Fri 31 Jan 2014 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth Friday, January 31, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,818

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Govt releases modalities for national conference From Karls Tsokar, Abuja IGERIA’s effort to bring its N citizens together and discuss the fundamental terms of their coexistence is set to become a reality. Indeed, the Federal Government yesterday released the modalities of the national conference where such conditions would be mutually negotiated. A total of 492 delegates are to be nominated for the nation-

•492 delegates for three-month exercise •Nomination begins Jan. 30, ends Feb. 20 • President likely to appoint chairman, others • Labour, women, civil society get most slots al conference. Out of this, President Goodluck Jonathan is likely to choose 181. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during a media briefing.

According to him, out of the 27 clusters of stakeholders outlined in the proposed composition of the conference, the President has power over six categories including the nomination of the chairperson, deputy chairperson

and the secretary. The SGF said that the government had to implement the report of the advisory committee immediately because of “the calls by Nigerians from all walks of life for us to proceed with the report of the committee with uttermost urgency, so that the nation can be through with the dialogue well ahead of the approaching political season.” He said that before taking the decision to accept the recomCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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I don’t see sign of Nigeria breaking up in 2015, says U.S. Ambassador – Page 10

Abdel Aziz of Mauritania emerges AU chairman – Page 4 Report shows how Nigeria, others push education behind – Page 20

President Goodluck Jonathan (behind the fourth person on the front row) with other African leaders at the opening session of the 22nd Ordinary session of the assembly of African Union Heads of Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia…on Wednesday.

Senators on warpath over defection, stand down letter till Tuesday From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Adamu Abuh and Terhemba Daka, Abuja AR from receding, the conFpurported fusion generated by the letter of defection by 11 senators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened yesterday. Senators were on the warpath with one another as

• Confirm service chiefs, fail to okay budget • Reps in voting controversy the leadership of the upper legislative chamber postponed the reading of the defection letter. The letter was reportedly submitted to Senate President David Mark on Wednesday by

one of the defecting lawmakers, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Raising the Senate Standing Order 15, Saraki noted: “Any senator may rise at any time to speak upon a matter of privi-

lege suddenly arising, and he shall be prepared to move, without notice, a motion declaring that a contempt or breach of privilege has been committed, or referring the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. But if the matter is raised in Committee of the Whole Senate, the chairman shall leave the chair to report progress… a letter was communicated yesterday to

your chair on notification of the change of political party by myself and 11 other senators from the platform of the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). So, I felt that it was necessary for me to bring to your attention that the letter has not yet been read.” In his response, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the

plenary, suspended the reading of the letter pending the return of Mark, who was in Jigawa State on an official assignment. According to Ekweremadu, the need to stand down the letter was necessitated by instruction received from Mark, notifying him of an ongoing discussion between him and Saraki over the said letter. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Senators confirm service chiefs, fail to okay budget CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 He said: “The Senate President had travelled and before he travelled, he told me you had a discussion with him and agreed to have a meeting on Monday. So, that was what he told me on the subject.” The reason for standing down the letter did not go down well with Saraki who insisted that there was a previous discussion in relation to the letter of defection but the issue of delaying it did not come up. “That is not the case, sir. I submitted the letter as of yesterday and he indicated that he would like to meet with senators. But the two issues, submitting the letter and his request for the meeting does not seem that the meeting was subject to the bringing of the letter. So I felt that the two are two separate issues,” he said. But Ekweremadu said: “Unfortunately, this is my own understanding of your dialogue with him and he is not here. So I believe that we would stand down any issue relating to that until he comes back.” Although Saraki did not push further, Senator Danjuma Goje, one of the defecting members who came after the earlier briefing, maintained that the letter be read. Goje said that it was their right and privilege that the letter be read without further delay. His position attracted a mild drama as members of both parties engaged in a war of words. Goje said: “Yesterday, myself Sen. Danjuma Goje representing Gombe Central and 10 others presented a letter to the senate president formally informing him to inform the

chamber that we have defected from the PDP to the APC. “We thought the letter would have been read yesterday but it was not and we feel that it should be read today. I feel it is our right and privilege for that letter to be read. Myself I have defected and 10 other senators have also signed that letter defecting from PDP to APC. So I demand that that letter be read.” At this point, Ekweremadu said: “First of all, I think you just came late. We have discussed this matter earlier before you arrived and we have taken a decision on this. Mark did not give me any letter to read.” Responding, Senator George Akume stated: “Mr. President, I speak on behalf of those of us who have sworn to protect the constitution of this country. Mr. President, you are not new to this system. We are all senators of the Federal Republic. This country operates a bicameral legislature. This country has only one constitution that guides the country. Therefore, what is constitutional in the House of Representatives cannot be unconstitutional in the Senate.” However, Ekweremadu interjected: “Please, I have to stop you. You have to wait. I don’t see what the problem is. Senator Saraki raised a point of order that he sent a letter containing the names of senators who want to defect. “He said he gave it to Senator Mark who is the President of the Senate. Today, Mark is not here and before he travelled, he told me that there was a discussion he had with Saraki and I have appealed to Senator Saraki to wait until Mark

comes back. “My own understanding is that the discussion had something to do with the letter. So, there is no way you will tell me to believe somebody who is here and I don’t believe somebody who is not here. That would be unfair to Senator Mark. “My appeal is that we leave all these matters, make progress and by Tuesday Mark will be here. So if there is any need to read the letter, then we would read the letter.” Another senator, Anthony Adeniyi, noted: “In the absence of the Senate president, the Senate deputy president shall perform all the duties and functions of the Senate president (uproar from senators). Fortunately, the Senate president told this chamber that he was aware of the letter.” Senator Oluremi Tinubu insisted on Order 14 (b), which stipulates that whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken up immediately. But Ekweremadu maintained: “I have already done that. I have dealt with that and we are making progress. Senator Saraki raised it and I have ruled on it. Let us not waste our time on this please. Let us leave this matter until the Senate president comes back. It would be his word against Saraki’s word.” The Senate confirmed nominations of service chiefs on the recommendation of the joint Committee on Defence and Army, Navy and Air Force. President Goodluck Jonathan on January 21 wrote the Senate, requesting the confirmation of four nominees including Air Marshall Alex

Badeh, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibril, Chief of Naval Staff as well as Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu, Chief of Air Staff. The request by Jonathan, which was in line with Section 218 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), empowers the president to appoint service chiefs for the Armed Forces. Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act 2004 (as amended) states the powers of the Senate thus: “The president may, after consultation with the chief of defence staff and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, appoint such officers (in this Act referred to as the ‘service chiefs’ as he thinks fit, in whom the command of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, as the case may be, and their reserves shall be vested.” Based on its powers, the Senate screening committee conducted a public hearing and having found the nominees qualified, prayed the upper legislative chamber to confirm them. The Senator George Thompson Sekibo-led committee observed: “Having assessed the four nominees thoroughly and found them fit for the leadership of their respective services, the joint committee wishes to recommend that the Senate do confirm and approve their appointment and decoration by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as service chiefs.” In his contribution, Sanni Saleh, Kaduna State, noted that the officers were deserving of their appointments, having possessed necessary

qualifications and experience to man their respective positions. Congratulating the appointees, Ekweremadu urged them to live up to expectations. “We believe that at this trying moment for us as a nation, they will live up to expectations. This is the first time the law concerning appointments of service chiefs is being adhered to. “We are very proud of our democracy, we are proud of the Armed Forces and we are proud of the National Assembly. We will continue to do our best to ensure that democracy is sustained”, he said. The leadership of the PDP commended the Senate for confirming the service chiefs. Besides, an earlier plan by the Senate to conclude the debate on the 2014 budget suffered a setback, as the bill could not be passed at the end of yesterday’s sitting. Mark had projected last week that the document would be passed yesterday at the end of a three-day marathon debate, which began on Tuesday. It was not clear whether the issue of defection affected yesterday’s inconclusive debate on the budget. But like previous contributors, senators who spoke yesterday expressed divergent views on the budget. Meanwhile, an allegation against the Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, during the voting on the amendment of some sections of the constitution nearly disrupted the process on the floor of the chamber yesterday. The issue at stake during the clause by clause voting conducted via the House’s voting

facility was on the need to alter the constitution aimed at including the security agencies as a first-line charge in the release of funds from the Federation Account. It all began when the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, claimed he had spotted Akande-Adeola not only voting for herself, but also voting as a proxy for the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who had joined the Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in superintending over the exercise. Gbajabiamila who raised the alarm argued that AkandeAdeola’s conduct was a clear infringement of the voting process and rules of the House. But Akande-Adeola who was visibly taken aback neither admitted nor denied the allegation levelled against her as some members of the House Chanted “rigging, rigging, rigging.” The Majority Leader expressed surprise over the Minority Leader’s claim, wondering why he would not mind his own business on the floor of the House. Akande-Adeola who had been having a running battle with Gbajabiamila over the leadership position of the House since the emergence of the APC, downplayed the gravity of the issue at stake, and jokingly noted that “we should all understand why this man (Gbajabiamila) is all over me.” The Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who appeared to support Akande-Adeola’s position, waived the issue aside amidst laughter by members in the chamber, and jokingly directed the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to look into the allegation.

President likely to appoint chairman, deputy, secretary of confab CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 mendations for immediate implementation, the government held extensive deliberations. Such discussions came before even deciding that the “official name for the conversation shall be the national conference”, shall hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, “shall tentatively last for three months and shall discuss any subject matter, except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.” Others are that a secretariat would manage and run the af-

fairs of the conference and that “decisions at the conference shall be by consensus, but where it is not achievable, it shall be by 75 per cent majority. The national conference shall advise the government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of the national conference into the constitution and laws of the country.” Anyim said that that the nomination of delegates would start on January 30, 2014 and end on February 20, 2014 and the inauguration of the conference would follow soon after the delegates list is concluded. He stated that the govern-

Our error N our supplement titled Icated “Focus on Mobile AuthentiPharmaceutical Products” published on page 67 of yesterday’s edition, Mr. Ashifi Gogo, Founder/CEO, Sproxil International Inc., was identified as Mr. Lawrence Nwosu, Country Manager, Sproxil Nigeria Ltd. The error is regretted.

ment sought guidance and explanations where necessary from the advisory committee in the quest to expeditiously consider the proposal. The categorisation indicates that three persons would come from each of the 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), based on senatorial districts, “at least one of whom shall be a woman”, making the second tier of government the highest contributor of representatives with a total of 109 delegates to be nominated by the states governors. But “where the state governor fails to nominate, the president shall nominate the required number from the state.” Next to the states are the socio-political/cultural and ethnic nationality groups, where 15 persons would be selected for each geopolitical zone. These “should reflect ethnic and religious diversities”, and the 90 delegates would be nominated by ‘stakeholders.’ The president would nominate 37 elder statesmen, one from each of the 36 states and FCT, while 24 delegates shall represent the civil society organisations across the country, who would be nominated by stakeholders within the sector across the country. The Federal Government would as well nominate 20 others, at least six shall be women, six persons not cur-

rently serving the bench from the judiciary arm of government, in addition to six “outstanding youths and role models”, one each from the six geo-political zones. Other categories include 13 delegates from the professional bodies, eight from Nigerians in the diaspora, two each from political parties that have representation at the National Assembly that include the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Accord Party and Labour Party. Also included are two representatives each from the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the organised private sector, all to be nominated by stakeholders in the various groups. Women group is also given 24 slots. These are 12 for the National Council for Women Society for their pivotal role in women development and six for the Market Women Association. The other six are to be shared by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Women in Management and Business (WINBIZ). Other interest groups to be represented at the confer-

ence include traditional rulers, two each from the geopolitical zones plus one from Abuja, bringing the number to 13 delegates from the interest group. A total of 18 from retired military and security personnel, that is six each from the military, police and the state security and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), would all be nominated by stakeholders. With a representation of 24 delegates expected to reflect gender and geopolitical balance, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress are expected to send 12 nominees each. The National Association of Nigerian Students and the National Youth Council of Nigeria would send six delegates each to represent the geopolitical zones. Others include Christian and Muslim leaders, people living with disabilities, former governors, senators’ forum, House of Representatives Forum, Association of Former Speakers and Former Local Council Chairmen. Each of the clusters would send six delegates, one each from the geopolitical zones as nominated by the stakeholders. The composition also reflects that the national academies have five slots, one each for the Academies of Science, Engineering, Education, Letters and Social Sciences. Anyim said that at the end, the national conference shall advise the government on the

legal framework, legal procedure and options for integrating their decisions and outcome in the constitution or any law of the country. The idea is that the conference would advise government on the next step after the conference. According to him, even though the situation of the president coming to nominate for a governor is a probability, “why we made that provision is such that the president will be at liberty to be in touch with the governor, where any governor has a little difficulty the president will assist the governor to resolve the difficulty, but we don’t think that the situation will arise, but we simply provided such that every person should know that if you had any difficulty you can seek the help of the president particularly the governor.” According to Anyim, the nomination power of the Federal Government is to make appropriate corrections in representation where the need arises. “The Federal Government would exercise their own rights of nominations after all other nominations have been collated, so that if there is any imbalance, then the government can by their nomination try to balance that power, so there won’t be a problem of one dominant ethnic nationality taking advantage of the minority within the state.”

Friday, January 31, 2014 | 3

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News Bandits raze police station in Bauchi

FRSC redeploys four dep corps marshals N pursuit of its 2014 strategic goals, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has re-deployed four Deputy Corps Marshals. According to the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, the recent exercise also affected four assistant Corps Marshals and two Corps Commanders, in partial fulfillment of the Commission’s projection to achieve a 15 per cent reduction in road crashes and 25 per cent decrease in fatalities by the end of 2014. Speaking further, Jonas said, “details of the redeployment of the senior officers indicate that Deputy Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi who was before this development, in charge of the Operations Department, has been moved to the Motor Vehicle Administration Department while Deputy Corps Marshal Garba Danjuma, moves over to the Operations Department from the Motor Vehicle Administration Department.”

From Ali Garba, Bauchi ARE-FACE violence continued in the north yesterday with suspected Boko Haram terrorists razing a divisional police office in Giade council of Bauchi State. The Guardian learnt that the arsonists also shot a policeman on the legs, though no loss of life was recorded nor was there any ammunition taken away. However, a vehicle belonging to the station was reportedly taken away but later abandoned by the roadside on the way to Yobe State. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, ASP Muhammad Abubakar, said he was aware of the attack but would brief the press when he has sufficient information on the attack.

NNPC debunks rumours of imminent fuel scarcity Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (left); Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu (right) and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Bashiru Adamu during the screening of the newly appointed Service Chiefs by the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, Abuja … yesterday. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Govt okays council on power, partners states on supply From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja FTER months of planning, A President Goodluck Jonathan has finally approved the establishment of the National Council on Power, the Ministry of Power announced yesterday. The Council, which is expected to be chaired by the President, is bringing together federal, state and local governments to synergise, collaborate and jointly solve electricity generation issues across the country. Also, government will today inaugurate a civil society power advisory group. Officials said there has been a consistent call for more space for civil society to engage with government on its policies particularly those that affect the daily lives of Nigerians. Collectively, development partners in Nigeria would have contributed up to $300 billion by 2018 toward the improvement and efficiency of the power sector in Nigeria, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Director, Dr. Patrick Kormawa has said. Meanwhile, the National Assembly is considering a restriction on the importation of generators, as a deliberate way to fast track the availability of public power supply to the nation. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, who disclosed this at the sixth Power Summit at Abuja, stressed how the Council would play a critical role in changing the power situation in the country. He noted: “I like to announce that President Goodluck Jonathan has just approved the National Coun-

• Raises sector’s civil society advisory body • N’Assembly may ban generator importation cil on Power, which is going to be a major development. We do not have a Council for the sector. What a Council does is that it brings together all the states, because right now there is a delay. Every state government is performing on its own. The Federal Government is working, and the private sector is also on its own. “The President has approved that we should now have National Council on Power, which will bring together all the stakeholders. It will be an expanded forum. The next National Power Summit will now be the first National Council on Power, in which case, all the commissioners of power in every state will come with their plans, state by state and we will all sit to discuss what the Federal Government is doing, what the states are doing, and what the private sector is doing.” Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo also disclosed stressed that the Presidency would convene a summit to discuss financing for power. He said: “Next month, we are convening an international conference on power sector financing to be hosted by the President and the Vice President. This conference is expected to bring the new owners, investors and local and international financial institutions together to look at avenues to fund the huge capital expenditure required in line with government’s projections.” He stressed the many challenges with transmission, noting that government was working hard to meet the

conditions for the declaration of the Transition Electricity Market (TEM). According to him, “As we move to fulfill all conditions precedent upon the declaration of the Transition Electricity Market (TEM), we still face some challenges. Our transmission grid is still fragile which resulted in unprecedented collapses in 2013. We also witnessed incessant vandalisation of gas pipelines on both the western and eastern axes all through 2013. These challenges resulted in the underutilised of our generation capacities which limited our capacity to give more power to consumers.” Also, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Steel and Metallurgy, Philip Aduda, said at the summit that a restriction on generator importation was in the offing. Though he did not directly link the planned consideration of restriction on generator importation to the alleged sabotage in the sector, he stressed that it was one of the options being considered by the legislators to solve electricity supply problems. He said: “We at the NASS will look at some of these issues, and ensure that we can get service, and effective service delivery and we can ensure that our generators are off permanently. As a matter of fact, my colleagues and I are beginning to look at issues as they relate to generator importation. We are talking about gas. Why is there no gas? The President convened

a summit on gas sometime ago to discuss the issue of gas, why we are not having gas and why we continue to have shortfall. Why do we continue to have power drop because there is no gas? On if an outright ban on generator importation was being considered, he stressed: “We are going to look at those kinds of issues because we want to look at issues as they relate to impediments to having steady power supply in Nigeria. We want to look at various critical issues to ensure that Nigerians have power as well as what the impediments and problems are. “Those are issues we want to look at and not just this one (ban on generators importation). That is why I said that we want to have a robust roundtable discussion with stakeholders in the power sector including the new owners of the generation and distribution companies as well as the transmission company of Nigeria. “We are going to look at what we can do to ensure that service delivery is given to Nigerians and that is why I said that this forum is important because civil societies are brought together to look at issues critically to ensure that we move forward and have power. The Federal Government has spent so much money in this sector and is still spending money to improve the infrastructure so we cannot pay lip service to these issues. We have to be serious about it to ensure that whoever that much is given, much is completely expected of the person.” He stressed that the National Assembly had summoned the new owners of the gener-

ation and distribution firms to ensure checks and balances in the post privatisation. He said: “We need the civil society people to come on board. The representatives of the people and the voice of the people are the civil society people. They know that the gencos and discos have been sold. The people who can talk are the civil society people. The new owners of the discos and gencos would be thinking about profit. Some of them have started complaining that they didn’t know that the infrastructure that they bought had problems. We need some of the civil society organisations to challenge some of these issues critically.” Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale, cautioned the new power utilities owners to buckle up or face the music, as the National Assembly was determined to protect the interest of consumers. He said: “The power business is not a tea party and for our investors, those who have taken over the discos and gencos, I wish you well. But I will also mention that if the objective is to come in and make profit, maximize profit at the expense of poor Nigerians, the consumers, then you are in the wrong place. “On transmission, there is need for the minister to take a memo on funding to the Federal Executive Council to ensure that there is an upward review of what we are giving to transmission. Government needs to pay better attention, prioritise and increase the level funding for the transmission aspect of power in Nigeria.”

IGERIAN National PetroleN um Corporation (NNPC) yesterday dismissed media reports of a looming fuel scarcity. In a statement, Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said members of the public have no reason to panic. He noted that the “NNPC in spite of the unending challenges posed by pipeline vandalism and product theft has enough stock of products in its marine reserve and national strategic reserve to ensure that the country remains wet with petroleum products round the clock.” He cautioned members of the public against any form of hoarding or panic buying of petroleum products in anticipation of scarcity.

Jega denies being under pressure over 2015 From Tunde Oyedoyin, London HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has promised a credible 2015 poll just as he said that the body was not under pressure from any quarters in fixing the timetable for next year’s general elections. Jega, who spoke in London yesterday also, gave reasons for fixing the Presidential and National Assembly poll ahead of state elections. On why INEC reversed the order of the 2011 elections and putting the presidential elections first, the electoral chief said: “Nobody has put us under any pressure and I have no worries,” saying “nobody can make me do what I don’t want to do.” He then promised that “the day I know I can’t do this job, I will walk away from it.” Jega said “we have completed a thorough restructuring and organisation,” of INEC and consequently, “we believe 2015 will be much better than 2011.” However, he was quick in pointing out that “having free and fair and peaceful elections is not the job of the electoral body alone.”

Friday, January 31, 2014

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Friday, January 31, 2014 NEWS | 5

Imo Assembly sits, passes extra budget

PDP’s vision, manifesto have been derailed, says Atiku

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri FTER days of political tenA sion, the 26-member Imo State House of Assembly yes-

• Criticises elections timetable From Iyaba Lawal (Ibadan) and Samson Ezea (Lagos)

terday sat under the watchful eyes of heavily armed policemen, giving a number of approvals and passing 2013 Supplementary Budget. The lawmakers also passed a motion, urging Governor Rochas Okorocha to revert to the Local Government Development Centre. The Assembly’s resumption of plenary earlier fixed for Tuesday, January 28, after the Christmas and New Year festivities, was suddenly shifted to a date not announced, while policemen were drafted to the temporary premises located at Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Centre, along Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri.

ORMER Vice President, AlFagain haji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed doubt that

14 Muslim Ph.D students get scholarship By Bisi Alabi Williams OURTEEN PhD students Fhavefrom four universities been given scholarships by the Conference of Muslim Organisations of Nigeria, (CAMON). This brought to 77 the number of Muslim postgraduate students offered scholarships since 2005. Going by the breakdown of the scholarships scheme, there are 10 postgraduate students from University of Ibadan. According to the Chairman of CAMON, Alhaji Abdul Razaq Adelabu, research conducted by the late Vice Chairman of CAMON, Professor Rauf Sobulo, showed that in three universities in the South-West – University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, less than five per cent of total lecturers are Muslims. Adelabu, while handing over the cheques, called on wealthy Muslims to support the laudable project of the organisation, adding that Muslims generally should give education priority.

Ekiti APC okays Fayemi’s candidature From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South-West Bureau, Ado-Ekiti) HEAD of the June 21, 2014 A governorship poll, the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Governor Kayode Fayemi for the election. The party also announced that registration of its members would hold between February 5 and 10 this year with assurance that no member of the party would be deregistered. Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the Interim APC Chairman in the state, Jide Awe, said people should stop castigating the party and branding it as lacking in internal democracy over non-conduct of primary to select candidates. Awe said: “APC has internal democracy and the emergence of any candidate is the duty of the political parties. “We had taken the decision that Fayemi should be allowed to recontest as far back as 2012 at the residence of our leader and APC National Vice Chairman, SouthWest, Otunba Niyi Adebayo in Iyin Ekiti, so that the transformation going on in all sectors in Ekiti will not be aborted”.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second left); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (second right); erstwhile Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borishade (right) and Senator Ahmed Rufai Hanga (left), during Atiku’s courtesy visit to the governor in Ibadan… yesterday PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Reports on APC’s directive misleading, says Akume HE All Progressives ConT gress (APC) caucus in the • Party faults Maku’s reaction Senate has denied that their members flouted the directive of the party to block executive bills, saying it is a legitimate democratic tool aimed at restoring the rule of law and constitutionalism in Rivers State. A statement by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, said reports to that effect were misleading as they misconstrue the real intent of the APC directive and the action of the senators. According to him, the “participation of APC senators in the screening of the service chiefs and the debate on the general principles of the Appropriation Bill 2014 were in compliance with the directive, which was not for senators to boycott their legislative business; rather their participation will lead to the ultimate execution of the party directive. Stating that Rivers crisis poses threat to national security, Senator Akume said: “APC will not fold its hands and allow the nation to slide

into anarchy”, adding that the party’s action is to forestall preventable crisis that will put further stress on our military, which is already stretched to the limits in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency. Meanwhile, the APC has faulted the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, over his comments that the party is anti-people and anti-development, following its directive to its members in the National Assembly to withdraw cooperation with the Executive until peace returns to Rivers State. The APC rather asked the minister to look inwards if he is earnestly searching for people who are anti-people and anti-development, and to ask his principal why he is finding it difficult to allow peace to reign in the state. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party accused the minister of engaging in an emotional outburst

that is devoid of reason or logic by his comment. It urged him to realise that anytime he points one finger at others, four others point at him, stating: “It is interesting that an information minister, who does not see anything wrong in the illegal use of the police to deny the people of a state in the nation he is purportedly serving, their constitutionally-guaranteed rights of free association, free movement and free speech, has suddenly found his voice to rant at perceived enemies of Nigeria, when the real enemies are within the government he is serving. “Where was Maku when a serving senator was shot in Rivers simply for attending a rally? What happened to Maku’s voice when a police commissioner who is supposed to take orders from him, going by the constitution, was harassing an elected governor? “Why did Maku not raise an alarm when Rivers legislators were locked out of the State

House of Assembly chambers? If Maku wants to know those who are seeking to truncate the nation’s democracy, he should inquire from the Presidency, which has been the pillar of support behind the anarchists in Rivers.” The party insisted that nothing was anti-development about a party asking its federal lawmakers to withdraw legislative cooperation from a lawless Federal Government that is promoting and sponsoring anarchy in a state of the federation until it restores constitutionalism and the rule of law to that state. “In case Maku has forgotten, it is his party, the PDP, that has used its majority in the House to frustrate the Petroleum Industry Bill that has now forced international oil companies to start divesting from Nigeria,” it claimed. “Considering that oil remains the mainstay of our economy, who then is trying to endanger the nation’s survival? Which party can best be described as ant-development if not the PDP?” it queried.

ECOWAS leaders okay $50m for Lagos-Abidjan highway HE plan by Economic ComT munity of West African States (ECOWAS) membercountries for a highway from Lagos to Abidjan got a major boost yesterday as the Heads of Governments in the sub-region approved $50 million for the project. They also approved the request by the ECOWAS works ministers to be allowed to approach the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a provision of another $16.6 million for the detailed designs of the highway. The approvals followed a three-point proposal submitted by the ECOWAS Ministerial Project Steering Committee during the ongoing 22nd African Union Summit of African Heads of Governments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The committee, which comprises Works and Infrastructure ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast, is being

chaired by Nigeria’s Mike Onolememen. At the summit chaired by Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, the leaders, however, deferred details of the individual member’s contribution to the $ 50 million to when they meet in Nigeria, at a date yet to be decided. The road is expected to start from Lagos, passing through Ghana and Benin Republic to Togo and terminating in Abidjan. Yesterday’s meeting was attended by the Ghanaian Vice President on behalf of his boss, President John Darma Mahama and representatives of the Presidents of Benin, Boni Yayi. But Ivory Coast President, Alassan Quattara, who was not available for the meeting, met the presidents later. Onolememen, while presenting the outcomes of the committee’s deliberations to the leaders, said the decision was

aimed at quickening the realisation of the project in view of its economic importance to the people of the West African sub-region. Besides the approval and authorisation of the raising of $50 million, as well as approval for the provision of the AfDB grant of $ 16.6 million, the ministers also wanted the ECOWAS leaders to approve and consider for initials the draft treaty and full commitment of member-states towards the project. According to him, the $50 million seed money is to allow the work on the road to commence in the first quarter of 2014. Jonathan stated at the meeting of the ECOWAS Heads of State that “it would be decided how we can quickly mobilise funds. We have approved your prayers, anything that involves money takes more time? But the decision in terms of details of how we can

quickly mobilise money, and the ratio of contributions by each member-state will be taken when we get to Abuja, Nigeria.” Speaking with reporters later, the minister said the project is towards achieving proper regional integration in West Africa and opening up the subregion for commerce. “For instance, you can imagine what a six-lane dual carriageway leading from Lagos to Abidjan, and in future from Abidjan to Dakar, will do to the economy of the sub-region. It will certainly transform it, and don’t forget that Nigeria alone provides 50 per cent of the population of the sub-region. So, that means manufacturers and businessmen in our country will now have unfettered access to the vast markets of ECOWAS, and that is one of the major achievements this project will deliver in addition to bringing about better integration of nations and nationali-

the emergence of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as the new national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will change anything in the party. Atiku, who was in the company of former Minister of Aviation, Prof. Babalola Borishade and former Director General, National Boundary Commission (NBC), Alhaji Dahiru Bobo, among others, spoke with some journalists in Lagos in the course of his consultation with political associates over the future of his political career. “Nothing will change in the party, because most of the foundation members are no longer there and the party’s vision and manifesto have been derailed. So, there is little or no hope for improvement or change in the party before 2015 general elections. He criticised the 2015 general election timetable, saying he has always advocated that all selections be held in one day, instead of being staggered. He expressed confidence that other political parties will reject the timetable. On the outcome of his ongoing consultation and interaction with his political associates and prominent Nigerians on the way forward, Atiku expressed hope that light will appear at the end of the tunnel, going by their responses and readiness to make personal sacrifices now for the good and betterment of the majority of Nigerian. “Most of them including myself have realised our past mistakes due to our personal ambitions. They are very much democratised now than before. I believe now that our past political mistakes, which brought us to this level, would not be repeated.” When asked if All Progressives Congress (APC) is a better alternative to PDP, he said for now, APC is a new experiment. “That was how PDP started with the coming together of different political groups to form a big party in 1998. APC will succeed the way it is going. It is a different party with different vision and ideology for good. I have always supported two-party system. Had it been we got the merger arrangement right in 2011, PDP wouldn’t have won the election”. He said that if he later decides to run for the presidency in 2015, he is ready to shelve his personal ambition to support whosoever the majority of the party members choose in the party primaries. When he met with Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his office where he relieved with nostalgia his fond memories of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Atiku said the city would continue to be at the centre of his heart. He recalled his years in the ancient city as a Customs officer from where he rose to become a deputy comptroller-general. “Any time I am in Ibadan, I always recall my happiest days as a civil servant of 30 years. I always feel like it is a homecoming anytime I am here. It was from Ibadan here that I was catapulted three or four times on my ranks to become a deputy head of Customs. I have quite a number of memories.

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6 | NEWS Friday, January 31, 2014

EFCC to prosecute banks shielding criminals By Bertram Nwannekanma ENCEFORTH, any bank H that fails to report criminals to the anti-graft agencies as required by law risks prosecution, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, has warned. Lamorde, who spoke yesterday in Lagos at a meeting of Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nige-

UNILORIN denies reported building collapse From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

UTHORITIES of the A University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have refuted reports that a building collapsed in the institution injuring students, stating that it was “mere fabrications” and assured parents that nothing of such happened. A statement yesterday by the institution’s Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, explained that, “such wicked and malicious rumour could have been fuelled by a minor incident that happened on Wednesday afternoon at the site of the new Faculty of Arts building under construction.

ria, noted that though the reporting system has improved tremendously, there were still transactions that should have been reported but were not. Speaking on the topic, “AntiMoney Laundry/Combating Finances of Terrorism (AML/CFT by Banks: Contemporary Issues in Compliance and Enforcement,” he disclosed that there were some cases with red flags in the form of multiple transactions on the same day or large volume of transaction. “It must be understood that the primary target of the law enforcement officer is not the bank but the criminal who uses the bank to either commit a crime or launder the proceeds,” he said. He regretted that probably due to the pressure to post profits, some banks shelter criminal elements to the

detriment of the law. According to him, some banks or their members of staff see themselves first and foremost as partners to their customers, not of the law. Banks, he said, should rather see themselves as partners to the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Investigating Unit (NFIU) and all other regulators and law enforcement agencies. According to him, what Know Your Customer (KYC) means to a banker, Know Your Criminal means to the law enforcement office, and that, perhaps, remains the foundation of friction between both sides. However, though banks are not expected to play the role of the law enforcement officer, they at the same time must discharge all the AML/CFT reporting obligations required by law, Lamorde said.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State (seated) signing into law the state’s 2014 Finance and Appropriation Bills passed by the State House of Assembly. Standing (right) is the Assembly Speaker, Adamu Dala Dogo and the Secretary to the State Government, Babagoni Machina (left) at the Government House, Damaturu …yesterday.

Lawyer seeks to sue Jonathan over disability law By Joseph Onyekwere LAWYER living with disA ability, Mr. Daniel Onwe, yesterday prayed a Federal High Court, Lagos, for leave to personally sue President Goodluck Jonathan over his administration’s failure to enact a disability law in Nigeria. Onwe, a parliamentary consultant and member of the Disability Policy Advocacy Initiative (DPAI), had sued President Jonathan and the National Assembly in Decem-

ber 2013 for allegedly failing to enact a law to protect the rights of persons living with disabilities in the country. He argued in his motion paper that the absence of a federal disability legislation in Nigeria violates the fundamental rights of over 20 million people with various disabilities. When the case was called yesterday, the plaintiff made an oral application before the court to conduct his case from the Bar, citing the provisions of Order 56, Rule 6 of

TheGuardian SUNDAY, February 2, 2014

2015: What Lagosians Want In A Governor S the politics of 2015 begins in earnest, Lagosians are thinking of how to raise the bar of political administration in the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. They say it is too costly to leave the decision of who becomes their next governor for politicians and the political parties alone to decide. Hear what they have to say.

HE trial of the former govT ernor of Benue State and serving senator, George

The power sector and its endless challenges. Oil theft

IBRU: In this era of showbiz and entertainment galore, not even the church is left out. Little wonder churches now hire entertainers (comedians) to thrill their audience. Is it biblical?

Olomolas

The Guardian On Sunday is new, fresher, bolder; a delight to behold and more importantly, reader-friendly! Book a copy today.

persons with disability due to architectural barriers violates their freedom of movement, association and right to dignity of human person. Onwe also avers that the non-use of sign language at public functions and television programmes is a violation of the freedom of expres-

sion of persons with hearing disability (the deaf), as guaranteed under section 39 of the Constitution. He, therefore, wants the court to grant his application in the interest of justice and the Nigerian nation. The respondents are yet to enter appearance in the suit.

Ogun LP suspends secretary, Olaposi By Gbenga Akinfenwa OR alleged breach of the Fconstitution provisions of the party’s and for serving misleading information to organs of the party in the state, among others, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) has suspended its Ogun State Secretary, Ogini Olaposi. In a statement by the National Secretary, A.A Salam, which was made available to The Guardian, the LP said the suspension was constitutional and directed Olaposi to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee in the

state on February 17 to face the charges leveled against him. His offences included falsely assuming official party titles, giving wrong, false and misleading information to organs of the party in the state, causing to be publicized party related grievance without exhausting all avenues of settlement or redress within the party, taking the party and its officials to court without following constitutional provision, and disobedience to and negligence of lawful directives of the party, among others.

NYSC’s absence stalls alleged forgery case against Akume From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja

BUSINESS:

SPECIAL REPORT

• Follow us to the Creeks and see why illegal oil bunkering and oil theft is difficult to tame. • Kid stars of yester-years, where are they now and what happened to their dreams? • Marriage is sweet but requires selfless love and determination to nurture. You hear it from the Olomolas’ 35 years old marital sojourn.

the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, which he said allows the court to make any order in all causes and matters, if it considers it just. Responding, Justice Mohammed Yunusa said he was sceptical about the position of the law as regards the prayer sort by the plaintiff. However, he urged the plaintiff to address the court on the issue of a plaintiff conducting his case personally from the Bar. Further, he adjourned the case to February 20 for hearing. In the motion, Onwe is seeking an order mandating the respondents to enact forthwith the necessary laws to protect persons with disabilities. He is also seeking a declaration that the absence of such legislation violates their fundamental rights as guaranteed by sections 33 to 42 of the 1999 Constitution, and articles 4 to 12 of the African Charter on Human Rights. The lawyer, who is also a notary public, is praying the court to hold that the inaccessibility of public buildings to

Akume, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over an alleged forgery of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate stalled yesterday owing to the absence of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) counsel in court. When the matter came up yesterday, the court’s attention was drawn to a letter from the NYSC asking for an adjournment on the ground that its counsel lost his mother and was attending her burial. The letter, dated January 28, 2014 and signed by O.P. Omuru, explained that counsel to the 5th defendant in the above matter billed to come up before the court yesterday could not appear in court because he lost his mother and would

be away for the burial. He sought the court’s favour to adjourn to February 20 or 21, 2014, to enable him appear in court. A copy of the letter was served on the plaintiff and other defendants in the matter yesterday. It was the second time the case was adjourned at the instance of NYSC since it was instituted last year. Justice Ahmed Mohammed was supposed to hear the submissions of the counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Amobi Nzelu, as he opens his case. Plaintiff in the suit, Philip Agbese, had alleged that Akume forged his degree and secondary school certificates to qualify to contest the governorship and senatorial elections in Benue State. He is praying for a declaration that Akume did not posses the certificate number SCO39633 allegedly issued to him by GSS Otukpo, Benue State, in 1971. Joined in the suit are

WAEC, INEC, IGP and NYSC as second to fifth defendants. Agbese also prayed the court to declare that the result allegedly issued to Akume by WAEC did not belong to him and that the defendant did not obtain any degree from the University of Ibadan or any recognised university in Nigeria. He urged the court to declare that whatsoever documents presented to INEC by Akume consequent upon which he was cleared to contest the gubernatorial election in Benue State, especially WAEC No SCO39633, the University of Ibadan certificate and NYSC discharge certificate No. O43655 were false. He also wanted a declaration that the Benue NorthWest senatorial seat being occupied by Akume was vacant since he lacked the requisite qualification to contest for the said position.

Friday, January 31, 2014 NEWS | 7

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Abdel Aziz of Mauritania emerges AU chairman From Mohammed Abubakar Addis Ababa AURITANIAN PresiM dent, Mohammed Oud Abdel Aziz yesterday emerged the new Chairman of the African Union (AU) taking over from the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn. Addel Aziz’s election took place at the ongoing 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The result of the election was announced yesterday in Addis. He is expected to pilot the affairs of the heads of governments of the Union for the next one year. Other countries elected into the AU Bureau for one year included Zimbabwe, which was elected as first Vice President. It represented Southern Africa; Democratic Republic of Congo, second Vice President representing East Africa while Nigeria, was elected third Vice President, representing West Africa. In his acceptance speech, Addel Aziz pledged to promote the objectives of the continental body, and

commended the out-gone president for strengthening the role of Africa in the world. He described his election as a sign of confidence in his leadership, stressing that together with the support of other African leaders, his tenure would be able to achieve the objectives for which the continental organisation was established. Prominent among former African leaders that attended the opening ceremony yesterday included two former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; former Ghanaian leader, John Kufuor as well as former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, among others.

In his intervention at one of the sessions, President Goodluck Obasanjo and General Abdulsalami Abubakar Jonathan declared that a total of about $11 billion has been invested in Nigeria’s agricultural sector by private investors and development partners since the Federal Government launched the country’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2011. At a session dedicated to the consideration of measures to boost agricultural production and food security in Africa, President Jonathan urged other African countries to emulate Nigeria’s decision to treat agriculture as a viable business and not “a

development programme,” which, he said, was yielding positive benefits for the country. “Greater priority must continue to be given to food security. But for this to happen, we must change how we view agriculture. Africa must end decades of treating agriculture as a development programme. We must focus on value chains, stop exporting raw materials, and instead focus on high-value-added products. “That is why Nigeria is strongly pursuing an aggressive programme to unlock the vast potentials of its agricultural sector. Nigeria launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2011, with the

goal of increasing our domestic food production by an additional 20 million MT and creating 3.5 million jobs by 2015. “So much has been achieved since then. To ensure that our farmers get farm inputs directly, we developed the electronic wallet system, which allows farmers to get their subsidised seeds and fertilisers directly via electronic coupons on their mobile phones. Within two years, six million farmers have received their farm inputs directly via their mobile phones. Our farmers produced an additional 16 million metric tons of food, which is over 70 per cent of our target of 20 million metric

From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE Federal Ministry of Communication Technology has kicked off the Open Data Development Initiative to support Federal Government’s objective of driving innovation, investment and economic growth by enabling access to government data. The initiative is a consultative and inclusive process that will open up high value datasets from across government ministries to Nigerian citizens, businesses and the rest of the world, for free. Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who flagged off the initiative in Abuja said that data is becoming increasingly important in all aspects of our lives, adding that “the essence of publishing nonsensitive government data online is to deliver valueadding insights that benefit citizens. “We would like to ensure that our open data initiative is driven by demand. When analysed and presented in an intelligent format, data is essential to making informed decisions that produce value. We will be guided by the practical needs of Nigerians to ensure that open data fuels innovation and grows the Nigerian economy.

41 killed in road crashes in Borno, says FRSC

Minister lauds Obi’s educational programmes From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Supervising Minister for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, yesterday lauded Governor Peter Obi’s contributions to the development on education in Anambra state. Wike who was in Anambra to observe the distribution of second to the last phase of 500 buses, 22,500 laptops and 420 giant generators among others to schools in the state, said Obi has not only provided access to education, but also ensured that pupils and students received qualitative studies. “This quality is what we are all witnessing today. He has given the children quality education,” he stressed. While describing Obi as a type of person that respects traditional rulers, religious leaders and elders in the community, Wike regretted that the governor will soon bow out from office, adding that he is too good to be left to go on retirement from Nigeria’s affairs. According to him, the president has directed me to tell Anambra people that Governor Peter Obi is one governor who has contributed immensely to the Federal Government. Earlier in his speech, Governor Obi said his administration is working hard to meet the Millennium Development Goals, which his administration has adopted as a guide, before the 2015 timeline. Obi said Anambra has the highest number of donor agencies in the country, and this is because his government has learnt to meet their demands, and that is the reason they are not afraid to commit money into the state.

Govt launches data gathering initiative

From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

HE Borno State Sector T Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),

Publisher, Leadership Newspaper, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, during a courtesy visit to The Guardian in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Nda-Isaiah urges unity to build better Nigeria By Olushola Ricketts HEAD of the 2015 presidential election, Publisher of Leadership, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, has said that unity is essential for fundamental growth in the country. While declaring his intention to run for president in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a visit to Rutam House, the corporate headquarters of The Guardian in Lagos yesterday, he said no matter how angry some people are, everybody wants a united country that they would be proud of and happy to leave behind. According to him, one of their aims when they attain power is to unite the country as the country is too divided as a nation. His words: “While some people are enjoying, some are suffering. If a country is divided, there cannot be any growth. This is so bad that a bishop was sent to one of the states last year and they said no he is not from our village. At the governors’

forum, we have two of them; we have different fractions of PDP and we are hearing that some people want to form a new APC. I even learnt that it was even the president that wants the election timetable to be in place this week, though I have no proof. If that is true, it means that the president does not even trust the governors that are saying they are loyal to him.” He added that fostering unity is the easiest thing to do for a sincere president, revealing: “We are going to work very hard on that.” Nda Isaiah, who said Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was one of the first persons he hinted of his aspiration because of their relationship, lamented that the country has been so mismanaged that changes can only be introduced from the top. His words: “We are writers; we have written everything but yet no changes. I believe that the only place we can make the changes that we need is at the Presidency. And besides, I am not look-

ing for a job. I have a good job and one that I also enjoy doing. Inasmuch as I agree with people that it is a dangerous position, why would I want to disturb myself, especially when I stand to gain nothing? The country could be better but many Nigerians have given up and we are in a very dangerous position. I have travelled all over the world and I do not see how a government is run like this. Creating unity and fostering cohesion among people is a deliberate thing that should be done; you cannot just sit down and expect it to be done. No! If you want to do it, you will. But we make rules that we do not follow here.” Despite the alleged undemocratic nature of the APC, the publisher maintained that it even presents an opportunity for them to prove doubters wrong. Alleging that PDP has been used to imposing people here and there, he said if the APC does not prove to be different, the game is already lost. According

him, “people want to see an alternative, the good thing is that the leaders of APC noticed this and they are determined and also know that Nigerians are watching. “Nobody gave us any chance at the beginning and it would continue like this until we get to the Villa. Meanwhile, the people that have predicted our failure are the ones fighting and breaking up. The leaders of APC know this. We cannot bring those mannerisms of ANPP, ACN and CPC into APC.” Nda-Isaiah said APC is not about a person, especially at the presidential level. “Nobody has that leverage. Though where we can have problems is at the state level where some people are more powerful, but we are working on it. When five people or groups come together, do you expect there will not be challenges? We expected challenges which have now been compounded by the entry of the G5,” the publisher said.

Abbah Bazza, has said that 41 people were killed in 313 separate accidents on roads and highways in the state between January and December 2013. The commander disclosed this yesterday at the inauguration and swearing in of the executives of the Borno Heavy Trucks Central Branch (BHTCB) in Maiduguri, the state capital. He said out of the 313 auto crashes last year, 182 persons sustained various degrees of injuries and burns, while 90 passengers escaped unhurt during the year under review. His words: “the FRSC also apprehended 813 drivers for alleged road traffic offences and dangerous driving, while 85 per cent of the auto crashes recorded in 2013 was caused by drivers’ disregards in abiding with traffic rules and regulations, while plying the various roads and highways in the state.” Bazza however lamented that despite the increasing number of vehicles in Borno State, only 6,312 drivers renewed their licence with 2,791 drivers obtaining their new number plates for their vehicles. He therefore urged the National Union of Road Transport Workers to sensitise its members on the dangers of over speeding, driving vehicles in bad conditions; and renewals of vehicle documents that will enable drivers operate without being harassed or arrested for traffic offences.

Friday, January 31, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PHOTONEWS

Vice President, Namadi Sambo (left), with the President of Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, Alassane Outtara, during a courtesy visit by Sambo to the Presidential Villa in Abidjan.

RIvers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi (right); Commissioner for Transport (a Bonny indigene), George Tolofari and Bonny Council Chairman, Edward Pepple, when Bonny elders and leaders paid a solidarity visit to the governor in Port Harcourt.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (right); his Deputy, Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chairman, Governing Board, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Oluwole Aina, during a courtesy visit of the Board and Management of NRCRI to the governor in Osogbo.

President, Institute of Directors (IoD), Eniola Fadayomi (right); Guest Speaker, Dr. Leke Pitan and First Vice President, IoD, Yemi Akeju, during the IoD Members Luncheon with the theme: Healthcare Financing in Nigeria: Prospect and Perspective, at the institue’s secretariat in Ikoyi… yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Culture, Lizzy Ihezue-Iwuamadi (third right) with some beneficiaries of her late father’s Oha C.J.O Ihezue Education Scheme during the 10th year memorial service and lecture in Egbu, Imo State.

Rehabilitation of bad spots on Lagos Abeokuta express way at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (middle); former governor of Ekiti State and Deputy National Chairman (South West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Niyi Adebayo (right) and the Interim Chairman of the APC in Oyo State, Akin Oke at the inauguration of the interim executive of the party in Ibadan.

Maintenance Director, Best Service Raya, Ahmed Magdy (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Brovo Kim; Deputy Director, Surveillance and Enforcement, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Shamm T Kolo; Head, Service Unit, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Raymond Olatokun, and Service Director, Samsung Electronics, Rego Lee, during the launching of the first Samsung Customer Service Plaza in Abuja. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

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Friday, January 31, 2014

WorldReport New UNDP report reveals global inequalities, increasing mortality in Africa From Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor RIGHTENING global inFis equalities means our world fatally barbed. What is

Confronting inequality in developing countries shows that if left unchecked, inequality can undermine the very foundations of development and social and domestic peace.

more? Maternal mortality is increasing in Africa, in direct contrast to the state of affairs in the northern hemisphere. Is mockery being made of global efforts to bring about development in specific areas of focus? Well, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seems to think so. It is the grim reality contained in its new report launched yesterday which ostensibly persuades the UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark, to conclude that a sustained reduction in inequality also now requires a shift to more inclusive growth patterns. This, Clark added, must be supported by what she called “redistributive polices and changes in social norms.” The report explores the causes and consequences of the inequalities, which divide today’s world – within and between countries – and argues that there is nothing inevitable about growing inequality. According to the report, the richest one per cent of the world population now owns about 40 per cent of the world’s assets, while the bottom half owns not more than one percent. The report entitled “Humanity Divided” states clearly: “Confronting inequality in developing countries shows that if left unchecked, inequality can undermine the very foundations of development and social and domestic peace.” The report states further that social protection has been significantly extended globally, yet persons with disabilities are up to five times more likely to incur catastrophic health expenditures.

pating more in the work force, but remain disproportionately represented in vulnerable employment and underrepresented among political decision makers, while continuing to earn significantly less than men” “Evidence from developing countries shows that children in the lowest wealth quintiles were up to three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than children born in the highest wealth quintiles in some regions. Social protection has been extended, yet persons with disabilities are up to five times more likely than average to incur catastrophic health expenditures”. It added. It submitted: “High inequality undermines development by hindering economic progress, weakening democratic life, and threatening social cohesion. Even as redistribution remains very important to inequality reduction, a shift is needed towards a more inclusive pattern of growth, one that raises the incomes of poor and low-income households faster than average in order to sustainably reduce inequality, key to the post-2015 development agenda” While agreeing that economic growth in developing and emerging countries is vital in achieving Millennium Development Goal 1, which aims to halve world poverty rates by 2015, MIT however maintained that higher country income levels and faster economic growth do not always translate into lower inequality in education, health,

Ban Ki-moon It also says despite overall decline in maternal mortality in the majority of developing countries, women in rural areas are still up to three times more likely to die while giving birth than women living in urban centres. “Inequalities on today’s levels are unjust, and as demonstrated in this ‘Humanity Divided’ report, they also impede human progress,” Clark further reacted in a statement. Adjusting for population size, income inequality increased by 11 percent in developing countries between 1990 and 2010. A significant majority of households in developing countries —more than 75 percent of the population— are living today in societies where income is more unequally distributed than it was in the 1990s. But experts have often said that high and persistent inequality goes beyond income. The report gave further details of the worry in maternal mortality saying “despite overall declines in maternal mortality in the majority of developing countries, women in rural areas are still up to three times more likely to die while giving birth than women living in urban centres. Women are also partici-

U.S. concern over Syrian chemical weapons delay NITED States (U.S.) is conU cerned that Syria is behind schedule in handing over its chemical weapons, according to its Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel. Hagel told reporters in Poland that Damascus “had to take responsibility for fulfilling its commitment”. The U.S. believes that only around four per cent of the chemicals declared by the Syrian government have been removed. The new development came as delegates from Syria’s government and opposition were attending peace talks in Geneva for a sixth day. A new report from Human Rights Watch, published yesterday, claims the Syrian government has been “deliberately and unlawfully” demolishing thousands of homes in opposition strong-

holds. The organisation said this was “collective punishment of communities suspected of supporting the rebellion”. Syria’s chemical weapon stockpiles are due to be removed and destroyed by June 30, this year. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) - the international watchdog overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal - is meeting in The Hague to discuss the operation’s progress. That meeting is likely to continue today given “the gravity of the situation,” a spokesman told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Hagel said he had asked the Russian defence minister to try to influence the Syrian government to comply with the agreement.

In a statement to the OPCW, the U.S. ambassador to the body, Robert Mikulak, said “the effort to remove chemical agent and key precursor chemicals from Syria has seriously languished and stalled”. “The spotlight now is on Syria to proceed without further delay to comply with its obligations and make this effort a success,” he added. Under the terms of the UNbacked plan to destroy Syria’s arsenal, the Syrian authorities are responsible for packing and safely transporting the chemical weapons to the Mediterranean port of Latakia. Denmark and Norway are providing cargo ships and military escorts to take them to Italy, where they will be loaded onto a U.S. Maritime Administration cargo ship, MV Cape Ray.

and other areas of human well-being. “In an unprecedented global conversation facilitated by the United Nations that has involved almost two million people across the globe, people are demanding a say in the decisions that affect their lives. People are indignant at the injustice they feel because of growing inequalities and insecurities that exist particularly for poorer and marginalized people,” the report added. The latest UNDP report also analyses global inequality trends while identifying causes and extent of inequalities, their impact, and the ways in which they can be reduced. After illustrating the results of an investigation of policy makers’ views of inequality, it concludes with a comprehensive policy framework to confront inequality in developing countries.

Ex-Canadian top general detained in Afghanistan for gun smuggling FGHAN authorities have A detained a former Canadian brigadier-general and head of Canadian forces in Afghanistan, Daniel Menard, for alleged gun smuggling. Menard resigned from the military after pleading guilty in 2011 to having an affair with a female corporal under his command on active duty. He now works for security firm, Garda World, whose spokesman Joe Gavaghan told the Toronto Star newspaper Menard was picked up by Afghan authorities on or about January 12 after a meet-

ing with Afghan officials. “He was leaving a meeting at the ministry office and a couple of officials approached him. They said, ‘We’ve got a problem with something and we’d like you to come with us to clear it up.’ Off he went and the next thing he knew he was going to be detained until they cleared it up,” said Gavaghan. Gavaghan said his detention relates to an “administrative misunderstanding” over the private security firm’s licensing to operate in the country.

Lebanese army arrests man for conveying car bombs, suicide bombers MAR Ibrahim al-Atrash, a O man arrested last week, has confessed to transporting suicide bombers and car bombs between Syria and Lebanon, including to Beirut. The Lebanese army said yesterday that al-Atrash, who was detained on January 22, admitted ties to three wanted individuals, as well as to the Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Al-Nusra Front. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades is a Lebanon-based group that has claimed responsibility for bombings

and rocket fire there, and the others are jihadist groups fighting in Syria. Atrash “admitted to transporting car bombs to Beirut” after receiving them from a Syrian, as well as “transporting suicide bombers of different Arab nationalities into Syria and handing them over to the Nusra Front,” the statement said. He also admitted transporting two suicide bombers who were killed in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon in a gunfight with soldiers in December, the statement said, giving no further details.

Friday, January 31, 2014

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News Interview

I don’t see sign of Nigeria breaking United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, was not a novice on African affairs before he was appointed and sworn in as America’s top envoy to the country on October 28, 2013. After joining the Foreign Service in January 1981, he served in Yaounde, Douala and Niamey from 1981-86. But before his posting to Nigeria, he among others served as U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2010 to 2013. In an interview with selected journalists yesterday in Lagos, Entwistle spoke about his impression of Nigeria before assuming duty and three months after. He also dwelled on Nigeria-U.S. bilateral relations, balancing human rights with war against the Boko Haram, the controversial same-sex marriage law among others. BOLA OLAJUWON was there. Excerpts: N his impression of Nigeria before O assuming duty and after being in the country in the last three months. I have been a student of Africa and African history for a long time. I have always read a lot about Nigeria. In fact, many, many years ago, I was a school teacher in Kenya in the 70s. One of the books I had to teach to Kenyan students was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Put aside the image of some American trying to teach an African novel – I don’t know if my students learnt anything or not – but that introduction to the literature of Nigeria has remained with me ever since. I remember when I was very young, we heard of the tragedy of the Biafran war and I have always stayed with anything Nigerian and so on. I have always been interested by the two religions – Christianity and Islam and how they get along. In other countries that I have served in, there was this issue of if you have massive resources like Uranium or copper or oil, how do you exploit the resources in a way that is good to the people, which, of course, is a challenge for you? Having heard all that over the years; I was very excited to come and see for myself. In the last three months, my overwhelming impression is Nigerian people are intelligent. Every conversation I have on any subject – I am just coming from a roundtable discussion on the power sector here – I have really been impressed by the energy and the drive and I get this sense that Nigerian people are saying: ‘yes, we have challenges; things we have to deal with but we can do this. This is our country. We will get this done.’ They appreciate help from outsiders and they just have this very strong sense of pride that ‘this is our country. We are going to get this right.’ Why Nigeria is important to America Nigeria gets more assistance from us every year than Ghana and South Africa combined. In terms of why Nigeria is important, you have one of the largest markets in Africa; you are huge; in the Gulf of Guinea, you are a significant oil and gas producer; you are one of the largest democracies in Africa . All of these are things the United States of America deeply cares about and they are parts of the reasons we have such a rich partnership with you. On Nigeria-U.S. bilateral relations I have been struck in my short time here. Almost every sector that I look at, health, education, security, take your pick, the United States and Nigeria already have strong partnership. We have lots of stuffs going on. So, I see my task as expanding the partnership, building in it. You mentioned

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Entwistle

the Bi-National Commission, which we see as an excellent device between our two countries, which creates an umbrella to discuss issues. In a couple of weeks, we are hoping to have the next session of the BNC in Abuja to focus on governance and transparency and issues like that. So, it is a very useful mechanism for us our because it brings us together across the table to discuss important issues. Obviously, one of the issues we all pay attention to is your

As I was getting ready to testify before the Senate for my confirmation for this job, I was interested to read development statistics, especially health statistics regarding Nigeria being one of the worst in Africa and I thought how can that be in Nigeria? It is clear there are huge challenges; that is the government’s responsibility, the government of Nigeria’s responsibility. That said, development partners, such as the United States, we stand ready to help in any way we can.

elections, which have been announced. I had a long session with the chairman of INEC, Prof Jega the other day to discuss overall how he sees things and what we can do to help with the elections. We are working out the details of that. We will be very interested in perhaps helping to train Nigerian election monitors to build their capacity and things like that and in terms of the elections, what the United States wants to see in the elections , we want to see the kind of transparency and credible elections the Nigerian people want and deserve. On matching Nigeria’s potentials with challenges Let me say that all these issues that you mentioned of course are very big problems and I think we have to always remember history in what happens in a country. Sometimes we tend to focus too much on the past instead of the future and I am impressed by the creative spirit of the Nigerian people as they address all these challenges. Now, the things you touched on are huge. As I was getting ready to testify before the Senate for my confirmation for this job, I was interested to read devel-

opment statistics, especially health statistics regarding Nigeria being one of the worst in Africa and I thought how can that be in Nigeria? It is clear there are huge challenges; that is the government’s responsibility, the government of Nigeria’s responsibility. That said, development partners, such as the United States, we stand ready to help in any way we can. We are hugely committed here, especially in the health sector on the struggle against Human Immune Virus (HIV) and acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). As I said I was just coming from a discussion on the power sector; all of these are things that must move forward, but I think with the government, private sector and foreign investors, these things can be done. The bottom line, I am a proponent of Nigerian solution to Nigerian problem; yes, with support from friends like us. You guys can do it. I am very confident of that. On designation of Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation and the reward on Shekau I think what we were trying to do by designating the Boko Haram and Ansaru as foreign terrorist organisations is, first of all, it allows us to pay more attention to financial

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Friday, January 31, 2014

News Interview

up in 2015, says U.S. Ambassador If this country is going to break up in 2015, to me, I don’t see any sign of it. You have challenges in this country, but you are moving forward towards a bright future. There is no issue that the country might break up. Yes, your country had a devastating civil war just like my own country. It almost tore us into two. I think both of our countries have learnt how difficult it is to hold a country together and that has certainly been a big factor in my country. The idea that Nigeria is going to fall apart in the coming months, I am not sure where that idea is coming from.

flows going out of the U.S. I guess that is not a big issue with Boko Haram. Designation is basically symbolic to make it clear that we stand by your country in this challenge. I made it clear to President Goodluck Jonathan when I presented my credentials to him and I have said it in public a number of times is that we want Nigeria to win the war on terror. Now, there are several aspects of that. There is the military aspect; there is the economic system aspect; there is helping the civilian population; there is the aspect about having a policy of transparency in the detention of Boko Haram suspects. All of these things fit together into a successful counter-terrorism campaign and policy. I was very pleased the other week in Abuja when we heard a session where some of our counter-terrorism experts came in and this was done not in the spirit of arrogance but in the spirit of humility: ‘look we have had counter insurgency and terrorism challenges…’ Our experts came and sat with your experts sat and shared ideas and see if they will be helpful here. That is the kind of things we should be doing as partners and exactly the kind of things I will work to continue while the ambassador here. The reward for justice is a useful tool we use to fight terror around the world sometimes. I’m not aware Shekau is dead. It is very difficult to track him and figure out where he is, but, to my knowledge, he is still alive. Again, it is very difficult to know. The challenge of fighting terror is that you don’t lose your own soul when it comes to human rights and you must maintain the rule of law. ..When you apprehend Boko Haram suspects, you should take them into detention and treat them fairly and find out: Were they in fact members of Boko Haram? Or just some guy who happened to walk down the street at the wrong time? Carefully sort them out and even when you have gotten the people you know are the bad guys, there is no need to brutalise them. It is much better to treat them fairly and walk them through the judicial system. Yes, it is hard, but do it that way…Part of the challenge of counter-terrorism is that you are fighting an enemy who mixes with the population and I am a civilian; I am not a military guy, but I have to imagine that is one of the most difficult things for the military guys, to go into a mixed setting like that, figure out who is a terrorist and who are the innocent civilians. Carefully separating them is not easy. These are enormously difficult thing to do and that is why we are trying to help your government do better on this front as a friend, as a partner. Winning the war on terror Whether it is fighting terror or the war on drugs or any of these international problems that cut across borders, no one nation can do it by itself. To really get at Boko Haram, your government needs to continue working with Cameroun and Chad because these guys cross the borders. These are guys for whom international borders are largely meaningless. The only way to deal with these guys is to collaborate with your neigbours and relevant international organisations. I think in my conversation with your gov-

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ernment and military, I think there is a growing concern over finding an enemy who mixes with the civilian population. So, that needs to be a focus. I think one needs to look at why did it start in the first place? What drew people to this organisation in the first place? Was it lack of employment opportunity? Was it education system? I am not sure what the reasons might be. Sometimes it is hard to do but we need to ask why is it happening in our country and what can we do better in our country to make sure that this type of thing does not happen again. But we know that it is hard to look at yourself like that, but sometimes in life you have to. On extremism and poverty Extremism and poverty might be part of the reasons for terrorism. In my experience over the years, there might be not just one cause for a thing. It can be driven by poverty, lack of economic opportunities, lack of educational opportunities. Many of these groups all over the world twist religions to promote violence, which none of the great religions of the world like. On break up of Nigeria in 2015 If this country is going to break up in 2015, to me, I don’t see any sign of it. You have challenges in this country, but you are moving forward towards a bright future. There is no issue that the country might break up. Yes, your country had a devastating civil war just like my own country. It almost tore us into two. I think both of our countries have learnt how difficult it is to hold a country together and that has certainly been a big factor in my country. The idea that Nigeria is going to fall apart in the coming months, I am not sure where that idea is coming from. Oil theft, stolen finds stashed abroad It is difficult to prove that (stolen crude oil find their way to the U.S.) because the international financial market is so amorphous. When you take oil and it goes out of the country, exactly where it ends up is very difficult to determine. But what is clear is that there is the issue of oil theft in this country…Reading about the Niger Delta before I came into this country, I had this idea that oil bunkering was a very clandestine, surreptitious activity…, but flying over the Delta in a helicopter and you can see huge (illegal) bunkering operations. Everyone knows where it is; everyone knows who is in it. It was quite an eye opener for me about how in the open it is. Yesterday (Wednesday), I spent the afternoon with your navy, looking at some trainings we are doing together and one of the observations we had was that your navy is quite capable. They have what they need. We have provided some over the years. They are well-trained. In addition, there are some stations onshore, radar stations and other sort of things that can help tell who is on the water. I think physically in terms of having the tools that you need to prevent physical act, you are in pretty good shape. But of course, the other issue is after a barrel of oil is pumped, where does the money go? That is a much more complicated equation. What we have said to your government is that we see this as a Nigerian problem, but one that has a very

clear international element. If your investigation uncovers a money trail that it may head towards the United States, then please share that information with us and we will be delighted to have our law enforcement officers look into that. If there is a clear evidence that stolen money finds its way into the United States, we want to know about it. Obviously, I cannot go into specific visa cases, but corruption is a factor and sometimes some Nigerians did not receive U.S. visa or had their U.S. visas revoked because of their involvement in corrupt activities. I cannot go into details. We have very strict privacy laws… Corruption begins to end, especially when the average guy who does the right thing; pay his tax and goes to work every day begin to say: ‘Wait a minute. I want to know what you are doing with the taxes we are paying’. That is what begins to make a difference. On issue of bringing back stolen fund First, it is up to your law enforcement agencies and when they see it they should point it in our direction so that we can investigate. Second, citizens like you should ask where all the money is going into. That kind of civil society effort. I think it is also about using effective watchdog, like your EFCC. Also, you have to do quite a lot in the public arena. AGOA I think AGOA will continue to live on … I think every step of the way we will continue to review it as you have to do with every programme…Here in Nigeria, you know it is mainly oil at benefits. We will like to see other export sector of the Nigerian economy begin to take advantage of AGOA. On same-sex law We have tremendous respect for the sovereignty of other nations. Now, on the same-sex marriage bill, let me be very clear: same-sex marriage is a controversial issue all over the world, including in my country. I think it is now legal in 17 or 18 states; that means it is not legal in two-third of the country. May be someday a federal court will make it the law of the land, but for now it is not. So, we understand that same-sex marriage is a very controversial issue. Quite frankly, the issue of what defines a marriage in Nigeria should be left to the Nigerian people. I think even before this bill was passed the Marriage Act specified that a marriage is between a man and a

:Jonathan

woman. That is a Nigerian issue, but as a friend of Nigeria, what worries us about this law is that,( I am not a lawyer) but when I read this law it looks to me that it puts restriction on freedom of assembly and the freedom of expression, which, I think, U.S. journalists will be particularly concerned about. I understand the issue of homosexuality is a hot topic here, but if you can no longer talk about it, if you can even meet to talk about it, it means to me it is a slippery slope. What is the next topic you will no longer be able to talk about or meet about? I think in a hard-won democracy like yours, when you start limiting the freedoms, it is a very worrisome thing. Take the bill, take out the word gay, put in the word ‘journalist’, how do you feel about that? The other point I will make, we are very concerned as a huge HIV/AIDS partner. Since the inception of our PEPFAR programme, I think we have spent about three and a half billion dollars in this country on the struggle against HIV/AIDS. We and many partners were concerned that…it might affect people coming for HIV/AIDS treatment and that kind of thing. I was very pleased the other day that NACA, I think the director came out to clarify that nothing in this bill should be misconstrued to mean people should not seek healthcare. So, I was very glad to see that. I was very concerned. Finally, the other thing that concerns me is that sadly there have been incidences around this country where the bill has been used to justify violence against gays, breaking into their homes, things like these and I have to think that all well-meaning Nigerians, regardless of what you think of homosexual conduct, you have to condemn this kind of thing, that kind of violence against any Nigerian. On the need to increase length of visas granted Nigerians from two years Visas are huge issues here. The demand for visa has gone up by 45 per cent this year. But what I can guarantee the people is that whether they get the visa or not, they will be treated with courtesy and respect. On the issue of length of visas, those things are done on the basis of reciprocity. We extend to Nigeria what Nigerian government would extend to American citizens. Right now, it is two years multiple entry, If your government is willing to start discussion on increasing it, that is a discussion we will welcome it.

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12 | Friday, January 31, 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 The threat from the parties HILE the conventional wisdom is that disagreements are an inteW gral part of democracy, the rash of intra-party conflicts being witnessed now is hardly conventional and should therefore, be correctly viewed as a threat to the stability and survival of Nigeria’s democracy. The phenomenon casts fundamental doubt on the degree of institutionalization of party politics in general as well as the decency and democratic credentials of politicians in particular. This deterioration also questions the conflict management capabilities of Nigerian political parties, thereby portending grave danger to the future of democracy. All parties must remember that history repeats itself whether or not its lessons have been imbibed. The major highlight of the history of party politics in Nigeria is how intra-party crises contributed to the collapse of the First Republic in 1966. Central to this was the Western Region crisis of 1963-64. The crisis was a major fall-out of the intra-party squabble in the Action Group (AG), following irreconcilable personality clashes between Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The poor management of that problem, coupled with the penetration of vested interests, particularly the Federal Government, led to the military coup of 1966. That the same problem is afflicting Nigeria today, albeit in a much more devastating manner, is troubling. It is, indeed, not only a reflection of the untoward degeneration of democratic norms and principles but more importantly, an indication of the unwillingness and/or inability of the so-called democratic players to learn from history. This is a sad irony that must worry all Nigerians. Worse still, this indecency is not peculiar to one political party or level of government. Rather, it has gone completely viral so much so that all political parties, ruling or opposition, big or small are mired in one crisis or another. The inability of the PDP to effectively manage its internal affairs led to an intractable conflict, a balkanization of the party into camps, the old and the new PDP, leading to the eventual defection of a significant proportion of the new PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Yet, the defection was not sufficient to arrest the crisis. It ultimately led to the removal of Bamanga Turkur as the National Chairman of the PDP. The attendant tension associated with the conflict has certainly overstretched the elastic limits of the fabric of the party and remains even till now poised to tear that fabric beyond repair. The APC has not fared any better. Allegations and counter-allegations of lack of internal party democracy have been rocking the party in some states. This has come with its own tension and intrigues. On a more general level, the party has sunk deeper into conflict since the accommodation of the breakaway faction of the PDP. The challenge of integration has, more than anything else, created problems and in some extreme cases, outright confrontation between the old and new members of the party over ownership and control of party structures. This problem seems particularly very acute in Kano, Ogun and Kwara States. Though conflicts and their resolution are ingredients of democracy, the internecine nature of these problems in political parties today is not healthy for the stability and consolidation of democracy. All politicians must appreciate the fact that Nigeria is greater than any person or group of persons. The promotion of national interest, rather than its retardation should be the primary concern of all. The pursuit of selfish and sectional interests has no place, especially in a country still grappling with its own identity and soul as a united nation. All politicians must play the game according to established rules and regulations. On their part, Nigerians should be fully prepared to hold the politicians accountable for their actions. They must raise vital questions at critical moments regarding their conduct and utterances. After bearing the burden of the struggles that gave birth to the current democratic experiment, Nigerians cannot afford to fold their arms while a few selfish elements wittingly or unwittingly work towards pulling down the edifice.

LETTERS

To Phil Everly IR: Phil Everly is dead. He Sobstructive died at 74 of chronic pulmonary disease, as a result of long time smoking. Many people of today may not know Phil and his brother Don, known as the Everly Brothers, but for those who listened to music in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, they were household names. Even up to the 80s their music resonated. They made the 1958 song Take A Message To Mary popular. Another one is All I Have To Do Is Dream. The duo’s genre was in the rock ‘n’ roll, and it was played like it was never played before. Phil and Don influenced the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Hollies. “Perhaps even more powerfully than Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers melded country with the emerging sound of 50s rock & roll,” according to Rolling Stone magazine. They were known for their distinctive harmonies. Their first breakthrough hit and first million-seller Bye Bye Love in 1957 rose to No 2 on the U.S. charts. One of my best, Wake Up Little Susie, also released in 1957, was their first No 1 hit. Along with Mozart, Jim Reeves, and Don Williams, the duo’s songs were on my cart as

songs I listened to when reading. The Everly Brothers were together for five decades. They broke up on stage in 1973, but 10 years later they were back together at a reunion concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. In 1986 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Don Everly was born in 1937 to Ike and Margaret Everly, both folk and country music singers. Phil Everly was born to the couple on January 19, 1939. Don Everly was quoted in a 1986 Associated Press interview as saying that they were successful because “we never followed trends. We did what we liked and followed our instincts. Rock ‘n’ roll did survive,

and we were right about that. Country did survive, and we were right about that. You can mix the two but people said we couldn’t.” Other hit songs were So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) (1960), When Will I Be Loved (written by Phil) and Like Strangers. “The Everly Brothers had 35 Billboard Top 100 singles, 26 in the top 40. They hold the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo, and trail only Hall & Oates for the most Top 40 singles by a duo.” Good music is everly enchanting (pun intended) and not restrained by time, season or age, it is forever. That was what the duo gave the world. That is where we take solace. • Cosmas Odoemena

Limits to protest in health industry The JOHESU strike SlotIR: against doctors brings a to mind. Is it a revelation of the inherent strife among health care professionals or is it a revelation of the pitiable state of our country? When a nurse, a pharmacist, a medical laboratory scientist, and a cleaner insist that they should be at par with the doctors, then much is left to be desired of a country that allows for such aber-

ration. I believe that everyone should be respected for his work, including the cleaners, but I also insist that everyone should know the limits. Health care professionals should know that their duty is not to compete with one another, but to complement each other for the benefit of every ill person in our great country. • Samuel Alufohai, Edo State.

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Opinion That 2014 budget session in Rivers By Chris Akiri RUMP of the Rivers State House of Assembly A met in the auditorium of the Rivers State Government House (in the executive arm of the Rivers State Government, outside, that is to say, of its designated Chambers) on Monday, January 6, 2014, to receive the State’s 2014 Appropriation Bill, which it also passed and became Law after Governor Rotimi Amaechi assented to same on the same date. Section 100 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that “A bill shall not become Law unless it has been duly passed and, subject to subsection (1) of this section, assented to in accordance with the provisions of this section” (emphasis added). Although the power of any State House of Assembly in Nigeria to make Laws is guaranteed by Section 4 (6) and (7) and Section 100 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), such powers must be exercised and such Laws must be made in strict accordance with the provisions of the Constitution or risk being set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction (Vide William Marbury v. James Madison 5 U.S. 137 (1803), a landmark case (now a cause célèbre) in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Congress cannot pass laws that are contrary to the Constitution and that it is the role of the Judicial system to interpret what the Constitution permits. If the 1999 Constitution does not expressly say that law-making activity in Nigeria should not take place outside of its designated Chambers of the legislative houses, one has to fall back on the intendment of the draftsmen of the Constitution. Subsection (4) of Section 11 of the 1999 Constitution provides that if and whenever “any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State…” There would have been no need for this subsection if half or

two-thirds, a stump, of any beleaguered House could junket from the legislative to executive quarters (in spite of the doctrine of separation of powers rigidly enshrined by sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution) or shift their location to any other place other than the constitutionally designated Chamber as long as such movements are supported by the Chief Executive of the State and ‘duly’ published in the gazette, such as was done during the “impeachment trials” of Rashidi Ladoja (whose kangaroo trial took place in a hotel) and of Bayelsa’s Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (whose farcical trial took place at 105, Awolowo Road, in Lagos. In those gruelling and thorny days of the Fourth Republic, De Rovans Hotel, Ibadan, and the EFFC Office, on 105, Awolowo Road, Lagos, became the “hallowed” Chambers where the legislative functions of Oyo and Bayelsa States were performed! Section 90 of the 1999 Constitution “establishes” or “creates” the House of Assembly for each of the States of the Federation. In the term, ‘House of Assembly’, the words “House” and “Assembly” are mutually distinguishable, the one being the physical structure that accommodates the other. In volume 2 of the Shroud’s Judicial Dictionary, a “House”, in an agreement in restraint of trade, is construed as “a public or licensed house.” In the 6th edition of the Black’s Law Dictionary, the House of Commons is defined as “one of the constituent houses of the British Parliament, composed of representatives of the counties, cities and boroughs.” According to that dictionary, “The Lower House, so called because the Commons of the realm, that is, the knights, citizens and burgesses returned to parliament, representing the whole body of commons, sit there.” (emphasis added). The verb, ‘sit’ and the adverb, ‘there’, denote a place, not the body of assemblymen. In the same dictionary, a “House of Correction” is defined as a “reformatory; a place for the confinement of juvenile offend-

ers. Similarly, a “House of Worship” is therein defined as “a building set apart for and devoted to the holding of religious services or exercises or public worship, a church or chapel...” In Nigeria, like in most other democratic countries of the world, the exaggerated claims of privilege by parliamentarians, such as freedom from arrest on civil process, and the sanctity of the floor of the legislative houses clearly distinguish the lawmakers from the physical structure that houses them. The British Parliament (House of Commons and House of Lords) is always at Westminster, and its lawmakers are called Commons or Lords; the U.S. Congress is always on Capitol Hill, and its lawmakers are called Representatives and Senators, etc. It would be unthinkable for the U.S. Congress, for example, to be compelled to shift its base from Capitol Hill to the White House after publishing the temporary relocation in a Government Gazette! The foregoing explains why the 1999 Constitution sets apart sacred and specific houses to be known as Senate Building, House of Representatives (for the Federation) and Houses of Assembly (for the States) in which Federal and State Laws are made. Ipso facto, any Act or Law made, respectively, at the Federal or State level, in any place other than on the floors of the National Assembly (Senate and the House of Representatives) or of the House of Assembly of a State would be null and void ab initio (Vide Adeleke vs. Oyo State House of Assembly (2006) 52 WRN 22. A foundational component in the ratio decidendi in that case was that, aside from the numerous violations of the Constitution, the rump of the Oyo State House of Assembly fabricated the impeachment of Rashidi Ladoja in a De Rovans Hotel room in Ibadan, within five days, contrary to the provisions of Section 188 (7) (b) of the 1999 Constitution! On January 6, 2014, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State submitted the 2014 Appropriation Bill to a group of lawmakers of Rivers State that could not be dignified with the name of a

House of Assembly as it relocated unconstitutionally from its designated hallowed Chambers to a Government House in breach of the doctrine of separation of powers. The point must be made at this juncture that nowhere in the 1999 Constitution is any person or group of persons empowered to alter the location of any of the established/created Houses of Assembly in the event of a paralyzing crisis. Section 101 of the 1999 Constitution only empowers a House of Assembly of a State “to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House”, not the power to relocate to a convenient place in the event of a crisis in the House! Some gnawing questions have been thrown up by this relocation: First, could the 23 loyalists of the Rivers State Governor transact all legislative business, including (if they made a volte face), the impeachment of the Governor/Deputy Governor, in its new site, in the Executive Quarters? Secondly, could we say that the passage of an Appropriation Bill, a Money Bill, easily the most important Bill in any legislative house, in an unconstitutional location, within a few hours, inside one day, has become Law, having been “duly passed” and assented to in accordance with the provisions of Section 100 (2)? My answer to the first question in the foregoing paragraph is in the negative, for obvious reasons. And my answer to the second question is also in the negative because the tortuous processes involved in the passage of a Federal Appropriation Bill into an Act of the National Assembly, provided in Section 59 (2), (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) make the double-quick submission of, the rapid-fire deliberations on, and the high-speed gubernatorial assent to, a State Appropriation Bill, all within less than 24 hours, sound ludicrous! • Akiri, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

Africa, ethnic loyalty and nation building By Anne Falola VERY continent and indeed every country has its own E challenges, we must all grapple with something; even countries that are financially rich have their moral and social challenges. Therefore, it is not strange that as developing nations we face many challenges. Moreover, given its long painful history of slavery, colonialism and wars, Africa has its own fair share of problems. However, it is no gainsay to point out that Africans’ real problems lie in Africa itself. Progress is slow and development is still a farfetched dream for many. Africa suffers, in spite of the fact that the continent is blessed with huge natural resources, rich cultural heritage and much less natural disasters in comparison with most parts of the world where earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and flooding are much more regular visitors. Chinua Achebe, the revered Nigerian novelist and social critic in his book: ‘The problem with Nigeria’ highlighted the problem of leadership, which according to him, if solved, a lot of the evil that plaques the ‘giant of Africa’ will be resolved. What he said about Nigeria, can be applied to the rest of Africa. While I agree with Chinua Achebe to a large extent, I also believe that the problem facing Nigeria and indeed the whole of the African continent is much deeper than a single problem of leadership. Certainly, leadership is a major problem, but there are so many other problems that rob our continent of peace and prosperity. After all, it is often said that a people get the kind of leadership they deserve. It follows then that as peoples, we have to address those things we see wrong with our leadership, because they reflect who we really are. If we are greedy, self-centred, undisciplined, and domineering, our leaders will be nothing more or less, since they are chosen by us and from among us. The case of South Sudan is a pathetic one which lamentably represents a typical African story. Did Nigeria not plunge herself into a bloody civil war shortly after independence? The whole world was in sympathy with the pain of oppression and endless war which the ethnic African populations

of the South suffered from the Arab North in the former Sudan. In fact, the whole world supported the referendum in which the people overwhelmingly voted to form an independent nation of South Sudan in 2011. But the world failed to see that the demon of violence has already installed itself into the system of this suffering people. It will take more than a simple declaration of independence to truly heal the broken people of South Sudan and of Africa at large. We require a socio-political conversion which seeks the common good, rather than a sectarian interest based on ethnic, religion and other affiliations we choose to divide ourselves. Many erroneously think that splitting nations along religious and ethnic lines might save us from violence, but this might simply multiply the forms of violence that would emerge. This same argument goes for those who advocate the division of Nigeria. The notion of a nation state with its many colourations and the inherent diversity of the citizenry continue to be problematic in Africa. Many Africans have a detrimental loyalty to their ethnic groups. For most Africans, their primary identity lies not with the citizenship of the nation state, but with the ethnic group to which they belong. This has repeatedly made nation building an almost impossible task in Africa. One major challenge for most African countries is a needed respect for the minority. The ideology of ‘the winner takes it all’ continuously build up hurts and resentments which end up creating a world of ‘us’ versus ‘them’, rebel versus loyalists, etc. This is perhaps what made Nelson Mandela such an iconic leader for Africa. When the table of apartheid eventually turned and he emerged the first black president, he did not pay back with the same coin. Rather, he invited all to the table, which included the white minority and even those who had dealt harshly with him, he sought dialogue and inclusion. From Mandela, we learn that nation building involves forgiveness and reconciliation. While we cherish memory, because it is the fount on which we build our collective identity, we cannot continue to keep score of the wrongs of the past which only fuel the fire of hatred and division.

After the creation of the State of South Sudan in 2011, President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the majority Dinka ethnic group came to power. Inter-communal violence is a reality in South-Sudan and the political conflict which led to the sack of the Vice President Riek Machar of Nuer ethnic group in 2012 invariably drew the battle line. The power tussle is heightened by the proliferation of small arms, lack of accountability, and limited opportunities for youth in the cattle-based economy of the oil rich country. Following the sad story of post-independence South Sudan, we can see an African story repeating itself in umpteenth time. The sectarian violence, once again, will delay development and progress in spite of the oil wealth. I would have imagined that the world could have foreseen this conflict, given the multi-ethnic configuration of South Sudan and the existence of ‘war lords’ and militias, anyone would have foreseen that trouble was brewing in the newest country in the world. It is unfortunate that, unlike Nelson Mandela, the new leaders of South Sudan could not form an inclusive government which makes every ethnic group, no matter how small, feel a victor not a victim. Finally, the solution to the problem of Africa lies in each one of us. The celebration of greed and sectarian interest must give way to respect and forgiveness. There is deception in going around with long talks and endless meetings, when we still slight one another, lift swords and guns against a fellow human being, simply because he or she does not belong to our ethnic group or practise our religion. Africans have to know that if care is not taken, the world would move on without us. Thus, while we exclude one another, the entire continent could be excluded from the new world order. The ethnic loyalty must be expanded to become national allegiance and a renewed passion for Mother Africa, so that we can build nations where everyone is loved, valued and respected, irrespective of race, tongue and creed. • Rev. Sr. Anne Falola is a missionary sister of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA). She works at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria as Secretary to Mission Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

Friday, January 31, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion The role of catalytic philanthropy (2) By Abia Nzelu • Continued from yesterday HILANTHROPY is indeed a powerful tool P for social development, but only when donors make it so. While applauding Nigeria’s largest givers for continuing to step-up their philanthropy in volume and impact, we appeal that they adopt catalytic practices so that Nigeria can rapidly transform into a more humane and equitable society. However, it is not only the large budget givers that have a role to play. Virtually every Nigerian who is reading this article can imbibe and practise the ideals of catalytic philanthropy. Each of us can be angel of hope: volunteers are human angels; philanthropists give wings to angels. In many a nation, grassroots volunteerism (the use of private time for public service) and grassroots philanthropy (the use of private funds for public benefits) form two aspects of the private citizens’ social investment that oil the wheels of a humane and caring society. One may ask how many Nigerians are living out these ideals. Or are we not rather indulging in the opposite-channeling time for public service to private ends and diverting public funds to private use? As we approach another International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), we call on all Nigerians, including corporate organizations and coalitions, to support the Nigeria’s ICPD focal cause for the 2013/2014 biennium, which is “Taking Cancer Prevention to the Grassroots” with the specific goal of acquiring thirty-seven (37) Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs), one for each State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This high impact/low-cost project has within it the seed for the transformation of Nigeria’s health sector.

The MCC would tackle the double burden of disease (communicable and non-communicable) since it provides preventive services not only for cancer, but for other common diseases which are known risk factors for cancer, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and malaria (communicable) as well as diabetes, hypertension and renal disease (noncommunicable). Each organization has its own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative; however, without concerted action there is the risk that there will be duplication of effort, tokenism and lack of real progress. Therefore, the CECP is there to promote concerted action in a common direction. The choice of cancer as the first cause for the CECP initiative is strategic, given the fact that cancer is not just a health issue. In addition to the untold suffering of the primary victim, cancer also victimizes the family and the society at large. Cancer affects every ramification of life, all age groups and every social class. It should therefore, be a major concern to the private sector; since it has cut short the lives and careers of many gifted and talented professionals. Cancer is a catastrophic illness; a catastrophic illness is any disease that takes away more than 30% of the income of the family. Tackling cancer indirectly prevents other related social problems like school drop-out, poverty, marital breakdown, loss of employment, failure of otherwise viable small and medium scale business concerns. Cancer is a global epidemic and a major contributor to untimely death in Nigeria. Every year, over 100,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Nigeria out of which about 80,000 die i.e. at least 10 deaths every one hour and 240 deaths every day. This means that Nigeria has one of the highest cancer death ratios in the world, since four (4) out of every five (5) Nigerians who have

cancer die. As if this were not bad enough, the projections for the future point to a geometric rise in the incidence of cancer. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), globally, there will be 21 million new cases of cancer every year and 13 million cancer deaths by the year 2030, while deaths from infectious diseases will reduce by seven million every year. The projected decline in death rate from infectious diseases is not surprising given the enormous international funding focus on these conditions. Ironically, the tendency in developing countries has been to favourite the infectious diseases and to ignore the non-communicable ones. Consequently, 80% of cancer deaths worldwide occur in developing countries like Nigeria. Nigerian philanthropy could help to bridge the wide disparity in cancer survival rate between other nations and Nigeria. The Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs) will make awareness, early detection and prompt treatment of cancer accessible to all Nigerians irrespective of where they live. Once acquired, the MCC would be operated by the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP), a non-governmental initiative. The NCPP is the foremost and major national effort towards the control of cancer in Nigeria. In spite of its limited resources, the NCPP has been carrying out nation-wide cancer awareness/screening/ treatment campaigns in Nigeria since 2007. So far, over 100,000 Nigerian males and females have been directly screened/treated for various cancers, and through the awareness being created, the NCPP is helping to protect millions of Nigerians from the cancer scourge. These lifesaving campaigns would be facilitated by the use of the Mobile Cancer Centres,

which is Nigeria’s ICPD focal cause for the 2013/2014 biennium. Anyone may contribute towards the Mobile Cancer Centre project by sending the word ‘LIFE’ as an sms to ‘44777’ at N 100 per sms; this sms can be sent as many times and as frequently as desired. Higher amount could be given via ATM or online at www.quickteller.com using the code ‘777526’. Furthermore, the 37 mobile cancer centres would be realized if Nigerians would join in publicising these two codes – 44777 and 777526 within their spheres of influence. People can also become volunteer (Connector) in support of this campaign. Individuals, families or organisations who could donate one or more of these MCCs, would have them branded in their honour. Further information is available at www.cecpng.org. Let’s ACT! Attack Cancer Together! Together we can!! Monday February 24, 2014 is International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), the global advocacy day for the CECP. The day will be marked by a series of events in the months of February and March in support of the focal project. Every Nigerian can play a role, and we urge philanthropists and Nigerians in general to join in the CECP movement as donors and volunteers. Like Lily Tomlin said: “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” To paraphrase the immortal words of Stephen Grellet, we shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that we can do or any kindness we can show to any fellow human being let us do it now. Let us not defer nor neglect it, for we shall not pass this way again. • Concluded. •Dr. Nzelu is Executive Secretary of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria).

Okotie’s 27 years of pastoring By Omolara Olalekan EBRUARY 1 marks 27 years that Chris Okotie, pulled the Fprofession rug from the feet of many of his followers, abandoned a that gave him a name and newness and carried the cross and the Bible and followed Jesus. Before this time, he was coasting in stardom and splendour. His fame rose very high like a cathedral and transcended the firmament of obscurity. He also had fortune, enough to make any young man of his age relapse in foolhardiness and question the pre-eminence and prominence of God in our lives. At such an age of tendril acquaintances, he had already surpassed the expectations of many. With all-round hit albums such as I Need Someone, 1980; Show Me Your Backside, 1981; Please Don’t Go, 1982; Chris Okotie in London, and so on, many had expected him to grow from musical glory to glory. But God, who used the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, had other plans for him. In what was to become a most amazing and perplexing tergiversation, Okotie rushed out of the studio, clutched the Bible and embraced the grafted word. He disappointed many. Why would a young man who found favour and fame in the sight of the young and the old abandon an industry that was symbolic of women, wealth and riches for the murky terrain of pastoring? But he knew the inner voice speaking to him. He didn’t look back. Today, courtesy of his courage of his vision and the audacity of his calling, we can celebrate with him, 27 years of founding the Household of God International Ministries. There are three significant numbers we must touch as we pay tribute to this great man of God. February 1 is the 27th birthday of his church and 30 years last November, Okotie became a born-again Christian. Numbers 1, 30 and 27 are significant numbers in the spiritual realm. If you add these three up, it gives you 58. Okotie was born in 1958. Number one is a cardinal number that denotes unity, primacy and indivisibility. It marks the beginning of all good things to mankind. 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. On this date in 1992, George W. Bush and Russian Leader Boris Yeltsin proclaimed an end to the cold war and declared a new beginning for the world. For Okotie, the cold war of secularism ended on February 1 and the rustling war of gospel ministration began. Jesus was about 30 years of 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. As we join Okotie in celebrating the infinite grace of God on him, we note that it has not been all smooth-sailing. He has faced rejection and hardship. Not many will leave the level of financial comfort and the glowing popularity they had achieved then to begin a new life of uncertainty. One of his friends and contemporaries, Jide Obi of the Front Page fame, who became a born again Christian like Okotie, ventured into pastoring and left. When asked in an interview why he had to abandon the work of ministration, his reply was that when a born again stays long in the synagogue, he becomes a Pharisee. He was merely alluding to the trials and temptations that men of God face in their callings. For sure, Okotie has had a full dosage of such. One was the rejection he had to endure from friends and others who could not fathom the wisdom in his sudden choice of evangelism. He suffered tumultuous times in his private life. But like a good soldier of the cross, he remained steadfast, resolute and unwavering because he knew the voice of He that called him and he heeded the call. Needless to say that today, God has written every chapter of his life with a gold pen. Whatever he lost in

fame and fortune as a popular musician, he has gained a thousand fold. However, there are other lessons to be learned from the narration of his history. One is to know why and how God calls men into his vineyard. When Okotie went into the ministry, it had not become a blossoming entrepreneurship as it is today. That perhaps, explains why he has refused to establish another branch of the church, because he says the vision that God gave him was not to establish other branches. This is unlike what we see in many of our pastors today, who have turned Christendom into a buying and selling venture. We therefore urge him to hold fast the calling of God and should not be dissuaded by the appurtenances that go with venturing into establishing other branches contrary to God’s direction. It is heart-warming to note that Okotie has indicated interest to run again for the Presidency. 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. Nigerian politics is a history of plagues: 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 have belief that Nigerian voter will always sell his votes for a morsel of bread. That is why we need men like Okotie. 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. As the Household of God Church marks 27 years of its birth, I join Okotie and his congregation in celebrating God’s divine favour on him. He should not relent, for joy cometh in the morning. • Olalekan, a media analyst, wrote from Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, January 31, 2014 | 15

Business Hopes fade on early electricity supply restoration By Roseline Okere HE current near blackout T situation being experienced around the country in respect of power supply may persist for another 45 days. Reason: It will take Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) another five or more weeks to complete the repairs of the gas pipelines that were vandalised, which led to power rationing in the country. Already, electricity generation has dropped to 2,888.47 megawatts/hour (mwh) and energy sent out dropped to 2,802.76mwh as at January 25, 2014, compared to the 3,781.80 MW recorded in October 2013, according to generation report from the Presidential Task Force on Power. The country’s peak generation stands at 3,212.10mw, which is a decline from the peak generation level of about 4,517.6mw recorded December 2012. Apart from gas supply crisis, which was as a result of gas pipeline vandalism, some power plants have been shut down for maintenance. This has further reduced electricity supply in the country. For instance, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Abuja said the Shiroro Power Station would be shut down for three days to rectify some faults in the station. In a statement issued by

Shell to sell more assets in Nigeria, others By Roseline Okere HELL has unveiled plans to Sworld sell more assets around the this year and invest in new opportunities while trying to improve financial performance in 2014. Already, the company has concluded plans to sell $2 billion oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta this year. The $2 billion Niger Delta assets, is expected to be part of the $30 billion the company would sell off this year after weak refining margins and oil theft in Nigeria caused a sharp fall in profits Speaking to investors yesterday, the new Shell Chief Executive Officer, Ben van Beurden, updated on the company’s priorities, which include improving Shell’s financial results and achieving better capital efficiency, as well as continuing to strengthen operational performance and project delivery. Van Beurden, who became the new Chief Executive Officer of the company on 1 January 2014, said Shell’s overall strategy is sound. He stated: “The company has a high quality portfolio and key strengths in technology and project delivery. Shell will continue to invest in new projects that deliver more energy to customers, and cre-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

As NNPC battles repairs of vandalised gas pipelines TCN’s General Manager (Public Relations), Seun Olagunju, it said the “unavoidable shutdown’’ would lead to a drop in power supply to parts of the country. “There will be a drop in the quantity of power available for TCN to transmit to the distribution companies. “This is expected to further reduce power supply in the country”. NNPC said that power plants will improve over the next five weeks, following the massive repair works on ruptured gas pipeline in the Niger Delta region. The corporation also said that a total of N800 million had so far been spent on a number of vandalised gas pipelines. Speaking on the epileptic electricity crisis in the country, the Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, believed that it would take at least five years from now before Nigerians will begin to experience uninterrupted power. Cole said that there were several areas to be improved upon before the needed stable power would be experienced.

According to him, one of such would be improvement in the way information is shared among key players in the sector for the next couple

of years. He added that pipeline vandalism in Nigeria had contributed hugely to the poor power supply. “Anybody that vandalises a pipeline may vandalise the

pipeline to go and sell crude somewhere thinking that he is making money, but each time he vandalises a pipeline, whether it is a gas pipeline or an oil pipeline, it affects everyone.

“But before we can get to a point where we don’t have to think about power because it is just there, it requires a lot of investment, a lot of capital has to go into that,” he stated.

President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada, at a one-day stakeholders' forum on Transformation of Minerals, Iron and Steel Sub-Sector in Lagos, yesterday.

Govt, operators strategise on steel industry’s growth By Femi Adekoya ITH about $3.3 billion W being expended yearly on steel importation into the Federal the country, Government has sought the collaboration of stakeholders within the sector to develop strategies that would enhance local production in the steel industry input. The move is coming on the heels of the need to drive the implementation of the new automotive policy as well as enhance the diversification agenda of the government through the revival of moribund industries and valuechain activities. Already, some key automobile manufacturers have indicated interests in commencing assembling in Nigeria, with Toyota’s master plan expected be ready by the end of March, this year. Precisely, the Federal Government urged operators in the steel sector to desist from lobbying for tariffs but concentrate on building institutions that would industrialisation, drive thereby increasing local capacity utilisation, adding that incentives would be provided according to the needs of the sector rather than to individuals. Moves to drive the strategy began yesterday, at a forum organized for stakeholders by the Ministries of Mines and Steel Development and that of Industry, Trade and Investment in order to implement a comprehensive backward integration policy for the iron and steel sub-sectors.

In his presentation on “Transformation of Minerals, Iron and Steel sub-sector for Industrial revolution in Nigeria”, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, explained that for the contribution of the industrial sector to export revenue to rise from its current three per cent, efforts must be geared towards effective utilisation of natural resources for industrialisation. According to him, Nigeria and other African countries have continued to play at the lower end of the market due to concentration on export of raw materials rather than investment in value-addition processes. “The new automotive policy is gaining momentum with various interests and partnerships emerging. The steel sector has a huge role to play in catering for the needs of the automobile sector. They need raw materials from you to drive growth in that sector. It is important that you help match the ambition the federal government has for this country. That is why we have come here to interact with you on better ways to drive the growth in this sector”. On his part, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada, noted that steel production remains the fulcrum of industrialisation process, stalled in Nigeria by the comatose state of the two steel plants, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and Delta Steel Complex, (DSC) Aladja, and the Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).

Sada added that encumbering issues in the steel sector were being addressed to encourage investors and activate the moribund govern-

ment-owned steel plants and iron ore mine. Sada also said a bill was underway at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and,

subsequently, the National Assembly for enactment towards sanitising the steel industry that has been without a law all along.

16 | BUSINESS Friday, January 31, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Nigeria’s bilateral trade with Turkey hits $2.3b By Ade Ogidan, Business Editor HE volume of bilateral T trade between Nigeria and Turkey has risen from $2 billion in 2012 to $2.3 billion last year, as the two countries, yesterday, renewed strategies to further raise transactions profile this year. Already, Turkey has announced plans by its investors to establish five textile factories in Imo State, at an estimated total cost of $50 million (N8 billion). Besides, the Association of Businessmen and Investors of Nigeria and Turkey (ABINAT) has concluded plans to host the second edition of a threeday ECOWAS-Turkish Export Products Fair in Lagos from March 3. ABINAT President, Yauuz Zemheni, disclosed in Lagos on Wednesday that the improved trade relationship between Nigeria and Turkey would be further manifested this year going by the disposition of stakeholders from both countries to further expand their respective business profiles. “Our focus is on production of quality goods for which Turkey is widely known. We are not going to be merely importing goods to Nigeria. Rather, we are planning to establish more production plants in this country, to provide more jobs for the people and also enhance the productive capacity of Nigeria. “Consequently, a Turkish

firm is establishing five textile plants in Imo State very soon. Processes in this regard are ongoing. Each of the plants is estimated to cost $10 million. The ABINAT boss, who declined to disclose the identity of the new investors in Imo State, said the textile mills would produce “high quality fabrics for which we are known for in Turkey.” According to him, Turkish investors’ investments in Nigeria are expected to provide 4000 new job opportunities in the country, mostly in the productive sector. Nigeria’s exports to Turkey include liquefied natural gas, sesame seed, charcoal, cocoa and wood, while the European country imports construction materials, textiles, power generating components and vehicles, among other goods, to the country. ABINAT expects over 90 exhibitors at its Lagos fair and has projected over 10 investors staking interest in Nigeria’s business environment after the trade and commerce forum. Turkey had earlier enlisted interest in Nigeria’s steel sector. Indeed, a 30-man delegation from the European country had visited the country and held discussions with top government officials and some local businessmen. Also, the Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mustafa Pulat, had said that despite the security challenge in the country, his home country and investors

Turkish investors plan $50m textile plants in Imo would continue to invest in Nigeria. Pulat, who noted that Nigeria has conducive environment for business, said Turkey had many business interests in the country. He said: “We have many business interests in Nigeria. We

have established the Turkish International University in Abuja. We are working on the establishment of a hospital in Abuja. “Turkish businessmen are also building factories in Nigeria. I have a mandate to set up a consulate in Lagos

that will take care of Turkish business interests in the South-West. The only challenge we face is the dearth of property in Lagos and that has been limiting us.” Pulat said Turkey would establish a joint NigeriaTurkish Commission to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. According to him, every

country has its own problems and Nigeria will not be an exception. “Turkey too has problems. I am not new to Africa. I have served in Sudan and Germany but this is my first time in Nigeria as an ambassador and it is amazing. Nigeria is an interesting country; I have made a lot friends”.

Vice Chairman, Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor (right); Chairman, Aliyu Sa’ad; Company Secretary, Agnes Okiemute Umukoro; and Managing Director, Tom Imokhai, during the yearly general meeting (AGM) of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Lagos, ALTON sign MoU on telecoms infrastructure roll out By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Lagos State Government and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), targeted at reducing chal-

lenges hindering the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure in the state. The MoU will not only ensure the removal of Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks being faced by service providers in the state, but will also check cases of multiple regulation; taxation, vandalism among others.

At the formal signing-in of the MoU documents in Lagos, yesterday, the Commissioner for Science and Technology in the state, Adebiyi Mabadeje said the state was ready to support the growth of telecommunications services, stressing that there was need to accelerate growth of ICT in the state and in Nigeria, as whole. Mabadeje, who said Lagos still needed more investments across all sectors, noted that the telecommunications arm of the ICT industry must be supported for

Operators target improve QoS in the state by December more growth and economic transformation. He explained that the new agreement will see 85 per cent slash in the cost of getting RoW permit in the state, stressing that this was targeted at encouraging telecommunications operators to further invest in Lagos. He however, urged them to also abide by the rules and regulations. “The agreement is a tighter handshake between the state and ALTON. It is a win-win situation for both parties. The state believed that there is need to improve service quality because the real users are the consumers. We believe that getting this done would accelerate so many developments. “As you know, the state government is on the verge of making Lagos a Smart City and so many things are involve. ICT, telecommunications are critical to making this a reality. So the state is supporting the needed course to getting this done. We have reduced our RoW rate by as much as 85 per cent. So many other things

are still in the offing”, Mabadeje said. Speaking on behalf of ALTON, the Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo said the agreement, which takes effect immediately will see Lagos experience best of service within the next six and 12 months from now, saying that he envisaged that permit approval, which before now takes up to a year and above before it is granted should now take between a day and four weeks. Adebayo, an engineer said the agreement would see telecommunications operators upgrades their facilities; boost the network capacity, rollout infrastructure in the state and deliver the best of service on their networks. While calling on other states of the Federation to follow suit, the ALTON boss said by the agreement, Lagos government has joined in the ownership of telecommunications infrastructure in the state, “by so doing, they will put our infrastructure in mind whenever they want to build roads so that we don’t have cuts on them, among others.

“We appreciate Lagos state because ALTON has come to recognized that the greatest challenge to infrastructure roll-out in Nigeria has been RoW issues. But Lagos has settled that for us, we hoped that other states would follow suit. “ALTON supports Lagos becoming a digital colony through the Smart City project and we are going to cooperate and collaborate to getting this done.” It will be recalled that this agreement started with the facilitation on December 3, 2013 by the Minister of Communications, Mrs. Omobola Johnson when she met with Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, where the governor admitted that good infrastructure rollout and deployment was in the best interest of the residents of the state. Fashola then, reinforced that it was not the wish of the state to prevent operators from rolling out. “We need you to rollout probably more than you need it. But we do not need it at the expense of our roads or lives of the people. Infrastructure must be built to very high standards.”

Shell to sell more assets in Nigeria, others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 ate value for shareholders. The strategy is designed to deliver through-cycle growth in cash flow, to drive competitive returns and a growing dividend. “Our ambitious growth drive in recent years has yielded a step change in Shell’s portfolio and options, with more growth to come, but at the same time we have lost some momentum in operational delivery, and we can sharpen up in a number

of areas. “Our overall strategy remains robust, but 2014 will be a year where we are changing emphasis, to improve our returns and cash flow performance”, he continued, highlighting three priorities, which are to improved financial performance, including restructuring in some areas of the company; enhancing capital efficiency, with hard choices on new projects, reduced growth investment, and more asset sales as well as continued strong delivery

of new projects, and integration of recent acquisitions”. The statement noted that the landscape the company had expected has changed. “Factors such as the worsening security situation in Nigeria in 2013, and delays to non-operated projects in several other countries, have altered the outlook. Oil prices remain high globally, but North America natural gas prices and associated crude markers remain low, and industry refining margins are under pressure.”

Friday, January 31, 2014

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TheMetroSection ‘My landlord’s son raped my five-year-old daughter’ • Lagos House of Assembly canvasses awareness against sex crimes By Wole Oyebade FIFTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD widow, Agnes A Igbedion, has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly over the alleged rape of her five-year-old daughter, Eunice Igbedion. The inglorious act was allegedly committed by the 35-year-old son of her landlord at 28, Olufunmilayo Street, Mushin, Lagos. Though the matter is already in court, Igbedion prayed the House to come to her defense from threats and attacks coming from her Landlord. In her petition read on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday, the petitioner alleged that she has been thrown out of the house and is currently homeless with her four children. In reaction to the petition, the House has called on the Office of Public Defender (OPD) to swing into action on the matter, adding that the Assembly would be ready to give all succour necessary to the widow and her family. The House also called on the State Ministry of Information and Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to embark on public enlightenment and sensitisation of the public on sex crimes and attendant penalties that child abuse and sexual harassment now attract, if offenders are found guilty by a competent court of

Lawmaker representing Mushin 1 Constituency, Funmilayo Tejuoso law. The House said it must be known that the State Criminal Law, as amended, provides for 14-year jail term for attempted rape, while rapists are liable to life imprisonment. The widow, in her petition entitled: “SOS appeal on the rape of my fiveyear-old daughter - Eunice Igbedion by one Mr Toyeeb Jimoh, my Landlord’s son”, noted that on January 13, 2014, around 5 p.m., she returned from work to her daughter’s complain of hunger, to which she rushed out to get her food. To her dismay on returning, her daughter was nowhere to be found. Her search for Eunice revealed that

she was in Toyeeb’s room, “where he was raping her.” “I was amazed, shouted and cried for help. My neighbours rushed to the scene. I caught him red-handed,” she said. The widow added that the matter was taken to the Area Command of the police in Mushin and the matter was charged to court. She had been to court on four occasions, and the next adjournment is February 24, 2014. She added: “I’m a widow with no helper. My landlord, Alhaji Jimoh, on returning from court, started victimising me, threatening that he would terminate my tenancy. At the time of writing this letter, he has forcefully thrown my belonging out of the house.” “I write to you, because I believe you can safe me and my family from the hands of this man,” she pleaded. Lawmaker representing Mushin I Constituency, Funmilayo Tejuoso, said she got wind of the matter last Sunday, and considered it an outright case of child abuse and defilement of a minor. Tejuoso observed that by current Criminal Law in the state, the alleged perpetrator of the act ought not to have been entitled to bail and coupled with her victimization by the landlord, the widow is feeling hard done by. She said, with the landlord already acting as an aggressor, the OPD needs to come into the matter.

Tejuoso’s colleague, Mudashiru Obasa added that the matter before the House should be on forceful ejection, which amounts to victimization. Obasa noted that it was not a usual phenomenon to have such cases of rape reported for fear of persecution. Out of about 620 cases of rape OPD recorded in Lagos in 2012, less than 10 per cent were actually reported by the victim or their relative. So, the widow ought to be commended, Obasa said and should be given succour. Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu I constituency added that the Criminal Law was clear on issue of sex offences and defilement, but its actual propagation has been the main problem. Agunbiade said if publicity had been given to sex-related crimes, like is done to traffic offences, then the state would have lesser cases of rape and defilement to address. In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji said “it is the duty of the House to ensure that the people are enlightened, and the state Ministries of Information and Women Affairs, under the Office of the First Lady, must see to this. “We implore the court to do the needful on this matter. We are interested to see it to the end. And let the OPD also step into the widow’s pleas to give her comfort,” Ikuforiji said.

New Air Officer Commanding resumes in Lagos By Odita Sunday HE newly appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in Lagos, Air Vice Marshal Mike Iloenyosi, has resumed office with a warning to officers and Ratings serving in Lagos to be disciplined. Iloenyosi took over from Air Vice Marshal, Monday Morgan, who has been transferred to the Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos as the Commandant of the centre. Morgan while handing over to Iloenyosi, advised senior officers of the command to desist from personalizing their offices. He urged them to adopt an open-door policy and be objective and professional at all times. According to him: “Personalizing of office is dangerous. Do not personalize your office. Be open to changes. I came here last year and now I am also leaving. If the seniors do not move out, the junior officers will not grow. In all, let us do our jobs to the best of our abilities,” he said. Iloenyosi, who addressed his men after the hand-

ing over, urged them to be diligent and disciplined. Morgan said there was need for government to increase the funding of the Nigeria Air force. He said with more money, the faulty aircraft would return to the skies.

Iloenyosi and Morgan at the event

“The Nigerian Air Force must fly and the logistics command is relatively the backbone for aeroplanes. The challenges we have now are internal. We need a lot of funding to help the Air Force surmount these problems. “The problem is essentially budgeting and if the new Chief of Air Staff must succeed, these challenges must be resolved especially in terms of logistics,” he said. The new AOC was born on June 3, 1960. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of CMTC 5 on November 15, 1979 and commissioned May 15, 1982. Ilonenyosi who hails from Njikoka Local Council of Anambra State attended Junior Command and Staff College Course, Amphibious Staff Corse, Senior Command and Staff Course, Total Quality Management Course and Advanced Course on Project Management. Other courses attended by the Senior Officer are; Air War College Course at the Pakistani Air War College, amongst others. The military pilot was said to have flown approximately 2,300hours in his lifetime.

Briefs

Ajibodu now Dean of AVMCC

Ajibodu and his wife, Esther HE newly appointed Dean of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), Ven. Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu will be formally instituted, inducted and installed on Sunday, February 2 at the church auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Adedeji, will preside at the ceremony at which Ajibodu will take oaths of submission and allegiance to God and be presented with Letters of iInstitution.

Odedeji had last December 2013 during the 14th Diocesan anniversary announced Ajobodu’s appointment as Dean, describing him as “a dedicated, God- fearing and true child of God and being a success in his ministerial assignment”. He will be installed the fourth Dean of the Cathedral in succession to former incumbent James Olusola Odedeji. Ajibodu hails from IjakoOrile in Yewa North Local Council of Ogun State (South West of Nigeria), where he was born in September 1965. He had his secondary school education at Ilewo-Orile Community High School, Ilewo-Orile in Abeokuta North Local Council of Ogun State. He, thereafter, proceeded to Vining College of Theology, Akure, in 1988 and obtained the Seminary’s Diploma in Theology (Dip. Th.) in 1990. Ajibodu is a graduate of University of Ibadan, Nigeria,

where he bagged both Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) and Master in Education (M. Ed.) degrees of the institution. He also bagged an additional Master’s degree (M. Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction from the Lagos State University (LASU), from where he is awaiting Senate approval for another Master’s degree (M.A.) in Christian Studies. He served at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ipaja as Vicar and Archdeacon of Ipaja Archdeaconry. Ajibodu had a brief but fruitful stint as administrator of the prestigious FESTAC Archdeaconry and Vicar of Church of the Pentecost, FESTAC Town, before his appointment and deployment as the Dean of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, an office he assumed on January 7, 2014. He is married to Esther Odunayo Mojisola Ajibodu, and the marriage is blessed with Godly children.

Isoko community leader, Iteire dies at 83 CHURCH and community A leader in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government of Delta State, Pa Isaac Onomebrunike Iteire fondly called “DP” has passed on aged 83.He will be buried on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Oyede, Isoko Local Council. A statement by Mr. Ayo Othihiwa (FCA) in Lagos said the children and in laws would give Pa Iteire a befitting burial at Oleh. Pa Iteire’s body would leave Owhe Hospital Oleh to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, Ubieni, Oyede. After funeral talks, interment follows at Iteire’s family compound at 41, Oyede Bethel Road, Oyede in Isoko North Local Council, followed by Rreception at Oyede Comprehensive High School, Oyede. He is survived by children: Mrs Felicia Enaye , Sunny Owhoefe Iteire an engineer;

Iteire Dr. (Mrs.) Evelyn Alaye-Ogan; Mrs Ejiro Bettina Ogodo; Mrs. Oghale Umukoro; Sir Odafe Othihiwa (son-in-law)/Mrs. Sally Othihiwa, a lawyer; Mr David Iteire ; Mr Isaiah Iteire; Mrs Patience Jeeti; Mrs Doris Oke-Ojonah; Mr Leslie Iteire ; Richard Iteire; Jacob Iteire and Pa Isaac Iteire; 32 grand children and two great grand children.

Briefs Hajia Sambo, others mark World Hijab Day HE wife of the Vice-PresiT dent, Hajia Amina Sambo, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit and other Nigerian Muslims will tomorrow join millions of Muslims around worldwide to celebrate this year’s World Hijab Day (WHiD). The World Hijab Day is a day set aside for women to put on Hijab to support freedom of choice of dressing and discourage discrimination against people wearing Hijab. The day was initiated by a Bangladeshi-American woman, Nazma Khan, in 2013, to give women (non-Muslim, and non-Hijab wearing Muslims) the opportunity to experience the Hijab so as to appreciate what the head-covering is all about. It is being marked in more than 50 countries across the world. A release by the MSSN Amirah (female President), Hajia Hafsah Badru, said the Vice-President’s wife would lead other Muslim women to mark this year’s event in a remarkable way.

College holds career fair IVIAN Fowler Memorial ColV lege for Girls will tomorrow hold its yearly Guidance and Counseling Fair at the school premises. The Fair is aimed at helping the students to channel their talents to achieving their career objectives. The Director of the College, Mrs. Olufunke Amba says the fair would expose the students to educative platforms to have a successful career path in life. Managing Director of Proven Ability Ltd., Mrs. Biyi Olugbodi,will declare it open.

Bank gives succour at Raise a Child scheme TERLING Bank has raised its Sbility Corporate Social Responsi(CSR) initiative as representatives of various charities across the country, which benefited from the bank’s “Raise a Child” scheme, recently received their cheques at the financial institution’s corporate head office, in Lagos. The bank’s Executive Director, Lanre Adesanya, while speaking at the presentation of the cheques to the homes, explained that Sterling Bank came up with the initiative to put smiles on the faces of the Nigerian child and give them hope for a better tomorrow as a responsible corporate citizen. “Specifically, the project was designed to support the society, particularly the children, especially the less privileged children in the society in continuation of the social responsibility philosophy. “It is a fundraising drive structured to provide channels to contribute with the sole objective of putting smiles on the faces of millions of children through different charities across Nigeria”. Responding on behalf of the benefiting charity homes, the Chief Executive of 234 Give Limited, Mrs. Sola Fatola, commended the bank for coming up with the initiative that brings smiles kids in the society.

Friday, January 31, 2014

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Abuja estate residents protest conversion of children’s playground, petition Inspector General of Police

Residents locked the estate gates to protest the conversion of their children play ground They submitted that the the department were sent to From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja small green area was used to inspect the place. While we OR allegedly failing to channel utility lines into the were still waiting for the heed their calls, residents estate and was left as a playoutcome of the site inspecof OAW Quarters, Asokoro ground for children. tion by FCDA workers, the Tuesday took their fate into A trustee of the Association, private developer arrived at their own hands, as they Mrs. Georgina Ehurah, who the playground in the afterprevented a private develspoke to The Guardian as the noon of October 3, 2002 oper from putting up strucresidents protested the when the residents were at tures on an open green area commencement of conwork and started digging originally meant for chilstruction work on the conthe playground. This redren’s playground. tentious land, stressed that sulted into open confrontaDisturbed over allegations efforts of the Association to tion when the residents that officials of the Abuja stop the conversion of the arrived in the evening.” Metropolitan Management “We have so far demonCompany (AMMC) may have green area into a commercial plot had been ignored strated maturity and great been compromised by the by different government restraint in the face of unprivate developer, the resiagencies, despite several pewarranted provocation and dents, who mobilized themtitions to the authorities to harassment. Rather we have selves into groups, blocked that effect. pursued an administrative the major entrance to the She said: “One lady made and peaceful resolution of estate, preventing the develthe first encroachment on this matter. The situation oper and officials of the Dethis playground in 1998 and has now become very viovelopment Council the residents petitioned the lent,” she added. Department of the AMMC, then Permanent Secretary of She stressed that despite who had come with heavily the Ministry of Federal Capithe several petitions to the armed policemen, from cartal Territory as it was authorities, another develrying on with construction known. Another attempt oper had appeared and works on the contentious was made in 1999 when the started digging necessitatplot. permanent secretary was re- ing the action of taking They resisted efforts of the deployed. The residents blocking the estate to press heavily armed policemen to again petitioned the new home their point. intimidate them, insisting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Another letter to the Inthat they won’t rest until acM.Y Ahmed, who personally spector General of Police tion was taken to address visited the site and frowned (IGP) on January 16, 2014, their grievances. at what he saw. He, too, gave showed to The Guardian, The residents argued that instructions and stopped again warned of imminent the said space was part of threat of breach of peace at their official quarters and as the encroachers. The residents had another cause to Gate 2, OAU Quarters, such, was impossible to put petition the Director of PubAsokoro if nothing was up another structure withlic Building FCDA in 2002 done to stop the alleged imout infringing on environwhen the same private depunity of FCDA officials and mental standards and veloper resurfaced in our the private developer. allowable minimum spacpremises. In response to our The letter read in part: “The ing between buildings petition some officials from residents of OAU quarters, within the quarters as built.

The disputed green area space dug up for construction by the developer Asokoro, wish to bring the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the danger and impending breach of peace arising from a private developer attempting to forcefully excavate and take possession of an open green space meant for children’s playground inside the perimeter fence of the estate. This is being resisted by the residents of the estate who hitherto had petitioned the Honourable Minister of the FCT on this volatile attempt to destroy this green area space in our quarters. This green area space also carries the underground pipes for sewage, drainage and electrical cables serving 45 households in the estate. “While awaiting the Minister’s decision on the matter, the private developer is attempting to forcefully take possession of the open space which matter is yet to be resolved by the Honourable Minister. As we write this, some workers with excavation equipment are in front of our gate while the residents are geared up to confront them and we are afraid that this situation will lead to a breach of peace and threat to life. The re-appearance of the private developer is as a result of a letter from the Department of Development Control informing the association of

relocation of our underground utility lines within the open green area space. “The residents have objected to the allocation of this space to a private developer, giving several reasons bordering on environmental, health and safety concerns, especially not meeting the minimum setback in the estate as built, destroying of children’s playground and contravening of Abuja Master Plan as regards to green areas as well as destroying underground sewage pipes and electrical cables. “It is also pertinent to note that this issue is not just a matter of relocation of underground utility pipes and cables, but the implication of destroying the green area space and the children’s playground as well as the environmental and adverse health effects on the residents, among others.” Secretary of the Association, Haruna Ari, stressed that the residents thought the matter had been resolved permanently until recently when the developer resurfaced with fresh attempts to build the said structure and had even gone ahead to start clearing the space with the aide of the Abuja Parks and Recreation Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Council. The Guardian visited the De-

partment of Development Control of the Abuja Metropolitan Council at Wuse Zone 6 to inquire on the official status of the controversial plot and an official showed The Guardian a letter from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the FCDA stating that the contentious plot had been revoked. The letter dated January 24, 2014 with the title: “Re: Complain of Several Attempts to develop Plot 2483 within OAU Quarters, Asokoro District’ stressed that the Minister had approved the revocation of the plot “for overriding public interest.” The Director of the Department of Development Control was, therefore, requested to stop the private developer from further development on the plot. Shortly before going to press, Mrs. Ehurah confirmed that the association received the news of the revocation of the plot with excitement, but warned that the residents were used to similar antics of government officials aimed at dousing tension temporarily. She praised the Minister of the FCT for the swift action but urged him to be steadfast and resist pressures to reallocate the plot to any developer.

Rotary Club of Omole marks 10th anniversary with projects for Ifako-Ijaiye community of Omole-Golden District Senior Secondary School. Lagos State. these past 10 years and it is HE Rotary Club of Omole- ing on a couple of projects Other projects are the deSpeaking during the club’s 9110, Kayode Owolabi, worth commending. We and working towards comT Golden (District 9110) noted that the club had worming project for 1,000 breakfast meeting in Lagos, are going to continue to do pletion of existing ones in will commemorate its 10 th

anniversary by commenc-

Ifako-Ijaiye Local Council of

the President, Rotary Club

President elect, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, District 9110, Chris Alabi (left), Vice President, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, District 9110, Ibironke Alaba, President, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Kayode Owolabi and , Secretary, Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Balogun Bidemi during the club’s breakfast meeting in Lagos...

been at the forefront of developmental and humanitarian activities in Ifako Ijaiye community for close to a decade. Owolabi said the club would embark on medical intervention programmes for the community such as the kick-off of maternal and child care schemes as well as disease prevention and treatment exercises. Other projects include: provision of potable water, peace and conflict prevention/resolution initiatives, economic and empowerment programmes among others. Owolabi stressed that the club would not rest on its oars both in human and community development. He said: “For us as a club, celebrating our 10th anniversary is a great feat. The good thing is that we have been able to touch lives

our best in putting more smiles on the faces of the members of the Ifako Ijaiye community.” He added that the club’s projects spread across the focal areas of the Rotary International developmental objectives which are: health; maternal and child; education and literacy; and peace and conflict resolutions. According to him, the club has already expended about N5 million this year in carrying out other projects. Also speaking, the Project Chairman of the club, Idowu Afelogun, listed some of the projects already undertaken by the club to include: a water project for Ajuwon High School; renovation of six toilets; provision of an ICT room and donation of computer systems to Oke-Ira

pupils of Ogundiran Primary School, Iju Ishaga; donation of $5,000 to Mr. David Odafe for spinal cord surgery in India; the purchase of two phototherapy machines and an incubator to Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital; prostate cancer screening for 300 men among others. The Rotary Club of Omole is the recipient of several awards both locally and internationally; in recognition of its humanitarian and selfless service in the Ifako Ijaiye community. Some of the awards include: Rotary Presidential Citation Award 2004-2005; Rotary International Membership Initiative Award 2004-2005; Rotary District 9110 Third Best in community service award in 2009; and Rotary District 9110 Award for literacy programmes, among others.

Friday, January 31, 2014 19

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Weekend

EFA: little progress, grim prospects Visual Art P. 49 Autowheels P.44

Railway museum... Rescuing history from antiquated technology

2015 Kia K900, a bargain car in the making

Business Travels P.46

Passenger facilitation: Key to efficient airports?

20 WEEKEND Friday, January 31, 2014

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Report shows how Nigeria, others The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization on Wednesday released the 11th Global Monitoring Report (GMR) on Education for All. ROTIMI LAWRENCE OYEKANMI analyses the projections for Nigeria.

School children ITH the 2015 general elections approachW ing, evidenced by the comprehensive time table released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier in the week, politicians across the country now have only one thing in common: how to win elections. They are busy, at the moment, defecting from one political party to another, and positioning themselves for envisaged benefits likely to accrue to them, in the complicated post 2015 equation. But while this is going on, an unpleasant assessment of the country’s education sector has just emerged. Indications from the 11th Education for All’s (EFA) Global Monitoring Report (GMR), released officially on Wednesday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), revealed that Nigeria will not be able to meet the Six EFA Goals (See Box 1) next year (2015). It also declared that the country has also made much less progress in putting its children in school. To put it bluntly, Nigeria is regressing in education terms. The EFA goals are contained in The Dakar Framework for Action, adopted by over 164 countries (including Nigeria), at the World Education Forum held in Senegal in April 2000, which reaffirmed the World Declaration on Education for All, adopted at a similar forum held in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990. The GMR “tracks progress, identifies effective policy reforms and best practices in all areas relating to EFA, draws attention to emerging challenges and seeks to promote international cooperation in favour of education. The publication is targeted at decision-makers at the national and international levels, and more broadly, at all those engaged in promoting the right to quality education – teachers, civil society groups, NGOs, researchers and the international community.”

Specifically, the report submitted that Nigeria’s failure to make education a top priority over the years would prevent it from attaining EFA goals 1, 2 and 4 (pre-primary, primary and adult literacy respectively) by 2015. It affirmed the widely known fact that Nigeria now has the highest number of out-ofschool children in the world, about 10.5 million. Besides, Nigeria is one of the only 15 countries that the report projects would have fewer than 80 percent of its primary school aged children enrolled by 2015. It stated that Nigeria’s out-ofschool “population not only grew the most in absolute terms of any country in the world since 2004-2005, by 3.4 million, but also had the fourth highest rate of growth, showing that the wealth in the country is not trickling down into public social good.” With regard to the EFA Goal 4 on adult literacy, the report revealed that there were 17 million more illiterate adults in the country in 2008 than in 1991, an increase of 71percent. This brings the total number of illiterate adults in the country to 40 million. It insisted that with even with four years of schooling in Nigeria, less than one in 10 children eventually emerges literate. And even after 5-6 years in school, the report argued, less than 30 percent “will emerge able to read even a single sentence.” This crisis, it stated, “is affecting the poorest, girls, and those in rural areas the worst.” Due to what the report described as Nigeria’s

“low quality education over the years,” it observed that only “40 percent of youth are illiterate.” Again, it is the poorest, and females who are affected the worst. The report observed that only 5 percent of the poorest young women in the country are literate, compared with almost 90 percent of the richest. “Where you live in the country speaks mountains for how likely it is you will be able to read: Only 2 percent of poor young women in the north-west can read, compared with 97 percent of rich young women in the south-east” The report attributed much of the problem to both funding and a huge lack of qualified teachers. It asserted that in whatever the time period, “Nigeria has by far, the largest gap to fill of any country in the world.” It estimated that between 2011 and 2015, Nigeria would need needs 212,000 primary school teachers, 13 percent of the global total. “At current rates, it (Nigeria) won’t even be able to fill this gap by 2030. Current pupil/teacher ratios are small in the country, but this is because enrolment of children into school is so slow. More teachers are urgently needed to help increase the number of children going to school.” It is not just teachers that are needed, the report said, but qualified and trained ones who could maintain quality. It continued: “Currently, only two-thirds of current teachers in Nigeria have the minimum qualifications. In addition, what trained teacher there are, are more likely to be in the richer parts of the country. In the northern state of Kano, one of the

Besides, Nigeria is one of the only 15 countries that the report projects would have fewer than 80 percent of its primary school aged children enrolled by 2015. It stated that Nigeria’s out-of-school “population not only grew the most in absolute terms of any country in the world since 2004-2005, by 3.4 million, but also had the fourth highest rate of growth, showing that the wealth in the country is not trickling down into public social good

poorer in the country, for example, the number of pupils per trained teacher exceeded 100 in 2009/10. In more than half of local government authorities the situation was even worse, with at least 150 pupils per trained teacher in the most disadvantaged 25 percent of schools.” The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is the federal agency saddled with the responsibility of managing primary education in the country, in partnership with the states. In the federal constitution, education is on the con-current list and the various local councils are directly in charge of elementary education. But UBEC’s effort to implement the federal government’s policies is being hampered by some states, which do not pay serious attention to their primary education sub-sector. The commission’s former Executive Secretary, Dr Modibbo Mohammed once told The Guardian that many factors were responsible to the poor standard of basic education. He said: “The Federal government or UBEC is hampered by two constraints. The first one is, we do not run schools at that level, because it is constitutionally the responsibility of states and local governments. But that is not to say the federal government is not interested in what is happening to basic education, particularly being a signatory to the international conventions on Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Federal Government is determined to ensure that education is provided to every child as a right, as provided for in our constitution. This explains why the government is taking two per cent from its funds to intervene or support states in the implementation of basic education. We cannot do it directly. What the federal government is doing is, we are providing some form of token assistance, train teachers, provide in-

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push education behind The Six Education for All (EFA) Goals • Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children • Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality • Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life skills programmes • Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults • Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality • Improving every aspect of the quality of education, and ensuring their excellence so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills structional materials either by giving money to states or give instructional materials. “But the tragedy about the state of public schools in this country, beginning from primary schools right down to the universities, is the long period of neglect, which occurred during the long period of military intervention in this country. Unfortunately, we have also, as a nation, stopped making Development Plans. If you cast your mind back to 1975, we had Development Plans, and you followed these in planning your budgets. There was an attempt during the democratic period between 1979 and 1983 to go back to it, but it never took off. The civilian government itself was truncated and we went back to the military era and the neglect of the education continued. “There have been population explosion, lack of planning, lack of building new schools, no social infrastructure at all, because the moment you don’t plan, you can’t have your estimated school age population, your estimated health requirements, your estimated water requirement, power requirements people will just keep on expanding. He continued: “At the basic education level, there are responsibilities. Government is injecting a lot of funds into the education sector, but the decay is so enormous that you cannot easily notice it. The Federal Ministry of Finance is publishing, on a monthly basis, what each local government is getting in this country, what each state government is getting in this country. People should begin to ask questions. The electorate should begin to demand for explanation. What is this money being used for? How much is being used to pay salaries? If they say they are spending 80 per cent of their money on salaries, let them publish what they are using to pay teachers. How many teachers do they have?” When he rendered stewardship in 2010, former Education Minister, Dr Sam Egwu stated that the Federal Ministry of Education and UNICEF conducted a study on capacity gaps assessment for the Early Child Development, and in – service/pre – service teacher development nationwide, which highlighted the challenge of inadequate number of educators with required qualification at the ECCE level in the country. To deal with this problem, he said an online ECD programme for lecturers in the Colleges of Education had commenced at the Virtual University, Victoria, Canada. On basic education, he stated: “In line with efforts aimed at reducing educational imbalance among and within states, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) utilizes 14

per cent of the Educational Imbalances Funds for the UBE Community Initiated Self – Help projects. In this direction, UBEC disbursed N2,778 billion as First Tranche Support funds to over 2, 032 Community Initiated Self Help Projects. During the period under review, a total of N30, 063, 048,660.48 was disbursed as Matching, Educational Imbalance, Special Education and Good Performance Grants to deserving states and the FCT. This is unprecedented and largely attributable to the various advocacy and mobilization visits to states during the period. “In order to address low performance of pupils in the core competencies of numeracy, literacy and life skills, my ministry procured and distributed 7,962,812 copies of recommended textbooks in English Language and Mathematics, as well as Science based Activity Book for Primary 4, worth N4.287 billion. This is in addition to the 494,875 copies of 107 library titles for Junior Secondary Schools in the 36 states and the FCT. Similarly, arrangements have commenced for the procurement and distribution of textbooks on English Language, Mathematics, Science based activity for primary 5 and assorted titles of Library books for JSS, using the 2009 UBE Intervention Fund for Instructional Materials.” With regard to Ghana, the report stated: “there are 50 percent fewer out-of-school children than there were in 1999.” But it added that 87percent of the poorest enter primary school with only 72percent of them completing, compared to the 100 percent enrolment of the richest, of which 80 percent complete education at that level. The report asserted that Ghana spent 5.6 percent of its gross national product in 2010 on education, from 4.2 percent spent in 1999. But primary education “is being squeezed in budgets.” It continued: “Ghana has increased the share of the education budget earmarked for tertiary education which now makes up 23percent of public expenditure on education. The shares for both primary and secondary education, on the other hand, have decreased since 1999.” Also, one million children are still out of school in Kenya. The report observed that primary education is still not of sufficient quality to ensure that Kenyan children can learn the basics. It asserted: “Among the men aged 15-29 years who had left school after six years of schooling, 6percent were illiterate and 26 percent were semi-illiterate. The figures were even worse for women, with 9 percent illiterate and 30 percent semi-illiterate after being in school for six years.”

Jonathan

Wike

Why Nigeria needs to prioritise education, by Rose Dr Pauline Rose is the Director of the EFA Global Monitoring Report (GMR). She holds a Bachelor of Art (BA) degree in Arabic and Economics and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Development Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. She also obtained a Doctorate (PhD) in Development Studies from the University of Sussex. Against the background of the gloomy picture painted in the 11th GMR, ROTIMI LAWRENCE OYEKANMI asked for clarifications on specific issues. Rose, via an email, underscores the report’s findings. Excerpts: HE 11th Education For All’s T Global Monitoring Report (GMR) has predicted that Nigeria “will be far from reaching Education for All goals 1, 2 and 4 when 2015 comes around.” How did your team come to this conclus i o n ? For the purpose of the 2013/4 Report, projections have been made to assess the extent to which countries are on track to achieve the Education for All goals as we approach the 2015 deadline. These projections are based on past trends, to indicate the situation assuming these trends continue. The results show that there is likely to be huge unfinished business: only 14per cent had access to pre-primary school in 2010 and we project this will only reach 17 percent by 2015, such that the first goal of early childhood care and education is far out of reach. The same applies to the second goal of universal primary education. Nigeria is the country with the greatest number of out-of-school children globally, with 10.5 million children out-of-school in 2010 accounting for 42 percent of the total school age population. This proportion has been increasing over time, leading to an increase by 3 million in the out-ofschool children since 1999, and is not expected to improve before 2015. The 2013/4 Report shows that the number of adult illiterates has increased from 24 million in 1991 to nearly 42 million in 2008, in part as a result of demographic pressures. Such a trend makes it almost impossible to achieve the fourth goal of adult literacy by 2015. With only 59 percent of adults projected to be literate by 2015, Nigeria would still be very far from universal adult literacy. These findings should not be a signal to give up hope, but rather to signal the need for urgent action to be taken to make sure these trends do not continue. Again, the report asserts that there were 17 million more illiterate adults in Nigeria in 2008 than in 1991 and goes on to estimate that there are 40 million illiterate adults in the country at the moment. Nigerians would like to know the sources of these figures and how the main conclusions were arrived at? The literacy data published in the EFA Global Monitoring Report are provided by the UNESCO Institute of Statistics that itself gathered them in countries through its literacy annual survey. For Nigeria, the figure for 1991 comes from the 1991 population census while the one referring to 2008 comes from the 2008

Rose demographic and health survey. The reports estimates that even by 2030, Nigeria may still not be able to fill the gap of the required number of qualified teachers. What implications do you foresee for Nigeria as a result? As a result of low quality education in Nigeria, less than 30% of young people will emerge able to read even a single sentence even after spending 5-6 years in school. This crisis is affecting the poorest, girls, and those in rural areas the worst. The learning crisis stems from a lack of qualified teachers. The Report shows that, whatever the time period, Nigeria has by far the largest gap to fill of any country in the world. It is not just teachers that are needed, however, but teachers who receive relevant training – including to make sure children in the early grades are learning to read, write and count. Currently, only two-thirds of teachers in Nigeria are trained to national standards. Unless efforts are urgently stepped up in the country to recruit and train teachers, this learning crisis will remain deeply entrenched. Generation upon generation of children will emerge from school unable to read or count. Over the years, this will result in millions of illiterate young people in the country who will be unable to find secure, well paid work – a phenomenon which would take its toll on the country’s economy. The Nigerian government claims it is spending more on the education sector, but it appears the real impact is not being felt, as the report shows. From your intelligence gathering, what would

you point to as being responsible for where Nigeria is at the moment, in terms of its education sector? In Nigeria, education accounts for just 1.5% of the GDP, and just 6% of government spending. There is no doubt that the low spending on education in the country has contributed enormously to the heavy toll of out-of-school children and gaping gaps in the teaching force in the country. A good quality education system is not cheap. Recruiting teachers, delivering quality training to these teachers before they start working and once their in the classroom, as well as ensuring they have the right career structures and pay to keep them in the profession will cost money. However, this is one of the best investments the country could make. Our Report estimates that an equal education will increase a country’s GDP per capita by 23 per cent over 40 years. What suggestions do you have for the government that could reverse these worrying indicators? Our Report suggests that it is possible and necessary for governments to commit at least 6% of GNP on education, and 20% of their budget on education. In addition to increasing financing, as an urgent measure, Nigeria must look at revising its policies in order to support teachers to help ensure all children, regardless of their circumstances, go to school and learn. As a first step, the government must recruit enough trained teachers, and focus its teacher policies on deploying teachers to parts of the country to make sure they are teaching the most disadvantaged.

22 Friday, January 31, 2014

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BusinessRound-Up

In association with

OPPORTUNITIES THAT WEF AFRICA COULD BRING FOR NIGERIA

ADEWALE TINUBU CEO, OANDO

PHILLIPS ODOUZA

CEO, UBA IGERIA WILL HOST the 24th edition of TEWODROS the World Economic Forum (WEF) ON ASHENAFI Africa in May. Tanzania and Ethiopia, CEO, SOUTHWEST ENERGY respective hosts in 2010 showcased that Africa’s growth story goes beyond natural resources. CNBC Africa’s Bronwyn Nielsen spoke to Tewodros Ashenafi, the CEO of SouthWest Energy; Phillips Odouza, CEO of UBA and Adewale Tinubu, the CEO of Oando for a look at what WEF Africa could mean for Africa. Of course Nigeria is very big, Angola is Nigeria, as well as how to unlock intra-Africa get into the mould and the business. quite big and then going towards East Africa. trade through the oil and gas industry. Tewodros, let’s bring in the Ethiopian story and So we have oil all over. For us in the financial industry, it is very exciting because we are goThank you gentlemen for your time. Wale, Addis Ababa. The oil industry as you see it in Ethiopia. ing to finance very big deals. For us in Nigeria with the macro environment that we are Tewodros: I think there is a lot of opportunity in after the Nigerian banks consolidation in facing from an oil and gas perspective the oil and gas industry in Ethiopia because it’s 2005, the Nigerian banks became very big across the continent and taking it to the been under explored. The trend in East Africa, and are able to finance very big deals so we heart of Nigeria. started from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, are very excited by what is happening. Wale Tinubu: It’s a good time for us, oil prices have been consistently above Uganda, and I think Ethiopia is next based on oil and gas opportunities. We have a lot of companies Now Wale, we are very excited about a poten100 dollars per barrel, there’s huge capital tial deal, I just need to touch on that. That is drilling high impact wells this year. investment in the continent, and MozamConoco Philips that could be the biggest deal bique has had an incredible discovery as we Let’s bring the banker into the discussion. Phillips in oil and gas on the African continent. We’re know, there’s over 130 trillion cubic feet of per cent, we know the deadgas, which will see several energy gas plants there must be much activity taking place that you backing you 100 st get built over the next ten years, in that loca- can get involved in from a banking perspective in line is on the 31 of January, you need to have the oil and gas environment. $1.6 billion to make this happen, and can we tion. Nigeria continues to have consistent bank on you here sir? investments, and there’ve been quite a num- Odouza: You are right, this is a very interesting ber of IOC divestments on the onshore giv- time for us in Africa because we are discovering CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 ing indigenous players and opportunity to oil across the entire region starting from West

THE AFRICAN GROWTH STORY TO GAIN MORE CHAPTERS middle income housing, pharmaceuticals, International CEO Runa Alam told CNBC Africa. “With that comes growth in the economy, growth fast-moving consumer goods, insurance, and banking. That’s where we see the diversificaHE AFRICAN GROWTH story continues to in companies, so private equity invests in those gain traction despite the many political companies before they’re listed and they require tion,” she said. “Where we see the sectoral growth are really capital. That’s been the main driver.” and economic challenges some counPrivate equity firms in Africa have however come two areas. These are secular trends in Africa. tries have. The first is the rise of the emerging middle “We are pan-African investors, so I think of a under considerable uncertainty due to political class. With that comes all the industries I deand economic instability in various African counpan-Africa story has been the growth in tries. Investment in the continent nonetheless con- scribed. This time in our new fund, we’re lookAfrica. [In] 2008 and 2009, Africa was the ing at an education deal, for instance, clinics, tinues, witch companies such as Development fastest-growing continent in the world. In healthcare, and hospitals. So anything that Partners International investing between 25 milfact, the last 10 years, six out of the 10 top high-growth countries have been in Africa. lion dollars and 100 million dollars in companies. benefits, from a higher income amongst more people who are the emerging middle class.” That will continue,” Development Partners “Our companies can be quite small when we begin, about 50 million dollars to 100 million dollars. The second secular trend, which was started The largest company today is roughly worth 750 by NEPAD in the late 90s, is of companies million dollars. High growth is what drives such forming border interactions and encouraging regionalisation and Pan-African companies. companies and it is expected to continue in fuSuch companies attract investment from ture,” Alam explained. A number of African countries are also moving to- companies such as Alam’s. “At the deal size we invest in, they tend to be wards the diversification of their economies. Alam added that the diversification approach has larger companies that are profitable, but they also prompted the company to invest accordingly. are growing very fast. One of our companies “Diversification is shown by the fact that the fund grew 200 per cent in 2012, 120 per cent last that we raised in 2004 was basically a financial in- year. With that, they need more capital. That’s stitutions and a telecoms fund. Our last fund that another reason for private equity growing and thriving in Africa,” said Alam. we invested was diversified in all sorts of areas:

GROWTH PROJECTED FOR AFRICA IN 2014 By Nicole Cassandra Naidoo FRICA, which is being recognised as one of the last frontier markets, is expected to see growth in the coming year. Following deliberations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week, there has been increased focus on the acceleration of developed-market GDP and its impact on emerging market economic growth. “An interesting development from the Davos deliberations is the fact that six sessions were devoted to Africa. Its potential as a foreign investment destination is being given serious consideration by both the developed and emerging markets,” said Ashburton Investments chief investment officer for South Africa,

By Wilhelmina Maboja

Paolo Senatore. “Sub-Sahara African economies have, in general, achieved GDP growth rates of around six per cent. It is forecast that these growth rates can be maintained for the foreseeable future. Over time this growth will largely be driven through increasing infrastructure and consumption expenditure.” The International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Christine Lagarde, also believes that Africa is most certainly not falling off the

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INTERVIEW Africa’s population is projected to grow to 1.4 billion people by 2015, that’s a massive population. It’s also developing a very strong middle class which on its own generates demand for FMCG goods, telecommunications and so on... I think the rest of the world cannot continue to ignore Africa-including Nigeria

NIGERIA SPEARHEADS AFRICA’S GROWTH AFRICA: GROWTH IN 2014 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 global agenda. “When I look at my IMF forecast, that’s where you [Africa] have the second fastest growth rate in the world. Some of Asia is developing a bit faster but the second fastest growing part of the world is actually Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Africa’s had the visit of the Japan prime minister. The US president has announced an African summit shortly in Washington,” Lagarde told CNBC Africa. “Africa is very much on the map and in the mind of a lot of people, policy makers as well as corporate leaders. My job is to both celebrate but also warn against the risk of complacency and the potential risks that we see on the horizon. [It’s] more positive but let’s be cautious.” South Africa, which according to the World Bank is currently the continent’s largest economy, is expected to face a number of tough economic challenges going forward. “Some of the factors hindering the potential GDP growth of the South African economy are: commodity prices, labour policies, electricity, rail infrastructure and the lack of a technologically advanced manufacturing sector,” Senatore indicated. “Added to South Africa’s challenges, the country currently suffers from the inadequate generation of electricity to sustain a growing economy. This lack of increased electricity supply places a ceiling on economic growth. However, the Medupi power station is scheduled to come into partial production towards year end. This development would alleviate the current supply shortage.” One of the concerning topics for the country from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week was the session on ‘BRICS in Midlife Crisis’ and Sentore explained that labour polices in South Africa specifically, are, in a developed market context, restrictive. “Recently the South African labour market has been placed in turmoil through strikes in the mining, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Moreover, the lack of a rapid and efficient rail network is also a barrier to potential growth,” he said. “Currently, coal and iron-ore exports are constrained by insufficient rail capacity. The lack of a ‘hi-tech’ manufacturing sector in South Africa primed to take advantage of the global demand for television sets, tablets, computers and smart phones is also a deterrent to potential growth.” He added that an accelerating global growth outlook however, could be mildly supportive for commodity prices for South Africa. “Given the weak rand, any increase in dollar commodity prices would increase revenues from the mining sector and help reduce the current-account deficit. Additionally, acceleration in the developed world, especially the United Kingdom and Europe, would benefit exports through the demand for manufactured products especially in the vehicle manufacturing sector,” Sentore said. “The South African Government has produced a well-considered economic blueprint for South Africa termed the ‘National Development Plan’. To achieve success the plan requires the buy-in and implementation by all stakeholders. Should this buy-in be realised, then the country may achieve higher levels of growth and join its sub-Saharan neighbours who are attaining growth rates of around six per cent.”

CNBC Africa’s Gugulethu Mfuphi caught up with Bisi Onasanya, Group Managing Director of First Bank Nigeria at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week and he talked about the Economic landscape between emerging economies and how Nigeria fits in. isi Onasanya: Some of us in the developing world, benefitted a lot from the happenings in the rest of the world. The impact of the recession was also felt by us but we picked up very quickly. Now the challenge is moving forward with the resolution of the crisis in the other parts of the world and the end of quantitative easing in the United States and the impact this has on foreign direct investments to the rest of the world including Nigeria. It has helped us a lot to stabilise our reserves, it has also helped us to defend our exchange rates which is a very critical component of managing our economy. As these changes begin to occur, we need to look at strategies and policies to make sure that it does not in any way significantly move us backwards from where we have been. To a large extent we are interested in development in the rest of the world to the

ations in Nigeria. My worry is, what else do we need to put in place to explain to the whole world that Nigeria is ready for foreign direct investment and to attract investments into Nigeria. I think sometimes the reality is that the rest extent that they also affect us at the national of the world have underrated the amount of oplevel. portunities that exist in Nigeria. They call them challenges and infrastructure but there are opEverybody is talking about Africa moving away portunities for investments as far as I am confrom the starved continent to perhaps the cerned and the wise investors from the rest of Promised Land, land of opportunity and land the world are already beginning to take a cue of growth. Nigeria has been air marked to from this and they are coming into Nigeria for spearhead the growth in the emerging marinvestments. kets as well as on the African continent. I’m sure you share the same amount of optimism? One of such companies that have recently invested money into Nigeria is SAP millers with as I do. I am very optimistic. Nigeria is the biggest much as $100 million. Coming back to the prescountry in Africa with the largest population. ence of Nigerian leadership that we saw at the Africa’s population is projected to grow to 1.4 world Economic Forum in Davos, does it show billion people by 2015, that’s a massive popula- the world how serious Nigeria is about ecotion. It’s also developing a very strong middle nomic development in the country. It class which on its own generates demand for shows that we are committed to attracting inFMCG goods, telecommunications and so on. I vestors into Nigeria, the level of governing presthink the rest of the world cannot continue to ence also goes on to confirm that we are ready to ignore Africa-including Nigeria- if they want to receive the rest of the world and that we are move away from the saturated economies of ready to support them. When you see successful the developed part of the world. The yields and business men also being a part of the team, they returns on investments in this part of the are also telling their counterparts that look, here world is superior to what you get on other I am, learn from my example. Aliko was there. He parts of the world. Sometimes I think the risks made all his money from Nigeria, now, he’s exare over hyped to the extent that they scare panding to the rest of Africa. What more eviaway some potential investors. I think they do dence do you need to see that Nigeria is a very that deliberately because they don’t want the friendly environment for investments? More imrest of the world to understand and share portantly is the fact that if you don’t drum up from the benefits of the rewards and the resupport for yourself, nobody is going to do it for turns they are getting in Nigeria. If you look at you. I think I am particularly delighted that MTN for instance, they’ve made about $2 bilwe’ve made significant at the event and it also colion in profit on an annual basis from the oper- incides with formal announcement as Nigeria as the host of the WEF Africa sometime in the year.

WEF AFRICA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NIGERIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Tinubu: I think we have been quite definitive about our intentions. It’s a transaction which we are unfortunately governed by certain confidentiality regulatory provisions but we are quietly confident of being there at the appropriate time. Do you foresee any challenges? Tinubu: No, we don’t foresee any challenges, we are suitably satisfied. We’ve already raised all our debt commitments as we did a press release months ago and our equity commitments were in place a couple of weeks ago so on the financial side, none other and we just have to wait for our regulatory approval. Let’s talk now about the African opportunity. Tewodros you chatted about Ethiopia and the potential for the oil and gas sector there. One of my biggest themes here has been intraAfrica trade and how we can unlock that potential. Do you see potential in the oil and gas industry? Tewodros: Absolutely. I think we’ve seen more and more indigenous players like Wale and we’ve seen two sides of the continent. The two largest counties by population, Nigeria and Ethiopia are in this interview now. You are going to see more and more collaborations, you are going to see intra African trade in the oil and gas industry and other industries and I think it’s about time. As you know, intra African trade right now is at about 11 per cent and I don’t think that is acceptable and we need to see that change. When you look at East Africa, some of the opportunities in terms of pipeline, whether its South Sudan, Ethiopia or Uganda, you are going to see collaborations in terms of infrastructure so I think it’ll be good for the continent. Phillips, what about collaboration in the financial sector and cross border collaboration?

Phillips: I think we are beginning to see that already and wale just mentioned a bit of that with the Conoco transaction which is a very exciting one for us. We believe that the Nigerian banks and the African banks in particular or in general will finance a lot of intra African deals. We have quite a lot of them taking place already like the gas pipeline that is cutting across Nigeria to other parts of Africa. We are very excited and UBA in particular, we are financing most of the big tickets.

We are nearly at the end of our allocated time, but we’ve got to talk about the Africa world economic forum coming to Nigeria, Abuja in May. This is a huge opportunity. This is Nigeria’s opportunity to showcase the country’s investment opportunity are you very excited? Phillips: I am very excited and I think indeed most Nigerians are very excited about it. What people outside Nigeria think about Nigeria is oil and gas, but what they don’t know is that there are tremendous opportunities in other sectors of the economy for instance agriculYou bring up a very exciting opportunity and I ture, which contributes just about 40 per cent discussed that with your finance minister just of the GDP today is beginning to scale up and a moment ago, and that is the gas opportuthe banks are beginning to finance a lot of nity in oil and gas. You speak about the agric related activities. Now, the telecommunipipeline and the financing of that infrastruc- cations industry is very strong. There are defiture, Wale let’s get your thoughts on how this nitely a lot of opportunities and again we have can revolutionise the commercial environabout 44 solid minerals that can be exploited ment in Nigeria. in commercial quantity. Tinubu: First of all, Oando has been at the forefront of building local distribution Tewodros, now the world economic forum has pipelines. One of the sad things is that we do been held in Addis Ababa. Perhaps you can just flare more gas in Nigeria than is required to give our Nigerian panellists a taste of what that power the whole continent and what has did for Addis Ababa and Ethiopia. been lacking really has been infrastructure to Tewodros: I think there is a perception probdeliver the gas primarily local process facili- lem. Ethiopia has it or has had it for a while. ties, local distribution pipelines, with a combi- Perhaps Nigeria and other African problems nation of Nigerian banks including UBA, we’ve have it. Africa has a branding problem and the been able to bill out a very large distribution world economic forum that was held in process in Lagos which is the commercial cap- Ethiopia, absolutely transformed in my opinital with 17 million people. We’ve taken quite a ion, the image of Ethiopia amongst the number of 130 industries to gas. We’ve done thought leaders. the same thing in the east of Nigeria and in Port Harcourt city, we’ve started billing out a Wale, just a final thought from you in terms of network. We see this as being a means to con- the world economic forum come Abuja in May. sistently reduce the amount of capital expen- Tinubu: we are really looking forward to showditure by importing liquid fuels into the casing Nigeria, it’s an incredible economy becountry, improve the quality of the environ- ing the second largest in the continent and I ment and provide a cheaper source of gas for think it’s an election year too, the country is a the populous and we think that this model 100 years, so we do look forward to the world will be replicated in other parts of the conti- economic community to come and see what nent like Angola, Ghana, wherever there is oil we’ve done, the progress we’ve made and the really. great future we have.

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AFRICA COULD HAVE MORE TO BOAST ABOUT By Dara Rhodes XPERTS BELIEVE if Africans are involved in the turnaround process of their economies, the continent could spearhead global economic growth. “I think Africa is the solution to some of the world crises that exist, in the sense that, it is a continent that needs to be developed, and therefore [this] creates the opportunities for people to come and invest and give value to their own economy by doing business in Africa,” Folusho Phillips, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group told CNBC Africa during the World Economic Forum. As the continent is now growing more rapidly than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations, it is quickly attracting more international recognition. However, while Philips is certain that the continent still needs more investment and global participation he believes, it also needs a lot more of Africans’ involvement. “If Africans participate in that growth, turnaround and are actively involved in the whole process that’s the one step that we need to take. A lot of work on strategy, direction, what we need to do, the next step is implementation and those are the challenges of Africa and we are paying the price of not taking responsibility for ourselves,” said Phillips. According to him, Africa needs to be engaged to make the changes that the rest of the world is trying to give support to. “I’ve got this philosophy that when you are going to brag about anything, you’ve got to be sure about what it is you want to brag about and so, Africa has got to be clear about what it wants to brag about,” he said. “It’s enough to brag about God’s given gifts of gold, diamonds, oil and gas and so on but I think one needs to go a step further and say, we need to brag about the fact that we can create value, tremendous value on wealth for the continent by actively participating in the concept.” A recent study conducted by the Royal Academy of Engineering found that engineering is a basic requirement for the provision of infrastructure that enables better healthcare, access to education and the development of an attractive environment for foreign investment. Thus making it a key driver for innovation and growth. “It’s about technology, it’s about engineering. I don’t know of any nation in the world that has turned itself around or created any mark globally, that hasn’t done so through engineering. We need engineers,” he added.

Friday, January 31, 2014 ment and tourism potential. According to the World Bank Doing Business rankings, Zambia is currently ranked 83rd out of 189 global economies in terms of ease of doing business. “The government has programmes that are put in place to [attract] investors to the country, and we have institutions like the Zambia Development Agency, which facilitates those processes in the country,” said Seketeni.

TRANSPARENCY AT THE CORE OF GOVERNANCE: LABELLE Governments globally have made numerous strides to institutionalise transparency, but more needs to be done on a local level. “Every country has improvement to be made. No one region has the monopoly on great transparency. If I look at Western Europe, countries of the northern part of Western Europe for example, [they] have had a tradition where the rule of law works,” Transparency International chair Huguette Labelle told CNBC Africa during the 44thWorld Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “[This is also] where transparency is much greater and where the openness of government has made it much easier for the people to get involved, and for the people to trust their government, because they see what they have there.” Labelle added that regions such as Latin America, which had for a long time been perceived to be corrupt, have made noteworthy changes. Countries like Chile have also considerably improved on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index. National governments in the region have also gone to administrative lengths to institutionalise transparency within and outside of government. “Brazil has been doing some very interesting work in the last few years under the current presidency, where every department of the federal government must publish every day, by midnight, all revenues and disbursements,” Labelle said. “North America in itself is really somewhat three different countries. Although you have – especially in the United States and Canada – a longer tradition of transparency, but still some measures to be taken in all the countries.” In the case of Africa, Labelle explained that Botswana had consistently been at the top 30 on the Corruption Perception Index, with the country’s leadership having made significant changes to institutionalise transparency. “When you look at the countries in Africa or anywhere else, what matters is the strength of the leadership, the commitment not just at election time, but after. The legal framework that is there, but especially whether it’s enforced or not, because that’s where one of the big problems remain,” Labelle added. “Also, giving themselves measures whereby you just don’t publish revenues once a year. [It should] be available in a timelier basis, and where the people are encouraged to say no when they are asked for a bribe.” Labelle additionally called upon governments to encourage their communities to participate in instances such as the country’s budgeting process and programme delivery to ensure that they are relevant to citizens’ needs.

SABMILLER TO INVEST $110 MILLION IN NIGERIAN BREWERY ZAMBIA’S LUAPULA PROVINCE A HEART OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY By Wilhelmina Maboja AMBIA’S LUAPULA PROVINCE could be the next investment destination in resources and a renewed tourism destination. “Luapula Province is one of the 10 provinces in the country, and it has a lot of potential in various areas, in tourism, agriculture, mining and hydro energy generation,” Luapula provincial government chief planning officer Daisy Seketeni told CNBC Africa. The Zambia Business Symposium, which will be held this year, will be one of the ways in which Zambia plans to promote its resources and investment options regionally and internationally. “We are promoting tourism, for example, and the government is inviting would-be investors to come to the province and look at the potential that is there. We have a number of waterfalls in the province, and one of them, the Lumangwe Falls, is the second-largest falls after the Victoria Falls. It’s in Luapula province,” Seketeni explained. The province has several other falls, and the Lusenga Plains National Park that the county’s government aims to publicise and promote as one of the top tourism destinations in the continent. Access to these tourist attractions will however be instrumental to Zambia’s plans to grow its tourism landscape. Zambia, like several other African countries, has poor roads and local travel systems. It could be even more difficult if a certain region or country was previously never a tourist attraction. “We have a robust programme of roads infrastructure developments. We [also] have a number of roads that lead to the tourist attractions that are going to be put in place, and a number of other roads are also going to be upgraded.” Zambia’s business environment and its level of ease of doing business is a crucial component to unlocking future invest-

ULTINATIONAL BREWING COMPANY SABMiller announces plans to expand their production capacity in Nigeria. The group’s Nigerian subsidiary, Intafact Beverages, will be expanding its Onitsha brewery in South Eastern Nigeria using an initial investment made by SABMiller of over 110 million US dollars, making it the single largest investment in Anambra state for almost 20 years. The brewery’s capacity will triple its current annual capacity from 700,000 to 2.1 million hectolitres. Capacity expansion work has already commenced and is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2015. “We have made significant investments over the past five years in Nigeria and this announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment in the country,” said Simon Harvey, managing director of SABMiller Nigeria. According to the company, the investment will lead to the creation of a further 400 direct jobs. The business currently employs 300 local people. The brewery will continue to produce brands such as Hero Lager, Castle Milk Stout and non-alcoholic malt beverages Grand Malt and Beta Malt.

ICT COULD BOOST AFRICA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH FRICA could gain $300 billion in its economic growth by 2050, if it embraces the internet as it embraced mobile phones, according to a McKinsey study. “Ushahidi has done a lot for the visibility of an idea that came from a network of Kenyans and for the technology story to include a story from Kenya and from Africa has been really good. Not only for visibility in the continent but also visibility in other countries where the software is now being used in over 159 other countries,” Juliana Rotich, CEO Ushahidi in East Africa told CNBC Africa at World Economic Forum in Davos. Ushahidi, is a non-tech company that specialises in developing free and open source software for information collection, visualisation and interactive mapping. Despite Kenya’s success story in technology connectivity, according to Rotich, it wasn’t always like this as when Ushahidi started in 2000, there was no fibre optic connectivity in the East African country. “At that time, internet penetration was about three per cent. Right now, with mobile broadband, we are looking at about 70 per cent penetration, so although part of it is the technological improvement and connectivity,” said Rotich. On the other hand, as Nigeria’s story is getting more and more important within the vision of Africa’s future, the country can no longer ignore the significance of technology. With plenty of room to explode, ICT could become a major source of economic growth in the country. Omobola Johnson, Minister of ICT in Nigeria told CNBC Africa, “What Nigeria is hoping to do is to replicate the success of Kenya. We are working very hard to provide infrastructure, internet penetration is probably in the low thirties, and we need to get it higher up into the seventies so that more Nigerians are using it”. “As we always quote, every 10 per cent increase in broadband delivers 1.3 per cent increase in GDP and you can see that because, businesses are being created, businesses that didn’t exist before are being created, Ushahidi is one good example of that, but we have that in Nigeria as well. People that didn’t have jobs have developed a particular product or service, delivered over the internet and they started making money,” said Johnson.

LOCAL INVESTMENT KEY TO PRIVATE EQUITY GROWTH IN AFRICA Private equity investment in Africa continues to grow but more local talent is needed to develop home-grown opportunity. “The private equity landscape in Africa has been evolving, and has evolved considerably over the last 20 years. In the last 10 years, progress has been enormous,” Abraaj Group partner Sev Vettivetpillai told CNBC Africa at the 44th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “If you look at many of the countries in Africa today, [they’re] moving towards a more pro-business [and] pro-democratic process, which allows investors to take long-term decisions about investing in these markets [and] be secure in terms of the investments they make in these markets.” Vettivetpillai added that a number of Africans that had left the continent for education or job opportunities overseas are now returning to their home countries. This is another positive sign for Africans and international investors. “We’ve been investing in Africa for two decades, and we’ve invested from the start of the ‘90s. We’ve been through many cycles, many issues in the market, but an investor with a long-term view, with local talent on the ground, is key to investing in these markets. I think anyone who is willing to invest on the continent, they will not regret it,” said Vettivetpillai. There have however been challenges due to the continent’s political landscape, and some countries have experienced political instability. Africa however continues to display promising returns on equity as it continues to develop. “Challenges also provide opportunities at the same time. The question is how do you manage those challenges and make sure that you come out of it okay. Having local Africans investing in their own continent are the best people to understand this in depth. That’s one thing we’ve invested in,” Vettivetpillai explained. “These challenges are sometimes tough, sometimes test your patience, and sometimes test your ability to keep investing. Having done that for 20 years, we’ve been through so many cycles [and] one thing is clear: if you have teams on the ground, the risks and the issues that come up in this market, understanding that and investing, taking into account these issues, having people on the ground to manage those investments is a key way of managing those risks,” said Vettivetpillai. Intra-Africa trade prospects can also increase private equity investment in the continent, and Vettivetpillai believes it’s a key

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ETHIOPIA’S TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURAL SECTOR comes and moving the country out of poverty," Khalid Bomba, CEO of Ethiopian Agricultural Transmission Agency, told CNBC Africa during the 44th annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The tranformation has so far gained traction as the agency has focused across the entire value chain. In past years, the focus has traditionally been on increasing productivity. Productivity is however only one part of the equation in addition to increasing the yields of farmers. “We’ve got to think about market access, first and foremost. The link between productivity By Wilhelmina Maboja and market access also has lots of pieces in between, things as simple as aggregation. Small FRICA seeks to promote growth in its agri- farmers typically have about a hectare of land culture sector by improving market access in Ethiopia, versus US and European farmers that have hundreds of hectares," Bomba exand better extension services. plained. “The Ethiopian Agricultural Transmission Agency, or the ATA, is tasked with transforming "So how do you aggregate the production of all Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, moving Ethiopia’s these small farmers and get it to market, smallholder farmers from subsistence farming which increases things like storage, transtowards market-oriented commercial farming. portation, and many other issues as well.” [Therefore] increasing their productivity and in- Ethiopia is an agrarian country, and roughly

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Friday, January 31, 2014 45 per cent of its GDP comes from agriculture. This is unlike European and Asian countries, whose agriculture production contribution to GDP s in the one per cent range. “Of that 45 per cent of the GDP, about 95 per cent of it is smallholder farmers usually growing subsistence farming, the staple [foods]," said Bomba. "What we want to do is shift them towards income-generating high value crops that are much more market oriented, generating income and as a result buying from the market the goods that they need rather than actually growing them on the farm.” The agency has been receiving additional support from Grow Africa, an organisation that seeks investment for Africa’s agriculture sectors. Bomba also sees the private sector as a crucial partner for the transformation of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. “We’ve had significant and fantastic support from our development partners, but what we really see Grow Africa providing is that link to private sector investors, be they African-based private sectors or international-based investors that can really come in and help us transform that sector,” he added.

THE CHANGING FACE OF AFRICA’S TELECOMS SECTOR By Wilhelmina Maboja ELECOMMUNICATIONS services in Africa are expected to expand into other industries as Africans become more tech savvy. “When we look at data as a service, there are different aspects that actually influence its consumption, one being the availability of devices, smartphones or some kind of smart device that will allow people to actually use the data. The second aspect is content; you need to have something to be looking for on the internet or to use the internet,” International Data Corporation telecoms and media programme manager Spiwe Chireka told CNBC Africa. “What we’ve seen is that there has been this growth in locally-developed content, because in the past you’d have to go on Youtube and it will mostly be American videos. Now we’ve started to see within local markets huge growth in the actual availability of data.” The International Data Corporation recently released its outlook for the African telecommunications market for 2014. They predict a wave of growth in digital and media content as smartphone ownership explodes, and as African telecoms users become more sophisticated in their use of mobile applications. Chireka added that the cost of services aspect is of particular importance, and while South Africa is relatively higher in service costs than in other African regions, there has been a significant shift in prices. ADSL prices in the past three to four years in the country have seen a 70 per cent cut, and telecommunications provider Telkom has recently announced further cuts on the wholesale side. Elsewhere in the continent, countries such as Nigeria come top of the list when it comes to strong opportunities in the telecoms space. More people in Nigeria have access to mobile phones as opposed to access to clean drinking water, as is the case with other African countries. “One of the things that we are predicting this year is that we’re going to start seeing mobile players operating more in ‘adjacent markets’. If we look at banking, for example, you find that there’s still about 75 per cent of the population in Africa that would otherwise need banking services but they don’t have access to it,” Chireka said. “We’ve seen mobile money like M-PESA in Kenya where they’re driving the access to financial services. One of the things mobile operators are doing, in partnership with banks, is now extending the services that they can offer: microfinance, microcredit, microinsurance through those devices.” Africa’s healthcare sector is also starting to see growth in the number of healthcare initiatives driven by mobile phones. Aspects such as infant mortality rates and maternal health can now be monitored through mobile devices and access to the internet using the devices. “In retail, we’ve started to see there is a growth in the middle class in Africa, a growth in ecommerce, and what’s happening is that they’re taking mobile money and integrating it with ecommerce, now allowing people who did not have credit cards to be able to operate

KEY TO PRIVATE EQUITY GROWTH IN AFRICA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 component to the African growth story. “Despite the shortfall in certain countries in Africa in terms of enabling that trade, business tends to find its way to do it. That resilience is what Africa is about. Those who are willing to take that hard road, take the initiative and do things, not waiting for hand outs or privileged access, you can do that,” he added.

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ExecutiveBrief

EDITION 294

In association with TRIPPLEA ASSOCIATES LIMIED

REGCHARLES:

Partners with M.S.M.Es for Sustainable Growth

women are economic agents and leaders, social change accelerates and returns multiply. These returns can be measured in our families, our neighbourhoods, and across the world. Also, Do you have international prtners /affiliates? RegCharles Partners with Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trades we believe that future of Nigeria rests on the younger (FAST). FAST represents lenders and producers dedicated to bring- Generation, in our terms the ‘Gen-Y’ The Nigerian unemployment situation cannot be over emphasized, and our way of ing sustainable products to market. FAST brings together this diverse group of stakeholders for the first time to work collective- reversing this trend is to teach the future how to become employers of labour, rather than employees in the limited ly to increase the number of producers in developing nations. paid employment jobs. This has become the premise on which RegCharles is also working with Cherie Blaire Foundation, the Foundation develops programmes that build confidence, capabil- RegCharles Foundation is built. To serve the underserved communities of youth and women in Nigeria. ity and capital in women Etc. ing their developmental goals while enhancing the abilities.

Corporate Governance Philosophy: RegCharles Finance and Capital Limited recently won the African Governance and Corporate Leadership Award ‘Best Investment Management Company in 2013’, organized by the Institute For Government Research & Leadership Technology for its expertise in investment management, excellence in project finance planning and management, outstanding in execution and completion, brand integrity, customer and timeous service delivery, high quality services, track record and value creation, corporate general performance and operational excellence, compliance with professional codes and ethical standards, compliance with governEGCHARLES Finance and Capital Limited (formerly Alex ment regulatory laws guidelines etc. We strive to be articulate in Finance and Trusts Limited) is a Non-Banking Financial all that we do as stipulated in our company’s core values and Institution licensed by CBN to provide Investment management Services, transactional services, credit services, debt and woven into our everyday operations. Getting recognized for it equity solutions, foreign exchange logistics, financial advisory shows we are doing something right and we promise not to services and business advisory to the general public and insti- relent in our mission to alleviate poverty via entrepreneurial empowerment in our youth and assisting small businesses to tutions. The Managing Director/CEO of RegCharles Finance and Capital Limited, Mr. Peter Damian Mbama, is highly moti- grow. vated, entrepreneurial minded and result oriented self starter with track record experience in financial markets with expert- Projections in the next five years: ise in corporate trade, structured and project finance for large In the next five years, we are looking at becoming the first privately owned development Finance institution in the country. In the corporate and MSMEs. In this interview with Nnamdi next five years, we’ll be operating in at least 10 states in the counNwokolo, Peter, bares his mind on the challenges of entertry and our presence will be felt in the Sub-region. We are also tarprenuership development in Nigeria. He is the Founder and Chairman Board of trustees for RegCharles Foundation, a not- geting a balance sheet size of N10b based on the numerous innofor-profit social enterprise dedicated to capacity development, vative products we are developing. Our vision is to be the most innovative non-banking financial institution in Africa and a refentrepreneurship programmes, philanthropy and social impact investing, especially in disadvantaged populations in erence for financing, fund management and advisory services to SMEs, consumer market, GEN-Y and non-profit making Nigeria. He is also the Chairman of RegCharles Management institutions” Services, a one stop shop for financial leasing solutions, haulage services, real estate and other management services How do you source funds? tailored to suit their clients’ request. We source funds from high net worth individuals who are looking for different vehicles for investment, we also Tell Us briefly what RegCharles is all about: Regcharles Finance and Capital Limited (formerly Alex Finance source funds from corporate firms, NGO’s etc. We were thinking of the banks but we however found out it will not and Trusts Limited) is a Non-Banking Financial Institution licensed by CBN to provide Investment management Services, be sustainable. What we did was to keep developing innovative products that will attract investors to us. The govtransactional services, credit services, debt and equity soluernment is not supporting us in any way in terms of fundtions, foreign exchange logistics, financial advisory services and business advisory to the general public and institutions. ing as they do with the banks. Whatever impact and supOur mission is to leverage on our core resources in providing port we have made is from our capital and borrowings sophisticated and most innovative financing, advisory services from the public. and solutions to our chosen markets by creating extended What can Government do differently to help enterprenuerplatform through strategic alliances with institutions that share similar interests within and across the global financial ship development? sectors.Regcharles targets to support capacity building, entre- For me, I think the government has done enough, Youwin is there, government is equally giving grants to small businesspreneurship and inculcate savings culture by providing tailored financial solutions and advisory services to a distinct set es but what happens is that the entrepreneurs divert the grants. The only thing I think government should do, which of prospects different from competition such as consumers and households; GEN-Ys, Micro, small and medium scale enter- they are doing at the moment, but some people are sabotaging prises (SMEs) with a possibility of extension to top level firms; it unfortunately, is to stabilize power, and reduce unnecessary and multiple taxation. Government should also start assessNon Profit Making Organizations. ing financials institution they give funds for onward lending to MSME’s. Assess them on the credibility What are challenges of Enterprenuership Development in of their operation. Regcharles is using what Nigeria? I’ve read a lot of books and heard a lot of things, people always we have and the capital from sharecome up with textbook analysis including poor funding, infra- holders to develop entrepreneurship. If government is structure deficits and multiple taxation etc. For us at really sincere in developing Regcharles, the true challenge of SMEs success is corporate MSMES, they should partgovernance, 90% of them divert funds making it impossible for financial institutions to give them facility. The major chal- ner with Regcharles lenge of entrepreneurship is the entrepreneur and corporate because our records are there for assessment. governance issues. We know that there are infrastructural challenge etc,but the major challenge is corporate governance You are also the issues. Those that are ready to incorporate corporate goverChairman of RegCharles nance achieve success. Foundation, tell us about that RegCharles Unique Selling Point of RegCharles: The unique selling point of Regcharles is that we are running a Foundation is the ‘Not – model that no financial institution is running and that model for- Profit’ organisation with focus on Youth is ensuring the growth of the entrepreneur by accommodating them, training them and helping their business succeed. and women entrepreneurship. Our We equally partner with them to ensure the sustainability of their business. With an array of innovative products and serv- Commitment is “Social and Impact ices designed to delve into the market specialties hitherto avoided by other institutions but remains the validity of eco- Investing” in Nigeria with a special focus nomic development and empowerment, RegCharles is well positioned to create a niche in the market. RegCharles Finance on female and youth entrepreand Capital Limited is committed to making a difference by adopting a conceptual approach that focusses on understand- neurship. When ing the obstacles that inhibit people and businesses from relis-

What are the impact of these organisation in our society? RegCharles Finance and Capital Limited has Invested $100,000.00 into ELEGANCE AGRO-ALLIED MULTIPURPOSE BUSINESS LTD to facilitate their agric supply chain business with their off-takers. Vglamour Creations started as a mobile photography business in April 2011 with patronages from family and church members. The promoter is passionate about art and photography, and this led him to approach RegCharles Finance and Capital for a start up financing of $35,000 for 24 months. At the moment, we’ve equity investment in about ten businesses, those we’ve funded is about 25. The success rate is about 70%. We’ve successfully grown businesses up to 75% and we are doing this with no government backing. RegCharles Foundation recently partnered with AIESEC, a non-for-profit international platform for young people to explore and develop leadership potentials. As part of her Initiatives, RegCharles Foundation supports the First Kids Expo at the Teeky Arena premises, located at Kusenla Road, Lekki, Lagos. What is the driving force? The driving force is the passion to impact positively, training and capacity building for new entrepreneurs, participate in rural development for rural youth and women.

Peter Mbama

For Advertisement and Enquiries call Nnamdi 08025070837, E-mail:editor.executivebrief@trippleagroup.com

Advice for young enterprenuers: Honesty is the keyword.

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AutoWheels 2015 Kia K900, a bargain car in the making

Kia K900

By Taiwo Hassan HE incoming of the 2015 T Kia K900 has once again revealed that stylish cars hold the ace for future automobiles. The 2015 Kia K900 has demonstrated it’s a true luxury car for the future because of its hi-tech features. The big K900 sedan is the most opulent car Kia has ever built. It’s essentially an Americanised version of the Kia Quoris sold around the world and a platform-mate to the similarly ambitious Hyundai Equus built by the parent company- Hyundai Motors. The K900 is the only Kia brand not to have a proper name, allegedly because wealthy people respond better to alphanumerics than actual names. And it is significant both in terms of what it is — a big step up in comfort and gravitas from the near-luxury Cadenza sedan, which itself was considered ambitious when it was introduced last year — and what it represents: A stake in the ground in the true luxury car world. Various questions are been asked why is Kia selling a luxury car in the first place? According to the company, the price gap between fullsize luxury sedans (such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8) and their mid-size siblings (EClass, 5-Series, A6) has grown since the global recession. That has made room for Kia to come up with a larger luxury sedan priced like the midsizers. Besides that, Kia will not pitch the K900 directly against the S-Class, 7-Series and others; rather, the company hopes to reinforce the K900’s position as a ‘tweener

that occupies the space between the mid-size and full-size segments without boasting superiority within either. So is the K900 the real deal? Yes…mostly. Like nearly every other big boy luxury car, the K900 has a choice of V-6 or V-8 engines. It has rear-wheel drive. It has a huge rear seat. And most importantly, it has heaps of luxury items. even the base K900 V-6 comes standard with adaptive headlights, a power trunk, leather seats and dash, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 17-speaker 900-watt Lexicon sound system, and front/rear parking cameras. Options for the V-6 model include a heated steering

wheel, panoramic sunroof, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control and real wood trim. Step up to the V-8 model and all of the above comes standard, along with LED headlamps and 19-inch wheels. The test cars were all top-ofthe-line V-8 models equipped with the VIP package, which adds a colour heads-up display, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument screen in place of the standard gauges, and ventilated, reclining rear seats. While these cars are certainly stacked, some features you found on its competitors, like massaging seats, rear seat entertainment systems, and lane keeping assist, for example, are not available at all. The Equus even offers a right

rear executive seat package and a fridge.) According to the company, the K900 V-8 models will be the first to arrive this spring. Blessed with 420 hp at 6,400 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm, the Tau 5.0-liter is a strong mill: as the barely audible engine hardly broke a sweat, despite having 4,550 pounds plus weight. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts imperceptibly and has manual, sport and eco shift modes. A few months after launch, a 311-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 model with 293 lb-ft of torque and about 275 fewer pounds to move around would arrive. That model will certainly not be as quick as the meaty V-8powered version, but nor will

be it as thirsty. The V-8 model is rated at 15 mpg city / 23 mph highway, while the V-6 comes in at 18/27. Besides, most luxury car customers will find the K900’s handling dynamics more than acceptable. The steering is direct and rather quick, yet also devoid of feedback, prompting constant course corrections in the windier parts of the testing. The brake pedal, on the other hand, delivers surprisingly good feel and linear response, facilitating limolike stops befitting its limolike proclivities. Overall, the K900 exhibits a Teutonic heft that never lets you forget that you that

you’re piloting a two-and-aquarter-ton, low-flying luxury saloon. And that’s a good thing. Perhaps the best dynamic quality is its utter serenity at speed. Despite the car’s profile, 19inch tires, harsh impacts were virtually obliterated, imparting a ride quality that’s as creamy as that of the Lexus LS. Wind noise is non-existent up to about 85 mph. If there’s anything overtly missing from the K900, it is any sense of specialness. The exterior appearance is a large-print version of the Cadenza, with a bit more front-end length to reflect its rear-drive layout, and a limosized rear door. It’s handsome enough, and the details are quite lovely, but the K900 just isn’t particularly distinct next to, say, the slinky S-Class or the glitzy Jaguar XJ. Even the 19-inch chrome rims seem unremarkable. The K900’s tall, credenza-like dashboard contains several banks of buttons and a large, 9.2-inch info screen controlled by a console-mounted puck that looks and functions just like BMW’s iDrive. LED lights provide sexy nighttime ambience, yet next to its competitors, nothing about the K900’s cabin looks or feels particularly special. There is an overreliance on piano black trim, and hard plastics cover the transmission tunnel and door panels from knee-level to the floor. That said, bargain hunting remains a bit de classe for luxury car buyers, and for its part, Kia seems to have no illusions about the K900 snatching too many S-Class buyers from Mercedes’ warm embrace, predicting that a large part of its initial sales will come from Kia loyalists. Kia is entering the luxury car pool making nary a splash.

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Cadillac wins ELR plug-in luxury car awards ADILLAC hasn’t got a lot C of credit so far its plug-in luxury car, but now it’s won a rather impressive award.

The Green Car Journal has given Cadillac ELR its 2014 Green Car Technology Award. It was presented last

week at the Washington Auto Show. “Cadillac has cleverly evolved a common electric-

drive efficiency system into an intriguing feature that adds a new dimension to the driving experience,” said Ron Cogan, Editor and Publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com, in a statement. Like most regenerative braking systems in hybrid and electric vehicles, the ELR’s electric motor recovers otherwise wasted energy while braking. The power goes right back into the battery. ELR’s system is different because it allows the driver to engage the stored regenerated energy by pushing the steering-wheel paddles. The ELR is Cadillac’s new plugin car. Cogan said: “Re-gen on demand’ enhances driving dynamics. It induces re-gen

drag that allows decelerating before turns. Drivers often don’t need to brake. The engine does it for them. “ ‘Regen on demand’ is one of the key systems enabling the Cadillac ELR to merge performance with efficiency in a dynamic new way,” said Jim Vurpillat, director of Emerging Markets at Cadillac, in a statement. “Putting regenerative braking at the driver’s fingertips supports the ELR’s 340-mile total driving range, while also adding a fun-to-drive element.” In winning the award, Cadillac ELR beat Acura Sport Hybrid’s SH-AWD powertrain, Audi’s 3-litre TDI clean diesel engine, BMW’s i3 carbon fibre reinforced plastic passenger cell, Ford’s 1-litre EcoBoost

Like most regenerative braking systems in hybrid and electric vehicles, the ELR’s electric motor recovers otherwise wasted energy while braking. The power goes right back into the battery. ELR’s system is different because it allows the driver to engage the stored regenerated energy by pushing the steeringwheel paddles. The ELR is Cadillac’s new plug-in car. engine, Honda Accord’s plug-in powertrain, Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell, Mazda’s i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system, Porsche’s plug-in hybrid powertrain and Ram’s 3-litre EcoDiesel engine.

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BUSINESSTRAVEL Friday, January 31, 2014

BusinessTravel

Technology for the screening of travellers’ luggage at an airport

Passenger facilitation: Key to efficient airports? By Wole Shadare IRPORTS all over the world

A strive to make customers’ experience pleasant. Passenger facilitation is a series of processes, which can begin as soon as a passenger buys his or her ticket, designed to make the journey through an airport as smooth as possible. But this is not the same with most of the airports in Nigeria. Going through checks and security processes could be traumatic. Most of the international airports are not passenger friendly, with little or no consideration for the elderly or physically challenged. Seats are grossly inadequate for waiting travellers, with the vicinity of the Lagos airport not too different from a typical market square, particularly at peak period. Passengers struggle to queue on a long stretch of lines for hours, sweating profusely and frustrated before their luggages get on long tables manned by different security agents like the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law

Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Customs officials. After managing to wait on the queue for hours, a very tired passenger eventually makes it to that table and asked to open his luggage and in some cases, they are asked to bring out all the contents in the baggage. Besides, the security personnel take turns, to dip their hands in the passenger’s luggage to ascertain if the passenger is travelling with prohibited items. What is more frustrating is the fact that each of the security operatives do the same checks in a way that frustrate travellers and put him or her under intense pressure. Passengers tend to focus on the most visible aspect of the screening process — the security checkpoint-, which includes person and carry-on inspection. For travellers, Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) is more of an afterthought, the checkpoint’s “silent partner.” But for airport officials, ineffective HBS processes have farreaching repercussions: flight delays, lost bags, even cancel-

lations. In fact, given the interdependency of flight scheduling, a single airport’s struggles with HBS could lead to operational inefficiencies and traveller dissatisfaction throughout the entire air travel system. As with many aspects of airport security, the terrorist attacks of September 2001 redefined the need for HBS. While many airports had basic HBS systems in place, in truth airports screened only five per cent of hold baggage. Today, the law requires 100 per cent of hold baggage be inspected, and not just by a traditional HBS system, but one equipped with explosives detection. A top aviation security expert who spoke on condition of anonymity said that what obtained in virtually all Nigerian airports is contrary to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules on passenger facilitation. According to ICAO, the passenger is supreme from the point where he gets to the airport to the point he enters the aircraft, as the bottlenecks puts a lot of burden on trav-

ellers in terms of check-in. The sources disclosed that multiple manual checking by the different security officials was resolved during the tenure of a former Minister of Aviation, Kema Chikwe. She helped to harmonise the aberration at that time which continued immediately she left office. What happened then was to have travellers’ luggage checked by just one security agents watched by others. It helped to shorten the time it takes to process travellers like the case like OR Tambo, Cape Town, Cairo, Ethiopian, Kenyan airports among others. “In several countries, the only people you meet at the airports are immigration officers, and at times, Customs officials who do random checks from time to time. Another issue is about passenger processing, which is being worked on with the little expansion of the terminal. “When you are through with the Custom Service, Immigration, NDLEA and others, another problem you have is at the security gate. Because the facilities are limited, there

are bound to be long queues that cause delay. The problem is that the Lagos airport, so, it is in line to build a new terminal to accommodate passenger growth,” he added. Not a few believe that the avalanche of security men should be minimised, just as they call on the federal government to deploy technology for these checks instead of having various security operatives doing what just one security unit can handle. The strong point for this is to check new security threats and the sophisticated manner of concealment of dangerous and prohibited items, not a few agreed that the situation has been on for many years even before the threats of terrorists. Sources who spoke to The Guardian said that there was nowhere in the world where manual or physical check of passenger’s luggage was done; an indication that most of the nation’s airport lack technology to screen luggage suspected to contain illegal or prohibited item. Although, the United States of America in its assistance to Nigeria donated series of

screening machines to the NDLEA in its fight against terrorism, technology for baggage screening is said to be grossly inadequate or lacking. Aging facilities are causing airports to struggle with peak travel demand while improving customer satisfaction and enabling revenue opportunities. The expansion of the departure hall of the Lagos airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should help to reduce travellers’ pains, much still needed to be done to make air travel seamless and enjoyable by cutting down on hours it takes to process travellers. Checked baggage screening is a growing market as airport groups and regulators focus on combating sophisticated and emerging threats. In the U.S., the TSA screens 100 per cent of checked baggage in commercial airports, and in the European Union, many airports are moving forward with purchasing EU Standard 3 Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) ahead of the mandated September 2014 deadline.

Man versus plane contest holds February 3 HE race of a lifetime is on! British Airways Africa and South Korea will require strength, Town is a project manager for a roofing company focused, mentally ready and bring their A-Game, T highly anticipated Man Vs Plane contest is stamina and ultimately speed, to power past and Elliott Havakuk from Israel, works in the if they stand a chance of beating the plane to the environmental industry assisting companies in finish.” set to take place at Durban’s King Shaka British Airways largest commercial aircraft. International Airport on February 3, 2014. From the thousands of people who entered via ba.com, five lucky winners from around the world have been selected to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. The winners will fly to Durban to race British Airways newest A380 super-jumbo on the runway over 200m, while the eyes of the world’s media watches on. The winners from the UK, Israel, France, South

Four Rolls Royce Trent-900 engines drive the A380, each producing 70,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft will be airborne once it reaches 140 MPH and it can fly up to 600 MPH when airborne. This is the ultimate test of Man vs. Machine. The winners comprise of four men and a lady. Heidi Hawkes from the UK works in the security industry, Rudolph Matete a banker from Zimbabwe is studying for a Masters in Public Policy in South Korea. Rudolph Raath from Cape

Africa developing agriculture, water access and energy supply. The fifth winner is Julien Maderay, a French Air Force Officer currently working in Brussels. South African rugby player Bryan Habana (Springboks and Toulon) said: “Last summer, British Airways gave me the opportunity to race their new A380 and am pleased to say, I won. I am known for my speed on the pitch, but this race was no walk in the park. These runners need to be

The runner with the quickest time on the day will win two return tickets (in Club World) on one of British Airways A380 direct flights to London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong or Johannesburg, enjoying the sweet taste of success. From February 12, 2014, British Airways will fly its new A380 between the airline’s award winning home base of London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Johannesburg.

Friday, January 31, 2014 BUSINeSSTRAVeL 47

The GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Perishable cargo: Akure airport gets govt’s approval he federal government T has designated the Akure Airport as a perishable cargo terminal. The Minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah disclosed this recently during her inspection visit to the airport in company of the State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Oduah noted that the perishable terminal would be a gateway to farmers and industrialists, stressing that it would also be a huge platform for employment generation in the state. She added that the economic effect of the terminal would be higher, adding that it would be one of the largest

in Nigeria when completed. The minister said that the terminal was to enhance the work of Mimiko in the state, showcase Ondo State to the world and open it both local and international investors and tourists. She declared that her ministry would ensure that at least two

flights ply Akure Airport daily. In his remarks, Mimiko, thanked the federal government for its decision to transform the socio- economic landscape of the state and promised the support and cooperation of the state government towards speedy completion of the project. Mimiko noted that his

We have been waiting for long for our own bite of the cake, and we are glad to hear this good news. I thank you for the good package that you have brought for us, and I want to assure you that whatever it will take to fast-track the completion of the perishable cargo terminal will be made available. The choice of Akure for this perishable terminal is commendable administration had been collaborating with the aviation ministry in the areas of infrastructural development and maintenance. he said: “We have been waiting for long for our own bite of the cake, and we are glad to hear this good news. I thank you for the good pack-

age that you have brought for us, and I want to assure you that whatever it will take to fast-track the completion of the perishable cargo terminal will be made available. The choice of Akure for this perishable terminal is commendable.”

Govt appoints chairmen, members, board of aviation parastatals From Karls Tsokar, Abuja he federal government T has reconstituted the governing boards of her agencies of the aviation sector with the appointment of

Dana Air resumed operations after three months of comprehensive audit by the NCAA…recently

ANLCA tasks govt on reduction of duty charges By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi he Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA) has appealed to the Federal government to reduce the charges, the agents pay on duties to create enabling environment for cargo clearing services at the nation’s airports. Speaking on one year overview of the association, the Chairman, ANLCA, Nze Aloysius Igwe said that though 2013 was full of challenges, the association was able to record success in its operations in terms of secur-

ing accommodation and creating cordial relationship with the agencies, which was the major issues facing them. he added that other issues of the customs brokers of Murtala Muhammed Airport chapter, was the obtaining of Federal Operation Unit (F.O.U) certificate, the revenue target of the command and tackling of security problems. Igwe noted that before now, the processes of trade facilitation has been changing among the government circles, but stated that, after he took over the leadership, there

has been a formidable processing procedure, which has enhanced resolution of cargo clearance and also put security at it right position. his words: “The customs brokers in 2013 in this chapter noticed a high level protection in carrying out their daily activities without fear and molestation. The association has also created a cordial relationship among the agencies, especially Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)”. “I give a very big thanks to the Managing Director, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi for his under-

standing and maturity in listening and attending to issues as they came”, he added. Speaking on the 2014 expectations, the Chairman said: “Our expectations as customs brokers are high, with the federal government approval for customs to do their traditional and professional duties of inspecting goods locally”. “We expect a high level of corporation from customs and patience from the brokers, because destination inspection is a process we left for so long. Now that destination inspection is back, both cus-

toms officers and their customs brokers will have to undergo series of seminar and training, which will lead to productivity and increase our revenue generation and acquaint them with dynamics of the cargo clearings”, Igwe noted. The Chairman also said that ANLCA has focused on how to improve on the welfare of the members, as they have provided mini transport services, for those that are finding it difficult to access airport environment from where they are living.

Abdullahi Wazii Tambuwal as chairman of the board of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, signed by his Senior Assistant, Media Sam Nwaobasi said, President Goodluck Jonathan also approved the appointments of Olusola Oke as chairman Governing Board of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA, while Dr. Dan Kure is the new chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Also appointed is Yomi Akintola to chair the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NMA). The statement indicates that each of the board has no fewer than 10 members each.

Air France-KLM merger happened at a difficult time, says Tauzin Jean-Raoul Tauzin is general manager, Air FranceKLM (West Africa). In this interview with WOLE SHADARE, he spoke on a range of issues bothering on the airline group’s operations in Nigeria, ten years of what has become arguably the biggest airline merger in history and the vision of the airlines in years to come. Excerpts how do you rate the partnership of Air France-KLM and the projection of this partnership in the next five years? T is a strategic approach done by the head office; I may not be able to give you the projection for the next five years. however, it is good we are going to celebrate our ten years anniversary of Air France-KLM merger. It brought a lot of benefits. First of all, it is a merger of having two strong airlines in europe, which happened at a difficult time. It is better to be two instead of one. With that merger, we have been in the process of working with a lot of synergy in terms of net-

work to some destinations where we were not strong. For instance, some destinations where KLM was not strong and we were strong, same with areas where Air France was not strong but where KLM was strong. Its good we are operating as Air France-KLM. It is a convenient network. As far as network is concerned, we are opening new routes, stations where KLM is, there is Air France and where Air France is, there is KLM. For instance, the new destination that has been opened recently by KLM is Buenos Aires. KLM used to fly to Buenos Aires, they stopped to fly because we are stronger than them and now, we are recovering the group, and the group is recovering. We are expanding our market share. We are doing the same with Chile. KLM is going to open route in Chile; Air France is going to open Jakarta in Indonesia; it is key route for KLM and Air France is going to operate to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur. So, the beauty and benefits of Air France-KLM as far as network is concerned, we have harmonised commercial issues, we have harmonised the flying group (Flying Dutchman for KLM),

Tauzin we merged the two and got the flying group. The benefits have been integrated for both customers. The good thing about it is that we work a lot on costs saving. Where Air France has a good supplier, KLM shifted to it and where KLM has a good supplier, Air France shift to it. In terms of volume, we could negotiate better with a supplier. It is true for hotel; it is true for all kinds of suppliers. In terms of customers, not only the customers, for instance, other airlines are using the services of eMeL engineering

and maintenance of Air France-KLM. You can see that for ten years, we have done a lot and still have a lot to do. For instance, the good benefits for the company is the new business class seats which you saw; that is a world business class seat. It is the same as Air France. The colour is the colour of Air France and KLM with the colour of KLM, but the seats are the same. We can go to the providers, saying we are not just buying one seat for Air France, but two seats, one for Air France; one for KLM and you can get bene-

fits for both of them. You may like to arrive early in Lagos to avoid traffic, so, I use Air France because they arrive early at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. while KLM arrives at 8 p.m. You can go with KLM and arrive with Air France, you can do it, but you cannot do it with some other airlines. What you do on Lagos, you can do it everywhere in the world. If Air France does not operate, you can come with KLM. The key benefits is on the North Atlantic with the joint venture that has been put in place between Air FranceKLM, Delta and Alitalia, we are really benefitting from that venture. Looking at your operations in Nigeria, initially, you linked Ph with Lagos, but four years ago, you changed pattern, you link Abuja with Ph. how is that system or are you thinking of a review? In simple term, we are continuing to serve number of cities, providing that the economy of serving that city is good for the group. If you are losing a lot on destinations whether it is Nigeria or other destinations, at one moment you have to look at how to do it. Talking about

our coming to Lagos, we have increased frequencies in KLM, but in Air France to make that possible, we are able to connect the two destinations. Instead of having B777 serving two destinations, we have one serving Lagos and one for Abuja and we are still linking them. We saw great potentials for Lagos and we give more capacity to Lagos and the next capacity to Bamako linked with Abuja. each season, we see the market shares we can grab; whatever positioning we have and in order to address our offer. If there is growth in some routes, we can increase the frequency, or capacity depending on the one you want. At times, you need to decrease the capacity because you are going to use your aircraft for another destination, which there is a bigger potential. It is nothing that is completely. Assessing your operations to Nigeria, what are you looking at in terms of improving your services? We first of all have the products and then the service. As far as equipment is concerned and we have lounge, which has been opened for our customers.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, January 31, 2014

FridayWorship By Afis A. Oladosu

In the name of the Almighty, the Beneficent the Merciful The Almighty, there is none but He (Q2:255) RETHREN, experience has shown, B for example, that recitation of the verse of the throne (Ayat al-Qursiyy) on any part of the body where one suffers pain or fears affliction is efficacious. Thus, just before that small bump on your body becomes a fully grown medical problem, press it down after each obligatory prayer and recite the verse of the throne to and on it. It would disappear by the grace of the Almighty! This has been tested and trusted. The following story buttresses this assertion. Abu Hurayra (r.a) says: the Prophet made me the guardian of the Zakaat of Ramadan. One thief began to steal from it. I caught him and told him that I am definitely going to take him to the Prophet (s.a.w). He said: “Leave me, I am a destitute and I have a family”. I, (Abu Hurayra) left him. In the morning the Prophet asked me: “What did your prisoner do last night.?” I (Abu Hurayrah) said: He spoke of his great need and family for which I felt pity on him and left him.” The Prophet said: “He has told a lie and will definitely come again”. I (Abu Hurayrah) understood that the (the thief) will definitely come again because the Prophet said so. Thus I kept watch at that same barn. He (the thief) came and began stealing in handfuls. I caught him and threatened to take him to the Prophet. The thief pleaded with me that I should as he was in need and had a family and that he will not repeat this. I (Abu

“Surely, the religion with Allah is ISLAM,complete submission”... Qur’an 3:19

Response to questions on AIDS and strange growth in the body (2) Hurayrah) felt pity and left him. When the incident happened for the third time, Abu Hurayrah said to the thief: “This is the third time. Each time you say that you will not steal again and each time you steal again”. The thief said: “Leave me, and I will teach you such words through which the Almighty will benefit you.”. I (Abu Huraira) inquired about those words and the thief said: “When you go to your sleeping place, then recite Ayatul Kursi completely. The Almighty will stipulate a guardian for you and Shaytan will not come near you until the morning. I released him. In the morning the Prophet asked me: “What did your thief do last night?” Abu Hurayrah narrated what transpired. The Prophet then said: “He has spoken the truth although he is a liar. Oh! Abu Hurayrah! Do you know with whom you were talking for the past three nights”. I said “No”. The Prophet said: that was Shaytan! Now on Mawlid Nabiyy, Muslim scholars and thinkers are divided into three: those who adulate and celebrate the Prophet to such a point where he becomes deified; those who consider celebrating the birth of the Prophet as an innovation and thirdly, those who maintain a middle posi-

tion. The first group is completely in error, a manifest error indeed. What else other than error for a Muslim, under the guise of practicing Sufism, to say he does not want to reckon with the Almighty but His prophet. These are those who go to excesses by offering to the Prophet (s.a.w) certain acts of devotion that are meant for the Almighty. Some people even offer to him supplications, pray to his grave, and call on him in absolute devotion. I was shocked by the level of ignorance some among my brethren are steeped in when, in the hallowed precincts of the Kaaba, some of them were heard shouting “Ya Muhammad”. But some have taken the display of ignorance on the celebration of the Prophet to another odious level. Attend a public function of a particular “Sufi” group and you would be treated to proclamations which border on apostacy and unbelief. Or how else might we describe the statement of a brother who, in the moment of ‘spiritual’ ecstasy declares that he does not reckon with the Prophet but Shaykh Ibrahim Niass! Brethren, though there are numerous Quranic texts that establish the humanity of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), there are, in equal measure, tens of allusions to his connection to the divine. Thus

those who over celebrate him commit infraction against such divine messages such as: Say: Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a man who has been sent?” [Q17: 93]. The Almighty also commands him thus: “Say (O Muhammad): I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as the Almighty wills. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith.” [Q7: 188] The Prophet equally went to great lengths to warn us against such behavior. He did so repeatedly and emphatically. He once said: “Do not praise me excessively like the Christians praised Jesus, the son of Mary. I am but a servant, so call me the servant and Messenger of the Almighty.” The above texts have provided premises for those who say celebration of the Prophet’s birthday has no valid basis in our faith. Thus it is seen as an innovation (bid’ah); it is viewed as an imitation of the people of other faiths who idolize and deify their Prophets. Imitating people of other faiths in matters of worship is forbidden by the Almighty.

But no matter what your view may be, there is consensus of opinion in the Muslim world that the Prophet remains the role model for humanity. He is sent to guide humankind to eternal salvation. He is imbued with high-moral quality. He is free of all errors and inadequacies which were identified with messages which came before him. He committed no error that could have detracted from either from his personality or the Quran. We also know that one way by which the world can attain sustainable development, achieve peace and harmony is for humanity, without prejudice to its race or color approach his legacy objectively. Remember, dear brethren that it was the Prophet who taught us that the Almighty would not ask you what kind of car you drove while on earth but how many people you helped get where they needed to go; the Almighty would not ask you about the square footage of your house, but how many people you welcomed into your home; He would not ask you on the day of resurrection about the clothes you had in your closet, but how many you helped to clothe. We learnt from our Prophet that the Almighty would not ask you how many friends you had, but how many people to whom you were a friend. Brethren, the Almighty would not be interested in what neighbourhood you lived, but how you treated your neighbours; the Prophet told us that the Almighty is not interested in the colour of your skin, but in the content of your character. While reading this ask yourself these questions: what prayers have you offered today to your Creator and whose prayers have you answered in return? (08122465111 for texts only)

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, January 31, 2014 ARTS

VisualArts Railway museum...Rescuing history from antiquated technology By Tajudeen Sowole HERE is no doubt that modern rail transT portation has left the ‘obsolete’ Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)’s machines in Lagos behind and turned it into one huge yard of antiquated technology. But inside this vast NRC complex, which stretches across Yaba to Ebute Meta is a museum, quietly evolving, courtesy of a non-governmental initiative. The museum, which is the first part of what is projected as a three sections facility, Legacy Nigeria Railway Museum is known as Francis Jaekel House. Named after the British colonial era railway authority’s General Manager (GM), Jaekel, it houses objects, pictures, documents and other related materials of railway history in Nigeria. Jaekel was the first GM of the then railway management, and served for 27 years, living in the house that was then known as Quarter 17. Jaekel wrote a 3 Volumes of History of Nigeria Railway and retired as a Chief Superintendent. Occupying a lesser space compared to the expansive lawn in the front, Jeakel House’s architectural work appears as the first museum object that welcomes a visitor to the Legacy Railway Museum. The concept of a railway museum for the 119 year-old corporation originated from an NGO, Legacy 1995, led by renowned Britishborn and Lagos-based architect, Prof John Godwin. As the curator of the museum, Seun Adeniyi leads the only visitor through the complex this Thursday afternoon, a plaque outside the building offers brief history about the museum. It dates the opening to 2010 under the restoration of Godwin with the support of BG Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. The immediate attractions at the museum are two railway workers’ tools; a Pump Trolley and Rail Car. For those who were familiar with the railway transportation in Lagos, of about four decades or more, the two machines were common objects. Then, one of these machines was given a local name Olomo Ku Iya (Burdened Parenting). “That’s the Pump Trolley” Adeniyi clarifies. The native name must have emerged from the high manual energy required to power the wheeler by a driver while the other two passengers stands behind. Collecting objects for the museum goes beyond the confine of the railway yard, so suggests a relic of track said to be among the first sets used in the early days of railways in Nigeria. Placed outside the museum, the track, it’s said, was rescued by Julius Berger workers at a construction site in Lagos Island few years ago and brought to Legacy 1995. But rail tracks on the Lagos Island sounds strange. Is Iddo Terminus not the end point for train transportation in Lagos? There used to be railway line along the Marina and somewhere in Onikan, Adeniyi explains. Inside the building, pictorial documentation dominates the contents with few objects tracing the role of railway transportation in connecting, and physically, merging the south and north of Nigeria two years ahead of the historic1914 Amalgamation. Also of note was the effect of rail transportation on rapid development of communities along the railways as seen in a nap of Nigeria that highlights the expansion of rail from Lagos through Ota , Ifo and Abeokuta, as well as the advancing from the north towards the Niger Delta. One of the archival photographs shows workers laying rail tracks in ‘Enugu - Port Harcourt Lines’. Another picture dated 1966 shows that the “the

Rail car, at the Legacy Nigeria Railway Museum, Lagos. Gombe-Maiduguri Lines were the last built.” According to a text, the first section of rail tracks in Nigeria were laid from Iddo to Ota in 1896. ‘With more sections added, in the following years’ the line from Iddo to Ibadan, was opened on March 4, 1901.” Explaining the background of how rail transportation got to Lagos Island, the text says the Iddo terminus was ‘connected to Lagos Island, by the 2 ft. 6in. gauge Lagos Steam Tramway.’ Officially, the name Nigerian Railways,’ came into existence on October 3, 1912 by the merger of the Lagos Government Railways and the Baro - Kano Railway.’ The first passenger train rolled into Kano in 1913, “but it was not until 1916 that the bridge across the Niger was completed, which replaced a temporary ferry.” However, the railway management ‘became an autonomous public corporation by an Act of Parliament, the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act (1955), as amended in 1990.’ While some of the images and objects available at Jaekel House do not exactly cover a bulk of the history of railway transportation in Nigeria, they offer link to crucial part of Nigeria’s history. For example the development of railways was dragged into the politics of coal between Federal Government and the Eastern region, therefore bringing into the scene the diesel engine to fill vacuum of coal locomotive. Also, the civil war delayed the laying of rail tracks in some parts of the Eastern Nigeria. Objects such as Platform Seat for sitting at train stations and Air Alarm to alert railway workers of oncoming train revisit history.

While the other two houses of the three sections project of Legacy Nigeria Railway Museum are being awaited, the difference between the subsisting, but obsolete railway system in Nigeria and what would make the contents of antiquities in these facilities could be so thin to draw a line of museum concept. In fact a source discloses that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCCECC), contracted to revive Nigerian railway seems to have lost touch with the kind of technology the NRC still uses. “They take samples of objects from Nigeria to reproduce parts for repair because the Chinese no longer have the kind of obsolete engines found here in their country.” As Jaekel House receives more relics of railway objects, the building as a separate museum piece would remain a reference point in tropical architecture and art of restoration. Though Jaekel House derives its origin or inspiration from the Victorian age, the design of its ventilations is unmistakably tropical: at a very high temperature afternoon during the visit, and without power supply to get the fans working, the interior was still very airy. Reason: the doors and windows are built with ventilated-head rooms enough to stand an average height person. And in the restoration work, it is of note that the wood used for the decked floor when the house was constructed in 1904 has been retained. “It’s termite resistant pitch pine wood that has lasted for over 100 tears.”

Adeniyi says of the importance of retaining the old plank used for the decked floor. For the restoration architect, Godwin, the Jaekel House adds to his credits of works such as the Lumpkin House on Abibu Oki Street, Lagos Island, renovated in 1993 for the Leventis Foundation and the ongoing renovation of the Ilojo Bar at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island. Despite the current “obsolete” technology of the NRC, the railway transportation in Nigeria has come along way in the area of routing. For examples, part of the text on the history of the routes include the Northern Central District with its administrative headquarter in Kafanchan has rail stretching about 517km from Benue, Plateau and Kaduna states. “Based on the state coverage, the district is bordered in the east by the Lafia in plateau State in the North by Kankomi in Kaduna state and in the south by Igunmale in Benue state. With its spread across three states the North central has enormous traffic and this creates the enabling environment for enhanced revenue generation for the NRC.” From the western axis, which has its headquarter in Ibadan the routes run through Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara and part of Niger State. These routes are noted for large movements of goods and passengers traffic. In the North Eastern District with headquarters in Bauchi, it runs through Makurdi and Maidugri the with “cement, gypsum and clinker freight traffic from Ashaka cement factory and barites which yields some revenue to the NRC”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, January 31, 2014

MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 30-1-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

Friday, January 31, 2014 MARKET REPORT

ThE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INDICATORS

AS AT 30-1-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

NSE joins global surveillance group • Stocks fall further on the Exchange By Bukky Olajide hE Nigerian Stock T Exchange (NSE) is the latest bourse to be admitted by the Intermarket Surveillance Group (ISG) after positive considerations of its application. The admission of the NSE to the ISG is an indication that the NSE’s surveillance capacity has been adjudged to be of international standard and will contribute to raising investor confidence in the Nigerian capital markets. The ISG was created in 1983 by the major U.S. exchanges in response to their growing need to share information. In 1990, an affiliate membership category was created to allow futures exchanges and non-US exchanges to join the group. ISG is an international group consisting of North American, Asian and European Exchanges that provides a framework for sharing information and coordinating regulatory efforts so as to address potential intermarket manipulations and trading irregularities. The intermarket surveillance group also provides a forum for discussing regulatory concerns that are common to its members, enabling them to discharge their regulatory responsibilities more efficiently. Generally the ISG meets three times per year. head of the Legal and Regulation Division of The Exchange, Ms. Tinuade Awe, noted that it is a thing of pride that The NSE is the first African stock exchange to become a member of the ISG. “Membership of the ISG will enable The NSE to exchange market surveillance information with other ISG members and strengthen its capacity in this area” said Awe. Shedding more light on the development, the head of Market Surveillance at NSE,

Abimbola Babalola said that the Nigerian bourse looks forward to sharing best practices with other ISG members, benchmarking our surveillance program against best markets worldwide and taking appropriate steps to ensure that our market is well monitored with infractions at a minimal level. Membership of the ISG is open to all securities exchange and capital market regulators that meet the qualifying criteria with respect to market surveillance capacity, right to information arrangements, and freedom of sharing information with other members. Meanwhile, the equities market closed yesterday on a negative note, as NSE ASI depreciated by -0.47 percent to close at 40,792.07 basis points, compared with the depreciation of -1.76 percent recorded previously. Its Yearto-Date (YTD) returns currently stands at -1.30 percent Market breadth closed negative as TRANSEXPR leads 16 gainers against 37 losers, topped by Oando at the end of yesterday’s session- a dismal performance when compared with previous outlook. Market turnover, however close positive as volume traded appreciated by +32.73 percent against -36.62 percent declines recorded in previous session. Guaranty, Transcorp, and Zenith bank were the most active to boost market turnover. Guaranty and Zenith bank top market value list Banking sub-sector record +0.25 per cent to top the sectoral performance among others while NSE Oil the oil sector hit the lowly -3.96 per cent loss. Afromedia, in its first quarter 2014 earnings report, records negative growth of 67.5 percent in its revenue with negative growth of 156.4 percent in its bottomline.

CGRS to attract long term capital, boost cross-border listing By Helen Oji hE Corporate Governance T Rating System (CGRS) initiated by the Convention on Business Integrity (CBi), in collaboration with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) would attract long term funding in the Nigerian Capital Market, as well as afford companies listed in the nation’s bourse the ease to list and raise money in other foreign Exchanges across the globe. The CBi Executive Director, Soji Apampa,who disclosed this at a breakfast meeting organised by NSE/ CBi on corporate governance for quoted companies held in Lagos yesterday, explained that the initiative would boost the nation’s foreign investment in flow with enhanced participation of foreign investors in the market due to companies adherence to corporate governance principles . Apampa who explained that the CGRS index, aimed at ensuring strict adherence to corporate governance

among listed companies when launched launched in May 2014 would also enhance investors’ confidence in the market. “It will bring long term capital not that the short term money that comes in and goes out and cost us more money that they are actually bringing in order to service it. Again, what it does for individual companies, it helps to reduce their own risks, it also help them to be able to show that they are better governed. Researchers have showed that companies better governed tend to have better valuation than others. “So it means that access to funding through the market will improve, the ability of those companies to list in foreign Exchanges will also improve because the foreign Exchanges will see that these companies have shown compliance with acceptable standard of corporate governance and so it would be easier them to raise money abroad and use it in Nigeria and other countries.”

52 ARTS Friday, January 31, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Theatre

British Council returns with Lagos Theatre Festival By Shaibu Husseini LL seems set for the second edition of the A Lagos Theatre Festival. Organised by the British Council and reputed as the largest outdor theatre festival to take place in the city of Lagos, the festival, which made its debut in 2013, will run from February 28 through to March 2, 2014. Part theatrical experience, part real life and part city journey, the festival, according to the promoters, would transform the historic Freedom Park, a public space resuscitated from the ruins of a colonial prison and reconstructed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Nigeria. To light up the stage this year will be Look Left Look Right, a multiple award-winning interactive theatre company based in the U.K.. The compny will premiere their new production Make We Wakka, a collaboration with Nigerian performers that invites the audience to partake in an intimate promenade performance, exploring the hidden corners of the space. Using an audio guide, participants will delve into the world of the Park and the stories it has to tell.

In addition three other new productions will be staged, the result of an open call launched in September 2013 to invite people across Nigeria to submit their stories about Lagos, the most populous city in Africa. Three stories were selected and have been turned into scripts by writer and filmmaker Jude Idada (who won an AMAA Award for Best Screenplay in 2010), playwright and essayist Lekan Balogun and internationally acclaimed Nigerian writer and director Wole Oguntokun. The new works will examine themes including Lagos nightlife, the national lottery and the healthcare system and will also take place at Freedom Park. Also, the British Council says it has teamed these writers with Lagos-based theatre groups, Renegade Theatre, Imagine Nigeria and Oxzygen Koncepts, to work on the festival, which is being managed by a team of theatre producers including Kenneth Uphopho, Daniel Effiong, Brenda Uphopho, Ifeanyi Dibia and Bukky Sanu. Director, British Council, Nigeria, Connie Price, said, “It is tremendously exciting for the British Council to be working again on Lagos Theatre Festival. Our hope is that the new collaborations taking place will captivate audiences and stimulate future work as the British Council builds

towards 2015, a year that will see a major season of cultural and educational programmes take place across Nigeria”. As part of the build-up to this edition of the festival, the organiers hinted that the Creative Director of the festival, Kenneth Uphopho, would visitd the U.K. to attend the British Council showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2014 to select a UK company to collaborate with. The British Council’s biennial Edinburgh Showcase is the single biggest opportunity for U.K. theatre companies to introduce their work to international promoters. The programme comprises new work that represents the very best of contemporary theatre and dance, reflecting the breadth and diversity of British performing arts. It will be recalled that the first edition of Lagos Theatre Festival took place in February 2013 at Eko Hotel & Suites. It brought together thousands of theatre loving people who witnessed plays performed in an underground car park, a garden, a restaurant and a hotel bedroom. Work showcased included productions by three local theatre companies as well as

Culture Shock ... from Abe’s brush By Tony Nwanne ESPITE being a newcomer in the Nigerian art scene, the exhibition of Abraham Ogunlende, titled Culture Shock, left many art enthusiasts and lovers impressed with his creativity. With not less than 25 works created within three weeks in different formats and propagating diverse ideas, Culture Shock made its much-awaited debut at the popular art centre, Terra Kulture recently. It also had another young artist Dennis Osadebe presenting his works. Ogunlende, who prefers to be called Painter Abe, is determined to follow in the footsteps of greats artists like Keith Haring and Mark Rothko who inspired him and is helped by Bantu, a collective of young Nigerians in the fields of

music, art and visual arts. At the opening of the exhibition, which ran for about one week, Painter Abe said his decision to make meaning out of his fascination with colours, balance and chaos helped him create his unique approach, which he has used to define and represent both his culture and generation. Starting on the social platform known as Tumblr onto which he started posting his works before they caught on, Culture Shock is an exhibition for the young at heart. Appealing yet reflective of what young people go through in their journey through life, the works are a departure from the acrylic paint, which dominate the landscape. Those who attended the opening include Nasreen Kareem, former Mrs. Tanzania 2008, Chris Mba, a musician, who described the paint-

ings thus: “This is a generational statement. I am so glad I came”. Another musician that came to the exhibition was the international music star, Nneka, who was wooed by the works. She described the works as impressive, adding, “wow! Impressive. The young man is original.” Chinelu Egbuna (lawyer and family friend of the painter) described the works in the following words, “I am so proud of Abraham. He is talented and passionate at what he does. This exhibition is amazing”. International film producer, Mahmoud Ali-Balogun was not left out in admiration, saying, “Abraham Ogunlende is a young artist to watch. He has made a generational statement with this exhibition, his first”. In the words of Chude Jideonwo of Future Awards fame, “Painter

Abe is really talented. I say ‘very well done to him’. There is greatness ahead”. Onyeka Onwenu was not left out as she described her son thus, “I see in him a single-mindedness and focus that is admirable and worthy of emulation. He is my son but I am learning from him. Abraham Ogunlende is original and hugely talented. I see him growing and getting better at expression. He is passionate and driven. I wish him God’s speed. I am proud of him. He has done this on his own, as he likes to do most times”.

British-Nigerian playwright, poet and actor Inua Ellams, who performed his award-winning play The 14th Tale. If the quality performance that the acts put up last year is to be considered then theatregoers are in for a fantatsic time this year. They will find the performance of Look Left Look Right fascinating. The company is an award-winning site-specific theatre company making vivid, dynamic, and interactive theatre inspired by and about the contemporary world. Since being founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Mimi Poskitt, the company has received funding from Arts Councilof Britain, successfully toured their work nationally and won three Fringe First Awards (The Caravan 2008 and You Once Said Yes, 2011, 2013) and a Total Theatre Award for Innovation and Experimentation (You Once Said Yes, 2011). The company has co-produced with The Royal Court, The Roundhouse, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The BAC, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Southampton Nuffield. Their objective is to create intimate, poignant, truthful and relevant storytelling that gives the audience a whole new theatre experience.

Friday, January 31, 2014 ARTS 53

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Film Open Doors for Nollywood producers with Sawadogo in Lagos Stories by Shaibu Husseini RACTITIONERS of the Nollywood industry P who thought that the briefing session by notable festival director, Alex Moussa Sawadogo on the forthcoming Festival Del Film Locarno would last the whole day were shocked to find when they arrived just twenty minutes behind the scheduled time of 12noon that Sawadogo was done with the briefing and was only chatting up some filmmakers who had questions for him. Facilitated by the Goethe Institute in Lagos and held at the Institute’s City Hall Office in Victoria Island, a notable Nollywood director and producer cupped his mouth in disbelief when he was told by another colleague who was on time to hear Sawadogo’s briefing on the festival that is also called ‘Open Doors’, that the briefing started on schedule and closed on time because Sawadogo, a consultant on African Cinema and director of Afrikamera film Festival in Berlin, did a ‘fantastic job’ of speaking to the documents on the project that were circulated before the briefing began. Pointing to Sawadogo who was having a chat with a foremost film journalist, the filmmaker said to his colleague and two other filmmakers who arrived late “meet that fellow over there. I am sure he will help you with the literatures that were distributed.’’ Luckily there was no other function in the hall where the briefing held, so Sawadogo briefed as many people that approached him

Sawadogo and also left them with materials on ‘Open Doors’ a co-production lab organized annually by the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Sawadogo who has since returned to Europe had explained that the Open Doors co-production lab is funded and organized with the collaboration of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the Swiss

Foreign ministry. The lab he says, aims at assisting directors and producers from countries where independent filmmaking is vulnerable. Also, the project as he explained focuses on different regions every year and brings professionals from the chosen region together with potential partners, mainly from Europe, to foster support for projects that would otherwise be difficult to complete. According to Sawagogo ‘’every year, following a call for submissions, the festival selects 12 projects, judged by their artistic value and invites their projects holders to attend the co-production lab during the festival and at the end the open Doors jury will allocate several grants for development or production to the winning project’’ he said. This year, the lab will be devoted to film practitioners in non-Francophone sub Saharan Africa countries and Sawadogo says Nigerian motion picture practitioners qualify to participate and if any of their projects get the juries nod, they will qualify for the 50,000 Swiss Francs grant. ‘’One of the reasons I am here is to sensitize filmmakers in Nigeria and in the West African region to take advantage of the project and get funding to either begin or complete their works. We know how the funding situa-

tion is in this part of the world so here is an opportunity to get funding and to seal co-production deals and of course you know the immense benefit of co-production’’ Sawadogo explained. But outside the co-production lab, which Sawadogo said will be held during the film festival that has been scheduled to hold from August 6 through to August 16; there will be Open Door screenings, which is a non-competitive section. The screenings aim to present a selection of films particularly representative of the cinematographic and cultural universe of a chosen region. Like the co-production lab, this edition of the Open Door screenings is dedicated to all the African countries which as Sawadogo explained ‘have not participated in the focus on Africa in 2012’ and the countries include Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Namibia. For filmmakers wishing to participate in the Open Door screenings or the co-production lab or both, the widely travelled festival director says they still have up till March 3, 2014 to send in their entries. ‘’ They also have to visit the website www.opendoors.pardo.ch or write us at opendoors@pardo.ch for detailed information on the project’ Sawadogo surmised.

Time ticks for 64th Berlin Filmfest ITH curtain drawn on W the Rotterdam International Film Festival, which held between January 20 and February 2, 2014 in the Netherlands, attention will shift to Berlin, Germany for the start of the 64th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival. The festival, which holds annually every February from inception, is reputed as one of the biggest film festival in the world. This year’s edition will run as from February 6 through to February 16. Last week, organizers of the festival announced that Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel would open the 64th Berlin International Film Festival on February 6, 2014. The world premiere will hold at the magnificent Berlinale Palast in Berlin, Germany. The Palast will also

play host to other special screenings and premieres of films in competition. Festival Director Dieter Kosslick stated that he was delighted that Wes Anderson gripping movie will open the 64th Berlinale. The Grand Budapest Hotel (UK/Germany) recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune — all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent. Kosslick says the film with its elaborate production design and fantastic cast line- up, bears the inimitable mark of American director Wes Anderson who has previously presented two

films in the Berlinale Competition—The Royal Tenenbaums (2002) and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2005). Outside the usual film screening, festivalgoer’s will be availed the opportunity to be part of other festival programmes, like workshops and panel discussions. But the most important meeting point for most professional filmmakers is the European Film Market (EFM). Over 400 companies and more than 8,000 professionals from 95 countries meet at the EFM to build and foster contacts and to negotiate film rights. Some top Nigerian filmmakers confirmed that they would be attending the festival. But while some filmmakers from other climes will be led to Berlin by their respective film commissions, the practitioners from Nigeria will, as a fellow quipped ‘be on their own’.

Kunle Afolayan receiving his award from Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

British Council hails Afolayan as creative entrepreneur Kunle Afolayan may FsideILMMAKER need to create a small space outof his well laid out office on off Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos to keep awards. It is evident after a visit there, that there are no more spaces to contain the many awards that the actor, director and producer has been garnering. The award-winning director who is in post-production for his much anticipated film, October 1 last week got what is certainly a right icing on his career cake. Kunle, son of the legendary filmmaker, Chief Adeyemi Afolayan aka Ade love was named the recipient of two prestigious awards— the British Council’s

Creative Entrepreneur in Filmmaking award and the award for the overall Creative entrepreneur of the year. Tagged the Creative Industry Awards and organized annually by the British Council in collaboration with the Creative Entrepreneur Association of Nigeria, the award ceremony held last Saturday at the British Council Gardens, Ikoyi and it attracted a large turn out of quality guest including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr. Ngozi OkonjiIweala, the British High Commissioner for Nigeria Dr. Andrew Pocock and the Director

General of the Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria Wale Ewedemi. Also at the award ceremony, Dr. Okonji-Iweala was named best overall contributor to the development of the Nigerian creative industry in 2013. The award according to the organizers is in recognition of Dr. Okonji-Iweala’s contribution to the success of the YOUWIN programme of the Federal Government. An elated Afolayan thanked the organizers of the award and said he was humbled by the recognition. He said ‘’ It is exciting that I did not only win in filmmaking category

but also the overall Entrepreneur award. This shows that hard work pays and it shows that people somewhere are watching even when you think you are alone’’. Asked to comment on the progress of work of the big budget movie October 1, Afolayan who began the year with a win at the International Trailer Film Festival with the trailer of the anticipated October 1 disclosed that the movie was ‘almost ready’ and will be ready for a world premiere soon. ‘’I would say it is almost ready. We have started working on colour correction. We are now left with a bit of work on sound, visual effects and grading’’

he said. Although Afolayan hinted that his production outfit was considering a date in April for a world premiere of the movie, the director of Phone Swap, Irapada and Figurine said the only thing that will slow down work on the film will be funds. ‘’This is a big budget film. We have spent over 2 million dollars and we are still spending. In fact am about 2 million dollars away from completing the film. I need money to finish this great film. I wish all these awards can turn to cash for me’’ the filmmaker who left for Europe shortly after the British Council Awards enthused.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

54 ARTS Friday, January 31, 2014

Literature Day Lagos ANA brewed vintage wine, fresh By Ijeoma Opara

HE Lagos chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has celebrated one of Nigerians authors and renowned journalist, Mr. Sam Omatseye in its January reading event tagged ‘Vintage Wine, Fresh Blends’. It’s a forum that seeks to bring older and young writers to interface for the creative enrichment of the latter. The event, which witnessed the gathering of students as well as authors, had Omatseye teaching young people the essence of reading and writing through the use his own life’s journey, as a writer. Omatseye, a poet and novelist is also the Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation. Among the books he gave out are Mandela’s Bones and Other Poems, Dear Baby Ramatu, Lion Wind and Other Poems, Crocodile Girl and In Touch: Journalism as National Narrative. On literary appreciation in Nigeria, Omatseye said, “It is very poor; we are living in a philistine society where people do not understand that the arts are a very good vehicle for mobilization and for self-reflection as a people and we will continue to lose that from time to time because all those in the right positions to appreciate arts and even teach others in the society do not understand that this is a nugget we have around us”. On his eclectic form of writing spanning all genres, he noted, “I am working on a play which is coming out as a poetic drama and an analytic poem. So, I’m busy with the entire genres. What

I want to do is try to tell to recalibrate our history for contemporary understanding. We have a lot going for us as a people and if only we can understand that, there is a path forward”. For Omatseye creative writing and journalism both meet in places in the heart, adding, “When you are writing a story you can be creative with it and when writing a novel, you can be journalistic. We are living in a post-modern world where everything is interlocked; to say as a journalist where the creativity begins and ends is a very nebulous place to be”. For Omatseye, reading culture in Nigeria will be possible through journalism by pushing the agenda in the newspapers and writing about it. According to him, “I do that in my column from time to time to push the importance of literary appreciation. “Look at Chimamanda Adichie, who has been fortunate with her works. In spite of the fact that she has written works, which are popularly around the world, there are very few Nigerians who have read and heard of Chimamanda, and so that is the tragedy we still try to push in the media”. Chairman of ANA Lagos, Femi Onileagbon while speaking on the significance of the event, said that the reading session was the second of such monthly programmes being held, noting, “When we have the ANA reading and Vintage Wine, Fresh Blend, we look

Mr. Sam Omatseye presenting copies of his books to teachers and students of National College, Gbagada… in Lagos for someone who has the interest of the public at heart as indicated in their writing. There should be a literary background, either a journalist, politician, lecturer or teacher, who has helped to promote literature and that person

has to be published author. We selected Mr. Omatseye because he is a renowned journalist, tested and proven, and he has published five books”.

Oyeyemi’s offerings on successful Christian life By Anote Ajeluorou LTHOUGH there are a plethora of A motivational and inspirational books in shelves, a few manages to stick, as most of them tend to copy one another with minor differences of style or presentation. But Kolawole Oyeyemi’s recent two books Pitfalls to Destiny Fulfillment and Beware of Pastors… Pastors Beware! (Trendy Publishing, U.S.; 2013) tow different, authentic paths. These two books although addressed to different audiences in the church of Christ in specific ways, they have as intent to edify and grow responsible Christians in today’s troubled world. In Pitfalls to Destiny Fulfillment, Oyeyemi is deeply concerned with the wellbeing of God’s children and how they can maximize their Godgiven talents and abilities in such a way that they get the best out of life. The life of a Christian, he contends, is one that should experience uncommon fruitfulness but that certain factors make this impossible. As the preeminent creation of God on earth, Oyeyemi says, God loaded man with all that he requires for exploits. However, man continually fails to meet his Godgiven expectations because he succumbs to some ‘pitfalls’ that derail his destiny from being fulfilled. Just like God promised the Israelites of possessing the land that flows with milk and honey so has God made man to take possession of wherever he finds himself. Unlike most people who blame environmental factors for their failure, Oyeyemi does not believe in such excuses but rather blames it on the individual man for his success or failure in life. He explains that it, as God-ordained. According to him, “Your destiny will be fulfilled or unfulfilled not because God does not or cannot

play His role. Your destiny may be fulfilled or unfulfilled not because of the witch at the back of your father’s house or the occultist at your office. The fulfillment of your destiny is not dependent on the devil or any external forces. It is dependent on you!... You are the person that determines whether you succeed or you fail. It is in your hand. You are central to the fulfillment of your own destiny. You are responsible for whatever happens and what doesn’t happen to you…” Oyeyemi then goes on to list the pitfalls to include destructive faith, pride, indiscipline, insincerity, ignorance, impatience, anger and fear, saying these pitfalls pose serious danger to man’s purpose in life. He goes on to propose what to do to avoid them so as to excel in life. “Faith can be constructive or destructive. Faith can be good or bad. What you hope for is what faith delivers to you. If you hope for good things, faith will deliver good things to you and if you hope for bad things it will deliver bad things. Faith is expressed in words and actions, and every word and action is a seed…”

With this admonition, Oyeyemi says most Christians defeat their life’s purpose with destructive faith when they should hold onto constructive faith, as most prophecies become self-fulfilling once declared in the negative direction. He emphasizes positive confession as against negative confession for Christians if their destiny is to come to fulfillment. Again, Oyeyemi stresses the importance of thoughts. What is your thought pattern? Positive or negative? You need to feed your spirit man with positive thoughts. “You are the end product of your thought! Your thoughts frame your words. Your words condition your action. Your consistent action, what you do daily, is what you become. If you think negatively, you become negative”. He gives example of the spies in ancient Israel who brought two reports; those who believed in the negative report did not see the promise land, as they were consumed by God’s anger in their negativity. The author contends that most Christians fall prey to pride in many ways but through their physiology (beauty or handsomeness), pride of position (office held), pride of possession (property own) and heritage pride (reason of birth or inheritance). The instance of Nebuchadnezzar, who prided himself on his position and possession and failed to honour God, is apt as example of pride that Christians should be wary of. The life of Samson and his foray into foreign land for a woman is classic example of indiscipline, which Christians would do well to avoid just as Ananias and his wife’s death should counsel them against insincerity. And so from ignorance through impatience, anger to fear, Oyeyemi gives lucid explanations

and interpretations of relevant biblical individuals, who fell short of these virtues and how their destinies became short-changed. He warns that Christians should study the word of God to equip themselves for destiny fulfillment.

truth of his heritage in Christ. It is not meant to destroy, but to build the body of Christ into a formidable knowledge-powered force able to overcome all the devices of the devil”. From man being a product of a network right from his creation, with N Beware of Pastors… Pastors God summoning the other two Beware!, Oyeyemi isn’t sparing, as members of the godhead to perform he takes on a rather tricky subject. the task of creating man, man has The book is a double edged one that need of relationships, which can swings at pastors and church mem- either be beneficial or harmful to bers as well. The author’s aim is to him. It’s from this need for relationdraw the attention of the men who ships that the devil also wants to have been called to God’s vineyard exploit; it was how he got Eve to eat to be careful of their calling so it the forbidden fruit. The author doesn’t become a snare to them. In explains that relationships always the same vein, he also warns leave a mark whether positively or Christians not to put too much bur- negatively. He refers to pastors as den on pastors on account of their change-agents in the body of Christ, anointing, as they are also ordinary who have been specially endowed men and women who cannot be with God’s anointing to carry out expected to perform at all times their task of shepherding the flock. under the weight of the anointing. From the time of Moses when God So he would not be misunderstood called him to lead the Israelites from for taking on such a bold subject, Egypt to the land of promise, pasOyeyemi quickly points out, “This tors’ calling became cut out for book does not aim to condemn, but them. Their roles were further to challenge the believer out of his departmentalized in the New lethargy. It is not meant to accuse, Testament to five ministries – but to acquaint the believer with the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. While God’s call to his servants to any of these ministries is a joyous thing, Oyeyemi says several persons have abused these important offices to their own harm and those of others in their care. As he says, “God is the caller into Ministry. He backs only those He has called with His anointing… Availability is not enough. Ministry is not an escape from unemployment; it will lead to frustration! Ministry is not a profession; it will end in destruction! Ministry is not a field for trial and errors; human lives and destinies are involved! Ministry is a calling by God to the fulfillment of a divine vision”.

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Friday, January 31, 2014 55

ArtHouse African China to mentor youths in partnership with NIPR

IGERIAN Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State N chapter is collaborating with African China, Friends and Youths Organization (ACFY) to hold public lectures, seminars and musical concerts in the three senatorial zones of Lagos state. The concert is designed to initiate attitudinal change in youths and opportunity for African China and his friends that comprise of professionals from all walks of life to give back to society through educating, monitoring, encouraging and grooming youths for a better society and harmonius co-existence.

Love Made in Lagos on Val’s day

HE month of love is just around the corner and Papaazi T Entertainment has put together a lovers’ night to help them share their heart desires like two love birds. The event is an outstanding night that celebrates lovers. This theme is selected to celebrate the festive season of love. It will be held on February 14 by 5pm at Ice Lounge, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Dance professionals gather for Wajo

AJO, a monthly event that makes available different dance W genre to dance lovers and enthusiasts and a networking opportunity, will take place every last Thursday of the month at Freedom Park, Lagos Island. The platform is for diverse dance expressions, and entry is free.

ABC offers opportunities for writers

REATIVE writing is an art as well as a gift. While some have C the art and not the gift others have the gift and not the art and a few others have both the art and gift. But a free opportuni-

A scene from the last Jos Festival of Theatre… the 2014 edition begins on February 26 ad all performances will hold at the Alliance Francaise, Jos

ty is here only for 10 determined ‘would-be authors’, who must have their manuscripts ready for publication before Easter. Interested authors should send their names and e-mail addresses to The ABC of Creative Writing with Godwin Ihemenwa on 0803 526 1606. By Odita Sunday

Cool FM Praise Jam thrills Lagosians

Seriki’s Baba O video set to debut TREET-WISE rap act, Seriki, is back with a bang. And this is evident, as the one time Alapomeji signee has put brilliant music video director, Patrick Elis to work with his recent video, Baba O, and soon to make a debut. The Bariga-raised rap act said his resurgence after almost a decade in the music industry is inspired by the unflinching love that has been shown him since he was unveiled. Compiled by: Florence Utor

Censors board seizes N2.5m illegal films in Abuja By Florence Utor HE National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), last weekend seized an estimated N2.5 million worth of pornographic, pirated and uncensored films in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Several home video retail outlets in Banex and Sheriff Plazas, Wuse II, and Dutse Alhaji market, a satellite town in the FCT were affected in the surprise operation supported by armed security men. The board’s Director of Operations, Mr. Cornel Agim, stated that the operation was sequel to the directives of the Board’s Director-General, Ms Patricia Bala, to “fish out all unwholesome films from the market”. According to Agim, “One of the cardinal objectives of the new Director-General is to make sure that all unwholesome films, especially the pornographic, must be

cleared off the streets because these things are illegal and they are contributing negatively to the behavioural attitudes of our youths”. He added, “The second is to go against those that are not complying with the Board’s New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF) with respect to registration and licensing from the Board”. During the weekend raid, strong resistance was displayed by some defiant dealers but this was promptly handled by the board’s officers and the security officers. The Censors Board is the sole agency in Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of censoring and classifying films and video works and the registration and licensing of persons and premises for the distribution of films and video works, with zonal headquarters in the six geopolitical zones of the country and centres in the 36 states of the country.

Censors board officials with one of the arrested pirates

HE Expo Hall of the Eko T Hotel Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos was filled with guests during the 10th edition of the Cool FM Praise Jam, which held on Christmas day. Nigerian artistes and South African Gospel crooner, Lionel Peterson thrilled thousands of audience with their songs while comedians cracked jokes that kept the audience reeling with laughter. Cool FM’s Dotun and Temi entertained the audience with their comedy while a group of five male singers sang various Christmas tunes with their Acapella voices. Next to perform that day

was DayStar Christian Church Mass Choir, which sang various songs to the delight of the audience. Ali Baba, the compere, was dressed like a clergyman and thrilled the audience with his jokes.

When South African singer, Peterson, mounted the stage, the atmosphere was charged with his soul-lifting songs like Rejoice Africa, Jabulani, Lift up your eyes amongst others. Reggae gospel great, Enyioma Buchi

A cross section of praise singers at the event

Atuonwu (aka Buchi) sang his popular tunes, ‘What a mighty God we serve’ and It is well. Group Managing Director Aims Communication, owners of Cool Fm/Wazobia Fm and Nigeria Info, Mr. Amin Moussalli, said; “ This is the 10th edition of the Cool FM Praise Jam and the symbolism is praising God during the festive season.” “For the first time, we brought a foreign singer, Lionel Peterson, a South African, who added spice to the event. The previous years, we had only Nigerian gospel artistes, but next year, we hope to bring an artiste from America some day”. Moussali commended Golden Penny and MTN Nigeria for supporting the concert

Ogechukwu Esedebe is Ada Ogwashi By Florence Utor ECEMBER 24, 2013 will continue to remain green in the minds of Ogwashi–Uku people, as the town hosted the first edition of Miss Ada Ogwashi pageant. The anticipation for the event was high, as Ogwashi sons and daughters as well as well-wishers followed the event on social media. Aimed at selecting a beauty queen, who will stand out as a youth ambassador to promote peace, unity and justice in the town, the indigenous pageant is also focused at helping traffic drive to the town during Yuletide. The winner, it is also believed, will help initiate gender-based development projects, as well as being a role model to curb some of the vices that youths and children from the town have begun to come adopt as a way of life. According to the initiator and CEO, Miss Ada Ogwashi, Tony Odibenua, it was not easy organising the first edition. He said, “in spite of the awareness created, several meetings were held with Ogwashi-Uku Youth Forum at home, Port Harcourt and Lagos, as well as the village heads.” Odibenua noted that he and his team were, however, encouraged by the support and blessings of all the village (Ogbe) heads (Diokpa) and the OgwashiUku Development Union (ODU).”

He continued, “forms were printed and accessed online in order to avoid hitches, but due to poor responses, the forms were made available to all youth heads via their executives; a total of 58 forms were collected, but only 26 were returned.” Odibenua said, “considering that our focus was on the nine quarters that make up the town, our screening commenced as soon as some of the forms were returned. This strict focus got us nine contestants representing Ogbe Ihago, Ogbe Ubu, Ogbe Umuokwuni, Agidiese, Agidiehe, Azungwu, Ikelike, Umudei and Ogbe Ahor.” On December 17, 2013, the nine shortlisted contestants found their way to the Miss Ada Ogwashi camp where they received high-class training, tutorials and tips on catwalk at the pageant. There were also dance and music instructions. The contestants were equally exposed to lessons on culture from a custodian, Humphery Henry. On December 24, 2013 the event started at about 7pm and continued till the midnight, ushering guests into Christmas. The contestants showcased what they were made of, especially their dancing and music skills. Several upcoming artists like Diamond Blinks; Biachi also thrilled the audience with their beautiful song. Guest artists Dantonio, Gbenga Olowo and Orni also performed the best of their music to the delight of the audience. The high point of the event was the colla-

tion and announcement of results. Miss Ogbe Ihago, Agboli Oluchukwu, was crowned Miss Amity while Miss Umudei, Okonjo Onyinye Thelma, was named Miss Photogenic. Miss Agidiehe, Osakwe Loretta, was the first runner up of the pageant. Miss Agidiese, Esedebe Ogechukwu, was crowned Miss Ada Ogwashi 2013/2014. Ogechukwu is a graduate of Computer Science from Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu State. Speaking with The Guardian after she was declared winner, thOgechukwu, while thanking God, said she would use the platform to boost the image of the town. She said she would work assiduously to see that Ogwashi-Uku youths are empowered.

Contestants in dance moment

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56 ARTS Friday, January 31, 2014

With Magic Ladders, Dreaming Rich, charity Shonibare widens anti-establishment mission Stories by Tajudeen Sowole RITISH artist of Nigerian descent, yinka B Shonibare, MBE, appears to be having a loaded schedule, recently, widening the scope of his art outside Europe. Just as he closed a two-months long solo show, Dreaming Rich, at Pearl lam Galleries in Hong Kong, last week, Shonibare, few days. ago, opened another solo titled, Magic Ladders, at The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, U.S, ending in April, 2014. Born in lagos and raised in the U.K, Shonibare is an artist, who implores sculptural works of mostly mannequins to critique colonialism, the aristocrats in themes that challenge the socio-economic establishments. In a short documentary posted by Barnes Foundation for the exhibition, Shonibate says it’s an exciting moment for him to be commissioned by a collection as big as Barnes. Though a commissioned exhibition, the works, according to the gallery, will be taken away by the artists after the event. For the exhibits in Magic Ladders, the artist brings quite a vast medium into the gallery, including sculpture, painting, video installation and photography. The Deputy Director of Art and Archival Collections at The Barnes Foundation, Judith Dolkart describes Shonibare’s works as “magical.” The works, she argues, “in many ways, touch on the core mission of the Barnes.” Dolkart believes the artist and the founder of the collection, Dr. Barnes, share a lot in common. His work, she stresses connects with the vision of the foundation. “This show focuses on education, enlightenment, and opportunity, ideals embraced by Dr. Barnes.” She adds that Shonibare was very much interested in themes such as enlightenment, education, opportunity and social mobility. These, she insists, were of interest to Dr. Barnes who has “always shown interest in being anti-establishment.” Shonibare discloses that he was interested when contacted to produce the works for Barnes Foundation “because it is a well known collection and Dr Barnes has been very progressive championing a lot of AfricanAmeric0an artists.” And as the works evolved, he recalls how a debate surfaced about questioning white male domination. This much, he explains, spurred him into “deconstruction of identity” to engage the notion of domination by a class or gender. Typical of Shonibare’s work, the sculptural pieces retain the Dutch wax fabric otherwise known as Ankara in the Nigerian local parlance, And for the artist, he recalls how ironic it was for him when awarded the MBE. “I thought it was ironic when I was awarded the

MBE because my work critique the aristocrats.” He. However adds that “though I challenge the aristocrats, I also long to be part of it.” The ladder theme in the show is represented in books focusing children and inspiring them that “your background does not have to hold you back” to achieve success. Shortly before heading to Philadelphia, Shonibare’s passion in lifting the spirit of the young ones, particularly the physically challenged resonates at a fundraising for disabled artists in the UK. He partners with patron for Shape the disability-led arts organisation in a venture tagged Championing the Shape Christmas Appeal for 2013. In collaboration with Shape media partners ‘Disability Arts Online’, Shonibare creates awareness about the life-changing work that Shape does in effort to make the arts accessible across everyone. The artist who is also physically challenged urges people to do-

nate whatever they can to help reach a target of £40,000, hoping that the donation “will automatically be doubled by the Catalyst Arts Match Fund run by the Arts Council.” He narrates how his career started with Shape. “When I left Goldsmith’s College, I was looking for opportunities to develop my career. Shape offered me my first opportunity to be involved in the arts. What Shape does for disabled artists can make a very big impact on their development. It was certainly the case for me. For that, I’m very grateful.” Shonibare started working at Shape in 1992 – since working at Shape he moved on to achieve some incredible things. Most note able of his works is a public art commission on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2010, known as ‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle’. This year, he was elected Royal Academician by the Royal Academy of Arts. At the Dreaming Rich show, the artist’s notion of longing to be aristocrat surfaced, perhaps in satirical tone, so it

From Yinka Shonibare’s Magic ladder

seems as a leading piece of the exhibits, Cakeman, expressed in life-sized sculpture depicts an aristocrat dressed in loud Victorian design, typical of the artist’s Dutch wax African batik fabric identity. The work appears to draw attention to the common perception between Africa and China about wealth and colonialism. “Dare to dream rich and you may lose your head, fail to dream rich and you risk dying of poverty,” says an instructive extract from the inscriptions attached to the exhibition. Of recent, he was one of four artists of African origins including Ghanaian and Nigeria-based El Anatsui; Porto Novo, Benin Republic-based Romuald Hazoumè; and South African, Mary Sibande who swelled the 2013 collection of Toledo Museum of Art, Ohio, U.S. Three of the artists’ works, according to the museum, were purchased for TMA by a group of donors known as The Apollo Society. And came the reappearance of Shonibare’s most popular public space work, the 18th century wartime vessel, Nelson’s Ship in A Bottle. Produced in 2010 as a temporary exhibit of Fourth Plinth sculpture, it was mounted at Trafalgar’s Square, but finally found a permanent home outside the National Maritime Museum. Supported by Guaranty Trust Bank {GTB} - it had generated huge attention, parts of the components include the artist’s traditional Dutch Wax fabric identity. The facilitator of the permanent place for Nelson’s Ship In A Bottle, the Royal Museums Greenwich, says on its website: “We are delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of many individuals, the fundraising appeal to buy yinka Shonibare, MBE’s sculpture Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle for the National Maritime Museum and ensure it remains on permanent display has been a success. The work, which is a scaled down replica of HMS Victory, now has a permanent new home outside the recently opened Sammy Ofer Wing”. During his last visit to Nigeria, Shonibare toured some art galleries and other related facilities in lagos Islands and met artists at a gathering organized by Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), lagos at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island lagos. He explained that, though he had been in touch with Nigerian art via artists who visited the U.K., “I need to know more, so it’s good for me to come here and meet other artists.” It was his first visit since he left Nigeria in the 1980s at 17. But his notes that lagos has grown faster than he imagined “It’s very encouraging to see that the city is beautified. I am excited, actually; very clean and different from when I was here 30 years ago. There is a room for improvement though and am ready to make my contributions.”

Dust and Strokes... Young Nimi keeps ambition alive AREly a fully trained B artist, young Nimi Izulu has had two solo shows in

Strength (watercolour) by Nimi Izulu

Nimi ought to be back in school for his HND, a guest demanded to know why the two years. young artist chose to experiHis second solo, titled, ment with a career half way Dust and Strokes, mounted into his training. inside the improvised And just as his work did gallery space of the Alnot show any sign of liance Francaise, Herbert naivety, so was his explanaMacaulay, yaba, lagos was tion full of confidence. “Not nearly lost in the packed li- now,” he said. “I plan to go brary and reception of the back to school, but I prefer venue. to have a wide experience However, the young before returning.” artist’s skills of an ambiIzulu says : “There isn’t a tious artist rescued the ex- better way to express art, hibits by generating a being my métier, than by curious attention. simplicity. Dust and Strokes Izulu, who took a break is an expression of emofrom academics, after his tions, which are strong feelOND from yaba College of ings towards any area of life, Technology, may just repand as human beings, we resent the daring charachave different feelings toters in some of the young wards different things. The artist who can barely wait emotions expressed in these for full formal training to works go beyond the compracticalise what has been mon ones. They are of an unacquired over a short peusual perspective, like that riod. which I get while watching “It’s an exhibition of my the news on TV, or while recent drawings, ink, shuttling through town, or graphite, and charcoal,” he when in a social setting, or enthused. while celebrating at an

event, or when reckoning on life. Both positive and negative emotions are combined to bring harmony between I, the artist, the scenario and the work. The title, Dust and Strokes, itself represents mood, as it got from the effects produced by the mediums used. As a poet’s verses and stanza’s express his moods and a musicians melodies relate to his theme that is how my idiosyncrasies are displayed in this exhibition.” Izulu’s biography says he had his first solo show at Alliance Francaise, December 2012. He is a prolific artist, who works in different genres of art, like sculpture, textiles and photography with several media, but has a flair for watercolor, charcoal and ink. His works display artistic freedom, proper understanding and dispensation of colors, depth of content and aesthetic beauty. In some works, he desires his own voice to be silent and hopes to leave room for viewer in-

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Sports Uzoenyi: Ghanaians nearly killed me UPER Eagles’ attack orchesSrevealed trator, Ejike Uzoenyi has that he nearly died. Pocket-sized Super Eagles midfielder, when Ghanaian defender, Kwabena Adusei elbowed him leading to a minor concoction mid-way into the first half of the CHAN semi-final clash between Nigeria and Ghana in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Team medics described Uzoenyi’s condition at the time as Cortica Artery seizure, noting that it took quite a while to get his pulse back from the leg region. “It was scary but we thank God, it didn’t degenerate more than that and the player’s recovery rate was phenomenal,” one of the medical official attached to the team noted. The player himself was quoted by Team Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, as saying he momentarily passed on and didn’t know what was happening until he was stretchered out for treatment. “That player wanted to kill me with that vicious elbow and I was blank and did not know where I was until I start-

ed hearing noises, but I was determined to continue that was why I was rushing back to the pitch. But I think it was God that saved my life because some lesser cases have resulted in fatalities.” Uzoenyi said he was still sad that the Eagles lost the match after his near fatal accident and promised that he will be ready for the third place match against the Warriors of Zimbabwe. “It is the only thing we have to leave here with and we are determined to compensate Nigerians with a third place finish,” he said. Meanwhile, Zambian referee, Janny Sikwaze has been receiving blames from soccer fans across South Africa for being too casual and at times absent minded in the handling of the Nigeria-Ghana match. “It was really scary that a player will commit such an offence and still was left on the pitch by the referee. CAF must take note and deal with this matter before players like that commit murder on the pitch,” declared Emmanuel Addo, a Nigerian, who is here for the tournament.

Super Eagles’ star, Ejike Uzoenyi.

LMC proud of players despite loss to Ghana ESPITE succumbing to Ghana through a penalty shoot out in the semi-final of the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN) Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Nduka Irabor says the team deserves commendation for their for their gallantry even in defeat. The Super Eagles were clear-

Eagles get NSC’s N17m largesse ESPITE losing the semiD final match to Ghana in the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN), the National Sports Commission (NSC), has redeemed the N17 million ($100, 000) pledge it made to the Eagles if they qualified for the final. Minister for Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, who disclosed this at the President Hotel, Bloemfontein, where the team is camped, said the gesture was to also reward efforts and not results alone. He said not redeeming the pledge would be like punishing the players for losing a game, which, he said, is not what the ministry stands for. “The team may have lost against the Black Stars but everyone saw that they did their best and for us at the ministry, that is enough to reward the team for doing Nigeria proud. We are not only out to reward wins, but also the efforts of deserving

teams and players.’’ He said he was not disappointed by the team’s performance as they still hard time to blossom into world class players. “These boys left the shores of our country as virtually unknowns, but today, they have become household names for what they have been able to achieve in this tournament. I am sure when the league begins; fans will be trooping out to watch some of these boys, who will still be in the country.” He said the team would also get the best of support from the ministry for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, adding that it was possible for the Eagles to surpass their previous performance in Brazil because we have a good technical team that have been doing well with the team. Abdullahi urged the team to go ahead and win the third place match against Zimbabwe

tomorrow, assuring that they will get the reward of the government when they do that. NFF President, Aminu Maigari, who himself personally doled out $10,000 to the team before the Ghana game on Wednesday, assured the minister that the team will get better as they prepare for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

ly the better side on the night, dominating play and having close calls at goal but were held to a goalless draw by the Ghana Black Stars, who went on to score four of their kicks in the penalty shoot-out. Ejike Uzoenyi scored the only kick for Nigeria. Irabor, on the heels of the acclaimed success of the Glo Premier League pre-season tournament in Abuja, said the CHAN Eagles were truly good ambassadors of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). “You have made a loud statement about the positive qualities, depth and competitive spirit in our league and the LMC is urging you all to return to your clubs and be an inspiration to your team mates in the 2013/14 season which starts in a couple of weeks,’’ Irabor charged the squad.

“The LMC is enthused by your performance and wishes to, on behalf of your colleagues, coaches and indeed all stakeholders especially the fans, thank you for being good ambassadors of the league. We appreciate this bold statement you have made about the quality of our league which has won over some cynics to the growing army of Glo League followers,” remarked the LMC chairman. He assured the players in the league that the LMC is committed to ensuring that they have the right platform to express their talents and earn a decent wage. “The LMC is cognizant of the fact that we can only get the best out of players in an atmosphere rich with motivation, appropriate reward system and the right infrastructure and credible organisation of the league.

AFN begins 2014 season in Ijebu-Ode, unveils Performance Director By Gowon Akpodonor N continuation of its build Iseason, up for the 2014 athletics which began with the camping of home based elite athletes in Abuja last year, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is organising over-distance events for athletes in IjebuOde, Ogun State on February 14 and 15. Secretary General of the

AFN, Olumide Bamiduro said yesterday that all interested states and athletics clubs should send their entries to the federation on or before February 9, 2014. He said no entry would be accepted at the venue of the events. Bamiduro also said that accommodation would be provided for participating athletes, but there will be no feeding and transport subsidy to any athletes and

accompanying officials. There is also no prize money at stake. The events athletes will compete in are 150m male and female, 300m male and female, 600m male and female, 1000m male and female, 300m hurdles male and female, 4x100m male and female, 4x400m male and female and distance medley.

Konadu praises team coach HANA Coach, Maxwell G Konadu has praised the Nigerian team for their quality despite the Eagles’ lost to his team in the second semifinal of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Wednesday at the Free State Stadium. While expressing happiness over his team’s qualification for the final, Konadu said the Eagles stretched his team to the limit, adding, “from the beginning the tactics was to contain the Eagles and see whether we can win the game but after the red card to Kwabena Adusei, it became even more difficult for my players.

GOtv unveils schedule of sporting events

EBRUARY sees the concluFChampionship sion of the African Nations (CHAN) but the sporting action continues on GOtv. GOtv Nigeria has released it sporting highlights for the month of February promising its subscribers broadcast of some live matches in the Barclays Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Bundesliga with highlights of all major matches. GOtv subscribers can look forward to one live Barclays Premier League match every Saturday, one live Spanish La Liga match every Monday and one live Bundesliga match every Friday on SuperSport Select, GOtv channel 30 and SuperSport Select 2, GOtv channel 32.

Friday, January 31, 2014 SPORT

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Keshi blames Eagles’ loss to strikers’ profligacy From Adeyinka Adedipe, Bloemfontein UPER Eagles’ Coach, SNigeria’s Stephen Keshi, has blamed loss to Ghana in the semifinal of the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN) on his players’ inability to convert the goal scoring chances that came their way in the game played at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa. The Eagles lost 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 in regulation and added time. It was the best game the Eagles played in the competition, but they found it difficult to break down the Ghanaian defence despite playing with a man advantage for about 60 m i n u t e s . While describing football as a difficult game, Keshi said it was unbelievable that his players could not score one goal against the Black Stars despite having chances to bury their opponent. He said: “That is how hard the game of football can be. We

played very well but the goals refused to come. It would have been different on another day,” he said. Keshi described the squad as a collection of players that he would have moulded into a better team if he had more time with them before the championship. “I have fallen in love with these players. I will describe them as a collection of players because I only had six weeks with them. If I had them together for six months, they can become one of the greatest teams in the world. I must salute them for what they have done for themselves and the country.” The coach said the match was between two sides, who battled till the end of the game and congratulated the Ghanaian side for winning the encounter, adding that the red card to one of their players fired up the Black Stars instead of dampening their spirit. “The Ghanaians came out strong and better organised

after the sending off of one of their players. The defence stood strong and thwarted all our goal scoring chances, but that is expected in a game involving both teams. “Take for example the last minute save made by goalkeeper Adams. He did a wonderful job and I guess that is what he is paid to do. It could have gone in but the keeper did what he had to do to keep the ball out. Those are the kind of things you see when these two teams meet.” Keshi said he has learnt a lot from this championship, which would come handy as he begins preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Eagles mourning their defeat by Ghana in the semifinal of the on-going South Africa 2014 CHAN.

MTN Lagos Street Soccer: U-15 winners for CHAN finals INNERS of the maiden UW 15 category of the yearly MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championships will today depart for South Africa to watch the finals of this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN). The final, which holds on Saturday, February 1 at the Cape Town Stadium, will have the 12-man team made up of 10 players and two officials present at the stadium to cheer the teams to victory. The trip is in fulfillment of the promise made by the

organisers as part of the reward for the outstanding team that took part in the championship sponsored by MTN Nigeria Plc. According to the Executive Secretary of MTN Lagos Street Soccer, Deji Aladegbemi, the players would be exposed to top class training and mentoring sessions to be handled by qualified football experts in South Africa. “As part of our promises before the championship, we have decided to take the winner of the U-15 junior event of

the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship to South Africa to watch the final of the ongoing CHAN. For us, the players are the future of the game and it is very important they experience what they intend to become in future. Aside watching the finals of CHAN in Cape Town, they will be in Johannesburg for training and mentoring session under the guidance of qualified football coaches. We believe this alone will inspire the players to aim high in future and continue

to work hard,” he said. The LOC scribe added, “in Lagos State, we are committed to grassroots sports development through schools sports and for us this is the uniqueness of this year’s tournament as we hope to improve on the reward in 2014. Also, we will also emphasis the need for the players to be in schools so that they can combine sports and education because this is what the International Olympics Committee (IOC) is preaching now.”

Oyo targets Victor Ochei Wheelchair basketball trophy By Gowon Akpodonor ITH attention of sportsloving Nigerians now shifting to the home front after the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the final of the CHAN 2014 competition in South Africa, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Farouk Alao has declared that the state would do everything possible to win this year’s Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Competition, which holds at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos from February 18 to 22. The 2014 edition of the tournament is expected to draw participants from South Africa, Benin Republic, Ghana and Cameroun, as well as over 25 teams from all states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Apart from targeting the top

Saidu Umar of Mokola Ibadan team during a recent game against Lagos Decline and Fall. The on-going Ibadan International Polo Tournament ends on Sunday.

MTN Ibadan International Polo Championship

Briclaink, Kano Triple K win, as big boys take centre stage HE trophy contenders T have started strutting their stuff at the on-going 2014 Ibadan International Polo Championship being sponsored by MTN. On Tuesday at the Eleyele Polo Ground, Ibadan Briclaink started their campaign on a good note by defeating Lagos Kessy by five to four chukkas, while Kano Triple K piped arch rival, Kano Huawei, three and half chukka’s to three chukkas. In another match, Lagos Obalende defeated Ibadan Jericho seven to four, while Ibadan Lead City defeated Kano Bantek six to four chukkas, just as Kano Susplan showed their experience in the tournament by amassing seven points, as against five and half points recorded by Ibadan Leo Big to carry the day. In the games for the Ade Alakija Memorial Cup on Wednesday, Lagos Kessy defeated Ibadan Eleyele seven to three; Kano Hago mauled Kano Hick’s by seven chukkas to two and half,

while Kano Susplan defeated Ibadan Challenge by six chukkas to three and half chukkas in the Brigadier General Rotimi Cup. Members of the organising committee disclosed yesterday that Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, are among the many dignitaries expected to grace this year’s championship. Vice President of the club, Adeoye Ajibade, who doubles as the tournament’s Chairperson, told the media yesterday, “we shall be having Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as well as some royal fathers. We are also expecting the GOC, 2 Division, Ibadan and other paramilitary personnel, top echelons of the society, captains of industry and the management of MTN.” This year’s edition of the competition, which ends on Sunday, is featuring top players from Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina and the United States of America.

• We will host 2016 Sports Festival, says Commissioner position at the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball tournament, Alao told The Guardian yesterday that the state was working round the clock to ensure it gets the hosting right for the 2016 National Sports Festival, the first since the city of Ibadan played host to Oluyole ’79 edition of the festival. Three states, Oyo, Edo and Plateau are bidding to host the next edition of the festival after this year’s edition holding in Calabar and Alao is optimistic his state will get the nod, going by its seriousness and availability of top class facilities. On the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball tournament later this February, the Commissioner said Team Oyo had been fully mobolised,

adding that their target is to be among the top finishers this time around. Oyo State placed sixth in the maiden edition held in Asaba in 2011 and moved up to the fifth position at last edition in Lagos. “Our Wheelchair basketball team is receiving good attention from the state ahead the competition in Lagos. We have to give support to special sports athletes in the state because they have brought honours to us various times. I must commend both the organisers and sponsors of the event for their initiative in empowering young men and women on wheelchair who would have been begging for alms or idling their time away,” Alao said. This year’s edition of Rt. Hon.

Victor Ochei-sponsored wheelchair basketball tournament will gulp N30 million and the winner will go home with $12,000. The organisers have set aside N100, 000 to each participating state for feeding and two thousand dollars to the visiting countries. Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Bukola Olopade has said various initiatives are in place to make the competition a memorable one. “We must appreciate our grand patron Victor Ochei for identifying with the development of Wheelchair basketball in the country. He has been wonderful to us and he deserves all the accolades for taking this game to the next level,” Olopade said.

Nigerian ex-Olympian, Adedoyin dies at 91, burial holds today HE Nigeria Olympians departure has created a big T Association (NOA) has void in the Olympics family. described as shocking the

Physically challenged persons practicing ahead of the 3rd Victor Ochei National Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Lagos. Oyo State says it is targeting the trophy and N5 million prize money at stake

news of the death of Prince Adegboyega Folaremi Adedoyin, one of the earliest Nigerians to have taken part in the Olympic Games. Prince Adedoyin, who died in Abeokuta last week at the age of 91, was a member of the 1948 Olympics in London. He took part in the track and field event at the age of 26. In his condolence message, Prince Henry Amike, the president of NOA, described the late sprinter as a rare gem and a great motivator, whose

“He was a rare gem and somebody we all looked up to as a source of motivation, the entire Olympic family will sure miss his fatherly role.” The remains of Adedoyin will be laid to rest today in his hometown, Agbowa, Ogun State. Prince Amike, who will be leading a delegation of exOlympians to the burial, has called on sports-loving Nigerians to be in Agbowa to give the foremost Olympian a befitting burial.

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SchoolSports 180 Abia schools register for 2014 NNPC/Shell Cup By Christian Okpara ORE than 180 public and private secondary schools in Abia State have registered for this year’s All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship, also known as Shell Cup. Officials of the state’s Ministry of Education told The Guardian yesterday that more schools are still submitting their forms in the three zones of the state, including Ohafia, Aba and Umuahia, adding

that the zonal co-ordinators are doing everything possible to ensure that the state met the February 14 deadline for the state final. One of the co-ordinators of the competition in Abia State, who pleaded anonymity, said she had been working with the zonal sports officers to collate the forms and ensure that everything is done according to schedule, adding that screening of the players would start next week.

The sentiment in Abia is that the state is due to win the trophy owing to the quality of talents in the schools and more so when such other states like Enugu and Anambra have produced finalists in the past. Aside the quest to see the state on the victory podium this year, an official of Abia Warriors, Ofor Abiaye said his team would monitor the competition to see if they could discover fresh talents to add to their squad this season. Abia Warriors are debuting in the Glo Premier League this year. “Over the years, the Shell Cup has provided us with some good players and we hope this year’s competition would not be different. “While, we have registered some tested stars for our debut season, we are still on the look out for fresh talents to beef up the team,’’ he said. The 2014 Shell Cup states’ finals across the country are scheduled to hold on either February 13 or 14, with the zonal finals billed to run from February 25 to March 1.

Akpan Akpan (right) of Government College, Kano, fights for the ball against Adewoyin Idowu of Asegun Community High School, Ibadan.

Imasuagbon inter-school football tourney kicks off Feb. 6 with 120 teams From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja ITH over 120 secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) already listed for the 6th edition of the yearly Kenneth Imasuagbon football championship, as the competition kicks off on February 6, at the Old parade ground, Area 10, Garki Abuja. The championship, which has continued to attract more entries will this year witness an improved organisation according to the sponsor, Kenneth Imasuagbon. Imasuagbon noted that he has directed the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to ensure it stages a perfect championship as he hopes to use the tournament to thank God for his mercies following

Action from the grand finale of the 2013 Milo Secondary School Basketball championships held in Lagos. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

ISL targets fifth title at Doregos basketball tourney FTER edging out Airforce A Secondary School in the semi-final of the 10th Doregos Inter-Schools Basketball championship, the boys’ team of International School, Lagos (ISL) is targeting its fifth title at the yearly competition. The Coach Ijeoma Ernesttutored side overwhelmed the Airforce boys 33-25 to set up a final clash against the host – Doregos Private Academy in what promises to be exciting. Also, the girls’ team booted out Supreme Foundation 13-5 to set up another epic final against Vivian Fowler Secondary School on February 6 at the premise of Doregos Academy in Ipaja, Lagos. To berth in the final, Doregos’ male team defeated Avi-Cenna Secondary to confront ISL in the final. However, Doregos female team met their waterloo against Vivian Fowler in the semifinal tie of the competition. Meanwhile sponsor of the

championship, Mrs. Clementina Doregos has enjoined all participants to uphold the spirit of fairplay. Doregos urged the participants to use the event to make friends and interact among themselves, which is one of the reasons why sports competitions are created.

the ghastly motor accident he survived recently. Speaking while briefing journalists on Wednesday, Imasuagbon, said that the from the 78 schools that took part in the competition last, 120 will participate this year, saying, “this shows an improvement in the organisation, as well as the fact that almost all schools in the FCT have given due recognition to the championship, hence, they have all captured it in their calendar of activities for the year. The Chief Executive of Pace Setters College in Abuja noted that cash prizes and trophies would be won by schools that would emerge victorious at both the male and female categories of the

championship, noting that the FCT Police commissioner has also given the LOC assurance of adequate security through out the period of the championship. Like the last edition, he said that the total prize money still remains N1m, which will be shared by the winners, runners’ up and third place teams for both the female and female category, adding that all the 120 participating teams will be given an appearance fee. “I want to use the occasion of the 6th edition of the tournament to thank God for showing me uncommon love. Also to thank the president and Nigerians, especially the children of the various FCT schools and their parents, who went into prayers for my recovery from the

ghastly accident that led to be been flown to the United States for treatment. This year’s edition of the tournament is a special edition, which we have tagged, the thanks giving edition in appreciation to the miracle God performed in my life. Also its is a special edition because we have recorded a tremendous increase in the number of schools that have registered from the 78 that participated last years to 120 which will be fighting for the trophy at both the male and female categories,” Imasuagbon said. He added, “I have decided to make the 6th edition of this championship a big one because I see it as a pay back time to express my happiness and thanks to God for saving my life.”

Topaz defends title at Atlantic Hall sports meet EFENDING champion, D Topaz House will tomorrow aim to retain the title at

Pick the ball race during an inter-house sports tourney in Lagos…recently.

the 20th inter-house sports competition of Atlantic Hall in Epe. After the conclusion of the heat events, Topaz is still dominating with 20 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze medals, followed by Emerald, which garnered 13 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals. Garnet House is third with 10 gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals, while Sapphire places fourth with eight gold, 18 silver and 15

bronze medals. To emerge winner at the last edition, Topaz beat Emerald to second position. According to the school, the one-day athletics meet promises to be exciting as top personalities including Chairman, National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu will grace the occasion, which kicks off at 10am at the school premises in Poka, Epe. Also, the school invitation relay race will be part of the competition, which is expected to be colourful with the match past event.

Friday, January 31, 2014 63

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

GolfWeekly

Deceased colourful “King of Golf,” Eddie Peters, during the national qualifier of the World Golfers Championship at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Akwa Ibom State. He captained the Nigerian team to the 2010 World Finals, which held in Thailand. PHOTO: ENO-ABASI SUNDAY

Form strategic partnerships to develop golf, Sanni urges NGF Stories by Eno-Abasi Sunday ARELY two months after its B inauguration, the new board of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) is yet to make public its planned programmes and policies. This has led many to express fears that it could yet again be “business as usual” for the body. One of those expressing worries at the scenario is the Chairman of Global Golf Limited and former Captain of the Ikoyi Club 1938 (golf section), Ayinde Sanni. Sanni, a legal practitioner, who is of the firm belief that golf has no business thriving on government’s subventions or sundry interventions said at every point in time, leaders of the federations have serious roles to play in deepening the growth of the sport in concert with genuine stakeholders. Speaking specifically on the new board led by Dr. Peter Deshi, Sanni the board’s emergence still remains something of a mystery to him “as it appears there were no clearcut guidelines for elections in accordance with international norms. “For now, how they got there and whether what they did during the electoral process is

in accordance with international norms, regarding elections into sports federations is still unclear to me. So I would say if what they did is not backed by the law, I am afraid it is still going to be business as usual,” he stated. The former captain, who maintained that it may be a difficult thing holding a group that did not put forward a blueprint of what it intends to do to account, stressed that for the sport, which is in a comatose state in the country to rise again, the federation must form strategic partnerships/alliances with very dedicated stakeholders in the country. “Golf does not need subventions from government to grow. All it needs is dedicated people, who would work to create a marketable goodwill for the sport as well as get interested people to drive the initiative. This is the way to go,” Sanni advised. The avid golfer who deplored what he called the continuous rot in every facet of our national life ranging from education to security, economy and the general dearth of infrastructures, called on the government to strive to create an environ-

ment where its citizens can actualise their potentials. Asked to set an agenda for the new board, he said, it was very important for the board to get stakeholders in the sport to appreciate what it was doing. “By stakeholders, I mean anybody who has a means for golf to be played in his environ-

ment, and this starts with golf club captains around the country, who they (NGF) have to discuss with and map out things to do together. “The board should also get support from the sport’s world governing body, the R&A especially in the area of youth development.” In addition to this, he said, it

is very important for them to strive to widen the base of new entrants into the sport by getting a lot of young people to come into the picture through dedicated programmes, which would be implemented in schools during physical education classes and during vacations. While also calling on them

to partner with government at both the state and local levels to build driving ranges in each senatorial zone of the country for use by youths at the grassroots, he stressed that only concerted efforts and not the “social golf” that is being played in the country would bring about a change in the fortunes of the sport.

Port Harcourt Club’s EGM may ratify naming Hole 14 after Eddie Peters ARING any contrary view tain of the club, Adokiye Peters played a critical role in Golf Association, (which was B from next Thursday’s Ikpoki said, “the committee the redesigning of the club, as immediately endorsed by the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of the Port Harcourt Club (golf section), Hole 14 of the club would be named after the departed past captain of the section, Eddie Kinikanwo Peters. He was aged 67. Better known in Nigerian golf circles as the “King of Golf,” the club recently honoured its deceased former captain and course officer with a memorial kitty, which had in attendance, the creme-de-la-creme of amateur players in the state and beyond. The tourney was a few days after he was committed to Mother Earth. Speaking to The Guardian in an interview yesterday, cap-

has proposed the renaming of Hole 14 after the late former captain of the club, Eddie Peters. Already notice of the EGM has been sent out. The notice has to be out there for about two weeks before the meeting is held.” In this direction, he said, with the tentative approval given by the committee, which he heads for the renaming of the hole would be ratified at “the Emergency General Meeting of Thursday, February 13. Alternatively, the EGM would recommend another prominent hole to be named after Peters. But we do hope the AGM ratifies what we have recommended.”

well as its general transformation, teaming up with Collin Dickson, then the general manager of Eagle Cement to kick-start the renovation of the club house. Until his death, the captain of the Nigerian team to the World Finals of the World Golfers Championship in Thailand in 2010, was a constant in many prominent amateur tournaments in most parts of the country including the famous Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Akwa Ibom State. At the last edition of the competition, a minute silence was observed in Peters’ honour. Peters, one of the foundation members of the Nigeria

Royal and Ancient, St. Andrews, Scotland), was also the former tournament coordinator, Eastern Zone of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria (PGAN). He was a successful entrepreneur. A stickler for the rules, Peters was so passionate about golf and openly slammed golfers, who breached the rules of the game with impunity. He was said to have had his name on the registers of the United States Golf Association even as he watched regularly, the World Cup of Golf, The Masters and The Open. He was a single handicapper for most part of his golf life.

TheGuardian

Friday, January 31, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Nwachukwu Joshua REMEMBER vividly the euphoria when Chinua Achebe’s There was a Country - his personal history of Biafra - was released. The book was celebrated and welcomed not because it was the first book written on the civil war, quite the contrary. But many expected that Achebe being the father of modern African literature would certainly do justice to the subject matter. No sooner had the celebrations begun were we thrown into a conundrum. As expected its root cause was ethnic bigotry. This time it was between the Yorubas and the Ibos. It all started because in the book, Achebe accused Awolowo, the leader of the Yoruba kingdom of trying to exterminate or shrink the Ibo race since he saw them as a threat to the economic and political dominance of the Yorubas in Nigeria. He achieved this by supporting and defending the Federal Government agenda of starving the Biafran people during the 30 months old war, and also the banking policy which nullified the bank accounts which had been operated during the war by the Biafrans and gave a flat sum of20 pounds to each Igbo depositor regardless of the amount of deposit. With these assertions coming from a renowned figure, the Yorubas felt the onus to defend the integrity and dignity of their father and leader, the Late Awolowo by refuting the assertions or defending them while the Ibos reciprocated by defending Achebe. In this entire imbroglio, Achebe resorted to silence. All these intrigues and ethnic quacking rather than discredit the book, only aggravated my interest in reading the book which I considered a must read. When I read the book last Christmas season, I was captivated by a lot of things; a bit of Nigerian history, more on Achebe writing styles and syntax, the main actors in the Civil war, factors that necessitated the war, the position of the outside world and the reasons for their stance etc. But what I found most interesting and captivating which propelled me to write this article is the hidden treasure in Nigeria which most times goes unnoticed and unappreciated. Biafra, a land without enough resources—to the utmost bewilderment of Gowon, his cabinet and the outside world—managed to fight the civil war for 30 months, the reason for this, is what am going to tackle in this article. At this point it should not be understood that I am supporting the cause of Biafra or am campaigning for the division of Nigeria. If my reader has that idea, am sorry for the misunderstanding, rather I ‘am only trying to bring to light the great ingenious acts of brave Biafrans who also were Nigerians, who put their heads to the grindstone and produced some unprecedented innovations. During the war, Biafra had two airports: One in Uli and a smaller one in Nnokwa. Uli airport was the major airport in Biafra for military and relief goods at the height of the war with more than 50 flights a night. Uli airport, originally part of a major highway, had been cut into the countryside in the middle of a tropical rainforest and operated mainly at night. The airport’s traffic control terminal, passenger facilities and hangars were constructed in such a manner that the entire runway and all of the planes on the ground could be heavily camouflaged with palm leaves and raffia fronds during the day, disguising it from Nigerian army aircraft reconnaissance missions and radar. When compared to present day Nigeria, one would realise that there is something wrong with the aviation sector. In the past 10 years, we’ve had numerous plane crashes which have claimed hundreds of lives. Flights have been delayed, many flights have been rescheduled because of light rain showers, planes could not land at night because they lacked lighting facilities, numerous power failures

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Really, there was a country

and the list of inefficiencies grows ad infinitum. But in the 70’s, in small Biafra planes were flying in and out at night with no known record of plane crashes. Secondly, during the war, due to the economic blockade enforced by Gowon, Biafra was cut from the outside world which made it difficult to get weapons and relief materials. Despite all odds, the Biafrans did not resign to the fate Gowon wanted them to resign to, instead, Biafran scientists from the research think tank RAP—the Biafran Research and Production unit—developed a great number of rockets, bombs, and telecommunications gadgets. One of the weapons worth mentioning is a bomb called “Ogbunigwe.” It is on record that this locally made bomb helped Biafra in the war. In the words of Chukwuemeka Ike “the ogbunigwe…. will receive special mention as Biafra’s greatest saviour”. Also Biafra made tanks which turned out to

be steel-reinforced Range Rovers. By their third incarnation these armoured fighting vehicles, had rocket launchers. Debunking the myth that oil could only be refined outside Nigeria, during the civil war; Biafrans learnt how to refine oil and this kept their planes and vehicles moving and also provided power at the airport. But in current day Nigeria, in a time of relative calm our refineries are not working which makes us refine oil outside. Also, then the planes were flown by Nigerians. There is a story in the book perhaps apocryphal, “that a Biafran plane landed in another African country, and the pilot and all of the crew came out, and there was not a white man among them. The people of this other country—which is a stooge of France— couldn’t comprehend a plane being landed without any white people. They said, “Where is the pilot? Where are the white people?” They arrested the crew, presuming there had been a rebellion in the air!”

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I do agree that being in a war helped trigger innovations but I also think that the war Ojukwu fought was against poverty, injustice, inept leadership, ethnicity, corruption, which is no different from the problems that are still in Nigeria, the only difference being that these problems have unfortunately gotten deeper roots and spread out afar

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In current day Nigeria, many planes, domestic and international have many foreign pilots; it’s not bad to have foreign pilots but what has happened to Nigerian pilots? I am recounting these stories to illustrate the quality of the people Nigeria had many years ago, which makes me, a member of the current generation wonder at the great quality of people Nigeria had and the prospects the future had for Nigeria, if only we had competent leaders. In all this am not diminishing the role of the citizenry in the political well to do of Nigeria, I think I am finally now a student of the Achebe School of thought which postulates that the problem of Nigeria is simply and squarely that of leadership. After the World War 1 and World War 2, it is on record that great achievements and advancements were made in medicine, aviation, science, transportation, security etc. But in the case of Nigeria everything was dumped even RAP, now we have no think tank. I think the missing link in Nigerians problem is leadership. From independence I do not think we have had competent leaders, who were men/women of character or vision, rather we’ve had leaders who just wanted to keep the old cycle doing. This attitude has encouraged corruption, mediocrity, ineptness and ethnic chauvinism. Something worth noting which came out in the book was the fact that Ojukwu surrounded himself with men who he thought fit for the job not minding their tribe or education pedigree. What interested me was his appointment of Brigadier Victor Banjo a Yoruba - despite grunting from the Ibos- as one of his close military confidants and advisers and also the leader of the Mid-West invasion because of his military experience. Also when Ojukwu wanted to form the National Guidance Committee, whose business was to write a kind of constitution for Biafra, there was a healthy competition for the post of the secretary between Prof. Ben Obumselu, an Oxford graduate like Ojukwu, and Prof. Emmanuel Obiechina, a PhD holder from Cambridge University. At the end, Prof. Obiechina was chosen as the scribe of the Committee, because he was thought better. All these can only be achieved when the leader is competent and visionary. I am sure some quarters may comment that all these things were achieved because Ojukwu was in a time of necessity which many have christened the mother of invention. I do agree that being in a war helped trigger innovations but I also think that the war Ojukwu fought was against poverty, injustice, inept leadership, ethnicity, corruption, which is no different from the problems that are still in Nigeria, the only difference being that these problems have unfortunately gotten deeper roots and spread out afar. With all this I come to a conclusion that really, there was a country called Nigeria, there, meritocracy, ingenuity and handwork was venerated, but in this new Nigeria, our modus operandi and modus vivendi is now the doctrine of mediocrity, ethic bigotry, and corruption bazaar, ineptitude in the civil service, banality and debauchery. Really, there was a country.