MON 11 MARCH 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, March 11, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,492

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

More posers over Manitoba’s take-off plan • Govt reconsiders membership of supervisory board • ‘Schedule of delegated authority ready with SGF’ • Disquiet over role sharing at power ministry From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja LTHOUGH the muchA awaited schedule of delegated authority that would

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) (left); Vice President Namadi Sambo and Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, during the presentation of the overall winner trophy of the 10th biennial Nigeria Police Games to Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State… at the weekend. PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

enable Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International, to effectively take control of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is ready, there are fresh hurdles before the company. The Guardian learnt from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) that amid the take-off plan of the company, the government is rethinking the constitution of its supervisory board announced last December. The $23.7 million three-year management contract was signed with the firm in July last year. But scheming within government circles to continue to control the ‘power house’, the ‘trading room’ of TCN, the market operation’s office, has allegedly led to several attempts to manipulate the contract. The Transmission Company of Nigeria is responsible for evacuating generated electricity from generating com-

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States in fresh trouble over domestic debts

From Mathias Okwe, Assistant Business Editor, Abuja

O you desire to be a state governor in the next round of elections in the country? You had better stop, check and cross-check, because you might just be courting a serious migraine or working up your blood pressure to a stroke level over the level of indebtedness to money-deposit banks; local contractors; pension and gratuity arrears; government-to-government liabilities; and indeed even

• CBN raises lending stakes

over the ability to pay wages of workers. To make matters worse for the states, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on January 31, 2013 warned money-deposit banks in the country against the continued lending of credit to states, local councils and

their agencies because of the risk implication. Specifically, the apex bank raised the risk rating from 100 per cent to 200 per cent. The action, no doubt, followed the outcome of the Domestic Debt Data Exercise for the states in the country by the

Debt Management Office (DMO) earlier in December 2012, which revealed a frightening exposure of banks to states. According to the report which is to be deliberated on by the DMO Board today, which had been obtained exclusively by

The Guardian two weeks ago, banks’ exposure to states as at end of June 2012 had grown from N346.968 billion in December 2011 to N395.741 billion, representing the highest percentage of 33.37 per cent of the entire debt stock, closely followed by contractors’ liabilities at 32.31 per cent at N383.169 billion. A thorough look at the report indicates that Lagos State has

Police probe alleged killing of kidnapped foreigners - Page 5

the highest exposure of N83.001 billion commercial bank loans portfolio. However, her indebtedness to contractors is very low at just N537.75 million as at end of June 2012. It is followed in terms of commercial bank loans exposure by Imo State that has just grown her level of borrowings from the sector to N29.892 billion from a stock of N3.640 billion in December 2011. Cross River State is third with banks’ credit of N25.941 bil-

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

2 NEWS

Fresh trouble over domestic debts, CBN raises lending stakes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lion; contractors’ pending bill of N31.908 billion; government-to-government liability of N22.341 billion; and another stock of liabilities classified as ‘others’ put at N16.353 billion. Also greatly indebted to commercial banks is oil-rich Bayelsa and Rivers States. Bayelsa is owing the banks N19.300 billion and contractors N92.307 billion while Rivers’ exposure

to banks is N18.497 billion and another higher stock of N86.755 billion to contractors that have delivered services and have been certified. Kaduna State is one of the few in the North that is highly exposed to bank’s credit. It is indebted to the tune of N19.494 billion and is equally owing her contractors N6.777 billion. Oil-rich Delta State too has a bank loan portfolio of N18.164 billion and contractors’ debt

stock of N14.582 billion while Kwara has a commercial bank’s loan stock of N12.152 billion. Akwa Ibom is the only state in the South-South zone that has not contracted any bank loan as at end of June 2012, though the state is owing contractors a huge debt stock of N41.092 billion. Most of the states in the North-West and North-East, except Bauchi State, are either not indebted to banks or owing below N5 billion. However, in what appeared as a move to avert a repeat of the margin loan phenomenon in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), the CBN, which is equally an institutional board member of the DMO, quickly warned banks to watch the trend. The directive is contained in a circular by its Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs. Agnes Tokunbo Martins, via a Circular “BSD/DIR/GEN/LAB/06/003 of January 31, 2013 to all banks and discount houses review of risk weights on certain exposures in the computation of

capital adequacy.” The circular reads in part: “The recent crisis in the Nigerian banking industry highlighted several weaknesses in the system, key of which was the excessive concentration of credit in the asset portfolios of banks. Past experience revealed concentrations across products, business lines, and legal entities. The management of concentrations, or pools of exposures, whose collective performance may potentially affect a bank negatively, needs to be properly managed through the establishment of sound risk management processes. “Without prejudice to the risk management control functions put in place by banks and discount houses to mitigate credit concentration risks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in line with its riskbased supervisory review process, has reviewed the risk weights assigned to some identified exposures as follows: “• The risk weight assigned to direct lending to local councils, states, ministries, depart-

ments and agencies of governments (MDAs) is increased from 100 per cent to 200 per cent. “• Investments in Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds shall continue to attract zero per cent risk weight. However, state government bonds, that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Guidelines for Granting Liquidity Status for State Government Bonds, would continue to be risk weighted at 20 per cent. “• Where the exposure to any industry economic sector (as defined by the International Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Sector as issued by the CBN) is in excess of 20 per cent of the total credit facilities of a bank, the risk weight of the entire portfolio shall be 150 per cent. Total exposure to a particular industry would include off-balance sheet engagements in which the bank takes the credit risk. “• All breaches of single obligor limits without the prior approval of the CBN shall be regarded as impairment to capital. “• For the purposes of credit

transactions, banks’ related parties within a holding company structure shall include, among others, the financial holding company (FHC), and other subsidiaries within the group. Credit transactions by the bank within the group would be treated as follows: “• FHC lending to a bank within its group – the bank should treat the loan as a liability. “• Credit by a bank to its FHC – this would be regarded as a return of capital and deducted from the capital of the bank in computing its capital adequacy. “• Bank lending to subsidiaries within its group – where the credit is fully secured, it would be assigned a risk weight of 100 per cent, otherwise it would be deducted from the capital when computing capital adequacy.” “All banks and discount houses are required to ensure compliance with this directive immediately. “Please, be guided accordingly, “the circular further warned.

Govt reconsiders membership of supervisory board of Manitoba CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 panies and wheeling it to distribution companies. The Guardian learnt that the SGF is co-ordinating the issue of the schedule of delegated authority, which has hampered the effective execution of the contract for the management of TCN, a contract that is now in its eighth month. The modernisation of the TCN is a critical component of Nigeria’s electricity reform agenda. While government has honoured financial commitments to Manitoba, the firm is involved in mere ‘shadow boxing’ as a result of government’s refusal to honour certain components of the contract. The new Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedun Nebo, had on February 19 hinted that the schedule of delegated authority would be issued to Canadian power firm, Manitoba Hydro Power (MHI) ‘next week.’ Almost three weeks afterwards, the process is yet to be concluded. It was learnt at the weekend that the instrument is ready and now ready to be issued. But certain issues around the reconsideration of the membership of the announced TCN supervisory board is next on the agenda. Another sort of ‘shadow boxing’ is currently ongoing at government’s own end. The Guardian could not confirm

if the schedule of delegated authority to be issued to TCN ‘soon’ is for the total management of the transmission company, or whether government has managed to restructure it in line with the current bid for the soul of TCN. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in mid-December last year through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, announced the constitution of the supervisory board of the TCN. Anyim said that the constitution of a supervisory board for TCN was part of efforts by the government to reposition the transmission company towards the attainment of the goals of the power reform programme of the Federal Government. The supervisory board of TCN will be led by former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Hamman Tukur, as chairman, while Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa is vice chairman. Other members include the Director of Human Resources Management, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE); a representative of the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Director of Power, Ministry of Power; and a commissioner from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The TCN board will also have

the representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), representative of the generation companies (GENCOS), and a representative of the distribution companies (DISCOS) as members. Three months after the board was announced, it is yet to start operation as a result of government’s failure to formally inaugurate it and swear the members in. It was learnt that there are fresh concerns over the board, as it seems that government hurriedly constituted it without mentioning executive members, as is statutorily the case in government boards. Now, there is confusion over where the executive members would come from. By the terms of Manitoba’s contract, the company is ordinarily expected to produce the executive members. But government’s inaction on the fate of the old management of TCN is putting fresh hurdles before the supervisory board of TCN. The Guardian had reported earlier in the year that there are currently two Chief Executive Officers for TCN: Don Priestman (from Manitoba) and Mr. Olusola Akinniranye (the Nigerian CEO). The CEO oversees all the operations of the company, which include transmission, systems operations, market operations as well as finance and administration. There are also market operators: Mr. Evarestus Mogbo (from Nigeria). The market operator is responsible for coordination of market operations in the entire power network and administration of market settlement, and collection and payment systems in the electricity market. The market operator also administers the electricity subsidy scheme, Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO). Manitoba Hydro International has also appointed Mr. Alejandro Core as the new market operator for Nigeria. Manitoba is coming with about eight expatriate managers to run the transmission company for a period of three years in the first instance. TCN also has some executive directors and key manage-

ment officials still in place. Where the executive members of the pending supervisory board of the TCN would come from is the newest headache being experienced by government. Manitoba, it was learnt, has already nominated four executive members for the supervisory board, a situation considered ‘too large’ among government officials involved in the meetings to wriggle out of the board dilemma. What to do and what not to do with the Nigerian management staff of TCN is also a source of worry in government. The Manitoba contract, it was learnt, did not anticipate a conflict of leadership positions. Another dilemma plaguing the inauguration of the Manitoba board, The Guardian learnt, is the absence of a core politician who would act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of government and the ruling party on the board. TCN’s licensed activities include electricity transmission, system operation and electricity trading. Government’s latest interest in the TCN scheming, as has been previously reported by The Guardian, is the electricity trading component of TCN’s duties, “which is where the money is” as a stakeholder said. The Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba, Don Priestman, confirmed that his firm was yet to get the schedule of delegated authority in a telephone message in response to an inquiry by The Guardian. By the terms of the contract, the schedule of delegated authority was to have been issued to the firm since September. The schedule of delegated authority is the instrument that gives Manitoba full authority for running TCN. With the signing of the contract in July, August was to be a transition period, while the schedule of delegated authority was to have been issued in September heralding full take-over. Meanwhile, there is growing disquiet over the sharing of roles in the Ministry of Power, especially as the privatisation process gradually nears

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

4 NEWS

More posers over Manitoba’s take-off plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 its end. By the nature of roles at the Ministry of Power, the main minister supervises the generation, distribution companies, and the TCN while the minister of state is in charge of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). With the privatisation process, the most powerful body in the electricity industry would be the regulatory body, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). A NERC document stated: “The role of NERC with respect to the reform and development of the Nigerian electricity services industry continues to be of paramount importance as all developments in the sector are subject to NERC regulatory authority as the only agency statutorily empowered to issue licences and to monitor activities in the sector.” With the NERC determined to exercise its mandate in full, the relevance of the Ministry of Power, and the continued existence of a large management structure for the ministry is now in doubt, according to a concerned stakeholder. Besides, a source told The Guardian of how a certain memo before the Presidency seeking to clearly define the role of each of the ministers, especially now that the core functions of the ministry are gradually being eroded with the privatisation process, is brewing discomfort at the Power Ministry. As it is, apart from routine

supervisory and policy functions, the Ministry of Power would after the privatisation just be saddled with the administration of the REA and the completion of ongoing hydro-power plants and the execution of others. This, in itself, according to what The Guardian was told, is the source of worry over role delineation between the two ministers at the helm of affairs. REA was established under the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act to promote rural electrification programmes through the management of the Rural Electrification Fund and the implementation of the Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan. Inconsistency in government policy and poor funding have plagued the REA over the years, putting the agency in some kind of limbo and calling into question its continued existence. Government has, however, spoken of plans to reposition the agency to lead the renewable energy drive. But no clear-cut strategy or plan has been announced on how this would be achieved, raising fresh concerns. Reacting to an inquiry by The Guardian, Assistant Director at the Power Ministry, Ibrahim Haruna, ruled out any tension over the roles of the two ministers. He said: “I am not aware of any tension over the delineation of roles between the two ministers. Their roles are well spelt out. The main minister is in charge of the TCN, the thermal plants, and the distribution companies. The minister of state is in charge of the REA and renewables, including the hydro-power plants. There is no conflict at all.” He was, however, silent on what roles both ministers would continue to play after the privatisation process has been completed. The Federal Ministry of Power is the policy-making arm of the Federal Government with the responsibility for the provision of power in the country.

A cross-section of worshippers during the Mother’s Day service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Gwarinpa, Abuja… yesterday.

Govt confirms 32 meningitis cases, four deaths By Chukwuma Muanya ONTRARY to reports that C fresh outbreak of suspected cerebrospinal meningitis has killed more than 100 in NorthWest zone and dozens more elsewhere in the country, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) yesterday confirmed 32 cases in which four people died. Meanwhile, Nigeria is still with the highest number of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) cases in 2013, recording three so far, compared to two in Pakistan and one in Afghanistan. These revelations came as some Islamic scholars called for urgent action to complete efforts at eradicating polio in Muslim communities. They spoke as the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation (ERC) set up by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) plans to meet from March 19 to 20 to address the challenges in anti-polio crusade in Nigeria. In 2012, Nigeria recorded a total of 122 polio cases compared to 58 in Pakistan and 37 in Afghanistan. Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only three countries that have not been able to stop the transmission of the WPV. According to the latest edition of Weekly Polio Update published yesterday by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), one new Type One WPV (WPV1) case was reported in the past week from Yobe State, bringing to three the total number of WPV cases recorded so far in Nigeria in 2013. The total number of WPV cases for 2012 remains 122.

• Nigeria records highest polio cases The GPEI report reads: “No new cases of circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus type two (cVDPV2) were reported in the past week. The total number of cVDPV2 cases for 2012 remains eight. The most recent cVDPV2 case had onset of paralysis on November 24, 2012 from Kebbi State. “Nationwide Immunisation Plus Days (IPDs) were conducted using trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) on March 2 to 5, 2013, in 30 states, co-ordinated with activities in neighbouring Republic of Niger. IPDs have been postponed by one week in four southern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because of the need for more time to adequately prepare for the round of immunisation. IPDs have been postponed in Kano and Borno states due to security concerns. The security situation in the North remains fluid.” The Islamic scholars, including the Grand Imam of Al-

Azhar in Egypt, Doctor Ahmad Al Tayyeb, have called for protection of Muslim children against poliovirus transmission by ensuring they receive the required vaccine. Tayyeb, at a meeting of Muslim scholars from several countries, including Nigeria, held in Cairo, Egypt, warned that “Crippled children lead to a crippled Muslim Ummah.” He stressed the importance of increasing the awareness of the correct Islamic teachings on the matter to combat all deformed and false beliefs. According to him, Al-Azhar is ready to continue to exert all efforts to enlighten Muslim individuals and communities about the rights of children to be protected against polio and all other diseases and the obligation of all Muslims to ensure that their children are protected. Al Jazeera reported at the weekend that “people in the town of Jabo, Sokoto, have nev-

er seen anything like the past two weeks. They have just buried 60 people. The cause of the latest outbreak is unknown and health workers have treated people based on the symptoms they have shown. The government says medical teams have been deployed to carry out immunisation and education programmes as more epidemics are expected.” But Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Gana Mohammed, told The Guardian yesterday that a team has been sent out to Sokoto to carry out case investigation, which will determine the serotype of the cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and the type of vaccine to be deployed. Mohammed said: “I can confirm to you that 32 persons were infected and four deaths recorded, and a team is carrying out investigation now. We are investigating the cases because there are different types of serotype of CSM. If you go in with the wrong vaccine it will not work.”

World Bank votes $170m for healthcare in Ondo, Adamawa, Nasarawa From Niyi Bello, Akure S part of its intervention in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, the World Bank has earmarked $170 million as grant for Primary Health Care (PHC) pilot projects in the three states of Ondo, Adamawa and Nasarawa. Representative of World Bank in Nigeria and head of the task team on the project, Dr. Dinesh Nair, made this disclosure in Akure, Ondo State capital, during a joint advocacy visit of the bank and the Executive Director of the National Primary Health

Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado J.G Mohammed to the state. According to Nair, who said since the pilot scheme of the project started noticeable differences have been recorded in Adamawa and Nasarawa states, the grant which would be a result-based funding arrangement would be deployed in three areas of immunisation, maternal health and infant health projects while a part would be devoted to the control of communicable diseases. He disclosed that out of the

earmarked amount, $50 million would be for projects in Ondo State, stating that Ondo East Local Council had been selected for the scheme in the state although he expressed concern about the absence of adequate performance indices in the council. The executive director of the NPHCDA, who led a team of officials of the agency on the visit, noted in his speech that with a functional primary healthcare, a large percentage of the population can be catered for.

NYSC warns corps members against religious fanaticism, others From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado-Ekiti HE Director-General, NaT tional Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okorie-Afia, at the weekend warned corps members against indulging in religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry in their various places of postings. He particularly warned them against desecrating areas that are held ‘sacred’, particularly the shrines in towns and villages where they are to serve. Okorie-Afia told the corps members that national integration begins during the service year, urging them to always engage in activities that would bring about national rebirth and unity, rather than exhibiting acts

that could further rip the nation apart. The director-general gave the warning while addressing the 2013 Batch ‘C’ corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp located in Emure/Ise-Ekiti area of Ekiti State. He warned that corps members must refrain from exhibiting acts of religious and cultural intolerance in the various communities where they are posted for compulsory one-year service. His words: “I know that many of you are prayer warriors, nothing is bad about this, but do not go to shrines in the communities where you are to serve and say you want to cast out demons. If you do this, is like you are inviting trouble to yourselves. “You have to open your eyes and study the cultural values

of these towns and the new friends you are making, rather than see your own culture as the only valuable asset to you. “This programme is part of the ways to engender national integration and I believe national integration begins with you.” Okorie-Afia urged the corps members to treat with topmost seriousness and zeal, the skills and entrepreneurial programmes of the scheme, so that they can be employers of labour after service. Urging the lady corps members, who are fond of riding commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada to be wary of their actions, the NYSC boss charged them to pay attention to Martial Art programme designed to give

them defensive training against attack. “Various programmes where you can acquire skills have been designed. In Nigeria today, government’s jobs are no longer available, so you must learn a skill for you to become a relevant, marketable and functional graduates out there. “I know that the lady corps members are fond of riding Okada, you know the implications of this. But with Martial Art, you can get exposed to defensive training that can prevent you against attack.” The NYSC boss also advised the corps members against frivolous travel during their service year, saying this is the best way to prevent unwarranted death or accident among them.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

NEWS 5

News Police probe alleged killing of kidnapped foreigners From Madu Onuorah, Oghogho Obayuwana, Terhemba Daka (Abuja) and Ali Garba (Bauchi) with agency report O ascertain the veracity of the claim, the Bauchi State police command has began investigation into the alleged killing of the seven expatriates kidnapped in Jama’are council area of the state. Meanwhile, Italy, Britain and Greece said yesterday that the kidnapped foreign hostages in Nigeria have been killed. “Our checks conducted in co-ordination with the other countries concerned lead us to believe that the news of the killing of the hostages seized last month is true,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. In the same vein, the nation’s defence and security sector officials are wary of speaking on the reported killing of the seven hostages. In a related development, the

• Italy, Britain, others confirm death Prelate of Methodist Church, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde has expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the country. In the same vein, apparently disturbed by the spate of killings and kidnapping of construction workers in the country, the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) has called on the government to tackle the menace before the sub sector is grounded to a halt. Last month seven expatriates’ workers of Setraco Nigeria Limited were abducted by unknown gunmen. Later the Boko Haram Islamic group claimed responsibility for the kidnap of the expatriates, which included five Lebanese, one Briton and one Italian. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)

Hassan Mohammed Auyo said: “Police have no any evidence that the kidnap expatriates were killed, we are still investigating the matter, we are also investigating the genuineness of the information pasted on web allegedly by the group.” Also, a top security source told journalists in Bauchi, “we heard about the killings of the expatriates as you heard about it , we are still enquiring to get the correct information, because we did not carry out any rescue operation either jointly or separately, we are still monitoring the situation”, he said. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said all the hostages were “likely to have been killed” by their captors. “This was an act of coldblooded murder, which I condemn in the strongest terms, “he said, expressing his deter-

mination to work with the Nigerian authorities “to hold the perpetrators of this heinous act to account, and to combat the terrorism which so blights the lives of people in northern Nigeria and in the wider region.” According to the Agence France Presse (AFP), the Italian foreign ministry in a statement branded it “a horrific act of terrorism for which there is no explanation except barbaric and blind violence.” “No military intervention to free the hostages was ever attempted by the interested government,” it said, adding that the killings were “the aberrant expression of a hateful and intolerable fanaticism.” The Greek foreign ministry also said the “available information suggests that the Greek citizen abducted in Nigeria alongside six nationals of other countries is dead.

“Based on the information we have, there was no rescue operation,” it added. A Nigerian Islamist group, Asaru, said on Saturday it had killed the seven foreign hostages seized last month. An official from the construction company, Setraco, told AFP he was aware of the report but could not confirm it. According to SITE, “AlQabidun ‘Ala al-Jamr (Grippers of Embers) Media Foundation, an affiliate of the Sinam al-Islam Network, issued the statement in Arabic and English on March 9, 2013, and also provided screen captures of a forthcoming video showing the dead. The defence officials feel not to be in a position to speak as the situation is still foggy. For now, no one knows the location of the hostages or their bodies. And if they are killed, this will be a direct slap on the nation’s defence and security intelligence services.

Foreign firms own oil blocks, says Falana By Abiodun Fanoro S controversy rages over ownership of oil blocks in the oil and gas sector, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has disclosed that 18 major foreign owned firms own about 80 per cent of oil blocks in the country. Falana in a statement said that about 18 foreign oil firms; rather than Nigerians, owned 80 per cent of the country’s total oil blocks. He gave the names of some these foreign firms which are also called ‘Oil Majors’ as Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, Shell Producing Unlimited, Total, Chevron, Mobil, Addax, Texaco, Elf Petroleum, Conoco, Eni (former Agip) etc. His words: “Apart from Mobil there are about 17 other foreign oil companies which are the major key players in the oil industry while Nigerians are forced to operate in the marginal fields. The said foreign companies or Oil Majors own 80 per cent of the oil blocks and as such they are completely in charge of the oil and gas industry.”

ACN lauds unveiling of APC logo, others From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Osun State chapter of the T Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) has lauded the All

Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo, when he paid a visit to the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, at his palace yesterday, to welcome the Emir from London for receiving medical treatment after the attack on the Emir by unknown gunmen few weeks ago PHOTO: ANWAR AHMED

Progressives Congress (APC) for taking a bold step forward in actualising the dream of Nigerians to fashion a formidable alternative to the ruling PDP and save the country from maladministration In a statement in Osogbo yesterday by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said that the consensus reached on the design, choice and release of the new party logo and flag was a positively reassuring indication that that the APC’s leadership was not only serious, but also determined to subsume their individual interests for the collective good of the country. The ACN spokesperson noted that this was the first time in the history of Nigeria where different political parties would go beyond an alliance to fuse into one powerful entity to confront a ruling class that had a history of leading Nigeria disastrously.

ACN, ANPP, APC condemn Yerima’s arrest From Adamu Abuh, (Abuja) and Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri ITING arbitrariness, the C Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday condemned the arrest of the former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, by the police for allegedly making an ‘inciting’ comment on FRCN Kaduna. They said the arrest may signal an impending clampdown on the opposition by an increasingly jittery Federal Government. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said Yerima’s arrest by the police, for saying in a radio

interview that there will be a mass protest if INEC refuses to register APC after it would have met all legal requirements, was nothing short of budding fascism. It said Yerima did not say anything extraordinary by threatening a protest, because protests were an integral part of liberal democracy and cannot be wished away or banned by anyone. ‘’We will like to say, in support of Yerima, that if INEC refuses to register the APC, when all the legal requirements have been met, the protest in Tahrir Square in Egypt will be a child’s play compared to what we will do at the Eagle Square. ‘’We say this because we are aware that the PDP, which is mortally afraid of the rise and rise of the APC, is behind

the phantom African Peoples Congress, which has applied to INEC for registration, in an effort to instigate an acronym crisis and give INEC a reason, if it needs any, not to register the APC. ‘’But we will like to warn that if indeed INEC has not merged with the PDP, as one of our leaders, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has brilliantly said, then we do hope that the electoral body which by the way is not unaware of the authentic APC will not succumb to the evil machinations of the apprehensive PDP,’’ ACN said. The party said it expects more arrests, investigations by the pliable anti-corruption agencies and other acts aimed at intimidating its leaders in the weeks and months ahead, but warned

the Federal Government to make sure it had enough prison space to accommodate those it plans to arrest. The ANPP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu maintained that Yerima’s arrest was clearly politically premeditated. ANPP particularly pointed accusing fingers at the PDP of instigating the police to arrest Yerima who is a chieftain of the newly formed All progressive congress (APC). It noted: Given the flimsy excuses presented by the Police for such an outrageous arrest, the ANPP hereby vehemently condemns it, and notes that this is sadly a sign of things to come from the PDP as they are patently jumpy over the coalition of progressives in readiness for

the 2015 elections. In a statement in Owerri, the APC South-East zone, Publicity Secretary of the Interim Management Committee, Osita Okechukwu, regretted that the party was having its meeting in Owerri when the news of Yermina’s arrest over an “innocent comment” came to them. The statement titled “Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima’s arrest is condemnable,” reads: “The APC South East condemns in no uncertain terms the news which filtered in before the close of our meeting that Yerima was arrested by the Kaduna Police Command over his comment on the Phone- in Programmme of Radio Kaduna.” Recalling the alleged attacks recently by forces from

the Presidency on the Progressives Governors Forum in Borno, the statement wondered what tomorrow could hold, cautioning against intimidation of the followership of the mega party coalition. “The APC South East wishes to caution that as we approach the 2015 general elections, intimidation and undue arrest should be consigned to the dark ages of the yore and most importantly, that the relative frontiers of freedom which democracy bestowed on the nation shall not be abridged by any group or persons for selfpreservation....Tomorrow, only God knows what will happen as panic, emotion and sentiment has set–in, ” he maintained.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

6 NEWS

G15 to monitor governance in Ogun, as PDP youths blame Amosun for Assembly factions

Ondo communities urge quick passage of PIB

From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta OWARDS good governance, 12 members of the G15 group of legislators in the Ogun State House of Assembly have undertaken to up their appraisal of governance indices in the state beyond what it used to be. On the other hand, the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Progressive Youth Forum (PYF) has blamed Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the recent friction in the House of Assembly. In a five-point communiqué issued at the end of their recent meeting in Abeokuta, presided over by leader of the group, Leye Odunjo, the G15, which comprises former and current Assembly members, declared their commitment to ensuring good and transparent governance. The communiqué read in part: “The G15, irrespective of political affiliation of its members, is one and indivisible entity mainly persuaded by the belief in good governance; this group is carefully monitoring the unfolding events of governance in our dear state.” It insisted that the group is more committed than ever before to protect the interest of Ogun people, stressing that it “totally supports autonomy of local council administration and independence of the Legislature as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and that indicators of good governance, which include freedom, transparency, rule of law, efficiency and accountability, will be the basis of assessment of governance in Ogun State.” Meanwhile, the PYF, in a statement at the weekend signed by the chairman, Farouk Akintunde, and secretary, Musa Akinolu, alleged that the recent crisis in the House of Assembly was caused by “executive meddlesomeness in the affairs of the House.

From Niyi Bello, Akure NDO State oil-producing communities in Ese-Odo and Ilaje councils, under the aegis of the state’s branch of Association of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Nigeria (AGPCN), have called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is currently before the lawmakers. In a release by its Chairman, Adewale Omojuwa, AGPCN said the passage of the bill would solve a myriad of problems plaguing the country’s petroleum industry. According to Omojuwa, who once headed the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) - an intervention agency established to address problems of the oil communities, “the country must explore every available option to solve the socio-economic problems of the Niger Delta region. “Several administrations have come up with different innovations to tackle the problems of the oil industry but we discovered that despite all these attempts, most of the problems still remain unresolved.

“The Ogun State PDP PYF has x-rayed the recent developments in the state House of Assembly, which resulted in the breaking of the entire members of House into two factions of those blindly loyal to the governor of the state and those opposed to executive meddlesomeness in the affairs of the House,” the statement read. “It is evident that undue interference and refusal of the executive arm under the leadership of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to allow the legislative arm function independently and effectively are the major causes of the problem, which resulted into the breaking of the mace.” “We, therefore, call on wellmeaning indigenes of the state to prevail on Governor Amosun to allow for separation of powers among the arms of government as entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle); the Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed (left) and Chairman, Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area, Monsuru Durosinmi (right) during the governor’s visit to the scene of disaster at Ifelodun Plank Market in Ketu…yesterday

Anglican primate laments state of churches From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi, Abeokuta ORRIED at the present state of the church in Nigeria, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has warned heads of the congregation to desist from leading faithful astray because God, at the appropriate time, would cleanse His church. Speaking in Abeokuta at the graduation ceremony of Crowther Post-Graduate Theological Seminary at the weekend, the cleric condemned the extravagant lifestyles of church leaders, juxtaposed with their failure to preach the “undiluted” word of God. He lamented the “greed and love of money” by some preachers, stating: “The danger of church leaders without spiritual perception is great.”

Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill two in Benue From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HERE was serious commotion at the weekend among the inhabitants of Ake Lake, Uvii Village in Guma Local Council Area, as well as some parts of Makurdi Council of Benue State following the murder of two persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Chairman of Guma Local Council Area, Mr. Frank Usa Adi, told journalists in Gbajimba, the council headquarters, that some inhabitants of the area had gone demanding over N150,000 from the herdsmen despite the ban on cattle tax. They were said to have been resisted by the herdsmen and the killing resulted from the

trouble that ensued. According to Adi, the incident occurred during a fishing festival in the area, while four persons suspected to have collected the money from the herdsmen, have since been arrested. Chairman of Makurdi Local Council, Mr. Godwin Donko, who was not sure of the number of deaths, said his people were already fleeing their homes for fear of further attack by the herdsmen. However, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala, said on telephone that there was no reported incident of deaths or arrests. Ezeala assured that law and order have been restored to the area.

Warns clerics against money, materialism Okoh lamented: “My message is a serious warning about the havoc the love of money, wealth and luxury can cause the leaders of the church. Today, archbishops, bishops, clergymen - from the older denominations, the new ones and even the one church denomination - pastors have made money and materialism the canon of judging a successful ministry. “Consequently, we see wrong things, which should rightly be condemned but they (preachers) look the other side and rationalise the issue in order to keep our seething conscience quiet.” He referred such men of God to Luke 12:15, which says: “True life of a man does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Money and materialism must never be allowed to blur our spiritual sensitivity and vision so as not to hinder one from going to heaven, which is the ultimate aim of any Christian.” Speaking on the topic “Martin Luther and Reformation - The Message for our Christian Generation”, the Anglican head noted: “Money is good, sweet and makes us comfortable. But therein lies its

power of destruction. “My second message is another serious warning on the danger and havoc which Biblical illiteracy could cause any church, individual or fellowship. The enemy would like to keep it so. The mass of Biblical illiterates who crowded the church every Sunday knew only what the enemy - inspired pope and his clergy wanted them to know. “They preferred to keep the people blind in order to serve their material and exploitative objectives. Never again should the Bible be taken away from the centre of our Christian church. “The danger of a one-manshow is another message we should all note in matters of faith and practice. It was either the Pope’s theology or rebellion. Anyone who thought (otherwise) was purged, silenced or banished; any institution which forbids dissenting voices usually falls victim to its own follies.” According to Okoh, “that is what happened to the church of the 16th Century in Luther’s Reformation. When we talk about intolerance of dissenting voices, we all condemn the church of the

Medieval Period. But what goes on in the new denominations or new single-church denominations is no difference. “No one dares differ with the pastor-prophet founder’s theology. If you do, you are looked upon as fallen from grace, faith and salvation. They are the new Popes pontificating all around.” He added: “When Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, decided on the course of folly in spite of distilled wise counsel, which offered him a better way, the nation of Israel was split in two, Northern and Southern Kingdoms. The danger of church leaders without spiritual perception is great.” He further admonished ministers of God, saying: “The Lord of the church cleansed His house. It is comforting because it shows that the Lord, as a jealous God, is watching over His house. He cleansed it before and will continue to do so. No matter who is involved, the Lord will have no respect for persons when the life, ministry and destiny of His church is at stake.” He urged all Nigerians not to give up fighting the ills in the nation, saying: “I think we shouldn’t give up. We shouldn’t surrender. We should make every effort to combat

SERAP launches anti-corruption SMS service By Bertram Nwannekanma AGOS-BASED rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has launched an SMS platform “to encourage citizens and residents at local council level in the state to anonymously alert the organisation, which will in turn report any such allegation to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). In a statement yesterday, SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the initiative was part of the organisation’s anti-corruption project in Lagos councils and is being carried out in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). According to him, “SERAP hopes that citizens and local residents will be more likely to report incidents of corruption in their communities if they are able to text details and know that their identities will be safeguarded and confidential, rather than openly speaking about this.

‘How PDP plans to overrun South-West’ By Dele Fanimo TS internal crisis notwithstanding, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is plotting to overrun the South-West through other political parties that have made in-roads into the zone. As part of the plot, two political parties that have footing in the South-West - Labour Party (LP) and Accord Party (AP) - may serve as gateway to a PDP’s breakthrough in the zone. Already, a chieftain of PDP in Oyo State, Dejo Raimi, has disclosed to The Guardian that a fresh rapprochement has begun with the leadership of Accord Party, particularly its national leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, to return to PDP. According to the PDP chieftain, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, succeeded in bringing Ladoja face-to-face

with President Goodluck Jonathan on the need to return to his former party on which he contested and won the governorship election in 2003. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, the PDP chieftain affirmed Ladoja’s imminent return, saying: “Ladoja is coming back. What can Accord Party do? Accord Party can only win in Ibadan. Ibadan people will vote for Accord Party out of sympathy. They feel that the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu illegally removed Ladoja, but he cannot spread to Oke-ogun. “Whatever Ladoja wants in politics now, he cannot get it in Accord Party as much as in the PDP. Ladoja is coming back. Jumoke Akinjide has taken Ladoja to the President.” Prodded to disclose the outcome of the meeting between President Jonathan and

Ladoja, he declined, but noted that it was fruitful. Curiously, however, Raimi cautioned Ladoja not to disband the Accord Party, as well as wait until after the impending council election before any further move. This invariably suggests that the popularity of Accord Party in Oyo State, which continued to soar after its success in the last election that produced four House of Representatives and seven state Assembly members in less than three months of its formation in the state, makes it a bride for the crisis-riddled PDP. While the Oyo scenario appears clear, that of LP in Ondo State is still shrouded in uncertainty. Though another chieftain of PDP in the SouthWest claimed that the party was eyeing Ibadan and Akure as launch pad into the zone, he did not elaborate on the

party’s modus operandi. According to the source, the Presidency and the party at the national level had reasoned that, rather than go into any costly negotiation and compromise with a former governor and party leader, it was better to use its machinery to buoy existing parties and extend their tentacles. Part of the game plan, the source said, was the covert support given to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the last governorship election, even at the expense of its own candidate. The source said: “We cannot go back and negotiate with that former governor. “Is it not better to raise our own people who only left the party openly but are still interested in returning? We advised our candidate, Oke, to cooperate with Mimiko for a larger picture that will emerge in 2015.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

NAFDAC seeks death penalty for fake drugs offenders From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh Uyo HE Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii has advocated for a stiffer punishment like death penalty for drug counterfeiters in the country. He noted that such could be achieved through legislation from the National Assembly, noting that, such would act as deterrent for perpetrators of such killer practices. He made this call at the weekend during the Small Business Support Desk Open Day/Stakeholders Forum for the South-South states, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. He averred that, since armed robbers that killed in the course of carrying out their nefarious activities are killed once they are found culpable, producers of fake and counterfeit drug that killed consumers should be treated the same once proved culpable.

NEWS

Jonathan commends movie industry for uniting Africans By Chuks Nwanne T was a gathering of ‘who is who’ in the African motion picture industry at the weekend as movie stars, celebrities, practitioners and stakeholders in the industry converged at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the maiden edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA). In his address, President Goodluck Jonathan commended the organisers for creating a platform that will

help in uniting Africans across the globe. Jonathan, who was represented at the event by the Minister for Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke, recalled the role of the African Union (AU) in uniting the black continents, urging filmmakers to see themselves as agents for similar assignment. “I congratulate MultiChoice and M-Net for providing the AfricaMagic channel as a vehicle of promoting our social institution. Exactly seven days

ago, here in Lagos, I hosted a group of Nigerians to an evening in honour of Nigeria’s film industry Nollywood, which has entertained Africa for 20 years. At that event, I pointed out the fact that, 20 years ago, Nigeria was looking towards other parts of the world for movie entertainment. But today, other parts of the world are looking up to Nigeria; that is how far we have come.” The President also paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the African

motion picture industry for their foresight in instituting an industry that tells the African story from the African perspective. “As we celebrate today, let us also remember those who played vital roles in setting up the industry, including the living and the dead. Even as we congratulate winners tonight, it is my hope that the legacy you are leaving today will inspire the next generation. Let me assure you that this government will continue to be a friend and support-

Navy warns against fake recruitment syndicate From Madu Onuorah, Abuja HE Nigerian Navy yesterday T warned Nigerians to beware of some syndicates who are claiming to be carrying out recruitment exercise on behalf of the Service. The Navy said it has not commissioned any group to carry out any recruitment on its behalf. Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu said in a statement in Abuja that the Navy has a standard procedure for its recruitment exercise. Aliyu, therefore, advised Nigerians to be wary of the recruitment syndicates “who are out to defraud unsuspecting young Nigerians.” The full statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Navy has been drawn to the existence of some syndicates claiming to be carrying out recruitment exercise on behalf of the Service. The Navy wishes to inform members of the general public that it has not commissioned any group to carry out any recruitment on its behalf. The Service has a standard procedure for its recruitment exercise.

Oyo launches 10 buses for workers, students From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan S part of efforts to address the transportation problems facing citizens of Oyo State, the government will today launch about10 buses that will convey its workers and school students to and fro their offices and schools on a daily basis. The launch, which will be performed by Governor Abiola Jimobi at the state secretariat, will be the first in a holistic total transportation policy which is aimed at reducing cost of transportation and making lives easier to live for the generality of the people. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Festus Adedayo, the action was in line with the state government’s ongoing reform of the civil service and its intention to change the condition of work of the civil servants. The launch of the 43-seater buses, which are part of the 100 buses the state government recently procured for the transportation system of the state is aimed at ameliorating the hardship faced by the workers and students in the course of getting to their offices in the morning and getting to their homes after the day’s work.

Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Ola Makinde (left); Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen; Bishop of Ogbomoso, Rt Rev. Olugbenga Fafeyiwa; Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Mainland; Rt Rev. Oladapo Babalola; at opening of the Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Ibadan Holy Communion Synod in Ibadan … yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Why defence spending must rise, by Ihejirika By Wole Oyebade HIEF of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubike Ihejirika has said there would be need for increase expenditure on defence to effectively tackle the security challenges bedeviling the country. Ihejirika, in a lecture delivered in Lagos at a luncheon organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria at the weekend, noted that the defence industry had lately come under severe criticism both for its budgetary allocation and response to security threats, forgetting that the security challenges are relatively new to Nigeria and to the security agencies that are not without their problems. “The most significant challenge faced by the armed forces is that new military roles that are emerging for them are not all easily compatible with existing structure, particularly given the severe budgetary constraints,” he said. The chief of army staff added that the reasons for

current military operations are quite known and “we must reckon with the fact that expenditure on defence will continue to rise.” “To ask the military to do more with less funds may result in a slow degradation of capabilities. The tasks of the military require certain capabilities to be developed if they are to perform optimally. They need to be equipped for their missions by means of a coherent training and procurement programme,” he said. On the criticisms that have trailed the handling of security threats in the country, Ihejirika said the changing nature of Nigerian security and defense environment had necessitated the need for a new approach in dealing with issues of security in the country. He explained that the need to come to the aid of the civil authority necessitated the establishment of different task forces such as Operation Pulo Shield to secure

pipelines, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Jubilee to tackle kidnapping in South east, Operation Restore Order 1, 2 and 3 in the North eastern region against Boko Haram, Operation MESA and Joint Task Force (JTF) amongst others. Maj. Gen. A. O Muraino, who read Ihejirika’s speech, conceded that reactions to activities of these task forces have been mixed. He said: “While some have vilified the task forces, others have praised them. The greatest or often touted reason for concern is the perception of highhandedness of the troops deployed for the operations. “Nevertheless, there is no gainsaying that the task forces have done a good job of preserving the peace and helping to maintaining law and order. What we are facing is new to the country like it is new to our military and it will take time to bring it to perfection.” IoD President and Chairman of Council, Thomas Awagu noted that the luncheon

Sambo visits Kano monarch, assures of peace From Abba Anwar, Kano HE Federal Government has assured it had taken practical steps to restore peace and stability in the country, with necessary plans to ensure an end to all forms of crisis in the country were in top gear. This was disclosed by the Vice President, Alhaji Muhammad Namadi Sambo, when he paid a visit to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, at his palace yesterday, to welcome the

Emir from London for receiving medical treatment, after the attack on the Emir by unknown gunmen a few weeks ago. Sambo revealed that he was in Kano to extend hands of love and welcome back greeting to the Emir from the Federal Government. He further noted that the Federal Government was grateful to God for saving the life of the Emir during the attack. And equally commiser-

ate with the Emir over the death of his guards and the injuries sustained by his two sons at the attack. “Government and indeed President Goodluck Jonathan are taking practical steps to restore peace, order and tranquility all over the country. Nigerians should be assured that government will continue to do everything possible to protect their lives and properties”, he stated.

themed: “The role of armed forces in economic development” was timely for the armed forces and captains of industry that are all stakeholders in economic develop-

er of the entertainment industry,” he said. The event, which opened with a glamorous red carpet reception, was conceived as a platform to reward African filmmakers, who have distinguished themselves in the business of filmmaking, despite the many challenges facing practitioners in the continent. Hosted by the duo of Big Brother Africa presenter, IK Osakioduwa and gorgeous StarGist lady, Vimbai Mutinhiri, the classy event was screened live to television viewers in 47 African countries. Speaking at the event, M-Net Africa MD, Biola Alabi described the atmosphere as a wonderful night. “Fantastic performers, glittering fashion, deserving winners; it has been a night of huge excitement and emotion. Most importantly, it’s been a true celebration of African film and television, a fitting platform for the stars of our continent, both in front and behind the cameras. This is what we at AfricaMagic have long dreamt of, and to see it become a reality tonight is a very special moment for us. Congratulations to all our worthy winners, I hope that this recognition will inspire them further and motivate others in this industry to strive to give their best every day.” On behalf of Amstel Malta, sponsors of the ceremony, the marketing director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth said, “we are deeply pleased to be at the forefront of this spectacular event that celebrates truly talented individuals whose valuable contribution to the African film and television landscape is immeasurable. We congratulate them on their success and noteworthy achievement tonight. Our brand has always believed strongly that everyone has what it takes to be the best and this group of winners symbolises that.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

8 NEWS

Presidency okays new pre-paid meter scheme From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE Presidential Action Committee on Power (PACP), chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, has endorsed an alternative funding mechanism for prepaid meters in the country and has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to commence immediate implementation. The recomposed PACP, which was established in June 2010, provides leadership and guidance for the rapid development of Nigeria’s power sector and determines the general policy direction and strategic focus of reforms in the sector. The new policy, known as Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation (CAPMI), is expected to immediately facilitate the deployment of meters to electricity consumers and check ‘crazy bills’ following the failure of the ‘free meters’ scheme announced in June last year by the NERC. NERC had in June 2012 announced that customers were no longer required to pay for electricity meters because the new tariff, at the time, had incorporated the cost of the meter in the fixed charge component of the bill. NERC said, however, in Abuja yesterday that CAPMI, which was approved by the PACP at the weekend, was designed as an alternative for customers who are willing to advance money to their distribution companies for speedy installation of prepayment meters. The Commission said: “This scheme is optional and will not be imposed on customers. Only those who are

willing to advance money for meters may partake in the scheme. The distribution companies are to implement this scheme until the core investors take over, expectedly by the third quarter of 2013.” There is, however, confusion over the fate of consumers who are unable to advance money to procure meters, as the Commission has been consistently silent on this. There were also no words yet on how much consumers would be required to ‘advance’ for the meters, and how much fixed charge holiday they would enjoy and for how long. Assistant General Manager (Media) at NERC, Maryam Yaya Abubakar, said the approval followed a presentation made by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, to a meeting of the PACP. Abubakar said: “The PACP has agreed with the recommendations made by NERC, and has asked for the immediate implementation of this scheme known as ‘Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation (CAPMI). “One of the top priorities of the Commission is ensuring that the huge number of unmetered customers is reduced as rapidly as possible, and within the shortest possible time. By doing so, the menace of ‘crazy billing’ and other commercial losses will be greatly curtailed.” Abubakar admitted that the June 2012 proclamation did not work out as expected nine months after the announcement while an unacceptable number of Nigerians still remain without meters.

Okorocha absolves self from deputy’s impeachment From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri OLLOWING the degree of speculations naming Governor Rochas Okorocha as being the behind the plot to oust his deputy, Jude Agbaso, through the on-going impeachment process in the Imo State House of Assembly, the governor at the weekend in Owerri has washed his hands off it. In a statement signed by the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor and made available to The Guardian, the governor urged the section of the media publishing and linking him to the impeachment saga, to desist, having shown concern about the fate of his deputy, including postponing his trip abroad to intervene in the Assembly. Agbaso had been accused through a petition by a Lebanese contractor, J-Pros, of collecting from it gratification of about N458 million. Based on that, a committee headed by Simeon Iwunze (IsialaMbano), was set up by the Speaker of the 27- member Assembly, Benjamin Uwajimogu, a few weeks ago. The report of the committee indicted the deputy governor, leading to an impeachment notice served on Agbaso.

Retired permanent secretaries: Ministry of Communications Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Daudu (left); Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Anthony Ozodinobi; Aviation Anne Ene-Ita and Power, Dr. Dere Awosika, at a send-off party for them in Abuja…at the weekend

Phone number portability project takes off soon By Adeyemi Adepetun OING by all indications, G the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), after several shifts in take-off dates, has fixed March 26 for the commencement of the muchawaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in the country. MNP is the process that enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another. The Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Tony Ojobo, made this disclosure during Channels Television’s flagship programme, Sunrise Daily at the weekend, monitored by The Guardian. Ojobo said: “There will be a launch by the end of this month, we are going to flag it off. So we are looking at March 26 or thereabout.” Meanwhile, as part of efforts targeted at improving regulations of the telecommunications sector, the NCC is working on a corporate gover-

nance code for the sector. The NCC Director said the MNP will enable a consumer move from his service provider to another without losing the number he already uses despite the change in the SIM card of the consumer. However, Ojobo said the service, however, would not be available to consumers who haven’t registered their SIM cards. He further said service providers who try to woo consumers that have submitted request forms to another service provider will be dealt with by the commission. In one of his interviews with The Guardian, Ojobo had said that the commission had provided routing numbers for all the operators, stressing that MNP would ensure proper billing processes. Ojobo, who listed power, multiple taxations, among others, as major challenge to operators, disclosed that the NCC has licensed an operator for MNP, which will act as the go-between mobile network operators (MNO) and subscribers. Besides, a source within the industry told The Guardian yesterday that testing has commenced, which is practi-

cally aimed at smoothening any observable rough edges in the scheme and provide ample opportunity for consultants to address any hitches that may arise in the process, before the proper launch soonest. The Guardian learnt that from a technical perspective, MNP providers have already begun integrating with telecommunications providers’ Operation Support Systems (OSSs) and internal business processes, such as customer care, billing and other management systems. Meanwhile, the commission said the sector is still beset with lack of corporate governance code. By so doing, the commission said it is currently working on one, stressing that it has embarked on various stakeholder engagements and consultations that would determine how to address the gap in the industry. Speaking in Lagos at the meeting of the Corporate Governance Working Group (CGWG), set up by the commission, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the commission discovered the gap in the telecommunications industry and moved to bridge it.

Kwara creates PPP office WARA State Executive K Council has approved the establishment of PublicPrivate-Partnership Office (PPP) as part of efforts to encourage investors, boost internally generated revenue and promote job creation. The council also directed the three colleges of education in the state to stop further recruitment of staff and further procurement of loans without recourse to the government and their various councils. The Commissioner for Finance, Nurudeen Ademola Banu and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede, in a press briefing, said the council also approved recommendations that the colleges of education in Ilorin, Oro and Lafiagi should restrict themselves to only courses approved for them, pay all outstanding indebtedness before the end of the year and streamline their accounts to only two banks. Akorede explained that the framework of the office of the PPP was the engagement of private sector investors in key sectors of the state’s economy, particularly human capi-

The framework of the office of the PPP was the engagement of private sector investors in key sectors of the state’s economy, particularly human capital development, economic development and infrastructure tal development, economic development and infrastructure. The council, Akorede said, believed that “those states that would survive are those that would identify creative measures for generating additional revenue outside the dwindling federation account allocations”. He added that the idea was to put private sector funds in the implementation of social and social economic projects in the three sectors. The PPP office, which will be composed entirely of technocrats and professionals recruited from the private sector, would act as a one-stop shop for the state government’s engagements with them.

JTF ex-boss links terrorism, kidnapping to bad governance From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

FORMER Commander of A the military Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Maj.-Gen. Charles Omoregie (rtd), at the weekend in Benin City attributed the upsurge in terrorism and kidnapping in the country over the years to lack of good governance. He stated this when he delivered a lecture, titled: “The security challenges in Nigeria: Role of Neighbourhood Watch” at an event organised by Platform of Peoples’ Parliament of Nigeria (PPPN). While expressing concern over the violence that has taken over parts of northern Nigeria, Omoregie said there was need for political office holders to display an appreciable level of sincerity in the activities and that they should ensure the people get dividend of democracy.

FMC boss denies alleged N60m fraud From John Akubo, Dutse HE Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Dr. Dauda Muhammed Maigatari, has debunked allegation of embezzlement of N60 million from the purse of the centre in 2012. The director, who reacted while speaking with journalists in his office, said the allegation is unfounded because auditors from the Federal Ministry came recently to conduct their routine auditing of their account without raising an eyebrow or any issue regarding misappropriation of funds. Maigatari explained: “It is normal that auditors should come to audit our account, which they have always done but they have not indicted me or anybody from the centre for any misappropriation.” On the allegation of half salary payment to the staff of the centre, he said it was not true.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

WorldReport Nelson Mandela leaves hospital after tests OUTH Africa’s presidential Syesterday spokesman, Mac Maharaj, disclosed that global peace icon and statesman, Nelson Mandela, has returned home after spending a night in hospital for a “scheduled medical checkup.” Maharaj, in an e-mailed statement, said: “Former President Nelson Mandela has this afternoon... returned to his Johannesburg home following a successful medical examination at a Pretoria hospital. “The doctors have completed the tests. He is well and as before, his health remains under the management of the medical team.”

The former president had been admitted Saturday for “a scheduled medical check-up to manage the existing conditions in line with his age”, less than three months after being treated for a lung infection and gallstones. A report by Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated that the latest hospitalisation had sparked concern that the 94year-old had fallen ill again just as the authorities did not divulge at which Pretoria hospital he was staying. Mandela underwent treatment for a recurrent lung infection and surgery to extract gallstones over Christmas, during his longest

stint in hospital since his release from prison in 1990. He was discharged the day after Christmas after an 18-day hospitalisation and was last known to be convalescing at his home in Johannesburg. Maharaj, while speaking initially on Mandela’s admission, said: “There isn’t an update. I just have to allow the doctors to advise me.” But one of Mandela’s grand nephews insisted that the former statesman was simply undergoing tests. “It’s a normal check up at the hospital as an old person,” he told AFP. The presidency said Mandela, 94, was hospitalised

Civic group members and police clash at a demonstration after an anti-nuclear rally in Tokyo … yesterday.

Cardinals celebrate Masses ahead historic Conclave HEAD of historic Conclave A tomorrow for election a new leader for the world’s 1.2

Mandela on Saturday for checkups “to manage the existing conditions in line with his age”.

PHOTO: AFP

billion Catholics, Cardinals yesterday celebrated masses across Rome with parishioners picking their papal favourites. Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world will assemble in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel from tomorrow to elect a new pope in an unprecedented transition after Benedict XVI’s historic resignation. The centuries-old ritual filled with rich imagery and tradition begins when all the cardinals swear a solemn oath of secrecy at 1545 GMT and hold a first vote to find a new leader for the 1.2 billion Catholics around the globe. Beyond the Renaissance symbolism and rules that cut off the cardinals from any contact with the outside world during the conclave, the challenge will be to find a 266th pope able to deal with the many challenges assailing the church. The abrupt end to Benedict’s often troubled pontificate has brought into sharp relief the need for a new kind of leader able to face growing secularism in the West and rising Islamic radicalism in many parts of the world. But yesterday, United States (U.S.) Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who is seen as a possible contender for the papacy, said in his homily: “This Tuesday is also very special to us because we are preparing for the conclave, the Catholic world is

Two years after Fukushima’s disaster, Strained U.S.- Afghan ties overshadow Hagel’s visit to Kabul anti-nuclear protest staged in Japan HE first trip by United troops by the end of 2014. was in daily talks with the T States (U.S.) Defence But the event was scrapped Taliban and that insurgent HOUSANDS of protesters Tokyo Electric Power’s Secretary, Chuck Hagel, to just a few hours before it was suicide attacks enabled the T marched in the Japanese (Tepco) Fukushima Daiichi Afghanistan was overshad- due to be held at the presi- international military force to capital yesterday, calling on owed yesterday by a condential palace in Kabul, with justify its presence in the government to shun nuclear power, a day before the second anniversary of an earthquake and tsunami that triggered the world’s worst atomic disaster in 25 years. Japan is still coming to terms with the disaster that ravaged its northeastern region two years ago – the earthquake and tsunami killed more than 15,000 people. Several thousand people are still unaccounted for, Reuters claimed yesterday. “It’s becoming more and more important for us to protest. I do this for my children, we can’t leave the mess of nuclear power behind to them,” said a 32-year old mother of two marching in front of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, chanting “Stop nuclear! Protect our children!”. “People and the media are starting to forget Fukushima and what happened there,” said the woman. The nuclear meltdown at

plant forced 160,000 people from their homes and many of them will never return. It also sparked an unprecedented protest movement against nuclear power. Tepco faces a decades-long effort to decontaminate and decommission the wrecked nuclear plant after the worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. All of Japan’s 50 reactors were gradually shut down after the Fukushima disaster and all but two of them remain idle. But the sweeping December victory of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which long supported nuclear power and fostered ties between politicians, bureaucrats and utilities, is a worry for nuclear power’s opponents. A recent survey showed about 70 percent of Japanese want to phase out nuclear power eventually. An equal number backs Abe, who wants to restart off-line reactors if they meet new safety standards.

tentious speech by President Hamid Karzai and a security scare that forced their joint media briefing to be cancelled. Karzai and Hagel’s appearance in front of the cameras was to be a key part of the Pentagon chief’s visit to Afghanistan as strained U.S.Afghan ties focus on the withdrawal of NATO-led foreign

U.S. officials citing unspecified security concerns. Hagel’s trip was also marked by two deadly suicide bombs on Saturday – one within his earshot in Kabul –and further delays to the planned transfer of the controversial Bagram jail from U.S. to Afghan control. In a provocative speech yesterday, Karzai said the U.S.

Afghanistan. “The bombs that were detonated in Kabul and Khost were not a show of force, they were serving America,” he said in the televised speech, referring to the two suicide blasts in which 19 people were killed. “It is their slogan for 2014, scaring us that if the U.S. is not here, our people will be eliminated,” he said, without giving

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit enable the Church to choose a new pope who will confirm us in our faith and make more visible the love of the Good Shepherd. united in prayer.” “Let us pray that the Holy Spirit enable the Church to choose a new pope who will confirm us in our faith and make more visible the love of the Good Shepherd,” O’Malley told parishioners in Santa Maria della Vittoria church. O’Malley based his homily on the Biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, who runs away from home but is welcomed back with open arms by his father. “People leave the Father, the Church, for many reasons — ignorance, a poor welcome, negative experiences, scandals, spiritual mediocrity,” he said, in apparent reference to a key challenge for the Church — rising secularism. Father Stefano Guernelli, rector of the ornate Baroque church in central Rome told O’Malley: “I hope this is the last time you come here as a cardinal and I hope that if you are elected pontiff this will be the first church that you visit.” At the nearby basilica of Santa Pudenziana, Rome’s Philippine community gathered in their hundreds as they do every yesterday and sang the praises of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, seen as another “papabile”, or papal candidate. “We are all maids here,” said Meliros Gangani, 53, who came to Italy 26 years ago and works as a volunteer at the church on her day off from work. “We really hope Tagle wins. If he does we would all feel a lot more confident with our bosses. He would really help unite the community,” she said. Evelyn, who also works as a maid and came to Italy 18 years ago, said: “It would make me really happy. It would make me more proud of being Philippine.”

Kenyans seek reconciliation after contested polls HE need for reconciliation T after a disputed presidential election reverberated in Kenya yesterday as calm prevailed in the country the day after results were declared. This is in striking contrast to the aftermath of the 2007 polls that led to the death of many people and displaced of others, according to agency reports. Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces an international trial for crimes against humanity, was Saturday declared winner. But his main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has

vowed to challenge the result in court. “The country is split right down the middle on tribal and economic lines,” Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted the Standard newspaper as saying in an editorial, calling on the president-elect, who is from one of the continent’s richest families, to mend the divisions. Kenyatta faces trial at the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) over his alleged role in the violence after the bitterly contested election in 2007 that sparked

one of the worst bouts of ethnic bloodletting in Kenya. Odinga said he would mount a legal challenge, alleging “massive tampering” during Monday’s vote, but appealed for calm. Kenyatta was declared winner by the slimmest of margins – 50.07 per cent against Odinga’s 43.31 per cent. “Any violence now could destroy the country forever, and that would not serve anyone’s interests,” Odinga said. Odinga – in his third failed attempt at the top job – said he

would respect the decision of the Supreme Court even if it ruled against him. Top officials said all measures were in force to prevent a repeat of 2007. “The country has been mostly peaceful throughout this period, we had no major incidents even after the election,” Kenya’s police chief, David Kimaiyo, said. “Even in areas where a few elements wanted to cause problems, the response was very swift and we managed to restore order,” Kimaiyo told AFP.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Politics Like it or not, Boko Haram has some religious connotations, says Omu Gen. Paul Ufuoma Omu (rtd), Chairman of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and former military administrator fields questions from Anote Ajeluorou on the daunting challenges of governance, and the threat of insecurity in the country.

• Advocates constitutional amendment to correct absurdities in the system

HAT would you say about ongoing constiW tutional efforts to address some of the issues plaguing the country? If you ask me, I’d say there is nothing wrong with the federal system of government. A federal system of government is ideal for a plural country like we have. But we are not even running a federal system today in Nigeria. What we are running is a sort of centrist government system. Only a few controls everything and the others run to them, cap in hand, to collect tokens. There’s no fiscal federalism. In a federal system, you should control what you have, what you produce. Where you generate funds or natural resources, you pay tax to the centre. Look at the argument that anything below the surface of the soil belongs to the Federal Government; that is absurd! If you interpret it correctly, even the gravel or sand in the ground belongs to government. If you bury your mother or father too deep, it belongs to the Federal Government. People are saying it’s the fault of the militarisation of governance by the military. To some extent, I agree. The idea of running a central government by the military is what has bastardised the system of government. But as the constitution amendment and debates are going on, I think we have to rethink them. Take the local government, for instance. How can the Federal Government be distributing money to local governments? It’s the responsibility of states governments. The constitution is very vague, very contradictory on things like this. The Lagos State Government tried to do something about it during the time of Ahmed Tinubu, but the Federal Government tried to use all its federal might to descend on them, but they resisted. In other words, what the state did was right. Create these local governments as you can afford in order to get government closer to the people and to make administration of the state easy. The Federal Government can’t divide 44 local government councils for Kano and 20 for Lagos; that is absurd. These things have to be corrected. If you remove that element of the money they collect from the Federal Government, ask them to go and run the local governments on their own, you will find that all this agitation will cease. How can the constitutional amendment rescue Nigeria from the ‘Failed State’ tag dogging its heels? Nigeria is really not a Failed State. You talk of a failed state where everything has collapsed and there is no recognised government. We still have recognised tiers of government functioning. What will make nonsense of the proposed amendment are vested interests; the legislators have vested interests. Look at the local government creation, for instance; the man representing Kano on the National Assembly will not vote for devolution of power straight to the states to administer. They simply cannot sustain the 44 local governments in that state on their own without funding from the Federal Government. The man from Lagos will vote for it because that is what suits them. I think other states that are a little viable will vote for it, but most of the states are not viable. So, they will cling on to centralising power, centralising control of resources at the Federal Government. These vested interests will make the amendment difficult to pass through. It was the military, during the Civil War that made the central government popular: ‘We’re fighting a war; let’s put all the resources in one

Omu

purse to prosecute it.’ And the war finished and we failed to return the fiscal structure to what it was. It suits some people; it doesn’t suit others. And if the people it suits are in the majority — and this is a democracy, the majority may have it. But we will see how it goes. Even the derivation formula is being threatened. The law says not less than 13 per cent; actually, it should be more than that. To get it up more than that — even to 14 — elicits a lot of hue and cry. Even now, some states are saying the 13 per cent is too much. Then some are asking, ‘What do you contribute to that fund you’re arguing against? The Federation Account is money collectable from productive states; what does your state contribute to this distributable pool? Absolutely nothing!’ Or, for instance, in a recent argument, money charged on tobacco or alcohol as excise duty is put in the distributable pool and you’re sharing it. States that say such money is corrupt or is bad money are also sharing from it. Sharia state like Zamfara takes the alcohol money as share from the federal allocation! The argument was; let only states that drink beer share money from the beer pool and states that ban beer should not share from it. But those who don’t drink beer still want to share from it. So, this is the irony of the whole thing. But the debate goes on; one day, we will get there and get things right. I’m an optimist, and we need optimism to forge ahead. WHAT would you say is the genesis of the security challenges in the country and what appropriate responses would you recommend? It’s very difficult to trace the genesis or the cause of all these security challenges facing the country. When I was in service, we had what we called internal security operations and the way we were taught by the British was that any act of terrorism or militancy develops from stage to stage — at a stage, it is peaceful demonstration before it goes to outright violence and militancy and terrorism.

Then, we had what we called ‘disperse or we fire,’ which was the sole responsibility of the police designed for internal security. The military was for external and territorial integrity of the country. When the police are unable to cope with security, then they call for military assistance. And the populace knows that the army does not shoot to maim or throw teargas. We were trained those days to use the megaphone to announce to the rioters, ‘In the name of the Queen, I order you to disperse.’ You announce it three times. If they don’t disperse, you aim at the leader of the gang or demonstrators. And you don’t fire to maim him; you fire him done. But what is happening now is evolution of dissent; it isn’t the way we were taught. In other words, it doesn’t start from peaceful demonstration and progresses to violent demonstrations. Now, you just find that there is a riot and immediately people are dead! There’s a riot today and before you know it, so many policemen are dead, so many civilians are dead and soldiers are called in and people are dead. So, the pattern is completely different. From your analysis, how do we look at the evolution of Boko Haram? It’s not an agitation against unemployment or poverty per se. If what they are doing in the North is really an anti-social dissident group, you can’t be talking of burning schools; in fact, they have destroyed many primary and secondary schools. How do you classify that? They attack police stations, customs stations and recreation centres and outright bombing of worship places in session. Now, it’s difficult to place. They say Islamic religion is a non-violent one, but you can place your fingers anywhere in the world and see Islamic fundamentalists. Why must they go by that name? So, Boko Haram has some religious connotations whether they like it or not. Whether they deny it or not, it has some religious connotations because the Christian doctrine is non-violence and that is why Christians have not retaliated, and yet, they keep bombing churches. It beats my imagination and that is why I bring it down to evolution and nobody knows why it’s growing like that. You know of the Maitatsine uprising in Kano in the 1980s. Luckily, I was abroad and when I came back, I took over the command of 3 Brigade in Kano. The Maitatsine had nearly been routed. Now, a year after, it reared its ugly head again in Maiduguri and they were wiped out. The leader then was said to be a Camerounian. Maitatsine was also anti-social; they didn’t want anything modern — that is Western-oriented. Ironically, they use Western tools to facilitate their nefarious activities… Unfortunately, they use Western-made bombs, guns and instruments like Internet and all that to carry out their attacks even as they reject Western ways of life! Their leaders drive Jeeps. They use the Internet. That is why I say it beats my imagination. They are blowing up communication masts and schools whereas Islam itself lays so much emphasis on education and learning, on the acquisition of knowledge. Now, health workers are being killed. Why? So, I’m yet to understand what this sect is really out to achieve. How does the government go about negotiating with these people, as it did with the Niger Delta militants? I can’t say how government can negotiate with them. Should government close down schools to soothe them? What are they out to achieve? If it’s political, it’s being hidden. What are the issues to negotiate? Now, the militancy in the South! Although they got too violent at a stage, but their violence was restricted to the oil-producing companies because the companies had defaulted in so many ways. I mean, take this Igbide community, for instance; there is nothing to write home about. If a foreigner comes here and you tell him the community has been producing oil for 45 years, he will say, ‘how?’

And the same goes for the other communities in Isoko and Urhobo in Delta State and the entire Niger Delta — absolutely nothing to show for the huge oil resources that have been exploited in these areas! So, militancy here was a sort of bottled-up anger; people were fed up with what the companies were doing. And we, the leaders in these communities, the educated elite, including myself, had lost all credibility among the young ones, who began to ask questions: ‘What did you do when so much was being taken from our land and nothing being given back — no roads, no water, no jobs for the youths, no amenities of any sort?’ But you have to blame the government also because the oil companies will tell you, ‘we are operating according to the laws of the land, with government that says it owns the land.’ The Federal Government says it owns the oil; so, it dictates. Government has the largest equity shares, 51 per cent of the oil being produced. Thus, Shell will say, ‘look, we’re partners with the government; to execute any programme, we have to take permission from the majority shareholder.’ To a great extent, the oil companies were manipulating under the cover of weak government regulations. So, the militancy in the Niger Delta was completely different from what is happening in the North. When the militants were agitating, they were not burning down police stations or churches or mosques or schools because they knew they needed the schools. Has government acted correctly, satisfactorily on the Boko Haram issue even as the bombings continue? You know this is purely a national security matter. You and I are laypersons, as far as the nitty-gritty of what national security is all about. What I’m trying to say is that there are so many things that are still top secret, which we don’t know. I think the government has done so well. On the issues of negotiations, what are the points to negotiate upon? The points are not clarified. In the case of the Niger Delta, the issues were known. People were bold enough to say, ‘Ok, Wole Soyinka, negotiate with government.’ They named people to represent them. But in the case of Boko Haram, they name people and the people will dodge. I think the people are ashamed to be associated with the organisation or the way they are operating. In international warfare, there is a ceasefire before peace talks are held. In other words, stop firing, put down the guns and let’s talk because you cannot be talking to a man who is firing at you. So, government is doing its best. There certainly has to be a change of mind on the part of the leaders of Boko Haram; otherwise, it will be difficult to deal with them. Would you say there was intelligence failure on the part of security operatives, leading to ascendancy and impunity of this sect? All over the world, there is usually intelligence gap or intelligence failure, not that it’s a failure. But we are human beings. Look at the Irish Republican Army in the U.K; they infiltrated London. With the security sophistication of the U.S, Osama Bin Laden was able to surprise America. In fact, what they (terrorists) did to the U.S was a big disgrace to their security. The World Trade Centre was the heart of the capitalist system, and they hit it. And they also hit the Pentagon, which is the power of the U.S military and they almost hit the White House. So, you can never tell. You see, security is there but you can never tell with human beings. As I’m talking to you now, you don’t know what is on my mind; whether I mean what I’m talking to you now or not, you don’t know. Whether I’m even a Boko Haram man they plant in Igbide here to carry out attacks in another 10 years, you wouldn’t know. That is the problem with dealing with human beings. So, there are lapses, but it’s not a failure in intelligence. It happens everywhere.

POLITICS 11

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

My travails linked to 2015, says Agbaso From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri MO State Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, has been in the spotlight for weeks over alleged bribery, threat of impeachment and his reported resignation from office. But on Saturday in Owerri, he put the episode down to the agitation for the 2012 elections, particularly the governorship contest. In an interactive session with journalists, he posed the question: “Why all these things about bribery and impeachment at this moment?” And the answer was: “This whole thing stems from the various players’ agitation as to the situation in 2015.” He took the issues one after the other, beginning with the mandate he reportedly ditched, but which he said the people of Imo State freely gave him a little less than two years ago that ushered him in as the deputy governor. Thus, he said he owed them a duty, “at this point in time, and in the history of our state, to let them know what has actually transpired.” In addressing the issue of his resignation as the deputy governor of Imo State, Agbaso said: “Let me put it on record and very categorical, too, that, at no time have I contemplated resigning as the Deputy Governor of Imo State. “As I stated earlier, the mandate was freely and massively given me by the people of this state. So, I never resigned, I never intend to resign and I will continue to serve the people of Imo State until the mandate they gave me elapses.” On the allegation that he was being impeached by the Imo State House of Assembly over allegation that he received bribe to the tune of N458 million, Agbaso said, “at no time did I demand N458m or any sum of money from any contractor whatsoever in Imo State. And at no time did the contractor, Joseph Dina of JPRO, pay me the cumulative sum of N458m.” He gave a lengthy explanation of the issue this way: “JPRO is the contractor that is working on the present day Sam Mbakwe road. I never knew the construction company or

Agbaso

the owners of the company. They are a company that was introduced to the state by Governor Rochas Okorocha, who gave the permission for a contract of the magnitude of N1.5bn. “Thereafter, when I was away on a trip to India, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, applied for the final approval of the job so that the governor would give the final approval for the job of N1.5bn. “This was communicated to the governor, who gave the approval but went beyond to give approval for the payment of N1.5bn to the contractor via the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works.

“Incidentally, his (governor’s) approval was communicated to the Commissioner of Finance who, instead of routing the money through the coffers of the Ministry of Works for onward certification and raising of vouchers to pay to the construction company after due processes would have been fulfilled, routed the money through the office of the Accountant General and paid directly to the contractor. “So, at no pint did I give approval for the payment of the money. At no point did I communicate the approval for the payment of the money. At no point did I pay the money to the contractor.” Agbaso added: “So, the question that comes to mind is: why would this contractor pay me N458m? For doing what?” He said when he went to the State Assembly, he heard from the contractor that, “he paid me the money in anticipation of the job that I will offer to him in the local government.” But Agbaso noted that, “I was the commissioner in the Ministry of Works and the commissioner in the Ministry of Works never issues jobs in the local government areas. The Chairmen of the local government Areas issue jobs.” “I never issue till date any job in any local government. So, how could this contractor have paid me in anticipation of something I wasn’t in a position to do?” He continued: “Anyhow, to cut the long story short, how could he (contractor) have said that I conveyed instructions to him via SMS through his phone in the month of April and June 2012, stating the company, the account number and the bank to pay the sum of N235m and N133m? “I state here also, categorically — and the record can be retrieved from the telecommunications service provider for the phone I use — that at no point did I convey to this man, Joseph Dina, via SMS to pay me, to any account or any bank, any sum of money whatsoever. So, his story is completely false and ludicrous. It is intended to malign my person.”

The deputy governor said, “Since they said the money had been paid to the bank, I think the onus is to call on the investigative agents to look at this account. N458m is not N458,000 and cannot vanish into thin air. “They should look for the money there. It must be there. If it is not there, they can put a tracer on the money. It can be traced to the last account that it went to. With forensics, they can follow the trail of that money into the pockets of who took the money.” He iterated his affirmation that he did not take the alleged bribe money. “My dear people of Imo State, I state here one more time, I never asked for the money, I never received the money and I do not have any thing to do with it,” he said. Agbaso added: “The other question is why all these things about bribery and impeachment at this moment? This whole thing stems from the various players’ agitation as to the situation in 2015.” He said he had heard stories and speculations about who runs in 2015 and who does not, acknowledging that, “I know there is subsisting agreement, which is in the public domain in Imo State, between my elder brother, who happens to be a politician, Mike Agbaso, and our dear governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to hand over to the people of Owerri Zone by 2015.” “I have heard that this has everything to do with it. But I can tell you it has nothing to do with the person of the Deputy Governor, as we speak. And I think that, sooner rather than later, this whole story would be unraveled.” Agbaso, who stressed that he “maintained a robust, cordial relationship” Governor Okorocha, answered other questions from the newsmen. You linked the present crisis to the political intrigues towards the 2015 power-play in the state; can you expatiate? My brother (Mike Agbaso) has spoken about the agreement between them: that the governor would hand over to the people of Owerri Zone in 2015.

The governor had spoken of the term agreement to hand over to the people of Owerri come 2015. Why it is overheating the system in 2013 is what I couldn’t answer. I am caught in the web between these powerful political players in the state. When the House of Assembly invited you, what were the questions asked and how did you respond to those questions? The questions centered on the allegations that I talked about and I also gave the same answers that I just highlighted earlier. I stated, in very clear terms that at no time was I offered any money by the contractor through any bank account through any means. While all this was happening, did the governor call you, to listen to your part of the story? I had spoken with the governor in the presence of the entire Imo State Exco on this allegation and we talked about it. I expressed my innocence. What did the governor say? He said he believed that I am innocent and that if the House seeks to investigate, then the House should be allowed to investigate the matter. That was this week. We learnt that you have not been to your office this (last) week; how true is that? I am not aware that my office has been locked. I was in my office on Friday and it was not locked. How true is it that the governor has decided to intervene on the matter by calling on the State Assembly to stop the impeachment move against you? I am not also aware of that. There is conflicting information emanating from all angles. This one you have said is totally strange to me. Would you say the House has given the benefit of fair hearing by preparing the ground for an impeachment motion against you? It appears to me that the House is not prepared to give me fair hearing. Are you still part of the APGA or now with the APC? I was elected on the platform of APGA. The APC is in the future. We have not got there yet. When it becomes a party, we will know who is APC and who is APGA.

Centenary Anniversary: Tamuno canvasses change of Nigeria’s name From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja OUNT down to Nigeria’s 100 years of exisC tence as an amalgamated country, former Vice Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier Ivory tower, the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Prof. Tekena Tamuno, has advocated a change of name for the country. He recommended that rather than continuing to refer to Nigeria in its current form — the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it should be referred to as The Commonwealth of Nigeria. The 81-year-old eminent scholar made the suggestion on Thursday at the 2013 edition of the Annual Lecture organised by the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) at the auditorium of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja. However, the proposal did not find support with several other eminent Nigerians, who disagreed on the concept. In fact, they were unanimous that what was required is a fundamental reformation of the people rather than a name change. Prominent among those who shared the latter views were Emeritus Profs. Ayo Banjo and Ayo Bamgbose; Culture and Tourism Minister, Edem Duke, as well as the President of NAL and one-time Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Munzali Jubril, who argued that it would be difficult to decree a name of a country into existence after about 100 years of operation. Duke, who chaired the forum, believed that the change of name was not necessary, noting, “Whether we change the name or not, the character still remains; there would be no effect on the character. “I feel we should lay more emphasis on character change rather than the name change being advocated.” With the theme: Nigeria’s First Century: Critical Pluses and Minuses, Prof. Tamuno, in a 34-page paper, noted his study in the past six decades

• Banjo, Bamgbose, Duke, Munzali disagree had shown a backlog of errors of judgment, prominent amongst which was the name of the country. He was quick to admit that a name might not be the total reason for the failure of the system. Other suggestions he tabled included the need to effectively end corruption by ensuring that corrupt public officials are severely dealt with in such a way that people are taught the lesson that it does not pay to be corrupt. “Put simply, corruption must be effectively sent to the solitary confinement before it has a chance of doing so to Nigeria at the earliest opportunity,” he said. “Simultaneously, criminal barons, multi-billionaires of grime, shall be made to stop their stranglehold of Nigeria with or without tacit support from regular law enforcement agencies of the land. “Accordingly, whoever is found guilty, by new Court or Tribunal, one elected by the people and for the people of stealing what belongs to the people shall be made to vomit it or face serious sanction. “Furthermore, any loot found at home and abroad, shall be promptly returned to its rightful owners, the erstwhile people of Nigeria.” According to Tamuno, it is a common knowledge that Lady Flora, wife of Sir (later) Lord Lugard, Nigeria’s first Governor-General, was the person that gave the name of Nigeria (and) the legitimacy of the name child became a centre of acrimonious disputes well after the event. He said so because “some people have hijacked the country; politicians, criminals, experts in crime and so on, they have not made our country.” “And what I’m saying is that up to the 31st of December, 2013, we will do some clean up of

Tamuno the existing country, particularly with regard to crime, corruption and those vices,” he said. “Thereafter, we must enter a new century with clean hands, clean slate and that would be a commonwealth of everybody where people will reign supreme; peoples’ power would be seen activated in a manner I described it.” The octogenarian academic went metaphorical, saying, “If you want coconut, rather than waiting for coconut to fall, go grab it and eat it. “That is the country I call The Commonwealth of Nigeria — everybody’s country, not just for a few people. We have seen in one century and we

don’t want that to repeat itself in the second lap of the journey.” Tamuno emphasised, however, that he was not advocating a break up of the country, stressing the proposed name should be the commonwealth of all people. “And that is why its name is Nigeria; it is not another name. Nigeria is Nigeria for all of us. Nigeria has to be retained because I have not written off Nigeria,” he said. However, Prof. Bamgbose, the pioneer President of NAL and Banjo, another former VC of University of Ibadan, do not believe that the change of name option should be of priority to the country at the moment. According to Bamgbose, “I’m not sure whether a change of name would mean a change of people. If you listen to the lecture very well, the lecturer did say that sometimes you change names, it doesn’t change the people. So, really, what is important is changing of the people. “So, when he said the Commonwealth of Nigeria, it is just a fastidious way of saying we need to go in a different direction. What is important is that we must concentrate on changing the people.” For Prof. Banjo, the changes that the country requires were more profound than name change, even though he admitted that such could be a good idea. Insisting that it was not possible to change the name of a country over night, he believed there should be serious attitudinal reforms of Nigerians, rather than emphasising on the change of name for Nigeria. Prof. Munzali held that there was no fundamental difference between the proposed Commonwealth of Nigeria and the current Federal Republic of Nigeria. “If there’s a flaw with the name Nigeria, the best thing to be done is to completely delete the name, Nigeria, altogether,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

TheMetroSection Supreme Court to rule on bitter divorce case between Nigerian oil tycoon and British wife From Tunde Oyedoyin, London

Prest’s lawyers argued that by virtue of the same Nigerian Customary Law, the assets of their client belong to the family and not solely those of their multi-millionaire client FTER hearing the appeal of the forA mer wife of one of Britain’s richest men for over two days last week, seven Supreme Court Judges of the United Kingdom (UK) including the President of the Supreme Court – Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbuty- will, over the next few months, deliver what could be a landmark judgement in the bitter divorce suit between Itsekiri multimillionaire oil tycoon, Michael Prest and his former English wife, Yasmin Aishatu Prest. The couple, who have four children, oldest is 15, met and married in London in 1993. They lived happily thereafter till a bitter split in 2008. In what is the third and obviously the final round of the legal tussle that has cost Prest and his former wife about £3 million in legal fees to divorce lawyers, Mrs. Prest, 50, has prayed the highest court of the UK to quash the ruling of the Court of Appeal (England and Wales), which ruled that 51year-old Prest could use Nigerian Customary law to shield his multimillion assets from being split with his former wife. The judges, six men and Lady Hale of Richmond, will, in the coming months, give the ruling, which will set legal precedence for similar cases involving legal disputes between husbands and wives in Great Britain. On Friday, Supreme Court sources told The Guardian the “judgement doesn’t come that quickly. It takes a couple of months for the Judges to deliver their judgement after a case has finished,” when asked how soon the judgement would be delivered. Prior to dragging her former husband before the Law Lords last week, the High Court had, in October 2011, ruled that Prest should give a lump sum of £17.5 million of his wealth and some London properties as settlement to his former wife, after she asked for over £30million maintenance payout and £730,000 per

Mr. and Mrs. Prest

annum to cover “reasonable needs” for both herself and their four children. However, he headed straight for the Court of Appeal and in February last year, citing Itsekiri Customary Law. In October, his lawyers won the appeal and got an order slashing the High Court ruling by almost £9 million. Thereby, reducing his wife’s payout to over £8 million. Citing the customary Nigerian law, lawyers representing Prest said the oil tycoon, having lost his father – who set him up in business with a seed gift of £10,000 before his death in 1992- is not only the head of his extended family, but also responsible for the welfare of his four brothers and their children. Besides, Prest’s lawyers argued that by virtue of the same Nigerian Customary Law, the assets of their client belong to the family and not solely those of their multimillionaire client. In essence, what Prest’s lawyers and those of the three companies Petrodel Resources Ltd, Petrodel Upstream Ltd. and Vermount Petroleum Ltd - he owns, said last week was that, under Nigerian Customary Law, those three oil companies and their assets belong to their client’s family and not solely his. The companies are all registered in the Isle of Man. But Mrs. Prest’s lawyers based their arguments on Section 24(1)(a) of Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, to ask the Judges to reverse the order, which

Prest got at the Appeal Court in October last year, where his lawyers had invoked Nigerian Customary law to quash the order of the High Court. Also added to the prayer of his former wife is the fact that Prest, who resides in Monaco, had not even paid the mother of his four children neither the lump sum, which was slashed by nearly half nor the £270, 000 –a –year allowance, which the Court ordered him to pay her. Her lawyer argued that if his client lost this case, other husbands would similarly be able to dishonestly use this legal precedence to hide their assets behind a corporate veil, thereby denying their wives a fair slice of their fortune. Mrs. Prest’s legal team also underlined the fact that if the case went against their client, the Marital Causes Act – a legislation meant to give divorcing spouses a fair share of their assets – would become meaningless. Although the court was told that Mrs. Prest still lives in their £4 million marital home in Bayswater, West London, and that her former husband is paying over £100,000 per annum in school fees for the couple’s four children’s education in private schools, he has refused to obey courts orders that he should pay her massive legal costs. Moreover, he has been handing out just a meagre £150 per week as maintenance allowance. Her lawyers went

further, accusing him of using a “cheats charter” to hide his oil money in offshore companies. Mrs. Prest’s barrister, Richard Todd QC –Queen’s Counsel, the equivalent of SAN - told the court on Tuesday that: “It is not hyperbole to say that this is a case where, if the companies succeed, this wife will be rendered destitute. They say it is not the case that this is a “cheats charter,” even though it would result in Mr. Prest and his companies coming away with tens of millions of pounds, while the wife is reduced to claiming benefits. They say it is not a “cheats charter’ because there are potentially other remedies available to the wife. We say this is not so.” He described his client’s former husband as someone who has exhibited a strong desire to “thwart the intentions of the court.” Todd also said that coupled with this is the wrong signal that this judgement –if it went against Mrs. Prest would send out to other warring couples across the UK. “It would be a simple matter to incorporate a company, or better still use a company already incorporated, in order to retain assets and make them judgement –proof in a case such as this. This would be that very “cheats charter,” and more importantly, “it would reduce the Matrimonial Causes Act to being nothing more than a scarecrow.” Although Prest claims he wants to give his former wife shares in the companies, her lawyer would rather his client have nothing to do with that. Todd told the court that waiting to get a slice of the companies would be a wasteful exercise for his client. Basing his argument on the way the companies’ ownership is structured, Todd noted that Prest had already woven such a “web of deceit in respect of ownership of these shares that it would be impossible to ever work out what the position is.” He compared entering into any agreement with his client’s former husband as being equivalent to her “being led in a merry dance without any reward.” Continuing, Todd added: “The husband who is resident in Monaco, simply uses these companies as his piggy bank,” noting that although “he is supposed to be paying Mrs Prest £270,000 per annum, but he simply chooses not to pay that.” Todd made it clear that Mr Prest “is paying Mrs Prest £150 cash per week £7,800 per annum , a little bit less than the minimum wage.”

Organisation saves pregnant women in Jigawa community From John Akubo, Dutse UNDIMINA, a community in Birninkudu Local Council of Jigawa State, has a health facility that has been comatose for a long time with no midwives and nurses, making the helpless villagers pay exorbitant transport fares to access health care services in faraway places. The community, which used to contend with these numerous problems, has overcome them as, it has, in collaboration with Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase II (PATHS2) and CSOs, been able to establish a facility health committee that is made up of various stakeholders from the community to oversee services that will improve utilization of the health facilities. Prior to the intervention, Sundimina health facility had only one Community Health

Extension Worker managing it, but following the recent employment of additional health care providers in the state, six midwives, one doctor and two Community Heath Extension Workers are now working in the health facility. Before this new development, a significant number of women in the community were in danger due to pregnancy-related complications, limited number of health care providers and non-availability of relevant equipment at the health facility. Also women were left with no choice and had to travel for over 20 kilometres to reach the nearest health facility to access health care services coupled with the high level of poverty among the communities. Coordinator of Health Education Initiative For Women (HEIFOW) in Dutse, Hadiza Muhammad Sanusi ex-

pressed appreciation for the selection of her NGO as one of the five NGOs by PATHS2 to sensitize communities to take ownership of the health facility in their domain. She said strengthening local health committees by Gunduma (district) Health System Board with support from PATHS2 has greatly improved service utilization at health facilities and increased level of community awareness in seeking available, accessible and affordable quality health care services and entitlements. Sanusi expressed appreciation to Jigawa Ministry of Health and Gunduma Health System Board in collaboration with Paths2 who supported in the renovation of health facilities across the state for which Sundimina health facility benefited. The coordinator added that the facelift given to Sundimina

Health Facility involved purchase and installation of KVA generating set to provide services for 24hours, rubber chairs, plasma television set, DVD video, other repairs of the antenatal care unit as well as posting of additional three midwives and one doctor to provide full services. Following these changes, increased level of facility utilization particularly number of women coming for ANC and facility delivery increased. Prior to these changes, monthly records indicated 30 women attending ANC and less than four women giving birth at the facility but now the facility records over 200 women attending ANC and over 50 women delivering babies monthly. She said the consistent advocacy and sensitization to community concerned by facility health committees had re-

sulted in timely response to the needs of the facility from government and well-to-do individuals. Sanusi shared a story about a philanthropist who purchased a vehicle and donated it to Sundimina facility to serve as community ambulance while the driver’s mobile number was pasted on the notice board and shared among community members so that he would assist to convey pregnant women facing childbirth complications from communities to Sundimina health facility. However, Sundimina facility health committee also advocated to wealthy individuals on lack of water supply, which has resulted in the provision of a hand pump in the community to have clean water, as such almost five communities close to Sundimina have benefitted.

Briefs LBS alumni seek support for the less-privileged HE AMP 24 Class of Lagos T Business School, an alumni association of the institution, has called on agencies and organisations to support the less- privileged in the society. The President of the association, Mrs. Ijeoma Okoro, made this call at the weekend in Lagos while donating sundry materials to a non-governmental organisation, Living Fountain Orphanage. Okoro said: “I will like to use this opportunity to call on agencies, organisations and associations in the country to support the less advantaged in the society. We are hoping to attract more partners in this project so as to make it big. These are future leaders; we don’t know what they will turn out to be in the future. We hope our support will assist the proprietors of the home in running the school.” She added, “This is one of our community relations project. When we graduated, it was our promise and also in our hand-book that we will continue to meet and reach out to the community. This is our first project, if it works out well, we can adopt the school as one of our corporate social responsibility projects.” The Head, Alumni Relations Administrator, LBS, Dianabasi Akpainyang, said the institution encouraged students and participants to make impact in the larger society. He said: “It is not all about learning in the classroom, we encourage them to go out there to be good ambassadors of the school by making impact in the society. It is one of the cardinal things we preach in LBS. It is not just about doing business and making money, we tell them to try to touch lives and pursue CSR with vigour. The administrator of the school, Mrs. Helen Ngozi, commended the association, saying, “We depend on people that come in here to assist us. We appreciate their support and we pray that God will meet them at the point of their needs.”

BUPF holds seminar on parenting March 20 ELL University Parents’ B Forum (BUPF) will on Wednesday, March 20, hold its yearly seminar on ‘ Parenting in Tertiary Education in the 21st Century’ at the Main Auditorium, NECA Complex, opposite The Africa Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos at 10.30a.m. A statement by the Public Relations Officer (BUPF), Abayomi Oguntuase, said: “Resource persons and experts in parenting would be led by Mr. Kevin Ejifor, for Director General of Radio Corporation of Nigeria while Mrs. Ekanem Solomon, a lawyer, will represent the parents. Prof. I. Fowole will represent the University Hall Administration while Miss Oluwabamike Olawunmi is the students’ representative. He called on all parents and guardians of wards in the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State to attend the seminar.

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

American professional Rotarians visit The Guardian, promise collaboration with fellow Nigerian professionals

By Isaac Taiwo S part of the efforts of Rotary International to spread its humanitarian services across the globe, Rotary Foundation, an arm of Rotary International, District 9110, under the auspices of the Rotary Governor, District 9110, Kamoru Omotosho hosted young professional Rotarians from “The Birthplace of Rotary” District 6450, Chicago, America, team of Rotary International Foundation Group Study Exchange. The group made up of the team leader, Technology Coordinator and Instructor, Osei David Andrews-Hutchinson, a professional in investment banking and corporate finance, Carl Anthony Bandy II, an entrepreneur and experiential design consultant, Lauren “Lolo” Evans and a Licensed Architect, Antwane Lee, paid a courtesy visit to The Guardian led by the wife of the Rotary Governor, Susan Omotosho. While briefing The Guardian on the purpose of their visit, Omotoso said the Rotary Foundation, an arm of Rotary International has decided to bring in the young professionals from America with a view to seeing the way Nigerians live, compare this with the way they live over there in America and exchange ideas. “There are lots of misconceptions about this part of the world and the purpose of this visit is to correct those wrong notions and belief about Nigeria as well as also knowing some of the problems we face and see the way they can render assistance as Rotarians.” “By this, they would be able to take back to their nation and tell others what their experience was when they were here. It is also an avenue for these young professionals to see how they can collaborate with their fellow professionals and exchange ideas,” she added. The Group Leader, Andrews-Hutchinson disclosed that they were here to learn and witness what is going on in Nigeria. “Since we came, we have been exposed to the culture and different things of tremendous interest and we are happy particularly at the hospitality of Nigerians everywhere we went. “As young professionals, we are here to see how we can connect with people of our fields, collaborate and possibly form partnership.” He noted: “Every nation has its own issues, problems and challenges and Nigeria is not an

exception. As Rotarians, we are also here to assist in those areas of need like water, sanitation as well as eradication of polio. “We really appreciate the way Nigerians embrace us coupled with the enthusiasm with which we were received everywhere we went and we hope to come back in the nearest future,” he said. In his comment, Bandy II said he was enthused by the way the SOS Village was organized and was highly impressed. The Group was conducted round the premises including the Press Hall where the members were acquainted with the processes involved in publishing. In a message from the District Governor, 6450 (2012 -2013), Chicago, Patricia MerryweatherArges, she lauded the commitment to “Peace Through Service” of District 9110 under the leadership of Omotosho and the District’s unending efforts to ensure all children have the chance for a polio free life. “We are amazed at your steadfastness and we stand beside you in your ongoing polio eradication efforts for we truly are ‘this close’ while we also look forward to continuing our efforts with a project in Nigeria between our two Districts. “It is with this year’s Group Study Exchange that we hope to lay the foundation of many years of projects and working together. “As you know, Chicago is home to one of the largest group of descendants from Nigeria. There is a strong affinity and sense of family among Chicagoans and Nigerians. “We are honoured by this opportunity to have our Group Study Exchange team from “The Birthplace of Rotary” and the nearly 2,100 Rotarians in District 6450 visiting Nigeria. “Please accept our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for making our team feel so welcome in your homeland,” she said. Omotosho further explained that, “the programme is an on-going programme as we shall be receiving another group next year and through this, we shall also be able to accomplish some of our projects from the assistance the visitors would later render”. They also visited the Oba of Lagos, SOS village and would also be going to Abeokuta to see the Olumo Rock among others,” she said.

Lagos to rebuild Ketu plank market, replace equipment By Kamal Tayo Oropo OMING to the aid of fire victims at the Ketu Plank Market, the Lagos State Government has promised to rebuild the market and assist in the replacement of their damaged equipment destroyed by fire last Thursday. Over 500 shops and a mosque were razed in Demurin Plank Market in Ketu, destroying property worth several millions of Naira. Speaking yesterday during an on-the-spot assessment of the market, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), assured the traders that the state government would assist the traders by replacing some of the lost items, adding that the market would be resuscitated in a more organized way, where traders would insure their businesses. Fashola reiterated the need for the traders to insure their businesses, stressing that when such unfortunate inci-

dent occurs, the insurance company would bear the burden instead of the government and the traders. He said: “ We will look at the destroyed machines and see how we can buy some of the equipment as part of our means of assisting you. But let me advise you, you need to insure your businesses because your progress matters a lot to us. Several times I have advised you on the need to insure your businesses. If you had insured your businesses, all your machines and the planks destroyed by the fire would have been taken care of by the insurance company.” He assured that if they were ready to insure their business the government would be ready to engage them with the insurance companies in line with global practices. “So, the kind of cooperation that we will do this time around, if we will re-build this market, we do it in such a way that you will have to insure your businesses. There is no

way a market will be as big as this without recording unfortunate inevitable incidence like this once in a while. Even in our houses such incident happens. The insurance company is to cater for a day like this. I will use this period to implore all other traders in the market to insure their businesses, that is the global practice. Ours shouldn’t be different,“ he stressed. The governor, who travelled outside the state when the fire incident occurred, urged the people to always call the emergency 767 and 112 numbers. Responding on behalf of other traders, Alhaji Aliu Bello commended the governor for the gesture, assuring him that the traders would insure their businesses once the market is rebuilt as promised by the governor. “We are grateful to him, because he did exactly what we wanted, we are grateful and I can assure you that we will all insure our businesses.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (second right) during his visit to the scene of the fire disaster at Ifelodun Plank Market, Ketu, yesterday. With him are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed (second left), Chairman, Plank and Building Materials Sellers Association, Ifelodun Plank Market Ketu, Alhaji Aliu Bello (left) and the Chairman, Agboyi Ketu, Local Council Development Area, Alhaji Monsuru Durosinmi (right). INSET: The affected market.

Susan Omotosho, Lauren, Carl and Osei in the oﬃce of the Editor, Guardian on Sunday, Abraham Ogbodo during the visit... PHOTO: ISAAC TAIWO

Photonews

The late Ben Ukwuoma’s son, Chimamkpam Ukwuoma (middle), Mr. Louis Obilonu and his wife, Stella (right), Mr. Dave Ukuoma (third left), Chukwuma Muanya (left); Christian Okpara and Eno-Abasi Sunday at the ﬁrst year memorial sevice in honour of the late Mr. Ben Ukwuoma, former Health Editor of The Guardian at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: WOLE OYEBADE

Community Affairs/Citizenship Coordinator, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Mr. Michael Osuji (left), Director of Programme, LEAP Africa, Oje Ivagba; Programme Coordinator, LEAP Africa, Ukwori Ejigbe and Developer and Platform Evangelism, Lead Microsoft, Shina Oyetosho during the Youth in Social Enterprise Conference, organized by Microsoft and LEAP Africa in Lagos…on Saturday PHOTO: PAUL OLOKO

Managing Director, HRG Nigeria, Olufemi Adefope (left); Regional Director, Africa South Africa Tourism (SAT), Phumi Dhlomo; South Africa Consul-General in Nigeria, Amb. Mokgethi Monaisa and President General, Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters’ Club,Rafiu Oladipo, during SAT networking event to toast Nigeria’s victory at the just-concluded AFCON 2013 in Lagos... at the weekend PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

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

Editorial The verdict on Odi HE judgment of Honourable Justice Lambo Akanbi awarding the sum of N37.6 billion against the Federal Government as compensation to the victims of Odi community in Bayelsa State for the military invasion of the community 12 years ago is yet another victory for democracy, nay the rule of law. It underscores the point that every action taken by a government or its agencies or by any individual must be in consonance with the law and where there is a violation of the law, regardless of the motives for this, the courts can be trusted to provide appropriate remedy. Following the murder of seven policemen in Odi by armed youths in 1999, then President Olusegun Obasanjo had threatened to declare a state of emergency in Bayelsa State if former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha failed to produce the killers. Precisely on November 10, 1999, the former president issued a 14-day ultimatum to fish out the killers, but on November 20, troops were deployed in the community where they unleashed maximum force on lives and property for five days. The devastating damage done to the community necessitated the action of the victims of the invasion, which culminated in the judgment of Justice Lambo. While it is the duty of government to preserve law and order and to apprehend those who may constitute threat to peace and security of the state, government has a corresponding duty to ensure that this is done within the limits permitted by the law. On no account should government breach its own law in the process of enforcing the law. The Odi invasion as the judgment now emphasise, was a study on how not to enforce the law. Why would a government shirk its responsibility to protect lives and property because it wanted to apprehend militants or a gang of criminals? Why would a government unleash violence on its defenceless citizens in the name of maintaining law and order? Why would such a horrendous havoc be wreaked on a community because of a few bad elements as though there is no single innocent and law-abiding citizen in the community who deserves government’s protection? It is outside the contemplation of Nigeria’s constitution that an innocent person should suffer for an offence committed by another. Where the law is unsure of who did what, it holds no one responsible. That is why it prescribes that every accused person shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proven. The duty to prove the guilt rests on the accuser; the state. Even the law of Almighty God makes it clear that only the soul that sinneth will die. As a matter of fact, the notion of the law is that it is better for a thousand guilty persons to escape than for one innocent person to be punished. It is this important concept of the law that the indiscriminate military action in Odi ignored. What the invasion achieved was to punish a thousand innocent persons for the guilt of one or a few persons. That was a mockery of democratic tenets and cherished principle of law, which should never have been traced to or accommodated by any civilized government. In essence government went completely overboard. It must bear the consequences of its action. And that exactly was what happened through the judgment of Justice Lambo Akanbi. The beauty of the judgment is that it makes government perpetually responsible for its actions and inactions. Secondly, it confirms what Lord Atkins said during World War II that, “in this country, amid the clash of arms, the laws are not silent. They may be changed but they speak the same language in war as in peace. It has always been one of the pillars of freedom, one of the principles of liberty for which on recent authority we are now fighting, that judges are no respecter of persons and stand between the subject and any attempted encroachment on his liberty by the Executive, alert to see that any coercive action is justified in law”. Finally, and perhaps of most importance, it demonstrates the quintessential attribute of the rule of law, which presupposes that the state is subject to the law; the judiciary is a necessary agency of the rule of law; and that government should respect the rights of individual citizens under the law. Once again, the initial action of the militants, killing policemen and soldiers, which led to the Federal Government’s over-reaction of a military invasion, was wrong and remains condemnable; and no state should permit such lawlessness. But the response must still be within limits of rule of law and respect for the lives of innocent citizens. The people in any community have a right to live and to own property regardless of the heinous crime committed by a few members of that community. A government must protect this right, even as it seeks to identify and punish criminals. That is the message Lambo’s judgment has sent to all and sundry. And the greatest beneficiary of the message should be the government of Nigeria, which should know now that diligence in its duty to the people is paramount.

LETTERS

Resolve 2013 budget impasse The yearly budget of any not a healthy development for January, 2013 and hope to reap SthatIR:nation remains the engine the advancement of Nigeria. its multiplier effects of recordpowers its social, economic Nigerians were happy when ing huge successes as the year and other developmental priorities and secures adequate standard of living for the people. Undoubtedly, almost all employers of labour, businessmen and women, contractors, especially those engaged in capital project execution, service providers and all other facets of the society depend largely on the budget for fiscal direction, effective functioning and optimum service delivery. The budget is therefore a highly important instrument of governance, which must be taken seriously by the government and people of any nation. The Financial Year Act, which has not been amended prescribes financial year as the period between January 1 and December 31 and it is the intention of the law that budget implementation starts on January 1 every year. Implicit in this provision is the requirement that all executive and legislative efforts and processes that will produce the budget for a given year must be commenced and concluded within the previous financial year so that the budget will be ready for implementation from the first day of a new financial year. Unfortunately, successive governments have not been timely as to execute budgets within the statutorily stipulated life circle. What we have seen over the years in practice is late processing and unlawful extension of the Financial Year, three to four months into the New Year when the execution of the next budget should have commenced. This is indeed

President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly announced within the last quarter of the 2012 that the 2013 federal budget would be ready for implementation as the new year begins in compliance with the Financial Year Act. Keeping to this promise would have indeed meant a new beginning for Nigeria in all ramifications. It would have ushered us into a Nigeria where all stakeholders would have commenced the implementation of their respective 2013 plans right from

runs out. The current impasse between the President and the National Assembly over budget proposals, which they almost concluded within the last quarter of 2012 has the high potency of retarding progress. It is imperative that all controversies, mutual suspicion, distrust and the lock-jam that have so far held down the commencement of the 2013 federal budget should be avoided. • Armstrong Ukwuoma, Abuja.

The death of Hugo Chavez Venezuela President, Hugo subsidies to Catholic schools StatorIR:Chavez was a communist dic- and ended the right of children whose heroes were Fidel to receive religious education in Castro, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Robert Mugabe, and Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah. One of his major goals was to integrate Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Ecuador under one Marxist-socialist government umbrella. During his tyrannical tenure, violent crime was rampant in Venezuela, with extrajudicial killings by security agents a recurring problem. The minister of the interior and justice estimated that police committed one in every five crimes. Throughout his reign of terror, Chavez sought to suppress religious freedom by destroying the influence of his main opponent, the Catholic Church. He did this by designing a law that ended traditional government

government-run schools. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission also accused Chavez of massive violation of human rights, the destruction of democratic principles such as the separation of powers, judicial review of acts of state, and the rule of law over the will of the president. In addition to harassing political opponents, President Hugo Chávez’s government systematically undermined journalistic freedom of expression, workers’ freedom of association, and the ability of human rights groups to operate. Not surprising, Hugo Chavez departed this vale of tears on the 60th anniversary of the death of Joe Stalin. Like Stalin, he will not be missed. • Paul Kokoski, Ontario, Canada.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

BUSINESS 15

Business Business Interview P54 How to create 3.5 million jobs through NEDEP, by Aganga

Nigeria’s cocoa export business hits $900m From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja and Femi Adekoya, Lagos

Rice millers worry over rising profile of smuggling

HE profile of Nigeria’s cocoa T export business sustained its rising trend last year, as the

of raw cocoa and ensure stable and improved income for farmers. His words: “As a major producer, our primary goal is to secure a sustainable market for our cocoa and cocoa products. To achieve this desire, the quality of our cocoa and cocoa products is of paramount importance. Along this is our effort to protect food safety and the threats of pesticides and contaminants to human health.” He added that concerns had been raised on safety of cocoa and its products consumed especially in developed countries with regards to the use of agro-chemicals in the production, storage and processing of cocoa. This he said informed the need for all stakeholders in the sector to

nation earned $900 million (N142 billion), against $882.9 million realised in the previous year, from the commodity’s trade in the global market. However, the rising cases of rice smuggling into the country may have compromised the nation’s quest for self sufficiency in the commodity’s production, as N32 billion revenue was lost to the activities of smugglers last year. Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga gave the export figures of cocoa during a one-day national workshop on capacity building in Abuja, at the weekend The minister said beside the fact that cocoa was the second largest foreign exchange earner after crude oil, the industry generates over two million jobs directly and indirectly along its value chain. He noted that as the market for cocoa increases at an average of three per cent a year while the nation’s export of the commodity has equally been growing at an average of 40 per cent yearly and a cumulative of 280 per cent which represents $215m in 2006 to $822.8m in 2010. Aganga said given the fact that the local consumption of cocoa is barely three per cent, while the bulk of what is produced is exported, it is imperative for the country not only to increase its yield but most importantly ensure its acceptance in the international market by total compliance to the international standard, by minimising the harmful effect of pesticide residues in the crop, which is far becoming a health issue around the globe. The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Industrial Development, Olakunle Sogbola, reiterated that beside encouraging Nigerians to increase their consumption of the product, effort is geared towards adding value to export drive in order to reduce the export

ensure that cocoa produced in Nigeria is safe for consumption anywhere in the world. The executive director of International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) JeanMarc Anga said that users of cocoa products have continually raised issues relating to quality, traceability and integrity of the beans along the supply chain. Other issues raised, he said, include food safety concern, environmental concerns and social ethics. The social and economic welfare of the cocoa farmers and in general, the sustainability of cocoa production. These concerns, he said, brought about a World Cocoa Conference in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire organized by the ICCO in 2012. The outcome of the

conference tagged Global Cocoa Agenda and Abidjan Cocoa Declaration has been ratified and signed by 31 major stakeholders in the cocoa sector, while Nigeria, which is the world’s fourth largest producer and exporter, is yet to sign the documents. Meanwhile, the Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN) has joined forces with the Nigeria Customs Service in combating smuggling activities in the country. Specifically, the association at the weekend, presented 150patrol trucks worth over N600 milion to the Customs service at a ceremony in Abuja. Making the donation on behalf of the association, its

national president, Tunji Owoeye, said the donation was done to appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts to boost food production on the one hand and the rice sector particularly. He said while RiMIDAN was in full support of such efforts, that it was however worried by the activities of smugglers who keep flooding the country with imported rice using the border flanks of the country, especially Benin Republic. He explained: “Rice occupies an important place being the staple food of Nigerians. According to government statistics, yearly consumption of rice is about 5.5million tonnes. It is also a known fact that local production accounts for about 1.8million tonnes, thus necessitating the

need for importation to bridge the gap. Unfortunately, 50 per cent of these imports are smuggled into the country”. The RiMIDAN president said it was worrisome that the persons behind the smuggling business are not only unrelenting, but are daily intensifying and refining their activities thereby undermining government’s policies and programmes directed at boosting local food production. He said: “What is more disheartening is the fact that these smugglers connive with some bad elements in our security services to perpetrate their illicit acts. As an association and also as stakeholders in the Nigerian economy, this is of great concern to us. “No sector or professional

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Representative of Ambassador of Spain, Pablo Martinez Segrelles (left); President, Nigerian-Spanish Association, Dr. Rauf Abiola Masha, Renowned Chartered Accountant, Mr . Akintola Williams and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, M&A Consulting Limited, Oliver Eniola Johnson, during the bi-monthly business luncheon meeting of the association in Lagos. PHOTO; OSENI YUSUF

Global mobile payment transactions may hit $1tr by 2015 HE global mobile payT ment industry transactions may hit $1 trillion by 2015, going by the latest projection contained in the latest edition of Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider’s report. According to Research Analyst at Heavy Reading Networks Insider and author of the report, Denise Culver, “Mobile payments have gone from being a cool-to-talk-about concept

to a disruptive technology in a relatively short time frame. “MNOs and payment vendors should be looking at different ways to drive demand for mobile payments, which have the potential to create significant revenue throughout the entire mobile ecosystem.” Indeed, some statistics projected that the mobile payment industry would

account for as much as $1 trillion in global transactions by 2015, Culver said. “Consumers, who already are accustomed to paying bills and buying goods online, are driving much of the move toward mobile payments. As the proliferation of mobile phones, smartphones and tablets continues, it’s only natural that those same consumers feel the desire to use those devices to make purchas-

es.” She added that the mobile technology market is quite aware of the movement, “with MNOs and vendors creating several exciting technologies and partnerships to further develop mobile payments.” Key findings of the survey and what payments added, in terms of value to Mobile Ecosystem include the following: Although consumers like mobile pay-

ments, retailers will drive demand for mobile payments. One of the biggest drivers over the next two years will be enabling mobile payments vendors and providers to enable targeted services to users, which will improve customer service. The market is exploding with a complex ecosystem of stakeholders and new entrants comprised of

handset manufactures, mobile network providers, retailers and consumers. Consolidation of solutions and a more compelling value proposition for merchants and consumers will drive growth in all markets. New industry partnerships will take place, in which billing providers, financial institutions and carriers team up for new solutions for the market.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

16 BUSINESS

‘Firms lose 80 per cent of profits to piracy, others’ By Adeyemi Adepetun and Gbenga Salau

ESPITE increased fight D and awareness creation initiatives on the dangers of piracy, intellectual property theft, among others in the country, organisations have been losing over 80 per cent of their profits to various activities of the gray market. The Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Emmanuel Onyeje, disclosed this at the weekend in Lagos, at a roundtable meeting with journalists. Onyeje stressed that all hands must be on deck to fight and drastically mitigate the activities of

pirates, noting that the continued patronage of pirated materials is creating funding for criminals and their activities. At the roundtable meeting, with the theme: “Play it Safe”, the Microsoft Nigeria’s Country Manager maintained that the 80 per cent losses were not however, restricted to the creators only, as over 60 percent of computers would get infected at the end of this year because the software installed on them were pirated. He also disclosed that consumers would waste 1.5 billion hours dealing with security issues from counterfeit software in 2013 and

about $22 billion identifying, repairing and recovering from the impact of malware, while global enterprises will spend $114 billion to deal with the impact of a malwareinduced attacks. “It impacts every aspect of our lives especially the creative arts. We are allowing piracy to thrive when we patronize pirates and their products”, he stressed. He argued that if the activities of pirates were checked, then the insecurity challenge in the country would be curbed as thousands of jobs are being lost to piracy. “To fight insecurity in the land, we need to fight

Rice millers worry over rising profile of smuggling CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 group which makes as much commitment as we have enunciated above would keep quiet and not fight with determination for the survival of this critical sector of the Nigerian economy. Incidentally and in truth, these commitments and potentials of the rice sector are being daily put at risk by the activities of these smugglers and their collaborators”. Owoeye said the problem of smuggling is greatly affecting the food security plans of the Federal Government as well as

the economic agenda of the Federal Government. “When you bring it closer to the rice sector (which is where we operate), the attention is no less emphatic; to the extent that the Federal Government’s investment aimed at boosting rice processing for example, now runs into billions of naira. In like manner, support to operators in the rice sector has increased. All these go to underscore the priority that the Federal Government puts on the agricultural sector with regard to self sufficiency in food production”. He said the association was

using the opportunity to again draw the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that the quantum of rice being smuggled through our land borders from the Republic of Benin is increasing on a daily basis. “An estimated 30,000 metric tonnes of rice is being smuggled on a monthly basis into Nigeria. A survey in our local markets will attest to this fact as most of the rice products you see on display for sale are smuggled into the country through our land borders. By simple summation, 30,000 Metric Tonnes is smuggled every month.”

poverty and to check poverty, we need to stop pirates who are killing genuine businesses”, Onyeje stated. Indeed, the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) report also stressed the dangers embedded in patronising pirated items, especially software and other technology products. According to IDC’s Chief Researcher, John Gantz, “our research is unequivocal: Inherent dangers lurk for consumers and businesses that take a chance on counterfeit software. Some people choose counterfeit to save money, but this ‘ride-along’ malware ends up putting a financial and emotional strain on both the enterprise and casual computer users alike.” For the Country Manager, HP Supplies, Rita Amuhienwa, the activities of pirates are harmful to all and to check the trend,

retailers must buy from genuine distributors and follow instructions on genuine products. To Gabriel Afolayan, an entertainer, pirates are not only killing their businesses, they are also killing their creativity as many are backing out of the entertainment industry or do not want to come in because of the activities of pirates, which is ensuring that the people live in poverty or find it difficult to live healthily. Lamenting the negative impact, he said, “It is a killer of business and negatively affects the financial income of the entertainer. It is also not encouraging professionalism as people do not concentrate on improving their skills and getting better on the job because of the un-conducive working environment caused by pirates.” Afolayan pleaded with the media to keep sensitizing the people on the need not

to patronize pirated materials and works. The Winner of the 2011 Imagine Cup, David Olaniyan, said that the issue of piracy is a mindset that needs to be changed. He stated that until the people begin to feel that the buying of pirated material is a wrong thing to do or a criminal act, the fight against pirates may not yield fruits. He said that most of the softwares he had been creating were targeted at consumers directly through online sales. He revealed that he does not push into the market and does not consider developing any software that would demand him selling them through physical distribution. For Ugochi Agoyero, a staff of Microsoft, people had always looked at the negative impact of piracy from the big companies, country GDP and not from the consumers’ perspective.

President, Rice Millers, Importers and Distribution Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN), Tunji Owoeye (left); Vice president, Chandra Shekha and Assistant Comptroller General Of Nigeria Custom Services (Head of Operations headquarters, Abuja), Tahir Musa, at the donation/official presentation of 150 patrol trucks by RiMIDAN to Nigeria Custom service in Abuja, at the weekend.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

BUSINESS

Blackberry to build apps lab in Lagos By Adeyemi Adepetun

ECoGNISING the huge potential in the Nigerian market, Blackberry has signed a letter of intent with the Lagos State Innovation Advisory Council, to build a Blackberry Apps lab in Lagos. According to Blackberry Managing Director, West, East and Central Africa, Waldi Wepener at the weekend in Lagos, “with over 250 Nigerian developed applications already available on the next-generation Blackberry 10 platform, Nigeria’s software development community is clearly demonstrating impressive growth and innovation. “Following a series of Blackberry developer events and local partnerships in Nigeria, our commitment to build an Apps Lab in Lagos is a clear demonstration of our long term approach to support the development of a sustainable ecosystem in Nigeria.” Waldi continued: “We are delighted to find such a progressive partner as the Lagos State Government, committed to building a culture of innovation as a core contributor to future development, and we look forward to working closely with them to identify the most appropriate loca-

Nigeria plays a critical role in our global business strategy. We will continue to invest significantly in Nigeria. We have talked about the establishment of the apps laboratory in partnership with Lagos State, and we intend to use this vehicle to drive growth in this market. Reports have already shown that two million out of the four million connected smartphone in the country are Blackberry devices, an indication of its dominance in Nigeria’s market tion for the lab.” Responding, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, said: “Innovation is at the heart of our approach to developing Lagos into a Mega City. We are very pleased Blackberry has chosen Lagos State as a partner and is today committed to establishing an apps lab that will further Lagos as a centre for excellence in Africa.” The Canadian smartphone maker added during the formal launch of the new Z10 smartphone in Nigeria powered by the innovative Blackberry 10 platform that Nigeria remains a top destination for them. The Regional Director, Robert Bose said: “Nigeria plays a critical role in our global business strategy. We will continue to invest significantly in Nigeria. We have talked about the establishment of the apps laboratory in partnership with Lagos State, and we

intend to use this vehicle to drive growth in this market. Reports have already shown that two million out of the four million connected smartphone in the country are Blackberry devices, an indication of its dominance in Nigeria’s market. In view of this, the smartphone maker is looking to sustain that leadership position in the industry by strengthening ties with the local apps development community. Giving vivid insight into Blackberry’s performance in the tablet landscape, Bose pointed out that the company had made some successes in the tablet market. “I think it is part of the mobile computing proposition. We see a day when people will have a blackberry 10 and Blackberry tablet which gives them a bigger screen.”

Fidelity bank stakes cash, cars on customers in anniversary promo o further drive Nigeria’s T financial inclusion programme by promoting a savings culture, Fidelity Bank Plc has rewarded 26 customers in its ongoing 25th anniversary promo. Specifically, five of the customers were rewarded with a car each while others were rewarded with cash prizes. The promo draw, which took place at the bank’s head office in Lagos recently, was monitored by representatives of the Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission. Speaking during the promo, the Group Chief Executive officer/Managing Director of the bank, Reginald Ihejiahi, said the promo was not a money-making venture for the bank but its own way of giving back a little to those who have supported the organisation in its 25 years of operation in the country, as well as promote a saving culture. He said, “We are using it to thank our many customers. our bank has grown tremendously especially in the last eight to nine years. So many customers have come to be

The second reason is that we want to promote savings culture. No matter how small your earnings are, there is the need to put a part of it aside either because of rainy days or to help you accumulate some stock of money to start a business or expand your business part of Fidelity Bank. This year we will mark 25 years of operation. We started last year to begin to say thank you to our customers with this promo. “The second reason is that we want to promote savings culture. No matter how small your earnings are, there is the need to put a part of it aside either because of rainy days or to help you accumulate some stock of money to start a business or expand your business.” He noted that the draw was part of the five series of draws lined up for the saving account promo, adding that in all 25 cars would be won by lucky customers while another 25 customers would have become millionaires by the time the promo ends. Congratulating one of the

winners of the cars, Victor Arinzechukwu, he said: Victor has won a brand new car. He didn’t think it was possible but luck has come and met him and that luck is Fidelity Bank’s savings promo. We are therefore as happy as he is today. The star prize winners of the cars are Victor Arinzechukwu, Nwambu Chiwetara, Tansi Grace, Umoren Akpan and Maduka Stephanie. The other prize winners also won between N100, 000 and N1million, as the bank explained that for the purpose of the promo, its branches were divided into five zones comprising of North East/North West, Abuja/North Central, SouthSouth, South-East and Lagos/South West.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

18 BUSINESS

Flour Mills initiates food research centre at UI LOUR Mills of Nigeria FPenny Plc, makers of Golden products, has announced the setting up of a food research centre known as “Flour Mills Food Research Centre” at the University of Ibadan. The centre, according to the company was the first of its kind in any Nigeria’s tertiary institution. Group Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Dr. Emmanuel Ukpabi, while flagged-off ceremony at the university main campus in Ibadan few days ago, said that the partner-

ship was between Flour Mills of Nigeria and University of Ibadan to promote research and development on the study of foods in Nigeria. He said that the partnership arrangement indicated that during the first phase, his company would provide an initial payment of N30 million, primarily for the procurement of equipment and running of the centre during the first three years, while the university would provide a building housing two laboratories for pilot plant stud-

ies and research in food product development. According to him, Flour Mills had only recently comprehensively reviewed, redefined and articulated its corporate social responsibility policy with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, education, research and skills development, health and welfare, infrastructural development and security. This he said was “in furtherance of Flour Mills’ strong belief that business should be run in a

“In furtherance of Flour Mills’ strong belief that business should be run in a profitable but sustainable and socially responsible manner, creating great value for all stakeholders and giving back to the society.” profitable but sustainable and socially responsible manner, creating great value for all stakeholders and giving back to the society.” The objectives of Flour Mills Food Research Centre, according to Ukpabi included contributing meaningfully to attaining national food security through research and development, strengthening the weak industry-academia link-

ages in Nigeria and promoting greater collaboration between the food industry and institutions that offer training in food science and technology in the country. The centre to be equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities will be available to researchers and students from all over Nigeria and other parts of the world. In his speech at the cere-

mony, Flour Mills’ Managing Director, Agro Allied Business, Paul Gbededo, stated that Flour Mills aligned itself completely with Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda and that the setting up of the Research Centre was therefore most appropriate. He added that Flour Mills was pursuing an aggressive investment in agroallied initiatives, growing palm for its edible oils and fats business, rice for its rice mills, cassava for its high quality cassava flour processing, starch and glucose business and sugar cane for its mill and sugar refinery. Gbededo expressed the hope that the Food Research Centre would be the hub of research activities in the university on value-added food processing and reduction in postharvest food losses with the aim of promoting food sufficiency in Nigeria and reduce food importation.

NACCIMA seeks N250m relief fund for disaster victims HE Nigerian Association of Chambers of T Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is set to raise N250m for emergency relief programme in aid of victims of disasters across the country. Tagged NACCIMA Emergency Relief Programme (NACERP), the fund raising programme, which is set to be launched in Lagos and Abuja on March 14, is expected to bring intervention in three areas, post disaster medical services, psychological healing service and business advisory and soft loan for victims of disasters. In a press statement made available to The Guardian at the weekend, the Chairman, NACCIMA Emergency Relief Programme, Goodie Ibru, said that NACCIMA decided to intervene in the three areas “because most victims of disasters have psychological trauma as there is little or no immediate and long term psychological healing in terms of counseling.” The statement read in part: “To effectively provide the three services, NACCIMA will establish a vocational centre with recreation facilities in each of the six geo-political zones of the country. Every willing victim of disaster will be trained in one vocation or the other professional areas for a period spanning from six to 12months depending on the nature of the vocation a victim decides to learn.” President of the association, Dr. Herbert Ajayi, said that multinational and indigenous corporations should also support the initiative to help poor and weak Nigerians through their social responsibility funds.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 23

China’s economic data show weakest start since 2009 HINA’s retail sales and industrial output had their C weakest combined start to a year since the global recession in 2009, adding to signs of a moderating rebound in the world’s second-biggest economy. Retail sales increased 12.3 per cent in the first two months of 2013 from a year earlier and industrial production rose 9.9 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics said recently in Beijing. Both numbers trailed economists’ estimates. February inflation, distorted by a weeklong holiday, accelerated to 3.2 per cent. The data may delay any monetary tightening in coming months after the nation’s new leadership team cements its succession this week at the legislature’s annual meeting. Li Keqiang, set to become premier, inherits the task of sustaining a recovery from the slowest economic growth in 13 years while reining in asset prices and surging credit.

“The time is still way off for an explicit policy change” such as raising interest rates or banks’ reserve requirements, Liu LiGang, chief Greater China economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Hong Kong, said in a note. The recovery is being led by “fast investment growth” and “could falter once monetary policy becomes tight on concerns of rising risks of inflation” and a property bubble. The gain in retail sales was below the lowest economist projection of 13.8 per cent and was the smallest for a JanuaryFebruary period since 2004. The increase in factory output compared with the 10.6 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and was the weakest for the first two months since 2009. The statistics bureau doesn’t break out figures for January and February retail sales and industrial output in an attempt to smooth distortions caused by the timing of the Lunar New

Year holiday. The moderation in sales follows a crackdown by new Communist Party chief Xi Jinping on lavish spending by government officials and stateowned companies, part of efforts to curb corruption and waste. Catering sales growth slowed to 8.4 percent from 13.3 percent in the same period last year, statistics bureau data show. Shares of Kweichow Moutai Co. (600519), maker of the eponymous high-end white spirit, have dropped 19 per cent since Xi took power on Nov. 15, compared with a 14 per cent gain in the Shanghai Composite Index. “Consumption appears to have been hit hard” by the frugality campaign, said Ding Shuang, senior China economist with Citigroup Inc. in Hong Kong. “In general this seems to be a weak start of the year.” Food prices increased six per cent in February from a year earlier, down from 10.5 per cent

in the holiday month in January 2012, government data show. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said in a March 6 report that Xi’s campaign might reduce restaurant and food spending enough to lower inflation by close to one percentage point, with the caveat that its estimates are “highly uncertain.” Even with the “negative impact” from the crackdown, “we remain positive about the secular consumption trend given rising household income” and an aging population, said Chang Jian, China economist at Barclays Plc in Hong Kong. At the same time, the “soft” industrial output data show “China’s growth recovery is still not on a solid footing,” she said. Helen Qiao, chief Greater China economist at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong, said that the industrial production data suggest that recent export numbers were exaggerated. “In view of the strong export

figures in the last two months, such IP growth should have been higher than currently reported,” Qiao said in an email. Overseas shipments exceeded analyst estimates in January and February. Outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao on March 5 set a 2013 economicgrowth target of 7.5 per cent, unchanged from last year when actual expansion slowed to 7.8 per cent, the lowest since 1999. While Wen said in his final annual report to the National People’s Congress that China’s economic development was still “unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable,” he also said that the role of investment “cannot be underestimated.” Fixed-asset investment excluding rural areas in the first two months of the year rose 21.2 per cent, the statistics bureau said recently, against a median economist estimate of 20.7 per cent and a 20.6 per cent pace for the whole of 2012. January-February water-pro-

duction spending doubled from a year earlier and investment in public facilities surged 55 per cent, reflecting government pledges to step up spending on urban infrastructure and the environment amid increasing social discontent about pollution. Gross domestic product rose 7.9 per cent in the final three months of 2012 from a year earlier, the first acceleration in two years. Data earlier this month showed February readings of four purchasing managers’ indexes in manufacturing and services fell, suggesting the economic recovery may be peaking. Falling producer prices may limit government concern that inflation pressure is rising. Factory-gate prices dropped 1.6 per cent in February from a year earlier, the same pace as in January and the 12th straight decline, led by lower prices in mining, raw materials and manufacturing goods.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013 Published in association with

InvestmentWatch Wealth Acummulation And Management INTRODUCTION N this edition of INVESTMENT ONE education series, our focus will be centred on wealth and the processes of earning, managing and preserving wealth. Wealth is “anything of value” principally a measure of the entire asset accumulated by a person, community, company or a nation. Wealth Wealth is found by taking the total market value of all the physical and intangible assets of the entity and then subtracting all debts. It can be expressed in a variety of ways. For individuals, net worth is the most common expression of wealth, while countries measure wealth by gross domestic product (GDP) or GDP per capita or product. In this study we shall highlight steps to wealth accumulation and management. Wealth Accumulation The essential starting point in wealth accumulation is the articulation of a concrete goal. Strategic planning is necessary to translate your wealth making agenda towards increasing the value of your tangible or intangible assets. Millions of Nigerians are currently burdened by inability to build enough assets to secure their future and this translates to a bleak prospect for those caught in the web. The following are steps which can pave way towards wealth accumulation: • Proper Financial Education Getting requisite financial education can pave way for smooth journey from debt or lack to wealth building. Ascertain your sources of income and all pertinent factors that can affect or influence you. • Curb Your Expenses Lower your expense based on how much you earn or make. Cutting expense is the other half of the twin booster to wealth accumulation. The complimentary half being saving. Budget planning is a facilitator to curbing expense because it gives you a comprehensive picture of your cash flow and arm you with the tools for managing your expenses. It’s important to keep an accurate record of your daily expense because the little figure spent petty sundry items add up to cut a chunk from your income. • Save and Invest Saving extra cash requires self-discipline and a commitment that overrides the attraction to consume more. Start making small investments with the aim of broadening your investment options to increase your ability to earn passive income. It does not matter that what kind of job you are associated with. This is a universal approach that works well for businesses and occupations of all types. The main thing is to make smarter investment and diversify one’s activities in an array of care-

fully planned slots that are likelier to generate profitable outcomes. • Start a Business Before starting a new business, you must assess your current finances to see how much you can invest and still make it in your day-to-day living As well as ask yourself “What do I love to do most?” and “What are my goals for this business?” A business can be many things – a one-person service that you provide to clients, a manufacturing company, a retail business, a financial agency, and so forth. Determine what type of experience you have and compare that with your desires in business. Be sure the business is feasible for you financially, time-wise, and emotionally. Some people do well owning a large corporation while others will prosper running a one-person or very small business. Wealth Management Wealth management is essentially concerned with maximizing wealth and minimizing loss of wealth. It also refers to the effective value enhancement and management of tangible and intangible assets. The main objective is to assist clients in reinforcing and achieving life goals through proper management of their financial resources. Wealth Management is done through the integration of financial planning that provides individuals and even families with private banking, estate planning for longterm family wealth, asset management, legal service resources, trust management, investment management, check book balancing, taxation advice, and portfolio management. This breadth and profoundness of relationship enables the wealth manager to materialize and execute highly customized solutions that answer virtually every aspects of a client’s financial wellbeing. Wealth management offers high quality services with the following key components; tailoring services to individual client requirements, anticipation of client needs, a long-term relationship orientation, personal contact, discretion and investment performance. Persons engaged in wealth management, like financial planners and investment managers usually work for brokerage firms, large banks, trust departments, or investment and portfolio management firms. Their functions include leveraging the resources of strategic partners and other providers of expert services; carefully managing business growth to avoid disintegration of substantial client relationships and ensure support to newly developing relationships and service expectations; developing an expansive affinity

with all clients, administering as much of their financial life as possible; and taking advantage of product and service developments to bring the very best to their clients. Wealth Management Services Wealth management services are customized to fit the needs of the individual client. Wealth management financial consultants will consider the individuals current wealth, how much risk they want to take on throughout the investment period, and what the customer’s overall goal is. While most investors invest for the long haul, there are a selected few with needs for immediate or short-term gains. When you select wealth management services, a financial expert will give you advice on the right avenues of investing. Financial experts in wealth management must have requisite wealth management credentials and experience to facilitate giving sound advice and management of clients account. Certified Financial Planners in wealth management can handle multiple functions all geared at maximizing a client’s investment goal. High net worth individuals, families, as well as small business owners can benefits from wealth management services. Wealth management can mean different things in different geographic regions of the world. In Nigeria wealth management has over the years blended between the US and Europe traditional styles of wealth management which stand at differing polar end. In the US, wealth management is more closely allied to transaction-driven brokerage and is typically investmentproduct driven. While in Europe, the term is more synonymous with traditional private banking, with its greater emphasis on advice and exclusivity, But wealth management is more than management of assets as it focuses on both sides of the client’s balance sheet. Wealth management has a greater emphasis on financial advice and is concerned with gathering, maintaining, preserving, enhancing and transferring wealth. Benefit Includes: The benefits you experience from wealth management will vary based on your own personal circumstances. With the right wealth management services and approaches, your net worth and financial assets will be built up. Below are just some of the many benefits of building a professional wealth management plan. • Identifying your wealth management goals When you sit down and look at your longterm goals it is much easier to develop short-term goals that will help you reach

your intended destination. Just like with other life events, when you are identifying long-term goals, you will need to map out several different small steps that must be achieved along the way. A wealth management professional can help you decide which style of investment will work best for you and your objectives. • Assisting you with direction for wealth management Once you have a plan in place, wealth management firms are dedicated to making sure you take the right direction to achieve your goals. In today’s mobile society, individuals have busy lives. If you own your own business or you have little ones, the last thing on your mind is reviewing your investment portfolio on a regular basis. Researching the performance of your investments is crucial. If you fail to do this, you are leaving your money vulnerable. When you hire a wealth management firm, you will have specialists assigned to your profile so that your portfolio is reviewed frequently. This means the direction can be assessed to ensure present financial decisions will eventually reflect your overall long-term goals. • Peace of mind Wealth management and financial decisions are almost always complicated. Where there are benefits, there are also setbacks. Generally, when an individual is managing their own investment portfolio, emotions can actually affect your overall decisions. When a wealth management professional trained in investment strategies is reviewing your portfolio, they do not have emotions because they are not dealing with their own money. While this may seem negative, in terms of investing and financial management, it is a great thing. Emotions cause people to make horrible decisions. You will have the peace of mind you need to feel like your assets are secure and the wealth management firm you chose has your best interest in mind. Wealth accumulation is not rocket science, the prosperous in our society achieved it, and many are aspiring to attain it, but it is an everyday, step-by-step process that requires diligence and a willingness to set goals and move forward despite setbacks. Wealth management on the other hand is a preserve of qualified professionals in finance and asset management who are principally dedicated to providing excellent asset and wealth management services. Giving their ability to customize services to suit clients’ specifics, individuals, corporate entities, social and education institutions, and governments at all levels can benefit from the services of wealth managers.

Why not your phone today and call a wealth management firm. it may be the best decision you can make in your journey to wealth accumulation and preservation. Join us next week Monday to learn more on what it takes to make well informed investment decisions. Kindly let us know if you have found this article useful. Please contact us at: enquiries@investment-one.com.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 25

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Gross raises U.S. economic growth forecast ILL Gross, whose Pacific B Investment Management Co. coined the phrase “new normal” in 2009 to describe an era of subpar growth and a diminishing role for developed economies, sees the U.S. outlook brightening — at least for 2013. Gross, co-chief investment officer of Pimco doubled his forecast for growth in U.S. gross domestic product to three per cent for this year, up from the firm’s December

forecast of 1.25 per cent to 1.75 per cent in 2013. The U.S. is “moving towards a three per cent real GDP growth rate” in 2013, in part because of housing, and a nominal growth rate of five per cent, Gross said recently in an interview with Tom Keene and Mike McKee on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” The acceleration in growth comes almost four years after Pimco unveiled its vision of a “new normal,” a

five-year forecast of lower returns, heightened government regulation, shrinking U.S. clout in the world economy and bigger role for developing nations. That outlook, issued in May 2009, proved presciently as the U.S. economy has grown at an average annual rate of 0.6 per cent over the past four years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. BlackRock Inc. (BLK)’s Laurence D. Fink; David

Tepper, who runs the $15 billion hedge fund Appaloosa Management LP; and Carlyle Group LP (CG) co-founder David Rubenstein have all said that they were optimistic on the U.S. economy this year. Fink, CEO of the world’s largest asset manager, has said he’s bullish because of the country’s strong banking system, strengthening housing market and large supply of natural gas.

The housing recovery and advancing stock prices are making it easier for households to tolerate higher payroll taxes and a logjam in Washington over the nation’s budget. Job growth surged last month as automakers, builders and retailers pushed the unemployment rate to a four-year low, defying concern that budget battles in Washington would harm the economic expansion.

New bank stress tests elicit questions, concerns HE newest stress tests for T U.S. banks produced scores that are at odds with other measures of lenders’ safety, in another sign that some institutions may be too big for regulators to understand and executives to manage. For example, Citigroup Inc, which has been bailed out multiple times by the U.S. government, showed up on the score sheets posted by the Federal Reserve on Thursday as being clearly safer than JPMorgan Chase & Co. That conclusion is at odds with the views of investors, bond analysts and credit-rating agencies, as well as when measured by a yardstick regulators themselves want to use in the future. “At the end of the day, there is a legitimate question about the ability of regulators to fully evaluate $2 trillion institutions because of the complexity and exposures they have,” said Fred Cannon, director of U.S. research at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Last Thursday, the Federal Reserve reported the latest results of the tests that began after the 2007-2009 financial crisis to determine if banks have enough capital to withstand a severe economic crisis. The Fed concluded that the banks are in “a much

stronger position” than before the financial crisis in 2008. While experts are not arguing with the fact that the banks are better capitalised now and that the system is safer than it was in the runup to the financial crisis, some of the numbers the regulators published left analysts and bank executives groping for explanation. The test raises questions about the ability of regulators to head off the next big threat to the financial system because of the complexity of the institutions. The results are also important, as they will help the Fed decide how much capital banks can return to investors. The report showed that Citigroup’s capital, as tracked by the Tier 1 common capital ratio, would dip to 8.3 per cent during two years of hypothetical stress. JPMorgan’s would fall to 6.3 per cent. Both numbers are better than the five per cent minimum under current regulations, but they show Citigroup having a bigger cushion to weather losses. That does not make a lot of sense to Kathleen Shanley, a bond analyst at GimmeCredit, a research service for institutional

investors. “I wouldn’t say that Citi is safer than JPMorgan, for a variety of reasons, including its track record,” Shanley said. Citigroup has lower credit ratings than JPMorgan, and prices for credit default swaps show the market views JPMorgan as safer. Citigroup is the third-biggest U.S. bank by assets and JPMorgan is the biggest. A Federal Reserve spokeswoman declined to comment, as did representatives for Citigroup and JPMorgan. Citigroup’s score came out better partly because it started the test with a better Tier 1 common ratio, 12.7 per cent compared with JPMorgan’s 10.4 per cent. The starting ratios were based on the banks’ financial

statements at the end of September. They were calculated based on a set of international regulations known as Basel 1, which the Federal Reserve intends to replace as inadequate with a pending new set known as Basel 3. Under the expected Basel 3 rules, Citigroup has estimated its ratio was 8.6 per cent at the end of the third quarter, about the same as the 8.4 per cent JPMorgan estimated. Among the reasons that Citigroup’s ratio will fall so much under Basel 3 from the Basel 1 level is that the new rules will not treat as favorably Citigroup’s deferred tax assets. Citigroup expects those assets to allow it to pay lower taxes on future profits because it lost so much money when the financial

crisis and recession hit. Also, Basel 3 will reduce the benefits of stakes Citigroup has in joint ventures, such as its brokerage with Morgan Stanley. The Federal Reserve did not publish stress scores for the banks under Basel 3 because the regulators have not finalized those rules yet. Analyst Cannon said that there was one reason to think of Citigroup as being safer: its capital markets business is smaller than JPMorgan’s. Regulators regard capital markets operations as riskier than consumer banking businesses. The Fed’s scoring is also at odds with results some of the banks calculated for themselves under the same scenarios, which shows there is room for subjectivity in the

Employment rose 236,000 after a revised 119,000 gain in January, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. A number of 200,000 is consistent with real GDP growth of three per cent this year, Gross said in the interview. Economists predict 1.8 per cent growth for the U.S. in 2013 for the full year, according to the median of 77 responses in a Bloomberg survey. The larger-than-forecast increase in employment won’t prompt the Federal Reserve to alter the central bank’s stimulus measures, Gross said. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told Congress last month that it would take a “substantial improvement” in employment to end bond buying aimed at keeping long-term rates low to stimulate the economy. “Bernanke and Yellen, and Dudley — the three musketeers - - have made it obvious that even if unemployment gets to 6.5 per cent, they are going to look around,” Gross said during today’s radio interview. Pimco, based in Newport Beach, California, is a unit of the Munich-based insurer Allianz SE. (ALV) Pimco managed $2 trillion in assets as of Dec. 31. Gross runs the $288 billion Pimco Total Return Fund (PTTRX), the biggest bond fund in the world.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Insurance 70 per cent insurance customers’ loyalty at risk, says world report ITH an average of only W 30 per cent of customers globally reporting having

positive customer experiences with their insurers, insurers will need to address multi-distribution and customer experience, concludes the sixth annual “World Insurance Report 2013” (WIR 2013) released today by Capgemini and Efma. The report also finds that mobile and social media channels are gaining traction with insurers in terms of early adoption rates. These

distribution channels can help insurers provide better customer experiences as well as capture operational efficiencies. The WIR 2013 is based on 16,500 customer surveys, research data from 41 markets, and interviews with 114 insurance executives. According to the WIR 2013, the insurance industry’s focus is shifting from pure cost reduction and operational efficiency initiatives to revenue building and brand loyalty strategies while low-

ering mounting customer acquisition costs. Heavy emphasis is on multi-channel distribution strategies with keen interest on how to leverage lower-cost sales channels like mobile, Internet, and social media. Mobile and social media are a priority for more than 50 per cent of insurers surveyed globally over the next two years. Customer experience reflects the entire customer lifecycle while customer satisfaction is just a one-time

measure of how products and services meet or surpass customer expectations. On average, the WIR finds that approximately only one in three customers across 30 countries studied in the report’s new Customer Experience Index (CEI) had a positive experience with their insurance company, while 62 per cent registered positive customer satisfaction levels. Additionally, the WIR finds that nearly two out of three customers are at risk of retention with only a neu-

tral and/or negative customer experience. “When customers have neutral or negative experiences with an insurer, opportunities are created for insurers to ‘court’ other carrier’s customers, and customers may switch even for minimal extra benefits,” says Jean Lassignardie, chief sales and marketing officer, Capgemini Global Financial Services. “Even in the U.S. the country with the highest customer experience ratings, insurers still face a risk of retention rate of 50

President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Laide Osijo,(left), Managing Director of Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Toyin Ogunseye, and Vice Chairman of the company, Remi Babalola, during the February 2013 edition of the members evening of the Council hosted by Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc in Lagos, recently

AIICO marks golden jubilee, assures stakeholders IICO Insurance Plc is marking its 50th anniversary by giving more assurance to the insuring public that the insurance company over service delivery. The company’s Managing Director, David Sobanjo, said that after commencing operations in 1963, AIICO is now a household name in Nigerian insurance industry with 33 branch network and more than 4000 agents to ensure that the people have easy access to insurance services in all parts of the country. Speaking during a chat with journalists in Lagos, Sobanjo pointed out that the recent call on members of the public who have unclaimed benefits with the insurance company to come and claim their benefits, was in preparation for this 50th anniversary. In addition to the publication of the list of policyholders with unclaimed benefits

in the major newspapers, he informed that a comprehensive list of the affected policyholders could be viewed on the company’s website: www.aiicoplc.com. He maintained that the stability, strength, security and trust over the years have placed the organisation at a better advantage in all classes of life assurance, its global affiliations have also enable the company to provide the widest range of non-life insurance solutions to its clients. To ensure that its customers are not only adequately compensated but to also ensure that claims are paid as promptly as possible, AIICO maintains a first class pool of reinsurers, partners and associate companies such as Chartis Group, Healthcare International, Multishield Limited, Zurich Insurance, Munich Reinsurance, Swiss Reinsurance, Africa Reinsurance and Continental

Reinsurance. The company’s success has been the result of its ability to evaluate its potentials, by setting realistic goals and taking necessary actions to achieve them. Despite the global recession witnessed in recent years, AIICO’s operating results have been showing impressive increases in the area of premium income, investment income, the shareholders fund and its total. Analysts say this is a testament to the company’s ability to anticipate and to manage the risks associated with change. Sobanjo stated that the management of AIICO believes, “it is the stability of our organisation that allows us to withstand the pressures of a turbulent world”. He, therefore, called on members of the public and corporate bodies who would like a stable part-

per cent meaning no one is immune.” A majority of insurers are viewing mobile as an important access point for supporting the overall customer experience (especially in areas like quotes, claims, and relationship management) rather than just as an additional sales channel. And while insurance customers prefer online for activities like finding best price and comparing policy coverage, they still prefer physical distribution networks (agents and brokers) when it comes to gaining brand trust. The top five reasons for insurers to invest in the mobile channel: Anytime/anywhere/any device demands, keeping up with the competition, customer service costs, increased smart phone adoption, and cross-selling/upselling opportunities. The report explores four key mobile focus areas from insurers, categorised as ‘early winners and must haves’ (areas with high ROI potential) to evolving areas such as ‘must watch’ and ‘wait and see.’ Among insurers surveyed, the leading mobile services offered today and those with high ROI potential over the next two years include: product information via mobile (43 per cent today/91 per cent by 2015), claims services (16 per cent today/73 per cent by 2015), quotes (23 per cent today/70 per cent by 2015), Straight through Processing (nine per cent today/55 per cent by 2015), and policy changes (nine per cent today/52 per cent by 2015). Similarly, social media offers insurers new ways to increase their market penetration and increase the effectiveness of their customer retention/acquisition strategies.

CIIN holds Miss Insurance dance

NSURANCE practitioners are ner to help them to do the warming up for another same, to pitch their tenth opportunity to select the with AIICO as their insurer. industry queen. Known as Besides, he confirmed that Miss Insurance Dance and the company had consistent- coming from years of unbroly being discharging its ken tradition, the annual duties to the policyholders in beauty pageant has continthe area of claims payment ued to provide the platform during the period under for women empowerment in review in keeping faith with the insurance sector through its promise to pay all genuine social engineering. claims promptly. The contestants, who are He further said that the com- usually young single ladies, pany planned to improve are emboldened by the product mix/portfolio to courage to participate in the drive and capture growth pageant while also developopportunities, and also lever- ing the spirit of sportsmanage on technology to enhance ship and tolerance engencross selling and product dered by the keen contest. The 2013 edition of the dance bundling objectives. He maintained that AIICO will take place at the K & G will work to achieve an Events Centre along Kudirat in Lagos, improved customer relation- Abiola Way, Oregun th ship management system, on Friday 15 March 2013. adequate product pricing With the star prize of a Kia based on location, claims his- Picanto car and the glamour tory, etc, and create multiple of a one-year reign, the conhas in the last four years payment options to reduce test attracted higher quality conreceivables to single digit. testants. The out-going Queen, Miss

Onyeka Adigwe who is an employee of Goldlink Insurance Plc, said that it had been a rewarding experience and an opportunity to flag the industry banner as its ambassador for a period of one year. Adigwe said that the experience had made her bolder and more matured, stating that it had brought out the best in her in terms of skill and talent. Adigwe’s pet project, anchored on Youth Empowerment and Insurance Awareness among secondary school students, had also pulled her out of her former comfort zone and made her a motivational speaker. The 2013 edition of the beauty pageant promises a lot of excitement, especially with the innovative ideas injected into it by the organisers. These include the red-carpet reception for dignitaries and well-dressed attendees, music from a new wave disc jockey and other side attractions.

INSURANCE

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Expert tasks operators on service delivery, value-added products By Joshua Nse N insurance technocrat has challenged operators of the nation’s insurance industry on the need to provide good customer services that would engender customer trust and confidence, to achieve deeper market penetration in Nigeria. Besides, practitioners should create relevant products that are problem solving to Nigerians, products that are peculiar to our own risk exposure, which would meet peculiar needs of the insuring public. Reviewing the project implementation of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI)–an initiative of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), in an interactive session with journalist in Lagos, the Project Consultant, ‘Yemi Soladoye, said that the biggest achievement of the initiative as at today, Nigeria insurance industry now have a united focus, and a clear vision on where the industry was going. According to him, the industry project target of N1.10 trillion gross premium income is achievable and could be surpassed if the industry take proactive measures to surmount some of the weaknesses in the system. For instance, he said, the reason why the MDRI project was taking lone to be effective was that the infrastructure and mental business reorientation that ought to have been put in place or that could have come automatically are not there. Soladoye, who is also

Managing Director/CEO, Riskguard-Africa, and arrowhead of the MDRI project, identified four key weakness areas that hindered the project including access to insurance, insurance usage, relevant products and good customer services. He said: “Almost all the insurance companies in the country except three underwriting firms have their head offices located in Lagos, and you have all the branch offices also located in the state capitals, the next biggest town in the state you don’t find any insurance company, quite unlike the banking industry and micro-insurance, where their locations are evenly spread.” According to him, “when we look at the aspect of usage, we have restricted ourselves to the traditional distribution channels, - insurance brokers,

whereas what we packaged in the MDRI programme is that the regulator should open the channels to non-traditional areas, the cooperative societies, etc they are a veritable means of distributing micro-insurance. We have restricted ourselves to the traditional distribution channels, it is this point that make usage very low in the market, and that is a weakness that we thought will go on its own once the model is right.” He said: “We do not have relevant products in the system, we still operate with he ‘off the shelve’ products. The purpose of MDRI is that insurance companies will develop products that are relevant and problem solving to Nigerians, products that are peculiar to our own risk exposure, I can say that up till now, we still have a lot of irrelevant products which are not tai-

lored-made for the insuring public.” The customer service in insurance industry at the moment is poor, he said. Up till date, customers still have to remind insurance companies that their policy is due. The people that we send out to market individuals across the country especially on retails are not well trained, Nigerians even find out that they know more than the people we sent to sell these products, as well as claims administration. He said: “If there is no good customer services approach, there will not be customer trust and confidence, that is equally not there, all these are issues addressed within the MDRI package.” He also said that the MDRI had the objectives to build confidence in the Nigeria insurance market, promote public understanding of

Sovereign Trust Insurance appoints manager a bid to strengthen the Kingdom. She graduated Resource Advisor at Thistle IourNhuman resource capacity of with a Second Class upper Hotels, Scotland. She has over underwriting firm, the degree from the Law Faculty, six years experience in management of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has engaged the services of a seasoned Human Resource Manager to assist in furthering the growth agenda of the organisation. The new addition to the professional team of the company is Mrs. Ivie Ogbemudia, who joins the organisation as manager/head, Human Resources Department under the Finance & Administration Division. She holds an M.Sc in Human Resource Management from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United

University of Benin, and she attended the Nigerian Law School. She is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, (ICSA) and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, (CIPD). Until her recent appointment, she was a Human Resource Associate at Evaluation and Staffing Africa (ES-Africa). She was at one time, a Human Resource Officer at Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen, UK. She also worked as a Human

Human Resource Management and Development. She will be bringing her wealth of experience and expertise to bear in Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc. Ogbemudia is to oversee the affairs of the Human Resources Department with responsibility for learning and development, talent management and performance management. She is expected to chart a new course for the human resource development and capacity building for staff in Sovereign Trust Insurance

insurance mechanism, grow the nation’s insurance premium volume and density, eliminate fake insurance certificates. The project aimed to enforce compulsory insurance in the country, wipe out fake insurance agents/certificates, reform the agency system and risk-based supervision. The MDRI project had been structured as a medium term plan (2009-2012) of installing

the first phase of the necessary reforms in the areas of industry capacity, market efficiency and consumer protection in the Nigeria insurance market. At the end of the plan period, (2012), the market was expected to record increase in industry gross premium income (GPI) from N164.5 billion (2008) to N1.10 trillion by 2012 and direct project revenue of about N800 million to NAICOM from implement-

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Stockwatch In association with Lead Capital

Stock Market Report for the week Friday, 1st March to Thursday 7th March, 2013 N this week, the total volAJOR equity markets around the I13.66% ume depreciated by ANNOUNCEMENT M globe moved upwards as their URING the period under review, thirty one (31) and value traded various indexes gained marginal depreciated by 30.43%. A Dstocks recorded price appreciation same as points. In our universe of sample equithe previous week, OANDO was first on the top ty markets; the NASDAQ, S & P 500 and Dow Jones gained points by 1.90%, 1.68% and 1.57% respectively at the end of last week. In Europe, The FTSE 100, German Dax and France CAC 40 all gained points by 1.61%, 3.17% and 2.23% respectively. In the Asia/Pacific region, Hangseng lost points by 1.08%, while the Nikkei 225 and BSE Sensex gained points by 3.54% and 2.93% respectively. In Brazil, the Bovespa gained points by 1.16% while Russia’s RTS INDEX lost points by 0.08%. On the local setting, NSE ASI closed at 32,772.72 recording 0.91% depreciation at the end of the week’s trading.

turnover of 1.96 billion units of shares valued at N18.75 billion was recorded, in contrast to a turnover of 2.27 billion units of shares worth N26.95 billion that was recorded in the previous week. Volume this week was driven by activities in the shares of UBA, TRANSCORP, ZENITHBANK, HMARKINS, UNITYBNK, CUSTODYINS, FBNH, DIAMONDBANK, GUARANTY and ACCESS.

gainers chart to close with 21.67%, followed by WEMABANK with 15.74%, PRESTIGE with 12.68%, CILEASING with 9.52%, FTNCOCOA with 9.43% and UACN with 9.32%. Other gainers in the top ten categories were CUSTODYINS with 5.08%, CONOIL with 5.00%, UNILEVER with 4.28% and GLAXOSMITH with 4.25%. On the flip side, forty two (42) stocks depreciated in price last week compared to forty six (46) that depreciated a week ago. ACADEMY led on the price losers’ table with 18.00%, followed by AIICO by 17.27%, NEIMETH by 13.33%, AIRSERVICE by 8.83%, ETERNA by 8.77%, JAPAULOIL by 8.54%, CADBURY by 8.31%, SOVERENINS by 7.27%, WAPIC by 7.03% and UBCAP by 6.96%.

30 STOCKWATCH

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Lead Capital Stock Valuation

COMPANY’S RESULT

CONTINUE ON PAGE 51

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11 2013

Homes & Property Johnson emerges mortgage bankers’ president, plans ‘big’ for housing sector Mortgage Finance By Chinedum Uwaegbulam, Assistant Housing & Environment Editor N the heels of the April O deadline for compliance with consolidation in the mortgage banking sector, the operatives have made changes in its leadership, and set fresh agenda, which would pave way for tackling flaws that curbed the development of a credible mortgage system in the country. The new leadership led by the managing director, Homebase Mortgage Limited, Mr. Femi Johnson was elected at the annual meeting of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) held recently in Lagos that attracted Chief Executive Officers of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs). The PMBs previewed the work of the past excos and agreed that time has come for the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) to explore all avenues to sufficiently and efficiently fund the housing sector. Signs that a new dawn is in the offing for the operators manifested in the attendance, as only few of the PMBs planning to stay afloat under the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revised guidelines that mandated would be state and national PMBs to shore up their shareholders fund to the tune of N2.5 billion and N5 billion respectively, showed up at the meeting. A major plank of the meeting chaired by the chairman of MBAN board of trustees, Mr. Samuel Fortune Ebie centered on revolutionizing the sector and ensuring that CBN accepts Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory as a universal territory for state authorisation licences like the commercial banks. The Guardian learnt that the matter had remained unresolved after several meetings with CBN officials. But in his maiden speech, Johnson laid out four main agenda. ONE: establishment of the mortgage brokers. According to Johnson, CBN has granted the association powers to licence and regulate the mortgage brokers, “We have done a lot in this regards, but we need to come up with clear cut rules of engagement. We must quickly come up with framework for the regulation of the mortgage brokers as some of our members plan to transcend into the aspect of the practice.” TWO: liquidity facility company. “We must be active drivers of the liquidity company so that we can wield a lot of influ-

The mortgage operatives have unveiled a new road map that is expected to rejuvenate the mortgage sector and ensure survival of PMBs in the post consolidation era. Amongst them is the setting up of a mortgage refinancing company before September ence in the operations. It’s a only window in the secondary mortgage market; there are several others, and we must also unfold other secondary markets that the association can set up various windows to refinance our loans. The nation’s housing deficit has remained the same for about six years now, what have we done to reduce the deficit? We need to make a mark.” THREE: Consolidation/reform of the mortgage sector. “Our first commitment is to leave no one in the cold. MBAN will reach out to any other institution that is having difficulty or some challenge in the process. What ever we need to do whether is capital base, merger or consolidation. For people who had made up their mind to scale down, we will guide them through the transition.” FOUR: Visibility/advocacy for MBAN. He called for collaboration and information sharing among the PMBs. The competition is stiff, that the association will be innovative to surmount all the pressure and competition coming from the commercial banks. “The construction methods have posed problems in the industry, we need come up with new designs, building technology and cheaper houses in order to make housing affordable to the teeming Nigerians population such as house of N4-5 million that people can purchase.” Lastly, he reiterated the need to train mortgage workers and scale up its professional education development programme. “We need to have the best hands and brains in the management of the mortgage industry and to take our rightful place in the financial environment.” Earlier, the out-going President, Mr. Abimbola Olayinka disclosed that the Presidential Retreat on Housing agreed that an Extension bill should be sent to the National Assembly for CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Developer unveils Lekki’s Breezewood Court Page 33

Out-going President, Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), Mr. Abimbola Olayinka, (left); Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Accord Savings and Loans Limited, Mr. Adeoye Mapaderun and newly elected MBAN President, Mr. Femi Johnson, at MBAN’s annual meeting held recently in Lagos

Lagos plans new procurement agency Procument Law By Tunde Alao OISED to ensure transP parency, effectiveness and efficiency in award of contract, the Lagos State Government may soon establish a new procurement agency in the state. When it eventually makes its berth, the agency will take on award of contract, acquisition of goods and services in public offices in the State. The coming agency is provided for in the Lagos State Public Procurement Law, which came into effect since April 2, 2012. However, its implementation is still sketchy, though plans are afoot towards developing its structures. The model draws from different legal cultures, balances the interest of foreign and domestic bidders, promotes transparency and allows greater flexibility in the use of the provisions of the law. The process, apart from ensuring efficiency and competitiveness, is also to facilitate best value for public expenditure and inspire public confidence, as it constitutes major

The agency is also empowered by law to maintain the database of contractors and service providers and to prescribe their classifications, categorisations and to streamline their activities for result oriented services. stakeholders in government. According to a document by the Lagos government, there is a remarkable difference between the old system of procurement and the new model. In the old system, procurement is centralized with contract award decisions taken by a central Tender Board Operations are guided by financial regulations/treasury circulars on public expenditure as issued by the Ministry of Finance. However, it was considered that over time, as procurement expanded and financial regulations became grossly inadequate, it gives room to discretionary application and promoting corruption. But in the new system, procurement is decentralized with a central regulation through a procurement law. Here, responsibility for compliance rests with the accounting officer of the millennium development agencies (MDAs) and enforcement through a specialized regula-

tory agency. Known as The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA), the new initiative is in supply management. It is also meant to provide synergy between it and State Tender Board (STB). For a two-year transitional period, the State Tenders Board will continue to be the approving authority for the award of contracts within a benchmark to be set by the LSPPA, after which each ministry, extra-ministerial entity, government agency, parastatals and corporation will be expected to have set up its own tender’s board. Under the new law, the principle is that contractors should be qualified and capable of carrying out their responsibilities of the contract. Also to ensure that the goals are achieved, civil society would be involved in this new public procurement regime. A source maintained that it is intended that one member of the Governing Board of the

agency should be from a civil society organization and other interested members of the public, who may attend bid openings. Specific roles of the agency include to oversee the procurement system and issue a certificate of compliance (COC) prior to the award of contracts above a threshold; the agency may conduct an investigation to prevent or direct a contravention of the Law and may cancel contracts if it is not satisfied that there has been a contravention of the provisions of the law or its regulations. Besides, the agency is empowered to backlist or ban any supplier, contractor or consultant that contravenes any provisions’ of the public procurement law and regulations. It was also stated that the agency is empowered by law to maintain the database of contractors and service providers and to prescribe their classifications and categorisations.

Controversy trails Epe demolition as victims seek alternatives

NIQS, ICPC to tackle corruption in construction industry

Page 46

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

32 HOMES & PROPERTY

Appeal Court backs ownership claim over Lagos property Litigation By Emmanuel Badejo HE inevitable outcome of T this appeal is that it is devoid of any scintilla of merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgment of Lagos High Court delivered on 25th June 2008 including all the consequential orders made therein are hereby affirmed. I join the court below in pleading with the parties herein t sheathe their swords. This is a property, which their parents toiled to build and lived together for 60 years without any squabble. They should emulate their parents in the interest of the blood bond between them and their posterity. In order to encourage peace and unity in their family, I shall make no order as to costs. Parties to bear their respective costs.” With these words, Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs of a Court of Appeal, Lagos, recently dismissed an appeal by M.O.

Dealings over No. 39 Queens Street, Yaba, Lagos, part of the estate of late Mrs. Euginia Ayodele Dada, are not mere transaction but geared towards protecting the family interest on the property. Dada and J.B. Johnson against Abiodun and Adetunji Williams (substituted for Mr. J.A. Williams) over the ownership of a property on the Mainland, No. 39 Queens Street, Yaba, Lagos. Justices John Okoro and Sidi Bage also endorsed the lead Judge. The contestants are family members. The facts supporting the claim of the appellants are that they are the executors of the estate of Mrs. Euginia Ayodele Dada, who died testate in 1982 whose last Will was proved and admitted to probate by the High Court of Lagos State on 30th October 1987. The testatrix had around 1934 built the disputed property on a Crown land with certificate No MO 0336 issued in the name of the said testatrix

under the registration of Titles’ Act, Cap. 181, Laws of the Federation, 1985 which later Lagos State in 1967. No previous action was ever filed by the original defendant against the registered owner during her lifetime until after her death in 1982 when the original defendant who was a uterine brother of the testatrix attempted to demand rent from some tenants. The executors then filed an action at the magistrate court against the original defendant seeking to eject him from the premises, having claimed to be a coowner of the property with testatrix and their mother, one Mrs. Bolajoko Williams. The action was thereafter withdrawn from the magistrate court as title to the property had been raised and taken to

New MBAN president unfolds agenda for housing sector CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 the removal of the Governor’s Consent to mortgage and assignment, hopeful that President Goodluck Jonathan would give assent to the 2nd Presidential Retreat this year. On collection of proceeds of National Housing Funds (NHF), he said the association made serious efforts and eventually succeeded in convincing the current management of Federal Mortgage bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to allow PMBs to collect monthly proceeds of NHF scheme from its various contributors. A pilot scheme has commenced and the

momentum would be enhanced in the post consolidation period. Olayinka noted that MBAN is working closely with UBA Metropolitan life Insurance Company Limited towards development of mortgage default insurance. “The introduction of mortgage default insurance as credit enhancer would catalyse a downward slide in interest rates at longer tenures and enhance accessibility of the lower and informal income group to housing finance products as well as bring about increased inflow of Foreign Direct Investments

(FDIs) Meanwhile, the new executives include Vice President, Mr. Ben Akaneme of GT Homes Limited, Deputy President, North-Alhaji Usman Hardo of Yobe Savings and Loans Limited, Deputy President, West-Niyi Akinlusi of Intercontinental Homes, Treasurer – Mrs Subulola GiwaAmu of FBN Mortgages Limited, and Publicity Secretary- Emmanuel Mbaka of Platinum Savings and Loans Limited as well as legal adviserMr. Olaitan Komolafe of Global Trust Savings and Loans Limited.

the High Court. The respondents filed a counter claim, and contended that the late Joseph Orekan Williams, (the father of Mrs. E. A. Dada, the testatrix and Mr. J.A. Williams) who died testate on 9th September 1921, and left a Will by which he made various bequests and directed that the residue of his estate be shared amongst his sons including J.A Williams, who was at that time, a minor. Subsequently and eventually upon the completion of his education in December, 1932, J.A. Williams was given the sum of £73.75 as his share of the residue from his father’s estate. The sum was given to his mother, Mrs. Sabaina Bolajoko Williams for safekeeping. However, as a result of accommodation problems being experienced by the family at that time, a decision was taken in 1933 by Mrs. Williams and her two children, Mrs. E.A. Dada and J.A. Williams and they did eventually through the assistance of a relative, Mr. Adams obtained an allocation of land from the Lands Department, Lagos to build a permanent home for themselves. The land so allocated to them is known as No. 39 Queens Street, Yaba, Lagos, the subject matter of the dispute. At the time of the allocation, neither Mrs. Sabaina Williams nor her daughter, Mrs. E. A. Dada had any money to contribute towards the family project, but the young J.A. Williams agreed to contribute

the sum of £60.00 out of the money he had previously kept with his mother, to the take off of the family scheme. Of this amount, the sum £2.00 was used to pay for the deposit on the allocation whilst the balance of £58.00 was used for the laying of the foundation for the building and developing same as far as the money would go. Equally, at the time the proposal to build the family house was being discussed, J.A. Williams still being a minor and Mrs. Sabaina Williams being too old and illiterate, a decision was reached that the allocation papers should be obtained in the name of Mrs. E.A. Dada, who was sixteen years older than J.A. Williams. Consequently, the allocation papers as well as all subsequent documents of title relating to the property in dispute were obtained in the name of Mrs. E.A. Dada, even though J.A. Williams almost single handedly financed the project, but with the intention that Mrs. E.A. Dada would hold the title in trust and for the benefit of the whole family. No sooner however did the project commence than the family ran out of funds whereupon credit was obtained in the sum of £121.33 from the Lagos Timber Company to enable the completion of the building in 1934. When the family could not payoff the debt, and feeling pressured by the threat of the Lagos Timber Company to sell the house in 1941, the family approached Century Mortgage Company, which agreed to take over the indebtedness on the condition that the property would be insured by them and all debts

owed it would be liquidated on quarterly installment through their solicitors, Messrs. Irvingand Bonnar. In furtherance of the family agreement, all the transactions were conducted on behalf of the family in the name of Mrs. E.A. Dada. However, it was the late J.A. Williams, who over the years paid all the outstanding installments to Century Mortgage Company until the whole debt was finally liquidated in 1961. He made these payments through Mrs. E.A. Dada and the receipts, in line with the family agreement, were issued in her name. The trio, Mrs. Sabaina Williams, E.A. Dada and J.A. Williams all eventually lived in the premises up till the time of their death. In its judgment of 25th June 2008, the trial court held that Mrs. E.A Dada was not the sole owner of the property in dispute but both parties jointly owned it. It further held that based on the overwhelming evidence, a presumption of resulting trust arose in favour of the late J.A. Williams as a result of his financial contributions to the purchase and redemption from mortgage of the property in dispute. The trial court then dismissed the appellants’ claim and granted the alternative reliefs in the respondents’ counter-claim. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. And after considering all points canvassed, the court unanimously dismissed the appeal, calling on the parties to lift harmony within the family circle.

HOMES&PROPERTY 33

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Prime Estates Developer unveils Lekki’s Breezewood Court Projects Stories by Tosin Fodeke

AGOS-based property firm, Ljoined Roy Davis Realty has the train of private developers investing in housing projects at the Lekki –Epe axis of Lagos, with its estate tagged, Breezewood Court Terraces. Designed for medium income level residents, the 64-unit estate is located in the heart of Ikota downtown on the Lekki Peninsula, an area that has witnessed a high-paced residential development activity in the past 10 years. Breezewood Court is surrounded by Ikota Villa, Lekki County Homes (Megamound), Mobil Estate and Elegant Court; community is convenient to shopping, entertainment and directly accessible to the newly constructed 6-lane 49.5Km Epe-Victoria Island highway. The estate offers 64-units of 4 bedroom suites in a three floors structure. Homes are designed to provide the best of contemporary urban living, detailed interiors, large windows to maximize he internal lighting of the home, generous floor plans and super finishes Each unit comes with fully fitted kitchen, en-suit bedrooms with shower rooms,

two living rooms (Main lounge and Family lounge), Secure entrance doors, communal facilities, 24-hour security, paved roads and drainage network, 24 hour back –up power supply and water purification and reticulation system. According to the company’s chief executive officer, Mr. Akhibi Onoke Roy Davis Realty is pleased to be the exclusive sales representative of the entire Breezewood Court project, Ikota, with 64 terrace homes for sale with the following superb investment terms. The purchase price of properties on the 5-10year-payment plan includes an interest rate of 10 per cent on the outstanding balance over the tenure; this can be offset by early settlement at any time. Projection: Based on a projected yearly capital gain rate of 10per cent and an annual rent level starting at N1.5million for the first two years, N1, 750,000.00 for the next two years. Low cost Unit investment interests (starting at N30, 000.00/unit) are available from the project financier New Haven Cooperative Society who will contractually agree to repurchase the unit within a maximum 36month period providing a return equal to about 20 per cent for each year invested.

Illustration showing housing units at the proposed Breezewood Court, Lagos

Firm ends Yaba’s Lavender Court project Real Estate PROPERTY development A firm, Messrs Hoggs and Holls Limited has drawn curtains on its mini estate, located in one of the serene and secured environments in Yaba, Lagos. The estate, christened Lavender Court, comprises 11 units of five bedroom terraces with maid’s quarter and three bedroom flats. Facilities in the estate includes basement parking,

swimming pool, gym, alternative power along with inverters, water treatment facility and ample car parking space for visitors. Managing Director of Hoggs and Holls Limited, Mr. Remi Adedokun while speaking during the official launch of the estate, explained that Lavender Court is another addition to the sprawling number of contemporary gated communities to be located in the heart of Yaba, Lagos. He stated: “We provide qual-

ity service and don’t compromise. Stakeholder’s satisfaction is our goal. “We are currently working on two other projects. The first is within the same axis of Yaba GRA while the second is at Ikeja GRA. “We encourage housing policy makers, address problems militating against poor housing delivery services in Nigeria. We hope serious investors in this sector of the economy will emulate our good performance in alleviat-

ing the rising cost of accommodation for low-income earners. “Lavender Court is very spacious for any family, while the sitting room can conveniently seat seven people. The dinning is a six-seater - one with plenty room for manoeuvring. The bedroom are all ensuite and built with space and walk-in closet, while the kitchen comes fully fitted with the cabinet gas cooker with the hovel plus microwave.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

34 HOMES&PROPERTY

Special focus on the 43rd annual Conference of the nigerian Institution of estate Surveyors and Valuers

Creating enabling environment will enhance housing delivery, Eleh as an annual ritual, membership of nigerian Institution of estate Surveyors (nIeSV) will be in Benin, edo State capital this week to hold its conference. In this interview with assistant Housing & environment editor, CHIneDUm UWaegBULam, nIeSV President, mr. emeKa eLeH believes that government’s intervention in the housing industry will bring down interest rate, and there is a direct relationship between the poor level of infrastructure and high poverty rate. excerpts:

eDo 2013 STATE surveyors have always used its professional knowlE edge and expertise in proffering solutions to the various problems bedeviling Nigerians, and in few days time, your institution will begin deliberation on a vital aspect of the national economy - Infrastructural Development and Economic Empowerment, why was the topic chosen for the Edo conference? Our annual conferences have always provided fora for the discussion of topical national issues. For this year, Infrastructure development and economic empowerment was selected to underscore the importance of infrastructure in the economic development of a nation. The very low level of infrastructure development in Nigeria remains a huge cause for concern. There is indeed a direct relationship between the poor level of our infrastructure and high poverty rate as well as low level of economic empowerment of the average Nigerian. Added to this is the issue of the poor maintenance of our existing stock of infrastructure. Available data indicates that our infrastructure deficit runs into trillions of naira and I believe that addressing this deficit is crucial to our development. Investments in this area holds immense potential for boosting our economy and will accelerate job creation, economically empower the people and create huge multiplier effects that will lead to the growth of economy. I believe that discussions at this conference will proffer useful suggestions to the government on the way forward. The leadership of the NIESV has made fresh incursions into other notable areas in the construction industry, when will this talks with agencies and institutions begin to yield jobs for your membership? As an institution and advocacy group, our goal is not necessarily to get jobs for our members but to proffer useful suggestions that will lead to the betterment of our society. Indeed, propagating those principles that will lead to the development and empowerment of all Nigerians has been our main focus since the Institution was formed in 1969. This is why we have been championing the cause for land reform that will ensure that people are given title to their land, for a reform of our mortgage finance sector that will ensure availability of mortgages at single digit interest rate, for the creation of an enabling environment that will enhance housing delivery including support for direct government intervention to bring down interest rate. Essentially, if the above issues are addressed by the government, the housing sector and indeed the whole economy starts doing well, there will certainly be more jobs for our members. In specific terms, what are the challenges the estate surveyors and valuers need to content with at this time? The major challenge that my profession faces at this time is essentially that of government and society’s indifference about the immense role we are trained to play in the socio economic development of this country. As land resource managers, our role is crucial to the development of this economy. You can see that we have in the past years, spent a lot of time talking about who we are and what we do in order to enhance our public perception. The issue of quackery is also of major concern to us and we continue to advice members of the public not to, patronize quacks. The conference marks the beginning of another year in office. Do you think you have met part of your vision for the institution? We have in the past one-year done our best to fulfill the

TUESDAY, MARCH 12 2013 4:00pm: National Council Meeting @ Conference Hall of Best Western, Homeville Hotel 7:00pm: Branch Chairman’s Party @ Civil Service Club, G.R.A, Benin City WEDNESDAY MARCH 13TH, 2013 08:00am:Arrival and Registration of Delegates at Best Western, Homeville Hotel Flamingo Hall 10:00am: Opening remarks by the President, Mr. Emeka D. Eleh, FNVIS, FRICS 10:30am: 1st Plenary Session 11:00am: Lead Paper by 2nd Vice President Dr. B. J. Patunola Ajayi 11:45am: Tea Break/Photograph/Lunch 01:00pm: Other Papers 02:00pm: Group Discussion 03:50pm:Regrouping of Delegates/End of 1st Plenary Session 4:00pm: Corporate Presentations 5:00pm: FIABCI Cocktail 7:00pm: Cultural Nite at EXCALIBUR HOTEL, Estate Road, G.R.A, Benin City THURSDAY MARCH 14TH, 2013 08:00am:Arrival and Registration of Delegates 09:30am: All Delegates to be seated 10:00am: Arrival of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr.

Bolarinde Patunola-ajayi, 2nd Vice President

Kunle awolaja, national Secretary

Victor ayeye, nat. Publicity Secretary

gloria Briggs, national Treasurer

niyi fadoju, asst. national Secretary

mohammed Bature, asst. nat. Publicity Secretary

okey ogbonna, asst. national Treasurer

nIeSV President, emeka eleh promises I made at my inauguration. We have recorded substantial success but a whole lot still needs to be done and we are still at it. Our main focus of improving our public image and perception is on course, our NIESV databank project is on course and the results of the Lagos pilot scheme is almost ready, our multiple listing service, which is our new online platform for marketing properties is now up and running, we have now registered our new estate agency body; the association of estate agents in Nigeria and our long desire to bring the practice of estate agency under regulation is on course, we have strengthened our internal disciplinary procedure in order to ensure that cases of professional misconduct against our members are handled expeditiously , we have strengthened our liaison with our student members in order to create a sustained channel for encouraging and mentoring them, we have re-energised our faculties to become veritable platform for the acquisition of specialist competences by our members. A lot has been accomplished but as I said earlier on, the road is yet long but by the grace of God we are on course. Estate surveyors and valuers are complaining of lull in the sub-sector. Can government direct intervention in the housing sector boost the property market? There is a lull in the entire economy not just the real estate sub sector. Our contention is that government intervention in the housing sector will not only boost the sector but the overall economy due to the immense multiplier effects, investments in the sector can generate. Our view is that government should look at the real estate sub sector as part of the housing sector and intervene directly to bring down interest rates to the single digit level to spur investments, which will enable the country, reduce our enormous housing deficit presently put at 17 million units. This will also enable us to meet our Millennium Development Goals with regards to housing.

ConferenCe Programme TH

James omeru, 1st Vice President

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR National Anthem Opening Prayer Welcome Address by NIESV President, Mr. Emeka D. Eleh Opening of the Conference by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 11:00am: Keynote Address by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili 11:30am: Goodwill Messages 12:35pm: Tea Break/Photograph/Lunch 01.10pm: 2nd Plenary Session 01:30pm: Other Papers 03:30pm: Group Discussion 04:00pm: Regrouping of Delegates/End of Plenary Session 07:00pm: Presidential Cocktail at Pool Bay of Best Western, Homeville Hotel FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH, 2013 07:00 – 09:00am: Charity Walk 08:00 – 10:00am: Golf Tournament Benin Club 10:00 – 12noon: EMSANU Conference 12:00 – 2:00pm: Faculty Session 12:00 – 2:00pm Alumni Meetings 04:00 – 6:00pm Novelty Football March (Fellows vs Female

aBoUT nIeSV HE Nigerian Institution of T Estate Surveyors and Valuers was founded in 1969 by the few qualified General Practice Chartered Surveyors who were trained mainly in the United Kingdom. The Institution was granted government recognition by the enactment of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Act; Decree No. 24 of 1975. The first Annual Conference was held at Ibadan in 1969. The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) is empowered to regulate and control the practice of the profession of Estate Surveying and Valuation in the country. The institution is affiliated to the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), and the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE). Its objectives include to provide an increased reservoir of skilled professional manpower that is well pre-

pared to face the challenges of Society, and to maintain adequate standard of professional practice, the institution strives: •to have a system of administration that is effective in service delivery and be able to motivate members to better corporate identity •to render proactive, ethical, innovative and value oriented customer services on sustainable basis. •to promote inter-professional relationship, locally and internationally. •to be a socially responsible professional organization.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Special Report: Outstanding Dredging And Construction Equipment Companies In Nigeria (Part 1)

……Dredging To Keep The Waterways Free, Land Reclamation and Creating Deep Water For Vessels’ Movement Lagos State Ministry of Waterways Infrastructure Development: Eko Atlantic City isn’t misplacement of priority Is there any dredging activities along Lagos State coastline from Badagry to Epe:

HERE is no dredging activities on the coastline of Lagos State spanning from Badagry to Epe, a distance of 186 kilo meters. Dredging activities takes place in our lagoon, creek and shallow waters of the state. With regards to dredging from the atlantic ocean, there is only one main activity going on, which is the reclamation of the lost land to the ocean which will turn to Eko Atlantic city. The sand is being brought in from 15 to 20 kilo meters offshore. There is no negative environmental effect because it is so far in the atlantic that there is no impact on the coastline or on the city Lagos neither on the city we are creating called Eko Atlantic city. Reasons for dredging: Some of the reasons for dredging are either to use the sand for reclamation, to sell or to create deep water for vessels to come into our ports. What is your stance on allegation that the Eko Atlantic city is a misplacement of priority: It was earlier reported that Lagos state invited Bill Clinton, the United States’ former president to show as if the project is acknowledged internationally. Clinton is the 42nd president of USA of which former is the key word. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was also there with several eminent Nigerians that one could not buy to bring to such an event. The alleged informants are mainly trying to score cheap political point. What we are doing at the Eko atlantic city is not out of the ordinary. The Ministry is monitoring on behalf of the government, the reclamation of lost lands to the atlantic. In the late 60s and early 70s, from the edge of Ahmadu Bello way on the Victoria Island, one would have to walk about a mile and half before you see the water. It was all sand. The dimension of Eko atlantic city is 1.5 kilo meters from the edge of Ahmadu Bello Way into the atlantic and 7.5 (seven and half) kilometers across it. And so, it is all lost land in the past. You don’t reclaim lost land without protection and without turning it into something viable. Wisdom is having the knowledge of what you are doing next and virtue is actually doing it. We had major problem on Victoria Island. The whole of Ahmadu Bello Way was submerged in water until between 2003 to 2004 when the permanent solution was put in place, whereby turning a liability into an asset. Today, we can see several businesses striving along that line. To take it further and to ensure such an occurrence does not repeat, the Eko Atlantic city is to be developed and birthed. But why would anyone want to score such cheap political point when the country’s president who is also in the ruling party came for the event. Clinton was simply there because in September 2009, there was a body called Clinton Global Initiative that noticed the Eko Atlantic city project which gave an award of recognition that the project is doing great to protect an area submerged in water while combating global warming and ocean surge. Looking at the recent natural disaster in USA called sinking hole, is it likely to be a challenge as feared: There is no course for alarm. Sinking hole is movement of earth from beneath. This happens in areas where you have constructed on unmatched land or soft land as it were; meaning when you are constructing and everything seems appropriate but once settlement sets in, that is a drop of level as a result of stratum (engineering word) whereby anything you put on that part will always sink. With regards to Eko Atlantic city, the deepest area before reclamation started was about 8 to 12 meters deep. All that is land today. What one does in land reclamation is not to construct on it immediately unless you will use piling method for foundation. You allow settlement period to take place whereby all the sand put on the reclaimed land will be compacted or become solid and whatever you put therein, the ground will be able to withstand it. There is no matchy land. It was sand that were taken away by the atlantic that we put back there and now, it is been compressed to a standard and level whereby construction can take place on top it. What exactly is Eko Atlantic city project and its benefits: It is a project put together to protect the existing Victoria Island and Lagos as it were. The lowest point in Victoria Island today is 1.5 (one and half) meters below the atlantic level. This point is just before you climb Falomo bridge on Victoria Island, whereby major flooding sets in whenever there is heavy rain. The Eko atlantic city by the time it is completed and its drainages put together at Akin Adesola on the same Victoria Island, one won’t see such flood-

Prince Adesegun Oniru, Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development

Mr. Bart Van Eenoo, Chief Executive Officer, Bonny Channel Company (BCC)

Mr. Iyke Ezeh, Chief Executive Officer, Domez Nigeria Limited

Mr. Daniele Sarnelli, General Manager, Construction Equipment Division, Mikano International Limited

ing anymore. Some of its benefits in Lagos and Nigeria in general are: firstly, Eko atlantic city will protect high surge or waves in Lagos. It will afford 250,000 people the rare opportunity to reside and work. It will allow up to 150,000 commuters in and out of the city on a daily basis. It is a topnotch city that will be compared to any city in the world upon completion, amongst other benefits. Commercial activities on present day Victoria Island with time, will be decongested and moved to the new city because there is a commercial area dedicated to banking and other commercial activities. With time, everybody will move into the new city so that Victoria Island can regain its residential nature as meant to be. Is it privately or jointly funded: It is being funded purely by private developer, called South Enegics Nigeria Limited. The Lagos state government through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development is playing the supervisory role. The ministry signed the agreement on behalf of the state government and in a bid to ensuring that that such treaty is upheld, the supervision lies with the ministry. Some new rules for dredging activities in the state: We have 25 dredging companies with dredgers, legally permitted with Category A permits to dredge in Lagos water. Although over 120 firms were carrying out illegal activities until the ministry was put in place since 2007. So far, various arrests and prosecutions have been made on people who think they can beat the government, under the law backing us. There are areas where dredging is very viable such as Ikorodu, Aja, Awoyaya and towards Epe. We spread them across the state. This office gives 2 to 3 permits. The first is category A: dredger owners permitted to dredge Lagos waters which is subject to renewal annually. Category B: for stock pillers. People who stock sands and sell. They have to go to someone with category A permit in order to pump sand for them and then, they will stock pile and sell. There is also the possibility of a company having category A and B. The third permit is for manual dredgers: people with big canoes seen at the lagoon. There seems to be a debate between National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, over who is in charge of mining and dredging activities in the state. What is your take on it: Dredging is pumping sand from the water. Mining is mining sand from land. We have a ministry called Energy and Mineral Resources which is in charge of mining activities. The role of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) as

delegated by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fasola, is to put together the water transportation facilities in Lagos state as well as manage that. As a state’s governor, he is prerogative to delegate any function to any ministry. As it is now, Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development is in charge of dredging activities in the state. There is no cross-part as far as I am concerned. As far as NIWA is concerned, we have a state law that allows us to monitor and issue permit for dredging activities in Lagos state under a residual matter. The law of waterways has been rebuilt by the state and it has the right to control what goes on our waters.

BONNY CHANNEL COMPANY (BCC) - efforts at ensuring round the clock navigation of bonny channel & river. Mission statement: To engender an environment of safe and efficient navigation of vessels in and out of Ports and Harbours. Introduction:

HE Bonny Channel Company (BCC) is a Public, Private Partnership (PPP) between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and The Channel Management Company (TCMC) of Belgium. BCC has responsibility to essentially carry out regular Maintenance and Capital (as the need arises) Dredging of the Bonny Channel and River- a distance of about 90 km or 49 Nautical Miles. In addition, BCC executes Quarterly Bathymetric Surveys, Wreck Removals, Installation and Maintenance & Surveillance of Aids to Navigation, Visual Pollution Monitoring and Management Training. The Bonny Channel: The Bonny Channel is the main access for vessels to the Bonny River and for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels to the LNG plant located on Bonny Island. The Bonny Channel was expanded from 215m to 230m width and deepened from 12.5m to 14.3m from 2007-2008 by Capital Dredging (Fig.2). Thereafter, Buoys with affixed Navigational lights were laid to mark the Channel. This exercise ensured the removal of tidal windows which hitherto had restricted the movement of vessels even for LNG Cargo. Thus, in all the Ports, Terminals and LNG Plant, movement in and out of Port is a 24 hour operation guaranteed. This had in fact more than doubled the Number of Vessels calling in that axis especially LNG vessels which dwelt on the tide for movements before 2007. Plans are at an advanced stage to expand the Channel (dualization). This is expected to boost LNG traffic when Train 7 commences production. The Bonny River: The Bonny River provides

To participate in part II, kindly contact 08032189598

access to the ports of Port Harcourt, Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone, Federal Ocean Terminal, Federal Lighter Terminal, Notore Chemical Plant and Petroleum Jetties in Okrika. The River is constantly maintained at the designed depth to ensure safe vessel movement. Improving the accessibility of these ports is constantly under investigation. Wreck removal: Wrecks along the Channel or River in many cases are caused by Stranded or Abandoned Vessels. These over time, may become wrecks that can cause a safety risk for safe navigation in the river. Thus, Wreck Removal Exercises are periodically carried out to ensure safe navigation. To carry out the exercise, there is a need to determine the location, dimensions (size) and weight of any such impediment through such state of the art techniques as side-scan sonar- and magnetometer surveys. Based on the data so obtained, priority is given to the wreck(s) that pose the biggest risk to safe navigation or future development of the channel. Survey data together with insitu examination by experienced divers will provide information on the best work method and salvaging techniques applicable for the investigated wreck. From an environmental point of view inspections of these wrecks can give valuable information regarding presence of fuel, oil or any other environmentally hazardous products. These will have to be pumped out before the wreck can be removed to avoid decimating the environment. Once the wrecks are removed from the river, they are brought to specialized factories where the steel can be recycled and used again in various national and international industries. Studies and Environmental monitoring: Studies are carried out to investigate changes in channel design to improve safe and efficient navigation in the river and channel. This can be based on input from the various stake holders in the area. By listening to their needs and close cooperation solutions can be found. To minimize the effect on the eco-system from the dredging and shipping industry, an effective environmental monitoring program is in place. Training: BCC conducts regular Training programs for NPA Personnel (Locally & Overseas) in key areas of Hydrography, Pilotage & Engineering.

DOMEZ Nigeria Limited: Leader in professional dredging OMEZ NIGERIA LTD is a full fledged and wholly owned Nigerian company by Nigerians of high integrity, character and good standing in the society, playing in the Dredging and Procurement industry of Nigeria and Africa. Domez has her head office in Lagos and has opened correspondent offices in United States of America and United Kingdom to facilitate procurements. The company was set up in 1994 with passion for quality service and customer satisfaction. Core areas of competence include however not limited to Procurement of equipment but also to Dredging and construction. Our commitment to helping companies succeed is more than simply a goal of our company. It is our sole mission. We have dedicated ourselves to building a team of amazing individuals who share a passion for what we do and a set of values for how we do it. We understand that in order to become your trusted partner, we must consistently deliver on our promise. We handle procurement like no one else and ensure constant link from the time the factory delivers to the shipper until the items are in the warehouse of our user. We have new standards in the dredging and construction industry without makes us stand-out from the others. Our vision To run a world class organization where customers are partners, serving as a buffer to their non operational responsibility, thereby releasing time and other resources to partners to concentrate on their core business; with one focus for us to maximize returns on investment using the best hands and brains in the industry. Value statement To primarily create customers, sustain the patronage exceeding their expectation using the best hands, having dignity and character with a sense of belonging to social responsibility for our work environment. Our expertise covers but not limited to dredging and marine services with special emphasis in Stockpiling, sweeping, reclamation, channelization, shore protection and oil wells management. This division also handles research and consultancy on Environment Impact assessment/Analysis for the corporate bodies and government, at federal and state levels. We have worked in the very difficult terrains of the Niger delta and also in Lagos. We have in

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Special Report: Outstanding Dredging And Construction Equipment Companies In Nigeria (Part 1) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 our fleet a chain of dredging equipment ranging from 12 X 10 to 24 X 22. Also in our fleet is a chain excavators, swamp boggy, bulldozers and pail loaders that provide support services to our dredging equipment which were acquired from the best manufacturers in the Netherlands. We also sell and install aluminum composite panels from Alubond USA(world’s best). Our construction arm are equipped with skills for constructing buildings, jetties and roads. Domez Nigeria Ltd has assembled a team with an impressive range of relevant experience to ensure that Domez Nigeria Ltd is, and remains, a formidable, customer-centric organization. Our Executive Management Team is worldclass, and comprises market leading Nigerian operation expertise. This group of talented individuals possess much experience in the Nigerian dynamic market. The Managing Director, Chief Iyke Ezeh (Duke of Obohia) has the goal to transform the company into the most sought after Dredging Company in Nigeria within the next three years.

Mikano International Limited Hyundai Construction Equipment: Riding up the continous growth curve ikano International Limited, known for its excellent reputation in the power sector with the offer of a wide range generators and switch gear and custom designed electrical panels has moved strongly into the construction equipment business having taken up the exclusive Hyundai Construction Equipment franchise for Nigeria. Having taken the franchise Mikano is now in a position to offer directly from its stock Hyundai equipment such as hydraulic Excavator, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader, Backhoe Loader and a range of Forklifts. It is well known that Hyundai, one of the largest industrial manufacturers in Korea, build their machines using the latest technologies, have superior safety features. The machines are manufactured under stringent quality control standards ensuring efficiency in operation and economic to run. The General Manager of the Construction Equipment Division, Mr. Daniele Sarnelli,

stressed that “Mikano is client-focus; cost-focus and time-focus and is backed by superior warranty coverage and after-sales/spare parts support that covers every transaction”. According to him, the company seeks to “continually improve its customers’ satisfaction and is ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of quality by fulfilling all regulatory and statutory requirement mandated by National and International Standards”. Speaking about the general state of the infrastructures in Nigeria, he said “Nigeria continues in its development, and a lot remains to be done in the area of housing, roads, power and water supply. Mikano intends to be at the forefront of this development which is why we have chosen a strong partner in Hyundai. Hyundai equipment is highly rated globally, enhanced design, enhanced performance and convenience give Hyundai machines an edge over other market players. The organization believe the one strategy to become a strong player is through creative thinking and a challenging mind. Hyundai Heavy Industries insistence on outstanding performance means that its products are well accepted by our valuable customers worldwide. Our strength is that we respond to customer’s requests as quickly as possible. Hyundai continues to develop many customized products to meet local conditions from extreme and adverse weather and temperature conditions to excessive dust etc. By 2016, Hyundai Heavy Industry will be ranked third in the world in construction industry. Part of the unique selling points of Mikano International Limited includes: • All models are available in stock for immediate delivery • 24/7 Product Support and Customer Service • Spare Parts always available in stock • 12 Months comprehensive warranty • Free training for end user’s staff • Save 20% of fuel consumption compared to any other similar machine! • All machines come with a complete 250 hours service kit. With this, Mr. Sarnelli says, “there is hope you can sense the pride and commitment we feel here at Mikano International Limited, as we have become such a significant part in many of our customers businesses. We look forward to our promising future and continuing to grow with the success of our customers”.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

46 HOMES & PROPERTY

Controversy trails Epe demolition as victims seek alternatives Urban Development By Tunde Alao

HE demolition of 106 houses T in Odoragunsen area, Eredo in the old Epe Local Government, Lagos State last week, has continued to generate several reactions from different quarters. While some queried the rationale behind the demolition exercise, others wondered why would the government wait for so long, allowing the land to be occupied and developed before embarking on demolition. Specifcally, barely a week after the demolition of houses in Ijora area few weeks ago and demolition of a church, Pure Fire Miracle Church, along EpeLekki Expressway, also last week, the latest, Odoragunsen was described by stakeholders in housing sector as “one demolition too many”. Still, some officials leaned heavily on the side of the law, professional bodies, human rights organisations, who believed that law was made for man and not the other way round, believed that “humanity must be considered above any policy. Advancing the reasons for the latest demolition, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, noted that the exercise was not in any way intended to punish anybody, but rather, to ensure that government meets its statutory obligations to the people. Reacting to the Odoragunsen site, Ayinde noted that the site

had been earmarked for Motor Vehicle Assembly Plant for long and that residents cannot claim ignorance of the plan. However, the Commissioner challenged any of the affected house owners to produce approved plan if they have any. Although, The Guardian’s investigation confirmed that 70 per cent of them have no approved plan, while those who have are said to be victims of professional fraudsters who produced what official described as “fake document”. Besides, Ayinde hinted that government is trailing the syndicates behind the issuance of fake document, adding that the ministry has put in place, a strategy that would expose official collaborators. “Apart from the fact that we are posed to unveil the syndicate(s) behind the issuance of fake documents to unsuspecting property owners, we have also in the trail of official collaborators who are creating problems by providing lee ways for the fraudsters’. The Commissioner hinted that he had meetings with the professional bodies in the building industry to intimate them with government’s plan to make approval more transparent, less cumbersome and time saving. He said the Odoragunsen victims fell to the trap of surveyors who manipulated the coordinate of the land in question to show that it was outside the acquired one. But faulting government action, National President, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB), Mr. Chuks Omeife,

while agreeing that government has the right to acquire land for public interest, noted that a more proactive measure would have remedied the anomalies on ground. Expressing similar view, the National Secretary of NIOB, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said a noticeable signs must be conspicuously made at any site under acquisition. He cited the Iyana Ipaja-Airport axis, a location that has been under acquisition, though people had encroached, government, however, made provision for ratification. “Perhaps, the thinking among our people is that if they encroached on a land, government would be compel to grant ratification. But this is not true in some instances. While we may blame government for taking drastic action against illegal development, we should not loose the sight of the fact that many of us are either lawless, or absolutely ignorant of this fact. So, I would advice that government should be proactive not to allow illegal development to take place, rather than allow it and embark on demolition exercise”, Awobodu said. Bemoaning their fate, a representative of the affected property owners seek government’s assistance in securing for them alternative land. “Though, this is painful and many of us acted in good faith. We want government to consider us by providing alternative dwelling place for us. Majority of us are retirees and we invested all our benefits on these houses. Where are we going to start again? We

Completed five bedroom bungalows at the Dexdee golf resort

Dexdee’s Benin golf resort underway Projects ORK is revving to comW pletion at the Dexdee Golf Resort located Ekae, Benin City, the Edo State capital. It is located in a tranquil and natural environment barely 20 minutes from Ring Road within the city centre. The project was started some years ago and its being developed by

Messrs Dexdee Fountains, a member of Dexdee Group. The Chief Executive officer, Desmond Odiase says work has reached 80 per cent completion generally and that the facility would be delivered in December 2013 hopefully for the Yuletide season. According to Odiase, an engineer, the resort has been designed as “one stop-

center for ‘entertainment and leisure,” the resort includes a nine-hole golf course, five detached guest houses with 30 rooms, an orchard, a bicycle range, a proposed wellness centre and two swimming pools with a water park, five- captivating musical fountains, 2400 square metres of event centre (indoor and outdoor) training halls a library.

RICS to create international standards Professional Practice HE Royal Institution of T Chartered Surveyors will host a conference next week on minimising risk and maximising value in volatile markets. The conference next Tuesday at the annual MIPIM 2013 conference in Canes, France, will examine how international standards in valuation, property measurement and ethics could support international financial reporting standards in achieving greater global

financial stability. The keynote address will be given by Jan Engström, a board member of the IFRS Foundation and a panel of leading international property sector organisation heads will debate how the sector can work together to improve transparency and accuracy, and boost investor confidence, through agreed, high-level standards. RICS believes the growth of vibrant and sustainable property markets around the world

is hindered by imperfections in the quality and transparency of information. A critical ingredient for success is the ability to compare opportunities on a like for like basis, relying on transparent, high quality data, backed by independent professional analysis. Accurate financial reports rely on accurate asset valuations, which in turn require uniform property measurement principles to be observed.

Home, office exhibition opens Wednesday Exhibition th

HE 11 edition of the Home T and Office exhibition is billed to open this Wednesday, at the Lagos Country Club, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos, organisers of the event, Messrs. PR Distinction and NTA properties Investment Limited have said. According to them, this year’s edition will showcase latest designs in home furniture, home appliances, interior decorations, house finishing materials, security gadgets, cleaning and safety equipment from various exhibitors. About 3,000 visitors are expected to attend the show. Managing Director, PR Distinction, Mrs. Alero Edu, at a press briefing announcing the event last week, said the exhibition is targeted at government agencies & functionaries, procurement managers, (executives), high net worth individuals, estate developers, interior decorators, private & public organizations, the general public. Some of the exhibitors are Blooms, Vava Furniture, Ferminiaro Ltd, Keep It Clean, Smartec, Sandtex Portlant Paints and Products Plc.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

HOMES&PROPERTY

Intercontinental Homes rebrands, targets N10b capital base Mortgage Finance By Tosin Fodek MIDST plans to grow its capA ital base to N10 billion, Intercontinental Homes Savings and Loans Plc. has announced the change of its name to City Trust Mortgage Bank Plc. The approval for the name change which is still subject to the approval of regulatory authorities was given by the bank’s board at its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos last week and is meant to reflect the new ownership of the bank. Chairman of the bank, Mr. Etigwe Uwa while speaking at the AGM, explained that the merger of Intercontinental Bank Plc. and Access Bank Plc., Intercontinental Homes was as a result of the on-going banking reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which mandated all commercial banks to divest from all noncore banking activities. Uwa who suggested that CBN’s reforms seek to develop a secondary mortgage market for securitising of mortgage assets said: “It became pertinent for Access Bank to divest its holdings in Intercontinental Homes Savings and Loans Plc as a result of the on-going banking reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which mandated all commercial banks to divest from all non-core banking activities”

Intercontinental Homes Savings and Loans Plc. has been given approval by the bank’s shareholders to change the bank’s name to City Trust Mortgage Bank Plc. proposed by the board, or any other name subject to the approval of regulatory authorities. He added that for the current reform by the CBN to be impactful, housing finance processes must seek to meet the housing and housing finance needs. “The on-going reforms of the CBN which are aimed at strategically repositioning and strengthening the PMIs for effective delivery of houses should also provide incentives foe asset collaterisation through mortgage origination to make finance readily available for home ownership “In order to grow the sector therefore, there is the critical need to significantly grow the contribution of the entire mortgage and housing finance sector to the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is currently put at 0.38 per cent compared to other countries such as South Africa and Malaysia with an average of 40 per cent” Uwa stated. It would be recalled that new owners had acquired Intercontinental Homes from Access Bank which inherited it, sequel to the bank’s acquisi-

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Intercontinental Homes, Adeniyi Akinlusi (left); Mr Udoma Okoro and Chairman, Etigwe Uwa, during PHOTO:OSENI YUSUF Intercontinental Homes Savings and Loans’ Annual General Meeting in Lagos... recently tion of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc. which hitherto owned the mortgage bank. Access Bank Plc. had divested its interest in the mortgage bank in obeisance to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s recent directive that banks quit non-core banking businesses. Following Access Bank’s divestment from Intercontinental Homes, the

four directors representing the bank on the mortgage institution’s board had resigned and a new board was constituted last January 28. The new board has Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN) as Chairman and Mr. Adeniyi A. Akinlusi as Managing Director. Other members of the board include Mr. Uduma Okoro Kalu, Mr. Tamuno Atekebo, Mrs Abimbola Osuchukwu, Mr.

Gideon Omosehin, and Engr., Emmanuel Alabi. Three new directors, Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Mr. Uduma Okoro Kalu and Mr. Tamuno Atekebo were also elected at the AGM Reacting to shareholders’ observation that the bank declared no dividends for two consecutive years, the Managing Director, Mr. Niyi Akinlusi said the entire mort-

gage industry had been in transition since the past two years, owing to new rules being issued by regulatory agencies. “The future of our bank is bright. We are the second most capitalized mortgage banks in the country. What we have been doing in the last three years is to re-strategize in line with the new guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria”, he stated.

NIQS, ICPC to tackle corruption in construction industry Professional Practice HE President of the Nigerian T Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) , Agele

President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Agele Alufohai (middle); and other members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) during a visit to ICPC in Abuja...recently

Alufohaihas urged its membership and other professionals to make interventions in politics and governance that promote the drastic reduction of corruption in the country. He made the call in a speech on the visit of the National Executive Council and members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors to the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, in Abuja. The visit was the first collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to curb corruption in the country and boost economic growth According to the President in

his speech themed: “A Preventative Approach to Combating Corruption: The Quantity Surveyors Dual Mandate”, surveyors must lead the way in providing solutions to curbing corruption in Nigeria and it is the job of Quantity Surveyors to ensure that no construction pricing crime takes place, or at least minimize corruption to insignificant proportions. Alufohai, who defined development as “getting the right people to spend government funds to provide goods and services at the right cost in a timely manner, said quantity surveyors should be involved more in infrastructure construction given Nigeria’s huge infrastructure gap and the critical importance of assuring value-for-money while procuring infrastructure either through direct Government financing or Public Private

Partnerships. “The immediate challenge of course is to ensure that more and more of the existing Quantity Surveyors are engaged in all infrastructure projects so that corrupt practices and the incidence of project delays and abandonment are drastically reduced,” he said. He urged government, especially anti-corruption agencies such as the ICPC, civil society groups and professional associations to come together to explore how institutions, laws and even policies can be designed so that they are fortified against corruption, he stated that the civil society must not wait to see corruption committed, they must engage in studying how processes and procedures in the public and private sectors aid corruption and demand changes wherever required.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

The Environment Govt gets forestry lab, steps up environmental advocacy campaign The Environment FFORTS by Federal authorE ities to enhance inter-sectoral cooperation and contributions of forestry to the socio-economic development have been boasted with the commissioning of the Forestry Geographic Information System (FGIS)/Remote Sensing laboratory at the Department of Forestry in Abuja. The facility houses webbased National Forestry Information System (NFIS), which is a platform where relevant information from the forestry sub-sector in Nigeria can be accessed freely through online networking. The Department has successfully used the techniques to produce the first comprehensive Land Use and Vegetation (LUV) maps for the country under the Nigeria Radar Project (NIRAD), which provided the necessary baseline information that guided not only forestry management practices in the country, but other land-based development sectors. The LUV Map production, which was repeated in 1997 by the Forest Department provided the change matrix for land use and vegetation for a period of 21 years. The land use statistics submitted by Nigeria to International Agencies within the period were alos based on these maps. Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia who commended the Ecological Fund office for providing the resources for setting up the FGIS/Remote Sensing Laboratory, and also applauded Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) for collaborating with the Ministry in setting up NFIS. According to her, Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-

Industrial pollution...one of the major environmental challenges in Nigeria

The new lab provides much needed information on vegetation and land use changes essential to monitoring of climate change, while GIS Information produced would help to provide remedial measures to forestall or reduce adverse effects of environmental problems in the country based system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage and present all types of geographical data, while remote sensing is the acquisition of Information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object, adding that both technologies have revolutionized forest resources assessment worldwide. She urged the staff of the Forestry Department to ensure the facility is put to good use as well as protect

and maintain it. The Minister also planted a tree to commemorate the occasion. The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Taye Haruna who was represented by Dr. Bukar Hassan, Director, Drought and Desertification Amelioration, highlighted that the laboratory will enable the Department of Forestry to obtain up to date information and data on Nigeria’s forest resources for the purpose of planning and sustainable management; enable the Ministry to meet

the regular forest resource information about Nigeria needed by international Agencies; and provides much needed information on vegetation and land use changes essential to monitoring of climate change and the GIS Information produced would help to provide remedial measures to forestall or reduce adverse effects of environmental problems in Nigeria among others. Haruna also advised staff of the department trained in the use of the GIS/Remote

Sensing and data management not to relent on their oars but should strive to broaden their knowledge and skills in the use of the modern techniques for national development. Meanwhile, in a move to be proactive and keep the nation on top of environmental challenges, the ministry has stepped up environmental education and advocacy campaign across the country. The campaign is being planned ahead of the predicted heavy rainfall and floods in 2013. The ministry plans to kick-start and sustaining a mass movement, which harnesses and transforms the nation’s environmental threats into positive assets and development

opportunities for job and wealth creation. Addressing the management staff of the ministry in Abuja last week, Mailafia warned against complacency and directed that the tempo of activities relating to erosion, flood, environmental sanitation and awareness creation be stepped up to avert another round of flood related disasters in the country. In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Lawrence Ojabo, she urged that resolutions of various stakeholders meetings, as well as the recommendations of various committees set up after the 2012 floods should be implemented without further delay.

Sahel, West Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative receives World Bank award The Environment HE World Bank has T awarded a team from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Bank the “Green Team Award” for work on the Sahel and West Africa Program in Support of the Great Green Wall Initiative. The programme is part of the comprehensive effort to address land degradation and desertification across an environmentally fragile belt of sub-Saharan A f r i c a . Launched and supported by various Heads of State, and with support from the African Union for its implementation, the idea of a program involving the World Bank and the GEF took shape little by little. The idea of the programme was sim-

World Bank has recognized its partnership with GEF in continent-spanning programme, addressing land degradation and climate change adaptation in Sahel and West Africa. The main objective is to expand sustainable land and water management in targeted landscapes and in climate-vulnerable areas ple but groundbreaking: how to shape World Bank investments in agriculture and rural development across the region to help countries and communities address their desertification and land degradation issues, and how to match GEF resources to scale up global environment benefits. Most of these principles were included in a Ministerial Declaration signed in Bonn in 2011, at the headquarters of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. In

May, 2011, the GEF Council approved a $108 million program financed by the GEF, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the Special Climate Change Fund (for more details on this topic refer to this GEF/World Bank publication). This program was supported by 12 countries and submitted by the World Bank as a GEF Agency. It is interesting to note that beyond the nine Sahelian countries originally committed to the Great Green Wall Initiative, three countries from West Africa asked

to join the program to take advantage of the integrated approach to tackling simultaneously land degradation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity, forests, and climate change mitigation. The main objective of the programme is to expand sustainable land and water management in targeted landscapes and in climatevulnerable areas in West African and Sahelian countries. Under this program, very concrete and operational projects are now developed to reduce land erosion, improve soil fertili-

ty, increase crop yield, improve fodder availability, diversify income, strengthen resilience to climate change, increase biodiversity, and much more. Five projects so far have been endorsed by the GEF CEO and four are pending. A regional project, BRICKS (for Building Resilience through I n n o v a t i o n , Communication and Knowledge Services) is also under discussion with the main partners in the region to add coherence in the program, share knowledge and provide monitoring support. The award, presented on recently in a ceremony at World Bank headquarters, recognizes the GEF-World Bank team for its contribution to developing an inte-

grated approach for 12 African countries to address land degradation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity, forests, and climate change mitigation. “I am really pleased that World Bank and GEF teams work together in partnership on such a transformative and challenging program” said Dr. Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the G E F . The program, formally known as the Sahel and West Africa Program in Support of the Great Green Wall Initiative (SAWAP/GGWI) reflects key aspects of transformational change that Dr. Ishii envisions for the GEF. The program has been based on addressing the following

CONTINUED ON PAGE 49

THE ENVIRONMENT

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

IEA investiture holds in Abuja The Environment HE Institute of T Environmental Accountants (IEA) will on

The African Elephant..a wildlife under severe threat from poachers

New report warns of uncertain future for African elephants Conservation OPULATIONS of elephants in Africa continue to be under severe threat as the illegal trade in ivory grows - with double the numbers of elephants killed and triple the amounts of ivory seized, over the last decade. According to a new report entitled “Elephants in the Dust – The African Elephant Crisis”, increasing poaching levels, as well as loss of habitat are threatening the survival of African elephant populations in Central Africa as well as previously secure populations in West, Southern and Eastern Africa. The report - released in Bangkok, at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CITES convention - combines information from sources including the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) African Elephant Specialist Group, MIKE and the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS), managed by TRAFFIC on behalf of CITES.

The report says that poaching is spreading primarily as a result of weak governance and rising demand for illegal ivory in the rapidly growing economies of Asia, particularly China, which is the world’s largest destination markets. Produced by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) - says that systematic monitoring of large-scale seizures of ivory destined for Asia is indicative of the involvement of criminal networks, which are increasingly active and entrenched in the trafficking of ivory between Africa and Asia. At sites monitored through the CITES-led Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme alone, which hold approximately 40 per cent of the total elephant population in Africa, an estimated 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in 2011. Initial data from 2012 shows that the situation did not improve.

However, overall figures may be much higher. These threats compound the most important longterm threat to the species’ survival – increasing loss of habitat as a result of rapid human population growth and large-scale land conversion for agriculture, which provides for international markets. UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner said, “CITES must re-engage on illegal wildlife crime with a renewed sense of purpose, commitment, creativity, cooperation and energy involving range states and transit countries to consuming nations of products such as ivory. “The surge in the killing of elephants in Africa and the illegal taking of other listed species globally threatens not only wildlife populations but the livelihoods of millions

who depend on tourism for a living and the lives of those wardens and wildlife staff who are attempting to stem the illegal tide,” he added. Secretary-General of CITES John Scanlon said, “This report provides clear evidence that adequate human and financial resources, the sharing of know-how, raising public awareness in consumer countries, and strong law enforcement must all be in place if we are to curb the disturbing rise in poaching and illegal trade.” The report recommends critical actions, including improved law-enforcement across the entire illegal ivory supply chain and strengthened national legislative frameworks. Training of enforcement officers in the use of tracking, intelligence networks and innovative techniques, such as forensic analysis, is urgently needed.

UN family endorsesfresh plan for global disaster risk reduction Disaster EPRESENTATIVES of UN R agencies, funds and programmes completed an action plan that will accelerate the integration of disaster risk reduction into all UN country level operations in response to the rising levels of disruption to millions of lives each year from disasters. The United Nations Plan of Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience commits to bringing multiple partners together to support the further implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, the international framework agreement on disaster risk reduction, adopted by all UN member States in 2005. The UN Plan prepared by a senior management team, was presented to the UN’s 29-member High Level Committee on Programmes by UNISDR Chief, Margareta Wahlström. It notes that developing countries can

suffer a 2per cent to 15per cent of GDP annual loss due to disasters. Cross-UN agency support for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction will provide a major boost to UNISDR’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders on the content of a new global framework on disaster risk reduction to follow on from the existing Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in 2015. It is also an indication that the UN is introducing more accountability around risk management; agencies will track their progress on a regular basis. Wahlström who is also the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster risk Reduction said: “In any given year over 200 million people could lose their lives or their homes or their jobs because of a disaster event. Extreme weather events are on the rise and so are economic losses, which can severely

Ban ki Moon impact public finances and be a major setback for growth in low and middle-income countries. “The UN system already plays a vital role in disaster response and preparedness. However, we have collectively identified that we can do more to treat

disaster risk reduction as a cross-cutting issue for all our agencies, funds and programmes. Risk is changing and becoming more dynamic as a result of rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change and industrial expansion.

Wednesday confer the Institute’s “Environment Man of The Year 2012 Awards” on three distinguished Nigerians. The event is billed for the Abuja Sheraton Hotel will bestow the Man of The Year 2012 Awards on the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Usman Dakingari and his Ondo State counterpart, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, while Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam will be decorated with the Environment Champion of the Year 2012. The institute, according to its Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr. Olusegun Lawal, will also confer the Institute’s Distinguished Fellowship Platinum awards on the trio of Chairman NDDC, Dr. Tarilah Tebepah; former Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Bayelsa State, Preye Ogiriki and the Chairman, Rainbow Cards Limited, one of the leading Eco printing outfits in Nigeria, Dr. Azeez Anthony Bamidele. A statement by the Registrar/Chief Executive said Professor Oladapo Afolabi, a renowned Professor of Environmental Chemistry and former Head of Service of the Federation, will be the guest speaker.

Chairman, Advisory board of the institute, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji claim that “the selection process by our Search and Selection Committee in selecting these notable Nigerians, among millions of eligible names who have contributed in no small measures through their proactive steps for our common future for the award, was a daunting task based on merit and in recognition of their immeasurable contributions to the development and sustenance of the envir o n m e n t ” . Lawal said: “The award, which is coming at no other auspicious time than now, will go a long way to in instilling environmental consciousness in the people, in our collective aspiration and responsibility to ensure environmentalfriendly society and at this time of climate change with its attendant consequences on the people. As a specialised accounting institution for the good purpose of promoting professionalism in environmental quality, Lawal said the Institute is poised to develop new and improved theory and best practices that will enhance more ecologically sound and sustainable environmental decisions and performance of government and organisations towards improving the nation’s sustainability of resources and wealth.

Sahel, West Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative receives World Bank award CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48 imperatives: The need to integrate the environment, and natural capital in particular, across the development agenda. The GEF helps strengthen natural assets and enhance resilience to climate change in the context of baseline investments in rural development and agriculture; Secondly, the need to involve all key-actors, from local communities to governments, including civil society organizations. In every country a multi-stakeholder dialogue has taken place to ensure country ownership and to align the program with the challenges faced on the ground, and lastly, the need to deploy scaled-up and tangible investments based on existing experience and best practice. The whole program is based on $108 million in GEF grant resources leveraging a co-financing of $1.8 billion dollars. For instance, in Chad, the GEF and LDCF resources are coming on the top of two significant baseline projects on agricultural development (US$25 million) and local development ($77.25 million). In Niger, the project is developed on the strengths and weaknesses of previous operations in the country in the areas of decentralization, local governance, community development, and sustainable management of natural resources.

The recent ceremony provided an opportunity to recall the genesis of this unique GEF-World Bank partnership, and to give an update on progress. The Great Green Wall Initiative is a pan-African proposal to battle desertification. It aims at tackling poverty and land degradation in the Sahel-Saharan region, from Dakar on the Atlantic Ocean to Djibouti, on the Indian Ocean, going through ten countries in between. The point was to not duplicate the various ongoing efforts developed through the GGWI, but to provide an additional support to deliver concrete outcomes and outputs on the ground. Another principle was also clear, namely, the obligation to develop projects that respond to local needs and situations, being sure that the World Bank is able to work with local communities on transformational changes on the ground to improve the productivity of land, improve incomes, protect and sustainably manage forests and wetlands, and help communities adapt to climate change and variability. “Many success stories and approaches should be inspirational, as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration in Niger or Mali, or the GEF3/WB Integrated Ecosystems Management Project in Burkina Faso” said Paola Agostini, GEF Regional Coordinator for Africa at the World Bank”.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Weekly Lead Equity Ratings

COMPANY’S RESULT

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STOCKWATCH 51

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

52 STOCKWATCH

How to fire-proof a portfolio INTRODUCTION FEW lucky people here and there have managed to leverage being fired from a job into a positive life-changing event. For most, though, it's a traumatic, stressful and potentially financially devastating shock. Although your investment portfolio cannot prevent you from getting fired or find you a new job, there are steps that the unexpectedly jobless can take to minimize the damage to their long-term financial future. EVALUATE THE SITUATION HONESTLY Before tackling the portfolio ramifications of losing a job, it's important to take an honest look at the situation. Why were you fired? Was it a "no fault" situation like a large layoff or post-merger restructuring, or was it for cause? Along similar lines, what is the job market like in your region or your industry, and are you able (and willing) to move to take a new job? What this all comes down to is a simple question â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what are the chances that you'll get another job soon, and one that it is relatively similar in pay and benefits? Another aspect of your situation to evaluate is your cost structure. What are your truly essential costs? If you don't already have a budget, and one that makes it relatively easy to categorize discretionary and non-discretionary expenses, now is a very good time to start. STEP ONE - In Case of Emergency The best way to "fire-proof" your portfolio is to never have the need to dip into it at all. It is wise for those workers to establish an emergency fund to cover sudden expenses like an illness, a replacement car or job loss. Ideally, then, you will already have six months of expenses in a high-yield savings account. While not everyone may be able to put this much away (and some stretches of unemployment may last more than six months), a sudden job loss is just the sort of emergency that this savings item is intended to help cover. STEP TWO - Cut and Rearrange Cutting out unnecessary spending should be the first step to take, whether you have an emergency savings account or not. Going draconian from day one (no cable, no dining out, no nothing) may actually be counter-productive and deepen the depression that often goes with a job loss, but it is nevertheless important to cut expenses to a minimal level. The next step is to rearrange your portfolio to reflect your new reality. If you don't have six months' worth of expenses tucked away in a safe place, finding that money needs to be the first step. It makes sense to target your most overvalued positions first, but you must also be aware of tax consequences - selling a big winner late in the year could leave you with a larger tax bill than you expected and make your short-term cash flow problems even worse. Assuming that you can identify six months' worth of sales candidates (ideally overvalued, but with relatively low capital gains), sell them and move the proceeds to either an online savings account or a moneymarket fund. The most important considerations with these funds are that they remain safe; you cannot afford to lose this money. STEP THREE - Rearrange Some More After the expenses for six months have been covered, it is time to think about additional changes to the portfolio. In particular, you need to think about your portfolio in terms of your short-, intermediate- and long-term needs. Ideally you will not need to go beyond the first six months (the short-term), but in an ideal world you wouldn't have to go through any of this in the first place! Your short-term portfolio is the aforementioned six months of living expenses. There's not much room for argument or debate - this money needs to be in safe, accessible assets (like a savings account). You won't earn much of anything on this money, but that's the price of liquidity. Resist the urge to go with options like short-term bond funds; while they tend to be quite safe over the long haul, they can drop enough over one or two quarters to shave off a month's living expenses. The intermediate portfolio is the one you really hope not to need. This is a portfolio that will cover another six to 12 months of expenses, should you run through the first portfolio and still not have a job. Since you may be selling these holdings relatively soon (six months), holding individual stocks could be risky. It makes more sense, then, to shift this money into quality stock and bond funds (individual stocks are risky, but equity funds are a little less so). Think highquality here, and beware of funds that have shown significantly worse declines than the market in prior periods. Last is the long-term portfolio. Hopefully you will not need to change or alter this portfolio at all; this is your regular long-term portfolio that you have been building in order to retire better, buy a house, pay for the kids' tuition or what have you. The large majority of this portfolio should be held in equities, whether it's individual stocks, exchange-traded funds or mutual funds. While I would not recommend radical changes to the long-term portfolio, it does make sense to incrementally reduce your risk - this is not the time to be taking big risks on some speculative biotech or tech stock. If you find a job within the six months, then you can use the

leftover short-term and intermediate portfolios to top off the emergency savings and then get back to your regular investing approach. If the bad times stretch out a bit, every six months or so you can reevaluate your holdings, moving funds from intermediate to short-term and long-term to intermediate as necessary. THINGS TO AVOID AS LONG AS POSSIBLE Along with "what to do," there are a few "what not to do's" to keep in mind. First, avoid unnecessary risk like the plague this is all the money you have for now, so do not lose it. By the same token, do not become so afraid of risk that you abandon your long-term investment goals because of a short-term problem. Second, stay away from the credit cards. If you can pay your balance in full at the end of every month, that's fine, but do not cover your expenses by carrying a balance. Granted, carrying a balance is preferable to starving, but credit card debt is a classic way of turning a small, containable problem into a decade-swallowing financial oubliette. Last and not least, stay away from the retirement savings as long as you can. If you tap into advantaged or shielded accounts like IRAs or 401(k)'s, you will not only have a tax bill to pay, but a penalty on top of it. Paying these costs is arguably incrementally better than diving into credit card debt purgatory, but this should only be considered as a last resort. CONCLUSIONS Losing a job is usually a pretty terrible thing, but if you approach it in a calm and realistic manner you can use your portfolio to smooth over the worst of it and keep yourself on a reasonable financial footing in the interim. Be sure to be careful about risk and be prudent about expenses, but don't allow worries about your financial present keep you from actively looking for the next job and better securing your financial future.

A STRATEGY FOR OPTIMAL STOCK AND BOND ALLOCATION

INTRODUCTION NE of the most difficult elements of investing is to know when to get in and out of specific markets. However, a buy and hold strategy has never been optimal, and even less so in recent years. Thus, two key questions have to be answered: How can one avoid a major downturn and improve performance? And how can one ensure that, to the greatest possible extent, one is optimally invested in the best asset classes? One way of doing this is to restrict oneself to stocks and bonds and use a proven and effective strategy known as the "best of two." HOW THE STRATEGY WORKS The basic idea is to use past trends to determine a sound investment balance for the future. However, this does not mean trying to predict the future from the past. Indeed, it is just the opposite. The allocation to stocks and bonds works according to fixed mathematical rules and criteria without "active management" in the usual sense. There is no stock picking, with the stocks and bonds being held in the form of index investments such as exchanged-traded funds. Given the dangers of stock picking and of trying to predict the markets, this is a sound basis for a strategy. At the start of each calendar year, there is a 50/50 allocation which is reviewed monthly and adjusted as necessary.

The aim is to systematically overweight the better performing asset class and vice versa. If the stocks are performing badly, they will be underweighted and bonds overweighted. Of particular importance is the fact that within a given year, the allocation to one of the classes can rise to 100% or fall to zero. The portfolio is always fully invested, such that the stock and bond proportions total 100% at any point in time. MORE ON THE MECHANICS Option price theory is used to calculate how to allocate the funds to the two asset classes. Because no suitable and standardized options are available and OTC ones have some serious disadvantages, a replication is used. This enables an investment in the two asset classes in the right proportions. Monte Carlo simulations have also indicated that a monthly adjustment is sufficient. The full details are too complex to be explained here. WHO SHOULD GO FOR THE BEST OF TWO? The strategy is ideal for people who like the idea of relying on a fixed formula, says Dr. Ulrich Stephan, the chief investment strategist of the Deutsche Bank in Germany. Naturally, the strategy won't perform as well as a pure equity investment in a bull market, but in a bear market, there is a fair amount of protection. Furthermore, the strategy generally works better over time than a rigid equity-bond allocation. Also, it is straightforward in that it just has stocks and bonds, both of which work in terms of indexes. So it is appealing for those who like simplicity. From a time perspective, at least five years is recommended, so that the strategy can maximize its potential over various market phases. THE RISKS The strategy is certainly not risk-free, particularly if both asset classes do badly at the same time. However, there is nothing to stop investors from having other investments too (above and beyond the best of two), such as real estate or infrastructure. Additionally, the best of two can be global; it does not have to focus only on the United States or Germany, for instance. THE RESULTS Hubert Dichtl and Christian Schlenger, from the German consulting company Alpha Portfolio Advisors, evaluated the performance of the strategy over a 30-year period and found that it beat the equity markets over time and considerably reduced volatility. Furthermore, the performance beats a constant 50/50 allocation between stocks and bonds. It is thus a better bet than mixed funds working with such fixed proportions. The best of two clearly enables a sustainable participation in positive stock market developments, and provides good protection against major declines and crashes. It should be noted that the strategy has more of a total return than an absolute return character through the blend of stocks and bonds with an index basis. CONCLUSIONS The best of two method facilitates a retrospective switching between two asset classes, namely stocks and bonds. The application of derivatives in the form of exchange option enables one to avoid poorly performing markets and to be there for the good times. It does not achieve this with complete perfection or in all situations, but it does a fine job over time. Who could ask for more than that?

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

BusinessInterview How to create 3.5 million jobs through NEDEP, by Aganga The Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, spoke with journalists during a stakeholders’ forum to kick-off the National Enterprise Development Programme. Business Editor, ADE OGIDAN was there. Excerpts: OW will you situate the MSMEs’ sub-sector within the context of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda? If we are going to develop our economy and turn our quantity advantage into productive advantage, one of the most important sectors that we have to focus on is the MSME sector. Even developed economies rely heavily on MSMEs for job creation, wealth generation and inclusive economic growth. But what has stopped us in the past from developing this very important sector? Despite the little support the MSME sector has received over the years, it has played a big role in our economy. Currently, the sector contributes about 75 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and employs more than 45 per cent of our people. Based on the survey that we conducted in 2010, there are about 17.28 million MSMEs in the country, employing more than 32 million people. However, if you look at the mix of the Aganga 17.28 MSMEs, about 96 per cent of them are actually micros. If you go deeper, you will discover that only four to six per cent of their There is no doubt that we have quantity advantage as a country due to our funding is from organised lenders. This large population, but it is very important to stress than an average Nigerian means that most MSMEs lack access to affordable finance. Also, most of them don’t have is naturally an entrepreneur. the skills required to run their businesses. So, the state of federal government level. it is a big opportunity that we have missed for businesses and at the same time providing Therefore, there is the need for a structure many years, and that is what the National them with funds. If we are able to reach the top 25 and each around MSME development to ensure that Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) MSME creates one job, that is about three mil- there is proper coordination at the state and wants to address. lion jobs created within two years. In addition federal levels so that we can have adequate How is NEDEP different from other MSME data to develop the sector. development initiatives that were introduced to that, we are looking at One Local And the best way to achieve that is by setting Government One Product, based on the areas by the government in the past? up an SME Council comprising the states, fedwhere we have competitive and comparative The National Enterprise Development eral government and the private sector. This is Programme is an initiative spearheaded by advantage. We are looking at these across the what other countries have done to have a the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment value chain to make sure that even when they structured approach to the development of and its three parastatals - the Bank of Industry, produce their products, they will be able to MSMEs. Small and Medium Enterprises Development sell them within the same state. This will proThe third thing we need to do is to make sure Agency of Nigeria and the Industrial Training duce a number of enterprises, which we will that we inculcate the culture of enterprise Fund. This is the first time ever that these support as well. And where we have skills gap, development right from schools. This entails three parastatals under my ministry are com- we will form them into cooperatives and Self having enterprise training in various educaing together to develop and implement a pro- Regulating Organisations (SROs), so that each tional institutions’ curricula such as secondgramme that will revolutionise the growth of one of them will, in their trade, have a yellow ary and tertiary institutions. This type of initiathe MSME sector in Nigeria. This is quite differ- book so that if for instance, you are looking for tive will ensure that before students graduate ent from when different Parastatals saddled an qualified electrician, you can pick up the from school, if they are entrepreneurially with the responsibilities of seeing to the yellow book to find out all the electricians that minded, they already have a rough idea of the development of MSMEs had no collaboration are qualified and registered within your loca- type of business they want to set up and how that could have a significant impact on the tion. they will access funds. Already, we are working Nigerian economy. The development of One of the major problems militating against with the National Universities Commission to industrial and economic growth in Nigeria is NEDEP was guided by similar enterprise develmake sure that we have Enterprise Societies opment models in Asia, Africa and the One the inconsistency of government policies, and Clubs in our Universities. Local Government One Product (OLOP) pilot which many Nigerians refer to as ‘policy somThere is no doubt that we have quantity projects in Kano and Niger states. Our objec- ersault’, how will you ensure the continuity of advantage as a country due to our large popuNEDEP? tive is that within the next two years of implelation, but it is very important to stress than menting NEDEP, the programme will gener- The first thing is to have a robust MSME policy, an average Nigerian is naturally an entrepreate 3.5 million jobs and an estimated five mil- which we have worked on in the past four to neur. What we need is the right policy strucfive months. This policy will soon go the lion direct and indirect jobs. Federal Executive Council for approval. This ture and support to grow and develop the MSME sector. That is why the three major You said that the target of NEDEP was to create will ensure that we have a strong policy for the agencies under my ministry - responsible for about 3.5 million jobs within the next two MSME sector. Secondly, in Nigeria today, you MSMEs development, finance and industrial will discover that almost every Ministry, years. How do you intend to achieve this? skills development - have come together to Yes, our goal is to create about 3.5 million Department and Agency of government is drive NEDEP. While SMEDAN will provide busiengaged in the MSME programme at a small direct jobs and five million indirect jobs ness training and support, ITF will provide the through NEDEP. It may sound like a big num- level. Even the international development skills required for specific or specialized busiber but it can be done easily. We intend to agencies and institutions in Nigeria are cur- nesses and BOI will provide the funding. achieve this through a combination of strate- rently engaged in one form of MSME pro- Have they started working on the initiative gies. The first strategy is to look at the data- gramme or the other. Most of these pro- already? base of MSMEs, which says that we have 17.28 grammes are not well coordinated, either at million MSMEs in Nigeria. Out of this number, about 94 per cent of them have no access to The first strategy is to look at the database of MSMEs, which says that we have funds and they are surviving. Most of their funds come from personal savings and contri- 17.28 million MSMEs in Nigeria. Out of this number, about 94 per cent of them butions from families and friends. What we have no access to funds and they are surviving. Most of their funds come from intend to do is to take 25 per cent of those that have scalable products and businesses that personal savings and contributions from families and friends. we can support by helping them to build their

The interesting thing about NEDEP is that each of these agencies has already done some work in most of these areas. For example, SMEDAN has done One Local Government One Product initiative working with the Japanese, based on the similar programme that the Japanese have. They have done this programme with three sub-sectors in pilot states such as Niger and Kano. In the same vein, BOI already has partnership with about 17 state governments in the area of financing MSMEs. Also, ITF has training and skills acquisition centres in most parts of the country. They have concluded plans to establish 37 Industrial Skills Training Centres, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, with six Centres of Advanced Skills Training for Employment for skills broadening and upgrading in addition to SectorSpecific Skills Training Centres to cater for the skills need of manufacturing, Agric-Agro allied, construction and other critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. In each of the 46 centres, training will be offered in 25 trade areas. Each of the 25 trade areas will enrol 25 trainees in line with international best practice for effective hands-on learning. So, as you can see, we already have the structures in place. What is required is for them to work together under NEDEP in order to make the desired huge impact. No matter how laudable NADEP is, it cannot achieve the desired result without collaboration with the state and local governments. How do you intend to secure their support and buy-in? Already, we have the support of 17 state governments that have been working with BOI, ITF and SMEDAN, in the area of MSMEs development, skills training and acquisition, as well as business services development. With NEDEP, we will have the National Steering Committee, State Government Steering Committee and the Local Government Steering Committee. In all these, we will involve the state and local governments, the private sector, development banks and agencies and private individuals. Most of them are already excited about NEDEP and have indicated their interest and willingness to work with us. That is why, even with the short notice of this meeting, we still have almost all the commissioners here. We will ensure that anyone and everyone that has any contribution to make is part of NEDEP.

BUSINESS INTERVIEW 55

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Acceptability, marketing critical to local software growth in Nigeria, says Balasubramanian Kumar Balasubramanian is the Senior Director, Software Alliances for Intel Global, a leading chip and software company. He and his team recently met with software developers at the Co-Creation Hub in Lagos. He spoke with ADEYEMI ADEPETUN on the sidelines of the event. Excerpts Intel is globally known known for chip making, why the sudden interest in software development, especially in Nigeria? RULLy, what most people know Intel for is the microchip. But we are a lot more than that and that’s why you would see us in so many places because what we do is to try and enable the eco-system. We are more like eco-system enablers trying to see how we can grow the entire industry and not just looking at one aspect of it. you also asked what we are doing in the area of software development? Software services and content are also very fundamental part of what is needed today. you can buy the device, the laptop, smart phone anywhere, but I think more than ever, the usage experience is becoming a critical part of what makes people want to own to own these devices. This is putting a stamp of Intel and in what we’ve always been doing and trying to now, more than ever support the local eco-system, in terms of software development content, local content that’s designed to really create a better user content whether you are looking at education, lifestyle, entertainment or any other area. So these are things that we do. It’s interesting that Intel itself, is one of the largest software companies in the world. But people will associate us more with hardware which is the laptop chip, but we are also a very large software company and this is what we do in most of the geographies where we have presence. So we are here also because this environment is growing. Africa most especially as we know is growing and there is a lot of amazing talent in Nigeria and we are getting in at the nitty gritty level, trying to help those who are getting off their feet in terms of content and software development. In Intel’s global strategy, how do you assess the Nigerian market? To understand that, you need to first of all see what Intel has done for the last seven years. If you get to the Intel website, you will find that there is a very openly stated vision and in a very sharp way, you can read the words on the website. Our vision is to the technology industry to deliver computing solutions that will actually positively impact humans. So it’s not that we are just introducing technology, what’s the purpose of introducing technologies? It’s to help improve the lives of humans. And this is the belief on which our vision is formed. If you understand that, the very next thing that you would ask is that ‘if you want to be able to positively impact the lives of every person on earth, then it is very simple. The population of a country is in direct proportion to how much impact we can have. We are not a company, which just go by continents saying one is more important than the other, we look specifically more at individual countries. Every country has its culture and every country has its system with which it operates and how lives are lived in those countries. Even within the country, different regions have different sets of challenges for

Balasubramanian the human life but the idea of this having a country-based focus tells you that given the population of Nigeria, it is clearly high up there in terms of the mission and the vision that we have. I think we are moving away from consuming technology. If you look at what people are doing at this co-creation hub in Lagos, they are actually creating. So the country is moving away from just consuming to actually creating. So I think the country itself is evolving and have started to create things themselves and in this process as it creates, it is also creating technology. Technology is becoming more local to the country. So we always try and support, as Intel, we always want to support the local technology, we want to support the local innovation, we want to support the eco-system and make it grow because at the end of the day, that is what will change the nation rather than just consuming, we are moving the nation to the level of actually producing as well. Developing local software developers is really essential for us because the piece of hardware in front of you does not do anything for you. What is needed is local and relevant content. And this can only be developed in the country itself. Somebody in Germany does not understand in reality the culture of Nigeria or the way Nigeria thinks We have seen in the last few days here, the creativity, ideas that people, especially the young ones have. They are really phenomenal and that’s the reason why we are saying, we need to engage these people, we need to provide them with what will help them develop their products so it becomes as easy as possible for these people to develop products again that meet the need of the local people. What exactly has Intel come to offer Nigeria’s software developers? Intel is providing the tools, the mech-

anisms, providing the experience of what we’ve done in other places. The local content is owned by the local people, we are sort of investing in them and in the system. We are more like adding value to the eco-system. If you look at what we’ve done in education for example, we’ve run education in this country for like eight years. We have provided teacher training, we have provided laptops and all that. I don’t think it was at any point on the basis of what was in it for Intel. it’s more like activities we engage in to help the eco-system grow and expand the market. Can this be considered as CSR for Intel? Or is Intel coming purely as an investor in the Nigerian software development sector? There are some aspects of what we do that are CSR and that is under our Corporate Affairs education programs. There are certain things that of course, being a profit oriented business we do, there are also certain things that are not profit oriented. But in this case we want to feel the market and looking at the young people who are already developing things in this industry and seeing how we can help them to grow. And for me that is the first level of impact. We have to get to a certain level before you can start thinking of profit. So this is the first level. Intel is one of the best known brands for investing in CSR. First of all, Intel is one of those companies that believe in working with the industry as an eco-system. From an eco-system of OEM hardware vendors, and software players, then you think of the activities of Intel, for example, the academic programs, Intel has more than 80,000 universities as part of its academic programs. We go to these universities to try and see how we can help these young and upcoming hardware or software developers, how do we get them to

What is needed is local and relevant content. And this can only be developed in the country itself. Somebody in Germany does not understand in reality the culture of Nigeria or the way Nigeria thinks We have seen in the last few days here, the creativity, ideas that people, especially the young ones have.

become much more educated and aware of all the emerging technologies and we also believe that these people have creative minds so what are they really coming up with as innovation that we can really incubate and nurture and help them grow. Their growth indirectly will help Intel we are not disputing that fact. So even though we are a global company, we operate with very serious commitments that are about the localized content. We seriously believe that when you think about innovation, it has to be at the local level if we are to go by our mission because these people are at the heartbeat of that kind of innovation, the local innovation. How we go about helping the local players develop their local content is really at the centre of impacting the society globally. So these are all part of those things. Intel has one of the best Science competitions. We understand that Intel, in terms of revenue profile, is one of the largest semi-conductors and microchip producers. How does this translate to bottom-line for Intel? I think the market is transforming in an amazing way, in the last few years if you notice, there has been an amazing innovations and it’s not just Nigeria it cuts across the board. The important thing that you will see that has happened with the developers here is that today is a very experience-driven market. Developers take the user-experience very seriously. Look at for instance all the social media we have and the dynamic feedback mechanisms, so if you want to buy a book on amazon, you can go and check it out and find the recommendation from others before you decide to purchase or not, it’s all part of the user experience that drive the market. So when you correlate with what we are doing with the local developers, we are translating to see that one of the best kinds of user experiences are being given on Intel environments. What happens when the best kind of experiences are actually happening on Intel environment in a market where the experience of the user is what is driving the market, we get

to them, therefore, the bottom line gets to them. What is the structure of Intel’s software business globally in general and in Nigeria in particular? Globally, if you look at the number of software developers you have in Intel, we are the 6th largest software company in the world. That’s how heavy the investment in the software industry with Intel is. More than ever before in the past few years, we have become increasingly more aggressive in how we work. The spirit is the same in that if you want to deliver user experiences, it’s about compelling user solutions and that can only happen when hardware and software work together. And so the more that happens, the easier it is for us to deliver cuttingedge user experience. Given that user experience is the metrix by which we work. It means that hardware and software would need to work very nicely in harmony. So then it comes down to what we do with the software guys. Like you asked, ‘what exactly do we do with software guys?’ we work at different layers of the software community. People know that we are one of the top three contributors to many open source communities like the android computer and so on. We are one of the top three technological contributors to these communities. So the idea is this: we want the software innovation to happen faster and keep pace with the hard ware innovation. Then the other thing is that as you think about all these software aspects, we look at the software developers, trying to go through the innovation process and what barriers or challenges they have and what can be done to lower the baggage for example, do they have all the tools they need to introduce new solutions or new hardware. But they have an idea how fast they develop the prototype, rapid deployment of software solutions and the tools we can give them so they become much more efficient. If you look at the last few years, we have become very active in creating fundamental building blocks of software capabilities that the software developers can use to build smarter solutions. Here are some few examples, location-based components. So if you have some EPI’s that the developer can use so that the developer can focus on what he will do if he had the location awareness rather than thinking of how to get the location awareness. We have been creating these building blocks for hardware manufacturers for many years. We provide the chips and chipsets and all that and they produce the laptop. It is very similar in the software context. So we think of the building blocks that can be provided for these people so they can focus on their own ideas and solutions. The building blocks can be tools, the building blocks can be modules that they need for tomorrow’s solutions, another example is security modules. Is Intel in partnership with any institutions in the country as an expansion strategy? On the local level, we are engaged across board with these associations. Even in government circles we try to provide some advice and solutions to them. This process that we are doing now could be taken as one of the starting points because we know that reach and expansion is also an issue but that’s why we have the local team. We are also going outside Lagos and seeing how we can reach others too. Intel is not a far company that no one can reach. Intel is a Nigerian company with international standard. We have so many Nigerians in our workforce. This just shows the level of commitment we have towards this market.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

BondWatch DLM BOND WATCH: MARCH 11, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, June 6, 2011 63

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Friday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 8/3/2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

66 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 8/3/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

Investors stake N20.9bn on FGN bonds in five days By Helen Oji

HE Over-The –Counter (OTC) market for FGN bonds, last week, recorded a turnover of 1.928 billion shares worth N20.990 billion in 28,832 deals in contrast to a total of 2.280 billion shares valued at N24.633 billion, exchanged in 28,170 deals in the preceding week. Specifically, 2,536 units of FGN bonds valued at N3.096 million traded during the week in 26 deals in contrast to 1,887 units valued at N2.314 million traded in 20 deals in the preceding week. Also, 1,000 units of Lagos State Fixed Rate Redeemable Bond

• UBA, Zenith, GTB enhance financial sector’s stock profile valued at N1, 000,000 was traded in one deal. There were no transactions in the Corporate Bonds/Debentures sector. On the activity chart, the financial services sector accounted for 1.510 billion shares valued at N13.532 billion traded in 17,688 deals. The Banking subsector was the most active during the week in volume terms with 1.074 billion shares worth N11.229 billion exchanged in 11,333 deals. Volume in the Banking sub-

sector was largely driven by activity in the shares of United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank, as trading in the shares of the three banks accounted for 464.928 million shares, which represent 43.28per cent, 30.79per cent and 24.12per cent of the turnover recorded by the subsector, sector and total equity turnover for the week, respectively. The Conglomerates sub-sector was boosted by activity in the shares of TransNational Corporation with a turnover

of 121.134 million shares valued at N299.812 billion traded in 1,210 deals. 846 units of NewGold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) valued at N2.035 million was traded in seven deals last week, compared with a total of 2,681 units valued at N6.562 transacted in eight deals in the preceding week. The NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 334.09 points or 1.0per cent to close on Friday at 32,849.11 while the market capitalization depreciated from N10.618 trillion to

N10.512 trillion. Also, the Bloomberg NSE 30 Index depreciated by 12.80 points or 0.81per cent to close at 1,572.76. Three of the sectoral indices appreciated during the week compared to two during the preceding week. The Bloomberg NSE Banking Index appreciated by 2.58 points or 0.63per cent to close at 414.67. The Bloomberg NSE Insurance appreciated by 4.56 points or 3.07per cent to close at 152.86. Also, the Bloomberg NSE Oil/Gas appreciated by 3.81 points or 1.99per cent to close at 194.94.

However, The Bloomberg NSE Consumer Goods Index depreciated by 14.64 points or 1.5per cent to close at 954.49 while the NSE Lotus II depreciated by 54.61 points or 2.5percent to close at 2,090.74. A review of the equity price movements indicated that 36 equities gained while 44 equities recorded price declines and one hundred and 117 equities remained constant. When compared with the preceding week, 38 equities gained while 46 equities recorded price declines and one hundred and 113 equities remained constant.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Opinion The noise culture in Nigeria By Enembe and Okokon T starts very early in the morning with a blare Ipiercing from a preacher’s microphone at 4.00 a.m.; an ear hellish sound of a car horn announcing its early morning departure – it does not end until the wee hours of the following morning when ‘clubbers’ exhaust their daily penchant for loud music, dancing, drinking and shouting. Noise, it would seem, follows you everywhere you go, generated indiscriminately and almost on the lunatic fringe. As society changes, noise has been increasing. Noise has consequences. Noise pollution is not just a recent nuisance. History provides documentary accounts of how past societies had to contend with and ameliorate the noise problem. Clattering carriage wheels on paved street stones were a major problem in ancient Rome, consequently, these were banned from city streets at night. Centuries later, some cities in mediaeval Europe either banned horses and horsedrawn carriages outrightly from the streets at night, or covered the streets with straw to create a noise muffling effect, thus enabling tranquil sleep for city residents. A similar effort to guarantee at work was effected in 19th Century Philadelphia where earth was used to cover cobblestone streets. Thus, the noise problem has always been unsavoury through time, and collective ‘natural’ human tolerance is unlikely to accommodate extended interludes of noise, in any era, without both short-term and long-term deleterious outcomes. As the guarantee of a peaceful home and work environment is assailed, an unnatural clime is created that is asynchronous with optimal existence and productive capacity. The word noise has its root in the Latin nauseas, meaning sea sickness. This denotes sensations of annoyance, disgust, discomfort or unease. Thus noise has been defined as unwanted or unnecessary sound. Environmental noise refers to unwanted sounds that occur in our daily settings except that which is generated in the workplace. Ubiquitous, tolerable or even preferable sound may become noise if stretched beyond threshold metrics and agreeable context. Noise is unpleasant, distracting, pervasive and intrusive. Noise pollution is a form of air pollution. Sound exceeding the range of 80 to 85 decibels (dB) constitutes noise by the World Health Organisation frame of reference. The noise threshold for pain is usually given as 140 dB for adults and 120 dB for children. Trends have shown that noise increases with time, particularly in urban areas. The extent, frequency, and severity of noise have been considerably augmented by population growth, urbanization and expansion by increasingly powerful, varied and highly mobile sources of noise. Urbanisation intensifies noise by: increased migration of job seeking country folks to urban centres so as to benefit from expanding industries; the growing volume of vehicular traffic on urban streets; increased activity in residential construction and infrastructural enhancement to cater for new city inhabitants and the complex needs of an evolving society. Noise emanates from a myriad of sources as already stated. The commonest source of noise pollution is transportation (vehicular traffic of all sorts). Screeching brakes, grinding gears and blaring horns intensify the volume of noise originating from land traffic. Sounds from overhead flying aircraft perturb environmental equilibrium. In Nige-

ria, noise from road traffic contributes the most to noise pollution. Curious behavioural patterns have emerged over the years among automobile drivers that greatly foster noise. Horns are blared when an impatient driver wants to prompt the car vehicle immediately ahead to increase speed or better yet, make way; when one car is overtaking another; the same applies when drivers say hello to each other and to pedestrians on the motorway, when car drivers approach junctions and corners; and sometimes horns are blared just to draw attention, or announce the drivers arrival. Neighbours wake each other at unholy hours as they blare on their horns, on arriving home, for their gates to be opened. Other sources include industrial noise, from factory machinery and processes; commercial noise, from trading activities and locally targeted advertisement ‘models’; electrically generated and electronic noise, from loudspeakers, audio systems, transistor radios, ringing cell phones etc; domestic or household noise, from kitchen utensils, air-conditioners, washing machines, children playing, noisy toys, electricity generators, loud neighbours; biological noise, from humans, barking dogs, meowing cats, insects; social noise, from gatherings, stage meetings and concerts, night clubs, parties, sporting events; projected acoustic disturbance (e.g. sirens, LRADs); construction noise. Although motor vehicles are the dominant source of noise pollution in Nigeria, mercantile endeavours, religious gatherings, partying people, street troupes and social events challenge the daily limits of tolerable sound. Noise generated in places of religious worship deserves separate mention in the Nigerian clime. Many of these worship centres place speakers strategically for audio projection of their sacramental routine. Churches and mosques are culpable in doing this. Starting in the wee hours of the morning, the atmosphere is pierced by prayers, chantings, drumming and the like. Sometimes these activities go on for hours thickening the air with excruciating acoustics. Noise in Nigeria is pervasive. Noise pollution has extensive implications for human health and well being, and potent consequences on the environment. Hearing impairment has been defined as an increase in the threshold of hearing as clinically assessed by audiometry. Hearing impairment is more common with occupational noise and recreational noise. Aside from frank hearing loss, distortions may be created such as abnormal perception of loudness (loudness recruitment), wrong interpretation of sound (paracusis), and perceived ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Many of us in Nigeria are probably hearing impaired without realising so. Impairment of Spoken Communication: noise pollution could interfere with comprehension of normal speech. This could engender personality disorders, social handicaps, and behavioural changes such as depressed confidence, irritability, decreased work capacity, disrupted interpersonal relationships, and stress reactions including violence. Disturbances, which is another consequence of noise causes mood changes, chronic annoyance, decreased performance, and psychosocial sequelae.

Disturbances of the heart and circulatory system: noise may be a risk factor for diseases of the heart and circulatory system. This is by virtue of hormonal and autonomic nervous changes occasioned by noise. Sufficient noise exposure increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood fat levels, serum electrolyte profile and levels of hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These systemic responses predispose to hypertension, stroke and heart disease. There are a myriad of mental disturbances occasioned by noise. Noise pollution may contribute to health states such as anxiety, stress, headaches, emotional instability, neurosis, psychosis, argumentativeness, and sexual impotence among others. Noise pollution impairs task performance and increases the margin of error. Motivation at work, problem solving skills and memory are compromised by noise. These setbacks ultimately affect productivity and competitiveness. Negative social behaviour and annoyance reactions are engendered by noise. Noise can stimulate aversion, agitation and distress. These effects are increased if noise is accompanied by vibration or low frequency components. Other negative reactions include anger. Disappointment, depression, helplessness, withdrawal, distraction and exhaustion. Noise can have detrimental effects on ecological balance. Noise affects the stability of habitats, reducing usable habitat available for sustenance of many endangered species. Animals depend a lot on sound, within optimal range, for perpetuation of a balanced prey/predator detection and avoidance dynamics. Animals also depend on sound for spatial navigation as well as propagating communication necessary for reproduction. Ecological distortions of this nature threaten the behaviour and more so the very survival of many animal species. Sound generation and transmission patterns necessary for interaction of animals have been greatly altered in environments replete with anthropogenic noise. Over exposure to noise could lead to deafness among animals, which consequently decrease their chances to survive within the natural habitat. In July, 2007, the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) was established by an Act of the National Assembly. The act specifies among other functions and powers of the Agency that she shall: “enforce through compliance monitoring, the environmental regulations and standards on noise, air, land, seas, oceans and other water bodies other than in the oil and gas sector”. By this term of reference, the Agency bears responsibility for noise abatement, regulation, and imposition of statutory liabilities on individuals and bodies seen to have violated extant legal standards on noise. Enshrined within the Act are specific provisions for noise control, which charge the Agency thus: “(1) The Agency shall, on the commencement of this Act, in consultation with appropriate authorities: • Identify major noise sources, noise criteria and noise control technology; and make regulations on noise, emission, control, abatement, as may be necessary to preserve and maintain public health and welfare. (2) The Agency shall enforce compliance with existing regulations and recommend programmes to control noise originating from industrial, com-

mercial, domestic, sports, recreational, transportation or other similar activities. (3) A person who violates the Regulations made pursuant to sub-section (1) of this section commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding N50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment and an additional fine of N5,000 for every day the offence subsist. (4) Where an offence under subsection (3) of this section is committed by a body corporate, it shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding N500,000 and an additional fine of N10,000 for every day the offence subsists.” It would be fair to assume that majority of Nigerians are largely unaware of existing laws, which seek to limit noise generation and propagation. Consequently, most people resign themselves to gruelling endurance of this public nuisance with a dense feeling of helplessness. It would be fair estimation to state that agency responsibility with particular regard to educating the public on availability of immediate legal instruments for their protection from noise, and their prerogative to seek redress if their tranquillity is assailed has failed. Mass education of the public on the dangers associated with intractable noise exposure, carried out on sustained basis would be a good take-off point for Agency intervention on noise. Beyond this, every Nigerian has a personal responsibility to limit native propensity for noise generation, as well as demand from neighbours and associates massively tempered sonance in the environment. Support from academic institutions would also give weight to existing effort to stem noise. A proper charting and documentation of noise levels Nigerians experience daily should be taken, and this should be compared with both national regulatory limits as well as limits in regions with optimal environmental indices. Risk assessment of actual health effects of noise on the population should be conducted. Research findings from these exercises will serve not only as strong advocacy tools, but would also give impetus to Agency enforcement of required sound levels suitable for wellbeing of the Nigerian people. In addition, appropriate technologies and methods for carrying out otherwise noisy but pertinent processes should be researched and their local adaptability explored, so as to ensure that activities that drive competitive societies are preserved in relatively tolerable ambience. For instance, insistence on soundproof power generating sets, as is done in some housing estates, is most commendable and worthy of emulation. Thus, bells, remote activated from within cars, could be used to rouse gatemen rather than blaring of horns; sign screens could replace incomprehensible noise from loudspeakers at airports announcing flight traffic. Additionally, clubbers could frolick in soundproof halls, Vehicle drivers could adhere to simple traffic rules and learn patience rather than blare away incessantly. Above all, our society could be oriented from nursery schools to university levels, that we don’t need to raise a rabble to be acknowledged. We certainly can communicate at low decibels. A noiseless environment is a worthy aspiration for any forwardlooking society. • Dr. Okokon is of the Department of Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, while Professor. Ekanem contributed from the Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar.

Why women are central to U.S. foreign policy By John Kerry URING my first week as the United States’ Secretary of State, I D had the honour of meeting with a group of courageous women from Burma. Two were former political prisoners, and although they had all endured incredible hardship in their lives, each of them was committed to moving forward – providing education and training to girls, finding jobs for the unemployed and advocating for greater participation in civil society. I have no doubt that they will continue to be powerful agents of change, bringing progress to their communities and their country in the years to come. It is opportunities like this that remind us why it is so vital that the United States continues to work with governments, organisations and individuals around the world to protect and advance the rights of women and girls. After all, just like in our own country, the world’s most pressing economic, social and political problems simply cannot be solved without the full participation of women. According to the World Economic Forum, countries where men and women are closer to enjoying equal rights are far more economically competitive than those where the gender gap has left women and girls with limited or no access to medical care, education, elected office, and the marketplace. Similarly, the UN Food

and Agriculture Organisation estimates that if women farmers had the same access to seeds, fertilizer, and technology as men do, they could reduce the number of undernourished people in the world by 100 million to 150 million. Yet in too many societies and too many homes, women and girls are still undervalued, denied opportunities to go to school, and forced to marry as children. Too many lives have been lost or altered forever by gender-based violence. As the father of two daughters, I cannot imagine the pain suffered by the parents of the young woman known as “Nirbhaya,” the 23-year old medical student murdered on a New Delhi bus simply for being a woman, or the anguish felt by the parents of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl shot by extremists as she too rode on a bus, simply for wanting to go to school. But I am inspired by Malala’s undaunted commitment to her cause, by Nirbhaya’s determination, while dying, to bring her assailants to justice, and by their fathers’ courage in speaking out on behalf of their daughters and women everywhere. No country can get ahead if it leaves half of its people behind. This is why the United States believes gender equality is critical to our shared goals of prosperity, stability, and peace, and why investing in women and girls worldwide is critical to advancing U.S. foreign policy. We invest in the training and mentoring of women entrepre-

neurs so they can not only lift up their own families, but also help their countries’ economies grow. We invest in girls’ education so that they can escape forced early marriage, break the cycle of poverty, and develop into community leaders and engaged citizens. Increasing girls’ and women’s education and their access to resources also improves the health and education of the next generation. We work with partners around the world to boost maternal health, strengthen female farmers, and prevent and address gender-based violence because all societies benefit when women are healthy, safe, and can contribute their labour, leadership and creativity to the global economy. U.S. diplomats everywhere work to integrate women fully into peace negotiations and security efforts because bringing women’s experiences, concerns and insights to the table can help prevent future conflict and build more lasting peace. Today (Friday, 8th March 2013), International Women’s Day, is a day of celebration. It is also a day when each of us must recommit to ending the inequality that prevents progress in every corner of the globe. We can and we must commit to this so that each of our daughters can ride the bus to school without fear, all of our sisters can fulfil their tremendous potential, and every woman and girl can live up to her full potential. • Kerry is U.S. Secretary of State.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Opinion ABSU and revocation of Kalu’s certificate By Jonas Ozoubi HE recent revocation of the degree certificate of the former Abia State governor, Chief Orji T Uzor Kalu by the authorities of Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State was not the first of its kind in the country and will not be the last, considering the way and manner degree certificates are being procured or awarded by universities across the country especially to influence peddlers in the society. Before now, various universities across the country had, after many years of graduation, revoked the degree certificates of some people whom they discovered that the award of such degrees contravened the laid down procedures for admission and graduation from the universities. The university authority just like other academic institutions has the right to revoke certificate they had awarded to people, whenever they discovered that they were wrongly awarded. Nothing stops the authorities from taking such action, not even the number of years such certificates have been awarded. So, there is no sentiment in the issuance and revocation of a certificate awarded by any institution because every academic institution has well-laid laws, procedures, rules and regulations guiding admission, academic, non-academic curriculum and graduation from the institution, which is being handed over to applicants upon admission into the institution. That is why, recently, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) after four years cancelled the certificates of about 200 persons who sat for their examination at Ogudu Senior Grammar School Ogudu GRA, Ojota-Lagos after discovering that there were irregularities in the award of the certificates. Some of the affected persons are in their final year in the universities and heavens did not fall. What matters most is that the onus lies on the affected persons to prove the authority wrong by providing substantial evidence before the court that the certificates were not wrongly awarded to them. Many had fought

such battles in the past. While some lost it, others with incontrovertible evidence to substantiate their cases won them. As for the case of Kalu and Abia State University authority, the ball is in Kalu’s court to prove the authority wrong by providing substantial evidence before the court to show that he was properly admitted and graduated from the university while in office as governor of the state and visitor to the university. Doing otherwise will amount to playing to the gallery and grandstanding, an action that will not help him at all because his integrity is at stake now. Trying to link the revocation to political victimization by the state government is puerile argument because the university authority is made up of renowned professors and academics who are not politicians and who know the implications of revoking the university degree wrongly after many years of awarding it or even politicizing the award and revocation of the university certificate. That position should hold unless Kalu wants the world to believe that he arm-twisted the university authority to award him the degree certificate while in office as the governor of the state and visitor to the university even when it was obvious he did not merit such. Kalu should come out clean with the transcript issued to him by the authority of University of Maiduguri, which he used for inter-university transfer to the Abia State University and even the O’ level certificate he used to secure admission into the University of Maiduguri in the first place. So many things are at stake in this situation that needed to be cleared by Kalu if he wants Nigerians to believe him that he is being victimized by the university authority. The university authority in the various advertorials had made their positions clear in justifying their action in accordance with the law that established and is guiding the university academic programme, so the onus is now on Kalu to prove otherwise. University degree is not a common product that could be easily purchased. It takes time, resources, discipline and hard work for one to ac-

quire it. If not, why should former Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Salisu Buhari be accused of forging University of Toronto degree certificate all in a bid to enhance his political status. This was even when he did not need such certificate constitutionally to be in House of Representatives in the first place. Kalu’s case with ABSU is another test case, which Nigerians will be interested to know how it ends. It would be recalled that in 2002 when the news broke that Kalu was writing degree examination in Abia State University, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, the then editor of ThisDay Newspaper, now the Editorial Board Chairman wrote an article on the back page of the newspaper titled “Eze Goes To School” where he raised a lot of questions on the possibility, genuineness or otherwise of Kalu being a student of ABSU, writing degree examination and at the same time serving as the governor of the state and visitor to the university. Adeniyi in his article had asked some pertinent questions such as when was Kalu admitted into the university, why Kalu’s choice of the state university and what time did Kalu have as a governor to attend lectures, even on part-time basis, if it is assumed that he was admitted as a part-time student. Not many Nigerians took Adeniyi’s fears then very serious, rather he was attacked by Kalu’s media aides. From the way the saga is unfolding today, it appears that Adeniyi and other Nigerians who saw the development from his perspectives might be vindicated at the end of the day, unless something otherwise happens, which is Kalu proving the institution wrong. Accusing the state government of inciting the university authority to revoke his certificate is nothing but shadow chasing, which is not good for Kalu and his future political career. This is because the situation goes beyond Kalu’s political differences with anybody. It is purely an academic matter that should be sorted out academically and legally, not politically. Before now, prominent Nigerians who were accused of forging certificates or illegally acquir-

ing certificates in the past have taken matters to court to clear their names knowing full well the implication of such weighty allegations against them. When an allegation of forged certificate was levelled against the then governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, he went to court and cleared his name to the shame of his traducers. His Kogi counterpart, Ibrahim Idris was once accused of not having school certificate, while being admitted as a law student at University of Abuja. His lawyers took the matter to court and WAEC officials were in court to testify for him that he legally acquired a school certificate from a secondary school in Bayelsa State many years ago. Such allegation of certificate forgery was also levelled against Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State. Today, Suswam has won the case at the High Court and the Appeal Court and is battle ready to meet his accuser at the Supreme Court. So, Kalu and his sympathisers should stop pointing accusing fingers at anybody or group as being responsible for his present certificate saga, rather they should face the reality by doing everything legally possible to clear his name from the mess if he is sure of the validity and genuineness of his admission and graduation from the university. Any other thing contrary is bunkum, not even Barrister Nzelu’s recent claim that he wanted to go to court for Kalu but was discouraged by a professor from the university who said it was not necessary. But Nzelu did not state the professor’s reasons of objecting the idea. How will Nzelu expect Nigerians to fall for such gimmicks? Or is it that Kalu has no evidence to upturn his revoked degree certificate in court? So, if Kalu is not sure of himself and do not have enough evidence to challenge the decision in court, he and his allies should keep quiet and accept the decision in good faith. Whichever way the saga ends will go a long way to make or mar Kalu and the university’s integrity, image and future. But for now all eyes are on Kalu to respond to the university’s decision by taking urgent action to redeem his battered image. • Dr. Ozoubi, a university lecturer wrote from Bwari Abuja.

Living wellbeing and infertility (1) By Adebayo Babatunde N the developed world of Western Europe and America, the Iconcern question of a child or children in a marriage is not really of great to the couples concerned in marital relationship. The relations and even the society may not be bothered. The co-existence and mutual understanding that border on peaceful companionship are the crucial and critical elements that matter here; hence the reproductive status of the couple is not a “do or die” affair. The emerging world of China presents a funny scenario, for it is even quite okay, pleasantly all well and good for the State, if the couple would choose not to have children at all. And should they decide to take advantage of their reproductive status, the husband and wife should and must not have more than one child. This is indeed, a critical part of the demographic control mechanism adopted by that expansive People’s Republic to manage her explosive population, hovering around two billion mark. But in Africa, with particular reference to Nigeria, infertility is pain, if the technical definition of United Nations (UN) for polio is to be borrowed here, for if a couple should go into marriage, and a child or children are not forthcoming within a couple of years, hell would definitely be let loose. And in most of the cases, the woman is always to be blamed, harassed and harangued. And pathetically too, not only by the husband, but the in-laws as well. And quite unbelievably, for, even the society is implicated in the trenchant assault of branding the hapless woman the odious ‘male dog’ that cannot reproduce. With this as the precarious realistic experience of many couples, there is the need to assist such spouses and save their marital union by all decent means possible, and earnestly set them on a path of re-productivity. Generally, amongst medical practitioners and the ancillary paramedical stakeholders, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse and the inability to carry a pregnancy into its full term. If man must be helped out of the awkward predicament of infertility, he must first take to heart, the age-long admonition “Heaven helps those who help themselves”. For it is a strong sentiment amongst the experts in the healthcare industry that if man would pay close attention to the health of his sperm, he can optimise his chances of becoming a father. This popular opinion also reinforces the fact that diet and lifestyle contribute 90 per cent to issues relating to the health of man. This is speaking to the health status of man as being determined by the eating habits. In other words, eating well and living well, with nutrition and lifestyle as a composite guide and guard in order to attain sound health is sine qua non for a reproductive life that borders on fecundity.

There must always be ways of navigating over food intake challenges, if only one would take to moderation, just like Napoleon Bonaparte who was given to a life of disciplined control over his eating and drinking. He had said on his nutritional status. “However little one may eat, one always over eats” “Eat Less and Live Longer” is the subject of a recent research by the scientists at the Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College, London. Moderation, according to Dr. Matthew Peper would not only boost the health of man but also increase his years by almost 20 years. In other words, go for the basic food that would do you good nutritionally and do away with junk food. As far as the principle of a life of good and sound health is concerned, this is indeed nothing but the open sesame! At this juncture, it is appropriate to examine generally the factors that used to be responsible for infertility in both sexes. And these are diet, age, stress, health condition, occupational hazards, environment, drug abuse, obesity, hormonal imbalance, infections, toxins, poor quality of sperm, poor quality of female ova, erectile dysfunction, impotence and genetic disorder. And if infertility must be comprehensively addressed, there is the need to take a closer look at the classification of food through which these factors are to be adequately managed. And these food classes are carbohydrate, protein, fat and oil, vitamins, fibres, essential minerals and food supplements. Water is quite essential too as food intake is never complete without water as a necessity. If a family must be reproductive, iron as a mineral element plays a significant role, as it is crucial and critical to the biochemical production of hemoglobin. Couples are therefore, advised to consume iron-rich food such as dark-green vegetables e.g pumpkin leaves (ugu). Beans also is good when eaten in the form of soya bean; same goes for dried and cooked beans. It should be noted that apart from haemoglobin helping to transport oxygen through the network of the body cells, iron also helps in protecting the body from infection. Although when eaten, red meat (beef) is rich in iron, it is not good for the health of the body, for physiologically it is implicated in premature ageing. Spouses in marital union are supposed to live a fulfilling energetic life, boasting some measure of strength. Whole grains are ideal for their menu due to the high level of nutrition, simply because they are rich sources of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fibre. And one advantage is that whole grains have lesser impact on blood sugar level when compared to refined grains. And quite beneficial too is the fact that they promote longer-lasting energy and fullness of strength. For a reproductive life, muscles and body tissues are supposed to be regularly repaired and built up, if only for the reason of rejuvenation. This is in consideration of the dietary sources of protein such as fish, soya and poultry products. While noting that

poultry products should be consumed in moderation for the reason of arteriosclerosis, the fact needs to be emphasized that the tuna (fish) is a great source of protein and it helps in boosting the energy level in the body system. If the truth must be reinforced, infertility is a circumstance in which the couples involved need to be mentally alert due to the associated mood swings. Omega-3 fatty acids are quite appropriate here as they play essential parts in brain function, heart-health, healthy bone-formation and mood management. Wheat germ, sardine and cod are good food sources of fatty acids for producing hormones that can balance or counteract hormone depletion. Food products that provide rich amount of calcium and protein are wont to promote blood sugar balance and appetite control. In fact, low-fat milk or soya milk is quite ideal in place of carbonated soft (mineral) drinks and sugary juices. For the reason of energy and mood swings, it would be ideal to draw the attention of couples in the search of a reproductive life to the ‘magic streak’ of banana, as a member of fruit-set such as grapes, oranges and strawberries, in their fresh forms. Although all of them have the characteristic features of boosting the energy level, burning body fat, de-toxicating the body, especially in their five servings a day, but banana is in its own special class. Apart from containing natural sugar, which gives the body an almost immediate energy increase, its specific amino acid, which the body changes into Serotinin, known as Happiness Hormone is of great physiological essence. And studies have shown that such food product, if eaten, can help people in managing their mood swings. When it comes to the question of boosting energy level of the body for the reason of a reproductive life, definitely, fresh fruits and vegetables, also in fresh form must be mentioned in the same breath with fruits. And this is simply because vegetables are a good source of vitamins, which in essence is the source of energy boosting tendencies. And coming into focus here are spinach, Asparagus and cabbage. Broccoli and peppers are also rich in vitamins B and C. As earlier stated, soya beans have a high concentration of calcium, iron, fibre and several different B Vitamins. If couples must be reproductive, there is the need to be scared of white food such as white sugar, white flour, white rice, potato, white bread and chicken. Instead, they could go for whole grain vegetarian meals like brown rice, sprouted flour breads and raw sugar. They should, as much as possible, avoid meat and eat natural, earth-grown foods such as fresh low-calories vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans. • To be continued. • Babatunde is the co-ordinator of Body Building and Conservation (BBC) campaign a total health care project for rural dwellers.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

THE GUArDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Media Issue By Gbenga Salau and Tony Nwanne t is a known fact that the marketing commuIaffair, nication field in Nigeria is an all-comers with little or no regulation even though there is a regulatory body set up by government and charged with responsibility to ensure professionalism. And the argument holds true that quackery exists in any discipline where people get enlisted into the profession with no regulations. The impact is usually of lasting effect. This is partly the case in Nigeria where people who have no academic or job training requirement are charged with the responsibility of managing marketing communication portfolios. They usually have no cultural orientation on the market they are to engage with, yet they sit on top of marketing communication teams of their organisations. With an awareness of this unsavoury situation in the marketing communication landscape in the country in the last decade, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the body charged with not just ensuring professionalism but also growing the industry in Nigeria, recently set up a committee to check the trend. Known as APCON Committee on Advertising Practice reforms, with representatives from all key sectors associated with marketing communication and advertising in Nigeria, has submitted its report in Lagos. The chairman of committee Mr. Willy Nnorom, at the event maintained that the new framework put forward by his committee, which is a revised code of council proclamations, would bring about a level playing ground for Nigerian practitioners, as different methods had been adopted for the implementation of the reform. Nnorom identified key issues such as monitoring and enforcement, local content, scope of practice, entry conditions into the profession and dispute resolution as some of the major challenges in the profession, which were the issues he said the committee worked on. According to him, the council resolved to stem the growing tide of foreign influence on the cultural personality and business opportunities of advertising in Nigeria. Nnorom argued that the reform was in the best interest of all registered professionals within the advertising industry in Nigeria. He said, “The council has taken far-reaching decisions to grow local content. Among the reforms is that each firm must have specialised area of operation - advertising, media, full-service advertising, creative, interactive agency,

Olu Jacobs, Industry Merit Award winner at the just concluded African Magic Viewers Choice Awards

Ivie Okujaye, Trailblazer of the year winner at the just concluded African Magic Viewers Choice Awards

Why reform is promoting local content, by APCON advertising artistes (which include voice-over artistes and modelling agency) and other units. “On the implementation of the code of conduct, the committee will try as much as possible to achieve one hundred percent compliance and we will be able to do that because of the strategy we are putting in place for compliance. “The first step is to seek voluntary compliance, which is why we always inform practitioners to comply with our regulations and codes. And we believe that those who have contributed will have no reason than to comply. But those who decide not to comply, there are institutional

committees in place, different panels that will make them comply”. On local content, he was of the view that all practitioners - individuals or corporate organizations - shall consider Nigerian content as an important element for their overall business management, project development and execution. He disclosed that qualified Nigerian practitioners should be given first consideration in any advertising project, while the council of APCON shall be responsible for the verification of compliance. He also submitted, “APCON is committed to ensuring that as it is done in some countries,

no foreigner or foreign group would own a majority stake in any of the components of the industry, and if possible advocate the maximum equity stake that foreigner can hold. In addition, where foreign agencies want to set up, APCON should clearly spell out what percentage of their staff could be foreign, what equity Nigerians should hold and occupy”. Nnorom argued that while it was important to grow the industry in Nigeria, it was also important to evolve regulations that would promote local content as a means of promoting and protecting Nigeria’s rich culture and way of life.

Stakeholders set to restore Nigeria’s consumer rights By Gbenga Salau ONSUMErS hold the key to the C success of any organisation. But many Nigeria organisations tend to see it differently. While some merely pay lip service to that time-tested business ethic, consumers are often not treated as kings. The customer service approach of most organisations is a pointer to this. Now, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) is set to match words with action. In collaboration with Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) among other relevant agencies are set to address the violation of Nigerian consumers’ right at a colloquium and inauguration of new executives of Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) on March 15 at Eko Hotel, Lagos. It has as theme ‘Consumer right in Nigeria: The most Violated?’ Other relevant government agencies scheduled for the industry discourse include National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) through its

Oyeyemi Consumer Protection Unit (CPU). The director generals of these reputable agencies have confirmed their readiness to participate at the event, which also falls on World Consumer Day. To mark the day with the global body, which urges industry stakeholders worldwide to use the occasion to create awareness and expose the damage caused by poor or nonexistence of consumer protection around the world, BJAN confirmed

Orhii

Eugene

in a release that the DG of CPC, Mr. Emmanuel Amlai will lead the discussion as the keynote speaker while chairman of APCON, Lolu Akinwunmi; DG of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, DG of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, DG of NCC, Mr. Eugene Juwah and President of ADVAN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi are listed as discussants. According to the newly elected Chairman of BJAN, Mr. Goddie Ofose, in line with the World Consumer Day

and advocacy of Consumer International, CI, the only independent global campaigning voice for consumers with over 220 member organisations in 115 countries, BJAN is initiating the move to build a powerful Nigeria consumer movement and wake the stakeholders to help protect and empower Nigerian consumers with the role given to them, salvaging the helpless Nigerian consumers whose right was always being infringed upon

every now and then. He noted, “Whether it is faulty products causing injury, utility service providers ignoring complaints, or irresponsible lending by banks, better consumer protection is always part of the solution. While many Nigerian consumers don’t get reparation for any damage done to them by companies or oftentimes taken for granted by service providers and goods’ producers because the regulators or consumerism is weak in this part of the world, BJAN is sending a wakeup call to address the need to protect the right of Nigerian consumers whose right seem to be the most violated across the globe”. While many consumers fell for fraudulent promotions last year which called for a ban by NCC, Ofose said the colloquium will ensure stakeholders come to terms with the best ways to protect Nigerian consumers as well as propping the regulators up to dealing with consumer-related issues as they concern goods and service providers. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Chapter Chairman said it would inaugurate the new executive of the association in accordance with the code of the body.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

NTA as investment ambassador for Nigeria By Emmanuel Onwubiko O most Nigerians and other global citizens T interested on Nigeria’s affairs, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), which started operations in 1977 is governmentowned public broadcaster, with a mandate to inform, educate and entertain the populace and the global audience. But it seems very little is known about the enormous corporate social responsibility roles NTA plays for the country. Deeply entrenched in the core mandate for which NTA was set up is the creation of the much desired awareness to the investing public and prospective entrepreneurs around the globe on the friendly investment climate that exists in Nigeria. NTA, over the years, has deliberately extended her services to all corners of the world with the sole aim of marketing the investment potentials of Nigeria. In 2010, NTA), under the management of Alhaji Usman Magawata, entered a bilateral agreement with Suncast communications, a United States-based communication operator to commence the operation of five television channels in the U.S. Abiodun Oluwarotimi, a United States-based Nigerian journalist reported on October 24, 2010 that this landmark initiative of NTA took place in Washington D.c. The brief story goes thus, “The NTA in conjunction with Suncast communications has begun its operation in the United States with five television channels launched in Washington D.c. as part of its efforts to complete its expansion programme both within and outside Nigeria”. The five channels launched in include NTA News 24; NTA 2 lagos, NTA Sports; NTA entertainment and NTA Knowledge channel. The channels would be managed by Suncast. The beautiful tradition of playing the role of a media ambassador for the purpose of attracting foreign Direct investments to Nigeria has remained consistently alive with the current management of the NTA headed by the acting Director General Alhaji Musa Mayaki, who has taken corporate responsibility a notch further following the well established precedents. Specifically, one of the essential cSR roles taken up by NTA and competently implemented over time is the hosting of an international investment forum in the United Kingdom whereby key stakeholders from the different federating units of Nigeria were allowed the platform to market the investments potentials of their parts of the country with the national goals of attracting genuine foreign Direct investors into Nigeria to create jobs. The significance of such a global business meetings was highlighted by the former Vice President of the World Bank and the coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance of Nigeria Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Okonjo-Iweala, the Harvard and MIT-trained economist, recently published a book titled Reforming the Unreformable whereby she highlighted the need for agencies of government to key into the transformation and reform agenda of the Federal Government to create jobs and also to improve the investment climate. She had argued lucidly thus; “The need to create jobs is the most important problem confronting the Nigerian economy now and for years to come, especially for the increasing number of youths entering the job market”. HE second gain of the recently held second T NTA business/investment forum in the United Kingdom is that the national broadcasting service made radical and far- reaching efforts to attract good investors who in turn will create jobs for Nigerian youth. Aptly titled “exposing Nigeria’s rich investment potentials to the World”, the forum, which took place in central london at the cavendish conference centre, saw presentations from government officials, representatives of ministers of information, trade and commerce and the Acting Director General of NTA Alhaji Musa Mayaki among other distinguished Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom. Several potential foreign investors attended the event. At the 2nd NTA Business investment forum and exhibition, Kwara, Zamfara and Niger state governments, along with privatelyowned businesses reportedly made presentations on the “Rich Investment Potential” of their states. While speaking on behalf of Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, his special Assistant on Investment, Policy and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Ogunsola, reportedly asked investors to be part of the state’s

Maku, Minister of Information

Mayaki Infrastructure Development Fund, which in his considered assessment, was a long term investment that would be used to develop roads, power and other infrastructural needs of the state and consequently result in job creation for the teeming youth of the state. He told prospective investors that Kwara was open for business and that the state would readily welcome anyone who could add value to what the government was doing even as he restated the readiness of the Kwara State Government to sustain the enabling environment for prospective investors already put in place by the immediate past government which resulted in the attraction of the industrial and mechanized farmers from the White Zimbabwean population. Governors Abdul’azizi Yari (Zamfara) and his Niger State counterpart, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, also asked investors to come to their states to be part of their developmental efforts. While describing Zamfara State as a “mining

haven,” Yari, who was represented by an aide, reportedly told would-be-investors that the state had abundant solid minerals, which were in commercial quantities. He added: “You should come and explore the work of nature and consider Zamfara State as your next tourism destination”. VIcE chairman of Business council for Africa, clive carpenter paid glowing tributes to Nigeria during a paper presentation on “Nigeria Business Ventures: challenges and Prospects”. carpenter, who has over 10 years working experience as a top banker in Nigeria, told prospective investors to “do their homework” before jumping over to do business in Nigeria but he also was quick to add that Nigeria is a good destination for foreign investments. He advised investors not to be frightened or let the insecurity in some parts of the North put them off, adding, “Do your homework and if one state is challenging, it doesn’t mean the whole country is a no-go area”.

Mayaki, who competently the sessions, asked prospective investors to take advantage of the “current drive” by the Federal Government to come and invest in Nigeria, noting, “Doing business in Nigeria is safe due to the enabling environment provided by the government. So, invest your capital in the various sectors of the economy and you will be glad you did just like the South African telecommunication giant, MTN is”. FDI is an engine of growth as it provides the much needed capital for investment, increases competition in the host country industries and aides local firms to become more productive by adopting more efficient technologies or by investing in human capital. Foreign direct investments contribute to growth in a substantial manner because it is more stable than other forms of capital flows. * Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head, Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria blogs @www.huriwa.blogspot.com

Interface of social media, citizen journalism By Gbenga Salau OcIAl media has changed the face of traditional media. In its wake is the advent of citizen journalism where just about anybody can trigger news event from anywhere and bring the world to a standstill. Now, traditional media is trying to keep pace, with breaking news and ensuring that its readership or viewers are abreast of the news all the time by incorporating social media into their platforms. One major way traditional media has opened up its platform is to allow eyewitness report. Many traditional media now allow citizens to report events happening in their area just like many citizens use their social media tools to announce events and breaking news. While commenting on the impact of social media on journalism, cable News Network’s (cNN) correspondent, Vladimir Duthiers, said social media has invented citizen journalists who create stories and tell it the way they want. Duthiers made the observation as a member of a panel at Social Media Week that was celebrated recently in lagos, noting, “What is lacking in this is professional

touch, the editorial process that makes sure that the information uploaded is authentic. The CNN iReports for instance has a submission process which ensures that every iReport submitted goes through an editorial process for authentication before being fed to the world.” Duthiers was of the opinion that leading traditional media would continue to resort to social media or citizen journalists for news while social media will continue to increase in relevance because “negative stories effect positive change.” The potency of social media, the correspondent noted, had seen it being described as “the people’s AK47,” which underlines the need for traditional media to exercise discretion in ‘sourcing’ news from citizen journalists. “That is the import of the editorial process. Postings by independent writers must be authenticated before being deployed for public consumption”. He gave example the story of a man in Tunisia who, when he got fed-up with the situation, set himself ablaze of which the world saw the story go viral on the social media space, and consequently triggered reactions and changes

worldwide. He stated that “The huge impact of social media will continue playing out in the affairs of men. I have seen it during the fuel subsidy protests in Nigeria. I have seen it in the Arab Spring in the way that Egyptians were able to bring down a dictatorship that has been in existence for over 40 years in just a few weeks. The Arab Spring started through the social media in Tunisia when a man who has had enough decided he wasn’t going to take it anymore and set himself on fire and that story went viral on social media.’’ Duthiers also argued that leaders across the world could also take advantage of the potency of social media in building strong perceptions for their countries instead of making efforts to stifle it. Describing the social media as a huge driver of perception, he said, “the cat is already out of the bag and no amount of policing can stop people from posting on social media. That is the power of social media. It allows people create and tell their own stories.” He further said that Nigerians could plug into the vast opportunities provided by social media in building a strong perception and

a better image for Nigeria. On why Nigerian government must latch onto social to build a better image for the country, the correspondent pointed out that: “Nigeria is one of the most innovative, advanced countries with the use of social media as a platform to get messages out, outside of the United States of America and few countries in Asia. I say this because of what I know from statistics that we tally on social media usage.” While the potency of social media abounds for all to tap from, he, however, argued that the space should be thrown open, adding, “I believe the right of the people to be heard should not be hindered. It is a basic, fundamental human right. I firmly believe that the voice of the people should not be subdued”. The rise of social media has seen citizen journalism gain ground across the world, with leading and trusted traditional media resorting to citizen journalists for some breaking news. Duthiers was optimistic that this trend would continue because traditional and social media are moving towards a blend and would see both supporting each another.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Sports Nigeria alleges betrayal, as Maigari loses CAF seat

English Football

Chelsea battles Man United to FA Cup 2-2 draw • Liverpool pips Tottenham, Newcastle also wins HELSEA produced a heroic C second-half comeback to salvage a 2-2 draw at

• Hayatou retains position HE Nigerian delegation to Nigerian Candidate, Maigari, T the Confederation of polled 17 votes, Moucharaf African Football (CAF) Anjorin 27 and the third canOrdinary Congress in Marakech, Morocco, has accused another Nigerian, name withheld, of masterminding the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari, to win a seat on the CAF executive board. According to a member of the delegation to the congress, Paul Bassey, the Nigerian delegation to the congress stopped campaigning on Saturday night when news filtered in that their efforts were being frustrated by their compatriot. “For over four hours, up till 3 a.m on Sunday morning, tempers rose as accusations rent the air on what was considered a selfish and self seeking act against the state. “On approaching delegates for their votes, the Nigerians were told that they had counter instructions from Nigeria to the effect that the Beninoise Candidate, Anjorin Moucharaf, should be supported,” he said. Weakened by the latest discovery, yet determined to continue the bid, Bassey said the Nigerians arrived the congress venue on Sunday morning to be met with more revelations of betrayal. “This was finally manifested when the votes for West Africa Zone B were counted and the

didate, Hima Souley from Niger, 9. “Because a simple majority had not been established, Souley was eliminated while Maigari and Moucharaf went for a second ballot, which ended 35 to 19 in favour of the Beninoise,” he added. Two years ago, Nigeria also lost the opportunity of returning to the CAF executive seat left vacant by Dr. Amos Adamu due to rancour within the Nigerian camp. In other elections, President Issa Hayatou was returned unopposed for another fouryear term, the same as Mohammed Raouaoua of Algeria and Magdi Sham El Din of Sudan. In the West Zone A election, Amadou Diakite of Mali, garnered 35 votes to beat Hassan Bility of Liberia (7), and Augustin Senghor of Senegal (12), just as Adoum Djibrine of Chad beat Placide Engandzas of Gabon 39-14 to return to the Executive Committee for another term. The CAF members needed a run off to determine, who would join Suketu Patel for the Southern Zone after Patel had polled 33 votes, Danny Jordan of South Africa (23), Ahmad of Madagascar (25), Feizal Sidad of Mozambique (11) and John Muinjoh of Namibia (13).

Disu canvasses support for Keshi, wants best players in Eagles camp By Paul Oloko ATIONAL Under-20 team N former Coach, Tunde Disu has called on Nigerians to support encourage Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, as he continues rebuilding the team. He, however, advises the coach to ensure that only the best Nigerian players are invited for international competitions. Speaking at the 51st annual Inter House Athletics Competition of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos at the

weekend, Disu described Nigeria as a defending champion of African football, which is now the team to beat and so cannot go to any championship without its best players. Disu said FIFA would like to see Nigeria at the World Cup, adding, “we cannot let Nigeria and the world down.” He, however, called for addition of left-wingers in the team, arguing, “if you look at our team today, we don’t have left wingers like those days. Left wingers are very creative and intelligent.”

Chelsea’s Nigerian forward, Victor Moses (left); vies with Manchester United’s English midfielder, Tom Cleverley, during the English FA Cup quarterfinal match at Old Trafford, Manchester, northwest England yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Kano beat Lagos teams to sweep titles at Lagos Polo tourney ANO Ashbert Titans yesterK day led a near clean sweep of titles at the Lagos International Polo Tournamnet, which ended yesterday, by beating Lagos Ironclad Shorelines 12- 11 to win the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup in an exhilarating game at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi. The win completes a memorable tournament for teams in the northern state with Kano RTC beating Lagos Caverton in the Low Cup final of the event, which has MTN and GTBank as major sponsors. Toto Gerardo Collardin was the star man of the day helping Titans to hold on to its one-goal handicap advantage heading to the sixth and final

chukka. With last year’s winners and finalists, Linetrale Delaney and Fifth Chukka, already out of the competition, Shorelines scored the first open goal with Ahmadu Umar connecting Julio Novillo-Estrada’s pass, but Toto was on hand to restore his side’s lead to end the first chukka. A plus-seven handicapper, Toto again broke free from the middle of the field and set himself up with a with a 60yard pass before smashing a shot from the goal mouth to widen their lead 3-1. Albert Esiri was the next player to shine for Titans, scoring in succession to give his side a 5-1 lead. Thereafter, Eduado

Menendez also scored two quick goals but Toto managed to connect the ball with his mallet after Joaquin Pitaluga’s shot stopped just some few yards in the goal area. There was still more time for Eduado to score twice as the chukka ended 6-5. Scores at the end of the fourth chukka stood at 9-7 as Toto scored three more while Eduado and Julio also hit target. The handicap goal was the difference between the sides by the end of the fifth chukka with Eduardo and Toto scoring once each to keep the tie close heading to the last chukka of which a solitary goal by Toto clinched the biggest Polo trophy in Nigeria.

Manchester United and force an FA Cup quarter-final replay. First-half goals from Javier Hernandez and the returning Wayne Rooney, back in the starting XI amid the furore over his future in the wake of his omission against Real Madrid, seemed set to secure a comfortable victory at Old Trafford. Former Liverpool boss, Rafa Benitez was being tormented by United fans with chants of, ‘you’re being sacked in the morning’ but the under-fire Chelsea interim boss earned some respite thanks to Eden Hazard and then Ramires’ equaliser. It seemed certain Juan Mata would complete a memorable comeback when he stepped inside Jonny Evans in the final minute. But David De Gea, so often the target of criticism, stuck out a leg to keep Mata out and United in the competition. The replay will not suit Sir Alex Ferguson, still less so Benitez given it could potentially force Chelsea into four games in a week or trigger the postponement of a Premier League fixture. Manchester City will provide the opposition for the winners at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final Both Millwall and Blackburn remain in this season’s FA Cup after grinding out a mediocre goalless draw at the New Den. Neither side could break the deadlock and will face a replay at Ewood Park to determine which team will represent the power Championship in the semi-finals. A semi-final clash against Wigan will be the reward for the winner of Wednesday night’s replay. In the Premiership, Steven Gerrard’s late penalty gave Liverpool a thrilling 3-2 win against Tottenham in a topsyturvy game at Anfield. Luis Suarez edged the battle of the player of the year contenders as he scored and earned the match-winning penalty to eclipse Gareth Bale and keep the home side’s slim top-four hopes alive.

‘It is unfortunate Bada is not alive to take his gold’ By Olalekan Okusan ORMER Olympians, Jude Monye and Clement Chukwu are thrilled by the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to present to Nigeria the gold medal its 4x400 metres relay quartet won at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games following the disqualification of the original winners, the U.S.A squad, for doping violation. However, they are not happy that Sunday Bada, a member of the team, is not alive to get the gold. The United States-based former internationals told The Guardian yesterday from their

The quartet of Sunday Bada, Jude Monye, Enefiok Udo-Obong and Clement Chukwu after winning silver in the 4X400metre relay at 2000 Sydney Olympics.

bases that they were excited with the development, but received with mixed feelings due to the absence of Bada. “It is so exciting that we are getting the gold medals. We are also in the process of returning the silver medals so that we can get the gold from IOC. “For us, it is a long journey and we are happy that it has become a reality. I want to say also that it was six of us that earned the medal for Nigeria. Aside Sunday Bada, Clement Chukwu, Enefiok Udo-Obong and myself, the contribution of Nduka Awazie and Fidelis Gadzama during the heat can-

not be underestimated. “However, for me, it is bitter sweet because Bada, who was part of the success, is not alive to witness this. I could remember that when I met him in 2009, we discussed it. It is just so unfortunate,” Monye said. Chukwu said he nearly gave up the hope of getting the gold medal. “To be honest, I almost gave up as I thought it might not be a reality. Now, I am happy that it has come to pass. But it will also be good if the contribution of Awazie and Gadzama are celebrated because they were part of the

team,” he said. Monye, a graduate of geology at Mississippi State University, recalled the enormous impact of Coach Innocent Egbunike and Amelia Edet, whom he said helped the team to achieve the feat in Sydney. “To be sincere with you, Coach Egbunike and Edet played major roles in the success at Sydney. Their pep talks as well as the final workout before the final were key to the victory. So I think these two coaches deserve honour as well because they really aided the success,” Monye admitted. Like Monye, Chukwu, a prod-

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

NCF picks 14 for World Cricket League Division 7 play-off By Christian Okpara HE Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says it is determined to ensure that the national team performs better at the World Cricket League (WCL) Division 7 playoff than it did at the Pepsi ICCAfrica T20 Division One League. Nigeria was relegated to the Division Two of the African T20 league after finishing last at the Division One competition held in Kampala, Uganda, a fortnight ago. Towards ensuring the better outing in ICC World Cricket League Division 7 scheduled for Gaborone, Botswana from April 6 to 13, the NCF yesterday announced a 14-man squad, which will begin concentrated training 16-day training at the Tafawa Balewa Square oval, Onikan, Lagos from today, just as the NCF is planning a training tour of Botswana. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the NCF, the players expected in camp are Kunle Adegbola (captain), Dotun Olatunji, Demola Onikoyi, Jide Bejide, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Joshua

Nigeria’s national cricket team celebrating victory over Japan during a past edition of the WCL Division Seven Championship. The 2013 edition of the competition will hold in Gaborone, Botswana.

Organisers pick April 13 for Okpekpe Road Race RGANISERS of the maiden O Okpekpe Road Race, scheduled to hold in the sleepy town of Okpekpe in Edo State, have disclosed that the competition will hold on April 13, 2013. First of its kind in Nigeria, Okpekpe Road Race is a long distance race of 10 kilometers over hills and sandy path, which will be flagged off by an official of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) with over 3,000 local and international road runners participating. According to Mike Itemuagbor of Pamodzi Nigeria Limited, promoters of the race, Okpekpe Road Race is of highest international standard with the route measured and certified by the IAAF

measurer. He maintained that the race is sanctioned by the IAAF, the African Athletics Confederations (AAC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), who is the organiser and also has the backing of the Edo State government as a major partner. Itemuagbor said the race, which would become an annual event, is aimed at creating a platform for youth engagement where hidden talents could be discovered and also unlocking the tourism potentials of the community. He explained, “prize money of over N2.5 million, the highest prize money for a 10-kilometer race in Nigeria, will be awarded to winners in the dif-

ferent categories. The categories include Male and Female categories, as well as, indigenes of Edo Male and Female categories.” Itemuagbor assured that everything needed to make the first edition of the race successful is in place as the Main Organising Committee had been working round the clock for months to ensure a hitch free event. “We are looking forward to hosting an interesting race, with a good turn-out of participants for this first edition,” he said. The race route, according to the organizers, will wind around the hills of Okpekpe, a 25-kilometre town from Auchi, famous for its mountainous landscape.

CCSF takes taekwondo training programme to six zones O fulfill part of its vision T cum objectives, Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation is organising taekwondo training exercises across the six geo-political zones of the country this year. The programme, tagged: “Drill Them Fit” (DEF), is one of the many features of the foundation, which according to the founder/ Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Chika Chukwumerije, is one of the long term plans to groom African and Olympics champions for the country. “The vision of the CCSF is clear – to produce educated champions and to inspire the future. The Drill Them Fit (DEF) Campaign is one of many CCSF programmes geared towards achieving its vision statement. The DEF programme will inspire, the DEF will produce champions amongst the participants, the DEF programme will educate our future on the importance of knowledge acquisition. It is new, it is different, and it is history-making,” he said. The Team Nigeria captain to the London 2012 Olympics added, “we at the CCSF have dared to dream, and have dared to become a willing tool to drive the change we all seek. We can only ask that you use this tool to shatter

the frontiers of history. Let our actions speak louder than our words. The DEF Campaign is an action. Its effect will reverberate around the world during the world championships in 2015, during the All African Games in 2015, during the RIO 2016 Olympic Games. “However, its success is dependent on whether we choose to work together. The time has come to make a stand; to answer the question that all great changes ask – do we dare to do what is

different so as to cause the change we all seek, or do we fold our hands and keep doing nothing, and remain where we have always been? The ball, my dear friends, lies in your court. Together, we can yet write our “chapter of greatness” in the annals of history.” Over 60 participants took part in one of the exercises held in Owerri, Imo State, last week, while states like Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna and Lagos are expected to host the remaining programmes.

Ogunlola and Saheed Akolade. Others are Sesan Adedeji, Lekan Awolowo, Endurance Ofem, Osita Onwuzulike, Segun Olayinka, Seye Olympio, and Ricky Sharma. Wiltshire disclosed that Uthe Ogbimi would coach the team, while Kome Agodo will lead the delegation as team manager. The WCL Division 7 competition, a 50-over ODI event, will also feature Botswana (host), Fiji, Germany, Ghana and Vanuatu. Botswana, which will host the competition in Gaborone, was one of the countries that ensured that Nigeria failed at the African Division One playof in Uganda.

Nigeria beat Botswana in one of the early games of the competition, but it lost the reverse fixture against Southern Africans. Part of the measures to ensure Nigeria redeemed its image in Gaborone, according to Wiltshire, is the technical committee’s inquest into the country’s performance in Kampala with a view to ensure that some of the shortcomings of the ill-fated campaign did not recur. A good outing in Botswana, he revealed, apart from getting Nigeria promoted to Division six of the WCL, will also create more opportunities for the country to play more games against highly rated teams.

Jumare wants late Isima immortalised by players’ union HILE close friends of forW mer international footballer, Okey Isima, are still mourning the former Green Eagles midfielder, Director of facilities at the National Sports Commission (NSC) South/West Zone 1, Hammed

Okey Isima.

Jumare has described his death as a colossal loss to Nigerian football. Jumare, who claimed that Isima was his close friend, said the deceased after his active football career had worked so much on getting a better life for retired footballers and good working condition for active Nigerian footballers. He added that Isima on his return to Nigeria from United States had been an advocate of peaceful campaign for improved football league and better life for players. “The most painful aspect of Okey Isima’s death is that he never lived to realise his struggle or his dream before he answered the final call. He was always full of ideas and proposals on how to better the lots of his colleagues. “We are going to greatly miss his wealth of knowledge and that is why he deserves to be immortalised by the players’ union in Nigeria, to encourage other advocates of better life for Nigerian footballers,” the stadium manager of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, said.

Premier Lotto Lagos School Athletics Championship

District Two glows, as Yakubu, Emmanuel scoop NASCOM awards By Olalekan Okusan ISTRICT Two was crowned the overall champion at the maiden Premier Lotto Lagos Schools Athletics Championship with the starstudded team amassing eight gold, six silver and four bronze medals.

Outstanding athletes of the competition, Bilikisu Yakubu (middle); and Emmanuel Sunday (right), with Director, Premier Lotto Limited, Jibola Adebutu, after winning the Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM)-sponsored awards at the maiden Premier Lotto Lagos Schools Athletics Championship, held at Teslim Balogun Stadium… over the weekend. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

The winning district comprised schools from Ikorodu, Somolu and Kosofe, with most of its athletes dominating events like 200 metres, 400, 800, 1500 and shot put. Bilikisu Yakubu of International School, Lagos (ISL), and Sunday Emmanuel of Somolu Senior Secondary School were the cynosure of all eyes, beating their peers to emerge the most outstanding (girls and boys respectively) athletes of the championship. For this feat, Yakubu and Bilikisu took home the Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM)-sponsored awards. Beside the laptop given to the duo as gold medalists, Yakubu and Emmanuel also smiled home with the latest edition of the IPAD donated by NASCOM as part of its support to the tournament. To be named as the outstanding athlete for girls, Yakubu won the 100 and 200 metres events with a time of 12.4 seconds and 25.7 seconds respectively. Despite missing the gold medal in the boys’ 100 metres to settle for silver, Emmanuel topped the 200 metres with a

time of 23.4 seconds. District Three finished second overall with five gold, five silver and four bronze medals, while District Four settled for third place with five gold, three silver and three bronze medals. District One came fourth with four silver and one bronze medals, while district six and five won four and two bronze medals respectively. Speaking at the end of the competition, President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba lauded the initiator and sponsor of the competition, saying every state of the federation should emulate such gesture. “This kind of competition should be encouraged and I really appreciate the effort of the Lagos State Commissioner of Youths, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi, for bringing sports to its rightful place. There is no doubt that the future of sports lies in the youth and that is why the sponsor, Premier Lotto should be really saluted and encouraged,” Ogba said.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

Isanlu agog for youth handball tourney By Adeyinka Adedipe HE best of youth handball T will from today be on display in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government of Kogi State as teams from over 18 states converge for the National Under 12 and Under 15 Handball Championship. There were doubts over the staging of the event but the President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Yusuf Dauda, who was delighted to announce the commencement of the day event, said it would help the federation realise its ambition of discovering and nurturing more talents. The HFN boss said he was excited that the host decided to sponsor the competition again thereby contributing their quota towards the development of the youths in the country. “I must say I am happy that we are able to have the event this years. It was not easy get-

ting the needed commitment from the host but at the end, it turned out well,” he added. Dauda disclosed that, the host and eight other states were on ground as at press time yesterday while some others were on their way to the venue. The states already in Isanlu are Anambra, Kano, Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Lagos, Yobe, Sokoto and host Kogi. According to Dauda some states are presenting four teams, while others have two or three teams taking part in the competition. He said the town is in a carnival like atmosphere. “Most of the teams are happy that we are staging the event. It gives them the opportunity to test their might against each other while some players would also have the opportunity of getting invited to the national team, where they will get the chance to work

under some of the best coaches in the country.” He also noted that the federation was working hard to produce future stars, who would represent the country in international competitions in future. “For me, the emphasis is on the future and that is why I encourage the hosting of under age competitions.” He commended the Yagba East Local Council for keeping faith with the youngsters by hosting the event while calling other states to team up with the HFN. “It is clear that the task of taking handball to a higher level is a collective one, so once again, I am calling on other states and sponsors to join hands with us to realise this dream.” Meanwhile, teams were already having a feel of the handball court ahead of today’s commencement of the competition.

Anambra’s Unity Club wins Third South East Championship NITY Cricket Club of U Anambra at the weekend defeated Royal Club, also of Anambra State, by three wickets to win the third edition of the South East Club Cricket Championship, also known as the Barrister Anosike Cup. In the final game of the championship held in Awka, Royal Club batted first and scored 64 runs all out in 16 overs to lose to the new champion, Unity, which got

65 runs in 14 overs for seven wickets. Earlier in the third place game, University of Nigeria defeated Heartland Cricket Club of Imo State by four wickets. To make the final, Royal Club beat defending champion, University of Nigeria (UNN) by a run early on Friday. In the semifinal game watched by some of the top officials of the game in the

zone, including the donor of the cup, Barrister Chuma Anosike, UNN batted first and scored 109 runs all out in 20 overs, while Royal team got 110 in 17.2 overs for six wickets. Kene Nwosu of Royal scored 37 runs, while Joseph Agada of UNN team scored 29 runs. The second semifinal between Unity Cricket of and Team Imo at Paul University Oval went to the Anambra team.

Lagos Junior League

How Nath Boys confirmed superiority over Onigbongbo’s Ultimate Strikers By Olalekan Okusan HAT looked like a deadlock in the Week 15 of the Lagos Junior League turned out in favour of the defending champion, Nath Boys, who scored three goals in the second half to edge out Onigbongbo Ultimate Strikers. Described as one of the explosive matches of this season, the Nath Boys, without some of its star players, showed it had the resilience to defend its title in the encounter with the fans enjoying every moment of the match. Early in the game, both teams sized each other strength-for-strength and skill for skill to the admiration of their teeming fans, who defied the hot sun to throng the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Lagos. Even when it looked as if the match would end in a stalemate, the fans refused to give up on both sides, who squandered several begging chances in the first 45 minutes. But the second half showed the glaring difference in both teams with Nath Boys showing more promises with their tactical display. So, it was no surprise when Nath Boys broke the deadlock through Iditua Deba from a penalty given when

an Onigbongbo defender handed the ball in the box. As if that was the leeway the Nath Boys needed to net more goals, a beautiful teamwork ensured that Ekene Okolugo netted the second goal in the 69th minute, and completed his brace with another goal shortly after to give his team a 3-0 win. With this victory, Nath Boys consolidated its lead on the table with a clear 11 points gap over second placed

Onigbongbo on the league table. An excited Coach Achievement Yunus of Nath Boys lauded his lads for their efforts, while also commending their opponent for putting up a good fight. In other week 15 matches, Apapa Golden Stars pounded Bariga 3-0; Lagos Island West managed a 1-0 win over Lagos Mainland, while Itire Ikate was 2-1 better than Ojo Babes.

New national record holder in the 200metre steeplechase and 1500metre champion, Olamide Olaseun, during the Premier Lotto Lagos Schools Athletics Championship at Teslim Balogun Stadium over the weekend. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Power Horse backs NTU, trains athlete By Adeyinka Adedipe HE Nigerian Triathlon Union (NTU) got a boost from the headquarters of Power Horse in Austria, which provided full sponsorship for one of Nigeria’s triathletes to the All Africa Games, Mebiakka Aggo. The sponsorship package will see Aggo training under the guidance of certified organisers of triathlon camps in Mallorca/ca’n Picafort, Spain called Pro Training Tours GmbH. The Nigerian athlete will under go training under some of the best triathlon coaches in Spain. After the training camp, Ago will also participate in the Iron man Triathlon Championship in South Africa in April. President of NTU, Dr. Lanre Glover told The Guardian that

the sponsorship would help sharpen the skill of the athlete towards all the continental championships and he will have a good chance to push for a place the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. He also said that sponsorship of this nature would go a long well in helping the federation train their athletes to become some of the best on the continent. “This sponsorship is coming at the right time when preparation for the Commonwealth Games should be in top gear. We at the NTU can only hope that this would help Aggo into imbibing some of the recent techniques in triathlon and help him push for a place in the Commonwealth Games next year,” he added.

Mary, Itodo, others shine at CBN tennis championship By Tony Nwanne ESPITE stiff opposition D from her opponents, Mary Love Edward (8)

An encounter involving Nath Boys FC and Apapa Golden Stars in the Premier division of the Lagos Junior League

He also commended Power Horse Austria for packaging the deal and calling on others sponsors to emulate the kind gesture. “If we have more organisations back athletes with potentials, it will go a long way in helping to develop their talents and they will become stars in future.” Glover also assured that everything was being done to ensure the spread of triathlon in the country. “Right now, our main focus is to spread the sports to many parts of the country so that we can get young talents that would be groomed to compete with the best on the continent. “While I must admit that it is challenging, we will not relent on our desire to grow the sports,” Glover added.

emerged the winner of the under-12 girls category of the just concluded Seventh Central Bank of Nigeria Junior Tennis Championship, beating Bose Are 6-2. Right from the beginning of the competition, Mary displayed an incomparable prowess, starting from her services to her playing pattern, which led to her victory. Also victorious was Joseph Imeh, who outshone Emma Idoko to win the boys’ category. In the under-12 boys category, Future Uche, from Imo State, defeated Kaduna’s Gabriel Friday 9-5, while Kadijat Salami from Kwara

State defeated Edo State’s Blessing Dedakpaye 9-8. In the boys’ under-16 category, Olumide Ayoola beat Seun Olatunji a 9-5, while Christopher Itodo of Kaduna defeated Ogun State’s Saheed Oyekan to claim the under-14 boys category title. At the end of the competition, outstanding players were rewarded for their efforts, with Mary Love Edward named the Most Outstanding Player of the championship in the female category, with Christopher Itodo won the male version. Speaking at the end of the championship, the CBN’s Corporate Communications Director, Ugochukwu Okoroafor commended the players for the success of the competition, while revealing that the competition is basically to produce future stars for Nigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

76 SPORTS

English Premiership

Mancini dreams ‘perfect’ FA Cup final against Man United ANCHESTER City M Manager, Roberto Mancini is hoping for an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester United as he believes that such an occasion would be “perfect.” The Citizens made it into the competition semifinals with a convincing 5-0 win over Barnsley, courtesy of a hat trick from Carlos Tevez and a goal apiece from Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva. With the Red Devils set to take on Chelsea in their quarterfinal clash at Old Manchester City’s Argentine forward, Carlos Tevez (right); speaks to Manager, Roberto Mancini (left), after being substituted during the English FA Cup quarter-final match against Barnsley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, at the weekend. Manchester City won 5-0.

Redknapp preaches caution to QPR ARRY Redknapp might H have led QPR to back-toback wins for the first time since they returned to the top flight but he is not getting ahead of himself. After a 2-1 victory at Southampton last weekend, Rangers impressively came from behind against Sunderland at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon. Steven Fletcher gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead against the run of play, but Loic Remy levelled things up 10 minutes later. It had looked like the spoils would be shared as both sides struggled in the second half, only for exquisite half- volleys from Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas to earn QPR a 3-1 victory. The west Londoners remain bottom of the standings and four points adrift of safety despite the win, although Redknapp believes they can still get out of trouble. “It’s good, but we are still in need of a fantastic run,” the Rangers boss said. “We have given ourselves a chance. We have closed the gap and any team on 30 points is not safe. You can go eight, nine or 10 games without winning quite easily. “Anyone can have a bad run now and if we continue to pick up points we may have a chance. It won’t be easy but we have given ourselves a chance. I saw Wigan today

and thought they were fantastic. They are a good side. “Aston Villa are not a bad side. There are teams that are capable of putting together a few results. We can put together a decent run, too. I think there are a few teams above us who could get sucked in.” Redknapp will be hoping to have Adel Taarabt, Julio Cesar and Armand Traore available for the relegation run-in after the trio missed today’s match through injury. Bobby Zamora could have also missed out but fought through the pain barrier, managing 73 minutes before hip and ankle knocks got the better of him. “Zamora wasn’t really fit, he has done a miracle with his ankle ligaments,” Redknapp said. “He is playing with an injury today that other players wouldn’t have put themselves up to play.

Rooney in long-term plans, says Ferguson ANCHESTER United M Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the club intend to keep Wayne Rooney beyond the length of his current contract. The England striker, who was surprisingly only a substitute in last Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, has been the subject of intense specu-

We can still win replay, Millwall captain boasts ILLWALL Captain, Danny Shittu is confident his side can see off Blackburn at Ewood Park after a goalless draw in their FA Cup quarterfinal. The replay will take place on Wednesday night but Shittu, who went as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock with a stunning effort from nearly 40 yards, feels the Lions would have been worthy winners. “We’re disappointed because it was a game we dominated all the way through. It’s disappointing not to win,” he told ESPN. “But from the performance today we definitely believe we can go there and get to the semi-finals. With the result today, and a clean sheet, we can go there and carry on.” Reflecting on his own audacious attempt to beat Jake Kean from just inside the Blackburn half, he added, “if

“There are players not playing today with injuries that aren’t as bad as Bobby’s, that’s for sure. He has a go and has done that today. “You can only play what you’ve got, and this is the first time I’ve had Bobby and Remy. I liked the look of them. Bobby can hold the ball up and Remy has pace and can score goals. I thought they would be an ideal combination. “They will be important. If Remy can continue to score and Bobby gives us a focal point, we can play it up to him. Bobby played 60 per cent fit today. The physio said a week ago he would be out for six weeks. “He did his ankle but he has had injections to play, he was so desperate to get out there. The effort he has put in to play was fantastic.”

that had gone in, I think I’d have gone straight to the changing room and taken my top off.”

lation about his future. Ferguson knocked down suggestions United would look to sell Rooney in the summer on Friday and now he has stressed the club see him in their long-term plans. Former Everton man Rooney is tied to United until the end of the 2014/15 season, so there is no need to sit down for talks immediately. Ferguson said, according to several Sunday newspapers, “there’s no issue with his contract, when it has to be renegotiated it will be. We don’t want players to leave.”

Trafford on Sunday, Mancini has expressed his desire to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s men triumph in order to set up a showpiece derby in the final in May. “I don’t know, who we will play, it could be (Manchester) United, Chelsea, Wigan - when you are in the semifinal or the final of the FA Cup you play against good teams,” Mancini told reporters. “It (a final between Manchester United and Manchester City) could be perfect because in the last two years United

and City have been the best teams in England.” The Italian was in a defiant mood as he refused to concede defeat in the Premier League, while also declaring his team’s intentions to make it to Wembley in hopes of winning a second FA Cup in three years. “The Premier League has not finished,” Mancini said. “We never give up, we have to win the next game to get to the final of the FA Cup, and if we win the competition it will be a great achievement.”

… Demands more goals from Tevez ANCHESTER City boss, M Roberto Mancini has joked that he would be happy for Carlos Tevez to get arrested more often if it meant he kept scoring hattricks. On Thursday evening, Tevez was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified, which carries a maximum punishment of six months in prison. The striker has not been charged and is due back at Macclesfield police station on Tuesday. On Saturday he scored an excellent hat-trick to send City on their way to a 5-0 FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Barnsley. And clearly, Tevez’s problems are not much of an issue for Mancini. “It is his problem. Not ours,” said Mancini. “But if it has this effect on him I hope the police can stop him every day. After this he scored three goals. I hope next Friday too.” Tevez also created goals for Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva as City romped to their biggest win of the season. The former West Ham striker now has 15 goals for the season, and Mancini wants Tevez to stay on the scoring trail. “It is important that he continues to score because we need his goals in this period of the season and also for the cup,” said Mancini. After ending his infamous stand-off over a proposed move to AC Milan in January 2012, there has been talk of an extension to a contract due to expire at the end of next season. However, so frequently has Tevez spoken of his wish to return to Argentina, Mancini cannot be sure that signing the extension will happen. “I don’t know what will hap-

Millwall’s Nigerian defender, Danny Shittu (left); tackles Blackburn Rover’s Scottish striker, Jordan Rhodes (right) during the English FA Cup quarter-final match at The Den in South London at the weekend. PHOTOS: AFP

pen in the summer,” said Mancini. Carlos has another year on his contract but many times he has said he wants to go back to Argentina. “It depends on him. At this moment we can say nothing. “Our focus should just be on the last two months.” City are now in the last four for the second time in three years and still on track to

become only the fourth team to win the FA Cup without conceding a goal, and the first since Bury in 1903. And what Mancini regards as a “dream” final against Manchester United is still alive. “It could be perfect because in the last two years United and City have been the best teams in England,” he said.

Wigan Athletic’s Spanish midfielder, Jordi Gomez celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the English FA Cup quarter-final match against Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England at the weekend.

Table Team Man Utd Man City Tottenham Chelsea Arsenal Liverpool Everton West Brom Swansea Fulham Stoke West Ham Newcastle Norwich Sunderland Southampton Aston Villa Wigan Reading QPR As at yesterday

P 28 28 29 28 28 29 28 29 29 28 29 28 29 29 29 29 29 28 29 29

GD 37 27 15 26 21 20 9 2 4 -5 -8 -9 -10 -18 -9 -12 -26 -22 -21 -21

Pts 71 59 54 52 47 45 45 43 40 33 33 33 33 33 30 28 27 24 23 23

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

78 SPORTS

European Round-Oﬀ

Zanetti proud to be part of Inter AVIER Zanetti has Jtional expressed his “uncondilove” for Inter as he stands on the brink of his 600th league appearance for the Serie A giants. The 39-year-old joined the Nerazzurri from Banfield in 1995, and has won five Scudettos, four Coppa Italias and a Champions League during a superlative career in Italian football. Speaking ahead of the team’s yesterday’s clash against Bologna the veteran spoke of his immense gratitude towards the club and his delight at the longevity of his career in a week in which the club marks its 105th anniversary. “I’m proud to be part of this great family that is Inter,” Zanetti declared to Inter Channel. “105 years of history is an awful long time and I think no matter what the team is going through, Inter is a club you love unconditionally. That’s what I think and it’s what I feel. “Inter is a club that is loved by lots of people and I think that’s very important for all of us.” Zanetti made his Inter debut in a 1-0 home win over Vicenza, which came at the start of the 1995/6 season, but

played down the significance of this particular achievement. “It’s an awful lot of games, 600 in Serie A,” he continued. “It’s just one more thing I

have to thank Inter for. Being the captain for so many years is a great responsibility to have and I always wear the armband with immense pride. “Let’s hope we can celebrate

both my 600 games and Inter’s birthday with a big performance to make up for the defeat in London, and a great victory because we need it to stay up near the top.”

Balotelli

Balotelli reveals Milan derby frustration ARIO Balotelli has M expressed his satisfaction with the way he has settled at AC Milan, though he has confessed he already has had frustrations to deal with. The 22-year-old has scored five in as many games for the Rossoneri since joining from Manchester City for a reported €24 million in January. Speaking to the Milan Channel after his side’s 2-0 victory over Genoa, Balotelli was positive about his start at the club, though confessed the Derby draw with Inter disappointed him. “I expected to settle down quickly at Milan and get along with my team-mates,” the Italy striker said. “I’m happy it has happened so fast. I still have regrets over the Derby and other opportunities. “Mancio (Roberto Mancini) said I will always be myself,” he responded when asked

on his former coach’s comments on his behaviour. “Mistakes are made at any age and he didn’t mean what was written in the papers.” Balotelli, who came off the bench to score Milan’s sec-

ond against Genoa in place of the injured Giampaolo Pazzini, also revealed his irritation over the lack of protection he often receives from officials. “I am well, although I am still not 100 per cent after

Alexis geared up for ‘battle’ with AC Milan LEXIS Sanchez is gearing himself up for the fight as Barcelona attempt to overhaul AC Milan’s 2-0 aggregate lead in the Champions League last-16. The Blaugrana go into the fixture after a 2-0 La Liga win over Deportivo La Coruna, a game in which Sanchez opened the scoring before Lionel Messi added a late second, but the Chile international acknowledges that tomorrow’s tie will be a very different proposition. “We had to win, it was important,” the former Udinese forward told jour-

nalists after the game. “We also have to win on Tuesday against Milan. Defeats in these matches leave a mark, but on Tuesday there is a battle we must win one way or another.” Barcelona face a daunting task as they attempt to overcome the Rossoneri and continue their pursuit of a fifth European crown, but midfielder Thiago Alcantara insists the squad is full of belief. “We’re playing for our lives in the Champions League, the most important title there is,” the 21-year-old was quoted by Mundo Deportivo. “We’ll try to get a good result. Victory helps us boost our morale. We’re optimistic ahead of the match against Milan.”

that knock to my leg,” he continued. “Defenders can kick me as much as they want to, but the referee has to make decisions on the field. He (the referee) was pretty good to me last night, though defenders often don’t get the punishment they deserve for kicking us strikers.”

Giaccherini’s late strike takes Juve nine points clear MANUELE Giaccherini’s E stoppage-time winner sent Juventus nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table after a disappointing performance against Catania from the Italian champions. The substitute fired home from close range, and his goal, coupled with Napoli’s surprise defeat to Chievo, mean Antonio Conte’s side are now clear favourites for the Serie A title. The Serie A leaders looked to impose themselves on the game early, but only had an Andrea Barzagli long range effort to show for their early endeavours, with the defender’s strike flying over the bar. Mirko Vucinic was rested for the Champions League win over Celtic in midweek, and the break seemed to have done him good as he tested Mariano Andujar for the first time, but the goalkeeper turned his shot from distance behind for a corner. The visitors had obviously decided to try and counter the attacking threat of Conte’s side, but they almost took the lead themselves when Alejandro Gomez tried his luck from distance, but Gianluigi Buffon was equal to it despite initially spilling his effort. Long-range efforts were becoming a theme of the match, with Francesco Lodi and Leonardo Bonucci both firing wide before the home side twice went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Claudio Marchisio curled a shot wide after good interplay with Vucinic,

Zanetti

ing no further than the second leg of their last-16 clash with Malaga. The midfielder’s goal in the first meeting between the two sides at the Estadio do Dragao gives the Portuguese club a 1-0 lead going into the game, and he admitted they are determined to go as far as possible in this season’s competition. “We must take it match by match,” Moutinho told Uefa.com

Defeat has damaged our Champions League hopes, says Valverde ALENCIA Coach, Ernesto V Valverde was left to rue a missed opportunity for his

Sanchez

Porto wants to win the Champions League, says Moutinho OAO Moutinho insists Porto JLeague want to win the Champions but are currently look-

before the Montenegro striker hit the post after capitalising on a breakdown in communication in the Catania defence. The remainder of the half passed with little incident on the field, though Catania coach Rolando Maran was sent to the stands after arguing with the officials. The second half continued where the first had left off, with Juventus pressing at every opportunity and Andujar had to be at his best to deny both Bonucci and Paul Pogba in quick succession. Pogba was slowly making his way into the match after a quiet start, and he went close again as he volleyed an effort wide from 25 yards. Vucinic was still the biggest threat for Conte’s side, but his finishing wasn’t up to its usual standard, highlighted when he could only shoot wide from close range under pressure from the impressive Andujar. Juventus rang the changes in search of a breakthrough, and one of their substitutes Alessandro Matri went close with a header as the game entered its final 10 minutes. Giaccherini then took centre stage as he went from zero to hero. The winger was booked for diving in the last minute of normal time, but redeemed himself when he slotted home from close range after Andujar flapped at Pogba’s searching cross. Fabio Quagriella almost doubled the lead, but Andujar parried well from the Italy striker.

“As I said, we all have the ambition to win the Champions League. Anyone, who is at this stage, has a desire to go as far as possible, but we’re not thinking further than the game against Malaga. “That would be a mistake, because they’re extremely difficult to beat and will be doing everything they can to go through.” Porto boss, Vitor Pereira has been widely praised after guiding the club to the league title last season and to

within touching distance of the Champions League quarter-finals, and Moutinho believes the 44-year-old has been a complete success since his appointment in 2011. He added, “everything he has done has been right. “He has been passing on all his knowledge. He’s someone we already knew, as the assistant of Andre Villas-Boas, so him knowing us, us knowing him, allowed us to immediately become champions in our first year together.

side to stake a claim for Champions League qualification after their 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao yesterday afternoon. Iker Muniain struck in the closing stages to secure all three points for the home side and denied los Che the chance to move into the top four, with the boss left frustrated that they were not able to take more from the match. “We lost a great opportunity to enter the Champions League places,” he told a press conference. “Bilbao pushed us, but we saw that we could hurt them. We’re not happy because we could have taken more.” The defeat caps a disappointing week for Valencia following their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Paris SaintGermain, but Valverde insists the team is performing well even though the results are not forthcoming. “I’m satisfied with how we are, the team is doing well,” the 49-year-old went on. “If the problem is a matter of winning, we are working on it. “The hardest thing is to create opportunities, and we are doing that. I would rather lose like this, deserving to win, because it means that we’re in a good way.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, March 11, 2013

TheGuardian

Monday, March 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Victor Abel IGERIA has come a long way since incepN tion of civilian rule in 1999. Right from the time of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligent Unit (BMPIU), to the enactment of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), steady progress has been made in the area of procurement reforms despite the myriad of challenges. Before the introduction of procurement reforms, Nigeria was reported to be losing 60 per cent of every sum spent in public procurement. This in essence meant that corruption was in vogue; value for money was lacking and needed infrastructure essential for development was unavailable. With the advent of procurement reforms, especially the enactment of the PPA in 2007, it has become imperative to continue to monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the reform agenda to identify successes, best practices and challenges along the line. The PPA is so central to the economic revival of Nigeria to the extent that it regulates the capital component of the annual budget; and the annual budget is the most important economic tool for the transformation and the re-engineering of national life and securing of the well-being of the people. With the objectives of the PPA 2007 in mind (economy efficiency, competition, value for money, transparency), it becomes clear that Nigerian economy and its citizens’ standard of living is sure to be on the increase. The capital component of the annual budget is the hallmark of development for any country. This portion of the budget is divided into administrative capital (such as procurement of office equipment, cars, buses, computers, software etc) and developmental capital budget which deals with construction of roads, building and equipping of hospitals, schools, provision of water, etc. The administrative capital does not have a direct contribution to the well being of the citizens as this could be considered in the real sense as governance cost and does not contribute to development. The amount made available for developmental capital will determine the level of development to be witnessed within the fiscal year. This in turn has a direct contribution to the wellbeing and standard of living of the citizens. The 2013 budget which is pegged on Fiscal Consolidation with inclusive growth having a total aggregate expenditure of N4.987 trillion with capital budget recording 32.51 per cent and recurrent 47.84 per cent as amended by the National Assembly is indeed an improvement over last year’s budget that had 28.53 per cent and 71.47 per cent for capital and recurrent expenditure respectively. Yes the capital budget increased to 32.51 per cent leaving 47.84 per cent to recurrent. This is just a figure and will mean nothing if not implemented to touch the lives of Nigerians. More action is needed than just an increase in figure. It is expected that the government should map out measures that are geared towards full implementation of this little portion provided for capital budget. The contract agreement signed between the President and his ministers should have measurable output indicators that will be used to assess their key performances in 2013.

Before the introduction of procurement reforms, Nigeria was reported to be losing 60 per cent of every sum spent in public procurement. This in essence meant that corruption was in vogue; value for money was lacking and needed infrastructure essential for development was unavailable. With the advent of procurement reforms, especially the enactment of the PPA in 2007, it has become imperative to continue to monitor, review and evaluate the implementation of the reform agenda to identify successes, best practices and challenges along the line.

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

Enhanced capital budget implementation through Public Procurement Act

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,CBN governor

Now that the President has signed the budget into law, it is important for us to look into a key factor, which has always, to a large extent, hampered the implementation of the capital component of the budget. The capital component of the budget is procurement driven because everything about it is awarding of contracts. These contracts if well awarded and executed will bring the long-sought development that the country over the years has not had. The reverse has been the case in our country. The corrupt mind-set with which contracts are given out has denied Nigerians the dividends, as they say, of democracy. Contract award attracts the interest of all in government. Top on the list is the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCO). The EXCO has assumed powers not supported by any of the provisions of the PPA or any other law. The weekly meeting of the EXCO on Wednesdays, and sometimes bi-weekly, is dominated by a contract bazaar; contracts are awarded and it seems to be the dominant agenda item of every such meeting. No wonder the President has refused to inaugurate the National Council on Public Procurement as stipulated by the PPA.

The procurement process seems not to be transparent as enshrined in the PPA. Most MDAs’ contracts awarding process is not done in the spirit of integrity. Cases abound where contracts are awarded to contractors who are not qualified for the job because of political connections. The portfolio contractors don’t even have any office. Other evils are: Contracts are awarded at inflated prices. This contravenes the principle of economy as enshrined in the PPA. Civil Society Organisations are merely invited during bid opening, after that they are not involved in other procurement processes such as evaluation, selection of the qualified company/contractor, contract award etc. This makes the procurement process not to be transparent. Most MDAs do the other components of the procurement process behind closed doors. It can be recalled that a 20-man Presidential Project Assessment Committee set up by the President in March 2010 came up with a report of 11,886 abandoned federal projects scattered across the country that would require N7.78 trillion to complete. The rub was the discovery by the panel that most of the contracts were riddled with cor-

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OLOJA

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

ruption, with public officials at the highest levels colluding with contractors to plunder the treasury. These fraudulent contracts have led to the incidents of poor and dilapidated roads, decrepit railway tracks, illequipped hospitals, schools, dams and a dire infrastructure deficit that keeps 70 per cent of Nigerians in poverty. The committee identified poor project management as one of the major features. They also reported in their findings that some of the projects did not have direct bearing on the people. To stop overloading specific contractors with more contracts than they can handle, the MDAs are required to take inventory of contracts already awarded to companies that do business with them and the level of completion of those contracts. If this information is not available with the MDAs, it can be sourced from the Bureau of Public Procurement. If funds have been released and the delays in contract execution are from the contractor, then there is no reason awarding further contract to a company that lacks the capacity to perform. The MDAs should not use public resources to reward suboptimal performance. Research has shown that 80 per cent of higher-performing projects use competent project managers and 50 per cent of project failures is traced to poor (or no) project management such as bad estimates/deadlines, scope changes and poor resource planning. It is worthy of note that the failure of project implementation in Nigeria is not surprising as the nation has inadequate number of competent and certified project managers. And until capital projects are handled by competent project managers, failed projects and poor implementation will remain a talking point for a very long time to come. There is therefore a call for the BPP to use the PPA to ensure adequate implementation of the capital component of the budget by ensuring strict adherence to Public Procurement Act. Other important steps that should be taken to maximise the capital budget by the BPP include the BPP not stopping at procurement but moving ahead to monitor contracts awarded to ensure Nigerians get value for their money. BPP rules and standard documents should be revised to ensure that procurement process is used to support National Economic Growth and Development under an objective “Buy Made in Nigeria Products” policy. This should be applied where appropriate, based on minimum national standards of goods, works, and services specified by the BPP in collaboration with Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Consumer Protection Council etc. Civil societies should build up a high spirit in procurement issues such as bid observatory, procurement monitoring, contract execution monitoring etc. There should be uncompromising adherence to the time frame on bid invitation. Advertisements should be published as required by the law and Adoption of Project Management Strategic (project initiation, design, implementation, control and completion). This is the time for MDAs to prepare their procurement plans and get them approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement in readiness for the commencement of capital budget implementation. It is also the time for the Bureau to organise the procurement planning workshops for MDAs. The BPP should ensure that contracts are not awarded on preliminary designs, which will lead to requests for cost and time overruns in the future. The regulations should make this clear and sanctions provided against officers of MDAs who present preliminary designs as the final designs. If contract awards are delayed for no apparent reason, the accounting officer of the MDA should be called upon to explain the circumstances surrounding the tardiness. If the explanations are unsatisfactory, then sanctions must follow that breach of public trust. MDAs have no discretion to exercise on the implementation of projects contained in the Appropriation Act, which in the first place, emanated from their request to the legislature. Apparently, sanctions have not been used in the procurement process to ensure that laid down rules and regulations are followed to the letter Finally, Nigerians in general should show more interest in budget/contract tracking, monitoring and public procurements, ask questions, litigate issues, demonstrate and rally on the streets to ensure that the small percentage provided for capital development is fully utilised. • Abel wrote from Centre for Social Justice, Abuja