Wed 15 May 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,557

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Jonathan declares emergency rule in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja), Seye Olumide, Tope Templer Olaiya, Tunde Akinola and Wole Oyebade (Lagos) EMONSTRATING a much D more forceful resolve to restore security with the expression “Enough is enough,” President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared a state of emergency in the three troubled states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

In the 12th paragraph of his 7.00 p.m. broadcast to the na-

• Talks to continue with Boko Haram • Army to deploy more troops in states • Gunmen kill 11, injure others in Kaduna tion, the President said: “Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers con-

ferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Feder-

More on Page 3, 10 & 11

al Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a

State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other

security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.”

Stating the urgent need to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Jonathan said while all efforts at persuasion and dialogue would continue, he was dutybound to ensure the indivisibility of Nigeria as a country.

“These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority

over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country.

In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

“They have attacked government buildings and facilities.

They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Constitutional provisions for state of emergency declaration HE 1999 Constitution T (with Amendments in 2011) lays out the reason(s) for and the processes of declaring a state of emergency in the entire country or part thereof.

This is contained in Section 305 under the Miscellaneous Provisions.

Section 305(1) states that: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument, published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation, issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.

(2) The President shall immediately alter the publication transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation, including the details of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Lawmakers allege plot to kill Amaechi, others From Kelvin Ebiri, Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) and Terhemba Daka (Abuja) ROM being only a thorny FRivers political issue, the crisis in State is moving fast to take a tragic character.

This was the alarm raised yesterday by Rivers State lawmakers who petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the crisis.

They alleged that Governor Chibuike Amaechi, state legis-

• Want President to intervene, stop removal of security aides • Council secretariat set ablaze, protesters seek CP’s removal • EFCC may probe gov, dispute over aircraft ownership persists • Helicopters’ firm accuses Rivers of forging plane’s documents lators and other prominent government officials have been marked for assassination.

The lawmakers in the petition endorsed by the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, said they were disturbed by

the planned withdrawal of security personnel attached to various Rivers State government officials, especially

those of Amaechi, the State House of Assembly, the ministries and councils.

They said that the withdrawal had begun with the removal of police from the Okirika Local Council by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. Meanwhile, hundreds of women dressed in black staged a peaceful protest at

Govs, others in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa remain in office, says President – Page 10

the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday to demand the immediate redeployment of the state police boss who they accused of taking sides in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Rivers’ lawmakers in a letter to the President entitled “Disruption of democracy and rule of law - Anarchy looms in Rivers State”, stated that since April 15, 2013 when CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

2 NEWS

Lawmakers want President to intervene in Rivers crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 an Abuja High Court upturned the election of a legiti-

mate and duly elected state executive committee of the PDP led by Godspower Ake, all had not been well in the state.

The Speaker explained that since the removal of Ake, the state had been witnessing, with unending shock, the creeping fashion of daylight illegality and disorder. According to him, state lawmakers are alarmed by planned withdrawal of security personnel attached to Amaechi and other government functionaries.

“The situation in Rivers State has reached a fever pitch, as there are strong indications that the governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the legislators and prominent government officials have been marked for assassination, following series of reported nocturnal meetings held in a neighbouring state and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The situation is exacerbated with the planned release from detention of 18 notable robbery and kidnap kingpins currently in custody to carry out this planned mayhem on the government officials and innocent citizens and residents of the state,” Amachree said.

The Speaker notified the President that the state lawmakers had on April 30, 2013 raised the alarm on the wanton collapse of the security apparatus in the state, intended to orchestrate breakdown of law and order,

with the aim of causing a state of emergency.

He said that on May 3, 2013, the masterminds of this state of emergency implemented the first stage of their plan with the sealing off of the Obio/Akpor Local Council secretariat and the clampdown on the offices of the council by the Commissioner of Police through the instrumentality of the Divisional Police Officer, Rumuokoro Police Station, without any valid instrument of law and without any security breach.

“On May 6, 2013, the Rivers State House of Assembly complex which is directly adjacent to the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road witnessed a violent and disruptive take-over by 300 hoodlums under the watchful eyes of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. Your Excellency Sir, we fear for the survival of our democratic structures and the freedom to carry out our legitimate legislative duties has been greatly hindered and interrupted. We make bold to say that we now live in uncertain times, lives and property can no longer be guaranteed in Rivers State as a result of these chronicled events in a state that has just regained its peaceful status from the recent past from being the hotbed of

cultism and kidnapping,” he said.

Amachree stressed that silence over this calculated destabilisation of the security apparatus in Rivers State was an “evil wind” that would blow no one any good.

“Consequently Sir, we are left with no other option but to reinstate our avowed resolve to call for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. We equally call on Mr. President to intervene in the ongoing imbroglio that is about destroying the very fabric that holds the society (Our State) together,” Amachree said.

And as an indication of the worsening crisis, unidentified persons yesterday set a section of the Obio-Akpor Local Council secretariat in the state ablaze shortly after the police ended its 11-day barricade of the complex in compliance with a Federal High Court order.

But the police have filed an application seeking the stay of execution of the interlocutory injunction made by Justice H.A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, asking them to end the barricade of the Obio-Akpor secretariat.

The chairman of the Caretak-

er Committee of the council, Mr. Chikordi Dike, explained that the essence of the attack on the council was to destroy vital documents that would have helped the state’s House of Assembly in its investigations into the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against a suspended council chairman.

Nevertheless, on the issue of the state’s aircraft, the Minister of Aviation, Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, yesterday insisted that the Rivers State government has no Nigerian licence to fly the Bombardier BD700-1A11 aircraft which it acquired even though it is on the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration Registry.

Citing other sundry breaches of the aviation rules allegedly committed by the Rivers State government, Oduah-Ogiemwonyi who spoke during an investigative hearing at the instance of the joint House of Representatives committees on Aviation and Justice yesterday, hinted that her ministry may institute criminal proceedings against the Rivers State government using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Govt to continue talks with Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this,” he said.

The President lamented the recent spate of terrorist activities and security challenges in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau, Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. He particularly condemned the killing of security operatives by cult groups in Nasarawa State, saying: “We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilise the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.”

Significantly, the President left the political structures, including the governors and legislature untouched in the affected states, though he was unequivocal in his demands for the political leadership in those states to co-operate maximally with the security agencies to ensure that the exercise succeeds.

The President continued: “These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country.

In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

“They have attacked government buildings and facilities.

They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages.

These actions amount to a declaration of war

and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this. “ Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.

“We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both state governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.

“Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.

“While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country.

Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.”

He added: “We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

“Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Accordingly, the Chief of De-

fence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

“This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.

“The details of this proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this proclamation, the governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

“I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the armed forces and the police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

“I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.

“Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.

“I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of

rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

“I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.

“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Earlier yesterday, Jonathan met with critical stakeholders in his quest to find a lasting solution to the insecurity facing the country.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and his Yobe State counterpart, Ibrahim Gaidam, met with the President behind closed doors. Shettima described the meeting as an attempt to cross-pollinate ideas with the President in the search for peace.

Also, the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Resolution of Security Challenges in the North met with the President in his office. The Committee Chairman, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), told State House correspondents that they were at the Villa to meet with the President.

After their meeting with Jonathan, the governors told reporters that they were around to brief the President on the security situations in their states.

The Borno governor said that they were not bothered about a threat to impose a state of emergency on the two northeastern states, noting that it is only God that gives power to whomever He wishes and whenever He wants.

“Well, we are basically here to cross-pollinate our ideas with Mr. President on how to move the nation forward. That’s in a CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

NEWS | 3

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

News EMERGENCY RULE Gabriel Osu hails President

By Chris Irekamba HE Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Very Monsignor Gabriel Osu, in his reaction to the President Jonathan’s declaration yesterday, said: “I believe it is a right step in the right direction and that is why we call him the Command-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He is trying to leave to his role as the Command-in-Chief.

He must set agenda. He has become so slow in recent times. Maybe, the scales have falling out of his eyes.

You don’t sacrifice human lives on the altar of peace.

“His declaration is rather too late, however, we commend him for this bold step.

But we want to state categorically that many souls have been wasted and that is why we always counsel that he should move softly on the matter of amnesty because it just appeared it has emboldened the people (terrorists) to remain adamant. What he has done now is to assert his position as the Command-in-Chief of Armed Forces. If the Army is threatened he must rise to the occasion and say enough is enough and I think that is what he has just done now. If you don’t do anything it will lead to state of anarchy.”

T

Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State

Gov. Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State

Lawyers hail Jonathan over declaration

By Ibe Uwaleke ENIOR lawyers and chiefSAssociation, tains of the Nigerian Bar (NBA), yesterday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan over the emergency rule declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

They also praised the President’s wisdom in retaining the governors to continue in office while the military deployment tackle the security challenges in those states. To them, the President acted within the powers conferred on him by the constitution.

In his reaction, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) said: “I think the speech by Mr. President is okay. Unlike the state of emergencies declared during Obasanjo’s regime which were made in bad faith and used to remove governors who were in the bad books of the federal government, the present action was taken with the best of intentions. No political appointee or political institution was removed.”

He continued: “To that extent, I commend the

efforts of the Federal Government in stepping up its war against terrorism in parts of the North East zone.

From the action of the Federal Government , it would seem that the amnesty offer to Boko Haram has been withdrawn.

It’s now full-scale war against the terrorists. I fully endorse the action of the Federal Government and suggest that the state of emergency

declared to fight terrorism should also be extended in the fight against corruption.

Corruption is choking the citizenry and the earlier the government declares a state of emergency in that area the better for this country.’

Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Austin Alegeh absolved the President of any blame saying: “There is nothing in the constitution that prevents the president from

directing the governors to act as chief executives of the states. Section 305 (4) even envisages a situation where a governor with a resolution supported by two-third majority of the State House of Assembly may request the president to proclaim a state of emergency in the state.

The terms of the proclamation will best explain the reason for this arrangement.”

To an Ibadan-based SAN ,

Adebayo Adenipekun, Jonathan has the powers to restore peace in those states: “Where a state of emergency is declared subject to approval by National Assembly within a specified time, the president is empowered to take all measures to restore peace. If making use of the governors is what he considers as part of measures that would lead to the desired peace, it is left to him.

Babatope okays decision, Osuntokun, Okei-Odumakin urge caution

By Seye Olumide, Tope Templer Olaiya, Tunde Akinola and Wole Oyebode , Lagos MID the controversy trailA ing President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, former Minister of Transport, Ebenezer Babatope,has endorsed the decision According to Babatope the declaration is a welcome development since the governors are still in power. To him, if the governors were

removed it would have sent a wrong signal.

Babatope urged the governors to cooperate with the military personnel deployed to there states so that they can work out the appropriate measures o quell the terrorists activities in the state.

Also, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations and former envoy to Germany, Ambassador Akinjide Osuntokun said the unraveling of the emergency story seemed interesting consider-

ing the fact the issue had been rumoured but denied by presidency.

Osuntokun who is an Emeritus Professor of History and Strategic Studies said he hope there would be no conflict of authorities between the deployed soldiers and the incumbent governors of the states where the emergency was declared.

According to him: “One can understand the frustration of the president, but the question to ask is what do we do again if the declaration of

emergency fails because this seems to be the last card after every other means had been sampled? I just hope the decision is well thought,” Osuntokun said.

And the President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin said stakeholders should wait and see as event unfolded. She said Nigerians were against it at the initial stage because it would tense up the states and might encourage militancy. “We will see how far the decision of the president can go with the halfdeclared emergency,” she said.

Lagos Assembly, Rep, Osoba oppose action From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) Seye Olumide, Tope Templer Olaiya, Tunde Akinola and Wole Oyebode (Lagos) RITICISMS yesterday C trailed President Goodluck Jonathan declaration of State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States as the Lagos State House of Assembly, a member of the House of Representatives, Lanre Odubote, former Governor of Ogun State and a chieftain of Action Congress of

• ‘No request yet for emergency rule’ Nigeria (ACN), Chief Segun Osoba faulted the action.

But the Senate yesterday said the President was yet to put forward any request for emergency rule in some troubled States in the North, saying that when such a call comes the lawmakers will treat it on its merit.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, opposed the

move, adding that the amnesty programme already in motion would have help in bringing a considerable, if not lasting solution, to killings in the region.

According to Olulade: “Emergency rule is a backward approach to critical situations in a democratic society, to the extent that the rule of law is subverted, people are psychologically traumatised, real governance is suspended, development is

jettisoned and the essence of the emergency rule itself is defeated.’’

Olulade stressed that various intelligence reports and warnings made by the CIA and other security agencies in the past speaks volume of the fragility of the Nigerian state and the intent of some mischievous elements and enemies of Nigeria to destabilise the country and push it towards the shores of disintegration.

He warned the Federal Government to beware of bad advisers and fifth colum-

nists that are only waiting to seize upon a crisis situation to deepen the nation’s woes and tear the country apart.

Odubote who represents Federal Constituency Epe, Lagos in Lower Chambers also faulted the President’s decision on the state of emergency.

He said that what had been happening in the affected states and across the nation was a constitutional matter and could not have been resolved through a military approach.

Nigerians online, divided over declaration

By Bankole Adeshina savvy Nigerians IofNTERNET are divided over the state emergency declared in three Northern states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe)

by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday.

While many who reacted to the declaration were of the opinion that it was a long awaited by many Nigerians to restore peace and order in the country, others expressed skepticisms, saying the action was aimed at neutralising the President’s opposition in the 2015 presidential election.

Some, who wrote anonymously, even demanded that the President should have extended the emergency rule “to Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna as well as Southwest Osun State.”

One Adam (surname withheld), whose comment is titled “Misinterpretation of the Constitution” said: “ Yes, Mr. President and Oga at the top, now I know you can act.

You have slept for too long and I thought you would not wake up watching the country slipping out of your grip through the activities of terrorists/cultists. Nice one.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

4 NEWS

Army to deploy more troops in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 nutshell what brought us here, to cross-fertilise our ideas with Mr. President”, he said.

Asked about the state of security in Borno, he said it was stable but restated his position that the situation would soon normalise, saying: “I have repeatedly said it is a temporary eclipse in Borno. We shall start shining again very soon, don’t worry. We shall get over it.”

Kabiru Tanimu Turaki assured that the challenges would not derail the committee’s objective of meeting the

three-month deadline assigned to it.

At the end of the meeting with Jonathan, Turaki who is also the Minister of Special Duties, told reporters that his committee had not even considered if the violence would affect its work or not, saying: “But what I can say on that is that the past events have not in any way derailed our programme. They have not derailed our resolution and desire and intention to make sure we get to the root of this problem.”

Reacting to the video recording of the Boko Haram leader, Sheik Abubakar Shekau, on

Monday displaying some women and children held hostage by the group in retaliation for their families being held by security agencies, Turaki said the development did not mean they were averse to settlement via dialogue.

He confirmed watching the video clip, saying: “I have watched the video clip and from my own understanding, I think what Imam Abubakar Shekau is saying is not different from what the committee is doing. There is no indication to say that they are not amenable to settlement or dialogue.

“Now, the people believe that

they will live by the teachings of the Holy Prophet as enshrined in the provisions of the Qura’an. Now, the Qura’an specifically says that sulh (dialogue, negotiation or settlement), has a lot of value, and in fact Muslims are encouraged to enter into dialogue.

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who practicalised the provisions of the Qura’an and the teachings of Islam, has also entered into agreement or treaty of Hudaibiyyah, where even the terms that were proposed and agreed upon at that time were clearly against the interest of

Constitutional provisions for emergency rule declaration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation.

(3) The President shall have power to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency only when – (a) the Federation is at war; (b) the Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war; (c) there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures

to restore peace and security; (d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger; (e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation; (f) there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or (g) the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

(4) The Governor of a State may, with the sanction of a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of the House of As-

sembly, request the President to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the State when there is in existence within the State any of the situations specified in subsection (3)(c), (d) and (e) of this section and such situation does not extend beyond the boundaries of the State.

(5) The President shall not issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in any case to which the provisions of subsection (4) of this section apply unless the Governor of the State fails within a reasonable time to make a request to the President to issue such Proclamation.

(6) A Proclamation issued by the President under this section shall cease to have effect. (a) if it is revoked by the President by instrument published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation; (b) if it affects the Federation or any part thereof and within two days when the National Assembly is in session, or within

ten days when the National Assembly is not in session, after its publication, there is no resolution supported by twothirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly approving the Proclamation; (c) after a period of six months has elapsed since it has been in force; provided that the National Assembly may, before the expiration of the period of six months aforesaid, extend the period of the proclamation of the state of emergency to remain in force from time to time for a further period of six months by resolution passed in like manner; or (d) at any time after the approval referred to in paragraph (b) or the extension referred to in paragraph (c) of this subsection, when each House of the National Assembly revokes the Proclamation by a simple majority of all the members of each House.

Muslims, but the prophet (peace be upon him) accepted and at the end of the day, it paved way for everlasting peace even till today within the Arabian Peninsula.

“So, there is peace not only in the Middle East, including even the Far East. What we are saying is that we are convinced that with all the efforts we are making, we will now be able to arrive at the middle course. Of course, dialogue does not mean there would be absence of differences.

“And when we sit down to negotiate, it does not mean that everybody will get or must get what he wants. There would be give-and-take at the end of the day. The most fundamental thing is, from my own understanding, that the Jama’a people are not averse to dialogue and settlement of the dispute, sitting down to discuss.”

On the thrust of the meeting with Jonathan, the committee chairman said: “In the earlier interactions we have had with the pressmen, we made it clear that part of our modus operandi is to engage critical stakeholders through interactive sessions so that we will be able to have information and input from their own perspectives.

“You may be aware that we have had interactions with the security agencies, prison authorities, Customs, defence headquarters and other people that we think are necessary stakeholders. What we are doing now is to discuss and have their inputs; and take their own stake from their own perspective. And we feel that having interacted with most of the security agencies, we have come to the critical stage where we also need to hear what the government’s side is.

“Similar efforts in the past were said to have had problems here and there because before you reach an appreciable height, you have people running their mouths, saying things they ought not to say.

We want to keep things as secretive as possible not because we do not want members of the public to know about them but because we feel that we have not got to the level yet where members of the public will be given those details of what we are doing.”

On who the committee is meeting next, he said: “We will meet with governors, traditional rulers, leaders of the frontline states, the clergy. We will go even to inspect the epicentres of this crisis, see the people that have had casualties, see the victims, because do not forget that part of our responsibility and recommendations we will make is for Victims Support Programme.”

Meanwhile, gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen, struck yesterday in Zangang Village of Atakar Chiefdom, Kaura Local Council of Kaduna State, killing 11 people.

Several people were said to be missing after the attack, while others who sustained injuries from gunshots were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment.

The gunmen, who invaded the community, were reportedly said to have burnt many houses during the attack, which was said to have started last Sunday, but became worse yesterday. Areas affected included the residence of the district head.

The Kaduna State government has condemned the attacks in the area, saying measures were being taken to ensure lasting peace in the community.

Rivers council’s secretariat set ablaze, protesters seek CP’s removal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Commission (ICPC).

“The institution of criminal proceedings under our criminal laws, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other relat-

ed offences Commission (ICPC) against the above infractions is not foreclosed. This has become imperative in view of the fact that some of the provisions in our Civil Aviation Laws tilt toward imposition of civil penalties,” she threatened.

This came as the Rivers State government pointedly accused the aviation regulatory authorities of intimidating a party in the matter, Caverton Helicopters, by threats of revocation of licence if it failed to deny knowledge of the transaction concerning the aircraft.

The minister, who gave a lengthy testimony on the issue before a joint investigative committee, threatened that the ministry might resort to taking the Rivers State government to court using the EFCC Act among other sundry criminal codes.

Earlier in her submission under the sub-head, ‘Operational Details’, Oduah-Ogiemwonyi told the committee that “the aircraft with registration number N565RS is currently listed on the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration Registry.”

She further claimed: “The registration was issued to Bank of Utah Trustee of 200 E, South Temple, Suite 210, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1346”, and in Nigeria.

The minister also told the committee pointedly that the Rivers “aircraft was imported without the knowledge of the

ministry or aviation authorities”, stressing that “it is not a Nigerian aircraft; it’s a visiting aircraft, we don’t even know where this aircraft is coming from.”

However, Chairman of the Joint House Committee, Ali Ahmed, the Chairperson of the Committee on Aviation, Nkiruka Onyejeocha and other members accused the minister of trying to “mislead” the panel.

“Why did it take so long for the NCAA to detect a foreign aircraft carrying a Nigerian Coat of Arms? What does that say about our regulators? How do we know how many aircraft are operating in this country with falsified documents?” the committee members queried.

Ali Ahmed reminded the minister that a letter written to the Director, Airworthiness Standards, NCAA, by ACASS Canada Limited, a company with expertise in taking delivery of aircraft for clients, had informed NCAA that they “assisted the government of Rivers State of Nigeria with taking delivery and possession of their aircraft during these preparations” and “requested, on behalf of our client, assistance for the Nigerian importation of the aircraft through Caverton Helicopters, which was never consummated or received.”

A dramatic angle was however added to the probe session

by Caverton Helicopters, the firm contracted to facilitate the importation of the aircraft to Nigeria by Rivers State gov-

ernment when it openly denied being part of the deal that finally brought the jet into the country, and also accused the Rivers State government of forging the letter it used in clearing it in the company’s name.

Captain Tosin, however, fired back, as he named one Babajide, the Personal Assistant to Executive Vice Chairman of Caverton, Adeniyi Makanjuola, as working with one Kola to procure letters for request of clearance each time the need arose, but could not also ascertain whether they were officially endorsed by the company.

According to the Minister of Aviation, “the aircraft with registration number N565RS is currently listed on the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration Registry, the registration was issued to ‘Bank of Utah Trustee.’

“Frankly speaking, we do not know the owner of the aircraft or how it came into the country. All documentations before us are doubtful but we will get to the bottom of this.”

But the Secretary to the Rivers State government, George Feyii who led the Attorney-General of the state, Worgu Boms, and Commissioner for Transport, George Fubara Tolofaro in his submissions, said that the aircraft in question “is the property of government of Rivers State and Rivers State remains its owner till date,” as he tendered documents to confirm his assertions.

NEWS 5

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Ladoja sues Tribune for libel, seeks N5b damages From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) and Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo (Lagos) ORMER governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, has taken African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of Nigerian Tribune to Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan over alleged libelous publication against him and demanded N5 billion for damages.

Senator Ladoja, in a writ of summons filed by his counsel, Biodun Abdu-Raheem, dated April 20, 2013, claimed that Nigerian Tribune published a libelous publication against his person in its Monday, March 4, 2013, edition.

According to him, the alleged libelous publication was published on pages 48 and 49 and entitled: “Ladoja and the Purloin of Oyo Treasury,” did not only lower his reputation ‘in the eyes of reasonable members of the public’ but also ‘imputes commission of felonies’ against him.

In the said publication, Ladoja was alleged to have converted the state fund in collusion with his kinsmen and cohorts and shared same among his girlfriends, wives and family members, adding that Ladoja’s ‘aspiration to return to Government House, Agodi, is a direct assault on moral rectitude.’

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Govt orders DISCOs to supply meters to customers

From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja ORRIED by the disharmony in the state of meters supply to electricity consumers in the country, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country to commence immediate supply of meters to those who had previously made payments The Commission has also signed an order mandating the distribution companies to supply meters paid for by customers dating back to January 2011.

Announcing the development in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam

W

Amadi, noted that though the order would ensure meter availability to all those who paid for them from January 2011, consumers who made payments before then but were yet to receive meters would also have their cases addressed.

His words: “It is regrettable that customers paid for meters and were not supplied with same months even years after. This is a double jeopardy considering that meters ought to have been supplied to them free once they paid bills. The Commission had to take January 2011 as deadline for a number of reasons.

Nevertheless we are working on measures to ensure that

customers who paid before January 2011 are metered within the shortest possible time”.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited new metering scheme has finally kicked off in Abuja. The scheme, known as Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation (CAPMI) is expected to immediately facilitate the deployment of meters to electricity consumers and check ‘crazy bills’ following the failure of the ‘free meters’ scheme announced in June last year by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The Presidential Action Committee on Power (PACP), chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, had early March

endorsed it as an alternative funding mechanism for prepaid meters in the country and had directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to commence immediate implementation.

Amadi said the new metering scheme kicked off yesterday with an official order from NERC mandating the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to commence immediate implementation “CAPMI came about due to the slow pace of customer metering by the DISCOs, as well as the high level of complaints received from customers and dissatisfaction with the current estimated billing prac-

NLC VP seeks ‘peace forces’ over killings From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Issa Aremu, yesterday canvassed prompt constitution of “Forces of Peace” in Nigeria towards overriding the “agents of violence” that have in the recent times threatened peaceful coexistence in the country.

Aremu, while bemoaning the state of carnages in some of the northern geo-political zones in Nigeria, said the only solution to the spate of violence in the identified areas was for the Forces of Peace to jointly form a stumbling block against the machinations of those promoting violence.

He spoke yesterday while addressing members of the National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTWN), during a capacity building event at Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin.

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Microsoft, Oracle test holds Saturday ICROSOFT and Oracle test M for the 8th session of UGRL Scholarship Empowerment 2013 programme will hold at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, May 18, 2013, from 9.00 a.m.

According to the Managing Director, UGRL Nigeria, Mr. Sunil Dhanuka, the test, which is an opportunity for individuals who desire the best of IT education to become IT professionals, will be based on general aptitude, intelligence of students, while interviews will be conducted in all UGRL Computer Education & Training Centres for the qualified candidates.

He added that courses to be offered include MCSE on Windows Server 2012, MCSE on Private Cloud, Windows 8, Oracle 11g DBA, Oracle JAVA SE7, among others.

Chief Executive Officer, Dart Nigeria Limited, Chief Arthur Njiwube (left); President Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike and former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, at the Day of Tribute in honour of the late Chinua Achebe at the Nigerian Institute PHOTO: CHARLES of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos OKOLO

Drug suspect withdraws guilt plea, accuses prosecution of coercion • Court strikes out suit over suspect’s death

By Joseph Onyekwere N a mild theatrics at the Iyesterday, Federal High Court in Lagos a suspect, Tobere Wilfred Warri, charged with illegal drug deal, withdrew from his plea of guilt and accused his prosecutors of forcing him to admit the exhibits presented before the court.

The accused took the step after the prosecution for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Orji Kalu, had led in evidence its first prosecuting witness, Aminu Danjuma, a chief narcotic agent in the Lagos office of the NDLEA. In another case, Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday struck out a suit filed by the Federal Government against a drug suspect owing to the death of the suspect.

The judge’s decision was sequel to an application filed by the prosecuting counsel, J.I. Aernan stating that the accused, Modupe Opeyemi, was sick and turned out to be positive on retroviral screening, which also resulted in his death.

The NDLEA prosecuting witness, Danjuma, had testified that on February 5, 2013, the accused person was arrested by security union of

University of Lagos with suspected substance and brought to their office before he was detailed to investigate him.

“In the course of my investigation, I came across the following documents and materials, namely a statement of the suspect, a large sealed brown envelope, 1.5kg of unanalysed exhibit and a drug analysis report”, he said.

Orji then sought the leave of court to tender the materials and documents as exhibit and the trial judge, Okon Abang, admitted them.

After the witness had finished and was re-examined by the prosecutor, the accused suddenly began to crossexamine the witness and asked if he did recover the exhibits from him. He (the accused) said the substances were not recovered from him.

Surprisingly, Danjuma admit-

ted that he did not find any substance on the accused because he was not the one who arrested him. “I did not recover the bulk exhibit from the accused person. It is not true that I said that the accused should admit ownership of the bulk of the exhibit; otherwise, I will torture him.

The judge, as a result of the development, withdrew the guilt plea and adjourned the matter to June 7 for continuation of trial.

tices,” he said.

NERC said CAPMI provides a platform for willing customers to pay the cost of the meter into a dedicated account jointly managed by the DISCO and meter Vendor/Installer. Once payment has been effected, the customer will have their meter installed within 45 days, by a NERC accredited vendor/installer, the Commission assured.

He said the cost of the meters was arrived at using the standard market price plus the most efficient installation costs.

His words: “The DISCOs submitted data based on costs submitted by the DISCOs during the MYTO review, as well as review of prices supplied by local manufacturers. In arriving at a list of meter Vendors and Installers of meters to partake in the CAPMI scheme, NERC followed a comprehensive due process by first advertising, and inviting the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to supervise the process of certification based on the Metering Code.

“Consultations were also held with various stakeholders including preferred bidders, would-be vendors and installers and Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) as well as the financial institutions, to agree on the framework and logistics of implementing the scheme. In selecting successful applicants, the Commission gave emphasis to local firms as a way of localising and promoting local content in the sector”.

NERC had in June 2012 announced that customers were no longer required to pay for electricity meters because the new tariff, at the time, had incorporated the cost of the meter in the fixed charge component of the bill.

NERC has said, however, that the new scheme was designed as an alternative for customers who are willing to advance money to their distribution companies for speedy installation of pre-payment meters.

The Commission said: “This scheme is optional and will not be imposed on customers.

Only those who are willing to advance money for meters may partake in the scheme.

The distribution companies are to implement this scheme until the core investors take over, expectedly by the third quarter of 2013.”

Fuel dealers flee Abakaliki as DPR checks pumps, products adjudged commensurate by (dealers) were still steeped in kerosene.

Some of the affected filling the DPR officials. their old ways of adulteration A customer at the filing staand selling short of the pump- stations that were sealed M included: Mayor Petroleum tion, Mr. Cosmas Okoro, said ing value.

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki OST workers in petrol filling stations in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, yesterday absconded from their service stations following the visit of officials of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to cross-check the pump systems and quality of petroleum products being served the public in the state.

The DPR officials had arrived in Abakaliki in the early hours of the day and began operations at the NNPC mega-station along Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.

While the examination of the dispensing pumps and quality of products at the mega-station did not record any breach, subsequent visits by the team to other private fuel dealers showed that they

The DPR field officers also discovered that some of the filling stations were dispensing fuel above the approved rate, even as others did not display the price lists of their products to evade sanction or citizens’ disapproval.

In less than three hours the operation began, not less than seven filling stations in the city were sealed by the DPR operatives for allegedly selling contaminated products or selling above the Federal Government approved prices.

As a result, commuters, owners of hair-dressing salons, business centre operators and restaurateurs had a hectic time sourcing the premium motor spirit, diesel and

Limited, G. Ede Eagle, Koka Oil Limited, Alphonsus Chima Petroleum Limited, B.O. Nnolum and Sons Limited, Anan Oil and Jezco Oil Nig. Limited.

At Jezco Oil where many customers were buying various petroleum products, buyers expressed disappointment, saying that the common belief among them was that he sold genuine product and did not bother about the N100 per litre pump price.

DPR officials disclosed that their pumps gave less than the value of a normal litre.

However, the situation was different at MRS Filling Station, as both their pumps and fuel quality were

ever since he bought a contaminated fuel from one of the sealed filling stations, he vowed never to patronise it for any reason, pointing out that most fuel dealers in Abakaliki fed on the naivety and timidity of the people and continued to devise sharp practices everyday.

Acting Comptroller in charge of Enugu Office of DPR comprising Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, Mr. Peter Ikechukwu Ijeh, told buyers of petroleum products at the filling stations that the stations were being sealed because the owners fled from their stations after receiving alerts from their colleagues about DPR presence in the state.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

6 | NEWS

China-based Nigerians seek consular office in Guangzhou

By Wole Oyebade O enhance easy access to T travel protocols as required by the host country, Nigerians resident in Guangzhou, China, yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to see to the creation of a consular office in that province.

Their plea, if granted, would reduce their current plight of travelling several hours to Beijing to process travel documents, among others. The group, however, urged President Jonathan not to ignore their plight “like former President Olusegun Obasanjo did” when the matter came up during his visit to China.

A statement by the President of Nigerian Community in China, Basil Ukaere, which was made available to The Guardian yesterday, drew the attention of the Federal Government to their plight in Guangdong, where majority of Nigerians reside or do business, “but have to travel for 24 hours by speed rail and three hours by air to Beijing to process documents because that is where Nigeria’s consular is. ” A Nigerian businessman in China and Chairman of Blue Diamond Logistics, Festus Mbisiogu, reiterated the importance of having Nigerian consular services in Guangzhou, which is a major commercial centre in China with over 30,000 resident Nigerians.

He said the establishment of consular office in the province would boost economic ties with Chinese investors because 80 per cent of Nigerians living in China are in Guangzhou .

Annan launches global initiative to groom young leaders HIS week, the United NaT tions (UN) former Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will begin a series of conversations on critical global issues with young people around the world.

The former UN boss believes the views and concerns of the younger generation on challenges central to their lives and future prospects, such as unemployment and democratic governance, are being ignored, and wants to help them get their message across to national and international decision-makers.

To that end, he will launch the Kofi Annan Dialogues: LIVE today with an online discussion on “Young People and Leadership.” It is ex-

pected to be watched by a global audience that will participate through social media channels.

Over half of the world’s population today is under the age of 30 and are particularly badly hit by global problems such as rising unemployment and insecurity.

Young people are three times more likely to be out of work than adults, yet they have little influence on policies to bring about effective solutions.

According to Annan, “young people today are truly citizens of the world.

Whatever they are working on, whatever their ambitions for the years ahead, they have to think globally -

even when they act locally. Sadly, young people are often overlooked during discussions and decisionmaking at the national and international level.

“They have the power to make choices, step forward and take a role in leadership and advocacy. We must listen to the future leaders of the world and empower them to bring about real and necessary change.”

Dialogues is being organised by the Kofi Annan Foundation, in partnership with One Young World and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It aims to: Provide an unprecedented opportunity for young people to interact with one of the

most experienced global leaders of our time; highlight young people’s ideas and actions to bring about positive change in the world; and enable and empower young people and encourage other high-profile leaders to interact with the leaders of tomorrow.

Dialogues will entail a 90minute live discussion between Annan and six young people from around the world using the video-conferencing platform, Google Hangout. Young people worldwide can join the debate, express their views and ask Annan questions through a range of social media channels.

The dates and themes of

2.4b people will still lack improved sanitation by 2015, says UNICEF OME 2.4 billion people, about one-third of the world’s population, will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF report issued yesterday.

The report, entitled: “Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water 2013 Update,” warns that at the current rate of progress, the 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of reducing by half the pro-

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World will miss MDG target portion of the 1990 population without sanitation, will be missed by eight per cent or half a billion people.

While UNICEF and WHO announced last year that the MDG drinking water target had been met and surpassed by 2010, the challenge to improve sanitation and reach those in need has led to a consolidated call for action to accelerate progress.

“There is an urgent need to ensure all the necessary pieces are in place - political commitment, funding, leadership - so the world can accelerate progress and reach the Millennium Development Goal sanitation target,” WHO director for Public Health and Environment, Dr. Maria Neira said.

“The world can turn around and transform the lives of millions that still do not have access to basic sanitation; the rewards would be immense for health, ending poverty at its source, and wellbeing.”

The report echoed the urgent call to action by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, for

the world community to combine efforts and end open defecation by 2025. And with less than three to reach the MDG deadline, WHO and UNICEF are calling for a final push to meet the sanitation target.

“This is an emergency no less horrifying than a massive earthquake or tsunami,” the global head of UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, Sanjay Wijesekera, said.

“Everyday, hundreds of children are dying; everyday thousands of parents mourn their sons and daughters. We can and must act in the face of this colossal daily human tragedy.”

episodes in the Dialogue series are as follows: Wednesday, May 15 (11 a.m.); Young People and Leadership, Thursday, June 20; Unemployment, Thursday, July 18; Democracy and Elections, Monday, September 9; Education and ICTs, Thursday, October 3: Global Live Dialogue at One Young World Summit in South Africa.

Group hails Reps’ probe of Rivers’ plane grounding From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City CIVIL society coalition, End A Impunity Group (EIG), has commended members of the House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Justice and Aviation for setting up investigative hearing into the grounding of the Rivers State Bombardier B700 Global Express aircraft by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

A statement by a spokesman of the coalition and Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), David Ugolor, which was made available to journalists in Benin City yesterday, hailed the steps taken by the House Committee on the issue.

The group expressed optimism that the committee would unravel the intrigues that characterised the grounding of the aircraft, which left Governor Rotimi Amaechi stranded at the Akure Airport.

Lawyers seek release of abducted Supreme Court justice’s family

By Bertram Nwannekanma AWYERS in Lagos State on Ldemned Monday strongly conthe violent abduction of Mrs. Doyin Rhodes Vivour, wife of Justice Rhodes Vivour of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, his daughter and driver.

The lawyers rued the sad episode, which occurred as the family was preparing for the wedding of their daughter, thereby turning their joy to sorrow. The lawyers, shocked at the development, said it was unfortunate that kidnappers have descended on the temple of justice.

Leading the group was the Chairman of Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani, as well as human rights lawyers, Bamidele Aturu and Ebun Adegboruwa. They appealed to the kidnappers for immediate release of their victims without hurting or traumatising them further, or demanding any ransom, since Justice Vivour and the entire country suffer trauma everyday their hostage lasted.

Ubani said it was frightening and alarming that judges and their family members

were now targets of the kidnappers, adding that the danger this would do to the already battered justice system was better imagined. He called on all government agencies and other relevant stakeholders to arrest this situation.

For Adegboruwa, it is the courts, judges and lawyers that kidnappers and other criminals turn to for their fair trial and freedom, in some cases. According to him, “the cause of youth unemployment, corruption and economic mismanagement lies solely at the feet of those in government and the politicians.

“Judges are very conservative people, they do not appropriate or allocate funds, they don’t administer pension fund or execute projects, they have no private jets and mansions, but rather depend on their meagre salaries which, often times, are paid very late.

“So, most of the judges, like all our youths who turned to kidnapping, are all victims of misgovernance and crass corruption. It will be demoralising to other judges if they have to be kept in a state of fear and trauma of kidnap-

ping.

“It will in turn affect the quality of judgments to be delivered by them and ultimately impact negatively on the democratic template.”

He called on the NBA to urgently dialogue with the relevant government authorities to firm up the safety and welfare of judicial officers.

Meanwhile, Aturu has charged the authorities to do everything in their power to rescue the victims unharmed.

According to him, “truth is that the political elite have lost it completely. The security agencies are merely groping in the dark while anarchy reigns supreme.

“It is amazing that President (Goodluck) Jonathan and his security chiefs are watching idly while Nigeria is parceled among ethno-religious militias of various hues.

“This sort of incompetence, I believe, is unknown to human history. Let no one politicise the madness that is going on in Nigeria, it is not a case of failure of leadership or of the state (as some fancy), but their absence. The state is not failing in Nigeria, nor has it failed, it has vanished. Welcome to warlordism of the most virulent kind.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Benue ex-Speaker condemns govt’s poor handling of Tiv/Fulani crisis From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi ORMER Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. David Iorhemba, has accused the Federal Government of paying lip service in resolving the incessant skirmishes between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the state.

Iorhemba told The Guardian in Makurdi, the state capital, that while thousands of lives have continued to be lost and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the crisis, the Federal Government has remained passive in finding solution to the conflict.

“The way the Fulani people invade our areas is quite alarming, especially this time of the year, the farming season. They should not, by any means, deprive us of our ancestral homes. God has given us this land and we must live on it”, he said He commended Governor Gabriel Suswam and his Nasarawa State counterpart for setting up a joint committee, but added that a white paper on the report of the committee should be released so as to curtail the Fulani marauders’ attacks on the people.

He demanded stationed security at the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa states because the Fulani herdsmen come from the hinterland to attack people inside their villages.

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Knights laud Okiro’s nomination as Police Commission chief

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HE Knights of St. John International (KSJI) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s nomination of former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, as chairman of Police Service Commission, noting that the appointment augured well amid the security challenges in the country.

According to a statement by the Supreme Subordinate Commandery of KSJI Nigeria, its President, Maj.-Gen. Anslem Okafor, said that Okiro’s nomination as chairman of the Commission was a clear indication of President Jonathan’s preparedness to tackle the security challenges in the country given that Okiro was a first-class crime fighter and a former police chief.

In the statement, which was issued in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at the just-concluded West African Summit of KSJI and made available to The Guardian in Lagos, Gen. Okafor stressed that Okiro would bring to bear in his new responsibility his wealth of experience, both as an exCommissioner of Police, Lagos, and IGP of the Federation.

The body further urged Okiro to conscientiously use his experience as a prime crime-fighter to ensure the protection of lives and property. It also called on the National Assembly to expeditiously confirm him and conominees to enable them spring into action for a more proactive, people-oriented and combative Police.

It also called on Okiro and others to ensure equity, justice and fair play in the discharge of their onerous duty, just as they wished him God’s guidance in his new assignment.

NEWS 7

APGA woos aggrieved members, vows to retain Anambra govt From Chuks Collins, Awka N an apparent bid to soothe frayed nerves and assuage bruised egos ahead of the coming gubernatorial election, the embattled All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by its court-reinstated National Chairman, Victor Umeh, has decided to “forgive” all “dissidents who had a hand in the crisis that nearly tore the once-cohesive political party apart in recent time.”

Looking back at the party’s political journey and fortunes so far, Umeh told a gathering of APGA stakeholders across the South-East zone in Ogidi, Idemili-North Coun-

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cil of Anambra State yesterday, that he harboured no malice towards anyone, not even Governor Peter Obi or Sylvester Nwobu-Alor.

However, he pointed out that no one who rides to victory on the party’s crest would be allowed again to maintain any real or imagined larger-than-life image of himself/herself or grow above the party.

The party, he noted, would remain supreme, as he bemoaned the political abomination of some of its leaders against the spirit and vision of the founding fathers of the party by sowing seeds of discord and disunity in the

party. He urged every member to return for the common good.

He pleaded that Obi and his team should concede to the court and return so that they could work together again, since he has only about nine months to bow out. He added: “He, therefore, should leave a good legacy in the party.

“He should not see himself as the party’s champion or its alter ego. Let’s get back together. Let all this confusion stop. I refuse to accept or recognise the purported expulsion of anyone, or the removal of any of the elected executives.”

Meanwhile, when asked about future plans, Umeh said, “to Awka Government House of course. We will not relent; we are going to retain the governorship seat. From the massive turnout today, you can see the actual people who staked their all to make Obi governor twice.

“Many lost their limbs, property, friends and families in order to make him governor, but were abandoned. The wounds are healing. We will win again, as we have crossed all hurdles.”

He further stated that the APGA candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial polls in the state would be “an all

season winner.”

On his part, the Anambra APGA Deputy Chairman, Ifeanyi Udokwu, who hosted the meeting in his countryhome, noted that the large turnout was an indication of the massive support Umeh enjoys.

For the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Goddy Ezenagu, it was part of the reorganisation of the party ahead the forthcoming governorship election.

Monarch seeks upgrading of Ado Poly to degree-awarding status From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado-Ekiti

Court strikes out traffic charge against Lagos lawyer beaten up and subsequently the need to guarantee respect

By Bertram Nwannekanma SPECIAL Traffic, Environ- remanded at the Badagry and the sanctity of the legal Amental and Miscellaneous Prison for three days shortly profession. Oghre, who also Offences Court sitting in after his arraignment before ordered the immediate reAlausa, Ikeja, yesterday struck out a two-count traffic-related charge preferred against a Lagos lawyer, Celestine Nwankwo, by the Lagos government.

The lawyer was arrested by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and men of the state’s taskforce on traffic offence on April 30 at Maryland, along the Lagos/Ikorodu Expressway on allegation of driving on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

Not only was Nwankwo’s car impounded, he was allegedly

one Magistrate Jadesola Akanamoya.

However, he continued to maintain his innocence, stating that he was being maligned to part with some money to the officials. In protest of his arrest and treatment, the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by Taiwo Taiwo, and Nigeria’s oldest lawyer, octogenarian Tunji Gomez, yesterday stormed the courtroom in large number.

The presiding Senior Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghre, however, struck out the charge for

lease of the impounded car, said the charge was struck out with a caveat that the action would not repeat itself.

According to Oghre, her decision was not compelled by the presence of the NBA officials because she had already made up her mind to strike out the charge. She pleaded with the NBA not to take further action on the matter because it would be injurious to members of the legal profession.

Meanwhile, the Lagos NBA yesterday condemned the practice of making legal rep-

resentations optional in special offences courts in the state. According to the chairman, who spoke shortly after the court proceedings, the reaction was elicited by inscriptions boldly written on the wall in four major Nigerian languages that it is optional to engage a lawyer in the special offences courts.

According Taiwo, the action was not only unconstitutional but also unacceptable to NBA, which will take it up with Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

For Pa Gomez, the inscription was abnormal and ran contrary to the constitutional rights of the accused person to seek legal representation of his choice.

NACA warns of increasing mother-to-child HIV transmission From Anietie Akpan, Calabar IRECTOR General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof.

John Idoko, has raised alarm over the sustained increase in mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the country.

Idoko, who spoke on Monday at the opening of a fiveday workshop on resource mobilisation for NACA, SACA, civil society organisations and enhancing Nigeria’s response on HIV/AIDS, organised by the Department for International Development (DFID), noted that the rate “was very alarming and needed to be interrupted.”

According to him, “currently, Nigeria is having about 30 per cent of the burden, the highest in the world.” He identified the treatment of HIV-infected persons as another challenge, because treatment could prevent transmission.

“When you treat someone who is positive, the viral load goes down, then he cannot transmit the virus to his partner,” he explained.

“Currently, we have three million HIV-positive people in Nigeria and half of this number lacks treatment. Treatment is capital-intensive.”

Idoko said that testing was another big challenge, as over 20 million Nigerians needed to be tested every year, adding: “We are only working below 200-300,000. Many people in Nigeria are working the streets with HIV but they do not even want to know.”

The biggest of the challenges is lack of proper funding, he said, “and that is why we are here to address how to mo-

D

bilise all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, states, local councils, civil society organisation and the private sector.”

Nevertheless, he thumbed up Nigeria for making remarkable success in the fight against HIV in the past six years, and for also doing well in the area of funding. He said: “Now we have reached up to 25 per cent funding, that is a remarkable leap

from the 15 per cent before.”

Meanwhile, he pointed out that Nigeria signed an agreement with the United States to continue to support with 50 per cent, but the country was still far from fulfilling that agreement.

On her part, the Programme Officer of the Enhancing Nigeria’s Response on HIV/AIDS, Mrs. Mary Mbukpa, said the workshop became necessary due to the dwin-

dling grants from donor partners. Mbukpa said there was need to mobilise resources from local stakeholders in order to sustain the fight against HIV.

HE Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba RuT fus Adejugbe, has appealed to the Federal Government to upgrade the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, to a degreeawarding institution.

He made the statement yesterday when the institution’s governing council, led by its chairman, Victor Ebomoyi, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Ado-Ekiti. He stated that the institution has enough facilities that could match those in any university, and that its upgrading to higher status was long overdue.

Meanwhile, the governing council also paid similar call on Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, who appealed to it to pay the backlog of taxes owed the state government to fasttrack the development of education and other sectors.

Responding, Rector of the institution, Mrs. Taiwo Akande, pleaded that the state should give the poly concession to renegotiate the tax and allow it to make the payment by installment.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

8

AfricanNews EU to aid rebuilding of Mali with €500m

HE European Union will T pledge to contribute more than 500 million euros ($650

million) to help Malians rebuild their country at a conference of aid donors in Brussels today, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso said.

“Tomorrow (today) we will commit €520m for Mali between 2013 and 2014,” Barroso told reporters on yesterday.

Mali, last week had said it will ask international donors for nearly €2b ($2.6 billion) to

help rebuild the country and try to halt a resurgence of al Qaeda-linked Islamists who were driven out of the major northern towns by a Frenchled offensive.

Paris launched a ground and air operation in its former colony in January to break the Islamist rebel hold on the northern two-thirds of the country, saying the militants posed a threat to the security of West Africa and Europe.

The rapid offensive took back most of the territory seized

by the militants but has failed to stop them from waging a guerrilla war.

On Friday, suspected Islamists carried out three suicide attacks on soldiers from Mali and Niger in northern Mali, wounding a Malian soldier. At least five bombers died.

In a document drawn up for an international donors’ conference in Brussels today, the Malian government said it would be able to finance just over half of a €4.34b plan for

this year and next, but needed help with the rest.

“The international community is greatly needed to finance and implement the plan, up to a level of €1.96b,” the government said in the document, posted in French on the conference web site.

“To get out of the crisis and to begin lasting development,

Mali needs and depends on the technical and financial support of the international community,” it said.

The plan sets out 12 priorities, including keeping the peace, organizing credible elections and fighting corruption.

The conference, organised by France and the European

Union, will aim to raise at least $600 to $700 million, diplomatic sources said.

Billed to attend are Mali’s interim president, Dioncounda Traore, a number of other African leaders, French President Francois Hollande and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Lonmin workers embark on new strike after shooting ORKERS at Lonmin’s W platinum operations in South Africa yesterday em-

Traore

Guinea opposition to renew protests UINEAN opposition leadG ers, yesterday called for renewed protests next week, accusing President Alpha Conde of sabotaging United Nations (UN) mediated talks aimed at ending the impasse over the organisation of a parliamentary election.

The opposition, which accuses the president of attempting to rig the long-delayed election, due to take place on June 30, suspended protests last week to allow the talks to take place.

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 300 others wounded in clashes between opposition supporters, security forces and Conde’s

backers since March.

Aside from being the world’s top producer of the aluminium ore bauxite, Guinea possesses vast untapped reserves of gold, iron ore and diamonds but the long-term political instability has deterred investment.

“We wanted to give dialogue a chance, but we saw that no hand was extended. There was no initiative aiming to calm the situation,” opposition spokesman Aboubacar Sylla told journalists.

He said demonstrations would resume on May 22 and would eventually extend across the West African nation.

barked on a wildcat strike.

The action follows the shooting of a union official at the weekend and has reignited fears of the violence that hit the industry last year.

Last August, 34 miners were shot dead at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine near Rustenburg.

Lonmin, whose shares are listed in London and Johannesburg, is the world third-biggest platinum producer.

News of the strike sent shares in Lonmin down 5% in London during yesterday morning trade.

Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said that all of the company’s 13 shafts were “not operational”.

“Employees arrived at work but did not proceed underground,” she added.

While she said the company had no indication yet as to why the strike was taking place, a spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the strike appeared to stem from anger over the killing at the weekend of an organiser from the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).

‘Occupy Parliament’ protest lawmakers demand for high pay with pigs in Nairobi ROTESTERS in Kenya yesP terday released a pig and about a dozen piglets outside parliament to show their anger at newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) demanding higher salaries.

According to the BBC, the animals licked blood spilled by a protester outside the parliamentary gates in the capital, Nairobi.

The unusual demonstration, organised by civil society groups, was intended to portray the MPs as greedy.

The MPs are demanding a monthly salary of about $10,000 (£6,540).

Kenya’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has recommended that their salaries be pegged at

around $6,300.

Kenya’s MPs are among the highest paid in the world, and their salaries have often triggered controversy.

The average annual salary in Kenya is about $1,700.

‘Tear gas fired’ “We have spilled the blood of the pigs to show that the MPs are greedy like pigs,” said Boniface Mwangi, an organiser of the “Occupy Parliament” march.

He and other organisers were arrested by police, Reuters news agency reports.

Riot police hit protesters and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, which had marched from Nairobi’s Freedom Corner.

The pig and piglets brought in a truck, did not seem to be

affected by the tear gas, and continued licking the blood.

Earlier, protesters blocked MPs from entering parliament and demanded that they sign a petition rejecting a $10,000 salary.

Only one MP signing the petition, though she is not sure he knew what he was signing.

Tuesday’s protest comes just days after newly elected President Uhuru Kenyatta added his voice to the clamour against MPs increasing their pay and allowances, the Standard reports.

Kenya held presidential and parliamentary elections in March.

Parliament is made up of 416 MPs, that is 349 in the National Assembly and 67 in the Senate.

|9

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

WorldReport Russia intercepts CIA agent trying to recruit spy USSIA said yesterday it had caught an American red-handed as he tried to recruit a Russian intelligence officer to work for the CIA, a throwback to the Cold War era that risks upsetting efforts to improve relations.

The announcement came at an awkward time, just days after a visit by United States Secretary of State John Kerry during which, Washington and Moscow agreed to try to bring the warring sides in Syria together for an international peace conference.

The Federal Security Service said Ryan Fogle, a third secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, had been detained overnight carrying “special technical equipment”, a disguise, a large sum of money and instructions for recruiting his target.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul over the case and a Russian television station published photographs, which it said showed Fogle being detained, apparently wearing a blond wig.

A successor of the Sovietera KGB, the FSB said Fogle worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and that he had been handed over to embassy officials at some point after his detention.

R

Cameron faces leadership questions over Europe RIME Minister David P Cameron, yesterday faced questions about his leadership after he buckled to pressure from within the Conservative Party to bring forward draft legislation enforcing a referendum on Britain’s European Union membership.

Just hours after United States President Barack Obama cautioned against rushing towards the European Union (EU) exit, Cameron was forced by a rebellion in his party into

promising a bill that would pave the way for an in-out vote on Europe.

But the more Cameron concedes to his Eurosceptic lawmakers, the more they want, deepening the 25-year battle in his party over Europe and undermining his own chances of leading the party to victory in a general election set for 2015.

Divisions over Europe helped bring down the last two Conservative prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher and John

Major, and many politicians compared Cameron’s position to that of Major whose premiership was driven by rows over Europe.

“There is no way that he (Cameron) can give in any further because he’s undermining his own position,” said Sheila Gunn, who served as spokeswoman to Major.

“Every time he gives in, the socalled rebels who want Britain to get out of the EU very quickly will just ask for something more. It’s unravel-

OUR United States soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province yesterday, the coalition and officials said, a day after three Georgian soldiers were killed in nearby Helmand.

The soldiers were in a vehicle on patrol in Kandahar’s Zhari district when they were killed, provincial spokesman Jawid Ahmad Faisal said.

May has proved particularly bloody for members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which is preparing to withdraw most combat troops by the end of next year.

President Barack Obama will announce how many combat troops the United States will leave after the withdrawal, Secretary of State John Kerry said earlier yesterday.

Many Afghans are eager to know the size of the post-2014 force, fearing chaos and civil war could erupt with no foreign forces in the country, but support for the costly war in ISAF countries is waning.

F

from a promise he made in January to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s EU membership and then hold a referendum by the end of 2017.

But some lawmakers had called for further concessions and media reports said Cameron’s leadership could be challenged.

Potential rivals include London Mayor Boris Johnson and Education Secretary, Michael Gove.

The three eurosceptic Conservative Party leaders who followed Major failed to get into power and Cameron, in his first conference speech as party leader, warned that Conservatives had become too obsessed by Europe.

“While parents worried about childcare, getting the kids to school, balancing work and family life, we were banging on about Europe,” he told the party conference in October 2006.

AP says its reporters, offices phone records were seized by Washington HE Associated Press has T alleged that the United States government secretly seized telephone records of AP offices and reporters for a twomonth period in 2012, describing the acts as a “massive and unprecedented intrusion” into news-gathering operations.

AP Chief Executive Gary Pruitt, in a letter posted on the

Cameron

Four American soldiers killed in Afghanistan

ing the knitting. Every time they pull at that knitting, they unravel a bit, they then ask for something more and now it’s getting to the point where it’s affecting his own position.”

Cameron’s advisers hope the draft bill on an EU vote will end the bickering that has damaged the party’s.

But opponents said that by caving in on such a grave issue, Cameron has lost control of his own party and increased the chances of a challenge to his leadership.

A Downing Street spokesman insisted Cameron was in charge on Tuesday and dismissed the idea that his government was in chaos.

“David Cameron’s weakness has turned a European issue into a leadership issue,” Labour foreign affairs spokesman Douglas Alexander said.

Cameron’s offer of draft legislation marked a climbdown

Putin warns against aggravating Syrian crisis Outrage at rebel shown ‘eating soldier’s heart’ USSIAN President Vladimir R Putin said on Tuesday it was important to avoid actions that might aggravate Syria’s civil war, a veiled warning against foreign military intervention or arming antigovernment forces.

Russia and the United States are trying to bring the warring sides together at an international conference on ending the bloodshed in Syria, but Moscow is concerned that Washington or other countries might arm the rebels.

“In this crucial period it is extremely important to avoid any actions that could aggra-

vate the situation,” Putin said after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. He gave no further details.

Netanyahu did not immediately make clear whether Putin had eased his concerns that Russia is about to deliver an advanced air defense system to Damascus that could undercut the new diplomatic initiative aimed at reaching a political solution.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Russia had no new plans to sell the S-300 missile defense system to

president Bashar al-Assad’s government but left open the possibility they could be delivered under an existing contract.

Meanwhile, a video, which appears to show a Syrian rebel taking a bite from the heart of a dead soldier has been widely condemned.

United States-based Human Rights Watch identified the rebel as Abu Sakkar, a wellknown insurgent from the city of Homs, and said his actions were a war crime.

The main Syrian opposition coalition said he would be put on trial.

The video, which cannot be independently authenticated,

seems to show him cutting out the heart.

“I swear to God we will eat your hearts and your livers, you soldiers of Bashar the dog,” the man says referring to President Bashar al-Assad as he stands over the soldier’s corpse.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Abu Sakkar is the leader of a group called the Independent Omar al-Farouq Brigade.

“The mutilation of the bodies of enemies is a war crime. But the even more serious issue is the very rapid descent into sectarian rhetoric and violence,” HRW’s Peter Bouckaert told Reuters news agency.

European, U.S. retailers split on Bangladeshi reform plan AJOR United States retailM ers, including Gap Inc, declined to endorse an accord on Bangladesh building and fire safety backed by Europe’s two biggest fashion chains, a trans-Atlantic divide that may dilute garment industry reform efforts.

Three weeks after the collapse of a building housing garment factories, which killed more than 1,100 people,

Western brands that rely on Bangladesh to produce clothing cheaply disagreed over how best to ensure worker safety.

Gap yesterday said it was ready to sign on “today” to an agreement already endorsed

by European companies, including Italian clothing retailer Benetton, Britain’s Marks & Spencer, Sweden’s H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB and

Spain’s Inditex SA, but first wanted a change in the way disputes are resolved in the courts.

“With this single change, this global, historic agreement can move forward with a group of all retailers, not just those based in Europe,” Eva Sage-Gavin, an executive in Gap’s global human resources and corporate affairs department, said in a statement.

A series of deadly incidents at

factories, including a fire in November that killed 112 people, has focused global attention on safety standards in Bangladesh’s booming garment industry, the world’s biggest exporter of clothing after China.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world’s biggest retailer, called on Bangladesh to shut one factory and examine another after its own inspections found safety problems.

agency’s website, said the AP was informed last Friday that the Justice Department gathered records for more than 20 phone lines assigned to the news agency and its reporters.

“There can be no possible justification for such an overbroad collection of the telephone communications of The Associated Press and its reporters,” Pruitt said in the letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder.

An AP story on the records seizure said the government would not say why it sought them.

But it noted that U.S. officials had previously said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia was conducting a criminal investigation into information contained in a May 7, 2012, AP story about a CIA operation in Yemen that stopped an al Qaeda plot to detonate a bomb on an airplane headed for the United States.

Five reporters and an editor involved in that story, were among those whose phone numbers were obtained by the government, the AP said.

The disclosure threatened to set off a confrontation between free press advocates and the Obama administration, which has aggressively pursued national security leaks.

“It’s alarming given the scale of it,” said David Schulz, an attorney with Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz who is representing the AP. “This is a massive intrusion into the news gathering operation of one of the largest news organizations in the U.S. People should be concerned.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, which notified the AP of the seizure, issued a statement on Monday saying it was “careful and deliberative” when dealing with issues around freedom of the press.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

10

Politics Govt needs to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy, says President Jonathan Governors, political office holders continue in office Being address by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, on the declaration of a State of Emergency yesterday in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, in order to restore public order, public safety and security in the affected States of the Federation.

Dear compatriots, T has become necessary for me to Iterrorist address you on the recent spate of activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians, including members of our security forces.

• The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa State is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.

The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North.

• We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilise the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.

• Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups, which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno State have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.

• These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country.

In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

• They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we

President Jonathan

will not tolerate this.

• Previously, we adopted a multitrack approach to the resolution of this problem through actions, which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.

• We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.

• Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.

• While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this

country in any part of the country they choose to reside.

• We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

• Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

• Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

• This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.

• The details of this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

• I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds.

We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

• I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplo-

matic channels, as done in the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.

• Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.

• I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice.

No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

• I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

POLITICS 11

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

History of state of emergency during civil rule

Obasanjo

Balewa

Akintola

Majekodumi

By Seye Olumide and Tunde Akinola (With Agency Reports) EFORE President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three states in the North yesterday, there had been four of such declarations in the country during civilian administrations.

The first emergency rule was declared in 1962 in the Western Region, as a way of resolving the crisis that threatened the government of the Action Group (AG) in the region.

The Federal Government then appointed Dr. Moses Majekodunmi as the Sole Administrator of the region.

The crisis began when the government of Western Nigeria removed the then Premier, Chief S.L.A Akintola and replaced him with Chief Dauda Adegbenro.

Following the convening of the Western House of Assembly where a vote of confidence was passed on Chief Adegbenro’s government, Chief Akintola’s supporters in the House uproar, forcing the Police to disperse members with tear gas.

According to media reports, the confusion arose because both Akintola and Adegbenro made

B

Dariye

claims to the Premiership of the region.

Thus, the Federal Parliament, in exercise of its powers under the Constitution of 1960, declared a state of emergency in Western Nigeria and approved the appointment of Majekodunmi as administer of the region.

Although there were volatile issues in the Second Republic, the Shehu Shagari civilian government of the day did not resort to the use of emergency rule.

However, the return to civil rule in 1999 has witnessed some serious security challenges, “that threatened its peace and unity.”

“Consequently, some of its past leaders have been forced to invoke section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended in 2011), which empowers the President to declare emergency rule whenever the peace of the country is threatened.”

On Tuesday, May 18, 2004, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared an emergency rule in Plateau State, following a sectarian crisis that claimed hundreds of lives and left many homeless.

Major General Chris Alli, former Chief of Army Staff, was directed to

Alli

take over the affairs of the state for a period of six months, with a mandate to end the strife and restore order.

This declaration also effectively removed the governor of the state, Chief Joshua Dariye from power, in apparent violation of the Constitution under Section 305.

Addressing to the nation, Obasanjo said the decision to impose a state of emergency in Plateau State was based on the collective desire to strengthen the country’s democratic practice, institutions and values.

“This decision would, without doubt, enhance security as well as protect the stability and corporate existence of our nation for which many have died,” he said.

“It is my hope and prayer that this six-month period will be used by the administrator and all peace-loving people in and outside the state to bring peace and join hands to promote democratic values and enshrine the values of transparency, accountability, social justice, love, good neighbourliness and good governance.”

Obasanjo also declared an emergency rule in Ekiti State on Thursday, October 19, 2006, and appointed

Fayose

retired Major General Tunji Olurin as Administrator of the state.

The former president said his action was “to ensure that peace and orderliness return to the state.”

He told the nation that the emergency rule would last for six months in the first instance. While the state House of Assembly was suspended, the governor Ayodele Fayose was removed from power.

Even the volatile situations in the Niger Delta under Obasanjo, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and now President Jonathan did not merit declaration of emergency rule.

However, owing to unwarranted killing of innocent people, including security personnel by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, President Jonathan declared partial emergency rule in some local government troubled local government areas in the North in early 2012.

The president declared an indefinite state of emergency in four states, which would all allow security agencies there to make arrests without proof and conduct searches without warrants. He also ordered the closure of international borders near the affected areas.

Olurin

They included parts of northeastern state of Yobe and the central states of Plateau and Niger, all hit by the Christmas Day attacks that left at least 42 people dead.

The president also declared a state of emergency in parts of the northeastern state of Borno, a stronghold of the feared Islamic sect.

“What began as sectarian crises in the northeastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security,” the president said. “(The state of emergency) means extra powers to security agencies in those areas,” said then National Security Adviser Owoye Azazi, who also told journalists in Abuja that, it (emergency) would last “until the situation improves.”

Jonathan also said Saturday that he had directed top security officials to set up a special counterterrorism unit to fight the growing threat posed by Boko Haram.

“Terrorism is a war against all of us,” Jonathan said, adding, “I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

12

TheMetroSection Ejigbo: Flood without end...

Briefs Kehinde Idemudia, 65, passes on

• Residents lament incessant flooding, seek better drainage works from govt

HE death has occurred of T Kehinde Cletus (Kaycee) Idemudia According to a fam-

By Tope Templer Olaiya Assistant Lagos City Editor AFTER series of repeated warnings by government agencies announcing severe rainfall in most parts of the country this season, Lagosians are beginning to experience the impact of a few days of downpour, which is flooding and its impact on the state of roads.

For most parts of the state on lowplain areas that have been categorized by the state government as disaster zones, residents are beginning to adjust to another few months repeated displacement owing to flooding.

In Ejigbo, which is not among those listed by government as “high risk”, the torrents of rainfall Iyana Ejigbo junction...still flooded in the last few days and flooding of terday, men of the Environmental major streets that have refused to Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) ebb away is catching residents un- from the Ministry of Environment were working to de-flood the area aware.

While water is known to find its and de-silt the drainage after last level and recede few hours after weekend’s round of rains.

The road from Egbe Road to Ronik downpour, the situation at Iyana Ejigbo junction, Ailegun Street, Oke School gate on Ailegun Street has Itunu and some parts of Idimu been impassable since Friday and have been different. These areas re- parents are already considering main waterlogged days after any shutting the school for a week to rainfall and when there seems to be allow the Ejigbo Local Council Derespite, another round of down- velopment Authority (LCDA) carry pour exacerbate the situation and out palliative measures to put the worsens residents’ plight. road back in good shape.

The situation at Oke Itunu in When The Guardian visited the flooded Iyana Ejigbo junction yes- Ejigbo is not any different, as resi-

dents of the area have opted to parking their vehicles away from home to reduce the damage the road might cause to their vehicles.

Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Kehinde Bamigbetan, however, said work is ongoing to make the rainy season crisis-free in the area. On what needs to be done to address the problem of flooding at Iyana Ejigbo, the major artery in the council area, he said his administration is complementing the work done by the state Ministry of Environment.

“Our men will resume the de-silting of drains between Iyana Ejigbo

and the junction of Powerline and Kayode Street. They will break the culvert at the junction of Powerline to ensure the drain from Iyana Ejigbo slopes towards Ori-Oke canal, so that future rainwater would not collect at Iyana Ejigbo or flow over to Ailegun Street to submerge houses,” he said.

Other concerted efforts the council is employing to curb the incidence of flood in Ejigbo include sensitization of residents on the need to desist from dumping refuse into the drains and gutters around them, and the need to regularly clear the drains on their streets.

The council chairman stated that his administration has concluded arrangement to disburse the sum of N2, 960,000 to the 74 CDAs on Friday as grant to clear the drainages on their streets. He added that each of the CDAs will receive N40, 000 to carry out the exercise. He explained further that the council would monitor the exercise in order to ensure that the CDAs make judicious use of the fund.

Bamigbetan admitted that Ejigbo is a flood-prone area because the community is surrounded by a stream and many residents have failed to obey physical planning laws by building houses on water channels and rights of way.

Descendants remember Pa Theophilus Oni on May 17 LOT of questions were A being asked by the grandchildren of the late Chief Theophilus Adediran Oni (1913 – 1975), especially those born after his death on February 15, 1975. They wanted to know more about this great man, they wanted stories shared, they wanted to know why he was such a great man, they needed to know his legacies and so on. This clamour gave birth to the first T. A. Oni Grandchildren Reunion 2006, themed: “Knowing Ourselves and the Legacies” on December 15-16, 2006. It was indeed a successful one attended by the children and Grandchildren of Theophilus Adediran Oni. Now, seven years after, the 2nd T. A. Oni Grandchildren Reunion 2013 themed “ Celebrating 100 years of a Great Man will take place on May 17- 18, 2013. This will also commemorate his posthumous 100th Birthday. We have a new website: www.taonidescendants.co m The descendants’ hope is tha’t this reunion will give the grandchildren the bonding legacy that granddaddy left for his children, which will eventually pass on to the greatgrandchildren who already feel part of this great T. A. Oni family.

His life and times

In 1945 T.A. Oni resigned after a 15-year career guided by experts- Executive Grade 1 Engineers- Messrs.’ D.M. Maclaughlin, T. Warring Shaw and a Nigerian Eng G.O. Akinyemi.

While at PWD, he enjoyed the confidence of both workmen and senior officers. He resigned from service, recognising little prospect of further promotion, without academic qualification. He also had a vision of prosperous business in road construction in which he had gained a lot of valuable experience.

On March 14, 1946, T.A. Oni & Sons (Civil & Building Construction Company) opened doors for business on Oyo Road, Ibadan, with a staff of four, Messrs.’ T.A. Oni, A. Akinwunmi, T.A Jaiyeola and Augustine Olaomito.

Some of the major construction works executed

by T.A. Oni & Sons include, among others, Parliament Members House, Ikoyi, Nigeria Army 5 Pairs of semi-detached, EbuteMetta; Traumatic Block, Igbobi, Hospital; NEPA Flats, Ikoyi, Lagos; WAEC Staff Quarters, Yaba, Control Center, Osogbo, Niger Dams Authority; University Of Benin Staff Quarters; University Of Lagos Staff Quarters; Shikatu Road, Benue State; New Bussa Settlement; Domestic Wing, MMA; Tejuosho Market, Lagos, to

Oni mention just a few.

T. A. Oni was a family man with eight wives from almost all parts of the country and beyond and 35 children.

His first family house was built in Oke Ado Ibadanlarge enough to accommodate his growing family.

He subsequently built another one along Ring Road in 1965 and named it Goodwill House.

Pa Oni`s main focus was his children. He applied a rather unique method to the upbringing of his children. He recognized the influence mothers might have on their children, especially in a polygamous home. Hence, mothers were separated from children. At the age of six, children were taken from their mothers and upbringing was centralized

in the boarding house (a.k.a Boarder). The boarding house-system evolved in the family premises.

There was a dormitory, the boys occupied the ground floor and the girls occupied the first floor, every child or a group of children mentored by an older person. Late Mrs. Williams and then Mrs. John were employed as matrons.

T.A Oni was a great philanthropist. His philanthropy was not limited to his lifetime, even in death he continued to show his love for his community. He willed his residence – Goodwill House- to be used as a Paediatric Hospital by Oyo State/Western State Government. Today his residence, now known as Chief T.A Oni Memorial Children Hospital in Ibadan, is one of the few dedicated children’s hospital in Nigeria.

He was also a socialite, a member of various clubs such as, West African Club, Ibadan Recreation Club, Lagos Island Club etc. He was the Balogun of OkeImesi and the Bada of Igbajo. He had friends from all races, and background and frequently hosted parties for guests- friends, business associates, Governors etc on his balcony in Goodwill House. His social attitude endeared him to his friends and administrators.

Accepted and respected in

Okemesi and Igbajo communities- through his philanthropic gestures and closeness to his father and mother’s hometowns. He built and constantly maintained the roads in and around Okemesi. The first Grammar School (Okemesi Grammar School) was also built and furnished. All these were done free of charge. It came as no surprise that his son, the late Oba Edward Adedoja Oni became the Owa Ooye of Okemesi- Ekiti. Three of his children were also made Chiefs in Okemesi and Igbajo.

T.A Oni also had other business interests. He invested and was invited to be the Chairman of African Prudential Insurance. He was a founding father of International Breweries with his good friends Dr Lawrence Omole and Chief Isaac Ajanaku. He was on the Board of Fan Milk, Chairman of Blackwood Hodge, Oat International Foundation Engineering, Fadu Engineering and Fadu Stores.

Quoting William Shakespeare, late Chief Bola Ige, Executive Governor, Oyo State, once said about him: “His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world: this was a man indeed, a man whose life was well lived and utilised.”

ily source, he died on Friday, May 3, 2013, at the age of 65.

He attended Eweka Memorial Primary School (1953-59) and Immaculate Conception College, Benin-City (1960-64).

He obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in French (1971) from University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Advance Diploma in French Language and Civilization (1974) from the University of Paris IV, Paris, France; and Master’s degree in French Literature (1976) from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.

I He is survived by his wife, Awele Idemudia, two sons (Omorogbe and Erharuyi), twin brother (Dr. Taiwo Idemudia), and sisters (Madam Helena Idemudia, Mrs Grace Enobakhare, Nosakhare Beyor, Anthonia Beyor and Juliet Beyor).

Programme for Idemudia’s funeral would be announced by the family shortly.

Govt launches Code of Conduct for private employment agencies ERMANENT Secretary, FedP eral Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, will tomorrow in Lagos, launch the Code of Conduct for Private Employment Agencies in Nigeria, at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, (NECA) House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

He will be assisted by local and international dignitaries including the DirectorGeneral of NECA, the International Labour Organization, ILO, Director for West Africa, the European Union, E.U, Representative, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Representative, Captains of Industry and Chief Executives of Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN).

A statement by HuCaPAN, President and General Secretary, Neye Enemigin and Roselyn Onolaja, said HuCaPAN was very passionate about the Code of Conduct, as among other reasons, that it would help to self-regulate every Licensed Private Employment Agency/Labour Contractor in Nigeria.

ISIS plans expansion HE Marketing Executive of T ISIS Gaming Ltd.Miss Okharedia Otibho,has said the lottery company is planning to expand its retail networks to all major supermarkets, malls, fastfood restaurants, cinemas and retail outlets in Lagos.

Speaking at a press conference recently, Otibho said the expansion process was a development of its alternate market that included students, workers, among others.

Otibho said Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms would be used in the scratch and win game.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, May 10, 2013

METRO

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Photonews

Wife of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed (right)during her investiture as the Garkuwan Mata (protector of women) of Jiwa, Abuja by the Chief of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa at his palace... at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Chancellor / Wakili Adamawa, Alhaji Hassan Adamu (left), Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and Prof.

Cyprian Onyeji during the conferment of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration on Akpabio by the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu…

Kidnappers demand N50m ransom over 80-year-old woman From Niyi Bello, Akure HE kidnappers who abducted an 80-year -old Mrs. Olufunke Olatubora, mother of Remi Olatubora, former Ondo State Commissioner of Education, has put a N50 million ransom on her head.

The octogenarian was dragged from her bed while sleeping at about 1.00 a.m. last Sunday by a six-man gang at her Iyansan riverside home in Irele Local Council of the state.

It was gathered yesterday that the kidnappers had started negotiating with the family.

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A source in the family said: “The kidnappers had started discussing with the family.

The amount they are demanding for is too much “There is no way we can raise such a huge sum now. We are after the wellbeing of our mother. They should be humane enough to free her” However, the former commissioner, who spoke on telephone with The Guardian expressed confidence that his mother would regain freedom soon.

He did not comment on whether he had established contacts with the kidnappers or whether they had made any demand as ran-

som.

He said:“We are believing in God that they will release her soon.“ Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, has reassured the Olatubora’s family that the security agents would soon secure the release of their aged mother.

Ogodo told journalists in Akure that detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department had started investigation on the case.

He also expressed confidence that the hoodlums would be apprehended in due course.

The Olugbon of Lagos, Senator Anthony Adefuye (left), the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande, the ministerin-charge of C&S Salem Evangelical Mission, Superintendent Apostle Abraham Odele, the first military governor of Lagos State, Mobolaji Johnson and his wife, Olufunmilayo Johnson, during the celebration of 50th golden jubilee anniversary of the Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Nigeria and Overseas Salem Evangelical Model Parish at Ilupeju. PHOTO: ADEBISI OLONADE

Employment scam: Man defrauds blind teacher of N830,000 From Abosede Musari, Abuja BLIND teacher, Mrs. Mary Rose Ihekanacho, has been defrauded of N830,000 over an employment scam allegedly executed by a 33-yearold man, Gift Onyegam.

Information from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated that the victim was deceived through calls purportedly by a former acquaintance, Patrick Abah, a fellow she met during her National Youth Service Corps in 2009, into making the payments to enable her secure employment for her son with Shell Petroleum Company in Port Harcourt.

The commission stated on Monday that both Mary and the arrested suspect, live in Enugu.

Patrick, according to Commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had asked if Mary Rose would like to work with Shell in Port Harcourt as Shell was recruiting. Mary said she would like him to give the job

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to her son and the fraudster promised to assist her through his in-law, Okoh Ayabaye, an engineer with Shell.

She was then asked to pay N830, 000; into two accounts: a First Bank Account belonging to Okoh Ayabaye and a Diamond Bank Account belonging to Alamabo Teneilabe.

“It dawned on her that she had been duped when the job was not forthcoming after the payment had been made.

Consequently, she petitioned the EFCC”, the EFCC said in a statement.

The anti- graft agency launched its investigations, which culminated in the arrest of one of the account owners, Alamabo Teneilabe.

Teneilabe, however, claimed he knew nothing about the fraud. He said he only gave his account number to his colleague, Gift Onyegam, who told him that he needed

Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos... after a recent rainfall

the account to enable his sister remit some money to him as Diamond Bank was the only bank operating where she lived.

He claimed he acquiesced to the request after Gift promised to give him N3,000 from the money he expecting from the sister, that he never knew he was going to use his account for any fraudulent purpose.

Teneilabe’s arrest paved the way for Gift Onyegam’s arrest.

Gift confessed to having committed the fraud, according to EFCC. “ He admitted getting Mary Rose Ihekanacho’s details from the NYSC’s Year Book and presenting himself as Abah Patrick when he spoke Human Resources and Administration Manager, Jusrite Superstores,Yetunde Ibukunolu (left), Managing Directo Mary Rose Ihekanacho”.

“Gift also admitted to have re- tor/Chief Executive Officer, Tosin Aderinwale and General, Manager, Boye Fejuku at the press briefing on the ‘2013 Justrite Chop Life Promo’ in Lagos ...on Monday PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI ceived the sum of N830,000 from Ihekanacho to give her employment and that he used the money to purchase a bus, which according to him, got burnt after about three months”, the EFCC said.

Victor Fagbemi Street, Aboru after the rain on Monday

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

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TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011) Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial Where are the teachers?

LETTER

IGERIA needs to recruit 200,000 qualified teachers if the country is to meet the Universal Basic Education For All goal by 2015!

Although it came at a most auspicious time, when the abysmally poor results of the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) were released, sign-posting the dire straits in which the nation’s education is, this verdict by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) certainly understates Nigeria’s problem in education and how to fix it.

First, for the deplorable state of primary school education in the country, this figure is a huge underestimation. Besides, in the ranking of professional aspirations of many people, especially of young Nigerians, a career as a primary school teacher is not one of the most attractive. Where, then, would the teachers come from?

According to the report titled “Global Demand for Primary Teachers – 2012 Update: Projections to Reach Universal Primary Education By 2015”, made available by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), Nigeria falls into the category of 114 countries that would need to create 1.7 million new teaching positions in order to accommodate the growing demand for primary education.

This is in addition to the recruitment of another 5.1 million to make up for the shortfall caused by retirement, illness, job-change; thus making a total of 6.8 million teachers that should be recruited by 2015 to provide adequate education to all school-age children.

Of the 1.7 million new teaching positions envisaged, sub-Saharan Africa is required to create 993,000 (almost one million), while nine countries in the region will need to recruit more than 10 per cent of their current teaching workforce to provide Universal Basic Education.

Lamentable though it seems, Nigeria’s current condition in primary education should challenge both the leaders and the led not just to moan but to reevaluate the nation’s values and priorities.

The nobility and age-long prestige attached to the teaching profession spells out its paramount importance as the nursery for civilization. The task of forming and passing on the traditions, mores, laws and the totality of all that constitutes civilization, in short, the destiny of a people, are reposed in the teacher. Because of the utmost importance of the responsibilities attached to duties of teachers, teaching is rightly viewed as a calling that “requires special qualities of mind and heart, most careful preparation and a constant readiness to accept new ideas and to adapt the old”.

However, owing to an overpowering disorientation that venerates instant gratification and personal material benefits, there is low premium on and contemptuous disposition towards certification in education and teacher training education in general. This is a tragedy that Nigeria must work to reverse.

Since it is the duty of the state to ensure that all the citizens have access to ample basic education in order to safeguard this right to adequate primary education, the state should be vigilant over teachers training and the standard of teaching. The UNESCO challenge to Nigeria’s primary educational system also provides the opportunity for managers of the education sector to change tack and do better.

Because no human person is so inflexible that he or she cannot adapt to new experiences, a trainable class of primary school teachers could emerge from the mass of disoriented unemployed graduates if the right thing is done. It is trite knowledge that majority of Nigeria’s unemployed graduates are where they are partly because of the absence of proper career guidance. The UNESCO challenge is also another chance for optimum capacity-building by isolating graduates who have the aptitude and calling for the teaching profession. Such an endeavour, which could take the form of an intensive programme, based on national needs assessments and in consonance with the global best practice in the teaching profession, should be carried out to prepare aspiring teachers for the task ahead. Thereafter, an adequate distribution of these trained persons should be judiciously effected throughout the country.

The task of creating respectability for teachers’ education also lies in the hands of tertiary institutions training teachers. Basic education is the bedrock of a society’s intellectual development, and like the foundation of any edifice, it should neither be toyed with by the expert nor be abandoned to charlatans and quacks. In this regard, Colleges of Education should not be seen as an institution where dullards, never-do-wells are forced into to grudgingly acquire a certificate in education. In the same manner, Education departments in the universities must not be used by university administrators and racketeers as dumpsites for desperate and frustrated would-be matriculants.

Ill-prepared for, and hardly ever motivated by the imposed course of study, many students end up graduating only to become a liability on the society.

All those who cherish the paramount importance of primary education as the foundation of manpower development in Nigeria or any society for that matter should spare some quality resources. This can then be invested in teachers’ education and remuneration to make the vocation attractive to the best and the brightest. This is the way to ensure that the foundation of the nation’s educational development is laid by the best hands.

IR: It appears my worst fear SUnified has just been confirmed. The Tertiary Matriculation

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UTME, irregularities and allied issues Examination (UTME) is, after all, no respite zone for students seeking admission into higher institutions in Nigeria. I am asking what hope there is for the over 1.7 million candidates who sat for the examination on Saturday, April 27. Suffice it to say that with the shocking statement by the Federal Government that of the 1,735,720 students that registered, only 520,000 will get admission, we are in for some troubling times. What message is this intended to be for admission seekers? To get ready to hang themselves should they fail the examination or pass and not get admitted? Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai, blamed this on “the low carrying capacity of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria.” Was that not an issue to thrash out before going on politically motivated changes of the names of federal universities?

It will be largely unfair for me not to acknowledge and appreciate the innovations of the Professor Dibu Ojerinde-led Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB). A number of improvements are noticeable. First, the distribution of examination materials to students in the examination hall is a good one. This has to a large extent prevented the hoarding of these materials by some banks or sales centres and be fair as well to all students through uniform use of same

materials, e.g. calculator.

Another improvement is the biometric verification of candidates. This has brought a sharp drop in the incidence of impersonation and similar malpractices. Now you can be sure that the candidate who registered is the same person writing the examination. In the same vein is the merging of the PCE and UME examinations to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of scarce resources.

JAMB cannot afford to relax.

The exercise is still rife with irregularities that push the motion for its scrapping. There is more to be done to prove the integrity of the body. Otherwise, how would one explain the fact that many students were seen scribbling answers in small sheets before the examinations started? Some corrupt officials must have smuggled copies of the question papers for unscrupulous purposes. Even though the questions are in various types, students can still find a way around this system. The scandalous representation of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in national newspapers recently due to leakage of its examination questions should have been a tip to the JAMB leadership to guard against the trend, but it was not so. There is also a lot that needs be done as regards security at examination centres. Fraudsters who parade themselves as examination officials and security personnel, only to sell answers could be fished out right away.

Moreover, there were errors in the printing of some of the question papers. For example, the English paper type B that was brought to a major centre in Abuja (with thousands of candidates) did not have question number 22. Also, question numbers 83-86 were missing.

Would students be marked down for questions they did not answer? I called the attention of an invigilator to this but he asked that random options be chosen to fill in the spaces in the OMR sheet. What a ridiculous idea! If students have to fail an examination, the errors in printing of question papers should be the least contributing factor.

In another centre in Lagos, candidates were given barely three hours for a three and a half hours examination. This is largely due to the fact that the students who have “settled” the invigilators were done writing the supplied answers and the few who are abiding by the principle of examination honesty are considered too negligible to be given the stipulated time for the examination.

Another issue is the unnecessary delay that precedes the kick-off of the examination. As much as I do not campaign for the discontinuation of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, I also do call for reconstructive strategies to be adopted to trim the excesses in the smooth conduct of the exercise.

• Joshua Oyeniyi, Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

BUSINESS 15

Business CompuLife P25

MaritimeWatch P36

Phone makers swoop on Nigeria’s device market

‘Graft channels in maritime sector to be made public’

World Bank expresses shock as Nigeria shuns $450m PPP facility From Mathias Okwe, (Asst.

Bussiness Editor, Abuja) S the Federal Government struggles to manage its wide budgetary deficits owing to dwindling revenue, top functionaries in Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) have rejected offers of alternative financing for infrastructural projects from the World Bank through any form of Public,

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Private Partnership (PPP).

This indication emerged yesterday when the World Bank expressed shock that the Nigerian Government has refused to draw down on a $450 million facility meant to institutionalize the operations of a PPP regime in Nigeria.

Specifically, the facility according to the bank would assist the country in reducing the cost of infrastructure

financing; channel available resources to key social needs that could directly affect the welfare of Nigerians as well as drastically reduce the country’s high debt portfolio which at the moment stands cumulatively at $48.496 billion an equivalent of N7.554 trillion as at end December 2012, according to the Debt Management Office figures.

The Guardian learnt that most of the debt instruments

were reportedly contracted to fund projects in the Budgets that private funds could do under a viable PPP regime.

World Bank Sector Manager, Finance and Private Sector Development (Western & Central African countries), Paul Noumba who expressed the Bank’s shock said the faculty has been lying fallow for the past three years, signifying the lack of interest of government in the PPP regime

that was introduced by the late President Musa Yar’Adua Administration.

Noumba made the position of the World Bank known yesterday, when he led a team to the Bureau of Public Enterprises ( BPE) to lay the Bank’s frustration and to find out from the BPE which of the Nigerian Government agency was appropriate to domicile the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Public/ Private Partnership Projects (PPPs) in Nigeria, The Guardian, yesterday, learnt from sources close to the World Bank and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission ( ICRC), the PPP regulatory body in Nigeria that part of the seeming failure of the ICRC pioneer DirectorGeneral , Dr. Mansur Ahmed to deliver on his mandate was

allegedly masterminded by the MDAs functionaries who effectively ‘blocked ‘ their projects from the ICRC for preparation and execution under the PPP window and insisted that the projects be funded direct from Government’s allocation where they would have total control of resources and award for the projects.

The World Bank source who asked not to be named yesterday said: “It is really disturbing that the Nigerian Government with a huge infrastructure deficit appears not to be interested in PPP which could save her a lot of money to tackle other challenges. The Government has even frustrated even the World Bank’s attempt to collaborate with them on some projects to set example on the benefits of a PPP.

Stakeholders seek legislation for telecoms interception

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Federal Government’s T plan to intercept telephony services in Nigeria

Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank Fidelity Bank Plc, IK Mbagwu (left); Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Reginald Ihejiahi, Anchor, Fidelity SME Focused Radio Programme “The Fidelity SME Forum”, Martin Udogie and Division Head, Managed SMEs and Consumer Sales Force, Ken Opara, at the official launching of the bank’s managed SMEs business and SME focused Radio Programme, in Lagos, yesterday.

U.S. plans $250m fertilizer plant in Edo From Alemm-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City PPARENTLY impressed by the infrastructural development and financial discipline in the administration of the state, the Consul-General of the United States to Nigeria, Jeffry Hawkins has disclosed plans by the United States government to establish a $250 million fertilizer plant in Edo State.

During a courtesy call on the governor, Adams Oshiomhole and later inspection of projects in the state, the Consul-General said the $250 million fertilizer plant is being planned by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation of the United State Government.

“We are here because we are

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. Court stops government from selling water pipes proud that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation of the US government is involved with the Green Petrochemical Company which is making a $250 million investment and we are happy that this important fertilizer plant will have the support of the United States Government. It will create about one thousand five hundred jobs. That is something we are hoping to take a look at when we are here.

“The United States have had a long relationship with you way back before your time in politics and your activities as one of Nigeria’s premier labour leader and we are very happy to continue with that relationship.

“We are happy that people of

your state obviously think highly of you and your reelection is what we in America call landslide. You are someone many people point to when answering the question who is the most effective governor in Nigeria, often the answer is Comrade Adams Oshiomhole”, he added.

On his part, Oshiomhole thanked the United State government for the planned investment in the state noting that “We trust we can count on your support.

“I am happy for the good news, that a US agency is supporting a fertilizer plant here and this shows the confidence and we are happy about that. We are also able to attract one of Nigeria’s foremost investors, Dangote

group, and they are constructing a factory somewhere in Edo North behind the bank of the river Niger.

That is the largest fertilizer plant in this part of the continent.

“In addition, we also believe that we can easily be a hub for power generation, supply and distribution if the Federal Government gets its policies right. Strategically located we have gas which is the resource for power generation. We realize that building institutions rather than strong men, we are already looking at Edo state after my tenure,” he added.

The Governor maintained that, “we think we can strengthen institutions regardless of the character of the person. We are making investment in ICT, trying to deepen transparency and

should be done by legislation and not regulation.

Leading this charge in Lagos, yesterday, at a oneday Review of the Draft Policy of Lawful Interception, organised by Joint Action on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD), an umbrella body of technology media practitioners, former minister of the Federal Capital Teritorry (FCT), Abuja, Mallan Nasir el-Rufai, said lawful Interception should be by legislation and not by regulation as it is currently being proposed.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), had in February came up with a draft policy, which empowers government security agencies to tap the communications of citizens. el-Rufai called on the NCC to review the draft policy on Lawful Interception meant to monitor telephony communications such as phone calls, short message services (SMS) and chat messages, stressing that this will make it appropriate and appealing to the country.

The former FCT minister,

who was the guest speaker, said “Lawful interception is necessary but in the mould of Electronic Privacy Act as it is done in other countries.

You must get a warrant from a judge before your communications is monitored. We should never allow any law or regulation to give government blank cheque to monitor citizens’ emails, phone calls, SMS without probable cause.”

“What is wrong with the government going to national assembly saying we have problem, we need a solution. We should never allow a police commissioner eavesdrop on your conversation without probable cause and legal backing. In any part of the world, this thing has never been done by regulation alone,” said elRufai.

The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adeshina, said under lawful Interception, communication can be intercepted by law enforcement agencies, regulatory or administrative agencies, intelligence services in accordance with the law. “Most countries of the world have lawful interception requirements.

There are usually concerns of LI. If we have such in Nigeria it is only natural.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

16 BUSINESS

How World Bank seeks to raise human capital ind ex in developing countries

IMF President, Christine Lagarde

Fiscal policy, equity and long-term growth in developing countries were the major focus of this year’s spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund [IMF]. BUKKY OLAJIDE was there.

HE key standing commitT tee of the World Bank Group have identified with the vision of the president, which seeks to reduce poverty massively among the population of people living on $1.25 per day in the developing nations of the world by atleast three per cent between now and year 2030.

Participants at this year’s Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, equally outlined an ambitious agenda in this regard, suggesting a two-pronged approach to tackling the menace.

To them, the first step should be promotion of shared prosperity by fostering income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population in every country.

The second goal, implies sharing prosperity across generations, and that calls for bold action on climate change.

A new analysis of extreme poverty released by the World Bank recently, showed that there are 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty (21 percent of the developing world population in 2010) and despite recent impressive progress, Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for more than one-third of the world’s extreme poor.

World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, no doubt, believes that the world could end extreme poverty within a generation, but this would be much harder than most people realized. He believes that he will take ingenuity, focus, commitment, and visionary leaders. ‘’But if we succeed, we will have accomplished one of mankind’s most historic accomplishments,’’ he said.

The yearly meetings are traditionally held in Washington every two years of three and to reflect the international character of the two institutions, while the third year’s delibera-

tions hold in a member country. In addition to the meetings of the Boards of Governors, the Development Committee and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) are officially convened.

The Development Committee and the IMFC advise the Boards of Governors on issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.

Around these meetings, the Bank and the IMF organize a number of fora to facilitate the interaction of governments and World Bank-IMF staff with civil society organizations, journalists, private sector executives, academics and representatives of other international organizations.

Indeed, every effort is made to ensure that the yearly meetings provide a veritable forum for explaining to the public the activities, challenges and achievements of the two institutions. The live and interactive meetings are At every Spring and Annual Meeting, the joint Bank-IMF Development Committee and the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee hold parleys to discuss progress on the work of the Bank and Fund.

Also featuring are seminars, regional briefings and press conferences, focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial markets.

Plenary sessions of the World Bank and the IMF's Boards of Governors are only scheduled during the Annual Meetings in the autumn.

Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Taking a stock of global over the past 15 years must economy, the World Bank accelerate.

Second, growth has to transpresident said, more than four years after the global late into poverty reduction meltdown, high income and job creation and must countries still to struggle be inclusive to curb inequalwith high unemployment, ity.

And, third, ‘’we must avert weak growth, and economic or mitigate potential shocks fragility.

His words: ‘’The good news such as climate disasters or is that, taken as a whole, new food, fuel, and financial developing countries are crises’’, he said.

In particular, doing better doing relatively well, with growth expected to reach on growth means doing about 5.5 percent this year. more of the kinds of reforms This should strengthen to that have underpinned the just under six percent by strong Developing Country 2015. Indeed, developing growth for past 15 years. countries are accounting for That means eliminating botmore than half of global tlenecks; additional investment in infrastructure; and, growth. ‘’But too often we lose sight to ensure that the poor parof the fact that this overall ticipate in the benefits of story hides a wide range of growth, much greater outcomes across countries. investments in education In Africa, about a quarter of and healthcare.

As we move ahead, we must the countries grew at seven percent or higher last year, also address climate change and a number of them are with the plan that matches among the fastest growing the scope of the problem. in the world. In East Asia Climate change is not just an and the Pacific, output is environmental challenge, it expanding rapidly amid is also a fundamental threat fears of overheating and to economic development.

Unless the world takes bold asset bubbles. ‘’But growth in several action now, an impending major middle income coun- disastrous planet threatens tries including Brazil, India, to put prosperity out of Russia and Turkey has reach of millions and roll slowed, in part, because of back decades of developunresolved bottlenecks in ment and poverty reduction. these economies.

We are also trying to conHe observed that in the developing world, recovery tribute to these larger has been more elusive, say- debates stable price regarding that this diversity of ing carbon and fossil fuel experiences among these subsidies.

Development countries meant that there The was no definite prescription Committee endorsed the for policy, and external World Bank Group’s goal to developments can no longer end extreme poverty within be seen as the principal a generation as “ambitious”, saying that this endeavor by source of problems.

Now more than ever, solu- the Bank was a “historic tions needs to be found in opportunity” to make a difdomestic macroeconomic ference. The Committee and structural policies that equally confirmed the addressed distinct condi- Group’s vision to promote tions in individual coun- shared prosperity, adding these goals must be tries.

To end extreme poverty achieved without jeopardizwithin a generation, at least ing the environment, magnifying economic debt or three things must happen: First, the high growth rate excluding vulnerable peoin the developing world ple.

A new analysis of extreme poverty released by the World Bank recently, showed that there are 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty (21 percent of the developing world population in 2010) and despite recent impressive progress, Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for more than one-third of the world’s extreme poor.

Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala The World Bank Group President applauded the Committee’s support, noting that “I have no doubt that the world can end extreme poverty within a generation. But we cannot do it alone. It requires focus, innovation and commitments from everyone. This endorsement is an important step. If we succeed, together, we would have accomplished an historic milestone,” Kim said.

The 25-member Development Committee, which meets twice a year during the World Bank/IMF spring and annual meetings, said in its communiqué that reducing the percentage of people living on less than $1.25 a day to three percent by 2030 will require strong growth across the developing world, and translation of growth into poverty reduction to an extent not seen before in many low income countries. It will also require overcoming institutional and governance challenges, and investing in infrastructure and agricultural productivity.

“Ministers unequivocally supported Dr. Kim’s vision and stated that we can count on the World Bank Group as a partner in the endeavor of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity,” said Marek Belka, the Chairman of the Development Committee, adding “Dr. Kim renewed our zeal for the Bank Group's core mission of a world free of poverty. There is a historic opportunity at our reach to make critical progress.”

The communiqué also called on the Group to pay special attention to countries and regions with the highest incidence of poverty and Fragile and ConflictAffected Situations (FCS), as well as to the specific challenges facing smaller states.

It also stressed that the goal of shared prosperity -fostering income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population in every country – will not be achieved without addressing inequality. Investments that create opportunities for all citizens and promote gender equality are an important end in their own

right, as well as being integral to creating sustained economic growth. Shared prosperity also means focusing on those who, although not currently poor, but vulnerable to falling into poverty.

The role of the private sector in promoting growth and job creation was also captured in the communiqué. With an proper enabling environment, adequate infrastructure and policies that promote competition, entrepreneurship and job creation, the private sector can support shared prosperity and offer real opportunities to all citizens, especially women and young adults, it said.

At the meetings, Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that the macroeconomic fundamentals of her country were strong but not immune is vulnerability arising from the drop in crude oil output and prices, noting that should the trend continue, Nigeria could be losing on the average, about $1billion monthly.

She further told the IMF Managing Director, Ms Christine Lagarde, that there was no cause for alarm, stating that Nigeria had already accumulated a buffer of about $7 billion, which is handy in cushioning the expected revenue shortfall, promised that the budget remains on course.

Okonjo-Iweala reminded the head of the IMF that Nigeria would be rebasing its National Income Account and requested the Fund assistance in seting up an advisory board to supervise the process with a view to instilling global credibility.

On his part, CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, in response to the recommendation of the IMF report that the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, should be closed, argued that the Corporation should be allowed to complete the 10-year timeframe of existence. He explained that the model used in establishing AMCON showed that the Nigerian banking system would be able to recover all debts within the period.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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18 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Geo-Earth enters Nigeria’s oil, gas and mineral exploration sector with new technology The company is unique and can make in-depth research up to 10000 metres or 10 kilomeawards including the tres, which no company has Ukrainian President Award, ever done. Its unique devices Research and Production include the use of soft wares, Complex, and the European as well as machineries and Quality for its research and equipments.

Since 1999, the company has mineral exploration methods, Geo-Earth Resources Ltd, a been improving their technolcompany that has developed ogy from year to year, which new technologies in the field has made us to work faster of geology, geophysics, than any other company in the mining and geoecology; study field. and explore mineral deposits Our approach to investigation aside from providing services and exploration are quite in areas such as hydrogeologi- unique, we in addition to concal, geotechnical engineering ventional methods, apply the and scientific support of Transient Electromagnetic exploration activities has not Sounding (TEMS), which proonly come into the Nigerian vides depth distance section economy to repeat the parent with accurate minerals and company’s feat, but to impact water dislocation data. The on allied companies and advantage of this approach is promote their latest technolo- that it enables us to solve wide gy. Ruslan Havryluk, 1st Vice- range of task in any geological, Chairman; Tive David Ibru, climate and relief conditions Executive Director; and for any type of mineral Konstantin Pysarenko, 2nd resources.

The stages of the company are Vice-Chairman, who visited Rutam House recently spoke quite simple with the prelimiwith OMIKO AWA about their nary work, where we work company’s new technology. alongside with seismic compaWhere are you from? nies, using topography, data We are from Ukraine, but now and the analysis of the field. in Nigeria. We have worked in Why were you in Angola and in U.S.? many African countries. We the We were in Angola to deterhave the latest technology in mineral, oil and gas explo- mine the spatial distribution ration that is different from of Kimberlite pipes to define any other in the world. Our drilling location. And in the US, technology shows the flow it was to locate coal deposits and capacity that could deter- within an area and to define direction of methane mine where to drill. the flow

For 20 years, we have carried gas from coal deposits and out different projects across mines. the globe, including Tatarstan, Was that the reason you were Russia and the United States of in Tatarstan, Russia too?

It’s similar, we were there to America. All the processes where almost 100 per cent suc- verify proposed drill locations cessful with just about 0.5 and locate new contiguous metres mistake, which was in- ones for oil companies within the area. We also proposed to depth.

ITH the parent company W Geo-Resurs based in Ukraine winning different

prove the efficiency of TEMS method by detecting reservoir stimulation by vibroinfluence.

What is TEMS method?

Transient Electromagnetic Sound (TEMS) is based on the excitation of matter within a pulsed electromagnetic field environment and measuring the resultant interaction in the absence of it. This method differs from the conventional EM methods, where the secondary field must be measured in the presence of a larger primary field with a consequeuent decrease in accuracy.

TEMS technology is the most efficient in the construction of

a detailed geological model and the design of optimal schemes of development of hydrocarbon deposits.

How many companies have you worked with since you came into Nigeria?

We have just started negotiation with almost all the oil companies, including Federal and state governments.

Nigeria is our head office in West Africa. And part of our company activities, include to create a level playing ground for us to make our latest technology known, and to work with companies in the solid minerals, gas and oil exploration sector.

So, you hope to reveal the cost effective way of exploration to Nigerians?

Yes and this is not limited to oil and gas, but to other solid minerals. Nigeria has huge

solid minerals; but deposit of proper analysis must be done to attract investments and investors to the sector and by extension the economy. With our technology, it becomes easy to determine the quantity of mineral deposit in the reservoirs, reduce drilling cost, provide the full picture of flows and minimise extraction time.

Are you saying your technolo gy will help reduce wastages as

in the case of natural gas flaring?

For sure, it will; because it will enable you know the quantity of mineral deposit at a particular site and also know the exact equipment to use to access the information.

However, with Geo-Earth Resources Ltd now registered to do business in Nigeria, we can work as partner with any company to provide services in areas such as technical, recommending the exact quantity of mineral on certain field or even do the exploration. All we need is to apply our technology without wasting time; it’s accurate, better and precise.

Officials of Geo-Earth Resources Ltd, Konstantin Pysarenko, 2nd Vice-Chairman (left); Tive David Ibru, Executive Director of the company and Executive Director of The Guardian Newspaper Commercial Press; as well as Ruslan Havryluk, 1st Vice-Chairman during their visit to Rutam House, Lagos…recently.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MoneyWatch Searching for global stability, revenue, growth with tax

Aliyu

Global stability, revenue generation and economic growth can be possible with answers to how, when and who being provided. But that looks too Herculean. At the just concluded CITN tax conference, kudos, knocks, challenges and solutions were unveiled. CHIJIOKE NELSON writes HE place of tax in the development of any T nation cannot be overemphasized, just as not even a country has existed without it.

Beside tax revenue generation, the stability of the economy through the efficient application of funds generated forms another fulcrum for national development. But growth is dependent upon the two issues above. The issue on hand here is not totally new, but what is new and may continue to be new is that each policy direction promises new ideas to the stability of the economy and increase in revenue and at the end, remain where others were or a little behind.

At the just concluded 15th yearly conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), in Calabar, with the theme: “Global Stability, Revenue Generation and Economic Growth,” issues ranging from women’s role in revenue generation and its utilization; good governance as an attraction to tax compliance; fraud, corruption and its effects on economic development; the need for review of some tax Acts and the Transfer Pricing regime were effectively brought to the front burner. The weighty issues also elicited prescriptions from the academics, opinion molders, financial and tax experts, tax practitioners and administrators and the political class.

The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who presented the lead paper, took a retrospective look at the global economic crisis and the effects on individual economies, including Nigeria, saying that tax became imperative to ensure continuity of world economies.

According to him, beside tax use as a means of raising revenue for government, it is also “used as an instrument of regulating the economy, redistributing wealth and inducing preferred modes of behaviour, particularly, consumption patterns and choice of investments.”

Babangida also noted that beside amassing revenues from tax, there was urgent need to plug the loopholes by which tax proceeds find their way into private pockets. “If such unjust enrichment had been invested in the domestic economy, taxation could have helped put a lid on the insatiable appetite for graft by our managers and their collaborators. Yet it would be fool-hardy to ignore the crucial role taxation can play in an underdeveloped economy such as ours.

“In an economy that has suffered depreciation

Jegede in value by more than 60 per cent in both its money and capital markets, government must do the needful to arrest the current horrendous hemorrhage. The near comatose state of the manufacturing sector could use a well articulated stimulus package, which can bring about recovery.”

But the former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ekiti State and Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, University of Lagos, Prof.

Akin Oyebode, tasked citizens, as well as the government on accountability, saying that it is not all about taxes on the citizenry, though necessary, but also about accountability and efficient utilisation of the revenues on ground.

“When people pay for something, they value it more. The forum is emphasising on accountability because if you don’t pay for something you get from government through tax, it will look like some goodies from the government.

This is our hard earned money that is being spent, so government owes everyone explanation. Yes, it is good to have more revenue through taxation, but more critical importance lies on accountability and transparency.

“I am on record as having said that corrupt public officials are deserving of death penalty, just like you have in China. But my worry is that the country is too relaxed with corruption. The nation’s corruption level has reached a point where it should be declared a crime against humanity and perpetrators charged before the World Crime Tribunal. So, life imprisonment without option could be my best option and this would serve as deterrent.

“We must develop the capacity to detect ill-gotten wealth and follow the movement of transfers internationally through the Internet and entering into arrangements with those countries to help. The funds are part of the proceeds of tax. The judicial system is presently in mess.

The case of James Ibori is clear evidence. Even the British prosecutor said he wondered how and why a certified thief found his way to Government House and this is the man that Nigeria’s judicial system gave a ‘clean bill of health.’”

Also, the President of CITN, John Femi Sunday Jegede, said the autonomy of revenue authorities in the country holds the ace in plugging the loopholes, revenue leakages associated with taxation and a panacea for the diversification of the nation’s economy and calling for the review of some tax Acts.

Jegede, who noted that conference has continued to be the largest gathering of chartered tax administrators and practitioners locally and internationally, said the forum has always created an avenue for participants to brainstorm, generate and share professional ideas, not only on taxation issues but also on related national

Prof. Oyebode issues that are necessary for the attainment and sustenance of vibrant socio- economic development. It also provides an avenue for decision makers in government and the organized private sector to make objective and meaningful decisions.

“It is our belief that government policies and programmes in the area of increased revenue generation can be best implemented with a state Internal Revenue Service that is autonomous and consisting of professionally competent Chartered Tax Administrators. Lagos and Adamawa States have adopted the autonomous status, while Ekiti State Government had passed into law the autonomy of its IRS and we encourage other states to look inwards for alternative source of funding if they are serious in diversifying their economy and place little or no reliance on monthly allocation from Abuja which is becoming unforthcoming.

“It is important to re-emphasise once again that only members of CITN are backed by law to be appointed as the Chairman of the Federal and State Internal Revenue Service. Additionally only our members have a statutory mandate to engage in tax practice. Both Lagos High Court and Court of Appeal (Lagos Division) has confirmed this assertion.”

He noted that the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012 (PIB) provides for the establishment of a legal, fiscal & regulatory framework for the petroleum industry in Nigeria and repealed the Petroleum Profit Tax Act, Deep Offshore & Inland Basin Production Sharing Act, amongst others, with exception of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act. “The basic question therefore is, will companies pay three per cent NDDC levy in addition to Petroleum Host Community (PHC) Fund? What is the impact/tax treatment of PHC contributions (tax deductible or tax credit)?”

“CITN is of the view that the fiscal provisions of the PIB should be isolated into a separate Act, such that it will be enacted each as a statute.

This is what informed the existence of Personal Income Tax, Companies Income Tax, Petroleum Profits Tax, Capital Gain Tax among others being creation of separate statutes. Taxation is dynamic. Circumstance may arise that that will require a review of the tax law, for example, to plug a loophole that has escaped the attention of the draftsmen. Even when the logic for the amendment may be obvious, the divergence of interests in the PIB may delay such amendment and create a lock-in effect.

“The Tax Administration (Self-Assessment) Regulation, 2011 SI No. 41 was published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette of No.117 Volume 98. It is trite that a Regulation being a subsidiary legislation cannot override the provisions of an enabling law. Accordingly,

In an economy that has suffered depreciation in value by more than 60 per cent in both its money and capital markets, government must do the needful to arrest the current horrendous hemorrhage.

the validity of some of the provisions of the Regulations is suspect. Paragraph 5 seeks to allow persons certified by other professional bodies, other than the CITN to file tax returns on behalf of taxpayers. This is inconsistent with the provisions of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria Act No. 76 of 1992, Cap C10, Laws of the Federation, 2004 (CITN Act) and decision of the Lagos High Court in The Chartered Institute of Taxation v The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (Suit No. M/476/2005-delivered on 12th March 2007) and the Court of Appeal ruling of 15th February 2013.

“Paragraph 10 gives powers to the FIRS to assess the competence and professionalism of an agent. This regulation is flawed on two main grounds. First, the determination of the competence of tax practitioners is ultra vires the FIRS. This is flagrant usurpation or encroachment of the statutory function of the CITN. Second, a Regulation cannot vest on the FIRS a power, which is not provided for in the FIRS Act. These Regulations have created avoidable confusion into an issue on which there has not been any major problem. If there is a policy to change the law, the proper thing to do is to amend the relevant provision of CITA. We urge the FIRS as a responsible organisation to conduct its actions within the confines of the law and hallmark of rule of law.

“The due date of payment for self-assessment filer is governed by s.77(5) of CITA, Cap C21, LFN 2004. The opening statement that “A company filing self-assessment shall pay the tax due within two months from due date of filing” makes it clear that there is a distinction between date of filing and date of payment. A company filing self-assessment has a grace period of two months before payment of tax either in one lump sum or instalmentally provided that the last instalment shall not be later than 30th November and provided the application for instalmental payment is accompanied with proof of payment of the first installment.

However, Regulation 18(2)(a) states that the 1st installment should precede the due date of filing while the final installment should not be paid later than two months after the due date of filing. Regulation 18(2)(b) prescribes that the final installment should coincide with the due date of filing to avoid payment of penalty.

“In realization of the need for the institute to be visible in the league of professional bodies, we have continually positioned CITN as a force to be reckoned with, locally and internationally.

We have a good working relationship with Taxation Institutes in Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali and Burkina Faso through the auspices of West Africa Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) and Association of African Tax Institutes (AATI). Last year, CITN was represented at the meeting/conference of the Confederation Fiscale Europeenne (CFE) in CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

22 MONEYWATCH

Search for global stability, revenue generation, growth with tax CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Brussels, Belgium. The CFE which is the body of Tax Advisers in the European Union boasts of 33 national associations from 24 European States with over 180,000 tax advisers. This conference afforded us the opportunity to observe and share ideas with tax professionals in Europe and also relate CITN’s role and activities in the Nigerian Tax System. Also during that period, we attended the tax conferences in Ghana and Senegal. In Nigeria, we maintain a good relationship with Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria (APBN) and the professional bodies that are members of APBN. Discussing the topic: “Transfer Pricing (TP) and Thin-Capitalisation”, the Partner, Head of Tax and Corporate Advisory at PwC Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele, explained that a new regime has been introduced for multinational companies and local group entities. According to him, a new regulation, the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulations No 1, 2012, has just been gazetted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), designed to, among other things, ensure that Nigeria is able to tax businesses on an appropriate basis corresponding to the economic activities carried out in Nigeria, especially in their transactions and dealings with associated enterprises. The regulations have a commencement date of August 2, 2012, and are applicable to basis periods commencing after this date.

For example, a company with an accounting year end date of December 31, will be required to have its TP documentation in place for the accounting year commencing January 1, 2013, rather than 2012. This was designed to allow taxpayers some reasonable transition time.

“The rules cover all transactions between “Connected taxable persons” which is broadly defined to include individuals, permanent establishments created by head offices, subsidiaries, associates, partnerships, joint ventures and trusts to the extent that they participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of another; or both of which have common control, management or shareholders. Specifically, the rules will apply to sale and purchase of goods, lease or sale of tangible assets, licensing, transfer or use of intangible assets, provision of services, lending or borrowing of money, manufacturing arrangements

Oyedele and any transaction which may affect profit and loss or any other incidental matter.

“Affected companies are allowed to use any of the methods listed in the regulations as basis for their pricing. The methods are the comparable uncontrolled price method (CUP); the resale price minus method (RPM); the cost plus method (CPM); the profit split method; the Transaction Net Margin Method; or any other method prescribed by the FIRS. If a taxpayer wants to have certainty regarding the acceptability of the method used such entities may approach the FIRS for an advance pricing agreement (APA) provided the amount involved is not less than N250 million per annum.

“Every taxable person that will be affected must prepare documentation to demonstrate the arm’s length nature of their related party transactions. The documentation will usually include information on the group structure and business activities of the related parties, details of the related party transactions; the pricing method adopted; the reasons for selecting the method; and information on comparable transactions between unrelated parties. The documentation must be submitted within 21 days of a request from the FIRS after filing the compa-

ny’s annual tax returns. There are also annual declarations on related party transactions which are to be made at the time of filing the annual tax returns. A taxable person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Regulations will be liable to a penalty as prescribed in the relevant provision of the applicable tax law.

Other highlights of the Regulations, according to him, include introduction of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and United Nations TP methodologies; provision for corresponding adjustments to avoid double taxation for entities resident in treaty countries; possible exemption from the TP rules where prices have been approved by other government regulatory agencies and satisfactory to the FIRS to be at arm’s length; and introduction of a Decision Review Panel for the purpose of resolving any dispute or controversy arising from the application of the provisions of the TP regulations.

He noted that in the recent past, the FIRS has been involved in capacity building with support from major international organisations such as the IMF in order to ensure that the FIRS officers are able to effectively enforce compliance with the TP Regulations. It is therefore important that taxpayers begin to immediately review their related party transactions and consider ways to comply effectively with the new rules while managing any potential exposures along side.

The President of the West African Union of Tax Institutes and Chartered Taxation Institute of Ghana, Kofi Mike Afflu, while delivering a paper on the topic: “The imperative of service delivery in good governance, noted that service delivery is a proper measurement of the effective utilization of tax revenue and a way to dispel bad notions that tax revenues are misappropriated.

“There is general agreement that good governance relates to the political and institutional processes and outcomes that are deemed necessary to achieve the goals of development.

Governance is said to be the mechanism, processes and institutions, through which citizens and group articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate their difference. Governance is therefore highly appreciated as a key in managing resources and enhancing development.

He therefore suggested that there should be established trust in service; trust in the proce-

dures for collection and allocation of revenues; and elimination of cumbersome procedures, which are compounded by dishonesty, adding that most challenges hampering revenue collections presently, is the perception that revenues collected are not spent on public services.

Also, Emeka Ifezuluike, while delivering a paper titled: “Fraud corruption and taxation”, said that there is a bizarre alliance rooted in history between taxation, corruption and fraud.

According to him, “by virtue of its (tax) nature(an imposition charge, levy) – demanded by an ‘authority’, taxation has remained a practice that has been resisted, been the cause of revolutions and overthrow of governments and is convulsed by monumental fraud and corruption. But no nation can effectively grow without the creation of ‘abundance’ that will fund growth – and that ‘abundance’ is created through the pooling of taxes by citizens and corporate bodies, that will build a self sustaining interface of accountability, performance evaluation, between citizens of a state and public servants. Taxation is integral to nationhood however defined.

“Every act of corruption ties in with perversion of the integrity of a common societal heritage, a poisoning of the community life sustaining spring of well being and a gradual but steady killing of society. History records the decline and extinction of many nation states because of corruption. What makes our beloved nation different. It was a vastly enriching experience with regards to various schemes, manipulations and shenanigans that fraudsters employed to steal public funds. I will share some of these experience with us at this conference and attempt to proffer some of the “minding the gap” solution that we identified.

“Everybody was on the take, bankers, accounting staff of government departments, and all other ‘eyes wey see.’ Sum involved as at 20003/2004 was estimated at over N500 million. Some banks were conduits for the suppression, diversion or direct conversion of such cheques made out in favour of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The former chairman of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omogui Okauru, was quoted to have stated that ‘if hard earned money they pay to governments coffers is being stolen, they will do everything to evade tax.’”

23

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Petroleum: Things We Have Left Undone Bonga FPSO: The elephant sized field on which this vessel sits was discovered in 1996 and has produced in excess of 150,000BOPD on average since November 2005. But the reviews that would ensure an increased Government Take, stipulated in the 1993 contract, had not happened. Government slacks. But Big Oil has been shifty too.

T is regrettable the way we have mismanaged IThere the energy and petroleum sector. is an ongoing debate around the Petroleum

By Phillip Asiodu

Industry Bill (PIB).

I do not know when it would be concluded, but I was certainly distressed to hear that they do not want to do anything until PIB is passed. Who knows when it would be passed?

And this brings me to the point that there is a very criminal neglect and unnecessary delays in doing many important things in the oil and gas sector and energy over more than ten years. Within our existing laws, they could have negotiated for much better conditions and for what they want to achieve, while waiting to pass Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

In introducing the PIB over four years ago, the Government said it was trying to consolidate sixteen different petroleum laws and that this had never been done anywhere in the world. It is not bad to be first in the world but you must be sure that your first in the world is a first good case.

The hypocrisy of the average Nigerian is tremendous, he goes to buy in the black market, when there is no petrol in the filling stations, he pays fantastic figures, much more than what will be appropriate and we would have no scandals. Then he comes into the open to say, ‘over my dead body, you will change the oil price’.

Now, specifically, you may have heard over a long time that we are getting less revenue from the Production Sharing Contracts(PSCs), which were signed in 1993 for deep offshore, when of course, that was a relatively new terrain; except for the Gulf of Mexico, nobody was producing in water depths in excess of one thousand meters. There were certain assumptions of the investment required, the reserves you might find and therefore, profitability And at that time, oil prices were dangling between twelve and sixteen dollars a barrel. The question, then, was what were the

terms which would enable an investor make, perhaps, up to fifteen percent profit.

But there were three reopener clauses: One, if oil prices should reach twenty dollars, you were to re-examine again the share in terms of the fiscal terms, because then the profitability of the oil company would be greater and the need to equitably have more government revenue would be established and that happened by 2000, thirteen years ago.

Two, we were talking in terms of probability of discoveries and if there should be discoveries above five hundred million barrels, again, we re-examine and re-negotiate the fiscal terms for more equity in favour of government.

Thirdly, after ten years there were to be reviews, and this was signed in 1993 and ten years elapsed in 2003; some mega discoveries were made between 1996 and 2000. What is the explanation for waiting for thirteen years and getting lower revenues, when within our existing contracts and laws, we could have CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

24 AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT

KICKSTARTER

Petroleum: Things We Have Left Undone CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Editor

Again, The Minutes Of The Last Meeting N May 5 2013, The Guardian On Sunday published O a long interview with Phillip Asiodu, the former Super Permanent Secretary in the Gowon Administration.

It was more than 7,000 words long, spread over four pages. The piece, meant to be his views on the workings of the civil service, is clearly a natural candidate for a synopsis of an important book on Policy.

What fascinates us at Africa Oil+Gas Report was Mr. Asiodu’s candid take on contemporary issues in the petroleum sector, both in Nigeria and abroad. His deep knowledge of the workings of the industry provides nuanced insight into the road not taken and the path that has led to the current confusion that has encouraged divestment by Majors.

Of the key actors in the industry’s upstream segment; Government and International Oil Companies, there are no heroes. In Mr. Asiodu’s book, both of them are villains. The Majors have taken advantage of Government’s slack. And Government itself has not governed well. But in this interview, Mr. Asiodu is not given to lazy, shorthand phrases by which commentators have generally talked about the challenges of the industry. His responses to questions, (one question in particular, got a 3,500 word answer) are detailed description of what was planned and what was delivered.

Because he speaks with clarity from memories of policy prescriptions during his two stints as a ranking public servant (Pemanent Secretary from 1965 to 1975) and Minister of State for Petroleum(1993), he reminds us, again in this magazine, that “reading the minutes of the last meeting” and following through on the action points raised are crucial for the country’s economic well-being.

There is another reason we find Mr. Asiodu’s interview noteworthy. He has come across not looking spectacularly good in some of the folklores flying around about the emergence of Nigeria as a Petrostate. One particular story fingers him as saying a firm “No” to funding the appraisal and field development of the oil discoveries that the Nigerian National Oil Company(NNOC, the precursor of the NNPC) made in 1975. He was the superintending Permanent Secretary of the relevant ministry overseeing Petroleum then.

As the analysis goes, the development of those fields, at the time, could have helped build a world class upstream hydrocarbon company with deep technical capability and the can do spirit regrettably absent in the NNPC today.

The question of Mr. Asiodu’s role in those circumstances never came up in the interview and it would be unfair to believe the folklore without asking him.

We hope there’s a chance for him to explain his role in that crucial era of NNOC history.

From what the May 5 interview shows, there’s a lot to learn from this wise Octogenerian.

We have decided to crop out the part of the interview that concerns the Petroleum Industry and republish it here, in order that those interested in the workings of the industry who missed the interview as well as those who considered the original interview too lengthy to engage with could take in this short, abridged version and use the mistakes highlighted as guide.

The Africa Oil+Gas Report is the primer of the hydrocarbon industry on the continent. It is the market leader in local contextualizing of global developments and policy issues and is the go-to medium for decision makers, whether they be international corporations or local entrepreneurs, technical enterprises or financing institutions, for useful analyses of Africa’s oil and gas industry. Published by the Festac News Press Limited since November 2001, AOGR is a monthly, 40 page hardcopy publication delivered to subscribers around the world. Its website remains www.africaoilgasreport.com and the contact email address is info@africaoilgasreport.com. Contact telephone numbers in our West African regional headquarters in Lagos are 2348130733523, 2347062420127, 2348034449079, 234803652979, 2348023902519.

Please enjoy what this edition of the Pullout has to offer.

-Toyin Akinosho, Publisher

improved?

As Secretary of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources in 1993, I campaigned a great deal for appropriate pricing of natural gas because in my earlier involvement as a civil servant - permanent secretary- we had agreed that even government could take oil at flare point, free of charge for a project.

Have we done that? We could not because if there is no appropriate price to be paid for the gas, which justifies investment in the pipelines and the maintenance of it, it will not happen, government or private.

Therefore, proper policy and realistic policy is important. What will it take to produce this gas and deliver it to the power plant or deliver it to the processing plants, fertilizers or petro-chemical plants that will make it feasible for somebody go to take money, savings or bank borrowing to invest? It does not require months to calculate. And we are people with gas wishing to add value, have we done that? And I know myself, after leaving government, I was involved in one or two companies, for more than ten years, I have got beautiful plans to produce methanol, olefins, poplins and all that which could have brought in investment of more that two billion dollars, for ten years; we have had inconclusive discussions on gas being delivered, and we are flaring gas and we have enormous gas reserves and we have needs for employment.. and diversification. And petrochemicals account for more than sixty percent of the industrial raw materials we import. You do not say because you have a vision of a perfect thing, so you refuse to do something that is good enough and competitive by international terms.

When I read about the issues around the workings and under-capacity of the oil refineries, I remember what this country did under (Abubakar Tafar )Balewa. As soon as we saw that we were getting enough oil, the oil companies were obliged to build refineries, which they did and commissioned in 1965. Later on, we added Port Harcourt (Two), Warri and Kaduna with combined capacity of 445 thousand barrels a day, which is much more than adequate for Nigerian economy, with the number of cars we have, and industrial plants. I’m not sure we can consume more than 300 thousand barrels, but when we had this inappropriate pricing and subsidy, which goes into racketeering and slippages all over our borders, we most probably are subsidising up to 100 thousand barrels a day of products for neighbours, without gratitude and acknowledgement. And benefits from these subsidies, you have seen partly in the diversion of tankers, collection of subsidy in Nigeria, with oil delivered in Ghana or Togo.

And we have in fact, distorted pricing and very few people outside Lagos or Abuja even get this official price for motor spirit. The hypocrisy of the average Nigerian is tremendous, he goes to buy in the black market, when there is no petrol in the filling stations, he pays fantastic figures, much more than what will be appropriate and we would have no scandals. Then he comes into the open to say, ‘over my dead body, you will change the oil price’.

But it is a matter of campaign and education, not just waking up one day to say subsidy is removed. Again, it is a matter of proper administration. And again, I’m sorry, in 1993, government had decided that we would remove subsidies after proper campaigns; we negotiated with trade unions, we campaigned, we took newspaper adverts to demonstrate our income and salaries and our neighbours’, what they were paying and what we were paying and so on and then decision was taken to remove subsidies, but in a phased process.

First, on April 1, 1993, we would remove subsidy in aviation fuel and non-pump products. Of course, lubricants were never subject to subsidies. It was then agreed that by June 1, 1993, we would remove subsidy from motor spirit and diesel but keep it on domestic kerosene. Domestic kerosene, we

We were to have two sets of pumps, if you go to a filling station, on one side we were going to have a new thing we call super premium, no subsidy from day one. On the other side, a set of pumps with subsidy on motor spirit and diesel, but those ones, we will be increasing the price by a few percentage points every month or quarter, with the view that within twenty- four months subsidy would have been removed. were going to colour deep purple, so that you will not use it to adulterate diesel or aviation kerosene. And how was it to be done, we were to have two sets of pumps, if you go to a filling station, on one side we were going to have a new thing we call super premium, no subsidy from day one. On the other side, a set of pumps with subsidy on motor spirit and diesel, but those ones, we will be increasing the price by a few percentage points every month or quarter, with the view that within twenty- four months subsidy would have been removed. On the other side, no subsidy from day one. The thing is that if you go to that side, within three minutes, you have your fuel, you are gone; but you go to the other side, you can wait three hours, five hours, six hours, until the queue is gone, it is left for you to make your calculation That way, latest end of 1995, this debate would have been a thing of the past. Good incentives would now have been given to both public and private to run refineries efficiently.

Deregulation would have happened. Now, it is our neighbours who are enjoying because in their frontiers, you see petrol in bottles and all that. Since they derive a lot of revenue from product taxation as opposed to us who do it on crude, they will now be more eager to get oil products officially Then our own refineries will be allowed to charge competitive x-refineries prices, not artificially depressed one, so that x-refineries, Port Harcourt or Warri, will be equivalent x-refineries in Southern Spain or anywhere. We will still enjoy lower prices in Nigeria, because we would not be charging too much of product prices and our neighbours would pay our x-refineries price much of product prices and our neighbours would pay our x-refineries price and pay their product prices.

And these horrible things we read of billions of dollars lost in subsidy scam will not have happened. And the incentives to create more corrupt people would not have happened. So there are many things, which should be done, which have not been done.

And we should stop giving the excuse that we are waiting for PIB to go into these hardheaded negotiations.

One thing, I must say unfortunately, about the sector is that we have allowed a lot of political interference to impact negatively on professionalism in NNPC. Ministers have come and suddenly fired people in whom we have invested twenty to twenty five years of training, it should not be. And one major criticism about the present PIB, the intentions are okay, the point is that you have to sit down and negotiate them and make sure that what we finally pass actually serves those good intentions.

Talk about transparency efficiency and so forth; all very good fiscal regimes, which encourage investment, and increases government taxation as profitability increases.

But they now talk about creating a national oil company, independent and able to go market like other companies, Petrobras, Sonatrach of Algeria, perform, produce and refine oil, distribute it and pay the normal

Unfortunately in the PIB which they are now discussing, the Minister of Petroleum is being proposed as the chairman of that company, is that independent? The minister is the regulator for everybody, he/she cannot be the chairman of a national oil company. You want to operate with flexibility and compete with others.

royalties and duties to the government. This was what we had started in NNOC(Nigerian National Oil Company, the precursor of NNPC) in1971 by law, which became operational in 1973. Unfortunately, after the coup of 1975, the Obasanjo government was persuaded that there was no need for a Ministry of Petroleum to do the regulation and interface with other government ministries, especially finance and industry since we were going to use the products of petroleum, which is a depleting asset to finance in the meantime economic diversification.

Close consultations in terms of policy and revenue profiles must occur between the ministries of petroleum, industries, agriculture, economic planning and finance.

I must add also that by 1971, as a policy, the government had decided that no more giving of concessions to private interests, foreign or local and that all open acreage and acreages to be surrendered will be vested in NNOC, the Nigeria National Oil Company, which will then do Production Sharing Contracts or contractual arrangements.

Unfortunately this policy was reversed after the removal of Gowon in 1975 and we began to see and hear all we now hear about oil blocks.

When I went back in 1993, 1 did not want to reopen the issue; we implemented, but the point is that now you want to create an independent national oil company, unfortunately in the PIB which they are now discussing, the minister of Petroleum is being proposed as the chairman of that company, is that independent? The minister is the regulator for everybody, he/she cannot be the chairman of a national oil company. You want to operate with flexibility and compete with others. Those are aspects which have to be looked at. In the meantime, we cannot not afford any further delay, even now as they are debating, people should do their homework and go to untie these things, which are obstructing decisions. And in the meantime, investments had been diverted, some to Angola. In the meantime too, the world oil industry prospect has changed. During this decade, America will become self-sufficient in oil and gas. More than that, America will become a net exporter, challenging us in some of our markets. For the Liquefied Natural Gas Plant Industry, we have lost ten years, during which we could have reaped revenues, we can no longer recover.

But this new prospect should wake us up to realise that we are not an island in the world. We are competing and we must make Nigeria internationally competitive, not only in terms of regulations and fiscal arrangement, but also in the speed and politeness with which we interact with would be investors, whether they are Nigerians or foreigners. In the power sector situation, we have done things without coordination; you decided you are siting power plants in some areas and you do not at the same time, discuss and make sure that by the time you are to commission those power plants, if it is gas, the gas pipe there is ready, if it is fuel oil, in one or two cases, fine. And I remember that in 1973, we commissioned a Switzerland and a Canadian firm to project Nigeria’s power requirement from 1975 to 2000 AD. They did it and they indicated where we should have hydropower sites and thermal stations based on gas. They also indicated magnitude of investment and we did nothing with the report, very little investment in the sector, none, even on maintenance till 1999. But the population was growing at three percent per annum.

We were supposed to grow the economy; we did not. If we had power today, we would be competing with some of these Chinese imports. We have people ready to do many things, but you cannot get small and medium scale industries investing on generators, they have to have public power and if we had public power today, reliable and steady, even the tailor, who is sewing with one machine will have three or four to work with. The woman who goes to the market take her corn or maize and laboriously have to grind it for hours, it will be done for her in five minutes and all these things will create jobs. And I have been in centres in Turkey, for example, a room of twenty by fifteen; you have about ten girls with machine producing embroider tablecloth and napkins for export to America. We are not doing that.

We should; the power sector is critical and of CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

COMPULIFE 25

CompuLife Phone makers swoop on Nigeria’s device market True to forecast, Nigeria’s mobile device market is booming. The last few months have witnessed a keen contest for the country’s phone market with various smartphones manufacturers battling to either have a piece of the Nigerian cake or completely increase their market shares.

ADEYEMI ADEPETUN reports.

BB10

Galaxy S4

Sony Xyperia Z

Nokia Lumia

LG Optimus

IGERIA’s mobile device market is getting swollen by the N day. Makers of smartphones are continuously upping the ante. When one thinks that one has seen the best in smart-

its Lumia 520 an 720 smartphones at the same venue.

But sadly, non of these big smatphone firms have seen the need to site an assembly plant in Nigeria, except for the like of Techno, which promised and RLG, which has an ongoing construction plant in Osun state.

Though the likes of Samsung; Nokia; LG are bullish about setting up a plant in the country, but that will be in a distant future, according to the Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Kim Brovo, when the country’s business environment must have been stable, with needed infrastructure, especially power properly put in place.

However, mixed feelings have trailed the influx of these smartphones into the country. While some see it as welcome development and confirmation of the robustness of the Nigerian market. Others want government to regulate, especially the eWaste aspect, so as not to continuosly increase the challenge of climate change in the country.

Described as a life companion, the Samsung’s Galaxy S4, which is a slight improvement on the S3 comes with features of 4G connectivity, a brighter 5-inch screen, an infra-red light that can be used to control home entertainment devices and a host of sensors to track temperature, humidity and even its users’ footsteps. Health accessories, including an internet-connected scale and heart rate monitor also feature on the device.

According to Business Head, Hand Held Products at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, said: “The Galaxy S4 is taking over the fame of its predecessor, the Galaxy S3. A great number of innovations were injected into the product towards delivering new value to enhance the lives of our consumers and also provide them with the ultimate communication experience.”

For Huawei Ascend W1 4Afrika smartphone, it is a 10.15mm slim and features a 4-inch IPS LCD 480 x 800 touch screen with OGS technology, powered by the high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8230 dual-core 1.2Ghz processor and Adreno 305 GPU with a 1950 mAH battery, the Ascend W1 has 470 hours of standby time.

At the unveiling in Lagos at the weekend, Managing Director, Huawei Devices, Tony Liang, the device comes in four colours of white, black, red and blue with a microsoftt windows. He said it comes with a visually iconic design inspired by a tropical island, adding that the ascend W1 is a smart and stylish alternative for consumers looking for a great technology at a

price that is right.

Boasting about its water friendly capabilities, the Sony Xperia Z can be used while one is taking his or her bath.

At the launch in Lagos, Sony Mobile officials said the phone was launched in Nigeria because the country’s market was tipped as the hub of its mobile activities in Africa, adding that the firm banked on the Nigerian market to establish presence in other targeted African markets.

The company’s Marketing Manager Africa, Younes Cherkaoui, at the launch declared that “the Xperia Z is a gamechanger in smartphone technology.

The Xperia Z features the revolutionary one-touch function, which enables users to easily share music, photos and videos from their smartphone to an array of Near Field Communications (NFC) enabled Sony devices, including Stereo Bluetooth, Headset SBH20, Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M, and even connect to the remote control of a Bravia Television.

For LG Electronics, its range of smartphones including the Optimus 4X HD phone, is a mobile device expected to set the pace among the international phone brands in its category.

It comes with high expectations and a specification list to match – Ice cream sandwich Operating System (OS), 1.5GHz Tegra 3 quad-core, 4.7” 720p display with an IPS LCD panel, an 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, and a massive 2150mAh battery. The LG 4X HD Smartphone which is an improvement on previous smartphone introductions from the brand sets an unbeatable standard in Smartphone technology.

Commenting on this milestone achievement, LG Marketing Manager Mobile Communications, Bukola Arabome, said: “The LG Optimus 4X HD P880 which utilises the Quad-Core technology is expected to infiltrate the market in grandeur.

For Lenovo, known globally for personal computers, it will enter Nigeria’s smartphone market before the end of the year.

Investigations have revealed that Lenovo is developing mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets as it seeks to lure customers from Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. and weather a global slump in demand for PCs. By and large, Africa’s handset ownership is expected to grow by 85 percent of the population in 2015 from about 73 percent last year, reaching 900 million users and Nigeria is expected to lead the charge.

According to A.T. Kearney estimates, sales growth in developed markets in Europe, North America and Asia has slowed as penetration surpassed 100 percent.

phones, another one emerges and puts a serious check on the qualities and strength of the former.

The above scenerio justifies the saying that where one man’s strength ends, another begins. This challenge has brought out the the ingenuity of these manufacturers.

Indeed, Nigeria’s mobile device market (cake) share has become keenly contested. Between January and today, over seven global smartphone companies have decided to take solace in the booming device market in the country.

This is coming on the heels of over 116 million mobile subscribers and a teledencity of about 83.2 per cent. Infact, the service providers, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat have an installed capacity of 226 million lines.

As predicted by the GSMA (global body representing the interest of mobile operators), Nigeria’s burgeoning broadband device market, valued at N245 billion will witness stiff competition in coming months from phone makers.

The number of smartphone users is expected to grow to more than 35 million by the end of 2017 from 5.6 million at end of last year, according to research by Informa Telecoms & Media.

Informa Telecoms and Media analyst, Thecla Mbongue noted that this growth is fuelled by the declining prices of smartphones, the expansion of data networks as well as competitive data pricing.

Indeed, this has made Nigeria the largest market and preffered destination in the Africa.

True to prediction, the likes of Blackberry; Samsung; Nokia; LG; Techno; Sony, even companies hitherto known to provide infrastructure backhaul services for mobile operators have seen the need to now manufacture phones. A typical example is Huawei, which has also brought its windows phone, according to it, ‘Made for Africa’ to Nigeria.

Investigations by The Guardian have also shown that no fewer that five more smartphone manufacturers will enter Nigeria’s device market before the end of the year. These includes; Lenovo; ZTE; HTC; RLG among others.

Interestingly, virtually all the formal launch of these phones in the country has been tied to one place—Oriental Hotels in Lekki, a suburb of Lagos. Even today, Nokia will be launching

Huawei Windows phone

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COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Lagos urges action against cybercrimes, plans forensic lab • First Lady to spearhead child-online protection

By Adeyemi Adepetun agos State government has expressed worries over the spate of cybercrimes in the country, saying this trend will limit Nigeria’s growth potential and hinder the country’s foreign investments drive.

Besides, the regime of cybercrime, according to Lagos is an indication that there is huge unemployment in the country, making crime attractive to the army of the unemployed Nigerians, especially the youths.

While declaring open a oneday Cyber Safety Conference in Lagos, the state’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Fatai Mabadeje, said that urgent measures must be implemented to curb the menace.

Mabadeje noted that there is need to have youths in the

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country gainfully employed, stressing that if the teeming unemployed youths, among others have something tangible doing, they won’t be lured into such sharp practices.

In a related development, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has appointed the First Lady of Nigeria and president of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Patience Goodluck Jonathan, as the ITU’s Child Online Protection champion.

The ITU and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (Impact) are looking at the possibility of setting up a Cybersecurity Regional Centre in Nigeria, which would play an essential role in supporting the expansion of ITU-Impact’s network globally, by localising cybersecurity services to meet the needs of the re-

CWG wins award

OMPUTER Warehouse Group The yearly Beacon of ICT (BoICT) C Plc (CWG), the leading Infor- awards was instituted in 2008 mation Technology company in by Nigeria Communications Nigeria with physical and virtual presence in Africa, has won the “ICT Solutions Provider of the Year Award” at the just concluded Beacon of ICT (BoICT) awards organised by Communications Week of Nigeria.

Week to celebrate and reward best practices and outstanding contributions towards the growth and development of ICT in Nigeria. The organisers noted that the award was designed pri-

gration of people into Lagos.

Limited, the commissioner said According to him, the current a collaborative effort between infrastructure in the area of government and the private secfibre optic would not sustain tor could help, stressing that the growing population of this will go a long way in reducLagos, hence need for addiing the menace. tional fibre optic cable rollout He called for speedy passage of that would broadband penetra- the cybercrime bill at the Nation in the state. At the Lagos tional Assembly, stressing that if conference organised by the this was passed on time, it Ministry of Science and Technol- would assist in the fight against ogy in conjunction with FB Ini- the crime. tiatives and Innovations Meanwhile, as part of it efforts Gov. Raji Fashola gion.

The commissioner also hinted of plans by the state to roll out fibre optic cables to address the challenge of increasing population in the state.

Mabadeje, who put the state’s population at over 21 million, noted that the number would jump to 25 million by 2015, going by the high rate of mi-

to assist the security agencies and judiciary in properly investigating crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice, Lagos government has revealed plan to establish a forensic laboratory.

Mabadeje, who said the laboratory would be situated in Badagry, a suburb of Lagos, disclosed that the state is still seeking fund to enable it build an international model.

Airtel donates classrooms to Ijebu community

From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Airtel Nigeria at the weekend donated blocks of four classrooms and three offices to the St. John’s Primary School, IjebuIgbo, Ogun State.

Though the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, declined to disclose the cost of the project, he marily to recognise public and explained that it was part of private organisations as well as “Airtel’s road map” towards upindividuals for their creativity and excellence in the application lifting the under-privileged children in Nigeria. of ICT solutions to provide efficient and high-quality services to Speaking at the ceremony, attended by the Wife of the State Nigerians. It was on that note Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amothat CWG was bestowed the ICT sun, traditional rulers and solutions provider of the year other eminent personalities in award.

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the town, Ogunsanya stated that the programme began in May last year with the commissioning of a six classroom block, head teacher’s office and borehole with lavatory facilities for the Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle, Lagos.

His words: “As part of the programme, we also provided school uniforms, furniture, books and school bags for the pupils”.

Giving reason for company’s action, Ogunsanya affirmed, “a great environment is critical to the development of a sound mind. It is, therefore, in recognition of the importance of education and as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility vision that we have committed

to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria”.

The Airtel boss said: “We will remain part of the schools we have adopted and we will continue to maintain the necessary support and care. As a matter of fact, some of our employees have volunteered to support this programme”.

He added: “I wish to request the government to keep supporting our effort as we strive to contribute our quota to making Nigeria a better place. Specifically, we want to urge the local authorities across the federation to help protect our goodwill gestures by ensuring that schools under our Adopt-a-School programme are protected from hoodlums and vandals”.

COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

NITDA laments high bandwidth cost, as CDMA’s Internet users drop 818 users.

By Adeyemi Adepetun Interestingly, about 32.3 million Internet subscribers are on the HE Director-General of the National Information Technology networks of the Global System for Mobile Communications netDevelopment Association (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye has works. bemoaned the huge cost of bandwidth in the country.

Among GSM subscribers, MTN Nigeria had the biggest proporRidiculously, Nigeria can boasts of about four submarine cables including SAT 3, MainOne, Glo1 and WACS, which were expected to tion of Internet users – 21.8,725 or 65.9 per cent of the total number of Internet users that depend on GSM networks. drive down the cost of bandwidth availability in the country.

The closest network was Airtel with 5.87 million or 18.16 per cent Angaye, who said that the development had become worrisome, of the GSM Internet users. noted that efforts must be stepped up to curb the growing influEtisalat had a total of 4.35 million or 13.47 per cent while Glo had ence.

801,218 or 2.48 per cent.

Meanwhile, The Guardian’s check has revealed a sharp drop in At the weekend in Lagos, Angaye said that the country needed Internet users via the services of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators in the country. The operators also faced the same more Internet exchange points to be able reduce the cost of bandwidth and accelerated telecoms growth in the country. declining status in the voice services.

“The amount paid for calls to Nigeria is very high, say about 10 The CDMA operators include Visafone Communications, times compared to amount paid to calls going to Canada or USA. Starcomms Plc and Multilinks.

Already, Nigeria leads other African market with about 48 million So we are looking at the possibility of using IXPN to prohibit that cost. We are already talking to experts in ISP on modalities that Internet users. will see us utilise our bandwidth efficiently, thereby reduce cost Indeed, the statistics obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which showed transmission of calls among other challenges,” he stated.

According to him, there are about three IXPs, which are in Lagos, between June 2012 and February 2013, revealed that the CDMA Abuja and Port Harcourt, while work is on for that of Enugu and operators lost about 62,201 data users on their networks.

Kano.

Specifically, at as June 2012, Multilinks, Starcomms and Visafone had 47, 517, 110,438 and 82,029 subscribers respectively totaling 239, 984 subscribers.

But the figure went down in February 2013, with Multilinks shrinking to 26,894 subscribers, Business Development for West Africa, Mr. Starcomms went down to 63, 198 By Bankole Orimisan Alexander Dadson, said that the purpose of the subscribers. However, Visafone GLOBAL technology company, Qualcomm, moved up slightly to 87, 691 subwhich ideas and inventions have driven the partnership was to offer opportunity to mobile scribers with a total of 177,783 evolution of wireless communications, has part- application developers and to help them improve on their applications. subscribers as at the second nered Mobile Monday, a global organisation, “At Qualcomm, ideas are conceptualised, month of the year. whose ecosystem has provided opportunities developed and uploaded into a wireless ecosysIn December 2012, the total sub- for mobile application developers. scribers for Internet users via the Speaking at a forum in Lagos to announce the tem for chipset manufacturers to take advantage and produce chipsets that had continually CDMA platform were 190, 470 partnership, Qualcomm’s Senior Director, and in January 2013, it fell to 183, driven the mobile world,” Dadson said.

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Qualcomm partners Mobile Monday on apps development in Nigerian market

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Compass EOS to boost bandwidth with photonics routers OMPASS EOS, an Isreal-based provider networks.

C chip company, has develIt comes with several r10004 oped the world’s first commer- chips and each r10004 can cial chip-to-chip direct siliconto-photonics based router that is capable of delivering terabits of bandwidth at a fraction of the size and power of existing solutions.

The router, which is the first in a family of next-generation, core-grade modular routers, is designed to increase network capacity and speed, and it is powered by icPhotonics, a technology developed by the company.

Vice President, Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Compass EOS, Mr. John Asher, who was in Nigeria to introduce the product to service providers and to customers that are involved in the use of bandwidth, said the technology integrates optical and electronic components into a single microchip.

According to him, the innovation represents a cross-disciplinary achievement, which has been pursued by industry giants for years without success.

“Compass-EOS’ icPhotonics optical interconnect fundamentally changes the way routers are built, as it comes in a more compact box, with larger bandwidth capacity that simplifies the deployment, operation, and scaling of service

serve as a modular router building block for the deployment of scale-out routing, enabling software-defined networking (SDN) and other approaches such as network function virtualisation (NFV),” Asher said.

He added that Compass-EOS has deployed r10004 routers at customer locations around the world, which include a Japan-based voice, internet and cable provider that uses the routers at the termination points of its transpacific high capacity network, providing a vital link between North America and APAC; and a USbased media and technology company that has deployed the r10004 for high-bandwidth connectivity.

Speaking on the benefits of the product, Asher listed such benefits to include: High capacity at dramatically lower footprint and power consumption; Pay-as-you-grow scalability; Guaranteed service quality (QoS) at high utilisation rates; Maximum router protection from attacks at maximum capacity; Designed for SDN from day one, enabling network virtualisation; and Unmatched levels of congestion-free multicast traffic.

28 COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim (left); Marketing Manager, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu and Director, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, at Samsung’s Design for Life Fashion Show to mark the Nigeria launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in Lagos.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

12 indigenous investors target seed funding for Lagos entrepreneurs preneurial teams leading the Nigerian technology start-ups.

OING by their promises, re- While there’s no upper limit to lief may be imminent for their investment, the 14 memLagos start-up entrepreneurs bers of LAN and the six others in the technology industry as on the awaiting list are exseed funds are to be provided pected to commit at least N1 by high net worth individual million each year for five years investors under the umbrella to the investment pool. of the Lagos Angels Network The project, like the Lagos In(LAN). novation Hotspots Map, SiliLAN already boasts of some con Lagoon, i-HQ and others is captains of the IT industry in- backed by Innovate Lagos, the cluding the Angel Champion, Lagos Innovation Advisory Managing Director/Chief Exec- Council, which was launched utive Officer, TechnoVision

by Governor Babatunde Raji Communications, Tomi Davies; Fashola of the state, in SeptemMD, Dortune Venture Capital ber 2011 and chaired by the Limited, Dotun Sulaiman; CFO, OANDO Supply & Distribution, Chinedu Okpareke; MD, Dataflex, Andrew Nwani; MD/CEO SSL Consulting, FatuEADING systems integrator mata Soukouna. in West Africa, Resourcery Others are CEO, Main One Plc, has been awarded Cisco Cable, Funke Opeke; MD, Best Integrated Marketing Chams Plc, Demola Campaign award.

Aladekomo; CEO, HH Capital, Cisco unveiled the 20 global Samuel Nwanze; winners on April 17 at its yearly Partner, Hyve Ltd, Wole Lawani; Marketing Velocity Conference Contracts Manager, Chevron in Cannes, France.

Corp, Damola Adegbite; Head, The award was in recognition Procurement & Contracts, Femi of the company’s creativity Adewunmi; Notore Chemical and execution of an excellent Industries Ltd and Adekalu Ba- integrated marketing camlogun, MD, Kyautae Integrated paign centred on the business Ventures Limited. benefits of Cisco’s Video ColEach of them has committed laboration solution. With one to supporting Lagos start-ups event each in Lagos and Accra, to grow their businesses by the company was able to proproviding cash funding and vide customers with live techmentoring time to the entrenical demonstrations

By Adeyemi Adepetun

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State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Adebiyi Mabadeje.

Over 100 start-ups applied to compete for the LAN seed funding with 16 being shortlisted and only seven finally being selected to pitch their start-up to the Angels at an event held at the DBI Lagos campus last week. Over 80 per cent of the applications were automatically disqualified because they came from individuals, which is against the LAN objective of fostering collaboration and teamwork in development.

Resourcery wins Cisco’s award

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connecting Lagos, Accra, Norway and USA respectively as well as one-on-one enablement opportunities.

“Cisco is proud to work with so many well-respected and industry-leading channel partners and distributors, and it is an honour to recognise (Partner Name) as a Cisco Best Integrated Marketing Campaign award winner. “The Best Integrated Marketing Campaign award presented to Resourcery from Nigeria recognises its marketing excellence and quality execution in 2012”, said Vice President, Global Partner Marketing at Cisco, Sherri Liebo.

Ghanaians applaud Glo ‘X Factor’ show HANAIAN contestants in the tions. With the crowd chorusfered Nigerian and Ghanaian G ‘X Factor’ auditions conyouths through ‘X Factor’. “It is ing excitedly “Glo, Glo, Glo, X ducted in Accra, Ghana have commended Glo for bringing the world’s biggest singing reality TV show to Africa, declaring that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring singers to realise their dream.

As early as 5.30 a.m., the usually quiet Northridge area of Accra came alive as hundreds of bubbly teenagers and young adults in their 20s streamed into the neighbourhood and by 9 a.m. when the show started, over 800 contestants had filled the Alisa Hotel venue of the audi-

Factor!” many of the youths expressed their determination to stake a claim to the $150,000 prize money for ultimate winner of the show.

Standing out in the crowd was well-known television personality, Kokui Selormey. The co-host of ‘This Morning’, Viasat 1 weekday’s morning show, said she decided to participate to try to win the prize money. Though she could not progress to the final stage, she was very excited at the opportunity Glo had of-

a lifetime offer. I commend Glo for this and pray that the company will continue with the programme as it will help bring up more African superstars,” Selormey stated.

Also commending Glo were the 24-year old Latino twins, Lamberta and Lambertina Hansen, who after qualifying for the next stage declared they were ready to battle the male twins from Nigeria, the DNA Twins all the way for the $150,000 prize money.

COMPULIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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‘SMEs in Nigeria, others risk high cyber espionage attack’

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE latest Symantec Internet Security Threat Report (ISTR) has revealed a 42 per cent surge during 2012 in targeted cyber attacks compared to the prior year.

The attacks, which are designed to steal intellectual property, are targeted cyber espionage, and seen to be increasingly hitting the manufacturing sector as well as small businesses, with the target attack on SMEs put at about 31 per cent.

Cyber espionage is the act or practice of obtaining secrets without the permission of the holder of the information (personal, sensitive, proprietary or of classified nature), from individuals, competitors, rivals, groups, governments and enemies for personal, economic, political or military advantage using methods on the internet, networks or individual computers through the use of cracking techniques and malicious software including Trojan horses and spy ware.

It may wholly be perpetrated online from computer desks of professionals on bases in far away countries or may involve infiltration at home by computer trained conventional spies and moles or in other cases may be the criminal handiwork of

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amateur malicious hackers and software programmers.

In addition, the report showed that consumers remain vulnerable to ransom ware and mobile threats, particularly on the Android platform.

Indeed, the report showed that about 30 countries in Africa are prone to these attacks.

In terms of the countries vulnerability, the report ranked Nigeria as number seven, with Egypt; South Africa and Morocco occupying the first, second and third positions respectively.

Kenya, Sudan and Ghana followed Nigeria in that order.

Burkina Faso ranked 30th in Africa as most vulnerable countries.

According to Symantec’s Territory Manager, Indian Ocean Islands, West and Central Africa, Sheldon Hand, “this year’s ISTR shows that cyber criminals aren’t slowing down, and they continue to devise new ways to steal information from organisations of all sizes. The sophistication of attacks coupled with today’s IT complexities, such as virtualisation, mobility and cloud, require organisations to remain proactive and use ‘defense in depth’ security measures to stay ahead of attacks.”

The ISTR revealed that targeted attacks on businesses with fewer than 250 employees are growing, stressing that small businesses are now the target of 31 per cent of all attacks, a threefold increase from 2011.

Phase3 Telecom bags global recognition for services HASE3 Telecom has bagged the International Arch of P Europe Award for Quality, a globally recognized award of product excellence and business maximisation.

This award is composed of a trophy, a certificate and a statement of quality - a reflection of Phase3 Telecom’s commitment to her clients as well as her employees’ commitment to quality programmes.

The International Arch of Europe jury is comprised of outstanding professionals of the business world that specializes in quality, excellence and attention to the client.

According to the Director of Strategy & Investment, Zeme Elaiho, “For Phase3 Telecom, the ease in user experience in all facets of telecommunications has always been the objective and goal in our service delivery; it drives our commitment to the customer and the industry.

“We also believe this must be of paramount importance to our clients - the GSM operators, large ISPs, and multinational companies. Our business uses a proliferation of technologies in providing innovative solutions to our clients.

“Every day, we nurture and sustain an intellectual product that has become of great characteristic importance in dayto-day life, engagement and the pursuit of the new age of man. And for 10 years, our team of dedicated and innovative young men and women has on a daily basis, given 100 per cent to the deployment of quality and consistently evolving broadband delivery and connectivity solutions.

“We are not unmindful and do not take for granted the honor that we have been blessed with today. This International Arch of Europe Award has reinforced our resolute dedication to our vision and commercial guarantee to our clients and invaluable partnerships to always back up our brand promise with high quality service delivery.”

A telepresence room

TECNO to build plant in Nigeria soon, unveils P3 smartphone

By Bankole Orimisan HE new launched of the TECNO P3 in Lagos recently, mobile phone maker TECNO Mobile, has concluded plans to build plant in Nigeria.

The Vice President of TECNO group, Mr. Arif Chowdhury, who made the remarked during an interactive session with medias at the launch of the product said that , “Nigeria is TECNO’s biggest market in terms of volume and Lagos will be the location of the plant because Lagos is not just the commercial nerve

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Oracle puts cloud-computing market worth at $207b by 2015 NITED States (U.S.)-based services wrapped in a preU technology company, Oracle, dictable, monthly commerhas revealed that the public cial model, which allows its cloud service market is expected to reach $207 billion by 2015.

Though, there are still broadband infrastructure bottlenecks in Nigeria, Oracle said enormous potential exist for cloud computing in the country.

Speaking at cloud computing conference organised by the firm, Country Manager, Oracle Nigeria, Layo Ajayi, said cloud computing services help businesses cut down Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) on Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and in the same stroke, improve business flexibility and hasten time to market.

She added that cloud computing promises corporate the facility to consume computing resources on a pay-as-you-go basis, without having to invest in infrastructure, IT resource and training.

Indeed, Ajayi advised businesses in Nigeria to take advantage of cloud services to gain competitive edge in the market place.

She drew up strategies for businesses with the intention of going not the cloud.

Consolidation and standardisation, according to the Oracle country manager are the first steps to private cloud.

Experts say cloud technology presents a new consumption model for (ICT) solutions and

adopters to reduce cost as cloud reduces the total cost of ownership of managing infrastructure and applications.

Ajayi said while the benefits of cloud computing are very compelling, the complexity of planning, building and managing cloud infrastructure, is

significant. Cloud providers, she noted need to address client concerns about security, compliance, integration, performance, capital expense requirements, deployment and operational risks.

This, according to her, allows clients accelerate their Cloud journey. Interestingly, Cloud computing is also receiving strong push from the public sector. River State government introduced the RivCloud in April 2012 with support from MTN and Globacom.

centre of Nigeria but also the economic capital of Africa,”.

He added that the company was still waiting for right policies of government on duty structure for mobile phone import to finalise their plans in building the plant.

Speaking at this same vain, the Public Relations Manager of TECNO, Boukali Mounir, noted that the company wants to build the plant in Nigeria not just to advance its economic interest but also to show that the company is interested in having long term investment in Nigeria and to give back to the society.

He maintained that building the new phone plant would generate employment opportunities for Nigerians, adding that, “We want to be seen as long term investors and we want to do more than selling phones.

It is also a way of giving back to the society as the project will generate thousands of job opportunities for Nigerians,’ he said.

At the launch of the new smart phone, Etisalat unveiled a twelve-month special promotion for its subscribers offering100MB free data bundle on purchase

of a TECNO P3 smartphone.

However, the TECNO P3 launched in partnership with Etisalat is an entry-level smartphone that runs on Android 2.3Gingerbread operating system, and powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7225A processor to offer users the best 3G smartphone experience, good battery life, and easy access to the Internet and multiple social networks.

Speaking on the partnership, the Vice President of TECNO Group, Mr. Arif Chowdhury said, “we realised that internet savvy Nigerians are in dire need of a 0fast, innovative and seamless internet experience. These experiences are what TECNO P3 smartphone brings, and that also informs why we partnered with Etisalat”.

He explained that consumers can choose either the Etisalat customised version available at Etisalat Experience centres and its partner retailers, or buy the un-customised version from TECNO’s partner retailers nationwide and it comes with the same data bundle offer as the customized version.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MaritimeWatch

Santa Isabella

‘Graft channels in maritime sector to be made public’ Explaining further, the source said: “We don’t have N inter-agency committee any problem. We have releraised by the Federal vant information at our disGovernment to identify posal. We intend to make our alleged graft channels in the finding public as soon as we maritime sector is to make are through. We don’t want to public its findings on or speculate at this stage.” before the end of July, this Another source who, spoke year. in a similar vein said it is too Members of the committee early to make any conclusion, are representatives of adding that “we are on a Independent national assignment. Our Corrupt Practices and Other intension is to prevent corRelated Offences Commission ruption before it takes place.

(ICPC), Bureau for Public The Federal Government is Procurement (BPP) and interested in the job of this Technical Unit on Government & Anti-corruption Reform (TUGAR).

The committee, which started its assignment recently is OTECNA global trade working in collaboration Testing, Inspection and with related stakeholders Certification (TIC) giant, has such as United Nation Development Project (UNDP) been appointed officially by the Standards Organisation of and Maritime AntiCorruption Network (MACN). Nigeria (SON), to join Nigeria’s revised Standards In a chat with The Guardian on Monday, a member of the Organisation of Nigeria Assessment committee explained that the Conformity assignment was “going on as Programme (SONCAP).

Based on Act 56 of 1971 and planned”.

The source also used the opportunity to commend agencies and individuals for “making our jobs very easy and straight forward”.

OLICY inconsistency has According to the source, relebeen identified as the bane vant documents are on a regof Nigeria’s maritime sector. ular basis made available by Speaking recently at a two-day agencies and their represenseminar organised by Cargo tatives, adding that “we ask for clarifications where neces- Defence Fund (CDF) in collaboration with the Nigerian sary”.

Shippers Council (NSC) for the

Stories by Moses Ebosele

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committee. No doubt, the maritime sector is a breeding ground for corruption. Our mandate is to do everything possible to stop corruption in the maritime sector”.

The anti-corruption agencies are scheduled and sub-divided into four groups of “22 assessors” and charge with the responsibility of visiting Ports in Lagos, Warri, Calabar and Onne.

According to the committee, its main objectives are to identify vulnerable areas that are prone to corruption, proffer

recommendations, and jointly with the relevant agencies develop ‘integrity plans’ that would strengthen accountability and transparency towards enhanced service delivery.

Addressing stakeholders in Lagos, recently, UNDP team leader, Prof. Sam Egwu, said the initiative seeks to strengthen mechanisms to prevent corruption within the selected Nigerian ports by identifying “gaps and vulnerabilities, proffering practical recommendations and devel-

oping an integrity plan to address the identified gaps and vulnerabilities”.

Explaining further, Egwu said: “The corruption risk assessment process, being driven primarily by ICPC, TUGAR and BPP, began in 2011 with the development of a corruption risk assessment methodology.

“The developed methodology eventually formed the basis for the development of a comprehensive training module that has now been used to successfully train

Cotecna gets SON’s certification, contract in Burundi subsequent amendments, gramme, Cotecna carries out ice provider since 1984, with the Conformity Assessment the verification of conformity this new contract destined to C Programme (SONCAP) was of imported goods and issues protect Nigerian consumers introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the concern of unsafe products entering the country.

A press statement issued by Cotecna explained that as part of the SONCAP pro-

Certificates of Conformity (CoC) in the country of origin.

Cotecna’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Massey, was quoted in the statement as saying: “Cotecna is proud to continue its partnership with the Nigerian government as a serv-

from counterfeit or dangerous goods.”

Meanwhile, the statement said Cotecna has won a sevenyear contract with the government of the Republic of Burundi.

The statement added: “The

over 60 corruption risk assessors drawn from government ministries, departments and agencies at both federal state level, civil society and the anti-corruption agencies.

“It is from this pool of trained assessors that a team has been constituted to work in close association with experts and in consultation with relevant stakeholders for the conduct of this pilot corruption risk assessment in the Nigerian ports sector”.

trade inspection firm will be required to reinforce the operational capacities of the national security and customs of Burundi. In addition to training staff, the Swiss company will install scanners to facilitate trade inspection, and security in the East African country”.

Group decries policy inconsistency in maritime sector

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Completely Knocked Down (CKD) furniture group of Olojo unit in Lagos, stakeholders also identified policy inconsistency as one of the challenges confronting the nation’s economy.

Chairman of the CKD furni-

ture group, Okeke Innocent, was quoted in a statement as saying there is need to work in collaborations with Customs to avoid conflict and communications break down.

Secretary to CDF, Azuka Ogo, in her speech identified the man-

dates of the fund as re-examination of financial ImportExport policies, among others.

She recalled how she received the complaint of the CKD Furniture Group in 2010, adding that “we also discov-

ered that the group constitutes of a lot of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)”.

The forum also emphasised need to give correct interpretation of H.S. Code on CKD Furniture component.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MARITMEWATCH

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Prospects, challenges of Lekki deep sea port, by Aswani A revolution in the Nigerian maritime industry is in the offing going by the sophistication and details already being deployed in the conceptualization and construction of Lekki Port. Located in the Lekki axis of Lagos, it is Nigeria’s first deep seaport. The project is being spearheaded by Mr. Haresh Aswani, a resilient, future-minded investor with a remarkable business record in the country’s economy over the years. With the success of the Indomie brand and carpet factory, among others, already in his kitty, the Bagbilekorebe of Ota and 2006 MFR awardee, in a chat, spoke on the project that will certainly reorder the pattern of maritime business in West Africa, with Nigeria as hub. Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu was there. Excerpts lease introduce yourself and let us into P your background.

I am Haresh Aswani, Managing Director of Lekki Port, and we own a couple of businesses in Nigeria. When we first came into the country, we started a few things before we finally decided on focusing on manufacturing and services.

We eventually found that we could specialize in manufacturing, so my task was to help restructure the group to focus on manufacturing.

One of the key businesses we have developed from zero base, which is now well known by now, is Indomie. It is interesting to see how we created a product that was not consumed here and made it a staple that is now loved and consumed by people all over Nigeria, and gradually extending to the entire West Africa. Our journey has seen us embark on manufacturing all over Nigeria with plants in Ota, Port Harcourt and Kaduna. It has been a great journey so far.

Today, we have the largest carpet factory and other businesses that have seen me recognized withachieftaincytitle, Bagbile-korede,fromthe Olota of Ota, which means, ‘he that came to contribute,’ nine years ago. I also got a chieftaincy in Enugu and was as well awarded Member, Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) by then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006. So I can safely say that Nigeria is home for me.

Having been in Nigeria for a while now, what would you say about the business environment?

Well, it has been challenging, but at the same time very rewarding in the sense that it is very lucrative,especiallyif youknowhowtogoabout it. If you focus on your business with the attention it requires, you can achieve anything you want. I have found out, because we have focused on a few businesses. Each of our businesses is number one in its own category, for instance Indomie noodles, carpets and logistics business. Also, our bleach product, Hypo, is a firmly strong brand. So we always strive to be number one at all times, no matter how challenging it is. No doubt, Nigeria offers a lot of potentials, what is key is putting those potentials to good use.

Many businesses have come and gone, and there have been quite a lot of complaints about the harshenvironment.Whatstrategiesdid you adopt that have kept you doing well over the years and also put you ahead of your peers?

One key thing we did was look at Nigeria as a long-term investment. Other businesses came here with short-term or medium term concept or plan, but we did not. I would give you an example with the Indomie business. During the initial years when we came in, we lost money.

It came to a point we were deciding whether we should carry on or not, but with little perseverance and hard work, we broke even and things changed. Any potential business must look at Nigeria as long-term venture at the starting point. If you do, you would never regret it.

Not many investors would delve into a project with such a magnitude as the Lekki Port. What is the rationale behind the project?

Initially, we got some investors many years ago to try and create a petrochemical industry but it didn’t work out because we couldn’t get gas supply. Until now, we were still having difficul-

ties getting gas supply. As at that time, President Olusegun Obasanjo told us we could build a port here. Meanwhile, prior to that time, he had been to Singapore and saw the port development in Singapore and said, ‘I want something like this in Nigeria’.

So we studied for about three years the viability and realized that Nigeria actually needed another port - it does need capacity. So we talked to all the industry players - the shipping companies and port operators - and everyone said, ‘pleasebuildanotherport’.Sowelookedaround andfoundtheidealspottobejustoutsideLagos.

The reason we decided to build there is that the location is good and the port is like property business - location matters. Because we have the road infrastructure and a large city to support it and there are amenities in Lagos such as hospitals and airports, which support living conditions - schools, supermarkets and restaurants - you have to consider all these as a package to attract investors.

You can’t put it somewhere government infrastructure is very difficult to access. And because a port is an intra-trade (it is in and out, not just in), eventually, we quickly understood that this would become the hub for West Africa and our aim is to make this serve West Africa. So our capacity in the first stage will be 1.5 million containers per year, eventually going to 2.7 million and ultimately, we hope to grow to 4.5 million containers a year. This we intend to do to meet the deficit demand that we have now because there is a huge capacity gap, which we feel is 1.5 million containers in the next three years.

There is already a gap that we now estimate to be about 600,000 containers per year. This means that shippers that want to come here don’t have the space to do so now and the size of ships that come here are small - about 2000 TEUs. What we intend to do is dredge to 16 metres, which will allow us to bring in 8,000 to 10,000 TEU vessels. What that means is, when you bring in a large-size ship, you have optimum economies of scale and the overall cost in the value chain goes down. So the shipping companies can go from port to port to drop as much goods and then move on, that’s number one.

Number two is that the cost of bringing in goods is high because the shipping cost is not just about the size but also the cost incurred on fuel. Note that the fuel cost doesn’t go up four times because the ship size is four times, it goes up may be only 50 per cent, depending on the level that you use. Certainly, when you get such large ships you actually are becoming environment-friendly because less ships would come in and go out, translating to you using less fuel eventually for transporting that large amount.

The multiple effects of doing a deep seaport capable of bringing in large-size ships are tremendous. It is not just the economy that gains but you have to look at the social impact also. You look at that carefully, because in our environmental studies, these are the things we look at also, the right thing to do is we follow the equation principles.

How much are you going to be sinking into the project in terms of total cost?

The total cost is estimated at about $1.5 billion, of which the equity is about $450 million and the balance we intend to raise from the banks, and we are in the process now, it is more of paper work than anything else. We have been interfacing with the banks for the last one year, they have come to investigate the project, they have seen the site, done their due diligence and are very comfortable with the project. The stage we are in now is structuring the terms, which may take another month to agree upon.

It is only normal that when you do such large financing of a huge project as this, it takes more time than building a house, so we intend to close the financial process probably by September or October this year. But work carries on, it doesn’t stop. The materials are on ground, contractors are coming in full swing in July/August. Dredging is expected to start early next year; that will be the main work - dredging and the breakwater. These are the two largest compulsory tasks required in building the port.

What is the role of Lagos State Government in this project?

Lagos State Government is participating with 18.15 per cent funding while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has 20 per cent, and the balance is from investors, which include us and a

Aswani consortium from oversees and some Nigerians.

Lagos has brought its money, we have also brought our money, and are now waiting for NPA to do so.

Also, we are hoping that the area will be developed in a structured manner, so we are creating a master plan. We are also working closely with the Federal Ministry of Works and the Lagos Ministry of Physical Planning and Works Ministry to develop new roads eventually.

Fortunately, because of the location we are in, the road is quite good. Secondly, the road network bypasses you back to Lagos if you take Epe Road, and goes up to Shagamu and LagosIbadan Expressway. The existing roads are good, what they need is expansion, but the more important thing is to maintain these roads in the future.

Are you going to be sourcing funds locally or from abroad?

We are approaching both foreign and local banks, they include the African Development Bank, African Finance Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), Stanbic Bank, FCMB and Standard Bank.

The project is huge, with varying technicalities.

Who are the building consultants/partners?

The building consultants are Louis Berger Group (LBG). They have done some jobs in Africa and are probably rated number three in America or in the world as contracting consultants. What they do is carry out supervisory role, monitoring whether the contractor performs or develops according to specification. We and NPA have our own engineers to monitor this.

So it is a three-pronged approach, where there are three sets of engineers supervising the project. But LBG specializes in large contracts like this and the people are already on ground. If you go to the site you’ll meet them, the work has already started; contractors are already on ground.

How far has the project gone, how close is it to completion?

The project is scheduled to take 39 months, approximately three and half years. They’ve started work, if you go to the site you will see how much work has been done. But like I said, the main contractors are arriving soon with their large equipment in August, as it will take about three months to get them in. The work is about five per cent complete. They would do the dredging and the breakwater early next year. If you go to site now, you will see the trucks movingtherocks.Thesitehasbeencleared;they have carried out soil tests, soil investigation and other required assessments.

What would be the benefits of this project to trade in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa as a whole?

The benefits to cargo trade business in Nigeria and West Africa would be unprecedented because revenue inflow to the economy will be

huge, generating over an estimated $360 billion and creating jobs, both direct and indirect employment, as it would create over 163,000 new jobs in the long run. It is worthy of mention that the sub-concessioners, ICTSI, which will handle the port, are bringing in some of the most knowledgeable people and modern equipment in the industry, so nothing is being spared in ensuring that Lekki Port becomes the gateway to West African region. And it would be one of the most efficient and modern maritime facilities in Africa that will cater for containerized, liquid and dry bulk cargo par international standards.

In addition to bridging the capacity deficit, it is based on container number such that the importer can start processing the papers, go to Customs and say these are my goods and pay taxes. Within four hours of ship landing, we can put the container on a truck to get out. Number two, most of West Africa imports their products and right now, where do large ships go? They go to locations in Europe or South Africa, drop their goods there, get feeder ships to bring them over to Nigeria. Why should we be doing that?

So we have created a location that is sufficient to meet our capacity demand at our port and for goods to move thoroughly in West Africa. So if you want to go to Warri or Calabar, take your small ships and go there. Remember that when a ship is 8,000 TEUs it is four times the normal size of the ones that come in. It is bigger in capacity, more economical and enables bulk shipment instead of carrying goods on four ships.

It is going to change the whole dimension of how we do business in Nigeria. And the key point is this, because it is a brand new port, you can build it to specifics. Just like we have the telecom sector, the GSM syndrome has affected the whole technology landscape. Of course, we all complain about congestion but it is a question of them upgrading the network. But we chose the best technology to do it and it’s the samethingwiththisport,wewillbuildthemost modern port in the world.

Ecological concern – Did you consider that the dredging could cause future disaster?

That is the reason we moved the location away from Lagos, we are about 60km away from Lagos. The breakwater will be of environmental use as the water recycles, you know. Secondly, we use the dredging in two ways: we have a dumpingsite,whichisalocationoutinthedeep sea, where we dump the extra sand and part of the sand we bring into the land, and that will be partly used for sand-filling because it is not a quality construction sand.

Where are the equipments sourced from?

We are going to be sourcing global, high standard equipments all the way from Belgium and Denmark in order to ensure maximum efficiency and output. We won’t be sparing anything in ensuring great quality.

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IndustryWatch Nigeria’s non-oil sector earnings hit N575.8b in Q1 2013 Stories by Femi Adekoya ESPITE falling below the projected budget estimate, the Federal Government earned N575.8 billion from non-oil receipts in the first quarter of 2013, the Central Bank of Nigeria has said.

According to the apex bank in its Economic Report for the first quarter 2013 released on its website, the amount earned wasbelowthebudgetestimate and receipts in the preceding quarter by 23.3 and 12.8 per cent, respectively.

Specifically, total federally collected revenue stood at N2.4trillion, representing a decline of 2.4 and 17.9 per cent below the receipts in the preceding quarter and corresponding quarter of 2012, respectively.

At N1.8 trillion, oil receipts, which constituted 76.3 per cent of the total, exceeded both the budget estimate and receipts in the preceding quarter by 15.5 and 1.4 per cent, respectively, but declined by 22.2 per cent below the receipts in the corresponding period of 2012.

Further review showed that non-oil export earnings by exporters stood at N179.5 or 1.1 billion, representing an increase of 15.1 and 9.3 per cent over the preceding and corresponding quarter in 2012.

The report stated, “Total nonoilexportearningsbyNigerian exporters stood at US$1,136.33million at the end of the review period. This indicat-

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ed an increase of 15.1 and 9.3 per cent above the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2012, respectively.

"The development was attributed, largely, to the 66.9 and 70.3 per cent rise in receipts from the industrial sector and manufactured products, respectively."

The CBN added, “A breakdown of the proceeds in the review quarter showed that industrial, manufactured, agricultural, minerals and food products earned $634.2million, $322.6million, $89.9million, $67.9million and $21.7 million, respectively.

"The shares of industrial, manufactured, agricultural and food products as well as mineral and transport in non-oil export proceeds were 55.8,28.4,7.9, 6.0 and1.9 per cent, respectively.”

In a press statement made available by the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the National President, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Chuku Wachuku, while commenting on the CBN Report in Abuja, on Monday, said the report underscored the importance of the manufacturing sector as the pivot for the transformation of Nigeria’s economy.

He said, “The CBN’s report which said that receipts from manufactured goods was responsible for the significant increase recorded by the nonoil sector in the first quarter of

Executive Director, Bank of Industry(BOI), Waheed Olagunju (left); Senior Manager Gender/Special product, BOI, Uche Nwuka; Managing Director, BOI; Ms Evelyn Oputu; BOI Ambassador, Dapo Oyebanji(D'banj); and General Manager, Operations BOI, Joseph Babatunde, at the presentation of D'banj as the ambassador of the Bank in lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU economybyincreasingnon-oil ated a lot of revenue for the 2013, is a very good develop- and Investment recently earnings and contribution to Federal and state government for not only the manu- kicked off the implementathe country’s Gross Domestic ments, but is less inclusive. facturing sector in particular, tion of the Nigerian Industrial Product. but also for the economy in Revolution Plan, based on "The good news is that today, areas where the country curHe said, “Nigeria has huge we have started reversing that general. human and natural resources process by focusing more on "The report underscores the rently has comparative and that are yet to be fully translat- diversifying the earnings base importance of manufacturing competitive advantage.

This, according to the ed into wealth for our citizens. and deliberately positioning as the major driver of job creFor decades, we have relied our industries as key drivers of ation and wealth generation Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, is part of efforts aimed heavily on the oil and gas sec- growth. We have started seeglobally." tor, which obviously has gener- ing some results.”

The Ministry of Industry, Trade at diversifying the nation’s

BoI partners entertainment industry to aid access to intervention fund O aid accessibility of stakeT holders in the entertainment industry to the $200 million intervention fund, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has commenced a partnership with stakeholders in the sector in that regard.

Specifically, the bank announced one of Nigeria’s popular artistes, Dapo Oyebanji (D’Banj) as its ambassador as part of measures to aid the attractiveness and marketability of the fund to the industry.

Managing Director of BoI, Ms Evelyn Oputu, while speaking at the official declaration of the artiste as the new face to drive the initiative, explained that the choice of D’Banj was becausehepossessestheattributes to be an ambassador for the bank.

According to her, the bank needs an ambassador within the industry to drive the initiative and going by his experience and exposure, we are looking at how to deepen the bank’s relationship with the entertainment industry by enhancing its members’ accessibility to the intervention fund.

“We are working to make Nigeria’sentertainmentindustry to get to where we desire. It is a creative industry and the value must be enhanced. The choice of D’Banj is premised on the fact that he has an advantage on both sides of the divide, especially in the industry. We hope to bring more people to the tale to drive the initiative.

The money is there, but many have difficulty accessing it.”

Explaining why access to the fund seems difficult, she said: Most applications still consider the fund a grant. While a grant is non-repayable fund disbursed by the government or its agencies, corporation or foundation often for a specific project, a loan requires repayment, the meeting of certain conditions– a security or collateral.

She added that the bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as

other stakeholders to drive the initiative, while restating the bank’s readiness to embrace and support credible and sustainable creative projects, if well packaged.

She said, “the entertainment industry is a viable one for job creation and that is why we have decided to invest in the sector. Hitherto, it has been difficult for people in the creative sector to access funds because they find it difficult to convince banks. You may have the cre-

ativity, but you need experts to guide you and sensitise you on how to access finance. There is a need for increased collaboration between business people and the creative individuals.

Gaining access to funds depends on how much discipline they display, capacity building and ability to optimise what they have.”

“One problem with the entertainment industry has to do with the view that the industry has a view of eccentricity. We

need to know that entertainment has its business side. To attract funding, the eccentricity in entertainment has to be matched with proper business planning. We are taking steps to enhance their capacity. The Lagos Business School and the British Council are providing the needed capacity along this line.”

On his part, Oyebanj (D’Banj) expressed his readiness to serve as a link between the bank and the industry in order to

enhance accessibility to the fund.

He said: “There has been a lot of knowledge transfer between the world and Nigeria’s entertainment industry. There are various partnerships and collaborations between Nigerian artistes and other artistes around the world. Things have hitherto been done individually but with this collaboration, we hope to make this work.”

Fidelity Bank to drive SMEs’ growth through new scheme S part of measures to A address the high mortality rate of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc has concluded plans to commence its Managed SMEs scheme to address the trend.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Lagos, yesterday, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi explained that the move to create the ‘Fidelity Managed SMEs’ was necessitated by the need to address the challenges affecting small businesses, especially in the Nigerian business environment.

According to him, many small businesses find it difficult to sustain their businesses and survive in the marketplace due to inadequate information on how to harness the opportunities in the market.

He said the scheme would help to guide small businesses in their efforts to penetrate the market by providing advisory support and enhanced capacity building programmes that would aid the survival of their businesses.

“Most times, small businesses feel access to capital is a major challenge but that is not the reality as there are avenues for funding. But, many of the SMEs lack the exposure to drive them through the necessary value chain. Each business has its own future and to make this a reality, a lot of things need to be done.

“As a bank, we have concluded plans to focus on managed SMEs, those with commitments. We are looking at trying to convert opportunities to success. We are planning to build the next generation

of SMEs in Nigeria. They are the driving force of every economy and that target market should not be taken for granted”, he added.

The bank’s Division Head, Managed SMEs and Consumer Sales Force, Ken Opara while unveiling the business explained that the bank’s approach to the scheme would be geared

towards providing advisory support and catering for the mass SMEs. He added that the bank would commence a focused radio programme to enhance capacity building of entrepreneurs while leveraging on technology and its manpower’s expertise to achieve its objectives.

“The focused radio pro-

gramme will be launched in a couple of days and anchored by Martin Odogie, one of our SMEs expert.

Through this effort, we hope to position the bank as an attraction point for SMEs’ incubation. The capacity building programme would be done in collaboration with other agencies”, he explained.

NACCIMA to hold yearly meeting, elect new officers HE Nigerian Association of T Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has concluded plans to hold its yearly general meeting on May 22, 2013.

According to the chamber, the meeting will enable the members to elect a new President and other national officers to run the affairs of the Association for the next two years, while deliberating on

other key issues.

In a press statement made available to The Guardian, the meeting will come to a climax with the association’s yearly conference with the theme: Development Financial Institutions: “Key Partners for Economic Prosperity”.

Furthermore, the President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to declare the conference open, after which the formal investitureof thenewPresident,Alhaji

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, will take place, following the completion of the outgoing President’s tenure.

For the conference, the Managing Director of Infrastructure Bank Plc, Adekunle AbdulRazaq Oyinloye and Managing Directorof Bankof Industry,Ms. Evelyn Oputu are expected to deliver papers while Alhaji Suleiman Baffa will preside over the technical session.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

INDUSTRY WATCH |39

Deepening investments through effective collaboration Cross-border investment has over the years been identified as a vital driver of global economic growth and conveys benefits to businesses and their home governments that frequently may be overlooked. Domestically, foreign direct investment links local companies to global value chains, underwrites trade and export opportunities, and facilitates the inflow of capital, technology, and skills. With the recent announcement by the Nigerian Stock Exchange on its expectation that the market capitalization would hit the $1 trillion target by 2016, many have doubted the feasibility of attaining the goal. The NSE however believes that a sustainable partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Investment would aid the attainment of this objective. FEMI ADEKOYA writes.

NApril 2010, former President of the World Iaddressing Bank Group, Robert Zoellick, while the Woodrow Wilson Centre for International Scholars, said: 'If 1989 saw the end of the "Second World" with communism's demise, then 2009 saw the end of what was known as the "Third World".

According to him, we are now in a new, fast-evolving multi-polar world economy in which some developing countries are emerging as economic powers; others are moving towards becoming additional poles of growth; and some are struggling to attain their potential within this new system where North and South, East and West are now points on a compass, not economic destinies.

Consequently, with the aftermath of the global financial crisis, trade experts believe that a new world order is emerging. To them, it is a world of rapidly shifting markets characterized by changing patterns of trade, investment and opportunity.

This is because the developing world is increasingly becoming an important driver of the world's economy. Specifically, inter and intra-regional trade are growing rapidly; supply chains are changing; and opportunity exists in an environment where business flows in every direction.

Specifically, the world has become one of greater connectedness. Nations and businesses previously perceived to be competitors are now becoming collaborators or connectors, and developing countries see opportunity in their immediate neighbours, not just traditional markets far away.

To further achieve a profitable connectedness, trade and investments have been identified as a means to such end.

With the move by the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to form a new partnership to attract more investments into the country, industry watchers believe that there is more to be done, especially when some critical sectors such as telecommunications, oil exploration and gas and certain areas of the industrial sector are still not yet captured in the stock market performance indicators.

The NSE on its part had reviewed its listing rules and has also been engaging operators in the various sectors in order to woo them to list their companies and enjoy the numerous benefits.

Indeed, some of these efforts have received a boost as the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga recently assured the management of the NSE of the ministry’s support in ensuring that more investments flow into the Nigerian stock market in particular and economy in general.

Aganga, who spoke at NSE CEO sectoral dinner organised for entrepreneurs in the industrial goods sector in Lagos, recently promised a new partnership with the Exchange to achieve that objective.

Apparently matching words with action, one of the parastatals under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) last week, assured the stockbroking community of the commis-

Aganga

sion’s determination to ensure that adequate information needed to assist investors to make vital decisions would be available through the NSE. Chairman of CAC, Funsho Lawal said one of the principal aims of the commission is to ensure that more companies are registered and quoted on the NSE, hence the need for adequate information to assist investors in making decisions.

“We are happy to collaborate with the NSE and the market community to ensure that activities in the market as regards quoted companies are boosted. To this end, we would try to ensure that companies are properly registered and we plan to help stockbrokers and investors in making adequate decision regarding the companies they are investing in. We will also be involved in assisting companies who plan to gather information on how to list their shares on the Exchange, and give them the necessary steps towards easy registration that will ultimately lead to the listing of their shares on the NSE trading floor,” Lawal said.

He added that the CAC will establish as a contact centre at the NSE as part of the new partnership to provide adequate information on companies to assist investors in making decisions, saying, “for the first time in the history of Nigeria, CAC has achieved a 24-hour registration of businesses in its Abuja and Lagos Offices, while arrangements have been concluded to extend it to other states of the federation in no time.”

Explaining the reason some applications for business registrations were not processed within the CAC’s 24-hour start-to-finish timeline, the Registrar-General, CAC, Bello Mamud, said, customers did comply with “laid down requirements for business registration”.

Although, listed companies have through the listing on the NSE taken care of their finan-

Onyema

cial challenges, their bottom-line and growth projections have however been hindered by several factors.

For instance, the performance of the companies in the industrial goods sector, has been hampered by poor infrastructure, proliferation of smuggled goods, inconsistent government policies, influx of sub-standard goods and unfavourable import tariff.

Aganga however noted that the ministry was taking measures to ensure that these challenges are tackled.

Specifically, he assured the CEOs of listed firms and prospective ones that the ban placed on some foreign products would be implemented, while the ministry will equally ensure the implementation of tariff related issues.

The minister added that the Federal Government was committed to partnering state governments in creating a sustainable enabling environment for attracting and retaining local and foreign investments across the country.

“We are creating a sustainable enabling environment that is capable of attracting and retaining both domestic and foreign investments. It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government, created the new Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Government’s driving force has been the need to meaningfully improve the welfare of the average Nigerian by designing and implementing policies and strategies that will lead to inclusive economic growth,” he said.

The minister explained that in order to achieve the set objectives, a committee has been set up to develop an integrated industrial policy for Nigeria.

He said: “This is the first time that we are doing this since 14 years, in terms of developing an integrated industrial plan. But more importantly, we are going to develop

If 1989 saw the end of the "Second World" with communism's demise, then 2009 saw the end of what was known as the "Third World". We are now in a new, fast-evolving multi-polar world economy - in which some developing countries are emerging as economic powers; others are moving towards becoming additional poles of growth; and some are struggling to attain their potential within this new system - where North and South, East and West are now points on a compass, not economic destinies. The world has become one of greater connectedness. Nations and businesses previously perceived to be competitors are now becoming collaborators or connectors, and developing countries see opportunity in their immediate neighbours, not just traditional markets far away...To further achieve a profitable connectedness, trade and investments have been identified as a means to such end.

institutions that will drive the industrialisation of this country. We are creating a sustainable enabling environment that is capable of attracting and retaining both domestic and foreign investments.

“It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government, created the new Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Government’s driving force has been the need to meaningfully improve the welfare of the average Nigerian by designing and implementing policies and strategies that will lead to inclusive economic growth.

“In order to achieve this, we have already set up a committee to develop an integrated industrial policy for Nigeria. This is the first time that we are doing this since 14 years, in terms of developing an integrated industrial plan. But more importantly, we are going to develop institutions that will drive the industrialisation of this country.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, noted that the NSE had reviewed its listing requirements to encourage small and medium businesses to get listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

According to him, such move was also applied to blue chip companies to encourage listings of blue chip companies as part of measures to boost the NSE’s $1 trillion mark.

The NSE’s CEO, who was represented by the Exchange’s Head of Strategy, Yvonne Emordi at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Financial Services Group of the LCCI recently, noted that the inability of most companies to meet NSE’s post listing requirements is a major pitfall to accessing funds on the NSE through listing.

She said: “We have provided different products to address different needs of different markets. For our $1 trillion target, we are working to ensure that the market is not over-hit. We are watching closely to ensure that the fundamentals are right.”

According to the 2010 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index published by global consultancy firm A.T. Kearney, several emerging markets are attractive to foreign investors.

The index tracks the impact of probable political, economic and regulatory changes on the investment intentions and preferences of top companies around the world. The global financial crisis has also changed the world's perspective on financial security. With the tumbling of traditional finance structures in developed countries, the financial systems in developing countries have been 'recalibrated' as sound options, inducing greater confidence to invest.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

AFRICAN OIL&GAS REPORT 41

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Marginal Field Status Update, as of January 2013, published in the February 2013 edition of the Africa Oil+Gas Report. This update is only being published here this once, to show our general readers that the indigenous upstream operating environment is active. Subscribers to the magazine have monthly access.

ON SITE As majors and ministry bicker over PIB, Nigerian independents get busy at the drill bit..

By Njoroge Ahmad Afren Spuds Ogo-1, Offshore Lagos Optimum Petroleum and its technical partner Afren, have spud Ogo-1 in OPL 310 in the Benin Basin, offshore Lagos. The well is being drilled by the jack-up G.SMonitor, owned by Transocean, to a planned depth of 3,536 metres. The site is 24km from the Lagos coastline. Logistics are being provided by Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, LADOL. Newcross Is Stuck In Efe Newcross Petroleum had drilled through about a dozen hydrocarbon reservoirs in Efe-1, its first well in OPL 283B, before the pipe got stuck around 13,000ft Measured Depth.

The well, located northwest of the Oil Prospecting Lease(OPL) 283/B, and due south of Seplat’s Orogho field, had reached as far as 14,000ftMeasured Depth (about 12,000ftTrue Vertical Depth) and the pipe was coming out of hole. The proposed 15,000Ft MD(~13,000ftTVD ) may not be difficult to reach but the likelihood of commercial success is high.

Conoil Drills Mbuotidem Deep 1X Conoil, in a wildcat drilling frenzy, is also drilling the Mbuotidem Deep1x , in the Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 290, located in shallow offshore south east of the Niger Delta

Nigeria: Juniors Get Active with the Jack Up Oritsemehin, owned

by Seawolf. The current depth of the well is about 12,100ft (or 3688metres) TVD. The Mbuotidem well has experienced some pressure challenges, leading to several incidents of stuck pipe.

Wells drilled in the vicinity have not gone deeper than 9,000feet on average. A third rig, Imperial (owned by Depthwize, the same company that owns Majestic), is on its way to Ekokor Deep1X in OPL 2007.

Sahara To Drill, At Last?

Sahara Energy plans to move rig to a location on the Oki field in OPL 274 in June 2013. The company is working on contracting a rig. It’s interesting; for a company that has held some of the best prospects in the Niger Delta basin for upwards of seven years and never for once moved on location.

Last February, Sahara completed acquisition of 500sq km of 3D seismic on the lease, which cost $40Million.

That, you have to grant them, is significant investment for a minnow. There are three well candidates, tentatively named Oki-BA, Oki-CA (appraisal/development) and Scotta 1, which is an exploratory well.

ND Western Averages 6KBPD For April Niger Delta Western averaged 6,000BOPD in April 2013 in OML 34.

The gross production on the lease was around 13,000BOPD. Niger Delta Western has 45% equity in the lease, as a result of its taking over the SHELL/ENI/TOTAL stakes in in July 2012.

The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company(NPDC)

holds 55 per cent of the equity and is operator.

FHN Output Drops To The Low Three First Hydrocarbon Nigeria had a net production of 3,375BOPD in April 2013 in OML 26. The gross production on the lease was around 7,500BOPD. Shut in of the Shell Nigeria export trunkline was given as the main reason for the drop in production from around 10,000BOPD. First Hydrocarbon has 45% equity in the

SHELL/ENI/TOTAL stakes IN November 2011. The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company(NPDC)holds 55 per cent of the equity and is operator.

SEPLAT: The Big One Operates Close To 50 SEPLAT was producing 49,000 BOPD (gross) in OMLs 4, 38 and 41 as of April 26, 2013. The company’s net production on these three leases was 22,050BOPD. SEPLAT, the largest Nigerian owned E&P company holds NECONDE Is Close To 6,000BOPD 45% equity and operates the leases, NECONDE averaged 5,850BOPD in after acquiring the SHELL/ENI/TOTAL April 2013 in OML 42. The gross prostakes in July 2010. The Nigerian duction on the lease was 13,000BOPD. Petroleum Development NECONDE holds 45% equity in the Company(NPDC)holds 55 per cent of lease, as a result of its taking over the the equity . lease, as a result of its taking over the SHELL/ENI/TOTAL stakes in in 2011.

The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company(NPDC) holds 55 per cent of the equity and is operator.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

BACK PAGE/OPINION

Nigeria: The Dilemma Of Big Oil

By Dayo Ojo IG Oil is faced with a dilemma in B Nigeria, one that is precipitated by the fact that the state itself is in turmoil. There is the issue of law, order and security; there is heightened investment risk; there is corruption and violence in the land.

Unfortunately, some of the things that the corporations themselves have done pretty well in that country cannot be and is not enough to fix the problem.

Social investment by companies cannot on its own fix a society where law and order have failed and corruption and violence reign. The challenges that multinational companies face today have no pattern or form. They are unpredictable. It’s this kind of challenges that have led them, through the years, to devise ways to hedge their risks.

The menace of Boko Haram is as complex as it is because no one even has an idea of the quantity of arms

and ammunition that is available in Nigeria or with whom. The security agencies have at best demonstrated that they are clueless or at worst, careless about these kind of things.

So how does Big Oil tackle the situation? Big Oil has literally being groping in the dark, deploying all sorts of solutions. Some say that the emergence of a new security industry is a positive result of the challenges of today. Most of the majors operating in Nigeria now have “Corporate Security Departments”.

Several companies have grown in that area. Good coming out of evil?

The dilemma of Big Oil is best illustrated with the ongoing debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill which, unfortunately, many may not admit have political undertones. The debate is linked to the politics of 2015 succession - the question of if Jonathan will run or not, and all the uncertainty that arises with either scenario. Spice that with the fact that Nigeria is a young state democratically speaking, and as such grapples with issues whose resolution steps beyond the ability and competence of politicians.

There are many in the cauldron: the menace of the power elites, the nouveau riche, the new oil magnates, the new political power brokers. The menace of the power elites lead to the challenge of the inherent socio-economic disequilibrium that the new power elites create, and because of the socio-economic disequilibrium, the gap between the rich and the poor naturally widens, leading in fact to issues such as prevalence of armed conflict, religious tension, and of

course, criminality in several other areas.

The challenge of corruption which former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili recently christened “democratisation of graft” is a natural first step that may lead to anarchy, in a society with age long ethnic rivalry and the suspicion of “the other”.

For Big Oil, all of these issues are more than enough distraction. The country proposes an omnibus legislation for the industry that lays the golden egg without due consideration of the reality of world oil economics. Did Nigeria forget that the country is just one country out of so many where corporate oil could invest? This is where the challenge arises for Nigeria and the new PIB. The question is whether Nigeria is attractive and competitive enough for the distraction that the issues of state have caused the Big Oil. Perhaps not. Unfortunately, Big Oil itself has not had the luxury of a reputation that makes it easy to make a point. Big Oil has a bad reputation.

Given the nature of its experience and skill, the focus of Big Oil has been to further develop capability in technology, financial leadership, operations excellence, often to the detriment of reputation. None of that is likely to change until Big Oil learns to build image into corporate strategy. The reputation of an organisation helps to deflect negative events and support growth.

Reputation only develops from uniqueness and identity shaping practices that over time lead stakeholders to perceive credibility, relia-

Shoreline: NPDC Operator Is A “Good” Challenge CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 course, for quality of lives. We need to pump water, distribute water, when you need to study, you need light and an air-conditioned library makes you to be more productive. So, for some of us, to see how much time and wealth we have lost, how sad it is, that a country which had less than twenty five percent living below the poverty line, at independence, should have more than seventy percent after fifty years of independence, with such enormous resources.

To go from Texas’ oil field to say Pittsburgh, where you have steel, it will take over two thousand miles, but from Ajaokuta to Warn, it is about five to six hundred kilome-

ters. More than that, we have geographical advantage, Nigeria is in a position where the markets of Europe and America, is three thousand five hundred miles, while the Asian competitors will do over ten thousand miles to get to Europe or America. We have all these resources, gas, oil, which should be serving the plastic market in the US and those are in billions.

This is an abridged version of an interview published in The Guardian On Sunday, May 5, 2013, with Mr Asiodu, former Federal Permanent Secretary (1965-1975) and Minister of State for Petroleum in the Interim Government of 1992/1993. He spoke with Gbenga Salawu, who transcribed and reported the interview.

bility, trustworthiness and responsibility. So essentially, Big Oil faces the dilemma that it faces because it is not trusted around the world and it’s even made worse by ongoing issues and challenges in an unstable and young democratic nation like Nigeria.

Perhaps, the dilemma of Big Oil is the dilemma of society. Both international and indigenous oil companies have their own challenges, sometimes similar, often different.

Invariably, both are united in their

quest to resolve the challenges of society and business sustainability.

Adedayo Ojo is Lead Consultant/CEO of Caritas Communications Limited, a specialist reputation strategy and corporate communication consultancy in Lagos/Accra.

Caritas is the West Africa affiliate of Regester Larkin, the pioneer reputation strategy and management consultancy with offices in London, Washington, Houston, Singapore and United Arab Emirates.

PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

The Intelligence Behind Intelligent Completions

By Egbert Imomoh HERE are many definitions of T intelligent completions, but the one I find most apt is a well completion that enables remote monitoring and control of the well inflow without physical intervention to optimize production and reservoir management.

Before the late 1980s, when intelligent completions were introduced into our industry, data collection or well intervention had to be carried out by introducing tools from the surface using wireline or coiled tubing. However, a number of factors drove us to seek more cost-effective ways of obtaining well data and downhole intervention without shutting down production.

As we developed the capacity to drill in increasingly deep water, opening up new reserves, we had to find more innovative, cost-effective means of well intervention. The high upfront costs and the loss of revenue resulting from shutting these wells in just to obtain well data had a huge impact on the revenue stream of companies.

Another factor that encouraged application of intelligent completions is that, during penetration of many stacked reservoirs, operators saw that it was cost-effective to complete as many of the horizons as possible in one go but to retain the flexibility to manage which zones could be brought into production without incurring the expense of a rig or rigless intervention. In addition, many authorities were becoming more flexible in allowing commingling of production from different reservoirs.

The opportunities encouraged many service companies to develop new types of completions, either alone or in collaboration with other companies. The equipment already existed, but needed to be repackaged for the new application that was required (Docherty 2001). In designing intelligent completions, oilfield operators specified a number of requirements relating to reliability, ability to segregate inflow, minimal impact on existing well equipment, and the ability to integrate with current technology.

Over the years, new technologies have enabled real-time surveillance of wells and real-time control of inflow of reservoir fluids or the injection into reservoirs for pressure maintenance. Surveillance is achieved using modern electronic devices, while control is managed by the installation of innovative downhole equipment (a valve or sleeve) that is controlled using electric, hydraulic, or electrohydraulic signals.

Operators all over the world have applied the technology to provide services ranging from the control of gas breakthrough to selecting which part of long horizontal completions can be brought into production, to managing water injection for pressure maintenance. The use of intelligent completions has even been extended to shallow-well operations, where economics is the driver. Similar to deep-well operations, the cost of well intervention and the attendant loss of production have encouraged operators to install intelligent completions when such wells are initially completed. The use of intelligent completions also obviates the need for direct human intervention with possible attendant safety risks.

As with most new technologies, the first intelligent completions were basic, and wells required only low-density transmission for flow, temperature, and pressure data. However, over time, data requirements increased, and this has led to greater use of communication packages that can handle more data and do so over increasing distances (Furlow 2000).

The seemingly independent technologies of control devices, power transmission, and communications have been brought together to provide integrated systems that can lead to more economic extraction of hydrocarbons in a safe manner. We will continue to seek to achieve more with less.

Mr Imomo is the President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (Worldwide) for 2013 References Docherty, M. 2001. Intelligent Completions: Potential, but Some Hurdles.

Drilling Contractor March/April 2001: 40–41. http://www.drillingcontractor.org/dcpi/2001/dc-marapr01/m-expro.pdf Furlow, W. 2000. Intelligent Well Systems Expand in US Gulf, but Who Controls System Communications? Offshore Magazine May 2000. http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/print/volume-60/issue-5/news/general-interest/intelligent-well-systems-expand-in-us-gulf-but-who-controls-system-communications.html

For participation in Oil & Gas section, contact: The Manager: Lagos: 01 7736351; Abuja: 07098513445

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Energy Proposed $20b industrial park to boost Nigeria’s fertiliser production, says NNPC

By Roseline Okere, who was in Huston, Texas HE Nigerian National Petroleum T Corporation (NNPC) has said that the proposed $20b industrial park would boost the country’s fertilizer production.

Specifically, NNPC said that the country may achieve production of eight million tons fertilizer by 2017 following commitment to building industrial parks in different parts of the country.

The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC, Dr. David Ige, who disclosed this said the increasing government’s commitment to building these plants is aimed at increasing fertilizer production in the country.

He said a fertilizer plant is being planned to be built at an industrial park in Delta State.

The project, he said, is to be supported by a 350 megawatts (MW) power plant, a petrochemical plant and a central processing facility alongside big commercial and residential areas.

He said the facility is estimated to cost between $15 billion and $20 billion with additional investments in infrastructure and utilities to be pro-

vided by a special purpose vehicle constituted from willing investors and the Federal Government.

Ige said when completed, the project would stimulate a geographically dispersed industrialisation of Nigeria and unprecedented job creation estimated at over five million across the entire value chain in the upstream, midstream and downstream segments.

To ensure the successful take off and completion of the project, Ige called on RMAFC to join NNPC in sensitising critical stakeholders, especially the three tiers of government, so as to attract massive investment to the sector.

The industrial park patterned after

Seplat laments high overhead cost of marginal field the Xenel Petrochemical Plant in Saudi Arabia and the Nagarjuna Fertilizer Plant in India, when completed, will support the entire value chain of production, processing and marketing.

Meanwhile, the high cost of production and unfavourable government policy remained a major challenge militating against marginal field operators in the oil and gas sector.

The Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Austin Avuru, who made this known during the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria’s

investment forum at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, said that it costs 40 per cent more to produce in Nigeria compare to other countries.

He said that the high production cost was serious disincentive to indigenous marginal operators.

During the panel session, which focused on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Avuru noted that the majority of the stakeholders had focused on fiscal terms of the bill while neglecting the high cost of exploring and producing oil in the country.

He said: “Today, the cost of oil explo-

ration and production in the country is 40 per cent higher than what it should be. We want a PIB that will address this issue.”

The Chairman of the company, Dr. Bryant Orjiakor also lamented the non-passage of the bill after 12 years in the National Assembly and contributions from stakeholders.

He, however, pointed out the need for a post-PIB era that would be favourable to every operator in the industry especially the indigenous companies.

He said: “As independent operators, we are looking for a PIB that will be fair enough such that the fiscal terms will not get worse for the indigenous operators than as it is today.

Shell tests five gas wells in Bayelsa

By Sulaimon Salau HE Shell Petroleum Development T Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has commenced test on the potentials of five gas wells in line with implementation of the Gbaran – Ubie project in Bayelsa State.

The exercise, according to Corporate Media Relations Manager, SPDC, Tony Okonedo, which began about two weeks ago involved brief simulated production to determine the potentials of the wells and flaring of released gas in isolated locations.

On completion of the tests, Okonedo said that the wells would be hooked up to the Gbaran – Ubie central processing facility which would process the gas for domestic and export markets.

One of the recipients of the gas is the Bayelsa State gas turbine at Imiringi.

SPDC claimed to have secured permit from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and engaged communities in line with industry regulations, before commencing the well tests.

Project lead Gbaran – Ubie Phase 2, Calistus Iwu, was quoted as saying: “The testing of the gas wells is standard international practice and the exercise will last about four weeks. As we explained to the communities, the flares from the tests for each well typically last only a few days.”

The Gbaran Ubie project has significantly helped to reduce operational flares in Gbaran, Kolo Creek, Etelebou and Zarama since it achieved first oil/gas in June 2010, and continues to contribute to development in the communities by providing infrastructure (power, water, roads, among others) and capacity building for youths in the community.

Oil facility

Global energy experts harp on importance of technology in oil, gas development

By Roseline Okere, who was in Houston Texas HE development and application T of advanced technology is vital to the modern industry task of finding and developing oil and gas resources, according to the verdict of the oil and gas experts at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.

The experts believed that technological innovations have made it possible for the oil and gas industry to supply the fuels that power the world economy.

To keep abreast with the latest technology in offshore development of the oil and gas sector, over 40 countries including Nigeria took part in this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas last week.

The conference brought together energy professionals to create a com-

prehensive, peer-selected technical programme and also showcases the latest products and services.

Though, Nigeria was not able to display much in new technology advancement, it used the opportunity to tap into it in order to increase the contribution of the oil and gas sector to the nation’s economy.

It also used the opportunity to seek for local and foreign investors in offshore development.

At the conference, experts from the offshore energy industry around the world used the opportunity to explore the latest technology in the global oil and gas sector.

Attendance at the conference reached a 30-year high of 104,800, the second highest in show history and up 17 per cent from last year, according to the organiser.

Attendance surpassed the 2012 total of 89,400 and the sold-out exhibi-

tion was the largest in show history at 652,185 ft², up from 641,350 ft² in 2012. The event had 2,728 companies representing 40 countries, including 244 new exhibitors in 2013. International companies made up 39 per cent of exhibitors.

Chairman of OTC, Steve Balint, said that the conference was deep and broad in technical coverage, supported by excellent panels and executive keynote presentations.

“Technology is at the heart of the offshore industry and it was all here on display at OTC 2013,” he added.

According to him, this year’s event featured nine panel sessions, 29 executive keynote presentations at luncheons and breakfasts, and 298 technical papers. Speakers from major IOCs, NOCs, and independent operators presented their views on the current challenges and future directions of the industry.

OTC’s Spotlight on New Technology recognised 15 technologies for their innovation in allowing the industry to produce offshore resources.

Energy ministers and national oil company senior executives participated on a panel where they shared their perspectives on how the industry and its partnership models should adjust to address future supply challenges and what role companies and governments should play to shape the energy future.

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, said that Nigerian oil and gas community was not only at the conference to display the technology available in the country but also to tap from latest technology globally.

He said that the country’s participation in past OTC had had significant impact on the country’s oil and gas sector.

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ENERGY

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Edo Assembly tasks PHCN on N50m electricity project From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

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DO State House of Assembly on Monday gave the Executive Director, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Benin Zone, Effiong Umoren, one month within which to fix the abandoned Ikiran-Oke Ayaran-Ikakumo electrification project in Akoko Edo local council of the state.

Members of the communities had petitioned the state House of Assembly over the whereabouts of N50 million said to have been appropriated for the completion of the federal constituency project awarded in 1999 Appearing before the House at the plenary session, Effiong

attributed his inability to furnish the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources with relevant documents earlier requested on the rescheduled council election in some councils, which held on the said date but said the electrification project was enlisted to him as a fresh contract in the 2012 budget of the National Assembly and not an on-going one.

On his part, the member representing Akoko Edo II, Adjoto Kabiru, who said the project is an on-going one and has reached 85 per cent completion, posited that it only required to be connected to the national grid and nothing else.

But Umoren noted that the company was saddled with the responsibility to contract out the procurement of poles, conductors and the contraction works said besides the fact that the lines have been vandalised the source of electricity supply was equally a problem.

He disclosed that the authorities of PHCN give preferential considerations to the provision of electricity to industrial areas to that of residential as a result of its importance to the economic development of the country.

“I also want Nigerians to be fair to us too. If you look at all other corporations that were established at the same or al-

most the same period, it is only the PHCN that is still doing well as well as in existence.

We are the only surviving utilities. If you go back to all of them such Nigerian Airways, Railways, NITEL among others, I think Nigerians need to be fair to us too in the same country and in the same environment. I think we are trying.

“In terms of power supply, we also give preferential considerations to industrial locations to residential areas because of its economic importance to the country. If companies close shop it will negatively affect the labour force as a result of that we consider industrial areas first”, he said.

Lagos communities fault PHCN on bills ITING extortion, Shogunle, C Mafoluku and Oshodi communities in Oshodi/Isolo Local Council Area of Lagos State have accused the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and its Oshodi Business Unit of inflicting the people of the area with arbitrary billings that have no bearing with electricity consumption in the areas.

Arising from a resolution of a meeting of the Community Development Committee (CDC), a representation of all Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the council area recently, the residents in a petition addressed to the CEO, Ikeja Electricity Distribu-

tion Company, stated that they could no longer honour the obnoxious ‘coded’ billings until the policy was reversed, advising that it asks its workers who carry out disconnection to keep off the community.

“After several representations to you and your officials on the devastating effect the high billings from your obnoxious policy of coding is exerting on our people without any positive response, we have decided at a congress of our entire people held on April 30, 2013, that with effect from the date of dispatch and receipt of this letter, you advise your staff at all levels to desist from serving on

any person/premises in Oshodi, Mafoluku and Shogunle with coded and estimated billings and going into any place in the council area for the purpose of disconnection in their own interest”, the people declared in the letter entitled: “Coded Billing: We Can’t Pay Any More” and signed by all community leaders in the area.

They also agreed to report the matter to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Ikeja Public Forum of the Commission to determine the honesty and fairness of the coding policy, questioning the legality when

it was not part of the new Federal Government Electricity Tariff Structure.

“We are unable to understand how the idea of coding meters and billing came about and why we have to be inflicted with such obnoxious policy in total disregard for the economic reality of today; the bills are totally unacceptable and we cannot continue to allow them to be mounting as they are now. Such explanations advanced by some of your officials for the policy, including faulty and aged meters, nonpossession of meters and meters without seal are untenable.

He said the company has attained 47.7 per cent of the N3.75 billion earmarked for constituency projects in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Delta states under the 2012 appropriation bill, adding that the sum of 1.7 billion has so far been released.

He equally denied allegation that the PHCN illegally charge

the sum of N500,000 to install transformer but however noted that the 25 per cent fixed charge is in line with new tariff.

Meanwhile the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, consequently mandated the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources to visit the project site on June 13th and furnish the House with facts on ground.

Dealers seek speedy passage of PIB EALERS under the auspice D of the Odu’a Petrol Station Owners and Dealers Association of Nigeria, (OPSODAN), has called on the National Assembly to promptly work on the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), now pending before the lawmakers.

The President of Odu’a Petrol Station Owners and Dealers Association, a newly incorporated association in the petroleum industry, Kolawole Adewoyin, said this at the inauguration of the national officers of the association in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

Adewoyin said the prompt passage of the bill would help in solving some problems still being encountered by the oil and gas industry operators as well as curbing the restive activities of youths in the Niger Delta.

He also urged the federal, states and local councils to harmonise the tax regimes in the oil and gas industry in order to remove multiple taxations which have been

affecting the operators negatively and making the business somehow unattractive, especially to the filling station owners and dealers.

He also said if the Federal Government is able to pursue the oil industry deregulation fully, not only will the industry become friendlier to the operators, while the final consumers of petroleum products will also pay less for the products.

Members of the newly inaugurated executives were urged to be dedicated and serve the association to the best of their abilities for the overall development of the members of the association and the Nigerian people at large.

The new officers were President, Adewoyin; Vice President, Akindele Obiwale; Secretary, Suraj Owolabi; Assistant Secretary, Gbenga Popoola; and Financial Secretary, Lakin Ojekunle among others.

Licence renewal tops issues that delay new oil bidding round, says Olorunshola Osten Olorunshsola is the director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in this interview with journalists at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference in Houston Texas, he spoke on the importance of dialogue among stakeholders in respect of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

ROSELINE OKERE was there. Excerpt: LOT of opportunities have A been identified even in spite of the criticisms against some of the fiscal provisions in the PIB. In the light of all the views that have been expressed, how do you think these opportunities and prospects can be realised?

My view is that you cannot take away the importance of dialogue. The more we discuss and the more we share, the more the chances that we will get to a common ground at some point. The mere fact that people are speaking their minds is even the important thing. If people keep quiet over their views, it does not help. It is nice that people come up with their views, and the key areas of gaps are narrowing down.

In view of the plethora of divergent views, do you really think we will have a convergence, such that the National Assembly will come up with a bill that protects the national interest?

The bill has several hundreds

of pages. The areas of divergence you are talking about are less than 10 pages. People have been repeatedly talking about these 10 pages, completely undermining the 200 pages that are areas of convergence. We should focus more around where we have actually agreed. People can choose to look at a cup half empty. I personally like to look at a cup half full. Let us give attention to the 200 pages that we have convergence, but address these little areas that are remaining. In my view, there are three or four things people are still talking about. If they don’t talk about fiscal gaps, they talk about host communities, or institutional authorities. But there are several other parts we can actually run successfully. We should stop talking about these little areas that are remaining. In any case, after going through these for 12 years, if it is only three or four areas that are remaining, we can try and resolve it. My personal view is that we should not spend another 12 years trying to fix these three or four items. Where we are today, we are ready to go. I think half PIB is better than none.

One of the worries being raised by stakeholders is that rather than reducing or streamlining regulations, we are having multiple regulations instead. What is your stand on this?

It is true. It is an area that still has to be looked at, not from the point of what can be resolved in Nigeria alone, but actually looking at the benchmarks across the whole world. Apart from fiscals, one

Olorunshola thing international investors look at is the robustness, simplicity and transparency of your regulation. The National Assembly is aware of that. I think they will look at it very well. However, in looking at it, we also have to take our local environment into consideration. The mere fact that there is only one regulator does not mean that we cannot have another two or three. The only thing is that it has to work. It does not have to become a bureaucracy to the industry.

That is really the point. Any institution you have too many

regulations, it is recipe for disaster. I think the National Assembly will look at that angle.

In that case, is DPR not worried that with these streams of regulations, some of its functions are being whittled down?

It is not just the DPR. Even the PIB itself has addressed it to some extent. Even some of the extant regulators are somehow being addressed in the PIB. However, we have to wait until it becomes an act. If it does not become an act, all of them will still continue to parade themselves as regula-

tors. We have made our views known very well. In any case, we were part of the team that put the bill together as an executive arm.

We have been going on and on about new acreage allocation especially for the marginal fields. Why is it taking time for DPR to hold the next licensing round?

It is not proper to say that it is not materialising. We are working through it. It does take time to press go. Those are the things we are basically looking at. One of the major aspects is the fact that most of the fields that probably will come out at the next round are assets that we are still trying to renew for the licence holders. If you don’t renew the licences, there is no point going ahead with it, fields people don’t even have titles to. Some of those fields are within leases that were going through renewal right now.

You need to renew the leases first before you give out the fields within the leases to other people as marginal fields. That’s what we are doing basically. The leases have expired. We have to do one thing first. It is like building a house without putting a foundation. You do the foundation first before you start raising the walls.

Would it be correct then to say that some of these leaseholders are hanging on deliberately?

It is not their baby. It is our baby. It is left for government to renew. They have applied for renewal. Government is going through the process of renewing them.

The marginal fields are far

below that. The marginal fields are doing only 50,000 barrels per day out of 2.5 million barrels. The cry for more is legitimate. It is the right thing to do. After 50 years of production in Nigeria, we cannot be going about, to say that the indigenous production accounts for only 12 per cent. It should be far more than that. Even the government policy of encouraging indigenous participation is in that direction. They should all be supported. If you look at the marginal fields specifically, nine out of 24 are already producing today.

Another four or five will soon be producing. They are doing pretty well. Don’t forget that the first four or five years, they all had issues. It was a new law that came up. So, you don’t expect them to start from day one. They had all sorts of issues like funding. Most of the banks in Nigeria did not know how to fund long term projects like oil and gas. It is not an ATM where you put in your card and get money immediately. They needed time to understand the industry before putting in their money to support any investment in that direction. The second was that they also needed to build capacity. They needed to get the right people to help them to move those huge capitals in the right direction.

The third thing was that quite a few of them had some litigation among themselves as regards partnership issues.

Some of them went to court.

Now they are all coming out of court gradually, we will see a lot of actions going forward.

In all of these, do you think

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 14/4/2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

50 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 14/5/2013

PRICE GAINERS

LOSERS

Market’s bullish likely to continue

By Bukky Olajide AST week, market optiLstrong mism appeared relatively with sustained moderate accumulation as the stock market ended on a bullish note with the benchmark index advancing upwards.

After the deals, market capitalization grew by N380 billion.

Analysts envisage increased speculative trading in the coming session on the back

of possible profit-taking that may hit the bourse as market RSI trades within overbought region.

The market breath is also positive which confirms the optimistic activities witnessed last week and this further reflects the moderate accumulation in the week under review.

Technically, market sentiments during the week favoured liquid and active stocks of Medium and Large

Expert cautions CAP categories of all the sectors but with stronger positive sentiments in Consumer Goods, Information Communication Technology, Industrial Goods, Services, agriculture, financial services and oil & gas in that order.

Analysts however cautioned against the bullish status of the Stock market.

Adedayo Ojo, the Chief Executive Officer of Caritas

Communications said the bullish of the market is good news but something that must be looked at with cautious optimism. ‘’The fundamentals must be right , it is heartwarming that the banks have returned to high profitability but that raises a challenge for the financial regulatory authority too, to make sure that the mistakes of five years ago are not repeated. There should be deep scrutiny to ensure

that the fundamentals are right At the FGN bonds Over The Counter market, speculations regarding the upcoming FGN bond auction and the gradual return of active participation by offshore investors led to intraday volatility.

Analysts have noted the market general speculation over the outcome of the FGN bond auction taking place in the week ahead.

The market however experienced more activities which resulted to a slight decline in yields of the tradable maturities irrespective of the high volume of bonds proposed to be issued by the DMO during the week ahead. Analysts believe this trend may be sustained into the first half of this week; however, a reversal may occur in the second half of the week based on the outcome of the bond auction.

Shareholders approve Dangote Sugar Refinery N16billion dividend

By Helen Oji ITH N6 billion dividend W payout, translating to 50 kobo for every one ordinary share held, shareholders of Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR)Plc yesterday commended the company’s board for increasing their returns on investment.

Commenting on the company’s 2012 performance during the seventh yearly general meeting in Lagos yesterday, the National Co-ordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mrs Bisi Bakare who lauded the prudent management of affairs in the company noted that the company increased their dividend payout by 25 per cent, when compared to N3.6 billion paid last year, despite that the refinery was gutted by fire last year.

“This year’s performance is

unique because this is a company that 60 per cent of their refinery got burnt, some companies would have taken it as an excuse not to pay anything but they are paying 50kobo, up from 30kobo paid last year.”

For the National Co-ordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, the 50 kobo dividend was quite impressive, considering the challenges the company faced during the period under review.

“We are satisfied because it has not being easy for Nigerian companies..

Dangote has done what the government could not do in terms of job creation. If the government can tackle security issues, companies will perform better”.

He however urged the company to increase its distribu-

tion network, noting that it would improve accessibility of the product and enhance its earnings and profitability.

Reviewing the company’s performance, its Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote who bemoaned the 60 per cent tar-

iff payment on raw sugar import, which , according to him was an increase from the existing five per cent.

He however assured shareholders that the board and management would continue to do everything within its

powers to consolidate on the performance and sustain its leadership position in the industry.

The company posted a turnover of N27.64 billion in Q1 of 2013, indicating a growth of 2.2 per cent above the N27.1

billion in the corresponding period of 2012.

Profit after tax rose by 31 per cent from N4.119 billion to N5.951 billion while profit before tax also increased from N2.809 billion to N3.453 billion in 2013.

SEC strengthens capital market enforcement machinery N line with its vision of Iintegrity instilling a strong culture of in the Nigerian capital market, the Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), apex regulator of the Nigerian capital market, is poised to inaugurate its reconstituted Administrative Proceedings Committee, SEC APC. The inauguration will take place today, May 15, 2013 in the SEC’s corporate headquarters in line with the pledge made to the market by Dr. Suleyman

Ndanusa, Chairman of the SEC’s Board of Directors, during the Board’s inauguration earlier in the year “ … to elevate the culture of integrity in the market through a strict regime of rule enforcement”.

The new look SEC APC features the SEC Director General, Arunma Oteh as Chair person.

It has eight other members, two SEC Executive Commissioners and two non Executive Commissioners.

The other three members are drawn strategically from the

judiciary, academia and the global market place.

Specifically, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Umar (Rtd.), a former Chief Judge of Kebbi State is a member. An eminent jurist, Umar also worked in the Taraba State Judiciary in the course of a distinguished career on the bench. So also is Prof. B. Esosa Bob – Osaze, a Professor of Finance and capital markets who is the current Dean of Post – Graduate Studies at the University of Benin. He is a foremost

researcher on Capital markets who was once a Director of Special Projects at the SEC. Dr. Ike Michaels Odenigwe, a capital market expert, will impact the APC’s deliberations and resolutions with his rich reserve of knowledge garnered in sophisticated North American markets and which spans Pension Fund Administration, Alternative Investment Asset Management and Allocation, Financial and Investment Advisory, etc.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Opinion Charan’s ‘global tilt’ lesson for Nigeria

By Bemigho Awala FEW months ago, news broke of a rather interA esting development: a little-known Brazilian investment firm, 3G Capital was teaming up with legendary American investor, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway to buy H.J. Heinz, the iconic ketchup maker for USD 28 billion. The deal was dubbed as the largest acquisition in the global food industry. Some analysts have noted that the deal, which follows in the footsteps of other mega deals such as the acquisition by China’s Lenovo of the personal computer business of IBM years ago, is symptomatic of a resurgence of mergers and acquisitions. While there might be some validity to this claim, American thought leader and one of the most formidable management consultants on the globe today, Ram Charan, sees these developments as part of a bigger, more formidable trend that has vast implications for the future of practically every business. He calls the phenomenon the “global tilt.”

The global tilt, according to Charan, refers to an irreversible shift in economic power from North to South – from the U.S., Europe and Japan in the Northern Hemisphere to China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa and other countries mostly in the Southern hemisphere. It is to these countries that major industries are migrating.

These are the countries with the population that can generate not only sizeable consumption, but in addition possess a work-force that can produce the same output for a fraction of what it would have cost in countries of the North. Little wonder therefore that the centre of gravity for jobs, wealth and market opportunities, is fast migrating southwards.

Indeed, relative to the South, GDP growth in the Northern Hemisphere is low. America’s growth rate is at two to three per cent while Europe and Japan are growing at less than one per cent. Conversely in the South, India’s growth rate is between five and six per cent, Indonesia’s is about six per cent, China’s is about seven per cent and Nigeria’s is about eight per cent.

Assumptions pertaining to the business managerial superiority in Northern hemisphere are to all intents and purposes, now obsolete. In an intri-

cately networked world where information resides on everyone’s fingertips, Charan submits that businesses in the South have ready access to the capital and expertise they need to grow and scale up. Their leaders also have just as much knowledge, talent and drive as their Northern counterparts. They may not be grabbing the headlines as fervently as the top American business leaders but they are unleashing their entrepreneurial prowess no less fervently. The Southern hemisphere for instance, now boasts of world leading entrepreneurs of the likes of the Aliko Dangotes, the Koos Bekkers (founder of Naspers the largest media company in the Southern hemisphere), Sunil Mittal of Bharti Airtel the world’s fourth largest telecommunications company and many more.

While increasing fluidity of capital and the communications revolution as well as the sheer explosion of the middle class globally are contributing to this tilt says Charan, the human factor is also a key and powerful driver. The structures which the aggressive emerging business leaders in the South are building are such as could possibly rival those created in the 19th century by the likes of Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller. Their owners are regularly on the move sourcing readily available funding and the critical expertise, which they need to grow and scale up.

Whereas there might be a possibility for business leaders in the North to try to portray their peers down South as people who owe their success to government patronage or low cost labour, Charam posits that such views may be mistaken. Many successful leaders down South are not only hugely ambitious with grand plans to extend their businesses on a global scale but also combine this with immense energy. In addition, they enjoy a good number of advantages over their Northern counterparts.

Many emergent business leaders from the Southern hemisphere grew up under extremely difficult conditions. GT Bank’s co-founder, Fola Adeola for instance regularly narrates the story of how Aliko Dangote once sold his car in the 1980s when he fell on tough times. Dangote by then resided in a neighbouring flat in Surulere

district of Lagos. Sunil Mittal, says Charan, began his career as a salesman selling crankshafts to bicycle manufacturers. Because his customers tended to bully him with regard to pricing, forcing him to sell at prices they practically dictated, he learned to ride on the back of trucks and crowded trains in order to maintain his margins.

This discipline of maintaining tight margins has never left Mittal, he says. It can be argued too, that Dangote’s triumph over tough circumstances may have helped to hone his business shrewdness.

Southern leaders are also energized by the huge changes they see taking place right before their own eyes in their own countries. In a little over 10 years for instance, telephones have grown from practically nothing to well over 100 million lines in Nigeria. Such a pace of growth is unprecedented in this age in any Northern economy, but unleashes tremendous opportunity for Southern business leaders. While an American company may think that four per cent revenue growth is acceptable, his Southern peer would probably set his sights more in the range of 20 per cent revenue growth. The Chinese appliance firm, Haier, had by 2011 been ranked for three years in a row

by Euromonitor International as the top appliance brand in the world. By operating with painstaking innovativeness, Haier has engaged well-known and entrenched Northern manufacturers on their own ground, succeeded and leveraged that success to resounding effect across the world. Haier’s boss has never been equivocal about the main objective of the typical Chinese company, namely export products and earn foreign exchange. In the case of Haier, in exporting, it was critical that it also established a solid brand reputation.

As head of the Brazilian beer company, AmBev, Carlos Brittos was keen on aggressive growth and expansion. Beyond spreading its tentacles across Latin America, it merged with Interbrew of Belgium in 2004 to form InBev. The Brazilian leader ran the merged firm even though the European Interbrew was the bigger of the two merged firms. By 2008, InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch to form Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer.

The global tilt which in a nutshell is the seldom appreciated (especially by the Northern Hemisphere) but growing shift in business and economic power from North America and Europe as well as Japan to the rapidly emerging economies of the Southern hemisphere, including China, India, Brazil, as well as the Middle East and parts of Africa. It is the end result of such forces as the volatile global financial institutions, increasing digitization and the rise of a new global middle class that is both youthful and urban. It is on account of these forces that industries and economies have merged, re-written the rules and upset the balance of power, in favour of the Southern hemisphere.

For Nigeria, Ram Charan’s secrets of the Southern countries is particularly compelling. Ours is a country of immense possibility. Our biggest asset is our people; more than 180 million energetic and entrepreneurial people with massive youth and middle class demographic segments.

It is not only a potentially huge home market, but a potentially vibrant labour force for just about any industry. We need to put in place robust action plans with which to turn this huge population into the asset that it truly is and position Nigeria for the growth and development that beckons; growth which Brazil, Malaysia, India, South Africa, Indonesia and all of our peers already recognize and are assiduously tapping into. We must get rid of the mentality of oil and all of its trappings including our rent-seeking disposition and prepare for the new economic world order that is unfolding before our very eyes.

According to Charan, the global tilt is not to be feared. What is important is for people to embrace it and learn to profitably navigate it, in which case, it wouldn’t matter whether they are from the Northern or Southern hemispheres.

The tilted world, therefore, does not belong exclusively to the South. Instructively, very soon the North will come to terms with the global tilt and seek to benefit from it in every way. Nigeria must come to terms with it sooner and prime itself to be at the very locus of this emerging world order.

• Awala works at XLR8, a communications management consultancy.

The robust Nigeria’s foreign policy (1)

By Amedu Ode READ the article titled ‘Decline of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy’, pubIecutive lished in The Guardian of May 6, 2013 by Dr. Adekeye Adebajo, ExDirector for Conflict Resolution, Cape Town, South Africa.

He obviously did not do the basic research to capture the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last two years. It is, therefore, appropriate to write this article to put the record straight.

Contrary to Dr. Adebajo’s assertions, Nigeria did not contest any election with South Africa’s Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the post of African Union Commission (AU) chairperson. We also did not campaign against her election or for any other candidate. All we did was to voice our reservation that the medium and smaller nations within the Organisation should be allowed to fill that post, to make them have a sense of belonging. This was necessary, given the great sacrifices which Nigeria had made to develop and nurture the continental Organisation and its unity. We had nurtured and provided an appropriate leadership, which was appreciated by all concerned, since the formation of the OAU in 1963, through to its transformation to the AU, in the last 50 years. This was also in line with our policy of promoting and deepening the unity of our continent, as advocated by the founding fathers of the Organisation.

Nigeria definitely had its own agenda in the run-up to the elections referred to by Dr. Adebajo. We decided that it was in Nigeria’s national interest to take a shot to fill one of the posts of Commissioners in the Organisation. The foreign policy machinery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was energised only to that goal. It therefore strategized on how best to ensure victory for Nigeria’s chosen candidate, Ambassador (Mrs.) Aisha Abdullahi, former Ambassador to Guinea, Conakry. It was this team that planned and built alliances across Africa’s sub-regional groups in order to get Nigeria elected to the post of Commissioner for Political Affairs. This is the Department responsible for the enthronement of democracy and conduct of elections in Africa.

Dr. Adebajo should have acknowledged this success. He was no doubt aware of Nigeria’s failed attempts thrice before the elections under consideration, to achieve this feat since the formation of the AU 10 years ago. Today, Nigeria and South Africa have put the elections behind them and are working together to advance the cause of Africa, particularly to build a more economically strong continent. This was attested to by the recent very successful state visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to South Africa from May 6 to 8, 2013.

Nigeria’s role and record in peacekeeping operations in Africa and

outside the continent is unassailable. This was in fact the subject of commendation by the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban kiMoon, in his meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru in New York on April 25, 2013. The former praised Nigeria’s efforts to re-equip its forces in Darfur and Mali with modern and UN rated equipment. Yes, Dr. Adebajo is correct that his mentor, benefactor and a distinguished diplomat, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, after serving for over 10 years as Under Secretary General, lost out in the high wire politics at the top-most layer in the United Nations, but that loss cannot be equated to a sudden decline in our profile at the United Nations.

Despite the loss of Professor Gambari as UN Secretary General Special Representative in Darfur, we continue to be well represented, even at the top-most level of the UN system, with one Under Secretary General (Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin) and two Assistant Secretary Generals (Mrs. Margaret Voigt and Ms. Amina Zubairu). In the last two years, we have secured, through very tough elections, 14 positions for Nigeria and Nigerians, including the prestigious position of President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), based in Rome. This is the first time in the history of our diplomatic relations that Nigeria will secure such a high number of positions in international organisations in quick succession.

In Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s strong voice to uphold democracy, evidenced in the support given to the winner of the presidential election, Dr. Alassane Quattara prevented a bloodbath in that country.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s unwavering support for democracy made the EU, UN and the U.S. to follow Nigeria’s lead, while the AU had no choice but to come on board and support Nigeria’s position for the winner of the elections in that country. Nigeria’s position was a step taken in line with President Jonathan’s policy to defend democracy in Africa. With over three million Nigerians living in that country, the intervention in Cote d’Ivoire was in our national interest. Today and for the first time in the history of our diplomatic relations, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are on the same page, working together to resolve the challenges in the continent. A number of Nigerian businesses have since taken advantage of the very cordial relations between both countries.

As examples of Nigeria’s impeccable foreign policy gains, I will quote what two distinguished statesmen said of Nigeria’s leadership role. First, Dr. Quattara, who made Nigeria his first port of call after his inauguration as President of Cote d’Ivoire said in Abuja in September 2011, and I quote, “but for the role played by President Goodluck Jonathan, my country would have been in a bloody civil

war”. Secondly, the United States President Barack Obama in his Statement to the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2011 said ‘’Nigeria must be commended for the leadership role it played in resolving the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire’’.

Furthermore, and in line with our policy of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, Nigeria condemned the recent undemocratic changes of government in Guinea Bissau and Mali. In Guinea Bissau, it was President Jonathan who negotiated a peaceful resolution of the crisis and prevailed on the coup leaders from executing the detained erstwhile president and prime minister and even facilitated their safe passages out of the country. In Mali, Nigeria was the architect of the peace deal that installed a transitional government. Dr. Adekeye may wish to note that the draft Framework Agreement was initiated in Abuja at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nigeria was therefore not working from the back, as reasoned by him, but from the front. Indeed, we were in the driver’s seat all through the negotiations. Furthermore, Nigeria has committed over 1200 troops to the UN-mandated African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) under the command of our own Major General Shehu Abdulkadir. We worked very hard, with France and other members of the United Nations Security Council, to ensure that AFISMA becomes a UN operation and thereby transfer its funding from ECOWAS/AU to the United Nations. This was no doubt a decisive move to avoid Nigeria ending up with shouldering the financial burden of the military operation in Mali. This was a strategic move by Nigeria.

In post Arab spring crisis and the resultant civil war in Libya in 2011 when the leadership in Africa and the African Union were in total disarray, with no clear path to follow, it was Nigeria’s timely intervention in the recognition of the then Transitional National Council (TNC) that showed the way for other African countries to follow.

Within a few days of Nigeria’s announcement, a majority of Member States of the African Union, hitherto sitting on the fence, followed our lead. The commitment to defending democracy on our continent informed Nigeria’s timely decision to support the aspiration of the Libyan people for freedom and democracy. Nigeria’s position, which was dictated by our national interest, was very decisive. The immediate result of Nigeria’s action was the protection of our nationals that remained behind in the country, even when we had dispatched an aircraft to evacuate our citizens at the outbreak of the country’s civil war.

• To be continued.

• Ode is the Acting Director/ Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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Opinion Alams in the eyes of Ijaws

By Steve Azaiki EFORE 1999, the Ijaw nation had no one B whom they affectionately called GovernorGeneral. Not because the Ijaws, Nigeria’s fourth largest ethnic group spread over a wide swathe of the coastal terrain, had a shortage of personages any one of whom could be hero-worshipped. There was Major Isaac Adaka Boro, who staged the 12-day revolution for the establishment of the still-born Niger Delta Republic in 1967. There were many others, including Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye. At any rate, for more than 15 straight years before 1999, the country –together with the Ijaw nation – was beleaguered by different strains of retrogressive military regimes during which it was a sure-fire daring of the gallows for anyone to muster the kind of following that would have earned him the soubriquet of Governor-General.

But after 1999, with the advent of the Fourth Republic, the Ijaws found one in whom they were immensely pleased. That person was Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha (Alams, for short), the democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 until 2005, when, midway into his second term, he was removed from office in a dramatic gun-boat legislative undertaking that advertised the reckless abuse of federal might and politics of vendetta.

Through a combination of genuine populism, empathetic appreciation of the deplorable status of the Ijaws in the national scheme of things, robust articulation of far-reaching measures to redress the age-long grievances of the Ijaws, coupled with the steps he took to begin opening up Bayelsa from its backwater status, Alams won hearts and minds of the Ijaws.

Before long, Alams was no longer being addressed as Governor of Bayelsa State, but as Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, a somewhat anachronistic title dating to the colonial era.

But, it was, nevertheless, an alias that reflected the gut feeling of the Ijaws, the largest population of whom are concentrated in Bayelsa.

Alams was a leading voice in peaceful agitation for resource control, in particular, a constitutional amendment that would drive up derivation, as a factor in revenue allocation, from at least 13 per cent, as prescribed in the 1999 Constitution, to no less than 50 per cent. And given the nation’s manipulative and rapacious politics that thrives on parasitism, while tokenist re-

liefs are tossed to the deprived areas that produce the country’s oil wealth, it was only a matter of time before this new-found Ijaw hero would be brought back to earth by forces too powerful for him to combat.

Alams himself made the task easier for his adversaries. He failed to realise that when a favourite wife misbehaves, all she earns may be a frown, or a mild rebuke; but not so for a disfavoured wife who in similar circumstances might be visited with far harsher punishment for her transgression. Yet, it is easy, without necessarily justifying the conduct, to understand why Alams failed to appreciate that he was a high-valued target, and therefore needed to be above board in order not to give his traducers the much-needed pretext to nail him. Thus, when they began to hunt him, he was arrested in London for being in possession of foreign currency that could not be justified by any reasonable earnings. Taken to court, he jumped bail, and entered into the frying pan that had been prepared red-hot for him back home. To, as the saying goes, cut a long story short, he was impeached by the legislature in questionable circumstances, handcuffed and flown to Abuja. His became the first high-profile case that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted against a former governor since the beginning of the Fourth Republic. Alams pleaded guilty, and was convicted with a prison sentence and forfeiture of a number of assets.

Nigerians are unlikely to forget in a hurry the snide remark of then President Olusegun Obasanjo, who described some of Alams’ colleagues as “Owambe Governors” that were partying all over the world. If these governors were having a ball, it cost money, and no one is fooled that it was small money – money that could not be justified from reasonable earnings. It wasn’t that these other governors were merely partying, there was also implied in President Obasanjo’s remark a negative competitive spirit that had overtaken some of the governors, who then began to brag about “My Mercedes (or mansion) is bigger than yours!” But these other colleagues of Alams were not the target, hence the law could look the other way, while they had a lavish time.

Alams succumbed to the pervasive peer pressure of the time. Again, it is useful for us to remember the mood of the political class when democracy began anew in 1999. There were serious doubts about the survival of the system; fear was rife that sooner or later the military would strike again, and send everyone packing. The nation had been

through various transition rigmarole since Gen. Ibrahim Babangida came up with the Political Bureau in 1986, which led to his deceptive transition politics that eventually ended in a fiasco with the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. Gen. Sani Abacha came with his five fingers of a leprous hand that sought to adopt him as sole candidate and leader-for-life, until he died suddenly.

Politicians had lost huge sums of money in earlier botched transition programmes; their hopes had equally evaporated. Thus, from 1999, there seemed to be a conscious determination by the political class not to be caught napping, if the Fourth Republic collapsed like others before it. Politicians generally, therefore, sought to minimize their losses. And, let’s face it, there was no legitimate way of doing this, other than recourse to funds under their custody. There was gross abuse of security votes, a situation which has merely decreased in intensity in recent years. Some governments took questionable loans that were guaranteed by irrevocable standing payment orders, such that their state monthly allocation from the Federation Account was mortgaged. If there was any saint of that era, let him/her come out and swear by juju, the Holy Bible or Holy Koran that he/she is squeaky clean.

Of course, if no one was caught, it became a game that they thought could go on forever. But, when democracy did not collapse after the first two/three years, politicians again descended on the till, to the detriment of the people and country no doubt, in order to raise funds for the next electoral battle – the badly flawed 2003 general elections – that was a do-or-die affair. By now, the political class had become the new monied class, able and willing to dispense financial favour that the people appropriately termed “empowerment”. Those politicians with definite term limits also began to think of funding the election of their successors.

Additionally, serving governors had seen the penurious state of some governors of old, and like serving civil servants who do not wish to die on the queue waiting for their miserable pension, and therefore help themselves through inflated contracts and outright stealing, politicians thought they could accumulate for the rainy day. Except that, there was no limit, and the recklessness was all over the polity – at federal, state, local government, in both the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

Alamieyeseigha was a trophy to be won, and he

made the game easier for his hunters. He tumbled from hero to villain, at least in the immediate circumstances of his humiliating impeachment, arraignment, plea and conviction. But can Alams, before and after the presidential pardon, walk the streets of Bayelsa freely?

The answer to the question is a pointer to the man’s enduring heroism. Yes, of course, Alams has been walking the streets of Bayelsa neither molested nor taunted for his travails. It would be insulting to the people of Bayelsa, and to the Ijaw nation that they did not know the injury Alams meant to them by his conviction. The truth is that the people know the deeper undercurrent that sought to make Alams the quintessential villain, while his contemporaries, who behaved in the circumstances described above, have been given a slap on the wrist, or have made a yo-yo of the legal system, such that nobody knows the precise status of their trial, for lack of diligent prosecution.

Alams has completed the cycle of heroism and villainy; and now, he is on the rebound. He has been deploying his influence to abate the scourge of oil theft and brazen militancy in the Niger Delta region, which by most accounts has yielded beneficial results as indicated by the quantum leap in crude oil production and export, with attendant resource flow for the entire country. What Alams has been achieving silently in his post-conviction years is not altogether new.

The period of his rise as Governor-General of the Ijaw nation also coincided with a parallel development: the intensity of militancy that had been brewing since the years of military rule.

From genuine agitation for resource control and remediation of the Niger Delta environment that had been devastated by the reckless operations of the oil companies, criminal gangs emerged from all over and began a reign of ransom-kidnapping and plain oil theft. As Governor of Bayelsa, Alamieyeseigha interceded on numerous occasions to secure the release of expatriate oil workers who had been kidnapped. He braved rough seas on occasion to negotiate with the kidnappers to secure the freedom of the victims. He may not now be hailed as Governor-General, but Alamieyeseigha has since been back in the warm embrace of his people, who should know that Alams is no villain, and the presidential pardon has formalised it by transforming him into a novus homo (a new man).

• Prof. Azaiki is a former Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government.

Kuku: War-monger or peace-maker?

By Mieba Allwell ILL him, spare him not”; “Persecute him”; “Arrest and throw “K him into the gulag”. These and other such statements are the endless expressions and outpourings against the person of Kingsley Kuku, regarding a statement he recently made in the United States. The actual statement, of a just and honest man’s truthful opinion, has been maliciously twisted out of all contexts and this gross misrepresentation of the meaning has, in the past few days, stirred too much unjustified vilification of a man who is basically a staunch advocate of peace in the Niger Delta and of peaceful resolution to all disputes.

But one would not expect less from the ethno-centric politicians hauling the stones, especially with their deep-seated hatred for President Goodluck Jonathan from 2009 till date. These, however, are men who live in glass houses of political cross-fire. Undoubtedly, Jonathan’s only known crime was to come from the minority Niger Delta area and being paired with a President who died while the tenure of his presidency was yet to expire. And unfortunately, Jonathan had opportunity to step-in, and was regarded as a ‘common usurper’. So, by calculations, the call for the head of Kuku is a direct transfer of aggression for his daring to drumup support for a man seen to be blocking the presumed ‘right of a section of another part of the country to the presidency’.

Perhaps, the attack on Kuku and the rest of Jonathan’s men is a well-orchestrated strategy by political enemies to maul and wear down the President’s political base, and make it defenceless and vulnerable for easy conquer by 2015. Indeed, this attitude of permanent indignation against everything ‘Jonathan’ by some crass political war-horses is a clear show of gross ignorance.

It is obvious that the said statement of Kuku threatening war in 2015 was a mere creation or lack of understanding by those calling for his head, because logically his statement was an illustra-

tion, not a position. Illustration in the sense that if a man with legitimate right to presidency as an incumbent is forced-out from a race, without justification, through intimidation and blackmail because of the status of his ethnic origin, then that act may be dangerous for peace. And as a peace advocate, Kuku has to be proactive by signalling vulnerable factors that could truncate peace. In addition, as a patriotic Nigerian serving the country as a Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government, he has first-hand knowledge of issues that could spark a row, and so would do anything to stop such from occurring. This underscores the English truism of “to be forewarned is to be fore-armed.”

It is, therefore painful that this expressed patriotism is turning sour in the minds of the same cadre of individuals who had made previous statements regarding making the country ungovernable, while throwing the nation into turmoil; and who had not been arrested for such. Their calculated antics are to frustrate everything about Jonathan and to create a bubble of crises so as to point a finger of incompetence and, as such, pave the way for their easy ride to the presidency.

Indeed, knowing Kingsley Kuku and his track record in the pursuit of peace in the Niger Delta, it is plain to see that he has never been a war-monger. The records and successes of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta and the prevailing peace in the region within the past three years are eloquent testimonies of his commitment to the Nigerian project for development. This singular commitment has earned Nigeria an impeccable improvement in crude production, translating to increased revenue.

It is, therefore, totally without foundation for the House of Representatives to join in the condemnation of a man whose statement is as innocuous as he is harmless. It is also instructive for politicians from the various ethnic nationalities to be cautious in their statements and the way they treat other Nigerians. For instance, not long ago, a Honourable member of the House of Rep-

resentatives from Plateau State was bitter in expressing that the North would not support President Jonathan in 2015 no matter the President’s persuasion. He is truly entitled to his opinion, because I believe he has no capacity to prevent people from voting for whoever they like in the 2015 elections. What would be wrong is to further incite the people into violence because his wishes were not realised. Same applies to whatever statement that is linked to Kuku. He has his opinion, but has no army to command for war. If the House of Representatives could not caution its own for that sectionalised statement, then it has no moral rectitude to crucify a man on an innocent statement meant to direct the country to be careful and play strictly by the rules.

In this country, we should begin to see ourselves more as our brothers’ keepers rather than enemies in the war field. This will guide us in knowing that “what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.” Since the crux of this scuffle is centred around which section takes the turn for presidency or not, we should learn to be patient and supportive when other regions are in power so that the others can reciprocate when it does come around.

Bickering and working at cross-purposes, because it is not “your turn”, would certainly be counter-productive in the development of the country no matter who the president would be. The section that does not see any good in a candidate from another, would invariably work against the progress of the system operated by the other section. This mindset, I think, was what galvanised those pouring venom on Kuku. But for peace to reign, there is no need for an unnecessary call for probe. Let everyone sheath their sword and marshal a way forward for the country’s democracy that, unfortunately, is still wallowing in its nascent stage. By so doing, we may find more convergent than divergent points by which to live as one indivisible entity. But as I have said, Kuku has no armoury, and as such, is not a war-monger.

• Allwell is editorial director, The Gist Magazine/GistNews, Port Harcourt.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednessday, May 15, 2013

53

GlobalStocks U.S. stocks advance on increased optimism over economy NITED States (U.S.) stocks U rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index headed for its eighth record high in the past nine sessions, on increased optimism over growth in the world’s largest economy.

Financial shares climbed the most among 10 S&P 500 industry as hedge-fund manager David Tepper called U.S. banks “a good sector.” Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. rose more than 2.4 percent. Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. rallied 3 percent after the publisher of the “Grand Theft Auto” video games reported profit that beat analyst estimates.

The S&P 500 advanced 0.8 percent to 1,646.34 at 2:20 p.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 85.06 points, or 0.6 percent, to 15,176.74. Trading of S&P 500 stocks was in line with the 30-day average at this time of day.

“There’s an encouraging pattern of continued growth in the economic data,” Alan Gayle, a senior strategist at RidgeWorth Capital Management, which oversees about $48 billion of assets, said in a phone interview.

“What is helping the market is the belief that downside risks to stocks are limited right now.”

Confidence among small businesses climbed in April to a six-month high as the outlook for the economy and sales brightened, the National Federation of Independent Business’s optimism index showed today.

Tepper, co-founder and owner of Appaloosa Management LP, said in an interview on CNBC that he is still bullish and the economy is getting better. Tepper, who led Institutional Investor’s ranking of the top earners in hedge funds last year with $2.2 billion, said in January in a Bloomberg Television interview that the U.S. “is on the verge of an explosion of greatness.”

Equity futures slumped earlier as JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced its second-quarter growth forecast for the Chinese economy to 7.8 percent from 8 percent and the full-year estimate to 7.6 percent from 7.8 percent. It cited weak domestic demand suggested by April data, after reports yesterday showed China’s fixed-asset investment unexpectedly decelerated last month while industrial output trailed estimates.

Money managers are the most bearish on commodities in more than four years as a majority expected a weaker Chinese economy for the first time in 14 months, a Bank of America survey showed. A net 29 percent of the fund managers surveyed were underweight the asset class in May as their positions “collapsed” to the lowest level since December 2008. One in four now consider a “hard landing” in China as the biggest risk to their investments. The bank surveyed professional investors who together oversee $517 billion.

“There has been a marked uptick” in concern about

China, said John Bilton, an investment strategist at Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch unit, at a press conference in London today. “A hard landing is not our core scenario, but certainly investors are right to start thinking they should at least hedge some of that tail risk.”

The U.S. bull market has entered its fifth year. The S&P 500 has surged 143 percent from a 12-year low in 2009, driven by better-than-estimated corporate earnings and three rounds of bond purchases from the Federal Reserve.

The Chicago Board Options

Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), or VIX, rose 2.3 percent to 12.84. The benchmark gauge for options, which moves in the opposite direction to the S&P 500 about 80 percent of the time, has fallen 29 percent this year. The S&P 500 has only dropped 3 times in the past 18 days and is up 3.1 percent in May, heading for the seventh straight month of gains.

About 87 percent of S&P 500 stocks traded above their average prices from the past 50 days as of yesterday, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. That’s near the highest level in three

months, while below the twoyear high of 93 percent in January. There were 67 stocks in the index that closed at a 52-week high yesterday and none at a 52-week low.

All 10 industry groups in the S&P 500 advanced as financial and commodity companies climbed at least 0.9 percent. Bank of America added 2.7 percent to $13.33 for the biggest increase in the Dow. Citigroup increased 2.4 percent to $50.07. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. rallied 3.2 percent to $154.42.

Tepper said his firm still owns stock of Citigroup and other U.S. banks. “We have a

Fusion-io Inc. (FIO) climbed 3.7 percent to $15.05 as UBS AG raised its rating on the maker of data storage to buy from neutral. The stock’s drop after the company’s co-founder and chief executive officer resigned last week was overdone, according to UBS analysts led by Steven Milunovich.

SolarCity Corp. slid 9.2 percent to $32.59. The secondlargest U.S. solar company by market value posted a first-quarter loss as it bore higher costs from installing rooftop solar systems at little or no charge to customers.

certain amount of the U.S. banks, which are a good sector,” he told CNBC. Take-Two jumped 3 percent to $16.88. Profit excluding some items was 38 cents a share in the fourth quarter, topping the 23-cent average estimate compiled by Bloomberg, as digital sales almost tripled.

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. advanced 6.2 percent to $71.49. The biggest maker of aortic heart valves implanted with a catheter announced a $750 million share-buyback program. Chief Financial Officer Thomas M. Abate plans to retire, the company also said.

Traders at U.S Stock Exchange

Europe stocks climb to multi-year highs UROPEAN stock markets E turned higher Tuesday, taking inspiration from the U.S. where markets climbed after top hedge-fund manager David Tepper said he remains bullish.

Germany’s benchmark index extended gains to an all-time closing high, shaking off weaker-than-expected investor-confidence data.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +0.39 per cent added 0.4 per cent to 305.66, closing at the highest level since June 2008.

Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill, inventor of the “BRICs”, is retiring. Will the concept retire with him?

Francesco Guerrera joins the News Hub with his take.

The index has recently defied worries about sluggish growth in large parts of Europe, as cheap liquidity from central banks and relatively lackluster returns in the bond markets lured

investors into equities globally.

Most of major country-specific benchmarks have been climbing to multiyear highs, and Frances Hudson, global thematic strategist at Standard Life Investments, said the rally is poised to continue.

“Unless we get something really disturbing markets will go higher,” she said.

“We’re at the end of the earnings season and the news driver moves from the corporate sector to be focused more on the political and economic arena. It’s a bit more risky, but there aren’t any major political upsets at the moment.”

Among upbeat company news on Tuesday, shares of Severn Trent PLC UK:SVT +13.81 per cent soared 14per cent after the water-utility firm said it received a “very early stage” bid approach, although no proposal has

been made.

Deutsche Post AG DE:DPW +2.28 per cent gained 3.9 per cent after the company reported a rise in first-quarter adjusted profit of more than 45 per cent.

The broader European stock markets erased earlier losses after U.S. markets showed positive moves, after Tepper told CNBC that he’s “definitely bullish” on stocks and that “every place is the place to be in stock markets around the world.”

“So, today’s afternoon reversal clearly suggests markets are getting comfortable with the view that although Fed stimulus measures will have to come an end at some point, with a backdrop of a recovering U.S. economy, perhaps withdrawal from the stimulus pills won’t be as crippling as some had previously thought,” said Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist at ETX

Capital in a note.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Federal Reserve is mapping out a strategy for exiting its easing program, although the timing remains uncertain.

Most indexes in Europe traded in negative territory in the beginning of the session, as investors were looking at economic data in Germany. The ZEW economic sentiment indicator, a gauge of investor confidence, inched 0.1 point higher to 36.4 in May, but still well below the 40 print expected by analysts. The reading comes after the index slumped to 36.3 in April, stoking worries about Germany’s economic performance and the country’s ability to pull the rest of Europe of sluggish growth.

The data contrasted reports out last week, when German trade data and industrial-

production figures beat market expectations and fueled hopes the economy is picking up after a soft patch earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, Canada’s main stock index rose on Tuesday, helped by higher global equity markets driven by investor optimism and firmer resource and financial stocks.

The financials group rose 0.4 percent, as Manulife Financial Corp climbed 2.1 percent to C$15.91. The insurance company’s shares have risen steadily over the last few weeks benefiting from the stronger stock market, rising bond yields and recent positive quarterly results.

Energy stocks rose 0.8 percent, while the materials group was up 0.4 percent.

Barrick Gold Corp (ABX.TO: Quote) climbed 1.8 percent to C$20.86, buoyed by firmer gold prices.

54 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Midweek Art Achebe, Adichie’s ‘haunted’ house of creativity in Nsukka

By Tunde Akingbade (who was in Nsukka) ROFESSOR Chinua Achebe, the late literary P icon and author of Things Fall Apart, A Man of the people, No Longer at Ease, The

Trouble with Nigeria, Anthills of the Savannah, There was a Country… etc lived in a particular house when he was a lecturer at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It was in the house that he wrote many of his works.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the author of Purple Hibiscus, Half a Yellow Sun, The Thing Around Your Neck and newly released AMERiCAH lived in the same house. Professor Adichie, Chimamanda’s father told me in an interview last time that he brought up his children including the renowned writer, Chimamanda up in the house where Professor Achebe lived.

When the Adichies lived in the house, they were unaware that Achebe had lived there.

Last week, I found myself in Nsukka and the house where the two writers once lived through divine providence.

I then set out to find out the structure, nature and present occupants of the house that bred the Achebe’s and Adichies to determine if the house was haunted by creativity.

Or perhaps a creative genie had been let out of the bottle inside the house many years ago!

Professor Michael Masukwe is the new occupant of the famous house of creative writing.

Madukwe, a one-time Head of Agricultural Extension Services, Chairman, Drug Revolving Scheme of the University’s Medical Centre, also holds the post of National Coordinator, African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) Nigeria Chapter. We met by chance the previous night. It was at the residence of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bartholomew Okolo, when the visiting scientists from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) France, United Kingdom, Japan and South Africa were being hosted after the establishment of the first African Centre of Biotechnology at the University. I whispered into the ears of Mr. Chido Nwakanma, my guide that I wanted to see the new occupant of Achebe’s old house.

Dr. Bennett Nwanguma, General Manager of UNN Bookshop, who was described by Nwakanma as the ‘Toyin Akinoso of Eastern

Achebe

Nigeria’ because of his love for books and criticism, walked into our company “this is the man who will know the present occupant,” said Nwakanma.

Nwanguma, an avid reader and orator with a vast knowledge in several fields, smiled and pointed in the opposite direction in the dark night. As if it were predetermined by forces beyond human reasoning, Prof.

Madukwe walked towards our table.

“This is the man you are looking for,” said Nwanguma.

I seized the opportunity and immediately sought an interview. While the diner was going on, I was busy recording and storing the responses of Prof. Madukwe the new occupant of Achebe’s house. Prof. Madukwe affirmed this, but added that when he discovered this reality about the previous occupants, he realised that the Achebes and Adichies have set a high standard for him and his family and said amidst laughter, “I have read the two novels of Chimamanda.

These achievers have kind of put pressure on me and my children”.

The new occupant, Prof. Madukwe is married to a food scientist. They have five children. All of them are doing science degree programmes. It seems that they are not

inclined towards the arts, cultural issues and Cleast of all creative writing. However, Prof.

Madukwe found it strange when one of his daughters came home one day with some strange modeling dresses. He asked his daughter what those dresses were meant for.

Alas, he was told the daughter had found a passion in modeling. The professor was alarmed. However, other colleagues prevailed on him not to discourage his daughter since she had all the characteristics and features of a model. The Professor then calmed down.

When asked if this house in Nsukka is not haunted by creativity, the Madukwe answered, “You are right. I believe it’s haunted”.

How did the Madukwes get themselves into this house of creativity? When Professor Adichie, Chimamanda’s father, wanted to retire from the university, he looked for a house outside the campus. Coincidentally, during the period, Professor Madukwe had told Professor Adichie that he would like to move into the campus. He discussed with Professor Adichie on the possibility of moving into the house. Things later worked out.

It was months after Professor Madukwe had

moved into the house that he heard the story that Professor Achebe earlier lived in the same house.

Professor Madukwe also has his hands on many intellectual pies. Recently, he has been working with international organisations on tackling the problem of climate change. He was able to get funding which would make the University of Nigeria, Nsukka work on the development of capacity of undergraduates and graduates on climate change issues. He is also involved in the curriculum development of the programme as well as other areas of popularization of science.

The old house of the Achebes and Adichies is a duplex, a simple, old architecture meant for one family. The sitting room, which this reporter observed from outside, is large and the surroundings are clean with dotting plants. However, not far away are lawns and trees that beautify the landscape. The neighbourhood is serene with many houses screened and sandwiched among the trees. The roads are tarred and one could take a walk anywhere and anytime of the day or simply sit anywhere to commune with the forces of nature and the God of creativity!

Chinua’s bequest to the Nigerian child

By Mobolaji Adenubi N 1965, the BBC accepted and broadcast my short story, ‘Strange Encounter’, on the Writers’ Club Programme. It was read by Tonie Tucker and discussed, with high commendation, by Edward Blishen. Little did I know that the warm reception of my work was facilitated by the seminal book of the great Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, published in 1958! This work breached the glass ceiling of western literary canon and made a veritable space in it for African literature. Of course, world literary canon now includes voices of authors from South America, Asia, Eastern Europe and Australia.

Over 12 m copies of Things Fall Apart have been sold and it has been translated into over 50 languages.

Chinua Achebe did not only write great works of fiction, he also produced works of criticism, essays and children’s stories. However, little attention has been paid to his children’s

I

stories. Worried about the unfavourable presentation of Africa and things African in foreign books his children read and learnt, in their primary school, from expatriate teachers, he decided to correct these impressions. In 1966, he wrote Chike and the River, the story of a courageous eleven-year-old Nigerian boy, who learns the difficult lesson of life; that life elsewhere is not as rosy as you often imagine it to be. It was published by the Cambridge University Press.

In 1972, How the Leopard Got His Claws was produced by the Citadel Press – a publishing house he started with Christopher Okigbo, in Enugu.

This fable, which started life as How the Dog Was Domesticated, and submitted

by John Iroaganachi, was improved upon and turned into a complex allegory of Nigeria’s political turmoil. It was beautifully illustrated by the Norwegian Per Christiansen. Two other children’s stories by Achebe are

The Flute, an adaptation of a traditional Igbo folktale published in 1975, and The Drum, a traditional African tale about the cunning tortoise, illustrated by Anne Nwokoye and published by the 4th Dimension Publishers in 1978.

Chinua Achebe set out to improve the quality and increase the quantity of literature available to young Nigerian readers, the same destination to which the Splendid Literature & Culture Foundation is driving. These are the reasons for the birth of the Foundation. We select, publish and promote the works of promising writers of children’s literature.

Taking off as Achebe was rounding up, Splendid Literature & Culture Foundation has thus received the baton from the Great One and shall strive to sustain and bear the touch of his indelible legacies, impacting on the lives of children through literature.

Book on 21st century parenting for launch NEW book, aptly titled 21st Century Parenting, child’s particular uniqueness and give guidA is to be unveiled in Lagos on Saturday May 18, ance in this direction.

2013. The book is authored by a seasoned educa- “Parents need to know how to make children

Famous house of creativity where the Achebes and Adichies lived

tionist and childcare expert, Mrs. Ayoola Oluseyi Tehingbola.

Tehingbola said the main purpose of the book is to equip parents with knowledge and skills for effective parenting under the current dispensation where children are exposed to global social trends. She also explained that being both a parent and teacher for about two decades now, equips her with knowledge of the importance of a book that guides parents on how to discover a

tap and utilize their gifts for success in life”, said the author who also holds a post-graduate degree in educational evaluation.

Parenting the 21st Century Child is billed for public presentation and launch at the Oregun Senior High School Multi-purpose hall, Ikeja. Time is 11am. According to Programme Coordinator, Sanmi Falobi, the book will be reviewed by Mr. Lekan Otufodurin, Online Editor of The Nation newspaper.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

By Anote Ajeluorou HILE governments have been accused of not patronising drama, stage performances and other cultural expressions, Creative Director of Warri-based Crafthouse Crew, Deacon Femi Emmanuel Aina thinks otherwise hudging from his experience of working in the oil-rich Delta State. He has been using drama skits to project various programmes of government and other agencies.

This was evident when he recently said after one of its drama projects just as he was prospecting for the future, “Well, I cannot say that government is actually lukewarm. I think the issue is that most government and its agencies have not discovered the power of the stage.

For those agencies and government we have had the privilege of working with, particularly Delta State Government, it is very clear that they have enjoyed our services and have seen the value and continue to engage us”.

And as part of efforts to help Delta State Government realise its vision the state, Aina’s Crafthouse Crew has entered into strategic partnership with the state government to use drama to drive home some its messages of development. With the state government’s three-point agenda namely peace and security, human capital development and infrastructure development, Crafthouse Crew will help deepen the state’s developmental programmes among the populace, especially in the rural areas.

It’s the Aina-led Crafthose Crew’s view that the “gap in the perception of Deltans generally in going along with government’s quest for total transformation and rebirth of the state should be closed so governance impact could be generally felt. With its drama skits structured along the path of messages that bring change, Crafthouse Crew has conceived drama pieces that the state could employ for the sensitisation, enlightenment, education and re-orientation of Delta citizens.

Aina recently noted, “We have come up with very strong concepts that employ highly creative, subtle, and entertaining sketches that will effectively direct the mind of government towards the total transformation and rebirth of our great state. The theme is The Delta of our Dream”.

The proposed drama project shall include “a prologue about the creation story in which the play looks at the mind of God in the creation story and His desire for man at creation. It concludes that the desires of God tallies with the 3point agenda of Delta State Government, which means that government is simply pursuing God’s purpose for Delta state”.

In Delta of our Dream, the drama focuses on the need for a “state where peace and prosperity reign; a state where we all feel secure; a state where kidnapping, militancy and all vices are things of the past; a state where investment meets opportunity; a state where the youths flourish. This play will capture government’s effort at achieving all these in a fluid style and interspiced with music and a good dose of humour”.

MIDWEEK ARTS 55

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A scene from one of Crafthouse crew’s productions

‘Government, its agencies yet to discover the power of stage performance’ In the epilogue titled Delta Reigns, Aina said the play would delve into “a journey into the nearest future and the legacy of the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and a peep into the benefits of cooperating with government in the implementation of its 3-point agenda, which is a dream come true!”

Aina stated that the drama series was conceived to go round the three Senatorial Districts of the state for its impact to be felt. But this is after its command performance has been held at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, the state capital.

Aina further stated that there were a lot of positive messages embedded in his dramatization of the rebirth of Delta performance. He urged that governments should strive to include the instrumentality of drama in passing positive messages to the electorate as the creativity in

drama usually has dramatic and instant impact on the populace. Aina further said he counted it as immense privilege to be of service to one of the most vibrant states and governors in the country.

URTHER, Aina played up what governments at all levels were missing in not fully exploiting the instrumentality of drama and stage performance in deepening their programmes among the grassroots. He emphasised how governments can tap into the rich resources of drama, when he stated, “Stage performance (drama) has creative and picturesque values and can be employed to pass across the various agendas of all tiers of government particularly to the grassroots. Various agencies of government responsible for information dissemination such as the Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency, etc, need to seri-

F

ously consider the use of short drama sketches in projecting the mind of government so as to draw support for such programmes.

“Other government agencies such as NDLEA, NAFDAC, National Road Safety Commission, Police Force, NSCDC, etc, which have specific messages also need to engage stage performances to propagate their messages particularly in the grassroots.

“Governments at all levels will continue to have messages and programmes they need to sensitize the people about. At Crafthouse Crew, we have mastered the art of packaging such messages and programmes in short, enlightening, educating and entertaining drama sketches. And we have effectively done this for Delta State Government, NSCDC, Flomat books, South-South Peace Forum among others with tremendous impact”.

National Troupe stages dramatised storytelling competition for schools… Nigerian centenary in focus HE National Troupe of T Nigeria is set to host the second edition of the annual dramatised storytelling competition for schools. This time the competition will be held for schools in Lagos and Abuja.

The maiden edition of the dramatised storytelling competition which is held in line with the National Troupe’s objectives of providing a platform for the discovery and showcasing of talents featured students from primary and secondary school in Lagos. The competition is also being held to celebrate, Nigeria’s one hundred years of existence. But specifically, the coordinator of the dramatized storytelling competition and Director of Drama of the National Troupe Ms Josephine Igberaese says the programme is being held this year to also complement the January 18th 1980’s resolutions on storytelling adopted by the conference on folklore held under the auspices of the Centre for Nigeria cultural

Studies, the Federal Ministry of Culture and UNESCO to encourage the preservation and promotion of Nigeria folklore. “Since the storytelling is the science of the survival of old beliefs and customs in modern times, and the study of ancient observances and customs, the notions, beliefs, traditions, superstitions and prejudices of the common people-this therefore is the task ahead of those intellectual gathering of students from schools to examine how the dictates of storytelling could be effectively utilized to achieve national integration through this carefully selected sub-theme”, Igberaese said.

Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe Mr. Martin Adaji says the competition aims at ensuring meaningful communication of all aspects of storytelling. Adaji said it is designed to explore how storytelling could be utilized to

correct inadequacies of the youth especially in the age of technological advancement. “I am sure with technology where with just a dash on the internet you can get all information you need, people will ask why story telling. But the facts are that our brains become more active when we tell stories. Whether it is a novel, a movie or simply something one of our friends is explaining to us, because they come in words and sounds, which are often by improvisation or embellishment. Since it is 100 years of Nigeria existence as a nation, the chosen theme cannot be anything but the unification or the act of bringing together the diverse and at times conflicting educational, social, political, economic, religious, ethnic and cultural element in our society into one single whole”, Adaji said.

The Artistic Director expressed optimism that the programme will in the long run achieve its intended aim which is to ‘’re-

Dramatised storytelling scene from last year organize and restructure our youth’s mindset to ward off destructive and insidious influences brought about by films, songs, magazines and telecommunication gadgets all of which becloud their young minds”. According to Adaji: “It is for this reason that we have initiated this project as a way of helping to bring back our fading storytelling tradition”.

Billed to hold in Lagos and Abuja in the last week of May and first week of June 2013, the competition, which is opened to primary and secondary schools in and around Lagos and Abuja will begin with the preliminaries and elimination stages. Like in the maiden edition, which was staged at the National Theatre, schools that scale the elimination stages

will perform to a very large audience, which will include art patrons. Certificates of participation and valuable educational materials will be awarded to successful participating schools. A statement from the Troupe also indicates that each school participating in the competition will be allowed to choose their own method and mode of presentation.

56

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Sports Ogba, Umar, Yusuf, Gumel retain positions, basketball delegates protest Ndanusa returned unopposed From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja THLETICS Federation of A Nigeria (AFN) President, Solomon Ogba, his Basketball counterpart, Tijani Umar, as well as, the President of the Handball Federation, Dauda Yusuf, retained their respective positions at the sports federation elections held yesterday in Abuja.

A resilient Ogba, who faced a tough battle from Ibrahim Gusau, his former vice president, emerged victorious with a total of seven votes to Gusau’s three at the end of the fourth ballot, after the first three ballots had the candidates tied at five votes each.

The polls in the basketball federation was marred when four delegates, led by Mark Igoche, the North Central representative, walked out of the venue protesting the inclusion of certain delegates by the NSC as stakeholders.

Igoche complained that the NSC tampered with the list of the nominated stakeholders,

as well as the players’ nominee.

The election, however, went on with incumbent president, Tijani Umar, emerging victorious after sweeping the votes of the six delegates that voted.

Also returned was the president of Handball Federation, Dauda Yusuf, as well as, International Olympics Committee member, Habu Gumel, who was re-elected as the president of the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria.

In weightlifting, incumbent Chimdi Ejiogu was defeated by former speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Chibudum Nwuche, who polled a total of six votes as against five for Ejiogu.

Former Taekwondo federation president, Jonathan Nnaji, could not muscle the strength to beat his opponent, George Ashiru, who garnered seven votes against the incumbent’s three votes.

Olympics wrestling gold medalist, Daniel Igali, also defeated the incumbent, Austin Edeze, to emerge the

WFN president, while NOC President, Sani Ndanusa was returned unopposed in tennis.

In table tennis, Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Waheed Enita Oshodi, defeated incumbent President of the federation, Abdulwahab Omotoshe, just as Justice Saneche was declared winner of the election in Badminton.

Squash federation also got a new president in the former Chairman of Niger State Squash Association, Adamu Erena, while the sacked chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government of Rivers State, Timothy Nsirim, emerged victorious in Judo federation.

Onyema Emeka from the North Central also upset the predictions when he beat Kwesi Sagoe to become the new president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation.

There was no change in the Deaf Sports Federation, where Usman Nehuche retained his position, but Dart got a new boss in A.G Haruna.

OPgba

Oshodi

Yusuf

Ashiru

Ogba’s re-election good for athletics, says Igwe

By Gowon Akpodonor HE battle for the Presidency of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) was full of drama yesterday, as the delegates were made to go through five rounds of voting before a winner could emerge.

At the end of the exercise, the incumbent President, Chief

T

Solomon Ogba retained his seat, but it was not a smooth sail. He tied 5-5 votes with his challenger, Ibrahim Gusau, a House of Representatives member.

In 2009, Ogba emerged winner by going through a rigorous campaign against Benue State Governor Gabriel

Suswam, who stepped down at the election venue.

This time around, the former Delta Sports commissioner had to wait till a second re-run election to floor Gusau. They tied 55 on three occasions and not even a first re-run poll could produce a winner. In the second re-run, Ogba pulled seven

It’s time to consolidate, says Dauda

By Adeyinka Adedipe HE re-elected President of T the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Yusuf Dauda has promised to consolidate on the gains of his first term in office.

Dauda got all the nine votes of the electorate at the election yesterday after his opponent Sam Ocheho could not get nominated and subsequently withdrew.

Dauda told The Guardian yesterday that the focus on youth and grassroots development would continue with the aim of building strong and potent national teams that can compete for honours at international championships.

He stated that the players that qualified for the World Challenge trophy would

form the nucleus of the national team. He also promised that senior players would also be called into the team to give it the necessary experience.

“My re-election is a indication that the stakeholders believe in what we are doing hence the need to return me as the president. We will continue to focus on youth development with a view of producing world-class athletes.

“We will also organise more youth championships while the open championship that would bring together the best teams in the country where we will be able to select players for the national teams,” he added.

Dauda also called on the board members to work assiduously in realising the dream of a better future for

handball. He also called on aggrieved fractions to join hands with the new board saying that a house set against itself would never prosper.

votes to scale through on 7-3.

Some athletics buffs, who spoke with The Guardian on the AFN election yesterday congratulated Ogba for the victory saying that his re-election was as a result of his good work and many blessings he had received from athletes and officials for his good performance in the first tenure.

“Ogba has done so much for athletes and athletics and he deserved a second tenure,”Athletics Coach, Tobias Igwe told The Guardian.

“To me, Ogba deserved to be returned unopposed in that election. We know how things were before he took charge of

athletics in this country. This is one man who uses his personal money to organise competitions for athletes. He uses his money to send athletes and coaches to international competitions and he has brought so many sponsors into the federation. I am happy he is back.”

Signs of a tough battle for the AFN Presidency emerged few days ago when ex international quarter-miler, Fidelis Gadzama, allegedly ‘sold’ his ambition of contesting the presidency to another candidate. Gadzama had been in the forefront, leading the opposition group of those challenging Ogba’s administration.

Change at last in taekwondo, says Ugboko

By Olalekan Okusan AEKWONDO practitioners T and former Technical Director of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Michael Ugboko believes that yesterday’s election of George Ashiru, as president of the federation is the needed change the sport has been starved.

“The only thing that is permanent in life is change. So the saying goes. In the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, that assertion has finally found a

place in the election of 2013.

“The election of President of NTF held today in Abuja has just ended with newcomer, George Ashiru has beating the incumbent with seven votes to three. This election has put ants in our pants in the last one week, and today’s outcome is a more befitting finale.

This change has been so much desired and it has finally come.”

He added, “my spirit is broken and shattered over the past years of moral decadence

in taekwondo. But now I am alive again. I want to use this medium to congratulate all taekwondists, who have stood on the part of truth for so long.

It is your stand that has brought about this change.

God bless you. I would also like to use this medium to congratulate the new President, George Ashiru and the Vice President, Margret Elizabeth Achibi-Binga, and all the new board members of NTF. May you never miss your step in this new era. ”

Alao leads Standard Chartered team to Anfield ETERAN sports journalist V and group managing director of Complete Sports newspaper, Mumini Alao, will lead a 10-man Nigerian team to a 5-A-Side international football tournament at Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool FC of England this weekend.

Tagged: “Standard Chartered Trophy,” the tournament is organised annually by Standard Chartered Bank for countries where the bank operates. This year’s competition will feature United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Kenya, Bahrain, Thailand, Korea, MENAP and Nigeria.

Alao was selected for the Nigerian team by virtue of his long followership of Liverpool FC. His football skills were also recognized during the 2012 Lagos SWAN Cup where he inspired Complete Sports newspaper to emerge as champions.

Also in the Nigeria Standard Chartered (SC) team is Sola Aiyepekun, executive director of newlycrowned Lagos FA Cup winners, COD United.

57

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

CricketWeekly LACC, FGCW Old Boys qualify for T20 semi-finals AGOS Asians, who could LSuper not make the just-held 4 Championship, at the weekend defeated vent their anger on an unimpressive Rocks of Abeokuta to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing Club Cricket Committee (CCC) T20 Championship.

The Asians, inspired by Captain Mathias Devadayal, beat the Abeokuta side by seven wickets.

Mathias grabbed four wickets, 10 runs in 3.4 overs, while Manish Sharma added three wickets and 31 runs in four overs as they bowled out Rocks for 100 runs all out in 18.4 overs.

The trio of Mojeed Adiamo (25), Daniel Ajekun (24) and Bimbo Adu (21 Runs) with their bats all showed U-19 Coach Seyi Sonde why they should be on the plane to Uganda for the Pepsi International Cricket Council World-Cup Qualifiers.

In response, Opening Batsman and Former Nigerian International, Jay Ghosalkar, posted 55 runs not out while the duo of Manish Ghosalkar (14) and Rafiqe Muhammed (13) took the game beyond Rocks despite Anofiu Salako taking two wickets, 25 runs in four Overs.

LACC in the semis would now confront the winner of

the last quarter-final between Government College Ibadan Old Boys (GCIOB) and current Super Four Champions, IbejuLekki, on Saturday at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

In the other game, Stallion Cricket Club’s fairy tale run ended in a nine-wicket loss to an experienced Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club.

Captain Itua Esekhaigbe’s plan to bat first after winning the toss failed to yield positive result when Pace Bowler, Michael Agbiboa, and Spinner, Opeyemi Awosanmi, ripped through the batting order by claiming three wickets each to reduce their opponents to a paltry 53 runs all out in 15.2 overs, with former Captain Anthony Akhalu’s 16 runs the highest for the Stallions in the first innings.

In quick response, Azeez Salako, a left handed batsman for FGCWOBCC, guided his team to a semi-final place with his 20 runs not out, Emmanuel Okwudili (14 runs not out) and Oboh Omogui put in 10 runs with 10.2 overs left.

The Aroy Ororho led side will now meet Super Four losing finalist, Foundation Cricket Club (FCC), who strolled over their second team, FCC 2, by 10 wickets on Saturday at the same venue by 1:30 pm.

Onyema Emeka is new NCF boss From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja MEKA Onyema, who represented the North Central zone at yesterday’s Federations polls, beat incumbent Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Kwesi Sagoe, to become the new boss of the federation.

In the closely fought battle, which saw delegates forging unexpected alliances, Emeka narrowly defeated Sagoe by six votes to five to emerge winner.

The result was unexpected, as the mien of the delegates did not portray a house about to change its leader. But observers started feeling that something was in the offing when some of delegates started converging in groups just before the polls.

Speaking after the polls, one of the delegates, who pleaded anonymity, said the result was not a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Sagoe, adding, however, that the federation was due a new direction.

He said, “since Sagoe took over the NCF, we have seen a decent growth in Nigerian cricket, with the introduction of many grassroots programmes. But he is the African

E

cricket Association (ACA) chairman and we felt we needed a president that would concentrate fully on growing the game here.

“We will continue with some of his programmes, but the challenge now is to take the game higher than the World Cricket League Division Six.” The Guardian could not reach Sagoe for his opinion on the polls, but some of his associates described him as a gentleman, who would continue to contribute to the growth of the game despite his defeat in the polls.

Bangladesh’s Shamsur Rahman bats during the second and final of the two match T20 cricket series between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo… on Monday.

PHOTO: AFP.

ICC Champions Trophy

South Africa replaces injured Smith with Petersen LVIRO Petersen has A replaced his Test opening partner, Graeme Smith in South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad. Smith has been ruled out following the recurrence of an ankle injury that requires surgery.

Petersen will partner Hashim Amla at the top of the order to bring stability to a South African line-up that will be without Smith and Jacques Kallis, after the latter opted out due to personal reasons.

He was picked on the value of

his experience, strong county form and a modest record in the format, despite not having played an ODI since January 2012.

In the last month, Petersen has scored 537 runs for Somerset across the county championship and the Yorkshire Bank 40 series to enjoy what convener of selectors, Andrew Hudson called the “form of his life.”

More importantly for

mount to success,” Hudson said.

Patience is one of the hallmarks of Petersen’s game, as he showed during his 182 at Headingley during South Africa’s tour of England last year. “He is a proper, proven opening batter,” Geoff Toyana, Peterson’s coach at the Lions franchise in South Africa, said.

“He is technically sound and he knows how to build an innings.”

Afridi, Younis retain top PCB contracts HE Pakistan Cricket Board T (PCB) has announced 30 central contracts for 2013, with

Outgoing NCF President, Kwesi Sagoe.

Hudson, it proves Petersen has adjusted well to English conditions, which South Africa see as a challenge they must overcome if they hope to lift ICC silverware for the first time in 15 years.

“With the tournament being played early in the England summer, we envisage that bowling conditions will favour the seamers and getting good partnerships going up front is going to be para-

a 15 per cent increment in the monthly retainership fee.

Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan, who have been dropped from the ODI team, have been retained in the top A category while fast-bowler Umar Gul, who plays all three formats, has been dropped from A to B. Kamran Akmal, who wasn’t considered for a central contract last year, has been awarded a Category C contract this time.

The PCB, for the second

straight year, has increased the retainership incomes, with the Test match fees across all categories up by Rs. 55,000.

“The 2013 Central Contracts have raised the Retainership fee by 15 per cent,” the PCB said in a statement.

“In the 2012 Central Contract, the same had been increased by 25 per cent. It may be noted that the increase in player fees in 2012 made after three years as the last increases were made in 2009. Thus in the last two years a total increase of more than 40 per cent has been made.”

The raise this year was a result of lengthy negotiations between players and the PCB, as most of the senior players were unhappy with the retainers offered.

Players have been deprived of the ICC tournaments’ appearance fee by the PCB, and they were also barred from playing the 2012 Bangladesh Cricket League.

Last year, a lack of planning meant Umar Akmal, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal failed to fulfill their commitment with their respective Big Bash League franchises.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

58 | SPORTS

European Football

Chelsea gets Terry, Hazard injury boost ahead of Europa League final • Mikel also in the squad OHN Terry and Eden Hazard JChelsea will travel with the 25-man squad to Amsterdam for today’s Europa League final.

Both players suffered injuries during the Blues’ 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday with growing fears they would miss out on facing Benfica at the Amsterdam ArenA. However, the pair joined John Obi Mikel, also returning after four matches with a hip problem, in the squad, which trained at the Netherlands’ national stadium yesterday evening.

A late fitness test should determine whether either of

the three players are fit enough to feature against Jorge Jesus’ side.

Ryan Bertrand is also on the plane despite a recent knee injury and will be hoping for another cup final win after his involvement in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in Munich last year.

Oriol Romeu and Nathan Ake also traveled with the first-team squad to the Dutch capital but are unlikely to feature against Benfica.

Demba Ba will travel with the squad even though he is cup-tied having featured in the tournament this season for previous employers Newcastle.

Terry set for today’s Europa League final against Benfica

Mikel also fit to play

I didn’t leave Barca because Messi set to miss end of season of Guardiola, says Ronaldinho R

ONALDINHO has dismissed the suggestion that he was forced out of Barcelona by Pep Guardiola, when the Spaniard took charge of the Catalans in the summer of 2008.

The Brazilian’s departure from AC Milan coincided with Guardiola’s arrival as coach, but the Atletico Mineiro playmaker insists that there was no clash of personalities, revealing that he enjoys an excellent rapport with the former Blaugrana boss, who is now poised to take charge of Bayern Munich.

“I didn’t leave because of Guardiola,” Ronaldinho told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Every time that we meet, I feel a tremendous joy. He is a great coach, who will definitely prompt a real boost in quality at Bayern.”

Ronaldinho admitted, though, that he enjoyed an even better special relationship with Guardiola’s predecessor, Frank Rijkaard.

“The coach with whom I worked best was Rijkaard,” he enthused. “He is one that knows the beautiful game and the characteristics of players, he had great respect

Ronaldinho in his days with Barca

for us.”

Turning his attention to another of his former clubs, Ronaldinho ruled out the prospect of him returning to Paris Saint-Germain - despite the presence of compatriot and ex-AC Milan boss, Leonardo at Parc des Princes in his new role as a sporting director.

“Leonardo? He has always been a friend of the family,” the former Ballon d’Or winner explained. “At Milan, he afforded me a lot of freedom on the field. But there has been no proposal (from PSG).”

Ronaldinho is instead content to watch from afar as PSG look to establish themselves among the game’s elite, which is precisely why he feels star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic should resist the urge to return to Italy.

“Ibra should stay,” he argued. “PSG are working to become one of the best clubs in Europe.”

Ronaldinho spent two seasons in the French capital before leaving in 2003 to join Barcelona, with whom he enjoyed the most productive years of his illustrious career.

ARCELONA forward, B Lionel Messi is set to miss the rest of the season after

tests revealed the extent of the damage to his right hamstring.

Messi initially suffered the injury in the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal against Paris St Germain and he has been in and out of the team ever since.

He came off the bench to inspire a Barca win against PSG in the Nou Camp return but looked a shadow of his brilliant best as the Spanish champions were hammered 4-0 in the first leg of their semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich.

He failed to make an appearance as Bayern duly completed a 7-0 aggregate win in Catalonia. Messi underwent a scan yesterday with a Barca statement revealing the results.

It read: “Tests this Tuesday morning showed that Leo

Messi has an elongation in the femoral biceps in his right leg. The expected absence is two to three weeks.

“How the injury evolves will determine the player’s availability for future games.”

Messi started Sunday’s win at Atletico Madrid but

limped off after 67 minutes after experiencing further problems with the injury.

Barca’s final game of the Primera Division season they have already wrapped up the title - is scheduled for June 1 at home to Malaga.

It is unlikely Messi will be risked by Barca boss Tito Vilanova, especially as the 25-

year-old will be needed by Argentina for their World Cup qualifying double-header against Colombia and Ecuador in June.

Messi has enjoyed another wonderful season in Spain, scoring 46 league goals - four short of the record-breaking tally of 50 he notched in 201112.

Heynckes to retire this summer AYERN Munich boss, B Jupp Heynckes has indicated he will retire from coaching at the end of the season.

The 68-year-old will make way at the Allianz Arena for Pep Guardiola in the summer and has said Saturday’s match at Borussia Monchengladbach would be his last in the Bundesliga.

It will be followed by the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund

at Wembley and the DFBPokal final against Stuttgart as Heynckes, who said he was no longer interested in coaching abroad, looks to sign off with a treble.

“For me it will not be an easy game on Saturday, not a normal game,” he told reporters.

“It will be my last Bundesliga game as coach. I grew up in Monchengladbach. It is a good game to prepare for

Wembley.”

Heynckes has also coached in Spain with Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Tenerife and in Portugal with Benfica.

He added, “if I was 10 or 15 years younger I would think again about a position abroad. But I have to bear in mind that I am no longer the youngest.

“Clubs want generational change - you naturally don’t get that with a 68-year-old.”

Bayern must not lose final, says Muller AYERN Munich forward, B Thomas Muller believes that his side must win their Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund if they are not to earn the tag of ‘losers.’

Bayern lost the 2010 final 2-0 to Inter Milan, and two years later conspired to lose on penalties against Chelsea in the Allianz Arena.

Muller, who scored the opener in last year’s final, admitted that the game was likely to have a spicy nature given Bayern’s existing rivalry with their opponents Dortmund.

“It is time we won this trophy,” said Muller.

“If we lose it will be three

times and then you get sort of stuck with a ‘loser’ tag which is something you do not want.

“I am a bit younger (than other Bayern players) and hopefully I still have a few years of international action left in me but we really have to win it this time.

“There is a lot of spice in this game and I like spice and I like that we play against Dortmund because there is even more passion in there.”

The final will be held on May 25th, with Wembley set to host the first allGerman final in the history of the Champions League.

Thomas Muller wants Champions League trophy at all cost

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

SPORTS 59

English Premiership

Sacked Mancini keeps mute XED Roberto Mancini A declined to speak to the waiting media as his former Manchester City players left to prepare for the game against Reading yesterday.

Mancini, whose sacking was confirmed on Monday evening after days of intense speculation, was driven away from City’s central London hotel shortly after 11am yesterday.

The Italian greeted the press hordes with a smile but refused to answer questions.

City’s players, who had stayed in the capital following their shock FA Cup defeat to Wigan at Wembley, headed

Howard expects smooth transition in Everton IM Howard insists “the table T is set” for the next Everton manager to continue the good

for Berkshire but also avoided the assembled media.

Assistant boss Brian Kidd will take charge at the Madejski where a point will secure second place - and then oversee the club’s final game of the season at home to Norwich on Sunday, before leading the players on next week’s US tour.

Attention will now turn to Manuel Pellegrini, who is odds-on favourite to replace Mancini at the Etihad.

Pellegrini said over the weekend that he would leave Malaga at the end of the season but has denied having an agreement in place with City.

…Pellegrini odds-on for City job ALAGA Coach, Manuel M Pellegrini is the 1/7 favourite with Sky Bet to be the next Manchester City manager after Roberto Mancini’s sacking was confirmed on Monday night.

The Chilean has denied that a deal is already in place for him to take the City job but speculation is rife that he will be the man arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

“Today, I deny I am going to be the new manager of Manchester City,” Pellegrini told a press conference on Sunday night.

“I have not signed an agreement with anyone, not with Manchester City, not with Roma, not with Napoli, not with PSG, not with any of the clubs, who have been mentioned.

“In the next few days I hope to clarify a bit what the future will be here in the club.”

Jose Mourinho is next in the betting at 6/1 and the Real Madrid chief was getting a lot of attention in the market before Mancini’s departure was officially confirmed.

Current Chelsea interim Manager, Rafa Benitez is 14/1, and it’s 28/1 bar.

Sky Bet’s Chris Spicer: “City’s interest in Pellegrini has been one of the worst kept secrets in football with punters backing him for the job as long ago as February, with further runs of money coming both before

and after their FA Cup final loss.

“We’ve already seen some hugely significant developments ahead of next season, which have caused a notable reshaping of our 2013/14 Premier League title betting, with City now joint favourites with United following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.”

City have also been backed into 1/3 to sign Malaga star.

Mancini sacked

City fans upset at Mancini exit, praise coach for league title Cup would suggest those tar- unity within the dressing HE sacking of Manager, success added to the gloom.

T Roberto Mancini has been Kevin Parker, general secretary gets might have been room during Mancini’s tenure. met with widespread dismay of the Manchester City unachievable.

by Manchester City fans.

The Italian had considerable support in the stands and that was evident at the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday when, amid rumours over his future, his name was chanted regularly.

Mancini ended the club’s 35year trophy drought by overseeing their 2011 FA Cup success and bettered that by winning a first top-flight title in 44 years last season.

The disappointment among supporters was soon apparent across social media and Internet forums.

That the news of Mancini’s departure, after three days of intense speculation, broke on the anniversary of last year’s dramatic Premier League title

Pellegrini may replace sacked Man City Coach, Mancini

Supporters Club, said, “after the weekend I think we were all expecting it to happen but I think we are all a bit disappointed it happened yesterday of all days - the anniversary of when we won the Premier League.

“All those fantastic memories we have of May 13, 2012 - that date is a special date for City fans and that’s been a little bit tarnished. We’re definitely all disappointed.”

A statement from the club said that Mancini had been relieved of his duties for failing to achieve the season’s “stated targets.”

Parker said, “it is unbelievable.

The club has said the targets set haven’t been met, but finishing second in the Premier League and losing finalists in the FA

Mourinho also on the list for Mancini’s replacement

“Does that mean we had to win the Premier League and win the FA Cup? I’m not sure.”

The club’s statement also referred to a “need to develop a holistic approach to all aspects of football at the club”.

Parker feels this could be a reference to various reports of dis-

This season alone Mancini has attracted criticism for seemingly unnecessary comments about Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany while the many incidents involving the now sold Mario Balotelli were a patience-draining distraction.

work done by David Moyes.

The Toffees will have a new man in charge for the first time in 11 years next season after Moyes accepted the opportunity to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Moyes is widely regarded to have done an excellent job at Goodison Park despite failing to win a trophy, and goalkeeper Howard sees no reason it cannot be a smooth transition.

Wigan boss, Roberto Martinez is the favourite to take over, while Brighton Manager, Gus Poyet and Celtic’s Neil Lennon have also been linked.

Howard told the Liverpool Post, “we are a really strong group of quality players and the foundations are set.

“The table is set for the next guy and I have no doubt, if he is a strong character, a guy, who can lead us well, we will have no problems.

“Manchester United and Everton are in the same boat with having to replace the manager in terms of expectation and all the rest.

“It’s just very rare to replace one long-serving manager with another long-serving one so we will need to fill the vacancy with a very strong character.

And I have no doubt that will happen.”

Howard revealed there was little ceremony when Moyes, who will take charge of his final Everton game at Chelsea on Sunday, told his players last week that he would be leaving.

“When he told us, it was quick and simple,” said the goalkeeper. “He does not do anything dramatic, just straight to the point, and then it’s ‘let’s go training’.

“We already knew by that time so we were just happy for him really. What an opportunity. I have no doubt he will make the most of it and we are just trying to focus on the last games and then see what our own future holds.”

Rooney is exceptional, says Moyes NCOMING Manchester IMoyes United Manager, David has described Wayne Rooney as ‘exceptional talent’ amid reports he is set to hold talks with the striker.

Rooney’s recent transfer request is likely to present Moyes with his first major challenge when he replaces Sir Alex Ferguson as United boss in the summer.

Moyes worked with Rooney at Everton, handing him his first-team debut as a 16-yearold in August 2002 before selling him to United two years later.

An issue regarding claims made by Rooney in his autobiography about Moyes was settled several years ago and reports have claimed that the current Everton manager has spoken to Ferguson and Ryan Giggs regarding the latest situation.

Speaking to the Cambridge Union Society, Moyes praised Rooney and described him as the ‘last of the classic street footballers.’

“When he left Everton, he was already an outstanding player,” said Moyes.

“Some of the things he used to do in training, we would

stand back and look at each other as if to say, ‘How did he do that?’ He was and is an exceptional talent.

“Wayne was brilliant in some of the stuff he did. He

Rooney

was football mad. Every training session he would run out, volleying the ball everywhere.

Staff would exchange glances that suggested, ‘Can you believe that?’

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

60 SPORTS

Davis Cup Africa Group III Play-off

Nigeria draws Egypt, Botswana, Zambia

By Olalekan Okusan EAM Nigeria has been handed a tricky draw in pool D of the Europe/Africa Zone Group III of the Davis Cup championship with the Henry Atseye-inspired side expected to face host – Egypt, Botswana and Zambia.

Aside Egypt that is ranked 94 in the world ahead of Nigeria rated 106, Zambia and Botswana, are not among the rated nations by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Nigeria will begin its quest for promotion today as it takes on Botswana, while its second match will be against Zambia tomorrow with its last group game against Egypt on Friday.

Among the 13 nations competing for the two slots available for grab in Group II, Morocco is the highest ranked nation and it has been tipped alongside Egypt for promotion by the world tennis ruling body based on their recent performance in the competition.

In pool A, Morocco, Algeria and Cameroun will slug it out while in pool B, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ghana will tackle one another.

In pool C, Namibia, Rwanda and Madagascar will be aiming for promotion to the elite group.

The winner of pool A will play the winner of pool C and the winner of pool B will play the winner of pool D, with the two winning nations promot-

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ed to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2014.

Meanwhile, Technical Director of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Bulus Hussain said that he is confident that Team Nigeria would make an impact at the competition.

“Nobody ever believed Nigeria would win the African Cup of Nations, but they won it and that is the way it will be in the Davis Cup. All the teams in the group had played

against Nigeria before and they are not new to the team.

What will help the players is that they just featured in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Open and went straight into camping after the tournament.

“This alone has kept them in top form for the championship. So any team that underestimates Nigeria will only do that at its peril. I am sure the team will do well in Egypt,” Hussain said.

Henry Atseye...one of the players that will be in action in Egypt today.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

It’s a new beginning for table tennis, say Toriola, others

By Olalekan Okusan HE election of Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi as president of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has been greeted with applause.

From Germany, France and Portugal, players have continued to react to Oshodi’s election, describing it as a new beginning for the sport.

T

Six-time Olympian and former African champion, Segun Toriola expressed his happiness over the outcome of the election, saying, “the right person for the job has been elected.”

Toriola said he is very elated with the outcome and called on the board members to support the new boss in his quest to take the game to great height.

“I am sure that Oshodi will

Ecobank receives Delta FA platinum award for excellence ELTA State Football D Association has given a platinum award to Ecobank Nigeria Limited for its contribution towards the development of grassroot football in the state.

Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, who received the award on behalf of the bank, said he was happy to partner with the state in the hosting of the Delta State Football Association tournament. He recalled that the tourney has produced several African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Champions like -Sunday Mba, who scored Nigeria’s winning goal at the last Cup of Nations.

In his words, “our joy knows no bounds to see the DFA produce stars, who are making Nigeria and Africa proud by winning medals at locals and international competitions.

On our part, we will continue to support and collaborate with the Delta State government on this show of talents.”

He thanked the DFA for giving the bank the platinum award in recognition of Ecobank’s support for the tournament and the development of sports in Delta State over the years.

The award was conferred on the bank during the final match of the 2013 DFA competition where Warri Wolves Football Club emerged winner following a lone goal win against Julius Atete Football club.

Other award recipients include veteran sports columnist, Paul Bassey (Football Personality Award), Pa John Ojidoh (Evergreen Award), Dr. John Oganwu (Lifetime Achievement Award), Ignatius Ajuonoma (Sports Journalist of the year).

The event was graced by notable personalities that included the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Honourable, Victor Ochei and renowned sports enthusiast and Chairman of the Delta Football Association, Pinnick Amaju.

be able to reposition table tennis and take it to the next level.

He did it when he was the chairman of Lagos State Table Tennis Association and also doing well as the commissioner for Sports. I believe he will also deliver as the NTTF boss. I am happy because the future of the game is now in the right hands because OÍshodi has supported the game even before he became the commissioner,” the France-based Toriola said.

From Hamburg, Germany, Funke Oshonaike could not hide her joy as she described the victory of Oshodi as a new dawn for table tennis.

“I am happy that a man that knows the game and ready to support the game has now been elected. So, for me, this is a great day for table tennis and I am excited that God upheld merit in this election. It is no gainsaying that Oshodi is the best candidate around that can take the game forward and this has become a reality,” the former African queen said.

Portugal-based Aruna Quadri, who is at present featuring in the ongoing World Championship in Paris, France, also expressed happiness at the development.

“This is what we have been clamouring for and thank God it has come to past. It is high time we started rallying round the new board for the game to change for better,” he said.

Also, Italy-based Coach, Michael Oyebode expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election, saying, “we are now on the right path to greatness again in table tennis again.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Obi Ebuka Onochie HEN the Palestinians were running away from their homes for immediate comfort and safety in 1947-48, little did they know that they would never return to the places they once called homes. There is no way to exaggerate the role of 1948 in the history of Middle East. The six-day war gave Israel most of Jerusalem and West Bank settlements but it is one thing to win the war and it is another thing to consolidate the gains of the war and translate them into what Israel desperately want which is peace.

Most of the chaotic happenings in the Middle East ever since have been part of unintended consequences of that war.

Recent Kano bombing reminded us of the law of unintended consequences of the amnesty granted to the militants of Niger Delta. It was, indeed, an unintelligent and inhumane response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to grant amnesty to vicious and unconscionable Boko Haram. I will not only be surprised but shocked if the issue of another renegade group wanting amnesty was not discussed during the deliberations for granting amnesty to the militants under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. If it was deliberated, what was the measure of action decided as a response if and when it arose as it is the case now? If this possibility was never raised at the meeting, it speaks volumes not only on the quality of leadership we had but the level of paucity of in-depth knowledge of our policy makers in our idiosyncrasies.

Nigeria, over the decades after the independence, has turned out to be a country of people going through identity crises. Awareness and deep seated ethnic consciousness has overtaken national identity, patriotism and a formidable unity which has slowed the pace of our national development. There is no country on earth where the adage “what is good for the geese is good for the gander” is applied better than in Nigeria.

Everything must be duplicated in and shared out to at least six and sometimes 36 to placate the component ethnic units. In view of this, the Federal Government should not have granted amnesty to the Niger Delta militants in the first place, knowing fully well that there are other groups whose activities may deteriorate to the extent of clamouring for another amnesty as it is happening now.

Nigeria’s mono-economy dependent on oil producing was almost nose-diving into economic crises when the activities of militants of Niger Delta were at the peak leading to government’s desperate measures to restoring full capacity in oil production, hence amnesty as an escape route. It is understandable that at the time amnesty was granted to militants, Nigeria was in a dire need of a

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Every government should have a standing rule which never bends no matter the circumstance or who may be affected especially as it affects security of life and property of the people which is the primary duty of every responsible government.

When a government moves away from law and its application it is courting grave dangers for the state. The act of taking arms against the state is a serious act of treason which should be viewed as such

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The law of unintended consequences of amnesty

President Jonathan

miraculous solution to the obstacle of her economic wellbeing. The solution brought a temporal succor to the nation but came with it, long time consequences that are largely unintended and still lingering to the present day. The consequences are here and I hope the Federal Government will not fall into the same mistake again especially as they are aware MASSOB, OPC, etc are all watching and waiting in the wings.

Personally, I don’t support amnesty as a solution in the first place, not to the militants and not to Boko Haram and definitely not to any other arms-carrying group no matter under what precarious situation Nigeria may be. Every government should have a standing rule which never bends no matter the circumstance or who may be affected especially as it affects security of life and property of the people which is the primary duty of every responsible gov-

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

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Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

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ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

It is understandable that at the time amnesty was granted to militants, Nigeria was in a dire need of a miraculous solution to the obstacle of her economic wellbeing. The solution brought a temporal succor to the nation but came with it, long time consequences that are largely unintended and still lingering to the present day.

The consequences are here and I hope the Federal Government will not fall into the same mistake again especially as they are aware MASSOB, OPC, etc are all watching and waiting in the wings

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ernment. When a government moves away from law and its application it is courting grave dangers for the state.

The act of taking arms against the state is a serious act of treason which should be viewed as such. However, some hold the view that groups like Niger Delta militants are a creation of injustice and unequalled allocation of the resources of the state. If that is admitted as a justifiable and undeniable truth, then what is the place of educated unemployed graduates who refused to take arms against the state? The truth is there are many Nigerian unemployed graduates both in Niger Delta and Boko Haram ridden areas who are still law abiding even in the face of their difficulties yet nobody is thinking about them. If the Federal Government keeps granting amnesty and paying handsomely to groups of violent Nigerians, the message to good citizens will be clear, get arms and get what you want.

This is the time government at both the federal and state levels should work assiduously towards improving not only infrastructure but human capital development. The system of using momentary solutions laced with dangerous unintended consequences should be discarded and seen as an archaic way of dealing with systemic problems. There are countries of the world that stand on the principle of never negotiating with renegade groups or terrorists. They would rather solve the problem through other options because in every situation or problem, there are many options to getting at solutions. Once this principle is established, the masquerades of violence for economic gain will give way for the government to have a clear view of its enemies within who are not asking for pardon and pay-off but are out to fight until they are defeated because they must always be defeated.

President Jonathan responded well to Borno elders asking for amnesty on behalf of Boko Haram whom the president referred to as ghosts. But surprisingly, he has succumbed to the blackmail and pressure of those who ought to be seen tackling the serious security problem first. They know their boys, they know their terrain. Why are they leaders if they cannot rein in their boys in line with their culture, law and tradition? Instead of rolling up their sleeves, they have left everything to Jonathan.

The Federal Government as at present led by Jonathan should save Nigeria a lot of future pain and chaos by not extending amnesty to any other militant or terrorist groups. The door for amnesty as a solution should be shut permanently and expunged from policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

• Onochie wrote from Port Harcourt.