Fri 21 June 2013

How NIPSS plans to boost Nigeria’s democracy, by DG From Martins Oloja, Washington D.C PURRED by the need to Sdemocracy, strengthen the nation’s the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has set up a centre for developing political parties in Kuru,

• Sambo to commission centre June 26 • UNDP backs institute in developing parties Plateau State, according to the Director-General of the institute.

The “Political Party Leadership and Policy Development

Centre” is being facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It will be commissioned by Vice President Namadi Sambo on

June 26 in Kuru, Plateau State.

The Director-General of the NIPSS, Prof. Tijjani Muhammadu-Bande, who leads an

eighth-man team comprising six officials from the institute, one civil society chief executive and a senior journalist on a study tour of the United States (U.S.), told The Guardian in the U.S. why the institute was setting up a centre for the development of political parties in Nigeria.

The former Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, said the need to assist the development of policy for political parties had become urgent as part of the transformation of the democratic CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Friday, June 21, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,594

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Chairman, Board of Directors, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Nurudeen Imam (left); Director (Administration), Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi and Managing Director, Wolfgang Goetsch, during the 43rd yearly general meeting of the firm in Abuja… yesterday. Story on Page 4.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Tukur stays, 20 PDP national officers quit From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja ELIEF came for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained him as the party’s National Chairman.

But the committee accepted the resignation of 20 other national officers of the party

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• Nwuche, 20 others appointed as acting leaders • Party fixes July 20 for special convention to elect officials • Jonathan gets confidence vote at NEC meeting whose elections were faulted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party also fixed July 20,

2013 for the conduct of a special convention to elect persons to fill the vacancies created.

It has also fixed July 11 for the

conduct of a special congress for the South-West chapter of the PDP. But the party has in the meantime appointed some

persons to fill those vacancies in acting capacities pending the conduct of the election.

At the meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed worry about increasing attention being paid to personal economic interests by public office holders against the interest of the

WOWe Forum charts path to W’African women’s success in business - Page 3

state.

Reviewing the state of the nation’s economy at the NEC meeting, Jonathan said that fixing the economy would take less than five years if people could avoid the temptation to compromise the interest of the state for selfish interests.

“In terms of economic focus, it is quite bright. All what we need as a nation is for us to believe in Nigeria and no matter CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

2 NEWS

PDP appoints Nwuche, 20 others as acting leaders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the interest we have, not to compromise the interest of the state.

“Somebody may want to hold office, including that of the president or a councillor, the country must be there for you to hold that office and as long as you don’t compromise the interest of the state in our political struggle in Nigeria’s interest, it will not take us more than five years for this country to get to the point where the issues of unemployment and job creation will no longer be a big thing”, he said.

Jonathan also disclosed that the PDP, in its bid to stabilise the polity, facilitated the sharp reduction in the number of political parties, particularly through the merger of political parties.

According to the President, the development was helpful to the PDP because it reduced the cases of defection from the party to other parties.

He also made a case for party supremacy even as he urged party leaders and all public officers elected on the platform of the party to ensure that PDP produced more than 23 state governors.

He commended party leaders and governors for forming the PDP Governors’ Forum.

“But one thing for which I have to appreciate the party, and especially the PDP governors, is the formation of the PDP GF. It has really helped to stabilise the polity”, he said.

The President also said that the killing of over 60 persons last Monday was not done by Boko Haram but armed robbers.

Jonathan also charged state governors to take steps to address the rising cases of ethnic rivalries across the country which had claimed several lives.

Party leaders present at the meeting passed a vote of confidence on the President for a good performance within the last two years of his administration.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, former Secretary of the party’s Board of Trustees, Prof. Jerry Gana, announced that a committee had been constituted to organise the special convention.

The committee is headed by Gana himself while Governor Godswill Akpabio will serve as the Deputy Chairman with Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as Secretary.

“A total of 20 national officers of the party resigned their positions following the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the party NEC accepted their resignation.

“NEC also appointed new persons in acting capacities to replace those who resigned”, Gana disclosed.

Yesterday’s meeting was attended by 16 governors and two deputy governors, and leaders of the National Assembly.

Among the new officers appointed in acting capacities are former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche as Acting Deputy National Chairman; Dr. Remi Akintoye as Acting Secretary; Emma Agboti as Deputy National Secretary while Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar is Acting National Organising Secretary.

Others are Tony Okeke (Acting National Publicity Secretary); Simon Jok (Acting Legal Adviser); Tanko Beji (Acting National Youth Leader); and Oyibo Nwaneri (Acting National Women Leader).

The other officers also appointed in acting capacities are “Acting Deputy National Legal Adviser, Yau Kwadon; Acting Deputy National Youth Leader, Peter Adefunmilayo; Acting Deputy National Auditor, Nasiru Ibrahim Birchi; Acting Deputy National Women Leader, Mrs. Torkwase Ajoh; Acting National Treasurer, Mohammed Dandari; Acting Deputy National Organising Secretary, Onyemaechi Ikechukwu Jideofor; Acting Deputy National Financial Secretary, Awalu Gwalabe; Acting Deputy National Treasurer, Chief Augustine Lugbenwei; Acting Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Calib Yahaya; Acting Ex-Officio, Chief Akin Taiwo; Acting Ex-Officio, Tope Ademiluyi; Acting Ex-Officio, Chief Mike Akinfenwa; and Acting Ex-Officio, Gbenga Oduwaiye.”

In his welcome remark, Tukur asked party members to pay attention to the issue of party funding and party su-

premacy.

He listed indiscipline, disrespect for party decisions, lack of internal communication, apathy to party funding, open confrontation with party leadership as some of the challenges the party had been facing.

“Distinguished members of NEC, we cannot afford running this party with severe under-funding dilemma.

Democracy is a serious busi-

ness but easily broken; it is a small commodity of exceptional value reserve. Some philosophers describe it as a parachute where the operator, practitioner and beneficiary need a safe landing place because nobody had ever lived to tell a story of parachute failure.

“My President and my colleagues in NEC, the PDP platform has supported many of us to the limelight of recogni-

tion, class value and distinctions, economic strength, political relevance, influence, power, prestige, fame and glory. We should resolve not to allow our actions to wreck this platform of golden opportunities for all Nigerians.

“There are two faces of democracy; one is success, the other is failure. Today we are successful but should be wary of the signals of resistance and aggression that are

gradually dominating the Nigerian political landscape.

We should avoid pushing ourselves into a corner and become targets of humiliation.

“May Allah touch our hearts to love Nigeria more than our families, to like ideas more than our children, to develop our people more than our partners, to protect democracy more than the way we protect our investments. Thank

Mike Awoyinfa (left), former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Action Congress of Nigeria National Leader, Bola Tinubu; his wife, Oluremi and Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka-Pemu, during a condolence visit to Tinubu on the death of his mother, Abibatu Mogaji, in Lagos… yesterday.

Sambo to commission NIPSS centre June 26 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 processes in Nigeria.

His words: “We are persuaded that (political) party system is one of the weakest links we have to strengthen in a structured manner in our country. Despite Nigeria’s progress in electoral democracy since 1999, with four successive elections and peaceful transfer of the reins of power from one civilian regime to another, there are challenges to the consolidation of democracy.

“Among several other factors, the weak institutionalisation of political parties and their dysfunctional character remain key deficits of Nigeria’s democracy, and this is coupled with the behaviour of the members of the political class who appear to be reducing the political parties to mere electoral machines. So, there is an urgent need to consciously respond to the inherent weaknesses in Nigeria’s party system to ensure that political parties are institutionalised, functional, organizationally-viable, and, more importantly, perform their basic functions in a democracy…”

The political scientist continued: “It is well known that modern representative democracy needs strong and sustainable parties with the capacity to represent citizens and provide policy choices that demonstrate their ability to govern for the public good.

“The basic and routine functions of political parties are encapsulated in their linkage functions as follows: a campaign linkage: parties recruit candidates and set the parameters of the electoral process; participatory link-

age through mobilisation of candidates to vote during elections; ideological linkage through informing voters about policy choices and policy alternatives; representative linkage through congruence between citizen policy preferences and the policies of the parties represented in government and parliament and policy linkage as parties try to deliver on the policies they advocate in the election and serve as agencies for ensuring that government officials are responsive to the rank and file voters.

“The inability of political parties to adequately perform these functions in both advanced and struggling democracies is the basis of the standard lament regarding the behaviour of political parties.

“Political parties in Nigeria face formidable challenges, especially as they presently lack the capacity to play their traditional roles effectively and efficiently. A major challenge to political parties in the country is their weak capacity to respond to and articulate the views of both members and the voters.

“Ideally, political parties aim to capture state power and control the public policymaking process in accordance with their worldviews expressed in manifestos. They hardly articulate and express the views of their members through their manifestos, which are expected to influence their campaign process.

“In government, the political parties scarcely play the representation function of directing public policy-making in line with the interests of the electorate. Again, in opposition, parties hardly aim to act

as watchdogs over the government policy-making and implementation process, and presenting the electorate with the alternative policy choice.

“It is this basic lacuna in leadership and policy development that has remained one of the challenges to address in the long-term interest of building a viable democratic system.

“Evidence of weaknesses in Nigeria’s party system includes the recurring incidents of violence and manipulation, leading to distortion in electoral outcomes and further engendering public discontent about the quality and credibility of elections in Nigeria.

“The reason for this phenomenon has been political parties’ lack of commitment to democracy and accountability, both within their own structures and in the manner they engage with the electoral process. High levels of ‘monetisation of politics’ based on the practices of ‘godfatherism’ and the patriarchal system continue to weaken the role of women and other vulnerable groups in politics and elections.

“So, the proposed ‘Political Party Leadership and Policy Development Centre’ is conceived as a capacity-building and resource centre to address issues of capacity development for political parties, strengthen their capacity for policy dialogue, conflict management, media outreach and democratic initiatives on women and youth issues with the overall goal of enhancing the democratic quality of political parties and their engagement with the wider political process.

“It will target party leadership, and critical sections of the membership such as women and youths and will draw from international best practices in party support programmes and curricula development around the world building on the convening power of NIPSS and its national and global networks in matters relating to policy development and dialogue over the years.”

NIPSS is Nigeria’s apex policy research and leadership training institute. It was established in 1979 to serve as “a high level centre of reflection, research and dialogue” where senior cadre policy formulators, practitioners and scholars could deliberate on topical issues.

Meanwhile, some officials who would not like to be named told the delegates in Washington during a session in their office that for political parties to be functional and result-oriented, they must be run as organisations set up not just to win elections, they must be run to organise parliamentary issues too.

Besides, one other official in NDI noted that the opposition parties must be nurtured in this mix to nurture democracy as according to him, “any democracy without a strong opposition is as dangerous as one party states. That is why some observers feel that the South African example of one strong party is as suspicious as Nigeria’s where there is one very strong ruling party.

That is why there is a lot of passing interest in the coalition called APC in Nigeria, which seeks to put the ruling on its toes. That is democracy

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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News Govt hands over 10 power plants next year From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Federal Government will hand over the 10 National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) jointly offered for sale by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to successful core investors in June 2014.

The BPE Director-General, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, disclosed this yesterday during an interactive session with prospective investors in Hong Kong, stating that the deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) is July19, 2013, as contained in the advertisement earlier published in both local and foreign media.

Also, the Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu, told the investors that the three tiers of government, which own the shares, have approved that the expected proceeds from the 10 power plants be ploughed back into the development of more power infrastructure in the country, noting that emphasis would be placed on strengthening the transmission infrastructure and the construction of additional three (6003000mw) hydropower plants.

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Forum charts path to W’African women’s success in business

By Roseline Okere ARTICIPANTS at the ongoP ing Women of West Africa Entrepreneurship (WOWe) conference in Lagos yesterday identified lack of access to finance, lack of infrastructure, scarcity of quality human resources and gender inequality as some of the factors militating against women entrepreneurs in the sub-region.

They expressed belief that these challenges were surmountable if the women developed the right attitude to work. According to the par-

ticipants at the summit organised by Montgomery West Africa, women represent over 25 per cent of registered business owners in Nigeria; yet have access to less than three per cent of commercial banks’ finance.

They, therefore, urged women entrepreneurs to develop positive attitude in order to surmount the various challenges confronting the growth of their businesses.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Montgomery West Africa, Tori Abio-

la, noted that cultural obstacle remained one of the biggest challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the subregion. According to her, “there is no doubt that the cultural obstacles faced by women are universally acknowledged.

“Though it has been widely accepted that creating entrepreneurial opportunities, building capacity and financial literacy, business and financial management and ICT for women and girls are critical to economic development in Nigeria, there isn’t an

impartial national platform that allows all the key stakeholders in this sector to meet, despite many high profile initiatives, funds, grants and training programmes available to empower and support women in this regard.”

Abiola said that many women entrepreneurs were not aware or have the skills or network to take advantage of these initiatives designed for their development, stating: “It is obvious that the time is now for the women of Nigeria and the rest of Africa to drive their nation’s development to the

Borno SUBEB boss counts losses to insurgency From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri ORNO North and Central senatorial districts have lost six teachers, five pupils, and 50 primary schools, which were torched by the Hoko Haram Islamist sect, since last year, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Tijjani Abba Ali, has disclosed.

Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Musa Usman Secretariat Complex in Maiduguri, Ali said that 10 primary schools were set ablaze initially by the insurgents at Gwange and two other schools in Jere Local Council, before they were burnt down again by the same sect after they were rebuilt by SUBEB.

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Tinubu, Akande, others to grace Mokola fly-over commissioning ATIONAL leader of the N Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and ACN governors are expected to grace the commissioning of Mokola fly-over in Ibadan next Tuesday.

The 640-metre fly-over has such accessories as reinforced concrete drainage on both sides of all the adjoining roads and beautified border length of the roads, as well as streetlight.

Aside enhancing aesthetics on the axis, the overhead bridge is also expected to ease the perennial traffic congestion on the ever-busy Ibadan City, reduce the usual conflict at intersections and check incessant road accidents, loss of lives and man-hour wastage.

Former Chairman, First Bank, Umaru Mutalla (right); President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Forte Oil, Femi Otedola and others during the opening of the 14th meeting of the Honourary International Investor Council (HIIC) at the State House in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

next level.”

And quoting Christine Lagards at the just concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, she said, “when women do better, economies do better.”

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Management Transformation, Wuraola Abiola, urged women to have passion for business in order to succeed as entrepreneurs.

“The woman entrepreneur should be able to deliver value to her customers, be consistent, persevere and determine to stay through ups and downs, identify the unique selling point and invest in relationships, be honest and remain brutally objective,” she said.

“She should seek personal growth and develop the required skills, nurture her soul and identify her market.”

More so, speaking on the role of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in assisting small businesses in Nigeria, General Manager, Listings, Sales and Retention, Taba Peterside, encouraged women entrepreneurs to patronise the NSE to expand their businesses.

The NSE, she noted, has the Small and Medium Entrepreneur (SME) Board to assist the SME to raise capital. Peterside cited Omatek Computers, Vono Foam, Tantalisers and others as companies managed by women and are listed in the Stock Exchange.

Court discharges Lebanese in illegal firearms suit From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja N Abuja Chief Magistrate A Court, Karu Division, yesterday struck out the charge of unlawful importation and possession of large cache of prohibited firearms and other weapons of mass destruction filed by the Department of State Security (DSS) against four Lebanese.

The court also struck out the preliminary objection filed by counsel to the accused,

SSS re-arrests accused Ahmed Raji (SAN), on Monday, which contested its competence to adjudicate in the matter.

Chief Magistrate Yemi Oyeyipo reached the decision after the prosecuting counsel, Clifford Osagie, had applied to withdraw the charge instituted based on First Information Report (FIR). Osagie explained that the charges were being

withdrawn because facts from the investigation showed that the charges were beyond the jurisdiction of a magistrate court.

“The accuse persons were remanded based on the charge in the FIR, but investigation has progressed extensively and facts that appear in the course of investigation are clearly related to offences out-

side the jurisdiction of this court,” Osagie submitted.

He, therefore, applied that the FIR file of the accused persons be returned to the DSS, adding: “The case file has been forwarded to the Attorney General of the Federation for further action on the matter.”

In his response, Raji aligned with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that the case be withdrawn and the accused persons discharged for lack of jurisdiction. He

said: “As rightly submitted by the prosecuting counsel, offences linked to the FIR border on terrorism, which are beyond the scope of this court.

“Based on this, we filed a preliminary objection on the 17th of June to challenge the court’s jurisdiction. Therefore, in the circumstance, we have no choice than to agree with the prosecuting counsel, and I will be urging this court to strike out the charge.”

‘Arewa will not support Jonathan’s 2015 candidacy’ From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief) and Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South West Bureau) ITH an accusation that W President Goodluck Jonathan was employing divide and rule against the North in order to actualise his ambition, the Arewa elders said yesterday that the region would not support his candidacy for the 2015 presidency.

O’Odua group warns Yoruba leaders against alliance with Hausa/Fulani The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) spoke during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kaduna yesterday to review the year’s events and chart the way forward for the region.

In another development, selfdetermination groups in the South West have urged Yoruba leaders to be more con-

cerned with the restructuring of the country and pay less attention to presenting a presidential candidate for the 2015 general election.

The group also warned Yoruba leaders of being circumspect in forming political alliance with any ethnic group that does not believe in the restructuring of the country to

reflect true federalism.

In a statement in Ibadan on Wednesday, the O’Odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) said that winning the 2015 election should less concern the region than restructuring the country. It noted that, “elections are short-term solutions while restructuring of the country offers an enduring

solution to the contradictions of Nigeria, a country that continues to stifle the populace.”

Meanwhile, the ACF National Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, drew attention to the activities of some prominent Arewa elders, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) and Senator John Wash Pam, who were alleged to have told Jonathan that the North was backing his 2015 presidential ambition.

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ThE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Julius Berger gets N17b contract to reconstruct Lagos-Sagamu road

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam and Anthony Otaru (Abuja) NDICATIONS emerged yesterday that the Federal Government has awarded a contract for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway to Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN).

The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, who announced the development to shareholders at the 43rd yearly general meeting of the firm held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, said mobilisation to site will start in 10 days’ time and actual construction work will begin. It was learnt that the project will cost N17 billion and the scope of work will include provision of three additional

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• Declares N8.02b profit, N2.50 dividend lanes in either direction between Lagos and the Sagamu Interchange, making it five lanes; provision of associated facilities for the security and welfare of road users, as well as ensuring a free flow of traffic.

Julius Berger had earlier handled section one of the road from the old toll gate in Lagos to Sagamu in Ogun State, while RCC rehabilitated the section two from Sagamu to Ibadan as part of a palliative measure by the Federal Ministry of Works. With the latest development, RCC may also be awarded the contract for the section two.

The deal for the reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Express-

way for the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) lasting for 25 years, earlier awarded to Messrs Bi-Courtney highways Services Limited (BhSL), was revoked last year. The government accused the firm of serially breaching the terms of the contract for the 125-kilometre road signed by it and the Federal Government on May 26, 2009 under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration.

The JBN boss said the challenge before the company is to ensure that motorists and other road users don’t bear the brunt of the road project, by adopting a sustainable traffic management plan.

According to Goetsch, the

government has also given Julius Berger a letter of intent for the Second Niger Bridge under the Public Private Partnership, and kick-started soil test and other engineering design while undertaking a financial close. he said a consortium that included a South African firm partici-

ORMER Lagos State FSinatu Deputy Governor, Alhaja Ojikutu, has denied involvement in a N130 million land fraud as reported in some national dailies yesterday.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, one of her lawyers, Adenrele Adegborioye, said there are verifiable facts for all to see that the situation is a civil case and has no criminal relationship, thus Ojikutu should not have been declared wanted for fraud.

Adegborioye said his client

“is not a criminal and has not committed any fraudulent act to warrant the damaging publication being made against her. It is entirely civil and has no criminal dimensions whatsoever. It is therefore not something the Nigeria Police or anyone else is empowered to interfere with.”

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the police, on Wednesday, declared Ojikutu and her son, Samson, wanted in connection with an alleged fraudulent sale of a plot of land at N130 million. Adegborioye claimed that Ojikutu

has always made herself available to the SFU anytime her attention was required on the matter.”

According to the lawyer, the land in dispute at Plot 24 Block 4, Lekki Residential Scheme Phase 1 belongs to the late husband of the former deputy governor, Mr. Sampson Adebisi Ojikutu, and the deceased’s wife never sold it.

Adegborioye said although his client contemplated selling the land to one Mr. Cajetan Okekearu, at no time did she sell the said land and any

By Sulaimon Salau IGERIA’S oil output suffered setback yesterday with the announcement by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) joint venture of the shutting down of production from Trans

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document that relates to any sale of such land must have been forged by Okekearu who was alleged to have earlier started construction work on a land adjoining that of Ojikutu, but was successfully challenged by the owner.

According to Adegborioye, the land was granted to his client in 1985 sequel to an application for it the previous year. And in 1991, the then governor issued a Lagos State Certificate-of-Occupancy (C-of-O) in respect of the said land.

These are stormy times for the Peoples Democratic Party which symbol is the umbrella. From within and without, the elements pummel this behemoth… Will the umbrella survive the storm this time?

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013

Two Years Of The 7thLegislative Assembly:

What’s The Score Card? hE position is that the National Assembly has become too costly to manage.

At the same time some quarters feel the lawmaking capacity of the legislature is less than adequate. Yet, the legislature remains an important component in the presidential system that is not easy to do without.

What’s the way out?

Read the detail in The Guardian on Sunday.

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Was Bilikisu Sungbo The Queen Of Sheba?

Archeologists are reportedly barred from excavating the alleged grave of a woman—a Queen—claimed by residents of Oke Eri via Ijebu- Ode to be no other than the famed Queen of Sheba who journeyed from Ethiopia to Israel to experience, first-hand, the wisdom of King Solomon. The controversy rages still…

CCC Set To Shame The Demon Of Disunity?

that “this is another sad reminder of the tragic consequences of crude oil theft,” adding: “Unknown persons continued to reconnect illegal bunkering hoses at Bodo West, even as our pipeline team were removing crude theft points.

“It was therefore not surprising that the fire occurred from the continuing illegal bunkering even as a previous crude oil theft point was being repaired by the team. So far, there is practically no spill from this event as the oil is burning off. What is visible in the water is from an earlier oil spill, which was also as a result of oil theft.

“The explosion also triggered a fire on a nearby barge. Crude theft continues to pose significant challenges to people, the environment and the local and national economy, and all stakeholders must work together to stop this criminal activity.”

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

PDP: Umbrella In The Storm

Niger Pipeline (TNP) following explosion and fire at an alleged crude theft point.

Corporate Media Relations Manager, SPDC, Tony Okonedo, in a statement made available to The Guardian, said some 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) was deferred from the closure on the 28” section of the facility at Bodo West in Ogoniland.

Prior to the incident, he said, SPDC had shut down the 28” TNP to remove crude theft connections, and has now closed the 24” TNP as a precautionary response to the fire. According to him, “this means that the entire TNP system, comprising the 28” and 24” pipelines, have been shut in.

“The 24” TNP will be reopened when it is safe to do so, while the 28” TNP will remain shut in until the fire has been extinguished, and investigation and damage assessment completed.”

The Managing Director and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, was quoted as saying

TheGuardian

TheGuardian SATURDAY, June 22, 2013

of N3 billion.

Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Nurudeen Imam, said the amount is a marked improvement over that of 2011 where a dividend of N2.40 per share was approved for an ordinary share.

Shell shuts 150,000bpd over fire outbreak

Ojikutu denies involvement in shady land deal From Karls Tsokar, Abuja

pated in the bidding for the project.

At the event, the company declared a profit after taxation of N8.02 billion for 2012 as against the N4.411 billion recorded in 2011 and approved a dividend payment of N2.50 per share, amounting to a total gross dividend

Twenty-seven years after the passing on of its Founding Pastor, Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa, The Celestial Church Of Christ (CCC) appears set to settle all lingering disputes over who succeeds the late charismatic leader.

The Guardian On Saturday...you simply can’t put it down!

PLUS:

Education With Tears hY tertiary Education in Southwest ‘Progressives’ states is no go area for most families.

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IBRU CENTRE LOST interest in men and mar“I riage when my husband died. I asked God to kill the interest, never to resurrect it. And since my husband died, I have never lusted after any man; all I needed is to do what God has handed over to us....”

— ARCH. MARGARET EKHOE BENSON-IDAHOSA

PERSPECTIVE:The Tinubu’s Offensive Speech In London The Guardian On Sunday is new, fresher, bolder; a delight to behold and more importantly, reader-friendly! Book a copy today.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Three die in fresh Kwara violence From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HREE people, including a councilor, have been confirmed dead in the renewed violence at Ganmo community in Ifelodun Local Council Area of Kwara State.

The Guardian had yesterday exclusively reported the death of two persons. But the Spokesman of the state’s Police Command, Olufemi Fabode, had denied the death of anybody.

The violence broke out on Tuesday three months after the Igbomina ethnic group and their Ilorin counterparts, who both form the largest population of the community, clashed over chieftaincy and land matters in which lives were lost and property destroyed.

The renewed clash is said to be connected with matters relating to the previous violence.

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NEWS | 5

DELSU teacher still missing after arrest of suspected abductors From Chido Okafor, Warri HE whereabouts of Dr. T Mercy Mokobia, a lecturer at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, who was kidnapped from her matrimonial home in the wee hours of April 9, 2013, is still unknown about two-and-a-half months after her suspected abductors

were reportedly apprehended by the police.

This development is creating tension at the Abraka campus of the university, with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), DELSU chapter, threatening to down tools.

According to the Chairman of ASUU, DELSU chapter, Dr.

Emmanuel Nwafor Mordi, despite the announced arrest of her abductors by the Police, Dr. Mokobia, a mother, wife and academic, has not been found.

He said: “We are concerned that despite the arrest of her suspected abductors by the Delta State Police Command, nothing has been heard or

said about Dr. Mercy Mokobia’s whereabouts by the appropriate authorities.

“This is a worrisome development, which speaks volumes about the state of insecurity in Nigeria. We reject this ominous and undignified silence about the whereabouts of Mokobia and call on security agencies in

Court convicts Edo woman over human trafficking From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

HE National Agency for the T Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP) yesterday said it has earned the conviction of Mrs. Esther Tobias, who was allegedly involved in the trafficking of two girls (names withheld) to Togo by a Benin High Court presided over by Justice Alero Eruaga.

A statement yesterday by the agency’s Head of Public Enlightenment Unit, Nduka Nwanwenesa, said the convict was arraigned in court in Charge No. B/5C/13 on a twocount charge of “deceitfully inducing two girls, Miss X and Miss T, (actual names withheld) to Togo from Benin City, contrary to Section 19(b) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003(as amended).”

Tobias was said to have recruited the victims under the pretence that they were going to learn how to buy clothing and jewelry in Togo.

LASIEC creates more wards, polling units

By Tunde Akinola AGOS State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has created additional wards and polling units for the state.

Lagos at present has 245 wards, which were recognised by the Federal Government.

The new 131 wards were created by the state for the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in 2003 brought the number of wards in the state to 376.

The state also has a total of 8, 465 polling units approved by INEC in 2011.

Addressing journalists after a LASIEC interactive stakeholders’ forum on the delineation of wards and creation of additional polling units, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Afolabi Adeyinka (rtd), noted that the newly-created wards and polling units were subject to ratification by the state Assembly and government.

According to Adeyinka: “Signing into law by the state governor and legislation by the Assembly would mark the end of the delineation exercise.”

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The Archbishop of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon (right) and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, awarding the Cross of St. Augustine to Idowu-Fearon in recognition of his work in fostering Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria at Lambert Palace, London…yesterday

Delta State to speak up on the issue”.

Mordi said the expectations of members of the DELSU branch of ASUU had been dashed and the branch is beginning to feel that the Delta State Police Command lacked the wherewithal to make a breakthrough in the embarrassing case.

They, therefore, urged the Delta State government to decisively step in and deploy all its resources to ensure that the missing lecturer is found.

The DELSU-ASUU Chairman hinted of a possible downing of tools should Mokobia not be found in the shortest time, saying: “We are no longer comfortable discharging our duties to our students and employer, who have so far demonstrated no serious concern over the plight of their lecturers and members of staff.”

He warned that their patience and understanding on the issue had been exhausted.

According to Mordi, the ASUU members and colleagues of abducted Dr. Mokobia had not disrupted academic activities in the university since her abduction in the hope that she would be released and reunited with her distraught family, colleagues and students.

NAFDAC seeks higher jail term for My Pikin producers

By Joseph Onyekwere NSISTING that the producIteething ers of My Pikin baby mixture who earned seven years’ imprisonment deserve higher sentence, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday vowed to file cross-appeal against the judgment.

A Federal High Court in Lagos had found guilty and sentenced Adeyemo Abiodun and Egbele Austine Eromosele, both officials of Barewa Pharmaceuticals Limited, to prison on May 17, 2013.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke, now retired, said they were guilty of the offence of conspiracy to sell and sale of dangerous drug to which is My Pikin.

But NAFDAC said it would cross-appeal against the verdict on the ground that there was overwhelming evidence, which Justice Okeke ought to have used to convict Adeyemo and Eromosele on other more serious charges.

This position is contained in NAFDAC’s counter-affidavit to a bail application filed by the convicts, who are seeking bail pending appeal on health ground.

The convicts (Adeyemo and Eromosele) had filed the bail application, pleading that they needed to be freed so as to take adequate care of their failing health.

Deposed to by Adumen Jombo Washington of NAFDAC, the agency, in its counter-affidavit, explained that there are adequate med-

ical facilities and personnel in the prison that can conveniently take care of health issues of the convicts.

Besides, Washington clarified that in the event that the

available facilities in the prison cannot meet the medical needs of inmates, the Prison Service has internal arrangement whereby they partner with the families of

such inmates to refer them to more equipped government or private hospitals.

The agency, therefore, urged the court to reject the bail application of the convicts, as

their lawyer was only raising false alarm regarding the health of his clients so as to mislead the court.

The matter is before Justice Mohammed Idris.

I am not corrupt, says Ezekwesili From: Abosede Musari, Abuja IGERIA’S former Minister N of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has dismissed insinuations that all Nigerians, especially those who have held or hold public offices, are corrupt. Using herself as an example, the former Vice President of World Bank’s Africa Division, who was a cofounder of the Berlin-based Transparency International, declared that she was not corrupt.

Ezekwesili said this yesterday in Abuja at the launch of Anti-Corruption Internet Database (ACID), a new initiative in the fight against corruption brought about by West Africa NGO Network (WANGONeT) and funded by Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

“I was in government. I was not corrupt. I can go anywhere with this statement”, she declared while also refuting that corruption was embedded in the African culture.

While she admitted that the Nigerian society is grossly affected by corruption, Ezekwesili noted that the insinuation that all Nigerians

are either corrupt or benefit from acts of corruption is a way by which the corrupt make it seem as if nothing can be done about corruption in the society.

The former minister, in an interactive session with participants at the event, identified reasons why corruption must be done away with. The reasons include the fact that corruption is a tax on the people and is unsustainable.

She explained that corruption causes a breakdown in rendering basic services to the people.

Participants also pointed out that corruption destroys merit and encourages people to cut corners instead of following due process, besides breeding impunity.

Ezekwesili, therefore, suggested a three-prong approach to solving the problem of corruption, which are massive re-orientation, prevention and introducing consequence for bad behaviour. To prevent corruption, the government will have to reduce opportunities for corruption such as the reform of the critical sectors such as was done in the telecommunications sector.

She was of the view that if the

same is replicated in the petroleum sector, corruption will be reduced. She also encouraged the populace to demand good governance from their leaders, which she said, ACID is about.

“Demand for good governance is the missing link. Citizens must demand for accountability. The cost of corruption to citizens demand an urgency of now and more so, an urgency of how.

And to link this is ACID”, she said.

Initiator of ACID, Tunji Lardner, said in the welcome address that corruption is the absence of good governance and that the programme was initiated to track corruption cases and to give whistleblowers access to report corruption cases under protection.

He said that corruption should be viewed as a system and that ACID will provide a means of holding leaders accountable. “The societies that fail are those that fail to hold their leaders accountable”, he said.

Later in an interview, Lardner explained that the cost of corruption was enormous and should not merely be viewed in terms of the figure.

He explained that the ACID programme is an Internetbased portal that serves as a resource to track the different corruption cases with the nation’s anti-graft agencies and also provide avenue for Nigerians to report corruption cases.

On the portal is a tool called corruption calculator, which gives the real cost of funds stolen.

While trying to explain the magnitude of the cost of corruption, Lardner gave an example of what happens if an individual is accused of stealing N32 billion; this means 48 per cent of budget for the education sector, the real cost is that thousands of children are denied access to education. He also stated that the same amount represents over 700 per cent of ICPC’s budget, meaning that the single individual who has stolen this amount can conveniently fund ICPC for seven years.

He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to use the website www.antigraft.org to report corruption, assuring that information sent to the portal are first vetted for authenticity to prevent mischief before they are posted on the portal.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

6 | NEWS

UNESCO pledges support for alternative energy From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE United Nations EducaT tional Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said that it will continue to provide technical support to its Chair in Alternative Energy, especially at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The support so promised must however be on research, especially those aimed at developing and improving the quality, quantity and conservation of alternative sources of energy in order to attain the desired energy demands of the country, according to UNESCO Chairman, in Alternative Energy, Dr Zabeze Kana.

Already, the KWASU has commenced works in collaboration with other relevant Energy Research Institutes and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote the sustainable use of

Scientists link rise in autism to pollution exposure during pregnancy

By Chukwuma Muanya with agency reports CIENTISTS in three separate Sdaystudies published yesterreported major breakthroughs in search for autism, cancer and Ebola virus cures.

According to a United States (U.S.) study published yesterday in Environmental Health Perspectives, women in the U.S. exposed to high levels of air pollution while pregnant were up to twice as likely to have a child with autism as women who lived in areas with low pollution.

The new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) is the first large national study to examine links between autism and air pollution across the U.S. Lead author Andrea Roberts, research associate in the HSPH Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said: “Our findings raise concerns since, depending on the pollutant, 20 per cent to 60 per cent of the women in our study lived in areas where risk of autism was elevated.”

Exposure to diesel particulates, lead, manganese, mercury, methylene chloride and

other pollutants are known to affect brain function and to affect the developing baby.

Two previous studies found associations between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and autism in children, but those studies looked at data in just three locations in the U.S. Other types of air pollution lead, manganese, methylene chloride, and combined metal exposure - were associated with higher autism risk as well. Women who lived in the 20 per cent of locations with the highest levels of these pollutants were about

50 per cent more likely to have a child with autism than those who lived in the 20 per cent of areas with the lowest concentrations.

Most pollutants were associated with autism more strongly in boys than girls.

However, since there were few girls with autism in the study, the authors said this finding should be examined further.

Also, the same molecules that endow naked mole rats with springy, wrinkled skin also seem to prevent the homely rodents from contracting cancer. Research

published on Nature’s website yesterday identifies a sugary cellular secretion that stops the spread of would-be tumours.

Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber), which are more closely related to porcupines than rats, are freaks of nature.

The short-sighted creatures spend their lives in subterranean colonies in the service of a single breeding queen — H. glaber is one of only two ‘eusocial’ mammals ever discovered. The rodent doesn’t feel the sting of acids or the burn of chilli peppers, and seems to be the only mammal that is unable to regulate its

Nigerian women win C’Wealth prizes

By Tope Templer Olaiya NIGERIAN, Nonyem ObiA ageli Odili, has emerged winner of the Commonwealth Women in Leadership Essay competition for proffering ways government can promote women involvement in leadership and policy-making in their countries.

Also, another Nigerian, Edem Dorothy Andah, took third place in the same category for her essay advocating an all-inclusive renewed socialisation and political education process granting women greater participation in leadership.

Odili took the first position in the 18-29 age category when the winner was announced at the 10th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers meeting held June 17-19 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Odili in her essay undertook a comparative analysis of select countries in the Commonwealth to highlight the “overwhelming number of women” excluded from leadership positions globally.

Dep gov lauds Catholic, Methodist churches From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi ENUE State Acting GoverB nor, Chief Steven Lawani has lauded the Catholic and the Methodist Missions for playing a critical role in the social-economic development of the state.

Lawani showered the praises yesterday when both the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev Athanasius Atule Usuh and the Primate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Makinde led bishops on a courtesy visit to office.

The acting governor, who particularly attributed the fast development of education and health institutions in the state as well as country at large to the handiwork of the church, further pledged continued government partnership in the development of the faith in all its enterprises.

Chief Inspector, Sterling Bank Plc, Abiodun Aderoju (left); Chief Inspector, Stanbic Bank IBTC, Alhassan Abas; Executive Director, Operation, Bank of Industry, Mohammed Alkali and Chief Inspector, Bank of Industry, Dr. Ezekiel Oseni during the 24th quarterly general meeting of the chief inspectors of banks in Lagos.

Amosun, Aregbesola, Nwachukwu extol Olusola’s virtues

By Toyosi Ajayi YEAR after his death, the A late cultural icon, Ambassador Segun Olusola, literarily speaking, yesterday came alive as eminent Nigerians took turns to extol his virtues.

The eulogies came at a memorial lecture organised by the African Refugees Foundation (AREF) in Olusola’s honour at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA) Lagos with theme: “Promoting humanitarianism and social development as a value system in Nigeria: The role of government and private sector.”

Speaking at the event, Governor Ibikunle Amosun praised the late Olusola, adding that he deserved the honour and this was the time both the private and public sectors come together to promote humanitarianism and raise the living standards of the people.

In the same vein, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Wale Ojo, lauded the late ambassador,

adding that he played meaningful roles that affected humanity positively by ensuring good relationships among countries.

He added that the late Olusola performed his duties while alive with dignity and steadfast devotion as an am-

bassador of peace not only in Africa but worldwide.

He noted also that he was a true Yoruba leader who was detribalised and had inspiration and commitment to humanitarianism and excellence.

He said Olushola’s life was

worth emulating as a way of ensuring peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development of the nation.

Earlier in his remarks at the lecture, the President/Chairman, Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSSD), Sena-

tor Ike Nwachukwu, urged participants to be good ambassadors of the good idea behind the event.

He further urged participants to be good citizens and show compassion for others, adding that governance was not all about money making

Firm prays court to dismiss N40m suit

By Joseph Onyekwere FIRM, Asset Resource ManA agement Company Limited, has prayed a Lagos High Court, Igbosere to dismiss a suit instituted against her by a businessman, Mr. Femi Ogunniya and his company, Flamin Nigeria Limited over an alleged N40 million debt.

The claimants, (Ogunniya and his firm) had in the suit filed before a Lagos High Court prayed the court to recover an alleged N40 million debt from the Asset Resource Management Company Limited.

The claimants are also demanding N10 million as damages for alleged breach of

contract between his company, Flamin Nigeria Limited and the defendant’s company.

But, the defendant in its statement of defence argued that it didn’t do any business with the claimant hence the claimant has no reasonable cause to file an action against it.

The defendant in its seven paragraph statement of defence endorsed by its counsel, Emmanuel Okorie, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

But, the trial judge, Justice, Ebenezer Adebajo adjourned the matter till September 26 to hear arguments on the preliminary objection filed by the defendant.

Earlier, counsel to the

claimant, Olumide Braithwaite of Tunji Braithwaite chambers, leading Dapo Omolodun sought leave of court for extension of time within which they could file their counter affidavit and urged the court to deem the said processes as been properly filed and served.

The claimants had in a Writ of Summons dated March 21, 2013 filed by their counsel, demanded for N44, 836,875 being fees for pumping 35,869.5 of sand for the defendant.

They are also asking for general damages in the sum of N10 million for breach of contract; interest at the rate of 21 per cent of the money till final judgment and interest

at the rate of 7.5 per cent thereafter.

In his statement of claim, Ogunniya said Messrs Asset Resource Management Company owed him and his company in respect of a contract to create a Golf Course, inter alia: dredge and pump sand to create a lake and to reclaim or stockpile on their parcel of land situate at Summerville Golf Estate, along Lekki Expressway, Lagos.

Plaintiffs also claimed that they earlier had this contract with SGF Nigeria Limited under an agreement dated March 27, 2009 which the Asset Resource Management Company took over, after the agreement with SGF rescinded or terminated.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Okorocha resolves kingship disputes in nine communities From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri OVERNOR Rochas OkoG rocha of Imo State has resolved kingship tussles in nine autonomous communities in the state. Before now, many communities in the state had been embroiled in kingship tussles.

Meanwhile, one community in the state, Irette (OwerriWest Local Council) where two aspirants’ crisis had remained unresolved, was directed by the governor to conduct a plebiscite, using Option A. The governor promised that the state government would not interfere by way of imposition on any stool issues, adding that normal democratic process would at all times be followed in choosing monarchs in the state.

The affected communities and their nominees include: Okata, Ihitte Uboma Council, with Christian Chukwuemeka Iwueze as the Eze-elect; Otiti, Umuoka, Okigwe Council, having Chinagoro Osu as the eze-elect; Aku autonomous community in Okigwe Council with John William Ikemefule as the nominee and George Eke of Isi Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Council emerging monarch-elect of the area.

Judge’s absence stalls hearing on toll suit

By Bertram Nwannekanma and Joseph Onyekwere EARING on a motion filed by a human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, at the Federal High Court in Lagos against tolling on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge could not proceed yesterday due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Saidu.

The judge, who was said to be on official assignment, had fixed the date for hearing of a motion filed by the applicant, in which he sought to furnish evidence of toll collection on the bridge before the court.

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Don decries import of drugs’ ingredients From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia PROFESSOR of Organic/Medicinal Chemistry at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUA), Abia State, Johnbull Onyekachi Echeme, has described as alarming the total dependence on imported synthetic intermediaries for all aspects of drug preparation, polymers, fertilizer, vanishes, insecticides, pesticides, among others.

He urged the government to borrow a leaf from the Asian countries, where he said, there was explosion in application of chemistry, as well as stabilisation in the chemical industry.

Echeme said that while stringent laws must be put in place to preserve Nigeria’s rich biodiversity, government and private organisations should urgently establish what he called ‘regional sophisticated instrumentation centres, which will drastically reduce the huge funds spent on spectral analysis overseas.

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NEWS 7

ACN faults PDP’s call for recall of Oluremi Tinubu as senator ITING mischief, Lagos C State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has faulted the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) call for the recall of Senator Oluremi Tinubu for describing herself as a rookie in the Upper Chambers.

In a statement in Lagos, ACN Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said with each passing day, its futile desire to add Lagos to its vassal, despoiled territory, the state PDP continues to degenerate into a band of irredeemable jesters who must open its mouth on any issue.

“For the information of a few that still consume Lagos PDP’s idiocy, we deem it fit to recap Senator Tinubu’s response to The Guardian reporter’s question that is generating Lagos PDP’s latest ranting.

Guardian: “Why are opposition senators always desirous of getting juicy

committee positions in the Senate instead of remaining in the opposition?”

Senator Tinubu: “If I wanted juicy committee, I wouldn’t be in the Labour, employment and productive committee. I can only speak for myself. I have been a rookie in the Senate and I don’t know about the juiciness of the committees until I learn.”

“The above is all the Lagos PDP needed to call for the recall of the senator. We wonder why Lagos PDP, in its

celebrated emptiness, feels that sounding so bland and stupid on issues it cannot grapple is the best way of fighting a battle for the souls of sophisticated people of Lagos. We dare ask, must the Lagos PDP open its mouth and embarrass itself, as in the present case, just because it wants to keep appearance and get noticed?

Must Lagos PDP continue to demonstrate its emptiness just because it wants to present the façade of a non-existing opposition in Lagos?

OR legislators to operate Fdrance optimally without hinfrom the executive arm of government, the State Houses of Assembly must be financially independent.

Also, the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday canvassed financial autonomy for state legislatures like their counterpart at the national level.

This was the position of the Speakers of some State Assemblies yesterday that met with members of the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI), a subgroup of British Department of International Development (DFID) on the ongoing constitutional amendment.

Canvassing financial autonomy for the State Assemblies were Ekiti State Speaker Dr Adewale Omirin, Nojeem Salam and Adesina Samuel Ajayi , his counterparts from Osun and Oyo States respectively .

The SAVI delegation were in Ekiti State as part of its tour of States in the South West part of Nigeria to sensitise members of the legislature on the need to support the ongoing constitution amendmentaimed at granting financial autonomy to the legislative arm of government in the country.

Omirin said that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria prescribed the principle of separation of powers between the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, hence financial autonomy would fully guarantee the independent of the Legislature.

According to him, dependence of the legislature on the

edge.

“Come to think of it, if Senator Oluremi Tinubu is to be recalled from the Senate, who are those that would recall her? Are they PDP members of her Lagos Senatorial District or PDP members in Lagos State? Are the PDP members the ones that put her in the Senate? The job of recalling our own Senator Tinubu is for ACN members, Lagos Central Senatorial District. Maybe PDP members in Lagos, in their emptiness, do not know this”.

Edo pledges justice over slain student From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City N assurance came yesterA day from the Edo State government that it would ensure justice in the case of the killing of a 22-year-old stu-

dent of the University of Benin, Ibrahim Momodu, by the police.

And to this end, the state government has given a maximum of 30 days to the Ministry of Justice and the Direc-

Speakers, Assembly seek financial autonomy for State Assemblies From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Ado-Ekiti) and Wole Oyebade,(Lagos)

“Now because Senator Oluremi Tinubu made an honest admission as a well brought up child and as a first-time comer in the Senate that she is still learning the art of lawmaking in the Senate, Lagos PDP went to town to ask for her recall because she does not understand the operations of the Senate. This is a clear evidence that PDP Lagos continues to be deficit in honour, deficit in character, deficit in integrity, deficit in common sense and deficit in knowl-

executive may result in inefficiency, noting that financial autonomy for the state assemblies would ensure effective discharge of the constitutional roles of the legislature.

Salam also expressed support for financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government. He said that financial autonomy would guarantee the position of the legislature in the Constitution.

Ajayi also described as an aberration for an arm of government to depend on another one, despite constitutional provisions. He said that the citizenry stands to benefit more from financial autonomy for the legislature.

The Ekiti lawmakers, during a sensitisation visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday argued that autonomy was important to having an independent and efficient legislature in the state. They therefore called for the inclusion of financial autonomy in the on going constitution review.

The visiting lawmakers also sought the support of their Lagos State counterparts for a structured procedure in the impeachment of House officers and establishment of House of Assembly Service Commission in all states of the federation.

“The legislature must be financially autonomous to be virile, potent and courageous to be on the side of the people and to speak up when the executive is going off the track. It will also be easy for parliamentarians to scrutinise bills brought before them and make required adjustments without fear of

financial strangulation,” Omirin said.

tor of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and other relevant organs to advice it on matters referred to it for necessary action.

The directive is on the heels of the continued agitation by civil society groups that the state government should not renege on its earlier position to set up a commission of enquiry into Momodu’s murder.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, disclosed this new policy direction yesterday when a coalition of civil society groups in the

state submitted a petition to the state. They urged it to go beyond issues raised in the case file submitted to the DPP by the police for necessary advice on Ibrahim’s controversial murder.

Idahagbon said the state government was committed to ensuring justice to the people of the state but that it suspended the setting up of the Commission so as not to duplicate efforts for justice.

“There was a directive from the IG that the police should do something on the matter and the police in Edo was already taking action”.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

8 | NEWS

Top U.S. officials visit, laud Amaechi

Community newspapers’ publishers deny leadership change in Delta

MERICAN Assistant SecreA tary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Mr. Rick Barton, on Wednesday led a delegation of that nation’s diplomats on a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who they commended for his development strides.

Also at Government House, Port Harcourt were the Director of Africa Operations, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Mr. Neal Kringel, and the ConsularGeneral of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins Barton, who told Amaechi that they were in the state to find possible ways to assist his government in any conflict situation.

They also highlighted the good relations between the United States of America and Nigeria and commended Amaechi for his ability to resolve problems.

Amaechi confirmed that things were improving tremendously in the Niger Delta, noting that foreigners and investors now live in safety in the state.

He added: “The problem actually is not of oil alone, it’s of poverty and unemployment and if we don’t create employment and opportunities, then we will continue to have crisis in the Niger Delta. Whether it’s in Niger Delta or it’s in Borno or Yobe, the issue is the same.

It’s the issue of unemployment; it’s the issue of poverty.”

Presidential panel to build houses for flood victims UCCOUR is on the way for Sugevictims of last year’s delthat ravaged several states as the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR) has concluded arrangements to build new houses to replace the ones swept away by the disaster.

In a statement, the committee co-chaired by business mogul, Aliko Dangote, and frontline lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, said it had called on reputable companies to bid for building of houses and provision of essential amenities such as water in the 22 affected states.

The states are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba.

The 34-man committee, targeting a sum of N100 billion, held a fund-raising dinner at the Presidential Villa during which donations and pledges made by prominent Nigerians amounted to N11.35 billion.

Dangote and the Federal Government topped the chart with N2. 5 billion apiece, while Jim Ovia, Chairman of Visafone, and Tony Elumelu donated N1 billion each.

Also, the Dangote Group president went round some of the affected states and made a personal donation of N430 million.

HE Association of ComT munity Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN)

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar (middle, third row); Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Philips Oduoza; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso, during the donation of literature books by UBA Foundation to students from cross section of Police Secondary Schools in the country at a special edition of the Foundation’s Read Africa Initiative in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

EFCC arrests 10 Oyo officials over alleged N1.6b fraud From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan FFICIALS of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested 10 civil servants accused of defrauding the Oyo State Government of N1.59 billion at the premises of the Magistrates Court. .

The accused were Alhaji Hakeem Muili, Alhaja Iyabo Giwa, Adeduntan Johnson, Oguntayo Banji and Adesina Jimoh. .

Others are Johnson Bosede, Adebiyi Olasumbo, Kareem Rasheed, Muili Adedamola and Salewa Adedeji.

They were arrested by the commission after stepping out of the court’s premises and conveyed in the commission’s bus to Lagos i m m e d i a t e l y .

The arrest was sequel to a rul-

O

ing of the court which struck out the case, based on the application made by the Principal State Counsel, Ademola Ojekunle on June 4.

Magistrate Dresser KehindeTijani premised his ruling on Section 75 and 211(1) of the1999 Constitution earlier cited by Ojekunle empowering the Attorney General to withdraw the matter.

The Oyo State government had applied for the striking out of the case through its Attorney General to enable the EFCC take proper control of the matter for effective investigation and eventual prosecution of the alleged culprits.

Tijani then struck out the charges against the defendants. .

Mr. Adebayo Ojo, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

confirmed that the EFCC had taken over the matter, adding that the accused persons would be charged to court if found culpable in a fresh investigation to be conducted by the EFCC. It would be recalled that the prosecutor had told the court of government’s readiness to withdraw the charges against the accused persons. .

But the defence counsel, Adeyinka Okunade, opposed the application for withdrawal, arguing that the prosecution could continue its investigation and present the outcome while the case remained at the court.

He also said that it would not be in the interest of justice if the application for withdrawal were granted.

The accused were arraigned on a three-count charge of

conspiracy, abuse of office and stealing. .

The prosecution had told the court that Muili and Giwa abused the authority of their office. .

Giwa was the former Executive Secretary of the Pension Board. .

The duo of Muili and Giwa were said to have conspired with others and issued cheques and signed in the names of the staff of the pension board to collect pensioner’s money from different banks. .

The prosecution said that the incident happened between September 2010 and January 2011 at Agodi Secretariat. .

He further stated that the offences contravened Section 516,104 and 390(5) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000

has denied a media report that the Comrade Felida Essiled executives of its Delta State chapter has been dissolved. It described the report as the handiwork of suspended and former members of the association looking for cheap political patronage as 2015 draws closer.

The body stated that the Essi leadership has performed above board because under its administration the association rented a secretariat for the first time without external support.

“The sponsors of the report who are desperate for relevance attempted to deceive the public under the guise of dissolution of a formidable executive. We, therefore, wish to state categorically that the Felida Essi-led exco remains the authentic executive of the state chapter of the ACNPN and can be attested to by the National Executive of the Association.”

Why we grounded Kenyan plane, by govt

By Wole Shadare HE Federal Government T has confirmed that it grounded a Kenyan aircraft that brought in three Nigerian deportees to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos for non-adherence to security procedures.

The aircraft has been detained by security agencies since June 3, 2013 under the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spokesman for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the grounding of the aircraft said that the flight was going through security routine and when this was completed it would be released.

Borno lists measures to protect teachers, schools • Plateau indigenes to form vigilance groups against attacks • Kaduna Police parade 16-year old assailant, eight others From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi (Jos), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and Bashir Bello (Kaduna) O complement the secuT rity of lives and property in Borno State by the Joint Task Force (JTF), the state government yesterday unfolded new measures to protect 2, 019 primary and junior secondary schools as well as their over 19,000 teachers and many pupils through employment of security guards by the 27 council chairmen.

This was disclosed in Maiduguri by the Executive Chairman of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Tijjani Abba Ali to mark Democracy Day and second year in office of Governor Kashim Shettima at Musa Usman Secretariat complex.

Ali said since last year, the Boko Haram sect has destroyed 50 primary schools with the killings of six

teachers and five students.

In Kaduna, the state Police Command has paraded a 16year-old boy, Yusuf Lawal Zagi for attempting to assassinate one Abubakar Bello of Maidaro Village in Giwa Local Council Area of Kaduna State and eight other suspected armed robbers.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike disclosed yesterday at the Police headquarters that the assailant was in company of two others when they invaded the residence of Abubakar Bello on June 12, 2013 at about 8: 30 a.m. carrying dangerous weapons and attempted killing Abubakar Bello.

According to Adenaike, “Abubakar Bello raised alarm and was rescued by his neighbours during which one of the suspects, Yusuf Lawal Zagi was arrested while others escaped.”

The suspect, Yusuf Lawal Zagi when engaged in an interaction with newsmen said while he was sitting in front of his house at Maidaro Village, one Malam Mutari now at large hired him to kill the victim which he and two others immediately swung into action to assassin the victim of which the mission failed as they were overpowered by neighbours.

Zagi who showed no remorse, said he did not regret his action.

Meanwhile, a joint vigilante group comprising Bokkos Local Council natives of Plateau State and Fulanis would soon be formed in order to bring lasting peace to the locality.

This stand was contained in a communiqué presented at the end of a stakeholders meeting between the Joint Security Committee and the relevant stakeholders from Bokkos Local Council Area held at the Police Officers

Mess yesterday in Jos. The Fulanis and the natives had been on each other’s throats for a long time leading to loss of lives on both sides.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Commander of the Special Task Force (STF), Major-General Henry Ayoola had in attendance, heads of security agencies, Plateau State government officials, local council officials, traditional and community leaders from both Fulani and the natives.

The Borno SUBEB boss’ words: “The insecurity to life and property, including our primary and junior secondary schools with their teachers will come to an end very soon. We want all of you here at this press conference today to assist us with your prayers and fasting. On our part, the Borno State government has resolved to complement the security efforts of JTF and the police by directing the council chairmen to provide security guards to the entire primary and sec-

ondary schools.

“What remains to overcome this lingering security problems, was for each of the local government chairmen submit the list of security guards to His Excellency, Governor Kashim Shettima for employment and immediate deployments of security men to all the schools in the state.”

The Plateau vigilante communiqué reads in part, “In the continuing efforts to sustain the peace in the state especially in Bokkos we the stakeholders have resolved that deliberate measures must be put in place to regulate the influx of illegal immigrants who have been involved in the conflicts.

The attacks and counter attacks must be put to a halt, particularly the youths must be sensitised to desist from such acts and also youths should be sensitised against drug abuse. Community leaders and parents must be willing to expose criminal elements among them.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

WorldReport U.N. condemns ‘despicable’ al-Shabab attack in Somalia NITED Nations SecretaryHe said Somalia had “turned U General, Ban Ki-moon has a corner” after decades of expressed outrage over a “de- conflict, and al-Shabab atspicable” attack by Islamists on a UN office in Somalia, which killed 15 people.

He also stressed the UN “would not be deterred from delivering its mandate” in Somalia, Ban’s spokesman said.

The attackers detonated a car bomb outside the UN mission in the capital Mogadishu, then engaged security forces in a fierce gunbattle.

The al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab later said it was behind the attack.

It had targeted the UN because of its “long, inglorious record of spreading nothing but poverty, dependency and disbelief”, al-Shabab said on its Twitter account.

This is the first time the UN offices have been attacked since it recently relaunched its mission in Somalia.

Ban was “deeply concerned and outraged by the despicable attack” on the UN Development Programme office, his spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

The raid was also condemned by the 15-member UN Security Council, which reiterated its “determination to combat all forms of terrorism”.

UN envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Kay, who was not hurt in the attack, told the BBC the world body would continue its mission in helping Somalia build peace and development.

tacks like the one of Wednesday were “acts of desperation”.

“At this stage our firm intent is to stick to the mission and not abandon Somalia,” he said.

He added that one UNDP international staff member, three contractors working for a South African company and four Somali guards were killed in the attack.

All seven al-Shabab gunmen died in the raid and officials said pro-government forces later secured the compound.

The UN has only recently expanded its operations in Mogadishu after years when its Somalia mission was based in neighbouring Kenya because of security fears.

The UNDP office is next to the heavily fortified airport in southern Mogadishu.

Somali Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid praised the speed of the security forces’ response.

“Somali and Amisom security forces responded immediately to the situation after the initial explosion and have brought the situation under control. Sadly we must wait to hear the full details and confirmation of any casualties,” he said in a statement.

“All our thoughts and prayers are with our UN colleagues today. But al-Shabab will not derail the peace process. They will not stop our recovery”.

Sweden jails man for Rwandan genocide Swedish court has sentenced a man of Rwandan A origin to life in jail for his

part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which some 800,000 people were killed.

Stanislas Mbanenande, now a Swedish citizen, was found guilty of taking part in several massacres of mainly ethnic Tutsis in the 100-day genocide.

The court in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, agreed he had played a leading role among Hutu extremists.

He is the first person in Sweden to be found guilty of genocide.

Mbanenande, who was a civil engineer and lecturer in Rwanda and was granted

Swedish citizenship in 2008, had denied the charges.

During his trial, Swedish judges flew to Rwanda to hear from some witnesses, with the defendant participating via video link.

Mbanenande not only recruited young men to take part in the killings but was also involved in those that occurred in a school, a Catholic church, a hotel and a stadium in Kibuye, a city in western Rwanda, the court said.

“The accused had an informal role as a leader and himself fired at the crowd with an automatic weapon,” Swedish newspaper The Local quotes the district court verdict as

S’Arabia to expel Hezbollah supporters OLLOWING militant group’s role in the Syrian civil war, Saudi Arabia plans to deport Lebanese citizens who support Hezbollah, the kingdom’s envoy to Lebanon said.

The warning comes amid Hezbollah’s increasingly prominent participation in the Syrian conflict, with members of the group fighting on the side of President Bashar Assad’s government forces.

Saudi Arabia is a strong backer of the mostly-Sunni Syrian opposition trying to remove Assad from power.

Assad belongs to the minor-

F

ity Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

Shiite Hezbollah fighters were instrumental in a recent regime victory when Syrian government forces regained control of the strategic town of Qusair near the Lebanese border.

Saudi Arabia will deport “those who financially support this party,” Ambassador Ali Awad Assiri told Lebanon’s Future TV late Wednesday.

He added that Hezbollah bears full responsibility for recent restrictive measures adopted by Gulf Arab countries against the group.

Hundreds of refugees, mostly from other African countries, queue outside the South African Department of Home Affairs, on the UN’s World Refugee Day, to apply for extensions of their asylum seeker permits, and other similar documents, in the centre of Cape Town…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Opposition leader suspends talks with Guinea’s govt UINEA’S main opposition G leader yesterday pulled out of United Nationa-mediated election talks with the government, accusing police and youths of attacking him and his supporters.

The negotiations aim to secure opposition participation in long-delayed elections which are meant to seal the mineral-rich nation’s transition to civilian rule following a coup in 2008.

Cellou Dalein Diallo, who heads the UFDG party, said he and his supporters were attacked by stone-throwing youths and police near his home in the capital Conakry on Wednesday. The opposition said 17 people were injured in the clashes.

He had been returning from an appearance in court, where he is facing defamation charges brought against

him by an ally of President Alpha Conde.

“They can’t attack us like this, fire tear gas at us, allow thugs to throw stones at us and expect us to go along with it,” Diallo said. “For now, the UFDG is suspending its participation in the dialogue.”

The government said the violence had been provoked by youths from Diallo’s own neighborhood.

Other members of the opposition coalition said they would meet to decide whether to follow Diallo’s lead and withdraw from the negotiations.

More than 50 people have been killed over the past three months in protests by the opposition, who accuse Conde of stuffing the electoral roll with his ethnic Malinke supporters.

Political instability following

the military coup has deterred some investors despite Guinea’s large deposits of iron ore, bauxite, gold and other minerals.

The U.N. envoy Saïd Djinnit said this month there had been a breakthrough in the talks between the government and opposition parties.

The elections commission, known as the CENI, said this week that a June 30 date for the polls, which was rejected by the opposition, would need to be pushed back.

Conde’s 2010 election victory was marred by violence.

Diallo came second in that contest.

Guinea’s opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo

ICC fixes November 12 for Kenyatta’s trial HE International Criminal T Court (ICC) has pushed back the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to November 12.

The decision was taken to give Kenyatta’s defence enough time to prepare for

Kenyatta

his trial, the ICC said.

Kenyatta is accused of orchestrating violence after the 2007 election, an allegation he denies.

The African Union has called for the trial to be halted, saying the ICC was “hunting” Africans.

The ICC has refused to drop the charges, saying it pursues justice impartially.

It had rescheduled Mr Kenyatta’s trial from 9 July to 12 November after judges ruled that defence lawyers should be given more time to prepare for his trial “due to the delays by the prosecution in disclosing its evidence”, the ICC said in a statement.

Kenyatta is charged with crimes against humanity, in-

cluding murder and rape.

The ICC accuses him of being an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the violence that killed about 1,200 people and left more than 500,000 homeless after the disputed 2007 election.

Kenyatta was elected president in March, beating thenPrime Minister Raila Odinga by 50.07 per cent to 43.28 per cent.

He used the charges to bolster his campaign, accusing the ICC of interfering in Kenya’s internal affairs.

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto is due to go on trial in September on similar charges.

On Tuesday, the ICC agreed that Mr Ruto only needs to be

“physically present” at key sessions of his trial.

He had requested to participate in the trial via video link.

Ruto and Kenyatta were on opposite sides of the 2007 election, but formed an alliance for this year’s election.

Kenyatta backed his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki, in the 2007 election, while Ruto supported Odinga.

The names of key suspects involved in violence after the 2007 poll were handed over to the ICC by Kofi Annan, who brokered a power-sharing deal.

He did so after Kenyan politicians failed to set up a tribunal as promised to try those accused of instigating the violence.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

POLITICS

Politics Senate bickers over budget office From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja recent move to review the national SuedENATE’S planning and budgeting process has continto generate reactions among stakeholders in the financial sector.

While the chamber was of the view that the country’s national budgeting process could be better coordinated through merging of planning and budgeting functions rather than operate as rival policy frameworks, others, especially the Ministry of Finance, were opposed to any fiscal policy that would distance budgeting as an integral part of the functions of the ministry.

Senate’s agitation for a review of extant national planning and budgeting process emanated from a motion sponsored by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmi representing Ekiti North early in the year.

The motion enjoyed the co-sponsorship of 46 other lawmakers, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, Barnabas Gemade, Solomon Ewuga, Smart Adeyemi, Uche Chukwumerije, Ayogu Eze, Oluremi Tinubu, Victor Ndoma-Egba and Ahmed Lawan.

The Senate listed three key issues in planningbudget relationship, which, it felt needed to be exhaustively addressed in the proposed review.

They include the prominent role planning plays in a developing country, especially one with substantial natural resources and massive infrastructure deficit such as Nigeria; steps the country should take to integrate its planning and budgeting functions and processes, as well as the appropriate institutional arrangements for unified budget and finance or unified planning and budgeting functions.

It also felt that the country required an evidencebased budgeting process rooted in planning in line with demographic information from a credible census and reliable socio-economic data from both states and national statistical bureaus.

In the lead debate, Senator Adetunmi expressed concern that under the current arrangement, national planning process and budget prioritisation processes are led by separate groups of civil servants with little cabinet ownership until the finished products are ready for approval and passed to the National Assembly for concurrence and passage.

He also believed that linking multilayer development plans to the national budget is fundamental to economic growth.

He said: “The budget is the mechanism by which developmental policies are converted into spending priorities while the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is a strategic, multiannual perspective to the budget process”.

At the end of the legislative debate on the Motion, it was referred to a joint committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Finance under the chairmanship of Senator Barnabas Gemade.

At the subsequent two-day public hearing organized by the committee to allow inputs from stakeholders and general public, Senator Gemade, again reiterated the need for a national budgeting process that is devoid of the current annual incremental envelop system as well as that, which will provide alternative planning policies and strategies for the harmonization of the activities of government agencies and the private sectors.

He added that in the committee’s findings, a sharp disconnect was discovered between the multiyear development plans and the annual national budget under which the Federal Ministry of Finance prepares the budget with little or no regards to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to him, such disparity could be blamed for the slow shift from Re-current to Capital lead in the country’s annual budget.

“The importance of national planning to any nation cannot be over-emphasised. This is basically because it enables a nation to make a conscious choice regarding the rate and direction of its growth, thereby making a rational decision to achieve deliberate, consistent and well-balanced action towards socio-economic development and good governance.

“The input of National Planning Policies in budget making in Nigeria today is almost limited only

• Seeks review of national planning, budgetary process

Jonathan to provide data on Gross Domestic Product, which is usually generated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).”

Gemade argued that the current budgeting process also alienates lawmakers from their functional role of effecting control over the fiscal priorities of the Federal Government for which it is empowered by the Constitution.

“This creates serious discord and acrimony between the legislative and the executive arms of government, which consequently stall our progress as a nation,” he said.

But the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who appeared before the committee on the final day of the public hearing, was fully prepared to defend the grossly criticised policy and the allegations levied against her ministry with regard to budgeting process.

She began by strongly opposing any fiscal policy that would remove budgeting as part of the functions of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

She also refuted claim by lawmakers and others who held similar views, that the problem of stunted growth of the economy was as a result of the separation of the offices of budgeting and national planning. Rather, she blamed the situation on the reality of the underpinning income pattern.

Underscoring the imperativeness of fiscal coordination and monetary evaluation by the Ministry of Finance, the minister insisted that the best practice the world over dictates that it’s not the best to separate capital budget and recurrent expenditure.

To her, lack of diversification of the country’s economy remains the bane of growth, which she said the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is attempting to address.

The minister noted that there is always a gap in implementation where available income is not enough to fund the budget and that through the envelope system, departments and agencies are properly involved in the budgeting process.

This explanation, however, countered the Senate’s position on the implication of alienating MDAs from budgeting process by the Ministry of Finance through the envelope budgeting initiative.

She said: “The envelope system of budgeting became necessary in order to involve and make MDAs take ownership of the budgeting process.

Through the initiative of the envelope system of budgeting, MDAs are made to set priorities.”

Okonjo-Iweala concluded by rather praying the Senate to allow the existing relationship between the Finance Ministry and National Planning Commission to be sustained.

In spite of her detailed explanation and defensive approach, most Nigerians at the public

Mark hearing, especially those from the financial and national planning sectors, remained adamant and unappeased.

They appeared to share a mindset and sentiments that derived from their past experiences or conviction that the minister’s approach would not yield the desired result on the nation’s economy.

In fact, they strongly opposed the subsumed role of the National Planning function in regards to budgeting process.

Prof. of Economics and Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Mike Kwanashie, for instance, blamed the current underdevelopment of many aspects of economic life of the nation on absence of longterm budgetary planning to drive growth and development.

Kwanashie was concerned about the disharmony between national planning and budgeting office. This situation, he noted, has negatively impacted the budgeting system and its implementation.

“The capital budget does not synchronise with the National Implementation Plan (NIP),” he said.

“More critical, however, is that capital projects are not properly conceived and prepared for capital outlays before they are admitted into the budget.

“A major challenge today is that the current budget is said to be too high and has thus crowded out capital spending needed to stimulate growth and development.”

Kwanashie added that the greatest lesson to be learnt from the past is the need for a better interface between the annual budget and the medium-term plan.

“There is certainly a major disconnect between the National Implementation Plan (NIP) and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework that drive the annual budget,” he said.

“The country is yet to achieve the harmony between plans and budget. This is critical for the attainment of the objectives of the national vision.”

The professor thus advocated a major reform that would usher in a legal framework for both planning and budget.

He stated that with the passage of Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) in 2007, it has become imperative for Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to be presented before the National Assembly prior to consideration of each year’s budget.

Still on the offices of national planning and budget, Kwanashie admonished that to make harmonisation between the medium-term implementation plan and medium-term expenditure framework more practicable, the capital budget should be moved to the Planning Commission.

Other reforms suggested by the presenter include training and empowerment of planning officers to be able to carry out comprehensive and strategic planning in all tiers of government; reviewing and expanding the involvement of the legislature in the planning and budgetary process, as well as providing meaningful opportunity for the legislature to make input in medium-term plan formulation.

Kwanashie emphasised that planning precedes budgeting; thus, he expressed the need to demystify budgets and to increase participation in the budget-making process.

“The major medium for ensuring effective participation is first, full engagement of the legislature as the elected representatives of the people,” he said. “To increase the efficacy of budgets, they must derive from the medium-term and longterm plans.”

Ode Ojowu, former Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also submitted a memorandum. He decried the current budgeting arrangement in which national budgeting and planning are apparently delinked.

He noted that even though the laws establishing the National Planning Commission (NPC) are still operational, they have been counteracted by such laws as the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the creation of the Budget Office in the Ministry of Finance.

“The initiative, therefore, by the Senate to review the current national planning and budgeting process is not only commendable, but also timely given last year’s public concern over low implementation of the budget both in quantity and quality,” he said.

Ojowu, who decried the relegation of the NPC in the budget planning, recalled that the Act, No. 71 of 1993 (as amended), empowers the Commission to coordinate the formulation and implementation of government programmes as contained in annual plans, budgets, medium-term and perspective plans at the three tiers of government.

“It is, therefore, clear from the foregoing that the 1993 Act adequately empowers the Commission to coordinate the formulation and implementation of all Federal Government plans and programmes, including the budget,” he said.

Senator Adetunmi outcry for the Senate to review national planning and budgeting process drew from glaring subsumed budgetary role of the National Planning Commission by the Ministry of Finance.

The many problems of the NPC began with the transfer of capital budgeting from the Commission to the Ministry of Finance in 1993 following the repeal of Decree No. 12 of 1992.

The creation of the former Ministry of Cooperation and Integration in 1999 further snatched some of its statutory functions, particularly with regard to the management of technical and economic cooperation with multi-lateral, bilateral and regional partners. Even with the scrapping of the Cooperation, such powers are yet to be returned to the NPC. For Ojowu, the reversal of roles poses several implications for the consultative process whereby the Finance Ministry is expected to invite the Commission and its agencies.

“Since the Commission is chaired by the Vice President, this obviously would amount to a breach of protocol,” he said. “To avoid this, consultations are more conveniently kept at a much lower level.”

He called for a review of the law establishing the NPC, to strengthen it for its mandates. He also expects a capital budget consultative process that would be led by the NPC under a revised set of laws.

Other recommendations are that, “The Motion should lead to the adoption of appropriate legislative process to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act No. 37 of 2007 towards full restoration of the planning responsibilities and coordinating roles of the economy back to the NPC and that the National Assembly should leverage on its budget analysis to improve on its early involvement in contributing to budget process.

While Nigerians wait patiently for the committee to conclude its report, it is hoped that the outcome would bring the lingering squabbles between the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance to a logical and amicable resolution.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

11

Why legislature shouldn’t be rubber-stamp for executive proposals, by Tambuwal Address delivered by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Island Club’s Quarterly Business Lecture at Peacock Hall, Island Club, Onikan, Lagos. me begin by expressing my LtheirETappreciation to the organisers for kindness, and especially to the club chairman, Prince Ademola Dada, who has showered so much praises on my leadership of the House of Representatives. I know from the history of this club that better minds than mine have preceded me in delivering this Quarterly lecture and I am honoured to be part of this proud tradition.

However, permit me, before I go further, to once again state this fact: that whatever modest successes we have accomplished in the House of Representatives, the credit must be ascribed to each and every member of that parliament.

We, in the legislature, do not have the luxury of a Commander-in-Chief; the legislature is essentially a gathering of equals, representing Nigerians from all walks of life, working together to deliver on our mandates.

Everything depends on mutual respect, consultation and consensus and without the genuine cooperation of members, no real progress is possible. Accordingly, therefore, all the praises should actually go to my esteemed colleagues.

Everything we have achieved, therefore, we have achieved because members were often determined to place their country above every parochial interest. Even my emergence, as Speaker, has been due largely to this desire to elevate the collective interest above everything else.

I consider myself highly privileged, these last two years, to lead a genuinely patriotic group of people. Indeed, they have reaffirmed my faith in the unity of this country and in the viability of our democracy despite the hic-

cups.

In discussing the place of the legislature in our democracy, we must never forget that our political system is known as Representative Democracy.

According to foremost political thinker, Benjamin Constant, “The representative system is a proxy granted to a certain number of men (and women) by the mass of the people who want their interests to be defended though they do not always have the means to defend them personally.”

In other words, although democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people, in modern times, the elected members of the parliament represent the people. In simple fact, there is really no democracy if there is no legislature.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is only because people are able to elect members to the national and state assemblies to represent their interests, that we can call our system a democracy.

Although we all talk about the three arms of government being separate and equal, the truth is that the legislature is the first among equals of these three arms of the democratic composition.

If our democracy must grow therefore, our challenge is to see how well we can develop the legislative branch to remain true to the tenets of representative democracy and the legislative system. Our growth as a nation and as a people depends on how well the legislature is able to do its job as laid down by law.

Constitutionally, the legislature has three fundamental functions: representation, legislation and what is often referred to as oversight. For a legislature to be effective, therefore, it must be able to perform creditably in all these areas.

To do that, it must have a clear understanding of its role, and the courage to pursue those objectives whatever the pressures from within or without.

For any of that to happen, it must first

Tambuwal develop a capacity to think independently, to understand complex issues of governance and policy, and to be capable of verifying information through its own sources and techniques.

A legislature cannot grow or talk about independence if it relies solely on another branch to supply it information, to help it analyse data, to lead the way in finding solutions to the myriad of problems plaguing society.

It must insist on participating in the formation of policy and not be a rubber-stamp for executive proposals.

Any legislature performing its representative functions, therefore, must have first-hand knowledge of the real needs of the people and must be at the forefront of making sure those needs are met.

It is not only odd, but brazen arrogance for anyone to pretend to know what is good for the country better

than those that the people elected to be their voices, their representatives, their mouthpiece. We do not just talk on behalf of the people; we are the people!

In all humility, we will be failing in our duties if we wait for the executive to solely decide what the people need, or what the budget should do or what the policy priorities should be.

When we insist on having a say in the determination of constituency projects, we are merely saying that we have first-hand knowledge of what the needs are more than anyone else because we represent and interact more intimately with those who will use these infrastructure, services and facilities.

When we say the budget for this or that should be raised or lowered, we are not just engaging in idle talk or muscle-flexing. We speak because the lives of our people are involved, because we are the voice of those who do not have the financial or political clout to make their words count.

We speak because we must, because it is our job to hold brief for the people who elected us to prosecute their case.

When we insist on asking how the money appropriated was spent or try to hold some government officials to account, we are merely acting as guardians of the commonwealth, and making sure that the people get value for their money so that a nation blessed with such abundance does not continue to remain at the bottom rung where poverty, diseases and death are rampant.

I am here today because legislators do not only represent their constituencies, but also organised groups like yours, special interests, businesses, and non-governmental organisations.

It is our job to protect your interests, to advance your causes and to ensure that legislation favours your enterprise, as long as they are not in conflict with the laws of the land and the common good.

More than anything else, democracy

demands two things: sovereignty of the people and equality before the law. The people cannot be said to be sovereign unless their interests become the foremost reason for governance. And this cannot happen unless the arm of government, which represents them, exercises the latitude to do its work without threat or blackmail.

We have just celebrated 13 years of uninterrupted democracy but the hangover of decades of military rule continues to slow our progress. We practice a presidential system of government in which the centre is erroneously presumed to be as powerful as in a unitary state and the executive appropriates humongous influence without boundaries.

As I have noted elsewhere, we need strong institutions, not strong men. The place of strong men is in autocracies, not democracies.

Nation States and systems cannot adjust to inadequacies of strong men; it is strong men that must adjust to systems established by the people for the common good.

As John Mills has noted, “Restrictions on liberty of thought and expression robs humanity of the chance to find truth, to either prove existing ideas wrong or to throw them into sharper focus by revealing their contraries.”

Part of the duty of the legislature is to act as a counterweight and constantly balance the powers of the executive so that we can avoid the problems that will otherwise arise. If we fail to act as a check and a balance, we would be aiding and abetting a crime.

There is no way that democracy can thrive unless the three arms of government respect their constitutionally assigned roles and cooperate together for the benefit of our country.

As members of the House of Representatives, we shall continue to work towards the sustenance of our hard-earned democracy for the benefit of our people.

Once again, I thank the officials and members of the Island Club for the opportunity to speak at this forum.

Women’s involvement in decision-making process imperative, says Deme Dr. Mourtada Deme, Project Director at the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Democratic Governance for Development (DGD II) tells TUNDE AKINOLA that women and other marginalised groups should be involved in Nigeria’s decision-making process.

OW would you assess the development of HCountries democratic governance in Nigeria overtime? seeking to establish consolidated democracies must cross a number of thresholds, including the non-violent resolution of political competition, the acceptance of alternation in power, and the supremacy of the rule of law.

In assessing Nigeria’s performance in democratic governance, I think progress has been made in the supremacy of the rule of law; abuse of rights can be contested and citizens can seek redress.

The press is dynamic and strong, and since 2011, the decline in the quality of elections has been halted and stakeholders are pursuing their efforts to improve the quality and credibility of its elections.

What areas do you think should be improved upon?

The involvement of historically disadvantaged and under-represented groups in the political process in Nigeria remains a contentious area. Nigeria continues to lag behind other African countries in the participation of marginalised groups like women, youth and persons with disabilities in political leadership, decisionmaking and policy-making.

While women have already made a significant contribution to nation-building in Nigeria, their potential for contribution in a number of areas, including as leaders, has yet to be fully realised.

Democratic Governance for Development has been advocating inclusiveness of women in politics; what ways do you think this can be achieved?

The goal is to open the doors of opportunity a lit-

Deme tle wider so more women can participate in governance. A possible option is to consider political reforms that allow for a larger presence of women in politics and government.

Countries from Southern and Eastern Africa demonstrate how simple political reforms can support the rapid increase of women in local and national legislatures and the steady increase of women occupying senior leadership positions at cabinet and government levels.

The rise of women as stakeholders in political decision-making processes has strengthened the nation-building initiatives of Rwanda and Uganda, and has also made important contributions to rebuilding nations after the end of apartheid and apartheid-related conflict in Southern Africa.

How can the training of stakeholders by the DGD on various programmes ahead the 2015 polls fix the problems with the country’s democracy?

DGD acknowledges the efforts of many Nigerian stakeholders and other development partners, who are also working towards

strengthening democratic institutions and we are pleased to be part of the process.

In this pre-elections phase of the project, the DGD is supporting broad-based institutional and legal reforms, and conducting capacity enhancement through training and professional development for the key institutions and processes identified by the project’s four pillars.

What is the key focus of the project in Nigeria’s democratic process?

DGD support consists of four components or areas of intervention: promoting credible, transparent and sustainable electoral processes; improving the democratic quality of political engagement; enhancing participation by women, youth and other marginalised groups; and strengthening channels of civic engagement.

How could you describe your experiences so far in this regard?

I’m honoured to be associated with the process in a very important country, considering its role in the continent. That comes with a hope.

A hope of a democratic Nigeria characterised by the rule of law that promotes economic development, encourages alleviation of poverty, and addresses the people’s aspirations, and dreams.

What are the challenges you faced in the process of executing this project?

The challenges are associated with promoting democracy, which is a long-term project.

A democratic system that functions on the basis of inclusion and legitimacy, the transformation of a state into a developmental one that enjoys legitimacy while facilitating socio-economic development is a challenging task in all time zones.

How can political parties and civil societies be strengthened to achieve the goals of DGD? We try to support political parties to be more professional, inclusive, internally democratic, and peaceful contestants for power. For example, with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), we will be launching this month

the newly-established Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre, which will provide capacity building support to party leaders, to develop their parties as democratic institutions.

DGD and NIPSS developed a curriculum intended to assist political party leaders at various levels in their efforts to establish strong, democratic and viable parties that have plans and strategies.

The curriculum will examine areas such as foundations of political parties, running a professional party, recruiting managers, and research and knowledge management, among others. We hope it can make meaningful difference in improving the democratic quality of political engagement.

On civil society, through our pillar strengthening channels of civic engagement, DGD is working to build the capacity of sub-nationally based civil society organisation (CSO) to improve their capacity to engage in meaningful advocacy.

DGD will also continue its support to the more well-established CSOs to support their engagement with electoral, democratic and governance processes.

Can you shed lights on the funding of DGD project?

DGD II is a joint donor-funded project managed by the UNDP in support of deepening democracy in Nigeria. The project is funded with contributions from the EU, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the UNDP. Some people are of the opinion that since the 2015 elections are still far away, it will be too early talking about it now. What is your position on this?

Well, I’ve also heard that, bit if we want to meet the challenges ahead, let’s ensure that meaningful reforms are implemented on time.

How would you describe the reception of your programmes by the Nigerian government?

We would like to thank the government of Nigeria for welcoming our contribution and all our partners for their dedicated support.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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TheMetroSection No end yet to traffic confusion on Mile Two-Apapa Expressway

Another view of the traffic on the highway

Traffic snarl on Mile Two-Apapa Highway. Lagos...yesterday

By David Ogah and Seye Olumide RUISING along Mile Two – Apapa ExpressC way in a vehicle used to be a pleasurable exercise some years back, but today it is like a camel going through the eye of a needle.

The traffic gridlock on the Apapa and TinCan-Island ports access road has become unprecedented and persistent in the last few years. Businesses are suffering as many manhours are being wasted on the traffic that has caused untold hardship to motorists and commuters.

The phenomenon has been attributed to long queue of trucks waiting to access the ports and the numerous tank farms in Apapa and Coconut end of the Expressway.

There are also bad spots between Isolo and Mile 2 and between Mile 2 and Apapa that are also contributing to the sufferings by motorists and commuters as a result of the traffic gridlock as the journey between Oshodi which ordinarily should not take them 45 minutes now takes them between three and four hours and could be up to seven hours during peak periods.

Direct Government intervention in the matter through the several committees put in place to find a lasting solution to the traffic situation is yet to yield the expected result.

Many business operators and road users who spoke with The Guardian on the matter yesterday said it was time government come to term with the effect of the persistent traffic logjam on the nation’s economy and find a permanent solution to it.

Captain Emmanuel Ihenachor, former Min-

ister of Interior and the Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Oil said yesterday that so long as the trucks trying to access the ports continue to queue on the road, the problem would continue to persist.

According to him, government could acquire some obsolete structures along Creek Road, from Liverpool to Apapa port, knock them down, and develop a port transit facility that will take the trucks off the road.

“The traffic congestion on Mile 2 – Apapa expressway is a long standing problem created more especially by trucks going up to the port. There are buildings that are obsolete and there are factories that are no longer functioning between Liverpool and the Apapa Port. Government should acquire them and develop viable port transit facility that will eventually decongest the roads.”

He also urged the government to accelerate action on different port development projects in the country, saying they are capable of reducing pressure from the Lagos Ports on completion.

The master mariner said the traffic problem continued to persist because of the increasing volume of cargo at the ports that were built many years ago, saying when they were built, the present volume of cargo at the port was not envisaged, hence the need to rehabilitate and expand the road infrastructure and redesign port approach areas.

“You must continuously look at the cargo traffic and plan for it because the capacity now is different from the capacity then when roads to the port were built. Therefore there is need for more roads, redesign port ap-

Edo Police re-arrest jail break prisoner, parade kidnappers, robbers From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City EN months after an explosion occurred in the Oko Prisons, which led to the escape of prisoners, the Edo State Police Command yesterday paraded the major beneficiary of that break, Daniel Silva, the leader of a suspected militant group in Olodiama in Ijaw-speaking area of Edo State.

Meanwhile, the police yesterday also paraded 31 other persons allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal possession of fire-arms and cultism as well as some cult leaders allegedly involved in the recent killings in the state.

Some persons believed to be loyal to Silva were allegedly said to have carried out the prison break to “free their leader.”

The state Police Commissioner, Folusho Adebanjo, said men of the Command recovered arms including an AK47 riffle, two AK 47 rifle magazines, 23 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, two horse magnum pump action guns, one English -made cut-to -size double barrel gun and 100 and seven live cartridges from the suspects.

He said the arrests and confiscations were made in the last three weeks.

Adebanjo, while parading the suspects, reiterated his call

T

PHOTOS: OSENI YUSUF

proach areas and extend rail lines to the ports.

There is need to look at the railway property located at close proximity to flour mills. They are lying fallow. They should be rehabilitated and put into use in order to decongest roads by moving goods from the ports through rails,” he said.

The president of the council of Managing Director of Customs licensed Agent, Mr. Lucky Amiwero said the usual traffic gridlock on the expressway was already killing businesses within the axis.

“It is killing our businesses. The traffic gridlock is one of the greatest problems of the ports, there is no easy access. The road is blocked completely. You can spend four, five or six hours on the road if you want to access the ports any day. It is affecting the country’s economy because container carriers (trucks) have occupied the roads. Some of the trucks can spend three or four days in the queue and on each day, the pay demurrage that jack up transport cost.”

He urged the Ministers of Transport, Finance and Petroleum to come together with terminal and tank farm operators, and transporters to find professional, not political, solution to the problem.

The issue of bad roads is another factor. The build-up to the gridlock usually starts from the foot of the Berger Flyover, just some few meters away from Mile 2 Bus Stop. From that point, the articulated vehicles that are always on the queue to lift fuel from the major oil tank farms situated along the expressway take over half of the road, leaving the remaining one lane to millions of vehicles travelling

to criminals and cultists to leave the state or face the consequences, just as he solicited the co-operation of members of the public to give useful information to the police.

While commending the ban on commercial motor cycles in the state, Adebanjo said: “I remember when I assumed duty here, I warned all the criminals to relocate or repent.

The Edo State Police Command is working tirelessly to make sure that Edo people sleep with their two eyes closed.

We are doing everything to make sure that the state is peaceful. The police will not relent and this is to warn all the criminals that they should desist or leave the state. We are going to continue to pursue them.”

He said the ban on motorcycles would help check the excesses of criminals in the state. “The ban on Okada is a very good thing. It is for security purposes because a lot of crimes being committed in Benin City are attributed to motorcyclists. They use motorcycles to rob and kill.

“Those arrested failed to heed to my earlier call that they should repent. We are going to charge them to court. I am also advising others to repent or leave the state. We will not tolerate cultism, armed robbery and others in Edo State,” he declared.

to either Apapa port, Tincan Port and other places.

The situation is worsened at the West Minister Bus Stop where the heavy duty, articulated vehicles usually made a turn into Beachland Estate to lift fuel.

Expressing the plight some of the seafood companies are going through as a result of the constant traffic, one of the workers, who wanted his name offprint, said his company lost a considerable amount of profit as a result of the daily traffic.

According to him: “In some cases some of the food items, mostly frozen fish that are not properly frozen before leaving our terminals, sometimes got spoilt while the vehicles conveying them are held up in the traffic for hours. Some of them even miss their scheduled appointments.”

The same challenge also confronts most of the financial institutions. Some of their staff that spoke yesterday confirmed that “aside those customers who relate with us within the Apapa axis, we hardly receive other customers because of the traffic. Whenever we try to convince customers the excuse they give is the traffic.”

To worsen the situation, hoodlums are now taking advantage of the traffic situation to rob unsuspecting motorists.

Describing the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway traffic as a metaphor of the rot in the nation, Sunday, a commercial bus driver, said as the Federal Government has failed to provide succour to millions of the users of the road “likewise the challenges we are going through in the country.”

Briefs Felly Anene for burial today HIEF Felly Okonkwo Anene, of Idumunkpeneke Quarters, OgC boli, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Council of Delta State, is dead. Funeral rites began yesterday with a Service of Songs at his Idumukpeneke Quarters, Ogboli, Issele-Uku residence Funeral service holds today at Pilgrim Baptist Church, Ogbewele, Issele –Uku at 10.00a.m. followed by interment at his compound. Until his death, he was a devout Christian, a first-class chief and community leader.

He is survived by many children among whom is Emeke Anene.

Ochani Clement for burial today Clement, who died on April 14, at the age of 36, will O be buried today at Ochani comCHANI

pound, Odoba 1, Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Council of Benue State.

Manwhile, a Christian wake was held in his honour at his residence in Lagos on Wednesday.

A thanksgiving holds on Sunday at Destiny Church, Obu Otukpa.He survived with three children: Ochani James Jr. , Ochani Dominion and Ochani Clement Colins.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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14 | THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Improving security at the ports HE 90-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by the United States Government to improve on ports security in Nigeria or face the stoppage of vessels to Nigeria is a sharp reminder that Nigeria has again failed in what is supposed to be a routine but crucial state duty. The warning is timely and warranted not because it necessarily puts the U.S. government at any advantage, but because it serves as a deserved rebuke of the Nigerian government for failing in its basic duty. It is shameful that a government would need prodding to be alert and proactive in matters of security at the ports. Failure to secure the ports leaves any country open to unpleasant consequences. It is equally instructive that the United States’ observation is coming against the backdrop of rising cases of terrorism in Nigeria, particularly, but also around the world.

The U.S. government had recently, through its embassy in Lagos, cautioned the Federal Government to improve on ports security in line with global practice. This followed an audit report obtained by the embassy from the United States Coast Guards, whose men were in the country about a month ago to inspect the security in Nigerian ports.

Based on the report, the embassy sent a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in turn contacted the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies, to draw their attention to the critical issue of security.

The U.S. ultimatum expires in August, when, unless there is an improvement in the ports security, America may stop shipment services to Nigeria and also mobilise its allies to do the same. Must a country like Nigeria wait for the U.S. intervention before providing adequate security at its ports? Sadly, the fact of inadequate security applies to many other sectors of the nation’s public life. The ports, for instance, have recorded regular cases of security lapses most unacceptable for such sensitive places. The Tin Can Island Port, in particular, is renowned as a market place in which all manner of people have unrestricted access.

A close survey of the average Nigerian port shows the entire premises as being littered with broken down vehicles that provide shelter for miscreants and criminal elements who then operate as ‘ports rats’ stealing, vandalising property and robbing unsuspecting members of the public doing genuine business at the ports. Pilfering and vandalising of imports, particularly vehicles, have remained the trademark of Nigerian ports for a long time without solution. Over time, government and the ports authorities seem to have resigned to the ugly situation whereby dubious and unwanted elements populate the ports. This is unacceptable, especially as terrorism remains a daunting task for all governments around the world.

There is need for proactive measures to secure the ports and ensure safety of lives and property and ease international trade. Government should act without delay. Anti-terrorism and anti-crime equipment, including functional surveillance cameras, should be installed in and around the port premises. The movement of persons and goods should be checked. Imports should be properly screened. Notably, large cache of weapons have been impounded at the Lagos ports in recent times, indicating what criminal elements could do through the ports.

The transfer of Designated Authority (D/A) to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is timely. By this designation, NIMASA would be responsible for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. The ISPS code is the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) convention to secure and safeguard ships and port facilities around the world in view of global terrorism.

However, going by the admission of the officers in charge of NIMASA’s shipping development, the ISPS code has not been properly implemented in Nigeria. That may explain why security at the ports is still porous, but it is no excuse. The onus lies on NIMASA to implement improved port security that meets international standards. Shipping is an international business. Nigerian ports cannot afford to be different from others around the world. For a country that is unabashedly import-dependent, the consequences on the economy of a no-shipment-to-Nigeria stance by the United States and others would be enormous. The authorities should take appropriate actions to improve security at the ports.

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LETTER

How Gov Orji improves Abia schools IR: Education is one of the governor’s matching order to organized science quiz compeSistration key areas where the admin- take rehabilitation of schools tition for secondary schools in of Governor T.A. Orji as a priority. Today, about 78 the country. has taken radical steps to restore its glory. Renovation of dilapidated buildings of both the primary and secondary schools is a cardinal policy which Governor Orji has sustained since he came on board. At present, the state government has embarked on construction and reconstruction of over 154 classroom blocks, in primary and secondary schools across the 17 LGAs in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which the state government had initially paid the counterpart fund of N1 billion.

It beats one’s imagination that in 21st century journalism, news correspondents would embark on premeditated wild goose chase with scant regard for balanced reportage, as evident in the hatchet job carried on the Education Review pages 25-27 of Daily Sun of Tuesday, 11th June 2013. That report of a purported decay in education in Abia State is full of barefaced lies and ill-motivated analysis designed to paint Abia State Government in bad light.

In 2012, the Abia State Universal Education Board was recognized as the best managed basic education board in the South East. The Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) also received the

primary and secondary schools have been renovated in its catchment areas.

Currently, the state government is building three gigantic and model one-storey classroom blocks of 28-room capacity in each of the three senatorial zones in Abia State.

For Abia North, it is located at Ovim (Technical) Secondary School, Isuikwuato; for Abia Central, it is located at Government College, Umuahia while the one of Abia South is located at Abayi Girls Secondary School, Aba. The authors of the report concentrated their analysis only in Aba and ignored schools in the other LGAs. Aba metropolis has only two LGAs out of the 17 in the state.

Abia State has maintained a tuition-free education in public primary and secondary schools since 2007 and that naturally increased school enrolment. Over 1,000 students of tertiary institutions have continued to receive the annual bursary awards since 2008.

Government has periodically acquired and distributed free textbooks, thousands of exercise books and teaching aids to schools across the state.

These encouraging packages have been yielding outstanding results. In 2012, three Abia students won the NNPC

To boost the capacity of teachers, government has invested heavily in organizing workshops, conferences and seminars to enhance efficiency, productivity and expose them to the modern teaching techniques. Resource centres and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centres were established to improve the knowledge of teachers in a fast-changing globalised world. Governor Orji is also building a gigantic modern library complex at Ogurube Layout, near the State House of Assembly Complex, Umuahia.

Abia State Government has also mustered courage and took decisive step in returning some missionary schools to the original owners as a pilot phase, in order to rejuvenate dwindling standard of education, especially in public schools. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) is equally attracted to the various campuses in building some of the new offices and classroom blocks.

Abia State University was aided to attain full accreditation in virtually all the courses approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the students have fared better in competitions with other universities.

• Moses Nna, Abia State.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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Dumping, unfavourable tariff threaten Nigeria’s N680b lubricant industry

By Roseline Okere

NVESTMENT worth over Iverge N680 billion may be on the of collapse due to the upsurge of sub-standard lubricant product and high tariff on base oil into the country, the Lubricants Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), has said.

The association, which has over 32 companies as members, warned that over 300,000 jobs were at risk unless the Federal Government takes proactive action to curb the menace.

In a petition to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, signed by the Chairman of LUPAN, Anthony Enukeme and the Executive Secretary, Obidike Emeka, obtained by The Guardian yesterday, the association also lamented the high tariff on base oil, which it puts at 10 per cent.

It stated: “Presently, imported lubricants and base oil, the chief raw material in the production of lubricants, are housed under the same H.S CODE “2710.1939”, and accordingly, both attract the same

tariff of 10 per cent.

“This situation sets the lubricant manufacturers at a disadvantage in the sense that after the payment of the said 10 per cent tariff, while the importers of finished lubricants sell their products directly to the consumers without extra costs, the licensed blenders through the process of blending incur further expenses adding value to the base oil by introduction of additives and the employment of labour, high cost of energy consumed while running their respec-

tive blending plant and the high rate of interest accruing from loans from local financial institutions. This in turn raises the cost of the locally blended lubricant thereby making same unattractive to end-users.

“Nigeria has since remained a large importer since the fire incident of 1995 at the Kaduna refinery’s base oil plant and since then has been 100 per cent dependent on the import of base oil which constitutes about 90 per cent of finished lubricants”.

The association explained

that sub-standard and adulterated finished lubricants from Dubai, Turkey and other countries have been on the increase, stressing that laboratory analysis report of most of such imported lubes reveal non compliance to specifications and standards both local and international.

It described the lubricants as outright recycled oil with little or no additives introduced into it.

“Notwithstanding, these lubricants are imported with

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Executive Vice President, Technology & Services, First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Akin Fanimokun (left); President and Chief Executive Officer, Western Union International, Hikmet Ersek; Group Managing Director/CEO First Bank, Bisi Onasanya; Regional Vice President, North, West and Central Africa Western Union, Ms. Aida Diarra; during a courtesy visit of Western Union officials to the First Bank’s Head Office in Lagos.

Govt prescribes 60,000 base stations to tackle phone service challenges

By Nkechi Onyedika (Abuja) and Adeyemi Adepetun (Lagos) the persistent drop in FiceOR telecommunications servto abate, the country needs 60,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) by 2018, the Federal Government has said.

Though, the telecommunications sector can currently boast of 26, 500 BTS, the government said this was not enough to meet the growing demands of about 160 million connected telephone users in the country, which is on the increasing.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday at the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Stakeholders Forum with the theme: “Connected for Growth: Moving From Planning to Execution”, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson said significantly, more BTS needed to be deployed across the country to meet national target of a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2018.

Johnson said the telecommunications operators are expected to increase their BTS to 27, 000 by the end of 2013,

with a focus of meeting the 60,000 requirement by 2018.

Meanwhile in Abuja on Tuesday, the Communications Technology minister, while presenting the mid-term report of the ministry, disclosed that telecommunications operators are expected invest $6 billion (N976 billion) on infrastructure, saying this is expected to improve the landscape.

The minister informed in Lagos that the pace of growth in the telecommunications sector has however, slowed down even as some existing

BTS have been decommissioned as a result of terror attacks, theft and vandalisation.

She disclosed that about 150 BTS were lost in 2012 due to bombings and flooding, stressing that twice as many dependent stations were affected and subsequently impacted negatively on telecommunications services.

The minister said the operators had hit the ground running from the from day one they entered the country, stressing that the number of BTS in Nigeria increased exponentially from 116 in 2001 to

21, 000 by 2010.

Besides, Johnson noted that investment in the telecommunication sector is hampered by increasing incidences and values of taxes and levies requested by states, delays in obtaining approval to build base stations, request for N250 million ecology tax from operators to deploy BTS and the issue of operators waiting for six months for approval to deploy 300 BTS. According to her, there is need to deliver on the promises of the transformation agen-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Abraaj acquires Fan Milk

By Femi Adekoya

HE Abraaj Group, a leading T investor operating in growth markets, has announced its agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Fan Milk International (FMI), West Africa’s market leading manufacturer and distributor of frozen dairy products and juices.

The Abraaj Group is one of the largest and most active private equity investors in Africa having invested $2.2 billion in 62 partner companies.

Established over 50 years ago, FMI possesses a trackrecord of organic growth in West Africa where it has become a market leader in frozen dairy products.

FMI currently operates through subsidiaries in the rapidly growing markets of Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Benin and Burkina Faso.

The company has successfully built and controls a unique and fully integrated regional manufacturing and distribution cold chain network, as well as a broad portfolio of convenience food and beverage brands that reaches over 31,000 end-sales points. FMI, through its subsidiaries, currently sells over 1.8 million products on a daily basis across West Africa.

Commenting on the transaction, Founder and Group Chief Executive of the group, Arif Naqvi, said: “This is a landmark deal for both African Private Equity and the Abraaj Group. The considerable investment and growth plans we have for FMI mirror the scale and depth of investment opportunities that we believe are now abundant on the African continent. Africa is witnessing the rise of a burgeoning middle and consumer class, so the acquisition of FMI is an extremely exciting and compelling investment opportunity.

“FMI’s portfolio of leading consumer food brands perfectly complements our African investment strategy.

The Abraaj Group has now invested $2.2 billion into 62 partner companies across Africa making us one of the most active, long term investors on the continent.”

Partner of the Abraaj Group in Africa, Jacob Kholi, added: “Our relationship with and knowledge of FMI has been built up over many years, thanks to our twenty year, on the ground presence in Africa. This investment in FMI builds on our strategy of targeting both the African agrifood sector, as seen with our investment in Brookside Dairy, the largest dairy in East Africa, as well as the rapidly growing African FMCG sectors.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Forum indicts NASS, judiciary for rising fiscal indiscipline, impunity From Chijioke Nelson, Abuja

HE campaign against fiscal T indiscipline and impunity in the nation’s economic management may have hit hard on the National Assembly and the judiciary system for what has been described as brazen disregard for public finance management rules.

The campaign, under the aegis of the Stop Impunity in Nigeria, at its workshop on Public Finance Management (PFM) in Abuja, yesterday, said that there is a deliberate neglect for laws and enforcement on fiscal indiscipline and a palpable collaborations to perpetrate the ugly acts.

The workshop attracted Federal Government’s

. NOA kicks, seeks value re-orientation Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), private sector operators, professional groups and faith-based groups.

Delivering a paper titled: “Contextualising Impunity in Public Finance ManagementAn Agenda for Change,” the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, noted that Nigeria’s level of fiscal indiscipline and impunity over the management of public finance rose to the pitiable state because of the “capacity deficit in the legislative oversight mechanism- weak checks and balances,” which

are manifest in the “poor understanding and application of the powers of the legislature.”

According to him, “there seems to be a “collaborative violation of laws by the three arms of government, coupled with weak link between violations and the sanctions mechanism,” which sustains the impunity.

“There is abuse of judicial discretion (case study of Justice Talba), refusal of the AttorneyGeneral to perform his duties directly or indirectly, weak demand by CSOs to take alternative recourse actions and a seeming uniformed behavior of ‘I don’t care attitude.’”

Stakeholders seek leeway to technological challenge in banks’ risk management processes

By Femi Adekoya

O mitigate risks associated T with payment services within the financial system, especially with the deployment of new technologies, banks and other financial services providers may need to embrace information sharing platforms as well as improve capacity building initiatives as proactive measures against risk management failure, stakeholders have said.

Besides, the stakeholders urged bank inspectors to embrace risk-based auditing as a proactive way of avoiding systemic failure in the financial services industry.

Speaking at the Bank of Industry’s quarterly general meeting of the Committee of

Chief Inspectors of Banks in Nigeria (CCIBN) in Lagos yesterday, BoI’s Managing Director, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, who was represented by Executive Director, Operations, Mohammed Alkali explained that the emergence of new technologies has posed a new challenge to the industry and must be addressed holistically by involving all the stakeholders.

According to him, the dearth of skilled inspectors in banks and inadequate capacity building within the sector has further necessitated the need for an effective risk management framework in the nation’s financial system.

Alkali explained that current processes within the financial

system has been developed in an holistic manner and should not be jeopardized through negligence of relevant stakeholders.

He said: “In the past, risk was being managed in an isolated way. But now, current models have changed this view as processes are being integrated and this makes the action of person affect the whole process. We are working to ensure that we develop frameworks that would enhance risk management processes in the financial system. The role of chief inspectors cannot be undermined.

He added that risk-based auditing approach would further strengthen the business of banking, and would give early warning signals before any

But the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Publications, Remi Omowon, said “the culture of impunity has eaten deep into the moral fabrics of our nation, as people care less on the consequence of their lawless actions, as long as they can buy or bully their way out.

“From the high and the mighty to the lowliest citizens

in the society, be it politicians, landlords, business owners, lecturers, students, among others, impunity has become the order of the day and it must be stopped if our nation must achieve its full potentials.

“NOA is therefore, re-orientating Nigerians and promoting good ethical values that will establish positive behavioural change. This campaign, which is aiming at stopping the

imounity is a thoughtful one and in tandem with our project of ‘do the right thing, transform Nigeria.’”

Also, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze, who was also represented by the Head, Database Department, Ishaq Yahaya, said that presently, impunity is still challenging its operations in the areas of bidding, evaluation, award and execu-

Operators to spend $6 billion on telecoms infrastructure CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 da by addressing the challenges in the ICT industry and leveraging the opportunities in sector socio-economic development.

To achieve this, she said: “there is need to connect Nigeria; connect Nigerians; increase local content development; encourage ICT in government and create an enabling environment.”

Johnson, who said the ministry targets 7.5 per cent ICT

sector contribution to the country’s GDP; addition of one million jobs to the sector and ensuring 50 per cent of Nigerians are connected to the Internet; noted: “for improved local content development, there is need to lower barriers to entry and increase the participation of Nigerian companies in the ICT sector and stimulate job creation in the industry.

Provide a predictable and stable environment that sup-

ports the development of the ICT sector cum economy.”

The Minister observed that the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo led delegation to ITU Telecom World 2012 and engaged with industry stakeholders to identify challenges and negotiate solutions and also secured agreement with state governments through the National Economic Council to eliminate multiple taxation and streamline application and approval

Nigeria’s N680b lubricant industry faces threat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 undervalued invoicing, deluge the markets and sold at a cheaper rate than the genuine locally produced ones thereby creating unfavourable conditions for the locally produced genuine lubricants, which go through further process of manufacture, consequently selling at a higher cost than their foreign counterpart”, it added.

The association noted that the importation of lubricants

into the country has reduced patronage of made in Nigeria ones. “At present, the total demand on lubricants in the Nigerian markets stands at 582, 000mt per annum.

However, the total installed capacity of the indigenous plants if fully utilized stands at over 965, 000 mt per annum”.

To enable the sub-sector contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), LUPAN stated that there should be an

urgent review of duty tariff on base oil which is the chief raw material in lubricant manufacturing, down to five per cent H.S CODE “ 2710.1939”.

It added that base oil should be separated from the current H.S CODE “2710.1939” which houses it along with finished lubricants, and given its own H.S Code and solicits for a higher tariff regime for all imported lubricants to 50 per cent minimal duty in order to protect the local industry.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

BUSINESS

Govt pledges to complete road projects

By Taiwo Hassan HE Federal Government T has pledged its commitment to complete various ongoing road projects in the country initiated by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration before his tenure end.

Besides, government said it had spent N126 billion in the last two years on 32 roads, which the current administration had so far completed.

The government also spoke of its plans to spend N850 billion on road projects in the northern parts of the country.

Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, made these known at media press briefing in Abuja few days ago.

He said the Federal Government had spent N126 billion on the 32 roads completed across the country, adding that of the N126 billion, government had paid out a total of N120 billion.

According to him, the completed roads include the repairs of Third Mainland Bridge (Phase 11), covering additional works for the replacement of eight expansion joints in Lagos State, completion of the duplication of Onitsha-Owerri Road (Section 1) and Onitsha Eastern Bypass in Anambra State and completion of the rehabilitation of the access road to the Kaduna Refinery in Kaduna State.

Others are rehabilitation of Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, completion of the rehabilitation of Efon-Alaaye-Erinmo Iwaraja road in Ekiti and Osun States, and rehabilitation of Otukpo-Oweto Road in Benue State.

“Very impressive progress has also been made in the on-going dualisation and rehabilitation projects. For example, the journey from Benin to Lagos, which hitherto took upwards of nine hours in 2011, now takes between three and four hours. Travel time between Abuja and Lokoja has equally improved from an average of four hours to about two hours.

“Travel time on KanoMaiduguri road has also been reduced by half in the completed sections. In the same vein, while travel time from Owerri to Onitsha is down from two hours to just 45 minutes. It now takes only about six hours to travel from Owerri to Lagos from an average of 15 hours it took in 2010,” the minister said.

Government said it had spent N126 billion in the last two years on 32 roads, which the current administration had so far completed.

The government also spoke of its plans to spend N850 billion on road projects in the northern parts of the country.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21 , 2013

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interview

‘Nigeria must not go India’s way’ Prince tony afejuku, a poet, is professor of english and Literature and Creative Writing at the university of Benin. the former (aSuu) uniben academic Staff union of universities’ chief and former head of english department, is certainly a remarkable personage and a scholar’s scholar, indisputably one of the finest, most truthful and most engaging minds of our generation. He is also a fearless, courageous and positively controversial public intellectual and prolific commentator as attested to, at least, in his high profile column in the nigerian tribune every Monday. We cornered him, very much in an unwilling mood, at very short notice, in Lagos as he was getting ready to go to Harvard university, Cambridge, Massachusetts where he was scheduled to do a lecture on Poetry of the Cosmos at an international gathering of scholars. the don who says he detests and will never support anything evil, in one of his salvos, said: “i am a very misunderstood human being, the simplest man to deal with if you do that which is righteous and just, and you comport yourself in such a manner that truly shows that you are a man of honour.” if you are on the wrong side of honour you then must have a full dose and taste of his wrong side. this much he explained to the guardian recently, as indicated above, in an exclusive interview on various issues. afejuku, a Fellow of the Literary Society of nigeria (LSn), spoke with Sony neme just before he embarked on his latest scholastic trip.

S a professor with the academia to contend with, how did A all start?

Of course I got here, where I am now, after fulfilling everything that I needed to fulfill educationally. I went through the mill. I started from the scratch as a Graduate Assistant in Zaria, Ahmadu Bello University where I had my BA (Honours) and MA (both in English). Then the institution was the hotbed of radicalism in the country. I stand to be corrected on this perspective. Before then I was a youth corper at the old Borno State, at Potiskum, a location, a town now known to be in Yobe State, I think it’s the capital of Yobe, in 1976, which is unfortunately under an emergency rule as we speak.... I had a swell, a fabulous , time there as a corper.... You know what I mean.... Gone are the great NYSC days.... Those were days.... I have since risen to become a professor of English and Literature…. Over the years I have been doing criticism and theoretical studies, and also creative writing. I am also a columnist basically on socio-political issues, as you know…. I have been all over the place doing research and writing, just came back from the Far East and I will be on my way to Harvard in continuation of that and to do a lecture, a presentation, on poetry of the cosmos. I am focusing on Coleridge, the 19th century poet of romanticism and mysticism, Rabinadrath Tagore, the Indian Renaissance poet who won the Nobel prize for literature in 1913....; he was also into mysticism.... and a Nigerian poet of my generation and a doctoral product of Uniben, the recently late Ezenwa-Ohaeto, our poet of the night masquerade and of mystical propinquities. I am bringing together three “common-wealth” poets of different, “disparate” ages, times, generations, countries and continents.

The three poets incidentally were distinguished critics and theorists of literature, among other things and other aspects of their creative arts and acts. I am interrogating their cosmic arts and acts essentially, but mainly from the perspective of theory. Obviously, Ezenwa-Ohaeto is the least known of the three, for obvious reasons…. I am obviously also by-passing my primary and secondary school years…. The point is that I have come a long way through precocity, hard, honest work and luck…. I never had the misfortune of missing or repeating any class through school fees problem or through failure or through illness or any misfortune and other events that stopped many candidates from doing promotion examinations or from finishing properly and without break, without interruption…. Since I started school in the sixties I never broke continuity up to Ph. D. level. As I am saying this I can picture several of my class-mates and even seniors who fell by the way-side. And I NEVER cut corners and will never cut corners…. If this answer satisfies you, please we can move on to something else…. I’m racing against time…., as you are aware....

Presently three out of 36 states are under the state of emergency, what are your views on this?

A system that promotes injustice always faces what we are facing now. A system where the majority will always care less about what happens to the minorities will get to where we are now. President Goodluck Jonathan is from the Niger Delta. He is an Ijaw by tribe. Why do I say so? When the socalled militants started the Itsekiri and Ijaw war, government failed to do what was expected of it as at then.

Let us look at history, remotely or otherwise, of the present situation. Believe it or not, the current situation started as a war over the location of a local government headquarters in Itsekiri- land. As the government failed to live up to its responsibilities of securing lives and properties, Itsekiris were killed and their properties destroyed and burnt and nothing happened to the perpetrators of the horrors. With horrifying events the under-belly of the tiger was exposed and they discovered how weak government was, or so, they and everybody thought, which eventually led to more mayhem and

further mayhem and Itsekiri, a minority of Nigeria’s ethnical minorities, was at the butt of it all. Nothing meaningful was done by government to halt the pain and pang of my people.

At this point all kinds of demands, kidnapping, arson and what- have-you (or should I say what had-you?) were what were. Of course the rest are bad history. But at the end of the day leaders of the gangsters were turned into billionaires in the name of nonsensical amnesty. They are now guards of oil

afejuku

pipelines. Now the hen has come home to roost with the emergence of Boko Haram. Unfortunately for this country, they have more networks and hawks outside Nigeria; they are also more in population. They have been unleashed on hapless citizens because of the PDP injustice after the death of Yar’Adua. Accept or not the logic of the North, as per the PDP zoning formula, the presidency ought to have gone back to the North. But clearly the PDP is not a party of people of honour. And I detest them for this, personally speaking. The lack of honour exhibited by the party’s big wigs is a major reason for our current quagmire. And Lord Jonathan himself has not helped matters. If he was patient enough to wait truly for his time Boko Haram would not be grazing the land, at least in the way we now witness, at least not in the current scale. Furthermore, he has carried himself far more as an Ijaw president than as the president of Nigeria. He even does not see himself as the president of the Niger Delta. So in what ways is he different from our former presidents and heads of state?

He has demonstrated far worse examples to Nigerians than anybody else. And many of his Ijaw people and other political hangers-on have not helped matters. But everything must begin and end on his desk, if you know what I mean. Every now and then the rules change on his presidential table with goal posts shifting again and again. If the PDP were sincere many things that are happening today won’t have happened at all.

Some say that the North wants to Islamize Nigeria as per Boko Haram’s propaganda. If you believe that you will believe anything. Such a statement and similar ones must be seen and understood as diversionary statements, which are nothing but terrorist propaganda from the group. To Islamize us, to Islamize Nigeria, is not the group’s absolute mission from what I have gathered from my research so far and from my genuine Northern friends and colleagues’ information at my disposal…. I won’t say more than this. We all have eyes; we all have nostrils; we all have ears; we all have tongues; we all skins. Let us wait for the waitable, and for how the state of emergency play will out itself. As I have stated several times in other forums, everything passes. But one important thing I wish to reiterate here is that the hen has come home to roost.

I said it a long time ago in my Tribune column that whatever Lord Jonathan is doing now to cage Boko Haram is too late in coming. It appears to me to be the last kick of a dying horse.

Or the last gasp of a dying fish or of a drowning man. Lord Jonathan is a man of the river as I am. He ought to get my

Continued on Page 20

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21 , 2013

Interview

‘Nigeria must not go India’s way’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 meaning. If we don’t know the way of horses we know the way of fishes and the way of swimming men in our mangroves. If Boko Haram people surrender now or ever at all to him, I will not utter anything again pertaining to…. The rest is silence…. After all, I am not a pipe-line billionaire guard nor an amnesty panel member nor even a presidential busybody or a presidential mis-adviser.

A few months from now Nigeria will be 100 years old from the amalgamation of 1914; what is your message on this, prof, sir?

Nigeria must not disintegrate. Nigeria must not go the way of India, of a divided India. We must never have a divided Nigeria. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afganistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka were all parts of an undivided India. But they are different countries today, to the great discomfiture of many people, great patriots, of the Far East. Those divided Indian people, erstwhile Indian peoples, perhaps a better way of putting it are the real burning spheres of the world today, which would not have happened in the present scale in an undivided India. As for us in Nigeria, a leader is coming that will give war to those who want war, and peace to those who need peace. And Nigeria will remain one. Boko Haram will surrender to him anytime he comes, but after a battle that is the battle. Even my brothers from the creeks, sharks of war from the creeks, will equally concede to him. He who is coming is unlike anyone who has occupied our rock of power, of authority and of government. His rock shall cease to be Aso Rock. His rock shall be called the Rock of God. All things of the bush and of hollow men presently practised in that place of places founded by the gap-toothed one shall cease to be in God’s Rock. Only men of destiny, men who know the deep, the masters and mystics, prophets of truth know and understand the message you want me to give. They are watching what many would-be breakers of our country are doing.

Eventually there shall be stability brought to Nigeria by bringers of stability. Book Haram will not surrender. They will keep changing their modus operandi. But everything will fall into place soon. The demons in power shall soon over-reach themselves. And we shall get the real leader Nigeria needs. Forget what the lying plagiarists are saying.

Many people are saying Hausas have ruled for so long. What I can assure you is that the leader who is coming, whether from the North, Kwale, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Benin, Igbo or Yoruba, will give us the Nigeria of our dream. Jonathan is a disappointment, a disaster. I will call him Lord no more; I think he is presiding in a very satanic rock of mis-power and mis-governance. When the new leader emerges, he will not operate from Aso Rock but from God’s Rock, as I have already stated. Then Satanism will be exorcised and uprooted from their thrones of horror. And then we shall experience the politics of peace and of progress.

How would you assess the academia vis-à-vis the Nigerian project?

I am engaging currently in a study which I am not in a hurry to bring to an end. It is tentatively called “The Nigerian Scholar.” Some of these issues will crop up. I want to dissect the minds of Nigerian scholars, not necessarily conventional academics alone, especially those who hanker after positions, men and women who seek positions, who remind me of Indian scholars and leave their academic pursuits, and who also are responsible for Nigeria’s problems, who pretend to be contributing what they need to be contributing as scholars to solve Nigeria’s problems when in truth they only are mainly in government to eat what they can eat…. mere position seekers to boost their ego-less egos. If they call the bluff of most of these rascals in government many of these problems would have been solved. Of course, some of them in government are genuinely in government, but are eventually overwhelmed by events and experiences therein. Generally, the majority of those who chose to be in government, what did they make out of it than to steal? But those who genuinely want to help won’t find a space as the terrible ones among them won’t allow them to operate. It becomes more difficult for them as they are not allowed to pull out in their own terms, and coming back to the academia becomes even more difficult. Why should we leave our callings? Leave politics for politicians because if scholars leave the academia, scholarship will die. And naturally that will affect my grandchildren, your children and your grand-children and the future of our great country.

You are resident in Benin, you have been consistently opposed to the state executive governor, Comrade Oshiomhole, what do you have against such a popular choice?

I don’t wish to say this, but Comrade Oshiomhole has not hidden the fact that he is a model governor, who everybody should look up to as a model to be copied or to be praised or both. This is an erstwhile labour leader. I thought such a man should live up to his reputation as a man of truth or of integrity or of honour or all of the above. But the recent certificate scandal, the albatross hanging around his neck or whatever part of his body, has made me to have a re-think about the man’s reputation. I am constrained to say he is not a truthful man that I thought he was.

I belong to the academia, I am a university person, who cherishes a conservative academic system of purity in which students and staff must leave above board, a system that should not tolerate cheating and fraud of whatever kind or colour, a system which must reject and punish any student who gets/got admitted into it with forged entry certificates, at any

point in time. All such students and their collaborators, once we discover them, must be led out of the portal of our citadel of learning. Even when we discover after their graduation that they cheated to get into the system, we still take measures to sanction them in our bid to purify our temple. Show your certificate and you went to court, you went on appeal. If he told us that he did not go to this or that school, or that he was self-taught, if he was honest enough in laying claims to what he laid claims or did not lay claims to, I wouldn’t have uttered a word. And of course the court hasn’t cleared him yet. Please show your certificate and you are dancing around.

I am concerned as a member of the society of truthful, fearless and courageous academics who believe that some things should be done right. Set good examples for others to follow.

Recently an education minister in Germany had to resign because she was accused by her university of plagiarism, of stealing other people’s work in her doctoral thesis which she “wrote” many years back. She headed to court, but for integrity’s sake and in order not to contaminate further her office, she resigned first. That is the norm if you are a modern leader. Justice demands it, fairness demands it, morality demands it and integrity demands it, let us know the correct position even if an accusation or an allegation is frivolous.

Oshiomhole whom many know, the man whose modus operandi is ever changeless, if he has what he claims to have, would have gone to the press and published the same for the world to see. And all the bill-boards in Benin-City and elsewhere in Edo State would advertise his claims. His “comrade” city-buses would also have painted them as worthy advertisements for the masses to see. So that was and is still my concern/motive.

Again I have since seen him as a man without an ideology. A governor with an ideology will not do what he is doing a governor who possesses a firm ideology of straightness will not do what he is doing. He claims to be working in terms of physical development and provision of necessary infrastructure, but at what price? The Edo worker is over-burdened by taxation. When Oshiomhole was a labour leader, things he is doing now, he wouldn’t have accepted them. How many retired workers, including civil servants and teachers, have been paid their gratuities? How many of them are getting their pensions regularly as and when due after devoting the best parts of their lives to Edo State? Go and ask many okada riders on the road and you will hear them say, “Lucky na him fall our hands, na him make Oshiomhole dey shine as an actor” (meaning “Lucky failed us and Oshiomhole capitalized on that to deceive us”). Many okada-riders who initially were ready to die for him now know better. That is my concern.

That is my concern. That is my concern. That is my motive also.

The man is a bundle of contradictions. And if perchance you find my submission on him in this interview contradictory, please you must blame it on this intimidating character of contradiction.

As an ASUU leader you should be working with the comrade governor. At what point did you discover he is not what you think, or not what you thought?

Oshiomhole may not remember, but when our ASUU former leader, Dr. Dipo Fashina on a Labour Day invited our branch and some other branches to felicitate, solidarity-wise, with Oshiomhole-led NLC in Lagos, my chairman, Dr. Uyi-Ekpen Ogbeide, secretary, Dr. Austin Moye and myself, then the vicechairman went to Lagos. But prior to the rally, we went to the labour house in Yaba to see Oshiomhole. The man was talking all through without allowing anybody else to contribute to the on-going topic, even when he was not hitting gold. He was enjoying his reputation as a fabulous NLC guru. That was my first and only encounter with him. And I told my chairman that he was a wrong “comrade” and a wrong man. He seemed to me somebody not to be trusted. I saw through him during that encounter. He struck me as somebody who would dump anybody after using him/her to get to his destination. Of course, Uyi-Ekpen made a case for him and said rightly that I should not jump into conclusion on that singular encounter. But I have one gift which can penetrate things and people most of the time. I have been waiting for “comrade” to prove me wrong ever since, till date.

Again, look at the recent local government elections that have proved him right and also proved me right. They have proved him right that he is not what people thought him to be. And they have proved me right that, yes, that my perception of him must remain what it gave me of him since that singular encounter recalled above. He is proving wrong the English saying that one swallow does not make a summer.

We are familiar with the one-man-one-vote slogan of nonsense that purportedly produced him in the last Edo gubernatorial elections. Did he live to the sweet slogan in the local government elections? He never allowed it because it was a slogan of nonsense to his ears. The PDP lords in Edo and Abuja must be enjoying their bite and taste of him now. They must be enjoying “comrade’s” peculiar selectorate model that respects not the ballot boxes of the electorate. Mind you, some of my friends and friends of my friends are beneficiaries of this Oshiomhole model, but all that is wrong is wrong and will always be wrong. We must reject it regardless of the beneficiaries, and regardless of whose ox is gored.

But the people are happy with him especially with road constructions and other infrastructural development, or are you in the pay role of his opponents as it is being rumoured?

Oh yes, people say he is doing roads, but how many years is it taking him to build a three-kilometre stretch or slightly more

Afejuku of roads? But as I said above, at what price? And why wait till the rains are here before doing this and half and half? Regarding the second part of your question, Itsekiri wisdom teaches me that you merely accuse yourself when you put up a defence when no defence has been called for. Rumours have no place in my dictionary of honesty and of honour. So let the rumour-peddlers peddle their rumours of blackmail. But I must answer you properly. A past student of mine, who has a doctorate in Law and who is close to the Governor has disabused the Governor’s mind on that score. I believed him when he confirmed to me that the governor believed him when he gave him my run-down when the governor broached the subject to him. In fact, some persons in the governor’s circle of circles thought that some PDP chaps gave me millions to do my duty to my conscience because many journalists and scholars do exactly what their sick minds believed that I was doing for money, especially when others had been cowed or bought or both. And not a few there were who also thought that General Charles Airiavbere gave me millions. No, a capital no, I say. I did not like what they, I mean his PDP people and fellows, did to him for whatever reason, but I did not say anything when the General questioned Oshiomhole’s qualification to stand for the gubernatorial election. And I observed that the accused behaved suspiciously. Some of the reasons stated above were also at the back of my mind. And to boot, he refused to enter the witness-box to be a witness to his own case and cause. The General is a stranger to me even though I did my check on him right from his time in Washington and before then. Forget my discovery, but I felt the need to talk for a man unfairly treated and done in by his PDP kingpins. Even a devil deserves fair and just treatment before we visit him with his/her just recompense. One more thing: I have friends in the two parties of PDP and ACN but none interfered one way or another with my position and conviction, although, I must say it now, one or two of them in the governor’s employ no longer look in my direction. But what does it matter? It is Oshiomhole I know and whom I had met once during my efficient ASUU days. Incidentally, as I have said a number of times elsewhere, all the major parties are the same, they are not different from each other, they have the same demons so I am not in any camp as it were. I am an academic, a writer-scholar, a public intellectual, a journalist who must speak truth to power and who must talk to our people and partake in their pains.

As a poet and critic I need to do my duty. I don’t belong to the pool of academics that hanker after political appointments. I have never and will never solicit for any appointment. I will never ask for or solicit gratification from anybody, from the Oshiomholes and Ariavberes to do my duty for my people. Expose me if I am liable. Descend on me if you find me to be a liar on this score. Catch me red-handed and un-red-handed and disgrace me, humiliate me if you find me liable. Don’t spread rumours O you men and women and people and fellows of mean miens! I enjoy what I am doing. I enjoy my teaching, and I enjoy my writing. Just as everybody has their talents, luck and gift, I have mine, and they belong in the academia, scholarship and creativity, and journalism. No political appointment is better and can be better than what I am doing. But, of course, if there is absolute need for me to serve in this or that capacity I may consider it but on the terms that will do justice and honour to my conviction and people. But I LOVE my job despite my financial poverty I LOVE my job.

How in your opinion can the academia help the country out of the rot as the recent JAMB results witnessed the worst ever?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21 , 2013

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Interview

‘Nigeria must not go India’s way’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 What is happening now, what the larger society is witnessing, is not new. I saw it coming long ago, when students that were not fit to be university students in the real sense of the word started gaining admission into Nigerian universities, I mean students who could not even write their names properly yet they had fabulous results. We know what happens as mercenaries and leaked question papers are rife everywhere outside there. A student once told me that he never did JAMB, he and others just went there and paid some officials to get their names posted with fantastic results. He confided in me.

Oh Jesus! If I can criticize others I will also do the same to my immediate society.

Sometime ago some of my students failed so woefully in their exams that I was bloodied, but I refused to compromise standard and I have always refused to do so, I being trained as a traditional scholar who must nourish the positive and nourishing virtue of strictness. But things are really so bad now that some elements out there in the wider society are cushioning the evil in our temples of learning. Whether we like it or not we must produce students, we are told in the universities, which shouldn’t be, regardless of the monumental decay in the system created by those out there lording it over our lives. What I am saying here is that the university system is a part of the Nigerian society. You can expect anything. In several universities so much and so little have happened in terms of flushing out bad elements. I must give praise, however, to the present Vice Chancellor of Uniben for certain actions he has taken in getting rid of these elements, including colleagues whom he has kicked out for various reasons in his attempt to uphold the integrity of the institution. I have recently coined a term for Professor Oshodin’s good work in this direction. The rotten eggs he has thrown out after fair and frank and transparent demonstrations from appropriate bodies in the institution, I have labelled Oshodin Positive (OP); those who escape the Oshodin crucible and furnace I have labelled Oshodin Negative (ON).

Generally, the central and state governments must take the blame pertaining to the near collapse in our universities and schools. They must be asked how many percent they are allocating to education. Do you know the population of students we have? Go to lecture halls and you will be shocked. Go to their hostels and see how they live like animals. At times when the students don’t do well we show them mercy because many of them don’t eat well and they can’t eat well as their parents either don’t have incomes or they are poorly paid. Lack of money has led some of the girls to sell themselves and honour for money while the boys do all kinds of things to earn a living. Most of them are not really students as they don’t have necessary text books which they need. They cannot afford them, and cannot also afford to photocopy pertinent materials prescribed for them from appropriate sources. They also cannot afford to print them from the internet. There is much poverty everywhere, and students in the universities are in for trouble, bad trouble.

Lots of things are wrong within the system. There is also the issue of “blocking” (bribing) of lecturers as some of the wealthy among the students don’t go to school at all. They play the bad game of truancy. But there are cases, I hear, about some demented lecturers who demand raw cash from students in more than several universities. There is also alleged to be in vogue what a Nigerian columnist resident in the US has aptly called “sexually transmitted degrees”(“STD”).

Of course, I’m referring to the Nigerian novelist, Okey Ndibe.

But as bad as some of us may be, as some colleagues may be or actually are, it is still tolerable here in our academia as we don’t have demons here yet, as it is out there (in the larger society) where the real demons are, as exemplified by typical Nigerian politicians. They are the ones who have placed us where we are today, with the police and the judiciary as their comrades in impunity.

Maybe we should take Edo State as a test case. They keep playing games as they play politics with the minimum wage which they pay with one hand and take away with another hand nearly completely through obnoxious taxation. Recently, a lecturer, a professor, who is in University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on sabbatical leave informed me that he was shocked to see how much was deducted from his income, an act which he said does not happen in Akwa Ibom State. You must know where to place the blame when some lecturers resort to doing all kinds of dirty things to augment their pay.

As a labour leader, what has been the relationship between the comrade governor and labour in your university?

This is a hard question because I am really no longer a mainstream ASUU leader in the sense you want me to understand it. But I will ever remain a quintessential ASUU man and personage. I will answer your question directly by stating as follows: There is an allegation that recently an arm of the University of Benin visited Oshiomhole to dialogue with him on the need to reduce his highly vexatious taxation of our incomes, and he told those who went to him in an arrogant manner to remove the institution from Edo State if they were not ready to pay the tax as it is! Though I am yet to confirm that, I won’t be surprised because of his antecedents as my first and only encounter with him revealed several years ago.

The man can be haughty. He is a creation of the media, a wrong creation of the media and of civil societies whom he apparently has been deceiving. If he has an ideology worthy of the name he won’t do what he is doing to us university people and other workers in Edo State tax-wise. We went through

Afejuku hell to negotiate the lousy pay from government, and Mr. Labour-Leader-of-note is crushing us with his crushing taxation. I am not trying to damage him. My criticism of him is to let him turn into a new leaf and stop deceiving the people who have seen him through thick and thin. Curiously, several of my colleagues who were 100 percent for him are too pained to utter a word on what their hero has turned out to be. Anytime they see me they blush uncomfortably, and I am always sensible not to broach the subject. I know their pain and disappointment. But sooner or later his attack jackals will be after me for speaking my mind and the truth as I know it in response to your question. But why should that bother me? I don’t want to say other things here that can’t be published. It is an open sesame that President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP big wigs are behind him, for a reason we all know.

What is the opposition in Edo State doing? Can’t the opposition help the people by making him change through robust debates of issues as they come up?

Today PDP people are licking their wounds in Edo State. The locust years of Lucky are stuck in the collective memory of the people. The opposition cannot but be feeble. Besides, the majority of the politicians are cash-and-carry politicians. And the masses are happy with what they perceive as the infrastructural development Oshiomhole has brought them. They easily forget or pretend not to know that the ideology-less “comrade” was a Lucky Igbinedion brought-in to prevent his foes at the other end of PDP from getting to government house. Without speaking in codes, no debate, robust or not robust, will suddenly ignite the people to reality. Infrastructural facilities are meant to be enjoyed through the possession of decent living wages and incomes. In the dominantly civil service state of Edo, this is certainly not the case, and languishing tax-burdened workers and people will wait for manna to fall from the sky rather than to be persuaded by any debate to the contrary. Oshiomhole seems to be the current opium in the landscape of Edo. Recently teachers were booted out of service.... I learnt he has called them back now....

He also booted a perm sec out for some flimsy reason. I debated the teachers’ plight in my Tribune column, but what did that matter to the people?

Couldn’t they have been found wanting?

Who could have been found more wanting than Oshiomhole with the certificate albatross hanging on his neck? He can’t run away from it. A permanent secretary was shown the way out, as I learnt, because he gave out the king’s square for a paltry sum for an entertainment event. I never believed the allegation or rumour or whatever name they called it. But how could he send away a man who had put in so many years in service just like that? He just kicked him out like that. Matter finish. No respect for any law and for the man’s fundamental human rights? Also, he brought back a retired soldier he recently embarrassed publicly and fired in a similar manner and has made him a permanent secretary well above core civil servants. What a rough and haughty “comrade”! What a governor of the people! Please don’t ask me anything, any quiz on this our Oshiomhole again.

What is your opinion about what is playing out between PDP and the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi?

I don’t wish to get myself involved in any quarrel of demons.

Go to Rivers State and see what Amaechi is doing to university lecturers. I am referring to the state university of science and technology, I am sure they are still on strike now due to the

man’s illegal and draconian laws. He is not who we thought he was. This is very painful, because this is a man who by his training should show tremendous sympathy to all kinds of people. He is a student of the humanities, a student of English Studies who should show adequate regard to all beings in creation. Leave me out of the tragic dance of demons that I don’t want to get involved in. But it is to the advantage of the Nigerian masses in the long run. Unfortunately though, they have their demonic tactic of closing ranks. Yet it must be our wish that this will lead to their untoward end. Again, they merely have revealed to us that they have been both artful and artless riggers of our past elections. Governors who could not conduct a rig-less election in their small conclave! Nigeria of super-demons, we must hail thee day by day.

How do you assess the performance of your state governor and kinsman, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his stewardship in Delta State?

That is another kettle of fish entirely. I am saying this with some feeling of reluctance. Clearly, you want to trap me. But I refuse to be caught in your snare. Dr. Uduaghan, academically speaking, experience-speaking, should be the best or ought to be the best governor to have come out of that state, he being a medical doctor who served the state in different capacities before he unexpectedly became his party’s governorship candidate and governor eventually. Be that as it is, to whom much is given, so much is expected. Perhaps the legal battles he has been through, no governor in the history of Nigeria has gone through them. The court cases he waded through, I’m not sure if they are over yet, I sympathize with him. From the scenario I have just painted I’m sure that you may guess my turn of mind. Yet I must answer as follows: like all of them, I mean his fellow governors, he has encouraged and promoted mediocrity in Delta State. But that has not taken away the fact that there are some good guys working for and with him. But they are very few and can’t make a difference as we want. But someone like Uduaghan with his pedigree should frown at mediocrity. Nobody has gone through what he has gone through. As a cautious human being, based on the experience of his immediate predecessor, he is trying to be more careful and he tends to do things that he would have done without qualms with the characteristic mien of the typical characters in our folk tales who look intently before they leap. But I am not happy with him and his method. Yet he has my sympathy because nobody has gone through what he has been simply because he is from the tiny Itsekiri minority. He is even too saintly fearful to do things for his people, which is a horrible sin, I must tell you. I am not telling him to be a President Jonathan who has turned his presidency into an Ijaw warehouse, but Dr. Uduaghan’s Itsekiri people need equal treatment with other ethnical groups in Delta State. The medical doctor governor has clearly not diagnosed his kinsmen’s ailment properly. He has failed them badly. This is the truth, whether or not he likes to hear it. I don’t know what other people, including your fellow Ukwani people, think of or about him, but what I have rendered is my personal opinion which many of my kinsmen will endorse. Am I in your trap after all? Certainly not, I dare clap for myself. But let me add finally: if Emmanuel was a Catholic, I would have advised him to go to confession on account of his neglect of his people. But he is a Baptist.

What should be done to retrace our steps as a people on the issue of morality?

I belong to an ancient and very illustrious family, a royal family in Warri Kingdom. The first thing I was told, as far as I can remember as I getting out of my teens, was that I should never do anything unwholesome to drag the family name in the mud. And the training we had in our growing-up years was to be satisfied with what we had and would have. Contentment was a lesson in morality we imbibed very early in life in our homestead. Do that which you think you must do, have your focus and have your ability or capability to do the best you possibly can do to fetch yourself happiness. Don’t copy the other man because he has one, two,.... ten houses, or because he has this or that. How he got the houses or this and that you do not know. Follow your path, and follow your destiny. When you have this at the back of your mind you won’t go wrong. Wealth is something but everything is not wealth.

My father told me that money is a traveller, that is why the man that is down today in the morning could be up again today in the evening or tomorrow; and the man that is up today may go down today’s evening or tomorrow’s morning. If God does not wish you to get it, no matter how you try you will fail.

Don’t be a thief. He also told me that there comes a time in a man’s life when he must live above board, but he urged me to live above board all the time even though he made me aware that as a human-being I could not get perfection, no matter how hard I try to get it. But if one is doing terrible things a time definitely would come in one’s life when one must turn into a new leaf. The reason is because we are not perfect, but we must crave to live well. My life is guided by this attitude.

This is my morality. I always try to live well. And wish too to die well.

I have been trained in a way that you can’t entice me. Give me the world, I won’t take it if it means that you are giving it to me in order to do something against my honour and conviction. If it is not right I won’t do it. Everybody can’t be like me, anyway because I am what I am through my upbringing, through my readings. I am satisfied with my small world.

Those who try to steal as much as they can will have their third generations blow the money away. The law of retributive justice never fails. What is your morality? I have given you aspects of mine.

I will never strive to be you. I will remain myself till eternity. I believe herein lies my happiness. What is your morality?

It’s a pleasure and a delight talking to you at this length, prof.

Thank you, great quiz master. You are very entertaining yourself.

22

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

24 ARTS

Theatre

SPAN Academy…

Performing arts with a grassroots touch

By Florence Utor S part of its contribution to human development and support for creativity, the Society A for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), a non-governmental organisation, graduated its first set of 20 students at a ceremony, which was held at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos. The event was a reflection of the world-class standard for arts education needed in Nigeria as SPAN used the opportunity to reward two outstanding students with an international internship scholarship award to France.

The celebration was a gathering of art enthusiasts, iconic dancers, music lovers, members of the diplomatic community and notable high profile personalities, who included the likes of Mr. Gabi Massoud, Mrs. Sandra Obiago, Pastor Wale Adefarasin and Mrs. Olufunmi Olajuyegbe. SPAN also used the occasion to showcase its artistic experience with a heightened sense of humanity and social responsibility, as several young talented students from the dance and music academy thrilled the audience all the way. This year graduation produced top-notch dancers and music acts that are set to explode in the entertainment and art industry in Nigeria.

Several students held the audience spellbound as they exhibited electrifying and stunning performances starting from the first drummer, Okeke Praise to another drum-stick expert, Edache Ejoga, who did a classic duet with Precious Nwaaneri, who sang the popular I will Always Love You track by the late Whitney Houston.

The combined graduation performance was a colourful show-stopper as it featured students like Blessing Joseph, Wisdom Ojije, Micheal Omani, Kenneth Ugochukwu, Akorede Oyerogba, Chijindu Chize, Ola King, Noah Ashikem, Micheal Sasu, Keshinton Praise, Udoeka Justine David Ikenna, Obinna Orji and

Otutu Godspower.

According to the founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, “Today, we are defined by what we do more than who we are and that is the rationale behind the education of Nigerian youths to achieve greatness in all that concerns them, and create opportunities for them to dialogue, develop, and overcome limitations using the performing arts as a healing and transformational tool.”

The founder of the academy sees Nigeria as a minefield of rich music culture with over 250 different ethnic tribes, with their unique musical expressions. “However due to ignorance and lack of proper music education that focuses on the translation and education of our indigenous local music content, we are not able to fully comprehend the richness of our cultural music. The academy is strategically positioned to resuscitate this through a deeper study and research into the elements of music through our world-class music faculty,” she said.

Boulos stressed that the 2013-2014 session will be filled with education programmes followed by rewards and awards to inspire the pursuit of excellence, so that more men from underprivileged communities can stand tall in the sunlight of achievements, contributing great impacts that affect and change the society.

Furthermore, the students seized the opportunity to unveil different stylish dance moves as they stepped exceptionally to the music of Eldee the Don – Na Wash. The icing of the celebration was in three ways - the launch of a Special Health Fund for students by the management of SPAN, cutting of the graduation cake by the students, parents and well wishers while two students, Emmanuel Da-Silva Ajanlekoko and Nneka Obiorah were rewarded with a dance internship award to be part of an international carnival in France.

One of the graduates, Ejoga said,

“the academy has thought me due diligence to the art and skill. It has exposed me to new levels of possibilities in this art. My trip to South Africa has reminds me that focus is key, to keep a level head and most importantly improved discipline. I’m so grateful to be here in this generation. I’m greatly inspired by the exposure we have experienced thus far at the academy. Great and disciplined drummers and artists, high level discipline in the art, focus on the development of the mind of the artists to further nourish his creativity, great mentorship, and great faculty members with wide and deep knowledge in their fields. It’s just a great place to grow.”

He, however, solicited more support from able organisations and individuals, saying, the academy still needed infrastructure to enable the academy get to where it should be, but acknowledged that this was a good start.

Some of the top patrons and sponsors behind the 2013 graduation ceremony include Indomie, SCOA, 7up Bottling Company, Cool Fm, Mountain Dew, I.T.B Nigeria Limited, Tropic Ice, Audio Visual First (AVF), GEA, Chellarams, Aleeco Nader, CIS Group Group Fadoul and Netcom among others. SPAN offers different classes of training which ranges from Jazz to Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Creative Combo, Drama, Contemporary African, Fitness, Naija Craze, Salsa and Latin Ballroom dance for beginners, intermediate and professionals.

Scenes from the performances of the graduating students of SPAN Academy... in Lagos

ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

25

From AMEMUSITO comes Little Wings of Love From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja HORTLY after the Abuja Metropolitan Music S2007, Society (AMEMUSO) choir made its debut in the search for a choir of young ones that would serve as a successor began.

The search was not only swift but also fruitful as a children’s arm of AMEMUSO popularly called AMEMUSITO was presented at the next edition of Operabuja, where they performed alongside the mother choir.

Just like the senior group, the young ones exhibited enviable talents, commitment and passion for music, especially the classical opera.

Since then they have been a group to look out for at the annual musical concert.

However, the reverse was the case last week as the AMEMUSITO choir took centre stage. In a concert titled Little Wings of Love, the children performed to the amazement of their audience.

Their central message was love. Love for one’s nation and love for one another. “(Love is the answer to the questions that we ask. Let us be together as one in love”, they sang.

The young ones wondered how the nation hoped to achieve its developmental objectives amidst violence, hatred and wars. The concert was clearly in reaction to the socio-cultural challenges confronting the country. Though they might be young in age, they share the pains of the moment with adult Nigerians.

While some of the songs were dedicated to the nation’s quest for peace and love for one another, others were dedicated to victims of violence in the last one year, as well as those who lost their lives in the Dana Aircraft that crashed last year in Lagos State.

Even with the senior choir fully present, it was obvious that the Operabuja Junior was fully in charge of the evening. They were masters of instruments, movements and song texts with Joshua Nnaemeka as music director. There were three instrumentalists – Gregory Obi as Pianist, Wilfred Louis, played Violin while Echezona Ogudu worked on the Guitar.

The first performance, Pie Jesu, a duet, was taken by Ogonna Onyegbadue and Itunu Atere while the first special solo was performed by Kerenhapurch Odinenu. The young girl, who rendered The Ream Me and Chasing Wind, also has 15 other songs to her credit.

Other renditions include I Vow to Thee my Country by John Henry Fowler, I Have a Dream by Mary Donnel and The Answer by Joshua Opara.

The children wrapped up the evening with the Unity Song in company of the adult choir.

The song was one of AMEMUSO’s contributions to the call for peace and unity in Abuja City and Nigeria in general. Composed by David Aina, the song was adopted by the group as a winning song for the 2011 music competition in search of Abuja Unity Song.

Also featuring at the event was the U.S.-based Nigerian opera singer, Abiodun Koya. The artist was famous for using the proceeds from her

AMEMUSITO in their recent outing in Abuja. performances on charity.

Earlier, the General Manager, Transcrop Hilton, Etienne Gailliez, expressed delight that the adult choir could boast of a successor.

He was particularly impressed by the manner the children conducted themselves and pledged the hotel’s commitment to also assist the group by providing place for rehearsal and performance.

Gailliez noted that music has no colour or race and in sharing musical culture, there was need to bring people together, adding, “We share love through music”, he said.

Also speaking on behalf of Hilton was the Public Relations Manager, Mr. Shola Adeyemo, who said the performance was scheduled to take place earlier than the usual month of Operabuja to coincide with the period Hilton Hotel Worldwide celebrate the youths.

“I had to come up with an activity that is targeted at encouraging and empowering the youths. It then occurred to me that we have the adult AMEMUSO choir and since the last one year, has provided the platform for the

On Maku’s good governance tour

By Usman Abudah HE Information Minister’s T trip to Edo State was an eye opener as regards the federal government’s periodic wasteful exercises through which it dazzles the citizenry: its claims of performance usually reveal non performance.

Of recent was Mr. Labaran Maku’s act scene of saying that the Benin-Ore Shagamu Road was never passable when he was a youth corper, serving in the then Bendel State. Of course even though he hardly travels by road, that stretch has passed through the hands of more than three federal works ministers, two of them from the present Edo State.

His acting line also counted the Benin –Auchi OkeneLokoja-Abuja express road. I stand to be faulted that the above stretch as presently being handled only shows skeletal works between BeninIruekpen stretch.

The most nauseating and irritating act of Labaran Maku’s

been requested.

Specifically, the NUJ President turned his face away from the certificate scandal rocking the Edo State Council of his union.

On his table at Abuja are genuine and documented complaints on the alleged forged Diploma in Mass Communication from a school, not even registered by the National Board on Technical Education (NBTE) to offer mass communication course. I still wonder what Mallam Garba would write in his memoirs as the NUJ President during his Maku tenure.

This observation is just a case cast of praise singers is the instudy of how the likes of Mr. clusion of the National PresiLabaran Maku rattles the right dent of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mallam Mo- thinking and observant Nigerians. hammed Garba, whose periodic master of ceremony roles Smooth-talking is an aspect in acting, but when the deliverby running commentaries, ance meanders around a vacboth on the federal governuum, then it unfolds absolute ment- controlled radio and fiction in its total nakedness. television (NTA and FRCN) The progressives like Comoutlets, exposes him as a rade Oshiomhole are workleader who ignores his leaking roof and gets involved in a ing, while others are acting and abandoning their beats. neighbour’s affairs without

younger choir to practice weekly.

“I approached the AMEMUSO coordinators and proposed to them to come up with something for the kids to showcase what they have been learning. We initially thought of holding it on the Children’s Day but decided against that because of the numerous activities scheduled for the day and the fact that we may not have this kind of participation. That was how we decided to hold it today”.

Adeyemo said the support was part of the Hotel’s Corporate Social Responsibility, noting, “One of the pillars of Hilton Hotels is creating opportunities for the youths in our society.

You can see that a lot of them are talented and

desire a platform to display these talents”.

On whether it will be an annual event, he said, “I can assure you that it will be. I am not surprised about their performed because I have been watching them at rehearsals and I can say that we are yet to see their best. The future belongs to the youths”, Adeyemo said.

The Operabuja, as the annual musical concert is called, is a socio-cultural initiative conceived by wife of former German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Maria Cecilia Toledo, a graduate of Theatre Arts and Music.

Since the inception of the concert, it has enjoyed tremendous goodwill from the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, German and French Embassies.

Big Brother Africa…

New faces join The Chase Chase is on and as the TfacesHEshowhave heats up, three new joined the latest season of Big Brother Africa, which is headline sponsored

by Airtel. The trio will help keep DStv viewers up to date with the latest happenings on the show, and keep track of the growing online frenzy.

Viewers got to meet Boity Thulo and Tumi Morake on Sunday’s first live show, while David Kibuuka joins the team later in the season, to add his own comic twist.

Model and actor Boity Thulo is the ‘IT Guru’ on segments featured each Sunday, keeping viewers up to speed with Big Brother’s online elements.

She’ll also contribute to Good Morning Africa, Star Gist and 53 Extra, making sure that Big Brother fans stay up to date with anything Chase-related happening on the website, mobile and social media networks.

Born and raised in Potchefstroom, the 22-year old beauty who describes herself as “a legend in the making” has quickly made her mark in the South African entertainment industry. Boity has appeared on a host of TV shows and acted as an MC for a number of prestigious events. She also

has an impressive modelling portfolio to back her up and is a recognisable face, from her appearances in a number of TV ads.

Stand-up comic, MC, scriptwriter and speaker Tumi Morake will host Big Brother Hot Room, a weekly show on AfricaMagic Entertainment after each Sunday’s live eviction show. She’ll put a satirical spin on the week that was, take comic pot shots at the most talkedabout events of the week and re-enact parody scenes with housemates.

Morake studied Drama at Wits University, majoring in performance and writing, focussing on the comedy. Her career has seen her travelling to Prague, Paris and London.

She’s starred in a number of theatre shows and works in industrial and educational theatre and has been a fixture on the SA stand-up comedy scene for more than a decade.

Uganda-born David Kibuuka will join Morake on Big Brother Hot Room in a few weeks’ time, before taking over the reins himself for the last few weeks of the show.

The Finance Honours graduate has a unique brand of hu-

mour that combines wit and intellect without losing touch with his audiences. David broke into the comedy world when he won a nationwide comedy talent search competition on a radio station in South Africa and he hasn’t looked back since. He’s opened for some of the world’s top stand-up comics and starred in a number of films, including the hit Bunny Chow and stand-out TV series The Pure Monate Show.

M-Net Africa MD, Biola Alabi comments, “The reception to Big Brother The Chase has been overwhelmingly positive so far, including the response the new personalities have received. The show continues to find success and its only befitting that audiences are informed and entertained through the new and exciting platforms added to Big Brother.”

Viewers couldn’t afford to miss their weekly dose of online down-low with Boity on the live Sunday shows, and they can also catch Tumi and David on Big Brother Hot Room every Sunday at 9p.m. on AfricaMagic Entertainment.

Africa’s biggest reality show is produced for AfricaMagic by Endemol SA.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

26 ARTS

Revue National Theatre Complex

Unending controversy over concessioning of National Theatre

By Hassan Momoh OURISM, Culture and National Orientation Minister Chief Edem Duke is, in the estimation T of observers, trying very hard to retain his job as Minister of the Federal Republic. The Minister recently initiated an ambiguous rebranding project that is considered in some quarters as a move to remain in the good book of his employers.

There are speculations that there might be a cabinet reshuffling soon and so, like other ministers who desire to remain at the corridors of power, Duke has been throwing up projects after projects that will impress Aso Villa.

One of the projects is the Public Private Partnership deal that he was allegedly “forced’’ to enter with a consortium on behalf of the Federal Government regarding the management of the National Theatre.

A source explained that the minister was ‘forced’ by the Presidency to enter the deal, against an earlier plan to concession the National Theatre landmass in piece-meal.

Duke’s original plan was to concession the land mass of the National Theatre to pre-determined private interest in the guise of executing the original master plan of the cultural edifice that was built in 1976 to host the Festival of Black Arts and Civilization (FESTAC) and to thereafter serve the promotion of arts and culture.

The concession plan, hatched early this year, was to, through a transaction adviser, get firms that would be interested in building structures which include a 5-star hotel, Casino, shopping mall and multi level car park around the vast landmass of the National Theatre. The spaces occupied by some government agencies like the National Gallery of Arts and the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) were to be leased out at a projected cost of N3 billion.

Criticism and even a ‘stay of action order’ by the leadership of the National Assembly Committees on Arts and Culture trailed the announcement of the plan by the minister but Duke would not bulge.

The minister was at the top of this plan when the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) alerted the Vice President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatization, Architect Namadi Sambo of plans to concession the national theatre, which has long been on the Federal Government privatization list.

The BPE argued that if there were any such plans at all, it should have been carried out by the BPE, which remains the statutory body established to handle such a concession arrangement on behalf

of the Federal Government.

A source hinted that the BPE then prayed the Vice President to direct the minister to stop work on his plan to concession the landmass ‘in piece meals’ and instead allow the BPE to conclude the privatization process of the National Theatre, which it began in 2006 with a public bidding process, won by a company called Infrastructica.

The bidding process was televised live on national television.

However, it was gathered that Infrastructica, which won the bid for the long lease (initial 25 years) of the National Theatre for N3 billion, couldn’t meet up with the payment which paved way for the second highest bidder, Jadeas Trust to be considered as possible concessionaire. Besides, the artist community protested what they described as the disguised sale of the National Theatre, which they described as “the only home left for them to practice their arts.”

The BPE was to explain later that with “privatization by concession”, the government remained the owners of the facilities but that the management and operations will be contracted out for a specified period of time and under other specified terms.

In spite of the explanation, the artist community including some serving directors in the culture ministry remained unequivocal in their opposition to the sale of the edifice.

The culture workers strongly condemned government’s perception of the theatre as a mercantile facility. They considered government plans to ‘sell off the National Theatre’ in the guise of privatization as ‘undemocratic’ and a threat to the survival of Nigeria’s arts and culture. They unequivocally submitted that the decision to sell the National Theatre was most disturbing and a move that must be resisted. They canvassed for the rehabilitation of the edifice so that it can continue to be useful to the artists, thus retaining the status of the nation’s cultural capital, cultural symbol and artistic soul of the country, a foremost tourist attraction, a central performing arts venue and a national arts education resource’.

Indeed, the reactions as the electronic and print media recorded were legion. Which is why it was not a surprise to observers that the concessioning arrangement was later suspended.

However, the protest that greeted Duke’s recent attempt to concession the landmass of the National Theatre was what got the BPE cracking again. They dusted their privatization files, reopened the case of the National Theatre and got the Chairman of the National Council on Privatization to approve that the management of the edifice be concessioned through a PPP

arrangement that will involve Jadeas Trust, BPE and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Meetings have reportedly been held, the deal sealed and Jadeas Trust which is, ironically, working with the Chinese firm handling the Lagos light rail project, a project that has defaced the edifice, would effectively take over the running and remodeling of the National Theatre under a concessioning agreement that will span 25 years in the first instance.

The implication of this is that the National Troupe of Nigeria which decree no 47 of 1991 provided should be housed at the National Theatre will have to relocate while staff of the National Theatre will all be laid off as the new concessionaire will not be obliged to retain them.

In the same vein, all lease and contractual agreement entered by the National Theatre on the land mass will be reviewed by the concessionaire. Already, the National Troupe has been

asked to vacate the about 20 offices they occupy at the National Theatre. A source at the National Theatre said the offices occupied by the National Troupe would be used as operational offices for the concessionaire, which should effectively take over the management of the edifice in October.

THE second project is the new tourism brand identity dubbed Fascinating Nigeria, which the minister said has received the blessing of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Duke noted that a brand identity for the creative sector was long overdue given the huge tourism assets, which Nigeria is known for in Africa and beyond. The minister reiterated at the presentation of the brand identity in Lagos and Abuja that the initiative would drive the promotional activities of the government in

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

TLC enters partnership for better

TLC MD, Mega Plaza, Uri Sadan; Customer Executive, TLC Ltd, Juliet Obi; GM, Mega Plaza, Osarumwense Nosa, and MD/CEO, TLC Ltd, Yinka Folami, during the press conference in Lagos, recently.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

ARTS

27

With Opon Imo … educational publishing goes digital

By Anote Ajeluorou ECENTLY, in Osun State, the Rauf Aregbesolaled government launched and placed a revoR lutionary, e-learning tool, Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) in the hands of students of its public schools. It was distributed free to students in senior secondary school section. The tablet, which functions like an iPad, is built to improve learning among the students in the state and also to further prepare them for external and internal examinations.

Implicit in this e-learning tool are serious implications for traditional, paper publishing in the country. Issues that immediately arise include the future of traditional paper books, piracy, legal and administrative framework for this new platform to benefit everyone concerned and many others.

Meanwhile, Osun State is still basking in the euphoria of its revolutionary, educational achievement in blazing the trail in introducing Opon Imo tablet. According to the state’s Deputy Governor, who is also saddled with the education portfolio, Mrs. Grace Tomori, the tablets “are installed with softwares of lesson notes and textbooks on 17 subjects offered by students of secondary schools as well as past questions and answers on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council Examination (NECO) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which will help facilitate students’ preparedness for these examinations.

“The launch and distribution of the computer tablets, which also contain other extra-curricular subjects including Sexuality Education, Entrepreneurship, Civic and Computer Education, Yoruba History and Traditional Religion to secondary school students across the various public secondary schools in the state is a further attestation to the resolute pursuit of innovation in the state’s education sector.”

Given Nigeria’s bandwagon approach to new things that promise a measure of success, many states might soon join the fray and either copy Opon Imo or introduce their own versions.

While the whole idea smacks of a widening of the publishing space, exercising caution seems to be the approach of those in the publishing industry although some are optimistic the new trend would benefit the industry, especially those who are prepared for the change.

According to the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s Publishers Association (NPA), Mr. Kunle Sogbehin, the advent of ebooks is already here and local publishers would do well to embrace it for their own good. He said, “The trend throughout the world now is that content delivery will no longer be in the form of using paper, as it were. But electronic delivery of books is now something that publishers cannot run away from any more. What we’re doing now is to make sure that publishers know their role basically, as content provider. Now, whether you like it or not, publishers must still provide content that will be loaded into those devices. What publishers are doing is to actually position themselves so as to provide the right

Osun State students displaying the tablet content.

“For instance, the Osun State’s Opon Imo ebook tablet for its senior secondary school students is the brainchild of a major publisher in Nigeria, Evans Publishers. But the problem is that for now, we don’t have enough infrastructure in Nigeria to support it otherwise it will even be convenient for publishers to deliver content in electronic format. The short-term defect is that people may think it will replace the book in paper form. But we’re going to have a mixed ecosystem of paper books and digital books side by side for a long time.

“The only important thing is for publishers to be well positioned to churn out good content; if you don’t have content, it will be hard to fit into the digital system. But a lot of our publishers are positioning themselves to partner with IT companies, who don’t have content, which publishers have. So, that is what we have; this applies all over the world – IT companies partnering with those who have content to deliver such content to consumers.

“But for a long time, we’re going to have a mixed ecosystem in the book industry. For instance, only short excerpts of novels and such materials will fit the electronic gadgets, and not the full length. If the ebooks can work in the long run, it will actually provide those that can provide people that can generate content a lot of alternative platforms to deliver materials and will enable content providers to send their content anywhere in the world without the barriers traditional books prose – long travel and all its encumbrances in our bad roads.

brand visibility

By Florence Utor N order to provide better Ibrand service, reach, and make its more visible, Travel and Logistics Centre, (TLC), has opened a service centre at Mega Plaza, Lagos.

Speaking at a press conference to announce the service centre, The CEO of TLC, said that the opening of another branch of the business was necessary to cater for the travel and service needs of Lagos residents and by extension, Nigerians, whose daily transactions revolve around the island.

“As a customer focused service agency, we understand that most of our potential customers spend their active man hours on the Island and are many times in waiting, therefore the need to open another brand at Mega Plaza. We are therefore strategically positioned to support our Lagos Island clients beyond tradition-

al ticketing,” he said.

Highlighting the need to do business with TLC, Folami explained, “Imagine you took the first flight out of Lagos to Abuja, and you had scheduled your return for 2:30pm. Your meeting is now running late and you are not likely to be through by 2:30pm, let alone get to the Abuja Airport. There are three things you could do; send someone quickly with change fee to the airline desk at Transcorp or wherever it is, or send someone to the airport, or call us and the change is done! Because you are our client, you can pay us on your return. So we say to frequent flying individuals and corporate, lets take the domestic ticketing stress off you.”

According to him, it is the duty of the service provider to be as simple and as clear as possible on the value of service to clients.

“Most travelers go through needless complexities and

pressure. For example, we found out when we got to Mega Plaza that many travelers still send their drivers to the airport to buy domestic tickets, a task that can be resolved with as simple an action as an SMS, a phone call or an email.”

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager, Mega Plaza, Mr. Uri Sadan, said that Mega Plaza has been repositioned to give customers the ultimate satisfaction they could get and world-class mall experience. He said that the plaza is working to be a one-stop shop for visitors, where anything items and services could be provided. This, he said is one of the reasons for the partnership with TLC. “Mega Plaza has come back even bigger and better with the opening of super mega supermarket, more space, more shops, an ultra modern, multistory car park and even wider selection of exotic goods with unbeatable price discounts to be found nowhere else,” said he.

“However, for a long time the digital or ebooks are not going to displace the traditional, conventional paper books. Like I said, what will happen is a mixed ecosystem of both books existing side by side for a long time.

“Yes, many publishers are actually working to get onto the digital platforms like the Opon Imo tablet in Osun State, which was provided by a major publisher, Evans Publishers.”

In an earlier interview and long before the launch of the tool, MD, University Press Plc, Mr. Samuel Kolawole, raised the issues of infrastructural problems associated with ebooks.

He said although desirable, there were challenges like copyright issues that needed to be resolved before such platform could become operational.

A senior official of a leading publishing firm, who chose to remain anonymous, said although it was a positive development and not a big deal to publishers, raised the issue of

proper evaluation and constant review so that publishers would not be shortchanged in the process. He noted while ebook publishing had picked elsewhere, it was just starting in Nigeria.

He also raised the issue of infrastructure like epileptic power supply as possible impediment to the platform. Cost of purchasing and maintaining such electronic device, he argued, might pose a challenge given Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture.

He further stated, “How far do they want to go? When will they start with the primary schools, for instance?

It’s a positive development but can government afford to buy such device for all?

Won’t the cost be higher than traditional books?

From publishing perspective, it’s not a big deal; they provide the content, the purveyor of knowledge.

They should be able to migrate to these platforms.

“Digital platforms will reduce a lot of production costs – no leasing of warehouses or going abroad to produce books as is the case currently. However, publishers have to agree with government on proper pricing. For instance, if a publisher sells to Osun State and next year, the state hands them over to the next set of students and so on down the road, it will not benefit publishers. So, there should be a licensing arrangement for its continuity; they have to look at issues of digital rights management so it is not circulated round other would-be users and not be paid for.

“So, it’s not a negative development, but let’s ensure we have a system in place to work out all the details regarding its usage so everyone benefits.”

However, MD of Evans Publishers Ltd, Mr. Wale Olaniawo, whose predecessor, Gbenro Adegbola, helped midwifed Opon Imo project, failed to lend his voice to the debate, saying he was an old school, traditional fellow, and would not speak to a reporter he didn’t know on the telephone, requesting a formal approach for interview first before he could speak.

National Theatre: Unending controversy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 the culture and tourism sector and will put Nigeria at par with countries like South Africa with its It’s Possible brand identity, with India’s Incredible India and Malaysia with Truly Asia.

Sounding very elated, Duke disclosed that the formal unveiling ceremony of the campaign would be held on July 9, even as he stressed that the identity “will unravel several windows that make Nigeria truly fascinating, from her weather to her resilient people, the beautiful landscape, extensive cultural diversity and literature which Nigeria is known for.”

The minister would, however, not disclose the cost of the campaign and would not say why government was considering another brand identity when it has not effectively dispensed with the Good People, Great Nation campaign it introduced about four years ago, but Duke assured that the project would deploy traditional and new media of communication, even as he maintained that players in the private sector would drive the campaign.

Promising as the brand identity project appears, some stakeholders think it is illtimed, hasty and misplaced. They reasoned that what the sector needs is reinvigoration, rejuvenation and rehabilitation of the tourism sector and tourism sites before any rush to launch an identity.

“What is fascinating about our domestic tourism sites that we are launching an identity for?” asked Mr. Badagesin Arowolo, a tour

operator. “I think this whole thing is misplaced. I thought that what should matter to the minister and the new tourism boss, Sally Mbanefo should be a deliberate attempt to rebuild, and repackage our domestic tourism sites before promoting it. What is fascinating about Yankari Games Reserve, for example, where the beddings are as old as the state? I think the minister got the whole concept wrong. It is like putting the horse before the cart and there is no need for the rush”.

Salisu Makama, a brand strategy expert, described the decision to introduce a brand identity for the tourism sector and by far for Nigeria as laudable and desirable but said the minister would have won a lot of his critics over if he had worked at re-packaging and repositioning the sector before thinking of a brand identity for the sector.

He argued, “Our tourism sector, just as Nigeria, is in a terrible mess. There is no place you can call a proper world-class destination here. Even the Obudu they all talk about is crappy compared to ranches you have in Kenya and Tanzania or even Gambia. I think what would have appealed to the minister and the country would have been a deliberate move now that we have an agile Director General in charge of tourism to shore up the worth of our tourism before we start telling people how fascinating our tourism is. You cannot promote or rebrand a poor product. It is wasteful. In fact, the cardinal principle in marketing is that when a product begins to lose its market share, it is re-packaged, re-branded and re-positioned. It follows that when a sector or a even country like Nigeria begins to lose its worth, an effort should be made to shore up its worth”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

In association with

Events The CEO's Network

Date(s): 22/06/2013 Location: Pearl Court Hotel Promoter: Solva Global Business Consulring This is a unique opportunity to meet key decision makers in various industries and to promote your products and services. Top Executives in the following organisations have confirmed their registrations: Sterling Bank, Cotecna, Tower Aluminium, Locus Promotions, InterContinental Hotel, Career Solutions Africa and many others.

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Jennifer Lopez ‘signs for mining disaster movie’ ENNIFER Lopez is reported to Jbased have signed to appear in a movie on the true-life story of the

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Date(s): 23/06/2013 Location: EKO HOTEL CONVENTION CENTRE Promoter: DKM MEDIA African superstar entertainer; Dbanj is set to paint the city of Lagos red with a five-star DKM concert to celebrate his recent achievements in the entertainment industry with his fans here in Nigeria. Fans are set to witness electrifying performances from Dbanj and his friends, including Fally Ipupa (DRC), 2face Idibia (Nigeria), Olamide (Nigeria) and, 2Chainz (USA) and many other big names.

MUSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

LAW AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SEMINAR Date(s): 29/06/2013 Location: TOM ASSOCIATES MANAGEMENT TRAINING CENTRE Promoter: METRO LP A legal services advisory firm, Metro LP, would be organizing its first in a series of seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners. With the theme Law and Entrepreneurship.

SOMEWHEREELSE

Chilean miners, who were trapped underground for 69 days in 2010.

The Hollywood Reporter says that JLo has committed to appear alongside Antonio Banderas in The 33, and that Martin Sheen is also on board for the project.

Her last major role was the Jason Statham action movie Parker, and it was recently reported that she would not be returning to the American Idol judging panel. THR claims that production on The 33 is set to begin in Chile in the autumn.

Banderas will apparently be playing Mario Sepulveda, the miner nicknamed “Super Mario”, but there is no info about JLo’s role yet.

Drake wants man-toman talk with Chris Brown RAKE has revealed that he D wants to end his feud with rap rival Chris Brown. The Take Care hitmaker locked horns with Breezy following their bottle-throwing brawl at a New York Nightclub last year, which is thought to have started over both their relationships with Bajan babe, Rihanna.

Drizzy has since addressed their war of words during an interview with US GQ magazine, stating: “I wish we could sit down, just like you and me are right now, and talk it out manto-man. But that’s not going to happen.”

The Young Money star, who graces the cover of the mag’s July 2013 issue, failed to mention RiRi in the interview, but he did say of his issue with Brown: “I’m not confrontational but if someone challenges, I’m not going to back down.

“If I think about it too much, I feel it wrapping around my foot, like I get a feeling it could end really badly ... like, it gets really dark.”

Kim Kardashian ‘healthy and resting after baby’s birth’ HLOE Kardashian has broken K the silence between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s

Date(s): 30/06/2013 Location: AGIP RECITAL HALL Promoter: The Musical Society of Nigeria Featuring Ranti Ihimoyan (soprano), Fatima Anyekema (Mezzo- Soprano), Thomas Kanitz (Cello), MUSON Choir and the MUSON Symphony Orchestra conducted

by Thomas Kanitz.

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GRANDSLAM DANCE BATTLE GRAND FINALE

camp about their premature baby daughter. The sibling of the US reality TV star has tweeted on the subject of Kimye’s “miracle” baby.

She wrote: “I can not even begin 2describe the miracle that is now apart of our family.

Mommy/baby are healthy &resting. We appreciate all of the love.

“More info will come when the time is right! Thank you all for understanding! We love you all dearly! Overwhelmed with love right now ” And Kim’s mum Kris Jenner was more succinct in her comment on the matter, simply tweeting: “HAPPY FATHERS DAY @kanyewest !!!!!!”

Meanwhile, a friend of the family is reported to have told E! News that the child has dark hair and looks just like Kim.” No name has yet been revealed, but the parents are reported to be planning something beginning with K.

Beyoncé congratulates Kim, Kanye on baby girl EYONCÉ has congratulated pals Kanye West and Kim BQueen Kardashian on the birth of their daughter.

B has since posted a snap of Kimye on her official

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website, accompanying the black and white image with the caption: “Congratulations Kim & Kanye, enjoy this beautiful moment together.”

While little is known about the birth, HollywoodLife.com have reported that the couple is set to name their baby girl Kai Georgia Donda West. It is thought the name was chosen as a tribute to West’s late mother Donda, while Georgia is where Yeezy grew up. George was also Kim’s dad, Rob Kardashian’s middle name.

While the name is still unconfirmed, Kimmy’s pal Jonathan Cheban has told People that the socialite is recovering well, stating: “Kim is doing amazing and couldn’t be happier. I’m so thrilled for her and Kanye.

Kim was glowing.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Showblast

...The buzz in town

Music stars light up Lokoja

Naeto C performing in Lokoja ROMOTERS of the reality It’s time for Supermom P show that celebrates and reward mothers, Supermom, have announced commencement of the fourth edition with new focus. This year’s edition, according to the producer Sola Fajobi, will not be celebrating biological mothers, but women who gave and are still giving their all to children they didn’t ‘mothered’.

Supermom which is sponsored by Procter & Gamble; makers of Safeguard, Ariel, Pampers, Always and Promasidor; makers of Onga seasoning and Cowbell, is in the fourth year running and has consistently celebrated mothers who through dint of rare sacrifices raised their children to enviable position in the society.

The first and second editions focused on mothers, whose stories their children told with emotive conviction. The stories bordered on the sacri-

fice, pain and sheer hardship that 13 women went through in raising their kids. Some of them had their men watching helplessly beside or behind them as the case may be while for some others the supposed traditional breadwinners were nowhere to be found. Their stories were told with short dramas while the eventual winners were decided via votes from members of the public. The first set of winners won brand new house, the first runner up, a brand new car while the second runner up smiled home with cash prize.

However, the focused shifted last year with mothers of celebrities put on the spot. From KSB to Julius Agwu, mothers of 13 celebrities gave rare personal accounts of how the famous

faces were raised. Some stories moved the audience to tears while others evoked pensive mood laced with mild laughter brought about by knowing assurance that the end justified the means.

Mrs. Gladys Asuquo (mother of Cohbams) won the show and Mrs. Omobonike Anike (mother of Abass Akande PK1) and Mrs. Martinez Sanni (mother of Skales) took the second and third position respectively. They won N2million, N1million and N500,000 respectively, which was shared between them and motherless babies homes of their choice (SOS Village Isolo

by Cohbams and Obesere) while (Red Cross in Makoko)

by Skales.

This year the focused is on mothers who raised children they did not give birth to. The

founders of motherless babies’ homes naturally take the front rolls but the stories of mothers with heart of gold did not start and end within the four walls of orphanages.

Among the over 120 million Nigerians exist stories of women who nurtured other people’s children without discrimination and the results of their efforts are there for all to see.

Organisers are calling for entries from people who know mothers who have made good success out of other people’s children.

“We need to celebrate mothers who without bias raised kids that are not theirs.

Ask any mother, raising kids that are not yours is one of the ultimate sacrifices a woman can make. In their case they have proven that water can be thicker than blood’ Sola Fajobi, the executive producer said.

Kukere takes Inyanya to the BBC S part of his just concluded Kukere Concert in the United A Kingdom, Made Men Music hitmaker Iyanya and his crew dropped by at the BBC office in London for an interview on

Inyanya on set with BBC’s Komla Dumour

the programme, Focus on Africa.

Hosted by Komla Dumor, Focus on Africa spotlights the biggest African and international stories. On the show, the Kukere master shared his experiences on his career so far, his success and his sold out concert with viewers.

Accompanied by Made Men Music CEO Ubi Franklin and label mate Emma Nyra, this would be the second time Inyanya would be featured on the BBC platform. His first time was on 14th December 2012, when he was interviewed by BBC Africa’s Fidelis Mbah.

The Kukere Concert, which was organised by Coko Bar, was held at the Indigo2 Arena in London, to a sold out audience and in Manchester at the HMV Ritz.

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Stories by Chuks Nwanne

AVING rocked FESTAC Town, Lagos, with some of the noH table Nigerian music artistes, Star Music Trek, a touring music concert initiated by the Nigerian Breweries Plc, was in Lokoja, Kogi State capital over the weekend. Staged at the Lokoja Stadium, with M.I, Ice Prince, J Martins, Naeto C, Dr SID and others on parade, was an opportunity for residents to celebrate and have fun after that flooding that ravaged Confluence town.

As expected, thousands of excited fans trooped in from Lokoja, Jos, Abuja and other surrounding states to be part of the groove that lasted into the night. From past winners of Star Quest Jukebox, to hip hop act Dr Sid, prolific rapper Naeto C, multi award winning artiste, IcePrince, Africa’s number one rapper, MI, creative artiste and producer, JMartins, it was a fun filled evening.

In line with the tradition of the project, young talents from Lokoja were given the rare opportunity of showcasing their music skills on the big stage, under the watchful eyes of the big acts.

“This is my first time in Lokoja and I’m really happy to be there” said multi talented rapper, Naeto C, who drew fans in a rush from all corners of the stadium who were itching to catch a glimpse of him.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” noted MI, as he worked the crowd to fever pitch. “You guys make the effort we put into making these concerts a tremendous success, worth it.”

With an exciting live band, J Martins left no one in doubt of his music ability. Surprisingly, the Abia State native presented a loyal fan, Musa Isa with a wristwatch valued at over $10,000.

You needed to see how fans danced and sang along with the hitmaker, as he belted out hits after hits.

To wrap up the night was multi award winning rapper, entertainer and label executive, MI, whose usual mix high octane performances laced with wit, humour and panache proved a superb finish to an already outstanding evening.

Other artistes who will be performing at the nation wide event include 2face, D’banj, Psquare, Timaya, Wande Coal, Obesere, Mr Raw, DrSid, JMartins, Naeto C, Tiwa Savage, Sheyi Shey, and many others. Music fans in Aba, Abeokuta, Agege, Asaba, Enugu, Nnewi, Owerri and Surulere are not left out, as the concert will also tour these cities over the next two months.

The Star Music Trek Presents The Trek ends with a major finale on August 10th at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Zimuzo

Face of Peace pageant 2013 begins AVING successfully H hosted the maiden edition of the beauty pageant, Face of Peace (FOPA), the organiser, Blumoon Imaginationz, has announced plans to stage the second edition of the beauty pageant, with the opening of sales of form.

The grand finale of the maiden edition, which took place at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, last year, with Uti Uwachukwu and Matse of Nigerian Info as hosts, could be described as the gathering of beauty and brains. At the end, Zimuzo Benson, a Pschycology graduate from University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged the winner, pocketing $10 000 and a car.

This year, the organizers are planning to host the show outside Lagos and have con-

cluded plans to have contestants from UK and other African countries. There will be audition in UK and other African countries, selected contestants from these countries will join the contestants in Nigeria to slug it out for the crown comes November 16.

This year, prizes have also been varied. The winner will now win $15 000 as against $10 000. She will also get a movie contract, trip abroad and wardrobe overhaul. First runner up will walk away with $5000, 42 inches Plasma TV, A movie contract, A year beauty routine and trip to Ghana. The second runner up will get 27 inches Plasma TV, movie contract, a year beauty routine, and trip to Obudu Cattle Ranch.

38 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Heritage

By Tope Templer Olaiya T is exactly 34 years and two days short of three full months today that the venerated IOmo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin, was crowned the 38th Oba of the Eweka’s dynasty, which was established in 1200 AD. However, it is 72 hours to the big moment, when the monarch would join the exclusive club of nonagenarian.

Named Solomon Igbinoghodua Aisiokuoba at birth, no special star decked the firmament on June 24, 1923, the day he was born, but everybody knew that a king had been born. It, however, took 56 years for the once Ediaken of Uselu and the most junior member of the Uzama, the seven kingmakers, to ascend the throne and sit on the ultimate seat in Benin kingdom.

The Binis did not just have a new Oba on March 23, 1979, they equally had a new beginning. Oba Erediauwa ascended the throne armed with a Cambridge degree in Law and thus going down the annals of history as the first formally educated king of the ancient kingdom.

The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler of the Edo people and head of the historic Eweka dynasty of the Benin Kingdom, reaching to the modern day Republic of Benin, which was formerly known as Dahomey.

By virtue of the royal house he heads as the Oba of Benin, Edo State, Oba Erediauwa is one of the most prominent personalities in Nigeria.

It was therefore not surprising that an ongoing project tagged Living Legend chose the period of the preparation for the 90th birthday of the Oba to be celebrated on canvas and in sculptures.

Few days ago, some artists from Lagos joined their counterparts in Benin and had the Oba sat for portraiture section. An initiative of painter, Olu Ajayi, Living Legends started documentation of great Nigerians in 2008 with the first sitter, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was captured by about 20 artists inside the Aina Onabolu Building, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Others who have sat for artists as part of the Living Legends project included Prof. Yusuf Grillo and Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya.

However, as the Oba marks his birthday, one of the biggest challenges of the Benin monarchy remains the stalemate in retrieving the looted cultural objects of ancient kingdom, currently in foreign museums and private collections in Europe and the U.S. In 1897, the British colonialists, in what is now known as Benin Punitive Expedition, sacked the then monarch, Oba Ovramwen and looted the palace.

Last February, when representatives of some selected museums from Europe were in Benin on the invitation of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the Oba, through one of the chiefs, insisted that the looted cultural objects must be returned.

The monarch is given to diplomacy even in spearheading crusades for causes that are beneficial to the people. In 1991, when it was discovered that over 100 Benin artefacts were scattered in Italy, he rose to collect a million signatures of influential persons to launch a campaign for their recovery.

At 90, Oba Erediauwa typifies the resolve of the average Bini man to assert himself in the affairs of life. This fact is cast strong in metal like the famous Bini bronze mask renowned the world over.

For the kingdom that has been through an invasion by the British army in 1897 with the consequent devastation and re-emergence thereafter, its resilience could not have been detached from the constituent characters that have helped in moulding its strong cultural destiny.

His post-graduate experience in the public service is spread-out. He had traversed the public service of the then Eastern Region as administrative secretary before joining the Federal Civil Service.

He was at different times permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power and later Ministry of Health. He returned home to the then Bendel state in 1975 to continue as commissioner for finance.

Before he retired fully into royalty in 1979, he had served as the chairman of Tate and Lyle

Oba Erediauwa… nonagenarian dance for The Obedient Servant Sugar company, the board of governors of University of Lagos Teaching Hospital and University of Ibadan, as well as the management board of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

To mark the silver jubilee of the monarch in 2004, Oba Erediauwa wrote his biography titled I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, published by Spectrum Books, and as expected, it generated considerable interests and reactions.

Explaining the origin of the title in the preface to the book, the author said: “I have taken the title from the very first letter that I signed as an assistant Secretary in the Nigerian Secretariat when I was appointed to the Nigerian Colonial Service in 1952.” The letter was a reply to a petition from a member of the public to the Governor-General and it ended with the words: “I remain, Sir, your obedient servant.”

Although the kingdom has come a long way, being one of the most outstanding monarchies of modern age, Oba Erediauwa, like his great grandfather, Oba Ovoramwen, has had his challenges in contemporary times. In 1992, a total of 76 traditional rulers in the state planned to remove him from the leadership of the state Council of Chiefs, insisting that the Chieftaincy Edict be amended to allow for the rotation of the chairmanship position.

The matter was amicably resolved and the ban on three chiefs, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin; Chief S. Asuen and the Ezogba of Benin, Chief Robert Ize-Iyamu, from entering the Oba’s palace was lifted.

Oba Erediauwa faced another battle in January 1999 in the much-publicized face-off between him and the then Military

Administrator of Edo State, Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem (now deceased). The crisis started shortly before the governorship election of January 9, 1999, in which the military administrator accused the Oba of partisanship in favour of the then All Peoples Party (APP) candidate, Lucky Imasuen.

The APP candidate was said to have paid a visit to the royal father in his palace during the Ugie Ewere celebration. In his prayers, the Oba was said to have remarked: “Your visit is auspicious as it falls on Ugie Ewere day, which portends good fortune.”

It was this prayer that became the subject of interpretations and mis-interpretations by observers to the effect that the military adminis-

Although he is not for traditional rulers going for political leadership, he believes there should be a forum through which they would advise government on a permanent basis without being seen to be interfering in governance. Perhaps, this had more prominence during the years of military rule. It is doubtful if the present democratic dispensation would take them in its stride the way the khaki counterparts did.

Oba Erediauwa in full royal coral regalia on his coronation day, March 23, 1979

trator suspended the Oba from both the state Security Council and the chairmanship of the state Traditional Rulers Council.

The face-off, which lasted for about four months, ended after series of consultations and reconciliatory visits by well-meaning Nigerians, including traditional rulers, even from across the Niger.

But beyond these challenges, the reign of the Oba has enjoyed the loyalty of his subjects. Oba Erediauwa has consistently called for greater participation of traditional rulers in governance, pointing at what Lord Lugard did using the institution of these rulers in his time to pilot the colonial administration.

Although he is not for traditional rulers going for political leadership, he believes there should be a forum through which they would advise government on a permanent basis without being seen to be interfering in governance.

Perhaps, this had more prominence during the years of military rule. It is doubtful if the present democratic dispensation would take them in its stride the way the khaki counterparts did.

Unlike many before him, Oba Erediauwa has brought the epitome of education to bear on this sacred traditional institution to the extent that the Oba, until recently when slowed down by age, makes frequent public appearances; though diehard conservatives see it in a different light. They feel it demystifies and places less sanctity on the stool.

The Binis have enough heritage to attract scholarly adventures. And many scholars are united in tracing the origin of the Binis to Egypt or the Middle East. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Oba of Benin’s power was at its peak and different monarchs of the dynasty controlled significant stretches of land in what is now West Africa.

During this era, exquisite naturalistic bronze art was created to enhance and embody the power of the Oba. The art often depicted the ancestors in order to establish both continuity and legitimacy. Due to this, only the Obas of Benin were allowed to own the famous bronze heads of Benin.

But in all matters including anthropology and history, the Binis listen more to their Oba than scholars. Oba Erediauwa has said in more than a few occasions that available facts do not align with any of the scholarly postulations on the origin of Benin.

“Benin is the cradle of the world.” The Oba insists that Edo land is one of the few places where life sprang up originally and by extension, all other Edo speaking groups in the former Bendel state, which include Urhobo, Isoko, Esan, Estako, Ora, and Auchi do not have a history that goes beyond Edo land.

The Oba has also delivered very useful lectures on the contentious link of the Binis with Ife. The position of many historians is that Oduduwa, the grand progenitor of the Yoruba race had helped to reinstitute the Benin monarchy after about a 100-year interregnum that followed the banishment of the last Ogiso, Owodo. The Ogiso dynasty ended in 1100 AD. Oranmiyan, son of Oduduwa, was sent to Benin following a request by the Binis to Oduduwa for a ruler. Oranmiyan, on arrival, married a Bini woman who gave birth to Eweka. Oranmiyan was said to have found the Binis a bit difficult to handle and he returned to Ife, from where he was assigned to Oyo. He became the first Alaafin of the Old Oyo Empire. Eweka survived to revive the Benin monarchy as Eweka 1 between 1200 and 1235AD. He established the current dynasty of which Erediuawa is the 38th Oba. The Oba’s and by estension, the Binis’ version of the advent of Oranmiyan in Benin history is like the reverse of the popular version.

Oduduwa, the Binis claim, was actually the fugitive Prince Ekaladerhan, who after years of sojourn in the forest arrived the present day Ife. The oracle at Ife had said that a total stranger would arrive the land to assume the leadership of the people. Thus, when the people saw Ekaladerhan, they found in him a fulfillment of the Ife Oracle and promptly crowned him king.

The Binis have even gone a step further to situate clearly all the fragments of the myth. They claim that the name Oduduwa was a corruption of a Bini description – Imaghidoduwa or Imadoduwa, meaning, “I have not missed the path of prosperity.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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Prof Tunde Babawale (middle); Editor, The Guardian, Martins Oloja (fourth left); Deputy Editor, Sunday Guardian, Alabi Williams (6th right); Corporate Affairs Manager, The Guardian, Bolaji D’Almeida (4th right); Adverts Manager, Andrew Yacim (third right) and members of the CBAAC delegation… during the visit

‘Why CBAAC’s strategic to cultural, artistic expression’ On June 11, 2013, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) paid a visit to The Guardian’s Rutam House Headquarters in Lagos. The purpose of the visit was to express gratitude for the publicity the culture centre has received from the newspaper over the years. However, CBAAC seized the occasion to give accounts of its stewardship in the last seven years of Babawale’s headship of the centre. AMZAT AJIBOLA who was present at the meeting reports: N the beginning was FESTAC ‘77. The Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture was Iarguably the largest gathering of Black Africans on African soil. But there was also the World Festival of Negro Arts (FESMAN) held in Dakar, Senegal in 1966. Notwithstanding, FESTAC ‘77 was an exceptional experience. A total of 59 heads of states and several people across races and geographies converged on Lagos and Kaduna, the venues of the festival. The arts and culture carnival lasted a month (15th January to 12th February 1977).

However, memories of festivals, unlike the memory of warfare, are transient by nature.

For this reason, Nigerian government headed

by General Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd.) established CBAAC in 1978. The centre’s establishment was predicated on the assumption that the memory and the momentum generated by Festac ‘77 could only last, if an institutional agency is put in place to continue the propagation of African culture and the promotion of public understanding in African arts and culture. Therefore, mandated by decree 69 of 1978, CBAAC was assigned the responsibility to propagate African culture in its totality, and ensure the constant strengthening of the relationship between the continent and the Diaspora.

This, the centre does by organising local and international conferences, workshops, public lectures and exhibition. 35 years after its establishment, what are the milestones of CBAAC? Director-General, CBAAC, Professor ’Tunde Babawale, in company of the principal officers

of culture agency, under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, visited The Guardian’s Lagos office to answer this question and more. Babawale, a professor of Political Science, became the DG of CBAAC in 2006. His tenure, he declared, has recorded a number of successes, which he shared with the flagship of the Nigerian press, The Guardian. “We have done consistently well over the years.”

In the last seven years of his leadership at CBAAC, Babawale said the centre has been linking the Diaspora to their African root through international conferences held within and outside Nigeria. In 2006, a conference was held in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, another held in Cotonou, Republic of Benin Republic, 2007; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2008; Brasilia, Brazil, 2009; Abuja, Nigeria, 2010; Salvador, Brazil, 2011; and Missouri, U.S., 2012. For 2013, the conference is scheduled to hold in Jamaica.

As a Nigerian-based organisation, CBAAC also has been trying to underscore the leadership role of Nigeria and ensure that Nigerian is in the front burner of “public diplomacy” at the level of Africa and Africa Diaspora.

The centre has entered memorandum of understanding with a number of agencies across the continent. The list include Centre for Research and Documentation in Oral Tradition and Development of African Languages based in Yaoundé, Cameroon; African Institute of South Africa, South Africa; Centre for the Advanced Studies of African Society, South Africa; AU Centre for Oral Tradition based in Niamey, Niger Republic and Academy of African Languages, Bamako Mali; Observatory of Cultural Policy in Africa, Maputo and Federating Republic of Brazil.

At the local front, CBAAC has signed MOU with University of Ibadan, University of Maiduguri, Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto and others.

Through CBAAC’s and UNESCO’s efforts, AU Heads of States have issued a 50th anniversary solemn declaration mandating African governments to ensure that the teaching of African history is carried out at all schools across the continent as a step towards advancing African identity and renaissance. A call indeed has been made for a declaration for a decade of action on the teaching of African history.

Brazil, a country with a large population of Africa Diaspora, has done something similar.

The government recently promulgated a law through its parliament under President Lula Da Silva that makes it compulsory for African history and culture to be taught at all levels of Brazilian education system.

Furthermore, CBAAC has completed a project seeking to harmonise the orthographies of four major Nigerian languages - Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw. The initiative aimed at harmonising and standardise cross-border languages among African countries including Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Cameroon, and Niger Republic. The harmonised orthography is already available for teaching in Nigerian educational institutions. With this project, there would be a common way of writing the four languages, which, according to Professor Babawale, would lead to the greater integration of Nigerian at home and those in the Diaspora.

In addition, CBAAC operating under the ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, has been collaborating with National Commission (NCMM) for Museums and Monuments, a sister agency within the ministry, to repatriate stolen cultural items and artifacts kept away in foreign museums. Such efforts, Babawale said, included advocacy and liaising with NCMM. France, however, has recently returned some stolen artifacts to Nigeria, an achievement that CBAAC Director-General attributed to the persistence of NCMM. On the reparation project championed by late MKO Abiola in the 90s, Babawale wants Nigeria to take up the matter as a nation, noting, “At the level of our conference, we do canvass for it. But it is an issue that ought to be taken up by Nigeria at the level of African Union. The demand for reparation and compensation is legal and legitimate. Other countries that were so wronged have been compensated. And note that the wealth of Britain cannot be understood outside the context of the exploitation done to the African continent during the slave trade and colonisation.

“Lloyd and Standard Banks are known to have made original capital used in developing them through the slave trade. Reparation is not only fair, it is just.”

Speaking on the possibility of government phasing out CBAAC or merging it with other

agencies, the professor said it is in the interest of Nigerian government to retain CBAAC because this is the only agency that does cultural diplomacy for Nigeria at present, noting, “We used to have cultural attaché in foreign missions in the past, but that is no more. And we are in the era when countries use soft power diplomacy, which is achieved through influencing people.”

He hinted at the Federal Government’s plan to reduce overheads of its agencies next year, as a way of tightening national budget, a decision that may affect the activities of CBAAC much more. CBAAC is always the least budgeted for in the federal allocation, he stated.

According to Babawale, a uniform application of budget, cut across all agencies, will bring dire consequences for CBAAC, which has always been on the low rung of the allocation ladder, adding, “Government ought to have looked at it and said, if you have an overhead below certain level, it should be retained.”

Babawale said the intangibility of cultural products makes decision-makers unable to appreciate the efforts of a cultural agency such as CBAAC in spite of the centre’s role as the Nigeria’ arrowhead of cultural diplomacy.

Drawing on the example of America and China, the two countries whose ascendancy in the world stage have been enhanced through the promotion of their culture, Professor Babawale advised Nigeria to rely more on its cultural resource by funding the culture sector.

In his response, the editor of The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja, encouraged CBAAC to continue the campaign to attract respect for African culture. He decried the new fad among the youth that privileges the adoption of foreign language and accent to the indigenous ones.

Oloja, a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), advised CBAAC to collaborate with other organisations at home and abroad that promote African culture and civilization, such as NABJ. He noted that The Guardian had always supported culture and art, especially through its “Cultural Ambassadors” such as Mr. Jahman Anikulapo and Ben Tomoloju, and would continue to do so.

At the end, CBAAC showed its gratitude to The Guardian by presenting a collection of its conference papers published over the years as gift.

In return, The Guardian also presented a collection of its editorial over the years to the centre.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

40 ARTS

VisualArts

Guest speaker, Republic of Benin-born art activist, Romuald Haxoume during the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA)-organised Distinguised Lecture Series.

A cross section of the audience during the lecture

Artists seek role in National Transformation

By Tajudeen Sowole

Despite being ‘used and dumped’, artists marked the 50th anniversary of their professional body while propagating National Transformation Agenda T was the Society of Nigerian Artists {SNA}-organised First INational Distinguished Lecture Series with the theme The Role of Art in Transformation. It was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was one of several activities to mark SNA’s 50th anniversary.

Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo chaired the lecture while the Director-General of National Gallery of Art (NGA), Dr. Abdullahi Muku was the special guest of honour.

But the guest speaker, a Republic of Benin-born art activist, Romuald Haxoume traced the backseat position of arts in the development of Africa to the inability of the creative professionals, particularly artists, to identity their roots or have a clear identity.

Hazoume’s presentation, which also had a near crude, and perhaps “rude” tone, took African leaders to the cleaners on the neglect art suffers on the continent. He said if renowned creative professionals such as late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Bruce Onobrakpeya, for examples, are well known abroad, even more than presidents, “we can use art to repair our reputation abroad”.

And when he chided “politicians for using artists and dumping them”, he probably was not aware that Nigerian artists continue to be used recently and now dumped, with a recent example being the 2011 presidential campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan. Arts and culture professionals were actually ‘used’ as hypes to boost the former’s chances ahead of the polls. Since winning the elections, the artists were dumped.

It will be recalled that artists such as Onobrakpeya, Nike Okundaye, Kolade Oshinowo and others were among art and culture professionals that, on more than one occasion, attended the now infamous Presidential meeting in Lagos.

Given his harsh words for African leaders, the guest lecturer would probably have sought amendment to the words used in the theme of the SNA lecture if he had known that the word ‘transformation’ is the most commonly used, and perhaps abused by political office holders in the Jonathan administration, under the slogan ‘Transformation Agenda’.

Ahead of the event, the president of SNA, Oliver Enwonwu, actually disclosed that the theme of the lecture was a conscious effort to “key into the transformation agenda of the federal government”.

Currently, the visual arts sub-section of art and culture is completely shut out of federal government’s ‘intervention funds’ for the creative industry. And more worrisome, the yearly Art Expo event organised by the National Gallery of Arts (NGA) has become a shadow of its early editions of 2008 and 2009. Also, a national gallery of art edifice – the main reason for setting up NGA – was among the demands of SNA during one of the meetings Jonathan had with artists in Lagos. But there is no sign that the federal government is committed in anyway.

Hazoume is one of Africa’s middle-generation of artists who

are currently making impact across the world. He is well known for using sculptural pieces made of found objects to generate contemporary and traditional art, and largely filled with social commentary that confronts the people and policy makers. A pronounced feature in his work is jerry cans or rubber containers widely used for carrying premium spirit (petrol). In fact, Hazoume’s work is more celebrated for the jerry can-and petrol related theme, which is inspired by the smuggling of fuel from Nigeria to Republic of Benin.

Being a traditionalist of Yoruba origin, who promotes the cultural value of his African identity, Hazoume started the lecture with harsh, but honest and sincere words for his host country.

“Nigeria’s reputation abroad is so bad,” he said with concerned, and shortly after he claimed: “I am a Nigerian, too”. Hazoume, however, expressed hope, noting that there were changes based on what he saw within Lagos and across the border.

“Lagos has changed, really changed from what I used to know; gardens everywhere,” he noted and “commended the governor” of the state.

“The way to development of a nation is to recognize the artists,” Hazoume stressed.

The trajectory of Hazoume’s slavery themes, which his art is known for, in broader context, beyond the 15th century Transatlantic Slave Trade also formed part of his lecture.

Hazoume argued that slavery, in the real sense of the word, has not stopped in Africa. He illustrated his argument with one of his works that depicts a snake eating its tail. “We did not stop slavery. It’s like a snake eating its own tail”. Self-slavery, he noted, remains the challenge in Africa’s underdevelopment.

He showed a few of his works, particularly of gasoline canisters, as well as others from his native Yoruba themes. Of creative interest are the sculptural series, which he explained as depicting women status by the hairstyles.

Formed in 1963 by young artists from art schools across the country, SNA has four zones - West, East, Middle Belt and North.

Mbanefo, in his opening speech charged the professional body to take a critical look at the ongoing rise in the value of art. He warned that artists should not swallow art auctions hook, line and sinker, adding that. “speculators could destroy the innovativeness of art”.

On art appreciation and patronage, one of Nigeria’s leading patrons, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi urged young artists to keep working more and concentrate less on the who sold what at auctions.

While noting that SNA and NGA had a lot in common, Muku said, “integration of art in our national life should be embraced”. He, therefore, used the occasion to stress the commitment of NGA in organising a biennale for Nigeria as “Abuja Biennale, which has a role for SNA to play in collaboration with NGA”.

Questions were raised over the choice of a foreign artist as guest speaker at SNA’s 50th anniversary. However, one of the founding fathers of the body, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya’s brief recap of the past five decades of the association seemed to provide the answer.

Onobrakpeya recalled that “when we formed SNA 50 years ago, it was not recognised.” The body, he argued, has since made progress, “and that we have a guest speaker from Republic of Benin for the 50th anniversary showed that SNA is expanding its horizon”.

As much as the lecture was rich and thought-provoking, something seemed not quite adequate in the informal presentation, some artists at the event observed. While it was acknowledged that the guest speaker was not a user of English language, provisions should have been made for translator.

Documentation of such a crucial lecture, they argued, is very important.

Adeyemi, Queensland Catch Them Young two days from June 27 FartistOR to 29, 2013, works from and teacher, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi’s workshop with pupils of Queensland Academy, Okota, will be shown at the school’s gallery in Okota, Lagos.

In collaboration with the art teachers of the school, Adeyemi, a senior art lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, had, for several weeks taken the pupils through areas of art such as painting and printmaking under the theme Catch them young.

During a preview of the art exhibition some of the works said to have been produced

by the pupils explain the value of giving the young ones art education at an early age at both primary and secondary schools.

Adeyemi stated that the young artists at Queensland should consider themselves lucky for being exposed so early. He argued that even though “I was not exposed to art until i, reached Form-5, I am still able to come this far.”

Head of the primary school section, Mrs Christiana Ogunkoya who noted that art promotes creativity, generally, argued that “because art is in every part of life, it plays significant role in cre-

ativity”.

A member of the school’s governing council, Siyanbola Oladapo stated that the structuring and planning of the school indicates that its founder believe in creativity.

He disclosed that Queensland is set to change the Nigerian academic environment by taking interest in vocational studies. He noted that lack of creativity is one of the major reason for Nigeria’s under-development.

“Though Nigeria produces fantastic academicians such as First Class holders, but I believe in First Class brains”.

This much, he explained, is

the focus of the school, adding that “students from our school are best in whatever they do since our 25 years of existence”.

From his report on the workshop, Adeyemi writes: “All I have done is to give a better moderation, stratify the workshop in age form and develop the children’s mind not only on the narrow path of becoming artist but be what they would want to be in future with a prism of laying emphasis on planning, order and execution that will enhance good aesthetics for a global competition.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

ARTS

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ArtHouse National Troupe marks World Music Day ATIONAL Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) will, N today, mark the 2013 World Music Day with the Highlife All Stars club at the Cinema Hall 2, of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, at 10am.

Ankara continues to exhibit NENNA Okore’s art exhibition N titled Akaraka is currently showing at Art Twenty One, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos till the end of August.

Ebonylife TV to begin operations HE highly anticipated television station T EbonyLife Tv will be launched on the 22nd of June at the prestigious Eko hotel and suites, victoria Island. Red carpet begins at 4-6pm while the event proper kicks off by 7pm.

Colours on my Mind for exhibition AINTER and corporate brand designer, Ronke Aina-Scott opens her solo art exhibition titled Colours on My Mind on Saturday June 22, ending July 12, 2013 at Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos.

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Art Revolution for exhibition RIBES Art shows Art Revolution’13 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from the 22 to 25 of June.

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Voting for Entrepreneur award ends June 25 HE Freshmen Concert & Entertainment Awards Tnominees – UNILAG 2013, R.O.A.G, has unveiled the for the event, as voting ends June 25.

It is first of such awards in the university and aimed at celebrating newly admitted students of the university and also the creative and proactive students by rewarding their outstanding entrepreneurial skills on campus.

Holy Mallam, Tolu Sax, others for On Eagle’s Wing 4th anniversary celebration

HE On Eagle’s Wing parish of the Redeemed T Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 7, youth church Egbeda, will be celebrating her

4th yearly anniversary from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd.

All programmes will be held at 237 EgbedaIdimu Road, by Car-Wash Bus-stop, beside GT Bank, Idimu, Lagos.

For Friday, the praise night will feature Kenny K’ore, Xplicit Dancers, Grace Levites, Pillars of Gold Drama Group, Visual Exploits, Tolu sax, Offsprings of David, Royal Minstrels and Husband Material.

On Saturday, Business/Empowerment Seminar, comedian, Holy Mallam, will thrill the audience, while Sola David- Borha (MD, Stanbic-IBTC Bank PLC), Abiola Champ Salami (Communication Expert), Pastor Sam .O. Salau (Publisher/Author), Deji Adeniyi (MD, Top-Tech Engineering LTD) will facilitate The event will climax with a thanksgiving service with Pastor Olutunmbi, Grace Levites, Visual Exploits and other anointed ministers of God, ministering.

Board of University Press holds authors’ forum HE board and management of University T Press Plc will be holding their annual Authors’ Forum on the 26th, at the Kakanfo Inn by 12 noon.

It’s a Journey for launch BOOK titled It’s a Journey would launched A on Saturday, June 29, at the Oriental hotel, Victoria Island, by 2pm.

The 138-page book is a compendium of man’s journey on earth, his experiences through life’s journey, the good and the bad times and life’s challenges. It is an encouragement to the man who may be in a situation that is making him weary, leaving him wondering where God is; but the book assures him that God is with him.

––Compiled by Florence Utor

Tosin Gbogi; Tosin Kolawole; star author, Eghosa Imasuen and Femi Morgan after Artmosphere event last Saturday… in Ibadan

An afternoon with the ‘Fine Boys’

By Femi Morgan T was always a great time to meet and engage Iment in a discussion about city life, its embodiin literature. This was what happened in Ibadan last Saturday at the monthly art event, Artmosphere.

The year’s sixth edition had as theme City Life, and had as special guests, Eghosa Imasuen, Benin City-based medical doctor and author of To Saint Patrick and Fine Boys, Tosin Gbogi, poet and lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, and Tolu Oloruntoba, medical doctor and poet.

The event gave the writer’s and audience an opportunity to express their notions and concerns about modern housing needs in the city, the growing culture of corruption and impunity, Nepotism and infrastructural decay.

Eghosa Imasuen explained that although his novel, Fine Boys is in the first person narrative and is on the whole a fictional work, and that it contains in part some real life encounters he witnessed as a student during his university d ays. He shared with the audience his concern for the systemic creation of problems by Nigerian policy-makers who cause more harm than good in duplicating institutions. He made mention of the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board meant to counter ‘nepotism’ in the

admissions of candidates into tertiary institutions and how the idea and the politics of post-UMTE has become an aberration in admission process.

Also, Tosin Gbogi (author of Tongues of a Shattered Sky) presented poems from his collection. The poems deal with the present democratic dispensation. His poems demand of his audience to be conscious of the political gimmicks being played by leaders in the guise of improving their lives and wellbeing.

For Tosin Gbogi, Nigerians must create literary works that are relevant to the continent’s progress.

Tolu Oloruntoba, whose forthcoming work Graffiti Paradise will soon be published by Quantra in partnership with WriteHouse Collective, read excerpts from his work. One of his poems titled ‘Floride’ describes the daunting experiences of families that lived under the Abacha regime. He noted that the poem is relevant to the event because of the fact that it shows the adaptive nature of the average Nigerian. His poem highlights the Abacha days, with Nigerians learning to cook with saw-dust stove and doing without toothpaste. Another poem talks about the day-today life of Lagosians and how it mirrored the saying that ‘the money made in Lagos, stays in Lagos’.

Yerima speaks on The Artist as gOD at Redeemer’s inaugural lecture EFRACTED Universe, R Alternative Realities; The God as gOD is the title of the inaugural lecture of the Redeemer’s University to be delivered by Professor Ahmed Parker Yerima, a Professor of Theatre Arts, at the Department of Theatre Arts of Redeemer’s University. The

Fatai and Odobeatu

inaugural lecture will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the RCCG Youth Centre of the Redeemer’s University, Mowe, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Professor Yerima, an accomplished playwright and play director was formerly Artistic Director of the National Troupe and Director

General of the National Theatre and National Troupe.

The author of about 35 published plays including Hard Ground, which earned him the prestigious NLNG Prize for Literature in 2006, returned to academics after he resigned as Director General in January 2010.

For Rolling Dollar, O’jez cancels June award outing OPULAR celebrity restaurant, O’jez, P organisers of the monthly O’jez Entertainment Awards, has cancelled this month’s award ceremony in honour of the veteran highlife musician, Fatai Rolling who passed on last week at the age of 86 years. The award was billed to hold on Sunday, June 30.

In a statement titled ‘O’jez Mourns’ and signed by O’jez Entertainment Limited media Company, Media Image Managers, MD/CEO of O’Jez, Chief Joseph Odobeatu said this month’s award had to be cancelled as a mark of honour for the fallen leg-

end who died after a brief illness in a Lagos hospital.

“We cannot be celebrating while a key member of the O’jez Entertainment Awards has just passed on. Baba Fatai Rolling Dollar was not just an artiste who performed for over a decade on the O’jez stage; he was family to the O’jez group.”

Odobeatu continued: “It’s very sad to hear the news of the demise of the legend, Pa Fatai Rolling Dollars. The O’jez family is still in shock because Rolling Dollars was very much part of the family for over 12 years now. He had

been with us from inception at Iwaya Road outlet down to National Stadium. He has been performing every Friday and every last Sunday of the month for over a decade now...its a big loss for us at O’jez and a bigger loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry and the entire country in general.

“He was a personal friend, a father and close confidant. This is a man even with his fame and age, remained very humble till his demise. I feel pained but also seek solace in the fact that he came, made his mark (despite

achieving fame at his old age) and left in a blaze of glory. The industry will sure miss him”.

The record label owner said the award recipient for this month had been informed of the development a day after the veteran artiste passed on. “She saw reasons with the decision of the awards committee to cancel this month’s ceremony and assured she would make herself available when called upon next time. That is the spirit as every Nigerian has been paying his last respect to the ‘Agidigbo Master’.”

He assured that O’jez would play an active role in the 40-day burial rites of Dollar, adding, “We would assist the family in the little way we can when the time comes as FRD (as Rolling Dollar was fondly called) was a great asset to us. O’jez is mourning at the moment. When all this is done, we will organise a special tribute night where only FRD’s music will be performed by younger highlife musicians. Our entertainment consultant, Moses Ebong has started working on that initiative,” Odobeatu submitted.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

AutoWheels Features of top hi-tech friendly automobiles

Audi A8

Audi A8 interior

Testa model S

Lexus LS 460

ARS have been defined as C the technology that shaped the 20th century, thus it must get along with the personal electronics that are building this century.

But it’s surprising to note that there are vehicles that make a more valiant effort to cope with the new tech reality than others.

Well, these are those vehicles as we’ve chosen automobiles that advance the art of incabin technology.

Some make the list because of their advanced capabilities, while others push the art of the interface to new levels.

Best Overall: Audi A8 (From $72,200) Technology is the ultimate luxury for large flagship sedans like Audi’s A8 and more powerful S8.

Onboard WiFi is the latest, so it’s part of the Audi Connect system in Audi’s biggest car.

Up to eight devices can hook up to the A8’s password-protected WiFi network that plumbs into the Internet using a high-speed LTE connection.

So hand each of your kiddies an iPad and waft along serenely while they narcotise themselves with YouTube videos.

The media interface is also impressive and includes Google Earth real-world navigation graphics and Google Voice Local Search to help you hunt out travel resources.

Most Engaging: Ford Focus Electric (From $39,200) Ford’s modified version of its Sync media interface and MyFord Mobile app for the new Focus Electric is struc-

tured for the electron hoarder.

The “emotive” instrumentation sprouts butterflies when the vehicle is driven virtuously and the regenerative braking system is used efficiently, while communication between the car and smartphone updates the state of the battery charge.

It also locates the car and nearby charging stations, aids in route planning, presets interior temperatures so it can warm while hooked to a power source, and generates driving efficiency profiles.

Best All Electric: Tesla Model S (From $94,000).

Tesla’s advantage is that it has so little experience building cars that it didn’t know what it couldn’t do.

So the all-electric Model S sedan features a massive 17-

inch central touchscreen in its dash that allows access not only to the car’s functions but a direct, full connection to the Internet.

That includes video display even while the car is in motion: something never available from established manufacturers.

Of course the Tesla Model S system will take media from smartphones or other media players through Bluetooth and two USB connections, but it’s that screen that makes everything so usable.

Best for Mom: Infiniti JX35 (From $41,250) Infiniti’s JX35 crossover vehicle is available with “Infiniti Connection” tech that shoots information about the vehicle to most smartphones through a dedi-

cated app.

And beyond that, it syncs with Google calendar so that information (soccer games, piano lessons, Pilates classes and happy hour at Mel’s) can be accessed through the vehicle’s central information screen.

Throw in the optional and spectacular “Around View Monitor” that uses four cameras to generate a 360-degree mosaic of what’s surrounding the vehicle and running a family becomes easy.

Best Road Tripper: Honda Odyssey (From $28,675).

Of all the minivans, only the Odyssey features an HDMI port in its available onboard video system.

That means a Blu-Ray player or other video-streaming

device can be brought aboard and played over the Odyssey’s overhead 16.2-inch display.

And there’s a 115-volt twoprong plug at the third-row seat to actually power such devices, too.

One other neat trick: The viewing screen can be split to display video from both the van’s DVD player and the outside source. That’s almost too much entertainment.

Best Family Sedan: Toyota Avalon (From $30,990) The new 2013 Avalon sedan is available with the full-featured version of Toyota’s Entune suite of onboard applications that display data retrieved by smartphones on a large screen in the car’s dash: from apps that include those for Movietickets.com, Bing, Open Table and Pandora.

LAMATA parleys community over BRT extension project

By Taiwo Hassan HE promoters of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) extension project along Mile 12Ikorodu town axis, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), have appealed to the resident of Ikorodu community that it was aware of the untold hardship and traffic snarl being experienced at the ongoing extension BRT project.

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola stated this at the agency’s stakeholders forum in Lagos over the weekend that LAMATA was doing everything within its limit to

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ensure speed completion of the BRT extension road project next year.

According to him, it was better for the agency to parley with the residents of Ikorodu to explain and give them updates on the project, which according to him, when completed would bring further development, infrastructure and business opportunities to the Ikorodu environs.

He said the stakeholders meeting was organised because it is an avenue where all the stakeholders on the BRT expansion project converge and collaborate with the community people to know their

minds about what they want and proffer suggestions to the agency on what to do, adding that it was better to carry the community along on the project.

The LAMATA’s boss stressed that the project was conceived to extend BRT service from Mile 12 to Ikorodu, while also improving the Ikorodu road network infrastructure.

He noted that the community people needed to be patience and endure the untold hardship now, prophesying that the future will be brighter as the benefits for executing the project are enormous and geared

towards transforming Ikorodu.

Speaking on behalf of the community people, the former Commissioner of Information in Lagos State, Chief Elemosho .O, said there was no doubt that the BRT extension project would transform Ikorodu, but noted that there were some contractual issues which LAMATA has failed to resolved and the issues are important towards the success of the ongoing BRT project.

He listed the issues as compensation of owners of affected buildings, employment of Ikorodu youths and erection of modern model market.

According to him, LAMATA has not compensated landowners whose buildings/structures were affected due to the extension project, adding that it was unfair on the part of the agency and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to asked landowners to produce Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and tax clearance before they will be compensated.

The former Commissioner for Information advised LAMATA and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to suspend the C of O and tax clearance to allow peace to reign since most of the affected houses

have been built for yesteryears.

On the Employment opportunities, Elemosho admitted that the contractors handling the project have not been fair to the youths in the community, adding that LAMATA should direct them to employ their youths since the community is the direct beneficiary of the project.

He said that LAMATA should build a modern market for the market women and men to display their goods, adding that the BRT extension project has affected the renowned Ayangburen international market, thus depriving market women and men to trade.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

AUTOWHEELS 43

Ford reduces carbon emissions Stories by Taiwo Hassan ORD Motor Company has Fcarbon announced a reduction in dioxide (CO2) emissions at its global facilities by 37 per cent per vehicle between 2000 and last year.

The company also said plans are afoot to further reduce CO2 emission by 30 per cent between now to 2025 by addressing everything from new products and technologies to manufacturing processes.

Ford’s work to reduce CO2 emissions is outlined in the company’s 14th yearly sustainability report issued to the media at the beginning of the week, where the company stated that the move was part of its overall mission to facilitate continued reduction of CO2 emissions in its fleets.

Already, total CO2 emissions at Ford’s global facilities have dropped by 4.65 million metric tons, or 47 per cent since 2000.

The company also delivered on its commitment to reduce U.S. facility emissions by 10 per cent per vehicle produced between 2002 and 2012, as part of an alliance of automobile manufacturers programme.

And vehicle tailpipe emissions on a per vehicle basis have dropped 16 per cent since 2007 as new vehicles such as Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid have become available.

And Ford has even bigger

plans to reduce CO2 – one of several priorities outlined in its “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Journey Continues.”

Other subjects in the voluntary report range from reduced water use and energy consumption to cutting the amount of waste-to-landfill at Ford facilities around the world.

“In more than 30 years I have been with the company, I have seen genuine transformation as Ford has integrated sustainability into its business plan, products, operations and relationships with stakeholders,” says Robert Brown, VicePresident, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

“Water and energy use, wasteto-landfill, Ford’s role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases like CO2 in our atmosphere – these are just a few of the top sustainability-related priorities considered in every decision.”

Ford’s Chief Financial Officer, Bob Shanks said sustainability issues are embedded in the company’s business plan, and are consistent with its aim to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

“We are much more proactive in understanding the importance of sustainability in the broadest sense – not only in relation to our products, but also in the quality of the financial results that we

derive from them,” said Shanks, whose perspective is featured in this year’s report.

Ford issued its first voluntary sustainability report in 1999 as a way to summarise and report on the company’s ini-

tiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues.

Like Ford’s sustainabilityrelated processes and results, the report has evolved – from a printed booklet similar to an

Ford Focus

award received is a testimony of its acceptance as the benchmark of excellence in the Nigerian auto industry. This is to the extent that the event continues to report more that 75 per cent of the stakeholders,” he said.

According to him, the award is engineered to celebrate men and women with high pedigree, individuals who in no small measures have contributed to the development of the auto industry in Nigeria.

identified a need to address shifting market trends and government regulations – among many other factors – with regard to reducing CO2 emissions.

Investors also are increasingly showing greater concern about climate change as a material risk for companies, creating a much stronger link between climate-change-relevant information and initiatives – such as the CO2 Model – and access to capital.

“Beyond those imperatives, we had taken to heart our responsibility to contribute to meeting the challenge of climate change,” says John Viera, global director, sustainability and vehicle environmental matters.

Ford has developed products and technologies along with processes at its facilities and plans to meet its own targets while also doing its part to help keep CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere at or below 450 parts per million – a goal many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies say must be met to avoid the most serious effects on climate change.

Indigenous firm gets global award for transport sector development N indigenous transport A development company, Planet Projects Limited (PPL) has been rewarded with the African Award for Integrated Mobility by the International

Association of Public Transport (UITP), for its contributions towards the development of urban transportation in Africa.

At the UITP’s 60th Congress

Toyota, others win TNAA awards for brand performance At the award ceremony, In the bank category, Fidelity HE Publisher of On Wheels of the sector.

“The resounding applause Toyota Camry emerged the Bank took home the Best Bank T magazine, organisers of the Nigeria Auto Awards (TNAA), this year’s edition of the auto 2013 Car-of-the-Year, and also in Transport Support, Stanbic Jabez Aina-Scott has said the company would continue to promote the development of the nation’s auto industry by rewarding automobile companies that have demonstrated excellence and performances.

Aina-Scott, who stated this at the company’s eighth edition of TNAA in Lagos over the weekend said that stakeholders in the automotive industry deserved to be rewarded for their contribution towards the growth and development

annual report, to being so detailed and comprehensive today that it requires an entire website, which can be found here.

In the early 2000s, Ford’s Climate Change Task Force

carted away the Truck-of-theyear (1ton)- Toyota Hilux and the CEO-of-the-year- C. K. Thampy.

In the auto category, Kia Picanto emerged as the Budget car-of-the-year, Brand-of-theyear was won by Toyota, while Auto Dealer-of-the-Year went to Mandilas Motors, and After Sales Service company-of-theyear goes to Elizade Motors.

Financial institutions were not left out as their contributions in the Auto Industries were recognised.

Bank Plc won the Bank of the Year in Consumer (Auto).

Personalities in the Auto industry were not left out in the award celebration, as Emeka Ndu the Managing Director/CEO. C&I Motors was awarded Auto Entreprenuerof-the-year.

In the Truck section, Mack Truck emerged the Truck-ofthe-Year, while Sino Truck was the Fastest Selling Truck of the Year and Volvo Truck came up as the Upcoming Truck of the Year.

conference, in Geneva, Switzerland recently, the President of UITP, Ousmane Thiam said the indigenous company deserved to be rewarded with the prestigious award for its innovative approach to urban transport development and transport infrastructure delivery in Nigeria.

According to Thiam, the association is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decisionmakers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry and global advocate of sustainable mobility and promoter of innovations in the sector.

He said UITP is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries.

Some of the notable proj-

ects the company has already concluded include: engineering design of corridor infrastructures for the Lagos BRT Lite; traffic impact assessment for the Eko Atlantic City and the proposed Lekki ports, Lekki Infrastructure Master Plan; Transport Master Plan for Lagos Metropolitan Area; Lagos Island Municipal Transport Service; feasibility studies, and outline business case for the proposed Ibadan Circular Ring road project.

Others are public transport infrastructure delivery covering traffic system management measures; construction of dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit projects; mega-bus terminals; BRT stations and terminals; mini-terminals; bus depot; pedestrian bridge; bus shelters and junction improvement works for Lagos, Rivers, Ondo and Delta states.

BMW Group gets global recognition for brands HE BMW Group has T extended its run of success in the international engine of the year awards by carting away two more class wins.

The company’s latest distinctions in the globally renowned competition came courtesy of two drive units, which bring sporty performance characteristics to current BMW and mini vehicles in particularly efficient style.

In a repeat of last year, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology fitted in models including the BMW one Series, BMW three Series and BMW five Series finished top of its displacement category.

And the 1.6-litre four-cylinder mini TwinPower Turbo engine from the mini Cooper S went one better, celebrating its third class win in a

row.

The engine of the year awards was presented to the company at the engine expo fair in Stuttgart recently.

The winners in each category and overall are decided by an international jury, made up this year of 84 motoring journalists from 35 countries.

The company’s success in two categories of the international engine of the year awards represents further evidence of its globally recognised development expertise in the area of drive system technology.

Since 1999, the BMW Group has racked up over 60 class and overall wins in the competition.

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology once again provided the key to success in the 1.8 – 2.0-litre displacement class.

In the winning BMW fourcylinder engine this package of technology comprises a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection and BMW Valvetronic fully variable valve control.

The 180 kW/245 hp version of the engine is used to power the BMW 328i, BMW 528i, BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW X3 xDrive28i and BMW X1 xDrive28i.

The other class conqueror in the BMW Group’s engine line-up also won over the Engine of the Year Awards jury for the third consecutive year – with its impressive balance of sports performance and economy.

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder mini TwinPower Turbo unit, again the dominant force in the 1.4 – 1.8-litre category, boasts twin-scroll turbocharging with an over-

boost function, direct petrol injection and valve control based on the Valvetronic system.

Its maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp enables the mini

BMW 7 Series

Cooper S to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.0 seconds and deliver average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres (48.7 mpg imp).

This highly efficient drive unit is now also available for the mini Cooper S Countryman and mini Cooper S Paceman, where it can be combined with the ALL4 all-wheel-drive system.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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BusinessTravel Raging concessioning crisis in aviation sector: An overview

By Wole Shadare HERE are basic critical comT ponents of any successful Public Private Partnership (PPP). While there is not yet a set formula or an absolute foolproof technique in crafting a successful PPP, there is no doubt that some of the concessions in the aviation industry have performed creditably well.

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Act provides for the participation of private sector in financing the construction, development, operation or maintenance of infrastructure or development of aviation infrastructure through concession or contractual agreements.

The establishment of the ICRC Act also empowers it to regulate, monitor and supervise the contract on infrastructure or development projects.

At a time the government was going cap in hand over lack of funds for capital projects, private sector investors came to the rescue, provided worldclass facilities to boost revenue of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) block leakages where billions of naira were allegedly not accounted for.

With automation, coupled with partnership of these investors with reputable finance houses, it was very difficult not to know how much the revenue generated and how much was remitted.

The question is, if the system worked so well, why change it?

Why change a winning team?

Why substitute a system that had been tested with one that people are not sure of? Why throw millions of travellers passing through the nation’s airports, particularly the Lagos and Abuja into harrowing experience of delays, cancellations as foreign flights had had to be delayed because of shoddy profiling?

The Maevis system is fraud proof and the invitation of SITA to take over the same job is saying it mildly, fraudulent as evidently pronounced by a Federal High Court on Monday.

How a reputable firm as SITA did get itself enmeshed in this type of controversy that does its reputation no good?

Why take an existing PPP contract and give it to another

The ultra modern MMA2 terminal company without going through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Bureau for Public Procurement, and Federal Executive Council, despite written advice from the Presidency to consult with these institutions in terminating the contract, and despite court injunction to cease/desist and maintain status quo?

Perhaps, the country parlous aviation infrastructure like obsolete navigational equipment could have been replaced if the Ministry of Aviation had collaborated with the private sector to build additional runways, provide airfield lightings, building of standard and world class international airport terminals among others in view of government’s dwindling fortune that is competing for other critical needs.

President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, noted that Nigeria should invest massively in the aviation sector so as to bridge the infrastructure gap created over the years.

According to him, “Nigeria needs to close its yawning

As beautiful as Captain Ore’s postulation sounds, three indigenous investors are currently going through harrowing experience that puts their multibillion naira investments in jeopardy over claims by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation that the projects were awarded in ‘error’ and ‘skewed’ in their favour. infrastructure gap. The Aviation Round Table (ART) believes that private sector can play an important role in providing for this new investment through Public Private Partnership (PPP)”.

As beautiful as Captain Ore’s postulation sounds, three indigenous investors are currently going through harrowing experience that puts their multi-billion naira investments in jeopardy over claims

by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation that the projects were awarded in ‘error’ and ‘skewed’ in their favour.

Oftentimes, government agencies such as FAAN think there are no broader implications to their actions, but their actions surely has broader implications for the attraction of investment.

Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, builders of the ultra modern

Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Dr. Wale Babalakin, is reportedly being hounded as he fights the battle of his life to save his investments. On more than four occasions, he floored the FAAN and the ministry in court, which asked the agency to respect the concession pact they had with him.

In each of the occasions, the rule of law that stipulates adherence to obedience of judgment of court of competent jurisdiction had allegedly been flouted.

In the same token, AIC is also in court challenging the FAAN for allegedly it from building a four star facility and a gigantic mall more than 20 years after the pact was sealed.

On March 3, 1997, as a result of FAAN’s open invitation, preliminary discussions and visits to probable site locations, AIC submitted to the Managing Director of FAAN their propos-

al principally aimed at developing a Five Star chain of Airport Hotels to be named Flightpath Hotels and Resorts, in four international airports in Nigeria, namely, Lagos, Abuja, Kano and PortHarcourt.

Just this week, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, awarded the firm (Maevis Nigeria Limited) the sum of N5 billion and set aside the termination of the contractual agreement between it and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

On October 1, 2007, the Federal Government through FAAN entered into a concession agreement with Maevis.

Under the 10-year concession, Maevis was to improve the system for managing passenger and aircraft handling. It invested N7 billion, sourced from Nigerian banks, in acquiring and operating an Integrated Airport Operation Management System (AOMS), Common User Self-Service System (CUSS), Flight Information Display System (FIDS), and Airport Pricing and Billing System from international IT vendors such as Cisco and Dell.

When FAAN allegedly failed in its obligations to provide the

uninterrupted power required to operate the sophisticated data relay system, Maevis was compelled to invest in a clean power centre and extensive cable laying to operate its data room, the boarding gates, and 62 check-in desks in the airport.

A key outcome of the investment in automation is that loopholes for corruption were being blocked.

But on March 24, 2012, officials of FAAN forcefully and physically took over the part of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport occupied by MAEVIS and violently ejected its workers from the premises. FAAN proceeded to take over MAEVIS equipment and transferred operations of some or all of the facilities and services provided by MAEVIS to (SITA).

The authority had been at loggerheads with Maevis almost from the inception of the concession. It frequently stopped the concessionaire from required construction and deployment of new automation equipment that would further take away capturing data and invoicing for services such as aircraft landing and parking from human control.

Emirates, SAA bag global, African airline awards

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi MIRATES Airline has been E awarded the ‘World’s Best Airline’ award by Skytrax at the 2013 World Airline Awards.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards are regarded as the most prestigious accolades for the world airline industry and provide global benchmark of airline excellence.

The airline also bags other two awards including; ‘Best Middle East Airline’ and for a record ninth year in a row, the

‘World’s Best In-flight Entertainment’.

The President, Emirates Airline, Tim Clark collected the awards, at the 50th International Paris Airshow recently.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards polled over 18 million business and leisure air travellers from more than 160 countries.

According to Tim: “Being honoured with these awards is testament to our unrelenting effort to be the world’s best airline. “We are constantly striv-

ing to offer our customers consistent, world-class service that extends from the moment they make their booking to the moment they arrive home at the end of their journey.

“These awards are widely regarded as the industry’s benchmark for excellence. For us, the awards clearly reflect a vote of confidence from global travellers, who acknowledge and appreciate our continuous drive to deliver high-quality service. To be voted ‘World’s Best Airline’ by millions of dis-

cerning travellers really is something for our 60,000 strong workforce to be proud of,” added Clark.

Meanwhile, South African Airways (SAA) has also been named the best airline in Africa, according to a global customer satisfaction survey during the Skytrax World Airline Awards ceremony hosted at the 50th International Paris Air Show recently.

This year was SAA’s eleventh consecutive year of winning the Best Airline in Africa award; making South Africa’s national

flag carrier the most awarded airline on the continent.

Skytrax, an independent aviation research organisation, conducts a customer satisfaction survey among 18-million business and leisure air travellers from 160 countries to decide the award winners. The survey covers over 200 airlines, from the largest international airlines to smaller domestic carriers.

The survey measures passenger satisfaction across more than 40 key performance indicators of airline front-line

product and service including check-in, boarding, onboard seat comfort, cabin cleanliness, food, beverages, in-flight entertainment and staff service.

The Customer Service Executive, SAA, Suretha Cruse, said: “We are delighted that customers from across the world have, for 11 years in a row, voted us the Best Airline in Africa. It is a remarkable achievement that resonates with our vision, which is to be Africa’s leading world-class airline.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

BUSINESSTRAVEL

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Experts seek antidote to aviation security challenges

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi in the aviaStheTAKEHOLDERS tion sector have expressed need for the industry players to provide strong security measures, as well for travelling passengers to imbibe the culture of self-security, which would improve safety at the nation’s airports.

They concluded that terrorism threat had been potent and remains the greatest challenge to aviation safety and a source of worry to the world.

Consequently, they tasked aviation security personnel to be more vigilant at all times as terrorists are evolving new ways of beating security.

The experts also advocated for inter-agency sharing of information at the airports, stating that the provision of several explosive detector equipment and body scanner machines at major airports would not achieve much without the cooperation of security operatives and the other stakeholders in the nation’s aviation industry.

To them, pilfering at the airports had become an embarrassment, just as they urged

the authorities to improve surveillance of luggage and for travelers to keep their eyes on the luggage.

Speaking at a seminar recently, with theme, “Dealing with emerging challenges in aviation security’’, the Acting Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) Mr. Joyce Nkemekolam, who was represented by Director Consumer Protection Directorate, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi , stated the need for passengers to keep an eye on their luggage to guard against pilferages and stealing from the aircraft.

He noted that through the CCTV cameras installed on the aircraft, the NCAA and other security agencies at the airports have been able to arrest those who commit infractions.

His words: “We should be first and foremost the first to enhance security and safety wherever we find ourselves”.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mish Aviation, Capt Ibrahim Msheila, who spoke on the role of journalists in reporting aviation industry, stated also that security is everybody’s business and not the airlines operators job alone, adding

that ground handling companies should continue to contribute to the security of passengers by ensuring that they collect their luggage at the baggage collection point with dispatch.

He also called for sharing of information among the agencies, airline operators to enhance safety and security at the nation’s airports Speaking in the same vein, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency Muyiwa (NAMA), Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, who presented a paper on “safety and security using the

minister of aviation’s road map”, said that the national safety and security challenge has been taken care by ICAO annex 17 and stipulated what everybody should do .

He said that Nigeria like other countries is facing security threats at their airports, just as he identified natural challenges and human resources, post 9/11 era as some critical areas for improvement.

Udoh pointed out that human resources would require the leadership to have modern aviation in Nigeria where there would be safer

skies, modern airports, secured, autonomous civil aviation regulators, low cost carriers, and strong project matrix enviornment to actualise plans, highly skilled and modern workforce.

He also identified safety challenges such as accidents and incidents caused by safety gaps that could increase into security issues through human errors.

He canvassed the training and retraining of core personnel, succession planning very important, workforce motivation, clearly defined roles, responsibility and performance.

Peacock Travels, Royal Jordanian Airlines seal pact on pilgrimage

By Wole Shadare ORDANIAN carrier, Royal Jcollaborated Air Jordanian Airlines, has with Nigeria’s Peacock Travels and Tours Limited to introduce affordable holy pilgrimage to Jordan.

The partnership, signed recently between the airline and the travel management company, grants Peacock Travels the exclusive right to handle this year’s holy pilgrimage package to and fro Jordan.

This partnership will help to build a relationship and network between Nigerians and Jordanians, among other numerous benefits Group Executive Chairman of Peacock Travels and Tours Limited, Segun Philips, said the company was glad to seal the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordanian carrier.

According to him, the package will allow prospective pilgrims to experience Jordan Holy land from July 5th to 10th, 2013, stressing that the visit would make all returnees get JP attached to their names.

The package include: hotel accommodation, visa to Jordan, flight tickets, entrance fees to tour sites, transportation for D1/2/4, health insurance and bed and breakfast.

Meanwhile, Peacock Travels has also introduced a new summer travel package that enables prospective summer travellers pay for their summer trip in three installments.

The summer package, called Peacock Travel With Ease-Pay Easy Agreement, is designed to help summer vacationers pay for their summer trip without much financial burden.

The Chief Executive Officer, Broll Property Group, Erejuwa Gbadebo (left); Deputy General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, Cliff Shiridzinodya and Executive Secretary, Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Toyin Cameron, at the Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel VIP Cocktail held in Lagos…recently.

Air France-KLM orders 25 A350, as Airbus wins 466 more clients

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi HE Air France-KLM Group T has finalized a firm contract for 25 A350-900 aircraft and for a further 25 options.

These aircraft will become an essential element in the Group’s future fleet strategy.

“This order of new-generation, high performance aircraft reflects the importance of our investments for the benefit of our customers, whose comfort is at the heart of our concerns. With the A350, Air France-KLM will continue to operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, and ensure the growth of its long-haul activity, while achieving significant cost savings,” said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Air France-KLM Group, Alexandre de Juniac.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM, Peter Hartman, said: “Our order for this new aircraft type opens a new chapter for the Group.

This aircraft introduces major environmental advances and will contribute to our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.“ “We are honoured that our all new, extra efficient A350900, which has just recently flown on its maiden flight, will become an essential cornerstone in the future fleet development of Air FranceKLM,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The A350 XWB’s unbeatable economics and environmental credentials will pay nice dividends into the future positioning of the airline, while the aircraft’s commonality with the groups existing Airbus fleet will generate further efficiencies and savings.”

The Air France-KLM Group currently operates a fleet of just over 190 Airbus aircraft, comprising eight A380s, 31 A330s, 13 A340s, 25 A321s, 54 A320s, 41 A319s and 18 A318s.

With this new order Air

France-KLM joins an exclusive group of airlines who are customers for every member of the Airbus product family.

The A350 XWB is the all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in spacious three-class layouts. The new family will bring a step change in efficiency using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. By the end of May, the A350 XWB has already won 613 firm orders from 33 customers worldwide.

Meanwhile, Airbus has won $68.7 billion worth of business for a total of 466 aircraft, which shows the resilience of the commercial aviation industry at the 2013 Paris Air Show.

The deals comprise Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for 225 aircraft worth $29.4 billion and firm purchase orders for

241 aircraft worth US$39.3 billion.

The A320 Family, spearheaded by the A320neo, continues its trailblazing success in the single-aisle market with 371 orders and commitments from six customers announced at the show, worth approximately $37.8 billion. Of these, 88 were for the A320ceo – showing that today’s in-production aircraft is still the most sought-after industry workhorse. A standout commitment during the show for the A320 Family was the announcement from easyJet for 100 A320neos plus 35 A320ceos – the winning result of a very intense competition.

Another major endorsement for the A320 Family came from Lufthansa with the firming-up of 100 more aircraft. Additional A320 Family orders and commitments came from: Hong Kong Aviation Capital for 60; ILFC for 50; Spirit for 20; and Tunisia’s Syphax Airlines for

three – significantly the first A320neo commitment from Africa.

Another star at Paris was the A350 XWB which flew for the first time on Friday 14th June 2013 and successfully completed its second flight on Wednesday 19th June. At the show this aircraft gained 69 more orders & commitments worth $21.4 billion from four customers on different continents. Air France-KLM placed a firm order for 25 A350-900s.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, already a large customer for the type, returned to order 30 more A350-900s; United Airlines also placed an additional A350 order for 10 A350-1000s — not only bringing its total A350 orders to 35, but also upgrading its previous order for 25 A350-900s to the larger A350-1000 model to replace its Boeing 777s. In addition, Sri Lankan signed a commitment for four A350900s to complement an order for six A330-300s at the show.

ASKY unveils promotional fare, baggage allowance for travellers

By Wole Shadare N a bid to bring air travel to many of its passenger, Ia new ASKY Airlines, the Pan-African Airline has unveiled fare of $250 on its Lagos - Abidjan route.

In addition to that, passengers who fly Economy class will enjoy an additional 10kg to the usual 30kg baggage allowance while passengers in business class will enjoy a total of 50kg baggage allowance instead of the usual 40kg. According to the carrier,

the promotion runs till the June 30, 2013 ASKY Airline, a regional airline that started operations three years ago is providing the void created by the demise of Nigeria Airways, Ghana Airways and Air Afrique that once dominated the West African skies.

Thus, from Dakar to Addis Ababa, Banjul, Gambia, Accra, Conakry, Doualla, Malabo, Monrovia, Freetown, Ouagadougou, Libreville, Abidjan, through Khartoum, from Abuja to Windhoek,

Johannesburg, Nairobi or Harare, the airline which started operations three years ago, presents to boost the movement of people, business, students, youths, workers, tourists.

General Manager for ASKY, Bolaji Ogunwunmi, said his firm relies on an autonomous decentralised structural design organised around distinct networks and specialisations (intercontinental network, intra-Africa network, regional network, cargo, tourism, maintenance, among others).

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CAPITAL MARKET

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PRICE GAINERS

UPDC assures shareholders of improved profitability, pays N962.5m dividend

By Femi Adekoya ARRING all odds, the manB agement of UACN Property Development Company Plc has assured its shareholders of improved profitability as well as an enhanced return on investments in the 2013 financial year.

The Chairman of the company, Larry Ettah gave this assurance to shareholders during the company’s yearly general meeting in Lagos, yesterday.

Besides, the company expressed plans to conclude the Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS) transaction in order to enhance shareholders’ return on investments.

Ettah explained that the company took advantage of opportunities in the real estate sector despite the glut in the luxury market.

He said: “Business continues to be attractive with the huge housing deficit of about 17 million units, the growing popula-

tion and the emerging middle class. Partnership opportunities are also emerging across different segments of the market and your company is poised to take advantage of them.

“Despite the seeming glut in the luxury market, international operators continue to express a strong desire to expand their foot prints in the Nigerian market, as significant demand/supply imbalance exists for quality hotel accom-

modation. The retail segment is primed for a major revolution with several mall developments under way in key metropolitan cities of Nigeria. The company is taking advantage of this demand.”

On the outlook of the business for 2013, Ettah stated that the Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS) transaction would be concluded within the first half of the year while other avenues would be explored to deleverage the balance sheet

and secure improved returns for shareholders in the future.

The shareholders however approved the company’s proposed dividend payout of N962.5 million, representing 70 kobo per share held for the 2012 financial year.

A close look at the company’s financial results for 2012 showed that the company’s revenue rose in 2012 to N12.039 billion, 78 per cent rise over the N6.782 billion recorded in 2011, while Profit After Tax

Before Non-Controlling Interests rose from N1.067 billion to N2.180 billion, indicating an increase of 31 per cent during the period.

Ettah also reviewed the progress made by the company on building development noting that the company hopes to complete the 55-unit Metro Gardens in Lekki and the 18-unit Grandville in GRA, Ikeja, while progress has been made on other projects.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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Opinion On PHCN oppressive tariff regime

By Tayo Ogunbiyi IGERIANS bear lots of burdens. Perhaps, N they could, at best, be referred to as ‘beasts of burden’. In various parts of the country, major highways are becoming impassable.

Some live in places that do not dignify the human race as recently reflected in a documentary which a major news-based TV station in the country did on some of the satellite settlements in Abuja. Many die avoidable deaths in painful but preventable circumstances.

Often, security agents that are paid to protect them inexplicably turn against them. Poor Nigerians! They are virtually short changed from all fronts. Even GSM service providers are not left out in this grand conspiracy to add to their already heavy yokes as they are usually charged for calls they don’t make in a service that has become quite disruptive.

Currently, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the body saddled with the responsibility of providing electricity to homes across the country is taking undue advantage of the burden bearing capacity of the average Nigerian through its indiscriminately high tariff. In recent time, Nigerians have had to grapple with the weight of PHCN unbelievably soaring bills. Ironically, the current state of power supply across the country remains unsatisfactory. In the particular part of the country where I reside, popularly referred to as ‘New Lagos’, the current position of public electricity leaves much to desire. Yet, officials of PHCN regularly come around with crazy bills and with sheer impunity and arrogance threatening heaven and earth if you dare argue with them.

Many people have come to believe that the

bills that most electricity consumers in the country are confronted with are based on estimation (as opposed to charges on actual power consumed), leading to haphazard figures posted on the bills served on monthly basis. Most consumers are at a loss in respect of the actual understanding of the workings of the PHCN as far as billings are concerned.

In recent times, electricity consumers in residential buildings have their bills read as high as over N24,900 excluding VAT in a month. Considering the irregular nature of power in the country in addition to the fact that most consumers still spend enormous amount of money to power and maintain their respective generating sets on a monthly basis, the current billing pattern of PHCN is difficult to understand.

To underscore the erratic nature of the current PHCN billing system, a friend recently revealed that a particular apartment that was locked up for three months in his neighborhood, with no occupants within same period and invariably no consumption of power, regularly received crazy bills from PHCN for the three months it was abdicated!

The marketers of PHCN have been fingered to be responsible for the anomaly in the company’s billing system. It is being argued that most PHCN marketers, in a bid to make their monthly targets simply allot unbelievable figures on consumers’ bills. In most cases, they don’t even bother to pick the readings on the meters before coming up with the so-called bills.

Sometimes ago, when PHCN came up with the idea of pre-paid meters, most consumers were relieved that it would help curb the exploitative tendencies of the organisation.

This is quite understandable coming from

the background of recent experience with GSM operators’ pre-paid billing system, which emancipated Nigerians from the grip of comatose NITEL. However, the difficulty in obtaining pre-paid meters has dampened the expectations of Nigerians. It is, indeed, being insinuated in some quarters that the scarcity of pre-paid meter is not unconnected to the grand conspiracy of certain unscrupulous PHCN officials to sabotage the process so that the old order could continue un-hindered.

It is quite unfortunate that Nigerians have, over the years, continued to bear the burden of PHCN inefficiency. This is not good enough. Our people have been taken for a ride for too long. If a public corporation like PHCN, which is being funded with tax payers’ money, could continue to milk the people unchecked, then we have no moral right to complain when some third rated firms from foreign countries short change us through the provision of poor services and fake products.

For years, successive governments in the country have failed to decisively tackle the rot in the power sector despite investing huge amount of money as intervention fund for the sector. Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, in January 14, 2008, disclosed that Nigeria spent a massive sum of $10 billion on the power sector between 1999 and 2007 without any corresponding stability in the power situation.

Consumers have continued to pay for services not enjoyed. Despite its transformation from Nigeria Electric Power Authority (NEPA) into Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with added establishment of 18 companies consisting six generation companies,

one transmission company and 11 distribution companies, constant power supply has continued to be a myriad across the country. Yet, less endowed countries in the West African sub-regions have been able to come over their power challenge.

Appropriate government agencies should look into the current PHCN billing trend with a view to saving the people from the perceived fraudulent activities of some PHCN officials. It is bad enough that power is not yet stable in the country. It is, however, unacceptable that the people should continue to pay for services not rendered. The time is ripe for the billing mechanism of PHCN to be properly reviewed in order to redress all its inherent lopsidedness. Efforts should be made to seriously scrutinize the activities of the so-called PHCN marketers who have been figured to be central in the whole issue. Those that are culpable should be made to face the consequence of their actions.

Equally, there is need for government and other stakeholders in the power sector to explore other sources of power aside from hydropower. Efforts should be made, in this respect, to seek collaboration and cooperation of countries that are already making successful use of alternative power sources.

Perhaps more important, the Federal Government should step up its restructuring agenda in the power sector. With the enormous human and natural resources at the disposal of the country, stabilizing the power sector should not pose such a great challenge. The centrality of the power sector to the overall performance of the nation’s economy, calls for a more robust approach in tackling challenges associated with the sector.

• Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

The fall from political grace

By Dele Olowu HE continuing shrinkage of viable business models, along T with the fragility of Nigeria’s private sector, have meant that the only safe havens in the land are public offices. In truth however, even public offices do not guarantee eternal bliss! Yes, these offices have huge discretions and often contain significant windows for offering patronage. But the competition for public offices is not only heartless; additionally the winner of the prize is often expected to cope with the animosities of fallen opponents, until the incumbent himself falls from grace.

The public office environment in Nigeria is therefore a universe of agony. Not surprisingly, a great amount of public office careers often end in controversy, litigation, humiliation and outright disgrace. This trend is beginning to establish itself as a tradition and the Nigerian public appears to have developed a malignant appetite for feeding off the flesh of disgraced officials. The greatest challenge faced by public officials in Nigeria is of course that of corruption, and allegations around this theme have often provided a basis for bringing their careers to grief. In many instances, the corruption smear tends to hold and several incumbents have been tragically undermined by them.

One unflattering consequence of all this, is that public offices in Nigeria have become a byword for corruption. This itself, cloaks a lot of the idealism and integrity, which the Nigerian service inevitably retains. And equally important, is the reflection, that in spite of our residual goodness, opportunistic allegations of corruption are sometimes invoked in damaging otherwise sterling careers.

Most narratives about corruption in Nigeria often create the impression that the worst forms of this phenomenon became extant only in modern times. And yet sleaze in public offices has a fairly long history in our country. Perhaps the volume and intensity of our current experience of this social ulcer, encourages the belief that it did not exist before now. Indeed sometimes it creates the extreme determination, that the past was a golden age, in which public servants operated in a sinless world.

Nothing can be further from the truth. Any attempt to romanticize the past will collapse under scrutiny. The first Republic in spite of all the hopes and optimism it inspired, had its own blemishes. Corruption and it’s traveling companion called nepotism were an important feature of the First Republic. And frequently they provoked public outrage. The regions made

steady progress, and competed and sought to outpace each other in the provision of social infrastructure. There was Liberty Stadium, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, the Niger Dam, the Niger Bridge and others. This notwithstanding, society was driven by clamor and dissension. A sense of crisis was pervasive and between 1964 and the first coup in 1966 there were over 200 strike actions. But on top of all this, was a growing sense of outrage produced by corruption and public sleaze.

One of the very instances was the case which involved the purchase of equity by Zik’s firm in a bank, the African Continental Bank. In 1962 also, Adegoke Adelabu was forced to resign as Council Head over charges of inclement conduct, while Chief Obafemi Awolowo seemed to have been indicted by the Coker Commission. These were important failures but the stridency of the anti-corruption vanguard, often gave the impression that the phenomenon was more corrosive than it actually was. We may note here, a similarity between the current outcry and the outrage expressed during the First Republic. I once discussed corruption with Peter Enahoro, an influential writer, who at 26 edited the reputable Daily Times in the 60s. He recalled that Lagos and Nigeria were at one time scandalized by the news that our Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa had built a palatial house in his hometown Bauchi. Everybody was sure that government money had been siphoned to produce this piece of vanity. Not until Peter Enahoro himself visited Bauchi only to be humbled by the fact that the palatial house was a simple home.

In many ways, talk of corruption though not always idle, is often overstated. And it’s invocation is an important feature in the armory of opposition parties or coup makers. Not surprisingly, Major Nzeogwu’s coup speech dwelt on the corruption theme “The aim of the Revolutionary Council” he said, “is to establish a strong united nation free from corruption”.

The need to wipe out corruption has remained an enduring dream not only for coup vendors but also for settled governments, which truly wish to endear themselves to their citizens.

So all through our history most of our governments have sought to challenge this cankerworm with varying amounts of success.

The third republic has had its fair share of public scandals and there has been no shortage of efforts to fight the evil of corruption. As always, the anti corruption vanguard is on overdrive and the EFCC and ICPC have their hands full. Whatever our anxieties, we must admit that the process for apprehending public office offenders is firing on all cylinders. As at the last count, over 50 public officers are facing legal action because of infractions committed when they served.

Corruption is a huge problem in Nigeria and it’s impact may account for a huge part of our underdevelopment. It is important that government continues to take decisive action against those who abuse public trust. The process requires to be properly vetted so as to avoid legal malingering. It seems that many of the cases that have been taken to court are allowed to fester with no prospect of a rapid determination. Nigeria may well be populated by several self-servers. But there must be some people who are capable of expressing idealism through their conduct and public service.

One of the tragic consequences of the attack on public service in Nigeria is the evolving dearth of idealism and the rise of cynicism. Public service is now mixed interchangeably with corruption and corrupt conduct. And nowhere in our calculation do we create any room for men and women of service. So as more and more accused are docked by the conveyor belt of the anti corruption agencies, the public has learnt to applaud in accustomed glee. Yet in a more service driven environment, people are bound to express dismay at the ease with which people in high offices soil their hands.

The moral landscape in Nigeria appears to have been considerably fouled up and confused. The transition from hero to villain, and back to hero, is a well known trajectory. Nuhu Ribadu for example, was dragged through this tortured route. He became famous when he was posted to head our anticorruption agency – the EFCC. He procured high-profile convictions and was distinguished for the passion with which he conducted his obligation. Yet the same Ribadu was hunted out of office.

Sunday Ehindero, former Inspector General of the Nigerian Police has also had an intriguing experience. Privileged to be among the first set of graduates recruited into the force, he was the last man standing. He became Inspector General of Police, and before then, cornered the distinction of being the first Nigeria policeman to prosecute and convict fraudsters under the 419 provision, long before this section became infamous in Nigeria.

As Inspector General of Police, Ehindero, was twice given tenure extension by the President.

Watching the big man fall from high office has come close to being a spectator sport in Nigeria. Each time we scan the news, what many hanker after, is knowledge of which political or public office incumbent has been decapitated. This also turns ready servants into faint hearts. We must arrest this trend and in other to do this, we ought to ensure that the screening process as well as the benchmarks for scrutiny punish only the guilty.

• Olowu, a public policy analyst, writes from Abuja.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Opinion The timely idea of automatic ticket

By Kayode Ojo T the recent family dinner held by the Peoples Democratic A Party (PDP) in Abuja, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, called for the consideration of the idea of giving automatic tickets to the president and governors who are entitled to a second term in office. This is by any consideration one of the most courageous and profound ideas in political discourse, in Nigeria, for a very long time. It combines the insights of years of political experience with a sound understanding of Nigeria’s political culture and an appreciation of global political trends.

Primaries are a means by which political parties select their candidates for elections. They may be direct, in which case, all party members take part in the selection process through their votes, or indirect, which means that party members select delegates who in turn decide, through voting or affirmation, those who will vie for the party in one election or the other. Whereas, primaries are often contested by multitudes of candidates, it is neither a requirement of any constitution that they should be contested nor is it unusual for primaries to be no more than the affirmation of a candidate who is considered to offer the best prospects of electoral success.

It is therefore a fallacy to assume that contested primaries are an integral part of the democratic process. It is not necessarily true that giving an automatic ticket would amount to undermining democracy. Automatic tickets are the products of consensus, which, in itself, results from wide consultations and general agreement. Indeed, consensus is often regarded as the ultimate and most enlightened form of democracy. It is, nonetheless, a controversial idea and people will be quick to read motives into the proposal and this we have seen in the response of critics, particularly the opposition parties, who ordinarily, ought not to have any business with what is purely an affair of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Given the history and realities of the last 14 years, it would not be far-fetched to say that it is an idea whose time has come.

Over the years, PDP primaries at all levels have tended to take the form of internal warfare. They have been fractious, rancorous, divisive, expensive and even debilitating. Aspirants

often fight with so much bitterness that it takes considerable efforts to mend fences after the primaries. It is a known fact that substantial numbers of PDP members defect to other parties in the aftermath of primaries. Primaries thus cause electoral distress and even defeat for the party. In 2011, the PDP lost governorship elections in Ogun and Oyo states, essentially because of the unresolved differences, which arose from the primaries of the party in these two states.

At the federal level, the selection of a presidential candidate for the PDP generated so much division, bitterness and bickering that almost engulfed the entire country. Apart from the tension, which it generated, no one can say, for sure, how much it cost to eventually arrive at the choice of the party’s presidential candidate. But it is sure that enormous resources were invested, some would say wasted!

Significantly, in all the primaries that have been held within the PDP, at the governorship and presidential levels, no incumbent ever lost. Although it is possible that an incumbent could lose, the balance of evidence points to the fact that up till now, PDP primaries are, largely, a fait accompli, that is, the coronation of incumbents. If that is the case, what sense is there in encouraging other aspirants to challenge an incumbent, disturb the peace of the party, stimulate unwarranted investment of huge resources and cause division within the party, when the probability is that the challenger(s) is/are merely engaging in a futile exercise?

Clearly, primaries have been a liability for the PDP. As Anenih rightly pointed out, they have been the most serious sources of division, rancour and disunity within the party. Primaries cost the party almost two years of acrimonious competition before an election and another two years to manage the divisions and bitterness arising from them. Often, members of the party dissipate so much energy and resources into the primaries that they undermine the capacity of the party to compete in the general elections.

It is, perhaps, this danger of the capacity of primaries to undermine the party’s potentials in elections that has informed the growing culture in the American presidential system, of allowing a President, entitled to a second term, to contest without any challenge from within his party. From Ronald Reagan

Clearly, primaries have been a liability for the PDP. As Anenih rightly pointed out, they have been the most serious sources of division, rancour and disunity within the party. Primaries cost the party almost two years of acrimonious competition before an election and another two years to manage the divisions and bitterness arising from them. Often, members of the party dissipate so much energy and resources into the primaries that they undermine the capacity of the party to compete in the general elections. to Obama, incumbent presidents have had the freedom of their parties to contest for a second term. Even George Bush (Snr.), who lost eventually to Bill Clinton, was unchallenged from within his party as the candidate of the Republican Party.

There is no doubt that this growing tradition is borne out of the realisation that primaries, apart from being expensive and divisive, have the potential to undermine the electability of an incumbent president.

It would be wise, therefore, to consider Anenih’s proposal with greater seriousness than it is being presently received. The PDP will surely profit from adopting and implementing it. The temptation to personalise the proposal and reduce it to the interest of the president must be resisted for, it is the party that stands more to lose from contested, divisive and rancorous primaries.

• Ojo, a public commentator, sent this piece from Lagos.

Felix Adenaike: A tribute

By Muyiwa Apara rd

NLY three days shy of his 73 birthday, preO cisely on 19 April 2013, the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) th

inducted Mr. Felix Adenaike into its hall of fame. I am not aware that the NUJ at the national level has a hall of fame into which anybody – journalists included – has yet been inducted, but as I asked around on that day, only a few people appreciated my predicament. Would it be strange they wondered, if a pacesetter state, as Oyo State is known to be, blazed the trail in setting up a hall of fame in journalism?

But in Nigeria, journalism, a profession I have been familiar with for the better part of my natural life is known to be without any order or regulation. Charlatans and apologists rise in it like meteors and they prevail like predators.

There are even gladiators who claim to be journalists just because they have written a couple of published letters to the editor and for which some naive and unsuspecting fools must have paid either through cheap blackmail or disgusting patronage.

Not that it is surprising though, since all pro-

fessions in Nigeria, an essential wilderness, are ailed by such afflictions and matters have even got to an unimaginable head that recently a secondary school dropout was apprehended for posing as a consultant in a teaching hospital! Another charlatan, this time a dropout from the university, in the seemingly more discriminating profession of pharmacy had practised for eight years earning fat salaries and other emoluments before being discovered as a fake.

On the contrary, Felix Adenaike is a thoroughbred, well-baked professional both by training and practice. Before he became a journalist, he had trained properly and professionally as a teacher and when he found his flair for writing, he trained as a journalist at the prestigious department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos where he obtained a degree in the discipline. According to his citation made available in the brochure of the NUJ in which he is celebrated as a toast of Nigerian media, Felix Adenaike started journalism as an Information Assistant/Reporter at the Ministry of Information and Home Affairs in the Western Region between 1966 and 1971. He left the civil service job for the reputable and prestigious Daily Times as a Leader

The Oyo State Council of the NUJ must be commended for recognising his professional attributes to induct him into its hall of fame. Such recognition can only add value to professional practice by encouraging others to keep the flag flying in the hope that someday, their contributions will also be noticed. It also adds to the credibility of the induction since Felix Adenaike is not a moneybag who may have bought this induction as a professional journalist. Elsewhere, professionals like Felix Adenaike are venerated as celebrities and not consigned to history simply as veterans especially in the context of the milieu of shenanigans and charlatanism threatening to smother the very essence of the profession.

Writer/Features Writer.

It was here that his analytical mind was exposed and discovered by the media mogul, Late Babatunde Jose such that when a request came from the West Africa Magazine, London, he did not hesitate to recommend Felix Adenaike for the job thus further exposing him to another level of sophistication in professional practice between 1972 and 1975. It was therefore easy for him to be identified as being ready to serve in management positions in the media having been exposed to different courses in management while at the Daily Times, which made him perhaps the youngest chief executive to serve as the editor-in –chief of the Sketch Newspapers when he was yet in his mid thirties!

Also as the editor-in-chief of the Tribune titles much later in his career, Felix Adenaike is reputed to have turned the newspapers’ fortunes around for the better by insisting on the best professional practices, a policy which arguably gained readership and circulation for the company’s newspapers. Even greenhorns know that what newspapers sell is their credibility and any newspaper fouled on that score can only be trash-can bound if it escapes a foreclosure by lawsuits. It can be verified from sales figures whether the fortunes of the Tribune titles peaked during Felix Adenaike’s tenure or not. If his professional qualities are unassailable, perhaps not so his management style which was not in the least populist. A stickler for time and a perfectionist, he had only contempt and disdain for sloth and ineptitude, a disposition which understandably brought him on collision courses with many workers who would rather sail in a ship with an indulgent captain, conveniently oblivious of the fact that skills are best honed under a strict, critical, didactic and punctilious supervisor or manager.

It will be interesting to develop a theory that

will explain Felix Adenaike’s disposition, which irks his professional foes. Has he been a victim of the syndrome of a professional whose career peaked quite early or of a subculture that is permissive of mediocrity? His professional travails, which made him leave both appointments at Sketch and Tribune in less than savoury circumstances may be found in between the two. In his heyday, Felix would chide a professional slack in anybody no matter how close but then he was also willing to motivate any deserving professional work or judgement and those who are close to him knows that he works hard and enjoys hard.

The Oyo State Council of the NUJ must be commended for recognising his professional attributes to induct him into its hall of fame.

Such recognition can only add value to professional practice by encouraging others to keep the flag flying in the hope that someday, their contributions will also be noticed. It also adds to the credibility of the induction since Felix Adenaike is not a moneybag who may have bought this induction as a professional journalist. Elsewhere, professionals like Felix Adenaike are venerated as celebrities and not consigned to history simply as veterans especially in the context of the milieu of shenanigans and charlatanism threatening to smother the very essence of the profession.

Perhaps in no other time than now when information is readily available in the social media without any recourse to its quality or veracity is it important to uphold professional ethics and practice and one of the significant ways of doing this is by recognising those who have practically paid their dues through patience, endurance and experience. It is in this light that the Gbenga Opadotun-led executive of the Oyo State Council of the NUJ deserves kudos.

• Apara, a journalist, is the CEO of AMITY Limited, a media, marketing and strategy firm.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

53

FridayWorship

By Afis A. Oladosu In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful “The number of months in the sight of Allah is “Surely, the religion with Allah is ISLAM,complete submission”... Qur’an 3:19 twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight path; so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who ocrite and you would discover gravitas because fasting in Ramadan is obligato- appetitive and vegetative bondages; it restrain themselves”- (Q9: 36) of hypocrisy in him as he goes about ry, while fasting in other days of the raises them up to such heights as are pooh-poohing the Divine wisdom that lunar calendar is optional. Our leader, open only to the angels and the chosen RETHREN, I should begin this ser- makes fasting in the month of may the peace and blessings of Allah be ones among the servants of the mon today with a disclaimer: it is Ramadan obligatory on every able-bod- on his soul, in an Hadith reported by Almighty. If humanity gets to know of not addressed to those who are usually ied Muslim. Abu Hurayrah, says: “Do not fast after its huge blessings, so goes the tradisad once Ramadan is at the corner. It is Each time the verses quoted above are the first half of the month of Sha’ban is tion, they would have requested the not meant for those who have become recited by those who constantly derive gone.” In another tradition, he is Almighty to make fasting a whole year, hostages to their bodies. It is not pleasure in reciting al-Dhikr, the hyp- reported to have said as follows: “Do not not just a month or 29 days, as is the case. intended for those who are only a step ocrite begins to experience some trepi- precede the month of Ramadan with presently or two fasts.” Now today’s sermon is concerned with above the realm of the animals: those dation and anxiety. To him, the month one who eat, drink and engage in exces- of Ramadan is a nemesis. It is a threat Brethren, if it is consensual that today the exploration of newer paths towards sive, and I should say, perverse sexual from which he frowns and frets; it is is the 12th day of the month of Sha’aban, a successful and more rewarding fastrelations all in the erroneous belief seen as a plot not a writ for Divine 1434 years after the migration of the ing season. Perhaps this should begin that that is all there is to life. redemption or a pathway to celestial Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, (upon with the call for early preparation for him be the blessings and mercies of the month of Ramadan. In other words, Each time Ramadan appears around prosperity. the corner, this group of people This sermon is, therefore, addressed Allah) from Makkah to Madinah, it though experience has taught us that becomes jittery. Each time they hear not to the above but to those who usu- means, therefore, that the month of early planning in all human endeavour the following verse being rehearsed ally rejoice with the advent of Ramadan. Ramadan would begin most likely on makes for successful outcomes, and they tremble: “O believers! Fasting is I hasten to call your attention to the fact the 9th of July, 2013 depending on the that the earlier the preparation of a stuprescribed for you as it was prescribed that the month of Ramadan is less than sighting of the moon and the location dent the more the likelihood of his sucfor those before you so that you may three weeks from today. Going by the of each Muslim community across the cess in the examination, it appears that learn self-restraint. Fast the prescribed calendar at my disposal, today is the world. Since the month of Ramadan is this timeless wisdom often enjoys little number of days; except if any of you is 12th day of Sha’aban, 1434 A.H. not an ordinary one, it is important that patronage with reference to Muslims’ ill or on a journey, then fast a similar Traditionally, the month of Shaaban is we prepare adequately for it. approach to the month of Ramadan.

Thus hours to the first day in the number of days later. For those who deemed a holy month because it pre- In other words, the month of Ramadan cannot endure it there is a ransom: the cedes the holy month of fasting, the is a month of spiritual examination and month, there usually occurs a bedlam feeding of one poor person for each month of Ramadan. While it is good to training. It is a month of high social and in some markets across major cities of missed day. Whoever does more good fast some days in this month, it should communal value. Ramadan helps you this country. This is often caused by the than this voluntarily, it is better for be borne in mind that such an exercise discover the human in you, the same sudden realization, by adherents of him. However, if you truly understand is essentially for those who are able and way it awakens your spiritual poten- Islam that the first supererogatory tials. Ramadan comes to bond the indi- prayer (al-tarawih), which usually the rationale of fasting, it is better for capable. you to fast” - (Q2: 183-184). Therefore, if one fears that after fasting vidual to and with his community; it marks the beginning of the month The extremely vegetative among in Sha’ban, he will lose strength or fresh- functions in waking the community up would be held that same night and that human beings would, however, see no ness for the fasts of Ramadan, he to its strength in the individual. the early morning meal (sahur) would Ramadan frees Muslims from their be due on the following day. Thus, rationale in fasting. Call him a hyp- should not fast in Sha’ban. This is

Ramadan is two weeks from now

B

Muslim women and men would now proceed to the various markets in order to buy food items with which their families would begin fasting.

On such days, traders in the market usually hike prices of foodstuffs. A cup of rice, which hitherto used to sell for, for example, N50, would now be sold for N100. That brother of mine would consequently be ‘punished’ by the shylock traders for his lack of planning. He would invariably go back home utterly disappointed for his inability to buy the items his wife had requested from him.

My Muslim sister, whose task it is to procure necessary materials for her family, would become disconsolate simply because food prices had reached the rooftop. The Muslim’s home front would then become un-homely; the joy, which Ramadan should normally occasion in Muslim homes, would then become tempered by its inability to satisfy its basic needs.

Dear brethren, the above represents the very antithesis of the preparation a Muslim can undertake ahead of Ramadan. It is the pathway we should all avoid, in order for us to have a more rewarding and fulfilling Ramadan in 1434 after Hijra. I should then advise, if I may, that each of our families should have a Shuura (family consultations) days before the onset of Ramadan.

Endeavour to prepare an estimate of every item that your family would need in order to enjoy the bliss of Ramadan and make efforts to go out for shopping days before the appearance of the crescent. If the crescent for the month of Ramadan takes 11 months before it appears, it means we should not wait till it is 24 hours to its beginning to begin to prepare for it.

(08151293300 for text messages only)

54

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

Sports Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup

Keshi finally gives up on Onazi • Confusion trails Mikel’s reported move to Galatasaray to let him be ready.”

UPER Eagles Coach, Meanwhile, confusion STuesday Stephen Keshi, who on trailed yesterday Chelsea expressed hope that midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, would play some part in the on-going Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup, has finally given up on having the Lazio star in his team in the competition.

Nigeria met Uruguay in their second group game of the competition.

Onazi was due to link up with the rest of the squad, having missed the first match against Tahiti. Keshi, at that time, had expressed optimism that the 20-year-old might play a part in the rest of the competition. However, Onazi will now stay behind in Nigeria to undergo further treatment.

“Up to now, we don’t know.

I am not sure if he is coming,” Keshi said during Wednesday’s pre-game press conference.

“We’re not too much in haste. We have three very important World Cup games in September, October and November.

“Those are more important for us, although of course the Confederations Cup is good for us too. We don’t want to push him too much. We want

Messi, father get Sept. 17 court date over alleged tax fraud

midfielder, John Obi Mikel’s reported likely move to Turkey with different newspaper reports quoting the player as denying the story, while others quoted him as saying he is to join Galatasaray.

Press Association Sport reported yesterday that Mikel has denied suggesting he is close to a move to Galatasaray.

The report agreed that quotes attributed to the Nigeria international, who is currently playing in the Confederations Cup in Brazil, have appeared in the Turkish media, suggesting that the 26-year-old is nearing a switch to Istanbul.

“Yet Mikel, who moved to Stamford Bridge during Jose Mourinho’s first spell as manager, insists he has made no such comments.”

However, ESPN said also yesterday that Mikel has confirmed he is on the verge of completing a move to Galatasaray.

ESPN writes that Galatasaray are believed to be ready to pay around £7m for the Nigeria international, while Chelsea are keen to recoup at least £10m for a player that cost them around £17m - following a legal wrangle with Manchester United - back in 2006.

Super Eagles players in a training session at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador before their FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2014 Group B football match against Uruguay…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

India to meet England in ICC Champions Trophy final NDIA marched into the and Ravichandran Ashwin in the fifth over.

ITrophy final of the ICC Champions took three wickets apiece.

Lahiru Thirimanne (7) and with a convincing India cantered to 182 for Kumar Sangakkara (17) eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second semifinal at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff yesterday.

India will take on England, who beat South Africa in the first semifinal, in the summit clash at Birmingham on Sunday.

After a delayed start due to a wet outfield, Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 181 for eight in gloomy conditions. Ishant Sharma

two in 35 overs with Virat Kohli (58 not out) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) starring with the bat.

Earlier Sri Lanka, put into bat, were immediately put on the backfoot with Kusal Perera edging a Bhuvneshwar Kumar outswinger to Suresh Raina in second slip.

There was more bad news as Tillakaratne Dilshan limped off the field due to an injury

Cross River/AFN All Nigeria Open Athletics Championships

played out the new ball but failed to get the scoreboard going.

When both the batsman fell in quick succession, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble with the score on 41 for three in 18 overs.

Captain Angelo Mathews (51) and Mahela Jayawardene (38) notched the innings best partnership with a 78run stand for the fourthwicket.

From Gowon Akpodonor, Calabar

GHO Oghene Egwero yesO terday at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar, confirmed his status as Nigeria’s fastest man when he beat Seye Ogunlewe and Jonathan Okendo Nmaju to the Cross River/AFN All Nigeria Open Athletics Championship 100 metres title.

Egwero finished the race in 10.18 seconds to clinch the gold, while Ogunlewe and Nmaju had 1040 and 10.42 seconds respectively for the second and third positions.

Speaking after the race, Egwero said he would continue to try to improve on his standard ahead of the World Championships in August.

Meanwhile, U.S.-based Gloria Asumnu is angry with officials of the AFN for

allegedly bungling the 100m race of the on-going championship won by Blessing Okagbare on Wednesday.

Asumnu was hoping to win the title on the second attempt after losing it narrowly last year to Okagbare.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Asumnu claimed that the delay in running the race as scheduled greatly affected her performance.

“What they did was very unprofessional. You don’t keep athletes waiting after warming up for a race. No, you don’t do that in such a high profile event because this is our qualifier for the World Championship.

“I don’t know why they did that because the delay affected me. The long delay resulted gave me a cramp just after

takeoff from the block,” she said.

An angry Asumnu added, “the American trials, Great Britain and others are taking place the same period. You come to your country and this is what you got. We should try and do things the proper way.”

The Guardian learnt that the women 100m final was delayed more than the expected time on because one of the athletes, Okagbare complained a few minutes to the race that she needed another colour of shoe.

The process of searching for a new spike shoe for Okagbare led to the delay, which was roundly condemned by athletics followers inside the stadium.

Meanwhile, Asumnu has promised to give Nigeria her

HE Nigeria National T League has warned clubs participating in the coun-

try’s second tier league to desist from act(s) that will bring the game to disrepute.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, the Chairman of the League, Emeka Inyama, decried a situation where acts of hooliganism have become the order of the day, saying, “we have recorded increasing crowd violence, especially in the north, where match officials are assaulted and fans encroach into the field of play.”

He confirmed that that the NNL has been punishing erring clubs and their fans, best at the World the latest to fall under the Championship in Moscow.

NNL axe being TEAP FC of In other races done yesterday, U.S.-based Regina George Abuja and Niger Tornadoes won the 400m women title in FC of Minna.

TEAP FC has been banished 50.99 seconds, while another US-based star, Selim to Katsina and Tornadoes FC Nurudeem won the men’s to Kano for the remaining 110m hurdles in 13.64 seconds. league matches of the seaUgonna Ndu, also based in the son. The NNL boss also US, won 100m women hur- revealed that the Secretary dles title in 13.47seconds. of Plateau Utd, David Lang Yesterday was an unusual has been banned for the rest day in the annals of the com- of the season. petition.

Inyama confirmed that Reason: Members of the ath- the supporters club of letics family rose with one Plateau Utd and Giwa FC voice to thank Minister of have been find N300,000 Sports and the Chairman each for infringing on the National Sports Commission rules, just as their remain(NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, for ing matches would be closeentering the record book as the first Sports Minister that ly monitored, adding that will grace the All Nigeria some matches have been Athletics Championship in placed as high risk, which deserve closer monitoring. recent time.

IONEL Messi and his father, Egwero wins 100m, as Asunmu blames AFN for failed sprint challenge Lmoned Jorge, have been sumby a Spanish court for questioning as part of an investigation into tax fraud allegations.

A court in Gava near Barcelona accepted a state prosecutor’s complaint alleging that Messi and his father defrauded the Spanish tax office of $5.3 million.

Messi and his father have been called to appear on September 17. That will form part of an investigation to determine whether to officially charge them with tax evasion.

The court accepted the complaint lodged by prosecutor Raquel Amada on June 12 accusing the pair of not paying taxes from revenue earned from image rights on Messi’s returns from 2007 through 2009.

NNL warns clubs, go tough on officials

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21 , 2013

SPORTS 55

Turkey 2013 FIFA Junior World Cup

Flying Eagles open campaign against Portugal today IGERIA hopes to get off to N a winning start in today’s opening Group B match against Portugal at the U20 World Cup in Turkey.

The Flying Eagles, who finished third at the recent African Youth Championship in Algeria, are drawn against Portugal, debutants Cuba and South Korea in Group B based in Kayseri.

Portugal beat Nigeria 2-1 at the recent Toulon International Tournament in France as a prelude to tomorrow’s showdown. But the Flying Eagles played a mostly experimental side in Toulon as they tried out several new and fringe players ahead of the World Cup. Midfielder, Ovbokha Agboyi was one of several of the established players who did not play in Toulon and he said it was crucial to get off to a winning start against a good Portugal team in Kayseri.

“The opening game is very

important for us. We lost our first game to Mali at the AYC and it really affected us. We cannot afford this at the World Cup,” the Bayelsa United defensive midfielder declared.

“We saw Portugal in Toulon and they are a good team and so we have to be at our best on Friday.” Nigeria German assistant coach Jurgen Press said he rates Portugal very highly.

“Portugal will be one of the top four teams at this World Cup. They are tactically sound and parade some very experienced players,” he said.

“But we also have a good team and have picked up a few interesting things about them in Toulon which we hope to use in our favour on Friday.”

The coaches will most likely keep faith with the team to the AYC with new players Wilfred Ndidi and Michael Olaitan best as covers for starters like Chizoba

Amaefule, Ikechukwu Okorie and skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun.

U-20 world champions in 1989 and 1991, Portugal were beaten in the 2011 World Cup final in Colombia 3-2 by Brazil after extra time.

Coach Edgar Borges has assembled another decent side for Turkey 2013. He has retained the bulk of the squad from the Toulon Tournament, meaning goalkeeper Jose Sa, skipper, Joao Mario, David Luis-lookalike Tiago Ferreira, To-Ze, Tiago Silva and Aladje will again be in action against Nigeria.

Tiago Ilori, whose father is Nigerian, is again expected to partner Tiago Ferreira in the heart of a well organised defence, where right fullback, Tomas Dabo loves to join the attack.

Italy-based striker Aladje is big and strong and his left foot is lethal. Kick-off time is 9pm local time, which is 7pm Nigerian time.

Egypt 2013 Youth Olympics Qualifier

Oribamise, Onoja dazzle as Team Nigeria picks cadet bronze medal

By Olalekan Okusan ESPITE the presence of top D Asian teams at the ongoing Egypt Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championship, Nigeria’s duo of Tosin Esther Oribamise and Agnes Onoja ensured that the country made something out of the team event in the girls’ cadet category.

In one of the group matches played late Wednesday night in front of vociferous Egyptian fans, the young Nigerians did the country proud by beating the North Africans.

But it took a protest from the Nigerian Coach, Dotun Omoniyi, to ensure the game was played on level ground when it became obvious that the Egyptian officials han-

dling the encounter were faulting Oribamise and Onoja to favour the Egyptians.

The organisers decided to change the officials to allow for a level playing field.

From the beginning of the encounter, the Egyptians had thought that they were going to run over the Nigerians but their assumption was rubbished when Oribamise and Onoja turned the match against them.

In the group made up of Nigeria and Egypt Team A and D, Team Nigeria lost 3-0 to Egypt’s Team A, but they had the upper hand in the match against Egypt’s Team D. Oribamise started the encounter against Egypt’s Sara Abouelezz and gave Nigeria an edge with a 11-4, 118, 3-11, 11-7 win, but the match

Four states for SONigeria South East regional games FTER the successful stagA ing of the South West regional games, preparations are in top gear for the hosting of the Special Olympics Nigeria (SONigeria) South East regional competition scheduled to hold from July 3 to 5 at St. Joseph Secondary School Sport Field, Emene, Enugu.

Intellectually challenged athletes from four states in the South East zone will be represented at the games and would compete in athletics, seven-a-side soccer and table tennis.

According to the National Director, SONigeria, Folashade Bolumole, all necessary arrangements are being put in place by the organisation to ensure the comfort of the athletes.

She stated that about 140 athletes spread across the Southeast states are expected to participate at the zonal trials with the aim of selecting through ballot, athletes that will represent the zone at the

national games in 2014.

Bolumole thanked corporate organisations like Union Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Cashlink Leasing Plc and Nikky Taurus Limited for their support.

Also speaking on the event, SONigeria board member, Udeme Ufot, stressed, “the next Special Olympics World Summer Games comes up in 2015 in Los Angeles, United States and Nigeria hopes to once again be a part of this memorable event.

Under the Special Olympics international general rules, it is mandatory for a Special Olympics programme to organise a National Games prior to a World Games meet.’’

“As a build up to the SONigeria National Games in 2014, regional games would be held in three out of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria between May and August 2013 to select by random draw, athletes that will represent the various zones at the National Games.”

was leveled up when Elzahraa Aly overcame Onoja 11-9, 11-8, 11-8.

The paring of Oribamise and Onoja restored Team Nigeria’s lead in the doubles event when they beat the duo of Aly and Marwa Alhodaby 3-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3.

However, Oribamise failed to complete the rout as she narrowly lost to Aly 0-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7, 3-11.

The deciding match was the icing on the cake for Team Nigeria, as Onoja wasted no time in dismissing Abouelezz 11-7, 11-9, 13-11 to the chagrin of the Egyptian fans. This win confirmed Team Nigeria’s passage to the semifinal stage of the girls’ cadet event.

But Team Nigeria met a strong opposition in the last four contest, losing 3-0 to Honk Kong to settle for the bronze medal in the event.

Meanwhile, Oribamise has been seeded fourth in the singles event of the girls’ cadet category, while Onoja is rated 22.

According to the leader of the delegation and acting secretary of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Ademola Owoeye, the players light up the venue with their outstanding displays against the home team.

Tosin Oke is among the athletes battling for qualification to the World Championship at the on-going Cross River State/AFN Athletics Championship at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Cross River/AFN All Nigeria Open Athletics Championship

AFN dangles N11.5m at athletes, hosts reaffirm commitment to Nigerian sports From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE Athletics Federation of T Nigeria (AFN) has set aside N11.6 million as price money to outstanding athletes at the on-going third Cross River/All Nigeria Athletics Championships, which comes to an end today at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

AFN President, Solomon Ogba, told journalists in Calabar on Tuesday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, that a

cash prize of N2 million has been set aside for the jackpot winner, including a personal donation of N1million, adding that any athlete, who broke the national record of 120 points, will get $1000.

He disclosed that the championship is being used to test-run and select athletes for the World Athletics Championship, slated for Russia later this year, just as he disclosed that Calabar was chosen as host for the

Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdulahi (left), Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and his Deputy, Efiok Cobham during the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Cross River State/All Nigeria Athletics Championship at the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar…on Wednesday.

67th championship and the third to be sponsored by the Cross River State government.

Ogba, however, decried the less attention paid to athletics as compared to football, noting that even when Nigeria emerged tops at the African championships in Benin Republic, nothing was done for the athletes.

On performance enhancing drugs, Ogba said, “we are going to do a random dope test on athletes in this championship where 40 samples will be taken.”

In his speech, the Cross River State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Patrick Ugbe, disclosed that the U.J Esuene tartan tracks have been modernised to international standard to ensure the success of the competition, adding that a new tartan track would be laid at the U.J. Esuene Stadium early next year before the National Sports Festival.

He lauded the state Governor, Liyel Imoke, for making Cross River State a home for athletes, saying so much have been done to promote school sports in the state with new talents emerging from the governor’s pet project, the Comprehensive Sport Development Programme.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

56

Heroes Of Emmanuel ‘Tallest’ Okala, Green From 1972 to 1980, Emmanuel Oguejiofor Okala (MON), was in the Green Eagles. Within this period, he was reputed as one of Africa’s best goalkeepers. His fame was so much that every young person that made any fine save in a local football match always claimed to be “Emma Okala,” as he was fondly called.

“Tallest” as friends and teammates knew him (because of his towering disposition), was named Nigeria’s first African Footballer of the Year in 1978. He remains the only Nigerian goalkeeper to be so honoured. From a humble beginning as an outfield player in the commercial town of Onitsha, Okala, who stood between the sticks for Nigeria when the National Stadium in Surulere was opened, metamorphosed into Green Eagles longest serving goalkeeper, travelling the world with the current African champions. The 1980 Africa Nations Cup winner, recounted some of his experiences to ENO-ABASI SUNDAY, stating why he never regrets playing football, even though it affected his educational pursuit.

N the game of football, Nigeria has, over the Ikeeping years been immensely endowed in the goaldepartment. The endowment has been so enormous that some refer to the country as the continent’s storehouse of safe hands.

This lofty collection of goal tenders include greats like Eyo Essien, Best Ogedegbe, Peter Fregene, Joe Erico, Peter Rufai, Ike Shoromu, Joseph Dosu and current first choice keeper and stand-in captain of the Super Eagles, Vincent Enyeama.

However, many are of the opinion that Onitsha, Anambra State-born Emmanuel Oguejiofor Okala, better known as Emma Okala remains arguably, the best goalkeeper Nigeria has ever produced.

Okala, a legendary African footballer as well as a goalkeeper’s goalkeeper, who manned the post about 40 years ago when the Green Eagles beat their Guinean counterparts, the Syli Nationale to win the football gold at the second All Africa Games held in Lagos, started out as an outfield player.

From operating as a left-winger, where his gangling frame allowed him the latitude to match even older opponents grit-for-grit, Okala moved to marshalling the central defense before settling for his final spot, in between the sticks, which ultimately brought him fame and fortune.

Born in Onitsha on May 17, 1951 to Ogbuefi Chukwuegbuka Okala and Mrs. Margaret Okala, he started playing football in Ogboti village at a time football matches were largely inter-village engagements.

Okala fledgling football career engaged a higher gear (even though not as a goalkeeper) when he was enrolled at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ogboti. But it was in his secondary school at Holy Cross High School, Umuawulu, that Okala’s goalkeeping career took flight in 1963 as a 12-years-old.

At a point during a crucial match back in the day, his games-master, Mr. C .N. Ukpaka, was less convinced in the ability of the regular goalkeeper to hold his own in the face of great opposition. He was removed and Okala volunteered to serve in that capacity. He ended up bringing his height advantage to bear.

“I was discovered as a goalkeeper by my school’s games-master, Mr. C.N. Ukpaka. During that time, I was playing for the Coal’s Team, which was the junior team. And this was not during any major football competition like the Phensic Cup, which used to be a major football competition for schools in Eastern Nigeria in those days. So I played for the junior football team until the Nigerian Civil War broke out.

“My discovery was a good opportunity for me to use the height advantage, which I had over most of the out field players to show my goalkeeping skills,” Okala confessed. “From that day, the games-master said I was the Coal

Team’s goalkeeper. It remained so until the war broke out. ” Having made up his mind about settling as a goalkeeper, Okala made it a point of duty to watch and observe the exploits of is predecessors in the trade. In fact, he used to make it to what was the Onitsha stadium in those days to see goalkeepers such as Emeka Okonkwo and Francis Ibiam in action. “That in many ways helped me improve my performance in goal.”

Instructively, he was not the only goalkeeper in the Okala family. There was also Walter Okala, who stood between the sticks for CKC Onitsha. His kid brother, Patrick, later also joined the “family business” making it look like goalkeeping ran in their blood.

During Okala’s first year in St. Patrick’s Secondary School, his school locked horns with St. Paul’s High School (where his late older brother was) in an inter-school match and he was in goal his school. At the end of the day, his school emerged victorious. Peeved that the younger Okala was partly responsible for that defeat, he told their father that Emmanuel was relegating his studies to the background in preference to football. Okala said even though the motive was not genuine, he was cautioned to mind his studies.

In truth, time devoted for football did affect Okala’s educational pursuits as he confessed that; “football really affected my studies because there were situations where I missed examinations because I was out of town.

Eventually what happened is that the examinations I could not meet up with, I let go.

However, “I don’t regret playing football in my life because it did not only make me a very popular person, it made me what I am today.

In fact, there are a lot of persons that I have never met, but who still want to know me.

Secondly, the Karis award (with N1m) that was bestowed on me by the Household of God Church in Lagos, could not have come if not for my contributions to football development in the country. These are some of the things that gladden my heart and cause me not to regret playing football even though it affected my educational pursuit .

Watching other tested goalkeepers do their thing, he confessed, taught him a groundswell. In fact, this was where he got inspiration to work hard to improve his reflexes.

His diving abilities as well as that of cupping very low balls with ease despite his towering frame were also improved in the process.

Looking back, Okala said that one of the things he remembers vividly from his time as a school sports practitioner, is the fact that “competition and rivalry among schools was very great because most schools devoted enough energy and time for sports development, unlike what is the case today with our schools. In fact, each school was striving to surpass the achieve-

Okala ments of the other just as players and goalkeepers like myself were also watching our seniors to learn one or two tricks of the trade from them.”

Immediately, after the Nigerian Civil War and after his secondary education, Okala in 1970 joined the Onitsha Red Devils, which was later renamed “Ikepeazu Redoubtables”. And one of his first major tasks for the team was playing against the Enugu Black Rocks in a state soccer clash. We lost 4-1 to Enugu Black Rocks even though I saved Godwin Achebe’s penalty.”

It was there that the late Dan Anyiam spotted Okala’s talents as a goalkeeper and quickly selected him for the then East Central State football team then known as The Spartans. He later went on to sign for the Onitsha Red Devils before joining Rangers Football Club, also of Enugu.

By February 1971, Okala increasing profile as a shot-stopper par excellence saw to his inclusion in the Rangers squad to the finals of the Amachree Cup against the WNDC team. He went on to bench other keepers, including regular keeper, Cyril Okosieme, who, in the estimation of coach Dan Anyiam, was losing steam and form.

Okala’s made it to the Green Eagles at about

1970. But fame came his way in 1973 during the 2nd All Africa Games. Eyo Essien, who was the team’s first choice goalkeeper at the time, had started to decline in form and Okala was drafted in. He did not disappoint, but rose to the occasion.

Towering at a height of over six feet and two inches, Okala who started for Nigeria over 50 times throughout his career, till today remains the only Nigerian goalkeeper to be officially named African Player of the Year in 1978.

Okala, who was also in goal for the East Central States in 1973 at the 1st National Sports Festival, was also in goal for Nigeria in the first football match to declare the National Stadium, Surulere in Lagos, open.

He recalled, “During the opening of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, I was in goal for the Green Eagles. We trained there for a few days before the official opening of the facility.

However, during the match, the atmosphere was electric and there was a lot of happiness in the atmosphere as we were very proud to own a facility like that. After the match, most of us were even confused as to where the exits were.”

During his time in the Eagles, which spanned for nearly a decade, Okala constituted himself into the most respected, the most travelled and

57

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

School Sports Eagles goalie par excellence the longest serving goal keeper in Nigeria going round the world with the team.

For instance, he was in China during the Eagles tour of that country in 1976. He also toured Europe with the Eagles in 1976 before the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada; and again before the 1978 3rd All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria.

Capturing and retaining the number one spot in the Eagles did not come easy as he revealed.

“In 1972, the national team played a two-legged match that saw us play in Benin and at the Onikan Stadium against Tanzania. In the game in Benin, we beat Tanzania 2 – 0. Two Insurance players scored the goals. In the after match party, which the then administrator of the Mid Western State, Brig. Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia hosted, he said it was only Insurance players that were scoring for the national team. He thereafter joked that if players from other teams were not measuring up, he would withdraw his players from the national team. We all laughed over it and when we got to Onikan Stadium for the second game, Eyo Essien was in goal and we were leading 3 – 0. But 10 minutes into the second half, the Tanzanians equalised and I was called up to replace Essien. From that moment that I was given the opportunity to man the goal post and I didn’t let it slip off my hands until I retired.”

That notwithstanding, as in other situations where contest for shirts are stiff in a team, Okala had to contain with antics from teammates and even officials to remain relevant. He once told a story, which had to do with competition for shirt thus: “The late Best Ogedegbe (May his soul rest in peace) was my very close friend throughout our time in the national team. At the 1980 Nations Cup, he kept all the matches until the final game against Algeria. I remember vividly that during the group stages before we played against Ivory Coast, the coach called everyone to order through his interpreter and demanded that everyone remained standing except me. He confessed that when he came in as technical adviser, he heard so many negative things about me from different quarters but that he had watched me closely and had come to realise that all that were said were lies. He noted that even when I was not selected to start a game, I’d always cooperate with my teammates both on and off the pitch and that he had seen that the team flowed around me. He said he was very impressed with me and that everyone should clap for me.

“Otto Gloria said he wanted to honour me and to see me in goal even for 10 minutes but even after the substitution paper had been written and I had warmed up, the then team manager,

Coach Tiko (standing, left), Segun Odegbami (fifth left), Emmanuel Okala, Obasuyi, Godwin Odiye, team captain Christian Chukwu, and coach Dan Anyiam and others before the kickoff of the World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Egypt at the National Stadium, Lagos. Eagles won 4-0 with Odiye scoring one goal and assisting in two others.

Kojo Alakija and then Director of Sports, Isaac Akioye vowed that I would not go in and that was why I never had any action in that final.

Their reasons for that action were never communicated to Otto Gloria or me. The moment that happened, Otto Gloria left the bench and went straight to the dressing room while the match was still on. I didn’t take it as anything, but before then, I had already made up my mind to quit at the end of the Nations Cup campaign. That was why after all the fanfare that greeted our Nations Cup triumph, the national award, the car gifts and many more; I called it quits with the national team. In fact, I was the first player of the 1980 Nations Cup winning squad to leave but when Col. Okwechime took over from Sunday Dankaro as chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, he made several efforts to call me out of retirement through Christian Chukwu, but my mind was made up. I had nothing against anyone and didn’t understand why people would gang up against me. Till I left the national team, I had no conflict with any player and that was why when Ogedegbe died, I was present to pay him my last respect. He was a nice fellow and I would tell you that my best friend in the national team was my roommate,

Okala (right), Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu and another Green Eagles player back in the day

Segun Odegbami. ” Okala successes in football are, in a manner of speaking, interwoven with the successes recorded by Rangers Football Club having spent the better part of his football career at the club. According to him, “All the trophies and honours Rangers Football Club have won in their existence, ranging from domestic league titles, Challenge Cup to the continental ones, I have been involved because after I stopped playing, I was involved with the team in different managerial capacities.

To date, Okala says he enjoyed so many great moments in the team that he cannot pinpoint his best moment. But asked to point out some of the matches that have remained indelible in his mind, he said, “After the 1976 Africa Nations Cup, which the Atlas Lions of Morocco won, we engaged them in a match, which winner was to be one of Africa’s representative at the Montreal, Canada Olympic Games. The night of the match was the night the team was to be hosted by the president.

Sadly for them, we edged them out of contention for the Olympic Games ticket in what was a very tough match. It was a very sad day for them.

After Okala and his teammates won the 1980

Okala

Africa Cup of Nations, the government of Shehu Shagari, rewarded them with cash gifts, cars and national honours. Okala admits that, “with the gift of a car, national award and cash gifts, I must confess my life was changed because it’s not easy to get such recognition, so I see myself as very fortunate. In fact that, car gift was one of the biggest gift that I have received in my entire football career.

He continued, “After that, MKO Abiola held a party in our honour and gave each of us N1, 000 to maintain our cars for sometime. He said he would have also given us a car each, but he did not want to challenge the head of state.

Some of Okala’s contemporaries still regret their inability to play professional football.

While this happens, the Rangers FC legend reveals how close he and his peers were close to actualising their dream.

“We nearly had the opportunity to play professional football because scouts had already started calling us in the build up to the Montreal Olympics in Canada. This was based on the performances we put up during the playing tour we embarked on. Our withdrawal from the Olympics, two days to the opening ceremony, denied most of us the opportunity of playing professional football abroad.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

58

Tennis On-Court Movement

In association with

Training with resistance bands can help you develop an explosive first step.

By Howard Waldstreicher What should come first: fast-break quickness or sustained speed?

Today’s tennis players are focused on moving faster and faster. But wouldn’t it be more beneficial to develop an explosively quick first step? After all, tennis is a two-step game. If the body cannot quickly start to move and quickly create a forward, lateral, or rotational momentum, nothing else really matters.

Speed in most ground-based sports, especially tennis, is determined by how quickly an athlete can get his or her body in motion. Acceleration at top-end speed only comes into play once the player gets the body moving.

Therefore it could be argued that developing a quick first step must occur before running speed takes over.

Functional quickness is when an athlete creates an integrated, total body reaction that propels the body into motion. The upper and lower torsos react simultaneously in a synchronized, powerful series of movements brought together through a common link, the trunk.

Develop First-Step Quickness Developing explosive first-step quickness requires you to “load” quickly and efficiently. This loading best occurs when the body naturally assumes the optimal posture where the athlete goes from putting the brakes on, better known as “deceleration,” to changing direction and making an explosive first step.

Remember, you can’t go unless you load the system first: The human body reacts like a rubber band, you have to load before you explode, you have to squat before you jump. Therefore, training to load quicker and quicker, with decreased ground contact, should be your focus.

Start with simple loaded step-downs and loaded lunges. A resistance-band lunge matrix or step-down matrix drill is a great series of drills to teach your body how to load quickly and efficiently. These drills require you to train against gravity and momentum using body weight and a band that you can easily control.

With resisted lunges or step-downs, you should challenge yourself to get out as far as you can but still get back to the starting position quickly and maintaining balance. Getting back quickly is the key to any deceleration drill such as lunges or step-downs. Getting back means you control the ground reaction forces, the momentum of the band, and the speed of gravity when you put the brakes on and changed direction.

Once you master the lunge movement, challenge your reaction speed by seeing how many times you can get down and back in 20 seconds. I like to shoot for 15 reps in 20 seconds.

You will quickly realize that if you do not maintain a good athletic posture when landing, you will not be able to load efficiently and will return poorly.

Remember, putting the brakes on is the loading phase, and you must load quickly and efficiently if you want to accelerate quickly.

Launch Control

Reactive Step Drills Once you have the lunges going well, you have prepared yourself for the next step: reactive step drills.

With the band around your hips, just like the Bryan brothers and Melanie Oudin, you should lean forward into the band and explode out 2 or 3 steps. You should always feel yourself leaning slightly forward before exploding out. You need to drive your arms back while pushing off the ground quickly and powerfully.

I often have Melanie and the Bryans say “1-2-3.” I also put a cone out or some tape so they have a visual indicator of how far to move.

Developing an explosive first step is all about loading the body quickly with good posture. The best way to train for this is to naturally move into this position. Not only do resistance bands provide the input needed to teach the best posture, but they can also provide the variable resistance to strengthen the key muscles.

And by the way, the Bryan brothers and Melanie Oudin routinely say this is the hardest workout they ever do, so be prepared.

Howard Waldstreicher is the founder and creator of HalfHourPower. He helps train Bob and Mike Bryan and Melanie Oudin on their reactive power. For more information visit www.halfhourpower.com.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

JUNIOR TENNIS

59

By Steve Smith

‘You Know You Are A Tennis Player If . . .’

HE comedian Jeff Foxworthy gets more T than a few laughs with his ongoing “you know you are a redneck if…” routine. Along those lines, here are a few thoughts for you and your junior player: You Know You Are a Tennis Player If . . . * You carry your own racquet bag. If Mom is

carrying your bag, you are not a tennis player. * In your bag you have a jump rope that you use and use repeatedly with strenuous routines. * You have a pair of running shoes in your bag for your off-court running program. * You, yes, you make weekly phone calls to organize varied hitting sessions and match play.

ing up balls and shaking hands. * You study the game. For example, you have read some of Dr. James Loehr’s books as well as autobiographies on former legendary players. You know that “Billie Jean” is much more than just the name of Andy Roddick’s dog. * You truly understand your level of play and are truly working on aspects of your game that will take you to the next level.

The list, of course, is endless.

You Know You Are NOT a Tennis Player, Especially a Very Good Player, If . . . * Every time you are on the court, you’re on the court with a paid professional. * You never hit on the backboard. * You never, on your own, just go hit serves. * One of your parents still wakes you up in the morning and you go off to school each day without doing something to improve your game. * You have no interest in playing doubles.

You Know You Are a SOLID Tennis Player If . . . * You have played in front of spectators you personally do not know. * You have watched a college tennis match and do not think achieving that level of play is a piece of cake. * You have to board airplanes and upon arrival have to play the qualifier. * You may not care for Bud’s pants, but you love the historical perspective Mr. Collins shares with us in the tennis world. * You know you are a solid player only if you hit the ball “solid.”

I have studied and worked under many great tennis teachers. Great teachers are always trying to make a point that registers, hits home and makes a difference. Today parents are more involved with their kid’s tennis than ever before. So, I try to make educational input stick with the parents as well.

Upon evaluating a junior player’s strokes in slow motion with logic and scientific rationale, I avoid being politically correct—I tell the kid that eventually his or her technical flaws will be a wall, stopping their game from growing. Often the parents need to hear it in a tougher manner without their child present.

If your kid’s serve, for example, is not technically sound, then the light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming right at them. Make a list. Combine Jeff Foxworthy with Vic Braden.

If you are beating your own serve to the net, you are (**ital)not(**reg) a tennis player. If your opponent is returning your serve from the service line, you are (**ital)not(**reg) a “solid” tennis player.

Humor should bring out honesty. Parents, ask your child if he or she is honestly doing what it takes to get better. The best adjective for effort is “honest” effort. Tennis kids are going nowhere fast if they are not building skills through a daily honest effort.

* You can string your own racquets. * You use the internet for other reasons than to just check out who your next opponent has played. * You actually watch tennis on TV and can have a conversation that is deeper than the “small talk” of most commentators. * You go to the net for reasons other than pick-

Steve Smith has 35 years of diversified experience.

Academically, he designed and developed the first accredited comprehensive degree program for tennis teachers. Six of his former students, ones developed in their formative years, have won NCAA National titles. Clinically, he’s studied under and worked for tennis teaching legends.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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SchoolSports Rhythm ‘N’ Play campaign will drive, revolutionise school sports, NASCOM insists

By Olalekan Okusan FTER Nigeria Academicals A Sports Committee (NASCOM)’s Rhythm N’ Play received has been officially launched by the country’s number one citizen, President Goodluck Jonathan, the committee has insisted that the campaign is meant to drive and revolutionise sports in schools across the nation.

NASCOM believes the pronouncement made by President Jonathan has once again reiterated the vision of the committee to improve the lots of sports at grassroots level all over the country.

“The Rhythm N’ Play campaign is aimed at providing young Nigerians under the age of 17 with structured play programmes that use sport and play as critical tools for learn-

Bank-Olemoh, Egwuatu shine at Pedachess School tournament OME Science and Lagos featured in the event H Chrisland Schools have that had over 500 children in emerged champions of the attendance. junior and senior category at the just concluded 6th All Primary School Pedachess tournament, which was held at Chrisland School in Lagos.

The two-day Chess tournament attracted an unprecedented number of participants as 48 primary schools in

The second and the third position in the junior category was won by the duo of Karis School and Daniels Elementary School while Home Science and NEPA Staff School got the second and third position in the senior category.

ing as this is a vital aspect in the development of young people.

“The Rhythm N’ Play campaign will also drive and revolutionise grassroots sports in Nigeria. Part of NASCOM’s mandate is to establish effective private sector participation in sports by seeking sponsorships for academicals sports competitions while collaborating and partnering with key stakeholders,” NASCOM helmsman, Yemi idowu has said.

For the president, Idowu said, “we are most especially grateful to you the president for initiating the idea behind this project. Kindly allow me to express our appreciation to Your Excellency, the president, for your clear message to Nigerian youths during the Presidential Sports Sector Retreat, which was held on October 22, 2012 that this administration shall keep its promise to provide necessary political will and passion to reposition sports in Nigeria and to meet with the best global sports practices.”

Lagos State-organised U-15 baseball tournament…recently

1 GAME donates sports equipment to schools in Calabar From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE 1 GAME, the campaign T for non-violence in football has donated 1,000 exercise books as well as soccer balls and writing materials to three primary schools in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The beneficiaries are Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Primary School, Akim, Government Primary School,

Ekorinim and Government Primary School, State Housing Estate.

Founder of 1 GAME, Philip Obaji told journalists who were present at the occasion, that the donation which formed part of the 1 GAME: Goal against Violence programme was aimed at encouraging vulnerable children to enroll and stay at school as well as promote football and

fair play in primary schools.

He said, “It is important to encourage our children particularly those who come from very poor backgrounds.

Our action today is aimed at encouraging vulnerable children to enroll, learn and remain in school as we have discovered that a child who completes basic education is three times less likely to be involved in violence.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, June 21, 2013

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TheGuardian

Friday, June 21, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Tochi Okafor QUICK scan through the history of civilisaA tion reveals that every process of change begins when an individual or a group of likeminded people become consciously aware of their predicaments and then make up their minds to reject the status quo. If the fire is lit in the individuals who have leadership skills, it will eventually give heat to a critical mass and burn down the old system, leading in the end to the emergence of a new different system.

The process of pulling down the wall of colonialism started when young African minds became consciously aware of this common monster and made up their minds to abandon their differences and unite to fight the war for political independence using their intellectual arsenals. In the like manner, Nigerian youths must unite to confront the long years of neglect, entrenched poverty and corruption bedeviling our one and only country using the same weapon with an added advantage of 21st century information-driven advanced technology.

With the recent happenings, it is evident that youths of our country are becoming consciously aware of their myriad problems and government’s passivity towards solving them. It is now crystal clear that the only option available to us if we truly desire positive change is to use our brains and solve own problems before we enter the league of failed generations.

In almost all the youth conferences and summits taking place across the nation, the problems of youths are always on the forefront, ranging from acute disunity, high rate of unemployment, lack of good infrastructure and meaningful education, palpable marginalisation in social fora, political exclusion, degradation of value system, lack of human content etc. It is also discovered again that at the root of these multi-faceted challenges is lack of human content as most of our youths are not ready to update and develop themselves enough to solve their problems because of stale educational system most of us have passed through.

The effect of the foregoing is that our youths are psychologically and mentally brutalised without any ray of hope. Stuck in the quagmire of discouraging environment and paralysing of fear of the unknown, they are broken and beaten down by life like people that are bereaved. Much like victims of circumstance, majority of our youths have lost touch with the exciting part of life. There is loss of sense of purpose, patriotism and faith in both in themselves and the country, self-dignity and power of choice for self-determination. We have unconsciously taken up the cloak of slave-mentality in our own fatherland. We have been colonised by the powers that be and have been used as tools for political gains and selfish purposes sometimes in the manner that destroys our nation and common good.

Self-consciousness begets self-evaluation both of strengths and weaknesses as a way to self-development. In his masterpiece, The Master Key System, Charles Haanel observes that knowledge of one’s power, courage to dare and faith to do are three fundamental steps to a worthwhile success. At this point, it is necessary to assess our potentials and power latent within us. We are the powerhouse and energy-base of our nation. Potentials, drive, ingenuity and energy are high in the youths. If properly harnessed and channeled, the kingdom will fall into our hands. Youths are the drivers of change, vanguards of revolution and vehicle of progress in any aspect of economy.

Entrepreneurial spirit is at its peak in the years of youth. Check the record of history breakers especially the 20th century technology-driven and knowledge-based economy and 21st century geniuses; they hit their stars in their 20s and 30s. The likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell, Larry Page, and Nigerian minds like Pat Utomi, Chukwuma Soludo, Jimoh Ibrahim, Nike Ogunlesi, Chimamanda Adichie are only a few with which to substantiate my claim.

Apart from the power we have inside of us, we have the advantage of numerical strength and the 21st century tool of revolution – easy connectivity. In a nanosecond we can network and share information with millions of like minds.

If knowledge is potential power and economy of today is knowledge-based, then it is easy to distribute power among ourselves and boost our economy under proper guidance.

Today we are already in a struggle to realise our potentials in a society that strangulates our creativity and suppresses our zest to be part of nation-building. We are in a struggle to

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Towards a prosperous Nigeria

President Jonathan

reclaim our identity and platforms as youths. We are in a struggle to gain our financial independence in a society where values are sacrificed at the altar of selfish maniacal accumulation of material trash with money earmarked for our welfare. We are in a struggle to cut the cancer of corruption from infecting the fiber of our generational being. We are in a struggle to eradicate poverty and build a prosperous nation where our children will thrive at their best and compete with their peers globally.

Unfortunately, we are divided in our collective struggles. Today there are proliferation of youth organisations and youth activists even with hidden agenda other than common good of the suffering youths. Our enemies use divide-and-rule method to weaken us. Yes, many are leveraging on social media but there is a discord in our voices.

How unstoppable we would be if we would use the same channel to concentrate our energies, potentials and creativity on a definite purpose – a prosperous Nigeria. Our power and destiny lie in networking of our best brains through every media available to effect a change now.

Call it network, connectivity, synergy, interdependence or corporation as Rolodex; you are right. Connectivity is the idea of creating an organisational network in a flash by gathering the best talent to exploit an opportunity thereby creating value. Forget not that the difference between a problem and an opportunity is only in perception. The challenges facing our youths and the Nigerian society at large is an opportunity waiting to be exploited by a network of prepared minds. In this way, we would create value, open up opportunities for employment, redefine leadership by example, shape the needed value that promote patriotism and national development. The multiplier effects will boost our economy, attract goodwill of people both locally and internationally, eradicate corruption and deliver the political kingdom of the country into the hands of the right people.

It is interesting that forward-looking corporations of today’s transient economy are disintegrating, as they learn to focus on the few things they do well, to farm out the rest, and then work together in networks with whatever specialist partners are needed to

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’.

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Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

tackle a particular challenge. It is also amazing that most challenges of our youths continue to exacerbate because there is a disconnect from people and organisations that have solutions to those problems. There is a need to bridge demand and supply. More importantly, there is an urgent call for a central unit that will connect all the Nigerian youths both home and abroad to create an organisational power by tapping the strength of each constituent and compensating for the weakness of each other. Through this central unit driven by cyberspace technology of 21st century, ideas, values and opportunities will be shared among members.

How powerful and useful it will be if all the youths and youth organisations are connected to a central unit with a compelling vision, common mission and shared values that promote national development and spirit of patriotism. This central unit will require an institutional leadership with the sole aim of creating a behaviour model in people that will lead to a social integration. With such leadership, social conditionings we received from the past which were predicated on the self will be replaced with a new orientation based on the nation-first paradigm and service-to-nation mentality. This is basic, otherwise this new system will destroy itself and suffer the ills of the past and the present.

Furthermore, the proposed central unit will not provide solutions to problems confronting our nation directly but will be in the business of creating and managing networks of problem solvers. If one were to make recommendations, they would consist of the following: Institutional leadership of the central unit with: Vision: Towards a prosperous Nigeria.

Mission: Building a society where our children will thrive at their best and compete favourably with their peers globally.

Core Values: Service, sacrifice, knowledge, respect for individual, diligence and preference for local products.

Propaganda: (i) Nation first (ii) Service to nation (iii) Towards a prosperous Nigeria.

Youth affairs weekly publication: Apart from the leverage of social media and cyberspace exploration, I recommend a physical medium of expression and interaction.

This paper can be strong enough to keep the President and other key decision and policy makers on their toes with respect to issues of the youth. Using our numerical strength to our economic advantage, it could become a rallying point for advertisers.

Entrepreneurial empowerment and mentorship programmes This is for face-to-face easy transiting of values and wisdom from role models. If these recommendations are put into place by concerned noble minds, united youths can play a critical role in who becomes the president in the 2015 election. Who knows if a youth president will emerge? It will no longer be issue of PDP vs. APC but a total revolution. INEC will have no other job but to announce the candidate with the highest votes as the winner otherwise democracy may as well give anarchy chance to rule.

Let me challenge us with the words of Frantz Fanon, “Every generation, out of its relative obscurity discovers its mission, it either fulfils or betrays”. We cannot afford to be labelled a wasted generation by our children. If today we point accusing finger to the leaders before us, we may not escape the same from the generation that will come after us if we do nothing today. The greatest challenge facing us is to use the present to draw a thick line between our past and the future. We inherited a society that strangles our potentials and stifles our creativity. Do we want to bequeath the same to our children? Or are we ready to make the needed break? Can we pursue the noble mission of building a society where our children will realise their potentials and dreams to the fullest? I believe strongly in the words of Barack Obama, “We are the change we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Great nation is never a gift; it is earned.

Let us roll our sleeves and work hard with an unbreakable commitment. In the words of Lady Catherine: “Nothing ever built rose to the sky unless some men dreamt that it should, some men believed that it would, and some men willed it must”. I see a youth united, a youth committed, a youth involved in the collective enterprise of building a prosperous Nigeria. Together and bonded by sense of mission, no force can stop us.