Wednesday 20 Mar 2013 The guardian Nigeria

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,501

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Jonathan seeks amendment to 2013 budget • Wants capital votes slashed to N1.588 trillion • Rejects quarterly briefing by accounting officers • Opposes N’Assembly control of SEC’s expenditure • Proposes N273. 522 billion for SURE-P From Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan yesterday rejected a quarterly briefing of the National Assembly by accounting officers of government ministries, parastatals and departments on generated revenues.

The President who sent a letter to the Senate, seeking amendment of Clauses 6 (11), 7 and 10, also called for a review of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). The President also submitted a budget proposal of N273.522 billion for programme for the 2013 financial year.

The SURE-P proposal contained various sums allocated for different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the programme for 2013.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Court declares FG’s deregulation policy unlawful From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal High Court, AbuT ja Division, may have thrown spanner in the works of the Federal Government with regard to its on-going effort at deregulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry as it yesterday declared it “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void”.

Delivering its verdict in the action brought by a Lagos-based lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, to challenge Federal Government’s decision in 2009 not to fix prices of petroleum products, the court held that the government was bereft of any constitutional authority to deregulate the sector and therefore cannot leave the fixing of price of petroleum products in the hands of individual marketers.

Aturu had sued the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Italian Cardinal Angelo Sodano (second right) putting the Fisherman’s ring on Pope Francis’ finger during the pope’s grand inauguration mass at the Vatican … yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP/ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Kano terror survivors relive ordeal

From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Adamu Abuh, Terhemba Daka, Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri), Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Tunde Akinola (Lagos) (with agency report)

• Two soldiers, policeman die in Borno blast • Reps want govt to check terrorism • CAN, ANPP, APGA, others condemn bombing

T was a moment of outrage Isurvivors and shock yesterday as the of the bomb explo-

heard multiple blasts and saw wounded victims in bloodied clothes fleeing the area as authorities cordoned the scene.

“I was boarding the bus to Lagos when I heard a huge explosion,” Abdulaziz Baban-Lamma, a 47-year-old

sion in Kano that claimed several lives relived their ordeal.

The casualty figure rose to 22 yesterday.

Witnesses told the Agence France Presse (AFP) that they

trader, told AFP from his hospital bed.

The blast left him with severe injuries to his abdomen and other survivors ran to assist him when they saw his condition, he said. He later underwent emergency surgery.

“May Allah curse whoever

was behind the act,” he said.

Magawata Goje, 45, was selling dried meat at the station when the bomb went off.

“Something sharp hit me under my right ear,” he said.

“Blood gushed out and I was drenched in my blood.”

When he regained con-

U.S. excludes Nigeria from Africa’s democracy summit – Page 3 164 feared killed in Calabar boat mishap – Page 6

sciousness, “I could see many people burnt to death,” he said.

Emmanuel Bassey, a 37-yearold bus company employee with burns across his body, said the bombers slammed into one of the buses at high speed.

The bus station targeted on Monday primarily services passengers heading to the southern part of the country.

It was also attacked in January last year in a blast that wounded several people.

Authorities have not said who was behind the bombing and there has been no claim of responsibility, but it was similar to previous attacks by Boko Haram.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

2 NEWS

Two soldiers, policeman die in Borno blast CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The worsening insecurity yesterday, again, claimed the lives of two soldiers and a policeman in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

This development came a day after gunmen attacked three schools and killed three teachers in the same state.

Yesterday’s tragedy occurred when suspected terrorists bombed the patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at the Roundabout of Kashim Ibrahim Way at noon, killing two soldiers, a policeman and injuring four soldiers.

The blast, according to an eyewitness, Aisami Yerima, hit the patrol vehicle of JTF while driving at the roundabout before other soldiers and policemen rushed to the scene to evacuate the victims.

Yerima, however, told The Guardian that he could not say whether the occupants were killed or not, but the blast ripped the vehicle into pieces, while passersby scampered for safety into various directions.

Five minutes after the blast, the entire area wherein lie First Bank, United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Union Bank, was cordoned by the JTF. Vehicles and pedestrians were forced and directed by soldiers to take the Post Office Area and Government Reservation Area (GRA) roads of Maiduguri.

In a telephone interview, the spokesman of JTF, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said that the blast was targeted at the patrol vehicle of JTF at First Bank Roundabout by noon yesterday.

He said the casualties of the blast could not be ascertained as the details on death and injuries were yet to be collated from the scene of the blast.

Musa said: “As soon as we collated all the details of the blast casualties, the media will be communicated through their respective e-mails.”

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), however, said that two bodies

of soldiers and four injured ones were deposited at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit (A&EU).

The UMTH A&EU attendant, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “The bodies of soldiers and injured ones were brought in two Hilux Patrol vehicles.”

And apparently expressing concern over the development, the House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Government to do everything within the confines of the law to end terrorism in the country.

In a resolution, the House mandated the Committees on Public Safety, Army, Defence and Police Affairs to engage the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) with a view to addressing the problem.

This followed the adoption of a motion introduced on the floor of the House by Ibrahim Olaifa who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency in Oyo State.

In the motion tagged “Need to

end terrorism activities in Nigeria,” Olaifa lamented that several innocent Nigerians had been killed in the last three years due to the activities of Boko Haram, adding that “on Monday, over 20 people were killed in Kano.”

The lawmaker explained that “several conflicting details have been given as the reasons why the group decided to unleash terror on the Nigerian establishment and innocent Nigerians.

“The economy of the northern part of Nigeria, its education and other social welfare programmes, have nosedived significantly, further worsening the standard of living of the citizens.”

He said: “The pattern of operations of the group has remained mostly unpredictable despite huge investments in the nation’s security apparatus.

“The stakeholders are finding it difficult to agree on how to engage this group in order to end the situation.”

The Igbo think-tank, Aka Ikenga, has also condemned the at-

tack in Kano.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National President, Chief Goddy Anayo Uwazurike, the group described the attack as “senseless and barbaric” massacre of innocent people whose only crime was that they decided to travel by bus.

Aka Ikenga urged all men and women of goodwill to rise up and condemn the “horrendous” crime.

Chief Victor Umeh of the World Ndigbo Youths Council International also lamented the violence.

In his reaction, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, called on the Federal Government to arrest the sponsors of Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal commonly called Boko Haram and the Islamic group, Jama’atu Ansaril Muslimina fi Sudan, better known as Ansaru, an alQaeda-aligned group.

He urged the Federal GovernCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and former President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, during the Nigeria Economic Summit with the theme Enabling an Implementing Chance in Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

President rejects quarterly briefing by accounting officers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Details of the proposal showed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs got a total amount of N84.5 billion for different sections of the East West road.

The Ministry of Works also got N93,500,000,000 for AbujaLokoja Road, Benin-Ore-Sagamu Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-EnuguOnitsha Road and the Second Niger Bridge.

The sum of N77.42 billion was allocated for the Transport Ministry while social safety nets and other infrastructure projects got N58.8 billion.

According to the President,

the clauses marked for amendment are injurious to the spirit of separation of powers and could hamper the work of the Executive arm of government.

Jonathan, in a letter addressed to Senate President David Mark, called for the amendment of Clause 9, which stipulates that “all accounting officers of ministries, parastatals and departments of government who control heads of expenditure shall upon the coming into effect of this Act, furnish the National Assembly on quarterly basis with detailed information on the internallygenerated revenue of the

agency in any form whatsoever.”

According to Jonathan, the clauses of the Appropriation Act and 6 (11) which state that the Accountant-General of the Federation shall forward to the National Assembly, full details of funds released to the government agencies immediately this is done, run counter to the established chain of reporting.

Jonathan also urged the Senate to consider the fact that the budget of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not form part of the core 2013 federal budget as presented to the National Assembly and as such, should not be included in the 2013 Appropriation Act in the first place.

The Clause 10 of the Act states that all revenues, however, described including all fees received, fines, grants, budgetary provisions and all internally and externally-generated revenues shall not be spent by the SEC for recurrent or capital purposes or for any other matters, nor liabilities thereon incurred except with prior appropriation and approval by the National Assembly.

Jonathan maintained that “the import of the clause is tantamount to shutting down the business of the commission with a potential negative impact on the capital market.”

Another area the President is seeking amendment is Clause 7 of the Appropriation Act, which compels the minister of

finance to ensure that funds appropriated under the Act are released to the appropriate agencies and/or organs of government as and when due, provided that no funds for any quarter of the fiscal year shall be deferred without prior waiver from the National Assembly.

According to him, the clause requires the finance minister to seek waiver from the National Assembly each time he or she cannot make full release of funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as and when due and such development could affect budget implementation.

“As you are aware, the nation experiences a shortfall in revenue once in a while and if the minister is to seek a waiver on each occasion, the practice would tie down budget implementation as this would involve the minister writing a formal letter to the National Assembly, presented in plenary and sent to the relevant committees for discussion. These would create delays and constraints on budget implementation”, he reiterated.

Jonathan had, in his letter, commended lawmakers for giving accelerated hearing to the 2013 budget proposal and passing it in record time. “This indeed demonstrates the enduring partnership between the two arms of government in discharging our shared responsibility for nation-building,” he stated.

NEWS 3

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

News U.S. excludes Nigeria from Africa’s democracy summit

Envoy, NDLEA decry Nigerians illegal drug deals abroad

From Laolu Akande, New York

From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Wole Shadare (Lagos)

N a subtle move to further register its displeasure over the recent pardon granted embattled former Bayelsa State Governor, D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, the United States (U.S.) has excluded Nigeria from a planned summit between President Barack Obama and some African leaders on how to strengthen democratic institutions in the continent.

The presidents of four select countries from Africa, including three from West African were invited to the parley scheduled for the White House next week.

I

According to a statement signed on Monday by White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, President Obama has invited the presidents of Sierra Leone, Malawi, Senegal and Cape Verde to join him next week Thursday for the summit.

The statement from the White House Press Secretary said, “President Obama looks forward to welcoming President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde to the White

House on Thursday, March 28.

The statement added: “The U.S. has strong partnerships with these countries based on shared democratic values and shared interests.”

Disclosing the purpose of the multilateral presidential summit, Obama’s spokesman added that “the five leaders will discuss strengthening democratic institutions across sub-Saharan Africa, and building on Africa’s democratic progress to generate increased economic opportunities and expanded trade and investment. “ It concluded that “The visit of these four leaders under-

scores the strategic importance the President places on building partnerships and substantive engagement with sub-Saharan Africa, and our commitment to working with strong and emerging African democracies.”

Coming soon after the U.S. expressed its reservations over the pardon granted Alamieyeseigha, observers of U.S. government affairs say the exclusion of President Goodluck Jonathan from the meeting is a further display of White House disapproval of the controversial pardon.

Going by Nigeria’s leadership role in the continent, especial-

ly in the West African subregion, the exclusion is believed to be too significant to be mere happen-stance.

Last week the U.S. State Department formally expressed the American government’s concern that the controversial pardon was a major setback for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.

U.S. sources also indicated over the past weekend that plans to have Obama visit Nigeria in his second term may now be shelved also as a result of the pardon, as the U.S. President is expected to clearly distance himself from such a decision.

BOUT 25 Nigerians are A being held in Vietnam prisons for drug offences, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Mathias Orji Okafor disclosed yesterday.

Meanwhile, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Norwegian Intelligence Service are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on effective drug control.

Speaking at a business forum for entrepreneurs in the South-East organised by Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), as part of the on going 24th Enugu trade fair, he said that while some have had their cases decided and are serving various prison terms, others are still being tried.

He said that the embassy had continued to provide support by way of legal assistance as well as taking care of families of the affected persons.

The MoU is coming as no fewer than 1,585 Nigerians were apprehended in Norway between 2000 and 2012 over drug trafficking.

This was disclosed by a visiting team of Norwegian police and customs officials who are on a field visit to the country.

According to the leader of the delegation, Mr. Kai Arild Holm, the visit is to enhance collaboration with Nigerian authorities in counter narcotic smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking.

Inauguration of probe panel on Agbaso stalled From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, presenting a souvenir to the newly posted Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Zone 6, Calabar, AIG Jonathan Johnson when the service commanders paid the governor a courtesy visit …yesterday

Ekpu ends cross examination, denies Newswatch’s alleged poor finances

By Joseph Onyekwere ORMER Chief Executive FCommunications Officer of Newswatch Limited (NCL), Ray Ekpu, yesterday completed his testimony in cross-examination at the Federal High Court, Lagos and was discharged as a witness by the court.

Ekpu, who also read out portions of the alleged financial situation of the company before the take over, insisted that such figures do not represent the true state of the company.

He was cross-examined by the defendants’ counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) in the suit filed by two minority shareholders of the company, Mr. NuhuWada Aruda and Prof.

Jibril Aminu challenging the take over of the company by businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The trial judge, Ibrahim Buba adjourned further hearing in the case till April 22 and 26, 2013.

He specifically read out that the company sustained a loss of N27.9 million in 2005; N49 million losses in 2006; N86 million in 2008; N20 million in 2009 and N93 million in 2010.

Then Ayorinde asked: “Would

you say that these figures reflect the state of affairs of the company at the said periods?”

Ekpu said: “No, these figures do not define the company state of affairs because they don’t refer to assets of the company. You don’t define a company just by looking at the losses. I cannot confirm nor deny the figures in this document.”

The document in question is a statement of account of Newswatch Communications Ltd allegedly prepared for the company

by Marino and Partners.

In his testimony as the second petitioners’ witness, Ekpu said he had absolutely no knowledge of the documents and could not therefore vouch for its accuracy.

The two petitioners had filed the substantive petition accusing the new management team led by Ibrahim of assuming control of the company “illegally” through a Share Purchase Agreement.

The petitioners are therefore, praying the court to quash the powers of the current management of the company elected by the majority of the

shareholders.

In their petition brought pursuant to Sections 310 (a), (b) and (c) and 311 (1), (2) (a) and (b) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the applicants are also praying the court to, among others, set aside the Share Purchase Agreement on the basis of which Ibrahim assumed majority shareholding in the company.

Envoy tasks Nigeria on competition From Oghogho Obayuwana (Abuja) and Karls Tsokar, Beijing, China ISITING Chinese Special V Envoy for Africa, Ambassador Zhong Jianhua on Monday called on Nigeria to jettison the perpetual fear of neocolonial tendencies, by certain countries and open up its economy for a healthy competition from new allies in order to have sustainable development.

Also, Director General of the Department of African Affairs in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lu Shaye on Monday said that China was not to blame for the de industrialisa-

• ‘China not responsible for Africa’s de-industrialisation’ tion and poor development of African countries as widely believed, stating that it was a result of Western media hype.

Jianhua gave the advice yesterday at a special briefing in Abuja to round off his official tour of the continent, which is also taking him to South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Jianhua whose delegation had earlier met Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, said: “What you see today in China is the result of competition. We welcome this competition. But

when we opened our door to the outside world and foreign investments, there was a furious debate in China: Are you going to allow yourself to be manipulated? But we took the challenge and started to compete with foreigners. We learnt from them and what you see today as development in China on CCTV, telecoms, infrastructure provision, manufacturing and agriculture is a result of our taking the challenge to compete with the rest of the world, this is what I also see for Nigeria.”

He further maintained that

governments in Africa must carefully differentiate genuine foreign investment inflow from neo-colonial agenda.

He posited: “I disagree with the neo-colonialism definition in this instance. You must be clear on what is neo-colonialist. I still remember those days, we used to sell a barrel of oil by exchanging it with manufactured goods. Things have changed today the price of oil is over $100 per barrel. Today, I also say this to Nigeria, you can accumulate capital for development. Make the best use of the situation, make the best use of accumulated capital.”

OVES to inaugurate the M panel to probe the alleged gross misconduct of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Jude Agbaso, was put on hold for undisclosed reasons.

The State Chief Judge (CJ) Benjamin Njemanze had last weekend announced a sevenman panel, Justice G.C Ihekire (chairman), Vin Onyeka, Egonu Mere, Elder Humphrey Ajaelu, Mrs. Cecilia Chinyere Oladimeji and Okparaku Nwarie.

In a earlier statement by the CJ, yesterday was fixed for inauguration of the panel at High Court premises, Owerri, but after journalists and other stakeholders had gathered as early as 8.30 a.m. and spent hours, a spokesperson later announced its postponement.

He added: “The exercise has been put off. All concerned will be communicated on a new date later. We saw the reports all over the papers this morning and the CJ as a high ranking judicial officer knows when a matter is subjudice.”

The Guardian gathered that the postponement may not be unconnected with the ruling by a High Court Judge in Owerri, Florence Duruoha–Igwe in an exparte motion brought before her by Agbaso’s counsel, Patrick Iwueto (SAN) praying the court to stop the impeachment process of the applicant.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

4 NEWS

FAAN terminates Bi-Courtney’s hotel deal

By Wole Shadare

HE lingering face-off beT tween the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited assumed another dimension yesterday as FAAN announced termination of two leases granted the company at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, for the development and management of a four-star hotel and conference centre.

The FAAN through its spokesman, Yakubu Dati, in a statement said the agency, in two separate letters, dated April 19, 2012, had informed BiCourtney that the leases granted it in respect of the two projects had been termi-

• Action laughable, says firm nated as a result of breaches allegedly committed by the company in the agreements it signed with FAAN on the two projects.

Dati said by the agreements, the two projects were to be completed in 2008, but FAAN graciously extended the construction period to July 2009, yet, Bi-Courtney still failed to complete the two projects at the expiration of the extended period.

His words: “By that termination order, the demised premises, in respect of the two projects, have reverted to FAAN automatically, in line with the terms of the agreements.”

In a swift reaction, Public Relations Manager of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Steve Omale-Ajulo, said the action of the agency was not only laughable, but a violation of an order.

According to him, Justice S.J.

Adah of the Federal High Court, Ikeja Division, had on April 23, 2012, issued an order restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Managing Director of FAAN and FAAN itself (all defendants in the suit we filed against them) from commencing, continuing and/or completing any actions or permitting the commencement, continuance and/or completion of any actions in respect of taking over possession of and/or in-

terfering with applicant’s possession of the Four-Star Hotel and the Conference Centre situate at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Ikeja, under construction pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s application for interlocutory injunction”.

“So, for FAAN to say it has terminated the projects and taken possession of the land is laughable and a clear disobedience of subsisting court orders.”

Lebanese president lauds Eko Atlantic City project

By Tunde Alao HE Lebanese President, T Michel Suleiman, yesterday lauded the Eko Atlantic City project.

Suleiman, who paid a brief visit to the project being bankrolled by his countrymen, said he was impressed by the scope of work. He described the job as a beacon of better things to come to Nigeria.

Speaking after unveiling the plague in his honour at the Eko Atlantic City site, Suleiman said Lebanon and Nigeria have formed a partnership that is beneficial to both countries.

Managing Director of Eko Atlantic City Limited, Mr. David Cook, who spoke on behalf of the president, said Suleiman, who is on tour of many African countries, was delighted to visit Nigeria, especially Lagos, to have a first-hand experience of the contributions of Lebanese living in Nigeria.

“The President of Lebanon is happy with what Lebanese community is doing in Nigeria. He is happy that we are contributing to the development of Nigeria, a country that is a second home to many of us”, said Cook, adding that Lebanese will continue to seek the progress and peace of Nigeria.

Wife of former Lagos State governor, Oluremi Tinubu (left); her husband, Bola Tinubu; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, during a special dinner in honour of the President of Lebanon, Michel Suleiman, in Lagos… on Monday.

Court declares FG’s deregulation policy unlawful CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Attorney-General of the Federation, praying for an order restraining the government from deregulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry for failing to fix the prices of petroleum products as mandatorily required by the Petroleum Act and the Price Control Act. Aturu had even argued that the near yearly prohibitive hike in the price of fuel which has gone up to N65 was an indirect breach of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement provided for in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

He, therefore, prayed the court

to declare government’s decision to deregulate the downstream sector by not fixing prices at which petroleum products may be sold in Nigeria “unlawful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

He further sought an order restraining government and its collaborators from deregulating the downstream sector of the industry or from failing to fix prices for petroleum products as mandatorily required by the Petroleum Act and the Price Control Act. But the government, through the defendants – Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Attorney-General of the

Federation and Justice Minister – raised a preliminary objection to Aturu’s suit, asking the court to dismiss it for incompetence on the premise that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (legal right) to initiate and sustain it.

While arguing that the plaintiff did not disclose any reasonable cause of action, the government also said the suit, as constituted by Aturu, was not properly brought before the court.

In setting out his decision, the trial Judge, Justice Adamu Bello, dealt with the preliminary objection by dismissing it for lacking in merit, and upheld

the rights of Aturu to institute the action and maintain it.

The judge held that the policy of government to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing the prices at which petroleum products might be sold in Nigeria was “unlawful.”

Bello held that the government has a statutory obligation to fix the price of petroleum products sold across Nigeria as provided by Petroleum Act and the Price Control Act. Consequently, the judge ordered government to “continue to fix, regulate and publish regularly prices of petroleum products across the country.”

Reps want government to check terrorism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 ment to liaise with the international community and obtain their expertise on how to deal with terrorism.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, the CAN president noted that the continuous attacks on Christians and churches in the northern part of Nigeria in recent times were signs of the intended extermination of Christians and Christianity from northern Nigeria.

Oritsejafor noted that the Federal Government could not just continue to condemn these heinous acts of the enemies of unity and agents of death without prosecuting those already arrested.

He said: “The CAN President believes that the suicide bombing of a Lagos-bound 59seater luxury bus which killed 25 people by ‘those whose inhumanity and vicious behaviour terrifies Nigerians’, is utterly evil, tragic and condemnable. The unconstitutional suspension of the only female and Christian legisla-

tor in the Bauchi State House of Assembly on charges of opposition to the relocation of the headquarters of a local council is equally worrisome.

“The barbaric and sustained bomb and gun attacks on innocent Nigerians is the reason why we in CAN are calling on the Federal Government to support our call for the branding of the Boko Haram sect as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). Those betraying others by working underground with enemies of the nation should also be fished out and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.”

While commiserating with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the attack, Oritsejafor urged Nigerians to volunteer information to the various security agencies.

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the bombing. In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party described the attacks as “cruel”, saying they could not be justified under any guise.

He said the party was shocked by the attacks and had been deeply saddened over the manner in which Nigerians were being killed for no just cause.

Calling on those behind the attacks to have a rethink and realise that life is sacrosanct, the PDP said Nigerians must learn to live in harmony and eschew all acts of violence.

The party, however, urged Nigerians to be more vigilant even as it charged security agencies to double their efforts, especially in intelligence gathering, so as to forestall such attacks.

It commiserated with the families of the bereaved and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday condemned the bombing in Kano. The APGA described it as outrageous, barbaric and wicked.

The ANPP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, noted that the wicked act of a few elements of terror had further

pushed the country to the edge of anarchy.

Calling on the nation’s security agencies to leave no stone unturned in unraveling perpetrators of the heinous crime against humanity, the party noted that it was crucial that every necessary measure should be taken to defuse the prevalent atmosphere of hopelessness in the nation as precipitated by the terror attack.

APGA, in a statement from its National Youth Leader, Mr. Okpara Ferguson, expressed deep concern that Nigerians are being hacked down by terrorists on daily basis.

It stated: “We are deeply pained that thousands of innocent Nigerians have been killed in the recent past by Boko Haram suicide bombers taking away lives they did not create. We are further outraged that key elements in our society up North rather than help stamp out these social vermin continue to pander them by making suggestions that edify their heinous activities.

“The government is enjoined

by the provisions of Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to make security and welfare of the people its primary purpose. It is in this wise we note the firm statement and resolve by Mr. President on this issue of terrorism at the Town Hall meeting recently in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“We therefore fully support the resolve of the Federal Government not to give any quarter to these messengers of death, but to go all out and bring them to justice. They must have no safe haven and they must not be allowed any respite.

“We commiserate with the families of the deceased and pray to God Almighty to grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones. We also pray that God will grant those wounded in the attack speedy recovery.

“We urge security agents to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act and their sponsors, and bring them to book.

Nigerians demand dividends of democracy not carnage.”

Adeboye commends Fashola on health care services

By Isaac Taiwo HE General Overseer, ReT deemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adejare Adeboye, has commended the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), for establishing health centres where beneficiaries have been receiving free drugs and treatment.

Speaking yesterday at the RCCG Headquarters, EbuteMetta on his monthly special programme coming up on Sunday, April 7, 2013 when he would be praying for pregnant women and expecting mothers at the Throne of Grace, 1-9, Redemption Way, formerly Cemetery Street, Ebute-Metta (East), Lagos, Adeboye gave kudos to Fashola for his attention on health care as a demonstration of his commitment to good living of citizens in Lagos.

“Fashola has been trying and needs to be appreciated. I am encouraging him to try more by increasing the number of health centres to meet up with the demand of health delivery,” he said.

The cleric, who spoke through the Assistant Pastor in charge of Social Responsibility, Goke Aniyeloye, said there is need for Fashola to encourage establishment of more maternity homes by issuing licences to qualified individuals so that the state can have more maternity centres to meet up with the demand of the people.

Adeboye added that with the realisation that the government cannot do it alone, RCCG in various provinces have a lot of maternity centres which offer free medical services and delivery.

Ekweremadu leads delegation to Anglican leader’s enthronement From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has named the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as the head of the Federal Government’s delegation to the enthronement of Rev. Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion tomorrow.

Other members of the delegation as announced by the Special Adviser to Jonathan on Media, Dr. Rueben Abati, included Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ama Pepple; Ambassador Maurice Ekpang; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara; and the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba.

The Rt. Rev. Justin Welby was appointed to succeed the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, in November last year.

In a congratulatory letter to him, President Jonathan said he was confident that with Bishop Welby’s “inspiring antecedents”, he will achieve “astounding success” in the new assignment which he has been given at a time of great challenges for the Anglican Church.

NEWS 5

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Reps probe state of Lagos-Ibadan rail service From Terhemba Daka, Abuja ITHOUT debate, the House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Land Transport to investigate the security and safety standards on the Lagos-Ibadan route and recommend to the parliament ways to avoid a possible disaster.

This followed the adoption of a motion expressing dismay over the deplorable state of the Lagos-Ogun route, which, according to the sponsor, Chris Azubogu, was operating with shoddy coaches despite the newly improved railway system in the country.

The committee has four weeks to conclude the assignment.

Azubogu had in the motion titled: “Dangerous trend in handling railway transport system in Nigeria,” expressed concern, warning that adequate operational guidelines, safety and security measures were not in place to make the rail transport comfortable and safe for Nigerian commuters.”

CBN retains 12 per cent lending rate, worried about corruption

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Glo set to boost operations LOBACOM will today turn another chapter of its eventful sojourn in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

An indication to this was given in messages placed by Glo in several national newspapers on Monday.

Featuring Globacom’s ambassadors such as Funke Akindele, Desmond Elliot and Ali Nihu, the messages called on subscribers to be “ready to experience a world without limits”.

There will be a special broadcast by the company’s chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr (GCON), at 7.58 p.m. on Channels TV, Silverbird (STV) and African Independent Television (AIT) today. The broadcast will also come up on Nigeria Television Authority

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Court grants accelerated hearing in My Pikin’s trial

By Joseph Onyekwere O quickly dispense with the trial, a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted accelerated hearing in a case against Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Limited charged with the production of alleged killer teething syrup, My Pikin.

The case, which was fixed for continuation of trial on March 19, could not go on due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, who is said to be attending a conference in Abuja.

As a result, the case has been adjourned to April 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 for continuation of trial.

The company was charged alongside two of its employees, Ebele Eromosele and Adeyemo Abiodun, on a six-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.

They were re-arraigned on January 7 due to the amendment of the charge before the court, in which the name of the company’s alter ego, Mr. Kola Gbadegeshin (now deceased), had been struck out.

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From Mathias Okwe (Assistant Business Editor, Abuja) HE Central Bank of Nigeria T (CBN) yesterday retained its tight monetary stance and left

President, Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin (left); Mr. Nnimmo Bassey; Chairman of 20th Anniversary Environmental Rights Action, Prof. Festus Ajayi; Mrs. Ayo Obe and Ambassador, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Mr. Rolf Ree, at the 20th anniversary of Environmental Rights Action in Abuja…yesterday

Ondo polls tribunal fixes April 23 for adoption of written addresses From Niyi Bello, Akure HE election petition tribuT nal handling litigations that arose after the October 20, 2012, governorship polls in Ondo State yesterday fixed April 23 for the adoption of written addresses in the petitions filed against the conduct of the polls.

The adoption of the addresses marked the final lap of the cases instituted by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olusola Oke, against the declared winner of the polls, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his Labour Party (LP) platform, as well as the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the subsisting 2010 Electoral Act under which the tribunal was set up, respondents are to spend 10 days concurrently while the

petitioners have seven days and the respondents another five days to reply.

Final judgment is expected to be delivered by the threemember panel headed by Justice Andovar Kaka’an within seven days of the adoption of the addresses, putting the verdict delivery at the end of April.

Yesterday’s decision by the tribunal was sequel to the closure of defence by respondents to the petition filed by Oke. Mimiko had on Monday opened his defence to the petition, calling four witnesses to defend his case.

When the tribunal resumed sitting yesterday, Mimiko further called nine witnesses, bringing the witnesses called by the governor to 13.

The witnesses all agreed in their evidence before the tribunal that the election was free as voters cast their votes without any form of violence or intimidation.

Siola Olaniran from Okeigbo, Adefarati Babatunde from Ikun-Akoko and Francis Ojo from Irun-Akoko during crossexamination by counsel to the petitioner, PDP candidate, Dr. Abode Olatoke, gave evidence to the fairness of the election.

After calling the 13th witness, Mimiko’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had told the court that the respondent would be closing his case.

In the same vein, counsel to the LP, Yusuf Ali (SAN) and that of INEC, Dr. Ifeanyi Ikpeazu, said they would not call any witness, as they would be relying on the evidence of the witnesses brought by Mimiko.

The tribunal, therefore, told the parties to commence the compilation of their written addresses immediately.

However, Olanipekun pleaded for time from the tribunal to enable the lawyers attend a conference slated for Cape Town, making the counsels to agree on April 23 for the adoption.

rates unchanged for the umpteenth time.

Both the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR); the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) and the Liquidity Ratio were all retained at 12 per cent, 12 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. The MPR is the rate at which the CBN lends money to money deposit banks. This drives the rate at which the banks fix their interest rate to customers; the cash reserve requirement is the minimum capital expected of banks to keep with the apex bank as reserves while the Liquidity Ratio is the minimum amount physical cash banks are expected to have every given time to meet their customers’ demand.

These rates determine to a large extent the amount of funds available to banks and influences lending in the country.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) where the decisions were reached, the apex bank governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, explained that the need to sustain the gains of monetary policy while utilising the existing space in the corridor to influence yields and exchange rates in the short term informed the MPC to leave the rates unchanged.

He, however, expressed concern over certain risk factors such as increased level of corruption perception and impunity in the country and

Oil marketer forged documents for subsidy payments, says witness

By Bertram Nwannekanma PROSECUTION witness, Mr. Lawal Ahmed, yesterday told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos that a company, Brila Energy Limited, belonging to an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril, forged some documents to obtain the N963.7 million subsidy payment.

He also said that Jubril did not import the petroleum products for which he obtained the subsidy payment.

Ahmed, who was part of the special team set up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the fuel subsidy fraud, stated this at the resumed trial of Jubril and his company, Brila Energy Limited, before Justice Lateefat Okunnu over fuel subsidy infractions.

Led in evidence by the EFCC’s

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counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, the witness alleged that Jubril had obtained the money from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of premium motor spirit (PMS).

According to the witness, it was, however, discovered during investigations that Brila Energy had forged some documents, which were presented to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to obtain the payment.

“The documents included Gasoline Analysis and Certificate of Quantity of the Mother Vessel, MT Overseas Lima, which was said to have been issued by Saybolt Nigeria Ltd. “It also included Certificate of Quantity and Cargo Manifest of the Daughter Vessel, MT Defilna, which was purportedly issued by

Inspectorate Marine Services Ltd,” he said.

According to him, both companies later told the EFCC that the documents did not emanate from them.

He further stated that Llyod Lister, an agency, which monitors the movement of international vessels, also confirmed that MT Overseas Lima was in Venezuela when the defendant claimed the vessel was being discharged in offshore Cotonou.

He said: “The products were discharged but not imported into the country as claimed by the defendant.

“The inspectorate companies, which were purportedly involved in the ship to ship transfer, have denied ever participating in the transaction.”

But Jubril’s counsel, Mr. R.A. Oluyede, while cross-examining the witness, accused the EFCC of embarking on a

shoddy investigation of the transaction.

Specifically, Oluyede queried the witness on why the EFCC failed to investigate whether the products were actually discharged at Obat Tank Farm in Lagos.

“The EFCC did not contact Nappa Petroleum in Brazil, which sold the products to the defendant.

“They did not contact Petro Bras who owned MT Overseas Lima, which transported the products to off-shore Cotonou before they were discharged to the daughter vessels, MT Defilna and MT Danny,” Oluyede said.

He further berated the agency for not investigating the claim by Spring Bank Plc that it made the overseas payment to Nappa Petroleum on behalf of Brila Energy.

Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned till April 8.

advised the Federal Government to check the trend as it was capable of decelerating growth in Nigeria.

Sanusi said: “The committee was concerned that the declining contribution of the oil sector to growth, which became apparent in the second half of 2011, continued in Q4 2012.

Crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, decreased by 37,000 barrels per day (bpd) in February 2013 to 2.035m bpd compared with the level of 2.072m bpd attained in December 2012. Oil theft in the Niger Delta remained a source of concern. The committee was also concerned that the decline in the growth rate of agricultural output, which started in the 4th quarter of 2011, continued up to the end of 2012.

“The committee was of the view that although the GDP growth projection remained high, there were a number of risk factors that were likely to affect output performance.

These include perception of increased levels of corruption and impunity in the country, insecurity particularly in the northern part of the country, as well as mixed signals from power and petroleum sector reforms.

“The committee was pleased with the prevailing macroeconomic stability despite shocks from both external and domestic environments; a development which informed the tightening stance of monetary policy since the third quarter of 2010.

Having achieved a reasonable degree of moderation in the rate of inflation, there were compelling arguments to consider easing monetary policy, at least from the perspective of stimulating growth in the real sector. Given the slowdown in overall GDP and agricultural GDP growth, inability of the SMEs to borrow at the current lending rates, and crowding out effects that may require monetary easing. The committee carefully weighed the option of relaxing monetary policy against the likely risks in the near-to-medium term.

“It noted that reversing the current stance of monetary policy was not likely to produce a neutral outcome, as it may signal the preference for a higher inflation rate on the part of the CBN.” According to the CBN governor, the committee also noted the wide spread between deposits and lending rates, which it attributed to the inefficiencies in the market requiring institutional and structural reforms that would enforce behavioural change on the market, consistent with the long term needs of the economy.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

6 NEWS

164 feared killed as boat sinks off Calabar coast

NBA boss withdraws objection to reviewed practising fee suit

WO people have been resT cued following the sinking, in international waters

By Joseph Onyekwere

near Malabo, of a wooden boat carrying 166 people from Oron, southeastern Nigeria about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Calabar, emergency services and local traders said yesterday.

Nigerian rescuers have recovered 45 bodies from the boat while the two survivors were taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

Traders reportedly said the boat left on Friday from the remote town of Oron, in Cross Rivers State, across the Gulf of Guinea and was heading to Gabon, in central Africa.

Assistant Director Information, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. David Akate, confirmed the incident but declined further comments.

At Eco Marine (ECM) jetty, a team of SEMA, Navy, Nigerian Maritime Agency for Security and Administration (NIMASA) and other officials were waiting anxiously for the arrival of the two survivors.

All the agencies declined comments on the matter as they maintained that investigation was ongoing and the two survivors are a young boy and a lady who clung to gas cylinder until they were rescued by fishermen.

Fasehun carpets Ahmadu Ali over comments on Yoruba

By Abiodun Fanoro RESIDENT of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has carpeted former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, for describing Yoruba people as ungrateful.

Dismissing Ali’s statement as a symptom of “verbal diarrhea,” Fasehun said it proved that the former Education minister, whose mishandling of students crisis led to the death of several youths in 1978, was “insensitive, reckless and narcissistic.”

According to him, Ali, by that condemnation, has sweepingly insulted the entire Yoruba race and all her eminent citizens. He said: “There are some leaders who had accidentally found themselves in positions in our national life, but their poor performance made them materials that Nigerians would rather prefer to abandon on the rubbish dump of ignominy.

“Retired Col. Ahmadu Ali is one such character. Who can forget his inglorious role as Minister of Education in the 1978 Ali Must Go saga that resulted in the death of over 10 university students nationwide?”

Fasehun added: “Having recently failed in the contest for PDP Board of Trustees chairman, Ali was looking for relevance in order to warm himself back into the heart of the Presidency for political salvation and rehabilitation.”

He advised the retired soldier to face the task of freeing his son, Mamman Nasir Ali, who is currently facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a N4.4 billion petroleum subsidy scam, instead of meddling in the internal affairs of the Yoruba nation.

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HE Chairman of Lagos T Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, yesterday withdrew a preliminary objection he filed at the Federal High Court seeking to withdraw himself from a suit instituted by some aggrieved lawyers over the increase in

practicing fees.

Taiwo is the fifth among six defendants sued by the five lawyers that instituted the action. The plaintiffs are: Mr. Seth Amaefule, Miss Amaka Aneke, Mr. Celestine Nwankwo, Mr. Charles OlaOni, and Mrs. Tayo Arojo.

Joined as defendants are the NBA, its President, Mr. Okey Wali, General Council

of the Bar, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and the Chairman, Ikeja NBA, Mr. Monday Ubani.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, counsel to Taiwo, Mr. Sunday Onu, told the presiding Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia that his client was no longer willing to move his preliminary objection to the

suit. Onu said he was never aware that the plaintiffs intended to oppose the objection since they had filed a counter-affidavit challenging it.

According to him, his client has decided to discontinue his objection seeking withdrawal from the suit and is prepared to go on as a party.

Meanwhile, the judge al-

Chairman, Reconciliation Committee on Ex-Staff of Sketch Newspaper, Oloye Lekan Alabi (second left), presenting report to Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company, Adebayo Jimoh with other ex-staff of Sketch at corporate office of Odu’a Investment Company, Dugbe, Ibadan. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

lowed the plaintiffs’ counsel, Mr. Tunji Gomez, to move his motion for interlocutory application in the suit. Arguing his motion, Gomez urged the court to grant the prayer of the plaintiffs and make an order restraining the NBA from collecting or enforcing the new fees regime.

He also urged the court to make an order of mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to continuously collect the fees as it were on January 1, 2012. Gomez also told the court to order the defendants to stop sending out text messages persuading lawyers to pay the new practicing fee until the case is finally determined.

However, responding to the argument of the plaintiffs, counsel to the first to fourth defendants, Mr. Okey Amaechi, urged the court to dismiss the suit as lacking in merit. He argued that the plaintiffs’ suit had no legal basis and so was merely a suit aimed at wasting precious judicial time.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, thereafter, reserved ruling on the motion for March 28.

The plaintiffs had filed the suit challenging the upward review in the practising fees for legal practitioners in the country. They averred that with the current fees regime, lawyers with less than five years standing at the Bar were now to be paying N10,000 as against N2, 000 previously charged.

Imoke seeks proactive security measures ECURITY agencies in Cross Surged River State have been to be proactive in tackling security issues for it to remain the safest in the country.

Governor Liyel Imoke stated this when he received service commanders newly posted to the state who paid him courtesy calls.

They include the Commissioner of Police Kola Sodipo, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Zone 6, AIG Jonathan Jonhnson, Commanding Officer 207 Special Mobility Group Nigerian Air

Force (NAF), AVM Andy Giwa Tsakr, Commanding Officer NNS Victory, Commodore James Oladapo Oluwole and Commandant Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NCDC) Commandant (Dr.) Benito Eze. Imoke said the state could not have become the safest if security agencies were not proactive.

The governor maintained that as a state, whose economy thrives on tourism and investment, there is need for peace to be maintained.

He called on the men and

officers of the armed forces to exhibit high level of discipline to enable them perform their duties while pledging to support and assist them to ensure the state remains safe for investment.

Imoke observed that the Air Force station in the state has grown in size since he assumed office and reasoned that it was proper for the station to be equipped with sophisticated gadgets, jets and manpower not only for the security of Cross River but for Nigeria because of its strategic position.

According to him, the armed forces should have the right resources at their disposal and work together to ensure peace, while assuring them of a strong partnership.

On NCDC, he averred that their role in the state is important to the community and urged them not to compromise while carrying out their assignments.

He promised to provide the services with logistics and accommodation as requested to enable them perform their duties

Earlier, the commanders, who spoke separately, commended Imoke’s leadership qualities and pledged to ensure the state is safe for tourists, investors and Cross Riverians.

They promised to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the course of performing their national assignments and commended Cross Riverians for the cordial relationship, which exist between the civilian population and the armed forces.

Amosun urges professionals’ participation in governance From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

Pharmacists task drug makers on research

ROFESSIONALS in different P fields of human endeavour must be ready to participate

Meanwhile, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has challenged drug manufacturing industries to strengthen their research and development by taking advantage of the vast resources available in the country.

PCN Registrar, Mrs. G.O Abumere, who threw the challenge, said at Ota, Ogun State, yesterday that such gesture would boost locally sourced materials, thereby providing job opportunities, build capacities and reduce demands for foreign exchange.

Amosun noted that professionals have a greater role to play than their current passive engagement in the polity, noting that the political landscape of the country was yet to record a critical mass of professionals with active partisan participation in the quest to solving the nation’s problems.

“When professionals decline to actively engage in the system, avoiding getting directly involved or actively participating in the political process, they unwittingly create an environment for the emergence

in governance for the myriad of socio-economic problems besetting Nigeria is to be tackled effectively, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said yesterday.

He spoke in Lagos while delivering a public lecture at the fourth edition of Project “What Next” organised by MBA students of Lagos Business School, a Pan-African University.

Speaking on the topic: “A voyage powered by conviction,” the governor identified inept leadership, weak infrastructure, corruption and weak institutions among others as the bane of the nation’s development, saying that the country had failed in almost all indices used in measuring growth and development.

“Our nation has failed in almost all indices used in measuring the most critical elements of real growth and development, as evidenced by the living conditions of our people,” Amosun stated.

of leaders that are not the best among us” the governor said.

According to him, the professionals will not have the moral right to query the way and how they are governed, if they fail to be part of the process of governance, pointing out that the nation was in dire need of a constant and proactive engagement of its best brains for national development.

Amosun also noted that even with all the best ethical background and disposition, leaders still required strong institutions and regulations to always do that which is right as “absence of strong institutions and regulations will not only weaken the fabric of society, it will give undue advantage at least in a short run to those who operate outside ethical ambit and unwittingly discourage the ethically inclined”.

On his “Mission to Rebuild Ogun State,” Amosun affirmed that it was anchored on a five- cardinal programme comprising affordable qualitative education, efficient

health care delivery, agricultural production/industrialisation, affordable housing and urban renewal, rural and infrastructural development/employment generation.

He that in close to two years of his administration, significant success had been recorded in the programmes.

Amosun noted that the hallmark of his administration had been prudent management of resources, blocking of leakages and improvement of internally generated revenue, adding that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

According to Abumere, who spoke during her official visit to a pharmaceutical company in the country, May and Baker (M and B) Nigeria Plc, “manufacturers must ensure that the integrity of their products is maintained throughout the distribution chains and ensure that they carry out post-marketing surveillance of their products.”

The Managing Director of May and Baker, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, urged the Federal Government to ensure strict

enforcement of the recently launched policy document on streamlining drug distribution in the country, just as he charged the council to take steps to weed out all quacks operating among pharmacists in the country.

The PCN, he said, must “harness the various energies and expertise in the industry to sanitise the system; there is also an urgent need for closing ranks to enable the industry draw the requisite synergy for a greater pharmacy profession.”

Abumere, who said her visit was to enable her “brainstorm” with the M and B management on how to improve the current level of pharmaceutical services, commended the company for its drive to attain the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.

She added: “However, I would like the improvement in facility to be marked with improvement in standards in relation to processes, staff development and shift in paradigm from risk management to benefit management, where the benefit to the patient and safety are of paramount importance.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

NEWS 7

Malian terrorists had links with Boko Haram, says Ashiru

Jega meets party chiefs, urges confidence in INEC

By Mary Ogar

From Adamu Abuh (Abuja) and Seye Olumide (Lagos)

INISTER of Foreign AfM fairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, yesterday disclosed that some of the terrorists arrested in Mail during the recent Frenchled assault on the Islamists, who had taken over the northern part of that country, had direct links with the Boko Haram sect based in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Speaking at the 18th yearly Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation lecture in Lagos, Ashiru described Monday’s bombing in Kano as unfortunate, but insisted that the sect had been inactive in the last nine months due to the efforts of the country’s security operatives.

In reference to Nigeria’s deployment of 1200 troops to the international coalition in Mail, Ashiru observed that since Nigeria was the Islamists’ prime target, neglecting the Mali crisis could destabilise the entire West African region, adding that the crackdown on the Islamists in Mali had affected the operations of the Boko Haram sect in northern Nigeria.

Ashiru maintained that the situation in Kano would have been more grievous, if the mission in Mali had not yielded positive outcomes.

According to him, “given the established links between our domestic rebels and criminals in northern Mali, our decision to deploy troops is aimed at defending and promoting Nigerian national security interest (as well).”

Passengers stranded as Virgin Atlantic develops faults

By Wole Shadare N in-bound Virgin AtA lantic A340-600 aircraft to Lagos from London Heathrow Airport made an emergency landing at Gatwick Airport yesterday following technical fault.

Captain of the aircraft took a decision to return to base over an hour into the flight.

However, it was not clear why the crew decided to land at Gatwick and not the original point of take-off, which was London Heathrow Airport.

The passengers, who were expected in Lagos at 6 a.m. yesterday, were however, taken to a four-star hotel in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stipulation.

One of the passengers, Godson Okoroafor, told The Guardian from London that they departed Heathrow on Sunday night but made a return to Gatwick after the aircraft developed fault way into the flight. They eventually left London at 3 p.m. yesterday and arrived Lagos at about 8.30 p.m.

He wondered why the captain did not make an emergency landing in the nearest airport since by that time, he was sure the aircraft would have left the British airspace.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic spokesperson, Kudirat ScottIgbene, confirmed that VS651 returned to Gatwick on March 18 due to a technical issue, adding that engineers attended to it and the problem was rectified.

PPARENTLY to douse tenA sion and reassure Nigerians that the Independent

Editor, The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja (left) and Director General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, during Odumodu’s visit to The Guardian…yesterday PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not shirk its responsibilities, Chairman of the body, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday met with chieftains of the 25 registered political parties.

According to Jega, among the issues to be deliberated on were proposals for the review of guidelines and procedures, strategies for citizen sensitisation, and mobilisation for effective participation in election, strategies for continuous voter-registration and plans for constituency delineation.

With the exception of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), all parties’ chairmen and secretaries attended the

parley held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

In his opening address, Jega said the consultative meeting was in line with ongoing efforts to improve the transparency and credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2015 polls. This, he said, could only be achieved if there is mutual trust between INEC and stakeholders in the electoral process.

“Political parties are the most important stakeholders in the democratic and electoral processes,” he noted.

“The best way to bring fundamental, remarkable reforms in the electoral process is to develop trust and confidence between the political parties and the election management body, and to have an open, transparent and credible partnership to drive the reform process,” Jega

Taraba ex-deputy gov loses reinstatement bid From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HE impeached Deputy T Governor of Taraba State, Sani Abubakar Danladi, has lost his bid at the state High Court in Jalingo to compel the House of Assembly to reverse its action and reinstate him, as the court dismissed his case for “lack of merit.”

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Bashir, said the relevant processes that finally led to the former deputy governor’s removal from office were duly followed. Citing section 188, sub-sections 1-9 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Bashir saw no reason Danladi should be crying foul when the paths that led to his impeachment were judiciously followed by the lawmakers.

The judgment, which lasted for several hours, witnessed the presence of heavily armed security personnel, who did not only screen persons and vehicles going into the High Court complex but also mounted surveillance at strategic positions in the court.

However, counsel to Danladi, Ustaz Yunus Usman (SAN), told the judge that he was totally dissatisfied with

the judgment. And piqued by that, the judge expressed dismay at his comments, stating that he did not expect such utterances from a well respected SAN. He quickly added that, “any party not satisfied with the ruling can appeal.”

Afterwards, Usman told journalists that, “when two parties go to court, there must be a winner and a loser,” but felt sad at the manner the case was handled.

Reiterating their dissatisfaction with the judgment, which he alleged that the “issues formulated have not been resolved properly,” he assured that his legal team would appeal the ruling.

On his part, counsel to the state government, Elijah Nyaro, described the judgment as historical, as all issues were duly addressed by the judge, adding that their team was ever ready to appear in any court.

Danladi had on September 4, 2012, been served with an impeachment notice, signed by 19 out of the then 23-member of House. In the notice, he was accused of “gross misconduct,” as he was alleged to have used his office and position to enrich himself, as well

as dabbled into local council affairs.

Immediately after his impeachment on October 4, 2012, Danladi ran to the court,

HE growing uncertainty T over the whereabouts of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) female lecture, Dr. (Mrs.) Ime Udotong, five days after she was kidnapped, has taken a different dimension as her colleagues have downed tools and protested around the Uyo Campus of the institution.

The development paralysed academic activities for hours in the school yesterday. Marching round the school compound under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and led by UNIUYO Chapter Chairman, Mr. Ayim Nwachukwu, the lecturers carried different placards condemning the incessant kidnap of their colleagues.

According to Nwachukwu, the union has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the abductors to release the female lecturer or it

would take actions that would have negative consequences on the running of the school.

“Congress has resolved that in the next 24 hours, if our member is not released, we will meet again tomorrow (today) and take further action that would have negative consequences on the smooth running of the school,” the chapter ASUU chairman said.

“The problem is that our member, Dr. (Mrs.) Ime Udotong, a senior lecturer, was abducted by kidnappers on Friday; our members took to the street to demonstrate and show our displeasure at that incident. We did that cognizance of the fact that in the past, for whatever reason, our members have been targets of kidnappers and we had to stop work to have a meeting and go out on protest.”

Meanwhile, family sources told The Guardian that the

constitutional, and branded some members of the sevenman panel set up to investigate the allegations against him as incompetent.

Death of Adamawa former acting CJ stalls CP’s trial From Emmanuel Ande, Yola HE death of the former T Acting Chief Judge (CJ) of Adamawa State, Justice Bartimawus Lawi, on Sunday afternoon in Abuja, has stalled the trial of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Godfrey Okeke, who is standing trial at the Federal High Court in Yola over unlawful detention.

Secretary of Adamawa Emirate Council, Alhaji Umaru Yahaya, and a member of staff of the Adamawa State Judiciary, Mustapha Bakari Mbamoi, had taken the commissioner to court for alleged unlawful arrest and detention.

When the case was mentioned at the Federal High Court in Yola last month, the two accused the policemen attached to Lamido’s Palace in Yola of unlawfully arresting and detaining them in a private room in the palace.

Academic activities paralysed, as UNIUYO searches for abducted lecturer From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo

praying it to compel the House of Assembly to reinstate him.

He had described his removal as unlawful and un-

hoodlums demanded a ransom of N100 million and that some payment has been made but the woman had not yet been released.

This was corroborated by the ASUU chairman, who said: “We have information that they have communicated with the family of our colleague and have asked for a ransom. I cannot give information on the amount the kidnappers are demanding from the family.”

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, the Command has put all necessary measures in place to track the kidnappers but cannot disclose them.

Dr. Udotong’s kidnap brought to about 10 the number of the institution’s lecturers abducted in the past.

Husband of the current Vice Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Mefin Ekpo, also a lecturer there, was kidnapped in 2011.

They urged the court to declare the action as unlawful and a violation of their fundamental rights.

The two are separately standing trial at different courts in Yola on criminal charges. While Yahaya is being tried at Yola Upper Area Court II for criminal conspiracy, misappropriation and cheating, Mbamoi is standing trial for alleged criminal trespass at a Yola Magistrate’s Court for allegedly attempting to serve the Lamido

Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, a petition written

by Yahaya’s solicitors. They both pleaded not guilty.

The case filed by their counsel, Mr. Desmond Adebole, sought for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

They also seek an order restraining the respondent or his agents from further harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining or in any manner whatsoever infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicants.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

WorldReport 48 killed in Baghdad’s deadly blasts on invasion anniversary T least 48 people have been A killed in a series of car and suicide bombings mainly in Shia areas in and around Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, officials say.

The co-ordinated attacks targeted markets, restaurants, bus stops and day labourers during the morning rush hour.

Iraq’s deadliest day in six months came on the 10th anniversary of the United Statesled invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Violence has decreased in Iraq since the peak of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007, but bombings are still common.

Sunni Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda have vowed to step up attacks on Shia targets and state officials this year in an attempt to provoke sectarian conflict and weaken the Shia-led government.

In a sign of concern over the security situation, the cabinet announced that it was delaying elections scheduled for 20 April in the provinces of Anbar and Nineveh by up to six months.

Police sources told the BBC that more than 150 people were also injured in yesterday’s violence, which are reported to have included at least 15 car bombings as well as several roadside bombings and shootings.

Most of the attacks took place in predominantly Shia districts of Baghdad over a period of about two hours during the morning rush hour.

The first occurred at around 08:00 am, when a bomb ex-

Zimbabwe approves new constitution by landslide IMBABWE’S new constituZ tion was approved by an overwhelming majority in Saturday’s referendum, the electoral commission has said.

The document, which will limit future presidents to two five-year terms, was backed by more than three million votes nearly 95% of those who voted.

It was supported by the countries’ two main political parties who have been in a powersharing government since 2009.

The constitution’s approval paves the way for elections later in the year.

Meanwhile, US-based campaign group Human Rights Watch has said the government should end a police crackdown on civil society groups in the run-up to elections.

The clause limiting presidential terms will not apply retrospectively, so Zanu-PF’s 89year-old leader, President Robert Mugabe, will be able to stand again in elections expected in July.

He will again face the Movement for Democratic (MDC) change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, who is currently serving as prime minister in the coalition.

The two agreed to share power after disputed polls in 2008 which were marred by violence.

ploded outside a restaurant in the eastern district of Mashtal, killing four people and damaging several cars, according to the Associated Press.

Minutes later, two day labourers were killed by a roadside bomb planted where they gather every day hoping to pick up work in New Baghdad, a neighbouring area just to the south.

In the north-eastern district of Sadr City, five people died when a bomb was detonated beside a police patrol, and three commuters were killed by a device stuck to the underside of a minibus in which they were travelling, AP reported.

Another two people were killed by a blast on a commercial street in the area.

“I was driving my taxi and suddenly I felt my car rocked.

Smoke was all around. I saw two bodies on the ground,” Ali Radi, a taxi driver who was in Sadr City at the time of one of the attacks, told the Reuters news agency.

“People were running and shouting everywhere.”

Pope Francis 1, kisses a child as he arrives in Saint Peter’s Square for his inauguration Mass. The new leader broke with tradition by also going on a walk about in the crowd.

PHOTO: Reuters

Pope Francis’ untraditional papacy begins

By Oghogho Obayuwana, (Abuja) and Eno-Abasi Sunday (Lagos) with Agency reports OPE Francis officially beP gan his tenure as head of the Roman Catholic Church in an installation Mass, which was simplified to suit his style at St. Peter’s Square.

At the event, he asked world leaders and their followers to defend the poor, the helpless and the weak.

Speaking in a Mass attended by about 200,000 people at St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis’ focused his homily on the protection of the environment, children, the elderly and those in need, who he said were “often the last we think about”.

Earlier in the homily, he had focused on Joseph and his role as protector-of Mary, Jesus and the Church.

Perhaps demonstrating that he meant business with his leaning towards the poor and weak, at a point during the ceremony, he stepped down from the vehicle and approached the barriers to bless a disabled man. Even though the man did not get up shouting about being healed as many a television watcher in Nigeria is used to.

In consonant with his name, there were some observable changes, which hallmarked his historic outing. Agency reports including the CNN relayed a smiling Pope greeting the faithful from an open-topped Popemobile just as communion was distributed by some 500 priests to the participating crowd.

Pale-blue and white flags of his native Argentina bobbed above the heads of the crowd, revealing one of the symbols of the historic change. In other hints of change, Francis shortened

his inaugural mass and even though the style was still a bit grand, the magnificence and hitherto associated pomp were deliberately left out.

As the Mass began, Francis was presented with his papal pallium made of lambs’ woolsymbolising his role as shepherd of his flock- and the fisherman’s ring bearing the image of St Peter holding two keys. With this, Francis officially began his office as the 266th pope.

The Mass was co-celebrated by around 180 clergymen, including Adolfo Nicolas, the Superior General of Pope Francis’ Jesuit order. The list of attendees also included the spiritual head of the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew.

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, has since his election called for a “Church for the poor” and has struck an informal and spontaneous tone.

The 76-year-old then expanded the image, referring to Francis of Assisi and saying that the role of protector was not just a Christian one.

He said: “It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world... It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live.

Pope Francis called on “all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life” to be protectors of creation.

He said “To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope. Without care for the environment and fellow humans, “the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened. Let us not allow omens of destruction and

death to accompany the advance of this world.”

Without leaving out himself, he said, the pope himself must be inspired by the lowly, “the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those who Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, those in prison.”

To the 132 official delegations and religious leaders from around the world including Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Francis directed his homily to them saying: “I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.”

Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, took his name in honour of St. Francis of Assisi, a symbol of poverty, charity and love of nature.

The 132 official delegations, which attended the inaugu-

ration, included six sovereign rulers, 31 heads of state, three princes and 11 heads of government. The more than a half-dozen heads of state from Latin America at the event, many see as a sign of the significance of the election for the region.

Francis had his first taste of the diplomatic challenges of the papacy when on Monday, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez asked him to support Buenos Aires in a dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

Since the Vatican is not part of the European Union, Mugabe, an international pariah had no qualms travelling there. The Pope, who was to receive each of the government delegations after the Mass, would have found himself greeting Mugabe, who has been under a European Union travel ban since 2002 because of allegations of vote rigging and human rights abuses.

Also, the presence of Bartholomew and the chief rabbi of Rome underscores the broad hopes for ecumeni-

cal and interfaith dialogue in this new papacy given Francis’ own work for improved relations and his namesake St. Francis of Assisi.

In a gesture to Christians in the East, the pope prayed with Eastern rite Catholic patriarchs and archbishops before the tomb of St. Peter at the start of the Mass and the Gospel was chanted in Greek rather than the traditional Latin.

But it is Francis’ history of living with the poor and working for them while Archbishop of Buenos Aires that seems to have resonated with ordinary Catholics who say they are hopeful that Francis can inspire a new generation of faithful who have fallen away from the church.

“I think he’ll revive the sentiments of Catholics who received the sacraments but don’t go to Mass anymore, and awaken the sentiments of people who don’t believe anymore in the church, for good reason,” said Judith Teloni, an Argentine tourist guide who lives in Rome and attended the Mass with a friend.

ICC welcomes Ntaganda’s surrender HE International Criminal T Court (ICC) has welcomed Congolese rebel leader Bosco

Ntaganda’s surrender to stand trial on war crimes charges.

Known as “The Terminator”, Gen Ntaganda surrendered on Monday to the US embassy in Rwanda after seven years on the run.

The ICC said it was in contact with the relevant authorities to arrange for his immediate transfer to The Hague.

He denies committing atrocities during the long-running conflict in the Democratic

Republic of Congo.

The DR Congo government says Gen Ntaganda crossed into Rwanda on Saturday.

“I think justice now has a chance to prevail, now that he has handed himself in,” DR Congo’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Kikaya Bin Karubi, told the BBC. “The most wanted criminal in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has seen that he has no other option now, and the best option for him is to go and face the music.”

Neither the United States nor

Rwanda recognise the ICC. However, the United States state department said on Monday that it was in contact with the ICC and the Rwandan government to arrange his transfer to The Hague.

“The ICC welcomes news of Bosco Ntaganda’s surrender,” the ICC chief prosecutor’s office said, according to the AFP news agency.

“This is great news for the people of the DR Congo who had to suffer from the crimes of an ICC fugitive for too long,” it added.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Politics What happened at South-South PDP meeting

Amaechi

Uduaghan

From Kelvin Ebiri, Part Harcourt

be entitled to only one vote in order entrench internal democracy and a level playing field for all.”

“You are the owners of PDP. We will ensure that the party is brought back to the owners of the party. Yes, there are disagreements, but we can end our differences and still deliver our party in 2015,” he said.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, while addressing the teeming PDP supporters drawn from Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Edo States, explained that the party was on a mission of reconciliation and for the people to tell the national leadership the challenges they face.

Deemed by the delegates and party faithful as successful, the get-together has, however, been enmeshed in controversy, following media interpretation of the “sudden” departure of Governors Uduaghan and Amaechi from the venue. This was during a speech by Mr. Godswill Akpabio, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF).

Indeed, the controversy might have arisen from the remarks and/or actions of the governors.

First, while speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Delta governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, stressed that they were committed to ensuring that the party maintains its stronghold in the zone.

He advocated that whatever issues threatening the unity of the party must be addressed quickly to enable the PDP move on, adding that efforts must be made to strengthen the party in other parts of the country.

To avert a disconnect between those in government, who are largely viewed as centripetal forces and the ordinary members of the party, Uduaghan stressed the need to economically empower party stalwarts in order to continue to enjoy their unflinching loyalty.

In retrospect, the governor recalled what a party member once told his predecessor (James Ibori) in his (Uduaghan’s) presence.

He said: “Mr. Chairman, there is also an issue I want to raise; I know I am a governor but it also concerns me and others who hold positions in the party.

“I was with my predecessor one day when an elder came and he was telling my predecessor that, ‘if you tar all the roads, even if you airconditioned the entire environment, and the stomachs of the people, of members of the party are empty, they will not appreciate what you have done.’

“So, I want to join them to tell us to ensure that their stomachs are filled so that they will appreciate what we have done,” he added.

Uduaghan remarks were applauded by the crowd made up mainly of ordinary members of the party drawn from the six states in the region.

HEAD of the 2015 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated moves aimed at putting its house in order in the South-South geopolitical zone, which has been one of its strongholds in the country.

Hence, at a special zonal executive meeting of the party in Port Harcourt on Sunday, various stakeholders canvassed a quick resolution of the issues affecting the party in the region.

Among the attendees were the governors of Rivers, Delta and Akwa-Ibom States, Chibuike Amaechi, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio, respectively; PDP’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; members of the state and national assemblies, and members of the National Working Committee of the party.

The pertinent issues raised range from a lawsuit by a splinter group within the Rivers State PDP against the state’s executive council of the party, economic empowerment of party stalwarts and exclusion of women from the mainstream of the polity.

Apparently perturbed by the crisis rocking the party in Rivers State, the House Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, noted that the Godspower Ake-led state’s executive council has been dragged to court by a faction headed by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

He solicited intervention of the national chairman, to resolve the crisis so that the Ake team could concentrate and effectively run the party.

The chairman of the Delta State PDP, Mr. Peter Nwokocha, observed that the governors of the five states controlled by the party in the region were doing well in terms of development of physical infrastructure in their respective domains.

He, however, said the party could not continue to excel in future elections if it were bedeviled by internal squabbles threatening its cohesion, adding, “we want peace in PDP; we want peace in PDP South-South and the whole of Nigeria.”

The Senate leader, Ndoma-Egba, applauded the zonal PDP governors, but cautioned that, “the danger of doing well is that people are erroneously bound to become complacent.”

He said the dynamics of Nigerian politics was fast changing and that the PDP must continually reinvent itself by making the citizenry its primary focus.

However, Tukur, while noting that disagreements among members of the party, gave the assurance that effort would be made to reconcile all differences.

He reaffirmed that there would no more be imposition of candidates, as “everyone will

A

Akpabio Consequently, in apparent response to the Delta governor’s observation on the imperative of empowering party members, Governor Akpabio announced the donation of N1 million to delegates from each of the six states. The monetary donation sparked excitement among the delegates, who hailed the governor.

Akpabio, whose emergence as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum has been widely viewed as a deliberate effort to whittle down the assumed influence of Governor Amaechi, chairman of the Nigerian Governors, lightheartedly made the donation.

He said: “My brother governor, Uduaghan, said you (delegates) are hungry. So, I will give the state chairmen from the six states N1 million per state for Mr. Biggs (fast foods) right now.

“All the state chairmen should see me immediately after my remarks so that at least, I drop N1 million each for Mr. Biggs so that PDP can chart the course for empowerment.”

Basking in the rejoicing from the audience, the governor said the party advocated that reconciliatory meetings should be held at least twice a year.

He stressed that if the party put its house in order, he envisaged a situation where the PDP would take full control of the 36 States and 774 local government areas in the country, adding, however, that, “the party needs unity and cohesion to win; we must compensate the disciples in each state.”

Akpabio noted that the South-South was strategically positioned in the party with the election of Chief Tony Anenih as chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, and Governor Amaechi as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

He explained that his support for President Jonathan was not sycophantic, but one that stems from the sheer fact that the president hails from the South-South as well.

He iterated that no PDP governor would defect to any opposition party and solicit support for President Jonathan’s reelection bid “even as the president is equal to the task of taking on the opposition in the 2015 general elections.”

Emphasising that there is a hand of God in every position of leadership, Akpabio said: “Bayelsa is, perhaps, the smallest state in Nigeria, but God decided to choose Goodluck Jonathan from Bayelsa State to become the president. We must all support our brother to succeed. For us, we shall not fail and we will never fail.”

IN the midst of Akpabio’s speech, which was at the tail end of the meeting, Governor Uduaghan approached the national chairman, Tukur, informing him that he was leav-

Tukur ing to Asaba, the Delta State capital, to attend to some pressing security challenges.

Governor Amaechi escorted out Uduaghan, and did not return to the Alfred Diete-Spiff sports complex till the end of the occasion.

Still, addressing the gathering, Tukur announced that Governor Uduaghan had to leave to attend to urgent matters in Asaba and that naturally, Governor Amaechi, as the chief host, had to see his colleague off.

The departure of the two governors has attracted diverse interpretations, owing to the seeming no love lost between Amaechi and Akpabio, whose cold relationship stems from disputes over oil wells and support for President Jonathan’s 2015 reelection bid.

Nonetheless, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari and the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State governor, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, have dispelled reports making the rounds that Amaechi and Uduaghan staged a walk out during the PDP zonal meeting.

Semenitari described the allegation as preposterous. She told The Guardian if Governors Amaechi and Uduaghan had staged a walk out, then it behoves on all the delegates from both states to depart the venue owing to the fact that the governors are the leaders of the party in their respective states.

According to her, Bamanga Tukur announced to the gathering that the Delta State governor had to leave, to attend to urgent matters in Asaba and Governor Amaechi had to see his brother governor off.

“Don’t forget that this was at the tail end of the end, and remember that Governor Akpabio had arrived quite late to the event,” she said. “Governor Akpabio was almost done with his speech when his brother governors had to excuse themselves because Governor Uduaghan had to catch his flight to Asaba.

“So, I don’t know where the notion of a walk out emanated from. Because, if there was a walk out, then all delegates from Delta and Rivers would have left the hall. The deputy governor of Rivers State, the state chairman of the party and other top government and party officials were still seated in that hall when Governor Amaechi saw his brother governor off.”

On why Governor Amaechi did not return to the venue of the event, Semenitari explained that by the time the governor was done with Uduaghan, the meeting was over.

She stressed that there was no reason for Amaechi to be angry with Governor Akpabio, who never cast any aspersion on him throughout his speech.

“If the governor of Rivers State or that of Delta was staging a walk out, I am sure that as the number one leader of the party in Rivers State,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

POLITICS 11

Time is ripe for a national confab, says Faseun Dr. Fredrick Faseun, an elder statesman and founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), has been one of the strident advocates of the convocation of a National Conference to discuss Nigeria’s future, which he and many prominent Nigerians say is under threat. Corroborating the statement by The Patriots that Nigeria was fast becoming a failed State, he told Abiodun Fanoro that only a national dialogue could reverse the trend.

O you support The Patriots and D many other eminent statesmen that the future of Nigeria is under threat?

I don’t think many people can fault The Patriots, that Nigeria is almost a failed State. Still, I will disagree that they are just being economical with the truth. Nigeria is (actually) a failed State. I think what is still making The Patriots not to see that Nigeria is a completely failed State is the resilience of Nigerians.

Nigeria is merely trying to wobble out of a failed State. But unfortunately, the Nigerian people, out of their resilience and hope where there is no one, are struggling to wobble the country out of a failed State but they cannot do it alone. In fact, they can do but nothing.

Yes, they have the will, but they lack the capacity and the enablement, which is power and what constituted power. Those who are in power, and who have controlled of power are only using it to drag the country into a failed State and abandoned it to its fate.

For those who felt I am crying wolf where there is none, let me take them to some of those indices that truly confirmed Nigeria as a failed State. One is leadership failure.

Ours is a country where the leaders contemptuously place themselves as enemies of the people who, in other parts of the world, they are supposed to protect and do those things that would guarantee their survival in good health.

The U.S, Britain, France, Israel and even South Africa could because of one of their citizens not being well treated outside the shores of their land go to war, not to talk of those residents in those countries.

Number two is the failure of the economy. We need no other evidence to buttress this than the unending emigration of Nigerian industrialists to neighbouring states of Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, etc., and the conversion of most industrial warehouses (in Nigeria) into churches.

There is the failure of politics. In countries all over the world, especially those in our category, such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Venezuela, South Africa and so on, politics is a tool for advancement and revolution.

In the case of Nigeria, politics is for advanced corruption, official genocide against the people; it is a tool to reward indolence, kill excellence and industry.

Every day, Nigerians in several

thousands engage in frantic effort to get out of the country. Go to foreign embassies in Lagos and Abuja and see how Nigerians in thousands besiege these embassies to obtain visas, to get out of the suffocating country. Nigeria’s best brains are overseas.

One remarkable feature of a failed State is when the citizens leave their home country in droves and prefer to live in other countries.

All the reasons that make citizens of failed States to emigrate to other countries are present in Nigeria today. They range from failed security, failed economy, failed infrastructure, failed government, failed institutions to integrity failure.

The level of implementation of the country’s annual budget measures the economy of any responsible country. It is measured by the performance of the budget. In Nigeria, the Federal Government’s yearly fiscal allocations are half-heartedly implemented.

Apart from recurrent allocations meant to pay salaries, you can hardly point to what the rest budget is used for. Even those allocations to pay pensions and gratuities are stolen.

THESE eminent statesmen say the only way to rescue Nigeria is by holding a National Conference of the ethnic nationalities. Are you in agreement with that suggestion?

I am one of those who have been crying for a Sovereign National Conference since 1983, and I am now doubling the call. Time is even ripe for it now.

When I started the call in 1983, the problems confronting the unity and continued existence of the country were not as much as they are today.

But some of us were able to see into the future at that time. The hopelessness and lost of faith in the country

by Nigerians and the ethnic nationalities were not as profound as they are today.

Those in the leadership are Nigerians; is it that they couldn’t see this imminent danger or they just decided to be indifferent to the call?

These are people who believe that holding a national conference would expose the evils they have committed against this country.

Unfortunately, they are powerful people; some of them have ruled this country in the past and have committed high level of atrocities against this country.

Nigerians are not counting their losses; that is why I say Nigeria is a very resilient country. We have failed to find out who killed former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige; we have failed to find out who killed Chief M.K.O Abiola; we have failed to find out who killed Dele Giwa, etc.

‘Otherwise, Nigeria may break up’

Faseun These and many others, too numerous to list, were some of those atrocities, including blind looting of the national treasury committed against Nigeria that these leaders are afraid of. The security agencies have been unable to unravel any assassination. Of course, I know it would amount to expecting the impossible when any security agency wants to undo or expose what privileged people in power did.

Since we know their fears, can’t we give them the assurance of pardon, so that the conference could hold?

Haven’t we given them this opportunity in the past? Were they not assured of this at the Oputa Panel?

Did they take advantage of it? The answer is no. Where is even the report of the Oputa Panel?

The truth is that here is a country that does not want to find solutions to its problems; that is why it is shying away from a national dialogue.

We know our problems; all we need is to sit down to find solutions to them. Unfortunately, these problems are escalating every day; the situation is getting worse.

We deceitfully show a beautiful facade of a stable country, whereas the country is imploding. I was one of those who said the Americans were talking rubbish when they said Nigeria might break up in 2015. But is there any Nigerian who, today,

can beat his or her chest that Nigeria would not break up? Everybody knows it’s a fact that the country would break up; what is not known is when and how.

I am very sure that if any region or ethnic nation wants to break away today, nobody would stop it. Unlike what happened in 1967 when the Igbo wanted to break away, today, if that happens, other ethnic nations would follow suit.

The song today is unto your tent oh Israel, because there are no common things holding us together, not even good governance.

THE international community always comes in when crisis had broken out. Is it not better to intervene when matters have not gone out of hand?

Nigeria and other countries are sovereign states and they are seen in that light by the rest of the international community. The international community would not want to intervene because it would be viewed as interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria. It would only come in when the matters have gone out of hand.

I do understand your concern, which is to prevent disasters that do follow a break down of peace and order. But unfortunately, international law governing the sovereignty of a state does not permit that. If it

I was one of those who said the Americans were talking rubbish when they said Nigeria might break up in 2015. But is there any Nigerian who, today, can beat his or her chest that Nigeria would not break up? Everybody knows it’s a fact that the country would break up; what is not known is when and how. I’m very sure that if any region or ethnic nation wants to break away today, nobody would stop it. Unlike what happened in 1967 when the Igbo wanted to break away, today, if that happens, other ethnic nations would follow suit. The song today is to your tent oh Israel, because there are no common things holding us together, not even good governance.

had permitted that, I agreed with you that those wars that broke out in Liberia, Congo, Yugoslavia, Somalia, Libya, etc., could have been prevented.

Today, the world is a global village with common features of good governance. Where this standard no longer exists, shouldn’t the U.N., for instance, intervene to ensure compliance and prevent the danger that may follow?

Yes, the UN has done us good to prescribe a standard for good governance. The international community has set the template for us.

However, there is no way it could come right inside Nigeria or any country to enforce it.

Yes, it occasionally monitors compliance through its various agencies, but the right and power to enforce are not there. However, this right and power reside with the people, with the media and with the civil society organizations, to pressurise and ensure compliance.

No matter the amount of concern the U.S. may show about the problems in Nigeria, Americans cannot come here to make a change. It is the Nigerian people that could and demand a change, including holding of a national dialogue.

Any attempt by the U.N to want to enforce would be described as interference by those in power in Nigeria.

In the same way, any attempt, say by the U.S., to pressurise for compliance, Nigeria would deem it as an aggression. The best America could do is the 2015 prediction.

What the U.S said is a reflection of the thinking of the U.N. Indeed, Nigerians are helpless and in a dilemma. At home, they lack capacity to make a change, yet help cannot come from abroad. The irony is that those who say they are our leaders have realised this dilemma and helplessness of Nigerians and are exploiting this to the fullest.

If at the end of the day, government failed to hearken to the strident calls by eminent Nigerians and groups, what could the citizens do?

I presume eminent Nigerians and concerned groups could take our case to the UN General Assembly, by way of a petition, making it clear that there is unbroken leadership failure; that the people are being assaulted by way of bad governance and looting of money meant for their welfare, etc.

And that if urgent steps were not taken, there could be a break down of law and order and a threat to international peace and security.

This could now prepare the ground for pre-emptive intervention you raised earlier. The UN could now have a platform for intervention.

How could the country get out of this cocoon?

I will answer that question with another pertinent question: Who is in charge of Nigeria? Who is truly the leader? When you see a flock of sheep, there is always one that stands out. That is the one in charge.

But for Nigeria, we don’t know who is in charge. Here is a country, where the leaders are insincere. Nigerians, too, have responded, returning insincerity for insincerity. They no longer trust their leaders. And when that happens, the country is heading towards self-destruction.

Storm over ‘walk-out’ claim by governors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 if he stages a walk out, all of Rivers State people will walk out with him,” Semenitari said.

And if he (Amaechi) had staged a walk out, he would not have hosted the PDP meeting in the evening.

“There were 10 delegates from each state and Rivers still participated. We also hosted the national chairman to a private dinner at the governor’s residence. I am sure that you know that the national chairman will not attend the dinner of a governor that walked out on him.”

Mr. Ogefere also denied that the his boss, Uduaghan walked out on both Tukur and Akpabio, explaining that, who came to Port

Harcourt in a chartered aircraft, desperately had to leave to attend to pressing state matters.

According to him, Governor Amaechi saw Uduaghan off to the Government House, Port Harcourt, where they held a brief meeting before his (Uduaghan’s) departure.

Ogefere said: “We left Government House to the airport and while on our way, Governor Akpabio’s convoy caught up with us. My governor, whose vehicle arrived before the PDP Governors Forum chairman, had to wait for him.

“Governor Akpabio personally walked Governor Uduaghan to the chartered aircraft waiting for him (Uduaghan). Both governors

walked a distance of about 500 metres away from the VIP lounge and they discussed cordially.

“If Governor Uduaghan had walked away, why will he stop for Governor Akpabio at the airport? There was no quarrel to warrant a walk out.”

Interestingly, that same night, the national chairman was to preside at a special delegates’ meeting, which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, with 10 delegates representing each state from the zone.

It was learnt that Governor Amaechi and Tukur had meaningful discussions concerning the lawsuit initiated by a splinter group

with the state PDP, even as the governor reportedly “assured the National Working Committee of the party that he and his administration remain loyal.

A source quoted him assaying: “We will remain in PDP... We support the issue of reconciliation, reconstruction and rebuilding of the party. We are in PDP. I have told my cabinet members that if we want to win election, we must work in such a way that the people are happy with us.

“Currently we are popular in Rivers State, we have to maintain our popularity while in office and thereafter, and the only way to maintain that popularity is to continue to do what we are doing now, putting the people first.”

12

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

TheMetroSection Who killed Nurse Osire?

Police puzzled over gruesome murder of 25-year-old woman in Ekiti From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South West Bureau, Ado Ekiti)

We knocked the door and when I could not hear from her, I peeped through the window and I saw that the way she slept was not normal and we quickly came to the main door and found out that it was already opened HO killed Mrs Moyinlola Osire, a W staff nurse with one of the health institutions in Ekiti State on Sunday? This is the question on everybody’s lips. It is one gruesome murder the Ekiti State police command is confronted with, and, as at yesterday, the command said nobody has been arrested.

Mrs Osire, 25, and mother of two was found in a pool of her blood at the residence of her step-father Mr Olawale Ogundare at Ayedun quarters in Ado Ekiti on Sunday when Ogundare and his family had gone to church.

Mr Ogundare, while briefing newsmen on the incident, disclosed that apart from the fact that the deceased was macheted to death, her telephone handset and a sum of N250, 000 she withdrew from the Bank last Friday as well as other valuable items were taken away.

But Ogundare alleged that her estranged husband, Mr Abayomi Osire, was being suspected by the family because he had threatened to kill her several times. He said that the family

The late Osire

immediately reported the incident at Ila Police Station where the estranged husband was detained.

for just no tangible reason. He described Osire as a jobless graduate from Ijesa Isu Ekiti.

Narrating how her dead body was found in the room, Ogundare, a civil servant with the state government said: “We went to church on Sunday around 9.15a.m. but Moyinlola did not follow us because she complained of tiredness after the Midwifery examinations she just finished at the School of Nursing, Ado Ekiti.

He said when they returned home, “we knocked the door and when I could not hear from her, I peeped through the window and I saw that the way she slept was not normal and we quickly came to the main door and found out that it was already opened.”

“When we entered, we found her in her pool of blood. We tried to reach out to the husband, but he switched off, until Tuesday when he called us with one strange number. Moyinolowa was not the careless type and one who would open the door for people carelessly, so her death is strange and suspicious, the door was not broken suggesting that she opened the door for the assailant.”

Mr Ogunwale said he has a lot of evidence to proof that Osire is a prime suspect and demanded that the security agencies should produce the call logs showing the recent conversations between the deceased and her estranged husband.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the murder, said no arrest Ogundare said the deceased, who had has been made so far. two children for the lover, had been He said post mortem has been conbeaten and maltreated several times ducted on the deceased and the results are being awaited.

Imo Police nab suspected fake soldier with 40 kg of cannabis From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri FFICERS of Imo State Police Command have arrested a suspected fake Army officer in the state.

The 37- year –old fake soldier, who gave his name as Fabian Enudi, was also caught with substance, suspected to be Indian hemp, weighing 40 kilogrammes.

Parading the suspect on Monday in Owerri, the State Commissioner of Police, Mohammud Musa Katsina, said the suspect, who hails from Abbi,

O

Ndokwa, Delta State, was caught in Ohaji carrying the concealed substance in 35 bags in his Pathfinder Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and was dressed in a full Army uniform.

He added that during interrogation, it was discovered he was not an Army officer.

He alleged that he was supplying the substance to many of his customers around the country.

In a related development, the state police command on Monday, also in Owerri, paraded a mid-

dle-aged man, John Iwuala, who was arrested for defiling a 13- year- old girl.

According to the Commissioner, the man had posed as a philanthropist, who runs a non-governmental organization (NGO) and deceived the victim’s parents that he was going to take the little girl abroad to enhance her education, only to allegedly divert her to a hotel where he forcefully had sex with her.

The police commissioner said the man was arrested

Briefs Five persons feared killed, 100 houses Tantalizers begins 25th customer promo razed over land dispute in Benue T

ANTALIZERS Plc., one of the foremost quick service restaurant chains in Nigeria, is rewarding its teeming customers with free meals in a promotion tagged ‘the 25th Customer Promo’.

This is one of its ways of showing appreciation to its loyal customers.

The Advert and Promotions Manager, Mr. Toluwa Oyetayo, revealed that, “winning is instantaneous”. Every 25th customer gets whatsoever he/she buys free in all Tantalizers’ outlets nationwide from now till Monday, April 25 2013. This is applicable to the 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th …customer as the case may be. He stressed that the counting is system-generated and advised the customers to always demand for their receipts, stressing that the “free meal winner receipt bears zero naira.”

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi.

BOUT five persons had A been feared dead between Sunday and Monday and about 100 houses razed in an ensuing land dispute between communities of Mbangur /Mbawuar kindred of Mbadede council ward in Vandeikiya Local Council of Benue State.

The Guardian investigation revealed that the crisis communities, which is the second in recent times, resurfaced last Sunday as each community laid claim over a large fertile parcel of FADAMA land.

A witness, who pleaded anonymity, said as the burning of houses persisted, markets and schools in the affected communities were not opened on Monday; just as many people had fled the trouble communities.

The Chairman of the coun-

Thanksgiving service for Nwakeago Kerri HERE will be a thanksgivT ing and outing service for Mrs. Nwakaego Evelyn Kerri

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam

cil, Terver Kume, who confirmed the crisis, described it as “disturbing.”

He, however, said the council was on top of the situation; even as another source in the area only confirmed one person feared killed.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala, who con-

firmed the incident to The Guardian said that policemen had been drafted to the areas to maintain law and order.

The Police spokesman, however, denied that people were killed but confirmed that houses and farmland were burnt during the crisis.

who died and has been buried in her home-town.

A thanksgiving service holds on Sunday, March 31, at 10a.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Isheri- Idimu, Alimosho Local Council of Lagos State.

Reception follows immediately after service at No. 30 Hassan Balogun Street, IshKerri eri, by Isheri Bus Stop.

Briefs Film Academy holds youth empowerment programme MAJOR player in the film inA dustry, Magnus Film Academy, has designed an empowerment programme as its corporate social responsibility (CSR), aimed at taking the youths off the streets of Lagos and getting them meaningfully- engaged.

The training programme, which is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Youths, Sports and social Development and other prominent individuals including Mr. Motunrayo Akintomide, a philanthropist, is billed to hold at the Ikeja Youth centre in April 2013. It will feature film -making and media practice training, film production management among others.

The Managing Director, Mr. Cyril Odenigbo said: “The programme is open to every youth with desire and willingness to take up career in the film industry.” He appealed for co-sponsors and partners from corporate bodies and individuals to assist in shouldering the cost of training.

Facilitators include Chief Chika Okpala a.k.a. Zebrudaya, Patience Ozokwor, Theodore Anyaji, Segun Arinze, Ngozi Nkebuaku, Gabriel Okorie among others.

UBAA meets in Ibadan HE University of Benin T Alumni Association (UBAA) Worldwide will hold its 74th council meeting on Saturday, 23 March, 2013, at the Pentonrise Event Centre, opposite Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State at 10.00am A statement by the National PRO, UBAA, Dr. Isaac Ejebe, said the Ibadan branch would be inaugurated with the investiture of the branch patrons.

“A dinner/awards gala nite will hold in the evening.”

ECOBA meets Sunday

DO College Old Boys’ AssociE ation (ECOBA), Lagos branch, will on Sunday, March 24 , 2013 hold its bi-monthly general meeting at the Zasarii di Lusso Hotel, 13, Cornelius Odinjor Street, off Hameed Kasumu Street, Chevyview Estate, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos at 3.00p.m. It will be chaired by the Chairman, Senator Victor Isa Oyofo and is to be hosted by the Class of '83.

Firm rewards loyal customers FIRM, Bayswater Industry A Ltd., the maker of Mr. Chef Super seasoning cube, has rewarded another set of dedicated distributors who have demonstrated commitment and loyalty to the brand with cash prize worth millions of naira and cars for the best sales team distributors for the year 2012. The event took place in Lagos recently.

The General Manager, Mr. Rajesh Kumar saidthe ceremony was to appreciate the distributors for their excellent performance towards their contribution to the development of the company. “ There is need to reward our customers because our products are doing very well in the market. Ours sales have increased, especially in the remote areas and villages.”

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Rotary team from America visits Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate • Beneficiaries of artificial limbs express gratitude to the club ‘By Isaac Taiwo HE four visiting members of Rotary International Foundation Group Study Exchange of District 6450, Chicago, America, on their courtesy visit to the Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate, marveled as they watched Chinyere Okoro of Imo State University, run with her artificial limb.

Okoro, who lost one of her legs to an accident, said: “I can now run and play football with the aid of my artificial limb. I am very grateful to Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate for its compassion on Nigerians, providing free artificial limbs to victims of accidents and other disasters that led to loss of their legs.”

“Without the limb, I would have been very miserable, subjected to using clutches and invariably, would not be able to run or play football as I am doing now,” she enthused happily.

The case of Uche Nwosu was more pathetic.

He was in a vehicle that had a head-on collision with a trailer in 2011, in which he lost his two legs. When he got wind of the humanitarian service of the Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate, that the club was giving out free artificial limbs, he travelled all the way from the South East to be a beneficiary. Today, instead of sitting down in one location, Uche moves around with his two artificial limbs.

Mrs. Mariam Talabi had lost all hope that her young daughter, three- year-old IbukunOluwa Talabi, would ever walk like a normal child again.

“Ibukun was born without a leg and I have for long been living with a troubled mind thinking if she would ever walk again like a normal child.”

“I cannot be grateful enough for Rotary Club of Palmgrove who successfully fixed an artificial limb for her and she is now walking like a normal child,” she said.

Six-year-old Segun Oladosu was a victim of motorcycle accident on September 6, 2011.

The mother, Folashade Oladosu’s acceptance of Segun’s predicament as one that had no solution was upturned when Segun was brought to Rotary Club of Palmgrove and another limb was fixed for him to replace the lost leg. He now moves about freely.

These are a few testimonies among the several beneficiaries of artificial limbs present at the Rotary event last Monday.

The leader of the American team, Osei David Andrews-Hutchinson, commended the good work of the Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate.

“We have been in Nigeria for sometime now and have gone to several places. I want to say that everything we have seen in Nigeria was quite negative to the impression we had about the nation before we came.”

“Nigerians are industrious and hardworking and everywhere we visited, we just saw that things were happening.

“When I get back to United States, I am going to tell my friends that things are happening in Nigeria and that they should jettison all those wrong notions about Nigeria. In fact, I am going to air it over the radio in America to correct the wrong impression about Nigeria, he declared.

David, who was given the name Olatokunbo by the Oba of Lagos, said he would surely come back to Nigeria to make impact on people.

A member of the team, Carl Anthony Bandy II, said there were three areas of focus, which include culture, idea of business and commerce and how to exchange ideas with Nigerians with a view to making necessary impact on one another.

He described the culture, though diversified,

T

as excellent.

“There are also a lot of business opportunities, and Nigerians have the willingness to work.

We saw resourcefulness, ingenuity and work ethics including the drive and determination in people. Nigerians are industrious.”

Nigeria has a future and power must be negotiated. People, especially in authority, should be compassionate and help the less-privileged. People should not waste time pursing dollars and naira at the expense of helping others and integrity,” he advised.

“My Yoruba name is Omowole and I will surely see how I can sell my experience to the people of Nigeria,” he assured.

Lauren “Lolo” Evans, who was named Omolola by the Oba of Lagos, Aremu Akiolu described Nigeria as a lucky nation with resources and diverse talents.

“We went to different places and were happy to be at the palace of Oba of Lagos. We went to various communities. My aim is to affect young Nigerians and see how I can contribute to the development of their potentials,” Evans said.

Antwane O. Lee, an architect, described the people of Nigeria as wonderful.

My Nigerian name is “Omojeje” while my advice to Nigerians is to realize the fact that now is the time to wake up at local levels, state levels and national levels and things will get better.

The wife of the Governor, Rotary International, District, 9110, Susan Omotosho, who led the delegation to Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate said the District and visitors have reached a common ground on how to make changes in both American and Nigerian schools, especially in Lagos and Ogun states by providing various amenities including toilets, boreholes, desks and seats among others.

“We would welcome the government, both at the state and national levels, including corporate organizations to join us in improving the lives of youths who are the future generation.

We realize the government cannot do it all alone and that is why we are calling them to support us.”

She explained that having taken the visitors round, they have been able to correct the wrong impression they had about Nigeria and Nigerians before they came.

“They are going back with correct information and determination to contribute to Nigerian projects. They have been convinced that Nigerians are friendly and hardworking,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Club, a member, Board of Trustees of the Indo Eye Care Foundation, Dr. D.S. Mirani told the visitors that the club, in addition to giving free limbs to patients, had performed about 13,000 surgeries with no complaint and would soon establish a hospital in Lagos for surgery operations.

“We also give free medical checkup for people and we invite our specialists from India who have been to different parts of Nigeria to carry out surgical operations.”

“We will be happy to form a partnership with you with the aim of helping more Nigerians,” he said.

Past District Governor of the Club, Dr. Alex Thomopulos, while thanking the visitors for their visit, described America as a great nation and the strongest in the world.

“We have tremendous challenges in Nigeria and I believe we can work together to see how best we can do more in helping the less-privileged,” he said.

Members of Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate and the team of Rotary International Foundation Group Study Exchange with the beneficiaries of artificial limbs from the Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate...on Monday

Carl Anthony Bandy II, a member of the American team (left), N. G. Patel; Ayotunde Onafuwa, Antwane Lee, another member of the team and Project Consulting Manager, John Okey Olong and a beneficiary, Adekunle Moshood

The leader of the team, Andrews -Hutchinson (left) handing over the Rotary flag of his club in Chicago, to the inPHOTOS: ISAAC TAIWO coming President, Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate, V. Jajoo...

Photonews

Members of the Board of Lagos Business School’s Centre for Infrastructure, Policy, Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA), Alhaji Lamis Dikko (left), Akinwale Goodluck, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, Dr Enase Okonedo, Masur Ahmed, Prof. Frank Okafor and Patrick Mgbenwelu at the inauguration…recently

Managing Director, Hajaig Construction Company, Mr. Abdulnasir Hajaig( left) ; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Site Engineer, Hajaig, Mr. Hameed Jamel ; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Roads, Mr. Sunday Adumo, during the inspection of on-going construction of the Iworoko-Ifaki Road, in Ado-Ekiti... on Monday.

14 THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

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

Editorial Insecurity: Even gold rusts now…

HE recent killing of Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Chinweike Asadu lays T not just the magnitude of the security challenge the nation faces, but also the latitude the criminals now have. Not only did they kill Asadu, severely injured his driver and an orderly at about 10.30pm at Amorji Nike in the Enugu metropolis, they did so while Asadu was inside his official car.

What this means is that the gunmen took on a top police officer, in a clearly marked police vehicle, literally taking on the nation’s law, and thereby advertising their brazenness to an already traumatised civil populace.

Who would protect the citizens when the official protectors are easy victims?

As usual, the Police response to Asadu’s killing and to such attacks has also been appalling.

Indeed, the reaction has been the same refrain of lament and vacuous aspiration that the crime perpetrators would soon be apprehended. The Nigeria Police certainly should fight to retrieve its credibility; otherwise the standing view is that the narration of this horror would die away soon and the siege on the citizens will continue.

Today, all over Nigeria, the sense of fear is palpable: insecurity is so prevalent that all citizens are helpless. The Police Force is befuddled. It is neither fighting criminals, nor fighting crime effectively. However, poor motivation could be ascribed as a major cause.

A pattern where police officers are beholden to special VIP protection duty in droves speaks volumes on access to extra income as the only motivation for police officers and men. The real duty of securing the lives and property of Nigerians is the least concern.

Addressing insecurity deserves serious attention. First, chronic youth unemployment creates the necessary condition for unmet needs by this segment of Nigerians.

It is questionable if the series of public budget announcements in this country are accompanied by verifiable and enforceable job creation quotients.

Crime is fought with skills, technology and funding and it is open secret that the Police Force, as it is, does not possess the operational capacity for Nigeria’s need. It is sustained by the ex-gratia support of the state governments. Effectively, therefore, states are already funding the Police without the apparatus and legislative definition of a State Force. For how long would the nation then play the hide and seek at the cost of unexplained killings, serial theft of huge public funds, kidnappings, illegal crude theft, general lawlessness and outright terrorism? The family of CP Asadu deserves the sympathy of all Nigerians. His death is another metaphor for the road not taken in policing a 170 million population and US$4trillion economy. It is unfortunate that he is another addition to the numerous unresolved attacks of this nature and the welter of grieving Nigerian families who demand imaginative action.

It must be said that progress cannot but be tied to reforming the role and structure of the Police Force as it is today. With about a million officers, working with inadequate infrastructure, Nigeria is under-policed and there is a strong case for more officers to be trained, equipped and motivated as State Police for the task of securing lives and property.

Dress code for corps members HE decision by the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in T Ogun State to decamp Miss Tolulope Ekundayo for refusing to wear a pair of trousers, part of the uniform for the scheme, at the orientation camp is simply in order. This will, at least, preserve the integrity of the programme. Allowing every corps member to dictate what he or she wears would be condoning indiscipline.

Undue religious and cultural sentiments cannot be permitted to destroy an institution and its rules.

Though another version of the story says she voluntarily withdrew from the service because of her faith, one thing is clear – Miss Ekundayo fell out with the NYSC authorities over what to wear. To her, wearing a pair of trousers negates her Christian beliefs and values.

While Miss Ekundayo has the right to hold her cherished Christian values and beliefs, it must be within the framework of law and order in the country. Hence she cannot be allowed to wear what she likes at the camp, notwithstanding those beliefs. NYSC is a paramilitary organisation with officially approved uniform for both men and women. Going against the established rules to please any single person or group of persons would destroy the institution.

The NYSC uniform is specially made to suit the activities of corps members. The trousers, particularly, are good for the ladies for better covering when climbing, running or in case of a fall. The trousers are not to make any fashion statement other than convenience. They are not made to expose the body in any way. There is, therefore, no tenable religious sentiments to impute. In any case, even the Holy Books enjoin faithful to obey civil authorities for peace and harmony.

LETTERS

Students against barbarism at Nasarawa IR: It is painful and agonisSNasarawa ing for us students of State University to mourn our four colleagues whose lives were caught short by cruel robots in soldiers uniform. This callous attitude of uniformed agents of state dates back to 1971 when Kunle Adepeju was shot dead at the University of Ibadan. The same atrocities have since been perpetrated on defenceless Nigeria students.

It is most unfortunate that the police, who are supposed to product lives and property have turned out to be apparatus of dehumanization, maiming and anarchy.

The University of Ibadan stu-

dents unequivocally condemn the shooting and unjust killing of unarmed students. In the words of Segun Okeowo “power emanates from the barrel of the gun but on the fundamental level power erupts from the supreme will of the people”.

We also condemn the irrational act of the university authority, which unleashed the police on unarmed students protesting over their welfare. We urge government and its agencies to desist from describing us as custodians of exuberance. We therefore demand for justice over the four students unjustly killed in Nasarawa State

University. We urge the State governor to use his good office to ensure that the perpetrators of this act are brought to book.

Finally, we urge Nigerian students not to relent in their struggle against the repulsive system. We cannot afford to be a generation of youths who are merely academic geniuses but who are political robots and ideological nonentities.

“The man died in him who keeps mute in the face of tyranny” says Wole Soyinka.

May the soul of the departed students rest in peace.

• Oluwakayode Agboola Public Relations Officer, Students Union, University of Ibadan.

From pensioners to Okonjo-Iweala, Obada IR: I am writing this open Sunpaid memo because of the arrears of pensioners.

For the past three years, pensioners have been waiting for the 53 per cent increase that is due to them. Needless to say, this entitlement is long overdue. In view of the mortal nature of man, which is also the special lot of pensioners, many of these senior citizens have since passed on.

In respect of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, you may wish to recall that at the King’s College Old Boy’s luncheon where you were the guest speaker, I raised this issue with you in a question and answer session. You promised then that as soon as an audit has been carried out

these elderly citizens would be paid. More importantly perhaps, you averred that paying the pensioners is one of those features that will swell the recurrent expenditure of the Federal Government. Madam, you may wish to know that some of these pensioners earn below N3,000 a month! I repeat N3,000 a month. I therefore leave it to you to do the calculation of what the increase of 53 per cent will amount to.

On your own part, Madam Erelu Olusola Obada, in your capacity as Minister of State for Defence, you promised retired military personnel that as soon as the 2013 budget has been passed, the

retired soldiers would be paid. Since the 2013 budget has now been passed (and signed), I can only hope that the retired soldiers and other pensioners will be paid the long overdue 53 per cent.

At the risk of sounding alarmist, permit me to point out here that when retired soldiers are denied what is due to them, then we have on our hands another source of insecurity. All said, the worth of any nation could easily be measured by the way its most vulnerable citizens are treated.

So please pay the pensioners now.

• Kayode Soremekun, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

15

Business Compulife P25

Energy P47

Telecoms service improvement is beyond Mobile Number Portability launch

Nigeria earns N15.5tr from crude oil export in three months

Nigeria to raise crude oil production to 3.5mbpd From Roseline Okere, Accra, Ghana IGERIA’S crude oil proN duction may rise by 90 per cent this year, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to increase the output from 1.9 million barrels per day (mbpd) to at least 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) within the next few months.

Besides, the corporation has projected $10 billion gas-based investment into the country, by next year.

Nigeria’s oil and gas production has been on the

.Foresees $10b gas-based investment by 2014 decline due to crude oil theft and severe flooding in the Niger Delta.

Recently, Organisation of Peteoleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had put the country’s crude oil production at between 1.8 and 1.9 mbpd between January and February.

The Group Managing Director of the corporation, Andrew Yakubu, made this disclosure to The Guardian yesterday at the Offshore West Africa Oil and gas conference, in Accra, Ghana.

Government’s focus on gas development and ensuring its availability for power generation is based on the firm belief that the spin-off effects of a reliable power supply would provide a solid base for industrialisation, leading to the provision of employment opportunity and attracting the much needed investment in the country Yakubu, who was represented by the Group General Manager, Corporate Audit of NNPC, Isa Inuwa, added that the corporation will also deploy two billion

cubit feet of gas per day of natural gas by 2015.

According to him, this will help tripple the existing power generation of 4.5MW.

President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote (left); Director, Brazil’s Presidente, Paulo Okamotto; Vice-President, of Institutional Relations, Machodo Filho; and the Former President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; at the lecture and dinner in honour of Da Silva, in Lagos, on Monday.

Govt unfolds plan to establish tyre shredding plants

By Taiwo Hassan HE Federal Government T may have concluded plans to establish a tyre shredding plant in the country, to address the disposal challenge poised by high stock of confiscated used tyres, currently on the inventory of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

SON had, during its various sanitisation exercises, seized over six million sub-standard or expired tyres from different markets in the country, as a foil against bad tyre -induced accidents on the roads.

Director-General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who paid a maiden visit to the Rutam House of The Guardian Newspapers, yesterday, in Lagos, said that the organisation has concluded plans with

two potential foreign investors to set up the multibillion Naira tyre shredding plants.

He added that the organisation was also in discussions with some local investors on the need to key into the plan to establish more shredding plants in the country.

According to him, the setting up of the shredding plants would effectively address unsavoury environmental impact of tyre disposal in the country.

According to him, the challenge facing the seizure of substandard or expired tyres globally hovered around disposal, due to limited options that are environmental-friendly.

“The only way to address the issue of importation of substandard tyres into the country is to have shredding plants.

It is not even every country that has that plant because it costs a fortune to set them up.

And of course, you know that for any company to set up an industry, you must guaranty continuous supply of inputs,” he said.

Odumodu cautioned the public in purchase decision of tyres from the markets, noting that the life span of a tyre is usually pegged at five years.

The SON boss hinted that the two potential investors would soon be on ground to meet the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the plants.

Odumodu said the organisation has been trying its best to curb the sub-standard products saga, adding that the untoward phenomenon has

now been reduced to 40 per cent, since he assumed office as the helmsman of SON. Specifically, Odumodu noted that the target of his organisation was to reduce it to 30 per cent at the end of the year.

According to him, the main reason for the dwindling fortunes of companies in the country was not only because of harsh business environment but also the influx of substandard products.

He pointed out that no manufacturing company could compete or thrive in the midst of sub-standard products, so a proactive approach has to be taken to promote industrialisation in the country.

For effect, he said SON has rolled out a six-point agenda to ensure that quality of Nigerian products is accepted internationally.

“Future growth in power generation would continue to be gas-based as we aspire to a 40MW generation capacity by 20:2020”.

Yakubu said that the corporation was more concerned about boosting the country’s crude oil and gas production capacity.

“Government’s focus on gas development and ensuring its availability for power generation is based on the firm belief that the spin-off effects of a reliable power supply would provide a solid base for industrialisation, leading to the provision of employment opportunity and attracting the much needed investment in the country.

“Government plans to build a Central Processing Facility (CPF) is Rivers State from which would come wet gas from wells, which would be processed into dry gas and natural gas,” Yakubu stated.

This initiative, he added, also involves the setting up of a world-class petrochemical plant with the capacity to produce 1.3 million tonnes of polyethylene and 400,000 tonnes of polyethylene yearly.

He also pointed out that the government envisages that from this plant, myriad secondary industries will be developed.

“Still under the initiative, government plans to have two world-class fertiliser plants with the capcity of 1.3 million tonnes per annum, each to be located in Lagos and Delta State. This is an initiative we strongly believe will attract investors into the country.

He said that deregulation of the downstream sector would attract private investors.

“No bank would support any investment in regulated downstream sector. In other words, the huge private investments witnessed in telecommunication or aviation will ever come the way of the downstream sector.

What we may witness is marginal investment in such areas as reception facilities or construction of fuel stations which are not the critical segment of the sector,” he added.

He said that the corporation was working hard to provide the most conducive environment for the oil and gas potential to be realised.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Waltersmith completes first phase of $180m Ibigwe oil field

By Sulaimon Salau ALTERSMITH Petroman Oil Limited has completed the first phase of the Ibigwe oil field development in Oil Mining Lease OML16, in

W

Imo State, to signpost local operators’ foray into the marginal oil fields.

Besides, the company is also considering building a 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery

. Plans $40m refinery in Imo State in the state, estimated at about $40 million.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company, AbdulRazaq Isa, while confirming the completion of the project in Lagos yesterday, said the company has invested about $180 million in five well drilling and one workover-campaign, including the commissioning of a 15,000 bpd flow station.

Waltersmith was among the indigenous firms that were awarded marginal field licences in 2003. The company operates Ibigwe oil field and signed a farm-in agreement with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in April 2004.

According to Isa, the company achieved a milestone of cumulative production of 2.5 million barrels in 2012, and

the field currently produces 4,000 bpd, while forecast production for Ibigwe field is 7,000 bpd after the ongoing production optimization process is included.

Waltersmith, he said, still enjoyed excellent support from its famor- SPDC- with whom it maintained a Crude Handling Agreement (CHA) and crude Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA).

“Over the next 24 months, the company intends to undertake full evaluation of the field by re-interpreting available seismic data or acquiring new seismic data from the concession area with a view to identifying potential leads for exploration, appraisal and exploration of the F, G and H sands,” he said.

Isa noted that first oil from the field was attained in

March 2008, after initially putting in place an Early Production Facility (EPF), including a 20,000 barrels crude storage tank.

Ibigwe 4 appraisal well was drilled and completed in the D2.0 and C4.0 sands as a vertical well at the crest of the structure, while Ibigwe 5- a development well was drilled with a 133 meters horizontal section in the C2.0 sand to optimize the production of heavy and high viscosity crude in the field. Both wells were drilled to 2,533 meters and 2,408 meters respectively.

Isa said the company commenced the second phase of the drilling campaign and the development of the field with the planned work-over of Ibigwe wells 1 and 2 and the drilling of three additional wells. Ibigwe 2 suffered a blow

out at the summit of the well completion during the workover to produce the gas reservoir in the C3.0 sand.

He said an American firm, Boots and Coots were immediately engaged to carry out a surface intervention to quell the fire stemming from the blow out.

On the planned refinery project, Isa said the company is currently evaluating the feasibility of installing the 5,000bpd refinery, which is expected to provide an alternative income stream especially in the wake of very frequent disruption in export schedules caused by the vandalisation of pipelines in the Niger Delta.

According to him, the company is presently looking at other potential assets to acquire in Nigeria, adding that it is positioned to participate in the next oil licensing

No battery problem with our aircraft, says Dana Air

By Wole Shadare ANA Airline has denied report that one of its aircraft had a safety issue, the reason for the grounding of its operations by the Minister of Aviation, Stella OduahOgiewonyi Oduah-Ogiewonyi, while lifting the airlines suspension on Monday night, after a meeting with the airline’s management in Abuja, alleged that one of the carrier’s aircraft, “had a snag and remained grounded until after its airworthiness has been recertified by Boeing, the manufacturer of the airplane”.

But the spokesman for the carrier, Tony Usidamen said it was totally incorrect that one of its

D

aircraft had a problem.

He said there was no iota of truth in it, adding that the allegation was shocking to the firm.

“To set the records straight, and as can be verified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), there was no such incident involving a Dana Air aircraft. What is correct is that there was a snag on one of our aircraft with regis-

tration number 5N-JAI due to operate a 7:20 am flight from Abuja to Lagos on Saturday, 16th March, 2013.

“During routine checks, the Captain of the flight noticed the snag and, as a standard precautionary measure, disembarked the guests and called for a replacement aircraft from Lagos with registration number 5N-SRI, which

eventually ferried the guests from Abuja to Lagos; At no point was a Dana Air aircraft airborne with a faulty battery, necessitating an emergency landing.

“At Dana Air, we place a high premium on our guests and crew and we will continue to go the extra mile to ensure safe, reliable and world-class air transport services to our

Board member, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mohammed Soli Jibia (left); Chairperson, NEPC, Grace Clark; and the Country Head, Olam Nigeria Limited, Mukul Mathur, during the NEPC management visit to Olam corporate office, in Lagos, on Monday.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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MoneyWatch Nigeria’s development woes amid fiscal responsibility law Elsewhere in the world, the Fiscal Responsibility Act is the toast and in most developed economies, it is the catalyst for advancement. What is Nigeria’s scorecard so far under the watchful eyes of the Act? CHIJIOKE NELSON examines the development with respect to our national budget and implementation.

ITH the avalanche of legal frameworks, otherwise known as the “sunshine W laws”, enacted during the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, aimed at ensuring greater accountability and transparency in fiscal operations of the nation’s resources and long term microeconomic stability of the country’s economy, it is obvious that the question: “How far?”, remained relevant in our case, especially with the resounding high figures that lack evidence on ground.

Specifically, the “sunshine laws” included Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), Public Procurement Act enacted to streamline the way governments award contracts and reduce corruption in the contracting system, Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, to promote transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s extractive sector and achieve value for money; and recently, the Freedom of Information Act, passed into law under President Jonathan to revolutionise access to information.

It is unfortunate that developments like these will rather always elicit reasons to ask: Why are we not getting it right? Why are we like this? And to the extreme, are we jinxed? Obviously, the “whys, hows, wheres, whats, whos and whens,” are clear indications of doubts, lack of accountability and transparency. There is no gainsaying that these words are frequent in our national discourse and always raising controversy with regards to adherence to FRA content.

The fiscal responsibility framework was made an Act to provide for the prudent management of the nation’s resources, ensuring long-term macroeconomic stability of the national economy, secure greater accountability and transparency in fiscal operations within a medium term fiscal policy framework and the establishment of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to ensure the promotion and enforcement of the nation’s fiscal discipline.

There are three key words within the ambit of FRA- transparency, accountability and macroeconomic stability. Fiscal transparency entailed a state of being open and ability to let the public know about the process, outputs, and results of fiscal transactions.

The principle of transparency is crucial to the fiscal, budgeting and macro-economic processes and requires that information affecting the state of fiscal operations be made available to the general public in a timely, accurate, and easily understandable manner and amendable to public scrutiny. Transparency and accountability can hardly be separated as both reinforced each other. Thus, for effective accountability, the FRA recognised the need for collaboration between civil society, independent media organisations, the executive and the legislature.

Fiscal accountability refers to a state of being responsible and answerable for all fiscal decisions. It implied a contractual, fiduciary or social contract relationship

Jibril Yelwa, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission

between the managers of public resources and the citizens, which creates a responsibility not only to manage well, but also to duly inform the people about the management of their resources.

Since governments exist to manage public resources, there were powers vested on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to guarantee or compel accountability for the expenditure and management of public resources. For example, section 2 (1) of FRA empowered the FRC “to compel any person or government institution to disclose information relating to public revenues and expenditure; and cause an investigation into whether any person has violated any provisions of the Act.” Macroeconomic stability on the other hand refers to a process of ensuring the stability of the nation’s aggregate macroeconomic framework against which resource allocation in an economy is anchored over a period of time. They included the inflation rate, GDP growth, fiscal ratios, interest rates, employment, savings and investment, monetary and fiscal policies, trade, investment and exchange rate regimes, institutional and structural strategies. Indeed, long-term macro-economic stability is essential for building a strong and resilient economy.

According to the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, there are gamut of provisions in FRA, which governments all over the world have used in relation to their respective fiscal governance policies to address issues, including budget implementation, service delivery, socio-economic, environmental and

Onyekpere

human rights concerns.

Onyekpere explained that the FRA was intended to address anomalies and mischief in our fiscal practices such as poor saving culture, unsustainable borrowing regime, poor intergovernmental fiscal relations between tiers of government in Nigeria, accountability deficits and endemic corruption, lack of access to information (obnoxious secrecy laws), unrealistic macroeconomic forecasts, poor linkages between recurrent and capital expenditure and lack of popular participation in the budgeting and fiscal processes.

With the FRA intervention, he maintained that a number of measures were introduced to expanding the frontiers of fiscal governance in the country some of which include the introduction of Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS), Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF); and other mechanisms to open up policy, planning and budget formulation and design processes in the executive and legislature to popular participation. Onyekpere argued that the FRA required the Federal Government to produce MTEF yearly, under the leadership of the Minister of Finance with consideration and endorsement of the Federal Executive Council and legislative approval by the National Assembly to guide the yearly budget estimates. In order to facilitate the budgeting process, the Act further stated that MTEF should be produced early enough, but not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year.

Given the undergoing, one might be tempted to conclude that we are already in

The principle of transparency is crucial to the fiscal, budgeting and macroeconomic processes and requires that information affecting the state of fiscal operations be made available to the general public in a timely, accurate, and easily understandable manner and amendable to public scrutiny.

Transparency and accountability can hardly be separated as both reinforced each other. Thus, for effective accountability, the FRA recognised the need for collaboration between civil society, independent media organisations, the executive and the legislature

the “paradise”, but the reverse has always been the case. At the recently concluded four geo-political zones’ Fiscal Responsibility Session, organised by CSJ, with the support of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, the participants under the mass movementCitizens Wealth Platform, listed assessed poor developments, which run contrary to the provisions of the FRA to include the followings: • That the constitutional doctrine and practice of checks and balances is lacking at the state level as the executive virtually controls the legislature and the judiciary; • the contradictions, weakness and undemocratic nature of the political system reflects as corruption and impunity in the expenditure and management of public finances; • corruption has become a way of life and is now perpetrated in hundreds of billions and trillions and this has led to impunity and under-development of the country; • state and local government level budget documents are still unavailable to the public and the opportunities for participation are limited compared to the federal budgeting process; • statutory provisions under FRA, Public Procurement Act and the Freedom of Information Act provide opportunities for enhanced civil society work; • CSOs have not utilised their capacities to test and ensure that the fiscal system works and is made more responsive and accountable to the needs of the people, extant laws and policies; • despite the purported signing of the 2013 Appropriation Act into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, the 2013 budget details are not ready and not available to the public.

Only the broad figures are available to the public; • the unacceptable personnel expenditure of N1.717 trillion being 36.56 per cent of the budget proposed for the year 2013; • the unending executive legislative bickering and feud over the extent of each arm of government’s powers in matters of appropriation leading to delays in budget approval; and • the very poor performance of the executive in the implementation of the 2012 capital budget, only N686 billion representing 14.6 per cent of appropriated funds was spent on capital expenditure in 2012. Capital expenditure drew a paltry 51.23 per cent of its appropriated funds.

Others were: • that contrary to FRA, the country is still borrowing to fund recurrent expenditure; • the mismanagement of economy leading to purported “strong economic fundamentals” that have thrown more Nigerians into unemployment and poverty; • the gulf between the intentions and provisions of the various sunshine laws and the practice of fiscal governance in the country; • laws by themselves do not guarantee rights and freedoms until the citizens decide to actively engage and activate the mechanism for the claim of these rights; • the growing debt profile of the Federation with nothing to show in terms of infrastructure and improvements in living conditions; • lack of consultation and popular participation in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and budget process; • the perennial late passage of budgets, poor capital budget implementation; • refusal and neglect of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to draw up the yearly cash plan and the same refusal and neglect of the Minister of Finance to draw up budget disbursement schedules; and • the new and unimaginable heights of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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MONEY WATCH

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Development woes and FRA challenges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 budgetary corruption.

Onyekpere, while acknowledging that government has stated its intention to reduce frivolous expenditure, said: “Yet, our budget proposals are suffused with same. Travel and transport costs are still high and can be reduced by 50 per cent. Requests for meals and catering expenses can also be reduced by about 50 per cent. The overhead costs of key agencies such as the Presidency, which should lead by example, can also be cut by not less than 50 per cent.

These are hard times and Nigerians are interested in prioritizing public expenditure to those areas that make the most meaningful impact in their lives.

“More funds should be channeled to capital expenditure including roads, railways, power transmission and the social sectors of education and health. Our national priorities should reflect our status as an underdeveloped nation.”

He noted that although the CWP is still evolving, it has demonstrated strong capacity to engage the budget process in the country, as evident in some of its interventions leading to publications such as “In the Name of Appropriation all Things are Possible”, “2012 Federal Capital Budget Pullout of the States in the North Central Geopolitical Zone” and “Recommendations on the Line Items of the 2013 Federal Budget Estimates.”

The publications revealed frivolous allocations, ways of reducing wastages and ensuring savings, as well as strategies of tracking and monitoring projects funded by the federal budget. He intoned that CWP has offered opportunity for the voices of the citizens to be heard in the consideration of the revenue, expenditure and fiscal

policies of government, having been engaging the federal budget process and bringing to the front burner, the diversity of the Nigerian voices.

Therefore, through compilations of frivolous allocations in budgets, CWP brings to the attention of the National Assembly and the Nigerian public key issues of wasteful expenditure that contributes nothing to the public welfare drawing attention to unclear expenditures and proposals for expenditure that are nebulous.

More so, some spending agencies have demonstrated a desire to draw money from the treasury through repetition of previous year budget requests (using the law to steal). Requests for welfare packages still find their way into the proposals. This illegality takes place against the fact that the welfare of staff of the agencies had already been provided in their personnel expenses. Repetitive request for library books in a public service that displays an anti intellectual culture is baffling.

Other requests for medical expenses after provisions have been made for the payment of National Health Insurance Scheme charges are improper.

Yes, public servants want Nigerians to bear their bill for sports and exercises after they have been paid their legitimate entitlements. The forum therefore, resolved, among other things: • to fully monitor and report on the implementation and achievements of the 2012 federal capital budget using the capital budget pull out published by CWP; • that beyond the executive, CSOs should target the legislature and judiciary in their advocacy activities, pointing out to them the need to check the fiscal excesses

of the executive and to ensure that all state level fiscal actions are in accordance with the constitution and relevant laws; • that government should prosecute all persons indicted in various categories of corruption from the oil subsidy scandal and police pension funds; • that CSOs should increase the demand for more openness in the budget process at the state and local government levels; • CSOs should devise advocacy to ensure the enactment of state level fiscal responsibility and public procurement laws and the enforcement of certain provisions of the federal level FRA, which applies to states; • CSOs should utilise all legal and legitimate means to fight corruption and impunity, including exercising the right to wage a protracted struggle against fiscal tyranny; • seek the immediate release of the full details of the 2013 budget as signed into law by the president; • that government should take steps towards the reduction of personnel expenditure through the implementation of the recommendations of the Orosanye report and the full roll out of the IPPIS in all MDAs; • the executive and legislature should collaborate effectively in budget formulation and approval matters. It is recommended that they adopt the Year 2000 Recommendations of the Phillips Committee on the Budget Process in Nigeria; • that the President, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Bureau of Public Procurement should lead the process for the formulation and implementation of an action plan for the full implementation of the 2013 capital budget;

• considering that capital expenditure is the part of the budget that directly improves the living conditions of the people, the President under his performance contract with ministers and assistants should sack any minister or assistant who failed to implement a minimum of 70 per cent of appropriated capital funds; • that the federal government should revert to the provisions of FRA and restrict the use of the proceeds of borrowing to its stated purpose of capital expenditure and human development; • that government should develop a new paradigm of economic management that is focused on job-based economic growth, local manufacturing and value added and a Nigeria-centric economic philosophy which places the interest of Nigeria first above all considerations; • that the federal government should remove all obstacles militating against the full implementation of the fiscal and sunshine laws. The lip service so far demonstrated in the implementation of these laws is a great disservice to the nation; • that the civil society should intensify the demand for the full implementation of the fiscal and sunshine laws including the constitution of the National Council on Public Procurement, early and timely budget preparation, demand for fiscal information under the Freedom of Information Act, others; • that Nigerians should actively engage the fiscal system in the executive and legislature through proffering alternative fiscal policies and budgetary expenditure components, attending public hearings and making submissions, etc. The judiciary should also be engaged through litigations against obnoxious laws and

policy implementation; • that governments at all tiers must ensure strict compliance with the FRA’s position on incurring debts notably that it should be for capital expenditure or human development provided that the interest rate is not above three per cent with a long amortisation period and subject to legislative approval. Debts should be tied to concrete and verifiable projects and activities; • that the Federal Ministry of Finance and other MDAs must ensure the full implementation of the capital budget and any such vote unutilised by the end of the year should still be channeled towards the completion of the project in the succeeding year. On no account should a vote meant for capital projects lapses and be rechanneled towards recurrent expenditure; • that the Accountant-General of the Federation be called upon to prepare the yearly cash plan for 2013, while the Minister of Finance should prepare the 2013 budget disbursement schedule within one month from the President’s assent to the budget; and • in line with recent suggestions by notable jurists, the Session calls for an amendment of the Constitution to ensure that interlocutory appeals do not act as a stay of proceedings in corruption proceedings.

Finally, Nigerians demand transparency and accountability and insist that the budget of every spending agency should be disaggregated and published, including the statutory transfers to the National Assembly, National Judicial Council, Universal Basic Education Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Human Rights Commission. This is the true “spirit” of FRA.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

23

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There are people like this in the city, Mr President, carrying load in the market. But in his case this man stands accused, as an accomplice to oil theft. Your administration needs to engage people like him

A Leaky security apparatus can’t handle the wildcat hacking into pipelines all over the Niger Delta. Mr President sir, please call for a stakeholder meeting, not a jamboree, but a close door conversation with top hierarchies of NNPC, the Military, The Police, the SSS as well as Shell, Agip, and Chevron and let each brief you in a one day long session, what they each honestly thinks the planned NNPC Surveilance will achieve

This is some people’s idea of a refinery. But as you can see, Mr. President, these people working here are mere pawns in a large scheme of things. They deserve our sympathy. There must be a way to draw them out and have a conversation.

This man could easily die here, Mr President. A strong stench of death hangs in the air around him. It’s possible he is not aware. Mr. President, you’re the father of all..

By Toyin Akinosho

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, President And Commander In Chief Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria State House, Aso Rock , Abuja Dear President , HAVE a report to make. I have a request to make of you.

Take a trip, sir, to select places in the Niger Delta basin and engage with communities that are being accused of producing diesel and petrol from stolen crude.

Do it the way you went to the Police College.

Mr President, please go for town hall meetings and engage with this people.

I have been spending sometime examining images that describe the alleged culprits. I struggle to come to terms with the narrative.

I have been looking at the photographs of socalled oil thieves in the Niger Delta Basin, posted on the world wide web in January 2013. The images that have struck me most were recorded

by Akintunde Akinleye, a photo-journalist working for Reuters, the global news agency. They were taken mostly, I believe, from an aircraft.

They show sites of vastly damaged environment; polluted rivers, bodies of water whose lives have been choked by hydrocarbons, crude oil or petroleum products fanning out on creeks that once watered farmlands, waters that once fed livelihoods. Akinleye’s images show vast stretches of land that could easily have been open fields, but are soaked to the hilt with petroleum. But what strikes me most is the seeming helplessness of the human beings that

I

These Images Of “Oil Theft” Reduce All Of Us, Affront Our Collective Dignity An Appeal To President Goodluck Jonathan have posed for those photos, some of which I publish here.

In the popular narrative, these are either oil thieves or those who receive the stolen oil from merchants and convert them to products in some “illegal refineries”.

I am not seeing criminals here. I am seeing victims.

What I see affronts my own humanity.

How could anyone survive here?

It was Gandhi who said that “a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

Mr. President, these are some of the most vulnerable members of the Nigerian society.

I am not sure I could comfortably stay here in Lagos and call the people in these photographs thieves.

These are people who are so desperate about making a living they go to this extent of calling hell to themselves.

When I first learnt about illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, six years ago, my response was quite naïve; I was sure that the kind of enterprise that lead people to construct refineries and look for feedstock nearby was something we could do something with. That response was based on the assump-

tion that there were some properly structured small refineries where people were reasonably doing things to crude oil to turn them into diesel and petrol and other products that are in demand all over the Niger Delta Basin because they could be sold for less than the going prices in our filling stations.

But this is not what’s happening. These are not refineries. These are all disasters waiting to happen.

Akintunde Akinleye’s photos harass me.

The environmental despoliation here, going on, is of several thousand times larger, in scale, than Shell and others have been accused of inflicting on their communities in the 57 years since Oloibiri was discovered.

People are turning their own backyards into graveyards but the Friends of the Earth do not see that.

Environmentalists are stuck with the decade old rhetoric that the corporation is responsible for all reckless damage of our otherwise pristine mangroves. When Deltans seek to help themselves by damaging the environment in which they dream, Greenpeace and co will not notice. But all water bodies are interconnected. We can’t pretend that

these things may not affect us.

Akintunde’s photographs are photos of people living in the pit of hell, so desperate they don’t mind to be consumed by the kind of inferno that the Bible promises those who wallow in sin.

Mr President sir, I read in the media everyday about the JTF taking down illegal refineries and arresting people. One JTF statement said that the military had in the past held stakeholders’ forums in which community leaders and local council chairmen were asked to advocate against illegal oil theft “but it seems they are neck-deep in it …but we will step up our advocacy as an institution and hope that the traditional rulers and council leaders will speak out against the terrible acts of crude oil theft”.

The men I see in these photos do not have the power to disobey the JTF. They don’t see alternatives to living.

Mr President sir, the real big thieves, who pay these people tokens to construct these death traps they call refineries, don’t show up in these photographs. They don’t appear in the grand narrative. But you know sir. You know about them. If you’re really interested, we’d stop this charade of burning down refineries and construct a more honest strategy of stopping these victims from damaging themselves.

Your own town hall meetings, which will ask sympathetic questions and seek ways to design a solution that combine serious police work with empathy for the communities, will go farther than JTF’s militarizing attitude.

I can’t say for certain what you will come up with, but Mr President, resolving this issue is something only you can lead.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

24 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

Life and Loss In The Niger Delta

The Niger Delta Is In A Worse Shape Than It Seems

HE Niger Delta has focused the collective mind of T the nation in the last decade more than it has done in any period in the preceeding 43 years before it.

From Delta Blues, published in Repotergen/Lagos Review of Books

KICKSTARTER

We have gone full circle from discussions around Oil Theft in 2001, when Shell first brought up the issue of identifying Nigerian crude, to Oil Theft, again in 2013.

The Nigerian military’s containment of crude oil thieves in those years “forced” the merchants of the illicit trade in the basin to scale up activities in the areas of attacking oil facilities and kidnapping expatriate oil workers.

But when retired General Olusegun Obasanjo, then the country’s president, moved in against two Ijaw Leaders-Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Asari Dokuboaround the same time in 2005, he apparently jabbed the monster in the eyes.

The Movement For Emancipation Of The Niger Delta (MEND) announced its emergence, with bomb blasts of strategic installations, especially the Escravos River part of the pipeline that delivers natural gas to the country’s largest power plant as well as the major industries in Lagos. The attack heightened the sense of urgency about what has always been termed “the Niger Delta Crisis”. The bombing also initiated a significant slow down of any meaningful oilfield activity in the basin.

MEND’s arrival with its bombing spree in the first quarter of 2006 happened to have taken place at the time the Nigerian military had muscled in on illegal bunkering of crude oil, which explains the interpretation, among oil industry security types, that the “boys” were not comfortable with the snuffing off of their source of livelihood. For all the big statement that the Movement made about being the representative of those who demand an egalitarian share of the proceeds of crude oil sales in the Niger Delta, the implication of its campaign wasn’t lost on the oil companies : it increased the opportunities for oil theft, which had been on the wane, just months before.

As we write, the swamp and onshore terrains of the Niger Delta have not returned to their pre-2006 crude oil production level. Nigeria produces 2.4MMBOPD, yes, but in those years, more than a third of the production have come from deepwater.

So it pays to take a look at the Niger Delta closely, more than once in a while.

Life in the basin is as underreported as any other life in Nigeria. Which is why it was exciting to chance on an extensive reportage of the place, written by the novelist Helon Habila, who was commissioned by the Swiss magazine Reportergen.

An abridged version of this very important article, is the major piece in this edition of this fortnightly pull out in The Guardian.

The kickstarter article is a brief letter to The President around the theme of life as it is lived in a place where there’s so much wealth. That letter is a wrap around five of Akintunde Akinleye’s powerful, haunting images of the devastation of life and environment, in the Niger Delta basin.

The Africa Oil+Gas Report is the primer of the hydrocarbon industry on the continent. It is the market leader in local contextualizing of global developments and policy issues and is the go-to medium for decision makers, whether they be international corporations or local entrepreneurs, technical enterprises or financing institutions, for useful analyses of Africa’s oil and gas industry. Published by the Festac News Press Limited since November 2001, AOGR is a monthly, 40 page hardcopy publication delivered to subscribers around the world. Its website remains www.africaoilgasreport.com and the contact email address is info@africaoilgasreport.com. Contact telephone numbers in our West African regional headquarters in Lagos are 2348130733523, 2347062420127, 2348034449079, 234803652979, 2348023902519.

Please enjoy what this edition of the Pullout has to offer.

-Toyin Akinosho, Publisher

Editor

By Helon Habila N a small town called Solothurn in Iman Switzerland, after I had given a reading, a had stepped up to me and introduced himself. He was mild mannered and looked to be in his early forties.

“I really enjoyed your reading, and your book as well.”

“I had a good German translator.”

“No, it is not just the translation. It is a good book. I am an editor for a magazine, Reportagen, and I wonder if you’d be interested in doing a non-fiction account of the story for us?”

He wanted me to travel to Nigeria, to the Niger Delta, where the story was set, and to write about my trip for Reportagen.

“The Delta is a very dangerous place,” I told him. Although the kidnapping had de-escalated since its peak in 2007, it hadn’t stopped entirely. Since 2009 over 140 persons had been kidnapped, and the alarming thing was that the kidnapping wasn’t only of foreign oil workers like it used to be, but of prominent locals and anyone who looked like he could bring in a good ransom. Kidnapping was a cottage industry, almost every street had its gang of kidnappers. Recently a group of idle teenagers had grabbed a local oil worker in Port Harcourt and had taken him to a location. First they took his ATM card and withdrew about 30k everyday for a few days, then, when the money ran out, they had made their ransom demand. They wanted N75,000.

Less than $500. That was how cheap kidnapping was.

“I know,” the man replied. “That’s why it will make a good story. Just like your novel.” ********************************************************* ********************At the Somitel Hotel in Port Harcourt we sat by the poolside bar, drinking beer. It was our third day in Port Harcourt, and still none of our contacts had taken our call.

Yesterday, when I got tired of sitting in my room, 1 had gone to the library to do some background reading on Port Harcourt. Today, all morning we had sat in my room and Mike had kept trying a friend who was newly transferred from Lagos to head the crime desk of a local paper, but his friend was being evasive.

We had other contacts. One was Ms Ankio Briggs, a prominent Ijaw politician who was said to be very close to President Goodluck Jonathan, but she was yet to answer her phone. She was especially suited to talk to us since her NGO worked directly with ex-militants, those who had signed up for the amnesty programme initiated by the last president, Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua, in 2009.

“Try Ms Briggs again,” I said. He did, there was no answer. I took the phone and kept trying over and over again. When she finally picked up she said she was in Bayelsa giving a lecture at the university and wouldn’t be back till Friday. It was Wednesday. I had wanted to frontload this outing, to do as much as we could in the first few days, then relax and complete whatever remained at leisure. But that didn’t seem possible anymore.

So we went and sat by the poolside, drinking beer. Next to our table were two men who had been sitting quietly, staring at their empty beer bottles. I saw Mike looking at them.

They looked rough, almost sinister.

They could be ex-militants,” he whispered. I shook my head. He shrugged. One of them stood up and headed for the bathroom. The other one changed his seat, so that he now

faced us. He was staring at Mike’s cigarette, a frown on his face.

“The smoke must be disturbing you,” I said to him. “Sorry about that.”

The man shook his head. “No, actually I wan ask you for one stick.”

“Of course. Take one.” Mike pushed the packet of Benson and Hedges towards him. He came over and sat with us.

“Do you stay here?” I asked.

“No. I come from Nembe.”

He looked surprised. “You no know Nembe?”

“Where is that?”

I shook my head.

“In Bayelsa state.”

“Look,” Mike said, leaning forward, “there’s something we want to ask you. We are reporters from Lagos, and we are doing a story on oil production and violence in the Delta. We are looking for ex—militants to interview”. He laid his tattered press card on the table.

Mike was an experienced reporter, he had worked for almost every major Lagos newspaper. I had known him in my newspaper days in Lagos, over ten years ago.

He had good contacts, he had good instincts and I was lucky to have him with me on this trip. His only problem was that he could be a bit too impulsive at times.

But this time it worked. Commander Ebinyu and Prince Benewari said they were ex- militants, and they were in Port Harcourt to collect their amnesty money from their supervisor, a certain Barrister, whom they were right now waiting for in that bar. Things hadn’t gone very well, they had been in town for almost a week and they still hadn’t received their money. They were homesick, they were broke, and they were getting angry.

Would they mind if we interviewed them?

Commander looked thoughtful. They said they would think about it, but right now they had to leave. They had received a call from the Barrister and they were to meet him in another hotel. Mike took their numbers.

That evening we told a friend about them and asked if he thought they were real militants.

“They are all over the place. The Barrister they mentioned is a well-known man at this hotel. He represents the militants.”

Mike kept trying Commander’s number, till finally we had an appointment. They had conducted their business with the Barrister, and they were free to be interviewed early morning tomorrow. We settled for 7 am.

“Should we give them our room numbers?”

Mike asked.

“Why not.” This was our first break since we got here and I wasn’t going to waste it.

When I entered the room I noticed immediately how nervous they were. They sat side by side, facing Mike who was seated on the bed, fiddling with his recorder. Their eyes were watchful, their lips unsmiling. They looked as if they had rehearsed carefully what to say what to give away, what to evade. I wasn’t worried. The most important thing was to establish trust. I asked them if they had had had breakfast. They hadn’t, they had to set out early to come here. I ordered breakfast for everyone. Still, the tension hung heavy in the air. Suddenly Commander leaned forward and stared directly at me. “Sir, may we know who you are?”

I was surprised by the formality, and the directness of the request. Ordinarily he spoke in the dense, hard-to-understand pidgin of the Delta area. Now I looked at him and realized that he was even more nervous than we were. Here they were in our hotel room, at our mercy, how could they know that we

They had received a call from the Barrister and they were to meet him in another hotel. That evening we told a friend about them and asked if he thought they were real militants. “They are all over the place. The Barrister they mentioned is a wellknown man at this hotel. He represents the militants.” It turned out the Barrister had only given them N40,000 to be shared by their whole community. They were angry.

They had waited to see him for over a week, and now they were going back literally empty handed. Each militant who had surrendered his gun and signed up for the amnesty was entitled to N65,000 a month. ‘There were over twenty thousand beneficiaries. including people like Commander, but most of them were illiterate, they could neither read nor write, and because of that they needed people like the Barrister to represent them, and because of these layers of intermediaries, sometimes the amnesty money doesn’t trickle down to those who are supposed to get it.

Helon Habila From Trans—Amadi we took a series of back roads to avoid the endless Port Harcourt traffic. But this didn’t help much, the back roads were pockmarked with potholes, some so big I feared the car’s axles would break in two. “These are NDDC roads,” my friend complained bitterly. “They really should do bigger and better projects than this.” weren’t some undercover government operatives setting a trap for them? I went to my room and came back with a copy of my novel. I handed over the book to them. I was a writer. My novel was an account of a kidnapping in the Delta, but it was also about environmental pollution and political injustice in the Niger Delta. About the dispossession of the lands and the livelihood of ordinary Delta youths like them by the oil companies and by the government. This was my work ID, and this was my driver’s license. They looked closely at the cards, Prince took pictures with his mobile and handed them back to me. Now it was their turn, how could I be sure they were ex-militants from Nembe?

They showed us their Ijaw Youth’s Council ID cards. The Council, formed in 1998, was the political body representing all law ethnic groups of the Niger Delta. Its main thrust was to fight for resource control and more recognition for the Ijaw states, who formed the bulk of the oil producing areas of Nigeria.

Almost every Ijaw youth was a member, and since the coming of amnesty and the disbanding of militant groups like MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta), and others, the Council was the main organ that represented the Ijaw cause.

I handed back their ID cards, but Commander, to convince us further, leaned down and pulled up his right trouser-leg. A big scar ran from his shin up to his knee. “Bullet wound,” he told us. He got it fighting the government’s Joint Task Force (JTF) in 2007.

He opened his shirt button to reveal more nasty scars on his chest, one looked like a bullet entering from the shoulder and exiting at the back.

“I hope you can now trust us?” I asked.

“But how much you go pay for de interview?”

Prince asked.

“Look, what we want is not just an interview.

When are you guys going back to Nembe?”

“Anytime. We don finish our business here with the Barrister.’

“Did he give you your money?

It turned out the Barrister had only given them N40,000 to be shared by their whole community. They were angry. They had waited to see him for over a week, and now they were going back literally empty handed.

“That’s why the boys are angry. And if gofment no do anything about this, we are going to do anything stupid. We are going back to the creeks,’’ Commander fumed. Each militant who had surrendered his gun and signed up for the amnesty was entitled to N65,000 a month. There were over twenty thousand beneficiaries, including people like Commander, but most of them were illiter-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

25

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

CompuLife ‘MNP will not end service quality issues’ The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, was in Lagos on Monday to flag-off the MicroWork and E-Lancing job creation scheme of the ministry. The ministry believed ICT could be leveraged to create jobs through various initiatives.

Johnson, who spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the event, expressed the readiness of the industry to commence Mobile Number Portability (MNP) at the end of the month. ADEYEMI ADEPETUN was there. Excerpts.

AN we know what this Microwork and E-Lancing initiative C is all about?

We have recognised that the Information and Communication Technology is the fastest growing sector of the Nigerian economy. It is currently growing at 30 per cent and has maintained that for the past five years.

The believe of the ministry is that the country can leverage on it for improved productivity. So after much brainstorming, we came up the idea. This is in partnership with Science and Technology Education Post-Basic (STEP-B) World Bank for job creation in Nigeria. As you know the STEP-B project is about improving science and technology.

The total amount for the project (STEP-B) is around $180 million and it includes what we are doing with the National University Commission on fibre-optic laying across Nigerian institutions in the country.

The project has gone live in Lagos and Abuja, but that of Kano will be on soonest. We have about seven sessions that will still come up, because it is going to be gradual. Our hope is that every individual that registered on this platform will actually begin to get work and get money. So this is something that you can see the result immediately.

However, to earn more money depends on the individual, how well he or she was able to handle the work given and improve his or her profile.

The initiative is coming with great opportunities. It will create jobs, though without actually creating a company. Participants can sit at home with a PC and Internet connection and all that can be done without even going out. It will aggregate work for microworkers and rub off well for Nigerians and the economy.

You said both Lagos and Abuja were on, while Kano would be later. Are there challenges hindering the take-off in Kano?

There are no challenges. I think the issue is that this being the first time, we just thought it fit that we should start on a pilot phases. The fact remains that nothing was stopping us from going to Kano next week, but we believed that we should take them one after the other. We are sure of getting Kano started any moment from now. We are also going to extend this initiative to other states. Yobe, Osun and some have their representatives around. It is a nationwide programme.

Participants are complaining of not having the ability to access funds, especially through some channels. What is the situation?

There are arrangements to ensure a seamless process, reason it took us about six months to get started. We have local payment switches. We are partnering with Interswitch on that so that people can get paid in Nigeria. PayPal is not part of this programme.

The ministry is coming out with several initiatives, which are very encouraging. When are we going to see the benefits of all these initiatives?

I think 2013 is our watershed year. I was sworn in July 2011. It was a new ministry, without budgets for number of months. I can say late 2011 into 2012; we were planning and strategising for the ministry.

What you see now are the logistics of 2011 that are coming to fore. You will recall that we have launched so many initiatives, the student computer ownership, tech launch pad among others. We also plan to launch service portal in some week’s time.

I think it is now that we can begin to evaluate what we have done.

So by the end of this year, we want to see improved quality of service, access to broadband improvement. We want to also ensure that we are creating more jobs through ICT. We want to also be able to tell people to know that it is easier to transact business with the government. I think by the end of this year, we shall be able to talk more about the benefits of our initiatives.

What we are doing initially is actually very encouraging, especially the Student Ownership Scheme. We have been getting favourable responses. For the industry, I think 2013 and 2014 are the watershed for the ICT industry.

The service quality has gone down seriously and Nigeria is planning for Mobile Number Portability. Are we sure of improved services, with the planned commencement soon?

We are going ahead with Mobile Number Portability, because it is going to give subscribers lots of choice and freedom. MNP will bring new dimension to the competition in the industry.

All network operators will have to work harder to earn the trust of subscribers, because they will now have choices.

However, MNP does not stop the quality of service issues. This

At a glance . Global mobile penetration peaks four leading regions…P26. . Samsung targets dominance of Nigeria’s market…P27 . NCC seeks recognition for physically challenged persons…28 . LTE traffic to grow over 200 per cent…P29

Johnson is because we have a nationwide issue around service improvement. What we are doing presently is working on so many things that will ensure that telecoms services improved tremendously.

We are working to ensure that network operators are able to roll out infrastructures without hitches including bottlenecks of multiple taxations and regulations; Right of Ways challenges; kicking against vandalisation of ICT infrastructure among others.

We are working on this with the state authorities, agencies of government, the ministry, NCC and the telecoms operators to ensure that we have improved services in 2013.

MNP will definitely give consumer varieties of choice.

However, it is the best of bad situation kind of thing, but the major issue is for us to improve on our infrastructure and services, so that we don’t have to be moving from network to network.

Can we know the number of participants at the take-off of this new scheme and the criteria for choosing them?

At the start today, about three classes were on. I think we have over 900 participants presently. The other session will be for another 900 people. This means that we shall be training about 900 people every session.

There are no criteria like that, but what we ensured is that a participant can speak English, be able to use a computer and you registered. We can’t really say we are targeting a particular number of people, even after five years. But our target is to create that awareness of the opportunities that are available in the sector.

We will as part of this programme continued to train more peo-

ple in their thousands. This is an initiative we believe will have a live of its own as we progress in it.

All that is required is for the person to register on the platform.

I can’t say we have target now, but I believe that our aim is to reach people in their thousands.

The beauty of this initiative is that the participants only need the present training we are given them now. All that is required like I said earlier is for such participants to understand what is involve, register and get the training, then such person can go home or your office and you become a micro worker and earn your money.

This initiative is happening all over the world on a large scale, but we are starting in Nigeria on a gradual basis so that we can really achieve something, especially in bridging the unemployment gap in the country.

You have been canvassing for improved local content development in the country, but surprisingly, the PCs used for this training are foreign brands. We didn’t see the likes of Zinox, Omatek and others that are indigenous?

Well, we are still very much committed to local content development. The Digital Bridge is 100 per cent behind local content development. I believe that as they procure more computers, indigenous computers will be appreciated.

I know you are aware of the Student PC ownership scheme we are working on. We are working on getting more Nigerians to patronize the local brands.

You were in Lagos penultimate Thursday, where you said that you were targeting improved broadband connectivity in the country by 2015. Now, how does this microwork scheme fit into your broadband strategy?

Broadband has a lot to do with the Microwork scheme. The global platform by which people will access this initiative is through the Internet. So, it is very important for us to ensure that as we rolled out this programme, people actually have access to the Internet no matter where they are in the country.

There is a serious correlation between them. One thing is that when we talk about local content, it is not limited to the manufacturing sector. Local content covers the manufacturing, skills, contributions of Nigerians to any particular industry and this is actually part of our local content development to ensure that more Nigerians can make money from the ICT sector.

The criteria for the Microwork is that as long as you have computer, you can type, understand English.

The E-Lancing appears to be a bit higher in the sense that it involves programming, software development skills, which is really part of what we are discussing and ensure that we have Nigerians that can develop software not just for the Nigerian market, but globally.

It appears that the telecommunications operators that were fined by the Nigerian Communications Commission over promos are yet to pay the fine, unlike what we saw the other time.

What is the present situation with payment?

The fact remains that when you are fined as an operator, you have to follow a procedure for payment with the regulator. I think their files have been treated and the network operators will pay the fine as they did the other time.

10 new locations get Wi-Fi facilities in Lagos

By Adeyemi Adepetun XYGEN Broadband Networks has expanded its Wi-Fi services to 10 additional locations in Lagos. The Chief Operating Officer of Oxygen Broadband, Mr. Wande Adalemo, who said the move became necessary after the success of its first Pilot Hotzone in 2012 at the Ikeja Computer Village in Lagos and its environs last year, noted that it is also an opportunity for the comapny to play a major role in the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services in the country.

Wi-Fi (also spelled Wifi or WiFi) is a popular technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly (using radio waves) over a computer network, including high-speed Internet connections.

A device that can use Wi-Fi (such as a personal com-

O

puter, video-game console, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) can connect to a network resource such as the Internet via a wireless network access point. Such an access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 metres (65feet) indoor and a greater range outdoors. Hotspot coverage can comprise an area as small as a single room with walls that block radio waves or as large as many square miles—this is achieved by using multiple overlapping access points.

Adalemo at a news briefing in Lagos said that the pilot stage of the project provided a flexible, cost-effective and convenient Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI) connection.

According to him, the convergence of various classes of service is achievable, even as stakeholders in Computer Village require extensive Internet services. He stressed that

the pilot scheme was a huge success with over 50,000 devices connected over the network at that single location.

He said that Oxygen broadband deployed hot spot and Wi-Fi in locations that experience cluster of people and use such device to provide Internet service at reduced cost.

Adalemo said that the company had plan to deploy several hotspots designed to meet up with the original vision of the Federal Government to drive the initiative of “Internet for everyone”.

On March 1st 2013, Oxygen went live at its first 10 hotspot locations in Lagos. The locations are in Surulere, Yaba, Isolo, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos Island, Agege, FESTAC and Lekki.

According Adalemo, the expansion was achievable through a new partnership with Wavetek Nigeria Limited, an innovative global ICT solu-

tions provider with four strategic business units: Application Integration and IT Infrastructure, Cloud and Hosting Services, Education, Bandwidth and Last Mile Connectivity. Wavetek has a mission to deliver technology solutions beyond space and time, and it is the backbone provider to Oxygen Broadband.

Adalemo said that Oxygen would be expanding to new locations on a monthly basis, giving users a new and cool experience in its super- fast Wi-Fi network at comfortable, and serene locations. He said that with just one account, users could have access to all of the super-fast hot spot locations.

Aside announcing its new location, Oxygen rewarded Nigerians who won in an online competition organised by the company.

26 COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20 2013

Global mobile penetration peaks in four regions

By Adeyemi Adepetun EW figures by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have confirmed sustained demand for information and communications technology (ICT) services, with uptake spurred by a steady fall in the price of broadband Internet.

ITU’s “World in 2013, ICT Facts and Figures” report predicts that there will soon be as many mobile-cellular subscription as people keep inhabiting the planet, with the figure set to nudge past the seven billion mark early in 2013.

It disclosed that more than half of all mobile subscriptions are now in Asia, which remains the powerhouse of the indises and that by the end of 2013 overall mobile penetration rates will have reached 96 per cent globally, 128 per cent in the developed world, and 89 per cent in developing countries.

With many markets saturated, and penetration at over 100 per cent in four of the six ITU world regions, the global

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telecommunications union body said mobile cellular uptake is already slowing substantially, with growth rates falling to their lowest levels ever in both the developed and developing worlds.

ITU estimates that 2.7 billion people or 39 per cent of the world’s population will be using the Internet by end of 2013.

Internet access, however, to ITU, will remain limited in the developing world, with only 31 per cent of the population forecast to be online at the end of 2013, compared with 77 per cent in the developed world.

Europe will remain the world’s most connected region with 75 per cent Internet penetration, largely outpacing Asia and the Pacific (32 per cent) and Africa (16 per cent).

According to the Geneva based body, household Internet penetration—often considered the most important measure of Internet access— continues to rise. It stressed that by end 2013, ITU estimates

that 41 per cent of the world’s households will be connected to the Internet.

“Over the past four years, household access has grown fastest in Africa, with an annual growth rate of 27 per cent. But despite a positive general trend, 90 per cent of the 1.1 billion households around the world that are still unconnected are in the developing world”, ITU noted.

Speaking to government ministers gathered at the Mobile World Congress even in Barcelona, Spain, ITU Secretary-General, Dr. Hamadoun Toure said: “We have made the most extraordinary progress in the first 12 years of the new millennium…and yet we still have far to go. Two thirds of the world’s population— some 4.5 billion people—is still offline. This means that two thirds of the world’s people are still locked out of the world’s biggest and most valuable library. Two

thirds of the world’s people are still refused access to the world’s biggest market place. And two thirds of the world’s people are still denied the extraordinary opportunities now available to the other third. Mobile broadband is clearly going to be a vital part of the solution, and we must continue to mobilize to ensure that all the world’s people have affordable, equitable access to the Internet.”

The Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Brahima Sanou said: “Near ubiquitous mobile penetration

makes more cellular the ideal platform for service delivery in developing countries”, said Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Brahima Sanou, “Our new m-Powering Development initiative is designed to leverage this potential across markets worldwide, and especially in rural and remote communities.”

In the area of pricing, ITU said the cost of fixed-broadband services has dropped precipitously over the past five years, declining by 82 per

SatADSL to present satellite solutions in Lagos

lite networking solutions to more than hundred money BELGIUM-BASED satellite transfer offices of Express service operator, SatADSL Union and EMI Transfer that and a partner of SES Broadare located in remote areas, band Services, is set to presbringing those financial servent new solutions that would ices closers to African citizens. enhance the services of naThe service allows for financial tion-wide ATM networks in transactions to be carried out Africa at the AITEC Mobile over satellite link in a reliable, Money Conference. secured and cost-effective way.

The firm, which offers speSatADSL service connects the cialised products and servclient applications in remote NIGCOMSAT, Newtec seal deal for Ka-band broadband services ices aimed at boosting the offices to the servers located in N order to boost broadband 2011 in Xichang, China. NigCom- A joint statement by both CEOs operations of financial insti- the company headquarters said that Newtech would protutions in Africa independservice penetration in the Sat 1R has quad bands of C, Ka, Ku and other servers located in vide a Ka broadband platform ently from any terrestrial country, the Nigerian Communi- and L. Europe and the U.S. infrastructure, will present at SatADSL corporate service ofcations Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) The Newtec deal with NIGCOM- including terminals to offer the event its unique soluLimited has sealed a partnership SAT LTD was sealed after a series Business-to-Business (B2B) and fering is built around SES B2C broadband services. The tions tailor-made for the deal with Newtec of Belgium for of meeting between Newtec Broadband service platform, broadband platform will enable African banking and finanKa-broadband services.

Chief Executive, Serge Van Herck which provides high-speed optimal and cost effect voice, cial community.

The services will ride on Nigeand his NIGCOMSAT LTD counbroadband Internet via sateldata, video, Internet service solu- The company, which pasria’s premier communications terpart, Timasaniyu Ahmedlite. tion over Nigeria via the Nigsatellite, NigComSat 1R, which Rufai. sion is to offer low-cost satelSatADSL presents at AITEC a ComSat-1R satellite. was launched on December 19,

I

cent if measured as a share of GNI per capital.

But in developing countries, residential fixed-broadband services remain expensive, accounting for just over 30 per cent of average monthly GNI per capita-compared to just 1.7 per cent of average national income in wealthy countries.

Broadband is most affordable in Europe, where a basic subscription costs on average less than two per cent of GNI per capita. In some developing countries that figure rises to well over 50 per cent.

By Bankole Orimisan

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new solution for supporting the deployment of nationwide ATM terminals (Automatic Telling Machines). This new service will allow ATM operators to deploy cash machines in small cities where terrestrial communication services are not available, unreliable or too expensive.

This new service has been successfully demonstrated and used by several African banks that are planning largescale ATM deployments over the continent.

SatADSL prioritises the business-critical transactions with the guarantee that these transactions will always go through, with a reliable and financially affordable solution in both investment (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) costs.

COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

27

Stakeholders back amendment to anti- cybercrime legislation From Terhemba Daka, Abuja TAKEHOLDERS in the Information and SCommunications Technology (ICT) sector have expressed optimism in the ability of the proposed amendment to the Criminal and Penal codes Act, 2004 to deal with the menace of cybercrime in the country.

The amendment seeks to provide for offences and penalties relating to computer misuse and cyber crimes.

Stakeholders, at the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Justice yesterday, were unanimous in their support for the amendment stating that if not checked,

cybercrime had the potential of affecting the country’s economy negatively.

Sponsor of the bill, Aisha Ahmed Dahiru said that the absence of cybercrime laws portrayed Nigeria as a porous nation for cybercrime as it had become a well organised and coordinated enterprise.

According to her, the absence of cybercrime legislation had exposed sensitive economic, intelligence and security and other sundry government outfits to hacking by cybercrime syndicates.

Dahiru also explained that the bill was not seeking for the establishment of a separate agency to tackle the problem because of the cost implication and the time it would take to

establish such a body.

Chairman of the Committee, Ali Ahmad in his opening remarks noted that the activities of hackers and Internet fraudsters, (otherwise known as yahoo boys) was assuming a dangerous dimension which, according to him had, resulted in a loss of confidence in the electronic banking sub-sector.

In its presentation, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) noted that the sensitivity the crime required and recommended that the option of fine should be increased to N20m or 20 year jail term for convicts.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, while commending the timeliness of the bill noted

Samsung targets dominance of Nigeria’s market

By Adeyemi Adepetun S part of its global strategy, Korean smartphone and electronic company, Samsung Electronics has said that Nigeria remained a major market and would increase its share of the market.

To achieve this, the company said that it would continue to churn out products that meet the needs of Nigerians.

Indeed, the company stressed that Samsung’s Africa’s strategy was not complete without the Nigerian market.

Business Head, Hand Held Products at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas, stated this at the Samsung Africa Forum 2013 held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Revmatas said that the sheer size of Nigeria’s handset market and the immense potentials therein made the country a strategic market for Samsung.

According to Revmatas, Samsung had grown its markets tremendously in Nigeria in the last three years, stressing that the market had huge potential for growth.

Revmatas added that about 50 million Nigerians were yet to join the mobile revolution, which according to him was because most people used dual SIM phones.

“More than 50 per cent of Nigeria’s 167 million people have not yet joined the mobile revolution. We are witnessing a shift in the phone market. Nigerian consumers are moving from feature phones to smartphones. A lot of consumers in the country are moving from keypad to touchscreen. They are increasingly demanding for bigger screens. Our smartphone market share has quadrupled in the last 18 months. Samsung Africa’s strategy is not complete without Nigeria,” he added.

The Samsung business head noted that the Nigerian northern market still presents huge opportunities for would be investors, stressing that the country’s market was not evolving, but going through revolution.

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Meanwhile, Samsung has taken unveiled Galaxy S4 smartphone, which is equipped with a 13-megapixel-rear camera. The Galaxy S4 also boasts a ‘Dual Camera’ function that allows simultaneous use of both front and rear cameras.

At the forum, the Chief Operating Officer of Samsung Africa, George Ferreira, while introducing some of the latest innovations from the company, stressed that the company was well positioned to bring to the African continent consumer electronics that would redefine their positions and take them to the next level.

Ferreira, who introduced Samsung’s 85” inch Ultra High Definition (UHD) S9 Television, said that the TV was UHD in digital format that had four times the resolution and number of pixels than an HD TV. It requires a stronger framework but the technical and design team insisted that the styling and functionality of S9 UHD was not compromised in any way.

“This year emerging markets will account for a greater market share than other more matured markets.” He also said that the company was at the forefront of connecting the continent through its innovative product development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tailored specifically for the African environment. The firm also unveiled its Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS), which provides solution to one of Africa’s largest economic challenges education and electrification. The SPIS is entirely mobile; it can be loaded onto the back of a truck for transportation into remote areas of Africa.

Part of the Built for Africa campaign, the schools are specifically engineered to the continent. Solar panels are rubber, not glass, and provide up to nine hours of electricity to keep the powerhouse of technology inside the box running. This technology includes a 50 inch electronic E-board and different Samsung Notebooks and Netbooks, including the worldfirst solar powered Netbooks and Galaxy Tablets for student and teacher interface.

that cyber crime was a new phenomenon in the country.

He, however, advised that many of the words used in the draft bill may not have been interpreted by the courts, “Therefore, it is important for some of the words in the draft bill be defined for clearer interpretation,” he added.

Other stakeholders including African ICT Aliance, Law Reform Commission, Cyber Security Africa, Nigerian Information Technology

Development Agency (NITDA) as well as the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) gave backing to the provisions of the bill.

However, the committee criticised the Ministry of Justice for attempting to truncate the bill when its representative, Alabo Wakoma said that the public hearing should be discontinued because the ministry was hoping to present an executive bill that comprehensively addressed the issue of cyber

crimes.

The stakeholders were also in agreement that cyber security was also key to the nation’s socio-economic existence and should therefore be separately addressed from cyber crimes.

Chairman of the committee observed that the ministry’s bill may come too late and stressed that the parliament was “in a hurry to make good laws and cannot wait for a bill that may not come in good time.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20 2013

28 COMPULIFE

NCC seeks recognition for physically challenged persons in the country to provide easy access of telecoms servHE Nigerian ices to persons living with Communications disabilities (PWDs).

Commission (NCC) has The commission insisted urged all telecoms operators that those living with dis-

By Bankole Orimisan

T

abilities needed special attention since they had equal rights with those living without disabilities, adding that the PWDs constituted 25 per cent of the

total Nigerian populace.

Civil Society Disability Policy Partnership (LCSDPP) conference in Lagos, said that it had become imperative for government, as it would afford NCC the opportunity to evolve policies and regulatory guidelines that would address the concerns of PWDs, with respect to Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) accessibility.

He reasoned: “ICTs and accessibility for persons living with disabilities, concern the design and supply of ICT products and services, with particular regard to ensuring that they can be used by people with disabilities, for whom the techni-

cal features of ICTs can pose barriers to their usage.”

He said that the full spectrum of ICTs needed to be accessible if everyone was to have equal opportunities for the participation in everyday social and economic life in the information society. Citing global trends, Juwah said, “the commitment of the international community to promote the rights of PWDs is deeply rooted in the goals of the United Nations (UN), and the evolution manifested itself in a number of UN initiatives that embraced the growing international concept of human rights for persons living with disabilities and equalisation of opportunities for them.”

He maintained that the

Nigerian government remained interested in the plight of PWDs, hence it considered their wellbeing in Chapter 11 section 16 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides: “The state shall direct its policy towards ensuring the welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”

According EVC: “In recognition of the requirements of the NCC Act regarding this group of people, and also in line with NCC’s consumer centric approach to regulation, the commission has taken a number of initiatives geared towards assisting persons with special needs and the elderly in the areas of telecoms service provisioning.

Specialist, Events and Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Dayo Adeyelure (left) University of Ilorin Student & Winner of Samsung Dual SIM phone, Ogundipe Yemi, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, Yusuf AbdulRaheem, Dean, Student Affairs of the University Professor Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho and Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Idiareno Atimomo, at a seminar during Etisalat Cliqfest in Unilorin…recently.

Firm launches VOA SMS news service in Nigeria OICE of America has V launched a new SMS news service that allows cell phone users to get up-todate VOA news headlines and emergency messages through three of the country’s major mobile

providers.

The agreement was signed at a news conference in Abuja.

Nigeria by VOA Director, David Ensor and Chief Executive Officer of the mobile content aggregator, 70TH Precinct Limited, Osamede Umweni.

“SMS is one of the most popular forms of mobile communication in Nigeria,” Ensor said, “and VOA is one of the most popular international broadcasters in the country.

By putting our Hausa language news updates out as SMS messages on mobile phones, we give our audience the news they want on a platform they like.”

According to Umweni, “The VOA service would be landmark one in the sense that it would be the first time a major news agency would deliver up to the minute news in Hausa language via the SMS format. The service would cater for over 21 million Hausa language listeners in Nigeria.”

The SMS headline service has been undergoing tests in Nigeria for the past month.

The VOA regional and international headlines are now

updated three times a day, seven days a week, and are available on mobile providers MTN, Airtel, and Etisalat.

The Interactive Voice Response service (IVR) would also be launched in the next few weeks too. Here subscribers can listen to daily headline news on their mobile phone anywhere they are from a source that they can trust.

Stephen Ferri, the VOA Africa Division’s Senior Web Editor, says SMS is not only a popular way of communicating; it is one of the most reliable in an emergency.

“When other communications systems break down, SMS will probably still work.

We have seen this in other countries where our audience expanded sharply in a crisis, because SMS was the only way to get news.”

The Director of the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ Office of Digital Design and Innovation, Rob Bole who is traveling with the VOA director, called mobile “one of the most important new ways for international broadcasters to reach audiences.”

NCS inaugurates LOC for 2013 conference HE Nigeria Computer T Society (NCS) has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2013 NCS International Conference holding in Osun State.

NCS Conferences Committee Chairman, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, while inaugurating the committee at the weekend in Osun, charged the committee to fully utilise the opportunity to set new standards for the 2013 conference.

Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has since accepted to host the conference during the 2012 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA).

According to Aderounmu, the state was selected because of the governor’s commitment as well as the capacity of Information Technology professionals and stakeholders in the state to deliver and even surpass the achievements of previous conferences.

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Digital Encode backs Sterling Bank for PCIDSS certification leading Nigerian information security management firm, A Digital Encode has guided Sterling Bank through attaining the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification (PCIDSS).

PCI DSS is an information security standard for organisations that handle cardholders’ information for the major debit, credit and prepaid cards in addition to electronic purse, Automated Teller Machines and Point of Sale terminals.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had in the wake of the cash-less policy made it a strict requirement for banks and e-payment institutions to comply with this standard.

In view of this, cash-less system stakeholders have been jostling to put processes and technology in place to be compliant.

Speaking on the milestone on Friday, the Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Mr. Adewale Obadare, said that it was a positive sign that yet another bank in Nigeria had been PCIDSS certified through his company’s information security guidance.

This, according to him, meant that the security of cardholders’ funds and transactions had been further enhanced as the cash-less system got traction, thereby boosting customers’ confidence.

He explained that Digital Encode assisted Sterling Bank scale physical, administrative and technology hurdles required for the certification.

He said: “Our strategic alliance with Qualys, a technology Approved Scanning Vendor and ControlCase LLC, a United States-based Qualified Security Assessor, audits organisations that store, process and transmit cardholders details with the requirements to meet the PCIDSS certification standard.

“We are indeed happy to have been a part of this success story with Sterling Bank.”

The Chief Technology Officer of the company, Mr. Oluseyi Akindeinde also recalled that Digital Encode had previously guided other organisations in the financial sector attained the PCIDSS certification.

Akindeinde, whilst stating that this milestone was achieved in a record time of six months, also emphasised the need for epayment security.

He further reiterated that subsequent lack of it eroded the confidence of the public in electronic platforms/systems as a channel for transacting business, which would in effect translate to operational risk and losses to deposit money banks as well as other players who form the e-payment eco-system.

On the certification for Sterling Bank, Akindeinde said: “The benefit to the bank is far reaching. It leads to a reduced risk of security breaches, engenders peace of mind for stakeholders whilst fostering a positive consumer confidence. We are glad to have partnered with Sterling Bank on this significant milestone.”

Executive Director, 70TH Precinct, Gbolahan Olowookere (Left); Programme Manager, Africa Division, Voice of America, Negussie Mengesha; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, 70TH Precinct, Osamede Umweni and Director, Voice of America, David Ensor at the launch of VOA Mobile News Service in Abuja

LTE traffic to grow by 200 per cent, as Ericsson becomes largest supplier

By Adeyemi Adepetun OTAL mobile data traffic had amounted to 13,412 petabytes by the end of 2012, an increase of 69 per cent year-on-year.

3G data usage occupied 46 per cent of the total with an increase of 130 per cent year-on-year. 4G Long Term Evolution traffic is accelerating, with a growth rate of 207 per cent in 2013 compared to 99 per cent for 3G traffic, according to ABI research.

ABI’s Research Associate, Marina Lu said that in developed markets, 4G is rapidly gaining traction. It noted that Verizon Wireless, for example, has reported that 50 per cent of its data usage is on 4G LTE. Meanwhile the preliminary market share estimates for 2012 and the yearly report for Ericsson have shown that the firm is the world’s largest supplier of LTE technology.

The firm, in the report at the weekend said that it maintained 40 per cent share of the global installed radio base stations and the number one position in both mobile equipment market and LTE. Underpinning mobile data usage are smartphone apps, their downloads and the traffic usage they generate, have become a significant contributor to mobile data traffic.

Smartphone app downloads were 36.2 billion for 2012, up 88

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per cent compared to 2011. Asia-Pacific has overtaken North America (25 per cent), with 39 per cent of total smartphone app downloads. IP/web browsing constitutes 51 per cent of total mobile data traffic in 2012. However, by 2018, large mobile device screens and 4G data-speeds will stimulate mobile video streaming/downloads to account for 56 per cent of total traffic.

Ericsson claimed that 2012 was a strong year for global services leading to continued increase in telecoms services market share to 13 per cent, in a strong lead before the closest competitor.

In 2011, Ericsson introduced a wider definition of the equipment market reflecting the company’s research and development investments during the past years. This new definition includes the key segments: radio, Internet protocol and transport as well as core.

Preliminary market data indicate that the market share was at 24 per cent, down from 27 per cent in 2011. The decline is due to lower market share in the mobile equipment market at 35 per cent down from 38 per cent in 2011, negatively impacted by the ongoing technology shift in China where investments are moving from GSM to other technology areas where Ericsson has limited presence.

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Nairtime introduces e-recharge solution for telecoms subscribers

By Bankole Orimisan LECTRONIC transaction E processing firm, Nairtime Limited , has developed an

Computer hardware

Microsoft targets 300m youths with new initiative

By Adeyemi Adepetun OTFWARE giant, Microsoft has informed of plans targeted at creating opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years.

This companywide initiative, tagged Microsoft YouthSpark includes Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and other company programs — both new and enhanced — empowering youth to imagine and realise their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Through this and as part of the commitments

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announced earlier this year through the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, Microsoft said it was creating a platform for youth to learn leadership and life skills that aim to address youth unemployment caused by lack of skills which is one key factor hindering economic growth in Africa.

This effort is put together by Microsoft Nigeria in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the largest gathering of youth in Nigeria; Mind the Gap, a job creation, employability and social entrepreneurship incubation programme; and Future Enterprise Support Scheme, an online community where young people can

MTN Foundation donates science lab to schools in Edo From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin ELECOMMUNICATIONS firm, T MTN has said it would continue to play leadership role in improving the quality of lives of communities where it operates and enhance education with the provision of science laboratories for 22 secondary schools across the country through its MTN Foundation.

Disclosing this in Benin City recently, while handing over the science and technology laboratories to three secondary Schools in Edo State, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro said the gesture was as a result of the organisation’s belief that science and technology was the bedrock of modern society.

He said the three benefiting schools in the state were Idia College, Edo Boys High School both in Benin City, and Sacred Heart College, Ubiaja, Esan south-east local government of Edo State.

According to him, 182 schools were shortlisted nationwide out of the 250 that applied after which 22 were able to meet the strict criteria the foundation set for qualifi-

cation.

“The information and technology industry is one area where MTN plays a leadership role, and this explains why we in the foundation remain committed to enhancing the capacity of our dear country in the area of science and technology”.

“It was this commitment that led the company to introduce the MTNF science and technology project, besides contributing to the national efforts to give Nigeria a solid foundation in science and technology as well as learning of key science subjects like physics, chemistry and biology, easier, participatory and enjoyable for the children”.

Commissioning the science and technology laboratories projects, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole lamented the increasing rate with which Government SchoolS land were being encroached upon by illegal developers and land speculators.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), professor Julius Ihonvbere, Oshiomhole said all illegal structures in government’s schools land would be pulled down.

come together to share knowledge, ideas, tips and resources.

Additionally, later this summer in Nigeria, Microsoft will roll out its Build Your Business program, a comprehensive and interactive training course designed to support aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. Microsoft will also launch an employability portal locally, which Nigerian youth will be able to access to help them find jobs.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Olayinka Oni who represented Jeffrey Avina, Director, Citizenship, Microsoft Middle East and Africa, said, “We believe there’s never been a better time to invest in Africa and in Nigeria in particular.

Microsoft sees tremendous potential in the youth of this country, and through YouthSpark and the 4Afrika Initiative, we are committed to being an enabler for this generation by helping them get the skills they need to achieve their goals.”

The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General N.T Okore-Affia who was represented by Isaac Obiwumma, Deputy Director, ICT, NYSC National Director HQ, further charged the corp members to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to be

the best in their chosen field. In his words, “Not many organizations create opportunities of this nature, and I urge corp members to take seriously this platform created.”

Principal Partner E-Green & Coordinator of Mind the gap career-mentoring programme, Tayo Olosunde explained that “Finally, no more excuse! YouthSpark launch in Nigeria has opened up an authentic platform to mind the gap and leapfrog Nigerian graduates. The overwhelming public declaration of commitment by Microsoft is a strong inspiration for us to go through the miles to move more Corp members from the indifference posture, to an aggressive, discerning and self-driven mentality and attitude.”

Also sharing his views, Executive Director of The Future Enterprise Support Scheme added, Chude Jidenowo, “I am proud of Microsoft for identifying what is the most urgent problem facing the continent’s young people - jobs.

We speak often of Africa’s demographic bonus, but unless we tackle the issues of unemployment and employability, that will become a demographic burden.”

electronic airtime recharge system for subscribers of telecoms operators in Nigerian market.

The solution will also allow companies, agents, distributors and vendors to top up airtime accounts of their various members of staff or customers with any payment denomination on any of Nigerian giant telecoms companies ranging from Glo, Airtel, Etisalat and MTN. Speaking recently in Lagos at the unveiling of the solution, the Managing Director, Nairtime Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Channel IT Group, Mr. Haidar Said, posited that the service could work on both prepaid and postpaid accounts, for benefit of customers who might have been on any one of this platform would be easily recharge electronically in any part in Nigeria.

“The technology is instant and hassle-free, and the customer or company will get a discount on any amount using the system, which power through www.nairtime.com,” he said.

He said Nairtime would set

up a multi-level retail channel, comprising of distributors and agents, to enable consumers to recharge airtime (pin and pinless top up).

To ensure rapid market penetration and coverage, said agents would be equipped with free transaction terminals such as mobile phones, mobile Point of Sale terminals, desktop PoS terminals and netbooks.

“Consumers do not require bank accounts, debit cards or credit cards. Upon cash payment to the agent, they can purchase the services or create a mobile wallet from which they will be able to carry out such transactions. Banking services are, therefore, brought to the unbanked,” he said.

According to him, free POS terminal to small and medium resellers or corporate clients, which is GPRS based for on field operations for free of charge while Internet access is not important for the operation delivery.

Said, maintained that it firm service is also beneficial to agents and vendors, since a single wallet manages all services thereby reducing working capital and enhances cash flow. He said, it makes business more organized and add more value .

FollowMe print helps save five per cent of lost revenue, say IT experts

By Gbenga Salau HE Country Manager, Africa, Ringdale, an IT company, Jenna Norman has said that organisations lose between four to five percent of its profit to bad printing strategy. This loses, she said, could be saved if a new technology on strategic printing, FollowMe print, introduced by her company is adopted. She said that apart from saving cost, it makes businesses more secure as documents not printed within 24 hours get deleted automatically.

According to her, “If you look at manage print services, it will help you to save the cost of the unknown and the unknown is said to be between three to five percent of the company’s revenue spent on print, consumers papers and if you are able to take control of those by having a print strategy, then you will be able to make cost savings.

“It is an all in one printing solution that lowers your cost of ownership of your entire printing infrastructure by tracking, monitoring and reporting all user functions on printers.”

He further said that with the solution, all print jobs are never lost as they follow the user to their choice of printer where they stay secure until the user is identified and authenticated”.

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Also speaking on the product, The Executive Director, Manifold Computers, Mr. Akin Kehinde, who corroborated the position of Norman, said that FollowMe or manage print services have come to stay because a lot of countries are adopting the format because executing creative marketing and operational strategies may not be enough to keep profits growing as companies have to control their expenses to prevent big losses.

To ensure that Nigerians and organisations within the country enjoy the service, he said that his organisation partnered with Ringdale UK as the authorized Reseller in Nigeria and West Africa.

“We have partnered with Ringdale in the last one and half years reviewing the business in Africa. Ringdale as an organisation has done very well in other parts of the world, and they are focusing on Africa now. So we have strategically partnered to take the Africa market together and grow it significantly, because as you know, return on investment in Africa is high now and recession is not as bad in Africa as it is in other climes.

“It is an emerging market and opportunities are bound here. Most companies are looking into Africa for the next boom and we are happy dealing with Ringdale,” Kehinde said.

Police cooperative society adopts BankOne technology OLCOOP, the Nigeria Police P Force’s cooperative society and credit union, has adopted BankOne, the integrated financial services platform developed by leading technology firm AppZone.

A member-owned non-profit financial institution, PolCoop manages the financial affairs of more than 400,000 police officers across Nigeria.

The organisation also oversees at least 800,000 accounts and provides its members with voluntary and compulsory savings products in addition to lowinterest loans. Savings contri-

butions and loan repayments are deducted directly from officers’ salaries.

BankOne will eliminate several challenges faced by PolCoop including time consuming and error-prone manual management of financial records.

The platform will process the automation of all financial operations leading to significant improvements in speed, accuracy, transparency and fraudreduction.

It will also enable members of the cooperative to make withdrawalsfrom their savings accounts without having to

travel to the Lagos headquarters of PolCoop. Members can also conveniently access their savings accounts at more than 10,000 ATMs across the country.

Customers who do not own cards have the option of processing instant transfer of funds to accounts domiciled in commercial banks.

BankOne also provides customers with the option of linking their PolCoop account to their mobile phones in order to initiate transfers and settle bills via compatible handheld devices.

The rollout is being implemented across the thirty-six branches of the cooperative and is being handled by experts from BankOne’s parentcompany AppZone. This rigorous exercise will involve updating and verifying member and financial data to ensure absolute compliance with global best practices.

BankOne is a financial services IT platform that combines world-class core banking functionality with access to a wide variety of electronic channels.

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Focus on Leading Issuing Houses in Nigeria’s Capital Market Part 1

“Nigeria is becoming a reasonable destination for foreign investments” HE capital market is the main vehicle that drives the economy on its path to growth and development.

It is responsible for long-term-growth capital formation, as against the money market which only complements the capital market through the provision of necessary working capital to support gross fixed capital formation.

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The main function of the capital market is to transfer funds from surplus (savings) sector to the deficit (capital investment) sector of the economy, hence it facilitates the transfer of funds from savers to users. The various institutions which smoothen the transfer of funds in the market include: the stock exchange, issuing houses, stock brokers, shareholders, share distribution agents (commercial banks), underwriters and institutional investors (e.g. pension funds, insurance companies and merchant banks) and the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission as the apex regulatory body. The Nigerian capital markets recently experienced one of its worst crises as it crashed, sending untold stress to investors, thereby reducing investments to rubbles.

However, as investors’ confidence is gradually returning to the Nigerian capital market after the 2008 market crash, there is the need for more regulations to guide the professionals in the Nigerian Securities Market. Mr. Ayoleke Adu, Group Managing Director/ CEO, MorganCapital Group gave this indication in an exclusive interview with the Guardian recently, noting that ‘we seem to have focused more on Institutional regulations, while leaving regulations of the “individual” practitioners in the market.

According to him, though the market is gradually shedding the fear-factor that existed after the crash, which led to grossly under-valued securities for a long period of time, most of the things that led to the crash originated from individual misconducts. He pointed out that the link between the money and capital markets policies should be more established, because the financial market comprises of these two markets, emphasizing that the policies of one may adversely affect the fortunes of the other market if things are not well jointly thought through by policy mak-

Ayoleke Adu, MorganCapital ers on both platforms.

Pointing out that Nigeria cannot achieve her vision 20-2020 without the Capital Market becoming world-class, “I think we are on the route towards that; but every one of us, as Nigerians and professionals in this market, must recognize this’ Adu stressed. Commenting on the re-introduction of merchant banking into the nation’s financial system, he explained that this is a welcome development, pointing out that the sector needs as many players that can add value to the market.

“The market is as big as the ingenuity of its participants and the economy in which it is. Our business only over-laps with a Merchant bank’s business in the areas of capital raising and financial advisory. In order words, we share the same license to operate those two roles.

These roles are driven principally by the level of intelligence, creativity and contacts of the professionals in each firm, and to a lesser extent, your balance sheet size.

“The truth is that Merchant banks have bigger balance sheets, but they cannot expose their balance sheet to every transaction they are involved in. The best Investment bankers are those that are able to structure transactions/instruments and know which investors to

MorganCapital Group: Leading the global investment path to Africa ORGANCAPITAL Group is a full fledge Investment Banking, Investment Management, Securities Trading and Principal Investments Group. The entities which form the MorganCapital Group provide a comprehensive range of investment banking and financial advisory services to private, public sector, corporate, and institutional clients. The group members have licenses to carry on the following activities in the Nigerian Capital Markets:

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Fund raising & Issuing House activities through MorganCapital Securities Limited. MorganCapital Securities has a valid registration with the Securities & Exchange Commission as an Issuing House. The License also covers Financial Advisory activities like Mergers & Acquisitions, Privatisation Advisory, etc.

Stockbroking & securities trading/dealership activities through MorganCapital Securities Limited, regulated by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

'Jibola Odedina, Marina Securities Ltd.

Aruma Oteh, SEC D-G

place them with, thus creating a link between the companies needing the funds and the investors providing the funds, in the most desirable way for all the parties.” Adu explained.

Issuing Houses (also known as investment bankers) are primarily merchants of securities; they perform three basic economic functions: (1) provide capital for corporations and governments by underwriting and distributing new

issues of securities; (2) maintain markets in securities by trading and executing orders in secondary market transactions; and (3) provide advice on the issuance, purchase, and sale of securities, and on other financial matters. In contrast to commercial banks, whose chief functions are to accept deposits and grant short-term loans to businesses and consumers, Issuing Houses engage primarily in long-term financing.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20 2013

Focus on Leading Issuing Houses in Nigeria’s Capital Market Part 1

Leading the global investment path to Africa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 Securities & Exchange Commission and licensed by The Nigerian Stock Exchange. MorganCapital is a Dealing Member Firm of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. We have a trading booth on the Floor of the Stock Exchange, and also a broadband access to the trading engine of the Stock Exchange from a secured room in our office. So we either trade from the Office or from the Floor of the Stock Exchange or both.

The group is focused on providing unbiased financial advisory and investment banking services to individuals and institutions that are seeking to invest in Africa or are already involved in investing in Africa.

The Group is led by Ayoleke Adu as the MD/CEO . An experienced Investment Banker and astute Investor with over 16 years of Investment Banking experience, he has led many landmark transactions in Africa and Nigeria in particular. He led investment banking teams that raised over US$6bn for Nigerian Corporations and Government entities.

Ayoleke was the Vice President, Project and Structured Finance Group of First City Monument Bank (“FCMB”), where he led initiatives that raised over US$1.8bn for the bank in both debt & equity within an 18 months period, including strategic sales to foreign institutional investors. While at FCMB he was Project Director for bespoke

debt structures, including the first Credit Linked Notes (CLN) to be raised by any African Bank in the International financial market. The offshore adviser was HSBC, the deal size was US$90m, and was first of its kind by any African Bank.

He was also Project Director for a Naira Linked Note of US$100m raised by FCMB through HSBC, as a fall-out of the huge success of the CLN mentioned above; as well as the GDR & Equity raising of FCMB in 2007, where over US$1.2bn in aggregate was raised. The offshore adviser was Merrill Lynch.

He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, Member of the CFA Institute, Member of the prestigious UK Society of Investment Professionals (UKSIP) now called the CFA Society of the UK (Membership number 16074), Member of the New York Society of Security Analysts, member of the CFA Emirates (Abu Dhabi), CFA society of South Africa, and the CFA Society of China. He has a B.Sc (Hons.) from the University of Ibadan and M.Sc. (Distinctions) in Corporate and International Finance from the University of Durham, UK. He was a Research Associate at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Ayoleke is a CFA Charter holder (Charter number 83143) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (FCS 732). He is a registered dealing clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is also registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission as a Director/Dealer.

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Total external debts sustainability of the 36 states as at December 31st 2011 CONTINUED FROM MONDAY, 18/3/2013

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MaritimeWatch

Oscar Onyema

Oby Ezekwesili

Okonjo iweala

Umar

Harnessing investment opportunities in maritime sector

By Moses Ebosele CROSS the world, the maritime sector plays a very special role in the security A and economic development of nations.

For several decades, the sector has earned the reputation of facilitating foreign direct investment coupled with prospect for numerous jobs in the informal and formal sector of societies.

However, in Nigeria, according to experts, the sector has consistently performed below expectations despite its huge potential for growth and economic development.

Though the sector is presently next to oil and gas in terms of revenue generation, observers are of the opinion that with the right policies in place and adequate commitment on the part of stakeholders, a lot can be achieved.

Consequently, stakeholders are calling for a conducive atmosphere capable of reversing the trend and in the process attract required investment on a sustainable basis.

Specifically, they are advocating for a review of existing rules and the need to develop the political will to attain set goals.

Speaking at the 2013 Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX), held in Lagos recently, stakeholders who converge at the event resolved to work together as a team in the interest of the sector and the larger economy.

Various speakers at the three-day event were unanimous in their call on all stakeholders to contribute their quota to the development of the sector.

The event, now in its third edition and tagged “Nigeria maritime: Invest now”, was also an opportunity for experts from different discipline to proffer solutions to identified problems.

In attendance were President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Former World Bank Vice President (African Region), Oby Ezekwesili, Director-General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exhchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema.

Also in attendance were former Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd), Chairman, Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Chief Isaac Jolapomo, legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Mike Igbokwe among others.

Jonathan used the opportunity to explain in details various reforms agenda being put together by the present administration.

According to the president, the number of agencies at the ports have been streamlined from 14 to seven coupled with the introduction of 24 hours Ports operations.

Jonathan said: “We have equally awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of 1.6km access road in the Apapa Port Complex which has reached over 70 per cent completion. In addition, the Nigerian Port

Authority (NPA) has recently carried out some rehabilitation work in the Creek and Wharf roads to ease traffic to and from the Ports.”

Making reference to the theme of the 2013 Expo “Nigerian Maritime: Invest Now”, Jonathan said it is apt and in conformity with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

“As part of Government’s commitment to transforming the economy, numerous reforms were introduced. In the maritime sector, Government has undertaken comprehensive port reforms that have made NPA a landlord and regulator and delineated the ports into terminals and concessioned them to private investors.

“This has led to steady improvement in operational efficiency. Government has also committed substantial resources in dredging and maintenance of channels in Lagos and Bonny and a channel management company has been formed for managing the Calabar channel while procurement processes for the capital dredging of the channel is in progress. In the same vein, government is poised to provide additional infrastructure in Apapa, Tin-can, Warri and Onne Ports,” said Jonathan He said the annual event initiated in 2011 has provided an ideal forum for displaying an assemblage of various maritime products, new technologies, services and expertise and also provide a platform to open up various business opportunities in Nigeria’s growing maritime sector.

Nigeria according to the president, generates about 70 percent of the ship traffic, cargo throughput and volume of trade in the West and Central Africa Sub-regions, adding that Nigeria’s volume of trade has steadily risen from 82 million tons of cargo in 2008 to 93.7 million tons in 2009 and 100 million tons in 2012.

Obasanjo who decried the liquidation of Nigeria’s National Shipping Line (NNSL), also used the opportunity to advised the Federal Government to address the high charges and congestion at seaports in Lagos as part of strategists to curtail diversion of cargoes to neighboring countries.

He said despite concessioning, port users were still facing some challenges, adding a viable maritime sector play an important role in the development of the economy.

Obasanjo said indigenous ship owners should be commended for their steadfastness and commitment despite various challenges.

He recalled how the 19 ships that were in the fleet of NNSL when he left office in 1979 were sold, “20 years after in 1999, there was no ship left. Where are the 19 ships? If we are going to get it right, we must refer to history. History points to where we are going. One was sold as scrap for half a million dollar. Government later bought same ship for $2million. It was repaired for a million dollar,” said Obasanjo.

In her presentation titled “Financing Options for Shipping Development”, Ezekwesilli went down memory lane to trace the origin of shipping business in Nigeria and concluded that stakeholders in the sector must make their services competitive.

She also advised ship owners to map out strategist on how to earn the confidence of Nigerians especially in the area of shipping business.

To ensure sustained growth and development in the maritime sector, Ezekwesili, called for a transparent regulatory environment in the sector.

Transparent regulation, according to her is key to overcoming the various challenges presently confronting stakeholders and the larger economy. Though the sector is strategically positioned, she noted, “there is no clear communication between stakeholders and members of the public.”

She said: “It started with National Maritime Authority (NMA). Today, they call it Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). I am going to crack a joke here. When National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) was being reformed, it ended up being called Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which is essentially a special purpose vehicle because it was an unbundled organisation. Guess what some smart Nigerians called it, ‘Problem Has Changed Name.’

“In this particular case in your (maritime) sector, it was NMA, now NIMASA. The complaints that we have today are more than when it was NMA.” Making reference to the establishment of ports, she said many people want to administratively create ports, but that is not enough criterion to get support of the private sector.

She added: “For the private sector, except the numbers add up, except there is an economic viability, nothing moves the sector.

No persuasion, no administrative fiat, the market must function for the private sector to make certain decisions.”

Meanwhile, Madueke, who also spoke at the event, said that every stakeholder knows how intensive it is to finance the maritime sector. He likened a ship to a village where there is energy, water and security, adding: “It is not easy to find everything in a ship.”

Highlighting the diverse uses the maritime sector has become amenable to, Ezekwesili said: “Historically, the shipping and fishing industry have experienced a continuous trend of increase in their fleet, total trade volume and fishing capacity.

Thus, shipping has long been the major form of transport, as well as an essential communication link connecting coastal cities, countries and continents.

“Next to rail transportation, water transportation is economically and environmentally the most efficient way to travel or transport merchandise. Around 50,000

merchant ships, registered in over 150 nations and manned by over a million seafarers of nearly every nationality, transport every kind of cargo internationally.

“Several thousand oil rigs and support and supply offshore vessels are engaged in the exploration and drilling for oil and gas in almost every corner of the globe. Nearly four million commercial fishing vessels ply the seas and oceans at any given moment.

“And a myriad of recreational ships (with approximately 40,000 privately-owned ships operating out of the United States in December 2006), including several hundreds large and mega cruise ships, offer the most diversified leisure and tourism services to an expanding market.”

Onyema who also spoke on the huge prospect in the sector, advised operators to take advantage of the capital market to finance their operations.

He described the capital market and the issuance of bond as the most convenient means of funding long term projects such as ship acquisition.

In his paper titled “Doing business in the Nigerian maritime industry: Constrains and prospects”, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Mike Igbokwe identified ignorance as the bane of a lot of investors in the Nigerian maritime, pointing out those who invest in the sector “must rely on and use the advice, opinions and services/performance of professionals and experts.

While welcoming participants to the three day event, Chairman Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2013 planning committee, Margaret Onyema Orakwusi said offers a holistic business experience by combining conference and exhibitions that will update the audience on the state of the maritime industry in Nigeria and connect key companies in the maritime sector to international maritime operators.

“Strategically, the Expo is aimed at attracting serious investors who will explore available opportunities and open up business for the industry, said Orakwusi.

She said to attract investment, there must be a favorable and secured environment “as this is sine qua nom for the promotion of investment in any Country”.

Speaking further, she said: “ Another worrisome area that needs to be addressed if we are to succeed in attracting more investments is the high cost of doing business at our ports. It is on record that with a population of about 160million people, more than 70 per cent of cargo throughput in West and Central African Sub region comes through the Nigerian ports, and Nigeria constitutes the largest market in the sub region.

“However, most of these cargoes are lost to neighboring competing ports due to high cost of doing business in our ports”, Orakwusi added.

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U.S. tasks Nigeria over renewed attacks along waterways

NYK vessel

By Moses Ebosele HE United States of America (USA) has advised the Federal Government to tackle activities of pirates along Nigeria’s waterways.

Speaking at the just concluded 2013 Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX), in Lagos, the Consul General, United State Embassy, Jeffrey Hawkins, blamed the development of alleged lack of communications and cohesion among security agencies charged with the responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s waterways.

He advised the Federal Government to develop the political will to tackle the menace, adding that since the beginning of this year, over a dozen attacks have been recorded.

“Indeed, we (US) heard report of two dozen attacks since January 1 of this year. The criminal activitieswhether armed robbery or piracy or kidnapping extends along Nigeria’s coastline.

“On February 4, in the lagos anchorage. On February 6, along the River Forcados. On February 7, off Brass. On February 10 and 11, two separate attacks off Bonny. On February 17, two separate attacks, one in Lagos and one off Brass. On February 22, again off Brass, and on February 25, in Calabar Channel. And that’s just three weeks in February”, said Hawkins.

He added “We (US) have talked with a lot of individuals associated with Nigeria’s maritime environment in the past few months. Nigerians and expatriate alike-and I would like to share with you some of what we have heard.

“From cargo theft to kidnapping for ransom, the Gulf of Guinea is becoming known as a very dangerous place to do business. It is becoming known as a place where you must sail in convoys and where you must hire armed guards- who themselves are Nigerian police officers or sailors and rhetorically

T

should have responsibilities other than serving as hired guns.

“The Gulf is becoming known as a place where you must prepare your crew to be attacked at any time. It is becoming known as a place where maritime security enforcement is weak, when it exists at all. We have heard many accusations that entities involved in providing maritime security collude in some of the illegal activities that take place off Nigeria’s coast.

“When the very bodies that are expected to protect and

defend the maritime commerce that constitutes such an essential component of this country’s economic livelihood are instead perceived to be undermining it, I think we can all agree there’s a problem”, said the Consul General.

He recalled that the International Maritime Bureau (IMB)recently reported that sea piracy around the globe dropped substantially in 2012 to its lowest level in five years, “yet at the same time, the frequency of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea has increased and increased significantly.

“The IMB reported ten attacks off Nigeria in 2011, then 27 attacks in 2012 and most people we have talked with have suggested that IMB figures only account for a portion of the actual incident”.

He admitted that though it is not a simple problem to address, “but it has been addressed successfully- if not necessarily solved in other parts of the world”.

Explaining further, he said: “On an operational level, there are lessons to be learned, by emulating what works elsewhere in the world.

“In East Africa, for example, piracy attacks are down significantly. What have they done to accomplish this? The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) credits among others things, effective coordination and communications among those providing security in the Gulf of Aden.

“We have heard repeatedly that there is no effective collaboration mechanism for the various maritime actors in Nigeria, on both a strategic and tactical level”.

To reverse the trend, he said

success will require detailed strategy including elements such as anti-piracy best practices published by the IMO. “It will require naval training in tactics that have been proven effective and I am proud that members of the U.S Coast Guards are delivering such training to members of your navy’s Special Boats Services as we speak. It will require spending money on vessels, on personnel, on fuel and maintenance. It will require on-ongoing patrols in the inland waterways and off Nigeria’s coast

Stakeholders seek sustained action against piracy

By Moses Ebosele ORRIED by the activities of pirates, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in collaboration with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), the International Parcel Tankers Association (IPTA), the International Shipping Federation (ISF) and the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) have called on the world’s navies to sustain ongoing clampdown on the illegal trade.

The group also welcomed recent decrease in the number of attempted and successful attacks against ships by Somalia-based pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean.

According to the group, the only long-term solution to piracy is to establish effective government and implement the rule of law ashore in Somalia, adding that until that is achieved, “there can be no room for complacency”.

The group explained that any reduction in the level of

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protection of merchant ships could lead to a resurgence of pirate activities.

“Piracy must continue to be suppressed through the visible presence of and robust action by the world’s navies, consistent with international law.

“The Organizations therefore urge ship owners, shipping companies, ship operators, masters and crews to continue to take all appropriate and recommended measures to protect their ships and those on board from pirates and armed robbers, through sustained and full implementation of the relevant IMO guidance and industry-developed Best Management Practices for protection against Somalia-based piracy “This decrease may be attributed to a combination of factors, including: the presence of naval forces disrupting pirate operations; implementation of self-protection measures on board merchant ships and better situational awareness of where the threats are coupled with more effective action ashore in Somalia by the Somali authorities and the international community”, said a statement published on the IMO website.

Secretary-General of

International Maritime Organisation (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 wellbeing 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.

40

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

IndustryWatch Trade as a driver of development agenda

By Femi Adekoya, with agency reports N the last few decades, available statistics have shown that developing countries have experienced extensive and rapid trade liberalisation, even though trade experts believe that there is room for further liberalisation.

To achieve this, many of the economies have significantly reduced their tariffs, opened their services sectors, and embraced foreign investment, either unilaterally or in bilateral trade agreements.

However, for many developing countries to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there is a need to reshape policy priorities, by ensuring that economic growth and trade are made key ingredients of the development agenda.

This was the view of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Pascal Lamy, at a conference recently.

According to him, economic growth and trade — as a driver of growth — deserve a prominent place in the post 2015 development agenda.

“We need an agenda that integrates economic growth with social inclusion and with environmental protection.

Collectively we must plan for a common destination for the post-2015 development agenda. We need a compass that has countries converging around the same destination.

‘Convergence’ must be an overarching principle.

“The current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have roughly a thousand days to go before their end-2015 tar-

I

get date. The significance of the MDGs lies first and foremost in the fact that they gave the world a shared development agenda. They identified a set of shared goals around which we could collectively mobilise and they established time-bound goalposts for progress, many with quantifiable targets, against which we could measure our performance. But beyond these targets and goals, the MDGs placed poverty reduction at the top of the global agenda.

He noted that there is a need for a transformational agenda, which creates jobs, develops infrastructures, raises productivity, improves competitiveness and promotes sustainable production and consumption.

He stated that strengthening international co-operation in the area of trade is an important element in achieving such agenda.

“Virtually all cases of largescale human development and poverty reduction have been marked by a high average rate of economic growth sustained over a long period.

And every country that has achieved this kind of sustained high growth has participated actively in international trade. In addition, diversified productive capacity is essential for growth to be resilient. Therefore, growth, trade, and productive capacity must be part of any longterm global development effort.

“But growth is not an end in itself. Rather growth is an important factor in enabling individuals and societies to realize their potential and

Jonathan

pursue their dreams. As Mike Spence’s Commission on Growth and Development put it, “growth can spare people en masse from poverty and drudgery. Nothing else ever has”, he added.

On the need to support developing countries to connect to value chain, he said: “the rise of value chains provides important new avenues for trade, growth, and diversification. For developing countries in particular, regional and global value chains lower the

Lamy

bar for entry into the global economy. Smaller countries and small and medium enterprises no longer need to have a full-fledged vertically integrated industry producing finished products to participate meaningfully in international trade.

“Improving the broad economic and policy environment in which developing countries produce and trade is an area in which global cooperation has to keep playing a constructive role. And I

think this is where the efforts to conclude a WTO deal on trade facilitation come into play.

“Catalysing efforts such as trade facilitation would prove particularly advantageous over the next few years as more trade-led growth could create virtuous circles with other priorities as we look post-2015. There is clear symbiosis between growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction and the growing recognition that a

holistic approach is the best way to achieve progress is to be encouraged.

“We may not have yet eradicated poverty, but the world today is a better place for many more billions of people than it was in 2000 when the MDGs were launched. For sure, absolute poverty reduction has not reduced inequalities, which have grown, during the same period, within many countries. We should learn from this experience, from what we did right and

packaged water. Other sources are the water boards/governments (11 per cent), public bore holes (six per cent) and private wells (five per cent),” it said.

The results show that the majority of people in Nigeria (83 per cent overall) source their drinking water privately as opposed to depending on the government. According to the firm, the safety of these sources of water is questionable, particularly the ‘pure water,’ of which its treatment and subsequent sale is still a

major point of contention between the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control and the manufacturers.

This, it said, was in line with an assertion made by the United States Agency for International Development thatthewaterproblemwasparticularly acute in rural northern Nigeria; where only about 30 per cent of the population had access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

How to achieve MDGs’ water target, by NOI Polls XCEPT there is a deliberate E reorganization of socio-economic policies regarding access to potable water, attaining the goal of an increase in the proportion of people with access to potable water, one of the Millennium Development Goals may remain a mirage by 2015.

Already, NOI Polls, a leading opinion polling and research organisation that works in partnership with The Gallup Organisation, United States, has said that a large percentage of Nigerians source water privately, as against what the government promised when inaugurating its water roadmap in 2011.

The firm, in a document made available to The Guardian noted that, “Latest poll results have revealed that access to clean water remains a major challenge to almost half of the populace (47 per cent). In addition, 83 per cent of Nigerians source their drinking water privately, while only about one in 10 respondents (nine per cent) are connected to the public sewerage system. These were the three key findings from the Access to Clean Water Snap poll done in the week of February 18, 2013.”

In January 2011, the Federal Government inaugurated the water roadmap. According to the government, the roadmap

will serve a blueprint containing the objectives for developing the nation’s water resources between 2011 and 2015.

The plan includes the promise that 75 per cent of Nigerians will have access to clean water by 2015.

Only recently, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said for Nigeria to meet the Millennium DevelopmentGoalwithrespect to adequate water supply by 2015, the country would need to

expend N360bn annually on development projects in the sector.

NOI Polls, however, said increasing access to safe drinking water was vital to achieving the much-desired MDG. It said that lack of access to water led to a high prevalence of waterborne diseases, adding that all over the world, approximately three million children less than five years old die yearly from diarrhoea and other illnesses mostly acquired from contaminated water.

According to NOI Polls, it asked different people five specific questions,withthefirstseeking to establish the source of drinking water in households. It said respondents were asked how they currently get drinking water at home.

“Results indicate that the majority (27 per cent) by a slight margin currently drink sachet water commonly referred to as ‘pure water.’ Another 25 per cent get drinking water at home from private boreholes, and 19 per cent drink bottled,

NACCIMA partners stakeholders on emergency relief funds O aid the efforts of the T Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), especially in the area of provision and managing of relief materials for disaster victims, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has launched its Emergency Relief Programme (NACERP) to address such needs.

Specifically, NACCIMA through the programme, which would see it collaborating stakeholders in the real sector, seeks to raise N250m for emergency relief programme in aid of victims of disasters across the country.

Speaking at the launch of NACERP in Lagos, recently, the National President, NACCIMA, Dr. Herbert Ajayi, explained that the chamber decided to take the lead in the project in order to aid speedy emergency response to victims of disaster in the country.

According to him, the programme was expected to bring intervention in three areas, post disaster medical services, psychological healing service and business advisory and soft loan for victims of disasters.

He said: “NACCIMA decided to take the lead to initiate a project that would speedily respond and cater for the victims of disasters, which we not-

ed in the past has not always been fast enough due to bureaucracy before now.

“We appreciate the efforts of NEMA since inception but observed that government alone cannot be expected to solve all the issues of unfortunate disasters, which no one could predict how or when it would occur. It is in this connection that the National Council of NACCIMA determined and agreed to establish NACERP.” The Chairman, NACCIMA Emergency Relief Programme, Goodie Ibru, said that NACCIMA decided to intervene in the three areas, “because most victims of disasters have psychological trauma as there is little

ornoimmediateandlongterm psychological healing in terms of counseling.”

He said: “NACCIMA emergency Relief Programme is conceived primarily to cushion the harrowing physical and psychological pains that most direct victims of natural disasters experience during and after every unfortunate calamity.

Many victims have died in silent anguish, particularly as they have lost their loved ones and means of livelihood.

“To transform this dream into reality, NACCIMA will enter into strategic partnership with philanthropic individuals and corporations. The individuals are the wealthy Nigerians that

are willing to use part of their wealth to support the less privileged ones in the society.

“The increasing number and intensity of natural disasters in the country and around the world have placed undeniable obligation on every well-to-do Nigerian to assist the weak and the poor who now constitute a major threat. The fragile economic environment that is seriously threatened by the protracted insecurity taking dangerous and consequential dimensions everyday is also another reason for this intervention, particularly when government now contends with many other serious issues.

AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT 41

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Militants

Joint Task Force on patrol

The Niger Delta Is In A Worse Shape Than It Seems CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 ate, they could neither read nor write, and because of that they needed people like tile Barrister to represent them, and because of these layers of intermediaries, sometimes the amnesty money doesn’t trickle down to those who are supposed to get it. So far billions of naira educate and to rehabilitate the ex-militants, some had been sent to South Africa and had been spent on the programme — the idea was not just to give out stipends, but to re-educate and to rehabilitate the ex-militants, some had been sent to South Africa and England and lndonesia for training in oil— industry related trades. Critics of the programme, mostly from non-oil producing states, said it was costing the country too much, mostly through corrupt administration. Its supporters said it cost less to

Abuloma wharf was a cesspit. Literally. The stench of garbage mixed with fecal matter and above all, petroleum, cloyed in the evening sir. The water was thickly covered by oil and dross that it looked solid in the evening light. Barges and boats lined the edge of the water, one was offloading its cargo of crudely refined oil through long pipes into drums on the waterfront. Young men passed and re-passed us bearing gallons and jerry cans filled with petroleum. To one side stood a military boat.

“The JTF, overseeing everything and waiting for their cut”, Dawari said, pointing at the boat.

run the programme than what the country was losing through militant activities.

I said, “We want to come with you to Nembe. We will pay you for your trouble. We will pay for your hotel tonight and for your meals, and we will pay for transportation. In return you will guarantee our safety. We want to see your village, chat with your chief and generally look around.”

We would set out at 6am tomorrow morning.

They would come to our hotel and together we would go to Isaac Boro Park and hire a car to Yenagoa, from there we would hire another car to Ogbia, then we would take a boat to Nembe.

My friend Dawari took us out — he wanted to show us the famous Abuloma wharf, where oil bunkering barges from the seas came to offload their cargo. “Bunkering” was the name given to theft of crude oil. The oil was then refined over fires in the forests and loaded onto barges. From Trans—Amadi we took a series of back roads to avoid the endless Port Harcourt traffic. But this didn’t help much, the back roads were pockmarked with potholes, some so big I feared the car’s axles would break in two.

“These are NDDC roads,” my friend complained bitterly. “They really should do bigger and better projects than this.”

Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) was a parastatal developed by the government in the 1990s to try to silence the constant agitation for resource control and increased revenue allocation in the Niger Delta.

Through the parastatal the government pumps millions of dollars for projects in the Delta, but most of the money simply disappears. In addition to the NDDC the government had also created a ministry for the Niger Delta, for the same purpose, with mostly the same negligible results,

so far. Some of the Niger Delta states, like Rivers, of which Port Harcourt is the capital, had annual budgets bigger than that of some small African countries. But on the side streets you could see the frustration and anger on the people’s faces.

Faraway on the main roads we could hear the wail of sirens from a convoy taking yet another government official to yet another function. One couldn’t help wondering if the official in his air- conditioned car, with his gunwielding, whip-wielding escorts, ever wondered what was going on in the back roads. Dawari told me that a few years back you couldn’t even drive on these roads. There used to be dead bodies by the roadside. Once a youth had knocked on his car window and pointed a gun at him, when he opened the window the boy had casually snatched his phone and his wallet. He had found the boy later with the help of a police friend. The boy had been too drugged up to even talk to them. The phone had been sold to buy drugs.

Abuloma wharf was a cesspit. Literally. The stench of garbage mixed with fecal matter and above all, petroleum, cloyed in the evening sir. The water was thickly covered by oil and dross that it looked solid in the evening light. Barges and boats lined the edge of the water, one was offloading its cargo of crudely refined oil through long pipes into drums on the waterfront. Young men passed and re-passed us bearing gallons and jerry cans filled with petroleum. To one side stood a military boat.

“The JTF, overseeing everything and waiting for their cut,” Dawari said, pointing at the boat.

“Can we take pictures?”

“Let me do that.” He took the camera and snapped off a few shots. Immediately a few men strolled casually towards us, standing within

Faraway over the waterline we could see the lights from barges carrying bunkered petrol to tankers parked faraway in the sea, from where it would be conveyed to Europe and the Americas, to be sold legally using forged papers of authority. I was surprised by how open and how matter-of-fact the whole transaction was. earshot, listening to every word we were saying.

“A few years lack you could get killed for just taking a picture,” he said, not appearing to be bothered by the young men glaring at us.

Faraway over the waterline we could see the lights from barges carrying bunkered petrol to tankers parked faraway in the sea, from where it would be conveyed to Europe and the Americas, to be sold legally using forged papers of authority. I was surprised by how open and how matter-of-fact the whole transaction was.

As it turned out, the pictures we took that night were the last pictures anyone took of Abuloma wharf as it was then. In the morning, as we left Port Harcourt for Bayelsa, my friend phoned to tell us that the wharf had that very morning caught fire and that most of the boats and barges that we had seen last night were destroyed. No one knew if it was an accident or sabotage. About 26 persons were feared dead.

This is an abridged version of the original article, first published in Reportergen, a Swiss magazine.

Helon Habila won the Caine Prize For African Writing in 2001 and went on to publish three novels, the last of which is Oil On Water. He teaches creative writing at the George Mason University in Washington, United States.

PETROLEUM PEOPLE

‘Warri Boy’ Takes Over British Gas (BG) Worldwide J HE last European Chief Executive T Officer of Shell Nigeria has taken over the reins of BG’s entire portfolio worldwide.

Chris Finlayson, who handed over to Basil Omiyi, the company’s first Nigerian managing director in 2002, left the Anglo Dutch major two and half years ago and moved on up in the world. He took over the helm of BG group on January 1, 2013. Prior to that elevation, Finlayson was Executive Director and Managing Director BG Advance.

A BG press release says that Finlayson has over 35 years experience in the oil and gas industry. He joined BG Group from Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) in August 2010 and was appointed to the Board on 15 November 2011.

Until this new job, Finlayson had executive responsibility for leading BG Advance, including BG Group’s exploration team, the Group’s major capital projects programme, contracts and procurement and technology.

During his time at Shell, Chris was a member of the Exploration and Production (E&P) leadership team. He held a number of senior leadership positions in E&P and LNG in Russia, Nigeria, Brunei and the North Sea. In

Mr. Finlayson was affectionately called “Warri Boy”.. he served two terms in Nigeria, each of at least four years

Nigeria in particular, he had terms of service twice, first in the early to mid 90s as Petroleum Engineering Manager and second as Managing Director during the early 2000s, when the development of Bonga, the country’s flagship deepwater oil field, was in full steam. “As Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Chris led Nigeria’s largest and most complex oil and gas joint venture, managing production of some one million barrels of oil equivalent per day. He was also Shell’s Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, the second largest LNG plant in the world at the time”, BG said in a statement.

“He has an outstanding track record of delivering large scale projects, optimisation of production and operational performance, and has worked successfully with joint venture partners, national oil companies, and governments at the highest levels”, the statement added.

“As Executive Vice President Shell EP Russia, Chris was assigned to manage the cost and schedule issues at Sakhalin 2, Shell’s largest integrated oil and gas LNG project at the time, and improve relations with the Russian government and Gazprom. Alongside responsibility for delivering the project, Chris also managed Gazprom’s entry into the project as a joint venture partner. He was asked to remain Chairman of Sakhalin Energy Investment Company, when Gazprom became the majority shareholder.

Finlayson was quite popular in the Nigerian oil industry. At a Shell sponsored session of the 2003 Commonwealth Business Forum, held at the Banquet Hall of The Sheraton in Abuja, the publicist Yomi BadejoOkusanya, who emceed the occasion, routinely called him “Warri Boy”, a reference to Warri, a Nigerian oil town where Shell has extensive operational and residential facility.

IDE Ojo, former President of the Nigerian Association Of Petroleum Explorationists(NAPE), has left Addax Petroleum in Nigeria. He was the company’s General Manager for Exploration.

At a well attended send forth party for him in a seaside Chinese restaurant in Lagos, he dismissed insinuations that he is a unique species among his generation of Nigerian technical professionals who work for multinationals.

Mr Ojo has worked in the industry for 32 years and has moved around, working for Shell, ExxonMobil, Statoil, Global Energy and Addax.

“Perennial Mover?”, he questioned the phrase. “Only five moves in more than 32 years in the industry, with sometimes 6-10 years between moves, ultimately leading to voluntary exit from Addax (albeit three years before retirement age) sounds deliberately focussed/decisive rather than flighty, if you ask me”. He left Addax finally at the end of February 2013 after three more months working on contract as a Consultant. Asked if he was one of several experienced engineers and geologists invited to the company by the late Jim Pearce, Addax’s transformational former CEO, he responded quite formally. “Jeff Schrull’s incorporation of me into the Addax family certainly had a Jim Pearce handle to

Jide Ojo Is Out Of Addax

it. Jeff was hired as Corporate GM Exploration based in Geneva and his mandate was to move the company further upstream by activating an exploration focus which was mostly non-existent at the time. I was then brought on board close to two years later to build up the corresponding Nigerian Exploration Business Unit”.

42 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

BACK PAGE/OPINION

Niger Delta Not Comparable With Boko Haram

By Lanre Omisore N a story published on the third I2013 page of The Guardian’s March 6, edition, the Sultan of Sokoto was quoted as advising the president to declare amnesty to all Boko Haram combatants WITHOUT DELAY .

This is a statement from the foremost Islamic Leader in the North.

Unfortunately it is wholly disappointing. The poor attempt by so called Northern Leaders to equate the murderous Boko Haram members to the Niger Delta issue is wholly incorrect. It is also intellectually fraudulent. The Niger Delta militants had a just cause. The exploitation of their farmlands, the destruction of livelihoods the huge environmental impact oil drilling has on the land is visible for all to see. The agitation of the Niger Delta people has a historical basis, from Major Isaac Boro, to Ken Saro-wiwa.

For decades the protests were peaceful, until Abacha by hanging Saro-wiwa turned same to an armed rebellion. The promulgation of the Amnesty programme by the Late President Yara’dua was wel-

The Sultan’s Call Is Wholly Inappropriate comed by all right thinking people.

As for the Boko Haram, their cause if same can be so clothed, is wholly unachievable. Nobody and certainly no band of illiterates can drag Nigeria back into the 15th Century.

If in the 21st Century, a group of people are advocating that western education is a sin, and that they want full Islamic/Sharia Law, and in pursuance of same they bomb Churches, kill innocent people and children, attack the offices of the United Nation (U.N) in Nigeria with a body count of death at 740 people in 2012, it is inconceivable that such a body can be granted an amnesty. If these murderers are granted amnesty, then how about their victims. How about the 50 people who died on Christmas day in 2011. By even advocating this course of action, the Sultan has done a great disservice to the families of the victims. The story of Victor Moses (The Nigerian Football Star) is still fresh in our

memories. He lost both his parents to the rampaging Islamic fanatics, intent on causing mass murder.

Today the Contribution of this young man to his nation is unquantifiable. By suggesting that the Boko Haram people be granted amnesty, the Sultan is telling Victor Moses that the murder of his parents years ago in the North was a Nonevent. That surely can’t be right.

Finally may I for the education of all again restate that old, universal and verated Legal/sociological position that what deters crime is not the severity of punishment, but the certainty of punishment. In truth communal murder has been a feature of life in the North for the last 50 years or so. Each out burst has been swept under the carpet. No proper investigation and or account is undertaken, no perpetrators charged to court, no charges are put before our courts, and certainty nobody is called to pay for their crimes. I stand to be corrected. I

don’t know a single successful prosecution of mass murder by any Governmental authority in the North.

The plain truth is that nobody can Islamize Nigeria. The chickens have come to roost for the Northern leaders. I recall the case of that young man Gideon Akaluka, who was brutally murdered by a mob in Kano in the early 1980’s. He was beheaded by Muslims fanatics for the crime they say of desecrating their Holy Book (The Koran). He’s severed head was placed on a stake and this mob proceeded to dance around Kano city, including the palace of the Emir of Kano.

A mere 25 years later, the mob has now turned its guns and murderous rage against the same Emir of Kano. They say what comes around goes around. The failure of the North is squarely the fault of successive Northern leaders. The truth is that there is no room for Boko Haram types in any progressive society.

Lanre Omisore These people (Boko Haram) must be crushed. You do not negotiate with evil. You confront it head on.

The call by the Sultan for amnesty is wholly inappropriate, and same must be rejected by all right thinking people.

Thank you.

Lanre Omisore Western House Lagos.

NEW DISCOVERY/EXPLORATION

Conoil Flows Several Thousands Per Day In Deep Well

By Njoroge Ahmad ONOIL is clearly on course to C first oil in what will be the deepest pay zone in the Niger Delta Basin.

The company flowed in excess of 2,000BOPD of light oil in one of the two reservoirs in which it conducted Drill Stem Test in Ango 1Stk 3, in Oil Mining Lease(OML) 59. The tested reservoirs are located between 15,400ft True Vertical Depth and 15,550ft TVD. This probe has opened up a whole new sequence in the southwestern,

swampy part of the continent’s most productive basin.

The name Ango-1 Stk3, is a reflection of the journey of the drillbit(it means that there has been three sidetracks since Ango1, the original hole was spudded), but sources say it has provided useful lessons. “The drilling design was done to avoid overpressure”, says one impeccable source at the Department of Petroleum Resources, the industry regulator,” and thus the well turned out to be over-designed.

The well did not encounter overpressure”.

The pressure at the 15000+ft depths is hydrostatic pressure.

Ango 1stk3 is located in one of the sections of the basin with the thickest sedimentary sequences.

In this area, the Benin Formation (consisting of beach sands), gets as deep as 7-8,000ft TVD, so provides the “aerating” influence to cool the rest of the sequence below.

Prior to the DST, Conoil ran wireline logs after drilling to 16,000ft TVD, but the logs were inconclusive for fluid typing(you couldn’t tell if it was gas or oil). An attempt to run the RDT tool to

take fluid samples and pressure points also failed as the tool got stuck. This was why the fourth sidetrack was embarked on.

Conoil , a Nigerian independent operator, has bet big on a new play by drilling this deep, opening up a whole new development

opportunity. Sources say the play will add at least 30Million barrels to Conoil’s portfolio. Conoil produces 25,000BOPD currently, mostly from Otuo South field, located 30km southwest of the new well. This may just be a gamechanger.

EVENT/TECHNICAL MEETING

NAPE’s Technical Talk Today Is On Organisational Capability ATT Duke, Manager Earth Sciences and Reservoir Services Division M of Chevron Nigeria, will be delivering the March 2013 edition of monthly technical meeting of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists(NAPE), the largest body of technical professionals in the oil industry in Africa. Mr. Duke will be speaking on Developing Organisational Capability In the Exploration and Production (E&P) segment of the Oil and Gas Industry. The meeting holds at the Lagoon Restaurant, on Victoria Island, at 11am.

“Within today’s oil and gas industry we are pleased to find ourselves in a period of high product demand and robust product prices”, Duke remarks in his abstract. “Organisational Capability has become the limiting factor for the number of projects we can support”.

He says that while “Production demand is widely forecast to be strong and growing”, industry faces unprecedented challenges in the areas of recruitment, retention and knowledge transfer as a result of “sparse hiring practices in the late eighties through the mid nineties”. In this environment, Duke contends, “Companies with the best integrated programmes will have true competitive advantage”. His talk, he previews, will focus on two of three areas: “first about retention and how career and competency development should be managed by both the company and the individual. Secondly it will explore various knowledge transfer processes and systems allowing not only the accelerated development of the new employee but also the passing on of “know how” from those in the late afternoon of their careers”. Duke has worked for 22 years with Chevron, as an exploration, development and operations geologist, in Operations and Strategic Planning management, Organisational Transformation and Major Capital Projects in the United States, Thailand, Australia and Nigeria. He currently manages a technical specialist group consisting of teams of petrophysicists, well planning and operations staff, seismic acquisition and processing consultants, earth modelers and simulation experts, reserves and production allocation specialists and reservoir management organizational capability leaders. He has a B.Sc and M.Sc in Geosciences and a postgraduate diploma in Management.

For participation in Oil & Gas section, contact: The Manager: Lagos: 01 7736351; Abuja: 07098513445

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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Energy Nigeria earns N15.5tr from crude oil export in three months

By Roseline Okere

HE Federal Government earned T N15.5 trillion from crude oil export in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to recent import and export data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to the statistics agency’s report released last week, Nigeria’s total export trade amounted to N5.9 trillion in the quarter under review.

On yearly basis, the total exports of Nigeria stood at N 22.4 trillion at the end of 2012, representing a rise of N3.06 trillion or 15.5 per cent over the level in 2011.

According to the report, the contribution of crude oil to the value of total domestic export trade amounted to N15.5 trillion or 69.2 per cent in 2012.

It stated: “Summary of Nigeria’s export by section revealed that the highest export product of Nigeria in 2012 was mineral products which accounted for N18.8 trillion or 84.1 per cent. Other products that contributed immensely to Nigeria’s export includes Plastic, rubber and articles, Prepared food stuffs, beverages, spirits and vinegar, tobacco whose values stood at N1.5 trillion or 7.1 per cent and N764.2billion or 3.0 per cent of the total exports of Nigeria during the period under review.

Details of Nigeria’s exports to various continents of the world showed that European countries are the highest consumer of Nigeria’s export with N8.2 trillion or 36.7 per cent. This was followed closely by America with N7.1trillion or 32.1 per cent and Asia with N4.3 trillion or 19.4 per cent.

Within the continent of Africa, Nigeria exported products valued at N2.1 trillion or 9.4 per cent of its total exports trade.

Meanwhile, the average daily crude oil production was 2.14 million barrels per day in fourth quarter of 2012 as against 2.44 million barrels per day in the corresponding quarter in 2011.

These figures, with their associated gas components, resulted in a growth rate, in real terms of -0.79 percent in oil GDP in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with the -0.08 percent for the corresponding period in 2011.

Production in this sector was also in a decline compared to the third quarter of 2012. In the third quarter, the sector grew by 0.08 percent as against –0.79 percent recorded in the fourth quarter as earlier stated.

According to the agency, the Nigerian oil sector had witnessed levels of disruptions due to facility

The Managing Director, VACC, Connie Guilfoyle (left); President, American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Nigeria Chapter, Engr. Olaniyi Kehinde; President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Ibikunle Ogunbayo and the Immediate Past President ASHRAE Worldwide, Ronald Jarnagin, at the 2013 lecture of ASHRAE in Lagos. shut downs. “For example, the acresponding quarter in 2011. Again, However, the sector also bene- the dollar. tivities of vandals and oil theft af- fited immensely from the relaThe Oil sector contributed 12.59 the contribution of this sector was fected production of Bonny Light tive stability in international percent to real GDP in the fourth relatively lower compared to and Forcados grades as well as crude oil market price and the quarter of 2012, lower than the third quarter of 2012 where the Qua Iboe crude oil production. exchange rate of naira against 13.57 percent recorded in the cor- sector contributed 13.42 percent.

Australia to partner NEITI on extractive resources management

By Sulaimon Salau USTRALIA has pledged a mutual collaboration with Nigeria Extractive Industries Transperency Initiative (NEITI) to strengthen its efforts in enthroning transparency, accountability and good management of the Nigeria’s extractive sector.

The Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, made the pledge in Abuja during a courtesy visit to NEITI secretariat.

A statement signed by the Director, Communications, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said Richardson pledged the readiness of his country to work with NEITI in the areas of human ca-

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pacity development, civil society relations, logistics and dissemination of NEITI Audits reports and other identified areas of mutual interest.

The Australian High Commissioner explained that his visit to NEITI was to show solidarity to the Agency on what he called the extraordinary job that NEITI is doing in drawing national and international attention to the connection or the link between efficient extractive revenue governance and poverty reduction and development in the country.

The Australian however, envoy commended NEITI for its inde-

pendent views, courage and professionalism.

He explained that the Australian mining sector is developed, vast, ready and willing to share experiences with Nigeria through NEITI operations with a view to building partnership and collaboration among investors in the two countries.

The Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mittee, assured the Australian High Commissioner that the Board as a Multi- Stakeholder Group was committed to providing strategic policy direction that will help NEITI focus more on recording measurable impacts through enforcement of the

NEITI Act 2007 with regards to ensuring prudency and discipline in the extractive industry revenues by both companies and relevant government agencies.

He explained that poverty reduction through NEITI activities has become the major target of NEITI in its strategic plan.

This, Mitee explained can be achieved with sustained implementation of EITI principles in the oil, gas and mining industries.

The visit by the High Commissioner provided wide forum for the Executive Secretary to acquaint the Mission with NEITI activities and its relevance to national development.

Shell invests $31bn in exploration, acquisition of properties in 2012

By Roseline Okere OYAL Dutch Shell recorded capital investments of $31 billion in 2012, of which $14 billion was put into exploration expenditure, including acquisitions of unproved properties, while divestment proceeds were $6 billion.

Shell said in its 2012 yearly report, put its net capital investment at $25 billion in 2012, compared with $19 billion in 2011 and $21 billion in 2010.

According to the company, its share production in Nigeria was approximately 365 thousand boepd in 2012 compared with approximately 385 thousand boepd

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in 2011.

It said that security, crude oil theft and flooding in the Niger Delta were significant challenges in 2012. We face various risks in our Nigerian operations. These risks include: security issues surrounding the safety of our people, host communities, and operations; our ability to enforce existing contractual rights; limited infrastructure; and potential legislation that could increase our taxes or costs of operation.

“The Nigerian government is contemplating new legislation to govern the petroleum industry which, if passed into law, would likely have a significant adverse impact on

Shell’s existing and future activities in that country”, it said.

The company explained: “Onshore The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) is the operator of a joint venture (Shell interest 30 per cent) that holds more than 25 Niger Delta onshore oil mining leases (OMLs), which expire in 2019.

“To provide funding, Modified Carry Agreements are in place for certain key projects and a bridge loan was drawn down by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in 2010.

We have a 30 per cent interest in

the Gbaran-Ubie integrated oil and gas project in Bayelsa State, which delivered 0.9 billion scfpd of gas in 2012. Gas from Gbaran-Ubie is delivered to Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) for export”.

It added that in 2012, the company sold our 30 per cent interests in OMLs 30, 34 and 40 for a consideration of $1.1 billion.

She stated: “Offshore Our main offshore deep-water activities are carried out by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (Shell interest 100 per cent) which holds interests in three deep-water blocks. We operate two of the blocks, including the Bonga

field 120 kilometres offshore. Deepwater offshore activities are typically governed through PSCs. Shell said that it had fewer oil spills last year than in the previous year, the company said in its 2012 annual report released last week. “In 2012, the number of operational spills of more than 100 kilograms decreased to 204, down from 211 in 2011. As of the end of February 2013, there were three spills under investigation in Nigeria that may result in adjustments to the 2012 data. The number of operational spills of more than 100 kilograms for 2011 was updated to 211 from 207 to reflect completion of investigations into spills,” the company said.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Why marginal oil fields remain undeveloped, by operators

By Sulaimon Salau ARELy ten years after they were licensed for further exploration, only 8 out of 24 marginal oil fields, have been brought to stream.

Reason: The indigenous owners of the fields are wary of its viability, going by a number of challenges that have bedeviled their operations.

The operators who spoke on the challenges of indigenous participation in the Nigerian petroleum industry in Lagos recently, bemoaned the huge financial gap, delay in project approvals and security issues among others.

Indeed, the indigenous companies reported to have faced legislative, financial, logistical and technical challenges on the way to their first oil or gas.

The Managing Director, Niger Delta Exploration and Production, Mr. Layi Fatona, said indigenous marginal field companies were facing challenges of start-up assets and multiple taxation by Local, States and Federal Government.

Fatona said that inability to access funds and the right calibre of people had also made the marginal field’s asset unattractive to investors, while access to additional assets is nearly impossible.

According to him, production from Nigerian indigenous Companies is presently about 259,665 bopd. He said the operators of the eight marginal fields are now delivering gross production of 27,200 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 35 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of gas.

About 25 indigenous oil firms are now operating in the upstream petroleum sector, but many of them are wary of jump-starting production from the fields, due to legislative intrigues and financial intricacies.

Fatona said that the only way to enhance indigenous participation in the Nigerian petroleum industry was by making the assets more attractive and bankable.

“There should be timely agreement with lease holders and government agencies in all marginal field operations.

“Government should assist indigenous marginal field operators through import duty waivers and tax breaks and also improved local bank involvement by reducing rates,” he said.

Fatona said that marginal

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field operators were contributing to the Nigerian economy and expanding the oil and gas operational frontier, but still faced enormous challenges.

“Poor technical competence, fluctuating assistance from foreign equity partners and low funding capacity of indigenous players pose serious concern.

“Federal Government’s policies to promote indigenous participation in the petroleum industry are quite laudable.

“The success of the indigenous players’ incursion into field development and production can be said to be very ‘marginal’,” he said.

Fatona said that the investment on infrastructure was an indication of what could happen if there was a more structured guidance for the unleashing of entrepreneurial energies of Nigerians.

“The challenges must be adequately analysed and remedial actions fully enshrined in necessary legislation,”‘ he said.

Other challenges listed are: Difficulty in agreeing operational synergies with original lease owners (mainly IOCs);

Security issues; Contending with community demands; Lack of effective communication and transparency; No gas flaring policy (uneconomical to develop AG in marginal fields); and the fiscal regime; Technology limitations; Contending with potential threats (e.g. Shale gas/oil technology).

The Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Emerald Energy Resources Limited, Jude Amaefule, who described ‘Game as technology changer’, said the nation must embrace the right technology for it to optimally exploit its abundant resources.

According to him, the industry should focus on being competitive in the global market; improve Security; improve industry efficiency and transparency; improve fiscal and regulatory frameworks to encourage investment and capital inflow as well as increase production capacity within the next five years.

He also enjoined the Federal Government to fully implement the Nigeria Gas Master Plan, accelerate power generation and distribution reforms and reduce operational bottlenecks among others.

Expert bemoans importation of steel pipes

By Sulaimon Salau ORE criticisms may have trailed the incessant importation of steel pipes into the country.

The Managing Director of Nigeria Gas and Steel Ltd (NGSL), Hasib Moukarim, who joined the concerned stakeholder to kick against pipe importation in a media chat recently, said the act of importation is threatening the survival of local manufacturers of the same product.

Moukarim however urged the Federal Government to further promote local content, adding that more architects and steel structural engineers in Nigeria now aware of the importance of locally made steel pipes.

According to him, many contractors in the past one year who executed contracts for airport terminals, warehouses, churches, petrol stations, schools, shopping complex, bus-stops and bill boards used the heavy duty steel welded pipes manufactured locally to fabricate the roofing and structural engi-

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neering aspects of the contracts.

Moukarim added that gradually, the local steel structural contractors and fabricators have recognized the superior quality and cost saving benefits of pipes produced by indigenous firms.

Pointing out that all the products of thick steel pipes of different sizes such as 5”, 6”, and 8” pipes made from 4mm to 10mm steel and different shapes as round, square and rectangular are now produced in-country, he maintained that the products can favourably complete the fabrication projects instead of depending on the imported beams and sections which are costlier and heavier.

The steel pipes Moukarim said, have higher strength to weight ratio than other steel products and has excellent compression support characteristics due to its lighter weight compared to beams, saying pipes are recommended world wide for use as structural elements in building and other structures.

LADOL partners Samsung on N1.6bn investment

By Roseline Okere AGOS Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) and the Samsung Nigeria Training Academy (SaNTA) have invested N1.6 billion into building capacity for Nigerians operating in the oil and gas industry.

The Chairman, LADOL, Ladi Jadesimi, who disclosed this to journalists recently, said that company is committed to building capacity for Nigerians operating in the oil and gas sector.

According to him, LADOL Free Zone has been authorized by the Nigerian Export and Process Zones Authority and established pursuant to the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act (Act No.63 1992) with the main purpose

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of providing logistical, engineering and other support services for deep water offshore oil and gas exploration.

He disclosed that LADOL currently has an FPSO integration contract with Samsung, explaining that SaNTA was established in recognition of the fact that Nigerians need to benefit from the wide spread job creation which will result from Onshore FPSO integration, as well as other important local content milestones with extensive and diverse training provided by world class partners. “So far, both companies have made total investment of $10 million (N1.6 billion) in SaNTA, an academy with initial capacity

for a minimum of 250 students yearly.

He explained: “One of the things we are starting very soon is the construction of a technology institute with Samsung that will train Nigerians in various aspect of deep offshore. That is the only way we can do it. We have to build capacity by training and giving opportunities like work place experience.

“We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for the Local Content Act because this Act mandates the increase in percentage of contracts not just on oil and gas sales but on project investments. As you know, we have brilliant Nigerians many of whom are active all over the world in this same field.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

IFRSWatch

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

LAUNCH OF NIGERIA OIL and GAS INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY PUBLICATIONS AT THE METROPOLITAN CLUB, KOFO ABAYOMI STREET, VICTORIA/ISLAND, LAGOS, ON March 14, 2013.

Chief Executive Officer. Frontier Invest., Jonathan Harrison (left); Financial Consultant, Omowunmi Awomolo and Kike Akinyosoye.

Consultant Surgeon, University College London, Dr, Austin Obichere (left); Council member. Nigeria-British Association (NBA), Babatunde Jeje and President of the association, Tunde Arogunmati.

Annette Fisher (middle) and Mr. & Mrs. Godwin of University of Lagos.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Savvytech Ltd., Bobby Benson (Jnr) (left); Business Development of the Company, Chloe Benson and former Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Lanre Towry-Coker.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo (middle); Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Nigeria Oil & Gas (NOG) Intelligence, Remi Aiyela (right) and representative of Lagos State Governor/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Minerals Resources, Regina Iyabode Obasa.

Director, Petroleum Resources, Osten Olorunsola (left); Honourable Habeeb Fasinro and Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.

Nigeria Oil & Gas (NOG) Intelligence, Remi Aiyela.

President of the Association, Tunde Arogunmati (left); Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oando Terminal and Logistics, Ayo Ajose Adeogun and Director, Petroleum Resources, Osten Olorunsola.

Mrs. Chinwe Anyichie (left); her husband, Godwin and B.I. Osibodu of DPR.

Representative of Lagos State Governor/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Minerals Resources, Regina Iyabode Obasa (left); Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, NOG Intelligence, Remi Aiyela, and Director, Petroleum Resources, Osten Olorunsola.

Head, Group Real Estates. Stanbic/IBTC Holdings, Anne Rinu (right); Partner, NARITA LEARNING Centre. Adeboye Martins and Principal Partner, NORFOLK Partners, May Mbu. PHOTOS: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Opinion The age of diminishing expectations (1)

By Isaac Igweonwu HE crises of survival, partly a glaring result of T cultural disorientation, have now taken a whole new meaning. Today most Nigerians are desperate, quietly grumbling and blame themselves for their misfortune for what might really be perceived as a general national malaise. The underlying causes of this disaster, more of a national tragedy, have assumed an alarming and monumental proportion. It is rather a sad state of things, but when history is recalled, one is confronted with a grimly amusing present. In the present, men have seriously learnt to live by their wits.

Surely times have not always been this way for the majority of us. In better days gone by, a period most Nigerians yearn with a paroxysm of nostalgia; life was more meaningful, predictable and joyful. It was a period of bountiful expectations. As a youth, my imagination and my life was one of vivid recall. I mean the good old 1960s and early part of the seventies. In the sixties, six pence can fetch you a pocketful of sweets, which will last the entire school day. We had three square meals rich with delicacies each day and in between meals you had almost anything your taste buds desired. The seventies was just about as good. It was the beginning of our gilded age, an age marked by recklessness, wastefulness and ‘squander mania’. We all went agog with the rapid infusion of oil money in our national treasury.

Domestic boredom drove so many of us to overseas destinations. It was affordable and we took advantage. Major European and American cities, even Asian metropolis greeted Nigerian tourists with open arms. The city of London was particularly delighted at the sight of Nigerians. Special treatment was reserved for Nigerians who shop in exclusive highbrow shops in Oxford Street and New Bond Street. The Nigerian bought big, they bought just about everything: the latest Armani suits, Rolex watches, Gucci bags for the ladies.

You know them when you see them; flowing agbada and loud talk. The businessmen in Oxford Street call them ‘sir’ and they only call you by that name when they know you have money to spend. In times gone by, Nigerians had money to spend, bundles of it. In West end clubs of London, Nigerians were more revered than the royal sheiks of Saudi Kingdom. In New York City, the story was the same except the Americans aren’t easily carried away by vulgar displays of wealth, particularly when done by distant ‘dark’ people.

For the well-heeled Nigerian tourist, Saks fifth Ave and Bloomingdales were Mecca for expen-

sive tastes. In Bloomingdales, one overheard a white customer grumbling he was in the wrong neighborhood when he saw himself standing face to face with a Nigerian shopper. Canal Street in the heart of unfashionable downtown New York City caters for the modest tastes of our long distance shoppers. Here, Nigerians hurriedly clear those items Americans find fashionably outdated. They go for bargains and Canal Street traders oblige them by allowing clearance at give away prices. Further in-land, malls such as the Woodbridge Shopping Centre in New Jersey record such large turnouts. Oh! Those Nigerians!

Those were times gone by and today we are living in an age of diminishing expectations. Believe me only a handful of dubiously privileged among us dream of shopping abroad these days.

The cost of air transport alone is sufficient to discourage a would-be free spender, and Nigeria’s battered image abroad embarrasses even the most patriotic. That green passport, the incessant harassment at foreign airports, the un-courteous treatment of the few Nigerian shoppers at shopping destinations in Europe and elsewhere sends shivers of discouragement at prospective shoppers. We are now contented at whatever is affordable locally, particularly good food, which is all most of the privileged few can lay claim to.

The majority of Nigerians today ask what has happened to a once prosperous, abundantly endowed country, the envy of the rest of the world.

We were once looked upon as the hub of African civilization, the civilized hope for a ‘dark’ continent.

However, these days, it tortures the soul, to observe the reversal of fortune. It tortures the soul to recall that once, at a period in our history food was cheap and citizens were visibly well fed. Excess produce was in fact exported to poor agricultural neighbouring states. Now the hungry among us are looking up to these same neighbours for crumbs. In times gone by, a family of four could comfortably subsist on 10 shillings for the month on food and house rent, and even manage to save for uncertain times. A fairly large goat went for 12 shillings or less, the average Nigerian family bought rice not in measures but in bags. It was that affordable and smiles appeared on the faces of consumers. These days living with biting inflation, what you observe on the typical Nigerian countenance is not smiles but long drawn sunken faces, morose and sour.

Years of misrule, the years of the locust have simply made it so. Collapse of society exemplified by pervasive family disintegration and social anomie introduced in its wake boundless antagonism among its restless and disgruntled mem-

bership. The degradation of family life has left this unit in shambles; it is now a war of all against allthe head of the family bears the brunt; he has lost completely both the capacity and will to confront mounting difficulties. He abandons the family and faces an uncertain future, a future of despondency, hopelessness and desperation.

In absolute despair, he turns to religion and to his creator, God. He truly finds out that organized religion – the sort that thrives in Nigeria holds no succour! In the name of the father,’ they fleece even the last penny left on him.

Why? It is about the way things are now, the mess we have made of ourselves. Many families today are not sure where the next meal is coming from. And about medical bills, school fees for the children, transportation fares, clothing and housing allowances. It is a tragic guess. Food prices go fast and even so, it is not easy to come by: rice once the staple, beans, fish, garri and so on, all are now beyond reach. They tell us there is abundance of food, only the purchasing power is lacking. Yes indeed! You only have to compare prices at intervals to realize the havoc rising food prices are doing to the average Nigerian pocket. In 1991 a tin of Aroso rice cost a mere N45. The same measure cost over N3,000 or so they say today. A can of Titus sardine cost over N100, in 1991 it was sold for N10.

The mindless flight from the land, the neglect of agriculture might be considered responsible, invariably driving the well-heeled for foreign food appetite and consumption.

We are told that agriculture is a ‘business’ not a ‘development’ programme, however how can it be a business when not developed? Successive Nigerian governments have grappled with this philosophy with little success – the ‘National Accelerated Food Production Programme was introduced by Yakubu Gowon; Obasanjo followed and in 1976 unleashed the so-called agricultural ‘revolution’ entitled ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ (OFN); Shehu Shagari in 1979 rolled out his scheme tagged the ‘Green Revolution’, the Spartan-like, ascetic Buhari who overthrew Shagari launched the ‘Go Back to the Land Programme’ so also was Ibrahim Babangida’s Directorate of Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI). There were all massive failures and poverty and hunger still ravage the land. In 2010 alone, Nigeria spent N356 billion to import rice; N97 billion importing fish; N635 billion to import wheat; N217 billion on sugar importation. How long can this squander mania continue?

Statehood gradually drifts apart. When finally destroyed, the family, the basic cementing unit of a community, signals the collapse of the society.

The public man has fallen, his expectations from

society of which he is part has drastically diminished. He in degraded, atrophied, degenerated, shamed and disgusted having lost all respect in a society of vulgar and immorality. He learns to be suspicious and distrustful of his fellow man for fear of falling victim to greed, deceit and violence. He lives by his wits.

Housing and transportation has gone off through the roof. In certain parts of this distressed country, housing rent has doubled and even tripled. A bottle of lager beer – Star, for example, which went for N30 now sells for over N200; same for Guinness stout, so also the celebrant brand – Gulder the joy of ‘owambe’ parties at home and abroad on which many highlyplaced individuals had gotten addicted to.

Some prospective renters are now seriously contemplating making their abode under bridges and make shift tents than being toyed with by shylock landlords. As for transportation, those who dreamt of private means of conveyance now despair at the thought of purchasing one. At the various UTC motor outlets, a brand new 406 SR Peugeot brand costs a whopping N4 million. The average buyer thinks this a huge joke and has since abandoned the attempt.

Those who are condemned to public means of transport must content with rickety ‘molues’ unworthy of road use. Without ‘tokunbo solutions’, a lot of us would have gone under to meet our ancestors.

These severe economic conditions we are forced to live with have made for example, a complete mess of salaried existence. It used to be, for instance if you were a graduate – a university graduate I mean, you hoped for a decent salary enough to take you to the next pay cheque. You will be a desperate dreamer to assume so today.

Those workers lucky to have a job sadden each end of the month when salaries are paid and despair at the thought of meeting responsibilities encountered the previous month. It cuts across the board: judges and lawyers grumble silently on their inability to maintain a modest lifestyle they are accustomed to; medical doctors are now reduced to running ill-equipped private clinics to make ends meet; university lecturers, long resigned to their desperate financial position despair at the very thought of working. Most have abandoned the classroom for things other than teaching. The same applies to other professions, endangering the traditional respectability accorded to these groups of people.

• To be continued.

• Prof. Igweonwu, once with Union Carbide Corporation, New Jersey, U.S.A is a Professor of Politics, Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

ABC Transport: The 20-year revolution

By Chigozie Chikere OR decades, countless interstate bus companies have sucFcomes cumbed to the tyranny of low expectations, at least when it to new entrants with little experience and unprofessional skills and, as such, are at the bottom of the heap. The assumption has been that new entrants in the passenger transport industry anywhere in the world face too many operational challenges regardless of the size of their fleet or the level of professionalism of their staff. Again, the oligopolistic structure of the market where operators of small fleets are frustrated by their large fleet counterparts as they compete for patronage is another factor that often relegated new entrants to the background. In time, however, many get forced out of the industry, reducing it to an old timers’ affair. There was little hope that a company could make any difference to the future of new and intending bus companies without giving in to the challenges of inexperience and an unfriendly market structure.

Such attitudes consigned whole generations of entrepreneurs and transport business ideas to the scrapheap. But 20 years ago, in Owerri, a new generation company, Associated Bus Company (ABC) Transport started a revolution. There are now over a hundred new generation bus companies engaged in intercity passenger and freight transport all over the country. They are enjoying good business environment, copying and remodeling innovative ideas and business strategies of frontline companies, and still maintaining a healthy symbiosis.

The emergence of ABC Transport on Nigerian highways is revolutionary, for four reasons. It represents an experiment. It is adopting and renovating time-tested practices. It is reinvigorating ailing bus companies. It is blazing the trail for new investments. ABC Transport commenced operations in 1993 as an offshoot of Rapido Ventures Limited, led by Mr. Frank Nneji; a consummate Microbiologist and an astute businessman. The company is fashioned with a view to running a modern road transport system with international standards. ABC Transport experimented with diversification in terms of ownership and in-

vestments. It went through a successful initial public offer in 2006, and became a public limited liability company, with over 18,000 shareholders and listing. At present, ABC Transport is the only road transport company quoted by the Nigerian Stock Market.

Yet the virtue of experiments is that one can draw lessons from them; and it is now becoming clear under what condition the company performs best. Audited results for the year ended December 31, 2011 shows a growth of 26.89 per cent in turnover over the 2010 result. Turnover increased from N4.61 billion in 2010 to N5.85 billion in 2011 representing an increase of 26.89 per cent while operating profit indicating increased operational efficiency grew from N392.94 million in 2010 to N459.71 in 2011 representing an increase of 16.99 per cent.

Cascading is one of the time-tested practices adopted and remodeled by ABC Transport. By this practice, transport operators put aging fleet to good use by scheduling them for routes and operations that are less tasking, or cannibalising them for use as spare parts for other vehicles. The common practice among older companies is to reduce these older vehicles to mass transit buses within and around the municipalities. But it is interesting to know that at ABC Transport, older buses complement the more stable ones at the tail end of passenger journeys. Thus, while other bus companies end passenger journeys, most times, wherever the driver chooses, ABC Transport completes all journeys using these cascaded buses. For example, a bus plying the Lagos-OwerriMbaise-Umuahia route stops at Owerri terminal and trans-loads passengers and freight bound for Mbaise and Umuahia to a cascaded bus, which completes the journey. The cascaded buses also play a feeder role in moving passengers from various feeder terminals to the main terminals where they continue their journeys in comfort and safety.

This revolution is now spreading round the country as formerly ailing bus companies and new ones are now shifting from traditional practices that once plagued the industry with obsolescence, touting, and general ugliness to standard practices with the aim of increasing their market share and, in the long run, their productivity. Like ABC Transport, most frontline bus companies now as-

sert their corporate existence with ultra-modern terminals located in major cities of Nigeria and even in neighbouring West African countries where they now extend their services. Express Courier Services, Road Haulage and Hotel and Touring Services have now become ancillary to passenger transport as these companies gradually metamorphose into total logistics companies of the future.

It is pretty clear now that any aspect of the transport industry in Nigeria can be revolutionised by giving stakeholders independence – so long as it is done in the right way, with the right monitoring, regulation and safeguards from the state. Recently, Present Goodluck Jonathan called for professionalisation of freight forwarding practice in Nigeria. This is a move in the right direction as foreigners now dominate the freight forwarding business due to lack of professionalism of Nigerian practitioners.

The Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), whose mandate it is to upgrade the standard of practice, needs a strong backup as well as a strong push from the Federal Government to implement this policy. The Federal Government is giving the road passenger transport industry the shove it needs, despite the delay in full implementation of the existing National Transport Policy and the final ratification of the draft National Transport Policy. Yet, more needs to be done in the area of road maintenance and rehabilitation.

By international standards, many of our bus companies are not doing well in terms of passenger comfort and safety. They do not have shelter at their terminals, their vehicles are poorly maintained, their drivers and crew are not well trained yet they compete for passengers by offering them relatively low fares and reduced journey time, which they achieve by over-speeding. The least this generation can contribute to further improve transport service standard is to continue to support and identify with notable passenger-friendly bus companies. Commending them occasionally for a job well done and patronising them can do that at no extra cost. Let the revolution continue.

• Chikere is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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Opinion Lifeline in organ transplant campaign

By Adebayo Babatunde EDICAL practice in the developed world M of the 1950s did not give hope to patients suffering from one form of terminal disease or the other. And really, quite a hopeless situation for those who were being ravaged by terminal diseases. In actual fact, it was not unusual to ask junior medical practitioners at the level of housemanship to mind with care, patients, especially children with kidney failure. Such minors, particularly in Britain at the time under reference, were to be made as comfortable as possible, because the question of their demise is not how but when. And often at most, within a period of two weeks.

It was in this precarious circumstance that the idea of skin grafts in animal, especially black and white, came up. But it was just a research work as undertaken by great biologist at Oxford University, Sir Peter Medawar.

It gave no room for clinical applications. In the path of the pioneers in the field of organs transplant, there had always been two formidable hurdles: the first had to do with the method to be adopted in carrying out the surgery, the second was the question of immunological management, the real founded fear that the strange organ being grafted as a replacement to the diseased one would likely be rejected.

After a rigorous research, the first hurdle was surmounted. And there was a faint hope of finding a way around the other one.

But painfully, the hope of X-ray irradiation as a panacea was a bungle. And when the anti-leukemia drug, 6-Metarcaptopurine was adopted, it was not a grand success. But it was quite a watershed in the practice of medicine as related to drug research in 1977 at Cambridge University laboratory, when Cyclosporine turned out to be a roaring success in taming the virulent attacking ten-

dencies of the body immune system.

And so in 1968, the first liver transplant was successfully carried out by the Oxford trained physician, Sir Roy Calne. And he was also to be credited with the first transplant of liver, heart and lung in 1987.

While the culture of organ transplant has become a standard practice in the developed world, multifarious. For example, it is not uncommon to hear of live donors, donating their organs, under pressure, totally against their will and wish. In respect of dead donors, it is almost non-existent, principally due to religion and tradition. As regards Transplant Tourism, it is quite questionable, for the reasons of ethics and infrastructural inadequacy. Also ironical is the inverse proportional relationship between the Organs’ Transplant Centres across the world and the number of organs available for medical practice. And quite a challenge also is the stem cells’ research that would create organs, for example liver, with all types of cells needed for full function such as specialised cells, capable of destroying bacteria and other invaders.

In a scenario like this, Nigeria should go the way of Organs’ Transplant Campaign, if only to save the terminally diseased in our midst.

And such advocacy needs to be anchored comprehensively on reinforcing the need for public/private business partnership for infrastructural upgrade, especially in the critical area of our health sector. There is also the urgency for active collaboration amongst medical experts at home and those in the Diaspora. The advocacy strategy should rid the society of the tradition that would prevent the willing living (and to an extent the dead, reaching out to those suffering one form of terminal disease or the other, especially those that border on organ transplant.

Let the Organs Transplant Campaign now commence in earnest. Can’t we start from

our individual kidneys the pairs of our critical internal organs physiologically charged with the responsibility of removing waste products from the blood, and also overseeing the production of urine.

At the personal level, we can donate one today out of the two as one, if carefully managed, is perfectly okay and enough for a healthy living and wellbeing. Distress calls from patients, by way of Save Our Souls (SOS), are always in the public domain, to kind-hearted Nigerians, for financial support to undertake medical trips abroad. The issue goes beyond token donations, as we can all go beyond the call of being our poor brothers’ keepers.

The campaign is envisaged to be a twopronged salvation advocacy. And it is all about the living, saving the diseased body of another living soul who is in a precarious, distressed circumstance. At the other end of the spectrum, it is the question of the dead saving the soul of the living by redeeming the essence of his/her diseased body, with the express approval of the deceased as expressed in his/her will.

The eyeball is a very good example here with specific reference to the cornea-related blindness. At the front of the eyeball is the tough transparent layer of membrane called cornea. After death is clinically certified and pronounced by at least two medical doctors, the eyeball of a man/woman would still be perfectly okay for the next eight hours. So, if all of us would readily volunteer to donate our eyeballs to eye bank at death, majority of the blind in our midst would be major beneficiaries, especially those of them living with cornea-related blindness, as the corneas of the dead can be grafted on the damaged cornea of the blind.

Our religious doctrine and strong tradition should not stand in our way in demonstrating love and care for the benefit of poor,

helpless fellow Nigerians.

This indeed is the time to set politics aside and stand down from our strong-willed personal principle, as we confront the formidable, intimidating force staring all us in the face, irrespective of our political conviction.

Or is there any Nigerian out there, who even though is not terminally diseased, is not linked to a helpless and hopeless diseased poor victim, either as a relation, friend, colleague, acquaintance or total unknown stranger, as a fellow Nigerian. And should we be looking for that sublime crusading voice in leading the Organs’ Transplant Campaign, the former Governor of Lagos State and ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is it. A few years ago, the prominent politician promised to donate his eyeballs to an eye bank, for the benefit of those still living in the distressed dark world, helpless. Of course, that donation is possible only after he might have lived to an old age, and might have taken a glorious exit. That is when his eyeballs would be available.

But before we begin to get excited on the dancing floor in that euphoria-dance of arriving at uhuru cum El-Doraldo, let us moderate our life-style. Let us avoid injury to our organs, be they the internal or external ones. Let us avoid making them diseased. We should desist from all forms of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, excessive consumption of carbonated soft drinks and pain-killer drugs overdose.

Even in our sex-life, let us have it in a bridled version, simply and only with our legal partners. If the campaign can achieve all this, we would have helped ourselves in no small measure as a bubbling bunch of patriotic citizens with the love of fellow Nigerians quite close to our hearts. Nigeria really deserves the needed Organs’ Transplant Campaign.

• Babatunde is the Co-ordinator of Body, Building, and Conservation (BBC) Campaign, a Total Health Care Project for Rural Dwellers

Tackling the rape phenomenon

By Cosmas Odoemena UCY’S (not her real name) father is American while her Lmymum is German. I met her a few years ago in Lagos when kinsman Chidi (not real name) introduced us. Lucy always wanted to come to Africa. They had met when he was in Germany. And in no time it clicked for them and they got married. Today they have three children. She works in one of the embassies in Lagos. After a few minutes with her, I found a beautiful, intelligent, unassuming woman, with lots of vigour. Those who saw Lucy when she went to the village in Imo State with her husband for the first time marvelled that a white woman would want to come to live with them. She did not have her nose in the air, she embraced them, and they accepted her. She farmed with the women, picked palm kernel, pounded food, went to the market, and rode their Raleigh bicycles. But there was to come a dark twist to her life in her adopted country.

One afternoon, a worried looking Chidi along with Lucy came to the hospital where I worked. I asked them to sit down. There and then Lucy broke down in tears. I was not

Rape is horrible. But it is not horrible for all the many reasons society likes to put forward that hurt the victim even more. Like Sohaila Adulali, author of the novel “Year of the Tiger” argues, “it is horrible because you are violated, you are scared, someone else takes control of your body and hurts you in the most intimate way. It is not horrible because you lose your “virtue.” Like her, I don’t believe the notion that a woman’s virtue is located in her vagina, just as I reject the notion that men’s brains are in their genitals.

sure of the right words to soothe her because I did not know why she was crying. It was then that Chidi told me the story.

Apparently, while in her chauffer driven car, some men had waylaid them. They forced them to change direction. The vehicle went very far and they stopped at a house where they took her in and held the chauffer outside. She said she was kept there for five days and was raped repeatedly by three men. They asked for a hefty ransom and forced her to give them the code of her ATM, which they withdrew at will.

Somehow when they could not get the ransom she was released. There is evidence to believe that her chauffer masterminded it. The matter was already with the police. I was to carry out a medical check up on her.

Lucy is not alone. There are many like her. As sex is an instrument of love, it can also be that of hate. Rape is one horrible phenomenon, which has been part of our society. From little girls to young women and then to old women, there is no discrimination. Many go unheard, because women hide it for fear of the stigma. And even when there is arrest of the culprits it ends there. In no time the perpetrators are free again to continue to commit the crime. Even those who should keep the law break it. In Nigeria policemen and even soldiers have been involved in rape.

Amnesty International and other civil societies have condemned these acts. They and all forward-looking people have called on government to help protect women, and to see that justice is done. But the recent “news” that the House of Representatives is about to pass a bill that rape offenders will spend the rest of their lives in jail does not inspire confidence.

Only a few newspapers carried it though and a television station as far as I know. But no credible news organisation worth its salt would carry such. If our lawmakers know what they are doing, they would know that the law they claim to have passed already exists. If they had done their work well there will not have been the duplication. The Criminal Code says in Chapter 30 section 358 that “Any person who commits the offence of rape is liable to imprisonment for life, with or with-

out caning.”

As we already know there are enough laws in Nigeria. The problem has been that of implementation. Furthermore, no matter the punishment stipulated for rape it will not deter rapists. Rapists already know that they live in a country where there are many unsolved murders, where assassins are walking freely, where suicide bombers scare the pants off government. It is the same country where committees are set up to do the work of another committee whose recommendations are left to gather dust. It is the same country where government agencies have overlapping functions. It is the same country where people are awarded the same national honour twice.

My heart goes to all women who have experienced rape. I can imagine someone who wanted to preserve their virginity till they get married having that hope crushed by a heartless individual who leaves behind only sad memories; the fear of unwanted pregnancy, the fear of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including HIV and hepatitis.

Rape is horrible. But it is not horrible for all the many reasons society likes to put forward that hurt the victim even more. Like Sohaila Adulali, author of the novel “Year of the Tiger” argues, “it is horrible because you are violated, you are scared, someone else takes control of your body and hurts you in the most intimate way. It is not horrible because you lose your “virtue.” Like her, I don’t believe the notion that a woman’s virtue is located in her vagina, just as I reject the notion that men’s brains are in their genitals.

The law is already clear on what the penalty for rapists is.

The rapists must get the deserved punishment. Families and communities also need to support victims. It is terrifying when a child of five is being hurt and humiliated. The world she trusts has failed her. But perhaps most importantly, men need to be re-educated. Men who rape must stop to think how they would feel if the same was done on their own wives, daughters, and even grandmothers. Do unto others how you would want them do to you.

• Dr. Odoemena, a medical practitioner lives in Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 19/3/2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

54 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 19/3/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

NSE market capitalisation sustains rising profile, appreciates further by N18b

By Helen Oji HE bulls strengthened its hold on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more blue chip companies joined the league of gainers, resulting to a further rise in market capitalisation by N18 billion.

Volume of shares traded also increased marginally, as 310 million shares valued at N2.9 billion changed hands in 5,619 deals, higher than 230 million units worth N2.5

T

billion exchanged in 4,791 deals on Monday.

Precisely, at close of trading yesterday, market capitalisation increased by N18 billion or 0.1 per cent from N10, 637 trillion recorded on Monday to N10,655 trillion while the All/Share index rose by 55.2 points from 33,243.54 to 33,298.74.

Further analysis of yesterday’s transactions showed that 28 companies appreciated in price, led by West

African Portland Company with 5.19 per cent to close at N76.79 per share.

Ikeja Hotel gained 4.88 per cent to close at N0.86 per share.

Livestock gained 4.76 per cent to close at N2.20 per share. Fidson added 4.46 per cent to close at N1.64 per share.

AIICO gained 4.44 per cent to close at N0.94 per share.

WAPIC added 4.23 per cent to close at N0.94 per share.

Cadbury, C&I Leasing, Okomu oil garnered 4.15 and 3.51 to close at N35.10,N0.59 and N59.00 per share respectively.

National Salt Company of Nigeria also added 2.84 per cent to close at N9.05 per share.

However, 24 stocks constituted the losers chart, led by UAC-Properties, shedding 6.19 per cent to close at N15.01 per share.

Wema Bank followed with

5.93 per cent to close at N1.11 per share. FTN Cocoa dropped 5.00 per cent to close N0.57 per share.

MRS shed 4.97 per cent to close at N26.18 per share. NPF Micro Finance Bank lost 4.59 per cent to close at N1.04 per share.

IPWA, Japaul oil, Eterna oil dropped 4.12,4.11 and 3.69 per cent to close at N0.93,0.70 and N3.65 per share.

PZ Cussons and Prestige Assurance lost 3.66 and 3.61

per cent to close at N39.50 and N0.80 per share.

With transactions exchanged in 2,397 deals, the banking sub-sector maintained its dominance in volume terms with 143 million shares worth N1.2 billion followed by the insurance subsector which traded 28 million units valued at N38 million.

The conglomerates trailed with 17 million units valued at N36 million.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

TheInsideEdge Nigeria: Property opportunities Nigeria 20th March 2013

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Published in association with

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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PensionWatch IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Administration of retirement and terminal benefits of an RSA holder REQUIREMENT FOR PAYMENT OF LUMP SUM AND PROGRAMMED WITHDRAWAL

MISBAHU YOLA MANAGING DIRECTOR, LEGACY PENSION MANAGERS LTD.

OR THE PURPOSE of this discourse, we shall define retireFment/terminal benefits as financial instruments designed as regular income for individuals after they stop working. Individuals typically receive retirement benefits in the form of regular cash installments or as protection in the form of insurance coverage.

PenCom’s Regulations for the Administration of Retirement and Terminal Benefits are considered the applicable minimum and have been put in place for the purpose of establishing uniform set of rules of general application, procedures and standards in the administration of retirement and terminal benefits under the contributory scheme as enshrined in the Pension Reform Act 2004 (PRA).

There are various ways of accessing terminal benefits as encapsulated in the Regulations for the Administration of Retirement and Terminal benefits.

These are exemplified below: Mandatory/Normal Retirement This kind of retirement is applicable to Government workers who are deemed eligible for retirement after 35 years in service or at the attainment of the age of 60, whichever comes later.

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) remits into the retiring worker’s Retirement Savings Account (RSA), the bond value of his terminal benefits which represents his Accrued Rights prior to the commencement of the contributory scheme.

The Commission also remits the contributor’s outstanding contributions (if any) i.e., monthly deductions made from the retiree’s salary as his contributory pension while he was in service.

The RSA balance of the retiree is applied to a lump sum and programmed withdrawal. This means that the retiree is paid a certain proportion of his RSA standing in bulk and the balance goes to service his monthly pension, commonly termed ‘programmed withdrawal’ because of the periodicity.

* Official notice of Retirement/ Acceptance of Retirement * Last pay slip * Evidence of any Accrued Rights * Signed copy of Programmed Withdrawal Agreement. * PenCom Indemnity Form * Birth Certificate /Declaration of Age * Bank confirmation of account details * 2 Passport size photographs

COMPULSORY RETIREMENT (dismissal, termination & request for 25% of RSA balance) Where the contributor is accessing his benefits under Compulsory Retirement, he can only access 25% of the balance in the RSA. This is so because, persons in this category most often than not are below the statutory age of 50yrs that affords full access to one’s retirement benefits.

It is important to note that Voluntary Retirement does not qualify as Compulsory Retirement.

DEATH BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION There are two categories under the Administration of Death benefits: Administration to Heirs of Deceased RSA holders Administration to Heirs of deceased non RSA holders – (DBA Account)

RETIREMENT ON MEDICAL GROUNDS The Regulations for the Administration of Retirement and Termination Benefits states that “Any employee retiring as a result of mental or physical incapability or permanent disability of mind or body shall be deemed to be retiring on medical grounds.”

The following documents are required to access benefits based on retirement on Medical grounds: * A medical Certificate issued by a properly constituted medical Board or a suitably qualified physician stating the status of the contributor. * Sworn Declaration of NOK as Special Guardian to RSA holder * A letter of notification of retirement issued by his/her employer also authenticating the medical Certificate. * Pay slip or evidence of annual total remuneration * Evidence of any Accrued Pension Rights/ acknowledgement of indebtedness (if an employee of the private sector). * Bank confirmation of account details * 2 passport size photographs * Identification of Special Guardian/NOK

NOTE: The letter of retirement must state that the retirement is based on medical grounds.

Only twenty five percent (25%) of RSA balance shall be released to the RSA holder if below 50 years of age.

Please note that there is a clear distinction between payment of benefits on medical grounds and a Health Insurance Scheme.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF 25% OF RSA BALANCE * Letter of Dismissal or Termination * Pay slip or evidence of total annual remuneration * Letter from employer clarifying payment of Accrued Rights or other entitlements if any. * Evidence/acknowledgement of indebtedness if any by employer * Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age * 2 Passport size photographs * Bank Confirmation of account number * Evidence of non employment for six months i.e. Court Affidavit of Facts * Valid means of Identification (Driver’s License, Intl Passport and National I.D Card)

Different Classes of Death Benefits Retirees already enjoying programmed withdrawal – In the event of death, RSA balance shall be paid to Heirs.

Existing contributors who are yet to retire but died before retirement. This category of persons is also entitled to life Insurance (payable by the Employer’s Insurance Company of choice) because they died while in active service; hence request is made to the Commission for proceeds of Accrued Rights and Outstanding Contributions.

Private Sector deceased employees (payment of life Insurance proceeds and any other outstanding accrued benefits by employer) Death Benefits Account (DBA) - This is an account for Government workers mostly who died without opening an RSA, and for whom the Employer requests that a temporary RSA be opened for the purpose of remitting such deceased’s accrued rights and outstanding contributions and any other benefits deemed accruable to same.

Would you rather have your quarterly statements of account sent electronically? Have you updated your operational email address with us?

Please indicate your interest to receive e-statements by sending us a mail with your e-mail address to info@legacypension.com.

We welcome your questions, suggestions or opinions. Please contact us on info@legacypension.com. please visit our website, www.egacypension.com

REQUIREMENTS (PUBLIC SECTOR)

Evidence of Death Certificate of registration/Cause of death or ii Burial Warrant issued by a Local Government Council or iii Burial Warrant issued by an Islamic Community Head or Judge of a Sharia Court or iv Burial Warrant issued by a leader of a registered Church or copy of Obituary poster if any Police Report (If death by accident) * Letter of Administration or Will admitted to Probate to be supported by a valid means of identification such as current International traveling passport, National I.D/Valid Drivers’ License * Letter of Confirmation of identity from his/her bank or Notary Public.

Copy of Declaration of Age or Birth Certificate Copy of last pay slip within the year of death * Letter of First Appointment Copy of pay slip as at 30th June 2004 (in the case of Government employee) * Letter of introduction from employer stating date of first appointment, date of death, date of birth, grade and step as at June 2004 and GL/Step as at the month of death.

Next of Kin Indemnity Form.

Bank Confirmation of Individual or Estate Account.

REQUIREMENTS: (PRIVATE SECTOR)

* Letter of Administration or Will admitted to Probate to be supported by a valid means of identification such as current International traveling passport, National I.D/Valid Drivers’ License. * Medical Certificate of Death/Cause of Death/Certificate of Registration of Death * Police Report (if death by accident) * Next of Kin Indemnity Form * Bank Confirmation of Individual or Estate Account.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

MidweekArts Performance

By Omiko Awa OOD things of life sometimes come in such a G way that the bravest and wisest, by their strength and wit, are often hapless. Not even the streetwise are capable of getting the best out of it, but the simple and enduring ones whose tenacity to unveil the complexities of things around are commendable.

This is the situation in Wole Oguntokun’s The Waiting Room performed by the Renegade Theatre at the car park of Eko Hotel and Suites during the Lagos Theatre Festival.

Bringing this truth to the audience is a quartet — two men and two women. Left in a room to await the arrival of their host, the four characters suddenly become agitated as nobody attends to them after a long wait. Perturbed, they suspect that someone, probably a syndicate, has brought them together for some nefarious acts, especially when the content of their invitation letters is mystifying.

Not comfortable in each other’s presence, especially with Don Flexy, a young streetwise, prancing the room, they consider leaving. Their fears increase when Don Flexy and Kera unconsciously hum ‘there will be a river of blood flowing down your street tonight.’

While trying to leave, find out they have been trapped in a glassy cubicle. Aduke, prone to histrionics than the other three, goes on and on to tell how she has booked for a flight and hopes to catch up with the time. She openly confronts Don Flexy of being in the know of the puzzling situation while not reserving words for the other three, who appear innocent.

While Aduke ruminates on where she has met the other victims in the room, especially Flexy, A scene from the play the scene takes the audience back, in a flashback, to the beginning where Keshi, Aduke’s not meant for his Nigerian audience. husband tries to leave his house for the club Aside from that, the plotting was good with around midnight. Aduke moves to stop him cast projecting their characters properly in and a quarrel begins. movement and voice, but the audio wasn’t too In the midst of the brawl, a security man, who good, as the audience, especially those at the turns out to be a hardened criminal on the run back rows had to strain their ears to hear; from the police, comes to inform Keshi that a understandably it was because the play was lady, Kera, wants to see him. Keshi tries to staged in an open space, but with the use of deceive his wife, but she is too smart for his lies. public address system this shortcoming would Kera walks in and instead of going into the not have emerged. arms of Keshi, her lover, goes to Don Flexy. It However, with all the intrigues to getting conturns out that Keshi had planned to kill Aduke and discover they are to kill each other while out at the end, for it would have been much trol of the wealth, the waiting room consumed with the help of Kera over a N50 million life the survivor take the spoils. clearer and easier to comprehend with the the foursome, as they ended up killing theminsurance plan.

Will anybody leave the waiting room, a place less multifaceted links he constructed in selves and making the N50 million life insurThere is a twist of fate, when Kera turns out to where survival depends on natural cunning telling the story. be Aduke’s sister. The two plans to get rid of and innate intelligence alive?

Also, the four characters carrying guns in the ance plan to be paid into the state treasury.

By this, Oguntokun is telling the audience to Keshi and Don Flexy. The game soon change Though an interesting play, the playwright play, project a strange scene to the Nigerian be vigilant and mindful of their actions, so that, and Aduke also turns out to be Don Flexy’s does not exactly prove the relationship that audience and by extension African, where they are not trapped in the webs or contrition secret lover. exist among them prior to their meeting in the gunfights, as a means of settling family disof the waiting room.

The flashback dies off and the action shifts room. The link he attempts to establish is tenu- putes, is not the order of the day, except if the back to the waiting room where the four — Don ous and complex; though the message comes director is telling the audience that the play is Flexy, Keshi, Aduke and Kera — read their letters HE public presentation of three Similar to previous editions, workbooks published by the Nigerian shop sessions on Production and Film Corporation (NFC), namely: Distribution will run throughout the Reelviews, Behind the Scene, and 8 Years festival from Thursday to Sunday when of Reel Transformation will herald this African socio-cultural life — for University. There will also be presenta- the curtains will fall on the fiesta. There year’s i-Represent International instance creating in the African a contion of awards to deserving individuals is also the screening of award winning Documentary Film Festival (aka iREP flict of identity? who have served the local industry dili- documentaries in the day-time and at Docu Film Feast) on Thursday, March 21 “The discourse of the African identity night at the festival venues. Details of gently. at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos. requires more than mere rhetoric of Other highlights include a cocktail other special events are available at Time is 9am. The film feast runs till race and space. It is a world that is alive event designed to provide a platform www.irepfilmfestival.com.

Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the same in every African. At the most, it’s misAs a yearly outing, I-Represent for networking and camaraderie venue. The books document the story understood and abandoned, yet it is between the Nigerian filmmakers and International Documentary Film of, and developments in the Nigeria undeniably present. It defies the comtheir counterparts from abroad, who Festival is dedicated to promoting film Industry. mon, and reaches into the heart of the will be participating in the festival. It awareness about the power of docuThe generic theme for the iREP 2013 — essential nature of the black man in will hold at 5pm at the Terrace of mentary films to serve as a means of as is the tradition for every edition — is every detail of its being. It is in the deepening and sharing social and culKongi’s Harvest Art Gallery.

Africa In Self-Conversation but the understanding of this core force in There is also Filmmakers Networking, tural education as well as encouraging theme for the 2013 edition is every African that will ensure the an interactive session designed as an participatory democracy in our sociReconnections as it interrogates a quo- future of Africa is nourished. informal business session at which the eties. tation attributed to the legendary “The scope of the festival would cover various professional and technical The maiden edition held in January African leader and elder statesman, the such areas as the need for rediscovery issues affecting the film industry 2011, in Lagos, brought together a pool late President Kwame Nkrumah of – spiritually, morally, socially, politicalof veteran filmmakers, film scholars, would be reflected upon.

Ghana, “I am not African because I was ly and economically – a reconnection Essentially, issues of funding, especial- critics, arts enthusiasts, and students born in Africa, but because Africa was with our true identity and values, and ly co-production and funding opportu- from different parts of the world. born in me.” the potential of this resulting aware- Odugbemi iREP’s Executive Director, Femi nities that abound for the Nigerian The organisers, in their explanatory ness to be used as a tool for reshaping film industry, would feature promi- Odugbemi has assured, “We believe note on the theme, noted: “In its years the African nation.” and affirmations, among others. nently. Invited for this purpose are strongly that the 2013 Festival would of existence, Africa has worn many Indeed, over 30 popular and award The books’ presentation will specifical- experts who function in the film fund- provide completely invaluable opporfaces and has assumed many identities winning documentaries sourced from ly dovetail into the festival’s opening ing and distribution circuits in Europe tunities for all participants to discuss most of them imposed by outsiders notable and new filmmakers around ceremony at 10am on Thursday, March and the U.S. as guests of the festival. cogent issues that are germane to the looking in. What then is the true defini- Africa and its Diaspora, Europe and the 21 at Kongi Harvest Art Gallery, This session is partly facilitated by the future of filmmaking in Africa, and tion of an African? What parameters U.S., will be screened during the festi- Freedom Park, Lagos.

Goethe Institut through its invitation indeed, the World. can be used to define the African? Is it val.

Aside attendance by dignitaries in the of the Berlin-based Association of “Activities at the festival have been our values, cultures or our religion?

Essentially, all the films treat themes Nigerian film circuit, there will be a German Film Producers, AG DOK and carefully designed to cover a wide spec“How do Africans at home and in the that concern developments and reali- reflection on the state of African films those of the DOK FEST in Munich. trum of knowledge areas and interests, Diaspora see or think about them- ties around Africa and its peoples. in the global cinema circuit as would Guests from France and the U.S. will and would include paper presentaselves and their identity? What impact Specifically, the films deal with issues be encapsulated in the keynote address also partake in the discussion. It will tions, training and workshops, interacdoes western education, religious and of spirituality, religion, politics, cul- by Prof. Awam Amkpa, a filmmaker and hold on Saturday, March 23, starting tive panel discussions, film screenings, economic value systems have on ture, conflict, gender discrimination teacher of Africana Studies at New York from 11am. and networking”.

The Waiting Room …

How not to betray trust

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iREP Docu Film Feast opens tomorrow

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

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Sports Former NRA secretary wants NPFL to improve on referees remuneration

Ahead Brazil 2013 World Cup

Calabar bubbles, as Eagles record full house From Anietie Ben Akpan HE city of Calabar has T assumed a new aura following the presence of the Super Eagles, who are preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Kenya at the U.J Esuene Stadium, on Saturday.

Sports lovers from neighbouring towns have started trooping into Calabar to catch a glimpse of the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup heroes, who are currently training at the University of Calabar Sports Centre.

All the players listed for the game against Kenya have arrived in the city, with every one of them, except Obafemi Martins and Victor Moses, who arrived in the city late, at yesterday’s evening training session supervised by Head Coach, Stephen Keshi.

As expected, all 14 foreignbased players made it to the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel Camp of the Super Eagles on Tuesday afternoon, despite local aviation workers’ dispute.

In fact, Chelsea star, Victor Moses had to take a detour through the Uyo Airport to be on time for yesterday’s evening training, even when he didn’t make it, the coaches

liked the commitment of the players ahead of the assignment at hand, annihilation of Harambee Stars.

Despite early downpour in the Canaan City, which was spiced by drizzles throughout the day, the Nigerian side was compact and ready enough to give it all during the training session supervised by Keshi.

Speaking after the evening training session, Nnamdi Oduamadi, who was not part of the Nations Cup squad, said he would rain goals on Kenya if fielded in the game.

“I have had opportunities but not in qualifiers for the senior national team and I will show my stuff if I am featured against Kenya,” Oduamadi, now looking simple without his trademark dreadlocks said.

John Ogu of Portuguese side, Acadamica, said he was ready to come learn a few tricks from the Nigerian national team set up.

Looking bulky and intimidating on the pitch of play, Ogu was simply a sight to behold in the middle of the pack as players hustled for shirts ahead of the crucial qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

Jossy Lad on life support machine, ex-sports director, Idris, dies in Kaduna

By Gowon Akpodonor HE case of ailing former Super Falcons Coach, Joseph Oladipo, became worrisome yesterday, when he began to gasp for breath and was rushed from his private hospital to the emergency ward of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

While family members and friends are praying for the survival of Jossy Lad in Ibadan, the cold hand of death has whisked away another veteran sports administrator, former Director of Sports in the defunct North Central State, Alhaji Umar Idris.

Idris, popularly known as Dan- Galadima Zazzau was until his death, the District Head of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He died at the weekend at the age of 78 after a protracted illness.

The late Idris was an assistant to the late Chief S.B. Williams, who was then the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the aborted Nigeria ‘95 FIFA Youth Championship. He also served as an executive member of the Rtd. Col. Mamman Kontangora-led Presidential Monitoring Committee that put in place all the structures and facilities used for the Nigeria ’99 FIFA World Youth Championship. Boxing promoter, Martin Osaile, said yesterday that the nation had lost yet another great sports personality.

Jossy Lad’s first son, Wale Ladipo, who accompanied him

T

MMEDIATE past Secretary of IAssociation the Nigeria Referees (NRF), Sunday

to the hospital claimed yesterday that the former Shooting Stars player and coach was neglected since 11.00pm on Monday to 2:30am on Tuesday by staff of the hospital, saying that there was no trolley to wheel him inside for treatment.

“We almost lost my dad here last night when rushed him here and UCH people said there was no trolley and they left him outside here gasping for more than three hours,” Wole explained.

Meanwhile, Jossy Lad, the immediate past chairman of 3SC board, was still on life support machine as at yesterday evening with his friends and club mates praying for his survival.

Super Eagles star, Victor Moses (left), contests with Liberian skipper, Gebro Duncan, during a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar. Moses is among the players in the Canaan City for the World Cup qualifier against Kenya…on Saturday.

West Brom fines Odemwingie again for another twitter outburst NGLISH Premiership side, E West Bromwich Albion, has again fined Nigerian striker, Osaze Odemwingie, £76, 000, for his latest Twitter outbursts.

Odemwingie on Twitter on Sunday lashed out on the club for benching him following the transfer saga that ensued after he tried to force a move out of the club.

The 31-year old forward was fined £75,000 in February for travelling to Queens Park Rangers on transfer deadline day, trying to engineer a move, and on Monday the

club admitted that Odemwingie would be dealt with internally.

“The club are aware of what Peter has said and we will deal with it internally,” a West Brom’s spokesman said.

The latest fine will be the second the player would be getting from the club in a space of two months.

Odemwingie has since deleted some of the tweets from his Twitter account. In some of the tweets on Sunday, the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker said, “if they like they should-

n’t even give me 10 minutes to play. Threatening to ruin my career? Career I closed already last summer? No harm to me.

“Want to treat me like an average player. The abuse and praise I get is it average? So get some extra from me too.

“Keeping me on the bench now is worse than what they did on the 31st. New advisers told me to say its all my fault because it’s better for me.

“Want to treat me like an average player. The abuse and praise I get is it average? So get some extra from me too.”

Algeria 2013 African Youth Championship

Flying Eagles go for broke against Gabon HE Flying Eagles, who lost T their first game against Mali in the on-going Algeria 2013 African Youth Championship, will meet Gabon today in a game they must win if they want to qualify for the second round of the competition.

The match comes up by 8.00 p.m. at the Stade Ahmed Zaban Stadium, Oran, Algeria.

Gabon skipper, Franck Engongah will miss today’s Group B match following his red card in their opening game against DR Congo.

The Boca Juniors of Argentina defensive midfielder, who featured for his coun-

try at the 2012 London Olympics, was sent off after a second booking in Sunday’s 00 draw with DRC. Ahead of the match, forwards Olanrewaju Kayode and Edafe Egbedi have fired up their Flying Eagles teammates to rise to the occasion in Algeria.

Nigeria is bottom of the standings without a point, while Mali is top of the group on three points. Gabon and DR Congo are on a point each.

But both Kayode and Egbedi, who featured at the last championship in South Africa, have told their colleagues they

should now stand up and be counted.

“It was very difficult against Mali but we will bounce back on Wednesday against Gabon,” said Kayode, who did not train with the rest of the squad on Monday night as he was nursing a slight knock from the Mali game.

“We have a good team and we know we did not deliver on Sunday and will now do the business against Gabon on Wednesday.”

Denmark-based Egbedi, who is expected to start against Gabon after he came on for the ineffective Umar Aminu on

Sunday, said the Flying Eagles would be at their best against debutants Gabon.

“We respect Gabon but they are not in the same class with us and we will prove that on Wednesday,” said the petit winger. We did everything right but score against Mali.

And now we will get the goals.”

Star defender, Ikechukwu Okorie, Moses Orkuma and Kayode did not train with the rest of the squad on Monday night, but the medical staff said all three players will get over the knocks from the Mali match in time for today.

Audu has urged the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to improve on referees’ remuneration for better performance.

Audu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that such a step would reduce the incidence of match fixing allegations being made against referees in the league.

He urged the regulatory body to do everything necessary to reduce the incidence of match fixing allegations by attending to the issue of remuneration for referees.

“If they pay the referees well, their eyes will not look at the bribe they are being offered.

Their remuneration is still very poor, imagine a referee being paid N15, 000 to officiate a match in Lagos and he is based in Abia! It’s unheard of,’’ the former secretary said.

He stressed the need for the league’s Interim Board to overhaul certain aspects of its operations for better performance.

“The norm is that if clubs perform well, good officiating should complement their efforts, but if the club performed well and officiating was poor, it will not speak well of the league.

“The two have to work together. If one is lacking, the other one won’t achieve its aim. Security also cannot be over emphasised for a credible league,’’ Audu said.

Audu, however, commended the effort of the NPFL in the provision of adequate security for referees at match venues.

“As it is now, the security of referees is commendable, but it can be improved upon,’’ the former NRF secretary said.

LCI holds charity golf tourney for LUTH project HE Lions Club International T (LCI) has announced plans to stage a Charity Golf tournament in aid of the ‘Mercy Home’ building project at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Lagos.

The tournament, which holds at the Ikoyi Club 1938 Golf Course on Saturday, will be used to raise N40 million to actualise the project.

Lion Tunji Oni, chairman of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) says the Mercy Home project is in furtherance of the ethos of Lions club’s global objective of bringing relief to underprivileged persons in society.

“The Mercy Home building project is a 20-room building (to be known as Mercy Home) conceived to alleviate the physical and psychological trauma of parents with children that have cancer and other terminal diseases,” Lion Oni said.

He added, “a visit to LUTH will melt the heart of the strongest of men, where parents are struggling for the survival of their children and at the same time sleeping in corridors with nowhere for personal hygiene.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

60 | SPORTS

Nigeria Professional Football League

Pillars battles Wikki Tourists, Nembe targets Rangers’ scalp OW strong are the pillars H on which Kano Pillars are standing? Very strong, according to club coach, Baba Ganaru, who has vowed the club, will retain the league trop h y .

“I am a professional coach and I should be forward and positive in everything I do.

That is why I am optimistic that we can go ahead to become champions again.

The victory over Wikki Tourists is just the beginning of better things to come for us this season,’’ Ganaru said.

Though, it is still early days, but the defending champion’s ability to retain the crown will be tested today when they host Bayelsa United at the Sanni Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Pillars look formidable with the return of Super Eagles trio of defender, Papa Idris, forwards, Manir Ubale and Gambo Mohammed, but the boys from Bayelsa have the capacity to demolish them the way they dimmed Lobi Stars of Makurdi in week one.

History is also on the side of the Bayelsa Boys, as they have not lost any game in their two previous visits to Pillars, running out with scoreless draws in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 s e a s o n s .

In Ilorin, the Afonja Warriors host the Sunshine Stars of Akure, who will be gunning for a first win against Kwara United at Ilorin Township Stadium in three seasons.

Controversy overshadowed their first clash in Ilorin last season, which Kwara United won the replay 1-0 and traveled to Ijebu Ode to secure a one all draw. During the 2010/2011 season’s visit, Sunshine lost 2-0 in Ilorin.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), which made it a winning start last week, will be without Gabriel Adikwu when they play Dolphins today.

Adikwu is out for-three weeks following injuries he got from a collision with a Gombe United player during the Oluyole Warriors 2-0 triumph over the Savannah Scorpions on the opening day of the season.

3SC drew goalless with Dolphins in their reverse fixture visit to Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt, despite being one-man down following Adikwu’s expulsion.

The Ibadan side won the first leg tie 1-0 at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, I b a d a n .

Two wounded clubs, Warri Wolves and Heartland will fight for all the three points today in Warri. They both lost their opening games to Sharks of Port Harcourt and Nembe City respectively.

NPFL Week Two Fixtures Today Pillars V Bayelsa Kwara V Sunshine El-Kanemi V Wikki Tomorrow Lobi V Akwa Dolphins V 3SC Gombe V ABS Kaduna V Sharks Wolves V Heartland

Wolves’ goalkeeper, John Dosu will be available for selection when Heartland visits. Dosu got a head injury in the 1-2 defeat by Sharks in Port Harcourt, but he has now resumed full training ahead the visit of the back-to-back Federation Cup kings.

Also available for selection

by Coach Solomon Ogbeide is defender, John Agbawu, who has recovered and resumed full training after an ankle injury.

Heartland has not lost any game to Wolves in Warri in their last two visits. In 2010/2011 season, the Naze Millionaires ran home with a 2-2 draw.

Last season, both sides settled for a scoreless draw, a result that will set the tone for a make or mar confrontation in this one.

Gentleman Alphonsus Dike’s factor could be the deciding factor as he leads Nasarawa United to this epic fixture at Enyimba Stadium Aba. Dike, a former Enyimba coach, who took them through the 2006 CAF Champions League campaign, is making his third visit to Aba since quitting the club with his two previous trips while in Rangers ending in d e f e a t s .

His knowledge of the People’s Elephant could unsettle the hosts who will be gunning for their first win of the season. The Mbaise, Imo State born tactician will want to match Daniel Amokachi’s feat as a former Enyimba gaffer, who took Nasarawa United to continental footb a l l .

Gombe United Coach, Maurice Cooreman is likely to overhaul Gombe United squad that crashed 2-0 to Shooting Stars in the league opener when they file out against host Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) of Ilorin today.

Team Manager of the Savannah Scorpions, Alhaji Kwairanga confirmed that some key players who did not make the trip to Ibadan would now get into the squad for the ABS game.

“We did not start well in the season by losing our first game so this home match against ABS is a must win tie for us. We are going to carry out minor overhaul in the team which lost 2-0 at 3SC by introducing the likes of striker Sani Gidado and Abubakar Nazim, who did not play in Ibadan for obvious reasons,”

Kwairanga said.

Meanwhile, Sharks Coach, Augustine Eguavoen will be on the Garden City Blue Angels dug out when they confront Kaduna United in Kaduna, officials have conf i r m e d .

The former Super Eagles captain and later coach has been in contract dispute with his employers over non signing of contract papers but Sharks have revealed that the former Enyimba coach will return to his duty post in the game against Kaduna United.

“He will be on Sharks dug out against Kaduna United. He will get his papers before the trip. Right now the document is undergoing final perusing at the (Rivers State) Justice Ministry because the Commissioner for Sports wants every detail properly documented so that it will a lasting working document even when he leaves office,” Sharks spokesman, Peter Obaje said.

“It’s going to be a two-year contract. And part of it is that while in Sharks employ, Eguavoen should not take up any National Team job because that is what affected the team during John Obuh’s reign and which accounted for Sharks refusal to renew his contract,” Obaje added.

Giant killers, Nembe City will attempt to capitalise on the ‘internal crisis’ in Enugu Rangers’ camp to record their second win in the elite division.

Enyimba players celebrating one of their wins in the 2011/2012 season.

Foreign experts storm Warri for Africa Athletics championship

By Gowon Akpodonor WO foreign athletics experts are expected to arrive Warri, Delta State today from Belgium, as preparation for the maiden Africa Youth Athletics Championship reach advance stage.

The two experts, according to the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba will man the latest timing device and other equipment the AFN has just acquired for the competition.

They will also help in training Nigerian officials on how to operate the equipment.

Ogba hinted yesterday that the latest timing device was acquired specifically for the Africa Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC 2013, holding in Warri from March

T

AFN acquires latest timing device 27 to March 31.

He was delighted about the high standards expected in the organisation of the maiden event of the youth’s competition in Africa. ‘’We have just bought a Timetronics device for the Warri event. It is the first time that we will be using EDM (Estimated Distance Measurement) device in Nigeria. I am happy that we are moving forward and AYAC 2013 will be of high standards,’’ Ogba said.

It means that officiating officials will no longer use tapes to measure distances in events like Long Jump, Javelin etc.

Ogba also said that a high

standard warm-up track at the stadium is now ready for the competition.

“Aside the National Stadium in Abuja, the Warri Stadium is the only other stadium with a warm up track in Nigeria. The warm up track is even faster than the one in the stadium. It is of high standard.’’

Another official of AFN, Yusuf Ali, holder of Nigeria’s Long Jump record, applauded the decision to purchase the device saying, “Timetronics is the latest of them all. It is good that we have it now in Nigeria.’’

Meanwhile, officials have

began training for AYAC 2013, as more than 120 technical officials, who will officiate during the Championships beginning a two day training and refresher course today in the oil city.

The Technical Director of AFN, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama said yesterday that the exercise was meant to prepare the officials well ahead the championships.

Two IAAF lecturers, Prof.

Lucas Ogunjimi and Alex Onyewenwa, and two CAA delegates, Vivian Gungaram and Aziz Dauda from Mauritius and Morocco respectively, will handle the course. Nesiama is the facilitator.

Lagos hails resurgence of Principal’s Cup by GTB HE efforts to bring back the T glamour associated with the prestigious Lagos

Principal’s Cup have received accolades from the Lagos State Government.

Speaking at the draw for the season four of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)-sponsored football competition for secondary schools, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi said the longevity of the tournament continues to impress and set the standard for schools sports development in the state.

For him, “this administration is passionate about the development of sports at the grassroots level, and we view schools as the ideal platform Athletes competing in the 100m in a recent AFN organized competition. Some foreign experts are expected in Warri to access the young talents today to train officials ahead the Africa Youth Athletics Championship and develop them in a con-

trolled and disciplined environment.

The Principal’s Cup, therefore, is a competition of huge significance and it is therefore an absolute delight for us to see the recent resurgence and revitalisation of this prestigious and historic tournament.

He added, “this resurgence owes a lot to our title sponsors, who have demonstrated a tremendous appetite and desire to drive this property forward. GT Bank has not only sponsored the Principal’s Cup over the past few years, they have sought to add value and enhance the competition in a variety of ways.

“They have introduced a range of brilliant innovations and have no doubt breathed a new lease of life into the competition.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

61

CricketWeekly ICC WCL Division Seven Play-Off

Excited Sharma dreams Nigeria’s passage to Division Six

By Christian Okpara ICKY Sharma is a happy man right now. The Lagos Asians Cricket Club strongman is about to realise his ambition of playing for the Nigerian national team and he cannot hide his excitement about that.

Sharma was among the 14 players selected to represent Nigeria at the World Cricket League (WCL) Division Seven Play-off scheduled for Botswana from April 6 to 13.

Sharma, who is currently training with the national team at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, is among the growing band of players of Asian descent that have chosen to represent Nigeria in international cricket.

He says his involvement is not just to earn international cap, but also to help the country qualify for the Division Six of the 50-overs, one-day international competition.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday before the national team took on an NCF selected side in a friendly game at the Tafawa Balewa Square oval, Sharma promised to show that his invitation to the team is something that he has earned after so much hard work.

“I have been looking forward to the day I will wear Nigeria’s colours and this call to the national team is a realization of my dream. But it will not end there because I intend to work hard and fight to ensure that we picked the ticket to Division

R

Rangana Herath struck in his first over on his 35th birthday in the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh second Test…yesterday.

Sri Lanka Versus Bangladesh, Second Test, Colombo

Birthday boy Herath stars in Sri Lankan win Muttiah Muralitharan’s ShadINCE retirement in 2010, Sri Lanka won only four tests.

Rangana Herath’s figures in those are: Nine for 128, 12 for 171, 5 for 121 and 11 for 108. It completed its fifth victory yesterday at the R Premadasa Stadium, and Herath was instrumental yet again - marking his 35th birthday with figures of 12 for 157 to strangle Bangladesh and set up a 1-0 series win.

There was the added joy of completing 200 Test scalps for Herath.

In the last two years alone, he has taken more Test wickets than any Sri Lankan has in their career, barring Murali and Chaminda Vaas.

His heroics have smoothed Sri Lanka’s transitional phase.

Regulars like Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardene have been discarded, and the Sri Lankan captaincy spot has been a bit of a merry-go-round in the past few years.

Anything less than a victory in this series would have heaped the pressure on the new leader, Angelo Mathews, who hasn’t had the best of times in the two tests.

The experienced Herath began the trek towards victory with his bagful of wickets, after which two other senior statesmen, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, quickened the march with brisk half-centuries that left Sri Lanka on the brink of another series win over Bangladesh.

Herath had undone 80 overs of good work from Bangladesh yesterday with a double-strike late in the final session.

In his first three overs yesterday, Bangladesh’s chances nearly evaporated. The sixth ball of the day spun and Mominul Haque’s attempt at working it to the leg side resulted in a catch at short leg, and soon after he removed the usually reliable Nasir Hossain, who

looked to launch the ball towards long-on only for it to turn past his bat and hit the middle of middle stump.

With the lead only 65, it left Mushfiqur Rahim as the only recognised batsmen. To the credit of the Bangladesh lower order, they didn’t collapse completely against the rampant Herath. Even between those two early Herath strikes, Mushfiqur charged out and slammed a straight six, and the big strokes regularly flowed as the Bangladesh tail searched for quick runs.

Sohag Gazi typified that approach. In the first over of the second new ball, he was put down in the cordon by Dimuth Karunaratne, which only prompted a series of boundaries - three off his next four deliveries before he was caught at long-on looking to clear the rope.

Sri Lanka’s catching has been below-par in this match, but Angelo Mathews snapped up his second sharp take at slip to dismiss Mushfiqur for 40, with the lead at 122. There was no quick finish as Abul Hasan, who hit the headlines with a whirlwind debut century last November, again showed off his hitting ability, striking a couple of big sixes to push the lead past 150.

With the tailenders hitting out against the spinners, Sri Lanka turned to the pace of Shaminda Eranga. It took him only five deliveries to finish off the innings, following up a bouncer with a yorker that cannoned towards the base of offstump, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 160.

Sri Lanka began the chase brightly, but Dimuth Karunaratne failed again, which means he has only one half-century in his previous 10 Test innings. Karunaratne shouldered arms to an incoming delivery to be lbw for 16. Any nerves for the home side though were eased by a stream of boundaries from Dilshan, while Sangakkara continued to

show the form that has fetched him three centuries in three innings in this series. The pair put on a 94-run stand to erase any doubts over a Sri Lankan victory.

• Culled from espncricinfo.com

Six. “Fortunately, we have a very talented squad; these are players out to do the country proud and I am lucky to be playing with them.”

On Nigeria’s chances in the competition that will also feature hosts, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Ghana and Vanuatu, Sharma said he was sure the country would triumph despite the obstacles posed by these countries.

“Don’t forget that the country was in this competition in the same country two years ago and we did very well to move to Division Six. We will do that again this time.

“I know that some people are

skeptical because of the poor performance at the African T20 in Uganda, but no tow competitions are the same. Coach Uthe Ogbimi has been working hard to correct all the errors we made in Kampala, so Nigerians should be rest assured that we shall succeed,” he said.

Nigeria is fighting to place either first or second at the WCL Division Seven play-off to gain promotion to Division Six. Failure to pick any of the tickets means the country will leave the world stage, as the Division Seven would be scrapped after this season.

The national team began its second week of camping for the championship yesterday.

Bangladeshi umpire Nadir Shah, gets 10-year ban for corruption MPIRE Nadir Shah has U been banned for 10 years by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on charges of corruption.

The 49-year-old, who stood in 40 one-day internationals, was one of six Asian officials mentioned in an expose on Indian television last year.

“The decision is totally wrong as there was no proof of my guilt,” said Shah, who is taking legal advice and plans to appeal to the BCB against the decision.

Another Bangladesh umpire, Sharfuddoula Saikat was

cleared of any misconduct.

The Indian TV programme broadcast in October alleged that six umpires were willing to give decisions favouring players for money in Twenty20 warm-up games ahead of the 2012 World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka.

Shah, who has also officiated in three Twenty20 internationals, was the only umpire shown in the sting operation to have met the undercover reporters in person, the others operated through internetbased video chats.

62 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

European round-off

I’m quitting this season, Owen reveals ORMER England striker, Fannounced Michael Owen has he will retire from football at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old made his name with Liverpool and went on to play for Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United before signing for Stoke at the start of this season.

But Owen, who has been dogged by injury in the latter stages of his career, has found opportunities very difficult to come by at the Britannia Stadium and has made the decision to hang up his boots.

The striker wrote on his personal website, “it is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from professional football at the end of this season.”

The striker will probably be best remembered for his exploits with England, for whom he burst onto the international scene as an 18year-old and scored his most famous goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. He ended up with 40 goals from 89 caps, behind only Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves on the all-time list.

In the statement on his website, Owen continued, “having progressed through the ranks at Liverpool to make my first-team debut at 17, before embarking upon spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, not to mention representing my country on 89 occasions, I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.

“I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that, like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of.

“None of this would have

been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, backroom staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors.“I would like to thank each and every one for the huge role they have played in helping me reach the top of my profession.”

Owen went on to thank his

family, ending with a message to his father Terry, a former professional footballer with Everton and Chester.

He said, “we did it my old mate! From those freezing local parks to terrorising the best defenders in the world on the biggest stages of all. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Owen

Sneijder is undisputed Netherlands captain, says Kuyt IRK Kuyt has insisted there is no doubt about shame that his time at Inter D Wesley Sneijder remains Sneijder’s position as first- came to such an end, but he Netherlands’ undisputed skipper following the attacking midfielder’s return to the Oranje squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Romania.

Sneijder has not featured for Holland since the 4-1 win over Hungary on September 11 last year, with Kuyt and Kevin Strootman wearing the captain’s armband during his absence.

Nevertheless, the Fenerbahce attacker has made it clear

choice skipper.

“Sneijder is our undisputed captain. I’m deputy skipper and Kevin Strootman is the third man in line,” Kuyt told Goal.com. “Wesley has not been part of the team for a while, but he’s back again now. Everybody can expect Wes to be wearing the armband in the months to come.

The captain always plays, unless he’s injured.

“He’s a great player and personifies Dutch football. It’s a

continues to be a fantastic player. We don’t even have to discuss his football qualities.

He’s very valuable for the team both on and off the pitch. He’s a real leader with a lot of experience, and has played at several major tournaments. He leads younger players the way and is very committed.”

Sneijder has made 90 international appearances so far for Oranje, scoring 24 goals in the process.

International break is good for me, Vidic admits ANCHESTER United M defender, Nemanja Vidic believes the international break comes at a good time for him, and says he will be working hard to improve while others are representing their countries.

The defender retired from international football after Serbia failed to qualify for Euro 2012 and as a result will train with a small number of non-internationals at Carrington over the next two

weeks.

But the 31-year-old is looking forward to the quiet period because he can work on his game on the training ground without having to worry about preparing his body for matches.

“The international break is good for me,” he told MUTV. “During the 10 days, I can work on my individual stuff like fitness and other technical things.

“It is also always good to

have a few days for yourself.

When you have lots of games, like we have recently, you just manage yourself until the next one and you don’t work on yourself that much.

Sometimes it is nice to have these days to work on yourself.”

Vidic struggled with injury in the early part of the season but has since made a successful return to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, making 18 appearances in all competi-

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, March 20, 2013

63

TheGuardian

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Ikechukwu Okoli ROM time immemorial man has Fknowledge, given himself to be shaped by his experience and the bearing of his environment. At the initial stage, learning and the process of learning was, to a large extent, neither classified nor restricted by law or constrained by systems. People learnt within their families, among peers, in the course of events, occasions and activities e.t.c. However, in the course of time, man began to consider organising the very large body of knowledge generated by him into several fields of inquiry. Several disciplines began to emerge, mainly from the traditional philosophy.

Disciplines like economics, political science and many others were all carved out. The more these bodies of knowledge were classified and organised the more the restriction in access and the more the traditional means of learning lost in significance in determining who learns and the quality of learning.

Furthermore, the process and quality of learning came to be determined by systems created by the dictates of the few privileged in the ruling class of the society. Apart from just organising knowledge, determining what will be thought, who will teach or learn, under what conditions this process will take place and many other components of an education or learning system; a very critical part of the learning system stands out - the measurement of the quality of learning. A key function of any system of educational measurement is to reflect the quality of learning and the efficiency of the process of learning.

The definition of the quality of learning is problematic and its measurement difficult. In the literatures two approaches have become common.

The first is to use scores on standardised national or international tests or examinations when they are available as a measure of education quality. The second approach is to proxy schooling quality by the level of school resources especially in terms of teaching and learning facilities.

Though the relationship between the second measure and the quality of learning is still seriously debated, other studies, however, found a strong relationship between school resources and the achievements of students in tests and examinations.

Nonetheless, quality essentially indicates or suggests conformity with expectations on a consistent basis.

Therefore, learning succeeds when it meets expectations – when it is antitraditional to the extent that it liberates, stimulates and informs the individual and teaches him how and why to make demands upon him or herself. Additionally, learning succeeds when it is effectively able to create a

Obviously, results from standardised tests and examinations over the years from many of our education institutions have failed to reflect the decay in our learning system. Universities have continued to produce 1st class, 2nd class Uppers and 2nd class Lowers every year without querying the quality of value added to the individual students’ knowledge base

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Rethinking education measurement in Nigeria

Prof. Ruqayyaah Ahmed Rufai, Minister of Education

stimulus for practical solutions. On the other hand, any mechanism for measuring learning is successful to the extent that it is able to effectively reflect the individual’s state at meeting these expectations of any learning process.

Nigeria has over the years relied enormously on the outputs of our mechanisms for education measurement despite the very visible failure of this mechanism in reflecting the

value-added to the student or pupil who passes through the school system. A major pitfall of such mechanism is that students’ performance may simply reflect the student’s innate ability or prior preparation, rather than the students’ contribution or value-added.

Obviously, results from standardised tests and examinations over the years from many of our education institutions have failed to reflect the

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Government’s attempts to respond to the declining quality of learning have always been based on the records of the systems of measurement of learning outcomes.

Invariably, government is always bordered about instances of mass failures in standardised examinations rather than the relevance and quality of curriculum, teachers and value-added to students.

Education policies over the decades have always sought ways of increasing the numerical output of students from schools rather than how effectively the products of the schooling system fit into the larger society. decay in our learning system.

Universities have continued to produce 1st class, 2nd class Uppers and 2nd class Lowers every year without querying the quality of value added to the individual students’ knowledge base.

Government policy in education has always paid great attention to the expansion of access to education through increased classroom spaces, increased number of teachers and large enrollment among other strategies. Government’s attempts to respond to the declining quality of learning have always been based on the records of the systems of measurement of learning outcomes.

Invariably, government is always bordered about instances of mass failures in standardised examinations rather than the relevance and quality of curriculum, teachers and valueadded to students. Education policies over the decades have always sought ways of increasing the numerical output of students from schools rather than how effectively the products of the schooling system fit into the larger society. The huge emphasis on the “endorsement” by education measurement mechanisms has no doubt taken a heavy toll on the efficacy of the average “Nigerian Certificate”.

It is obvious that our traditional yardstick for measuring learning outcomes does not reflect the state of our education system. This is important considering the flaws inherent even in the most ideal measurement system, how much more that of our country that is flawed with severe imperfections and irregularities.

In conclusion, in rethinking learning in Nigeria we may not completely ignore education measurement. We must pay greater attention to the quality of learning outcomes by reconciling the quality of learning with expectations. In achieving this, the entire learning system from policy to the frontline service delivery facilities must be reformed. For instance, in the area of remuneration we must ask questions like “must every teacher with equal “paper qualification” be paid the same salary merely going by the face value of their certificate, rather than according to the quality of their services? Must students’ performance be measured wholly by their scores in standardised tests or examinations? Have we completely exhausted all available avenues for bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and technical possibilities in the real world? Answering these questions and many more may lead us towards achieving learning success in Nigeria.

• Ikechukwu Okoli is a Public Sector Economist and wrote from Enugu.