Wednesday 27 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,480

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Outrage over killing of Nasarawa varsity students • Reps begin probe, groups urge action From Kamal Tayo Oropo, Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo, Bukola Apata (Lagos), Terhemba Daka and John Okeke (Abuja) PPARENTLY enraged by A the gruesome murder of some students of the Nasarawa State University by men of the Nigerian Army, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Army, Security and Police Affairs to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident.

Other stakeholders have asked the Federal Government to start a probe into the development.

The House which later observed a one-minute silence in honour of the dead students at its plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, tasked the panel to report to the chamber within two weeks for further legislative action.

Without debate, the parliament adopted all the prayers

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Former Governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande (left) and Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), during the rendering of account of stewardship to commemorate the 2,100 days in office of Fashola’s administration in Ikeja, Lagos… yesterday.

You haven’t done well with oil money, Clinton tells Nigeria From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta

• Seeks return of intellectuals overseas

I

consequences for Africa would be disastrous. He challenged Nigerian leaders to create economic opportunities for the majority of the citizens.

The former U.S. president spoke while answering stakeholders’ questions at the 18th This Day Awards organised by the This Day Newspaper management to honour 18 teachers for their commitment to duty. The well-attended event

T was a stark reminder of the wastefulness of the nation’s leaders as former United States (U.S.) President Bill Clinton declared that Nigeria had failed to properly use her rich natural resources.

Clinton did not mince words as he told Nigeria: “You haven’t done well with your oil money.”

According to Clinton, Nigeria cannot afford to fail because if she does, the

was held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Clinton urged Nigeria to find a way of bringing home her intellectuals, who he said, were scattered all over the world, to assist in developing the country instead of using their talents to develop other nations.

Answering a question, the former American President said: “When I became President, my Secretary for Com-

merce did a lot of work in Africa before he was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1995.

I told him to make the list of the 10 most important countries in the world for the 21st century and Nigeria was in the list. Imagine the future of the entire continent if Nigeria fails or South Africa fails.

So, you are a country of great potential.”

He added: “I would say you have about three big chal-

lenges. First of all, like 90 per cent of the countries which have one big resource, you haven’t done well with your oil money.” He said that he expected Nigeria to reinvest it in different ways.

Noting the disparity in the ownership of wealth in Nigeria, Clinton said: “You have to somehow bring economic opportunities to the people who don’t have. This is not a problem specific to Nigeria.

Almost every place in the world, prosperity is heavily concentrated in and around

urban areas. So, you have all these political problems and now violence problems, religious differences, and all the rhetoric of Boko Haram, but the truth is that the poverty rate in the North is three times greater than what it is in the Lagos area and to deal with that, you have to have both powerful stake in the local councils and a national policy that work together.”

He expressed the view that “there has to be a way to take the staggering intellectual

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jonathan signs 2013 budget, gets fresh legislative input From Madu Onuorah , John Abba-Ogbodo, Emeka Anuforo and Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja FTER months of bickering A between the Executive and the Legislature over the 2013 Appropriation Bill, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday evening signed it into law at a closed-door ceremony in his office conference room.

A statement by Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that President Jonathan

• Senators split over Civil Service Commission nomination • Nigeria declines on global budget rating survey signed the bill into law “following consultations and an agreement between the Executive and the Legislature.”

Abati said the consultations on the appropriation bill had been in the best interest of the country.

And based on the understanding reached between the Executive and the Legislature, the National Assembly will exercise further “legislative action” on the budget “to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the 2013

Appropriation Act in all aspects.”

The full statement by Abati reads: “Following consultations and an agreement between the Executive and the Legislature on the 2013 Appropriation Bill, President

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today signed the bill into law.

President Jonathan wishes to re-assure all Nigerians that the consultations have been in the best interest of the country, and in pursuit of understanding and mutual cooperation between both arms of government.

“As part of the understanding reached with its leadership, the observations of the execu-

Crashes, manpower and safety of Nigeria’s airspace - Pages 4 & 5

tive arm of government about the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly will be further considered by the National Assembly through legislative action, to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the 2013 Appropriation Act in all aspects.

“The administration remains fully committed to the positive transformation of the country, and effective and efficient service delivery for the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

2 NEWS

Senators split over Civil Service Commission nomination CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 benefit of all citizens. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have therefore been directed to work very hard to ensure that all the services, projects and programmes contained in the budget are successfully delivered on schedule in spite of the slight delay in its enactment.”

Before the signing, President Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, House Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Presidential Adviser on National Assembly, Joy Emordi, all met at the President’s office before arriving at the conference room venue of the signing ceremony.

But instead of the usual public ceremony, journalists were shepherded out from the President’s office area to the press briefing room by the Council Chambers. They were told to wait for a press statement from Abati.

About 20 minutes later, they started to leave. President Jonathan left. Director of Budget, Dr. Bright Okogwu, was one of the first to leave after that.

Then, Mark, Tambuwal followed. Okonjo-Iweala was the last to leave.

They all kept mum as they walked to their vehicles and left.

Earlier yesterday, the Senate hinted that the National Assembly and the Executive may have resolved to work towards the signing of the 2013 Appropriation Bill into law.

Disclosing its position through its spokesperson and Chairman, Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Eyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate maintained that all pending issues had been sufficiently resolved and that the 2013 appropriation bill would be signed into law soon.

“All the issues that have come out on this budget have been resolved and we think that in the shortest possible time, the budget would be signed by the President and implementation will begin. So, there is nothing like overriding any veto or any such thing. That is not what the Senate has resolved in any way”, Abaribe said.

He also differed on the public’s insinuation that the budget was delayed due to senators’ position on constituency project. He stressed that the National Assembly was not in a position to award contracts or execute constituency projects as earlier insinuated.

Abaribe also denied allegations that the budget proposal, which was presented to the Na-

tional Assembly since October last year with the promise to pass it before the end of the year, was padded by lawmakers.

According to him, the power to appropriate budget lies with the National Assembly and that it is the power granted them by the constitution that was employed in looking at every detail in 2013 appropriation bill presented by the Executive.

Also yesterday, senators disagreed over the nomination of Mr. Joseph Olufemi Akande, an indigene of Osun State representing Osun/Oyo States cluster in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Senator Ita Enang, who raised the objection, alleged a breach of federal character principle on the composition of members.

He noted that with the Chairman of the Commission, Joan Olatoyosi coming from Osun State, confirming another member from Osun/Oyo State while some clusters had only one person representing about three states was unfair and contrary to the principles of federal character.

Other members of the committee include Dr. Ngozi Agatha Etolue representing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states; Hope Odhuluma Ikiriko representing Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states; Prof. Aminu Diyo Sheidu for Kogi and Kwara states; and Mr. Emmanuel Chimezie Ihedioha representing Imo and Abia states.

He noted that since there were 15 FCSC commissioners and a chairman, the positions should be shared equally among the states of the federation.

“There are 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and there are 15 commissioners in the Federal Civil Service Commission plus the chairman making it 16 commissioners and they are divided into clusters of group of states, we have 16 slots in total and 36 states,

one state or one cluster or one group like Oyo and Osun cannot have a chairman and also have a member.

“A chairman should come from one cluster so that other states can be paired into two states per commissioner and if a state or group of states takes the commissioner, they cannot also take a member. It is not about a person or state but it is about the application of the federal character principle”, Enang said.

The efforts of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Aloysius Etok, to explain that the emergence of Chairman of FCSC from the cluster of Osun/Oyo State was a coincident, did not go down well with senators.

Enang insisted that where such anomalies had applied in the past, it was not a question that was put by law but an arrangement made by a way of understanding when the country was divided into 24 or 31 states “and since we became 36 states, that provision has not been reviewed and if it comes to the Legislature, it has to review it to ensure that all the states are reflected.”

While Senator Abdul Ningi also faulted the arrangement and urged the Senate to correct the alleged anomaly “in the interest of equity and justice”, Senator Abdulmumini Hassan saw nothing wrong with the arrangement.

Hassan noted that even in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the chairman is from Kwara State while the state is also represented by another commissioner.

Before the Senate voted to step down the consideration of the report, Senate President, David Mark, mandated Etok to furnish the chamber with a comprehensive list of all the FCSC commissioners. He also asked Etok to find out how the chairman and commissioners of the

commission were selected.

And on the global scene, Nigeria’s budget system was rated low as the Washington-based International Budget Partnership (IBP) in Washington DC’s latest survey put Nigeria far behind its contemporaries.

The 2012 edition of the report known as Open Budget Index scored Nigeria 16 per cent, a decline from its rating for the year 2010.

It is also a rating considered below the average when compared with the average score of 43 per cent for all the 100 countries surveyed, a situation the IBP described as ‘alarming’.

The score is also lower than those of neighbouring Ghana, Liberia, Sao-Tome and Principe and Sierra Leone.

It noted that “Nigeria’s score indicates that the government provides the public with scant information on the national government’s budget and financial activities during the course of the budget year. This makes it challenging for citizens to hold the government accountable for its management of public money.”

The International Budget Partnership is regarded as the world’s only independent and comparative measure of budget transparency. The Open Budget Index, which is released every two years, measures the state of budget transparency, participation, and oversight in countries around the world. It consists of 125 questions and is completed by independent researchers in the countries assessed.

Nigeria scored 18 per cent in 2010, 19 per cent in 2008 and 20 per cent in 2006, indicating an almost predictable decline pattern over the years. To assist Nigeria step up its performance, the report implored the country to introduce a number of measures “some of which can be achieved very quickly and at almost no cost to the government.”

Clinton seeks return of intellectuals overseas CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and organisational ability that Nigerians exhibit in every country in the world in which they are immigrant and bring it to bear here so that the country as a whole can rise.

One of the people on my trip with me today who unfortunately could not come up here because he had to go to visit his family is a young NigerianAmerican, named Nnamdi.”

He described Nnamdi as a wonderful man, saying: “He (Nnamdi) does great work in America for poor kids in Arkansas City and he became a friend of mine. Both his parents have Ph.Ds, his sister has a Ph.D. He often says ‘I’m the fail-

ure in my family and I only have a university degree and I play football. My point is there are Nigerians who are like this all over the world.

What you have to figure out is how to keep those people in Nigeria and how to ensure their success leads on into the rest of the country. So, I think solving the economic divide that is in your country will help the political divide; making better use of your resources.”

The former American President compared Nigeria to India which he said “has unbelievable entrepreneurs but they are not very good at collecting capital and invest-

ing it in infrastructure so that they can unite the poor part of the country with the rich part.

That’s what you have to do. And then, you have to empower people with education so they can succeed at home as well as around the world”.

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun commended the organisers of the event for bringing it to the state.

At the event, eight primary school teachers, four secondary school teachers and three university lecturers were honoured and given a cash reward of N2 million each.

Governor Amosun was also given an award for investing heavily in education.

Reps probe killing of Nasarawa students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of a motion of urgent importance brought by Kingsley Chinda yesterday condemning the deployment of soldiers to quell a peaceful protest by students and other people.

It also urged the InspectorGeneral of Police and other relevant security agencies to immediately take steps to forestall any further breakdown of law and order within the affected areas.

The House further urged the Nasarawa State government to as a matter of urgency take immediate steps to ensure the security of lives and property of people in the affected areas.

Leading the debate on the

motion, Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State, expressed concern over the killing and noted that students of the university had on February 25, 2013 embarked on a peaceful demonstration to protest against the nonprovision of water and electricity to their campus by authorities of the school, in the course of which a roadblock was mounted by the students.

He further noted that following this, some soldiers who were drafted in to bring the situation under control began shooting sporadically, allegedly beating up as well as throwing teargas canisters indiscriminately at the protesting students.

The lawmakers said that the deployment of police or military men armed with live ammunition to university campuses in the guise of quelling students’ protests was wrong and unacceptable.

He stressed that the incident was one too many in cases of extra-judicial killings by men of the police and the army that daily take place on university campuses and several parts of the country against defenceless, innocent students and citizens.

“The incident has led to a very serious tension within the university community and its environs as so many people are reported to have deserted their homes for fear of further attacks by men of the Nigerian Army and reprisal attack by the

students.

“The situation is already generating ill-feeling between the university students and men of the Nigerian Army and if not immediately checked, could lead to further escalation of violence in the area and the area could be completely cut off from other parts of Nasarawa State.

“The social and economic life and well-being of people living in and around the affected area and those of other Nigerians could also be adversely affected as people would vacate the area in search of safety and other conducive business environment, with the result that these people and neighbouring communities would be completely cut off from the rest of the State.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

4 NEWS

Issues in the news

Crashes, manpower and safety

By Wole Shadare HE crash of an Augusta HelT icopter belonging to the Nigerian Navy and the frequency of air mishaps have stirred an avalanche of questions over the safety of Nigerian airspace and adequate manpower in the sector as well as other areas.

There is a serious shortage of core aviation personnel with only ageing local manpower such as the pilots, licensed aircraft engineers and licensed avionics engineers. This situation has negative effects on a sector that is safety-driven.

Since the liquidation of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways, many of the trained and experienced workers have either died or retired, leaving a few that are now threatened out of existence by the influx of their foreign counterparts.

President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt. Dele Ore, said there was the need to provide aviation training facilities such as more flying schools and Aviation Training Organisations (ATO) to cope with ageing manpower and dwindling technical skills.

According to him, the foremost aviation training school in Nigeria, the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, should be upgraded in every possible way to enable it regain its pride of place as Africa’s number one training centre. He said: “The influx of expatriate pilots and engineers has become so worrisome that expatriate quota has become a big issue in the aviation industry.

“Its effect in airline economics can better be imagined.

Apart from the huge costs to our airlines, it inevitably leads to capital flight because of the dearth of Nigerian professionals.”

Whatever the deficiencies, they are made most manifest when an airline crashes, killing passengers in an accident that could have been avoided. One issue that agitates the minds of many Nigerians is that over 90 per cent of crashes happen on weekends.

Could it be said that air traffic controllers under the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) do not take airspace regulatory oversight seriously?

Could it also be that the airlines, air traffic controllers or even the regulatory body relaxes safety procedures?

Could it be human error, to

A crash scene

which has been attributed 90 per cent of both commercial and military airplane crashes?

Could it just be a coincidence that airplanes drop from the sky most frequently only on weekends - Fridays, Saturday and Sundays?

After years of keeping Nigerians in the dark about accident reports, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Ministry of Aviation bowed to pressure by releasing 32 accident reports at once. Some date back to the era of Nigeria Airways and many others that are now extinct. Human factor or human error is the common trend that runs through most of the reports, just as there was alleged culpability by the airlines in the area of safety.

Often referred to as “honest mistakes,” experts said these unsafe act typically manifest as poorly executed procedures, improper choices or simply the misinterpretation or misuse of relevant information.

Often times, the substandard practices of aircrew will lead to the conditions and unsafe acts described above. For instance,

the failure to ensure that all members of the crew are acting in a coordinated manner can lead to confusion (adverse mental state) and poor decisions in the cockpit.

Out of the 32 reports, the Bellview, Sosoliso and Aviation Development Company (ADC) crashes stood out because they happened in quick succession, killing over 300 people in less than one year.

In the reports released penultimate week, AIB stated that ADC crew ignored weather warning and lacked standard operating procedures, adding that other contributory factors were “the crew’s delayed decision to carry out a missed approach, and the application of improper procedure while executing the go-around.” The report noted that Sosoliso crew was not equipped with actual wind situation handling. For Bellview, the “training of Pilot-In-Command (PIC) before taking command on the B737 aircraft was inadequate; the cumulative flight hours of the pilot in the days before the accident was indicative of excessive workload

that could lead to fatigue.”

While the Bellview crash was attributed to the captain’s excessive workload and fatigue, the ADC crash, which claimed the lives of the Sultan of Sokoto and 92 others in Tungar Madaki, Abuja, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, was attributed to the pilot’s decision to take off in known adverse weather conditions and failure to execute the proper windshear recovery procedure, which resulted in operating the aircraft outside the safe flight regime. These caused the aircraft to stall very close to the ground from which recovery was not possible.

Ore told The Guardian that humans, by their very nature, make mistakes, therefore, it should come as no surprise that human error has been implicated in a variety of occupational accidents, including 70 to 80 per cent of those in civil and military aviation.

“In fact, while the number of aviation accidents attributable solely to mechanical failure has decreased markedly over the past 40 years, those attributable at least in part to human error have declined at a much slower rate,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Assistant Secretary General of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, said if the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the aviation industry were to achieve their goal of significantly reducing the aviation accident rate over the next 10 years, the primary causes of aviation accidents (human factors) must be addressed.

According to the AON scribe, the solution is to redirect safety efforts so that they address important human factor issues. He stated: “However, this assumes that we know what the important human factor issues are.

Therefore, before research efforts can be systematically refocused, a comprehensive analysis of existing database needs to be conducted to determine those specific human factors responsible for aviation accidents and incidents.

“If these efforts are to be sustained, new investigative methods and techniques will need to be developed so that data gathered during human factor accident investigations can be improved and analysis of the underlying causes of human error facilitated.”

It began back in 2001 when Executive Airline Service (EAS) aircraft owned by the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, crashed on May 4, 2002 in Gwarmaja, near Kano, resulting in the death of 78 passengers. It was on a Saturday. The Bellview and Sosoliso airlines that crashed in Lisa, Ogun State, on October 22, 2005, and in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on December 10, 2005 respectively, killing a combined number of 225 people, also took place on Saturday.

An ADC plane crashed in Abuja on October 29, 2006 (a weekend), killing 106 passengers. An aircraft belonging to Harka Air crashed in Lagos on June 24, 2005, losing all on board. This equally took place on a weekend. A Nigerian military plane crashed in Oko village, Benue State, on September 17, 2006 with the loss of 15 very top Nigerian Army officers. It occurred on a weekend.

An OAS service helicopter crashed in Warri, Delta State, on November 10, 2006 - a weekend - with the loss of four lives. On March 15, 2008, a Wings Aviation airline crashed in Cross River State killing six people. It was a weekend. In 2009 and 2010, there were a series of small, light aircraft crashes, an Airforce jet and helicopter

crashes that all resulted in the loss of souls. They mostly took place on weekends.

An OAS helicopter crashed in Ife Odan in Osun State on July 29, 2011 - a weekend - resulting in the loss of three lives. On June 2, 2012, a Nigerian cargo plane shot off the runway into the highway behind Accra’s Kotoka International Airport, killing eight Ghanaian nationals that were working on the apron of the airport. Curiously, this, too, occurred on a weekend.

The next day, to the shock of Nigerians in what remains the worst air accident in the country, a Dana MD 83 aircraft with 160 passengers, crashed into a residential area in the outskirts of Lagos, killing all passengers on board, the crew and people on ground. The accident happened on a Sunday.

Apart from commercial aircraft, military aircraft have also had their own share of accidents occurring on weekends. Since September 26, 1992, when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 crashed in a swamp near Ejigbo, killing over 100 young, top military officers, the military has been involved in many crashes that took place at weekends.

Other accidents included the September 12, 1997 NAF Dornier 228-212 crash, January 28, 2005 Nigeria Air Force fighter crash, and the September 17, 2006 crash of 18-seater Dornier 228 Air Force transport plane flying 15 senior army officers and three crew members, with only three survivors who sustained serious injuries. The plane crashed in the northern part of the country at Oko village in Vandeikya local council of Benue State.

On March 14, 2012, a helicopter belonging to the Joint Task Force (JTF) crashed in Jos, Plateau State, killing all occupants on board.

Meanwhile, the occurrence of crashes at weekends has raised

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NEWS | 5

Issues in the news

of Nigeria’s airspace concern over whether there is laxity in air traffic control or a mere coincidence. There are indications that controllers are in short supply, coupled with the moribund communication gadgets that make pilot-controller communication very difficult most times.

Air traffic controllers’ error showed in the crash of ADC plane in Ejinrin, near Lagos, in 1996. The investigative reports of November 7, 1995, ADC crash into the swamps of Lagos indicated that three times the Air Traffic Controller directed pilots in two planes one taking off, the other about to land - into each other’s paths.

The ill-fated ADC aircraft was equipped with Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which made its pilot realise the error of the ATC. The other plane was not so equipped.

The plane so equipped made a sharp turn away from the other that was not so equipped. The ill-equipped (with Capt. Dafe Sama, one of Nigeria’s most experienced pilots in control), upon discovering also that the air traffic controller had misdirected him, made a turn away but into the path just turned to by the other plane.

The pilot then executed a sharp turn away from the new path of the oncoming plane.

This was too much for the elderly plane and it plunged into the Ejinrin River.

The ADC crash in 1996 brought to fore the unsafe nature of the airspace said to be dotted with black spots that make controller-to-pilot communication very difficult.

Most times, pilots find it extremely difficult to establish communication, a fact that was attested to by foreign airlines.

Meanwhile, the 64 million euro total radar coverage of Nigeria, according to air traffic controllers, “is not only ineffective but seriously deficient.”

An air traffic controller, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the much publicised TRACON are terminal radars, adding: “No matter the language they give it, it is a terminal radar.

“That is the deception they give to the whole world, it is terminal radar. It is called terminal radar control (TRACON).

They coined it to suite themselves and they called it Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON). It is terminal radar control. Open any air traffic control book, that is what it is.

“The radar in Lagos has a limitation. What they did was this - they had about nine sites and four primary ones in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. All of them have their limitations. You cannot use radar without communication.”

That the country never had efficient radar for search and rescue was not in doubt, as the old radar could not pick the exact crash site of Bellview aircraft in 2005. One of the things that was discovered on the Bellview crash was why the controllers’ search and rescue started from Ogbomosho, which, by flying time from Lagos, should have been about 15 to 20 minutes for an aircraft that lost radio contact three minutes after take-off. That exactly showed that something was wrong.

Already, the nation’s Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) have called for a national emergency over the country’s parlous communication facilities as a foil against further air disasters. The situation is so bad that often times, airplanes enter the Nigerian airspace without the knowledge of air traffic controllers.

At other times, they only get to know of such flights through telephone calls from their counterparts in Nigeria’s friendly nations. Apparently to avoid running into trouble with the aviation authorities over an open declaration that the country’s airspace was no longer safe for them to overfly, all the major foreign airlines have quietly refrained from using the nation’s airspace.

According to them, the airspace is dotted with moribund communications gadgets (visual and voice) such that air traffic controllers and pilots now have extreme difficulty reaching one another. All this means loss of revenue to the country.

Air traffic controllers and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), in a presentation to the Minister of Aviation recently on the status of TRACON facilities and safety of the Nigerian airspace, said: “It is worrisome that the nation’s airspace is increasingly but gradually being avoided by the international over-flyers due to poor communications between air traffic controllers and pilots.”

The economic implication is that the Federal Government is losing revenue, which would have accrued to the country if the airlines that now fly from South Africa to London had used the Nigerian airspace.

The document signed by the NUATE President, D.M. Safiyanu, which was received by the minister, stated that the provision of Controller-PilotData-Link Communication (CPDLC) would have been a remedy to this “unfortunate situation,” regretting that, “all our neighbouring airspaces have such facilities.”

Indeed, Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi, had expressed concern over the state of the country’s radar system and security at the airports. A seasoned aircraft pilot, Capt. Benson Ikponwosa, had recently carpeted the inefficiency of air traffic management in the country, adding that lack of the serviceability of radio communications had fully not been resolved.

The captain admitted that there were black spots in the airspace, which make pilot-toair traffic controller communication very difficult during flight operations. He called on NAMA and the Federal Government to speedily come to the rescue of passengers, crew and equipment by providing basic aviation safety tools. The President of NATCA, Victor Eyaru, explained that the communi-

Oduah

cation problem with the radio has existed for three decades, and the solution has overwhelmed the agency overtime.

He expressed sadness that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) management expended over N400 million for the total VHF coverage project even as the agency has bought personalised headsets of over N400, 000 each. The statement read: “If all operational Air Traffic Controllers, who are members of NATCA, through their daily loggings are saying the communication equipment available to them should be improved upon to avert impending air disaster (and they) are termed alarmists and saboteurs, then, the system needs a curative measure fast.

“All the claims of NATCA on the issue on the precarious state of VHF radios used by the two Area Control Centres in Kano and Lagos are verifiable facts and NAMA management attested to this by saying that it has challenges in solving the radio problem. It is also a fact that over the years, huge sums of tax-payers money have been expended on the communication projects without noticeimprovement. able “Over N400 million Total VHF coverage project that started about four years ago as solution to the radio problem is now completed, but of no effect.”

A former Commander, Murtala Muhammed Airport, La-

gos, Group Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd), has alleged that one of the things they discovered after the Bellview crash was that if the radar had been on, the aircraft would have been seen by the controllers to still be within the Lagos control zone, adding that they went into details to what was happening.

According to him, “one of the things we discovered was that the radar was on but there was no controller there. Why was there no controller? It was because they did not have enough manpower to man the radar and, according to the evidence that we had, they had controllers to man the system up till Fridays, so by Saturdays and Sundays, because they don’t have enough of them, they leave that place empty.

“So, that was why it was not easy for search and rescue to have been able to catch up with the fact that this aircraft should not have gone as far as Ogbomosho, Oyo State. If somebody was watching the radar, you would have known the point where the aircraft crashed and it would have been seen easily.”

These deficiencies in air traffic management forced the then Minister of Aviation, Babalola Borisade, to set up a committee on airspace to tackle the rot in that area of aviation safety and other committees to sanitise the sector.

Ojikutu, who was a member of the committee, told The Guardian that they noticed about 115 deficiencies and he

one of the things we discovered was that the radar was on but there was no controller there. Why was there no controller? It was because they did not have enough manpower to man the radar and, according to the evidence that we had, they had controllers to man the system up till Fridays, so by Saturdays and Sundays, because they don’t have enough of them, they leave that place empty.

doubted if those deficiencies had been rectified.

“We are talking of 2006 and 2007, that was the period we sat and that was five years ago. We made so many propositions for them, which they did not do. We don’t have the structures; the facilities there are down,” he said.

“Why don’t you start now? Recruit people, send some of them to Egypt, Singapore, South Africa, so that in the next five years (they would be through), because if you send them to NCAT, they are going to be there for two and half years.

“There are gaps between one radar and the other. You have radar without communication to cover the whole place.

We need to tell ourselves the truth in this country that people are putting people’s lives in danger. They just deceived the President in commissioning a system which terminal radar they called TRACON.” The retired Air Force chief explained that if an aircraft goes to Maiduguri today and wants to take off to enter the airspace controlled by Kano, if they cannot get Kano on air, the moment they get air borne, they will nearly get to Kano before they can establish communication with Kano. He described it as a big danger.

“There is deficiency. Let them tell us there is deficiency. Let them put emphasis on training people. In that radar, they removed so many things. That radar we are talking about, they amended it three times,” he cried.

“The first one, they removed the primary radar, the next one was to remove the training aspect of it, which was $4 million to train the controllers. The primary radar component was about $9 million; they removed it. The next one they wanted to remove was VSAT communication and that is why they are having problem today. When they say some of these things, we just watch them.”

He explained that the government needed to address urgently the issue of communication, noting that this was a major problem way back in 2005 and 2006 and regretting that up till now, they have not been able to solve it.

He disclosed that NAMA signed a communication contract in 2008 or 2009 but lamented that up till today, not much had been done in that regard. He stressed that anything that has to do with safety, they (government) seem not to be concerned.

“When the global aviation regulatory body, the International Civil Organisations (ICAO), visits any country, it does not want to see how beautiful airport terminal buildings are, whether the conveyor belt is working, whether somebody is carrying load on his head or not, ICAO does not give a damn,” Ojikutu noted.

“What ICAO bothers about is the safety of passengers inside the aircraft, in the air and the efficiency on the ground for the safety of aircraft. Once the passenger is on ground and not inside the aircraft, it’s not ICAO business.

“All this one that the Federal Government is spending bil-

lions, they should call people who have money to come forward to invest. No matter the mistake they did on MMA2 with Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney, they could correct it. If they are not going to give it to Babalakin, give it to another Babalakin, give it to another Uwaifo, give it to another Tukur, let him build these terminals; give them the safety and security standards and allow the NCAA to regulate it.

“That is what governments do everywhere. Investors, not governments, build all terminal buildings. We don’t have communication. What you have is terminal radar and the radio that is there is only for the terminal. Then you ask them, what is the extent or reach of your terminal? Lagos terminal is about 130 nautical miles and has a limitation of height.

“There is always a gap between Lagos and Kano area communication-wise. So, if an aircraft is coming from Kano and Kano area is controlling it, it becomes difficult for that aircraft. If it does not enter the range of Lagos radio properly for you to communicate, it becomes a very big problem.

“The pilots are complaining.

I have told them severally to call the operators, the pilots and talk to them. Don’t talk to your own people. Every time government wants to talk, it’s talking to NAMA or FAAN. Call the real operators. They have done it in the United Nations; they have called the pilots association to talk to them.

“When the issue of hijacking was too much, they called the International Pilots Association. The president went there and addressed the General Assembly on how they should be protected. Government can do the same thing here - call the pilots. But when you are not calling the pilots but your own political appointees, who are they going to protect?”

Nevertheless, NAMA Spokesman, Supo Atobatele, admitted that there were challenges with the system they run but noted that they were being addressed. He told The Guardian that the Federal Government had come to their aide with the release of N400 million for the repair of airspace communication equipment.

“We run a system and there is no system without occasional challenges,” he said.

“The challenges in respect of communication are being addressed assiduously by the management with the support of the Federal Government that financed the N400 million Total VHF Radio Coverage of Nigeria.

“This project has been completed and our engineers and the contractors are working round the clock to fine-tune the equipment for optimum operation. In addition, the agency is procuring long range VHF radio as complementary technology for enroute Air Traffic Control.”

Atobatele disclosed that the airspace had improved tremendously in the last eight years, noting that features of improvement include the provision of VHF radio coverage, WGS-84 completed with survey of 26 airports to prepare them for performancebased navigation system.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

6 NEWS

Akeredolu testifies at election petition tribunal, alleges fraud From Niyi Bello, Akure STAR witness and the canA didate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the Ondo State governorship election which held last year, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday was in the witness box in his quest to convince the election petition tribunal that the poll was marred with massive irregularities.

Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who was a member of the legal team that retrieved the mandate of his main opponent in the last exercise, incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, at the litigation over the April 14, 2007 election, is also a petitioner in the instant case as the candidate of the ACN in the election.

Akeredolu who appeared as one of the 41 witnesses presented by him (petitioner) and that of his party pointed out exhibit P52A, P1H12, P16G12 which included that of voters register and insisted that the election was marred which fraud.

Making reference in respect of Isowopo, Akoko 01, Ward 08, Unit 12, Akeredolu said that the irregularities discovered were perpetrated in all units in the state.

The frontline lawyer said that his case and that of his party was very clear but the tribunal must and could only understand the case by going through the exhibit and relate it with the findings of the experts, noting that both must be connected.

The former Nigeria Bar Association president said that there were cases of double registration where voters appeared twice with different VIN number.

He added that, for example,

Abdulai Idris appeared two times with different VIN numbers.

Akeredolu said that there were people that were marked to have voted who were invalid registrants whose thumbprints were not captured.

The frontline lawyer who was led in evidence by his counsel, Oluwole Aina said that his claims before the tribunal was as contained in his petition.

Akeredolu who was later cross examined by the first, second and third respondents led by Mr. Wole Olanipekun was asked whether his agents were in all polling units in the state for the election.

The former NBA boss said that his agents were chased away from most of the polling units, saying the ACN had few agents in polling units.

He was also cross-examined on the registration of his voter card and asked if he had registered in Ondo State.

Akeredolu answered he did not register in Ondo State in 2011 but had transferred his voter’s card to Ondo State legally, under Section 13 of the Electoral Act, following the procedure.

He further explained that he transferred his voter’s card from Jericho in Ibadan where he was initially resident.

When asked on which party won his unit, Akeredolu insisted that he won his unit,

saying that he was so sure that ACN won the three local governments as recorded by INEC. He added that he accepted the result from Owo, Akoko Southwest and Odigbo because he felt he should accept it and not because there were no irregularities in those local governments.

Having said he transferred his voter’s card, Wole Olanipekun asked if his registration was also part of the injections as analyses by the expert.

Akeredolu said that the expert was very specific in the course of his presentation, adding that there were categories of voters injected and those that might have come

under review of voters’ register or transfer.

The frontline lawyer said that he fell under the category of those whose voter’s card was transferred.

Responding to cross-examination by counsel to one of the respondents, Akeredolu said that the forensic expert analyses on multiple thumbprints did not materialise due to INEC’s inabilities.

He alleged that INEC intentionally provided a ballot paper, which was in crumb after two weeks, saying it was difficult if not impossible for any forensic expert to work on.

Akeredolu lamented that the highest injection of the voter’s register was in Owo, noting that it was a deliberate attempt to dilute his vote.

ARELY two weeks after the intervention by the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save the divided house of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) from disintegration, the Southwest zonal organ of the party have initiated plans that could frustrate the move.

About two weeks ago Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the two major factions, Tony Momoh faction and Senator Rufai Sani Hanga faction. The four-hour meeting said to have been held at Arewa Suites and Hotel, Abuja, was convened by Tinubu to resolve the lingering crisis of confidence within the party, towards ensuring the success of the on-going merger plan among the opposition parties under the emerging platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The meeting, according to a party source was also meant to bring the Senator Hanga faction into the mainstream of the merger agenda.

Tinubu was said to have pleaded with both factions to make some sacrifices in the form of “give-and-take” in the interest of the merger.

But the meeting which was widely reported to have held peacefully with bright hopes for harmonious reconciliation appears to have started suffering a setback as the Tony Momoh faction has began some moves towards expelling some members of the Hanga faction for alleged antiparty activities.

B

By Tunde Alao and Kamal Tayo Oropo N the past 2, 100 days, GovIsaidernor Babatunde Fashola his attention has been focused on infrastructure development, especially, in the area of Power, Agriculture, Transportation and Housing (PATH), which were the sectors that Lagos wants to make more commitment.

Speaking yesterday on the achievement of his administration, Governor Fashola, gave his administration an excellent scorecard by which he urged Lagos residents to continue their support for his administration.

The governor also expressed his belief that the activities of the “Governors’ Forum”, which he described as the most potent institution that had successfully acted as a stabilising factor in the Nigeria polity.

Fashola, while answering questions on sundry issues said that Lagos workers would soon work on Saturday in critical areas.

Jonathan visits Ivory Coast, lauds Shagari at 88 From Madu Onuorah, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan will today begin a four-day visit to the crisis-

Traders wait endlessly hoping for the re-opening of the Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market after day two of the closure.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO.

Fresh crisis in S’West CPC threatens Tinubu’s bid to reconcile party From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

Fashola in 2, 100 days, scores self high

The Vice Chairman of the Tony Momoh faction in the Southwest, Rasaq Muse has queried some leaders of the Hanga faction, asking them to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee. Those summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee included B.A Jinadu, the party’s Senatorial Chairman in Ogun Central and Chief Odunfa Muhammed, Senatorial Chairman of Ogun West.

In the letter signed by the Momoh’s faction Publicity Secre-

tary, Kunle Mudashiru and dated February 19, 2013 ordered the said officers to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee for alleged: “Offences of attending nocturnal meetings characterised by disgruntled an unscrupulous elements and usually organised by the expelled State Secretary, Dele Sobaloju.”

Those summoned however, have said that they would not appear before the disciplinary committee.

The Secretary of the Hanga’s faction, Dele Sobaloju who confirmed the development to The Guardian regretted the development, which according to him had thrown “sand” into whatever achievements that was recorded at their meeting with Tinubu.

He was full of praises for Tinubu over what he described as Tinubu’s effort to reconcile the factions into the mainstream of the merger plan.

According to him his group (Hanga’s) “Remains the core

of the CPC negotiation power in the merger structure”, adding: “After all, it is our faction that controls the grassroots profile of the party and has all the essential pre-requisites for a genuine interparty merger deal.”

He confirmed that the party’s Certificate of Registration is in the custody of Hanga’s faction and without it the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not recognise the CPC as part of APC merger team.

Workers accuse institute’s chief of alleged N192.5m fraud

FTER a long wait, 10 perA sons who allegedly defrauded the Oyo State Local

versus the ten accused. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

After hearing their pleas, all the alleged pension scammers were ordered by Justice Tijani Durosaro to be remanded in the Agodi Prison custody due to their inability to perfect the bail conditions.

The prosecution team was led by the Attorney -General of Oyo State, Ojo Adebayo who led Mr. Ademola Ojekunle and Miss Olumide Ojo, both senior legal officers of the Ministry of Justice, Oyo State.

Yinka Okunade appeared for all the accused persons, except the second accused person who was represented by O. Makinde.

On the application of the defence counsel, each of the accused persons was admitted to bail in the sum of N2, 000,000:00 with two

Government Pension Board of the sum of N1, 590, 783, 671.

47k were on Monday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court 4, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Arraigned before Mrs. Tijani Durosaro, the alleged pension fraudsters were charged with a nine-count charge of conspiracy to stealing, abuse of office and stealing of Local Government Staff Pension Fund to the tune of N1, 590,783,671.47k.

The alleged fraudsters included Hakeem Muili, Alhaja Iyabo Giwa, Adeduntan Johnson, Oguntayo Banji, Adesina Jimoh, Johnson Bosede, Adebiyi Olasumbo, Kareem Rasheed, Muili Adedamola and Salewa Adedeji.

They were all arraigned under Charge No. Mi/238C/2013 in Commissioner of Police

sureties in like sum.

According to the judge, each surety is to have a Certificate of Local Government Origin, or a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, or an account with any of the reputable banks in Oyo state, or Certificate of Business Registration.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to 19th March 2013 for trial.

In August last year, the Oyo State government had discovered a pension fraud in its Local Government Service Pensions Board totalling, at the initial stage, the sum of N2, 608, 398, 709. 29 but which later skyrocketed to N6.4 billion.

Chairman of the board and the Local Government Service Commission, Lasisi Ayankojo, who made the disclosure, said that the interim

Elders decry neglect of Ikere gorge dam

By Bayo Ogunmupe IGHT years after former E President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioned the

Oyo arraigns 10 over N1. 6b pension fraud From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

torn country of Cote d’Ivoire to join other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Yamassoukrou, Cote D’Ivoire for the 42nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

At the end of the ECOWAS Summit on Thursday, President Jonathan will, at the invitation of President Alassane Ouattara, embark on a threeday state visit to Cote D’Ivoire.

The summit will be dominated by ongoing efforts to restore peace, democracy and political stability to Mali and Guinea-Bissau. President Jonathan and Nigeria are playing key roles in the restoration of normalcy in the two nations. It will also elect a new chairman for the

investigative report of the commission into the account of the board between September 2010 and March 2011, which unearthed the colossal fraud, had indicted ten civil servants who were allegedly involved in the scam.

He said that upon the receipt of the report of the committee, the board met the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who ordered that the board should get to the root of the scam.

Meanwhile, aggrieved workers of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, a campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over alleged misappropriation of N192.5 million by a top official of the institute.

Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin, Oyo State, the elders of the community have called on the Federal Government to complete the building of the dam.

The elders comprised the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Adekunle Salau, Sir. Emmanuel Oke and Titilayo Adeyemo of the Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority.

The second largest fresh water lake in the world, Ikere Dam was started 32 years ago as a tourist destination.

During the recent inspection, the pivot irrigation project of the Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority was found abandoned.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioned the project in 2005. It was billed to provide Nigeria with water, electricity, irrigation, fisheries and tourism. Of the 35 km road that leads to the dam, only five kilometres has been tarred.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NEWS 7

Panel strips SAN of rank

Nyako’s election at PDP primary invalid, says court

From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja

From Emmanuel Ande, Yola

HE Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) yesterday suspended a legal practitioner, Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala, from the use of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the privileges attached to it.

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary, LPPC, Sunday Olorundahunsi, said the committee decided to suspend Aribisala pending the outcome of a case in court, which has pulled the brakes on its works.

The statement by Olorundahunsi reads thus: “The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its meeting held on February 26, 2013, considered the petition by Fidelity Bank against the person of Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala, together with his response to same and after due consideration of the said response, has decided in its wisdom to suspend him (i.e.

Chief Ajibola A. Aribisala) from the use of the rank of SAN and all other privileges attached to it pending the outcome of the court case impeding investigation by the sub-committee set up by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.”

T

HE Appeal Court sitting in T Yola, Adamawa State capital, yesterday confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election held in 2012 was replete with the breach of the constitution, the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, and the provisions of the PDP Constitution.

In his lead judgment, Justice Ignatius Igwe said the evidence before the court proved that the fundamental human rights of Dr. Umar Ardo, who showed interest to participate in the primary election, were

trampled upon by denying his supporters nomination forms to participate as delegates.

He ruled that Governor Murtala Nyako was not duly nominated as stipulated by the provisions of the Electoral Act, the PDP Constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Justice Igwe, who accused the second defendant (PDP) of criminal discrimination against Ardo, noted that the Adamawa PDP primary election of which Nyako was declared winner, lacks legal ingredients and that it was an invalid exercise that has no le-

gal taste or fragrance.

The judge said his court was constrained by Section 31 subSection (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, to order for a fresh primary election.

He further maintained that Ardo failed to prove before the court that he participated in the primary election, which Nyako was declared to have won.

After citing several legal authorities, including Supreme Court judgments, the judge ruled that Ardo lacks the constitutional powers to challenge the outcome of the election since he was not a participant in the controversial

primary.

On the issue of court jurisdiction concerning the party’s activities, Justice S. Denton-West held that Section 87, sub-section (4) empowers Federal High Court, state High Court and the FCT High Court to preside over such complaints brought before them.

Denton-West, who appealed to politicians to embrace peaceful resolution of party issues, pointed out that peace is the only pillar of democracy.

In his reaction, Ardo, who said he would challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court, pointed out that of the five

prayers he sought at the Appeal Court, he won four. He said the ruling was based on language technicality and not law.

“One of the exhibits my counsel tendered before the court was my election result, which shows that I was scored zero.

The result was signed by the chairman of the primary election, so, how can the court say that I was not part of the primary election?” he stated.

Counsel to Nyako, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who was represented by Ayo Akam, commended the judges for the ruling, saying it was a judgment for democracy.

Gains of my book,

by El-Rufai

By Seye Olumide ORMER Minister of the FedFAbuja, eral Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir Ahmad elRufai, has said that contrary to the controversies surrounding his new book, The Accidental Public Servant, his intention was to educate young Nigerians on the need to take responsibilities for leadership position wherever they found themselves.

The former minister said that contrary to issues some people are making out of the contents of the book, he deliberately maligned characters of some public officers. “My intention is to educate Nigerians, particularly the younger ones, that leaders are not god but mere human beings and they can also make mistakes”, he said.

Speaking during the public presentation of the book in Lagos yesterday, el-Rufai said he stood by everything he wrote in the book, adding: “I just tell the story of what is going on in the corridor of power in Nigeria without mentioning the private lives of our leaders. That would be for another book.”

Bomb scare in Kaduna From Saxone Akhaine,Kaduna GAIN, there was confusion A yesterday in Kaduna following a bomb scare in Kachia Local Council Area of the state.

Besides, yesterday’s incident came on the heels of last Saturday’s attack by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at the Aduwan Gida Village in ZangoKataf Local Council Area, killing five persons, including a six-year-old child and his mother.

It was gathered that an object suspected to be bomb exploded at a refuse dump in the area and forced residents to scamper for safety in Kachia.

The bomb scare took place just as Governor Ramallan Yero visited residents of Aduwan Village on Saturday to condole with the victims of a recent attack in the area.

He vowed to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and make them face the full wrath of the law.

Director, MTN Foundation, Mrs. Aishatu Sadauki (left), Secretary for Education, Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Kabir Usman and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, at the commissioning and handover ceremony of the MTN Science and Technology Laboratories at Government Secondary School, Kwali, Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Residents, official disagree over revocation of Abuja estate title From Terhemba Daka, Abuja FRESH controversy may be A brewing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as some subscribers, under the aegis of Saraha-ProForm Estate Residents’ Association, have called for a probe into what they called ‘the dirty deals’ associated with the revocation and the purported reallocation of Plot 67 Kafe District, Gawarimpa, Abuja, by the Department of Development Control.

Specifically, members of the association are the owners of the estate comprising 200 completed and furnished duplexes, among others, said to worth N160 billion but now

under threat of demolition by the authorities.

But the Director, FCT Department of Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf, said what the developer of the controversial estate was brandishing was a copy of Accelerated Development Programme Allocation of 2005 which, according to him, has already been nullified.

The subscribers had, while reacting to a recent statement credited to Yusuf, on behalf of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said the “wicked attempt by Yusuf to mislead members of the public and justify the illegality and corrupt practices perpetrated

by his office and his associates over the contentious plot is not only ungodly but also fraudulent.”

According to the statement issued in Abuja penultimate week and signed by Mr. Oluwasegunotta Ojo and Maureen Ibekwe, chairman and secretary of the association, the residents alleged that Yusuf failed woefully to address the fundamental issues earlier raised by the aggrieved residents in their letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, the FCT Minister, as well as other relevant authorities, which boarder on abuse of public office and corrupt practices on the part of some top officials members of the Department

of Development Control, Land Department and Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS).

In an interview with The Guardian at the weekend, Yusuf stressed the need for urgent government’s intervention to address the housing deficit in the territory, among others.

He also advised members of the public interested in either developing plots of land or buying property in the territory to go through the right channel and urged them to clarify from the Lands Department whether such property were properly allocated.

He said members of the public should also clarify from the

Department of Development Control whether there exists an approved plan.

Yusuf said contrary to public perception, the department was not set up to engage in indiscriminate removal of structures in the territory, but that it was within its purview to guard against the tendency of some developers to abuse the Abuja Master-Plan.

The director, who refuted insinuations that the department was not doing enough to control the menace of illegal building in the territory, pointed out that the government was only being lenient to see if some of such buildings could be integrated instead of outright removal.

Court fixes March for Maina’s suit against Senate From Lemmy Ughegbeand Karls Tsokar (Abuja)

• HOS denies complicity in pensions payment

HE Federal High Court, T Abuja Division, yesterday fixed March 5, 2013, for the

ties were a spillover effect of the missing N195 billion pensions fund still under investigation.

Justice Adamu Bello fixed the said date after the court granted the Senate and 10 other defendants extension of time to regularise their defence.

The other defendants include the Senate President, Clerk of the Senate, Senate Committees on Establishment and Public Service and the State and Local Government Administration. Others are the Inspector General of Police, Senator Aloysius Etuk; Chair-

adoption of addresses on an action initiated by the embattled Chairman of the Pensions Reform Task Force Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, seeking to quash the warrant for his arrest issued by the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCS), Isa Bello Sali, has denied allegations of commandeering the payment of pensions from November 2012 to date, even as pensioners are paid less than their entitlements. He said the complici-

man, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, as well as Senator Kabiru Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration.

Earlier, on February 18, 2013, the judge had granted the defendants three days to regularise their processes.

The other defendants include the Senate President, Clerk of the Senate, Senate Committees on Establishment and Public Service and the State and Local Government Administration.

Others are the Inspector General of Police, Senator Aloysius

Etuk, chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, as well as Senator Kabiru Gaya, chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration.

But when the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the Senate, C. Ikonne, prayed the court for another extension of time to regularise further processes.

Counsel to the IGP, Mrs. Pamela Ohabor, also applied for an extension of time to regularise her client’s defence.

Although Maina’s counsel, Mr. Mahmud Magaji (SAN), described the applications as ploy to frustrate the hearing on the main suit and opposed

it, the court was minded to grant the defendants’ request.

Sali said the purported statement by an acclaimed media consultant to the Pensions Reform task Team, Olajide Fashikun, was not only illegitimate but also completely false, as the task force had already been dissolved following presidential directive last week.

A statement from the Sali’s office said: “There was a directive by the Presidency to dissolve the task force last week, which has been carried out...and the letter was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Records Office, directing each member of staff back to his or her original ministry”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

8 NEWS

JTF kills Boko Haram top commander, three members From Njadvara Musa (Damaturu), Murtala Muhammed and Abba Anwar (Kano) N a major boost against terror, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, on Monday killed a top commander of the Boko Haram sect and three of his lieutenants. Also, three other members of the dreaded Islamic sect were arrested in a “cordon off and search” operations at the Kasuwan Kaji areas of the metropolis.

Meanwhile, gunmen on Monday night invaded the Ngelzarma Motor Park in Fune Local Council Area of the state, killing seven members of a vigilance group and injuring three others.

In the same vein, bandits yesterday killed the Commander, Mobile Police 9, Kano Superintendent of Police (SP), Dahiru Musa Magiya, at his Sabo Wargandu Quarters in Kano.

The JTF also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, after the two-hour operations in the area.

In a statement, the JTF’s Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, yesterday disclosed that the killed commander of the Islamist sect was behind the recent bomb blasts and attacks on JTF patrol vehicles at the Post Office Areas and Gambouru areas of Maiduguri, where some civilians, soldiers and policemen were either killed or injured.

Musa, in the statement, also said that the recovered arms and ammunition include three each of AK-47 rifles and magazines, two dane-guns, 36 rounds of ammunition, two bows and 18 arrows, including assorted materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices

I

Eight feared killed in Yobe, Kano (IEDs).

The statement also reads in part: “The operation was intended to arrest a top Boko Haram terrorist’s commander and his group believed to have come into Maiduguri from Kano to cause havoc. The commander and his three lieutenants lost their lives during an exchange of gunfire. Three other terrorists were arrested and are in JTF custody undergoing interrogations.”

An eyewitness, Yakubu Yahaya, said the gunmen stormed the motor park while the vigilance group was holding its inaugural meet-

ing.

He added that the Ngelzarma community recently constituted a vigilance group to complement security agencies’ efforts towards protecting lives and property in the town.

Also speaking on the incident yesterday, the Chairman, Fune Local Council Area, Digma Gana, said apart from the seven dead victims, that three others were injured.

He, however, pleaded with Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Police to deploy more officers to the town to prevent further attacks in Ngelzarma.

The JTF’s Spokesman (JTF) in Yobe State, Lt. Lazarus Eli, said

he was aware of the killing, adding that he would address reporters on the incident after an emergency meeting at the Government House, Damaturu.

The commander, who was the elder brother to the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magagi Musa Magiya, was shot dead by the assailants a few minutes after retuning home.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that the five-man gang invaded the commander’s residence in a dramatic manner at about 8.45 pm.”

He said: “We saw them (gunmen) walking inside the compound and they were received by the gateman. Most of us

thought they were visitors or the commander’s friends. But suddenly, we heard gunshots.

In a short while, they all came out of the compound and started shooting sporadically before they fled”.

The state Police Commissioner, Musa Daura, who confirmed the incident, however, assured that the culprits would soon be apprehended, adding that the commandant’s death was most regrettable.

Last week, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, while receiving Daura, pledged to dismantle security check-points in the state, confirming that the security situation had relatively improved.

Court remands Abubakar Audu’s son in prison From Abosede Musari, Abuja USTAPHAR Audu, son of M the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, was yesterday remanded in Kuje Prison by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to give prosecution time to respond to the former’s bail application.

Mustapha was arraigned for allegedly obtaining N18 million from one Nike Kolawole in the pretence of helping her to get a four-bedroom townhouse at Ruskin Terrace, situated at Katampe Extension in Abuja.

The defendant was docked alongside his wife, Zahrah, with whom he is believed to have committed the alleged crime. They both pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Spokesman to

the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, informed that both were arraigned alongside their company, Constructor Guild Limited.

One of the charges against the accused read: “That you, Mustapha Audu and Zahra M. Audu, in your capacity as directors of Constructors Guild Limited, on or about January 7, 2010, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, obtained the sum of N3 million from one Nike Kolawole under the pretence of helping her to get a four-bedroom townhouse at Ruskin Terrace situ-

ated at Katampe Extension, Abuja, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the AdvanceFee-Fraud and other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the same Act.” The accused persons, who pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge, were alleged to have falsely obtained the money to get Kolawole a four-bedroom house at Katampe Extension, Abuja, and another property at Caemly Estate, Idu Sabo, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“Following their plea, their

counsel, Mr. Kingsley Akpokona, moved for bail on behalf of his clients but was opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Samuel Ugwuegbulam, who prayed the court for time to respond to the application,” Uwujaren said.

Justice Umar consented to the prosecution’s request for time to respond to the application for bail and remanded Mustapha in Kuje Prison.

However, his wife, Zahrah, will continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted her. The case was adjourned to tomorrow for hearing on the bail applica-

Police arrest suspected kidnappers in Delta From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba HE Delta State Police Command has arrested a fourman gang of kidnappers for

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attempting to abduct a fourday-old baby in Nsukwa, Aniocha-South Council of the state.

The gang, comprising three ladies and a man, was said to have monitored the mother of the infant, one Mrs. Ikokobi, just when she was delivered of the baby before they struck.

They were apprehended on February 21 by the police in Ogwashi-Uku following a complaint by residents who were not comfortable with the suspicious movement of the suspects around the home of the nursing mother.

The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Mr. Famous Ajieh, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and gave their names as Michael Udoh, Gift Michael,

Abubakar Blessing Saturday and Adigwe Rita.

Ajieh said that the infant was indeed the target of the kidnap suspects, adding that investigations were currently on with a view to unravelling the motive behind the nefarious activities of the gang.

Court remands judicial officer over alleged trespass on monarch From Emmanuel Ande, Yola YOLA Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Hawa Batu on Monday ordered that Mr. Mustapha Bakari, an official of Adamawa judiciary, be remanded in prison custody for attempting to serve a petition on Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa.

The police prosecution officer, Sergeant Iliya Akawu, told the court that on February 22, 2013, the accused person criminally trespassed into the palace of Lamido of Adamawa, an action, he said, was contrary to Section 342 of the Penal Code.

Akawu told the court that the action of the accused person posed danger to the monarch’s life.

When the police read the

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charge to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence.

The accused counsel, Tahir A. Shehu, told the court that since his client did not plead guilty, he should be granted bail since the alleged offence was a bailable one.

But while opposing the oral bail application, the police prosecutor told the court that since the police were yet to conclude investigations on the matter and considering the premises where the alleged offence took place, the court should use its powers to rule on the bail application.

In her ruling, Magistrate Batu ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody pending the ruling on his bail application.

Bauchi agency deplores low turnout for immunisation From Ali Garba, Bauchi AUCHI State Chairman of B the Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Dr. Nisser Umar, has expressed worries over the low turnout for immunisation recorded in the state.

Umar stated this yesterday at a one-day workshop organised by PHCDA for traditional and religious leaders in Bauchi Emirate Council.

The chairman described the poor turnout to the immunisation exercise as unfortunate, saying that a lot of efforts were being made by government to ensure that all children got immunised against polio.

He said: “Vaccines and other logistics provided by the government are being wasted, as our people do not take their children for immunisation.

As our leaders, there is need for information flow so that people will know the importance of immunisation and other health services”.

Senator flays critics From Ali Garba, Bauchi ENATOR Adamu Ibrahim SBauchi-South Gumba, representing Senatorial Zone, has chided his critics, urging them to be objective while assessing his achievements since he took over from Senator Bala Muhammed in 2010.

In a statement by his Personal Assistant, Dantata Tilde, Gumba noted that in 2010 alone, he sunk over 100 boreholes with reticulation and overhead tanks.

He added that he also awarded scholarships to students, as well as sponsored 50 youths for skills acquisition programmes in different parts of the country.

Gumba stated that he paid N7 million advance training fee for seven selected mechanics in mechanical/electrical automobile engineering in a Lagos-based British automobile company, Excellsoir Automobile Limited.

The statement added that the senator donated 35 trailer-loads of assorted fertiliser to farmers in 2011.

NPC begins demographic, health survey From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HE scheduled 2013 NaT tional Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) was on Monday kicked-off in Abia State with nine persons comprising six females and three males as the interviewers.

The exercise is a nationwide one conducted by the National Population Commission (NPC) whose Commissioner for Abia State, Dr. Sam Ahaiwe, said that random sampling method was used to select the communities where people would be interviewed for data collation.

While addressing journalists in the state office after reading the chairman’s (Eze Festus Odimegwu) address, the commissioner called on the state and local councils, traditional rulers and community leaders to co-operate with the NPC and assist the interviewers with accommodation.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WorldReport After retirement, Benedict XVI to take the title ‘Emeritus Pope’ To keep his white cassock, give back red shoes S Pope Benedict XVI looks A forward to a well-earned retirement this week, new details of how he will be treated after his retirement emerged yesterday.

According to a report by The Mail of London, Benedict will take the title of ‘Emeritus Pope’ and will continue to be called ‘His Holiness’.

The report also indicated that Benedict would no longer be allowed to wear the red leather shoes that are one of the most recognisable papal symbols. However, he will continue to wear the white robes, which are associated with the Pope.

The media have been awashed about the pope’s title and what he would wear have been a major source of speculation ever since Benedict stunned the world and announced he would resign on Thursday, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.

A Vatican spokesman, Reverend Federico Lombardi, said Benedict himself had made the decision in consultation with others, settling on ‘Your Holiness Benedict XVI’ and either ‘Emeritus Pope’ or ‘Emeritus Roman Pontiff’.

In the two weeks since Benedict’s resignation announcement, Vatican officials had suggested that Benedict would resume wearing the traditional black garb of a cleric and would use the title ‘Emeritus Bishop of Rome’ so as to not create confusion with the future pope.

Benedict’s decision to call himself Emeritus Pope and to keep wearing white will fan concern voiced privately by some cardinals about the awkward reality of having two popes living within the Vatican walls.

Also adding to the concern is the fact that Benedict’s trusted secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, will be serving both pontiffs – living with Benedict at a monastery inside the Vatican and working in the new Pope’s household.

Benedict has made it clear he is retiring to a lifetime of prayer and meditation ‘hidden from the world’.

However, he still will be very present in the tiny Vatican city-state, where his new home is right next door to the Vatican Radio and has a view of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.

In the absence of his red shoes, Benedict has taken a liking to a pair of hand-crafted brown loafers made for him by artisans in Leon, Mexico, and given to him during his 2012 visit.

Lombardi also elaborated on the College of Cardinals meetings that will take place after the papacy becomes vacant crucial gatherings in which cardinals will discuss the problems facing the church and set a date for the start of the conclave to elect Benedict’s successor.

The first meeting is not expected until Monday, since the official convocation to car-

Benedict’s decision to call himself Emeritus Pope and to keep wearing white will fan concern voiced privately by some cardinals about the awkward reality of having two popes living within the Vatican walls

metres (1,000 feet) when it caught fire and exploded, AFP cited a security official as saying.

“The explosion happened in the early morning. The pressure was too high in the balloon and then fire of the engine touched

U.S. blacklists leader of Mali’s rebel group NITED States (U.S.) State U Department’s has blacklisted Iyad ag Ghali, the leader Benedict XVI dinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday – the first day of what’s known as the ‘sede vacante,’ or the vacancy between papacies.

In all, 115 cardinals under the age of 80 are expected in Rome for the conclave to vote on who should become the next pope.

Benedict has already given the cardinals the go-ahead to move up the start date of the conclave, abolishing the traditional 15-day waiting period.

Lombardi also further

Xinhua.

“The balloon belongs to the Sky Cruise company. The dead and injured have been transferred to the Luxor International Hospital, “ he added.

described Benedict’s final 48 hours as Pope. Yesterday, the retiring pope was packing, arranging for documents to be sent to the various archives at the Vatican and separating out the personal papers he will take with him into retirement.

Today, Benedict will hold his final public general audience in St Peter’s Square – an event that has already seen 50,000 ticket requests.

Tomorrow, the pope will meet with his cardinals in the

morning and then flies by helicopter at 5p.m. to Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence south of Rome. He will greet parishioners there from the palazzo’s loggia – his final public act as pope.

At 8p.m., the exact time at which his retirement becomes official, the Swiss Guards standing outside the doors of the palazzo at Castel Gandolfo will go off duty, their service protecting the head of the Catholic Church now finished.

However, AFP reported that the pilot and one tourist survived by jumping out of the basket moments before it hit the ground, said an employee at the company operating the balloon, Sky Cruise. Both were taken to hospital.

“This is terrible, just terrible,” the employee told AFP by tele-

phone, declining to give her name. “We don’t yet know what happened exactly or what went wrong.”

Meanwhile, Luxor Governor Ezzat Saad has imposed an immediate ban on all hot air balloon flights in the province as Prime Minister Hisham Qandil ordered an investigation into the accident.

West Africa, others reaffirm common position on arms treaty negotiation ECOWAS leaders discuss peace, security in Mali, G’Bissau From Oghogho Obayuwana (Foreign Affairs Editor) Yamoussoukro and Bola Olajuwon, Lagos HEAD of next month’s meeting in New York by the regional blocks acting as a collective to facilitate an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) agreement, delegates to the just ended regional Abuja Roundtable on negotiations have reached a common position on the matter, as the world looks towards stiffer laws guiding arms control, movement and shipment.

Known as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common Position (ECP), the breakthrough in reaching an effec-

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tive compromise is coming as leaders of the sub-region begin their 42nd ordinary summit, which was called specifically to address the dire situation in Mali and Guinea Bissau.

Rising from their Abuja meeting, delegates reached a “common desirable position” on the ATT, which has to do with the provision to curb indiscriminate circulation of arms and associated armed violence, as well as abuse that threaten peace in the society.

In 2010, ECOWAS Defence and Security Ministers had adopted the ECP, which, among key points, frowned at irresponsible transfer of arms and the

HE Regional Representative T of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Pierre Lapaque, has revealed that the West African region has become the hub for trafficking of arms, drugs and counterfeit medical drugs, Xinhua wrote yesterday.

Lapaque, who said this while addressing the media in Abidjan while presenting the 2012 UN report on cross-border crime, said that the volume of cocaine trafficked through West Africa from Latin America was 25 tonnes.

“West Africa has become a region for production and consumption of cocaine,” the UN expert said and added that “at least 10 per cent of the essential drugs that are sold in West Africa are counterfeit.”

The UN indicated that cocaine trafficking had increased instability in Guinea-Bissau, while trafficking of weapons had fuelled the rebellion in Mali and maritime piracy was threatening trade in the Gulf of Guinea.

19 tourists killed in balloon explosion in Egypt’s Luxor INETEEN tourists were Japan, France, Britain and the balloon and suddenly it N killed yesterday when a Hungary, was flying at 300 was on fire,” a local tourist guide named Mohamed told hot air balloon exploded and plunged to earth at Egypt’s ancient temple city of Luxor during a sunrise flight, reports

by Xinhua and Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated.

The balloon, carrying 21 tourists from Hong Kong,

‘W’Africa now hub for arms, drug trafficking’

inclusion of ammunition in the scope of the treaty.

The ECP insists that the transfer of conventional arms to entities out of state control should be subject to prohibition in any future treaty, and also canvassed the recognition of regional economic communities and the definition of their roles. The absence of this provision in the past had been the loophole exploited by nonstate actors in the various conflicts that plague the region.

The Abuja roundtable was called to ensure that memberstates and civil society organisations in the region identify language in the draft ATT text

that could be preserved or improved upon in order to advance the ECP, ahead of the March “showdown” in New York, which is the precursor to a long awaited mutually agreeable ATT agreement.

Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Secretariat has revealed that about 70 per cent of troops pledged to the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) have been deployed in the country through the efforts and solidarity of the troops contributing countries, quoting the Foreign Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Charles Koffi Diby as saying.

The minister, while opening an extraordinary meeting of

the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS Ministers in charge of foreign affairs and defence, in Abidjan on Monday, said the priority now was to expedite the deployment of the force to progressively take over from the 3,500 French forces who spearheaded the effort to flush out terrorists occupying the north of M a l i .

On Mali and Guinea Bissau, the leaders will today begin the consideration of a memorandum to be presented by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, on developments in Mali, in the wake of ongoing military offensive against armed terrorist groups in the northern part of the country.

of a Malian rebel group, accusing him of links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and imposing harsh laws on northern towns in the country.

Ghali, leader of the Ansar alDine, was placed on the State Department’s designated global terrorist list, freezing any assets he might have in the United States and barring Americans from any transactions with him.

The department said in a statement that Ghali set up his group in late 2011 when he failed in a bid to take over a secular Tuareg group in northern Mali “due to his extremist views.”

Aided by backing from AlQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), his rebels went on to capture the towns of Agulhok, Tessalit, Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu between January and April 2012, the statement said.

World powers, Iran exchange offers at talks ESTERN officials yesterW day disclosed that the world powers and Iran have exchanged offers at “useful” talks in Kazakhstan aimed at breaking a decade of deadlock over Tehran’s nuclear drive, despite low expectations of any deal.

The meeting in the Kazakh city of Almaty, Agence France Presse (AFP) stated, came as sanctions bite against the Islamic republic and Israel still refuses to rule out air strikes to knock out Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons drive.

There was no hint of any initial breakthrough with the first round of closed-door talks stretching late into yesterday evening as the parties agreed to resume the talks today.

“We had a useful meeting today,” said a Western official.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Politics APC must learn from mistakes of past merger attempts, says Opadokun Former National Secretary, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Ayo Opadokun spoke to SEYE OLUMIDE on the prospect of the ongoing merger plans among major opposition parties in the country. He believes the arrangement could work if Nigerians support it. Excerpts: O you think the history of political merger in D Nigeria will favour the ongoing merger process of ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA? In the First Republic, there was the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA), which stood for the conservatives while United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) hoisted for the progressive. A fundamental reason they couldn’t overrun each other was due to the system of party politics at that time. There was a repeat of the situation during the Second Republic where we had the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). In the First Republic, the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) together with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) initially formed the government but towards the end of 1962 there was a serious tension between both parties to the extent that some ministers from the NCNC wanted to leave.

Again during the Second Republic, the party dominated by the Ndigbo race eventually was in alliance with the NPN and both formed the government. And before the end of the first term, there were crises between the two parties, leading to the withdrawal of some ministers.

During the Second Republic, the then governors from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) met and attempted to form a forum expected to lead to a new political party.

This effort, however, failed over the choice of its presidential candidate between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. The failure had a further debilitating effect on the parties, especially the PRP and NPP. PRP lost Kano State and Anambra.

This shows that most of the time, those in the opposition who probably would tell the public they were organising a much robust platform to challenge the supremacy of the ruling party had never succeeded beyond the preliminary stages.

One of the reasons past efforts failed was because of the ideological differences between the parties.

Another reason was that the merger had a narrow and selfish agenda to continuing with the mis-governance of the past.

In the developing countries, Africa in particular, it will take a long time to be able to build resilient opposition parties. For instance, it took a long time before the opposition in Ghana was able to dislodge the ruling party under Jerry Rawlings. It has been very problematic for them in Kenya and the situation in Tanzania is not different.

With this frightening background is there any hope that the current merger will succeed?

Notwithstanding these backgrounds, the cur-

rent merger efforts should be welcome. It is remarkable and applaudable that opposition, for the first time in this dispensation, could come together with a forward goal of removing the burdensome PDP. What are your fears for this arrangement?

One would expect that the promoter of the merger drive would be cautious and learn from what led to the failure of past efforts. I am not at ease with the position of the Electoral Act on merger, which says the merging parties must first of all dissolve their current parties to pave way for the new party.

This is a fundamental issue that one would expect the promoters of the new merger have sufficiently thought through it and addressed before it poses a problem to any of the merging parties.

Of course they would first of all hold their conventions, dissolve their parties, surrender their identities to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and hold a convention where they would adopt a name. This is the provision that gives me fear each time I tried to reflect on the planned merger.

For example, once a party dissolves itself and the rest do the same thing, what it means is that a new thing is born entirely. The ruling party would now begin to look for opportunities to infiltrate the camp of any of or all the dissolving parties in order to see if they could get its people into some strategic departments in the emerging new party with a view to destabilising it.

Take for instance, an area where none of the merging parties is in control. For example, take a state like Delta where everyone wants to join the APC and as soon as the merging parties dissolve, a number of PDP strongmen in that state will have the opportunity to sponsor any group or people that will run election in the APC primaries and conventions, to ensure that they have some measure of control and influence in the party.

The chances are there that they could create crisis for serious contenders, who are innocently coming in with genuine reason to contest in the APC. This kind of thing could undermine the emergence of a strong, popular and efficient party that could provide the alternative to the ruling PDP. I would imagine that our friends and colleagues who had been running around to put APC together would seriously think over the possibilities of what I have said.

So, what is the way out?

Given the nature of Nigerians politics, I will suggest that a party in the merger, which is stronger in a particular area, should be allowed to nomi-

Opadokun

nate all the candidates for the election in that area. For example, the ACN should be able to nominate every candidate in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun and in other places where it has comparative advantage. The CPC should also be given similar privilege in the North and so also ANPP. Looking at the strength of each of the merging parties, don’t you think there may be problem in sharing of positions?

I don’t see it that way. They are already together on a template that would put thew APC together for the next political contests. They are already working on the party logo, name, manifesto, symbol and others. On the basis of what they have done so far, I think there is hope they will succeed.

I don’t think people should read too much negative meaning into what is being done because of the history of failed mergers in Nigeria.

People tend to be sceptical about the ongoing arrangement that they do not really think it will make any significant impact. But I think the possibility is there for them to succeed, given some measure of the good will among the merging parties. They can still stake themselves together and make a surprise.

There were high hopes in many areas. Take a man like Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who has a very good public perception; many northerners would be willing to work and vote for him. I don’t want to be pessimistic that Nigerians desire a fundamental change it is therefore imperative of us to give the merger our full support.

What is happening in the Nigerian political equation today under the PDP is totally unfortunate and unhelpful. It is dubious and wicked and if we fail to banish PDP from governance it will soon collapse Nigeria on every one of us. PDP has dampened the hope of Nigerians.

It is clear that those of us, who got the opportunity to fight for the resurrection of democracy in the country, thought that the emergence of a civilian administration would automatically lead to change and improvement of the living standard of our people but that is not the situation today. It is sad.

Today, Nigerians are part of the poorest people in the world where nothing is working and the PDP led administration has lost contact with the needs of the governed. The PDP government only serves the elite class.

I am sure the leadership of the merging parties is experienced enough to create a credible platform that could oust the ruling PDP. What they need is our collective support. PDP will never change; it will never initiate any policy that will improve Nigeria; therefore, we need to change it.

The APC has indicated interest to partner with civil societies organisations, can you explain why a body like NADECO failed to participate in the civil rule after 1999?

When Gen. Sani Abacha died and Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who took over invited NADECO and other groups, five of us from NADECO went for the meeting and our position was that we were interested in the formation of a Government of National Unity. The first thing we demanded was the convocation of National Conference to deal with the serious matters of injustices, unfairness, inequality in the polity.

We could not finish the discussion at the first meeting and when we went for the second meeting, we went with a proposal and honestly, Abubakar almost accepted our proposal but for Admiral Mike Akhighe, who insisted they were also close to the public and therefore, there was no need to set up an ad hoc government.

When we couldn’t persuade them to accept our proposal, NADECO home and abroad could not reach a compromise whether we should take part in the military government until a Sovereign National Conference was held and we had a Peoples Constitution in place. So, for a very long time, we could not reach a lasting position.

I think that was a mistake on our part and the military people were very smart and took good advantage of the situation. They doctored the 1999 Constitution to benefit their interest and that is why you can see the kind of characters dominating our politics today.

The military were also smart to tailor the constitution towards retaining the military hierarchy where the current president, like the head of state, is supreme. The invitation to civil societies groups is welcomed. It is a strategic effort to carry the people along because Nigerians are tired of the PDP.

Lawmaker wants anti-graft war reactivated From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja EPUTY Chairman, House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Nkem Abonta, has advocated more punitive sanctions and punishment against persons found guilty of corrupt practices.

Thus, he has urged President Jonathan to take drastic action to make the crusade against graft more biting and effective.

“The Federal Government must take a holistic approach in tackling corruption,” he said. “President Jonathan must take a deeper look at the issue and ensure he tackles corruption with all sincerity, not minding whose ox is gored.

“He should get some radical young men who are sincere and understand the magnitude of the problem to sanitise the system.”

Enjoining the president to sit up and fight corruption, Abonta, however, said that the war must start from the

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Villa.

“We need a very radical leader who will fight corruption,” he said, referring, to the Asian countries of China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, which, he said, were more corrupt than Nigeria until their leaders rose to the challenge and introduced capital punishment as penalty for corruption.

“As soon as the law came into force, anyone caught stealing public funds or engaging in any form of corruption was either hanged of shot dead,” he said, stressing that today, “we talk about the Asian Tigers because their leaders decided to have zero tolerance for corruption.”

But he lamented that here in Nigeria, “our laws are loose and some of us would not mind going to jail and come back to inherit N10 billion. We know that you can even steal billions and just pay a paltry fine and go home to enjoy your loot.”

Abonta faulted the privatisation pro-

Abonta

gramme of government, pointing out that corruption had rendered it fruitless and unproductive.

“Privatisation is fraud in Nigeria. The essence of privatisation is to make

public corporations work better to the benefit of the people,” he said.

“But in our own case, almost all the public corporations that were privatised have become worse than they were before they were sold. The corruption that has bedeviled Nigeria is also trailing privatisation.”

Abonta also urged the National Assembly to enact a new Revenue Allocation Formula in place of the current one, noting that the revenue formula we are using to day is more political than economical.

“In my own view, we should and must revisit that Revenue Allocation Formula. We are running a federal system that harbours a lot of unitary principles where too much power is left at the centre and so little is granted to the states and local government councils,” he said.

“A situation where the Federal Government keeps over 50 per cent of the revenue to itself speaks volumes

that federalism is not working in Nigeria,” he said, adding that, “I think that the allocations to the states and local councils should be increased while the Federal Government should keep less revenue for its administrative purposes.”

The legislator was quick to admit that the current formula has made many states dormant, only waiting for the federal allocations. “They have ignored their internal revenue sources,” he said.

“The mono-economic structure based solely on oil has not helped matters and I think the issue of derivation should be revisited.

“We had a regional arrangement before Nigeria gained independence and each region was made to develop its own economy based on cash crops such as cocoa, oil palm and groundnut.

“So, I am of the view that the National Assembly should strive hard to review the Revenue Allocation Formula where the component states of the federation will emerge stronger,” he said.

POLITICS 11

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The essence of a patriot and federalist, by Fashola (2) Being excerpts of a lecture delivered by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) at the commemorative public lecture to mark the 80th birthday anniversary of Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu (SAN), CON, on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Constitutional Reformer TILL on federalism, let me say a short word about Local Governments.

This is relevant here because of the role Alhaji Okunnu has played in fashioning a Constitution for Nigeria.

I may not know all the history, but I know he was Chairman of the Lagos State Constitutional Representatives in 2005 in a remarkable effort whose gains for power sharing among Nigerian States were regrettably lost with the collapsed of the now infamous ‘Third Term’ bid.

In 2009, I could think of no other person to lead our delegation and he again accepted to serve his state. In the season of proposed constitutional amendments, the role of Local Governments has come up for discussion, especially on the question of autonomy.

Let me re-state my understanding, that it is the States that are federating to form a union and Local Governments are not part of the federating arrangement. Instead, they are, as some eminent scholars have described them, development centres within the States.

Sensibly, our Constitution has provided in clear terms that the creation of Local Governments is a matter for the States, but it creates an anomalous situation by asking the National Assembly to play a role in listing the created Local Governments.

This is bad enough and the story of the creation of 37 new Local Governments in Lagos and how they have survived is all too well known.

Even our political opponents, who described them initially as illegal, have sought to occupy offices in them by contesting elections to fill vacancies in them. How interesting!

And, perhaps, how inconsistent!

But my focus today on the question of autonomy is not whether Local Governments deserve to be autonomous or not, or whether, in fact, they already are. This is a long debate that cannot be concluded here.

The simple point I wish to make is to state that the question whether a Local Government should be

S

The simple point I wish to make is to state that the question whether a Local Government should be autonomous or not, or what level of autonomy it gets, should be a matter for State law, by the State that creates them rather than a matter for constitutional grant. This is the essence of a federal arrangement. If we intend to do otherwise, we must decide to be a unitary state instead of a federation; and allow everything to be regulated from the centre.

autonomous or not, or what level of autonomy it gets, should be a matter for State law, by the State that creates them rather than a matter for constitutional grant.

This is the essence of a federal arrangement. If we intend to do otherwise, we must decide to be a unitary state instead of a federation; and allow everything to be regulated from the centre.

The Author OUR celebrant has contributed three major works, namely: Contemporary State Land Matters in Nigeria (The Case of Lagos State), Engaging with History and In the Service of the Nation (his autobiography). This is why I think we must celebrate his literary contributions to our nation building.

One of those books, Contemporary State Land Matters in Nigeria (The Case of Lagos State) deals extensively with land matters and I think this occasion affords me the opportunity to thank him publicly for his advisory role to the Lagos State Government in many capacities relating to land reform.

His thesis has always been to urge us to make land easily accessible, properly documented and affordable.

This is why I must say a few words today about the progress we have made in improving the implementation of the Land Use Act. I my view, while no legislation can be perfect, the Land Use Act, in spite of its imperfection, is not the problem. It is its implementation that has proved problematic.

The Land Use Act marked a defining moment in the history of land administration in Nigeria. In general, its intention was to bring sanity into hitherto chaotic land transactions in Nigeria and eliminate the incidence of persons who purchased land from the so-called landowners purchasing nothing more than a lawsuit, or in some cases, lawsuits.

The Act had the immediate effect of providing a uniform legal framework for a national land tenure system where hitherto, we had operated two different systems in the North and in the South. It also addressed three other immediate issues — the uncontrolled speculation in urban land; the problems of equal access to land by all Nigerians and the fragmentation of rural land arising out

of the application of customary law principles of inheritance.

The effect of this was to make investment in agriculture more attractive by removing the incidence of uncertainty of title. More rural land thus became available for large-scale farming. It also opened up land owning opportunities throughout the country and thereby brought about mobility of human and material resources.

The Act also cured several of the impediments and challenges of land administration in the country and enabled easier and more secure access to land for people who needed it for economic development and personal use.

Section 1 of the Land Use Act states, and I quote: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, all land comprised in the territory of each State in the federation are hereby vested in the Governor of that State and such land shall be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of this Act.” I recall that when I became governor, an irreverent friend of mine said to me, “the Bible says, ‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,’ but now, I can confidently say that the land in Lagos is the Governor’s...’” and I quickly interjected — “but not the fullness thereof!”

How far the Land Use Act has been able to achieve the objectives of its founding fathers has been the subject of much discourse.

I am convinced that the Land Use Act was a well-intentioned piece of legislation that sought, among others, to reduce the inequalities and avarice in land acquisition prevalent in the country at the time. Those of us with vivid imaginations and, perhaps, those of Alhaji Okunnu’s generation, will probably be able to picture what the situation would have been today without the Land Use Act. The Land Use Act and Lagos State: In Lagos State, land is a serious matter. From 2009 to date, 1,957 cases involving land disputes have been filed in the High Court of Lagos State.

There were 420 in 2009, 356 in 2010, 590 in 2011 and 591 in 2012. Of the roughly 150 processes that are served on Office of the Attorney-General every week, at least a third i.e., 50 of

those processes are in respect of land or property disputes.

In addition, as the State with the smallest land mass in the country, but host to the largest population in the country, you will understand why I say land is a serious matter to us and one to which we pay considerable attention.

In Lagos State, we have always believed in and been guided by the concept of the greatest good for the greatest number and our policies have always been predicated on this theory.

Consequently, our attempt to navigate the course of the Land Use Act and use its provisions to aid investment and development has been largely successful and I will give you a few examples.

Blue Line Light Rail: The power granted to the Governor in Section 28, to revoke rights of occupancy in the overriding public interest, has greatly aided our ability to embark on the massive infrastructure renewal.

For instance, all the land we acquired along the right of way of the Blue Line Light Rail, which is nearing completion, would have been near impossible but for the Land Use Act. This is a 27.5 kilometre length rail project that will transport an estimated 400,000 passengers daily in a journey that will take approximately 35 minutes from Okokomaiko to Marina and will generate at least 8,000 jobs.

It is the first modern light rail mass transport system in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. It is a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and the private sector, which will provide all the railway equipment under a concession contract and generate their own dedicated electricity.

The light rail system will eventually consist of seven lines but we deliberately started with the Okokomaiko to Marina Line to open up that axis particularly for regional trade.

We are inching closer to a West African trade route and you can only imagine the possibilities when fluid movement along the West African coast becomes a reality, because you can be sure that before long, we will ride by train to Senegal, to North Africa and maybe even to Europe.

Let me tell you about another project that may never have seen the light of day but for the powers granted to the Governor under the Land Use Act. Lekki Free Zone and Airport: Work has commenced on some preliminary work such as access road and perimeter fencing on the Lekki International Airport, to complement and provide an alternative to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

We acquired land for the project, which is designed to handle about 5 million passengers a year with provision for a modular terminal for future expansion.

Closely related to this is the Lekki Free Trade Zone, our rapidly developing export-processing zone. About 1,500 hectares have been acquired for the entire project of which some part will be used by the NNPC to develop a Hydrocarbon Industry Park, comprising of a Green Field Refinery and petrochemical, fertilizer and power plants within the zone.

The interest shown by the Federal Government through NNPC is a testimony to the development potentials of the zone. Already, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the NNPC for the refinery, which will have a refining capacity of between 200,000 to 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

This will help to close the prevailing demand-supply gap for petroleum products and shore up our domestic refining capacity.

The Lekki Free Zone will also enhance our foreign exchange earnings and develop export-oriented industries, not to mention the number of jobs that will be generated by the activities in the whole zone, including the airport.

The Lekki Airport will help to actualise our determination to build Lagos into a hub for air travel. Just thiAnk it for a moment. We are uniquely located at the heart of Africa and barely six hours away to four major centres of the world — London, Dubai, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro. The possibilities and spin offs are endless.

Other Developments: The entire Free Zone is all about investment and development that would not have been possible without our ability to acquire the land.

And I could give you several other examples — our ability to acquire land and re-allocate it to citizens as agricultural land; our various Industrial Parks and Estates at Sabo, Matori, Ilupeju, Ikeja, Ikorodu to name but a few; our Transformer production plant at Badagry in conjunction with a private sector partner, El Sewedy of Egypt — all these would probably not have been possible but for the Land Use Act. I think the illustrations clearly demonstrate that we have been able to use the Land Use Act effectively as a springboard for investment and to propel development in Lagos State.

I my view, while no legislation can be perfect, the Land Use Act, in spite of its imperfection, is not the problem. It is its implementation that has proved problematic.

The Land Use Act marked a defining moment in the history of land administration in Nigeria. In general, its intention was to bring sanity into hitherto chaotic land transactions in Nigeria and eliminate the incidence of persons who purchased land from the so-called landowners purchasing nothing more than a lawsuit, or in some cases, lawsuits.

Fashola

Okunnu

TO BE CONCLUDED

12

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

TheMetroSection Chaos returns to Abuja streets Banned commercial drivers back on Abuja streets, cause disorderliness

Briefs Selina Ebinum, 105, for burial Saturday rites for Princess FdiedUNERAL Selina Mgboba Ebinum, who at the age of 105, begin on Friday, March 1, with a Service of songs at her residence at Obiaruku, Ukwani Local Council, Delta State at 4.00p.m., interment is on Saturday , March 2, after a funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Christ (Anglican Communion), Obiaruku at 10.00a.m.

Thanksgiving service holds on Sunday, March 3, at the same church at 9.00a.m.

She is survived by children including Mrs. Dorothy Akpotohwo, Mr. Isaac Terry Ebinum among others.

The confusion on Kitwe Street

Another scene

From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HEN the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) banned commercial vehicles from operating in the Wuse Market area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a sense of orderliness seemed to have been restored to the erstwhile chaotic axis.

Head, Information and Outreach Programme, AEPB, Joe Ukairo had said then that the development would sanitise the market.

“Wuse Market is like a no-go area because of street traders and hawkers.

Commercial vehicles drop passengers anywhere, anyhow, and pick passengers in the middle of the road.

This ought not to be”, he said.

But when the authorities suddenly revoked this ban, fresh chaos have emerged on nearby streets, a few me-

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tres from the Wuse Market area.

The indiscriminate parkings, stops and pick-ups that had caused what seemed an insurmountable traffic jam at the Tee Junction from the market entrance and exit gates into the Herbert Macaulay Way, have resurfaced on adjacent streets.

Street hawkers, motor-park touts and unscrupulous pick-pockets are again holding sway in areas near the Wuse market bus-stop where unruly commercial drivers were initially banned from loading or off-loading passengers.

Regardless of the presence of stationary security or police vehicles and traffic wardens in these environments, The Guardian noted that the drivers have continued to execute their lawlessness unchecked.

Mariam Sani, a guest at a popular hotel on Kitwe Street, lamented the wastes that daily litter the streets of these new parks.

She urged the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, to convert to “outright ban” the “unending” three weeks quit notice grace period he had earlier imposed on the activities of the commercial vehicles in the city centers.

A few metres from the now serene Wuse Bus Stop, off the major expressway, is Kitwe Street in the Zone Four area towards the bridge, dozens of commercial vehicles perform their haphazardly for business as usual.

Ever since the FCT administration sent packing the commercial vehicles from the exit to the Wuse market junction, the Berger Junction axis of

the Herbert Macaulay Way has also been rendered impassable.

A resident of the area affected by the traffic pandemonium, Adelani Adegoke, said that, “the resurgence of these green commercial buses and taxies on our streets, has brought untold hardship to us as they have rendered these roads impassable.”

He said that crime cases have started to manifest as men and women of shady characters converge on these streets pretending to be touts or street hawkers.

The Guardian gathered that the Wuse Market Bridge and the stream beneath, situated directly in front of Kitwe Street, serve as cocoons for a notorious gang that specialises in snatching handbags from defenseless women.

Niger State govtcyclebans the use of commercial motorcycles (ACCOMORAN), Niger State operators three weeks to Chanchaga to Maikunkele and

From John Ogiji – Minna ITH barely one month after the Kano State government banned the operation of motorcycle popularly refers to as Okada in the state, after gun men on motorcycle attacked the Emir of Kano, Dr. Ado Bayero, the Niger State government has given motor-

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wind up their activities within Minna metropolis.

The state government directives follows the presentation of 1000 tricycles and 14 mass transit vehicles to members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners’ and Riders’ Association of Nigeria

chapter by the state government in Minna yesterday.

The Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, who inaugurated the tricycles, said that from the expiration of the three weeks, no commercial motor cyclist would be allowed to operate from the popular

the Federal University of Technology, Minna permanent site to Gurusu, all within the state capital.

Similarly, the governor has asked the Ministry of Transport to ensure that all rickety vehicles are impounded and cleared from the roads, and in

the process has introduced stiff penalty for those found driving unserviceable vehicles in the state.To bring the cost of the tricycles within the reach of the ordinary people, the government has decided to subsidize its cost, as each vehicle would cost N400,000 as against N624,000.

Traders plead, as Ladipo Market remains under surveillance

By Isaac Taiwo, Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku, Abdulwaheed Usamah, Tolulope Okunlola and Bukola Ojeyemi ITH the abrupt closure on Monday, the Ladipo Motor Spare-parts Market still remains under strict surveillance, as law enforcement agents did not allow any trader to enter as at yesterday.

Some of the traders who spoke to The Guardian on the new development lamented that the closure caught them unawares.

The Guardian also discovered that the market has different faction of unions with some of those factions having little or nothing to do with the central body.

According to the Secretary, 113 Ladipo Traders Association, Mr. Chukwudolue Ifeanyi: “We did not have the premonition of the closure until suddenly on Monday, someone called me to tell me that the market has been shut down. We in 113 Ladipo Traders Association have always been law abiding and keeping our environment very tidy. We do not have anything to do with oil or such product that can make our environment untidy.”

“We are pleading with the government to appreciate our innocence and open the market,” he said.

Another trader, Chinedu Okafor, said: “Even though we operate in a very neat environment, we are ready to comply with any demand of the government that will facilitate the re-opening of the market. We just want the government to understand that there are many factions in the market and continuing to leave us like this would be tantamount to us paying the price for what we never bought.”

The ripple effect of the closure is also being felt by other people doing business in the area. Pastor Chris Etiefe, a security personnel, who works with Enterprise Bank along Mushin Road said, “The closure is affecting us. It is affecting the Bank because the

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banking hall is empty. We are feeling the effect of the closure.”

According to the Chairman, Lagos State Task Force who led the operation, CSP Bayo Suleiman: “The Ohaneze and other Igbo leaders came on Monday to plead on behalf of the traders and the Commissioner told them to come back but they did not show up.

May be they are still having their meetings on how to go about their problems.”

Highlighting government’s grievances that led to the closure of the market, Suleiman said: “You can visibly see it. See where we are standing, it is an asphalt, and asphalt and petrochemical products are not friendly.

They are not friendly with engine oil and diesel. The roads are bad, they have turned roads to mechanic village which is a common knowledge to everybody.

They turned the roads to hawking ground, they trade on the road to the extent that you cannot pass through this road as you wish.”

He continued: “Look at the canal, they turned it into a

Displaced Ladipo Market traders turning the street into a football field...yesterday

dumping ground and we won’t take that. They lack sanitary toilets around this place. Look at the drainages, they are all blocked and by the grace of God, this place is still Lagos state. If we cannot take this kind of a thing in other places, why should we allow Ladipo Market to continue like this unchanged and unabated? When you talk to them, they behave as if they are above the law,” he declared.

On how soon the market will be re-opened, Suleiman said it depends on the traders and their readiness to comply with the government’s instructions.

“When they are ready to tell Lagosians that they will stop doing mechanic works on the main roads, trading will stop on the roads so that people can move freely, it is then that the government will consider reopening the market. They can’t turn this place to a cabal just like what we had in Oshodi in the olden days. We have some residential and office buildings here and people can’t go to their offices as they

A section of the closed market ...yesterday

PHOTOS; KENECHUKWU EZEONYEJIAKU

Ebinum

WIMBIZ hosts media parley OMEN in Management, W Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ) will hold its first Media Parley Brunch on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Protea Hotel Leadway, Maryland, IKeja, Lagos at 11.00a.m.

It will be hosted by the Chairperson , Mrs. Adeola Azeez and its distinguished Board Members for the media in recognition of their vital role and support of WIMBIZ activities over the years.

It will discuss how to empower women in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

WIMBIZ is a non-governmental organization focused on women .

Prof. Ayodele Ogundipe for burial Friday ROF. Ayodele Ogundipe has PA Christian died at the age of 74. wake holds tomorrow at the Chapel of Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Lagos at 6.00p.m.

She will be buried on Friday, March 1, after a funeral service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State at 11.00a.m.

She attended Ijebu-Ode and Kudeti Girls’ Schools (now St. Anne’s) and later proceeded to the University College, Ibadan.

She also attended Kansas University, United States of America as the first student to focus on the oral literature of Africa.

One of her published works is entitled Esu Elegbara, a work which made the original interpretation in Yoruba deity.

She was a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Benin for many years and ended her career at the Covenant University Otta, Ogun State.

Ogundipe

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Photonews

Olabisi Olaitan Olarewaju and and Oluwafemi Francis Afolabi during their wedding at the Inner Room, Omobolaji Gold Hall, FESTAC Town, Lagos...on Saturday

Bride’s father, Johnson Olarewaju (left), groom’s sister, Mrs. Margaret Longe, the couple, Olabisi and Oluwafemi, bride’s mother, Mrs. Felicia Olarewaju and Mr. Olayiwola Garuba at the wedding PHOTOS: OSENI YUSUF

Crisis brews in Ekiti church over Fayemi’s N5m gift From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti RISIS may be brewing in the Anglican Communion in Ekiti State over the alleged use of the N5 million donated by Governor Kayode Fayemi to the Communion in Odo-Owa Ekiti, Ijero Local Council Area, during the burial of Primate of the church, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye.

The governor had, during the burial, donated the money for the continuation of the late Primate’s community service and for the maintenance of the church, which Adetiloye gave to his community.

The crisis has pitted the Bishop of Ekiti-West Anglican Diocese, Oludare Oke, against the congregation.

While Bishop Oke accused the Vicar-in-Charge of the church, Mike Ogunniyi, of not carrying him along in the spending of the N5 mil-

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lion and demoted him, the congregation countered, saying the money was judiciously spent.

To further register their displeasure over Bishop Oke’s action, particularly Ogunniyi’s demotion, the church members last Sunday sealed off the church auditorium, thereby stalling worship.

The sealing-off of the auditorium, according to sources, created tension in the community, leading to the town’s traditional ruler intervening in the crisis to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

Some church members alleged that shortly after the money was donated, Bishop Oke, who is in charge of EkitiWest and Ijero Diocese, handed down an order that the fund should be deposited in a special fixed account on the premise that the donation was an endowment fund and not a gift to the church alone.

The source said some of the church members disagreed with the bishop’s position, insisting that since the governor made public what the money should be used for, Ogunniyi ought to use the fund for same purpose.

According to the source, “Ogunniyi, having got the support of the church members, bought a new bus at the cost of N3 million, while N1 million was used to renovate the church and the remaining N1 million was kept in the church’s account. The bishop was not happy with the way the Archdeacon had defied his order and this led to his demotion to the rank of a Canon”.

But a member of the church council, Mr. George Ogunjeta, denied that Ogunniyi was demoted because of the cash gift, but could not explain why the youth sealed off the church last Sunday.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left); wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark; representative of President Goodluck Jonathan and President of Senate, David Mark; and Deputy Ambassador of the United States to Sierra Leone, Ms. Kathleen Fitzgibbon, at the inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone for a second term in office in Freetown…. on Friday

Rev. Father Joseph Kenny for burial tomorrow ROF. Joseph Kenny will be buried tomorrow at P the Dominican Cemetery, Samonda, Ibadan.

Oyo State.

Born on January 12, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Kenny, who was also a Reverend Father, and fondly known as Alhaji Kenny among his Dominican brothers, spent almost 50 years of his life in Nigeria, half of which was in the services of the University of Ibadan, where he taught Islamic studies at the Department of Religious Studies, which at one time, he headed.

Kenny,was an accomplished Catholic priest and intellectual and in fact, one of the most notable Islamic scholars in Africa and around the world.

He has published several books and hundreds of academic articles on Islam and on Catholic theology. Alhaji Kenny spent most part of his last years translating old texts and materials. He will be certainly be missed by all those whose lives he positively shaped.

: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) discussing with the President General and Leader of the Igbo Council in Lagos State, Professor Anya O Anya (left) during a meeting to present the new Council Members to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, ...on Monday Kenny

Yabo council, rulers to check indiscipline among teachers From Eric Meya, Sokoto ORRIED by the rampant cases of absenteeism among primary school teachers in Yabo Local Council of Sokoto state, the Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Shamaki, in collaboration with traditional rulers, has set up committees to monitor the performance of the teachers.

The chairman said the measure was aimed at checking indiscipline and restoring sanity, as erring teachers would be appropriately sanctioned.

According to him, primary school was the bedrock of education and no serious government would toy with the

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quality of education at that level as efforts to provide a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning would amount to nothing, if there were no dedicated teachers.

The chairman said that he also undertook surprise visits to the schools to ensure that teachers were at their duty posts.

In a bid to improve girl-child education in the area, Alhaji Shamaki said plans were underway to convert the Yabo Day Secondary School to a secondary school for girls only.

He explained that hostel accommodation and more classrooms would be provided to cater for girls in jun-

ior and senior secondary schools.

He also said that the council had recruited 84 health personnel for the 20 health facilities in the area and that 76 of them had been deployed to their respective locations.

He said that the health facilities included 10 primary health centres recently established in the 10 wards of the local council at a total cost of N100 million.

The council chairman said that the focus of this year’s budget would be on rural development, including the provision of potable water, electricity, roads, drugs and educational facilities.

Representatives of old students of Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro (738 set), Ogun, Tola Oludotun presenting 1,000 biros and 1,000 Exercise books to the Principal, Elder Akin Yinka Ola Kunle during the school’s inter-house sportscompetition to mark the school’s 50th anniversary

14 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

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

Editorial A Moses shows the way IVING up on Nigeria is a perpetually tempting prospect.

But just when being a Nigerian gets tough and hopes of redemption seem forlorn, you find a diamond in the rough.

Victor Moses, the Super Eagles super-star, has suddenly rekindled hope of a brighter future in a beleaguered citizenry.

With strength of character and faith in his ability, he rose above the pains of a tragic past, shunned the attractions of an adopted country, and joined other footballers in successfully bringing honour to Nigeria at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

For standing up against all odds to be counted at a time Nigeria needed heroes, Moses deserves all the accolades.

Nigeria can do with more of such committed and faithful servants at all levels. In him, virtues of love for country above self, integrity, character, and, above all, a spirit of forgiveness have been found.

His story of resilience and triumph over adversity is highly remarkable. As a child growing up in the care of his parents, Moses must have been psychologically debased by the bestial killing of both parents – his hopes and aspirations, and the destruction of their home in one of the crises that engulfed the northern part of Nigeria just over a decade ago. A divine intervention came in his uncle who ferried him to England to nurse his pain and give him a new lease of life. With this harrowing experience, he could have justifiably sworn never to have anything to do with the land of his birth.

But Moses has sought out to teach a lesson: that with commitment, any man or woman can rise to the stars; that bitterness, at anyone or anything, over any experience, can only limit the power to achieve while a forgiving spirit can liberate and propel a man to victory. Victor Moses would not be deterred by the violence his country visited on his parents. He returned home to identify with Nigeria’s search for greatness on the sports scene even when he had a choice to play for England, his adopted country.

Indeed, in his sojourn with different English cadet teams from Under-14 through U-21 between 2005 and 2011, he had become one on which the English football authorities pinned much hope. His rising profile actually saw him grabbing a deserved place in the English premiership clubs, Wigan Athletic and currently Chelsea Football Club, after a short spell in the lower divisions. Wigan manager, Roberto Martinez’s testimony that Moses is “something special…offers something different”, is only outdone by his praise for the player “with incredible raw talent ... whose type don’t appear often”.

By rising over the adversity of being orphaned at a tender age, by giving up the certainty of glory with the English national team and pledging his allegiance to his native country, Moses has preached the message of patriotism and service to country, and shown the path to true liberation, in ways no Nigerian leader today has or can ever do. To a country with boundless potentials, but one that has been unluckily saddled with inept leadership, Victor Moses is holding a banner aloft with the emblem: Change! Serve Nigeria and not yourself!

After the brutal killing of his parents in a nation, which, like a demented hen, feeds on its own offspring, all Victor Moses had left was himself. It is the height of uncommon grace, therefore, that he chose to give all of that to the same country.

His victory at the African Cup of Nations and personal life example are pointers to the fact that Nigeria has all it takes to be great. But Nigeria can only be great if citizens would follow the example of Moses’ selflessness.

G

LETTERS

How does Clark help President Jonathan?

IR: The peculiarity of the stitutional matters as if he had politics, all the way from his Sferent Nigerian nation shows in dif- been a constitutional lawyer all Ijaw kingdom. I stand to be corways. Those we did not his life. It is surprising that rected, at the last check, I am elect wield power and authority in a way and manner that make it seem as if they have the mandate of the people. This way, the people’s democratic will, freely given, is devalued because apart from ethnic affiliation with the powers that be, there is no other justification for this state of affairs.

I write this with a question: Is Chief Edwin Clark helping President Goodluck Jonathan by his vitriolic comments against perceived political opponents or enemies? Chief Clark has assumed the position of an unofficial national political pontiff who, whenever it suits him sermonizes on national issues, even on subjects he is not very well informed about.

Recently, the great champion of Ijaw ethnic cause addressed a press conference in Abuja entitled Open Letter to Governors’ Forum. He used the opportunity to attack former President Olusegun Obasanjo for allegedly opposing President Jonathan and members of the Governors’ Forum over what he termed their support for Governor Nyako of Adamawa on his intention to appoint his wife the Chief Judge of the State. He went further to blame the controversy in Adamawa on the “selfish interest of the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Nyako and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who all want their sons to be the governor”.

Chief Clark spoke about tenures of Jonathan as guaranteed by law and on several con-

Clark is accusing everyone without verifiable basis. How has Obasanjo become the problem of President Jonathan alongside Governors’ Forum?

He makes it seem it is now a crime to criticise the policies of President Jonathan.

The elder statesman overreached himself by speaking extensively on Adamawa politics. He accused Governor Nyako, Tukur and Atiku of selfishness for allegedly working to outdo one another in a bid by each of them to make his son governor of Adamawa State in 2015.

Apart from the erroneous claims, he certainly took more than he could chew by making himself a master of Adamawa

aware that Atiku has no son in politics. Even while he was in office as the Vice-President of Nigeria, no one heard of Atiku’s son or daughter in public life. It is painful that a man will speak falsehood freely on national and local issues even when it was uncalled for.

There is no doubt that since President Jonathan took over power, Clark has carried himself like a conquering emperor not minding that the President is not a “personal asset” of the Ijaw people. This mindset of Chief Clark has made more enemies than friends for Jonathan, and there is no justification for this.

• Nuhu Abubakar Jimeta Yola, Adamawa State.

Britain’s choice of same-sex marriage IR: I am disappointed with Svoting the House of Commons for to approve a bill legalising same-sex marriage in Britain. Marriage is an institution that predates civilization and is exclusive to one man and one woman who have the responsibility to procreate the human race, and to nurture, educate, and pass on shared values to their offspring. Neither Church nor state invented marriage, and neither can change its nature. The sexual union of a man and woman is called the marital act because the two become physically one in a way that is impossible between two men or two women.

Whatever a homosexual union might be or represent, it is not physically marital. Gender is

inextricably bound with physical sexual identity; and “gender-free marriage” is a contradiction in terms, like a square circle.

This new “gender ideology”, which is increasingly being imposed on society by Western governments, undermines the fundamental understanding of what it means to be a human. In seeking to make every individual completely autonomous, it destroys the understanding of the family as a community designed for the rearing of children. In this radical new understanding of sexuality, children lose their own rights and become mere objects of adult possession.

• Paul Kokoski, Ontario, Canada.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

15

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Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya (left); Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, Ladi Balogun; Managing Director, Sustainable Finance Advisory, Carey Bohjanen; Chief Executive Officer, M-TECH, Mr. Chika Nwobi and; Chief Executive Officer, EFiNa, Ms Modupe Ladipo, at a panel discussion on “Sustainable Banking in Nigeria”, held as part of activities marking Social Media Week 2013, in Lagos.

Anxiety as Senate, Reps meet over Budget 2013 From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE planned resolution T talks between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the N4.987 trillion 2013 appropriation bill may have collapsed, going by the nonconclusive session of deliberations held with members of the House of Representatives in Abuja, yesterday.

Consequently, the House rose from an executive session, directing its leadership to liaise with the Senate on the next option open to the National Assembly on the matter.

Spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, who briefed journalists at the end of the executive session, declared that it was resolved that the time had come to resolve the logjam, since it was becoming obvious that the President had refused to sign the appropriation bill.

The lawmaker also hinted that the intervention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in resolving the budget crisis had failed.

“On PDP intervention, if up till now Mr. President has not signed the budget and if up till now that gave rise to the meeting we are having today and hoping for another tomorrow, then its obvious that the party’s intervention was not heeded to.

“The truth of the matter is that, though the party is criti-

cal in this matter as a stakeholder, however, we must remember that the House of Representatives is not made up of only PDP members but several parties representing the collectivity of the Nigerian people. Moreover, it is a budget matter that cut across Party lines and affiliation”, Mohammed said.

But findings revealed that some lawmakers are not in a hurry to overrule the President and pass the budget bill by two-thirds majority until they know the exact content of the bill sent to the President for assent.

A law maker who spoke on conditions of anonymity said: “You see, even if we want to override the President’s veto, we need to know which version of the budget bill was sent to the President. We have heard of several versions; some people said the difference between what we passed

and what the President submitted to us is N69 billion; others say it is N169 billion.

What is the exact version that the President has refused to sign?” “ It is also unfortunate that we are just getting to read some of this details from the newspapers. We need to be formally briefed on the grey areas.”

Mohammed had explained that the President has not sent any letter to the National Assembly on his refusal to sign the budget bill.

He said: “The executive session centred mainly on the non-assent of President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2013 budget. We took a decision for the House of Representatives’ leadership to meet with the leadership of the Senate and report back tomorrow (today) morning on the resolve of the meeting, with respect to the National

Assembly jointly taking a decision on the non-assent on the budget uphill now by Mr. President.

“The meeting was also meant to find a way out of this logjam because by now we expected that Mr. President ought to have assented to it, of course he has his own reasons but we can not continue to wait endlessly. It was resolved today by the House that we must do something.

“We have known the areas of concern of the executive on the 2013 budget, those issues are clear and not self-patronizing; they are issues that are focused on the benefit to the common man on the street “As from letter from the Presidency to the House for a review of the constituency projects, we have not received such letter, we have no knowledge of such letter from the Presidency asking the House to review downward.”

Oil prices slide over Italy’s political concerns uncertainty over the Italian LOBAL crude oil prices later London deals.

New York’s main contract, elections limited risk appetite G have dived to fresh onemonth lows as inconclusive West Texas Intermediate and left investors concerned Italian national elections sparked fresh economic uncertainty in the eurozone, dealers say.

Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April sank to $112.61 per barrel - the lowest point since January 28. It stood at $112.78, down $1.66 from Monday’s closing level, in

(WTI) or light sweet crude for April, slid to $91.92 a barrel - a trough last witnessed on January 4. The contract later pulled back to $92.35, down 76 cents from Monday.

“Crude oil prices gave back recent gains and slid lower on Tuesday, following the global downside momentum as

that Europe’s third largest economy may be heading for a hung parliament,” said Sucden analyst Myrto Sokou.

“Thus, the focus has switched again to the European debt concerns, with Brent oil retreating back to $113 per barrel, while WTI crude oil slides lower to retest

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

16 BUSINESS

NNPC stocks up 2.6bn litres of fuel to halt scarcity

By Roseline Okere nationwide fuel sufficienA cy regime may soon be enthroned in the country, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stocked up over 2.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 258 tanks of different sizes in its depots across the country.

Besides, the corporation has budgeted N1.2 billion to curb

… Initiates fresh measures to curb pipeline vandalism the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals in the country.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, who was in Lagos yesterday, to asses actions taken so far to secure the critical System 2B Pipeline at Arepo, Ogun State, said that the deployment of technology to

make pipeline inaccessible to vandals would boost adequate supply of PMS all over the country.

He said that the current stock of PMS would not be static, with assurance that the profile of the volume in the depots would be continually increased.

He added that the corpora-

tion was determined to ensure that the issue of pipeline vandalism became a thing of the past through its current short and long-term measures Yakubu listed the these measures to include immediate mobiliaation of engineers to site to clamp and fix the ruptured points at Arepo to restore pumping of petroleum products; deployment of technology to make the pipeline inaccessible to oil thieves and vandals; clearing and rehabilitation of the pipeline right of way to make the area accessible and difficult for vandals to carry out their nefarious activities in hiding; provision of platforms for security men to effectively monitor movements in and around the area and collaborating with state government and other stakeholders for the effective security of the pipeline.

He said that corporation was committed to protecting the

pipelines from vandals through the configuration work going on and securing the right of ways.

“We hold this project in very high esteem. Before we embarked on this project, we were losing about N600 million every weak to pipeline vandalism. We have handled Port Harcourt and Aba pipelines a couple of weeks ago and we were also at Warri.

This particular line runs from Atlas Cove to Ibadan and we are serious about securing the right of ways from Atlas cove to Ibadan”, he said.

He further disclosed that the corporation was collaborating with all stakeholders, such as the police, the Nigerian Civil Defense Corps and the Nigerian Arm Forces to curb the activities of vandals in the country.

He added that the government has embarked on Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of all the refineries in the country, adding that the three refineries were working optimally. “All the three refineries

are optimally operating and are yielding maximum value.

We started the TAM starting with Port Harcourt refinery.

We have mobilise the contractors. With this we have position ourselves to optimal maximisation of the nation’s refineries. We are working towards reducing dependence on petroleum product importation.

The Managing Director of Petroleum Product Marketing Company Limited (PPMC), Haruna Momoh, said thatwith the over 2.6 billion litres of PMS, the country has no reason to experience fuel shortage for some time.

According to him, NNPC has always ensured regular supply of PMS. “The vandals have always frustrated the efforts

by NNPC to provide regular supply of PMS. The 5,120-kilometre pipeline network are not being adequately utilised due to pipeline vandalism. We want vandals to be prosecuted and sent to jail to discourage others who may see the business as lucrative”.

The Managing Director, Lagos Cement Terminal, Dangote Cement, Akin Adesokan; President, Lagos State Bricklayer Association of Nigeria, Chief Ige Taiwo; Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement, Knut Ulvmoen and National President Block Makers Association of Nigeria, Rasheed Adebowale during the Dangote Cement Parley Meeting with Brick Makers Association in Lagos.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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MoneyWatch Expanding the economy through fiscal plan Are there links between a robust fiscal plan and economic growth or would there be an indication of expanding economy with respect to the size of fiscal plan? What makes possible the robust fiscal plan in any economy? CHIJIOKE NELSON examines the issues involved.

ANY would rightly agree that growing fisM cal plan is synonymous with expanding economy or better still, an indication of effec-

tive private sector driven economy. Yet, for others in many developing and underdeveloped economies, it might also mean a rising revenue or boom from whatever natural resources within the territorial boundaries.

Bu the assumption that growing fiscal plan is an indication of expanding economy, perhaps absolutely right, could also be limited by certain factors like the make up of the fiscal plan; the source of the fiscal plan’s financing; and the target areas of the fiscal, among others.

Obviously, any fiscal plan that is dominated by consumption expenses (recurrent) would hardly impact on the economy, but rather create more need for financing, because “consumption breeds desire for more consumption”. In Nigeria, there has been a long raging issue of high recurrent expenditure content in the national yearly fiscal plan.

Precisely, in 2012, it was 71 per cent against 29 per cent for capital expenditures (development projects), while in 2013, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, it has been marginally reduced to 68 per cent, against 32 per cent for development projects.

It would not be hard to create a clear picture of how little a robust fiscal plan can contribute without a strategic target, especially with the current status quo of budgeting without implementation. This could also tell a better story of the travails of the nation’s economy, which has solidified the trend of rising unemployment level. Even our budget size, given our place in Africa, has sustained a low profile. We are more of budgeting to consume.

The source of financing also dictates the rate of expansion of any given economy. Fiscal plan that is based on deficits and borrowings tend to be unrealistic, costly and narrow, though when strategically targeted, can boost productive activities in the system. Source of financing also defines the funding base, that is, how wide the revenue would be streaming, as opposed to national allocations, which is narrow in nature. This factor tends to show how private sector operators have been faring in the economy and the employment figures, which in any positive direction would mean expanded tax revenue that would in turn, enthrone robust fiscal plan and financing.

Perhaps, Nigeria and other developing and underdeveloped nations have been reeling under the “self-inflicted” pains of this factor.

There have also been setbacks in fiscal plan’s target to expand the economy with programmes that were classified as “white elephant” projects. These projects consume funds, but offer little or nothing to stimulating the economy for optimum productivity and growth. Of course, no matter how big or small a fiscal plan might be, if the target areas are not strategic to development processes, it will be a mere academic exercise. Presently, there has been clamour for improvements and further development of the critical infrastructure in the country like road network, strategic transport plan, power sector, a boost in the non-oil sector and effective strategy for small and medium scale enterprises, among others.

A look at some developed systems’ fiscal plans may have revealed many loopholes in our own system and a new direction for us.

This new direction may have appeared too difficult also for our system to adapt, courtesy of increasing level of corruption and the “national cake” mental disposition.

Dr. Magnus Kpakol, a one-time Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, explained that one of the major differences

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance minister between an expanding economy and one with mere growth figures, is that its exports are mainly unprocessed goods. Invariably, “they not only exported unprocessed goods, but do so together with employment at the end” and this is the case of Nigeria.”

To him, it is an indication of low human and material resources. This perhaps, is an indication of poor fiscal plan and/or execution, with lack of clear target areas, low resource base and import dependent disposition.

Investment experts and analysts have said that growing the nation’s budget is dependent upon finding lasting solution to the fundamental economic issues facing the country, even though there were agreement among them that the size of the national budget was low compared to other countries of choice, they maintained that budgeting is not just a matter of putting figures together, but the figures must be targeted at derivable sources.

They made the assertions in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, saying that budget figures are dependent upon realistic expectations, in contrast with imaginations, adding that the nation must broaden its revenue base to achieve the feat.

Investigations revealed that the Nigeria’s 2013 budget was far below that of Singapore, (though yet to be approved), a city state and an emerging market economy, with a population of about 5.3 million and that of two states in the United States of America- California and New York.

According to a release by KPMG, its Head of Tax, in Singapore, Tay Hong Beng, noted that sustainable, long term business performance, would centre on investments into ‘value creation’, and the brand equity it generates, while productivity and innovation schemes would also be in the spotlight in the fiscal plan.

Also, California State in the United States of America (USA), budgeted about $98 billion, with a target of 62.7 per cent revenue source from personal income tax, while corporate tax revenue rose to 9.3 per cent from $7.6 billion in 2012, to $9.1 billion in 2013, an indication of expanding real sector and business develop-

Shamsudeen Usman, National Planning minister ment.

Also, New York had $143 billion plan in 2013, aimed at closing a $1.3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, while adding new cash for economic development and education, including $25 million to support new full-day pre-kindergarten programmes in high-risk districts and $20 million to fund extended school days or school years.

The experts noted that the fundamental issue facing the country ranged from soaring inflation, high interest rate, unemployment rate, lack of critical infrastructure development to stimulation of small businesses, which holds the ace to fiscal plans’ growth and size.

The league of developed countries, beside whatever natural resources they are endowed, depended much on broadened economic system, while reaping most of their revenue through taxation and diversification of revenue base for national fiscal plan.

The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives, Bismack Rewane, argued that there was a fundamental problem about the country’s growth, which affects the budget.

According to him, Nigeria has not been fully classified as an emerging market, adding that the size of the budget is not the issue, because Nigeria can only do budget with what it has, otherwise it becomes a deficit.

He based his argument on low productive activities in the country, querying whether we even produce here. “Do we have companies here or are their level comparable with those of the developed countries, even in number?

These are the sources of the developed countries’ huge budget. Importation is a problem for this country. Petroleum subsidy issue is a case in point. Infrastructure is another case.

Our recurrent expenditure is yet another issue.”

An economist and analyst, Henry Boyo, said that the size of those budgets in developed societies is made possible by taxation, not allocations of funds, as in the case of Nigeria. He said it is from personal income and corporate taxes. He even noted that only little was earmarked for development projects in this

An economist and analyst, Henry Boyo, said that the size of those budgets in developed societies is made possible by taxation, not allocations of funds, as in the case of Nigeria. He said it is from personal income and corporate taxes. He even noted that only little was earmarked for development projects in this year’s budget. “This a fraction of what the power sector requires.

year’s budget. “This a fraction of what the power sector requires.”

According to him, “there cannot be such huge revenue here because inflation and high interest rate have eaten up real income here.

Companies are not opening up, the ones already on ground are struggling and unemployment rate is high. Where will they now get the revenue for huge budget. We are more like shooting ourselves in the leg.

He said that investors and manufacturers are always looking for a place where purchasing power is high, because it is there that their products will be patronized. “Where the cost of production is too high, together with foreign competition either through legitimate importation or smuggling, the local ones will die naturally. Government should create the enabling environment. This will mean ensuring low inflation and interest rate of three to five per cent. The enabling environment will ensure a solid foundation that will create stream of income to fund the budget, otherwise we will still remain at that pace.

But the Director-General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muda Yusuf, said: “For a country with a population of over 160 million people and a GDP estimated at $250 billion, resource adequacy will definitely be an issue.”

This, he said, “had manifested in the huge deficits in economic and social infrastructures. This is also reflected in the poverty conditions of our people.”

He however, added that “optimality of resource utilisation is a much bigger issue impeding the realisation of our aspirations as a nation. If available resources were better utilised, the condition of the average Nigerian would have been much better than what it is.

“Resources available to a nation are not measured only by the size of the federal government budget.

The States and Local Governments also have enormous resources in their custody. Some agencies of government even have more resources than some state governments. Most of these are not captured in the budget. Only recently, the National Assembly raised an alarm over funds that were not remitted to the Federation Account as prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. These sums were estimated at over N1 trillion.

“What we should actually worry about are issues of spending priorities and corruption.

The resource situation is not as bad as it seems, if only priorities were right and there is less corruption. We are in a country where 68 per cent of the federal budget is earmarked for recurrent expenditure; where N592 billion ( about $4 billion) is committed to debt servicing; where an estimated N1 trillion ( about $6.5 billion) is spent on fuel subsidy . And in all of these, there are profound leakages through corruption. The private sector as well has a role in economic advancement through wealth creation, employment generation and payment of taxes. But the environment is not sufficiently enabling for the private sector to adequately play this role.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Forthright Securities and Investment Limited, Ashogbon Bode, said: “The truth is that Nigeria’s budget size is small, but when you consider also the size of the developed economies- population and technological advancement, there is no basis for comparison. The basic problem now is not the size of budget, because that would come naturally as the economy grows, but it is the target of the current spending with the little on hand. Even huge budget now might induce huge corruption with the current ‘national cake’ mindset. It is unfortunate that basic infrastructure, which is more like investment for further wealth creation are being ignored. But it is the infrastructure that attracts investments and employment, which in turn provides basis for government’s revenue projections. That is one of the secrets of the developed economies. It is possible to have bigger budget size like others, but solid foundation must be laid by ensuring enabling environment and value re-orientation for everyone in the country.”

The truth is that a country’s fiscal plan, both in size and content, is an indication of state of economic health, capacity and direction, at least for the particular year and by multiplier effect, two or more years ahead.

22 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

ICAN members remain tax practitioners, says president

By Femi Adekoya EMBERS of the Institute M of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) have not been barred from practicing taxation in the country, despite a recent court ruling that vested the regulatory functions of the practice with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

The ICAN President, Adedoyin Owolabi, who stressed that chartered accountants still remain very relevant to tax practice, more as the institute even midwifed CITN, made the clarification.

In a press statement made available to The Guardian by the ICAN spokesman, Dayo Ajigbotosho in Lagos, yesterday, the institute explained that accountants, by their professional training, are tax practitioners and the court judgment should not be misinterpreted otherwise.

The statement read in part: “ The attention of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has been drawn to the various newspaper reports on the recently delivered judgment of the Appeal Court on the matter of the right of Chartered Accountants and other eligible professionals to practise

taxation in Nigeria unhindered.

“To set the records straight, we wish to state that, contrary to the impression erroneously and mischievously created in the media and among stakeholders ever since, the court’s judgment did not restrain ICAN members who are not CITN members from practising taxation in Nigeria.

“As a matter of fact, the two key reliefs sought by CITN,

which form the kernel of the controversy between the two bodies (reliefs 3 & 5), were actually set aside by the court, namely: A declaration that it is illegal for any member of the defendant (ICAN) who is not a member of the Claimant (CITN) to practice or hold himself out to practice as a tax administrator or practitioner for or in expectation of reward in Nigeria.

“An order restraining

members of the Defendant (ICAN) who are not members of the Claimant (CITN) from practicing, representing or holding themselves out as Tax Administrators or Practitioners in violation of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria Act No. 76 of 1992 Cap C10 LFN 2004.”

He then noted that the court however granted the following reliefs: A declaration that taxation is legally recognized in Nigeria as a profession sep-

arate and distinct from the Accountancy profession; A declaration that the Claimant (CITN) is vested with power to regulate and control the practice of taxation in all its ramifications to the exclusion of the Defendant (ICAN) or any other professional body or Institution in Nigeria; A declaration that it is unlawful for the Defendant (ICAN) to forestall or impede the Claimant’s efforts to regulate

Dangote partners block moulders on capacity building

By Femi Adekoya O address the current scourge of building collapse and aid effective utilization of its products, Dangote Cement Plc has partnered with block moulders to the effect.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos yesterday, the Dangote Cement’s Regional Manager, Marketing Services, Johnson Olaniyi, noted that the collaboration with the stakeholders in the industry became necessary in order to address the growing needs of builders and end users of cement in the country.

He said: “Over the years, Dangote has been partnering with stakeholders in the country on how best to make

T

use of the product. We have given out tools and various equipments to aid their operations. Already, over 8,000 bricklayers have been trained and the retraining process is ongoing to enhance their capacity.

“The move would also help restore consumers’ confidence in the company’s brand. The interest of the endusers is important to us and we have decided to develop these initiatives to address the needs.”

The Chairman, State Planning Committee for Block and Concrete makers, Lagos, Segun Banjoko, noted that as end-users, they would like to foster a relationship that would address the needs of consumers in the market.

The Director, Air Transport Regulations, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Justus Wariua (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; and the Business Development Manager, Isiaq Na’Allah, during an award ceremony at the weekend, in Lagos.

PHOTO: SOLA OJEDOKUN

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

23 In partnership with

Shipping UPDATE

INTERACTIVE

COMMUNIQUE

EVENTS

Developing The Nigerian Transport Sector: The Way Forward

By Prof Innocent C. Ogwude

E have made a lot of progress in the development of roads in the coun“W try’’

Prof Innocent C. Ogwude

“Government should be able to provide pure leadership that will enhance transport policies with clear directives’’ “FUTO, IoTA and CILT have contributed immensely in the training of personnel and capacity development of the transport sectors in Nigeria’’ The development of the Nigerian Transport Sector has been slow-paced owing to some challenges or factors. One of the challenges in the development of transport in Nigeria is the issue of professionalism. Not very many people have gone into the profession with formal training in transportation. As a result the capacity for effective management in the transport sector is a bit weak. It

would be more productive to have a situation where people are trained to be able to manage the transport sector in a technical way.

Basically there is lack of transport infrastructure. We all know that the transport sector of the country is underfunded and not yet fully developed. But, as you can see, the railway system is trying to make a comeback as is the inland waterway system. Both transport modes had been run down from long periods of neglect. As a result, the systems need a huge amount of funding to revive them and it is gladdening that the current initiatives of government are aimed at this.

There are tremendous opportunities for investment and growth in both sectors of transport, but these potentials are not yet fully exploited. Consider the case of inland water transportation, for example. The sector is under invested because the market

there is perhaps not clearly understood. In the past, the running of inland and coastal waterway transportation was a thriving venture; so it seemed, perhaps in the absence of enough competition from other modes. Some time ago, that is in our transport history, it was possible to travel from Onitsha to Warri and then to Lagos by sea.

You will agree that a journey by that route would be quite exciting to travelers as much as the market would be profitable to investors or the service providers.

Similarly it was possible to travel from Onitsha to Lokoja by river, but these opportunities are waiting to be exploited and I think they ought to be exploited, provided there is adequate marketing by government.

In terms of roads, we have made a lot of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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thE GUARDiAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

progress. Road building in the country has been relatively massive and impressive, i must confess. More road development is however needed to improve access especially to rural areas. however, the development of roads in the country has not been matched by development in institutions needed to regulate transport operations in the road sector. this is a crucial area of deficiency that must be looked into with some urgency. to illustrate what i am alluding to, the roads are built for use by a variety of transport users, call them transport operators, such as luxury bus operators, lorry or tanker operators, and others. While the Federal Ministry of Works is responsible for road building and maintenance, it is not responsible for the regulation of road transport operations in the country, and neither is the Federal Ministry of transport. it is more like in the urban transport sector where transport operators, or trade unions kind of regulate themselves in the absence of a regulatory framework or institution. the problem of inadequate regulatory institutions cuts across the entire transport sector. i am aware that the Presidency has been trying to address that problem through the ongoing reforms in the transport sector driven by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, but the pace has been rather slow, or stalled.

For a very long time the railway had been neglected to the extent that people thought that it could not be revived. the water inland waterways had suffered a similar kind of neglect in the past. the money needed to revive these modes of transport system is just beyond what government can afford alone and that is the reason for the PPP arrangement advocated. however government is addressing these issues right now, with the current initiatives in both the rail and inland waterways sectors. Greater push is however required to quicken the revivals. to have an efficient transport system, there should be an organised and a planned transport system. there should be institutions with clear functions and responsibilities to coordinate and integrate the operations of all the transport modes so that the system works in harmony. imagine a transport system where all the transport modes are working well on their own and it is easy to transfer from one mode to other using terminals such as sea ports, airports, rail stations, and lorry or bus terminals. it would be glorious to see a situation that can be described as “transport made easy in all directions”. it is the ideal transport situation that government should strive to achieve. i think government has such an ideal in mind when the transport policy

Developing The Nigerian Transport Sector: The Way Forward document consistently refers to a vision of a seamless transport system, involving all modes of transport. to move towards the achievement of such an ideal should be the over-reaching objective of government, using even development of all modes. that is, it is possible to aim at making adequate investments across all modes of transport, and to ensure that the system is working in harmony as desired.

Funding is a key challenge in the achievement of an efficient transport system besides critical institutions to drive the process. the new thinking in the arrangement to source funds for even or balanced transport development that could enhance efficiency in the system is the use of PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPP). there is already a commitment on the part of government to use the PPP means to inject funds in the development and operation of the transport sector through the establishment of an infrastructural and concessioning regulatory commission. i think the greatest source of problem in this area is the under capacity in the private sector. indigenous private sector may have difficulties sourcing funds to work the PPP arrangement properly. these things are not as easy to achieve as some people think because, government has other competing needs in the other sectors. however, it is important to encourage the private sector to build capacity for participation in transport sector investments.

Government should drive this process by quickening the reforms in the sector, and by marketing the opportunities there, and by providing incentives for private transport operators in areas of unattractive investment such as in urban transportation. One of the ways in which the private sector could enhance capacity is by joint partnerships that are pulling resources together to form viable transport corporations thereby reducing the number of wasteful competitors. Consolidation of investors will be helpful in all areas of the transport sectors, including aviation and maritime fields where opportunities for strategic alliances can also beef up capacity.

Again government should drive the process of marketing the strategies for incorporation of transport organizations for effective

6B, Maitama Sule South West, Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria P.O.Box 3169 Tel: 234-1-892 2289 Website: www.nigerian-shipping.org, E-mail:info@nigerian-shipping.org,

DiRECtOR GENERAL ith a warm heart, i welcome you to yet another exciting edition of our educative, informative and interactive shipping pullout.

With the new year already in its speed lanes, we thought of sharing with you some thoughts geared towards the development of this viable industry.

Prof innocent Ogwude shares his thoughts on Developing the Nigerian transport sector-the way forward. its an interesting scholarly article that will sure get you up thinking.

NiMAREX 2013 is also here again, its another opportunity to show case the abundant opportunities that abound in our country Nigeria. take opportunity and exhibit or register to attend.

Our structure and analysis of shipping course is also coming upstream and is billed for 20th-21st Feb 2013. Very few sits are left, i encourage you to book your place as soon as possible. the Understanding Cabotage and Local content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry upstream is also getting rave reviews.

Do well to book your place. Adverts to this regards can be found in this edition.

As always, we will continue to strive to bring cutting edge information on the industry to you. happy reading!

W

ify Anazonwu-Akerele Director General

words, the capacity for transport training in the country was very low and when government saw that a large number of people working in the transport sector did not have formal training in the transport, the Nigerian institute of transport technology (Nitt) was established for the main purpose of converting those who work in the transport sector but had no formal training in transport. Nitt also provides short training programs in transport and conducts transport research.

Recently however, some other universities like Federal University of technology Akure, Federal University of technology, Minna; have been approved to run transport programs similar to what that we have in FUtO. there is need for encouragement for more people to be trained in the transport sector.

As far as the transport sector is concerned, harmonization is very important. We have other bodies or professional associations in the Nigerian transport sector, like the institute of transport Administration (iotA), the Chartered institute of Logistics and transport (CiLt), the Associations of Freight Forwarders, the Nigerian institute of Shipping , and so on. there is a need to realize that these associations have a common interest which is the development of the transport sector of the country. the question is whether it is desirable to bring them together? if it is possible these associations can be brought under one umbrella, otherwise a maximum number of two of them can be accommodated by legislation in order to empower them as regulatory bodies and increase their worth.

Professor Innocent Chukwuka Ogwude is the first professor of Transport Management in West Africa, with appointment in 1995, former Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, was Senior Adviser on Transportation to the Presidency (BPE), also former Researcher Adviser to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). He is currently the Academic Consultant to Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and just inaugurated Member of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Integrated Infrastructure Master-Plan of the Federal Government under the auspices of the National Planning Commission. Prof Ogwude is happily married to Prof Sophia Ogwude and have grown up children.

NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF SHIPPING

From the Desk of the Dear Readers ,

and profitable private sector participation in transport provisions. indeed, government should continue to strive to be able to provide this leadership, encourage and sustain private sector participation in sourcing funds, especially through ability to source funds. Clear leadership is needed that will enhance transport policies with clear directives and with economic regulation of the sector, with rules for competition and fair trading.

Education is another great factor which can engender the requisite professionalism. initially, we did not have enough transport schools in the country. the history of transport schools in Nigeria is recent. We are just beginning to have transport schools. in fact the early ones were the limited trainings that were provided in the departments of civil engineering of some universities. We used to call the products of these efforts highway or traffic engineers. Even then Nigerian Universities like Lagos, Nsukka and Ahmadu Bello, had departments of civil engineering but limited capacity in transport engineering training. however they did produce a limited number of traffic engineers, or what could be called highway and traffic engineers. Within the limits of their syllabus, they emphasized highway building and did not perceive themselves in the context of transport. it was not until 1982 that FUtO, that is, the Federal University of technology, Owerri, established the first comprehensive transport school with the creation of two transport programs in the School of Management technology. these two programs, namely, transport and Maritime Management formed the Department of transport Management technology. the first set of people that graduated with Bachelor of technology (B.tech.) degrees in transport Management technology was in 1987. the number of graduates from the transport programs has been increasing since that time, but there is still a shortfall in transport manpower in the country. About 1992, we also began to have other kinds of training in transport studies, initially in the context of geography and planning, at that time in Ogun State University.

Similar transport schools were later set up in Lagos State University, for example. in other

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Uwaje

Johnson

Ovia

Challenge of venture capital in Nigeria’s software development A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development identified limited access to venture capital as the biggest challenge to the software sector of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry in African countries and the Middle East. In Nigeria, this challenge was the subject of discussion at the ISPON President’s Dinner at the weekend. ADEYEMI ADEPETUN reports. Excerpts ITH 60.3 per cent youth population, according to a United Nation’s statistics, Nigeria is definitely a nation W to reckon with in the emerging information society.

As such and with this statistic in mind, Analysts are of the opinion that if youths can channel their energy into a more productive activity, such as ICT with special interest in software development, this will not only reduced the armies of unemployed people in the country, but equally jumpstart the economy and makes it competitive globally.

According to them, collaboration between government and the private sector, patronage among others, can open up Nigeria’s N200 billion software sub-sectors.

Beside, they have also argued that the sector needed the support of venture capitalist.

Venture capital (VC) is financial capital provided to earlystage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies.

It helps to build the foundation for successful business.

As such, while the spread of ICTs has continued to facilitate technological change in the global economy, various reports have shown how the rapid diffusion of mobile telephony and improved international broadband connectivity, including in the least developed countries (LDCs), as well as, the introduction of new services and applications, are facilitating more inclusive development.

Indeed, this not only has implications for enterprise development, but it also expands the scope for leveraging ICTs in such development areas as health, education, governance, the private sector and more.

In order, however, to ensure that this improved access to ICTs brings about the desired benefits, the devices and services provided have to respond positively to the needs and capabilities of users. In many instances, this in turn necessitates access to relevant technological capabilities within the domestic economy. This applies in particular to the area of software, which critically influences the functionality of goods and services offered by both the private and public sectors.

While Gartner has projected that global IT spending will hit $3.7 trillion by the end of this year, it has also pointed out that software spending will reach $158 billion by 2016.

This translates to the fact we now live in a ‘Software-First World, where Nigeria’s future resides.

However, while software prospects remain bright, accessing capital for its development has become a tall order for young entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

This was attested to by the UN study titled; ‘Information Economy Report 2012’, which informed that ICT software and services are dominated by the developed world but developing economies are catching up gradually.

Apart from low venture capital, the study shows that piracy, poor ICT infrastructure and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights as some of the major challenges hindering ICT software development and service expansion in developing regions such as Africa.

In spite of these challenges hovering on the software sector in the two regions, the report maintained that local software production and development can spur economic growth in Nigeria and other developing economies.

The report urged governments in developing countries, which are significant buyers of software, to help the software sector by putting in place policy measures to facilitate the development of affordable ICT infrastructure and introducing legal frameworks to protect intellectual property rights.

Supporting the call for improved local software development in Nigeria, the Founder, Visafone Communications Limited, Mr. Jim Ovia said despite several challenges, the country recognizes software practitioners.

Ovia, at the ISPON’s President Dinner, noted that in most countries, it is usually the private sector that drives the economic growth, stressing that government alone cannot do the task.

According to him, there is huge need to encourage, motivate and inspire ICT entrepreneurs, stressing that what is required in ICT development are skills and passion. He stressed that private sector must be willing and ready to support local initiatives whenever they are called upon.

Indeed, while the UN report noted that enhanced access to

ICTs in developing countries is widening opportunities in areas including health, education, governance, business creation and expansion, the Visafone Founder was of the opinion that the best way to boost ICT growth was to support the young people who have the ideas.

Ovia, who spoke on: “Framework for Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital in the ICT industry—the Role of Software”, called for more innovation from Nigerians, stressing that a major breakthrough in new technology would put the country on a higher pedestal.

“We have the opportunities, populations, directions and forecasts favour Nigeria. Therefore, the way to go for ICT practitioners is to continue to innovate and continue to think of meeting the needs of users. Microsoft, Apple, Dell, HP, Facebook, Amazon, Oracle are all American firms. They have been on for long and remained very strong. There must have been a pattern of encouragement that makes all of them to remain strong and that is one lesson we must learn in Nigeria. They get local patronage”, he stated.

Ovia noted that globally, a major challenge is access to broadband, with Internet penetration at 30 per cent, com-

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ALTON faults 2.5 per cent AOL on members Stories by Adeyemi Adepetun HE Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has described the 2.5 new Annual Operating Levies being demanded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on its members as just too high in the face of the present challenges in the industry.

ALTON’s Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo reacting to The Guardian’s enquiries said: “The 2.5 per cent as AOL is too high in the face of the challenges that we face as an industry and the obvious inability of government to assist us in eliminating issues of multiple taxation.

“We are already facing decline on ARPU and with this increase in AOL unfortunately we have to beging to count the day for some of our operators who are already struggling in the face of multiplicity in taxes and levies.”

The NCC had in Abuja said that it would implement an operating tax on the country’s telecommunication operators in an effort aimed at repositioning the sector for improved per-

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formance.

The regulator said that all telecommunication providers must pay 2.5 percent of their yearly income as an operating levy.

AOL is a 2.5 per cent charged on the yearly revenue of both network non-network providers.

The commission, at a public discussion into the review of the draft AOL has agreed “to look into some of the issues raised by operators, in order to develop a sound regulatory framework.”

Operators Airtel, MTN, Etisalat, VisaFone and Glo all participated in the public inquiry.

The telecoms companies have expressed their concern to the NCC over the huge interconnectivity debt that they must now contend with and have called on the regulator to reconsider the new levy.

Some of the issues the NCC is seeking to address through the new regulation ranges from non- payment of operating levies, delayed remittances, non-compliance to set ruled and

failure to submit financial statement to the commission as required by law.

The draft regulation also seeks to impose sanctions and penalties on defaulters The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah was quoted as saying, “The draft AOL regulations are aimed at creating an effective administration of the operating levy regime.

“They will also remove any ambiguity in respect of the AOL and other fees and charges being borne by operators.”

Adebayo

Govt creates national single window portal to boost information sharing S part of efforts to boost information sharing in the country, A the Federal Government through the ministry of Communications Technology has created a national single window portal.

Disclosing this in Lagos, at the end of the Social Media Week, the minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson said the portal will not only boost information sharing but also ensure that all government information is domiciled in one place.

Johnson, who spoke on “Showcase: Technology in Governance’’ stressed that the primary objective of deploying a National Portal, an initiative of her ministry in collaboration with the ministry of Information was to create a single point of entry for Nigerians to access government information and services online.

The National Portal, which will be launched in March, will showcase all the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government of Nigeria on a single window portal that will enable Nigerians at the click of a button view and engage any desired Agency of Government.

She also disclosed that a government Call Center with vanity number “0700 CALL GOV’’ is set for launch in April, stressing that the Call center will facilitate enquiries, complaints/problem resolution where possible. It will help build a knowledge management database and help support servicom desks.

The portal, Johnson stressed was created with the latest technology with more intuitive domain names (finance instead of fmf, environment instead of Fme)that makes it easier for citi-

zens to view what they want from a single window.

According to her, the portal currently has 20 processes and by 2015, 250 processes of government will be online.

Already, 20 simple citizen-facing processes of the Ministry of Communication Technology, Education, Health, Agriculture and Trade and Investment have already been automated on the portal for the benefit of Nigerians.

She explained that the portal will be multi-featured and have collaborative channels that deliver core content management capabilities in a single, extensible platform and will provide a consistent approach to managing traditional and social content, adding that it will also have live twitter feeds and links to state government websites.

Indeed, eGovernance according to the World bank is the use by governnment agencies of informaiton technologies (WANs, internet, mobile computing) that have the ability to transform the relationship with citizens, businesses and other arms of government.

These technologies can serve a variety of different ends; better delivery of government services to citizens, improved interaction with business and industry; citizen empowerment through access to information or more efficient government management. The resulting benefits can be less corruption, increased transparency, greater convenience, revenue growth and/or cost reduction.

“The portal will bring government closer to the people by improving access of citizens to accurate, timely and relevant government information; as well bring government closer to the

people by making available government information and government services for the benefit of Nigerians”, she stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communication Technology, said it has already designed new standardized and secure web templates and guidelines that conform to global web and security standards for MDAs to adopt in the re-design of their websites before the launch. Thus all MDAs of government will be mandated to migrate before December 2014 to the new security and design standards.

According to her, the expected launch will put Nigeria on the same platform as other developed nations of the world that have such platforms to foster citizen and government engagement.

The national portal has several key benefits which includes improved access to government information for citizens and improved efficiency in the delivery of government services to the citizenry.

Reiterating the role of her ministry, Johnson stressed that the creation of the ministry resulted in a better focus on the ICT industry and egovernance. She added that though egovernance was already happening, but in silos. Government had published and inform websites of 420 MDAs (not standard, not updated regularly).

Nigerians according to her could get Customs HS Codes, NIPOST postcodes, transact websites by Immigration for passport issuance, register for exams and check exam results online (JAMB). But the National portal will have a single window will have all that and more.

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Mobile data to overtake voice by 2018, as device market hits 2.6b units

By Adeyemi Adepetun OBILE operators will make more money from data than from voice by 2018, according to the Global System for Mobile telecommunications Association (GSMA).

The organisation - which represents the mobile industry said that the surge in connected devices and the growth of machine-to-machine communications were creating huge demand.

In the report, GSMA laid out some of the ways that mobile is transforming lives, particularly in the developing world.

Meanwhile, worldwide mobile device shipments (notebook PCs, tablet PCs, smart phones and phones) will reach 2.6 billion units by 2016, according to the latest forecasts from Canalys.

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Tablet PCs is expected to be the fastest-growing category, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35 per cent, followed by smart phones at a CAGR of 18 per cent.

According to GSMA, mobile health services could help save one million lives in Africa.

The five-year forecasts were released to coincide with Mobile World Congress - the association’s yearly tech event in Barcelona, which started on Monday.

The GSMA report noted that the fight against deadly diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and the ongoing fight against HIV will increasingly be helped by the greater use of mobile connectivity.

“Some 240 tonnes of food spoils during transit and in storage every year, but using mobile to track trucks and moni-

Court hears Celtel’s appeal against Econet April 8

By Bertram Nwannekanma and Joseph Onyekwere HE Court of Appeal, Lagos Division on Monday fixed April 8, 2013 for hearing of an appeal filed by Celtel Nigeria Limited against an award made by an international commercial arbitration tribunal in favour of Econet Wireless.

The appeal followed the judgment of a Lagos High Court which dismissed its application to set aside the verdict of international tribunal.

The International tribunal comprising senior Nigerian and English lawyers, had found multiple breaches of shareholders’ agreement by both the selling shareholders and Celtel Nigeria and ordered them to pay a yet to be determined damages/equitable compensation to Econet.

The tribunal said that the purchase of a 65 per cent shareholding in Nigeria’s second largest cell phone company,

by Celtel, Not satisfied with the ruling of the tribunal, Celtel has approached a Lagos High Court presided by Justice O. A. Adefope-Okogie but the judge dismissed the matter.

Perturbed by the dismissal of its application, Celtel went ahead to file a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal against the decision of lower court But when the matter

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came up on Monday, Celtel’s counsel, Mr. Demola Akinrele SAN urged the Court to grant an injunction to stop the ongoing proceedings at Arbitration Tribunal which is in the process of determining the quantum of damages and equitable compensation due to Econet.

But the appellate court presided by Justice Chima Centus Nweze was more inclined to grant an early date to hear the substantive matter.

Subsequently, the Court rejected his request and adjourned till April 8, 2013, for hearing of the substantive appeal.

In its notice of appeal, Celtel had hinged its appeal on seven grounds.

It had argued that “the learned trail judge erred in law when she found that the partial award of the Arbitral Tribunal should not be set aside as a result of the Tribunal’s finding that the first respondent(Econet Wireless Limited) could reapply to the office of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal after the convocation of the court’s jurisdiction under section 7(3)(c) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, cap A18 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

tor the temperature of storage facilities could save enough food to feed 40 million people in 2017 - equivalent to the entire population of Kenya”, it said.

Besides, the report suggested that the use of mobile handsets, e-readers and tablets could put 1.8 million more children in education by 2017.

“Mobile data is not just a commodity, it is becoming the lifeblood of our daily lives, society and economy, with more and more connected people and things,” said, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, Michael O’Hara.

The association predicted that the US and UK would see data revenues exceeding voice by 2014.

Argentina would get there even earlier, it said, reaching the milestone in 2013, while Kenya - one of Africa’s most connected countries - would hit the target in 2016.

It is not just the developing world that will benefit. It predicted that mobile health services would shave $400bn (£265m) off the OECD countries’ annual healthcare bill by 2017.

It added that connected cars could save one in nine lives through emergency calling services and, smart metering could cut carbon emissions by 27 million tonnes - the equivalent of planting 1.2 billion trees.

Shipments of other phones will decline; during 2013 smart phones will overtake feature phones for the first time.

Notebook PCs will also experience a decline (a CAGR of -6%) as tablet PCs continue taking a greater share of consumer spending. Tablet shipments are expected to exceed those of notebooks in 2014. Canalys estimates that the mobile device market in total will grow at eight per cent CAGR. In 2016, smart phone shipments will be double the 695 million achieved in 2012. In terms of operating systems, Android will peak in 2013, with 71 per cent of shipments, falling to 66 per cent in 2016. In 2012, Android took 68 per cent, while iOS achieved 20 per cent and BlackBerry followed with five per cent.

“Just three years ago BlackBerry had more than 20 per cent of the global smart phone market. While Canalys does not expect BlackBerry to return to that high in the coming years, it does have an opportunity to win back some of the lost customers, especially those that miss the BlackBerry keyboard.

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Lenovo re-enters Nigerian market, introduces new solution, PCs

By Adeyemi Adepetun

EADING global PC Company, Lenovo has restrategised and LNigeria mapped out new efforts, aimed at deepning its presence in and other African markets.

According to the company’s delegation, led by Executive Director and General Manager, Lenovo Middle East and Africa (MEA), Oliver Ebel, and and the Africa General Manager, Graham Braum, at a meeting with representatives from government and private organizations, as well as business partners, reiterated the company’s commitment towards empowering its local channel through its Partner Network Program launch.

Recognising the potential of Nigeria’s huge market, Ebel said Lenovo banks on the country’s market for sustained growth and improved profitability.

“Nigeria is one of Lenovo Africa key growth markets and we are here today to affirm our commitment to customers and partners in the country. The ICT sector is continuously developing in Nigeria and technology plays a key role in the development and economic growth of countries; that is why, it is important for Lenovo to bring innovative devices to Nigeria to empower businesses and consumers. This further complements our mission to become the leader in PC+, by addressing the increasing demand to stay connected on different devices.”

During the visit to Nigeria, Lenovo executives launched the Lenovo Partner Network program, designed to skill-up channel partners and strengthen relations across MEA. The introduction of the program in Nigeria, according to Ebel will help existing and new partners with in-depth knowledge and tools to enhance their relationship with Lenovo, including access to a free online resource and a loyalty reward scheme.

Comprised of three membership levels - Member, Premium and Gold Partner – the program is designed to educate partners and potential members on the benefits of working with Lenovo. The program rewards loyal customers through an updated membership status (Premium or Gold) whereby they are entitled to additional resource and benefits.

Commenting on the launch, Graham Braum said: “Our channel partners are fundamental to the success of our business as we strive towards becoming the number one PC manufacturer globally. The channel is our primary route to both the enterprise and consumer market and it is important our partners understand our products and capabilities. Our relationship with our partners is the crux of our success globally and in Africa; we invest heavily in this relationship and ensure our product portfolio and program is designed to enable our partners’ success.”

Founder, Visafone Communications Limited, Jim Ovia (left); President Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chris Uwaje, his wife, Kareen and former president, Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Charles Uwadie at the ISPON’s President’s Dinner in Lagos at the weekend.

Venture capital and software development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 pared with Nigeria’s six per cent.

He admonished countries and companies to innovate, arguing that those who refuse to innovate will continue to struggle to meet global demands.

In his welcome address, the president of ISPON, Dr. Chris Uwaje said 2012 was a year of multiple challenges to the ICT sector in terms of venture capital investment, adoption of national software strategy, policy and patronage for indigenous software.

Uwaje said there was need to look at the 2013 ICT outlook

ICANN appoints ATCON boss as member of working group on gTLD Directory Services HE Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers T (ICANN) has announced the selection of Mr. Lanre Ajayi, as one of the members of the Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services.

Ajayi, an engineer is the Managing Director of Pinet Informatics Limited, one of the first ISPs in Nigeria. He is the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). He has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN) and Africa ISP

Association (AfrISPA). He is a founding member of AfriNIC. He also has served as a member of the National Cybercrime Working Group of Nigeria. He currently serves as a GNSO Council member appointed by the NomCom and is based in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that on December 13, 2012, ICANN’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Fadi Chehadé announced the creation of an Expert Working Group on gTLD Directory Services and invited volunteers to submit applications to indicate their interest in serving on it.

and its windows of opportunities for IT entrepreneurs, with particular reference to software startups.

“The comfortable mantra seeking to explain the inability to designate special funding scheme to promote innovation and youth entrepreneurship start-up development on the grounds of lack of realistic for lending opportunities collateral for lending opportunities, is to state the least, a blatant misinformation to the pioneers and champions of software Nigeria”, he stated.

According to him, no time was more auspicious to address the national software issue than now. He stressed that there was an urgent need to retool the national workforce to respond to the challenges of the knowledge economy.

Uwaje stressed the need for a political will in the drive towards software development “It should be note that there is a fundamental ICT shift both in policy articulation, strategic approach and implementation actions—consciously driven by political will”, he said.

But the chairman of the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun state, Prof. C.K. Ayo believed that education today would be incomplete without knowledge and support of enterprises.

Prof. Ayo said the country should know that it is competing with other nationals and institutions in the world. “It is a known fact that in a capitalist economy, financial benefits flow to those who control and supply the financial capital but in a knowledge-based economy, necessitated by the current globalisation drive, financial benefits accrue to those who control and supply intellectual capital.

“It is not surprising therefore that allover Africa; most lucrative jobs are gotten by foreign nationals, particularly the Asian Tigers. This is a wakeup call”, he stated.

The Covenant VC believed that if software development must attract venture capital there was need to resolve the missing link in the nation’s knowledge capacity; stimulate software capacity development amongst Nigerian youths; recognize and mentor the best software start-up of the year and turn Nigeria into a globally recognized software devel-

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IT & Telecom Digest now CEBIT’s representative in Nigeria RGANISERS of CeBIT, reputed globally as the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications soluO tions, Deutsche Messe AG, have appointed Fairpros, the equally

A call centre operation in progress

BlackBerry Z10 Smartphone arrives Nigeria LACKBERRY has informed of the availability of its newly launched BlackBerry Z10 smartphone in Nigeria.

The BlackBerry Z10, powered by BlackBerry 10, will come in black and white and will be available from March 1 from carriers Etisalat, Glo, Airtel and MTN Nigeria, and at authorized retail outlets from distributors EMS and Brightstar.

The new all-touch BlackBerry Z10 is the first smartphone to

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NITDA, Omatek, others for West Africa E-Learning conference, exhibition EY players in Nigeria’s technology industry including K the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Omatek Computers Ventures Plc, Phase 3 Telecoms and CHAMs Plc are leading the support base for the inaugural West Africa ELearning Conference & Exhibition (WAeLCE).

The event is designed to articulate on technology solutions geared at addressing the shrinking admission spaces in the traditional campus-based learning institutions. The multi-partnerships event to be hosted by the University of Lagos is holding March 27 and 28 with the theme: ‘Expanding educational opportunities through ICT. Organised by Baobab Media, WAeLCE is part of the ‘Education for Life Series’ of the Pan African media organisation. It is drawing support from multi-levels stakeholders notably the Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Ghana; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria; the Ministry of Education, Ghana; United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); The University of Lagos; and Covenant University.

WAeLCE 2013 is also featuring support from major industry players including STBS Group/TrainingSol of Sierra Leone, JKK/ETC, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, and Abidjan-based RASCOM. “WAeLCE is holding inside the University of Lagos to press home the point that technology is needed to re-energize our educational institutions to meet the increasing challenges of education in the 21st century and beyond. Education is a critical element of increasing the standard of living on the continent. The increasing gaps in the educational sector where only 28 per cent out of 1.5 million prospective applicants gained admission into Nigerian universities every year can only be closed through deploying technology resource to the education sector. Contrast this figure with China’s 300 million students of online universities.

WAeLCE 2013 is an all ‘Stakeholders Event’, the Event offers public and private sector player, research and educational institutions, web and other

technology providers as well as other stakeholders the opportunitytoshareandarticulateon common forward plans,” said Chairman of Baobab Media, Director of Business Environment at the USAID West Africa Trade Hub, Accra, and former Deputy Executive Secretary, ECOWAS Executive Secretariat, Dr. Sola Afolabi.

launch with the re-designed, re-engineered, and re-invented BlackBerry 10 platform, giving customers a powerful and unique new mobile computing experience.

Managing Director for West, East and Central Africa at BlackBerry, Waldi Wepener said, “We are excited to build on our success as the leading smartphone provider in Nigeria with the launch of the new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone. BlackBerry 10 provides a whole new mobile computing experience for our Nigerian customers, as well as more choice alongside our range of BlackBerry 7 smartphones, which remain very popular in Nigeria.”

Wepener disclosed that the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone is the fastest and most advanced BlackBerry smartphone yet, and offers a smarter experience that continuously adapts to a customer’s needs. It features a 1.5 GHz dual core processor with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 64GB of additional storage.

The smartphone also includes the latest enhancements in high density pixel and screen technology to display clear, sharp, and incredibly vivid images. It features a micro HDMI out port for presentations, and advanced sensors such NFC (near field communications) to support mobile payments and the exchange of information with a tap of the smartphone.

The BlackBerry Z10 is currently available for pre-order at authorized BlackBerry carriers and retailers in Nigeria.

well known international trade fair marketing company, as its representative for Sub-Saharan Africa. Fairpros, the German company, is represented in Nigeria by IT & Telecom Digest.

With this appointment, Fairpros, which has offices in Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe to consolidate its headquarters in Germany, is now effectively the company officially responsible for registering trade visitors to events such as CeBIT and others organised by Deutsche Messe AG in Hannover, Germany.

The Fairpros Nigeria Representative office is managed and run

by Africa’s leading award-winning and foremost Information and Communications Technology Magazine, IT & Telecom Digest.

Managing Director of Deutsche Messe Worldwide,Mr. Wolfgang Lenarz had during a working visitor to Nigeria late last year, held a meeting with Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang, to cement discussions that had begun with Fairpros in Germany.

The appointment of Fairpros to take over the management of registration of visitors to events such as CeBIT in Hannover, comes on the heels of its similar efforts in overseeing and handling trade visitors to events in German cities such as Berlin, Nurmberg and Cologne.

With this appointment, Nigerians willing to attend CEBIT in Hannover can now have quick and easy access to all processes here in Nigeria, thus leveraging also on IT & Telecom Digest’s long years experience in organising conferences for the international event.

Prior to this appointment, the Nigerian office of Fairpros International Marketing, the Official Representative for SubSaharan Africa to Messe Berlin, KoelMesse and MesseNurmberg, is effectively run by IT & Telecom Digest, thus registering trade visitors for several leading international fairs in Berlin, Cologne and Nuremberg, Germany; and now, Hannover has been added to the list.

This appointment came just as preparations hit top gear for CEBIT 2013, which is scheduled to hold between March 5 and 9 2013 in Hannover Germany.

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Zinox boosts economic growth with technology hub

By Adeyemi Adepetun O further deepen its commitment to Nigeria’s development, Technology Company, Zinox has relocated its hub from overseas to the country.

According to the Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; “Our commitment to assist the Nigerian nation to become a world class Knowledge Driven society inspired us to relocate our hub from overseas to Nigeria with the installation of a brand new state of the art iDirect Internet Evolution Hub.” Speaking to research fellows on the last day of their industrial attachment at the Zinox factory complex, Ekeh revealed that Zinox made substantial investment in the installation of the hub because of its philosophy that no country can participate and excel in the 21st Century without an IT identity, which acts the role of a digital conscience.

“The Hub would bring relief to many educational institutions beginning from April 2013 when Zinox streams e-Content to educational institutions at half the present cost”, he stated.

Ekeh claimed that Zinox operates the largest E-library domain in Africa and plans to reduce the cost to enable schools take advantage of it.

He told the research fellows that from available records, Zinox has deployed the largest number of E–Libraries in the whole of Africa and powered her new evolution HUB in Lagos to take control of broadband access to many institutions and cities in Nigeria.

His words; “we presently have huge bandwidth

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resources to meet our customers’ short term and long term needs. Our focus is more on knowledge centers and underserved communities across the country”.

The Zinox Group boss further revealed that “these centers were being serviced from our Washington location but now we have completed test running and have commenced seamless migration of our corporate Customers from our new Hub which runs 24 x 7”.

Zinox is also offering additional facilities like NOC to major corporate sponsors to enable them monitor bandwidth consumption, efficiency and effectiveness of the networks deployed nationwide from the comfort of their offices or homes.”

The Zinox New Evolution platform, the Zinox Chairman explained, is efficient, scalable, flexible and is readily available 99 per cent of the time. He said the technology guarantees redundancy Internet access through VSAT and Fiber infrastructure using MPLS technology.

As a self-organizing network with full redundancy the teleport is well backed up with round the clock uninterrupted power and the entire network is installed with N+1 protection which ensures that the Hub has spares in case of service failure.

The Zinox team of skilled, tested, and professional Engineers are already motivated and equipped with Network Management tools to monitor the whole Network round the clock.

Customers will get support anytime of the day, all year round, added Ekeh.

Dimension data launches cloud services in Nigeria

By Bankole Orimisan IMENSION Data announced that its global D Managed Cloud Platform (MCP) is now available in Nigeria to serve the needs of public and private enterprise, as well as service providers.

The firm explained that its cloud offering will enable clients to accelerate their adoption of cloud computing, increase strategic agility, lower ICT infrastructure management expenses, and reduce cloud migration complexity and risk.

Indeed, cloud technology presents a new consumption model for ICT solutions and services wrapped in a predictable, monthly commercial model, which allows its adopters to reduce cost as cloud reduces the total cost of ownership of managing infrastructure and applications.

According to General Manager, Enterprise Solutions, Dimension Data Nigeria, Jide Agabje, “The availability of cloud computing in Nigeria makes it easier for organisations to harness the cost and agility benefits of Cloud as it provides organisations high speed access to secure, enterprise-class public, private, hybrid and hosted private cloud services in the country.

In the words of Solutions Executive for Africa, Tony Munro, “While the benefits of cloud computing are very compelling, the complexity of planning, building and managing cloud infrastructure, is significant. Cloud providers need to address client concerns about security, com-

pliance, integration, performance, capital expense requirements, as well as deployment and operational risks – to allow clients accelerate their Cloud journey.”

Agbaje said the company’s public cloud services are available immediately and dedicated private cloud services can be deployed in a matter of weeks, allowing clients to enjoy the benefits of a fully automated Cloud architecture without the risks or excessive time associated with building the architectures themselves.

He said the company offers public and private cloud Compute-as-a-Service (CaaS) solutions that provide self-service, on-demand, cloudbased compute, storage and networking resources which are fully managed using a Web-based or REST-based Application Interface (API), stressing that Dimension Data’s managed hosting services go beyond infrastructure hosting and also include deployment, management and delivery of applications.

“The MCP is enterprise-grade, offering multiple layers of security, administrative controls, 99.99 percent availability SLAs on public cloud, 24/7 support and integrated management capabilities. “Our cloud IaaS offerings are designed to address the performance and security concerns of organisations. We have made it easier and less complex for organisations of every size to benefit from the flexibility and scale of cloud technologies through automation and broad global coverage”, Agbaje said.

Venture capital and software development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 opment nation.

According to him, Nigeria currently imports over 90 per cent of the total ICT software and infrastructure. “Let us emulate the Indian experience”, he stressed.

However, as part of efforts aimed at building the right foundation for software development, the minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson at the just concluded Social Media Week in Lagos restated government’s commitment towards developers.

Johnson said government would launch the much awaited $15 million venture capital fund for software developers by April 2013.

According to her, the ministry on behalf of the Federal Government is going through the process of selecting the fund managers.

The $15million venture capital fund, according to Johnson is to be launched in April after the selection of fund managers who will serve on the investment committee.

“There’ll be money available for software developers, not only those that are in government inspired hubs but those that are actually developing software.

“They can actually apply for this fund…and if the investment committee thinks they are worthy then they get the fund.”

It will be recalled that the plan to launch the ICT venture capital fund was first announced August last year by the minister.

It must also be mentioned that some firms, including Intel are already providing

ICT tools, support and other logistics for Nigeria’s software development.

In an interview with The Guardian, during his visit to Nigeria last week, Intel’s Senior Director, Software Alliances, Kumar Balasubramanian, said software services and content was a very fundamental part of what the world needed today. “You can buy the device, the laptop, smart phone anywhere, but I think more than ever, the usage experience is becoming a critical part of what makes people want to own to own these devices.

“Our support to app developers in Nigeria is to ensure software innovation happens faster and keep pace with the hard ware innovation across the globe.”

Indeed, the UN report noted that “Software production can contribute to the structural transformation of economies, that is, wean them away from dependence on lowtechnology goods and on a limited number of products for export.”

The report noted that Kenya and South Africa top the continent in supplying software and services for domestic consumption, with areas of focus being smartphones and tablets, as well as mobile applications driven by mobile broadband Internet services.

A software developer, Kehinde Lawal, who spoke to The Guardian believed strongly that a startup fund for developers would spur more innovation.

“Nigerians are fantastic. The Youths are very creative. The challenge is funding. You need to see people at the Co-Creation Hub in Yaba and see codes people are writing. The challenge has always been funds and chan-

COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

General Manager Lenovo Middle East and Africa, Oliver Ebel (left); Associate group Head CMC CONNECT, Sola Solotan and General Manager Lenovo Africa, Graham Braum, at the Lenovo press conference on the launch of Lonovo product in Nigeria, in Lagos.

PHOTO; SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Group to offer free ICT training for youths in tertiary institutions

By Bankole Orimisan N an effort to empower Nigerian youths on Information Communication Technology ( ICT) base knowledge in the country, Xreme Mindz limited, Projectx ICT Empowerment Initiative and Christian Fellowship International have partnered to render free ICT training for students in 50 Nigeria higher institutions.

This was released at press briefing held in Lagos on Monday by Xtreme Mindz. According to Projectx, statistics in Nigeria today shows that ICT illiteracy rate, among young people in and out of secondary and higher institutions of learning stands at an alarming rate and this is attributable to either low access to adequate ICT materials which would have helped to impart ICT skills on the individual.

The firm, given an insight of a sample test, conducted in Edo State, the survey between February 2009 and May 2011 in major higher institutions of learning the following statistics were gathered from the exercise; Over 10,000 questionnaires were administered to various faculties in University of Benin, Edo State College of Education Colben, Benson Idahosa University and Shaka Polytechnic Edo State. It was spread across first year to final year students and the following are feedbacks obtained from the questionnaires; - 92.4 per cent of the students had no knowledge of any of the below stated ICT/Creative Media Programs: Excel, Powerpoint, Oracle, Ccna, Java, Autocad, Website Design, Visual Basics, Photoshop, Coreldraw, Adobe After Effect, Illustration.

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Out of the 92.4 per cent the following were obtained 31 per cent of the students they had no basic information or idea on how any of these programs will enhance their profession, in terms of getting a job after school 12.8 per cent of the students stated that the training fee had been their basic challenge; 48.6 per cent of the students stated that, both the training fee and the awareness have been their challenges. - 7.6 per cent of the students in the above institution had basic skills in one or more of the above ICT/Creative Media programs.

According to the Xtreme Mindz limited, which is going to finance the training that will hold between March 26 and 27 while other activities will follow with six million naira,said that the motive behind the Programme is to ensure that Nigerian students in various higher institutions in the country are having a better future after school and adding more skills to the certificate given to them in their various institutions.

Said that, this has been the challenges of our graduating students in the country, most of them do not know how to operate a computers after leaving schools as a graduate in the society.

The ( CFI )which stand for Christian Fellowship International Jam Sumit 2013’which was described by Chiemezie Ofodum, the Executive Officer, said that the sumit is a Esther gathering and there is no discrimination weather you are a Christians or Muslims you are welcome. He explained that there passion is to just ensure that the future of our youths in Nigeria would not wast after there leaving schools.

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ICT evolution, Nigeria and rest of the world in 2013

By Tim Akano Mobile device heterogenity: HERE are already in the market today over 1000 brands of Smartphone and tablets across the globe. The market will witness many more new smart phones and tablets joining the already saturated segment and then the current ‘’blue Smartphone ocean’’ will turn ‘’red ocean’’ and become dog-eat – dog.

Nonetheless, the ‘’new money’’ is not in Oil and Gas, it is not in Telecommunication companies selling of airtime. It is also not in selling hardware like tablets and Smartphone. No! The new money is in Mobile Apps development. Top on the league table of hardware manufacturers today includes HTC’s butterfly, Dell’s Streak, Microsoft’s Surface, ZTE’s Nubia, Huawei‘s Ascend Mate, Blackberry, DataWind’s UbiSlate, Samsung’s Galaxy Note, iPad , iPhone , Goggle Smartphone, Kindle, NOOK , TECHNO, and Intel’s YOLO among others. For consumers – it is good news as prices will continue its downward journey towards south in 2013. In the process, Tablets and Smartphone will become increasingly commoditized. There will be heavy causalities in this market this year. My take is that ultimately, the Apple strategy will not stand the test of time- except Apple changes its ‘’closed strategy’’.

Human beings are social animals and they cherish freedom, variety and flexibility above other consideration.

Therefore, Apple’s closed strategy cannot win in the final analysis. Android – with its flexibility and ease of use will erode Apple’s market share. Already, about 90 per cent of the Smartphone shipped in the last quarter of 2012 had Android inside. This perhaps explains the Apple shareholder increasing anxiety about the future of Apple without Steve Jobs. Little wonder why Apple stocks fell by 12 per cent in January alone.

Nokia and Microsoft- the famous two old Elephants will pull a positive surprise in this space in 2013.

Blackberry will not make much impact in North America and Europe- despite the new blackberry E10 that was released in January 2013. But

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features) before the end of this year- therefore the current players that sell for N100, 000.00 and above will lose market share to what I call ‘ECONOMY SMARTPHONES’’ -if they do not change strategy. Finally, mobile homogeneity will begin to encounter huge problem (Apple model), whilst Mobile heterogeneity (Android model) will thrive and dominate the market. The question now is: where does Nigeria stand in all this? – Or how does this benefit Nigerians? One, I predict the emergence of ‘NEW APPS SOFTWARE DEVELOPER MILLIONAIRES’’ in Nigeria in the next 5 years that will dwarf Akano Dangote, Adenuga, Ovia’s monies! Hitherto, the monin Nigeria, Despite the popueyed-people have always larity of Blackberry chatting emerged from Trading and facility, there will be serious attempt to snatch its ‘’feeding Manufacturing (Aliko Dnagotes) or Oil and Telebottle’’ in Nigeria by other Smartphone makers this year. coms (Mike Adenugas ) or Banking and Finance ( Jim For Corporate organizaOvias). The Nigerian new miltions, this is a year they will need to evolve viable, practica- lionaires will dwarf Adenuga ble BYOD- Bring Your Own De- and Dangote’s money in a vice strategies. Corporate data speed of light and they will is gold, with every staff having be ‘’small smart boys’’- Under 25s who have excelled as MOan average of 3 mobile devices, organizations without a BILE APPS SOFTWARE DEVELveritable BYOD is in danger of OPER. After all, the founders of losing its data to competition.

Facebook, Google, Twitter In the long and short of it, and Groupon were already we are in a year of MOBILITY. far richer than any man in Our lives – in schools, organiAfrica before they celebrated zations, Churches, homes, their 21st birthday. I see NEW cars, -all over will revolve MILLIONAIRES emerging around mobile devices. Mofrom Nigeria soonest. I chalbile devices will come with lenge the Ministry of Inforamazing new features this mation technology to create year. Things hitherto though an enabling platform to impossible will happen – like achieve this. using mobile phone as car Convergence of mobile and key, or as door key to the cloud computing house, using mobile phones The line between mobile and to start and off air conditioners or to control the refrigera- cloud solution will become thinner in 2013 the concept tor temperature among of a personal computer will others will happen this year.

It is my prediction that Nige- be replaced by the new concept of a private cloud. Most ria will play a more central individual and commercial role in MOBILITY EVOLUTION services including storage this year- beyond its current sync across device will be role of pure consumer. hosted on private cloud Two, 2013 is a year of what I going forward. Life will move call ‘’COLLABORTIVE OPEN more virtual in 2013. The conSOURCE (COS) – so if Apple cept of VIRTUAL ALIEN is very does not change its current critical for Nigerians youths strategy – we might begin to as they can tap into the opsee the beginning of the end portunity to work for foreign for Apple with regards to its companies and get paid in domination of Smartphone DOLLAR without travelling business. Three, Smartphone abroad. Office of the future will become a commodity- it will sell for N15, 000.00 (To be will migrate virtual. More people will begin to work sure the N15, 000.00 Smartfrom home as against having phone will perform all the physical office. About 6 milfunctions and contain all the

lion Americans worked from home in 2012. This new development will become global phenomena in 2013. With the improvement in Internet and broadband, it becomes easier to go virtual even in education, in church, in the media. Virtual education is growing like a wild fire now globally.

The demise of physical office: For the past three years, the question: who needs an office have been posed globally several times at conferences and seminars. From 2013, what I call ‘’BRIEF CASE OFFICES’’ will gradually begin to replace the traditional brick- and- mortar space. In the US alone, the Census Bureau estimates that six million Americans work from home. With the improvement in internet bandwidth supply in Nigeria, cloud computing will make data backups and real-time collaboration, ideasharing become much easier and remove the need for physical walls. Video conferencing with better picture and sound quality at cheaper prices will become possible. Government’s role is that of an enabler. Therefore, if Nigeria government is desirous of creating small and medium business that will thrive without incurring the huge cost of physical office, it will need to provide ‘’hot spots’’ all over Nigeria and make the accessing fees like N50.00 per. Agencies in charge of small and medium business like SMEDAN, SURE-P, NDE (National Directorate of Employment) and even CBN can take over this responsibility. There is need for fresh, new thinking in the government approach to job and wealth creation. There is too much ‘’old thinking’’ – which technology has rendered obsolete. For instance – if SURE-P had invested just 10 per cent of oil subsidy in what I call ‘’JOB ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES’’- by now it would have created over 1million jobs using Technology. Even for the media houses that are bleeding, I once proposed to some of them that the media houses that will thrive today in the midst of migration of advertisement to the ‘’new media’ space of goggle, twitter, facebook and others will have to give serious consideration to virtual newsroom as opposed to the traditional news room with its concomitant huge capital outlay.

To be Continued

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MaritimeWatch Capacity building as impetus to maritime sector’s growth

Akpobolokemi

By Moses Ebosele ESIDE infrastructural challenges, imminent dearth of human capital has been identified as one of the greatest constraints facing Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Federal Government seems to understand this problem and has always reiterated its commitment to addressing the issue on a sustainable basis, through sponsored training and creating necessary atmosphere for the transfer of skilled knowledge within the system.

According to experts, human capital development in the maritime sector is another viable avenue through which the government can generate numerous jobs as some countries are in dire needs of qualified personnel to occupy sensitive positions.

In Nigeria, the demise of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995 is believed to have created huge gap in human capital development in the sector, as qualified personnel are either now retired or presently actively involved in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Established by the Federal Government in 1959, NNSL was liquidated in 1995 and all its 21 vessels sold making it almost impossible to train fresh hands to meet future challenges.

Besides, some observers are of the opinion that the ongoing clamour for the full implementation of the Cabotage law may face stiff challenges without adequate man power to sustain its execution.

According to the cabotage law, foreign vessels are not allowed to partake in any domestic coastal trade as obtainable in other developed countries of the world, while it will at the same time promote the development of indigenous tonnage and to establish a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and for related matters.

Affirming government’s resolve to tackle the challenges of human capital development, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Maritime Services, Olugbenga Leke Oyewole Oyewole, in a chat with The Guardian said the present administration is determined to encourage and support local participation in the sector.

According to Oyewole, the present administration has resolved to “train numerous

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Okonjo-Iweala Nigerians” while plans are underway to encourage indigenous ship owners to participate actively in the sector.

Already, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA) said it has concluded plans to bridge the projected vacancy of 250,000 seafarers by the year 2015 by International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, while explaining in details benefits of the training programme to Nigeria’s economy in a chat with The Guardian at the weekend also appealed to Universities and other institutions of higher learning across the country to give adequate priority to entrepreneurship studies.

Akpobolokemi explained at the end of a reception for 41 students sponsored to Indian by the agency under its seafarers development programme that entrepreneurship studies is expected to play crucial role in the economic development of the nation.

He explained that the 41 students form part of the agency’s first batch, adding that they would be on their way to the United Kingdom later this year for a three year further studies.

He advised the students to use their knowledge to “transform the country”, adding that provisions have been made for their sea time experience .

Akpobolokemi had explained recently that apart from meeting local requirement for seafarers, Nigeria also intend to commence the export of seafarers to other parts of the world like the Philippines.

“The desire to fast track the creation of a large pool of Nigerian seafarers by the year 2015, to meet local demand and contribute to the manpower needs of the international shipping community, informed the agency’s decision to commence a ‘fully sponsored scheme ‘ whereby NIMASA fully sponsors qualified students.

“Under the scheme, about 1,500students were examined and screened for the 2012\2013 academic session. Admission have been secured for the successful in various maritime training institutions abroad, to be trained up to degree level in the Nautical Sciences, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture” Former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners , Capt Ezekiel

Idris Umar Adewale Ishola while reviewing activities in the sector in a chat with The Guardian said training should be given adequate priority in the scheme of things.

Meanwhile, lack of Nigerian owned vessels plying international waterways and need for capacity building were some of the issues discussed at the presidential retreat on maritime held recently.

The Minister of Finance and coordinator of the economy, Nngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was at the presidential retreat said increasing Nigeria’s participation in the maritime sector will not only ensure that most of the incomes are retained locally, but will lead to increased jobs for Nigerians.

She said: “Philippines for example have been able to position itself as a global supplier of seafarers, creating a lot of jobs and significant foreign income for the country. Why can’t we replicate this in Nigeria?’’

Oyewole, who spoke in a similar vein said: “Every other country in the world keeps to their cargo. They carry it by themselves and they are coming to scrabble for the ones we (Nigeria) have here also. We may not have the capacity but the capacity may not come without government support.”

He said the proposed package is structured in a way that Indigenous Ship Owners will be able to acquire vessels, “These vessels will fly Nigerian flag and would be used as training platforms for our people.”

Oyewole said the purpose of the proposed bailout package is to empower Nigerian Ship Owner own vessels, adding that the larger economy would benefit from the proposed gesture.

Apart from full sponsorship and collaboration with some state governments, NIMASA is also encouraging agencies especially higher institutions to key into the capacity building scheme.

For example, NIMASA said plans are underway to commence maritime studies in four selected Nigerian Universities: Niger Delta University Amasoma, University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the IBB University Lapai, Niger State.

Akpobolokemi explained that a consultant has been appointed to work closely with the authorities of the selected Universities to assist them in setting up the academic curriculum of the proposed maritime institutes.

Information made available quoted Professor Babajide Alo, who represented the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos as expressing the readiness of UNILAG to commence the programmes, adding that the school authority has obtained necessary approvals from the senate and governing council of the school.

According to NIMASA, the institutes are expected to take off in September this year Alo said a curriculum is being developed, adding that UNILAG plans to run courses relating to seafaring “that will lead to a Certificate of Competence (COC) which will be recognised worldwide”.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Professor Barth Okolo, who identified poor planning as one of the factors responsible for the decadence in the educational sector, according to a statement commended NIMASA “for the step taken in ensuring the smooth take off of the maritime institutes in the selected institutions”.

He also expressed the readiness of his institution to begin the programmes as soon as all necessary requirements are put in place.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU) “noted that courses related to marine sciences are already in place in NDU and that the school is prepared to begin programmes in maritime studies within the shortest possible time.

Professor Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, Vice Chancellor of the IBB University, Lapai, Niger State also expressed gratitude to NIMASA for selecting his institution as one of the beneficiaries of the maritime institute among all others in Nigeria.

He pledged the commitment of IBB University to commence necessary maritime courses as soon as the required manpower is put in place.

Also, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, and other institutions are reportedly contributing their quota to capacity development in the sector.

Established in 1979 and formerly known as the Nautical College of Nigeria, MAN was designed as an integrated institution for the education and training of shipboard officers and ratings shore-based management personnel.

THe GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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Nigeria concludes plans on Niger Republic’s cargoes

By Moses Ebosele IGeR Republic has concluded plans to resume import and export of cargoes through Nigerian ports.

The development, according to the executive Secretary and Chief executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, is expected to increase cargoes being handled by Nigerian ports by about three million metric tons.

Bello, who recently led a trade delegation made up of port concessionaires, port administrators, government officials and other shipping service providers to Niger Republic on the behest of the Federal Ministry of Transport, explained that the two countries would soon formalize their trade agreements.

According to a statement, the development is significant in view of the economic activities being generated in Niger. Major imports into Niger Republic, like Nigeria, are mostly consumer goods while the country exports uranium, sesame seed, arabic gum, groundnut and

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skin.

Now an oil producing country, Niger looks up to the ports of neighbouring countries to export its crude oil because of its landlocked status. According to available information, Niger Republic is presently doing about 2.5 million metric tons in Benin Republic, 1.5 million metric tons in Togo and close to a million metric tons in Ghana.

The NSC boss was quoted as saying from projections, Nigerian ports can do up to three million metric tons annually and up to two thousand Niger Republic bound containers monthly. About 70 percent of Niger Republic cargo transited through Nigerian ports until 2006.

Bello explained that the NSC will drive the process to a logical conclusion, adding that it has engaged all the relevant stakeholders including the Nigeriens shippers who are now ready to use ports in Nigeria especially now that “the federal government returned efficiency to the ports when it concessioned the ports.

Hassan Bello Niger Republic is now about to transport its cargo through Nigeria.” Bello

said: “Niger and Chad were importing through Nigerian ports but its ineffi-

ciency prior to the port concession of 2006 led them to move to Ghana, and other countries, where impediments was almost none existent compared to Nigeria. “efficiency is a function of competition. No matter how near you are, people want to get their goods in time. Time is money in shipping. So, because of the internal impediments and roadblocks, there are more roadblocks from Nigeria to Niger Republic than from Burkina Faso to Niger Republic. They changed. It was an economic decision”.

He also said that Calabar and Port Harcourt ports currently under patronised, are being considered for the handling of chemicals, adding that it “will give Nigeria the economic advantage, it will cement the long relationship between Niger and Nigeria, also it is a prestigious thing to see that Niger is now trying to import goods through Nigeria. This will be cemented with the revitalisation of the rail lines.”

Bello said recently that intermodal transport

system, “ The most important thing is that the council will see to the interface between the modes of transport. I have said many a times that it is not the multimodal transport, but intermodal. Intermodal transport is necessary for trade facilitation.

“So, you can see that the ministry of transport is developing a lot of these modes. We are going to have a forum with Nigerian Railway Corporation to discuss the transportation of cargoes by the rail and to ensure smooth carriage of goods by rail. We want to develop mediation mechanism to encourage Nigerians shippers to patronise the rail transport. In that case we are interfacing with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“We will also interface with the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) as soon as their infrastructure allows movement of goods through the inland waterways. We have advocated these and we are on top of the situation”.

Customs set to take over destination inspection, says Othman

By Moses Ebosele He Seme Border Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is set to take over destination inspection scheme.

According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Abdu Saleh Othman, necessary training has been concluded.

Othman explained recently, that destination inspection equipment are presently in place ahead of the takeover in July this year.

He also explained that smuggling has been

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successfully curtailed within the command, adding that collaboration with other security agencies is producing the desired result.

Beside, he explained that traditional rulers and communities along the boarder points are presently helping the command in its fight against the activities of smugglers.

Othman had recently

cautioned against circumventing economic Community of West Africa States (eCOWAS) Trade liberalisation Scheme (eTlS).

According to him, any attempt to abuse the scheme which was

designed to encourage trade among West African Countries will be detected and the consignment intended to be used to evade revenue seized in line with the law.

Othman warned that the command under his watch will uphold the Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) zero tolerance for smuggling in 2013 while assuring stakeholders in legitimate trans border trade of customs support and cooperation in the areas of trade facilitation.

Othman had recently explained that officers and men of the command have been strategically

deployed to ensure that the border is adequately policed, adding that the tempo of patrols, interdiction and arrests of offenders of the Customs and excise Management Act(CeMA) will not only be sustained but surpassed, adding that surveillance activities has been intensified at Seme border.

He reiterated the command’s resolve to ensure that smuggling and other forms of prohibited anti economic activities are prevented with a warning that “perpetrators of such acts will not only be arrested but also made to face the full wrath of the law”.

Othman

IMO unveils task force on maritime development eCReTARy-GeNeRAl of SOrganisation International Maritime (IMO), Koji Sekimizu recently, announced that a task force has been established to work on eight pillars around which sustainable maritime development goals could be set: The eight pillars are safety culture and environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, new technology and innovation coupled with maritime education and training.

Others are maritime security and anti-piracy actions, maritime traffic management, maritime infrastructure development and global standards at IMO. explaining further, Sekimizu said: “With shipping being so essential to the continued development and future growth of the world economy, IMO must continue to take the lead in supporting the shipping industry with the appropriate global standards and by helping to promote, through technical co-operation, the necessary national maritime transportation policy and institutional frameworks for a sustainable maritime transportation sector”.

Part of Sekimizu’s report read: “I should stress, too, that,

at this stage, our plans are still developing. Nevertheless, I am very excited by the prospect of something that can provide a new direction for IMO in the future, and make a very positive and tangible contribution to the process established to develop UN-wide Sustainable Development Goals as well as to the well-being of mankind in the years ahead.

“We are all talking about sustainable development, but it was the Brundtland Report, released by the United Nations in 1987, that put forward what has become the most widely accepted definition of sustainable development, namely “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“Our understanding of sustainable development today embraces a concern both for the capacity of the earth’s natural systems and for the social and, not least, economic challenges faced by humanity.

“And, today, the United Nations is still the global leader pushing forward efforts to turn the concept of sustainable development into something tangible. At the United Nations Conference on

Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro, in June last year, twenty years after the first such conference in the same city, the United Nations undertook an initiative to develop and set a series of Sustainable Development Goals.

“I was in attendance at what became known as Rio+20, and I used the event as a platform to draw attention to how shipping contributes significantly to three of the pillars of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental.

“I was very encouraged by the outcome document of the Conference, entitled ‘The Future We Want’. This contains a number of specific areas of relevance to this Organisation and international maritime transport, in general. I have, therefore, established an internal mechanism within my Office, with support from all Divisions, to work with our industry partners and interested stakeholders on the development and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals for the maritime transport sector, which will be IMO’s own contribution to the United Nations led work on

Sustainable Development Goals.

Unveiling the 2013 World Maritime Day theme, “Sustainable development: IMO’s contribution beyond Rio+20”, Sekimizu, recently, called on Governments and the shipping industry to join hands and provide a positive contribution towards formulating sustainable maritime development goals.

He explained that as the United Nations’ international regulatory body for shipping, IMO has been, and continues to be, the focal point for, and the driving force behind,

efforts to ensure that the industry becomes greener and cleaner.

“I am confident that, through this initiative, the theme chosen by the IMO Council for the 2013 World Maritime Day, – “Sustainable development: IMO’s contribution beyond Rio+20” – will be something in which IMO, the shipping industry and all other stakeholders, who are keen to turn the concept of sustainability into a tangible reality, will be able to join together, and make a very positive contribution,” he said.

According to the global

body, the development of sustainable development goals for the maritime transport sector, will be IMO’s own contribution to the United Nations led work on sustainable development goals held in Rio de Janeiro (Rio+20), in June last year.

Sekimizu said that it was his intention to launch consultations on sustainable maritime development goals early this year, with a view to preparing a final policy document, which should include a clear concept of sustainable development for the maritime industries and realistic but

Tin Can Port Customs generates N16.3b

By Moses Ebosele He Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, generated N16.3billion in January, 2013.

Giving a breake down of activities in the command recently, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tin Can Port, T. Aremu, said 34, 381 containers were scanned in 2012 For the command to achieve and surpass its revenue generation and as well

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improve trade facilitation, Aremu said all hands must be on deck: “Our revenue target for 2013 will be higher than that of 2012. But we are going to surpass it as all hands must be on deck to achieve it.

We have to be more focused by ensuring that all SGDs are well scrutinised and thorough examined.

“I have spoken to all terminals to provide more offices for my officers. Tin Can Island Terminal (TICT) has provided offices for us and has prom-

ised to provide more machinery to enhance cargo delivery in the terminal.”

Aremu said the command in 2012 generated N206,411,920,416.00 while the sum of N193,418,449,934.14 was earned in 2011 with 2012 revenue up

by N12,993,470,481.86 above 2011.

In the year under review, the CAC said the command seized 18 unpacked vehicles, 51 forty feet containers and 42 twenty feet containers of various offending imports.

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NIGERIA MARITIME EXPO 2013 (NIMAREX 2013): INVEST NOW …International Maritime Conference And Exhibition Showcases The Huge Investment Potentials Within Nigerian Maritime Industry

L-R: Former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) and member of the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2013 Planning Committee, Capt. Adewale Ishola; NIMAREX 2013 Vice Chairman, Barrister Margaret OnyemaOrakwusi; President of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) and Secretary NIMAREX 2013, Mr. Bolaji Akinola; and Director General Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and NIMAREX 2013 Committee member, Mrs. Ify Anazonwu-Akerele, during a press briefing by the NIMAREX 2013 Planning Committee in Lagos on Monday.

By Nnamdi C. Eronini HE Nigerian Maritime Industry has an interT national platform to showcase the abundant potentials and the enormous resources with which the Nigerian nation is blessed with.

Nigeria is indeed bountifully endowed with marine resources and mineral wealth which can be the envy of many nations. With her sheer size, bubbly population in excess of 150million, rich and diverse cultures and belief systems, vast fertile land, overwhelming human and natural resources, as well as robust political and flamboyant social systems, Nigeria is a nation ready to take the world.

The Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) is a brilliant vehicle that was set in motion two years back to run through the gamut of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry as well as the organizations ancillary to it and to point to the prospects and attract investors to the Industry. It has been hosted jointly by the Federal Ministry of Transport together with its various parastatals and stakeholders in the maritime industry to showcase the nation’s enormous maritime endowments to the rest of the world. It is one veritable vista geared towards attracting and engaging developmental and incremental growth to this sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

NIMAREX 2013, coming up between 12th through 14th March, 2013, at the EXPO Hall, Eko Hotel, Lagos will be declared open by the President and Commander-In-Chief, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. It is expected to be chaired by past President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, while former Head of State Abdulsalam Abubakar, Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar and former Vice President of

World Bank (African Region), Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, are among dignitaries expected to participate in this year’s Expo, which has been aptly themed Nigeria Maritime: Invest Now. Pertinent to note that the previous Editions, NIMAREX 2011 and NIMAREX 2012 respectively had been graced by two former Nigerian Heads of State namely General Yakubu Gowon (Retired) and Chief Ernest Shonekan as well as the representative of the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Koji Sekimizu.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of this year’s Edition of the Expo, Barr. (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi in a recent briefing of the Press gave as much when she said, “A lot of us are certainly not excited about events in the sector since independence but we are not in despair. There are lots of plans to open up the sector this year. The Presidential Committee set up last year by President Jonathan to chart a roadmap and create the path for sustainable development of the Maritime Industry has concluded its assignment and we have assurances that the Committee’s recommendations will be implemented by government this year.”

The determination of her Committee to achieve the desired result was succinctly expressed by Orakwusi when she declared, “We are also not resting on our oars at NIMAREX. We have a publicprivate partnership in place to open up the sector and what we’re doing at NIMAREX is not just talk shop. We are spearheading a silent revolution which will also begin to yield fruits this year”.

The NIMAREX 2013 Planning Committee chaired by Barr (Mrs) Margaret OnyemaOrakwusi has Mr. Bolaji Akinola as Secretary assisted by this writer. Mr Ekawu Odey repre-

sents the Federal Ministry of Transport, just as the Federal Ministries of Trade and Investment; Interior, Petroleum Resources and their Parastatals/Agencies are part of the Committee hosted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (represented by Chief C. C Agu and Mr. Umanah Ibiam) . The Indigenous Ship-Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) initiators/organizers of the Expo are represented by Captains D.O Labinjo and Taiwo as well as Mr. Joseph Ugo-Emeribe while the Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Ify Anazonwu-Akerele has been a very potent force in the Committee which also has the Chief of Naval Staff ably represented. The banking sector, WISTA (represented by Mrs Victoria Bamgboye), CRFFN, MAN, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), various agencies and major private sector stakeholders constitute the over 70-man strong Commiittee. They have been working round the clock in the past six months, through Eight (8) Sub-Committees, to ensure a successful event.

“We are expecting a lot of international maritime companies from all over the world as well as major shipping companies operating in Nigeria and the international oil companies. NIMAREX 2013 will not only set a new pace for the industry but will be a pride to all maritime industry practitioners”, the charismatic Chairman promises, and we all should join hands to see to the success of the Expo..

• Abundant water ways • Extensive oil-fields and • Mineral wealth of almost every kind • Business Opportunities in the Nigerian Maritime Industry provision of houseboats, service boat for platform/crew support, offshore storage facilities/receptacles, ship to ship transfers, downstream/upstream logistics provision, dredging and seismic vessels, etc.

• Import & Export • Stevedoring • Fish Trawling • Health, Safety and Environment • Security • Freight Forwarding • Warehousing & Off Dock Terminals • Equipment Leasing • Ship Chandelling • Banking / Ship Finance • Maritime Law & Arbitration (ADR tools) • Insurance • Media & Publications • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) • Capacity Building (Training and Manpower Development) • Ship Chartering / Brokerage • Lightering / Lighterage Services • Drydocking /Ship Building/ Ship Repair Yards • Salvage / Wreck Removal • Logistics and Haulage

Some Investment Tips Nigeria possesses extraordinary marine resources which include; • Vast stretches of fertile soil/land • A wide range of climate

Mr. Nnamdi Chisomaga Eronini, General Manager, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, was appointed the Assistant Secretary of NIMAREX 2013. This piece is his personal contribution.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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New Course Introduction

NIGERIAN CHAMBER OF SHIPPING SHORT COURSES AND TRAINING TIME TABLE (JAN - DEC 2013)

A thorough knowledge of the increasing technicalities involved in the upstream oil and gas sector and its associated support structure is needed for one to successfully engage in any form of business in this sector.

The wake of the Coastal and Inland shipping act and the Nigerian Oil and gas industry development act are indicators for a much needed training in line with these regulations.

To bridge the need for the much needed training, the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping is introducing a week long course titled:

Understanding Cabotage and Local Content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry (Upstream).

The course is designed to give an in-depth understanding of the Maritime/Oil and Gas upstream business in Nigeria. Whether as a Bank who wants to finance the acquisition of offshore vessels, or an indigenous operator who wants to build upon existing knowledge, a new entrant that needs the fundamental knowledge of the maritime/upstream oil and gas business, an International Oil Company dealing with Local Operators or individuals who have a purely academic interest in gaining knowledge that will assist with their own personal and professional development; you will find the course very comprehensive and valuable. In the end, you will have a broader knowledge of Contracts, Investments and Vessel Financing in the Upstream Oil and Gas sector.

Core Modules include: 1. The Development of the Maritime Industry in Nigeria/Legislation 2. Overview of the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria 3. Finding a Vessel 4. Vessel/Equipment Inspection (Physical and Classification Surveys) 5. Vessel Registration and Working within the Regulatory Framework (Cabotage & Local Content) 6. Funding your Contract 7. Understanding Marine Insurance 8. Maritime law and Arbitration 9. Ship Management 10. Environmental Issues 11. Maritime Security Our facilitators are seasoned professionals with enormous experience in the industry, some of them are; Chief Chris Asoluka (PhD.): Managing Consultant, FM&T/Consulting Nig. Ltd Olisa Agbakoba and Associates: Maritime Law Dr. I. E. Douglas: Head- Department of Marine Engineering, RSUST. Mr. Toby Eve: Maritime/Shipping Expert and MD Maritime Transactions.

Mr. Rob Goodwin: Master Mariner, Production Operations Marine Lead, SNEPCo Mr. Austin Uzoka: Manager, Nigerian Content Development, SNEPCo Rear Adm. GSA Ombo (Rtd) OON: Maritime Consultant Mr. Peter Olorunfemi: Maritime Finance Consultant, Peter Maritime Consulting Services Facilitator from NCDMB / NAPIMS We are confident you will find that this unique course provides you with the much needed knowledge that will benefit you and your company as well as give you the needed skill in contract sourcing, financing and execution.

Kindly indicate interest by sending us an Email to: info@nigerian-shipping.org, brendan.dumpe@nigerian-shipping.org, Or call: 01-8922289, 08033861289, 08060504587, 08068844822.

Visit our website www.nigerian-shipping.org or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/nigerianchamberofshipping

SNEAK REVIEWS ON THE MODULES: UNDERSTANDING CABOTAGE AND LOCAL CONTENT IN THE NIGERIAN OIL & GAS INDUSTRY (UPSTREAM) FUNDING YOUR CONTRACT CREDIT POLICY AND FINANCE DEFINITIONS Credit Policy Definition Factors Influencing The Choice Between A New Built And A Second Hand Vessel Vessel Charter SENIOR DEBT Types of Senior Debt – Overview Financing Vessel Types Lending Methods Borrower Structures Transaction Assessment Why Do Banks Need To Have This Information?

Documentation Ship Finance Options SHIP FINANCE Introduction To Hedging Introduction To Securitisation Mezzanine Project Financing Introduction To Leasing Introduction To Islamic Finance SHIP MORTGAGES Details Of The Ship The Mortgage Transfer of Mortgage Discharge of Mortgage LOAN DOCUMENTATION Compiled and Edited by Nnamdi C. Eronini

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Industrywatch Bridging the gap in competitive advantage through standardisation

By Femi Adekoya

In the last two decades, marketing and industry watchers have observed and attributed one of the key challenges being encountered by the domestic manufacturing industry to Nigerian consumer obsession with foreign-made goods. Even with the proliferation of imported brands, locally made goods are still in the battle for survival in the market place. For instance, the origin of a particular brand is given preference above other product attributes. The mere appearance of the Made-in-Nigeria label on any product is almost perceived immediately as one of inferior quality. With efforts to revive the nation’s industrial sector, and the campaign for made in Nigeria products in top gear, there are concerns on the need for manufacturers to up their game in the area of standardisation, brand marketing and quality assurance. is commonplace to find many Nigerian IentTbusinesses displaying products with differlevels of certification, yet having difficulty in attaining a degree of brand equity that international brands enjoy in the market.

With the marketplace becoming more globalised, especially in the face of online transactions, the ability of many indigenous firms to up their games in the area of enhancing product standards, quality and responding rapidly to consumer needs is critical to being internationally competitive.

International standardisation is a key supporter of open markets, free trade and interoperability on a global level. In an economy still awash with sub-standard products, which have found their way to the markets, either through local manufacturing, dumping or smuggling, there is a need to enhance standardisation processes to drive industrial and economic growth, while developing areas of competitive advantage.

The primacy of international standardisation demands that standards are developed to meet specific market needs, both the local and international market, while policies or regulatory efforts are geared towards compliance with standards without becoming a barrier to trade.

Indeed, the development and sustenance of the domestic manufacturing sector in a free economy is dependent on consumer acceptance of the goods manufactured in such a country. This further places a burden on the drivers of the nation’s industrial growth to enhance the standardisation process and effectively market the made in Nigeria brand.

Already, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) through a mandate from President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on initiatives to reduce the level of sub-standard products in the market.

However, this move may remain an effort in futility if local capacity is not enhanced and the marketability of made in Nigeria products is not properly implemented.

The Director-General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said: “Standard creates commonality and it is because of standard you can have a product that is tested in one country and used in every other place. If for example there is a memorandum of understanding between Nigeria and Ethiopia which means if I test one product in Nigeria and export it to Ethiopia, it will not undergo any form of testing and vice versa.”

He pointed out that standards are the lowest common denominator for every product that needs to be produced anywhere in the world stressing the need for a system for testing products to be accepted globally.

Aganga

According to him, Africa must come together to set up a system to stop dumping as the region naturally has a weak regulatory framework.

“This is why they are dumping sub-standard goods here otherwise, why are they not dumping in Europe and in America because their consumers are already sufficiently educated and aware but Africa has a lot of illiteracy problems, technology problems, language problems and the like. Africa acting in unison will be a more formidable force to say no to those country that are dumping products in Africa and I think it will be better done under a strong Africa,’ he said.

To this end, the National Assembly through the Senate and House Committees on industry, led

by Senator Nenadi Usman in its quest to ensure that standards support the nation economic development decided to visit some Africa countries in other to marry such nations good standards practice with Nigeria.

The lawmakers noted that standards is imperative to the nation building and Nigeria needs to become proactive to aid industrial revolution and check dumping of sub-standard goods.

To them, there is a need for the harmonization of standard in Africa to boost trade, noting that the country has adequate human recourses, population and a huge market, that can be used to control imports and increase local production.

Usman said: “We are also going to other West African countries after Ethiopia to compare notes in order to be able to come out with the way forward for Nigeria. Nigeria and Ethiopia need to collaborate in the areas of interest in order to create and transfer technology that will make Africa grow bigger and stronger in the world.

“The more we understand our systems and processes, the more we will be able to trade and this will build our capacity. Trade with European and American countries is over 90 per cent and above. So, why not trade in areas that we have competitive advantage because it will be cheaper and it will make us grow our economies and this is basically why we are here.”

On the need to review SON Act in order to aid its capacity, Usman said: “We are ready to collabo-

Usman

rate with the House of Representative to fasttrack the review of the SON Act based on what we have seen in other countries, because it is very glaring that Nigeria is lagging behind. The governments of these countries look at standard as the lasting solution in achieving the development of their economy.

“It is always better and worthwhile to have qualitative and quantitative materials that will last a longer period of time at a less exorbitant price.

This is the only way to measure the development of your economy and all of these cannot be achieved unless you equip the SON to international standards. These three countries we have visited operate as an entity with state-of-the-art facilities and technology to withstand challenges in relation to standardisation of products with well-articulated personnel. They have a kind of dedication to their responsibilities. We need to buckle up in Nigeria.”

Chairman, House Committee on Industry, Muhammed Onawo said the cooperation between the standards agency, if enhanced, will go a long way in helping to improve the culture of imbibing standards.

“The problem we have is the power of SON to implement it. The issue of inadequate funding and lack of laboratories are also very critical. Our laboratories need more funding to be able to fight the issue of sub-standard products in the country,” he added.

Onawo said the prescription of punishment for importation of sub-standard goods is not meant to punish manufacturers and importers but to deter other people from going into unscrupulous acts.

“What we are going to do is look at what is currently happening to come up with adequate laws and say if anybody is bringing in a sub-standard good and you just tell him to take it back and if he takes it back he finds another place to dump it. I have personally recommended to the organization that if anybody brings in a sub-standard product, it should be destroyed because if you destroy it, he is going to lose and be prosecuted. This would also deter other people from doing this and we have to back this up with laws.

Indeed, the development and sustenance of the domestic manufacturing sector in a free economy is dependent on consumer acceptance of the goods manufactured in such a country. This further places a burden on the drivers of the nation’s industrial growth to enhance the standardisation process and effectively market the made-in-Nigeria brand.

For instance, to effectively sanitise the markets and rid the nation of sub-standard products as well as discourage counterfeiting, SON has concluded plans to begin the electronic registration of all products and services in the country.

To achieve its objectives, the agency sought stakeholders’ input on the registration procedure before it commences a nationwide enforcement scheme that will witness the arrest and confiscation of non-compliant products within the next few months.

Odumodu, said the essence of the electronic registration exercise was to properly standardise the quality of products in the country by building a database containing details of products for easy traceability as well as have a link with all the products in the country.

Odumodu also warned that any product that failed to comply with the e-registration policy would be removed from the market, irrespective of its status or whether it had SON Conformity Assessment Programme certification or not.

He said: "In our efforts to sanitise the Nigerian economy of sub-standard products, some measures are key, some steps are just necessary, and introducing an electronic process for companies and organisations to register their products is one of such key steps. As a standards body, we cannot close our eyes to important realities in the business sphere, we cannot ignore necessary changes in the fields we regulate and still aspire to get to achieve our set targets.

"If we must drastically reduce the incidence of sub-standard products in the country, some measures are key, and one of such is the putting in place of an electronic products registration platform. The e-products registration programme is a process that allows you to register your products online, that is, without necessarily having to travel all the distance, or incurring all the other inconveniences involved in physically reaching our offices.”

The DG also said that due to issues encountered by the agency, the SONCAP certification would, henceforth, be issued in the country and that the organisation would no longer accept any product that had no liability.

He stressed: “Soon, any product in the market without electronic registration will be removed.

The essence of this is to build a database on details on all the products in the market. We need to have a link with the products by having all the details.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Creating enabling environment for sustainable industrial growth

By Adebayo Jimoh HE fact is undeniable that national transformation and industrial growth are inextricably intertwined. Investigations and explorations by scholars have shown very clearly that higher productivity is a sure means of boosting sustainable economic growth and raising standards of living in any country.

Formulating and implementing effective productivity schemes have undoubtedly assisted many economies to pull out of global recession and set them on the course of sustainable growth.

According to the statistics recently published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the industrial sector of the economy which is made up of Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas, Solid Minerals and Manufacturing, contributed an average of 40per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product between 2007 and 2011. Sadly, manufacturing sector, which should ordinarily form the bedrock of industrialization, contributed less than 5per cent to the pool while crude oil and gas contributed 95per cent. In the same vein, 2011 GDP statistics of countries published

by International Monetary Fund show that while the industrial sector of emerging economies like China and India contributed about $3.4 Trillion and $482 Billion respectively to their total GDP, Nigerian industrial sector contributed a mere $122 Billion out of which 95per cent was from oil sector of the economy.

The above is a glaring indication that the industrial sector of Nigeria is still in a state of gross underdevelopment despite various reforms being implemented by the Federal Government especially in the manufacturing segment. Although infrastructural problems must be acknowledged as a big challenge to industrial growth, I believe there are more critical issues stifling the sustainable growth and development in the industrial sector. A few of them, which will be discussed in this write-up are Paucity of Data for decision making, Corruption and Bureaucracies, Policies inconsistency by the government, Lack of Skilled Manpower, Weak Legal and Institutional framework, Multiple Taxation, Cost of fund and Access to Credit and High level of insecurity.

On a positive note, however, the situation in the industrial sector is not altogether gloomy.

Nigeria appears to be making modest achievement especially in the manufacturing sector as analysts confirmed that the untiring efforts of the current Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, in paying attention to the plight of manufacturers, might have played a pivotal role in the notvery significant but yet commendable success story. This could be seen in the consummate passion with which he interacts with industrialists and various stakeholders in the sector, particularly in Lagos and trying to identify the key challenges with a view finding comprehensive and well articulated solutions to them.

Specifically, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reported that most of the variables that measure the performance of the real sector have been on the upward swing, albeit marginally. Capacity utilization of the sector is now about 49per cent compared to the 47.5per cent average in 2011, indicating that more companies in the country are putting more resources to use in their factories than they did in previous years. The value of industrial production has also increased, although marginally from N130billion to almost N350billion at the end of 2012. New investments entered the sector and the likes of Dangote Group, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, De United Foods, Procter and Gamble as well as Guinness Plc added more lines to their existing factories, as well as built new factories from scratch and thereby creating additional industrial jobs. Sadly, towards the end of the year, Dangote Group announced the closure of Benue Cement Factory due to glut in the market occasioned by unregulated importation of cement products.

As indicated earlier, the problems posed by the current infrastructural decay is quite obvious but unavailability of reliable data for critical decision making is a major challenge to industrial growth in Nigeria. Our data gathering methods and analysis in Nigeria is completely obsolete and a great cause for concern.

As a matter of fact, reliable data for critical business decisions are in most cases non-existent. In cases, where there they exist, the integrity of such data requires serious authentication before it can be used as a basis for decision-making.

Any investor bringing funds into any country require good data in terms of reliable demography, consumer behavioural pattern and key industry statistics to determine how to appropriately allocate resources. World Bank and many other international organizations have

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A processing plant

often lamented on the paucity of data as a big impediment to sustainable growth in Nigeria’s industrial sector because it inhibits proper allocation of resources.

In view of globalization challenges, success in any venture now requires metric-driven business decisions where every single data will be measured and analyzed. Even in politics now, it is becoming obvious that data can make a big difference between success and failure. The recently concluded USA election painted a vivid picture of the imperativeness of data. It was widely reported that the data-driven decision-making by the Obama Campaign Team played a huge role in creating a second term for the 44th President of the United States of America. As reported by CNN, “a massive data efforts undeniably helped Obama to raise $1 billion, remake the process of targeting TV adds and create detailed models of swing-state voters that could be used to increase the effectiveness of everything from phone calls and door knocks to direct mailings and social media”. As matter of fact, the results of data collated formed the basis for allocation of resources throughout the entire electioneering period.

Without doubts, corruption is another impediment to sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

Although this has become a global scourge, Nigeria’s experience is particularly worrisome because of its widespread nature in the system.

Despite the huge sum of money from crude oil earned over the years, most indices still show that Nigeria has barely begun its journey towards sustainable industrial growth. It is a sad commentary that Nigeria was described as a rich nation floating on oil wealth “but almost none of it flows to the people” (San Francisco Chronicle, March 11, 2007). The mentality that public money belongs to no one runs through the entire cadre of public service. That is why corruption has become a monster that all previous and current governments are finding difficult to tame.

Also closely linked to corruption are bureaucracies in business regulatory services such as property registration, business licensing, tax administration and commercial dispute resolution and advocacy by private sector and civil society weakened by lack of organization, poor resource mobilization and paucity of research evidence among others. These have hampered business climate in no small way.

Corruption and bureaucracies affect the cost of doing business thereby making industries incapable of competing globally. In “Doing Business in Nigeria” report published for 2013, exporting a standard container of goods in Nigeria requires 10 documents, takes 24 days and costs $1,380.

Importing the same container requires 10 documents, takes 39 days and costs $1,540. Globally, Nigeria ranks 154 out of ranking of 185 economies on the ease of trading across borders while Ghana and South Africa rank 99 and 115 respectively.

Excessive document requirements, burdensome custom procedures, inefficient port opera-

tions and inadequate infrastructure all lead to extra cost of delays and corruption, thereby stifling the potential for industrial growth. Beside this, the overall quality, integrity and efficiency of services delivered by public institutions are rated extremely low, also due to corruption and bureaucracies.

Policy somersault, involving periodic reversal of policies generally deemed to be in support of promoting the growth of local industries is also identified as a major inhibition to industrial growth and economic development in the country.

Policies inconsistency in respect of unregulated importation of goods that are being produced locally has affected the local industries negatively. A recent example is the cement companies who are currently experiencing low capacity utilization occasioned by weak demand. This is not unconnected with continuous influx of cheaper and sub-standard cement products into the economy.

Another example is the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), who claimed to have installed capacity to produce anti-retroviral medicine to meet local demand, if it gets the right encouragement from the Federal Government. Sadly, Government is reported to be importing anti-retroviral medicines worth over N1 billion into the country annually.

Another challenging obstacle facing the industrial sector especially manufacturing industry today is the lack of skilled manpower. The problems facing Nigeria is that its educational institutions are not designed for the modern economy.

They lack the tools to produce good quality graduates to manage the affairs of the nation. Majority of them (the graduates/workers) lack the skills that drive human productivity. Increase in productivity would enlarge the nation’s economic activities and thereby create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and crime.

No nation would make any meaningful socioeconomic and political stride without viable educational institutions. Some schools’ curriculum is as old as the institutions. They are rarely updated to accommodate the requirements of modern economy. Invariably, the institutions produce half-baked graduates who are misfits into the new industrial environment. That is why we have a dearth of skilled workforce which hinders productivity and creates a disadvantage against offshore competitors.

Building a vibrant economy or restoring growth to a sluggish economy requires a solid legal and institutional framework; to ensure long-term growth and prosperity, Nigeria must use its resources wisely, invest in advanced technology and rebuild the legal systems and institutions without which the economy will not gain from the ‘power of productivity’. Investors would definitely be wary of bringing funds into an economy with weak legal and institutional framework for enforcing contractual obligations and resolving conflicts as evidenced by the unceremonious exit

Multiple taxation makes Nigeria’s business environment unfriendly and a disincentive to industrial growth as it makes firms in Nigeria uncompetitive through abysmally high cost of doing business. Despite Federal Government’s promise to streamline the different approved taxes and levies and other numerous “illegal” taxes and levies collectible in the economy, the government is yet to address the issue of multiplicity of taxes and levies imposed on businesses.

of governments from Public Private Partnership arrangements entered into with some institutional investors.

Doing Business in Nigeria for 2013 confirms that globally, Nigeria stands at 155 out of 185 economies on the administrative burden of complying with multiple taxation for businesses in Nigeria. The report further states that, “on the average, firms make 41 taxes and pay total taxes amounting to 33.8per cent of profit”.

Manufacturing Association of Nigeria has always lamented on the negative effects of multiple taxation on sustainable industrial growth.

According to the association, “the incidence of multiple taxation is reported to be on the increase year to year. The exact number of taxes and levies collected from entrepreneurs in Nigeria are not clearly defined as a result of the non-specificity of the number of taxes chargeable and the continuous introduction of new ones.

Multiple taxation makes Nigeria’s business environment unfriendly and a disincentive to industrial growth as it makes firms in Nigeria uncompetitive through abysmally high cost of doing business. Despite Federal Government’s promise to streamline the different approved taxes and levies and other numerous “illegal” taxes and levies collectible in the economy, the government is yet to address the issue of multiplicity of taxes and levies imposed on businesses.

Easy access to credit is also a major problem for industrial growth in Nigeria. While the cost of fund in the economy is significantly high compared to other vibrant economies in the world, access to credit is even a more serious problem, in view of the tight monetary policy stance of the CBN, which affects the credit conditions. For instance, the collateral cover requirement by banks to access credit is beyond many SME investors, which impedes access to credit, slows down the tempo of economic activities and undermines intermediation role of banks in the financial system.

High level of insecurity is also an impediment to industrial growth in Nigeria. Major challenges faced by the industrial cum manufacturing sector include insecurity in most parts of the North and few spots in the South, which impeded sales and distribution of goods and services. It was reported last year that telecommunication companies lost an estimated sum of N1.0 Billion recently as result of the destruction of masts by Boko Haram insurgents in some Northern part of Nigeria.

As at 2011, the size of global economy was about $70 trillion according to World Bank statistics.

The US contributed about 22per cent to the size of the Global Economy. It must be noted that China overtook Japan in 2010 as the second largest world economy, with 10per cent contribution to the Global Economy due to significant industrial growth of 46.6per cent compared to Japan’s growth of 27.3per cent in the same sector.

In the same year, Nigeria contributed about 0.35per cent to the size of the world economy and there is no African country amongst the top 25 economies in the world. The statistics notwithstanding, Nigeria has all the potentials to join the league of emerging economies if we pay special attention to industrial growth and development but it cannot be “business as usual”.

Mr Jimoh is the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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Energy Tackling the challenges in Nigeria’s oil & gas sector

By Roseline Okere HE effects of crude oil theft, nonpassage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and low investment in the nation’s oil and gas sector, were some of the issues, that raised concern among stakeholders, at the just concluded Nigeria oil and gas conference in Abuja, last week.

The Federal Government, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and indigenous operators in the country’s oil and gas sector, traded blames concerning issues, which could be detrimental to the growth of the nation’s strategic sector.

Specifically, Chief Executives of the IOCs warned of the significant challenges the country faces, even to maintain production at its current level. They also complained about the challenges of getting long term funding for projects in the sector.

But worried about the menace of crude oil theft, the IOCs called for increased determination in resolving the crises.

While offering possible solutions to the threat of crude oil theft, managing directors of leading oil and gas companies in the country, such as Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), ExxonMobil and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), amongst others, noted that one single approach or mechanism to curtail crude oil theft may not guarantee expected results to Nigeria.

Managing Director of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mark Ward, said that Nigeria must ensure that its fiscal packages yield fair returns on investments.

“There is a significant amount of competition for capital that’s linked to the African continent and other places,” “It’s important that it’s calibrated properly,” Ward added.

Ward advised the government to address widespread poverty amongst host communities, adding that such remained a major factor to increasing level of crude oil theft.

He explained: “Government should focus on developing human capacities in host communities. Poverty plays a major role in encouraging bunkering because the communities feel left out.”

Managing Director of Addax Petroleum, Cornelis Zegelaar, said his company was hoping to make fresh investments in Nigeria, one of the most important and the biggest oil producers.

He added: “I have been promised that if the projects are there, then the money will be there so I have less of a funding problem than some of

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my colleagues.”

Managing Director of the SPDC, Mutiu Sunmonu, had stated that uncertainty over the PIB was preventing the company from making significant offshore, deepwater investments.

Sunmonu also said: “The war against crude theft is no longer a war against the poor people of the Niger Delta; it is a war against the ‘big fishes’.

“The finger print tracing which the Federal Government has decided to adopt as part of efforts to end crude oil theft is a crucial step but we still need to apply other strategies. We need strategies to engender some sense of outrage so that all Nigerians can see crude theft as crime against humanity and the environment and begin to condemn it.”

Sunmonu also asked the government to seek means of making access to oil pipelines by oil theives extremely difficult, adding that SPDC has recently resorted to burying its pipelines at 13.5ft into the ground as a way of making it hard for vandals to access “The war against crude oil theft is a war against principalities and powers and we need to also make it harder for them because I don’t think one solution is enough; government has to look for multidimensional strategies to end this challenge The Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke had estimated the country’s crude oil theft at over $6 billion yearly.

She said that Nigeria was championing the crude oil finger print to detect crude oil theft as purchased by other nations.

“I cannot mention the states because the issue of vandalism and bunkering are major security issues and the security services will be working on these issues hand in hand with us; the President of course will be the one to begin to call on his colleagues from other countries who could assist us in phas-

Chief Executive Officer, New Nigerian Foundation, Prof Obafemi Ajibola; Permanent Secretary, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa; and Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, during the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja.

PHOTO: LUCY ELUKPO ing out this menace.

“We already have Mr. President meeting with David Cameron recently and it came up there and they pledged to assist us fully in dealing with this and as the structures are put in place, they will begin to come on board, they are

chiefs, government was still seeking support of international communities, and noted, that “the expectation is that within the next 12-18 months, we will see a very significant decrease in oil theft.”

very ardent at joining us to actually rid ourselves of these particular scourge but I cannot begin to list the countries right now,” she said.

She said although the ministry was working on addressing the issue of vandalism along with the service

Zambian firm acquires stake in Abuja electricity distribution firm

By Roseline Okere Zambian-based electricity firm A KANN Utility Company Limited, a 50 per cent joint venture of the Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement to acquire a 60 per cent interest in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

The agreement was signed in Abuja last week between KANN Utility Company Limited, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Finance of Nigeria.

KANN, comprising CEC Plc and XerXes Global Investments as the other joint venture partner, was confirmed as pre-

ferred bidder to acquire AEDC in November 2012 following a rigorous international bidding process that commenced with the submission of an Expression of Interest.

According to the company in a statement, AEDC has a franchise for distributing electricity in four states, comprising the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, Niger State, Kogi State and Nasarawa State.

“Serving 133,014sq km with a population of 10.5 million people in 2.3 million households, the AEDC covers a relatively lightly populated area dominated by the Federal Capital. It has around 600,000 customers and an av-

erage electrification rate of 27 per cent. Approximately 3,000 people are employed by AEDC”, it added.

AEDC purchases power from the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (the ‘Bulk Trader’) and is connected to various power generation plants by the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

The statement added that the consideration payable for the 60 per cent interest in AEDC was $164 million, out of which 25 per cent ($41 million) is payable within 15 days of signing the agreement, with the balance of 75 per cent ($123 million) payable after six months.

It explained that the financing plan for the acquisition has been developed with Standard Bank of South Africa, and it is intended to finance the acquisition with a combination of debt and equity. The transaction is expected to be finalised and shares transferred when the final payment is made (anticipated August 2013).

“The Board of CEC commends the Federal Government of Nigeria for the determination it has demonstrated in reforming the power sector, which will certainly significantly address the need for increased investment, higher efficiency and improved customer service to consumers in Nigeria.” It stated.

NNPC targets regional hub for gas by 2017

By Sulaimon Salau HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), is optimistic that the country will become the regional hub of petrochemical and fertilizer by 2017.

The Group Executive Director of Gas and Power, Dr. David Ige, said the gas development reform and capacity in the country were being redoubled and that a few years from now, the entire nation would be wired up for gas.

Ige disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the prestigious Man of the Year Award from the Oil and Gas Year book that chronicles the

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Who’s Who of the Global Energy Industry.

A statement signed by the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Tumini Green, quoted Ige as saying: “All that we need to make Nigeria a regional hub of petrochemical and fertilizer is in place and by 2017, Nigeria clearly will become the regional hub of gas in Africa,” Dr.Ige affirmed.

He noted that the dedicated major Gas Infrastructure Development initiated by the Federal Government is designed to create flexibility of movement of domestic gas nationwide.

Ige further revealed that the Ajaokuta-KanoKaduna gas line is at an advanced stage of design to supply gas to the northern part of the country for power generation and gas-based industries, stressing that similar gas infrastructure projects are ongoing in different parts of the country.

The NNPC GED averred that these improvements in gas supply and power availability are a testament to the holistic approach of the government in resolving the power crisis in Nigeria permanently.

He posited that the nation is on its way to achieving gas export parity, a development that would encourage greater investment by the private sector in the gas exploration and production.

He revealed that domestic gas usage has been increasing, noting that 300 taxi drivers have converted their cars to run on gas in Benin city through NIPCO initiative .

Ige applauded the organizers for the award and said it would spur him and the NNPC to record more milestones in the gas revolution agenda of the Federal Government.

48 ENERGY

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NIPP begins special evaluation of projects, threatens sanctions

By Sulaimon Salau T is no more business as usual for the contractors of the Nigerian Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) in Nigeria, as the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, (NDPHC), is set to commence special evaluation of the power projects across the country.

The management of the NDPHC, has however warned that all distribution and transmission contractors who failed to complete the project by June 2013 and December 2013 may be prepared to face severe sanctions.

Already, the Vice president and Chairman of NDPHC

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board of Directors Arc. Namadi Sambo has set up a Special Project Evaluation Team to monitor the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).

The move may not be unconnected with the need to urgently boost power supply in the country through the contributions of the NIPP projects, as well as ensuring that the projects are delivered according to contractual terms and standards.

Sambo, according to the statement obtained by The Guardian, has notified all NIPP distribution and transmission contractors and their projects consultants that a special project evaluation team will from 30th March 2013 commence visitation to all sites with a view to

assessing progress of works by the contractors and consultants.

It stated: “The setting up of this team is to ensure monitoring and evaluation of progress of work in line with the commitments earlier made by the contractors at the meeting of 26, January 2013 in Abuja, with the Vice President.

“All distribution and transmission contractors who by the evaluators fail to convince the team of completing the project by June 2013 and December 2013 will have themselves to blame as retribution will be fast and severe.”

NDPHC is the implementing agency for NIPP Programmes.

The National Integrated

Power Project was conceived in 2004 as a fast-track government funded initiative to stabilize Nigeria’s electricity supply system.

The Managing Director, NDPHC, owners of the NIPPs, James Olotu, had earlier said the gas turbine projects under the scheme are expected to add 4,264 Mega Watts (MW) to the national grid, this year.

Already, the NIPPs are presently contributing about 1,687MW to the grid through the 15 power generation stations commissioned across the country.

Olotu stated that about 15 power generation plants have been commissioned between January 2011 and December 2012, assuring that more deliveries would boost power sup-

Interstate Consortium makes pledge on service delivery

By Roseline Okere NTERSTATE Consortium-the Enugu bid winner for the electricity distribution company, has renewed commitment to begin operations with its unique private sector model, which comes with high efficiency and corporate governance standards to set the pace for electricity distribution in Nigeria.

Chairman of Power House International – a member of the Interstate Consortium – Kester Enwereonu, said after signing the contract for the firm with the Federal Governemt last week that the Interstate Electricity Distribution Company, which is led by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) of Thailand was fully profit oriented and comes with high efficiency and corporate governance standards adding that the model competes adequately with private sector models worldwide.

According to him, the Consortium will upgrade the network and deliver quality service to its customers. Apart from its financial capability, the group boasts of solid experience. “For instance MEA distributes electricity in the Thai capital city of Bangkok and environs and is reputed to be one of the most efficient Third world power distribution companies with record technical and commercial losses of below five per cent over the past eight years.

“Prior to the privatization programme, the chief executive officers of select Distribu-

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tion Companies of Power Holding Company of Nigeria visited MEA and their sister company Provisional Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA) which distributes power in the rest of the regions in Thailand, as model state utilities that are efficiently run and making major contribution to state revenue, what with a $6 billion yearly turnover by MEA. It is expected that the consortium will blaze the trail in electricity distribution”, he said.

Enwereonu added: “A detailed insight into the structure of the company shows that the Metropolitan Electric Authority of Thailand will run the company while Chrome Energy and Powerhouse International are co-investors. ‘’Interstate Consortium will run Enugu in the best professional way- global best practices’’ “The strength of Interstate Electrics Limited derives from the global experience of its key partner and technical operator, Metropolitan Electricity Authority of Thailand.

Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) was established in 1956. MEA is responsible for the distribution and sales of electricity to users in Bangkok and metropolitan vicinities including Nonthaburi and Samutprakarn provinces.

MEA’s distribution area covers 3,195 square kilometers divided into 14 districts with a population of about eight million and energy sales of 44,714 GWH of electricity.

DPR, Techno Oil, others harp on LPG utilization The Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, (Left) and the MD/CEO Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Okar Chris Akamnonu, during the inspection tour of distribution projects in Lagos by the Task Force.

Mikano targets improved national safety through CSR

By Sulaimon Salau HE quest for safety and national security received a boost in the industry, as Mikano International Limited unveiled its commitment to enhance the efficiency of the security agencies with its Corporate Social Responsibility schemes.

The Chairman of the company, Mofid Karameh, who made this commitment during the presentation of 3000

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police stands and patrol vehicles to the Nigerian Police in Lagos, said the organization is ready to support the police to succeed in the war against criminality and in serving the community.

Stating that the facility gulped about N150 million, Karameh said the company is also donating two pick-up patrol vans to Area G and Lagos State traffic command, while it is also committed to sup-

porting them with power generating sets among others.

He said: “This is a major contributions as our corporate responsibility to give back to the society where we operate.

It is the biggest aspect of our CRS because the police are serving the nation, and I believe it would contribute immensely to reducing traffic, boost safety and security across the nation. We have

other contribution to the charity homes, roads, schools among others. We have done some other projects in the past and we are working on many more, which will be announced soon.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said the Federal Government is planning to further exploit electronic security system to restore peace and safety in the country.

Firms to raise power generation level by 7,013mw

By Roseline Okere United States-based Technical Consumer Products Incorporated in collaboration with Allsort Shop Warehouse Limited has concluded plans to provide 7,013MW of electricity under a project tagged: “Go Green Nigeria, Light up Nigeria”.

The two companies said in a statement, that the set target would be achieved through the provision of 100 million energy-saving bulbs into the power sector to check undue wastage of the limited power in the country and to save the climate and environment through reduction of carbon emissions from power generating plants.

The partnership’s pilot scheme carried out in Oduduwa community of Kosofe Local Government Area

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of Lagos State showed a tremendous success, which necessitated the drive to apply the initiative nationwide. Similar initiatives had been carried out in other countries including Ghana and have proved to be both successful and sustainable.

The President of Go Green Nigeria Project, Engr. Oyebode Oyeneye, a power engineer and former director in the Federal Ministry of Power, told reporters in Lagos, that the Go Green Nigeria project is predicated on the outcome of the Oduduwa research and success story.

He said his experience as a power engineer who handled some strategic responsibilities in the power sector, showed the Go Green Nigeria project will significantly complement government’s efforts and help

in achieving the Federal Government’s road map on electricity and its power sector reforms.

This he said would be achieved without building new power generation plants, and also the result is instant and measurable.

On the pilot scheme in Lagos, he said the community was having gross electricity supply challenges and after the partnership conducted detailed study of the community and changed all the incandescent lamps with the TCP energy saver bulbs, the supply improved substantially.

He said: “The Oduduwa community was known for very poor electricity supply and as a result could not enjoy power supply because the feeder pillar and fuse of the transformer would cut off on account of

overloading of the transformer.

It is interesting to note that with injection of just 500 TCP energy saver bulbs in the community the load on the 300kva transformer serving the community dropped from 151 percent to 131 percent. The amazing thing was the fact that the result was instant, without gestational period as usually experienced in power generation.”

Oyeneye said: “If all the incandescent lamps in the country are replaced with TCP energy saver bulb the electricity power crisis will come to end. This type of intervention was adopted by Ghana and today electricity is no longer a challenge to Ghana’s economy and it only distributed six million lamps to end her power crisis. The country saves over $3 million per month and $39 million per annum as a direct benefit of this venture”

By Sulaimon Salau HE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Lagos State Government and the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Techno Oil Ltd have emphasized the need to promote usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country.

The major stakeholders in the sector threw their weight behind the usage of the gas fuel at the weekend during the official launching of the Techno Oil Gas Stove, in Lagos, when they clamoured for combined efforts to promote utilization of LPG, against kerosene and firewood.

The Director, DPR, Austen Olorunsola, applauded Techno Oil for the initiative, urging other oil and gas companies to put measures in place to encourage the usage of LPG, otherwise known as cooking gas.

According to him, the usage of LPG should be supported by all stakeholders, in other to fully optimize the usage of the nation’s gas resources and promote cleaner environment.

The Lagos State’s Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofeek Ajibade Tijani, stated that the state government’s goal towards achieving a healthy environment would be achieved if the populace embraced the use of cooking gas.

He said: “LPG is the safest and cleanest option, given the ecological issues and health-related risks associated with the use of firewood and kerosene in households. LPG has been confirmed to be efficient, eco-

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nomical, safe and good to human health, it should be the best option for households,” He therefore charged oil and gas companies operating in the country to continue to ensure increased usage of LPG nationwide.

Also, the Managing Director of the PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the PPMC were eager to see many households embracing cooking gas instead of using firewood and kerosene.

He welcomed the Techno Gas initiative, adding that popularizing cooking gas usage would impact positively on the national economy.

The Managing Director of Techno Oil, Tony Onyeama, however, urged the Federal Government to collaborate with oil and gas firms to boost usage of cooking gas instead of firewood or kerosene in the household.

He said the collaboration would bring numerous benefits to the country and curb the danger associated with the use of kerosene while also promoting healthier and cleaner environment.

His words: “We want the Federal and State Governments to borrow a leaf from other countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia and India that have achieved success in cooking gas utilisation.

“Our government should put a programme in place to ease the acquisition cost of cooking gas to enable low-income households to switch to gas by acquiring gas stoves and cylinders at affordable costs.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 26/2/2013

49

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

50 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 26/2/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE’s index drops further 0.5 per cent

By Helen Oji RICE losses outweighed P gains on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, occasioned by losses suffered by major bluechip companies, resulting to a further slide in the All/Share index by 0.5 per cent.

Specifically, at close of transactions yesterday, 38 stocks depreciated in price, led by Prestige Assurance with 10.00 per cent to close at N0.72 per share.

Sterling Bank followed with 962 per cent to close at N2.35 per share. Wema Bank shed 909 per cent to close at N0.90 per share. Royalex shed 8.99 per cent to close at N0.81 per share.

PZ Cussons, UAC-Properties, MRS dropped 6.17, 5.50 and 5.00 per cent to close at N38.00,N15.12 and N27.55 per share.

Cement Company for Northern Nigeria shed 4.92 per cent to close at N10.05 per share.

C&I Leasing dropped 4.92

per cent to close at N0.58 per share. RT Briscoe also lost 4.90 per cent to close at N2.33 per share.

On the other hand, 28 stocks constituted the gainers chart, as DN Meyer topped the chart with 10.00 per cent to close at N2.42 per share.

Presco added 9.99 per cent to close at N22.13 per share.

TransNational Corporation gained 9.70 per cent to close at N1.81 per share.

Ashaka cement, NCR, Vitafoam garnered 6.77,4.95 and 4.92 per cent to close at

N23.49,N18.45 and N3.84 per share.

Eternaoil gained 4.87 per cent to close at N4.09 per share.

Continental Reinsurance added 4.85 per cent to close at N1.08 per share.

JohnHolt and Neimeth also gained 4.82 and 4.81 per cent to close at N1.74 and N1.09 per share.

Consequently, the All-Share index of the NSE dropped by 197.21 points or 0.5 per cent from 33,811.08 recorded on Monday to 33,613.87 while

market capitalization fell by N63 billion from N10,819 trillion to N10,756 trillion.

Further analysis of yesterday’s transactions showed that the banking sub-sector remains the most active stock in volume terms with 172 million shares worth N1.2 billion followed by the insurance sub-sector with 53 million units valued at N65 million.

The conglomerates featured with 68million shares worth N155 million.

Unity Bank Plc’s 42 million

shares valued at N29 million buoyed activities in the banking sub-sector in 167 deals, followed by United Bank for Africa’s 30 million units valued at N246 million followed in 333 deals.

The insurance sub-sector was enhanced by activities in the shares of Mutual Benefit Assurance, which traded 8.1 million units worth N4 million.

On the whole, investors exchanged 473 million shares worth N3.9 billion in 6,265 deals.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Opinion NJC, Naron and Salami conundrum

By Adekunle Orafidiya HE recent decision of the National Judicial T Council (NJC) to suspend some judicial officers for misconduct has been well received as a long awaited first step in the quest for the sanitisation of the acknowledged rot in the judiciary. While the current Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, more than her predecessors, has shown within her short tenure, the eagerness to stem the rot, one would be quick to say that this step has become more eloquent for its tokenism and double standards. The case for which Justice Charles Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division was recommended for dismissal is so widespread on the bench at both Federal and State High Courts that, if the public and practicing lawyers were to have an input, a countless number of judges should be kissing the bench goodbye.

However, the similarities in the cases of Justice T.D Naron of the High Court of Justice, Plateau State and the suspended President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami are compellingly noticeable. The devil in the detail though, is that while Justice Naron was indicted for interacting with Counsel who had a matter before him, the suspended PCA, who was “discharged and acquitted” by the Special Investigative Panel of the National Judicial Council in 2011, not only interacted with legal representatives, but also liaised with litigants (more on the proof of this assertion shortly).

I enjoin those who may be minded to celebrate the tokenism of these two recommendations for compulsory retirement as signifying a new day, a new dawn in the annals of the Nigerian judiciary, to advert their minds to the fact that the current Chief Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar chaired a three-man committee, which adopted the position of the Auta Panel that had earlier reviewed the report of the Justice Umar Abdullahi Special Investigative Panel (so many panels!). The interesting bit is that the Justice Umar Abdullahi panel posited in its report (a report which, to employ a classic oxymoron, is as clear as mud) that it saw nothing wrong in the unethical practice of so-called senior lawyers communicating with members of the Bench; even when they have matters pending before them. So, what has now radically changed the view of the National Judicial Council? Or, is it that the Coun-

cil acts ‘as the spirit leads’?

Not being a court of law, if the Umar Abdullahiled Special Investigative Panel did not want to be perceived as acting out a script to protect one of its own, it ought not to have dismissed the lawfully obtained MTN call logs (incidentally now confirmed as authentic) tendered in evidence against Justice Ayo Salami with a wave of the hand, just because they were not certified.

The panel should have taken the time to probe whether the calls on the logs were made and received and if so, were they (the calls) appropriate, licit or defensible in the circumstance?

What makes NJC’s position desperately awkward is that none of the individuals mentioned on the call data records of Justice Ayo Salami have come out to categorically deny interacting with him and his close friend, Tunji Ijaiya, whose voice calls and text messages were like Siamese twins with those of Ayo Salami – whether they were put through (in the case of voice calls) or sent (in the case of text messages) to ACN chieftains, its legal representatives or other members of the Bench.

One lone voice of reason, Joseph Otteh, a director of Access to Justice, writing in The Guardian of Tuesday, August 16, 2011, opined in his reaction to the NJC Panel report thus: “The precedent set by the NJC’s austerely legalistic approach to fact-finding is that it would be extremely difficult to hold judicial officers accountable for judicial misconduct when they hold illicit, unethical communication with parties involved in a case before them. If there are reasonable fears that a judicial officer is involved in suspicious, inappropriate communication with parties or their legal representatives during the trial of cases before them, no effort ought to be spared to resolve the concern and establish whether such communication took place.” I could not agree more. As to the appropriateness or otherwise of Justice Ayo Salami’s liaisons, I refer to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers: “In performance of his duties, a Judicial Officer should observe the following rules: Rule 1 (2) (a): A Judicial Officer must avoid social relationships that are improper or give rise to an appearance of impropriety; that cast doubt on the judicial officer’s ability to decide cases impartially, or that bring disrepute to the judiciary.

Rule 2 (A) (1): A Judicial Officer should be true and faithful to the Constitution and the law, uphold the course of justice by abiding by the pro-

visions of the Constitution and Rule 2 (A) (9): A Judicial Officer shall be bound by professional secrecy with regard to his deliberations and to confidential information acquired in the course of his duties other than in public proceedings.

Rule 2 (C) (1): A Judicial Officer should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to instances where...

Rule 3: A Judicial Officer should regulate his extra-judicial activities, to minimise the risk of conflict with his judicial duties.

Explanations (iii): Violation of any of the rules contained in this Code shall constitute judicial misconduct or misbehaviour and shall entail disciplinary action.”

Here, then, is the conundrum for the National Judicial Council: If Justice T.D Naron could be recommended for compulsory retirement based on proven allegations of interacting with Counsel in a matter before him, it is my well considered view (without prejudice to the shipload of cases in which the suspended PCA is mired) that Justice Ayo Salami ought to have been indicted long before now, for violating virtually all the provisions of the code of conduct for judicial officers.

To drive the point home: a juror (not a judge), Joanne Frail, 43, of Blackley (UK) was jailed for eight months because she contacted a defendant on the social networking site, Facebook, after he (the defendant) had been cleared in a drugs case. Sentencing Frail, the Lord Chief Justice said in a written ruling “Her conduct was directly contrary to her oath as a juror, and her contact with the acquitted defendant constituted flagrant breaches of the proper conduct of the trial.” Why is our case different? Why do we not overlook age, status or influence and do what is right by ensuring in every case that “the punishment fits the crime”? This is the reason well-ordered United States of America would have no compunction in sentencing a 74-yearold (at the time) Bernard Madoff to 150 years in prison in June, 2009 on one count of securities fraud (Ponzi scheme). And to be sure, perverting/obstructing the course of justice is, to my mind, the greatest Ponzi scheme of all. Just why we continue to slap errant members of the Bench on the wrist with retirement – compulsory or not- (in which case they are entitled to claim gratuity and continue to draw pension for as long as they live) beats the imagination.

Is there no provision for dismissal and trial in

NJC’s rule books? I just wonder.

Putting MTN’s role in proper perspective, the NJC said it found that Justice T.D Naron was in constant contact with a Senior Advocate who had a matter before a panel the jurist headed – by voice calls, SMS and MMS. Considering that the law enforcement and security agencies had a hard time extracting confirmation of the authenticity of Justice Salami’s call data record from the service provider, how then, did it happen that Justice T.D Naron’s call logs were released and in all probability, certified, by the same telecoms company without much ado? When were the call logs critical to the indictment of Justice T.D Naron obtained? Did they span longer than the three months which MTN claims is the limit of its storage capacity? Did the logs (of Justice Naron and the Counsel in question) contain incoming and outgoing components as opposed to the single-component call logs supplied in the Justice Salami case?

There is no gainsaying the fact that the Nigerian judicial system is in a shambles. But we can still pull it back from the brink by unearthing the extent of and dealing decisively and holistically with, the obvious rot that has permeated this extremely important arm of government.

Appointments to the Bench should be given more vigorous scrutiny to ensure that only individuals who have been found worthy in learning and character make it there. The judiciary, and indeed, our entire legal system is at a crossroads, and because we all stand to lose as stakeholders in the Nigerian project (of which our legal system is an important part), it behoves us all to rise as one and ensure that those who are bent on further destruction of our justice administration and delivery system are checkmated.

The Nigerian judiciary’s stature and prestige has sunk to an all-time low, while its authority has waned considerably. A corrupt judiciary will certainly not deepen democratic ethos in our land. Perverting the course of justice is a high crime and ought to be dealt with as such.

The National Judicial Council needs to do much more than just scratch the surface. Two rhetorical questions are relevant here: Can the National Judicial Council be said to be acting in an even-handed manner? Is MTN non-partisan?

• Orafidiya, a barrister, wrote from Wuse, Abuja.

The challenge of crimes in 2013

By Adama Dieng HE crises in the Central African Republic, the Democratic T Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sudan and Syria serve as tragic reminders of the challenges that remain in the struggle to protect populations from atrocity crimes, namely genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

We are faced with daily media reports of violence and gross human rights violations, including against women and children that remind us that we must do more to protect populations.

With this constant barrage of bad news, it is tempting to overlook the progress made. Despite ongoing crises, the international community has made important advances over the past years. An impressive range of global, regional and national initiatives have helped to identify and mitigate sources of risk, build and strengthen local resilience to violence, encourage creative ways to manage diversity peacefully, resolve tensions before they escalate and tackle factors that inflame hatred.

At the 2005 World Summit, all Heads of State and of Government unanimously committed to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, the most serious of crimes. This responsibility already existed under international law. Yet their plainworded statement in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document that, “We accept that responsibility and will act in accordance with it”, provided new impetus, under the umbrella of what has since become known as the ‘responsibility to protect’.

The atrocity prevention efforts of the United Nations and its

partners play a vital role in helping to reduce the number of crises. They support national and local capacities to stem tensions and resolve conflicts before they become deadly. The United Nations works with regional and sub-regional arrangements, national governments and civil society, including human rights organisations and women’s groups.

This collaborative approach focuses on understanding risks and building capacities to mitigate them, including by supporting communities. It seeks to foster a culture of prevention and respect for human rights. This approach is about building understanding of how eruptions of violence can lead to atrocity crimes. It is about building awareness of the dangers of hate speech and incitement to violence, and addressing them while ensuring respect for human rights.

And, when crises seem imminent, this approach is about getting the analysis right and marshalling the resources of the United Nations and the political will of the broader international community to prevent them from escalating.

Significant advances in atrocity prevention have also been made outside of the United Nations. A number of Member States have created focal points on the responsibility to protect or internal inter-agency structures for the prevention of atrocity crimes, such as the American Government’s Atrocities Prevention Board. Regionally, 18 states in Latin America have established a network for the prevention of genocide. In Africa, the African Union has taken important steps to institutionalise its commitment to protect civilians from atrocity crimes. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (of Africa), a sub-regional organisation, has established a Regional Committee for the prevention and punishment of genocide and related crimes. This is the world’s first sub-regional mechanism created specifically to address these issues.

In the Middle East, civil society organisations are documenting human rights violations and building peace and tolerance between communities, including through social media.

Think tanks and academia from around the world continue to provide intellectual leadership and sound advice.

Over the past few years, collective efforts have rendered results. The crisis in a disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan, Abyei, as well as the crises in Guinea, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen were resolved through diplomatic means, without protracted fighting and mass bloodshed. While continued international engagement on those countries remains essential, we can affirm that political leadership was fundamental in achieving these modest successes.

The overwhelming task of atrocity prevention requires everyone’s commitment. The political will of Member States remains paramount. The ongoing crises around the world – from Mali to Myanmar – highlight how progress is ultimately contingent on the will of national governments and on their capacity to move in the same direction.

Member States have a crucial and unique role, be it through proactive and preventative action or, when required, through timely and decisive response, within the provisions of the United Nations Charter. When it comes to protecting populations, the United Nations and its partners can only complement their efforts. The Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect is determined to continue working with Member States, and to encourage the assumption of the full responsibility and the strengthening of the political leadership required to deliver on the promise of “never again” and make the responsibility to protect “a living reality”.

• Dieng is the United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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Opinion This must be a rudderless ship

By Habu Fika ECENT events and a layman’s thoughtful R review have underlined the inextricable need for reducing poverty, increasing security, combating unemployment, providing health care and spreading the foundations for a democratic ‘rights-based’ society. We all agree that Nigeria needs a sincere, capable, competent, and focused leadership. Many have said rightly or wrongly that the President has neglected his ‘selected’ mandate to govern and be a leader for all Nigerians. He is mostly viewed as the leader of the PDP and the Niger Delta. The tendencies of ‘worsethan-military’ dictatorial proclivities and brazen authoritarian behaviour are obvious in all the actions of the president and his obsequious cabinet.

Many decisions taken by the Federal Government, or its principal partner, the PDP, are suspect after careful examination. Those who assume we will accept the motivations of this government as honest are only being illogical; especially since it is the innocent citizens that continue to pay the very high price of a government that has failed to understand its role from day one. If Dr. Jonathan is serious, then his starting point must be to psyche up and lead all Nigerians!

Most importantly he should be willing to ask and encourage all Nigerians to make substantial inputs. I mean all Nigerians! Advice and criticism must be sought and welcomed at all times.

Most of the things that Nigerians want are easier to accomplish if the president behaves like a true leader. No doubt the resources to meet our development goals are abundantly available and sufficient. From common aims in the fight against poverty, from concerted action on the decaying educational system, and from the provision of security to protect life and property, to the gigantic issue of providing gainful employ-

ment for all those who want to work; there is ample opportunity for this government to provide true leadership. Instead, the past two years have provided many examples of conceited and misdirected guidance from Aso Rock.

Today, the belief that the democratic experiment needs a radical overhaul is commonplace among our people. But the current drive for a constitutional amendment is a joke and outright dishonest. The principal actors are engaged just for themselves. No one is seriously doing it for the good of Nigeria. The rights and privileges of Nigerians are not even being debated. No guarantees of civil liberties are being strengthened. The checks and balances inherent in a democracy are not being reviewed. All they talk about is how to divide the money, how to deny the weakest tier, and how to create more states!

The most independent office in the world is the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria! No one, except God can question what the president does today!

Nothing else is independent in Nigeria today. The constitution reviewers must busy themselves with how to make the presidency dependent and pervious to advice. It is a mistake for our constitution to put the President next to God! I agree with another writer who stated that “the gesture to have a truly people’s constitution is commendable, and even though a few Nigerians have been given the chance to have a say, they would not be present on the floor of the National Assembly when the final decision is made!

And having a say will not amount to the people’s constitution; their wishes must be entrenched in it for it to be a truly “we the people of Nigeria” constitution.”

Nigeria as a federation has too many states.

But to satisfy our selfish ends, it is likely that unless we have 774 states, there will be no way to make everyone happy. I submit that

Most of the things that Nigerians want are easier to accomplish if the president behaves like a true leader. No doubt the resources to meet our development goals are abundantly available and sufficient. From common aims in the fight against poverty, from concerted action on the decaying educational system, and from the provision of security to protect life and property, to the gigantic issue of providing gainful employment for all those who want to work; there is ample opportunity for this government to provide true leadership. Instead, the past two years have provided many examples of conceited and misdirected guidance from Aso Rock. the best administrative boundaries of the old 19 states are probably the best structure that unites enough of us to have a common destiny where no tribe can really feel cheated. But who can tell us what is good and right?

While Jonathan is busy with interviews on CNN and other international news channels, and sounding like the ostrich with his head in the sand, the world is carefully examining the record of this government and other events in the country. It is safe to say that the global perception of Jonathan as a leader is one of doubt about his capability.

His friends in the U.S. and elsewhere are now saying so openly. In Nigeria’s media channels, we are reminded by the November 18, 2012 media chat where “the president treated us to a disappointing episode of selfconfessions, incompetence and helplessness. His answers were evasive, rambling most times and full of presidential lamentations”. He assigned blame to everyone else but himself regarding the blatant and endemic levels of corruption in Nigeria today.

Now, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili has silenced aides – Dr. Doyin Okupe and Dr. Reuben Abati. All she is asking for is a “full disclosure and accountability by the Federal Government on the issues of poor management of oil revenues, especially the Excess Crude Ac-

count and the Foreign Reserve Account; a total of over $67 billion.” Instead the government retorted by declaring they gave Mrs. Ezekwesili N458 billion (1.9 per cent) for education without justification. Wow! They forget that while the government can hold a minister accountable, it does not vitiate a citizen’s right to question his/her government. The former minister is within her rights to ask and most Nigerians support her.

Very cloudy is the prism through which the rest of the world views Nigeria today. The need for us to effectively change many of these legitimate and some mistaken perception rests with us all, but the greatest duty is on the current leadership to ‘man up’! The situation is really calamitous and unpredictable. It is therefore delusive for any leader (including Jonathan) to think he or she can take Nigeria and Nigerians for granted. We are too big for that impertinence.

Unfortunately, majority of our ‘accidental’ leaders have failed to foretaste this big-picture in their constant vindictive posture over power at all cost; thus confirming to us that no one has a clear conscience or clean hands.

As for the arrogance we are witnessing from our ‘selected’ office holders of the day and the ‘anointed’ office holders of tomorrow, time suffers no fools.

• Fika wrote from Gwarimpa, Abuja.

First Lady’s revelation and matters arising

By Kayode Ketefe HE recent disclosure by the First Lady, Dame Patience T Jonathan of her health challenges, which aggravated so much that she was operated upon nine times within a month, while she remained unconscious for seven days, was such that attracted empathy across the land and beyond. Any human being who undergoes such agonising ordeal deserves our sympathy, support and prayers.

The ever-religious Nigerians were however unhappy that they, among others were denied the opportunity of full intercessory prayers while the First Lady’s ordeal lasted. This was because the presidency shrouded the whole affairs in secrecy right from the outset. Correct information was never given out, what we had instead was a cautious release of doctored news from the government’s propaganda machinery. The nation was initially told the First Lady had travelled abroad to rest, this later changed to “a routine medical check-up”. Then, when the First Lady could not return after about seven weeks and the media had already started a count-up of her absence, it became obvious that some measure of cover-up was actively being deployed and rumours, expectedly, continued to mount.

It was such rumour that the First Lady was at pain to debunk when she said that her serial operations in the German hospital had absolutely nothing to do with cosmetic surgery but was dictated by clinical necessity. If there had been transparency in the affairs from the beginning, there would have been no need for such denial. The belated revelation of the First Lady at the thanksgiving prayers in Abuja where she made the disclosure was nonetheless masterfully crafted. Imagine her saying “I was dead for seven days!” Nothing could be more moving! The statement succeeded, in spite of its scientific inerrancy, (for you cannot be clinically dead and come back to life). We were all thrown into collective empathy on the plight of our beloved First Lady. The inescapable fact still remains that

the issue should have been better managed.

In the olden days, rulers, especially in this part of the world, were conceived as God’s ordained representatives on earth. Therefore, the mythical picture of immortality of the ruler had to be sustained at all cost; the bubble should never burst that the king is after all a mere mortal.

In Yorubaland, for instance, the king does not perform all mundane affairs of other beings; the king does not sleep, the king only rests his eyes (Oba nreju) and of course, he does not die, he only join his ancestors, etc.

But this is 21st century and we are operating a democracy anchored on the principle of elective representation. The notion of any ruler being immortal and transcendental is therefore archaic and anachronistic. There is really nothing to hide any longer in a president or his wife being sick, we are all human beings with all the natural human susceptibilities. Modern day concept of governance thrives on openness and transparency, and the culture of full disclosure. Any person who aspires to rule in a modern democracy should know that what would otherwise have

The belated revelation of the First Lady at the thanksgiving prayers in Abuja where she made the disclosure was nonetheless masterfully crafted.

Imagine her saying “I was dead for seven days!” Nothing could be more moving! The statement succeeded, in spite of its scientific inerrancy, (for you cannot be clinically dead and come back to life). We were all thrown into collective empathy on the plight of our beloved First Lady. The inescapable fact still remains that the issue should have been better managed.

been his private affairs and that of members of his immediate family would be subject to public scrutiny. That is why the game of non-disclosure of the full facts surrounding the First Lady’s health leaves much to be desired.

Diseases and ailments are things to which no mortal is immune and there was absolutely no reason Nigerians should be kept in the dark on this matter right from the outset. Former President Umar Yar’Adua did not particularly set a good example in that regards as he also actively concealed the nature of his aliment, which began to deteriorate progressively until he literally died in office. Only God knows the exact length of time Nigeria was in undisclosed interregnum when the powerful members of the cabal kept the mills of lies and creative propaganda whirling. About the same time the former President was actively concealing the severity of his ailment, the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, who was never a public office holder and had every right to keep his terminal (cancer) disease secret, nevertheless, chose, apparently because of his social visibility, to make the ailments known to the public.

When Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State also travelled abroad unannounced, so the whole of his state, nay Nigeria was in absolute darkness on the status of his health for about 140 days he spent abroad. He only came back to disclose he had been battling with nose cancer during his absence. The cancer is now cured, no apology tendered for the concealment. Nigerian leaders should learn how to put all the cards on the table on their health status and that of the members of their immediate family. There is really nothing to hide and I believe Nigerians are not so hard hearted as to join them in solidarity and prayers. It is even when there is active concealment or subtle distortion of information that the mill of rumours keep running, situations that are capable of alienating the ruled from the rulers.

• Ketefe contributed this piece on USA Africa Dialogue Service.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

53

MidweekArts

By Chuks Nwanne ROM the moment the news of her death Fsinger, broke on Valentine’s eve, Nigeria’s Afro pop Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey, otherwise called Goldie in the showbiz industry, became talk of the town; the buzz was massive online.

Though her death came as a shock to family members and close associates, who had waited, with open arms, to welcome the singer back from the United States, where she made appearance in this year’s Grammy Award, Goldie’s death was surrounded with controversies.

However, as the ambulance, an R350 Mercedes Benz hearse, wheeled into the Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos, at about 10am, escorted by the MIC Undertakers, reality dawned on the large crown; Goldie is gone, gone forever. From that moment, all controversies seized, paving way for a true moment of mourning and grief.

Tears rained, as the brown casket containing the body of the late Kennis Music artiste was transferred from the ambulance into the hall for a brief service. From the CEO of Kennis Music, Kenny Ogungbe to his brother I.D Ogungbe, Dele Momodu, Olisa Adibua, Chris Ubosi, Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu…it was time for sober reflection; no one uttered a single word. Aside from the ‘paparazzi boys’ and TV crew, who struggled for vantage positions to capture the remains of Goldie, the atmosphere was totally moody.

Goldie’s record mates and close friends in the showbiz industry were the ones mostly affected.

Essence was totally lost; Capital Femi did everything to cover his tears with a black shades; Jaywon was emotionally down, though he managed to move his lips to the funeral songs; both KSB and Weird MC cried all through. Rapper eLDee was short of words; Tiwa Savage was in deep thought, with her eyes focused on Goldie’s grave, but the most affected was Channel O presenter Denrele Edun, the man, who saw the last of the singer.

In his tribute, Denrele said, “The Goldie I knew despite the World recognition, I would move mountains, I would break ceilings sell your legacy and you are the best friend I forever had. I can hear you say to me, ‘do not stand at my grave and weep, I’m not there; I do not sleep.

Do not stand on my grave and cry; I’m not there, I did not die.”

In his touching tribute, Goldie’s husband, Andrew Harvey, who flew into the country to pay last respect to his loving wife said, “Susan, you walked into my life, it was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said ‘Love killed Romeo; sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack on the Titanic. Forget about love, just have friendship and live long.’ Overtime, our love grew to a depth I have never known. You were the best years of my life, your smile, your desire… to live your dream.”

In his message, President, Kennis Music, Keke Ogungbe stated, “Lovely and talented Oluwabimpe Goldie Susan, if I’m to start saying all I can’t finish. Though it’s painful, so lovely to have left on Valentine’s Day. May almighty God grant your soul eternal rest forever and ever in Jesus Name Amen.”

Singer Tiwa Savage (right) consoling Essence

Publisher of Ovation magazine Chief Dele Momodu, Denrenle Edun and another sympathiser in a pensive mood. Inset: Goldie

Tears, grief as golden girl, Goldie returns to Mother Earth In his tribute to his daughter, Mr. Filani said, “Bimpe was my first born, the first evidence of my strength and destiny. She was hard working, focused, intelligent, smart and determined to excel. She started relating to celebrities in newspapers and magazines as a teenager. I did not encourage her, but she chose her path and I had to succumb. We trained and exposed her to the truth, Jesus Christ. We were hoping that one day, she would be singing for Jesus. In deed, she had started showing signs of becoming a blessing to the family, but God knows best.”

He continued: “Her husband, Andrew Harvey, spoilt her with love and care. We are satisfied

that we have all done our best. We all love you and would miss your love and support,” he said.

To the sound of trumpets, the remains of Goldie, was lowered down the grave, amid tears, grief and dejection from her family members, Kennis Music family and the showbiz industry in general.

In her first meeting with the Nigerian press at the Protea Hotel, G.R.A, Ikeja Lagos, Goldie, upon her return from the Big Brother House, late Goldie was full of appreciations to her fans and Nigerians in general for their support during her sojourn in the show. In fact, she was full of life and optimistic of her future.

“I wish to use this opportunity to thank you all and Nigerians for the support you gave to me while in the house. It was an opportunity to learn about Africa as well as share with people from different cultures. Basically, learnt to live with people from different background; it’s something that never happened to me before. It’s an experience that will live with me till the rest of my life,” she enthused.

While a section of the showbiz reporters hailed the light-skinned singer for surviving in the house for 70 days, others were of the opinion that she performed below expectations.

But to the best of her knowledge, Goldie is confident that she exhibited the true Naija spirit in the show.

“I will start by stating the qualities of an average Nigerian person; I’m a Nigerian and I was born and brought up here. We are a loving people, we are a caring people, we are hardworking people, we are religious people and we have high moral standard. These are the qualities I portrayed in the house,” she said, with cheers coming from her fans.

For those, who questioned her strategy while in the contest, the singer stated categorically that she had no strategy from the onset.

“Personally, I didn’t go there with any strategy; I went in there to be myself. I didn’t go in

there as Goldie; I went in their as Susan. I’m an extremely emotional person; as an artiste and songwriter, you need to convey emotions through your songs. This emotion is part of who I am.”

Goldie died on the St. Valentine’s Day of hypertensive heart disease some hours after returning from the 53th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, United States. According to the autopsy carried out February 19 and signed by Dr. O.O Oyewole of the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, the singer suffered a terminal ‘hypertensive heart disease’ which resulted to ‘intracerebellar haemorrhage.’

Andrew Harvey

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THe GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Gains, pains of Oscar 2013

By Daniel Anazia FTeR weeks of anticipation and predictions, A the 85th Annual Academy Awards (The Oscars), which held on Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, may have come and gone but its impact is still being felt across the globe.

From the start, Family Guy creator and host of the night, Seth MacFarlane made sure that this year’s edition of the award is one to be talked about for years. His opening monologue featured appearances from William Shatner, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron, Daniel Radcliffe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sally Field.

It also included a super weird tribute to celebrity nudity with a song called We Saw Your Boobs.

It was indeed a night of honour for best of films of 2012 in the United States. Winners that mastered their craft were rewarded with the coveted golden Oscar statues.

Daniel Day Lewis set an Academy Awards record as the third person to ever win three Best Actor awards. Skyfall, Django Unchained and Lincoln, with 12 nominations won two awards each. While Life of Pi, with 11 nominations, won four statues on the night including Best Director. Les Misérables won three awards.

Other winners includes, Silver Linings Playbook, Brave, Zero Dark Thirty, Anna Karenina, Searching for Sugar Man, Inocente, Curfew, and Paperman with one award.

Jennifer Lawrence won the Best Actress for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, and proved the second youngest winner in the category. Daniel Day-Lewis won a third Best Actor award (the most for any actor) for portraying the titular character in Lincoln.

Fifteen years since his win for Good Will Hunting, Ben Affleck took the stage when Argo won Best Picture, telling the audience: “I never thought I’d be back here and I am.”

In the four-hour ceremony, MacFarlane made the audience laugh (and groan) at his punchlines. His protégé Teddy Bear, “Ted” even appeared on stage to present an award with costar Mark Wahlberg.

Aside the golden statues and acceptance speeches, it was also a night of fashion and music as Adele performed her hit song Skyfall, as a tribute to the James Bond movie franchise’s 50th anniversary this year.

The song won the Academy award for Original Song. Also, Norah Jones performed her Everybody Needs a Best Friend from the movie Ted. And, for the first time in over three decades, Barbara Streisand performed at the Oscars, delivering a tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch.

The movie Chicago celebrated its 10th anniversary of Oscar win this year, and the cast reunited on the stage to perform during a celebration of movie musicals that have impressed audiences over the last decade. And in that montage, Jennifer Hudson performed a song from her movie Dream Girls, and the cast of Les Miserables, including Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman, reunited on stage as well.

United States First Lady, Michelle Obama

Seth MacFarlane the host of the awards made a surprise appearance at this year’s event. Spotting a glittering gown made by Naeem Khan. Mrs. Obama who was attending the National Governors Association Dinner at the White House, left the event to present the one of the awards.

According to report, “the Academy Awards approached the First Lady about being a part of the ceremony. As a movie lover, she was honored to present the award and celebrate the artists who inspire us all — especially our young people — with their passion, skill and imagination,” the spokesperson told Access read.

Mrs. Obama’s dress has and still generating fuse in some quarters of the world, especially in Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, which

photo shopped pictures of Michelle Obama at the Oscars to conform to Iranian restrictions on images of the female body in the media.

Fars, which is affiliated to the Islamic republic’s elite Revolutionary Guards, redesigned the US first lady’s dress so that it covered her chest and shoulders in a picture showing her announcing that Argo had won the best picture via a video link from the White House.

Fars was also infuriated by the Academy’s decision to honour Argo, which it described as an anti-Iranian film produced by the Zionist company, Warner Bros – an objection echoed by many other state agencies.

A large number of Iranians – even those not necessarily sympathetic to Ahmadinejad’s regime – have taken to social networking web-

sites to show discontent with Argo’s win, which they believe stereotypes Iranians in a negative way without drawing a distinction between ordinary citizens and the revolutionaries behind the US hostage crisis.

In January, officials in Tehran said they were intending to retaliate to Argo by making their own film about the hostage crisis, to be called The General Staff, which is promised to be an “appropriate response” to Ben Affleck’s “ahistorical” thriller.

Last year, Asghar Farhadi’s film A Separation became the first Iranian film to win an Oscar – for best foreign language film – prompting national celebrations.

Celebrating Femi Okunnu at 80 with books on Islam in Lagos He presentation of Torchbearers of T Islam in Lagos State and Actors and Institutions in the Development of Islam in Lagos State in honour of Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu who clocked 80 recently holds today at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos. Time is 12noon. The publications parade Prof. Siyan Oyeweso and Associate Prof. M.O. Raheemson as editors. The former Federal Commissioner for Works narrates what led to the birth of the books: “The idea of writing this book was discussed with my primary school classmate and life-long friend, the late Prof. Ibrahim Babatunde Williams, former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, and University of Lagos sometime in the early 1970s.

We agreed that the Lagos Muslim Community deserved a chronicle of their achievements during the 20th Century, just as The Red Book of West Africa records the achievements of some West Africans, mostly of Christian faith in the 19th century.

Tunde and I did not follow up our resolve. Thirty years later in 2004, I embarked on this work. I discussed the idea with Prof. Misbaudeen O.

Raheemson of the Department of Religions and Peace Studies at Lagos State University, who introduced Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, a Professor of History to me. Both of them assembled a team of researchers to embark

on detailed studies of eminent Muslims on a list, prepared by me, of Muslim merchants, scholars, professionals and also a list of Muslims Missions dedicated to the spread of Islam in Lagos and other parts of

Nigeria.

“In the course of time, I added more names to the lists. They were not exhaustive. Some eminent names in the books will inevitably be omitted in error. And in spite of our efforts to have some inputs by the offsprings of our selected families, the response was limited, in some cases, nil.

“My matching order to the editors was to limit the subject of our efforts to eminent Muslims who had answered the call of Allah. I was informed by the editors just before going to print however that they had added a few names of the living and, to my surprise, they included mine and that of my wife. I must apologise to the readers that this was never my intention.

“If this work inspires other Muslims now or in the future to attain greater heights in life than those subjects of this chronicle, or inspires Muslims Missions and Islamic organizations with greater vigour to spread Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith instead of several interpretations which have now divided the Muslim world, Tunde Williams and my hope would be fulfilled.

“In dedicating this work to the true teachings of Islam, and partly to the

memory of my late friend, Babatunde Williams, I salute his widow, Professor Grace Alele-Williams, former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, and the first Woman Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria.”

Okunnu

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

55

Sports NFF sets up committee on Rangers, Warri Wolves’ dispute over Mba, Agbim Tasks NNWL on sponsorship From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a committee to liaise with the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to ascertain between Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves the true owners of Super Eagles duo, Sunday Mba and Chigozie Agbim.

The two clubs have been fighting over the ownership of the players, whose ratings blossomed with their participation in the just concluded South Africa 2013 CAF Nations Cup. Disclosing the inauguration of the committee to journalists in Abuja, NFF President, Aminu Maigari said the decision to find out the true owners of the players became necessary because the federation would not sit down and allow the two clubs ruin the future of the two players.

He revealed that the committee, which is expected to commence work today, would work with officials of the NPL to examine the claims of the two clubs on the players.

“We believe the NPL is part of the whole case because it deals directly with the two clubs and the players as well.

We expect them to tell us the true position. The committee will commence work tomorrow (today) because I just inaugurated them to start up the process,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maigari has reminded the board of the Nigeria Nationwide League of the task ahead of it as it begins its congress in Abuja to herald the kick of the 2012/2013 NNWL season.

While insisting that NNWL

can put its house in order to produce more stars for the various clubs and national teams, the NFF president, however, reminded the board that the league would not succeed if it failed to attract sponsors for its programmes.

“This is just to draw your attention to the many challenges your league has. Of course, you are the greatest league that we have in Nigeria, considering the number of clubs that are involved in the Nationwide League.

With over 300 clubs in Nigeria, your expectations will be high. So we want to challenge you to discover and produce stars for the use of the higher leagues in the country and beyond.

“We want to see you produce more Sunday Mbas, Oboabonas, Omeruos, Ogenyi Onazis and quite a number of them. We at the NFF will never relent in supporting you.

“Let me also urge you to touch a few areas, like money.

Money does not come easily to football. It cannot come while you are folding our arms. You have to be up and doing, you must collaborate with the NFF to support you in driving the process of sponsorship.

“The respect, which Nigeria enjoys today in football worldwide is because we have the products of the Nationwide League that have matured into the bigger leagues in the country and other countries. “ We have the opportunity to produce more stars from the Nationwide League and be proud to say these are the stars we have produced from the various leagues,” Maigari charged the board.

Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves are at war over Super Eagles’ Goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, and Sunday Mba.

NPG will boost police, military relationship, says Abubakar NSPECTOR General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar believes the th 10 biennial Police Games, tagged: ‘Port Harcourt 2013,’ scheduled to run from March 3 to 9, will not only provide a platform for the Police, the

I

Cross River reconstitutes 2014 National Sports Festival’s LOC From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ROSS River State governC ment on Monday in Calabar inaugurated the Local Organising Committee of the 2014 National Sports Festival, tagged Paradise Games.

Speaking while inaugurating the 24-man LOC on Monday, the state’s Acting Governor, Efiok Cobham, who is also the chairman of the committee, said, “since the creation of Cross River State, this is the first time we are hosting the festival; some states have hosted more than once and we will love to use this opportunity to set a bench mark for the fiesta.”

He reiterated the state’s readiness to successfully host festival, which he said would be huge in content with over 15 thousand competitors of Nigerian extraction from all over the world competing for laurels.

He maintained that 2014 is a big year for the state because it will also host the World Mountain Running

Championship.

The acting governor disclosed further that successfully host the event, the state has concluded plans to upgrade sporting and hospitality facilities in line with current realities to accommodate the huge crowd expected in the state during the games.

“We have carefully selected you because we know your capacity to deliver and hope that we will deliver a National Sports Festival that will surpass any one since the inception of the event,” he added.

Secretary to State Government, Mike Aniah, in his introductory remarks, said the National Sports Festival is the local equivalent of the Olympics, and that it is a very big project that must be delivered successfully to Nigerians.

He averred that the 24-man reconstituted committee, which was carefully selected, has less than 20 months to drive the plan towards the successful hosting of the fiesta.

Responding on behalf of the

committee, the Vice Chairman and Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Patrick Ugbe, assured the governor that the committee would not rest on its oars in ensuring that the best event of world standard is delivered to Nigerians.

military and other security agencies to showcase their sporting prowess, but will also help in further strengthening the relationship among these sister agencies.

While justifying the decision of the Force Sports Planning Committee to invite the military and other law enforcement agencies to the Police sporting fiesta, the IGP noted that the Police and the military shared a common sporting history dating back to the pre-independence era.

He explained that special invitation has been extended to the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force. Also

expected in Port Harcourt for the Games are the Nigerian Customs and Excise Service, the Nigerian Prisons Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Commission, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The security agencies will compete in Polo, Tug-of-War and 4 x 100 Invitation Relays, including the newly introduced Mix-Relay race, which is an innovative relay involving both men and women competing alongside each other in a single team.

These events, though nonscoring, are billed to be part of the opening and closing

ceremonies.

While the Tug-of –War teams of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and that of the Nigeria Police Force will slug it out in the opening ceremonies, the relay teams from all the invited security agencies will get the tracks burning at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium, on March 9, to light-up the closing ceremonies.

Also expected at the sports carnival are members of National Sports Associations, including the National Sport Commission, the Nigerian Olympic Committee and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, amongst others.

NFF ban won’t stop me from doing my job, says The Guardian correspondent ers of The Guardian and I right position in the comity HE Guardian’s Abuja Sports two journalists were no football nations.” have been working hard to of TEzeocha Correspondent, Marcel longer welcome at NFF’s Nzeh challenged the NFF to ensure that the Nigerians Nzeh has described “events as they have perseas a ‘waste of public space’ his ban from attending all the federation’s activities until further notice by the Nigeria by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In a release circulated to all the media houses on Monday, the NFF said it has Nze and Romanus Ugwu of Soccerstar from its programmes, activities and events until further notice.

The release quotes NFF Secretary General, Musa Amadu, as saying that the

vered with campaign of calumny against the Executive Committee and Management of the Federation, for no stated reason.”

Reacting to the ban, Nzeh said it was unfortunate that the NFF was looking for scapegoats instead of putting its house in order, adding, “the Federation has no right to stop me from doing my work.”

According to Nzeh, “my responsibility is to the read-

are well informed of the events at the NFF. “The NFF is maintained by Nigerian taxpayers and they deserve to know the truth and nothing but the truth about events in Nigerian football. I cannot join those that shy away from saying the truth because the fate of Nigerian football determines the fate of my family. I will continue to work hard to ensure that the administrators changed their ways so that Nigeria will take its

point out any of his stories that lacked facts, adding, “rather than see enemies in journalists, the NFF should embrace those who point out its faults when it errs.”

He said, “I will continue to do my job to the best of my ability. I am not answerable to the NFF. My duty is to my employers, The Guardian, and the Nigerians on the street, and I want to assure these people that I will never fail them.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

CricketWeekly Pepsi ICC-Africa Division One T20 Championship

Tanzania, Kenya dent Nigeria’s qualification hopes

By Christian Okpara, with agency reports IGERIA’S hope of qualifying N for the Pepsi T20 Division One Championship scheduled for Dubai later in the year took a huge dent on Monday when it lost to Tanzania and Kenya in the on-going African edition of the championship in Kampala, Uganda .

The team being managed by Kome Agodo had beaten Botswana in its second game after losing to the hosts at the weekend, but it came unstuck on Monday when confronted by the higher ranked East Africans .

Against Kenya at Kyambogo Cricket Oval, the East Africans won the toss and opted to bat, with Morris Ouma smacking nine boundaries (four 4s and five 6s) in his 59-ball inning to amass 93 runs. Morris was ably supported by Collins Obuya, who came to the party with 50 runs off 46 balls to help Kenya score 171 runs for five wickets.

Hard fighting Nigeria could not contain the Kenya attack led by Lucas Oluch ensure the opening batsmen go back to dressing room with ducks as he returned figures of three for eight runs (including four wides) in four overs.

Nigeria’s top scorer was Bejide Olajide, who had 27 runs of 32 balls as Nigeria finished with 83 runs for seven wickets to lose by 88 runs.

In its second game of the day, Nigeria confronted Tanzania at the Kyambogo. Tanzania won the toss and opted to bat.

Opening the batting, Remtulla Ali blazed to 90 Nout off 60 balls with nine 4s and three 6s and Benson Nyaikini scored 38

runs off 21 balls to help Tanzania score 183 for five wickets .

Nigeria’s opening bowler, Saheed Akolade, picked three wickets for 23 runs in four overs. Nigeria ended with 118 runs for 10 wickets, thus lost by 72 runs.

Sesan Abejide, who top scored with 25 runs not out off 34 balls, and Adegbola Kunie with 24 runs off 19 balls tried to resist Tanzania’s bowling.

Riziki Kiseto, three wickets for 13 runs was the pick of the Tanzanian bowlers that halted Nigeria’s chase to win by 65 runs .

Uganda is on top of the log with eight points, two better than second placed Kenya, while Botswana is yet to secure victory in East Africa.

Nigeria met with Uganda yesterday at Kyambogo and is scheduled to engage Kenya in the reverse fixture tomorrow, and Botswana on Friday.

The winner of the championship will join Namibia as Africa’s representative at the ICC’s penultimate round in the UAE.

Monty Panesar and Andy Flower at a practice session in Queenstown, ahead the New Zealand XI versus England XI tour game, which runs from today to Saturday.

PHOTO: ESPNCRICINFO.COM.

Third Women’s ODI, Dambulla

West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 33 runs, take series 2-1 EST Indies bowling and W fielding charged it to a series win against Sri Lanka with a 33-run victory in the third ODI in Dambulla. After it managed to score only 191 for nine in its 50 overs, West Indies defended its modest target, led by Tremayne Smartt’s figures of two for 26

from her 10 overs and four run-outs .

Sri Lanka took advantage of its decision to field when it reduced West Indies to 51 for four within 15 overs.

Eshani Kaushalya and Chamani Seneviratna struck twice each and devoid the West Indies of a healthy run-

rate. Merissa Aguilleoira and Deandra Dottin stayed together for 14 overs and scored 42 runs but Dottin was then dismissed for 16, and soon Aguilleira was stumped for 29.

Shemaine Campbelle continued her good form with a 37 and after partnerships with Kyshona Knight and Shakera Selman, took the team to 191.

Sri Lanka got off to a cautious

start but both its openers were dismissed within a span of four runs, at 31 and 35. West Indies did not let the hosts settle down from there, striking at regular intervals.

Smartt took two wickets out of the five, which also included three run-outs, of Dilani Manodara, Eshani Kaushalya and Chamani Seneviratna.

Sri Lanka was now 128 for

seven and a long way from winning the match and West Indies continued its habit of defending low scores from the World Cup .

Only Shashikala Siriwardene provided resistance with a 78ball 29, but could not avoid the series defeat .

• Culled from espncricinfo.com

Maynard had drugs, alcohol in system, inquest reveals Dernbach, the England OM Maynard, the former consistent with regular or T Surrey batsman, who died habitual use, as well as, traces bowler and Hamilton-Brown in an incident on the London of MDMA - commonly known gave evidence to the inquest in

A group photograph of the Pepsi ICC Africa T20 match officials.

Underground last year, had significant levels of alcohol and traces of illegal drugs in his system at the time of his death, an inquest in London has heard .

Maynard, who was 23 at the time, was found on the tracks near Wimbledon Park tube station in the early hours of June 18. He had been pulled over by an unmarked police car after “driving erratically” but subsequently abandoned his car, a black Mercedes, and fled the scene .

The inquest on Tuesday was told that Maynard was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Tests on hair samples revealed evidence of cocaine

as ecstasy - a forensic pathologist told the Westminster hearing .

Maynard had been on a night out with team-mates, Jade Dernbach, and Rory HamiltonBrown and had decided to visit his girlfriend before being pulled over at around 4am.

After evading police, he was found dead around an hour later after being hit by an underground train. Dr. Simon Poole was unable to say, however, whether the cause of death had been electrocution or the impact of the train.

The driver, Martin Hopping told the inquest that he had seen a body on the tracks, “not fallen but laid down”, but was unable to stop in time.

which they said they were unaware of Maynard’s drug use .

His girlfriend, Carly Baker, also said she did not know he had taken drugs.

Maynard, whose father, Matthew, played for England and Glamorgan, had been considered a good enough prospect to also play internationally .

His family released a statement through the Professional Cricketers’ Association. “The results of the inquest do not define our son. The fact that so very many people thought the world of him is what defines him as a person .

• Culled from espncricinfo.com

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

I dropped Odemwingie because of character problems, says Keshi UPER Eagles’ Coach, Stephen Sdropped Keshi has revealed that he Osaze Odemwingie from his 2013 African Nations Cup squad because of ‘character problems.’

Keshi caused a nation-wide stir when he axed West Brom striker, Odemwingie, from his provisional squad to the Nations Cup in South Africa.

“We decided not to take some of these superstars to the Nations Cup because it is a long period of time and for the long period of time, you need characters, who go together,” Keshi said on a television programme monitored in Lagos.

“And if you have one or two, who do not get along, forget the superstars, the team will fall apart. I can bring a player in for a game. We can manage some of these players with a little bit of character problems, but when it comes to a long period of time, that’s difficult.

“Odemwingie is a very good player, a player I love to have in the team, but he wants to do what he wants to do.

“In the national team, where I was captain for 14 years, you are nothing but a figure in the team, you are not bigger than

Nigeria. If you are not ready to give the green and white shirt the due respect, you are walking out of my team.

“We talked on the phone, I told him what I wanted from him, but he had his own notion and I said for now, I will skip you.”

Keshi also revealed that Obafemi Martins was not ready for the Nations Cup, but he has not shut the door against the Levante striker.

“Martins I was sure was not ready for the Cup of Nations.

He is still part of the group. If his name is in the next call-up, if he wants to come, we will see how it goes,” he said.

The Eagles coach admitted he missed Newcastle striker, Shola Ameobi, whose presence in the dressing room would have improved his team.

“Honestly speaking, I missed Shola Ameobi (at the AFCON).

In the game against Venezuela, he has a different presence in the locker room, he came in with this coaching ability and togetherness, when he talks to these boys they listen. This was the first time he was coming.

“This was what I was looking for on the pitch, somebody

who could talk for me on the field, because I know what I did as a captain on the pitch.

He was really, really ready to come, but what was on his contract stopped him from c o m i n g . ” Keshi also said he would stick with Efe Ambrose at right back despite concerns the Celtic star is being played out of position.

Ambrose is best known as a central defender, but was played at right during in South Africa with many raising concerns over his suitability in that position.

Keshi said the versatile Ambrose grew as a right back during the AFCON. “He was growing during the tournament, he loves to play in the position. With every game Ambrose was just marching forward with a lot of confidence. If he were not growing, then that’s a different thing,” Keshi remarked.

“He is a very technical player.

He loves playing this position and so we said go ahead. He can also play in central defence, as a defensive midfielder and at right back. Same goes for Oboabona, Kenneth (Omeruo) and Onazi.

“An emergency could come up and we are blessed to have players, who can play different positions. It’s a wonderful gift. This is what we are looking for in a team, like when Onazi came in and played right back for Efe Ambrose when he was suspended.”

Odemwingie (middle), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (left) and others celebrate a goal during the Angola 2010 African Nations Cup.

Ochei restates commitment to wheelchair basketball

By Adeyinka Adedipe ICTOR Ochei, sponsor of V the just concluded Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Lagos has promised to do more for the development of the game in the country.

Ochei, who is the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, made the promise at the final, which took place at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

He commended the teams

from Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo who participated in the competition. He praised the Nigerian teams for beating their foreign counterparts, a situation he said, was an indicator that Nigeria is prominent force in the sport in West Africa.

Winners, Lagos went home with a cash prize of N2 million, while the Delta team got N1million for finishing second. The Edo State team that emerged third place after beating their opponent from

MTN Lagos International Polo tourney gallops off today

By Christian Okpara OLO enthusiasts from P across the country and beyond will gather today at A Lagos Decline and Fall star tries to hit the ball during when his club met Mokola Ibadan team at the 2012 Lagos Polo Tournament. The 2013 edition of the MTN-sponsored championship gallops off today.

Jang rewards Glo Soccer Academy winners HE joy of two of the winners T of Season 1 of Glo Soccer Academy, Africa’s biggest soccer reality TV show, knew no bounds last week as Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State rewarded the boys from the state with the sum of N1m each.

He also promised to monitor their education.

The governor, who announced the reward while hosting the boys, Abdulrahman Umar and Yakubu Umar at the Government House in Jos commended them for doing well at the academy and making the state proud.

The governor also promised to source funds to complete the new stadium and sporting facilities to boost sports development in the state.

He commended telecommunication giant, Globacom for initiating the concept of the Academy and was optimistic that more talents would be discovered through the academy in the nearest future.

It will be recalled that 33 players were selected from over 7,000 youths screened in Nigeria, Ghana and the Republic of Benin for the Glo Soccer Academy finals.

16 players including Abdulrahman Umar and Yakubu Umar eventually emerged at the end of the academy in January 2013.

The 16 finalists won G-Bam Scholarship of N750,000 each while 15 of the boys won N1 million each. The Most Valuable Player won N5 million.

In addition, the team will also go on a training tour of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Carrington, England in April.

The Glo Soccer Academy was organised to discover and train talented young footballers across West Africa and it was conceived to provide a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for young talented footballers to kick-start their career in professional football.

the Lagos Polo Club, where Nigeria’s most exciting championship will gallop off with some of the best players in the game.

It is the MTN Lagos International Polo Tournament, which over the years has seen players from such countries as Argentina, England and South Africa, among others, descending on the hallowed turf of the Polo Club Ground, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi.

As usual, the competition will hold over a two-week period, with the sponsors, telecommunications giant, MTN and other corporate organisations, on hand to unleash an entertainment combo featuring some of the best artistes in the country on the festival.

A new feature of this year’s tournament is the combination of high and low goals over the two weekends. This, according to the organisers, is to ensure a consistency of quality over the period of the tournament.

Kano-based Dala and Mapo from Ibadan will get action underway in the Open Cup, while the rivalry between

sides from the two states will continue almost immediately with Ibah and Eleyele also jostling for supremacy in the second match of the day, which is under the Dansa Cup. The final game of the opening day, which is another Dansa Cup match, will see Lagos Travia Trojan face Eurovote/Sublime Group from Kano.

Assuring journalists of the club’s readiness for the competition, Tournament Manager, Tade Oyinlola said, “the Lagos Polo Club is ready for the polo fiesta and we have carefully packaged the event for ultimate satisfac-

tion of all the participating players, our sponsors, invited guests and polo enthusiasts.”

President of the club, Habeeb Fashinro added that this years’ edition will be unique as it is segmented into two weekends of bumper-to-bumper exciting world-class action, which will be laced with the dexterity of professionals from Argentina, South Africa and Europe.

Some of the titles at stake include, Governor’s Cup, Independence Cup, Oba of Lagos Cup, Italian Ambassador’s Cup, as well as the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, which is the most valued of all the trophies.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Keith Richards; Rector, Cowbell Football Academy, Dudu Orumen; and former national team star, Sunny Izevbigie, at a recent Cowbell Football Academy training session in Lagos.

Benin Republic got a cash prize of N500, 000.

President of the federation, Bukola Olopade expressed delight on the success of the competition.

He commended the sponsor, Ochei and the Lagos State government for accepting to host the championship. He noted that the standard of the event in Lagos was better than what obtained at the first edition held in Delta in 2012.

He stated that the championship was used to pick players for the national Under-23 team that would be playing in the 2014 World Cup elimination series scheduled for South Africa in March 2013, and that of the senior national team, which would also be played in South Africa later in October this year.

“The competition was held in Lagos to give it a national identity. The gentleman behind the success of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria is no other than O’brien Adokie, who started it in 1999.”

He added, “the high point of the second edition of the competition was that we had elite special sports athletes competing. This showed the versatility of wheelchair basketball.

Cowbell Football Academy gets foreign consultant OWBELL Football Academy C (CFA) has started a partnership with an American-based coach, Sunny Izevbigie, a former national team star, who will work for it as a consultant on overseas career development for the players.

Speaking during the academy’s training session at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, at the weekend, CFA Rector, Dudu Orumen said beside the development of the players for football, the academy is also interested in their educational development.

Orumen went through memory lane to explain how Izevbigie got a scholarship to study at the Harvard University in the United States America (U.S.) after Nigeria won the All African Games in 1973.

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60 | SPORTS

West African ministers review ECOWAS, Olympics performance • Takes position on SCSA dissolution From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE performance of West T African countries at the last ECOWAS Games and the June

Blessing Okagbare (centre); competes during the London Olympics… recently

Okocha steals the show at Delta Air Tennis Classics UPER Eagles former skipper, Scynosure Austin Okocha was the of all eyes on Monday night when the Delta Air Tennis Classics holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, served off, with the football legend eliminating the second seed of the tournament for veterans, Dapo Aboaba.

The former PSG star proved that he was a good tennis player with a thumping 6-3, 6-3, straight sets victory over the highly rated Aboaba, who incidentally, is the tennis captain of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Playing against a player of Aboaba’s stature was not going to be easy, but the former Bolton Wanderers player made it look so simple when he hit some amazing volleys and winners to announce his entry as one of the players to beat in the competition.

Okocha, who until the game, was not known for his tennis prowess, became the talking

point of fans, who crammed the tennis club, courtesy of his straight sets conquest of Aboaba.

When both players entered the Lord Rumens Centre Court for the commencement of their match, which held at night under floodlight, not a few tennis faithful gave the former Eintracth Frankfurt midfield jewel, any chance of winning a set, but events at the end of the match, left many fans having a rethink of their earlier stand.

In winning the first set, Okocha hit six aces, had nine winners and broke his opponent’s serve twice to win 6-3.

The second set followed the same pattern, with Okocha producing great foot-work and hitting three winners and another two service breaks to announce his arrival as the player to beat to the winner’s prize of a return air ticket to the United States

of America, courtesy of Delta Air. He plays Kola James today in a quarterfinal match at the same venue.

Reacting to Okocha’s victory, President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Sam Egbuchunam, said he was stunned by the performance of the former Eagles star.

Egbuchunam, who is doing great things at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, said that with such performance Okocha has put himself as one of the frontrunners for the champion’s prize.

He also commended Delta Air for sponsoring the tournament, which is open only to members of the Club.

2012 London Olympic Games, as well as the process of restructuring/ dissolution of the Supreme Council For Sports In Africa (SCSA) would dominate deliberations of the ministers of Sports of the West African sub-region, who are currently meeting in Abuja.

An SCSA extra-ordinary meeting held in Brazaville, Republic of Congo on November 9, 2012 had based on the directives of the African Union, ordered the secretariat of the Supreme Council For Sports in Africa (SCSA) to make available all documents, resolutions and reports regarding the SCSA restructuring/dissolution to allow member countries consult with their respective heads of state/governments and take positions before the next meeting of the extraordinary general assembly in Cote d’Ivoire.

Declaring the meeting open on Tuesday in Abuja, Minister of Sports/Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdulahi told the visiting Sports ministers from West Africa zones 2 and 3, comprising Togo, Mali, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire, that the meeting would determine and harmonise the zone’s position on the planned restructuring /dissolution of the SCSA when they meet in Cote d’Ivoire.

Abdullahi urged the zone to come together as one force and speak as a block in the African Union meeting of Sports ministers.

The minister revealed that the meeting would also deliberate on other fundamental

issues that affects the zone, listing access to sports as a common fundamental human right for all, promoting investment in sports and physical education programme, as well as, preserving the integrity of sports.

He congratulated the West African countries for their teams’ performance at the just concluded CAF African Cup of Nations, where the sub region produced all the four semifinalists.

Premier Lotto Lagos School Athletics Championship

Tourney excites athletes as district two finalists emerge

By Olalekan Okusan THLETES taking part in the A maiden Premier Lotto Lagos School Athletics championships are excited about the staging of the tournament even as finalists have emerged from the district two finals.

With the district one held on Monday at Teslim Balogun Stadium, some of the athletes believe such competition would help them to showcase their talents.

Yetunde Fajobi of Government Senior College said the tourney has brought the best out of students urging the organisers to make it a regular event.

“The championship is well organised and I am happy that I came first in the 100metre heat. I believe that if the organisers can stage the championship at least twice in a year, I believe more talents will be discovered,” she

Etisalat renews deal with Barcelona ELECOMMUNICATIONS T outfit, Etisalat, on Monday renewed its partnership with Barcelona of Spain, the new agreement will see both parties working together for another four years.

The contract was signed during Mobile World Congress 2013 – a major event for the telecommunications industry taking place in Barcelona – at FC Barcelona’s stadium, Camp Nou, by CEO of the Etisalat Group, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, and the president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell.

They were accompanied by Etisalat’s CEO for Nigeria, Steven Evans, CEO for Mobily (which operates in Saudi Arabia), Khalid Al Kaf, CEO for Atlantique Telecom, Nagi Abboud, its Chief Regional Officer for Africa, Essa Al Haddad and Etisalat Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, Rainer Rathgeber.

Speaking about the partnership, the Etisalat Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Julfar said, “as a global telecommunications operator, it makes sense for us to partner with a world-class football club interested in expanding its international fan base.

“This partnership presents a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate Etisalat Group’s capabilities as a telecommunications opera-

tor, while allowing FC Barcelona to engage new fans in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. We very much look forward to sharing the talent of FC Barcelona with our customers.”

To Steven Evans, who is chief executive officer at Etisalat Nigeria, “football is a major past-time in Nigeria and across Africa. People from all walks of life enjoy this sport and other activities associated with it. By partnering with FC Barcelona, we are

“This meeting was convened specifically to discuss our position on the restructuring/dissolution of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) before our next African Union Sports Ministers meeting, which is expected to come up in Cote d’Ivoire. We should now harmonize the position of SCSA zone 2 and 3 to assist us present a common position in Cote d’Ivoire,” the minister stated.

able to allow our customers and Nigerians especially, to extend their support to the world’s most famous football team.

“The FCB partnership creates a suitable platform to connect with customers across segments that are passionate about international football. Etisalat will continue to support the development of sports in Nigeria and provide platforms such as this to key into the passion of Nigerians.”

said.

For Ikelusi Perpetual, of Ijegun Senior Comprehensive High School, the tourney is good for the students who want to take sport as the chosen career. She advised government to help schools in upgrading their sports facilities.

Ogala Daniel of Ikotun Senior High School also expressed joy that the championship would help to engender friendship among the students in the district.

“The championship really brought students from various school together. This championship make me popular in school because I am of the athletes that represented my school,” Daniel said.

Also, Adeyemo Abdulhammed of Igando Community Senior High School applauded the organisers for the initiative.

Meanwhile, champions in the eight events concluded at the district two finals, winners have emerged.

Winners in the boys’ event, Sunday Emmanuel (100m), Alatise Azeez (200m), Isiaka Ismaila (400m), Damilola Younwato (800m), Sunday Ukale (1500m and long jump), Johnny Israel (high jump) and Benson Effiong (shot put).

Girls’ winners are Okon Magdalene (100m), Anthonia Ibeleme (200m), Maria Diamond (400m and 800m), Olamide Oluwaseun (1500m), Eze Chioma (high jump), Omosola Omolayo (long jump) and Fidelia Wariboko (shot put).

Boys’ 800metres event during the district two qualifiers of the maiden Premier Lotto Lagos School Athletics Championship held at Teslim Balogun Stadium on Monday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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PREMIERSHIP

I am yet to make it, says Sterling youngster, LdoesIVERPOOL Raheem Sterling insists he not feel he has “made it” at Anfield yet, despite enjoying a breakthrough year at the club.

The 18-year-old has undergone a meteoric recent rise, having made 23 Premier League appearances this term and earning his first England

cap during a November friend- growing up, to keep my head ly against Sweden. down, and I understand comHowever, the former QPR pletely I haven’t made it yet - as youth product says he knows a young player you’ve just got to he must keep improving and keep working hard all the time,” is willing to accept his place on he said. the bench following the “I understand the situation January arrivals of Philippe and hopefully I can get on the Coutinho and Daniel bench and then make an Sturridge. impact coming off the bench.

“I’ve had to do quite a bit of That is the way to keep progressing, to try and get a chance and then to take it.

“I don’t feel an added pressure. I can’t try and overdo it.

I’ve got to play my normal game and hopefully that will work out.”

Sterling has scored just two league goals so far this term, and revealed that his shooting is one of many areas he is working on.

“I’ve been in the gym a few times a week. Size isn’t an issue as long as you can hold your own on the pitch, but I am working hard to improve all the time,” he added.

“I want to work on my longdistance shooting and my decision making. I want to make the first team grade, because I think everyone who plays for Liverpool has to pinch themselves now and again.

“It’s a dream come true for all the players. You’ve got to realise that it’s real, kick on with it, work hard and try to do your best for the football club.”

The winger was born in Jamaica but chose to represent England at international level having moved to London at the age of five, a decision he says he remains comfortable with.

“I grew up playing for England’s youth teams and it just didn’t seem right to switch,” he said. I want to continue my education with England - I’m really grateful for what they have done for me.”

Sterling has not abandoned his homeland, however, and is intent on using his new-found wealth to invest in community projects.

“When I go to Jamaica in the summer I’m looking to pay for two primary schools in my area, for the whole school’s school fees and their lunch money for the year,” he explained.

“I went last summer.

Everyone is living okay but not everyone has it easy, their mums and dads have to work hard for it. If I can chip in and help, that would be good.”

Mata wants Chelsea to improve in the big games HELSEA playmaker, Juan C Mata has claimed his side must improve their perform-

Sterling (right) battles with Arsenal’s Arteta during a recent Premiership game.

ances against the Premier League’s big clubs following Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City.

The Blues dropped down to fourth after their 2-0 loss to the reigning Premier League champions, and face a battle for Champions League qualification with both Tottenham and Arsenal finding form.

And the Spaniard has described the west London outfit’s showing at the Etihad Stadium as not good enough.

“The most important games are when you play against the best teams in the Premier League and you have to show you are at this level,” Mata told Chelsea TV. “On Sunday it wasn’t enough, the job that we did, and what we have to do now

is just carry on, the season is not finished yet.

“When you play teams like Man City you have to perform at your best. We tried but in the first 25 minutes they were better at pressing us. At the end of the first half we changed the game a little bit and after we had a few chances, and in the second half it was an important moment with the penalty and Joe Hart did a very good save.”

Mata’s team-mate Gary Cahill, meanwhile, expressed his belief that fixture congestion handed Roberto Mancini’s men the advantage.

“At the start of the season we had spark and we had zip and sometimes a little bit of fatigue plays its part,” said the defender,” he said.

“Man City had a clear week before the game and we didn’t and they were a lot fresher and sharper than us. It does

take its toll, we have not had a clear week for many weeks and you are expected to go into games 100 per cent fresh, trying to push on for every

competition.

“You don’t want to make excuses but it is a fact. It is something we have to deal with.”

Vidic says injury frustrations will soon pass ANCHESTER United M Captain, Nemanja Vidic expects to soon be past the

gives him hope that he will be back to normal soon enough.

Vidic told BBC Radio knee injury that has hindered Manchester, “with playing his career for over a year in Wednesday and Saturday, time for the climax to the some games I have to think if Premier League season. it’s good for myself to play or The 31-year-old centre-back not. After every game I feel has made just 14 starts since better and better, which is a December 2011 after suffering good sign. Sometimes I will the serious ligament damage get reactions, sometimes not. against Basel in the “When I have got through Champions League. two or three months without The Serbian missed the rest injuries, I will be fine. It’s not of that season and, following long-term. It’s normal procemore surgery in 2012, only dure after this kind of operareturned to action shortly tion. We have to manage the before the new year; his grad- knee for the next two or three ual reintroduction to playing months and after that it’s by manager Sir Alex Ferguson going to be normal.”

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Cosmas Odoemena HE news about a medical doctor who abandoned medicine to become an oil pipeline thief may have cast a pall on the prestige of what is supposed to be a noble profession. But there is a seeming loss of the prestige of medicine, which did not start today. You may have heard it before that many doctors regret reading medicine. For me it was during my secondary school days. I had told a neighbour who was a doctor, who further endeared me to the profession that I would want to read medicine, and I thought he would have been pleased.

But I was taken aback when he said I should instead go into engineering or even banking like my father. He said medicine was not worth the trouble. I felt his advice was suspicious. I also recall a visit to our family doctor. When I told him my ambition, he said, “Why medicine? Since I got into medical school I have not rested, even till now.”

In my young mind I just concluded that some people would say anything to make sure others don’t become like them.

I got into medicine anyway. I remember always waking up with a start. The only thought was how to scale anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. I thought it strange when other students from other departments made a face when I tell them I studied late in the cadaver room. We dissected with our bare hands and from there to the cafeteria. Reading was not by choice. It was a race against time as 24 hours was not enough. You find yourself borrowing from the next day and accruing deficits.

Well, I passed somehow and got into the clinical class. Just when I thought the hurdle had been reduced, without congratulating us, the dean clinical sciences in introducing us to the clinic said: “If you think you have made it, you are wrong. This is the time to decide whether you should continue the journey, or to voluntarily withdraw!” This is despite those who were withdrawn. And despite those who became psychiatric.

Though a teacher of mine boasted of the study of medicine: “It has never been easy, and it will never be easy,” many doctors do not want their children to be doctors. A 2007 survey by Merritt, Hawkins indicated that 57 per cent of 1,175 doctors questioned would not recommend the field to their children.

Another teacher of mine said that his son was “crazy enough to become a doctor.”

With the coming of the information age, doctors have been demystified. The awe is for software scientists, and those who can give us breathtaking electronic gadgets. And that is where smart kids now go into and, of course, sports and music. Perhaps Bill Gates or the late Steve Jobs would not have been popular if they were doctors.

Never known before, there is now unemployment in the profession. After medical school you have to do the compulsory one year internship. There are fewer accredited places for internship than the number of medical graduates.

Even those with accreditation lack the funds to absorb candidates. So you find fresh doctors staying more than a year, even up to two years to get placement.

And by Medical and Dental Council (MDCN) law, if you do not do the internship within two years of graduating, you have to write a council exam. Even after the compulsory youth service, doctors look for work. Many doctors who want to become specialists, have passed their primaries, but cannot get anywhere to do their residency programme. I know some who have given up on that dream after many years of attending fruitless interviews. The majority of doctors, many with primaries, are doing one

T

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Why would anyone want to become a doctor?

locum or the other in a private hospital where they are paid as low as N60, 000 per month.

There are other disincentives. In the U.S. doctors face malpractice charges regularly. And many have stopped practising. Yet, the majority of lawsuits brought are frivolous. In more than 91 per cent of cases the defendant won.

And only six per cent of all lawsuits go to trial. Those that are not thrown out are settled amicably.

In Nigeria it is catching on. Of course, doctors who make gross inexcusable mistakes are liable, as those who are unqualified. When a patient dies here and the hospital remains the best place to, there must be something the doctor

should have done he did not do. As doctors we took an oath, yes, but the oath did not say we would save everybody.

The typical scenario in Nigeria is that the patient has taken all sorts of selfmedication including traditional concoction, and when organs have damaged they are rushed into the hospital for the doctor to perform a miracle.

Children are brought in chronically illlooking, very anaemic and needing blood transfusion because the parents’ neighbours told them it is “teething”.

When you tell a woman she will have an elective caesarian section because she risks a uterine rupture from a previous caesarian section she will say, “I reject it”. Many laboratory investiga-

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tions cannot be done because there are no reagents. There are many diagnostics tools that Nigerian doctors only read about in textbooks. Many patients are also poor and cannot do investigations when it is available and cannot buy their medications. So your medical knowledge hangs in the air.

There are still other frustrations of daily clinical life. In most government hospitals the crowd stretches the capacity of the hospital. In seeing a patient a doctor is making the most of the 15 or so minutes he has to be with the patient, but the patients outside grumble that you are taking a long time. But when they themselves get inside the surgery they don’t want to leave. Some patients complain that their doctor does not listen.

But it is not so. As New York Times health columnist Danielle Ofri puts it, “Sometimes it feels as though my brain is juggling so many competing details, that one stray request from a patient— even one that is quite relevant—might send the delicately balanced three-ring circus tumbling down.” She calculated the number of thoughts a primary care doctor juggles to do a satisfactory job, and tabulated 550. She said that doctors keep pushing so many balls into the air and that there was no doubt a few would fall. As it stands, it seems that doctors will simply have to continue this impossible mental high-wire act, juggling dozens of clinical issues in their brains, panicking about dropping a critical one.

The resultant neuronal overload will continue to present a distracted air to their patients that may be interpreted as they not listening, or perhaps not caring.

Ofri added that when her computer became overloaded, it simply crashed.

Usually, she reboots in a fury, angry about all her lost work. However, she viewed her computer with a tinge of envy. It has the luxury of being able to crash, and of a reassuring, omniscient hand to press the reboot button.

Physicians are permitted no such extravagance.

There are still other things to ponder on. The retirement age of professors is now 70. Yet, critically speaking doctors do more for the people. How about increasing their retirement age to 70 also? It pains me when doctors go on strike. But how about removing doctors from the civil service structure and creating something different that covers all doctors in government and the private settings? How about empowering many other hospitals, including the private ones to do internship and residency training? How about increasing the budget that goes to health? Wait a minute. Where is the National Health Bill?

I can’t deny that sometimes I feel if I had not been a doctor life would have been much easier. I do not have to do calls. My sleep will not have to be interrupted by distress telephone calls. I do not have to leave my wife in a dash. I am condemned to have more than my own fair share of grieving, for every patient that dies in my unit is somehow connected to me.

Gasp, and needle pricks!

But I also shudder at what it would mean for patients if doctors walked away from medicine because of the frustrations. I still marvel at discovering the wonder of the human body. The honour of being trusted by my patient to give them advice, the gratitude the elderly ones especially show when helping them through their illness, their prayers and blessings. These things will remain unchanging. When I look at all these – I still consider myself lucky and privileged to be placed to look after God’s creation.

• Dr. Odoemena, medical practitioner in Lagos