Tue 04 March 2014 by The Guardian Newspaper

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,850

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Government names Kutigi national confab chairman From Karls Tsokar, Abuja RUE to President Goodluck T Jonathan’s earlier promise, the Federal Government yesterday released the names of those to lead the upcoming National Conference, with eminent jurist, retired Justice Idris Kutigi, as Chairman. In a statement yesterday evening from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) signed by the SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, Prof. Bola Akinyemi is to be the

Akinyemi is vice chair, Azinge, scribe Vice Chairman while Dr. Valerie Azinge would serve as Secretary. The statement confirms The Guardian’s exclusive report yesterday which had named Kutigi and Akinyemi as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively. The statement reads in part: “His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of

Kutigi

the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the appointment of the leadership of the National Conference as follows: Honourable Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Vice Chairman and Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge, Secretary. “The appointees are to resume at Abuja on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 and would be re-

ceived on arrival by the Secretary of the Federal Government.” It would be recalled that after the release of the modalities for the conference last month, the President during the presidential media chat last Monday promised to name the presiding officers yesterday and Nigerians had waited for the names of those to be cho-

Akinyemi

sen by the President to superintend the much-anticipated national dialogue. Idris Legbo Kutigi was born on December 31, 1939 in Kutigi, Lavun Local Council of Niger State. He attended his elementary school in that town and middle and secondary school in Bida before moving on to Government College, now known as Barewa College and then to Ahmadu Bello University both in Zaria, Kaduna State. He left Nigeria for England

where he studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and the Gibson and Weldon College of Law before returning to attend the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, Lagos State. Kutigi served as the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State before becoming a high court judge in 1976. He joined the Supreme Court in 1992 and served for 10 years before President Olusegun CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Azinge

NNPC intensifies efforts to end fuel scarcity From Roseline Okere (Lagos), Chido Okafor (Warri) and Isah Gusau (Gusau) N additional 33 million litres of fuel was supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) to cushion the discomfort being experienced by motorists and commuters in Lagos and its environs owing to the scarcity of petrol. Meanwhile, the Department

• Supplies extra 33m litres • DPR seals 27 stations of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday began a nationwide inspection of filling stations to avoid hoarding of products,

just as it closed 27 facilities in Edo and Delta states. However, long queues of vehicles persisted yesterday at

filling stations in Lagos and some states. There are indications that some filling stations that had

fuel and did not hoard it exhausted their stock at the weekend. This unpleasant situation has also resulted to long traffic in Lagos thereby making life difficult for commuters.

• 36 feared killed as Boko Haram invades Borno village - Page 4 • Nigeria under UN pressure over same sex law, others - Page 5 • Northern states to abolish fees in secondary schools - Page 7

This is creating brisk business for black marketers who dispense the product from jerry cans at over N3,000 for 10 litres. As of yesterday, The Guardian investigations showed that some of the major stations such as Mobil, Oando, Total, Conoil, Forte and Nipco that have the product and are selling at approved price of N97 per litre are experiencing seCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

2 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Presidency, govs partner to boost universal healthcare From Emeka Anuforo Abuja N line with the resolution of the 58th World Health Assembly that mandated countries to plan the transition to Universal Health Care

in their health systems, the Presidency and state governors are partnering to expand the coverage in Nigeria. The nature of partnership

and how the country would expand the current number of primary health care centres are among other issues to be discussed at a special Presidential Summit on Universal Health Coverage scheduled for next Monday. Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu told news-

men in Abuja yesterday that the Presidency and governors were keen to unlock the door for universally accessible, effective, efficient and equitable healthcare in Nigeria. He said, “since attaining the status of an independent nation, Nigeria has been

searching for a health system that will meet the needs of her citizens. The country has implemented various initiatives such as Basic Health Service in the 1970s, Health for All by the Year 2000, Achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP)

and the Action Push Agenda to transform the Health Sector, to mention a few. “ Various institutional mechanisms have also been put in place such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Akinyemi is confab’s vice chairman, Azinge, scribe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Obasanjo appointed him to the position of Chief Justice to succeed Salihu Alfa Belgore on January 30 after being confirmed by the Senate. He was Chief Justice from January 30, 2007 until December 30, 2009 when he retired. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi was born in Ilesa, in what is now Osun State. He attended Igbobi College in Yaba from 1955 until 1959; Christ’s School in Ado-Ekiti from 1960 to 1961; Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (U.S.), from 1962 to 1964; Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, U.S., 1964 to 1966; and Trinity College, Oxford University, England, from

1966 until 1969. He taught at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, the Diplomacy Training Programme, University of Nairobi, Kenya; the University of Lagos from 1983 until 1985; and St. John’s College, Cambridge, England. Akinyemi was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) from 1975 until 1983. Appointed Minister of External Affairs in 1985, Akinyemi, in that position, originated the Technical Aid Corps (TAC), a programme which sent Nigerian professionals overseas to engage in volunteer work. It was designed to “promote the country’s image and status as a major contributor to Third World and particularly African development”. He also

came up with the concept of ‘Concert of Medium Powers. In 1987, Akinyemi stated his support for Nigeria developing nuclear weapons, referring to the proposal as the “black bomb,” and said that “Nigeria has a sacred responsibility to challenge the racial monopoly of nuclear weapons. During the short-lived Third Republic of 1993, he called on the military to overthrow Ernest Shonekan’s administration. When Defence Minister at the time, Gen. Sani Abacha later did so and assumed the position of head of state. Akinyemi was among those who opposed Abacha’s regime. The Secretary to the National Conference Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie Azinge, read Law, obtaining an

LLM from the London School of Economics and later a Ph. D in Law. A daughter of the Nwodos, she is married to the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Dr. Epiphany Azinge. She is said to be very hardworking and would be assisted by a number of officers of directorate cadre from the Federal Civil Service. The Guardian gathered yesterday that Ebele Okeke, an engineer and Nigeria’s first female Head of Service and Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s daughter, Mrs. Onyekwu, were dropped for Dr. Azinge due to some other “over-riding considerations the President could not discount” as a source said.

NNPC supplies extra 33 million litres of petrol CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 vere traffic bottlenecks. Oando, Conoil and Mobil filling stations in major areas in Lagos were besieged by hundreds of private and commercial vehicle owners as well as those buying in jerry cans. A bus driver who spoke with The Guardian yesterday at Oshodi, Lagos said: “The fuel scarcity is not good for our business. We are buying above the regulated price of N97 per litre from the black marketers because it is better for us to patronise the road side sellers than spend the whole day at filling stations. We do not have any choice than to pass the cost to the commuters.” In Zamfara State, the scarcity has paralysed commercial activities as transport fares have increased by 50 per cent as the product sells for N140 per litre across the state. However, NNPC mega stations sell at N97 per litre. When The Guardian visited some major oil companies’ filling stations in Gusau, it was discovered that many of them had not sold the product in the past two weeks. The marketers, however, claimed that they were sourcing the product through third parties and could not afford to sell at N97 per litre. Some of the mega stations, which sold fuel and were visited by The Guardian, had long queues of vehicles, while those selling at N140 per litre recorded low patronage. A motorist, Ibrahim Tudu, who spoke with The Guardian at the Bye-pass NNPC Mega station, said: “It took me many hours waiting on the queue to get the product. This is a sad development as it affects our public service activities, including taking our children to school. I want to call on the authorities concerned to ensure that fuel is available as usual.”

However, petroleum products’ marketers disagreed with the NNPC that they were hoarding the product and attributed the scarcity to the delay in the release of the first quarter import allocation which resulted to late import orders. According to them, the tight supply is expected to continue until the marketers begin to bring in the product. Also, Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said in a statement that the NNPC in conjunction with the DPR and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) would commence detailed monitoring of fuel stations in Lagos and its environs as well as any other state to checkmate the incidence of hoarding and panic buying of fuel. The DPR has embarked on nationwide inspection of filling stations to ensure that the product is not hoarded. The agency actually shut some filling stations in parts of Lagos over the hoarding of petrol and also compelled others to sell the product to customers during its tour of Lagos. Though the same filling stations that were shut down by the DPR have reopened and are either selling above pump price or are out of stocks. For instance, the DPR officials discovered that over 13,000 litres were hoarded at a station on the Ago-Amuwo Odofin Road. The DPR has threatened to close down any petrol station hoarding or selling fuel above the official pump price. The DPR Director, George Osahon, who led a team for inspection of petrol stations in Kaduna, warned independent marketers to stop hoarding the product or face the full wrath of the law. “The general public should

not panic because there is no fuel scarcity. There is enough products in stock but the marketers are the ones causing these long queues,” Osahon said. He attributed the long queues to a chain reaction by the marketers and the public over the rumour of a pending increase in pump price. “The situation could be brought under control if there is proper co-ordination because we will soon introduce an electronic system to effectively monitor fuel distribution in the country,” he added. The Lagos Zonal Head of Operations, DPR, Adekunle Soyebo, who led the Lagos inspection, said the objective of the monitoring exercise was to check hoarding and dispensing of petrol above the official price of N97 per litre, while accusing the marketers of creating artificial scarcity of the product in the country. He said: “A lot of filling stations are hoarding fuel and we have enough fuel at the depot that can go round the country, but most of them are hoarding it and that is why we have come out to force them to sell. We are going to penalise them for their action. This exercise is a continuous one until the situation improves. There are punishments for defaulters. The DPR gave them licences to operate and we can revoke them.” Many of the filling stations were sealed up for selling fuel between N110 and N120 per litre instead of N97 and for manipulating their dispensing pumps. Some marketers in Warri who spoke with The Guardian said the private depots were responsible for the increase in fuel price as they bought from them at N105 per litre. Long queues of vehicles and scuffles to purchase fuel characterised many of the stations in parts of Delta and neigh-

bouring Edo State yesterday. The DPR’s Warri Zonal Operations Manager, Mr. Olumide Adeleke, ordered immediate monitoring of filling stations when his office became inundated with reports of sharp practices, hoarding, illegal adjustment of pumping machines and inexplicable hike in price of products by marketers. The dispatched DPR teams made unscheduled visits to stations in Warri/Effurun metropolis and environs as well as Asaba, Benin-City and other major towns with heavy vehicular and commercial activities. The DPR agents sealed up seven stations in Warri and 20 in Benin City for various offences ranging from hike in price to under-dispensing of products. However, Adeleke, who disclosed that the current scarcity was artificial, said the DPR has continued to apply limited sanctions on erring marketers to avoid a worsening of the situation or inadvertently causing scarcity of products. While numerous fuel outlets were found to be using underdispensing pumps to sell petrol, some filling stations were practically under lockand-key, refusing to sell the product even though they had it. Ibrahim stated in a statement that the extra volume of 25,000 metric tonnes of fuel, the equivalent of 33 million litres of petrol was supplied to the marketers as part of measures by the Corporation to end the artificially-induced scarcity. “While we intensify our ongoing direct monitoring of fuel stations across Lagos and its environs, we are providing the extra volume of product to eliminate the noticeable queues arising from the induced scarcity,” Ibrahim stated.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 3

4 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

News How l was defrauded, by Oboden Ibru By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo USTICE Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja was yesterday told how an owner of a bureau de change, Knox Bridge Trading Limited, Adedokun Tajudeen Dipo allegedly obtained N155 million from Oboden Ibru under false pretence. At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecution witness, Mr. Oboden Ibru told the court that the defendant obtained the sum of N155 million for the exchange rate of the sum of $1,000,000. Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Kayode Oni, Oboden said that the defendant was introduced to him by a friend, Niyi Adebayo, as a bureau de change operator in 2010. “On March 18, 2011, we entered a transaction and I transferred N155 million to defendant’s company, Knox Bridge Trading Limited GTBank account for the purpose of exchange, a transaction, which should have been completed in two weeks. “When I didn’t receive the dollar, I called him (defendant) but I began to get excuses. When the money was not forthcoming, the defendant

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) responding to cheers from the crowd that welcomed him to the PDP Unity Rally in Ilorin… yesterday.

36 feared killed as Boko Haram invades Mafa By Kabir Alabi Garba, Kamal Tayo Oropo (Lagos), Adamu Abuh, Terhemba Daka (Abuja), Anietie Akpan, Tina Todo (Calabar), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) O fewer than 36 persons were killed and houses torched on Sunday evening at Mafa town as the Boko Haram terrorist group continues its campaign of mindless killings in Borno State, NorthEastern Nigeria. Mafa is headquarters of Mafa local council, 50 kilometres east of Maiduguri, the state capital. According to an eyewitness, Isa Ibrahim, the gunmen came in 17 Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and started firing sporadically at houses and other public buildings, before setting them ablaze in an attack that lasted over three hours. A top military officer attached to the Special Operations in the state said “these gunmen came into Mafa town in Hilux Toyota vans armed with AK47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), rocket propelled launchers and petrol-bombs, and opened fire on residents in their houses at about 7p.m on Sunday.” Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has described the series of killings and bombings in the country as a national tragedy. Oloyede told newsmen in Ibadan yesterday that he was particularly worried that the killings were increasing despite all efforts to curtail it, stating: “It is a national tragedy which defies all logic

• Students, parents protest against attacks • Killings, a national tragedy, says NIREC and civility; it puts the nation on trial.” Oloyede, who doubles as Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Nigerians across all denominations to jettison political and religious propaganda as the nation goes through this trial. He urged all hands on deck to collectively combat these calamities, stating that “we all must rescue our nation from the impending doom and ensure that we restore peace and sanity in our country.” Similarly, a group of Muslim women in business and professions, The Criterion, has condemned the killing of 43 students of the Federal Government College, Yobe, among others. In a statement by its National President, Saudat Abu Baqi, the group said that mothers were weeping for the loss of innocent souls for no fault of theirs, adding that the wanton killings in North Eastern Nigeria have dampened the sense of security and brought instead fear and grief. Also, Ahmed Zannah, who represents Borno Central Senatorial District, disclosed in a telephone conversation that the people of Mafa were issued a warning letter by the insurgents while the attack was pending. According to him, the people of Mafa heeded the warning as most of them relocated to Maiduguri, and when they struck three weeks after, three soldiers and a policeman

became part of the casualties, among many others. Other things destroyed in the attack included several houses, shops, a mosque and the Central Mafa Market, he added, stating that the insurgents overpowered the soldiers and policemen, and subsequently fled to unknown destinations. Borno Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko, also confirmed the incident but said he was yet to get the exact casualty figure from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mafa council area. To combat the situation, 2,500 rangers drawn from the Nigerian National Parks Service are undergoing military arms training as part of the collaboration with security agencies in the fight against insurgencies, particularly at the North-Eastern border. Conservator General of the agency, Haruna Tanko Abubakar, disclosed in Abuja yesterday when he appeared before the Uche Ekwunife-led House of Representatives Committee on Environment that the development was meant to add fillip to the campaign against the menace ravaging Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Nevertheless, a pro-democracy group, the Governance Watch Initiative (GWI), yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty to Boko Haram insurgents, who have destroyed tens of hundreds of lives in their renewed onslaught on residents. GWI National coordinator,

Mr. Rotimi Ogunwuyi, who addressed newsmen yesterday in Abuja, also decried the Federal Government’s proposed N2 billion for the North-East zone’s Marshall Plan, saying that the amount fell short of expectations for the restoration of lasting peace in the north-east. The group also urged government to seek the support of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in tracking and hunting down Boko Haram members. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that the Presidency might be seeking to profit, politically and otherwise, from the ongoing insurgency by attempting to link the recent surge to the suspension of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the attempt by a presidential aide, Reno Omokri, to push an article he authored into the public domain, using a fake name, is the clearest indication yet that the Presidency has a case to answer and may have been feeding Nigerians with doctored information. Meanwhile, scores of parents stormed the office of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at Alausa yesterday protesting against the killing of students of Federal Government College in Yobe State, among others killed in the north. Dressed in black attire, the protesting parents, under the

aegis of Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA), expressed concern at the continuous killings in the region and called on the Federal Government, governors and the military to end the insurgency immediately. They demanded free medical service to all victims of previous and subsequent attacks, and compensation to their families. And, in respect to the students of Federal Government College, Bin Yadi, Yobe State, who were killed last week, the Rivers State House of Assembly has asked the state government to declare two days of mourning. The lawmakers also condemned the kidnap of three Peoples Democratic Party members in the state as well as the killing of two councilors in Eleme and Akuku-Toru local councils of the state. Nevertheless, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and the former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri, have disagreed over government’s approach to ending the Boko Haram insurgency. Ndoma-Egba called for a change of strategy, exploring the right of “hot pursuit” by taking the fight to neighbouring countries where the sect has many of its camps would not be out of place and would help stop the menace. However, Ebri blamed the Federal Government for “not showing enough concern,” stating that President Goodluck Jonathan should take Boko Haram as a priority and not the national conference, which he called “a misplaced priority.”

told me that his money was stuck in a UK bank.” Oboden further told the court that after numerous promises to pay the money and in spite of intervention from friends and family members, the defendant still failed in his promise. According to him, “in an attempt to settle it, we met and the defendant signed an undertaking. We agreed he would issue post-dated cheques from his company, Lorient Harbur Hotel Limited. He issued and handed 20 postdated cheques of N7,335,000. “The cheque dated March 15 was presented to the bank on March 23, 2012 twice and it bounced. I did not present the other cheques since the one I presented had already been stamped and returned unpaid.” He added that he informed his lawyer, who wrote petition on his behalf to the EFCC and attached photocopy of the cheques, as well as the defendant’s written undertaken. The court, therefore, admitted in exhibit, the cheques and marked them as exhibit 4a-x. Oboden pleaded that the court should help him recover the money, adding, “there are people, who rely on the money, not just myself alone.” However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Abiodun Onidare, urged the court to adjourn the matter since he was just discharged from the hospital after a surgery. Justice Ipaye subsequently adjourned till April 1, 2014 for continuation of the trial. EFCC had arraigned Dipo on two count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, stealing and fraudulent conversion. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge delineated.

Nasarawa deputy gov defects to PDP From Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE rift between Governor T Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State and his Deputy, Dameshi Barau Luka, deepened further with Luka’s formal defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A grand reception will be held today in Lafia to formally welcome him to the PDP even as his supporters and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also decamped with him. A senator and former deputy governor, Solomon Ewuga, had also recently decamped from the APC to the PDP, with the most surprising being a former Minister of Works, Hassan Lawal, who staked his ministerial job to support AlMakura’s guber race through the defunct opposition Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2011. The latest development is seen as a major setback to the APC in the state given Luka’s political strength across the state.

THe GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Army begins 11-day military exercise From: Madu Onuorah (Abuja) He Nigerian Army yesterday in Abuja announced that it would from today (Tuesday) begin an 11-day military exercise at the Guards Brigade range in Keffi, Nasarawa State. According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, “the general public is advised not to panic when movements of troops are noticed along Abuja–Keffi road or firing is heard within the exercise area.” The exercise, tagged: Range classification exercise, is designed to further test the art of weapon handling, expertise and marksmanship of officers and soldiers serving under all Army Headquarters departments and units in Abuja.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 NeWS | 5

Nigeria under UN pressure over same sex law, others From Laolu Akande, New York IGeRIA will again take center stage this week in global matters as pressure is mounting from western countries on the platform of the United Nations to force

down the hands of the Federal Government on the recent Anti-Same Sex legislation, which is one important agenda of Human Rights Council, HRC, of the UN, which opened its month long meeting yesterday in Geneva.

At the HRC 25th regular session, which opened yesterday Monday March 3, 2014, the review and discussion on the Nigerian Human Rights review is agenda number 6, according to a release by the HRC.

The HRC is meeting from yesterday to March 28, 2014 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and the Nigerian agenda is not likely to be tabled until later in the month. But an advanced

Ndigbo to hold colloquium in Enugu March 11 From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu He future of Ndigbo and the enormous challenges facing her both in Nigeria and in the contemporary world would form the nucleus of discussions next week as the first international colloquium on Igbo question in Nigeria holds in enugu. The three-day event, being put together by apex Igbo socio –cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in conjunction with 16 pan Igbo organisations, was organised due to the absence of internal cohesion within the Igbo nation and lack of national focus, stressing that the Colloquium would address issues of the future and survival of Ndigbo. The Colloquium’s Planning Committee Chairman, Prof Uzodinma T. Nwala, who briefed journalists in enugu about the event, stated that the event beginning from March 11, would examine the historical roots of contemporary Igbo predicament over which all and sundry in Igboland have groaned year after year.

Edo police arrest 60 alleged criminals From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu Benin City eW days after five persons were reportedly killed over cult-related clashes in edo State, the police command yesterday arrested 10 persons over secret cult related offences while it also paraded 50 suspects arrested in connection with armed robbery, cultism, rape, illegal possession of firearms and defilement. State Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo, while addressing newsmen however, decried what it called media’s exaggeration of cult killings in the state, saying that contrary to the high figure of deaths from cult killings published by a section of the media, only three deaths were recorded by the police. The state police boss, who expressed worry over rising cases of “child molestation and rape,” urged concerted action against the trend. “We must all take action against rising cases of child molestation particularly in edo state. Rape of the girl child is becoming alarming, we must stop the trend,” he said.

Some alleged Boko Haram members paraded by the SSS for the murder of Sheikh Auwal Adam Albani, his wife, and son in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY-ELUKPO

ACF, Amaechi, Rivers PDP disagree over centenary celebration From: Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna and Kelvin Ebiri Port Harcourt ReWA elders, under the umbrella of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have said that the gains of the 100 years of centenary celebration of the nation may have been eroded by the various social, economic and political challenges bedevilling Nigeria. According to the northern group, President Goodluck Jonathan should have considered a low-key celebration, rather than the elaborate and fanfare that marked the event. National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim said: “let me say that we have been together as a country for 100 years. I think in the life of a country to have clocked 100 years certainly it is worth celebrating. But, unfortunately for us the celebration came at a wrong time because we have so many problems in terms of security challenges, decay in infrastructure, poor education, and so many other problems”. He remarked: “So, if you look at it, the resources that were channeled or the funds that were spent would have been used to sort out some of our problems”. Besides, accusing Jonathan of insensitivity to the security challenges, the ACF pointed out that amidst of fanfare marking 100 years of our nationhood was the intensification of killing of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram. “And the unfortunate one is that the first day the President was giving awards to people and there was celebration all over the places, that was the day these innocent souls were killed by Boko Haram. And the country went about celebrating”! Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, who said the country is drifting perceptibly into a dangerous

waterfall, supported ACF’s view. Amaechi, while addressing the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday in Port Harcourt maintained that it is rather regrettable that the present administration which lavishly celebrated the country’s centenary in Abuja over the weekend, has failed to understand that an administration that operates an economic system that breeds inequality is raking hot coal in its bosom. “Can we really celebrate when our children are being slaughtered while at school? Can we really celebrate when our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are being slaughtered like chickens? Can we really celebrate when our fellow citizens live in constant and growing fear of kidnappers, hired assassins and armed robbers? Can we really celebrate when those constitutionally empowered to protect us turn their fury on us? In these questions lies the state of the nation. Where is the country headed? Where will the country be in another hundred years? What legacy are we leaving behind for our children”? Amaechi asked. However, the state’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Jerry Needam, said there was a glaring conflict in Amaechi’s claims that the reasons for his absence at the Abuja event marking the Nigeria centenary was the wanton destruction of lives in parts of the North and general unemployment in the country. In a statement, it said: “The PDP joins patriotic and well meaning Nigerians in condemning Governor Amaechi’s deliberate absence at the Centenary event during the week, in which eminent Nigerian leaders, other state governors and about 48 Heads of Governments and World leaders were in attendance. It

as a disappointment and a daring slap on the face of the people of the State, the Niger Delta region and the people of the South-South. “The PDP observes that Governor Amaechi makes no pretence in telling the world of his hatred and unrestrained disrespect, and insubordination to President Jonathan and the Federal Government. “The Party in the State regrets that such act of insubordination is coming from a person who is believed and seen to be having a relationship with it, as a governor of a state in which it (PDP) controls as a dominant/majority political Party. “The PDP recalls that Governor Amaechi, speaking at an occasion in Port Harcourt a few days ago said he did not attend the Centenary event to take his own pound of flesh on President Jonathan whom he said was not present at the Port Harcourt Centenary recently organized by him. “The Party notes a glaring conflict in Amaechi’s claims who said while addressing his loyal lawmakers in his office in Port Harcourt today, March 3, 2014, that the reasons for his absence at the Abuja event marking the Nigeria Centenary was the wanton destruction of lives in parts of the North and general unemployment in the country. “The PDP wonders why the governor will at this point, blame his actions on the inability of the Federal Government to provide jobs, when he could not provide employment for the teeming unemployed and underpowered youths on the streets of Port Harcourt during his celebration of the Port Harcourt Centenary, noting however that Amaechi’s absence could not mar or halt the event as it turned out to be one of the most successful celebrations of the Jonathan administra-

tion.” The party also described as “disturbing, the persistent efforts and disposition of Governor Amaechi in ensuring that President Jonathan does not only fail, but is removed as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This, the Party believes, will not succeed, but would rather spur the President to deliver on his mandate to Nigerians.” It added: “PDP urges Rivers people not to fail to pay back to Amaechi in his own coins.”

report by the Council’s working group noted that the issue of Same Sex legislation is one of the main issues for which the Federal Government has expressed its outright objection to the request of some western nations that the law be abolished. In fact by the time the Working Group was compiling the report on Nigeria, the Anti-Same Sex bill had not been completely passed and signed, suggesting that the debate might even become more intense now that the bill has become law. UN member-states in the forefront of the pressure against Nigeria is the United States, Sweden, Austria and also Czech Republic. According to the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Nigeria, Nigeria was asked to “amend and review all legislation and policies, including the Same-Sex Marriage Bill, with a view to decriminalise LGBTI persons. “Similarly the report also asked Nigeria to “revise laws discriminating against Lesbians Gays, Bisexual, Transgender Inclined, LGBTI, persons, including refraining from signing into law any new legislation criminalising LGBTIs.” Also, a specific demand tabled by the US on the Human Rights Council for Nigeria was to “establish policies and procedures that protect the human rights and security of all Nigerians including LGBT persons, their families and associates. The report equally asked that Nigeria must “ensure the universality of human rights, safeguarding and protecting human rights of all Nigerians irrespective of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or religious affiliation.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

6 NEWS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Imo college gets anti-graft panel

U.S. raises hope of better Nigeria

From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

By Debo Oladimeji

ITH its determination to check increasing cases of corruption in some institutions of higher learning in the country, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commissions (ICPC) has shifted its activities to the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), Owerri, Imo State, inaugurating a six-man anti- corruption panel known as the AntiCorruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) in the institution. The panel is headed by a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Guidance and Counselling, Dr. Henrietta Okafor. Inaugurating the panel at the institution’s auditorium, Head of the ICPC in the state, Shakaba Ishaku, said it would complement the existing similar committee in place at the college, urging all members, staff and students to comply with and support the complimentary roles of the two bodies.

HE United States T Department of State’s Counselor, Thomas Shannon,

Director General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu (left) receiving a gift from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, after the Sultan’s endorsement as Ambassador of Standards during the Odumodu’s working visit/campaign on ZeroTolerance to Substandard Products in Sokoto State…yesterday

How ex-MD, others fleeced N87.5b from Afribank, by EFCC witness By Bertram Nwannekanma and Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo

• Ajudua fails to stop trial over alleged $8.4m fraud

MMANUEL Al-Hassan, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Managing Director of the defunct Afribank Plc, Sebastian Adigwe, erstwhile chairman of the bank, Osa Osunde and former executive directors of the bank, yesterday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere how the defendants allegedly conspired to steal N87.5 billion from the bank. Meanwhile, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed the application filed by Fred Ajudua

against his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged $8.4 million fraud. The witness in the trial of Adigwe and others, in his testimony at a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere yesterday, said the directors granted questionable loans to different companies to buy shares of blue chip organisations but later diverted the sums to other uses. Adigwe and others, including a stockbroker, Peter Ololo, are being tried for allegedly steal-

ing N87.5 billion from Afribank. Led in evidence by the counsel to the EFCC, Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme, Al-Hassan told the court presided over by Justice Olabisi Akinlade that Adigwe and other directors transferred N15 billion in favour of Rehoboth Asset Limited. The money, the witness said, was approved as loan by the defendants at the 252nd board meeting of Afribank to buy shares of blue chip companies on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The shares, Al-Hassan asserted, were not bought as agreed in the offer letter, while the sum was eventually transferred into AIL Securities Limited account on September 15, 2008, through cheque No. 11418001 and cheque No. 11418002. According to the witness, the defendants also employed the same method to transfer another N15 billion in favour of Falcon Securities Limited on October 15, 2008. Prior to the transaction, the witness said, Afribank and Falcon had maintained a banker-customer relationship. Al-Hassan, however, alleged that another bank account was opened in Falcon Securities’ name with “zero naira” for the purposes of transferring the N15 billion credit facility. The N15 billion availed Falcon Securities as loan for the purchase of stocks of blue chip companies on the floor of the NSE, the witness claimed, later found its way to AIL Securities account in two tranches of N7, 811,000,000 and N7, 142,400,000 on October 16, 2008. On March 12, 2009, Al-Hassan said, the directors of Afribank also transferred N12 billion in favour of Resolution Trust and Investment Company Limited “to augment the working capi-

tal of Resolution Trust” and “used documents to cover it up.” The N12 billion facility, the witness stated, was later transferred to the account of Falcon Securities. The witness also revealed that Ololo (the 7th defendant) is the managing director and majority shareholder of Resolution Trust and Investment Company Limited, as well as Falcon Securities Limited. Justice Akinlade admitted and marked photocopies of the cheques detailing all the transactions as exhibits after AlHassan explained that the original copies were taken away by Baba Kura of the EFCC, Abuja office, during the tenure of Mrs. Farida Waziri and “all efforts to retrieve all the original copies proved abortive.” The matter was later adjourned at the instance of counsel for the prosecution till May 19 for AlHassan to continue with his testimony. Ajudua was brought before the court for allegedly defrauding former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of about $8.395 million while they were both in Kirikiri Prison for various crimes. The defendant’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, filed a preliminary objection insisting the court had no jurisdiction to try Ajudua since he was charged under the repealed Advance Fee Fraud Act. He also argued that Bamaiyi should stand trial along with him for admitting, in his statement to the EFCC, that he attempted to bribe a sitting judge. Justice Ipaye, while ruling on the application, held that EFCC was right in charging Ajudua under the repealed Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 1995, since the Act was in force when the alleged crime was committed.

Also, Justice Ipaye held that the argument by the defendant that the victim of the alleged crime was tainted cannot be a ground for dismissing the charge, adding that facts about the credibility of the victim were not before the court. However, the plea of Ajudua could not be taken as his lawyer requested for time to study the charge. The judge, therefore, adjourned till March 11, 2014, for arraignment. The anti-graft commission is prosecuting Ajudua, along with others still at large, for allegedly defrauding Gen. Bamaiyi of $8.387m between November 2004 and June 2005 while in prison. Ajudua is the only defendant in the fresh charges as others who allegedly committed the offence along with him are said to be at large. Other suspects, who were said to be on the run, are Alumile Adedeji (a.k.a Ade Bendel), Mr. Kenneth and Princess Hamabon William. EFCC claimed that the defendant had fraudulently collected the money from Bamaiyi in parts, falsely claiming that the payments represented the professional fees charged by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle Bamaiyi’s case in court and to facilitate his release from prison. Also, EFCC alleged that Ajudua and others fraudulently claimed that $1m out of the total money collected from Bamaiyi was for financial assistance for the treatment of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole’s father. Justice Oyewole was then presiding over Bamaiyi’s case in court. Ajudua is also standing trial in another court for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of US$1.69m (about N270m). The matter has been on since 2003.

who led a presidential delegation to Nigeria’s centenary celebration in Abuja, has said that the U.S. believes in Nigeria’s future and has a great confidence in the country. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Sunday, Shannon said the U.S. is looking forward to a better bilateral relationship with Nigeria. “In fact, we believe in Nigeria’s future. This is clear if you look at how we structure our bilateral relationship with Nigeria, what we are doing in the area of economic and investment and what we are doing in the area of health diplomacy. In my own point of view, this is to show how important Nigeria is, a great nation and with bright future. “This is my first trip to Nigeria. It is an important trip for me; it is an important trip for Secretary of State John Kerry as we look towards the future, towards Nigeria’s next 100 years. Nigeria is a great democracy. It is Africa’s largest economy and it is important partner for U.S. That is why we are always looking for opportunity to expand our engagement with Nigeria and we recently held our bi-national commission meeting with Nigeria, focusing on issue of transparency in governance. We continue to pursue a very rapid commercial agenda with Nigeria especially in the area of trade and investment and we continue to look for ways to partner with Africa and beyond in international peace and security,” he said. Shannon who said U.S would continue to look for new areas of cooperation with Nigeria noted: “HIV-AIDS is a very important issue because of its damaging nature. But as we got deeper into our health relationship with Nigeria and other countries, we are discovering that there are other aspects of healthcare that can play important roles in our health diplomacy, such as malaria and tuberculosis. We are also much worried about cancer, smoking and alcohol effects,” he said. According to him, U.S. relationship with Nigeria is not defined by fear buts by opportunities. “One of the great hopes that Nigeria holds not just for Africa but the world is its ability to sustain her unity in diversity. The greatest democracies in the world like United States, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria are all large countries,” he said He condoled with families of those who lost their love ones in the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country. “I want to extend my profound condolences to the families of Nigerians who have suffered so terribly by this attacks. And we condemned the Boko Haram attack itself. Terrorism is a global phenomenon. Terrorism has many roots. Some of them are security related. Some of them are also social and economic” he said.

12 PDP aspirants pick forms for Ekiti guber race From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja NOTHER set of four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Ekiti State yesterday picked nomination forms at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, bringing the number of aspirants to

12. The aspirants include: Bodunde Adeyanju, Adewale Aribisala, Peter Obafemi and Mrs. Bola Oloyede. The governorship election is billed for June 21 and PDP primary is scheduled for March 15. Most aspirants endorsed a

consensus arrangement. They, however, ruled out the zoning arrangement. Speaking after picking his form, an aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bodunde Adeyanju, declared that there had never been any

zoning arrangement in Ekiti State since its creation. He stressed the need for all aspirants to get a consensus ahead of the governorship election in order to defeat the incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 NEWS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Group backs creation of LCDAs in Osun

Youths engage Okonjo-Iweala online over 2014 budget

ATIONAL Coordinator of N the National Youth Coalition for Civic

HE Coordinating Minister T of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will from today to March, Friday 6, 2014, engage youths online on the 2014 budget. Tagged: The Budget 2014 Jam, it is a three-day online interactive conversation between the minister and the youth aged 18 to 40. A statement by the Special Adviser to the minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, says: “This is your opportunity to share your thoughts/ideas with the minister on the 2014 budget and its impact on the nation moving forward. “If you would like to be part of this free online conversation, please register now. Participation will be on a first come, first served basis. “You can access the online discussion using a laptop or tablet device. Be advised that it is not optimal on a smart phone. Register today at: www.collaborationjam.co m/jam4/budget2014/registration/

Oyinlola denies joining APC From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo ONTRARY to the speculation that he has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared that he remains a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Oyinlola, who said his travail in the PDP was not sufficient enough to make him dump the party, however, blamed the PDP leadership for not acting fast enough to prevent the defection of some governors and notable elements to the opposition party. Speaking yesterday during a sensitisation meeting of Osun Central Senatorial District held at his countryhome, Okuku in Odo-Otin Local Council Area, the former governor said his crisis with the PDP was over.

Total donates N118m equipment to hospital From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt OTAL Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPENG) and its OML 130 Partners have donated medical facilities worth N118 million to the Intensive Care Unit of Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Deputy Managing Director, Deep Water District, Mr. Charles Ngoka, during the commissioning of the facilities at the weekend in Port Harcourt, said the projects are deliberate Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives aimed to improve healthcare delivery in the state. Represented by the Executive General Manager, Deep Water and Administration, Mr. Joseph Ajilore, Ngoka pointed out that the facilities would reduce the number of deaths, as it would provide good response to patients in critical conditions in the state.

Director-General, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Golwa (right); Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri; his counterpart at the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Umar Buba Bindir and the Executive Director, Global Priority Solution Nigeria, Leslie Sanda, at the opening ceremony of Ethics First Value Re-Orientation Methodology for Change programme held in Abuja…yesterday

Northern states to abolish fees in secondary schools From John Ogiji, Minna S part of efforts to address A what has been described as low level of education in the northern part of the country, the 19 states’ governors have agreed to abolish school fees at the secondary level with effect from the next academic session. The governors, under the aegis of Northern Governors Forum (NSGF), have also agreed to harmonise fees paid in tertiary institutions in the region.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, disclosed this in Minna yesterday when he spoke at the National Association of Niger State Indigent Students (NANISS) awards ceremony to distinguished Nigerians, which took place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre. Aliyu further disclosed that the forum has agreed to reintroduce the Grade 11 Teachers’ Training pro-

gramme abolished across the country several years ago, as one of the ways to improve the standard of teaching in schools in the region. The governor, who was represented by the Niger State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Muhammad Bashir Nuhu, further disclosed that the forum has decided to close the educational gap between male and female students in the region. Aliyu, who described educa-

British Council moves to boost graduate employment in Nigeria From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja HE British Council has commissioned a threeyear research project to conduct an in-depth investigation into the challenge of unemployment facing graduates of higher institutions in Nigeria. The research is led by the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos, Nigeria and the University of London, in partnership with Kenyatta University, Kenya and University of Free State, South Africa. It is being designed to assess the overall situation in the selected countries and identify recent initiatives that have sought to address the challenges towards reducing inequality in access to higher education, improving quality and ensuring relevance. Speaking at an interactive session with stakeholders in the education sector, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. A.O. Bamiro, stated that preparing young people to enter the labour market is a critical responsibility for universities. “The relevance of their programmes and the employa-

bility of their graduates are posing an increasing challenge for the universities, particularly in view of two sets of statistics: enrolment and youth unemployment rates. “Statistics reveal that while Africa has the world’s youngest population, with great expectations for education, nearly 60 per cent of those who are unemployed are youths between the ages of 15-24, and a significant number of these are graduates. Bamiro noted that to increase the graduates’ chances of obtaining decent jobs that match their education and training, universities need to equip their students with the necessary competences to enter the labour market and to enhance their capacities to meet specific workplace demands. In his remarks, Dr. Tristan McCowan, of the Institute of Education, London, stated that the project is expected to provide insight into and greater meaning and understanding of how learning, teaching and research in universities can link with graduate employability and inclusive development. He revealed that more focus

is needed on measures to enhance the ability of graduates to contribute to Nigeria’s labour markets’ requirements and drive the economy. The lead researcher noted that greater synergy is needed between supply of graduates and the needs of labour market. The Director of Programmes, British Council Nigeria, Amir Ramzan, noted that if the challenges facing the education sector are not addressed, the problem will be compounded and it takes a long period of time to be sorted out. “From these small beginnings, we will create a lot of discussions from the challenges facing higher education in Nigeria and other countries in this research. “There are challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education, but those challenges present opportunities to work with relevant stakeholders, with our partners in the United Kingdom, universities, quality assurance agencies are all very keen to build on the already strong relationship with Nigeria in order to try and alleviate and help in the finding solution to some of the issues facing Nigeria,” he

tion as the bedrock of any development, said governors in the region have also resolved to establish schools of preliminary studies to prepare students for admission into tertiary institutions not only in the region but in the country as a whole, adding that three of such institutions have already taken off in Agaie, Ibeto and Tegina towns, all in Niger State.

Development (NAYICODEP), Comrade Omotosho Bolarinwa, has commended Osun State Governor Rauf Aregesola for presenting a bill to the House of Assembly to create additional 27 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). It was learnt that debate on and passage of the bill was delayed due to petitions against it. In a statement he issued yesterday on behalf of NAYICODEP, Bolarinwa said: “Creation of more LCDAs is to bring government closer to the people. It is all about service to the people. The nation’s constitution allows it, the process is clearly stated and well-articulated in the Constitution of Nigeria.” According to Bolarinwa, “it is Aregbesola’s determination to change the status quo in Osun State that informed his decision to create additional 27 LCDAs from the 30 he inherited to enable development get to the grassroots.” He said the constitution does not forbid creation of new LCDAs provided appropriate constitutional requirements are met. “Aregbesola is not a selfserving governor. He believes in local council administration and welfare of the people at the grassroots. He sees the new 27 LCDAs as the service centres to enable his administration serve the state and the people better. “If supported, this will increase the speed of capital projects in Osun.

8 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PHOTONEWS

President Goodluck Jonathan (second right); Member, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Lizzy Bob-Manuel (second left); President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo; Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Gloria Abumere and Health Minister, Prof. C.O Chukwu, at the commissioning of new NIPRD laboratories and admin blocks.

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (right) and former Chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu at the Saudi Arabia Cultural Centre Mosque, Asokoro, Abuja after Jumaat service.

Director, Ministry of Agric/Corporative, Lagos State, Olufunmilayo Bamtefa (left); Director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Ugochukwu Mainasara and Chairman, National Fortification Alliance, Fred Chiazor during Food Fortification Social Marketing Communication flag off at Ojuwoye Market, Mushin, Lagos. PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON

The Oloja of Epe Land, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun (middle); Olisa of Epe, Chief Alaolu Korede (right) and Community Secretary of Epe, Chief Olayinka Tobun, during the press conference on the commencement of the annual Eebi festival in Epe, Lagos. PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Senior Director, Microsoft Middle East Headquarters, Yesser Elaba (left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Nike Animashaun; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Adebiyi Mabadeje and President, Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Coutois during a visit to discuss the MoU the state government signed with Microsoft, in Lagos.

Lubricant Services Manager, Oando Marketing Plc, Peter Esekhaigbe (left); Distributor, Hamisu Dantinki; Lubricant Research & Development Manager, Mohammed Dahiru; distributors, Linus Ezeami and Mohammed Maude, during a tour of the Oando Lubricant Blending Plant at the distributors award at the company’s marketing head office in Lagos.

Second runner up and winner of a 32 inch TV set, Mohammed Lawrence (left); winner of the Star trip to Brazil ticket, Timothy Victor, and first runner up and winner of a generator, Tajudeen Babatunde Bello, at the Star Trip To Brazil consumer promotion in Lagos.

General Manager, Dajcom Limited, Nicolah Farah (left); Group Deputy General Manager, Sharp Corporation, Japan, Mitsuo Nakashima; Managing Director, Dajcom Limited, David Safa and Managing Director, Sharp, Middle East Dubai, Fumio Yamaguchi during the Sharp and Dajcom partnership press briefing in Lagos.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 9

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

WorldReport EU ponders arms embargo on Russia over Ukraine USSIA must change R course on Ukraine and return its troops to their

Anti-war demonstrators hold signs against Russian President, Vladimir Putin as they take part in a protest against Russian intervention in Ukraine, on the sidelines of a EU Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting dedicated to the situation in Ukraine at the EU Council building in Brussels, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Pistorius pleads not guilty at start of trial HE first witness in the T Oscar Pistorius murder trial testified yesterday to hearing a woman’s “bloodcurdling” screams before the sound of four gunshots on the night the double-amputee Olympian killed his girlfriend. Michell Burger, a woman who lives on an estate next to Pistorius’ gated community, said she and her husband were awoken by the screams in the pre-dawn hours of February 14 last year, when Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp by shooting four times through a door in his bathroom. Pistorius says he killed Steenkamp by mistake thinking she was a dangerous

intruder in his house, but prosecutors believe the world-famous athlete shot his girlfriend after a fight and immediately tried to paint a picture at the trial of a loud argument before the fatal shots. Burger’s testimony contradicts Pistorius’ version of events, because he said he thought Steenkamp was in bed and he did not describe any woman screaming. “It was very traumatic,” Burger said, speaking in Afrikaans through an interpreter and in answer to questions from lead prosecutor, Gerrie Nel. “You could hear it was blood-curdling screams. You can’t translate it into words. The anxiousness in

her voice, and fear. It leaves you cold.” Burger said: “She screamed terribly and she yelled for help” and testified that she also heard a man shout for help before the shots were fired. Pistorius’ lawyer, Barry Roux, opened his cross-examination by asking Burger if she thought Pistorius was a liar. She didn’t directly answer that with a yes or no, but repeated her recollection of the night’s events. “I can only tell the court what I heard that evening,” Burger said. “I cannot understand how I could clearly hear a woman scream but Mr. Pistorius could not hear it.”

Uganda church warns of Anglican split over gay law HE Anglican Church of T Uganda said yesterday it may consider breaking away from their mother church in England if it puts Uganda under pressure over a tough new anti-homosexuality law. “The issue here is respect for our views on homosexuality, same sex marriage as a country and church. If they are not willing to listen to us. We shall consider being on our own,” Uganda’s top Anglican, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, told AFP. “Homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture,

and no one in the leadership of the church can say legitimise same sex unions or homosexuality,” he said, urging the “governing bodies of the Church of England to not take the path advocated by the West”. “If they do we shall have no choice but to be on our own,” he said. Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni last week signed a bill into law which holds that “repeat homosexuals” should be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and requires people to report

on homosexuals. The passing of the bill was largely a popular move in conservative Uganda, where Museveni — a devout Christian who has been in power for 28 years — faces reelection in 2016. “Our doors are open for those facing sexual disorientation to be counselled, healed and prayed for,” the archbishop said. “The church is a safe place for those who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, we shall provide help to them.”

bases in Crimea or it risks a series of European Union (EU) punitive measures, including an arms embargo, a draft document showed yesterday. EU foreign ministers meeting to find a common response to the mounting crisis in Ukraine were to consider what measures to take in the event of “further possible negative actions by Russia,” according to a draft of the final statement seen by AFP. “In the absence of an agreed solution, the EU will consider/begin preparations for future targeted measures, including an arms embargo,” it said. This section of the draft was in brackets, meaning it is open to change or even removal at the meeting. Russia and France in 2011 signed a contract worth over a billion euros for Moscow to buy two Mistral warships, its first ever purchase of military

ing an activist to death in 2010 in an incident that became one of the triggers for the uprising that toppled veteran autocrat, Hosni Mubarak. Witnesses and rights groups said that 28-year-old Khaled Said died after police dragged him out of an Internet cafe in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and beat him to death. Before he died, Said posted an Internet video purportedly

showing two policemen sharing the spoils of a drug bust. His death galvanized anger, in particular through the Facebook page “We are all Khaled Said” that focused attention on the rights violations by the police that many said were commonplace at the time. That campaign, tapping into a tech-savvy but disillusioned youth, plus a myriad other strikes, groupings and protests, morphed into nationwide marches calling for the dissolution of parlia-

ment and disbanding of the state security agency. Government autopsies carried out before the 2011 uprising found that Said had choked on a plastic roll of drugs and his injuries were not the cause of his death. The two policemen were sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011, but a court canceled the ruling after an appeal and ordered a retrial. Yesterday, they were sentenced to 10 years. “We wanted the death penalty... 10 years is too little,” Said’s

Crimea, largely pro-Russian and home to its key Black Sea fleet. Such action breaches international law and commitments Russia itself made under a 1994 international accord on Ukraine also signed by the US and Britain, and a 1997 bilateral treaty, the draft said. Accordingly, the EU “calls on Russia to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing,” in line with its commitments, and should also “without delay” agree to direct talks with Kiev, it said. In addition, the EU commended “the measured response demonstrated so far by Ukraine” and said it was ready to support international efforts to help the country, plunged into chaos three months ago when proRussian president Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU association accord. A draft statement at this stage can be expected to undergo significant change before final agreement.

More migrants enter Spain’s North African territories IFTEEN African migrants, Fentered including a young girl, Spain’s north African territory of Melilla illegally yesterday on a small inflatable boat, Spanish authorities said. Three other African migrants entered Ceuta, Spain’s other north African Territory, by passing underneath a barbed wire border fence, officials said. Ceuta and Melilla — which sit across the Mediterranean from mainland Spain, surrounded by Moroccan territory — are a key entry point for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. The two cities have the European Union’s only land borders with Africa. The rubber dinghy carrying the 15 migrants entered Melilla in the early hours of Monday though the territory’s commercial port, the regional government said in a statement.

Egypt jails policemen over activist’s death WO Egyptian policemen T were sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday for tortur-

hardware from a NATO member. The first warship was floated out late last year and is set to be delivered to the Russian navy in October, with the second still under construction. Of the 28 EU member states, France and Germany have both pressed the case for dialogue and mediation with Moscow first, downplaying any possibility of sanctions at this stage. Dutch Foreign Minister, Frans Timmermans told reporters on arriving for the meeting that “sanctions are not in order today but sanctions will become inevitable” if there is no change in Russia’s position. Among other steps ministers are considering, the draft refers to suspending talks with Russia on visa liberalisation, a long-standing grievance in Moscow, and on negotiations to upgrade EURussian relations. “The European Union strongly condemns” Russian actions in Ukraine, especially its de facto occupation of

sister Zahra told Reuters. “Still this is a victory for the January 25 revolution because the symbol that they tried to tarnish turned out to be innocent,” she added referring to the revolt against Mubarak. Under Mubarak, human rights groups accused the police of widespread torture. Activists say security forces are again abusing power since the army ousted President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood last July following mass protests against him.

“The migrants started to run as soon as they reached the port and were detained by police,” the statement said. The migrants included one girl aged under 18 and 14 adult men. Meanwhile in Ceuta, located about 400 kilometres (250 miles) to the west of Melilla, three African migrants crossed underneath the barbed wire fence separating the territory from Morocco through a pipe, a spokesman for the regional government said. Police on Sunday caught a 19-year-old from Mali hiding inside a suitcase that was being carried by a Moroccan man across the border into Melilla from the Moroccan border town of Beni Ansar. “The difficulties which the man had in carrying the suitcase raised the suspicions of

the authorities,” police said in a statement. At least 14 migrants drowned in Moroccan waters on February 6 while trying to enter Ceuta by sea after several hundred tried to storm the land border. In that incident, Spanish security forces were accused by human rights groups and witnesses of firing rubber bullets at the immigrants, sparking a heated debate in Spain. In response Spain’s interior ministry said last week it had banned border guards from firing rubber bullets to stop migrants crossing the fence into its north African territories. More 200 migrants stormed across a triple-layer border fence into Melilla on Friday in what Spanish authorities said was one of the largest such crossings in years.

10 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Politics The National Conference Debate

Nigeria’s unity is negotiable, says Ozekhome (1) Lagos lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), is a human rights activist, who has been at the forefront for good governance and social justice in Nigeria. He was in Benin City recently where he spoke to a select group of journalists on the proposed national conference, taking the potential challenges and associated problems one by one and proffering solutions, reports Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu. the graveyard; it is not peace. Peace devoid of transparency, of justice, of equity, of mutual respect is at best a peace of the graveyard.

Why he feels the conference is necessary O matter the shortcomings of the national conference, as we have it today, we must give kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating it, for being able to brave the odds, to decide that Nigerians must talk. But I am ashamed that suddenly, some campaigners for the national conference, even for a sovereign national conference — I am ashamed to see most of them turn their back to it because of political advantages, to say that we don’t want a conference. But in congratulating Jonathan for having the temerity to organise the conference, let me begin to point out some problem areas that he needs to look at, for us to have a formidable and successful national conference. Otherwise, we may be treating a serious ailment like leprosy with medicine meant for eczema or headache.

Challenges HE first challenge, which is one major huddle that the conference will have to cross, is that as at today, there is no legislation backing the convocation of this national conference. The more rational thing would have been for Mr. President to have a bill before the National Assembly, which will give the structure for holding the national conference. But there is none today; the only thing Mr. President has done is strictly by him and on him alone, as a person and the Presidency. It could be argued though — and I think this is the argument the advisers of Mr. President has given to him — that section 5 of the Constitution gives the executive powers of Nigeria to Mr. President. • Having a national conference is part of the ingredients that will lead to peace, good governance and stability and security in Nigeria. That is hurdle number one. • The second challenge is; where will the N7 billion for the project come from? The national budget is still before the National Assembly. With the tug of war of filibustering or not filibustering, numerical strength or no numerical strength between the PDP and the APC, with the Labour Party, APGA being interested parties; nobody knows when the budget is going to be passed. And if it is not passed, where will Mr. President get the money to carry out this confab? But I want to believe, like other people, that N7 billion is a small amount for us to talk and bring about peace to Nigeria. After all, that is the amount that some Permanent Secretariats and some Deputy Directors have been found to pocket in Nigeria. So, I do not have problem with that amount at all because it is from it that stipends will be paid to all the participants who, for the three months that the conference will take place, will have to leave their businesses to be at Abuja. • The third challenge is the duration of this conference, which has been put for three months. From my experience, as a member of the National Political Conference in 2005 — as the chairman of the subcommittee on Civil Society and the Media, and later elected as the spokesman of the entire South-South delegates — three months, which was also earmarked for that conference, was definitely not enough; we had to write for an extension to Obasanjo. Why? The conference is going to convene as

No-go areas DISAGREE that the Federal Government said there is a no-go area. We have passed the stage where we can say we cannot discuss Nigeria in all its ramifications. We even discuss God and how He created the world; it is in Genesis. Why are we afraid of discussing ourselves? Why are we scared of discussing where we are coming from, where we are and where we want to go? Who said we could not discuss the problems of Nigeria? We have never agreed to live together as a nation. There was a time when the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, described Nigeria as a piece of historical mistake. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late sage, once described Nigeria as a piece of geographical expression. We were cobbled together by the British. Even the name, Nigeria, was given to us by Flora Shaw, the daughter of a British General. That lady was later married to Captain Lord Lugard, the man who, in 1914, forcibly amalgamated the Northern Protectorate, Southern Protectorate and the Lagos Colony to found an amorphous contraption called the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We were never united. Before 1914, we had different nationalities in Nigeria; we had the Benin Empire and it is then that the British killed Oba Ovonranmwen. So, we never negotiated to stay together and that is why till tomorrow, Nigerians believe more in their ethnic groupings. And you cannot blame anybody because, before the 1914 amalgamation, we were already recognised ethnic nationalities in this country, and how can you now give 90 slots to ethnic nationalities out of 380 while Mr. President alone is having over 90 delegates, 25 per cent each.

Jonathan a plenary session. The first one to three weeks will be used as plenary session, debating the modalities for the conference; what committees should be set up; what will be the object of each of the committees. You will need not less than one month for committees to sit down and do a clean job — and two months already gone. Then, the work of the committees will be brought back to the plenary session of the conference; each committee will bring out the items and each item will be debated one by one. And a conference that has about 496 members, each person will want to speak because anyone, who is not allowed to speak, will say the conference has a hidden agenda. By the time 496 people are debating several issues, you will need about one and half or two months for that. And after the debate and agreements are reached, they will again go back to the plenary session for voting for each of the committee’s findings, item by item. How do you use three months to do all these? Challenge number four is method of voting. HE President said you must have a consensus on each subject matter. Consensus? Are we ever going to have a consensus on the issue of fiscal federalism, resource control, devolution of power from the centre to the units? If we are not going to have that consensus, how do we vote? Mr. President and his people said 75 per cent of the people have to vote for each item to be agreed upon; that is a tall order. There are two problems with 75 voting strength. One, some minorities from the Niger Delta, who have been clamouring for resource control and who their Northern counterparts have been telling to even show gratitude to the 13 per cent already given to them by way of revenue allocation; it will look like climbing Mount Everest for them to be able to get 75 per cent of members of the conference to vote that we

Ozekhome should have resource control. I can’t see it happening. Problem number two is that we may end up with having a radical minority, against a helpless majority. Let us assume that 74 per cent have voted for an issue, that we want this issue resolved this way and the 74 per cent is one per cent short of the 75 per cent needed to pass this issue. It means that the voting of that issue have been defeated and if so, it means that 26 per cent, which is the silent but not tyrannical minority, have carried the day against 74 per cent majority just because the majority was one per cent less than the 75 per cent required. So, head or tail, you are going to have a lot of injustice coming into play. The truth is that all Nigerians are equal stakeholders in the project or contraption called Nigeria. The 380 ethnic groups in Nigeria must be made to feel to be stakeholders; some of them should not be made to feel that they are clappers and members of the audience. Nigerians, for too long, have been made to stand on a tripod. A tripod is a three-legged creature. You all know that a three-legged creature is never balanced. You need four legs to stand and be balanced. Could that be why Nigeria has been fumbling and wobbling? If you always take the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria — the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, what happens to the other 377 ethnic groups? Are you saying that Ozekhome, because he is a minority within a minority, God, in His infinite wisdom, is foolish to have created him to come from Iviukwe village in Etsako and not from one of the major ethnic groups? Now, if all of us must be given a sense of belonging, then we should see ourselves as equal partners; not to do so is to treat equal unequally, or to treat unequal equally; either of them is major injustice. For too long, we have been having what Abiola will call a peace of the cemetery, or of

Nigeria’s unity is negotiable HE so-called indissolubility and indivisibility are mere rhetoric that cannot stand the test of time. Nigeria’s unity is negotiable because failure to negotiate it is to postpone the evil day. India and Pakistan were once one country, but where are they today? What about Ethiopia and Eritrea, were they not one country before? Already in Nigeria, you have some separatist movements. The Boko Haram has planted flags in some communities in the North. The MASSOB are craving for Biafra; the OPC wants an Oduduwa Republic. The Arewa wants Northern hegemonic domination. The Middle Belt feels that they are different people. Now, how do you say that these people, who even want to leave, cannot negotiate the unity of Nigeria? The truth is that not to negotiate the unity of Nigeria, which has underpinned and undermined Nigeria’s development, is not acceptable. Why don’t we have confidence in one another; why are we suspicious of one another; why do we believe more in our ethnic nationalities? Not to have (discuss) it is to continue to postpone the evil day. We must discuss all the issues from how Nigeria came to be, and how we are now. That we are using about 75 per cent of our national budget to service recurrent expenditure and 25 per cent for capital expenditure is sickening. No nation can develop with that kind of meagre allocation; we need to discuss it. That is going to bring us to the other issue.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 POLITICS 11

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Awolowo’s prescriptions and Southwest common agenda

Ajimobi

By Seye Olumide N 1964, the late popular actor/musician, I‘Yoruba Hubert Ogunde, in one of his plays titled: Ronu, Otitokoro’ (meaning, ‘Yoruba

should think and Truth is bitter’), urged the race to reflect on its position within the Nigerian federation. The title was a satirical account of the strife that plagued the Yoruba land in the 1960s, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Nigeria 1963. Ogunde made the crucial call at a time most prominent Yoruba leaders now refer to as the “golden era of the Western Region.” In the First Republic, the regions making up Nigeria enjoyed autonomy under regional constitutions, which saw the Southwest developing at a pace “second to none under the Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led Action Group (AG) government.” Ogunde, in the particular title, sounded a note of caution to the Yoruba race on the implications of working at crossroads whenever it came to taking decision on crucial issues within the Nigerian federation. The 1966 military coup, however, quashed the regional arrangement and centralised power. This was followed by the adoption of the presidential system of government in 1979 — a complete departure from the parliamentary and regionalism system of the First Republic, which the Southwest has continued to clamour for. One of the agitations of the region, which Chief Awolowo, and his followers canvassed, is that the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria and its multi-ethnic diversity do not warrant the concentration of power at the centre; and that each of the geopolitical units should control its resources for self-development. Awolowo, before his death in 1987, relentlessly advocated for true federalism — a theory, which most of his ardent followers have held tenaciously to till today. The Yoruba have persistently argued that true federalism, resource control and devolution of power to the regions would enable them develop at a pace they did during the First Republic. In recent time, however, the Southwest, which once prided itself as first among equals in experiencing development within the Nigerian context, has not been able to speak with one voice or present a common agenda at any national forum for dialogue. Here is another opportunity offered by President Goodluck Jonathan through the planned 2014 National Conference. But the fear is: Will the Yoruba galvanise their agenda and thoughts together? Will they imbibe the thoughts of Awolowo? Will their delegates to the conference be able to “think and reason as one, agree on a common agenda and/or follow the road not followed in the past? As Ogunde rightly warned, “Yoruba race would have to ponder over their position?” To address this daunting challenge of working at cross-purposes, prominent leaders of the race would converge in the NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday at a symposium organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation. With the theme: ‘The Nigerian Constitution: The Awo Road Not Taken,’ deliberations at the meeting would be on critical issues that would certainly form the component parts of the national conference scheduled to commence from March 13, 2014 in Abuja. Disclosing why it’s necessary to organise such a symposium at this critical period, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, daughter of Awolowo, said the programme is part of the ongoing efforts to present before the Southwest delegates to the confab and Nigerians Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s prescrip-

Awolowo-Dosunmu

Osoba tions on the matter of Nigerian Constitution. Noting that one of the cardinal challenges confronting the nation and the Yoruba race is the issue of constitution, which her late father never ceased to ponder on, AwolowoDosunmu said the Foundation took the decision “to avail intending delegates to the conference and, indeed, all Nigerians Awolowo’s prescriptions on matter of Nigerian constitution so that those prescriptions could be rigorously and rationally re-examined.” According to her, “the symposium could not have come at a better time than now when the long-awaited national conference would commence,” adding that the Foundation had assembled “an array of bright young stars who would no doubt do justice to the issue under review.” She said that not only the delegates but Nigerians in general would be interested in the recommendations of the symposium, with the hope that those recommendations would form part of the new constitution that would be produced for the country at the end of the confab. For the record, some of Awolowo’s contributions in books and paper presentations include: ‘Path to Nigerian Greatness’, ‘The Problems of Africa, the Need for Ideological Reappraisal’, ‘Strategy and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria’, ‘Thoughts on Nigerian Constitution’, and ‘Path to Nigerian Freedom’. Awolowo, in one of the books, ‘Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution’, said: “Firstly, I am not sure if I shall be in a position to participate in the deliberations of the proposed Constituent Assembly, or to address public gatherings with a view to educating our people on the issues involved, before a referendum is conducted on a new constitution. “Having played a leading role in the work of constitution making in the country since 1949, I feel strongly that I owed it a duty to our people to avail them of the benefit of my views. “Secondly, the rationale of the suspended constitution has been so overlaid with misconception and distortion that a comprehensive restatement of the case for and against federalism or unitarism, appears to me to be called for. “I sincerely hope that those who read the views and proposals expressed and made in this book will consider and assess them with the same constructive objectivity as I have tried to adopt in presenting them.” As far back as 1970, Chief Awolowo was able to predict the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia if it continued with its unitary system of government, which he said was not suited to her multi-ethnic configuration like Nigeria. By 1991, his prediction came to pass when the country broke up. Awolowo declined to participate in the 1976 Constituent Assembly set up by the late General Murtala Muhammed, his reason being that he foresaw the body having a pre-

Babatope

conceived agenda. It was the Constituent Assembly that later produced the 1979 Constitution, which introduced the presidential system of government that not a few have complained about in terms of being too expensive to run, besides allowing concentration of powers at the centre. Going by the array of complaints against the 1999 Constitution, which some people described as a military imposed documents and edited copy of 1979 Constitution, Awolowo must have been proved too right when he refused to participate in the Murtala Constituent Assembly. Why the worry over the Southwest? INSTANCES have shown groupings and counter-groupings. For instance, there is the IsharaRemo group led by the Chairman of Afenifere, Dr. Reuben Fasoranti and Chief Olanihu Ajayi; the group led by the OPC founder, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun; the Yoruba Council of Elders; the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly (SNPA); the Southwest zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) (which was initially sceptical about the confab, but has embraced it); and the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF). The various groups have been ruminating over a common position suitable not only for the region, but also for the entire country on the best way to restructure Nigeria. The leaders had also sent out different delegations to other zones to interact, listen to them on their views on how Nigeria should be run while also selling to them, the Yoruba Agenda on national development. So, there are fears that problem of ego may pose serious challenge to each of the groups. But the National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, said the yearning of the average Yoruba “is to witness again what our leaders told us about the old Western Region under the leadership of Chief Awolowo.” He said Awolowo’s prescriptions are not different from what the Southwest is asking for within the federation now, noting that the day the Yoruba race would speak with one voice and present a common agenda ‘laisi awon agbehin ba ebo je’, (that is, ‘without fifth columnists in their ranks’), Nigeria’s problems would be resolved. Adams expressed confidence that the race has done elaborate consultations, part of which is the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation’s symposium “to further galvanise and articulate our agenda,” adding, “I am certain and convinced that the Yoruba will present a common agenda this time.” Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, at the meeting organised by Yoruba Assembly on National Conference (YANC) at Ishara-Remo, Ogun State, recently, corroborated Adam’s view. The governor wondered why it had been difficult for the Yoruba race to think alike and have a common front over the years.

“

I don’t, for whatever reason, nurse any fear that the Southwest will have a divided agenda at the conference. We have successfully harmonised our position and we shall be going to the conference to project what is good and will translate into the development of the country and the Yoruba nation

“

Braithwaite

Adams “I wonder whether it is because of understanding and cooperation this time around, as we prepare for the Jonathan conference, that the Yoruba have no choice than to present a common front,” he said. Chief Ayo Adebanjo said the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation initiative is a welcome development given the contributions Awolowo made to the socio-political emancipation of the country. He said Awolowo was known to play a leading role in the work of constitution making in the country since 1949. “There (conference), his prescriptions would be a valuable document to the delegates,” dismissing the fears that the Southwest would not speak with one voice. He said: “I think we have overcome that (fears). I don’t care who goes to the confab to represent us; all I am concerned is for the delegates to agree on what the Yoruba want. “We clamour for true federalism, resource control, autonomy, among others, that would enable us to develop at our pace.” Elder statesman and legal mind, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite also disagrees that the Yoruba nation would work along opposite line. “That is not possible for now,” he said. “Now, Yoruba leaders have taken firm positions on issues of power devolution, possibility of secession, regional police and even immunity. “I can say confidently that no Yoruba group will take any contrary position on these issues. If you note the way things are going, almost everybody wants a new constitution to emerge from this planned national conference. “My position is that the Southwest should remain focused on these issues and I can tell you there won’t be any disagreement.” Braithwaite argued that it was not impossible to have divergent views on some issues, “but it depends on the nature of these issues on which they are going to disagree.” “If they are merely administrative or procedural issues, I do not see any problem in arriving at harmonisation,” he said. “But if they are issues of fundamental structural implications, such as devolution, resource control, secession, then there will be the need to, not just for the Yoruba nation, but also any of the geo-political region, to harmonise on all these fundamental issues before they go to the conference.” Meanwhile, former Minister of Transportation and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, agrees that Awolowo’s prescriptions would be helpful to the delegates. But he was cautious on whether the Yoruba race would succeed in projecting a common agenda at the conference. According to him: “We should not be confused. There are several groups within the Yoruba enclave; all of them have met over the conference and I doubt if their thoughts are the same. “For instance, I still upheld the position of SNPA led by Chief Edwin Clark, Bishop Gbonigi and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme. “I also want to doubt if the Fasehun-led group and those that assemble at Ishara-Remo would work together at the end of the day.” One of the delegates to the conference and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, told The Guardian Awolowo’s ideas on constitution would serve a great purpose. “I don’t, for whatever reason, nurse any fear that the Southwest will have a divided agenda at the conference,” he said. “We have successfully harmonised our position and we shall be going to the conference to project what is good and will translate into the development of the country and the Yoruba nation.”

TheGuardian

12 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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 Of impunity and opportunism F all the evils assailing Nigeria’s democracy, two stand out: opportunism and O impunity. And both must be uprooted before they choke the struggling seeds of democracy to death. When former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the special guest of the Rivers State Government recently on the occasion of the commissioning of some projects completed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, it was not only an opportunity for the retired General to stir up controversies, that occasion became the best advertisement for Nigeria’s poor politics. In Port Harcourt, Obasanjo’s statements were not only insulting and denigrating of his host but also contemptuous of an average Nigerian to whom the right to vote and be voted for is a constitutional one that cannot be whimsically interfered with. Indeed, the sin to which Obasanjo gleefully confessed without remorse that day was an interference with the fundamental norms and values of democracy and, therefore, a political sacrilege, the like of which should never be countenanced in any society. He boasted with candour that he was the one who unilaterally denied Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State, the PDP’s governorship ticket in 2007 even when he had been so designated by the party. That story of course, was not new and nobody is in doubt that impunity reigns in Nigeria even till now. But Obasanjo’s open celebration of that travesty was an insult and diminished even his own person. The Port Harcourt outing was a self-indictment for impunity for which Obasanjo was notable throughout his tenure as the President. His speeches underscore the travails Nigeria’s democracy has had to endure all along and how democracy has been bastardised to have a peculiarly Nigerian definition, making a mockery of the beautiful ideal. Party structures have been hijacked by governors, political godfathers, money bags et al, all because they want people’s political fortune to be tied inextricably to their persons. The battle for the control of these structures rages on fiercely from time to time, sometimes threatening the peace of the polity and its beleaguered people who are traumatized by hunger, poverty, decrepit infrastructure, receding fortune, medieval diseases, corruption and above all, inept government totally lacking in idea. The restiveness that cuts across virtually all the political parties today is a consequence of the fight for the control of the party structures at all levels of political leadership. The stress and distraction which it constitutes to governance and efficient delivery of democracy dividends cannot be over-emphasised. Rabid loyalty to supposed party leaders and not to the party itself is the order of the day as that is what fetches goodwill for party members. Appointment is not a function of competence or suitability but how loyal a party member is to the political godfather who calls the shot. This breeds sycophancy, indiscipline, corruption, mediocrity and insensitive leadership which governance has come to be identified with today in Nigeria. Obasanjo exploited this shortcoming to the hilt. Those who were perceived as disloyal to him never had a breathing space. Even public officials stood a chance of losing their offices should they be found or perceived as disloyal to him regardless of how well their performance in office was. That nearly became the lot of Atiku Abubakar as the Vice President of Nigeria and a handful of PDP governors who had the EFCC unleashed on them in the most bizarre kind of selective fight against corruption. In all of these, it was democracy that lost its lustre as the party became considerably emasculated and replaced with the supremacy of the leaders or the godfathers. That was what Obasanjo meant when he said it was him who denied Amaechi party ticket despite the fact that he was the choice of the people. It was not Amaechi alone that was so treated; there were several others who had their tickets withdrawn in circumstances similar to Amaechi’s. The consequence of this impunity is that the people of Rivers State were denied the opportunity of having a democratically elected governor, an aberration that Olusegun Obasanjo felt no shame in boasting about. More important, if not for political opportunism, why would the same Obasanjo be the one now being feted by Amaechi? What was the special consideration or confluence of interest that informed his choice other than to slight some common enemies? On the other hand, why would Obasanjo dignify a person whose “election” as a Governor he considers questionable even several years after it took place? Afterall, that Obasanjo still holds Amaechi’s victory in contempt is implicit in his remark that he had no regret for withdrawing his ticket. Not only did he ridicule Amaechi’s governorship, he also cast aspersion on the judgment of the Supreme Court which installed the governor when he said: “I am one of those who, when he got the judgment or verdict, found it awkward…” While the opportunism of the Nigerian politician rankles, the damage to democracy is incalculable. And it must stop. Also, it is high time Obasanjo comported himself in the way other former presidents in and outside Nigeria are known to do. He craves to be seen as the “father of modern Nigeria”. There is really nothing wrong with this aspiration except that this goes with some responsibility. Elderly comportment is one essential attribute which demands some reticence and plenty of caution in every aspect of life. Obasanjo’s quest for stature as the father of the nation will be helped by a huge dose of circumspection but will be doomed by his renowned hubris. More important, Nigeria’s democracy can do without the kind of impunity, in whatever circumstance, he so gleefully celebrated in Port Harcourt.

LETTERS

The facts about Osun school uniform IR: I thank The Guardian for SFebruary its editorial of Monday, 17, 2014 commenting on the educational policy of the present government in the state of Osun. The editorial in all ramifications is a balanced comment on the state of affairs which show that there is still hope for balance commentary. Be that as it may, it is relevant to correct certain factual errors in the said editorial with a view to putting the record straight. First, It was claimed in the editorial that the government intentionally merged religious schools. With respect, there are no religious public schools in Osun. The claim that religious schools were merged was deliberate falsehood by some elements with a view to discredit education reform efforts of Aregbesola Administration in Osun. It is a verifiable fact that all schools hitherto owned and managed by the missionaries (both Muslim and Christian) have been taken over by the military government since 1975. There is an existing edict to this effect. Ever since the takeover of these schools, government has been responsible for administration, staffing and funding of those public schools. Thus the fact that the schools were still bearing the names of the previous owners does not

mean that they are still religious schools. Rather, all public schools that the education reform relates to are not religious schools. Perhaps, retention of the name is a form of respect and recognition of the missionaries pioneering effort in education and no more. But in the Northern part of Nigeria, the names of the schools were changed. Therefore, it is out of place to tag any public school in Osun as religious school. Secondly, it is also not correct that government approves a religious garment with the approved school uniform. This fact can be confirmed by purchase of the school uniform from Omoluabi Garment Factory or its distributors. The issue of uniform is a well thought out policy which is to engender sense of confidence in our students in public schools. The way students of public schools appeared (in tattered or no uniform) before Aregbesola’s intervention, was unacceptable; lack of uniformity in appearance. Public advertisement was made by Osun State Government for design of the school uniform and the entries from designers were considered by a committee including representatives of National Inter-Religious Councils comprising Christian and Muslim clerics.

The eventual sets of uniforms were approved by the State Executive Council comprising Christian overwhelming majority and there is no religious component in the uniform. The school uniform as it is now constituted has no religious connotation. In fact, one of the arguments of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) against the wearing of hijab is that the uniform as designed and being sold has no hijab component. Lastly, the editorial claimed that the government is criminally silent about the issue of hijab. This is also not correct, with respect. The government has said on many occasions that it has not authorized the wearing of hijab in schools but that it also cannot outlaw it in view of pending litigation brought against the government by the Muslim community and the court order that status quo ante be maintained. The government, in view of the orders of court, has thus decided to await the decision of court on the matter. The issue of wearing of hijab has nothing to do with the school reform programme of Aregbesola administration as it as it has been a lingering issue pending the assumption of Governor Aregbesola. Ajibola Basiru, Hon. Commissioner, Regional Integration and Special Duties, State of Osun

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion CBN’s strategic failure in micro finance banking By Luke Onyekakeyah HE Encarta Dictionary defines micro as “very T small”. The word “very”, according to the same dictionary is “an adverb that is used in front of adjectives and adverbs to emphasize their meaning”. “Small” is an adjective meaning something of a relatively little size. Its other meanings include “not much”, insignificant”, “limited”, “minor”. Among these meanings, “limited”, is the one that relates to business. In this regard, it means “a small business operating on a limited scale”. When the word “small” is applied to anything, one gets the impression that the object is of little size. Therefore, talk of small money, small man, small country, small bank, etc. The understanding is that the referenced object is little in size compared to others of its kind. What then is the understanding when the word “micro” is used to prefix the object in reference? When the object is prefixed with the word “micro”, the understanding is that the object is “smaller than small”. In that case, the object is not just small, it is below small; it can’t rank with small but can only stay below it. “Small” is bigger than “very small”. By this meaning and understanding, if, for instance, a small man is 4 feet tall; a very small man will be shorter at 2 feet tall. If N10,000 given to madam is seen as small, when she is given N3,000, she will say it is very small. The fact is that “small” is senior to “very small”. I have tried to analyze these words against the backdrop of the recent announcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), that it has revoked the licences of 83 micro finance banks (MFBs) and appointed the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), to liquidate the affected banks. Though, no reasons were adduced, insider sources say the banks failed to recapitalize as demanded by the CBN. According to reports, the CBN had categorized the micro finance banks into three. Category One, also referred to as Unit Trust Micro Finance Banks (UTMFB), were required to have a capital base of N20 million. These would operate only from their head offices. Category Two banks, also referred to as state level MFBs were required to recapitalize with a minimum of N100 million. These ones are to op-

erate only within a state. Finally, Category Three, or national level MFBs, were required to recapitalize with a whopping N2 billion for them to operate nationwide. The CBN further directed MFBs that could not meet the recapitalization to merge or be acquired by others in the same way that commercial banks were re-engineered in 2005. This policy has in essence turned the MFBs into commercial banks thereby defeating their original purpose. I want to state from the outset that the CBN should be held squarely responsible for the collapse and poor performance of the MFBs. The recapitalization policy is wrong-headed, ill-advised and counter-productive. The evidence is the folding up of so many micro finance banks in one fell swoop, without achieving their purpose. By their very nature, the micro finance banks should operate at the micro-level within their immediate environment. They have no business operating statewide, talkless of nationwide. A micro finance bank with operating base in Iho, the headquarters of Ikeduru Local Government Area, should operate within that locality only. It should have no business having branches in the other local government areas across Imo State or beyond. Those other local government areas would also have MFBs operating to service the needs of small businesses there. Similarly, a micro finance bank with headquarters in Idumota, Lagos, should not be expected to have branches in Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Calabar, in the name of operating nationwide. A MFB operating nationwide defies the very essence of micro finance banking. There should be MFBs everywhere and not one “mega” micro finance bank having branches nationwide. A micro finance bank’s operation should be limited within its immediate environment because micro finance banking is based on trust rather than on convention. Essentially, micro finance banking is informal banking, where the rules and regulations that govern conventional banking are not applied. The reason is that majority of the clientele may be poor illiterate or semi-illiterate traders and artisans, who don’t subscribe to collaterised borrowing. These peo-

ple have other age-long methods of raising seed money from market contributions (esusu). In micro finance banking, the banker goes to the customer rather than the customer going to the bank. The bulk of the clientele are market women, traders, dressmakers, shoemakers, hairdressers, auto mechanics, bakers, block molders, and a host of others in small and medium scale businesses. These businesses need small capital to start up or expand. Most need capital ranging from N50, 000 to N5,000, 000 at most. It is not common for any business in this category to require one million. Given this reality, it is absurd for the CBN to require the micro finance bank to capitalize to the tune of N2 billion or fold up. MFBs don’t need N2 billion to operate. What they need is seed money to service the needs of the immediate clientele who often are members of cooperative societies. Being a member of a registered cooperative society is the only condition (call it collateral) needed from a customer to access funds from a local micro finance bank. The amount of capital needed by the MFBs varies depending on the target group. Therefore, setting a minimum capital base is unnecessary. What the CBN should do is to register the MFBs to know which is operating where. The CBN should promote this concept and not kill it. There were about 866 MFBs in Nigeria. Hundreds have gone under due to wrong policies. The failure of 83 MFBs shows the lack of wisdom in the recapitalization proposal. The people who put forward the proposal and implement it are ignorant of what a micro finance bank is all about. They don’t seem to understand the meaning of the word “micro”, which means “small scale at even a smaller minute level”. These kinds of policies helped to kill the defunct Peoples Bank of Nigeria (PBN), the precursor of today’s MFBs. It is inconceivable that the CBN wants banks that should operate in villages, market squares, and small community setting, where their services are needed, to recapitalize to a tune that is beyond their capacity! When a MFB operates statewide or nationwide with branches all over the place, what would the commercial banks be doing? Will the commercial banks have to be competing with the MFBs, or what? Why

should a micro finance bank be required to have a financial base of N2 billion, when before now, the capital base of commercial banks in the country didn’t exceed N1 billion? Recall that the upward review (change) in the capital base of commercial banks in Nigeria followed Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s banking consolidation and acquisition, which he announced on July 6, 2004. Soludo had given all commercial banks in the country to recapitalize with N25 billion or merge for those that could not meet up with that minimum. This happened not long ago. At the expiration of the deadline on December 31, 2005, only 25 “mega” banks emerged from the over 89 legacy banks. The banks that could not meet the target were liquidated. The policy was the most revolutionary ever in Nigeria’s banking history. If so many commercial banks could not meet a given target in 2005, when the economy was better and the naira was stronger, how could the CBN expect MFBs operating on the margin, to cough out N2 billion in 2013, when the economy has worsened and the naira is in free fall at about N175 to a dollar? That the CBN saddled the MFBs with the policy of recapitalization smacks of insensitivity to the reality on the ground. After suffocating the MFBs, what alternative is there? Has Nigeria achieved the purpose of setting them up? At a time when the MFBs are mostly needed to leverage thousands of unemployed people, the CBN decided to kill them without providing alternative. The MFBs have not functioned well in this economy since they were established because, from the outset, the CBN failed to draw a line between the commercial banks and the MFBs. While the commercial banks target the formal banking population, the MFBs should target the non-banking population, which includes all manner of people engaged in informal businesses that are not captured in national income accounting. The MFBs are there to help ordinary people meet the financial needs of their small businesses. The CBN should review this retrogressive policy on MFBs in the interest of the struggling masses and the economy. The MFBs did not fail. What failed is the strategy of the CBN.

A game-theoretic analysis of defections By Steve Onyeiwu BSERVERS of the Nigerian polity must be amused by the O flurry of defections across the two major political parties in the country, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defections and “re-defections” of APC and PDP politicians are so convoluted that it has become a Herculean task ascertaining the authentic party affiliations of many of these politicians. Indeed, party affiliations these days change faster than the speed of light; so rapidly that the concept of a “political party” is in danger of becoming an oxymoron in Nigeria. At the onset of the defection melodrama, Nigerians were elated that an intra-class warfare was finally underway, a warfare that would culminate in better governance, a more virile polity, and perhaps a positive outcome for Nigerians. Boy, weren’t they flatly wrong! To borrow a Marxian phraseology, defections in Nigeria have turned into little more than another veiled mechanism for primitive capital accumulation and intraclass redistribution of surplus. In order to understand this dynamic, it may be helpful to discuss some of the classic reasons for defection. Politicians typically defect if they determine that their electoral prospects are brighter under another political party. For instance, after the U.S. Democratic Party suffered a devastating defeat in the 1994 congressional and gubernatorial elections, some of its congressional members in vulnerable constituencies defected to the Republican Party. A change in a politician’s ideological orientation could be another precipitate of defection. In the same token, a politician may defect if he or she believes that the party has lost its ideological bearings. Lastly, politicians may bolt from a party if they feel slighted, as in the case of PDP defectors who complained of “impunity” and the “lack of internal democracy.” Rather than being driven by the classic reasons for defection, the phenomenon of defections in Nigeria has become an auc-

tion in which the highest bidder carries the day. Here is how the auction has played out in the National Assembly. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the auctioneer in the House, while the Senate President is the chief auctioneer in the Senate. The two bidders in the auction are the APC and the PDP. To bid for defectors, each political party must pay a “bidding fee” to the Speaker and Senate President. The auctioneers are expected to be more sympathetic to whoever offers a higher bidding fee, but that is not a guarantee. The loyalty of the auctioneers may also depend on whether a political party guarantees them a more “secure” political future. The next question is: how much would each political party bid for a defector or a potential defector? This is where Game Theory comes in, a theory popularized by the Nobel-winning mathematician, John Nash. To flesh-out this analysis, we shall assume that the defection game is both “repeated” and “sequential.” A repeated game is played more than once, which implies that defectors can defect several times between the two political parties. A sequential game, on the other hand, means that one of the players/bidders must bid first. In other words, simultaneous bidding is ruled out. The payoff matrix for participating in the defection game consists of the number of defectors a bidder is able to clinch by either offering a high or low monetary bid for a defector. The number of defectors a bidder is able to win depends on the amount of the bid, as well as some strategic considerations such as the timing of the bid, how desperate the bidder is, and the geo-political importance of the defector. The APC was the first player/bidder or first-mover in the defection game. The auction was declared officially open on December 18, 2013, when the House auctioneer announced on the House floor that 37 PDP members had defected to APC. Those defections were supposed to result in a change in the leadership of the House. Since this is a repeated game, there is always the risk that those who defected would return to the PDP in the next round of the game. Because of asymmetric information, the bidders may not know for sure who will “re-defect” to the other party. They can only conjecture, based on the past behaviour of

the defectors. In other words, they would have to estimate the probability of re-defection. A priori, defectors with a low probability of re-defection would attract a higher bid, while those with a high probability will receive a lower bid. The logic here is that you want to cut your losses with unreliable defectors, by offering lower bids. This is true of any auction: you really don’t know whether you’re buying a “lemon,” and it’s better to hedge your bet by bidding conservatively. While we may never know how much the APC bided for those who defected from the PDP, that amount could be deciphered from PDP’s alleged bids, as reported by some newspapers. We shall discuss PDP’s alleged bids later on in this article. The PDP was clearly desperate and aggressive in the defection game. The defection of its members threatened its control of the House, and by implication was capable of crippling the Presidency, thus making the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan an uphill task. Indeed, the APC House-leaders-in-waiting had begun threatening not to approve the President’s budget, and had vowed to block confirmation of his ministerial nominees. So, the situation was very dire for the PDP. Now enters the second bidder, the PDP. Within a few weeks after defecting to APC, it was announced that some of the 37 defectors (of course those with a high probability of re-defection) had re-defected to the PDP! How much did the PDP bid for their return? According to APC’s Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, these “re-defectors” were each offered between $1m - $10m. Please note that the $ sign is not a typo! Mohammed must be in the know because, despite their supposed differences in public, politicians do have inter-party inner circles where strategic information is confidentially shared. The fact that PDP’s alleged bids entailed a range of millions of dollars is consistent with our earlier contention that bids are a function of several factors. By introspection, it would seem that the APC was out-bided in the auction. • To be continued tomorrow. • Onyeiwu is a Professor of Economics and Chair of International Studies at Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, USA.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Opinion Sanusi: Direct affront on the North By Salisu Mustapha HE sudden suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi T as governor of Central Bank, was as dramatic as the flurry of events that followed. The terse statement announcing his suspension charged the erstwhile boss of the apex bank with “various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct, following reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies”. One of the deputy governors, Dr. Sarah Alade was asked to hold forte as acting governor. The presidency immediately forwarded the name of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to the Senate for confirmation as Sanusi’s successor. The basis of this piece is not whether the suspension is justified or not, though a lot have been written or broadcasted over the legality or illegality of removing him through presidential fiat. My concern is on who succeeds him. My fear emanates from the Nigerian factor where every successive administration in the country, whether in political or appointive offices always wants to begin afresh, discarding policies of their predecessor, not minding whether they are desirable or not. The Senate should consider ratifying someone who would continue the robust legacy Lamido is leaving behind in the sector. The issue is that of true representation in the replacement and this is where President Goodluck Jonathan should be careful on who to appoint. While Sanusi is in court to challenge the action of Mr. President, for the benefit of the autonomy of the CBN as an institution, my position as a Northerner is to challenge the nomination of Godwin Emefiele, the Managing Director of Zenith Bank to a position that morally ought to remain in the core North, at least for the sake of equity in national representation. How fair is it to have Emefiele succeed Sanusi? What happened to the spirit of regional representation in governance as contained in the nation’s constitution. These are reflected in admission to federal institutions like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence Corps, and Federal Road Safety Commission et all. But the President has completely ignored these guiding principles as enshrined in our statute books as all the last three major appointments

favoured Jonathan’s region, the South South, when those eased out of the positions are not from that area. If Emefiele is confirmed, just as that of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which is also seceded to the region with Mrs. Mfon Akpan as Jonathan’s nominee to lead its board, then the South South and South East would have assumed total control of the nationally owned economic institutions. Also from the President’s region is the Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke who is sitting pretty on her post. There are also Ngozi OkonjoIweala, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, as well the appointment of Brigadier General Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa (rtd) as Chief of Staff to the President to placate the Yorubas who have run from pillar to post crying of marginalization. Although he is from Ondo State, Jonathan settled for Arogbofa, who is actually an Ijaw from the South West. Some other appointments do not support the nation’s federal character regime, because they are from the South South, especially the Niger Deltans who have conspired to leverage on the presidency to guard the economic posterity of the nation jealously. Mrs. Arunma Otteh is in charge of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Oscar Onyema (Director General, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE), Uche Oji (Managing Director, Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF), Bright Okogwu (Director General, Budget Office) as well as Ngozi Chiamakwalam who is the DG, Security and Investment Tribunal. Where is the North in this whole scenario? And how justified are these appointments, if we say we are one nation, one country that stands in brotherhood? It is unacceptable for our entire economic power to be concentrated in one section of the country, because for now the Nigeria Customs Service currently headed by Abdullahi Inde Dikko as Comptroller General is the only cash cow of the nation yet to be appropriated by the Niger Deltans. Dikko, a Katsina indigene from the North West has a few weeks to retire from service. The sack of Stella Oduah as Aviation minister was not as dramatic despite her countless sins. It took Mr. President a while to consider replacing her. Her appointment was purely political, not statutory as in the case of the Central Bank governor. The Petroleum Minister, over whom Sanusi ran into troubled waters, is still holding unto her posi-

tion. Issues surrounding the allegations against her are still raging, and no one has suspended her pending the outcome, which is the fair thing to do to pave way for investigation into her dealing in her ministry. Are we not witnessing selective application of administrative justice? It also would appear the North as a whole is being punished for Sanusi’s opening of the can of worms in NNPC. The region is being deprived the opportunity to produce Mallam Lamido’s successor. Or is it that the region lacks competent and qualified economists and technocrats in the financial sector? But we know that this is not the case, as economic experts, such as Dr. Shamsudeen Usman (Kano), a former technocrat in CBN and former Minister of National Planning; Dr. Mansur Mukhtar (Kano) who was Finance Minister in late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s government, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu (Katsina), a Chief Economic Adviser also to Yar’Adua as well as the Zaria born Suleiman Barau, currently a Deputy Governor at the CBN. Governors Isah Yuguda from Bauchi State in the North East and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State (North West) among others fit into the CBN as head. Perhaps, Northern umbrella bodies like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) are not doing enough to protect the interest of the region. I hope the new national executive and Board of Trustees sworn in about a week ago wake up from their slumber and cry out over very critical issues we have at hand. President Jonathan can tarry awhile to enable him carry out a thorough search for the next CBN henchman. He should choose a homegrown economist to the Senate. Nigeria desires someone honed at home because such a person can easily grasp and appreciate the feelings of the suffering masses who crave policies that would create jobs and put meals on the table and not one that would overburden them with policies that are churned out to assuage only the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Secondly, the new chief banking regulator for the nation must be someone with commercial banking bias who understands the dynamism of Nigeria’s banking system and can fashion out a fiscal and monetary future for it. Thirdly, the government must search for a central banker who has not been polluted by the Bret-

ton Wood mentality; someone who would know how to motivate the commercial banks to key into any far reaching policy that might be introduced to rev up the economy. He/she must be selected based on merit and credibility; a visionary, cerebral, quintessential and conscientious, ‘loyal-to-afault’ Chief Executive Officer who would not be ‘flippant’, but protective of his pay-masters and the nation. Someone who would add value to, and consolidate on the gains of his/her predecessors especially the last two, Professor Charles Soludo and Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who have laboured so hard to bring on reforms that have repositioned the bankers bank to a considerable extent. Fourthly, since politics and religion have over the years guided our relationship as a people in this country, this is not the best of time to discard or shy away from the trend. So, politically speaking, the new CBN boss must be picked from the coreNorth where the ‘sacked’ one hails from. This singular action would not only calm frayed nerves, it would also pacify those already ‘spoiling for war’ in the region. If this is done, it would have been used to avoid the pitfalls of the ruling PDP which allowed injustices to supersede merit in its allocation of offices, instead of obeying the laid down rules and guidelines of the party. The government must respect the sensibility of the North to avoid being plunged deeper into woes in the region since it was refused completion of its tenure after the death of Yar’Adua. To deprive it from running out its terms at the apex bank and nominating a candidate from a region already over patronized would be taking it too far. The way Jonathan manages the issues could make or mar his 2015 presidential ambition and the chances of his party too. The newfound political alignment, for the first time between the South West and the North may further be enhanced as 2015 beckons, because of the marginalization they have had to cope with. Never in the history of this nation have there been such romance between the two sections of the country. It used to be a handshake across the Niger with the North and the South entering into political alliance to fester their electoral gains. May God help our nation! • Mustapha, a journalist, poet and social commentator lives in Lagos.

Between Akwa Ibom and Abia states By Frank Otobore RDINARILY, Nigerian journalists are well-informed because O they have all the sources and channels to get the right information for the people. Lately however, some of them have exhibited bias on critical issues, because they have become enmeshed in politics of the day; even becoming more political than politicians, thereby feeding the public with jaundiced information through their columns or articles. This phenomenon is more worrisome when it involves experienced journalists. In conducting research, it is imperative to employ facts and figures about the subject. Recently, one Ebere Wabara in an article titled “Go to Akwa Ibom, Weep for Abia State” sought to compare developments in Akwa Ibom and Abia states but without the necessary facts and figures to back it up. Such facts and figures must include the date of the creation of the states, their comparative advantages and disadvantages, their monthly Federation allocations, Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), their debt profile, workforce, development indices, leadership challenges and other peculiar features. Developments in any state are synonymous with its socio-economic situations at all times and these should be demonstrated through accurate figures and statistics. Akwa Ibom State was created from the old Cross River State in 1987, while Abia State was carved out of the Old Imo State in 1991. Apart from this, the monthly federation allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to Akwa Ibom doubles that of Abia State. Obviously Akwa Ibom State has higher economic indices than Abia State because of the presence of oil companies which has attracted other investments in the state. While it is true that both states, being oil-producing, and are entitled to 13 per cent derivation from the federation account, Akwa Ibom has always got double of what is given to Abia State in that direction. Again since the Supreme Court judgment which ceded most of the Cross River’s oil wells to Akwa Ibom, the state has continued to receive the highest monthly allocation from the Federation Account. So one could be right to say that Akwa Ibom is indeed the richest, or among the two richest states in the country today. For example, total net revenue received by Akwa Ibom State from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for the month of June 2013 was 30,966,977,780.91 which is 7.35 % of total revenue shared, while Abia got 8,933,557,498.73 which is 2.12%. While Akwa Ibom maintained its number one position as the state with the highest allocation in the month under review and has remained so till date, Abia was on 25th position. Unfortunately, the

drive for IGR in Abia State is a hard nut to crack because the people are not used to paying taxes. They believe erroneously that government should do everything for them free of charge. Apart from these obvious economic indices which placed Akwa Ibom State in a vantage position ahead of Abia State, the political peculiarity of godfatherism that paralysed governance in Abia State completely for more than a decade before the advent of Governor Theodore Orji was never experienced in Akwa Ibom State. Since Chief Obong Victor Attah left office in 2007 as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, his successor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio has been completely in charge of governance in the state without any undue distraction, interference or criticisms from Attah or his loyalists. That was never the case in Abia. Governor Theodore Orji’s first term in office was characterised by the overbearing influence and interference by his predecessor and his family members who had always seen the state as their personal estate since 1999. As if that was not enough, kidnapping problem crippled the state and billions of Naira that would have been used to develop the state was used to fight insecurity. The huge debt profile the present government inherited in 2007 has continued to take toll on the government’s revenue till date. Since his second term in office in 2011, what Governor Orji has achieved from the clutches of the political godfather is enough evidence that the long years of undue interference was the major setback for developments in the state since 2007. Today, Abia is evolving and taking shape. Again, in March 2013, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Kwara, Ondo, Plateau and Taraba states received the Debt Management Office (DMO) warning alerts as their financial health appeared to be tottering delicately near the insolvency bar. The debt management agency in the report has categorised the states of the federation into three basic groups, depending on their solvency profile. Those in the pink category are those states already in the danger mark as a result of the high level of indebtedness, while those in the yellow category are considered close to critical on the domestic debt sustainability analysis scale as a result of their huge debt profile. The third category is green. States included here were considered among those with healthy financial balance sheets, with scores below the recommended solvency ratio of 92 per cent. Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Zamfara, Kogi, Ebonyi and Adamawa states, according to the report of domestic debt sustainability analysis undertaken by the DMO, failed the test. The report showed that the seven states’ domestic indebtedness relative to their internally generated revenue, IGR, capacities ranks

high beyond the recommended international debt threshold of between 92 and 167 per cent. Analysis of the pink states shows Bayelsa State leading the high debtor states with a score of 1,712 per cent insolvency ratio and a domestic debt stock of N162.82 billion as at the end of December 2011 while its IGR stood at about N9.510 billion. Cross River is the next endangered state with indebtedness ratio of 548 per cent far above the recommended threshold and a domestic debt stock of N90.750 billion, relative to its IGR size of N16.553 billion as at the end of 2011. The third in the pink category was Zamfara State, closely followed by Ebonyi State, Delta, Adamawa. Kogi State took the rear in the exclusive list with a solvency score of 207 per cent, representing its indebtedness of N34.122 billion in relation to its IGR of N16.500 billion. The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was also captured in the pink group of states, though its debt profile was not indicated on the table. Curiously, apart from Rivers, all other top oil producing states that control the bulk of the revenue allocation every month through the Federation Accounts to the 36 states and Abuja, fell under either the endangered or near insolvent states categories. “Given the fact that sustainability or otherwise of domestic debts are, by best practice, to be measured against the own revenue of the borrower, an analysis of the domestic debts of the states to their IGR was also undertaken,” the DMO said of the solvency exercise relative to IGR. According to the debt management agency, the Debt Relief International, DRI, solvency threshold of 92 per cent to 167 per cent was applied in the compilation of the report to underscore the need for the sub-national governments to grow their IGRs to reduce excessive pressure on their statutory allocations in the running of their governments and free up resources for other developmental projects. Abia State, despite not receiving huge monthly allocations from the Federation, is not highly indebted. The government has continued to prudently allocate the available resources to the state and at the same time service the states’ debt. Obviously Governor Akpabio and Governor Orji are doing their best in the area of governance in their respective states of Akwa Ibom and Abia, but comparing the two states in the area of infrastructural developments without accurate facts and figures coupled with their respective leadership, financial and environmental peculiarities, is unprofessional and misleading. • Otobore, a financial analyst, wrote from FCT, Abuja.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 15

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

TheMetroSection Honour for an illustrious son • Ibusa community in Lagos honours retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ezeoba

The celebrant, Vice AdmiralDele Ezeoba (rtd.)(fourth left), Mrs. Betty Mbu (left), Chairman of the event, Admiral Alison Madueke ( rtd.); Miss Stephanie Ezeoba, Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd.); Mrs. Vivian Ezeoba, former Chief of Naval Staﬀ, Vice AdmiralJubril Ayinla and Gen. Alexander Ogomudia cutting Ezeoba’s retirement cake during a grand reception for him by Ibusa community in Lagos..on Sunday By Odita Sunday and daughters of Ibusa community in OsSin ONS himili South Local Council of Delta State, resident Lagos, came out in their numbers last Sunday to honour their illustrious son, retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba for serving his fatherland meritoriously. Ezeoba who attended the event with his wife, Vivian, daughter; Stephanie and his successor, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, was honoured by friends, relatives, and members of the military community. The two-fold event first saw the celebrant and family at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, where the officiating minister, Revd. Monsignor Paschal Nwaezeapu held Catholic mass in honour of Ezeoba and his family. The reception, which had retired “four-star” generals in attendance, was held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, and was aimed at honouring Ezeoba after serving the nation meritoriously as the navy helmsman for 15 months. The retired generals include Rear Admirals Allison

Madueke, Vice Admiral Jibril Ayinla, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Alex Ogomudia and Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike. Also at the event were Flag Officers Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command and Western Naval Command, Rear Admirals Goddy Ayankpele and Sanmi Alade respectively. Others include Rear Admiral Livi Iwuoha and the Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae. Civilian guests at the occasion were business moguls Oscar Ibru, Willy and Nkiru Anumudu, Frank Odita, Pascal Edozie, Anthony Azuya, Emeka Uchidiunor, Fidelis Odita, Chief Peter Okocha, Professor Pat Utomi and friends and well wishers of the celebrant. In his speech, the Chairman of the planning committee for the event, Dr. Austin Izagbo said Ibusa Community put the grand reception together, especially those in Lagos, but with support from those in Diaspora. He said: “ While in office Ezeoba contributed to the general development of Nigeria and served meritoriously. Therefore, the decision to hold this event was anchored on the recognition of his achievements to our town and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” “Some of his numerous achievements in 15 months

include the establishment of strategic guidance 01 and 02, enhanced service delivery and construction of accommodation for personnel.” “He was also able to establish the naval engineering series and purchased some Ocean and Shaldag patrol vessels that has been used to patrol our maritime domain.” While eulogizing the celebrant, Madueke described him as an intelligent person with huge potentials, adding that Ezeoba endeared himself to his entire family through his acts of humility. Ogomudia in turn said the celebrant had carved a niche for himself as a hardworking person, full of life and brilliance during his career. Also, Ayinla described Ezeoba as a raw material who was harnessed throughout his days as a naval officer, adding that he gave his best to the nation especially as the CNS. Ezeoba, while giving the vote of thanks, said his success in office was partly due to the senior officers who mentored him during his early years in the military as a junior officer. He also commended his wife and family for the support they rendered to him by holding the homefront, which made it possible for him to excel in his

Ogun extends Homeowners’ Charter Initiative deadline till March 31 By Tope Templer Olaiya FTER considering reA quests made by residents during the governor’s recent tour of designated centres for collection and submission of forms for the Homeowners Charter Initiative, the Ogun State government has extended the deadline till March 31 to enable citizens benefit from the opportunity, which allows property owners in the state to get Building Plan Approval and Certificate of Occupancy at discounted rate. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, made this known in a statement released at the weekend. The initial deadline was February 28 and it was announced on December 16 when the scheme was launched in Abeokuta.

Olaniyonu stated that apart from being a direct response to the requests by the people, the new deadline would enable officials in charge of the programme enough time to attend to the huge crowd witnessed at the various centres. He added that government has directed that the number of centres should be increased while submission hours are to be extended for the rest of the period. The government commended residents, who have since been trooping out to embrace the Homeowners Charter programme, for the confidence they reposed in the Amosun-led administration as it pursues with zeal the mission to rebuild Ogun State. “As promised by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, government has put in place all nec-

essary facilities and manpower support needed to process on time the thousands of expected applications by residents”, adding

that inspection of sites has commenced. He described the initiative as a people-oriented programme through which the

A cross-section of applicants waiting to obtain forms...

administration is determined to passionately improve the standard of living of the people by empowering them with legal documents on their property.

Briefs NDDC builds new link road to Calabar OTORISTS plying the everM busy Itu-Calabar Road, a major highway into the ancient city of Calabar, will soon get a relief, as a new bye-pass is now under construction to reduce the pressure at the Odukpani section of the road. The 15-kilometre Adiabo-Eseku Road in Odukpani Local Council, is one of the key road projects being executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission,(NDDC), in Cross River State. Inspecting the project on Friday, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, said that no effort would be spared to ensure that the road was completed on schedule, describing the road as “a major project that deserves serious attention.” He said that the contractor had given assurances that the road would link up to TINAPA Bridge in Calabar in the next two months. Ewa-Henshaw said the new link road would take off about 50 per cent of the traffic on the Itu-Calabar Road and reduce the travel time to the capital city by about one hour. He noted that a major challenge to the early completion of the road was a 200-metre bridge, which was abandoned halfway by the Federal Ministry of Works. The NDDC Executive Director Projects,Tuoyo Omatsuli, said that the uncompleted 10-span bridge, that was started about 20 years ago, would be subjected to appropriate engineering tests to confirm its strength, adding that necessary adjustments would be made to bring it up to the required standard.

Lawani-Osunde, 68, for burial rites for the late FetyUNERAL President, Nigerian Sociof Aneasthetists, Dr. Adesuwa Safu Lawani-Osunde, who died at the age of 65, begin today with a service of songs at Sickle Cell Centre, opposite Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos at 5.30p.m. There will be lying-in-state on Thursday, March 6, at the Chapel of Rest, LUTH Mortuary, while her remains would depart for Benin same day for a vigil mass at her residence, 27A, Yoruba Street, New Benin, Benin City, while on Friday, March 7, at 10.00a.m, there will be a Requiem Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Mission Road, Benin City. Interment follows immediately at the her residence, while reception of guests takes place at Emporium Event Centre, JBS Estate, off Boundary Road, GRA Benin City.

Lawani-Osunde

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Brewery partners neighbours, host community on environment cleanliness From Gordi Udeajah, Aba IGERIAN Breweries Plc N (NB) in Aba, Abia state, added another dimension to the monthly environment cleaning exercise last Saturday when it trooped out its workers , neighbours and host community to partake in the total cleaning of the breweries operating environment and surroundings. The brewery whose workers dressed in green TShirts, provided all the necessary tools, brooms, shovels, wheel barrows, garbage bags, safety helmets and boots needed for the exercise that lasted from 7am to 10 am. Flagging off the exercise, the state Environment

Commissioner Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, who was represented by his Permanent Secretary Mr Okechukwu Aguwa, commended the brewery for creating awareness for better environmental management which he said was in line with the policy of the environmental -friendly state governor Dr Theodore Orji. He specifically noted the incorporation of the brewery’s neighbours and host community urging other corporate bodies to emulate the NB. Deputy General Manager in charge of the Aba branch of the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency ( ASEPA) Dr Okezie Ikpeazu recalled that during his vis-

its to companies and industries, he had canvassed them to set up what he called “gardens” that would add beauty to their sites saying he appreciates that NB has effected this like the Peculiar Church and Church of Latter Day Saints had done. In his address the Aba NB Brewery Manager, Mr Ukeje Udah said that the programme was designed for the staff and management to personally participate in ensuring a clean, greener and friendly environment in partnership with our neighbours and host community.” He said that the theme of the programme which is “care /respect for the environment”, is one of the

Nigerian Breweries core values adding that the sustainability and success depends on their neighbours imbibing cleanliness as a way of life. He commended the state Ministry of Environment/ASEPA for partnering his company and solicited their sustained support in ensuring a clean and greener environment. The exercise featured scooping of drainages, sweeping the street, carting away refuse, pasting of posters, directing how and where to dispose refuse among others and distribution of black garbage disposal bags free of charge to participants for their private use.

OROL fetes physically-challenged kids in Abuja laughter and learnFtheUN, ing were the highlights of day at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) School for the Blind, Jabi, Abuja and Abuja Children Home, Karu, when friends and staff members of OROL Youth Empowerment Initiative paid the children a visit recently. The event was a memo-

rable experience for both the children and the OROL young people as there were different activities designed to bring both parties together. The initiative behind this visit was driven by the need to reach out to the less-privileged children in our society. It was meant to put smiles on their faces and to

enable them make the right and informed choices in whatever situation they found themselves. Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director of OROL, Opeyemi Agbaje, said: “It is our hope and prayer that if the children are empowered with the necessary information they need to survive, they will

not fall prey to unsavory characters.” Prior to the outreach, foodstuffs and other household items were contributed for the children. There were a lot of contributions from different people and Abaje was gratitude to all who showed supports in different ways.

Briefs Afe Babalola gives recipe for Ekiti’s development From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti EGAL luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has said unless the people of Ekiti take the economic development of their state seriously, by coming home to invest, it will continue to lag behind other states. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend when he visited the multi-million naira Prosperous Royal Garden and Resorts, the renowned lawyer said the way forward for the economic development of the state was for the people in the private sector to take the lead. While praising the owner of the facility, Mr. Abiodun Isinkaye, for his initiative, Babalola noted that government could not do everything alone. “I am really impressed with the facilities here and the foresight and the initiative of Isinkaye. The place is an El dorado. He has demonstrated the spirit of a patriotic Ekiti man. “He could have taken this huge project to a place like Lagos, Ibadan or Port Harcourt since he is based in Calabar, but he chose to come home to Ekiti to do this. “I am happy that people like him are learning from us. When we decided to set up the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) here in Ado-Ekiti, we could as well set it up somewhere else, but if we did that we would not be contributing to the economic growth of our state. “I implore other wealthy Ekiti people to learn from Mr Isinkaye and help in projecting the state positively and help her grow,” he noted. In his remarks, Isinkaye said he decided to establish the hotel in Ekiti to boost its economic growth, saying more subsidiaries of his group of companies would be set up in Ekiti. He said the hotel had over 200 workers, adding more people would be engaged when the second phase of the project takes off. It would be recalled that the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, recently visited the hotel where he commended the owner. The hotel will be inaugurated soon.

Over 1200 medical doctors for AGPMPN Garden City 2014 conference ARLY three weeks to the commencement of the 36th AnB nual General Meeting and International Scientific Conference of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over 1200 medical doctors have so far registered for the event. This was confirmed in a joint statement released by the Conference Organizing Committee Chairman, Dr. Iyke U. Odo and the Rivers State AGPMPN Chairman, Dr. Henry A.M. Sota. They said the huge and unprecedented registration of delegates and participants has necessitated the call for delegates, corporate participants to register in earnest. The conference tagged: ‘AGPMPN Garden City 2014’, which has the theme: ‘ Environment Pollution and Health in a Developing Economy,’ as well as other sub-themes lined up, is slated to commence Wednesday, April 2 to Sunday, April6, 2014 at the UST Convocation Arena, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference organizing committee chairman and the state AGPMPN chairman both appealed to other interested individuals and corporate organizations who are interested in the conference to seize this opportunity and register in earnest via the website: www.agpmpngardencity 2014.org in order to avoid die minute rush as the venue can accommodate over 2000 delegates and exhibitors. The duo assured delegates and participants of adequate provision of security within and around the venue of the conference

Group fetes widows, orphans at anniversary A cross-section of pupils of School for the Blind, Jabi, during the visit

Artists unite to raise funds for kids with cancer By Bukola Ogungbe OT many Nigerians know much about children living with cancer. And so the art show at the gala night last Wednesday to financially impact Children Living With Cancer Foundation (CLWCF), was an eyeopener to many. And so at the banquet hall of Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, there were 25 artworks from 25 artists on display alongside students from Caleb British Academy, who entertained and several art patrons and buyers converged to raise funds in aid of the foundation in its efforts to respond to the needs of affected children. Founder of CLWCF and show host, Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Nwobi, declared that the aim of the exhibition was to create awareness about cancer in children. According to her, 80 per cent of parents of affected children were clearly igno-

rant of childhood cancer, thereby delaying treatment to compound the disease. On his part, co-host of the exhibition and artist, Mr. George Edozie, said his interest in the foundation started after a discussion with Nwobi about the danger of ignorance with regard to children with cancer and the lack of funds needed to treat them, which he said, gave birth to the art exhibition. He thanked the 25 different artists, who gave out their works for the foundation, as their own contribution to help the children. The artists exhibited a sense of generosity, as some gave their entire earnings from sale of their artworks to the foundation’s cause while others gave a percentage of their earnings. According to Edozie, “I never knew kids have cancer. So, I felt I should give back to the society. I called other artists to put their

works up for sale so that the funds raised could be used to help these children”. George also called on performing artistes – musicians, actors, who, according to him, “are richer”, to help the foundation save the children, who are future leaders. Nwobi, who is a medical practitioner, restated the vision of the foundation to include: “Making every child that steps into Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) have free treatment, including physiotherapy”. The International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organization (ICCCPO) estimates that more than 100,000 children die needlessly each year. According to Nwobi, this grim statistics, alongside the story of a young boy who died due to lack of money by his parents to continue his physiotherapy,

gave rise to her mission. She also expressed rage at what it costs Nigerians to send patients to India, a poor country compared to Nigeria, adding, “I look forward to a time when treatments would be free at LUTH and in Nigeria. The cost of sending one child to India for treatment could heal two or three children if the needed resources (human and material) are available”. The foundation said it had been able to achieve support with medications and counselling for the children and their families; international consultations and collaboration, overseas travel when needed and increasing awareness of childhood cancer. Nwobi said her foundation was seeking support from the public to continue its work of extending treatment to children affect with cancer.

By Isaac Taiwo and Adebisi Olonade PIRIT of fellowship and conviviality was in display at the 11th anniversary of the Kingdom Friends of the Needy with the theme: “Give them Life” when children from four orphanage homes and a disabled home including Bethlehem Orphanage, Precious Pearl Orphanage, Foundation of Hope Orphanage, Citadel Orphanage homes and His Grace Children Home as well as widows were brought together to participate in Bible quiz, games and other exciting events at Laurel Secondary School in Jakande Housing Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos. Speaking at the occasion, the Co-ordinator, Kingdom Friends of the Needy, Mrs. Modupe Ajayi disclosed that the organization was inaugurated in 2002 with the aim of putting smiles on the faces of widows, orphans and the physically-challenged. “As we can see, this is a great moment of fellowship and the participants are all happy as the event is assuring them that they are part of the society. “We are equally elated at the testimonies we are listening to from the widows which are also giving us the fulfillment that the goal of this organization is being achieved. “We are now calling on other Nigerians to contribute to the empowerment of these widows, offer scholarship to orphans and aid the disabled with wheel chairs” she said. Ajayi appreciated the various donors who donated foodstuffs including rice, groundnut oil, noodles, powdered milk, fruit juice among others including writing materials that were given to the orphans. The Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs. Olufunke Alafia, reiterated the aim of the organization, to be of assistance to widows and orphans, and was happy that Kingdom Friends of the Needy has ever remained focused. She urged participants to always have faith in God, who will always supply their needs and encouraged them to live righteous and contented lives. The Guest of Honour, Elizabth Divie admonished them to always glorify God while eating and drinking.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 | 17

Focus Omotoso

Akinterinwa

School children

Effort to save Nigeria’s indigenous languages intensifies With foreign languages dominating every facet of life in the country, stakeholders who converged on the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) last week in Lagos, have emphasised the need to promote and develop local languages. OLALEKAN OKUSAN reports CCORDING to the United Nations A Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), half of the over 6000 languages spoken all over the world today will disappear by the end of this century, unless conscious efforts are made to safeguard them. Already, with the disappearance of several unwritten and undocumented languages, humanity could lose not only the cultural wealth, but also some important, ancestral knowledge embedded in indigenous languages. To corroborate UNESCO’s claim, Kole Omotoso, a visiting Professor at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, submitted in his lecture last week that in 1953, UNESCO had emphasized the importance of educating children in their mother tongues, while the 2004 Global Monitoring Report on Education for All (EFA) argued that the choice of language of instruction was critical for effective leaning. He further said that the 2004 Association of Education in Africa Report concluded that the language factor emerged strongly as one of the most important determinants of quality education. Omotoso, who was the guest lecturer at the public lecture organized by the Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA) last week in Lagos, posited that Nigerian languages were “very poorly researched,” compared with indigenous languages in Europe, the Americas and Australia. Experts at the event expressed worry over what they described as a drift of many Nigerian languages into extinction, while calling for concerted efforts to save the local dialects. They decried the “absence of conscious efforts” by successive governments to encourage the use of local languages in public places. Eminent scholars, including Omotoso, former Director General, Nigeria French Language Village, Prof. Samuel Aje, Ambassador Olusola Sanu, and the Director General of NIIA, Professor Bola Akinterinwa were unanimous in their declaration that Nigerian languages have remained poorly researched, compared with indigenous languages in other parts of the globe. Omotoso said: “The number of individual languages listed for Nigeria is, in total, 529. Of these, 522 are said to be living languages and seven are dead. Of the living languages, 22 are institutional, 80 are developing while 358 are vigorous, while 20 are in trouble and 42 are dying.” He added that today, Nigerian languages con-

stitute one quarter of all African languages, and besides Papua New Guinea, Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on earth. His words: “Besides the 529 listed languages, there are tens of dialects attaching to each language. Yet, Nigerian languages remain very poorly researched compared with indigenous languages in Europe, the Americas and Australias.” Apart from the three major languages – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba – the former Obafemi Awolowo University don said others are dying, with about 20 languages severely endangered while some 200 other are under threat. Aje, who chaired the event, listed several efforts by the government to encourage the use of local languages in schools, but admitted that beyond learning, language defines the customs and traditions of its people. The coordinator of the Abujabased Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foreign Language Institute further said that the neglect of local languages by most African countries had contributed to their struggle globally. For him, the lip service being paid to the language industry in Nigeria had led to the extinction of many languages. He said: “The neglect of language has really come to fore and it is for all of us to accept responsibility for this problem. We should all know that language is more than a means of communication as it defines the customs and traditions of the people. It is also a product of many generations and it is its neglect that had contributed to the struggle being faced by many African countries.” He described language as a working tool as well as bedrock of people’s existence. He added: “We need to rescue our local languages from extinction to be able to compete favourably with others. Despite the adoption of English language as the official language, we have not been able to master it well, as the results from the school certificate examinations have shown this. We need to develop our language by empowering researchers to provide a good ground for it to prosper.” In his remarks, the guest of honour, a former director, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Ambassador Sanu, called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to embrace their local languages rather than compelling

them to make use of foreign languages. He said: “Language has been at the vanguard of everything we do and we should do everything possible to promote our languages. I want to admit that parents contribute a lot to their wards not speaking indigenous language and it is essential that our children understand our language.” With several gestures made in the past to conduct research into Nigerian languages, Omotoso said all of them have been futile. “This is not to say there are no token gestures made towards these Nigerian languages,” he noted. In 1993, the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Act passed through the national assembly. It set up a Nigerian Centre for Research into Nigerian Languages. There is little to show for this gesture.” He was of the view that parents must make conscious efforts to help their wards understand their local language. “Understanding language is very important as it is full of information. If you lose your language, you have lost everything,” he warned. In his remarks, poet/writer, Odia Ofeimun argued that it was imperative for language development to start from the local council. “I think the basic thing is the local council and language development should start from here where the students are encouraged to embrace the language synonymous with the local council. We should take every Nigerian language serious,” he said. On the economic gains of languages, the don said: “A cursory look at the economic contribution of Language Service Providers in countries such as China to the country’s economy, should convince us that this is something that can be done. By 2011, there were 10,546 language service providers in China working in finance, culture and Information Technology sectors. Language services have become the fundamental support industry for global economy with 1.19 per cent professionals in the language services industry.” He added: “What stops South Africa and Nigeria and other African countries from going into this 21st century industry is the absence of fundamental work in most African languages.” For Akinterinwa, there must be concerted efforts

The neglect of language has really come to fore and it is for all of us to accept responsibility for this problem. We should all know that language is more than a means of communication as it defines the customs and traditions of the people. It is also a product of many generations and it is its neglect that had contributed to the struggle being faced by many African countries

by all and sundry to promote local languages in order to prevent them from dying. The NIIA DG however emphasized the importance of language in international diplomacy, while disclosing that the six United Nations recognized languages – Russia, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, French and English would take off at the institute. However, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has been championing the campaign to bring back to consciousness, the need for Nigerian children to be versatile in their mother tongue. Executive Secretary of the institute, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, once told The Guardian that the institute was intensifying efforts to entrench the use of indigenous languages among school children, by inaugurating cultural clubs in schools across the country. Also, the Institute has commenced an indigenous language programme, aimed at helping Nigerian children to communicate in their mother tongue and adults with spouses from different ethnic backgrounds, the language of their spouses. Besides, NICO has further replicated the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme in its six zonal offices in the country, comprising the North-West (Katsina), North-Central (Kwara), North-East (Yola), South-West (Akure), South-East (Owerri) and South-South (Bayelsa). The Institute was established by Act No. 93 of 1993, to serve as a focal point for orientation in cultural matters for Nigerian policy makers and to promote, revive and develop Nigerian culture and history among other objectives. Ayakoroma had also stressed the need for parents to place priority on teaching their children indigenous languages. According to him, parents could now to take advantage of the platform provided by NICO learn indigenous languages. “If parents do not imbibe the culture of speaking indigenous languages to their children, the incursion of various foreign cultures through different media will continue to take its toll on our local languages, where people will no more be proud of what is Nigerian,” he had observed. The NICO boss, who said music, foreign movies and language, among others, were the common ways through which the country’s indigenous ways of life have continued to be invaded by foreign cultures, called on broadcast media regulatory agencies in Nigeria, like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to ensure strict regulation of such programmes being churned out of some broadcast stations.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 19 77

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Business ECOWAS eyes China, Japan for Lagos-Abidjan highway project’s take-off From Oghogho Obayuwana,Foreign Affairs Editor EST African countries W may now turn to the Far East Asian nations like China and Japan, among others,for assistance in the actualisation of the LagosAbidjan highway project. The project,regarded as one of the integration pillars of the subregion,would require an

initial take-off fund of $50 million,which the host countries are battling to raise. Indeed,at the meeting of the ministers of road infrastructure/works from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote D’Ívoire on the development project which ended in Abuja at the weekend, the inability to mobilise in good time, the amount became an

issue,prompting the resort to partners outside the region. 11 of the 15 countries in the sub-region are on the trans-coastal corridor. The strategic highway is meant to aid integration of the sub-region by making it difficult for barriers to continue to impede the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols

on free movement of persons, goods and services among others. Currently, most economies in the subregion are constrained by lack of access to markets, while transportation costs and terms are very high because of poor infrastructure and the lack of harmonised transport laws, regulations and standards which the infrastructure

Second Deputy National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson(left); President, Taiwan-Africa Industry Development Association, Mike Hung; National President, NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar; and Director - General, Dr. John Isemede, during the third Nigerian-Taiwan joint business meeting in Lagos, yesterday PHOTO; SUNDAY AKINLOLU

NCP, NDPHC approve financial bids for 10 NIPPs By Roseline Okere HE National Council on T Privatization (NCP) and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), have approved the opening of the financial bids of the 42 pre-qualified bidders out of 66 bidding consortia for the 80 per cent equity in the 10 National Integrated Power Project (NIPPs). The joint meeting between NCP and NDPHC, chaired by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, directed that the bids be opened on Friday, March 7, in keeping with the published timeline for the transaction. The 42 bidders that have been pre-qualified met the criteria set forth in the requests for proposal and passed the due diligence verification conducted on technically qualified bidders. The Vice President commended the Joint Technical Transaction Committee (JTTC) chaired by Governor of Benue State, Gabriel

Suswan, noting that the PHCN transaction, “was a highly transparent process and government had assured investors participating in the NIPP transaction that the same level of transparency will be replicated”. The JTTC is made up of the Technical Committee of NCP and Technical Committee of NDPHC. The NIPP privatization is a joint transaction between the NCP and the governing board of NDPHC. The 10 plants are jointly owned by the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government contributing 47 per cent equity stake and the local and state governments having the remaining 53 per cent equity. The Vice President further noted that the privatisation of the 10 NIPPs is the first time the private sector, National Assembly, Federal, State and Local governments are joining forces to ensure an all inclusive transaction process, following a highly successful investors’ fora spanning

five countries In this regard, he said all the three tiers of government and the private sector in Nigeria were continuing to collaborate in the privatisation process of the power plants which is being jointly offered for sale by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and NDPHC to ensure transparency. Sambo added that if Nigeria would be among the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020, the right steps must be taken, assuring that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to ensuring that those right steps are taken going forward in implementing the transformation agenda, adding that “this transaction is one such big step”. It would be recalled that 66 proposals were earlier received from prospective investors interested in the 10 NIPPs on November 8, 2013, An inter-agency evaluation

team, including security agencies, met from 12 to 22 November to evaluate the proposals. The evaluation report was subjected to the scrutiny of the Joint Transaction Committee and the Joint Technical Transaction Committee before approval by the Joint NCP/NDPHCN board meeting. The Joint NCP/NDPHC board therefore approved that 42 out of the 66 were prequalified to continue to the financial bid opening stage. In order to be deemed technically qualified, the bidders must meet the criteria in three broad areas as set out in the requests for proposal, which are completeness and substantial responsiveness; ability to finance the acquisition and relevant experience and quality of business plan. The 10 power plants being offered for sale are Alaoji, Benin, Calabar, Egbema, Gbaraia, Geregu, Ogorode, Olorunsogo, Omoku and Omotoshho.

could significantly address. Addressing the ministers before presentations were made by various stakeholders and bidders, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure,Ebrima Njie said that for a start, the commission would continue to encourage the government of China for the “possibility of supporting the development of the entire Lagos to Dakar corridor” just as he disclosed that arrangements are underway for a comprehensive data collection and site investigation mission to all the countries covered by the corridor. Progress made so far on the project had earlier been presented to the presidents/heads of government of the five member countries on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January. The Abuja crucial meeting was called, among others,to pave way for the signing of the joint request to the African Development Bank, (AfDB), signing of the project treaty, as well as the modalities to raise the $50 million seed money by member states, for presentation before the heads of governments’ meeting expected to hold in

Yamassoukro,Cote D’Ivoire, in line with the decision reached in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia. Among those who spoke in Abuja were Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenmen, who reminded that the steering committee’s main task now was to focus on dividing the Lagos-Abidjan corridor into manageable lots to be adopted for implementation, as well as listing and evaluation of the consultants to be engaged for the detailed design of the project. He also hinted about interests outside of Africa when he said “...We have seen countries like China, Japan and others showing serious intentions to be involved in the project because they have noticed how committed we are towards actualising the project in record time” It was further disclosed in Abuja that the ECOWAS Commission had already received responses to the requests for proposals submitted to the Africa Finance Corporation, Roughton International and Osprey Investment Limited, to offer services ranging from transaction advisory, fund mobilization, as well as technical advisory.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Dangote remains richest African, now 23rd in the world EMENT mogul, Alhaji C Aliko Dangote yesterday, made history as the first black man to break into the rank of top 25 richest people in the world, with a wealth of $25 billion up from $16.1 billion in 2013, according to the recently released Forbes Magazine lists of the richest people in the world. For the fourth year running, Dangote retained his position in Africa as the richest man on the continent. Dangote ,who was

number 43 on the top 100 world billionaire list in 2013, took a quantum leap,as he moved up 20 spots, to retain his position in Africa and also number 23 in the world. Bill Gates is back on top after a four-year hiatus, reclaiming the title of world’s richest person from telecoms mogul, Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico, who ranked number one for the past four years. Gates, whose fortune rose by $9 billion in the past year, has

held the top spot for 15 of the past 20 years. Spanish clothing retailer Amancio Ortega (best known for the Zara fashion chain) retains the number three spot for the second year in a row, extending his lead over Warren Buffett, who is again number four. In Nigeria, Mike Adenuga was next to Dangote on the list with a wealth of $4.6 billion, maintaining 325 position in the world, while Folorunsho Alakija ,with $2.5 billion, was 687

in the world and Abdulsamad Rabiu ranks 1372 in the world with $1.2 billion. The year’s biggest dollar gainer was Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune jumped $15.2 billion, to $28.5 billion, as shares of his social network soared. Tech, and more specifically Facebook, helped propel numerous fortunes lately. The company’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, joins the ranks for the first time, just

like Facebook’s long time vice president ,Jeff Rothschild. Also, thanks to a $19 billion deal (including restricted stock) with Facebook, WhatsApp founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton join the ranks of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest for the first time. They are four of 26 newcomers whose fortunes come from technology, 10 of whom are American, including Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and Workday cofounder Aneel Bhusri.

U.S. once again led the world with 492 billionaires, as a result of the tech boom, and strong stock market, then followed by China with 152 and Russia with 111. But wealth is spreading to new places. Also for the first time in the history of Forbes rating, billionaires were found in Algeria, Issad Rebrab, who is into food business with $3.2bn worth, Rostam Azizi from Tanzania with $1 billion and Sudhir Ruparelia from Uganda with $1.1 billion worth.

Transcorp records N18.8b turnover, N9b gross profit Recommends N1.93bn first time dividend By Helen Oji RANSNATIONAL T Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has recorded

General Manager/Head, Listings, Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Taba Peterside (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Mr. Emil Moskofian; Mrs. Cynthia Akpomudiare, and Head, Corporate and Government Affairs, Cadbury, Bala Yesufu during a business visit by the management of Cadbury Plc. to the NSE, to further clarify the recent capital Reduction exercise to the investing public…on Friday

a turnover of N18.8 billion in its 2013 operations, against N13.2 billion achieved in the corresponding period in 2012. Besides, the directors of the company, for the first time since inception, are recommended a dividend of N1.93billion, culminating to five kobo per share due to every shareholder of the company. Specifically, the company’s performance for the 2013 financial year showed that turnover stood at N18.8 billion, representing 42 per cent rise over the N13.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2012 while Profits before tax rose by 129 per cent, from N3.9 billion in 2012 to N9.0 billion in 2013. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Obinna Ufudo stated: “Our full year audited accounts reflect our commitment to our long term strategic plan, translating into strong and sustainable growth. We are excited about the achievements we recorded across our businesses within the past year. “Our entry into the power sector has been a significant driver and we are already running ahead of our 2014 estimates. We expect significantly better results this year, as our diversification and growth strategies continue to gain momentum.” The Chairman of the company, Tony O. Elumelu added: “We are particularly pleased to be able to recommend a dividend to shareholders for the first time in the company’s history. This is the beginning of a very bright future for all our patient and loyal shareholders. “With the tremendous progress we have already recorded in our power business – taking the Ughelli plant’s power output from 160mw when we took over on November 1, 2013 to 360mw within three months – 2014 promises to be a very rewarding year for the company and our 300,000 shareholders.”

tuesday, March 4, 2014 BUSiNeSS

tHe gUarDiaN www.ngrguardiannews.com

aSUS targets more markets, assembly plant in Nigeria By Adeyemi Adepetun

aiWaN based computer manufacturing firm, aSUS Computer is targeting more markets in africa and optimistic, as things improve, of an assembly plant in Nigeria in the near future. according to aSUS, Nigeria was a market, which could not be ignored, stressing that though it came late to the african continent, but hoped to leverage on its technology to get increased market share. Speaking to journalists, in Lagos, aSUS regional Director, turkey, israel & africa System Business group, Shawn Chang said that the firm was relatively new in the country, but very hopeful of getting its own market share. Chang said that though it was too early in the day for the firm to say when it will establish a factory in the country,

Herritage Bank kicks-off financial inclusion programme By Helen Oji erritage Bank has kicked H off its financial inclusion programme aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of financial products and services. the group Head, Customer experience analytics of the bank, ralph Omoregie explained that it has taken the services to the adopted schools, adding that about 30 schools have accepted to admit the initiative in their curriculum. Omoregie, who explained that the programme was designed to increase awareness and understanding of financial products and services, enhance efficient usage of financial resources, and empower Nigerians with the requisite knowledge to make informed choices and take effective actions that will enhance their financial wellbeing added that the bank has also concluded plans to take the initiative to the rural areas to empower them with the confidence to participate in the formal financial system. “the initiative targets students from ages 5 to 15. it would certainly build a better customer for a better industry and over all a better economy. Financial literacy protects consumers effectively, making sure they avoid financial pitfalls as they grow so that they don’t indulge in crime or lavish lifestyle.” in 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) embarked on a reform program designed to reposition the Nigerian Financial sector for greater impact on the country’s growth and development. an important aspect of the program is consumer protection and financial literacy. the programme would educate the Nigerian populace to improve their understanding of financial products, develop their skills and confidence to become more aware of financial risks and opportunities. it would also address the growing concerns associated with high level of debt and low levels of financial literacy among college students, as well as ensure that consumers got maximum benefits from financial services that would enable people take charge of their financial well being to enhance their economic development.

having spent less than three years in Nigeria, “nonetheless, it is a possibility in the future. aSUS is one of the global top three-consumer notebook vendor and maker of the world’s best selling and award winning, a leading enterprise in the new digital era. “aSUS designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home and office with broad portfolio that include graphics cards, optical drivers, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, net books, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones.” according him, the firm is

projecting revenue of $14.6 billion in its 2013 balance sheet after achieving $14.3 billion in 2012. He added that the firm already had seven per cent market share in Middle east and africa (Mea) and nine per cent globally, adding that the acceptance the products of the firm has received in the country has been overwhelming. He restated the firms’ commitment to offer products that were relevant to the needs of Nigerians, adding that its offer of 24-month global warranty on all its products is a testimony to their superiority and durability. going forward, he said that

the taiwanese firm would increase its market share with right products and services in Nigeria, compete and collaborate favourably and sensitise

the public about aSUS products. Speaking on grey market activities, the aSUS chief said that the menace was not limit-

ed to Nigeria or the continent, but that to tackle it, operators must be able to define its service structure; price competitively and create products needed in the african market.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 BUSINESS TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Appropriation of global wealth by a few

Dangote

By Chijioke Nelson ICHES! Richest man! These words ring into R the ear of the hearer one sound, perhaps one understanding- affluence or wealth. It commands several attractions and interpretations, along with its inherent aura. Those addressed with the words appear as models for many, gods, political godfathers, high networth individuals and “sacred cows”. Even Aristotle in one of his famous philosophies said: “Economic power dictates political power.” However, as good and alluring as it may be, the world was stunned to know that 85 persons today have been assessed as holding the wealth that is equal to the bottom half of the world’s population. This is the tale of global inequality. Inequality, recently assessed as the biggest threat to the world, had long been operating stealthily, while the players are made heroes, crowned for unique business models and revered, but at the extreme, at the expense of the dying majority. According to Oxfarm International, there are several policies successfully imposed by the rich in recent decades, including financial deregulation, tax havens and secrecy, anti-competitive business practice, lower tax rates on high incomes and investments and cuts or underinvestment in public services for the majority. Also, since the late 1970s, tax rates for the richest have fallen in 29 of the 30 countries for which data are available, meaning that in many places the rich not only get more money but also pay less tax on it. In fact, a recent US study presented compelling statistical evidence that the interests of the wealthy are overwhelmingly represented by the U.S. Government compared with those of the middle classes. The preferences of the poorest had no impact on the votes of elected officials. This capture of opportunities by the rich at the expense of the poor and middle classes has helped create a situation where seven out of every ten people in the world live in countries where inequality has increased since the 1980s and one per cent of the world’s families now own 46 per cent of its wealth ($110 trillion). Globally, the richest individuals and companies hide trillions of dollars away from the taxman in a web of tax havens around the world. It is estimated that $21 trillion is held unrecorded and offshore. In the U.S., years of financial deregulation directly correlates to the increase in the income share of the top one per cent which is now at its highest level since the eve of the Great Depression. This “capture of opportunities” by the rich at the expense of the poor and middle classes has led to a situation where 70 per cent of the world’s population live in countries where inequality has increased since the 1980s and one per cent of families own 46 per cent of global wealth-almost £70 trillion. Opinion polls in Spain, Brazil, India, South Africa, United States of America, UK and the Netherlands found that majority in each country believe that wealthy people exert too much influence. Concern was strongest in Spain, followed by Brazil and India and least marked in the Netherlands. In the UK, some 67 per cent agreed that “the rich have too much influence over where this country is headed”, with 37 per cent saying that

Slim they agreed “strongly” with the statement, against just 10 per cent who disagreed, two per cent of them strongly disagreed. The World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Risks report recently identified widening income disparities as one of the biggest threats to the world community. Recently, Oxfam called on those gathered at WEF to pledge to support progressive taxation and not dodge their own taxes; refrain from using their wealth to seek political favours that undermine the democratic will of their fellow citizens; make public all investments in companies and trusts for which they are the ultimate beneficial owners; challenge governments to use tax revenue to provide universal healthcare, education and social protection; demand a living wage in all companies they own or control; and challenge other members of the economic elite to join them in these pledges. In another report, the wealthy hide about $21 trillion in unrecorded and offshore accounts out of reach of governments. “Wealthy elites have co-opted political power to rig the rules of the economic game, undermining democracy and creating a world where the 85 richest people own the wealth of half of the world’s population,” according to Oxfam. It estimates that half the world’s wealth, $110 trillion U.S. is held by just one per cent of the population, while the 85 richest control $1.7 trillion, among them are Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican telecommunications mogul, whose family’s net wealth is estimated by Forbes business magazine at $73 billion; Microsoft founder Bill Gates with $67 billion and Warren Buffett with $53.5 billion. In fact, the concentration of wealth is leading to increased inequality and pressure on the poor and middle classes that could lead to social unrest. “This massive concentration of economic resources in the hands of fewer people presents a significant threat to inclusive political and economic systems,” the charity said. “People are increasingly separated by economic and political power, inevitably heightening social tensions and increasing the risk of societal breakdown,” Oxfam said. In Europe, austerity has been imposed on the poor and middle classes under huge pressure from financial markets whose wealthy investors have benefited from state bailouts of financial institutions. In Africa, global corporations – particularly those in extractive industries - exploit their influence to avoid taxes and royalties, reducing the resources available to governments to fight poverty. Oxfam is calling on those gathered at WEF to pledge to support progressive taxation and not to dodge their own taxes, refrain from using their wealth to seek political favours that undermine the democratic will of their fellow citizens, make public all the investments in companies and trusts for which they are the ultimate beneficial owners, challenge governments to use tax revenue to provide universal healthcare, education and social protection for citizens, demand a living wage in all companies they own or control, and challenge other members of the economic elite to join them in these pledges. Oxfam is calling on governments to tackle inequality by cracking down on financial

Gates secrecy and tax dodging, including through the G20, investing in universal education and healthcare and agreeing a global goal to end extreme inequality in every country as part of the post 2015 negotiations. The WEF yearly event, with the theme: “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business,” pulled together global influential figures in international trade, business, finance and politics, to deliberate on the issue, which experts said may sweep the world suddenly like Tsunami. But to development experts and participants at the forum, the income disparity and attendant social unrest are the issues most likely to have a big impact on the world economy this year and in the next decade, adding that there was an observed “lost” generation of young people coming of age in the 2010s, who lack both jobs and, in some cases, adequate skills for work, fuelling pent-up frustration. “Disgruntlement can lead to the dissolution of the fabric of society, especially if young people feel they don’t have a future. This is something that affects everybody. This could easily boil over into social upheaval, as seen already in a wave of protests over inequality and corruption from Thailand to Brazil. “So far, the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that has helped stabilize and revive economies has had little impact on the poor, the unemployed and the younger generation. In the West, young people are graduating from expensive and outmoded schools and colleges with high debts and the wrong skills, while in developing countries around two-thirds of them were not reaching their economic potential,” WEF Chief Economist, Jennifer Blanke, said. The Executive Director, Oxfam, Winnie Byanyima, said: “It is staggering that in the 21st Century, half of the world’s population own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all sit comfortably in a single train carriage. We cannot hope to win the fight against poverty without tackling inequality. Widening inequality is creating a vicious circle where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the rest of us to fight over crumbs from the top table. “In developed and developing countries alike, we are increasingly living in a world where the lowest tax rates, the best health and education and the opportunity to influence are being given not just to the rich, but also to their children. Without a concerted effort to tackle inequality, the cascade of privilege and of disadvantage will continue down the generations. We will soon live in a world where equality of opportunity is just a dream. In too many countries economic growth already amounts to little more than a ‘winner takes all’ windfall for the richest.” However, the Head of Risk at Swiss Re, David Cole, said: “I’m a big supporter of capitalism but there are moments in time when capitalism can go into overdrive and it is important to have measures in place - whether regulatory, government or tax measures - that ensure we avoid excesses in terms of income and wealth distribution.” Implications The voracious and huge appetite for accumulation of wealth, either by opportunity or business model has not gone without implications in the world today. The 2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics noted that the

United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 20102012. Almost all the hungry people, 852 million, live in developing countries, representing 15 per cent of the population of developing counties. There are 16 million people undernourished in developed countries (FAO 2012). The number of undernourished people decreased nearly 30 per cent in Asia and the Pacific, from 739 million to 563 million, largely due to socio-economic progress in many countries in the region. The prevalence of undernourishment in the region decreased from 23.7 per cent to 13.9 per cent. Though in Latin America and the Caribbean, progress was recorded, falling from 65 million hungry in 1990-1992 to 49 million in 2010-2012, while the prevalence of undernourishment dipped from 14.6 per cent to 8.3 per cent. But the rate of progress has slowed recently. The number of hungry grew in Africa over the period, from 175 million to 239 million, with nearly 20 million added in the last few years. Nearly one in four are hungry. And in sub-Saharan Africa, the modest progress achieved in recent years up to 2007 was reversed, with hunger rising two per cent per year since then. Developed regions also saw the number of hungry rise, from 13 million in 2004-2006 to 16 million in 2010-2012, reversing a steady decrease in previous years from 20 million in 1990-1992, according to the new estimates of world hunger by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). It is worth noting that the new estimates give a different answer than the old estimates. The World Bank had earlier estimated that there were an estimated 1.4 billion poor people in developing countries who live on $1.25 a day or less. This compares to the later FAO estimate of 1.02 billion undernourished people. Extreme poverty has remained an alarming problem in the world’s developing regions, despite some progress that are recorded. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people in extreme poverty has increased. The statement that “poverty is the principal cause of hunger” is, though correct, but unsatisfying. Why then are so many people poor? According to Hunger Notes, harmful economic systems are the principal cause of poverty and hunger. Hunger Notes believes that the principal underlying cause of poverty and hunger is the ordinary operation of the economic and political systems in the world. Essentially, control over resources and income is based on military, political and economic power that typically ends up in the hands of a minority, who live well, while those at the bottom barely survive, if they do. The greedy commercial system, which has impacted negatively on the environment and atmosphere, is another cause of poverty. Climate change Climate change is increasingly viewed as a current and future cause of hunger and poverty. Increasing drought, flooding, and changing climatic patterns requiring a shift in crops and farming practices that may not be easily accomplished are three key issues. This is just to mention, but few.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS

Microsoft, Lagos review e-governance pact By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Memorandum of T Understanding on the implementation of sustainable e-governance pact sealed in Seattle, USA in October 2013 between Microsoft Inc and Lagos State government came under review at the weekend, during the visit of the President of Microsoft International, Jean Philippe Courtois to Governor Babatunde Fashola in Lagos. Courtois, who was visiting

Nigeria for the first time, said that his visit was motivated by the level of commitment demonstrated by Governor Fashola in readiness to turn the state around within a short period of time to an e- driven state in all aspect of social responsibility and governance. Discussing on the progress made so far on the initiative, Fashola said that in respect of the Citizen’s Relationship Management (CRM), the state had

deployed two functionalities on a cloud service, which will be moved to the private cloud with Dimension Data. Fashola stated further that the two modules, which were CRM’s Enquires/Complaints and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (This are systems that allows citizens reach the government through SMS and designated call numbers just like we have in the case of 767 and emails) would go to the public by

Nigerian company wins legal battle over tech franchise in Germany From John Okeke, Abuja Nigerian company based A in Germany, Messrs KOCH Nigeria Limited, has won a long-disputed case on the ownership of a technology at the Higher Regional Appeal Court in Germany. The ownership of the technology and the intellectual properties have been a subject of dispute for about seven years between a German multi-national company, Messrs FLSmidth Wadgassen GmbH and the company. The controversy has been on who has the right of retention of all the technical documentations and the whole knowhow relating to Itakpe project and who should give licence to the other for the use of the know-how. The case, according to the Managing Director of the company, David E. Osunde, presided over by three justices unanimously declared that Messrs KOCH Nigeria Limited is the true owner of the technical documentations and the technical intellectual properties relating to specific industrial plants manufactured and installed at Itakpe, Kogi State of Nigeria for the beneficiation of iron ore to achieve higher quality. Osunde, who gave the disclosure, at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, said that the ministry unflinchingly supported the company during the trying time. “The judges therefore ruled on the 11th of December, 2013, that all such documentations and know-how in the hands of FLSMidth must be handed over to the true owner, Messrs KOCH Nigeria Limited,” he said. The Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Martin Uhomoibhi, described the victory as a milestone achievement in the history of Nigeria’s development, especially in the iron and steel sector. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, said it was a victory for President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda in the area of Diaspora support and what the present administration could do for Nigerian citizens at home and abroad. On his part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power and Steel, Philip Aduda, said that with this judgment in Germany, federal government should begin to look on how to revamp the sector through financial support. “For us to get industrialised

and get our nation on the path of industrialisation, we must get our steel sector right because for so long, nothing seems to be working in the sector,” he said.

Aduda, who commended the ministry on its effort, charged it to continue to provide support for Nigerian citizens across the world.

April 2014 all things being equal. On e-Health, the governor disclosed that with the visit to the implementation site by both the state team and Microsoft, the teams have come up with e-health solution that provide IT support for the social health insurance programme and also provide solutions to include clinical decisions support, data gathering, analytical capacity, integration with clinical labs/test result and biometrics verification. According to the governor, all these solutions will be delivered using the cloud for easy access and usage by all Health Care Practitioners in the state both from public and private facility. The governor also stated further that progress had

also been recorded in the area of education to include easy students registration; curriculum planning; academic planning; grade management as well as delivering instructional materials to students through the provided cloud computing solution. It will be recalled that the state is partnering Microsoft Corporation to take advantage of all the innovative applications produced and implemented by Microsoft to help the State in establishing an egovernance platform towards improving service delivery by using e-mail, SMS, Internet and other mobile applications. Under the arrangement, Microsoft is to provide the State with the best of breed innovations such as cloud computing, citizens rela-

tionship management, social health insurance platform, government dashboard and other productivity tools that will help in areas such as education, health, budget, finance, physical planning, transportation, and tax collection. Going forward, Courtouis reaffirmed Microsoft status as the number one go-to in the driving down of data costs especially for SMEs that often don’t have the capital for IT infrastructure investment. Courtois said that with Microsoft’s rapid transition to devices, the corporation is set to double its efforts in skills investments, innovation support and access provision for people across the globe in general and Nigeria in particular, to create sustained economic opportunities.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

24 TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014

Minister woos investors in printing sector From Abosede Musari, Abuja INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohanmmed, has pledged a friendly business climate to investors in the printing sector, urging them to take advantage of the opportunities in the FCT to promote technological advancement in the country. The minister gave this pledge recently in Abuja while declaring open the 2014 Konica Minolta Digital Print Solution exhibition. Represented by the Managing Director of

Abuja Technology Village, Hauwa Yabani, the minister said the event was specifically put together in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s agenda to attract direct foreign investment into Nigeria. He stated that the introduction of the print solutions into Nigeria has contributed to socio economic development, reduced capital flight, promotion of cottage printing shops and had thereby reduced unemployment. “I invite you all therefore, to be part of our ongoing economic revolution by supporting the transformation agenda of President

Goodluck Jonathan and the efforts private sector organisations are making to promote technological advancement in the country. The Nigerian government is dedicated to creating a business friendly climate that is attractive to international investors and we invite investors to consider and indeed take up opportunities now available in this sector”, he said. Managing Director of Skysat Technologies, partners to Konica Minolta in Nigeria and Ghana, Izzat Debs, said at the event that the introduction of the print solutions to the

country three years ago has reduced the amount of jobs taken outside the country. He noted that this has increased employment for young people. “As an organisation, we have within the last one year trained dozens of Nigerian technicians here and overseas who are responsible for the maintenance of our machines all over Nigeria”, he said. He used the opportunity to introduce some of the new printing products while pledging the company’s commitment to partner towards developing the Nigerian printing sector.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘Russia risks losing G-8 seat, economic turmoil over Ukraine’ NITED States (U.S.) U Secretary of State John Kerry has bluntly warned Russia that it risked losing its seat among the prestigious Group of Eight nations, as well as economic turmoil and sanctions, over the Ukraine crisis. The top U.S. diplomat hit the Sunday talk shows to ratchet up pressure on Moscow, after he convened a crisis conference call with European and Canadian foreign ministers and President Barack Obama held a 90-minute phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Saturday. Washington and its G8 allies were prepared to slap sanctions on Moscow, Kerry said Sunday, warning of damage to billions of dollars in trade and investment in Russia, as well as possible visa bans and moves by American businesses to quit the country.

Putin is not going have a Sochi G8, he may not even remain in the G8 if this continues. He may find himself with asset freezes on Russian business, American business may pull back, and there may be a further tumble of the ruble. Sending troops into Ukraine’s southern Crimea region, which has historically had strong ties to Russia, was a “19th century act in the 21st century,” Kerry told ABC’s “This Week.” Kiev’s interim leaders warned on Sunday their country stood on the brink of disaster, and called up military reservists after the Russian parliament voted to allow Putin to send in troops to its western neighbour. Putin “is not going have a Sochi G8, he may not even remain in the G8 if this continues. He may find himself with asset freezes on Russian busi-

ness, American business may pull back, there may be a further tumble of the ruble,” Kerry warned on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Britain, and France have already pulled out of preparatory meetings for the G8, and, along with the U.S. and Canada, have threatened to boycott the June summit. “Russia chose this brazen act of aggression and moved in its forces on a completely trumped up set of pretexts,” Kerry told CBS’s “Face the Nation.” “If Russia wants to be a G8 country, it needs to behave like a G8 country.”

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned Europe’s peace and security were at risk as he opened crisis talks of the military alliance in Brussels. But Kerry steered clear of warning of any US military action as pro-Moscow gunmen controlled swaths of Ukraine’s southern Black Sea peninsula where the Kremlin has based naval fleets since the 18th century. “The last thing anybody wants is a military option in this kind of situation. We want a peaceful resolution through the normal processes of international relations,” he told NBC. Kerry again called on Putin to de-esclate tensions, saying “Russia and President Putin are aligning themselves with this kleptocracy” of ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych. “I think this is an enormous

mistake for Russia,” he added. U.S. lawmakers backed moves to suspend Russia’s membership of the G8, which it joined in 1998. The Sochi summit will only be the second time that Moscow has hosted the prestigious gathering. “President Obama needs to do something,” Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, told CNN. “How about this — suspend Russian membership in the G8 and the G20 at least for a year starting right now. For every day that they stay in Crimea, add to the suspension. Do something.” Kerry insisted everything was on the table, including US economic sanctions, and urged Congress to work with the administration. “The day will come where we will have to engage in that sort of activity. All options are on

the table. No question but that Russia needs to understand this is serious,” he told ABC. And he warned on CBS that “the G8 plus some others... are prepared to go to the hilt in order to isolate Russia with respect to this invasion.” “They’re prepared to put sanctions in place, they’re prepared to isolate Russia economically, the ruble is already going down.” Russia’s growth has already slowed to 1.3 per cent in 2013, down from 3.4 percent the year before, and the ruble has lost more than eight percent against the euro since the start of the year. Russian banks are greatly exposed to cash-strapped Ukraine, and the Fitch ratings agency warned last week that the country’s state-owned financial institutions hold the bulk of total exposure of an estimated $28 billion.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

28 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Novartis rules out merger with Roche WISS pharma group, Novartis (NOVN.VX), will work more closely with rival Roche (ROG.VX) but rules out a merger, its chairman, Joerg Reinhardt, said on Sunday. Asked whether the two companies wanted to stay independent, Reinhardt, who took over as Novartis chairman in August, told Swiss newspaper, SonntagsZeitung: “Absolutely.” He said, however, that he’d met outgoing Roche Chairman Franz Humer a few weeks ago and was also exchanging emails with his successor, Christoph Franz. “Two pharma groups working in the same location have many topics in common,” he said. Both Roche and Novartis are based in Basel in northwestern Switzerland. Asked whether Novartis could sell its stake in Roche that was built up under his predecessor Daniel Vasella, Reinhardt said: “The shares are in good hands with us. For as long as Roche does well, we take pleasure in them.” Novartis holds a third of Roche’s bearer shares (RO.S). In October, Roche Chief Executive, Severin Schwan, also knocked back speculation that the company could merge with Novartis. Reinhardt said in the interview Novartis hoped to conclude an ongoing review of its over-thecounter drugs, animal health and vaccines businesses by the end of the year.

Pound strengthens against dollar as economic recovery broadens HE pound advanced T against the dollar as data showed a surge in business investment helped the British economy grow for a fourth straight quarter, boosting the allure of the United Kingdom (UK) currency. Sterling rose versus the euro this week as Bank of England policy makers expressed little concern that the strength of the currency would harm the economy. Officials also said any increases in interest rates from a record low will be gradual and limited. Central bank Chief Economist Spencer Dale told Bloomberg there will

probably be a “healthy” split among voting members on when to raise rates. U.K. government bonds advanced for a second week. “We are seeing a gradual spillover of the recovery from consumption into the investment sector,” said Vasileios Gkionakis, head of global foreign-exchange strategy at UniCredit SpA in London. “This means that the recovery is becoming more sustainable. The pound will benefit from it because you will be talking about a strong and well-balanced economy and the Bank of England is going

to hike rates earlier than consensus expects.” The pound rose 0.8 percent in the week to $1.6745 at 4:56 p.m. London time yesterday after reaching $1.6769, the highest since Feb. 17. The U.K. currency appreciated 0.3 percent to 82.44 pence per euro. It climbing to 81.91 pence yesterday, the strongest level since Feb. 18. The pound will advance to $1.72 and 81 pence per euro by the end of the year, Gkionakis forecasts. Sterling will reach $1.75 and 83 pence per euro by the end of 2015, he said. Britain’s gross domestic prod-

uct increased 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous three months, the same as previously estimated, the Office for National Statistics said on Feb 26. From a year earlier, the economy expanded 2.7 percent, the most in almost six years. There was an annual 8.5 percent increase in business investment, following four quarters of annual contraction. Sterling has gained 12 per cent in the past year, the best performer among 10 developed-nation currencies tracked by Bloomberg Correlation-Weighted Indexes

Swiss minister moves to save bilateral deal with EU WITZERLAND’S Economy SSchneider-Ammann, Minister, Johann has

RBS draws up rescue plan for Ulster Bank ART-NATIONALISED Royal P Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) is working on a plan to salvage

its troubled Irish business, Ulster Bank, by merging it with a number of rivals, the Sunday Times newspaper reported. Attempts to find a buyer for the business have failed and a team inside RBS is looking at tie-ups between Ulster and other lenders, such as Permanent TSB or the Irish units of Danske Bank (DANSKE.CO) or KBC (KBC.BR), the newspaper reported. Bolting the institutions together could allow the new Ulster Bank to strip out costs and mount a credible challenge to Ireland’s top players. Ireland’s Finance Minister Michael Noonan said on Saturday that he would like a “significant” new bank with a big balance sheet to enter its lending market this year to drive competition in the diminished sector. Noonan said on Sunday that he was looking at the possibility of overseas banks partnering with Irish lenders to create a competitor to the country’s biggest lenders Allied Irish Bank (ALBK.I) and Bank of Ireland (BKIR.I). “I’m sending a signal out to the European banking system that a growing economy in Ireland has space for more banking activity and we would welcome their participation in Ireland by way of subsidiaries or by way of going into partnership with some of our domestic banks,” he told national broadcaster RTE. Ulster Bank has racked up losses of 2.5 billion pounds ($4.2 billion) over the past two years. It accounts for less than four per cent of RBS’s assets but was responsible for 20 per cent of its bad debt charges last year. Ulster is the biggest bank in Northern Ireland and the third biggest in the Republic of Ireland.

amid optimism an improving economy will convince the central bank to raise interest rates. The dollar gained 0.2 percent and the euro advanced 6.6 percent. “The strength of sterling is really a reflection of the fact that the rest of the world, Europe in particular, hasn’t grown much,” central bank Monetary Policy Committee member Ben Broadbent told a conference in London on Feb. 26. Colleague Ian McCafferty said the previous day that sterling’s gains were not yet a “major problem” for exporters.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel (left); and the Bristish Prime Minister, David Cameron, at a public function discussing some key economic issues.

South Sudan oil production down 29 per cent in South Sudan are destroyed in Bentiu, in January recaptured Bentiu, mid-December between FtheIGHTING has cut production from Bor and in Malakal and we the capital of another oilforces supporting Kiir and country’s lifeline oilcannot have the assessment those from a loose alliance fields by about 29 per cent, the press secretary to President Salva Kiir said in Khartoum on Sunday. “South Sudan is still getting more than 175,000 barrels a day,” said Ateny Wek Ateny. That amount is down from 245,000 barrels per day before fighting began in

of ethnic militia and army defectors loyal to ex-vice president Riek Machar. Ateny did not give a dollar figure for how much revenue the government has lost, and said a true assessment can come only after fighting completely stops. “I know that there are a number of properties that

now until the war is over,” he said. In late February, rebels loyal to Machar captured Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile state where most of the South’s oil is produced. The rebel move on Malakal came despite a ceasefire that was supposed to be in place. Government forces in

producing area, Unity State. India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd, a partner in two joint oil production companies in South Sudan, announced on December 26 that the firms had temporarily halted operations there because of deteriorating security. Those fields were producing more than 40,000 barrels daily.

expressed his readiness to save bilateral agreements with the European Union (EU), which is now at risk after Switzerland voted to curb immigration from the bloc three weeks ago. “We have to reconcile the popular vote and the free movement of persons, also in order to save the bilateral agreements,” SchneiderAmmann told the SonntagsZeitung in an interview. “That is a very difficult task, it may prove a ‘mission impossible’,” he said, adding it was important for Switzerland to continue to attract foreign investment. Switzerland decided in a popular vote on February 9 to reintroduce quotas for immigrants from the European Union, which is contrary to the principle of the free movement of persons agreed with the EU. It told new EU member Croatia it would not be able to sign a labor market pact as planned. The EU has reacted by halting talks on a further integration of Switzerland into the European electricity market and by excluding Switzerland from the European student exchange program ERASMUS and research program Horizon 2020.

Citigroup reduces profit for 2013 after fraud at Mexico unit ITIGROUP Inc., the thirdC biggest United States (U.S.) lender, said it discovered fraud on loans to a Mexican oil-services company that forced the bank to lower last year’s profit by $235 million. The loans to Oceanografia SA were backed by payments from state-owned oil producer Petroleos Mexicanos, known as Pemex, Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Michael Corbat said in a memo to staff today. Invoices from Oceanografia processed by a bank employee were falsified to represent that Pemex had approved them, Corbat said, without explaining who was responsible. Citigroup suspects the employee participated in the fraud, according to a person briefed on the bank’s internal probe. “As much as $400 million was misappropriated throughout

the course of the fraud,” Corbat, 53, told employees of the New York-based bank. “The financial impact will lower our 2013 net income by approximately $235 million. The impact to our credibility is harder to calculate.” Citigroup, which operates in more than 100 countries and gets about 20 percent of revenue from Latin America, has stumbled in the region before. U.S. congressional investigators criticized the bank in 1998 for not questioning large money transfers by Raul Salinas de Gortari, the brother of Mexico’s former president, and the bank suffered more than $2 billion in losses on Argentina’s 2001 debt default. While Corbat has backed out of foreign markets with poor returns, he’s focused on faster growth in nations including Mexico.

“It’s really important that they get to the root of the problem here,” Gerard Cassidy, an RBC Capital Markets analyst, said in a Bloomberg Radio interview. “They’ve got to make sure everyone has confidence that there’s not a breakdown in their compliance area. That’s the bigger issue.” Corbat said the situation was a “galling example” of what happens when employees fail to act with the highest ethical standards. The company believes it to be an “isolated incident,” he said. Mike Mayo, a bank analyst at CLSA Ltd., said that while the incident is a “black eye” for the bank, such losses were more common before Corbat took over in 2012. “Last decade, for every $3 Citi made, they gave $1 back due to a risk mishap,” Mayo said in

an interview. “So under the prior period a mistake like this would be one of many, whereas under the current CEO, Mike Corbat, this type of instance is more unique.” Mexico’s anti-corruption agency banned Oceanografia on Feb. 11 from bidding on government contracts for 21 months after saying the Ciudad Del Carmen-based company violated agreements with Pemex. That prompted Citigroup to begin a review of its ties to Oceanografia, the bank said in a statement. After working with Pemex, Citigroup determined that only $185 million of the collateral backing $585 million of loans to Oceanografia could be verified, according to the statement. The fraud allegations concern accounts-receivable

financing, a common transaction used by manufacturers and other companies to get short-term cash. Typically, a bank lends money to the firm, which pledges the bills it has sent out to creditworthy customers as collateral. Mexico Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karamsaid the country is taking control of Oceanografia to protect its operations and recoup any misappropriated funds. Jorge Betancourt, head of investor relations for Oceanografia, said the company declined to comment. The assets involved have been impounded, and “an investigation has begun,” said a Pemex press official who asked not to be identified, citing company policy. The probe will cover more than 40 Oceanografia contracts with Pemex, the official said.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 29

30 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 NEWSXTRA

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Obanikoro, Kayode, others form PDP revival group in South-West From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja N a bid to reposition the I(PDP), Peoples Democratic Party particularly in the South-West, some politicians from that zone have formed a contact group to achieve maximum mobilisation and good strategy for the next elections. Named “PDP Network Group,” it is also aimed at improving on the reconciliation efforts and ensuring unity among party members in the South-West. The group has the Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola as its chairman and former Defence Minister, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode as its deputy chairman. Hon. Wole Oke from Osun State is the group’s secretary. Other officials of the group include Chief Olusola Oke (Chairman Committee on Political Strategy/Planning); Senator Obanikoro (Chairman Committee on Contact and Mobilisation); Engr Jide Adeniyi (Chairman Committee on Finance); Tolani Animashaun (Media and Publicity); and Yusuff Kunle (Secretariat/Protocol). Findings showed that membership of the network spreads across the region to include Senator Ayo Arise, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, Chief

Gowon, others for youth summit From Oludare Richards, Abuja LANS are being perfectP ed for the third edition of the Flagship Social Responsibility Programme tagged “Abuja Success Summit” to hold between March 14-15, 2014 Those billed to attend this year’s edition are former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Christopher Kolade and Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo. At a press conference organised to create awareness for the programme, the convener of the summit, Muyiwa Adebayo, said: “The enlightenment of the Nigerian youths, especially through motivational sessions and initiatives should be a constant occurrence in events. It is only in the mindfulness of the fact that it is in response to that inner urge and yearning to be the best and to excel at whatever honest endeavour one’s mind is set that success can be achieved”. The summit, a youth motivating interactive programme by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Harvest House Parish, Kings Court Estate, Abuja is a yearly interactive session to bring out value change in Nigerians and particularly the younger generation through shared experiences of success models who have excelled in their chosen careers.

Segun Ilori (Ekiti State); Senator Obanikoro, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Tolani Animashaun, Hon. Farihu Arebi (Lagos State); and Salimon Badiru, Mr. Segun Awolowo and Hon. Kayode Amusan (Ogun State). Others are Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Chief Olusola Oke, Dr. Eddy Olafeso and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Ondo State); Engr. Jide Adeniji, Hon. Wole Oke, Barr. Olasoji Efuntayo (Osun State); Senator Ayoola Hosea Agboola, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti and Yusuff Kunle (Oyo State). It was learnt that the group

which reportedly has the full backing of the Presidency has Chief Olabode George as its patron and many top government and political leaders from the zone as ex-officio members. The group had earlier met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and is scheduled to meet other top leaders of the party in the next few days. A member of the group who spoke under condition of anonymity said the Network was formed to reconcile South -West PDP, provide intellectual back-up for the party, advance South -

West interest at the national level and create similar linkages with similar groups across the other five geopolitical zones.

“We are on the move already. We are meeting the leaders and we will soon address the public on our goals. The point to note,

however, is that we stand for the well-being of the South West within the framework of the PDP”, the official said.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Appointments Apathy as albatross of pensions scheme

Wogu

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja NE word that sends jitters O down the spines of workers is ‘retirement’. In a third world country that is characterised by lacks any clear-cut social security scheme, low and irregular salary, exiting employment is indeed a formidable nightmare. The fear of the unknown is transparently shown by some civil servants who continually manipulate their date of birth in order to remain at work for as long as possible. Before 2004, workers were used to collecting lump sum in form of gratuity while they face Herculean task of getting their pension. But evidence has shown that while the new Pension Reform Act 2004, places high premium on the future survival of retirees by guaranteeing adequate payment of allowances for as long as they live, the scheme is not popular among worker owing to less attention it places on gratuity. For workers, therefore, waiting till they get to heaven before they access their reward seem far-fetch hence the high level of apathy that have come to characterise the contributory pension scheme. The declaration of growing of billions of Naira in pension funds as brandished often by the National Pension Commission (Pencom) is not alluring enough to workers. They argued that what was the benefits of money that was starched away well beyond their reach.

Agary

Esele There is silent disapproval among most workers including those that are active contributors to the contributory pension scheme that there is a possibility of the billions of Naira disappearing from government covers even as indications emerged in Abuja that government may be considering borrowing from the fund for infrastructural development. But sources close to Pencom told The Guardian at the weekend in Abuja that there was no cause for any apprehension saying the funds were safe and would continue to be safe for the overall benefits of the contributors. The source said that the amendment to the Act was intended to address most of the concerns raised by the stakeholders. He added: “There is no doubt that every new scheme will always have challenges and the new pension scheme is not an exception. Because we are moving from one platform to another, the challenge of documentation is very formidable. Some workers have problems with their bio-data and this sometimes takes a little while to reconcile. Again, this scheme prioritises pension and not gratuity as against what the old scheme prescribed. What a worker gets is determined by how much a worker contributes by the virtue of how much he earned while working.” Speaking on the issue, former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo Agary said that the

is no way we can compare this new “TheThere contributory scheme with the former one. question is: what happened to pensioners who got large sum after a few years? Many of them mismanaged the money and return to penury few years after collection. To my mind, I think what Pencom is doing is banking workers money and invest it on their behalf

proposed amendment must prioritise payment of gratuity by employers. Her words: “To be honest, what is taken home now does not add to anything. Gratuity is so meagre and workers cannot be said to be happy with that. It is the duty of employers to pay gratuity to workers who have given their energy in the service of certain organisations. There are social and economic pressures that people must meet either as parents or guardians.” Dr. Agary, who was also permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communication before her retirement, added that the new provision must also empower Pencom to sanction any employer that failed to remit the 7.5 per cent of workers salary to Pension Fund Administrators, saying, “lack of power to discipline endangers life-after-work of workers. What happens if an employer fails to remit for so many years only for the worker to find out at the point of retirement? Therefore, I think that Pencom should have that power to enforce compliance to the law.” While calling for the inclusion of the ability of workers to negotiate gratuity in the proposed new law, Dr. Agary argued that workers were left to their fate in the present arrangement where the power to negotiate is denied them. It was also learnt that there was move to increase the contribution of employers to 12 per cent while workers would have additional five per cent to the 7.5 per cent they were contributing to move the total contribution to 20 per cent from the present 15 per cent. Stakeholders believed that the new step might go a long way to push up what workers take home, as it will increase their contribution ratio. Former President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter

Esele, said that though the new scheme might not be perfect, but it was an improvement on the former scheme. His argument: “There is no way we can compare this new contributory scheme with the former one. The question is: what happened to pensioners who got large sum after a few

years? Many of them mismanaged the money and return to penury few years after collection. To my mind, I think what Pencom is doing is banking workers money and invest it on their behalf.” Esele submitted that the law does not exclude any worker who wants to increase his con-

tribution saying, “the law does not bar worker from contributing more than 7.5 per cent. If anybody knows that the 7.5 per cent is too small he can contribute more to enhance what takes homes when he eventually retired.” Indeed, The Guardian gath-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

“

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 APPOINTMENT 37

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Why we stopped overseas training, by HOS From Anthony Otaru, Abuja. HE Head of the Civil Service T of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji has said that attendance of overseas training for officers in the Federal Civil Service was suspended in order to ensure that more officers are trained locally with the available funds. Similarly, no less than 19, 439 Civil Servants have so far benefited from the Federal government Staff Housing Loans in recent times. The Head of Service stated this yesterday when execu-

Aji

tive members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) called on him in Abuja. In a statement, Aji, said, “we are aware that the amount of money being used to train just one officer overseas could be used to train about ten officers locally. “Our aim is to ensure that all civil servants have access to training. This is why we are upgrading our local training institutions so that we can achieve the same impact as those trained abroad. When necessary, we will bring in

resource persons from abroad to train large number of our officers who will also impact the knowledge on othe r s . ” Aji further explained that the federal government is presently giving due attention to the welfare of its workforce. He informed them of the approval by the president to increase the civil service

fleet of staff buses with the purchase of additional thirty buses in the first instance. The buses, he said, would be release to the staff union to manage. According to him, efforts were made to settle all entitlements owed staff members such as promotion arrears, transfer allowances and other

benefits within a period of two years. Other issues such as career stagnation and payment of housing loans were also addressed through some innovative approaches. Speaking earlier, the National President of the union, Bobboi Kaigama said that the mission of the union was to seek the assistance of

the Head of Service in addressing some of the pending issues that needed urgent attention in the Federal Civil Service. These, he said, included issues of unpaid staff entitlements, staff stagnation, payment of annual housing allowance, the National Housing Fund imbroglio and workers’ transport problems,

38 APPOINTMENTS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Apathy as albatross of pensions scheme CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 ered that the Pension Reform Act 2004 did not foreclose negotiation on gratuity and that the labour movement in the country neglected their members in this regard. The efforts of workers to get maximum benefits that pension and gratuity offer may be injurious to their wellbeing after all if the words of pension industry practitioners are anything to go by. The Abuja regional manager of Trustfund Pensions Plc, Maurice Ogar, said that the intention of the new contributory pension scheme was not immediacy but to guarantee the continued existence and survival of workers after meritorious service to the economic development of the country either from the private sector or public sector. Ogar, who stated this recently at the Trustfund retirees’ customer forum in Abuja, explained that the urge to have more money at hand has erroneously led some workers into embracing annuity as against programme withdrawal that guarantee a constant payment to retirees. He argued that while annuity pension product seemed appealing to retirees on the short term, it short-changes them and expose their

dependents to penury after their demise. He stated that insurance companies had relied on some sections in the Pension Reform Act, 2004, which allowed insurance firms to advertise annuity life insurance policy to pension contributors. On the flip side, Ogar stressed that programme withdrawal as a pension product, offers long term advantages to retirees and guarantees their survivors benefits after the demise of the contributor. He defined programmed withdrawal as the payment of funds periodically (monthly, quarterly or annually) from the retirees’ Retirement Savings Account (RSA) balance calculated on the basis of an expected lie span. He added that as retiree made withdrawals, the balance in the account remained invested, saying with programmed withdrawal option, the retiree is able to see his account balance on demand. He explained: “With programmed withdrawal, we pay arrears of client’s monthly pension from the month after he or she retires. Assets of retiree fund are held in custody by Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) and are managed in line with regulatory guidelines provided by

the National Pension Commission (Pencom). With programmed withdrawal, there is possibility of additional lump sum or pension increase and the guarantee period for programmed withdrawal is 18 years. In the event of death, the next-of-kin is paid the total balance in the beneficiaries RSA.” Explaining what annuity is, Trustfund Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Maha Longe, described it as pension product that was purchased from insurance companies licensed by the National Insurance Commission, with guarantee period of 10 years. She said that this meant that if a retiree died before its expiration, monthly annuities would be paid to the retiree’s beneficiaries up to 10 years (the remaining guaranteed years). She maintained that in the event that the retiree died after the expiration of the guaranteed period, nothing is paid to the beneficiaries. Among the many worries agitating the minds of workers is why they cannot access their contribution when social pressure such as payment of medical bills, payment of children schools fees, settling mortgage come calling?

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 39

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Govt to convert federal training centres to tertiary institutions From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE federal government has T approved the restructuring of Federal Training Centres into tertiary institutions offering monotechnic programmes. This was contained in a statement made available to The Guardian in Abuja. The outgoing Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara said this while handing over to her successor, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas. Other achievements recorded during the nine weeks she

stayed included, the creation of two new departments in some strategic ministries, the restructuring of the schedule of duties of the director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary and upgrading of the National Records Centre. The outgoing permanent secretary also made possible the payments of about N500 million as death benefits to families of deceased officers, verification of all staff under IPPIS in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the federation and the holding of sensitisation forum for ten ministries on performance management. Shu’ara called on the staff in the office to continue their sup-

port for the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the incoming permanent secretary so the Federal Civil Service would achieve its man-

date as the chief instrument in the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the federal government. The incoming Permanent

Secretary, Abbas commended Shua’ra for the remarkable achievements recorded during her short stay in the Career Management Office.

He called for the cooperation of all staff members to ensure that the good work done continued.

40 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 41

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Enhancing skills acquisition for Imo youths From Charles Ogugbuaja NEMPLOYMENT is a major U problem confronting all tiers of government in Nigeria including Imo state. At a time, Imo state recorded high rate of kidnapping, car snatching and numerous fraudulent cases. To check this trend, about 160 unemployed but active youths, including women selected from youth organizations and students union in the 27 Local Councils in Imo state, were recently trained at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). The four–day skills training, research and development programme powered by the office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, in partnership with the authorities of the FUTO attracted experts from management background, essentially to teach and expose the participants on how to start and manage their businesses, including teaching them how to produce products such as paints, air freshener among others. The products were identified to be in high demand. Special assistant to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs, Chief Bright Nwelue, told The Guardian that the essence of giving unemployed persons fish all the time without teaching the job seeker how to fish was very dangerous. “The best approach is to teach one how to fish and not all the time giving fish or giving free money, you are doing harm to that person. That is the essence of this programme.” The Deputy Speaker, represented by his Special Assistant on Political Affairs, told the gathering to pay attention adequate attention during the programme. He said: “This is not a jamboree. In the next one or two months, some of you will be raised from this. This is a humble way to reduce crimes, such as robbery, thuggery and other vices. He has decided not to give you fish, but show you how fish.” On the closing day, Ihedioha, accompanied by his colleague in the house, Sunday Kabiru, at the grand finale said there was no issue of playing politics with the programme. He objected to anyone repeating in the programme, including any of his staff. According to him, about 2,500 youths and women from the state had benefitted from various previous programmes in the last two and half years. He said:“I have in the past two and half years impacted over 2,500 young men and women from across 305 wards in the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State. We must do this to help our people. What we have done today is not politics. It is to begin in life of each of you. We are making sure that hopes are liberated.” He promised to carry on similar programme, increasing the number to over 160. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka in his speech explained that the institution has all it takes to train people to world standard, stating that it was his commitment when he assumed office in 2011, noting that FUTO would continue with the name, centre of excellence. He disclosed that the train-

Ihedioha ing centre has become full fledge centre for training people on skills and manage-

ment, adding that the collaboration with the office of the deputy speaker was one of the

best things that had happened to the institution. The participants were exposed to Basic practical skills acquisition, financial literacy, managing your business (step out and be self supporting), basic marketing, business ethics, odour control production, and liquid soap production among others. In their zeal to demonstrate what they had learnt by practical demonstration, the participants were given the opportunity to explain their knowledge. In a chat with The Guardian, one of the beneficiaries said the training required breaking down of the technicalities by the resource persons to the understanding of the trainees. “We should also be assisted adequately with financial muscle, when such are organized. This will enable us have firm grip and establish our own businesses, producing and marketing products learnt. You know some require capital outlay and unless we stand firm, the problem of unemployment would persist”.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

42 APPOINTMENTS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Trustfund tasks retirees over adoption of business models have like a year or six months to RUSTFUND Pensions Plc has retire and the main idea is after urged workers to embrace retirement, what they do? They small-scale business models as may not be active after retireveritable exit strategy from paid ment. Some don’t know how to e m p l o y m e n t . live after retirement. We felt Speaking at pre-retirement that they can employ themsensitization seminar for selves in moneymaking venTrustfund contributors in the tures when they retire and that South-East zone of the country is why we introduced the skill that comprised Ebonyi, Imo, acquisition training for them. Enugu, Abia and Anambra, head We will teach them what to do of Customer Service of so that they have it in their Trustfund, Mrs. Maha Longe, mind and when they retire they get into them.” said early death of retirees is can She added that small-scale mostly caused by lack of economic activities after retire- businesses that are taught conment from paid employment. tributors are influenced by Her words: “The main reason what is in demand in the zone, why we are organizing this sem- saying, “At Ibadan, we taught inar is for contributors who them how to make soap. But

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja

here in Enugu, there is water. Fish, grass cutter, snail are things that really sell here. You cannot say the same for the South-West.” She stated that the seminar would be carried out in other cities of the country including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna, adding that the training was part of the corporate social responsibility of Trustfund. “What we have doing is to empower our customers with skill and we are organizing

these trainings close to their retirement so that the knowledge they derive from it will not be lost before they finally quit. We believe they should undergo this before they collect their benefits and this will enable them invest wisely so that they can live a good life,” she said. On his part, head of Benefits, Trustfund Pensions, Mr. Tunji Bello, told the about-retire contributors that though they may be retiring soon, some of them who may not be tired just yet and would need to engage in

active exercises that could yield money to them. He stated that the organization decided to break the seminar into two parts - skill acquisition where participants were trained on fishery, snail and grass cutter business as well as health talk on how to live well after retirement. Motivational Speaker, Rev Tony Akinyemi urged the participants to be cautious of what they eat, stressing that old age does not kill, but what kills faster were diseases associated

with it. Speaking on healthy living, he called on the gathering to embrace exercises, saying it was necessary as it helps in body metabolism. James Igwe, who was a participant, commended the organizers of the seminar, saying that it was a new thing in the industry, “that should be embraced by other Pension Fund Administrators”.

Forum engages youths on self employment By Samuel Ifetoye NON Governmental Organisation (NGO), Heal the World Mission and World Changers International on Thursday in Ota, Ogun State put together a two-day programme “The W.A.Y. Africa (The War Against Youth-unemployment in Africa), a high impact idea accelerator meeting aimed at converting viable ideas into high growth businesses solving real world problems majorly youth-unemployment in the African continent. In his opening address, President of the NGO, Dr. Tola Olukilede, said the forum “is a private/Christian charity initiative towards

bringing solution to the many challenges facing African people and the government of Africa, most especially as it affects her youth population. We all know that the future of any family, nation or continent lies in the potential of her youth.” This action packed, high degree, idea generating, brain-storming, mind grooming, challenging yet fun filled, “get result” open discussion, is to gather youths who can think, using the opportunity presented to them in bringing purposeful change in their immediate environment and inspire others and influence local global change by identifying like-minded leaders among themselves.

A beneficiary, Olamide Alimi-Aigoro (left), representative of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) Managing Director, Tunji Bello, Head of the Public Affairs NGC, Comfort Adepoju and some beneficiaries of the Women Empowerment Workshop in Lagos... recently PHOTO: WOLE OYEBADE

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 43

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘Skill development will suit states governments’ purposes’ From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja HE Director General of the T Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Professor Longmas Sambo Wapmuk has said the skill development pro-

gramme of the agency is designed to accommodate the requirement of state and local governments across the country in their desire to have skilled artisans. He gave this indication in

Abuja recently while being conferred with the 2013 transparency, accountability and good governance integrity hero’s award. Wapmuk who was decorated alongside other recipi-

ents as M-clean anti-corruption ambassador for fashioning out a ten year transparency and accountability plan to align the operations of the ITF in line with the federal government trans-

Acting Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. A.S. Daura (left); Regional Manager, West Africa, Nihilent, Shohel Noor; and Chairman, Nihilent Nigeria, Oti Ikomi, at the signing of MoU to promote e-Governance and IT capability, in Abuja.

formation agenda said the SMEDAN, which has the recent lunch of the National responsibility of organising Enterprise Development them into cooperatives and Program (NEDEP) by presi- businesses and help them in dent Goodluck Jonathan is accessing funding from an aspect of the national financial institutions and development revolution the Bank of Industry. He plan of the federal govern- said unemployment is ment through the ministry expected to decrease with of industry, trade and the NEDEP initiative. investment under which Commenting on his award, the ITF is expected to pro- the DG said: “I am glad that vide skilled manpower for our effort at the industrial the economy. training fund to provide His words, “The ITF has skilled manpower for the been charged with the need of our economy is responsibility. Under that being recognized. This for plan which the federal gov- me is very significant and ernment to provide skilled e x c i t i n g ” . manpower for the economy Wapmuk said the award and as part of our own calls for more responsibility responsibility under that and transparency in the disarrangement, we have charge of his duties; adding designed a scheme we call that the award has placed the national industrial skill more demand on him to development program maintain some level of l a u n c h e d . cleanliness as he is now one “This programme has two of the ambassadors of Mphases. The first phase is the Clean in Nigeria. informal training while the “This is a big responsibilisecond is the formal train- ty. I am to show examples to ing. Participants are expect- others and should not ed to undergo a three indulge in anything that months programme under would send negative signals the formal in various to those around me. This is trades. We rely on the state also to encourage every othgovernment concern to fur- er public office holders to be nish us with information on transparent and open in the kind of skills required in their dealings with people their states and we fashion knowing fully well that pubour programme to suit their lic office is a trust”. own purpose. The state Other recipients of the governments and other award are the ministers of organized private sectors in Agriculture Akinwunmi states are expected to key Adesina, Chief Executive into this programme”. Officer of Bank of Industry He said successful artisans Evelyn Oputu among others. would be handed over to

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

44 APPOINTMENTS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

‘SMEs key to driving regional, global trade’ By Femi Adekoya OR Nigeria and other African nations to boost their low global trade which currently is about 3 percent, they need to pay serious attention to entrepreneurship growth and development. The Managing Director, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Wieber Boer has said, adding that he reason why the continent’s global trade is still low is due to the fact that most of what Africa sells to the global market is non value added raw materials. Boer during a visit to celebrate its advisory board members across the world, stressed the urgent need to key in entrepreneurs in areas of value addition of raw materials and manufacturing. “We are targeting about 700 entrepreneurs this year. All we need to do is start processing those raw materials and produce manufactured goods and we will significantly increase Africa’s three per cent global trade immediately with almost no effort,” he said. He pointed out that TEF is engineered to spur African economy through promoting competitiveness and growth in the private sector with the aim to promote excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa. Also speaking at the event,

the Founder, TEF, Tony Elumelu said TEF is consistently initiating policies, providing directions and guidance on how best to realize its strategic intent to showcase entrepreneurs to the world but stressed that for this to happen, there is a need for Africa to have the right enabling environment in place; polices that are consistent and supporting entrepreneurship; provide access to finance and also provide leadership and mentoring to drive entrepreneurship growth. “We are happy to announce that some of the beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation are here and they would share their experiences with us. I am very optimistic about the future of Africa and I am also worried about the challenges that is beginning to show its ugly face and we must do something about it,” he said. According to him, the worst of all is the issue of unemployment and maintained that for Africa to meet its job requirement, it needs to provide about 200 million jobs. “We only have the capacity to create only about 53 million jobs in five years from now. So the challenge is what is going to happen to the rest if we do not do something about it. This brings to the fur about the significance of what we are trying to achieve at TEF. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in every

Fayemi economy is the engine of growth and if we succeed in providing the necessary support for SMEs, they will do well and if they do well, there is a direct correlation of SMEs doing well and also creating employment for Africa. “The future for Africa is bright but we have to start doing something to address these challenges. Africa needs a lot in terms of infrastructure, right polices and leadership for sustainable development but if security is lacking or not present, we cannot do so much,” he said. He also said security is a threat in some parts of Africa and some parts in Nigeria, calling for the need to engage private sector solution to solving security challenges in Africa. “As they say, threat to mankind anywhere is threat to mankind everywhere. If we engage private sector solution to solve security challenges in Africa and Nigeria,

we would have gone a long way in propelling the growth of the African continent and the economy. I want to thank our advisory board members who all, have the mind of Africa. They have being extremely supportive from across the globe. The main objective of the TEF would not have been achieved without their support, “ he said. Lady, Lynn de Rothschild, a member of the advisory board, TEF said there is an equal amount of dream, hard work and talent across every income bracket and gender in the country but stressed that what is lacking is the opportunity to showcase these attributes. She commended the foundation for creating opportunities for the youth to showcase their talent saying that Nigeria ranked 120th among 128 countries for global competitive index is not good for the economy. “It does not have to be like that. The people here can change that and it is the business people like Tony and entrepreneurs who believe in the sheer responsibility we all have to make our economy and capitalism work everyone. The idea of afro-capitalism will be a profound idea that would travel around the world and Africa really has the opportunity to show the rest of the world how it can do it,” she added.

NGC empowers host communities in Lagos, Ogun By Wole Oyebade S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Nigerian Gas Company (NGS) has empowered members of its host communities in Lagos and Ogun States. At the weeklong Women Empowerment Workshop that ended at the weekend, no fewer than 40 participants acquired skills and competencies in the area of Desktop Publishing, catering services, fashion designing, hair-dressing and make-up. The participants were drawn from 20 communities on NGC pipeline channel. NGC is a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). At the closing ceremony held in Lagos, Managing Director NGC, Saidu Mohammed said besides the company’s responsibility to develop an efficient gas industry – to fully serve Nigeria’s energy and industrial feedstock needs – NGC was also committed to adding values to lives of the communities. Mohammed, who was represented by the Manager, Fire and Safety Department, Tunji Bello, said NGC was a socially responsible company, whose community relation philosophy sees its host communities as partners and desire that they buy into NGC’s business challenges. On the empowerment programme, he said: “In the last few days, we have been empowering the women to face life as an endeavour. God has made us all unique and an

empowered woman can walk through life with shoulders high. That is the opportunity we have again made possible for members of our host communities,” he said. Head of the Public Affairs NGC, Comfort Adepoju, commended the participants for improving their knowledge and gaining mastery within the short period of time, adding that it was their turn to do the company proud by making all the difference in their c o m m u n i t i e s . She said: “As NGC has put smiles on your faces with the training and starter kits to begin your business, you must put smiles on the faces of your husbands and communities. We want you to show that you can be selfsufficient, self-reliant and not a burden. Above all, you are now the bosses of your own.” Adepoju observed that the leaders in the communities selected the participants and NGC had only trained them in their chosen vocation. Receiving the participants’ token of appreciation, Adepoju said: “We are so grateful today that besides the skills acquired, they also made innovation on how to appreciate NGC for the gesture. It was not expected at all. We will make the MD keep a watch on these communities,” she said. One of the participants, representing Ewekoro community, Olamide AlimiAigoro commended the company for the initiative, which she described as a great experience “giving us hope and enthusiasm for the future.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 47

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 49

50 APPOINTMENTS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Ministry may sanction employment agencies over irregular operations From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Federal ministry of labour and productivity has directed all unlicensed Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) to regularize their operations with the Ministry or face sanctions. This comes as the ministry is seeking collaboration with relevant agencies to checkmate incidences of unfair

labour practices in the country. The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, who disclosed this in Abuja, explained that a national workshop on strengthening the role of Private Employment Agencies (PEAS) in human resources development would be organized in Lagos next month (April) .

According to him, the Ministry, in collaboration with Human Capacity Providers Association of Nigeria (HUCAPA), is organizing the national workshop as part of efforts at achieving the laudable objectives of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the labour and employment sector of the national economy.

Group seeks better society at inauguration has assembled a list of proHINKRIGHT Foundation, a building. T N o n - G o v e r n m e n t a l Ukwu added that the founda- grammes that will engage the productively. Organisation (NGO) has been tion has the vision of becom- youth launched in Lagos in a bid to encourage right-thinking and attitudinal change that will boost personal, organisational and national development. Speaking at the launch recently, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mr. Daniel Ukwu said the mission of the foundation is to enhance development through strategic capacity-

ing one of the most effective foundations in the world in terms of human empowerment. He stressed that the objective of the foundation is to help build a better Nigeria through encouragement of a culture of reading that will ensure acquisition of required knowledge for overall development. Ukwu said the foundation

In the keynote address tagged “Achieving Greatness through Right-thinking”, Mr. Goke Ilesanmi, a renowned motivational speaker, columnist and Managing Consultant, Gokmar Communication Consulting stressed the need for individuals, organisations and nations to think right to be able to achieve tremendously.

Wogu pointed out that in addition to reducing the incidences of unfair Labour practices, the workshop is geared towards strengthening relations with all Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) while promoting productivity and decent work. He listed other objectives of the workshop to include addressing the emerging trends and challenges in the recruitment industry while also providing a platform for interaction between regulators, operators of recruiters’ license and applicants. The Labour Minister further revealed that the workshop would be organized strictly in accordance with the mandate of the Ministry with regards to licensing of qualified Companies, including those providing security services to operate as labour contractors and Private Employment Agencies in line with the provisions of Sections 23, 24, 25 and 71 of the Labour Act, CAP L1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

NSCDC detains female(31) for impersonation, job racketeering By Uzoma Nzeagwu Awka. HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Anambra Command, has arrested and detained one Jennifer Ogugua, (31), female, for allegedly impersonating and faking recruitment exercise for the agency. The state commandant of NSCDC, Mr Michael Ochogwu, who briefed newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, explained that the suspect had defrauded 12 persons of about N235,000 with a promise to secure jobs forn the victims. Ochogwu said the suspect had concluded arrangement to collect the sum of N7, 000 each from her victims before she was picked up at Njikoka Local Council Area of the state on Feb. 21, adding that she even went to thank God in a church at the council Area for elevating her to a rank of divisional officer at the national headquarters of NSCDC sometime in August 2013. Meanwhile he has cautioned the the public that there is no recruitment exercise going on at the NSCDC, adding that there is no amount directed to be collected from any person for any recruitment.

“Recruitment is based on vacancies and stipulated qualifications but not on money collection,” he said, adding that the suspect would be handed over to the police for prosecution. “Our CommandantGeneral has released a memo that no recruitment exercise is taking place within NSCDC and that the public should beware of job racketeers”. Continuing, he added, “Jennifer Ogugua allegedly claimed that she was given slots to recruit officers into the corps and that those who were interested should first pay N5, 000 into her account for training, uniform and camp identity cards for their camping at Enugu. “She demanded another N3, 000 each for the payment of NSCDC Commandant-General’s flight to Enugu from Abuja for the official inauguration of the camping exercise. “She also arranged to collect N7, 000 each on the grounds that their appointment letters already signed by the Corps’ CommandantGeneral would not be released until the payment was made”

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 51

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Ekiti, Honeywell partner to develop pupils entrepreneurship skill From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti) KITI state government has canvassed for robust skills and entrepreneurship development at the primary level of education to combat the geometric increase in the level of unemployment in the country. The Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Modupe Adelabu who made the statement in

Ado Ekiti recently during the second Trade Fair for Public Primary Schools in Ekiti, said the essence of the programme is to enhance the pupils’ entrepreneurial and technical skills that could make them employers of labour in future, rather than job seekers. She said, “As we all know, entrepreneurial education is meant to equip the pupils

with relevant skills to enable them stand on their own without necessarily running after non-existing white collar jobs after leaving schools. The primary goal is to promote creativity and innovation through acquisition of requisite skills”. At the programme initiated by Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the

Expert canvasses motivation, integrity in governance From Uzoma Nzeagwu Awka. university don, Prof. Mercy Anigbogu has urged Nigerian women leaders to cultivate the habit of exhibiting integrity, motivating staff, encourage team work and open communication among others while serving the public in various capacities. In her paper titled ‘leadership challengers’, presented at a one-day forum for women political office holders, in Awka, Anambra State and organized by Development In Practice (DIP) in collaboration with Women Action Committee, Prof. Anigbogu who is of the Department of Guidance and Counseling, Nnamdi

Azikiwe University, Awka listed other challenges to include cultivating leadership capability, providing effective information management, encouraging action and innovation among others. She further cautioned women leaders to inculcate smooth interpersonal relationship with the ability to reach out to all, give back to the society or community by executing projects that will affect the people of Anambra State and Nigeria in general, while also adopting the strategy of equal distribution of resources. Prof. Anigbogu expressed the opinion that if these factors were properly

addressed, they would not only go a long way to help the women folk, but also balance the gender inequality in governance today. She cautioned that a successful leader cannot back out from challenges, but must learn to delegate powers and avoid doing everything. Delivering a second paper, tilted, ‘Gender Responsive Governance’ at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, DIP, Mrs. Ojobo Atuluku expressed the view that for Nigeria to achieve gender balanced development, government and authorities concerned should deepen awareness, create knowledge, improve skills and behaviour in women.

pupils made exhibition in handiwork like: pottery, dying, woodcarving, and pottery, weaving and knitting. Speaking at the event which was sponsored by Honeywell Flour Mills, the wife of the State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who lauded the SUBEB for the programme, charged the parents to be conscious of the new trends in the Nigerian economy, which demands that children must develop certain skills aside their academic works. Mrs Fayemi said as part of the measure to boost education at the cradle, that the government had established early Child Education Centre in Ado Ekiti, to give the children a befitting background that could strive them to greatness, even with minimal education. The Brand Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr Lanre Da-Silva, who said that his company decided to partner the government in sponsoring the programme said, the objective of the fair was in tandem with the philosophy of his company which believes in introducing the children to entrepreneurship development to make them self sufficient when they grow up.

Jos north council assures NIPSS’s course participants of support and the representative of the Director-General of the ENIOR Executive Course Institute, Abubakar Sanusi, 36 participants of the said they are in Jos North as National Institute of Policy part of their familiarisation and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) tour of the state and their Kuru, near Jos, have been host community. assured of the necessary supHe said that the participants port and assistance in the are interested in acquaintcourse of their study tours of ing themselves with how the Jos North Local Government administration and policies Council. are operated under the The Interim Administrator theme, “Industrial Labour of Jos North, Moses Nwan, Relations and Productivity gave the assurance recently for National Development.” when he received the particAlso recently, the Nigerian ipants while on familiarisaInstitute of Public Relations tion tour of the locality. (NIPR), Plateau State According to him, their stay Chapter, received a comin Jos, the state capital, mendation from the would be a fruitful one Commissioner for owing to the level of transInformation and formation in the state and Communication, Mrs. Olivia the relative peace being Dazyam, for its numerous enjoyed and admonished contributions in the state them to feel free while carryand the country as a whole. ing out their national She made the commendaassignment especially in Jos tion when the state chapter north. of NIPR paid her a courtesy Nwan told the participants call in her office. that they are happy to host She told the visiting NIPR the institute in the state. that the present administra“Year in year out, Plateau has tion has set the pace in the had the privilege to hosting area of agriculture and eminent Nigerians who tourism. have come to research, to The state chairman of the undergo training with a Institute, Fwenji Go’ar, view to carrying out policy called on the ministry to positions and advise this partner with the NIPR country to develop policy towards ensuring that the framework with which the state returned to its original country can forge ahead.” status of peace and tourism The leader of the delegation in the eyes of the world.

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahov, Jos

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 | 53

Labour NUPENG accuses foreign oil firms of promoting job losses From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has described the sudden divestment of some International Oil Companies (IOCs) is aimed at inducing mass unemployment and promote massive poverty of Nigerians.

• Seeks autonomy for NNPC country. He added: “We need to ask Speaking in Abuja on developments in the oil and gas sector of the economy, the President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, insisted that the union is not on strike despite the re-emergence of queues for fuel in most cities of the

questions about why there is fuel scarcity in Nigeria. I will like to say that NUPENG is not considering strike but we may have no choice if government refused to respect the agreement reached with us to execute the TAM of the refineries

before the end of first quarter of 2014. We think the decision of some IOCs to pull out of Nigeria suddenly constitute conspiracy and economic sabotage. Why did they suddenly realize that Nigeria does not have friendly business environment? Some of them have been here for more than 50

PSI bemoans loss of jobs over to privatization policies From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Public Service International (PSI) has decried massive job loss occasioned by the various reforms and privatization of public utilities by most African countries. Speaking in Abuja at the opening session of the 2014 sub-regional advisory council meeting of PSI, Titular (substitute), English-speaking (East and West) Africa sub-region, Joe Ajaero, said economic reforms by governments in Africa are proving injurious to job growth. His words: “We want to tell governments in the subregion that their reform programmes are killing jobs. The job losses we continue to have are indeed creating some levels of disquiet. Apart from social vices, militancy and civil strives across the globe which was necessitated by the army of unemployed persons which has provided fertile recruitment grounds for those who are determined to unleash mayhem on the society. It is evident therefore that when jobs are killed, people are redundant and when people are redundant they become ready-made tools in the hands of enemies of the state. This is what we are seeing in most countries of Africa. The Boko Haram menace would not been in existence if the large number of youths involved had been available to be recruited.” He submitted that the reform programmes of governments across the continent are not working and the disadvantages of the reforms far outweigh the advantages if there are any at all. Drawing from the Nigerian experience over the sale of electricity infrastructure to the private sector, Ajaero insisted that power supply has not improved contrary to the initial belief. “What we were told by the government was that power will be stable as soon as electricity infrastructure is transferred to the private sector. What we have seen is more people losing their jobs. Electricity tariffs are on the increase and if that is the case, the purchasing power of workers becomes weaken and the workers who are already poor become even poorer. This is why we are shouting that these reform policies are affecting workers adversely,” he stated. Ajaero, who is also the General Secretary of National Union of Electricity

Employees (NUEE), called for the empowerment of youth and women to confront joblessness. He added: “We want appeal that government should encourage women and youth employment in the ministries and parastatals. We regret lack of conscious employment policy, which would

have ensure that youth and women are engaged. As it is now, we have an ageing workforce and we therefore expect that a policy would be in place that will ensure young ones are systematically brought into the system to replace those exiting without rumpling the working of the system.”

While urging the African Union (AU) to chart a way of integrating Africa into the mainstream of global economic movement, Ajaero declared that the time has come for the continental body to resist Africa becoming an economic dumping ground within the concept of globalization.

years? We think the National Assembly must rise up and do something about that.” Igwe also hinted that there is no hidden place for any multinational company to perpetrate industrial slavery on the continent saying industry unions in Africa are planning network for the purposes of ensuring no IOC perpetuate any act that is below the international best practices. He said: “We will shock these IOCs who think they can go to other African countries that recently discovered oil to perpetuate practices that are obsolete in developed countries. Industry unions on the continent plan to establish network to ensure we work together towards ensuring only practices that are at pal with best global standards are

practiced in Africa.” The NUPENG boss stressed that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would give the NNPC time to devout its energies into its core business area and be less involved in issues that are non-professional. However, Igwe did not rule out embarking NUPENG embarking on a national strike if government does not honour the agreement reached with government on the Turn Around Maintenance of the refineries by the first quarter of 2014. While stating that NUPENG supports the convocation of a national dialogue, he called for sincerity of purpose and unity of agenda that will improve the living condition of Nigerians.

54 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014 LABOUR

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

RTEAN seeks union status for commercial tricycle operators From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE inclusion of motorcycle operators as members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as a trade union is expected to boost safety and adherence to standards. The National President of RTEAN, Musa Isiwele, who disclosed this in Abuja while receiving Mr. Joop Goos, President of La Prevention Routiere Internationale (PRI), the global President on road safety issues, added that plans are also underway by the union to begin biometric data capturing process of all its members across the 36 states of the federation and FCT. While submitting that RTEAN membership nationwide has hit 16million, Isiwele noted

that there was need to incorporate tricycle owners who recently got affiliated to the union. Meanwhile, RTEAN, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and La Prevention Routiere Internationale have entered into a tripartite agreement to sustain the overall objective of the decade of action for road safety (20002020). He equally disclosed that under the partnership, functional mobile clinics would be established in the 36 states and Abuja. It is envisaged that when completed, the scheme would employ at least seven personnel to man each of the clinics. According to Isiwele, efforts should go beyond advocacy in sustaining the concept of zero

tolerance for road victim and road safety in Nigeria, rather support should be given to critical institutions and infrastructures necessary to ensure safety on our roads. “There must be practical approaches to supporting and developing the critical institutions and infrastructures necessary to ensuring safety on our roads. I hope that this tripartite relationship will translate to practical support towards guaranteeing the attainment of the laudable objective of the slogan of the FRSC, “Safer Roads, Fuller Lives,” he added. Goos, in his remarks said a robust collaboration between the association and road safety managers in the country would offer an improved road safety in the years ahead.

APWB, CEGIST set to empower youths and women By Toyin Olasinde HE Association of T Professional Women Bankers (APWB) in conjunction with Centre for Gender Issues in Science and Technology (CEGIST) has unveiled plans to empower youths and women through entrepreneurial success in the country. Speaking during the weekend the chairperson who was represented by the vice chairperson Mrs. Tinuke Leye-Isola said that the goal of the project is to provide information, networking, guidance and support services that will aid youths and women on their pathway to entrepreneurial success. According to her the

project is targeted at redirecting the steps of the youths to focus more on using their acquired knowledge to create opportunities through ideas generated from critical reasoning using creative tools. She noted that the training would provide them with needed mentoring adequate guidance in business development. She continued that this will also help them turn the knowledge individually acquired in their various disciplines into ideals through this training be turned into business opportunities that will get them engaged and empowered. She explained that this arm of the project already has developmental

partners that are ready to provide mentoring, capacity building and value chain addition to the project in relation to activities that will enhance productivity and national development. Meanwhile the association will be joining other women worldwide to celebrate the International Women’s Day, which will be held on 7th, and 8th March at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. This year event tagged “Exclusion to Inclusion: Expansing Financial Services for Women and Youths” in view of the recent launching of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and their on the Mentoring for Growth (M4G) project.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 55

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 59

60 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 63

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 65

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 67

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

68 Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Obi, Fashola task leaders on people-oriented policies By Gregory Austin Nwakunor OVERNORS Peter Obi of Anambra State and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State have called on those in position of leadership in the country to show more passion and commitment to the poor in their formulation of policies and pursuit of daily duties. They also said that it is by no means certain that when leaders pursue their jobs of governance with humility and sense of purpose, the desired results would be achieved, as humility is the bridge to the future. Speaking on Sunday at the 2013 Silverbird Man of the Year awards ceremony held in Lagos, the two recipients of the award noted that what make a leader great are those traits that are lacking among leaders in the country. They noted that in the last 14 years of civilian government, successive administrations have

Govs, others get Silverbird awards been under pressure to deliver dividends of democracy, with the gap between the poor and the rich growing bigger by the day. Only in 2012, Nigerian workers went on strike to press home their demand for government to continue to subsidise oil and other petroleum products While calling on leaders to consider the welfare of the citizens in everything they do, Obi pointed out that “the society we abuse today will take revenge on our children tomorrow.” He also called on Nigerians “to work towards Nigeria’s betterment because nobody will build our country, for us.” Fashola also called on policy makers to consider those physically challenged in the formulation of policies. He said since 2008, the state has made it mandatory that new

construction works take into consideration these people. Underscoring the importance of humility, the Chairman Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, said he learnt a lesson in humility from the presidents of Rwanda and Sierra Leone. According to him, with these two leaders, he has been able to know that ethnic difference can be a weapon in the hands of politicians and at the same time, a useful tool in the hands of statesmen. Pointing at those two countries, he said they have been able to come out of the years of war, violence and crises because of the humane leadership provided by Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Ernest Koroma (Sierra Leone). Murray-Bruce said Kagame and Koroma have been exceptional and excellent in their ‘reunification, rehabilitation and reconstruction work’ in fractured societies. Held at the Shell Hall of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Onikan, Lagos, the event, which was chaired by Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, attracted a host of the high society, showbusiness and the powerful world of politics. They came from all over, especially, Anambra and Lagos states for the award ceremony. At the event, the lawyer, politician and human rights activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite; Mathematician, literary scholar and Pan Africanist, Dr. Chinweizu: and publisher, Chief Joop Berkout bagged Lifetime Achievement awards.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 NEWSXTRA 69

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Court dismisses prince’s suit over Ewu stool By Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo HE Appeal Court sitting T in Benin City has dismissed the appeal filed by Prince Rasak Yesufu Ojeifo against Jafaru Isesele I (Onogie of Ewu) challenging his succession to the throne. The appellant’s (Ojeifo) ground of appeal was that the first respondent failed to establish his entitlement to the throne of Ewu. Appellant stated that the respondent failed to prove that he performed the burial ceremonies of the late Onogie and failed to prove that he completed the customary prerequisites of sweeping, climbing and wrestling. He also contended that first respondent failed to call any of his brothers and sisters to prove that he has performed the burial rites of

the late Onogie and could not show any evidence to support his claim even if it is a mere picture among others. The appellant argued that the lower court failed to realise and appraise the customary significance of the burial of the appellant’s father at the Kings Cemetery. Apart from His Royal Highness, Isesele, other respondents in the appeal delineated CA/B/19/2006 are: the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Directorate of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Robert Omosu, Ehigimetor Aisenonken and Iyonagbe Ihimekpen. The respondents argued that the lower court had

Mariam Alooma Mukhtar, CJN painstakingly evaluated the evidence led by the parties at the trial before arriving at the definite findings. Respondents argued that the mode of succession to the throne of Onogie of Ewu

as upheld by the lower court is by primogeniture as codified in Bendel State Legal Notice No 70 of 1979: “As expressly stipulated in Exhibit P, the successor to the throne of Onogie of Ewu

must be the eldest surviving son of the deceased Onogie. Thus allegedly, all other things including performance of burial ceremonies are contingent on the basic right. That the 1st respondent was the eldest surviving son of the late Onogie of Ewu as at the time of his demise on 06/8/97. “Regarding the issue of the burial of appellant’s late father at Atigi, a place reserved for departed kings. That, it is now settled law that once the custom governing succession to a throne has been codified by way of chieftaincy declaration, it is the declaration and not any other custom or usage that regulates succession to the throne.” However, Justice Ibrahim Muhammed Musa held that: “ I have no hesitation, whatsoever in holding the find-

ings of lower court which I believe is unassailably supported by the pleadings and evidence on the record. And the principle is well settled, that where findings of a court are duly supported by pleadings and evidence on record (as in the instant case, such findings must not be disturbed on an appeal unless they are perverse. See Nwabueze vs Okoye (1988) 4 NWLR (pt.91). “Having ultimately resolved both issues against the appellant, there is no gain saying the fact that the instant appeal is grossly unmeritorious, and it is hereby dismissed by me. Consequently, the judgment of High Court of Edo State, holden at Benin Judicial Division, Benin City, delivered by Hon Justice F. S Erhonsele on 11/02/2005 in the suit No. B/457/2001.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4 , 2014

For The Record Our constitution review Text of a press conference by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker/Chairman Ad Hoc Committee on Review of 1999 Constitution on Highlights of Constitution Amendments carried out by the 7th House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria HE purpose of this press briefing is to present T to the Nigerian Public the scorecard and the work done so far by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review of the House of Representatives. It is a well known fact that the process adopted by the House to alter the Constitution, has been very painstaking and methodical. It has been done in a most transparent and professional manner. It is perhaps the most inclusive and consultative process ever undertaken by the House of Representatives. The highlight of the process was the highly acclaimed Peoples Public Sessions held all over the country on November 10, 2012. This was a landmark achievement as Nigerians in their various constituencies had an opportunity to express their views on how they should be governed. The Results of the Peoples Public Sessions were openly collated with all the major stakeholders participating actively. These Results were published in the media and on the website of the Committee and to date, no person has disputed the authenticity of the will of the people expressed during those hearings. We therefore take them as the authentic view of the people on the subjects voted on. On 24th July, 2013, the House of Representatives kept faith with the decisions and wishes of the Nigerian people as expressed during the Peoples Public Sessions, in a historic voting on the various sections proposed for amendments. The House lived up to its billing as the House of the Nigerian people by voting overwhelmingly along the line of the outcome of the Peoples Public Sessions in their Federal Constituencies. On Thursday January 30, 2014, the House also voted to alter more Sections. It’s important for me to highlight the key amendments that have been made: 1. Amendment of Section 4 The House voted by 301 votes for, none against and no abstention to insulate members of the legislature from civil or criminal proceedings in respect of words spoken or written before the House or a Committee. This is aimed at ensur-

Ihedioha

ing that Members of the legislature are not made liable for contributions made on the floor. This will enhance robust legislative debates by Members and is consistent with international best practices. 2. Local Government System The House voted by 284 for, 48 against and 7 abstentions to amend Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution states in part that the system of Local Government by democratically elected Local Government Councils is under the Constitution guaranteed. This is however observed more in breach as so many States at various times do not have democratically elected local government councils. To cure this, the House voted overwhelmingly to grant full financial, administrative, executive and legislative autonomy to local government councils (LGCs). By this effort, the LGCs would be made a tier of government having a uniform 4 year tenure. Also, any LGC that does not have democratically elected officials would be denied allocation from the Federation Account and other benefits from the State Government. The amendments articulates clearly the structure, organs, personnel, procedures for exercise of powers by the organs and functionaries of the Local Government Councils. It replicates to a large extent the Presidential System of Government at the Local Government level. It equally consequentially amended section 285 of the Constitution to establish for each State, a Local Government Election Tribunal to determine election petitions at the Local Government level. It also provided for the appointment of an Auditor-General for the Local Government Councils in a new section 126(1) of the Constitution. 3. Amendment of Section 8 Section 8 was amended by 305 votes for, 22 votes against and 12 abstentions in order to remove ambiguities in the process of creation of new States and boundary adjustment. The referendum required for a new State shall now be approved by at least two-thirds majority of the ‘registered voters’ of the local government areas where the demand originated from, instead of the current provision of approval by “two-third majority of the people of the area” which is ambiguous and subject to different interpretations. The referendum will now also be approved by two-third of the State Houses of Assembly. The current provision requires a simple majority of the entire Nigerian voters and a simple majority of the whole 36 States Houses of Assembly sitting together or separately to vote. The amendments also made it clear that only “democratically elected” officials and Council can perform the roles assigned in the Constitution for creation of Local Governments, States and Boundary Adjustment. 4. Amendment of Section 9 Section 9 was amended by 317 votes for, 6 against and 15 abstentions which met the 4/5 majority required to amend the Section. The amendment sought to replace an “Act” with a “Bill” thereby enabling the process to proceed without Presidential Assent. 5. Amendment of Section 12(1) This Section was amended to increase the Role of National Assembly in the Ratification of Treaties. 6. Amendment of Section 25 Section 25 was amended by a huge majority of 292 votes for, 27 against and 20 abstentions to confer on married women the opportunity to elect to acquire indigenship rights either of their

husband’s community or to retain that of their paternal community. It also conferred indigenship rights of a State to a Nigerian citizen who has resided in a particular community of a State for a continuous period of not less than 10 years. However, no person shall claim indigenship of more than one State at a time. The amendment is aimed at accommodating the reality of movement of persons, change of domicile, intermarriages and national integration in modern Nigeria. 7. Amendment of Section 26 Citizenship by registration is being made available to any person, irrespective of gender married to a Nigeria, allowing for both paternal and maternal relationships, as basis for citizenship by registration through marriage, as opposed to the extant provisions that is paternal, by making citizenship by registration only available to a woman married to a Nigerian man. This also advances gender equality constitutionally. 8. Amendment of Section 33 The House voted by 305 for, 9 against and 25 abstentions to amend the section to redefine the use of reasonable force by law enforcement agents. It now means that only a “commensurate, proportionate or equal force can be used in self defence by law enforcement officials thus providing for a more restrained method of policing the nation in order to protect the fundamental rights of Nigerians. 9. Amendment of Sections 34(2), 35(7), 39(3), 42(3), 89(2), 129(2), 214, 215, et cetera The House voted overwhelmingly by 314 for, 1 against and 24 abstention to amend S.34(2); by 318 for, 2 against and 19 abstention to amend S.35(7); by 315 for, 5 against and 19 abstentions to amend S.39(3); by 319 for, 2 against and 18 abstentions to amend S. 42 (3); and consequentially, any other section where the term “Nigerian Police Force” appears and replaced with “Nigeria Police”. The rationale was to emphasize the civil nature of policing, rather than celebrate “brute” force. There is nowhere else in the world where such a term as “force” is added to the name of the Police system. Section 42(1) was also amended to include “disability” as a ground under which a person should not be discriminated against. 10. Amendment of Section 45 Perhaps one of the most revolutionary amendments is the introduction of new section 45A – 45D. By this, four items currently under Chapter 2 of the Constitution on the fundamental objectives and Directive Principles of State policy were moved to Chapter 4 on the Fundamental Human Rights in order to make them justiciable. The House voted by 321 for, 2 against and 16 abstentions to provide for a new section 45A which grants every citizen of Nigeria a right to free basic education; by 322 for, 1 against and 16 abstentions to provide for a new section 45B which grants a right to a favourable environment; by 318 for, 2 against and 16 abstentions for a new section 45C which grants a right to free primary and maternal Health Care Services; while it voted by 317 for, 4 against and 18 abstentions to provide for a new section 45D which grants a right to basic housing. 11. Amendment of Section 50 and 92 The House voted by 327 for, none against and 12 abstentions to amend Sections 50 and 92 to introduce new Sections 50A and 92A to incorporate the National Assembly Service Commission and the State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions in the Constitution. This is a deliberate effort to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institutions and bring them at par with their counterparts like the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the Federal Civil Service Commission which are already constitutional bodies. 12. Amendment of Section 58 This amendment replaces an “Act” of the National Assembly with its legal connotation of a presidential assent, with a “Bill”. It also specifically dispenses with the requirement of the assent of the President, as it was felt that 2/3 majority votes of the National Assembly and 2/3 of the entire Houses of Assembly were sufficient for the purpose of determining the will of the Nigerian people. 13. Amendment of Section 59 The House voted by 317 for, 1 against and 19 abstentions to amend the section to introduce a new subsection 4 to require the President of the Senate to convene a joint session of the National

Assembly within seven (7) days to reconsider any money Bill vetoed by the President, thereby removing the lacuna in the current provision. 14. Amendment of Sections 65(2)(b); 106(d); 131(c) and 177(c) The House voted overwhelmingly by 313 for, 8 against and 12 abstentions to endorse independent candidacy in elections in order to further open up the political space. To ensure that the provision is not abused, section 228 was amended to introduce a new section 228(e) which states that “The National Assembly may by law provide for procedures, guidelines and qualifications for access to the ballot by political parties and independent candidates”. 15. Amendment of Section 67 The House voted by 293 for, 7 against and none abstention to make it mandatory for the President to attend a joint meeting of the National Assembly once every year to deliver an address on any issue(s) in respect of the State of the Nation in a manner prescribed by the National Assembly. This is aimed at achieving more transparency and accountability in government. 16. Amendment of Sections 68 and 109 The House voted by 286 for, 5 against and 3 abstentions to amend the sections to ensure that a member of a legislature who becomes a member of a Parliamentary body or similar bodies by virtue of his office in the Legislature, does not have to vacate his seat. 17. Amendment of Section 80(4) and 120(4) The House voted by 325 for, 2 against and 12 abstentions to replace the above sections with new ones that completely captures Appropriation of any form of revenue accruing to or derived by any Fund, Agency, Entity or Department of Government of the Federation or of a State by the National Assembly or a State House of Assembly. This is aimed at bringing some order to the budgetary process and plugging leakages from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Public Funds of Nigeria by ensuring that no expenditure is made by any organ of government without appropriation. 18. Amendment of Sections 81(1) and 121(1); 81(2) and 121(2); introduction of new sections 81(3a) and 121(A) and sections 82 and 122 The House voted by 329 for, 1 against and 9 abstentions to amend section 81(1) that allows the President to lay a budget before the National Assembly at “anytime” in each financial year to now read “not later than 90 days before the end of each financial year”. Section 81(2) was amended to introduce “Other Public Funds of the Federation set up for specific purposes” as part of the estimates which the President must lay before the National Assembly for Appropriation. In order words, the amendment will ensure that the budgeting of such entities as NNPC, NIMASA, Customs and Excise, CBN, et cetera must now be laid before the National Assembly. The new section 81(3A) defines the estimate of revenue and expenditure to be introduced by the President to include any form of revenue received or a return on government investment by any Agency of Government. The House also amended sections 82 and 122 to limit the period during which the Federation or a State may operate without an Appropriation Act in any new financial year to three (3) months rather than six (6) months as is currently the case. 19. Amendment of Section 81 and 121 The House voted by 327 for, 3 against and 9 abstentions to amend the sections in order to include the National Security Agencies; and the Nigerian Police, alongside the State Houses of Assembly, Attorneys- General, the Auditors-General, as bodies to be included in the first line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and states. This shall grant them financial autonomy to enable them carry out their assignments without the hindrance of non-release of their allocations. This will assure their operational autonomy. 20. Amendment of Sections 84(5) and 124(5) The House voted by 284 for, 18 against and 36 abstentions to amend S. 84(5); by 293 for, 13 against and 32 abstentions to amend S. 124(5) to include the presiding officers of the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly to join the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors and Leadership of the Judicial Arm as persons entitled to pension after leaving office, provided they were not impeached or removed.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 71

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

scorecard, by Ihedioha This is to correct a historic wrong perpetuated by the military in government against the legislative arm, either to deliberately or otherwise undermine it as a co- equal branch in the administrative and governance structure of Nigeria. It was wrong to have provided for the leaders of the executive and judicial arms of government and excluded the leaders of the legislative arm. This will also help insulate them from financial and even political manipulations and corruption while in office. 21. Introducing new Sections 84A – 84F The House voted by 321 for, 7 against and 11 abstentions to split the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and introduce a new Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. Under the proposed new structure, the Accountant-General of the Federation shall have a five (5) year tenure and be charged with handling the disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the three tiers of Government while the Accountant-General of the Federal Government shall have a four (4) year tenure and charged with administering the accounts of the Federal Government. It is significant that under the new structure, the Accountant-General of the Federation is to be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Economic Council which is made up of all the Governors of the States. The Senate shall confirm the appointment. 22. Amendment of Sections 89 and 129 The House voted by 299 for, 1 against and none abstention to amend S. 89; by 304 for, none against and none abstention to amend S.129 to prescribe civil and/or criminal sanctions for any failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons issued by a legislative House or any of its Committees. It also included the Sergeant-At-Arms among persons authorized to execute a summons or warrant. This is aimed at strengthening the oversight functions of the legislature and ensuring that any person summoned to provide any information attends at the pain of a criminal or civil penalty. It is also to ensure that the summons are duly served where the Police may be hamstrung to do so. 23. Amendment of Section 125 – Auditor-General of Local Government Councils The House voted by 324 for, 7 against and 8 abstentions to amend S.125, in order to check the excesses that may arise from the introduction of full autonomy at the local government councils, an Independent Auditor-General of Local Government Councils of a State was created. 24. Amendment of Sections 135 and 180 The House voted by 306 for, 17 against and 14 abstentions to amend S.135; 294 voted for, 24 against and 19 abstentions to amend S.180 which decided that conviction of a sitting President, Vice President, Governor or Deputy Governor is a ground for the person to leave office. 25. Amendment of Sections 150; 174; 195 and 211 The House voted by 321 for, 7 against and 11 abstentions to amend S.150; by 328 for, 3 against and 8 abstentions to amend S. 174; by 324 for, 5 against, 10 abstentions to amend S.195; by 324 for, 4 against and 11 abstentions to amend S. 211 which separate the Offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Attorney-General of a State from the Minister of Justice and Commissioner for Justice of a State. It introduced new Section 174A – 174L and equivalent sections for the States. The proposal is that the Attorney-General shall be a distinguished legal practitioner who has knowledge of the workings of the criminal justice system and shall be independent of any authority or person. He shall not belong to any political party and will have complete control and authority over public prosecutions. He shall have a 5 year fixed term which may be renewed for another 5 years and no more. His appointment shall be on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council at the federal level and the State Judicial Service Commission at the States level. He can only be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Senate or the House of Assembly. The office as already stated shall be on first line charge in order to further guarantee financial and operational independence. 26. Amendment of Section 153 The House voted by 317 for, 2 against and 19 abstentions to establish an Electoral Offences Commission as one of the federal bodies in the Constitution. This is a bold attempt by the House to tackle the hydra-headed problem of electoral

integrity and ensure effective sanctions for electoral malpractices. Furthermore, the word “Executive”, in the section was expunged as it was felt that some of the bodies listed therein, like the National Judicial Council cannot really be called “an executive body”. The House also voted to establish an Electoral Offences Tribunal. 27. Amendment of Section 162 The House voted by 326 for, 4 against and 9 abstentions to amend Section 162 so that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation shall be funded from the Federation Account pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly. The Section was also amended to empower the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to table proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account directly to the National Assembly and not for the President to do so upon receipt of an advice from RMAFC. This is to avoid the delay and possible interference in the work of the RMAFC so that it could serve the entire nation in a neutral capacity. It was further amended to abolish the “State Joint Local Government Account” and establish instead a “Local Government Council Allocation Account” into which shall be paid directly allocation to each local government council from the Federation Account and from the States Governments. This is to ensure financial autonomy for the local government councils. 28. Amendment of Section 201 and 202 - Abolition of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) The House voted by 331 in favour, 16 against and 11 abstentions to abolish the State Independent Electoral Commissions in order that all elections shall be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is to cure the current scandalous situation where the credibility of elections conducted by SIECs have left much to be desired. In any case, and in spite of concerns on issues of federalism, Nigerians voted overwhelmingly during the Peoples Public Sessions in support of this measure. 29. Amendment of Section 228 This proposed alteration is to reflect a paradigm shift through the constitutional adoption of independent candidacy in our politics thereby providing for access to ballot by independent candidates and political parties in order to engender efficiency in electoral management and healthy competition for political offices. 30. Amendment of Section 241 The House, relying on the returns of the Peoples Public Sessions which endorsed measures to undertake judicial reforms to ensure quicker dispensation of justice, voted overwhelmingly by 324 for, 7 against and 8 abstentions for the reforms. In one of the most significant amendments of the current process, the House voted for a new sub-section (3), to wit, “ a court or tribunal shall not stay any proceeding on account of an interlocutory appeal”. This amendment could impact in a very effective and positive manner on the time spent in court by litigants. 31. Amendment of Section 285 The House voted by 250 for, 10 against and 7 abstentions, decided to cure any injustice that may be occasioned by the requirement on the tribunal or court of appeal to deliver judgment within 180 days and 60 days respectively of the filing of election petitions and delivery of judgment by the tribunal. It voted to allow that where a force majeure occurs that makes it impracticable for the court or tribunal to sit, the period of the said force majeure shall not be counted in the computation of the 180 days and 60 days respectively. The House also voted to provide that where a preliminary objection or any other interlocutory issue touching on the jurisdiction of the tribunal or court or on the competence of the petition itself is raised by a party, the tribunal or court shall suspend ruling thereon and deliver same at the stage of final judgment. 32. Amendment of Section 291 The House voted by 324 for, 7 against and 8 abstentions to amend this section in furtherance of judicial reform and welfare of retired judicial officers by reducing the age of entitlement to retirement benefit from 15 years service to 10 years service. This would enable a judge who was appointed before age 55 to enjoy pension benefit before retirement at age 65.

The House also voted to enhance the pension entitlements of retired judges by providing for a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent holder of the office as opposed to the current provision of pens i o n entitlement of his last annual salary. This will take care of inflation and other cost of living adjustments. 33. Amendment of Section 292 The House voted by 322 for, 4 against and 13 abstentions to introduce a provision that before the President or a Governor can act on an address supported by the 2/3 of the Sen- Ihedioha ate or a House of Assembly to remove a judicial officer, the National Judicial Council must have certified that a prima facie case had been made against the judicial officer. The House also voted to vest sole responsibility on the National Judicial Council to suspend, reinstate or exercise any form of disciplinary power over judicial officers. However, in cases of suspension or disciplinary control, the suspension shall be once and not exceed a cumulative period of more than 90 days. This is aimed at removing interference from any person or authority on issues of disciplinary actions of judicial officers and vesting it exclusively on the Council. 34. Amendment of Section 308 Perhaps one of the most courageous decisions of the House in this exercise is the removal of criminal immunity from the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors, leaving only immunity against civil proceedings. This was effected by a vote of 292 members for, 26 members against and 30 abstentions. Members simply opted to keep faith with the decisions of their constituents at the Peoples Public Sessions. 35. Amendment of Section 315 The House voted by 323 for, none against and 16 abstentions to delete section 315(2), 315(4)(a)(i) and (ii), and 315(4)(c) in order to bring to an end the anachronistic position that allows the President or a Governor to function, both in an executive and legislative capacity by way of having the power to repeal or alter, by modifications of any existing law. The provision was meant to be transitional but there was no time limit placed on its use, unlike in the 1963 Constitution where a similar provision was stipulated to last for only six (6) months before it lapsed. 36. Amendment of Section 315(5) of the Constitution and Section 19 of the National Youth Service Corps Act The House voted by 300 for, 2 against and none abstention to mandate the National Youth Service Corps to insure every corp member against loss of life or serious injury incurred or occasioned while performing official duty or while traveling, seven days preceding the date of commencement of the service period or seven days after the end of the service period, from the place of residence or mobilization to the place of deployment and vice versa. It also extended the coverage of the Public Officers Protection Act to every corp member and any other person employed under any undertaking or project for the duration of this service. This provision is aimed at strengthening the Service and ensuring that compensation is paid to the family of any corp member who suffers loss of life in the course of the service.

37. Role for Traditional Rulers The House voted by a huge majority voted by 317 for, 10 against and 12 abstentions to provide for a role for Traditional Rulers in the Constitution at the national, State and Local Government Levels. At the national level, six (6) Traditional Rulers reflecting the federal character of Nigeria are to be members of the National Council of State for a four (4) year duration. At the State level, a State Council of Chiefs is to be established for each State. A similar provision shall be made at the council level. Their role shall be mainly advisory in nature. 38. The Second Schedule, Parts 1 and II, Section 4 The House voted by 306 for, 2 against and 21 abstentions to amend these provisions by transferring some items, such as Railways, from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List; and then moving some other items like Health and Housing from the Residual List to the Concurrent List. The rationale for moving Health and Housing, apart from the extensive practical involvement of the Federal Government on both matters, is that the decision to transfer the Right to Primary and Maternal health Care and Basic Housing from Chapter II to Chapter IV as fundamental rights would bring undue pressure on the Governments of the States, hence the decision to cast the burden on both the States and the Federal Governments. 39. Conclusion The House Committee on Constitution Amendment and indeed the entire House of Representatives has carried out its assignment objectively with the interest of the Nigerian people at heart. The House carried out alterations on 71 Sections of the Constitution. It has done its best as Representatives of the people. Because we operate a bicameral legislature, the House will have to meet with the Senate to harmonize the two versions of the Reports of the two Chambers. To this end, the House will name a Harmonization Committee as soon as we resume plenary. The harmonized Report will be subjected to further legislative action before being forwarded to the 36 States Houses of Assembly for their concurrence. This will present the most crucial test of the amendment process. I therefore call on Nigerians and particularly the civil society organizations, professional groups and labour unions to be exceptionally vigilant when we get to that stage so that all these efforts will not be in vain. It remains for us to thank all members of the Committee, the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for their hard work and dedication. This exercise would not have been successful without the support and cooperation of the media, civil society organizations, other stakeholders and the Nigerian people. We thank you all.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4 , 2014

For The Record Entrepreneurship and self-reliance: Building Text of the paper presented by Ahmed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tunde Popoola, as a lead speaker at the 8th Western Zonal Districtsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) held on February 17-20, 2014 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State. INTRODUCTION ITH the collapse of the last vestiges of the socialist economic system in 1991, virtually the whole world has embraced free enterprise economic system. Entrepreneurship is the cornerstone and at the heart of the free enterprise economy. The human societies over generations have always craved for better and more comfortable means of existence and sometimes, survival. The basic needs to cloth, feed and shelter give way for demand for products and the need for production. This phenomenon has graduated to a level of sophistication in virtually all areas of human existence to do things better and cheaper, to live more comfortable lives, to get to our destinations faster, to store and protect our assets and even to fight wars with more decisiveness and less human causalities. In an attempt by man to live a more decent, and sometimes, more sophisticated life, he embarks on adventurous maneuverings and experimentations and in the process, discovers new and better ways of production and product/service delivery. Entrepreneurs make us live better. Can you imagine the world without motor vehicles, ships, airplanes, electricity, telephones, clothes, shoes and sandals, books, just name it, from the basic items to the complex ones. Entrepreneurship makes all these possible and we have now taken them for granted. Thus an entrepreneur organizes the other factors of production such as land, labour and capital to deliver products in form of goods and services. An entrepreneur is a risk taker; he marshals resources in the face of risk to pursue an opportunity, the needs of the market place. He creates an operating business organization, either alone or with others, to implement the opportunitymotivated business idea. And in an attempt to create wealth and meet personal and corporate objectives, he satisfies the effective needs of the market and the consumers. It is important to note that the factors of production can be owned either by government or private individuals and entities. Experience has shown that free enterprise, which encourages entrepreneurship, self reliance and private ownership of factors of production, makes society moves faster and human beings more prosperous than when government owns and controls the factors of production. Essentially, economic growth and development are achieved faster under a free enterprise economic system. This is because business creation holds the key to economic growth and development or to prosperity in a free enterprise economy. It is for this reason that nations support entrepreneurship in various forms especially the small and medium enterprises. And the creative destruction going on in the world propelled by innovation and fuelled by information and communication technology has made entrepreneurship interesting and a topical issue in most part of the world. There is no doubt that as an entrepreneur, there are many benefits in making production possible in collaboration with others, or on your own. You are your own boss. You enjoy the profits from your efforts and experience financial independence. There is a sense of pride in your business and you will create wealth and employ people. You enjoy flexibility in your work schedule. You may actually be engaged in your passion, doing what you like and enjoy. You will be able to contribute to the upliftment of the family and the larger society. However, owing and/or running a business also has its own stress. You may need to put in long hours. You need money and skill to start and grow. You will have to keep up with government rules and regulations. You may, from time to time, have to make hard decisions of hiring, firing, etc. Above all, you may lose money. But the benefits of being entrepreneurs or self-employed far outweigh the challenges. ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFORTS IN NIGERIA The 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) has empirically identified Nigeria as one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world. The study shows that 35 out of every 100 Nigerians (over a third) are engaged in some kind of entrepreneurial activity or the other. The only countries that have better records in sub-sahara Africa are Malawi (36%), Uganda (36%), Ghana (37%) and Zambia (41%). This revelation should not be surprising. An average Nigerian is entrepreneurial in nature and in action. An average Nigerian adult would have tried his/her hand on a trade, business, contract or deal in a lifetime, for the purpose of wealth creation, no matter what he or she does for a living. Quite a lot of those who are not full time entrepreneurs or in self-employment have one or two business initiatives running by the side. A statistical evidence has been established through research to corroborate this position. In 2012, according to the GEM report, Nigeria led the whole world in terms of the desire to explore available opportunities for starting a business and for possessing the self confidence to start one. The survey shows that Nigerians have high perceptions about the presence of good opportunities for starting a business and also believe that they have the skills and

Entrepreneurial Activities in Nigeria compared with Taiwan and Malaysia Countries Perceived Opportunities (%) Nigeria 82 Average for Sub-Saharan Countries 70 Taiwan 39 Malaysia 36 Average for Asian Countries 30

Perceived Capabilities (%) 88 76 26 31 32

2012

Fear of Failure (%) 21 24 38 36 41

Entrepreneurial Intention (%) 44 53 25 13 17 Source: GEM Global Report,

knowledge necessary to start a business. The study confirms that more Nigerians pursue entrepreneurial activity due to perceived opportunities than out of necessity. Nigeria also exhibited one of the lowest levels of fear of failure in the world indicating the readiness to start and run a business without fear of failure. It is interesting to note that Nigerian youths are excited about entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial opportunities. About 82% of Nigerian youths perceive a good opportunity for starting a business while 86% believe that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to start a business. The Nigerian experience is an interesting phenomenon. As a country endowed with abundant natural resources, one would have expected a leaning towards the theoretical postulation that entrepreneurial efforts and activities tend to be low in a natural resourceabundance economy, as rent-seeking is always pervasive and there is always no incentives to strive. But this seems not to be the case for Nigeria. Furthermore, the rate of interest in entrepreneurship may have to do with the level of economic development. Development economists contend that entrepreneurial activity declines with the stages of development. GEM classifies economies as factor-driven, efficiency-driven or innovative-driven. This categorization is based on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report, which identifies these three phases of economic development based on GDP per capital and the share of exports comprising primary goods. Nigeria is classified a factor-driven economy, dominated by subsistence agriculture and extractive businesses with a heavy reliance on unskilled labour and natural resources with the attendant implications. It may therefore be the case that entrepreneurial activity is high because of our level of development. WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD AN ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY But here is the paradox. The World Bank in its May 2013 Nigerian Economic Report highlighted that the number of Nigerians living in poverty was increasing too rapidly. It also said that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual GDP growth rates of 6 to 8 per cent, as impres- Popoola sive as it looks, is not capable nor sufficient to reduce poverty in the country. This description is corroborated by statistical evidence. For example, while 28.1 per cent or about 17.7 million Nigerians were in poverty, earning less than the proverbial one dollar a day by 1980, this had moved to 67 per cent or 112 million people by 2012. Nigeria is afflicted with quite a lot of other paradoxes. If a typical Nigerian is inclined towards starting and running a business irrespective of his primary employment and if a typical Nigerian is excited about entrepreneurship and has relative confidence in starting and running a business, why is the rate of unemployment high and the rate of poverty on the rise? After all, entrepreneurship and self-employment are meant to promote wealth creation and employment opportunities. The above phenomenon may not be unconnected with the absence of enabling factors which make entrepreneurship to thrive. There are minimum requirements to succeed as an entrepreneurial nation. It is not sufficient that citizens are passionate about working for themselves and striving to be successful entrepreneurs. They must be empowered. Nigeria is confronted with the challenges

of its level of development, poor state of socio-economic infrastructure, significant level of security challenges, high level of corruption and low quality of governance, low financial and credit penetration, multiplicity of levies, taxes and charges, etc. All these conspire to make it difficult for interested persons to successfully start and run their businesses. The 2012 GEM report showed that in Nigeria, only 16 per cent of new businesses survived beyond 42 months. For entrepreneurship to meet the aspirations of our political leadership of serious wealth creation, employment, poverty alleviation and value-reorientation, a lot still needs to be done. But as an economy trying to imbibe and uphold the tenets of western democracy and with a posture of free enterprise, we do not have many options; we just need to do the basic. Furthermore, the Doing Business 2014 exposed the weak nature of our situation. Enumerating the overall ease of doing business among 189 economies in the world, Nigeria ranked 147. South Africa (41st), Botswana (56th), Ghana (67th), Ethiopia (125th) and Kenya (129th) all feared better from the sub-Saharan Africa. In specific, the 2014 position showed that in starting a business,

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

an entrepreneurial Nigerian economy Nigeria ranked 122 out of 189 economies as it takes an average of 28 days and compliance with about eight procedures. Access to reliable and affordable electricity, is vital for business. Yet in Nigeria, Doing Business 2014 finds that getting electricity requires eight procedures and takes an average of 260 days, placing Nigeria at 185 out of 189 economies ranked on the ease of getting electricity. These indices point to the fact that starting a business is characterized by costly, duplicated and cumbersome processes. Significantly, Nigeria did not witness material improvement over the last ten years in most of the indices except in access to credit. Nigeria had an impressive growth in access to credit by ranking 13 out of 189 economies on the ease of getting credit. The availability of credit information made possible by the existence of licensed private credit bureaus and the continuous strengthening of legal rights for borrowers and lenders make this possible. SOURCE: DOING BUSINESS 2014 As a developing economy, we need to provide certain infrastructure and enable certain environment that would make entrepreneurship to thrive. These include favourable business policies and regulations. Our unacceptable low level of unfriendly environment in galvanizing entrepreneurship is captured by the 2014 Doing Business Index in registration days, legal issues, access to capital, etc. Though Nigeria is doing a lot in the area of promoting access to finance, Nigeria’s credit penetration rate is still abysmally low, among the lowest in the world. In the same vein, the depth of our capital market is low and unable to support financing small and medium enterprises. To overcome these, there is the need to fast-track the reform process in the financial services sector including deepening and strengthening the credit bureau infrastructure; it also requires the introduction of collateral registry. In addition, securing creditor rights and promoting an efficient judicial system is imperative. The 2012 GEM Report confirms Nigeria as an entrepreneurial nation. Most of Nigerians believe and see opportunities in entrepreneurship and are ready to start and run a business. This provides ample opportunity for government and policy makers, at all levels of government, to use the promotion of entrepreneurial activities as a strategy for poverty eradication, wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable development. Issues relating to policy formulation, business development, capacity building and funding options are recommended to be given priority to be made available to as many Nigerians as possible. It also provides ample opportunity for research into various aspects of issues relating to entrepreneurial activity and development. Entrepreneurship can help to address the challenge of high rate of unemployment. The solution to unemployment would have to be tackled by formulating policies and programs that would lead to job creation in the short and long run. Job opportunities should come in two main ways to the teeming unemployed - gainful employment by established businesses and government, and self-employment or entrepreneurship. There are definitely significant key drivers that make Nigeria a versatile nation to start and run a business. The huge population of over 170 million people with its significant youthful demographics guarantees a large market for goods and services even around the basic needs of food, shelter and security and education. In addition, the middle class is growing rapidly and it is expected that effective demand would grow. Nigeria now experiences the highest level foreign direct investment in subsahara Africa. It was widely reported that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment, for the second year running, has ranked Nigeria as the number one destination for investments in Africa and as having the fourth highest returns in the world. There are lots of initiatives by all the three tiers of government towards agriculture modernization, skills acquisition and funding opportunities. The federal government has made another bold attempt towards the privatization of power reforms expected to lead to significant improved power supply in the medium term. This age has also witnessed a boom in exciting young ones towards entrepreneurship and providing them with the needed capacity, training and internship to start and run a business by both government and non-governmental organizations. We are thus in an era where a lot of attention and resources is given to the promotion of entrepreneurship by both governments, NGOs and the multilateral agencies in Nigeria. It is the time to seize the momentum. In the short run, Nigeria needs to promote those sectors with the growth prospects for them to perform to their greatest potentials. Agriculture, Information Technology, Solid Minerals, Oil and Energy as well as the Service sectors are good examples where right policies can drive transformation that would lead to huge productivity and employment opportunities especially of young Nigerians. A good agricultural policy should drive agriculture away from subsistence farming, to large scale commercial farming, use of technology rather than manual implements and ability to plant, cultivate and preserve products throughout the year. Beyond this, agriculture has a robust value chain which, if well structured and with the right policies, can lead to Nigerians en-

It is interesting to note that Nigerian youths are excited about entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial opportunities. About 82% of Nigerian youths perceive a good opportunity for starting a business while 86% believe that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to start a business. gaging in all the different activities along the chain. The policies would include incentives to produce raw materials and process them rather than exporting raw agricultural products; they would also include measures to discourage importation of all sorts of semi-processed agricultural imports. The re-introduction of the successful farm settlement schemes of the post-independence era should help in this agricultural re-awakening. These are practical ways to make agriculture become attractive to the educated youths. The Information and Technology industry is a service industry and it holds a lot of growth potentials. Presently, IT assimilation is very low at internet penetration of 22.1 per 100 people, broadband penetration of 6.1 per cent and a mere 3.5 per cent contribution to the nation’s GDP. Yet, this is one sector that can employ a lot of young Nigerians without heavy start up costs and working right from their homes. It would be interesting to enhance IT usage in government and in the rural areas. This way, quite a lot of youths can find meaningful employment opportunities in the information and communication sector. The oil and gas and minerals sector is another sector of our economy with high prospect of employment generation. Presently, we record jobless growth in the oil and gas industry because Nigerians are shut out of active participation in the sector and also because our crude oil is sold as crude rather than as refined products. We need to diligently implement the provisions of the Petroleum Content Act to enable Nigerians increase their stakes in the industry while petroleum refining should be given a priority. These windows of opportunity are capable of generating wealth and enduring entrepreneurial opportunities. Apart from oil, Nigeria is blessed with so many other natural resources. Nigeria has thirty four unexploited minerals apart from oil and gas. Opening up this area would generate huge entrepreneurial opportunities for Nigerians. For instance, the exploitation of the vast deposit of bitumen alone will result in the twin benefit of generating massive employment and affordably improving our road transport infrastructure, with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy. The housing sector is another area where significant job creation can be achieved while also addressing the social problem of severe shortage of decent accommodation among our teeming population, and this calls more for policy intervention to promote long-term housing finance than the half-hearted measures dotting the entire sector. Similarly, the fashion tastes of Nigerians are such that support the domestic textile industry whereas infrastructural constraints have made this sector largely extinct. Given its backward integration to agriculture and huge employment it offers by the labour intensity of its operations, and of course the large domestic market offered by the country’s population, this sector also has the potential to contribute substantially to job creation. The education sector is another interesting sector to invest with its value chain. The Nigeria demographics which show that

Popoola

over 45 per cent of our 170 million are under 15 years age provides a huge platform of entrepreneurial activities. The Nigerian education sector shows a pyramid with only a small proportion of those who want to have tertiary education having the opportunity. The first nine years of education is compulsory in Nigeria and yet, our primary school enrolment still stands at about 81 per cent. The implication is that there are ample business opportunities in this sector. In most of the growing and exciting sectors, including in services and professional callings, franchising has become a valuable tool to explore to start and run a business with ease. Franchising always provide the required products and services to meet international quality, give opportunity for marketing support and give technical and capacity support to adapt and manage the products and the business. With the efforts to improve the environment and provide infrastructure, security, stability, right policies, etc, a lot of good international brands are looking for credible Nigerian entrepreneurs to do business with. Improving the availability of electricity alone has been identified as, perhaps, the most important factor that can lead to a leap in our productivity, wealth creation and job creation. In the midst of myriads of challenges like weak infrastructure, low skills level of human capital; low levels of national outputs are the eventual result. The right fiscal policy is required to support accelerated infrastructural provisioning which on its own can be source of direct employment but, more importantly, bring down cost of production. In the medium and long term, we have to carry out an overhaul of our educational curriculum to make it more entrepreneurial and to improve its quality. We need to produce university graduates who can really bring a lot of skills in to the labour market. We must produce ‘opportunity entrepreneurs’ from the products of our tertiary institutions who would see opportunities in our huge population, demographics and the natural resources that we are endowed with and be ready to start and run their own businesses. We also need to bring back the vocational schools, the skills acquisition centres and technical colleges to produce quality artisans and professionals like painters, plumbers, furniture makers and the like, who can compete with their professional colleagues from any part of the world. CONCLUSION This is one of the best of times to pursue self-employment and entrepreneurship. Nigeria is one of the very best countries now offering more paths to wealth creation than many others. Nigeria’s GDP growth rate of between 6-8 per cent in the last ten years shows the country as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The implication is that any good business established is capable of generating unusual and above average returns. It is one of the few countries with the highest returns on investment anywhere in the world –money market, capital market, mutual funds, real estate and property, entrepreneurship, etc. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of about 170 million; and increasing at the rate of 2.379% on annual basis would make us the fourth populous country by 2050. We are the largest economy in West Africa contributing 62.38% of the region’s GDP and 53.5% of the region’s economically active population. We are about to overtake South Africa as the largest economy in Africa. Nigeria is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa and also the second fastest growing grass producer in the world. Furthermore, a lot of efforts, actions and commitments have gone into enhancing the investment environment to make the economy be driven by the private sector. Few examples of these include special funds in form of grants and loans with low finance charges, some pockets of government policies to incentivize interest in certain specific sectors, privatization, some legislations, and fiscal incentives in some states and at the federal level, etc. These phenomenal enlarge free enterprise. We are in the wake of an economic renaissance with an array of policies to modernize farming and make it commercially viable, the reforms in the financial services industry towards financial inclusion and promotion of financial infrastructure, the new attempt on power reform, sustainable democratic governance, positive demographics, high foreign direct investment inflows, various efforts in building capacity and providing funds for self-employment and entrepreneurship, etc. As a factor-driven economy, Nigeria is striving to migrate to an efficiency-driven economy. It is an economy with high growth prospects and still far away from maturity. Those going into entrepreneurial activities and self-employment now are going to be the major beneficiaries of the changing business climate, the array of government incentives and initiatives, the enhanced demand and the possible effects of globalization. Moreover, we are currently living in the best time in all of human history for achieving financial independence and success. As a result of new information and knowledge, technological innovations, globalization and increasing customer demand, there are more opportunities today than it has ever been for me and you to achieve financial independence and become wealthy. And most nations, go through this experience, only once in a generation. I believe that Nigeria is in that mode now. Nigerians should not allow this phase to elude us.

74 | PHOTONEWS EXTRA Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin (left); Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Nigerian Tribune Senior Advert Manager, Kayode Titiloye and the Vice Chairman, National Youth Soccer Association, Prince Nurudeen Agara, during the press conference on 2014 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Events at Awo Foundation office in Lagos.

Auditor General for Local Governments, Lagos State, Mubashiru Hassan (left); Chairman, Lagos State Gubernatorial Advisory Committee, Prof. Adebayo Williams; Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Local Government, Moshood Osun and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamowora during a twoday workshop for Lagos State Local Councils administrators at City Hall.

Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Ini Udoka (left); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and House member, Kingsley Sunny during a National Summit on Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation organized by House Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies in Abuja. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Assistant Corps Marshal, Policy Research and Strategies, Dr. Kayode Olagunji (left); Deputy Corp Marshal, Vehicle Administration, Boboye Oyeyemi; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, and Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Danjuma Garba, at a press briefing on the fifth Annual Lecture Series of FRSC with the theme: Safe Roads: A 21st Century Development Challenge in Abuja. PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (left); INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega (right) and Chairman, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), Moses Ogbe, during the two-day seminar organised by DSIEC in collaboration with INEC in Asaba. PHOTO: JACOB GBOGIDI

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (second right); Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam (second left); outgoing State Director, Security (SDS), Joshua Yakubu (right) and Incoming SDS, Andrew Lorkyar, during the send-forth for the outgoing SDS in Osogbo.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosu (left); the celebrant, General Oladayo Popoola (rtd), his wife, Bisi and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, at the 70th birthday thanksgiving of General Popoola in Ibadan. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Corporate Media and Public Relations Manager, Nigeria Breweries, Edem Vindah (left); AMVCA award nominee, Funke Akindele; Managing Director, Mnet Africa, Bola Alabi and General Manager, Sales, Multichoice, Martin Mabutho at the press brunch for the AMVCA second edition in Lagos. PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4 , 2014

MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 03-03-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INDICATORS

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 MARKET REPORT 77

AS AT 03-03-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

Banking stocks trigger market rebound By Bukky Olajide TOCKS have started regaining strength after experiencing shocks due to the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria[CBN], Lamido Sanusi Lamido. Banking stocks recorded moderate gains as dividend expectations and the speculation that the purported hike in Cash Reserve Ratio[CRR] to 100 per cent may be suspended, drove market rebound. Investors also favoured companies with rich dividend history, with year-end numbers due to be released any time from now and the prospects for dividend declaration high for such companies. The Nigerian Equities market closed last week strongly in the green. The market gained 2.15 percent to close the just concluded trading week on a high. The OTC market recorded moderate intra-day volatility in reaction to current factors driving activities in the domestic financial markets. A shift in the market from the long end of the curve to the shorter end was also observed as investors sought to take advantage of the high cut-off rates at the OMO auctions. However, trading activities decreased by 35 per cent on the day as investors bought N337.30 million shares worth N3.11 billion, in 5,078 deals compared to N520.43 million

shares worth N3.51 billion in 5,107 deals exchanged on the previous Friday. Access Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, were the most actively traded stocks on the exchange on the day, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and Zenith Bank topped the list in terms of market value. The benchmark index picked a 1.07 per cent gain to settle at 38,707 points. Though 130 points could be attributed to Dangote Cement Plc’s rise, the Tier 1 banks accounted for 221 points. In the same vein, the general market sentiment improved as the market breadth index closed positive. Attracted by the rather attractive prices that most banking stocks closed previous week, investors renewed appetite saw the sector record a 2.60 per cent rise. Specifically, the table turned for UBA Plc and FBN Holdings Plc, which appreciated 8.66 per cent and 4.92 per cent respectively. At the close of business for the week on Friday, the market gained a massive 1.73 per cent to close at 39,558.89 points from 38, 885.93 the previous day. Trading activity also recorded a significant 143.40 per cent increase owing to the 479.74 million shares sold, which was valued at N12.75 billion and exchanged in 1,206 deals.

Expert tasks fund managers on product, new market Warns against foreign dominance in capital market By Helen Oji OR Nigeria to remain competitive in the global economy, the need for fund managers to develop dynamic products and create new markets where foreign investment inflow could be channeled to the various sectors of the economy has been stressed. An Economist with Lagos Business School, Doyin Salami, while addressing fund managers at the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) breakfast meeting in Lagos at the weekend, explained that there was an urgent need for fund managers to create efficient market and domestic products, especially for the lower class segment to enhance effective mobilization of resources. He added that this would be supported with creation of a robust risk management framework of international best practice. Salami, who is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee, warned that failure to implement these factors, the local managers would loose out the nation’s market to international players. Salami said: “ in the short term, the big risk of fund managers is inflation risk and weak currency but the medium term risk how to ensure products comes domestically into lower middle class zone for effective mobilization of resources. They need to create products that enable corralling of activities, which yield assets and put

What Happened? The NSE All-Share index increased by 1bp (0.01%) and closed at 39,564.43. This represents a year-to-date performance of - 4.27%. Market Capitalisation also appreciated 0.01% to close at N12.708 trillion. Total value traded decreased 80.85% to N2.441billion and total volume traded decreased 49.97% to 239.86 million units. Where? At the close of trading, the banking sector represented 55.26% of the total market value traded, while the breweries sector represented 11.03% The Top 5 stocks as a % of total market value traded were: ZENITHBANK (27.93%), NB (11.03%), TRANSCORP (9.41%), FBNH (8.07%) and GUARANTY (6.58%). On a volume basis, the Top 5 most traded stocks for the day were: TRANSCORP (62.34m), ZENITHBANK (33.01m), ACCESS (15.92m), FBNH (14.88m) and AFRIPRUD (7.05m).

us in investment activities, which would ultimately channel it to various sectors of the economy. “There should be a capital flow reversal and market that would manage those capitals. There must be proposition of new market and efficient management of these markets to corral investment for the market. You must institute Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) that are best in class before the government buys into it. Failure to do so, you are going to loose out to international players. They will just sit back and take short notice of Nigeria.” He said. The Director Fund Managers and CIS, Securities &Exchange Commission, Louisa EniUmukoro pledged the Commission’s commitment to work with fund managers to develop the CIS through increasing the number of subscribers and distribution channel. She explained that the Commission has concluded plans to introduce a multiple fee class structure where a subscriber pays less fees as the individual continues to subscribe to the fund. Eni-Umukoro added that the commission would also review the fee charges downward below the five per cent initial fee. She pointed out that the fund must conform with global standard, adding that the Commission is already talking with the Minister for Investment to develop policy framework that would guide investment in the fund.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

GlobalStocks

A worker from United attends to some customers during their check in process at Newark International airport in New Jersey , November 15, 2012.

Global stocks hit by Ukraine’s war threat USSIA’S intervention in R Ukraine drove up crude oil and prices for gold and government debt on Monday as the heightened tensions spurred investors to seek safe havens and sell any exposure to the region. Crude prices rose more than $2 a barrel, gold futures jumped 2 percent and prices of top-rated euro zone government bonds surged. The aversion to risk took a steep toll on equities markets, with the Russian stock market slumping 11 percent. Stocks across Europe and on Wall Street also took a beating. Market volatility indexes, a sign of investor apprehension, surged, with the Euro STOXX Volatility Index .V2TX spiking 30.4 percent in its biggest one-day gain since 2011. The U.S. CBOE volatility index rose 15.9 percent. “Investors had underestimated the risks of an escalation in Ukraine, so the events over the weekend are a wakeup call for the market,” said David Thebault, head of quantitative sales trading at Global Equities in Paris. President Vladimir Putin’s forces tightened their grip on the Crimea region of Ukraine, sparking the stock plunge in Moscow and forcing Russia’s central bank to spend $10 bil-

lion of reserves to prop up the ruble. Ukraine said Russia was massing armored vehicles on its side of a narrow stretch of water closest to Crimea after Putin declared over the weekend that he had the right to invade his neighbor to protect Russian interests and citizens. The ruble traded off about 1.45 percent after earlier touching record lows against the dollar and the euro. The central bank lifted its base lending rate by 1.5 percentage points to 7 percent at an unscheduled meeting. Russia’s sovereign dollar bonds also fell, while the cost of buying five-year swaps to insure against a Russian debt default jumped 33 basis points. Ukraine’s hryvnia currency fell to a record low against the dollar, pushing the country’s dollar bonds down 6 points. Safe-haven German Bund futures settled up 76 ticks at 145.14. Banks took the most points off European stock indexes, with lenders exposed to Ukraine and Russia falling sharply. The Euro STOXX banks index .SX7E fell 3.8 percent in the biggest drop since last August. Austria’s

Raiffeisen (RBIV.VI) slumped 9.6 percent, while France’s Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) fell 5.4 percent and Italy’s UniCredit (CRDI.MI) lost 6.2 percent. Other companies with significant exposure to Russia also fell, with carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) shedding 5.4 percent and brewer Carlsberg (CARLb.CO) losing 5.3 percent. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 fell 2.2 percent to close at a provisional 1,318.84. No major European stock market escaped the sell-off, with Germany’s DAX .GDAXI particularly hard hit, falling 3.4 percent in its biggest single-day drop since May 2012.

France’s CAC-40 index .FCHI fell 2.7 percent, and the Italian stock market .FTMIB slid 3.3 percent. The declines followed overnight weakness in Asia, with MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS down 0.9 percent and Japan’s Nikkei 225 .N225 skidding 1.3 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI fell 216.07 points, or 1.32 percent, to 16,105.64. The S&P 500 .SPX lost 21.11 points, or 1.14 percent, to 1,838.34 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC dropped 55.663 points, or 1.29 percent, to 4,252.456. For U.S. investors, Russia’s intervention in Ukraine

comes just as economic data has been expected to improve and provide further upside for stocks on Wall Street, said David Joy, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial. Data released on Monday showed renewed strength in U.S. manufacturing. But tensions over Ukraine have changed the investment outlook at a time that valuations for U.S. equities are not cheap, Joy said. “Being expensive, it makes sense to me to take some risk off the table and wait to see how this plays out,” Joy said. U.S. factory activity rose in February to its highest level since May 2010, according to

financial data firm Markit. Separately, the Institute for Supply Management said its index of U.S. factory activity rose to 53.2 in February, topping expectations. The dollar and yen gained as investors sought the safety of those currencies after Russia’s intervention in the Crimean peninsula. The greenback was further supported by economic data showing an increase in U.S. personal income and spending in January in the midst of one of the worst winters in recent memory. The dollar index .DXY was up 0.29 percent to 79.923. The dollar’s gains pushed the euro 0.28 percent lower at $1.3764.

United shares down on bad weather woes HARES of United S(UAL.N) Continental Holdings fell more than 3 percent on Friday morning, after the parent of United Airlines warned that its capacity and unit revenues in the first quarter would come in below expectations as winter storms disrupted operations. “As a result of the severe weather, year-to-date,

United has canceled more than 22,500 flights, the largest number of which (approximately 20,000) were regional flights. These cancellations were nearly four times the cancellations during the same period in 2013,” the airlines carrier said in a securities filing. United expects first-quarter 2014 consolidated unit revenue to decrease between

0.5- 2.5 per cent year-overyear. “The weather-related cancellations to date have reduced first quarter 2014 consolidated PRASM by approximately 1.5 percentage points,” the airline said in the filing. Earlier, the company had told Reuters that the storms and sub-zero temperatures cost United $60 million in January alone.

Analyst Helane Becker said she now expected United to see earnings per share of $3.85 a share for 2014, down from an earlier expectation of $4.15 and compared to the consensus estimate of $5.60. Shares of the carrier were trading down 1.96 percent at $45.60 Friday morning on the New York Stock Exchange. )

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 79

Law

Quote of the week “The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.” – Patrick Henry

Joint account for state/local govt is an aberration, says Olowu Although Section 7 of the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended clearly spells out the functions of local governments, the operation of Section 162 of the Constitution, which provides for Joint State /Local Council Account, has completely disempowered the councils. To many, only a full-scale autonomy for local councils in Nigeria can promote even development in the country and the proposed national conference represents a veritable avenue to address the perceived anomaly. In this encounter with BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA, a renowned Lagos-based commercial lawyer, Adedapo TundeOlowu, believes that the system could work better if local councils are given the free hand they require.

INTERVIEW CCORDING to him, A although the drafters of the Constitution intended

Olowu The astute lawyer, who said the list is not exhaustive, also noted that counsel’s fees and filing fees are prohibitive. This, he said, has been compounded by the increase in the penalties for late filing. He said: “The average duration of a trial at the High Court is between two to three years. Olowu is also worried that the possibilities of delays exist at every stage of proceedings. “All sorts of objections are filed by counsel and adjournments are granted frequently. “These delays erode the confidence of the public in the judicial system and promote the use of self-help. “It is inexplicable that in the 21st Century, judges still

‘

record proceedings in longhand in record books when modern electronic recording systems are available”, he added. On ways of handling these obstacles, Olowu said: “Happily, virtually all the

rules of procedure of the various courts have been revised with a view to eliminating trial delays. “The overriding objective of these new rules is to secure simplicity in procedure, elimination of delay and

As far as I am concerned, the operation of the state Local Council Joint Account as currently practised is an aberration. Local councils must be freed from the stranglehold of the state governments. The ideal situation will be for the local councils to be financially independent.

‘

Section 162 as a mechanism for ensuring probity and accountability, the section has created a leeway for the financial manipulation of local council by state governments. State governments have hijacked this tier of government and local council funds have been turned to slush funds for financing several activities that have no bearing with the local councils. Local councils have become appendages of state governments. “As far as I am concerned, the operation of the state local council joint account as currently practised, is an aberration. Local councils must be freed from the stranglehold of the state governments. The ideal situation will be for the local councils to be financially independent. They should receive their allocation directly from the Federation Account if we are to experience effective governance at that level”, he said. According to him, the motive behind the creation of local councils was to facilitate development at the grassroots, encourage local participation in politics and bring governance closer to the people. “In a country with a population of over 150 million people, it is virtually impossible for the Federal and state Governments to make any impact in the lives of the citizens without an effective local council system. Olowu, who also took a swipe at recent reforms initiated by the present Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Miriam AloomaMukhtar, leading to tremendous improvement in justice delivery system, said there are still pockets of clogs in the wheel of justice delivery system in the country. According to him, it is not yet Uhuru in the justice delivery system as there are a number of obstacles to the justice system in Nigeria. These, he said, include high litigation costs, illiteracy, inordinate delays, inadequate funding of the judiciary/lack of infrastructure, cumbersome rules and procedures.

expense, efficient and speedy dispensation of justice. The frontloading system has been introduced. Many High Courts have introduced pro-active strategies for expediting proceedings. These include the Fast Track Court System for large claims, Multi Door Court Houses. In Lagos, we have the Settlement Week where the backlogs of cases are referred to the Lagos Multi Door Court House for resolution through ADR procedures. ‘In September last year, the High Court of Lagos State blazed the trail by introducing electronic filing of processes. These are encouraging signs but a lot more needs to be done with

respect to infrastructure. We must reduce the burden on judges by doing away with record books and manual recording of proceedings. Electronic recording must be introduced in all the courts. There is also a strong case for providing more comfortable courtrooms, judicial assistants for judges, modern storage and retrieval systems and training for judicial workers. Olowu, a partner in the Dispute Resolution Practice Group at LEX Law firm, was admitted to practise law in Nigeria in 1988, as well as in England and Wales in 2009. His practice is focused on resolution of disputes relating to Foreign Direct Investment, Tax, Transportation, Mining and Banking and Finance matters. A lawyer with many years’ experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, Olowu has acted as counsel or as arbitrator in several disputes. He has also practised extensively before all the superior courts of record in Nigeria, with clients from all over the world on direct or portfolio foreign investment and legal issues relating to insolvency, receivership and corporate liquidation. The revered lawyer represents international flag carriers in matters ranging from passenger, cargo and baggage claims to insurance disputes. He attended Edo College, Benin City, for his secondary education and the Federal School of Arts and Science, Sokoto for Higher Level. Olowu later gained admission to the University of Benin where he graduated with a law degree in 1987. He also holds a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) from the University of Lagos (2003). A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the commercial lawyer is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and the London Court of International Arbitration (African Users’ Council). He is also a member of the Panel of International Arbitrators of the Kigali International Arbitration Centre and was appointed a Notary Public in 2006.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

80 LAW March 4, 2014

LawPeople

“It is undeniable that every human being is entitled to living space, daily bread, and the protection of the law as a common birthright; these are fundamentals and should not be handed out as an act of charity. ” – Alfred Delp, S.J.

Olaniyan: Expanding the frontiers of human rights law Profile By Bertram Nwannekanma S a complex phenomenon, corrupA tion has been identified as a hydraheaded monster with grievous effects on development, thereby making it a human rights issue both in Nigeria and the African continent. This assertion found merit in the various campaigns being mounted by human right lawyers, activists and scholars in the continent because of the intrinsic effect of corruption on the rights of their people. To these human rights lawyers, corruption per se is a human rights violation, insofar as it interferes with the right of the people to dispose of their natural wealth and resources and thereby increases poverty and frustrates socio-economic development. Thus, in aligning with a popular American abolitionist and reformer, Frederick Douglass, a firm believer in the equality of all people, known for his famous quote: “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong”, human rights activists in Nigeria and in Africa, have pursued spirited campaigns against corruption and corrupt practices. One of such Nigerian lawyers and advocates of human rights, who has like the Sage of Anacostia” and “The Lion of Anacostia” as Douglass was referred to, fought the menace with all his vigour is Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan. The astute lawyer of international repute has not only remained a notable figure in the fight against rights abuses and corruption in Nigeria and the African continent but has also demonstrated it through action and in books. To him, the fight cannot make headway without knowledge and this was more glaring in his recent book: “Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa”. The book described as the first comprehensive work on the subject in the market alluded to one of Douglass’ thoughts that “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Olaniyan, in his new book, provides a framework for complementarity between promoting and protecting human rights and combating corruption. Incidentally, Olaniyan’s foray into the human rights world started at the Lagos State University (LASU) where he studied law. During his stay at LASU, he did not leave anybody in doubt of his passion for activism, when he coordinated the Taslim Olawale Elias Family, the Lagos State University chapter, Nigeria (a family for the advancement of the ideas of late T.O. Elias, a former Justice of the International Court of Justice. The late Elias was known for the promotion of judicial activism. From then, Olaniyan has not looked back as he waded through the rough waters of activism in the dark days of the military rule in Nigeria to become the legal adviser of foremost international human rights movement and one time Nobel Peace winner, Amnesty International, London.

Olaniyan Born in Lagos over 40 years ago to parents from Ibadan, the rights lawyer and scholar obtained his Barrister at Law from the Nigerian Law School in 1990. He also obtained a first-class master’s degree and doctorate in international human rights and comparative constitutional law from the prestigious University of Notre Dame Law School, USA in 1998 and 2003. Olaniyan cut his legal teeth during the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Pius O. Akiya & Co, a popular law firm in Jos, where he appeared in courts almost on a daily basis, including before the Court of Appeal, Kaduna and the Supreme Court. He recalled with nostalgia his success in a case he handled as a corps member on behalf of Akiya in 1992 before the Zaria High Court where he appeared against a former president of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Bodunrin Daudu. After the court session, Daudu told him of his argument in court: “that was a brilliant submission but it was somewhat academic”. Olaniyan later became head of the Legal Services Unit of the Constitutional Rights Project (CRP). At CRP, he worked with AIT’s Mike Areluba to present a radio programme called “Know Your Rights”. He filed several cases in court, which led to the unconditional release of several people who had been unlawfully detained without charge or trial for periods ranging from five to 12 years. He filed several successful cases before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, and worked with renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tayo Oyetibo, on the Zamani Lekwot case. In that case, Justice Moronkeji Onalaja

“Olaniyan’s willingness to introduce fresh eyes to the ways in which doctrine contributes to an understanding of seemingly mundane problems lays the foundation for fertile trajectories from which future scholars can launch exciting inquiries on the relationship between corruption and human rights.”

relied on CRP complaint before the African Commission to stop the execution of General Lekwot and six others. Onalaja circumvented the dreaded ouster clause in a Decree enacted by the military government and Lekwot and others who had been convicted and sentenced to death, were set free. He also filed a case on behalf of CRP before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi to stop the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other environmental activists sentenced to death following a seriously flawed judicial process. But he unsuccessfully persuaded the then Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Babatunde Belgore, to stop the execution as the judge told him that “the government won’t dare kill them”. Unfortunately, the activists were soon after executed. He also filed a case in court to challenge the media law of 1993, which aimed to limit freedom of the media and expression. He also worked as Research Fellow with the Danish Centre for Human Rights in Copenhagen, Denmark; the Office of the Prosecutor for the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, The Netherlands; and as Research and Teaching Assistant, University of Notre Dame Law School, USA. As programme director at Amnesty International, he developed a vision and framework for Amnesty’s human rights work in Africa, managed over 45 staff members, and over £2 million annually for projects, and staffing. Probably, his most significant contribution in this position was championing the award of Amnesty’s Prisoner of Conscience to the late Nelson Mandela in 2005, and was part of Amnesty International delegation to visit Pretoria to give the award to Mandela. Olaniyan was a major contributor to the brief of argument, which persuaded the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, to declare that the right to

education guaranteed in Article 17 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a legally enforceable human right in Nigeria. This is the first time that a regional court would develop such jurisprudence. He also played a key role in the case where the ECOWAS Court found the Nigerian government responsible for oil pollution and associated human rights violations in the Niger Delta. He contributed legal advice to Amnesty International’s memorandum to the UN Security Council’s decision to refer the situation in Darfur to the ICC in March 2005, and which subsequently led to the naming by the ICC Prosecutor in 2007 of Ahmed Haroun and Ali Kosheib, the first suspects accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur; and to the issuance by the ICC of an arrest warrant for Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. He also led Amnesty International’s advocacy work to block Sudan’s ascension to the African Union (AU) Presidency on the ground of the serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Darfur. This contributed significantly to Sudan withdrawing its bid for the presidency and Ghana’s election as the chair of the AU. He played a leading role in advocating for the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights through his reports and public statements; government lobbying and coordinating civil society’s views and positions, and especially by organising a stakeholders’ workshop in London, which provided recommendations for the establishment of an effective African human rights court

In his new book, however, Olaniyan identified three major points regarding the relationship between corruption and human rights law. He demonstrates that human rights mechanisms have the capacity to provide more effective remedies to victims of corruption than can other criminal and civil legal mechanisms. Olaniyan also takes up one of the pervasive problems of governance - largescale corruption - to examine its impact on human rights and the degree to which a human rights approach to confronting corruption can buttress the traditional criminal law response. He examines three major aspects of human rights in practice - the importance of governing structures in the implementation and enjoyment of human rights, the relationship between corruption, poverty and underdevelopment, and the threat that systemic poverty poses to the entire human rights edifice. According to Professor Rachel Murray, Director, Human Rights Implementation Centre University of Bristol, “Kolawole Olaniyan, as a well known and respected human rights activist in the African human rights system, is well placed to write on this topic. The issue is contemporary and politically relevant and a book, which focuses on the legal framework in the African continent is a very welcome addition to the literature and debate in this area.” Also, Ndiva Kofele-Kale, a distinguished professor of Law at SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, USA, stated: “This study on the effects of grand corruption on human rights in Africa demonstrates the author’s mastery of complex jurisprudential and theoretical discourses. His review of the existing literature is extensive, the doctrinal analysis rigorous and the treatment of the subject innovative. Dr. Olaniyan’s willingness to introduce fresh eyes to the ways in which doctrine contributes to an understanding of seemingly mundane problems lays the foundation for fertile trajectories from which future scholars can launch exciting inquiries on the relationship between corruption and human rights”. Olaniyan has received several honours and awards including in 2000, a tuition waiver and a fellowship from the Notre Dame Law School to pursue a doctorate degree in law; in 1997, a tuition waiver and a fellowship from the Notre Dame Law School to pursue a Master’s in law; in 1999, the prestigious Danish Foreign Affairs Fellowship (DANIDA). Probably, the most challenging situation in his career was when he faced difficulties leaving Nigeria because of restrictions imposed on the movement of human rights activists by the regime of General Sani Abacha to pick up his scholarship for the Master’s programme at Notre Dame. He was made to travel through the border with the driver hiding his international passport somewhere underneath the boot of his car so that he could “connect my flight to the U.S. from Togo.” Olaniyan likes to relax at home with

Do you know… INAPPROPRIATE Unsuited; not proper; not belonging to or fit for: Akumugio v. Harry [2001] 11 NWLR (Pt. 723) 88 at 100. [C.A].

LAW Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Akingbola’s case raises jurisdictional issue in domestication of foreign verdicts ISSUES IN THE NEWS By Bertram Nwannekanma N February 18, 2014, the forO mer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, (now Access Bank), Dr. Erastus Akingbola, won a major legal victory, when a Lagos High Court, presided by Justice Babajide CandideJohnson, set aside a London judgment against him. Ruling in a petition filed by Akingbola challenging Access Bank’s registration of the London judgment and accompanying order of Mr. Burton of the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division Commercial London in Nigeria, the judge rejected the registration on the ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first place being a matter exclusively for the Federal High Courts. The judge said: “In the final analysis, I hold that the High Court of Lagos State within the meaning of Madukolu V. Nkemdilim lacks jurisdiction and competence to have entertained, heard and/or determined any aspect of the registration and enforcement proceedings in respect of the foreign judgment and accompanying enrolment order of Honourable Justice Burton….” With these words, Johnson then vacated the ex-parte order of July 4, 2013, originally empowering Access Bank to register and execute the judgment debt and subsequently struck out the bank’s application. This decision is reminiscent of the Court of Appeal decision on November 21, 2013, which struck out a theft charge preferred against former Managing Director and Chief Executive of Finbank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu, on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. About a month after the removal of the bank chiefs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged them before the Federal High Court, Lagos, with among other offences, share fraud, concealment and reckless granting of loans without adequate collateral. However, while the charges before the Federal High Court were still pending against the former bank chiefs, EFCC in 2011, rearrested them with a view to re-arraigning them on stealing charges at Lagos High Court and by May 31, 2013. Akingbola, Nwosu and Francis Atuche, former Managing Director of defunct Bank PHB, had all been re-arraigned at Ikeja High Court. But the Court of Appeal in the landmark judgment of November 2013, held that the Lagos High Court, Lagos, where the stealing charges were preferred against Nwosu and others, lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter because it arose from capital market-related transactions, which only Federal High Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to handle. Asked the court: “What is, therefore, in existence is the fraudulent conversion of funds of the bank as instructed into shares.

From the foregoing, a spectre appears to be haunting prosecution, a development, which former Justice Charles Archibong, made a veiled reference to on April 2, 2012. The former judge of Federal High Court, Lagos (now retired) had on that day struck out the case against Akingbola for “lack of diligent prosecution”. However, the ruling by Justice Candide-Johnson in Justice Burton’s London verdict and rejecting its registration, which was a big score for the embattled former bank boss, has opened a new vista to Nigeria judicial system. According to Justice CandideJohnson, the matter presents a novel scenario because prior to the case, the Lagos High Court has been domesticating foreign judgments, it was the first time, it is being challenged. For example, in vacating the ex-parte order of the court, Justice Johnson held that Access Bank’s move contravened provisions of the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgment Act 1958 and declared that the court lacked jurisdiction to register the judgment. He explained that the subject matter of the judgment, which was alleged unlawful share purchase orchestrated by the bank and Akingbola’s breach of statutory duties as director of defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, were matters relating to the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters, which the British judge admitted he relied totally on but which only Nigerian courts and specifically Federal High Courts could properly exercise jurisdiction. Johnson added that since Federal High Courts alone have exclusive jurisdiction on CAMA related cases, his court could not have entertained the claims leading up to the judgment and consequently could not register same as that would make it a judgment of the court. The ruling, legal minds believed, has severe implications in the habit of Nigerians rushing to foreign courts, especially United Kingdom, to institute cases, which ordinarily should have taken place in Nigeria. This practice occurred, when concerned parties are Nigerians resident and doing business in Nigeria such as the one leading to Burton’s judgment. For instance, a similar scenario occurred recently when Access Bank, went to United Kingdom Court again to obtain injunction against another Nigerian company, Capital Oil Ltd. A Nigerian court had to order the withdrawal of the case from London. Commenting on the development, the Managing Partner of Indemnity Partners, a Lagosbased legal services firm, Chuks Nwachukwu, condemned the situation, adding that it undermines Nigeria’s judiciary. He argued that: “It appears the UK system eagerly adopts any case brought to UK and supports the plaintiff as an economic strategy to fund its system and earn huge legal fees from outside UK jurisdiction.”

Adoke, AGF But a Lagos-based commercial lawyer, James Ezike, saw the development differently. To him, the major motivation for approaching foreign jurisdiction may not be unassociated with delay in adjudication of matters in Nigeria. According to him, cases did not only take unnecessary time in Nigeria, awards by Nigeria’s courts are also ridiculous. Ezike, however, advised that parties should first consider the facts of each case before rushing to foreign jurisdictions for the adjudication of matters, unless there is a clause that permits that in their contract in order to avoid the challenge of domestication. Justice Burton’s judgment arose from a civil suit filed in 2009 by Access bank in London against Akingbola in the wake of his removal by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as Chief Executive of defunct Intercontinental Bank. The judgment delivered in July 2012 had found Akingbola allegedly liable of causing substantial loss to the defunct bank to the tune of N212,294,089,160.15 when the Nigerian Stock Market collapsed, which it ordered him to pay personally. The judge said although there was no evidence that he participated personally in the share purchase as the CEO “on balance of probability”, he must know about it. Consequently Access Bank sought to execute the judgment in Nigeria and on July 2,

Justice Ayotunde Philips, Lagos CJ 2013, brought an ex-parte application to the court to register the judgment as a judgment of the Lagos court, a request granted by the court on July 4, 2013, but swiftly challenged by Akingbola in September 2013. Prior to the ruling, Akingbola and Access Bank had on January 16, 2014, exchanged legal arguments with the bank, insisting on the enforcement of the judgment debt. Counsel to the bank, Mr. Kanyinsola Ajayi (SAN), in his submission, argued that the bank had satisfied all conditions for the registration and enforcement of the judgment. He said Akingbola was served with all the processes filed at the English Court and that he submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and personally gave evidence along with other witnesses, concluding that the court acted with jurisdiction when it gave judgment. But Akingbola countered in his submission with his counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), arguing that both the English Court trial and subsequent judgments were riddled with multiple illegalities. Firstly, Olanipekun argued that the English Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case in the first instance. Quoting several decided cases both in United Kingdom and Nigeria, including Supreme Court cases, to support his position, he advanced that a foreign court could not assume jurisdiction on a person who is transiently present within the jurisdiction in respect of assets outside the

jurisdiction. According to him, it was the freezing order obtained by the bank in the United Kingdom against Akingbola that compelled his presence in London and stranded him there too. Secondly, the learned counsel also argued that Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to register the judgment since it could not have entertained the claim leading up to the judgment in the first place. Only Federal High Courts, he further argued, could handle Civil causes and matters arising from Companies and Allied Matters Act, which is the subject of the judgment. Not done, Olanipekun contended that the procedure adopted by the High Court of England in arriving at the decision was in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution and Law of Evidence. For instance, the trial was conducted over video, with the judge sitting in London while Akingbola and his witnesses were compelled to give evidence over video in a Lagos Hotel via video link. Also, the British trial judge tried to seek the assistance of the Federal High Court to compel the witnesses to appear but the Federal High Court replied that the procedure being adopted was alien to Nigerian laws, as witnesses could not be compelled in a civil case. Not only was Akingbola denied his right to appeal the decision of Mr. Justice Burton of the High Court of England, the court also relied on hearsay testimonies of four claimant witnesses: (Mr. Mahmoud Lai Alabi, Mr.

Owolabi, Mrs. Folake Akingbade and Mr. Olusola Olayinka) to establish the truth of allegations made against Akingbola without producing them for crossexamination he argued. All the bank’s witnesses refused to come to court to testify on oath and be cross-examined on their witness statements. Following Mr. Justice Burtons judgment and accompanying orders in July and September 2012 respectively, Akingbola had in exercise of his right of appeal, applied to the same High Court of England for leave to appeal its decision but was refused. Dissatisfied, he made two separate applications to the Court of Appeal of England and was refused the right of appeal again. Accusing the bank of not disclosing the foregoing facts to the court while bringing the application for registration, Olanipekun faulted the process, which produced a judgment while denying an accused right to appeal, fair hearing and using hearsay evidence to support a claim of this magnitude. Quoting several legal authorities again, he maintained in conclusion that the Supreme Court holds inalienable an accused right to appeal as set forth in Abubakar vs Yar Adua (2008) 4 NWLR (Pt 1078) 465 at 496 where it held as follows: “An appeal is a constitutional right, which cannot be taken away from or denied an appellant. No court of law has the jurisdiction to take away from or deny an applicant his constitutional right to appeal”.

Founder First City Monument Bank Plc ( FCMB), Michael Subomi Balogun, (left) , Managing Partner, First Almond Attorneys, Olajumoke Bakare, and GMD/CEO, FCMB, Ladi Balogun, at the official opening of First Almond Attorneys in Lagos…Last week.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 81

82 LAW Tuesday, March 4, 2014

FamilyLaw

To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup, whenever you’re wrong, admit it; whenever you’re right, shut up.” Ogden Nash

Legal perspectives of marriage (14) Paternity and modern science OW does a husband or wife keep H non-marital property separate and thus less likely to be lost in a divorce? The main way to keep non-marital property separate is to keep it in one’s own name and not mix it with marital property. For example, if a wife came into a marriage with a $20,000 money market account and wanted to keep it as non-marital property, she should keep the account in her own name and not deposit any marital funds in the account. She should not, for instance, deposit her paychecks into the money market account, because the paychecks are marital funds and the deposit could turn the whole account into marital property. Another example: If a husband inherits some stock from his mother during the marriage and he wants to keep it as non-marital property, he should open his own investment account and should not use the account for any investments that he and his wife own together. If a husband or wife decides to use some non-marital funds for a common purpose, such as purchasing a home in joint tenancy, that money normally will become marital property. The nonmarital property will be viewed by the courts of most states as a gift to the marriage. The property distribution laws have many intricacies and variations between states; understanding them usually requires a lawyer’s help. How do courts divide marital or community property? Again, the answer varies from state to state. A few states, such as California, take a rather simple approach. They believe property should be divided equally because they view marriage as a joint undertaking in which both spouses are presumed to contribute equally, though often in different ways, to the acquisition and preservation of property. All marital property will be divided fifty-fifty, unless the husband and wife had a premarital agreement stating otherwise. (Premarital agreements were discussed earlier in this chapter.) Most states, however, apply a concept called “equitable distribution.” What is “equitable distribution”?

That means a court divides marital property as it thinks is fair. States applying principles of equitable distribution also view marriage as a shared enterprise in which both spouses usually contribute significantly to the acquisition and preservation of property. The division of property could be fifty-fifty, sixty-forty, seventy-thirty, or even all for one spouse and nothing for the other (although that would be very unusual). Under equitable distribution, courts consider a variety of factors and need not weigh the factors equally. That permits more flexibility and more attention to the financial situation of both spouses after the divorce. However, it also makes the resolution of property issues less predictable. Here are some examples of factors that are considered by states applying principles of equitable distribution. Non-marital property. If one spouse has much more non-marital property than the other, that could be a basis for giving more marital property to the less wealthy spouse. Earning power. If one spouse has more earning power than the other, that could be a basis for giving more marital property to the spouse with less earning power. Who earned the property? That can be a factor favoring the party who worked hard to acquire or maintain the property. Services as a homemaker. Courts recognize that keeping a home and raising children are work. In addition, those services often enable the spouse who is working outside the home to

earn more money. Thus, services as a homemaker are a factor in favor of the homemaker. Some courts also apply a related concept of considering whether one spouse had impaired her or his earning capacity because of working as a homemaker. That factor also would favor the homemaker-spouse. Waste and dissipation. If a spouse wasted money during the marriage, that could count against him or her when it comes time to divide property. This factor is sometimes labeled “economic fault,” and may be considered even by courts that do not consider other kinds of fault. Fault. Non-economic fault, such as spousal abuse or marital infidelity, is considered in some states, but many states do not consider it relevant to property division. Duration of marriage. A longer marriage may be a factor in favor of a larger property award to the spouse with less wealth or earning power. Age and health of parties. If one spouse has ill health or is significantly older than the other, that factor could favor a larger award to the sicker or older spouse. Who is likely to get the house? That depends on the facts of each case. If the parties have children and can afford to keep the house, even though they will be living separately, the law usually favors giving the house to the spouse who will have custody of the children most of the time. If the parties cannot afford to keep the house, it may be sold and the proceeds divided (or perhaps given to one party). In some cases, there is a middle-ground approach: The spouse who has primary custody of the children will have a right to live in the house for a certain number of years. At the end of that time, that spouse will buy out the other spouse’s interest or sell the house and divide the proceeds. What if the parties have a negative net worth—owing more money than they have? A. In that uncomfortable but common situation, the court (or the parties by agreement) will divide whatever property they have and then allocate the responsibility of each party to pay off particular debts. Alimony/Maintenance What is alimony or maintenance?

Alimony or maintenance—sometimes also referred to as “spousal support”—is money paid from one spouse to another for day-to-day support of the spouse with fewer financial resources. Sometimes alimony also can be used to pay back a debt. For example, if one spouse paid to put the other spouse through college or graduate school, alimony might be used to pay back the spouse who provided financial support for the education. When do courts award alimony? At one time, courts commonly ordered husbands to pay alimony to their former wives until the ex-wives married again or died. Today, alimony is ordered by a court on the basis of one spouse’s need or entitlement and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Although most alimony payments are made from men to women, it is possible that a well-off woman could be required to pay support to her economically dependent husband. Maintenance is awarded less often now because there are more two-income couples and fewer marriages in which one person is financially dependent on the other. A person who pays support may deduct it from his or her income for tax purposes; the one who receives it must pay taxes on it (unless the parties agree otherwise). What is rehabilitative support? A common type of spousal support is rehabilitative support. It is intended to provide a chance for education or job training so that a spouse who was financially dependent or disadvantaged during marriage can become self-supporting. Rehabilitative maintenance is designed to help make up for opportunities lost by a spouse who left a job (or did not pursue a career) in order to help the other spouse’s career or to assume family duties. It also may be awarded to a spouse who worked outside the home during the marriage, but sacrificed his or her career development because of family priorities. Rehabilitative support is usually awarded for only a limited time, such as one to five years. What is permanent support? Courts award permanent spousal support to provide money for a spouse who cannot become economically independent. The most common rea-

son for ordering permanent maintenance is that the recipient, because of advanced age or chronic illness, will never be able to maintain a reasonable standard of living without the support. When deciding the amount of permanent support, courts often use the same criteria as for dividing property. Although it is called permanent support, the support can change or cease if the ability of the payer or the needs of the recipient change significantly. It ends if the recipient remarries, and it may end if the recipient lives with someone else. If one spouse supports the other through graduate or professional school, does the supporting spouse have a right to be compensated for increasing the earning capacity of the other spouse? Some courts offer compensation when neither property distribution nor traditional spousal support is appropriate. For example, one spouse may have supported the other through graduate or professional school. The supporting spouse may have expected that both would benefit from the educated spouse’s enhanced earning capacity, but the marriage ended before any material benefits were earned. The supporting spouse does not need rehabilitation because that spouse has worked during the entire marriage, and there is no significant property to be distributed because marital resources went to the educational effort. In cases such as this, the courts may award compensation, usually as periodic payments, to the supporting spouse. The amount paid may be based upon the contributions of the supporting spouse to the educational expenses and general support of the spouse who leaves the marriage with an advanced degree, or it may be based upon a portion of the increased earnings of the educated spouse. The courts may change or end such payments if the expected increased earnings do not occur, but the payments are not ended by remarriage of the recipient. This type of payment sometimes is often called “reimbursement alimony” or “alimony in gross.”

At GEPLAW series: Danger of dependence on oil re-echoes Event By Bertram Nwannekanma HE danger of depending on oil was the topical T issue at the inaugural George Etomi Legal (GEPLAW) Practitioners’ speakers series held last Friday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, as stakeholders called for spirited efforts towards diversifying the nation’s economy. The event, which was one of the highlights of GEPLAW’s 30th anniversary celebrations, provided another opportunity for stakeholders to eviscerate the nation’s developmental challenges with a view to proffering solutions to them. Speakers at the event aptly titled: “Life without Oil”, were equivocal that Nigeria stands atop a bombshell, If she fails to tackle corruption and utilise proceeds from oil to diversify her economy. To them, no nation truly achieves distinction by being over-dependent on one commodity, while the path to national greatness requires economic diversification. The attendees included the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Justice Bode RhodesVivour of the Supreme Court; President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali (SAN); former presidents of the NBA, Chiefs Wole Olanipekun, Bayo Ojo and Rotimi Akeredolu, all

General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, who chaired the event and many other distinguished personalities. In his speech, Fashola wondered why Nigerians should still be talking when they know their problems. Perhaps, he reasoned, Nigerians should continue to talk since there is much left undone. The governor stated that the question should have been whether there would be such a life without oil. According to him, it requires not only a scientific exploration and expedition of monumental proportion to know the extent of Nigeria’s deposit of hydrocarbons, especially oil, but much more scientific calculations to predict whether it could ever be fully used up. This, he said, will be the quickest way to know whether there will be a period where we will be without oil. He said: “But while that scientific undertaking may or may not happen, practical choices that we have made in over a century of Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN(middle), with the Etomi brothers, George ( Left) and Mike industrialisation and automation suggest at the inaugural George Etomi & Partners Legal Practitioners (GEPLAW) speaker series with theme : Life that a life without oil is not reasonably foreWithout Oil” ,. in Lagos seeable. Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN); former min- General of the Budget Office and Founder, Agusto The choice of petrol instead of ethanol as the isters of Foreign Affairs, General Ike & Co, Mr. Bode Agusto; Professor and Dean, Faculty preferred fuel for the first combustion Nwachukwu and Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN). of Law, University of Ibadan, Prof. Yinka engine for the automobile has driven up the Also in attendance were the former Director Omorogbe and erstwhile Lagos State Attorney

CONTINUED ON PAGE 83

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 LAW

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sanusi: Legality of suspension of CBN governor Legal Opinion By Ikechukwu Ikeji HE Nigerian mass and social media have T been awash in recent days with the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. The noise is made even more interesting given the background against which the suspension was announced. Sanusi had raised alarm as to some ‘missing’ sums of money from the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Most, if not all, reading Nigerians know that the NNPC is a cesspool of corruption that has defied several attempts at tracking. Sanusi made a mince meat of the Federal Government when alleging that $49.8 billion was missing from its coffers without trace. He went on to recant putting the figure to $12 billion, which he later changed to $20 billion. The mere mention of these sums of money was enough to send shivers down the spine of wellmeaning Nigerians and the watching international community. However, while Nigerians were still swimming in the shock of the allegations, we were hit with the news of the suspension of Sanusi based on allegations of sundry financial malfeasance and upon the recommendations of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). The purport of this intervention is not to look into the allegations of financial mispropriety or malfeasance on the part of Sanusi, or to inquire into whether his suspension is traceable thereto or to his whistle-blowing exploits. The intention of this write-up, therefore, is to ask and attempt to answer the question whether assuming the President finds enough grounds to discipline the CBN governor, does he have the power to suspend the governor given the provisions of extant laws? This inquiry shall as much as possible be removed from the person of Sanusi and shall focus instead on the office so that in the event another person occupies the same office and acts in a different manner, which manner is then defined by the President as amounting to wrongful conduct, the same principles shall apply. The question that will follow naturally is, to what extent is the CBN or its governor autonomous or independent? Is it an absolute autonomy, not accepting of any form of supervisorial or administrative control? One fact is clear to all. Sanusi is not working for himself. He is working for the Federal Government of Nigeria. In the same vein, it needs no gainsaying that the CBN is a Federal Government institution. Government at all levels is usually organised with reference to three clearly defined and universally recognised arms in the classical mode. These arms are the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. It is our view that we must locate the functions of the CBN within these recognised three arms of government. This is the premise from which we proceed to argue the issues regarding the independence or autonomy of the CBN. Of the three arms, the only arm that CBN can reasonably be located under is clearly the Executive arm. We, therefore, submit that CBN is an

Sanusi

Jonathan

agency of the executive arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Proceeding from that premise, we then must also ask the question: who is the head of this Executive arm? Our answer is not far-fetched and can be found in Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended. The said section provides as follows: “5. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation: (a) shall be vested in the President and may subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice President and ministers of the government of the federation or officers in the public service of the federation....” From the provisions of Section 5 of the Constitution above, we are in no doubt that the executive powers of the federation are vested in the President, which effectively makes him the Chief Executive of the Federation. The President is thus the head of the executive arm to whom all agencies thereof, including the CBN, must report. The executive powers must necessarily extend to disciplinary actions against any official of any such executive agency. This disciplinary action cannot be excluded except by an express provision of the law or the Constitution. The natural implication, therefore, is that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the powers to both remove and to suspend the CBN governor provided all the relevant procedures are met. Since the President has stated clearly that Sanusi has not been removed but only suspended, it is our humble contention that the President has the power to suspend the CBN governor pending the outcome of any investigation regarding any accusation against the governor without reference to the Senate. If we agree that the President is the boss of the CBN governor, then we must also accept the fact that he can query him and follow up the query with further disciplinary actions such as suspension. Sure enough, the CBN has autonomy and independence but it is erroneous to say that the autonomy or independence is absolute. This autonomy or independence is as to its policies

and cannot be extended to cover fraud or to excesses regarding its statutory powers. The CBN governor’s powers cannot and should not be beyond the control, temporary or permanent, of the head of the executive arm of government. Our position is supported by the provisions of the law. The Interpretation Act CAP. 192 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 is a statute that applies to all legislations in Nigeria when the question of the interpretation of the words used in any such legislation comes up for inquiry. The Interpretation Act thus applies to the CBN Act and the Constitution. We shall rely on Sections 10 and 11 of the said Interpretation Act. Section 10 of the Interpretation Act provides as follows: “(1) Where an enactment confers a power or imposes a duty, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed from time to time as occasion requires. (2) An enactment, which confers power to do any act shall be construed as also conferring all such other powers as are reasonably necessary to enable that act to be done or are incidental to the doing of it.” The purport of Section 10 here is to give the President further room to exercise the powers e stowed on him under Section 5 of the Constitution of Nigeria as amended. Section 11 on its own provides as follows: “(1) Where an enactment confers a power to appoint a person either to an office or to exercise any functions, whether for a specified period or not, the power includes(a) power to appoint a person by name or to appoint the holder from time to time of a particular office; (b) power to remove or suspend him; (c) power, exercisable in the manner and subject to the limitations and conditions (if any) applicable to the power to appoint, (i) to reappoint or reinstate him, (ii) to appoint a person to act in his place, either generally or in regard to specified functions, during such time as is considered expedient by the authority in whom the power of appointment in question is vested.”

Of particular note is Section 11 (1)(b) above, which provides for the power to remove or suspend proceeding from the power to appoint. The argument has been that the power to appoint the CBN governor resides on two authorities namely the President and the Senate, since Section 11(2)(f) of the CBN Act provides that the President can only remove the governor upon the confirmation of the Senate. This is a wrong application and interpretation. For one, Section 11 (2) (f) of the CBN does not apply in the instant case since what was done is suspension not removal. Section 11 of the CBN ACT provides as follows: “(1) A person shall not remain a governor, deputy governor or director of the bank if he is (a) a member of any Federal or State legislative house; or (b) a director, officer or employee of any bank licensed under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. (2) The governor, deputy governor or director shall cease to hold office in the bank if he (a) becomes of unsound mind or, owing to ill health, is incapable of carrying out his duties; (b) is convicted of any criminal offence by a court of competent jurisdiction except for traffic offences or contempt proceedings arising in connection with the execution or intended execution of any power or duty conferred under this Act or the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act; (c) is guilty of a serious misconduct in relation to his duties under this Act; (d) is disqualified or suspended from practicing his profession in Nigeria by order of a competent authority made in respect of him personally; (e) becomes bankrupt; (f) is removed by the President: Provided that the removal of the governor shall be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.” The above Section surely does not speak of suspension, which is of a temporary nature; it rather speaks of removal, which is of a permanent nature. So, the arguments citing Section 11 have been arguments amiss. • Ikeji is a Lagos-based lawyer.

At GEPLAW series: Danger of dependence on oil re-echoes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 82 quest for more drilling of oil. “So many other items of daily survival, clothing, electronics, telephones, computers, ipads, you name it, have one form or the other of plastic, petrochemical compound or derivative of oil as a production component. “While we have not found substitutes for all these items of daily and sometimes disposable use, and while recycling and reuse, are forms of reducing demand and controlling over extraction, even the alternatives to hydrocarbon fired energy sources, such as solar and wind are not yet in a sustainable quantities of production. “There is a strong argument that even at optimum capacity, renewable energy sources can only provide not more than 30 per cent of the world’s global power needs”, he added.

The governor, however, called for diversification or the reversal of the oil curse, wondering why Nigerians should be in trouble because of a gift (of nature). “A gift that for now is in sufficient quantity. “A gift that has value. “The problem is not the oil, it is us. It is how we have responded to its abundance in our land. “This is why in seasons of almost one-and-a-half to two decades each, we have had one large scandal after the other, which has left us as a people with our hands soiled in oil in utter embarrassment to put it mildly”, he added. To Fashola, the road to better life is not too difficult as all it requires is to eliminate corruption at all levels of the oil industry. “It requires us to reform NNPC especially in terms of personnel and replace them with more committed professionals.

“That road to a better life, therefore, requires us to take developmental and lifechanging infrastructure projects like the East-West Road, 2nd Niger Bridge, new refineries and petro-chemical plants that will create economic growth and jobs out of the pipelines, where we have kept them for a long time and put them on the land of the people to see and use”, “It requires us to reform the industry by legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Bill but perhaps not in the model of the current draft, but one which infuses more transparency into the acquisition process of oil assets, eliminates rent seeking and collection, and focuses on local value added capacity across the spectrum as part of the pre-conditions for participation. The road to that better life requires us to understand that although oil is currently selling at over $100 per barrel, it has not always been so and will not remain so. “That road to a better life, therefore, requires us to take

developmental and lifechanging infrastructure projects like the East-West Road, 2nd Niger Bridge, new refineries and petro-chemical plants that will create economic growth and jobs out of the pipelines, where we have kept them for a long time and put them on the land of the people to see and use”, he added. Also, Akeredolu wants Nigerians to address her credibility problem and leave repeating what has been said all over again. “Nigerians should address the credibility deficiency syndrome that had trailed every of our activities because nobody seemed to be believe again.

“We need to distill our conviction, what are our convictions as a nation, all we need is to go after our convictions committedly since integrity is our great undoing, when we do that we will end the talk”, he added. For General Nwachukwu, there is the need to evolve a development-oriented banking sector in the country to help Nigerians live a life outside oil. He lamented that Nigeria’s banks are not as supportive as their counterparts in other parts of the world, which should ordinarily drive development. Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, who was one of the panelists, also

complained about poor record-keeping culture in Nigeria, which she said, had resulted to conflicts of figures in the nation’s oil sector. She also wants a proper legal framework to drive businesses in the country. The panelists moderated by Prof. Osibajo canvassed a case for an entrenchment of a supporting system for younger Nigerians. The choice of “Life Without Oil” as the topic in the GEPLAW Speaker Series, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Law firm, organisers said, was meant to bring to the fore the need for us to secure the future of this country by moving away from its overdependence on oil. The event was rounded off with the unveiling of Mr. George Etomi’s book on Commercial Law Practice in Nigeria by NBA President, Okey Wali.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 85

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 87

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 89

90 | Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sports Keshi is being hypocritical in Okpala issue, says NFF From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football T Federation (NFF) has lambasted Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, for his continuous call for the recall of one of his former assistants, Sylvanus Okpala, to the national team. Okpala was sacked from the Super Eagles by the federation immediately after Nigeria’s 2013 African Cup of Nations victory in South Africa. Keshi has made several appeals to the NFF technical committee for Okpala’s recall, as the team prepares for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Reacting to Keshi’s continuous plea for the return of his assistant coach, a member of the NFF technical committee, who pleaded anonymity, said Okpala, who was reportedly sacked following match bonus issues after the Nations Cup in South Africa, was dismissed due to indiscipline.

Enosoregbe, Spencer win, as Delta tennis classics ends HE maiden edition of the T Delta State tennis classics ended at the weekend at the

Arguing that it is absurd for Keshi to continue to hamp on the return of Okpala, while shutting the door against inform Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie over alleged lack of tactical discipline. He said while the NFF would not insist that Keshi takes any particular player to the World Cup, there is the need for him to play the role of a father and listen to the voice of reason and recall the two players, insisting that apart from having served this country diligently in the past, the players are still some of our hottest strikers presently. He argued that it was the NFF who hired Okpala in the first place that decided to fire him after what he described as acts of insubordination, regretting that Keshi has continued to push for his recall while refusing to forgive the two players for whatever offences he may be holding against them.

Elegbeleye hails IG on Police Sports Awards

Sylvanus Okpala (second right) with other members of the Super Eagles technical crew before a training session at the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup.

IRECTOR General of the D National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga

Eagles’ frenzy grips Atlanta, as Mikel, others arrive for Mexico clash

Elegbeleye, has showered encomiums on the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, for honouring both serving and retired police officers who served the country meritoriously through sports. The IG honoured 137 serving and retired officers at the maiden edition of the Police Sports Awards held at the Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, last Friday. A very happy Elegbeleye spared no room in praising the IG for rewarding the officers through the awards. He said: “I am very happy because it was an example of police showing appreciation

to sportsmen and women in the Force, who had won laurels for Nigeria and has done the country proud in the past. “I am particularly happy about recognising late Sunday Bada. He is late now but they still recognize him for representing the police and country in international sporting events and had done the Force and Nigeria proud. “I am also happy for Chioma Ajunwa, who won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It shows that if you do well anywhere you are and whatever department of agency and institution of government you belong to, your contribution to sports will never go unnoticed.

OMORROW’s international T friendly between the Super Eagles and their Mexican counterparts is the talk of the town in Atlanta City as both teams and their officials arrived the American city for the World Cup preparatory game. The Nigerian delegation, which left Lagos on Sunday night, arrived in the Atlanta International airport at about 5:05 a.m. local time, which is 12:05 p.m. in Nigeria. After airport formalities, the team of officials and four players were taken to the W. Hotels in the city centre where they will stay for the encounter.

At the hotel, the Nigerian Ambassador/Consul General, Ambassador Geoffrey I. Teneilabe, was on hand to receive the team and assured that the Nigerian community will come out to back the team tomorrow against Mexico. He believes the team has the ability to overcome the opposition. Head Coach, Stephen Keshi joined the team at lunch time and to his delight most of his foreign based invited players for the encounter had arrived. First to arrive Atlanta was John Mikel Obi of Chelsea of

England, who was soon joined by Monaco of France new boy, Elderson Echiejile and Emmanuel Emenike. All invited players were being expected before the team departed for training yesterday evening. The team had their first training session by 2.00 a.m. Nigerian time. Today, the team will have a feel of the Atlanta Dome in its last training session before the game tomorrow at the same venue. At 8 degrees Celsius , the weather in Atlanta is rather cold for those who came from Nigeria, but the foreign based stars seem to like it that way.

Glo Nigeria Premier League

LMC orders Bayelsa United, Nembe City to Calabar From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa may not host the home matches of Nigeria Premier Football League duo of Bayelsa United FC and Nembe City FC due to the bad condition of the playing turf. Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Nduka Irabor, told the media in a Abuja that the Bayelsa State clubs have requested that the LMC relocate them to another venue pending the completion of ongoing work at the stadium turf. Irabor, who led a team of LMC officials to an inspection tour of some of the stadia billed to host premier league matches, which kicks off on March 7,

Former Green Eagles’ Goalkeeper and Superintendent of Police, Godwin Efejuku, rtd (right), receiving award from the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, during the Police Sports Award at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

• Dismisses Boko Haram’s threat in Maiduguri revealed that both clubs may be moved to the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar pending the completion of work at the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenegoa. The LMC boss also announced the provisional clearance of the other Premier League club’ stadia, but he gave the clubs up to the first quarter of the league to fix the issues raised by the inspectors, adding that the body would ban any stadia found in bad condition during the second round of inspections. Irabor also revealed that the LMC has cleared the Maiduguri Stadium home of El Kanemi Warriors, saying

that it has not received any complaint from any of the clubs on the security of the stadium. “We have inspected all the stadia for the season and made our observations. Apart from the case of Bayelsa, where there is apparently no turf at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenegoa,” he said. He added: “There is no safety hazard in Maiduguri stadium… We have not been told or received any complaint by any club about the safety situation or risk of playing in Maiduguri. We met with the clubs yesterday and none complained about the situation in Maiduguri.

Asaba Sports Complex with Clifford Enosoregbe and Comfort Spencer emerging the men’s and ladies single champions respectively. The competition, which is a monthly one for players of Delta State is designed principally to prepare them for this year’s National Sports Festival in Calabar and also to give the players regular avenues to showcase their skills on the courts, lived up to its top billing going by the enthusiasm of the players and quality of play by the finalists throughout the matches. After a round robin set of matches, Enosoregbe and Emmanuel Ikakah qualified for the men’s singles final, which was action packed as both finalists did their best to emerge champion. The luck of the day shone on Enosoregbe, who won in two sets of 6-3, 6-2, to the delight of all, who hailed him all the way. In the ladies singles final, Comfort Spencer dismantled Ann Okoro 6-1, 6-0 in a onesided match. Impressed with the performance of the players, Coach of the Delta State tennis team, Henry Ubochi said it was a very successful maiden edition, noting that the players contested keenly and that they have started shaping for the National Sports Festival in

NNPC wins Oil and Gas Industry Games HE Nigeria National T Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has emerged champi-

on of the 15th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games concluded at the weekend in Lagos. The oil giants garnered 14 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals to top eleven other companies that took part in the games. Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC) finished second with 11 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze medals. With 8 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals Chevron took the third position. ExxonMobil with 3 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze placed 4th while Total, NAOC, NLNG and PTI placed 5th, 6th and 7th respectively. Debutantes, NCDMB were good enough for the 9th position while OANDO, DPR and Addax Oil took the rear. The closing ceremony witnessed the finals of the men and women 4 x 100 metres relay and the final of the football event. NNPC took the gold medal after defeating Chevron 2 - 0 in the exciting final. The victorious NNPC team dominated the male and female tennis events which they garnered a haul of eight gold, five silver and three bronze medals. Chevron dominated the swimming event with five gold two silver and two bronze medals. The closing ceremony held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 SPORTS 91

Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup

Be fair to every player, Chukwu tells Keshi By Alex Monye ORMER Super Eagles’ FChukwu, handler, Christian has advised Coach Stephen Keshi to select only the best available players to ensure Nigeria’s success at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Chukwu, who is a member of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Technical Committee, told The Guardian yesterday that Keshi would face a Herculean task at the World Cup if he relied on some particular in Brazil, adding that the coach must pay equal attention to his second team members while choosing his first 11. The former Enugu Rangers coach also advised the Eagles’ boss to resist any attempt by anybody to impose players on him, stressing that a team with

an ineffective reserve bench would find it difficult to succeed in a competition as difficult as the World Cup. ‘’The Mexico friendly is another opportunity for Keshi to discover the right players for the World Cup. At this point in time, Keshi should not bank on names alone in selecting his squad for Brazil. “The coach needs to select his players based on current form because this would create healthy competition in the team and assist the coach to form a formidable reserve bench that can change the face of a game when called up to action. “In the World Cup, every

one of the 23 players selected by the coach must be good enough to start any match. A quality substitute bench is the foundation of a successful team,” he said. According to Chukwu, playing a friendly game against a South American team is a good test for the Eagles, “but they should also play against European teams to measure their strength in world football before the World Cup.” Chukwu revealed that the NFF’s technical committee is keeping close tabs on the Eagles’ preparations for the Mundial, assuring that all hands are on deck to ensure the team succeeds in Brazil.

Nigeria retains Africa’s Wheelchair Tennis title

Yellow House rules at • Qualifies for World Team Cup Yintab sports meet Nigeria’s rising tennis star, Marylove Edward, won the Under-12 girls’ title at the just concluded CBN Junior Tennis Championship.

Marylove, Sylvester win CBN Junior Tennis titles ENNIS enthusiasts were at T the weekend treated to some of the uninhibited action on the courts of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, where Sylvester Emmanuel shoved aside all comers to win the Nigerian boys 16 title. It was the final of the CBN Junior Tennis Championships, which attracted all the young stars from across the country. Emmanuel defeated Amos Michael in the boys 16 final, while Chris Itodo beat Tochukwu Eze to win the boys 14 class. Also victorious was Gabriel

Friday, who won the boys 12 category when he stopped Mathew Abamu in the final, while Usman Kashimu outclassed Victor Tom to win the boys 10 title. Playing in the girls category, Zeinab Oladimeji had to fight the battle of her life before defeating hard fighting Marylove Edward 7-4, 7-4 to win the girls 16 category, but the same Marylove Edward dusted herself to defeat Kasara Adegboyega in the girls 12 class. Omolade Aderemi, a student of Baptist High School Akure, Ondo State, was

adjudged as the most outstanding player in the girls’ category, while Tochukwu Eze, all the way from Onitsha, Anambra State won the boys most outstanding player award. Speaking at the end of the competition, CBN Governor, who was represented by Head of External Communications, Isaac Okoroafor, affirmed the apex bank’s commitment to the development of sports in the country, especially tennis. He advised the players to take tennis and their education seriously, just as he pleaded with the coaches to pass on the right knowledge

AIPS poised for 90 anniversary in Dakar, says Obi HE International Sports T Press Association (AIPS) Africa will hold its yearly meeting this month in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, the first meeting under President Mitchell Obi, who took charge last April. For the second year running, the meeting will be hosted by the Association Nationale de la Presse Sportive Senegalaise (ANPS) from March 17 to 21. Already delegates from 15 countries have confirmed participation for the two-day congress that will be preceded by the Executive Committee meeting on March 18 and are excited by the backing and confirmation of attendance of the AIPS President Gianni Merlo. “AIPS AFRICA is poised to beat the first drum of celebrating the 90th anniversary of AIPS and Dakar the historic city of arts, culture and sports provides the fitting setting and ambience not only to herald the global toast to our cherished Association but also for Africa’s sports journalists to share their communal values and voice with a world waiting for fresh vigour and

perspectives,” said Obi. “No doubt Africa, as an emerging sports force, holds the lamp of hope for a sporting world fast losing its fair play and clean spirit of competition. The Dakar Congress, we trust, can only refuel the lamp of expectation and inspire a remarkable strategy for tackling the drawbacks in the sports milieu and media.” The main items on the agenda are partnerships programmes with a view of cultivating financial backing for the continental section and also consider training plans for African journalists. With a listing of events lined up in Africa from the Africa Athletics, the Africa Cup of Nations and even the All Africa Games, the continental body hopes to work closely with the organisers to realize the good working conditions and facilities for the regions journalists. “We hope to have a cast of tested technocrats in sports spreading from the Congolese Sports Minister, Dr. Leo Opimbat, Papa Massata Diack, the IAAF Marketing advisor to Dan Ngerem, one-time president

of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, as well as leading officers in ANOCA. “Importantly, the focus of the presentations will be on re-engineering sports in Africa to integrate private participation and partnership and new technology for sustained value and impact,” added the AIPS Africa president.

ITH 14 gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals, Yellow House (Adeleke) emerged as winner at the 9th bi-annual Inter-house sports competition of Yintab Private Academy. Yellow was closely followed by Green (Evans Ekomen) which has 11 gold, 14 silver, 12 bronze medals while Blue (Taiwo) finished third with nine gold, six silver and six bronze medals. Red (Odukoya) settled for fourth place at the one-day sports fiesta. In her remarks, the Executive Director of Yintab Private Academy, Mrs. Jumoke Badejo, lauded the efforts and contribution of the management, parents, staff and students of the school towards the promotion and maintenance of high standard of education and sports development in the school. The high points of the 2014 bi-annual Inter House Sports fiesta of the school were the introduction of new sporting activities like choreography and filling the bottle as well as the revival of others, like sweet baby race, dressing to school and targeting the basket.

IGERIA beat Morocco 2-1 N to win the 2014 African Wheelchair Tennis

Qualifying Championship in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday. Nigeria’s duo of Wasiu Yusuf and Alex Adewale won their singles matches, which was enough to clinch the continent’s sole ticket to the World Team Cup billed for Holland in May. Two-time Paralympian, Yusuf, was stretched to the limit by Ayoub Etali, as he needed a decisive final set to claim a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win against his opponent who is the top-ranked player in his country. Adewale, a London 2012 Paralympian, was equally given a run for his talent, but he also scrapped to a 2-1 (62,1-6,6-1) win over Ihaj Boukartacha to give an unassailable lead to Nigeria. thus

making irrelevant the doubles encounter, which they lost to their singles causalities 6-1, 4-6, 9-11. Both Nigerians, before the final had not dropped a set all tournament, having recorded 3-0 wins over hosts, Kenya and Egypt before the final. Speaking at the end of the event, Nigeria’s coach, Frank Tarmena, was worried that the gap between Nigeria and other nations are getting narrow because Nigerian players are not being exposed to international competitions. “I am worried because other countries are narrowing the gap between us and this was largely because they have been attending tournaments while that cannot be said of our players,” he said from Kenya.

Blue House wins Littleland Junior School’s meet By Isaac Taiwo LUE House won the most medals to emerge champions among the four houses that participated in the 4th biennial Inter-House Sport competition of Littleland Junior School, which took place at Yaba College of Technology sports field. Other houses in the competition include Red, Blue, Yellow and Green.

AIPS Africa President, Mitchell Obi (left), AIPS President, Gianni Merlo, AIPS Africa First Vice President, Morad Moutaouakkil and AIPS Africa Secretary General, Emmanuel Gustave Samnick, at a past AIPS meeting. They are all expected in Dakar…this month.

Blue House with 14 gold, 13 silver and eight bronze medals beat Yellow House with 10 gold, six silver and three bronze to the second position, while the Green House with nine gold, 10 silver and 18 bronze came third. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the School, Yomi Lawson, disclosed that this year‘s inter-house sports, organised to assist total development of the children’s body, mind and soul, was keenly contested with the best house emerging champions. He said the school has been able to set a standard for other schools to emulate by not reneging from the procedure of producing a total child, which had continued to reflect in the lives of those that have not only graduated but have become better citizens in the country and great achievers in their respective endeavour. The Chairman of the occasion, Olabode Adebayo, advised the government to encourage school sports where talents could be discovered and developed, adding that sports boosts education towards total development of body and mind.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

92 SPORTS Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Ronaldo joins fans in countdown to World Cup opener Former World Footballer of The Year, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, a member of the local organising committee of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, which kicks off in June, looks at some of the things football fans coming to Brazil in June should expect from the most successful country in the beautiful game. Excerpts: NLY 100 days. It is hard to believe it is so close. It seems like only yesterday that Brazil was confirmed as the 2014 FIFA World Cup host nation. I remember the excitement I felt once I realised that my country was going to stage the most important football event on the planet. Even though I won’t be out there on the field, I am starting to get the same butterflies in the stomach as I used to do when a big game was coming up. After all, the World Cup will be a kind of “final” for Brazil, in terms of the country establishing itself on the global stage. The spotlight will be on us, and it is a great chance to show the world just what is so special about Brazil and the Brazilian people. With the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics taking place here in Brazil, we have the chance to prove to the world not just how much we love sport, but also how strong we are economically. Brazil is a world leader in biotechnology and one of the biggest meat, mineral and soya producers on the planet. Very soon, thousands of tourists and foreign journalists will arrive on our doorstep, anxious to discover the real

Brazil. Although Brazil is a country of great social contrasts, we have made significant progress in tackling this problem in recent years. We are a diverse but unified society, a land of talented, determined, creative and innovative people - characteristics that are captured perfectly by Neymar’s dizzying, magical dribbles, the music of Tom Jobim, and the scientific achievements of Miguel Nicolelis, whose exoskeleton research has given paraplegics hope that they may one day walk again. Brazil is such a colourful country, blessed with breathtaking natural beauty. Tourists that come here for the World Cup should prepare themselves for an unforgettable experience. Whether it is from visiting the beaches of the northeast, witnessing the vastness of the Amazon River, or taking in the dazzling blend of ocean and mountains that makes Rio de Janeiro such a special place, every visitor will take home a treasured personal memory. Brazil is a place of great happiness and joy, and we will welcome World Cup visitors with open arms. But until then, we must keep working. As a 2014 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee

CAF Confederations Cup

Victorious Warri Wolves return from Cameroun Coach Aigbogun says battle not over yet By Gowon Akpodonor

LAYERS and officials of P Warri Wolves returned to the country yesterday after securing a vital away win against Union de Douala FC of Cameroun in the first leg of the CAF Confederations Cup campaign. The Nigerian team won the tie 3-2. Wolves Technical Adviser, Paul Aigbogun, said on arrival that the team would approach the return leg scheduled for this weekend at the Warri City Stadium with the seriousness it deserves. He commended his players for the victory in Cameroun, just as he showered praises on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick, for their prompt financial assistant to the team. Aigbogun recalled that Wolves’ motivation for the CAF Confederations Cup campaign began with its participation in the eightteam pre-season tourney in Lagos, where the team got to the final before moving to Abuja for the Super Four competition in Abuja. Wolves finished second behind Enyimba FC in the Super Four contest.

“You can see that we actually started our preparation long ago. But it would have been difficult to do so if the sports commission and the state government had not given us the support we need,” Aigbogun said. Wolves will play host to the Camerounian team on Sunday (March 9) at the Warri City Stadium and Aigbogun says they are ready to make the country proud. He said the technical crew would work on the lapses noticed in the team, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure victory for Wolves on Sunday. NFF board member, Emeka Inyama, and Chief Operation Officer of Warri Wolves FC, Davidson Owumi, led the contingent to Cameroun. Former Super Falcons coach, U.S.based Sam Okpodu was also on the contingent. Goals from Musa Najare in the 12th minute, Oghenekaro Etebo (35th minute) and Ibenegbu Ikechukwu (83rd minutes) gave Wolves victory against the Camerounian side. Wolves’ goalie, Okiemute Odah, also saved a penalty awarded to the home team in the 30th minutes.

Management Board member, I have been lucky enough to observe up close the dedication and skill of the workers, who are helping to construct this unique event. In all 12 host cities, I have witnessed the commitment of the thousands of people who are striving to create the best World Cup possible. We faced some tough tests during the preparations. Last year, we hosted the best FIFA Confederations Cup in history. That is not just my opinion, but also that of fans, journalists, and even FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. Less than six months later, we successfully organised another challenging event: the Final Draw at the Costa do SauÌpe in Bahia. And after we discovered in which cities the games would be played, the 32 national teams that will dispute the tournament discussed their operational plans with members of the LOC, FIFA, and the Brazilian government. This exchange of ideas and opinions between organisers and national teams is an ongoing process, and another key event, the National Teams Workshop took place last month. Subjects such as safety, transport, and how the teams are to be looked after were discussed in detail. Now we are really on the home straight. Since the beginning of the year, two new stadiums have opened: the Arena das Dunas, in Natal, and the new Est dio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. They are beautiful, just like the Arena Amazonas, the Arena da Baixada, the Arena Pantanal and the Arena Corinthians, which are also almost ready. By the time the World Cup begins, all the stadiums will have carried out test events. These are of vital importance so that the tournament organisers can make final adjustments to their plans. There is not much time left now until the tournament begins and the greatest players on the planet go head to head. Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Neymar... I can’t wait. I’ll be expecting you in Brazil. See you at the World Cup!

Ronaldo is a member of the Brazil 2014 World Cup local organizing committee.

Fans excited, as UEFA Champions League trophy gets arrival date fans across the FwithOOTBALL nation have been filled excitement ever since Heineken announced it would bring the prestigious UEFA Champions League Trophy to Nigeria. Heineken recently announced that the trophy would be in Nigeria from March 13 to 16, 2014, with Nigerian football fans getting the opportunity to feel and experience the UEFA Champions League Trophy Live. Former World Footballer of the Year, Ruud Gullit, who is a winner of the UEFA European Championship, the Super Cup and coach, will also accompany the trophy to Nigeria. Expressing his excitement on the arrival of Gullit and the trophy, Dele Lawal, a Lagos based Chelsea fan, said: “It would be a dream come true to actually see the UEFA trophy. Not many people have had that opportunity. To touch the trophy that the eventual UEFA League Champions will lift would be a great experience for any football lover. The only thing better than touching the trophy would be Chelsea being the Champions who get to lift it this year.” Ohis Ehije, a banker and an avid fan of Barcelona, said he is “so happy Heineken chose to bring the UEFA tro-

phy to Nigeria out of all the countries in Africa. It would be great to see the trophy live even as I pray that Barcelona ends up this season’s UEFA champions.” This year, Heineken will give football fans in Nigeria, Argentina and Vietnam the chance to see and get up

close to the prestigious trophy. In a statement, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc Walter Drenth, said “the Champions League trophy tour is an activity unique to Heineken. No other brand is capable of holding the tro-

Lagos Premier Lotto Schools Athletics championship

Evan, Edet advocate better training for athletes By Adeyinka Adedipe S students of District Four took to the tracks yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lee Evans and Amelia Edet have said that some of the athletes have potentials to become future stars. Edet told The Guardian yesterday that with seasoned coaches taking over the training of the students, they would surely hit the tops. She stated that she was impressed with the large turn out, but lamented that most the students lack the basic technique in athletics. She said: “There is a very large turnout, but I can see that the athletes have not been properly trained. I would have expected a better preparation since the schools know it is an annual event. The games masters and mistresses should have trained the athletes to a certain level.

A long jumper takes to the air at the on-going Lagos Premier Lotto Secondary Schools Athletics Championships.

“The only school that I have seen some form of seriousness in is International School, Lagos and one or two others,” she added. The former head coach of the Nigerian athletics team called on the games master to work more on their athletes to avoid reducing the championship to a jamboree. Evan, who won a gold in the 400 metres at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, commended Lagos State for instituting the competition, which he said has the ability to produce future stars. He said the idea is to select the best 40 athletes for a training camp to sharpen the skills of students. He noted that some of the students have raw talents and promised that they would become better after the holiday camp, which he is handling with Tony Osheku. “The idea behind the championship is to have the best athletes in the sprint, middle and long distance as well as the long and high jumps. I have seen raw talents here and with proper training technique, they would become better. “The aim of the championship is to raise the level of athletics in the state by engaging the students and making sure they get the right technique with the hope that they would become top athletes in future. He commended the Commissioner, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, for instituting the event. The event continues today with District Five athletes competing for honours.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Ejiro Omonode

My World Cup story…Keshi

Reporting from Atlanta, USA Okechukwu Keshi, Sto TEPHEN January made a return trip South Africa with the Super Eagles, exactly a year after he crushed the formbooks to nick the CAF Africa Cup of Nations diadem. Unlike the unheralded 2013 campaign, the 2014 version came with a bang and all the heroic welcome from the South African football faithful. Already an iconic legend given his exploits with the Super Eagles as Captain and key player in a playing career spanning over a decade, and the enriched C.V, courtesy of spells with national teams of Togo and Mali, Keshi second time out in South Africa for the CHAN campaign was as a most revered and towering figure. Indeed, on the eve of the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana fixture, the Big Boss had gone for a private shoot on the outskirts of Cape Town when a swarm of locals ensured that the project will be temporarily paused, as they struggled to have autograph and photo session with a relaxed man, bent on pushing the host out of the Tournament. Moving on from the successful campaigns in the rainbow nation, Keshi has returned to his United States “base” to kickstart and indeed rev the engine on his Brazil 2014 mission. To think that the U.S always had a place in Keshi’s heart for career and life ambitions means that this Mexican fixture has its symbolic connotations. In 1984, Morocco stopped Keshi and the Super Eagles from berthing at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, a period he dreamt of Kick starting his professional career in Gods own country. And now, the allure and goodness of an American dream has come to fruition. For one, he has since made San Francisco his eternal

‘

home with wife and children truly settled in and making the most of the City. Still, Atlanta brings fond memories not only to the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, but Nigerian ball fans, the world over, reflecting on the sweet and unforgettable moments of the Atlanta Olympic football Gold medal. Tomorrow night, Nigeria will be making a fourth direct confrontation against Mexico, following previous records of no win, two draws and one defeat. Keshi, as skipper of the Super Eagles, was involved in the 1995 FiFA Confederations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a year that saw the Arab nation’s football faithful chanting the name of Keshi’s assistant Dan “the Bull” Amokachi to high heavens. Again tonight, Keshi and Amokachi will seat near each other in the dugout, not only to plot victory strategies over the Latin American football giants, but also to ponder on the Brazil 2014 task of exceeding the quarter finals. Perhaps, the shape of the Curitiba bound team will start emerging from the Atlanta platform. Yet another interesting dimension to this fixture is the return of Skipper Joseph Yobo and a few new faces that are bent on being part of the Journey on the Road to Rio. Keshi has always kept faith with Yobo, insisting that the defence ace must play regularly at the top level to seal his place and achieve the Century Cap, most Nigerians crave for and wish will come to pass. Going into the main fixture, a balanced game is to be expected, just as the starting 11 is tucked away in the quiet of the West Atlanta Buckhead abode of the Super Eagles in North East Atlanta. Outside of the usual suspects and regular characters,

Super Eagles celebrating their victory at the 2013 African Nations Cup.

Eagles’ return to Atlanta reawakens fond memories of glory days Ramon Azeez from Almeria, Umoh Ezekiel of Standard Liege and Uchebo Micheal, Club Brugge must be convincing in their output as the Brazil battle hits the home stretch. Knowing the Big Boss for his relaxed attitude to Games, this Mexican high profile international may well be another figure in his career with a promise of a good result. Already the game at the Georgia Dome is trending to be one of highest-attended soccer games in Atlanta’s history. Two weeks before tomorrow’s kickoff, more than 40,000 tickets had been sold. Soccer United Marketing, which is organizing the game, has sold tickets to consumers from 37 different

To think that the U.S always had a place in Keshi’s heart for career and life ambitions means that this Mexican fixture has its symbolic connotations. In 1984, Morocco stopped Keshi and the Super Eagles from berthing at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, a period he dreamt of Kick starting his professional career in Gods own country. And now, the allure and goodness of an American dream has come to fruition. For one, he has since made San Francisco his eternal home with wife and Children truly settled in and making the most of the City. Still, Atlanta brings fond memories not only to the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, but Nigerian ball fans, the world over, reflecting on the sweet and unforgettable moments of the Atlanta Olympic football Gold medal.

’

states. More than 85 percent of the tickets for the Dome’s lower bowl have been sold. Because games featuring Mexico typically have large walk-up sales, the upcoming match could surpass the previous record of 54,229 tickets sold for last year’s Gold Cup games, which also featured Mexico. Capacity for the game is 72,000. The match features two teams that will play in the World Cup in Brazil this summer, so the environment in the Dome could be raucous. Mexico, No. 21 in FIFA’s world rankings, is in a World Cup group that includes Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon.

Coach Miguel Herrera is expected to call in much of the team that will appear in the World Cup. “Atlanta is a great city,” Herrera said. “We have played there with some teams and the people have responded sensationally. The Georgia Dome is a good stadium with an important capacity. It has a rich history, with football and the Olympics. “Nigeria is going to be an extraordinary opponent for us, very similar to what we are going to face against Cameroon in the opening match of the World Cup.” Nigeria, No. 47 in FIFA’s

rankings, is in a group that includes Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iran. “The game will be very useful for us and I am sure that the people in Atlanta will respond well as they have done everywhere, always backing the team in a very positive way,” Herrera said. “It will be a very attractive game; obviously the only match in which we are going to see the Mexicans that are currently playing Europe.” Kick-off for the friendly is at 2am Nigerian time on Thursday. • A Mastersports International Presentation (C) 2014

Keshi (right) with members of his technical crew before a recent international match.

PHOTOS: AFP.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 95

TheGuardian

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Kola Ibrahim ISITING your alma mater brings some nostalgic feelings, of the good and notso-good times. However, when your former institution of learning seems to be moving from bad to worse, the nostalgia turns to repugnance. This aptly sums up one’s feeling of the state of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), an institution of which I am proud to be an alumnus. How else can one reconcile the fact that an institution known for vibrant unionism and bubbling student culture is becoming a ghost of its past glories? By next year, a generation of students would have passed through the university without experiencing student unionism! Despite the university hosting the popular Nigerian Universities’ Game (NUGA) next month, students seem detached from any other thing, aside their books, and maybe religious activities. Social activities on campus are at low ebb. Regular public programmes including symposia are few. Added to this is the growing insecurity among students. This is not to mention the constant exploitation of students and introduction of various policies by management at departmental, faculty and hostel levels. But the unreported and worse cases will be harassment and exploitation of students by fellow students, lecturers and staff. A student activist once informed me of a security staff, who was employed to resolve a case of exploitation of a student by another student, demanding huge bribe and later creaming off restitution that should have been paid to an exploited student. This case reminded me of the sexual harassment issue once handled by our union. A brilliant female student in Political Science Department was harassed sexually by a notorious randy lecturer. When she resisted the overture of the lecturer, she failed the lecturer’s course. But the lady had an advantage: there was a vibrant student union. She reported the case to the union, which led to unveiling of serious scandal in the said department. This is a single case among several other cases, even when there was a union. Of course, in the absence of constant vigilance by students, union leaders and activists can become monsters, arrogating authorities unto themselves. But this is tamable; denial of students’ right to unionism makes things worse. On a recent visit, I tried to engage some students at the bus stop on the state of affairs on the campus, and the discussion was revealing. As a result of inadequate transport facilities, poor commercial bus drivers always try to maximize profits by exploiting desperate conditions of students and staff. The frustration of many students and even staff was more about the absence of a student union to put sanity into the chaos. Of course, the students have attempted to get their union back. A protest in late December 2012 for the union restoration forced management to set up, out of panic, a Transition Committee to organize elections. The committee became turncoat days later, parroting management’s excuses for not restoring the union, and by that extending its own lifespan. Surely, the university authorities are sitting on a seething anger of students. It beats one’s imagination how a university management will be comfortably administering an institution without a student union. What if there is an emergency: an epidemic, security crisis, etc, which is better handled with a collective mobilization of students rather than through university directive. However, the answer lies in the degeneracy that has eaten deep into management of education, tertiary education in particular. University administrators, due to lack of democratic running of institutions, have become politicians – desperate-

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

OAU: Three years on without a student union

ly scrambling for quick patronages and perks of office. The headship of university is not determined by popular preferences of staff and students, but by circulars from government houses. Therefore, there are desperate struggles to get the attention of the political classes and secure their support, by pledging rotten loyalty to bankrupt political classes. This clearly ensures opposition to academic freedom and democracy but rather promote to a new height, mediocrity, authoritarian rule, ego-

ism, nepotism, cronyism and corruption. The leadership of tertiary institutions, more than ever before rely on absolute power to suppress dissent views to its policies. Vibrant and principled student unionism is now seen as anathema by tiny gods of our ivory towers. Rather than engage in debates and discussions, university administrators see themselves as autocrats dishing out one directive or the other, in a paternalistic manner, to students and staff. Behind this egregious situation is the neo-liberal capi-

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’. Also join our on-line conversation

RISE GROUP

@risenetworks

21676F3E

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotlines: Lagos 7736351, Abuja 07098513445; Circulation Hotline: 01 4489656 All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

It beats one’s imagination how a university management will be comfortably administering an institution without a student union. What if there is an emergency: an epidemic, security crisis, etc, which is better handled with a collective mobilization of students rather than through university directive. However, the answer lies in the degeneracy that has eaten deep into management of education, tertiary education in particular. talist policy of governments at all levels, which aims at cutting to the bones social sector budgets, in order to guarantee more wealth for the “one percent” rich. This may be a global phenomenon but is more grotesque in this part of the capitalist world where neo-colonialism prevails. This reality is behind the current reactionary development in Great Ife. For instance, the intolerant attitude of the OAU authorities did not start today. In fact, the current three-year old ban on student unionism stemmed from students’ opposition to hike in payable fees e.g. introduction of a ridiculous levy called acceptance fees (N20,000!) by the out-gone administration. This same administration brutally suppressed unionism and union activists with unprecedented viciousness that only remind one of the jackboot military rule. More than 20 union activists were rusticated at the slightest provocation; three union leaders including the president were rounded up and detained without any sensible allegation, for between four to seven months, while the administration sponsored divide-and-rule tactics to decimate the ranks of progressive student activists. The current administration has maintained this status quo. The current administration has sustained the culture of fear by flooding the campus with secret security staff, whose population is now ridiculously high. All this is with the aim of ‘cleansing’ the university of activism. Recently, qualified activists were denied admission into post-graduate programmes for the same reason. All this shows how a once vibrant university can become a ghost of its past glories, no thanks to inordinate ambition of university administrators and more importantly, the undemocratic method of administering ivory towers engendered by the neo-liberal regime in place nationally. What is happening in OAU is unfortunately a child’s play to realities in many other higher institutions. This, therefore, places enormous task on not just students, but also academic and non-academic unions in tertiary institutions to begin serious campaign and struggle to restore vibrant unionism and more vitally, democracy on our campuses. The ironical part of the story is that the presidency of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is supposedly in the same OAU where there is no student union – an ugly picture of the degeneracy in student movement! As the OAU hosts this year’s edition of NUGA, one hopes Nigerian students find the time and energy to converge for holistic rejuvenation of once vibrant unionism on our campuses. Oh! Lest I forgot, OAU students are to stay at home during the NUGA events! Did I hear anyone say, “The fear of the students is the beginning of wisdom”? • Kola Ibrahim is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.