Tue 16 July 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,619

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Wary of arrest, Sudan’s president shuns AIDS summit in Abuja From Mohammed Abubakar, Chukwuma Muanya, Lemmy Ughegbe, Emeka Anuforo and John Okeke, Abuja MILD drama unfolded at A the ongoing Abuja +12 Special Follow-Up Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other related diseases as Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir who has two international arrest warrants against him failed to turn up to make his presentation.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009 and 2010 issued two warrants of arrest against Al-Bashir over the

• Nigeria rules out handling over Al-Bashir to ICC • Civil groups disagree, say govt risks global outrage • Jonathan, AU unveil plan to check disease conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, where government forces and local Arab militias are fighting rebels drawn mainly from black African populations.

Some civil society organisations have also called on the Nigerian authorities to arrest him if he showed up.

Al-Bashir, who arrived in Abuja on Sunday to a red-carpet welcome and a full guard of honour, has not appeared in any of the sessions of the summit.

He was expected to participate at the summit like many other Heads of State. When he was called to make a pres-

entation, there was heavy silence. Alas, he was nowhere to be found.

Since he was indicted by the ICC in 2006 after being accused of masterminding atrocities during the Darfur conflict, which left hundreds of thousands dead, he has been refused trips to Uganda,

South Africa, Malawi and Zambia. Only Chad and Djibouti have received him in the past year.

His visit to Nigeria is seen as his first to the West African region since the warrants were issued.

The African Union (AU) has repeatedly spoken of its

reservation over the ICC’s warrants, stressing that it will not respect the decision of the court.

In 2010, AU called on the United Nations Security Council to delay war crimes proceedings against the Sudanese president.

In a statement in response to the warrants, the AU had said: “The AU has always emphasized its commitment to justice and its total rejection of impunity. At the same time, the AU reiterates that the search for justice should be pursued in a manner not CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Equatoria President, Nguena Mbasogo (left); President Goodluck Jonathan; Ethiopian Prime Minister and AU Chairman, Hailemariam Dessalegn; wife of South Africa’s President and Chairman, AU Commission, Nkosazana Zuma; PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA and other African leaders, during the opening of the African Union Heads of Government Special Summit on Tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS in Abuja… yesterday.

Suspended councillors accuse Reps of bias in Rivers’ crisis From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt CCUSING the House of A Representatives of bias, 15 suspended Obio-Akpor councillors yesterday provided another perspective on the political crisis in Rivers State.

The councillors and their chairman, Timothy Nsiri, whose suspension in April by a majority of the House of As-

• Exonerate Mbu, blame state govt for lawmakers’ crisis • Say Amaechi ignores police advice • Patience Jonathan urges peace sembly members has aggravated the political crisis in Rivers State, condemned the attack on one of the lawmakers representing Obio-Akpor constituency in the legisla-

ture in Port Harcourt, Michael Chinda.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, the councillors said they were dismayed that the House of

Representatives acted swiftly to protect the state House legislature, but failed to come to their rescue when they were dismissed by the lawmakers for spurious reasons.

“A lawmaker is a lawmaker no matter the level at which we operate and so we deserve similar protection from superior legislative houses like the way the Reps came to save our state Assembly which first meted out unfair treatment to us,” they said.

The councillors who disclosed that two of their colleagues have decamped to Governor Chibuike

Amaechi’s camp, said they expected the House of Representatives to have taken a holistic consideration of the state’s crisis to avoid another rift that might lead to the taking over of the role of the governor should there be a fight at the Government House.

They said: “In our thinking, digging to the root of the matter will give a lasting soCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Councillors blame Rivers govt for lawmakers’ crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lution rather than acting selectively showing that one has an interest. Would they have come if we had resisted our suspension and have joined the likes of Chidi Lloyd to fight and display dishonourable tendencies?”

The councillors commended the Senate for setting up a committee to holistically probe the crisis in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They appealed to the Senate to be dispassionate in its report.

On the call by the House of Representatives for the redeployment of Rivers State Po-

lice Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu, the councillors said the fracas at the House of Assembly was caused by the refusal of the Amaechi government to heed a call for peaceful co-existence and adherence to the tenets of democracy.

They alleged that the police had advised that the House of Assembly be avoided by all sides until calm returned to the state but this was ignored.

“The state has always refused to listen to professional advice from the police and instead turns around to make it look as if the police are the mastermind of such an ugly incident. The police took over

the council to protect lives and property and they opposed it and went to court and upon court ruling, the police left only for the place to be blown up and the police came back,” they said.

Meanwhile, the senator representing Rivers South-East District in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe, has said that despite the political uproar in Rivers State, Amaechi must finish his tenure, stressing that the opposition cannot remove the governor from office.

Abe also warned youths in the state to avoid being used by politicians who recruit and arm them with dangerous weapons to kill others

with the aim of achieving their political ambitions.

Abe spoke at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Council, during the presentation of scholarships to 77 university undergraduates from the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.

He pointed out that Amaechi was brought into power by God, noting that no power would contend with the power of God. Meanwhile, the office of the First Lady, State House, Abuja, yesterday sued for peace in Rivers State.

In a statement, it said: “This office wishes to call on all feuding parties in Rivers State to spare a thought for

the social, political and economic costs of the crisis, and consider an urgent way to resolve all political differences.

“It is our position that the greater consequences of the impasse is, as usual, reserved for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable, especially women and children, who are usually innocent bystanders in all these.

“This derives naturally from the saying that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. On a larger scale, we subscribe to the fact that conflicts and violence are the most lethal threats to peace, which itself is the irreducible minimum condition for development.

“The situation must therefore not be allowed to degenerate to a level that can be hijacked by miscreants and hoodlums, thus exposing everyone to insecurity from which there may be no easy escape.

“We, therefore, call on elders of the state to position themselves appropriately in the circumstances, and continue to seek the highest good of Rivers state and its people, by stone-walling the activities of the few who would rather fan little embers into a consuming inferno.”

The statement was signed by Ayo Osinlu, Special Assistant (Media) to the President, Office of the First Lady.

a proposal to establish an African Centre for Disease Control.

Jonathan said: “To consolidate our progress in addressing the heavy burden of these infectious diseases in Africa, we must with increased urgency, develop a stronger, home-grown, sustainable health financing framework.

We must take ownership of the process, and drive its implementation.

“Nigeria’s commitment is further underlined by a special purpose programme which we have developed to accelerate the implementation of key interventions with respect to HIV/AIDS. This programme, which we have tagged the PCRP, will help us to bridge existing service gaps, address key financial, system and coordination challenges, and promote greater responsibility and accountability for HIV/AIDS responses, at national and sub-national levels.

“The plan is targeted at achieving universal access to the prevention, treatment, care and support for all Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.” On the need for locallysourced funding and patronage of African pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, Jonathan said: “I strongly advocate that Africa should look inwards in search for a solution. We must begin to de-emphasise reliance on external funding

and importation of essential medicines required for our treatment programmes. We must stand in solidarity with one another, be proactive to our health challenges and increase inter-continental scientific research partnerships and development efforts to complement the various national and regional plans already underway. “… In demonstration of our commitment to the Abuja Declaration 2001, I have also directed the immediate development of a new and creative framework for sustainable financing of health to meet the targeted objectives. “…For too long, political instability, insecurity, and infectious diseases have beclouded our efforts at rapid development and effective optimization of the abundant potential of our continent. However, today, there is renewed hope, that together and with home-grown initiatives we can systematically and comprehensively address these tough challenges.”

Jonathan called for continued support for the Global Fund which he has accepted to co-chair its fourth fund replenishment meeting . “I call on all of you to support me to ensure that Africa makes a big statement at the replenishment meeting which comes up in the last quarter of this year,” he said.

Dessalegn said a proposal to establish the African Centre for Disease Control had been considered by the AU and agreement reached for work to start on the modalities.

The AU Chairperson said the establishment would help reduce dependence on foreign centres for disease control.

According to UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-Moon, represented by Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNDP), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, every minute a child dies of malaria, one in 20 adults live with HIV, TB infection rates are the highest in the world, with more than 260 cases per 100,000 people in 2011; and many Africans endure the double burden of HIV and TB. According to Osotimehin, less than a thousand days until the Millennium Development Goal (MGD) deadline, the goals are in sight but much still needs to be done.

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Nigeria rules out handling over Al-Bashir to ICC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 detrimental to the search for peace. The latest decision by the ICC runs in the opposite direction.”

Yesterday, Nigeria explained why it would not hand over Sudan’s President to the ICC. Special Adviser on Media to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Al-Bashir was attending the AIDS summit like other AU leaders, and not necessarily on the invitation of Nigeria.

He was quoted by agency reports as saying: “Nigeria is just hosting it. It’s not Nigeria

that invited him. He’s not here on a bilateral visit. He’s here to participate in an AU summit, and Nigeria is not in a position to determine who attends an AU event and who does not attend … Nigeria is just providing the platform for the meeting.”

But a group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to “immediately arrest” him if he travels to Nigeria this week.”

The organisation noted that “Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, and as such, has international le-

Onadeko is new boss of Nigerian Law School From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Federal Government T has named Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko as the new Director General of the Nigerian Law School (NLS).

His appointment was disclosed in a statement by the NLS Head of Information and Protocol, Mr. Chinedu Ukekwe. However, the incumbent Dr. Tahir Mamman would remain in office till December 10, 2013, government has said.

Onadeko is the longest serving academic staff member of the school and is former Deputy Director General of the NLS Lagos Campus. He is also former Secretary, Coun-

cil of Legal Education, Director of Administration and former Director of Public Prosecutions of the Republic of The Gambia.

Other appointments recently confirmed by the Council of Legal Education were Mrs. Adetoun Adebiyi (Deputy Director General, Lagos Campus), Mr. Robert Osamor (Deputy Director General, Enugu Campus) and Dr. Yusuf Dadem (Deputy Director General, Kano Campus).

Also, Mrs. Elizabeth Max-Uba is Secretary and Director of Administration, while a committee headed by Awa Kalu (SAN) has been set up to review the LLB curriculum of universities’ faculties of law.

gal obligations to ensure that this country does not become a safe haven for alleged perpetrators of crimes under international law like AlBashir.”

In a statement by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation stated: “The government risks sanctions by the UN Security Council if it fails to arrest President Al-Bashir and surrender him to the ICC at The Hague.

“President Jonathan now has a rare opportunity to assist the ICC and support the demand by the international community for justice for the victims of genocide and war crimes in Darfur. Ignoring the ICC’s arrest warrants will have huge legal ramifications for the country, and it is therefore in Nigeria’s national interest to act in this case, by arresting President AlBashir and surrendering him to the ICC to face fair trial for the allegations against him.”

Other civil groups yesterday condemned the Federal Government for the state reception accorded Al-Bashir since his arrival in Nigeria and called for his immediate arrest and surrender to the ICC. At a press conference under the aegis of Nigerian Coalition for the International Criminal Court (NCICC), the Chair, Steering Committee, Chino Obiagwu, warned that “Failure of Nigeria to do so will be a brazen disregard of

its international treaty obligation under Article 89 of the Rome Statute of the ICC which it has ratified since 2001.”

NCICC noted that “such failure also undermines the pursuit of international justice, peace and security which are the objectives of the ICC”, warning that “it will amount to grave diplomatic blunder for the Jonathan administration to invite and give full ceremonial reception to a war crime indictee in disregard of millions of victims of Darfur atrocities and their families, some of them Nigerian citizens who are still crying for justice.”

And, determined to ensure universal access to the prevention, treatment, care and support for all Nigerians living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Jonathan and the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, yesterday at the summit unveiled the Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP).

Also, Jonathan and other African leaders, the AU and the United Nations (UN) said the continent must begin to de-emphasise reliance on external funding and importation of essential medicines required for treatment programmes. They also adopted

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

News PPA, NCP sue CROSIEC over alleged change of polls timetable From Anietie Akpan, Calabar WO opposition parties in T Cross River State have dragged the State

Chairperson, Burial Organising Committee, Toun Lawanson (left); the deceased’s daughter-in-law, Lanre Fajuyi, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and son of the deceased, Donald Fajuyi, during a condolence visit by the governor to the family home of the late Eunice Fajuyi, wife of former Military Governor of the Western Region, the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, in Ado-Ekiti… yesterday.

ECOWAS to ratify $2b Abidjan-Lagos highway From Chuka Odittah, Abuja

Work begins on N51b N’Assembly institute’s permanent site From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja

HE technical steering comRESIDENT of the Senate, T mittee set up by presidents PDavid Mark, yesterday in of member countries of the Abuja kicked off the conEconomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday submitted a blueprint for the actualisation of the $2 billion Abidjan-Lagos Cross Border Highway, ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting in Abuja tomorrow where it is to be ratified for onward implementation.

The Abidjan-Lagos Highway project was initiated during the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Yamoussoukro on February 28, 2013 to facilitate free movement of goods and citizens of member countries. The project, which is expected to commence in 2014, will cut across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’lvoire when completed.

Minister lauds Ajimobi over development From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan INISTER of National M Planning and Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Samsudeen Usman, yesterday commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State for the transformation which the state has witnessed within two years.

The minister, who gave the commendation while speaking during a courtesy call on the governor in his office, also acknowledged the cordial relationship existing between his ministry and the Ajimobi administration, saying this was commendable. ``Since I have got to Oyo State, I have seen the visible signs of transformation. No doubt, Oyo State has changed in terms of aesthetics and urban renewal. I want to congratulate you on the efforts you are putting in to change the face of the state,’’ he said.

struction of the permanent site for the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) where he assured that the current National Assembly has the political will to do things that would make Nigeria proud before the international community.

The project which is estimated to cost about N51 billion is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The first phase is expected to be

completed by May 2015.

At the event attended by the principal officers of the National Assembly, Mark, who observed that the National Assembly very often accuse the executive of not completing projects, warned that he will not be party to any white elephant project.

He said: “I will not be party to a white elephant project and I will not lead any group that would be party to a white elephant project. This project must be completed on schedule, all the parties involved must honour their own side of the obligation. If for any reason we are unable

to meet our obligation on time, the contractor must not stop work because we are men and women of honour and we are committed to this project.

“This is my happiest day in the National Assembly because this is the first time we are embarking on a project that is purely a National Assembly project from conception to this stage. The importance cannot be overemphasised, NILS is our own creation and has grown to the level we want it. We know it is an expensive project because we want it to meet international standard.

Independent Electoral Commission (CRSIEC) to court for allegedly adjusting the timetable for the planned September 21 local government elections.

They argued that the shift in date is contrary to the provision of the Electoral Act and the Cross River State Local Government Election Law. Parties in the suit are the Progressive People Alliance (PPA) and the National Conscience Party (NCP) alleging that by adjusting the timetable, the electoral commission has lost its credibility and may not be able to conduct free and fair elections.

The plaintiffs are therefore seeking a declaration that the time fixed by the defendant, requiring political parties to fill and submit CROSIEC forms LGE001A and LGE002, expired on the 17th day of June 2013.

They are also seeking another declaration that only the claimants, out of all the parties contesting the election, filled and delivered the two forms.

They further want the court to declare that the sale of nomination forms to candidates of political parties in the race ended on 21st day of June, 2013, and that they bought nomination forms for their candidates in Obanliku, Obudu and Yakurr local governments within the time allowed by law.

The two parties are seeking a

further declaration that “any further sale of nomination papers to any other political party for the purpose of contesting the forthcoming local government election, 2013 in Cross River State in Obanliku, Obudu and Yakurr chairmanship constituencies after the 21st of June 2013 is null and void.”

According to PPA and NCP, the issuance of form LGE001A and form LGE002 to any political party by the defendant after June 17, 2013 “as a condition precedent to sponsor chairmanship candidates for the local government elections in Obanliku, Obudu and Yakurr is invalid, null and void’’.

The court is being prayed to make an order of injunction restraining the defendant by itself, servants, agents, officers, privies and any person acting through or under them from issuing CROSIEC forms LGE001A and LGE002 or any similar form to any political party after June 17, 2013, and also an order directing the defendant not to accord recognition to any person who bought a nomination form from it out of time.

The opposition parties in their affidavit attached to the summons claimed that no other political party, to their knowledge, complied with the CROSIEC Law Section 21, 22, 23 and “the regulations made there under as it relates to the eligibility of candidates for local government chairmanship elections in Obanliku, Obudu and Yakurr.

Appeal Court reinstates Umeh as APGA national chairman From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu, Chuks Collins and Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Appeal Court, Enugu T yesterday reinstated Chief Victor Umeh as the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), saying it found no reason on which to base the judgment of the Enugu High Court which had, on February 8, 2013, ousted him and his national working committee on the ground that the tenure they were enjoying was illegal.

Chief Judge of Enugu High Court, Justice Innocent Umezuruike, had in his ruling on the case against the APGA chairman filed by an expelled member of the party in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okuli, ordered the removal of Umeh on the ground that his tenure expired in 2010. He went further to declare the November 10, 2011 national convention of the party held in Awka where Umeh and other NWC members were re-elected as unconstitutional and urged the party to conduct fresh convention for election of her national officers.

• ‘Notice on Anambra council polls must be reviewed’ Not satisfied with the judgment, Umeh proceeded to the appellate court to challenge it. The court had granted a stay of execution of the Umezulike’s judgment and ordered a return to status quo pending the determination of the substantive appeal before it.

In a lead judgment delivered

by Justice Tom Yakubu and to which the two other justices in the appeal panel, Paul Galinje (Chairman) and Modupe Kwasami concurred, the appellate court granted all the four reliefs sought by the applicant (Umeh) and resolved all the issues set out for determination in his favour.

Justice Yakubu dismissed all the objections raised by the respondent (Okuli) against the appeal, saying the lower court had no jurisdiction ab initio to entertain the case brought before it, since, according to him, the plaintiff, having been expelled by his state chapter from the party, had no locus standi to insti-

tute the action.

He said even if Okuli was not expelled from the party, he was neither a contestant for the position of national chairman nor a member of the NWC whose interest may be affected if Umeh remained in office.

On Okuli’s expulsion from APGA, the court frowned at the decision of the lower court restoring him as a member of the party when he (Okuli) had in his affidavit admitted that he was expelled from the party, stressing that the trial judge went beyond his powers in granting a relief not sought by the plaintiff.

“The court must concern itself to the issues submitted to it by parties, the judgment of the lower court smacks of a sympathiser weeping more than the bereaved and the court is not supposed to be a Father Christmas or a charitable organisation,” the court said.

“I am of the considered opinion that the respondent (Okuli) has no locus standi to

institute the action and the trial court shouldn’t have wasted time trying the matter because it assumed jurisdiction which it did not possess.

There are several authorities that the courts should not interfere with the internal affairs of the political parties except on issue of wrongful substitution as contained in Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act 1999 as amended,” Justice Yakubu further said.

On the issue of non-joinder of APGA as a political party, the court held that since whatever reliefs sought in the matter were expected to be binding on APGA, it was completely wrong to exclude the party from the case as that amounted to “shaving a man’s head in his absence. ” It therefore upheld the submissions of Umeh’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Patrick Ikweto (SAN) that the “trial court overreached itself when it ruled that the APGA national convention of November 10, 2011 was unconstitutional”, adding that it was

the “invalidation of the convention that was the fulcrum and basis for granting the erroneous injunctions that removed the appellant from office”.

The Appeal Court held: “The respondent (Okuli) did not ask that the convention be cancelled, why do so? He was not asking to be sworn in as APGA national chairman or that he won or participated as a contestant in the convention, yet the lower court granted the extraneous reliefs he sought against the appellant.

“We find this appeal not lacking in merit and consequently the appeal is allowed; the judgment of Justice Umezulike is hereby set aside, and a cost of N50,000 is hereby awarded in favour of the appellant,” the Appeal Court ruled.

Meanwhile, the much talked about Anambra State council polls scheduled for October 2013 may not hold as Umeh yesterday described the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) notice released last month in respect of the election as invalid.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

6 NEWS

NERC insists on new electricity tariff From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

• Says NLC party to increment

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is unperturbed by a statement by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejecting the new electricity tariff.

NERC wondered why the union should suddenly make a u-turn on the tariff when its leadership was part of a multi-stakeholders consultation that allegedly initiated the raise with the NLC leadership in Jos, Plateau State.

At a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, said the Labour’s position was unnecessary as electricity supply has “improved significantly,” therefore, “the tariffs are fair.”

In a statement on Sunday, NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, had premised the Congress’s rejection of the new tariff on government’s failure to check epileptic power supply and the low purchasing power of the working populace.

Access charge, which was N225 the previous year, “has

been arbitrarily increased to over N700. This review, whether done suddenly or in advance, is without justification or rationale and stands condemned as it will negate whatever gains expected to be recorded by the muchvaunted reform in the power sector,” the NLC said.

Labour said it believes the multi-year tariff structure as designed by the NERC, which was “tacitly” approved by government, only protects the interest of investors in the electricity sector and has little or no consideration for consumers, most of whom are poor and incapable of paying.

Describing the tariff as exploitative, the Congress further said it was saddening that the review was not accompanied by commensurate improvement in services. It stated: “If anything, electricity service delivery has plummeted over the years with consumers being compelled to pay exorbitant tariffs for incompetence,

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poor services and fraud.”

However, Amadi stressed that the new tariff was fair, reasonable and necessary to guarantee continuous improvement in electricity supply to Nigerians. According to him, the Multi- Year Tariff Order (MYTO-2) was designed and executed with utmost accountability and full participation of relevant stakeholders, including the NLC, which participated in public hearings and consultations.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (left) and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, during a function at Amakaife, Orlu, Imo State.

Tambuwal urges prudent use of N2trn assets seized by EFCC From Terhemba Daka, Abuja PEAKER of the House of STambuwal, Representatives, Aminu has called for proper accountability of the assets seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stating that a situation where monies, landed property and business concerns estimated at N2 trillion are not properly managed is unacceptable.

• Reps investigate commission Tambuwal spoke yesterday in Abuja at the commencement of a three-day investigation and public hearing on the status of all assets seized or recovered by the EFCC since inception, organised by the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

Also, Chairman of the Na-

tional Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has disclosed that the agency recovered over N1.8 trillion in different currencies and 70 cases for the EFCC between 2006 and 2013.

Represented by the Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, Tambuwal said: “I have learnt that between 2003 and now,

the EFCC has confiscated over 200 mansions and large sums of money through 46 forfeiture court orders.

“These landed property, monies and business concerns estimated to be worth in excess of N2 trillion, included bank accounts, shares in blue-chip companies, exotic vehicles, fuel stations, holdings, warehouses and shopping malls, among others.”

Civil groups disagree, say govt risks global outrage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 “Let us heed the warnings of history. Failure to maintain momentum can halt and even reverse progress. My call at Abuja+ 12 is for renewed leadership and increased domestic and international funding- new investment in improved tests and drugs, stronger health services to deliver them,” he said.

The UNFPA Executive Director said the Abuja +12 Summit could provide a tipping point in Africa’s progress on health.

The theme of the Abuja+12 Summit is “Ownership, Accountability and Sustainabil-

ity of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future.”

Abuja +12 means 12 years after the 2001 Abuja Summit on HIV/AIDS, TB and Other related Infectious Diseases (ORID) where African leaders pledged amongst other things to give top attention to the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria.

While some African leaders have argued the court is targeting Africans, the argument is totally inconsistent with the facts. It’s true all of the court’s current investiga-

tions are in Africa, but seven out of eight of them came about because the governments where the crimes were committed asked for the court’s involvement or the UN Security Council referred the situation due to the gravity of the crimes. So, CAR, DRC, Uganda, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire asked the court to get involved and the Council referred Libya and Darfur. How can the court be targeting if they are responding to direct requests from governments affected or the council? The prosecutor’s office acted on its own initiative only in Kenya where there was wide international and domestic disappointment and frustration that the Kenyan government did nothing to prosecute heinous post-election crimes.

What is true is that some powerful governments and their allies (U.S., China, Russia, Israel for example) have not joined the court and can avoid a referral by the UN Security Council to the ICC due to the veto power at the council so even when grave crimes are committed and there’s no domestic justice, the ICC is limited in any ability to get involved. But that’s not the court’s fault, rather governments that have exempted themselves from jurisdiction and politics at the council.

Even though the claim of targeting flies in the face of the facts, it continues to have great resonance in public debate likely due to the damaging legacy of colonialism, and it is being leveraged to undercut efforts to give access of African victims to justice.

An informal group of civil society groups across Africa, including from Kinshasa, Freetown, Johannesburg, Kampala, Dakar, Lilongwe, Abuja, and Lusaka, has worked tirelessly over the past few years to make clear that much of Africa continues to support the ICC and to urge for African leaders to show more consistent vocal support. These groups and HRW believe the way forward

is to work to expand the reach of the court, not try to undercut it. Call out Security Council hypocrisy when it happens, but don’t try to cripple the only institution that exists as any backstop against impunity for the gravest crimes. Victims should not be denied justice where it is possible just because it’s not yet possible everywhere.

Police, Edo official clash over traffic breach From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

EN of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) abandoned their duty posts yesterday following their clash with policemen, who allegedly attacked one of their workers.

The EDSTMA officials working

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around New Benin area were also said to be annoyed that their head of operations, Nosa Aideyan, allowed the police to take their colleague away after the attack even when the police official was wrong to have crossed the line when the traffic light was red.

Oghiadomhe urges restraint in media coverage of issues From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HIEF of Staff (COS) to PresiC dent Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe, yesterday expressed concern at various remarks, including war chants by some politicians in the country, and urged the media to refrain from encouraging them to derail democracy.

During an interaction with newsmen at the State House, Oghiadomhe applauded the media for supporting the Federal Government in its efforts to tackle the various challenges facing the country, especially insecurity, but asked them to beware of attempts to politicise every government move.

He insisted that the current administration was con-

cerned about tackling security and was doing a lot to bring it under control. However, he lamented that some politicians do not wear the shoes, “so they do not directly feel the impact of insecurity, hence their actions.”

Oghiadomhe challenged the electronic media to play back the clips on humanitarian effects of the Nigerian Civil War on families to show the face of hunger and kwashiorkor, stating that not even HIV/AIDS is comparable to the distress, dislocation and displacement of that time.

He urged the media to always bring politicians back to their senses “when they go mad,” adding that Nigeria cannot afford the situations some misguided countries have found themselves in.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Ruling house urges enforcement of judgment on Olofa From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Olugbense Ruling House of Ofa, Kwara State, has urged the government to enforce the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal ordering the enthronement of the candidate of the ruling house, Adegboyega Keji, as the new Olofa of Ofa. The ruling house believed that only the enforcement could guarantee peace and orderliness in the ancient Yoruba town.

At a press briefing yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, the family’s spokesman, Adebayo Keji, said prompt reaction to the judgment by the state government would absolve it of its alleged support for the second ruling house, Anilelerin.

The two ruling houses are believed to be entitled to the stool of Olofa.

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Edo PHCN workers clash over severance package, re-engagement From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City a bloody clash yesterItwoTdaywasbetween members of unions of Benin Transmission zone of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over allegations of betrayals in the negotiations for severance package for soon-to-be disengaged workers and re-absorption of workers by the new owners of the company.

The fracas between members of the local chapter of

the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) even led to manhandling of a cameraman and a reporter attached to a local television station and a Reporter attached to PM News Jethro Ibileke who narrowly missed being hit by a stone thrown by an unknown person from one of the floors of the sixstorey building housing PHCN by Akpakpava road in the state capital.

Another consequence of the disagreement also caused residents of Benin City and its environs to experience power blackout for most part of yesterday as NUEE members refused to resume duty.

All the offices of PHCN across the state were locked.

One person was reported injured in the clash.

Branch President of SSAEAC, Chris Egunyanga said one of his members was injured while they prevented NUEE from locking up the office.

He said they were not part of

the issues NUEE has with the PHCN management.

According to him, “We don’t have any problem. Our sister union said they have issues with the management here.

They came here on Thursday, drove our members out of the office and told them not to come to work today.

“On our part, we saw it as an affront and told them if they have issues, they can engage management but they should not involve our members. We are not part of the issue they have with manage-

Ekiti to honour Fajuyi’s widow From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti KITI State Governor, Dr. E Kayode Fayemi, has said that the state government would bestow a befitting honour on the late matriarch of the Fajuyi dynasty, Mrs. Eunice Fajuyi, who passed on last Friday.

Fayemi, who disclosed this during a condolence visit to the family at Okesa Area of Ado Ekiti, said the late governor of the defunct Western Region and husband of the departed soul, Lt Col Adekunle Fajuyi left legacies of commitment, integrity, honour and courage for the people of the State, saying nothing is too much to honour any of his family.

Mrs. Fajuyi, who lost her husband to the military coup of 1966 at the age 38, passed on last Friday, July 12, 2013 at age 85. He said the state would have honoured the late Mrs. Fajuyi this week when she would have celebrated her 85th birthday, but for her demise.

Borno distributes rice, sugar at Ramadan From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE Borno State T Government has procured and distributed 96 metric tons (19, 200 bags) of Ramadan rice and sugar to elders, clerics, retired and serving civil servants, orphans, clubs and other associations in Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan Councils (MMC) enable them break their daily fasts at dusk and feed adequately at dawn.

Speaking yesterday in Maiduguri at the distribution of rice and sugar at the Government House, the Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Special Education, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa disclosed that besides the distribution of the food items, 500 women were also engaged to cook food and porridge for distribution in 32 centres.

He said that the distributed 19, 200 bags of rice and sugar was procured at the total cost of N209.2 million, while the engaged women will be give a token for cooking food items throughout the Ramadan fast.

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Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hajia Hadiza Onotyu (left); Ohimege of Koto Karfe, Alhaji Abdurazaq Isah Koto; Governor Idris Wada and Chairman, Koto Karfe Local Council, Ibrahim Labaran, during the commissioning of water project in Koto Karfe PHOTO: ITOPA ABDULAZEEZ

Abiola’s aide rejects court’s verdict freeing Mustapha, Shofolahan From Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) and John Okeke (Abuja) ORMER aide to the late Alhaji Fjournalist, Moshood Abiola and veteran Lisa Olu Akerele, has rejected the Appeal Court’s verdict upturning a lower court death sentence earlier imposed on Col. Hamzat Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, saying that the freed Al-Mustapha should be left to face what he (Akerele), called divine judgment.

Akerele, in a statement to The Guardian, described as preposterous the Appeal Court’s judgment that freed Col. AlMustapha from the death sentence passed on him for his alleged assassination of the late Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, on June 4, 1994.

Accusing who he referred to “as officialdom of deliberately muddling up the evidence available to the prosecution in order to set the suspects free, he remarked: “Enemies of the late Abiola and the nation’s progress may be rejoicing now that the suspects have taken advantage of a lacuna in the justice system to be set free, they shall surely stand before the Lord in the final judgment.”

According to Akerele, who stated that he suffered 18 months of incarceration in Abacha’s gulag as personal aide to Abiola, noted that “the case was dragged for 14 years by AlMustapha’s lawyers in a bid to frustrate the entire justice system to a point where even the public lost interest in the trial.”

“It was apparent at the com-

mencement of the trial that the state had an iron-cast case, but that evidence and witnesses were tampered with in the course of trial, which was full of motions and counter-motions, cross-appeals, unending adjournments, threats and arm-twisting”.

While handing over the suspects and all those rejoicing over the freedom of AlMustapha and Lateef Shofolahan to divine judgment, he noted: “No one can mess up evidence and witnesses in supreme judgment”. He urged

the Abiola family and all lovers of the progress of the country to be consoled in the fact that Abiola’s death was not in vain, as democracy was surely coming to fruition in Nigeria”.

“Al-Mustapha’s freedom should not be moaned by thousands of those who lost their loved ones and those who suffered deprivations in the hands of the chief security officer to the maximum dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, the former late Abiola’s aide assured them, adding “that the freed erstwhile CSO will find justice at the appropriate time”.

ment. We want to work but they said we should not work.

He denied allegations by NUEE that his members were discussing with the new investor for Benin zone in collaboration with the management staff.

General Secretary of NUEE, Joseph Ndem said the fracas ensued because SSAEAC stopped them from locking up the office. He accused the senior staff and management of holding secret meetings with the new investor without informing NUEE. “It is a labour issue. We have issued notice to the management of PHCN that we are going to shut down services until all the issues are addressed. By the time we came out to carry out the directive, our sister union also came up to tell us that we have no right to lock the office. It was on that premise that an argument ensued and degenerated into a scuffle.”

He said all offices of the PHCN in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states controlled by the Benin office would continue to be under lock and keys until their grievances are addressed.

Public Affairs Manager of PHCN, Babatunde Fadipe said the management would not interfere in the issue between both unions.

“It is workers way of expressing their grievances. There is no secrecy and it is the Federal Government that is responsible for handing over of the company and not the staff.”

He was silent on efforts to be made to open the office.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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Why polls can’t hold in Edo council, by electoral body From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City LMOST two months after the election into Esan North East Local Council of Edo State was cancelled due to alleged irregularities, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) yesterday said that it cannot conduct fresh polls in the council because of volatile security situation in the area.

Though the commission said it was ready with all other necessary logistics for the election, but was advised by security agencies to put the exercise on hold until a conducive security situation was guaranteed in the council.

The rescheduled election into the council on April 26 was cancelled by the commission over allegation of irregularities that led to the emergence of two set of results.

The Commission’s spokesman, Isaac Irabor told The Guardian yesterday that “We are ready for the election anytime. But we’ve been told by security agencies that we cannot conduct election just now in an atmosphere of fear.

According to the security agencies, people are still wary of the violence that erupted in the area in the last exercise, so we are waiting for them. We are ready, we want to complete the process we have started, we are ready to conduct the election anytime they said the coast is clear. You know

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as a commission, we need the total support of security agencies for us to have a complete election, we cannot just go into the field for the election without adequate security so we want the public to be patient with us as we will definitely conduct the election.”

But in a swift reaction, the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Matthew Uroghide yester-

day alleged that the Commission was not saying the truth. “They should conduct election so that the people in that area will have a sense of belonging. How can EDSIEC talk about security challenges in one local government? Let them deploy all the policemen in the state to the place, let us all go there, civil society, journalists, market women and

observe the election. We have always said that we are ready but they just looking for flimsy excuses because they know that our candidate is on ground, our members and supporters are there to do the right thing, vote for our candidate. Any time they call for the election, we are ready but they just pretending about the whole thing.”

But the state Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN)Publicity Secretary, Dan Owegie, when contacted yesterday said, the ACN believed that the EDSIEC was the most appropriate body to decide when the election should hold but said the party was on ground anytime the Commission said it was ready to conduct the election.

Sacked Taraba SSG, commissioners sue acting gov, others From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo LLEGING injustice, the A Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Emmanuel Q. Njiwah and five commissioners who were sacked over 2012 flood victims funds in the state, have sued the state’s Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

Others joined in the suit include members of the state’s House of Assembly’s Adhoc Committee, which recommended their sack, Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa and the entire House of Assembly.

The sacked officials include Njiwah, former commissioner for Water Resources, Rebo Usman, ex-commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Anthony Jellason, former commissioner of Education, Yakubu Agbazo, ex-commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Jonah Angyo

Others are former commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Charity Jonathan Green as well as the Special Adviser on Boundary Development, Manasseh D Kaura.

In the originating summon, which was made available to The Guardian by the counsel to the plaintiffs, F.O Obanye, the plaintiffs complained that they were not invited by the ad-hoc committee for questioning before coming out with the report which they said indicted them wrongly.

Parts of the summon reads: “The committee failed to invite the plaintiffs to appear before it and respond to the allegations leveled against them.” the act which according to them, breached the fundamental “rights to fair hearing as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as

amended.”

In their submissions, the plaintiffs want the court to declare that their removal from the public service of the state by the acting governor on grounds of a purported indictment by the adhoc is “invalid, null, void and no legal basis whatsoever.”

They further prayed the court to restrain the acting governor from appointing or forwarding any names to the House of Assembly for confirmation as public officers replacing them in the service of the state.

An order compelling the acting governor to as well tender a written apology to the plaintiffs for the “defamatory and /or libelous publication vide the press release of July 9, 2013.” The plaintiff collectively agreed, has also become relevant.

They further prayed the court to declare that the report of the adhoc committee headed by the deputy

speaker and subsequently submitted to the House of Assembly is “null and void for violation of the rights of fair hearing of the plaintiffs.”

Sad at the ways and manners the adhoc committee was biased in it assignments, the “selective nature of the purported indictment” according to the plaintiffs in a different release “makes the motive of the House adhoc committee’s investigation very difficult to understand.”

They further queried: “Why were people who were never invited for questioning by the adhoc committee removed on grounds of a purported indictment? If the conclusion of the adhoc committee on the overall performance of the procurement sub-committee was the basis of the acting governor’s sanction on us, why were some members not affected?”

Court sacks Kogi pensions boards From Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja KOGI High Court sitting in A Lokoja has sacked the boards of the State and Local Government Pensions as well as the Pensions Fund Management Commissions.

Justice Henry Olusiyi of Lokoja High Court II in his judgment on a suit filed by the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) against Kogi Government and the State Attorney-General on Friday faulted the composition of the boards.

He said that the appointment and inauguration of the board members by the state government was contrary to the provisions of sections 17(1) and 18(1) of the state Pensions Reform Law, 2007 of the state.

Olusiyi therefore declared the constitution of the boards as null, void and of no consequence and consequently, granted all the five reliefs sought.

Embassy advises Nigerian students on “American reality” From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE United States of America Education Advising Center (EAC) has advised over 80 departing Nigerian students on the “American reality” in cultural or social differences to aid them in pursuit of their studies and for scholarly excellence.

A panel of four returning Nigerian students who have become successful in chosen endeavours advised the students on food taste, behaviourial patterns, and lifestyle of indigenous students of host country.

Cultural Affairs Officer, U.S. embassy in Nigeria, Bill Strassberger told the students at the weekend in Abuja that “there are cultural differences.

The differences are what you can expect.”

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‘Gains of N20b Kogi bond’ From Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja OLLOWING the criticism that trailed the recent approval by the Kogi State House of Assembly to the state government to secure N20 billion bond, the lawmakers have explained that the bond was in the best interest of the state.

The House’s Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Omebije disclosed this in a chat with The Guardian in Lokoja, noting that the House carefully studied the proposal for the bond for two months before it okayed it.

According to him: “I want to make it clear to the opposition party that the state government is not securing the bond because it is broke, Kogi State government is not broke but the bond is to help fast track the development of the state in line with the transformation agenda of Governor Idris Wada led administration.”

Omebije pointed out that, “during the debate to consider the proposal the House called for public hearing which was well attended by all stakeholders and we even invited experts who told us that the state government is not losing anything by taking the bond as the repayment will take over six years without just little interest rate.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Lawmakers laud CBN over FoI Act

By Chijioke Nelson HE House of Representatives Committee on Reform of Government Institutions has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its effort in implementing the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. Chairman of the committee, Matthew Omegara, made the commendation at an interactive session with some public sector institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the weekend.

Omegara reiterated that the essence of the interactive session was to build synergy between the House Committee and the various agencies of government in ensuring effective implementation of the FoI Act in order to realise its noble objectives.

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Bishop urges justice, equity OR the country to return to her past glory and virile economy, Nigerians have been charged to demonstrate the zeal of a remorseful society and nation of equity and justice, where no man is oppressed.

In addition, the leaders in authority, as well as the governed, have also been enjoined to renounce their sins, be very intimate with God by showing genuine love and concern for one another.

The call was made in the sermon delivered by the Bishop, Diocese of Ikono, Methodist Church Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Esedeke, at the church’s “Recognition of Service and Award of Merit”, held at the Williams Memorial Methodist Church Cathedral, Ago Ijaiye, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Quoting from the book of Isaiah, the bishop berated the flagrant abuse of power, human rights violation and reckless spending of the nation’s resources by some leaders in authority.

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Taraba to spend N17b on border roads From-Charles Akpeji, Jalingo ESPITE may soon come for travelers plying the Bali, Serti and Gembu roads to the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon as the Taraba State government has earmarked 17billion Naira for the rehabilitation of the highways.

The contract which was awarded yesterday by the state government to PW Construction firm a 24 month completion date.

According to the Commissioner for Finance who is presently overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of Works Illiya D. Wanapia, if completed , the roads would further boost the economy of the Mambilla Plateau.

He cited the Hydro Electricity Dam and the High-Land tea as the reason for rehabilitating the roads.

Wanapia also noted that apart from the roads’ “economic and political important” that , the highway “is the only viable route to the Mambilla Plateau, which shares international boarder

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Subscribers sue MTN, seek N3b damages From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE trio of former Owerri branch chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo; Imo State Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Adolphus Ebubedike and President General, Emii Federated Women Organisation, Mrs. Lauretta

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Madu, on behalf of 351 other subscribers, have filed a suit in an Owerri High Court against MTN Nigeria.

They are claiming, among others, N3 billion being “damages and compensation” to them for the poor services rendered by the telecommunications firm.

Briefing journalists at the weekend in Owerri, Nwankwo said they were

praying to be paid the above stated damages and compensation, in view of what they had suffered in the hands of the company.

He added that they gathered and registered complaints of over 350 subscribers in the state before arriving at their decision to sue the company.

Nwankwo lamented: “Instead of services improving, they worsened. It is no

longer uncommon to hear about dropped calls, lack of connections, wrong connections, connections without voicing, lack of delivery of text messages, inability to recharge phones, difficulty or lack of data/internet connections, existing lines not available, among others.

“The most traumatising is that in spite of these, the provider will always charge

normal exorbitant rates and without apology or explanation for the non-delivery or delivery failures.”

According to him, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) fined the network last year to the tune of N1.2 billion at N2.5 million each day as penalty, but nothing got to the subscribers, the real victims of their poor services.

that he is still in the Army.

“The case is going to be handled by the Army administratively in line with the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service.

“Throughout his detention and trial that lasted over 15 years, Major Al-Mustapha was receiving his full entitlements as a soldier of the Nigerian Army in the rank of Major.

And since he is a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 28, Al-Mustapha is going to be asked to apply for voluntary

retirement from the Army as members of the course are already in the two-star rank of Major Generals.”

A source stated that “the best Al-Mustapha can get from the system in the circumstances is to apply for voluntary retirement or wait for one to be written to him as he has been caught by the barrier of age on rank. The issue of promotion is off the cards, as even if he gets promoted to the next rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he will still be two full senior ranks away from his course mates.”

‘Why Al-Mustapha faces imminent retirement from Army’ From Madu Onuorah, Abuja HE Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the

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late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, is still a soldier in the Nigerian military.

Chief of Staff in the Directorate of the Army Public Relations, Col. John

Agim, told journalists at a briefing by the Joint Security Services Public Information Committee that “with regards to Al-Mustapha’s release, well I want confirm

Mamora, Duke’s wife, others canvass more funds for health sector CALL has been made on the A three-tiers of government in the country to adequately fund the health sector to ensure a healthy citizenry.

The call was made by former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and erstwhile Deputy Minority Leader of the Adeleke Dr. Senate, Olorunnimbe Mamora; the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); Mr. Femi Adesina and wife of former Cross Rivers State governor, Onari Duke, among others.

They spoke at the just-concluded 2013 conference of the Lagos State Medical Guild with theme: “Continuing medical education in the race towards year 2015”.

Mamora added that adequate funding of the health

sector would arrest high mortality rate and reduction in life expectancy.

The former Speaker added that there was the need to arrest the dilapidated and obsolete infrastructure in the sector by ensuring complete rebirth in the sector.

He further stressed the need to increase primary healthcare centres in the country to stem undue pressure on general hospitals across the country.

Mamora urged adequate training and retraining of manpower to achieve the desired ends in the sector.

In her remarks, Mrs. Onari Duke called for a realistic healthcare delivery service, especially in the areas of child and maternal mortality rate reduction, urging medical

personnel to make the dream a reality.

She further called for a complete reorientation of the medical and non-medical professionals with a view to obtaining the very best for the society and the nation at large.

Fashola urges good parenting OVERNOR Babatunde G Fashola of Lagos State at the weekend stressed the need for good parenting and upright family units as the most viable means to achieve an orderly and peaceful society devoid of violence and other ills.

Governor Fashola, who fielded questions from jour-

10 feared killed in Bauchi auto crash From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri O fewer than 10 persons N were yesterday feared killed while 15 others were injured in a ghastly motor accident along the BauchiGombe Road.

An eye-witness said the crash occurred when a bus with registration number: XK162KMC, attempted to overtake a Peugeot J5 bus with registration number: XF 56G KTN, but rammed

into it.

The source said the two buses were on high speed when the accident occurred, adding that one of the buses caught fire immediately.

Speaking on the incident, the state FRSC Sector Commander, Henry Sunday Olutunji, said: “Ten persons were killed yesterday (Monday) while 15 others also sustained various degrees of injuries in an auto crash on Bauchi-

Gombe road, 75 kilometres from Darazo Local Council Area.”

He added that the injured victims have been taken to Dukku General Hospital for treatment, while bodies of the dead passengers were deposited at the hospital morgue.

Olatunji attributed the auto crash to “dangerous driving and lack of patience” on the part of the two drivers.

nalists in Ikeja after attending the 5th Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu Memorial Ramadan Lecture, said good parenting and family management would always produce good citizens who constitute nations, states and governments.

He added: “The family unit is the most important in any community, in any state, and in any country. I think that is where the first government really starts: from the father, mother, husband, wife, through

management of limited resources and population to value development. These have their rudimentary stages at the family unit.”

“Moral training, restraint, contentment and what other knowledge we can impact on the children will go a long way in shaping their lives. Those are children who become great or difficult men and women, as the case may be”, the governor said, pointing out that at birth, “nobody knows what any child will become”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

WorldReport Spanish PM refuses to resign over graft scandal RIME Minister Mariano P Rajoy of Spain yesterday refused to resign over a corruption scandal rocking his government as it fights to rescue the eurozone’s fourthbiggest economy from an economic crisis.

Rajoy batted off calls from his political opponents to step down over allegations that he received secret payments through his Popular Party when he was a government minister in the late 1990s.

Pressure intensified on Rajoy, 58, when the man accused of organising the payments, the party’s jailed former treasurer Luis Barcenas, yesterday went before a judge

investigating the scandal following fresh allegations in the press.

“I will fulfill the mandate the Spanish people gave me,” a defiant Rajoy told reporters, however, vowing to “defend political stability” as he steers Spain out of a deep recession and fights to stabilise its public finances.

The grey-bearded premier has denied any wrongdoing in the growing controversy, which first erupted in January when a newspaper published copies of account ledgers purportedly showing irregular payments to top party members. Further leaks of supposed party accounts later implicated Rajoy himself.

Egypt’s rival parties spurn U.S. envoy, Ban Ki-moon warns against revenge HE first senior United T States (U.S.) official to visit Egypt since the army toppled its elected president was snubbed by both Islamists and their opponents yesterday.

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns arrived in a divided capital where both sides are furious at the United States, the superpower which supports Egypt with $1.5 billion in yearly aid, mostly for the army that deposed Islamist President Mohamed Morsi two weeks ago.

The State Department said Burns would meet “civil society groups” as well as govern-

ment officials, but the Islamist Nour Party and the Tamarud anti-Mursi protest movement both said they had turned down invitations to meet Burns.

Also, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Kimoon warned yesterday against “revenge” and “retribution” in Egypt, which has been hit by large-scale protests since Morsi was overthrown.

The country’s first freely elected president was deposed on July 3, and a militaryinstalled caretaker government has since tightened the screws on the Islamist leader’s backers.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya during a meeting in Abuja…on Sunday.

ECOWAS chief canvasses new regional crisis response mechanisms

By Bola Olajuwon RESIDENT of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, has canvassed the need to re-examine regional response mechanisms for effective tackling of structural causes of instability in the member-countries.

Ouédraogo, who spoke at the opening of the 30th Ordinary session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) in Abuja on Monday, asserted that the complexity of emerging crises in West Africa, such as in Mali and Guinea Bissau, made the reexamination of the response mechanism necessary.

“We must re-interrogate

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Mandela’s tribal king defects from ruling ANC UYELEKHAYA Dalindyebo, B the king of Nelson Mandela’s Thembu tribe, has defected from the ruling African national Congress (ANC) to join the Democratic Alliance (DA), days after launching a fierce attack on President Jacob Zuma.

Dalindyebo, who rules over Mandela’s tribe in the Eastern Cape province, the ANC heartland, was photographed holding a DA membership card in a very public snub to the ruling party.

Last week, Dalindyebo – no stranger to controversy – called Zuma a parasite, accus-

ing him of being in the pocket of corrupt individuals.

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesman, Mmusi Maimane, said although they do not agree with some of the king’s statements “anyone is free to join the DA.” The king has spoken about his regular use of cannabis and has been charged with manslaughter, arson, assault and kidnapping.

“We believe that he represents an important component of society in the Eastern Cape,” Maimane was quoted as saying by Agence France Presse (AFP).

We must re-interrogate the structure of regional peace and security in relation to preventive diplomacy, sanction regime, and the response capacities and the transport strategies. the structure of regional peace and security in relation to preventive diplomacy, sanction regime, and the response capacities and the transport strategies,” the commission president said.

A statement made available to The Guardian by ECOWAS Secretariat quoted the commission president as highlighting the progress made in Mali, the most recent being the transformation this month of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) into

the United Nations (UN) Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission (MINUSM, following tireless efforts and decisions by the council and regional leaders in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the UN. Ouédraogo equally recalled the protracted and difficult process of negotiations that followed the mobilisation and deployment of AFISMA and expressed gratitude to the Chair of the ECOWAS

Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, the Regional Mediator on Mali, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and the deputy mediator, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria.

On Guinea Bissau, he said the presidential election fixed for November 24, 2013 marks the end of the first phase of the transition process being facilitated by ECOWAS in that country.

The resolution of these crises, said the president, have also made it possible to focus on the issues of extremism and terrorism, piracy and other maritime crimes, as well as drugs, arms and human trafficking in the region.

British court jails last gang member 11 years over 15-year-old’s horrific killing BRITISH court has finally A ended judgment over the deadly killing of Sofyen Belamouadden – a 15-year-old schoolboy who was stabbed to death in front of hundreds of horrified rush hour commuters at Victoria Station in London about three years ago The court yesterday sentenced Junior Bayode – the last member of a 16-strong mob convicted of killing Belamouadden – to 11 years in prison.

According to a report by The Mail of London, Bayode was 16 when he and others helped hunt down Belamouadden.

In the sordid case that angered the nation, witnesses said the teenage victim was chased into the Tube station ticket hall in a scene likened to an “infantry charge” and attacked with a terrifying arsenal of weapons, including knives and a samurai sword.

The accused was convicted of manslaughter at the conclusion of a trial last October, but members of a jury who sat over the case were unable to agree on a more serious charge of murder.

The trial judge, Christopher

Moss QC, refused permission for a retrial and prosecutors lost an Appeal Court challenge.

In the sordid case that angered the nation, witnesses said the teenage victim was chased into the Tube station

ticket hall in a scene likened to an “infantry charge” and attacked with a terrifying arsenal of weapons, including knives and a samurai sword.

Bayode, now 19, was one of those reportedly armed with a blade and was caught on CCTV surrounding the victim on the floor as he was hacked to death in the attack planned on Facebook Their victim, Belamouadden, died after suffering fatal wounds to his heart and right lung on March 25, 2010.

More than three years and three months after the killing, Bayode was formally acquit-

ted of murder yesterday after the Crown offered no evidence. He didn’t walk away a free man, but was jailed 11 years.

Bayode was the twentieth suspect to go before the courts and the sixteenth to be convicted of his part in the killing.

Judge Moss said he reduced Bayode’s sentence from 12 years to 11 years for manslaughter because he is suffering from lymphoma, although it is now in remission.

Bayode was also sentenced to seven years for conspiracy

to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

His conviction came at the conclusion of a series of five trials spanning nearly two years and comprising the biggest case the Crown Prosecution Service has ever dealt with.

Fifteen others have already been jailed for a total of 129 years.

Also jailed was Victoria Osoteku, who had then just turned 18. Osoteku bought the weapons from a branch of the chain store the following day, alongside pastor’s son, Femi Oderinwale, 19.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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Politics Anyaoku decries state of the nation, warns leaders to be alert

By Isaac Taiwo ORMER Secretary-General of the FAnyaoku, Commonwealth, Chief Emeka has expressed worry and fear over the state of the Nigerian nation.

To him, the country is facing crisis “while our leaders and elites are living in the denial of those facts.”

Delivering this year’s third in the quarterly series of life’s testimonies, God in My Life, sponsored by the Torchbearers’ Society of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, Anyaoku inferred that “the nation might be sitting on a keg of gun powder.”

Among other looming problems, he made reference to the Federal Government claim that it had made a truce with the Boko Haram, while the leader of the Islamic sect came out boldly to say that “they have not signed any agreement with the infidel.”

Anyaoku, who spoke specifically on the Commonwealth of Nations, its inauguration and for whom, its obligations and advantages in the membership, and the basis of Nigeria’s foreign policy, moaned the spate of corruption in the country and advocated a return to the old regional system of government.

“We should transform the nature of our politics, which promotes corruption, and go back to the regional system of government, which helped the nation to develop,” he said.

According to him, corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the society, wondering about the attitude of some parents, who had gone to the extent of buying examination papers for their children, apparently destroying the values that success should be a product of hard work.

“Money is not everything,” he said, quoting the American evangelist, Billy Graham, who said, ‘When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost and when character is lost, everything is lost.’

“We must return to politics that has evolution of these values,” Anyaoku said, even as he noted that Nigerians had also lost their societal values and “there is need to find a way of restoring those values of community feeling, helping one another, and bearing yokes of one another.”

He suggested that if the nation was ready to solve the problems once and for all, the country should return to a true federation of six units with each unit developing at its own pace.

He said this would apparently nullify the huge expenses of running 36 States, “the structure that is gulping 70 per cent of our resources on just administration.”

“With the present structure, which made the centre very powerful and with primordial sentiment of every tribe wanting to control the centre, the nation cannot develop,” he said.

Anyaoku, making reference and giving testimonies of how God saw him through as the Commonwealth Secretary-General, said it was an act of God that gave him an edge over former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Malcolm Fraser, who contested the post with him.

He added that it was a general surprise how an African could have had an edge over such a “personality.”

Talking about the organisation itself, Anyaoku described the Commonwealth as “an association of 54 countries in all the countries of the world with 54 members in terms of world population constituting one-third of global trade.”

Anyaoku “It is a misconception to say that the Commonwealth is made up of groups of colonies of Great Britain alone when you think, among others, that Rwanda that was colonised

by Belgium, Guinea that was colonised by Australia are members of Commonwealth,” he said.

He noted that when he was elected the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral in 1989, and before taking up the appointment in July 1990, he retired to Obosi (his home town in Anambra State), to reflect on the job and set up four distinct goals.

“The first was to reform the structure, which I did by reducing the

division of 17 to 12 and the composition of 413 staff to 330,” he said, adding, “though it (reform) was not popular, but I felt it was necessary.”

“Secondly, it was my intention to make Commonwealth an active force to promote democracy because I fundamentally believe that the best form of government must be a government by the people and for the people.

“Thirdly, to reinforce Commonwealth as a force to promote our common humanity with my idea that all human beings belong to one family.

“Lastly, it was my goal to increase the

practical benefit that members of Commonwealth derive from the Association and I was determined to see this achieved.”

“As to how God made me to reach this height, firstly, it was God, then hard work and setting a goal for myself, which, if anyone also determines, he would make it.”

Anyaoku, who was instrumental to institutionalising democracy in South Africa with Mr. Nelson Mandela becoming the first black President of the country, also spoke about how the late Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, frustrated his effort to free the late Chief MKO Abiola from detention.

Abiola was detained after he declared himself President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, based on the outcome of the 1993 presidential election, which he won.

However, the military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, and in place of Abiola being declared the President, instituted an Interim National Government (ING) headed by a businessman, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Gen. Abacha was to shove aside the illegal contraption, and made himself head of state.

Anyaoku equally revealed how he mustered about 60 Heads of State to ensure that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was not killed in prison on account of a fathom coup plot against Gen. Abacha’s regime.

While Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, who became head of state after the death of Abacha on June 8, 1998, eventually released Obasanjo “without any stress,” Abiola would die in detention in controversial circumstances on the day he was reportedly primed to be freed by the Abubakar junta.

Delta 2015: Former aspirant, group back Ochei

By Tunde Akinola FORMER governorship aspirant of the A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Sunny Onuesoke, and the Delta Central Progressive Forum (DCPF) have declared their support for the 2015 governorship aspiration of the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei.

Onuesoke made his position known during a visit of the Delta Focus Group (DFG), a pro-Ochei political pressure group, to his Effurun residence recently, to appeal to him to join the Ochei 2015 project.

Meanwhile, the Delta Central Progressive Forum has also thrown its weight behind Speaker’s governorship ambition.

At the inauguration of the group in Effurun, Uvwie local government council of the state, the National Coordinator of DCPF, Mr. Ochuko Megere, urged the Urhobo to back Ochei in the governorship election.

Briefing Onuesoke about their visit, the National Chairman of Delta Focus Group, Comrade Joshua Egun-Okoh, stated that it was a great opportunity for members to appeal to him, to join the Ochei campaign train.

Egun-Okoh said: “DFG is poised to deliver Ochei through positive campaigns come 2015, because it is made up of coordinators at the national, senatorial, local government and ward levels.

“It has a page created for it on Facebook and also an SMS-based website for disseminating positive information about the activities and programmes of the group and that of Mr.

Speaker.”

He said the group has also taken it as a culture by publishing its interest for Ochei on national dailies and local tabloids on weekly basis.

He disclosed that the campaign efforts they had made so far were through personal determinations, as they had not received any monetary assistance from anyone, including the Speaker.

“We are doing all these out of the love we have for Ochei because we find him to be a vibrant young man that is ready to consolidate on the development of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan beyond 2015,” he said.

In his response, Onuesoke, who is also the Special Project Director, Sector ‘A’ of the Ughelli/Asaba road dualisation, gave the assurance that the Delta Central senatorial district would vote for Ochei as governor in 2015.

He described the Speaker as the right man for the number one seat of the state because of his age and vision, and “a vibrant lawmaker who will take Delta State to the next level if voted for.”

He commended members of the DFG for campaigning for Ochei, saying that the group was made up of capable young Deltans who were not looking for an avenue to extort money from aspirants.

At its inauguration, the coordinator of Delta Central Progressive Forum, Mr. Megere, said the Urhobo, which is the largest ethnic majority group in the state, should play the role of a kingmaker by conceding the 2015 governorship position to Delta North rather than producing a candidate for the governorship elec-

Ochei tion.

Indicating that he was he was a full-blooded Urhobo man, Megere said he believes in the interest of justice and fairness, the Urhobo should jettison the idea of producing a governorship candidate in 2015 and rally round Ochei for the position.

The state coordinator of the group, Mr. Vincent Ejagiwhre, promised the leadership and membership of the group that they were not going to labour in vain if they supported Ochei in 2015.

“Although I have not met Ochei one-on-one, but with the way and manner he is handling legislative matters in Delta State House of Assembly, I am of the belief that he has all it takes to impact good governance in Delta as

governor of the state,” Ejagiwhre said.

Another member of the group, Chief Omonigho Ogbakpah, who hails from Mosogar in Ethiope West, said the group is open to all Deltans irrespective of their political parties.

Pledging that he was ready to work for a credible man who would move Delta State forward, Ogbakpah said Deltans should be agitating for good governance and credible a person as governor in 2015.

“Emphasis should not be placed on senatorial district. I believe Hon. Ochei will move Delta State forward. That is why I am supporting him,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Sunny Akpobuwa, state youth leader from Uvwie council, who was sworn in alongside with Uvwie council executives, commended the leadership of the body, promising to work with them in order to achieve the aims and objective of the group.

Similarly, Comrade Benjamin Ogbon, chairman, Uvwie chapter of the body, said that members would not go contrary to the aspirations of the organization but would work with oneness of purpose to achieve its goals.

Highlight of the occasion was the swearing in of the Uvwie executive of the body by the national coordinator, Mr. Mejere.

Those sworn-in are Comrade Ogbon (chairman), Comrade Alsi Wilson (vice chairman), Comrade Eruteyan Eradajaye (secretary), Comrade Onorame Ubiame (treasurer), and Comrade Friday Omashaye (financial secretary).

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

TheMetroSection ‘My share from the kidnapping was N1.2m’ • Police arrest witch doctor, others for abducting Chinese expatriate

Briefs Lawmaker provides free medical services to constituency MEMBER of House of RepA resentatives representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal

Some of the suspects

By Odita Sunday HE fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes by police in Lagos is still raging with the arrest of a 10-man kidnapping gang that kidnapped a Chinese and another Nigerian in Osborne Estate, Ikoyi and demanded for N20 million ransom for their release.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Manko, yesterday paraded the 10-man gang suspects, made up of mainly young people, following their arrest by the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS).

They were arrested with two locally made double-barrel pistols and 18 live cartridges .

According to Manko, “On July 3, 2013, one Adedeji Taiwo and Jimoh Olalere were arrested at Elemoro area in connection with the kidnap of one Kingsley Ifeanyi. After their confession to SARS, the arrested duo were used by SARS operatives, led by Superintendent of Police, Abba Kyari, to stage and arrest the remaining eight members of the gang. All suspects confessed to

T

PHOTOS: ODITA SUNDAY

the kidnapping of Mr. Ifeanyi and one Mr. Kuang Vingjun, a Chinese staff of ZTE Nigeria Limited of No 20 Udi Street, Osborne Estate, Ikoyi where they collected N8.5million.”

His junior colleague, Ufot Akaniyene who lives in the boys’ quarters of his boss, Vinjun, gave the Chinese ZTE staff away.

He confessed to have given information that led to the kidnap of his boss.

His share in the whole deal according to him was N700, 000.

The gang’s armourer, one Michael Sunday told The Guardian that he procured the arms they used for their illicit business from Cotonou in Benin Republic for N40, 000.

“The person who even sold the gun to me in Benin Republic has not been paid. We planned paying him at the end of this operation. The first gun he gave me was not working but I have to return it. My mother is from Benin Republic while my father is from Ogun State. At the border in Seme, we usually put the gun in nylon bag to avoid suspicion from Police and Cus-

toms. I will not lie to you; I am part of the main kidnapping operation. I was angry with them when they gave me a poor share of the proceed since I was the one who procured the guns.”

One Rotimi Shogbede told newsmen that he was recently introduced into the gang.

“I was introduced into this gang by my friend, Ope Dada, I have never met any of them before. I did the job with them anyway, we kept the Chinese for many days and we were giving him different kinds of food to ensure he stays alive. I shared N800, 000 from the job,” Shogbede said.

The witch doctor, one Jagbojagbo Adeyinka, said he introduced them into the Ogun cult so that they could be carrying out their kidnapping unhurt.

“I am a native doctor in Epe, I am 38years old. Taiwo and Chigozie have lived in our house before. They came to me and said I should do charm for them so that their market would sell.

I asked them to start worshipping Ogun, the god of iron in my shrine.

The native doctor They promised to reward me if the god of iron works for them. They brought N200, 000 to me once to thank me. I asked what the big money was for; they said it was for appreciation.”

“It was later I discovered that they were into kidnapping, so I joined them. They even wanted to keep the Chinese suspect in my house, but there was no power supply in my place that was why,” the suspect said.

The kingpin, Chigozie, said he got the highest share from the crime.

According to him: “The staff of the Chinese man came and told me about the man. We went into Osborne and picked the man. We warned him to cooperate with us or face his death. We took him to the native doctor’s house at Epe, but there were issues with the power supply. We demanded for N20, 000,000million but they paid us N8.3million. I got N1.2million from the deal because we were 14 that planned the job.”

Manko said the suspects would soon be charged to court for prosecution.

Free health mission excites Ekiti residents

By Tope Templer Olaiya HE mammoth crowd had T gathered to benefit from a two-week free health care services at the Ekiti Central Senatorial District. Over 8,000 were beneficiaries of the scheme facilitated by their representative at the National Assembly, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

The medical team, comprising seven United States-based healthcare providers and two local medical doctors began the mission at the Ewi of Ado’s palace before moving to Ijero.

By the end of the outreach, the team had touched Ipoti, Aromoko, Okemesi, Ikogosi Warm Spring Tourist centre, Igede, Are-Ekiti, Efon and AdoEkiti, leaving behind sweet tales of succour and relief.

According to Monisola Oladaye, a woman leader in Efon Local Council, “the free health programme had help many, who were afraid of going to hospitals for check-up because of money.

“Many of our people do not have the money to visit hospitals and buy prescribed drugs.

Ojudu has saved many lives through this and I wish it could be repeated yearly. It is happening exactly as we witnessed during Awolowo’s era.”

For Otunba Adeyemi Olufemi, chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local

Council, the free health mission is like a miracle. “I had a swollen neck to the point I could no longer raise my right arm. My blood pressure is high. I have spent money seeing doctors, going for laboratory examinations and buying drugs but this problem has defied all medications.

“These foreign doctors just gave me two small tablets.

They asked me to swallow one and put the other under my tongue. Within 24 hours, the swollen neck has gone down, my blood pressure is now normal, and I could raise my arm.

For the first time in a long time, I slept well and even rolled off my bed.

“I have since been wondering if the drugs I have been taking were poison. The least was N17,000 and some were as ex-

pensive as N25,000. I now realise that good health has nothing to do with the number of tablets prescribed, as we tend to believe here. I have suffered but I am now free. I used to have blood pressure of 180/110 and was taking drugs daily to manage it.

Within 24 hours, I went down to 140/80,” he added.

The programme also left a lasting impression on members of the medical team. Dr. Shakirah Abdulhaqq, said Nigeria could have one of the lowest child mortality rates in the world if mothers were properly educated during pregnancy.

“Ignorance is the biggest reason for child mortality. I spent more time educating the mothers. The children are strong naturally and I believe

Medical team attending to participants at the event

it is because Nigerians eat a lot of organic foods,” she said, adding that Nigeria should not have unhealthy children.

“Many of the children are dehydrated and this can cause high temperature. All they need is water, but the mothers give their children needless drugs instead.

“The weather here is almost perfect. You have good environment and eat a lot of organic food. In the US, we spend a lot to get organic, we eat lots of additives; but Nigerians are fortunate to have cheap organic foods here. The mothers need only to know how to detect dehydration, or what to look for in case of malaria and other cases,” she said.

Another doctor, Mary Clayton, said: “The people are strong and live long. I saw so many old people in their 90s and they are still strong. They could walk, see, talk and their activity generally do not reflect their age. In the US, people like that would have been in a nursing home and would be very sickly. The children also are very strong, almost not needing to see a doctor in their entire childhood.

“We pay to eat organically in America and that is costly. See, your children all have healthy teeth, which is now a problem in US. Many kids have cavities because they eat a lot of can-

dies. In Nigeria, you have it right when it comes to food.

Everything in our restaurant comes in big sizes, so you see the kids are overfed. I see many fast foods springing up, but I will say processed foods are not worth having.”

Impressed by the relative success of the mission, Ojudu promised to hold the outreach every year. “We intend to make this an annual event.

I have acquired a 40-foot truck, which has been converted into a mobile clinic.

We will employ healthcare providers that will be on the mobile clinic moving round the senatorial district to provide free health services, especially on market days.”

On the quality of drugs available in the country, he said: “It was shocking when I hear our people saying the imported drugs from US work better. They find relief from long-term ailments. We can no longer doubt the fact that there is something wrong with the medications coming into Nigeria and I will make these observations known to the Chairman of Senate Committee on Health.”

The medical team, led by Dr. Abdulrasheed Abassi, rendered their services free though the senator provided logistics, which included feeding, accommodation, and travel expenses.

Constituency, Bayelsa State and also the Chairman Ayamara Foundation, Dr. Stella O. Ayamara Dorgu recently concluded a five-day free medical mission in her constituency.

Over 2000 people benefited from the medical outreach.

The mission was in collaboration with African Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) and coordinated by Dr. Albert Olu Sobiyi.

The medical team consisted of surgeons; general physicians, consultants, gynecologists, ophthalmologist, opticians, optometrists, anesthetist and pharmacists.

Over 60 surgeries including removal of cysts, fibroids, hernias, hydrocele, lumps, and appendicitis were operated by the medical experts.

Also, over 30 eye surgeries of various kinds were done, especially the removal of cataracts. The mission also provided free Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test, medicated glasses, free consultation for adult and pediatric care for children.

It also provided free medications, blood sugar test, blood pressure checks, antenatal for pregnant women and free de-worming for children.

MAPOLY 1981/83 set holds reunion Friday HE graguating set of T 1981/83 of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State (Basic Studies Department) will mark its 30th anniversary reunion on Friday, July 19, with a school tour, presentation of gifts and thanksgiving service at the institution‘s auditorium, at Ojere campus, Abeokuta.

A statement by the organisers says reception would hold on Saturday, July 20.

Akpan-Obong for book-signing ceremony HE signing of a book entiT tled Letters to Nigeria: Journal of an African Woman in America, by the author, Dr. Patience Akpan-Obong, holds on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Laterna Bookstore, 13, Oko Owo Close, off Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, from noon to 3.00 p.m.

The first 20 people for whom the book is signed would receive a free tote bag and pen from the author. A similar event holds in Uyo onTuesday, July 30.

The book is a collection of articles that Dr. Akpan-Obong has written for “Medals,” a Saturday Punch column and was published in March 2013

by CreateSpace, an Amazon Company in South Carolina, USA. It is currently available in Lagos at Laterna Books (Victoria Island) and Glendora/Jazz Hole outlets in Ikoyi and Ikeja as well as in Uyo, Calabar and Abuja.

For enquiries, please call: 0813 292 3386.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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 Nigerians in prisons abroad HE disclosure not too long ago by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga T Ashiru, that 9,000 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad is one more example of the odium some Nigerians bring upon their country and which accounts for the nation’s low rating worldwide. The steady flow of bad news about Nigeria hurts badly and the plight of her citizens in jailhouses in different countries is heart-rending. However, it is hoped that the minister is devising ways of dealing with the bad situation in addition to his lamentations.

That thousands of Nigerians are languishing in foreign jails, while some are on death row mocks most of the efforts at burnishing the nation’s image; it also calls for prompt action. Quite a good number of these citizens have died in those jails and their bodies cremated, as China did a couple of years ago.

Incidentally, Nigerians in foreign jails, especially those convicted on drug charges, may have passed through the nation’s porous airports undetected either by corrupt Nigerian officials looking the other way or an inefficient human and mechanical screening structure. Suffice it to say that a proper screening of travellers could help apprehend law breakers and, at least, keep them at home.

Again, the lawless and disorderly attitude of many Nigerians contributes in getting them into trouble. While poor enforcement in the country encourages lawlessness, it is not the same in other climes.

According to Ashiru, the highest number of 752 Nigerian prisoners is in UK prisons. No doubt, this situation diminishes the relevance and prestige of Nigeria and its citizens.

In the face of this embarrassment, however, the Nigerian government has its work well defined. It is common knowledge that some countries often deploy their diplomatic wherewithal in favour of their citizens in trouble abroad. For instance, not long ago, Britain intervened in the case of its heavily pregnant national – Ms Orobator – who committed a drug offence in Laos.

Similarly, United States’ former president, Bill Clinton, engaged in a major diplomatic battle to secure the release of two American journalists seized by North Korea for infringing the country’s laws. Several other countries take similar steps whenever their nationals get into trouble abroad.

Nigeria should follow these examples. The current attitude seems to be one in which the nation sees nothing good in her citizens anywhere in the world, even when those Nigerians have not been convicted. There must be a higher value placed on the welfare of Nigerians at home or abroad.

Nigeria’s foreign missions in most countries are guilty in many respects. Some close their doors to Nigerians in need of assistance. Occasionally, some diplomatic offices claim that Nigerians in the host countries do not bother to register with the embassies and were, therefore, officially unknown to the missions.

The question, however, is: what have the missions done to sensitise and encourage Nigerians in the Diaspora to be documented? The truth is that many Nigerians who would have loved to register shun the embassies to avoid the humiliation often meted out to them by Nigerian diplomats. After all, complaints of inability to see Nigerian diplomats at the missions abound and they are often reported as having little or no regard for their fellow citizens.

It is common knowledge that other nations issue travel advice and warnings to their citizens about where to visit or what to avoid. Despite all these, when nationals of such countries fall into trouble, their diplomatic missions and home governments come to their aid. Such a gesture should not be exempt to Nigeria, to avoid a deepening lack of faith in the Nigerian state to cater for its citizens.

The government and missions abroad should, among other steps, execute a vigorous enlightenment campaign on rules and how citizens should conduct themselves in their host countries, so that any infringement by any Nigerian would not be for lack of information or enough warning. The missions should change their attitude towards Nigerians and act at all times, on behalf of distressed citizens. Nigerians accused before foreign courts are often ignorant of the procedures and may have poor legal representation. This knowledge gap can be bridged by the missions.

It should no longer be tolerated for the missions to merely document the number of Nigerians on trial or in jail. Since it is now known that quite often, citizens regularly get on the wrong side of the law, the onus is on the missions to work out an arrangement with the office of the attorney-general or prosecutor in the host countries to promptly notify the embassy whenever a Nigerian is arrested and is to be tried. This will make room for proper legal defence of the citizen. It will also enable the mission to ascertain the true identity of the victim and if necessary, notify his or her relatives at home. Many other nationals, after all, use the Nigerian passport acquired illegally and they are, thus, classified as Nigerians when arrested for crimes.

Of course, these are mere efforts the missions abroad can make to ensure justice or fair trial. The ultimate responsibility of good conduct anywhere rests on the individual Nigerian, who must know that what he may get away with at home, would land him in jail abroad.

LETTERS

Impending disaster in Ile-Ife IR: When abnormal condi- will claim to be recycling and of Environment cannot claim Srency tions continue to gain cur- reusing metal waste, and gen- ignorance of the existence of with those charged with erating employment. And of this situation. regulation and prevention of such abnormality looking the other way, then the society is headed for the ruins. This seems to be the case in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where environmental disaster is in the offing.

A metal smelting factory, situated along the outskirts of IleIfe, which identity is unknown but seems to be owned by Indians is at the centre of this calamity. While the company collects metal waste from community – a recycling process – it seems to be replacing the metal wastes it is collecting with huge air pollutants that will have serious health challenge for the residents of not only the immediate community but also the Ife Township.

This is not to mention the consequent effect on weather and human atmosphere.

The factory for several months now has been emitting large amount of odious smoke, which is possibly from the coal or hydrocarbon burning. Aside blurring visibility on the road linking Ife with Ibadan, the effects of the smoke on the ecosystem cannot be underemphasised. The smoke will also have effects on the weather with rain being irregular and becoming more poisonous. If this company can be openly and brazenly discharging gaseous waste, we can only imagine the effluents that would have been discharged to the environments, at a great cost to lives. Yet, the company

course the government will readily welcome this as good investment. This is the tragedy of neo-colonial capitalist development.

It is more nauseating when it is known that technologies to curb and recycle this kind of waste is available and handy, but are not used by the factory owners, ostensibly to reduce cost and increase profits.

Worse still, regulatory agencies like NESREA and local Ministry

The Osun State Ministry of Environment should be more proactive about the emerging environmental disasters in the state. Maybe if the government commits some of the time and resources it is using to plant flowers across the state to pollution control and prevention of environmental hazards we can save more lives now and in the future.

• Kola Ibrahim, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Gov Aregbesola’s flood control measure Permit me to commend policy of continued dredging SRaufIR:OsunAregbesola, State Governor, Ogbeni of all the canals and waterways for saving the in the city. It was a big relief. state, especially Osogbo, from the ravages of flood, with the proactive flood control measures he put in place.

On Tuesday, July 2, 2013, the heavens opened up in Osogbo and there was a heavy downpour lasting about one hour but which released water in quantity never before witnessed in the city. From a rough estimate, the precipitation could not have been less than six inches, roughly equivalent to one third of the average rainfall in a year.

The good thing however was that the entire water receded immediately after the rain.

There was no trace of water as the precipitation disappeared into the streams, canals and rivulets. Thanks to the foresight of Governor Aregbesola with his

This was not the case in the past and 2010 was a particularly unforgettable year in the annals of the city. There was a heavy downpour which was not even close to what we witnessed on July 2 but which nevertheless wreaked much havoc, destroying homes, property and crops, taking along human lives.

Aregbesola’s campaign of environmental cleanliness and putting away refuse helped freed the waterways from obstruction and this gave the water a free course, unlike in the past when they were clogged with refuse and the water then turned its way into people’s homes.

• Mike Olayinka, Osogbo, Osun State.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals plans N192b expansion project

By Roseline Okere NDORAMA Eleme I(IEPL) Petrochemicals Limited has unveiled plans to invest $1.2 billion (N192 billion) in the expansion of its polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate plants in the next few years.

Already, the company’s investment in the plants has crossed $580 million (N92.8 billion). “We have recently started expansion work on all our plants, which will almost double its production capability”, the company’s Head, C o r p o r a t e Communication/Special

Adviser to the Managing Director, Jossy Nkwocha, said while responding to The Guardian’s enquiry, adding that the company “has allocated a budget of about $1.2 billion for the expansion of the plant.

According to him, the company is fully committed to fulfill the demand for every single plastic granule of polyethylene and polypropylene in the country.

He pointed out that currently, “IEPL supplies these high quality raw materials to over 200 plastics companies in Nigeria. We are fully geared to meet the demand through our dedicated sales force of

over 20 sales staff spread widely over the country from North to South. We have our sales offices in Kano, Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt. We also have 35 customized grades of our products to satisfy the individual needs of our customers.

“Besides we have our warehouses in these locations covering over 600,000 square feet which have capacity to stock 60,000 metric tons of material.

“Often our competitors who are traders in the market spread false rumors in the market to attract converters towards them”.

“We are glad to inform you

that we have done the groundbreaking ceremony for the much anticipated fertilizer plant; and the civil work has commenced. The plant has capacity to produce 1.4 million ton of urea fertilizer annually.

Once in operation, this plant will trigger green revolution in the country. Nigeria would be free from the clutches of costly fertilizer imports. We are firmly on our path to create the largest Petrochemicals hub in Africa”.

The company had earlier signed a long term financing agreements of $800 million with 16 global developmental financial institutions and commercial banks to construct the greenfield plant in Port Harcourt company officials said here.

Indorama Group Managing Director, Amit Lohia has said that the state-of-the-art manufacturing complex will produce 1.4 million tonnes per annum of granulated urea using natural gas as feedstock, from early 2016.

He stated: “This project envisages setting up the single largest urea manufacturing train in the world, making this one of the lowest cost producers in the world, which will also enable it to export urea to North American and Latin American markets”.

“The IEFCL project will play a large role in addressing critical Nigerian and West African requirements for economically priced fertilizer. IEFCL will substitute fertilizer imports to address Nigeria and West Africa’s growing demand for fertilizer by utilizing Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon reserves.

“We continue to see significant growth prospects in Africa and the Middle East.

After investing more than $500 million over the past several years in Nigeria, Indorama is setting the foundation to create Africa’s largest petrochemical hub in the country”.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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Business Appointments P27 Tackling unemployment through agriculture

Govt earns N862.36 billion revenue in May

By Chijioke Nelson HE Federal Government raked into its coffers N826.36 billion as gross earnings for the month of May 2013, which was below the provisional monthly budget estimate by 12.6 per cent, but exceeded the receipt in the preceding month by 2.5 per cent.

The decline, according the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Economic Report for May, was attributed to the drop in non-oil revenue during the review period.

However, at N648.63 billion,

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the gross oil receipts, which constituted 78.5 per cent of the total revenue of government, was 0.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent above the provisional monthly budget estimate and the level in the preceding month (April), respectively.

The rise in oil receipts relative to the monthly budget estimate was attributed to the increase in receipts from petroleum profit tax, royalties and domestic crude oil and gas sales during the review period.

Also, gross earnings from

• Banks’ assets, liabilities decline • Savings-lending rate disparity widens non-oil receipts were put at N177.73 billion or 21.5 per cent of the total, lower than both the monthly budget estimate and the level in the preceding month by 40.8 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively.

The decline relative to the monthly budget estimate reflected largely, the low receipts from Customs and Excise Duties, VAT and Education Tax Fund.

However, of the gross federally-collected revenue, N527.43 billion (after accounting for all deductions and transfers) was transferred to the Federation Account for distribution among the three tiers of government and the 13 per cent Derivation Fund.

The Federal Government received N246.69 billion from the total, while the

Director-General, Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals, Olayinka Odutola (left); and Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunnma Oteh, at the first yearly Christopher Kolade lecture, organised by Convention on Business Integrity in Lagos.

Business-unfriendly profile of Lagos ports worries LCCI

By Femi Adekoya and Deborah Sunmola HE Lagos Chamber of T Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has lamented the continued parlous state of infrastructure at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), citing it as a barrier to growth of trade and influx of investments in the country.

Specifically, the chamber noted that the replacement of service provider responsible for inspection and operation of scanning machines at the ports has created capacity gap in the cargo clearing process.

According to the chamber, there is a need for the Federal Government to addresses the issue of ease of doing business, especially those relating to congestion and infrastructure at the ports.

In a statement made available to The Guardian recently,

the chamber noted that the worsening of congestion at the ports resulting from delays in the scanning of containers and other related activities have profound implications for the private sector and the economy.

The chamber identified key challenges to the growth of trade at the ports to include; high demurrage charges arising from delays in clearing of cargo; high cost of fund on borrowed funds by importers; disruption of production schedules of manufacturers as raw materials are stuck at the port; inability of suppliers to meet contractual timelines, aggravation of corruption and extortion at the port as importers struggle to clear their cargoes through the bottlenecks; and the risk of exacerbation of inflation as goods are not quickly cleared from the port to meet rele-

vant needs in the country, thus undermining the supply side of the economy.

The chamber noted that the decision by the Federal Government to replace COTECNA as the service provider responsible for inspection and operation of scanning machines the Lagos ports complex, Apapa was already taking its toll on the efficiency of cargo clearing process at the port.

“One of the major shortcomings of the investment environment in Nigerian is the challenge posed by the cargo clearing process at the ports.

The target of government was to ensure cargo clearance in within 48 hours.

However, rather than take steps to achieve this, government’s decision to replace COTECNA with an apparently less capable inspection agent has worsened the situation.

The federal ministry of finance owes the nation an explanation for this action, especially when the tenure of the inspection agents was extended only for a period of six months.

“The LPC is very strategic to the economy because of the volume of cargo that passes through the port. It is thus critical that any decision regarding the choice of inspection agent, or any service provider for that matter should be based strictly on the capacity to deliver. The overriding interest of the nation’s economy and the welfare of citizens should be paramount in all economic management decisions. The delivery of value should not be sacrificed for patronage in any aspect of our national life, least of all at the nation’s premier port”, the chamber added.

states and local governments received N125.12 billion and N96.47 billion, respectively, while the balance of N59.15 billion was credited to the 13 per cent Derivation Fund for distribution to the oil-producing states.

From the VAT Pool Account, the Federal Government received N7.86 billion, while the state and local governments received N26.19 billion and N18.34 billion, respectively.

Overall, the total allocation to the three tiers of government from the Federation and VAT Pool Accounts amounted to N715.42 billion, which was lower than the provisional monthly budget estimate of N729.44 billion and the level in the preceding month by 1.9 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the report has indicated that total assets and liabilities of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) amounted to N22,473.4 billion, showing a decline of 0.2 per cent below the level at the end of the preceding month.

It noted that funds were sourced mainly from the mobilization of demand

deposits and were used, largely, in the extension of credit to the private sector and for reduction of the banks’ liabilities on time, savings and foreign currency deposits.

At N14,113.0 billion, DMBs’ credit to the domestic economy fell by 0.2 per cent below the level in the preceding month, while a breakdown of the analysis showed that relative to the level at the end of the preceding month, credit to the Federal Government, fell by 6.4 per cent, while that of private sector rose by 1.8 per cent.

Total specified liquid assets of the DMBs stood at N6,662.9 billion, representing 43.8 per cent of their total current liabilities, which at that level, the liquidity ratio fell by 5.4 percentage points below the level in the preceding month, but was 30 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30.0 per cent.

The loans-to-deposit ratio, at 40.8 per cent, was 1.7 percentage points above the level at the end of the preceding month, but 39.2 percentage points below the prescribed maximum ratio of 80.0 per cent.

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BUSINESS

‘Mainstreet Bank commits N10b to agric sector’s development’ AINSTREET Bank Limited M has invested about N10 billion towards the development of the nation’s agricultural sector This was disclosed by the Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, of the financial institution, Roger Woodbridge, who also commended the Federal Government for coming up with the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES); designed specifically to provide affordable agricultural inputs like fertilisers and hybrid seeds to farmers in order to increase their yields per hectare and make it comparable to world standard.

Speaking to newsmen after a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja recently, Woodbridge acknowledged that the GES scheme has enabled the private sector to play an integral role in growing the nation’s food production.

Citing Mainstreet’s experience in funding fertiliser distribution to Agro-dealers and smallholder farmers, he stressed that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) pro-

BPP to partner with government agencies on procurement processes From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Bureau of Public T Procurement (BPP) says it is ready to work with relevant government agencies to ensure that the nation has one of the best procurement processes in the world.

The assurance was given by the Director General of BPP, Emeka Ezeh, when he received the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri, in is office in Abuja.

Ezeh said that for the procurement process to be better, officials of government and the private sector have to have a change of altitude and character and do what they have been contracted to do.

It is not the institution that is corrupt, it is the human beings. When you change the character or attitude of people, one will start working better. People do live by laid down tenets and that is why we have problems.

“Our job as an agency will be a lot easier if people are able to carry out duties for which they are engaged. We have to learn to manage resources on behalf of the people”, Ezeh noted The DG urged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with any procurement exercise to forward their complaints to BPP and assured that such issues would be looked into and resolved.

“The law says agencies of government should advertise when they have vacancies and then competent people can apply. The law also says before one qualifies, you must let the people know the requirements. It is setting the marking scheme before you perqualify.

vides effective framework for private sector engagement in overall agricultural development.

Woodbridge noted that the bank’s investment of nearlyN10 billion so far under the GES scheme has given the financial institution an opportunity to contribute towards the reduction of hunger amongst Nigerians, stressing that Mainstreet Bank offers a learning experience to other banks that are still skeptical about agricultural funding.

“Nigerian banks must lend support to human centered development activities such as agriculture which has the ability to increase the production capacity of local farmers as well as aid to gainful

employment for the youth population”, he said.

Also commenting on the recent Millennium Development Goals (MDG) report, where The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) honoured Nigeria and 37 other nations for reducing the number of people living in absolute hunger in their countries by half well ahead of the year 2015, he expressed excitement that concerted efforts in the implementation of the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation initiative would in the shortest possible time stimulate wealth creation along the agricultural value chain especially amongst the rural populace.

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Scarcity shoots up prices of cooking gas by 70 per cent

By Sulaimon Salau UST resolved feud between JNatural the Nigeria Liquefied Gas Ltd (NLNG) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) may have resulted into acute shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas, in the market, as the marketers now ration the limited supply.

The Guardian investigations revealed that price of cooking gas was arbitrarily hiked by about 70 per cent of the normal rate. The 12.5 kilogramme cylinder was, as at the weekend sold for between N4, 500 and N5000 in Lagos, as against the normal price of between N2, 800 and N3000.

It was also discovered that the three major terminal operators- The Pipeline Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) and NAVGAS were out of stock, while the NLNG, which is their major supply was embattled in statutory fee saga.

However, the LPG marketers, which got products from the terminals, were groaning under scarcity of the product.

The President, Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA), Dayo Adeshina told the media recently that the marketers were out of stock, as the few product in circulation had been exhausted at weekend.

He, therefore, expressed fears that the nation might be through into complete gas scarcity from this week, urging the federal government to wade into the issue.

Besides, he appealed to the necessary authority to con-

sider sail-in for one of the vessels, Gas Providence, blockaded by NIMASA, which was expected to supply LPG. He explained that the operators of Gas Providence had already paid the statutory dues, but yet to be released for discharge.

According to him, Gas Providence of about 9,000 tons capacity could bring respite to the market, although more supplies would be needed, as the local consumption stood at 12,000 tonnes.

The Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO)

seems to be the only terminal supplying LPG as at yesterday, when The Guardian visited. Sources however stated that the product was under throughput arrangement, but would be exhausted by Friday.

The source said that the company had ordered marketers to stop advance payment, due to shortage of product and could not guarantee further supply from this week.

The Chief Executive Officer, Banner Gas, Nuhu Yakubu, said that the marketers were concerned with the situation, which had begun to degener-

ate since the week before.

He said, if care was not taken, the whole nation would be dry of LPG at this Ramadan period when people need gas for cooking.

“We are not taking sides.

What we are saying is that Nigerians are affected by the rift, as they continue to suffer gas scarcity,” he said.

The NLNG is the supplier of gas to domestic market, as it supplies about 98 per cent of the LPG product.

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FCT councils share N2.2b revenue From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Federal Capital Territory T (FCT) Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) has recently distributed N2.2 billion among the six area councils and other stakeholders in the FCT, being revenue that accrued for the month of May 2013.

The amount represents an increase of N52.9 billion (about 2.5 per cent) over the N2.1 billion shared by the six area councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali for the month of April 2013.

The Chairman of FCT Area Councils JAAC and Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, who confirmed this during the committee’s meeting in Abuja, said that Value Added Tax (VAT) accounted for the bulk of the revenue from the Federation Account.

She gave the breakdown of the allocation as N1.059 billion from VAT, N821.59 million from Statutory Revenue Allocation, N250.35 million from Excess Crude, N56.77 million from Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and N25.54 million being refund by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The FCT Area Councils JAAC, according to the minister, transferred N905.89 million to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries in the six area councils.

The committee, in line with statutory requirement, also transferred N95.04 million to the FCT Area Councils Pension Board (ACPB) being 15 per cent pension fund, N89.93 million for LEA Teachers Entitlement, N59.32 million for FCT Immunisation Plus days, N48.92 million being contribution for health insurance, N36.87 million being contribution for sanitation in the six area councils and N22.13 million to the FCT Area Councils Service Commission being one per cent training fund.

Abuja Municipal Area Council received the lion share of the revenue allocation of N199.85 million for the month of May 2013, while Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils got N169.12 million and N157 million, respectively.

The FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee also disbursed N151.35 million to Kuje Area Council, N138.61 million to Kwali Area Council and N138.59 million to Abaji Area Council.

On SURE-P funds, Abuja Municipal got N16.77 million, Bwari (N9.28 million), Gwagwalada (N8.50 million), Kwali (N7.79 million), Kuje (N7.45 million) and Abaji (N6.96 million).

The Auditor-General for FCT Area Councils, Dr. Fred Omaka, told the members of the committee that biometric audit of all the workers in the area councils would take off on July 29, 2013.

The JAAC meeting was attended by the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, Secretary of Area Council Services Secretariat, Yahaya Ibrahim Gwagwa, Commissioner representing FCT in Revenue Mobilisation, and others.

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Reps seek private sector support for research From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta improved technologyFof OR driven society, the House Representatives has called on private investors in the country to partner research institutions to further enhance the actualisation of

Vision 2020 so as to place Nigeria among the topmost manufacturing countries in the world.

The House of Representative Committee on Science and Technology made the plea at the weekend during its oversight visit to the Nigerian Building and Road Research

Institute (NBRRI), Otta, Ogun State.

The Chairman of the Committee, Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade told The Guardian that for Nigeria to further attain the pedigree of a “producing nation”, the country must invest heavily in research, hence, the need for

private investors to support research institutes.

He added that research was a long-term project, which needed adequate funding to achieve its set objectives.

According to Akinlade: “Research consumes lots of money. It is not something you achieve in a day, it takes 10

Sterling Bank, Jumia.com.ng, offer discounts to customers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 TeRlINg Bank has partSNigeria’s nered Jumia.com.ng, shopping destination to offer customers amazing shopping discounts on its platform.

This partnership according to a statement from the bank, offered great incentives to Sterling Bank’s debit card

using customers. For purchases made using a Sterling Bank debit card (ATM card), customers get discounts of up to 10 per cent of the cost of any item bought.

Speaking at the partnership, the Chief Finance Officer of the bank, Abubakar Suleiman stated: “This marketing partnership is geared towards bringing value to Sterling Bank’s

debit card carrying customers shopping on Jumia.com and further encourage customers to embrace the culture of cashless transactions.”

Commenting on the partnership, Jumia.com.ng cofounders, Raphael Afaedor and Tunde Kehinde said: “As we mark our 1st anniversary and one year of online retail in Nigeria, we have decided to go

into various partnerships and today we announce one of such great partnerships with Sterling Bank Plc. This will see both organisations’ offer great value to customers, while using such promotions to raise awareness on the ease and advantages of the CBN’s cashless policy. Above all, this is one of many ways Sterling Bank Plc and Jumia look to say

to 15 years before you can see the results, so NBRRI needs to be encouraged and commercialise the research work.

“The end users are really

interested in our research works in the country, so, we are calling on private sectors in the country to partner with our research institutes in the

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AFC, BOAD sign MoU on infrastructuredevelopment in West Africa

By Taiwo Hassan HE Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) have formalised a strategic collaboration to promote infrastructure development across West Africa by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the BOAD headquarters in Lomé, Republic of Togo.

The MoU is designed to provide a framework for co-operation and collaboration, and facilitate both direct investment and co-financing of infrastructure projects, further harmonising institutional efforts to promote trade finance, project finance and economic development across West Africa.

Specifically, the parties will collaborate in the origination and co-financing of critical regional economic infrastructure transactions, leveraging mutual resources and capacity in the areas of project finance and structuring, trade finance, technical appraisal and due diligence.

It is expected that this strategic collaboration will result in several co-investments by AFC and BOAD in French and Portuguese speaking West African States.

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AFC, a multilateral finance institution, was established in 2007 with an initial capital base of $1 billion, to be a catalyst for private sector infrastructure investment across Africa.

AFC was established to help fill a critical void in providing project structuring expertise and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs, and is increasingly being seen as the benchmark institution for private sector-led investment in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications.

Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD), also known as the West African Development Bank, is an international multilateral development bank established in 1973 to serve the nations of Francophone and Lusophone West Africa. BOAD is organised by the Central Bank of West African States and its eight member governments: Benin, Burkina-Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

It aims to promote the balanced development of its member states and to achieve economic integration in West Africa. BOAD’s mandate is to

provide financing for priority projects in rural development, the environment, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, industry, transport, agribusiness, tourism and other services.

President and Chief Executive Officer, AFC, Andrew Alli, said: “This MoU provides a strong framework for BOAD and AFC to strengthen our commitment to the economic development of West Africa, through the facilitation of trade and provision of crucial infrastructure. I believe this partnership is a positive step towards greater co-operation.

I would like to thank BOAD for their proactive approach to consolidating this partnership, and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver infrastructure investment solutions on the continent.”

Similarly, President of BOAD, Cristian Adovelande, said, “Africa’s growth requirement and its vast reserves of natural resources, particularly in West Africa, cannot be harnessed without increased collaboration in financing and project development between Public and Private sector Institutions.

Standard Chartered partners U.S., African govts on power projects

By Chijioke Nelson TANDARD Chartered has reiterated its commitment to financing over $2 billion in energy projects under the Power Africa Initiative- a fiveyear partnership between the United States, six African governments and the private sector.

The partnership represents a coordinated cross-border effort to build the regulatory, economic and policy foundation in order to double access to power in sub-Saharan Africa.

The African governments in the partnership are Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Liberia, with a group of private-sector organisations taking part in the initiative to improve access to clean, reliable power in Africa.

Power Africa is expected to add more than 10,000 megawatts of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacityequivalent to 250 per cent of Nigeria’s current power generation, increasing access to electricity by more than 20 million new households and businesses.

Standard Chartered explained that is committing $2 billion of new financing, more than 20 per cent of the initial private sector contribution to Power Africa, alongside the U.S. government’s provision of $7 billion of financial support.

Speaking from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the President’s visit, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, Peter Sands, said: “Throughout our 150 years of history in Africa, we have always strived to contribute to social and economic development, financing trade and investment across the continent.

“We are delighted to partner with the United States and the African Governments involved

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in the Power Africa Initiative to address one of Africa’s most critical infrastructure challenges.”

“More than two-third of the population of sub-Saharan Africa are without electricity, and more than 85 per cent of those living in rural areas lack access.”

“These countries have set ambitious goals in electric power generation and are making the utility and energy sector reforms to pave the way for investment and growth,” the White House said in a state-

ment.”

Using its geographic coverage across 37 African countries and leading project and export finance expertise, Standard Chartered said it will work closely with U.S. agencies, including the Export-Import Bank, the Agency for International Development and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to develop the policy framework for specific projects and the introduction of best practice for infrastructure development in Africa.

AMfB targets 94 per cent rise in savings

By Chijioke Nelson CCION Microfinance Bank said there is no better way to provide for financial exigencies and future investment other than imbibing the culture of savings.

It also debunked insinuations that poor people do not save, noting that research and studies have continued to show that the poor have their way of saving and there are enormous potentials to be tapped in this market segment by financial institutions.

To this end, the bank said with its customers, currently in excess of 90,000, it aims to grow its savings volume from N450 million to N884 million this year.

It noted that the savings mobilization was targeted at AMfB’s focus segment, which is the mass market- the micro and small entrepreneurs, with its “Brighta Future Account” as the major driver in the initiative.

According to a statement from the bank, “building savings culture for micro entrepreneurs

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and low income earners is important, as it provides security in time of emergencies and safety nets for the future.

“Through savings, they are able to accumulate capital and invest in capital asset as opposed to consumption and depletion of wealth.”

However, effective marketing strategy, development and deployment are required to penetrate the market.”

The bank has so far created employment for over 462 persons spread across the18 branches and the Head Office, with total assets in excess of N2.8 billion, gross loan portfolio of over N2.4 billion and total loan disbursement of over N16 billion to about 133,000 customers since inception.

The statement explained that the Board of Directors of the bank are made up of professional drawn from its shareholding companies, with diverse background to drive the financial institution’s vision and goals.

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Appointments Tackling unemployment through agriculture

Adesina

Jonathan

By Yetunde Ebosele NEMPLOYMENT is one of U the major problems confronting the three-tiers of government in Nigeria. The scenario cuts across virtually all strata of society.

Previous efforts by the successive administrations seem to have failed as the unemployment challenges and its effects continue to ravage the Nigerian society.

From Lagos to Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Enugu State, Kaduna and Sokoto states and in deed all parts of the country, unemployed Nigerians are facing basically the same dilemma.

The situation is gradually assuming a dangerous dimension as thousands of Nigerians on a regular and sustained basis graduate from various higher institutions without any hope of getting jobs or any means of livelihood.

The federal government, especially under the current administration has repeatedly explained its resolve to tackle the menace through various policies.

Though unemployment is not restricted to this part of the world, experts are however of the opinion that Nigeria can handle the situation better through massive investment in agriculture coupled with provision of basic infrastructure such as good road network, electricity, water, and health care among others in the rural areas.

A management expert, Dr Obi C. Nwubilor, in a chat with The Guardian at the weekend, emphasized the need for the three-tiers of governments in Nigeria to tackle the challenges of unemployment through agriculture.

He said: “The most viable alternatives to tackle this problem is through agriculture. I’m not asking the government to share money to farmers. I’m calling on the government to put infrastructure in place. With the right infrastructure in place, thousands of Nigerians will not sit down waiting for government jobs or contract. The problem we have today is that of lack of infrastructure.

Its either you secure a whitecollar job or you rot away.

That is the problem. It must not be allowed to continue.”

He added: “Before independence in 1960, there was focus.

We (Nigeria) seem to have lost focus. Let’s retrace our step and go back to agriculture before this unemployment crisis consumes all of us. Apart from providing food for the populace, agriculture is capable of providing numerous jobs across the country. Agriculture with adequate government support in a very short time can breed all class of entrepreneur.”

According to Nwubilor, without a viable agriculture policy, it’s almost impossible to solve the unemployment crisis in the country and by extension the security challenges.

While commending the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his effort to reposition the sector, Nwubilor, advised the federal government to give priority to provision of infrastructure such as good road network, health care, electricity, schools, security among others in the rural areas.

Adesina had repeatedly reiterated government resolve to make agriculture viable and attractive to all Nigerians especially the unemployed.

According to Adesina, if Nigeria had maintained its place in agriculture as it was in the 1960’s, the sector would have yielded great result and generated $10 billion on a yearly basis in addition to creating jobs for millions of Nigerians.

Worried by the unemployment situation, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) recently emphasised the need to create a conducive working atmosphere.

The apex labour movement in the country believed that creating more quality jobs in the long run would address adequately employees’ anxieties and by extension enhance dedication and loyalty.

President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar identified unemployment, insecurity and corruption as some of the challenges confronting the country.

Omar said: “We (NLC) have chosen to focus specifically on three key challenges

Before independence in 1960, there was focus. We (Nigeria) seem to have lost focus. Let’s retrace our step and go back to agriculture before this unemployment crisis consumes all of us. Apart from providing food for the populace, agriculture is capable of providing numerous jobs across the country. Agriculture with adequate government support in a very short time can breed all class of entrepreneur

Wogu which, if not dealt with decisively and in a timely manner, could very well undermine the survival of our nation. These are the challenges of unemployment, insecurity and corruption.”

He added: “Comrades, you will agree with me that today, the country is faced by a monumental unemployment problem. Official statistics put the national unemployment rate at approximately

24 per cent. As high as this rate is, it nevertheless camouflages the enormity of the unemployment crisis in the country. If underemployCONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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Tackling unemployment through agriculture CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 ment and disguised unemployment were to be added to the figure, the monumental crisis will become more glaring.

“More importantly, an analysis of the disaggregated unemployment data shows that the youths bear the greatest brunt of the unemployment problem. The unemployment rate among the youths has been put at 37.7 per cent. Some estimates actually suggest that the figure is over 50 per cent.

“Whichever way we look at it, it is obvious that we are facing an unemployment time bomb in our nation. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 197 million are unemployed worldwide in 2012. Of these, 74 million are young

people between 15 and 24 years of age.

“With an estimated 80 million youths in the total population, 30 to 40 million unemployed youths constitute a veritable army of the hungry, disillusioned and angry that can undermine the stability, security and peace of any nation if left unattended.

“There is an urgent need for decisive intervention to rein in the unemployment problem. The signals of strife and insecurity today are warning banners we cannot afford to ignore.

“To overcome the problem of unemployment, Nigeria must promote strong industrial policies that recognises manufacturing as a key engine of growth and decent mass employment for the national economy,” the NLC

leader added.

Also, former President of TUC, Peter Esele, said that Nigeria’s economy had not come to grips with the common man, adding that it “has defied all logic”.

He said: “Since the beginning of this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has repeatedly told us and the rest of the world that Nigeria’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is to reach $300billion within the year, with an annual GDP growth rate of 7.03 per cent mainly driven by the non-oil sector.

“This is very good news, but one cannot help but ask some pertinent questions.

Which are the non-oil sectors that have contributed so much to our economy”?

Asked Esele.

Meanwhile, to curtail the

unemployment crisis, the federal government had expressed commitment to engage more companies and employ about 50,000 unemployed graduates before the end of this year through the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Speaking at the conclusion of the Graduate Interns Orientation/Induction training in Lagos, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala noted that the agency had the mandate to prepare young job seekers between 18 and 40 years, for the work environment before they are employed.

The minister who was represented at the ceremony said: “GIS is targeted at strengthen-

ing the capacity of graduates to enable them get job placements. GIS creates an avenue for interns to go into the firms, learn the technique of

a working environment and build their skill within the sector where they have been deployed on the basis of their current qualification.”

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Workers decry inadequate funding of libraries From Collins Olayinka, Abuja ORKERS in the nation’s W libraries have warned that inadequate funding may stunt Nigeria’s developmental efforts and slow down possible scientific breakthroughs.

In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Chairman/Deputy President of WAEC/Libraries and Others Trade Group Council, Michael Adegoke and Secretary, ‘Damola Adelekun, called on governments at all levels, philanthropists and international organisations to prioritise the funding of libraries across the country to enhance national developmental efforts.

The workers, who are under the auspices of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), have also warned the management of WAEC to stop the victimisation of its members or

risk its wraths.

While decrying the continued neglect of library services in Nigeria, the group called on state governments to place the workers of libraries on the same pay structure obtainable in their respective states’ tertiary institutions.

WAEC and library workers also frowned at the proposed scrapping of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and merging of the National Examination Council with WAEC as recommended by the Steve Oronsaiye-led Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies in order to reduce costs of governance.

It added: “We view the proposal as retrogressive, unproductive and one that will further worsen education sector of the country. It will increase the level of

In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, the Chairman/Deputy President of WAEC/Libraries and Others Trade Group Council, Michael Adegoke and Secretary, ‘Damola Adelekun, called on governments at all levels, philanthropists and international organisations to prioritise the funding of libraries across the country to enhance national developmental efforts

Govt moves to check inconsistencies in police salaries From Karls Tsokar, Abuja N a bid to correct the perIsalaries ceived inconsistencies in the of the Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Government is to introduce the integrated salary payment system, controlled by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, to unearth the anomalies.

The move to include the police salary system in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in Abuja at a lecture to participants of a training workshop for Police Officers-in Charge (O/Cs), Mechanised Salary Sections (MSS), and pay officers to commands and formations across the country, to ensure that all anomalies, both perceive and real, are appropriately addressed.

A representative of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Fatima Nana Mede, explained the importance and relevance of the payment system in the nation's drive to financial transparency and the eradication of fraud in all sectors of the economy including checking the menace of ghost workers.

She said the system is not taking over the payroll responsibility of the police, adding that it is faster, easier to manage and more appropriate for all reputable national institutions.

While emphasising that the IPPIS would eradicate all forms of corruption associated with police salaries, Mede disclosed current figures show that about 300,000 police officers are currently on government

payroll.

She then noted that the implementation of the IPPIS would also rid the Force of incidences of ghost workers and other persons who are not entitled to police salary.

According to her, "government officials had been engaged in age and documentation falsification and have continued to receive salaries even when they should have been retired from government service."

She stated that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is investigating many of such related cases.

In his remarks the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar, appealed to the participants to ensure that they adopt the mechanism of the new salary system with all interest.

He said that the police management would not tolerate intentional mistakes, which could lead to corruption, when discovered.

Most Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have adopted this system, and it has saved billions of naira for the government, which before now was paid to ghost workers.

Also at the end of the week, while commissioning a complex at the Directorate of Education of the Police in Abuja, the Inspector General of Police, expressed deep regret that rather than reading books, Nigerians, especially students, prefer to play internet games, toil with their Blackberry phones, and other internet devices.

unemployment, ills in the society and also defeat the essence of national cohesion.”

The union also alleged victimisation of three of its members in WAEC by the Nigeria national office of the examination body.

It noted that the cordial industrial relationship between the union and body is under a threat by what it described as “repressive, choice of monologue and oppressive posture of WAEC management.”

The workers therefore urged the management of WAEC to as a matter of urgency begin dialogue with the union over the demands of its members as forwarded to WAEC Nigeria national office in the resolutions adopted at Makurdi NASU WAEC Congress.

The Council-In-Session warned that the union will not compromise the rights of its members at any time and it determined to check the excesses and anti-labour practices in WAEC nationwide.

The unions also expressed dismay at the high tax regime imposed by some state governments and federal parastatals, which it considered outrageous and burdensome on workers.

On the stand-off between

NASU and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the workers expressed disappointment at the disbandment of the reconciliation committee raised to resolve the issues in contention before it concluded its work.

“The Council-In-Session felt betrayed by the leadership of the NLC over the dissolution of the reconciliation commit-

tee put in place to resolve the crises with NASU without allowing the committee to complete her mandate. The council suspects a foul play and therefore urge NEC of the union to critically look into the issue and direct as appropriate,” it stated.

The union also lauded the re-election of the General Secretary of NASU, Peters

Adeyemi, for emerging Vice President of the Public Service International (PSI).

It also lauded the President of NASU, Ladi Illiya, for standing up in the defence of workers’ rights and her untiring agitations for improvement in the welfare of the members and passed a vote of confidence in her ability to move the union to greater height.

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APPOINTMENT 43

Govt partners UNIDO on entrepreneurship scheme for students

By Yetunde Ebosele O enhance entrepreneurship education for Nigerian students in senior secondary schools, the Federal Government has entered into partnership programme with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who announced the partnership programme in Abuja at a consultative meeting on the implementation of the UNIDO project for entrepreneurship education for senior secondary schools recently, explained that the Federal Government would finance her counterpart obligations for the programme.

Wike noted that the implementation of the programme is hinged on the Vision 20:2020 report, which “suggested that Nigeria should focus on the development of a critical mass of human resources with technological, entrepreneurial and managerial skills to improve opportunities that will enhance the living standard of the people”.

A press statement issued by Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education, Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted Wike as saying: “In order to achieve this and to remedy the situa-

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tion, UNIDO, with a long standing experience in the development and implementation of entrepreneurial programmes in Africa, agreed to collaborate with the NERDC in facilitating strategic efforts of the Nigerian government”.

Wike said the collaboration has led to the introduction of entrepreneurship curriculum into formal education in Nigeria, adding that key areas that will be focused on in the course of the partnership include “strengthening the already existing trade/entrepreneurship curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools, infusing entrepreneurship skills into carrier subjects at the senior secondary education level for implementation and developing teachers guides and monitoring and evaluation tools”.

He added: “The project is to cover the 36 states of the country and the FCT, while the government coordinating agency is the Federal Ministry of Education with inputs from the NERDC and the 36 states Ministries of Education. The total amount required as input is expected to be $4,836,965 of which UNIDO is to provide the sum of $2,173,000. Counterpart inputs will be $2,107,500 while support counterpart is $556,465.”

In his remarks, Dr. Patrick

Kormawa, UNIDO team leader, said that the programme is aimed at addressing the employment challenges of three million Nigeria students who fail to proceed to senior secondary school after their junior secondary programmes.

According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof.

Godswill Obioma, assured that the organisation will facilitate the coordination of the implementation of the programme to ensure that success is achieved.

UNIOSUN workers threaten strike over welfare, autonomy From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Joint Action Congress T (JAC) of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University (SSANU), the NonAcademic Staff Union and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) have asked its management to implement their allowances, welfare packages and other entitlements or be prepared for industrial action.

Arising from a meeting held at the main campus of the institution in Osogbo recently, the workers served the management of the institution led by the ViceChancellor, Prof. Bashiru Okesina, a-21 working day ultimatum to meet their demands.

Besides, the unions also urged the state government to return the university autonomy in order to effect unhindered running of the affairs of the university.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the congress held at the Main Lecture Theatre (MLT) of UNIOSUN, Osogbo Campus, the unions urged the management to start the implementation of arrears of hazard allowance, overtime

allowance and stoppage of special allowances for some selected workers.

The communiqué signed by the chairmen of SSANU, Kadiri Adiat, NASU, Isaiah Fayemi and NAAT, Adeleke Ismaheel, said: “The university should henceforth stop the implementation of the new killing tax regime and reverse to the old tax as obtained in other universities”.

The communiqué also urged the management of the university to review what the unions identified as anomalies in the recent vacancies advertisement published in a national newspaper of June 27th, 2013, adding that “the advertisement should be reversed to accommodate members of staff with higher qualifications, temporary and GAP (Graduate Assistant Programmed) that have been serving the system for sometimes now”.

According to the communiqué, the management should also pay without further delay the one per cent pioneer allowance arrears, pay workers salary promptly and implement the welfare package for workers including car refurbishing, furniture and housing loan as obtained in other universities.

Minister tasks Kaduna on passage of Child Right Act From Bashir Bello, Kaduna HIRTEEN out of the 36 T states of the Federation including Kaduna State are yet to implement the Child Right Act, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said.

Hajiya Maina disclosed this recently in Kaduna when she led other members of the ministry on a courtesy visit on the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The minister said: “Kaduna State is one of the 13 states that is yet to pass the bill.

We have come to Kaduna State House of Assembly to appeal to them for its passage in the state”.

Explaining further, Maina said: “We are here in the Kaduna State House of Assembly to discuss the issue of the Child Right Act that has been passed at the National Assembly in 2003 and about 23 states out of 36 states have passed this bill and some have even started implementation.

“I know there are some grey areas because of the peculiarities of the state that hinders the passage of the bill. We are here to appeal to the House to take a look at the grey areas that need attentions and see how they will make some amendment to suite the environment and pass the bill.

“We are out on advocacy

visit to Kaduna State. My ministry mandate is to take care of about 70 per cent population of Nigeria dominated by the women, children and disable persons as well as issues raised as it concerns persons with vulnerability”.

The minister also appealed to all states of the Federation and the National Assembly on the need to domesticate a bill against all forms of discrimination against women.

Receiving the delegate, the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mua’zu Usman Gangara, who was represented by his Deputy, Dogara Matoh, gave the House assurance of speedy passage of the Child Right Act.

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APPOINTMENTS 45

Govt may alter performance yardstick for ministers From Karls Tsokar, Abuja NDICATIONS have emerged Iformance that the results of the perevaluation contract may not be used as the yardstick to retain or sack Ministers in the present administration, even as the problems in the budget process impedes effective implementation.

The Minister and Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamshudeen Usman at the midterm report on performance of the ministry in the last two years yesterday in Abuja said “the target set to appraise the performance of

the Ministers is rather unrealistic to achieve” “The targets are being reviewed to meet up with a more realistic marking scheme, which would be weighed and the presient who is our employer would take a decision on who would go and who would stay. But there is every possibility that some Ministers would be given the opportunity to repeat, because even in the University, if you fail a course, you are being given the opportunity to reseat the course” Usman said.

While reacting to questions, Dr. Usman said the budgeting process in Nigeria has

issues, which is why there is a chasm in the budget planning, implementation and outcome on the citizenry.

“There are issues in the budget which the Executive and the Legislative arms of government needs to look at and must be addressed for it to be effectual”.

He said tremendous economic growth rate has being recorded in the period under review to the extent that “growth in non-oil exports averaged 29.57% in 2011 and 2012” surpassing the transformation agenda target of 25.92%”. Gross external reserves improved from US$32.34 billion in 2010 to

US$48.8 billion as at April 2013.

He however stated that the macro economy growth is challenged by issues of insecurity, the inability of the economic growth to translate to jobs nor address the issues of unemployment and under employment in the country.

Though these concerns are to be tackled using the initiatives of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), the YouWin, Agriculture transformation Agenda and other sectoral reforms.

Usman said the major reforms the ministry has

being able to carry out that has led to successful outcome, during the period among others is the institutionalization of the strategic planning process at the Federal level through conducting needs assessment of states’ planning and statistical agencies for enhanced service delivery.

The institutionalization of performance management system and contracting, which is aimed at measuring ministerial and individual officers’ performance

…Reconstitutes tax appeal tribunal From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Federal Government T has approved the reconstitution of the Chairmen and

Deputy Governor of Ogun State Segun Adesegun; Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Bimbo Ashiru, and General Manager Bank of Industry [SME], Muhammed Abdul Ganiu at a one-day entrepreneurship training for unemployed graduates in Abeokuta.

against, negotiated performance targets. This according to the NPC Minister has enhanced improvement and clarity in the alignment of institutional and individual performance in the public service.

He said with the responsibility of ensuring the development of the 39 years National integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP 2014 – 2043) Planning Ministry is working to ensure that the final document would be ready by August 2013.

Commissioners of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT).

The approval, which was granted by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, approved the re-appointment of all the immediate past chairmen and commissioners who had not attained the statutory disengagement age of 70 years.

The FIRS (Establishment) Act 2007 empowers the minister to appoint the Commissioners of the TAT in line with Paragraph 2 (1) of the Act which states inter alia: “A tribunal shall consist of five members (hereinafter referred to as ‘Tax Appeal

Commissioners’) to be appointed by the minister”.

Consequently, in order to ensure continuity, the minister equally approved the reappointment and posting of the TAT commissioners to the zones where they served previously.

The TAT chairmen and commissioners are 34 in numbers with Kayode S. Sofola (SAN) as chairman for Lagos Zone, Prof. Chukwudi J. Amasike (chairman, South East Zone), Joseph A. Ushie (chairman, South West Zone) and Suleman Audu (chairman, North East Zone). Others are Abraham N. Yisa (chairman, North Central Zone), Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN) acting chairman, Abuja Zone, Mrs. Adenike A. Eyoma (acting chairman, South South zone) and Bashir Abdullahi (Chairman, North West zone).

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Beneficiaries in Edo, Ekiti, N’West get SURE-P funds, jobs From Muyiwa Adeyemi, (Ado Ekiti), Collins Olayinka, (Abuja) and Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City, HE Federal Government has T disbursed about N60 million to 3,000 beneficiaries of the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) in Edo State, under the Community Services and Women Empowerment Programme category, with each beneficiary getting N20, 000 for the months of April and May, 2013.

Edo State chairman, SURE-P, Lucky Imasuen, said that the beneficiaries were earlier in March paid N10, 000 each, totalling N30 million.

Imasuen said distribution of forms for second batch of the programme, for which he said 2,000 people have been penciled down, would start as soon as Abuja gives the green light to do so but strongly denied allegation that only members of the state Peoples Democratic Party benefitted from the programme, saying: “This is not true, beneficiaries of the programme cut across political affiliation in Edo State. Also, the payments cut across the 18 local government areas of the state.

“You will recall that when the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan increased the pump price of petroleum products last year, he promised that whatever accrued from it will be spent to provide relief to Nigerians. He is the President of Nigeria, even though he was elected on the platform of the PDP.” He said: “The money that is being disbursed is the Federal Government own share of SURE-P; it has nothing to do with what the states are doing

with their own share, which is not our business, as we are not working for them.”

Besides, the first 3,000 beneficiaries of the Subsidy ReInvestment Programme (SURE-P) Community Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme in Ekiti State have received their first monthly stipend through epayment.

Chairman and Coordinator of the State Implementation Committee, Femi Akinyemi, who made this known through a press statement, advised the beneficiaries to check their banks for confirmation of the payment.

The Federal Government share of the subsidy fund is being used for the SURE-P empowerment programmes like the community services, youths and women employment scheme, graduate internship scheme among others.

Akinyemi, who said each of the 3,000 beneficiaries was paid N10, 000, added that a sum of N30 million was paid to the beneficiaries.

He urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the good gesture of the President Goodluck Jonathan government by carrying out the community services like vigilance, clearing of drainages, sewage disposal, filling of pot-holes on township roads, cleaning of markets, palaces, schools and other public places for which they are being paid.

While thanking President Jonathan for the gesture, Akinyemi said: “N10, 000 may appear like pittance to some people, but only those who have experienced being at zero financial level before and were elevated to a level at

Microsoft boss joins Zinox Group HE Head of Microsoft T Anglophone West African countries covering Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia, Emmanuel Onyeje, has joined the Zinox Technologies Group.

This move, according to a statement by Zinox Group Corporate Affairs Consultant, Echika Ezuka, is a strategic hire that will consolidate the Group’s leading position as a leading Information and Communications Technology Group in sub-Saharan Africa with interest in PC manufacturing, distributions, systems integrations and advanced ICT solutions.

Ezuka, said Onyeje as a thoroughbred ICT professional whose career has inadvertently turned out to be a summary of the development of the ICT sector in West Africa showed an early promise three years after graduation when he originated and led a project team to develop Nigeria’s first Microsoft Windows Application in 1992.

“Onyeje, A digital wiz-kid and technology strategist, turned around the fortunes of the No. 1 global software company and achieved sustained unbroken records until he left Microsoft to join Zinox as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer”, the statement added.

Onyeje, who had worked as the Chief Information Officer of the United Bank of Africa Group before joining Microsoft seven years ago, had

Onyeje his strong educational background at Bedford, England, also earned a Second Class Upper degree in Electrical Electronics from the University of Jos in 1989.

Onyeje, well known for his depth of character, ability, determination and dedication, will bring to Zinox Technologies, his global experience in Information and Communications, numerous certifications from worldclass OEMs, and active participant hindsight in software development and networks maintenance. This Nigerian born professional, credited, everywhere he worked, with saving costs and exceeding targets in triple digits without sacrificing customer satisfaction will also enhance the competencies of Zinox with his vast end user database, immense end user goodwill and credibility.

which they can feed will appreciate this kind of gesture from President Jonathan.

“Our youths are therefore grateful to Mr. President for this well-thought-out scheme that has put food on the tables of 3,000 of them”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, recently disclosed that the Community Services Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) project of SURE-P has created 21,000 job opportunities in the North-West geopolitical zone, Wogu stated this in Kaduna when he led a delegation, which comprised the Ministers of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdukadir, Environment, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulack, on sensitization and appraisal visit of the CSWYE project to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

He explained “The present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan puts the masses first in its development plans, in the North-west geo-political zone a total of 21, 000 women, youths and people living with disabilities are benefiting from the Community Services Women

and Youths Employment Project”.

Speaking further the minister mentioned the projects executed so far to include the Kano-Maiduguri road dualcarriage way, construction of bridges, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway modernization project, Maternal and Child Health project as well as over 4,132km road maintenance project among others.

Wogu commended the implementation process of the CSWYE project in Kaduna State, saying “Kaduna State,

though not a pilot state has done very well on the implementation process, the speed of submission of time sheets for the payment of stipends to beneficiaries has been commendable, and payment has been made up to June 2013.”

In his response, the governor of Kaduna State tasked the Federal Government on the sustainability of the project.

He said: “One thing that is very critical is the issue of sustainability, if the project is sustained people will be gainfully employed, it will also help in

creating opportunity for the youths to be useful to themselves and the entire nation.”

While paying a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, the Minister paid glowing tributes to the traditional institutions and hinged the speedy success of the project to the support the traditional institutions have offered.

In his speech, the Emir expressed appreciation to President Jonathan for empowering women and youths across the nation.

Dr.Okon Onyung (member)left, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo (chairman), Mrs Yvonne Fasinro (member), Dr. Christopher Kolade, Dr.Faye Iketubosun (member) & Mr Akindele Olumideko (project coordinator) during a meeting of the project implemtation committee of the Christopher Kolade Professorial Chair in Corporate Governance being organised by the Sigma Educational Foundation

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CAPITAL MARKET

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 15/07/2013

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NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 15/07/2013

PrICE GAINErS

lOSErS

Intraday volatility hits bond market

By Bukky Olajide Or most part of last week, F[OTC] at the over the counter market, there was sustained intraday volatility as prices and yields of all tradable maturities moved in a choppy pattern.

This was due to speculations regarding the upcoming FGN bond auction and the news that the United States will continue its quantitative easing.

In addition, Dunnlorenmerrifield analysts observed a marginal increase in demand as a result of the aforementioned developments, which influenced the upward movement in the prices of the traded bonds.

The analysts believe this trend may continue until the outcome of the FGN bond auction in the week ahead, however, a readjustment is anticipated following the

outcome of the FGN bond auction.

The highest decrease in yield came from the 3M benchmark security with 77bps, while the next came from the 3Y benchmark with 31bps.

At this week’s FGN bond auction, N20billion worth of 4.00 April 23, 2015 (5year) and N35billion worth of 10.00 July 23, 2030 (20year) bonds will be issued.

Analysts equally anticipate OMO bills maturity worth

N126.56billio and in view of these, expect the likely increase in system liquidity to be checked by the CBN’s open market operations.

In line with analysts’ expectations, overall direction of the market during the review week was dictated by the treasury and OMO bills auctions and the release of the July 2013 FGN bonds auction offer circular.

At the treasury bills auction, N20.16 billion worth of the

91day-bill was offered and sold at the rate of 11.50 percent against 11.62percent at the previous auction, whilst N50.40billion worth of 182day was offered and sold at 12.75 percent - same as that of the last auction.

Total subscription at the auction was N178.60billion versus N246.60 billion at the previous auction. However, we note that only the 91day and 182day treasury bills benchmarks were offered

and sold during the week’s auction as against all three benchmarks (that is, 91day, 182day and 364day) sold during the previous auction.

In addition, a total of N48.52 billion worth of treasury bills across maturities was allotted on a non-competitive basis against N92.62billion during the last auction.

However, the reason for this allotment was not disclosed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

NSE’s market capitalisation rises further by N107 b

By Helen Oji price gains FtheOllOwING recorded by virtually all bluechip companies, transactions on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange re-opened in an upbeat yesterday, resulting to a further rise in market capitalisation by N107billion.

Specifically, market capitalisation appreciated by 0.90

per cent to N107 billion, to N11.945 trillion from N11.838 trillion traded on Friday.

Similarly, the All Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 337.83 basis points to close at 37720.32 points from 37382.49 point recorded previously.

Further review of yesterday’s trading showed that investors bought 189.461 million shares worth N2.464 bil-

lion traded in 5291 deals against 48.790 million shares valued at N842.259 million made in 1346 deals.

A breakdown of the transaction showed that Guinness Nigeria Plc led gainers table, enhancing by N14.89 kobo to close at N266.00, 7UP followed with a gain of N4.99 kobo to close at N59.99 kobo while Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries and

Unilever appreciated by N4.87 kobo, N3.00 and N2.00 respectively to close at N74.89 kobo, N168.00 and N60.00.

On the other hand, ,CAP Plc topped the losers chart, dropping by N2.50 kobo to close N46.00, Berger Paint trailed with a loss of N1.09 kobo to close at N9.85 kobo while Arbico went down by N0.62 kobo to close at N5.60 kobo.

Other stocks that recorded price depreciation were NASCON and Eterna Oil which declined by N0.31 kobo and N0.19 kobo to close at N12.89 kobo and N3.16 kobo.

First City Monument Bank Plc recorded the highest volume of activities as it exchanged 21.478 million shares worth N106.966 million, Custodian Insurance

followed with account of 16.430 million shares valued at N26.452 million while FBN Holdings traded 13.004 million shares valued at N235.002 million.

United Bank for Africa UBA took fourth position with a total of 10.922 million shares cost N90.391 million and Zenith Bank exchanged 10.907 million shares valued at N229.319 million.

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Opinion LASG, general hospitals and primary healthcare centres

By Luke Onyekakeyah HE proposal by the Lagos State Government T (LASG) to restrict general hospitals to referral centres to encourage use of primary healthcare centres in the state may not be in the best interest of the people whose interest is being sought. The move may be counterproductive given that over the years, general hospitals have been the traditional platform for healthcare delivery to the masses of Nigerians. It has been implanted in the psyche of the people that general hospitals are there to cater for their health needs. That understanding is the same across the country. It is deep-rooted such that changing it would be revolutionary.

Many people would be cut off from accessing decent medicare if the general hospitals are restricted to only referral cases. That function, hitherto, is performed by the teaching hospitals and other specialist hospitals. General hospitals should be left to continue playing their traditional role within the healthcare system since they are not found only in Lagos State.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had the other day at the inauguration of Eredo Primary Healthcare Centre in Epe Constituency II, hinted that soon, “access to the general hospitals may be restricted to referrals to encourage the use of primary healthcare centres in the state”. He reportedly cited example with the United Kingdom, where he said, no specialist doctor would attend to any patient without a referral from a general practitioner. And as if to buttress his point, he said, “Very soon, no doctor will attend to you in the general hospitals except you have a referral note from a primary healthcare centre. What you seek in the UK is now here with you, you do not have to travel long distance anymore”. He urged residents to use PHCs for such cases as ante-natal, child delivery, malaria fever and typhoid fever.

The governor concluded by saying, “What we seek to achieve is to build a referral healthcare system that moves from a robust and intensive grassroots healthcare, starting from a 24hour service delivery at the various local governments, through to the general hospi-

tals and up to the teaching hospitals”.

From the foregoing statement by the governor, it is obvious that what the LASG is embarking on is revolutionary in the healthcare delivery system. That is good so long as it will be sustained without being disrupted along the line. The idea is similar to what obtains in the developed world where the system is ordered from the community level and the people are attuned to it. But that system is completely different from what we have here in Nigeria. There is an established system here that the people are accustomed to. Changing it for a better alternative is not something that should be done with executive fiat. A thorough and concerted preparation must be done and the fundamentals put in place before implementation. In as much as I am aware that the LASG is not waiting or comparing itself with any state in Nigeria but instead is striving to compare with major cities in the developed world, the process of reaching that goal should be taken step by step strategically in order not to dislocate the established system. That will cause havoc.

With regard to the proposal in view, the fundamentals include well-equipped and functional primary healthcare centres spread across all the local government areas in the state. Using the statistics of attendance from the existing general hospitals, the primary healthcare centres should be enough to take the number at that level in order not to deny people medical attention. It will be wrong if in a local government area that has a general hospital that attends to about 500 patients daily, a small primary healthcare centre that can’t attend up to 200 patients is put in place and the 500 patients are expected to go there. There would be harvest of deaths if that were the case. It therefore means that there should be commensurate primary healthcare centres in all the local government areas that would be able to attend to all the patients that were catered for by the general hospitals. There is no need rushing to implement the new system when the necessary structures have not been put in place. The best way to go about doing this is to have a strategic plan and target date when the new system will take off. The date should be publicized and the public enlightened to re-order their medical

needs along the line of the new system. If that is done, it would be another innovation that obtains only in Lagos State. But to foist the new system on the people without adequate preparation and enlightenment will be counterproductive.

For instance, I tried to find out how many primary healthcare centres are currently in existence in the state. I discovered that there are at present seven primary healthcare centres. They include Arobadade PHC - Arobadade Street Ilaje; Amukoko PHC - Ojo Road Amukoko; Musa Road PHC - Musa Road, Itire Ijesha; Olojowon PHC Badia; Amukoko PHC - Cemetery Road (opposite Taxi Park); Agege PHC - Inside LGA Secretariat and Bariga PHC - Oloja Street. In addition, the state government plans to construct the following PHCs: Igbo Owu PHC - behind Igbo Owu School Complex, Mushin; Orile Agege PHC - inside Orile Agege LGA Secretariat; Makoko PHC Act of Apostle Road Makoko and Amukoko PHC - Alafia Bus Stop, Badagry Express. When these are completed, that will bring to 11 the number of primary healthcare centres in the state. Effectively, only seven PHCs are operational. But they are not well equipped as the general hospitals. Many people don’t even know about their existence.

While there are seven PHCs, with a possibility of 11 if things go as planned, there are at present 25 general hospitals in Lagos State. The question then arises – how do you equate 25 general hospitals that are not enough to cater for the teeming population with seven (or 11) primary healthcare centres? It is obvious that the foundation of what the state government is planning is not yet laid; I mean, a “referral healthcare system that moves from a robust and intensive grassroots healthcare”, in the words of the governor. A lot still needs to be done before the state can implement this vibrant and progressive healthcare programme.

It is too early to start comparing Lagos with UK. There is certainly no basis for comparison.

The primary health problems afflicting our people are not there. There, people are economically and socially better off than here where poverty, starvation and disease are the norm. Many parts of Lagos have no pipe borne water, while many people live in squalor in

blighted environments. So, how do you compare the two settings that are light years apart?

Lagos being the most populous state in the country with over 18 million people, the best medical programme is that which gives decent healthcare to the largest number of people at affordable price. If the existing system can achieve that, so be it; let it be improved. If the new system will do better, the right framework should be laid before it is implemented. There is presently no state in the country that can boast of having adequate healthcare system. The LASG has been making frantic effort to improve and cope with the increasing medicare needs in the state.

The general hospitals have not measured up to the expected standard despite the visible improvements. The general hospitals are an integral part of the entire healthcare system.

The system includes the primary healthcare centres, the general hospitals, the teaching hospitals and other specialist hospitals. Each level of the healthcare delivery system contributes to the overall success of the entire system.

Changing the established functions of a particular level would require changing the psyche of the people. That would entail massive public enlightenment, as it is revolutionary.

Even at that, an abrupt role change will be difficult to embrace. People who are not used to the PHCs may exit the healthcare system to seek alternative cure. That is why the LASG should be wary in implementing the plan to avoid dislocation in the system. It is not good to experiment with people’s lives in an attempt to test a new policy. Before the mistake is realized, enough damage would have been done that would be irredeemable.

It is not that the attempt to popularize the primary health centres (PHC) is misdirected.

Certainly not. As a matter of fact, it is worthwhile doing that. Rather than removing the traditional role of the general hospitals in an attempt to force attendance to the primary healthcare centres, these centres, which are being rehabilitated after decades of neglect should be made to complement the general hospitals in the overall interest of the public.

Women’s rights and the ‘Arab spring’

By Mounira Chaieb ECENTLY, I attended an International Forum on the rights R of women in the aftermath of the ‘Arab Spring’ in the Moroccan city of Fez. The delegates agreed that even though ‘Arab Uprisings’ between 2010 and 2011 were the most important and powerful events of 21st century, there has been a significant backlash on those rights since. “We wonder whether women have become the losers of Arab Revolts”, this is how one of the delegates opened her speech.

The delegates from 18 countries in North Africa and the Middle East, Europe, the USA and Canada convened to look at the challenges facing women post the massive political change witnessed in a number of countries in the Arab world. The conference drew attention mainly to the contrast between the prominent role played by women of all ages, ideologies, ethnicities and social status in the political mobilization leading to the uprisings in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen and the ‘degeneration’ of their rights since.

When dictators began to fall, there was relief that women could taste what political empowerment felt like. The ‘Arab Spring’ signalled to many new beginnings, possibility, and most of all hope for a better future. However, the rise of religiously dominated parties to power in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Libya meant new restrictions imposed on women.

Tunisia, once considered the most progressive of Arab countries as far as women rights are concerned, witnessed attempts by the Islamist-dominated government to reverse that.

There have been attempts by the first democratically elected Constituent Assembly to reverse the equality article enshrined in the constitution six decades ago and replace it with a new concept whereby women would ‘complement’ men instead. A relentless campaign by women rights’ defenders has man-

aged to stop that from happening. But Tunisian women are still victims of blatant discriminatory laws that do not recognize for instance marital rape or emotional abuse, and when a woman is raped by a stranger, proceedings against the accused can be dropped if he agrees to marry the victim. Women fear the loss of their unique status in the ‘new’ Tunisia.

New issues facing women in countries of Arab uprisings, range between lifting the ban on polygamy by the new ruling parties and bodies, marriage of under-age girls, introducing female circumcision in countries where the practice is totally foreign, the exclusion of women from the labour market, etc.

A major paradox that delegates agreed on is that female representation in parliaments and cabinets after the ‘Arab Spring’ has been either absent or meagre, and women activists fear Islamist parties will implement reactionary policies that discriminate on the basis of gender.

In Egypt, for example women only won eight seats out of 498 in the elected parliament – a mere two per cent (previously they held 12 per cent). There was disappointment at the new constitution and the place of women in it. It was pointed out that the new constitution was rushed amid political and ideological polarization and therefore was full of ‘loose’ terms that are subject to interpretation in relation to women and their rights as citizens. In Morocco, while there were eight women in the previous cabinet, today there is only one in the Islamist-led government. Earlier this year, the Islamist-dominated parliament adopted a decree lowering the age of marriage for girls from 18 to 16, considered by most a major setback. Moroccan feminists have protested vigorously, but to no avail.

In Libya, a first draft of the electoral law reserved 10 per cent of seats in the constituent assembly for women, but the quota was later abandoned. In Tunisia, the election in 2011 brought

49 women into the 217-seat Constituent Assembly. But 42 of these women are members of the Islamist Ennahda party, which regards Sharia (Islamic law) as the source of legislation.

Even in Turkey, it’s not good news for women either. The delegate from the country titles her paper ‘All that glitters is not gold,’ pointed to the fact that despite significant legal changes to the constitution, there has been a significant decline in the situation of women due to the ‘double standards’ by the Islamist government that claims it has official gender policies but only for the consumption of the international community.

Turkey, she said, remains a patriarchal society and women are encouraged to be educated just for the ‘well-being of the generations they raise’. She said in Turkey as in Tunisia and Morocco, ruling Islamist parties agree on the concept of ‘complementarity’ instead of equality between men and women. There was also consensus that people in countries that have witnessed uprisings have moved from ridding themselves of political dictatorships to legalizing religious ones and that a real revolution is a cultural one that gets rid of reactionary ideas and changes minds for the best of society.

Delegates also concluded that women in the Mena region (Middle East and North Africa) make up half of the population.

If this region is to achieve political and economic development, there is an urgent need for women to be part and parcel of that process and to be treated as full citizens with full and equal rights to their male counterparts. Some participants mainly from Morocco pointed that caution needs to be taken with the word ‘Arab’ when referring to the political events known as the ‘ Arab Spring’ because of other ethnic groups in the region mainly the Amazigh (Berbers) of North Africa, historically the first inhabitants of the region.

• Chaieb is a Tunisian journalist and writer based in London formerly working for the BBC.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

68

Opinion Usage of biometrics in population census (2)

By Felicia Oyekanmi Continued from yesterday HE 1991 census was the fourth attempt at orT ganizing national population census in the country, and while that attempt appeared to be an improvement over the previous censuses (Oyekanmi, 2008), the exercise, like the earlier attempts generated enormous controversy and was rejected by the National Constitutional Conference in 1994/95 (Anifowose, 2008). However, the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, overruled the rejection and made the figures as the basis for planning. The next census to be conducted in the country after the 1991 exercise was in 2006. That also was beset by some level of controversy to the extent that Lagos State had to conduct its own census, and generated figures that were at variance with those generated by the National Population and Household Census of 2006. For instance, the National Census showed the population of Lagos State as 9,013,534; while Lagos State claimed it had a population of 17.5 million people (Lagos State, 2006; National Population Commission, 2009).

Nonetheless, the 2006 census result has remained a reference point for many planning purposes in the country till now. Below is a table showing the distribution of Nigeria’s population in million, on a North-South basis, from 1911-1991 censuses.

Table 1: Distribution of Nigerian Population on North-South basis, 1911-2006 Censuses 1911• 1921• 1931• 1952/53• 1962• 1963• 1973• 1991• 2006 +

Sources: • (Udo, 1998:356). + (NPC, 2009).

The table shows that for the years beginning

from 1911, the population of the North had always exceeded that of the South except the 1962 census, which was marred by controversy and led to an order for a fresh count (Oyekanmi, 2008). Besides the 1962 figures, most of the earlier censuses such as the 1911 and 1931 were, as Oyekanmi (2008) points out, restricted to some areas; and sometimes population figures were based on conjectural estimates or through tax returns. For instance, Udo (1998) noted that during the 1931 census in the Southern Protectorate, population estimates were based on tax records, thus the aged, the infants and tax evaders and some major towns under Calabar and Owerri Provinces…were excluded from the count. While in the Northern Protectorate, two types of enumeration were carried out: the first consisted of estimates from existing records, and the second was an intensive enumeration of only five selected towns and 201 villages” (Udo, 1998; Oyekanmi, 2008: 24).

This reveals a census procedure that fell short of a credible exercise. The implication of this is that these figures could be misleading. There is a consensus among a number of scholars that successive censuses in Nigeria lacked credibility as a basis for national planning (Jerven, 2013; Anifowoshe, 2008; Edewor, 2008; Falola and Heaton; 2008; Oyekanmi, 2008; Nnorom and Kunnuji, 2006; Suberu, 2001; Adamu, 2000; Olusanya, 1983). This is as a result of the manipulation and falsification of figures that usually characterise the conduct of census in Nigeria, and generate serious controversies with the potential to ignite ethno-political tensions.

Furthermore, data from the 2006 Population and Housing census indicated that the population enumerated in the North was 75.23 million and 65.16 million in the South, which constituted 53.59 per cent and 46.4 per cent respectively of the national population (NPC, 2009). This pattern looks similar to that of 1991 as shown in Table 1.

Attempts have been made to explain why census in Nigeria is usually fraught with controversies, especially after independence in 1960. Such attempts had identified a number of factors as propellants of problematic population census in Nigeria. These factors range from tribal or ethnic loyalties to the pattern of resource distribution in Nigeria and political interests (Anifowoshe, 2008; Abdullahi, 2006; Nnorom and Kunnuji, 2006; Suberu, 2001; Ojo, 1998; Olusanyan, 1983).

In fact several conferences held by the Population Association of Nigeria since 1980 to date have highlighted the problem. This paper shall con-

sider a few of these factors, and thereafter, suggest the use of biometric measure as an additional step towards the quest for a credible population census in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic society in which competition for resource allocation from the federal to state and local government levels has created lack of trust on any exercise by government agencies such registration of people for voting, conduct of elections and populations counts.

This mistrust has been aggravated by religious sentiments that appear to demarcate the country sharply between the North and South. The country was brought together as one political entity by administrative fiat of British rule in 1914; otherwise, the area consisted of various ethnic and tribal groups (Abdullahi, 2006). Furthermore, the political events that played out in the country in the last decade before the attainment of independence in 1960, and immediately after independence, exacerbated the fragility of the union, with each political party tied to its region and ethnic enclave in manners that tended to promote tribal sentiments. The result heightened mutual suspicion and animosity among the sub-national groups or the constituent groups, with each group (overtly or covertly) trying to manoeuvre the other as they contended for supremacy, with citizens’ loyalties obviously tied to their individual ethnic groups. The contest for supremacy is further fuelled by the form of government and the mechanism for ascending political leadership; that is, democracy, which confers primacy to numerical strength. Nnorom and Kunnuji (2006) captured this when they noted that “in most democracies all over the world, number is an issue.” This is because for anyone to get the mandate to be in government, majority of the people must consider him/her fit for the post through an election.

To that extent, any person or group of persons aspiring to the position of political leadership, particularly at the centre, sees his or her ethnic group as a rallying point and primary source of support. The tendency therefore is for people to attempt to increase their number by any means as an instrument of political domination. This has been the reason for the controversies that surround censuses in Nigeria, where it is usually alleged that some groups manipulate figures or encourage the practice of double counting (a situation where one individual is counted twice at different locations). Sometimes, some ethnic groups encourage members of their group residing in other states to come to their place of

origin to be counted during census to help increase the number in the latter, and return to the former area thereafter. By so doing, they deny the governments in the place where they live the resources due them by virtue of the number of people they are to cater for in a society where population size is a decisive factor in resource allocation.

This point has equally been highlighted by Suberu (2001: 141) when he observed that “no analysis of conflict and federalism in Nigeria would be complete without a discussion of the inter-segmental and interregional struggles over the true size and geopolitical distribution of the country’s population”. The author observes that the political problems that have come to be associated with Nigeria’ censuses attest to four important facts: (i) the primacy and tenacity of ethnic identities and interests in the country; (ii) the attendant fragility of civic or national loyalties; (iii) the heavy dependence of ethno-territorial constituencies on the public sector for socioeconomic advancement and political security; and (iv) the official reliance on raw population data, not only for the demarcation of the country’s internal electoral and geopolitical boundaries, but also for the distribution of developmental patronage and other public benefits among the country’s segments of the population.

Population size is a major criterion for the allocation and distribution of national revenue, as well as the allocation of seats in the Federal Parliament (Anifowoshe, 2008). Ojo (1998) observes that, as a basis for economic development and revenue allocation in Nigeria, census has always generated controversy. The author cited the experience in November 1973, in which census results showed the distribution by state to be contrary to demographic theories, and widened the margin between the southern and northern states (Ojo, 1998). This point was corroborated by Suberu’s (2001) assertion that the relative population of constituent units has been an important factor in the allocation of federal statutory revenue and discretionary grants to the country’s financially weak states.

In fact, Nigeria is the only country where the sahel (grass land/semi desert) region is more popthe forest land region.

•ulated To be than continued.

• Professor Oyekanmi of the Department of Sociology presented this paper at the Population Association of Nigeria (PAN) First Distinguished Lecture, organized by PAN in collaboration with National Population Commission on July 4, 2013 at Abuja.

The second Ahiara declaration (2)

By Raphael Okunmuyide Continued from yesterday HE angel tells him to run away, but he carries within an inability to detach himself from evil and sin. Despite our determination to leave, there is something that pulls us back, and so Lot begins to negotiate even with the angel. It’s so hard to cut ties with a sinful situation. It is hard! Even in a temptation, it’s hard! But the voice of God tells us this word: ‘Escape! You cannot fight there, because the fire, the sulfur will kill you. Escape! St. Therese of the Child Jesus taught us that sometimes, in some temptations, the only solution is to escape and not be ashamed to escape; to recognize that we are weak and we have to escape without any nostalgia to go forward along the path of Jesus and, as the angel advised Lot: Do not look back! Move ahead!”

Apart from the priests’ failure to, at least, imitate Ojukwu’s submission of his war-struggle to God’s will above his military-victory desires, their tactics betrays a fundamental gap between Faith and Reason. It appears that they need to bridge this gap to avoid “subjective authenticity” for, as Pope Francis observed in his first Encyclical (jointly authored with Pope Benedict XVI), “Lumen Fidei” (Light of faith), “unless you believe, you will not understand (Is 7:9)” and “Faith is not intransigent and the believer is not arrogant. On the contrary, Faith renders the believer humble and leads to co-existence with and respect for others.” In this case, Reason (disguised as inflamed passion?) is very high while Faith appears to be at a much lower level; hence rather than Faith seeking Understanding, it is Understanding

“T

that needs to seek an elevated Faith to the level that can permit the critical unity between both in order to appreciate the objectivity of the truth, as Pope Francis identified the close link between faith and truth by declaring: “Faith without truth does not save.. Today we regard with suspicion the “Truth itself, the truth which would comprehensively explain our life as individuals and in society.. And since the knowledge of faith is born of God’s faithful love, “truth and fidelity go together..”

If they still doubt Pope Francis, would they also doubt Blessed/Saint John Paul II’s repeatedly emphasized need for unity between Faith and Reason through his deep Polish echo of several parts of his “Fides et Ratio” (Faith and Reason) and “Veritatis Splendor” (Splendour of Truth) encyclicals to them from heaven?

Moreover the crisis has revealed key challenges for the Church’s lopsided structure. Presently it comprises two vicariates in Bomadi and Kotangora, 9 ecclesiastical provinces and 43 suffragan dioceses. While many dioceses cover state(s)wide-areas, others cover only 2 or 3 LGAs. (Publi request for a new one-LGA-diocese has been made somewhere!) This structural lopsidedness is unwittingly promoting unhealthy inbreeding/clannish territorialism and inducing unbriddled power struggle for the creation of new dioceses/episcopal appointments in pursuit of personal/group triumphalism in the visible (quasi-commercial/NGO church?), in dis-regard of the mystical/supernatural, part of the Church without adequate/appropriate canonical/spiritual suitability. This is similar to politicians’ competition for the creation of more States/LGAs under the guise of seeking “to improve the government’s efficiency and bringing its administration closer to

the people” without regard for the country’s socio-economicand-political integrity. Hence the increased number of dioceses has heightened the pressure for diocesan balkanization towards eroding the Church’s unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity. As an example, under the current situation, is it feasible for Catholics from Awka and Ahiara dioceses to celebrate the Holy Mass in the same church, receive Holy Communion and sing the “For-we-are-one-in-the blood-of Christ” hymn with godly honesty and sincerity? And is this the type of “ekklesia” that Christ promised Peter in Caesarea Philippi?

(Mat 16:18) Secondly, perhaps it is improper to drag the Council of Catholic Knights in Ahiara dioese into this explosive disagreement between the priests and their Bishop. Except Sir Udo Anokwu, a Knight of St. John, who condemned the action of the priests, it appears strange that they have virtually played no active role in resolving the impasse. Where were the Knights in the diocese when Cardinal John Onaiyekan was locked out of the cathedral for about two hours when he came to appease the priests some months ago and when “the youths” locked the cathedral on 21/05/13, vowing not to allow the Bishop into the cathedral while insisting that the diocese will remain without a bishop indefinitely? This seems to be surprising in view of their role in defending the church especially in a crisis situation beyond their ceremonial appearances at liturgical functions. Could it be that they are more comfortably silent during the day time but active in consulting behind the scene at “night” time as Nichodemus habitually did with Christ?

• To be continued.

69

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Law

Quote of the week “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

Robert F. Kennedy judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke

Law should reflect societal mores, says Adekoya Interview

By Bertram Nwannekanma

The current efforts by the National Assembly to further amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has continued to generate a lot of debates among stakeholders, who query the propriety of the law makers to give Nigerians the much- awaited people’s constitution. Some of the groups are not comfortable with the way and manner the exercise is being executed, which they say, is tailored towards favouring some interested parties, especially on some contentious issues like immunity clause, political office holders’ tenure, rotational presidency and local council autonomy.

However, in this encounter, a Lagosbased Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and partner in ǼLEX Law Firm, Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya, provides a fulcrum in which a constitutional review should revolve. She also gave insights on the forthcoming ǼLEX’s ninth yearly lecture, and why the firm chose the theme: “In God’s Name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development” for the lecture.

SKED to comment on the current efforts to A amend the Constitution and what aspect of the grund norm, she would like to see amended to reflect the people’s will and thus, maintain the societal equilibrium, the learned silk was of the view that as long as the people do not buy into any constitutional amendments, they will not have the desired effect.

She said: “Law is supposed to reflect the societal mores of the people at any point in time.

Currently, the people want the Immunity Clause removed from the Constitution in respect of criminal matters. Our executive officers, who will be affected, are opposed to this.

They need to tell us why some 100 political office- holders, purportedly elected by ‘we the people’ know better than those who elected them, and whom they are supposed to represent. Their current explanation of such criminal actions constituting a ‘distraction’ for political office holders does not hold water.

On her assessment of Nigerian legal practice, vis-à-vis access to justice, quicker dispensation of justice and the recent service directive by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to judges, Mrs. Adekoya reacted thus: “I think we still have a long way to go. Before we reach the Promised Land. Criminal justice is still unduly delayed, due to, in no small way, the outdated system, which we currently operate. The CJN’s directive to judges in this regard is a step in the right direction, but much more

needs to be done. Hopefully, the promised speedy passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice bill will help, although as lawyers, we need to move away from the culture of impunity which presently pervades the country, and which gives the impression that we are not serious about providing justice to the victims of crimes, whether they are individuals, corporate entities or the State itself.

There have been some improvements in the civil justice system, mostly due to front-loading practices introduced by High Court Civil Procedure Rules, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Fast track rules and many others.

Asked to comment on choice of theme for LEX 2013 lecture, Adekoya said it was influenced by the mirage of security challenges, the country is facing and the imminent repercussions on the country’s eco-

We are known for our choice of hot topics at these yearly gatherings. So this year, we have put

nomic development.

“Political stability has been identified as one of the key factors to economic stability, and as the political climate heats up ahead of the 2015 elections, the relationship between politics, religion, security and how these affect the Adekoya economic development of the nation becomes more glaring and further heightened by current happenings together an around the country. impressive line-up of speakers to address the It is for this reason that, LEX, has chosen this theme “In God’s Name: Politics, Religion and burning issue as the focus of its ninth yearly lec- Economic Development”. ture taking place in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Associate Director and Scholar in “ Each year, we try to select a topic that high- Residence of the Religious Freedom Project, lights a ‘front burner’ issue for all Nigerians. Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World This year’s topic ‘Religion, Politics and Affairs, Professor Timothy Samuel Shah, will Economic Development’ focuses on the ten- be the Guest Speaker at the event, while sions between the major religions in the coun- Justice Mustapha Akanbi, a former President try and its political implications, the Boko of the Court of Appeal will chair the event. To Haram threat and the potential repercussions discuss the issues arising from the lecture are on the country’s economic development.

Rt. Rev. George Bako, a retired Bishop of

The people want the immunity clause removed from the constitution in respect of criminal matters. Our executive officers, who will be affected, are opposed to this. They need to tell us why some 100 political office-holders, purportedly elected by ‘We the people’ know better than those who elected them, and whom they are supposed to represent. Their current explanation of such criminal actions constituting a ‘distraction’ for political office- holders does not hold water.

Lokoja, Anglican Communion; human rights activist and President of the Civil Rights Congress, Mallam Shehu Sani and the Co -Vice-Chair, International Crisis Group; Ayo Obe. On the significance of the topic to the business and practice of law, the learned silk, said the firm generally tends not to focus on topics that are directly significant to the business or practice of law and so any relevance is purely tangential.

Asked to comment on the impact of the previous lectures to the generality of Nigerians, she said the lectures were aimed at providing a forum for an open and focused discussion on a topic that may otherwise be highly emotional.

You will recall that the yearly event com-

menced in 2005 and is organized to commemorate the formation of LEX on July 1, 2004, which was borne out of a merger of four leading law firms with diversified practice areas.

Past lectures have focused on a number of topical issues, such as: “The Regulator in a Deregulated Economy” (2005), “Competition Policy as an Engine for Economic Growth” (2006), “Corporate Governance: Who profits?” (2007), “Freedom of information: Balancing the Public’s right to know against the individual’s right to privacy” (2008), “How Ghana Kept the Lights On” (2009), “Taxation without Representation” (2010), “Corruption, the Thief in Broad Daylight” (2011). “This House Must Not Fall: Constitutional Reform and the People’s Will.” (2012). “ In that respect we have succeeded. An added bonus is the passage of a reviewed Code of Corporate Governance a year after we made it the topic of our Annual Lecture; same for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act after we had discussed the topic,” she added.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

70 LAW

LawReport Plaintiff cannot seek declaration of rights without questions for determination (2)

By Ibe Uwaleke, Head, Judicial Desk In the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Holden at Abuja, On Friday, April 12, 2013, Before their Lordships: Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, Justice, Supreme Court; Muhammad Saifullah Muntaka-Coomassie, Justice, Supreme Court; Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Justice, Supreme Court; Olukayode Ariwola, Justice, Supreme Court; Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Justice, Supreme Court; SC.232/2012; SC.326/2012; SC.350/2012 (Consolidated) Between Mrs. Susan Olapeju Sinmosola Olley (appellant) and Hon. Olukolu Ganiyu Tunji Action Congress of Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (respondents) Action Congress of Nigeria and Hon. Olukolu Ganiyu Tunji……….(1st respondent), Mrs. Susan Olapeju Sinmosola Olley……. (2nd respondent), Independent National Electoral Commission…

(3rd respondent) Mrs. Susan Olapeju Sinmosola Olley…(appellant) and Hon. Olukolu Ganiyu Tunji, Independent National Electoral Commission Action Congress of Nigeria (respondent).

Judgment delivered by Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta

GAINST this decision, both Olley and ACN A headed to the Supreme Court with separate appeals, which were heard simultaneously on February 7, 2012, with suit Nos: 238/2012, SC. 326/2012 and SC 350/2012. All the appeals were consolidated before they were heard.

In the appeals, the two parties formulated 12 grounds for determination. Among the

grounds for determination are “Whether the originating summons as couched without any questions for determination is competent and/or vests any jurisdiction in the lower court to adjudicate on any purported claim of the 1st plaintiff/respondent and having regard to the clear wordings of Section 33 and 97(10) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the binding decision of the Supreme Court in respect of the right of a political party to nominate and sponsor candidates for any elective political office.

They also sought to know whether the lower court was not in grave error in its decision imposing the 1st respondent as the candidate of the second respondent in the AmuwoOdofin Federal Constituency election.

In issue one, learned senior counsel for the appellant submitted that it is the question for determination that will invite the court to look at the declaratory reliefs in the originating summons, adding that without questions for determination or resolution, an originating summons is not properly constituted and ipso facto the court has no jurisdiction to determine it.

Learned counsel also argued that the questions for determination in an originating summons constitute the conditions precedent for a court to assume jurisdiction in any matter commenced by originating summons. He relied on Atolagbe V. Awuni (1997) 9 NWLR (Pt. 422) 536 P.481.

In issue four, counsel to the appellants argued that the court below misconstrued Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Supreme Court decision in Amaechi V. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1080) 227, and came to the wrong conclusion in its decision. He said Section 87(10) of the Electoral Act did not give the court unrestricted jurisdiction in the internal affairs of a political party in its choice of a candidate to fly its flag at any election, adding that the jurisdiction of a court in a dispute arising from a political party’s choice of candidate is restricted and not omnibus.

In conclusion, learned counsel for the appel-

Justice Mukhtar (CJN) lants urged the Supreme Court to resolve the whole issues in favour of the appellant (Olley) and allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court, which affirmed the judgment of the trial High Court.

But counsel to the respondent (Tunji) in countering the submissions made by counsel to the appellants, relied on Section 87 of the Electoral Act and submitted that it is erroneous to argue in reliance upon the cases of Onuoha and Dalhatu, “that a court of law has no jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of a political party, particularly in choice of its candidates,” adding that a political party, which fails to comply with the procedure laid down in the said Section of the Act invites the intervention not interference of the court.

Learned counsel for the respondent, therefore, urged the court not to disturb the concurrent findings of fact by the courts below to the effect that the 1st respondent was the candidate who scored the highest votes at the primaries. He relied on Igwelo V. Ezeugo (1992) 6

NWLR (Pt. 249) 561 and Kareem V. Mosaku (2007) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1064) 523 at 536 and urged the court not to disturb the findings of the two courts below not shown to be perverse.

But in deciding the matter, the apex court resolved all the issues in favour of the appellant, adding that the issue on technicality, which the courts below regarded as mere issue that should not affect the substance of the case, was key in resolving the dispute.

According to the court, it will be a mere academic exercise for the court to determine the questions without a prayer for declaration of rights and the declaration rights without questions for determination should be brought by writ of summons.

On the issue of findings by the lower courts, the apex court held that it will disturb concurrent findings of the two courts below if the findings were perverse or based on wrong premises in which case the court, has a right and indeed a duty to set aside such findings, which it finally did. The apex court in reaching this decision relied on Ebba V. Egode (1984) 4 SC 84 and Njoku and Ors. V. Emeh and Ors. (1973) 5 SC 293 at 306.

In coming to the conclusion of his verdict, Ngwuta said, “it is my view that the appeal be, and is hereby allowed. The judgment of the court below and that of the trial court which it affirmed, are hereby set aside. I order that the originating summons before the trial Federal High Court, sitting at Ikeja, Lagos, be and is hereby sent back to the trial court for the parties to file pleadings.”

As for costs, Justice Ngwuta made the first respondent to bear the brunt. He held: “The 1st respondent (Tunji) shall pay costs assessed and fixed at N100,000 to the appellant (Olley).

Representations: Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), (with him, Gbenga Adeyemi, Bukola Araromi, Dayo Adesina and Bala Aidi), for the Appellant.

O. Soforowo (with him, E.E. Ikolode), for the 1st respondent.

Dr. Muiz Banire for 2nd respondent.

O. Osaze Uzzi for 3rd respondent.

Public Officers’ Protection Act cannot avail on officer who acted outside his constitutional duty (3) In the Court of Appeal In the Lagos Judicial Division Holden at Lagos, On Wednesday, March 27, 2013, Before their Lordships: Ibrahim M.M. Saulawa, Justice, Court of Appeal; Chima Centus Nweze, Justice, Court of Appeal; Chinwe Eugenia Iyizoba, Justice, Court of Appeal; CA/L/660/10 In the matter of an application brought

by Daniel Makolo and five others for determination of the application of the Federal Government’s Monetisation Policy of 2003.

Between 1.Mr. D. Makolo 2.Mr. M.B. Ibrahim 3.Mrs. M.O Oguntobi 4.Mr. Dehinde Gbenga 5.Mr. Atiku Abubakar 6.Mr. Mike Anyanwu (Suing for themselves and on behalf of all the 144 evicted service tenants of Eric Moore Towers, Surulere, Lagos)—(Appellants) and 1.The Minister, Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, 2.The Attorney-General of The Federation and

Minister of Justice, 3.The Chairman of the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Property, 4.The Secretary of the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Property— (Respondents).

HESE three characteristics have been adumbrated over and over again in subsequent decisions of the apex court and of this court. They include the cases, already, cited above. For their bearing on this judgment, some of these postulations may be noted here. According to the authorities, a respondent’s notice is limited to points which have arisen in the appeal, Ogwuma Associated Co Nig Ltd v IBWA (supra); where a respondent wants a reversal of the decision on certain exhibits or findings at the lower court, his correct procedure would be by way of a cross appeal and not a respondent’s notice, Onyekan v B.P. Nig Ltd (supra); Ogwuma Associated Co Nig Ltd v IBWA (supra). The other examples include: where there are several parties and the respondent seeks to vary the decision or order of the court on a point in which the appellant has no interest.

T

Justice Bulkachuwa Acting PCA Clearly from the above adumbrations on the import of Order 9 Rule 2 (then applicable but the same as Order 9 Rule 2 of the 2011 Rules of this court), the sort of complaint on which the above respondents anchored their said Notice does not come within the contemplation of the procedure ordained in Order 9 (supra). Their grievance is akin to a complaint that the case as pleaded was not the case that the lower court considered. Surely, all such complaints are matters for a cross appeal

and not suitable for agitation through a respondent’s notice under Order 9 (supra). Against this background, we have no hesitation in endorsing the contention of the appellants’ counsel that “if it is true that the trial court did not consider (the four issues): the respondent’s notice was not “the appropriate route to give this court jurisdiction to make pronouncements thereon. We, hereby, enter an order dismissing the said respondent’s notice filed pursuant to an order of this court granted on May 17, 2011. We, now, turn to the main appeal.

As noted earlier, the appellants formulated two issues for the determination of their appeal. The first, third and fourth respondents set out four issues for the resolution of the questions in this appeal. On other hand, the second respondent formulated just one issue. We have perused the respective issues, which the parties formulated. We adopt the two issues, which the appellants set out for the determination of this appeal.

However, for reasons that would be made obvious anon, we are satisfied that the appellants’ first issue is sufficient to depose of this appeal. The crux of the averments in paragraphs 24-30 of the affidavit, pages 11-12 of the

record is that the respondents started a brazen and forcible eviction of the plaintiffs while an order of court against same was subsisting.

The precise nature of the protection, which the above section affords public officers have, from time, been subject of numerous judicial views.

Indeed, such other questions include the critical one whether matters which could not, properly, be classified as acts or omissions of a public officer arising from his execution of a public duty or authority come under the protective umbrella of the Act. This impregnable position brings us to the crux of the appellants’ agitation that the said Act did not apply to their action because the action of the respondents was done in bad faith having been carried out in violation of an existing court order as shown in paragraphs 24-30 of the affidavit in support of the summons, pages 11-12 on record. We are, somewhat surprised at the responses of the respondents to this submission having regard to the settled jurisprudence on forceful evictions, Military Governor of Lagos State and Ors v Ojukwu and Anor (1986) LPELRSC. 241/1985.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

LAW 71

FamilyLaw

I always compare marriage to communism. They’re both institutions that don’t conform to human nature, so you’re going to end up with lying and hypocrisy.

——BILL MAHER, Rolling Stone, Aug. 24, 2006

Understanding valid, irregular, void marriages ARRIAGE is a civil contract, which is made M by parties for the sole purpose and object of benefiting themselves. It is a method to legalize the cohabitation of a man and a woman and issues out of this union are legitimate. Under Islamic law, contract of marriage need not to be proved through a written document.

Meaning of marriage: Marriage means wedlock, the mutual relation of the husband and wife. It is a contract for the legalization of intercourse and procreation of children.

Definition of marriage: Hedeya: Marriage is defined to be a contract which has for its object the procreation and legalizing of children.

According to Ameer Ali: Marriage is an institution ordained for the protection of society, and in order that human being may guard themselves from foulness and unchastity.

Proof of marriage: Marriage can be proved by two modes. (i) By the direct evidence of the witnesses. (ii) By the written document i. e. documentary evidence.

Presumption of marriage: If there is no direct evidence or documentary

evidence such case prolonged and continues living together as husband and wife shall be presumed as marriage.

Classification of marriage: Classification of marriage is as under. (a) Valid. (b) void. (c) Irregular. (a) Valid: A marriage which conforms in all respects whit the law is called valid marriage.

Void: A void marriage is one which is unlawful in itself the prohibition against the marriage being perpetual and absolute. so it is no marriage at all.

(I) Examples: (i) Marriage without the consent of either party. (ii) A marriage prohibited on the ground of affinity. (iii) A marriage prohibited on the ground of consanguinity. (v) A marriage with the wife of another person.

Irregular: An irregular marriage is one which is not unlawful in itself, but unlawful for something else. in irregular marriage irregularity arises from an accidental circumstances.

Legal effect of valid marriage: Following are the legal effects of valid marriage.

Lawful sexual intercourse: The sexual inter course becomes lawful.

Mutual rights of inheritance: Mutual rights of inheritance are established.

Legitimacy of child: The children born out of the wedlock are legitimate.

Right of maintenance: The wife becomes entitled for maintenance.

Right of dower: The wife becomes entitled to dower.

No right of interest in property: Neither of the spouse acquire any interest in property of the other by reason of marriage.

Observation of Iddat: The wife has to observe the iddat in case of death of her husband or in case of divorce.

Rules of affinity: The rules of affinity come into operation in case of valid marriage.

(I) Examples: (i) A marriage without witnesses. (ii) A marriage with a woman observing Iddat. (iii) A marriage prohibited on ground of difference of religion. (iv) A marriage with two sister at the same time. (v) A marriage to a fifth wife.

Legal effects of void marriage: Following are the legal effects of void marriage.

No rights and obligation: The void marriage creates no right and obligation upon any party.

Illegitimate children: The children born out of such marriage are illegitimate.

No rights to inheritance: The death of one them dose not entitle the other to inherit form the deceased.

(III) Legal effect of irregular marriage: (i) Legal effect where consummation has not taken place: The irregular marriage has not legal effect if consummation has not taken place.

YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi Exercise of residual power of States’ Houses of Assembly HE powers conferred on the states T under the 1999 Constitution are spelt out in Section 4(7) of the Constitution. The section provides in section 4(7) that the House of Assembly of a State shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State or any part thereof with respect to the following matters, that is to say: a) Any matter not included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution b) Any matter included in the Concurrent Legislative List set out in the First Column of Part 11 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution to the extent prescribed in the Second Column opposite thereto and c) Any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provision of this Constitution The Supreme Court in interpreting this provision in Attorney General of Abia State v Attorney General of the Federation (2002) 17 WRN 1, held that the implication of the section is that, “a State House of Assembly can legislate on matters on the concurrent list as well as all others which are not on either of those two lists except where the matter is incidental or supplementary to matters on the exclusive legislative list”.

Matters that are not either on the Exclusive List or Concurrent List, are usually referred to as residual matters.

In view of the decision cited above and a number of other decisions, only the states are competent to legislate on residual matters.

In Fawehinmi v Babangida (2003) 3 NWLR, part 808, Pg 604, the fourth respondent, General Olusegun Obasanjo, upon his assumption of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999 after a long period of military rule, set up a Commission of Enquiry headed by

Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. The terms of reference of the Commission were to inquire into various cases of human right abuses, which took place during the military era. The Commission was to receive petitions from individuals. Pursuant to its power, the Commission called for petitions from members of the public and invited individuals against whom the petition was directed to appear before the Commission. The appellant, Chief Gani Fawehinmi presented a petition to the Commission against the first respondent, General Ibrahim Babangida and others accusing them of being responsible for the death of Dele Giwa. In inquiring into the allegation against the 1st respondent, the Commission invited the 1st respondent and others to appear before the Commission to answer the allegations leveled against him in the petition. The first Respondent was aggrieved and rather than appearing before the Commission, he instituted an action at the Federal High Court, challenging the competence of President Obasanjo and the Federal Government to set up the Commission on the ground that the terms of reference of the Commission, not being issues on the exclusive and concurrent legislative lists are residual matters which fall within the purview of the State powers.

Accordingly, he urged the court to pronounce the Commission illegal and to set aside the invitation to him by the Commission. The Federal High Court found in favour of the firstRespondent. Chief Fawehinmi, not being satisfied by the decision appealed against it. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the lower court, holding that inquiry into human right abuses is a residual matter and accordingly, the Federal Government lacked competence to

set up the Commission with a nationwide jurisdiction. Had the terms of reference of the Commission been limited to human right abuses within the FCT Abuja, the Commission would have been properly set up since only the Federal Government has competent legislative right for the FCT even on residual matters.

Similarly, in Attorney General of Lagos State v Attorney General of the Federation (2003) NWLR, pt 833, p 1, the subject matter of litigation was the Town Planning Decree, 1992. The law was promulgated in 1992 by the then Military Government, when the Constitution was suspended and the present power-sharing formula was not applicable. The tenor of the Decree was the procedure to follow in planning the towns and cities across the country as well as the composition of the Committee to oversee and enforce the provision of the Decree.

The plaintiff Lagos State, not being satisfied with the Decree instituted an action at the Supreme Court against the Federal Government. Upon the order of the court, some other States of the Federation were joined as parties to the suit. The contention of the first plaintiff Lagos State was that Town Planning not being an item under the Exclusive Legislative List and the Concurrent List, is a residual matter and accordingly, the provision of the Decree, which empowers the committee set up under it to supervise and enforce town planning regulations across the country is a usurpation of the powers of the States to do same within their boundary and therefore unconstitutional. The plaintiff then urged the court to nullify the decree and set aside some licences and approvals granted by the Federal Government pursuant to its power under the decree. The court agreed with the first plaintiff that the decree in so far as it purports to regulate town planning in the States of the

Federation is unconstitutional because town planning is a residual matter. The court however did not nullify the entire Decree rather the court held that the application of its provision is limited to Abuja FCT. The court did not also set aside some of the approvals already granted under the Decree by the Federal Government.

It should be noted that the power of a State to legislate on residual matters is limited to its territorial boundary and therefore any State law that purports to regulate on inter-States affair will be unconstitutional. See Attorney General of the Federation v Aberuagba (1985) 2 NWLR (pt 87) 444, where the Supreme Court held that the Ogun State law which sought to regulate inter-State trade and commerce was unconstitutional. On the other hand, the Lagos State law which regulated intra-State trade and commerce was in order.

However in spite of what appears to be a settled area of the law in residual matters as discussed above, the Supreme Court arguably introduced some confusion in Attorney General of Ondo State v Attorney General of the Federation (2001) 9 NWLR pt 772, p 722.

In that case, the National Assembly enacted the ICPC Act, setting up a Commission to combat corruption in the country, the powers of the Commission covered prosecution of corruption cases across the country.

The Ondo State government, challenged at the Supreme Court, the competence of the National Assembly to enact the Act with nation-wide jurisdiction.

As usual, the contention was that corruption was not an item either on the exclusive legislative list or under the concurrent list and that being so is a residual matter within the competence of the states. The Supreme Court found in favour of the Act, holding that the combined effect of sections 4(2), 15(5) and item 60(a) of the exclu-

Justice Oputa(rtd) sive list is that the National Assembly can establish and regulate authorities for the Federation or any part thereof for the promotion and enforcement of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in chapter 2 of the Constitution.

This decision of the court has been criticized. The substance of the criticisms is that section 15(5) of the Constitution under which corruption was mentioned is non-justiciable under section 6(b) (5) of the Constitution. Therefore, creation of offences on corruption pursuant to section 15(5) cannot be seen as incidental to the authority under item 60(a). This submission was made by Professor Ben Nwabueze, one of the counsels invited as amicus curiers by the Supreme Court in the same case.

See also Constitutional Law In Nigeria, Kehinde M. Mowoe, 2008, Multihouse Press Ltd, Suru-Lere, Lagos, at page 59, where the author noted that the effect of the decision of the Supreme Court is to annul the provision of section 6(6)(c) which approach is not desirable.

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

74

Sports ‘Gay, Powell’s case further vindicates Chidi Imoh’

By Christian Okpara OR a long time during his FNigerian athletics career, former sprint champion, Chidi Imoh complained that the times returned by his opponents, mostly American, British, Canadian and Jamaican runners, were not ordinary.

Short of accusing them of using performance-enhancing drugs to achieve their feats at the Olympics and World Championships, Imo believed that one needed extraordinary help to run the times such athletes did while competing against him.

Imoh, always among the world’s best in his days, never managed to win a major championship like the Olympics despite the enormous talents he possessed.

When in 1988, Ben Johnson was caught and disgraced for cheating with drugs at the Seoul Olympics, Imoh felt that the investigation was not thorough as the first four finishers in that 100 metres race could not have done that without extra help.

But like a lone voice in the wilderness, nobody heeded his call for thorough investigation of those ‘fantastic athletes.’

Ironically, Imoh was later sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for doping.

Before the 100 metres final at the Seoul Olympics, the then head of the British Olympic Association, Arthur Gold had claimed that more than half of all competitors had at the very least experimented with performanceenhancing drugs.

Speaking on the latest drugs scandal involving Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, sports lawyer, Sabinus Ikewuaku, told The Guardian yesterday that he was not surprised that “this has happened because I have been wondering how a human being can achieve the times these people run these days.

“They say it is the result of improved sports science, but we are talking of human beings doing 9.72 seconds. It is incredible and I tell you, we are yet to see the last of it.

“It brings me to the case of Chidi Imoh, who lamented after falling off the 100 metres medal podium in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics that most of the other sprinters were not clean. Since then, the authorities have not managed to keep the sport clean.”

Ikewuaku said that if proper screening is carried out on all the leading athletes, more of them would be found wanting.

Also speaking on the issue, Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Medical Director, Ken Anugweje attributed the dope scandal to the athletes’ desperation to keep up with their peers despite their ages.

According to Anugweje, when an athlete clocks 30 his body finds it difficult to cope with the daily training regime required at the elite athletics level.

“Some of these athletes resort to supplement because their bodies can no longer take the stress associated with the sport.

“Gay said he did not intentionally take any performance-enhancing drug, adding that he took what somebody he trusted gave to him.

“Wait for Usain Bolt, if he clocks 30 and dose not quit the sport, he might be tempted to go the same route.

“But I don’t think it is a state policy to cheat unlike what obtained in the old West Germany. This is just unfortunate,” he said.

Gay, who once signed up to Project Believe, a U.S. AntiDoping Agency initiative paving the way for extra drug testing, boasted the fastest three times in the world this year, with a best of 9.75sec in June.

But it transpired that an outof-competition test on May 16 had come back positive for an, as yet, unnamed illegal substance. His B sample has yet to be tested but that could be done as early as this week.

Regardless of the outcome, he has already said that he plans to withdraw from the World Championships, ruling out a potential showdown with Usain Bolt, the Olympic champion.

Gay, three times a world champion and the secondfastest man of all time, said, “my career and my name have always been better than medals or records or anything like that. I have always wanted a clean name with anything. Unfortunately, I have to break this news, that I have a positive A sample.

“I don’t have a sabotage story. I don’t have any lies. I don’t have anything to say to make this seem like it was a mistake or it was on USADA’s hands, someone playing games. I don’t have any of those stories, I basically put my trust in someone and was let down.

“They (USADA) already know it is some type of accident... but I can’t discuss it right now.

I’m going to be honest with USADA about everything, everybody I have been with, every supplement I have ever taken, every company I have ever dealt with, everything.”

Drug test failure, tragedy for athletics, say Black, others drugs tests for two FareAILED of the fastest ever sprinters a “tragedy” for the sport,

Caught…American sprinter, Tyson Gay.

Italian police raid Jamaican sprinters’ hotel and nobody has been placed before drawing conclusions.

TALIAN police confiscated under investigation.” The raid “The Jamaican team has choIterday unknown substances yestook place at the Fra i Pini sen the sports facilities of in a raid on the hotel where Jamaican sprinters, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson, were staying after each tested positive for banned stimulants.

Rooms of the athletes and physical trainer, Christopher Xuereb of Canada, were searched and drugs and muscle supplements were seized, Udine Police Captain, Antonio Pisapia said.

Pisapia said it was unclear if the drugs and muscle supplements were legal or illicit and that the substances were being analysed.

“We are examining the substances now,” Pisapia said.

“No arrests have been made

hotel in Lignano Sabbiadoro in northeastern Italy.

Powell, a former worldrecord holder at 100 metres, and Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships last month, their agent announced on Sunday.

The police captain with the specialised NAS unit added that Powell and Simpson were informed of the positive tests on Saturday morning.

The raid came in stark contrast to the usual warm reception that the runners generally receive in Lignano, and the town’s Mayor, Luca Fanotto recommended “caution”

Lignano Sabbiadoro as their training base for years and they never forget to thank the city from podiums all over the world,” Fanotto said in a statement.

A local athletics meet is scheduled for today in Lignano and the Jamaicans had been scheduled to compete as they do most years. However, neither Powell nor Simpson were on start lists released yesterday.

The news of the positive tests for Powell and Simpson came the same day that American 100-metre record holder, Tyson Gay, revealed that he also failed a doping test.

says United Kingdom Athletics performance director Neil Black.

Former world champion Tyson Gay, from America, and Jamaica’s ex-100m world record holder Asafa Powell, both 30, recently tested positive for banned drugs.

Black said his initial reaction to the news was “shock and amazement.”

He added, “then you rapidly go through to the tragedy, the shock to the sport, that it doesn’t do the sport any good.”

Gay, the joint-second fastest man ever over 100m, was told by the United States AntiDoping Agency on Friday that his A sample from an out-of-competition test in May was positive.

Powell, the all-time fourth quickest man over 100m, tested positive for a banned stimulant at June’s Jamaican Championships.

Black, who took over as UK Athletics performance director in September 2012, said the positive tests made him question everything.

“People start making comparisons, start thinking ‘goodness, if that can happen to somebody at that level...

How? Why?’ You rapidly go off with that questioning,” said Black.

“It just triggers you off to think if it is possible to be even more diligent in our awareness, if it is possible for us to remind athletes of their responsibility and accountability for all these things, to make sure they are looking at every aspect of what they do, what they take, when they take it, why they take it.

Check, check, check, check, check.

“When in doubt, don’t take it.”

Powell has insisted he had never “knowingly” doped, while Gay, who is waiting for his B sample, said “I basically put my trust in someone and was let down”.

AFN to revamp its training methods after IAAF poor outing HE Technical Director, T Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, yesterday said it would revamp the training methods of its coaches.

Nesiama told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the AFN would ensure that coaches adopted more pragmatic approaches to improve the performance of their wards.

The technical director was reacting to the country’s inability to win medals at the just concluded Eighth International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships

in Ukraine, which held from July 10 to July 14.

“Competitions are meant to test the effect of training efforts put into an athlete. The result achieved at the World Youth Championships indicates whether the programme is right, adequate or not.

“This is the reason why exposure of our athletes to international competitions of this nature is imperative. It helps erase the fear factor and boosts confidence to enhance performance.

“From what we have seen, we now know the areas to make changes in our training strategy in order to assure podium

performance in future meet.

“Our coaches will have to be re-tooled no doubt, and be more scientific in their training application,’’ he said.

He also noted that the AFN would look into the area of athletes’ nutrition, which he described as ``essential to the performance of athletes.’’

In spite of the country’s poor performance at the championships, Nesiama was of the opinion that the future would be brighter for Divine Oduduru, who recorded a personal best of 21.13 seconds in the 200m event.

Oduduru surpassed the time of 21.53 seconds he recorded at the African

Youths Athletics Championships (AYAC), which held from March 27 to April 1 in Warri, Delta State.

Nesiama said the AFN would use the forthcoming National Youth Games in September to scout for replacement for the current youth athletes, who would graduate into the junior category.

“We will immediately use the forthcoming National Youth Games to scout for replacement for the current ones, most of who are advancing to the junior category,’’ he said.

He, however, said that with a lot of personal best recorded at the world meet, Nigeria still had a chance to improve.

THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SPORTS 75

Mexico 2013 World Taekwondo Championship

How I beat Chukwumerije in London, by Cuba’s Despaigne

By Olalekan Okusan RONZE medalist in the B taekwondo event of the 2012 London Olympics, Cuba’s Robelis Despaigne says his first round fight against Nigeria’s Chika Chukwumerije paved way for his success in London.

Despaigne is one of the fighters gunning for the gold medal in Chukwumerije’s +87 weight category at the on-going Mexico 2013 World Taekwondo Championship.

The athlete, who was the only Cuban athlete to win a medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, said on the eve of the world championship that the bout against Team Nigeria captain was one of the toughest fights he had in London on his way to claiming the bronze at the Olympics.

After beating Chukwumerije, the Cuban

lost to another African, Gabon’s Anthony Obame, in the semifinal to settle for bronze in the men’s +87kg in London.

When asked about the fight against Chukwumerije, he said, “it was a very tense match in which none of the fighters could afford making a mistake. The key was the great training background that I had done before London, I just had to take advantage of it during the fight.”

For the Panamerican champion, representing Cuba at the Olympics was the biggest achievement for Despaigne.

“It’s the biggest achievement I have ever accomplished. I noticed it was a special event because of the big devotion that all athletes showed at all time.

“Also, because I couldn’t achieve my dream as I dreamt of the gold medal in

London, not bronze,” he said.

The Cuban, who is seeded second ahead of

Chukwumerije and may likely face the Nigerian, believes he would make it to the podium at the ongoing World

Championship holding in Puebla, Mexico. “I will like to be among the medalists in Puebla,” he said.

Abesan FD to honour Doregos, others at 2013 final HE 2013 Abesan Cup Final T billed for Thursday, will also be used to honour Nigerians and Corporate bodies that have stood behind the organisers, Abesan Football Development.

Top on the list of those to be honoured is renowned educationist and sports philanthropist, Mrs. Clementina Doregos, who has been supporting the association since 2006.

Sports journalist, Ejiro Omonode, the C.E.O Mastersports International, renowned Banker, Bayo Olugbemi of First Registrar Limited would also be honoured. Others are Chief Dare Faneye, Kunle Soremekun, Cajetan Ekejuiba, C.E.O. of Ceejay Sports, Femi Akinyele of Brandvision and Tasty Time Limited.

Co-ordinator of the event, Tayo Adeyemo, said the awardees have all contributed their quota to youth development through

sports.

“We felt it’s time to appreciate them and let Nigerians know what they are doing to improve Nigerian sports.

These are people that have stood by us and have all encouraged us to keep the flag flying. In fact, they wanted to be anonymous but we insisted they must be honoured for their selfless service,” Adeyemo added.

Meanwhile, three players are in the race to win the highest goal scorer award at the competition. Femi Ajayi of Future Heroes, Timothy Aghaeze of Midas and Paul Anichebe of Diamond FC, all have four goals each.

Ajayi and Aghaeze have the opportunity of winning the award as their teams are contesting the final.

Meanwhile, Future Heroes are aiming to become the first team to win the competition twice since it began in 1999. The third place match is between Adonai and Peace FC.

Nigeria’s Chika Chukwumerije (left) fights against Cuba’s Robelis Despaigne in the first round tie of the men’s +87kg heavyweight at the London 2012 Olympics. Both fighters could meet again at the on-going Mexico 2013 World Taekwondo Championship.

Glo Nigeria Premier League

Mba returns to Warri Wolves Eagles’ midfielder, issue.

Sto UPER Sunday Mba has returned That has not happened Warri Wolves from Enugu and the player has now choRangers in what is a remarkable turnaround.

Mba chose to leave the Warri club for Enugu after a stellar performance at the Africa Cup of Nations where he scored the title-winning goal for the Super Eagles.

His decision sparked a transfer tussle that required the intervention of the NFF, which handed both clubs an ultimatum to resolve the

Nestlé/ IAAF Kids’ Athletics Programme takes off July 25 HE take-off in Nigeria of T one of the biggest grassroots sports development programmes tagged Nestle/ IAAF Athletics Kids’ Programme holds on July 25 in Lagos.

The programme was created in 2005 by the International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF)

for kids between seven to 12 and it was aimed to encourage school-age-children to develop positive physical, health and social skills by engaging in sporting activities while, at the same time, enhancing the development of future athletes in that country.

In 2012, Nestlé became the

Pupils gunning for glory at the 2012 Cross River Primary/Secondary Schools Athletics Championship held at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar. Nestle has teamed up with the IAAF to institute a grassroots athletics championship for Nigerian youths.

programme’s main sponsor, and to kick-start the programme in Nigeria, the Minster of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi will flag it off at Opebi Model Primary School.

In Nigeria, the programme is being implemented in partnership with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), which has been promoting the development of athletics in schools.

Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria, Dharnesh Gordhon stated, “Nestlé is pleased to provide financial support for the further development of IAAF Kids’ Athletics programme. Beyond supporting IAAF’s Kids Athletics programme, we believe that this partnership will further enhance Nestlé Healthy Kids programme in Nigeria, which has as its aim improving the Nutrition, Health and Wellness of school-age-children through better eating and greater physical activity”.

sen to return to Wolves “Yes, I am going back to Warri Wolves,” Mba told KickOffNigeria.com.

He also tweeted from his handle @mbasunday, “thanks to all that has wished and prayed for me...

The saga is over between Warri Wolves and Rangers… can now play big time football #God @work.”

Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, which oversees Wolves, Amaju Pinnick, told KickOffNigeria.com that the move was initiated by the player and his representatives.

“I can tell you that it was

the player himself that initiated his return to us and we are happy to have him back,” Pinnick said.

“He has realised that as a national team player he needs to begin to play regular club football and that explains how he retraced his steps.”

Pinnick declined to give further details, but said Rangers had not met the conditions for keeping the player.

“At the initial stage, our release of Mba to Rangers was conditional and it was specifically for their continental assignments.

“Even at that, they have failed to meet the deadline we issued them for that arrangement to be formalised,” he added.

NWF confirms July 29 for national championship HE board of Nigeria T Weightlifting Federation (NWF) has confirmed July 29 as kick off date for its national championship billed for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Chairman media committee of the weightlifting federation, George Aluo, in a release in Lagos yesterday disclosed that the six- day championship, which would end on August 3, is one of the important programmes on the calendar of the federation for the year.

He revealed that it would be used to select athletes that will represent the country at the African championship

billed for later this year in Lagos, adding that invitation has been sent out to all the states, even as he said NWF is expecting a full house of all the states.

Aluo said, “we have stepped up our preparations for the championship and we hope it will be a memorable outing. The board of NWF would want to say a big thank you to Governor Godswill Akpabio for accepting to play host. We also want to say a big thank you to Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola, whose state is hosting the continent in September.”

MTN Lagos Street Soccer registration closes July 27, LOC screens U-15 HE registration for the seaT son six of the yearly MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship closes on July 27 as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) begins screening for the newlyintroduce U-15 category.

According to the Executive Secretary, Deji Aladegbemi, more teams have picked registration forms for the competition and in order to ensure effective organization, the registration of teams would close on Saturday July 27.

Also, to check age cheat, thorough screening of players that will feature in the junior category is ongoing with more groups confirming their interest in the category.

“Response for the U-15 junior category has been overwhelming especially from religious groups like NASFAT and RCCG while the support of the Local Government and LCDAs cannot be overemphasised. The ministry of education through the six education districts in the state has also expressed their willingness to be part of the U-15 category,” he said.

Aladegbemi added that it became imperative for schools to be encouraged to be part of the competition, adding that this would allow young players to test might with their age mates.

Goals rain as Telecoms Games kicks off EFENDING Champions, D MTN Nigeria, were off to a good start on Match Day 1 of the 2013 Nigeria Telecom Games (NTG), which kicked off on Sunday at the University of Lagos Sports Complex with a 4-0 defeat of arch rivals and last year’s runners up, Etisalat Nigeria.

The day began with a march past by all the teams and a remarkable friendly encounter between two Nigeria Bankers Game teams, Mainstreet Bank and Sterling bank, which marked the official opening of the annual Telecom Games, comprising mobile operators and equipment suppliers. Mainstreet won 10.

The Chief Executive Officer of MediaVision, Fela BankOlemoh, whose company organises the games, expressed delight at the turn out of fans and quality of the matches concluded on Day 1.

“We are hugely delighted with the number of contingents that turned out for the ceremonial match past and much more, we are thrilled by the quality of the matches played today. It is indicative that the 2013 championship will be quite competitive and we can only wish all the teams well,” remarked Bank-Olemoh.

The match between MTN Nigeria and Etisalat Nigeria was one in which the 4-0 score line hardly reflected the quality of opposition presented by the losing side in the pulsating encounter.

The Yehlo Boys, however, were the side to take their opportunities and making the match one sided in terms of finding the net.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Adewale Kupoluyi HE controversial and purported plan by the T British government to impose the payment of bond on Nigeria visa applicants is a wrong step that will not do the people as well as the two countries any good. In fact, if care is not taken, it is capable of causing severe, damaging and diplomatic row between the states.

According to reports, as from November, nationals of Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to post a bond of £3,000 as a surety that will ensure that they return to the country whenever they travel to the United Kingdom “as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration system”.

The spokesman of the British High Commission in Nigeria said details of the policy were still being worked out and that if the plans were to go ahead in Nigeria, it would affect only a very small number of the “highest risk visitors”.

The Sunday Times of London had reported that visitors aged 18 and above issued a six-month visa would lose the £3,000 if they overstayed in Britain after the expiration of their visas. Initially, the scheme was to target hundreds of visitors, but the plan is now to extend it to several thousands, based on the broadsheet’s front-page report.

In other words, the intention of the British government is to discourage immigrants from these countries from over-staying whenever they visited the country since the bond money will be at stake for forfeiture.

As expected, a cross section of Nigerians has condemned the new policy in view of the negative effects it is capable of infringing on the already battered image of the country.

Already, the Federal Government has summoned the British High Commissioner; Dr. Andrew Pocock over the policy which it said was capable of harming the existing cordial relationship and strong historical bonds between the peoples of the various countries as Commonwealth citizens of which Nigeria is a member.

No doubt, there can be justifications for the bond. Perhaps, the most likely targets are the many immigrants from developing countries, who often end up not coming back to their countries due to the biting economic crunch at home.

Another factor could be the growing global terrorism and insecurity that has not even spared the developed nations. Hence, some of them have had to introduce some panicky and discriminatory measures to check the influx of immigrants, most especially from the developing countries.

Beyond this result that the British government intends to achieve, the demerits of the plans appear to be more than its usefulness.

To begin with, it negates the joint commitment

by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan to double the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014 to encourage more travellers to come to the United Kingdom.

Secondly, it is coming on the heels of the resolution of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers, who unanimously recommended for adoption that by November - at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - a proposal will remove visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from member states.

Thirdly, it portends retrogression in trade relations between the two nations as genuine business entrepreneurs are likely to be hampered,

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Bond fee: Between Nigeria and the United Kingdom

Dr. Andrew Pocock, British High Commissioner to Nigeria especially if the Nigerian government decides to reciprocate the harsh measure on travellers into the country from Britain.

It is also widely speculated that there could be an economic tone to the new rule as not few people believe that UK may be so broke that it does not mind generating cash to boost its economy from visitors who are ready to pay.

Also, the policy has been described as “political” – a calculated plan just to make the Conservative Party score a point that it is seriously committed to immigration matters - to win more voters into its fold ahead of the next general elections.

Over the years, many Nigerians believe that the UK visa services are nothing but a sheer rip-off.

This impression is, perhaps, borne out of the exorbitant, non-refundable visa fees charged applicants, who in most cases, are denied visa by fiat irrespective of whether they are genuine travellers or not.

Despite the enormous foreign exchange deficit against the country to the advantage of Britain, the visa policy will affect thousands of Nigerian students in the UK institutions of higher learning who yearn for stable, solid and sound education that is amiss in their dear country.

Yearly, the British authorities say about 2.2 million people are granted visas and in 2012 alone, 296,000 people from India were granted sixmonth visas, 101,000 were from Nigeria; 53,000 from Pakistan out of the latest blacklisted country while over 180,000 Nigerians applied out of which about 70 per cent or around 125,000 were successful.

A critical assessment shows that UK’s visa policy has actually been discriminatory against Nigerians. It may be recalled that this racial discrimination started in September 1986 when the administration of the ‘Iron Lady’, Margaret Thatcher suddenly decided that travelers from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Bangladesh and Pakistan would require entry visas from their own countries before travelling; a decision the British opposition Labour Party had tagged as ‘racist’.

Before that decision was taken, citizens of all Commonwealth nations, except Sri Lanka, did not need visas to travel, that was prior to1986, when the policy became effective and in 2008, the British Government introduced what could be best described as £1,000 “fine” on travellers.

The latest embarrassment meted out to Nigeria is nothing but shameful, which the government should be ready to reverse using all the available diplomatic apparatus in its arsenal.

Already, another bout of harder scheme is said to be in the offing that is targeted at countries regarded as ‘low risk’, which may sting further to cover work permits and student visas.

In the first place, why do we rush to the UK? Hordes of travellers are either going for official reasons, greener pasture, education, tourism, medical reasons, among others.

Unfortunately, many people who try to enter such developed economies like UK for Eldorado are shocked by what they meet. In most cases, they result into what the late musical legend; Fela Anikulapo once called ‘suffering and smiling’.

Rather than coming home, they are stranded and suffocated by biting tax regimes, discrimination, inhuman odd jobs and outright criminality to survive. And their dilemma; where are the jobs at home?

It is important to note that the current brouhaha the UK visa has unraveled is an eye opener as several other embassies and high commissions daily subject Nigerians to untold and harrowing experience in the quest to travel to their countries.

These range from exploitative visa fees, inconsistency in application requirements, asking of embarrassing questions and outright hostility, among others.

It is now time to review our foreign relations strategies and put a stop to this madness!

• Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, vide, adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter, @AdewaleKupoluyi

Community development as a way out

By Mayowa Salu S Nigeria continues to be hobbled by development challenges in all aspects of our national life, I propose community development as a process and a platform for national development.

A community is simply a group of people with a shared identity and boundary. Community development combines the idea of “community” with “development”. Hence, community development relies on interaction between people and joint action, rather than individual activity — what some sociologists call “collective agency.” In terms of development, you cannot really differentiate urban from rural Nigeria. In this present age, we still have communities without water and schools, battling with security issues, environmental sanitation problems and many more. This ought not to be so.

We will find that in the olden days, our parents were able to solve their common problems within the shortest possible time with their physical and local resources and with their cultures and values as a guiding tool. Unfortunately, what we have today is the exact opposite, as communalism keeps giving way for individualism. The result is that our communities continue to be neglected at our own detriment and we continue to undermine our strength to “make things work.”

Community development helps communities to be wealthier and fairer, smarter, greener, healthier, safer and stronger, amongst other benefits. One way we can successfully tap into the benefits of community development is by engaging and

A

working with the Community Development Associations (CDAs) spread all over our local government areas. In my work as a community development expert over the years, I have found CDAs to be composed of only of local businessmen, artisans, religious leaders, politicians, traders, service men — most of them retired. The unfortunate exceptions from this list are the youths, the educated, the middle class citizens and the rich who find it very hard to come very low to discuss. As currently composed, CDA members can accurate-

ly tell you what will work and what will not work in the community, yet it is not enough to abandon our collective duty to them.

Another way to get things right is to ensure all registered organisations embark on defined Corporate Social Responsibilities. This is an obligation they must always meet, as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is where the government at all levels should intervene, considering that many registered companies currently default. Imagine the develop-

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

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ment strides we will make if all the numerous churches take responsibility for water availability or drainage system in their communities; if all the numerous mosques can establish an effective skill acquisition centre or free medical checkup for those who are interested; or banks and other corporate bodies can organise periodic sport competitions to distract young people from crime and other social vices.

All these things are easy and I make bold to say that many organisations are capable of doing them but we choose to heap all blames on our governments. Organisations should also work more with non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and faith-based organisations.

Aside the community-binding benefits of community development, a vital contribution of CD is to help us easily achieve national development goals through local development success. I have seen a community that got tired of its water scarcity problems and decided enough is enough, and I have also seen a community coming together to successfully tackle gangs of arm robbers.

While we have developed effective networks that can reach the poor and destitute for political gains alone, we should also develop a national consciousness for the purpose of development.

• Salu is a youth and community development expert and a fellow of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative - an initiative of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.