Tuesday 19 Feb,2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,472

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

INEC’s audit report on parties indicts PDP, 54 others • Clears ACN for up-to-date records By Abiodun Fanoro and Seye Olumide N audit report on politiA cal parties in the country released yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2011 has indicted the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to keep upto-date financial records. In the report, which covers the 56 registered political parties, about 54 of them were indicted for flouting the provisions of the Electoral Act, which stipulate modalities for the running of parties, including details of their earnings and expenditures. Only the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) were certified as having complied with the provisions of section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010. In the report, INEC said of the PDP: “The party does not have a prepared audited financial statement for 2011.

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President Goodluck Jonathan (second right) and children from Beeta Universal Arts Foundation, during a presidential summit on water in Abuja… yesterday.

Govt gives terms for talks with Boko Haram

From Madu Onuorah (Abuja), Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin-City), Nkechi Onyedika (Yenagoa) and Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) (with agency report)

OR the Federal Government to engage in direct negotiations with Boko Haram, the group has to constitute a credible leadership or its leader Ibrahim Shekau has to publicly renounce violence and

• Islamic group claims kidnapping seven foreigners • Jonathan orders rescue of victimsdered the nation’s security embrace dialogue as a path to peace. This was the position of the Federal Government as articulated yesterday by the National Coordinator of Counter Terrorism and Insurgency in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen.

Sarkin Yakin Bello. Besides, an Islamic group, Ansaru, yesterday claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of foreigners on a construction site in Bauchi last weekend. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday or-

agencies to take “all necessary actions” to locate and rescue the abducted foreigners. Jonathan also commiserated with the family of the guard who was reportedly killed in the attack on the site. Bello also disclosed that the

country would soon set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre that would serve as a processing centre for all intelligence, which would address the peculiar security challenges of the country. Bello said at the National Defence College, Abuja while addressing visiting top United States military leaders and their Nigerian counterparts that Nigeria had a primary in-

terest in the containment of the terrorists in Mali as the country had been providing safe haven for the Boko Haram elements in Nigeria. Noting that membership of the terrorist groups also included nationals drawn from Niger, Chad and Cameroun, Bello declared that “to finally solve the Boko Haram challenge in Nigeria, the umbilical

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Lagos communities groan under gas flaring By Roseline Okere

JIDO, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo are rustic communities on the bank of the Atlantic Ocean, near Badagry, Lagos. They are areas in dire need of development through the presence of modern infrastructure. Just about when their prayers were heard, the development has come with a huge cost in terms of pollution, heat, noise and vibration coming from gas being flared by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo). Indeed, the travails of host

• Firm blames ordeal on damaged pipeline communities in gas-flaring areas of Niger Delta are now being replicated in the south west of the country - Badagry. About 170 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) is currently being flared in Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo areas of Badagry Local Council of Lagos State by WAPCo. The Guardian learnt that the

gas flaring actually started around August last year and became very intense since the beginning of 2013. When The Guardian visited the company at the weekend, there were heavily armed security personnel — a large contingent of policemen. Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has condemned the situation and called on the

Federal Government to pressure the company from further flaring of gas in the communities. On its part, the government has called for the cessation of the gas flaring as a foil against concomitant impact on human health. Specifically, the state government has given WAPCo up till Friday to halt the flaring, as it

unfolded plans to sanction the company. Already, WAPCo is said to be losing between $500,000 and $600,000 daily on account of the incident and Nigeria is also losing $15 million per day to gas flaring The gas flaring in Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo areas of Badagry in Lagos is already making life unbearable to the inhabitants who have to bear the terrible noise, vibration, extreme heat and emission ema-

Court refuses Maina’s bid to stop arrest - Page 5

nating from the site. The 678-kilometre West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) links the existing Escravos-Lagos pipeline at the Nigeria Gas Company’s Itoki Natural Gas Export Terminal in Nigeria and proceeds to a beachhead in Lagos. From there, it moves offshore to Takoradi, in Ghana, with gas delivery laterals from the main line extending to Cotonou (Benin), Lome (Togo) and Tema (Ghana). The Escravos-Lagos pipeline system has a capacity of 800

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

2 NEWS

Communities groan under gas flaring in Lagos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), and the WAPCo system will initially carry a volume of 170MMscfd and peak over time at a capacity of 460MMscfd. The main offshore pipeline runs East to West at an average water depth of 35 metres though some sections such as the south east of Ghana, south of Lome and the Benin-Nigerian frontier ranges between 50 and 70 metres. Its range from the coast is as varied as the depth. South of Cape St. Paul in Ghana, it is as close as 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 kilometres) while at its widest section south of Winneba also in Ghana, it is 17.5 nautical miles (32.5 kilometres). WAGP transports purified natural gas free of heavy hydrocarbons, liquids and water, ideally suited as fuel for power plants and industrial applications. Eighty-five per cent of the gas is for power generation and the remaining for industrial applications. The Volta River Authority’s Takoradi Thermal Power Plant in Ghana, CEB of Benin and Togo are WAPCo’s foundation customers. Speaking with The Guardian at the weekend, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of WAPCo, Harriet Wereko-Brobby,

said that the company had decided to embark on flaring the gas which it was unable to export to neighbouring countries due to the damage to a pipeline late last year. Wereko-Brobby who confirmed that the damaged gas pipeline had been successfully repaired, was however, not sure exactly when the company would stop the flaring. She assured that the company was concerned about the plight of the people living around the community and would put in place measures that would bring an end to the gas flaring. An indigene of Ajido, Musibau Busari, a bricklayer, told The Guardian that the gas flaring had made life unbearable to him and his five children who had to contend with the extreme heat and noise emanating from the flaring site. He said that his family had developed health issues due to the emissions from gas being flared and called on the Federal Government to come to their rescue. Another indigene, Dauda Tunde, a 55-year-old fisherman with 10 children, said that they had not been able to complain to the company due to the presence of security personnel with arms who usually would not allow anybody get close to the gate of the company.

Tunde, therefore, appealed to the Lagos State government to do something about the gas flaring in the community. “We want the company to provide air conditioners to us, provide us with quality health care and electricity,” he said. Speaking with The Guardian on the issue, the Head of Media of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Philip Jakpor, lamented the situation and said that the organisation had led a group of women to protest against the gas flaring, which had affected Ajido, Imeke and Araromi areas of Badagry. He stated: “What is happening in Badagry is sad and unfortunate because gas-flaring as we have always said, pollutes the immediate and the wider environment and has serious consequences for the health of the local population. “ERA/FoEN as an organisation raised the alarm on the dangers of the flares in Badagry, which the community people say is lit in the night to deflect attention. In the Niger Delta where there are over 200 gas flare locations, life expectancy is 41 years even when it is 48 years in other parts of the country. The wider impact of gas flare is the enormous amounts of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere that fur-

ther heighten global warming. The same challenges, which Niger Delta communities face, are now being felt in Badagry. “Before the project started in 1995, the people of Badagry were promised good and motorable roads, employment opportunities, school buildings, equipped health centres, among others, since the communities are in the right-ofway of the project.” He disclosed that WAPCo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the communities in 2007, which he said, was never honoured. Rather, he hinted that what the communities got were tokens of sub-standard boreholes in a few communities, a non-functioning clinic and two separate blocks of schools’ classrooms (six rooms each) in two communities. “The project, as noble as its intents are portrayed to the outside world, has brought dislocation to the areas due to environmental pollution which communities like Ajido, Imeke and Araromi face arising from the flaring of gas at the station in Ajido, the negative impact of underwater pipes on the water bodies, especially the lagoons bearing the famous coconut plantations, and suppression of the people’s right to protest.

Islamic group claims kidnapping seven foreigners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 cord between it and other terror groups need to be broken. And that is what is happening right now in Mali. Most of the insurgents in Northern Nigeria come from Mali. So, we have a primary interest to contain the terrorists in Mali. There is a containment interest, which is in our national interest. That (Mali) is where Boko Haram members get their training, funding and bases. They are well established there.” Explaining that the Federal Government was not averse to negotiating with the terror group as a way of bringing peace, Bello said that “if a credible leadership shows itself, government is ready to negotiate with them. If (leader of the Boko Haram sect, Ibrahim) Shekau can come out, using his usual medium, to renounce violence, the government will be ready for the dialogue.” He stated that of all forms of terrorism in different parts of the world including the United States of America and Israel, that of Nigeria was peculiar. “I have not seen any country as challenged as Nigeria. For Nigeria, it is people like me, people like you, living in the same area, with same language that are the members of the Boko Haram. They live among us. Some are our cousins”, he said. However, the anti-terrorism chief disclosed that “in the last two months, the nation’s security agencies have been able to sufficiently degrade the Boko Haram group such that they are incapable of carrying out coordinated attacks in various cities in Nigeria.” He added that “the challenge of terrorism is for all and it requires all Nigerians for it to be resolved. To contain terror, there is need to up the capabilities of the security and defence agencies.”

He said that in addition to setting up the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Federal Government would soon launch a policy to tackle unemployment especially in the North as unemployment had provided a ready pool for recruitment of terrorists. Yesterday too, the Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, assured that the Nigerian army would continue to beef up security in Anambra State to sustain the gains recorded in tackling security challenges in the State. Also, the new Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Foluso Adebanjo, yesterday, assumed duties in the state pledging to tackle kidnappers and armed robbers. In a related development, the Bayelsa State Government is to install central high-tech digital equipment that would help monitor activities going on in every part of the state electronically. According to the Agence France Presse (AFP), Ansaru is considered a new group with a rising profile after it claimed the abduction of a French national in December. Some view it as being directly linked to Boko Haram, the group blamed for killing hundreds of people in northern Nigeria since 2009. In an e-mail statement sent to journalists, Ansaru said it had “the custody of seven persons, which include a Lebanese and their European counterparts working with Setraco,” the Lebanese-owned company targeted in the attack. Police in Bauchi said four Lebanese, one Briton, a Greek citizen and an Italian were among those taken hostage by gunmen who stormed the site in the town of Jama’are in Bauchi State. The assailants shot dead a guard. A Setraco official, who requested anonymity, later told

Our error N the caption of our front page picture of February 17, 2013, Iernor we wrongly referred to former Central Bank of Nigeria GovJoseph Sanusi as former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The error is regretted.

AFP that in fact the Middle Eastern hostages included two Lebanese and two Syrians. Beirut has said that only two of its nationals were abducted. Ansaru’s two-paragraph statement in English cites “the transgressions and atrocities done to the religion of Allah ... by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan and Mali.” The group has previously protested France’s efforts against Islamic rebels in Mali. Residents in Jama’are, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the state capital, said Setraco evacuated all its workers from the company’s premises on Sunday, and a spokesman told AFP that its road project had been stopped. “There is no way we will continue to work there because the lives of our colleagues are in danger,” John Ogbamgba said yesterday. “We are all in tears.” Expatriates have typically been kidnapped in Nigeria’s oil-rich south and often released following ransom payments. But such incidents in the north have been isolated and some analysts fear that Ansaru’s emergence may be a sign of changing tactics among the Islamic groups in the region. The Setraco spokesman said the firm was especially concerned that the abductions took place in the north, where “you don’t get information”. If the attack had occurred in the south, “maybe there would be a ransom demand”, Ogbamgba said. Aside from the French national abducted in December whose whereabouts remain unknown, the three other Westerners kidnapped in the north since 2011 have all been killed. They include a German engineer abducted last year as well as a Briton and an Italian seized in 2011, in an attack the British government linked to Ansaru. Britain declared the group a terrorist organisation in No-

vember. Some experts say that Ansaru’s leader may be Khalid al-Barnawi, one of three Nigerian extremists labelled a “global terrorist” by the United States last year, saying he had ties to Al-Qaeda’s north African affiliate. The governments of Greece and Italy have confirmed that their citizens were among those taken hostage. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said yesterday that London was in touch with Nigerian authorities but did not confirm that a Briton was among the hostages. In a statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan assured the relatives of the kidnapped foreign workers as well as the governments of their countries that the Federal Government and its security agencies were doing everything possible to find their abductors and ensure the safe release of all those they abducted. The President further condemned kidnapping of the workers and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to stamping out all forms of terrorism and criminal abduction in the country. Ihejirika made the promise at the palace of the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iwaka at the weekend during the admission of Maj.-Gen. David Ndefo (rtd), into the prestigious Ndi Ichie of Obosi community, in Idemili North Local Council of Anambra State. Ihejirika was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Onyeisiagha” (Warlord) of Obosi Land. But according to the traditional ruler, the title will take effect on his retirement from military service. The promise was in response to the request by Igwe Iweka to the army boss for stepping up patrol in the state, particularly in Obosi to ensure continued peace as enjoyed in the state before, during and after the Christmas and New Year cele-

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

News Man killed in Lagos explosion

SURE-P beneficiaries in Edo protest non-payment

By Odita Sunday and David Ibemere

MIDDLE-AGED man and the A branch chairman of Lagos State Sand Dealers Association, Mr. Oladele Pius, was yesterday killed when a device, suspected to be a bomb, exploded at the FESTAC/Mile Two Link Bridge in Lagos, while two other persons, one of them a policeman, were injured. However, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Umar Manko, has dispelled rumours that it was a bomb explosion. According to Manko, “it was an electrical explosion and not a bomb blast. The explosion hit one person; he was rushed to the hospital where he died.”

Lawyers sue NBA over practising fee By Joseph Onyekwere ISSATISFIED with what D they described as arbitrary increase in practising fee payable by legal practitioners in Nigeria, five lawyers yesterday instituted a legal action against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, at the Federal High Court, Lagos. The lawyers are Mr. Seth Amaefule, Miss Amaka Aneke, Mr. Celestine Nwankwo, Mr. Charles Ola-Oni and Mr. Tayo Arojo. Their counsel, Tunji Gomez, in a motion ex-parte filed on behalf of the plaintiffs, is seeking an order restraining the defendants from collecting the new practising fee which, according to the plaintiffs, is foisted on lawyers by the General Council of the Bar. Joined as defendants in the suit are the Registered Trustees of the NBA, General Council of the Bar, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chairman of Lagos branch of NBA, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, and Chairman of Ikeja branch of NBA, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani.

‘Why NYSC needs JAMB records’ From Abosede Musari, Abuja HE National Youth Service T Corps (NYSC) has said the recent requirement for JAMB registration number of prospective corps members was not to disqualify those who had done pre-degree programmes from service but rather to sieve out unqualified prospective corps members and fake students. The NYSC Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, who made the clarification while speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, explained that some schools were in the habit of sending the names of unqualified students to NYSC for mobilisation. This act, according to her, had led to situations whereby some corps members had been found not to be able to speak coherent English or to even fill some of the forms they were given correctly. The provision of JAMB registration number, according to her, would curb this embarrassment.

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City ENEFICIARIES of the Federal Government’s Subsidy ReInvestment Programme (SUREP) in Edo State yesterday took to the streets protesting the nonpayment of their monthly allowances as promised by the Federal Government. The beneficiaries, mostly applicants and physically-challenged persons, said after completing all the necessary documentation, they were yet to receive the publicised “Goodluck alert”, a message they were supposed to receive as indication that their allowances have been paid. It would be recalled that the State Implementation Committee chairman of the project, former Edo State deputy governor, Lucky Imasuen, on December 19, 2012, inaugurated the Federal Government’s palliative programme at Urokpota Hall in Benin at an elaborate ceremony where he said the President was committed to ensure that the programme was successful.

A house affected by rainstorm at Olomi area of Ibadan...yesterday

PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Again, court refuses Maina’s bid to stop arrest From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja OR the second time, the FDivision, Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday threw out the application filed by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Team on Pension, Abdulrasheed Maina, seeking to stop the police from arresting him for his failure to appear before the Senate. The court also granted the Senate and seven others extension of time to file their counter-affidavit, written address and to enter a conditional appearance.

Joined in the suit are the Senate President, Clerk of the Senate, the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration, InspectorGeneral of Police, Senator Aloysius Etuk (of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service) and Senator Kabiru Gaya (of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration) as second to

eighth respondents. Maina had, through his counsel, M.A Magaji (SAN), filed an application praying for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the respondents, Ken Ikonne, brought an application seeking an extension of time to file his counter-affidavit, written address and to enter a conditional appearance. Counsel to the IGP, who is the sixth respondent, Ngosoo Uchendu, and that of Maina did not oppose the applica-

tion. The court, therefore, granted the application as prayed. Counsel to the applicant raised an oral application praying the court to formally pronounce that parties in the suit should maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit before it. He submitted that it was a trite law that when parties submit themselves for adjudication, it is expected that they would not do anything that would vitiate the proceedings of the court. However, counsel to the

respondents opposed the application on the ground that the court has become a functus officio, having thrown out the same application the applicant brought earlier by way of ex parte. He further submitted that the applicant had refused to place before the court any material alleging that any of the respondents was working or planning to do anything to vitiate the proceedings of the court. He also argued that such an application brought by the applicant should be made formally and not orally.

we have in the last three years increased the capital and overhead budgetary allocations of the FRSC to about 300 per cent, while staff strength has increased by about 40 per cent. “We have also acceded to the 1949 Vienna and Geneva Conventions on road markings and signage, to which

Nigeria hitherto was not signatory. Furthermore, the Federal Executive Council has approved the incorporation of road safety education in the nation’s school curriculum, while the policy on standard school bus for the country has also been approved by the Federal Government.”

Jonathan, others laud FRSC, urge end to trailers’ menace From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its excellent performance, as the agency marked its silver jubilee in Abuja. At the opening of the FRSC’s 25th anniversary international conference, however, President Jonathan, former President Ibrahim Babangida, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and his Ekiti counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, as well as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, admitted that the agency has challenges that need consistent efforts and cooperation from all Nigerians to meet. One of the challenges, according to the President, was the constant menace of trailers and other heavyduty haulage facilities on Nigerian roads and spaces posing real dangers to human lives. The president said: “As part of our continuing demonstration of commitment to safer road environment, I have directed the Corps Marshal to work in concert

with relevant stakeholders to come up with action plan on the provision of parks for trailers and tankers that park indiscriminately on some major roads across the country. These vehicles constitute hazards to other road users, and government is determined to address the challenge.”

Noting that his administration recognised the need to empower the FRSC to meet the challenges enunciated by stakeholders and experts at the conference, Jonathan, who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, added: “For the avoidance of doubt,

ACN slams Presidency over First Lady’s illness disclosure By Seye Olumide ITING double-speak, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has congratulated First Lady Patience Jonathan on her “miraculous return from the dead,” while slamming the Presidency for losing whatever is left of its credibility over its handling of the First Lady’s illness saga. Also, the Lagos State ACN Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, yesterday faulted the Presidency over the First Lady’s illness, just as some ACN lawmakers have condemned the allegation by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, that the party should be blamed for the marginalisation of Yoruba. In a statement issued in Lagos

Lawmakers fault Okupe on Yoruba neglect yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the revelation by the First Lady on the extent of her illness, especially the fact that she passed out for seven days before God miraculously brought her back to life, cannot but elicit joy among Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings. However, Nigerians must be wondering why the government they elected into office chose to lie to them that the First Lady was holidaying abroad when indeed she was gravely ill in a foreign hospital. He said: “While we felicitate with the First Lady on her recovery from whatever illness it was that afflicted her, we will be

remiss if we fail to recollect how the Presidency denied ‘rumours’ of her illness and poured scorn on the media and the imaginary enemies of the government for fuelling the ‘satanic rumours.’ “We will also like to remind the presidency that its denial, instead of full disclosure that would have elicited nothing more than fervent prayers from Nigerians, fuelled the rumours that the First Lady suffered from sundry afflictions or the consequences of tummy tuck!” The party said that in one of the many rebuttals, the First Lady’s Spokesperson, Ayo Osinlu, was quoted to have said that she (Mrs. Jonathan) travelled abroad to take a

“moment’s rest,” given that she had not taken a rest since President Jonathan’s election. Osinlu had told Nigerians in the heat of the illness saga: “If you look at her itinerary in August (2012), you will be wondering how she was able to accomplish that; in the course of this week, she will be back home. But remember, it all depends on her plans.” ACN also recalled that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, dismissed Mrs. Jonathan’s reported illness as a rumour, saying “there is nothing like that.” The party said that amid all the denials, the President himself maintained a stoic mien and carried on with his duties as if all was well, thereby lending credibility to the lies and deceit.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

6 NEWS

Ibadan residents count losses to rainstorm, Ajimobi orders assessment From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

ESIDENTS of some areas in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, are now counting their losses following destruction to their property in last Sunday’s rainfall, which was trailed by heavy rainstorm. In his reaction, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide succour to the people affected by the downpour. Worst hit areas are Ajegunle, Igodalo, Academy, Omiyale, Olomi, Olunde, Ayegun, AbaAlfa, Jaloke, Papa-Eleye, Aladi and Ire-Akari, all in Oluyole Local Council of the state. Other areas affected were Osungbade, Odo-Oba, Idi-Aro, Challenge and Felele, among others. Many of the houses had their rooftops blown off, which fell on NEPA poles and wires. At the toll-gate area of Ibadan, many dispensing machines in the filling stations located there were uprooted and damaged, with their roofs damaged, while some large billboards were felled by the storm.

‘Third Mainland Bridge safe’ From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja

INISTER of Works, Mike Onolememen, yesterday affirmed that the Third Mainland Bridge was safe and not under threat. This is coming against speculations recently that the bridge was under threat and could crave in soon. Onolememen, who was invited by the Senate Committee on Works over the alleged imminent collapse of the Third Mainland Bridge yesterday, also gave reasons for turning down the N33 billion proposal for carrying out underwater inspection of the bridge. He said the proposal was turned down because the contracting firm only reached for solutions and recommendations without technical inspection. Senator Gbenga Ashafa, (Lagos East) had moved a

motion two weeks ago on the alarming condition of the Third Main Bridge. In his debate, he called for urgent repair of the bridge to avoid imminent collapse. Consequently, the issue was referred to Senate Committee on Works to investigate the claims. Onolememen stressed that if the actual job was carried out, it would not cost more than N5 billion, adding: “What happened is that one of the sea divers we engaged actually went beyond his brief. In fact, they did not only submit the underwater photography, they just arrived at a solution and recommended a particular technology and said that it was going to cost the ministry N33 billion to do it and of course, with an engineering mind like mine, I said no, this is not based on any evidence. So, it is better we do pile by pile

investigation and at the end of the day, we know exactly what maintenance work we need to do on the Third Mainland Bridge before we to the costing. get “Of course, that memo came to me and I refused to approve it. After all, the most critical sections of the bridge - the first two sections, where we need to carry out immediate repair from information available to me by people who did the test, we will not need more than N5 billon to carry out these repairs. So, as a minister, I would be very suspicious of that kind of documentation.” On the safety of the Third Mainland Bridge, the minister informed that the report of inspections on various engineering analytical and laboratory tests of samples of materials taken for the piles of the bridge by experts showed that the

bridge was not in any way under threat of imminent collapse as earlier speculated. “From the report before me, the report from experts in the field that have carried out various engineering, analytical and laboratory tests of samples of materials proved that the bridge is safe. “I am saying that the Third Mainland Bridge is safe. However, we need to start progressive maintenance of the bridge because the first section of the bridge was built about 35 years ago and that is consistent with the recommendations of the team of experts that did this investigation and the ministry has set in motion the procedure to actualise that. “There is no better way to dramatise the safety of the bridge than organising a press briefing on it”, he said.

Wabara seeks gov’s slot for Abia South in 2015 From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HE quest for the next goverT norship of Abia State from 2015 may have started with the former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, at the weekend making case for his Abia South Senatorial Zone, which is part of the Ukwa Ngwa in the Central and South senatorial zones that the office will believably rotate to in 2015. Wabara spoke at the weekend when he hosted in his country home in Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Council a meeting of Ukwa Peoples Assembly, that Abia State should have regards for equity and fairness by zoning the governorship to Abia South in 2015. The meeting had, in attendance many top politicians of Ukwa, issued a four-point communique, which includes: Abia South zone should begin early to discuss and strategise towards the actualisation of their dream for 2015.

Mixed reactions trail court ruling on domestic airport terminal By Wole Shadare HE Nigeria Aviation ProfesT sional Association (NAPA) yesterday hailed the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which struck out the suit filed by the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) over the controversial General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos. This is coming as FAAN yesterday claimed that the domestic terminal belongs to it, saying it is still the rightful custodian of Domestic Terminal 1 (formerly GAT) on behalf of the Nigerian people. Spokesman for FAAN, Yakubu Dati, in a statement yesterday said the last time Bi-Courtney’s claim over the former GAT came up for hearing, the presiding judge declared that he could not take the application because the case was pending at the Supreme Court.

Vice President Namadi Sambo (left), President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor and Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, during a presidential summit on water in Abuja… yesterday.

INEC clears ACN for up-to-date records CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Conventional books of accounts were not properly kept as required by section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010. The party did not maintain Fixed Assets Register both in the headquarters and zonal offices…” But the report said of the ACN: “The party has an internal Audited Report for the year under review. Conventional books of Accounts were maintained. Budget and Budgetary Control were in place and the party has a well defined Fixed Assets…” Reacting to the report, the South West Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Ayo Afolabi, said: “We are not surprised at the report, we in ACN have always kept to INEC’s rules and regulations. Everybody knows that it is only the PDP that flouts INEC’s regulations. The PDP normally does this with impunity because it has Aso Rock backing it. The verdict has been given by INEC that ACN is the party that truly believes in the rule of law.” Efforts to get PDP’s reaction failed as the telephone of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, was said to have been switched

off. The report also indicted the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for failing to have an internal audited report and accounts for the year under review. It states that conventional accounting records of the party were not kept and maintained, the party year’s budget and budgetary control were not in place and it did not maintain fixed assets and membership register for the period under review. From the CPC however, came queries over INEC’s intention. Its National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh, said he could not understand what INEC was trying to achieve with the report and why it has gone to make it public. “I got a letter to that effect th from INEC on the 15 of this month, the letter was dated 11th and so I don’t understand how INEC has gone to publish the report. I see no reason the commission should have gone to the press without giving us enough time to respond to all issues raised in their letter. What INEC is trying to portray is not clear to me,”

he said. Momoh accused the commission of playing the card of the PDP against other parties that are trying to merge and wrestle power from PDP. He also queried INEC’s power to publish such a report and why it chose this period to publish it. He described the report as a mere conspiracy between INEC and PDP because “the commission has merged with PDP against other merging parties.” Momoh, who wondered what the punishment would be for such indictment, said: “This is where I want Nigerians to be curious and watchful as to where INEC is heading. I am suspecting something is amiss and we should be on the lookout.” The audit report also indicted the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which was blamed for lacking internal audit report and accounts for 2011. The National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said INEC needed to realise that one of the most difficult things to keep is party and political financial records, “particularly during this pe-

riod.” Nwosu noted that one reason it has been difficult to keep party financial record is that INEC itself has refused to fund parties and the responsibility falls on the few executive members who run the party with their resources. He said members only pay their dues, which in most cases are difficult to get. He said the accounting record of parties would develop as the nation’s democracy continues to develop. The National Chairman of the National Transformation Party (NTP), whose party was indicted by the report, threw the blame at INEC and the electoral system, which he said, have made it difficult for serious parties and candidates to thrive. According to him, “the publication lacks seriousness because INEC behaves as if it does not understand what it takes to run a party. Party members fund the party through their dues and how much of that does the commission expect us to get from people?” Incidentally, the electoral commission last year deregistered most of the parties in the report.

Price of rice may rise as govt hikes import levy HE Rice Millers, Importers T and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN) has expressed concern over possible sharp rise in the price of rice, Nigeria’s major staple food, “as the Federal Government imposed a 100 per cent special levy on the importation of the commodity into Nigeria.” According to a statement by RiMIDAN’s Secretary-General, Mr. Mohammed Shaibu, “the Federal Government, effective from January 1, 2013, raised the Special Levy on imported parboiled rice from 40 per cent to 100 per cent. With the 10 per cent statutory duty on rice, Nigerian importers now pay a total of 110 per cent duty on rice imported into Nigeria.” The group cautioned that this move has serious implications for both ordinary Nigerian, whose major food is rice, and for the economy. “The first major response of the market is that the price of rice is bound to increase sharply as the landing cost of a bag of rice has jumped to N11,000. It is therefore envisaged that the price of rice will soar to about N13,000 or N14,000 per bag. This is against the N10,000 it sells for now,” Shaibu said. According to him, “the other dramatic effect of this hike in levy is that government seems to have declared a bonanza for smugglers because the duty on rice across the West Coast of Africa still remains 10 per cent. The import of this is that the profit margin of rice smuggled across the borders would be so high and tempting that everybody would want to take the risk to the detriment of Nigeria’s economy. “We at RiMIDAN appreciate government’s desire for Nigeria to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015, but we advise caution, careful planning and the institutionalisation of the Rice Special Levy Fund (RSLF). With this and partnership with all major stakeholders in the rice chain, Nigeria should be selfsufficient in rice production by 2018.”

Jonathan orders rescue of victims CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 brations. The CGS who was represented on the occasion by the Commander 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi, and accompanied by the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, assured that military personnel would sustain all efforts geared towards ensuring security of lives and property of Nigerians. Addressing officers and men of the command, the Commissioner of Police noted that “kidnapping and armed robbery are the major crimes in Edo State. I will advise armed robbers and kidnappers to change their ways and be responsible to the society or else they cannot find a home here.” Briefing members of the National Good Governance Tour in Yenagoa, the state capital during an inspection of the construction of the Integrated Security Control and Communication Centre, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) said the centre would serve as the coordinating headquarters of all security operations in the state through an electronic platform.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Edo PDP demands refund of council aspirants’ fees From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja Goodluck RESIDENT Jonathan yesterday said Nigeria needs over N350 billion ($1.91 billion) yearly to meet its water and sanitation targets. He disclosed this at the opening of a two-day Presidential Summit on Water at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said that a situation whereby rural and sub-urban areas do not have access to clean water is unacceptable. He spoke just as Senate President, Senator David Mark and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, agreed on the need for a legislation that would give citizens the right to sue governments if they cannot have access to their basic needs. Aliyu said that such legislation is needed to make governments perform in delivering the dividend of gover-

• Mark, Aliyu seek legislation to enable citizens sue govts over amenities nance to the people. Corroborating Aliyu’s views, Mark said: “I agree with Governor Babangida Aliyu that citizens should have the right to sue state governments if they fail to provide water to the people.” President Jonathan said in line with his administration’s transformation agenda, it has become necessary to implement a more cooperative, more radical programme of action to meet the nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He stated that for the nation to meet its MDG targets, Federal and state governments must work together, insisting that a situation where a lot of money is spent to provide water but management becomes an issue, should no longer be tolerated.

President Jonathan lauded the investments made by successive administrations in urban, small town and rural water supply programmes. Under his administration, he said: “Investments were made to boost various aspects of the sector, from the line budget and special funds dedicated to ecological matters and natural resources development and also through the repair and rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure. In 2011, we spent N40.94 billion. In 2012, the sum of N43.6 billion was spent. “This does not include our expenditure in the following projects: Goronyo Dam, N3.4 billion; Kashimbila Dam, N38 billion; Gurara Dam and irrigation, N36 billion; Ife Dam, N3 billion. In 2013, we have

proposed N39 billion from line budget to be spent on water-related projects. This will be in addition to funds the sector will receive from special intervention funds.” He expressed the hope that at the end of the summit, they will consider how best to leverage resources with those of development partners and the international community to strengthen the effort towards meeting the set targets in 2015. In more concrete and specific terms, Jonathan said the summit should • “identity the major issues militating against optimal water infrastructure development and its sustainability, as well as evolve innovative funding to ameliorate this situation; • “Redefine the intervention approaches in the water sector through funding sources’

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim (left); Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Ahmed Ibeto; a participant, Mr. Eric Donkers and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshall, Mr. Osita Chidoka, at the international conference to mark the FRSC 25th anniversary in Abuja…yesterday

Be proactive on flood disasters, ANPP tells govt From Adamu Abuh, Abuja HE opposition All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) has implored the Federal Government to put in place proactive measures to avert a recurrence of the sort of floods that came with devastating consequences to the citizenry during last year’s rainy season. Reports by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on the 2013 rainfall

presented to the public at the weekend in Abuja, revealed that this year’s rainfall pattern would not be different from last year’s. NIMET, through its Director General, Mr. Anthony Anuforom, specifically mentioned that the amount of rainfall is expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the northern areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara

and Zamfara states and their environs. While lauding NIMET for introducing zonal seasonal rainfall prediction, the ANPP noted that it behoves on the authorities not to be caught napping this time around. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, the party particularly urged government to construct more buffer dams,

Oyo govt to meet vendors over planned protest HE Oyo State government T has said that as it had always done with newspaper vendors in the state, it was prepared to meet with them again to avert their planned strike slated for tomorrow. The government made this known in a release issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo. It will be recalled that the state’s chapter of the Association of Newspaper Vendors, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Olalekan Ahmed and Tunde Abimbola, had threatened to begin a statewide protest tomorrow over alleged harassment of its members by agents of the state government. While explaining the efforts of the government in carry-

By Chukwuma Muanya TWO-DAY ministerial meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) championed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank began yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland, with a call on “all people to get the good quality health services that they need without fear of financial ruin.” According to a press statement from the WHO issued yesterday, Ministers of Finance and Health from 27 countries with other highlevel stakeholders are brainstorming on how to explore ways that countries are progressing towards universal health coverage; to share innovative solutions; and to identify actions the global community can take to support efforts. UHC is about ensuring that all people have access to services that promote good health, prevent illness, offer treatment and rehabilitation. The services must be of good quality and effective, and people must not suffer financial hardship when paying for them.

GROUP of Nigerians at A home and abroad will on March 01, 2013 hold a fund

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

diversification and highlight the business potential and existing profitability assets; • “Facilitate linkages and between engagements investors and innovators towards expansion and scaling up of innovation on water services in the country; and • “Critically review the present financing and investment models in the sector; determine which model works and the opportunities that exist for leveraging resources from non-traditional sources in the light of growing competing needs”. On his part, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said the subject of water and speedy action was long overdue. He added that with 70 per cent of the human body made up of water; it is an essential aspect of sanitation, agriculture and water transportation.

WHO, World Bank meeting on universal health coverage begins

Isoko group to equip college’s computer laboratory raising ceremony for the purpose of equipping a befitting computer laboratory for Comprehensive High School, Olomoro in Isoko South local council of Delta State. To this end, the group, ‘Olomoro Telescope,’ has constituted a Computer Laboratory Fund Raising/ Implementation Committee. “This need became urgent with the indication that by 2015 computer literacy will be a prerequisite for taking the Joint Admissions & Matriculation Examination,” according to a statement by Dr. Francis Akenami. “Donations can be in cash or kind (computers, desks, air conditioners, etc).” Expected as chief launchers are Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and Chief Gary Bire, Chairman, Delta State Integrated Development Programme.

‘Nigeria needs N350b yearly to meet water, sanitation targets’

HE Peoples Democratic P T Party (PDP) yesterday demanded for the refund of monies collected from chairmanship and councillorship aspirants by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) ahead of the April 20 local council election. Briefing journalists yesterday, state chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, said: “We are going to explore all legal means by serving a notice to the Electoral Commission, (EDSIEC), to ensure that it starts preparing for the refund all monies collected from aspirants.” Orbih also faulted the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leadership in the state in its recent primaries ahead of the election, accusing it of failing to adhere to electoral guidelines. He said the ACN negated its principles of one man, one vote, adding that the primaries across the 18 local councils were cases of imposition and the recent attack on the ACN secretariat by irate youths and party members is an expression of the anger of its members and a clear indication of the rot in the party.

NEWS

• Ajimobi approves pensions payment for teachers ing the vendors along in the urban renewal effort of the state government, the release said the government had appealed to the vendors on countless occasions to see the need to comply with the environmental laws of the state. “The urban renewal effort of the state government is aimed at ensuring that anyone who vends his or her wares does not do this by the roadside and this includes newspaper vendors. “However, on several occasions, the Commissioner for Environment has met with the vendors and an agreement was reached that in the process of vending newspapers, vendors should not contravene state environmental laws. To have them scatter their wares by the roadside is not in anyone’s interest. Essentially, this poses poten-

tial danger to our people in that vehicles could run the vendors and those patronising them over,” the government said. According to the release, government had a responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives of its people, as well as ensuring that in the course of one person or a group of persons eking their daily living, they do not constitute any menace to the rest of the society. “On countless times, vehicles had ran off their courses and killed our people by the roadside. We appreciate the work of vendors as they, in partnership with journalists, facilitate the dissemination of the news of the strides of government and its activities to our people. But it is unacceptable to government that the aesthetics of our state

would be compromised by so doing and the lives of our people endangered,” said the government. The release also revealed that kiosks specifically meant for vending newspapers had been designed by government, samples of which would be made available to the vendors, as well as designated spots where newspaper vendors would be expected to sell their newspapers. Meanwhile, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the commencement of payment of pensions to retired primary school teachers under the State Local Government Staff Pensions Board with effect from today. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Staff Pensions Board, Lasisi Ayankojo.

as well as create a sustainable water disposal infrastructure, not only in the affected states, but also in all the states of the federation as climate change has instituted an unpredictable weather regime.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

8 News

FCT alleges fraud in water rates collection, sacks five banks From Mathias Okwe, Abuja IVE banks have been sacked by the new management of the Federal Capital Territory Water Board from further collection of water rates in the territory for allegedly colluding with some officials of the agency to defraud it of its revenue. The FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, last December sacked the former Director of Water Board, Mohammed Jibril and in his stead appointed Mr. Jiniya Bidda Anto as the acting director following alleged fraudulent practices in the collection of water rates. It was believed part of the revenue was diverted to personal accounts opened in the affected banks while customers’ payments were never reflected in the customers’ bills. In the handbills distributed to water consumers in Abuja, the new management offered explanation for the action and also named nine banks with which customers should henceforth deal in the settlement of their water rates. “Due to the persistent problem of non-reflection of payments made by our esteemed customers, the management of the FCT Water Board has reduced the number of banks through which water bills can be paid to enable it solve this and other related problems. “In view of the above, customers are advised to please pay their water bills through any of the following banks only: Diamond Bank, First

People queue to buy kerosene at NNPC Filling Station at Olusegun Obasanjo Road in Abuja...on Monday.

Aliyu sacks Niger SSG, others From John Ogiji, Minna OVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday in Minna announced immediate sack of some principal officials of his cabinet. No reason was given for the action. Those relieved of their appointments included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Daniel Shashere, Head of Service (HOS) and the Chief of Staff in the Government House, Dr. Kuta Yahaya. The sacking of cabinet members came barely one week after the governor submitted names of nine nominees to the House Assembly to be screened for appointment as commissioners in anticipated cabinet reshuffle. The governor announced the appointment of a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Idris Saidu Ndako, as the new SSG. Also the former Permanent Secretary in the State Law Reform Commission, Abbas Bello, has been appointed as the new head of service, while the Director General in charge of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office. Mr. Joshua Bawa is now the new chief of staff, Government House. All the appointments are with immediate effect.

Tax payment crucial to growth, says Oshiomhole From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City OVERNOR Adams G Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday stressed the need for citizens to pay tax to government, saying there was no alternative to tax if any nation must develop. He spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on tax laws organised by the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue in collaboration with the judiciary. At the event, heir apparent to Benin Kingdom, Prince Ehenden Erediauwa canvassed payment of tax to governments by churches, while the former chairperson of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, in a paper, said that state government should stop multiple taxes and prosecute individuals who indulge in illegal collection of toll in the name of tax. She advocated harsh laws for offenders. “The law on anybody who steals government money should be harsher than any other law.”

Presidency, PDP not against merger of parties, says Jonathan’s aide From Hendrix Oliomogbe (Asaba), Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) and Terhemba Daka (Abuja) PECIAL Adviser to the SAffairs, President on Inter-Party Ben Obi, has said that the merger of political parties to form All Progressives Congress (APC) was welcome by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Obi who spoke in an interview at a ceremony where he laid the foundation for the construction of a civic centre for Awka Ambassadors’ Club in Awka, Anambra State yesterday, stressed that neither the PDP nor the presidency was against the merger as being speculated in some quarters. According to Obi, the president was rather pleased that opposition parties were coming together in the best interest of democracy. He maintained that there was no truth in the allegation by some peo-

ple that the president wanted to destabilise APC. He added that it was clear that the PDP was an octopus and it was in the interest of smaller parties to come together and give the ruling party a run for its bigness. Obi, who advocated a two party system for Nigeria, however, expressed the fear that the merger might not stand the test of time in view of the challenges and difficulties inherent in previous political mergers. Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives, Bassey Dan-Abia, has faulted the merger and described it as a product of desperation, which would not stand the test of time. Dan-Abia (PDP-Akwa Ibom) yesterday described the newly formed party as “a compendium of strange and odd bed fellows that are only given much hype by the media.”

The lawmaker, in a statement issued in Abuja, also took time to commend the presidency for unearthing 45,000 ghost workers in the payroll of about 215 MDAs through the recently implemented Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPS). Meanwhile, ahead of the merger, the Delta State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will soon begin registration of its members. A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Frank Eghomien, in Asaba yesterday explained that the exercise would commence on February 25, 2013 and closes on Monday, March 4, 2013. Eghomien said that the decision was taken at the end of a plenary session of the State Executive Committee presided over by the State Chairman, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, at the State Secretariat in Asaba, on February 15, 2013.

Aregbesola condemns hypocrisy, preaches religious tolerance By Tunde Akinola SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged O Nigerians to shun religious intolerance and undue extremism if the country is to experience peaceful co-existence among its citizens from diverse religious backgrounds. He made the call yesterday in Idoo, Osun State at the launch of the foundation of “Alter of Fire and Praise” by the Return to your Creator Outreach Mission. Addressing a gathering of clerics, politicians and other stakeholders in the country, Aregbesola said that the rifts that persist among various religious sects in the country were borne out of personal aggrandisement of some elements that seemed to benefit from the crises since no true religion believed in violence. According to him, the frequent wars and conflicts in the name of God and religion were mere divisionary tactics of those who indulged in the act of causing trouble the country. Aregbesola stressed that the essence of religion was to establish a strong moral base for the society and not a tool that should be used to pursue selfish interests at the expense of the country’s unity. While citing some biblical injunctions to buttress his

We have only chosen to divide ourselves by sentiments and beliefs that are not in line with God’s intents and plans for man. We are all created by the same Almighty God to be nice to one another. Whichever way we choose to serve God, the underlining factor that binds us all as Nigerians and human beings is love points, Aregbesola said that love and purity of the heart were the virtues that connected the soul of men to his creator, and not the prevalent hypocrisy in the name of religion. “We have only chosen to divide ourselves by sentiments and beliefs that are not in line with God’s intents and plans for man. We are all created by the same Almighty God to be nice to one another. Whichever way we choose to serve God, the underlining factor that binds us all as Nigerians and human beings is love,” the governor said, noting that any belief pattern that did not promote love and seek goodness among humanity had defeated its purpose, hence could not be regarded as a godly religion. Aregbesola reiterated the commitment of his administration to providing the basic needs of the religious groups in the state. He noted that Osun had contributed immensely to the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the country and as a result,

“the government has just signed the papers of the mega church project in Ilesha, which has been responsible for producing leading clerics in the country’s Christian faith.” President of the outreach mission, Evangelist Adebunmi Isaac Alabi, urged religious leaders in the country to emphasise love and tolerance as virtues needed to accommodate ourselves in a country with several ethnic groups with different belief systems. Alabi described Aregbesola as someone that was committed to peaceful co-existence of religious groups in the state. “It is amazing to see a Muslim leader that is sold out to the work of God in other religions. I urge other leaders to draw inspiration from this exemplary leader,” he said. The architect of the church, Emmanuel Oriyomi explained that the project embarked upon was beyond the alter launched. He added that the master plan of the project was to make a city out of the village in which the project was situated.

The minister remarked that this change is an on-going process and therefore warned directors/heads of FCT agencies to sit up by improving on their performances in consonance with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Aso Savings and Loans, Fidelity Bank, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB and MainStreet Bank. Please help us to serve you better,” Anto said in the bills. Some of the FCT water agency staff who spoke to The Guardian yesterday on the issue said that investigation to determine the extent of misappropriation by the former management was on, estimating that it could exceed N500 million because of the duration in which the alleged malfeasance lasted. A staff said that though genuine bank accounts of the water agency were printed on the water bills, the former director and some top officials, in collusion with the sacked banks, opened separate accounts into which they were directing customers to pay, under the pretense that the printed account number on the Bills were inoperative.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A’Ibom communities reject new state From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo HE agitation for Oil Rivers State has suffered a setback as one of the council areas proposed to be part of the state in Akwa Ibom State has called on both the Federal and Akwa Ibom State governments to disregard the call as they would not accept such an arrangement. All the 26 communities making up Ibeno Council Area have disassociated themselves from such state creation. This was contained in a resolution reached after a meeting of the communities presided over by the Paramount Ruler in council, HRM Effiong Bassey Archianga, which was made available to The Guardian in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital at the weekend. The resolution signed by more than 45 persons representing each of the 26 communities making up Ibeno Council Area stressed that, the people have never been consulted by the people of Rivers State who are said to be the main proponent of the |Oil Rivers State. “Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of importance ignore or disregard such purported state creation demand, as Ibeno people and her communities dissociate herself both physically, soul and in spirit. “There has never been consultation between Ibeno people and communities and the proposed state agitators from Rivers State communities, there has never been any political agreement or arrangement and MOU or communiqué reached between the Ibeneo people and communities and our brothers and sisters from Rivers State communities on the above subject matter”, they stressed.

Taraba House probes N400m flood victims’ funds From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo ARABA State House of Assembly has concluded plans to bring to book members of the recent flood disaster committee found to have partaken in the diversion of the relief materials meant for the affected flood victims. In spite of the hands of friendship extended to flood victims in the state, which led to the donation of N400 million to the state by the Federal Government, the amount as gathered by The Guardian, was diverted by the committee assigned with the responsibility of reaching out to the victims. Worried by this development, a committee to investigate members of the flood committee has been appointed by the House of Assembly and would soon commence investigation into the activities of the flood committee. The flood committee, some of whom The Guardian learnt, have been working round the clock to block the House of Assembly committee members from carrying out the investigation consist of top government functionaries, which includes commissioners, Special Advisers etc. In an exclusive interview with the deputy Majority Leader, who happened to be a member of the committee, Daniel Ishaya Gani, the committee, he said, would not spare any member of the flood committee who is involved in worsening the condition of the flood victims.

NEWS 9

Capital Oil boss wins suit against IGP, Access Bank, awarded N10m By Joseph Onyekwere FEDERAL High Court, Lagos on Monday, awarded N10 A million damages in favour of Managing Director of Capital Oil & Gas Ltd, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and three others. Delivering judgment in the fundamental human rights suit filed by Ubah, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke also granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the police, either acting by themselves or their privies, from harassing, detaining or otherwise infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicant. Ubah had on January 10 through his counsel, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, filed the suit against the I-G, for alleged infringement on his fundamental human rights. Joined as respondent in the suit is the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Mr. Ayotunde Ogunsakin, the Managing Director of Access

Bank, Mr. Aigboje AigImokhuede and the Managing Director, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Cosmas Maduka. Deciding on the issue of estoppel (to stop someone), the judge held that the court was not estopped in any form whatsoever from hearing the plaintiff’s application. The judge said that although a similar case may have been adjudicated upon before a brother judge in the same court, the substance and ingredient of both suits were entirely different. “The doctrine of estoppel only operates where the parties are privies. “The suit referred to by the respondent which came up before my learned brother Justice Okon Abang, has no bearing with the instant suit. “The facts, substance and ingredients of both suits are completely different, I therefore hold that the judgment of Abang does not constitute estoppel to this suit,” Aneke ruled.

On the issue that the police could not be restrained from discharging their duties, Aneke held that the provisions of Section 4 of the Police Act, was subject to overriding statutory provisions of the constitution. He held that the court had a duty to regulate public officers in the discharge of their duties especially where it is not done in accordance with the law, and where the personal liberties of individuals were at stake. Aneke held that the police must ensure that their duties are carried out in accordance with the principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience and in line with laid down provisions of law. He, therefore, held that it was the duty of the court to regulate the conduct of public officers in the dispensation of their duties. On the issue of non-service as contended by both counsel to Access Bank and Coscharis Motors, the judge held that a

Ladoja denies seizure of funds, property by EFCC PPARENTLY reacting to Oyo A State Government request to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release to it funds and properties confiscated from past public office holders in the state, a former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja has denied that the commission had seized monies and properties from him. A statement signed by Media Assistant to the former governor, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo said, “In the said publication, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Taiwo Otegbeye and Festus Adedayo alleged that properties were seized and accounts frozen. With the Dauda Kolawole, an ACN chieftain joining the fray, we need to react and correct the erroneous impression that is now in circulation through the ACN propaganda machinery.” According to the statement,

“we wonder what has prevented the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of the state, Bayo Ojo for failing to advise these misguided legal illiterates and politicians. The latter was part of the initial defence (legal) team and thus should be able to offer the state government better advice based on his knowledge of the issues at stake. For the avoidance of any doubt, no fund was seized from Senator Ladoja or any of his properties taken over by the EFCC. “The so-called seizures were made from Chief Wale Atanda of the Heritage Holdings, who the EFCC in a curious twist was converted from a defendant to a prosecution witness. At any rate the issue is still subjudice and it would be contemptuous of court to comment on it. It should be noted that the libelous aspect of the publication is being taken care of.” On the demolition at Ring Road area of Ibadan, Ladoja’s

administration did not embarked on any demolition exercise. The pulling down of a church erected at the site was as a result of violation of the experts’ directive on the usage of the former refuse dump. On Ladoja’s return to office after the Supreme Court pronouncement on his illegal impeachment, it was discovered that Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala had sold the land to the church against the environmentalist’s advice that the said land should not be disturbed for 25 years. The advice was given in 1998. Therefore, it’s only an insensitive government that would fold its arms and watch such an edifice to crumble on people he swore to protect. The said land would be available for use at the expiration of the 25 years in 2023. The facts are within the government purview. With this, it is clear that both chieftains of the ACN were out to distort facts.

Ijaw seek proper burial of Adaka Boro From Willie Etim, Yenagoa HE Chairman of the Civil T Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Bayelsa State, Chief Nengi James yesterday said the leaders of the Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta have concluded plan to drag the Federal Government to court for an order directing it to exhume the corpse of the late Ijaw and Nigerian Civil war hero, Major Isaac Adaka Boro killed during the civil war for a befitting burial in his hometown in Kaiama, Bayelsa State. The late celebrated Niger Delta Nationalist and Nigerian Civil War Hero, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro popularly known as Boro was killed in controversial circumstances in 1968 and reportedly buried in an unknown grave in Lagos. The chairman, while speaking yesterday in Yenagoa on his decision to contest for the Vice Presidency position in the Febuary 22nd National Election of the Ijaw National

Congress (INC), said when voted into office, he would influence the Ijaw leaders under aegis of the INC to approach the Court to compel the Federal Government to exhume the corpse of the late Ijaw hero and give him a proper burial in a proposed house including a hall of fame and others in his hometown in Kaiama. His words: “We are ready to sue the Federal Government in a competent court of law and demand for an order directing them to exhume the corpse of late Adaka Boro. We need to bring back home the remains and give him a proper burial in a home to be built. These are part of the issues I am pushing if elected into the INC. We need to ensure that prominent sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation contribute to such building and not play lip service to the memory of Adaka Boro.” James challenged political office holders to support the Ijaw Leaders in their renewed effort to accord the late hero a

hero’s burial and ask for their support in the building of a befitting resting place for him and many others that have contributed to the Ijaw nation. On the forthcoming election of the INC, James said though the claims that some Niger Delta governors are moving to hijack the election and install candidates in the poll is unconfirmed, the governors should not allow themselves to be used to scuttle a free and fair poll for the umbrella group of the Ijaw people. He said, “it is a traditional issue and we believe it will always attract some sort of political influence. These governors don’t influence us but we go to them. It always ends up that he who plays the piper dictate the tune. If those involved did not approach the governors, they will not intervene. But I will plead with the governors not to accede to the request of those seeking their support. They should be asked to campaign and convince the delegates of their sincerity and programmes.”

proof of service of court process was an overwhelming evidence of service. He held that the proof of the service of the court processes on the two respondents, were clearly exhibited in the court’s file. He, therefore, held that the proof of service points to the fact that all respondents were duly served contrary to their claim. “The proof of service in the court’s file is a testimony to the service of processes on the respondents, and it stands unchallenged,” he said. He, therefore, held that the respondents were duly served with all court processes. “It is my humble but firm view that this suit as instituted by the applicant is competent. By the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the applicants’ suit and his ancillary reliefs sought is hereby sustained. The preliminary objection of the respondents has no basis and is devoid of merit. The objection hereby fails, and is accordingly dismissed. An order of perpetual injunction is therefore made restraining the respondents either by themselves or their privies, from arresting, detaining or otherwise harassing the applicant in any form whatsoever. “The sum of N10 million is also awarded as damages against the respondents jointly and severally for infringing on the

personal liberty of the applicant,” Aneke held. Ubah had filed the application, seeking an order of court to set aside an interim report issued by the CP SFU, dated November 2, 2012. The applicant in his originating motion said that the interim report in which the second respondent had purported that the applicant would be arraigned on a prima facie case of money laundering and criminal conspiracy, was a prosecutorial misconduct. He also affirmed that another report dated November 3 in which it had stated that the report would be submitted in a case of stealing and economic sabotage, amounted to a breach of the applicant’s fundamental right. The applicant had then sought for a declaration, nullifying the complaint made by the Presidential Committee on Verification of Oil Subsidy Payment to oil marketers as tainted by malice. Ubah also sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the IGP, and CP, SFU, from further harassing, arresting or instituting any criminal process against him. The applicant had further sought for compensatory damage in the sum of N10 billion to be paid by all respondents jointly and severally, for the injury suffered as a result of his detention at the Ikoyi office of the second respondent for 10 days.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, Febraury 19, 2013

WorldReport A year after tragedy, Dutch royals back in ski resort HE Dutch royal family yesT terday put a brave face on their return to the Austrian ski resort where a year ago an avalanche left Prince Friso braindamaged and in a coma. Under sunny skies, Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander, his wife Maxima and their children CatharinaAmalia, Alexia and Ariane posed for the cameras at Lech am Arlberg in western Austria. Also present was Mabel Wisse Smit, Prince Friso’s wife, and their two young daughters Luana and Zaria, but they were absent from the photo shoot.

Prince Friso, Beatrix’s second son, was skiing off-piste at Lech, where the royals have been coming since 1959, on February 17, 2012 when an avalanche buried him for around 20 minutes. The 45-year-old was later transferred to a hospital in London and the palace said in November that he has been “showing small signs of consciousness”. In late January, Beatrix, 75, announced she would abdicate in favour of Willem Alexander on April 30 after 33 years in power.

Zambia’s opposition, civil society documents rights violations COALITION of leading A opposition political parties and civil society organisations in Zambia have launched video series exposing human rights violations in the southern African nation as part of efforts to bring to the international arena the current regime’s autocratic rule, Xinhua quoted a statement released yesterday as saying Last week, leading opposition leaders and some civil society organisations presented a 39-paged document to the Commonwealth on alleged human rights violations in Zambia and asked the organisation, which comprises of former British colonies, to suspend Zambia and

launch investigations into alleged human rights violations. In a statement, the Coalition for the Defence of Democratic Rights (CDDR) said the videos are being published in support of the recent application presented before the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group requesting an independent investigation into serious and persistent violations by the current government. “The board of directors of CDDR emphasises that only through high-level exposure can we accomplish our goal of instilling accountability, ending impunity, and returning Zambia to the rule of law,” the statement said.

Chavez returns to Venezuela after cancer operation in Cuba T was cursory that early yesIChavez, terday President Hugo To continue treatment a man known for courting publicity, announced his return without fanfare to Venezuela from Cuba, where he had been undergoing cancer treatment, according to media reports. The Cable News Network (CNN) quoted Chavez as posting on his official Twitter account that “we come back to the country of Venezuela… Thank God! Thank you dear people! Here we continue the treatment.” But the Vice President Nicolas Maduro claimed that his boss returned to Caracas at 2:30 a.m. local time yesterday. The nation’s minister of com-

We come back to the country of Venezuela… Thank God! Thank you dear people! Here we continue the treatment. munications also announced the news. The news came after the citizens saw very little of their leader in recent months and heard even less about his recuperation. However, the Twitter post early yesterday on the president’s account is the first since November 1. Venezuelans got the first glimpse of their ailing president on Friday in a series of

… From fighting revolution to fighting cancer RESIDENT Hugo Chavez, P who came back home yesterday in muted triumph after two months in Cuba for surgery and treatment, is the man in Venezuela. Reason: He fought for leftist revolution and he is now fighting cancer. First elected in 1998 and winner of every election he’s run in since then, Chavez is an indefatigable populist who’s made friends and foes at home and abroad with his vision of 21st century socialism, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported yesterday. The former paratrooper, 58, took a blow in June 2011 when he was diagnosed with cancer. The only real detail the government has given is that it was in his pelvic region. But Chavez won a new sixyear term in office last October after declaring himself cancerfree, even though he was not his usual vibrant self during the campaign. In December, he returned to Havana for his fourth round of cancer surgery. Cuba was the ideal place for his treatment as he is old friends with Fidel and

Cameron seeks special ties with India HE British Prime Minister T David Cameron yesterday said the United Kingdom (UK) is willing to forge a “special relationship” with India whose “rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of the century.” “I want Britain and India to have a special relationship... this is a relationship about the future, not the past. As far as I am concerned, sky is the limit, it’s about business, economy and trade. But it is also about culture, politics, diplomacy. India is going to be one of the leading nations in this century and we will be partners,” Xinhua quoted Cameron as saying in Mumbai. Stating that the enormous growth of India is going to

make it the third largest economy by 2030, the British prime minister added, “India’s rise is going to be one of the great phenomena of this century and it is incredibly impressive to see. Britain wants to be your partner of choice. We’ve only just started on the sort of partnership that we could build.” Cameron, who arrived in Mumbai yesterday morning on a three-day tour of India, is leading what is claimed to be the largest trade delegation taken on an overseas trip by a UK premier till date. Asserting that 1.5 million people of Indian origin live in Britain, he said that his 100member business delegation includes Indian businesses and parliamentarians of Indian origin.

African-American History: February 19, 1919

WEB DuBois organises first Pan-African Congress in Paris N this day, the first PanO African Congress, organized by W.E.B. Du Bois, was held in Paris, France in 1919. The Congress was a series of meetings held from 1919-1994 to address issues facing Africa as a result of European colonisation. One of the demands of the group was to end colonial rule and racial discrimination. Fifty-seven delegates from 15 countries attended the first meeting. White representatives from France, Belgium, and Portugal defended their countries’ colonial policies, while the U.S. representative William Walling (an NAACP co-founder) argued that changes to American racial

policies were on the horizon. The resolution adopted at the congress tended more toward moderation and gradual reform than anything approximating a demand for immediate independence. The purpose of the meeting was to unite black leaders worldwide to secure the internationalisation of former German colonies in Africa. The Congress adopted resolutions affirming the right of Africans to participate in their own government and charging the League of Nations to protect this right. These resolutions were presented at the Peace Conference.

photos the government released in a televised announcement. In the photos, Chavez laid on a blue pillow, flanked by his two daughters. He was smiling, and his face looked a little swollen. Officials have been criticised for giving vague, sometimes contradicting updates on the president’s health since Chavez had cancer surgery on December 11.

The president, who showed his strength after past surgeries by calling in to speak on state television, uncharacteristically has not been heard from or seen. The report of Chavez’s arrival came as Samuel Moncada, the ambassador of Venezuela to the United Kingdom since 2007, urged respect for Venezuela’s democracy as well as a better prediction about the country. Moncada, in a report on CNN, claimed that ever since Chavez was first elected, Venezuela has defied negative predictions and brought unprecedented social progress to the country over the last 14 years.

Raul Castro, and the island’s communist government could be relied on to keep his condition a state secret. When he won re-election last year, Chavez’s aim was to keep governing until 2030 in the country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, pressing on with his drive to aid the poor with handouts and subsidies and keep up ties with like-minded leftist governments elsewhere in Latin America. Along the way, he has irked Venezuela’s business elite, which says he makes life miserable for them with strict hard currency controls and other heavy-handed economic measures, and the United States, which he derides as an imperialist monster, by aligning Venezuela with countries like Iran and Syria. After Chavez returned to Cuba in December for more surgery, Venezuelans – used to his booming voice at every turn, his call-in television show and his Castro-like speeches that went for hours – heard nothing of the sort. Not a peep.

Chavez

Israeli prisoner, Zygier, leaked Mossad’s secrets, report claims UTHORITIES in Israel A secretly imprisoned the late Ben Zygier, an Australian man who worked for its Mossad spy agency, because it believed he had divulged details of his work, according to an Australian news programme. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) cited the report by ABC News as stating that Zygier was suspected by Israel of informing Australia’s security agency of Mossad operations. Last week, ABC identified Zygier as Israel’s so-called Prisoner X, whose existence Israel never acknowledged. He was reported to have hanged himself, months after his case surfaced in 2010. The report on ABC’s Foreign

Correspondent programme, which named Zygier, has been the subject of intense media debate in Israel, after Israel issued a gagging order preventing publication of details of the story. Restrictions were later eased and some Israeli members of parliament have called for an end to the practice of media censorship in the country. According to the latest Foreign Correspondent report, Zygier met Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) agents and told them about secret operations he was involved in. The programme said one of the operations was a topsecret mission in Italy, for where Zygier had applied for a work visa. Foreign Correspondent said

Zygier changed his name several times and obtained numerous passports, which he used for Mossad work in Europe and the Middle East. It said he set up a communications company in Europe for Mossad, which exported electronic components to Arab countries and Iran. Israel, along with Western and other powers, has accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. The ABC programme said Mossad discovered that Zygier had had contact with the Asio agents during one of his stays in Australia. He is believed to have been arrested in 2010 and held in secret in Israel’s maximum security Ayalon prison. His case came to light when an

Israeli newspaper website broke the story that year, but the reports were removed after a gagging order was imposed. Zygier is reported to have hanged himself, aged 34, in the prison in December 2010. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the necessity of keeping some information out of the public domain. “We are not like all other countries,’’ he said. “We are more threatened, more challenged, and therefore we have to ensure the proper activity of our security forces.’’ “Allow the security forces to work quietly so we can continue to live securely and safely,” he added.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Politics APC and challenges of ousting the ruling PDP

Ahmed Tinubu, ACN national leader

By Abiodun Fanoro and Seye Olumide INCE the formation of the All Progressives Strailed Congress (APC), two obvious questions have the attempts by the political parties to merge. Will the merger work and halt the domination of the political space by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? Why would the merger not work this time around despite the pervading sense of pessimism because of previous failed attempts? Former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki (PDP, Kwara Central) said no political alliance has succeeded in ousting any ruling party in the country, and that how the APC manages to overcome its challenges and remain united in the next six months, would determine whether it would survive. Saraki hopes APC would overcome challenges, like the agreement over logo, manifesto, constitution, sharing of positions and other nessesary conditions required of any merger partner. Not willing to underrate the union of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Saraki said, “for them to have succeeded in coming together shows they are serious and mean business.” Former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba is not as optimistic as Saraki. According Agbakoba, PDP would beat any party in 2015 and “the only way to oust PDP is for other parties to have genuine motives in the interest of Nigeria. If they are seeking merger in order to seek political office, then it will fail.” Certainly, unseating the PDP remains a cardinal objective of the APC. In various fora, this has been described as “a daunting, if not an impossible task.” The first challenge before the APC on its way to ousting the PDP is to cross the hurdles of registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Committees have been set up to fine tune among others things, the process of registration. Meanwhile, about three weeks ago, when CPC and ACN named members of the committees, members of the South West zone of the CPC issued a statement expressing their displeasure over what they claimed was “a deliberate attempt by the national headquarters of the party to sideline the region in the negotiating process.” The National Chairman of CPC, Prince Tony Momoh and the National Vice chairman South West zone, Alhaji Rasaq Muse said that, “it has been settled amicably,” but it as learnt that the matter has factionalised the ranks of the party. On the way to a full merger, there have been

Buhari

Ogbonaya Onu, National Chairman, ANPP

tinue with APC on his individual capacity or go ahead to pretend to be representing APGA in the APC. A member of one of the committees set up to fine-tune the arrangement of the merger, on the basis of anonymity, said that the situation with APGA “is a serious nut to crack. Where we are now, I don’t think we can include the name and logo of APGA and I doubt if INEC will register us if we do. However, Okorocha is free as an individual to join the APC. While we were still looking on how to resolve the issue the court sacked the National Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh. This opened fresh windows of confusion. However we are watching the situation because the party now has an interim National Chairman and we hope that once they sort out the internal dynamics of the party, they will be ready for talks. It is something we have to address with caution.” While APGA sorts its internal crisis, the initial suggestion that the South East would canvass for a presidential candidate from the zone, is now in limbo. How strong are the parties in eth merger? How many parties will the APC need in its merger to oust the PDP in an election? Does the combined political strength of the four parties compare with the PDP? The present National Assembly is dominated by the PDP. The PDP controls 23 governors and beside the South West, is dominant in six geopolitical zones. The ACN, which is the leading party in the merger, controls the South West and has six states; APGA two states, CPC one, ANPP three. The Labour Party (LP), which controls one state, is not part of the merger. Can the 10 parties match the financial strength of the PDP? A source in the PDP said, “I wonder where they will gather the financial muscle to tackle PDP. ACN is the financial strength of the party and it pulls its resources from the South West, particularly Lagos State. They might make an impact in 2015 but let them not nurse the ambition of ousting PDP in 2015; it is not realistic. “They cannot even think of taking advantage of the internal crises in the PDP because, the party is doing everything possible to address its internal crises, especially in the South West. It is only in the South West that the crises is pronounced.” The antecedent of the ANPP in previous failed merger talks and alliance is a source of concern in some quarters. Can the party be different this time around? Has ANPP purged itself of PDP moles within its fold? On two previous occasions, parties that wanted to form an alliance against the PDP blamed ANPP for the failed And the question is whether Okorocha will con-

questions regarding the individual identities of the parties. The National Vice Chairman, North West zone of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Alhaji Abdallah Ibrahim said that the parties involved in the APC merger might not be willing to abandon their ideologies and principles and that the merger is a futile effort “that would not favour any of the parties involved.” He added that another hurdle that will jeopardise the merger is that the North is looking for a true Nigerian leader that would rebuild the region regardless of the party or ethnicity of such a leader. Pointing out that most of the parties in the merger have different forms of internal crises, he said, “by the time the merger is concluded, which I doubt, the internal crisis affecting each parties would be a serious challenge to the whole arrangement. “Most northern members of CPC are there because of Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. If APC fails to field him as presidential candidate, then I don’t see how the CPC will accept such an arrangement. It is obvious that the North may not support any other candidate the merger throws up.” Another hurdle is how to manage the internal democracy of the parties. Muse said that it is true that all the merging parties have their individual challenges, which often bothers on internal democracy, but noted that “the fact is as Nigeria is today, there is the need for everyone to bury personal differences to enable us face PDP. As committees were being set up to address collective issues so also are the parties working to address whatever they feel can jeopardise the success of the merger.” The number of parties that will be in the merger is still uncertain. A few days after the announcement of the merger, the APGA, which was represented by the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha turned out to be factionalised. The Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi said that APGA would not be a party to the merger. Okorocha was accused of embarking on a solo mission. The party leadership threatened to take legal action if the APC includes the name and logo of APGA in the arrangement. Obi has insisted that APGA cannot afford to lose its identity to the political contraption, “which would be contrary to the ideals of its late leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who noted that it was better for the Igbo to be a majority in a minority by sticking to APGA, rather than joining a majority group where they would lose their identity and remain unheard.”

attempts. The party was also blamed for joining the PDP unity government under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Can the merger overcome the big experience of 2010, when a similar attempt took shape in Benin City, Edo State? At that meeting, notable politicians met to form an alliance that would wrest power from the PDP in the 2011 elections. At the gathering were a former presidential aspirant of ANPP, Harry Akande, leaders of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, chieftains of APGA, Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), CPC, National Reformation Party (NRP) and Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP). The alliance failed as the PDP still won the 2011 election. The CPC and ACN made moves shortly to merge but both parties failed to agree on the finer details. The ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said Nigerians should understand the need to banish the PDP before the party destroys the corporate existence of the country. Mohammed said: “We are aware of the antics of PDP and their cronies. The birth of APC is not about any personal interest as people speculate. It is a movement aimed towards setting a new order that would transform Nigeria from what PDP has plunged it into. “What we are looking at is beyond a party; it is a congregation of progressives whose aim is to banish PDP from government in 2015.” Former governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba said, “I have been through this road before and it was successful in the days of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where all the progressives gathered and we were able to produce the best election so far in this country. We also dislodged the conservatives in the National Republican Convention (NRC) and won the June 12, 1993 poll but the military truncated the exercise. Then the SDP controlled the Senate, which was headed by Iyorchia Ayu. “We have been through it (merger) before and it worked. We should stop allowing the moneybags to continue to scatter the progressives. We understand the tricks of the conservatives and how they use their money to disorganise the opposition and that is why we want to team up. There is the need to stop the PDP because nothing has changed since 1999 when the PDP came to power.” Momoh said: “The merger was not due to desperation for power, or to enrich ourselves or for the pleasure to be in government but the desire to salvage Nigeria from the PDP.” Will Saraki be shamed in six months time? Or will APC scale the hurdles before it and enjoy the last laugh? Time will tell.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

TheMetroSection Police probe Customs officer’s death from colleague’s bullet By Odita Sunday

While the officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, there was stiff resistance, which degenerated into a struggle between the officers and the smugglers...In the ensuing confusion, a service pistol in the possession of DSC Oseni, the team leader, accidentally discharged and hit Mr. Baba Mohammed DEPUTY Superintendent of Customs A (DSC), Tunde Oseni, has allegedly shot his colleague, one Baba Mohammed, during an operation on the Seme-Badagry Expressway in Lagos at the weekend. The Guardian gathered that the officer, provokingly, shot his colleague while the Nigeria Customs spokesman in charge of Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, said “it was an ‘accidental discharge’.” Mr. Ejesieme, in a statement made available to The Guardian said that the death of Ahmed, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs resulted from an “accidental discharge”. He said eight officers, led by Mr. Oseni, were on patrol on the Seme-Badagry Expressway on Saturday when they inter-

The late Mohammed

cepted two vehicles loaded with items suspected to be smuggled and prohibited goods. “While the officers attempted to apprehend the suspects alongside the goods, there was stiff resistance by the suspects, which degenerated into a

struggle between the officers and the smugglers. “In the ensuing confusion, a service pistol in the possession of DSC Oseni, the team leader, accidentally discharged, and hit Mr. Baba Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs,” the

statement said. The spokesperson said Mr. Mohammed was immediately rushed to Igando General Hospital, where the doctor on duty confirmed him dead. Ejesieme said Oseni had been handed over to the police for further investigation on the matter. “A Federal Operations Zone ‘A’ Ikeja patrol team led by one Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) Oseni, Musa Tunde, comprising eight other officers and men, at about 0732hours of February 16, 2013 while on information patrol duty along Seme –Badagry Expressway precisely at Celenizar Bus Stop, intercepted two vehicles – a Mercedes Benz Fakar bus and a Passat car – loaded with items suspected to be smuggled / prohibited goods. “In their attempt to apprehend the suspects alongside the goods, there was stiff resistance by the suspects which degenerated into a struggle between the officers and the smugglers. In the ensuing confusion, a Service pistol in the possession of DSC Oseni, Musa Tunde – the Team Leader accidentally discharged and hit one of the officers in the team by name Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) II, Baba Mohammed. The officer was immediately rushed to Igando General Hospital where the Doctor on duty confirmed him dead,” the statement read. Meanwhile, the exhibits have been transferred to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja while the officer whose service pistol discharged accidentally, has been handed over to the Police for further investigations,” the spokesman said.

Begging is not an option, acquire skills, Fashola tells beggars HE Lagos State Governor, T Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday paid a visit to the Eko Transport Company in Oshodi and the State Remand Home and Skill Acquisition Centre, Isheri, stating that ‘‘for the state government, nothing was impossible.” The Governor, who spoke in an interview with State House Correspondents, at the Isheri Remand Home and Skills Acquisition Centre after the visit, based his assertion on the successes recorded at the various vocational units including the Welding and the Electrical Pole Fabrication Department, which has become a major production centre for the state’s public street lighting poles and traffic light poles. He also said the Wood Work Centre was where the state’s school furniture were being

produced, adding that the major supply of the boots for Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and Neighbourhood Watch were being made at the Footwear Centre. “We have been to the Refrigeration Unit, the Centre where they teach them basic refrigeration, maintenance, operational and management skills. Fashola explained how the centre played a key role in developing skilled manpower even from among the indigent: “Clearly, they are products of our technical colleges and also destitute and people with drug-related problems taken through rehabilitation and introduced to the centres to learn a skill and go back and become useful members of the society”. “So, when we say people

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola

should not beg on the streets, we mean it. The reason is that begging is not an option, everybody must contribute to this economy. So those with drug-related problems or who are ill have the choice to go to our remand homes, where we feed them, rehabilitate them and treat them”.

“So we have provided a choice and there is a law against street begging and we will enforce that law. The evidence of what that choice is has been demonstrated here. People have moved on to become very useful members of society”, Fashola explained. He explained that the Lagos State Remand Home and Skill Acquisition Centre, Isheri was developed over the last years, essentially out of nothing, a development, which he attributed to the hard work that the Deputy Governor and her team. The Governor who was also at Eko Transport Service Company at Oshodi said his visit to the yard was to assess things for himself because he had read many reports and memos. The Governor was received

and conducted round the Isheri Remand Home and Vocational Skills Acquisition Centre by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Risquat Akiode while the Governor who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateeef Ibirogba was received at the Eko Transport Company by the Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of LASTMA, Mr. Young Arebamen, General Manager of LASTMA, Tunde Edu, an engineer and Permanent Secretary, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr Akin Hanson.

Police raid Lagos markets, seize N5m fake tobacco rolling papers By Ajibola Amzat and Laolu Adeyemi

FFICERS from Lagos State Police Command O have raided various markets in the Lagos metropolis during which fake tobacco rolling papers estimated at N5 million were confiscated. The raid in Mushin, Agege, Idumota, was ordered by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos following an ex parte injunction granted in favour of House of Stewart UK LLP, Stardale International Limited, FMCG Distributions Limited, House of Stewart Limited, the four companies that The four plaintiff companies had sued Taiban Investment Limited (defendant) for allegedly offering for sale fake tobacco rolling papers branded as original “Roll Bond” or “Ebby Roll” or “Rizz” paper in the Nigerian market. The court, among others, prohibits the defendants and its agents from manufacturing, importing, distributing, offering for sale, promoting,

marketing, branding, or supplying ‘Tobacco Rolling Papers’ or any product whatsoever with the trademark ‘Roll Bond’, its label and logo.

The police oﬃcers and the conﬁscated goods

The court further empowers the plaintiff to search and seize the counterfeits of its brand anywhere in the market the items are found which formed the basis for the raid by policemen assisted by court bailiffs. One of the traders at Sanusi Onisi Street, Idumota, said his shop was not among those listed in the court order. But when the police checked, boxes of fake tobacco rolling paper were found in and immediately seized following which other shops in the neighbourhood began to close down. The Sales and Marketing Director, Mr. Gandhi Anandan said his company was concerned because the counterfeiters “use a cheap synthetic adhesive found to be toxic and which, when combusted, is harmful to health while the original is made from Spain, the side of the wallet is gummed and sharp, and does not open on the inside.”

Briefs Group calls for God-fearing leaders O contribute to responsiT ble governance and nation-building in Nigeria, a nongovernmental organisation, Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum (PCLF), has called on Nigerians to elect into power leaders that are selfless and God-fearing. The Life President of the organisation, Rev. (Mrs.) Adefunmilayo Akitoye-Braimoh, advised that Christians should not stay aloof in deciding the fate of the entire populace but should ensure that politicians, who have respect and regard for God, get victory at the polls and also fulfill their promises to the populace. " The church definitely needs to support and encourage true patriots in prayer and also mobilise our members to vote for the right candidate without selling their conscience," she said. According to her, PCLF believes that prayers can bring the right kind of people to power and remove the ones without focus and good programmes, stressing that more Nigerians should join this crusade, which has been going on in the 57 local administrative units of Lagos as well as in some chapters in Oyo and Ogun states.

Remembrance service for Samuel Mosaaku MEMORIAL service in honA our of Elder Samuel Oyekola Mosaaku holds tomorrow at the Apostolic Church, Oke Otubu Assembly, Modakeke, Osun State. Mosaaku, who died on February 19, 1998 was a church leader in The Apostolic Church, Ogudu Ife, Osun State. He Is survived by wife, children and grand children.

AOS holds interhouse sports tomorrow OS Montessori Nursery A and Primary School, Agege, Lagos holds its 'Cultural Day' event tomorrow at Diekola Memorial Events Centre, Agege, Lagos, where pupils of the school would showcasing the riches entrenched in the various Nigerian cultures and traditions. Expected as Guest Speakers are Prof. Duro Oni, Dean Faculty of Arts and Prof. (Mrs) Mopelola Omoegun, Dean Faculty of Education both of the University of Lagos. The Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Oyinlomo Danmole and her counterpart in the Youth Sports and Social Development Ministry, Oshodi Enitan are expected as Special Guests of Honour. Olu of Agege, Oba Kamila Oyedeji Isiba Ogbaynu 1 is the Royal Father of the Day. According to the school’s Administrator, Mrs. OsuolaleOlaiya, the event tagged "Priding in Our Culture" has become imperative to ensure that children appreciate the richness in our culture and traditions.

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, February 19, 2013

Photonews

Former Chairman, Emohua Local Council, Rivers State, Emeka Woke (left), Minster of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala, acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Professor Charles Onocha and Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, during the Minister’s Inspection of Special Girls’ Child Schools’ Project, at Aluu, Rivers State…yesterday >

Zonal Head, Public Education Office, RS2 Lagos, Federal Road Safety Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide (Assistant Corps Commander) (left); GM Risk Management Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Adeyinka Adekoya; Group Managing Director, Ganiyu Musa; Zonal Commanding Officer Ademola Lawal (Assistant Corps Marshal); Head, Brand & Corporate Communication, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Ademola Mafikuyomi; and Ag. Zonal Head of Operations, Ayodele Kumapayi (Deputy Corps Commander) during a courtesy visit to the FRSC Lagos Sector Command in Ojodu...

Accident claims 16 lives on Jigawa /Kano Road

From John Akubo, Dutse GHASTLY motor accident at Durbundai village in Takai Local Council of Kano State, which is some a few kilometres from Jigawa State, has claimed not less than 16 people, members of the same family and indigenes of Waza village in Birninkudu Local Council of Jigawa state. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, an eyewitness confirmed, also injured seven persons, who are receiving treatment at Rasheed Shekoni Special Hospital Dutse. The eyewitness told The Guardian that the two vehicles, a Toyota Siena and Ford bus, which were com-

ing from opposite directions, had a head on collision, claiming the lives of 11 passengers instantly. Continuing, he stated that there were two occupants in the Toyota, a male and female, adding that he could not ascertain the number of passengers in the Ford bus but he indicated that the bus was over-loaded. The Birninkudu Local Council Chairman, Alhaji Khali Ibrahim confirmed the accident. He said the victims were on their way to Tsangaya village of Albasu Local Council in Kano State to attend a wedding Fatiya of their relation. Ibrahim explained that “when the accident oc-

curred, 11 people died on the spot, adding that three died later in the hospital same Saturday and on Sunday morning, another two also passed on. The chairman explained further that the nine dead bodies received mass burial at Waza village while two were buried at Unguwar Bashe village, a few kilometres to Waza. The Chairman promised to foot the medical bills of those admitted in Rasheed Shekoni Specialist hospital, Governor Sule Lamido has visited the injured victims at the hospital and has also paid condolence visits to the families of the deceased.

Deputy Brand Manager, Honeywell Superfine Foods Limited, Mrs. Ebele Oluwalana (left); Director, SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, Lagos, Benjamin Buraimoh; and Marketing Manager, Honeywell Superfine Foods, Sola Abati, during the company’s visit to SOS Children’s Village... at the weekend.

Rivers State embarks on mega fish project From: Nkechi Onyedika, Iort Harcourt O assist the Federal Government attain T sufficiency in fish production, the Rivers State government has established a mega fish farm, which has been rated as the largest in the country. The farm has the capacity to produce 1000 tonnes of fish yearly while a state-of-the-art equipment and modern technology are being deployed for the project. Speaking during an inspection of the farm by members of the National Good Governance Tour the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chindah, said the country had a shortfall of about 1.3 million tonnes of fish yearly, adding that over $6 billion was being spent on importation of fish into the country yearly. He observed that the governor decided to develop fish farms across Rivers State, considering the water advantage the state has and also to bridge the shortfall in the Nigerian market. Chindah noted that the first fish farm could compete favourable anywhere in the world, adding that an Israel- based com-

pany- Onida Development Ltd., was invited to the state as technical partners to implement and manage the project for six years before handing it over to private sector investors in line with the state government’s policy on private sector involvement in agriculture. Managing Director of Onida Development Ltd, Mr. Kidron Israel, described the Niger Delta region as the most favourable in the world for growing fish. He explained that from inception, setting up the farm had a lot of challenges considering the fact that the area lacked an access road and bridges, adding that the company maximized the untapped water supply in the area to provide unlimited clean water to the farm. He also said the water ran through oxygen diffusers to help produce fish weighing an average of 100kilogrammes per cubic meter. He stated that that all the fish produced on the farm were tilapia, adding that the first set of fish grown in the farm would be ready for sale in August or September.

Tennis Session Chairman, Billy Ekwunife, Table Tennis Chairman, Anthony Owolabi, Entertainment Chairman/Chairman Planning Committee, Tunji Okesola, Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938, Richard Giwa-Osagie, Catering Adviser, Bimpe Esho and Bar Adviser, Niyi Sowemimo at the press briefing on Chairman’s Week programme ... PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO

Man arraigned for allegedly stealing goods worth N13 million By Bertram Nwannekanma THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD man, Ediri Tsakphohore Solomon, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing goods valued at N13 million, property of Metropolitan Motors Ltd. The defendant, who was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Mrs. O. A Okunuga, on a three-count charge, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges, when it was read to him by the court’s registrar. Upon his plea of not

guilty, Solomon was admitted to bail by the Magistrate in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. According to the charge, Solomon was charged for stealing the goods sometime in 2011, an offence, which the state said, was punishable under section 285(1) of the Criminal Laws No 11 Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. The defendant was also accused of threatening the Accountant of Metropolitan Motors Ltd, one Mrs. Adekunle Oye-

mosu, by vowing to deal with the accountant, if she asked him for money on behalf of the company. Count one of the charge read: “That you Ediri Tsakpohore Solomon sometime in 2011 in the aforesaid Magisterial (Ikeja) did steal goods (spare parts) valued (N13 million) property of Metropolitan Motors Ltd and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 285(1) of the Criminal Laws No 11 Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Old students of Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State (738 set) presenting a group portrait to the Chairman, Abeokuta South Local Council, Ogun State, Lanre Edun during the courtesy call to his office…

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

14 THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

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

Editorial The bill on rape HE Violence Against Persons Bill currently going through the legislative mill, which seeks to eliminate violence against women is timely and commendable. Its goal is noble, as it seeks to end harmful traditional practices and discrimination against women in private and public life. For its sheer focus on human dignity, especially of women, the exercise would rank as one of the most impressive legislative works by this National Assembly. The rationalization for the bill is the limited jurisdiction of the extant law and its seemingly feeble and flexible sanctions for offenders against the background of increased sexual assault on women and children across the country. It indeed has currency in the context of the worldwide upsurge in the crime. In India, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was sexually assaulted by a gang, resulting in her death. The consequent national outcry led to arrest and prosecution of the culprits. South Africa, believed to have the highest cases of sexual assault against women in the world, is in grief and rage following the brutal murder of a teenager, Anene Booysen, through sexual assault by a band of criminals. But unknown to many, the incidence of sexual assault and other forms of domestic violence is on the increase in Nigeria. In a recent report by the Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarization, between August 2011 and July 2012, there were about 61 cases of sexual assault against women, 11 of which were adults and 50 were children. Most sexually assaulted women do not report to formal authorities for fear of stigmatization. It may well turn out, therefore, that the incidence of sexual assault against women in the country today is far beyond imagination. Cases of assault on women through beating and acid-bathing have become fairly common occurrence. Beside outright sexual assaults, there are cases that experts have called “mini-rapes” such as indecent touching, staring and malicious side comments at the physical make-up of a woman. The sheer legal provisions apart, it is important to interrogate the causes of violence, particularly sexual violence against women, especially as such an act advertises a sickness of the mind, needing urgent counselling and treatment. One cause of this is the breakdown of family values. The search for a living wage by both parents has put a huge strain on many families while the children are left to themselves without protection and moral guidance. In the urban areas, children’s upbringing is the first casualty of the endless race to make ends meet, in a society ravaged by poverty. They are often coerced into hawking of wares to augment family income. In the streets, the children are exposed to all forms of danger, including sexual assault and abduction. This breakdown of values also finds expression in children taking to alcohol and drug addiction as well as prostitution. Then, there is patriarchy, a system that perpetuates male dominance. This value is alive and flourishing in most communities in Nigeria today. In the wake of this new legal proposition, some lawyers have questioned its justification. What is wrong with the existing provision? Section 357 of the Criminal Code states that “any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with her consent, if consent was obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind, or by fear or harm, or by any means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband is guilty of an offence called rape.” Under Section 358, the punishment for rape is life imprisonment while any attempt to commit it is also an offence punishable by a term of 14 years imprisonment. The problem is not with the existing law but its implementation. It is pertinent, therefore, to ask how many people have been convicted under the existing law. For effective outcome, the new law, when operational, should ensure adequate sensitisation of the public on the need for victims to report cases of sexual violence for prosecution. While the new bill, which has scaled through the second reading in the House of Representatives may be desirable to take care of obsolete aspects of the law, there may be need to tie the proposed life imprisonment, which is provided for in the existing law to parole. In the end, all enlightenment steps must be taken to discourage all forms of assault on women and children.

LETTERS

Avoidable communal crises IR: The incessant crisis Snities between different commumust be resolved permanently if Nigeria must move forward as a nation because no meaningful development can take place where there is no peace. The renewed Offa/Erin-Ile crisis has brought untold hardship and damages to both communities while properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed. Some lives have been lost, economic activities have been paralyzed in both communities as a result of 24 hours curfew imposed and the academic activities have been put on hold at Federal Polytechnic Offa as a result of avoidable crisis. It was reported that the recent crisis that claimed some lives in Offa and Erin-Ile was fuelled by a disagreement between the commercial drivers of the two communities

over the location of the terminus for commercial vehicles plying Offa/Erin-Ile route. Offa/Erin-Ile are not the only communities that wage war against each other. This kind of ugly crisis has also been experienced among communities like Ife/Modakeke in Osun State, Odo-Owa/Iloffa in Kwara State, Takun in Taraba State, Ger East LG/Ushongu LG in Benue State, etc. While we are thanking God that the hostilities between some of the communities mentioned above have been curtailed, it is unfortunate that people of Offa and Erin-Ile have not learnt any lesson from the previous crises that have caused them a lot of human and capital losses. I hereby appeal to the people of Offa and Erin-Ile to let their wounds heal. Whatever that is the cause of the old quarrel between them can still be settled amicably in a round table meeting without caring arms

and ammunition. The traditional rulers of Offa and ErinIle must meet with their chiefs and elders and with the leaders of NURTW/RTEAN to find a permanent solution to the rivalry between the two communities. The union leaders of the NURTW/RTEAN in Offa and Erin-Ile must also talk to their boys to abide with government directives of moving their garages from the boundaries of their towns inside town to avoid recurring clashes. The government of Kwara State on its own must know that suspension of local government chairmen in Offa and Erin-Ile councils cannot stop the problem and it can even give another political meaning to it in Offa, which is being controlled by opposition party. • John Ajiboye Osogbo, Osun State.

God bless Pope Benedict XVI IR: I am deeply saddened Sresigning. that Pope Benedict XVI is The Holy Father was an inspiration and a model witness to the life of Christ; a shepherd of truth constantly guarding his flock so that Christ might find faith on earth when He returns. Immersed in profound humility and immense love for both God and man, he has always been a source of strength, encouragement, confidence, optimism and enlightenment, not only to Catholics, but to all men of goodwill.

A champion of the poor and ardent exponent of Christian unity, the German Pontiff was, in many and such capacities as teaching, governing and sanctifying, both a beacon of light and salt of the earth. He has never ceased to offer fresh hope for defeating the forces of tyranny, cynicism and moral relativism hovering like a dark cloud on the horizon. Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ, he was the world’s most influential and uncom-

promising defender of the dignity of human life. His tenacious pleas for the development of a “culture of life” and parallel denunciations of the “culture of death” have been instrumental in rallying opposition to the immorality of war, terrorism, abortion, euthanasia, divorce, contraception, homosexuality and embryonic-tissue research. May the Lord of all graces and giver of every gift bless Pope Benedict XVI. • Paul Kokoski, Ontario, Canada.

ThE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Business Appointments P29 Achieving competitiveness through outsourcing

BFIG set to take over ALSCON .Sues Rusal for $2.8b From Mathias Okwe (Abuja) REPARATORy to assuming P ownership of the multibillion Naira Ikot Abasi , Akwa Ibom-based Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria ( ALSCON), BFIG- the core investor, which was reinstated through the order of the

Supreme Court of Nigeria last Wednesday, commenced the implementation of the Sale Purchase Agreement ( SPA), which will pave way for the group to make payment for the facility, which had been enmeshed in controversy since 2004 The SPA implementation is the endorsement and return

of the necessary payment plan documents to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), signifying the readiness of the investor to continue in the deal after an offer had been made. The Chairman of BFIG, Dr. Sam Jaja who disclosed this to journalists at the weekend in Abuja, said the SPA was being executed as ordered by the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on July 6 2012 ruling.

Meanwhile, Jaja said his group has dragged the Russian company- RUSAL, which was offered the plant in 2004 in its stead to a Federal high Court Abuja, before Justice Jude Okeke, claiming $2.8 billion for damages. The matter comes up on the 25th of March 2013. BFIG’s letter to BPE, a copy of which was made available to newsmen reads in part: “Enclosed under cover of this

Chairman House Committee on Industry, Muhammed Ogoshi Onawo (left); Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Nenadi Usman, and the Tanzanian Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr. Abdallah Kigodo, during a courtesy visit by Nigerian delegation to Tanzania, at the weekend.

Obstacles to rail tracks’ revival scheme, by concessionaires By Taiwo Hassan hE journey towards the revitalisation of the nation’s railway sector may have been prolonged afterall, going by private sector partners’ plan to opt out of the scheme, due to snailpace efforts at repealing of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Act, 1954, by the National Assembly. The NRC bill, according to the concessionaires, has remained the only obstacle towards private sector participation in the sector due to its obsolete nature. Already, the concessionaires shortlisted by the Federal Government have developed cold feet over the project, on account of the obsolete Act, which they stressed should be repealed, to pave away for effective private sector participation in the scheme. One of the concessionaires, which the Federal Government had already short-listed for the tracks project told The Guardian over the weekend that all was not yet well with the contract as the government was not

ready yet for the blueprint for the nation’s railway sector. Specifically, the spokeman for the company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that if the Federal Government had a genuine blueprint for the sector, it ought to have taken a cue from the revolution that happened in the telecommunication sector in 2001, adding that as far as the bill lies at the National Assembly, no meaningful progress would be made in the sector. The source said the only option to accelerate the passage of the bill was for government to use its political will to persuade the lawmakers to act fast by putting nation pride first before their hidden agenda, for the interest of the investing public who has the willingness to turn around the sector for good. “Certainly, we are interested in the track project since we are one of the companies short-listed for the project by the Federal Government. But first of all, the legislative framework has to be there because NRC is not yet an all comer affairs. The lawmakers

at the National Assembly are yet to repeal the Railway Act of 1954. “Right now, only railway operators can do rail business in the country even the one Lagos state government is doing now if the railway authority invoke that act they will not operate. So until the bill is repealed that you can see us coming into it to invest. “The best thing is to repeal the railway act, because if we didn’t do that in the telecommunication sector act, which gave NITEL the exclusive right to provide telecommunication for Nigerians, we won’t be carrying our GSM phones today,” the source said. When asked what could be the reason for the delay, the source said: “Political will has kept the Act in the National Assembly since all this while because I don’t see any good reason why the passage of the bill has been delayed till this time. Everybody knows that when it is done, it will be better for all of us. Certainly, when the bill is repealed and passed then

the stage is set for proper investment.” The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Adeseyi Sijuwade, also agreed with the concessionaires that only the repealing of the NRC Act of 1954 would open up the ideal investment the federal government has been clamouring for, to transform the sector and make it more business oriented and profitable. According to Sijuwade, the new railway bill will bring vista of opportunities and transformation for the sector, adding that what the management of NRC was only able to do was to make the sector marketable for private sector to come in and invest in. “We actually drew a 44-week programme starting from the very beginning right to the financial close of that transaction. But I will be candid to say there is absolutely no way you can conclude the process without having the new railway bill that allows private sector participation in railway becoming an act.

correspondence, please find the mutually agreed SPA provided to BFIG Corporation by the BPE on October 8, 2012, with additional information presented on October 18, 2012, pursuant to the Supreme Court Order and Decree of July 6, 2012. “The SPA is in accordance with section (i) of the May 20, 2004 agreement, which was affirmed by the said apex court as a binding agreement of the parties. “Accordingly, please find two copies of BFIG’s signed mutually agreed SPA. We respectfully ask the BPE to sign both copies and immediately return one of the fully signed documents to us.” Continuing, it added, “Provide us with the BPE’s appropriate banking coordinates for the transfer of the initial payment of ten per cent of the purchase price. “Thereafter, we shall arrange for the opening of an Escrow account as called for within the agreement and immediately transfer said funds into the Escrow account.” The statement stressed that said the take-over move was in response to a letter dated

January 29, 2013 sent by the BPE to BFIG, requesting it to pay the agreed 10 per cent accepted bid price of $410 million within 15 working days, while the balance should be paid within 90 days. The Supreme Court had in a judgment of July 6, 2012, ruled that the Bureau of Public Enterprises return ALSCON to BFIG, an American company. The Technical Committee of National Council on Privatisation had disqualified RUSAL during the financial bid opening for ALSCON on June 14, 2004 over its conditional bid. The Russian company had earlier been disqualified by the BPE from the financial bid process after it submitted a conditional bid in contravention of the bidding guidelines. Despite the disqualification of the Russian firm, the Federal Government, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to give ALSCON to RUSAL, thereby setting the stage for the preferred bidder, BFIG, to drag BPE to court.

ThE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Group hails court ruling on domestic terminal, FAAN kicks By Wole Shadare hE Nigeria Aviation Professional Association (NAPA), yesterday, hailed the ruling of the Federal high Court, Abuja, which struck out the suit filed by the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), over the controversial General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos. But the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday, claimed that the domestic terminal belongs

to it, saying it is still the rightful custodian of Domestic Terminal 1 (formerly GAT) on behalf of the Nigerian people. Spokesman for FAAN, Yakubu Dati, in a statement, yesterday said the last time Bi-Courtney’s claim over the former GAT came up for hearing, the presiding judge declared that he could not take the application because the case was pending at the Supreme Court. “FAAN’s appeal against the said judgement of 2007 was premised

on the fact that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were not represented in the co-ordinating committee set up by the then Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aandooka, and the committee therefore could not have taken any decision on behalf of FAAN or the Ministry of Aviation as BiCourtney continues to insist”. “These, among other things, are the issues before the Supreme Court but Bi-Courtney, in its customary

ploy to pull the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting members of the public, has caused to be published in the mass media, falsehood that is designed to create confusion in the aviation industry”, he added. The court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Ramat Muhammed, last week Friday, described the suit as an abuse of court process. however, NAPA, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Abdul Rasaq Saidu, described the judgment as “well thought out and a

Chamber bemoans real sector’s poor performance By Sulaimon Salau and Geoff Iyatse hE under-performance of the country’s real sector was once brought to the front burner last week, when the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) decried its poor performance in the context of nation’s economy. The chamber officials, during a courtesy visit to The Guardian last week, registered their displeasure about the present critical state of the manufacturing sector, especially in the Eastern part of the country. The President of the chamber, Theo Okonkwo, who led his team to Rutam house, for the 24th Enugu International Trade Fair, scheduled for between Friday March 15th and Monday March 25th, noted that the fair would promote the real sector and unveil the potential in the agricultural sector. The trade fair, billed to be opened by the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and graced by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, is expected to parade over 365 foreign and local exhibitors, who are already duly registered. he said Nigeria has great opportunity, which should attract foreigners into the economy, if the right policies are put in place. “The real sector of the economy is not performing well, due to critical issues. Then, Nigeria needs to brace up, so as not to lose investors to its contemporaries in the continent. The disposition is alarming, and the list released by Word Bank rating Nigeria low is regrettable,” he said. The small and medium scale firms, he said, needed urgent attention, and therefore should be duly pro-

moted by government policies and development of social infrastructure. he identified the good policies of the government, but noted that such policies should be followed with due implementation, to achieve desired goals. “Government make good policies but implementation is always the problem. Although we are making progress, but I believe it should be faster. Besides, corruption is really affecting most of the developmental initiatives,” he lamented. Describing the nation’s business environment as beleaguered by a number of challenges, especially

with infrastructural deficit, he said poverty and unemployment remain high, notwithstanding the recorded drop of two per cent in the level of unemployment as indicated by a recent World Bank report. “The unstable state of the naira, and corruption infested state of the oil industry, the diverse tendencies and actions of the Boko haramists with the intractable poor state of infrastructure are mixed grill, that are weighing down the real growth of the economy,” he lamented.

‘Standardisation critical to SMEs’ development’ We have learnt something about

hE Senate Committee on local industry, tackle dumping of T Industry has said that standardi- substandard products and boost the funding of the agency itself because without fund, the agency sation is very critical to the growth trade. of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Nnenadi Usman stated this during a fact finding mission accompanied by law makers in the National Assembly (NASS) to Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania Usman said that the law makers decided to embark on the mission to have a better knowledge on how best to review the existing SON’s Act for better effectiveness, support

She explained that for SMEs to be robust in production there is a need for them to meet the basic standards so that their goods will be acceptable anywhere in the world. She also noted that the essence of the visit was to boost trade within and outside the region adding that the basic thing necessary for economic growth is the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In her words, “The issue of funding is critical to maintaining standard.

will never work properly and it will not produce any result. `` SON needs to be empowered in terms of legislations and fund to play its critical role to support the nation’s economy, especially the real sector.’’ According to her, the summary of the three visits to the three countries showed that they have spent a lot of money to improve their standards and said that they all have well equipped laboratories that can compete globally.

triumph of truth over propaganda”. According to Saidu, NAPA had always insisted that agreements signed by FAAN must be obeyed to the letter, “as there are clauses that make provisions for how to settle any disagreement in such agreements”. The statement added: “We had a different opinion from that of the other unions about the concessioning of MMA2 to Bi-Courtney. Inasmuch as the unions were not present when the agreement was being signed, if there is any aspect of it they disagreed with, they should first of all face the people who represented FAAN and the ministry when drawing the agreement, instead of fightinf the third party. “We are not surprised at the ruling because part of the agreement affecting the GAT and the exclusivity of MMA2 for domestic operations is very clear. We are so happy we have been vindicated, that fairness, justice prevailed at last. We want to say this again that the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, might have acted on the information given to her because she was not in the industry as at the time FAAN signed that agreement with Bi-Courtney. “had she been properly and truthfully briefed by the people in FAAN, we don’t think she would have gone into what she has gone into with BiCourtney. But, now that the court has given its ruling, we at NAPA believe she will have a second thought and look at the whole matter and take steps towards resolving the issue.” NAPA advised the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN to obey the ruling by handing over the GAT to BiCourtney without further delay, adding that all hands must be on deck to move the aviation industry forward and avoid any unnecessary controversy.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

22 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Delay in passage of PIB worries LCCI By Roseline Okere

Group Finance Controller, Tower Aluminium Industry Plc, Ramesh Biswal, left, Director , Corporate Affairs, Gbubemi Otumara, Country Head/Group Managing Director, Dr, Jinesh Chandra and General Manager, Olawale Fatolu during the media tour and briefing on Aluminium Industry on the verge of total collapse in Ota, Ogun State, recently. PHOTO OSENI YUSUF

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which it believed was already long over due. The Director-General, Muda Yusuf, said in a media statement on yesterday that the delay has become as source for serious concern due to the imperative and urgency of reforms in the oil and gas sector, which, he said, was currently plagued by gross sub optimality, policy uncertainty, inefficiency and corruption. According to Yusuf, the PIB offers the framework to overhaul the petroleum industry for optimal value for the Nigerian economy and its people. “Regrettably the process of passing the bill is being obstructed by forces seeking to promote other interests over national interest”. He therefore urged the National Assembly to acceler-

ate the process of consideration of the bill in the larger interest of the Nigerian economy and its people. Yusuf stated: “The economy is well positioned to leverage on an efficient and competitive oil and gas sector to achieve the much desired transformation. We need to unlock the huge potentials for job creation, backward integration, robust investments in refineries, investments in distribution and marketing of petroleum products, development of petrochemical industries and numerous multipliers effects that would be generated for the economy. “Additionally, there will be huge savings in foreign exchange that would result from self sufficiency in petroleum products production as investments in refineries become attractive to investors. Resources currently being committed to importation of petroleum products are horrendous and clearly not sus-

tainable. “But for as long as we perpetuate the status quo, for so long will the economy remain vulnerable. It is critical as well to salvage the economy from the cavity of corruption which currently plagues the sector and poses a profound systemic risk to the entire economy”. He said that the chamber is looking forward to the urgent passage of a PIB that would ensure transparency in the oil and gas sector, and driven by technocrats so that the economy and the citizens could get optimal value. “It is critical as well that the sector be insulated from all forms of interference by bureaucrats and the political leadership”, it added. A London-based consultants, Control Risks, said recently in its survey that investors in the country’s oil and gas sector will face more risks in 2013 and even if the bill is passed; its implementation will be uneven thereby adding to protracted corruption problems in the country.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

BUSINESS

Nigeria records low foreign exchange transactions last quarter By Chijioke Nelson HE nation’s sustained T dependence on oil revenue and successive administrations’ inability to kick-start the development and expansion of non-oil sector revenue base, may have re-asserted its negative position on the country’s foreign exchange transactions. Specifically, Nigeria’s foreign exchange transactions remained stagnant in the last quarter of 2012, going by the data obtained from the fourth quarter (Q4) Economic Report of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as both the inflow and outflow plummeted. According to the apex bank, foreign exchange inflow through it in the fourth quarter declined by 16.9 per cent and 16.1 per cent below the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2011, respectively. Outflow decreased by 3.3 per cent and 44.5 per cent below the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2011, respectively. The decline in inflow relative to the preceding quarter was attributed largely to the 9.6 per cent fall in crude oil sales,

while the fall in outflow was associated with the 35.2 per cent decline in WDAS utilisation. Further analysis of foreign exchange flows through the CBN showed that inflow during the fourth quarter of 2012 amounted to $11.17 billion, representing a decline of 16.9 and 16.1 per cent below the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of

2011, respectively. Outflow amounted to $7.82 billion, showing a decline of 3.3 per cent and 44.5 per cent below the levels in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2011, respectively. This resulted in a net inflow of $3.35 billion, compared with a net inflow of $5.36 billion in the preceding quarter and a net outflow of $0.79 billion in the corre-

sponding period of 2011. Meanwhile, the invisible sector accounted for the bulk (32.9 per cent) of total foreign exchange outflow in the fourth quarter of 2012, followed by mineral and oil sector (18.7 per cent). Others were industrial sector (18.2 per cent), food products (15.5 per cent), manufactured products (10.1 per cent), transport sector (4.4 per

President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM-Chartered), Chief Michael Olawale-Cole (left); Chief Executive Officer, Chartered Management Institute UK (CMI), Ann Francke and Director, Capacity Building of NIM, Sola Obadimu, during the visit of the Institute to the United Kingdom.

cent) and agricultural products (0.2 per cent) (Fig.18). There were also estimated foreign exchange demand by the authorized dealers in the fourth quarter at $4.28 bil-

lion, indicating a decline of 35.2 and 65.2 per cent below the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2011, respectively.

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

SON explains e-products registration T

HE Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu has said that the introduction of e-products registration scheme by his agency is in line with the quest to ensure success of the Zero Tolerance initiative. Odumodu spoke against the background of the upcoming stakeholders meeting on eproducts registration scheduled for the Airport Hotel in Ikeja Lagos over the weekend. He implored stakeholders from the Nigerian business sector, including manufacturers, importers and other entrepreneurs to be present at the meeting so that they could make their contributions. According to him, the essence of the e-products registration

scheme is to ensure a hasslefree registration by operators adding that it would mark another important step in the effort to sanitise the country of substandard products. Dr Olusegun Aganga, the minister for Trade and Investment is expected as guest of Honour at the event which would also witness the presentation of technical papers. According to Odumodu, “the introduction of e-registration has become very necessary given both our desire to reduce substandard products in the country, and the difficulty usually faced by those who desire to properly register their products. It would make it possible for entrepreneurs to register their products without having to physi-

Mainstreet Bank denies report on MD’s suspension By Chijioke Nelson AINSTREET Bank has M debunked the media report yesterday (not The Guardian), that it has suspended its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Faith Tuedor- Matthews, over alleged misappropriation of funds. According to the media report, Tuedor-Matthews, was alleged to “have transferred funds into her private accounts abroad, an action that has irked the bank’s board led by Falalu Bello.The management said it was left with no option than to suspend her. She was however given an option to resign.” The report also said that two senior staffers of the bank confirmed the development, while Tuedor-Matthews was suspended on Thursday after a crucial board meeting held at the headquarters of the bank, adding that before now, there had been crisis between Falalu Bello and Mrs. TuedorMatthews, over the way the bank was being run.

But in a swift reaction, the bank told newsmen that the report was untrue in its entirety and urged well meaning individuals to disregard it. In a statement, the bank said: “Our attention has been drawn to the false and negative report against the bank and its Group Managing Director and Chief Executiver Officer, published on Daily Trust Newspapers today (yesterday), the 18th of February, 2012. “We wish to state that the report is untrue in every material particular and calculated to disparage the reputaion of the bank and its GMD/CEO. “That the said publication is defamatory, false, malicious and baseless. “That the board of Directors of Mainstreet Bank Limited did not meet last Thursday and that there is no allegation of any improper transfer of funds to the private account of any member of our board before the board. “That our board of Directors is intact and that Mrs. Faith Tuedor-Mathews is and remains our GMD/CEO.

cally visit SON offices”. Speaking on the stakeholders’ forum, Odumodu said: “The essence of the stakeholders’ forum is to bring together members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) as well as other stakeholders like merchants, importers, dealers, warehouse operators as well as representatives of the consuming public to dialogue about the latest initiative. It would therefore seek to trou-

ble-shoot the e-registration process and help the SON to prepare beforehand, for envisaged challenges”. According to him the theme of the programme is “eRegistration: Convenient fasttrack to the Zero Tolerance initiative’, with representations expected from the Organised Private Sector (OPS) including the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and

Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry ( LCCI), as well as the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI). Explaining the import of the initiative, he said the process would involve the launch of product identification marks on all products within the category under review, stressing that any product without

proper identification marks would not be allowed to be sold in the country. “This is something we believe would help the manufacturers, the dealers and SON. It is all in the bid to ensure safer products, safer Nigerians and a healthier economy.” Odumodu said the agency was always leveraging the available opportunities and platforms to make its work easier for both the regulator and the larger society.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Appointments Achieving competitiveness through outsourcing By Yetunde Ebosele ESPITE oppositions in D some quarters, more companies in the country are adopting outsourcing policy as part of strategies to remain competitive. Under the arrangement, resources and attention are streamlined, leaving outsourced responsibilities and other operations to a third party companies with required capabilities especially access to qualified man power and technology. Over the years, outsourcing in Nigeria especially in the Information Technology and financial service sectors has assumed a new dimension. With increasing high costs of labor and other operational costs, numerous companies in Nigeria are shifting their operations to third party companies with comparatively lower labour costs. Outsourcing is the act of one company contracting another to provide services that might otherwise be performed by inhouse employees. Not entirely new in this part of the world, outsourcing also allows companies to focus on what is general referred to as core competence while having some aspects are taken care of by outside experts and professionals. Many large companies within and outside Nigeria now outsource jobs such as security operations, transport and logistics, entertainment and training, call center services, email services, and payroll among others. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialise in each service. However, opponent of outsourcing argue that it hampers direct communication between a company, some of its workers, customers and other stakeholders, a development, which they explain, may delay project implementation or job execution. According to experts, companies may have to rely solely on outsource providers for vital decision-making and implementation while sensitive information may be vulnerable. Besides, there are also limited numbers of outsourcing providers, a development that may create the risk of sharing vital secret with competitors. According to experts, the development if not well managed could lead to conflict of interest and possibly compromise company secret and specified standard. Besides, some argue that most outsourcing companies especially in Nigeria usually underpay staff thus resulting into divided attention from such workers to companies where their services are required. They were also of the opinion that in recent times, most outsourced jobs are usually done by less qualified workers due to the outsourcing firm’s penchant for cutting corners. For example, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) once cautioned the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Medical Association

(NMA) over alleged proposal to outsource core hospital business. The association, which was reacting to an advertorial by the Federal Ministry of Health seeking bids for provision of certain services in Federal Government hospitals, said such a move would promote corruption and selfish manipulation of the hospital facilities and inflate the prices for the provision of health services. Quoting media reports, the group alleged that an advertorial had allegedly called for outsourcing of Laboratory Services, Pharmacy, Radiography, Physiotherapy, Catering and Laundry as a means to reduce tension and crises in the health sector. The first certified customer interaction forum for professional students, BPO Academy also explained that business process through outsourcing is rapidly gaining grounds in Nigerian, adding that, as is in the case of developed countries of the world, the services of certified customer interaction professionals are necessary to feel the vacuum in business call centres in Nigeria. The group argued that Business Process Outsourcing is the way forward for developing countries like Nigeria because according to them it drastically reduces unemployment, pointing out that countries like India and others were able to survive because they embarked on business process outsourcing. Indian is reputed to be a thriving environment for outsourcing companies as a result of several economic indices. Indian boast of the world’s largest English-speaking population, and nearly 12 hour time zone differences, which allows around the clock support, innovative business models and a qualified pool of millions competing with each other to do their best. According to reports, other countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and China, among others have already started reaping the benefits of outsourcing on a global scale. Some are of the opinion that outsourcing cannot be eradicated and if stopped, it may prove detrimental to organisations. In some countries, outsourcing can take place in any sector provided relevant legislations are adhered with. The requirements depend on the type of business outsourced. This can be broadly broken down into three categories including ability to reserve legal activities. Also, companies must ensure that they must ensure that outsourcing activities do not adversely affect ability to comply with laid down requirements. Specifically, companies are under obligations to have effective systems and controls to identify and curtail risks to confidentiality. On its own, outsourcing presents several risk factors. It is advisable for companies to only outsource services when they are satisfied that the outsourcing supplier has taken all appropriate steps to ensure clients’ confidential information will be protected. Because of its complex nature,

due diligence is usually given to the process through which the factual and legal background to a transaction is collated and assessed. Outsourcing experts usually argue that due diligence should be a two-way process with the supplier assessing proposed outsourcing project and companies assessing the supplier’s ability to provide the services. To this regards, due diligence is one of the key foundations on which the outsourcing deal is usually built. Experts also canvass need to encourage professionalism as part of measures to ensure the success of outsourcing initiatives. Professionalism in the work place establishes boundaries between what is considered appropriate office behavior and what is not. Regulations are to be well defined to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings. Employees engaged by outsourcing companies are to be made aware that workforce readiness is more than just hard skills training. Apart from formal qualifications, employers outsourcing companies inclusive requires the services of professionals (workers) who have skills and also help define what can be deemed as strong work ethics. Identifying ten ways to be professional at work, the Monster Career Coach said: “We often hear how important it is to behave “professionally” in the workplace. Acting like a professional really means doing what it takes to make others think of you as reliable, respectful, and competent. Depending on where you work and the type of job you have, this can take on many different forms. “There are, however, quite a few common traits when it comes to being professional. This includes the following: *Competence. You’re good at what you do – and you have the skills and knowledge that enable you to do your job well; *Reliability. People can depend on you to show up on time, submit your work when it’s supposed to be ready, among

others; * Honesty. You tell the truth and are upfront about where things stand; * Integrity. You are known for your consistent principles; * Respect For Others. Treating all people as if they mattered is part of your approach; * Self-Upgrading. Rather than

letting your skills or knowledge become outdated, you seek out ways of staying current; * Being Positive. No one likes a constant pessimist. Having an upbeat attitude and trying to be a problem-solver makes a big difference; * Supporting Others. You share

the spotlight with colleagues, take time to show others how to do things properly, and lend an ear when necessary; * Staying Work-Focused. Not letting your private life needlessly have an impact on your job, and not spending time at work attending to personal matters.

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Expert highlights reasons for unemployment among youths From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE inability to think T through their entrepreneurial concepts has been identified as the most formidable factor inhibiting Nigerian youths from realizing their potentials, the managing director of Aquarian Consult, Mrs. Aisha Maina has said. Speaking at Empower Biz clinic in Abuja at the weekend, Mrs. Maina identified other factors that hinder concepts from turning into reality to include writing, speaking, believing and moving concepts into reality. She explained: “A lot of times we complain about the challenges that come with moving concept into reality. Turning concepts into reality begins with facing these challenges. It is not enough to sit and complain about the challenges without knowing how to overcome such challenges. It is not enough to simply rely on some other people’s experiences when we are about going into an entrepreneur-

ship.” She submitted that for youths to transit from concept to reality, they must first of all think the concept through. Maina stressed: “The problem with us today in Nigeria is that most youths do not think about concept very well before jumping into conclusion about the workability or otherwise of concepts. We also must write down our concepts to have a clear view, speak it with other people, believe in it and that it will succeed and then actualize it. We must move a concept before it can work. These are the five pillars of entrepreneurship.” She noted that it is a misnomer to think that workers who work for people cannot find fulfillment in their jobs saying, “not all unemployed persons can run businesses successfully. Indeed, some people are better off with working for other people. Some people are gifted being employees and therefore can only realize their full potentials being employees.” She therefore advice unem-

ployed persons embark on self-examination on where they are most suited. She added: “They must ask themselves whether they will do better as entrepreneur or employee. There is nothing wrong with being an employee because to be a successful employer, you must first be a good employee. Unemployed person must be truthful to himself and ask what he would do and derive maximum fulfillment?” While Maina agreed that there is mismatch between the kind of expertise that the Nigerian employment environment needs and the courses offered by the Nigerian tertiary institutions, she submitted that in itself is not strong enough for Nigerians not to develop expertise outside of the normal school system to get employment. Her argument: “A lot of times I hear people say we don’t produce exactly what the employment market needs and that is the truth. But job seekers can overcome that by making use of the study system that non-

Govt reappoints Idoko NACA boss From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has in a letter dated 21st of January 2013 approved the reappointment of Prof. John Idoko for another term of four years as Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). The approval was conveyed to the Director General through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government

of the Federation, which noted that his reappointment “ is a reflection of the President’s confidence and trust in you” The appointment takes effect from March 3, 2013. Professor Idoko once served as Principal Investigator of the Harvard University/AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria, (APIN); Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program at the Jos University

Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos. The antiretroviral clinic (ART), at JUTH, Plateau State cares for about 20,000 patients with HIV. He was also President of the Nigerian AIDS Research Network from 2002 to 2008, Chairman Nigerian National Antiretroviral Committee 2001 to 2009 before his appointment as the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Nigeria in 2009.

formal school system offers. For example, people no longer need to go to the University to become Accountants or computer engineers. These courses

are now available online schools and also offered by professional bodies. Even if somebody studied Microbiology, he can enroll in

online schools in computer science or sit for accountancy exams in the professional accounting bodies. It is the will that is most important

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Oxford varsity to honour Adebanwi, U.S.-based Nigerian scholar From Laolu Akande, New York HE globally acclaimed T Oxford University, United Kingdom is honoring a United State of America based Nigerian scholar whom it has asked to deliver its prestigious African Studies Annual lecture this year. Professor Wale Adebanwi, a celebrated author and University of California, US teacher was chosen to deliver the 2014 lecture, for an annual

series, which is said to be delivered by outstanding academicians in recognition of their distinguished academic profile. Last year, the lecture was delivered by Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong of Harvard University. According to a statement from the Oxford University, the oldest English speaking university in the world, Adebanwi who completed a second doctorate degree in Cambridge University would be delivering the lecture

UAC commissions capacity building projects in Northern states S part of its Corporate A Social Responsibility (CSR), UAC of Nigeria Plc has commissioned its Goodness League projects in the North Central Zone of the country, with a pledge to spread the benefits to all the zones in the country. Specifically, the Goodness League is a platform for UAC’s intervention schemes that seek to tackle social problems and provide an umbrella and synergy for all the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The programme’s current focus is education and it intervenes through the provision of infrastructural assistance such as comprehensive renovation of school blocks and the provision of science equipment, computers and desks to needy schools. The current Goodness League beneficiaries in the north central zone were Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, Plateau State; Government College, Keffi, Nasarawa State; Mount St Gabriel’s Secondary

School, Makurdi, Benue State and Government College, Bida, Niger State. Speaking during the commissioning ceremonies of the projects in the recipient schools in Gindiri, Keffi, Bida and Makurdi, the head of UAC’s delegation and Executive Director, Corporate Services, Joe Dada said: ‘’As a company, we embarked on infrastructural intervention in our nation’s schools, not only as a corporate social responsibility imperative but as a clarion call to all and sundry to supplement government’s contributions in this vital, but under-funded sector of our national life – education. Some of the commissioned projects include: Government College, Keffi, Nasarawa State, which received 200 threeseater desks that can accommodate 600 students at a go, while Boys Secondary School, Gindiri; Mount St Gabriel’s Secondary School, and Government College, Bida, received comprehensive sets of science equipment in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

on May 14 The African Studies Centre Annual Lecture of the Oxford University is a distinguished lecture series, which in the last few years have been delivered by eminent African scholars from Europe, North America and Africa. The University of Oxford is one of the world’s leading centres for the study of Africa. Adebanwi, who holds two doctorate degrees, is currently an associate professor in the Program in African American and African Studies at the University of California in Davis.

(UC-Davis) His first PhD was in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, while his second PhD in Social Anthropology is from the University of Cambridge, England. Adebanwi is the author of Authority Stealing: AntiCorruption War and Democratic Politics in PostMilitary Nigeria, which details the intriguing dimensions of the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), under Nuhu Ribadu, to fight corrup-

tion in Nigeria especially during the Obasanjo presidency. The US based professor was a Bill and Melinda Gates Scholar at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University, United Kingdom, until 2008 when he joined UCDavis. Before then, he was a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, where he taught in the Department of political science. He was also a publicaffairs journalist for many years and a columnist for some newspapers and newsmagazines in Nigeria.

The Oxford African Studies Centre, which is within the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies, acts as a focal point for graduate level work and faculty research on Africa. The centre is headed by Dr. David Pratten. Adebanwi was preceded by distinguished scholars at the Oxford African Studies Lecture Series. They include the globally acclaimed anthropologist, Professor Jean Comaroff, who recently moved from Chicago University to Harvard University.

Wife of the Governor of Niger State, Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu (left); presenting a slate to Hajiya Habiba Musa Ibeto, during the 1st executive Walimatul Qur'an of Al-habibiya academy, Minna, held at the Idris Legbo Kutigi hall in Minna…recently

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MSS seeks more Arabic teachers in Ondo From Niyi Bello, Akure conference organized by A the Muslim Students Society (MSS) has called on the Ondo State government to employ more teachers in the fields of Arabic and Islamic Studies to facilitate the teaching of the two subjects in state-owned secondary schools. The conference, which was attended by about 700 participants drawn from 29 secondary schools across the 18 local councils of the State, said employing more teachers would, “definitely assist numerous students that wish to offer the two subjects in our secondary schools.” Chairman of the event and National Amir of the MSS, Surajudeen Abdul Afeez, lamented the inadequacy of Islamic teachers in the stateowned schools and stated that employing more of them “would have assisted the state in no small measures in moulding the characters of tomorrow’s lead-

ers. “Nigeria is at this cross road of insecurity and moral decadence because our children are not being adequately taught the lessons of religions. We would have assisted our society a great deal by investing more in their moral and religious upbringing instead of the billions of naira we will later spend on inadequate security foisted on us by morallybankrupt children.” He also attributed the menace of religious extremism to wrong religious education, which he said could be corrected if those who teach religions are themselves knowledgeable about what they are supposed to impart to the children. According to him, “since these teachers are going to follow the curriculum approved by the Ministries of Education, there is no way they can teach our students anti-social topics that lead to the kind of insurgency that is now being witnessed in the country today.”

The conference also featured quiz competition and Quranic recitations among the student participants while a lecture titled “Islamic And Academic Excellence: The Roles of Muslim Students”, was delivered by Sherifdeen Busari of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). Also speaking at the event, conference host and the head of the Akure Area Council of the MSS, Dr. Abdulkareem Buliyamin, advised the students not to engage in campus vices such as examination malpractices and cultism saying they should live above board always. He disclosed that the organisation would soon embark on career talks for its members to assist them in choosing vocations that would make them relevant in the emerging socio-economic situations in Nigeria.

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ICAN appoints Odukoya Acting Registrar HE Institute of Chartered T Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, has appointed Mr. Olusoji Olumide Odukoya as its Acting Registrar following the retirement of Mr. Olutoyin Adeagbo Adepate as Registrar/Chief Executive on January 7, 2013. The appointment, which was approved by the Council of the Institute, took effect January 14, 2013. Prior to his appointment, was Deputy Odukoya Registrar, Admin. Services. An astute and experienced Odukoya administrator, attended Yaba College of Technology and Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye where he obtained HND in Accounting in 1983 and MBA

(Accounting and Finance) in 1997 respectively. He is a Fellow of ICAN and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, as well as a full member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He joined ICAN as Director, Examinations on June 1, 2004 and made lots of contributions to the Directorate which include the elimination of manually generated examination dockets; posting of the examination results on the ICAN website; introduction of online registration for Professional Examination; as well as introduction and review of the credit system. He was also Director, Financial Services.

Odukoya Before joining ICAN, Odukoya had worked in both the private and public sectors for over 21 years.

Council approves Obafemi as University of Ilorin registrar-designate From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin. HE Council of the University T of Ilorin, at its 136th meeting, has endorsed the appointment of Emmanuel Dada Obafemi as the Registrar-designate of the institution. A press statement by the University’s Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. kunle Akogun, said, “The appointment, which followed the recommendation of the Selection Board raised to assess applicants for the position of Registrar, was one of the highlights of the decisions taken at the Council’s meeting held on Saturday (February 9, 2013).” Obafemi, who is currently the Deputy Registrar, Academic

Support Services, will take over from the incumbent Registrar, Mrs. Olufolake O. Oyeyemi, whose tenure expires on April 28, 2013. The Registrar-designate, who joined the services of the University of Ilorin on September 28, 1981 as Assistant Registrar (Information), is a 1977 graduate of the University of Ibadan. He has been at various times, Senior Assistant Registrar and Principal Assistant Registrar in various units of the University administration. In 2006, Obafemi was promoted to the position of Deputy Registrar and he served in various units such as Establishments Office, College

of Health Sciences, Students Affairs Office, Council Office and Academic Support Services. Obafemi is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, among several other bodies. professional As Registrar, he will be responsible to the ViceChancellor for the day-to-day general administration of the University and serve as Secretary to the University Council, the Senate, Convocation and Congregation of the University. The Registrar-designate is married and has six children.

NLAkS Computers Limited Iagement has appointed two top man- Inlaks gets new directors for personnel to help drive its renewed vigour to better service delivery take its pride of place in its African operations. They are Tope Dare, Director, Sales & Strategy for Infrastructure Business and eBanking Solutions and Morenike Olanipekun, Programme/Project Manager, IT implementation & Customer Service. Prior to his appointment, Dare was the Sales and Marketing Manager at NCR (Nigeria) where he was ultimately responsible for all direct and indirect sales of NCR’s solution portfolio products in Nigeria between June 2010 and December, 2012. At NCR (Nigeria), he remarkably grew the ATM business in his two successive years in the organization. He has a First Degree in Electronics & Electrical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University and ongoing Action Learning MBA at Business School Netherlands. He is a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA),

Dare Certified e-Business Consultant (CEC), Postilion Trained and Certified, ITIL professional and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). On the other hand, Olanipekun has been a management consultant for 12 years, which includes four years in the banking industry as a full time banking staff and 4 years with the Nigerian practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Olanipekun A thoroughbred professional, she has deep experience and insight in business process reengineering, risk identification & management (including attendant controls & policies). Olanipekun has also acquired and demonstrated expertise in business strategy development and implementation, performance improvement and business technology solutions.

Amlai assumes office as acting CPC DG From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja. MMANUEL Amlai has assumed office as the acting Direcor-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) following the expiration of the two-term tenure of the Council’s former Director General, Mrs. Ify Umenyi. In a press statement signed by Abiodun Obimuyiwa Deputy Director, Public Relations, he said Umenyi handed over to the acting DG being the most senior director in the organisation. It added that the outgoing DG expressed the hope that her

successor would find the structures put in place by her administration useful in a renewed effort at taking the organisation to a higher level in the execution of its mandate. Her words “One of the greatest assets that will be inherited by the new administration in the Council is the unwavering commitment of the workforce to the actualisation of the Council’s mandate”. Before development, Amlai was the Director of Quality Assurance and Development in the organisation. Also, he was a former

Director, Surveillance and Enforcement before moving to the Quality Assurance and Development Department. The new acting Director General, before joining the Council in 2001as a Deputy Director, had worked at top management level with Nigeria Asbestors Industry Limited and Supercor Industry Limited, all in Bauchi, Bauchi State. Meanwhile, the Council has bagged the Regulator of the Year 2012 Award of the Verbatim Magazine for its outstanding performance in the protection of consumer rights.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Labour NASU chides Adesina over workers’ strike in research institutions From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE failure of government to T invite the striking workers of research institutions in the country for negotiation has drawn the ire of the NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). The General Secretary of the union, Peters Adeyemi and President, Ladi Illiya, bemoaned the unwillingness of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to invite the workers who have been on strike for the past three weeks for negotiation towards finding amicable solution to the industrial disagreement. Adeyemi revealed that the union is yet to receive invitation over the matter. He stated: “No government agency has invited us to a any meeting. We think that the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina is enjoying the strike. I think the Minister is ashamed because they have been unable to fulfill the terms of agreement we entered into since last year. But we are resolute that the strike action will continue for as long as government wants it. It is an indefinite strike action.” Providing insight into how the issues degenerated into industrial disagreement that snowballed into the current strike action, Adeyemi explained:

“Workers in research institution had an agreement with government in 2010. Two major issues are still outstanding in the agreement, which are 65 retirement age and 12 months’ salary arrears. The payment of the arrears ought to have began from 1st July 2009 but government decided to begin the payment from July 2010 as against workers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The most annoying thing is that colleges of research institutes that reside within research institutes and whose activities are supervised by the chief executives of research institutes, had their arrears paid from July 2009 whereas the core workers of the research institutes were paid from July 2010.” The NASU Scribe further stated that a strike action embarked upon by the workers necessitated a meeting with four ministers which then resulted in another agreement that stipulated that all disagreements therein shall be resolved within 60 days. Adeyemi said the September 2012 meeting was with ministers of Labour and Productivity, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources. He added: “The understanding reached at that meeting was that there would be a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) that will state how the

problem would be resolved. The research institutes were even communicated to submit the cost implications of the payment of the arrears. With 60 days going into six months, government has not address this matter and that is why the workers are on indefinite strike action.” Adeyemi also explained that the spread of research institutions to many ministries and agencies was largely responsible for the non-extension of 65 years retirement age to research institutions. He explained: “On the issue of 65 years retirement age, it was very easy for the Federal Ministry of Education to work with the National Assembly and the unions to effect the retirement age in the universities, polytechnic and colleges of education because the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) are all working under the Ministry of Education. But research institutes are distributed among several ministries. So, the Federal ministry of Education as the coordinating ministry for NCCE, NBTE and NUC was able to come up with various Acts establishing the colleges of education, universities and polytechnics to reflect the new retirement age. But now we have proposed that the memo

to FEC should be generated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture that has the largest number of research institutes and then other ministers that have research institutes under their ministries can then speak in favour of the memo. We intend to push the retirement age of workers from the present 60 to 65 years through this arrange-

ment.” The President of NASU, Mrs. Ladi Illiya, described the experience of workers in research institutions as ‘frustrating’. “The current experience of workers in research institutions is frustrating and they have every reason to feel cheated and unwanted. The union has been trying to let our members understand that

they will not be left to their fate. We are talking with relevant stakeholders and take all our members along in all negotiations we undertake. The make-up of the research institute is so unique and uncoordinated in outlook and that is putting a lot of pressure on us because there is no particular ministry that is responsible for what is happening in

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

GSM operators add 18.7m subscribers in 2012, backhaul investments risk $9.2b fall CDMA players lose 1.46m subscribers By Adeyemi Adepetun ETWEEN January and B December 2012, GSM operators in Nigeria increased their subscribers’ base by 18.7 million new active mobile subscriptions, according to The Guardian Investigations. Relying on the statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for December 2012, the country finished the year with 113.2 million active subscriptions with about 152 million connected lines and a teledensity of 80.8 per cent. The statistics put the subscribers of the GSM players including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat at 109.8 million. Unfortunately for their counterparts, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators, including, Starcomms, Visafone, Multilinks and ZoomMobile, which started 2012 with 4.41 million sub-

scribers, finished the year with 2.94 million subscribers, loosing 1.46 million subscribers within the 12 months under review. In a related development, a study by Strategy Analytics at the weekend informed that though mobile operators across the globe have started investing in radio network upgrades and migrating to LTE to meet surging user demand for mobile data, there are huge possibilities that operators will face a new mobile capacity crunch by 2017. Specifically, the study noted that operators may not be planning sufficient investment in backhaul to meet anticipated demand over the next five years. According to Strategy Analytics, global mobile data traffic has increased 13 times in the last five years, stressing that it forecasts it to grow by five to six times more by 2017. It added that the commis-

As many as 40 per cent of mobile users’ list poor network performance as a reason for leaving an operator. At today’s backhaul investment levels, operators could create a significant backhaul capacity shortage. This shortfall could diminish quality of service and, in turn, increase customer churn. Operators need to rethink their backhaul investments as they deploy small cells and LTE capacity. sioned study predicts a $9.2 billion global backhaul funding gap with a 16-petabyte shortfall in backhaul capacity by 2017 among all operators. Further analysis of the NCC statistics revealed that the GSM operators started 2012 with 91.1 million subscribers and increased it by 954,246 to put February subscription at 92 million. Between February and July 2012, the subscription grew by 7.47 million. From August to December, the subscription was not stable. The GSM players added 4.18 million sub-

scribers between August and September. The subscription grew by 895,655 in October and they added 5.28 million subscribers in November and December. Indeed and in their individual capacities, MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat finished 2012 with 47.4 million; 24.1 million; 23.1 million and 14.9 million respectively. Visafone closed the year with 2.65 million subscribers, while Starcomms Plc went down to 307, 844. Multilinks was left with just 263, 767, while Zoom mobile finished 2012 with just 111,077 subscribers only.

According to Strategy Analytics, which has bases in America, France, UK among others, backhaul investments and capacity shortfalls would vary by regions. It explained that the Asia Pacific region risk $5.3 billion; 9.4 Petabytes shortfall, while Western Europe risk loosing $1 billion, about 1.8 Peratytes. The Study noted that players in the Middle East and Africa, including Nigeria risk $1 billion; 1.8 Petabytes backhaul shortfall, stressing that the inadequacy will cost confidence and customer in the region. Western Europe, North America and the Caribbean risk $1 billion; 1.8 Petabytes; $650 million; 1.2 Petabytes and $600 million; 1.1 Petabytes respectively. According to Director, Service Provider Analysis, Strategy Analytics, Sue Rudd, “As many as 40 per cent of mobile users’ list poor network performance as a reason for leaving an operator. At

today’s backhaul investment levels, operators could create a significant backhaul capacity shortage. This shortfall could diminish quality of service and, in turn, increase customer churn. Operators need to rethink their backhaul investments as they deploy small cells and LTE capacity.” He informed that over the next five years, mobile backhaul will become increasingly complex; stressing that operators will struggle to support multi-frequency heterogeneous networks and new bursty usage patterns. Rudd said current operator forecasts allocate an average of 17.5 per cent of total cost of operations to backhaul investment, but investment at that level simply cannot meet user demand. A Technology expert, Taiwo Akinsanya, who spoke to The Guardian on the backhaul challenges said: “Operators who treat backhaul planning as a long-term, strategic investment opportunity to enhance customers’ Quality of Experience will produce higher revenue and profits. “In order to maximize overall returns, operators need to seriously consider issues beyond backhaul capacity and scalability. The watchwords for operators who take a smarter approach to future backhaul planning are flexibility, synchronization and end-to-end management.”

Eugene Juwah, NCC’ EVC

Lawyers host forum on power sector reform KINDELANO Legal A Practitioners (ALP) has unveiled plans to host its second yearly seminar with focus on the Nigerian Power Sector, titled ‘’Transforming the Nigerian Power Sector: Challenges and Solutions’’ The association held its first edition in 2012 where issues relating to building an indigenous upstream champions was addressed. Seminar attendants will be treated to an interactive dialogue with some of the most significant and knowledgeable personalities in the Power sector. Through three

sessions moderated by Patrick Mgbenwelu (Head of Project and Structured Finance of Power) of FBN Capital this Seminar will seek to identify and debate some of the elements, which will be crucial for the successful Power Sector. The seminar will approach the power sector from three main stand-points - the regulators role in the power Industry; The Investors Perspective and an insight into the Indian’s experience and; The Power Industry from the Financier’s perspective.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Monday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 18/2/2012

THE GuARdIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

66 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 18/2/2012

LOSERS

PRICE GAINERS

Oando strategises to enhance sustainable dividend payout for shareholders By Helen Oji ANdO Nigeria Plc, yesterO day, assured investors that the company has put measures in place to ensure that it generates free cash flow to pay substantial amount of the company’s earnings as dividend to shareholders. The company, in its last financial year end, failed to pay dividend to shareholders, which according to the Managing director of the company, Wale Tinubu impacted negatively on the bottom-line, causing sharp reduction in cash flow. “I believed we suffered from shareholders drop as regards to the value of shares by not paying dividend in the last financial year end. It is a mistake on our part and it sent a wrong signal to the market and I think we have suffered monumentally on the reduction of our shares. The second thing we suffered is oil subsidy payment and all these put together, lead to panic sale of our shares, which impacted negatively on our shares.

Addressing stockbrokers during the company’s “Facts Behind the Figures” yesterday, Wale submitted that there is concerted efforts to move the business from low margin to high level business to enable the company reduce its overall debt and enhance profitability. “Be rest assured that non dividend payment is now a thing of the past. There is a substantial effort to reduce the cost of capital to generate more profit. Going forward, the dividend we will

pay will actually be as paying salary in the office for us to do better and move forward in the business.” Tinubu noted that the net right issue proceeds, estimated at N52.9 billion after deducting the total cost of the Issue estimated at N1.6 billion representing 3.01 per cent of the Issue will be applied as follows: N27.78 billion or 52 per cent refinancing of upstream assets. “In clear terms that amount will be use for the part-payment of a N60 billion syndi-

cated loan facility championed by First City Monument Bank Plc to fund the acquisition of upstream assets and swamp drilling rigs. The sum of N23 billion representing 45 per cent is expected to be used for the purchase of Conoco Phillip’s Nigerian business assets for which an sales and purchase agreement has been signed by both parties. According to the offering document, the forecast was prepared on the assumption that the Exploration &

Production projections do not include the impact of any growth assets that the company will acquire in the future but have been limited to the current assets in its portfolio”. Tinubu while giving highlight of the forecast includes explained that turnover is expected to grow by 11, 13 and one per cent in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, while the cost of sales will increase by 8, 9, and 4 per cent simultaneously during same period.

He noted that gross profit is projected to appreciate by 37 per cent in 2013, 31, per cent in 2014, but decline by 13 per cent in 2015, due to the refurbishing of the FPSO for OML 125 leading to only partial production for the year. Tinubu promised that shareholders of the company are expected to receive an enhance package of reward in terms of dividend payment during the period, but such payment is subject to their approval in an yearly general meeting.

NSE’s All Share index sustains sliding profile, drops by 0.02 per cent By Helen Oji quITy transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange continued on a downward note, occasioned by profit taking by investors, even as more highly capitalised stocks joined the losers league, causing the All-Share index to drop further by 0.02 per cent. In the same vein, the market capitalisation of 187 first-tier equities depreciated by N2.22 billion as market senti-

ments remained negative. 124 equities were traded yesterday as against previous 124 with more activities recorded in Financials, Consumer Goods and Conglomerates sectors. At the close of trading session, the NSE All-Share Index fell further by -0.02per cent to close at 33,252.51 as against decline by -0.25per cent recorded in the previous session to close at 33,258.54. In the same vein, market capitalisation depre-

ciated by N2.22 billion to close at N10.64 trillion as against depreciation by N25.20 billion recorded in preceding session to close at N10.64 trillion. The number of gainers at the close of trading session closed higher at 29 as against 26 recorded in the previous session while decliners also closed lower at 31 as against 41 losers recorded in the previous trading day – suggesting a positive market breadth. Five NSE sectoral indices

closed positive as NSE 30 which basically measures the performance of blue chips closed negative by -0.14per cent, NSE Oil & Gas retraced by +0.12 per cent as NSE Food & Beverages extends uptrend by +0.67per cent while NSE Insurance closed extends losing streak by -0.76 per cent as NSE Banking climbs further by +0.47 per cent. The NSE LII erased previous loss by +0.45 per cent. As usual, Financial sector led the market transaction vol-

ume yesterday with 422.73 million units valued at N2.85 billion exchanged in 4,130 deals as against 469.70 million units valued at N2.42 billion exchanged in 4,315 deals recorded in previous session Transaction volume on the exchange went up by +1.10 per cent to close at 529.52 billion units exchanged in 6,742 deals as against downtrend by -25.05 per cent recorded in the previous trading to close at 529.52 million units exchanged in 6,541 deals.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Opinion Power sector: Of many roads and maps By Luke Onyekakeyah MID the disappointment over the failure A of the much-talked about power sector to meet clear-cut targets since it was launched a little over two years ago, the fresh review of the programme gives the impression that the government is playing to the gallery. Given the enormity of the power sector problems, doubts are being raised as to what the government is actually planning to do. Can the Jonathan administration rise above failure in this power sector jinx? How much would the administration be able to achieve within the short time left? Three months from now, this administration would have spent two years in office. What can it do in the remaining two years, especially, considering that the last year (from May 2014 to May 2015) would be devoted to electioneering campaigns for the 2015 elections? What it means is that in reality, the administration has barely between now and 2014 to make its mark or else be counted as failure. Therefore, is the new roadmap, which is still in the making, going to be implemented by this administration or is it being reviewed for the future? Is it a strategic national power development plan or an ad-hoc proposal? If now, how feasible is it? But if it is for the future, what is the guarantee that a new administration in 2015 won’t review it again? These concerns need to be properly analysed in the public interest. The electricity quagmire has become intractable and there seems to be no way out. The foes of the programme are more than the friends. It is evident that the power sector reform programme has faced enormous hurdles, which have caused serious setback in its implementation. Those hurdles are however manmade. They are deliberate obstacles put by unpatriotic elements who don’t want the inglorious electricity situation to change. It is unfortunate that some elements in and around government want the status quo to remain for their personal benefits. How to deal with these hurdles ought to form part of the roadmap so they don’t spring surprises in

the implementation process. It was hoped that by now, at least, something like the privatisation process would have been completed. But that enthusiasm has waned in the fallout of the intrigues that have bedeviled the process. The resistance mounted by the employees of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over welfare issues and severance benefits under the programme has been one of the major headaches. But this ought not to have hampered the reform programme if there had been sincerity on both sides. Accusations and counter accusation have beclouded the truth. No one knows who is sincere. It would be most disappointing if the Jonathan administration fails to make a mark on this electricity issue. That would be the third administration that would have failed since 1999 when Nigerians began to be hoodwinked on the electricity quagmire. The Obasanjo administration played games on electricity from 1999 to 2007 without achieving anything. Some $16 billion was reportedly wasted on shadowy Independent Power Plants (IPPs). Thereafter, the Yar’Adua administration came with a promise of declaring emergency in the power sector that was never done. Yar’Adua’s ill health and eventual demise frustrated whatever good intentions he had under his 7-point Agenda. President Jonathan took the reins of power after the death of Umaru Yar’Adua to complete their joint 4-year ticket. Jonathan had on assumption of office in 2010 abandoned the Yar’Adua 7-point Agenda, which had power and energy as the cardinal item. In its place, he launched the power sector reform programme on August 6, 2010. The Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP), headed by Prof. Bart Nnaji was instrumental to the birth of the reform programme. The expertise put in formulating that plan made Nigerians have confidence in it. Like many similar blueprints, the roadmap presented much hope towards the revitalization of collapsed power sector. The elaborate ceremony was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos with the creame of the Nigerian society in attendance.

Under the plan, targets were set. The crux was to unbundle the PHCN with a new regime of privatization. Other issues like addressing the needs of the existing workforce; implementation of the second phase of the MultiYear Tariff Order (MYTO) and diversification of the the sources of energy were listed. Subsequently, prospective investors were invited to apply for 17 of the 18 successor companies of the PHCN. As many as 331 investors from around the world reportedly applied to take stakes in the companies. The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) handling the bid process was overwhelmed. It was thought that once this central issue was ironed out every other thing would fall in line. All things said and done, some companies have bided and won stakes but the exercise has been marred in controversy. Nigerians are scandalised that the stakes have been acquired mainly by former Nigerian leaders who appeared to be re-purchasing the country. One of the companies, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI), which got a contract on the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), is still embroiled in controversy with the Federal Government. It is not clear whether the company’s contract has been cancelled as reported or not. The controversies and pressure surrounding the roadmap apparently forced its architect, Prof. Bart Nnaji, who was the Minister of Power to resign unexpectedly at the end of August, 2012. That was exactly two years after the roadmap was launched. His resignation at a most critical stage of the roadmap implementation process was a big blow. It was like a pilot ejecting from a doomed plane, which would leave it with no other alternative than to crash. The roadmap was thus doomed. Shortly, after Nnaji’s resignation, Mr. DagogoJack was appointed head of the Presidential power task force. Five months later, Prof. Nebo was appointed the as the new Minister for Power. As it is now, Nigerians don’t know what is happening. Talk of reviewing the power roadmap that has barely taken off and which has not recorded any concrete achievement is utterly ludicrous. Questions are being

asked as to why a roadmap that many thought was comprehensive enough to carry the country to the next ten years should be subjected to another round of review. More confounding is the fact that this is being done by the same administration that formulated it. What that means is that if the same administration could review its own agenda within a twinkle of an eye, nothing stops a new administration from discarding the entire plan all together. At the end, Nigerians are the losers. Thirteen years of failed promises on electricity has seen Nigerians go from bad to worse. Why can’t there be a strategic national development plan with the power sector as an integral part? Why must there be a change in policy each time there is a new administration or minister? As it were, the only visible effect of the reform programme so far is the unfair implementation of MYTO2, which has seen the electric bill of consumers triple without commensurate improvement in power supply. Across the country, what is called marginal improvement in power has not made any appreciable difference in the wellbeing of the citizenry. But while the power situation worsens, Nigerians are paying through their nose for electricity that is not supplied. The usual epileptic power supply situation still persists. Many areas don’t receive five hours of power in two or three days! Moreover, the plan to diversify energy sources has not been implemented. Nigeria is blessed with abundant coal, solar and wind energy. What sort of power roadmap that would exclude the exploitation of these alternative energy resources? Why must the power sector be tied majorly to gas whose uninterrupted supply cannot be guaranteed? It is obvious from the enormity of the problems facing Nigeria that the Jonathan administration has a job to do. The president should understand that Nigerians are fed up with unfulfilled promises in several sectors, particularly power. The president should be more focused and consistent in pursuing the goals of his administration. There should be a legacy to leave for posterity. Otherwise, history will be the only judge.

Oyo state’s widow’s mite By Victor Oshisada ECENTLY, the Oyo State government undertook an unusual R task. The sub-editor who cast the headline in The Punch of February 6, 2013, adopted the words: “Oyo’s empowerment of 200 widows”. It arrested my attention. If I were on the sub-desk, I would rather choose: “Oyo state’s widow’s mite”. His choice is excellent, but it is marked by a grandstanding political undertone. This suggestion is not meant to sound smart-alecky, but to portray the true meaning of the text in the headline. The word “mite” originated from Flemish language of Flanders (the Dutch language in Northern Belgium), meaning a copper coin of small value, half farthing as used in St. Mark, chapter 12, verse 42, now figuratively used to mean modest contribution or the best that one can do. Be that as it may, Oyo State government did the best that it could conveniently afford. Therefore, it deserves commendation for the “empowerment” of the helpless widows. Commendation is essential, because in some states in the federation, several months after local government councillors were elected into office, they were yet to be paid salaries arrears. This is appalling. Indeed, many Nigerians are indigent – a crew of wretched souls. The word “indigent” is an aberrant description. But this is the stark reality. There is no gainsaying the fact that our economy is daily retrogressing. According to The Guardian Editorial of February 4, 2013, quoting from the World Bank statistics, there are increases in the number of the poor in Nigeria, from 34.5 million in 1985; 67.1 million in 1996; 68.7 million in 2004; and an astronomical 112.47 million in 2010. If the able-bodied citizens are poor, what is expected of the aged, particularly the widows? It is on this premise of the World Bank statistics that I am arguing my case. What is poverty? Poverty is the inability to afford adequate standard of consumption. Consumption can be of three types –derivable from

housing utilities, clothings and feedings. Someone without a roof on his head is in lower animal world. A man who is not adequately clad is a victim of poverty, and can be branded as a lunatic to be buffeted by cold and scorched by the sun. The combination of these inadequacies on the citizens is abject poverty. Indeed, anyone who is caught in the vortex of poverty needs to be pitied. It is an aberration. It is from this perspective that I am motivated to write about the widows’ mite from the Oyo State Government, which realises that poverty means the inability to afford what average people have. The state government donated 200 pieces of grinding-machine, cassava grinders and a sum of N20,000 each to 200 indigent widows under the State Widowhood Support Scheme, which was meant to empower indigent and needy indigenes of the state. Commendable as the initiative is, the reading public must tarry a while to ponder over some points. First, is the issue of selection. Are members of the public, the tax payers, assured that the concerned indigents are actually targeted and awarded the donations? Is it reassuring that the donations did not fall into the wrong hands of affluent recipients in the society who could be used as the conduit pipes for re-donations to their kinsmen and party apparatchiks? If the donations went into wrong hands, the purpose of empowerment is defeated outright. Second, how were the recipients selected? What factors determined the selections of the awardee-widows? Third, is the point of maintenance. Were they reminded that regularly the pieces of machine and grinders would require technical maintenance? This last question is necessary because 200 awardees for grinding machine, cassavagrinders are not small figures. Were the 200 awardees tutored on the needs for maintenance in the hands of professional technicians at accessible locations in their communities and not just patronizing green-horns for the repairs of the pieces of equipment? Lastly, did the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs ever contemplate the inadequacy or otherwise of spare parts

in the warehouses of the companies that sold the pieces of equipment? If the fore-going questions are in the negatives, the Oyo State Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya, and her officials must go back to the drawing board for some re-thinkings, so that the whole exercise would not end up in the manner of previous failures. The widows’ predicaments could be ascribed to divergent causes. If, indeed, they were indigent, their woes could be occasioned by different factors. Invariably, they have no life partners who might have died long time ago, leaving them to fate. Another reason could be that they have no children, pretty indicating that they deserve whole-hearted compassion. From the news report, it was revealed that earlier governments’ assistance to widows came in the form of loans that were inadequate, but only spent on feeding and domestic needs. This truly being so, the state commissioner is right in her explanation: “This initiative will enable them contribute their quota to the economic development of the state.” Widows do not exclusively constitute the society. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. There are millions of widowers who deserve compassionate attention in Oyo State. In one way or the other, these widowers spent their youths in the service of their communities. The causes of their predicaments tally considerably with those of the widows. They must not be made invidious. As a result of that, Oyo State ought to consider their sorry plight also. Further, the initiative must not be one-off exercise. That is, the state government should not relent in its efforts to continuously “empower” its economically depressed citizenry. Ours is a society where people remain insatiate. More of the exercise is expected from time to time, so as not to make it the exclusive right of a privileged few. Essentially, the initiative is one of the ways to bridge the widening gap of inequality in income distribution, which is why other states in the country must emulate Oyo State. • Oshisada, a veteran journalist, lives at Ikorodu, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

70 LAW

LawPeople

“The consumer isn’t a moron; she is your wife” -David Ogilvy

Onu: Consumer law and social rights crusader Profile By Bertram Nwannekanma NU Eke Uche, erudite lawyer, is O a man with a mission - a mission to ensure social justice in the society. And he has shown commitment in doing just that. Through resilience, experience and doggedness, the legal practitioner has become a household name in consumer and social rights campaign in Nigeria. Incidentally, Onu’s forage to the legal profession has both spiritual and cultural perspectives. Although a firm believer in the pre-destination, Onu’s Divine chasm for law became pronounced after his parents handed him over to a guardian/godfather as was the custom in his village. His guardian incidentally happened to be a legal practitioner and then, a serving Chief Magistrate named Barrister Eke Obuba, who was named after him. He then grew up to be known by various names such as “Chief”, “Lawyer”, “Barrister” right from his childhood. Intuitively, those names and accolades did not only permeate into his sub-conscious mind but also served as a propelling force in reigniting his Divine call to study law. Although his parents did not play any direct role in his choice of the legal practice, Onu grew up under strict discipline of his parents particularly his late dad. In addition, his parents were religious and saw their role in his upbringing as “Caretakers”, and never interrupted the Divine plan. According to him: “They never played any pivotal role in my choice of being a lawyer, they only aligned themselves to the Divine calling by supporting and encouraging me.” Interestingly too, during his primary and secondary school education, he developed a flair for social and liberal sciences where he excelled brilliantly and passed his West African Examination Council (WAEC) in flying colours in 1986. Today, Onu had recorded overwhelming successes in the wig and gown profession. Beyond his manifest experience as a litigator, resource person and arbitrator, Onu’s human rights campaigns have given him a perfect social responsibility identity as an entity designed to define, deliver and protect the rights of Nigerians. Born in January 25, 1969, Onu started his primary school education at Ogbete Rivers Primary School, Enugu in the then Eastern-Central State between 1974 and 1976. He also had a brief stint at the School Road Primary School, Umuahia, between 1976 and 1977 after his father, a civil servant, was transferred to the then Imo State, following the creation of new states by General Murtala Mohammed-led military government. Thereafter, Onu finished his primary education at his hometown in Amaekpu Community School, Amaekpu Ohafia in 1980, when his

Onu father eventually retired in 1977. Between 1981 and 1986, he attended Ohafia High School and in 1989, he gained admission to study law at Abia State University, Uturu, where he bagged a law in 1993. He was called to the Bar in 1995 upon his completion of his LLB from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. Onu did his one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Kogi State where he won the state merit award. As a youth corps member, Onu was in 1994 posted to Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja as a lecturer at the School of Business Administration, where he taught Business Law. But because of his love for the legal profession, he still found time for a leisure practice at the law firm of U.M. Enwere & Co, a firm of Solicitors and Advocate based in Lokoja, Kogi State, as a pupil counsel. Onu cut his legal teeth at the law firm, where he learnt some fundamental attributes of a practical counsel as opposed to the theories taught in the Law School. He captured the moment thus: “I learnt from the firm the virtues of hardwork, ruggedness, determination and unrelenting drive and zeal to be a successful lawyer and that has a part of my success story till date”. His first time in court was during

Beyond his manifest experience as a litigator, resource person and arbitrator, Onu’s human rights campaigns have given him a perfect social responsibility identity as an entity designed to define, deliver and protect the rights of Nigerians.

his NYSC days in Lokoja, Kogi State. He was assigned an armed robbery case by the firm and the case was then decided under the Military Decree - Fire Arms & Robbery Decree. Although like every young wig, he was jittery at first, he was courageous and as fate would have it, the suspect was discharged and acquitted by the tribunal for lack of diligent prosecution. He spoke of the incident thus: “The case was one of my most challenging because as a new wig, I did not know how to approach it initially. But I was determined not to fail and God was with me, and the suspect was set free. It was a moral booster for me and the entire media (both print and electronic), which covered the proceedings was awash with the story and it brought popularity to the firm and I.” Onu’s most challenging case came in 1997 shortly after his NYSC programme. He was in a private law firm in Lagos and got a brief, which was presented to him by the clients as a case of receiving stolen goods. The clients, he said, were arrested and detained in Kogi State. Smarting with the euphoria of a youth corps member serving in that state and knowing the terrain very well, Onus jumped into the case and quickly believed the clients and agreed on certain fees with them. However, to his chagrin, on getting to Kogi State at the state Criminal Investigations Department Lokoja, he found out that he was misinformed by the clients. It was actually a case of an attempted robbery. When he confronted his clients on why he was misinformed about the case, he

was threatened and it only took God’s intervention for the case to be resolved amicably. Onu and his friend, Uduma Eke, a graduate of University of Maiduguri, established their own law firm 15 years ago in Lagos. The commencement of the law firm was borne out of the desire to offer legal services in a distinct manner. It also came after his pupilage in several reputable law firms in Lagos. Although his associate partner is at present pursuing a post-degree programme in the United States of America, the law firm, under Onu’s watch, has risen to enviable heights in the legal profession, with three branches in Ajao Estate, Lagos, FESTAC Town and Abuja, as well as wining several awards. A renowned consumer rights protection activist, Onu belongs to several international organisations and has participated in numerous public enlightenment programmes both locally and internationally. Onu’s area of practice covers loan recovery, arbitration, litigation, property management, legal drafting and consultancy. A member of International Bar Association (IBA), Onu’s professional competence has continued undeniably to yield noticeable results in all spheres of operations, which led to

the numerous appointments he has received over the years from private, public and government sectors. A total believer in free legal services, Onu’s firm has a matter of duty provisions for free legal services to clients and indigent individuals, and organisations so as not to deny them justice or any form of respite provided under the law because of lack of funds. The firm pursued vigorously the course of justice on behalf of victims of fire incident at SAHCOL Warehouse about seven years ago and succeeded in obtaining the sum of $10,000.00 to each of the victims as compensation from the overseas insurance company of SAHCOL. On the area of litigation, the firm has made considerable marks from the numerous cases it has handled and is still handling for several of its clients. Onu is also proficient in property management where he has cut a niche for himself. Beyond the direct management of several privately-owned property, the firm has assisted in the procurement of property for individuals and corporate bodies. This the firm has achieved, through its direct partnership with reputable property development companies in Lagos Western Nigeria, Abuja in Northern Nigeria and Port Harcourt. The firm was instrumental to the drafting of the well-known joint venture agreement involving one of Nigeria’s Steel Manufacturing Company; DORMAN LONG Nig Limited and a foreign technical partner. At Various times, Onu has been engaged as a resource person and legal consultant by leading Human Resources Training Companies, where he delivered lectures on Principles & Practice of Employment Law, Contract of Employment, Trade Unionism, Industrial Tribunal Laws, Legal Aspects of Negotiation and Execution of Agreements. On his assessment of the legal practice in Nigeria, Onu said the practice couldn’t be divorced from the society since the legal practice is a microcosm of the Nigerian society. The Nigerian society currently is under a rotten condition and is permeating all sectors of the society. He stated that all stakeholders in the Nigerian society have collective stake in changing the system in Nigeria. Onu, who has a religious background identified Dr. David O. Oyedepo, the Presiding Bishop/ Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide as his role model because, according to him, he impacted on him the importance and value of knowing God cum worth of the word of faith by his teachings, which has helped in a great deal “in sharpening my overall perspective about life and man’s relationship with God.” A highly religious man that dwells in the atmosphere of praise, Onu is happily married with children. He likes reading and travelling.

Do you know… Root of title Means how one came to be the owner of the land in dispute, - Ofume v. Ngbeke [1994] 4 NWLR (Pt.341) 746 at 755, [C.A.}

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Opinion Dame Patience and the Peace Mission complex By Taofeek Adio HESE are indeed days of anomie in Nigeria, T days in which the pull-them-down syndrome has gone viral. A horde of raucous persons who mask under the guise of see-me patriotism and self-righteous pontification now mount every available podium of public discourse to run the government down. These self-appointed voices of the masses, who one, in the best of terms, can be described as anoles (for that is what they are) in their grandstanding, fail to see anything good with the government, and no idea, no matter how well conceived; no project, no matter how noble intended, is ever deemed good enough for this country, once it is not suggested by them or their sponsors. The manner of the noisy denigration and aspersion this people cast upon any project of the government makes many good-intentioned persons scared to dream, scared to think of programmes and projects that will transform the lives of the people; bring change to our circumstances as a nation and challenge our thinking as a people, because this horde will soon descend and accuse you of using the project to siphon public fund. Their charade has become a known mantra. They preach that no one in government is selfless enough to think good of the common man. So, it is impossible for government to embark upon any meaningful project without this gang bandying distorted statistics about and generating warped analyses on facts, pros and cons of the project, to the extent that, in some cases, even the undiscerning persons who are natural beneficiaries of these projects soon join to traduce the project meant to change their lives. Knowing the characteristics of this horde, one is not surprised that they have descended upon the person and integrity of Her Excellency, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan. Her sin this time was the proposal by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to fund the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) building in Abuja. The charges trumped upon the First Lady are same, as usual: The office of the First

Lady is unconstitutional, the AFLPM is a nongovernmental organisation, the budget is profligate, among other numerous charges laid by every Dick and Harry among them that have access to the free but sponsored media. The idea of this piece is not to respond to all the charges laid by this horde, but to put the project and its intention in clear perspective to the ordinary Nigerians whose gullible minds these hordes are scavenging upon, just to deceive. The very first impression one gets upon glancing over the crafty headlines of their commentaries is that the First Lady’s office is building a house for Dame Patience, which of course is not the case. Those who are patient enough to read through their drift will come to understand that they are saying the FCTA is building a house for the First Lady, which also is not the case. The project in question is the secretariat of the AFLPM to be domiciled in Abuja, our federal capital, which the name of Dame Patience Jonathan will not be mentioned in any of its deeds, apart from the fact that the project was her dream, borne out of her passion for a peaceful Africa and based on the mandate given Nigeria at the 6th Summit of the AFLPM held in Congo Brazzaville in 2008 when Hajia Turai Yar’Adua (and not Dame Patience Jonathan) was the president of the continental body. Patience Jonathan actually completed the term began by Hajia Turai in 2010 after the sad demise of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in office. Dame Patience was elected to head the continental body at the summit held in Abuja in 2012. The AFLPM is not an NGO, but a continental body of African First Ladies founded as far back as 1997. The idea was mooted by the then First Ladies of Nigeria, Burundi, Namibia and Lesotho. Nigeria is providing the permanent secretariat based on the mandate given it in 2008, hence the investment being made by the FCT administration as the structure is located within its area of jurisdiction. It is ironical that no one among the self-righteous critics has come to understand, appreciate and underscore the critical importance of peace on the continent and contributed ideas on funding the project from inception till now, but would deride a well-intentioned move by an organ of

government to fund the building of the secretariat. As at the time of writing this piece, Nigeria has a troop and some of the best of our war machinery in Mali, joining the rest of the world in the bid to restore peace to that country following the Al-Qaeda militants’ insurgency in the northern part of that country. Mali is today’s metaphor for the conflict-ridden Africa. Often, new insurgency breaks out somewhere, adding to others that are already smoldering in different countries of the continent with damaging consequence on people, structures and economies of the countries concerned. Mali is Nigeria’s northern neighbour: has anyone thought of the dangerous consequence our nonchalant concern could cause the stability of our country if we remain aloof and refuse to help as our critics would want us to do? When war rages, all statistics anywhere in the world point to the fact that women and children are the worst victims because they are a vulnerable group. So, that women and indeed African First Ladies decided at this point in time to become true agents of change for peace is an act that is not only commendable, but worthy of support. The peace initiative by African First Ladies takes root from a syllogism that mothers have the most listening ears of their children. In Africa, in our various homes, hamlets, clans, villages and towns, the role of women in peace building has never been in question. As our mothers, we are all inclined to listen to them when they intercede with their motherly reasons. Nigeria should therefore take pride in the endorsement of Her Excellency by other African First Ladies to pilot the affairs of this body. It was in the light of this responsibility that Nigeria took up the drive for the construction of the permanent secretariat of the Peace Mission. No one among our self-appointed critics think of the diplomatic advantage this move confers on the country as a promoter of peace in the world. Their problem is that it is being promoted by Dame Patience Jonathan. It is therefore unfortunate for these people to speak of the project as Dame Jonathan’s house. The house will be built in Nigeria, on Abuja soil, and the First Lady will never take posses-

sion of it. It will be an eternal edifice to the glory of this nation before other African nations and the world in general. Like the ECOWAS secretariat here in Abuja, this centre, when completed, will draw international staff, tourists, development partners and researchers into Nigeria, which ordinarily will redound to the nation’s profit in the long run. These short-sighted prognosists, in their warped censorship have failed to visualize this or if they did, failed to acknowledge the long term benefit this special peace project stands to generate for Nigeria. Is anybody today asking how much it cost to put up the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa or ECOWAS in Abuja? Rather, the benefits the host nations reap from them are obvious for all to see. Note that if we fail to domicile this secretariat here, someday, another country will, and we will end up having to play second fiddle to such country, no thanks to our self-righteous commentators and self-acclaimed champion of people’s rights. Some people also spoke of profligacy without even knowing the size or dimension of the project. But these are the same people who tell us to visit other countries and see what their governments are putting up. They are the same people who in their sarcasm say Nigeria should learn from the United Arab Emirate and the beauty they are making of their landscape with grandiose structures. They understand and underscore the importance of magnificent structures dotting the landscape of great cities, the sense of respect and grandeur these features evince to the international community, but since it is being championed by someone they love to hate, it must be bad. The budget for the project is before the National Assembly, which has both members of the ruling and opposition parties, and among whom are technocrats in their own right. If indeed the money allocated for the project is profligate – at least they have the details – they stand to work on it to make their recommendations accordingly. Dragging the name of the First Lady into this ill-motivated propaganda is unfortunate. For once, let us see dignity in noble deeds, please. • Adio writes from Abuja.

Prospects for Igbo president in 2015 By Chekwas Okorie T was not by mere conjecture or political gamble that the Idential United Progressive Party (UPP) resolved to zone the presiticket of the party for the 2015 presidential election to the Igbo people of the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria. The decision to hand over the presidential flag of UPP for the 2015 election to a credible and qualified Igbo person was borne out of a deep research and highly intellectual analysis of the potential but latent political movement of Nigerian masses, which only the Igbo have the natural force to galvanize and lead. Ndigbo: A minority with a unique majority political force It is a fact of Nigeria’s man-made geo-political structure that the core Igbo people of Nigeria have been confined to five out of Nigeria’s 36 states structure. Ndigbo have for several decades lamented over this lopsided structure designed and executed by the military junta that ruled Nigeria after the Biafra – Nigeria war, which ended in 1970 or 43 years ago. This has left Nigerians, including some unwary Igbo people with the erroneous impression that Ndigbo are the least populated ethnic group in Nigeria and therefore least likely to ever win any presidential election in Nigeria in a democratic contest. It is also axiomatic and beyond any debate that Ndigbo constitute the second largest ethnic group in the remaining 31 states of Nigeria. Put differently, Ndigbo are the largest minority group in all of the remaining 31 states of Nigeria. Implicit in this unrivalled geographical spread in Nigeria is an intimidating political force, which can surmount any political obstacle in a democratic encounter for the presidency of Nigeria if effectively mobilized, deployed and managed. It is unarguable that minority groups whether religious or ethnic share common experience and face the same kind of problems in the states of Nigeria where they are domiciled. Even where such groups are indigenous in those states, they remain victims of oppression for as long as they are in the minority. Expectedly, these more vulnerable groups have always looked up to the larger minority group, which is Igbo to lead them in

a concerted effort for political protection from their majority over-lords and oppressors. It stands to reason that the Yoruba of South-West are vulnerable minority in non-Yoruba states of Nigeria. This is also applicable to all ethnic and religious groups who are majority in a few states but miserable victims of majority oppression in majority of the states of Nigeria. This unique position of Ndigbo as the largest minority in 31 states of Nigeria poses to the people the challenge of providing the initiative and leadership necessary for a mass movement to occur, for an equitable and egalitarian society that will engender unity, development, citizenship rights, sovereignty of the Nigerian people and accountability of elected persons to the citizens who freely elected them into office, in a free and fair democratic election. This mass mobilisation of Nigerians to challenge the status quo and take their destiny in their hands cannot be achieved by socio-cultural, ethnic or religious organisations. It is only on the platform of a truly progressive political party that is insulated from the control and ownership of cabals that can be trusted to mobilise over-whelming majority of Nigerians for an enduring political revolution in Nigeria. UPP Vs APC/PDP It is by divine providence that birds of the same feather have practically coalesced on a single political platform known as All Progressives Congress (APC). Before the emergence of APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) used to enjoy exclusively the unenviable reputation of a political party with the largest assemblage of oppressors, and mindless treasury looters. Now, by a single stroke of divine order, APC has mopped up whatever is left of political leaders with well-known criminal political credentials. APC and PDP are for every intent and purpose, two sides of the same coin. In these two political parties one will find all the cabals that have left Nigeria prostrate and almost comatose. APC and PDP are like kettle and pot. None can call the other black. In spite of certain pretentions to progressivism by some of the leaders of APC/PDP there is no gainsaying the fact that the most visible leaders of these two political parties have held and are

holding political offices in Nigeria from 1970 to present time. They cannot deny responsibility for the deplorable state of the nation. Nigerians crave for and earnestly desire a total change of the status quo. Nigerians only need a credible, free and fair election where their votes will count, and they will not have any difficulty in retiring permanently from political office these pretenders posing as progressives. Recent publications have given the impression that Nigeria is there only for APC and PDP to plunder, balkanize and cart away. The United Progressive Party (UPP) with the tiger head as it symbol has been unleashed and is on the prowl. UPP is a mass movement, pure, and unencumbered. There are no moneybags, cabals, political godfathers laying claim to its ownership and control. Our party’s progressive credential is unassailable. Our candidates in all forth-coming elections shall emerge democratically, without the usual imposition of candidates that characterise the PDP and the parties that constitute what is yet to be registered as APC. UPP is the miracle of 2015 We are here to challenge the status quo and nothing shall be the same any more. The people shall from the next general election take their destiny in their hand through the instrumentality of the United Progressive Party (UPP). In UPP we do not need the merger of strange bed fellows, treasury looters, political god-fathers, religious bigots, ethnic irredentists and local imperialists to win political power to guarantee the welfare of the long suffering Nigerian masses. What we need and that is what we are working for is a coalition of progressive forces on the undiluted and untainted platform of the United Progressive Party to overthrow the forces of oppression and retrogression. Nigerians must come to terms with the hard fact that the missing third leg in Nigeria’s political tripodal sub-structure is fully resurrected through the United Progressive Party (UPP). We are fortified and geared towards an epic democratic battle with reactionary forces masquerading as progressives. • Okorie (Oje Ozi Ndigbo) is the National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP).

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Law

Quote of the week “Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible.” - Frank Herbert judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke

Interview By Joseph Onyekwere

The recent judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which handed down a light sentence to John Yusuf, chairman of the Police Pensions Office, who confessed to have stolen N23 billion, opened up a vista of reactions by concerned Nigerians, who are jolted about the level of corruption in the country. In this interview with Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), he concludes that the best approach in tackling corruption is to ensure that the funds are not available for stealing and not to run after the thief when the deed has been done. Ayorinde, who also spoke about legal Aid Council and access to justice, believes that plea-bargain should not involve corruption cases. N the light sentence handed down to a conO vict in Abuja, who agreed to have stolen N23 billion, he said: “I think that the problem with the Abuja sentence is that with cases of corruption and abuse of public trust, the issue of pleabargain should not even arise because the Ayorinde, SAN crimes are so heinous and the mode of the society with regards corruption now is anti-corruption. We don’t want a situation whereby the law provides for a sentence, but because it is about misuse of public trust, the issue of plea-bargaining should not even arise. There are circumstances where plea-bargaining could be adopted. For instance, if someone is charged to court for criminal damage to property - he breaks the windscreen of somebody’s car; he goes to court and says I am sorry, I broke the windscreen. He says: “I am guilty” and offers to buy a new windscreen, the judge can say even though you admitted that you were guilty and offered to buy new windscreen, I am going to warn you, the Ministry of Finance.” What will then be the function of the Due pay a fine of X amount and don’t do so again. Process Office created by the Public There won’t be any public outcry. But when it comes to misappropriation, Procurement Act? He said: “Working with the embezzlement and outright stealing of the Public Procurement Act provisions, you are commonwealth, then plea-bargaining should still doing things within the public service and the civil service. You must take contract comnot arise.” On the issue of practice separation, he stated: “I pletely out of the government and give it to think there are a very few jurisdictions where independent body. If KPMG is a procurement you have separate profession. Even if you look at agency, they cannot be involved in corruption the United Kingdom, there is gradual merger. because if they are corrupt in Nigeria, they will Now you have those called solicitor-advocate be punished in America for being corrupt in and they have audience in practically all the Nigeria. Then, you begin to see the differences courts. You have judges being appointed from between the billions that are being mentioned the ranks of such solicitor-advocates. Even and what is on ground. Even whoever is the where we have divided profession, there is a governor or the minister will have rest of mind gradual merger. I think we are good where we because nobody will put pressure on them. are. What is happening is that there is speciali- The contractor too will have rest of mind sation, which can be without separating the because nobody will demand kick-back. The profession. You find out that there are law firms legislator who is performing oversight funcand lawyers that are known for being solicitors, tion will also have rest of mind because he is as well as those who are known for being advo- going to inspect a project that he has no relacates, even in Nigeria. So I don’t encourage sep- tionship with. Everybody will be free and there will be no money to be stolen. You cannot arate profession, but specialisation.” On constitution amendment, he opined: “Our allow a man to steal N23 billion first and then constitution is not imperfect. The problem is on you begin to pursue him. You must do your the operators of the constitution. Secondly, on best to make sure that the money is not availthe agitation for more states, we ask ourselves, able for him to steal in the first place; so no where is it coming from? Is it to have more gov- medicine after death. Make sure that there is ernors, more commissioners and special advis- no money available for him to steal. We tend to ers? Well, if that is the reason, I don’t think it is confuse public fund as government money; a worthwhile exercise. What are we doing about no, it is the public money, it is our commonlocal councils? That is the engine of develop- wealth. The money belongs to all of us and we ment! Are we allowing local councils to develop must protect it from being stolen. Not to be and do what they should be doing? That should fighting to recover it after it has been stolen. So be the agitation. I have always advocated that take the award of contract and disbursement the award of contracts and disbursement of of funds out of government, then you will be funds should be taken away from the gover- surprised at the few number of persons that nors. Then, we will see the few people who will be interested in coming into the public would be interested in becoming the chief exec- office because then, you are restricted to only utives of their states. The government should your salary.” only make policy pronouncements. After that, On the Legal Aid Council, he said that the Legal that directive should go to service agencies reg- Aid Council Enabling Act, 2011 states clearly the istered with government to procure goods and category of people that can access the services services on behalf of government. There are of the council and put some financial considerinternational agencies known all over the ations into place such that your income must world. They can register with the Federal not be above a certain amount per annum. It Government, state and local councils. It is the also lists type of offences and types of situaprocurement agency that will call for suppliers tions in which you should be entitled to assisand contractors; it is the agency that will go to tant by the council. What the council is doing

Plea-bargain not right for corruption cases is embarking on enlightenment programme so that everybody would be aware of the functions of the council and what the council can do for Nigerians. So it is a process that is on-going. On legibility of legal aid beneficiaries, he stated: “These are persons earning basically below the minimum wage. You found out that there is a benchmark of N1,500. Sometimes, two persons are asked to make a contribution to their legal cost. But basically, once it is below the minimum wage, you can approach the council or the council most of the times looks for you. The council has in its employment several lawyers and civil servants who undertake this task. The Council also does pro bono cases. This means that it is taking up your case for free; and we now have a scheme by which we are appointing what we call Legal Aid Council Partner Firm, who are going to provide pro bono services to the Council. They will also help us in attending to your clients.” On the relationship between Legal Aid Council and access to justice, he said: “That is specifically what the Legal Aid Council is all about. But what we have done since we came on board is to change the perception that legal aid is a charity - legal aid is a fundamental right. The moment you come in contact with the justice delivery system, if you do not have representation, you already have been shortchanged. And in democracy, you have the fundamental rights to defend yourself; it is very important and nonnegotiable.” On the rate of Nigerians having access to justice, he said: “The access to justice capability is still very poor. As we are now, we need to do much more before we can say that we are moving close to the target. So if I should rate what is going on now, I will say that it is still not good enough. Everyday issues arise and people are harassed into jail; people are denied fundamen-

With cases of corruption and abuse of public trust, the issue of plea-bargain should not even arise because the crimes are so heinous

tal rights and they still cannot access justice.” On the issue of pretrial detention, he said: “That is a major problem because you found out that most inmates in Nigerian prisons today are awaiting trial. I think we should change the approach. You have a situation whereby you have accused persons being brought to court and they will be remanded. Meanwhile, they will be waiting for the file from the DPP and they will become awaiting trial inmates. We have to change the approach whereby the moment they are brought before a magistrate or a trial judge, their trial can start off from there. We can achieve this by amending the law that seeks for DPP’s advice before you can prosecute. Once you have a suspect and you have a case against the suspect, then you go ahead with the case. What you have done is that you are making the DPP a judge, to judge, to decide whether there is a case or not. You should have decided that before bringing the person to court. Secondly, we should also encourage instant disposal of cases. It does not have to be a jail term. There are some offences you can sentence to community service or fine. It is not everybody that must be hauled to jail and that place will be congested. So magistrates and judges should look at other means of serving these sentences.”

LAW 71

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

LawReport For locus standi, rights and obligations must be peculiar and personal (3) 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 (plaintiffs) Captain Dele Ore 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 (defendants) Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority, The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria Air Space Management Authority Dana Airlines Ltd. HE plaintiffs cannot come under T Section 6(6) b of 1999 Constitution to file this suit. A person who seeks a remedy in a court of law in Nigeria against an unconstitutional act must show that he is directly affected by that act before

he can be heard. A general interest of which is common to all members of the public as in this case is not a litigable interest to accord standing in a court of law on the plaintiffs. Therefore, before the plaintiffs can institute and maintain this suit under Section 6(6) b of the 1999 Constitution, their civil rights and obligations must have been or likely to be infringed upon by Lagos State government in the constitution or setting up of the Coroner Inquest. Learned SAN relied on the Court of Appeal’s decision in the case of Gani Fawehinmi v President Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 14 NWLR Pt 1054 275 wherein the Court of Appeal held that although Gani Fawehinmi did not suffer any direct harm from the actions of the President for permitting some cabinet members to be paid higher wages than is statutorily provided, that Gani’s locus standi was grounded on the fact that he is a citizen of Nigeria and that his action touched on the constitutionality or otherwise of the acts of government even though the actions of the government did not have a direct impact on Gani Fawehinmi. I agree with learned SAN that the

Justice Ibrahim Auta CJ FHC new trend in judicial interpretation must primarily aim at preserving legal order and ensuring that the executive arm of government in execution and discharge of their functions confines themselves within the powers assigned to them by the constitution and other existing laws. That where a public right has been violated by executive arm of govern-

ment that in some cases a private person can challenge such action in court and he will not be called a busy body, professional litigation or vigilantes. That Nigerian citizens are now elitist in their approach to governmental issues and due to high degrees of literacy, Nigerians are now aware of their rights. That enforcement of their rights must not be impeded in any form or manner. That challenging government action by private persons strengthens democracy. But the facts in the Fawehinmi’s case supra where the Court of Appeal gave a judicial approval that a private person can challenge a breach of public duty are distinguishable from the facts of this case. In that case, Gani Fawehinmi complained bitterly that the President of the country then used the money he paid as tax in paying Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji, the then Minister of Finance and External Affairs respectively, outrageous salary in foreign currency against the provisions of Section 2 of certain political public and judicial officers holders (Salaries and Allowance Act of 2002).

The court reasoned that it will definitely be a source of concern to any tax-payer who watches the funds he contributed or he is contributing towards the running of the affairs of the country being wasted when such funds could have been channeled into providing jobs, creating wealth and providing security to the citizens. That if Gani Fawehinmi had no sufficient interest in coming to court to enforce the law and to ensure that his tax money was utilised prudently, who else would have sufficient locus standi to sue. But in this case, there is nothing to show that the constitution of Coroner inquest by the 1st to 4th defendants over circumstances surrounding the Dana Air Crash has affected the right of the plaintiffs. This suit ought to have been filed by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs have no locus standi to have instituted this suit. I also lack jurisdiction to hear it on the merit, if I have my way I would have dismissed same. But in line with the law, it is hereby struck out with cost of N15,000.00 in favour of the 1st to 4th defendants and payable by the plaintiffs. I so hold.

Highlighting trends in ‘Referral to ADR’ by rules of court and contract clauses (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK)

Focus By Ademola Oluborode Jegede ENCE, the court concluded that the H claimant’s action should be regarded as inadmissible in view of the contractual clause unless and until conciliation proceedings were implemented. Also, in Irak v Hochtief case (December 1 1995, Rev Arb 1996 456), a Paris Court of Appeal refused to overturn an award on the basis that time-limits aimed at allowing for resort to ADR had not been complied with. Canada The Ontario Court Rules of Civil Procedure (R.R.O 1990, reg.194) govern mandatory mediation as applicable in all actions that are case managed by courts. Resort to ADR particularly, mediation, is required except if the court granted leave to the parties to be excused. Also, there are legislations in the Canadian legal system which insist that parties must first explore ADR before litigation. For instance, Section 281(2) of the Ontario Insurance Act (as amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 1993) provides generally that where a dispute arises regarding the benefits provided by the legislation, the applicable dispute resolution regime requires the injured persons and their insurer to first mediate that dispute. If the mediation fails, the parties may proceed to arbitration under the legislation or have recourse to the courts. In that circumstance, the resorting to the courtroom thus becomes the last but not the first option. Similarly under the Act, a mediation is deemed to have failed if it has not produced a settlement within 60 days of the application for mediation having been filed with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the government agency charged with oversight of this regime. EU Nations For the most parts of the nations under the European Union (EU), a European Mediation Directive (2008/52/EC) was published on May 21, 2008, as part of the European initiative to promote and regulate the development of mediation throughout the EU. The directive called on every EU nation (except Denmark), to pass a law providing for mediation of civil cases. In March 2010, the directive was implemented in Italy, by means of Legislative Decree No. 28 of

March 4, 2010. This was as part of an initiative to reduce the overload on Italy’s legal system, which, according to a recent World Bank Report, ranks 157th for enforcing contracts. Covering both cross-border and domestic disputes, the mediation procedures introduced by the decree, apply to claims or rights, as the case may be, which can be freely disposed of by the relevant parties. The decree has introduced two kinds of mediation procedure, namely a non-compulsory procedure and a compulsory procedure. The non-compulsory procedure, which applies to any civil and commercial litigation, is introduced by virtue of Article 2(1) of the Decree while the compulsory procedure applies to any possible litigation in relation to insurance, banking and financial agreements, joint ownership, property rights, division of assets, hereditary and family law, leases in general, gratuitous loans, leases of going concern, medical liability or defamation/libel. The compulsory procedure is introduced by virtue of article 5(1) of the Decree. Put differently, disputes subject to the compulsory mediation procedure can have access to judicial courts only if the mediation has failed. Indeed, should a party fail to attend the compulsory mediation hearing, it can be sanctioned by the court (administrative sanction). Similarly, in respect of both the non-compulsory and compulsory mediation procedures, the court can take into account a party’s unjustified absence from the mediation hearing. In the same vein, should the court’s judicial decision correspond to the mediator’s proposal, the party who refused that proposal, although successful in the judicial claim, shall be ordered to pay the counterparties’ legal costs. Nigeria One of the significant highlights of the 2012 Rules is its progressive provisions in relation to the advancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Several provisions of the 2012 Rules can be understood as promoting, allowing or compelling the referral of disputes which have found their way to the court registry to ADR facilities such as the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC). The underlying basis for understanding the 2012 Rules as supportive of the notion of referrals to ADR facilities or services are found in the provisions of Order 3(11), Order 25(2)(c), Order 25(6), and Order 49(2). Order 3 (11) of the 2012 Rules provides

Justice Ayotunde-Philips, Lagos CJ • All originating processes shall, upon acceptance for filing by the Registry, be screened for suitability for ADR and referred to the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse or other appropriate ADR institutions or practitioners in accordance with the Practice Directions that shall from time to time be issued by the Chief Judge of Lagos; • Order 25(2)(c) of the 2012 Rules allows the court to issue a Case Management Conference Notice with the view, among other things, to promote amicable settlement of the case or adoption of ADR. According to Order 25(6) of the 2012 Rules; • Where a case is deemed suitable for ADR under Order 3 Rule 11 or has by directives been referred to ADR under Order 25 Rule (2)(1) above, the ADR judge shall in case of recalcitrant parties consider and give appropriate directives to parties on the filing of statement of case and other necessary issues; (a) The claimant shall file his statement his statement of case within fourteen (14) days of the order of the judge; (b) The defendant shall file his response within fourteen (14) days of service of the claimant’s statement of claim; • Where a party fails to comply with the directives and/or orders of the ADR judge or fails to participate in ADR proceedings, the judge shall (a) in the case of the claimant dismiss the claim; (b) in the case of a defendant enter judgement

against him where appropriate. Also, according to Order 49 (2), where an offer of settlement made in the course of case management or ADR is rejected by a party and the said party eventually succeeds at trial but is awarded orders not in excess of the offer of settlement earlier made, the winning party shall pay the costs of the losing party from the time of the offer of settlement up to judgment. Arguably, the above provisions are aimed at preventing the progression of scenarios where cases inundate the courtrooms even when they have better chances of success at ADR facilities such as the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC). This intention is discernible from the attitude of the court to the trial of some cases. On a particular occasion, a Lagos State High Court after a consideration of the case for both sides referred the dispute to the LMDC for an amicable resolution. However, at the insistence of the claimant, the matter was not mediated upon. While holding in favour of the respondent, Hon. Justice Okunnu stated: “The claimant’s insistence on proceeding with his court case has, however, failed him. I have no doubt that he would have been happier with whatever decision was arrived at had he had talks with the defendant, whether on their own as the defendant had suggested, or with the expert assistance of the LMDC. This should have been a case settled in a more conciliatory manner. Considering the foregoing global trend, it is, therefore, not unsafe to assert that the provisions of the new High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) 2012 (2012 Rules) in relation to ADR is not without precedent. In particular, its key provisions capture the trend across different legal systems, which now view referral to ADR, at least, by the rules of court as an important strategy in the justice system. In all, referral to ADR, whether by rules of court or contract clause, the effect of the 2012 Rules is likely to help in the realisation of access to justice and even much more. Potentially, it can lead to significant reductions in the time taken to dispose of cases by the court; decreased costs to the litigants; as well as considerable and increased satisfaction for litigants and lawyers. • Jegede, a doctorate degree candidate of the University of Pretoria, writes for Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

72 LAW

FamilyLaw

“I’ve always held that early marriage is a sure indication of second-rate goods that had to be sold in a hurry.” - Martin Harris

Child marriage and the law in Nigeria N Nigeria, due to inconsistencies in legislaIminimum tion and the absence of any stipulation of a age for marriage before the adoption of the Child Rights Act 2003, early marriages continue to take place, in many cases as a means to preserve chastity. Section 18 of the Marriage Act allows persons under the age of 21 to get married, provided that parental consent is given. The official report admits that “the age of marriage is a highly controversial issue and varies from place to place. Whereas in the North-West and North-Central Nigeria, 14 years is the age of marriage. While in the NorthCentral part, the age of marriage is between the 2nd and 3rd menstruation, while in the southern states it varies from between 16 to 18 years. The federal authorities seek, however, to make 18 the minimum age of marriage, not only in law, but also in practice. Nevertheless, customarily positions on that issue differ and important parts of the population are still not aware of the negative effects early marriages can have on the girls. In most cases, it limits the opportunities for girls to accede to education, putting them in a disadvantaged position. Indeed, 36 million Nigerian women and girls are not educated. But, even more worrying, early marriage can also be detrimental to girl’s physical, mental and emotional health. Apart from the fact that it

deprives girls from their right to have control over their body and reproductive health, it puts them in a position of complete dependency on their husbands. For instance, in Northern Nigeria, where the majority of girls face the prospect of early marriage, “this has resulted over the years in a

large number of cases of vesico-vaginal fistula, a condition caused by giving birth when the cervix is not well developed.” It “occurs because the pelvic bones have had insufficient time to develop to cope with child-birth. Corrective operations often require the consent of the spouse, and more often than not

the sufferers are abandoned or divorced by their husbands and ostracised by their communities. The Child Rights Act 2003, passed into law in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), defines a child as a person who has not attained the age of 18 years. However, according to Article 2 of Children and Young Persons Act, enacted in Eastern, Western and Northern regions (hereafter referred to as CYPA), a “‘child’ means (a) person under the age of fourteen years, while ‘young person’ means a person who has attained the age of fourteen years and is under the age of seventeen years.” Furthermore, the Immigration Act stipulates that any person below 16 years is a minor, whereas the Matrimonial Causes Act puts the age of maturity at 21. The latter Act becomes irrelevant in practice, since the individual states state their own age for marriage. As for penal responsibility, article 50 of the Penal Code (North) states: “No act is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age; or by a child above seven years of age but under 12 years of age who has not attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequence of such act.” These are only some examples of different ages enshrined in a multitude of legal texts and in customary law all over the country.

YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi The legal personality of companies Scenario T is amazing how supposedly rich Iandbig men can defraud poor suppliers still be impudent about their behavior, commented a trader. Who is defrauding who? Asked the second trader. Imagine the rich and big chief who asked our neighbour in the other shop to supply him tyres and refused to pay in full, replied the first trader. How did they get to that?, asked the second trader. You know, these big men, Chief Receiver asked our neighbour, Mr. Supplier to supply him with tyres worth the sum of N2 million, which was done. Mr Supplier knows that Chief Receiver has several property including houses and a fleet of cars and, banking on the property, Mr. Supplier considered Chief Receiver credit worthy. Chief Receiver paid Mr. Supplier the sum of N1.2 million but he, however, asked the supplier to issue the receipt in the name of Olowolayemo Ventures and that the balance should be recorded against the same Venture to which instruction Mr. Supplier complied. So, what followed? Asked the second trader. Chief Receiver again, months later, took another set of tyres to the tune of N2 million and he paid Mr. Supplier N1.2 million in cash and instructed that Mr. Supplier should issue the receipt this time, in the name of Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd, claiming to have upgraded his business from a Venture to a company. He also instructed Mr. Supplier to record the balance against Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd. So, what is the problem? asked the first trader. Now, Chief Receiver has defaulted in spite of series of letters urging him to pay. Chief Receiver even now says that Mr. Supplier should stop addressing letters to him personally, rather, such letters should be addressed to Olowolayemo Ventures and Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd respectively.

That is easy, he should just take Chief Receiver to court and they will sell his property if he cannot pay for the tyres, concluded the 2nd Trader. That is exactly what Mr. Supplier is contemplating, to take an action and hoping to recover his money from the sale of the property of Chief B, said the 1st Trader. The Legal Opinion Once a company is incorporated, the most significant consequence of such incorporation is that the company acquires a legal personality separate and different from those who incorporated it either as promoters or shareholders or even directors. By virtue of sections 35 and 38 of CAMA (Company and Allied Matters Act), upon incorporation, a company becomes a body corporate with power to hold land, permanent succession and a common seal and shall possess all powers of a natural person of full capacity. In other words, a company is an artificial person and it is independently liable or responsible for transactions that are concluded or made in its name and the fact that a natural person negotiates and concludes the transaction on its behalf is immaterial. In Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd (1897) A.C.22, Salomon, a leather merchant and boot manufacturer, formed a limited company to take over the business with six member of his family subscribing to its memorandum for one share each, while he and two of his sons were appointed directors. The company paid some money to Salomon for the business, the mode of payment being some in debentures and some in shares allocation and the rest in cash. The business failed and about a year later on winding up, its liabilities exceeded its assets. The liquidators representing the unsecured creditors claimed that the Company’s business was in reality still Salomon’s and that the Company was merely a sham designed to limit Salomon’s liability for the debt he incurred while he

carried on the business. They asked that Salomon must indemnify the Company against its debts and payment of debenture debts to him be postponed until the Company’s other creditors were satisfied. The Trial Judge and the Court of Appeal agreed with the Liquidator though for different reasons. The House of Lords however unanimously reversed the judgments, holding that the Company was a separate and distinct person; that the debentures were held valid and that Salomon was entitled to the remaining assets in part payment of the secured debentures held by him. It was in fact, further emphasised that ‘the statute enacts nothing as to the extent or degree of interest which may be held by each of the seven subscribers of the memorandum or as to proportion of influence possessed by one or the majority of its shareholders over the other. One share is enough’. The above can be contrasted with a business name, if a business is run under a business name or trade name, the individual who is the proprietor of that name is not in any way separate or different from the business. Therefore if a transaction is concluded on behalf of the business, using the business name, the individual proprietor of that business is responsible for the transaction notwithstanding that the business name is different from the proprietor’s name. A further illustration of the divergence in the status of a company and a business or a trade name can be found in the tax payment. Since the law perceives a company as a person, the company is liable to pay its tax based on its profit while an individual who is a shareholder of the company will pay his or her tax separately even if that individual has 99% shares of the company and does not have any other business other than that company. That the company has paid its tax will not relieve the individual of his own tax liability.

Conversely, where a person carries on a business under a trade name, once the trade business has paid its tax, the individual who is the proprietor is relieved of any further tax liability because both the business and the proprietor are one and the same person in the eye of the law. The application of the above principle to the issue at hand is that while Mr Supplier can legally look up to the property of Chief Receiver for the payment of N800,000 worth of goods supplied to Olowolayemo Ventures, simply because Olowolayemo Ventures and Chief Receiver are one and the same in the eye of the law, sadly, Mr Supplier cannot bank on Chief the property of Chief Receiver for the repayment of the balance of N2 million worth of goods supplied to Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd even though Chief Receiver is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the majority shareholder of Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd and the fact that Chief Receiver negotiated and concluded the transaction on behalf of Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd notwithstanding. Even where Mr Supplier decides to take an action for the recovery of the N2 million owed by Olowolayemo Nigeria Ltd, Mr Supplier cannot sue Chief Receiver along with the Company because Chief Receiver can move the court to strike out his

name from the case on the ground that he acted as an agent of a disclosed principal which is the Company, From the above, it could be seen that a person can hide under the cloak of company name to incur liability and seek to escape liability on the ground that it is the company that should be held responsible. This must be the reason why some lawyers and thinkers hold the view that the idea of a Corporate Personality is a legal fiction, which is prone to abuse and can easily be used as an instrument of fraud. Granted that if a company is used as an instrument of fraud, the corporate veil can be lifted to get to the individual responsible to be held liable, but this is not always easy. It is a herculean task to get the court persuaded to lift the veil of incorporation. One way of preventing falling victim of corporate sham is to insist that the individual who is acting on behalf of the company either as a director or a shareholder make an undertaking in writing of personal responsibility in form of guarantee for payment. The above position is a common law principle, which was first decided in the cited English case of Salomon v Salomon (supra).

LAW 73

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Holistic approach to combating insecurity canvassed at NBA’s summit Conference By Bertram Nwannekanma HE two-day security summit organT ised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja, the nation’s capital, was to many an accomplishment of a topmost priority. The assemblage of relevant stakeholders in legal profession was a collective effort aimed at finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the country. The NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), had at his inauguration as NBA president on August 31, 2012, set up two other vital committees. The first was the Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo (SAN)-led committee to determine the future of the legal profession and the Okey Amaechi (SAN)led Peace and Security Committee whose mandate included organising a peace and security summit to critically examine the causes of insecurity in the country and possibly recommend pragmatic solutions to the problems. The summit, held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was attended by the who-iswho in the country and declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). Some of the attendees were: the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Miriam Aloma-Mukhtar; former SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; erstwhile NBA president, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN); former Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN); erstwhile Chairperson, NBA women’s Forum, Hajiya Fatima Kwaku; former NBA Legal Adviser, Kemasuode Wodu; erstwhile Chairman, NBA Kaduna branch, Anozie Obi; erstwhile General Secretary, NBA, Olumuyiwa Akinboro; former Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lawrence Alobi and Country President, FIDA International, Mrs. Hauwa Shekarau. In his remarks, the president restated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling unemployment and poverty in the country in order to fight terrorism and similar vices. He applauded the NBA for organising such a summit at this critical point in the country given the challenges posed by insurgents, militants and kidnapping across the country. President Jonathan, who described the theme of the event: “Comprehensive and Sustainable Peace and Security in a Plural Society: Extreme Challenges to Nigerian Internal Security”, as timely and

Justice Aloma Mayam Mukhtar (CJN) (left), NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Chairman NBA Peace and Security Committee, Okey Amaechi (SAN) and the Attorney-General, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) representing President Goodluck Jonathan at the event.. timeous, reassured Nigerians of government’s continued effort in canvassing for reconciliation to ensure that the nation’s core democratic values were not undermined. According to him, the Federal Government was open to constructive suggestions from the NBA and other stakeholders on the way forward in dealing with insecurity in the country”. The Senate President, David Mark, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Dahiru Wada, stated that the National Assembly had commenced the amendment of some laws on security to adequately face the challenges of insecurity in the country. The National Assembly, he said, was equally amending the law on kidnapping so as to adequately tackle the problem posed by the crime and promised that the National Assembly was ready to take a look at recommendations made at the end of the summit in order to find lasting solution to insecurity. “The National Assembly has gone the extra-mile in tackling the issue of terrorism”, he noted, adding that “arrangements are almost concluded to revise the terrorism law that was passed in 2011”. On her part, the Chief Justice of

Nigeria (CJN), Justice Miriam AlomaMukhtar, who chaired the summit, identified dialogue as one of the key factors to peaceful co-existence in the country. The CJN, however, blamed the current insecurity on the plurality of the country and called on leaders to adopt a holistic approach in solving the problem. For the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, represented by Waziri Nupe, Senator Isa Mohammed, the only way to curb insecurity in the country is to empower law enforcement agencies to do their job. He called for the licensing of preachers by the government to regulate the activities of such preachers because many people are indoctrinated at the places of worship. On his part, the Oni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade, speaking through His Royal Majesty, Oba’ Kole Ojutalayo said: “The diversity of Nigerian nation is a challenge but we have decided that we shall remain one. Kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, armed robbery, political intolerance, among others, are there but we shall overcome them”. He condemned the attack on the Emir of Kano and prayed for his quick recovery. Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in his goodwill

Legal guide on probate matters on abandoned property 2 CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013

By Onyekachi Umah HE publication is to inform the T public of the names of the applicants, the estate of the deceased and the period of time within which the public can protest against such application. This practise prevents fraud and helps inform the public of the dealings in the estate of a deceased. Any member of the public can protest and enter an objection within eight (8) days after a publication is made. Where an objection is received the court will determine such and consequently grant or refuse to grant a Letter of Administration. Grant of Letter of Administration Where there was no objection to an application for letters of administra-

Mohammed Adoke, AGF tion or an objection was decided in favour of the applicants, the court will grant a letter of administration to the applicants. With a letter of administration, the administrators often the family members of the deceased can manage, use, sell, sue or be sued over the property of the

deceased. Hence, property and ownership has been vested on them and the property of the dead recovered from all possible trespassers. With any of the above documents from a court; a “Letter of Administration” (for where there is no Will) or a “Probate” (where there is a Will), the holders of such are automatically vested with the rights over the property of a deceased. Property of the dead can no longer be said to belong to no one or be used by any person other than the certified personal representatives (administrators and executors). Any person that deals with property of the dead without such documents can be dealt with both in civil and criminal law. Get a probate or a letter of administration toady, and recover the property of you dead loved ones. • Umah, writes from Abuja

message, described the topic of the summit as well articulated. According to him, unless this country is mobilised, secured and managed, the Black man will be a disappointment to the world. Also, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, while commending the NBA for organising the summit, identified the issue security as a big challenge to everybody, because, according to him, no meaningful development will occur in a hostile and unfriendly environment. The former Head of State, represented by Abubakar Gimba, condemned the current state of insecurity in the country and called on every stakeholder to join hands in finding a lasting solution to the problem. Welcoming participants to the occasion, Wali said: “Our choice of you as invitees to this summit was not accidental, but a product of our well-considered judgment that you are obviously among Nigerians who when we gather together, as we have today, and decide to speak frankly and freely from our hearts to ourselves, will certainly provide the much-needed ideas that will usher in the great days of peace and security that have unfortunately eluded this country for a long time now”. “We cannot continue in this state of affairs, with daily loss of lives and property. Just recently, on January 19, 2013, there was an attack on the life of the Emir of Kano, which led to the death of five of his aides. May their souls rest in peace. “On Saturday, January 19, 2013, the people of Amansea community in Anambra State, reportedly woke up to find 18 bodies floating on River Ezu, a river that runs through many Enugu and Anambra State communities and empties into the River Niger. I understand that four more bodies were later found on the river. Nobody, I repeat, nobody to date, has accounted for who they are and how they came floating on the River. This is happening in 2013 Nigeria, what a shame! “The Nigerian Bar Association is determined to get to the root of this ugly incident and so, I have set up a committee, headed by the 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Human Rights Committee, Mr. O.J. Irabor, with former Chairman of Abakaliki branch of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Tony Okah, as secretary to very closely follow up the investigations by the security agencies”, he added.

Speaking on the summit, the chairman of NBA Peace and Security Committee, Okey Amechi, said the NBA has created the platform for free intercourse of ideas, bearing in mind the philosophy underpinning the idea as free market of ideas, that it is better to have uproars in the village square where discussions are free than to have whispers in the cellars where revolutions are hatched. He commended members of our committee for sparing no effort in making sure that the right ambience is put in place for this epochal summit. The keynote speaker, Chief Albert Korubo Horsfall, in his remarks stated: “We started this lecture by saying - Nigeria, nay the world is in turmoil. There is insecurity everywhere! Sadly we are going to conclude by confirming our earlier position. We must conclude that terrorism and violent extremism is now at our earlier position. We must conclude that terrorism and violent extremism is now at our doorstep. Mali is actually next-door. The fall-out from Mali is bound to directly affect this country. The economic woes of the Western world will of course also impact on our country. “On the world scene, we must recall that the two World Wars arose soon after Western economic depressions. I am tempted to predict that we are perhaps likely to face such global security crisis again. Perhaps the fact that the Americans have returned Obama to White House, a cool-headed realist, may prolong global conflict for a while, however, the seeds of major further global conflict cannot be too far away! With the scepter of Israel versus Iran; the emerging development in the China Sea over some new found mineral rich Islands that both the Chinese, a new super power and Japan and other western allied countries claim, the flash point between China and Japan in particular are heightened; the unresolved Korean situation; and the continuing India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir. All of these continuing developments must remind us that the drum of global wars are still beating and can be ignited once more, any time! On the Nigerian scene, we must accept that Boko Haram and violent militancy will stay with us for a while, yet. But we must not lose hope. Timely, appropriate and properly co-ordinated politically, defence, security and law and order actions may bring the country back from the brink”.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Sports Ahead African Youth Championship

Ahead ICC-Africa T20 Division Championship

Drama as Flying Eagles depart without coach

Nigerian wins one, loses another, intensifies preparation for Kampala 2013 By Christian Okpara, with agency reports IGERIA defeated Uganda N XI by four wickets in a friendly Twenty20 match

Obuh alleges 13-month pay arrears From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja DRAMA ensued on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, where the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, departed for Egypt without Coach, John Obuh, who was nowhere near the airport as the players assembled to board a waiting Arik plane. The Flying Eagles are billed to play a two-leg friendly match against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt as part of the build up to the African Youth Championship (AYC). Obuh, who led the players and officials of the team to the airport from their Serob Hotel, Abuja, The Guardian gathered, quietly left the airport when the aircraft was about to take off in protest of his unpaid 13-month salary. Obuh’s absence delayed the plane’s takeoff as the crew and other officials of the team went in search of the coach, who refused to join the team. After the aircraft’s departure, Coach Obuh drove straight to the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) where he held a meeting for about an hour with the General Secretary, Musa Amadu, who pleaded with him to join the team in Lagos, assuring that his salary arrears would be paid to him. The NFF, which had earlier slashed Obuh’s N1 million monthly salary to N600, 000 when he was retained by the federation after leading the team to win the AYC in 2011 in South Africa. In a recent Press conference, NFF Media Committee Chairman, Emeka Inyama

stated that the federation has directed that the coach’s salary arrears be paid before the team departs for Egypt, assuring that everything would be settled. Obuh told journalists on Monday that he could not travel with the team because there were issues to be sorted out with the federation, assuring that he would join the team once he received confirmation of the payment of his salary. “My luggage has already left with the team. By tomorrow if I am able to fix the issues, I will just hop into the flight and join the team in Egypt. That is why I came to the federation and we are handling it with the belief that it will all be settled by tomorrow. “If it is not like that then you know that there are certain things one cannot handle alone, we see what we can do. But I will wait until tomorrow to see if I can get any alert of the payment of my outstanding salaries before I join the team.” Flying Eagles’ star, Kayode Olanrewaju

Fix matches, go to jail, LMC warns clubs’ managers From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja ITH the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) set to kick off on March 9, the Interim Management Committee (LMC) has warned all the participating premier league clubs’ managers to either avoid attempting to fix matches or get set to go to jail. The LMC said that the committee would involve security agents in prosecuting the perpetrators of any form of match fixing. Chairman of the league committee, Nduka Irabor, who gave the warning as a parting shot during the draws for the

2012/2013 league season in Abuja over the weekend, warned that the committee would no longer watch some unscrupulous persons destroy the Nigerian elite league with through unscrupulous behaviour. “We will prosecute without fear or favour the people who bring the league to disrepute with match fixing. I want to remind those involved in match fixing that it is no longer business as usual. In fact, we are going to make it a criminal offence. “Already, we have entered into an agreement with the rel-

We won the Nations Cup before Super Eagles, says AFN By Gowon Akpodonor HE leadership of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has showered praises on the Super Eagles for ‘following its footstep’ by winning the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup. But the AFN has reminded Nigerians still celebrating the Eagles’ feat that it opened the floodgate of success for other Nigeria last year when it emerged champions at the 18th edition of the Confederation of African Athletics Championship in Porto Novo, Benin Republic. The Solomon Ogba-led AFN broke a 13-year jinx to top South Africa and Kenya at the Porto Novo meet, a title Nigeria last won in 1998 in Dakar, Senegal.

Plans big for Pastor Olukoya U-18 Athletics Speaking in Lagos at the weekend on preparation for this year’s Pastor D.K Olukoya U-18 Athletics Championship, Ogba said the Eagles’ success in the Nations Cup would open a new chapter in Nigeria’s sports, but added, “we were the first to blaze the trail last year by winning the African Athletics Championship, which is the athletics version of the football Nations Cup. “Nigeria won the Athletics title last in 1998 in Dakar and we were able to break that jinx in Porto Novo last year. This year, the Super Eagles broke a 19-year old jinx to lift the football title in South Africa and we are very happy. But when

we won our title in Porto Novo in July last year, nobody commended us, but we have to congratulate ourselves. “If we get the type of money given to football, Nigeria will continue to dominate African athletics. At the moment, Nigeria has five athletes among the top 30 in the World and that is another big achievement for the AFN and the country.” On preparation for this year’s edition of Pastor D.K Olukoya U-18 championships slated for Yaba College of Technology from March 6 to 9, 2013, Ogba said the federation has put all machineries in place to make the event a huge success.

evant security agents to prosecute anybody involved in any form of match fixing and we are very serious about it. We have seen match fixing as a big problem facing the league that we need to confront head on. It is either we succeed wholesomely or partially. It does not do the reputation of football well. It is becoming embarrassing,” he warned. Irabor, who disclosed that the committee has met several times since inauguration, appologised to the club owners over the communication gap

between them, promising that the committee will improve on its responsibilities as soon as it overcame the immediate hurdles facing it. “From the start, the biggest challenge to implementing our assignment was the critical lack of fund to run the daily programmes of the league. If the truth must be told, the league, as we know it, is insolvent, practically bankrupt and if that were not bad enough, we are paralysed by the protracted and ongoing litigations.

NFF delists Ikpeba, Okechukwu, Akpoborie, others as FIFA agents From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, disclosed that it has officially written world football governing body, FIFA, to delist about 95 players’ agents under its registration for failure to renew their operational licenses. The NFF, therefore, noted that it has through this action, suspended the licenses of the affected agents pending the renewal of the licenses and payment of the compulsory fine imposed on them for operating illegally as players’ agents. In the list, The Guardian gathered, is former Super Eagles’ Captain, Uche

Okechukwu, Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborie, among many others. The federation warned the agents to stop parading themselves as NFF/FIFA players agents following their refusal to meet up with the regulations as demanded by FIFA and the NFF. NFF Head of Legal Unit, Okey Obi, told The Guardian on Monday in Abuja that the decision to delist the agents became necessary after several reminders from the federation to the affected agents were not responded to. “The order came from FIFA because they have drastically reduced the number NFF/FIFA players’ agents from 125 to about 35 now.

played in Entebbe, Uganda at the weekend in preparation for the ICC-Africa T20 tournament, scheduled to begin in Kampala, Uganda, from on Saturday and end on March 1, 2013. This was the first of the warm up games lined for the national team, which is vying for the opportunity to represent Africa alongside Namibia at the ICC’s penultimate round in the U.A.E. To beat the Ugandan team, Nigeria won the toss and elected to field first, restricting Uganda to 128 runs for four in 20 overs. Jide Bejide and his compatriots chased the total and scored 129 for six after 19 overs. Bejide made 34 not out, Osita Onwuzilike (28), Kunle Adegbola (21) and Sesan Adedeji 10 runs not out. However, the Nigerian team was not as sharp as it was in the first when both teams clashed again the same day, with the Uganda XI beating Nigeria by 25 runs. This time, Uganda scored 133 all out in 19.5 overs, and stopped Nigeria at 108 for nine in 20 overs. Nigeria’s Sesan Adedeji took four wickets while Lekan Awolowo took three wickets.

Wenger wants Dein back at Arsenal RSENE Wenger wants to A bring, David Dein back to Arsenal as he prepares to open preliminary contract talks with the club, Goal.com can reveal. Arsenal still retains complete faith in Wenger and is willing to offer him an extension to his current deal that could extend his reign to the 20-year mark. The Frenchman has indicated that he is keen to stay at Emirates Stadium, but has told the club of his desire to be re-united with close friend and former ally, Dein, so they can work together on signing new players this summer. The former Arsenal vicechairman was ousted from the board in April 2007 for acting unilaterally in trying to attract new investment to the club but he retains a deep affinity for the club, watches home matches from his own box at Emirates Stadium and is still very close to Wenger. A series of boardroom obstacles would need to be overcome for Dein to return, but the 69-year-old has never criticised the club publically since his acrimonious departure and is still held in high esteem by supporters for his role in the 1998-2005 trophyladen years.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

SPORTS 75

Ghana sure of top prize at Victor Ochie Wheelchair Basketball tourney By Adeyinka Adedipe HANA’S Head of delegaG tion to the second edition of the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Championship, Clifford Owusu-Ansah has expressed confidence that his team would emerge victorious. Owusu-Ansah told journalists on Monday at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, venue of the championship, that the team had prepared well for the championship and was sure of taking home the top prize. He also said that he was delighted to be in Nigeria with his team, noting that events like this would help improve the game on the continent. “Without being boastful, we are here to win the event. All other teams are also here for the same purpose but we will do all within our reach to lift the trophy,” he added. He stated that the future of the game was bright if tournament like this took place in other parts of Africa. “This is a good initiative on the part of the Nigerian federation. It shows that they have the interest of the game at heart. “With more events like this, we can start thinking of developing the game to the level we have in other continent. The game will definite-

ly improve if African countries have more opportunities to attend championship,” he added. After watching the opening game, Owusu-Ansah said it was clear that the competition for the top prize would be fierce. He praised the team for their skillful display while reiterating that his team was at the championship to win the trophy. President of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria (WBFN), Bukola Olopade commended the team for showing up at the championship, which he said, was aimed at developing the game in the country. He said the fans would witness the best of wheelchair basketball for one week and assured the participating teams of good officiating. “What we are doing at the WBFN is to encourage participation in wheelchair basketball by staging tournaments that would bring together the best in the game. If people see this they would be encouraged to join the sports without being persuaded,” he added. Olopade enjoined all the teams to eschew violence and play within the rules of the game, adding, “it is only by playing within the rules that you can improve your game.”

Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo are already in the country while states like Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Kwara, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Taraba, Edo and Imo have also registered for the event. Other states were still being expected as at Monday afternoon. The winner of the championship will go home with N2 million, while the second place team gets N1.5 million and the third placed team pocket N1 million, with the remaining N500, 000 to be shared among the best behaved team, best player, best dressed team, among others. The competition will end on Saturday.

Winner of the maiden Okenla-Ojeaga tournament, Angus Memorial Senior High School’s Abiodun Adekunle during the final match held at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall of the Tesim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Nigerian firm bids for Benin, Malawi FIFA Goal projects Sports ONIMICHELE M Facility, owned by FIFAlicensed agent, Ebi Egbe, is among the firms bidding for contracts to build five football pitches of the FIFA Goal projects in Republic of Benin and Malawi. The company is quoted in the FIFA website as being one of the earlier bidders for the projects alongside companies from South Africa, Europe and the United S t a t e s . Speaking on the FIFA projects, Egbe said over the week-

end in Port Harcourt that his company has been in the business of sports management, consultancy and infrastructure development for 20 years, adding that it has the capacity to build the best pitch available in the world t o d a y . Egbe, whose company is in partnership with Italian manufacturers, LIMONTA, a firm known as the Ferrari of pitches, claimed the surface of the turfs it produces helps to reduce injuries to athletes because it is made of organic

coconut fibres and cork instead of the conventional rubber granule that have been banned in some countries in Europe because of its toxic element. He revealed the company has already built a modest reputation for itself in the country as players of visiting teams and other users of the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have consistently attested to the natural’ feel’ of the playing surface. Egbe disclosed that the

company is currently handling the installation of FIFA two-star pitch with the shock drain system that absorbs and reduces pressure injuries at the Aper Aku in Makurdi, Stadium adding that the project is about 90 per cent completd . e If it wins the bids in the Republic of Benin and Malawi, Egbe said the company would be the first indigenous company to successfully win bids outside the country in the sports facilities con-

76 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

UEFA Champions League

Chelsea can inspire us against Bayern, says Wilshere Wilshere believes JatACK Arsenal need only look back Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last year as they prepare to meet Bayern Munich. The German giants are next up for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium today - and the soon-to-be charges of Pep Guardiola are firm favourites to progress. But Wilshere believes Arsenal are capable of emulating Chelsea’s unlikely success when the Blues beat Bayern on penalties in the final.

“Chelsea are an inspiration for everyone. They weren’t having a good season and, okay, they got a bit lucky in some games,” said Wilshere. “But they showed great character and we need to do that. We need to come together as a team. We have good leaders here, a good team atmosphere. That will help us. “We have a good bunch of lads in the dressing room. They’re winners as well, the likes of Lukas Podolski and Mikel Arteta. They want to win. We know what Bayern

are capable of. They have a great team. We need everyone behind us and we go again. “We have beaten big European teams here before so now we need to do it again.” Thomas Vermaelen is also confident ahead of the Bayern clash, despite Arsenal’s shock FA Cup defeat to Blackburn at the weekend. “The result against Blackburn was terrible,” he said. “It’s normal the fans are disappointed but we need them to believe as well. We need their support 100 per cent on Tuesday (today). “Anything can happen in the Champions League. Is it realistic to win the Champions League? Why not? It’s a tournament, I believe in our chances.”

Bayern hungry for title, Schweinsteiger warns Arsenal ITH what befell them last point. confident when the match “In the final, Chelsea W season, Bastian went to penalties. Schweinsteiger says Bayern brought on Fernando Torres He recalled, “we were the

Munich are hungry to win the Champions League and believes they have improved since last season. Bayern were beaten by Chelsea in the 2012 final but have bounced back impressively this term and are among the favourites to claim European glory ahead of their clash with Arsenal in the last 16. Schweinsteiger is looking forward to today’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium and has warned Arsenal that Bayern will not let anything stand in the way of their dream. “We are hungry to win the Champions League,” he told the Daily Mail. “This team have been to the final twice and didn’t win. “We have more experience and we’re moving towards our aim. Compared to the final against Chelsea, we are stronger. We have more good players and we are stronger on the bench. This is a crucial

and Florent Malouda and that helped them win the game. That’s a big difference to last season. We have more options to change. “We are eager to win, we have become a better team and again we are all working towards a return to the final. Five or six teams in Europe are candidates to win the Champions League and we are one of them. I know most of Europe do not want to play against Bayern Munich. “We have gained a lot of respect during the last four or five years, but we have to win against Arsenal before we start to think about this.” Schweinsteiger is still disappointed that Bayern did not perform to the best of their ability in last season’s final, and admits he was not

superior team. It all came down to penalties, just as it did for Chelsea when they lost to Manchester United in Moscow. “Before the game, I had thought about how the match might end up. I knew Chelsea had lost on penalties in Moscow. “On the night, Chelsea showed 100 per cent of their ability and Bayern did not. With 110 minutes gone I looked up at the scoreboard and thought, ‘We have to win the game now’, but we could not do it. “It went to penalties and we lost. Chelsea were lucky and we were not. Maybe it was a good way for Chelsea to make up for losing in Moscow. Maybe it was a matter of fate.”

Wenger calls for mental ‘maturity’ RSENAL Manager, Arsene A Wenger accepts his side lack mental “maturity” - but

Wilshere

challenged them to produce the perfect response to their shock FA Cup exit by beating Bayern Munich. The Gunners’ campaign suffered another setback on Saturday when a scrappy second-half goal from former trainee, Colin KazimRichards sent them crashing out at home against Blackburn, despite having plenty of chances to put the tie beyond the power Championship side. It was far from ideal preparation for next week’s crunch Champions League

visit from the Germans - and Wenger accepts his men need to take a long hard look at their mindset. “I think we have a great team, but this shows that we still have to show more maturity on the mental front. We have to understand what it means to win big games, and this was a big game for me,” said Wenger, who suffered FA Cup defeat at the hands of lower league opposition for the first time.

Schweinsteiger

Today’s Fixtures Arsenal Porto

v v

Bayern Malaga

19:45 19:45

Heineken Planet comes alive as knock out phase hots up HE Heineken Champions T Planet has returned to its boisterous self, following the resumption of the UEFA Champions League with the Knock out stage begins. As part of its promise to provide an engaging consumer experience to UEFA Champions League followers in Nigeria, the Heineken brand has announced the sponsorship of five inventive consumers on an all-expensepaid trip to the Final in Wembley Stadium, London on May 25, 2013. On Wednesday last week, the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth joined by former international stars, Victor Ikpeba and Christrian Chukwu, also known as the “chairman,” addressed a crowded press conference to unveil the brand’s plan for the UEFA Champions League Sponsorship and the

Heineken Champions Planet Experience in Victoria Island, Lagos. According to Drenth, this season, Heineken will continue to build on the winning partnership with UEFA Champions League. “It’s now time for the exciting round of 16, we’re on the Road to the Final. The partnership between Heineken and the UEFA Champions League is a long-standing and successful one. The partnership continues to be an important component of Heineken’s global sports sponsorship strategy. Heineken and UEFA Champions League is a perfect match - the world’s most prestigious club tournament and the world’s most international premium beer.” Last season, consumers at the Heineken Champions Planet had the opportunity of interacting with a number of

Nigerian football legends, the likes of Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Segun Odegbami, Emmanuel Amunike, Taribo West, Mutiu Adepoju and many others. This season, the Heineken Champions Planet will continue to play host to more football legends and captains of industry. “This season, we intend to fully engage consumers and fans to be more active by stimulating them to go beyond their borders and get the best out of their world.” So, unlike previous seasons where five consumers emerged from a transparent draw ceremony, this season, consumers are encouraged to show their skills, wit and inventiveness to win tickets and be among the thousands of ‘privileged’ football fans that will watch the final live in Wembley Stadium, London.

Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth (centre), flanked by Media and Public Affairs Manager, Edem Vindah (right), former Super Eagles Captain and Coach, Christian Chukwu, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen and retired Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba, at the formal take off of the Heineken Champions Planet at Victoria Island… recently.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, February 19, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

By Ameh Ejekwonyilo HE service year should be the moment T when, by common consent, corps members pause to become conscious of their national life and to rejoice in it, to recall what their country has done for them and to ask what they can do for their country in return. Moved by this sheer patriotism to contribute my quota to national development, as required by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Decree, now an Act that established it, I resolved to heed the clarion call on November 15, 2011, in defiance to entreaties from family members and friends not to report to Zamfara State for the mandatory one year NYSC scheme. They tried to dissuade me because of the intractable onslaught of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in some northern states of the country, which they saw as war-torn area. I arrived safe at the NYSC orientation camp in Zamfara State. I went with the mind to be among whatever number of survivors to come out of the worst violence to occur in Zamfara during the service year. Before I could settle down after the orientation course, protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over fuel subsidy removal had started. That was in January 2012. A group of hoodlums took advantage of the crisis to unleash terror on us at our corpers’ lodge but for the swift intervention of an armed team of military personnel, who came to our rescue. It was an incident I could not tell my people back home, because I stood the risk of being disowned by my parents. They could have said, “Did we not tell you Zamfara is a war zone?” I was not perplexed by the protests because I knew it was only temporary, and we eventually got over it. Nigeria’s colonial history and experience in the immediate post-independence era were characterised by ethnic loyalty, mutual group suspicion and distrust, which culminated in the traumatic, bloody civil war. The government sought to address these issues through the NYSC scheme. As lofty as its goals of promoting national unity and youth empowerment are, the NYSC is fraught with a lot of irregularities that have brought the scheme under fierce criticisms bothering on whether it is still relevant to the Nigeria of today. In recent times, some people had called for its repositioning to meet the current realities in the country, while others called for its outright scrapping, arguing that the scheme has outlived its usefulness. The many anomalies in the NYSC are perpetrated by its stakeholders such as parents and corps members, as well as influential citizens, who cut corners to ensure that their children are posted to choice places. On arrival at the orientation camp, I observed with horror the high level of corruption among the NYSC officials, who are the “apostles of selfless service” phrase. At every event or activity, corps members are often reminded of the need to be selfless in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities. Sadly, these so-called proponents of the sacrificial service are the ones who go behind to frustrate every good intention the scheme represents. The NYSC, as a microcosm of the Nigerian society, is bedeviled by the problem of tribalism. It is against this backdrop that the late renowned Nigerian journalist and cofounder of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa, once remarked that, “tribalism is like a dye which colours everything in Nigeria.”

Nevertheless, government must take practical and urgent steps to reposition the scheme to tackle current realities of the Nigerian state and equally address the issue of youth unemployment, because a grave danger is looming in the air. What could capture the NYSC mantra of “selfless service” more vividly than the death of about 10 serving members, who were gruesomely hacked down in their prime in Bauchi State during the 2011 post-election violence? Obviously, these fallen heroes offered the supreme sacrifice for the enthronement of credible elections in Nigeria.

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NYSC and its ‘selfless service’ mantra: My experience

One of the many obstacles a corps member crosses at the orientation camp before passing out…and now, when he passes out, he must grapple with the lucre of a programme that is fast losing grip with reality. He must continue rendering ‘selfless service,’ even at the cost of his life.

The so-called “ambassadors of selfless service” usually flagrantly display ethnic as well as other discriminatory tendencies. This can be seen in the exemption of some corps members from camp orientation exercises, because of their connection to the “powers that be” in the society. These literally abandon the orientation camp only to resurface on the day of closing ceremony. Painfully, this trend is not in line with the core values of patriotism, integrity, commitment and teamwork, which the scheme seeks to instill in the Nigerian youth. On noticing these anomalies, I felt demoralised, feeling like giving up the zeal with which I came to make the desired impact in the service year. The trend continued unabated till the end of the orientation course, with the posting of corps members to places of primary assignment (PPA), where tribalism and nepotism as well as other “Nigerian factors” were at their peak. Highly connected corps members as well as those who could pay either “in cash or in kind” were posted to juicy establishments, especially banks and other well paying organisations for their PPAs. Merit was thrown to the dogs. But thanks to the new NYSC posting policy that limits

the posting of corps members to key sectors of the economy such as health, agriculture and education, it is now becoming impossible for the influential people to influence the posting of their relations to the Central Bank of Nigeria as was previously the practice among the political elite and other influential members of the society, who are known for their notoriety in circumventing the law. Another area of grave concern is corps welfare. The NYSC health insurance is not any different from the monumental decay in the Nigerian health sector. It is a disturbing fact that the country has the worst health indices in the world, yet its public health office holders continue to embark on health tourism abroad instead of channeling attendant resources to develop a first class health sector that would be the envy of other nations. As a result, corps members find it hard to access the so-called health insurance scheme, as designated hospitals do not offer services because of the nonrelease of funds by the NYSC. In some cases, when minor ailments are treated, they would compel such corps member(s) to fill forms for treatments that are never administered to enable the designated hospitals

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. Also join our on-line conversation

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be reimbursed by the NYSC. I had the perception from the orientation camp that the NYSC scheme would not be viable to cater for corps members’ health needs, as the camp clinic is not any better than a first-aid box that was attached to a kindergarten wall in the colonial days. This ugly scenario often forces corps members to seek alternative medical treatment in private hospitals, which are even unaffordable. The big question is: who takes the funds that is appropriated for the NYSC health insurance scheme? Similarly, in the October 2012 edition of Zamfara Kofa, an end of service year magazine of the Zamfara NYSC, the State Co-ordinator, Mrs. Ruth Bakka, lamented the deplorable condition of corpers’ lodge in some council areas of the state. This is one of the numerous cases of inadequate accommodation facilities for members across the country. Most of the corps members, especially those serving in urban areas, have to provide shelter for themselves as against the NYSC accommodation policy that makes it mandatory for employers to provide them with accommodation, and where it is not possible, to pay a reasonable amount in lieu. Recently, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.Gen. Okorie-Affia, visited the 2012 Batch ‘B’ corps members during their orientation course at Tsafe, Zamfara State, where he remarked that the orientation course content has been reformed in line with emerging trends and the contemporary challenges of the nation’s socio-economic development. He stressed the relevance of the scheme’s War Against Poverty (WAP), which he said was geared towards addressing youth unemployment. At the end of his remarks, he charged corps members to be selfless and dedicated in the discharge of their duties. What is equally mind-boggling is the fact that towards the end of every service year, a team of NYSC officials is dispatched from the agency’s National Directorate Headquarters to all state secretariats to evaluate the scheme through interactions with outgoing corps members. It is with a view to repositioning it to meet current challenges in Nigeria. Also, during the winding-up programmes and passing-out parade, corps members are given questionnaires to fill to enable policy makers formulate policies that would reposition the scheme to meet its mandates. Despite these steps being taken to put it on track, however, the scheme continues to deteriorate due to lack of commitment on the part of the NYSC management to implement the findings of the evaluation team. Realistically, the scheme has not been repositioned to tackle the issues of youth unemployment and national disunity as claimed by the NYSC boss, Gen. Affia. How can the NYSC-WAP initiative be considered viable for youth employment when it only makes provision for about 300 corps members out of the tens of thousands of them in the scheme? The NYSC claims to be addressing youth unemployment through entrepreneurship when it literally shuts out the larger chunk of members from the WAP programme. Amid the foregoing challenges threatening the existence of the programme because of the warped mindset of stakeholders and the high level of corruption among officials, with participants at the receiving end, the NYSC still says that selfless and sacrificial service remains its hallmark. In conclusion, corps members, as agents of change, must rise above the Nigerian quagmire of tribalism, nepotism and religious intolerance, and above all forms of corruption threatening national unity and development. We must remain resilient and patriotic in the discharge of our responsibilities despite the prevailing challenges in the country. Nevertheless, government must take practical and urgent steps to reposition the scheme to tackle current realities of the Nigerian state and equally address the issue of youth unemployment, because a grave danger is looming in the air. What could capture the NYSC mantra of “selfless service” more vividly than the death of about 10 serving members, who were gruesomely hacked down in their prime in Bauchi State during the 2011 post-election violence? Obviously, these fallen heroes offered the supreme sacrifice for the enthronement of credible elections in Nigeria. • Ameh Ejekwonyilo is a graduate of Mass Communication and an ex-corps member.