Court nullifies appointment of service chiefs From Madu Onuorah and Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja) HE Federal High Court, Abuja Division yesterday ruled that the President of the Federal Republic on Nigeria cannot lawfully appoint service chiefs without the approval of the Senate. Delivering a verdict on the suit filed by human rights lawyer, Festus Keyamo, challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to appoint service chiefs without the Senate’s approval, the trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, declared the said appointments “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void”.
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• ‘It must be approved by Senate’ • Presidency reserves comment Consequently, Justice Bello restrained the President from further appointing the service chiefs without the approval of the Senate. In 2008, Keyamo had filed the suit against the President, Attorney-General of the Federation and all the service chiefs, seeking the determination of the following questions:
• whether by the combined interpretation of the provisions of Section 218 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 18 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the 1st Defendant can appoint the Service Chiefs of the Federation, namely the Chiefs of Air Staff, Army Staff and Naval Staff (that is, the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants who were appointed as such) without the confirmation of the National Assembly first sought and obtained; and • whether Section 18 (1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 is not in conCONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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JTF captures 70 terror suspects in Maiduguri • Uncovers arms in private residence • Jonathan, security chiefs meet • Youths torch ANPP chairman’s house •‘Boko Haram killed 25 Oyo traders’ From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan), Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja), Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) N its continuing crackIJoint down on terrorism, the Task Force (JTF) has arrested 70 suspected Boko Haram members and uncovered a cache of arms at the residence of a late prominent person (names withheld) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with heads of security agencies in the country. The meeting, which took place behind closed-doors, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
A cross section of people from the South African Indian community during their arrival to pay tribute to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital where he is being treated for lung disease in Pretoria… yesterday. (Inset: A soldier from the South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) looks at notes left by well-wishers for former South African President Mandela outside the hospital yesterday. PHOTO: AFP
ASUU begins indefinite strike over unpaid allowances From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) and Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi (Lagos)
• NUC decries action, minister silent
DECLARATION of “an inA definite and total strike” by the Academic Staff Union
But when contacted, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, described the teachers’ action as “unfortunate.” Dr. Karo Ogbinaka, who chairs the University of Lagos branch of ASUU, told
of Universities (ASUU) yesterday marked the beginning of a fresh disruption of academic activities in the nation’s federal and state universities. The university teachers said yesterday that they declared the strike to register their displeasure over Federal Government’s alleged refusal to pay their “earn allowances.”
journalists yesterday in Lagos that the union’s National Executive Committee (NEC) members unanimously took the decision at the end of their marathon meeting, held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, on Sunday.
According to him, when the last strike over the same issue and others was suspended in January 2011, the Federal Government had agreed in a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pay the university teachers their “earn allowances”, “which no lectur-
er has received since 2009.” Although Ogbinaka admitted that certain aspects of the MoU, such as the retirement age and pension clauses had been “addressed by 90 per cent,” he revealed that the government had been dishonest about the “earn allowances.” He stated that the “earn allowances” refer to what the teachers are entitled to for
Forbes, at EbonyLife TV launch, raises hope on Nigeria’s economic growth-Page 5
Why we are reaching out to young African leaders, by Obama-Page 11
supervising post-graduate students’ theses and the excess workload entailed in attending to more students than the required number, in the course of their primary duties. He said: “Lecturers are entitled to earn allowances for taking on more number of students, which is excess workload, and for supervising master’s and Ph.D theses at the post-graduate level. Each lecturer has a defined number of students to teach. But when you assign CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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JTF uncovers arms in private residence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lasted for more than three hours ostensibly to review strategies for the on-going war against terror in Nigeria. Also, the Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG) yesterday torched the house of the state chairman of the All Party People’s Nigeria (ANPP), Alhaji Mala Othman, Maiduguri. in No reason was given for the youths’ action, but a source said it may not be unconnected with the chairman’s alleged link with Boko Haram. And tears flowed freely yesterday at the popular Bodija food market in Ibadan, Oyo State as traders mourned 25 of their colleagues allegedly killed by Islamist group, Boko Haram, in Maiduguri. The Beans, Red Oil and Hausa Fish sections of the market were shut to buyers as traders discussed the groups. in tragedy The deceased traders were said to have travelled to Maiduguri in Borno State to buy the beans and fish before they were attacked and killed by the Islamists. It was gathered that of the 25 murdered, nine were Yoruba beans traders while 16 victims were Hausa sellers. fish smoked The news of the incident was broken to the market leaders by those who travelled but narrowly escaped from group. dreaded the A majority of the Yoruba Beans traders murdered were said to be apprentices serving their various masters. In an emotion-laden voice, a market woman asked government to protect the lives Nigerians. of “I have told them to stop going to this place until normalcy is restored. How can you lose your life while trying to stay alive. These young people had bright a future ahead but were cut short at their prime because of some God-forsaken Boko Haram.” The traders called on the Federal Government to tighten security to prevent the country’s disintegration. Meanwhile, the Military Special Operation Forces (MISOF) and JTF in Borno
State have commended the “heroic and patriotic” efforts of members of the BVYG who are rising daily against Boko Haram terrorists, by identifying, arresting and handing over suspects to the security agencies. In a related development, an officer (a lieutenant), one Warrant Officer and 16 soldiers were arraigned yesterday before a General Court Martial accused of offences ranging from communication with the enemy, cowardly behaviour, murder to manslaughter, among others. They are being tried by the 3 Armoured Division. According to a JTF source in Maiduguri yesterday, the uncovering of the arms followed an alert from an elderly man who is resident at Fizzan ward, where the said millionaire’s home is located. He said: “This patriotic old man made our men to successfully make the arrest and uncover arms. “On receiving the alert, we responded and rushed to the millionaire’s residence and found that the gunmen had already strategised to launch attacks on both military and civilian formations in Maiduguri. But luck was not on their side, and they were swiftly arrested.” Confirming the incident yesterday, the JTF’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said: “The success of JTF and (MISOF) in Maiduguri was made possible as residents and other community leaders continue to cooperate with soldiers and other security agencies to end this terrorism in the state.” Jonathan met with Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim who led other service chiefs, including Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejurika (Army); Marshal Alex Badeh (Air Force); Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Navy); Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as well as the DirectorGeneral of the State Security Services (SSS). Yesterday’s meeting was also attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and the Police Affairs Minister, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd). No details were released on
the discussions and the security chiefs were seen leaving the President’s office straight into their cars at about 1.30 pm with no words on the outcome of their deliberations to journalists. The security forces on Sunday allayed fears of Maiduguri residents and other members of the public about the activities of the vigilance youths, aka “Civilian JTF.” Musa in a statement yesterday said that the JTF has since commenced the process of monitoring, guidance and regulation of the activities of vigilance youths to make them operate within the ambit of the law. He added: “This is in order to make them (youths) more useful in fighting Boko Haram terrorism in the state without becoming a nuisance to the society.”
Presidency reserves comment on judgment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 formity with the provision of the 1999 Constitution so as to fall within the category of existing laws under Section 315 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, that the President, may, by Order, modify its text, to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Constitution. In his verdict, the trial judge granted the following reliefs sought by the plaintiff, to wit: • a declaration that the ap-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 more students to that lecturer, this means he will have more scripts to grade and this is excess workload. Instead of employing more lecturers, the universities try to save cost by putting more pressure on us. And the money is not much. It is only N12,500 per month and a professor gets N15,000 per thesis. What the government first said was that the money was too much and we (university teachers) de-
• Advocates stakeholders’ forum against oil theft, pipeline vandalism FFORTS at curbing the adverse consequences of the activities of pipeline vandals, bunkerers and other saboteurs in the oil and gas sector are yielding fruits, as reports revealed that no fewer than 259 illegal refineries have so far been destroyed in Nigeria. The Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Aboderin, disclosed this yesterday at the meeting of all state commandants, zonal commandants and principal officers of the Corps in Abuja, stating that so far, 473 oil thieves had been arrested across the country and 259 illegal refineries destroyed.”
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A statement by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Okeh Emmanuel, said the activities of “saboteurs and evil-minded persons” have continued to deprive Nigerians of the benefits of a robust economy. And while reading the riot act as part of the agency’s strategy in combating vandalism, illegal bunkering and oil theft, Aboderin called on stakeholders and other relevant agencies of government to partner the NSCDC in fighting the menace. According to him, the present partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC),
pointment of Service Chiefs for the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the President, without the confirmation of the National Assembly is illegal, unconstitutional and void; • a declaration that Section 18 (1) & (2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, is in conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution so as not to fall within the category of existing laws under Section 315 (2) - of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nige-
ria, 1999, that the President, may, by order, modify its text, to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Constitution; and • an order restraining the President from further appointing Service Chiefs for the Federation without first obtaining the confirmation of the National Assembly. Reacting to the verdict, the Presidency yesterday said it would reserve comments until full details of the judgment are available. But it said the Federal Ministry of Justice under Attor-
ney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, will fully examine the judgment before a formal statement is issued. Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati told The Guardian last night that “I don’t think it is wise to comment on a judgment the full text of which we have not seen. However, the Ministry of Justice will examine the ruling and advice on what the next step will be. We can’t just reply based on snippets from the media.”
NUC decries strike, minister silent
NSCDC destroys 259 illegal refineries From Karls Tsokar, Abuja
Board Chairman, Abia State Agency for Community and Social Development, Uche Onwukamike (left); Deputy Governor, Abia State, Emeka Ananaba; National Co-ordinator, Federal Project Support Unit, Chukwudi Onuoha and General Manager, Abuja State Community and Social Development Agency, Chinanso Njoku, during the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) monitoring in Abia State. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO
the Ministry of Power, and Mines and Steel is part of the re-strategising process. He further tasked the state commandants to weigh the achievements of their commands and improve on them by organising stakeholders’ fora in their respective communities with a view to partnering the community leaders, youths, NGOs and related government security agencies in actualising their mandate of protecting critical infrastructure against thieves and vandals. Aboderin further drew their attention to their mandate of maintaining 24-hour surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects for the federal, states and local councils.
cided to reduce our demand to 80 per cent of what we asked for. The initial thing we heard was that they (government) forgot to include it in the budget. Then, the government said there was no money and that it would pay 50 per cent. Then they said they would only pay a quarter of the 50 per cent.” Ogbinaka said the non-payment of the allowances was the reason why many university teachers had been reluctant to take on post-graduate students or accept to supervise theses at the post-graduate level. According to him, this also accounts for why Nigerian universities have been unable to attract foreign academics. Ogbinaka had to address the press when ASUU’s NEC members, led by its national president, Dr. Nasir Fagge, who were earlier scheduled to brief journalists, could not make it to the venue in good time due to the traffic snarl along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway. `However, Okojie told The Guardian yesterday that it was unfair for the university teachers to proceed on strike, “not because the government has not paid their salaries, but because of allowances.” He declared: “They (universities teachers) get their salaries. On the issue of allowances, why can’t they persevere? The government did not say it would not pay.
What we said was that not all lecturers are entitled to earn allowances. The figure they (ASUU) came up with was huge and we said there was a need for harmonisation, because not all of them were entitled to it. We needed to determine which lecturer deserves to get the earn allowance.” He added: “ASUU did not get back to us after their NEC meeting to tell us what they have decided on. The university system belongs to all Nigerians and this is not fair. We don’t have to destroy the system.” When informed about ASUU’s decision through a Short Message Service (SMS) yesterday, an apparently surprised Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, simply responded: “Noted. Thanks.” At the University of Ibadan (UI), the academic members of staff received an SMS which reads: “Good morning, this is to officially inform you that ASUU has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike from July 1. Await further briefing. ASUU UI.” Immediately the SMS was received, the university teachers who had been on the look out lauded the NEC of the union on the decision to proceed on strike to improve the condition of the nation’s universities and improve quality of service delivery. Formed in 1978, ASUU suc-
ceeded the Nigerian Association of Teachers, which came into existence in 1965. In the 1980s, the union became more militant in its demands and had first organised a national strike in 1988 for fair wages and university autonomy. The military regime in power at that time, led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), promptly proscribed the union on August 7, 1988 and confiscated all its property. Two years later, the ban was lifted, only for another ban to be imposed on August 23 1992 when ASUU, led by Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano and now chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), went on another strike. Three months later, Prof. Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa, who was the country’s Education Minister at that time, led the Federal Government team that reached an agreement, which met several of ASUU’s demands. The 1992 FG/ASUU agreement soon became the yardstick used by ASUU to organise other strikes in 1994 and 1996 during Gen. Sani Abacha’s (rtd) regime. Yet again, the university teachers went on strike for three months in 2007; twice (one-week strike) in May 2008 and finally in 2009. After three months, it reached another agreement with the Federal Government in October 2009, which is now in abeyance.
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News Senate suspends plenary today over Ewherido By Abiodun Fanoro (Lagos), Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Adamu Abu (Abuja) and Hendrix Oliomogbe (Asaba)
Appeal Court affirms Mimiko’s electoral victory • PDP, ACN to appeal verdict By Niyi Bello, Akure
tradition of honourItheNingitsSenate a departed member, UR politics should be has suspended “Odevoid of post-election plenary today. rancour. Perhaps when our President of the Senate, David Mark, who announced this yesterday, said the Upper Chamber would suspend today’s session as a mark of respect for the late Senator Pius Akpo Ewherido, who died on Sunday. Mark spoke when he led the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and a host of senators to the residence of the late Ewherido in Asokoro, on a condolence visit. “In line with our tradition and as a mark of respect for our departed colleague, the Senate will suspend plenary tomorrow (today). We share in your bereavement, pains and sorrows at this moment of grief”, Mark told Ewherido’s wife, Doye. He urged members of the Ewherido’s family to continue to have faith in God, noting that death always subject man’s faith in God to test. “As Catholics, it is easy to say the Creed that I believe in God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. But when death comes, we question God. This is the time to increase our faith in God. If there was anything we could have done to save the life of our distinguished colleague, we would have done it but the Lord owns his life,” he counseled. Extolling the virtues of the late Ewherido, Uduaghan described him as “a strong voice from Delta. He was an experienced lawmaker having been a Deputy Speaker and later an Acting Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. “In the last two years, he had brought this experience to bear on the floor of the Senate, we have lost a strong voice in Delta”, he submitted. Receiving the delegation, the elder brother of the late Senator, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ewherido, expressed the family’s gratitude to Mark, Uduaghan and other members of the delegation. “He was your distinguished colleague. I have always been proud of him but I am more proud of him in death,” he said. Individuals and groups who mourned the late Ewherido yesterday included the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; member, Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Victor Ochei; human rights lawyer Festus Keyamo; Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
democracy matures, the loser in an election will be bold enough to congratulate the winner. We hope that day will come very soon.” With these words, the Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital to resolve the legal fallout of the last May
3 confirmation of the October 20, 2012 governorship election victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko by the Election Petition Tribunal that handled the litigation that arose from the exercise, dismissed the appeals filed by the losers of the poll. The appellate court expressed dismay about the penchant of Nigerian politicians to reject the outcome of elections even if it was obvious that they have
lost out, describing the act as unbecoming of good sportsmanship that politics should promote in a functional democracy. The position of the court tallied with the submission of the lead counsel to Mimiko, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who told the five-man panel of justices led by M.L. Garba, that the cases of the opposition against the outcome of the poll were only targeted at
causing general confusion on the premise that “if we cannot have it, you too should not have it”. Despite the admonition, however, the appellants declared moments after the judgment that they were proceeding to the Supreme Court for further determination, while Mimiko, in an address to the people of the state, urged them to “sheathe the sword and be humble in accepting
the mandate given to us.” The verdict of the appellate court, which was delivered to a full courtroom yesterday, marked another milestone in the quest of both the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on one hand and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearer, Olusola Oke, on the other to upturn the victory of Mimiko at the poll.
FG inaugurates national heritage council By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja HE Federal Government T yesterday inaugurated an 11-man National Heritage
Minister of Information and Communications, Labaran Maku (left), Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of Forbes Media; Steve Forbes and Chief Executive Officer of Ebonylife TV; Mo Abudu during the launch of Ebonylife TV in Lagos at the weekend. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN
Council and Endowment for the Arts. Headed by Mr. Igho Sanomi, the committee is saddled with the responsibilities of identifying and supporting excellence in the arts, seeking alternative funding sources for the sector outside budgetary provisions as well as offer funding grants for projects that promote artistic excellence. Other members of the committee include Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Sir Emeka Offor, Alhaji Abdulsadam Rabiu and Omoba Yemisi Shyllon. The rest are Senator Daisy Danjuma, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Nike Okundaye, Dr. Emmanuel Nsan, Mr. E.J. Williams and Mrs. Fifi Ejindu.
Forbes, at EbonyLife TV launch, raises hope on Nigeria’s economic growth By Gregory Austin Nwakunor HOUGH a lot of Nigerians T are critical of government’s economic programmes, the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Mr. Steve Forbes, has predicted that the country’s economic growth will be outstanding in the next few years. Forbes, who gave the keynote address at the launch of EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment network, Channel 165 on DStv, on Sunday, said: “Nigeria has experienced real growth this year, and it is just the beginning.” While making his prediction, Forbes said Nigeria’s economy will outstand the world, “but this is dependent on effectively following the reforms in the areas of electricity, taxes, monetary policy and property registration.” Nigeria is currently regarded as an emerging market, with expanding financial, service, communications, and entertainment sectors. It is ranked 30th in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) as of 2012, and second largest within Africa (behind South
Africa), on track to becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020. Previously hindered by years of mismanagement, economic reforms of the past decade have put Nigeria back on track towards achieving its full economic potential. Nigerian GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) has almost trebled from $170 billion in 2000 to $451 billion in 2012, though estimates of the size of the informal sector (which is not included in official figures) put the actual numbers closer to $630 billion. Correspondingly, the GDP per capita doubled from $1400 per person in 2000 to an estimated $2,800 per person in 2012 (again, with the inclusion of the informal sector, it is estimated that GDP per capita hovers around $3,900 per person). (Population increased from 120 million in 2000 to 160 million in 2010). These figures might be revised upwards by as much as 40 per cent when the country completes the rebasing of its economy later in 2013. While extolling Mo Abudu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EbonyLife TV’s
virtue, Forbes said the lady had demonstrated the positive impact that women could make in a society if they are liberated and educated. The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, while commending Mo’s tenacity of purpose and doggedness, called on Nigerians to have a re-evaluation of the creative industry. According to him, “banks in Nigeria have no idea what the creative industry is, and they treat financing of the sector like financing of government project or financing some construction or investment project.” Imoke stressed, “the limited knowledge and understanding make it difficult and challenging to grow the industry.” Mo Abudu, who sees God’s hand in the project, said: “My delight comes from finally creating a channel that appeals to Africa’s most important demographic (18-34), there seems to be little or no content speaking to this key demographic.” Continuing, Mo said: “It is a journey that God had inspired and I am delighted that we have finally created a channel, which can sit shoulder to shoulder with any internation-
al brand, quality wise.” She noted that unique programming is at the very heart of the EbonyLife TV’s vision, which is “to be the preferred global network for premium African entertainment.” “This vision is the major driving force and impetus for the continuous creation and production of the Channel’s over 700 hours of premium content that cuts across drama, comedy, reality, lifestyle, talk, magazine, feature film and factual, all promising to showcase the best of the African continent for a global black audience, with utmost originality, passion and inspiration.” The event, which started four hours behind schedule, attracted a host of high networth guests; politicians, ministers, technocrats and captains of industries; as well as media, fashion, music, film and entertainment moguls. Among them were immediate past governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and his wife; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke and Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga. The Minister of
Information, Labaran Maku, represented President Goodluck Jonathan. It opened with a gold carpet and cocktail soiree, which by modest standards, was a compelling celebration of the very best of Africa. It was loaded with many glittering highlights that included the best of old school music from Bank W and Tiwa Savage, who sang Wait for Me (a song originally done by King Sunny Ade and Onyeka Onwenu); Onyeka and Omawumi (Ekwe) and Evang. Ebenezer Obey and MI also collaborated. There were fashion and film segments. A major highlight of the launch was the celebration of important personalities who had and continue to have significant influence on the media, entertainment, business, political and economic landscapes of the African continent. The awards, which followed intense research and thorough verification exercise by Forbes, saw Tope Shonubi, Tonye Cole and Ade Odunsi, founders of Sahara Energy Resources Limited, being honoured for their contribution to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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NUPENG may begin full industrial action From Collins Olayinka (Abuja) and Yetunde Ebosele (Lagos) HE ongoing warning strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to protest the alleged anti-labour activities by multinational oil and gas companies will roll into full scale industrial action if its demands are not met within the ongoing three-day warning period. NUPENG National President, Igwe Achese, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, also berated the Federal Government for deploying troops to the offices of the International Oil Companies (IOCs). He said: “We hope we can find solution to the disagreement before the expiration of the three-day warning strike because we will not hesitate to declare a full strike. But we are hoping that we will find an agreement so we can end it.” This comes as the unions have castigated the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, for demonstrating high-level indifference to the strike action by absenting herself from the meeting she summoned to address the industrial issues that led to the warning strike. “We are very worried that just when we declared a warning strike, there were detachments of police, army and other security agencies to the offices of Shell and Chevron in Lagos - all in an effort to ensure the action is frustrated,” he said. “For how long can we go on as a government to protect
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*Accuses govt of shielding IOCs our oppressors? It is very sad that instead of government protecting its citizenries, it is protecting those that are promoting unfriendly labour practices. “To make the matter worst, the minister who summoned a meeting in her office this morning (yesterday) was nowhere to be found. She travelled out of town when she knew she had scheduled a meeting. It shows that the strike is not important to
her.” Achese stressed the need for government to call Shell and Chevron to order, asking: “How can people who have worked for 25 years in an oil industry be paid N300,000 as termination benefits and government is keeping quiet?” According to him, there is also need for government to define what constitutes “core job” in the oil industry. He argued that the IOCs have ascribed the so-called core jobs
to casual workers, for whom they have refused to implement “equal work for equal pay.” The NUPENG chief attributed the rot in the oil sector to noncoherence of guidelines that dictate how labour practices and other industry matters are executed, which a stakeholders’ meeting ought to have spelt out. Even at that, he expressed regrets that such stakeholders’ meeting last held in 2005 and all efforts at convening another had failed due to the preference of the IOCs for continued
exploitation of the lopsided prevailing practices. Meanwhile, indications emerged last night that a meeting was being put together with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, senior members of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NUPENG members on how to resolve all the contentious issues that culminated in the industrial.
Nigeria to treat one million HIV persons by 2015 By Chukwuma Muanya OLLOWING recent recommendations by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the Federal Government, through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has announced plans to put at least one million Nigerians living with the virus on anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment by December 2015. More so, it has started early treatment for pregnant women and children with HIV in 13 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The states are Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Ogun. A new report released on Sunday by UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF tagged “Global update on HIV treatment 2013:
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Begins treatment for pregnant women, children Results, impact and opportunities,” showed a huge acceleration in the roll-out and uptake of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) since 2011. According to the report, a record 9.7 million people living with HIV accessed treatment in 2012 compared to just over 8.1 million in 2011- an increase of 1.6 million in one year alone. New guidelines from WHO, issued with the report, give clear recommendations that people living with HIV should start anti-retroviral therapy much earlier, and immediately in some instances. Under the new guidelines, some 26 million (25.9 million) people will now be eligible for anti-retroviral therapy, an additional 9.2 million from the previous 2010 guidance. In reaction to the new report, the Director-General of NACA, Prof. John Idoko, told
The Guardian on Sunday that “nearly 500,000 Nigerians living with HIV were on treatment as at December 2012; that number has increased to over 500,000. But President Goodluck Jonathan has announced plans to double it to one million in two years.” Idoko said he was part of the WHO team that developed the new guidelines and that Nigeria has started its implementation with focus on the 12 plus one states, which are the most burdened states, engaging both the private and public health facilities in the testing and treatment programmes, decentralisation of services to Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, targeting pregnant women and children with HIV through Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), and conducting scale-up efforts in all the states using statespecific data, among others.
Meanwhile, the new recommendations encourage all countries to initiate treatment in adults living with HIV when their CD4 cell count (marker for the immune system) falls to 500 cells/mm³ or less – when their immune systems are still strong. The previous WHO recommendation, set in 2010, was to offer treatment at 350 CD4 cells/mm³ or less while 90 per cent of all countries have adopted the 2010 recommendation. A few, such as Algeria, Argentina and Brazil, are already offering treatment at 500 cells/mm3. WHO has based its recommendation on evidence that treating people with HIV earlier with safe, affordable and easierto-manage medicines could both keep them healthy and lower the amount of virus in the blood, which reduces the risk of passing it to someone else.
‘NAUTH needs N2.5b to move into permanent site’ From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Chief Medical Director T of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Dr. Anthony Igwegbe, has said the institution needs about N2.5 billion to move to its permanent site located around the Ozubulu, Oriffite and Nnewi axis. Igwegbe spoke yesterday in Awka during a luncheon organised in his honour by the Chairman/CEO of Juhel Nig. Ltd, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, stating that the fund would be used to address major challenges, including buildings, roads, boreholes, as well electricity and other facilities in the hospital. According to him, the management has started addressing such needs as sanitation and members of staff/patients relationship, among others. He added that the ECG machine has been installed for proper diagnosis and members of staff training completed, while services to patients would start this week.
Uvwie community lauds Keyamo for census victory By Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu HE people of Uvwie in T Delta State have commended Mr. Festus Keyamo for his recent victory for the community at the census tribunal in Abuja, which declared the figures allocated to Uvwie Local Council grossly incorrect and ordered a recount. Keyamo, who is also from that community, took up the legal battle in 2008 pro bono and recently got judgment in their favour. In a letter by the President-General of Uvwie General Improvement Union (UGIU), Chief Macdonald Ugbewanku, and Secretary-General, Mr. Famous Okobaro, the community applauded Keyamo for his ceaseless efforts and commitment to the cause of the people over the years.
Obi, Nnamani, IRI task stakeholders on credible polls From Tunde Akinola, Abuja PECIAL Adviser to the PresiSSenator dent on Inter Party Affairs, Ben Obi, has canvassed stringent electoral and constitutional reforms to guarantee equal opportunity for Nigerians. Speaking in Abuja yesterday at the National Citizen Summit on Electoral Reform, organised by Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) and International Republican Institute (IRI), with the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Obi said there was need for prompt, just and quick dispensation of electoral complaints and cases. Also at the forum, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, expressed reservation at the emergence of “consensus”, which is taking root in the country’s political process, stressing that it was better to apply democratic principles in arriving at agreements or resolving political issues.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
NEWS
Nigeria, U.S. set to tackle drug-resistant diseases By Chukwuma Muanya and Joseph Okoghenun O tackle the spread of multidrug resistant tuberculosis, especially among persons with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and cervical cancer in the country, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the United States Government (USG), yesterday in Lagos commissioned a new Human Virology Laboratory (HVL) extension, COBAS 4800 machine for cancer diagnosis, and TB Biosafety level III laboratory at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba. The Minister of State for Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Federal Government was determined to build robust laboratory systems across the country to help tackle the growing burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Court orders Diya to pay N5.5 million over assault
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Minister charges ECOWAS states on digital broadcasting deadline From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja DIGITAL Switchover Forum to harmonise positions and fine-tune the GE-06 Digital Plan for West Africa yesterday opened in Abuja with the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, urging members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop a strategy to meet up with the June 2015 deadline set aside by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
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Court remands man in prison over illicit drug deal By Joseph Onyekwere FEDERAL High Court in A Lagos yesterday remanded in prison custody a 32year-old man charged with illicit drug deal by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The accused, Abel Asaka, is charged on one-count of drug trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. His counsel, John Okaka, informed the court of a bail application on behalf of the accused and prayed it to move in terms of the bail.
Group demands video clip on Suntai From Adamu Abuh, Abuja NASCENT socio-political group, The Taraba Justice Forum (TJF), yesterday demanded the video clips showing the speedy recovery of ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bala Yaya, the group questioned the genuineness of Suntai’s picture being bandied about by Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang.
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By Bertram Nwannekanma OR assaulting and battering one Mr. Oluwatosin Onamade in 2008, the former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (rtd) and four directors of his firm were yesterday ordered by an Ikeja High Court to pay the victim the sum of N5.5m as compensation. The trial judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, who made the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed against the defendants including Kehinde Diya, Dele Obakoya, Emmanuel Ilori, Dele Oyesanya and Diya’s firm, Lotad Funeral Services, also ordered the defendants’ immediate return to the plaintiff his belongings unlawfully seized from him, comprising Mercedez Benz 190 model with keys; HP laptop DV 6000; wedding ring and Rolex wristwatch. Other items to be returned to the plaintiff as ordered by the court were Reltel Nokia Mobile Phone; 6280 Nokia phone, N76 Nokia phone and two wooden caskets and a bag containing N72,000 cash, personal documents/credentials, complimentary cards file and seal stamp. In the judgment, Lotad Funeral Services Ltd, and four directors of the company were “jointly and severally” held liable for the assault and battering meted out to the claimant. The judge also held that the defendants took the law into their hands by taking up the work of the police, an action she said, was an act of impunity. According to the judge, it was wrong for the defendants to assault, batter and unlawfully seize the plaintiff’s belongings when they attempted to force him to sign a backdated resignation letter on July 31, 2008. “The action of the defendants is condemnable; it is an arbitrary use of power,” Oke held. Kehinde, a lawyer, had during his testimony on the matter on behalf of other defendants in the case, contended that Ola Diya, whose name appeared on the company’s Memorandum of Understanding was not the same person as Gen. Oladipo Diya. She further held that there was evidence that Diya was the chairman of the company, giv-
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Ali A. Mufuruki, chairman, CEO Roundtable of South Africa (left); Donald Kaberuka, president, African Development Bank; Mimi Alemayehou, executive vice president, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Council (OPIC); Tony O Elumelu, chairman, Heirs Holdings; and Phillips Oduoza, GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc, at a panel discussion on investing in Africa organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in Dar es Salaam, during President Obama’s visit to Tanzania.
Immigrations moves to rid Jigawa of illegal foreigners From John Akubo, Dutse GAINST the backdrop of its current security challenges, Nigeria as a country has to take its immigration laws seriously, especially those arising from illegal immigrants, Jigawa State Comptroller of Immigration, Abubakar Aliyu Bamali, has said. The Comptroller gave the indication yesterday in his office in Dutse while addressing the media on its on-going mop up exercise to rid the state of undesirable elements. He said Nigeria has the most porous border in the West African sub region allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry access because it is referred to as the mother of Africa. However, he observed that it is no longer tenable in the midst of the new wave of terrorism. Bamali said the immigration in the state has commenced the mop up of the 27 local councils to flush out all the illegal immigrants. He said Governor Sule
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Lamido embraced the idea when he raised it during the Security Council meeting where he delivered five Hilux vans and adequate logistics to meet with the needed requirements for the operation. The Comptroller said he had earlier embarked on tour of the 27 local councils to liaise with the stakeholders in order to inform them of his plan. “I have toured the 27 local government areas of the state where I saw things for myself, and interacted with the council chairmen, council members, traditional rulers, emirs and chiefs of the state to express my mission and vision for the state.” He said on the first day of the operation his men have combed Dutse and Birnin Kudu with the arrest of over 240 of suspected illegal immigrant who are being screened. Bamali pointed out that those who are found to be Nigerians in the course of screening will be let off the hook as well as immigrants with valid travel
documents, adding that defaulters would be deported. “We have started to flush out those we consider immigrants that are not wanted in the state. Jigawa State is not the only one. Neighbouring states are equally flushing out immigrants they consider undesirable, so to say. Nigeria is a country that actually has the might to contain them but I believe it is time we call a spade a spade, it is time we say enough is enough. The controller said something has to be done definitely so that the country can have a direction, adding that the only way for that is to do what is right. He said those that want to come in to Nigeria are welcome because Nigeria is a country that is a signatory to many treaties and conventions in the world and is ready to abide by them, adding that the major problem is that Nigerian neighbours violate the laws under the cover of free movement.
Judge chides police over inconsistent statements on Ogun crisis From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the recent crisis in Ado-Odo town, Ogun State, Justice Oluwatosin Elizabeth Osinuga yesterday at the Commission’s sitting, described the Division Police Officer in the area, CSP Olukayode Ayilara as “a liar in uniform”. Just as the monarch of the town, Oba Abdulateef Akanni Adeniran through his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), accused the police of colluding with the hoodlums in the incident of April 15, 2013 during which the monarch was severely beaten after he had been stripped naked. According to a statement by the media officer of the commission, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, Justice Osinuga got annoyed when she discovered that the Divisional Police Officer was inconsistent in his statements during crossexamination by the counsel to the Monarch. The Police officer during cross-examination told the commission that he did not use tea-gas during the inci-
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dent to disperse the rioters but instead, he begged the rioters before he could rescue the monarch from them, attributing his action to the fact that he sensed that the monarch could be chocked up and those who are asthmatic could also be killed in the process. But when asked by the commission if it is normal police practice to think of people who are asthmatic during a violent demonstration particularly when the police need to disperse crowd, the DPO answered ‘No’. This answer triggered off the commission chairman’s annoyance. Justice Osinuga, in response said: “You said it’s not the normal police practice to think of people who are asthmatic before using tear gas to disperse crowd during a violent demonstration. You are now saying yes you followed the police protocol and practice and now you are saying that it was a mixed up. So how did you know that Kabiyesi is asthmatic? When there is a riot with someone’s life in danger and you want to disperse the rioters, will you think of asthmatic people.” She added: “DPO, I have not
seen an officer under oath telling so many lies as you are doing before a commission and I must come out to say this because this commission is recording you in verbatim, we have audio and video recording, you have at different times said different things here today and you are in a federal uniform. “To say that ‘no, I did not use tear gas because of the people that are asthmatic and because you did not want to choke Kabiyesi and again you could not stand on what you have said by saying there is a mixed up from your end,’ is something I did not expect from an officer who claimed to have spent 19 years in the Police service”, she said. In his submission, the monarch through his counsel had accused the DPO and his men of ineffectiveness due to the fact that, they were unable to prevent the hoodlums from burning the Oba’s palace. Meanwhile, Ayilara informed the court that seven accused persons were arrested on the day of the crisis, adding he and his men prevented the hoodlums from killing the monarch.
The trial judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, who made the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed against the defendants including Kehinde Diya, Dele Obakoya, Emmanuel Ilori, Dele Oyesanya and Diya’s firm, Lotad Funeral Services, also ordered the defendants’ immediate return to the plaintiff his belongings unlawfully seized from him, comprising Mercedez Benz 190 model with keys; HP laptop DV 6000; wedding ring and Rolex wristwatch ing instructions on the affairs of the company and was participating in its day-to-day affair. “The first defendant (Diya) chose not to appear before the court but chose to rely on the testimony of DW1 (Kehinde), which cannot stand against the evidence adduced by CW1 (Onamade),” the court ruled. Justice Oke was also of the opinion that the notice of resignation presented to the claimant was in breach of the six-month notice provided for in terms of agreement. The judge added that the allegation of fraud levelled against the claimant was the duty of the police to investigate and that the allegation came up after the defendants had been served with the plaintiff’s suit. “If they had given him the notice six months’ earlier, the claimant would have had no choice other than to pack his things and leave,” she said. The judge, however, refused to grant the plaintiff’s prayer in which he sought the court to declare that the defendants frustrated the execution of the terms of agreement, on the grounds that Onamade had earlier breached the provisions of the agreement himself.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Tambuwal, UNDP, others seek awareness to achieve gender equality From Tunde Akinola (Abuja) and Anietie Akpan (Calabar) PEAKER of the House of STambuwal, Representatives, Aminu has said that one of the most crucial steps in putting an end to gender inequality in the country is by creating awareness in the society about its dangers. Tambuwal said this in Abuja yesterday at the Third National Women in Parliament Summit entitled: “Advancing the Gender Agenda in Nigeria: The Role of Lawmakers,” organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) with the support of United Nations Development Programmes’ (UNDP) Democratic Governance for Development (DGD). According to Tambuwal, considering the opportunity provided by modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT), we can encourage women to take advantage of this avenue not just to post issues on gender discrimination but also to access information on employment, education, health services, protection and politics, among others. In a similar vein, Chairman, House Committee on Women
• Ekiti opens black book for sexual offenders • Imoke sues for strong family ties in Parliament, Binta Maigari Bello, noted that the concept of democracy would only assume true and dynamic significance when political policies and national legislation are decided upon jointly by men and women with equitable regards for interest and aptitudes of both halves of the population. UNDP/DGD Project Director, Dr. Mourtada Deme, noted that women have historically faced high levels of marginalisation in states or other territorial units going through nation-building processes, due to patriarchal political cultures, lack of financial
resources, political parties with limited space for women, and other institutions and practices that limit women’s participation in politics. Deme also noted that despite these obstacles, women have made important political contributions to nationbuilding. “Countries that rate most highly on the Human Development Index (HDI) are usually states where the level of gender inequality is low. States with much lower levels of human development frequently demonstrate high gender disparities,” he said. Cross River State governor,
Liyel Imoke, has charged Nigerians to sustain high family and moral values for a sustained positive development of youths in the society. Imoke, who gave the charge at the weekend in Calabar during the solemnisation of the holy matrimony between Geraldine Edim and Orok Okokon Ita, said people should continue to love one another, encourage family cohesion and sustenance of the marriage institution for the development of positive social values among young people. The governor also advised those yet to embrace the institution of marriage to continue to propagate love in expectation of love wherever they are because such values
build the society and encourage development. And in Ekiti State, the government has opened a black book called the Sexual Offenders’ Register, where a blacklist of convicted sexual offenders would be compiled. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, disclosed this while receiving the Genderbased Violence Prohibition Law (GBVL) management committee led by wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, in her capacity as the chairperson of the committee; and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi.
Poly students give govt one-week ultimatum over ASUP strike From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City
PPARENTLY reacting to yesA terday’s report that striking polytechnic lecturers said they would not buckle until their demands are met by government, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) yesterday issued a one-week ultimatum for the Federal Government and their striking teachers to come to a compromise for academic activities to resume or face a demonstration that would take them to the Federal Capital Territory. In a fresh statement issued in Benin City yesterday by the
President NAPS, Ogbonnaya Sunday and made available to journalists, the students said the Federal Government’s response to the issues have been “epileptic”. They said the striking workers should also shift their grounds. “The leadership of NAPS is calling on all students of polytechnics and our sister-associations to get set as we will embark on a national protest on July 8 in Abuja on the on-going ASUP strike in which the Federal Government’s response has been epileptic with less concern on the plight of students. I wish to appeal to the Federal
Government to take seriously the agitation of ASUP and SSANIP so that the polytechnic students can go back to school for proper academic activities. “We find it difficult and disturbing that the Federal Government can be comfortable and still go about its normal business when an important sector like polytechnic education has been on standstill for nearly two months. While we appeal to the striking unions to be meek in their demand because of the students, we fervently beg the government to be serious with the future of the polytechnic
students as this is the only way we they can have germane trust in the President’s transformation agenda. “We want to remind the two elephants (striking union and government) that we will not continue to remain the ground, as those who make peaceful changes impossible make violent changes inevitable. To this end, we will be forced to go into the streets of Abuja a week from now to protest our idleness, which has been forced on us by those meant to build and mould us for the betterment and benefit of this country.”
Court dismisses applications of Atuche, others, to stop theft charge By Bertram Nwannekanma N Ikeja High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed applications filed by the former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche; his wife, Elizabeth and the erstwhile Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu, seeking for the dismissal of the theft charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Trial judge, Lateefat Okunnu, in her ruling on the no-case applications filed by defendants, stated that the defendants should provide explanations on the allegations made by the prosecution. The judge, who declined going into the merit of the arguments canvassed by the defence led by Anthony Idigbe (SAN) and Sylva Ogwuemor, said that having heard from the prosecution, it is necessary to hear from the defence on the allegations laid against them. Citing Section 239 of the Administration of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, the judge stated that since justice is both for the state, the defence and the society, the defendants have to offer explanations against the allegation for her to decide whether there was enough evidence to discharge or convict them. Before adjourning till July 17 for their defence, Justice Okunnu held that the defence had a duty to offer explana-
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tions to permit the court do justice on the matter. The trio, who were arraigned on allegations of stealing N25.7 billion belonging to the bank, had through their lawyers, urged the court to discharge the 27-count charge filed against them for lack of case to answer. In a no-case submission filed through their counsel and brought pursuant to Sections 35(3), 36(5) of the Constitution and Section 239 of the Administration of Criminal Administration Laws of Lagos State, the defendants urged the court to dismiss or acquit them of the charges. They argued that all the evidence provided by the prosecution were circumstantial and contradictory, which therefore, could not warrant putting the defendants in the witness box. The defendants also told the court that the evidence by the witnesses were unreliable because of the noticeable contradictions of facts as it concern issues of the actual money allegedly stolen and acceptable banking procedures. In urging the court to acquit the defendants, the defendants who severally cited authorities, said the over-generalisation of the facts by the prosecution, which is sacred and the absence of vital witnesses like Peter Ololo, was a serious lacuna in the prosecution’s case.
Taraba CNPP drags chairman before EFCC From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HE wrangling in the Taraba State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has taken a different dimension as it has written a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) against its chairman, Hamidu Suleiman. Led by secretary of the conference, Charles Buki, members of the various registered political parties in the state yesterday stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to register their dismay over the ways and manner the conference is being run by the said chairman. Buki, who spoke on behalf of all the political parties, said Suleiman allegedly converted the conference items, which include one 18-seater bus, Honda Civic Hi-Tech, whopping sum of money, to mention just a few, into his personal belongings.
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Group urges Yuguda to reconsider quitting governors forum From Ali Garba, Bauchi BAUCHI-BASED civil society organisation, Bauchi Conscience Group, has urged Governor Isa Yuguda to reconsider quitting the northern governors forum. The group, in a press statement signed by its Chief Coordinator, Jibrin Sa’id Jibrin, and made available to journalists yesterday, urged Yuguda to reverse the decision to quit and apologise to the people of the state who brought him into power for making such a decision without consulting the people. “On a more crucial note, Bauchi Conscience Group is once again reiterating its position to the effect that the governor of Bauchi State has goofed about his decision to quit the strategic platform of the northern governors forum,” he said. The pressure group, therefore, called on all the people of the state to support it in its quest for good governance, fairness and justice.
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GOtv widens coverage, launches in Kaduna IGERIA’S fast-growing N pay television service provider, GOtv, has continued to expand its network with the launch of its services in Kaduna at the weekend. According to GOtv’s General Manager, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, the launch in one of Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan cities, will help create access to good quality television programming for hundreds of thousands of Nigerians. “Our strategic objective is to give every Nigerian the opportunity and access to enjoy good quality TV content at a cost that is affordable at N1,000 or N1,500 monthly subscription fee, which gives subscribers 37 high quality channels.” She also said the programming has been designed with the entire family in mind as there are channels on sports, news, movies, documentaries and childrenspecific content.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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WorldReport Egyptian army gives Morsi 48 hours to compromise on crisis Muslim Brotherhood ‘studying’ statement, opposition group lauds military HE powerful armed forces in Egypt yesterday issued what was termed a virtual ultimatum to President Mohamed Morsi, calling on him and the nation’s feuding politicians to agree on an inclusive roadmap for the country’s future within 48 hours. In the dramatic military statement broadcast on state television, the military asserted that the nation was in danger after millions of Egyptians took to the streets on Sunday to demand that Morsi quit and the headquarters of the
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ruling Muslim Brotherhood were ransacked. “If the demands of the people are not realised within the defined period, it will be incumbent upon (the armed forces)... to announce a road map for the future,” Reuters quoted the statement by chief-
If the demands of the people are not realised within the defined period, it will be incumbent upon (the armed forces)... to announce a road map for the future
of-staff, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as saying. It was followed by patriotic music. But Morsi’s party, the Muslim Brotherhood, yesterday said it was “studying” the statement. “The Muslim Brotherhood is studying the army statement,” Mahmud Ghozlan told Agence France Presse (AFP). He said the movement’s political bureau would meet to “decide on its position.” However, the opposition Tamarod group, which was behind Sunday’s protests that saw millions in the streets call-
ing on Morsi to resign, lauded the army for siding with the people. Tamarod, which said it gathered 22 million signatures to call for early presidential elections, said the army had “sided with the will of the people.” The army statement “will mean early presidential elections,” the group’s spokesman, Mahmud Badr, told reporters. The army said it would oversee the implementation of the roadmap it sought “with the participation of all factions and national parties, including young people”, but it would not get directly involved in politics or government.
Foreign Affairs Ministry clarifies report on alleged missing Washington property proceeds By Bola Olajuwon HE Ministry of Foreign T Affairs has clarified its position on the alleged proceeds from the sale of Federal Government’s properties in Washington DC following reports published in some national dallies at the weekend. The ministry, in a statement, indicated that the sales of the property were duly authorised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and that the sum of $23,586,497.84 was realised from the sales and not $27 million as reported. The media had reported a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, at which Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Prof. George Obiozor; Nigeria’s current Ambassador to the same Mission, Prof. Ade Adefuye, and Nigeria’s current Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Prof. Joy Ogwu appeared. The committee met with the former and current diplomats to investigate allegations of the embezzlement of money, being proceeds from the sale of Federal Government properties in Washington DC. The Ministry, however, explains that all monies involved in the sale of Federal Government properties were duly and completely account-
ed for and that the sales were duly authorised by Obasanjo. The statement reads: “That all monies involved in the sale of Federal Government properties were duly and completely accounted for. “That the sales were duly authorised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. “That the sum of Twenty 23,586,497.84 was realised from the sale of the three Federal Government-owned properties in Washington DC, United States of America, between 2004 and 2007, and not $27 million as reported in the papers. “It is pertinent to note that at the public hearing, and after introducing the theme, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, the very Distinguished Sen. (Amb.) Matthew Nwangwu, asked the pressmen to take their leave as the session was going to proceed into a closed one. “Thus, the Press were not privy to the comprehensive submissions of the three (distinguished diplomats. Without prejudice to the findings of the Committee, we reiterate, that the sales of these properties were duly authorised at the highest level, and that no fund was “missing” as alleged. “We, therefore, urge that patience be exercised as we await the final report of the Senate Committee’s investigation into this issue.”
Experts want terrorists stopped from acquiring atomic bombs UCLEAR experts and govN ernment officials have warned that more action is
United States President Barack Obama (second right) and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete (right) are greeted by a cheering crowd as they arrive at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP
Zuma says Mandela remains critical, wants plan to begin on his 95th birthday HE South Africa’s presidenT cy yesterday announced that Nelson Mandela remained in a “critical but stable” condition, more than three weeks after the antiapartheid hero was hospitalised with a recurring lung infection. Even despite Mandela’s condition, President Jacob Zuma has urged South Africans to
begin planning for Mandela’s 95th birthday on July 18. “We must all be able to do something good for humanity on this day, in tribute to our former president,” he said in a statement. The update came hours after U.S. President Barack Obama left South Africa without seeing his personal hero, who has been in intensive care since
June 8. Obama spent the weekend paying homage to Mandela, including a trip to the Robben Island prison where the man who would become South Africa’s first black president was locked up for 18 years – a visit he said left him “deeply humbled”. Obama also spoke to Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel,
by telephone, and met several daughters and grandchildren of the ailing icon to offer support and prayers. But he decided against rolling up in his massive entourage at the Pretoria hospital where Mandela lies, worried that he would disturb the peace of the man he has described as a “personal inspiration”.
Obama expresses readiness to provide information on spy claims as pressure mounts ITH sources claiming W that the alleged United States (U.S.) bugging of European Union (EU) offices would constitute a “breach of trust” and could escalate into a “serious” political crisis, President Barack Obama yesterday said he would fully inform American allies angry over the allegations once he had all the facts. “When we have an answer, we will make sure to provide all the information that our allies want,” Obama said at a media briefing in Tanzania.
Bush says U.S. leaker ‘damaged’ national security Putin warns Snowden to stop harming ‘American partners’ The European Union, Austria, France and Germany have demanded answers from Washington, following the latest spying claims attributed to fugitive leaker, Edward Snowden, according to a report by Agence France Presse (AFP). But former President George W. Bush has defended the U.S. surveillance programme in an interview broadcast, say-
ing Snowden had “damaged” national security by disclosing them. “I know he damaged the country and the Obama administration will deal with it,” Bush told the Cable News Network (CNN) in an interview yesterday. “I think he damaged the security of the country,” added Bush, who spoke to the network in Zambia, where he
and wife Laura Bush were travelling on a humanitarian mission. “I put the programme in place to protect the country and one of the certainties is civil liberties were guaranteed,” Bush said. Also, President Vladimir Putin yesterday said that Russia would not hand the former spy agency contractor over to the United States but that if Snowden wants to stay in Russia, he “must stop his work aimed at harming our American partners”.
needed to stop militants from acquiring plutonium or highly-enriched uranium that could be used for atomic bombs. Leading the call at a meeting in Vienna, Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned against a “false sense of security” over the danger of nuclear
terrorism. Amano, holding up a small lead container said to have been used to try to traffic highly enriched uranium in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova two years ago, said it showed a “worrying level of knowledge on the part of the smugglers”. “This case ended well,” he said. “Unfortunately, we cannot be sure if such cases are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Immigration firm to hold lecture for Nigerian students, others on Canada LEADING immigration and A legal consulting company in Canada, the Canadian Immigration and Legal Services, has announced plans to organise an interactive presentation forum to Nigerian students, artisans, technicians, qualified nurses and business investors who wish to emigrate to Canada as permanent resident immigrants. The interactive presentation, holding at the Grandeur Events Hall, Oregun, Lagos, on July 18, 2013, is designed for interested and qualified Nigerians in the above categories on how to apply and become legal Canadian immigrants through their trade test experiences, qualifications and proficiency. The Project Manager Lagos, Nigerian branch, Eunice Adesina, in a statement, said that “the one-day presentation
will be a unique platform for parents who desire to sponsor their children into secondary and preparatory colleges to have more understanding in what is involved in processing their children’s academics prior to their children applications and admission into Canadian universities”. She further observe that “ the study and work in Canada presentation offered by her firm and the Canadian partner is a genuine and legal option available to any Nigerian willing to migrate to Canada as permanent resident immigrant. “There are many Nigerians who have been duped or deceived by unregistered organisations posing as good agents for Canadian institutions but have turned out to be false, fraudulent and have left many innocent Immigration applicants in the cold.”
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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Politics Need to reverse declining trend of PDP in Southwest By Atiku Abubakar T the onset of the present democratic dispensation, it was clear to the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party that the major challenge confronting our nation was the establishment of an enduring democratic platform with a sustainable legitimacy. We were also convinced that such platforms should possess credible internal capacity to produce leaders who will be committed to the public purpose and whose leadership will be informed by a common good and sustained by the popular will of all citizens. The PDP was conceived as a national party not only because of the desire to provide responsive leadership, but also because it is within such a national party that we can guarantee national harmony, promote human development and safeguard the freedom and dignity of all citizens. The constitution of the party was designed to promote collective leadership that is inclusive and upholds the principles of justice and fair play without denigrating the legitimacy of dissent. I have said it — and I will continue to say it — that the party is headed in the wrong direction, as it moves from one crisis to the other. It appears that in the pursuit of our personal ambition, we have continued to trample with impunity on the rights not only of the members, but also on the freedom of Nigerian citizens who deserve a right to choose who should govern them and for how long. Sometimes, progress involves stepping backwards. In the Southwest, this is such a moment for the Peoples Democratic Party.
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Atiku The PDP became a very strong political party in the Southwest as a result of the efforts and commitment of leaders who commanded the respect of the generality of the people of the Southwest. By the year 2009, the party had five of the six governors in the zone, 14 of the 18 senators, 46 out of the 71 House of Representatives seats, 102 members of the State Houses of Assembly, and 115 Local Governments. Members of the PDP also occupied all commissionership and special advisers’ positions, in
addition to all statutory board membership. However, the fortunes of the PDP in the Southwest took a startling reverse from 2011 such that today, the party has no governor in the region, has only one senator, seven members of the House of Representatives and only 18 members in all the State Houses of Assembly. Of course, not a single Local Government administration is PDP-controlled in the entire region. It is not only in the interest of the PDP but, indeed, that of the nation that this trend be reversed. As a founding member of the PDP, the prevailing situation of the party in the Southwest is very disturbing. I am sure that our party didn’t come to this sorry state in the region because the party men failed to deliver good governance to the people. Landmarks of achievements by PDP governments dot the region. It still remains a paradox to me how the presidential candidate of the party would win massively in all but one state of the Southwest, yet the party failed to produce a single state governor in the region and could only produce 18 State Assembly members in the same election. My experience in politics tells me that this paradox can only be explained in one way: that is the leadership of the party must have abandoned the party and negotiated the victory of the President at the expense of the party. Recent events have shown that the leadership of the party has demonstrated insufficient sincerity in resolving the numerous crises, which are pitching the party members against themselves. Political manoeuvring that relies on the politics of patronage and arbitrary application of sanctions will not sustain the popular will of the people
through which the party can recover the lost ground. A group of concerned professionals with PDP interest from the Southwest carried out a study in which a state-by-state analysis of the crises in the party was made. The body made far-reaching recommendations in their document, which was submitted to the leadership of the party. If the party leadership had paid attention to some of their recommendations, the outcome of the election in Ondo State could probably have been different. It will be useful for the incoming Southwest Executive Committee to study this report and prepare a blueprint for the reversal of the dwindling fortunes of the party in the region. The eloquent silence of respected leaders on the various crises is a disturbing sign, which leaves majority of the members confused. The national leadership of the party needs to respect the democratic wishes of party members in the zone and discourage the deliberate creation of factions, and upturning the results of duly conducted elections at the various congresses and the national convention. In all we do, the adherence to the constitution of the party in the conduct of the party’s affairs is the only hope for sustaining the existence and legitimacy of the party. Also, the legitimacy of the party can only be sustained if the provision of the welfare needs of Nigerian citizen takes precedent in the heart of the leaders rather than primordial politicking. There is need to reverse the declining trend of PDP in the Southwest. PDP cannot afford to depart from the Southwest. • Alhaji Abubakar is the Turaki Adamawa and former Vice President of Nigeria.
Awolowo, Fasehun & okada riders (1) By F.A.O. Oseni ITH reference to Dr. Fasehun’s W advertisement in The Guardian of Friday, April 19, that he has begun the process of reviving the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria founded by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, I wish to advise him that in order to succeed, he must first imbibe some of the philosophy, aspirations and practices of the late sage. It will be recalled that Awolowo, along with the other political leaders who fought for our independence, believed that one of the most important reasons for any colonised or oppressed people to seek independence is the opportunity to improve their quality of life far beyond the limits set by the whims and caprices of their oppressors. They, therefore, adopted the policy of free education and free medical services for the youths. They also recognised the important role that government has to play as an agent to provide the common services needed in the society, that should be provided jointly by all instead of each member of the society providing his own needs, as was the case of the primitive man, who was roaming unconcerned all over the planet, millions of years or so ago, surviving on grass, leaves, bark of trees, fruits and roots. Such services today include security, transportation systems, water supply, power supply, telecommunications, waste management, erosion control, coastline protection, etc. Our leaders, who got us independence, therefore gave priority to public works such as the construction of roads, water and power supply schemes. Furthermore, they imported machinery to set up factories to process some of our local natural resources such as agricultural products consisting of
palm fruits and kernels, citrus fruits and cassava; cattle to produce canned meat; trees to produce timber, wood and plywood; and minerals such as limestone to produce cement; and so on. Plantations for palm trees, coconut, rubber, cashew, trees for paper pulp, etc., were established to train the youths and sustain their interest in agriculture. There was no dichotomy between public and private sectors; rather, there was symbiosis between the individual and the society, thus ensuring caring, sharing and consideration for others as was the case of our traditional societies. The leaders took full responsibility for their actions and there was no need to blame the followership for any inadequacy, real or imagined. The emphasis was on the political leaders serving individual members of the society honestly with humility and not power-wielding to dominate ordinary citizens as of nowadays. Most of the citizens were law-abiding to the extent that Nigeria was one of the countries in the world with the lowest ratio of the number of policemen to its population. The various political parties in the early 1950s such as the Action Group, which Awolowo founded with others, had manifestos on matters of national interest and the basic needs of our individual citizens such as indigenisation of the civil service, free education and medical services, gainful employment opportunities, agriculture, industrialisation, etc. There were individual politicians who were concerned about how to give meaning to our independence and they therefore composed slogans such as, “Boycott all boycottables”, which provoked our awareness of various aspects of our culture such as our food, music,
Awolowo modes of dressing and female hairstyles, thus giving us our unique identity among the entire human race. The Regional Governments that our early political parties formed also realised the importance of planning as a very important procedure in implementing their manifestoes because it provides one of the best ways of getting an optimum solution to the problem of balancing demand and supply amid competing desires and needs. They also realised that planning has several advantages such as providing a reference point with which progress in any endeavour can be compared and thus matching words with action; making it easy to prepare and implement Annual Budgets and giving them wide publicity, thus ensuring accountability and transparency. They also practiced physical planning to protect our environment and ensure orderly development in the major urban areas as typified by Ikeja industrial and residential areas, Ilupeju Estate, Bodija Estate, etc.
Fasehun Awolowo and his contemporaries had no immunity from prosecution and they obeyed all laws, including the Highway Code scrupulously. They did not use siren-blaring, club-swinging, whip-lashing and gun-totting escorts acquired with public funds, to frighten, shock, terrorise, maim and kill innocent citizens who are going quietly about their daily businesses. Today, lawless okada riders are competing with some of our political office holders, who delight in disregarding the Highway Code, in wreaking havoc on law-abiding road users. On the eve of independence, the departing colonial administration, trying to emulate the planning procedures of the Regional Governments, pioneered National Development Planning for the country by preparing a Development Plan for the country as a whole, although it was not based on any national ideology understandably. However, soon after Independence in October 1960, the Federal Government, under Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa, prepared what has been regarded as the first genuine (although called the Second) National Development Plan. The government examined the political economy of the nation in the light of the Constitution and formulated policies for the orderly development of the whole country. Programmes and projects were developed to meet the main objectives (five in number) of the Plan, which were stated simply as follows as to make Nigeria “a united, strong and selfreliant nation; a great and dynamic economy; a just and egalitarian society; a land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens; and a free and democratic society.” The Plan was to last from 1962-68, but it had to be extended to 1974 because of the policy of the Federal Military Government of “No victor, No vanquished” at the end of our Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970, with emphasis on the reconstruction of engineering facilities damaged on both sides during the war. Furthermore, it was expected that the series of the national development plans to be adopted would lead the nation to a state of self-sustained growth by 1990, by which time we would have the ability to provide our basic needs by our own efforts and thereby reaching an important milestone in our objective to be a self-reliant nation. This will mean that we must first look inwards among our citizens to find those who can do whatever we want to do, especially the provision of engineering services, instead of going abroad to look or worse beg for foreigners to come and do them for us at their own terms, conditions and price! • Oseni, an engineer of F.A. Oseni Consultancy Services, wrote from Surulere, Lagos.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Why we are reaching out to young African leaders, by Obama Text of remarks and answers to questions by President Barack Obama at Young African Leaders Initiative Town Hall at University of Johannesburg-Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. S. Mabuse: You guys are an amazing crowd. Good afterM noon, and welcome to the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus. My name is Nkepile Mabuse and I will be the moderator this afternoon. I really do hope that the strong significance and symbolism of what is happening here in Soweto today does not escape you. There really are no two occasions in recent time that have had a more profound impact on the African people than when Nelson Mandela walked out of prison a free man in 1990, and of course, the election of Barack Obama in 2008. Now, these two men are politicians and their legacies will be judged by history. But there’s absolutely no doubt that these two developments in history have had a profound impact on the African continent. They have brought hope in Africa, and also began the process of restoring pride and dignity in the African people. Now, as I speak to you and as you all know, President Nelson Mandela is lying in hospital, critically ill. The euphoria that engulfed this continent when President Obama was elected is fading, but in this room — look around you — is Africa’s brand new hope. These young people are doing amazing things in their communities. They have already been identified as leaders, and leaders who are committed to serving others and not themselves. Exactly 37 years ago this month, young school children here in Soweto braved Apartheid bullets, fighting for freedom. It’s no coincidence that a new generation of young people is here today. And like the ’76 generation, they refuse to conform, but are inspired to transform their world . When President Obama launched the Young African Leaders Initiative in 2010, he described them as the Africa that is overlooked. Well, at this moment the world can see and hear you. President Obama will come here, address you and then engage you. We will take a question here in South Africa before we cross to Kenya, Uganda and then Lagos, Nigeria. When the President selects you, please, be proud. Introduce yourselves and ask a short, sharp, smart question. (Laughter.) As a fellow African, I really want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping hope alive in Africa. Please join me in welcoming onstage the 44th President of the United States of America Barack Obama. (Applause.) President Obama: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Yebo Mzansi! (Applause.) Oh, it is wonderful to be back in South Africa. Everybody have a seat, everybody have a seat. Relax. Yes, I’m excited, too. (Applause.) It is wonderful to be here with all these extraordinary young people — young people from across this magnificent country, but also from all across the continent. And I want to give special thanks and special welcome to those who are watching from Nigeria and Uganda and Kenya, a country obviously very close to my heart. When I travel around the world, this is one of my favorite things to do — meeting and talking with young men and women like you. And our format today, this town hall is a longstanding tradition in America, and I get asked all sorts of things. I remember one event, a person asked a question that’s often on a lot of people’s minds when I show up: Where’s Michelle? (Laughter.) Sometimes people ask me, you seem to have gotten so old since you were elected — (laughter) — what happened? So this format can be a little humbling, but it energizes me because it gives me a chance to hear from you directly what you’re thinking, what you care about, what your vision is. And I’m making this trip to Africa because I believe this is a region on the move. Even as this continent faces great challenges — and they are great, and we can’t paper over them or pretend that those challenges don’t exist — even as too many Africans still endure tremendous hardship and great injustice, there is, as the song says — a “new Africa” — more prosperous, more confident, taking its place on the world stage. And one of the reasons is because of your generation. And it’s fitting that we’ve gathered here, in Jo’burg, in Soweto, because here we learned that history is in our hands. Not far from here, in Orlando West, two young men came of age who would transform this nation and inspire the world — Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. And President Mandela once said that during all those years in that cell, it was his home here in Soweto — that small red-brick house — that was what he called the “center point of my world.” And obviously he’s on our minds today, and we join the people of the world in sending our prayers to Madiba and his family because he still inspires us all. Now, not far from here, on a June morning, young students gathered in peaceful protest for the right to be taught in their own language, for the right to be treated like human beings. And after all the police bullets, after the smoke cleared, the world was shocked by that image — protesters holding the body of a young boy, Hector Pieterson. And what a powerful tribute it is to Hector’s sacrifice, and to all who struggled, that we can gather here today in a free South Africa at a university that serves all South Africans. And I know the story of Soweto inspires you in your lives, but keep in mind it inspired me, too. The uprising here helped open my mind to a broader world and to our responsibilities to choose between fairness and injustice, between right and wrong. And as a Senator, during my first visit to South Africa, I was able to go to Hector Pieterson’s memorial and pay tribute to
Obama an African boy who moved the world. And humbled by the sacrifices of all who have gone before us so that we can stand here as free men and women, I am honored to return to Soweto now as President of the United States of America. (Applause.) Now, tomorrow I’ll be down in Cape Town at the University of Cape Town, and I’ll speak about the future that we can build together — Africans and Americans. And that’s where Robert Kennedy delivered his eloquent address to another generation of young people. The challenges of our world, he said, demand “the qualities of youth; not a time in life, but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease.” That’s what young people are. That’s the spirit of youth, and it’s still true. That’s why three years ago, I launched a new effort to make sure we’re tapping those qualities of youth — the imagination, the courage, the “yes, we can” attitude of young Africans like you. It’s our Young African Leaders Initiative, and I kicked it off by welcoming young men and women from across Africa to the White House, and we had a town hall similar to this one. I think some of you were there, in fact. And since then, we’ve helped empower young people across this continent with new skills and entrepreneurship and leadership, and new partnerships in education and health and technology. Michelle came here to Soweto for a forum with some inspiring young women, and she’s here today in Jozi meeting with students who — (laughter) — did I say that wrong? — (applause) — meeting with students who, like you, are going to determine the future of your countries. So today, I’m proud to announce a significant expansion of this initiative. We’re launching a new program that’s going to give thousands of promising young Africans like you the opportunity to come to the United States and develop your skills at some of our best colleges and universities. (Applause.) It’s called the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, and I hope all of you apply because we’re joining with our top schools — public and private. We’ll focus on civic leadership and public administration and business and entrepreneurship, the skills you need to serve your communities and start and grow businesses and run effective ministries. And you’ll interact with Americans from all walks of life, because our citizens — especially our young people — can learn from you, too. You’ll meet with leaders in business and nonprofits and government, including me. And I look forward to welcoming you at a summit that I’ll host in Washington, because I want to hear directly from you — your hopes, your dreams, what we can achieve together. And your time in America will be just the beginning. When you come back home, new grants will help you turn your ideas into new businesses and new non-profits. And we’re going to partner with American companies here in Africa to provide internships and mentoring and job opportunities to help you grow into the next generation of business leaders. We’re going to partner with your governments and regional organizations here in Africa and foundations and civil society to amplify your voices as you stand up for democracy and equality. And with the connections you make as a Washington Fellow, you’ll have
something else for the rest of your life, and that is a network of Africans and Americans ready to collaborate on the future that you want to build. So this won’t be the most expensive program that we have, but I actually believe this is going to end up being one of the most important. And it’s important to me personally, because it’s a great way for me to show my faith and confidence in all of you. I believe in you, and I intend to make this a lasting part of our engagement with Africa beyond my presidency, for years to come. We want to empower entrepreneurs like Fred Swaniker. Where’s Fred? He’s from Ghana. (Applause.) Where is he? There he is. So Fred has got a fan club over here. (Laughter and applause.) Fred helped to start a biotech company, and now uses his expertise to help other young Africans develop their leadership skills so that they can come back and put those skills to use serving their communities, starting businesses, creating jobs. So thank you, Fred, for the great work that you’re doing. (Applause.) We want to empower citizens like Khadija Patel. Where’s Khadija? Khadija? (Applause.) So Khadija is a fearless journalist here in South Africa. She’s reported on Sudan, and Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. (Applause.) She’s exposed the roots of conflict, she’s challenged leaders as a voice for peace and justice. So we’re very proud of the work that you do, Khadija. Thank you. (Applause.) We want to empower advocates like Jacob Jabari. Where’s Jacob? Right here. (Applause.) So here in South Africa, Jacob decided he was not going to hide the fact that he was HIV positive; he embraced it, he became a counselor. He helps guide others, because he says the key to saving lives and slowing the spread of AIDS is an honest approach, and that takes great courage. Thank you, Jacob. (Applause.) And we want to empower women like Lebo Bogapane. Lebo? (Applause.) Growing up, Lebo endured domestic abuse and violence, which led to homelessness and hunger. Over many years, she didn’t simply rebuild her own life, she built a crisis center here in South Africa that’s helped thousands of women and children escape abuse as well. What a great legacy. Thank you, Lebo. (Applause.) So building the future that you seek, realizing the vision that you have, not just for your own countries but for the world — it will not be easy. It will not be easy. But as you go forward, I want you to think of the man who’s in our prayers today. Think about 27 years in prison. Think about the hardships and the struggles and being away from family and friends. Reflecting on his years in prison, Nelson Mandela wrote that there were dark moments that tested his faith in humanity, but he refused to give up. And he said, “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed towards the sun, one’s feet moving forward.” So in your lives, there will be time to test your faith. But no matter how old you grow, I say to all of you today, don’t lose those qualities of youth — your imagination, your optimism, your idealism. Because the future of this continent is in your hands, and if you keep your head pointed towards the sun and you keep your feet moving forward, I promise you will have no better friend and partner than the United States of America. (Applause.) Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. So now I get to do what I really want to do, which is to hear from you. So why don’t we open it up for questions. And I unTO BE CONTINUED
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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
TheMetroSection Remembering the less-privileged... • To mark his 50th birthday, Fashola gives hope to the motherless and abandoned children By Seye Olumide NLIKE the usual funfair, congratulatory advertorials, radio jingles and words of accolades from friends and associates, who always seize similar occasions to seek attention or say thank you to their benefactors, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, chose otherwise, on Friday when he marked his 50th birthday. The governor refused to throw an expensive party, he refused to organise public lecture and did not encourage anybody to place advertisements to congratulate him. His directive was simple and unique: “ Make donations during visits to charity and less-privileged homes in the state.” Although, the governor might not have personally been able to go round all these less-privileged homes across the state, but his advice was adhered to by his friends and associates. There was no aso ebi (uniforms) or organised market women and men on the street of Lagos to sing his praises. Fashola chose to dine with the poor. He showed concern to the children and millions of those who would have ordinarily loved to live normal lives but due to circumstances beyond their control, cannot. Some were abandoned by their biological mothers. Others were victims of domestic accidents while others were born with various degrees of deformities. As Alhaji Safiriyu Sunmola, who led the delegates of the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to donate gift items to inmates of Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere, put it: “When we told Fashola how we initially planned to celebrate his birthday, the governor simply urged us not to make a fanfare.” At about 11.00 a.m. when the team arrived Surulere with the gifts, “it was a sight to behold as the Hospice is meant for children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses” The founder of the Hospice, Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, said these were children whose lives and existence only depended on the Almighty and compassionate fellows. They included abandoned children, those whose parents could not withstand their mental state and decided to place them under the care of the homes while others were children retrieved from mentally-derailed mothers. After the donations, Mrs. Adedoyin explained how some of the children became inmates of the Hospice.
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Alhaji Sunola and Adedoyin holding Lara Demilade is about six years. She could neither walk nor talk but crawled like a snake. Despite his condition, she was able to smile in appreciation of people that remembered them. Ayanfe is about eight months old. He cannot move both hands and legs but only manages to moan when he is held up. According to Adedoyin: “He has been in a coma. Every necessary thing has been done. He can give up anytime from now. It may be today or tomorrow or as the Lord wishes. I love him so much and wish he could continue to be with us.” Another inmate, who was brought
PHOTOS: SEYE OLUMIDE
in from Bayelsa State, was said to have improved drastically despite the fact she was retarded. Resting on the bed, Bose as Mrs. Adedoyin named her, was smiling, as if she was going to say: “Extend my appreciation to Fashola, he has once visited and donated to us, we are still expecting to see him before he finally leaves office in 2015.” Adedoyin told members of the Lagos ACN: “A couple walked into my office sometime ago and asked me to admit their child. I told them it was not possible unless we went through the necessary government authorities. They were lucky their request was granted after going through due process at Alausa and I admitted the child.”
Ayanfe “That was their first child and during his delivery, the mother lost strength and could not push when the baby’s head was mid-way, which consequently damaged his brain. The sight of the baby was so gory to the mother such that she was gradually running mad.” Adedoyin also narrated the story of another inmate whose parents were drug addicts. “The parents abandoned her on Eko Bridge. Of course, the drugs had affected her and she is mentally challenged as well. What about the one the parents abandoned and before she could be rescued, crabs, rats and pigs had already eaten some parts of the body. We tried but she couldn’t survive.” Praying for long life and good health in appreciation of the gesture from the governor, Adedoyin called on Nigerians to set time aside to visit the less privileged. “It is necessary to set a token aside to give them comfort. The journey to set up the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice began in 2000 when I had an accident and faced the imminent of amputation of one of my legs. God miraculously healed me and here is the fulfillment of my promise to assist disabled children.” The delegation also visited Modupe Cole Children and Treatment Home School and Physiotherapy Clinic, Akoka, Yaba where they made donations. Receiving the delegates, the Principal, Mrs. Florence Kayode, said it was a good gesture from the governor and the party to show such love and compassion to the school.
Tears as United Kingdom-based Pastor Tayo Adeyemi passes on From Tunde Oyedoyin, London NE of Nigeria’s topmost Pentecostal pastors in the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Tayo Adeyemi, has passed on, aged 49. ‘Pastor Tayo,’ as he was fondly called by the congregation at New Wine Church, which he founded, lost a long protracted battle with a terminal illness, on Sunday at 2.00p.m. An Ibadan -based preacher, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, who was supposed to be rounding off the church’s 30-day prayer and fasting programme, had the unenviable task of breaking the sad news to members of the New Wine Church after finishing his sermon on Sunday night. Although the medical doctor - turned preacher had been confined to a wheelchair for over six months, and had been absent from the church for the most part of this year, the church had consistently prayed and were hopeful that the pastor would soon return to their midst on his feet, until Oke broke the shocking news to the packed auditorium at the South - East Church. Members wept openly as Oke broke the news that their pastor was no more. Oke told the con-
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gregation to accept it as God calling their Pastor to rest in a better place. In a message posted on its website on Monday, the Church said: “ With a heavy heart but gratitude to God for a life of significant service to God and positive influence to humanity, the leadership of New Wine Church announces the homegoing our senior pastor, Dr. Tayo Adeyemi, on Sunday, June 30, at 2.00pm. We are grateful to God for the life Dr. Tayo lived and the impact he made during his time with us.” In a tribute on the website, one member described him as a “people’s pastor.” He is survived by his wife and three sons. Adeyemi was born in Leeds in 1964, but was taken to Nigeria during his childhood. He had all education, including his medical training in Nigeria, before returning to the UK to do his postgraduate but he got a calling to be fishing for souls. Twenty years ago, he started the church, which currently has over 2,000 members and with branches outside the UK. Adeyemi was a regular voice on radio and television.
Briefs Olugbo dies at 100 ADAM Anirejoritse ElizaM beth Olugbo, a Deaconess of the Christ Apostolic Church, Warri, is dead. Her daughter, Mrs. Josephine Ahonaruogho, was by her bedside when Mama passes on. She is believed to be about 100 years old. She will be buried in her compound at Ekurede Itsekiri, Warri on Saturday, July 13, after a funeral service at the same venue. Meanwhile, a Christian wake holds on Friday, February, July 12, at her Ekurede Itsekiri compound, Warri, while an outing service is on Sunday, July 14, at the Christ Apostolic Church Cathedral, WarriSapele Road, Warri. She is survived by several grandchildren including Mr. Alex Gbiwen, Assistant Director, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Abuja and Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, the Immediate Past President of the University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA).
Olugbo
Watson, 88, for burial in United States Friday R. William Abayomi WatM son (aka Bad Boy Bill), who died on May 30, 2013, in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, at the age of 88, will be buried on Friday, July 7, 2013 after a service of songs at his residence, No. 1223, Bedford Street, Ancork, Brooklyn, New York.
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Alake appoints Regency Committee
From Charles Coffie Gyamfi Abeokuta HE Monarch of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has appointed a seven-man Regency Committee to administer the affairs of his domain during his yearly vacation, which falls between Wednesday, July 10 and Friday, August 9, 2013. A letter from the palace, signed by the monarch, a copy of hich was made available to The Guardian said the committee members are Chief J.O Sodipe, Oluwo-elect (Chairman) and Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, Baagbile Itoku (Secretary). Others are Chief Soniran Sowemimo; Chief Fatai Badaru, Jaguna Ijeun; Chief Abdulai Adekunle Apesin;Balogun Iporo, Olufemi Oludimu, Oluwo Obado and Chief Adeoye A. Jamiu Oguntade, Balogun Kemta.
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The late Pastor Adeyemi
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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Photonews
Wife of Abia State Governor Lady Mercy Odochi Orji donating various empowerment items to women of Abia State through her pet Project called Hannah-May Foundation ( HMF) at the Umuahia Township Stadium...
Market Activation Manager (Eastern Division), Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Mr. Cyril Arebun (left); Head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Dr. Chika Ndiokwelu and Corporate Communications Manager, Cadbury., Mr Akomen Omijeh during a seminar organized by Cadbury on the Importance of Nutrition at Rockview Hotel, Owerri …recently
Brief Service of songs for Agbadudu holds July 4 SERVICE of songs for ProA fessor Amorosu Burutu Agbadudu, a two-term Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, holds on Thursday, July 4, funeral service holds on Friday, July 5, followed by interment at Ewu, near Ughelli, Delta State.
Pioneering Bishop of Ifo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd Joseph Akin Odejide (rtd.) (left), Bishop of Ifo Anglican Diocese, Rt. Revd Nathaniel Ogundipe and Diocesan Communicator, Idowu Sowunmi during the first session of the Second Synod of the Diocese at St. Michael's Anglican Church, Wasimi, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State...at the weekend
Lagos Assembly raises concern over robbery attacks By Wole Oyebade ONSIDERING the huge investment in tackling insecurity in the state, Lagos Assembly yesterday raised concern on the new wave of armed robbery attacks in the state. Most worrisome for the lawmakers is the security agencies’ claim of insufficient tool to combat the uprising, most recent being a robbery attack in Iwaya on Monday. The House at its plenary yesterday, also moved a motion, calling on Governor Raji Fashola to direct the commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to beef-up security patrol in Iwaya and the entire state. In moving the motion, lawmaker representing Lagos Island II constituency, Moshood Oshun noted that the spate or armed robbery incidences in the state, especially in Yaba and Iwaya axis, calls for serious concern. Oshun informed the House that the most recent of the incidence occurred in Iwaya at 3.00a.m. on Monday, with two policemen from Iwaya Police Station killed. Also killed was a civilian as the bandit escaped through Borno Way with stolen cars. According to Oshun, “The police informed that they could
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not respond to the superior fire power of the robbery team. “This is becoming one too many in this constituency. We initially thought the attacks were due to activities of cult members because this area has five tertiary institutions. “But of late, it appears to have gone out of hand despite the billions worth of investment to equip the security agencies either as approved by the House or through the State Security Trust Fund (SSTF),” he said. The Assembly had on May 31, 2013, also approved the sum of N427.7 billion for the purchase of equipment for enhanced security in the state. Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, agreed with Oshun that the excuse for inadequate gadget is not tenable, in respect of the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); surveillance camera among other gadgets accrued from the trust fund. “Perhaps, we may have to invite head of the RRS to come and explain to us their activities and what has become of the gadgets we gave to them. Rotimi Olowo, representing Shomolu I Constituency, advocated for decentralisation of RRS activities in the state, as he called for their presence in each local council of the state.
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TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth
FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816
Editorial Making a new constitution
IGERIA needs a fresh start. It should begin with a new Constitution, but not as N conceived by the National Assembly in its on-going efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.
If the wishes of Nigerians meant anything in the estimation of members of the National Assembly, the thought of a constitutional amendment in the manner they are doing it would be the last thing on their agenda for now. But this is hardly ever so. Given the Assemblymen’s various self-serving actions in the past, a deep-seated distrust has been cultivated by the legislators, and this calls to question whatever amendments they may propose to the constitution. There is relative unanimity of opinion among Nigerians on the necessity of a new constitution, especially because of the origin of the current constitution. As Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the then head of state, took steps to lead the military out of government, he hurriedly coupled a constitution meant to usher in a new democratic order. This did not go down well with many Nigerians who believed that a constitution was too important a document to be put together in such a manner. From then on, stringent calls have been coming for a proper constitution, while the current one has been stripped of what little legitimacy it had, on the ground that it was foisted on the population by the military. That credibility problem did not abate even after the inauguration of the democratic government. Nigerians remained perturbed at the loss of their sovereignty to a document purportedly made for them, but which lacked their imprimatur, and therefore, bereft of the essential ingredient of a modern constitution – the need for it to be autochthonous, to be home-grown. Opinions loomed large then that it was wrong to build Nigeria’s democracy on such a constitution, which was described as a fraud in the light of its Preamble that says, “WE THE PEOPLE of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… DO HEREBY MAKE, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES the following constitution.” In reality, no such thing happened. In place of the 1999 Constitution, agitation for a constitutional conference, which would enable the constituent nationalities within the federation to sit down and determine the basis of their co- existence became rife. Interesting enough, this agitation is yet to subside 14 years after, in spite of all the elections that have taken place and the accompanying change of government, meaning that the crisis of legitimacy, which the 1999 Constitution suffered from inception has not abated. In fact, the agitation has been winning new converts of late, including those who were originally opposed to it. It is, therefore, scarcely arguable that what such a constitution needs is not a refurbishment, which is what an amendment stands for. No refurbishment can dig deep enough to the root of its defects. And it is foolhardy to attempt to build something on nothing. What is required is to begin afresh the process of constitution-making in a way that conforms with the pride of place such a document should occupy as “an autobiography of a nation” and the textual repository of the national soul. It is an important repository of people’s histories, values, aspirations, customs, hopes and dreams. To the extent that it lays down principles, it reflects the nightmares people have endured and the dreams they have. It is a set of commitment and vows, a nation’s mirror unto itself, a compass for its journey. This is why making a constitution is a unique venture. It is not just about what is in it but how it is made and who makes it. It is not enough to reflect the policy of a democratically elected majority, which is the argument of today’s legislators; it must reflect as far as possible the widest possible consensus achievable through inclusivity and the employment of the principle of “sufficient consensus”. Herein lies the imperative of a process as inclusive of key stakeholders in the society as possible. This can only emerge as the essence of a national conference where different ethnic groups would sit down to determine the basis of their co-existence and what constitutional arrangement is best suited for this. That is the only way Nigerians can have an enduring constitution, which everyone will be proud of. This procedure allows the people to reclaim their sovereignty in a manner that is not offensive to, or subversive of the existing legal order. Those who are sympathetic to the maintenance of the status quo, including members of the National Assembly themselves, have doggedly latched on to the provisions of Section 9 of the constitution, which gives to the legislature exclusively the responsibility of altering the constitution. That section cannot be right in the present circumstances as it negates the aspiration of the people. It must for that reason give way, first and foremost, to allow a fresh start through a national conference. It must be replaced with a section that will be broad enough to reflect the principle of inclusivity or maximum consensus, which will usher in the birth of a new constitution. The agitation of Nigerians is for a new constitution. That cannot be wished away just as its making cannot be singlehandedly done by the National Assembly because it cannot all alone appreciate the enormity of the problems at stake. There is no point going ahead with the present effort at amending the constitution in the manner the National Assembly has embarked upon with so much vigour. It is a road that leads to nowhere. That exercise however well conducted will not be acceptable to most Nigerians. This country needs a new beginning, but the current effort is not the way to begin.
LETTERS
Managing the cost of elections IR: As the nation grapples Sbuilding with the challenges of democracy and reviving the economy, it is apt for us to pause a little and reflect on the costs of our periodic elections to public offices and their impact on the treasury in particular and the economy in general, in the light of huge infrastructural deficit and high unemployment in the country. Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released a report on the actual cost of the 2011 general elections. Before then, there had been speculations in various quarters and interests groups regarding the real cost of the polls. Finally, INEC boss, Professor Attahiru Jega reported the commitment of N122.9 billion. According to the statement from the INEC chairman, “the
actual cost of the 2011 elections, including all costs involved in the voter registration exercise is N66.3 billion for recurrent expenditure and N56.6 billion for capital expenditure – making a total of N122.9 billion or, if you like, $800.6 million at an exchange rate of N153.5 to $1 which prevailed at the time…This represented a saving of N9 billion on a total of N131.4 billion that was appropriated.” We can just accept this as a fair view of the financial implications of that political exercise. But it will not be out of place and it is also of economic importance for us to question whether it was a good spending. Couldn’t we have done better by reducing the financial burden of just putting few citizens into public office, by finding a creative way of managing elections
expenses? As 2015 draws nearer, the Federal Executive Council approved N2.1 billion for INEC to produce 33.5 million permanent voter cards. INEC says the approved fund was for the second batch of PVCs in furtherance of the same project, which funding commenced in 2012. The cost of this democracy is very high despite scarce resources available to the nation and a huge wage bill. Instead of our continued spending of these enormous resources on elections alone without an equivalent investment and efforts in building infrastructure and job creation, let us apply prudence and the principles of economic justice in public finances as regards elections. • Ugo Jim-Nwoko, Abuja.
Nigeria’s war on terror IR: Since President Goodluck cake and eat it. Even now the killing 13 of the youths. Semergency Jonathan declared a state of terrorists are unrelenting and All efforts must be made to stop in Borno, unrepentant because accord- this madness. And while this is so, Adamawa and Yobe states, some Nigerians, especially politicians have continued to kick against it. But are these not the same people who cried blue murder when terrorists struck at the UN building in Abuja, who were united in grief when people were killed in a Catholic Church on a Christmas day, who think that the president has been too soft on the perpetrators and who expect that their president should do his constitutional duty of protecting them? Nigerians can’t have their
ing to AFP, the leader of the insurgents in a recent video claimed that they are dealing blows on the soldiers and that they (the insurgents) had sustained little damage. He even called on foreign Islamists in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to join the fight. Just of recent in Maiduguri, it was reported that the insurgents hid their Kalashnikov guns inside a coffin while driving through military checkpoints to avoid being searched and launched an attack with them against a group of vigilantes,
it is imperative too that neighbouring countries cooperate with the Nigerian government and help apprehend, and hand over their nationals who are terrorists operating on Nigerian soil as a token on the war on terror. The U.S. and the UN’s support have been encouraging. Nigerians must now help themselves. They must take the good with the bad. People should stop politicizing everything, even something as serious as national security. • Cosmas Odoemena, Lagos.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Business Appointments P27 Redefining employment opportunities through marketing initiatives
Heirs Holdings, others commit N1.4 trillion to Africa’s power initiative By Roseline Okere and Sulaimon Salau HE United States of America’s private sector partners have committed over $9 billion (N1.4 trillion) to boost power generation and supply in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania in the next five years. The US government had earlier announced its own N7 billion commitment to electricity scheme, through a statement made by President Barack Obama in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday. Already, Heirs Holding, headed by Tony O. Elumelu has announced its own commit-
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• AFC projects N48 trillion investment to meet continent’s electricity demand by 2030 ment of $2.5 billion to the power scheme. But the African Finance Corporation (AFC), projected that the continent would require N48 trillion to meet power demand by 2030. It has however, committed N200 billion for the subSaharan Africa’s power project. A fact sheet on Power Africa from the White House, Washington DC, released by the Office of the Press Secretary on Sunday, explained that the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) will provide $285 million in technical assistance, grants and risk mitigation to advance private sector energy transactions and help governments adopt and implement the policy, regulatory, and other reforms necessary to attract private sector investment in the energy and power sectors. It added that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) would also commit up to $1.5 billion in financing and insurance to energy projects in subSaharan Africa.
The fact sheet disclosed further that the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) will make available up to $5 billion in support of U.S. exports for the development of power projects across sub-Saharan Africa”. The fact sheet added that the ‘Power Africa; would also leverage private sector investments, beginning with more than $9 billion in initial commitments from private sector partners to support the development of more than 8,000 megawatts of new electricity generation in sub-Saharan Africa. The AFC’s commitment was in
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Professor Michael Ajisafe (left); Founder/President of the university, Aare Afe Babalola; and President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Ganiyu Koledoye, during a courtesy visit by the institute’s officials to the university in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend.
World Bank unfolds fresh N32b facility for agric scheme in Nigeria From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta
O further boost its objecT tive of assisting in reducing poverty at the grassroots and also sustain its investment in agriculture through the Third National Fadama Development Project (NFDP), the World Bank is set to give additional $200 million (N32 billion) to some benefiting states of the in the country. The Bank’s Country Director, Mrs. Marie Francoise MarieNelly who spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital yesterday stated that the additional fund was approved because the bank was impressed about progress of the project in Ogun State and the other benefitting states. She spoke during a “MiniCountry Performance Portfolio Review Meeting” to
assess progress in project implementation and contribution to the delivery of desired development objectives The review, she said would assist the performance of the portfolio at the States level, stressing “using a State level lens for the review will engender a more coordinated response and provide a cohesive framework to identify issues and address issues”. Marie-Nelly explained that their expectation was to make sure that there was greater involvement of State government and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in monitoring portfolio results and urged the Federal, State as well as the local governments to continue to support the project. The World Bank boss disclosed that the methodology
of the CPPR (Country Performance Portfolio Review) included field visit to selected project sites, discussions in plenary and in groups and development of an action plan to improve on what they had on ground. She commended the coordinator of the Ogun State FADAMA Project, Mr. Femi Akinsola and his management team, saying that they had always excel in their duties. The State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his speech solicited the World Bank’s support for his government in order to achieve the five cardinal-points of his government. Amosun lamented over Nigeria’s “over dependent” on oil , saying “We should be looking at other non-oil areas
because we should not be totally dependent on oil. Whether we like it or not at some point in time, we may begin to get out of oil but agriculture has other areas”. The Governor said: “I will want to just implore you (World Bank) and solicit, not just for our state alone, but all the states in Nigeria that we need your help to grow. We need you to help us to develop. For example in Ogun State, we know that if we are to get things right, we must be system-driven. If we follow procedures as system-driven, we would not have issues with accountability”. He added “So we implore you to assist us in all those five areas that we have mentioned that it is those areas that formed the basis of our mission to rebuild Ogun State”.
line with the United States of America’s (US) Power Africa Initiative announced by President Obama last week. President and Chief Executive Officer, AFC, Andrew Alli said: “The International Energy Agency has reported that subSaharan Africa will require more than $300 billion in investment to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. AFC will provide additional investments in energy projects, far in excess of its commitment to the Power Africa initiative. “AFC aims to provide Power Africa Countries not only access to financial, deal structuring and sector technical expertise, but also advisory services, project development capacity, funding to bridge the power infrastructure investment and access deficit, a critical pillar for economic growth across Africa,” Alli added. Earlier this year, Elumelu’s
holding company, through its investment company, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), purchased the Ughelli power plant, one of Nigeria’s largest power assets, which it plans to restore to its full generating capacity of 1000 megawatts. “The investment we are making demonstrates our intent to become a significant player in the power sector. It also shows in a clear and meaningful way that African capital can and should be part of the solution to Africa’s challenges. We need more African companies to step up and get involved in Africa’s development. “Heirs Holdings’ investment in Power Africa is not just about creating value for shareholders. We want to conduct business in this strategic sector for the long term, in a way that links economic return to social benefits – a key component of what I call Africapitalism,” Elumelu added.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
16 BUSINESS
Experts optimistic about Nigeria’ $1b Eurobond offer By Bukky Olajide NALYSTS have projected a successful outing for Nigeria’s $1 billion Eurobond offer expected to be issued by the Federal Government before the end of this year to fund power projects. Speaking at a business forum in Lagos, General Manager, Treasury Services, Consolidated Discount Limited (CDL), Bolanle
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Okunubi said there is high possibility that the Eurobond will be successful like previous offers by the Federal Government. Nigeria issued a debut $500 million 10-year Eurobond two years ago, which was oversubscribed, with investors spanning 18 countries from Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa. He said that for investors investing in bonds is less
risky and there is high level of confidence on Nigeria’s sovereign bonds. According to him, the ongoing one-week road show to Britain, Germany and the United States which started on June 19 is a welcome development. The meetings is being led by the Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and other senior government officials from
Former Executive Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), now Chief Executive Officer of African Deep Sea Services, Henry Abebe (right) and Chief Executive Officer, First Marine Limited, Joe Penawou at Houston Texas after an oil and gas conference recently.
the Debt Management Office. He described a bond as a loan or debt security. He said the investor or holder of the bond is the lender while the issuer remains the borrower. “When you purchase a bond, you are lending money to the Issuer who in return promises to pay you a specified rate of coupon during the life of the bond and to repay the face value of the bond when it matures. Bonds are “fixedincome securities” because the amount of income the bond will generate each year is “fixed” or set when the bond is sold,” he said. Whether one is holding a “risk-free” securities (sovereign bond) or corporate bonds, there are some risks that are associated with investing in bonds. Risk, in this context, means the possibility of losing some or all of the original investment. It is chance that an investment’s actual return will be different than expected. He advised that since risks cannot be entirely eliminated, bondholders are expected to identify and manage associated risks. Likewise, Emmanuel Ebuk, an Executive of CDL described risk as the divergence between anticipated outcomes and actual results. He said that just like other investors, those investing in bonds will have to face and manage some of the inherent risks. He identified them as market risk which occurs as a result of risk of losses due to movements in financial market variables. These he identified as equity risk seen as the risk that stock prices will change; Interest rate risk which is the danger that interest rates will change while currency risk is the fear that foreign exchange rates will change among others.
Govt plans fresh local content law for construction industry By Sulaimon Salau HE local content law embedded in the oil and gas sector may soon be replicated in the construction industry, as a draft bill to that effect may soon be debated at the National Assembly. The bill is expected to fully ensure utilization of local resources and further entrench local capacity in the construction sector. The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, Asita Honourable, disclosed this during the ground breaking ceremony for the Technova Africa Group Limited Line Pipe Mill and Coating Facility in Edo State. He said the committee has begun moves to defend the bill before the relevant stakeholders, assuring that the legislators would put up their best to make it a law bounded on all investors and stakeholders in the sector. His words: “There is another bill that is coming. We are entrenching local content in the construction industry. We have defended it in two different places. Two days ago I was before the European commission to defend the bill, and we have assured them that we will make it a law. If you like it, you do business here, if you don’t like it, you do business here.”
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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
UNIDO partners Ministry on investment monitoring platform HE UN Industrial T D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation (UNIDO) is
Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke (left); Chief Executive Officer/Lead Consultant, ThistlePraxis Consulting, Ini Onuk; President and Founder, Mara Group and Mara Foundation, Ashish Thakkar; CoFounder & Executive Director, Falcon Petroleum Ltd, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo and Executive Director Regional Businesses South, Diamond Bank, Victor Ezenwoko, at AR-CSR conference held in Tinapa, Calabar, Cross River.
Japaul assures shareholders of improved performance, high returns on investment By Helen Oji Oil and Maritime Plc JofAPAUL has assured shareholders improved performance and high returns on investment in the next financial year. The Managing Director of the company, Jegede Paul, while fielding questions to shareholders at the 8th yearly general meeting of the company in Lagos recently, explained that the business was an investment that required a long period of time, between 20 to 25 years to generate income, adding that the first five years of investment was used to pay back funds that we obtained from various sources. He; however, assured shareholders of enhanced profitability and good dividend yield as soon as the company completed its loan repayment.
“Our expectation looking forward is an improved performance in terms of high return on investment. Though right now the stage we are is adding value on assets. Our vessels take a long time to generate income, a minimum life span of any of our vessel is 25 years. The first five years of our investment is used to pay back funds that we obtained from various sources, while the rest 20 years of the investment is to enjoy income on our investment. That is why you see a lot of repayment in our account book, banks wanting their money back in two to three years for our kind of vessel. “It cost an average of $25 million to $30 million but as soon as we complete our loan repayment we will have enough to reinvest and distribute as dividend to our
shareholders. From the 300 vessels operating upstream in Nigeria, we have just acquires eight new vessels, that’s with asset value of about N32 billion. We are just not there yet, going by the nature of our kind of business. Also the industry we operate is high capital intensive. The company’s future is so bright and colorful but it requires patience.”
partnering with the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMTI) and other stakeholders to inaugurate an Investment Monitoring Platform (IMP) in Nigeria. The other stakeholders are the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by Mr Adetola Ajala, an Investment Promotion Expert in UNIDO. ``The IMP is an interactive online investment software developed by Microsoft for UNIDO that enables users to monitor investment trends, opportunities and impact. ``It contains data from more than 7000 companies in 19 African countries and provides a unique opportunity for research and policy advocacy in an empirically sound manner,” it said. The statement said that the data would support the Federal Government through FMTI, NIPC,
SMEDAN and other institutions to monitor trends in investment flows, and measure their impact on the economy. According to the statement, the platform will target quality investors, and advocate for evidence-based interventions and policy proposals. It said that the IMP would be launched officially in Nigeria by the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, on July 8 in Abuja. ``The platform is expected to shift from the traditional Investment Promotion Authority role of `marketing the country as an investment location to making institutions true agents in
It will also attract quality investment in productive sectors and support investors through an innovative set of support services the development process. ``It will also attract quality investment in productive sectors and support investors through an innovative set of support services,’’ it stated. It added that various functionalities and potential benefits to interested institutions and companies would be presented at the launch. ``It will be followed by four days of hands-on practical training to ensure its effective use by NIPC and other stakeholders,’’ it said.
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20 BUSINESS
NERC boss blames poor power supply on inadequate resources From Kehinde Olatunji, Ibadan HE Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Sam Amadi, has attributed poor service delivery in the power sector to inadequate resources. Amadi made this known at the weekend during the inau-
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guration of Ibadan Customers’ Forum Office at Magara Police Station, Iyaganku, Ibadan. The NERC chief, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner, Government and Consumers Affairs Division of the commission, Abba Ibrahim, said huge resources was required to sus-
tain quality power generation. According to him: “You need a lot of investment in the power sector to be able to sustain it. The reason why government has not been able to sustain it is because it has been unable to provide the required input to make things run. “That is the reason for inaugu-
Taraba beckons on investors From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo NVESTORS willing to take advantage of the abundant natural and human resources in Taraba State have been given open cheque to invest in any part of the state as the Acting Governor Garba Umar promised to give such investors all the needed assistance. Umar, who made this known at the weekend while declaring open the fifth biyearly National Conference of Special Advisers to state governors in the country, said the state is avidly interested in partnering with investors willing to invest in the state. Stressing that the state is blessed with abundant “human and natural resources”, he said the administration would throw its weight behind investors interested in harnessing the numerous potentials in the state.
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The acting governor who invited the advisers across the country and other stakeholders to join the state in its quest for growth said, “we will like to express our readiness to partner with individual, group or organisations wishing to invest in our state.” X-raying the numerous potentials scattered in the nooks and crannies of the state to the advisers, he said he felt sad that the absence of infrastructural facilities have continue to hindered the state government from tapping into the potentials. According to him, “government efforts to tap these rich potentials are yet to be fully realized because of the huge infrastructural deficit and lack of positive response from the private sector.” The state as made known by him, is at the verge of concluding works on the construction of the Jalingo
Airport and have as well opened discussions with various local and foreign investors for the establishment of agro-allied industries, stating that “the administration has also re-launched efforts for the revitalisation of some of the moribund industries in the state.” The conference, which took place at the multipurpose conference hall of Jolly Nyame Stadium located along Mile Six in Jalingo Metropolis, brought together special advisers to the various state governors of the federation. Speaking, the National Chairman of the Special Advisers Forum, Batom Mitee, said he was not happy that some state governors have continue to relegate to the background the services of their special advisers, hence the need for each state governors to always engage their special advisers on a
rating the Customers’ Forum. We require the support of the private sector to succeed. You should help us to protect electricity infrastructure and investment in your area to be able to get to a sustainable level”. He explained that the forum was organised for the benefit of electricity workers as well as consumers, adding that the forum is a redress mechanism for the resolution of disputes between the electricity consumers and the PHCN. “As we all know, investors will still take over power distribu-
tion. The new owners will need your support as stakeholders in the sector. Privatisation is to create more opportunities for us as a nation”. In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Ibadan Distribution Company, Bolaji Oyesiku, said: “What we are doing today is an affirmation of the fact that customer is king. The power sector reform has done a lot and the result would begin to materialise in a short time”. Mrs. Eniola Oyedele, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Ibadan Customers’ Forum, Dr.
Babajide Taiwo, said: “We want to pledge our commitment in our roles. Our work is not limited to customer’s interest only. We would do our best in ensuring that we get the best”. Senior Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Infrastructure, Mr. Olugbenga Opatunde, said, “there has been dispute between the power generating company and the consumers. “Most of the challenges and complaints are unresolved for a long time. It is hoped that the forum would be able to intervene”.
Project Manger Nestoil, Lawrence Ezenwaka (left); General Manager Projects Nestoil, Austine Agomuoh; Executive Director Nestoil, Mr. Keith Jones, in a hand shake with GM Nigeria, Operated, Onshore & Shallow Offshore Projects, Toyin Olagunju; CP Lead NLNG Supply Projects, Emuophedaro Oghenero. Back Roll: Contract Analyst NLNG Supply Projects, Clemens Brian (left); Kolo Creek to Soku Project Lead, Olawuyi Olanrewaju; VP Projects Operated, Graham Henley and Finance Manager NLNG Supply Projects, Princewill Obi, after the signing ceremony.
THE GUARDIAN,Tuesday, July 2, 2013
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY
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OPEC pumps 30.38 m bpd in June PEC crude output has O fallen in June due to disruptions in Libya and Nigeria, a Reuters survey has found, inadvertently bringing supply closer to the organization’s target. Supply from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has averaged 30.38 million barrels per day (bpd), down from a revised 30.46 million bpd in May, the survey of shipping data and sources at oil firms, OPEC and consultants found. The survey shows violence is making African producers OPEC’s weakest supply link and the ambitious plans of Iraq, its secondlargest producer, to expand exports are facing headwinds.
In June, largely involuntary curbs by smaller OPEC producers have outweighed extra crude from its top exporter, Saudi Arabia, which has ramped up supply in response to a seasonally higher requirement for crude in domestic power plants. “It’s Nigeria, Libya and Angola mainly,” said a participant in the survey who declined to be identified. “This decline should support prices and you could make a case for it continuing for the next few months.” OPEC’s June output is the lowest since March 2013, when the group pumped 30.18 million bpd, according to Reuters surveys, and leaves supply a mere 380,000 bpd above its out-
put target of 30 million bpd. With oil just above Saudi Arabia’s preferred level of $ 100, OPEC at a meeting on May 31 in Vienna agreed to maintain the 30 million bpd target, leaving the door open for informal Saudi supply tweaks depending on demand. The most notable drop in OPEC output has come from Libya. Protests at oil fields and terminals led to supply falling below 1 million bpd earlier in June, according to the state oil company, although production recovered later in the month. Supply in Nigeria, increasingly disrupted by oil spills, flooding and theft, remains under downward pressure. Output of Nigerian Usan
crude, originally expected to amount to four cargoes in June, was offline for most of the month. The Usan operator, Total, declared a force majeure on loadings which is still in place. Another Nigerian crude grade, Bonny Light, remains under force majeure. Iraq’s exports have slipped to 2.35 million bpd so far in June due to poor weather disrupting loadings in the south and interruptions to pipeline flow in the north of the country, according to shipping data and industry sources. Supply fell in Angola due to export scheduling. Shipments of grades including Saxi and Plutonio crude were lower than in May, when exports
rose. Iranian crude exports were estimated at around 1.1 million bpd in May and the survey found no significant change in June. US and European sanctions on Iran have more than halved its exports since early 2012. Meanwhile, global spare oil production capacity slipped in May and June from the previous two months, but was above levels during the same period last year, the US govern-
ment has said. The spare capacity slipped to 2.4 million barrels per day in May and June, down about 0.4 million bpd from the previous two months, but up 0.3 million bpd versus May and June last year, the Energy Information Administration report said. EIA analyst, Sam Napolitano, said the slip in spare capacity was mainly the result of adjustments in production from Saudi Arabia and other OPEC countries.
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INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY
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World Bank sees ‘vulnerable’ food system on climate change HE global food system will remain “vulnerable” in the years to come as a growing population boosts demand for crops and climate change makes weather disruption more frequent, according to the World Bank. The world will need to produce 70 per cent more food by 2050 to feed a global population expected to grow to more than nine billion from seven billion now, the United Nations’ Rome-based Food & Agriculture Organisation estimates. The three biggest annual gains in food prices in the past 20 years occurred since 2007, with the FAO’s food prices index of 55 items climbing to a record in February 2011. Immature corn plants are surrounded by standing water in a field outside Wyanet, Illinois, on May 28, 2013. Corn jumped to a record in August after the worst U.S. drought since the 1930s left limited supplies. “Although we are having some good crops, we continue to expand our consumption, so our ability to replenish stocks is challenged,” Marc Sadler, practice leader at the agriculture and environmental services unit of the World Bank, said in an inter-
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view in London at the weekend. “Demand continues to grow and a lot of that has been driven by emerging, new middleincome consumers who change their dietary patterns.” Global demand will continue growing as increasingly wealthy consumers in developing economies eat more meat. The world’s food-import bill is expected to remain stable this year as cheaper sugar and cooking oils compensate for higher dairy, fish and meat costs, according to the FAO. Countries will spend $1.094 trillion buying food this year from $1.092 trillion in 2012. Foodimport costs rose to a record $1.26 trillion in 2011. Wheat and soybeans led commodities gains last year and corn jumped to a record in August after the worst U.S. drought since the 1930s left limited supplies. Frosts in Brazil helped cut the sugar cane crop in the country’s main producing region for the first time in a decade in the 2011-12 seasons, data from industry group Unica showed. Disruptive weather events are increasing in frequency and amplitude, Sadler said. “The real challenge for agriculture is that the environment, the production system, the variables that surround us, are increasingly volatile,” he said. “It will continue to be a challenge to raise
New lower price caps for mobile roaming within Europe from July ROM 1 July 2013, the FRoaming European Union’s Regulation will lower the price caps for data downloads by just over a third (36 per cent) while travelling across the EU. Data roaming will now be up to 91 per cent cheaper in 2013 compared to 2007. The EU has achieved retail price reductions across calls, SMS and data of over 80 per cent since 2007. Each year, Europeans make several million visits to Croatia, which joins the EU on 1 July. This year visitors to Croatia will enjoy spectacular savings as the cost for data decreases almost 15 fold and sending a SMS or making a phone call elsewhere in the EU will be 10 times cheaper. Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said: “The EU has to be relevant to people’s lives. The latest price cuts put more money in your pocket for summer and are a critical step towards getting rid of these premiums once and for all. This is good for both consumers and companies, because it takes fear out of the market, and it grows the market. The new prices caps, which enter into force on 1st July 2013, are downloading data or browsing the Internet - 45 cents / Megabyte (MB) (charged per Kilobyte used) + VAT. (36 per cent reduction compared to 2012), making calls - 24 cents / minute + VAT (17 per cent reduction compared to 2012), receiv-
Saudi Mobily in $650 million financing deal with Ericsson, NSN AUDI Arabia’s Mobily Srandum 7020.SE has signed memoof understandings with Nokia Siemens Networks NOKI.UL and Ericsson (ERICb.ST) to fund the purchase of $650 million of equipment from the firms, the telecom operator said on Sunday. Mobily, also known as Etihad Etisalat, said it would work with the Finland and Sweden export credit agencies to finalise the 10-year sharia-compliant facilities. The operator, an affiliate of the United Arab Emirates’ Etisalat ETEL.AD, said that the deal would be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector and would boost the company’s free cash flow.
ing a call – seven cents / minute + VAT (12.5 per cent reduction compared to 2012), sending a text message - eight cents + VAT (11
per cent reduction compared to 2012). Operators are free to offer cheaper rates and some have already begun to remove
roaming premiums altogether for voice and SMS, or offer a roaming-free area region across one section of
agricultural productivity in a resilient way in the face of climate change and this is the reality we face.” While food production is increasing, a large proportion of stockpiles are in countries that won’t export them, Sadler said. About 50 per cent of global grain supplies are in India and China, he told the Agriculture Investment Summit in London. Global cereals production will be a record 2.46 billion metric tons this year, the FAO estimates. “The reality is we have better crops, but when we look at available liquid stocks for the global export market as a percentage of stocks to disappearance, it’s pretty low,” Sadler said. “The good news is, food continues to move around the planet that trade continues to be relatively free. Last year we had two big problems in the U.S. and in Russia and yet we saw very little in the markets in terms of barriers to trade, so a huge improvement, an important improvement and a difference from what happened in 2008 and 2010.” Countries from India and Egypt to Vietnam and Indonesia banned exports of rice, a staple for half the world, during the 2008 food crisis. Russia in 2010 banned cereal exports after the country’s worst drought in at least half a century destroyed crops and cut production. “Sudden changes to trade policy certainly in many previous circumstances have had a negative impact on price, by that I mean pushing prices up,” Sadler said. “That has had an impact not only in consumers in middle-income countries but it’s had a severe impact on the highly vulnerable and the poor and developing countries.”
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Appointments Redefining employment opportunities through marketing initiatives
Lenderman By Yetunde Ebosele and Wole Oyebade ARKETING initiatives are M not static. They evolve to cope with available realities across the world. Gaining brand loyalty is one of the challenges confronting corporations across the world. Besides, brand loyalty plays crucial roles in determining the success or otherwise of products and services. Experts who gathered in Lagos at the weekend observed that traditional ways of marketing might no longer be as effective as they once were. Consumers are now smarter and want to connect and engage with a brand. The initiative is also redefining various aspects of business life including employment opportunities. The strategists who met at the two-day Experiential Marketing Conference Nigeria, titled: “Experiential marketing paradigm: what today is saying about tomorrow”, were unanimous that today’s consumers want ongoing, meaningful relationships that are made up of many different types of twoway interactions. Programme Manager for Redbutton International, Funmi Elliot, in her opening remarks said the regular conventional advertising is no longer working because consumers today are well informed, empowered and cautious. “Before they even buy, they ask for feedbacks, do a lot of research. Telling them ‘this is what we are’ is no longer working but you need to create a platform for them to see you for who you are and then make inferences in key decision. “Again, the budget for experiential marketing is increasing per year and by 2015, it would have increased by 45 per cent, which is huge. This means that those in the experiential marketing sector need to begin to reinvent the wheels; to begin to do things differently. Your brands need to come alive in your sam-
Hauser pling, direct marketing, which is your retail shopping experience. It is basically getting people to emotionally connect to your brand,” Elliot said. Apparently in agreement with Elliot, Experiential Methodology Consultant, Erik Hauser, noted that experiential marketing methodology is one of two marketing methodologies available in today’s advertising culture. There is traditional marketing methodology which has a left-brain bias and appeals to people’s rational buying triggers. And, there’s experiential marketing methodology, which is the more holistic marketing methodology that has a right brain bias. It does not only appeal to the rational buying triggers, but also to the emotional buying triggers. “Essentially, in this day and age – nobody is selling products or services – we’re all selling feelings and emotions. Everyone is attempting to reach into the consumers’ emotional Rolodex’s to connect with them at a somewhat deeper level.” A pioneer in the field of experiential marketing, Max Lenderman, added that marketing in the future would indeed be personal; something that is shared between people rather than directed at them. And it will be a force for the global good, an industry that inspires people instead of annoying them. “It has become clear – with all figures and projections pointing in the same direction – that digital channels will replace television, radio, out-of-home and print as the dominant form of brand communications. “And it is my contention that the digital revolution cannot occur without a physical one. This theorem should be most evident in the way that we will shop, consume and engage with brands and corporations in the very near future. But it is also an idea that should be examined in the context of global societies and marketplaces – indeed, in
Elliot the very fabric of our day-today lives.” Lenderman added that the 21st Century global consumer is on the point of a massive amalgamation of digital and physical experiences, and those who can understand and adapt to this paradigm shift will be those who will prosper and progress. “The audience is no longer just listening. A survey shows 61 per cent of people saying they no longer take note of what advertisement is saying. Now, they are active participants in every brand’s evolution and it has help to boost purchase by 52 per cent. “This means that authentic consumer engagement is priority for success. Agencies must now help brands navigate the rules of community participation to spark and curate meaningful conversations that resonate with their most valuable audiences. These conversations must then be engaged with and amplified. It is this mind-set that takes brands from being recognised to being experienced, remembered, shared and loved.” According to Lenderman, there are three ways to create the ‘wow experience’. First, ‘Tell, show and involve’. Examples of this abound in the visual army experience in the United States and Swedish involvement approach, both methods of stimulating interest into the army. Second, ‘Think big’. “The power of experiential marketing allows us to create really big ideas. You can define what your experiential is, by then your brand and also create the right media experience.” An example of the think big marketing strategy, is Red Bull’s commercial with Felix Baumgartner’s 120,000ft fall from space. It created 27 billion impression in one experiential campaign and immediately shutdown YouTube. Currently, Red Bull has a 70 per cent market share among energy drinks, selling 4.2 billion cans in 2010 alone and is available in 162 countries.
Third, be meaningful: “One of the challenges facing businesses is to add meaning to commercial life. A lot of companies have lore; they have history; they have tradition; they have huge markets; but they have no meaning. Just 20 per cent of brands globally are thought to be meaningful. “People won’t care until it is about their lives. Appealing brands must be backed by questions. ‘Why are we here
Kupoluyi on earth? What am I doing? Who benefits from this?’ These are valid questions for business people to ask – and answer, with no words over three syllables and no business terms.” Consumer engagement typically includes the following practices: Digital and online programmes, including a brand’s own websites and mobile platforms, as well as ‘third-party’ digital media, such as blogs and social
media, video and other user generated content sites, where a brand’s content is relevant sports, music and event marketing, public relations, traditional advertising, retail promotion. Experiential marketing along with digital and social media have an important place within consumer engagement efforts as they allow two-way consumer dialogue.
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‘Lagos Assembly Commission to enhance training capacity’ By Wole Oyebade HE newly established T Lagos State House of Assembly Commission (LAHASCOM) has reiterated its commitment to training of workers at the legislative arm of the state. And given the necessary support, the commission would commence the training and retraining exercise for about 350 workforce to upbeat the discharge of constitutional duty at the Lagos Assembly. Chairman of the commission, Olawale Mogaji told The Guardian recently that the commission was at an advanced stage of developing a comprehensive capacity programme that would ensure all workers of the assembly were trained at every level of promotion. According to Mogaji, “Capacity building is one of the core duties of the commission and there is a department saddled with that responsibility. The major job of the lawmakers has to be public policy, enactment of bills and law making. But behind them are these workforce and without quality staff, it will slow down or affect quality output in the work of the legislators. “We are drawing a comprehensive programme to have effective capacity building. The challenge now is that we have a lean budget, which
was prepared before the commission came on board. “Now that we are in place, we are working to ensure that at every level of promotion, there must be some amount of training to expose the worker to the kind of challenges waiting at the next level. This is to ensure we don’t just push people to the next level, but to also assist such staff through the necessary exposure,” he said. The commission began operation in December 2012 in line with the 2011 enactment mandating each state of the federation to create a commission to manage workers in its legislative house. The commission is to ensure workers welfare, transfer, promotion and discipline among others. Mogaji noted that since the Commission came on board, it had instill some level of sanity into the system, couple with initial retreats, workshops and seminars to acquit selves with the task. “The next level is for us to overhaul the entire staff to ensure that we have the right staff in the right place and also do some recruitments. We have this budget constraint and still have to operate within its provisions. We hope as time goes on, there would be improved funding; then all the staff would have been in place.”
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How SAP ruined civil service, by Imoke From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ROSS River State C Governor Senator Liyel Imoke has blamed the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida of destroying the country’s civil service and the system. He said the Nigeria Civil Service, which was painstakingly built since 1934, only took the Babangida administration only eight years to destroy through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which lasted from 1986 to 1994. Imoke said this recently while making a keynote speech to mark the state’s Civil Service Day held at the Cultural Centre Complex in Calabar, pointed out that since the exit of the military, efforts have been made to rebuild the service but little success has been achieved.
He said: “The civil service remains the hope of the vast majority of Nigerians and it has direct impact on the success or failure of any administration. “In just eight years, the Structural Adjustment Programme instituted by the Babangida administration destroyed the values, dignity of civil service which have painstakingly been built since 1934.” Governor Imoke said “in the past there was no greater ambition for the average young person than to aspire to be a civil servant as such was a guarantee for the good life as the average civil servant was able to send his children to school, build a house, and buy a car; even the youth corps member on passing out is able to buy a Volkswagen Igala for a start”.
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Nigeria set to validate labour migration policy From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Federal Government T has set machinery in motion towards the validation of the draft labour migration policy. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, at the National Validation Workshop on the Draft National Labour Migration Policy held in Abuja, said government would deploy organised labour migration as an instrument for national growth and development. His words: “As you all may know, labour migration is far from being a new phenomenon, as women and men have been leaving their homelands in search of better lives elsewhere for centuries. The difference now is that labour migration is a far more widespread phenomenon in this era of globalisation than before due to improvement in international communication and transportation systems.” Wogu, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Clement Illoh, further posited that it’s also imperative for the country to be more proactive in developing programmes to harness the benefits of
organised labour migration for national development in line with the transformation agenda of the current government. He observed that the validation exercise was the first time an effort is made to document the national aspirations and expectations out of a well-managed labour migration system. The minister explained that migration is emerging as one of the most critical social and economic issues of the decade, adding that labour migration policy articulates state commitment to ensuring a labour migration process that adheres to the principles of good governance, rights and responsibilities enshrined in international instruments to advance opportunities for all men and women to engage in labour migration for decent and productive employment in conditions of freedom, dignity, security and equity. The minister hinted that draft Labour Migration Policy is being reviewed to incorporate all observations and amendments in preparation for its presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and adoption.
He added: “It is our strong belief that it will also strengthen national capacity to manage organised labour migration and deter irregular migration while optimising the benefits of labour migration for national development.” In his welcome remarks, the Chief of Mission International Organisation for Migration, Mr. Martin Ocaga, revealed that the objective of the validation workshop was to provide a platform for stakeholders to review, amend and validate the current draft Labour Migration Policy prior to its presentation to the FEC for consideration and endorsement for implementation. He maintained that the endorsement of the policy will strengthen the legal and policy framework for organised labour migration and also enhances the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity’s capacity in the promotion and management of orderly legal labour migration in Nigeria. The Ministry of Labour and Productivity and International Organisation for Migration jointly organised the workshop.
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Focus Raising the bar in workplace safety By Dele Fanimo and Wole Oyebade WIN events in the last few months may T have changed global perception on the importance of safety in workplace and safety culture. At least 112 workers were feared killed in one of the most devastating fire accidents in the history of apparel industry of Bangladesh. Since 2005 over 700 garment workers have been killed in unsafe workplaces in that country. In China also, fire outbreak killed 119 people at a poultry factory in northeast China’s Jilin Province. It was also China’s worst factory blaze in living memory, exceeding 1993 fire disaster at a toy factory in Shenzhen in which 87 people died. The twin incident also brought to mind the grand fire disaster in September 2012 that ravaged a textile factory complex in the commercial hub of Karachi, killing almost 300 workers trapped behind locked doors and raising questions about the woeful lack of regulation in a vital sector of Pakistan’s faltering economy. It was Pakistan’s worst industrial accident, officials said, and it came just hours after another fire, at a shoe factory in the eastern city of Lahore, had killed at least 25. Though they all happened at different dates, with different casualty figures in their wake, what united all was the disaster caused by grossly undermined safety measures and the global awareness on occupational safety and health (OSH). With OSH, the world was united on occupational safety, saying ‘never again would such disaster befall humanity.’ The goals of occupational safety and health programmes are to foster a safe and healthy work environment. OSH is also targeted at protecting co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment. In line with international standard, many companies are also incorporating the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) department into their organisation, to drive safety of the workers. Among other companies in Nigeria, Lafarge WAPCO is top of the range driver of safety culture, not only in the work environment but also in homes of its workers and the neighbouring communities. This was evident at the just concluded 2013 Health and Safety Month, where the firm took safety campaign to homes and community. Like its other business units in 64 countries around the world, the firm was upbeat on drastic reduction in occupational deaths and injuries and work-related diseases, though added that “we are not resting on our oars until safety and health are priority in our homes and the community we live in.” Managing Director Lafarge WAPCO, Joe Hudson, said at the weekend closing ceremony that health and safety were often conceived as directly related only to work, but in reality, they permeate every aspect of our lives. He said while the group had been consistent in driving health and safety over the years, it has refocused activity this year by encouraging all workers to be the master, finding the health and safety link both at
The goals of occupational safety and health programmes are to foster a safe and healthy work environment. OSH is also targeted at protecting coworkers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.
Relics of Jankara market, Lagos after a fire disaster
Wogu, Labour Minister home and at work. According to him, the company strives to drive home the importance of thinking and acting safe wherever the workers find themselves. “The best companies in the world don’t just focus on safety at work but also at homes; talking to wives and children and improving the culture of safety everywhere,” Hudson said. Between 2006 and 2012, Lafarge globally has reduced road fatality by half and workplace deaths by one-third. “In 2006 we started the journey and have done amazing things in this company. It is not just about standards and rules, but about our behaviour and culture. Safety comes before production and sometimes, it has to do with making million-dollar decisions to make sure our people are safe. “More importantly, is the concern about our safety at home with involvement of all our family members. It remains our responsibilities to ensure our families and colleagues are safe. This means that we must continue to drive the message of
thinking, acting and being safe at all times. We are all safety ambassadors,” he said. The health and safety month, held at Sagamu Plant, Ogun State, rewarded excellence in safety consciousness among workers. It also brought staffers’ families together with practical demonstration on safety and improved awareness among drivers and contractors. Hudson added that there is Lafarge Community Development Association in place, with a monthly agenda on safety, health and good environment. “Safety is top priority because we cannot do safety just in the plant; it has to be in community, homes and the road. “This year, we’ve had zero fatality and zero accidents. We’ve 1200 safe trucks on the road every day and that is phenomenal achievement. We continue to check drivers using road patrols, coupled with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. So, we know where the trucks are every time. Behaviours of our drivers are monitored very closely,” he said. Speaking on the theme: ‘Health and safety, at work, at home: Make the link,’ Chairman, National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN), Adesola Akinade noted that the company had made great improvement in health and safety in the last year, recording zero accident or loss. He said: “This is possible because of the commitment of management, transferred down to the workers. The five easy steps theme of last year was very successful and we are taking steps further with step-bystep mastering of health and safety. We are not complacent. To our surroundings, homes, others and ourselves, health and safety are very important.” Ogun State Controller of labour, Olawuni Oyeyemi commended Lafarge WAPCO for ensuring high standard of safety and health at workplace. Oyeyemi observed the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) statistic that estimates two million deaths every year as a result of occupational accidents and
More importantly, is the concern about our safety at home with involvement of all our family members. It remains our responsibilities to ensure our families and colleagues are safe. This means that we must continue to drive the message of thinking, acting and being safe at all times. We are all safety ambassadors work related diseases across the world, and some 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million work related diseases each year. “It is noteworthy to mention that Lafarge Group has shown high level of commitment to all important health and safety issues in Nigeria. We acknowledge the golden efforts of your organisation towards the uplift of NISCN and existing cordial relationship between your organisation and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity,” he said. The Controller, however, urged Lafarge to go the extra mile to strengthen the relationship by ensuring that it contractors with current Recruiter’s Licence could be engaged, and approved person(s) to examine its lifting equipment and pressure vessels could be verified through the State Controller of Labour for up to date operation licence in accordance with Factories Act 1990. “Other areas where the ministry will appreciate your cooperation are by making use of efficient and highly skillful pool of professional Health and Safety Practitioners for training of your workers and carrying out Health and safety Assessment/Audit. “You have much to gain from our practical exposition and sharing of Industrial relation experience in order to ensure industrial peace and harmony in Ogun State,” Oyeymi said.
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Citibank raises CSR profile with donations for manpower development By Faith Oparaugo S part of its corporate social responsibility, Citi Bank A Nigeria has donated some relief materials to some schools in the country to boost their academic performance. Speaking at the Global Community Day in Lagos, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Citibank, Omar Hafeez said that the bank gesture was to contribute to the development of the country’s educational system. According to him, the bank was partnering with the United Kingdom Department for International Development donated other
educational aids to a public school. Besides, Hafeez said that the bank decided to chose the public schools as part of the day’s celebration to show that public schools needed support and assistant from corporate institutions. According to him, while in Abuja, it provided educational materials to the school for the blind. In addition, he said that a community school also benefited from the support of the international bank in Port Harcourt. He explained that its employees, alumni, family and friends around the world used the occasion to reinforce the company’s commitment to
supporting and improving communities by commemorating the global community day. “Volunteerism is a central part of the Citi employee experience, with Citi volunteers regularly engaging in community service year-round. Global community day spotlights and reinforces a shared commitment among Citi employees, clients, alumni, family and friends around the world to collaborate and dedicate their time and expertise to local community needs, including literacy and education, housing, environmental stewardship, health and human services, and disaster relief,” he said.
ICSAN to invest new president leading professional body public and private sectors of economy. A in Corporate Governance the Ndanusa who is the current and Public Administration, the Insurance of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), will on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at NICON Luxury, Abuja. hold the investiture of its 24th President, Dr. Abdu Suleyman Ndanusa, The investiture heralds the official commencement of another administration. As a professional body of repute, ICSAN is known to have had a smooth and seamless transition over the years because of the governance structure, which it has etched within the system. This investiture will attract dignitaries from all walks of life and key players in the
chairman of the Securities and
Exchange Commision (SEC), is a technocrat per excellence, thorough bred professional and an excellent administrator .
AUN appoints new executive director RESIDENT Margee Ensign of P the American University of Nigeria (AUN) has renamed the institutions public relations office as office of communications with effect from August 1, 2013 under the leadership of an Executive Director, Daniel Okereke. A seasoned journalist and editor, Okereke will coordinate all communications efforts for the university. A news statement explained that Abba Tahir, who has served as Assistant Vice President
Public Relations & Communications, would become the assistant vice president of public affairs for the university. In his new position, Tahir will continue to assist with the coordination of all major AUN events, as well as play a major role in the emerging relationship with the radio and television house, Gotel Communications, by expanding engagement opportunities for students, professors, and staff.
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‘Brazil to raise taxes to offset future subsidies’ RAZIL will raise taxes or B cut public spending to compensate for any future subsidies it offers to support struggling sectors, Finance Minister Guido Mantega told a local newspaper in an inter-
view published on Sunday. “If we cut taxes further, like we did on diesel sales, all the foregone revenues will be compensated by spending cuts or other taxes,” Mantega told O Globo.
Why China’s economy may be heading for a crash HINA’S central bank sent come to grips with the credit global markets reeling binge and the over-investC when it attempted tighten ment undertaken in an credit and rein in the country’s shadow banking system. But the consequences of China’s credit binge may just be getting started, and experts say there could be more pain to come for the world’s second-largest economy. “We’ve been seeing tightening since the end of last year,” said Leland Miller, China Beige Book International president. “This is not a spur of the moment decision by the central bank.” Leland said that the higher interbank lending rates were an indicator of a tension in the system . “The credit transition mechanism is broken and until that’s fixed, there will be no happy endings in China,” he said. The People’s Bank of China in a statement said that the performance of the economy and financial system “are sound” and that there was no shortage of liquidity in the market. But the economy must still
attempt to avert an economic slowdown at the outset of the global financial crisis. “They launched $2.5 trillion worth of stimulus in 2008-11,” explained Bill Smead, CEO and CIO of Smead Capital Management and a longterm China bear. “Most of that went to special purpose vehicles to build rail, bridges, airports, condo buildings, you name it.” Many of those projects were built with the sole purpose of showing strong economic growth and not to generate economic rent, Smead said. Gordon Chang, author of “The Coming Collapse of China,” said China may only be growing two or three per cent and if you strip out all the construction going into ghost cities and “high-speed rail lines to nowhere,” the economy may not be growing at all. He looks at electricity usage as a better indicator of growth than the official Chinese statistics.
After missing its main budget target last year, Brazil has struggled to improve its finances and regain investors’ confidence. The task has become even more challenging as the government faces the largest street protests in decades, with more than one million Brazilians demand-
ing better public services. Brazil had offered a slew of tax breaks and other subsidies in the past few years, without raising other taxes, in an attempt to revive economic growth. However, while the economy has failed to improve substantially, the deterioration in Brazil’s fiscal
accounts prompted the Standard and Poor’s ratings agency to warn of a possible downgrade of Brazil’s debt rating. “Even the United States was downgraded already. That’s life,” Mantega said. “What is important to me is the economic performance, public
accounts, inflation. We will perform better this year than in 2012.” Brazil is expected to grow 2.5 per cent this year, according to the median forecast in a weekly central bank survey with around 100 economists. It expanded just 0.9 per cent last year.
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CAPITAL MARKET
NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Friday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 01/07/2013
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NASD OTC platform to commence trading on bonds in six months By Helen Oji ASD Plc has disclosed that the new OTC platform, which was launched yesterday would commence trading on bonds in the next six months. Trading on commercial papers and other asset classes such as interest rates, credits and foreign exchange would also be traded in a near future. The NASD OTC platform currently trades on shares of unlisted companies. Addressing capital market community at the official launch of NASD OTC platform in Lagos yesterday, the Chairman of the company, Olutola Mobolarin explained that aside providing avenue for transparent price discovery for all securities traded in
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the market, the platform like any other market providing second any market liquidity, also opens new vista for the expansion of primary market for securities. “As we all know, it is the existence of a secondary market that assures investors that they can exit investment acquired in the primary market at any time they desired. To the shareholders of the companies that meet the requirement for trading on NASD, we can say that from today, you no longer have to trade blindly without knowing the true market value of the shares you are selling or buying, you no longer have to be subjected to manipulations of unregistered brokers or dealers and you no longer have to be at the mercy of insiders. “Today, you have in the NAS-
DOTC, a market registered and regulated by the board of NASD and SEC, assuring you of fair and transparent trading rules and services of SEC registered brokers and dealers who are under disciplinary oversight.” The Chairman, who pointed out that investors, hitherto, had no alternative, causing the opaque market to continued to thrive, added that the non existence of the requisite institutional framework for ending the opacity and disorder in the market is currently bridged extensively by NASD OTC. With the platform, according to him, PENCOM would be afforded a broader range of transparency priced assets, adding that price discovery for all securities that meet the trading requirement would also be
provided. He added that the platform would provide further diversification opportunities in terms of risk management for PENCOM. Our The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Suleyman Ndanusa explained that the NASD OTC market is of interest to the SEC, noted that the platform, when fully operational, will function to expand opportunities for all market participants, investors and for the rapid development of the economy. He pointed out that it will offer the opportunity for trading on wide range of instruments including unlisted securities and derivatives like options and futures, adding that this
would further deepen the Nigerian capital market in terms of creating healthy competition that would enhance openness and greater transparency and efficiency in the markets. Ndanusa added that the Commission would not relent on its mandate in regulating and developing the capital market is largely underscored by issues of transparency; liquidity and risk management towards creating enablers that would drive the capital market to achieve its purpose of harnessing long-term funds for economic development. “The International Organization for Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has been very consistent that regulators should adopt and emphasize
more of risk-based supervision as opposed to the traditional method of supervising markets. The G20 countries with advanced OTC markets that thrive more on derivatives are re- affirming their commitment to managing the manner of trading and associated risks more effectively and efficiently.” He urged government to ensure that that privatized companies are listed on the market to increase investors participation and enhance market liquidity, adding that foreign investors stake their funds in markets that have high liquidity to operate. He also advised operators to be more innovative in order to create a market that is versatile to promote liquidity.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Opinion Paying Britain in its own coin By Luke Onyekakeyah HE move by the British authorities to impose T a hefty £3,000 financial bond on Nigerian visa applicants and a few other countries picked from among the Commonwealth is a height of diplomatic prejudice and discrimination, which Nigeria should not fail to respond in a more punitive dimension, except Britain drops the idea. The principle of reciprocity may not be enough in this case if what is required is to merely slam British visa applicants to Nigeria with a similar bond of £3,000. The British can afford to pay that amount with ease considering their high income per capita, which stands at US$35,598 as against Nigeria meager US$2,533, going by the World Bank 2011 estimates. The Nigerian authorities should go a step further in responding to this psychological attack. Nigeria should target high-flyer British businesses and impose appropriate hefty taxation using any name. Government should make it clear that the tax is Nigeria’s equivalent to the visa bond. It is only by doing this that the impact of the British proposal would be felt in London. A recent similar deportation of Nigerians over yellow fever card by South Africa was resolved after Nigeria embarked on the deportation of South Africans. It paid off. The other countries in the segregated British list include Ghana, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The British move is totally in bad faith, unjustifiable and betrays the spirit and purpose of the Commonwealth, whose cardinal objective is among other things “the pursuit of equality and opposition to racism”. The sum of £3,000 is to the British what N3,000 is to Nigerians. Going by today’s exchange rate however, £3,000 amounts to N742,200. This is a huge sum of money for millions of impoverished ordinary Nigerians. They simply can’t afford it. What that means is that no average Nigerian can afford to pay that bond, whereas, their British counterparts are well in comfort to pay. Imposing such a heavy visa bond is like closing the door and asking Nigerians to forget about coming to Britain. That would be very unfortunate. Even though the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, had stated that no fi-
nal decision had been made over the visa bond issue, Nigeria should not wait until a final decision is made. It will then be difficult to reverse. The country should act fast by coming up with her own response that would be visited on Britain should they go ahead to implement the obnoxious plan. The British High Commissioner had indicated in Abuja, after a meeting with Nigeria’s foreign minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, that “the details of the pilot scheme are still being worked out. No final decision has been made”. Dr. Pocock said what the British Government has in the pipeline is “a very small scale trial of the use of financial bonds as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration system, which occurs when some people overstay their visa terms”. According to him, “If the pilot were to go ahead in Nigeria it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors. The vast majority would not be required to pay a bond. Those paying bonds would receive the bond back, if they abided by the terms of their visa”. Good clarification, one would say. But what constitutes “a very small number”? What percentage of visa applicants is involved? Who are “the highest risk visitors”? Is it Nigerian students, businessmen and women or professionals who visit Britain? How do you know a high risk visitor, especially from first time travellers, which includes students? What criteria would be used to identify the “bad visitors”? These are the fundamental issues that need to be clarified. It is better to nip this plan in the bud, otherwise, like cancer, which starts with a lump, it will spread. According to Dr. Pocock, over 180,000 Nigerians apply to visit UK each year. Assuming that what he meant by a very small number is say 10 per cent of visa applicants, that will mean 18,000 Nigerians would be subjected to the payment of the visa bond annually. Over a period of five years, for instance, the number will jump to 90,000 unfortunate visa applicants. Depending on how long the pilot scheme would last, the longer it stays the more would more Nigerians be discriminated against. How would the Nigerian government tolerate such a blatant show of racism against her citizens? There would have been no complaint if the plan had included visitors of all nationalities.
Reason being that it is not only Nigerians or nationals of the other countries profiled that overstay their visas. Nationals of all countries do and it is not only in Britain, but everywhere. Sometimes, overstaying one’s visa may not be intentional. There might at times be unforeseen circumstances that may force a visitor to overstay. Assuming one has an assignment in a university and by circumstances beyond his control, the assignment goes longer than planned, what would the person do? It would be unfair in that circumstance to label the individual as a culprit, which means forfeiture of the visa bond. These kinds of situation would make it extremely difficult to implement the scheme in a fair and justifiable manner. As the leader of the Commonwealth, Britain is supposed to act as the godfather to all the countries, which have come together under that umbrella. Otherwise, there is reason to question the rationale behind the formation of the Commonwealth in the first place if there is no benefit. Why must the former colonies of Britain come together under an association if there is nothing to gain out of it? Is it in their own interest or in the interest of the imperial master for them to remain as protégé? Britain was not the only imperial power that colonized countries around the world. Most European powers did. Germany, France, Spain and Portugal to name but a few, were colonial masters around the world. In the Eastern world, Japan colonized South Korea. Why is there no similar organisation like the Commonwealth that brings together countries of the other colonial world powers? Before now, Nigerians and indeed nationals of Commonwealth countries did not need visa to enter Britain. Nigerians were recognized as Commonwealth citizens. That was a benefit that somehow justified the existence of the organisation. It was at the height of military regime in the mid 80s that Britain imposed visa requirement on Nigerians. Thereafter, one Commonwealth country after another was slammed with the same visa requirement. Today, there is hardly any Commonwealth country that doesn’t need visa to enter the United Kingdom. From visa requirement, the British authorities
are hatching a more punitive measure that in effect bars nationals of selected countries from visiting the UK, except those who can afford to pay the bond. The fact that the “pilot scheme” of the exorbitant visa bond requirement is to be tested on some countries means that it will eventually be extended to other Commonwealth countries the same way visa requirement was introduced. Nigeria and the others selected for now are merely the guinea pigs of the scheme. After the loss of what seems to be the benefits of the Commonwealth, it seems that the organisation now exists to serve the interest of the former colonial master. It is on that note that something as detestable and repugnant as same sex marriage is being imposed on Nigeria and the rest of the countries as a precondition for getting bilateral aid from Britain and its allies. But why should a country as big and richly endowed as Nigeria be craving for foreign aid when she should be assisting other countries as donor? Bad governance is the bane of Nigeria. It needs to be emphasized that international migration is a fact of life. It is impossible to stop people from moving from one part of the world to the other. Since there is hardly any country in the world without illegal immigrants, it is left to each country to device ways and means to check abuse of visa. Proper documentation is necessary towards tackling this problem. The people classified as not high risk today may turn out to be high risk tomorrow. It all depends on global equity or inequity. You cannot fathom the heart of man. The solution to the problem includes having a new world economic order and good governance in the developing world. The West should insist on good governance as a precondition for any country to belong to international organisations. Otherwise, as long as the rich keeps getting richer while the poor get poorer; as long as there are haves and have-nots, there will be push and pull factors that will trigger migration across borders. Somehow, the same Western rich countries complaining of immigrants from developing countries contributed in exploiting the former colonies directly and indirectly.
U.S. country report and Bafarawa’s trial By Kande Ibrahim N the last five years, quite a few Nigerians who hold truth as an Itahiru article of faith have been united in their belief that Alhaji AtBafarawa, the Governor of Sokoto State from 1999 to 2007, is a victim of politically motivated trials. One year after leaving office, Bafarawa became a game to be hunted down by the agents of the succeeding administration in the state. On assumption of office, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko came to portray governance as revenge and vendetta. He seemingly saw in Bafarawa an enemy that must be taught the lesson of his life. With the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its disposal, the current government has stopped at nothing to ensure that Bafarawa is indicted for trumped-up charges leveled against him by the Sokoto State government. The situation is bad enough for Bafarawa who has been fighting hard to prove his innocence. But the noose got tightened around him when the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice got involved in the matter. The AGF has been handling Bafarawa’s case in a manner that tends to suggest that he is working towards indicting Bafarawa for an offence he never committed. Matters arising from this state of affairs have raised enormous controversy in the Nigerian media. The received impression is that Bafarawa’s trial is political. Those who do not like what he represents in politics are doing everything within their powers to indict him and give him a bad name. Significantly, the government of the United States of America, through the Department of State has reiterated the valid points that have been made in Bafarawa’s case. In its recent Country Report on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. State Department took a hard look at the Nigerian condition. It noted that the national police, army, and other security agencies in Nigeria committed extra judicial killings and used lethal and excessive force to apprehend criminals and suspects. The report also took interest in the case of prisoners of conscience and those who are being tried on grounds of politics. Here it noted specifically that the trial of Bafarawa, the former governor of Sokoto State, is politically motivated.
For those who do not know, the United States Country Reports is not an idle statement. It is a serious document, which details the condition of human rights across the globe. As the report itself noted, the idea of human rights begins with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of every man, woman or child. For some 34 years, the United States has been producing the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The reports are an essential tool for activists who courageously struggle to protect rights in communities around the world; for journalists and scholars who document rights violations and who report on the work of those who champion the cause of the vulnerable. The reports are also for governments as they work towards the protection or violation of human rights. Human inputs are universal, but they are applied locally. The U.S State Department therefore takes pains on a periodic basis to bring to the world the local applications of these rights. It was in the course of doing this that the Nigerian situation came to the fore. For us in Nigeria, the report should be of concern to us considering the purpose it serves. The United States Government prepares the reports pursuant to the requirement placed on the U.S. executive by law to help the U.S. Congress inform its work in assessing requests for U.S. foreign military and economic assistance. It is also for the purpose of setting trade policies and U.S. participation in the multilateral development banks and other financial institutions. The U.S. publishes the reports to develop a full, factual report that can help U.S. policy makers to make intelligent and well-informed policy decisions. It has, indeed become a core policy document for governments, inter-governmental organizations and concerned citizens throughout the world. We need not overemphasize the fact that Nigeria as a country has been losing grounds on account of these reports. Our rating in the eyes of the world has been abysmal. With the ugly stories that waft out of Nigeria, donor agencies, especially those that are American-based, have been shunning Nigeria. Nigeria has lost substantially in the area of foreign aids and trade investments. Every day, we clamour for foreign direct investment, yet we continue to lose out here because our human rights conditions do
not encourage civilized countries to associate with us. A case in point is the on-going State visit of the United States President, Barack Obama to West, East, and Southern Africa. The visit has since kicked off with Senegal but Nigeria is conspicuously left out of the scheme. A recent statement from the public affairs section of the United States Consulate in Nigeria states that Obama is only interested in visiting African countries with strong democratic inclinations and standing. While on the visit, America will, through its president, take steps to support strong democratic institutions with a view to consolidating democracy in the countries to be visited. Nigeria, from all indications, falls short of the expectations. America is worried about the civil rights abuses in Nigeria, poor legislative footing of the country, absence of an independent judiciary and non-adherence to the rule of law. These are some of the issues that have put Bafarawa and some other Nigerians on collision course with the state authorities. Because rule of law is not respected here in Nigeria, Bafarawa was arrested and detained without charges by the EFCC. The commission also seized his international passport for no just cause. This was an abuse of the rights of the former governor. In the same vein, the Judiciary, which is supposed to be impartial in the discharge of its responsibilities, is being used to frustrate Bafarawa and others who are not in the good book of the authorities. Were the Nigerian judiciary to be independent, the good case Bafarawa has been making about his unjust trial in a state High Court would have been addressed, but those whose responsibility it is to deal with the matter are shying away from it for reasons that are suspect. In the face of all this, how will America and, indeed, the civilized world associate with Nigeria? The way it is, Nigeria has made itself a pariah state without knowing it. Nevertheless, Nigeria still has an opportunity to pull itself back from the brinks. It can begin by respecting human rights and following the dictates of the rule of law. The Nigerian Judiciary can also wean itself of lethargy by insisting on being independent. • Ibrahim writes from Abuja.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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Opinion The essence of religious truth By Cornelius Omonokhua AMIRA felt that she was not getting younger Sgoneand needed a husband desperately. She had through so many churches seeking for help until a “man of God” promised to see “vision” for her. She started attending his “Bible Church” that was renowned for miracles of ecstatic visions and revelations. Every member of that Church believes that God speaks directly to “Prophet Dynamic.” The prophet requested the whole church to go into prayer and fasting for Lady Samira for seven days. This spiritual exercise would end with an all night of “divine favour” for Samira. The day of grace arrived and the church was packed full of people who needed one miracle or the other. The prayer session started with praise worship, then tongues of fire and finally “the hour of vision”. Prophet Dynamic went into frenzy as if his spirit and soul have just gotten a “divine visa” to fly to heaven to collect divine favour for Samira. All of a sudden, there was absolute silence and the prophet burst into tongues like the “song burst” of Kofi’s poem. The curtain of the miracle drama opened: “Jehovah jare, Jehovah nisi, thanks for revealing this to me. Oh Brother Sobira, listen to the word of Jehovah, Adonai say that Samira is your wife. You must marry the wife God has created for you from heaven. O Sobira, embrace Samira your wife. In Jesus name! Amen! Everybody congratulated the new couple. The next prayer session was for Brother Sobira for the grace to accept what God has chosen for him. The locomotive prayer commenced. As the prayer went on, Sobira went into frenzy and starting announcing a different vision. “Listen to the voice of God: Jehovah says that Samira is not my wife. She is from the “water spirit”. God has spoken, Samira is not destined to marry. Listen to the voice of God. The poor Prophet Dynamic was confused and tried to silence the
new prophesy. Meanwhile Samira was crying and begging Prophet Dynamic to return her money while the prophet keeps saying the money has been given to Jehovah the author of all visions. Where is religious truth in the above visions? What is the media of divine revelation? Normally, divine revelation is communicated through the prophets. These are recorded as divine scriptures for posterity. But we must not forget to remember that there are false prophets as well as true prophets. There are also professional prophets, especially in the modern world. Jesus is clear about how to know the true prophets: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7: 15-20). Religious truth is like a dream. The only witness to the dream is the dreamer. It is a common saying that the snake that only one person sees can be reported to have legs. Because of the danger of manipulating religion for personal reasons John writes, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world” (1 John 4: 1). This phenomenon of the manipulation of religious truth did not start today. It happened even in the time of Jeremiah who said, “Then the Lord said to me, the prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds” (Jeremiah 14:14). “This is what the Lord Almighty says: Do not listen to what the prophets are
prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16). Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have (Jeremiah 29:8). In the New Testament, Peter referred to this in his letter. “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them (2 Peter 2:1). It is therefore wise for seekers of visions and revelations to listen to the counsel of John. “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18). The essence of religious truth is to use the natural faculties and the witness of life to identify the veracity of the claims of the different religions. We are living in an era where religion has become a “time bomb” in the hands of fanatics who claim monopoly of God. We are living in a sensitive and delicate religious climate where a Muslim is afraid to say anything about the truth of Christianity and a Christian is afraid to talk about the truth of Islam because of possible mistake that could cause “volcanic religious eruption”. This has made dialogue of theological exchange difficult. Even with this phobia akin to a sword daggling over our heads, we must not forget that people “look to their different religions for an answer to the unsolved riddles of human existence. The problems that weigh heavily on the hearts of men are the same today as in the ages past” (Nostra Aetate 1). Consequently, every person must genuinely pray to discover the authentic revelation of truth in his or her individual religion. “Be ready always to give an answer to every one that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3: 15). This is because a lot of people want to discover religious truth through moral
truth. Many people go around with questions about meaning and value such as “What is upright behaviour and what is sinful? Where does suffering originate, and what end does it serve? How can genuine happiness be found? What happens at death? What is judgment? What rewards follows death? And finally, what is the ultimate mystery, beyond human explanation, which embraces our entire existence, from which we take origin and toward which we tend (Nostra Aetate 1)? We can do a common search for meaning through dialogue of life, religious experience and social engagement. These have a way of opening us up to religious truth in the dialogue of theological exchange. The essence of religious truth can be captured in the fact that today; the world is ready to contradict all our theological and philosophical arguments. There is only one argument that the world cannot contradict and deny. That is witness of life. So instead of asking questions about the reality of the Holy Trinity, use the time and energy to promote peaceful coexistence and a community based life that the Trinity represent. Instead of arguing about the religion of peace, go beyond religious tolerance to promoting true peace and love. According to the Indian proverb, “who you are”, is speaking so loudly, that I can no longer hear what you are saying. In other words, “action speaks louder than words.” Let us therefore allow one another to live by the truths of a preferred religion with due respect to religious freedom. By your good fruits, you become an ambassador of the religion you profess. Your attitude towards those who insult your religion will go a long way to prove to the world that your religion is a true religion of peace and love. • Fr. Prof. Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City.
Solving financial crises in universities (2) By Segun Adefemi NIvERSITIESshould sell consultancies to the public and applied U research to the industries and there should be full utilization of universities staff for consultancy services on their capital projects. With the realization that research generates intellectual property and intellectual property creates wealth, Obafemi Awolowo University has established Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) to sensitize her researchers on intellectual property. In addition, in partnership with OAU TECH-EXCEL Foundation, an initiative set up by some alumni and other philanthropists, the university has embarked on the development of a Knowledge Park to aid the transfer of technology as well as the commercialization of her research output to small and medium enterprises with a view to creating wealth and employment opportunities. With many of the product of our universities particularly the older ones in foreign land, there should be new approaches to launching of endowment funds. It is in view of this that Obafemi Awolowo University had intensified her efforts in establishing branches of her Alumni Association in Europe and America. That of The Gambia, which is the first in any African country was recently inaugurated by the vice-Chancellor. The universities should mount industry-demand and business executive programmes/courses to attract students from all sectors of the economy. Obafemi Awolowo University has pursued this vigorously at her ultra-modern Centre for Distance Learning, which the National Universities Commission has adjudged to be the best in the entire federation. Shares, stocks and bonds should also be purchased by the universities to improve their investment portfolio. With large span of uncultivated land in some of the universities, cash crops plantation of palm trees, cashew and coconut can be cultivated. They can also engage in animal husbandry. In line with this recommendation, the Commercial Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University is being restructured and recapitalized under the Investment Company. Thirdly, there is the need for the diversification of sources of funding so that universities will not depend solely on proprietor’s grants. Well established universities like Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford were built and are being sustained by an effective combination of grants from proprietors, as well as the contributions from major stakeholders – students, parents, alumni, philanthropists through their establishment of Advancement Offices. The concept makes it possible for a university to generate and assess funds in a continuous and sustainable manner from a variety of sources other than government subventions. The Advancement Office of OAU has
made remarkable impact in this regard. In view of the dwindling funding from the Federal Government, if Obafemi Awolowo University is to remain a centre of academic excellence, the best and the number one university in Nigeria and move from number 14th position in Africa to the top of the Webometric ranking of World Universities, then we also need the financial interventions of our illustrious alumni and alumnae, as well as wealthy individuals and philanthropists who are naturally passionate about the growth and the development of Great Ife. Recently, one of the illustrious alumni, Barrister (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR), the Executive Chairman of Energy Group donated to the institution a multi-million naira ultra-modern Postgraduate College Building Complex. In fulfilment of the requisite conditions of the Gift and Donation Policy on Naming, the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University has named the entire building complex after the donor. He solved an endemic problem of office accommodation of the college and removed its stigma of being a squatter/tenant for over three decades in the Biological Science building. By this donation, Obafemi Awolowo is more than ever before poised to vigorously pursue a virile postgraduate training for the production of high-level manpower for the various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Other alumni and alumnae who had in recent past ploughed back into their alma matar include Pastor E. A. Adeboye with an endowment of N50 million professorial chair in Mathematics, Sir Demola Aladekomo, Chief Executive Officer, CHAMS Nig. Plc with a-state-ofthe-art ozonized table water plant, the donation of a Centre for Gender and Social Studies Building by Erelu Bisi Fayemi, N3 million e-Resource facility for H. O Library by Barrister Dele Oye, and N7.1 million e-library facility by Barrister Yusuf Alli (SAN). The following donations by some distinguished philanthropists and corporate bodies are also worthy of emulation – a 500 seater lecture theatre by Chief Alex Duduyemi, a 500 lecture theatre by First Bank Plc, a professorial chair on Preventive Hypertension and Nephrology by Professor Akinkugbe, the completion of the Natural History Museum building by Leventis Foundation, a cash donation of $100,000 by Donald Duke for research in sickle cell, and the donation of car lifts at the Senate building by U.B.A Plc. All these alumni, alumae, worthy individuals and corporate bodies have followed the footsteps of Andrew Carnegie, a foremost Scottish-American philanthropist, who after amassing wealth turned to philanthropy with special focus on education. In 1887, the renowned philanthropist had this to say: “Upon no foundation but that of education can a man erect the structure of an enduring civilization” He lived this maxim by establishing foundations which, almost a century after his death, still give grants for educational causes
throughout the world. Carnegie’s life of devotion to education exemplified by this maxim is a challenge to our alumni and the wealthy individuals in the society. With the dwindling funding from the Federal Government, the fortune of Great Ife has seriously been affected. The existing physical structure and facilities can no longer be maintained even in spite of being grossly inadequate. The roofs of some of the beautiful architectural buildings leak profusely whenever it rains. Most of the buildings need new coats of paint to restore their elegance and beauty. The existing teaching and research facilities and equipment apart from being inadequate to cater for over 30,000 students are obsolete and archaic. The facilities in the halls of residence are overstretched and in deplorable conditions. We need more hostels to increase the number of bed-spaces for our students, which currently is less than 12,000. We also need an international student hostel to attract foreign students, which, apart from their admission giving a big boost to our student – mix and enhancing the position of our university on the Webometric ranking of universities, their fees will be a huge source of funding for the university. For effective teaching and research, more lecture theatres, classrooms with audio-visual teaching equipment, studios, and laboratories are needed seriously. Having being granted the hosting right for the next National Universities Games (NUGA), the existing facilities in the sports complex require urgent repairs, renovation and upgrading. Our beautiful and alluring estate, which remains “the most beautiful campus in Africa” with its botanical garden and the scenic rocky hills is a potential tourist attraction waiting for investors to explore. The facilities at the Opa Dam, which was constructed in the early 1970s as a source of water for a population of less than 10,000 now caters for a population of over 80,000. The facilities can be upgraded to solve our twin problems of power supply and supply of potable water to the community. Perhaps, it is pertinent to reveal that the university receives a monthly electricity bill of between N25 and N30 million from PHCN. This huge bill clearly shows the economic importance, which the university attaches to the upgrading of the Opa Dam. By your financial intervention and contributions in solving some of these challenges confronting Great Ife, your names would definitely be deeply ingrained and carved into the consciousness of all Nigerians, including those yet unborn. Permit me to end this article with a poem by Kahlil Gibran “I slept and I dreamt that life is all joy. I woke up and saw that life is all service, I served and saw that service is joy”. • Concluded. • Adefemi wrote from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
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THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Quote of the week
Law
Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained. ——-Helen Keller judicialeditor@yahoo.co.uk/ 08033151041 Desk Head: Ibe Uwaleke
Enforcement of arbitration awards, a challenge in Nigeria Interview By Joseph Onyekwere
The United Kingdom (UK) recently planned to introduce a visa policy, which would require first time visitors from Nigeria to deposit a £3,000 bond. They would forfeit the money if they do not abide by the terms of their visa. Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Pakistan and India are listed by the UK as countries whose citizens are to deposit the £3,000 under the proposed policy that will take off in November. A Home Office official said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most significant risk of abuse.” According to media reports, the Home Secretary, Theresa May, said the administration of British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is serious about cutting immigration and abuses of the system. The Sunday Times of London had reported that every visitor aged 18 and above granted a six-month visa would forfeit the £3,000 if they overstayed in Britain after the expiration of their visa. Due to growing local condemnation of the proposed policy and pressure, there are speculations that the UK government may dump the idea. But in this encounter with the Principal Partner in Mitchell Simmonds Solicitors, London, Momoh Kadiri, the accredited mediator and arbitrator examined the issue and concluded that it would be counter-productive. He also spoke on alternative dispute resolution mechanism, arbitration and the proposed International Arbitration Conference, London on the legality of the £3000 Visa SlawsPEAKING bond, Kadiri said: “As far as UK immigration are concerned, the UK Border Agency and the Secretary of State for the Home Department have a duty to maintain effective immigration control within the United Kingdom. To that extent, the UKBA may lawfully, and from time to time, introduce additional requirements by way of policy statements or guidance to supplement the substantive legal framework i.e. the Immigration Rules HC 395 and the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended). As the law currently stands, paragraph 41 of the immigration rules specifically deals with visitors and it provides, among others, that visitors have to demonstrate that they are genuine visitors and that they would not stay beyond any period of grant of leave. It is, therefore, in the light of the above duty and current legal framework that I suspect the £3000 visa bond is being proposed, particularly given the present desire of the Conservative government to reduce net migration in the United Kingdom. I suspect that with time, the proposed policy may be subject to judicial scrutiny by the courts in the United Kingdom to determine its legality, once it becomes effective from November. I think the proposed policy has not been fully thought out. “It seems to me that the visitors that the policy seeks to target are not the generality of Nigerians seeking to visit the UK. To that extent, anyone who has the intention to overstay his leave upon arrival in the UK, would do so regardless of how much you ask him to pay - as he would simply see the bond as the price to overstay. I do not see the amount of £3000 as deterrent; rather it is likely to have a counterproductive effect, including making genuine first-time visitors to the UK to not visit the UK if they feel insulted by the policy which is due to take effect in November.” On the growing trend of ADR practice around the globe, he said: “Alternative Dispute Resolution is growing. Arbitration and mediation are the most commonly used globally. Both methods of dispute resolution are more suitable in specific types of disputes as they afford
Momoh Kadri parties confidentiality and where appropriately used, can provide parties with a cost-effective resolution of the dispute. The ADR trend is continuously growing particularly as parties desire more control over outcomes, unlike litigation which is almost entirely out of the control of disputants; increased costs; delays; and with an unpredictable outcome. There is currently a new concept of MedArb, which is mediation and arbitration infused into one where you start with mediation and have the resolution or agreement reached made an arbitral award to give it binding force. For Nigeria and Africa at large, I think that the trend is increasing and needs to be encouraged and the dispute resolution landscape is fast adapting to reflect current best practice and thinking towards a more cost-effective dispute resolution particularly in commercial arrangements where time is usually of the essence. Arbitration practice in Nigeria is growing very fast and some practitioners are developing more interest in arbitration. I think that the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in Nigeria is vigorously promoting the use of arbitration and other ADR mechanisms. One significant challenge with arbitra-
tion practice in Nigeria is in the area of enforcement of arbitral awards. It seems to be that some sizeable number of lawyers and litigants see arbitration as pre-litigation. To that extent, some litigants or their lawyers find every avenue or loophole to challenge an arbitral award to frustrate the successful party from reaping the rewards of an award. It appears that a major lacuna exists in the current legal framework in Nigeria - The Arbitration and Conciliation Act 2004 seems to give too much leeway to which an arbitral award can be impeached by parties who may suspect that the matter is not going in their favour. I think some reform to bring it line with the practice in England as you find under the Arbitration Act 1996, is desirable. Under the latter law, arbitral awards are generally final and there are very limited grounds to challenge the award i.e. substantive jurisdiction of the arbitrator or tribunal. Even the courts would be reluctant to nullify an award, unlike the loopholes that the ACA creates in Nigeria, which presently gives too much room for arbitral awards to be challenged, even without adequate merit or even when parties have taken part in he proceedings. By contrast, the UK has a more developed sys-
One significant challenge with arbitration practice in Nigeria is in the area of enforcement of arbitral awards. It seems to be that some sizeable number of lawyers and litigants see arbitration as pre-litigation. To that extent, some litigants or their lawyers find every avenue or loophole to challenge an arbitral award to frustrate the successful party from reaping the rewards of an award.
tem that has been in existence for several years. I think there is, however, scope for improvement in Nigeria in the practice of arbitration.” Kadiri, who is a renowned arbitrator is also organising an international arbitration conference in London. He explained more on the conference. “If you work in the West African transport, trade, infrastructure or energy sectors then this conference is very relevant to you. The aim of the conference is to explore the use of international commercial arbitration in London within these sectors. Recent years have seen marked growth throughout the West African region in the use of international arbitration and mediation as dispute resolution tools in large-scale international commercial contracts. Those who can attend the conference include government executives, members of the judiciary, arbitrators, in-house counsel, legal practitioners, academics, members of the local and international business community concerned with international commercial arbitration and/or who work in the West African transport, trade, infrastructure or energy sectors”. On what participants would gain at the end of it, he said: “Participants would have an in-depth knowledge of the international commercial arbitration process in London, how best to draft and incorporate one of the various types of London arbitration clauses into a typical commercial contract, detailed information of some of the most commonly encountered problems that can arise both in a commercial contract of this type and in the course of the arbitral process and how best to avoid them, as well as certificates of attendance which will be awarded to delegates. Those who attended the conference and pay the £1,995.00 fee will enjoy the lectures and seminars over the three-day conference duration. Also, they will learn from guest speakers from both the West African bench and the English bench, get a comprehensive set of course materials and an opportunity to experience more of the delights of London life through an optional, but fully coordinated sight-seeing excursion into central London. Over the duration of the conference participants will get refreshments and lunch, a cocktail reception followed by a boat trip along the River Thames and dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Canary Wharf. The conference is being organised by the Arbitration London and is headed up by both Paul Bugden who is principal partner at Bugden & Co Solicitors of Lloyds Avenue, City of London and myself. Paul Bugden has been a practising solicitor since 1981. He is a longstanding Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and has conducted many international arbitrations most of which have been for overseas clients and have particular reference to international trade, transport, energy and infrastructure disputes. Paul is the joint author of a major professional text by Sweet and Maxwell; Goods in Transit currently in its second edition with a third edition due to be published later this year. Also, Nicholas Chambers Queens Counsel (QC) of Brick Court Chambers, London will speak. Nicholas sits as an arbitrator and mediator. He is a former Mercantile Judge for Wales and regularly sat in the Commercial Court Chancery Division, Technology and Construction Court and Queen’s Bench Division. He has been a CEDR accredited mediator since 1999 and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Conference is not only about foreign speakers. Hon. Justice Olayinka Faji will also speak. Faji is a Judge of the Federal High Court in Nigeria - He has sat in the Federal High Court and lectured widely on arbitration and other themes, including at maritime seminars for judges of all levels in the Nigerian judiciary, training of newly appointed judges, judicial officials and practicing lawyers. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and member of the Arbitrators Association of Nigeria. Other guest speakers include Harry Matovu QC of the English bar and Olumide Sofowora; FCIArb, LL.M of the Nigerian Bar.”
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
70 LAW
LawPeople
“If I told you I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, I’d be lying, because I have no idea where I am right now.” Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not for Sale
Profile By Bertram Nwannekanma LTHOUGH Nigeria shared the same A justice system with England, which was bequeathed to it during colonial rule, it is however, irreconcilable that the nation has failed to embrace reforms initiated by Britain to improve her own justice delivery system. For instance, while Britain has since outsourced judicial procedures and practices by making a separation between sovereign decision making from petite administrative issues, Nigeria as at today is still saddled with the old system. Experts believe that Nigeria will continue to struggle like this unless there is a complete departure from the administrative aspect of our judicial system. One of such strong advocates of the much-needed change is Dr. Fabian Ikenna Ajogwu, the principal of the law firm of Kenna Partners, Lagos. To the revered lawyer, Nigeria must learn from the British courts, which had outsourced issues like document management and even bringing a prisoner to the courts so as to allow judges concentrate on intellectual aspect of the job like observing demeanor of witnesses and writing judgments. According to him, it is always good to say the good old days without factoring many things that have changed about what is obtained in the good old days. “There are far more commercial cases now than before. People have become more enlightened than they were 20 years ago. So you will get a slow down on the system because the system has not adjusted itself that far. The truth is that no matter how hard a judge works, he will still not be seen as efficient within the current system we are running”. The cerebral lawyer, who is piqued with the delay in Nigeria’s justice delivery system, believes that the nation needs a complete departure from her administrative aspect of her judicial process because there is no reason to bring our three best brains to start sieving through documents and exhibits, on contentious matters as it could be dealt with in chambers. “People even file their draft rulings, when they make applications. These make the system a mere grounding hall. To deal with the system, we just look at where we got the system and see how they have improved system rather than turning the whole focus on the human beings by saying the judges are not working hard enough”. Ajogwu’s contemplations on this issue cannot be divorced from his practice philosophy, which centres on rule of law and the use of law to guarantee a decent society. He said: “Law is made for man and not the other way round, law in every society stands there for order. “Being an imperfect human being, we may not do certain things the way we want them. “But I am very passionate about law practice and practising law in the way it ought to by pursuing the core principle of doing things well and all other things will be added to it”. Incidentally, Ajogwu’s forage into the
Ajogwu (SAN)
Expounding frontier of business and practice of law legal profession was facilitated by the rich law pedigree already put in place by his father and chief motivator, Dr. Michael Ajogwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. As a g boy, he was made to work in his father’s chambers as an administrative support member of staff, where he was detailed to file documents for them, as well as serving them in law dinners. It was during this time that he imbibed the culture of service and the principle of ‘whoever wants to be great must serve’ and learnt the culture of disagreeing while conversing and that disagreement does not mean hostility. According to him, if you are not respectful in your home, if you are not an honest person, there is nowhere being a lawyer will automatically transfer that respect to you. “You cannot give what you don’t have or what you are not given in the first place”. Today, the revered lawyer has through his respectful demeanor and soft mien grown from a mere chamber member of staff to become a notable figure in the nation’s legal circle with clienteles that cover all social strata. Apart from his legal prowess in the areas of Corporate Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Foreign direct investment, company law and environmental law, Ajogwu, who lectures at Lagos Business School, has left an indelible in-prints through his scholarly legal works, which had proved helpful in resolving several grey areas in mergers and acquisition. Of particular reference is the judgment delivered on March 2013 by the Appeal Court, Lagos Division in the
Apart from his legal feat, Ajogwu is an advocate for strict maintenance of law and order so as to produce orderliness and ensure justice, fairness, equity, protection of lives and property and above all one’s right to pursue his own happiness to the extent that it does not affect his neighbour.
case, Otunba Ojora vs. Agip Nigeria Plc in which the justices of the appellate court cited copiously some of his works in helping them resolve a definite issues about shareholders’ rights in context of mergers and acquisition, an area that is a grey because of the gap between the United Kingdom case laws and Sections 100-110 of the Investment and Security Act. Born in Enugu on June 23, 1970, Ajogwu, who speaks English, Igbo and Hausa fluently, studied law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated in 1990 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. He holds a doctorate degree in law from the University of Aberdeen, and other degrees from the University of Lagos, and IESE Business School Barcelona. Before venturing into a private practice in May 28, 2003, when he founded Ikenna Ajogwu & Co, Ajogwu received his legal tutelage at Abiola & Morgan Associate in Lagos and later J. Agbo, where he learnt the practice and business of law. His first time in court was in Lagos High Court, where he moved a motion seeking for more time for his client to look for alternative apartment. He said: “Naturally, I was nervous being a new wig, but the job was made easy for me by the judge, who understood my situation and urged me to move my application. The soothing words of the judge were enough for me to go ahead with the application, which was a motion seeking for more time for my client to look for alternative apartment in a recovery of premises matter in the court. “I remembered distinctively and it struck on me from that experience that a few words you can give someone in a difficult situation might make a huge difference for him and that he might remember it for a long time to come”. From that experience, the learned Senior Advocate has risen to become a lead counsel to the Federal Government of Nigeria and some of its agencies in several cases of national importance.
With such large spectrum of experience, Ajogwu however, picked a matter involving a Belgian company with a major multi-national oil company in Nigeria as the most challenging because of its professional and personal impacts on him, as well as the multi-jurisdictional issues that arose from the matter. According to him, they were in four different state high courts because the firm had oil tank farms in those different states. Ajogwu also received cocktails of police invitations at Alagbon Police Station during the pendency of the matter and was even made to travel severally to Brussels because of the arbitration clause in the matter. He said: “It was quite an exhausting experience because parties were clearly no longer fighting for commercial rights but ego. Lawyers must be able to calm a situation and show their clients with an ability of good reasoning that what is at stake is their commercial interest not vengeance or ego.” Apart from this matter, the cerebral lawyer also picked the election petition involving Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) and Independent National Election Commission (INEC) over the 2011 elections, where he worked as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s defence team. According to Ajogwu, it was a crossfertilisation of ideas that was very helpful because of the stake involved, in terms of expanding the nation’s jurisprudence because it comes ideally with several issues involving the burden of proofs; issues of whether
or not there has been substantial proof of non-compliance with the Electoral Acts. “The matter became the first time that the Supreme Court was unanimous in upholding a presidential election right from the days of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo”. Apart from his legal feats, Ajogwu is an advocate for strict maintenance of law and order so as to produce orderliness and ensure justice, fairness, equity, protection of lives and property and above all, one’s right to pursue his own happiness to the extent that it does not affect your neighbour. According to him, any society that tinkers with these fragile issues will get anarchy and eventually come to a collective tragedy. “Government should put in place laws to check the leakages (corruption) in the system, as well as ensure welfare of less-privileged because there is a link between law and other aspect of life”, he said. As a dedicated law teacher, Ajogwu has authored several books, which have enriched the nation’s jurisprudence. They include; “Commercial Arbitration in Nigeria: Law and Practice”, 2nd Edition; “Fair Hearing”; “Mergers & Acquisition in Nigeria: Law and Practice”, “Corporate Governance in Nigeria: Law and Practice”; “Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Commerce”; and lastly, Corporate Governance & Group Dynamics, which was presented to the public on June 28, 2013. Ajogwu, who has written over 30 articles published in different journals, wants his colleagues to pen down their experiences in order to provide local examples for existing case laws. He said: “There is a Kenyan proverb that says when an old man dies, it is like a burnt library, if you don’t pen down some of those experiences, the person walks away with it”. A fellow of the Society for Corporate Governance, Nigeria, a registered nonprofit committed to the development of corporate governance, best practices and ethics, Dr. Ajogwu advised the Securities and Exchange Commission on Corporate Governance in Nigeria and drafted Nigeria’s pioneer Code of Corporate Governance. He currently chairs the Nigerian Communications Commission Working Group on Corporate Governance tasked with issuing a Code of Corporate Governance for the Telecommunications Sector. Ajogwu is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria and the Aspen Institute driven African Leadership Initiative West Africa, Henry Crown Global Leadership. He served as Honorary Counsel to the State of Israel in Nigeria, State of Venezuela in Nigeria, and Republic of South African High in Nigeria. His role models include, Professor Pat Utomi and Aare Afe Babalola. The legal icon wants to be remembered as a good father and husband who was able to contribute to the profession positively and help people in such a way that others will want to emulate. He relaxes with my family by having actual conversation with them and plays tennis to keep fit.
Do you know… Carry on business: To conduct, prosecute or continue a particular vocation or business as a continuous operation or permanent occupation. The repetition of acts may be sufficient. To hold one’s self out to others as engaged in the selling of goods or services: See Ritz and Co KG v. Techno Ltd [1999] 4 NWLR (Pt. 598) 82 at 298, [C.A.] citing Black’s Law Dictionary, 5th edition, p. 194.
LAW 71
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
LawReport Public Officers’ Protection Act cannot avail on officer who acted outside his constitutional duty 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 Mr. D. Makolo Mr. M.B. Ibrahim Mrs. M.O Oguntobi Mr. Dehinde Gbenga Mr. Atiku Abubakar Mr. Mike Anyanwu (Suing for themselves and on behalf of all the 144 evicted service tenants of Eric Moore Towers, Surulere, Lagos) (appellants) and The Minister, Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, The Attorney-General of The Federation and Minister of Justice, The Chairman of the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Property, The Secretary of the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Property (respondents). ITH respect in the face of the above inimW itable pronouncements, it is difficult to fathom how the said Act could avail the Respondents when, for all practical purposes, their action did not allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course. On the contrary, we hold in the words of the apex court in A.G, Rivers State v A.G Bayelsa State (Supra) that the said Act did not avail the respondents because they acted outside their statutory or constitutional duty. So held the Court of Appeal, Holden at Lagos in a unanimous leading judgment delivered by His Lordships Chima Centus Nweze (JSC), his learned brothers, Ibrahim M. M. Saulawa and Chinwe Eugenia Iyizoba (JJSC) concurring while upholding the appellants’ appeal.
The appellants were represented by Adeola Kunle while the first, third and fourth respondents were represented by Seyi Opanubi and Mr. Akpasubi for the second respondent. The facts are as contained in the body of the judgment. At the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division (hereinafter simply called “the lower court”), the appellants in this appeal (as plaintiffs), by originating summons dated November 26, 2008, claimed declaratory reliefs against the respondents herein (as respondents). In particular, they sought to enforce the undertaking of the Federal Government (represented by the respondents) in Circular No SGF. 19/S.47/C.1/11/371 of June 27, 2003. The Summons was supported by a 31-paragraph affidavit. Fifteen exhibits were attached to the affidavit. Upon receipt of the appellants’ written address, the first, third and fourth respondents filed their counter affidavit and their written address in which they greeted the Summons with preliminary objections on the ground inter alia that the action was statute barred at the time it was commenced. The lower court (Coram Abutu CJ), in its judgment of May 4, 2010, upheld the submissions of the above respondents. It held that the action was statute barred by virtue of section 2 (a) of the Public Officers’ Protection Act. This appeal is an expression of the appellants’ grievance against the said judgment. When this appeal came up for hearing on January 22, 2013, counsel for the appellants adopted the brief filed on July 2, 2010. He, equally, adopted the reply brief filed on July 11, 2011. In the said briefs, he pointed out that the lower court dismissed the suit after holding that it was statute barred by virtue of the provisions of the Public Officers’ Protection Act’. He opined that the lower court, erroneously, held that the cause of action disclosed by the suit was eviction and that since eviction, finally, took place on December 8, 2005, the suit, having been filed in 2008, was statute barred by virtue of section 2 (a) of the Public Officers’ Protection Act. He maintained that the appellants’ issues 1 to 5 in the lower court dwelt on exhibit ‘C’ and not eviction. That confirmed what their main grouse was. He canvassed the view that the
Justice Bulkachuwa Acting PCA Public Officers’ Act protects public officers only when carrying out public duties and in good faith. He observed that the respondents, by evicting the appellants in the manner they did, were not carrying out public duty they act in good faith. He submitted that, in the light of the above, the appellants could not be said to have been caught by Public Officers’ Protection Act. He urged the court to adopt this court’s reasoning in Akinkumi v Sadiq (2001) 2 NWLR (Pt 696) 101, 110111. He urged the court to hold, like it did in that case, that time was held in abeyance while the appellant was in court. Counsel for the 1st, 3rd and 4th respondents, in the course of his argument, adopted the respondents’ notice. In it, he observed that the third and fourth respondents were the chairman and secretary of the committee set up by the Federal Government to alienate its parcels of landed property. He submitted that the suit was incompetent in view of the fact that the third and fourth respondents were persons in law.
On this issue, he noted that, in so far as the appellants had instituted an earlier suit against the respondents wherein they claimed declaratory reliefs on the subject matter of this action, paragraph 23 of the affidavit in support of the appellants’ originating summons, page 11 of the record, they were stopped from claiming similar reliefs through this action. He explained that this issue was formulated from three of the appellants’ notice of appeal. He canvassed the view that in view of the fact that this suit was instituted against the public officers for acts done in the discharge of their public functions; it ought to have been instituted within three months. He observed that the appellants failed to bring the action within the time limit specified by statute for doing so, and were barred from relying on any alleged acts committed by the first, third and fourth respondents who were public officers in instituting the action at the lower court. Arguing the sole issue, counsel for the second respondent noted that it was obvious that the basic ingredient of this case was the existence of landlord/tenant relationship represented by the respondents. He observed that the action of the respondents, in evicting the appellants, would not have been possible in the absence of such landlord/tenant relationship. In reply to the above respondents’ notice and the argument in support thereof, counsel for the appellants urged the court to strike it out. He noted that the first flaw in the said notice was that it gave notice of intention of what should have happened. He observed that the above questions, at a glance, showed the vagueness of the notice. He observed that the said notice did not entreat the court for any relief. He canvassed the view that if it was true that the lower court did not consider these four issues, the respondents’ notice was not the appropriate route to give this court the jurisdiction to make pronouncements thereon. He contended that a respondent’s notice to affirm a decision on other grounds was predicated on a judgment that found those grounds but chose not to rest its reasons and conclusion on them. He referred to Elochim Nig Ltd v Mbadiwe (1986) 1 NWLR (pt 14) 45, 72-73. He observed that it was this misconception
Anti-corruption war in Nigerian judiciary: CJN Mukhtar’s example (3) By Femi Falana is a courageous woman and a Sty HE core professional with high integriand commitment to uprightness and justice. She is a person who abhors corruption and is determined to rid the country of corruption. Nigerians should support her in her efforts to sanitize the judiciary and rid Nigeria of corruption.” However, a foremost legal practitioner and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has called for the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to purge the judiciary of alleged corruption. According to the learned Senior Advocate “unless and until a commission of inquiry is set up to look into all these corrupt and bribery allegations against judges and lawyers alike, where names will be named and particulars supplied, where reservations will be expressed openly, where instances will be given etc I doubt if our judiciary will ever be cleansed”. With profound respect, there is no basis whatsoever for the setting up a commission of inquiry which is going to usurp the constitutional functions of the NJC. In the case of Chief Gani Fawehinmi v General Ibrahim Babangida it was
held by Uwais CJN (as he then was) that “though the Tribunal of Inquiry Act is an ‘exiting law’, its application is limited and has no general application” outside the Federal Capital Territory. The effect of the judgment is that President Jonathan lacks the vires to institute a commission of inquiry to probe judges in the Federal and State public service. In any case, the National Judicial Council is currently dealing with all allegations of corruption and other complaints of misconduct raised against judges while the Nigerian Bar Association has revitalized its own disciplinary machinery to bring erring lawyers to book. In the circumstance, there is no legal or moral justification to opt for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe corrupt judges. It is pertinent to note that in spite of the on-going efforts to sanitize the judiciary a few judges have continued to issue frivolous and illegal ex parte orders and deliver judgments that are totally devoid of justice. Last month, a Federal High judge in Lagos prohibited the police from arresting, investigating and prosecuting a criminal suspect accused of economic sabotage. The trial judge went as far as quashing the report of the police investigation into the crime. A few
Justice Mukhtar (CJN) days later, a judge of the Abuja judicial division of the Federal High Court issued an ex parte order restraining the EFCC from proceeding with the investigation of the same suspect over his alleged involvement in the fuel importation scam. It is hoped that the NJC will move speedily to put an end to such abuse of judicial powers by a few judges who are in the habit of conferring illegal immunity on some rich criminal suspects. Conclusion While saluting Justice Aloma Muktar for the on-going cleansing in the judici-
ary she should ensure that effective measures are put in place to institutionalize the reforms. This is of urgent importance as she is due to retire late next year. The vested interests who have sworn to destroy and discredit the judiciary should not be made to believe that what is unfolding before our eyes is a passing phase. It is therefore pertinent to call on the Nigerian Bar Association to collaborate with the NJC to save the legal profession from perdition. In particular, the NJC should mobilize our judges to deliberately extend the frontiers of justice to the majority of Nigerian citizens who have no access to the temple of justice due to poverty, ignorance and fear. If our judges are not prepared to re-event the wheel like their Indian counterparts have done by making socio-economic rights justiciable through judicial activism they should be prepared to discard the reactionary doctrine of locus standi in order to allow public interest litigators to enforce the very many welfare laws that have been enacted by the Parliament but which are not breached with impunity by the government. Finally, members of the legal profession who fail to support the reforms and the internal cleansing in the judiciary may be exposing Nigerian judges to the revenge of litigants. Those who
think that English judges have always been models of judicial integrity may wish to read David Pannic’s book, Justice, where he writes:“Some judges have received more than their just deserts for injudicious behavior. In the thirteen century, Andrew Horn alleged that in one year (four centuries earlier) King Alfred caused forty-four judges to be hanged as homicides for their false judgments. In 1381 a mob pursued the Lord Chancellor, Simon de Sudbury, and cut of his hand. One year later, Lord Chief Justice Cavendish was killed after being apprehended by a mob and subjected to a mock trial in which he was sentenced to death. In 1688 the infamous judge Jeffreys, by then the Lord Chancellor, went into hiding when James II fled the country. Jeffreys was captured in Wapping when he was recognized in a tavern by a man who had been a dissatisfied litigant in his court. (The man had won his case but Jeffreys had been rude to him and kept him waiting). Jeffreys was put in the Tower of London, where he died in 1689.” • Falana, a Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), delivered this paper recently at the Law Journal of Law Students’ Society of University of Ilorin, in honour of Chief Folake Solanke (SAN).
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
72 LAW
FamilyLaw
Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it’s not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long. ———Amy Grant
Legal consequences of marriage Introduction ARRIAGE is many things at once. Most fundamentally, it is a deep and loving bond between two people. The commitment that makes that bond possible can come only from the two people involved. No government, no church, no community can create it. No constitutional amendment can take the core of marriage away from any two people lucky enough to find it, whatever their genders. However, marriage is not only what happens in private between two individuals. The impulse to marry calls for extending that bond to include all the parts of your life that are most important to you. You want your friends and family to recognize that bond, because your friends and family are important parts of your life. If you are religious, you will want recognition of your bond from your God and your church, because they are important parts of your life. And finally, you want the laws of your nation, which regulate so much of your life, to also recognize your marriage bond. Public recognition of a marriage by the community, the churches and the government can be interlinked. Often a single wedding ceremony can formally establish all three. But they are still fundamentally separate. You can have a civil wedding without a religious wedding, a religious wedding without a civil wedding, and community recognition without either. In some, but not all, communities there are already gay couples recognized as being essen-
M
tially married. In some, but not all, churches gay unions are already being blessed. No government regulation is going to change this, nor should it. Only one facet of marriage is actually under discussion when we talk about legalizing gay marriage: the recognition of married status under the law. Shall that facet be available to gay couples, or shall it not? But what does that mean? If we say that gay couples are to be allowed the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage, what exactly are the rights and responsibilities that we would be granting them? Legal consequences of marriage Unfortunately, it isn’t simple to identify all the legal consequences of marriage. There isn’t one law that gives a neat little list of the rights of married couples. Instead there are references to marriage scattered over thousands of laws. Many of these don’t effect all that many people. Did you know that if you are married to an American Indian then you may have the right
to get health care benefits from a federal agency called Indian Health Services even if you aren’t an American Indian? In 1997, when Congress asked the General Accounting Office for a summary of the Federal Laws that treat married people differently from unmarried people, their report turned up 1049 such laws. There are probably more. Even the GAO wasn’t eager to do all the work necessary to make a complete list. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The fifty states each have their laws that frequently give special rights and responsibilities to married couples. Connecticut’s Office of Legislative Research did a similar report on laws in which marital status was a factor, and found 588 such laws. Other states probably have about as many, all different from each other, so on the state level there are probably 30,000 laws relating to marriage. And who knows what laws various municipalities might have. Besides that, there are also companies that give different treatment to married couples. I’m no
lawyer, so I’m not sure how legalization of gay marriages will effect what private companies do, but my guess is that one way or another, most private companies would eventually fall in line with government policy. So, here’s my best list of the more significant legal effects of marriage. Taxes: Taxes are different for married couples. Tax law treats a married couple almost like they were one person. This has advantages and disadvantages: Income Taxes: If two people with fairly high incomes marry then they usually end up paying more taxes. That’s because with their incomes added together, they end up in a higher tax bracket than they were individually. This is the “marriage penalty” that people talk about a lot. It isn’t always a penalty though. If one partner does not work, their taxes are likely to be lower. People on Social Security also end up paying higher taxes on their Social Security income if they marry. For this reason “living together” rather than marrying has become more popular among senior couples. Gift Taxes: Ordinarily, if someone gives you more than $11,000 in a year, then you have to pay gift taxes on that money. But gifts between married people are always tax free. Furthermore, a married couple can make tax free gifts to other people (including their children) of up to $22,000 a year, even if only one is earning income.
YOU AND THE LAW —-With Dupe Ajayi Constitutional supremacy: The Nigerian experience (2) EXT to the submission of autonoN my is a supreme constitution. Since the terms and conditions upon which the hitherto autonomous units submitted their autonomy are contained in the constitution, it logically follows that such a document will occupy a very important position as a legal document. It will be second to none. Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), in his commentary of the importance of a Supreme Constitution in a Federalism noted, “ the terms of the arrangement, especially, as concerned the divisions of power must be embodied in a constitution that is supreme over both the general and regional governments, and overriding acts done by either of them in violation of those terms; constitution that builds or obliges the general or regional government to keep within the terms of the arrangements, and which operate to invalidate any transgression of the limits imposed on the powers of each government. The independence of each of the government as regards its existence, powers, rights and personnel is a matter which the other is not at liberty to respect or not, as it likes’’. “Federalism in Nigeria Under the Presidential Constitution of 1979”, Ben Nwabueze, Sweet and Maxwell, London, 1983, pg18. The supremacy clause under the Nigerian constitution is section 1 (l) of the 1999 constitution as amended. The section provides, “this constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have biding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 1 (2) the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or groups of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accor-
dance with the provisions of the Constitution. Section 1 (3) if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. Before we look at a number of cases that have been decided on the point, it is necessary to ponder on some jurisprudential issues from the above quoted provisions of the Constitution. The Constitution has proclaimed its supremacy as stated above. Now, the natural question that follows is where does the Constitution derive its authority or claim to supremacy? The answer routinely given to this poser is that the Constitution derives its authority from the people. In other words, it is the product of the consensus of the people. The notion or concept usually referred to in the technical terms as autochthony Then follows the question of a case like Nigeria where the Military midwifed or imposed as in the case of the present 1999 Constitution, which was adopted as the supreme law of the country by the Military Government that superimposed the transition to democracy. Put in another form, is the Nigerian 1999 Constitution autochthonous? Is it truly a product of the consensus of Nigerians as contained in the preamble to the Constitution as “we the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria..?” the answer is in the affirmative because since the departure of the Military from the political scene, the power to reject the Constitution out rightly or to amend it to suit their desire has been transferred to the people of Nigeria and it has since so remained. It should be noted that subsection 2 of
the supremacy clause to the effect that Nigeria shall not be taken over by any person or group of persons in any manner other than as recommended by the Constitution itself is an innovation of the 1979 Constitution, as amended. The inclusion of the section in the 1979 Constitution is a reaction to the experience of Military interventions between 1966 and 1979. However, its inclusion in the 1979 Constitution did not prevent Military take over subsequently. One cannot be sceptical about its effectiveness especially in the face of jurisprudential theories of revolution. Hans Kelson propounded the theory that whenever the political control of a political entity is changed in a manner not contemplated by the existing legal order, then revolution has occurred which invariably nullifies the existing legal order and supplants it with a new legal order as dictated by the revolution. In other words, the control of Nigeria that was taken over by the Military officers in a manner not contemplated by the 1979 Constitution was a revolution and it effectively brought about a new legal order, which supported the 1979 Constitution. The Nigerian experience in the Military interventions is a testimony to the relevance of the Kelsan theory of revolution adumbrated above. In every successful military intervention in Nigeria, the first official assignment of the Military Ruler of Head is to suspend some of the provisions of the Constitution especially those that have to do with the supremacy of the Constitution and those that tend to limit the powers of the new Military government. So from then on, the Military Head would rule the country with Decrees promulgated from time
to time. Thus, whatever the provision of the Constitution that remains is at the pleasure of the Military government. One of the earliest cases that afforded the courts the opportunity to make pronouncement on the concept of constitutional supremacy was Balewa v Doherty (1961) all N.L.R. 604. The facts of the case are that the Commission of Inquiry Act 1961 in section 3 (1) provided that no court shall inquire into any action done under the Act. The appellant, who was the Prime Minister, set out a panel under the said 1961 Act to probe the activities of the respondent in relation to a bank licensed under the Banking Ordinance and doing business principally in the Western Region and the Federal Territory. The respondent took a writ seeking the declaration of the court that the 1961 Act, under which the panel set up to probe his activities was constituted, was unconstitutional generally or that certain sections thereof were unconstitutional.
The court held that the import of section 3 (4) of the Act to the effect that no court should inquire into anything done under the Act is to oust the jurisdiction conferred on the court under the Constitution. The court further held that to the extent that the section is inconsistent with the provision of the Constitution, the section is unconstitutional, null and void. Similarly, in National Assembly v President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2008) 9 N.W.L.R, part 824, pg 104, the Electoral Act 2002 was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and subsequently referred to the President for his assent but the President failed to assent the bill within the one month prescribed by the Constitution. The National Assembly, in an attempt to override the presidential veto of the bill, passed it by a motion supported by two-third CONTINUED ON PAGE 73
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Tears for Michael Prest: A critique of a British court judgment Tribute By Femi Ogunkolati SHED several tears yesterday when I saw how Ifriend British and global press descended on my of over 30 years, Michael Prest. While divorce is always a difficult thing, it makes it even harder when the facts are broadcast all over the world to feed to a hungry press and 24 hours news channels always keen for another sensational story. Not only have I known Michael for 31 years, I have also known Yasmin Prest for almost 19 years, so I know them both very well. I have holidayed with them as a family; I have been to the baptisms of all their children, so I know the family very well. Michael’s late father took me as his son and I stayed at Michael’s family home even when Michael was not there. His father was a great man and may his soul rest in peace. The Michael Prest, I and many reading this know is a very private man who never talks. He is a father who absolutely adores his children, who looks after his family and looked after his exwife, Yasmin. She never lacked anything and you could never speak badly about Yasmin to Michael. Even to this day, he will not have you criticise the woman he says has given him the greatest treasure in his life. “Keep your views to yourself please”, Michael would say. For Michael, family is number-one even if that meant him rushing home from wherever he was every weekend to watch his son play football or his
daughters act or do sport. In the press, Yasmin is described as being “British born wife”, yet I know Yasmin is the second daughter of the late Inua Mohammed, a much-loved and highly respected veterinary surgeon from Gombe (may his Prest soul rest in peace). I know her elder sister was the former head of the MDG in Nigeria. Yasmin is a Nigerian and why is it that the press seem reluctant to describe her as a Nigerian? Does she not want to come back to her country? In the British Press, the property at the heart of the dispute are now decided by The Supreme Court of London as being held on trust. Can somebody please tell me what does that mean? One paper said earlier that the Customary Law Trust was ‘Nigerian Tribal Law’. Can someone please tell me the difference? After 20 years of companies owning and paying for these property with their own company money, they are now decided as being held on trust. I am not a lawyer so I don’t understand it. Surely, it is so easy to find out who did buy them and with which money was used to pay for it? Isn’t that
why they have searches? Can lawyers reading this help me out? The Michael I and many reading this piece know is the Michael who is always willing to help. When he was the head of Marc Rich Oil Company, he made the point of opening doors for many young people. I don’t want to mention their names but they know who they are and today, they hold leading positions in the oil industry. While they will be quick to admit that ‘Oga’, as they called him, was a very hard taskmaster, they say he trained them well to stand on their feet. Michael trained Yasmin’s youngest sister and brought her into the oil industry at a time she was having problems in London. She worked for him for five years. Michael trained and brought into the business his brother and his cousins and they also worked with him for so many years. I know this because I too worked alongside them in the business. We are all now part of the oil business. Michael ‘bailed’ out Yasmin’s other sister when they needed to buy a house in London. I know this because the younger sister told me. I
could go on and on. I am not saying my friend is perfect; like all of us he is not; yet surely let reporting be balanced? Yet for me, Michael is defined by what happened to me earlier this year. In January, I collapsed and fell into a coma in Abuja. Despite all his problems upon being told, Michael took immediate charge from where he was and arranged for my being flown out of Abuja on British Airways. He then met me and my father at London Heathrow Airport with the ambulance took me to Charing Cross Hospital. When we arrived at the hospital, Michael argued with the members of staff and doctors to ensure I got immediate attention. Within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital, I underwent eight-hour brain surgery. I was told that throughout that time, Michael nervously paced up and down the hospital corridor simply counting the time I came out. I feel those 24 hours saved my life. Over my 10-day stay in hospital, Michael came every day, talking to the specialists and trying to better understand what if anything else could be done. At the end of the stay, Michael signed my discharge from hospital and then settled me at home. He then quietly left and went back to dealing with his own problems. I shed tears for my friend because I know him and I know that his ex-wife, despite what her advisers print, get printed to try and win her money, she knows the man and knows the great father and provider he is. I know he is a ‘big boy’ who ‘can handle himself’ and I know he will be upset with me by talking but I could not keep quiet anymore my brother.
At NBA-SBL conference, continuous legal education, rule of law reverberate Event By Bertram Nwannekanma HE event was envisioned to attract T the largest concentration of business and commercial lawyers in the country. And at the end, the organisers were not disappointed with the large turnout of participants that came from both within and outside the country. The participants, included Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who was represented by Justice Mahmud Mohammed of the Supreme Court and Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade of the Lagos State judiciary, who represented the Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips. Notable legal luminaries such as Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Chief O J Okocha (SAN), Dele Adesina, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) also attended the threeday event. It was the seventh edition of the yearly conference of Nigerian Bar AssociationSection of Business Law, (NBA-SBL) held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The conference’s theme of “The Legal Profession In an Emerging Economy” provided a forum for discussion on the best global practices in the legal circle. The keynote speaker, Mr. Harold Paisner of the England and Wales Law Society, gave the international outlook of the event aimed at learning how English Common Law jurisdiction generally appeal to the growth of the legal profession. The choice of Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, whose six years of legal contention, imbued with a more than fleeting familiarity with the law and its tenets, added to the adrenaline provoked by the SBL’s chairman’s speech, Gbenga Oyebode. According to Oyebode, Nigerian lawyers have found the conference as a platform to integrate into the society and the key to economic growth is continuing legal education, because law is also constantly in motion, and there are changes in law, particularly in business laws. “The fact that some of the counterparts, you deal with come from other jurisdictions, means that you must be on top, not just in your law but also in the key issues of law. “ SBL will continue to look at the issue of training, legal education, international and global best practices in our sector because Nigeria must participate in the
transactions and prescribes the methglobal scene, especially in Common forth not be tolerated. Law jurisdiction, whether in Australia, He said:” The Nigerian Bar Association ods of legal redress to those who believe South Africa, Canada, USA and United has repeatedly criticised the over- heat- they are entitled to some type of Kingdom”. ing of our political space by politi- recourse in the legal system”. On the criteria for admission of stu- cians. The NBA also totally endorses Delivering his lecture, Paisner highdents into the Bar, Oyebode was of the Prof. Attahiru Mohammed Jega’s lighted the importance of rule of law in view that the proprietors of the actions at threatening to disqualify providing necessary stability in mainschools should concentrate on things politicians who engage in campaigns taining international investments. that are important, since change is one before the time allowed by the Law. Fayemi supported calls for laws preconstant thing in life. How then could we tolerate such at scribing punishments for electoral fraudsters on the ground that they dis“ We must continually focus on the the Bar?” whole process of the Faculty of Law in For the Attorney- General of the torts the legitimacy of governance. our universities on how they take their Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke According to the governor, a system students, we must loot at the Nigerian (SAN), his ministry was collaborating that permits such cheats to even mount law students and said to ourselves that with the Ministry of Trade and spurious legal campaigns indefinitely the present curriculum as structured Investment and other stakeholders in against the rightful holders of the peoin the law school does it met with the reviewing relevant Business and ple’s mandate, clearly has room for challenges of the trend. Investment Laws with a view to draft- improvement. “A situation where we still have peo- ing legislation aimed at simplifying He said: “Yet, the flaws of a system that ple going to school for almost two the legal flaw of investments and the permits a fraud to hold office, take offiyears, especially foreign graduates, to smooth running of business in the cial decisions, and represent the state for years before he or she is chased from be admitted to Nigeria’s legal profes- country. sion, is not nice. The AGF said he had through his Eight office, are obvious. “A situation that concerns the admis- Point Strategy Plan articulated wide- “ When a fraudulently ‘elected’ official sion to the Bar must be made as easy as ranging reforms in the justice sector who enters into contracts on behalf of possible, because there are jurisdic- needed for the improvement of busi- government, signs budgets, incurs tions, where Nigerian lawyers are ness and investment laws, policies and wage bills, benefits from the entitlements of the office, is later adjudged a admitted to the Bar just by attending regulations in Nigeria. the Law School for three months. According to him, there is no doubt beneficiary of electoral fraud, ordinarily There is nothing special about Nigeria, that a nation’s legal system provides the justice system in invalidating his there is nothing special with the law, the context, the means and methods tenure should also render all decisions we practice, it is the British Common of regulating business practices as he took in office ipso facto null and void Law to the extent that the reciprocity well as defines the parameters within - but this is not so. world, even places such as Ghana which companies and individuals “ One can only imagine the chaos that would result from this postulation”. He allowed for easier access for Nigerian conduct business transactions. lawyers and the fact that Nigeria Adoke, who was represented by his said. lawyers can get admission for instance Special Adviser, Dr. Taiwo Ogunleye, According to him, these criminals govin the state of New York just in the said due to the increased interaction ern with impunity because they have basis that you are eligible to practice in of cultures, businesses and political no pact with the electorate and fear no Nigeria. ideologies facilitated by technology, punishment. “These things, we should constantly lawyers are daily confronted with the “Unfortunately, these brigands leave a look at. It is not about making life diffi- need to re-evaluate existing practices legacy of uncompleted highly inflated cult, it is about making life easier. It is and standards in the light of constant- contracts, unsustainable agreements with labour and other stakeholders in about making sure that the rules that ly evolving global best practices. we had set are acceptable to the global He said: “ The legal system specified the society. standard and then we must make sure both the rights and obligations of par- “Uncoordinated and poorly articulated that the quality of lawyers is not ties who are involved in business policy frameworks, are let off without as much as a slap on the wrist! enhanced by making law “Unfortunately, there are difficult,” he added very inadequate provisions The President of the in our legal codes for the punNigerian Bar Association, ishment of electoral robbers Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), who and their black sheep collabsaid the conference was orators in the legal profesnecessary for the continusion who advise them to furous legal training of ther institute ridiculous cases lawyers, frowned at the to distract legitimately electpoliticization of some ed governments. These elecNBA’s committee activities toral heists carry heavy repuby chairmen with future tational and fiscal costs for political ambitions at the our people. In the eyes of the Bar. international community, The NBA’s president cauthey certainly do us no tioned that over- heating of favours and only enhance the system had negative depictions of our country as a effect on the programme of place where anything goes. his administration and Aniedi Akpabio, (left), Former chairman SBL, Mrs. Mfon Usoro and Paul therefore, would hence- Usoro SAN at the conference.
“ If we are serious about improving investor confidence and our prospects as an emerging economy, we have to do something about this aberration to serve as deterrence to others who might be scheming their way to office through the back door,” he added.
Constitutional supremacy: The Nigerian experience (2) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 72 of the members in the House contrary to the Constitution. The court held that the passage of the bill into law was unconstitutional because the requirement of the Constitution to override the veto of the President is that the bill be returned to the National Assembly and that it has to go through all the stages it went through in the first passage with an addition of twothird majority. Finally, in INEC v Musa (2003) 3 N.W.L R.806, pg 72, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) released a guideline for the registration of new political parties. The said guideline contained some conditions, which groups of people or associations intending to register as political parties should meet. Some of the conditions stipulated by the guidelines released by INEC were that the intending associations should have offices across all the states in the countries and that they should submit the names and addresses of the members in all the states of the federation. Some associations intending to register as political parties were aggrieved by this condition among others. Those groups of associations led by the respondent went to court to challenge the guidelines on the ground that it was contrary to the provision of the Constitution. The court held that sections 221-229 of the 1999 Constitution already stipulated the conditions that associations intending to be registered as political parties should meet and that for administrative costs, any other condition contained in the guideline released by INEC is unconstitutional.
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Sports Turkey 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Pillars, Lobi, ABS, Kaduna Utd win APFON PRO Welfare Award
Flying Eagles battle Uruguay for quarter-final ticket IgERIA’S national UnderN 20 team, the Flying Eagles, will this evening take on Uruguay in their fourth match of the on-going Turkey 2013 FIFA Junior World Cup. The match, which comes up by 7.00 p.m, promises a grueling duel as it would decide either team’s progression in the competition. Flying Eagles’ striker, Olanrewaju Kayode expects a tough physical battle from Uruguay, saying, “Uruguay are a very hard and physical side and we expect them to again be so on Tuesday. We won’t underrate them,” said Kayode, who broke his scoring duck against South Korea on Thursday. “We watched them against Uzbekistan and they are really good going forward but I think their defence has not been really tested. “We had a good game against Korea and we now hope to do even better against Uruguay to reach the quarter-finals.” Interestingly, Kayode grabbed a late equaliser for the Flying Eagles against the South Americans in an invitational tournament in South Korea two years ago. The match finished in a 2-2 draw. The match will be the second time that Nigeria will be playing inside the Ali Sami Arena, the home ground of top Turkish club galatasaray, while it will be a first for their South American foes. Uruguay have also had to endure a trip from Antalya to Istanbul leading up to this match, while Nigeria stayed back after the win over South Korea to sample more of the joys of Turkey’s commercial capital city. Los Charruas, as Uruguay are known best performance in this competition was when they reached the 1997 final,
where they lost to hosts Argentina 2-1. They finished third in 1979, fourth in 1977 and have reached the last eight on three further occasions. However in their last three appearances, they twice crashed out in the Round of 16 and exited the 2011 edition in the first round. Uruguay’s qualification for the 2013 tournament was boosted by a 3-2 win over world champions, Brazil, who as a result are not in Turkey to defend their championship. They parade several players from overseas like striker Bentancourt from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and Amores, who is on the books of EPL side Liverpool. “They are a dangerous side,” warned Nigeria Assistant Coach, Jurgen Press, who watched them outscore a more organised Uzbekistan in their final group game to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. “But we want to be the team that will be in Bursa for the quarter-final on Saturday.”
From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja OR their interest in the total Fclubs welfare of their players, four in the glo Premier
Serena Williams trying to retrieve a point when she met Germany’s Sabine Lisicki at the on-going All England Tennis Championship, Wimbledon. Lisicki stopped the French Open champion’s bid for the title…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP.
Sabine Lisicki shocks Serena Williams ORLD number one, W Serena Williams saw her winning streak and hopes of a sixth Wimbledon title end with a shock defeat by germany’s Sabine Lisicki. Lisicki, the 23rd seed, won the fourth-round encounter 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 on Centre Court. Williams joins leading names Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in making an early exit at what has been a tournament of stunning upsets. It was only the third defeat in the last year for Williams, and ends her career-best winning run of 34 matches.
Lisicki moves on to the quarter-finals for the fourth time and in each of those Wimbledon campaigns she has beaten the French Open champion. Her record on grass, based around the second-biggest serve in women’s tennis, meant Lisicki had always looked among the most likely candidates to challenge Williams. The 23-year-old from Troisdorf fought off four break points and took advantage of a rash of Williams unforced errors as she broke twice to win the opening set. Williams, 31, was not about
to go quietly and roared back in the second, winning 14 points in a row at one stage and not making a single unforced error as she levelled, winning it 6-1. The American was on a roll and did not need any luck but from 40-0 down, two net cords helped her to an early break in the decider. When Williams racked up her ninth straight game to move 3-0 clear, it was turning into a procession, but Lisicki stuck to her task. The german got the better of three breaks in a row as she fought back from 4-2 down, thrilling the 15,000
Odemwingie, Martins’ chapter closed, says Keshi From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja UPER EAgLES’ Chief Sruled Coach, Stephen Keshi, has out any possible return for to the national team for Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins, saying the duo have had their time in the team. Debunking the reports in a section of the media that he has made up his mind to recall Odemwingie and others, Keshi stated that he never contemplated such idea and did not tell anybody of a possible return for Odemwingie to the national team. Speaking after the home-
based Super Eagles first training session in Abuja yesterday, Keshi said he was only thinking of the return of Everton star, Victor Anichebe, to the team “because I still need him.” Keshi added: “I never said that I am bringing back any of those names you nave mentioned now (Osaze Odemwingie, Ikechukwu Uche, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins and Victor Anichebe). I have seen the likes of Osaze, Martins and I think we have given them the opportunity, which they did not use, what else do you peo-
ple want in them. “The only thing I said about (Victor) Anichebe is that I will try to talk to him again and that is it.” On the team’s performance in the just concluded Confederations Cup, the former Super Eagles captain disclosed that the championship gave him and the players an opportunity to learn new things, adding that they would make use of the exposure they got from playing the likes of Spain and Uruguay to improve on their subsequent games. Keshi also confessed that the CHAN qualifier against Cote
d’Ivoire in Kaduna on Saturday would not be an easy game, adding, however, that he would do his best with the support of his assistants and soccer loving Nigerians to get a respectable result in the match. “On Saturday, it will be tough because we are playing against Cote d’Ivoire not against Tahiti or gambia. Cote d’Ivoire has equal potentials back home like Nigeria and other top African football playing countries. So it is not going to be an easy game but we hope to have a good score line at the end of the game,” he promised
spectators on Centre Court. Williams had been in the ascendancy for well over an hour, but at 4-4 in the final set she found herself facing break points and, stretched to the limit, the champion could not control a smash, which flew over the baseline. One more service game was required by Lisicki, and it was never likely to be straightforward.
league, Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, ABS and Kaduna were at weekend honoured with the Pro Players Welfare Award by the leadership of the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON). APFON, which also honoured the former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board, Oyuki Obaseki, for laying a solid foundation for the take off of professional football in the country, said the clubs were honoured because they were free from any form of indebtedness to their players since the last season. Handing out the awards at the end of the association’s mid season leadership seminar and forum with club captains, APFON urged the various clubs in the country to ensure that the welfare of their players were considered in setting their budgets, stressing that players ensure that club officials have jobs to do, as well as, the continuity of any league. Speaking at the occasion, APFON President, Dahiru Sadi said, “I urge the debtor clubs to brace up and emulate the likes of Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, ABS and Kaduna United, who have been honoured today by APFON for their commitment to players’ welfare. Without these players, there will be no club and nobody would be club official. So they must be treated with utmost priority for the development of the game,” he charged. Earlier in his comment, chairman of the League Management Committee, Nduka Irabor, praised the efforts of the association in insisting on the welfare of players. Irabor, who solicited total support for APFON, called on clubs to initiate a pension scheme for their players.
Lagos International Football Tournament now for September HE organisers of Lagos T Interrnational Football Tournamnet (LFT) have announced a new date of September 5 to 8, 2013 for the maiden edition of the tourney. The initiator of the programme, Mutiu Adepoju, a former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, yesterday in Lagos explained that postponing the tournament was imperative “to allow our Muslim brothers in the participating teams observe the month of Ramadan, which kicks-off on July 7 and ends on August 6. “We are very sensitive to issues like this, so we have no choice than to respect the right of our Muslim brothers, who are training hard a head
of
the tournament.” Also speaking on the new date, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Seyi Akinwunmi said the postponement was inevitable in view of the fact that July has suddenly become very busy for the Lagos FA. “Apart from the fact that the Ramadan is coming up in the month of July, the Federation Cup is also coming at thesame period, with the Lagos State as the host of the two tournaments, we definitely have to re-schedule one of the events. “So after a meeting of all stakeholders, it was unanimously agreed that the best period after July is to target the FIFA Free Week, which runs from September 6 to10,” he posited.
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Ikhana wants LMC to partner airlines over airlifting of clubs for matches By Eno-Abasi Sunday S part of efforts to bolster A the fortunes of the country’s domestic league, concrete steps must be taken to boost the welfare and guard against wear and tear among league players. One of the first steps that should be taken in this direction, former Super Falcons and Kwara United Football Club Coach, Khadiri Ikhana, said is to ensure the security and lives of the players to and from match venues. In fact, Ikhana wants the League Management Committee (LMC) to open talks with airlines in order to put an immediate end to the grueling 24-hour journey some teams make by road to honour their league matches. In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, the CAF Champions League winner called on the LMC should spend the sponsorship money wisely by among other things, “taking into consideration, the players welfare and security because as I speak to you, some teams
are yet to pay their players’ salaries, contract and sign-on fees. This is not how to builds a world-class league. “The LMC should take extra interest in how teams get to match venues because of the wear and tear the players are subjected to. I am of the view that the LMC should get into talks with airlines with a view to getting ticket rebate for teams so that they can get to match venues in good shape and depart in similar manner. This is very important now that they are playing twice a week. he continued, “Club sides travel with large sums of money ranging from N800, 000 to N1.5m to honour their away matches. And every now and then, you hear them being attacked on the way by armed robbers, who in most cases, dispossess them of their valuables and sometimes kill players and officials. It is time to put an end to this and do what countries like South Africa are doing with their domestic league,” he stated. The former Kwara United
boss said, “by airlifting the players after a reasonable rebate has been worked out with airlines, a lot of money would be saved from accommodation, feeding and sundry logistics because so much time lost would be gained. Most importantly, a lot of pressure would be taken off the players. But the LMC should take the lead in this initiative because if left for the clubs, they would not do it.” “There is no part of this country that you need to fly more than two hours to get to, so the players should be sparred the trauma of spending one day on the road, playing a match on the second day and returning to their base on the third day to prepare for yet another match on the sixth or seventh day,” he stated. The former Enyimba Football Club of Aba trainer expressed hope in the Nduka Irabor-led LMC to do the needful in its bid to rejuvenate the Nigerian league and cause its potentials to come to fruition.
Enyimba of Aba’s Rasheed Olabiyi (left) takes on Chikeluba Ofoedu of Enugu Rangers during one of the games of the 2011/2012 season. Kadiri Ikhana wants LMC to ensure teams are ferried to match venues by air. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI
Nigeria picks third spot at Africa Cup Group C Rugby Tourney IGERIA finished third in N the Africa Cup Group C rugby tournament in Cote d’Ivoire over the weekend. It is the country’s best ever result in the Confederation of
NB Plc NDA Golf tees off this weekend hE 2013 edition of the T Nigeria Breweries Plc, NDA Open Golf Championship
Aruna Quadri wants to reclaim his African title at the ITTF-Africa Senior Open, which serves off today in Congo Brazzaville.
will tee off this weekend at the NDA Golf Club, Kaduna, the organisers have revealed. Speaking in Kaduna while revealing plans for the competition, NB Plc’s Public Relations Officer, North, Danjuma John-Ekele, said preparations have been completed for the event, adding that they are already looking forward to a successful tournament. he explained that being one of the tournaments NB Plc organizes within the North annually, golfers from all over Nigeria are looking forward to the tee-off of the tourney, which is expected to last for two days. “In making this year’s tour-
Quadri begins quest to reclaim title at ITTF Africa Senior Cup By Olalekan Okusan TILL fresh from clinching SNigeria’s the Portuguese league title, Aruna Quadri will today begin a campaign to reclaim his crown at the 2013 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-Africa Senior Cup, which serves off today in Congo Brazzaville. Quadri, who was the last Nigerian player to clinch the title when he won it in 2009, recently inspired GD Toledos to lift the Portuguese elite league title. But goping into this championship, he sees the Egyptians as the only stumbling block to his ambit i o n . The ultra-modern Sortif Sporting Complex located in Oyo, a city in Congo Brazzaville, will stage the ITTFAfrica Senior Cup today and tomorrow and it would be followed immediately by the ITTF-Africa Club Championships, scheduled
for Thursday and Friday. At the last edition held in Rabat, Morocco in 2011, Egypt claimed three of the four titles on offer and will be hoping to clean up the medal hauls this year. The Egyptians, who just returned from their training tour of China, will also be contending with the hosts, Congo Brazzaville, who also came back from a training tour of the Asia country. To add to his diadems this year, the GD Toledos star is aiming to reclaim the Africa Senior Cup title, which he surrendered to Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh in 2011. “I am yet to win all the titles in Portugal, as I have not won the Portuguese Super Cup, but I am hoping to win it in September when we confront CP Oliveirinha,” he said. “The Africa Senior Cup serves as qualifiers for the Men’s World Cup. After winning it in 2009, I am hoping to win it again this year as I have
always been settling for the third place in all the tournaments since 2009,” he said. The Oyo State-born athlete added, “I am hungry for titles because I have not made serious impact in Africa and I pray to succeed this time and shock all the Egyptians like I did in 2009. I know it’s a difficult task but it is possible to achieve it with prayer and hard work.” Egypt’s Saleh won the Men’s Singles title at the ITTF-Africa Senior Cup with the Women’s Singles crown being donned by Saleh’s compatriot, Dina M e s h r e f . Aside Quadri, Kazeem Makanjuola will also be competing in the men’s singles event, while in the women, Nigeria will be represented by the duo of Edem Offiong and Cecilia Otu. The Men’s Team title was secured by the Cairo based Zamalek Club with Nigeria’s Union Bank outfit secured the Women’s Team top prize.
nament even more colourful, we held a clinic for beginners on Saturday,” he said. John-Ekele was optimistic that the clinic would produce youngsters that could in the future play professional golf for Nigeria, as well as bring in revenue to the country when they win in international outings. “Nigeria needs to develop good talents and as a company that produces quality brands, we also want to develop quality talents,” he added. Speaking further, he said as part of activities to mark this year’s tournament, there will be a heineken Night after the presentation ceremony at Zecool hotels, Barnawa, where consumers and stakeholders would engage the brand. “There will be lots of goodies given out to the golfers and others who come for the after party. The prizes that will be given after an on-site raffle draw will see many winning free drinks and other assorted prizes,” he explained.
African Rugby annual championship. The tournament was won by Cote d’Ivoire, who are now promoted to Africa Cup Group B. In their opening game Nigeria beat Mauritius 63-3, before losing to tournament favourites, Morocco, 38-8 on Wednesday and then defeated Zambia 45-10 in their third and final game on Saturday. It was the best ever result for Nigeria, whose opponents were all ranked higher on the International Rugby Board’s list of rugby playing nations. Nigeria turned on a power display against Mauritius scoring 11 tries against the Indian Ocean islanders, who had beaten them in both previous encounters. It was the first time in three meetings that Nigeria had
beaten the well drilled side from the tiny island east off the east African coast, but they were out-gunned in their second game by a powerful Moroccan side ranked 33in the world. The Confederation of African Rugby’s annual Group C tournament was played by six nations in Cote d’Ivoire and is part of the qualification process towards the IRB World Cup to be played in England in 2015. The winner of Africa Group A qualifies for the World Cup. Against Morocco, ranked fourth in Africa, Nigeria met, a settled side whose players play most of their club rugby in France. Nigeria is currently ranked 15th in Africa and 90th in the International Rugby Board’s world ranking list. In their final game on Saturday, Nigeria defeated
Ettah, others show class at BUA Sugar Sqaush tourney hE Squash Section of the team. T Ikoyi Club was the center The tournament, which of attraction over the week- began at about 4pm on end when top flight squash players converged to slug it out at the BUA Sugar Invitational Squash Tournament hosted by the section, with the O’ Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi, as guest
Chairman, Squash Section, Ikoyi Club, Lagos, Olumide Sojirin, and Chairman, O’ Trafford Squash Club, Ikoyi, Larry Ettah, during the BUA Sugar tourney…at the weekend.
Saturday, saw each player displaying incredible squash skills to garner maximum points in very arduous encounters. By the time the curtains were finally drawn on the tournament characterized by energy sapping games, both winners and losers were gasping for breath. The games between Chairman of the O’ Trafford Squash Club and Group Managing Director of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Larry Ettah, and Olumide Sojirin were as entertaining as they were equally grueling. Both players reached for their innermost strength, determined to prove a point, which drew a loud applause from the crowd. Sojirin, who was overstretched by Ettah, eventually carried the day, winning 3-1. Rabiu Sali and Fred Oladapo of O’ Trafford Squash Club won their games, defeating Sope Robert and Femi Sojirin, both of Ikoyi Club 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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78 SPORTS
THE GUARDIAN, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
‘Spain are not robots’ ERGIO Ramos feels it was Sbefore only a matter of time Spain would be beaten at a major tournament following their 3-0 loss against Brazil in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final. Vicente del Bosque’s men had dominated international football in recent years as they won back-to-back European titles as well as the 2010 World Cup, but their trophy haul came to an abrupt end at the Maracana on Sunday. “We have gained a lot of important achievements and one day, the moment
has to arrive when you don’t win. We aren’t robots. Our conscience is clear because we gave the best we had,” the defender told AS. “Sometimes things just don’t turn out for you and that is what happened to us right from the first minute. They got an early goal and then withdrew. “We must congratulate Brazil because they showed that they know how to play against Spain.” Spain had to settle for third spot the last time they featured at the Confederations Cup in 2009.
It’s time to decide on my future, says Paulinho ORINTHIANS star, C Paulinho has revealed he will now sit down with his
Brazil’s forward Neymar (right) scores past Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas (left) during the final match of the FIFA Confederations Cup tagged: Brazil 2013, at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro …on Sunday PHOTOS: AFP
Early goal cost us victory, says Torres Torres is disapFlossERNANDO pointed with Spain’s 3-0 against Brazil in Sunday’s Confederations Cup final, saying the early goal they conceded cost the reigning world champions the match. Fred gifted Brazil the lead after only two minutes of play before Neymar doubled the Selecao’s advantage in the closing stages of the first half, with Fred making it three shortly after the break. . “The key was losing a goal in the second minute of the match. From that point onwards, our approach and our game plan had to
change. We failed to adapt to the situation and we lost our head a bit,” Torres told Fifa.com. . “We didn’t know whether to push forwards or hang back, we were in a bit of disarray. To make matters worse, they scored again on one of their breakaways to make it 2-0 just before halftime. . “We were confident we could raise our game and come back, but we started badly again and let in a third goal. Things got worse, as we then missed a penalty and had a man sent off. It was one of those days when nothing goes your way,
right from the start.” The Chelsea attacker then went on to stress this weekend’s defeat was a mere slipup and that Spain will be back to defend their title at next year’s World Cup. “This was just a blip against a team that played better than us. We’ve already experienced similar matches, we played badly versus England, Portugal and Italy,” he added. “Although they were friendlies and this was a final, it won’t change how we approach things in the future. All that remains is for us to congratulate the champions. Brazil were bet-
ter than us and won the match fair and square. “It’s confirmed something that we already knew, that it’s not going to be easy to beat Brazil on their own patch. That said, in one year’s time we’ll be back here as world champions to defend what’s ours.”
agent and decide his future amid strong interest from Tottenham. . Goal.com understand that Spurs have agreed a £17 million deal with Corinthians and that all those involved expect the transfer to go ahead, with the midfielder poised to sign a four-year contract. . Former Arsenal midfielder, Edu, now director of football with the Brazilian giants, had revealed talks were “well underway,” but the 24year-old insists that until now he had been concentrating on the Confederations Cup. “I haven’t thought about it. My mind was 100 per cent
on this Confederations Cup. Now that is over, I’m going to sit down with my agent and see what we decide,” he told reporters after Brazil’s emphatic 3-0 win over reigning World and European champions Spain. Asked if he feels pressured by speculation over his future he replied, “not at all. I don’t care about that.” The 24-year-old was awarded with the Confederations’ Cup Bronze ball in recognition of his impressive performances for the Selecao, having started four of their five tournament matches. He scored two goals, including the winner against Uruguay in a 2-1 semi-final win, and has now scored five goals in his last 12 international appearances.
Brazil were a bit lucky, Del Bosque insists PAIN Coach, Vicente Del Sside’s Bosque reflected on his 3-0 defeat in the Confederations Cup final to Brazil by claiming that the hosts had luck on their side for two of their goals. Fred scored at the beginning of each half either side of a Neymar strike to clinch
the trophy for the tournament hosts and end the 29match unbeaten run of the world champions, who also saw Sergio Ramos miss a penalty and had Gerard Pique sent off. And it was the Fluminese striker’s double in particular which caught the atten-
Spain’s Coach, Vicente del Bosque plays with a ball during a training session at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, on the eve of the final of the match against Brazil.
tion of Del Bosque as having an element of fortune attached, though he did not attempt to use it as an explanation for the loss. “They maybe were a little bit lucky with their goals at the start of the first and the second halves,” said the 62year-old to reporters after the match. But I will not make excuses for our loss. Brazil are the deserved winners and we have to congratulate them.” But the former Real Madrid boss did recall a pivotal moment in the match towards the end of the first half, where David Luiz pulled off a spectacular goal-line clearance, moments before Neymar scored Brazil’s second at the other end. “We could have been at 1-1, but instead it went to 2-0,” lamented the trainer. Del Bosque, who oversaw Spain’s triumphant World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 campaigns, also felt that apart from the final, his team had a good experience contesting the tournament. “I think that we have done a good Confederations Cup, except for today obviously. Brazil were simply better, nothing more,” he concluded.
Spain’s forward Fernando Torres (left) vies with Brazil’s defender David Luiz …on Sunday
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TheGuardian
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
By Francis Nmeribe NTREPRENEURSHIP in my own words E means legitimate activities engaged by a person or persons with the aim at first, of providing services that solve problems for people; enhance people’s enjoyment of their lives, promote other people’s security, peace and happiness and in return provide the same equities for the entrepreneur through the profit he or she made providing the services to others. In life, it is what you seek that you find. If you resign from searching for the true enrichment of your life because the road is hard, you stay right where you are. One way of life which the advanced cultures of North America, Europe and the Asian tiger nations of China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, etc, have which I strongly recommend we in Africa adopt is to live life with the end in mind. From secondary school, young people in these advanced cultures learn a trade or more which they use to provide service for other people and thereby make money to put themselves through university and get married with at the same time. They do not wait for parents and patronizing elder siblings, uncles and other persons to sponsor them through education after a certain age. It is wrong for a 21-year-old man to wait for parents or anybody for that matter to pay school fees for him. It is this sense of independence that can strengthen a young single adult’s mind to make the decision about his how, his or her life would turn out. It is Eric Eilholm who said that “one way to access personal power is to make a decision how your life would be different from what it is at present.” An independent mindset which starts with a decision to take care of yourself as soon as you turn into this great stage of life known as the ‘young adult years’ is the nucleus of the entrepreneurial spirit and entrepreneurship. If you want to develop the attitude that supports you to move forward in life, then start with a skill. Get the skill in the area of your passion or what you love and, are happy, to do. Use your newly acquired skill in an innovative way. For example, if you learned to be an automobile mechanic, instead of waiting in a shop for people to bring vehicles for you
Entrepreneurship is the key to the future. This is not just for the folks who leave primary and secondary school to learn how to buy and sell. It is for every young adult in Africa, especially for Nigerians, single or married so that we do not delay our blessing and preparation for leadership in the kingdom of God on Earth. Entrepreneurial spirit is the leading light for the temporal salvation of mankind. Even those who work at paid employment should start early in their employment life to learn how to be entrepreneurs. The need cannot be overemphasised.
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editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY
Entrepreneurship mindset key to the future
Bature Umar Masari, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)
to fix, why not be aggressive in searching out those who need services and rendering such service to them. Start with people in your neighbourhood, your teachers at school, your friends’ parents and relations, who know you well. Instead of the common trend where a mechanic would shortchange his customers, why not you go the extra mile in satisfying the customer in such a way that he or she totally depends on you. Many people have gotten life-saving and enhancing referrals from satisfied customers who introduce them to great benefactors and new opportunities for growth
in their trade or a change to another more lucrative vocation. You would be able to take care of yourself and a wife while you are young and you can make real progress in your life that counts. We hear about unsavoury unemployment stories every day in Nigeria. We learn about people who spend five to 10 years after university without a job. Such stories in my opinion should not ever be told. It is disastrous to a man’s life to wait for a job in a country like Nigeria where there are no functional industries and no infrastructure to encourage investment. It is high time we moved away from the job hunting mindset to the job and wealth creation
The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. Also join our on-line conversation
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If you want to develop the attitude that supports you to move forward in life, then start with a skill. Get the skill in the area of your passion or what you love and, are happy, to do. Use your newly acquired skill in an innovative way. For example, if you learned to be an automobile mechanic, instead of waiting in a shop for people to bring vehicles for you to fix, why not be aggressive in searching out those who need services and rendering such service to them mindset. Entrepreneurship is the key to the future. This is not just for the folks who leave primary and secondary school to learn how to buy and sell. It is for every young adult in Africa, especially for Nigerians, single or married so that we do not delay our blessing and preparation for leadership in the kingdom of God on Earth. Entrepreneurial spirit is the leading light for the temporal salvation of mankind. Even those who work at paid employment should start early in their employment life to learn how to be entrepreneurs. The need cannot be overemphasised. Most people would leave paid employment earlier than when they attend the statutory age of retirement. There are those who would make 35 years of service before they are 60 years of age. Most people would still be strong and healthy and able to work for many more years before they would really want to take the back bench in final retirement. For all of these people, it would certainly be awkward to go seeking for another paid employment where they would probably be reporting to someone the age of their own children. Entrepreneurship is the appropriate recourse for these people. The only opportunity that retired persons have to be successful entrepreneurs hinge solely on skills acquired in one’s area of passion and practised throughout the period of paid employment as a side business which has grown into a business venture. Those who try otherwise find out before the gestation period of the business they started after retirement, they have no more money left to fund the recapitalisation of the business venture. The horrible state of these retired persons is best imagined than experienced. The only way to avoid “turning age 60, broke and needing assistance” as Jim Rohn would say is to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship from young adult years and practising it throughout life and throughout paid employment. Entrepreneurship, therefore, is the way forward for everybody whether you are currently employed in paid employment or not, in school or out of school, starting life or in the middle of life. Think about it. Do something about it and see. Nmeribe, author of “Retire early to wealth and fame,” a critical early retirement planning manual, writes from Lagos.