Monday 27 2014

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, January 27, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,814

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Boko Haram suspects arrested in Rivers -Page 6

Saraki denies eyeing Mark’s job - Page 8

APGA faults INEC 2015 poll timetable -Page 8

A cross section of old students of Igbobi College, Yaba, 1959-1963 set, at the anniversary thanksgiving service for the celebration of the 50th year of leaving school at the college in Lagos…at the weekend.

AU begins defining continental agenda for next 50 years - Page 15

Controversy rages over APC’s move to block Jonathan’s bills From Dele Fanimo (Lagos), Ralph Agbana (Lokoja), Leo Sobechi (Abakaliki), Willie Etim and Seye Olumide (Lagos) OTWITHSTANDING the N controversy the move of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to block the legislative proposals of President Goodluck Jonathan at the National Assembly has engendered, it offered a fresh defence of its position yesterday.

But the party’s reiteration of its stance came amid calls for caution on the parts of the ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition APC. Defending its position, the

• Opposition party condemns critics, says order yielding results APC described critics of its directive to its National Assembly members to block all Jonathan’s bills as those “who are either ignorant of the workings of democracy or those who have chosen to play to the gallery for pecuniary gains.

“Ether way, these critics have rushed to judgment without even taking time to study the directive, without understanding that governance is about people, and without

caring about the principles of fairness, justice and equity, and they should cover their faces in shame.”

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said: “We hereby reiterate the directive, which is a product of deep thinking and robust debate within our party’s NEC to save our democracy, and we commend our members in the National As-

sembly for their unequivocal support for our stand, and for understanding that filibustering or legislative non-cooperation are veritable tools of democracy.’’

APC said the directive was already yielding results, as members of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) were able to stage a peaceful rally on Saturday, for the first time in a long time, without being attacked by hired ex-militants, because the inspector-gener-

al of police directed the police to provide protection for the rally. ‘’This is exactly what we are saying, that Nigerians, irrespective of their party leaning, who wish to stage a peaceful protest anywhere in the country must be able to do so without the police looking away while hired goons attack them. It is all about justice, fairness and equity, without which democracy will not thrive. We will be watch-

Reps may expunge indigeneship from constitution - Page 6

ing to see if what happened on Saturday represents a paradigm shift in Rivers or it is just a flash in the pan,’’ the party said APC said there was nothing anti-democratic, anti-people or inciting about the directive, “which is aimed at ending the reign of impunity in Rivers State before it spreads to other parts of the country and truncates the nation’s democracy”, wondering why it was so difficult for the President to act, for almost a year, as a part of the country he was elected to govern “goes up in flames.”

The party said already, copyCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

2

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

3

4

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

Opposition party condemns critics, says order yielding results CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 cat attacks and intimidation of APC members had been launched by the government and the police in Gombe, because they had been watching the impunity being committed in Rivers.

“All over Gombe, our party flags, billboards and posters are being vandalised by hoodlums aided and abetted by the police. Our youth supporters are being arrested while our members are being threatened by the police and the state government officials. ‘’From Rivers, this reign of impunity has spread to Gombe.

Who knows where the train of impunity is heading to next.

Yet, some so-called fickle analysts, some chameleonic activists who willingly pit their tents with the highest bidder, some increasingly irrelevant organisations and some political parties who are content with the crumbs that fall off the table of the ruling party have the temerity to condemn a directive they do not understand. ‘’They say the non-approval of the 2014 budget will pauperise Nigerians, as if the yearly ritual of budget passing since 1999 has benefitted anyone but the fat cats. In any case, of what use is a budget when the lives of citizens are at stake? Are budgets not made for the people? Do they understand that even the budgets are based largely on earnings from oil, which we cannot even produce if the violence in Rivers escalates and spreads to other oil-producing states? ‘’They say our directive is anti-people without understanding that those who are being daily intimidated, beaten and shot in Rivers are also Nigerians. They say we are anti-democratic without understanding that democracy

cannot thrive in an atmosphere of impunity, the like of which we have in Rivers. ‘’Where were these same critics when the impudent police commissioner in Rivers, egged on by a conniving Presidency, thumbed his nose at the constitution by turning himself to the de facto governor of the state and refusing to subordinate himself to the elected governor who is the chief security officer of his state? Where were these critics when a serving senator was shot perhaps by the police? Where were these critics when women and children were tear-gassed and innocent civilians beaten black and blue? Did they raise any voice against the attack on journalists whose offence was that they went to cover a rally? ‘’The APC, as a party, cannot be intimidated by the antics of those who will have no qualms elevating self-interest above public interest, by those who believe their cheap criticism will help insert their snouts into the nectar of filthy lucre. ‘’Therefore, while we acknowledge the so-called critics’ right to express their opinions on our directive, we disagree with them, in the exercise of our own rights, and here reiterate the directive, which goes thus: ‘In view of the joint resolutions of the National Assembly on Rivers State, and other constitutional breaches by the Presidency, the APC hereby directs its members in the National Assembly to block all legislative proposals, including the 2014 budget and confirmation of all nominees to military and civilian positions to public office, until the rule of law and constitutionalism is restored in Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria in general’,’’ the party said.

Jonathan Worried about the continued political altercation between the Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Federal Government, which allegedly led to the directive by the APC, the Christian Elders’ Forum of Northern States (NOSCEF) has called for a quick resolution of the crisis in the state.

In a statement by its Chairman, Elder Olaiya Phillips, the forum said that it appreciated “ the sense of frustration which has led the APC down this path of confrontation but we are unable to agree with their reasoning or the result of their reasoning.

“The totalitarian and absolutist nature of the APC directive to its legislators to vote against the Federal Government on all its bills before the National Assembly, including the 2014 budget and, the specific directive to vote against the confirmation of the new service chiefs is a mistaken route to pursue their political objectives. It may prove also to be a dangerous one.”

Phillips said that such a move would not do any good, warning that any delay in the confirmation of the appointment of the service chiefs could frustrate the military’s fight against Boko Haram in the North.

“A military without leadership, which the APC action would deliver, is an Achilles heel in the fight against Boko Haram. The answer is a resolution of the crisis in Rivers State. As it is extremely unlikely that the Federal Government will yield to such tactics, why has the APC chosen to push itself into a confrontational corner? Whatever reasons that may have appeared cogent to them must now, in retrospect, appear ill-advised,” he said.

He, therefore, called on the lawmakers to approach “their sacred duties with a sense of responsibility towards the whole nation as much as towards their specific constituencies.”

Kogi State Governor Idris Wada yesterday decried the APC’s position. He called for caution among political leaders, saying that heeding such a directive was not only capable of derailing Nigeria’s fledgling democracy but would hinder national progress “all in the name of opposition.”

Kogi State Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi stated Wada’s position in Isanlu, Yagba East Council at the constituency briefing organised by a member of the state House of Assembly, Henry Ojuola, who is an APC member. The occasion attended by APC’s and PDP’s leaders in the state also witnessed the distribution of vehicles, sowing machines, refrigerators, farming and medical equipment donated by the legislator as part of his empowerment programme for his constituents.

Impressed by the presence of a mix of APC and PDP faithful, a gathering he described as “an exception” judging by the political climate in the country where political opposition is equated with enmity, Wada noted: “This commendable conduct (being witnessed here today) becomes better appreciated against the recent directive by the National Executive Committee of the APC that its members in the National Assembly should block all bills presented by the President. It is pertinent to note that the proposals that the opposition seeks to shut down include the request for the consideration of the 2014 budget, the screening of new service chiefs and the screening of new ministers. There is urgent need for circumspection in our politics. Opposition is not synonymous with warfare. How do we explain a situation where the President is on the world stage in Switzerland where he is aggressively marketing our country, while some people in the name of politics are advocating anarchy and painting a picture of disharmony and discord back home?”

Wada urged politicians in the country, especially those in the opposition to acknowledge that power belongs to God who gives it to whom He deems worthy. He admonished those in doubt of this to consider his emergence as governor of Kogi State in January 2012 as a proof that “the race does not belong to the swift nor the battle to the strong.”

With particular reference to the road from Kabba to Ilorin, a major road in Kogi and Kwara States, recently approved for rehabilitation by the Federal Executive Council, after years of agitation for Federal Government’s attention

to the long-abandoned road, Wada appealed to APC members and representatives in the National and Kogi State Assemblies to endeavour to always place development and the unity of the people of the state above all sentiments.

A member of House of Representatives panel on appropriation, Mr. Linus Okorie, described as empty boast the threat by the APC to block all Executive bills.

Okorie declared: “Not only do they not have the number to achieve the utopian expectation; it is also a dangerous effrontery on the collective wellbeing of Nigerians. The APC members of the House of Representatives have neither the number nor the capacity to either block the budget and other Executive bills simply because their party said so.”

Okorie, who represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said APC should be held responsible for any untoward event in the polity.

Okorie, who is also a certified national accountant, remarked that media report that the House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, also threatened that APC members in the House of Representatives were contemplating a total shutdown of government to press home the need to check the excesses of the executive arm, should be taken as a mere hype.

He said: “Except of course, in both instances, there’s a plot other than legislative procedure and majority that’s been hatched and now to be unleashed for the purpose, APC lacks the number and capacity to block the budget and other Executive bills simply because their party said so; neither also do they have the capacity to shut down the Nigerian government at will.

“In this regard, Nigerians must be on the alert to ensure that the NASS and indeed the seat of government are not violently shut down in the days to come; and should any untoward events begin to occur, the APC and its leaders must be held to account.”

He stated that “it’s indeed high time, the APC and all its apologists, offered Nigerians in a coherent and concrete terms, their alternative change agenda rather than continual scaremongering and PDP cum GEJ hate-pushing.

“If I concede that given the desperation of the power grabbers that now people the APC, they may be willing to inflict maximum pain on the ordinary Nigerians if that would provide powder in their dried propaganda guns against the PDP and the GEJ government.

I however hope that they know the limit of desperation and would be prepared to be bound by such sane limits.

“I believe all other members of the House of Representatives do not and would not support any infractions against the law or process whether in Rivers State or any other state. And this has been repeatedly demonstrated; but it is very curious that the APC was willing to condone and is still comfortable with the illegal dissolution of the Obio/Akpor local council in Rivers State by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, even after a clear decision of a court of compe-

tent jurisdiction. They equally see nothing to complain about in the ongoing travesty in the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for Rivers State where Amaechi, who seeks equity with dirt-bloated hands; has repeatedly and arrogantly ignored the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

Okorie wondered why even the political killings, maiming and intolerance in Ogun and Ekiti states were acceptable and deserving of no rebuke by “the APC and their legislative generals simply because they are APC-controlled states and the source of the crises and killings are allegedly pointing back to the progressive leaders or champions.”

On its part, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP, has urged Jonathan to resist the move of the APC, as it advised Jonathan to direct the law enforcement agents to investigate the party’s actions accordingly.

In a statement yesterday, the Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, described the recent actions of the APC as tantamount to waging rebellion against the Nigerian nation.

While charging the President to resist being blackmailed by the APC, Gani said: “It is high time President Jonathan put his foot down and resist the excesses of the APC.” He noted that it was not only wrong for the APC to have directed its members in the National Assembly that they should block all Executive’s bills, it was also an insult to Nigerians, and a dangerous threat to democracy.

The party stated further that its strong suspicion that the APC was sabotaging the nation’s development had now been confirmed going by the party’s recent open actions.

“Such sabotage can be traced to Boko Haram insurgency, oil and gas pipeline vandalism, recurrent strikes in some sectors of the economy and others,” he said.

The party urged Nigerians to rise up against the APC as “now we can confirm that the APC has redefined opposition politics to mean rebellion.

Theirs is a merger of unpatriotic and desperate politicians who would go to any extent to grasp power.

“The party is posing enough threat to the cooperate existence of the Nigerian nation.

Their deeds and actions have now betrayed their false claims of being progressives.

Nigerians must rise against them now and the security agencies should begin consequential reactions.”

A one-time President of the umbrella body of Ijaw Youths Worldwide, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr. Chris Ekiyor, has also faulted APC’s directive.

Ekiyor yesterday described the directive as retrogressive and failed to consider the welfare of the people of the country.

In a statement issued via email, Ekiyor said that though the APC had the rights to express reservations on certain political development and policies in the country, the directive to block the 2014 budget was anti-people and undemocratic.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

5

6 NEWS Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Reps may expunge indigeneship from constitution From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HERE are indications that, on resumption this week, the House of Representatives may push for deletion of ‘indigeneship’ clause from the 1999 Constitution as part of efforts to promote unity and foster peaceful co-existence in the country.

A bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to remove the words indigene and settler in the organic document will soon be introduced to the House by Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue).

Jime gave the hint at the weekend during a meeting between the Tiv, Fulani and other communities of Benue and Nasarawa states.

Apparently disturbed by the incessant clashes between nomadic herdsmen and local farmers in various parts of the country, the House of Representatives

T

had, on Wednesday last week, condemned the killings by nomadic herdsmen and local farmers and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently convene a meeting of stakeholders and leaders of concerned ethnic groups on how to put an end to the killings.

The chamber which adopted the prayers of a motion introduced by Sunday Karimi also urged government at all levels to implement the reports of all panels set up over time in the attempt to resolve the issue.

The House noted with sadness the continued attacks on communities across the country by herdsmen and the counter attacks that often result therefrom which have become almost a daily occurrence, pointing out that the attacks have assumed a dan-

gerous trend as they have become more rampant in the recent times without any sign of going down.

Jime, in his message to the communities, which was made available to The Guardian in Abuja yesterday, informed them that sections 25, 26 and 27 of the 1999 Constitution that define indigeneship, have continued to create division and communal violence in Benue and Nasarawa states and other parts of the country.

“The level of insecurity in the country has risen from the question of who is a settler and who is an indigene.

Sections 25, 26 and 27 of the 1999 Constitution define who is an indigene and who is a citizen, but this has rather caused more division and disunity.

“There is no such thing as an indigene in the United States Constitution which

we have copied, and that has put the issue of conflicts arising from who is a settler or an indigene away from the United States system. We must address this issue of divisions based on who is an indigene and who is a settler,” he advised.

According to him, “when we (the National Assembly) resume on Tuesday, I will introduce a Bill to remove indigeneship from the 1999 Constitution and replace it with citizenship and let me see how anybody can tell me that I cannot live in Lafia or any other place as a citizen of Nigeria”.

Jime, a lawyer, said he would also push for the ban of indigeneship records for purposes of employment, registration of states of origin and others.

“We will, through a proposal I will introduce to the

HE Kwara South T Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had disclosed that it has begun necessary processes to recall the senator representing the District, Simeon Ajibola, for poor representation.

However, the party passed

votes of confidence in the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The stakeholders in a statement jointly signed by their chairman, Alhaji S.O. Yusuf and Secretary, Prince Yemi Afolayan, noted that Ajibola in the last 10 years of represent-

ing the district in the Senate remained a bench warmer.

“He was rightly listed in the dishonourable class of representatives who merely warmed the seat, adding no value whatsoever to the quality of debates at the hallowed chamber.

“The stakeholders therefore resolved that it would be in the best interest of the district to commence the necessary processes to recall the non performing Ajibola from the Senate.

This action has already begun pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)”, the group asserted.

The statement, which explained that the APC stakeholders comprise elected council chairmen, local council party chairmen, 10 state assembly members from the party, the House of Representative members from the district, state

Tambuwal House, also remove from our statute books, the requirement for certificates of indigeneship with a view to making Nigeria open for all ethnic groups”, he said.

The stakeholders therefore resolved that it would be in the best interest of the district to commence the necessary processes to recall the non performing Ajibola from the Senate.

This action has already begun pursuant to section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and senatorial officers of the party and political appointees, also accused Ajibola of ingratitude to the electorate and the party leadership.

According to the stakeholders, “it was with dismay and outright condemnation however that the stakeholders viewed Ajibola rebellious attitude as did not stop at not defecting with his people to APC but has also been going all over the place to disparage the fingers that fed and fattened him to be a senator for the last 10 years”.

The group also affirmed that Ajibola was on his own and not representing the people of Kwara South senatorial district as all the seven local council chairmen, 84 councillors, 10 state assembly legislators from the district have defected to the APC. The APC stakeholders commended the leader of APC in the state, Senator Bukola Saraki and the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for what it calls “their steadfastness in pursing relentlessly a well focused developmental agenda for Kwara State”.

Agbakoba sues ministry, others over council fund in 14 states

By Joseph Onyekwere ORMER president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and human rights advocate, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has approached the Federal High Court, Lagos to declare that 14 states that have not conducted local council elections are not entitled to receive public revenue from the Federation Account.

Respondents in the suit are the Minister of Finance, Accountant General of the Federation and Federation Accounts Allocations Committee.

The legal icon is challenging what he describes as unconstitutional allocation of public revenue to unelected local councils in some states.

According to him, the basis

F

of the suit is that the constitution guarantees a system of local council by democratically elected councils.

Agbakoba submitted that failure of these states to conduct local council elections is the equivalent of a civil coup d’état.

The originating summons was filed on June 3, 2013, for the determination of two questions.

They are whether the interim and caretaker committees of local councils in the 14 states that are not democratically elected can receive revenue from the federation account and whether the defendants can allocate public revenue from federation account to non-democratic local councils in the 14 states that have failed to conduct elec-

By Chris Irelamba HE General Evangelist of T Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Prophet Samuel

APC threatens to recall senator over alleged non-performance From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

Abiara lauds govt over same sex marriage

tions.

The suit wants the court to declare that undemocratic local councils in the 14 states cannot receive revenue from the federation account.

It also wants an order to the effect that the Minister for Finance, Accountant General of the Federation and Federation Accounts Allocations Committee cannot allocate public revenue to local councils in the 14 states that have failed to conduct polls.

The originating summon is supported by an affidavit of 19 paragraphs deposed to

by Agbakoba and also a written address containing the arguments.

The suit came up on December 3, 2013 and has been adjourned to February 17, 2014 for hearing.

Kayode Abiara, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the Antigay Sex Marriage Bill into law.

He made the commendation yesterday, while delivering his new year message to the nation at Agbala Itura, Lagos.

Speaking to worshippers, Abiara said: “We want to thank God for the life of President Jonathan, his cabinet over the issue of same sex marriage and for not compromising his stand on the issue.

This is highly commendable. I thank God that he did not follow the way of destruction like other countries, God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for similar offence, He is same today and He is going to destroy those who practise sodomy.”

The cleric who called on Nigerians to thank God for the peace of last year, enjoined them to draw closer to Him this year, saying this year is one of happiness, peace, joy, victory and achievement for those who will obey and keep the commandments of God and follow His directions. He said that the year will be terrible for those who will disobey the voice of God and live in pleasure.

Boko Haram suspects arrested in Rivers From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HERE was a fresh terrorism T concern in Port Harcourt yesterday as 352 suspected members of Boko Haram were arrested by the Rivers State Police Command at the border between Imo and Rivers states.

It was gathered that the suspects left Jigawa State and were heading to Port Harcourt when they were nabbed inside the vehicles conveying them following a tip-off.

At the moment, findings have revealed that the suspects were at the state headquarters of the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Meanwhile, some Hausa residents in Rivers have faulted the arrest, arguing that the persons were heading to Port Harcourt for business and not for any criminal motive.

Some who claimed familiarity with the lead driver and identified him as Bala Nato Dambam, said: “The arrested persons sell carrots and do cobbling jobs in Port Harcourt. They are not Book Haram members.”

It was also learnt that the suspects were thoroughly searched by the security personnel who arrested them and had also mandated them to write statements on their movement.

Contacted, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, described the development as a top security situation, adding that he would not comment on it until investigations were concluded.

According to Mbu, “it is a top security issue. I don’t know who gave you the information and I will not want to ask. But there can be no comment for now from the state Police Command until we finish investigation. I will make no comment.”

Similarly, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Mr. Tony Okocha, said that government would wait for the outcome of police investigation before uttering a word.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

7

8 | Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

News Govt raises panel over unpaid ex-PHCN’s workers From Mathias Okwe, Abuja EGINNING from January B 29 to February 12, 2014, aggrieved former workers of the now privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), who still have issues with severance settlement, will have opportunity to present them to a committee set up by the Federal Government to meet such people across the country.

The information is contained in a statement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which said the committee will commence a tour of designated centres across the country beginning from Wednesday, January 29, 2014, to address residual issues related to the settlement of the terminal benefits of the workers of the defunct PHCN. The statement by the Head, BPE’s Public Communications, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, explained that the action is in line with the bureau’s determination to ensure that all residual issues related to the settlement of the terminal benefits of members staff of the defunct PHCN are resolved following the privatisation of the corporation.

He gave further insight into the plan of the committee, saying: “The tour will be coordinated by the Technical Sub-Committee of the Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, set up by the Federal Government on the settlement of PHCN terminal benefits. The sub-committee’s work is expected to last two weeks from January 29 to February 12, 2014.

“The itinerary released indicates that the tour will take place simultaneously at the following centres: (Abuja) -PHCN Corporate Headquarters; (Lagos) Ikeja DISCO; (Port-Harcourt) - PH Disco Zonal Office; (Kaduna) -Disco Zonal Office and (Bauchi)Bauchi Business Unit.

“All PHCN members of staff with pending issues are advised to take advantage of the new initiative and visit the designated venues from 10 am to 5 pm each day with their complaints.

“All workers having pending issues are advised to contact their successor companies’ human resources departments for further information and modalities.”

As at December 20, 2013, 43,375 out of the 47,913 PHCN workers had been cleared and paid their terminal benefits and pensions, totalling N361,024,432,338.48 billion.

This represents 95 per cent of the total staff.

Those yet to be paid have issues, prompting the Federal Government to set up a technical committee to address those issues.

Saraki denies eyeing Mark’s job From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin RSTWHILE Kwara State E governor, Bukola Saraki, has said his actions and comments in the Senate were borne out of his commitment to good governance, rule of law, equity, fairness, adherence to the constitution and protection of the nation’s democracy, denying that he was keen on becoming the Senate President.

He also disclosed that senators, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), may this week publicly declare for the party.

• Former PDP senators to defect to APC, says ex-governor The former governor, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin on the political situation in the country, denied that he wanted the Senate Presidency, saying: “It would be unfortunate for anyone to equate my actions to my wanting Senator David Mark’s job. I do not, but I will not succumb to cheap blackmail that my intent was all about naked ambition or personal interest”.

He said with only a year to election and possibly only six months of active legislative

activities left, it would be illogical for him to dissipate time and energy seeking Mark’s seat.

“But as a leader, there will be issues that I will continue to speak and stand on for the interest of the Senate and in my view, the interest of our nation”, he noted.

To buttress his point, Saraki recalled that in September 2011, he demanded transparency and accountability in the management of the fuel subsidy scheme.

“Then, I was called names and l was told I did not like

the President, that it was all about 2015 election and that my figures were grossly inaccurate. Now, the facts have shown otherwise.”

He also recalled the PDP crisis, when some governors and National Assembly members challenged the impunity of the former chairman, Bamanga Tukur, but were called names, only for them to be vindicated by the turnout of events.

He also referred to the provisions of Section 215 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulate the power and authority

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); wife of Bishop David Abioye, Pastor Mary Abioye (left); Bishop David Abioye (second left); FCT Minister of State, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide (second right (back); Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dameshi Luka (right) and President Jonathan’s son, Master Ariwera, at the Living Faith Church, Goshen, near Keffi, Nasarawa State, where the President worshipped….yesterday

of a governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state, whereby he can give orders and instructions to the Commissioner of Police of his state within the confines of the constitution. He pointed out that “where such a Commissioner of Police disobeys the governor’s instructions, like in Rivers State, we cannot keep quiet because this is tantamount to the breach of the constitution.

“It is our belief that the Inspector General of Police has the experience, capability and maturity to manage crisis, except if there are factors above him that impede his abilities to discharge his duties.

“It is a known fact, practice and procedure that the Nigeria Police authorities under the IG have more than 100 Commissioners of Police who could be moved or redeployed, especially where a governor requires a Commissioner of Police to be moved in view of inability to work together in the interest of that state.

It would be expected that the IGP agrees with such governor and redeploys the commissioner and if after such redeployment, the governor further complains, then we all know where the problem lies.”

Saraki also expressed his delight that the Senate has undertaken to ensure accountability by looking into the controversial issue of missing billions of dollars.

According to the senator representing Kwara-Central, Saraki, yesterday in Ilorin, letters of the senators’ declaration had been signed and would, this week, be submitted to the Senate, adding that there was no going back for the former PDP senators from defecting to the APC.

Omole hinges nation’s growth on better funding of education ORMER Vice Chancellor of FUniversity the Obafemi Awolowo (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof.

Wale Omole, has identified education as the major thing the leadership of Nigeria needed to fix, if the nation must attain greatness.

Speaking at an interactive forum with journalists in Lagos at the weekend, the erudite scholar said the current crop of leadership needed to re-examine the kind of federalism, which allowed the South-Western region of the country, under the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, achieve so much, particularly in education and other sectors of her economy.

He described as clearly unthinkable the allocation of paltry percentage of the federal and state budgets to the education sector, explaining that every other area of the nation’s life would be naturally taken care of when the people get proper education

and become aware of the right ways to do things.

Omole, who is also chairman of the Osun State Economic Team, said the criticism trailing the new town project, which the Redeemed

Christian Church of God (RCCG) has initiated and endorsed by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government in Osun State, was misplaced by people who rather than explore the economic

prospect of the agenda, were playing politics with something more fundamental.

According to him, if past efforts of government at creating new towns have failed, there shouldn’t be anything

wrong in appealing to the sensibility of the people to create opportunities for more members of the society to be brought together in a given society to fend for themselves and become self-reliant.

APGA faults INEC 2015 poll timetable

By Tunde Akinola ITING non-consultation, C the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has faulted the just-released Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for the 2015 poll.

Meanwhile, the leadership of APGA, under Maxi Okwu, has petitioned the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, complaining of attempt by the erstwhile chairman of the party, Mr. Victor Umeh, to undermine the judgment of

• Petitions INEC over Umeh an Abuja High Court that sacked him from office.

Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, APGA National Chairman, Okwu, said that INEC issued the timetable without prior consultations with political parties.

“INEC ought to have held consultations with political parties before the timetable.

Again, the election pattern is top-down not bottom-up. The

National Assembly elections and the Presidency should have come last in the order of elections”, Okwu said.

He said that it was not late for INEC to withdraw the timetable and hold proper consultations with all stakeholders before a new timetable is issued.

“While we appreciate the early release of the election timetable, we sincerely feel that INEC should carry all

stakeholders along so as to avert crisis that may arise from any group feeling left out”, he added.

In the petition titled: Re: Judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2013, Chief Maxi Okwu & Ors v Chief Victor Umeh and Ors; dated January 27, 2014 and signed by Okwu, APGA said: “Our attention has been drawn to a letter titled as above dated January 22, 2014, addressed to you and co-signed by our erstwhile national chairman and secretary”.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

9

10 | NEWS Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

APC can’t defeat PDP in 2015, says Sambo • Akpabio wants Jonathan re-elected From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ONFIDENT that the C Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not be defeated in the 2015 general elections, Vice-President Namadi Sambo has described as wishful thinking the plan by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to uproot the ruling party.

According to Sambo, the PDP would continue to maintain its political domination in the nation’s politics, irrespective of the alleged conspiracy of the opposition party to upstage it.

Sambo, who was represented by the Special Adviser (Special Duties) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Isaiah Balat, spoke at the weekend in Kaduna at an event organised by Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF).

An APC chieftain at the occasion, Mallam Ismail Ahmed, had earlier said he was an active member of PDP as well as a political disciple of the vice-president, but decided to pitch tent with the opposition in order to wrestle power from the ruling party.

The vice-president described APC’s strategic political mission in the forthcoming election as a bunch of jokes, saying “it will be a herculean task for APC to unseat PDP; I doubt much if APC can win this race, we shall see who carry the day.”

Sambo’s optimism of PDP’s victory in the 2015 general election was expressed after call by the Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio on President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election.

Akpabio who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youths, Sir Monday Ebong Ukoh, explained that President Jonathan “is competent and qualified to seek re-election.”

Sambo, who admitted that

the political and economic challenges facing the country have created fear in the citizenry, charged young professionals to embark on job creation to compliment government’s efforts in tackling poverty, insecurity and other problems in the country.

He argued that no country could develop without the input of its professionals, especially the young ones, stressing that “it is the responsibility of the professionals to develop the country because Nigeria is a nation that cannot be wished away, and its future is in your hands.”

Akpabio said: “On the issue of 2015, it is my belief that the issues are pretty clear.

Recently, several groups had endorsed the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. I am a strong advocate and supporter of his reelection bid. My support is anchored on his performance and achievements.

“If we must remain strong and build up a strong democratic tradition, we must not sacrifice competence at the altar of selfish tribal interests.

Those who do not allow the facts to interfere with their conclusions, later or sooner seek the destruction of the facts and social values.

“The facts justify our position that Mr. President deserves a second term. In the same way, we urge every Nigerian at home and abroad to be involved in the upcoming general elections in 2015.

“I speak to you today as young professionals who want to put their hands on deck and steer our nation to harbours of peace and prosperity,” Akpabio added.

In his speech, Chairman of NYPF, Mr. Moses Siloko Siasia, called on all young professionals to think positively on how they could steer the affairs of the country in the nearest future.

Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Sir Steve Omojafor (left); Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie; Prince Francis Olu Adegboro and Mr. Bode Emmanuel during the presentation of award and installation ceremony of the trustees of the St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos … yesterday.

NCAA to revoke airline licences granted without due process

By Wole Shadare HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has begun re-assessment of licences of airlines which were alleged to have been awarded without following due process.

Criticism had trailed the award of Air Operators Certificate (AOC) to about three airlines last year before the Director-General of NCAA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu assumed office. The situation raised huge safety concern.

Akinkuotu told The Guardian yesterday that the plan by the aviation regulatory body to reassess the certificates of the new operators is not punitive but to carrying out its functions in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act. According to him, the NCAA needs to ask questions, and if it does not get satisfactory answers on the licences, it is bound to revoke or suspend them.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope

T

Uzodinmma, had on October 28, 2013, during investigation of the rot in the sector, disclosed that the Senate found out that licences were issued to airlines that own no aircraft.

He revealed that the affected airlines, which he did not mention, were yet to commence operations because they did not own any aircraft six months after obtaining operation licence.

Uzodinma described as reckless a situation where AOCs were issued to non-existent aircraft without recourse to, and observance of prescribed and laid down regulations.

“The issue of AOC is a serious matter since after Demuren, the NCAA has issued twice the number of certificates. When it comes to the issue of safety, standards and regulations, we cannot compromise,” the senator said.

The Guardian learnt that a start up airline had early last year brought into the country four aircraft in preparation for operations, but was refused a

licence by former Director General, Dr. Harold Demuren, for not complying with the requirements for the award of flight licence.

Demuren was said to have vowed never to grant licence to others in that category, but after the removal of Demuren, three carriers got AOC, which raised a lot of dust in the sector.

Immediately Akinkuotu assumed office late last year, he told journalists that he would look at the licences with a view to finding out whether they were awarded in accordance with the laid down rules.

Meanwhile, Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has directed the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh, to convey aviation stakeholders’ Town Hall meeting to discuss the way forward for the industry.

The meeting is expected to be held 6 p.m. on January 28, 2014 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria

Yero denies interest in heading CBN From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna OVERNOR of Kaduna G State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, has said he is not interested in the position of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, attributing rumour of his ambition to mischief makers.

There had been reports that Yero was being positioned, with the support of VicePresident Namadi Sambo, to take over from the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi after the expiration of his tenure.

A statement by Kaduna State Government at the weekend states that “It has become imperative for us to once again dispel the erroneous and misleading rumour connecting Governor Yero to the soon to be vacant position of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

How NGF members indulge in illegal fund use, by activists From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

• Seek probe by EFCC

LLEGATIONS of money A laundering and misappropriation of public funds have

for that matter.

They claimed that by Article 13.1 of the Constitution of the NGF, all the 36 states are financial members of the organisation.

According to them, the Article 13 clearly stipulates that the NGF will rely on the following as sources of its finance, contribution from member states.

“There is no provision under the Nigerian Constitution or under any other law whatsoever which made any or all of the 36 states of Nigeria members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Even Article 5 of the NGF Constitution, on the membership of the body, clearly provides that only democratically elected governors’ in Nigeria are members of the forum. Curiously, Article 13.1 under the same NGF Constitution makes the 36 states’ members for purposes of monetary contribution,” the petitioners said.

Citing Section 40 of the Economic & Financial Crimes

been leveled against the registered trustees of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the 36 state governors in the country.

Two Niger Delta activists, Mr. Idaye Opi and Annkio Briggs, who filed a suit at an Abuja High Court seeking a declaration that the NGF be disbanded, have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute state governors found to be involved in laundering and misappropriation of public funds.

In the petition made available to The Guardian in Port Harcourt yesterday, the activists through their counsel, Mrs. Judith Dandison, alleged that the governors and their Board of Trustees, in operating the NGF, are utilising public funds without the backing of the Nigerian Constitution or any other law

Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, the duo emphasised that the NGF is a purely private association. Thus, it certainly smacks of criminality for the governors and/or their Board of Trustees to extort monies from the coffers of the 36 states of Nigeria without any constitutional or legislative backing.

Dandison stressed that her clients are bonafide citizens of Nigeria and are of the persuasion that state funds should not be dissipated by any person or groups of persons unlawfully. “On behalf of our clients, we respectfully invite your office to investigate and prosecute, as the case may be, these financial crimes of money laundering and misappropriation of public funds,” they added.

It would be recalled that last year, both Opi and Briggs, who are from Rivers State, had filed a suit in Abuja, seeking the court to determine whether pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the oath of office contained in the 7th

Schedule to the constitution, if a governor of a state together with other governors in Nigeria, can actively participate in the formation and executive functions, in any capacity whatsoever, of any private association outside the contemplation of the constitution.

The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that a governor is the chief executive of his state, hence, cannot, either on his free accord or otherwise, actively participate in the formation and executive functions in any capacity whatsoever of any private association outside the contemplation of the 1999 Constitution as amended or any other law for the time being in force in Nigeria.

They also are praying the court to determine whether pursuant to the aforementioned 7th Schedule to the constitution, the interferences of elected governors in Nigeria as a pressure group through the NGF in the decision and policy making of the Federal Government is constitutional.

Monday, January 27, 2014 NEWS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

11

‘Mu’azu not under probe, never embezzled state’s fund’ From Azimozi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja LAIMS by a section of the media that the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu, is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misappropriation and embezzlement of funds during his time as governor of Bauchi State are lies, the party has said.

A statement sent to The Guardian yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the publications were “completely false and baseless and part of the vicious scheme by the opponents of our party to distract our national chairman from his determination and commitment to rebuild and reposition the PDP as the preeminent party in Nigeria.”

It added: “For the purposes of these opponents, the PDP wishes to state the following: That the true position is that

C

WEMABOD Chairman, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi (middle) presenting a gift to Group Chairman, Oodua Investment Company, Dr. Isaac Akintade, while MD/CEO WEMABOD, Olumide Ologun watches.

PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Berom indigenes in Abuja decry killings From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE Berom community in Abuja has expressed concern over the frequent killings of innocent people and destruction of property in Plateau State and called on the Federal Government to put measures in place to protect the citizens.

Speaking at the weekend when the president of the community living in Abuja, Mr. Dung Kim, visited the people of Shonong community in Riyom local council to sympathise with the families of the victims, he urged them to leave everything in the hands of God. Shonong village was attacked on January 6, with gunmen killing no fewer than 30 people in the early hours of that day.

Responding, the national caretaker chairman of Berom Youth Movement, Mr. Rwang Dalyop Dantong, commended the Berom living in Abuja for their kind gesture and called on other good-hearted individuals to emulate them.

Also speaking, President of Shonong Development Association, Mr. Dungs Alamba, called on the people to intensify prayers for the restoration of peace in the community, just as the President of the National Union of Berom Students, Mr. Davou Pam, urged the people not to lose hope over what had happened.

T

Kashamu alleges defamation, sues Obasanjo for N20b From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja OLLOWING the failure of FOlusegun former President Obasanjo to retract his reference to him as a criminal vide his open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan in December, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu, has sued him at the Abuja High Court for alleged defamation.

In a writ of summons filed on his behalf by Dr. Alex Aigbe Izinyon (SAN), Kashamu said the criminal imputation made against him by Chief Obasanjo had injured him. He, therefore,

F

the person of the plaintiff.

An order awarding the sum of N20 billion only to the plaintiff against the defendants as aggravated and exemplary damages against the defendant for libel falsely and maliciously published by the defendant against the plaintiff in the said letter.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents, servants or privies from publishing or further publishing or cause to be published any defamatory words against the plaintiff to any person or persons; and the sum of N100 million as cost of this action.

In a statement of claim in support of the writ deposed to by the plaintiff, he deposed, among others, that: The plaintiff is a Nigerian citizen of Ogun State origin and consummate businessman, industrialist of international repute, community leader and elder statesman; The defendant is an elder statesman, a twotime former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The plaintiff averred that the defendant maliciously and recklessly published a letter titled, “Before it is too late,” which contained “words which he knew to be false.”

Why U.S. monitors Nigeria over Boko Haram, 2015

By Oghogho Obayuwana (Foreign Affairs Editor) CTIVITIES building up to the 2015 general elections and the insurgency by the outlawed Boko Haram are the major reasons that the United States (U.S.) Government and other interested members of the international community will be keeping a special watch on Nigeria for the next 15 months, sources have disclosed.

While the U.S. has no immediate plans to raise an early security warning on Nigeria

A

Fayemi declares for second term, names campaign team From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South West Bureau), Ado Ekiti OLLOWING the release of the timetable at the weekend by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has formally declared for a second term just as he named key officials for his re-election campaign.

A statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday, which he signed, reads: “Following the groundswell of support by leaders and members of our party as well as the generality

prayed the court to award against the defendant (Obasanjo) and to his (Kashamu’s) favour the sum of N20 billion for the damage he has suffered from it.

Specifically, the plaintiff claims against the defendant as follows: A declaration that the words complained of and published by the plaintiff against the defendant in a letter titled: “Before it is too late,” addressed to Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan and dated December 2, 2013, which inter-alia carried criminal imputation against the plaintiff and published in several newspapers on December 12 is defamatory of

of Ekiti people, it is with a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility that I today accept the calls to seek re-election for a second term in office.”

Explaining his decision, Fayemi said: “Our people can faithfully testify that together, the collective rescue mission we promised at the outset of our first term in office has crystalised. Indeed our people can testify to how we have rescued Ekiti State from the years of locusts and returned our dear state to the path of respectability, stability and develop-

(including travel warnings) should its intelligence reports point to a possible failure of state apparatus to deal with security threats, it has now been revealed that it is taking “back-up measures” complimentary to its security cooperation, such as the one domiciled in the U.S.-Nigeria BiNational Commission (BNC).

The signal to the special interest on Nigeria was first sent at the close of last year when the visiting U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Samantha Power, explained what his government expected of Nigeria in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

In the presence of the U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Linda ThomasGreenfield, Power, who drew members of the civil society movement in Nigeria to the residence of the U.S. ambassador in Abuja after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, posited that respect for people’s dignity and rights to life would help lay the foundation for further long term progress.

Particularly, she informed: “My government will be urging President Jonathan to fulfill his commitment to implement his plan as soon as possible.” Some years back, an American think-thank had predicted that Nigeria might disintegrate in 2015.

Now, a few months to zero hour, new anonymous diplomatic submissions are to the effect that the many development deficiencies and emerging security challenges in Nigeria require a marshal plan if Nigeria must survive the crescendo of political tempest.

President Jonathan had early last December announced a development plan for the North-East, inculcating in it poverty alleviation and job creation, among others. The U.S. has never concealed the fact that the successful prosecution of the war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria is largely dependent on “the faithful implementation” of the Federal Government’s plan for the area.

Accordingly, for the U.S., the task at hand is so crucial and superintending that it actually promised to set all else

aside and “be urging President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill its commitment to the plan as soon as possible!”

The high level diplomatic source, which did not allude to the recent letter written by Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to Jonathan, further said, “the U.S. is disturbed by some of the negatives coming out from Nigeria in the prosecution of the terrorism war against groups such as Boko Haram.”

Asked what the American Government wants in this regard, the source said: “The Federal Government must compel its security forces to act within the ambit of internally accepted norms of respect for human rights.”

at the end of his tenure as governor of Bauchi State, Mu’azu, like many other governors who had completed their tenures, was invited by the EFCC to respond to some petitions but was never invited again by the EFCC on any other issue.

“The succeeding government, elected on the platform of the defunct opposition ANPP in 2007, instituted a panel of inquiry, which went ahead to issue a white paper against Mu’azu despite the fact that he did not appear before it.

“In the exercise of his lawful rights, Mu’azu challenged the entirety of the white paper in suit no BA/295m/2009 at the Bauchi State High Court No. 1.

The suit was heard by no other judge than the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim Zango, who after hearing all the arguments, set aside the whole findings and quashed it into the dustbin of history.

“Consequently, Mu’azu remains cleared of all allegations as contained in the said white paper. It is then highly misleading for any person to make statements or sponsor publications purporting that Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu is under investigation or any form of trial whatsoever.

Anambra adopts measure to end youth unemployment From Leo Sobechi (who was in Awka) HE Anambra State Government says it has T devised a way of fighting youth unemployment and crimes through the empowerment of young graduates with entrepreneurial skills.

It regretted that though the challenge of unemployment was enormous, the bigger challenge was that most job seekers are not employable.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, who disclosed this during the Graduate Employability and Entrepreneurship Training Workshop in Awka at the weekend, added that the workshop was meant to impart young graduates with some type of knowledge assets to make them employable or become employers of labour.

Disclosing that the training was packaged by his ministry in conjunction with South Africa-based management consultancy firm, Jeff and O’Brien Initiative, Okonkwo noted that the poor quality of fresh graduates makes them unable even to sustain their employment due to complacency.

The theme of the workshop, is “Growth, Jobs and

12

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS Monday, January 27, 2014

Oshiomhole signs N160b budget, pledges implementation From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole at the weekend signed into law the N160.06 billion 2014 budget as passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and pledged to ensure its full implementation.

At the ceremony in Government House, Benin City, Oshiomhole said the principle of separation of power was at play in the state as the House raised the final bill from the N159 billion he submitted to the final amount it passed.

The governor said he would ensure that all ongoing projects, “particularly roads that require this dry season for work,” were completed and “all the projects that have been approved will be done. I want to assure you we will do our best to make this budget a reality in the three senatorial districts of the state.”

He added: “The House has added and modified our estimates in ways that reflect the aspirations of your constituencies and the entire people of Edo State. It shows that Edo people and tax-payers’ money is at work.”

G

Mark, ANAN urge politicians to reduce tension in polity

By Chijioke Nelson (Lagos) and Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) O reduce tension in the polity and save the nation its attendant negative consequences, the Senate President, David Mark, has again advised politicians across the country to always play by the rules and eschew unhealthy bickering.

Mark made the appeal at the weekend during his funeral oration for Mrs. Mary Iorhyer Gemade, mother of Chief Barnabas Gemade, an erstwhile national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Similarly, President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Alhaji Sakirudeen

T

Labode, has charged politicians to refrain from activities and behaviour that could endanger the nation’s economy.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, Labode noted that ANAN had watched with great concern the ongoing developments in the political arena in the country. The association, he stressed, is deeply worried that the heat in the polity is fast moving towards an intolerable level.

According to Labode, “this is posing a threat to the nation’s economy, particularly the financial sector,” adding that internal and external investors, as well as stakeholders, were becom-

ing apprehensive.

“The association, therefore, appeals to the key political players and their followers to bear in mind their responsibilities to the citizens, who look up to them for good governance and direction.

“We also appeal that politics should be played according to the rules in which the interest and good of the people of Nigeria and posterity shall be enhanced and sustained.

“We also appeal to the political players to watch their activities and ensure that the Nigerian economy is not harmed.”

Mark, who described the late Mary Gemade as a woman of substance, that

brought up all her children in the fear of God, further challenged other families to take a cue from her by leaving legacies that would be worthy of emulation.

He denied that there was a serious crack among the three senators representing the state - himself, the Senate Minority Leader and former governor, George Akume, and, Gemade, at the National Assembly, stating rather that they are united for the development of the state and country.

In his funeral oration, Vice President Namadi Sambo, represented by the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said it was evident that the deceased lived a useful life as

exemplified by the lifestyle of her children. He asked God to give the Gemade family the strength to bear the loss.

National Chairman of the PDP, Ahmed Adamu Muazu, who was represented by the National Treasurer, Buhari Bala, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, all paid glowing tributes to the deceased.

Meanwhile, Governor Gabriel Suswam, who was represented by his deputy, Steven Lawani, described the deceased as a woman of substance, who worked hard to ensure that all her children got good education. He urged other Nigerians to emulate her good works.

Police to prepare 60,000 men ahead 2015 polls From Tunji Omofoye Osogbo OWARDS a peaceful and T secure 2015 general elections, the police hierarchy has selected 60,000 antiriot police officers from across the country for special training at the Police Mobile Training College at Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

The officers involved, who have already commenced training, were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and would be deployed for this year’s gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states and next year’s general elections.

Commandant of the college, Mr. Jackson El-Ekoh, said at the weekend that the police leadership took the initiative to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the Command before, during and after the various elections.

El-Ekoh disclosed that the training would be in batches, adding that the first batch comprising 700 officers started training last Friday.

According to him, the three-month training for per batch will be in specialised areas as Combat and Electoral Act. Other courses include Fundamental Human Rights, Rule of Law, Democracy and Conflict Resolution, Crisis Management, Disaster Management and Operations, Bomb Awareness, Improvised Explosive Devices and Evacuation, among others.

He explained that the training was at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, who had directed them to ensure proper training for all officers that would participate in future elections.

Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State chapter, Mr. Wole Sokunbi (left); Iyalode of Yorubaland, Alaba Lawson; Olori Comfort Aina and Olu of Ilawo, Oba Oladapo Aina, at the annual thanksgiving service for the NUJ South-West Zone in Abeokuta…yesterday

Okonjo-Iweala affirms challenges to entrepreneurial development

By Chijioke Nelson USTAINED growth in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) notwithstanding, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has affirmed that some assessed challenges inherent in the economy are inhibiting entrepreneurship and talent development.

Speaking at the weekend during the third Nigerian Creative Industry awards organised by the Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN), in conjunction with the British Council and other development partners, the minister said, however, that such growth indicates that all hope was not lost, contrary to several opinions in the country.

Okonjo-Iweala, who also received an award on behalf of the Federal Government for its Youth Enterprise with

S

Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) initiative, which emerged Best Contributor to the Development of Creative Entrepreneurs, also assured that the country was still vibrant despite the challenges.

Enlisting the challenges, she said: “Nigeria has the most hardworking and versatile entrepreneurs in the world today. But the economy has its own problems, which we all acknowledge - unemployment, inequality and lack of inclusion. “(The) challenge of access to finance has turned many of our creative entrepreneurs to job seekers rather than job providers and has also restricted the scope of innovation in our economy today.”

To address this trend, she said, “we must promote entrepreneurship education among young Africans early in the system and get businesses in the private sector

involved in the training process at our various levels of schools.

“Nigerian youths must now think of creating jobs and it is the duty of government to ensure that when they do; it provides the right environment for them to achieve their dreams.

“For us to achieve faster economic growth and reduce inequality in our society, there must be concerted efforts by government, monetary authorities and the finance industry to come up with solutions to ease access to finance for small businesses.

“We must find ways to make interest rates affordable and repayable over a longer period of time, develop a variety of financing instruments that enabled developed economies to be where they are today.”

The minister stressed that, “there is no way we can sus-

tain development in our economy when businesses borrow at 20 per cent for 12 months, even for two to three years. Sometimes, before a business finds its footing, the repayment must have left it with financial difficulties. We have to close this gap “We must deepen our capital market so that venture capitalists and private equity providers can play major roles in financing businesses in the country.”

According to her, YouWiN was scripted to demonstrate that the country wants to go back to the days of merit, as the process was devoid of bias, while it also succeeded in creating jobs more proportionately than the number already mobilised.

“The latest survey showed that the 2,400 winners have created 27,000 jobs so far,” she disclosed, adding, “This number is exclusive of those who were trained by YouWiN,

though they did not win the grant.”

Beside the 2,400 already given the grant, the minister explained that there were about 9,600 youths undergoing business plan development, which would enable them access finance from other sources. She noted: “Creative entrepreneurship has taken many economies to the next level and created jobs.

“But the sector faces the most difficult challenge in access to finance, because its greatest asset is mainly intellectual.

My assessment is that it has tried in the absence of government. Maybe, if government had intervened earlier than now, it would have gone beyond the present.

“So, it is timely that now the sector has come of age, government can carefully see where it can support without destroying and enhance without damage.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 13

PHOTONEWS

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Muazu (left) welcoming Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido when he led the leadership of the party from Jigawa on solidarity visit to the national chairman at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

The CEO of Home Inspirations, Damilola Akinsete, recently celebrated her 20 years in the interior decoration business with the opening of the flagship showroom on Lagos Island. Here Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle) cuts the tape to declare the outlet open while Akinsete (left) looks on.

Director, Nigerian Turkish International Colleges Foundation, Fettullah Celik (left); Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela; Olofin of Isheri land, Oba Nurudeen Adekambi and Principal, Nigerian Turkish International Colleges, Faithi Keskin, at the distribution of stationery materials to the pupils of Isheri-Olofin Local Government Primary School by the Foundation in Ogun State.

Group Managing Director/CEO of UAC, Larry Ettah (left); Chairman of UAC, Senator Udoma U. Udoma and CEO of RTC Advisory Services Limited, Opeyemi Agbaje, at UAC’s 2014 Management Retreat in Lagos.

Director, ATO Architects Limited, Ugo Chris-Aluta; author of the book “Burning Hunt” Unyime-Ivy King; writer/poet, Missions Administrator at the Rock Foundation, Frances Kelvin Otung and author “The Diary of a Desperate Naijawoman” series and “True Confessions” Bola Essien-Nelson, at the launch/unveiling of Nigerian edition of Burning Hunt in Lagos.

Children of late Deaconess Benatochukwu Miracle Egbuna, Nkiru Egbuna (left); Chizoba Akinsola (nee Egbuna); Peter Omare, Nwamaka Mazeli and her husband, Charles Mazeli, during the funeral service of their mother at the Living Souls Baptist Church in Agbara Ogun State.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Manager, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu (left); Head, Events and Sponsorship, Modupe Thani; winner, Nigerian Idol Season 2, Mercy Chinwo and Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel, at the Benin auditions of Season 4 of the Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol competition in Benin, Edo State.

GMD, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Bola Akindele (left) with Pakistan’s Minister of State, Ministry of Information Technology, Anusha Rahman Khan, when Courteville attended the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) co-organized by the Commonwealth Business Council and the Government of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the private sector in Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

14

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

Focus Taming the scourge of abandoned projects From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief ROM East to the West, South to the North, they dot the landscape. They elicit questions that ends up in the realm of rhetorics.

Nigerians groan daily bemoaning their fate in the face of utter neglect or abandonment of social infrastructure while politicians and government functionaries turn the blind eye.

Indeed, the issue of abandoned projects has become a recurring decimal in the lives of citizens, such that some people have developed thick skin and accept the fate with equanimity.

These projects that ought to impact possibly on the lives of people in the contiguous communities are abandoned either on the excuse of paucity of funds or outright subjugation of public good for politics.

For instance, the unnecessary delay by the Federal Government to adequately fund and complete the construction of the eastern bypass highway in Kaduna, which contract was awarded in 2002 at the sum of N16 billion has now become a subject of serious concern to the people in the State.

Similarly, there were concerns raised in other states in the north, like Kano, Adamawa, Gombe, Niger, Jigawa and Yobe on Federal Government abandoned road projects.

The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, his Counterpart in Adamawa, Retired Admiral Murtala Nyako and the leadership of the Conference of Northern States Speakers had to protest to the Federal Government on the deplorable state of the federal roads which needed urgent attention.

The contract of 48 kilometer Eastern By-pass Kaduna road project was awarded, specifically on November 24, 2002 to Eksiogullari Construction Nigeria Limited covering the suburb of Kakau village on the Abuja/kaduna road and to link the Kaduna/Zaria road.

It is also a highway that serves as a gateway to other Northern states, plied by both commercial and private motorists.

Eleven years after the award of the contract, during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, less than 16 kilometers of the road project have been constructed by the contractor representing only 30 percent of the entire job.

The major concern of the people is such that if the Federal Government had paid attention to the funding of the construction of the eastern bypass highway project, the high level of manhour wasted on the road by motorists in order to assess the metropolis and other parts of northern communities would have been saved for productive ventures.

It is, however, apparent that the on-going construction of the highway is now being subjected to politics, as some highly placed individuals have began to mount unnecessary pressure and campaign against the construction work. Their argument is that since the contractor has not handled a bigger road contract in the country before he should not have been awarded the contract in the first place.

But, none of the critics has questioned the quality of the job done so far. The various top Governments functionaries who came on inspection tour of the highway project have commended the quality of work on ground, and pleaded with the contractor to ensure the completion of the highway project.

Former President Obasanjo, while on inspection tour of the project on August, 2005 had urged the contractor to attach more seriousness to the project, saying that “since this is your first major work in the country you have to do it well”.

This admonition by the former President was the guiding principle that injected some spirit of seriousness on the contractor.

A top official in Kaduna State Government, who pleaded anonymity gave reasons why the project that should have been completed in 2005 had dragged on, saying that “it is unfortunate that the mode of funding of this project by government has been slow due to exigencies of politics.

“For instance, only an average of N1 billion was released yearly by the Federal Government since the road project commenced.

There has not been any review on the contract sum, considering the cost of materials and inflation in the country. Some of us sympathised with the contractor. We have been working on the same road contract based on the N16 billion contract award sum, since 2002”.

He argued further: “notwithstanding that government releases that average sum yearly, some of us were told that the amount was what was captured in the yearly budget. But, the contractor, honestly speaking have delivered a good job so far, and within the amount being released to the company”.

But, some of the critics were said to have protested that having collected over N10 billion from government since the contract was awarded, the construction company was still unable to deliver the first 16 kilometers running between Kakau on the kaduna/Abuja road to Mararaban Rido on the Kaduna Kafanchan road at the end of the 2012 deadline.

However, the Minister of State for works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda who was in Kaduna to inspect the road in 2012, gave the contractor November 30, 2013 as deadline to complete and deliver the first 16 Kilometers.

According to him, “the contractor is now concentrating on the remaining section of the road. They have done a lot of laterite work there and constructed most of the bridges”.

“That is where majority of the work is. I passed through the road on my way here and I am sure you passed through it also and have seen the quality of work being done. I am sure that very soon, the road will be completed. We are giving it priority because it will further decongest traffic within Kaduna metropolis”.

F

Yero In fact, the former Governor of Kaduna state, Late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa visited the site of the project while serving as Governor, and told the contractor about the relevance of the road project to the socio-economic life of kaduna people and the need for the contractor to deliver as scheduled.

While also on an inspection tour of the highway project, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, asked the state government to speed up all contract processes and see if there are ways of supporting the federal authorities to complete the construction work, more so that it was perceived that lack of adequate funding was responsible for the delay.

The Commission’s Commissioner for Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Zakari Sada was not impressed that only 30 percent of the road has been completed, since the contract was awarded.

Responding, a director of the construction company, Eksiogullari Construction Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Aminu Gambo told members of the Commission that so far N11 billion had been paid to the company by the Federal Government since 2002.

The Company was said to have been working on the project based on the initial budget by the Federal Government since the commencement of work without any variation on the contract sum, considering the high cost of materials.

Gambo attributed the delay in completing the work on the highway to “flawed contracting processes and price variations,’’ even as he urged the Government to fund the project properly as it would improve the economy of the state and nation in general.

The Minister of Information and Supervising Minister of Defence, Mr. Labaran Maku recently inspected the Kaduna Eastern by-pass road project while on a Good Governance Tour with a team of Journalists in the state, December 2012.

Maku commended the quality of work the contractor has done on the eastern by-pass road, saying that the Federal Government would ensure that the project is given the attention it deserves within its budget constraint.

The minister also spoke on the economic and social significance of the road to the people in the state and other parts of the north, as the highway is a major gateway to the hinterland in the north.

Besides, the Kano Governor, Kwankwaso who had earlier drawn the attention of the Federal Government in completing the protracted Kano Western Bypass road project in the state, said that doing so will hasten the socio-economic development of the state.

Speaking during a town-hall meeting between the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and members of the Business Community in Kano, the governor also said that the stalled irrigation projects at Imawa, Maigwari and Gari have the potential to create thousands of jobs and revamp food production in the state.

On the Western Bypass road project, Kwankwaso argued that the project which had attracted billions of naira would, on completion ease traffic flow in the commercial city of Kano, and facilitate

Works Minister, Mike Onolememen trade and investment.

In Adamawa State, the G7 Governors Support Group, late last year, accused the Federal Government of abandoning Federal road projects in the State for political reasons.

The spokesperson of the Group and Special Adviser to Governor Murtala Nyako on Information and strategy, Mr. Lokodan George, while addressing a press conference, called for the completion of the projects which have been halted in the state, as he advised President Jonathan to be careful of “ detractors who may want to mislead his administration into taking decisions that would sideline Adamawa State in the execution of development projects”.

George pointed out that the neglect of federal roads and some irrigation projects started by previous government’s was questionable in view of the significance of such facilities to the socioeconomic lives of the people, while alleging that the federal government refused to refund over 5 billion naira spent by the state government on federal roads.

In the same vein, the communique released by the 24th session of the Conference of Northern Speakers Forum in April, last year, vehemently condemned the stance of the federal government on federal road projects in the northern parts of the country.

The Chairman of the communique drafting committee and deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Steve Omeje lamented over the deplorable condition of LambataLapai-Bida-Mokwa road in Niger State, Nguru-Gashua -Bayemari road in Yobe State, Kano-Maiduguri road and other road projects abandoned by contractors in the region.

The Northern Speakers however appealed to the federal government to reimburse Zamfara State Government for repairing Kebbi-Gumi-Anka federal road and other road projects in the parts of the region.

However, the worries expressed by some residents in Kaduna were that the Federal Government had seemingly abandoned the project as adequate funds was no longer made available for the execution of the construction work on the Kaduna eastern by-pass highway.

The people believe that there should not be any controversy and politicking on the road project, as some agreed that what is important is for the contractor to be mobilized to complete the construction work, thereby delivering the dividend of democracy to the people.

They also cited the case of a similar Federal highway project embarked upon by the Federal Government on the East-west road in the Southern part of the country which has almost been completed, saying that there is no need to foot-drag on the Kaduna eastern by-pass highway.

A Public Affairs Analyst, Mallam Garba Nasir while lamenting on the handling of the Kaduna road under construction, told The Guardian that the Federal Government should attach the same priority and emphasis on the Federal road projects in the north just as it has done on southern road projects.

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

15

WorldReport U.S. mall shooting gunman identified, motive still unknown

Violence persists in Ukraine, protests disrupt Thai’s voting

ARIO Marcus Aguilar has D been identified as the gunman who opened fire in a shopping mall near Washington, killing two people before taking his own life.

The 19-year-old was armed with a shotgun and crude homemade explosives, police said yesterday.

Howard County Police Chief Bill McMahon said Aguilar fired six to eight shots from a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun during the attack at the Columbia Mall Saturday, killing two employees of a skateboard shop.

But police are investigating whether the shooter, who was from the nearby town of College Park, Maryland, had any prior relationship with the victims.

“Once we can establish if there is any relationship or not, that will certainly help us to identify the next big question, which is why this happened,” Ukrainian protesters carry the coffin of Belarussian protester, Mikhail Zhiznevsky, who was killed in recent clashes with riot police, as demonMcMahon told reporters. strators pay their respects outside Mikhaylovsky Cathedral in Kiev during a funeral service for Zhiznevsky…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

AU begins defining continental agenda for next 50 years HE Executive Council of the T African Union (AU) at the weekend began a three-day brainstorming session on critical issues relating to the continental agenda for 2063 and the state of the union ahead of the 22nd Summit of African leaders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The session, according to Afrique en Ligne, is part of the first AU Ministerial Retreat organised at the Ethiopian northwestern city of Bahir Dar, outside the capital Addis Ababa, under the theme “Defining Agenda 2063 for Africa”.

Participants are also discussing the implementation of the Strategic Plan for 2014-2017, and revisiting AU structures, decision-making processes and its implementation mechanisms for an effective delivery on set objectives.

The retreat is hosted by the Ethiopian Government in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC).

The AUC chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said the meeting presents an opportunity to ‘revisit some of the debates, in a more convivial atmosphere.’

She noted that as Africa just emerged from the collective reflections on Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, and

as it looks ahead towards the next 50 years, the decision to hold the retreat is ‘welltimed’.

It will enable the Executive Council to add its collective contribution ‘towards the Africa we want and the milestones we must set towards this end’, Dlamini Zuma said in her opening remarks.

Also speaking, the Ethiopian foreign minister and chairperson of the AU Executive Council, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also emphasized on the significance of the Agenda 2063 for the future of the African continent and achievement of the African Renaissance .

He highlighted that the con-

tinent needs to address issues such as the economic emancipation, peace and stability, accelerating rapid economic growth, governance and democratization.

He added that Africa also has the need to tackle the issue of leadership and the need for a critical mass of people with a developmental mindset, in

order to realize its long term agendas.

According to the AUC, the overall objective of the retreat is to give clear direction and guidelines on the key areas of Agenda 2063 for subsequent elaboration and devising best ways and means of improving the functioning of the AU structures, institutions and processes.

Hollande begins new bachelor chapter after split with partner RESIDENT Francois P Hollande of France yesterday began a new chapter in his presidency as a bachelor after splitting from his partner of eight years following an affair with a younger actress.

Under intense media scrutiny since the revelation of the affair two weeks ago, Hollande – who had pledged a “normal” presidency after the domestically turbulent stint of his “bling bling” predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy – on Saturday formally announced his split from Valerie Trierweiler.

“A Bachelor at the Elysee,” said the Journal du Dimanche weekly, adding that Trierweiler’s departure as first lady was “the end of an

epoch”.

Saying he was speaking as a private individual, Hollande, in a terse statement to Agence France Presse (AFP) over the phone, said he was ending his “shared life” with Trierweiler.

And in an interview to Time magazine just hours before

Hollande

announcing the rupture, Hollande reiterated his desire to keep silent about his private life.

“Private life is always, at certain times, a challenge. And it has to be respected,” he said.

“I believe that everybody now understands that presi-

Trierweiler

dent or not president, one is entitled to have a private life.”

The split has fuelled debate in France about whether an official role is necessary for a president’s partner or spouse.

A recent poll by Le Parisien daily showed that 54 percent of French people felt it was not.

Trierweiler, 48, left for Mumbai yesterday for charity work, her first public appearance since the scandal erupted.

She had been convalescing at a presidential residence in Versailles outside Paris after leaving hospital last Saturday, where she was treated for what was described as fatigue brought on by press revelations of Hollande’s affair with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet.

Egypt announces early presidential poll as clashes continue GYPT’S interim president, E Adly Mansour, has announced plan to hold a presidential election before parliamentary polls in what is being termed as a change to a political roadmap that could pave the way for the swift election of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

This came as Egyptian Army yesterday warned again that it would eliminate the Muslim Brotherhood, which it blames for much of the nation’s ongo-

• Soldiers killed in Sinai as protest toll rises to 49 • Jihadist group claims downing of army helicopter ing political violence.

Also, the military said gunmen yesterday killed three Egyptian soldiers in an attack on a bus in the Sinai Peninsula, prompting a warning from the Al Qaedainspired Islamist militant groups based in Sinai have stepped up attacks on security forces since the army toppled

President Mohamed Morsi of the Brotherhood in July following mass protests against his rule.

An Al-Qaeda inspired group has claimed it shot down an Egyptian military helicopter in the Sinai peninsula, in what the army said was an accident that killed five soldiers.

The Ansar Beit al-Madqis

group, which has taken responsibility for a series of deadly attacks across the country, said its fighters brought down the helicopter on Saturday with a missile.

But the military-installed government said the elections would restore democratic rule by the end of the year, after July’s overthrow Morsi.

Parliamentary elections were supposed to be held first

under the timetable drawn up after the army overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood in July following mass protests.

The decision to revise the order of elections is likely to deepen tensions in Egypt, which is struggling to cope with waves of political violence. Forty-nine people were killed in anti-government marches on Saturday, the third anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

HOUSANDS of protesters T yesterday in Kiev mourned a protester shot dead during clashes, as a rebellion against President Viktor Yanukovych’s authority spread despite sweeping concessions offered by the embattled leader to include the opposition in his government.

An emotional crowd packed Saint Michael’s Cathedral and spilled into a square outside to pay their last respects to 25-year-old Mikhail Zhiznevsky, with many waving Ukrainian flags with black ribbons.

Moreso, the killing of a Thai protest leader yesterday as well as the besieging of polling stations in Bangkok by fellow demonstrators reportedly disrupted advance voting for hundreds of thousands of people before next weekend’s controversial general election in the country.

Annan, world leaders launch mission to Iran Secretary General FKofiORMER of United Nations (UN) Annan and a group of his ex-global leaders known as the Elders have started a visit in Tehran aimed at boosting dialogue between Iran and the international community.

Annan is accompanied by Martti Ahtisaari, a former president of Finland, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu and Mexican ex-president Ernesto Zedillo.

The group, formed in 2007, is made up of 12 global leaders who try “to promote peace, justice and human rights,” according to its website.

It said the group will hold private meetings with Iranian officials but did not give further details.

U.S. officials want to kill me, says Snowden DWARD Snowden, former E contractor to United States’ (U.S.) National Security Agency (NSA) now turned intelligence leaker, has expressed fears that American “government officials want to kill” him, in a television interview broadcast in Germany yesterday.

The comment came just days after Snowden’s Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said the American feared for his life, following a report by U.S. website BuzzFeed of explicit threats against him from unnamed Pentagon and NSA officials.

Snowden also told the German broadcaster: “These people, and they are government officials, have said they would love to put a bullet in my head or poison me when I come out of the supermarket, and then watch as I die in the shower.”

16

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monay, January 27, 2014

Politics Delta PDP chieftains fight over power shift From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba HE speculative consensus before now was T that the governorship of Delta State would shift to Delta North in the 2015 elections. This,

• Nwaoboshi: ‘There was an agreement’ • Macaulay, Anirah: ‘No, show us the paper’

of course, is on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Delta Central has produced two governors — Olorogun Felix Ibru and Chief James Onanefe Ibori for three and eight years, respectively, while Delta South produced incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, whose eight-year tenure of two terms of four years will end in 2015.

That leaves Delta North as the only zone that has not presented a governor since the state was created.

But in a move, which may signal a stiff opposition to power shift in the state, chieftains of the PDP are at war an alleged arrangement on moving the governorship to Delta North.

Incidentally, a member of Governor Uduaghan’s cabinet and Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovouzourie Macaulay stirred the hornet nest last week.

Fielding questions from reporters in Asaba, the capital city of the state, Macaulay said that before now, he had thrown his full weight behind the emergence of a candidate from the Igbo-speaking part of the state, which makes up the Delta North senatorial district.

However, he said he was beginning to be sceptical about the agenda, even as he denied the existence of an agreement for power shift among the three senatorial districts in the state.

But in a swift reaction, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the PDP, Chief Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi, faulted the SSG’s vehement denial of an agreement for power shift among the three districts in the state.

Stung by Macaulay’s recent revelation, Nwao- Macaulay boshi, an Anioma from Ibusa, Oshimili North the past rulers of the state by Anioma candiLocal Council of the state, said that the govern- dates. ment scribe was not a founding member of the “This smacks of an intention to engage in PDP in 1998 and so, he was not in a position to vendetta against the people of South and Censpeak on the authenticity of the accord. tral districts should an Anioma person beStill, a top member of the PDP, Chief Felix Ani- come governor in 2015,” he said. rah, joined the fray, backing Macaulay’s asser- He charged: “I was initially very enthusiastic tion, and engaging in a verbal duel with Chief about an Anioma governor, as Delta North is Nwaoboshi. the only district that is yet to produce the govAnirah, a staunch member of the Urhobo Po- ernorship of the state. litical Congress (UPC), told The Guardian in a “But I am afraid that they may not get the suptelephone interview from his Sapele home that port of the other districts if they don’t change nobody would succumb to such baseless agita- their style. There is no need for this strident tion by the people of Delta North “who have cry of marginalisation. been drumming support for power shift to the “It is a pointer that the Anioma are out for a senatorial district.” revenge mission against the other parts of the The Urhobo leader faulted the PDP chairman, state should they win in 2015. saying politics is a game of number, “which “I think the proper thing for them to do is to needs suitable candidate, and not mediocre campaign and sell their agenda for transunder the guise of power shift to rule the state.” forming the state to the people.

But Nwaoboshi has dismissed Anirah, insist“With the way they are going about it, I am ing that those who took such a stand were po- afraid that people like us will not support an litical neophytes, as “they were not there when Anioma person for the governorship, as we the unwritten agreement was made.” are scared.”

Macaulay, a close confidant of Governor Udu- The Government Secretary insisted that as an aghan and a member of the G-3, which cam- insider, he was not aware of any agreement paigned vigorously for Uduaghan’s between the Anioma and other parts of the enthronement in 2007, explained that he state for a power shift, adding that, even if would have preferred a candidate from Delta there was one, it was crystal clear that the peoNorth, who has a pan-Delta agenda. ple and leaders of Delta North never faithfully He decried what he termed an ethnic-based adhered to it. campaign with all the cacophony of power Macaulay noted that during the last elections shift, “which almost all the candidates from the in 2011, the votes of Delta northerners were district are currently engaged in.” shared between Uduaghan of the PDP and He pointed out that, as the only the senatorial Chief Great Ogboru of the main opposition district that was yet to produce the governor- Democratic Peoples Party. ship of the state, as the Urhobo of the Central He stressed that this was the reason Ogboru senatorial district have had it twice in the per- won convincingly in four local councils in son of Senator Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori Delta North and ran neck and neck with Uduwhile Uduaghan is from Delta South senatorial aghan in the other five. district, “the Anioma people truly deserve the He said: “If at all, there was an agreement, the support of the other districts.” proper thing to have been done for the agreeMacaulay faulted the Anioma candidates’ cam- ment to be valid was for the people of Delta paign slogan of equity and fairness, advising North to vote massively for Uduaghan. that the proper thing for them to do is to “Since nothing like that happened in the elecmount a campaign through out the length and tion, such an agreement is not valid. For the breadth of the state, outlining their dreams avoidance of doubt, the opposition had 12 and vision for the state. members in the House of Assembly.”

He said he was turned off by the negative cam- Macaulay remarked that he was yet to take a paign of marginalisation being labeled against political decision for the forthcoming elec-

Nwaoboshi tions but would support “any candidate who has a vision of taking the state to a higher level instead of a narrow selfish and ethnic agenda.”

But begging to differ, the PDP chair, Chief Nwaoboshi, said Macaulay, an Isoko from the town of Owhelogbo in Delta South, was a practicing journalist way back in 1999 when the military handed over power to civilians.

“And so, he (Macaulay) is not in a vantage position to comment on the political arithmetic of the state,” he said.

Continuing, Nwaoboshi remarked that the SSG was only appointed, as commissioner, towards the tail end of the first tenure of Ibori’s administration and so, was a neophyte “when it comes to party administration.”

Nwaoboshi said: “Macaulay is not in a position to know if there was an agreement on power shift or not in the state.

“He wasn’t there in 1998 when we founded the PDP and was only bought in towards the tail end of the first tenure of Ibori.

“He was a practicing journalist in 1999 and does not understand party administration.

His views are personal and of no consequence.”

Still in his attempt to set the record straight, Nwaoboshi let it be known that Ibori won all the nine local councils of Delta North in the state in 1999 and 2003, a fact, which he insisted Macaulay should have taken into consideration instead of dwelling only on the re-run governorship between Uduaghan of the PDP and Chief Great Ogboru of the opposition DPP and the election of 2011.

Having had over 10 years stint in government, Nwaoboshi conceded that Macaulay may be an insider in government but that he was an outsider as far as party politics was concerned in the state.

“It is on record that he (Macaulay) lost his home council of Isoko North in the re-run election of January 2011,” Nwaoboshi said.

Meanwhile, Chief Anirah has recalled that all the elections in Delta State were contested, too, by people from Delta North,

Anirah wondering why a part of the state would want an exclusive right to the Government House in Asaba.

He demanded clarification, as regards the socalled agreement paper on power shift to Delta North, “the names of those who wrote it, signed it and those who represented the Urhobo nation in the drafting of the agreement.”

According to Anirah, the issue of power shift was a gimmick by some politicians, “who feel that they must govern the state forever and hold it to ransom.”

He said: “In fact, that insinuation (power shift) emanated from a beer parlour talk that must be discarded with a wave of (the) hand.

“He who comes to equity must come with a clean hand. A part of the state undemocratically got the capital of the state to Asaba, which is the extreme end of the state and nobody complained about it.

“Democracy does not tolerate power shift; whoever emerges from a free and fairly contested election becomes the governor. Why should they be crazy for power shift if they are good enough?”

Again, Nwaoboshi, who spoke during the peace and reconciliation meeting among the leaders and other stakeholders of the party in Agbor, Ika South Local Council of the state, emphasised there was an unwritten agreement.

He said he was not ready to join issues with anybody he claimed were neophytes and were not there when certain agreements were made.

The chairman maintained that the party would not open its eyes and allow some people to jeopardise the peace and security agenda of Governor Emanuel Uduaghan.

He vowed that the party would deal ruthlessly with its members in the state and beyond, “who threaten the peace and stability being enjoyed within the party.”

“You people made me the chairman of the party in the state and I hold the post in trust for the Anioma,” he said.

“When it was zoned to us, Anioma people said they want me. So, I will not disappoint you. I will remain committed to you once you remain united.

“That is why I came during the New Year, to preach the message of love and peace,” Nwaoboshi said.

Monday, January 27, 2014 POLITICS 17

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Yoruba in the North will vote Jonathan, says Adeyemi Senator Smart Adeyemi, who represents Kogi West of Kogi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the PDP as an elephant that could not be stopped from moving. In an interaction with journalists, including Seye Olumide, he urged Yoruba, who are romancing with some elements in the North, to recall history and mend their ways.

HAT are the chances of the PDP W retaining control of the central government in the 2015 elections, as it is gradually losing strong members to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC)?

It depends on how you perceive it.

Are you sure the G-7 Governors and their cohorts have left the PDP finally?

Secondly, does the movement of those governors translate into the PDP not winning the presidential or governorship elections in their various states in 2015? The answer is no because apart from one or two of them who did very well, maybe some former governors, who identified with those governors that performed well, some of the governors didn’t do well at all. If you ask them to go back to the polls, they will not win elections.

Don’t forget that in some of these states we are talking about, there are some people, who are already in the opposition, that said these people should better go back to the PDP and this is happening in four of the five states concerned.

When you talk about winning election, it is not the governor alone that would determine, who wins election in the state. Do you know that Nigeria of today is not the Nigeria of five years ago, and do you also know there are many sentiments that will come into play when the time comes?

The advantage I have is that I know Nigerians more than many of these so-called leaders. Many of them never had the privilege I had as a journalist and more so, as a former president of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

I moved across the length and breath of Nigeria. I know more than two-thirds of Nigeria’s local government areas. I know how diverse we are and the sentiments that will come when election comes. President Goodluck Jonathan doesn’t need 28 governors to win elections or become the President of Nigeria.

What could have been responsible for the gang-up, against Jonathan, by some elements in the North?

It is wrong to say gang-up by the North because there are many northerners who are in support of this government. I granted an interview recently and I told my brothers in the North not to concentrate on fighting for power because we have had power for 30 years. What should be our priority is how to liberate the North from poverty and oppression.

And when they were not forthcoming, I sponsored the Frontier Oil Exploration Bill to help the North out of poverty so that the southerners will not be carrying us as slaves.

If you have political power but lack economic power, it makes no sense.

The person that has economic power can always wrestle and take the political power from you anytime he wants.

So, go and tell the northern governors that if you have political power without economic power, the person that has economic power will ground you and collect it from you.

The Yoruba in the Southwest didn’t fight with oil during the June 12, 1993 presidential election debacle; they used the Lagos Port to paralyse Nigeria. Tell me what the North can use to paralyse Nigeria, if we have cause to disagree with other parts of the

Adeyemi country?

If the South-South people decide that they want to paralyse this country today, 30 minutes is enough for them to do it. You will have N5,000 in your pocket and won’t be able to buy petrol.

The gang-up seems to be more or less dominated by a section of some Muslims from the Southwest, who are in collaboration with some Northerners, who are also predominantly Muslims.

Let me tell you, if you will report it like this to the Yoruba people: Awo nwo oju, Ogberi nwo inu awo....

Awo mo wipe majele wa ninu awo, sugbon Ogberi ko mo. This is a Yoruba adage and the message is that people with different ideologies are pretending to one another, but an intelligent man knows what is happening. A man that can see beyond his nose knows what is happening.

It is quiet unfortunate that some Yoruba do not know what this thing is all about, and they are following the North, and they will be the first victims.

Could the proposed National Conference have the weight to galvanise the Nigerian project to another level, keeping in mind the barrage of criticisms trailing the dialogue?

If Goodluck Jonathan didn’t call for this conference, people would still come to say he ran away from the conference. To me, is it not better to take advantage of all the avenues to talk than to war?

Irrespective of whether the outcome or result of the conference would be used or not, we must first

talk. Former Governor of Ondo State, the late Papa Adekunle Ajasin, said government is “I talk, you talk.” We need to ask those opposed to the conference what they really want and when is it the right time to talk.

Against the North-South sentiment currently playing out, will you still support Jonathan’s bid for second term?

Well, you are insulting me if you say North-South sentiment. Yes, I am a Yoruba man but are you now saying that I am not a northerner because Kogi State is part of the North?

Who are the northerners you said are clamouring to take over the presidency by all means in 2015?

This Northwest-Southwest sentiment, we have seen it before. Have you forgotten what led to the collapse of the First Republic? Was it not Chief Ladoke Akintola and co going into alliance with some people in the North that caused the problem of wetie in the Southwest? Are you not a student of history?

Tell those who are from the Southwest that they should revisit history and know that they will not go far.

You think Yoruba will agree with this strange relationship?

We are equally Yoruba in the North; when the time comes, we will remind our brothers in the Southwest the history of where they are coming from. We don’t want to start throwing stones now; you just wait.

Are you saying this crisis has not weakened the PDP? When you shake the leg of an elephant; that will not stop the elephant from moving. When you hold the leg of an elephant; that cannot

stop the elephant from moving.

That answers your question.

As a lawmaker, what is your business in spending so much on empowerment scheme for your people?

I am doing it because I know that there is no government that can meet all the needs of the people; government should not be seen from state or the Federal Government alone.

Government is a collective responsibility of everybody, including those who are voting. Everybody must contribute one way or the other to make life more meaningful to all.

For me as a senator, I’m not in competition with the state government; I’m in partnership with the state government.

What are the items for the empowerment?

I came from the United States with about seven container-loads of medical equipment. There are 22 ambulances that I paid for, not donation. Each of them cost me over N450,000 to clear from the port.

I never allowed them to be driven here; I hired trucks to carry them and I paid N180,000 to get each of them here (Kogi State). Each of them cost me $15,000, excluding the cost of freight. I have other kinds of medical equipment that I brought from overseas.

I have spent over $700,000 on empowerment interventions. At present, I am constructing four cottage hospitals in place like Odo Iri, where I am doing a 30-bed hospital.

In Igbaruku, I demolished the cot-

If you have political power but lack economic power, it makes no sense. The person that has economic power can always wrestle and take the political power from you anytime he wants.

So, go and tell the northern governors that if you have political power without economic power, the person that has economic power will ground you and collect it from you. The Yoruba in the Southwest didn’t fight with oil during the June 12, 1993 presidential election debacle; they used the Lagos Port to paralyse Nigeria. Tell me what the North can use to paralyse Nigeria, if we have cause to disagree with other parts of the country? If the South-South people decide that they want to paralyse this country today, 30 minutes is enough for them to do it. You will have N5,000 in your pocket and won’t be able to buy petrol.

tage hospital there, which the Sardauna of Sokoto built in 1962. I got there and I shed tears because that’s still the only building that they called their hospital. I just demolished it and it is almost completed.

That is a 25-bed hospital.

In Igbagu, I am constructing a 15bed hospital, and in Ogale, I am doing a 10-bed hospital. These hospitals and other hospitals in the state will share the equipment. I have about 400 hospital beds and mattresses. I have stretchers, wheel chairs, and surgical equipment.

It might interest you to know that I’m donating two of the ambulances to the Central and East senatorial districts. I am equally donating to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital because this district used to be part of old Kwara State.

We still have hundreds of thousands indigenes of Kogi West living in Kwara State. More importantly, my wife is from Kwara State, and I also have substantial amount of business interests in There. So, we have to let them know that Kwara is home to us.

Do you have governorship ambition?

No! I am doing the empowerment programme to complement the state government’s efforts; other capable people could be governor. What I am doing is to let the people see what you mean when you say that you are representing them.

Could this be the reason some of your people are urging you to go back to the Senate for the third time?

As a Christian, I always believe in the saying that what happens tomorrow is in the hands of God. There is no amount of planning that anybody can do that could guarantee victory. Victory in any contest is in the hands of God. If human efforts can stop somebody from becoming a senator, I should not have been where I am today. If human or government power or machinery is what is required to win an election and is capable of stopping somebody, I should not have been a senator today.

When I was fighting the former administration, people asked if I could return to the senate and I said my second term was in the hands of God. My take is to tell the people to allow me do this job well, so that my conscience will be clear that I have served like Baba Awolowo served, like Ahmadu Bello served. Those are the people I see as role models.

Those who serve the people well end up well. You need people’s prayer to succeed. My desire for good governance brought me into politics and not money.

What is the problem with the issue of governance in the country?

The issue is that we have bad people in government, and who are they? They are the people who are not ready to give, but who want to amass wealth.

I wanted to be a pastor before I ventured into politics; so, I have a lot to do. My desire is to work and defend the people so that before God and man, I can say that I have not betrayed the mandate given to me by my people.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Monday, January 27, 2014

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 In search of a new beginning Patriots by its recent protest against the recommendations of the Femi Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue appears Tto HEOkurounmu-led have spoken the minds of most Nigerians who desire a truly great Nigeria. The position of this group of eminent Nigerians as contained in their letter to President Goodluck Jonathan is that for the confab to be attractive, it must possess two fundamental attributes: “The adoption of a suitable new constitution embodying renegotiated terms and conditions on which the diverse ethnic groups comprised in Nigeria can live together in peace, security, progress, prosperity, general well-being and unity as one country” and, secondly, the conference “should be one of ethnic nationalities making up or composing the Nigerian state as the pivot or focal point”. In truth this is the irreducible minimum if Nigeria would ever be truly united and walk the path of real progress.

The grouse of The Patriots and indeed that of most compatriots is the recommendation of the Advisory Committee to the effect that the decisions of the conference will only be integrated into the existing 1999 Constitution instead of a referendum which is the preference of most Nigerians. That recommendation cannot be right.

It cannot sufficiently assuage the clamour of the majority of Nigerians who abhor the 1999 Constitution because of their belief that they have been short-changed by it in the way it came about and in terms of some of the provisions therein which is the basis of the conclusion that the constitution is incurably defective, fundamentally controversial, highly questionable and thoroughly objectionable in form and in substance. Nothing can be built or ought to be built on it.

The real path to true nationhood, therefore, is that only a brand new constitution would meet the expectations of Nigerians, not the refurbishment of the existing one perceived as bereft of redeeming values. In other words, Nigerians crave a new beginning, by which they could negotiate first hand, a peaceful coexistence in an atmosphere that is sacrosanct and within a framework that is completely insulated from political interference and governmental superintendence in its operations and the outcome of the deliberations.

The straight-forward implication of this is that it shall not be acceptable to subject the decisions of the conference to the whims and caprices of the National Assembly.

The conference, even to the extent that it is not exactly within the contemplation of the existing legal order, ought not to be subjected to the norms of the said legal order or the mechanisms put in place by it. The National Assembly in any case is a norm or mechanism of the existing legal order that is to be subject of review in all ramifications and in every material particular by the confab. Nigerians will like to determine whether the legal order as it stands today should remain as it is in form and in character; whether the structures and/or organs of the existing legal order, including the National Assembly are suitable for Nigeria’s complexities and the attainment of the people’s dreams as a multi ethnic, multi lingual and multi religious nation or surplus to requirement in which case they have to give way. This is the lifetime opportunity which the conference offers Nigerians. And because it is akin to some sort of liberation from years of bondage, Nigerians would hold tenaciously to it, make the best of it and derive maximum benefits from it.

No one or group of persons would stand between them and the accruable benefits. This is where the historical and political gains of President Jonathan lie in all of these. If he allows strength of character and gift of steady application to prevail in the determination of the weight or status to be accorded to the conference and its deliberations, history will score him pretty high. He will end up engraving his name on the sand of time probably as the founder of new or modern Nigeria. His sins of the past, if any, would no longer matter. But if he prevaricates or elects to drift with the tides, he may dip for all times and purposes into the valley of infamy.

He would unwittingly invoke the harsh judgment of history on his person and his regime. His fortune or lack of it therefore depends on whether he identifies with Nigerians on the essential attributes of the conference or he panders to the expediency of party politics or other political considerations that may foster or enhance the attainment of his political ambition.

It takes a certain depth, breadth and length of vision as well as unequalled patriotism, all of which are essential ingredients of statesmanship, the minimum quality of an ideal leader, to realise that the conference is more significant than any political ambition. It goes without saying that making a success of it would certainly boost President Jonathan’s political profile and, more importantly, give him everlasting political and historical relevance.

Government would help itself by looking at every report and by considering every shade of opinion on how to achieve optimum and most enduring result with the conference. There is little to be gained by closing eyes to a minority report submitted by Solomon Asemota, for instance. It is bad enough that government rejected the report; it is worse that it denied vehemently its existence. The controversy which this has generated is needless and can only undermine the Advisory Committee’s recommendations as well as the eventual conference. Government’s denial now certainly weighs on its credibility particularly as it turned out that a minority report was submitted, received and acknowledged by the appropriate authority.

Above all, the Jonathan administration has done well by agreeing to set up a constitutional conference.

Hopes have been raised and history now beckons.

LETTERS

Waiting for Renaissance Professionals IR: The recent revelation in and visible outcome of his SPresidency the media that the inconsiderate actions. has issued a strong query to the loquacious Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over his donation of over N150 billion of CBN money to different institutions is a sad reminder of our nation’s recursive path to nowhere.

According to the reports, the Presidency stated that the donations are ultra vires and beyond his scope of responsibilities as CBN Governor.

How time flies and how things change and still remain the same!

Nearly five years ago, this man who has assumed a larger than life image came onto the public stage and upturned an entire banking industry that is the wheel of economic development, and our ever gullible people who revel in the “name and shame game” declared him their hero.

But how wrong we have been.

Unilaterally, without any checks and balances, without revealing the outcomes of the stress test on banks, Sanusi sacked the management of eight banks that are the private property of over 500,000 Nigerians, and we clapped for him. Five years after, there is no substantial

As a reminder, he accused the sacked Managing Directors of the banks he ‘reformed’ of corporate governance infractions. What goes round comes around.

Now the Presidency is indicting him of corporate governance abuse. This development coupled with the unnecessary controversy he concocted over the “missing” $48.9 billion NNPC funds reminds me of Renaissance Professionals, the advocacy group that sought to unveil him when he assumed office.

Some of us tended to wish Renaissance Professionals away because we felt they wanted to shield the “thieving” Bank MDs that ‘messiah’ Sanusi came to save us from.

But now we know better.

Ever since the demise of Renaissance Professionals, Sanusi has been feeding us with his usual hogwash, unchallenged. How I wish I can lay my hands on the numerous articles and interventions of this group, because their predictions seem to be coming true one after the other.

And what are his achievements? Take a look at his latest policy of hiking Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector deposits in banks to 75% which is anoth-

er way of forcing banks to freeze lending. So how does the economy grow? And this is even against the backdrop that lending rates are already as high as 25%; foreign exchange rate has been on the rise since his ascendancy and has now peaked to N160/$1 whereas the black market rate is as high as N173/$1 creating an unprecedented boom in the black market business with its attendant effects on the economy.

Ibrahim Mayaki (Snr) said of this CBN Governor in The Guardian, Sunday, September 29, 2013: “Today’s Sanusi is a hero with feet of clay. The Naira is nose-diving, interest rates are sky-rocketing, wealth and savings are evaporating. Sanusi’s CBN is all-powerful, yet bumbling and largely unaccountable” Now that the Presidency has finally come out to show the world that Sanusi is not the super-star performer that he has claimed to be with this query, who will be bold enough to reveal to Nigerians his many other infractions and deceptive actions, since the media has seemingly been silenced by Sanusi’s powerful media machinery?

Or has Renaissance Professionals also joined the Sanusi praise-singing bandwagon?

• Victor Imafidon, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

Monday, January 27, 2014 19

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion CBN’s oil receipts expose fiscal impunity

By Henry Boyo AMIDO Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria Llier(CBN) Governor, has since recanted his earallegation that NNPC did not repatriate the sum of $49.8 billion revenue from crude oil sales into the Federation Account. In contrast, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday, December 17, assured the Senate Committee on SURE-P that the alleged missing $49.8 billion was intact; but inexplicably, the same Minister surprisingly turned round, the next day, to report to another Senate Committee on Finance that, in fact, crude oil sales revenue of $10.8 billion was still to be resolved for the period between January 2012 and July 2013. Nevertheless, Okonjo-Iweala’s figure still contrasts with $12 billion, which Sanusi subsequently insisted was still outstanding after the latest reconciliation with other relevant agencies.

However, even if the Minister’s lower figure is more accurate, it is regrettable that the discrepant value of a magnitude of $10.8 billion (about N2tn), does not reflect best practice in management of public funds; besides, protracted resolution of such a huge deviation would most certainly impede successful capital budget implementation, with inevitable adverse collateral on our social welfare!

Nonetheless, the thrust of today’s article is rather the positive fiscal contribution of over N6tn (i.e. $38.6bn) revenue that CBN readily admitted receiving from NNPC and other agencies involved in the oil sector between January and December 2012!

Fortuitously, the receipts of N6tn from oil are in addition to over N4tn also consolidated as internally generated revenue, under the excellent management of Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, the erstwhile Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman; furthermore, the Customs Service similarly generated about N400bn, thus bringing the total revenue collected from oil related sources, FIRS and the Customs Service to a

whooping possible total above N10tn in 2012.

Consequently, if over 56 per cent of above consolidated fund goes to the Federal Government as per constitutional provisions for revenue sharing, then the Federal Government was a happy beneficiary of over N5tn income, which is surprisingly in excess of total expenditure budget of about N4.7tn in 2012.

Thus, it is bewildering, therefore, that in spite of this apparent surplus of well over N300bn, the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the CBN still, inexplicably, additionally borrowed over N1tn at excessive cost, primarily from banks, to inappropriately fund a prior contrived budget deficit, as well as to feed CBN’s compulsive borrowing to reduce money supply, and stem inflationary threat in 2012!

Consequently, the National Assembly, civil society and well-meaning Nigerians should demand that proper investigation be quickly carried out to determine the net actual accounts position after consolidating all incomes against expenditure in the 2012 budget; it certainly makes no sense whatsoever, to consolidate ‘surplus’ funds, above budget benchmark, and simultaneously also additionally consume over N1tn ($6bn) borrowed at oppressive double digit rates of interest, especially when such risk-free sovereign debts should normally attract lower digit cost of funds.

Additionally, in spite of the legislatures’ reports of less than 70 per cent implementation of 2012 capital budget, undiminished debt accumulation in 2013 suggests that last year’s unspent revenue was surprisingly, probably not carried forward to reduce the projected deficit in this year’s budget!

Unfortunately, the same reckless scenario may have also underscored the management of the 2013 budget, where, once again, total expenditure projection of about N4.92tn also accommodated deficit of over N800bn triggered by the projected reduced revenue from appli-

cation of a conservative and unrealistic oil price benchmark of N74.5/barrel.

Fortunately, however, in his letter of September 25, 2013 to President Jonathan, Lamido Sanusi, the CBN Governor, confirmed that oil has consistently sold above $100/barrel and that over $22bn were received as oil revenue income between January and July 2013; consequently, we may reasonably expect that actual oil revenue accruals should exceed $40bn by December 31, 2013!

Indeed, $40bn translates to a ‘handsome’ naira equivalent of well over N6tn! Additional internally generated revenue of about N4tn was also received from the FIRS and the Customs Service and presumably also consolidated with unspent funds from last year’s budget; thus, actual available revenue should be well in excess of N10tn by December 2013!

However, in line with constitutional provisions, the Federal Government’s share of over 56 per cent of revenue would again provide well over N5.5tn i.e. over N500bn in excess of the 2013 expenditure budget of N4.92tn. Curiously, however, in spite of this surplus, the DMO and CBN still succeeded in borrowing and adding over N1tn to our already oppressive debt burden.

Regrettably, the 2014 budget and the 2014-16 Medium Term Expenditure Framework have also been founded on the same obnoxious fiscal model that accommodates borrowing with extreme costs to fund inappropriate deficits in spite of the availability of surplus funds to cover the projected total expenditure budget of about N4.6tn.

It is worrisome that the determination of appropriate crude oil benchmark price has been reduced to political bargaining rather than an inclusive process of determining realistic revenue benchmarks for progressive and sustainable fiscal planning.

It is surprising that after the controversial Paris Club debt exit in 2006, when our exist-

ing debt value of about $36bn was considered to be crisis level, which therefore, required over $18bn payout to exit, our indebtedness has since grown from an external debt of about $3.5bn and N1tn domestic debt respectively, to the, respectively, current oppressive level of about $7bn external and almost N54tn ($90bn) domestic debt. Furthermore, AMCON’s N5.7tn debt and the latest PHCN’s carried over debt of about N400bn may have driven Nigeria’s debt to almost $100bn, within a space of just seven years!!

Incidentally, the appropriation bill is probably the most important enactment of the legislative year, as it determines issues relating to how available government funds can be optimally and judiciously utilized to address infrastructural enhancement and best improve social welfare of citizens.

Instructively, a constitutional breach is not just a political aberration, but also carries impeachment as a potential sanction; thus, an Appropriation Act must not be carelessly violated. It is, however, evidently a constitutional breach when budgets are not fully implemented in spite of surplus funds or even when surplus funds are spent without appropriation, as has been the case with regular cash augmentations from an illegally contrived surplus crude account to supplement actual budgeted monthly allocations to the three tiers of government!

Regrettably, official revenue receipts confirm that appropriated revenue limits were grossly violated in the recent past, and that such violations appear subsisting, since the same obnoxious seeds of fiscal impunity have already been sown into the fabric of the 2014-16 MTEF, with the adoption of a crude price benchmark which, inappropriately feeds an unconstitutionally consolidated Excess Crude Account, simultaneously with deficits and increasing debt between 2014 - 2016!

• Boyo is a financial analyst and commentator on public affairs.

Okotie, the pulpit and podium

By Omolara Olalekan T is only through God’s divine grace and celestial lissomIyard. ness that a man attains the lofty height of 30 in God’s vineIt is not of works, but of ecclesiastical gift. That is why reading through Pastor Chris Okotie’s interview in the Punch Newspaper one is constrained to join him in celebrating a milestone as a soldier of the cross, a beacon of spiritual light; a preacher of the gospel and a defender of the truth.

Thirty years ago, Okotie became a born-again Christian and three years later, he sew the seed of what has germinated and grown today, as one of the largest churches in Nigeria – the Household of God Church.

Numbers 30 and 27 are significant numbers in the spiritual realm. Thirty is widely acknowledged to denote a higher degree the perfection of divine order and dedication – that is, recognizing the right moment in God’s Divine plan for man.

Jesus was about 30 years old at the commencement of His ministry. Joseph was 30 when he became the Vizier of Egypt.

David was also 30 when he began his reign over Israel. In the Biblical age, a man was eligible for military service at 30 and Levites began their service in the Sanctuary at age 30. So if there is any doubt as to the maturity of Okotie in the vineyard, the signification of the number 30 has rubbished such leaning.

Twenty-seven is a symbol of compassion, intelligence, kindness and humanitarianism. It is a number associated with natural teachers, healers and counsellors. Little wonder that Pastor Okotie has chosen this auspicious moment to recognize God’s marvellous grace and infinite love on him and his ministry.

I have dwelt on his activities and success on the pulpit above, so as to draw a correlation between them and some of the salient issues on political podium he raised in the interview with Punch which we must not gloat over.

Severally, I have wondered why a man would not be contented with only preaching the word of God. This was the conviction I had in 2003 when he first contested as Presidential

candidate. But today, that conviction has been smouldered to smithereens. Okotie has indicated interest to run again for the Presidency in 2015. Why not? The Nigerian political firmament is today populated by pretenders, intellectual misfits and men of low pedigree, many who have not been proven worthy in their private and professional callings. Many who have pilfered from the public treasure and yet are not satisfied.

We, therefore, need men like Okotie, spiritual architects, moral builders and intellectual spinners to add plenitude and panache to political contests.

He should not be dissuaded by the thought of failure. Abraham Lincoln’s lesson on rejection and failure is instructive here. As a politician, he contested and lost seven elections at various levels, before he was eventually elected the President of the United States.

That God has spoken to Okotie to run does not imply instant success as many of us erroneously believe. We must keep faith and work conscientiously to actualise God’s plans for us. But a warning here: He should expect to be betrayed. Part of that betrayal is one of the plagues of Nigerian politics he mentioned in the interview, which is rigging of elections.

From imposition of candidates for election, fraudulent nomination of candidates and the swaying of votes to the preferred candidates and the shameful upholding of such rigged elections by Nigerian courts, ours has been a country coasting on a dark-ling plain of weak leadership, mediocre politicians mounting the saddle of power and authority and corruptly enriched money bags who believe that the Nigerian voter will always sell his votes for a morsel of bread.

As Nigerians, we must continue to raise our voice against institutional infractions and one of the ways to do this is to be an active participant in the political process just as Okotie has been doing.

Another remarkable point raised by Okotie in the interview is that between preaching and prosperity. Most people who lack a deeper knowledge of the complexities of ministration and the service for God have always chided men of God when they see some air of prosperity around them. Such persons fail

to understand what Okotie means that “prosperity is an integral part of the gospel. It is not an end in itself. It is the authentication and the validation of the acceptance of the Melchizedek priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

People go to church to learn of the things of heaven – to be prospered spiritually, morally, materially, physically and financially. God is not a God of poverty. Silver and gold belong to God and those who diligently seek Him as preacher or hearer must be the first partakers of wholesome riches and heavenly treasures. The truth remains that any preacher that epitomizes material impecuniousness or destitution; any preacher of the word of God who wilfully lives and breathes pauperism because he does not want the world to see him as wallowing in ostentatiousness does not understand God’s plan for our spiritual liberation.

Why for instance should a pastor continuously pray for God’s blessings on his congregation and when God blesses such people it is not robbed off on the preacher? Prosperity is a positive outcome of the gospel of ministration which is both service and leadership. This can be compared to the head of a rich conglomerate. If he doesn’t have the air of affluence and opulence around him who will have?

The fundamental objective of God’s financial plan for His children is to liberate them from the shackles of poverty and destitution. Part of our testimony is to display the grace that God has bestowed on us not in a way that could ingrain strife in the minds of people.

I do not believe, as some people say, that because President Goodluck Jonathan is from the South-South, nobody from that region should aspire for that position. The landscape of Nigerian politics has gone beyond ethnic line and we must seek for the best wherever they come from.

In 2015 and beyond, we need something fresh; we need somebody fresh. Somebody not tied to the apron strings of the corrupt and inchoative self-imposed political dynasty and class holding Nigeria down by the jugular. Okotie fits appropriately in this definition.

• Olalekan wrote from Lagos.

20 | Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion The importance of Central Bank credibility

By Thompson Ayodele AST December I met a former classmate who Lstarted is doing very well selling electronics. He out with his uncle about eight years ago. Now he has three shops, one of them profitably leading his foray into computers and computer accessories. He told me that the business is hard graft; competition is tough and margins are low. Growth lies in huge volumes.

The policies pursued by the Central Bank of Nigeria have led to the stability of the naira. According to my friend, violent price upswings caused by the instability of the naira hampered the growth of the trade in the past. He remembered his uncle has had to lay people off twice when sudden price movements led to a sharp decline in demand.

The successes of many other Nigerians in their businesses owe something to the monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Lamido Sanusi who has vigorously pursued price stability and low inflation. Since the commencement of the Sanusi era at the Central Bank of Nigeria, the apex bank has consistently pursued policies aimed at achieving price stability and low inflation. This contributed significantly to the stability in the financial system generally; inflation fell from over 13 per cent in 2009 to below 7.8 per cent as at October 2013. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) developed a culture of open deliberation and explanation of the rationale behind its decisions. This resulted in a sort of confidence building “forward guidance”.

Mr. Sanusi’s entry in 2009 quickly exposed governance rot and weak financial position of many Nigerian banks. It was apparent that the

distress in these banks was aggravated if not caused by the compromised supervision of the CBN. To prevent a general loss of confidence and a run on Nigerian banks, the new CBN governor took bold measures to restore confidence. Without worthy counterparties in the financial system, foreign investors would not have staked so much funds in Nigeria. According to World Bank data, the average Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow between 2009 and 2012 is US$7.25 billion per year. In fact, total capital inflow in the first 10 months of 2013 was US$18.26 billion, a growth of more than 100% in the last five years.

Despite the challenges facing Nigeria, she still remains the most preferred investment destination in Sub Saharan Africa. This is because investors believe that Nigerian opportunities outweigh the risks and pockets of credible regulations like the CBN encourage them to bet that things will get better in Nigeria. It has helped significantly that the CBN is perceived as an autonomous institution whose primary interest is safeguarding the economy rather than following political dictates. In Zimbabwe, the very obvious manipulation of the central bank has been as decisive as the political crisis in driving down foreign investment to a US$264 million.

Nigerian financial industry leaders and foreign investors are keen that when Sanusi leaves, the person that replaces him will be someone whose main concern is deepening the successful CBN-led reforms and ensuring that the hard earned money of Nigerians is safe in whichever bank it is kept. An important concern is also that the value of this money remains stable, inflation is controlled and investors can confidently invest foreign cur-

The successes of many other Nigerians in their businesses owe something to the monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Lamido Sanusi who has vigorously pursued price stability and low inflation. Since the commencement of the Sanusi era at the Central Bank of Nigeria, the apex bank has consistently pursued policies aimed at achieving price stability and low inflation. rencies in Nigeria, knowing that they can take it out when they wish and the value is unlikely to be seriously eroded. Nigerians do not need a CBN Governor whose main concern is keeping Aso Rock and its Super Ministries happy.

It would be highly regrettable if reservations about the political fallouts of some actions of the current CBN Governor lead to underappreciating his considerable technical achievements and the need to sustain them. The priority of all concerned should be the vast number of Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on stable exchange rates and low inflation, variables that are significantly affected by the confidence foreigners have to invest in Nigeria. The Sanusi regime at the CBN hasn’t only been good for Dangote; it has been good for my old friend who sells imported electronics and millions of other such Nigerians. Yes, it may have embarrassed the Government that Sanusi’s famous letter exposed, even if not totally accurately, the mess Federal Government accounts are in. But despite legitimate concerns about the personal style of the current CBN Governor, the Federal Government’s priority should be placing professionals of Sanusi’s ilk in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to drive reforms that promote transparency. One could even argue that Sanusi’s concern with accountability of NNPC’s

accounts strengthens confidence of foreign investors in the autonomy of the CBN and the possibility of reform in Nigeria. On the other hand, harassing Sanusi would only increase the country’s risk perception as an investment destination. It would send a wrong message to the outside world on the autonomy and strength of our institutions. It is perhaps for this reason that the Presidency has maturely resolved to manage the vexatious open letater behind closed doors.

For all the celebration of foreign investment in Nigeria, much work still needs to be done for this investment to impact the lives of millions more Nigerians. More than 80% of all the foreign capital inflow is Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPI), meaning these are funds going into equities and bonds, not factories, real estate and other investments which will directly create jobs for Nigerians. So the policies for which Sanusi and the Central Bank of Nigeria are being celebrated are just minimum requirements, we need to do a lot more to get the sort of investment required to transform Nigeria. This means Nigeria must do everything it can to safeguard the reforms while we seek to build on them.

• Thompson Ayodele is the executive Executive director Director of Initiative for Public Policy Analysis, a public policy think-tank based in Lagos.

Oduah, Victoria Hammah, season of scandals

By Chinwe Ada Phillips IGERIA and Ghana share many things in common, right N from the days of their individual and collective struggles to gain freedom from their common colonial masters up till now. While the then Gold Coast got its freedom in 1957, Nigeria got its three years later in 1960. Shortly after independence, both countries passed through their most glorious eras in socio-economic development, engineered by their independence heroes, including Ghana’s Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Nigeria’s Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and numerous others, many of who are of blessed memory.

However, both countries with a lot of potential and tendencies to lead the African continent wobbled due to large-scale corruption, no thanks to the various mindless military incursions into their social firmaments. In Ghana, while the then young and ebullient Flight Lt. John Jerry Rawlings (popularly called Junior Jesus), of Scottish and Ghanaian parentage, wreaked havoc in a revolutionary way on the highly corrupt political class then, killing publicly three former Heads of State in the process for massive looting of public treasury, Nigeria had nobody to rescue it from the jaws of corruption, which first manifested so glaringly in the 60s. Since the Rawlings revolution in Ghana, each succeeding administrations in that country has made conscious and conscientious efforts to clip the growing wings of corruption. However, the reverse is the case in Nigeria, where corruption has continued to have more and more disciples from each succeeding administration.

Recently, two similar events involving two women cabinet ministers happened in Nigeria and Ghana. While the event in

Today, no ethnic warlords are defending Hammah in Ghana, or abusing anybody, despite the fact that she only had the intention to steal. No so-called youths in a rented crowd are carrying placards for Hammah; no ethnic-based group is accusing other Ghanaians of wanting to pull Hammah down because she is not one of them, she is all on her own. But, in Nigeria, Oduah’s defenders, mostly ethnic jingoists, have continued to shamelessly defend her act, carrying placards to dance naked in the market square.

Ghana involved their Deputy Minister of Communications, Mrs. Victoria Hammah, who was “merely dreaming” of corruption, that of Nigeria involved its Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, who actualised her dream by illegally approving the purchase of two unbudgeted-for BMW cars for an inflated sum of N255 million to be used by her office. In Ghana, Hammah reportedly said in a taped conversation that she would quit Mahama’s administration as soon as she hits a target of $1 million (about N160 million) by hook or crook. She needs a tutorial from Nigeria to be able to understand the topic, “Target setting in corruption.”

Another similarity between the two women is that they both worked for the election of their presidents. While Hammah worked tirelessly and successfully for the election of Ghanaian President John Mahama, indicted Ms. Oduah, using her pet project, Neighbour to Neighbour, not only worked for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan, but defended his administration during the hike in fuel prices. Both women are considered to be very powerful in the two administrations.

But, instead of using their powers to the betterment of their countries, Oduah used her own for her betterment, while Hammah intended to do same. That is where the similarities between the two powerful women ended.

The reaction of Jonathan to what has now been infamously known as Oduahgate and Mahama to Hammah’s intention were distantly dissimilar. Jonathan has refused to act on the reports of the Presidential Committee he set up and that of the House of Representatives (and the Senate), which all found Oduah culpable and recommended that her appointment as a minister “should be reviewed.” Mahama, on listening to the taped conversation and confirming that it was Hammah’s voice, sacked the woman from his administration within minutes. Months after the scandal, Oduah is still attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, junketing around the world as minister of aviation and sitting comfortably in her office in Abuja.

Today, no ethnic warlords are defending Hammah in Ghana, or abusing anybody, despite the fact that she only had the intention to steal. No so-called youths in a rented crowd are carrying placards for Hammah; no ethnic-based group is accusing other Ghanaians of wanting to pull Hammah down because she is not one of them, she is all on her own. But, in Nigeria, Oduah’s defenders, mostly ethnic jingoists, have continued to shamelessly defend her act, carrying placards to dance naked in the market square.

Their lines of defence, difficult to rationalise, are “After all, the cars were not bought in her name”, “They want her out of the

ministry because she is doing what nobody has ever done before”, “NCAA should be blamed”, “She has done what no any other aviation minister has done in the country and they want to pull her down because they are jealous of her achievements”, “Her critics want to get to President Goodluck Jonathan through Oduah”, and other arrant nonsense.

One, when did it become the practice to use government money to buy cars in people’s names in the ministries and departments? Is the usual practice not to buy cars for offices, whose occupants come and go and use the cars while occupying such offices? Can Oduah and her cohorts tell Nigerians in all honesty that all the cars in her fleet as the Minister of Aviation were bought in her name, or in the name of anybody for that matter? What is she doing that nobody else has ever done?

Were the airport terminals she is “remodeling” now not built by some people before her decades ago? What is the quality of jobs being done in these terminals, and what is the cost? If a brilliant child goes to a neighbour’s house to steal meat in her pot of soup, should the parents just congratulate her simply because she is brilliant? Why should anybody blame NCAA for bringing an inflated cost of cars to her and she approved, saying she asked them to do the “needful”, whatever that means?

When did an act of corruption become an ethnic issue that some of my people would come out in public and defend one of their own, who committed the act?

Oduah has refused to either comment or deny allegations regarding controversial claims to Post Graduate Degrees. Does her grave silence mean consent? Nigerians have variously called for her deserved sack for dragging her exalted position in the mud. This defence of Oduah has reconfirmed the thinking in other parts of Nigeria that an average Igbo person can do anything to acquire money and that he or she would be celebrated after. Otherwise, some of my people would not have rolled out the drums to celebrate an indicted woman. One would have expected Oduah to resign immediately after the scandal broke out to allow for thorough investigation and prove her innocence, or Jonathan to sack her as Mahama hammered Hammah in Ghana, but alas, none of this has happened up till now.

President Jonathan should not set up yet another panel of “eminent Nigerians” to review the report of the Presidential Panel earlier set up to probe Oduah, and another panel will review the report of the one yet-to-be set up and on and on like that until everything will go silent and the media will keep quiet, which they have apparently done now.

• Mrs. Phillips, a management consultant, sent in this piece from Abuja.

Monday, January 27, 2014 21

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection We were lucky to escape lynching, LASU VC, DVC say • Hoodlums hijacked peaceful protest – SUG President • We will investigate, to prosecute perpetrators – Ikuforiji vows

AST Wednesday’s protest has left a scene L of wanton destruction, which the institution may not recover from very soon.

Grounded in front of the Administrative block are two official cars, now shredded into pieces. One of the vandalized cars, an ash-colour Toyota Corolla, with registration number LA-131-A44, is sitting on its roof; with three of its surviving four tyres up in the air.

Surrounding the vehicles are wreckage of broken glasses, car accessories and personal items belonging to the Vice Chancellor.

But the frontal scene of the building was a prelude to greater destruction that had been wrought on the inside.

A first step into the ground floor of the once-polished block gives an idea of a bombed city. The ruin was unprecedented.

From one office to another, all shelves and tables alike had been upturned. Chest of drawers along with their documents and anything valuable in the admission office were not spared in the violent raid.

Bloodstains and broken glasses of windowpanes covered corridors and offices. A theatre of war could not have been worst.

The scene is not anywhere in Alepo, Syria or Afganistan. It is the main Campus of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, in the aftermath of last Wednesday’s protest by students.

It began as a peaceful complaint and appeal to the school authority not to disenfranchise over 1000 students from writing the ongoing second semester examination.

But the appeal soon snowballed into a violent protest and riot, targeted at the school authorities.

Some students of the school had protested over refusal of the school’s management to re-open its portal for students who had paid their school fees, but had not registered before the exams slated to start on the same day of the incident.

About 1,300 out of over 12,800 students of the institution had not registered, hence they decided to protest.

According to the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

John Obafunwa: “It was a miracle we were not lynched by the angry students.”

Obafunwa, during an on-the-spot assessment of the damages by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly last Saturday, said “they came after us to kill us; we could have been dead by now.”

Obafunwa, a forensic pathologist, was in a meeting with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academics, Prof. Zena Bakare when mayhem broke out. The first feel of the crisis, were stones smashing windows from different directions. “I could hardly believe the pandemonium,” he recalled.

Obafunwa alleged that some of the students chose to be negligent and that was why they failed to pay and register as at when due.

He explained that the portal was closed and re-opened severally and “some of the students still refused to register. It is unfortunate to suggest that the management does not have the interest of the students at heart.”

“The issue is beyond the closure of the portal because I witnessed what happened and if not for God, we would have been talking of obituaries this morning. The question is “do we really want a new LASU? What we have done is to instill discipline in the students,” Obafunwa added.

Bakare added that the rioters were indeed possessed and bent on killing.

According to her: “Here we were in the VC’s office when it all started. By the time we knew what was happening, they had started hauling stones at every window, smashing the glasses. It became, how do we escape being lynched?”

“The security men around were already perplexed by the turn of events. Yes, they were armed, but if not because they used wisdom, the matter would have been entirely different. How do you explain that peaceful protesters took to breaking doors, to gain entrance into offices to loot and

Ante-Room to the Vice Chancellor’s Office

Blood stains on the floor of the Administration Block

One of the vandalised vehicles

Another vandalised vehicle

By Wole Oyebade

PHOTOS: WOLE OYEBADE

aiming at the VC’s too? They were all possessed, I must say.”

Continuing, she said: “One of the security men that managed to shield us, advised that we hid under the table, but for the fear that they were advancing, we could not. Yet, we were trapped in the office. I got the shock of my life, when they eventually succeeded in breaking the iron door, to force access into where we were hiding. I thought the end had come. But as luck would have it, it was then that men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) started shooting tear-gas to disperse the mob. They already got to us,” she sadly recalled.

Besides the administrative building, also touched in the violent raid, though alleged to have been perpetrated by hoodlums, were other faculties like Management Sciences, Faculty of Law, and Department of Botany among others.

Apparently shocked by the level of destruction, Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said the House would set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and come up with recommendations.

Ikuforiji, who described the vandalisation of the administrative block of the school as scary, said it was the grace of God that saved the school’s Vice Chancellor, and his team from the hands of the protesting students.

The Speaker promised that the House would ensure that necessary repairs were carried out, adding that Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) would be contacted on the matter.

He expressed fears over damages done to the office of the VC, where vital academic documents were destroyed, adding that efforts would be made to re-open the school as soon as possible.

The visiting lawmakers were dumbfounded on seeing the damaged vehicles belonging to the VC and another management staff and the extent of damage at the administrative block.

In his comments, the Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, Bisi Yusuf, likened the administrative block to “a theatre of war.”

It would be recalled that the Assembly had summoned all parties concerned last Friday, to get to the root of the crisis.

President of the LASU Student Union Government (SUG), Miss Mojirade Hassan told members of the House that students embarked on protest, to register their displeasure over the closure of the portal, but unknown hoodlums soon hijacked it.

According to her: “The protest in front of the Senate building was peaceful because the students were only carrying placards and they did not even sing. Some of them even knelt down to plead, but when the VC and other management staff came, they didn’t address them but drove away from the scene.

“The students seeing this took to the streets and I still called the VC to let him know that the issue had gone out of hand, but he told me to pacify the students. I told him it had gone beyond what I could handle. It was then he told me that he has involved the State Security Service (SSS). If the VC had addressed the students, the issue wouldn’t have degenerated to violence.”

“The protest was hijacked by hoodlums because we saw some yellow buses coming into the school and in the process of the protest, some people were snatching phones and a phone belonging to one of my members was also stolen and when we called the line, the person said he’s not a student of LASU and that we should come to Alaba-rago to collect the phone,” she added.

Markets and garages-often occupied by touts and miscreants -surround Ojo Campus of the University. Up north are Okoko, Alaba-Rago and Alaba International Markets; to the left is Iyana-Iba garage and east is Igbo-Elerin, notorious for miscreants. It was, therefore, not out of place that the main actors might not be students.

The lawmakers, however, blamed the students for indiscipline, irresponsibility and for vandalising school properties acquired with taxpayers’ money.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 Monday, January 27, 2014

NSCDC officials assault journalist in Ibadan

Urhobo leaders plan to curb divisive groups From Chido Okafor, Warri AN-Urhobo socio-cultural P body, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) may, hence-

A journalist, Waheed Adebayo of Leadership Newspaper, being rough handled by some men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps during the installation of new Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin

Another view

From Najeem Raheem, Ibadan

HE Oyo State correspondent for the Leadership Newspapers, Mr Adebayo Waheed, was on Friday assaulted by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the installation of the new Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin.

The installation took place at the S.S Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, in the presence of Catholic members across the globe, including the representative of Pope Francis.

The Leadership correspondent had joined other journalists accredited for the ceremony when the NSCDC men pounced on them, denying them the right to perform their statutory duty.

One of them had threatened to seize and vandalise

T

forth, sanction Urhobo groups that cause division within the ethnic nationality through unwholesome political activities.

The first Deputy Vice President of the UPU, Chief Ejorofo Omene, made the disclosure while receiving the executive members of the Urhobo Social Club, Lagos (USCL) who visited the Adagbrasa country home of the UPU President General, Gen Patrick Aziza (rtd.), to brainstorm on the way forward for the Urhobo nation with the successful installation of a new executive.

Omene, who stood in for Aziza, who was said to have travelled to Abuja for an urgent matter, said only the UPU and the Urhobo Social Club, Lagos, “have the legitimate mandate to represent

the Urhobo people,” and that other Urhobo bodies would be scrutinized and sanctioned when appropriate machinery is established for the purpose.

He frowned at the spate selfserving Urhobo individuals flouting diverse political groups, claiming to represent the Urhobo ethnic nationality, and ironically, issuing political statements that further divide the Urhobo people.

According to the UPU Vice President: “It is fraudulent to use the word ‘Urhobo’ by people who do not have the interest of the Urhobo people at heart. This media usage of Urhobo by self-serving individuals “we’ll do something about it.”

While praising the Urhobo Social Club, Lagos for its contributions towards the Urhobo nation, Omene said the club, which is over 40 years old, has credible Urhobo indigenes as mem-

bers who would have been part of the UPU executive, were they to live in Delta state. He promised to carry the club along in all UPU subsequent activities.

The USCL President, Chief Simeon Ohwofa, who spoke earlier, said the whole purpose of establishing the USCL was to ensure that Urhobo was united, and to ensure that any Urhobo son and daughter, wherever in the world, is well taken care of.

He said they decided to visit the UPU executive to brainstorm and develop a blueprint for the development of the Urhobo people.

He added that even though they didn’t come with an agenda, they have ideas, which they want to discuss with the UPU Ohwofa said: “The USCL was founded by high calibre Urhobo sons; and right from the time USCL was founded 40 years ago, till today, it has always been involved in the

affairs of Urhoboland, especially through the UPU. Because we recognize that if we strengthen the UPU as an umbrella body of the whole of Urhobo, then there will be unity and we can consolidate on what we have achieved.

That is why we have always channel what we intend to do through the UPU. “It is in the books that when the UPU leadership was in disarray, it was USCL that went into it to make sure we return to the path of peace purposeful leadership.

“So we considered it very appropriate that having had one of the best elections in Nigeria as at today that even the contenders could not contest the result; we feel we need to come and congratulate you. The election shows that Urhobo is on its way back to progress and greatness and to be part of the blueprint you may come up with so that Urhobo can move forward”, Ohwofa said.

PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

The Leadership correspondent had joined other journalists accredited for the ceremony when the NSCDC men pounced on them, denying them the right to perform their statutory duty.

A cross-section of UPU national executives and members of Urhobo Social Club, Lagos...

Church renovates technical workshop block in Magodo

By Isaac Taiwo

the cameras of the journalists should they go beyond a point from the podium.

When retiring Bishop Alaba Job made to hand over the Staff of Office to his successor, journalists moved forward to take the photograph but one of the NSCDC officials attacked them.

He particularly attacked Mr Adebayo, beat him and tore his shirt.

Briefs Goodnews Baptist Church marks 30th anniversary OODNEWS Baptist Church, 47/49 Olufemi Road, SuG rulere, Lagos will mark its 30th anniversary from Friday, January 31 to Sunday, February 2, 2014.

A special prayer holds on Friday at 6.30p.m. There will be a colloquium and variety night on Saturday at 2.00p.m.

It will be rounded off on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at 9.00a.m.

The church started in the living room of Deacon and Mrs. Gamaliel Onosode, 30 years ago, on February 1, 1984.

N consonance with the vision of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Adejare Adeboye to demonstrate practically the love of God by not only touching lives of the less privileged through the church arm of Corporate Social Responsibility, but also impact on students to make their lofty dreams realisable, RCCG Holiness Model Parish, Isheri, Magodo has renovated the dilapidated Technical Workshop Block of Isheri Senior Grammar School, giving it a face lift.

The dedication and presentation ceremony, which was conducted by the Pastor in Charge of Lagos Province 37, Adewole Ajayeoba, was witnessed by dignitaries including Baale of Isheri, Chief Albert Oluwole Bankole, APC Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri Local

I

Council Development Area, Alhaji Akeem Osho, Chairperson, All Nigerian Confederation of Principals in Secondary School (ANCOPSS), Mrs. Solabomi Fadola among others.

Delivering his welcome address, the pastor of Holiness Model Parish, Olaitan Olubiyi disclosed that part of the parish’s plan for the year 2013 was to look for a project that would manifest the love of Christ.

“We set out a team to identify a project. Several projects were identified but as God would have it, we opted for this project in November last year to renovate the technical workshop block of this school. Though it was our intention to commission the project before the year ran out, we, however, thank God that this is the day the Lord has chosen.”

“We have also decided and

communed with the Principal that we will equip the workshop in the next few months before moving to the next project in the year 2014.”

“This is just one of the ways the Lord has determined through us to touch lives, help the needy, strengthen the feeble hands in addition to preaching Christ who is embodiment of Love.”

As a matter of fact, I met on ground when I came to the Parish, Scholarship Scheme for Secondary Schools and our Liberty Outreach visiting hospitals, prisons and remand homes among others.

“The Lord has helped the outreach to visit correctional home for Senior Girls at IdiAraba and the one for the boys at Isheri. We have not restricted ourselves to ministering to them only the Word of God, but periodically donate to them assorted food items.

UB40, Brandy for Classic FM Valentine concert RITISH reggae/pop icons, UB40 and American recording B artiste, Brandy Norwood, will be will be featured in live music performances in Lagos on February 16, as Classic FM 97.3 organises 2014 Valentine concert.

Last year’s edition featuredAmerican Grammy winning singer Maxwell, with additional performances from Bez, Black Magic, Yinka Davies and Omawunmi.

According to Classic FM Programmes’ Director, Chico Aligwekwe, the show could not have come at a better time.

“Classic FM 97.3 is raising the bar this year and has promised Lagos fun. There’s no better way to celebrate your Valentine’s than this.”

He said the names of A-list local music acts who would be on the same stage would be revealed soon by the station.

Tickets for ‘Classic FM Valentine’ with Brandy and UB40,” which come in regular, VIP and tables, are available at Afritickets.com and Adibba.com.

The block...before

The block...after

“The Lord has also used us to grant scholarship to a senior girl at Idi-Araba and we are paying her school fees in a Christian private secondary school.”

“We are not tired or intend to stop but looking up to God to lead us to areas of need we are going to meet this year, 2014, while we counsel individuals to see how they can touch lives especially the elders in various communities,” he said.

Giving highlights of the activities of the RCCG CRS, Pastor Yomi Obadimeji reiterated the fact that it was the vision of the General Overseer of the Church, aimed at imparting on communities. According to him, Adeboye saw it as a practical evangelism that enhances church growth as well as an avenue to complement government’s effort in developing the youth.

After 30 years, OAU begins master plan review project HOMES&PROPERTY /33

BUSINESS INTERVIEW /52&53

The role of govt in encouraging investment, level playing field for businesses

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

IMF adopts new quota system amid uncertainty

By Chijioke Nelson HE International T Monetary Fund (IMF) has adopted a report by its Executive Board to the Board of Governors- the institu-

tion’s highest decision-making body, on the 2010 reforms and the commencement of its 15th general review of quotas.

The quota review and reform amendment was a

move to ensure fair representation of all the member countries of the world body, especially the poor countries, including the assurance that as a quota-based institution, IMF has suffi-

cient permanent resources to meet members’ needs and that its governance structure evolves in line with members’ changing positions in the world economy.

According to a statement

Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael AdeOjo (right); Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Segun Oloketuyi; and Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chandrasheker K. Thampy, at the launch of the new generation Yaris brand of Toyota car in Lagos, at the weekend.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

FGN Bonds Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.24 2.56 3.25 5.42 8.01 16.50

Bid Price 90.40 99.85 105.05 110.70 115.30 77.40

Yield 12.56 13.11 13.12 13.17 13.23 13.44

Offer Price 90.55 100.00 105.35 111.00 115.60 77.70

Yield 12.41 13.04 13.01 13.10 13.18 13.38

Exchange Rates as at Friday, January 24 Currency US DOLLAR POUNDS STERLING EURO YEN CFA WAUA YUAN/RENMINBI RIYAL SDR

Buying (NGN) 154.75 257.0398 212.2706 1.4864 0.3011 236.4395 25.5814 41.2612 237.8198

Central (NGN) 155.25 257.8703 212.9564 1.4912 0.3111 237.2035 25.6645 41.3945 238.5882

Selling (NGN) 155.75 258.7008 213.6423 1.496 0.3211 237.9674 25.7476 41.5278 239.3566

Chamber faults CBN on CRR

By Femi Adekoya OLLOWING the controverFupward sies generated by the review of the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector deposits from 50 per cent to 75 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has tasked the apex bank on the need to maintain a balance between its pursuit of low inflation and exchange rate stability on one hand; and stimulation the economy on the other.

According to the LCCI, the worsening unemployment and poverty situation in the country calls for greater attention, while the nation can illafford reduced access of the sector to funds The chamber, in a statement released at the weekend, explained that the current monetary policy regime is inadvertently reinforcing the import dependence of the economy, through the stifling of domestic production, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to produce domestically due to a combination of structural and monetary factors.

“The recent review of Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector deposits would have profound effects on interest rates, financial sys-

from IMF, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had in 2010 approved proposals that will lead to a major overhaul of the Fund’s quotas and governance, strengthening the Fund’s legitimacy and effectiveness.

The Executive Board, which oversees the Fund’s day-today operations, recommended the reform package to the Board of Governors, which represents all 187 members, which must approve the proposed quota increases and amendment of the Articles of Agreement that would eliminate the category of appointed Executive Directors.

Analysts described the development as the most fundamental governance overhaul in the Fund’s 65-year history and the biggest ever shift of influence in favour of emerging market and developing countries to recognize their growing role in the global economy.

But in December 2010, during the 14th general review of quotas and approving of the proposed amendment of the executive board, the Board of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 24-Apr-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

Bid 11.00 11.45 11.95

Offer 10.75 11.20 11.70

NIBOR Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 10.5000 10.8333 11.4583 11.7917 12.0417 12.3333 12.6250

24

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

FINANCIAL GUARDIAN

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Investors stake N13.7b in FGN bonds total of 1.514 billion shares valued at N18.333 billion that exchanged hands last week in 25,016 deals.

Specifically, the financial services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.174 billion shares valued at N10.593 billion traded in 15,519 deals; thus contributing 66.81per cent and 50.39per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The conglomerates industry followed with a turnover of 154.106 million shares worth N776.861 million in 1,696 deals.

By Helen Oji

RANSACTIONS on the OverT The-Counter market for FGN bonds, last week recorded a turnover of 13.701 million units valued at N13.704 billion in 12 deals, higher than 1.170 million units valued at N1.160 billion in five deals during the preceding week ended January 17, 2014.

Similarly, a turnover of 1.758 billion shares worth N21.024 billion in 28,949 deals were also traded last week by investors on the floor of The Exchange in contrast to a

The third place was occupied by the oil and gas Industry with 111.771 million shares worth N2.122 billion in 3,573 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Zenith International Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 402.481 million shares worth N5.549 billion in 5,934 deals, contributing 22.90per cent and 26.39 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The NSE All-Share index and

Lotus Capital bags award over Osun’s Sukuk OR its successful pioneering role, international recognition has come the way of the highly successful Osun Sukuk as the globally recognised Islamic Finance News (IFN) nominated Lotus Capital, the lead arranger of the bond for the Africa Deal of the Year Award.

Besides, Lotus Capital, a Nigerian pioneer finance organisation with a specialization in handling equitable interest-free financial services known as “Islamic Finance” has been invited

F

by the authorities of Islamic Financial News (IFN) to receive the IFN Awards, 2013 at the Ritz Carlton (DFIC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates on February 24.

Founded in June, 2004 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Fund Managers, Corporate Investment Advisers and Issuing House, Lotus Capital is headed by the former Managing Director of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Fola Adeola.

The company, which suc-

Last 1.3676 1.6505 102.32 0.89490 1.1067 0.87120

Day High 1.3739 1.6667 103.58 0.89910 1.1137 0.87740

Day Low 1.3662 1.6477 101.98 0.89010 1.1050 0.86580

% Change -0.13% -0.79% -0.89% -0.26% -0.30% -0.63%

Bid 1.3676 1.6505 102.32 0.89490 1.1067 0.87120

market capitalisation appreciated by 0.40 per cent and 0.50 per cent to close on Friday at 41,917.55 and N13.432 trillion respectively.

Likewise, the NSE 30, NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Oil/Gas, NSE Lotus II and NSE Industrial indices increased by 0.24,0.09, 2.90, 1.93 and 2.61per cent respectively.

However the NSE Banking and NSE Insurance indices

decreased during the week by 1.00per cent and 1.07per cent respectively while NSE-ASeM closed flat.

44 equities appreciated in prices during the week higher than 34 equities of the preceding week. 43 equities depreciated in prices lower than 47 equities of the preceding week, while 111 equities remained unchanged higher than 117 equities in the previ-

ous week.

La Casera Company Plc (Corporate Bond) N3, 000,000,000 15,75per cent Series 1 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Amortising Bonds under a N15 Billion Debt Issuance Programme was admitted to trade at the Exchange on January 23, 2014.

Additional 5,888,949,162 ordinary shares of 50kobo each at N2.12 per share issued

by Sterling Bank Plc, which arose as a result of the Rights Issue, made by the Issuer were admitted to trading on January 20, 2014.

IMF adopts new system

cessfully midwifed the Osun Sukuk Bond, is also one of the world’s fastest growing financial concerns with over $200 billion in assets worldwide and is reputed to be growing a yearly rate of 20 per cent.

The board members of Lotus Capital, including Mrs. Lateefat Okunnu, Muhammad Nuruddeen Lemu and Mrs. Amina Oyagbola are expected to lead the team to receive the Africa Deal of the Year Award at the IFN Awards, 2013 in Dubai.

Currency Table Currency EUR/USD GBP/USD USD/JPY USD/CHF USD/CAD AUD/USD

The conglomerates industry followed with a turnover of 154.106 million shares worth N776.861 million in 1,696 deals.

Ask 1.3677 1.6506 102.33 0.89520 1.1069 0.87130

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Governors requested the that the timetable for completion of the 15th general review of quotas be moved to January 2014.

However, the board reform amendment is yet to enter into force as of mid-January 2014, though 141 members (requirement: 113) representing 76.1 percent of quota (requirement: 85 percent) have agreed to the board reform amendment.

Also, the initiation of the work on the 15th review has been put on hold to facilitate the achievement of the required acceptance threshold for the entry into force The conglomerates industry followed with a turnover of 154.106 million shares worth N776.861 million in 1,696 deals. of the reform amendment, which is one of the general conditions for effectiveness of the quota increases under the 14th general review of quotas.

In its report, the Executive Board deeply regrets the

delay in implementing the Fourteenth Review quota increases and the Board Reform Amendment, which has hampered its ability to complete its work in connection with the 15th review by the January 2014 deadline.

Presently, given the delay, the Executive Board has concluded that “additional time” will be needed to complete its work on the 15th review.

It however, reiterates the importance and urgency of the 2010 reforms for strengthening the Fund’s effectiveness and legitimacy.

According to the board, the

deadline for the completion of the 15th review will be moved from January 2014 to January 2015, even as it recognizes that the immediate priority is the effectiveness of the 14th review and reform amendment.

It also proposes that the institution’s highest decision body adopt a resolution expressing its deep regret that the 14th review and reform amendment have not become effective and urge the remaining members who have not yet accepted the 14th quota increases and reform amendment to do so without delay.

LCCI faults CBN on CRR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 tem stability, the real economy and financial intermediation. The incentive to import is increasing while the motivation for domestic production is diminishing. It is impossible to build an inclusive and job creating economy with this scenario”,

Major Global Markets (U.S., Europe, Asia) DOW S&P 500 NASDAQ TR US INDEX

15,938.17 1,797.65 4,141.05 164.41

-259.18 -30.81 -77.82 -2.86

-1.60% -1.69% -1.84% -1.71%

FTSE 100 DAX CAC 40 TR EUROPE

6,663.74 9,392.02 4,161.47 170.19

-109.54 -239.02 -119.49 -4.10

-1.62% -2.48% -2.79% -2.35%

NIKKEI HANG SENG SENSEX

15,391.56 22,450.06 21,133.56

-304.33 -283.84 -240.10

-1.94% -1.25% -1.12%

the chamber added.

The LCCI President, Alhaji Remi Bello, in the statement identified some of the implications of the new monetary policy to include; high cost of fund for businesses, as banks adjusts their rates to accommodate the new monetary conditions; draw down on existing loan facilities may be put on hold as the banks struggle to meet statutory ratio requirements; and shock to the banking system which may trigger financial system instability.

Besides, he noted that the financial intermediation role of banks would be impeded as the economy is being deprived of the surplus resources from the public sector.

LCCI however recommended that the Federal Government should address current concerns over fiscal leakages, depletion of reserves and the running down of the Excess Crude Account, while greater attention should be given by fiscal and monetary authorities to the fixing of the structural problems of the economy, especially the high infrastructural deficit.

“We maintain that the current disturbing outlook for unemployment, poverty and inequality in the country calls for monetary stimulus rather than monetary tightening.

There is a need for better coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, while the limitation of monetary policy in fixing economic problems that are structural in origin should be recognized “Also, the widening gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates is detrimental to the economy because of the incentives it creates for round tripping and speculative activities in the foreign exchange market”, the chamber added.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

25

26 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

MARKET REPORT AS AT 24=1=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 MARKETREPORT

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 24=1=2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

27

28 Monday, January 27, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INTELLIGENCE

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

Monday, January 27, 2014 29

INSIDE TAX

30

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

31

32

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 33

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

HOMES & PROPERTY

FG refunds N8b for roads’ repair as Gombe urges intervention

Developer introduces Durumi Evergreen Residences in Abuja Page 35

Ondo delivers urban renewal projects, upgrades townships Page 45

Page 43

After 30 years, OAU begins master plan review project The initiative will offer concrete proposals aimed at evolving harmonious and aesthetic environment conducive to various activities taking place within the university community for a period of 15 years

Physical Planning

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam MAJOR new initiative that A will see the extent of existing development, assessing the adequacy and physical condition of residential, academic, commercial and recreational environment got underway recently in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun state, where tentative first steps have been taken towards what could become a critical review of its 53 year-old master plan.

The proposed new review by the university authorities will upstage the existing master plan prepared in 1981.

The first master plan was handled by Egboramy Company in 1961, which established land use zones for the academic core, academic satellite areas, sports, staff housing, student housing, experimental farm and biological gardens. The main core of the university has been focused on campus development and its original plan was modified in 1963 and 1969 to accommodate growth of new facilities and increased density.

The Guardian learnt that the

university’ s existing land use system comprises 11,855 hectares of land. Out of it, 5,605 hectares was captured in the first master plan and additional 6,250 hectares was acquired sometime in 1973 for further development that is expected to be reflected in the proposed project.

Under a fresh master plan review project, Messrs Femi Olomola and Company has been picked as project consultant to take inventory of the existing services, facilities, utilities and the changes brought by trends in development activities as well as formulate concrete proposals aimed at evolving harmonious and aesthetic environment conducive to various activities taking place within the university community for a period of 15 years.

Accordingly, the master plan review entails highlighting the problems and potentials of the sectors and subsectors in the campus, carrying out detailed studies of physical, economic, sociocultural, engineering, aesthetic and ecological components and other subjects relevant to the development of the university.

Other activities to be carried out are analyzing, appraising

OAU’s Faculty of technology, recently the survey, recommending strategies, policies, actions and concrete proposals aimed at improving the existing situation taking into cognizance of the university strategic plan, the university environment policy and the

National University Commission (NUC) minimum standards for preparing master plan of universit i e s .

A five member Project Management Team, and a

ten member technical committee are anchoring the project. Already, a study on 13 broad areas has been completed, namely, history of the university, local setting, physical setting, population

characteristics, housing, land uses, transportation and communication networks, services and utilities, faculties, landscapes, maintenance services, development

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Lagos test-runs dry construction system in Ijora housing scheme The state has adopted a dry construction method in its flagship housing scheme in Ijora Badia that benefits range from reduction of energy consumption to the lesser use of materials and labours, all of which aim at reducing the costs as well as time of construction

Housing

By Tunde Alao ESPERATE to reduce the D housing gap and lower rents in the state, Lagos

The proposed housing units at Ijora Badia, Lagos

authorities have kick-started a fresh method for building its homes, which promotes efficiency and cost effectiveness in mass housing delivery.

The new method known as dry construction technology is being test-run in the proposed 1008 units of flats, under construction by the Lagos State Government in Ijora Badia, Lagos.

The technique encourages minimal use of water and sand. The system rather focuses on reinforced concrete, boards and metallic structures that are assembled as prefabricated houses.

Finished works include assem-

bled partitions, suspended ceilings and raised floor systems. Among its advantages is the fact that the building materials are fire-resistant.

Governor Babatunde Fashola who announced the new move during his visit to the site,said the project has started despite absence of work equipment on site.

One of the promoters of the technology, Prof. Olumide Olusanya, explained that changes in technology in informed their decision to adopt the building system.

“Some 20 years ago, when roads were being built, they used to mix the cement, the concrete and the form work in the middle of the road. Today, the construction technology has changed. The drain is constructed off site, they bring the mechanical shovels, excavate,

put the drains in and your road is almost half done. It is the same way we have approached this housing project”, he said.

On the skills of the professionals involved in the project, Fashola said their competence is not in doubt. “We have top intellectuals like professors, architects and others who have designed the system.

Though, they are all indigenous professionals, the general complaint has always been that Nigeria has a housing problem and the State is keen on using a locally developed t e c h n o l o g y .

“Let us start to do something that is made in Nigeria. The technology that is our own, you will see that over the years, we have imported all sorts of technology system and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

34 | Monday, January 27, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

HOMES & PROPERTY

How to avoid fire incidents in houses Housing HE word “Fire” can mean T many things to different people at the different times and places. For example to the typical soldier on war front, “fire” will mean a command to shoot, to the human resources manager and staff, “fire” will mean to sack an employee, to the driver, “fire the engine” will mean to increase the speed of the vehicle while in an establishment “fire” may be an expression of trouble in the place or that all is not well there.

To be under “fire” may mean to be sanctioned or criticized severely! However, the most commonly acceptable meaning of fire universally is the burning flame, which we use in cooking or in burning, unwanted materials.

Of recent, there has been an upsurge in fire accidents in this country, which have resulted in several loss of lives and properties. Many houses, motor vehicles, machineries and merchandise goods as well as personal effects have been lost to fire incidents especially in the metropolitan cities, particularly in Lagos. It is therefore of great concern to all and sundry to know a little about how to prevent occurrence of fire in our houses as well as other places.

It is necessary to first examine the types of fire that are

Always use qualified electrical engineers when building a new house, says Chairman, Faculty of Housing, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), CHIEF KOLA AKOMOLEDE in this treatise. He continued: “You will save money by using a half illiterate electrician, but the cost of the risk is very high.” common and their causes.

The first type I will like to talk about is domestic fire in our houses. This can be caused by so many factors as such use of candle, kerosene lamp or stove, boiling rings, gas cooker and electrical spark.

Sometimes, it is also caused by storing petrol in the house or bringing naked light near a petrol generator. All these can be attributed to ignorance or carelessness. For example, if you lit a candle and put in on a wooden table or stand, when the candle is completely burnt down to the base, fire can result. A friend of mine lost his house to fire because his wife lit a candle and put in the sitting room so that he could find his way when he comes in from his late night outing.

Unfortunately, he came very late and the candle burnt to the base and the rug caught fire and burnt the house. If there were no alternative exit, the wife could have been burnt in the house. Cases of fire as a result of petrol storage in the house or bringing naked light to put on a generator are common stories.

Similarly, there have been fire caused by somebody boiling water and forget until the water dried up and resulted in fire. Same can happen if a pressing iron is left on and forgotten.

Perhaps the most common fire are the ones caused by electrical spark as a result of either overloading the circuit or use of inferior cables or fuse wire of high melting point! It is unfortunate that most electricians do not know the function of a fuse wire in the gear box.

Consequently, when the fuse burns, they will replace it with a cable that will not melt when the circuit is overloaded. A fuse wire is a cable of low melting point, which will melt and disconnect light whenever there is overloading.

So when you replace it with a cable of high melting point, it will not cut off light when it is overloaded and the result could be fire.

Many fires have also been caused by the storage of explosive materials without the correct temperature. The bomb blast that occurred at the Ikeja cantonment that caused a lot of commotion

and death of thousands at the Ejigbo canal is a very good example. It was said that the air-conditioners were not working properly due to lack of maintenance, which resulted in overheating and the consequent explosions.

Two years ago, fire crackers or banga exploded and caused extensive damage in the central Lagos area.

Gas leakage can cause both domestic and industrial fire.

Some people will turn on the gas before they start looking for matches and when they eventually strike the match, fire will result because the kitchen was already full of gas. It could also be caused by a leakage in the pipes or connections.

Similarly, bringing naked light to a room that has just been flitted by insecticide can cause fire.

A car can catch fire through overheating if the water in the radiator dries up. It can also happen if there are electrical cables that melt or are exposed in the wiring system of the car.

You can see from the foregoing that most fires are caused by human errors, either through carelessness, forget-

Akomolede fulness or ignorance.

Therefore, most fire can be prevented by our being more careful in our day-to-day living habits. The following specific advice will go along way in helping you to prevent fire in your house.

1. To prevent fire from electrical faults, you must never overload electrical outlets or sockets. Also do not replace a fuse wire with cable. If the fuse got burnt and cut off your light, ask a qualified electrician to find out why it cuts off and remedy the cause before putting another fuse. The fuse is there to cut off light when there is danger but when you replace it with a cable of higher melting point; it will not cut off supply but may result in fire.

2. Always turn off all electrical appliances when not in use even for a very short

moment. These will include air-conditioners, fans, pressing iron, boiling ring or kettle, electric cooker, computers, television, and radio.

Even when there is no light and you are going out, still check that all appliances are turned off, if possible remove the plugs from the sockets!

This is necessary to prevent fire that may arise if PHCN should bring power while you are still away and there is a surge that is greater than your normal load.

3. Check your gas cylinder regular for leakages especially before striking a match. It is advisable to let your cylinder be outside the kitchen so that any leakage can flow into the air outside the house with less risk of fire.

Do not turn on the gas before looking for a match to lit it.

Keep an eye on whatever you are cooking all the time so that you can know when the water has dried up.

4. Don’t store petrol inside the house! If you must use petrol generator, keep the petrol far away from the kitchen and the generator itself. Do not use lantern or candle near the generator whenever you want to turn it on. Use a flash light! Do not refuel the generator while it is on. If you can avoid it, do not use candle or lantern at all in the house. There are so many rechargeable lamps these days beside the normal

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 35

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

PRIME ESTATE

Developer introduces Durumi Evergreen Residences in Abuja Projects

By Emmanuel Badejo BOUT 150 homes will be added to the housing stock in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this year by an indigenous real estate firm, Urban Shelter Limited, who is exploiting the potentials of the acute accommodation problems in the city.

The homes christened Durumi Evergreen Residences comprise of three bedroom apartments, four bedroom terrace, four bedroom detached duplex, five bedroom detached duplex and six bedroom maisonette, is nestled in Plot 1129Durumi District, Cadastral Zone B02 Abuja and built on 6.411 hectares of land, a stone throw from the American International School.

The exotic, but affordable estate, comes as a partnership with Kano State Government, the development no doubt, would further add flavor to the transformation path of Abuja in the area of property development. Its style of design affords all the echelon of the society, to key into the project.

The private real estate developer says that as land master planner and creators of extensive real estate in Abuja, it is working towards meeting the housing challenge of

A

millions of Nigerians, adding that the project is a vast improvement from its previous developments, and a culmination of many years of experience in the housing sector.

Calling on would be homeowners, the developer said: “This is your opportunity to own prime real estate in one of the most desirable sought after locations in Abuja, which once completed will promote harmonious living and encompass unique amenities to meet your discerning tastes.”

It added that every home is beautifully appointed and finished to the highest standard, adding that attention has been lavished on even the smallest details from glorious paint finishes to fabulous and magical outdoor spaces all co ntribute to create a very special environment.

Gourmet kitchens are state of the art and feature marble/steel/granites topped breakfast bars, separate from expansive and luxuriously finished living areas. Custom built cabinetry and branded stainless steel appliances offering style, form and functionality.

Evergreen Residences will engender a lifestyle of its own combining a sense of modernity and contemporary living in its own right, coming with features including estate wide telecom system, Close

Durumi Evergreen Residences, Abuja Circuit Television (CCTV), wireless internet service, finger print access to communal areas, sophisticated fire alarm system, Hi tech unit burglary system, rapid

response emergency unit, swimming pool, landscaped and maintained gardens and dedicated communal recreational ‘green zones’ and state of the art gymnasium

and exercise room.

Other features are ample private and visitors parking, access to retail shops and restaurant/ coffee lounge,

dedicated prayer room, 24hour security and 24-hour power supply with dedicated generators with automatic change over system.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

36 | Monday, January 27, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN Steps to prevent fire incidents in homes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 torchlight. These are safe to use.

5. Do not store any explosives in your house. Gun powder, firecrackers, banga, etc, can explode if the temperature becomes very high and result in fire.

6. Reduce the amount of combustible materials to the barest minimum in the house. Do not use rug or rubber carpet; they aid fire to spread quickly. Leave your floor bare with tiles, marble, granite or terrazzo. A concrete decked ceiling will prevent fire catching the roof easily.

7. If you must smoke, please do not smoke in bed or throw cigarette stubs carelessly on combustible materials. Do not smoke near the generator or where you store petrol.

8. Whenever you use insecticide, do not smoke or bring naked fire into the room until the insecticide is no longer potent. It is infact dangerous to your health to remain inside a room that has just been flitted with any insecticides, talk less of bringing an inflammable object!

9. It is important to have fire extinguishers in the house and these should be located in conspicuous places where they can be assessed without any hindrance in case of fire.

Also check them regularly to confirm that they have not

expired.

10. Most of our houses have burglary proof metal bars installed on all doors and windows. In the absence of a balcony on the first floor, if fire starts on the ground floor while people are upstairs, there is no way to escape! I will therefore recommend that one or two burglary proof windows on the first floor should be an exit for escape in case of fire.

11. Always use qualified electrical engineers when building a new house. You will save money by using a half illiterate electrician, but the cost of the risk is very high!

12. Finally, have an insurance to cover your house. Many people do not see the need for this and therefore do not insure their houses. But I tell you, insurance is like a seat belt in your car, you may never need it, but it may be your saviour one day should there be an accident. Your insurance can cover the structure as well as its contents (i.e. furniture and all other items in the property).

You may even cover loss of income if the property is let out. This will ensure that you continue to receive rents even when the house is being reconstructed after the fire.

“A stitch in time saves nine” is a common adage. You will do yourself a lot of good if you try to follow the above advice. Fire knows no friend, not even the person who

HOMES & PROPERTY

NDDC awards N421m contract for Abia permanent office complex, others Contracts From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia N the heels of its formal O commissioning of eight completed projects worth N1.341 billion in Abia State, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has awarded N421 million contract for the constructions/ execution of four new ones including the commission’s permanent office in Umuorgu within Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The other three whose constructions were also flagged off were the Information, Communication Technology Center (ICT) and Technology Village both locat-

ed at Umuorgu and the sixteen kilometer Umunteke to Ihie road all in Ukwa West LGA as well as Electrification project at Umuaka, Solar Powered Street Lighting at Ogwe and the Egbelu Okomiri ring road in Ukwa West LGA. Meanwhile, three of the eight commissioned projects were roads awarded at the total cost of N616, 377, 750 million namely two kilometer Umuahala road , Umuwaga Internal roads and Egbelu Okomiri ring road which contracts consist of provision of reinforced concrete drains, and asphalting.

The five others commissioned were the provision of Electricity and Streets Lighting at a total cost of

N725.34 million. These are for construction of Solar Powered Water Project at Obuzor, Solar Powered Streets lighting at Azumiri, Ohambele, Obeaku and Akwete, Solar Powered Street Lighting at Obehie - Akwete Phase 1.

According to the Commissioner representing Abia State in the NDDC Board, Mr. Alloysius Nwagboso, the street lighting is aimed at illuminating the communities and significantly reducing crime as well as increases the economic activities and value of land within the area.

The roads, he also explained, link the adjoining communities and thus facilitate transportation of farm produce to

the markets “ the roads give direct access to the farm lands, encourage mechanized farming and were part of the total 447 projects the NDDC had embarked upon in the state since its inception in 2000”.

On the Solar powered Water project at Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA, Commissioner Nwagboso said it consisted of drilling 250 millimeter diameter borehole to appropriate depth not exceeding 200m, installation of 20,000 gallons tank and tower with block fencing and incorporating the installation of Solar module, a gate house, reticulation of 2.5 kilometers, and installation of the solar system and fifteen stand taps within the community.

Ogun urges residents, investors to confirm land status Housing

T

By Emmanuel Badejo O avoid falling into the hands of fraudsters and land speculators, the Ogun State Government has urged the members of the public and prospective investors to always verify the status of any landed property they are interested in acquiring from its Bureau of Lands and Survey before making any commitment.

Alarmed at the level of encroachment of a landed property belonging to group of companies in Areke com-

munity, Sagamu, DirectorGeneral of the Bureau of Lands and Survey in the State, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, said the charge was necessary to warn unsuspecting public of falling victim of wrong investment.

The state’s Land Bureau Chief, who was with the Director of Lands Management, Mr. Bola Orekoya maintained that the Bureau possesses a Geographic Information System (GIS), which could chart and bring out clear maps on lands in any part of the State and generate rele-

vant information on the status of such lands.

He pointed out that when such buyers approach the Bureau, the GIS would be used to ascertain the status of the land they want to purchase and save the agony of untoward developments such as losing money to fraudsters and impostors or later demolition. ‘”All we are saying is that, if people come to chart on a particular part of land, the Geographic Information System software would show them clearly the status of the land whether is acquisition – free or not. This

would save them from wasting money and also becoming victims of demolition”, He said.

The Director-General said it is an inalienable right of the citizens to own landed property, he however underscored the need for them to be cautious and careful on how to acquire such property.

“We know that property ownership enhances status and increased one’s influence, but we want our people to go through right channel before paying for any landed property”, he maintained.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 37

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

HOMES & PROPERTY

Planners flag-off OAU master plan review project CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 plan proposals and implem e n t a t i o n .

The consultancy firm plans to inaugurate its first stakeholders’ forum on the review of the master plan this week as part of the approved work programme. The stakeholders comprise 200 members, selected from all the sectors/units within the university such as Head of Provosts, Departments, Directors of units and representative of the Vice Chancellor office, Academic of Union Staff Universities, Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Regional Centre for Aerospace in training Surveys.

The two-day forum to be inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Bamitale Omole will allow stakeholders to comment on findings from the studies conducted on all existing land use systems and infrastructure within the university, which will form the basis for other stages of the project. The forum will also offer recommendations on the sources of assistance in terms of funding to implement the revised master plan.

The Principal Partner, Femi Olomola and Company, Dr. Femi Olomola told The Guardian that the firm is adopting citizens’ participation approach in the project.

“The entire university com-

Lagos adopts dry technology in housing scheme CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 import building materials and if you do one estate, it can’t do the other”.

“Yes, there is not a lot of work going on site here; there is also a lot of work going on off-site.

The form work which the Professor was explaining to us that makes four blocks in one vibration sequence instead of one block, the form work that makes the block with the conduit already laid inside the blocks so that the electrical fittings and the conduit pipes can be installed at the time that the blocks is being laid are all being prepared off-site, he e x p l a i n e d .

He added that this will prevent a situation where when the house have been fully constructed, it is now cracked opened and wiring would then start, saying it means a lot of time would be gained in addition to efficiency, leading to more cost effective houses as materials is being used optimally while the quality is not being compromised.

“So, in the next few months as they’ve explained, the first buildings will be on this site but the work is being done mentally and technologically off-site so that when they deploy everything goes on smoothly”, the Governor stated.

munity will have a say at every stage of the project so that they will see the end product as our master plan and not their master plan,” he said.

According to Olomola, an OAU Master Plan Steering Committee will be set up and meets from time to time to evaluate progress and suggest ways of improving the effectiveness of the process.

38

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

39

40 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

41

42

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 43

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

HOMES & PROPERTY

FG refunds N8b for roads’ repair as Gombe urges intervention Infrastructure From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Federal Government T has released about N8billion to some states during the last quarter of 2013 for repairing deplorable federal roads within their territory, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, has said.

Onolememen made this disclosure last week during a courtesy call on him by the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who among others urged the government to immediate intervene in the repair of Mile 3 to the roundabout road within the metropolis.

The said road, according to Dankwambo, required minor repairs to prevent eventual collapse of the road.

Speaking while receiving the Gombe State Governor, the minister pointed out that the guidelines for state intervention on federal roads are very clear and states are expected to comply with the guideline.

He said, “It has been gazetted as part of laws of Nigeria and has been circulated to all the states of the federation and once any state complies with the guideline, we wont have any problem reimbursing it.

About N8billion was paid to state government during the last quarter of last year out of the first phase of refund to state governments. Gombe state has demonstrated how to truly partner with the federal government to bring dividends of democracy to the people”.

Governor who commended the federal government for its intervention on the Gombe By-pass, observed that the government has designated certain roads for intervention by the states.

He added that before government’s intervention, heavy duty vehicles used to cause lots of accident on the road.

“With the construction of the By-pass, traffic has been diverted outside Gombe while the rate of accident has reduced. The KaltungoYola road has been completed by the federal government and is a worldclass road. It has brought relief to travelers using the road. We also seek federal government’s intervention on Mile 3 to the roundabout road, which requires minor repairs to prevent eventual collapse of the road, we commend the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for various interventions in Gombe state”.

Dankwmbo said that the state government under his leadership has linked all “local government areas and completed about 168 roads spanning 638klometres of roads while keying into the infrastructure master plan of the federal government.

Responding, the Minister said that the GombeKaltungu road design is

The N8billion, which was released to some state governments within the last quarter of 2013 was said to be the first phase of the alleged indebtedness of the Federal Government to states, which repaired some of the federal roads within their domain ongoing and would be contracted out as soon as the design is ready’ adding that, government would intervene on the Gombe-Bauchi road while the Gombe-Biu road has been penciled down for rehabilitation under World Bank intervention and would come on stream very soon.

Similarly, the Minister said that the government has

concluded plans to begin the experimentation of the construction of rigid pavement carriageway in Nigeria.

To this end, government has identified major federal roads like the IkoroduShagamu road and the Kachie-Ajie road to connect the federal Capital Territory to Baro Port in Niger state as

the pilot roads for the new initiative.

Onolememen disclosed this while receiving Country CEO and Group Execitive Vice President of Lafarge Cement, Mr. Guillaume Roux in Abuja.

He observed that the federal government has completed the design of the rigid pavement and commenced

procurement for the Ikorodu-Shagamu and the Kachie-Ajie road, adding that they would be contracted out once the 2014 budget is approved.

Onolememen noted that there are certain terrains in the country that are unfriendly to ashphatic concrete, hence the design this solution for those terrains so that they can last longer adding that the ministry would carry out laboratory test on the cement products to ensure that they are good as we prepare to begin the construction of rigid pavement carriageway in

Nigeria.

He said, “We have identified cement companies as one of the sources of the excessive overloading of our roads; we want to engage cement companies so that we agree what tonnage should leave your factory to address the menace of excessive damage being caused on our roads by over-loading. We are looking forward to collaborating with your organisation in bringing that experimentation to a successful end. We want to know what the companies are bringing to make the project realistic.”

44 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 45

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

HOMES & PROPERTY

Govt urged to review Land Use Act, as NIESV plans Ibom 2014 Professional Practice From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo STATE Surveyors have observed that the quest for E housing for all in the country

One of the new projects by the Ondo state government

Ondo delivers urban renewal projects, upgrades townships Urban Development

By Tunde Alao ITH its plethora of urban W renewal projects throughout the state, the Ondo State Government has said it is determined to upgrade most of its townships to world’s standard.

Indeed, many of projects, have brought about upgrade of its towns and villages, and this has placed the state on a global map with the ongoing urban renewal programme.

Poised to transform Akure town from a sleepy, rural community to a modern city worthy of a state capital, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, has adopted a model approach to urban renewal for the uplifting of the capital city and other urban centres across the state.

Apart from the popular Heart Caring Ultra Modern Market located in Arakele area of Akure, other parts of the town like the Isinkan community on Ondo Road, as well as major towns like Ondo, Ile-Oluji, Ore, Okitipupa, Owo, Ikare, Igbokoda, Idanre and Igbaraoke, among others are to have similar projects.

Speaking on the projects that included the construction of model markets, modern mechanic villages and International Auto Dealers market, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said the projects are aimed at making Akure “a functional state capital”.

Akinmade, while describing

Apart from the popular Heart Caring Ultra Modern Market located in Arakele area of Akure, other parts of the town like the Isinkan community on Ondo Road, as well as major towns like Ondo, Ile-Oluji, Ore, Okitipupa, Owo, Ikare, Igbokoda, Idanre and Igbaraoke, among others are to have similar projects the Caring Heart Neighbourhood Market as a model urban renewal project executed by the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), created by the Governor Mimiko administration, he said the initiative had saved the state enormous funds that were now being used to execute other developmental projects.

“Besides the cost saving, the market served as a litmus test in our efforts to take traders off the streets of Akure. We did onthe-spot enumeration of the traders who were trading along the roads and we ensured that the process was not hijacked by influential politicians or smart civil servants,” said Akinmade, who added that similar markets, even bigger in size with more modern facilities were replicated in other places.

He added that the Caring Heart Shopping Complex located very close to the market on Hospital/Arakale Road is another urban renewal project executed by the Direct Labour Agency.

According to him, the approach embarked upon by State, “is now being emulated as a model for town-city transformation strategy by various

governments in Africa and beyond’.

One of the markets, christened, “Neighborhood Caring Heart Market”, located on Adekunle Ajasin Road, in the Alagbaka area of the city has about 24 lock-up stalls and 200 open shops and it was built “in a circulatory pattern to enable people drive round easily.”

Prominent features in the market include: canteens, solar-powered water and light, public toilets, a sorting bay and a massive car park.

The Commissioner said the government ensured that the relocation of traders to the market was done with a human face, as the occupiers of the open shops, for instance, were requested to pay N25 daily while those who occupy the lock-up shops pay N50 daily to maintain the facilities in the market.

He said the shopping complex was constructed in an age-long traditional market where people used to sell wears such as aso-oke.

The five-block complex that has already been inaugurated, have 260 shops in four blocks while the fifth block is designed for the administra-

tive block, a banking hall and a crèche.

Another unique approach to really give Akure the desired facelift was the relocation of roadside car dealers who used to block the old Oyemekun, Oba Adesida and Arakale Roads.

The ultra-modern international auto market, which is fully operational, was built to ensure that dealers in automobile operate from a single environment instead of the previous practice where car dealers blocked major roads in Akure metropolis.

He said the arrangement was already achieving the desired results as the auto mart is currently booming with activities and attracting customers from all over the southwest and beyond.

Another major step taken to decongest the city of artisans was the construction of a Mechanic Village to give automobile technicians an opportunity to carry out their businesses in a conducive and hygienic environment.

The Commissioner said the bottom-up approach adopted by the government, ensured that the relevant stakeholders, who were the principal beneficiaries of the new schemes, were carried along in the entire process from execution to final delivery.

Specifically, he said, the Mechanic Village made up of 200 shops with each cubicle having ramps, pits and an area designated for an office or changing room.

He said there is also a section for panel beating, paint

sprayers, and auto electricians while the roads and the environment were designed with interlocking paving stones because diesel and oil that would be freely used in the village would affect the lifespan of roads if asphalted.

He said, “there is also a Car Wash section in the village.

Each workshop was designed to accommodate three artisans, bringing the total number of mechanics expected in the Village to 600.”

He noted that the Direct Labour Agency initially projected N98m for the project, but that the need to introduce additional innovative facilities in the course of its construction would have made the government to spend more.

He said the Village that was sited on 1.3 hectares of land, was completed and delivered in February last year.

Facilities available at the mechanic Village include mechanic workshops, panel beating section, spraying and electrical sections, car wash bay, canteen, administrationcum-meeting blocks, borehole, bar, electricity, bathroom and toilets.

The spare parts market, on the other hand, has 86 lock-up shops, two diagnostic shops, administrative block and toilets.

Akinmade said, “The Mechanic Village was not created on the basis of making profit for government. It was not so much about how much we would make as profit but the need to get mechanics off the streets as part of our urban renewal programme.”

Lagos gives Amukoko neighbourhood facelift Roads

By Tunde Alao ONCE upon road occupied A with filth and refuse has now worn a new look, following the construction and the delivery of a newly completed Alaba/Cemetery road by the Lagos State Government.

The road project was part of the state’s efforts to uplift blighted areas in the metropolis and by extension expanding its urban renewal drive, as the 2.68kilomtre road in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local

Government is one infrastructure that connects the residents to the Mile 2- OrileIganmu axis and Oshodi-Mile2 to Badagry.

Apart from opening up the community to other parts of the city, the road has the potential of impacting on real estate in the area.

Besides, the problem of movement during the raining season is now over, if the comments by the residents are anything to go by.

Amukoko is high density location, connecting to Ijora and Ajegunle, that constituted

parts of the nine identified slums locations in Lagos, and which efforts by government and its agencies are altogether geared toward their upgrading. One of the agencies that has been working in that direction is the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP).

At the official commissioning of the road last week, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, described the new road as a collective asset, urged its proper use.

He explained that as there are

several tax payers who are vehicle owners, there are also many who do not own cars, but have every right to use the roads like those who own cars, adding that the rights of the pedestrian on the walkways must be respected.

He added that completion of the Alaba/Cemetery Road is in continuation of his promise that over 200 inner city roads were in various stages of completion in the state, adding that the administration just handed over some roads in Mushin, Ikeja and Badagry respectively a few weeks ago.

Giving an insight into government’s experience in the course of the project, Governor Fashola described the Alaba/ Cemetery road as a very difficult road to construct because the whole road was a refuse in itself and the contractors had to dig over 1.5m of the dirt to excavate refuse before totally replacing it with fresh soil.

He declared: “This road was built with your taxes and I hope that you will not turn it into a refuse dump again. We have provided all the road signs and it is your responsibility now to look after it.”

may continue to be a mirage unless concerted effort is put in by government for a general review or repeal of the Land Use Act of 1978.

The Vice chairman, Local Organizing committee of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Annual conference, Mr. John Isangedighi, said this has become necessary as some sections of the Act has made it cumbersome for developers to acquire land for development, especially where even individual land are kept in trust by government, To alleviate housing problem in the country, he said the government and organized private sector should aggressively be involved in developing site-and-service-scheme.

Isangedighi who was addressing journalists in Uyo on the proposed 2014 Annual conference of the NIESV coming-up in March this year in the state, identified such factors as land administration, legal and regulatory issue, f i n a n c e and institutional framework as those bottlenecks that must be addressed by government so that the quest for housing for all can be guaranteed.

“I strongly support the general review of the Land Use Act to blend with contemporary issues of today’s economic and political situation.

“We may not have housing for all, but we can achieve 7080 percent success rate; the constraint in housing development basically is land administration, legal and regulatory issues, funding and institutional framework; if these factors rare addressed by government, there is hope for housing delivery if not for everybody in the nearest future, government can attained 70-80 percent success rate”, according to the Vice chairman of Local Organizing committee of the Annual conference.

Tagged, Ibom 2014, with the theme, “maritime, coastal and inland waters investment and management in national development”, the vice chairman of the local organizing committee, called on private sectors in the country to partner with government in the area of housing d e l i v e r y .

He called on Akwa Ibom state government to develop at least seven site-and–servicescheme within Uyo Metropolis, stressing that, two of such scheme already existing in the state was not enough compared to the housing need of the people.

Isangedighi who recalled some of the challenges encountered in the cause of carrying out his duties for government, called on those who are in the habit of erecting illegal structures after government had carried out survey for compensation on areas of development, to desist from such act.

46 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 47

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

THE ENVIRONMENT

Sanusi, others named in global body for green economy The Environment Emmanuel Badejo with agency report S part of its determination A to lift the environment and guide the global financial system to invest in the transition to a green economy, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has appointed the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and other world financial chiefs to pilot its newly established inquiry body towards a low-carbon, and resilient global economy.

Also appointed as Advisory Council are Group General Manager and Country Head, HSBC India , Naina Kidwai, Group Vice President of the World Bank, Rachel Kyte, CoChair of UNEP Finance Initiative, David Pitt-Watson, Governor of the Central Bank of Bangladesh , Atiur Rahman, President of the Brazilian Bankers Federation, Murilo Portugal and President of S&P Rating Services, Neeraj Sahai.

Managing Director of the World Economic Forum , Rick Samans, President of Fung Global Institute of China, Andrew Sheng, Senior Fellow of the Institute of New Economic Thinking, ex-Chair of the Financial Services Authority, Lord Adair Turner also made the list of advisers.

In the wake of the global financial crisis, there is grow-

Sanusi

Kidwai

Kyte

An advisory Council has been established to guide a new inquiry body, comprising financial regulators, senior executives from leading financial institutions, international organizations, financial market and sustainability experts ing recognition that the financial system must be not only sound and stable, but also sustainable in the way it enables the transition to a low-carbon, green economy.

The Council, comprising of financial regulators, senior executives from leading financial institutions and international organizations and financial market and sustainability experts, was established to guide the Inquiry.

The Inquiry, which was launched last week, would extend over 18 months to mid2015, aims to engage, inform and guide policy makers, financial market actors and

other stakeholders concerned with the health of the financial system and its potential for shaping the future economy.

In addressing its core aim, it will map current best practice, draw together principles and frameworks, catalyze new thinking, and ultimately lay out a series of options for advancing a sustainable financial system.

It will also engage with global financial experts and commission-relevant research, as well as contribute to related initiatives across the UN system and elsewhere.

As leading financial institu-

tions increasingly appreciate the imperative of climate change, resource scarcity and other environmental challenges, the current financial ‘rules of the game’ may not be well suited to accelerate this transition.

World Economic Forum estimates suggest that globally, investment in infrastructure of an estimated US$6 trillion annually to 2030 is needed to deliver a low-carbon economy. Of this, nearly US$1 trillion is over and above the businessas-usual trajectory.

Such evidence shows that when investments are targeted towards greening key eco-

Osun to acquire new waste disposal trucks Sanitation From Tunji Omofoye,Osogbo O enhance healthy enviT ronment and wellbeing of citizens, Osun state government has announced plans to procure more roll on, roll off trucks this year, which will ensure the state extends its waste management and disposal to all the local councils.

This hint was given last week in Osogbo by the General Manager of the Osun State Waste Management Authority, Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun at a forum organised by the state correspondents’

chapel.

Oyeladun, who noted that environmental sanitation programme by the state government had made good impact on the health of citizens said the objective of the agency was not to punish offenders but to effect compliance and attitudinal change by the people.

He said, “we are increasing the fleet this year as a platform to take care of all the other local governments that we have not taken care of.”

He disclosed that the agency has 61 trucks in its fleet and allocated to dispose off waste in some parts

of the state, especially, Osogbo and Olorunda local councils in the state capital adding that Private Sector Partnership (PSP) model has also been adopted to accelerate environmental sanitation exercise.

He added that 10 acres of land has been acquired along Iwo-Osogbo road for sanitary dumpsite taking into consideration the health needs of the people.

To him, the dialogue and partnership with various interest groups like the market women, drivers’ union, peasants and artisans had impacted positively to the drive against filthy environment and mode of waste management.

He gave a graphic description of the activities of the agency that culminated in the bi-monthly environmental sanitation observed in Osun State as well as O’Clean and O’Clean Plus leading to the generation of bio-gas evolved from waste management.

He allayed fears of members of staff of the agency that protested to the Government House for nonpayment of their salaries for the past two years, stressing that their entitlement would be paid as they have been redeployed to the local councils in accordance with the directive by the Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

New web platform launched to accelerate green economy transition The Environment ROBUST, state-of-the-art A knowledge-sharing platform was launched today by the newly established Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP), a diverse consortium of leading institutions and organizations working in areas related to green growth and green economy.

The website is in response to increasing demand from both policy makers and the

public for information on ways to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Like the GGKP itself, the website – which features a searchable e-library with over 600 technical and policy resources, as well as dashboards with data and policies for 193 countries – transcends the traditional divide between economy and the environment.

It mobilizes knowledge, experience and support from disparate partners in both

the global economic and environmental arenas, all of which share the common goal of accelerating green growth.

“The GGKP is quickly emerging as the leading platform for managing and sharing knowledge around green growth and its new web platform will help to empower others”, said Howard Bamsey, Director-General of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

He added: “Through worldclass knowledge management, the GGKP is able to provide decision makers with the policy analysis, guidance, information and tools necessary to support a green economy transition.”

The Geneva-based GGKP also confirmed a CHF 1.6 million (US $1.7 million), three-year commitment from the Swiss government.

The pledge bolsters the initiative’s existing support from its founding partners.

Samans nomic sectors, they can produce multiple benefits for the economy, environment and society.

In launching the Inquiry, UNEP Executive Director and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, Achim Steiner said: “UNEP is working to advance a rapid transition towards an inclusive, green economy. The Inquiry will catalyze actions to enable the financial system to support the transition, building on policy innovations and countries’ best practices”.

The Inquiry extends UNEP’s ground-breaking work on the green economy, and draws on the commitment and wealth of practical expertise of the 200 financial institutional members of the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEPFI).

Co-Chair of UNEPFI, David

Pitt-Watson said: “The world’s financial institutions are there to finance a growing, sustainable economy, but the evidence suggests that, today, the industry performs that task poorly. The Inquiry will support the urgent need to reshape a practical and agreed agenda of reform that ensures that the finance industry fulfills its purpose.”

Chair of HSBC India, Naina Kidwai said: “The Inquiry offers the financial world a timely opportunity to engage on critical issues and examine how we can best respond to pressing challenges such as water stress, energy efficiency and indeed climate change. I look forward to moving this important agenda forward.”

“The Inquiry provides a vehicle for taking a strategic look at how the financial system can play its part in mobilizing capital for a low-carbon, resilient economy”, added Rachel Kyte, Group Vice President, World Bank Group.

Two Co-Directors and a Head of Strategic Outreach have been appointed to lead the Inquiry from its Geneva base.

They are: the currently head of HSBC Center for Excellence in Climate Change and Nick Robins, Simon Zadek, ex-Chief Executive of AccountAbility and Senior Fellow of the Global Green Growth Institute and the International Institute for Sustainable Development , while Mahenau Agha will serve as UNEP Advisor. The first Advisory Council meeting will hold in April 2014.

48

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

48

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

49

50 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

51

52 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

Govt should encourage investment, provide level Ayodapo Ajayi Shoderu is the President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Man-Mountain and Company. A chartered insurance technocrat, he has a career spanning more than three decades in the nation’s insurance industry. In this interview with JOSHUA NSE, he x-rays germane issues in the insurance industry in particular and the economy in general. Excerpts.

ECENTLY, you were elected the 17th R President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), what are your policy thrust for the brokerage profession and the industry generally?

First, I wish all our members, underwriters, other arms of the industry in Nigeria including the National Insurance Commission, a happy new year, the year will bring closer relationship to this industry. My thrust of office, which I did highlight during my investiture will be based mainly on professionalism and this will consist in collaborating with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and other stakeholders. We believe that NAICOM meant well for our industry and is doing its best to sanitize the industry. This is very important because if our industry is under proper regulation, it will perform to meet expectations of the insuring public. Basically, Insurance brokers that we have presently are young and upcoming, who are very proud of the profession, ready to practice the trade according to rules and guidelines.

Another area of my agenda is to relate closely with the government both states and federal. Let’s face it, government is the biggest spender in the economy, we want them to recognize the role of insurance in mitigating risks. We still have businesses in government that are not insured. Unless these assets are insured and premium paid, definitely we will not have growth in the industry. We need to take our rightful place in the economy. The other area is to open the market for our members. Presently, we all congregate over very small government businesses,

Shideru

which in my view, is not good for the market.

For instance, we struggle for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Head of Service, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) accounts, whereas, there are other lucrative businesses which we are yet to exploit. Take a look at the markets in different parts of the country, you marvel at the number of traders in these markets with expensive wares in their shops. Regrettably, they do not have any form of insurance policy in the event of fire and burglary. Look at the Great Nigeria House that was burnt recently, you can imagine the number of traders with millions of naira worth of expensive imported materials from different parts of the world that went up in flames.

How are they going to start a fresh. This is where insurance should be engaged, unfortunately, people are not enlightened on the benefit and value of insurance in mitigating these losses. If we are able to open these doors for our members, definitely they will hunt less for the bigger accounts. These big accounts the cost of bidding is a lot, it is only big brokers that can actually go for it, what

about our small size brokers. We intend to open this market for the small brokers.

The issue of effective human capital development is another area of importance. My 38 years experience underscores the need for continuous human capacity development.

We intend to transform our council to learning rather than earning institution. On the one hand, we shall fortify the human resources content of the secretariat through well coordinated training for better service rendition, being the engine room of our operation, various staff will be trained, the generality of members will enjoy value and relevant training around all strata of our operations.

Insurance industry in Nigeria has witnessed significant restructuring, rebranding, primarily to improve customer services and enhance the image of the market. As one of the pillars in the industry, what are your assessment of this reforms?

First of all, I think the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) programme which the Commissioner for Insurance instituted meant specifically for

With the recapitalization that took place in 2007, the paid-up capital of insurance companies in this market is the highest in the continent. They can underwrite peak risks, they have international connections and alliances to guarantee any company coming to invest in Nigeria. The democratic governance is at least stable and should be sustained to build confidence.

market penetration, has for the first time brought about the association of registered insurance agents. In other words, increased the number of practitioners in the industry for market penetration to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. We want to talk also to the Association of Insurance agents to partner together to make sure that the value and benefits of insurance are brought to Nigerians.

My other thought on rebranding is microinsurance. A lot is being done on this, seminars are being organized to sensitize Nigerians on the scheme.

In South Africa, for example, nearly 85 per cent of the population have life insurance but, here how many Nigerians have life cover, apart from those who are working where they have group life. Micro-insurance is very good at the grassroots to bring people into the system, people who have never been conscious of insurance, for us to make them become aware of what insurance is all about.

We are also going to sensitize the traders to let them know about the value and benefits of insurance. There are so many fire-incidents in market places, in most of these markets, they don’t have insurance policy to protect their businesses. We are trying to educate both the government and traders alike that all the money the government would have spent in compensating victims of disasters, that money could be directed to other capital projects if they take insurance to mitigate these losses. The other issue of rebranding is ‘no premium, no cover.’ The rule has always been there but the Commissioner for

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 53

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

playing field for businesses, says Shoderu Insurance has done very well, helping to implement the law. It is now compulsory that no broker, underwriter must accept risk without premium being paid in full, people have for many years taken insurance for granted. We are carrying billions of risks and yet people do not pay premium, insurance is always the last item in their budget that has stopped.

As an investor and professional risk manager in this economic environment, what would you say are the challenges in the management of business in Nigeria?

The major challenge in this business environment is no doubt power supply, it is the engine of development. Since I assumed office few months ago, I have seen how much we are spending weekly on diesel. In my company Man-Mountain and Company, we spent not less than N250,000 monthly on diesel.

We have an agreement with John Holt, to pay about N1.5 million yearly for servicing generator. Nigeria is supplying energy to the neighbouring countries and they are celebrating steady power supply in their countries to the detriment of our country. Many industries have relocated their investments to these countries, principally as a result of poor power supply. We need something to be done drastically about energy supply in this country. Secondly, the problem of infrastructural facilities, the condition of road network are deplorable, security of lives and property, all these are key to attracting both local and foreign investors.

More importantly, we must be able to provide friendly business environment that will give investors the confidence, security and assurance that when they invest their capital in the economy, they will get the returns on their investment as reward.

Insurance is also very important in the management of business. We are on ground. We have strong insurance companies comparable to any insurance firm outside this shore.

With the recapitalization that took place in 2007, the paid-up capital of insurance companies in this market is the highest in the continent. They can underwrite peak risks, they have international connections and alliances to guarantee any company coming to invest in Nigeria. The democratic governance is at least stable and should be sustained to build confidence. We need to put necessary structures to promote investment, when you take into consideration mounting unemployment and the social implications, government at all levels should deploy resources to increase employment in agriculture and informal sector.

The issue of premium remittance in the industry has been a major problem between intermediaries and underwriters, how has the ‘no premium, no cover’ regulation enforced by industry regulator helped to resolve this issue?

One of the areas of interest of our council is the need for underwriters to always pay claims expeditiously. Whilst many underwriters are striving to adhere strictly to the time limits for claims payment to clients, some still do err in this regard. Considering the place of claims payment in insurance image and acceptance, the council under my leadership has taken up the matter with NAICOM during my recent visit to the Commission. We urged NAICOM to consider a directive to underwriting companies on the need for them to be prompt in the settlement of claims to clients. Since the sustenance of any insurance industry is its ability to pay claims promptly, our opinion is that commission should be more stringent on its stand or directive to insurers on claims payment; the same way the Commission frowns at brokers with regards to remission of premium.

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) compliant accounts set by government for insurance entities posed challenges in the industry, what are brokers doing to minimize defaults, penalty.

First of all, let me state that IFRS issue is not NAICOM issue, but government, the Commission came in to make a soft-landing for the industry.

As you are aware, the world has become a global village where no nation or system

could run independently of international norms and standards. As professionals, the need for uniform global reporting standards has necessitated full disclosure of accounts by corporate institutions for probity and accountability in all their financial transactions. This has also come to affect the style of financial reporting in the insurance broking sector which is a pivotal segment of our national economy.

In order to assist members to ensure compliance with the directive, the Governing Board in its judgment decided to yield to the advice to imbibe shares services scheme through the engagement of IFRS renowned consultants to assist all our members comply.

It is believed that the engagement of the consultants will reduce the monumental fees that would have been paid by individual companies should they go it all alone. Also, the harmonized reporting standards will reduce the chances of errors, leading to rejection and consequently penalty by the regulatory institutions. In order to secure the consent of members after its recommendation by the Technical Committee, the issue was tabled, discussed and approved at the last annual general meeting. It is however, a thing of surprise that some members are yet to understand the background to the adoption of the shared scheme, hence they inundate the secretariat with request for explanations.

Some erroneously accused the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) and National Insurance Commission for encouraging compliance with the financial reporting standards, seeing it as a burden laid on their shoulders. However, the point must be made that neither NAICOM nor NCRIB imposed the reporting standard and there is nothing the two institutions could do than to encourage compliance by members and the insurance industry. Let me use this medium to call on members to pay the agreed fee levied on all members for the scheme to avoid unnecessary sanctions from the relevant authorities.

What is your view on the local content policy for local players?

We are happy that Local Content has recognized the role of insurance brokers and underwriters in the sector. We now have insurance brokers, insurance companies with affiliations with foreign underwriters and insurance brokers. The reason being that even though there has been recapitalization in the industry, the risk involved in Oil and Gas in most cases cannot be totally absorbed by the local insurance companies.

For example, in respect of the NNPC accounts, such a huge risk involved that we need to place some of these businesses abroad, we need foreign partner. A lot of insurance companies, insurance brokers are now in partnership with foreign professionals not only to advise on the best place to place these businesses. Of course, day in day out, these local insurance companies are growing making sure all their staff are well

trained in oil and gas, seminars and workshop, and sending their staff abroad for training and exposure. I know in a few years the insurance of energy portfolio will continue to grow, we now have young and virile practitioners who are proud of their profession and are quite determined to make the best of insurance as a profession in the industry.

How is your council looking at the challenges of competition and threats to intermediation?

Generally, all over the world the interme-

diation business is being threatened. The capitalist system has continually come with initiatives that are reducing the scope and operations of intermediaries, of which brokers are critical players. Such threats are coming from technology which places premium on speed and direct interface with customers.

These threats necessitate that brokers must imbibe strategic survival options, especially like mergers and acquisitions. Part of our responsibility therefore is to advise brokers to imbibe the shared services schemes, which is a new strategy for reducing cost of business operation. Similarly, we must advise brokers to upscale their practice by broadening their horizon. It is not out of place if brokers begin to look at wider opportunities in the area of risk management, in order to earn more income. The field is quite green for those members that could explore and are amenable to progressive change!

If you take an

The major challenge in this business environment is no doubt power supply. It is the engine of development. Since I assumed office few months ago, I have seen how much we are spending weekly on diesel. In my company, Man-Mountain and Company, we ‘ve been spending not less than N250,000 monthly on diesel.

overview of the insurance market in Nigeria, what are the prospects.

The future of insurance business in Nigeria is very bright. With the measures taken by the regulators to enforce discipline and professionalism, insurance broking and underwriting will continue to grow, confidence of the insuring public in the industry will continue to strengthen, a more virile industry will emerge.

54 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

INSURANCE

Insurers lament losses from fire incidents

By Joshua Nse

outbreaks in both …Task public on occupiers liability policy law FtionsIRE public and private instituin different parts of the damaged lives and ing in damages to lives and transferring the risk which country boosted insurers renewed appeal to the insuring public to take advantage of the Occupiers Liability Insurance Policy to mitigate some of these losses.

The call is coming at the backdrop of increasing fire disaster in various parts of the country, collapsed buildings, flood, etc which has

property worth billions of naira yearly.

For instance, Risk and Insurance Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) in its recent reports said “the entire world are going through climate change, countries around the globe are passing through storms, earthquake, rainfall result-

property. In advance countries, they are preparing and taken measures to minimize losses. If you look at Nigeria, do you think government have taken measures to reduce effect of the climate change that we have seen” According to the society, insurance is one of the risk measures you put in place by

you cannot cope with.

“There is also the legal aspect where you can not have professionals in your enterprise, then you contract some of the risks out. The important thing is that the more you reduce or eliminate your risks, the better for you as an individual, as government or corporate organ-

izations because there are measures you have taken to safeguard your interest”.

To check this menace, Section 65 of the 2003 Insurance Act, however, provided for Occupiers Liability Insurance Policy, which states that all business and office premises (government, corporate, private), guest houses, hotels and residential estates, among others must take the compulsory policy cover for protection.

Industry managers who spoke to The Guardian lamented these losses, but regretted that the public are not taking advantage of the compulsory policy to protect themselves against unexpected risks.

For instance, the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Ayodapo Shoderu, expressing regret on these losses said “take a look at the markets in different parts olf the country, you marvel at the number of traders in markets withy expensive wares in their shops. Regrettably, they do not have any form of insurance policy in the even of fire and burglary. Look at the Great Nigeria House that was burnt recently, you can imagine the number of traders with millions of naira worth of expensive imported materials from different parts of the world that went up in flames.

“How are they going to start a fresh. This is where insurance should be engaged, unfortunately, people are not enlightened on the benefit and value of insurance in

mitigating these losses. If we are able to open these doors it will be to the advantage of our members and benefits to the insuring public.”

The Managing Director/CEO, STACO Insurance Plc, Sakiru Oyefeso, said that many of the properties gutted by fire may not have been insured against perils such as fire, wind storm, flood, etc. He attributed it to lack of awareness and general apathy about the benefit of insurance in mitigating these losses. He said that any country that really wants to grow must not neglect the role of insurance because it is the engine room for any economic progress.

According to him, what we need to do as an industry is to intensify awareness campaign in all the states, local government areas to enlighten them on the benefits of insurance, as well as the existence of the compulsory insurance. Besides, we should as an industry support the market development initiative and leverage on the platform to reach out to the people, and create products that meet their peculiar needs.

He said, “the compulsory insurances on public building is very important as it would help to minimize the impact of fire outbreak and the painful effect on the insured. What we need to do as a industry is to consistently create awareness in the heart of Nigerians on the advantages and benefits of buying insurance in the event of fire or other misfortune”

NCRIB enlists support of operators for WAII Executive Director, Corporate Services, Premium Pension Limited, Kayode Akande (right), Chief Executive Officer, Wilson Ideva and Executive Director, Business Development and Investment, Adamu Mele, during a media briefing at their corporate headquarters in Abuja...recently.

Contributory pension scheme is safe, robust, says Ideva

By Joshua Nse HE Contributory Pension T Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria is private sector driven, there is competition, which results in quality service to customers.

The Managing Director/CEO, Premium Pension Limited Wilson Ideva, said during a media roundtable and tour of facilities at the corporate headquarters of the company in Abuja, that since inception of the scheme, there had never been any recorded fraud because of the internal control mechanism put in place, very strong regulation under the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Besides, he said that there was a third party custodian of funds – Pension Fund Custodians and, of course, the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), with these safeguards, the fund was safe and because it was private sector driven, there was competition, which resulted in better service.

According to him, the future for the industry was robust,

Nigerians should be certain that their money was safe and they should be able to have the same quality of life after retirement, just as their counterparts all over the world.

Conducting journalist round facilities in company of Executive Director, Operations and Services, Kayode Akande, executive director, Business Development and Investment, Adamu Mele, the Premium boss said: “Our vision is to be the leading Pension Fund Administrator in Nigeria and a

global player. We are one of the leading PFAs in terms of customer and asset base, returns on investment and security of assets. Our mission is to achieve superior customer satisfaction in active and retirement life through best practices.”

He said: “Our major thrust in managing your pension is security of your asset, superior return on investment and provision of caring and efficient services. We have offices in the 36 state of the federation

including FCT structured into seven regions, 16 zones and state branch offices with head office in Abuja to enable us meet the needs of our RSA holders.

Ideva said: “I want to use this platform to encourage Nigerians who are working in small and medium businesses to embrace the scheme to ensure that people who work in active life will also enjoy at retirement, because that is the only way to ensure that you have a corruption free country.”

GNI profit rises to N903 million REAT Nigeria Insurance Plc G has declared a profit after tax of N903 million in its 2012 financial year. According to the approval that was recently received from the industry regulatory authority; National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

This is a commendable achievement when compared to the previous year PAT result, which stood at N399m.

This 2012 performance represents a milestone 119 per cent leap for an insurance company.

It is also remarkable when it is considered against the backdrop of the challenging business climate experienced in year 2012 and the need for strict compliance with the international Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which had only taken off that

year.

The result also shows a sustained growth by the Cecilia Osipitan led organisation when appraised by business analysts since the approval of the result was released and have been commenting positively on it that the result showed an efficiently managed Company that was able to make this profit with this level of gross premium

HE Nigerian Council of T Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has advocat-

ed the support of all insurance constituent bodies for the West African Insurance Institute (WAII), to allow it meet the mandate of producing the required qualitative human resource for the industry in the West Africa sub region.

The President of the NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu made the appeal during the visit of the new Director General of the Institute, Mr. Frederick Bowen-John to the Council in Lagos.

Shoderu said that the insurance industry in West Africa had not been able to live up to its expectations because of insufficient human resource or professionals who will render creative and dynamic insurance services to meet with changes in consumer’s expectations.

“For the dire challenges of human resources to be met in the Nigerian insurance industry, like its peers in other West African countries, all training institutions of which WAII is inclusive, must be given required support and patronage by reputable professionals and bodies in the sector” Shoderu stated.

The NCRIB president urged WAII to create more relevant

courses for insurance brokers in its curriculum, considering their pivotal place as the main professionals in the insurance industry value chain.

Shoderu disclosed that part of his administration’s thrust of office was to effectively liaise with notable professional bodies in Nigeria and across the world in order to grow human capital development of the Insurance Broking sector and that the same gesture would be extended to WAII. Responding, Bowen-John who came in company with the Deputy Director General of the institute, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Akolade said that the visitation was to galvanise greater interest of insurance brokers in the institute, going by the existing records which revealed that most of the students that attended the institution were sponsored by underwriting companies.

He promised that the new management of the institute had brought with them qualitative years of human resources, administrative and insurance professional experience, which they would bring to bear in turning the fortunes of the industry around, to the delight of the promoters.

Tuesday, January 27, 2014 55

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN

INSURANCE

Mutual Benefit opens shop in Niger Republic ONTINUING with its C expansion plan, Mutual Benefits Assurance plc has acquired license to operate a subsidiary in Niger Republic under the name, Mutual Niger.

The new company, which commenced operation in January 2nd 2014, was following the approval by the country’s insurance regulator.

Akin Ogunbiyi, group-managing director, Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc made the disclosure during an interview at the sideline of the company’s 18th yearly thanksgiving held in Lagos.

He said that the decision to go to Niger Republic was in furtherance of its expansion plan, targeted at enhancing shareholder value and desire to emerge a competitive force within the African market.

Ogunbiyi stated that Mutual Benefits realised the growth potential in Niger Republic following its discovery of several mineral resources in commercial quantities, and decided to take position to be part of the growing economy.

“If you look at a recent World Bank report, Niger has been identified as going to be the fastest growing economy in the West African sub-region in

the next few years. Niger you will recall in the last four to five years discovered minerals not just discovering them but in commercial quantities and has become a centre of attraction for most investors in the Western World.”

We read about it and we are interested in expansion, and as at January 2 we started a full fledge company in Niger, Ogunbiyi noted.

According to Ogunbiyi, it was not difficult getting operational license because of Mutual Benefit’s pedigree, which had been tested in Cameroun where it’s operates a partnership.

“To get a fresh license wasn’t difficult. We applied to the regulator and luckily we have our track record because we have been in operation in Cameroon where we entered a partnership. We proved our self as a company with integrity, professionalism, dynamism and leadership, because we picked a company that was down and in less than three years it moved to top position in the Cameroon market, Ogunbiyi stated.

“When we said we were going to Niger it was not a problem and only in one appearance with the regulator, we got our

license.”

Speaking on the thanksgiving, the GMD said: “The annual thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to thank God for his blessings during the year because ‘of the truth he has been kind to us’. And when you praise and thank him for the one he has done, then you can expect multiplication “We know how it was at the beginning and it was God that says go and he backed us up and that is why we are where we are today, and so we have every reason to thank him.

“I can tell you that Mutual Benefits of last year is not the Mutual Benefits of today. God is the god of multiplication because it was said in Psalm 62 that when you praise the Lord the land would yield its increase. We have done what God wants, and when you do that you expect multiplication.”

According to Ogunbiyi, the company today boasts of staff strength of 5, 000 and a growth of 40 per cent in all indices in the 2013 financial year.

In 2013 we actually recorded about 40 per cent growth in all indices and of course by the grace of God, we are just beginning.

Group Managing Director (GMD), Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Akin Ogunbiyi (left), Adedotun Ogunbiyi, wife of the GMD and General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, S.K. Abiara, during Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc’s 18th yearly thanksgiving held in Lagos…recently.

Tune Insurance penetrates MENA’s market UNE Insurance Holdings T Bhd’s (TIH) joint venture (JV) with travel agency Cozmo Travel LLC will open the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets for the company and potentially boost its net profit up by seven per cent, said RHB Research Institute Bhd. TIH said that it planned to enter into an indefinite JV agreement with Cozmo to provide travel insurance and customised travel solutions to independent and corporate travellers.

TIH will have equal management power and own a 50 per cent stake in the JV company, Tune Arabia LLC, with total investment of $184,000 (RM612, 000).

RHB Research in its report said that the JV might appear immaterial since Cozmo, currently with 12 branches, was only set up in 2010 and holds a small market share.

However, the announcement interestingly stated that the JV company would underwrite travel insurance for Cozmo and its affiliated companies in the Air Arabia Group.

Air Arabia is a successful lowcost carrier (LCC) that flies to 51 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) market.

“This move ties in with TIH’s plans to penetrate the MENA market via its shareholder, AirAsia Bhd. The JV will enable TIH to tap into Air Arabia’s base of 1.4 million customers per quarter,” its analyst Kong Ho Meng said.

He noted that Air Arabia’s business model appears similar to AirAsia’s low-cost offerings and proven safety track record, being a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation and a recipient of the Skytrax World Airline awards.

“We estimate every six million increase in passenger

base could potentially boost net profit up to seven per cent (assuming travel insurance profit margin of 50 per cent),” Kong said.

On the other hand, he noted that a surge in online claims ratio and lower-than-expected travel demand from Thailand could pose a risk to TIH. “While Thailand’s political situation may hurt TIH’s near-term share price, we like the company’s longer-term story. Last year, it gained prominence an Asean insurer through its high-margin travel insurance business. We are optimistic on TIH’s potential to expand beyond Asean and becoming a global insurer,” he said.

Nevertheless, Kong was excited over TIH’s longerterm plan and maintained a “buy” on the stock, with a fair value at RM2.40 at 22 times price to earnings ratio.

56 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

FINANCIALGUARDIAN Ecobank plans reward for card users COBANK Nigeria has E unveiled “card four” prizes promo being part of efforts in promoting the use of alternative payment channels by customers and also strengthening the cashlite initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The promo, which will run for three months, will see customers of the bank winning prizes including cars, all-expense paid trip to Brazil and scholarship valued N300,000 each for different set of winners to be drawn from different parts of the country.

Ecobank’s Head, Cards and e-Banking, Tunde Kuponiyi, while announcing the draws in Lagos, said there will be three monthly draws and a grand finale to be held in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja simultaneously.

He disclosed that 15 winners will emerge monthly from the draws, each of the winners taking home smart phones, LCD TVs, air conditioners, home theatres and power generating sets.

There is also instant reward for customers who may walk into any of the bank branches to pick up debit cards and activate them instantly.

On the modalities for the promotion, Kuponiyi explained that “a point based rating” will be utilized in choosing winning customers.

This means that customers will be awarded points for every transaction done on the bank’s alternative channels.

The alternative channels, he stated, include cash withdrawals from Ecobank’s ATMs, Purchases on POS terminals and Internet payments.

He added that ‘Value Added Services, like transactions done through the ATMs, interbank transfers, quickteller bills payment, among others will be counted as Internet payments.

However, withdrawals done on other bank’s ATMs will not attract any point.

Speaking further, Kuponiyi said customers are expected to accumulate a minimum of 20 points to qualify for the monthly draw, while the Grand Finale is based on total accumulated points during the course of the promo.

He enjoined customers and those who are yet to open account with Ecobank to do so as they stand the chances of winning attractive prizes and enjoy excellent service delivery.

BANKING & FINANCE

GTBank sues for improved media relations to foster financial education Stories by Chijioke Nelson HE need for the media to corroborate further what the banking industry has been doing to increase financial literacy has been underscored by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

The bank’s General Manager and Group Head, Corporate Communications/External Affairs, Mrs. Lola Odedina, stated this during a courtesy visit to The Guardian’s RUTAM House, in Lagos.

The Editor of The Guardian, Martins Oloja, had earlier noted that there was sustained level of scams being perpetrated by certain individuals and groups, expressing concern that with the increased activities in the sector, more unsuspecting customers of banks could easily be defrauded.

But Odedina, who expressed gratitude for the cordial working relations the bank had so far enjoyed with The Guardian, said the financial institution was interested in exploring other avenues that would be beneficial to the bank and the industry as a whole, including customer education.

The bank official explained that though the issue of scam is global, the bank has never relented in keeping its customers with up-to-date tips

T

on how to avoid the snares of the scammers.

However, she noted that changing people’s orientation has never been easy, which is evident in people’s strong belief until now that banking halls are the ultimate in doing transactions, despite various channels that have been made available, offering simple and cheaper options.

She said that the bank has never been conservative, but only does not believe in selfglorification, even as she listed few of the many projects that the financial institution had invested in, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

According to her, the bank’s CSR strategy, which incorporated education, sports, health and talent development, has adopted 10 schools across the country, revived the old Principal Cup of 1940s, among 600 schools, organized motivational talks and renovation of schools’ pitches.

Others are the adoption of the famous pediatric hospital in Lagos, investment in the rehabilitation of children with challenges (autism), pushing the autism at the National Assembly, which has gotten the first hearing and being at the vanguard for the promotion of arts, among oth- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Keystone Bank Limited, Philip Ikeazor (right); and Chairman, Upper Niger River Basin Authority, Dr. Sam Ode, during a visit by Ode to the corporate head office of the bank in ers.

Lagos.

Access Bank collaborates with GRI, SIDA, others on capacity development CCESS Bank Plc has entered A into partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Focal Point South Africa, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Thistle Praxis, to ensure sustainable capacity building in Nigeria.

The sealing of the pact, held at the Access Bank Headin a warn handshake with the Office in Lagos, was tagged “G4 Sustainability Reporting Guideline Training Workshop.”

It was also scripted to empower participants with the requisite knowledge of sustainability in reporting, help them manage the reporting process and benefit from the transparency of adopting such standards.

The programme will also provide a strategic opportunity for advancing the shared mission of mainstreaming sustainability reporting into business practices in Nigeria and Africa, as well as enhancing the presence of the Global Reporting Initiative in Nigeria at the national and regional levels.

The Group Managing Accoriin a warn handshake with then a warn handshake with theding to her, YouWiN was scripted to demonstrate that the country wants to go back to the days of merit, as the process was devoid of bias, while it also succeeded in creating jobs more proportionately than the number already mobilized.

“The latest survey showed that the 2400 winners have created 27,000 jobs so far. This number is exclusive of those who were trained by YouWiN, although they did not win the grant,” she said.

Director, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, said: “The collabora-

tion with GRI, SIDA and Thistle Praxis presents the bank with another opportunity to demonstrate its leadership in the areas of responsible business practices and sustainability”.

Wigwe, who was represented by the bank’s Chief Risk Officer, Gregory Jobome, said that “issues around the subjects of sustainability and responsible business practices are important to the bank and consistent with its pedigree in championing and supporting sustainability initiatives across Africa.”

The bank before now, had organised several workshops and conferences, notable

among which was the Nigerian Sustainability Banking Principles (NSBP) Steering Committee Meeting in partnership with IFC and Access Coin a warn handshake with thenference 2103, with the theme in a warn handshake with the“Embracing Sustainable Leadership.”

But the Head, GRI Focal Point South Africa, Douglas Kativu, encouraged Nigeria to step up the standard in the practice of sustainability reporting, given the size and relevance of the country to global economy.

He also urged that the global business community should

consistently review business decisions and their environmental impact to make the earth truly sustainable in the long term.

The Chief Executive Officer of Thistle Praxis Consulting, Ms. Ini Onuk, added: “Improving participants’ capacity through the presentation of sustainability reports in this manner demonstrates linkages between strategies and commitment to sustainable global economy, as well as help organizations to measure, understand and communicate their economic, environmental, social and governance performance accurately, which will make the world

Enterprise Bank unveils Mastercard brand for convenience NTERPRISE Bank Limited E has assured its customers of additional convenience as they make use of the dual purpose Enterprise Bank MasterCard Prepaid Card, as the cash-less policy gradually spreads across states of the federation.

The card, used locally and internationally, is a multi-pur-

pose chip and pin debit card that can be pre-funded and used to effect cash-less payments (like a bank debit card) on the Internet, Point of Sale terminals and Automated Teller Machines.

A statement from the bank said that the unique benefits of the Enterprise Bank Mastercard prepaid is that it is

available to both customers and non-customers of the bank and can be pre-funded in Naira or dollar denominations.

It is also ideal for students, corporate accounts (expense cards, estacode, and corporate travel) and travel cards, among others.

The statement signed by the

bank’s Head, Corporate Communications, Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe, added: “With the product, holders of the Mastercard prepaid do not need to carry huge amounts in foreign currencies for foreign trips because money loaded in the card is already available, secure, safe and can be used anywhere in the world.

Agric transformation project good for food security, says Mainstreet Bank HE Group Managing off of the 2013/2014 Dry prior to the introduction of the agriculture sector to Through the Federal ruption, which existed in the T Director of Mainstreet Season Farming Support the initiative, she noted that seven per cent and subseMinistry of Agriculture and input distribution chain.

Bank, Faith TuedorUnder the scheme, Programme, at the banquet the banks’ lending to the secquently to 10 per cent by Matthews, has described the current Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government as a revolutionary initiative, which has the capability of accelerating the nation’s quest for food security.

Speaking at the formal flag-

Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the bank chief acknowledged that the initiative has further encouraged Nigerian banks to brace up to the challenge of lending to the agriculture sector.

Highlighting the experience of the banking industry

tor was below one per cent of total bank lending.

However, within two years, this figure has grown to N368 billion, which is a growth position of 4.29 per cent.

She further explained that the banking industry has set a target to grow lending in

2017.

Sharing her industry experience of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) in the last two years, Tuedor-Matthews noted that total Bank lending under the GESS has grown from N4 billion in 2012 to N20 billion in 2013.

Rural Development programme, the Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Loans (NISRAL), GESS has been able to mobilise fertilizer agrodealers, farmers, suppliers, seed companies to create an effective distribution mechanism that eliminates middlemen and the attendant cor-

Mainstreet Bank lent N10 billion to 30 agro-dealers in 2013 and recorded zero default.

She maintained that previously, while the bank would not deal with agro-dealers because they lacked the structure to qualify for borrowing, today the story is cheering as all the loans to the dealers are performing.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

57

58

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

59

60 Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

61

62

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

63

64

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

Media Online journalism has changed media landscape in Nigeria, says Idonor Interview Daniel Idonor has been in the media for quite sometime now. He spent his early years on the job in radio, three years after, he went to television before pitching his tent in print journalism where he spent about 18 years. He resigned three years ago as a News Editor with Vanguard Newspaper to establish his own online medium. In this interview with MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR, Idonor underscores how online journalism had come to stay, warning that its advent poses serious threat to mainstream journalism, especially newspaper business. The Delta State-born journalist also speaks on why his colleagues should be actively involved in politics, saying that it is the only way they can translate their advocacy for good governance into practice.

OU have practiced journalism in a convenY tional way before you ventured into online publication, how is the transition? “There is no significant difference between what we have as print, broadcast and online journalism. I was just privileged to have criss-crossed these three areas; from broadcast to print and now online,” he says.

For him, online journalism is still evolving in this part of the world, but it is something that has come to stay, no matter how it is looked at because the prospects are higher. “If you look around right now, copy sale by the newspapers are on the decline whereas the acceptability of online and social media is rising among the populace. The online business as a matter of fact is also less expensive; you do not need to be a Dangote to set up an online platform, what you require is that you have to be a trained journalist especially if your platform is going to be news based,” Idonor reveals, adding: “We know of others who are into gossip and all that, but if you set up a news online and you want to remain in business and also make money, because like every other business, online news platform is also a profit-oriented business, you must be a journalist, not just a journalist of yesterday, but you have risen to rank of an editor in a national daily before you go into it.”

According to him, the aim is that when you see the basic business of online news platform to report, you must be somebody who has been in the reportorial business, but if you are an investor like a politician, you will also need to hire a professional journalist to manage this business. If you are an investor and you say okay because newspaper business is dropping let me go into online news platform, you will need to hire professionals and equally solve the same investment quest you have.

How then did Frontiers news.com come about?

“I have worked for the radio for almost three decades in the industry, I felt I needed to go into publishing as a business,” Idonor reveals.

Though there is not so much money yet, he believes he has the experience required, so, “a colleague and I decided to come together. I resigned from Vanguard and he also resigned from his place of practice and we came together to form the Frontiers Alliance Communication Limited and the first thing we did was to hit the

ground running by setting up the Frontiers news.com, which has been existing for the past three years and since we came together, it has been a lot of success story.

He says, “as at the time we came on board, the number of online news platform in Nigeria was very few, but today we have over hundred online platforms that are Nigeria-based.

Therefore, online business has come to stay and Frontiers is making its own contribution to online business in Nigeria and I want to say that it has been very successful.”

How then do we address the problem of non-journalists Idonor who perpetrate all forms of unethical practices, hiding under the online media? This is against should be able to know whether a copy is good the backdrop of the fact that some of the online or not. media do not even have verifiable addresses and What does he envisage is going to be the future those behind the acts are unknown? of newspapers or print media generally in view According to Idonor, “the truth is that talking of the upsurge of online platforms? about fake, quacks, unethical practices, it is not “It is still the matter of debate of what becomes limited to journalism. In every profession, there the future of newspapers, but as somebody who are people who are quacks, there are also people has tasted it from both sides, I think there is no who do all sorts of things to make ends meet, I society in the world today, where there is no want to say that the Nigerian society or indeed print journalism, just as there is no society withthe world should not be too worried about jour- out broadcast journalism. Newspaper will connalists, who will set up online website for the pur- tinue to exist, but as to their wide acceptability is pose of promoting incompetence and all sorts of what I cannot speak for because right now in sharp practices because like every other disci- Nigeria since the advent of social media and pline, fake people will give way.” online journalism, hard copy sales has been on He continues, “as online business evolves in the steep decline, copy sales by newspapers is Nigeria, those who will remain in the business falling,” he says. “For instance in Frontiers, we will be those who have integrity, because if I am have over seven to eight million subscribers who your subscriber, you send me e-news letter every- receive our e- newsletter everyday; now we have day and I discover that your stories are either fake increased it to three times a day and all the newsor do not exist , what did not happen, you say it papers in Nigeria joined together do not prohappened and later on I discover; as people dis- duce up to five million copies a day not even two cover you are that kind of person you are, they million copies. So what we see coming up is will be moving away from your site, so when they whether can online take the shock of newspaper leave your site, it will become less popular and advertisement from the newspaper publishers when it becomes less popular, people will not or the newspaper advertise in it and when people don’t advertise in publishers will continue to maintain their posiyour site, you will, automatically, be forced to tion in terms of income generation through close shop because you need money to survive as adverts such as products, political statements, an online publisher.” obituary congratulatory and all that.”

Idonor adds, “so, the good ones will continue to According to him, online platform will continbe there. If you are a journalist that’s worth your ue to thrive because of its quick reach; in less salt, and you choose to set up an online platform, than two seconds you hit the street, people read and you know that is where your source of you from their bedrooms; from anywhere withincome will come, you will guide it jealously. You out going to the newsstand to look for papers will not just write any story or your reporter will like we use to do those days, today even before not send all kinds of stories to you and you pub- people wake up to take their baths or brush their lish. Naturally, I think the bad ones will give way teeth, they’ve read the stories for the day. So this for the genuine ones to stay; it does happen in is the difference, “but I don’t think that newspaany kind of human endeavor; when there is a per will die finally, newspaper will continue to boom, everybody will appear to be interested, all exist, it is just that it would be affected adversely manner of practitioners will emerge, but as time by the advent of the online.” goes on, the bad ones will give way to genuine Does Idonor believe that journalist can estabones to thrive.” lish a media house and manage same successfulYou must have yourself come across instances ly, looking at the history of ownership and manof unethical professional misconduct? agement in the country?

For him, when you see the quality of a copy, you He says,”not every journalist is a good manager will know. He notes a story that involves an indi- of human and material resources. A lot of our vidual and you read the story for nine to 10 para- colleagues who have been given managerial graphs, and there is no paragraph from the man responsibility in various organisations and they who the story is being written as an editor you have failed so the fact that we are journalists will wonder what doesn’t make us good kind of journalmanagers of ism is the resources, setting reporter practicYou cannot separate journalism and politics, no up a business is a ing. Is he practicwonder that there is saying that journalism is the different thing and ing from the in a busifourth estate of the realm. By this, it means we are working moon or from the ness environment the fourth arm of government as we have the exec- is also another ball sun? So if you see a quality copy, utive, the legislature and the judiciary. The fourth game, “so most you will know excel one is journalism. Many people have argued that it journalists even if the person because of their is better to have journalism without a is your enemy. reportorial ability, government,it shows that journalism and politics their investigative Every story has both sides. And a prowess and skills. have become inseparable over the years. good gate keeper This is a core prac-

tice in journalism and they can excel and be promoted to become editors and all that, but to leave practice and go into publishing is different ball game altogether because there is a world of difference between reportorial and publishing.

When you become a publisher, you are automatically a manager and investor. So it is not enough to say that every journalist can do well in management, this explains why a lot of them have failed to live up to their billings whenever they take up managerial responsibilities in newspaper publishing enterprise.”

Idonor believes that journalists should go into politics. In his words, “you cannot separate journalism and politics, no wonder that there is saying that journalism is the fourth estate of the realm. By this, it means we are the fourth arm of government as we have the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. The fourth one is journalism. Many people have argued that it is better to have journalism without a government,it shows that journalism and politics have become inseparable over the years.”

He adds,”the reason is that there is hardly anyone who is a journalist who has not been exposed to the day-to-day activities of the average politician or politics. Of all discipline in the world, there is none as more exposed to politics than journalism; not even law. Our profession is to interact with people; there is no other discipline that has that kind of advantage than journalism, we interact with all manners of people. More often than not, in third world countries politicians.”

Idonor argues further, “in every developing country, 99 per cent of reportorial activities are political based. Also the kind of stories the newspapers and the online dish out everyday in Nigeria are coming from politicians or from politics. So, we interface by virtue of our career and discipline, we have course with politicians more, and that has given us an edge.”

The former news editor of Vanguard thinks every journalist is supposed to be a politician, “but the reason why a lot of our colleagues are not into politics is because of the resources. Journalists are the poorest paid in third world countries because politicians feel that if they are too empowered, chances are that journalists would outclass them because they are better managers of human resources somehow, so they feel the more they empower us, the more powerful we become, and independent-minded that we will want to bend them on how to provide social services to the people.”

He says, they try to push us far into corner. But remember when they want to market their ideas and market themselves to the public they draw us closer, but the moment they achieve that and are in positions, they leave us behind because they know that if we are empowered, we could become a threat to them.”

He agrees with the opinion that resources have been the major stumbling block behind the inability of a lot

Monday, January 27, 2014 MEDIA 65

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Stakeholders call for better commitment to CSR Issue

By Gbenga Salau HE need for organisations to be socially T responsible beyond merely giving back to the society but being socially responsible throughout their operations’ chain gave birth to the principles of organisational sustainability.

Last week, stakeholders advocating for the implementation of sustainability principles in Corporate Social Responsibility projects and programmes called on organisations and managers in Nigeria to be more committed to the principles of sustainability since such issues are geared towards a better society and for the good of all.

This was the submission of participants at the one-day sustainability and reporting dialogue held in Lagos last week. They were, however, not united on the approach to make organisations and their staff to take concrete steps and get more committed to the issue of sustainability.

This is because while some argued for the establishment of regulations that would compel organisations to write sustainability reports, which would help the public have better understanding of the company’s sustainability programmes, others suggested allowing them to freely take action and imbibe the culture.

Though getting organisations to write its sustainability report was extensively discussed at the forum, Head, global Reporting Initiative, Africa Focal Point, South Africa, Mr. Douglas Kativu, maintained that reporting was not the goal but addressing the issues of sustainability on a day to day basis through putting in place policies that promote sustainability is more important.

He argued that if sustainability issues became part of the day-to-day ideals of an organisation, writing the report would be easier and natural.

Kativu also noted that making people comply with the principles should not be put above understanding and appreciating what the sustainability ideals are about.

During his presentation, he provided detailed steps on how to write a sustainability report using a format, G4, already developed by his organisation, Global Reporting Initiatives.

The CEO of Thistle Praxis, Ini Onuk, strongly believed that regulation is critical in Nigeria because Nigerians do not just fall in line on issues unless there is something compelling or pushing them to do so.

She maintained that regulations would make organisations to comply and be forced to understand the issues since understanding the issues of sustainability is also a challenge at present.

Commenting, Temitayo Ade-Peters of Access Bank, observed that if there are no regulations, there would be no level playing grounds, which would make measuring commitment becomes haphazard.

She called on civil society groups to drive the need for regulation on writing sustainability report.

On his part, the Lead, ICE, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria, Dr. Uwem Ite, opined that making the stakeholders drive the sustainability compliance of firms would be a better option to using the mandatory stick of government through regulations.

The Managing Director, Quadrant Company, Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, aligned his thought to

Lead Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, Thistle Praxis Consulting, Ms Ini Onuk (left); Head of Focal Point, South Africa, Douglas Kativu, and Chief Risk Officer, Access Bank, Gregory Jobome, at the event in Lagos. those who argued that implementation of sustainability principles should be through voluntary commitment and not enforcement by government regulations.

One other concerned raised by a participant was if there is regulation and a regulator, which would aid the process of verification, who would ensure that the regulator complies with the issues of sustainability.

Nike Olaniyan, a staff of Oando, commended the organisers of the dialogue as it provided insightful information, which has broadened her knowledge on sustainability issues. She also disclosed that the insight she got would make her write better reports.

Advisor, Learning and Development, Chevron, Nigeria, Professor Yomi Fawehinmi, maintained that if companies comply with writing the reports demanded by the different sectoral regulators in their industry, producing the sus-

tainability report would become easier. He also called on shareholders to always at its Annual General Meeting, (AGM) raise the need for sustainability report to be included in the AGM report.

Fawehinmi observed that some of the organisations that have started producing its sustainability report do not report the germane and critical issues of their business; rather the reports contain non-core areas.

Noting that producing a sustainability report cost a lot, he suggested that companies should start small and gradually up the commitment through taking an additional step yearly.

There was an example of a financial institution, which in its report did not talk much about its core business, how it attended to customers complains during transaction besides not providing reasons for the many charges customers pay for.

Liberty Radio wins NBMA medal IBERTY RADIO 91.7fm, L Kaduna was recently crowned the Radio of the

General Manager, Brand Assets, Airtel Nigeria, Obinna Aniche (left); Nollywood star, Mike Ezuronye; Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; and Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava during the unveiling of the company’s new Come Alive brand campaign targeted at youth, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

year, North 2013 at the 4th Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award (NBMA).

It outsmarted Peace FM, Jos; Grace FM, Lokoja; Kiss FM, Abuja; Aso FM, Abuja; Brilla FM, Kaduna; Hot FM, Abuja; Raypower FM, Kano; RythmFM, Abuja and Kapital FM, Abuja to cart home the award.

The Executive Chairman of the station, Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan said that the award came as a surprise to the company just two years of broadcasting.

“This credo indeed sums up the deliberately groomed individuality of the stations as, Liberty Radio…Voice for All and …Tashar Yanchi under which the station has against all odds, preserved in attempting to raise the broadcasting bar as role models, mentors and propagators of social change in the society (at least in Northern Nigeria).

“The torch of Liberty has indeed in the past 2 years

beamed its light on most critical matters that has hitherto been taboo to most Northern broadcasters and off the opinion limits of the Northern citizenry, through its scintillating programmes.”

He argued that the cult following the station has secured confirmed its track record besides inspiring attitudinal change amongst the citizenry due to the tenacity of its callers on numerous issues.

“The burden Liberty Radio bears in bringing timely eye witness accounts to its listeners is heavyweight (at least for an FM station).

“Advertisers’ confidence in Liberty Radio has not been misplaced as the station zero tolerance policy on broadcast disruption is further enforced by the operation of ‘automated advert schedulers’, which ensure that scheduled adverts run on the split second timing requirements of our client.”

With Come Alive, Airtel connects Nigerian youth Campaign WO years after the launch of its T groundbreaking Friendship (Padi Na Good Thing) Campaign, Nigeria’s leading mobile Internet Company, Airtel Nigeria, has taken another giant step in fulfillment of its vision to become the country’s most loved brand with the launch of Come Alive, a new thematic campaign targeted at youth.

According to the Telco, the new campaign captures its brand promise of empowering Nigerians to realize their full potentials and dreams, enabling youth and the young-at-heart to come alive and to stay in touch with their family, loved ones and friends with the lat-

est and most innovative mobile Internet and digital value offerings.

It also said it is committed to exciting telecoms consumers, creating the right digital environment for them to succeed and empowering young Nigerians to express themselves, share their stories, connect with the rest of the world, inspire other people and practically blaze the trail in their respective endeavours.

The new campaign, which rides notably on the crest of Airtel’s 3.75G data network highlights the company’s role as an enabler for an enriched digital experience and in assisting young Nigerians and telecoms consumers actualize their dreams by staying connected

with the right community of friends, families and associates anytime, anywhere and through a robust bouquet of mobile Internet package and innovative digital value offerings.

Speaking at the formal unveiling of the new campaign in Lagos, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said the company is committed to empowering young Nigerians with the latest and most innovative package and exciting digital experience.

According to Ogunsanya, Nigerian youths are highly talented, resourceful, innovative, hardworking and resilient people, also noting that Airtel is well-positioned to enable young Nigerians

and the youth-at-heart to create success stories for their life ambitions.

Mr. Ogunsanya added that “We have come a long way in preparing for this moment that Nigerians can be proud of. As a youthfocused, mobile Internet network, actualizing dreams can only be more realistic with us.” Also speaking, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Deepak Srivastava, reiterated the company’s commitment to providing innovative, exciting and pocket-friendly products and offerings that will further allow subscribers on the network achieve success in all areas of interest.

Srivastava emphasized that the

company has matched its leading role as the ‘customer-centric network’ with a bouquet of bespoke voice and data products, services and offerings including the 3.75G network, the 2size SIM, a first of its kind in the country, Talk More, Bid & Get, Facebook Bundle, WhatsApp and Airtel My Business among others.

The event was attended by other top management executives of the company including Inusa Bello, Chief Sales Officer; Emeka Oparah, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR; Adebayo Osinowo, Lagos Regional Operations Director; and Obinna Aniche, General Manager, Brand Assets, Airtel Africa.

66 Monday, January 27, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN DLM BOND WATCH: January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BONDWATCH

Published in association with

66

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 67

FINANCIALGUARDIAN in a more meaningful way, their grand plans could soon see Dangote Group become one of Nigeria's largest indigenous producers.

OIL&GAS WEEKLY

FINANCIAL

Remi Aiyela, Editor-in-Chief DOWNSTREAM NEWS

editor@NOGintelligence.com www.NOGintelligence.com

UPSTREAM NEWS

OPEC daily basket price stood at $106.11 a barrel Thursday, 23 January 2014 HE price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $106.11 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $105.62 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC basket price has been under pressure since the end of February but is now beginning to see a steady climb upwards.

Introduced on 16 June 2005, is currently made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T

Dangote Plans to Acquire IOC Divested Blocks N a move that is likely to have indigenous companies quaking in their boots, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, is eyeing up the International Oil Company (IOC) divestments. Dangote group is mulling over increased investment upstream according to Dangote Group's Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin. Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: "We're seriously thinking of investing in oil blocks both for gas and oil."

Dangote Group has primarily been involved in cement and sugar but last year announced that it was going to build a $9 billion oil refinery that will also have a petrochemical complex. The refinery will be located at Olokola Free Trade Zone. The 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery will need large supplies of crude oil to maintain capacity on completion.

Unsurprisingly, the man who does nothing in half measures now wants to control his own oil supply by investing in oil blocks that will provide much needed access to crude oil.

There is an added element. His cement factories also need vast supplies of energy and so investing in gas rich fields will give him gas supply to power his plants.

Edwin says the Dangote Group is already talking to some companies wishing to divest from onshore. Indigenous companies have reason to be worried as Dangote Group has a way of muscling out its competition. They have no credibility issues as financial institutions line up to provide finance to the Group.

They were able to raise $4.25 billion just one month after Dangote announced his intention to build the $9 billion refinery that will double Nigeria's refining capacity once completed. Going for an IOC divested block could see indigenous competitors left out in the cold in future IOC divestments.

Edwin also addressed some of the risks inherent in oil production in the prolific Niger Delta. Dangote Group believes they can manage troublesome local communities through corporate social initiatives. However, they plan to mitigate the risks to pipelines by ensuring they do not invest in blocks that are totally inland.

Dangote already has a limited investment in the upstream sector. They have a 9 % Investment in Block I in Joint Development Zone (JDZ) of Nigeria Sao-Tome along with Chevron Texaco and Exxon Mobil, a 10 % Investment in Block III in JDZ of Nigeria along with Anadakko as Operator and a 6 % Investment in OPL 315 with Statoil and Petrobas as operators.

With their interest in getting into the sector

REGULATORY NEWS

I

CBN Governor Concerned over Depleting Excess Crude Account HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) T Governor, Mr Lamido Sanusi has expressed concern over the depleting Excess Crude Account. Sanusi was speaking at the end of a two-day meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN. Sanusi said that the ECA had fallen from $11.5 billion in December 2012 to less than $2.5 billion on January 17, 2014, a decline of $9 billion in the ECA, in only one year.

He also expressed grave concern over the country's declining external reserves, saying that the gross external reserves as of December 31, 2013 stood at $42.85 billion, representing a decrease of $980 million or 2.23% compared with $43.83 billion at the end of December 2012.

According to the Committee, the decrease in external portfolios was partly due to a slowdown in Foreign Direct Investment flows in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The CBN Governor also has concerns about the depletion of fiscal buffers following the continued decline in oil revenue and the depletion of the ECA. Declining oil revenue could not be explained wholly by output loss from theft and vandalism he said. "And this is giving us cause for concern and also to the Finance minister, and I suppose ongoing discussions will begin to reveal some of the reasons for that dramatic decline," he noted. He urged fiscal authorities should find ways to block revenue leakage.

He predicts a difficult year ahead, saying: "It will be tough for us, it will be tough for the fiscal authorities and elections are coming up in 2015."

LEGAL NEWS House of Reps Investigates Non-payment of Bonga Oil Spill Compensation HE House of Representatives has decided to get involved in the long running Bonga oil spill matter. The Environmental Committee of the House has summoned the Minister of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Also to appear before the House Committee are the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC. The House Committee is concerned about the effects of the dispersant that was used by Shell to disperse the oil spill.

The communities affected by the spill, from the Warri North, Warri South West and Burutu Local Government Councils areas of Delta State as well as Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Councils of Bayelsa State, say the dispersant that was used caused the water to become polluted. This, they say, has led to loss of livelihood for coastal communities that rely on fishing and other water-borne activities.

The house is asking the agencies involved and the IOC to explain why compensation has still not been paid to the communities affected by the December 2011 oil spill at the Bonga oil field.

The communities had planned to picket oil companies in the area but have shelved the plans following the intervention of the House Committee led by Uche Ekwenife.

T

in association with

Nigerians Sue Chevron in US over 2012 Gas Rig Explosion IGERIAN coastal communities have filed N a $5billion dollar lawsuit in California against American oil giant, Chevron, over the 2012 K.S. Endeavour offshore rig explosion.

In the lawsuit, the communities claim the rig explosion, which caused a fire that burned for 46 days, poisoned the air and water in the area. The communities allege negligence on Chevron's part in the explosion, which killed 2 staff.

The communities say that the company was primarily concerned with profit while disregarding public and environmental health and safety during the drilling of a gas exploration well on the Funiwa field in the Niger Delta.

Brilla Energy Fraud Prosecution Begins HIGH profile prosecution by the A Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun in earnest at the Ikeja High Court. The EFCC is prosecuting oil marketer yesterday Rowaye Jubril along with his company, Brila Energy, where he is chairman. He is accused of committing fraud by collecting N963.7 million in subsidy payments for petroleum products, which the EFCC says he never imported. The case is being tried at Ikeja High Court before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

The allegation is that the accused obtained

the subsidy for payment under the pretext of importing 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria.

The EFCC says, its investigations revealed that Brila sourced the products from within the shores of Nigeria. As a result, Brila is accused of making a false declaration in its claim that there was a ship-to-ship transfer of the product between the mother vessel, MT Overseas Lima and the first daughter vessel, MT Delphina.

The EFCC says that although the accused claimed that the transfer occurred between the 26th and 27th of January 2011 offshore Cotonou in Republic of Benin, their investigations revealed that the Overseas Lima was not in the West African coast at the time. EFCC claims that although a second daughter vessel, MT Danni I, did eventually discharge 13,000 metric tonnes of PMS in Lagos, it was only 3,000 metric tonnes that the ship received from the first daughter vessel MT Delphina.

EFCC's case is that the remaining PMS that was discharged at Obat Tank Farm in Lagos came from within the shores of Nigeria.

Accordingly the subsidy payment for the petroleum products was fraudulently claimed. The case was adjourned.

Brila Energy describes its company as handling every aspect involved in the sourcing and distribution of petroleum product in Nigeria and West Coast of Africa. The company says: "Our network of associate companies and partnerships span Africa and Europe and thus gives us advantage to anticipate and respond to variations in global supply and demand."

Spring Bank Gives Evidence in Brila Energy EFCC Trial Bank Plc has given evidence in the SandPRING high profile prosecution of Brila Energy its chairman, Rowaye Jubril, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The bank's evidence gave an insight into the process of the importation of petroleum products and subsidy claims.

Jubril and his company are being prosecuted by the EFCC for fuel subsidy fraud. Jubril is accused of fraudulently claiming N963.7 million in subsidy payments for 13,500 metric tonnes of petroleum products, which the EFCC says was sourced locally rather than imported.

Spring Bank financed the transaction after giving Brila Energy a credit facility of $11.9 million. Called by the prosecution, Spring Bank testified that Jubril followed due process in the importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of PMS for which he was given the subsidy payment.

Mr Uchenna Adobaka, the Deputy Manager, Energy Group of Spring Bank, who gave evidence on the bank's behalf, said: "As far as the bank is concerned, we have no evidence to show that the product was sourced locally.

We (the bank) believe that it was imported."

Adobaka admitted that the bank did not supervise the transaction itself. The bank relied solely on documents presented for the transaction, which it says is the standard practice.He revealed that General Marine and Oil Services Ltd, which was appointed by the bank to supervise the importation and discharge of the product on its behalf had admitted to the bank that it did not in fact supervise the discharge of the PMS at Obat Tank Farm in Lagos.

The bank also revealed that the shipping documents submitted by General Marine showed the mother vessel as MT Gabros, while the Union Bank, the correspondent bank of Spring Bank, had the mother vessel down as MT Overseas Lima. The bank said it confirmed from the supplier of the product, Napa Petroleum, that the vessel used for importing the product was the Overseas Lima and so it submitted the documents to the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for processing.

Once the subsidy payment was credited to Brila's account, the loan was repaid with interest. The case has been adjourned till the 28th of April.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

67

68

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

69

70

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

70 Monday, January 27, 2014

FINANCIALGUARDIAN DLM BOND WATCH: January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BONDWATCH

Published in association with

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

71

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014 71

FINANCIALGUARDIAN in a more meaningful way, their grand plans could soon see Dangote Group become one of Nigeria's largest indigenous producers.

OIL&GAS WEEKLY

FINANCIAL

Remi Aiyela, Editor-in-Chief DOWNSTREAM NEWS

editor@NOGintelligence.com www.NOGintelligence.com

UPSTREAM NEWS

OPEC daily basket price stood at $106.11 a barrel Thursday, 23 January 2014 HE price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $106.11 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $105.62 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC basket price has been under pressure since the end of February but is now beginning to see a steady climb upwards.

Introduced on 16 June 2005, is currently made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T

Dangote Plans to Acquire IOC Divested Blocks N a move that is likely to have indigenous companies quaking in their boots, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, is eyeing up the International Oil Company (IOC) divestments. Dangote group is mulling over increased investment upstream according to Dangote Group's Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin. Speaking to Bloomberg, he said: "We're seriously thinking of investing in oil blocks both for gas and oil."

Dangote Group has primarily been involved in cement and sugar but last year announced that it was going to build a $9 billion oil refinery that will also have a petrochemical complex. The refinery will be located at Olokola Free Trade Zone. The 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery will need large supplies of crude oil to maintain capacity on completion.

Unsurprisingly, the man who does nothing in half measures now wants to control his own oil supply by investing in oil blocks that will provide much needed access to crude oil.

There is an added element. His cement factories also need vast supplies of energy and so investing in gas rich fields will give him gas supply to power his plants.

Edwin says the Dangote Group is already talking to some companies wishing to divest from onshore. Indigenous companies have reason to be worried as Dangote Group has a way of muscling out its competition. They have no credibility issues as financial institutions line up to provide finance to the Group.

They were able to raise $4.25 billion just one month after Dangote announced his intention to build the $9 billion refinery that will double Nigeria's refining capacity once completed. Going for an IOC divested block could see indigenous competitors left out in the cold in future IOC divestments.

Edwin also addressed some of the risks inherent in oil production in the prolific Niger Delta. Dangote Group believes they can manage troublesome local communities through corporate social initiatives. However, they plan to mitigate the risks to pipelines by ensuring they do not invest in blocks that are totally inland.

Dangote already has a limited investment in the upstream sector. They have a 9 % Investment in Block I in Joint Development Zone (JDZ) of Nigeria Sao-Tome along with Chevron Texaco and Exxon Mobil, a 10 % Investment in Block III in JDZ of Nigeria along with Anadakko as Operator and a 6 % Investment in OPL 315 with Statoil and Petrobas as operators.

With their interest in getting into the sector

REGULATORY NEWS

I

CBN Governor Concerned over Depleting Excess Crude Account HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) T Governor, Mr Lamido Sanusi has expressed concern over the depleting Excess Crude Account. Sanusi was speaking at the end of a two-day meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN. Sanusi said that the ECA had fallen from $11.5 billion in December 2012 to less than $2.5 billion on January 17, 2014, a decline of $9 billion in the ECA, in only one year.

He also expressed grave concern over the country's declining external reserves, saying that the gross external reserves as of December 31, 2013 stood at $42.85 billion, representing a decrease of $980 million or 2.23% compared with $43.83 billion at the end of December 2012.

According to the Committee, the decrease in external portfolios was partly due to a slowdown in Foreign Direct Investment flows in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The CBN Governor also has concerns about the depletion of fiscal buffers following the continued decline in oil revenue and the depletion of the ECA. Declining oil revenue could not be explained wholly by output loss from theft and vandalism he said. "And this is giving us cause for concern and also to the Finance minister, and I suppose ongoing discussions will begin to reveal some of the reasons for that dramatic decline," he noted. He urged fiscal authorities should find ways to block revenue leakage.

He predicts a difficult year ahead, saying: "It will be tough for us, it will be tough for the fiscal authorities and elections are coming up in 2015."

LEGAL NEWS House of Reps Investigates Non-payment of Bonga Oil Spill Compensation HE House of Representatives has decided to get involved in the long running Bonga oil spill matter. The Environmental Committee of the House has summoned the Minister of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Also to appear before the House Committee are the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC. The House Committee is concerned about the effects of the dispersant that was used by Shell to disperse the oil spill.

The communities affected by the spill, from the Warri North, Warri South West and Burutu Local Government Councils areas of Delta State as well as Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Councils of Bayelsa State, say the dispersant that was used caused the water to become polluted. This, they say, has led to loss of livelihood for coastal communities that rely on fishing and other water-borne activities.

The house is asking the agencies involved and the IOC to explain why compensation has still not been paid to the communities affected by the December 2011 oil spill at the Bonga oil field.

The communities had planned to picket oil companies in the area but have shelved the plans following the intervention of the House Committee led by Uche Ekwenife.

T

in association with

Nigerians Sue Chevron in US over 2012 Gas Rig Explosion IGERIAN coastal communities have filed N a $5billion dollar lawsuit in California against American oil giant, Chevron, over the 2012 K.S. Endeavour offshore rig explosion.

In the lawsuit, the communities claim the rig explosion, which caused a fire that burned for 46 days, poisoned the air and water in the area. The communities allege negligence on Chevron's part in the explosion, which killed 2 staff.

The communities say that the company was primarily concerned with profit while disregarding public and environmental health and safety during the drilling of a gas exploration well on the Funiwa field in the Niger Delta.

Brilla Energy Fraud Prosecution Begins HIGH profile prosecution by the A Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun in earnest at the Ikeja High Court. The EFCC is prosecuting oil marketer yesterday Rowaye Jubril along with his company, Brila Energy, where he is chairman. He is accused of committing fraud by collecting N963.7 million in subsidy payments for petroleum products, which the EFCC says he never imported. The case is being tried at Ikeja High Court before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

The allegation is that the accused obtained

the subsidy for payment under the pretext of importing 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into Nigeria.

The EFCC says, its investigations revealed that Brila sourced the products from within the shores of Nigeria. As a result, Brila is accused of making a false declaration in its claim that there was a ship-to-ship transfer of the product between the mother vessel, MT Overseas Lima and the first daughter vessel, MT Delphina.

The EFCC says that although the accused claimed that the transfer occurred between the 26th and 27th of January 2011 offshore Cotonou in Republic of Benin, their investigations revealed that the Overseas Lima was not in the West African coast at the time. EFCC claims that although a second daughter vessel, MT Danni I, did eventually discharge 13,000 metric tonnes of PMS in Lagos, it was only 3,000 metric tonnes that the ship received from the first daughter vessel MT Delphina.

EFCC's case is that the remaining PMS that was discharged at Obat Tank Farm in Lagos came from within the shores of Nigeria.

Accordingly the subsidy payment for the petroleum products was fraudulently claimed. The case was adjourned.

Brila Energy describes its company as handling every aspect involved in the sourcing and distribution of petroleum product in Nigeria and West Coast of Africa. The company says: "Our network of associate companies and partnerships span Africa and Europe and thus gives us advantage to anticipate and respond to variations in global supply and demand."

Spring Bank Gives Evidence in Brila Energy EFCC Trial Bank Plc has given evidence in the SandPRING high profile prosecution of Brila Energy its chairman, Rowaye Jubril, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The bank's evidence gave an insight into the process of the importation of petroleum products and subsidy claims.

Jubril and his company are being prosecuted by the EFCC for fuel subsidy fraud. Jubril is accused of fraudulently claiming N963.7 million in subsidy payments for 13,500 metric tonnes of petroleum products, which the EFCC says was sourced locally rather than imported.

Spring Bank financed the transaction after giving Brila Energy a credit facility of $11.9 million. Called by the prosecution, Spring Bank testified that Jubril followed due process in the importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of PMS for which he was given the subsidy payment.

Mr Uchenna Adobaka, the Deputy Manager, Energy Group of Spring Bank, who gave evidence on the bank's behalf, said: "As far as the bank is concerned, we have no evidence to show that the product was sourced locally.

We (the bank) believe that it was imported."

Adobaka admitted that the bank did not supervise the transaction itself. The bank relied solely on documents presented for the transaction, which it says is the standard practice.He revealed that General Marine and Oil Services Ltd, which was appointed by the bank to supervise the importation and discharge of the product on its behalf had admitted to the bank that it did not in fact supervise the discharge of the PMS at Obat Tank Farm in Lagos.

The bank also revealed that the shipping documents submitted by General Marine showed the mother vessel as MT Gabros, while the Union Bank, the correspondent bank of Spring Bank, had the mother vessel down as MT Overseas Lima. The bank said it confirmed from the supplier of the product, Napa Petroleum, that the vessel used for importing the product was the Overseas Lima and so it submitted the documents to the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for processing.

Once the subsidy payment was credited to Brila's account, the loan was repaid with interest. The case has been adjourned till the 28th of April.

72

Monday, January 27, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

73

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

74 | Monday, January 27, 2014

Sports Eagles review quarter-final performance, ready for Wednesday’s semi-final From Adeyinka Adedipe, Cape Town DAY after their miraculous escape in the quarterfinal of the on-going African Nations Champions (CHAN), Super Eagles’ players have looked back on their performance in the game and resolved to gird their loins ahead the semi-finals.

According to the players, many factors contributed to their come-from-behind victory over the Atlas Lion of Morocco in the quarter-final on Saturday, including their determination to uphold the image of Nigeria in African football.

Team Captain, Chigozie Agbim said when the team was down he still had the belief that they would come out victorious.

Agbim disclosed that he told his colleagues at half time that they should go all out for goals in the second, adding he reminded them that they did not play their game in the first half and was happy they put in a great performance to turn the tide against the tactical Moroccans.

Agbim, who also commended the Moroccans for pushing the Eagles to the limit, was hopeful that they would

A

lift the trophy at the end of the competition, added, “I must thank God, my team mates and the coaches for this victory. We put in a lot in the second half and I am happy we won the match.”

Striker Ifeanyi Ede agreed that at a point it looked like they would be knocked out of the competition by Morocco, adding that he manner of the win made it more enjoyable.

He praised the fighting spirit in his colleagues and said everything would be done to win their semi-final tie and emerge victorious in the competition.

To Ejike Uzoenyi, who has won three Man of the Match awards, commended

NSC offers Eagles $100,000 for final ticket INISTER of M Sports/Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi has applauded the fighting spirit of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, which beat the Atlas Lions of Morocco at the weekend to qualify for the semifinal of the ongoing African Nations Championship in South Africa.

But the minister wants more from the boys. To that extent, he has pledged to reward the team with $100, 000 if they achieved the feat.

The Super Eagles came back from three goals down to defeat the Moroccans 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final match in Cape Town, which went into extra time.

Abdullahi said the team showed passion, discipline and commitment, which are hallmarks of the Nigerian spirit.

“With the kind of overwhelming joy that followed the victory across our country, one cannot but feel that perhaps, these players are destined to win the trophy,” he said.

The NSC had earlier offered the team an incentive of 100,000USD if they beat Morocco and qualify for the semi final, which they did in a dramatic manner on Saturday. The minister said the team would get the money before their next match on Wednesday.

Nigerian Morocco for the splendid display, adding that despite putting up a good performance in the second half, Nigeria was luckier than the Atlas Lions.

“I am happy we won.

Sometimes you don’t put up your best performance to get a win. The Moroccans were also good but I guess we took our chances to win the game,” he said.

The dazzling winger, who also thanked God for backing the team, said he was happy to have won the equaliser when everyone thought the game was over.

Glo Premier League

LMC may take over stadium security from states’ FAs From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja S part of its efforts to stamp out violence and hoodlums from Nigerian stadia during league matches, the League Management Company (LMC) says it is considering the taking over security at match venues from the states’ football associations.

The league organisers are also considering proposals to arm referees with security gadgets to defend themselves whenever they are under attack by hoodlums in the process of discharging their duties.

A

The Chairman of the league management body, Nduka Irabor said while addressing the Nigerian Referee Association (NRA) at the weekend in Abuja that the LMC would stop at nothing in the protection of referees at match venues.

While announcing that security of matches would be taken away from the State FAs, the LMC noted that it has concluded plans to evolve more stringent measures to curtail insecurity at the league venues, warning that the days of hoodlums at match venues

are numbered.

“Recall that there were two or three incidences of attacks on the referees. Ordinarily, we would say that we were not the one that sent them, but we have the responsibility to protect them but in a decent society, the blame should be on the LMC for failing to provide the security.

“The issue of saying that the state FAs are responsible for providing security to us is anachronistic. It is almost like colonial soccer but I guess it was also a way of involving everybody.

Poor funding threatens Bayelsa United’s Confederation Cup campaign From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja NLESS the Bayelsa State government intervenes, the state’s football team, Bayelsa United, risks early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup tournament, which they are one of two team representing Nigeria this year.

The team is so n cash strapped that their preparation for the competition has stalled, officials of the club have disclosed.

Although there have been assurances from the state government on its readiness to bankroll the club’s participation in the competition, Chief Coach of the club, Ladan Bosso, painted a gloomy picture of the financial hardship the club is fac-

U

Mutiu Adegoke has now joined Bayelsa United.

Super Eagles’ Erhun Obanor (right) battles with Mohsine Moutaouali of Morocco during their 2014 CAF African Nations Championships quarterfinal match at the Cape Town Stadium.

ing.

Speaking during the post match conference after his side lost 0-3 to Enyimba FC of Aba on Friday at the ongoing LMC pre-season tournament in Abuja, revealed that when the situation became unbearable, they had to drop the new players they had already invited to fortify the team.

“I want to say that I benefitted much from the privilege the LMC gave to us. You asked if the loss was a sign of bad times to come, but I want to say that as far as I am concerned, there is no magic to victory. It is a case of preparing well and getting good result.

“That was the first test game we have played. We were sup-

posed to play in Sapele, fund stopped us, we were supposed to play in Port Harcourt but we could not get the necessary fund. We pushed ourselves to Lokoja to ensure we train for three days before arriving Abuja for this tournament. Thank God the LMC saved situation.

“It was so bad that some of the players we invited to sign left after waiting for our response. The player that scored a brace against us today trained with us but left at the end of the day. We have no option than to hope on the players we have on ground to see if we can produce a better team to represent Nigeria in the continental tournament.

Former world Chess champion, Kasparov arrives in Nigeria World Chess chamFhitORMER pion, Gary Kasparov, will Nigeria for a three-day visit with his famous Chess Foundation, the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF) has revealed.

The visit will be the first time the chess genius will be coming to any West African nation but more importantly, the visit may be the tonic the chess federation needs to kick start it’s long aged dream of ‘Chess In School’ programme, which is already existing on a small scale in some private institutions, the federation said in a statement yesterday.

NCF President, Lekan Adeyemi disclosed over the weekend that the entire board of the federation was delighted to receive the chess icon and his team for formal discussions on the possibility of the Kasparov Chess Foundation coming to play a key role in chess development among the pupils in Nigeria.

“We (the NCF board) are glad that Kasparov and his team are coming here to work out the modalities for his Chess Foundation to operate here too after it’s success in other developing chess nations,” he commented in a telephone interview.

Although the Russian Grandmaster is a candidate for the next FIDE election in August this year, Adeyemi reinstated that the visit is strictly for chess development and not politics.

Monday, January 27, 2014 SPORT

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

75

South Africa 2014 CHAN

Morocco coach blames defeat on late substitution • Captain salutes Eagles’ resilience OROCCO Coach, Hassan M Benabicha says his team lost to the late changes he made during the game against Nigeria at the ongoing South Africa 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The Moroccan coach said he told his players that the match was not over and they must not become complacent because he knew Nigeria was one of the best teams with a never say die attitude.

Benabicha, who said his team did not play any friendly game coming into this championship, which worked against them when they faced the Eagles, had earlier predicted that the match would go into extra time.

He congratulated Nigeria for pulling off such a great feat and wished them well in their search for glory.

“The Nigerian team did well and I must commend the good show they put up. It is not easy to achieve such a feat in a competition of this magnitude.

“I told my players to be careful in the second half because Nigeria is a good team. We

have lost now but I must congratulate the Super Eagles for the feat.”

Also speaking on the game, Moroccan Captain, Brahim El Bahri described the Super Eagles as one of the best teams he has had to face in his playing career, even as he tipped the Nigerian side to win the championship.

Bahri said the Nigerians simply refused to give up even when they thought they had won the match, and at the end of the day their indomitable spirit won it for the Super Eagles.

He said his team has learnt a lot from their performance in South Africa and would now go back to the drawing board to prepare for the 2015 African Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host.

“The lessons are great and we will see how far we can go to win the confidence of the people and regain our selves for AFCON 2015, which we will host in Morocco. We are sure we will go very far in the tournament,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles had an early morning splash at their Garden Court Hotel

abode before their departure for Bloemfontein for the semi-final encounter.

All the players, led by Assistant Coach, Dan the Bull Amokachi swam and had exciting moments at the pools for nearly two hours, just to relax the nerves after the encounter against Morocco.

“It was good but I never made any mistake of going to the deep part of the pool after my experience in Niger Republic,” Ejike Uzoenyi said.

Super Eagles’ players relaxing in their hotel swimming pool… yesterday morning.

Elegbeleye wants CHAN trophy for Jonathan ATIONAL N Commission’s Director General,

Sports (NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye has urged the Super Eagles to win the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) as reward to President Goodluck Jonathan, who has shown so much interest in the growth of Nigerian sports.

Speaking on the team’s berth in the semi-finals of the ongoing CHAN, Elegbeleye said the goodluck of the President is already shinning on the Nigerian team in South Africa with the team’s defeat of Morocco on Saturday in a dramatic fashion.

He described Eagles victory as a ‘miracle’ as they fought tooth and nail to run away with a 4-3 victory after first half disappointing 0-3 deficit.

“This team is good enough to win the trophy. They have shown that they have the character to win the tournament. The president is solidly

• Glo salutes Eagles’ ‘unlimited’ performance behind the team and also happy with their performance so far in the competition.

The National Sports Commission is also happy with the team and the technical crew,” he said.

He said most Nigerians never thought the team could bounce back after the first half humiliation and they later proved themselves and got the winner in the extra time.

“I was really thrilled to watch the Eagles displayed a ‘neversay-die’ attitude to win the game 4-3 in the second half from 3-0 goals down in the first half. They never lost hope in themselves even when the chips were down; they encouraged themselves and sent out the roaring Atlas Lions. They are really determined to make the best out of the championship,” he said.

Having come thus far in the championship, he said no team can stop the boys’ ambition of winning the event in South Africa. “I think Nigeria now has the ace to win the competition. The boys are hungry for success and South Africa has become a home for Nigerian football to make good impression.

Also speaking on Nigeria’s defeat of Morocco, leading telecommunications operator, Globacom, said the performance of the home based Super Eagles, who came from three goals down to defeat the Atlas Lions of Morocco, was true to the never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian.

In a press statement released in Lagos immediately after the match, Globacom gave kudos to the Super Eagles for not only restoring the nation-

al pride, but also qualifying for the semi finals of the competition.

“The Super Eagles were unlimited in their performance against Atlas Lions, we urge them to sustain the momentum when they face the next opponent at the semi finals,” Glo said.

“The match was tough. The Moroccans were a hard nut to crack, having been described as the best technical side in the tournament. We commend the Super Eagles for their hardwork, concentration and never-say-die spirit, which earned them the victory. We once had the Miracle of Daman. This victory can be described as the Miracle of Cape Town. It is rare for a team to come back from three goals down and still go ahead to win the match,” the statement added.

attacked at any match venue last season and we assure you that measures have been approved to enable you discharge your responsibilities as match officials in line with international best practices in football officiating.

“We hope these measures which includes improved personal security and welfare will make you more determined to make our league attain its full potentials,”

Irabor stated.

NRA President, Ahmed Maude spoke of the members’ resolve to win the confidence of Nigerian football fans and the corporate community through that the league would continue to have credible results in all games.

He specifically commended the LMC for the enhanced security scheme and 25 per cent increase in their match allowances.

Glo Premier League

LMC match officials promise to sustain fair officiating ATCH officials, comprisM ing match commissioners, referees and assistant referees have at a Globacom Premier League Pre-season Workshop in Abuja at the weekend resolved to improve their performance in the new season in line with the reforms for a responsive and sustainable Nigeria Professional Football League.

The officials had been

assured by the League Management Company (LMC) of improved conditions and enabling environment to perform their duties as match officials.

LMC Chairman of LMC, Nduka Irabor gave the assurance in a brief opening remark at a workshop for match officials, which held as part of the events of the ongoing Globacom Premier

League 2013/14 pre-season tournament at the Abuja National Stadium.

Irabor commended the match officials for their performance, which, he said, contributed to the success of the 2012/13 season, which has been generally acknowledged as the best in recent times.

The LMC, who apologised on behalf of the league to the Nigeria Referees Association

(NRA) and Chukwuma Durunna, who was attacked by fans at the Ilorin Township Stadium in the last season, said it was important for match officials to work in an environment devoid of fear for their personal safety.

“Let me seize this opportunity to offer our sincere apologies to the NRA, Durunna and other referees, who were physically

Pepsi builds global football super team EPSI has unveiled details P of their superstar 2014 football squad, bringing together an unprecedented wealth of international talent to create one of the most jam packed, multi-talented and iconic lineups ever.19 of the world’s greatest players, spanning five continents and nearly 20 countries, are uniting with Pepsi to inspire fans the world over to “Live For Now” in 2014.

Record breaking football superstar, Leo Messi, Argentine international striker, Sergio Agüero and young British talent, Jack Wilshere, will be joined by Brazilian defender David Luiz, prolific goal scorer Robin van Persie and Spanish great Sergio Ramos

as part of the global Pepsi lineup.

These super six will be bolstered by additional footballing greats from across the globe representing their home countries, including: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Colombia), Clint Dempsey (USA), Tarik Elyounoussi (Norway), Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), Mario Gomez (Germany), Vincent Kompany (Belgium), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Victor Moses (Nigeria), Oribe Peralta (Mexico), AndriyPyatov (Ukraine), Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Gylfi Por Sigurðsson (Iceland).

“Football has been my passion since I was a little boy and it’s certainly one of the

Victor Moses (fifth left standing) is in the 2014 Pepsi Global Football Super Team.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

76 | SPORT Monday, January 27, 2014

European Round-Off

Mata first of many signings, says Moyes AVID Moyes has promD ised that the club-record capture of Juan Mata will be “the first of many” new arrivals at Manchester United this year.

The Barclays Premier League champions announced the £37.1million signing of the Spanish playmaker on Saturday evening.

It is a deal, which it is hoped might give United’s difficult campaign some impetus, with the team seventh in the league and out of both domestic cup competitions.

Talks are under way with striker, Wayne Rooney to extend his agreement with the club, while there have also been reports of a bid for highly-rated Southampton left-back, Luke Shaw as Moyes looks to put his stamp on the squad he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes said of signing Mata: “This is the first, and there will be many more to come in time. I want the quality of Juan to be the start of it.

“I don’t think we will have any more (new signings) in January - I’m still working

on it and looking to do so.

But hopefully it will be the first of some new signings, some new players who will arrive, more likely in the summertime.”

The Scot admitted the signing had lifted the mood at Old Trafford.

He told MUTV, “undoubtedly we could all do with a bit of a lift, we have not done, as well as we would have liked to do. We see this as the start, we have to look to improve and I’m going to try to bring in some new players to make that happen.

“I want to build an exciting team, I want to win and I want to give the supporters something to shout about I’ve not done that often enough.”

Moyes, who said he would probably look to get Mata involved in tomorrow’s Premier League game against Cardiff, said it was a surprise that the deal was able to be done mid-season.

“I never felt that we would get that opportunity, I wasn’t sure that Chelsea would ever sell him to us.

Thankfully we got there and I am delighted he is here.

“I’m a bit surprised because it’s not something that tends to happen especially between Premier League teams. I was surprised when it happened but we have got a really exciting player, a player I’m looking forward to working with, a player I think everybody in football looked at and says he did a great job for Chelsea.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him in a red jersey and doing it for us.”

Mata will be formally presented as a United player today at the club’s training ground, but gave an interview to in-house channel MUTV in which he too expressed surprise that Chelsea had been prepared to let him go.

“To be honest I think it’s a bit surprising, but I have to say I am really grateful to Chelsea - to the owner, to the people working in the club and to the fans. The last six months were difficult for me, I didn’t play as much as I wanted to,” he said.

“I understand that football is a team sport and I respected that situation. But the chance to come to Manchester United was a great chance for me to carry on with my career, they are a massive club.”

Matthaus tips Ramos to replace Lewandowski at Dortmund

Manchester City’s Argentine striker, Sergio Aguero (left) is challenged by Watford’s Italian defender, Marco Faraoni, during the English FA Cup fourth round match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester at the weekend.

Matthaus expects LsignOTHAR Borussia Dortmund to Aguero targets bumper haul Hertha Berlin striker, That took his tally for the seaERGIO Aguero is deterAdrian Ramos at the end of the season to replace Bayern Smined to keep plundering son to 25, six of which have the goals to keep Manchester come in four appearances

Ramos

Essien is a perfect fit for Seedorf’s new system, Galliani admits C Milan Vice President, A Adriano Galliani believes Michael Essien will be a “perfect” addition to Clarence Seedorf’s side.

The 31-year-old arrived in Italy on Friday to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms with the Rossoneri after Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho sanctioned the player’s departure.

Essien himself said he was relishing the prospect of working under new Head Coach, Seedorf, and Galliani believes the Ghanaian could prove a pivotal player in the Dutchman’s system.

“The pursuit (of Essien) lasted a few months,” he told reporters in Milan. “I think Essien can do well in Clarence’s new model. He is perfect to play in front of the defense, and he can play in the Champions League.

“From a physical point of view, I think Essien is reliable.

He must pass the medical tests at the Milanello, then there will be a signing.”

Galliani went on to reveal that Sulley Muntari proved instrumental in encouraging

Essien to make the move, and hinted that Milan could see further activity in the final week of the January transfer window.

“Muntari was one of his greatest sponsors. Riccardo Montolivo will be out for two Champions League games and Muntari one, so we needed a midfielder,” he added.

“More activity in the market?

Maybe... we’ll see.”

Munich bound Robert Lewandowski.

BVB have been linked with a number of strikers in the past few months as they prepare for life after the Poland international, including Jackson Martinez, Diego Costa and Seydou Doumbia.

However, Matthaus believes that the 28-year-old Ramos is the main candidate to strengthen Dortmund’s attack ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

“I know that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Adrian Ramos,” the former Germany international told Sky. I am convinced that Ramos will be Lewandowski’s replacement at Dortmund.”

City’s quadruple challenge on track.

The prolific Argentine came to City’s rescue to ensure they avoided an FA Cup shock against Watford with a second-half hat-trick.

City remarkably trailed 2-0 to the Sky Bet Championship side at half-time of their fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium, but it was a different story after the break.

A team reshuffle laid the foundations for Aguero to level the scores with a double.

City did not go ahead until luckless Hornets goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond allowed an Aleksandar Kolarov shot to slip through his grasp three minutes from time but Aguero quickly added a fourth.

since he returned from a month-long injury absence.

The 25-year-old said, “the important thing is the goals contribute to the team’s victory, the team wins and we win titles. I don’t have any specific goals to reach - but as many as possible.

“We weren’t expecting to score four goals. We knew at half-time we needed to improve and in the end we won and we have made it to the next round. We are happy with that.”

City were lethargic in the first half and that was ruthlessly exploited by a fired-up Watford side playing well above a standard that might be expected of a team 15th in their division.

They claimed a deserved lead when Troy Deeney set up

Fernando Forestieri - the only player in the Watford side to have commanded a transfer fee, £500,000 - after 21 minutes.

The impressive Deeney doubled the lead on the half-hour after some slack defending by City.

City boss, Manuel Pellegrini later branded his side’s defending a “disaster” and said he could have made 11 substitutions at half-time.

The changes he did make however, sending on Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta, brought more organisation at the back and changed the game.

Aguero said, “in the first half they played really well and put a lot of pressure on us but in the second half we made fewer mistakes and we were able to get the goals. It is good we were able to come back.”

Robben denies rift with Guardiola RJEN Robben has brushed A off rumours of dispute between him and Pep

Real Madrid’s Welsh striker, Gareth Bale (left) vies with Granada’s Senegalese defender, Pape Diakhate during the Spanish league match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid at the weekend.

PHOTOS: AFP

Guardiola during Bayern Munich’s victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Netherlands forward came on as a 79th-minute substitute for Xherdan Shaqiri during die Roten’s 2-0 victory at Borussia Park on Friday evening but a terse exchange arose between player and trainer during his

short time on the pitch.

Guardiola appeared furious with Robben’s failure to get back into position quickly enough, bawling at the 30year-old, who in turn shot an angry look towards the Spaniard in the dugout.

However, when quizzed about the apparent discord, Robben insisted suggestions of any rift with his coach are completely unfounded.

“There was absolutely no dispute,” the Dutchman retorted

when asked about the incident by Bild am Sonntag.

“This is ridiculous.”

Robben, who has scored six times and contributed three assists in the Bundesliga this season, was also involved in a row with Guardiola when he refused to take a penalty against Viktoria Plzen in October.

Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga with 47 points from 17 games, 10 clear of Bayer Leverkusen in second.

Monday, January 27, 2014 SPORT

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

77

Australian Open

Wawrinka’s time has come, say Sampras, others FTER beating an injury-hit A Rafael Nadal to win the first Grand Slam of his career in the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Sunday, icons of the sports are opining that the Swiss is the real deal. waw The 28-year-old won the opening set and was a break up in the second when Nadal took an injury timeout.

Wawrinka grew frustrated and lost his concentration as the Spaniard returned to court to win the third set.

But the Swiss regained his composure to become only the second Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title after 17-time champion Roger Federer.

BBC Sport spoke to the experts to assess the new world number three’s performance in Melbourne - and his prospects of consolidating his position in the rankings.

“Wawrinka was moving well, wasn’t nervous and was pretty relaxed. He had a great rhythm and was hitting his backhand so smoothly.

“He was outplaying Nadal and was up a set and a break when the back issue came up.

It was an uncomfortable moment for the Spaniard and I thought he would stop but he continued to play.

“This will hopefully be the beginning for Wawrinka. The win over Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals was a big

Nadal could have easily walked off court because of the injury, but he didn’t and it added to the match. I was impressed at how Wawrinka had the mental capacity to finish off match. moment. He got through it, he’s now a Grand Slam champion and is on his way.

“I think the right person won. He played great. He’s got a big serve, moves well and has a good touch at the net - he’s the real deal.

“I’m not sure he’s quite up there with Nadal or Djokovic yet as they have been winning majors for years, but now he is over the hurdle of winning a Grand Slam, if he keeps it up, he’ll be up in that category and deservedly so.”

For Pat Cash, a, 1987 Wimbledon champion, “Nadal could have easily walked off court because of the injury, but he didn’t and it added to the match. I was impressed at how Wawrinka had the mental capacity to finish off match.

“For a while it looked like he was getting nervous and tired because he was missing easy shots and screaming at his team. It can be hard to beat an injured player, especially an injured Nadal. To beat Nadal at 60 per cent is not easy. It was a fantastic gutsy effort from both of

Emotional Nadal rues bad luck AFAEL Nadal shed tears R during the Australian Open trophy ceremony following an emotional rollercoaster against Stanislas Wawrinka.

The 2009 Melbourne champion had hoped to become the first man in the Open era to win every grand slam title at least twice, but a back injury put paid to his hopes of claiming a 14th major title.

World No. 1 Nadal looked as if he might pull out after taking a medical timeout when falling a set and a break behind, but he fought back to take the third set and force the match into a fourth.

However, it was Wawrinka who held

his nerve to come through and claim his first Grand title.

Slam The 27-year-old left-handed Mallorcan told the Rod Laver Arena crowd, “many thanks to Stan, you really deserve it and I’m very happy for you.

We have a great relationship. Bad luck was against me today but you really this. deserve “It’s been a very emotional two weeks and I’m sorry to finish this way. I tried very, hard. very “Last year was a very tough moment when I didn’t have the chance to be playing here. Playing this year has been one of the most emotional tournaments in my career.”

them.

“Wawrinka’s Coach, Magnus Norman has done a fantastic job in toughening him up. He has has got the game and has been working hard but Norman has got him fitter and got him believing he can beat these top players.

“When he played Djokovic here last year and narrowly lost, he realised he was so close. So he went to Norman to get that little bit fitter and the belief started coming. It’s great to see someone as talented as Wawrinka, who is also a really nice guy, do well.”

Former British number one, John Lloyd, said, “I don’t think the injury had anything to do with the early part of the match. Nadal was simply getting demolished.

Wawrinka was just outplaying him. It was class - I’ve never seen winners like he was hitting.

“Then came the one scenario that Wawrinka wouldn’t have prepared for - and that was when he found himself 2-0 up with Nadal struggling with an injury.

Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka holds the trophy after his victory against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men’s singles final of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia…yesterday PHOTO: AFP

Wawrinka in cloud nine over first Grand Slam WITZERLAND’S Stanislas SGrand Wawrinka won his first Slam title with victory over an injury-hit Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

Wawrinka withstood a fightback from the world number one, who was struggling with a back problem, to come through 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.

The 28-year-old becomes only the second Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title after 17-time champion Roger Federer.

And he is the first man outside the ‘big four’ of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy

Murray to win a Grand Slam since Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2009 US Open.

Fortunes fluctuated wildly over the course of two hours and 21 minutes as Wawrinka opened in scintillating form before a tearful Nadal appeared close to quitting at two sets down, only to stage a remarkable recovery in the third.

The Spaniard, 27, showed great spirit to hit back once again from a break down in the fourth, but a forehand winner gave Wawrinka the decisive break at 5-3 and he served out the biggest win of his life with a love game.

“The last thing that I wanted to do was retire. No, I hate to do that, especially in a final,” said Nadal, who revealed he felt the back issue in the warm-up.

“It’s not the moment to talk about that. It’s the moment to congratulate Stan. He’s playing unbelievable. He really deserved to win that title. I’m very happy for him. He’s a great, great guy. He’s a good friend of

mine.”

Wawrinka had never won a set, let alone a match, in 12 previous attempts against Nadal, and was making his Grand Slam final debut against a man in his 19th.

But Nadal’s travails in the second half of the match should not overshadow what was a magnificent performance from Wawrinka for much of the contest.

He coped brilliantly with the Spaniard’s fizzing forehand in the early stages, using his backhand to return the fire, and 12 winners almost helped him to a 5-1 lead.

Some nerves were finally revealed when he tried to close out a set against Nadal for the first time, failing to make a first serve as he fell 040 down, but the 2009 champion could not get a return in play as Wawrinka hit back to seal it with an ace.

Three sweeping forehands helped the Swiss break at the start of the second on a run of 12 straight points, and it was when serving at 2-0 down that Nadal first appeared to

feel the problem with his back.

After leaving the court for treatment, to the annoyance of Wawrinka and boos from some sections of the crowd, Nadal returned unable to serve at anything like full speed, and at one stage was close to tears.

Another visit from the physio followed after game five, and when Wawrinka took the second set almost unopposed, the 13-time Grand Slam champion appeared close to calling it quits on a long walk back to his chair.

What followed was remarkable, with Nadal staging the unlikeliest of fightbacks possibly as the pain killers kicked in - while Wawrinka completely lost his rhythm with victory apparently his for the taking.

The Swiss made 19 unforced errors and, despite still not moving freely, Nadal managed to increase his service speed just enough to keep the misfiring Wawrinka at bay and clinch the third set.

Kubot, Lindstedt win Grand Slam men’s double UKASZ Kubot and Lbrated Robert Lindstedt celein style after win-

eir victory Lindstedt after th rt be Ro d an ft) Lukasz Kubot (le

ning a Grand Slam men’s doubles title at their first attempt at the Australian Open.

Kubot climbed into the stands and embraced his supporters after the 6-3 6-3

victory over American Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen of South Africa.

It was a fairytale result for the Polish-Swedish duo, who were contesting their first Grand Slam championship together.

Before arriving in

Melbourne, they had failed to win a match in three tournaments together.

Kubot became the first Polish man to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title for 36 years, when Wojtek Fibak paired with Kim Warwick at the 1978 Australian Open.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

78 SPORTS Monday, January 27, 2014

I aim to inspire, teach young ones, says Chukwumerije Contrary to speculations that one of Africa’s most celebrated taekwondoists, Chika Chukwumerije, may have quit active sports, the Beijing 2008 Olympics medallist has told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that despite his not-too impressive performance in 2013, he still aims in 2014 to be among the top 10 in the world. The Team Nigeria captain to the London 2012 Olympics says through his foundation, Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF), as well as his membership of the board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), he intends to inspire young athletes in the country.

ANY believe you have M quit fighting, are you still taking part in active sports?

I took a year break after the London 2012 Olympics. The experience took so much out of me emotionally and physically, and I needed to get it out of my system. Also, it would be irresponsible of me to stop suddenly without ensuring continuity.

For instance, I competed at the Austrian Open in 2013 and there were three other Nigerians with me. They gained a lot of experience watching how I warmed up, handled pressure leading up to the tournament, and controlled my fights on the mat.

I practised what I preached during training sessions on the competition venue, and they responded very well to the lesson.

You were at the world championships in Mexico, as well as the inaugural World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Grand Prix in United Kingdom (UK), how will you assess your performance in the competitions?

I lost in the round of 16 at

the World Championships, and gained valuable ranking points at the Grand Prix. I did not attain all my goals at these two tournaments. I was happy with my defence, unhappy with my concentration and attack, which was an indication of how rusty I was at the time. However, 2013 was a build-up year, so focus was on maintaining points, and building fitness.

How will you describe 2013 as an athlete?

Fantastic! I went for three WTF-ranked tournaments. I won a gold medal at the Austrian Opens, lost in Round of 16 at the World Championships and secured vital ranking points at the Grand Prix Championships, where I was the only Nigerian qualified to be at the epic event.

In the first half of the year, I was ranked 22nd in the World, having fallen from eighth in the World since the London 2012 Olympics, because I have not been competing. At the start of this year, I am ranked 17th in the world, having clawed back five positions.

Knowing I was taking a

break in 2013, but still having to compete because I am the number one ranked player, it was not a bad year as an athlete. I will step it up in 2014.

How long will you continue to fight?

My aim is to inspire, teach the young ones after me. The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) is making massive plans to ensure Nigerian taekwondo players start competing internationally so as to gain world-ranking points.

As the athletes’ representative on the board of the NTF, one of my key roles is to ensure the development, progress and welfare of my fellow athletes. A vacuum left by my sudden departure on the international scene might not be the way forward. I will keep fit, I will keep the inspiration, and I will keep competing to maintain my world ranking, even as the NTF works hard to get more athletes into the world ranking system. It is a delicate situation that must be well balanced, so continuity is ensured.

Do you think Nigeria is ready to present athletes for the 2016 Olympics?

Yes. It is a difficult and challenging battle. The NTF is fighting hard every single day to ensure this happens. It is a massive challenge to present athletes that can compete for Olympic medals.

The focus is definitely on the young ones, exposing them, bringing them up to scratch, teaching and enabling them

Coach Kenn Shiwan (left) with Chika Chukwumerije during the Men’s +80kg Taekwondo Preliminary Round of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ExCeL in London, England. with the right kind of skills, cal and administrative know- young Nigerians and West techniques and tactics that how. We will plan long term Africans, provide as much would make this possible. (post Rio 2016 Olympics), jobs for young people as we Financially, it has been very and we will also work hard can, and inspire a lot more.

Another goal is to properly tough, but the NTF President towards Rio 2016 Olympics is determined and focused, to ensure we remain medal identify and partner with a corporate organisation with and so far so good. NTF facili- potentials for the games. tated 10 programmes in 2013 What are your plans for an inspiring brand, in order to achieve my top 10 goal as in just six months after it was 2014? inaugurated.

As a taekwondo athlete, an athlete. Throughout my Trying to build a whole sys- improve my world ranking. career, I did not endorse any tem of personnel (coaches, As an NTF board member, brand. But my goals and athletes, referees, administra- help young athletes, as well ambitions have soared to the tors) to a high level where we as elite athletes develop and point where I am aiming to can achieve steady results has build their world ranking. breach new frontiers of excelbeen demanding; plus get- Also, to get as much as 50 – lence. I have decided it is critting sponsors to believe in 100 global licenses for ical to make a few changes to what is being done and mak- Nigeria taekwondo athletes ensure I get better results, ing an investment has been so they could compete glob- and partnering with a prochallenging. ally without being spoon-fed gressive corporate entity will However, even as we work by the federation. As the be one of those key changes. hard to improve the situa- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Do you have any personal tartion, we rely very much on of Chika Chukwumerije get as an athlete in 2014?

Improve on my global rankone of our biggest strengths Sports Foundation (CCSF), th within the NTF board – the ensure our programmes ing of 17 . Target is top 10. availability of massive techni- continue to add value to

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

79

TheGuardian

Monday, January 27, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

‘

FEW days ago, I came across a travel blog, A where an African-American was telling his experience of his first time in Nigeria. To him, Nigeria was a place to reunite with his black ancestral root. He said it was the first time he did not feel judged by the colour of his skin.

The first time people didn’t cross the street to avoid him at night. The first time he, as a black, really felt free.

Freedom? Nigeria defines that word in a whole new way for me. My Nigeria is different.

Very much different from what outsiders believe it to be. It is certainly not just a conflict-ridden, poverty-stricken, crime-infested place that foreign news channels depict it to be. Yes, it is all that, but a lot more to me, because I do not look at her through the eyes of a Cable News Network (CNN) reporter, or an estranged Nigerian child living in Diaspora, or even with the eyes of a foreigner coming here for the first time, or not coming at all because he or she believes he or she could never bear a place like this. When I chat with my friends who dream of living abroad for the rest of their lives, they are always surprised when I tell them that I don’t mind staying in Nigeria. I could travel to all the lands of my dreams but I will always want to come back home.

Home? This is what my Nigeria means to me.

I was born here and I have never travelled beyond her borders. And in living and growing up here, the meaning of this place to me evolves and multiplies. I feel free to live here. I am a legitimate part of this country by all standards and that everlasting freedom is deeply savoured by me. Crises abound, but they do not chase me away; they only reinforce my ideas of how each of us, in our interactions with our society, can make a difference; either good or bad.

Bad things happen in Nigeria. Bad things happen to her, too. But in all my years of living here, I have seen as she always bears these misfortunes without breaking. In 2001, the New Scientist magazine listed Nigerians as the happiest people on earth. Interesting, right?

Whoever compiled that list must have seen how resilient we are. It seems it is a miracle that we don’t get depressed by all the crimes and sufferings we experience. In fact, suicide in Nigeria is considered quite odd and people wonder why a person would take his life prematurely when you would still die anyway.

Someone said this buoyancy we have may be because we’ve seen it all. I guess when you’ve had so many bad experiences, nothing breaks you anymore. So, this resilience rubs off on me.

And each time I picture Nigeria in the global picture, her resilience is one thing that readily comes to mind. I’m happy that my country is not depressed. To me, Nigeria means strength. Then again, a more recent survey carried out by Forbes magazine placed Nigeria as the 20th saddest place to live on earth. I haven’t lived in any other place, so I wouldn’t dare to refute that point. But I must

‘

Life here isn’t perfect. In as much as I am speaking with so much pride about my country, I realise we are so far behind on development, civilisation, patriotism, and many other items on quite a long list. But I have decided to hate the sin, and not the sinner.

This means that while I do the things I can to make Nigeria better, no matter how little they seem now, I still love this broken country of mine.

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

My country Nigeria

say that such a turn of events is saddening and if true, it means that the fire of hope that we had for our country is burning low. Where is the fuel?

Fuelling my love for this country is also the vibrant cultural heritage we have which is expressed in our everyday lives. We don’t have to put on a special occasion before you see us colourfully dressed in our beloved Nigerian clothes.

The markets, the streets, even

schools and offices are brightened by people going about their business with clothes made from Nigerian textiles. Which Nigerian woman doesn’t have a beautiful colourful adire dress sitting in her wardrobe? Even our foods have colourful and spicy tastes. It’s like I’m being reminded everyday that I am alive.

And that yields a vibrant feel to my life.

Life here isn’t perfect. In as much as I am speaking with so much pride about my coun-

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

Also join our on-line conversation

RISE GROUP

@risenetworks

21676F3E

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotlines: Lagos 7736351, Abuja 07098513445; Circulation Hotline: 01 4489656 All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

.

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

Fuelling my love for this country is also the vibrant cultural heritage we have which is expressed in our everyday lives. We don’t have to put on a special occasion before you see us colourfully dressed in our beloved Nigerian clothes. The markets, the streets, even schools and offices are brightened by people going about their business with clothes made from Nigerian textiles

‘

By Odohofreh Enobong Ita

try, I realise we are so far behind on development, civilisation, patriotism, and many other items on quite a long list. But I have decided to hate the sin, and not the sinner. This means that while I do the things I can to make Nigeria better, no matter how little they seem now, I still love this broken country of mine. I believe it is the love that will always make me to drop the wrappers of my sweets or biscuits in a waste bin, or keep it in my purse until I get home where I can properly dispose of it as I have been directed by the instructions which always say “Keep Nigeria clean.” So while my mates laugh at my obedience in the midst of so much dirt and trash littered around, I understand that loving isn’t always easy. And it doesn’t always make sense to love, especially loving a place like Nigeria.

Nigeria is many things to me. And in every place I look, I see a new part of what Nigeria means to me. I keep looking, because I’m not afraid or disappointed or angry that I’m a part of this beautiful dysfunctional country and she, a part of me. Hence, I look with eyes that realise that no matter what happens in my life, in Nigeria, in the world; the interwoven relationship between me and Nigeria will remain forever.

• Ita is a 500 level Law student of Igbinedion University,Okada, Edo State. oenobong@yahoo.com

‘