaction with the trainees, I can tell Nigerians that the amnesty programme gives us hope and we are very proud of these youths.’

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Amnesty programme: A huge success

One of the Niger Delta ex-militants, Bassy Henshaw (middle), being decorated as a private pilot after their training at an aviation school in South Africa…recently.

the reason of the huge success recorded by the programme that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, despite his death, has continued to receive accolades from most Nigerians for considering the option of amnesty in the long search for peace in the area.

President Goodluck Jonathan, the then Vice President, has likewise received commendation and applause for deeming it fit to ensure the sustenance of the programme.

Upon completion of their oversight/inspection visit in September 2012 to the Afrika Union Aviation Academy in Mafikeng and the Flight Training Services in Midrand, South Africa, where 53 Niger Delta youths were being trained as pilots, members of the Senate and House committees on Niger Delta commended the Presidential Amnesty office for what they termed “judicious utilisation of funds meant for the programme.”

The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, who led the delegation, expressed satisfaction that it was

being properly implemented.

Speaking on behalf of the team, he said: “We came here to assess how deep the amnesty programme is. We all know what brought about this programme because Nigeria decided to address a fundamental injustice to a section of the country. From what we have seen and experienced during our interaction with the trainees, I can tell Nigerians that the amnesty programme gives us hope and we are very proud of these youths. The funds allocated to the programme are being judiciously used and we will continue to support and expand its scope.”

He described the young pilots as the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Adding to the voice of AbatemiUsman, Chairman of House Committee on Niger Delta, Warman Ogoriba, applauded Kuku for succeeding in dismissing the pessimism that Nigerians had towards the programme when it was introduced in 2009. Ogoriba said: “When amnesty was granted, most Nigerians thought nothing good will come out of it. But now the story is different. Our youths

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Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, had noted in an interview that it was completely out of place for some Nigerians to be calling for the closure of the programme for now. On the argument that too much money was being spent on it, the three-term senator said: ‘Let us look at the other side of it. What was the country losing when we had militancy? It is easy to do a cost benefit analysis. If what we were losing was far in excess of what it costs us to get peace, then, I think the amnesty programme is justifiable.’ are being trained all over the world in critical sectors. We are very impressed and my advice to these young Nigerians is to continue to be good ambassadors of our country.”

The National Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), Allen Onyema, is also one of many insightful Nigerians, who clearly agree that the amnesty programme has been a monumental feat.

Onyema, while speaking to newsmen, noted that the programme is celebrated the world over, as the international community seems to be bemused as to how Nigeria was able to get it right from the stage of disarmament, through demobilisation to re-integration.

According to the FEHN boss, the level of crude oil production prior to the programme was about 700,000 barrels a day, but since the commencement of the programme, it has risen to over 2.6 million barrels per day.

He went further to say that the success of the programme should not be measured by the increase in the level of production alone but viewed from the level of lives that are being changed and touched by the programme. In his words, “people who were condemned as useless are now trained as pilots, technicians, lawyers and nurses, among others.” Just as I had advocated in my earlier article that more funds should be allocated to the amnesty office due to the large number of people involved, Onyema called on the Federal Government to increase the funding for the programme.

Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had noted in an interview that it was completely out of place for some Nigerians to be calling for the closure of the programme for now. On the argument that too much money was being spent on it, the three-term senator said: “Let us look at the other side of it. What was the country losing when we had militancy? It is easy to do a cost benefit analysis. If what we were losing was far in excess of what it costs us to get peace, then, I think the amnesty programme is justifiable.”

We must continue to encourage the amnesty office, under the dynamic leadership of Kuku, to build on the successes recorded so far in the running of the programme, which involves 30,000 Niger Delta youths. The young man has, no doubt, demonstrated great, sterling leadership qualities, as seen in his proper co-ordination of the affairs of the amnesty office, which can be said to be largely responsible for the meaningful inroads made in the amnesty drive. For a programme that has been saving about N34 billion per day for the country, it is only appropriate that we all support it to further stabilise our economy.

• Michael Jegede, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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