Wed 22 May 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

Archbishop of Canterbury, Ghanaian president, others for Achebe’s burial tomorrow From Kodilinye Obiagwu, Lawrence Njoku (Enugu), Chijioke Iremeka (Ogidi) and Uzoma Nzeagwu (Awka) BOUT four foreign presiA dents and other dignitaries, including Ghanaian President John Mahama and the Archbishop of Canter-

• UNN Senate holds special session bury, Most Rev. Justin Welby, are expected to attend the burial of literary icon, Prof.

Chinua Achebe, in his hometown Ogidi, Anambra State, tomorrow.

Highlighting the burial arrangement which com-

menced a week ago, the Anambra State Secretary to the Government (SSG), Oseloka Obaze, announced that it was a partnership involving Anambra, the Federal Government and the Ogidi community.

ture at the university.

For the academics, the special senate, the 369th senate session of the university in honour of Achebe was a solemn confirmation that their revered colleague, “our compatriot who rose to become a citizen of the world, has come to an end.”

Besides, for about an hour in the main auditorium of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), the academ-

Elegy by Wole Soyinka – P.3 ic community paid tributes to the late Achebe, an emeritus professor of English Litera-

Achebe’s end was further confirmed when he failed to answer to his name when the Registrar, Mr. Anthony Okonta, took the roll of the over 20 emeritus professors of the institution. All the professors answered to their names. And then Okonta called, “Emeritus CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,564

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

London police arrest two Arik cabin crew members over alleged drug trafficking • Airline may be fined, NDLEA begins probe

By Wole Shadare WO workers of Arik Air T were yesterday arrested at London Heathrow Airport in connection with alleged drug trafficking.

Both the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Arik Air are investigating the circumstances that led to the drug trafficking by the duo said to be cabin crew members of the airline.

The airline, however, said it would wait for the outcome of the investigation before it could come out with a statement on the situation.

There are indications that Arik Air may be fined if the suspects are found guilty of the illicit act in line with aviation practice.

The frequency of drug trafficking aboard Brazilian national airline, Varig, was one of the reasons the carrier ceased Bishop of the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo (middle) and others praying for the remains of Prof. Chinua Achebe at Nnamadi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Senate, Reps okay emergency rule From Laolu Akande (New York), Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Adamu Abuh (Abuja) and Emmanuel Ande (Yola) ITHOUT any dissent, all W 100 senators present at the Senate yesterday voted in favour of the state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan last week in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

But the voting was preceded by an hour of a closed-door session where the lawmakers expressed their views on the emergency rule and eventually agreed to support it.

Besides, Nigeria’s renewed confrontation with Boko Haram terrorists will form the kernel of a meeting next week in Addis Ababa at the African Union (AU) between President Goodluck Jonathan and United Nations (UN) SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon, just as more details have emerged on

• Want democratic structures to stay • Urge army to operate within rules of engagement • Jonathan, Ban to discuss Boko Haram at AU meeting • ‘Why Obama may not visit Nigeria’ • Curfew relaxed in Adamawa why the United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama is leaving Nigeria out of his second trip to Africa.

At the resumption of the open plenary, the President of the Senate, David Mark, enumerated the points of agreement reached at the closed-door session which were immediately put to vote and endorsed formally by all senators.

However, the method of voting was slightly different.

Against the expectation of practical division and headcount method, the Senate adopted the voice-vote method.

Mark announced that after taking the count, there were 100 senators present and merely put the question to voice vote.

The constitution requires that at least two-thirds of the total number of senators should vote in favour of the declaration before the state of

emergency could be considvalid. as ered Announcing the decision of the Senate, Mark said that the House insisted that all democratic structures should be left to operate in the three states.

He said: “In a closed-door session, we extensively discussed some of the issues that we think are very important to this proclamation of state of emergency. We want to emphasise very emphatically

that all the democratic structures must be left in place and must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the Federal Government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end.”

Mark also stated that it was the opinion of the Senate that the armed forces be made to adhere strictly to their rules of engagement.

“We also would like to emphasise that the armed forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they are humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings,” he said.

On the issue of amnesty, the Senate President said: “We are

Rescuers search for survivors after massive tornado kills dozens in U.S. –Page 9

conscious of the fact that the government is taking this step as a last resort but alongside that, we want to encourage the government to also urge the committee on amnesty to work alongside the current functions that are put in place to bring this to an end so that at the end of the day, government can concentrate on their efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people in all the states that are affected.

“We are conscious of the fact that there was lawlessness, there was anarchy and mayhem in most of the places that are involved in the declaration of state of emergency and we appreciate the fact that government must take every possible step to bring this to an end as quickly as possible with minimal loss of lives and materials.”

“The Senate urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NEWS

Senate, Reps want democratic structures to stay CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 that the operations of the armed forces involved in the emergency rule were properly funded.

“At the end of the day, we would like to support the Federal Government in this proclamation of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe but we also would like to remind the President that the Federal Government must fund the operations there properly and adequately and we must also remind the Federal Government that as the operation is going on, relief and all medical materials should be as quickly as possible moved to the area so that the people can benefit from government’s presence.”

The Senate lamented that the problem ought to have been brought to an end long ago but agreed that “it is better late than never.”

The Upper Chamber also appealed to Boko Haram members to retrace their steps and co-operate with government, pointing out that military op-

tion would not be the best in achieving an enduring peace.

“We want to appeal to the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists that it is still not too late to co-operate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. We must emphasise that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground. It is to win the hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today.

“I believe that when the whole military operation is over, the Federal Government will ensure development gets to these areas as quickly as possible”, Mark said.

The Senate equally implored the Federal Government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible. It urged other states of the federation to co-operate with the Federal Government in achieving peace in the three states under emergency rule.

“While we support the declaration of a state of emergency in the three states that are involved, we urge the other states that are not directly involved to co-operate with the Federal Government and indeed, the state governments that are involved so that we can bring this to an end.”

According to Mark, “the summary of our discussion is the fact that the democratic structures will remain in place, the governors and local council chairmen, have as it were, the backing of the Federal Government and they should be supported maximally to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion.”

Addressing the press later, the Senate spokesman, Enyinnaya Abaribe, explained that the senators considered the overriding interest of the country and resolved to jettison the interests of their political parties in giving a unanimous approval to the President’s proclamation.

Abaribe also stated that the voice-vote method adopted was to protect many senators against “any harm from uninformed members of the public.”

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had asked the National Assembly to reject the President’s proclamation of a state of emergency, describing it as counterproductive.

Also, after five hours of heated deliberations, the House of Representatives yesterday endorsed the state of emergency.

The decision was taken during an executive session presided over by Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Two hundred and fifty-three of the lawmakers out of the 360 statutory members of the House, meeting the two-thirds approval requirement spelt out by the constitution, endorsed the President’s proclamation with voice votes.

But they called on government to compensate all victims of terror.

They constituted a sevenmember committee comprising the Chairman of the House Rules and Business, Mr. Sam Tsokwa, Ali Ahmed, Benson Nwankwo, Nkoyo Tuoyo, Aminu Shagari, and Nath Agunbiade to harmonise the position of the House with that of the Senate.

Apparently envisaging a situation might arise that the President may have to be forced to cause a full take-over of the affected states by military operatives, the lawmakers struck out the provision whereby the President can authorise anybody to administer the affected states.

They insisted that only the governors and council chairmen should continue their administrative function in the

affected states.

Of note in the amendment spelt out by the lawmakers was the need to restrict security agents to the maintenance of peace and safety of lives and property of the residents.

The House also insisted that henceforth, the transmission of the emergency order to the National Assembly must be carried out within seven days.

At a press conference yesterday in Mozambique, Ban was asked about the “Boko Haram threat,” and military offensive.

Responding, Ban first noted that “Boko Haram has been really making a lot of security threats to Nigeria and also the neighbouring region. This is totally unacceptable. And I have been condemning all these terrorist attacks caused by Boko Haram terrorist attacks.”

But the UN scribe then disclosed that he had spoken with Jonathan since after the declaration of the emergency rule in three states of the North, expressing “serious concern” about the protection of civilians in the confrontation against terrorists.

“A few days ago, I have spoken over the phone with President Goodluck Jonathan expressing my serious concerns. I know that the Nigerian government has declared an emergency in those three states where violence took place. And I have asked to make sure that while

military operations may be necessary to deter terrorist attacks, the government forces and government leaders should ensure that in the course of military operations against terrorist attacks, the civilian populations and their human rights, human lives, must be protected”, he said.

The UN leader also announced that indeed, both Jonathan and himself had agreed to further discuss the situation later this week at the AU meeting.

“We have agreed to have a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa this weekend and discuss in details how we can make sure that these human rights and human dignity and political and social stability can be maintained in Nigeria”, he said.

But while the UN SecretaryGeneral and Nigeria are planning a meeting, the U.S. President Barack Obama just decided to ignore Nigeria in his just-announced trip to Africa, the second since he got into office.

According to U.S. sources, while it is true that the Nigerian government is expecting President Obama to visit Nigeria even if only for just a day stop-over without passing the night in Nigeria, it is clear that White House has piled up a number of deep-seated reservations against President Jonathan’s administration.

UNN Senate holds special session for Achebe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Prof. Chinua Achebe.” No response. Two more calls yielded deep silence from the casket, draped in national colours in their presence.

Okonta, who had broken tradition by calling out to Achebe thrice, reported to the Vice Chancellor that Achebe had failed to answer to his name. It was the first time Achebe would not answer to his name in their conclave. Okonta said: “Mr. Vice Chancellor, here lies the remains of Emeritus Prof.

Chinua Achebe. In line with tradition, I have called the roll call but he did not respond to his name.”

Apparently to confirm the report, Okolo once more called out, “Emeritus Prof. Chinua Achebe,” and with no response, he lamented: “Our compatriot who rose to become a citizen of the world has come to an end.”

The vice chancellor noted: “So today, we are gathered for the

primary purpose of paying our last respects to our colleague, one of the best creative minds of our generation.”

He continued: “Here at the University of Nigeria we mourn him for his unique contributions to the development of our university and for the enormous visibility he brought to our university through his creative works, even in his death.

“Expectedly, his passing will leave a void in our hearts and in our university where he is revered as a great academic and administrator. He will be remembered as a remarkable teacher, an astute administrator, a creative genius, a story teller and author of extra-ordinary ability. In addition, our Institute of African Studies, which he headed during a remarkable period of growth and the Okike Journal, which he founded, will continue to serve as worthy and enduring monuments of remarkable

career of this great man of the University of Nigeria.”

Achebe’s body had arrived at the Akanu Ibiam, Enugu airport at about 12.25 p.m. on an aircraft marked FNBPE and was received by Secretary to Enugu State Government, Amechi Okolo, among other government functionaries.

After brief airport formalities, the hearse accompanied by his family members, cultural and dancing troupes heralded the return of Achebe.

Achebe’s remains arrived on the university premises at about 3.47 p.m. and were led in a long procession of academics into the main hall with solemn music supplied by the school’s music department.

Wrapped in national colours, the customised brown casket was lowered on a table in the main hall for the special session, which began soon after with Okolo presiding.

Obaze said the state govern-

ment would perform the “celebration of life for the late Prof. Achebe at the Alex Ekwueme Square tomorrow (Wednesday)” and urged all citizens of the state to attend the ceremony where they would pay their last respect to him.

He said that all state legislators, government officials, civil servants, local council workers, town unions and the private sector were expected to grace the occasion.

Commenting on the burial plan, he disclosed that the funeral service would hold at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, while his final resting place would be in his family compound at Ogidi on May 23.

He disclosed further that all necessary logistics had been taken care of, but quickly added that they had taken a cue from the Achebe family on how the state government could assist, insisting that the ultimate goal was to give the late writer a befitting burial.

NDLEA begins probe of Arik cabin crew members CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 operations to Nigeria 19 years ago.

The same reason was adduced for the cessation of operations of Air India to Nigeria many years ago.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, has ordered the investigation of the two crew members of Arik Air. It was learnt that one of the suspects was found in possession of 6kg of cocaine while the other was found with 60 packets of cigarettes.

The Arik Air flight reportedly took off from the Murtala Muhammed International

Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday. Eight out of 10 crew members that travelled with the flight were said to have been cleared while the remaining two were still being held in London.

According to the NDLEA chairman, “we have received a report of the arrest and I have ordered a full-scale investigation of the incident. Anyone found wanting shall be brought to book as no effort shall be spared in protecting the image of our country.”

The Spokesman for NDLEA, Jarikre Ofoyeju, recalled that on August 8, 2007, officials of the NDLEA arrested a Virgin Atlantic crew member with

drugs on a London-bound flight.

The crew member was caught at the Lagos airport with 1.743kg of cocaine. The drug, which was concealed in a black polythene bag inside a hand luggage, was found in the flight compartment.

The agency also vowed to beef up security checks at all entry and exit points in the country.

The Spokesman for Arik Air, Banji Ola, said the airline was co-operating fully with the United Kingdom (UK) authorities and all other agencies concerned in the investigation.

The street value of the cocaine in possession of a member of the crew, according to a source

in NDLEA, is valued at over N180 million.

He said the carrier remained committed to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and would not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the trafficking of banned items and substances.

According to the airline, “the attention of the management of Arik Air has been drawn to the detention in UK of two of its cabin crew members in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

“Arik Air is co-operating fully with the UK authorities and all other concerned agencies in their investigations.”

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NEWS

Soyinka on Achebe h, Chinua, are you grapevine wired?

A

It sings: our nation is not dead, not clinically Yet. Now this may come as a surprise to you, It was to me. I thought the form I spied Beneath the frosted glass of a fifty-carat catafalque Was the face of our own dear land — ‘own’, ‘dear’, Voluntary patriotese, you’ll note — we try to please.

An anthem’s sentiment upholds the myth.

Grim cycle of embattled years. Again we died With miners of Iva valley who undermined More than mere seams of anthracite. All too soon, Ma, we would augment, in mimic claims, In our own right, the register of martyrs. Oh, How we’ve exercised the right of righteous folly In defence of alien rhetoric . . . what God has joined, etcetera.

For God, read white, read slaver surrogates.

We scaled the ranges of Obudu, prospected Jos Plateau, pilgrims on rock-hills of Idanre.

Floated on pontoons from Bussa to silt beds Of eternal Niger, reclaimed the mangrove swamps, Startling mudskipper, manatee, and mermaids.

Did others claim the mantle of discoverers?

Let them lay patents on ancestral lands, lay claim To paternity of night and day – ours Were hands that always were, hands that pleat The warp of sunbeam and the weft of dew, Ours to create the seamless out of paradox.

In the mind’s compost, meagre scrub yielded Silos of grain. Walled cities to the north were Sheaths of gold turbans, tuneflul as minarets.

The dust of Durbars, pyrotechnic horsemen And sparkling lances, all one with the ring of anvils From Ogun’s land to Ikenga’s. Rainbow beads, jigida From Bida’s furnaces vied across the sky with Iyun glow and Ife bronzes, luscent on ivory arches Of Benin. Legend lured Queen Amina to Moremi, Old scars of strife redeemed in tapestries Of myth, recreating birthpang, and rebirth. And, yes – We would steal secrets from the gods. Let Sango’s axe Spark thunderstones on rooftops, we would swing In hawser hammocks on electric pylons, pulse through cities In radiant energies, surge from battery racks to bathe Town and hamlet in alchemical light. Orisa-oko Would heal with herbs and scalpel. Ogun’s drill Was poised to plumb the earth anew, spraying aloft Reams of rare alloys. Futurists, were we not Annunciators of the Millennium long before its advent?

In our now autumn days, behold our leaden feet Fast welded to the starting block.

Vain griots! Still, we sang the hennaed lips and fingers Of our gazelle womenfolk, fecund Muses tuned To Senghorian cadences. We grew filament eyes As heads of millet, as flakes of cotton responsive To brittle breezes, wraith-like in the haze of Harmattan.

Green of the cornfields of Oyo, ochre of groundnut pyramids Of Kano, indigo in the ancient dye-pots of Abeokuta Bronzed in earth’s tonalities as children of one deity – We were the cattle nomads, silent threads through Forestries and cities, coastland and savannah, Wafting Maiduguri to the sea, ocean mist to sand dunes.

Mummified by laws of terror. Oh my compatriots, Shaved bare-skull at initiation, convertites Dipped body and soul in the waters of salvation Are yours these zombies of the age, are these The paracletes of the new millennium?

They’ll murder heritage in its timeless crib, Decree our, heroes, heroines out of memory Obliterate the narratives of clans, names That bind to roots, reach to heavens, our Links to ancestral presences. The Born-Agains Are on rampage, born against all that spells Life and mystery, legend and innovation.

Imprecations rend the air, song is taboo, The stride of sun-toned limbs racing wind a sin, Flesh is vile, wine, the gift of earth, execrated.

These tyrants have usurped the will of God. How did we fail to learn, that guns and boots Are not essential to a coup d ‘état?

Doctors IMF, World Bank and UNO refuse, it seems, To issue a certificate of death – if debtors die May creditors collect? We shall turn Parsees yet, Lay this hulk in state upon the Tower of Silence, Let vultures prove what we have seen, but fear to say – For if Leviathan is dead, we are the maggots Probing still her monstrous womb – one certainty That mimics life after death. Is the world fooled?

Is this the price of hubris – to have dared Sound Renaissance bugles for a continent?

Time was, our gazes roamed the land, godlike, Pronounced it good, from Lagos to Lake Chad.

The hosts of interlopers would be exorcised, Not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, Enthroning ours as ours, bearing names Lodged in marrow of the dead, attesting lineage.

Consecrated brooms would sweep our earth Clean of usurpers’ footprints. We marched To drums of ancient skins, homoeopathic Beat against the boom of pale-knuckled guns.

We vied with the regal rectitude of Overamwen – No stranger breath – he swore – shall desecrate This hour of communion with our gods! We Died with the women of Aba, they who held A bridgehead against white levy, armed with pestle, Sash and spindle, and a potent nudity – eloquent Abomination in the timeless rites of wrongs.

3

Shall Ala die? Ahiajoku be anathematised? Does Oya defile her streams, Ifa obstruct the paths Of learning and councils of the wise? Praise the Lord And launch the bulldozer – they’ve razed The statues of mbari to the ground, these Christian Talibans. Their brothers in Offa Murder Moremi in her shrine, shrieking Allah akbar.

Rivals else, behold their bonded zeal that sanctifies Alien rape of our quiescent Muses, extolling theirs.

Achebe

Soyinka

Elegy for a nation for Chinua Achebe at 70

Alas for lost idylls. Like Levi jeans on youth and age, The dreams are faded, potholed at joints and even Milder points of stress. Ghosts are sole inheritors.

Silos fake rotundity – these are kwashi-okor blights Upon the landscape, depleted at source. Even The harvest seeds were long devoured. Empty hands Scrape the millennial soil at planting.

But Chinua, are you grapevine wired? Do you Tune in, listen? There is old music in the air.

The word is out again, out from the closet.

Renaissance beats are thumbed in government lairs, In lobbies, caucuses, on promotion posters, In parliaments. Academe’s close behind.

Renaissance Haunts beer and suya bar, street and rostrum, Inhaled as tobacco smoke, chewed as kola, Clerics beatify the word, lawyers invoke it.

Never word more protean, poised to incarnate In theses, conferences, investments. A historic lure Romances the Diaspora. Gang-raped, the continent Turns pregnant with the word – it’s sworn, we shall be Born again, though we die in the attempt.

But then, our offsprings, Chinua, have they leisure To play at love? To commune with Source, shaded By coarse-grain village walls at noon? Crush wild mint Between their fingers, let the agbayun coat Their tongues, at war with the bitterness of kola?

Raid the hoards of gods and ancients, Recite their lineage praise-names, clan histories?

Or have the rigours of survival bred a race Of naked predators? Is sharing out of fashion?

Community a dirty word, service an obscenity?

Are ours the emerging children of Molucca Born to burn at six, slaughter at seven, Rinse their hand in the throat’s death gurgle, Secure in the arch-priest’s absolution? Attuned At noon to dissolution of the bond of dawn, deaf To neighbour cries? Easy reddened are the wafers Of communion – have we been here before?

Still, here you sit before the travelled world, gathered To pay homage. Survived the kwashi-okor days.

You’ve fed on roots, barks and leaves Your world contracted, ringed with iron Fenced with the wringing hands of the world As unctuous in neutrality as Pontius Pilate.

But you made flesh what is so often said – Sweet are the uses of adversity – as even now Your silent eloquence attests. The ancient pot-stills Turned refineries. Neglected herbs, mystery silica Powered transistors to accuse the world, screaming We are not dead, but dying. And iron monsters Rose furtively from forest bays, hammered From the forges of Awka. Who can forget the errant Ogbunikwe that rose skywards, plunged to blast

A fiery tunnel through encircling steel?

Absences surround your presence – he The great town crier, Okigbo, and other griots Silenced in infancy. The xylophones of justice Chime much louder than the flutes of poets, Their sirens lure the bravest to their doom.

But some survive, and survival breeds, it seems, Unending debts. Time is our usurer, but earth remains Sole signatory to life’s covenant – and thus I ask: Whose feet are these upon the storehouse loft?

Shod in studded boots or jewelled sandals, Khaki crisp or silk embroidered – who are these?

Did time appoint these bailiffs? Behold Enforcers out of time, shorn of memory but – Crowned are the hollow skulls, signets on talons.

Their advent is the hour of locusts – behold Cheeks in cornucopia from the silos’ depletion While the eyes of youth sink deeper in despair.

Death bestrides the streets, rage rides the sun And hope is a sometime word that generations Never learnt to spell.

Chinua, I think with you I dare Be indelicate – we scrape our feet upon The threshold of mortal proof, denying The ancestors yet awhile our companionship – May that day learn patience from afar! – On the stage at Bard, behind the lectern, Gazing across time to your staunch spirit Wedded to a contraption we neither make nor mend My irreverent thoughts were – There sits the nation, All faculties intact, but wheelchair bound.

Your lesson of the will, alas, a creative valour Marks the gulf between you and that land We claim our own.

II There are wonders in that land, Chinua Are you wired? Tuned to images of cyber age?

Severed wrists will soon adorn our walls And Conrad’s Heart of Darkness be fulfilled.

The cairn of stones is building for the first Butchery in a public square, a female scapegoat Tethered for primordial rites that men devise To keep their womenfolk obedient to the laws of man.

An encampment is on the move, biped Amorphous tents, a sorcerer invasion choreographed In castration shrouds, visors no less secretive Than face-masks, twin to ancestral masquerades Proclaimed infidel. They slink through streets And markets – yes, it is our women on the move Our mothers, wives and sisters, comrades-in-arms Bereft of limbs and faces, haute couture decreed By encyclicals of eunuch priests. Features

We who neither curse their gods nor desecrate Their texts, their prayer mats or altars – What shall we do, Chinua, with these hate clerics?

While we sleep, their fingers spread as brambles, Deface our Book of Life. How teach them: Some are born pagan, wedded to life’s seamlessness Tuned to the breath of things, magma and animus.

The waters of the Holy Gospel bounced against This splinter of Olumo Rock, retreated In despair, seeking more porous earth. How reveal The sublimity of godhead that abhors The murdering tyranny of Creed? Has gore Proved godlove on Kaduna streets – ten thousand Mutilations and three thousand dead of faith?

But the sun rose still the following dawn, indifferent.

Let all creeds be recast. If the gates of Paradise Are locked behind the Pope’s demise, We wish him blessed occupancy of yonder realms With all the Heavenly Host. Has the last Imam Been here and gone? Then, Bon Voyage Seek me out among the questers, creed-divorced, In covenant only to that solvent that is earth.

How shall they be taught, Chinua, that Ajapa Lives, but no longer borrows feathers from the birds To survey earth? Myths are our wise cohabitants.

Icarus .1.

Transcended wax, new trajectories lace the spheres.

The galaxy is boundless host to a new race Of voyagers, seeking the once forbidden. Cinders From Promethean dares, shards of Ajapa’s shell, Are constellations by which ships of space are steered.

The jealous gods are no more. Age by age We inched towards the sun, then raced beyond To drink the heady draught of space, returned to earth Emboldened. The voices of new prophets are not voided In the wilderness but fulfilled. Applause Is the new music of the spheres – it’s heard In other lands, I am told. I have not heard it here.

But we survived, Chinua. And though survival reads Unending debt – for time, alas decrees us Witnesses, thus debtors – earth alone remains Our creditor. Yet I fear the communion pots Lie broken at the crossroads, kola nuts and cowries Scattered by scavengers. Couriers turn coat, Turned by profit, priest, predator and politician.

The masquerade’s falsetto may reveal, not Artifice but loss of voice, its gutturals camouflage Death throes, not echoes of our spirit realms.

The strongest eagle, wing-span clipped, talons Manicured in gilded thumbscrews may not hold Nor bear the weight of sacrifice. Our caryatids Are weary of cycles of endless debts. Incense Of burnt offering, heavy with abominations Hangs dose to altar, dissipates between Earth And Sky. Shorn of new alibis, our intercessors Falter at the door of judgement. What shall we say To the years that drift past, accusing?

What shall we chant to their dew-bright notes – Our new tuned buglers of the Renaissance?

Wole Soyinka

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

4 NEWS

Govt commissions Edo irrigation project, Jigawa council pays N426m land compensation

Police challenge N5m judgment award to Ugolor at Supreme Court From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE Police have appealed to T the Supreme Court the affirmation of the Court of Appeal in the N5 million judgment sum awarded to the Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor by a Benin High Court for his unlawful remand in police and prison custody for 41 days over alleged complicity in the May 6, 2012 murder of Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Olaitan Oyerinde.

A summons by police counsel, J. K. Gadzama (SAN), which copy was made available to journalists in Benin City yesterday said the appellate court erred by ordering the payment of the said amount and that it also erred when it failed to accept that the appellant being a statutory government agency would pay the sum if the judgment is so given.

But the ANEEJ in a statement yesterday said the police were trying to delay justice by heading to Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court ruling A statement signed by its Communications Officer, Kelly Umukoro said the police were wasting taxpayers’ money to pursue a case they would lose. “The police are wasting tax payers’ limited resources to pursue a case that the IGP and the Nigeria Police will lose because after more than nine months they have not been able to fault our Executive Director’s claim that he

was dubiously framed to shield the real killers of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

“For us in ANEEJ, this is a case of David versus Goliath in the Nigeria Police. We do not have the kind of money in their control but we trust in our God and the word of God cannot return to him void. Our faith is in God we know he will deliver Goliath to us in the fullness of time,” he said.

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City and John Akubo, Dutse FTER years of abandonA ment, the Federal Government has completed and

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi (left); Chairman of the Board, Christopher Eze and the Company Secretary, Chijioke Ugochukwu, during the bank’s 25th Yearly General Meeting in Abuja....yesterday.

Anambra market women protest ‘high’ tax From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka O fewer than 500 agN grieved women in Anambra State yesterday converged at the Government House, Awka, to protest what they termed government imposition of taxes and levies on them.

The women, led by the Co-ordinator, Anambra Market Women Association, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ezenwa, marched through major streets, chanting anti-government songs, and displayed placards with inscriptions like ‘Eke Awka women say no to tax’, ‘Why should women pay tax’, among others.

When the women arrived the entrance to Government House, Awka, they met a stonewall as armed security men barricaded the gate, during which argument ensued with the operatives. The aggrieved women even attacked one of the security men who attempted to prevent them from trooping into the Government House, while some

women were seen rolling on the ground in protest.

Speaking in an interview, spokeswoman for the group, Mrs. Praise Mmuoneke, said they were protesting against the imposition of tax, insisting that market women have resolved not to pay the N6,600. She complained that it is a heavy burden on the market women, just as they argued that taxation should be left for their husbands.

She said: “Yesterday, task force agents invaded Eke Awka market, destroyed our market wares and commodi-

ties, seized some goods and locked up many stalls, as they demanded N6,600 as tax.

“We want this N6,600 tax cancelled now. We have paid N2,000 levy earlier for electricity to Eke Awka market authority two years ago, yet no electricity in our stalls. We paid N500 levy each for water but we still pay to fetch water at the market. We pay N40 each to go to toilet and N10 each time any trader goes to the public urinary.

However, the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Robert Okonkwo who addressed the women later,

explained that the tax will only be paid by traders who own shops in the market, maintaining that the total sum of N6,000 is the stipulated amount as tax.

He said: “N1,800 is paid for owners of a full shop; N1,200 is for development levy, while N3,000 only is the tax”, adding that the total sum of N6,000 is paid yearly. He disclosed that a meeting between the market women and government representatives is scheduled to hold this evening (yesterday) to further explain why they should pay tax.

Govt makes five-year plan to stop sleeping sickness, river blindness From Kanayo Umeh, Abuja HE Federal Government is T drawing up a five-year strategic plan for the re-

search, control and eradication of sleeping sickness and river blindness in Nigeria.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Okon Bassey-Ewa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rabi Jiimeta, stated this yesterday at the opening ceremony of the three-day National Conference on Trypanosomiasis And Onchosceeciasis Research, Zoonotic/Public Health Implications, Control And Eradication in Nigeria, organised by the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis (and onchocerciasis) Research (NITR) Kaduna, which is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

According to the minister, the five-year strategic plan when approved will serve as a guide not only for NITR, but also as a platform for collaboration among stakeholders, ministries and agencies.

He said that the theme of the conference: “Focusing Research and Development Strategies Towards a Nigeria free of Trypanosomaisis (sleeping sickness, sammore) and Onchocerciasis (river blindness)” is in line with the core objectives of the new National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy towards the achievement of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck

Jonathan.

He said: “NITR has its mandate to conduct research and develop appropriate technologies, as well as process for the control and elimination of the trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis and their vectors. This is a national and a unique mandate to carry out research and development in all aspects of trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis. This mandate saddles with the important responsibility to serve as a clearing house in terms of research and development in the area of trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis. The institute has been carrying out his responsibility over the years responsibly.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis (and Onchocerciasis) Research (NITR), Prof. Muhammad Mamman, revealed that despite the efforts being made, the diseases tend to still persist in the country.

“Despite several years of extensive efforts on research and development, vector control and host treatment, trypanosomiasis, onchoccerciasis and their respective vectors persist in Nigeria because the conditions that favour their persistence also persist”, he said.

yesterday commissioned multi-million naira irrigation project in Ukpoke, Ikpobha Okha Local Council of Edo State.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, during a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole before the commissioning, said the project would help boost food production and also reduce poverty in rural communities in the state.

In Jigawa State, over N426 million has been disbursed as compensation for land and structures affected by township road projects in Birnin Kudu Local Council headquarters by the Council in collaboration with the state Ministry for Land and Urban Development.

S’South CAN, Ijaw group seek support for Jonathan From Niyi Bello, Akure HAIRMAN of Christian AsC sociation of Nigeria (CAN) South-South region, Archbishop God-dowell Avwomakpa, has called on all Christians and politicians in the region, regardless of affiliation or denomination, to rally round and support President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Speaking in Warri, Delta State, Avwomakpa said that whatever the political class and religious leaders say concerning Jonathan’s administration will go a long way in promoting or tarnishing the administration.

The cleric, who also said there are attempts by some political class to frustrate Jonathan’s government, urged them to desist from being a “blacksheep” in the region. “Let us join hands to support Jonathan’s administration.

Ajimobi sued for not conducting council election

By Yetunde Ayobami-Ojo OR refusing to conduct loFStatecal council elections in Oyo since the inauguration of his administration on May 29, 2011, Alhaji Rafiu Bolatito has instituted a suit against Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The suit, delineated I/507/2013, was filed by Akinyemi’s counsel, Mr. Biodun Abdul-Raheem, at the Oyo State High Court, dated May 7, 2013 and was supported with a 15paragraph affidavit deposed to by Akinyemi.

In the affidavit in support of the suit, Akinyemi claimed to have political ambition to contest ‘as candidate for the post of Chairman, Oluyole Local Council, one of the local councils in Oyo State’, which was being threatened by continued renewal of the tenure of the caretaker committee every six months.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NEWS | 5

Issues in the news

Govt now running agriculture strictly as business, says minister Concluding part of the interview by The Guardian’s Abuja Bureau Chief, Madu Onuorah, and Joke Falaju with the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on the changes in the sector. The first part was published yesterday.

OW, take the case of rice. I am a believer that the best N days of Nigeria are just ahead. But nothing comes without its own pain. You must have a little bit of pain if you are going to change something. How do you think the farmers of India and Thailand are producing rice? Indian Government spends $20 billion annually subsidising their rice producers. So, they are piling the rice and are selling it to us.

The real issue here is that it is those small rural farmers that we must focus on. Take the rice millers, if you look at many of the mills we started, they were set up to process brown rice. They bring it basically from India and some from Thailand, polish the rice and sell to us, that’s all. The mills were not set up to process the paddy rice that is produced in Nigeria.

Now, as a government, we said no. We are doing rice transformation agenda in order to be self-sufficient in rice production by 2015. For that to happen, we can’t let you continue to ruin our economy by bringing in brown rice from India or Thailand.

And 18 months after the President announced that policy decision that we are going to be self-sufficient in rice and that we would provide incentive for domestic producers of rice in the country, 14 new integrated rice mills came up with a total capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes. That tells you that even among those that were against government, they recognise that they were going to make more money and government is very serious about it.

The rice millers are located away from the areas where massive cultivation of rice is taking place. How do you evacuate the rice paddy from such long distance to the millers without pricing locally produced rice away from the average citizen?

First, I was convinced that we have to change the way we produce food in this country as we only support food production in the wet session. Nigeria is blessed. You can grow your crops in both wet and dry seasons because we have irrigation, but we have not been supporting dry season. This is the first time ever that we took a decision to support dry season rice production.

Dry season is always better for crop production because of the sunshine. We decided to support it in the states of Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Katsina and Sokoto. In these states, we gave them high quality seed, the Faro 44 and Faro 52. The rice that we want to replace is the long grained par-boiled rice and only Faro 44 and Faro 52 varieties can match the imported rice.

We worked with the millers to get those varieties and we deployed them all across the states in the dry season, doing 264,000 hectares in dry season alone. The yield in dry season is about six tonnes per hectare because of the amount of fertilizers that they use. But even if you take an average yield of four metric tonnes per hectare, that is 1.02 million metric tonnes of padding in one dry season across the states.

Yet, some people that never believed that

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina

Nigeria could amount to anything were saying there is no way Nigeria could produce rice on its own, as there is no padding in the country. There are miles of rice farms and paddies in Kebbi and other states, as far as your eyes can see. But the issue is how are we going to ensure that the millers buy from them?

A number of the millers have come to me and have gone to various places to put pressure on government that they can’t find rice paddy in the country. Well, except you are blind, or mischievous, go to these areas and you will see them. Agriculture is not something you can hide. I told them that we are not going to change our policy because we are not going to let the people that have bled this country dry to continue what they had being doing by making misery of our farmers.

I have directed that we are going to pay subsidy to defray some of the transport cost for those millers to buy padding from all these areas where you have them. The states are working very closely with us. The Governor of Kebbi State has already put in place a price stabilisation programme where they buy every bag of rice paddy at N6,500.

The Governor of Zamfara State also said he would buy a bag of rice paddy for between N6,500 and N7,000, and the Federal Government would support through transport subsidy. We have been meeting with the rice millers for the last four days. But the long-term solution is for each mill to have a production zone around it. In Nigeria, when people say they want to set up mill, they set up a piece of metal in space and then they start roaming around looking for how to fix up the place.

So, we have decided to help them set up growers and farmers all around them that would produce padding for their own needs. It is part of the structural change that we have been doing, tagged ‘staple crops processing zones.’ Each of those mills will have structured production zones around them.

What level of support are you getting from the donor agencies?

When we started the agricultural transformation agenda, we wanted to put our house in order, as no one would want to put money where something is not working. When the donors saw the agenda, I addressed the board of the African Development Bank, the World Bank, International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD), USAID, DFID and others.

Based on what we are doing, the World Bank approved $1 billion to support agriculture and water irrigation. IFAD is also putting down $100 million. USAID has put up a new market programme for rice in Nigeria worth about $60 million. The ADB is putting in $500 million to support the agricultural transformation strategy of Nigeria. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is spending millions of dollars to help us with technical assistance.

The United Kingdom Government is working with us on rice and cassava, and is going to help us scale up the electronic wallet so that with time, we can reach our farmers at lower cost. What they are telling us is that they have never seen a better strategy in any African country than they are seeing in Nigeria.

The president of Africa Development Bank said he wanted the Nigerian strategy to be replicated in every other African country. So, it is serious business. International organisations don’t give you money because you are talking or kneeling down, but based on what they see on ground.

Nevertheless, the private sector is also putting in a lot of money. The role of government is to provide the enabling environment to catalyse the private sector into growth. In the last 18 months, we have been able to leverage $8 billion as commitments into this country. Unilever has just agreed to invest in cassava to process sorbitol, which is used in making toothpaste. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world, so, why can’t they use starch to go into sorbitol make toothpaste?

They would be buying 100,000 metric tonnes of cassava. Cargil is the world’s largest producer of starch. As we speak, work has started in Agbadu in Kogi State, where the governor is helping to clear 3,500 hectares of land for starch production. They would also produce sweeteners there, and we already have buyers for the products, like Flourmills of Nigeria, Coca Cola and so on.

How feasible is the plan for Nigeria to be self-sufficient in rice production by 2015? Is this all talk?

The total amount of rice that we import is 2.1 million metric tonnes of milled rice. To get that, you need 3.2 million metric tonnes of additional rice paddy. We have already set the goal for 2015 to be self-sufficient in rice. To do that, we are working on three things. One is to ramp

‘

The real issue here is that it is those small rural farmers that we must focus on. Take the rice millers, if you look at many of the mills we started, they were set up to process brown rice. They bring it basically from India and some from Thailand, polish the rice and sell to us, that’s all. The mills were not set up to process the paddy rice that is produced in Nigeria.

Now, as a government, we said no. We are doing rice transformation agenda in order to be self-sufficient in rice production by 2015. For that to happen, we can’t let you continue to ruin our economy by bringing in brown rice from India or Thailand.

’

up production of rice paddy. Second, to make sure that the rice we are producing is of quality so that it can compete with foreign rice, and third, to make sure that we have the milling capacity for industrial scale, so that we have rice that can compete with those coming out of Thailand and India. These are the three core areas of the strategy.

Last year, we did 690,000 metric tonnes of paddy production for the main session. Unfortunately, we had flood and it affected it. The President directed that we must go into dry session and he released about N9.6 billion to compensate farmers who lost some of their crops. As we go into the main wet season, I don’t see why we cannot do 1.02 million metric tonnes of paddy.

But I am fully committed that as we enter the dry season of 2013 to 2014, we would do three times what we did last season. So, I am confident that we would be able to get that 3.2 metric tonnes of rice paddy by 2015. However, the milling capacity has to be there as well to turn that paddy into milled rice that can compete with other imported rice in terms of quality.

The long stretch of paddy in the North does not have millers nearby. So, it would amount to failure on the side of government to sit and watch other people come and buy rice from Nigeria and take it to Chad, Benin and other countries and yet we are not able to feed ourselves.

We have decided to get access to cheap finance to buy all that is needed to get the quality of rice we want for our people. Government is doing its role to compensate for a market failure problem to ensure that we get these industrial mills that can process all the rice for us. We are producing better rice in Nigeria. A lot of the rice being imported is 15year old rice that they have poured chemicals on. They are dumping them here. You have to ask the question, why is cancer rising in this country?

We have in this country banned the importation of frozen chicken, but you find chicken legs and wings, all the bad parts that nobody wants. They are throwing that into Nigeria. Benin Republic is importing over 50 times what that they can eat. They are selling them in Nigeria. We must take ourselves out of the shackle of those that have kept us down.

I am the farmers’ minister and that entails I must ensure that the business of agriculture is successful. It would be a good thing that we extricate ourselves from the shackles of detractors. Nigeria should be exporting rice all over the place. I believe we can.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

6 | NEWS

Military frees women held over terrorism From Madu Onuorah, Abuja Bureau Chief

HE Nigerian military T has begun the process of releasing from detention a number of persons being held in connection with terrorist activities.

Under the directive issued

by President Goodluck Jonathan, all women in custody for terror-related offences would be released

College to honour Aliyu, others OVERNOR of Niger State, G Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu is among other dignitaries to be honoured at the Special Scientific Symposium and Annual General Meeting of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), Nigeria Chapter, which holds today and tomorrow at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Apart from honouring the governor as a patron of WAPCP, the two-day event will also feature an investiture and award to pharmacists Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi (appreciation), Prof. Fola Tayo (appreciation), Ifeanyi Atueyi (appreciation), Prof. P. Iwe Akubue (appreciation), Dr. Uford S. Inyang (appreciation), and Moses C. Azuike (appreciation).

The Chairman of the Day is Prof. Fola Tayo, immediate past president, WAPCP, while the Guest Speaker is Prof.

Abraham Malu, Chief Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

Already, details of the Presidential directive and those to benefit from this gesture have been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.

Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Chris Olukolade said in statement yesterday that under modalities for the release, the beneficiaries will be released to their state governors who will be involved in further rehabilitation before they are released to their respective community leaders/relations.

Gen Olukolade’s full statement reads: “Consequent upon the directives of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters will be releasing from detention a number of persons being held in connection with terrorist

activities.

“The move is in furtherance of the Federal Government position in response to requests by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation. The measure which is in line with Presidential magnanimity to enhance peace efforts in the country will result in freedom for suspects including all women under custody.”

The Defence spokesman added: “Details of the directives and those to benefit from this gesture have been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.

“The beneficiaries will be released to the state governors who will be involved in further rehabilitation before these suspects are released to their respective community leaders/relations.”

Primate, Church of Nigeria Anglican Commnion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh (right) in a hand-shake with the Ven. ThankGod Eche from St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Ohabiam, Aba Diocese, during the inauguration of directors of Ecumenism Network in Abuja ...yesterday.

Etisalat seals $1.2b loan with Zenith Bank, others

By Adeyemi Adepetun $1.2 billion (N188.4 bilA lion) loan facility expected to bolster the level of investment in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has been sealed by Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Ltd (EMTS), trading under the name of Etisalat Nigeria and 13 local banks in the country.

Already, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector can boast of over $25 billion investment, which according to the Nigerian Communi-

cations Commission (NCC) has been supported by robust policies and less government interference.

At the signing of the Memorandom of Understanding (MoU) of the loan facility yesterday in Lagos, Etisalat said it planned using the proceeds to refinance the existing commercial medium term debt of $650 million

and continue its network rollout across Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Etisalat, Steve Evans said the loan would also facilitate the company’s strategy of innovative products and services to its over 15 million subscribers.

He explained that the facility includes both Naira

and US dollar tranches from a consortium of Nigerian banks, namely: Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank, United Bank of Africa, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, First City Monument Bank, FSDH Merchant Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank.

UNDP, INEC charge stakeholders on 2015 polls From Tunde Akinola, Abuja HEAD of the 2015 polls, A stakeholders in the country have been urged to strive to develop workable strategies to meet the electoral challenges facing the country.

The call was made in Abuja yesterday at a two-day multistakeholders forum on elections in Nigeria under the theme: “Tasks and Responsibilities towards 2015 Election,” organised by Democratic Governance for

Development project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/DGD) in collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society, media and other stakeholders.

Addressing participants at the forum, the UNDP/DGD Project Director, Dr. Mourtada Deme noted that setting a clear stakeholders’ agenda into the future could make Nigerians hopeful of fair and credible elections that would give voters real choices for

their voices to be heard.

According to Deme: “Improvement of the electoral process, legal and constitutional reforms may also be required. INEC has already made considerable progress in developing and advocating for a set of priority reforms that can improve the electoral process. But without the cooperation of stakeholders from the National Assembly to parties and the media, reviewing the constitution or amending it will be a difficult task.”

Muslim groups fault military action against Boko Haram, ban on hijab in Lagos

By Chris Irekamba and Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku SLAMIC organisations unIlimder the auspices of the MusRights Concern (MURIC) have condemned the on going military action against the Boko Haram sect in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, stating that the move alone cannot solve the security problems facing the country.

They also condemned the recent ban of hijab by Muslim students in primary and secondary schools in Lagos State.

In the same vein, the National President of NasrulLahi-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf, has appealed to the state government to reconsider

their stand on the rejection of hijab in public schools.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Lagos, the Director of MURIC, Prof. Is-haq Lakin Akintola said that “while the Network of Islamic Organisations condemns terrorism and violence, we insist that military force alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security problem.”

He said: “What Nigeria needs for enduring peace is good governance and transparency.

We are of the opinion that the remaining 33 states of the federation have been under emergency for long. With hunger and starvation, with homeless and joblessness among our army of graduates, what further declaration of a state of emergency do we need?

Where is electricity? Where is

water? Where are the roads?

Corruption remains Nigeria’s middle name and it has worsened under the present administration.

“These are the roots of our security problems, not religion, not even Boko Haram.”

“On the ban on the use of hijab by Muslim students in Lagos schools by the Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, which however, has been retracted by the state government, Akintola said that “it is a product of intolerance, tyranny, oppression, persecution and stigmatisation.”

Speaking to The Guardian in an interview in Lagos on Monday, Yusuf said the wearing of hijab by Muslim women or girl-child is part of their faith.

Amaechi’s aide resigns, over PDP crisis From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE Special Assistant to T Rivers State Governor on Conflict Resolution, Mr. Obinna Anyanwu, has resigned following his father’s call on Governor Chibuike Amaechi to resign over the crisis rocking the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was not clear yesterday if Anyanwu voluntarily resigned or was forced to quit by the governor.

Meanwhile, political stakeholders in the embattled Obio/Akpor Local Council Area of Rivers State have declared support for Amaechi despite the current crisis facing his administration.

The stakeholders, comprising former members of the House of Representatives, former state legislators, the serving Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tony Okocha, the caretaker chairman of Obio/Akpor Council, Chikordi Dike, among others, convened a meeting in Port Harcourt at the weekend to chat a way forward for the troubled council and the state at large.

They pledged to back Amaechi, pointing out that the council has the highest infrastructural development being implemented

by Amaechi’s administration, adding that it was unfair to dent the image of the governor by presenting false account about him.

A former member, House of Representatives, Ikechi Chinwo, who chaired the meeting urged politicians to operate within the rule of law in a democratic setting and show gratitude to people who have made impacts and to eschew bitterness.

Shortly after an Abuja High Court ousted the Godspower Ake-led PDP state executive and proclaimed Felix Obuah as the authentic chairman, the governor’s aide’s father, Mr. Emma Anyanwu, publicly demanded Amaechi’s resignation, insisting that he had lost control of the party structure that brought him to power.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NEWS

C’River probes alleged N12 billion fraud at revenue office

Govt recovers 60 stolen artefacts abroad

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar O get to the root of the problem, the Cross River State government has set up an administrative panel of inquiry to probe an alleged N12 billion fraud at its Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office.

Recently, Governor Liyel Imoke was alerted to an alleged financial impropriety at the IRS. Worried by the alleged fraud and the paucity of funds in the state, Governor Imoke immediately set up a six-man administrative panel of inquiry headed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Rosemary Obanya, on IRS. While swearing-in the panel members on Monday, the governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Mike Aniah, urged the them “to be circumspect in their business so that their hard-earned reputations and the credibility of the exercise may not be damaged.

T

• Warns against illegal museums

From Ali Garba (Bauchi) and Victor Olushola (Lagos) HEAD of the 2015 elections, the media have been urged to continually awaken the consciousness of the public on the electoral proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, Alhaji Waziri Yahaya Jalam, has commended journalists in the state for their efforts at enlightening the society on environmental hygiene and sanitation-related problems.

Speaking with reporters in Alausa, Lagos, a board member, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), Adebola Williams, said there were not enough advocacy issues on the pages of newspapers in the country.

“This event is an avenue to engage journalists on their roles in the battle for change. We see advocacy-related issues in opinion articles, but there is no infusion of that purposeful sense that the media has the responsibility to push the public towards tropical issues in their daily reportage.

A

Ondo to partner govt on water supply, others From Niyi Bello, Akure HE Ondo State government has restated its commitment to partner the Federal Government to boost water supply for local consumption and irrigation purposes across the state.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko stated this in his office on Monday during a visit by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

Governor Mimiko lauded the President Goodluck Jonathanled administration for completing some long-abandoned water and dam projects, particularly the Erusu Dam in the northern part of Ondo State.

According to him, the dam would provide adequate water for the people of the area, as well as provide irrigation service for the Arigidi Tomato Factory.

Mimiko also assured that his administration would collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources with a view to fasttracking the completion of the Owena Multipurpose Dam.

T

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin N a major boost towards restoring the country’s cultural heritage, the Federal Government has recovered over 60 stolen artefacts from museums in France, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland and United States (U.S.) This was disclosed yesterday in Ilorin by the Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman. He added that the nation would continue in its efforts aimed at the total recovery of all its stolen antiquities.

Besides, while pledging prompt upgrade of some national museums centres into professional centres, he said the NCMM would henceforth begin a clampdown on those establishing museums in the country without due processes.

He added that plans have been perfected to employ and deploy only professionals to man various museums in the country.

Usman, represented by the Curator of National Museum, Ilorin, Mrs. Omotayo Adeboye, spoke during the International Museum Day celebration.

He noted: “We have strengthened capacities in preserva-

I

National Association of Polytechnic Students and employees of National Identity Management protesting, as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) protest going on at the National Assembly in Abuja…yesterday

Group tasks media on patriotism, perm sec lauds journalists

7

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Court upholds forfeiture order on brothel over human trafficking

By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed an application seeking to quash an order, forfeiting a brothel to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP).

The application was filed by two brothers, Taofeek and Lukman Jubril, asking the court to set aside an earlier judgment by Justice Tijani Abubakar, which ordered NAPTIP to confiscate their property.

Justice Tsoho, in his judgment, upheld the decision of his brother judge and struck out the application for lack of merit.

“I hereby uphold the order granted by the former trial judge and order the premises located at No 1. Anjorin Odoguyan St., to be forfeited to the respondent.

“This application is accord-

J

ingly struck out for lack of merit”, Tsoho ruled.

The said brothel premises is located at No. 1, Anjorin Odoguyan St., Ikorodu, Lagos.

Justice Abubakar had sometime in June 2007, sentenced three convicts for using the said premises as a brothel.

The convicts, Helen Elele, Joshua Igborobe and Uyi Oni, in case file No. FHC/L/138/2007, were charged with two counts bordering on conspiracy and human trafficking.

The prosecutor, Mr. Olurotimi Illori, had told the court that the convicts were in the habit of indulging young girls for prostitution and using the said premises as a chalet to promote their illegal acts.

The convicts had each pleaded guilty to the charge and were consequently convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment each.

Abubakar had then ordered the brothel to be sealed off and

forfeited to NAPTIP. After the transfer of Justice Abubakar from the Lagos division of the court, the applicants then filed an application before Tsoho, the new judge, to set aside Abubakar’s judgment.

The brothers, through their counsel, Mr. Ali Jamiu, had argued that the said property belonged to their late father, Mr. Mustapha Jubril, and not to the convicts.

According to them, after the death of their father, the property vested on them as of right, and so, NAPTIP had no right to confiscate it even though the convicts were arrested there.

They had, therefore, prayed the court to set aside the order.

Tsoho, in his judgment, however, affirmed the submissions of his brother judge and upheld the order, allowing NAPTIP to confiscate the said premises.

Bishops seek opposition’s role in tackling nation’s woes From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti ATHOLIC Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have called on all political leaders to rise above partisanship and be united in solving myriads of crises facing the country.

Specifically, they called on President Goodluck Jonathan to summon courage and involve leaders of opposition parties in resolving the security challenges confronting the nation.

The bishops , in a statement issued after their retreat to mark the Year of Faith in Abuja , advised President Jonathan to allow patriotism and national interests to prevail over “narrow partisan and selfish interests.”

According to the statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday and signed by its President ,Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama and the Secretary, Most Rev. William Avenga, they said “at the moments of

C

national crises such as what we face now, patriotism and national interests should prevail over narrow partisan and selfish interests. Against this background, we urge the President to find the best way to end the crises over the leadership of the Governors’ Forum and the power tussle in Rivers State.”

While commending President Jonathan for the initiatives aimed at resolving the Boko Haram onslaught, including the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, the bishops added:” genuine amnesty should include offering pardon to repentant militants and not appeasing criminals and their sponsors to stay calm.”

Calling on the members of the political class to ensure the stability of the country, they condemned the provocative and unguarded partisan utterances from certain politicians saying they were capable of threatening the nation’s

corporate existence.

Linking the various crises plaguing the country to the 2015 elections , the bishops warned that the government should create a level playing field for all to aspire to any office in the land.

They lamented that what the country is witnessing is the “cumulative effect and corrosive” impact of corruption adding that the only solution to the endemic problem is for political leaders to summon the courage to use the relevant institutions of state to confront the monster.

While condoling the families of security agents who lost their lives in the course of their duty, the bishops called on the Federal Government to accord their families all the necessary support that befits the sacrifice made.

They called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the country saying prayer remained an “indispensable means for restoring our country to normalcy.”

tion, documentation, exhibition, heritage, management and so on. We have improved our bilateral relationships between Nigerian museums and other institutions within and from other parts of the world through collaborations.

“Through international co-operation and understanding, we have been able to repatriate over 60 stolen Nigerian cultural objects from some overseas countries of the Europe and America. We are at the moment in the process of restituting and recovering more from France and the USA who have been very supportive.”

The NCMM boss added: “We have the powers to approve a museum, that is privately established and maintained for the purpose of Act of Parliament CAP 242, 2000 and at anytime, withdraw such approval. This reminder has become necessary because it has come to our knowledge that some individuals, organisations, state governments, have been setting up museums without the necessary and statutory supervision, regulation and approval by the NCMM. I call on all concerned to regularise the anomalies by immediately getting in touch with us or have such illegal museums shut down.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

WorldReport Rescuers search for survivors after massive tornado kills dozens in U.S. President mourns, Pope prays for victims ESCUE teams yesterday R searched for survivors after a massive tornado tore through a suburb in the United States (U.S.) state of Oklahoma, destroying two schools and killing dozens of people, including 20 children.

Following the destruction and death toll, President Barack Obama has declared the tornado as a “major disaster” as the rescuers combed through smashed homes and the collapsed remains of an elementary school in Moore, where even residents with long memories of past twisters were shocked by the devastation.

Oklahoma City lies inside the so-called “Tornado Alley” stretching from South Dakota to central Texas, an area particularly vulnerable to tornadoes.

Meanwhile, Obama has bemoaned the empty spaces where homes and schools once stood as he vowed to stand with people of Oklahoma, where lives were sliced apart by the huge tornado.

He said that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Craig Fugate was on his way to Oklahoma City, where the massive twister hit the suburb of Moore.

Some of those killed were children under 12, caught in an elementary school by a murderous two-mile wide funnel of wind.

“Dozens of people lost their lives, many more were injured and among the victims were young children trying to take shelter in the safest place they knew,” Obama said at the White House.

Describing the storm as one of the “most destructive tornados in history,” Obama said that the federal government would play a major role in the rescue effort in Moore and the rebuilding programme to come.

“The people of Moore should know that their country will

remain on the ground there for them, beside them as long as it takes for their homes and schools to rebuild,” Obama said.

Also, Pope Francis yesterday expressed his condolences to victims of the powerful tornado. “I am close to the families of

all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children,” the pope said on his Twitter account.

“Join me in praying for them,” he said.

The tornado swept through the area on Monday, leaving a three-kilometre swathe of destruction in its wake and tearing down homes and schools.

The storm flattened block after block of homes, setting off fires, downing power lines and tossing cars across a miles-wide swath of destruction that recalled some of the worst U.S. natural disasters of the last decade.

Weather forecasters were stunned, as news helicopter footage showed a dark funnel

plowing through densely packed suburbs near Oklahoma City, capital of the Midwestern state.

“We’ve had a massive tornado, a huge one,” Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin told a news conference shortly after the mid-afternoon storm, which struck near the end of the school day Monday.

tional intervention force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following the resumption of fresh unrest this week.

The development, Agence France Presse (AFP) stated, came as hostility also continued yesterday in eastern part of the country between the M23 rebels and government troops, a day before the UN chief was due to visit the region.

Colonel Olivier Hamuli, spokesman for the Congolese army (FARDC) in North Kivu province, said that M23 forces

authorities have SanAUDI arrested 10 more suspects in alleged Iranian spy ring unveiled two months ago, an interior ministry spokesman said yesterday.

The eight Saudis, a Lebanese and a Turk bring the number of people arrested to 28, the official SPA news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

A Lebanese arrested in March has since been released.

“The results of investigations by security services have led to the arrest of the other 10 involved in spying for this cell,” the spokesman said.

On March 19, the interior ministry said authorities had arrested 16 Saudis, an Iranian and a Lebanese in four regions including the oil-rich Eastern Province, where Saudi Arabia’s Shiite Muslim minority is concentrated.

Shiite-dominated Iran has denied any involvement in the alleged spy ring.

Malawi sells presidential ‘Air Force One’ ALAWI has auctioned off M its presidential jet to a Virgin Islands company for $15

Flipped vehicles piled up outside heavily damaged Moore Medical Centre after a powerful tornado ripped through the area in Moore, Oklahoma…on Monday.

PHOTO: AFP

Israeli, Syrian forces exchange gunfire, Hezbollah sends more fighters EU moves to put Lebanese militia on terror list army and Syrian IfireSRAELI forces reportedly exchanged across the sensitive ceasefire line on the Golan Heights yesterday, but the Jewish state denied one of its vehicles was destroyed in the process.

Also, elite Hezbollah fighters poured across the border from Lebanon into Syria yesterday, a watchdog and others said, bolstering Syrian regime forces

battling to retake the key rebel stronghold of Qusayr.

However, Washington expressed concern about Hezbollah’s role and diplomats said the EU was poised to place the powerful Shiite militant group’s military wing on its list of international terrorist groups.

Diplomats hinted yesterday that the European Union (EU)

stands poised to add the military wing of Lebanon’s Hezbollah to its list of international terrorist groups after a formal request to blacklist the organisation was filed by a member state on Monday.

The request from Britain formally launches a process to blacklist the group’s military wing, a move that has long been requested by Israel and which will be discussed in early June, several EU diplo-

mats told Agence France Presse (AFP).

The Syrian army “fired on an Israeli patrol, which we confirmed six hours ago, but did not destroy a vehicle or kill anyone,” Israeli military spokesman, Avichai Adraee, wrote on Twitter.

But Syria claimed to have destroyed an Israeli military vehicle it said had crossed the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights during the incident.

Ban Ki-moon wants UN forces in eastern DR Congo as clashes resume NITED Nations (UN) chief, U Ban Ki-moon, has urged the deployment of a rapid interna-

Saudi Arabia arrests 10 alleged Iranian spy

had attacked FARDC positions in the same zone as on Monday, when clashes broke out 12 kilometres north of Goma, the provincial capital.

Hamuli was also quoted by Xinhua that after repulsing the attacks from M23 rebels on Monday, FARDC troops have asserted that they are in control of Muntaho locality in NorthKivu Province.

He revealed that M23 were seeking a way to reach Muntaho locality which is situated about 10 kilometres from Goma, so that they could cut off all routes used by FARDC and launch fresh attacks on Goma

Considering what has happened, I think we must expedite the deployment so they will be fully responsible as soon as possible. town which is the capital of North-Kivu Province.

“We’re keeping a fierce response in store for them,” Hamuli added, while declining to give any toll from the fighting, which was the first involving the M23 army mutineers since December.

However, Ban, during a visit to Mozambique, said: “Considering what has happened, I think we must expedite the deployment so they will be

fully responsible as soon as possible.”

Rebels from the M23 movement and the army clashed for several hours on Monday in the volatile mineral-rich region, in a fierce battle involving mortars and rocket launchers.

The clashes came a week after the first batch of troops from a new UN intervention brigade arrived, which Ban said are not yet “fully operational”.

The UN secretary general spoke

after talks with Mozambican leader, Armando Guebuza, one of the guarantors of the UNbrokered Congo peace deal, which was signed earlier this year.

The M23 rebels last month vowed to retaliate if attacked by UN troops after the UN Security Council approved the creation of the 2,500-strong force.

The UN brigade, which will include soldiers from Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa, will be charged with conducting “targetted offensive operations” against rebels in an area that has been gripped by conflict for more than two decades.

million, as part of the move by the cash-strapped government to raise funds.

Bohnox Enterprise Ltd beat three other bidders for the 14passenger aircraft used by president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last year.

“We have accepted their offer and we are waiting to hear from them,” cabinet clerk, Ernest Katchetche, said in a statement.

The 15-year-old Dassault Falcon 900-EX had been described as being in “perfect flying condition”.

Mutharika’s successor, President Joyce Banda, decided to sell the aircraft and a fleet of luxury cars used by the big-spending leader.

The government initially set the price at $20 million.

‘Cameron is committed to ruling coalition until 2015’ HE British Prime Minister T David Cameron is committed to governing as part of a two-party coalition until the next national election in 2015, his spokesman said yesterday.

The clarification, according to a report by Reuters, came yesterday few days after Cameron raised the prospect of the alliance breaking apart.

Cameron has ruled with the Liberal Democrats, his junior coalition partner, since 2010, but the two have taken increasingly different positions on issues such as Britain’s role in Europe and Cameron on Sunday for the first time raised the possibility that the coalition might not last until 2015.

Some analysts believe the Lib Dems might be tempted to leave Cameron ruling alone at the head of a minority government nearer the next election to try to differentiate themselves in voters’ minds from Cameron’s ruling Conservative Party.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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Politics Rivers PDP crisis has compromised the police, says Abe While waiting for the Senate to debate the proclamation of state of emergency in three states, lawmakers have individually given their assessment of the step taken by President Goodluck Jonathan, to check the Boko Haram insurgence and its implication on the security situation in the country. One such legislator is Senator Magnus Abe, chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, who spoke to Bridget Chiedu Onochie in Abuja on the matter, and on the crisis in Rivers State’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its likely consequences on the party as a whole.

The State of Emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe HE President as the Commanderin-Chief gets his briefing and preview to information that the rest of us actually will not have. So, I don’t think it will be proper for anybody to second-guess how he takes his decision based on advice he is getting from security chiefs. Given the level of information available to him, he took the decision at the time he felt that the situation called for it and I would not like to second-guess that.

I would like to call on all Nigerians not to look at the issue going on today in parts of this country as a political issue. It is not a PDP matter; it is not a Jonathan matter. Nigeria is under threat and we need to take that very seriously.

As we speak, the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens of this country are no longer being enjoyed by millions of Nigerians. The freedom of movement, freedom of association, freedom of worship and freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution are not enjoyed by millions of Nigerians. Even the right to life guaranteed by Constitution is no longer there; people are taking people’s lives with reckless abandon.

We may have issues with others when it comes to politics but in this particular matter, I think that all Nigerians need to rally together and stamp out this evil. I would like to support our troupes and all the security agencies that are putting their lives at risk, to get this under control. And I think we should not only support them, we should also honour them.

People have talked about amnesty and the state of emergency and I want to say that the two issues are not related. The state of emergency does not in any way affect the issue of amnesty. Anybody

T

who is interested in amnesty will not be conducting himself in a manner that is contrary to public order; he would be talking to the amnesty committee.

But both issues can go together at the same time and I want to call on all those, who are affected or involved, to take advantage of the amnesty instead of creating a situation that calls for resolution by force.

Continuation of the proposed amnesty for Boko Haram I don’t think the two issues are related directly. If somebody wants to take advantage of the amnesty, the option is still open.

If people don’t take advantage of the amnesty and are gathering somewhere to make bombs and carry out attacks, then, the emergency powers would be available to security agencies to deal with them.

Necessity for the state of emergency I believe that leadership is a contest of ideas. Nobody knows everything.

As far as I know, in government, when you have a situation where there is break down of law and order, where people cannot obey the law and where people are not guided by normal norms of what to do and what not to do; the option opened to the government is to call in the army or the security forces to go back and restore order by force. The other option is to try to dialogue with whosoever is doing that to stop it.

If anybody has a third option that has not been revealed, he is free to contribute his ideas. If you think this one will not work, say what will work; all we want is peace in Nigeria. If I know of any other one that is better than the options available now, I would gladly say it right here — that we should not be doing this; this is what we should be doing.

But if people don’t have contrary or better ideas and this (state of emergency) is the one that is on the table that we know, then, we should support it to make it work. Right now, I cannot think of what we can do order than try to restore order in these areas by the means that are available to the Nigerian State.

PDP under siege in River State and Governor Amaechi’s faceoff with the President I don’t know of any faceoff with the President. There are those, who are taking advantage of their political ambitions and desires to create a situ-

Abe

ation of crises in the South-South geopolitical zone.

I want to say clearly that having problem in the South-South is not in anybody’s interest. It is certainly not in the interest of PDP; it is certainly not in the interest of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; it is certainly not in my own interest.

So, anybody who genuinely wants the PDP to succeed, and anybody who genuinely wants the President to succeed will not be trying to create bush fires where there is no need for them.

I don’t want to say anything that will preempt the efforts that the Senate is making to reach out to all parties and allow peace to reign in Rivers State.

But I will like to say very, very clearly that you can have disagreements — we are politicians and there is no way we can all agree to everything — but that does not give the right to some of the things that are going on in Rivers State. It gives nobody such right and it will not work in the interest of anybody.

I just want, at this point, to be part of those trying to look for solutions that will allow politicians to disagree, and play their politics without playing politics with the lives of the people.

How do you compromise the Police to the extent of what is going on in Rivers State?

We have talked about people saying that they don’t want State Police because politicians could abuse it.

But that is what is going on in Rivers State. Will even a State Police do what is being done in Rivers State today?

The PDP

caucus in the Senate had met and took a decision to set up a committee, to look for a political solution and I stand by the decision. But I would like to repeat that what is going on in Rivers State is not in the interest of the South-South; it is not in the interest of the President and definitely not in the interest of Rivers’ people. I will say that and I will say it anywhere.

Abuja politicians fanning the ambers of discord in Rivers State The issue of Rivers’ PDP, as far as I am concerned, is neither here nor there.

Like I said, people are politicians, and people are looking for whatever they are looking for; this is the season for that.

But that, by itself, wouldn’t be a problem. Any time there is transition, politicians break into camps and try to do and undo; that is normal and shouldn’t be a problem.

What I am against is the level to which this is being allowed to degenerate, for whatever reason.

Outside of that, people are free to play their politics and whatever they want to do within the law, it is fine by me; they have the right. Do people want to look at the truth or stand the truth on its head?

We all went for a congress; everybody knew it; it was televised. We spoke after the congress. Then, somebody can today get up and deny something at that level!

There are things I would be afraid to do because when my children grow up, I don’t want people to say, ‘this is how your father was.’ I won’t do it, but if people can do it for the sake of power, I have nothing against it.

But what I am saying is that they should not set the state on fire.

Don’t use the Police as an instrument of politics; don’t do the things that can take the lives of ordinary people and create confusion that you might not be able to come out from.

Everybody is free to play politics and quarrel and makeup, but let us draw lines that will allow people, who are not politicians, to be able to live their normal lives

because the way we are going, people, who are not politicians, would be caught up in the crossfire and that is not the kind of leadership we should be providing.

Way out of the crises As I said, I am a senator, and a member of PDP Senate Caucus. On Tuesday, the caucus took a decision to set up a committee to look into the matter. I am confident in the committee and I don’t want to say anything that will look like I am pre-judging the effort the Senate is making.

I think they will be able to find the way forward because there is no problem that doesn’t have a solution. For now, I have confidence in the Senate’s effort and I want to urge all parties to give peace a chance and cooperate with the committee.

Constitution amendment and sixyear single-term tenure for President, Governors Part of the reasons people advocate six-year single tenure democracy is that they actually think that if you look at our current democracy, out of the eight possible years that a President gets from the two terms of four years each, more than four years of it are lost to politics.

You spend the last two years of the first term preparing for the next elections after spending one year, if you are new trying to learn the robes.

Then, you spend the next two years of the other term doing the succession battles. A lot of real time that could actually be spent in trying the much people can achieve is lost; a lot of resources are also wasted in that effort.

So, to save the country that expense and rigour, if we have a single tenure, you come in, use one year to learn what you want to learn; and you have like three or four years to give your best undistracted and at the end of the day, you leave.

I think the country will get more value. That is what a lot of people think and that is why people are advocating it. There is nothing personal about it; it is just a question of trying to find what is best for Nigeria.

The problem with the Nigerian project is that we need to look for enough Nigerians to deliver it. Hausa people cannot deliver this project; it cannot be delivered by the South-South; Christians cannot deliver it; Muslims cannot deliver it; Yoruba people cannot deliver it.

This project can only be delivered by Nigerians, who are prepared to put the interest of Nigeria — one Nigeria and one nation under God — over and above every other interest.

It needs leaders, who must be ready to sacrifice, not only their own, but even those around them in order to be able to achieve a dream of a prosperous and united Nigeria. If we cannot find enough people, we will not be able to deliver the project.

The question we all need to ask is: Can we find enough Nigerians to deliver this project properly? We all need to begin to look for people who will be able to do the right thing when there are challenging times.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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TheMetroSection ‘Government has not paid us compensation’ • Abuja natives oppose land swap policy

26, hold its Friendship Sunday, at the church audtorium, Nos. 9, 10 & 13 Ebun Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos at 7.45a.m. (first service) and 10.00a.m. (second service). Tagged: Love of Christ. Host is Pastor Amos Emovon while General Overseer is Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

OLLOWING the permission of FthePresident Goodluck Jonathan, authorities of the Federal Capi-

Confab on prison reforms holds in Lagos O enthrone an efficient T Prisons system in Nigeria, the Lagos Metropolitan Coun-

Some of the protesters

nal Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) stormed the venue, protesting what they called government’s insensitivity to the interest of the aborigines in the Abuja Land Swap initiative.

The group has specifically demanded that the FCT administration should immediately suspend the policy with its investors until all demands by the indigenous communities are resolved. The placardcarrying inhabitants, who threatened to put spanners in the wheel of the initiative to further express their displeasure over the FCT Administration’s disdain for the aborigines of the territory, also lamented that successive authorities of the territory have continued to ignore the people as most policies that affect them were usually done without their consultation.

Even when they are consulted, it was usually an after-thought, citing the Land Swap initiative as a clear example.

An angry President of the association, Pastor Danladi Jargi said: “Issues surrounding land swap have been very vague to our people. Since the inception of the policy by the Minister, the FCTA officials have not properly engaged the original inhabitants of the territory whose land is the subject of exchange or swap in the first place.”

He lamented that inhabitants are often dehumanized and usually have fewer choices when FCDA officials, estate builders and some wellconnected private citizens knock at their doors with land papers or show up with armed policemen and bulldozers to sack entire vil-

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed

lages or forcefully grab their farmlands with little or no compensation.

“The confiscation of the lands of the FCT indigenous people without compensation and resettlement is one of the greatest deprivation that our people have continued to suffer since 1976. As it currently stands, the Nigerian government is a usurper and illegal occupant of the 8,000 sq. kilometers FCT-Abuja, as the Federal government has never legally fulfilled all the requirements of the law governing resettlement and compensation of lands according to Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

He said: “Over the years, tension has continued to build up between our people and the government especially when we realised that some of the communal or farmlands we were made to give out for

the purpose of building public infrastructure for Nigerians are corruptly allocated through political patronage by FCT Ministers or FCDA officials to wealthy citizens to build homes and estates, as if the indigenous people who were relocated from such lands are foreigners.”

Specifically, the planned resettlement of communities from Ketti, Waru, Jabi, Airport Road and many other villages either for the purpose of land swap or centenary buildings without first consulting the original inhabitants of those communities, the people say, has shown that the FCT administration does not have the aborigines at heart, and thus the actions are already seen by them as dictatorial and undemocratic tendencies.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister had explained that the land swap programme would help to bridge the huge infrastructure gap currently existing in FCT, and advised Abuja natives not to allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well and are looking for ways of sabotaging laudable government programmes like the Land Swap initiative.

“We envisaged these issues from the very beginning and decided that any resettlement or compensation policy must take into consideration the concerns of all critical stakeholders including the livelihood and socio-economic activities of the original inhabitants, FCT developmental needs, commercial interest of the investors as well as the human rights concerns of the International community.”

Honeywell, Rotary donate computers, books to schools ONEYWELL Flour Mills H Plc has partnered Rotary Club on programmes aimed at creating a better future for indigent Nigerian children.

Speaking at the Peace Project Initiative of Rotary Club Lekki where learning materials were donated to Itedo Community Primary School, Lekki, Executive Vice Chairman, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Babatunde Folaranmi Odunayo noted that the

Friendship Sunday holds at Praise Tabernacle HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God, Praise Tabernacle will on Sunday, May

‘From Terhemba Daka, Abuja

tal Territory (FCT) recently came up with the Abuja Land Swap policy.

Under this initiative, suitable private investors will be given lands in the FCT districts, which they will develop and provide relevant infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, water, electricity, schools and hospitals, among others, under pleasant terms.

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed and the Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide have at different fora explained that because of the inability of current funding to meet the growing needs in other sectors like education, health, and security among others, the administration had to devise an innovative means of unlocking dormant resources.

This, according to Mohammed, is with a view to freeing up capital for use in other areas and improving the welfare of residents. “ It is anticipated that FCT would realize over N500 billion from investment under the model in the next couple of years,” he said.

This is even as the Minister assured that the affected original inhabitants of FCT living within the areas earmarked for the land swap policy would be carried along in the implementation of the programme.

Under the programme, FCT administration allocates land in a Greenfield area to a competent real property investor, in exchange for the grant, the investor provides specified infrastructure in the entire district.

The Land Swap system is a land based financing of infrastructure development, a system which the World Bank has endorsed as suitable for any country that is experiencing budget crisis in its infrastructure development funding.

The administration have also argued that Land Swap approach to infrastructure funding is not new in the world, as many developed and developing countries like France, Japan, the United States, China, Denmark, Egypt and India found it necessary to adopt land based financing techniques during periods of rapid urban growth like we are experiencing now in Abuja.

But there appears to be errors in the Abuja land swap policy as during a town hall meeting recently to officially herald the programme, hundreds of inhabitants of the territory under the aegis of the Origi-

Briefs

company was delighted to be part of this laudable initiative because it is in line with its corporate goal of driving sustainability through community development.

Besides producing superior quality products for the complete satisfaction of its customers, Honeywell, according to him also look for ways to add value to lives through various corporate social responsibility programmes.

“Last year, we partnered with a Non-Governmental Organisation to train and empower widows with basic skills, tools and some start-up fund that could transform their lives. And this year, we are here with the Rotary Club, Lekki to donate books and computers to some schools that could bring positive transformation in the lives of our young ones”, he said.

He urged the beneficiary schools including Itedo

Community Primary School, Lekki, Ogombo Community Secondary School, Ogombo Village and Mayegun Community Primary School, Lekki to make good use of the facilities comprising 10 computer sets with printers and 10 sets of books.

District Governor, Rotary 9110, Dr Kamoru Omotosho and President, Rotary Club Lekki Phase 1, Wilson Akhator-Emeka reiterated Rotary’s philosophy of

impacting positively in the society where it operates. They also described the partnership with Honeywell as a welcome development.

Receiving the facilities on behalf of the students, Head Teacher, Itedo Primary School, Mr. Stephen Ogungbulugbe thanked both organisations for the exemplary gesture, saying the school and the students will be eternally grateful for the materials.

cil of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM), will tomorrow hold a conference on prison reforms in the country at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, at 10.00am The Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna said “the conference is aimed at sensitising relevant authorities and institutions of government on the urgent need for the reform of the administration of criminal administration and the penal system.”

‘Emo-efe’rotu marks sixth anniversary CHARITABLE and nonA governmental organization, ‘Emo-efe’rotu,’ known for giving hope to disadvantaged children in rural areas, will tomorrow mark its sixth anniversary at the Abuja Hilton Hotel.

Executive Director of the foundation, Pamela Esiri, said the event would feature launch of the foundation’s new logo and children refinery fund to expand its programme to the FCT and other states.

‘Emo-efe’rotu’, which means, “Children are the wealth of the Society, was established in 2007.

Ben Etie for burial rites for former Fof UNERAL Leader of Onitsha Leaders Thought and former Abia

State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Ben Etie, who died at the age of 59 hold from May 23 - May 25, 2013 at his Eziama Nneato town in Umunneochi Local Council of Abia State. Outing service holds on Sunday, May 26, at the Holy Family Cathedral Church, Ezioba at 9.00a.m.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Etie and children among whom is Dr. Pastra Arinze Etie.

Etie

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 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 LETTER

The anti-corruption war

Of Physics and economic growth

A

IR: If we have an Economist, StheDr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance and Co-

RUSE. That is the only way to describe the much talked-about war against corruption in Nigeria.

Despite grandstanding by this government or its officials and protestations to the contrary, there is no war being prosecuted against the devastating scourge. Therefore, there is no reason to speak of any success or failure of any war.

There is one dubious consolation however, for the Goodluck Jonathan government: the regimes before it did very little too, so the current administration has not had to reverse much. It has been, as they say, business as usual, business as typical.

This is the context in which to understand the challenge, thrown the other day, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan to hold him liable if any member of his administration was suspected of corruption. The call was made at the birthday thanksgiving of Oby Ezekwesili, a prominent minister under Obasanjo who had earlier accused the Jonathan administration of frittering away the enormous foreign exchange reserves it inherited. She had in turn been threatened with a probe of her tenure in the Education Ministry by the administration’s spokesmen. Hitherto, the grouse about Nigeria’s war against corruption, symbolized by the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was that it has largely been selective and superficial. Obasanjo’s challenge to Jonathan more than anything else now demonstrates that the anti-corruption war has not only come to a halt, it has simply become a farce.

The undignified saga is very instructive in many respects. Ezekwesili did not say that the Obasanjo regime in which she served was free of corruption. Like every Nigerian, she has and should enjoy the right to ask questions about the use of the country’s resources by the government. This should not have led to the dishonesty, at least in timing, of raising questions about her own tenure in office, an immature and crude substitute for defending the government’s anti-corruption records.

Of course, Obasanjo’s call on President Jonathan to probe him is far from sincere, even laughable. How can a President, thrusted into office by the designs of this particular principal, aided by a bit of luck, who has kept ministers on whose watch monumental corruption has taken place, pardoned a former governor whose involvement in large-scale corruption is well documented, and not known for much courage of conviction, probe the administration of his benefactor?

Obasanjo’s gauntlet was no more than a ploy to scare President Jonathan’s handlers from witch-hunting and mocking his own administration’s appalling record of fighting corruption.

It is painful that the Jonathan’s administration somehow manages to make the severely flawed anti-corruption effort of the Obasanjo administration look like the Golden Age of the anti-corruption war. Nigerians once only doubted the sincerity of the anti-corruption fight; now they are sure that “probes” are a tool for those who have political power to harass and stall their competitors, real or imagined, or get their own share out of the massive proceeds of the corruption perpetuated by others.

If Nigeria was serious about fighting corruption, by now the institutions established to fight the scourge, the EFCC and the ICPC, should not have to wait for a former president or any former government official to “offend” the ruling government before serious allegations or suspicions of fraud are investigated and prosecuted. Obasanjo should also not have to dictate to the institutions or advise Jonathan on who to probe and when to do it. President Jonathan or his officials should also not have the power to preemptively declare that anyone will not be probed over corruption cases, even if they are former presidents.

It has become painfully obvious that Nigerian anti-corruption watchdogs possess only politically-fitted teeth, which are kept in the pockets of their paymasters and only worn on them when the former wants political rivals bitten.

What the spat between Ezekwesili and the Jonathan administration as well as Obasanjo’s attack on President Jonathan’s commitment to fighting corruption also reveals is the extremely poor quality of the nation’s political party system. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boasts about being the largest party in Africa, yet it sadly remains an incoherent, soul-less entity. A bulldozer for clearing the path to power, little by way of ideology, agenda or programme bind the rival teams of drivers jostling to seize the steering wheel and gears together. The President’s interests, often amplified by overzealous aides, take precedence over party rules, processes and institutions, which are often abused to advance them. This is why power is so personalized and, consequently, violently opposed factions of “yesterday’s” and “today’s” men emerge in what is supposed to be a single ruling party. In that context, the interest of Nigeria perishes wherever there is any loot to be shared.

Perhaps, the first step in the anti-corruption battle is a vigorous promotion of the rule of law, a better investigation machinery, the sanitization of an infected judicial system and strengthening of the institutions for fighting the scourge.

cites studies that “attribute 90 per cent of income growth in England and the United ordinator of the Economy, then States after 1780 to technologperhaps we should experiment ical innovation, not mere capwith a Physicist as minister of a ital accumulation”.

On the technological chessrelated ministry and giving him also the job of chief cre- board, Mathematics is King, Physics the Queen and the ator of economic growth.

I recall that in his inaugural diverse branches of engineerlecture in 1973, 40 years ago, ing, the Knights in shiny Professor Muyiwa Awe, first armour. Physics has given rise President of the Nigerian to a whole new range of techInstitute of Physics affirmed nologies that have conthat Physics is the proverbial tributed trillions of dollars goose that lays the golden eggs. into the global economy. One these is Interestingly, Professor Awe of was “Best Man” to the Nanotechnology. World sales Economist, now late, Professor of Nanotechnology enabled Ojetunji Aboyade, who had products by 2008 were estiserved all Nigerian Heads of mated at $234 billion. This figGovernment from Balewa to ure is expected by the U.S. National Science Foundation Babangida.

Bearing in mind this relation- to climb to $3000 billion by ship, maybe we would have to 2020. Increasing the number appeal to Professor Awe to of jobs in Nanotechnology write a book on what hap- derived industries from pened to Physics in Nigeria and 400,000 in 2008 to six milconsequently what happened lion in 2020.

Last year, I read in the to the Nigerian economy. It is a fact that there have been vul- papers, Professor Segun tures sucking up the Nigerian Adewoye, secretary Nigerian commonwealth but there are Academy of Science where he instances of glaring omissions reportedly lamented the fact by well-meaning Nigerians in that Nigeria was yet to have a policy on Nanotechnology. If and out of government.

Professor Ojetunji Aboyade there are no golden eggs referred to economics as the there might be little of an lifeblood of the nation. But economy to co-ordinate.

Most Nigerians do not know which comes first? Physics or Economics? The answer to this that it is the sub-discipline question might be gleaned known as Exploration Geo from the Oxford Encyclopaedia Physics that enables us to of Economic History, which extract oil and gas from

under the sea bed, same with solid minerals and underground water resources. This is something for the senators calling for oil exploration outside the Niger Delta.

We all love Physics when you come to think of our prized possessions or most pleasurable experiences. Physicists have given rise to hydro electricity, nuclear power, radio, television, mobile phone, microwave oven, laser CD and satellite and in the area of healthcare as it concerns the imaging, screening, diagnosis and treatment we have had X-ray, laser surgery, micro/eye surgery, ultrasound, computer tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, positron emission tomography and radiotherapy which many of our politicians and the rest of the elite go to “enjoy” outside the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan is a biological scientist and so he would have done some basic Physics, as it is required by all undergraduates in the Faculty of Science at the University of Port Harcourt where he studied.

This could be a convenient starting point for him, for better days for Physics in Nigeria.

Lastly, we must reinforce the notion in Nigerians, particularly elected representatives that Physics is not only “the Queen” but also the foundation of modern society.

• Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, London, England.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

BUSINESS 15

Business IndustryWatch P40

Energy

P47

Investing in trade-related infrastructure to drive growth

Africa panel clamours for utilisation of oil, gas resources

CBN maintains tight policy stance on govt’ s high expenditure From Mathias Okwe, Abuja HE fear of a possible surge T in inflationary trend in Nigeria following what the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) referred to as Government’s expansionary expenditure in the first four months of 2013 yesterday forced the apex bank to maintain its tight monetary stance, which has succeeded in hedging infla-

tion at a single digit for more than six months now.

Accordingly, the apex bank retained all the rates at their current levels, that is the Monetary Policy Rate ( MPR) at 12 per cent with a corridor of +/- 200 basis point; the Cash Reserve Requirement at 12 per cent and the Liquidity ratio at 30 per cent.

This came amidst expectation by industry watchers

and entrepreneurs in the country that the apex bank was going to introduce an easing by lowering the lending rate to enable them afford cheap credit from money deposit banks and other instruments .

But the CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi while briefing journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee ( MPC) meeting

where the decision to retain the tight stance was taken, said the Committee would not just change rates for change’s sake nor undertake such a risk at the moment because of the imminent inflationary threat posed by Federal Government’s high expenditure profile particularly with the recent emergency rule declaration in the three north -eastern states

Executive Director, Gernmane Synergy Limited, Anand Singh; (right), Chief Executive Officer, Olokola Free Trade Zone, Luk Haelterman; General Manager, Gas Pipeline &Infrastructure (NNPC) Sam Ndukwe; and Chief Executive Officer, Century 21 Systems Limited, Kenneth Odusola Stevenson, during the FTZ Nigeria 2013 4th International Conference & Exhibition on Free Trade Zone in Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Investment in OGFT hits N930 billion

By Roseline Okere

…Govt agencies generate N828.3 billion in five years

IGERIA’S Oil and Gas Free N Trade Zone Authority (OGFT), Onne, Rivers State has

He said: “There has been transfer of technology to Nigerians through manpower training, particularly due to specialised nature of their operations. For example Tenaris, which is the largest pipe producing company in the world has trained over seventy Nigerians overseas on pipe technology and many more companies do similar.

“Hamilton Technology work out regular courses/training to staff for career opportunity and productivity, by sending staff (Nigerians) to Aberdeen and Malaysia for Drilling Fluids Engineering courses, and it is a continuous process.

“The presence of the Free Zones has increased economic activities in the area as the Onne Port is second highest port in Nigeria after Apapa.

The attraction of these investments into the country has created over 30,000 direct or indirect jobs. As a result of the Free Zone at Onne, there has been an increase in government revenue earning particularly for Customs, Port

attracted over $6 billion (N930 billion) from 150 companies to the country.

Besides, government agencies – Nigerian Customs and Nigerian Ports Authority has generated about $5.41 billion (N828.3 billion) from OGFT within five years.

The Managing Director of the company, Victor Alabo, who made this disclosure yesterday at the 4th International Conference and Exhibition on Free Trade Zone, OGFT has placed Nigeria as a leading player in oil and gas activities in the whole of Sub-Saharan African.

Alabo, who was represented at the conference by the company’s Head of Marketing, Adamu Kontagora, said the zone has attracted all major oil companies in the area, which he said, were now using the hub for their activities covering the whole Gulf of Guinea up to Angola and Southern Africa.

Authority and Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Speaking on the future plans for the zone, Alabo disclosed that Onne Port Complex would be upgraded to a status of a free port to fast-track logistics operations in the oil and gas industry. “There would be extension of the Free Zone to include Ikpokiri Island. This is presently virgin land where large infrastructure developments would be required”.

Also, the Group Executive Director, Gas & Power of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), David Ige, said by 2014, the country would have been positioned firmly as the undisputed regional hub for gas-based industries such as fertilizer, petro chemicals. “Our desire is to deliver gas for at least threefold increase in generation capacity by 2015. Create regional hub for gas-based industries – fertilizer, petrochemical and methanol. Meeting the power sector requirement is a focus area for the gas sector and good progress is being made.

and Government’s continued subsidy administration and fuel import.

He insisted that the tight monetary stance so far adopted since last year has worked very well and recorded success , hence there was no need to change it now until in the future if there was any need.

Sanusi gave further reasons for the action ; “ The Committee was pleased with the prevailing macroeconomic stability-moderation in all measures of inflation on month-on-month basis; stable banking system and exchange rate and robust external reserves. ‘’It commended the agreement reached between the CBN and AMCON on the settlement of outstanding AMCON obligations to all private sector investors by December 2014 and to repay the N3.6 trillion debts held by the CBN under a new refinancing and restructuring arrangement within a period not exceeding ten years at single-digit interest rate. The Committee noted that the repayments and refinancing arrangements would have no adverse monetary policy implications; but rather increase confidence in the financial system. Also, under this arrangement, it is unlikely that banks will be required to contribute more than 0.5 per cent of their Balance

Sheets annually to the sinking fund. By October 2014, the CBN will be the sole creditor to AMCON, holding bonds guaranteed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Federal Government will therefore have no contingent liability to any party other than the CBN, and the Bank will recover its debt from AMCON recoveries and contributions to the Sinking Fund by the banks. Since the CBN supervises and regulates the banks and AMCON, this exposure is considered a fair risk.

The Committee was concerned about the threat posed by developments in the oil sector arising from uncertain oil market environment, high output leakages arising from oil theft which has negatively affected the oil sector’s contribution to GDP and the prospects for declining output if the state of affairs continues. The Committee observed that the accretion to reserves resulted principally from increased portfolio capital inflows. The Committee noted the potential effect of this development on exchange rates, reserves and the capital account in the event of capital flow reversal, and thus stressed the need to maintain stability and retain confidence of investors in the consistency of monetary policy.

16

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

BUSINESS

Cross River disburses N1.45b to farmers From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE Cross River State govT ernment has so far disbursed over N1.452 billion to commercial farmers across the state.

Giving a breakdown of this money, about N295 million were disbursed under the World Bank assisted Commercial Agricultural Development Project (CADP) while N157. 27 million was disbursed as grants and N1 billion for farm implements.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Mr. James Aniyom, who disclosed this during an inter-ministe-

rial press briefing in Calabar recently, said that the grants were disbursed to 141 community interest groups.

According to Aniyom, the amount represents 59 per cent of the total amount earmarked for agricultural production in the state.

He also said a total of N157. 27 million has been given out as grants to oil palm and cocoa farmers across the state; this he said is to boost their production capacity.

The commissioner further disclosed that the state has entered into partnership with the Maryland University of America for the training of

agricultural extension workers in the state, noting that the America university has accepted to deploy professors in Biotechnology and other Agriculture related fields to groom farmers in the state.

Aniyom pointed out that Agriculture remained a top priority of the state government, stating that his ministry has disbursed N1 billion to farmers for the purchase of fertilisers, agro chemicals and other farming implements in order to boost productivity.

He said a larger chunk of the money will be used for the processing, cultivation and

distribution of crops as the state government intends to establish a 450 tones capacity of cassava and rice processing mills in some parts of the state, adding that it will also collaborate with local councils to build and rehabilitate existing abattoirs.

“There are also other programmes planned for the sector in collaboration with the local councils, government intends to assist in the rehabilitation of existing abattoirs and enforcement of the law on transportation of slaughtered meat through the introduction of refrigerated meat vans.”

The ministry, he said, has constructed roads to rural communities and farm lands at the cost N584 million, stating that this is to enable farmers convey their crops to urban markets.

The commissioner also disclosed that 99 youths from the state have returned from Songhai after acquiring

Oil firm raises $50m from London bourse

By Roseline Okere N independent AfricanA focused oil and gas exploration company, Lekoil

The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Ganiyu Koledoye (fourth left); presenting the Institute Marketing Journal to the Marketing Manager Friesland Campina, Shraman Jha, during a courtesy visit to Friesland Campina. With him are Ify Uraih, ‘Deji Olokesusi, Registrar/CEO, NIMN, Femi Adeniba, Jare Ajiboye and Sola Kolawole.

modern agricultural skills in the area of mechanical agric engineering to boost the agricultural sector of the state.

He encouraged farmers to cultivate more palm estates as a Malaysian company operating in the state, WILMER will establish oil refinery that produce oil that can be made into bio-fuel.

Limited, has raised $50 million (N8 billion) to fund oil and gas exploration in the country.

A media statement from the London Stock Exchange signed by its spokesman, Jonny Blostone, and made available to The Guardian at the weekend, noted that the fund was the largest capital raised on London Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2013.

It stated: “London Stock Exchange Group today (last week) welcomed Lekoil Limited to its growth market, AIM. The company raised approximately $50 million and has a market capitalisation of $112.1 million at admission. It is the largest capital raising on AIM this year, and the latest Nigerian firm to float in London following recent admissions by Zenith Bank and Eland Oil & Gas. It noted that Lekoil was welcomed to market by Alderman Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London, who presented a commemorative plaque to the company

to mark the occasion.

Head of Primary Markets for Africa, London Stock Exchange Group, Ibukun Adebayo, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lekoil to AIM. This is the third Nigerian company in eight months to raise money and issue shares on our markets, highlighting London’s role as the leading international equity finance centre for the economic development of Nigeria.”

Chief Executive of Lekoil, Lekan Akinyanmi, said: “This is an important step for Lekoil on our journey towards becoming a leading E&P company with an aim of shaping the future of oil exploration and production in Africa.”

Lekoil is the fourth oil and gas explorer with significant operations in Nigeria on London’s markets. Since 2007, oil and gas companies have raised over $21.6 billion on London’s markets.

London Stock Exchange is the largest international stock exchange for African companies. Since 2008, Africafocused companies listed on London Stock Exchange have raised over $6.5 billion in new and further issues.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

17

18

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

ForexWatch FXTM FINANCIAL WEEKLY DIGEST 13th May - 19th May, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

21

MoneyWatch Fiscal operations: Nigeria’s record in first quarter VAILABLE data showed that total federallyA collected revenue during the first quarter of 2013 stood at N2,425.30 billion, representing a decline of 2.4 and 17.9 per cent below the receipts in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2012, respectively. However, relative to the proportionate budget estimate, federally-collected revenue rose by 3.1 per cent.

At N1,849.51 billion, gross oil receipts, which constituted 76.3 per cent of the total, exceeded the proportionate budget estimate and the 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. The rise in oil receipts relative to the preceding period was attributed to the increase in the receipts from crude oil/gas exports, domestic crude oil/gas sales and “other” oil revenue during the period.

Non-oil receipts, at N575.80 billion (23.7 per cent of the total), were below the proportionate budget estimate and the receipts in the preceding quarter by 23.3 and 12.8 per cent, respectively. The decline in non-oil revenue relative to the preceding quarter, reflected, largely, the fall in Corporate Taxes, Federal Government Independent Revenue, Education Tax and Customs and Excise duties during the review period. As a percentage of estimated nominal GDP for the first quarter 2013, oil and non-oil revenue were 19.1 and 5.9 per cent, respectively.

Of the gross federally-collected revenue during the review quarter, the sum of N1,366.70 billion (after accounting for all deductions and transfers), was transferred to the Federation Account for distribution among the three tiers of government and the 13.0 per cent Derivation Fund. The Federal Government received N643.79 billion, while the states and local governments received N326.54 billion and N251.75 billion, respectively.

The balance of N144.62 billion went to the 13.0 per cent Derivation Fund for distribution by the oil-producing states.

Also, the Federal Government received N26.72 billion from the VAT Pool Account, while the state and local governments received N89.06 billion and N62.34 billion, respectively. In addition, the sum of N333.81 billion was drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to bridge the short-fall in revenue for the period and was shared as follows: Federal (N152.99 billion), state (N77.60 billion), local governments (N59.83 billion) and oil producing states (N43.40 billion).

An additional N106.65 billion was also distributed among the tiers of government and oil producing states from the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, (SURE-P) Fund. Thus, the total allocation to the three tiers of government in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to N2,008.12 billion. This exceeded the 2013 quarterly budget estimate by 9.3 per cent.

The Federal Government At N908.14 billion, the Federal Government retained revenue for the first quarter of 2013 was lower than both the proportionate budget estimate and receipts in the preceding quarter by 11.0 and 1.6 per cent, respectively. Relative to the receipts in the corresponding period of 2012, Federal Government retained revenue also declined by 10.6 per cent. Of this amount, the Federal Government share from the Federation Account, VAT Pool Account and FGN Independent Revenue were N643.87 billion, N26.34 billion and N35.42 billion, respectively, while “Others” accounted for the balance of N202.51 billion Total estimated expenditure for the first quarter stood at N1,192.92 billion and was lower than the proportionate budget estimate by 8.0 per cent, but higher than the levels in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2012 by 5.5 and 8.3 per cent, respectively. The development (relative to the quarterly budget estimate) was attributed to the delay in capital releases during the review period. A breakdown of the total expenditure showed that the recurrent component accounted for 65.5 per cent, capital component 27.0 per cent, while statutory transfers accounted for the balance of 7.5 per cent (Fig. 10). Further breakdown of the recurrent expenditure showed that the non-debt component accounted for 77.4 per cent, while debt service payments accounted for the balance of 22.6 per cent.

Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N284.78 billion or 2.9 per cent of the estimated

nominal GDP for the quarter, compared with the 2013 benchmark and the preceding quarter deficits of N276.11 billion and N207.32 billion, respectively. The deficit was financed mainly from domestic sources.

Statutory Allocations to State Governments Total allocation to state governments (including the Federation Account, 13.0 per cent Derivation Fund and share of VAT receipts) stood at N734.07 billion in the first quarter 2013. This represented a decline of 1.0 per cent below the level in the preceding quarter, but an increase of 4.0 per cent above the level in the corresponding quarter of 2012.

Further breakdown showed that, at N645.01 billion, receipts from Federation Account constituted 87.9 per cent of the total, indicating a decline of 0.2 and 0.5 percentage point relative to the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2012, respectively. At N89.06 billion, receipts from VAT constituted 12.1 per cent of the total, indicating an increase of 0.2 and 0.5 percentage point relative to the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2012, respectively. On a monthly basis, the sum of N205.22 billion, N207.49 billion and N321.36 billion was allocated as statutory allocations and VAT receipts to the 36 state governments in January, February and March 2013, respectively.

Statutory Allocations to Local Government Councils Total receipts by the Local Governments from the Federation and VAT Pool Accounts during the first quarter of 2013, stood at N401.68 billion. This amount was below the levels in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2012 by 3.8 and 2.4 per cent, respectively. Of the total amount, allocation from the Federation Account was N339.34 billion (84.5 per cent), while VAT Pool Account accounted for the balance of N62.34 billion (15.5 per cent). On a monthly basis, the sum of N113.61 billion, N116.49 billion and N171.58 billion was allocated to the 774 local governments in January, February and March 2013, respectively.

Domestic Economic Conditions Provisional data showed that aggregate output measured by the real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.6 per cent, compared with 6.9 per cent in the preceding quarter. The development was attributed, largely, to the decline in the contribution of the non-oil sector, during the review period.

Crude oil production was estimated at 2.05

million barrels per day (mbd) or 184.5 million barrels for the quarter. The end-period inflation rate for the first quarter of 2013, on yearon-year basis, was 8.6 per cent, compared with 12.0 and 12.1 per cent in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2012, respectively. The inflation rate on a 12-month moving average basis was 11.4 per cent, compared with 12.2 and 10.9 per cent in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2012, respectively.

Aggregate Output Aggregate output (estimate) in the first quarter measured by gross domestic product (GDP) at 1990 basic prices grew by 6.6 per cent, compared with 6.9 per cent recorded in the preceding quarter. The lower output growth rate in the review quarter was attributed to the decline in the contribution of the non-oil sector. Real non-oil GDP was estimated to have grown by 7.9 per cent and accounted for 85.2 per cent of the total GDP in the review quarter.

Real oil GDP, comprising crude petroleum and natural gas was estimated to have declined by 13.3 per cent, compared with the decline of 0.2 per cent in the preceding quarter and accounted for 14.8 per cent of the total real GDP

A total of N1,892.9 million was guaranteed to 10,324 farmers under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) in the first quarter of 2013. This represented a decline of 41.6 per cent below the level in the preceding quarter, but an increase of 125.1 per cent above the level in the corresponding period of 2012.

A sub-sectoral analysis of the loans guaranteed indicated that the food crops sub-sector received the largest share of N1,105.2 million (53.6 per cent) for 7,734 beneficiaries, while the livestock sub-sector got N672.9 million (35.5 per cent) for 2,081 beneficiaries. Also, 275 beneficiaries in “others” sub- sector obtained N69.8 million (3.7 per cent), while N47.9 million (2.5 per cent) was guaranteed for 89 beneficiaries in the mixed crops sub-sector.

Furthermore, 86 beneficiaries in the fisheries sub-sector received N46.2 million (2.4 per cent), while 59 beneficiaries in the cash crops sub-sector received N41.0 million (2.2 per cent). Further analysis showed that 34 states benefited from the scheme during the quarter, with the highest and lowest sums of N261.1 million (13.8 per cent) and N2.2 million (0.1 per cent) guaranteed to beneficiaries in Katsina and Plateau states, respectively.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

22 MONEYWATCH

Recapitalization: Stallion Home in merger talks with Mutual Alliance According to the Managing Director/Chief TALLION Home Savings and Loans SLoans Limited and Mutual Alliance Savings and Executive Officer of Stallion Home Savings and Loan, Johnson Akhidenor, “the emergLimited have commenced merger talks, in a move to beat the recapitalization deadline of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The two mortgage banks recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the proposed business combinations, which may ultimately create a mega national mortgage bank.

Already, a four-member steering committee, two each from both sides have been inaugurated and saddled with the responsibility to put together necessary documentations as prescribed by the recapitalisation guidelines for submission to the CBN and approval.

The committee is expected to conclude its assignment and submit the report by September 30, 2013.

ing entity will be a mega national mortgage bank with over N5 billion capital base, capable of efficiently and effectively tapping into the huge business opportunities in the estate sector”.

Also, Director of Mutual Alliance Savings and Loans Limited, James Taylor, said that the combination will enable the two primary mortgage banks to be stronger and more virile in the task of helping to address the housing challenges of Nigerians.

“With the South-South and Abuja strength of Mutual Alliance Saving and Loans and Stallion Home Savings’ advantage in the South-West, North, as well as Abuja, the emerging mortgage bank would definitely redefine mortgage banking in Nigeria,” Taylor added.

Nigeria’s record in first quarterA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 At end-March 2013, the total amount released by the CBN under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) to the participating banks for disbursement stood at N199.2 billion (for two hundred and seventy one projects).

The beneficiaries included thirty state governments Industrial19a.5ctivities during the first quarter of 2013 indicated a decline relative to the level in the level in the preceding quarter. At 136.35 (1990=100), the estimated index of industrial production declined by 0.9 per cent below the level attained in the preceding quarter. It however, showed an increase of 0.7 per cent compared with the level attained in the corresponding period of 2012. The development reflected the decline in the contribution of all sub-sectors.

The estimated index of manufacturing production, at 106.35 (1990=100), declined marginally by 0.9 per cent below the level attained attained in the preceding quarter, but increased by 0.4 per cent over the level in the corresponding period of 2012. The manufacturing capacity ut5ilization Also declined by 1.3 percentage points below the level in the preceding quarter to 57.39 per

cent. The deve1opment was attributed to the decline in electricity supply.

Petroleum Sector Nigeria’s crude oil oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, was estimated at 2.05 million barrels per day (mbd) or 184.5 million barrels during the first quarter of 2013, compared with 2.00 mbd or (184.0 million barrels) in the preceding quarter. This represented an increase in production level of 0.05 mbd or 2.5 per cent. Consequently, crude oil export was estimated at 1.60 mbd or (144.0 million barrels) in the review period, representing an increase of 3.2 per cent over the 1.55 mbd or (139.5 million barrels) recorded in the preceding quarter. The development was attributed to repairs on damaged oil installations and improved security surveillance. Allocation of crude oil for domestic consumption was 0.45 mbd or 40.5 million barrels during the period under review.

At an estimated average of US$115.34 per barrel, the price of Nigeria s reference crude, the Bonny Light (37o API), rose by 2.3 per cent, over the level in the preceding quarter. The average prices of other competing crudes, namely the U.K Brent at US$113.68 per barrel and the Forcados at US$116.89 per barrel also exhibited similar trend as the Bonny Light.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

23

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Determining Sustainable Port Logistics Operation In A Developing Economy (Shipping Economics And Productivity)

By Prof. Princewill Ugo Owualah, MBA, M.Phil, Ph.D, PDRF (Florida), FNIMN, FNIER, FInstTA, CMITL (U.K) Professor of Transport Economics and Logistics

ISTORICAL IMPERATIVE Over the past years, major changes have occurred in cargo handling. Up to the mid 1960’s the majority of the general cargo was carried in what is now known as conventional vessels. As port labor cost increased, cargo throughput in the port of developing countries decreased. Old priority of maximum storage was replaced by a realization that a balance has to be found between ship space utilization, labour cost, and cargo throughput and ship time in port. Utilization in the form of pallets, containers, and wheeled vehicles became the norm.

The evaluation of cargo units has had considerable effect on cargo handling operation. Unit size has increased so has shore handling equipment has had to be upgraded. In the 1950’s and 1960, majority of stevedoring operations were carried out using strip derricks. Most of which had a safe working (S.W.I) of 2.5 to 3.5 tones.

Cargoes were mostly bagged in loose cartons, bales etc. Any piece of cargo weighing over 2.5 to 3.0 tones was considered to be “heavy lift” most of the cargo could be moved from shipside to the shed by small fork lifts, pallet lifters or hand truck (M. Amouzo 1985). This has slowed down the cargo handling operations of ports and hence increased handling cost and reduced port throughput in such ports.

H

OVERVIEW OF PORT LOGISTICS Effective cargo handling system for a port requires that terminal operators, freight forwarders, ports authorities and other stakeholders provide modern and efficient cargo handling equipments, consolidation facilities, storage facilities etc to ensure discharge and loading, operations must be carried-out fast to achieve just-in-time principle of logistics and inventory handling system of companies. One very important aspect which is indispensable and must be effective and efficient for the cargo handling chain to work properly is the “equipment” aspect. It requires that cargo handling equipments and gears must be functional and in shape, not only that, for a port system to be modern and achieve customers target with respect to cost and time of Cargo handling in ports, modern Cargo handling equipment must be in place. Training of the local manpower on the use of the equipments must also be a routine task because availability of modern equipment requires that skilled man power with sound technical know-how on the operation of each and every cargo handling equipment must be available to run the equipment. Such Cargo handling equipment that must be available and properly manned to improve the shipping economics and productivity of a ports system include but not limited to the following:

CARPENTRY WORKSHOP HANDLING EQUIPMENTS Claw and ordinary hammers Pinchers Wooden Benches equipped within a vice and GClamp Plains both metal wooden types Chisels Oil stones for sharpening of tools Nails in various sizes.

Plywood and timber casings Saw Bench machine These equipments are very vital for cargo handling in terminals, jetties and ports. Their availability and proper use, skillfully in a port improves the productivity and shipping economics of such ports. As a result, such ports are bound to achieve increasing cargo and vessel traffic from time to time thus the ability or rate at which a particular port handles cargo and vessel traffic that calls to it determines to a great extent its productivity which directly affects the economics of such a port in particular and the shipping industry in general. The study thus seeks to examine cargo handling systems and equipments in Nigeria and how they have affected ports/shipping economics using the Eastern and Western ports of Nigeria.

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES There is always high cost of doing business in Nigeria ports as well as delays continually witnessed over the years in ports operations all over Nigerian ports this has been attributed to poor Cargo handling systems and equipments in use in the various ports.

Cases of Cargo losses while in the ports, damages and breakages to cargo during stevedoring (handling) are all problems which have affected negatively the cargo and vessel handling capability of the Nigeria ports over the years. The research in line with the above challenges, identified the following specific problems.

There is the problem of use of aging, bad and dilapidated Cargo handling equipments like cranes and forklifts by terminal operators in ports in the loading and discharge of cargo which lengthens handling time, causes damages and in severe cases pollution and port congestion.

There is the problem of lack of professional trained skilled manpower on the use of modern Cargo handling equipments, thus, useful manhours are lost in the port and terminals due to use of unskilled manpower in operating modern equipments.

There is the problem of lack of understanding of how the Nigeria ports have faired over the years in their ability to handle cargo of various types.

There is the problem of poor documentation system and high cost of handling Cargo through Nigeria Ports.

Nigeria over the years as a yardstick to measuring their contribution to improved shipping industry economics in Nigeria.

To proffer recommendations for better performance in future.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH The research will be important to maritime industry stakeholders in many ways.

Knowledge of the Cargo handling systems and equipments and their effectiveness and efficiency in the nation’s ports will ignite efforts aimed at providing better means and systems of Cargo handling in the ports.

Since effective Cargo handling systems and equipments remain the life wire of maritime port activities, its collapse will mean the collapse of the maritime/port industry economics.

This research is therefore important because it will alert maritime practitioners to the dangers of defective materials handling systems in the port.

The research will examine and expose the defective Cargo documentation systems in the industry in Nigeria and this will form the stepping stone to solutions of policy inconsistency of government with regards to Cargo handling in Nigeria Ports

OBJECTIVE OF EFFECTIVE CARGO MATERIALS HANDLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Having explained the concept of cargo/material handling and management systems as covered in the introduction of this study. This study, posits that the main objectives of materials management is to plan, acquire, coordinate, direct and using all logistics requirements to achieve just-in-time applied concept.

Material and logistics management according this study cover the following headlines: Logistics Planning and Scheduling Purchasing and Expediting Material Handling Inventory Control Warehousing Value Engineering and Value Analyses a). Planning and Scheduling: This involves preplanned determination of quantity of materials to be purchased and shipped at a time, with right documents prepared before hand to facilitate quick clearing from customs, shipping agents and port authorities, with special emphasis on ”Lead time” b). Purchasing and Expediting: This has to do with sourcing for cargo/materials far and nearinternational markets where materials can be sourced at minimum possible cost. The cost reduction aspect is important in material sourcing to help reduce cost of material handling. c). Material Handling: Transportation, Packaging, Insurance or Transfer of material from sources to port and delivery plant/warehouse. d). Warehousing: Emeghara (2004) also noted that warehousing should be the most important cargo handling operations which the ports and shipping logistics stakeholders cannot afford to overlook in order to safeguard logistics, stakeholders cannot afford to overlook in order to safeguard materials from loss due to pilferage, robbers, fire hazard, sorting out easily etc.

LOGISTICS AND MATERIAL MANAGEMENT Locating and selecting sources for materials or supplies needed.

Interviewing suppliers or vendors representatives, arranging conferences and negotiation to know the integrity and fairness of the suppliers.

Requesting for price quotations and conducting negotiations of the materials required.

Procuring materials required.

Verifying the quantity and quality of materials received.

Approving invoices and handling rejections and adjustment.

Maintaining records necessary for the effective realization of its objectives.

Disposing scraps and surplus of the materials.

Keeping records of prices, suppliers directory etc.

CARGO HANDLING ROLE OF A PORT Stevedoring operations which deals with effecRESEARCH OBJECTIVES The primary functions of a port are the loading tive loading and discharge of cargo/materials.

The main objective of the research is to examand discharging of cargo and transfer of same. Stock taking and cargo release by ports and ine how Cargo handling systems and equipThese activities remain the lifeline of ports authorities to whose custody cargo is put. ments adopted and used in Nigeria ports over the years has helped to improve the ports/ship- operations as these operations are performed CARGO HANDLING OPERATIONS AND TRENDS ping economics of the Nigerian Maritime indus- simultaneously during the operations of the overall cargo handling system (B.C Ndikom, Emeghara (2002) is of the view that Cargo hantry.

2006).

GENERAL EQUIPMENTS dling operations is the loading of goods which To determine the ages/state of majority of the Forklift trucks cargo handling equipments particularly cranes This chapter examines various literatures that includes raw materials, finished commodities have been written in the area of cargo handling and all moveable items; and the handling sysTractors and Trailers and forklift in use in Nigerian ports and termioperation, port throughput and the variable Conveyors and Lifts tem comprises the equipment in use ad all nals today with a view to understanding their that aids for effectiveness of the system to yield methods employed in the loading and offloadCranes (of various tonnages) performance. all the benefits desirable. It starts by following Vacuum and pressure system (suction) ing/discharging operation. The methods of To determine the correlation between producHand barrows tivity of Cargo handling equipment and the pro- the historical background of the research prob- working must ensure not only economic effiStraddle corner ciency but also safety of operation in which no fessional skill of the operator of the equipment lems, then a review of related literatures by Tractor with trailer capable of pulling a train of and how this affects ports/shipping economics. looking at their contributions to cargo hanefficient distribution can take place without eight of ten trailers To quantitatively determine the cargo handling dling operations and port cargo throughput.

Computer Operated Equipment CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 ability of the Western and Eastern Ports of

24 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

. . . Shipping Economics And Productivity

were concentrated mainly on the last mentioned element, the transfer CCORDING to I.I. Buxton (1987), every cargo medium. They led to the development of a wide range of mechanical equiphandling system consists of a number of ment. Cranes, conveyors etc which had readily identifiable elements. This is a source and a sink between which materials are trans- substantially improved loading and ferred; there may be quayside storage area or a discharging rates respectively especially of homogenous (usually bulk) ship hold. Then there is the material itself cargo. which may any form such as dry bulk trade, General cargo handling however, has bulk liquid trade, general cargo and unitized cargo. Finally, there is the medium by which the not benefited “to such a great extent from such development. In the liner material is transferred which in practice may be manual labour or specially designed equip- trades, the principal impediment to high handling rates has always been ment or a combination of two. In an efficient system, all of three elements must be properly the large variety of packages used for general cargo, so that significant matched.

The earliest efforts to increase handling rates improvement has only become possible by reducing the number of different forms in which goods are presented for shipment. Thus it is only with From the desk of the adoption of unitization that generDIRECTOR GENERAL al cargo carriers have achieved high transfer rates and been able to take Dear Readers , advantage of handling techniques similar to those which have been ELCOME to our bi-weekly journal on developed for homogenous cargo. maritime issues. This edition has quite a

appropriate cargo handling.

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pot pourri of activities.

Last week for two days (14th -15th of May, 2013) the 1st National Trade Compliance Summit organised by the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC) was held in Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Lagos. The objective of the programme was to transfer knowledge of new techniques and strategies to organisations, create new ideas and new ways of doing business, facilitate analysis of organisational needs, and to keep organisations on the cutting-edge of current bilateral trends.

I was privileged to participate as a discussant during the Interactive session. As a Fellow of the ACSC, I was passionate about the focus of the Summit I must commend the vision and efforts of Mr. Obiora Madu for establishing the Centre. I urge more government and private sector participation.

We also introduce the writings on a topical research paper by Prof. Princewill Owualah, a professor of Transport Economics and Logistics, titled ‘Determining Sustainable Port Logistics Operation in a Developing Economy’. Please read it for insightful professional knowledge on Port Development.

(Thank you Prof for responding to our call for input from our readers) Our popular “ABC of Shipping” Training Course is starting off again on June, 5th - 7th, 2013. You cannot afford to miss this very helpful foundation programme that lays a good introduction into the maritiime industry. The Course is always a worthwhile experience for every participant. This time the undergraduates and fresh graduates will have the opportunity for an internship at the end of the programme.

By popular demand, the 2nd edition of the “Understanding Cabotage and Local Content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry (UCLC)” holds again in Lagos in June (25th -27th). It promises, as before, to be a very interesting experience. I have also included comments from participants of the last programme held in March, to emphasise my point. Register Now!! class size is limited. Be part of this huge capacity building forum.

I will keep on proclaiming it until it becomes a reality that competitiveness must become part of maritime operations in Nigeria, that all must be done to ensure best practices and professionalism. I hope you enjoy our package this week. I promise to continue to bring issues that greatly affect us in the Maritime sector

Happy Reading

Ify Anazonwu- Akerele Director General, NCS

PORT OPERATIONS AND CARGO SECURITY Port operations includes all activities for ensuring the movement of cargo from the arrival of the vessel at the port, discharging of the goods, internal mobility and to the eventual movement of same cargo out of the port by a known mode of transport to its destination. Over the years, the unfolding trends and relevance of shipping activities worldwide have been seen as vital trade enable operational facilitation to a developing nation’s economic prosperity and growth. It is pertinent to note that shipping is the pivot of development and growth in any economy, developed or developing. This is because a buoyant seaborne trade is often a reflection of a buoyant economy. Despite the tremendous contribution of maritime transport, which could be seen as the major channel for sustainable movement of people and growth of socio economic developments, the sub sector cannot be described as healthy. However, the present level; of operational performance of the sector in the part of the globe can still be improved on, to achieve the necessary growth impetus. The fact that maritime transport is central to growth, development and civilization, the attendant transformation is not appreciated in Nigeria as it is in many advanced nations (Ndikom, 2006). Maritime transport is the potent ingredient for the socioeconomic and political development of any sector/nation.

The sophistication and complexity which characterizes maritime transport in the modern world are the result of very long and sustained efforts by policy makers and stakeholders in the sector to improve on one of the most fundamental because life involves active movement, trade and exchange activities which reflect various initiative that sustain society, hence competitive ports and maritime transport activities are inevitable part of life (Ndikom 2008).

The maritime industry is a highly technical, professional competitive, critical and complex industry, which is labour and capital intensive.

Also cargo is a critical factors in the survival of the ports the system. The notion “No cargo, No port” is to support and emphasis the relevance of cargo to a port system. Terminal operations would not be possible without the movement of cargo through the port. Thus, it is important that there is a syndicated security plan for movement so that the port can be viable and competitive. In this time and age when port security plan and management are almost at zero level, in terms of performance appraisal, there is need to synthesize strategies for securing cargo so that importers and exporter can have confidence and hop in maritime activities.

All over the world, port terminal and cargo security is often a subject of controversy in terms of how loose or tight the security arrangements are in a given terminal. This is because coverage over some imported and exported cargo have not, at any time, justified the existence of some port terminals, especially those in Nigeria. In this part of the world, the port system is rather porous in terms of cargo safety and security. It is common knowledge that cargo no matter the form has not been secured by any known domestic conventional rule or regulation which the international maritime business, has been associated with. It is also known that terminal operations and cargo security management in Nigeria were sometime ago subject to the whims and caprices of loose security operatives.

It is common knowledge that the issue of safety and security of our seaports all over the world are obvious and the height of the unseriousness to that was indeed seen in the terrorist attack on

the U.S.A. This attack shook the world as every one was surprised that such could happen in the U.S. with all their sophisticated equipments.

This attack ignited the desire and obvious need for some safety measure. The maritime community then opted for SOLAS- (Safety Of Live At Sea) amendment act that eventually transformed the concept called ISPS code. It is an “IMO policy initiative that ignited as a result of the terrorist attack on US grounds and its significantly connotes some specific measure to enhance the maritime security and safety process at both the port and ship.

the port will have to cope with a steady increase in the amount too insignificant for consideration of specialized facilities to handle this particular portion of the general cargo trade.

The situation described above is extremely common in many developing ports and it is certainly true, instead of increasing productivity and throughput, this unit load especially containers actually decrease the productivity and cause severe disruption of the routine port operations. Most Nigerian ports fall in this category of developing ports mentioned above. For instance, the Lagos ports complex which happens to be the largest sea port in West African Some of these measures include: sub-region is operating the conventional (a) Government should; berths it inherited since mid-tenth century i. Approve the recognized except for the expansion and development of security organization required. few specialized berths in the past decades. ii. Carry out port facility security Majority of the cargo handling in the ports is done through manual ship derrick (quay). plan (PFSA) and set security levels G. de Monie (1975) recommended that in hanas appropriate etc. dling a mix of break-bulk cargo ad small num(b) Company should: ber of unit load, the ports basic infrastructure will have to be utilized in its present state. Thus i. Appoint chief security officer conventional general cargo remains the ii. Ensure all their ships have ship the base for the operation, and attention of the security officers and an approved traffic department should be concentrated on ship security plan. the mechanical handling equipment that will iii. Prepare declaration of security if allow a speedy and cost effective flow of the unit loads through the berth system. The capiappropriate etc. tal investment should be kept to a minimum (c) Port facility should: and should be capable of easy maintenance by i. Appoint port facility security the port engineering services.

He also added that because the changing port officer environment affects the status of the dock ii. Achieve the statement of com- workers, it is important to improve personnel pliance of a port facility policy if specialized unit load facilities are to iii. Prepare declaration of security become workable proposition. The management effort in this respect should concentrate document etc. on four major areas.

Training of specialized (drivers of mechanical IMPORTANCE OF CARGO HANDLING Cargo handling operations is very important in equipment, mechanical and civil engineers, traffic controllers’ etc). ports. Examining its relationship to economic and socio activities (which are directed to pro- Advanced planning of the labour and staff duction, distribution and exchange of wealthy requirements with a regular revision of the require quote. cargoes, such as raw materials for building of factories, houses transportation, track, road con- Gradual conversion of the status of the dock struction and installation of plants, exploration worker from a casual to permanent working and mining of materials etc) without effective force. and available cargo handling will only remain Development of a payment system based on time incorporating adequate social security on the drawing board of such projects. provision.

Also the transportation of world resources to meet human necessities in the forms of food, clothing, shelter, etc is dependent on cargo han- PORT HANDLING FACILITIES With the complexity of modern ports and the dling.

The fact is that the cargoes have to load for con- increasing cost of manual labour, mechanical aids have been developed. The main purpose of veyance and unload at the required place of need using appropriate equipment and meth- all such appliances is to speed the turn round time of ship theory reducing cargo handling ods. cost and increasing port throughout. Many millions of foreign currency has been spent on IMPACT OF UNITIZED CARGO SYSTEM ON floating quayside and mobile crane, mechaniPORTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES cal and magnetic grabs, and pneumatic plants The majority of ports in develop countries at present provides only conventional break-bulk for handling cranes, conveyor belts, pumping equipments for bulk liquids and a host of facilities and occasionally has to handle unit smaller dockside equipments such as forklifts loads. Many ports have already been mechanized through the introduction of the pallets as trucks, portable stacker, mobile conveyor belts shutting tractors and a variety of electric and dock tools or through the use of mechanical handling equipments such as tractors and trail- petrol; driven run about frocks with or without trailers. Care must be taken to use these equiper unit, mobile cranes, fork trucks or various design and capability etc. The necessity to han- ments to maximum advantages but its unloaddle large quantities of heavy units load does not ing capacity must be related to the share reception facilities. Clearly cargo must not be disyet rise but no infrequently the conventional charged at a rate faster than it can be cleared ships calling at the port carry a limited of containers, flats or other types of unit load. Clearly, into land vehicles of the dock area. The width of

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

25

CompuLife Terrorism: NCS seeks full deployment of IT across Nigeria • To examine role of tech in security at conference Stories by Adeyemi Adepetun HOUGH, the federal government has stepped up fights T against terrorism in the country, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has called on it to complement the effort with full deployment of Information Technology solutions across the country.

The NCS is the umbrella organisation of all IT professionals, interest groups and stakeholders in Nigeria.

Sighting how technology aided the U.S.A to nab the Boston bomber suspect recently, the President of NCS, Mr. Demola Aladekomo said that with security technology deployment, such as CCTV positioned across the country strategically; the fight against terror would be mitigated.

Aladekomo added that the protection of lives and properties remained a major task for any government, stressing that all over the world, no nation was excluded from the challenges of insecurity, including murder, terrorism, armed robbery and others.

According to him, a more proactive IT led approach to combating the menace in the country was urgently needed, saying that NCS was ready to champion the course.

He recalled that for some time now, the society among other agencies had canvassed for the use of ICT tools in resolving the challenge of insecurity in the country.

Aladekomo, who is also the chairman of Chams Group, called on government to engage members of NCS towards contributing to resolving the menace.

While appreciating the National Council of State, which he said had also raised the need to stem the insecurity tide in the country with ICT, Aladekomo said that government response must be spontaneous if the fight must be definite.

The NCS president stressed that the issue of security and technology would be discussed at length at this year’s conference of the society scheduled for 24th to 27th of July 2013 at Iloko Ijesa, Osun State, Nigeria. The theme of the conference is “e-Government and National Security”.

According to him, one way to describe e-government is the application of ICT to strengthen governance – the use of ICTs in the operations and performance improvement of public sector organisations. He added that that meant the use of ICT to achieve better stakeholders’ engagement.

“When carefully designed and diligently implemented, e-government tackles the problems of poverty, disease, unemployment and hunger. e-government strategies that works facilitate both public sector and private sector development,” he stated.

Tackling the issue of insecurity head long, Aladekomo said that government must also intensify its efforts in creating jobs, stressing that the increasing unemployment gaps in the country was also a major factor in youth restiveness.

According to him, the Oshogbo scheduled conference would also look at ways jobs could be created to bridge the gap.

Aladekomo, who restated that IT was capable of creating one million jobs in the next five years, stressed that NCS was com-

Jonathan mitted towards helping government bridge the unemployment gap in the country.

Commenting on IT and job creation, the NCS president said that the Central Bank of Nigeria led cash-less economy initiative had proven that technology could significantly reduce unemployment.

According to him, about 150,000 people have been employed through the deployment of about 180,000 Point of Sales (PoS) terminals and about 18,000 ATMs within the last one and half years.

Aladekomo was optimistic that the cashless economy initiative would employ another 200, 000 people in the next two years.

Besides, he said stressed that patronage of locally made Nigerian goods would also create rooms for increased job creation.

He urged the federal government to also improve on the present infrastructure in the country, saying that the decay and dearth of infrastructure was fast becoming a major challenge.

Aladekomo, who canvassed institutional framework to bridge infrastructure gap in Nigeria, informed that NCS was currently working with the National Planning Commission in steering the IT 30 year infrastructure plan for the country, adding that the report would be submitted to government by August. He equally informed that NCS was currently working with some agencies of government in implementing a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the country, which was a basic infrastructure in fighting crimes, including cybercrimes among others.

He added that PKI would help in reducing crimes involving telephony and even PCs. Meanwhile, dignitaries expected at the conference, according to Aladekomo included the President/Commander-in-Chief of

IC3 to raise digital literacy status in Nigeria N today’s high-tech world, digital literacy is a requirement for an individual to be competitive and be best prepared in Itoday’s business world of advanced technology.

But the literacy required for such success is not well defined and neither is the skills included in many learning standards/curricula nor measured on most state and local assessments.

The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) credential provides a global platform for that foundational preparation. The IC³ is a well-respected and internationally-recognized credential that reflects the most relevant skills needed in today’s academic and business environments.

Every job and career, every field of study, and even social and personal lives are increasingly impacted by technology. TheIC³ certification helps every individual to be successful, be it in the workplace or in the academics (high-education).

As nations compete in today’s global economy, those economies that are best prepared to grow have ensured that a growing populace has basic computer digital literacy skills. A nation’s ability to attract investment, new industry, and job enhancement will greatly be determined by the skills of its people. Digital literacy skills will level the playing field for Nigeria and move it into a greater competitive position in the global economic marketplace.

The Certiport IC3 digital literacy program will provide Nigerian students and workers the foundational computer literacy knowledge and skills that will give them a competitive edge.

Through the obtainment of these basic computer literacy skills, students can have greater confidence in their studies and the improved ability to access and research the vast information on the World Wide Web. Students will have the skills and ability to create documents for reporting purposes, to create mathematical spreadsheets, and a greater ability to create and deliver presentations and communicate via email with

teachers and other students. Thus, making them job ready after graduation.

Most business offices now require employees to be able to use the computer Internet effectively well.

The IC3 provides the relevant work skills needed to fill this requirement and help increase their earning potential and grow the overall economy. A skilled work force will also assist Nigeria to attract more global companies to locate within Nigeria to utilize this competitive asset.

Regardless of individual’s careers or education goals, computers and technology will most likely play an important role.

To ensure preparation for success, get the most up-to-date and globally recognized digital literacy certification available, IC³.

Achieve a new standard in digital literacy for Nigeria; bring Nigerian students and workforce to Internet and Computing Core Certification globally recognized as the standard for digital literacy, validate the digital literacy skills required in today’s academic and work environments and establish a strong foundation for further studies and increased productivity.

According to Commit Technology, an advocate of IC3 in Nigeria, the need to incorporate digital literacy at every facet of the Nigerian economy, which will create a knowledge base foundation for the economy has become highly imperative.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Commit Technology & Consult, Dr. Oyeniran Oyekale, stressed that digital literacy has become a prerequisite for any economy that aspires to survive the economic tide of the 21st century.

According to Oyekale, who described digital literacy as the ability to find, evaluate, utilise, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet, “The ubiquity of digital technologies and their place in our daily lives is an indication of the urgent need for Nigeria to imbibe and adopt digital literacy and see it as the standard for 21st Century development strategy.”

Aladekomo the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Ayim Pius Ayim, Head of Service, Alhaji Buka Aji, members of the Federal Executive Council, state governors, legislators, both at the federal and state levels and the general public.

For the immediate past president of NCS, Prof. Charles Uwadie, the issue of terrorism is a multifaceted one, but he isoptimistic that government would win the fight.

Uwadie said that looking at what happened in other climes where terrorism thrives, it had been identified that these challenges had social dimensions, economic, political, “and for us here, the technology space is one area, which we must look at critically in solving the challenge.”

According to him, the Boston bombings suspect was nabbed with sophisticated technologies, this he said Nigeria must also emulate if it must win the fight against terror.

He also appealed to the federal government to improve the education sector, creates employment opportunities and an enabling business and political environment.

Govt urged to invest in technology to accelerate national development HE federal government has been advised to focus more on in order to accelerate national development.

TThetechnology Managing Director, Dragnet Solutions, a screening and Computer Based Testing (CBT) solutions provider, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh made the call in Lagos at the weekend.

Ikazoboh said that though government had done well with respect to deploying technology to advance national development, more still needed to be done in order to sustain the pace of development.

“First we must give kudos to the government of the day because the authorities seem to realise the importance of technology. For example, if we look at the National Identification Number (NIN) project being championed by the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), it is largely technology driven because the process will rely on biometrics. And then we have the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board adopting the Computer Based Testing in this year’s examination, which is a first in its history. All of this is good, but we believe that we can still do more because technology offers us so much,” he said.

Other areas that Ikazoboh believed government could deploy technology for better performance included the education sector and the recruitment process in the public sector.

“Government should consider adopting e-recruitment especially in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). If we had deployed e-recruitment, we probably wouldn’t have had the recent controversies that trailed the recruitment process in MDAs. Dragnet Solutions has always maintained that the process is better, faster and most importantly, more credible than the manual mode of recruitment.” he said.

In the education sector, the Dragnet boss urged the government to adopt computer based testing in educational institutions across the country. “I’ve said it before that JAMB deserves commendation for adopting the CBT exams. But we shouldn’t just stop there. We are in the technology age and we must begin to familiarise our students with the concept of ICT. The best way to do this is to introduce CBT in our schools especially the secondary and tertiary institutions. Don’t forget that the process also has its advantages, because it is more efficient and credible. With CBT, issues like mercenaries will be a thing of the past and it is going to reduce examination malpractice to the barest minimum,” he said.

Dragnet Solutions is Nigeria’s leading e-recruitment and talent management firm. The company is the promoter of Dragnet Screening Services, Nigeria’s foremost e-recruitment solution, and Scholastica, Nigeria’s first e-scholarships and bursary management solution.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

26 COMPULIFE

NCC plans harmonisation of emergency numbers Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ambulance Services, among others,” Juwah said.

LANS have been intensified by the Making reference to the theme of the Nigerian Communications forum titled: “ICT and improving road Commission (NCC) to harmonise the various emergency numbers that cur- society”, Juwah, who was represented rently exist among government agen- by the Director, Public Affairs of NCC, cies and telecommunication operators Mr. Tony Ojobo, noted that ICT has huge role to play in managing road safety in across the country. the country.

The NCC, which stated this, added According to him, the existence of that creating or having a uniform GPRS, GPS among other Internet appliemergency number would assist cations have helped to strengthen road immensely in emergency situations.

Currently, the country is said to have transportation.

Juwah, however, explained that the about three including the 122; 112; 199 plan harmonisation plan would focus of the old NITEL. Disclosing the harmonisation plan at on all existing emergency centres in all state capitals, as well as all existing the eWorld Forum 2013 in Lagos, the emergency numbers from various agenExecutive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, said the move became cies, such that Nigerians would be necessary in order to further strength- familiar with only one emergency numen the drive for road safety, using tech- ber that would link all emergency centres in the country. nology tools.

“One critical effort of the commission According to him, in developed countries where it is currently practised, in the direction of improving road telecoms regulators and operators are safety is the current deployment of not directly involved in the manageEmergency Communication Centres ment, but explained that NCC would (ECC) in all the state capitals and continue to manage the centres in Abuja.

“This is a nationwide system that will Nigeria, until government is able to create an agency that has the capacity to utilise the universal 112 code for telemanage the centres. phone users to reach all emergency He said Nigerians may not remember service like the Police, Fire Service

By Adeyemi Adepetun

P

the different emergency numbers of different agencies like the Police, FRSC, Fire Service Commission, among others when they find themselves in a distress situation, like road accidents, fire outbreak, collapsed building, among others and they needed to make instant distress call.

Juwah

Alcatel Lucent to empower varsity students on ICT training

By Bankole Orimisan N a proactive measure to IAlcatel give back to the society, Lucent over the weekend in Lagos unveiled G-Nex programme for students in Nigerian universities.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of the Alcatel Lucent, Mr. Kunle Iluyemi, who spoke to the media shortly after the event, said: “G- Nex Programme is a knowledge transfer initiative for Nigerian universities in conjunction with Alcatel Lucent has been designed to empower Nigerian students on ICT training, so that they can be employable in the nearest future.

The firm, which has passions in empowering Nigerian youths on the ICT training taken a bold steps to donation USD $20,000 granted by Alcatel-Lucent Foundation to support the organisation’s Youth Empowerment Programme, a vocational/entrepreneurship

Cisco offers network enterprise expansion solution According to the company’s data forecast tagged Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2012 to 2017, in Middle ITH the discovery by Cisco that organisations in Nigeria are currently saddled with East and Africa, Cisco noted that mobile data traffic will grow 17-fold from 2012 to 2017, representthe challenge of managing the growth of mobile devices and business applications across ing a compound yearly growth rate of 77 per multiple networks, it has stressed the need for a cent.

Relying on this statistic, the firm introduced robust unified access solution. new solutions under the Cisco Unified Access According to Cisco, a global IT infrastructure provider, majority of the businesses are finding umbrella that simplify network design by converging wired and wireless networks. it difficult to address issues that are enabling The products include Catalyst 3850 Unified innovation and agility, adding that it’s discovered also that the role of wireless and wired net- Access Switch, with built-in wireless LAN (WLAN) controller functionality. Another is Cisco 5760 works is growing and network operations and feature requirements are becoming more com- Unified Access WLAN Controller appliance featuring IOS-based software and 60Gbps performance plex.

By Adeyemi Adepetun

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Cisco said these new enhancements to Cisco Unified Access will allow IT organisations in Nigeria to rapidly manage changing network demands and greater services innovations.

According to Cisco’s Head of Architectures and Enterprise, Emerging Markets, Mr. Den Sullivan, “Our customers in Nigeria are looking for a simple, highly secure network with reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) that allows them to address the demands that new access requirements such as BYOD and new innovative line of business applications bring. Cisco Unified Access allows customers to achieve these goals by moving away from individual vertical stacks of technology and disparate components and creating a single architecture for an intelligent network.”

and leadership training for young Nigerians designed to assist youths become more self-sufficient.

The event was, in the view of many who attended that ceremony, a tremendous success.

Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria received the mock cheque from Amr K. El-Leithy, President of Alcatel-Lucent for Middle-East, Africa, Turkey and Azerbaijan and Hatim Zougari Country Manager of Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria with also the presence of staff management of both entities and of course with the attendance of our 40 employees’ volunteers mentors and the youth’s beneficiaries.

The Alcatel-Lucent Foundation will support 20 young adults - including unemployed graduates, vocational trainees and final-year students – in learning entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills that will help them face day-to-day challenges and give them a jump start into the world of work.

During the programme, the group will develop the attitude, behavior, confidence and skills needed to take responsibility for building their own futures and to become successful and contributing members of society.

In addition to the grant, Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria employees participate into a coaching and mentorship volunteering programme. They will assist teachers on a wide range of areas like Languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, English, Arabic, French), Mathematics, Basic Science, Social and civic education.

COMPULIFE

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Sterling Bank, Intel collaborate to expand laptop ownership TERLING Bank Plc and Ssynchronised Westgate Computers have plans with Intel

Consultant, ION/GXT, Steve Shaw, (left); Chief Executive Officer, Bulwark Services, Lucky Awobasivwe; Vice president Business Unit/Head of ION/GX Technology, Mike H. Hellen and Vice President, Seabed Imaging, ION/GXT, Peter Stewart, at the meeting of Bulwark/ION GX Technology top executives in Lagos

Cyberoam unfolds strategy for Nigerian IT market YBEROAM, a global netC work security appliances company in Nigeria has

While highlighting last year’s successful growth figures and the new market unfolded its future roadmap acquisition, Cyberoam said strategy for expansion in that it would strengthen its view of emerging business footprints with an inclusive opportunities at the end of a roadmap strategy for expansuccessful partner summit sion in view of emerging in Lagos recently. business opportunities. Its Cyberoam partners and partners affirmed their leading VARs, Resellers and resolve for promoting MSSPs – all proven player in Cyberoam and fulfilling the market, attended the emerging market needs meet. The event included much before other security educational keynote, expert players. presentations and award cer- Channel Manager, Nigeriaemonies followed by a dinCyberoam, Mr. Jimi Falaiye ner. Partners were cited for said: “Cyberoam has their valuable and consistent achieved amazing growth in contribution. the region in the preceding

year thanks to our dedicated partner base. The allimportant Partner meet is an occasion to contemplate, rethink and also celebrate our hard earned success.

Through this meet, I hope, we all have gained insights on Cyberoam strategy, in light of reigning trends and dynamics of the current Business environment.

Falaiye also added: “We will continue to strengthen the capabilities of our partners so that together we can capture newer markets and penetrate further down in the existing ones.”

Corporation (Nigeria) to increase effortless access to technology and improve the quality of living for its teaming customers and youths in general through the Sterling Bank-Intel new Laptop acquisition scheme.

The new PC acquisition scheme is a scale-up on the ‘Create Your Tomorrow’ campaign rolled out by Intel late last year.

The initiative was announced in Lagos, where the Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman explained: “At Sterling Bank, we understand the interrelatedness of technology and genuine development in any nation. This initiative offers everyone, the opportunity of a lifetime by empowering them play active roles in creating their tomorrow with sheer ease and convenience.”

Country Manager, Intel

Corporation, Olubunmi Ekundare, stated that ‘the scheme, being a sequel to last year’s seeks to reinforce Intel’s commitment to being the sponsors of tomorrow and fuelling the potentials of technology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole’. He added that the scheme would further bring the benefits of technology and to bear on the quality of life and living.

Industry watchers are unanimous in agreeing that the adoption of technology has gradually become the universal culture around the world and Africa and Nigeria especially should not be left out.

“Intel is therefore throwing its weight behind this initiative because we believe in plugging into a tomorrow that fits the profile which technology supports,” he further stated.

The scheme is targeted at salary earners whose accounts reside

with Sterling Bank as well as (NYSC) corps members whose monthly allowances are domiciled with Sterling Bank.

According to Group Head, Retail Loans, Kikelomo Kuponiyi, the programme would ease the process of owning Intel-powered laptops while relying on a stress-free monthly installmental payment process. Individuals can therefore purchase quality Intel-powered PC’s for work and play while payment is spread over 12 months.

Govt endorses BrainFriend software for Nigerian schools using ICT was achieved after due assessment by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, (NERDC).

This milestone attained by CINFORES results as the Federal Ministry of Education recently endorsed the CINFORES BrainFriend Limited, proves the commitment of indigenous software developers towards improve-learning and examination preparatory ing the education sector through the use of software as a tool for the enhancement of teaching and learning methods in Nigerian Information Technology (IT).

Speaking in a news conference to announce schools. the endorsement at the weekend, the CINFORES Limited is an indigenous softManager, Business Development, CINFORES ware provider, which had over the years Limited, Mrs. Jachi Briggs told IT journalists developed various educational solutions that the endorsement was a landmark feat including the much talked about eCampus that certified the software as an e-learning and electronic scholarship management and examination preparatory tool, which information system. should be adopted by schools, institutions, The endorsement of BrainFriend software, exam bodies and instructors across the which heralds the beginning of new era of country. local content development for education FFORTS by the current administration to promote local content in software develE opment has started yielding the expected

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Gamaliel Onosode at 80 ...Celebrating A Nigerian Technocrat And Administrator Par Excellence AMALIEL Oforitsenere Onosodeborn on May 22, 1933 is a Nigerian technocrat and administrator par excellence. Although, he is largely known for his feats as a boardroom guru. Dr. Gamaliel Onosode had a stint in politics, and wanted to become the nation’s president under the platform of the APP now ANPP but his dream could not be realized due to the volatile and murky waters of Nigerian politics.

Ever since then, Onosode had become allergic to partisan politics, as he returned from his Ekiugbo community, in Ughelli, Delta State, with his most prized possession: character and competence --- the theme and mantra of his campaign at the time.

For over three decades, Onosode dominated the corporate world, by being director, chairman or a top bracket board member of many blue chip companies in Nigeria. It is a tribute to his integrity as he clocks 80 today that in all his forays in business and corporate exploits, not once has he been associated with any scam or scandal.

Often wearing an ascetic mien, Onosode, a graduate of Classics from the University of Ibadan, remains one of the best speakers of the English language in Nigeria.

Educated at the Government College, Ughelli and the University of Ibadan, he emerged in the 1970s, as one of Nigeria's leading educated chief executives, when he was at the helm of NAL Merchant Bank of Nigeria. Over the years, he has risen to become a leading boardroom player in Nigeria's corporate environment. He was also a former presidential adviser to President Shagari and a former president of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

An Urhobo man, born and raised in Sapele a suburban city in Delta State by a disciplined father, he sometimes credited the strict family background and practice as being a complementary factor in his success as a disciplined civil servant and corporate administrator.

When asked in an interview on attributes, qualities or things that have largely influenced his principles in life, he said: discipline and the fear of God, as expressed through faith in Christ. That is the best summary I can give. Jesus said 'I am the way, the truth and the light, no one comes to the father except by me.' So, whenever I use God in my conversation with you or anybody else, I am talking about the God whom you cannot get to know other than through Christ.

Now, if you break that down to specifics, my attitude towards the physical environment today, is directly attributable to what my father did rather than what he said. For example, my father could be caught several times a day sweeping the floor of the sitting room and it was not just a first thing in the morning affair, because sweeping is meant to keep the floor clean. It means that anytime the floor is not clean, resort should be made to the broom. And quite often when he did that, when you tried to take the broom from him he never agreed, he just said thank you.

Now, I think I must be a very difficult person to live and work with because I make on you the demands I make on myself.

That eases my conscience of course but it can be pretty oppressive. " One thing that I am truly grateful to my mother for is my mother really taught me how to identify with my roots. She was very committed to that in a positive way, whether on her side or on my father's side. For instance, when I decided to go back to Ekugbo, our home which we a b a n doned f o r

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more than two generations to build a house, she was excited that I was trying to take the family back to Ekugbo rather than Eku her home town. She also taught me and reinforced my belief in not yielding to intellectual blackmail. You cannot force me to say what I do not believe in, no matter the price to pay. My mother would rather I stood and fight than give in to oppression but she was a non-violent woman."

Throughout his career, Dr. Onosode chaired several private and public sector businesses and initiatives. He was the Chairman of Dunlop Nigeria Plc (1984-2007), a former chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc (1977-93), the Presidential Commission on Parastatals (1981), Nigeria LNG Working Committee and Nigeria LNG Limited (1985-90) and the Niger Delta Environmental Survey (since 1995). He is also the Chairman of Zain Nigeria, a GSM telecommunications company in Nigeria.

Mr. Onosode was Presidential Adviser on Budget Affairs and Director of Budget (1983). He is a Fellow of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank, the Nigerian Institute of Management, of which he was President (1979-82). He is also a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, having been elected to membership of its Board of Fellows in 1998.

In addition, Mr. Onosode is immediate past and inaugural President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Uyo and immediate past and inaugural President & Chairman of Council of the Association of Pension Funds of Nigeria. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and holds Honorary D.Sc. degrees of Obafemi Awolowo University (1990), the University of Benin (1995), and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (2003) as well as Honorary D.D. degree of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso (2002).

Primarily a business personality, he has seen his career wade through different sectors of the Nigerian economic environment. Though, he was a part of a profligate democratic experiment which was the Nigerian Second Republic, Gamaliel Onosode tried to bring a disciplined approach to public finance. Towards the end of 1983, when public confidence in the economic direction of the country was eroded and accountability was lacking in government subsidies to public enterprises, he was brought in to find solutions to the lackluster performance of public enterprises, as the head of a Nigerian Commission on public parastatals and to bring in a disciplined approach to government subsidies. The offshoot of his honest and disciplined approach earned him respect from subsequent administrations.

A report which was later tagged the Onosode report, an outgrowth of his role as the chairman of the commission to review Nigerian parastatals was the first in the nation to tackle comprehensively, the industrialization drive and capital spending which dominated the oil boom of the 1970s and the early 1980s. The report identified five major defects in planning which it believed had become evident by the end of 1983.

In 1995, he became the Chairman of the Niger Delta Environmental Survey, a non-governmental organization that conducted scientific studies on environmental and social impact assessment of oil exploration in the Niger delta.

The survey was partly financed by Shell. The survey reports which apportioned responsibilities and blame for much of the environmental degradation in the region on oil operators, the federal government and communities has not been made public.

Deacon Onosode is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, and has contributed immense time to see through philanthropic and governing matters concerning the university. He is the former Pro-Chancellor of the University and Chairman of its Governing Council.

He is also a devout Christian and started Good News Baptist Church in his Sitting Room on 1st Feb.1984. Good News Baptist Church is now a large church of over 2000 people and has become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian Baptist Convention in terms of missions and evangelism. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode was the inaugural Chairman of the Global Missions Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. In addition, Onosode is Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria's oldest degree awarding theological institution.

On how he started working, he said: “When I left school, I didn't work anywhere. Maybe you didn't believe what I said. I am a marvel of God's grace not only in respect of the health issue but with regard to what I have done in life. Things have always been presented to me on a platter of gold. All I had to do was to position myself, if you like to recognize that it was gold. God positioned me in such a way that I could receive whatever he wanted to offer to me.

“Straight from the primary school, in fact I didn't finish my primary school. At the end of my 5th year, I was offered admission. So, I did not have to complete my standard Six. So I went straight to Government College, what is now Government College, Ughelli. We started in Warri then we moved to Ughelli. I went straight from Government College to University College Ibadan Before I finished from the University College, I was offered a job by CAC so I went straight to what is now Commonwealth Development Corporation here in Lagos.

“The regional office was in Lagos. Its operation

then was in British West Africa. That is Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and based in Lagos. I was recruited with two English boys and we started as management trainees. We constituted the first set to be recruited as management trainees. Hitherto they had employed readymade managers. So that job took me to the U.K in November 1967 where we did the programme until the end of February. I arrived back in Nigeria in March 1959.

I stayed w i t h the corporat i o n altogether for five years-from 1957-1962 when I left and joined what was then known as Investment Company of Nigeria Limited. Its name was changed in January 1964 to NIDB-Nigeria Investment Development Bank. I was the first secretary when that reconstruction took place. The reconstruction brought the World Bank and the Federal Government into it. I called them originally a purely private sector affair. Then I had to resign. I left there end of September 1965 and joined what was then known as Philip Hill Nigeria Limited which has now become NAL Bank PLC. “I was Chairman and Chief Executive of the outfit, the only person to have held the two positions together for six years until I left by own accord. Everything was going right when I decided to leave at the end of March 1979 and I have been unemployed since then. Retired without a pension. I was on the pay roll of NAL until December 1979. There was a lot of accumulated leave, which took from 1st April to December 1979.”

He has a strong character and is a man of deep convictions.

Dr. Gamaliel Onosode was a Member of the inaugural Provisional Governing Council of Bowen University, Iwo. He is currently Chairman of the Delta State Think-Tank on Development, the Global Missions Board of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and the Governing Council of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. He currently serves as a Baptist deacon and as Chairman/CEO of Intercommerce & Consulting Associates Limited (his consulting firm).

On how he has been able to leave above board in all places he worked, he said: “Well in my place of work I didn't compromise. Wherever I worked, there are two strands, two stands that came together emanating from the same source: right. If you are truly a Christian that fact will influence everything you do, anything you do that is not consistent with that fact can only represent an expression of your moment of weakness but cannot be your life style. In each and every situation therefore my commitment with Christ which is salvation expresses itself in the market place. I don't think you will go to any place where I have worked and search the record and they will say this man was messing around with the women there or this man was messing around with our money.

Those are basically the two things that will need to talk about in the work situation.

“By the grace of God, I have been reinforced sufficiently to express the mind of Christ wherever I have gone. That is not to say I don't have disagreement. For example, I recall being taken on by my staff may be 1974 or 1975. The staff said we used to have Christmas package here before they were asking for more pay. So I said, no, here are the books of the company you are sufficiently exposed and knowledgeable to see our strength so I am not paying you more than we can afford at this point in time. That was how the strike started. It was not really a strike it was an industrial action. I arrived one morning and they were carrying placard saying oh pastor in a derogatory sense, man of God, please give us our entitlement.

“It was just a single day affair. They are two strands having their roots in the salvation experience and that one I pay tribute to my parents. You see if you read and you experience salvation, it is helpful if you also have physical human beings whose lives you can emulate. So you don't copy everything.

For example I am very quick tempered. I think there is something genetic about it. My father was a very quick tempered person but he was also a very good natured person. I grew up with the determination not to be very quick tempered, but I don't know whether I have succeeded.”

Onosode is married to Susan Ebiuwa Izechiese Onosode and are blessed with seven children-four male and three female.

The first son Gamaliel Onosode junior is a stock broker.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

MaritimeWatch ‘

Tackling capacity gap in maritime sector through collaborations In Nigeria, the demise of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995 is believed to have created huge gap in human capital development in the sector as qualified personnel are either now retired or presently actively involved in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

By Moses Ebosele HE Nigerian Maritime T Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated its resolve to partner selected higher institutions across the country as part of measures to enhance capacity building in the maritime sector.

Four Nigerian universities scheduled to key into the initiatives are Niger Delta University, Amasoma; University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the IBB University Lapai, Niger State.

According to NIMASA, a consultant has been appointed to work closely with the authorities of the selected universi-

ties to assist them in setting up the academic curriculum of the proposed maritime institutes.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists recently, Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, who was represented by Acting Director, Shipping Development, Capt Warredi Enisuoh, explained that capacity building is being given necessary attention.

Accompanied by Deputy Director, Public Relations, Isichei Osamgbi, and Human Resources Deputy Director, Ego Nwokocha, Enisuoh explained that capacity building is key to the operations of the maritime sector.

Also speaking at the event,

Osamgbi explained that through capacity building, Nigeria can meet local demand and compete with countries like Philippines in the export of seafarers to other parts of the world. Already, the Federal Government through NIMASA said it has concluded plans to bridge the projected vacancy of 250,000 seafarers by the year 2015 by International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Akpobolokemi, while explaining in details benefits of the training programme to Nigeria’s economy in a chat with The Guardian, recently, appealed to universities and other institutions of higher learning across the

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Akpobolokemi

country to give adequate priority to entrepreneurship studies.

Akpobolokemi, who spoke at the end of a reception for 41 students sponsored to Indian by the agency under its seafarers development programme, said entrepreneurship studies is expected to play crucial role in the economic development of the nation.

He advised the students to use their knowledge to “transform the country”, adding that provisions have been made for their sea time experience .

Akpobolokemi: “The desire to fast-track the creation of a large pool of Nigerian seafarers by the year 2015, to meet

Idris Umar local demand and contribute to the manpower needs of the international shipping community, informed the agency’s decision to commence a ‘fully sponsored scheme ‘whereby NIMASA fully sponsors qualified students”.

He added: “Under the scheme, about 1,500 students were examined and screened for the 2012\2013 academic session. Admission has been secured for the successful in various maritime training institutions abroad, to be trained up to degree level in the Nautical Sciences, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture”.

According to experts, human capital development in the maritime sector is another

viable avenue through which government can generate numerous jobs as some countries are in dire needs of qualified personnel to occupy sensitive positions.

In Nigeria, the demise of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995 is believed to have created huge gap in human capital development in the sector as qualified personnel are either now retired or presently actively involved in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Established by the Federal Government in 1959, NNSL was liquidated in 1995 and all its 21 vessels sold making it almost impossible to train fresh hands to meet future challenges.

‘Global container trade to increase by 5.7 % in 2014’ NITED Kingdom U based shipping consultant, Drewry Maritime, has predicted that the global container trade will increase by 4.7 per cent in 2013 and 5.7 per cent in 2014, reaching 684 million teu by the end of 2014.

According to Drewry’s latest forecasts, port capacity is expected to reach 994 million teu by 2014, increasing at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.9 per cent since 2011, while average utilisation will rise to about 69 per cent in 2014, from 67 per cent in 2011.

The company’s forecast predicts that there will be significant regional variation, which will lead to very different utilisation levels in different areas.

In 2014, Drewry anticipates that ports in emerging regions such as the Far East and South-East Asia are expected to see higher average usage rates of about 75 per cent, while there will be an average

utilisation of 57 per cent in Western Europe due to flagging demand.

In early 2013, a rise of 6.4 per cent was recorded in the share prices of the major port companies under Drewry’s coverage During the period, regional economic differences led to

diverging share prices, with DP World and ICTSI up by 34 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, while Dalian Port and Hamburg Hafen and Logistik (HHLA) have seen decreases of eight per cent and six per cent respectively.

According to the research, companies such as

Cosco Pacific and HHLA will see a rise in their shares in 2013.

Cosco Pacific is expected to take advantage of its stable revenues from container leasing, its operation in the Bohai Rim and the recovery of global trade.

HHLA is expected to benefit from its presence in hinter-

land traffic, growth in transshipment in the Baltic Sea, as well as the Eibe River dredging project.

The consultant also covers International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) and South American container handling firm Santos Brasil, which expects to start opera-

tions at new terminals including BTP and Embraport in 2013.

On an average, Drewry expects the 12 ports under coverage to deliver 8.4 per cent growth in sales, 10.8 per cent growth in EBITDA and net income growth of 14.3 per cent in 2013.

Group seeks support for women in transport sector, honours Haastrup

By Moses Ebosele OMEN in Logistics and W Transport (WILAT), an association made up of professional women operating in shipping, aviation, railway and land transportation has reiterated its call on stakeholders to support and encourage women participation.

Speaking at the maiden edition of ‘WILAT Day’ held in Abuja, recently, chairperson

of the group, Hajia Aisha AliIbrahim, emphasised the need to encourage women in the Logistics and Transport industry to fully participate in all activities of the sector.

Ali-Ibrahim explained that the maiden edition of the programme was set aside to honour female achievers in the sector and men who have supported the aspirations of WILAT. According to Ali-Ibrahim, the group will on a regular

basis organise programmes to mentor young female practitioners in the sector.

Explaining further, AliIbrahim said: “Logistics and transportation focus on several benefits inherent to the various forms of transportation such as railways, metros, ships, ports, buses, trolleys, rickshaws or trucks while logistics is having the right type of products or services at the right place, at the right time, for the right price and in

the right condition. Women have played important roles in all of these and that is why we are celebrating their contributions and achievements.”

Highpoint of the event was when the Chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, was honoured by WILAT. Haastrup, who is also the Executive Vice

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of ENL Consortium, was according to a press statement honoured for her role in the “success of the port reform in Nigeria; her doggedness in spearheading the elimination of touts and miscreants popularly known as wharf rats from the port and for successfully leading the body of concessionaires in Nigeria in addition to her promotion of gender rights in Nigeria”.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

MARITIMEWATCH 39

Western Ports strengthens security, to prosecute unauthorised visitors

By Moses Ebosele with provisions of IandNtheLINE International Ships Ports Facilities Security (ISPS) Code, Western Ports of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), has fortified security around its complex.

Specifically, with effect from yesterday (May 21, 2013), only genuine port users with electronic port pass or means of identification issued by approved authorities will be allowed into the ports in Lagos.

General Manager, Western Ports, Adenike Sonaike, explained that the measure has become necessary to check the influx of people at the port and in line with provisions of ISPS Code.

“We have severally warned people who have no business being at the port to desist from coming to the port premises. We are now going a step further by ensuring that such people do not have access to the port and anyone found to flout this new order will be arrested and prosecuted by operatives of security agencies”, said Sonaike.

Urging unauthorised people to stay away from the port premises, Sonaike explained that the port is a security area where only authorised persons are allowed.

“We have responsibility to ensure the safety and security of lives and goods at the ports and we will ensure that we continue to work with relevant stakeholders in this regard”, she said.

She advised hawkers, miscreants and people who wander aimlessly around the port environment to desist from such acts or risk possible harassment and embarrassment from security operatives.

Sonaike also used the opportunity to assure genuine port users of their safety and security in the course of their transactions at the port, adding that “The present management of NPA places a premium on service delivery. The Managing Director of NPA, Mallam Habib Abdulahi, has man-

Habib Abdullahi dated us to ensure port users get value for their money and that is what we are focused on achieving so genuine port users have nothing to fear under this new initiative”.

As part of measures to curtail criminal activities, the police command of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) recently beefed up security within and around the Tin Can Port in Lagos State According to the Commissioner of Police in Charge of the Command, Sherifat Didu-Olajoku, 64 hoodlums were also arrested recently during an unscheduled raid around the port vicinity.

The commissioner said the 64 arrested persons have been handed over to a Police Task Force in Alausa, Ikeja for further investigation and prosecution.

While expressing displeasure at the high human and vehicular traffic at the ports in Lagos, she said the raid would be a continuous exercise.

“When I assumed duties, I observed that people just wake up and head for the port even when they have no business being there. They loiter around the port premises and constitute security risks to the system. We will no longer tolerate such acts.

We will carry out these raids from time to time and it will be a regular exercise until we rid the port premises of

undesirable elements”, said Didu-Olajoku.

Warning criminals to stay away from the port premises, she said high priority will also be placed on traffic control to ensure smooth flow of traffic in and around the port area, adding that traffic congestion in and around the ports is usually caused by indiscriminate parking of trucks.

The management of NPA also disclosed recently that it has perfected programmes of action designed to enhance the performance of its security division.

The Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi, explained that the initiative is expected to cope with the current challenges.

He explained that the programme of action is designed to improve personnel recruitment, training and acquisition of necessary working tools and equipments.

Abdullah spoke in Lagos while welcoming two officials of American Consulate General, Rolf Olson and Mr. Ronald Rhinehart to his office.

He reiterated the determination of the management to improve the outlook and the performance of the security division of the NPA, adding that this has become necessary to enable the division cope with the increasing security challenges.

Group seeks support for women in transport sector, honours Haastrup Continued on Page 39

Also honoured during the event were Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; former vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties and board member of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs. Florence Ita-Giwa and former Minister of Transport and Aviation and Women Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Kema Chikwe, among others.

Haastrup was described in the statement as a “strong advocate for women’s right in a male dominated industry”, adding that “she stays strong even when trying to rescue a

sinking ship that may be at odds with her best personal interests. As Chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Haastrup has proven that surely what a man can do, a woman can do better”.

She recently exonerated private terminal operators from the high cost of doing business at the port.

According to her: “The concessionaires did not bring about the increase in the cost of doing business at the ports.

Of course, people do not want to hear this but that is the truth. At the ports, there are so many factors that can militate against bringing down costs of operations. We have so many people who operate

within the port system. We have the concessionaires, the ship agents, clearing agents and numerous government agencies.

“The concessionaires have put in a lot of investments for efficient operations. For instance, within one year that we took over, we were able to increase the turnaround of vessels by about 75 per cent and in three to four years, we doubled that achievement. If you do not develop the port or you do not invest in port operations, there is no way you can achieve that.

“We have reduced the number of days ships stay at berth and that has reduced cost. The longer the time the ship stays at berth, the more money they pay”.

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Industrywatch Investing in trade-related infrastructure to drive growth

By Femi Adekoya N most countries, the port and maritime industry makes a significant contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is comparable in size to a number of other important industries in the economy. Most nations, especially developing countries are dependent on their ports for both imports and exports.

As the nation’s economy continues to grow, the need to harness opportunities availed the country through its various trade avenues; especially the waterborne trade, has become expedient.

The transfer of cargoes between land and water carriers at ports has always been critical to the expansion of trade. A healthy economy demands trade, and growing trade demands the continued development of the nation’s ports.

The reason however is due to the fact that the port industry has important linkages with other industries, particularly the transport chain, which has huge potential for growth in the business environment.

The port and shipping industry is changing at a high pace with many challenges ahead. As new opportunities emerge, critical business decisions earmarked by high levels of uncertainty must be taken. These decisions are part of the implementation of an overall strategy and can be considered as commitments to the future.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), future opportunities for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) trade growth exist both within the region and in new emerging markets.

The ITC believes that diversification to markets within the region in particular offer the best prospects for moving up the value chain to reduce dependence on commodities, while emerging markets, particularly in Asia, also offer high growth potential to offset stagnation in traditional markets.

However, the ITC noted that reducing transport time and cost through trade infrastructure projects should be a priority as it supports value-added intra-SSA trade.

For instance, the size of the port and maritime industry is measured in terms of production; value added, employment, earnings and capital expenditure.

With the rising unemployment levels in Nigeria and the need to create jobs and diversify the economy of the nation, it has become imperative to look at the role of the ports and maritime industry and how it can assist with industrial growth and economic development.

Specifically, a recent ITC study on Africa’s Trade Potential: Export Opportunities in Growth Markets, considers how SSA can achieve sustainability in export revenues by increasing the share of value-added products in its exports.

The analysis also identifies strategic options and policies that could help SSA countries maximize trade-related economic growth until 2025 by tapping into growth markets in Asia, Latin America and their own continent, and by

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Coordinating Minister of Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala investing in trade-related infrastructure and trade facilitation programmes.

The reorientation of SSA exports away from stagnating developed markets towards Asia, and China in particular, has already begun. Asia is now the third largest destination for SSA’s non-oil exports after SSA itself and the European Union and countries of the European Free Trade Association.

Further, trade between Western Africa and Asia is forecast by ITC to increase by 14 per cent yearly over the next decade, significantly outpacing overall growth in world trade. While these gains could be seen as positive developments, a large majority of SSA products destined for Asia are commodities, meaning a reorientation to growth markets is by itself not sufficient to achieve future sustainability.

Already, industry watchers believe that with the near completion of the Lekki Port project, trade activities may be enhanced with the country enjoying the multiplier effect of the scheme.

Specifically, The Guardian gathered that going by the accelerated pace of work on the project, the Lekki port may become operational by the third quarter of 2016.

Indeed, industry watchers and stakeholders believe that the project would aid Nigeria’s maritime sector in witnessing a major boost translating into rapid economic growth for the country, which would also help shape trade business for good in the entire West African region and by

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga extension Africa as whole.

The port, which is to be located in the Lagos Free Trade Zone at the Lekki sub region is a Build, Own and Transfer (BOT) plan and has been vetted by the relevant regulators.

Speaking during a media tour of the facility in Lekki recently, the Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise, Haresh Aswani, explained that the Lekki Port, conceptualized as a multiproduct industrial and logistics hub would spread across 90 hectares of land and shall be built at an estimated cost of $1.55 billion, noting that so far, the aggregate committed amount to date is $800million while 33 out of 36 project permits have already been secured.

He further said the deep-sea port which will be located 65 km east of Lagos Mainland would become the gateway to West African region which would be one of the most efficient and modern maritime facilities that will cater to containerized, liquid and dry bulk cargo par international standards.

“In addition to bridging the capacity deficit, Lekki Port will have significant positive macroeconomic impact estimated at $361 billion over the entire concession period. It is expected to contribute more than $200 billion to the government exchequer while also creating close to 170,000 new jobs in the economy. Furthermore, Lekki Port will spur the economic development around the Lekki sub-region and on a wider perspective, the whole of Lagos State through rapid

industrialization”, he added.

He further said: “In a bid to ensure, smooth and efficient operations, Lekki Port has engaged the services of leading global consultants in the mould of The Louis Berger Group Inc., Delta Marine Consultants, Berger ABAM and TBA Netherlands and the container terminal has been sub-concessioned to International Container Terminal Services, Inc, Philippines.

“The EPC construction contract has been issued on a turnkey basis to China Harbour Engineering Company which mobilized their men and machinery in August, 2012 and is already in the last lap of pre-construction investigations and site preparation activities”.

He added that Lekki Port has been conceptualized on the basis of a significant gap in projected demand and capacity needed to be met in conveying goods to and from Nigeria.

"It is however important to mention that demand is attractively high but the available capacity is not sufficient to meet this demand, that is why the economic viability of Lekki Port is founded on this un-met demand.

Industry experts also reiterate that Lekki Port once operational shall play a significant role in easing out the congestion at existing Nigerian Ports”.

Aswani also pointed out, that the strategic location, optimal layout and modern facilities provide Lekki Port a distinct competitive edge over any other port facility in the West African region.

Olam expands products portfolio, rewards staff

By Tosin Fodeke N a bid to remain competitive in the global market, Olam Nigeria Limited has increased its portfolio of food and agricultural goods with the addition of two new products.

According to Olam’s Technical Director and Country Head, Mukul Mathur, the two new products, which are Palm Oil and fertilizer, form part of the company’s strategy to sustain the brand locally and internationally.

HEAD of this year’s Lagos international trade Mathur while speaking at the company’s profair, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and gramme to reward long time serving staff, Industry (LCCI), has released prospectus to aid explained that even as the global economy continthe execution of the fair. ues to experience difficulties the firm was taking Presenting the prospectus to stakeholders in step to maintain its competitive edge by increase Lagos, recently, the President and Chairman of Council of the Chamber, Goodie Ibru, said the theme for this year’s fair, “Harnessing Trade Potentials for an Inclusive Economy”, was designed to address the shortcoming of the Z Cussons Chemistry Challenge, an initiative Nigerian economy in terms of disconnect of PZ Cussons Foundation to encourage the between economic growth and the welfare of study of Chemistry and science in Nigerian citizens. schools has received the endorsement of the He said: “The Chamber intends to expose the Lagos State Government. various opportunities for trade, investment and The yearly competition, which would be held industry in the Nigeria economy, with a view to among secondary school students beginning promoting greater integration and interaction with the pilot on Lagos State, would be launched between players in the various sectors to boost today.

Nigeria’s economic and social development.

According to a statement by the firm, Lagos State “The Lagos International Trade Fair offers such Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka opportunities and exposures that could gener- Oladunjoye described the initiative as a laudable ate tremendous partnership and linkages project and announced the support of the between the public and private sectors of the Ministry to ensure its successful implementaeconomy and also between the various sectors tion. of the Nigerian economy.”

In her words, “we are grateful to PZ Cussons for

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LCCI releases guidelines for trade fair

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its product range.

He stated; “The key to dominance is have a wider portfolio of products to deal with and that is why we have expanded with the addition of fertilizer and Palm Oil. We also continue to reinforce our operations through both organic and inorganic expansion, expecting to shortly commence production in our mechanical cashew processing facility at Ilorin in Kwara, and recently acquiring both the Crown Flour Mills and the De Rica brand of tomato paste.

“This are competitive times for the goods processing and supply chain management industry.

However because we started early we have been able to maintain a heads starts. We have also found out that the game is going bigger and so we

have had to increase. Across the globe it has not been great news for most economies, although Nigeria has faired better.

Addressing long serving staff of the company, Mathur acknowledged them for their hard work and dedication adding that it is through the dedication and loyalty that the company had weather its past challenges.

“We have approximately 1,380 staff spread throughout the country, engaged in helping us manage of our value chain activities of origination, processing, marketing and distribution. We believe in rewarding loyalty and good service. This company has gone through various stages and it is the people who have helped us through those times that we must recognize,” added Mathur.

PZ Cussons to launch educational initiative P

this commendable initiative and we assure you of our full support to ensure that this competition is successful in Lagos State, which is the heart of the nation. This is an idea that would no doubt add value to the lives of our children.”

PZCCC, which would become a national project in due course, is open to secondary schools students aged between 13 and 16 years who must be in SS1 and SS2 classes in public or private schools.

Entry is free but the contestant must have the endorsement of his or her school.

The preliminary stages would hold in six districts across the state and the best 100 students would progress to the next phase. The ultimate winner and three runners-up would win scholarships, laptops and cash prizes while their teach-

ers and schools would also be rewarded with books and cash prizes.

In her remarks, the Director of Corporate Affairs and Administration at PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti said that PZ Cussons Foundation came up with the competition to reawaken dying interest in science subjects.

“We discovered that our children are shying away from science subjects,” Ifaturoti said. “We therefore opted to introduce this competition to take their minds off unproductive activities.”

She assured that PZ Cussons Foundation, which focuses on providing portable water and infrastructure as well as education and health, would soon launch the competition on the national stage.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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1ST NATIONAL TRADE COMPLIANCE SUMMIT We present here the details of the Groundbreaking 1st National Trade Compliance Summit held recently in Lagos. The Summit was designed to address the unique challenges of Trade Compliance in Nigeria by an elite group of Trade Executives and Regulatory Agencies coming together to chart the way to Minimize Duties and Resolve Complex Customs Challenges.

Turning Trade Compliance Into Competitive Advantage.

PREAMBLE Corruption in the form of Trade Malpractices has a corrosive impact on both market opportunities overseas and the broader business climate. It also deters foreign investment, stifles economic growth and sustainable development, distorts prices, and undermines legal and judicial systems. More specifically, it is a problem in international business transactions, economic development projects, and government procurement activities.

A good compliance culture is shown by the promotion of a positive attitude towards legal compliance activity at all levels within an organisation. It is generally reflected in people proactively seeking to understand and act in compliance with the legal obligations affecting their work.

Implementing the present administration’s vision for a robust and responsible foreign policy grounded in democratic values of freedom and market economics, demands that all forms of corruption must be addressed.

The starting point is making sure that all operators understand and appreciate what constitute trade malpractices and the strategies to implement in-house trade compliance programmes.

It is noteworthy that the dearth/paucity of professional competence, laced with discouraging levels of non-compliance to global practices has lowering impacts on our national practice as well as inhibit/limit our international trade facilitations. The task of reworking the situation to improve our national image will commence with equipping the personnel and reinforcing the system through closing up the noted Capacity Gaps.

Essentially, this is the challenge and objective focus of this summit.

This Summit exposed participants to key trigger points to gain competitive advantage in import/export logistics operations, and implications of non compliance to all the new government compliance and audit issues. It identified critical control points for compliance risk management amongst others.

OBJECTIVES The objective of the programme was to build

the capacities of operators as a preventive measure while achieving success, accountability, transparency, disclosure, protection of shareholders’ rights and building long-term value which are the core values of good corporate governance.

Report of the Conference Delivering a keynote speech at the 1st National Trade Compliance Summit with the theme, ‘Turning Trade Compliance into Competitive Advantage’ in Lagos, Dr. Samuel Ortom, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment said for Nigeria to enjoy its fair share of global wealth, it must tame the monster of unethical business practices, corruption and trade violations, which have contributed in stifling her development as a nation and slowing down economic transformation reforms. Furthermore, he said that non compliance to trade rules and regulations by logistics practitioners has crippled the manufacturing sector, causing widespread poverty in the land, citing “Lack of a proper compliance regime …has not only stifled our economic growth, distorted prices and undermined legal and judicial processes, it has also practically crippled our manufacturing sector …”

According to Ortom, compliance with policies and enthronement of ethical business practices on the part of all who deal, conduct or engage in commercial activities within the Nigerian business space will ensure that competitive advantage becomes the hallmark of business in the country.

Obiora Madu, Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of Multimix Academy who is also the Director General of African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), the organizers of the event, said a result of a recent Gap Analysis in Nigeria indicates that trade logistics practitioners need to deepen their knowledge of the ever dynamic international trade rules and technicalities in order to realign the paradigm, streamline their practice and engender professionalism and profitability in the international trade/shipping sub-sector of the national economy.

While using the medium to launch the online version of the Certified Import Compliance

The Programme concluded with an interactive session which had most of the resource persons on the firing line from the operator.

COMMUNIQUE 1) One of the major issues highlighted was that of the lack of inter-agency cooperation.

Operators decried the multiplicity of agencies and lack of cooperation among them and called for the possibility of an inter-ministerial committee on trade compliance to help operators save time, which is key to their profitability.

Key presentations at the summit included: 2)Nigerian Customs Services which was on Welcome Address by DG ACSC (Trade the firing line throughout the programme Compliance in the life of a nation) for obvious reasons, was requested to do a lot KEY NOTE ADRESS (Ministry of Trade & more in the area of trade facilitation, in spite Investment) Understanding the of the other aspects of their job which Jurisdictional Roles of The Various includes national security, protection from Government Departments And Agencies. dumping and generating revenue for governLaunch/Public presentation of the online ver- ment. sion of the - CERTIFIED IMPORT COMPLIANCE The participants also urged the Nigerian MANAGER PROGRAMME. Customs Services to educate the public on Establishing an Ethical Stance issues of valuation which has always been a (Manufacturing) – DG Standard Organisation sour point in their relationship with the pubof Nigeria lic. They also urged the urgent implementaEstablishing an Ethical Stance (Food and tion of the CEMA project.

Pharmaceuticals) – DG NAFDAC 3) The other point was on how to make Nigerian port friendlier to reduce a diversion of shipments to other West African countries thereby resulting in loss of revenue to the government of the federation. The issue of port congestion was discussed and the operasuck the grain out of the ship hold R. E. Thomas (1989). tors believe that non-compliance on the side Furthermore, the handling of liquid from tankers is done by means of of the traders as well as lack of inter-agency pipeline connected to the shore tank while pumping equipment is procooperation contributes a great deal. vided by the tankers storage plants or refinery ashore. Due to the risk 4) Participants frowned at the absence of involved with this cargo, it is necessary to provide special berths some many key operators at the summit, regretting distance away from the main duck system on the Seward side. With genthat very useful information which has been eral cargo, the tendency had always been towards containers and the sys- passed around in the two days would have tem has firmly established that container cargoes are highly mechanized helped in trade compliance by many more and has a lot of added advantage in cargo handling. However, some genorganizations. They requested the organizers eral cargoes are handled by cranes in the quay, floating cranes or by ships that the planning of the second summit derricks. There is numerous cargo handling equipments which include should start now and urged the regulatory the shiny which is used for wooden cases or bedded cargo. When the agencies to put their weight behind the procargo consists of heterogeneous collection of packages of different size gramme because the more people that get weight and shapes, its loading and unloading is compared to the hancompliant in their trade practices the better dling of bulk shipments, which usually present a very complex problem for the nation. especially in the use of mechanized equipment. Cargo nets are suitable 5) Participants commended Multimix for mail bags and other similar cargo that is not liable to be crushed Academy and African Center for Supply Chain when hoisted. Heavy lifting beams are ideal for heavy and long articles for their contribution to Nigerians involvesuch as locomotives boilers, or railway passenger coaches, while cargo ment in international trade. They noted with trays and pallets are suitable for cargo of moderate dimensions which joy after the presentation of the pioneers of can be conveniently stacked such as cartons. Bags or crates (D. Badejo the Certified Import Compliance 1998).

Management (CICM) programme that this is a welcome development. They were even hapProfessor Princewill Ugo. Owualah, Ph.D. (Transport Economics and Logistics) pier when the online version of CICM was Prof. Owualah has been a Senior Lecturer and Post Graduate Coordinator, Maritime unveiled noting that, this will make it possiTransportation, Dept. of Marine Engineering, Rivers State University of Science and ble for busy executive to get the necessary Technology, Port Harcourt. He also lectures at Fed. University of Technology, Owerri. An compliance education they need. erudite Academic and Consultant, with competences in Maritime Transport, Economics and The organizers announced May 14th & 15th Logistics, Prof. Owualah holds a Post-Doctoral Research fellowship in Cultural Economics, 2014, as the date for the next summit. They Ph.D in Transport and Logistics, Master of Philosophy in Transport Management from pleaded for the cooperation of all regulatory Wisconsin International University, Florida Campus, USA. He also obtained an MBA in agencies and the support of Minister of Transport Studies specializing in Airport planning from London School of Advance Transport Industry trade and Investment, thanking him Studies, Kingsway (U.K). He is a Fellow and Member of several professional Institutes. He for delivering the keynote address, represenhas authored 3 books and written several seminar and professional published papers. tatives of regulatory agencies and Business Born on the 8th Feb. 1964, Prof. Owualah is married with children.

Membership Organisations present.

. . . Shipping Economics And Productivity quays, availability of roads, type of transit sheds and number of lines of railway track, must be considered in relationship to the speed of unloading, however owing to the great variety of general cargo, it is difficult or impossible to adopt any form of standardization which means that in planning for such mixed classed of traffic, there must be a compromise.

In the process of unloading therefore, available facilities are used to the greatest effect according to the merchandise being handled (R.W. Faulk, 1977).

Wolf Hard (1989) identified port problems in developing countries as under capacity, insufficient cargo handling and berthing facilities and expertise and the use of outdated infrastructural. In most developing countries, port suffers from inadequate berth capacity compared with the number of vessels that requires the berths. Most ports still use obsolete gearing and handling equipments that are inadequately maintained. More so, unreliable and inadequate statistical data collected by ports administration is another problem militating against the efficient port planning and operation in developing countries. The result of under capacity and others highlighted, subsequently leads to congestion of many ports in the world especially the developing countries.

Usually the type of cargo carried and the nature of packing used determines the type of handling equipment to be used. Development in the shipping industry has resulted in machined methods of cargo handling. Bulk cargo such as grains, sugar, coal etc are subject to mechanical handling and if the equipment is properly utilized to cover capital charges and interests, then it will speed up the output in return. In the case of bulk cargos, handling facilities are always in the form of propelled conveyors or belt usually fed at the hand word end by a hoper (a large container on legs) or grabs which may be magnetic for one handling and fixed to a high capacity trucking crane. These gantries move not only parallel to the quay but also run back for considerable distance and conveying a large stacking area. Elevators are usually used for grains. These may either be bucket elevators or the suction types which

Manager Programme, Madu affirmed that the task of reworking the situation to improve the country’s national image will commence with equipping the personnel and reinforcing the system through closing up the noted capacity gap. He said that this is a response to demand by interested candidates who had difficulties with the current on ground centres.

The Summit attracted dignitaries across the nation both from the regulatory agencies, Business Management Organisations (BMOs) and the private sector notably The Ministry of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON); Nigeria Customs Service; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractices, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding (CRFFN), Nigerian Export - Import Bank (NEXIM); National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF): National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Nigeria Chamber of Shipping, National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (NASME),e.t.c.

In attendance included Logistics companies like Knightsbridge, Murphy Shipping, Cotecna and forward looking banks like Keystone Bank and Diamond Bank. Some conglomerates like Nestle Plc and Nigeria Breweries Plc, Total Plc, Dangote Group, Honeywell Flour Mills were also represented at the event.

The Impact of Trade Compliance on International Banking Operations (NEXIM) Monitoring and Control of Trade Malpractices (Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractices) Legal Actions, Avoiding Liability in Trade Compliance - (Ken Ukoha – President NANTS) Trade Compliance – The Role of Customs Service The Changing Role of Customs Brokerage in Trade Compliance (ANLCA) Freight Forwarding in the 21st Century (NAGAFF) Education as a Trade Compliance Strategy (Multimix Academy) Understanding the Impact of Incoterms/Documentation on Trade Compliance (Obiora Madu DG ACSC) Building a Corporate Trade Compliance Programme (Hon. Chris Asoluka) Chairman Onne Free Trade Zone) The Role of Trade Compliance in Intra ECOWAS Trade (ECOWAS COMMISSION) Handling Freight Related Malpractices (Nigeria Shippers Council) Interactive and Practical Working Groups: Getting Customs Valuation Right: How to Meet Complex Transaction Value Rules A Deep Dive into Tariff Classification: What Every Trade Executive Needs to Know Managing Import Transactions at Destination (Challenges and Prospects) Communiqué & Closing

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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Energy Africa panel clamours for utilisation of oil, gas resources

By Roseline Okere HE Africa Progress Panel has emT phasised the need for African countries to better manage their vast oil and gas resource by setting out bold national agenda for strengthening transparency and accountability.

The panel, which has former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo as a member, in its 2013 progress report released recently, believed that revenues from minerals, oil and gas could help many countries fund much-needed roads, bridges, dams and other infrastructure.

The Africa Progress Panel finds it

• Flays tax evasion by firms unconscionable that some companies, often supported by dishonest officials are using unethical tax avoidance, transfer pricing and anonymous company ownership to maximise their profits, while millions of Africans go without adequate nutrition, health and education.

The report details five deals between 2010 and 2012, which cost the Democratic Republic of the Congo over $1.3 billion in revenues through the undervaluation of assets and sale to foreign investors, adding that this sum represents

twice the yearly health and education budgets of a country with one of the worst child mortality rates in the world and seven million pupils out of school.

Former United Nations Secretary General and Chair of The Africa Progress Panel, Kofi Anan, stated in the report: “Tax avoidance and evasion are global issues that affect us all. The impact for G8 governments is a loss of revenue. But in Africa, it has direct impact on the lives of mothers and children. Throughout the world, millions of citizens now need their leaders to step up to the

mark and lead. Fortunately, momentum for change appears to be accelerating.

“Imagine an African continent where leaders use mineral wealth wisely to fund better health, education, energy, and infrastructure, too. Africa has oil, gas, platinum, diamonds, cobalt, copper, and more.

If we use these resources wisely, they will improve the lives of millions of Africans.”

The Executive Director of Oxfam International, Winnie Byanyima, stated: “In 2011 exports of oil and minerals from Africa, Asia and Central and South America were over 1.4 trillion dollars. It’s more than 10 times the official development as-

Accountant, Halliburton Energy Services, Jane Doghor (left); Director Projector Management Office, Non Tax Federal Inland Revenue Services(FIRS), Chiaka Okoye and Director Communication and Liaison FIRS, Emmanuel Obeta, at the FIRS redesigned tax forms workshop in Lagos.

PHOTO; SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Oando adds 2,500 bpd production capacity from Ebendo oil field

By Sulaimon Salau ANDO Energy Resources has anO nounced the completion and testing of the Ebendo 5 well, which is expected to contribute additional 2,500 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from the field.

The development, according to a statement from the company, followed the successful resumption of 3,200 bpd gross production on the Ebendo field.

The Chief Executive Officer of OER, Pade Durotoye: “We’re extremely

pleased to announce the successful completion of the Ebendo 5 well drilling programme, increasing our net capacity by 1,069 bpd.

“Ebendo currently has a total production capacity of up to 7, 000 bpd, but is currently subject to take away capacity restrictions as a result of the Kwale-Akri pipeline.

“In light of this, we are increasing our efforts to establish our alternative evacuation pipeline, the 53 kilometre, 45kboepd Umugini pipeline, that will further support the development of this field and reduce our

dependence on one evacuation pipeline,” he said.

The Ebendo 5 well was spudded as a deviated appraisal/development well on October 12, 2012, mainly to appraise the intermediate reservoirs encountered by the earlier Ebendo 4 well.

The statement explained: “The Ebendo 5 well was drilled to a total vertical depth (TVD) of 11,513ft and encountered eight hydrocarbon bearing sands. A drill stem test was successfully completed on two of the sands (XVIIIc and

XVIIId). Sand XVIIId flowed for 18 hours and 30 minutes during the final flow test on four choke sizes.

“On average, it flowed on choke 28/64”for three hours and 30 minutes, with an average oil and gas rate of 1,592 bpd and 2.45 mmscfpday, respectively. Sand XVIIIc flowed for 15 hours and 50 minutes during the final flow test on three choke sizes. On average, it flowed on choke 24/64” for eight hours and 23 minutes, with an average oil and gas rate of 840 bpd and 4.62 mmscfpday, respectively.

sistance provided to these same regions. We argue that if illicit capital flows could be stopped, Africa could fund its own development without need for aid.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria was poorly rated among the 58 countries assessed for management of natural resources in the global 2013 Resource Governance Index, released recently by Revenue Watch Institute (RGI).

Nigeria occupied the 40th position in the RGI’s measurement of the quality of governance in the oil, gas and mining sector of 58 countries.

The 58 countries assessed in the index produce 85 per cent of the world’s petroleum, 90 per cent of diamonds and 80 per cent of copper.

Despite this huge natural resource, in the measurement of hydrocarbon resources, Nigeria has composite score of 40, institutional and legal setting, 66, reporting practices, 38; safeguarding and quality controls, 53 and provision of enabling environment, 18.

Of the 17 sub-Saharan African countries evaluated in the RGI, Nigeria trailed behind 10 countries, which included Ghana that ranked 15th of 58, with a composite score of 63 over 100, earning a “Partial” rating.

Others are Liberia, Zambia, South Africa and Morocco, which scored 62, 61, 56 and 53 respectively to also earn the “Partial” rating.

Garbon, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Egypt were also ahead of Nigeria on the scale of “Weak” rating with the first three tying at 46 over 100, while Egypt scored 43. Nigeria was only ahead of DRC, Algeria, Mozambique, Cameroun, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Libya and Equatorial Guinea, which were in the “Failing” category.

From highly ranked countries like Norway, the United Kingdom and Brazil to low ranking countries like Qatar, Turkmenistan and Myanmar, the Index identifies critical achievements and challenges in natural resource governance.

According to the report, oil revenues for Nigeria alone in 2011 were 60 per cent higher than total international aid to all of sub-Saharan Africa.

The study, conducted by 46 researchers with expertise in the extractive industries and further reviewed by 56 independent experts across different nationalities, showed a major governance deficit in natural resources around the world with the largest deficit observed in most resource-dependent countries, including Nigeria, where nearly half a billion people live in poverty despite the resource wealth.

IMF tasks Nigeria on passage of Petroleum Industry Bill

By Roseline Okere HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) T has called for early passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to enable massive investments into the country’s oil and gas sector.

The international watchdog, noted that the PIB would boost investment, government revenue, and fiscal transparency.

The IMF, in a Public Information Notice,

(PIN), released recently, said that it welcomed reforms underway in the energy sector and looked forward to early passage of the PIB. IMF also declared Nigeria’s macro-economic performance as being “broadly positive over the past year”, notwithstanding that “real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to have decelerated slightly to 6.3 per cent, reflecting the effects of the nationwide strike in early 2012, floods

in the fourth quarter of 2012, and continued security problems in the north.

“Yearly inflation increased from 10.3 per cent in 2011 to 12.3 per cent in 2012, owing mainly to the adjustment of administrative prices of fuel and electricity; large increases in import tariffs on rice and wheat; and the impact of floods in third quarter.

“The external position has strengthened and international reserves rose from $32.6 billion at end-2011 to $44 billion at end-2012

driven by sustained high oil prices, stricter administration of the gasoline subsidy regime, and strong portfolio inflows.”

The agency noted that the country’s fiscal policy stance was tightened in 2012, and fiscal buffers are being rebuilt.

“The non-oil primary deficit of the consolidated government is estimated to have narrowed from about 36 per cent of non-oil GDP in 2011 to 30.5 per cent in 2012, mainly due to expenditure restraint,” it stated.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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Opinion Gamaliel Onosode: To wear honour like a garment (1)

By Femi Osofisan HE house is like any other along the street, T without any special adornment. We are in the largely middle-class suburb of Surulere in Lagos. But to my pleasant surprise, the street, which I have not visited for several years, has now been turned into a double carriageway.

We get down from the car and enter through a gate leading to a side door. There are flowers along the base of the walls. Past the open garage to the right, where a car is sitting, we climb up a short stairway, and find ourselves in the office, where the neatly dressed Secretary receives us with visible courtesy.

Behind her is a door, and I can hear the man’s voice inside, giving instructions. But we do not wait for long before we are ushered into the inner office to meet him.

I look at him again as he hugs my assistant familiarly and shakes my hand. He has not changed in any noticeable way since I saw him last at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) some six months before. He is still dapper and trim, lean and well-kept, with the trademark central parting across his low cut hair. His voice is also the same clear, polished lilt, with its elaborately cultivated diction. As usual his affability is disarming, and his elegance unforced, even in the casual clothes he is wearing.

He leads us on through some doors, past walls that are decorated with paintings, and soon we are back downstairs in his private sitting room. ‘Madam’, whom I still have not met, is not around again today, I learn.

The room is filled with mementoes everywhere, on the floor, on the walls, on chairs and tables. Photographs, lovely framed, stare at you, some benignly beckoning, some aggressively posturing, others with some statement that is difficult to decipher at once. Most are of children and grandchildren, in-laws and

close relations, and of himself and his wife at obviously memorable moments. The room speaks noisily of the biography of a man who has lived an exceptional life.

‘The children don’t like this room,’ he tells us with a chuckle. ‘They don’t feel at ease here; they say it’s like a museum.’

I am thinking to myself that, if I had a magic wand this moment, I would gather all my songs, all my fables, and weave them into a golden garland, and offer it to him as a birthday present. But sadly, I am no magician. All I can offer are my words of good wishes.

My host accepts them with grace. He is going to be 80 years old in a couple of weeks, this man who has been acknowledged as one the nation’s finest gentlemen. But you would never know this by simply looking at him.

He is one of these fortunate beings who are blessed with a frame of Adonic youthfulness. Together with his sprightly gait and clean physique, his body offers a picture that totally belies his age, giving the impression of a much younger man.

But it is not because of his looks that I am here today. This is a man who is more or less a living legend, with a curriculum vitae that reads like an intimidating dictionary of select awards and distinctions.

He has remained “simply Mister Onosode” by choice and by humility, but it is difficult to think of an important private or public sector business or initiative that he has not chaired at one time or the other in the past 50 years at least. He is a Fellow or Board member of countless business organisations and financial institutions nationally and internationally.

And in the educational area, to which he seems to have directed much of his abundant energy in recent years, he has been

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of several of our leading universities, the latest being the University of Lagos, Akoka. I can go on, but how many shall we count of the teeth in the mouth of Adepele? It is not to enumerate his achievements that I have come either.

My mission, among other things, is to find out from him the tricks of survival in a cruel age such as the one we live in. In his biography, published 10 years ago, one learns of the rather unfair number of occasions he has been in and out of hospitals and undergone serious surgical operations both here and abroad. Furthermore, he has had to witness the passing away of the people dearest to him, some of his most cherished siblings, leaving him to carry enormous responsibilities even at an early age.

How then, with such losses and so many records of near-fatal encounters, has he managed so magnificently to conquer the terror of death, such that the approach of his 80th birthday fills him with no trepidation at all about his mortality? Who, simply, is the man behind the public image? Does he bleed like the rest of us?

I decide to be cautious. I begin by asking him about his background. Coming from what was a lowly rural background, how did he manage to pull himself to such a lofty height in our society and join the ranks of the elite?

But he corrects me. Rural, yes, but his roots were not ‘lowly’. “In that community,” he explains, “we saw ourselves and we were perceived as the elite, okay? I remember my father used to ‘import’ a bag of rice from Warri, and when I say ‘import’, I mean that it was like God having come down and brought something. He probably was the only person who had a Raleigh bicycle in town… And we lived in a compound with

zinc roofing, corrugated iron roofing, as opposed to thatch. The compound was a huge square with boundary demarcations.”

This was the vicarage at Oginibo, in what is now the Delta State, where his father worked as a Baptist priest. The conditions were in fact so favourable that Onosode had an early access to books: “My father had a library. And I thought it was an enormous library even when I was eh... in the secondary school. It was only much later in life, after I went to the university, that I discovered that this ‘enormous’ library was only actually one tiny segment of my library at 44 Adelabu Street... But to me as a child it was enormous.”

He pauses, thinking back with nostalgia.

The he continues: “I used to sit there in his chair, in his easy chair – you know this kind of thing where you put this Calico cloth and uh – and pull the books out one after the other. There were all kinds there: English Literature, Mathematics, even some science books, theological books, and, uh...poetry, and so on. And I guess that had an impact on me later on, because many of my contemporaries in the secondary school didn’t see a collection of books until they got to the school. Whereas I was brought up among books.”

The company of books was really fortuitous then, because his parents had very strict ideas about their children mixing with others in the community: “At home, we were brought up to be stay-at-home children. We were not encouraged to go out because my parents believed that the influence of the world around us was more likely to be negative than positive … and I haven’t really outgrown that really. I’m still very much a-stay-at-home boy.”

• To be continued.

• Osofisan wrote from Lagos.

Historical perspectives of South Africa

By Victor Oshisada N The Guardian of May 14, 2013, I could not fail to relish readItheing Luke Onyekakeyah’s brilliant opinion piece titled, “What African Union should do at 50”. However, he goofed up to blemish the piece. Inter alia, he wrote, “Over the years, 21 other states have joined the organisation with South Africa becoming the 53rd member after her Independence in 1994. The error is about the date of South Africa’s political independence. I believe that it is a mistake of the head and not of the heart, because a writer’s heart often controls the head. It is no grandstanding to point out plainly that this is a serious error of historical fact; a twist of history to confuse younger generations.

My treatment of this rejoinder shall be two-pronged – from the perspectives of British Constitutional law and of British Empire and Commonwealth history. The term “Independence” has political denotation. It means the freedom from political control by another superior country – freedom to govern itself. In short, it also stands for “Sovereignty”. According to Barry Buzan, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics, “Sovereignty is the claim by a state to full self-government. It is the claim to be the ultimate political authority, subject to no higher power regarding the making and enforcing of political decisions”. Does South Africa fit into these descriptions?

Indeed, the answer to the question is in the affirmative, South Africa came into being as an independent country on May 31, 1910, and not in 1994, as most people erroneously believe. The year 1994 was when the scaffoldings of apartheid were dismantled for the erection of a rock-solid pillar of democracy, which is majority rule. It was an election year. Before Independence could be granted to any country, it was customary for British Parliament to pass legislation in support of it. For instance, in the case of our country, Nigeria Independence Act,

1960, was passed in July of that year. Therefore, in the case of South Africa, it is irrefutable that it became independent under the South Africa Act 1909. That is why it is said to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest independent country in Africa and the Commonwealth. Apart from Britain, four countries were original or founding member-countries of the Commonwealth – The Dominion of Canada formed in 1867, the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, the Union of South Africa in 1910. The New Zealand was styled a Dominion in 1907, but had long before enjoyed the right of self-government. The reading public may inquire: “What is a dominion?”

A dominion is a self-governing country, which owes or owed allegiance to the Crown. At the Imperial Conference in 1907, the term was used in contrast with the term “Colony”. South Africa’s form of Royal Title was: “Elizabeth the Second, Queen of South Africa and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth”, which was retained until 1961 when it became a Republic. Each of the four originating dominion countries had its form of Royal Title. The question may be asked: “Why did the country not join the continental organisation in 1963?”

The answer is found in its apartheid policy. This is the cause of the confusion that 1994 was the year of Independence. The explanation is this. The British defeated the independent republic of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in the AngloBoer War of 1899 to 1902. Apartheid, the policy of separate development of the races, separated residential areas and ultimate political Independence for the Whites, Bantus, Asians and the Coloured, was officially introduced after the elections of 1948. The word “apartheid” was coined by Dr. D. F. Malan of the South African Bureau for Racial Affairs in the late 1930s and was introduced by the ruling Afrikaner National Party in 1944.

Nelson Mandela, a black South African lawyer-cum-politician, became a leading member of the African National Congress (ANC). He fought against the apartheid and was jailed for life.

He was freed in 1990 by F. W. de Klerk from decades of imprisonment, to continue the struggle for majority rule through dialogue with the country’s authorities and world government leaders. The term “Majority Rule” is synonymous with “Universal franchise”. Earlier on May 31, 1961, the White-dominated government became a Republic. That was exactly 51 years after Independence, and was for that, expelled from the Commonwealth. The choice of the date, that is, the month and day, was deliberate to make it a real landmark. If the Independence year was 1994, there was no way that it could be a Republic in 1961, putting the cart before the horse. The constitutional situation could be incongruous, absurd and topsyturvy.

Viewed from another angle, that it became Independent in 1994 is rebuttable. Students of British Constitutional law must recall the Statute of Westminster 1931 which granted legislative effects to the four founding-members of the Commonwealth, including South Africa. It marked the legal transformation from colonial to dominion status, and dominion status, in turn, gave way to the status of membership of the Commonwealth. Therefore, South Africa had for long enjoyed dominion status. Concerning its membership of the African Union (AU), but for its segregation policy, it could be one of the originating members of the organisation at the inception in 1963, having been politically Independent on May 31, 1910. The attainment of majority rule in 1994, after an election, qualified it to the AU membership, as the leper was cleansed of her leprosy.

I seize this opportunity to advise political journalists to read history. The past was the foundation of today, and today is the mother of tomorrow. I have gone thus far to establish that South Africa became Independent on May 31, 1910, and not 1994, so as not to twist history and confuse younger generations.

• Oshisada, a veteran journalist, lives at Ikorodu, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

52

Opinion Democratic governance and federalism in Nigeria (2)

By Salihu Moh. Lukman N the circumstance, from a situation where our Isome governments at all levels were ran based on commitment to national development targets, at least up to 1980, we descended to a situation where propaganda is the development target. Unfortunately, with the rise of oil revenue and government being the sole producer of oil, services as requirement for revenue generation became no longer valid for us in Nigeria. Coupled with a situation where sovereignty was anything but popular, mainly vested in the military command, oil revenue management under military governments became tailored to serve government functionaries, mainly military personnel or their appointees.

This was the reality that ushered in our democratic governance and it is a reality that has not change till today. All our governments have remained weak, deficient and blind to issues of services to citizens in varying degrees. Geometric rise in oil revenue has continued to serve as disincentives for governments to develop the needed capacity for service delivery. Thus the singular most important sector in Nigerian economy today is the oil sector. As a result, other sectors became neglected. Therefore, governance situation in the country has continued to regress and deteriorate from a situation where rulers are expected to serve citizens to a situation where citizens watch rulers serve themselves.

The sad reality is that we are not able to justify democratic governance or federalism with reference to any performance indicator whether with reference to federal or state governments. Our ‘progressive’ state governments have not so far produced any exception. Therefore, against the background of current APC merger negotiations, this needs to be highlighted so that our opposition political leaders are compelled to take some responsibilities and design a new governance template that can guarantee human development for Nigerian people.

There is no debate about the fact of our human development challenges. The question for our Nigerian opposition politicians is what is the response being presented to Nigerians? Should we expect such a response in the manifesto of APC? To what extent will it come with new forms of superior commitment by politicians who will be saddled with the responsibility of managing governments at federal and state levels? In any event, to what extent should Nigerians take it that there

is a new consciousness among the leaders of our 11 state governments on account of the new progressive identity, expect that poverty and unemployment rates will be reduced?

These are necessary questions in order to focus Nigerian opposition politicians to issues of human development agenda. These are issues that border on service delivery aimed at enhancing the quality of citizens’ life. They border on the depth and scope of responsibilities of governments to citizens in the area of education, healthcare, social development, etc. Above all, they border on the extent to which Nigerians should expect APC to emerge as a comprehensively competent progressive party managing all its responsibilities and not just that of nominating candidates and conducting political campaigns.

To be objective would be to take our bearing from facts that are steering us in the face as Nigerians.

Combinations of huge oil revenue, domineering control of Federal Government, absence of services to citizens and worsening living conditions has created widespread crisis situations in the country. It is a condition that is provoking all sorts of national anger and hatred in varying proportions. Our opposition political leaders need to primarily demonstrate a commitment to create a new framework for the country. Such a framework should be definitive and should not just be simply about condemnation.

A definitive framework should regulate processes of candidates’ selection for instance. APC must have a strategy of sorting and sifting candidates such that there should be strong correlation between candidates’ selection process and the party’s policy commitment. Is it possible to expect a paradigm shift whereby issues of performance, knowledge and experience govern the process of candidates’ selection at all levels? This is important given that it will mean that performance on current and past responsibilities, especially in terms of impact on human welfare issues will be considered. Such a strategy could generate positive competitive practices among our 11 governors aimed at enhancing service delivery. This will greatly eliminate circumstances whereby all candidates need is money and demonstration of loyalty to national leaders. Services resulting in citizens’ support would be the major consideration.

One of the conditions that may potentially assist in ensuring that APC is able to come with some strong commitments to human development agenda could be through the conscious acknowl-

edgement by our 11 state governments that the human development content of our democracy is feeble and require a major boost, on account of which they can set themselves some human development targets and design common policies that would drive service delivery between now and 2015. Practically, this can be achieved without having to wait for the finalization of the APC merger negotiations.

With the organized role of the 11 APC governors so far, it can be correctly argued that in fact the APC governors are the most organized section of the Nigerian opposition politics. The APC merger negotiation is able to make substantial progress on account of the organized role of the state governors. Left in the hands of the leadership of the merging political parties, issues of leadership and potentially candidates’ selection criteria for 2015 would have created dispute situation. Is the organized role of the 11 state governors going to be limited to pushing ACN, ANPP, CPC and Okorocha-led APGA to merge into APC? Or will the organised role of the 11 state governors be strategically expanded to address human development challenges such that their performances between now and 2015 become the moral beacon for APC and more fundamentally a source of APC’s governance and leadership credentials?

Such a moral beacon can also provide qualifying benchmarks for interested serving PDP governors for instance. This would mean that all serving governors aspiring to join our new APC should meet some minimum human development targets. With aspirations to contest for political office being a major driving consideration and given the increasing levels of political insecurity in PDP, simple knowledge of such a qualifying benchmark may just be the needed incentives.

Interestingly, notwithstanding the role of state governments in the APC merger process today, public considerations about potential presidential candidate of APC predominantly ignore all our 11 state governors. Sparingly, Fashola and Adams get some mention, but even then as running mates. Could this be a reflection of poor human development ratings of our 11 state governments? Could the facts of high poverty and unemployment rates in our states be responsible for such poor ratings? If high poverty and unemployment rates are responsible, why should anyone be contemplating GEJ as candidate for 2015?

Certainly, human development issues are not the driving consideration. The main driving con-

siderations are factors that have nothing to do with performance in anyway. It is purely aspiration driven based on individual calculations with virtually zero human development content. This will continue to be so unless there is an organized response. The absence of organized response will continue to erode and undermine capacity for democratic response to distortions and aberrations related to our federalism. Perhaps the facts of our 11 APC governors’ absence in the speculated list of potential presidential candidates for 2015 could be a reflection of the humility and personal loyalty to the leaders of the merging parties. In which case then, could our leaders of the merging parties be so insensitive as to overlook this reality and recklessly go out shopping for candidates from outside the merging parties? Could accomplishments bordering on human development delivery be the attractions?

Be that as it may, the APC merger negotiation needs to provide an effective response to our current human development challenges through reinvention of government’s service delivery functions, starting with the 11 states. The confidence of Nigerians will be strengthened given a positive human development scorecard that translate in lower poverty and unemployment indices arising from policy commitments. This is the needed foundation for service oriented democratic governance and production driven federalism.

Will the organised 11 state governments mainstream this as part of the strategic political engineering for APC? Or will they just continue with the culture of business as usual? This is an opportune moment. The ability of the governors to act with respect to issues of human development challenges facing Nigeria may be what is needed to give APC the progressive identity Nigerians are yearning for. Will the 11 organised governors write their names boldly in the progressive page of Nigerian history or will they simply write it in the common page? Will they place the country on the path of popular sovereignty or will they continue to undermine the power of Nigerians and promote monumental fraud, corruption and shoddy deals in the name of governance? Are they going to resolve our democratic imperfections, remove all distortions and aberrations associated with our federalism or will they continue with the unjust business of short changing Nigerians in the name of democracy and federalism?

• Concluded • Lukman wrote this as an open memo to Nigerian opposition politicians.

Moral perspective of social media, reputation

By Gbenga George HE term Social Media is mentioned in reference to online networking platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Google+, Instagram, T LinkedIn, Keek, Pinterest and a hundred or so others too numerous to mention. These websites are largely used for communicating, sharing information, networking and inquiring among persons of various backgrounds, origins, profession and status – familiar or otherwise. Personally, I have a preference for calling it Digital Social Media, as the name (Social Media) naturally, may be implied to a conventional/physical medium, facilitated for the intention of networking; like cocktails, fairs or even carnivals. However, for the purpose of public discourse as this, I will stick to the ‘norm’.

There’s no gainsaying that reputation is something that a person, brand, business or service will strive to uphold on highest regards, and at the expense of almost anything. On an ontological viewpoint, the Holy Bible reiterates in Proverbs 22:1, that “A good name is more desirable than great riches…” The term “desirable” here emphasizes man’s craving in time, to showcase an appealing civic character to the people (s)he is momentarily concerned with.

Without meaning to sound theological, the point being buttressed here is that the notion of reputation is embedded in the existential nature of man. This can also be inferred from Thomas Hobbes’ moral and political philosophy of “Self Preservation”, where he postulates self preservation as fundamental, natural and instinctive. According to Hobbes, Self Preservation is man’s first law of nature.

In the wake of digital age, where blogs replace tabloid/print, text messages and emails replace letters and courier, and social networking platforms replace cocktails, seminars and in modern times, even job interviews, there is need for an evaluation as how social media is optimally utilized, to our desired use and advantage.

The free-to-use, ungoverned exposure, which social media avails us, enables freedom of expression (as it should be) – which is the op-

portunity to communicate what we want to, how we want to. The question we ask ourselves here is: to what extent can we express ourselves without smearing a professional or social reputation it has taken us years to build?

As a believer of popular culture and several social perspectives, which advocate spontaneity and ‘being you’ at all times, I am of the opinion that since we cannot entirely change who we truly are, we can try to make the best of those weaknesses we possess, when the need arises. Also, given man’s mortal vulnerability and the social factors as influence and conformity, humans are likely to have certain characters or indulge in practices we cannot exude to our publics.

Lately, the practice by parents or employers who use social media to inquire into a person’s life have found its commonplace, as a means to satisfy curiosity or the lead on an investigation, as the case may be. Louise Whitman in her online post: “False identity through social media”, expressed that the conventional person hates being mislead; and that there are high tendencies the media conveyor will be found out as deceptive, in a matter of time. Quoting Whitman, “if you are trying to impress someone – just be yourself. If they are not impressed with who you are – they are simply not worth the bother.” She went on and wrote that employers (rightly or wrongly) can check your social media profiles “and I have heard of people being dismissed due to inappropriate (company deemed) behaviour”.

In the circumstance above, the ethical issues, which arise are that of principle and privacy. For instance, there is a tendency that the owner of a Facebook page who uploads pictures of wonderful times shared while drinking beers with old college friends, every weekend; may be tagged as the “office drunk”, if investigated by his workplace executives. On the other hand, he obliges himself and society at large, the values of being a non-pretentious, honest individual; who cherishes pictorial memories of hanging out with friends at the local bar. His loyalty may therefore abound in keeping his job

and reputation therein – or enjoying self-satisfaction as the social being he is.

On the issue of privacy, there is much debate as to what is actually private on social media – since getting information via the ‘exceedingly public’ cyberspace is just as easy as peering out your window, to a mega billboard. In this regard, how much and for how long can we project this virtual hypocrisy on who we truly are or aren’t?

In my distinguished opinion, an application to Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” tends to salve such moral or social dilemmas. The theory accentuates knowing how much of something is needed in any case and in what exact proportion it needs to be done; to balance the harmony of life and your happiness in the long run. Reason is the keyword here. Do you have to do it? How much or to what extent must you do it? What is to be derived from it? And how will it affect you (positively or otherwise)?

Prudence, or the act of personally controlled values, is what should guide our social actions or undertakings – and this may be applied to information of ourselves we divulge in the form of image and text, via social media platforms. For instance, peering into my Facebook and Twitter profiles reveal that I am a Public Relations practitioner, Digital Marketing enthusiast, and a music loving family man with a devotion to current affairs and motorcycle sports. Delving deeper into my comments and tweets may show my love for heavy-metal rock music, Southpark television episodes (an adult cartoon series, infamous for gore and vulgarities) and occasionally, a somewhat unpatriotic displeasure with political affairs in my country.

This goes to say that there is only so much we can conceal when we take to personal, non-corporate social media for communicating our no-holds-barred expressions. My concluding question is: what do we really have to hide about ourselves, and why? After all, you are who they say you are.

• George, a Digital PR practitioner, currently resides in Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR

21/5/2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

54 CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 21/5/2013

LOSERS

PRICE GAINERS

CIBN posts N45.96 million net operating surplus for 2012

By Helen Oji He Chartered Institute of T Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has posted a net operating surplus of N45.96 million for 2012 operations, against N21.6 million recorded in 2011.

The institute’s total revenue also stood at N477 million, representing an increase of 11per cent, when compare to the amount posted in 2011.

The President of the Institute, Segun Aina explained that the institute, as part of its efforts to deepen its relationship with various stakeholders visited key stakeholders and patners during the period under review to brainstorm on how to move the institute forward, adding that the impact of the visits has enhanced the institutes position in the industry.

“We had study bench-marking tours, interacted with foreign banking professional bodies such as the institute of Bankers in Ireland, Institute of Financial Services, UK. “Others are; Chartered

Institute of Bankers of Ghana, Canadian Securities Institute.

Canadial Bankers Association, Global Association of Risk Professionals, Uk.” He added that these interactions led to greater recognition of the institute’s role in developing policies and frame works that would boosts

banking industry performance and the economy.

“All the issues raised are being addressed by the institute, while those that require actions by the regulators and bankers committee were listed and presented during the engagement session with the bankers committee on April

9, 2013”.

On its efforts to expand the membership base of the institute, Aina told its members that the 5,722 new members were attracted to the institute, which represents an increase of 184.5 per cent, when compared to 2,011 figures recorded in 2011.

He explained that a major exercise conducted in 2012 was the analysis and review of the membership register to enable the institute to identify its active members.

He pledged the institute’s commitment to continue to uphold international standards and promote best prac-

tice through the development and maintenance of its relationship with global leaders in banking and finance education.

This, according to him would enable the institute to continue to deliver value-based international best practice programmes and activities to its various stakeholders.

Oando records success in rights issue, raises N55.2bn

By Helen Oji he allotment approval by T the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Oando rights issue at the weekend showed that Oando plc has succeeded in raising N55.2 billion from existing shareholders, indicating the high level of investors’ confidence in the company.

The company had issued 4.548 billion shares to existing shareholders at N12 per share funds between

December 2012 and February 2013 with the intention of raising N54.6 billion Details of the allotment showed that a total of 11,714 acceptances for 4,596,055,622 ordinary shares, valued at N55.153 billion were received in connection with the Rights Issue.

All 11,714 acceptances were found to be valid under the terms of the Rights Issue and were all processed, leading to

a subscription of 101 levels.

The success of the Rights Issue, according to the company did not come as a surprise to capital market stakeholders as market experts had said that by subscribing to the issue, shareholders were responding to a positive outlook based on strong market fundamentals.

According to capital market analysts, “Oando is entering a new frontier in its integrated energy business model which will see the company increase

investments in the upstream segment of the Oil & Gas space.

“Oando is a low cost route into Nigeria’s attractive energy sector a market analyst had said. The company had made investment in the high margin upstream division that will transform the business significantly and increase value creation for the shareholders.

“The acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ entire oil and gas assets in Nigeria put the

company on stead to increase its oil production to almost 50,000 barrels of oil per day. It also extends its footprint into the liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as power generation. An initial $435 million deposit has been paid, the balance of $1.3 billion will be paid by the proceeds of the recently concluded Rights Issue whilst a syndicate of international banks have lined up to finance the $800 million debt portion of the transaction.”

MIDWEEK ARTS | 55

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Midweek Arts AU @ 50… Rock arts showpiece lights up Addis Ababa

Babawale (right); Culture and Tourism Minister, Chief Edem Duke; and other guests at the 2nd Toyin Falola International Conference (TOFAC) held in July 2012 in Lagos

By Kabir Alabi Garba ODAY, at the Plenary Hall of the AUC T Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, rock arts will be the menu, as a colloquium and art

show open to celebrate African Union’s (AU) 50th anniversary. The colloquium/exhibition will run simultaneously from today to Friday.

Packaged by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in collaboration with Trust for African Rock Art (TARA), a non-governmental agency based in Nairobi, Kenya, the events seek to consolidate results of explorations that the two agencies have embarked upon since 2006.

There will be discussions on African rock art by Prof Salima Ikram, Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Prof George Abungu, Prof Barth Chukwuezi, Prof.

Audax ZP Mabulla, Emmanuel Ndiema, Dr Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu, Dr. Sidi Mohamed Ilies and Gloria Borona.

Pogoson will talk on Rock Arts as Historical Records: Intriguing Aspects of African Rock Arts while Prof Chukwuezi will discuss Rock Art as Socio-Cultural Symbol of Human Interaction.

Indeed, the seed of the colloquium/exhibition was sown in November 2012 at the fourth Session of the Conference of Ministers of Cultures (CAMC4) held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. It was at this meeting that the Nigeria’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, through its most vibrant agency, CBAAC, was mandated to organize and host the ‘double-edge’ show.

According to Director-General of the culture agency, Prof. Tunde Babawale, the Addis Ababa outing is expected to “represent a follow-up to previous engagements and a platform for updating research findings on African rock art.”

He is optimistic that the programme will provide avenue to share experience on the successful application of strategies for managing rock art sites across the continent.

It would be recalled that a landmark platform on research findings on African heritage in line with CBAAC’s pan-African mandate took off effectively at the African Rock Art meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on May 23 and 24, 2006.

This was followed up with the second phase of the Rock Art workshop project held from January 20 to 23, 2007 also in Nairobi, while Niamey, capital city of Niger Republic hosted a two-day workshop on African Rock Art and PanAfrican renaissance on March 11 to 14, 2008.

These workshops provided opportunity for experts to discuss the best strategies and approaches to study and better understand methods for the identification, safeguarding, interpretation and promotion of African Rock Art as well as its preservation and conservation to the benefit of Africa and Africans.

A major resolution of the third workshop in Niamey was the need for a concrete follow-up action by participants and stakeholders. The communiqué also required that the theme of the workshop should be revisited as may be necessary. And it is against this background that Nigeria through CBAAC canvassed the significance of using the platform of the African Union and key provisions in the Niamey Communiqué to further action on the African Rock Art project with a colloquium/exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in May 2013 as part of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU).

The focus on rock art heritage, Babawale had explained during the Niamey workshop, was stimulated by the necessity to reconstruct black and African peoples’ history. “It encompasses historic pictorial coverage of some unique rock paintings across Africa and a colloquium.

Through extensive research and study, the presence of Rock Art sites has been established across Africa. Findings revealed extensive distribution of rock paintings in the predominantly rocky areas of East, West, South and Central Africa as well as the Sahara,” he had noted.

It is therefore, expected that the colloquium especially, will provide a platform for updating

‘

research findings on African Rock; sharing experiences on the successful application of strategies for managing rock art sites across the continent; promoting information sharing and networking among participants to enhance capacity among others; raising the consciousness of a critical mass of key stakeholders on the project; examining the possibility of reconstructing African history and civilization through rock art, paintings, engravings etc The hope of the organizers is that the threeday’s outing starting from today in Addis Ababa will inspire creativity in the usage of African Rock Art; generate publicity for the output of the project and diversity of African Rock Art; have the results recognised by the AU and UNESCO; facilitate strategies and action plan for the protection of the sites; and ultimately enhance the protection and utilisation of Rock Art sites by communities on sustainable basis.

Expected as participants are organisations involved in the study of Africa history, such as UNESCO; Regional Centre for Research and Documentation on Oral Traditions and the Development of African Languages (CERTODOLA),Cameroun; African Union Centre for Oral Tradition and History (AUCELTHO), Niamey; Trust for Africa Rock Art, (TARA), Kenya; Observatory for Cultural Policies in Africa (OCPA), Maputo; African Academy of Languages (ACALAN), Mali; Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society (CASAS), Cape Town; and Rock Art Department, Witwatersrand University, South Africa.

The exhibition segment will showcase images of Rock art from East, South, West and North Africa.

Africa, is renowned, to have the greatest variety of rock art and some of the oldest rock art in the world.

Through researches and archeological under-

He is optimistic that the programme will provide avenue to share experience on the successful application of strategies for managing rock art sites across the continent.

‘

Anniversary

takings, various sites in Morocco, Algeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, have been discovered as rock art paintings dotting the entire landscape of Africa, some present as Graffitti in caves, hills, surfaces, walls of buildings and on stones.

The most outstanding of these varieties of rock art presentation are those found on Basille stones at Ikom sites, in Nigeria, popularly called Ikom Monoliths. These drawings were made on stones, and some extinct writings of Africa, like the Nsibidi, have been identified on these Monoliths.

The Crucifix (Cross) was also identified, dating as far back as 1.3 million years. Researchers are of the opinion that the originators of this skill were migrant Bantus of the Congo Basin. The language of the writings found on the Monoliths are being studied. This language, research reveals, is still being used by members of the Calabar Ekpe Secret Society. The history behind the Ikom Monoliths is being unveiled piecemeal as researchers investigate the origin of this genre of rock art and originators of the language.

However, these rock art sites and images are fragile and vulnerable to a variety of threats.

These threats include expanding populations, building, mining, road construction and poorly managed tourism. The most common of all threats are theft and vandalism. Government bodies, museums, Universities and various NGO’s are working to safeguard the art through documentation, legislation, increased public awareness, improved security, community engagement and responsible tourism.

Many parts of Africa still recognize rock art as a way to contact the spirits of their ancestors and some worship sites of rock art. The North African Bushmen for example, saw their paintings as doorway through the rock face into the world of spirits in which they could harness mythical rain animals, snakes, large mammals to create good, and to overcome evil.

It is also believed that African rock art opens windows onto vanished worlds of cultural richness and diversity. We see people in elaborate costumes and long flowing dresses, head dresses, and necklaces, from long before the pyramids were built. Rock art offers us insight into how our ancestors visualized reality and changes in their lifestyles. It is believed that most rock art were made for spiritual and religious reasons and therefore many of the sites are adjudged sacred.

Till date, many people recognize some of these sites as having mystical and spiritual importance even though present inhabitants may have no connection with the art which may have been made thousands of years ago. In some areas, religious groups and animals conduct ceremonies at rock sites believing they could tap sacred power emanating from the past.

CBAAC’s partner in this endeavour, TARA, a non-governmental agency based in Nairobi, Kenya, was founded in 1996 by David Coulson with the support of Archaeologist, Mary Leakey and Conservator Lawrens Van der Post.

TARA is committed to recording the rich rock art heritage on the entire African continent and making this information widely available and accessible to researchers. CBAAC has collaborated with TARA on identifying sites of rock art in Africa; creating awareness on rock art study; safeguarding those sites most threatened by both humans and nature; and ensuring such sites are listed in the World Heritage list for preservation and protection.

The collaboration is borne out of desire “to create greater awareness on the potentials of the rock art culture, re-write African history for Africa by Africans from African perspective, through the decoding of stored information embedded in the Monoliths, Graffiti and other rock art presentations all over Africa,” Babawale asserted.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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Sports Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup

Failure to qualify could ruin players, says Oboabona Eagles defender, Sit UPER Godfrey Oboabona, says would be catastrophic for the players if Nigeria failed to qualify for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Nigeria lead their qualifying group for Brazil 2014, but they are hard pressed by second-placed Malawi and would need to win their next two games away in Kenya and Namibia early in June to stay on track in the qualifiers.

And to Oboabona, a World Cup ticket will go a long way in shaping their careers both at club and country levels.

“We know the importance of clinching the World Cup ticket and the coach has also let us understand that our careers will be built on this ticket, that is why we can’t let it go. We are ready to give everything so that we are victorious at the end,” the Sunshine Stars skipper told mtnfootball.com.

He said he believes a good outing in a May 31 friendly against Mexico in Houston, Texas, will boost the Eagles’ confidence leading up to these two crunch matches.

“The Mexico game is a friendly, but we are looking

beyond that,” said Oboabona.

“A good performance against Mexico will give us more confidence to tackle Kenya and Namibia in the World Cup qualifiers.”

Oboabona added that he is delighted with his growing profile with the African champions.

“Hard work is good and that is what is keeping me in the team every time. I never let my success with the team get me carried away because I still believe there are better, glorious days for me in the team in future, but I am happy for being here,” he said.

The promising centre back’s days are numbered in the Nigeria league as he is a summer transfer target for several European clubs, but that will not distract him.

“I don’t think about a transfer now because it is one step at a time. We have left Nigeria to play some very important matches and that should be the priority for now,” he maintained.

“My commitment to this team is therefore total and every other thing will have to follow behind.”

Bayern is like a James Bond villain, says Klopp ORUSSIA Dortmund Coach, B Jurgen Klopp has slammed Bayern Munich’s big-spending transfer policy and likened the club to a “James Bond villain.”

Bayern has already secured the services of Mario Gotze for a fee of 37 million euros, while it is also keeping tabs on fellow BVB stars such as Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski, much to the dismay of Klopp.

“Bayern wants a decade of success like Barca. That’s OK if you have the money because it increases the possibility of success. But it’s not guaranteed,” Klopp was quoted as saying by The Guardian ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final.

“We are not a supermarket but they want our players because they know we cannot pay them the same money. If that’s what Bayern wants... It’s like James Bond – except they are the other guy (the villain).

“It could not be our way to do things like Real (Madrid) and Bayern and not think about taxes – and let the next genera-

tion pick up our problems. We need to work seriously and sensibly. We have this amount of money so we can pay that amount. But we lose players.”

The 45-year-old then went on to reveal that he was close to the Bayern job in the past, but eventually missed out as the team opted for Jurgen Klinsmann instead.

“Uli Hoeness (Bayern’s president) asked if I would see him.

I said, ‘yes sir – I have to ask my mother first but I think it will be fine.’ He told me they were thinking of two coaches and I was one of them.

“Later Hoeness decided on Jurgen Klinsmann. It wasn’t too disappointing – for a second-division manager to be called by Bayern is not the worst thing in the world.”

Klopp would eventually leave Mainz for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2008 and has guided the team to two Bundesliga titles since.

He will be looking to add the Champions League to his trophy cabinet at the weekend when Dortmund takes on Bayern at Wembley.

The Super Eagles putting heads together before yesterday’s training session at the Adidas centre, Germany…yesterday.

Heineken UEFA

Onyali counsels Elegbeleye on grassroots development Champions League HE new Director General director General is someone experienced stakeholders; winners on ‘road to final’ HE last leg of the ‘Road to T of the National Sports that has a lot of hats. He is a those we can call experts. I T the Final’ looms large for Commission (NSC), Gbenga leader and at the same time, believe he will get the job five inventive Nigerian fans, Elegbeleye will succeed in the task of transforming Nigerian sports if he made adequate use of his knowledge of grassroots sports, says Olympics silver medalist, Mary Onyali.

The former African 100m and 200m record holder is convinced that the NSC director general will succeed in transforming Nigerian sports, but she called on all stakeholders to rally round the former lawmaker.

Onyali advised the new director general to go back to the grassroots, adding, “he should devise such a programme that will outlive his tenure because so many things depend on his success on this job.

Setting an agenda for the new NSC boss, Onyali said, “A

a head. His position is so sensitive and so vast that he should know all the sports federations, as well as, the international federations.

“He is a learned person, who needs only people of like minds, dedicated and very honest to assist him in this work. He may not be able to win a gold medal in the next Olympic Games in 2016 because winning an Olympic gold medal takes more than four years of preparations and we have barely three years to the next Olympic Games.

“But he should put a structure in place to achieve this in the next Games. However, if Nigeria wins any gold medal in Rio 2016, then it is an added advantage.

“He should seek advice from

done if he is steadfast and takes firm and decisive action,” the former Olympian said.

On the director general’s qualification for the job, Onyali said, “Elegbeleye served in the House of Representatives Committee on Sports as deputy chairman, so he knows how the sector works.

“Remember that he is a keen advocate of grassroots sports, which he demonstrated in his home town and in other places in the country.

So if someone like him has served in the House of Representatives and has a grassroots programme running successfully up to date, then he should be given a chance to demonstrate what he knows.”

Real boss under scrutiny after Mourinho exit Perez’s record FwasLORENTINO as Real Madrid president under scrutiny yesterday after the construction magnate’s latest coaching project ended in disarray with the premature departure of Jose Mourinho.

Perez, who is up for reelection next month, announced on Monday Mourinho would be leaving at the end of the season, three years before his contract expires.

The world’s richest club by income finished their latest campaign without a major title, surrendering their La Liga crown to arch rivals Barcelona, losing in the semifinals of the Champions League for the third season in a row and falling 2-1 to Atletico

Madrid in last week’s King’s Cup final.

Portuguese Mourinho was the eighth coach Perez has hired during two stints as president - from 2000 to 2005 and from 2009 to the present during which time around 700 million euros ($900 million) of the club’s money has been spent on players.

A move had been made for Paris St Germain’s Italian coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who has told the French side he wants to leave, but PSG had so far blocked the deal and other candidates were being considered, a grim-faced Perez told reporters at a news conference at the Bernabeu stadium.

Perez lured Mourinho from Inter Milan in 2010 to deliver

the 10th European title Real have been chasing since 2002 and end the domestic and continental dominance of arch rivals Barcelona.

However, after a three-year stint marked by division, controversy and conflict Mourinho’s record is one La Liga title and one King’s Cup, a meagre haul for a club as wealthy and ambitious as Real.

Perez’s coaching appointments have also proved immensely costly to the club, according to reports in local media.

Real paid Villarreal four million euros in 2009 to release Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked a year later, and 16 million euros to Inter Milan for Mourinho, the reports said.

who will get the once in a life time opportunity to watch the final match of the UEFA Champions League live at Wembley stadium.

The denouement begins tomorrow when they depart Lagos to London to enjoy the unparalleled premium Heineken Champions League Final experience.

The five Nigerian winners will embark on an all-expense paid trip courtesy of Heineken, the international premium lager beer.

Diverging from the previous seasons of the sponsorship, this is the first time Heineken® fully integrated its consumers to be active participants in the selection process, moving them beyond a mere admiration of the footballers to personally emulating their inventiveness.

The five traveling Nigerians had emerged from a contest among over 350 consumers and showed their skills, wit, and inventiveness to win tickets and join thousands of other ‘privileged’ football fans that will watch the match live in Wembley stadium on Saturday.

“These consumers have shown that they are a true ‘Man of the World: Openminded with a passion to go beyond their comfort zone.

They are more active and resourceful in their pursuit to progress in life and are inspired by the inventiveness displayed by great players in the UEFA Champions League,” the senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Jacqueline van Faaassen explained yesterday.

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THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

CricketWeekly ICC U19 World Cup Qualifiers

Hopeful Team Nigeria leaves for

By Christian Okpara HE national Under-19 team yesterday departed for Kampala, Uganda, en route Nairobi hopeful of picking the ticket to play in the ICC World Cup. The 16-man contingent departed from Lagos aboard a Kenyan Airline flight, which would stop over in Nairobi before moving to Kampala.

The qualifier, which also features Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Sierra Leone and Zambia, begins on Saturday and ends on June 1.

Speaking before the team boarded their flight yesterday, Coach Seyi Sonde assured Nigerian cricket enthusiasts that his team is ready for the competition.

He hinged his optimism on the belief that he chose the best players to represent the country, as well as, the form the boys showed during their camping for the competition.

“We are set for the ICC/Africa World Cup qualifier in Kampala, Uganda and nothing will be taken for granted.

We had enough training before the competition, but what we need now is to get used to the turf wicket.

“If we can get used to it before the tournament begins, you will see the positive result of our training camp,” he said.

To Captain Uthman Adebiyi, the team has surpassed 85 per cent readiness for the qualifier. He said, “you can see how our training is, we have trained enough for the qualifier and nothing will be taken

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for granted.”

Adebiyi says Nigeria will not be intimidated by the presence of Kenya and Botswana in pool B of the tournament despite their high profile.

“There is no cause for alarm because of the type of countries we will meet at the competition. Some of us played at the ICC Division Six play-off in Botswana and the experience we got from that competition will help us in this latest challenge,” Adebiyi said.

Nigeria is drawn in Pool B alongside Botswana, Kenya and Sierra Leone, while Pool A include Uganda, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.

The qualifier will be in round robin format, with the first teams in both pools qualifying to play in the final.

The overall winner will represent Africa in ICC-Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

The second place in both Pool will play third and fourth place while the third position in both pool will fight for fifth and sixth position.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Cricket Association has assured all the teams of a good time in their country during the seven-day competition.

The tournament will be held at Lugogo, Kyambogo and Entebbe Cricket Ovals, with the teams booked to stay at Hotel Africana.

At stake is a trophy for the winner and the top team in the tournament will qualify for the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup next year.

Owners pull Pune Warriors out of Indian Premier League AHARA India - owner of the crore ($370 million) in March

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Pune Warriors franchise have pulled out of the IPL over financial differences with the BCCI stemming from the valuation of the annual franchise fee it has to pay.

The decision comes three years after it bought the Pune franchise for $370 million, the highest price paid for any of the IPL franchises.

It seems the immediate cause was the BCCI’s decision to encash a bank guarantee from Sahara that was in its possession.

Reacting to the development, IPL Chairman, Rajiv Shukla said the board encashed the bank guarantee according to the rules.

“Yes, it (Pune Warriors) has pulled out. As per the rules and procedure of the BCCI, if a franchise fails to pay the fee then we encash the franchise’ bank guarantee. We are extremely sad by their decision to pull out. This should not have happened,” Shukla said.

Sahara’s actual franchise fee has been a contentious issue ever since they bought the Pune franchise for Rs 1702

2010.

Sahara had been demanding that the franchise fee from their original agreement should be recalculated since the minimum matches per year have been reduced to 14 from the 18 promised to them.

The National U-19 team departed for Uganda yesterday for the ICC World Cup qualifier, which begins on Saturday.

Saker describes Anderson as ‘most skilful in world’ AVID Saker has hailed D James Anderson as “the most skilful bowler in the world” following his performance in the first Test of the series against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Anderson claimed the 13th five-wicket haul of his Test career in the first innings to become just the fourth England bowler to take 300 Test wickets.

Now Saker, England’s bowling coach, believes that Anderson has every chance of becoming the first to reach 400.

While Saker accepted that Anderson lacks the pace of South Africa fast bowler, Dale Steyn, he believes Anderson’s desire for continual selfimprovement has helped him develop into one of the top seam-and-swing bowlers in world cricket, with a rare ability to swing the ball both

ways from a well-disguised action.

“To me, he is the most skilful fast bowler in the world,” Saker said. “I know Dale Steyn is an outstanding bowler, but when you watch the way Jimmy goes about things, he has more skills in his locker.

Steyn might be a little quicker but watch Anderson deliver those skills and it’s just mindblowing. When he gets it right, there’s no more skilful bowler in the world.

“Jimmy keeps getting better.

I don’t know whether his figures say that, but he’s the one player I’ve coached that is never satisfied with what he’s got. For him it would be easy to be satisfied because he has so many skills, but he keeps working on things in training. I’ve never met a guy as good as him who keeps wanting to get better.

“I remember watching him as a supporter of the Australian team. He could swing the ball but you could always get a four off him. Now it’s really hard to get runs off

him. He’s very rarely cut. He has excellent control and he always tests the batsman. He’s a class bowler.

“He has a body that can play for a lot longer, too. We hope he can go beyond 400 wickets and become England’s greatest wicket-taker. He has a really nice action, he’s a seasoned campaigner and he knows how to manage his body. We hope he can stay on the park for another five or six years.”

Saker was almost equally effusive about Stuart Broad. It was Broad who produced the match-clinching performance in the final innings against New Zealand, taking his Test-best figures of 7 for 44 and, though Saker admitted Broad lacked the consistency to be categorised as a great bowler, he suggested such a scenario was possible in the future.

“When he gets everything right, there aren’t many better in the world,” Saker said.

“We’ll be talking about that spell for a long time. It’s as good a spell as you’ll ever see

anywhere. He has days where he just tears teams apart and he did it again there.

“The one thing that stands out from the greats to the very good is the greats are consistent. Stuart still has things to learn about bowling. But in my book he’s still getting better every time and he’s learning a lot from having some down times. He’s come back bigger and better from some down times in India. Those things happen. There are a lot of bowlers who have gone through times, which are a bit tough.”

Saker has made extravagant claims over the strength of England’s bowling before.

Almost exactly a year ago, he suggested the England attack was “as good as” the Australian attack of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, et al. but, on this occasion, he admitted there was room for improvement from the England unit. Steven Finn, who is struggling for rhythm, is a particular concern for Saker at present.

Sreesanth gets five more days in custody over spot-fixing REESANTH and his two they have made three fresh been arrested by us

(on Smates, Roy said.

Rajasthan Royals team- arrests, including that of Saturday),” Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Virendra Dara Singh Randhawa, BCCI had suspended the three

Docked… Shanthakumaran Sreesanth will remain in custody for five days more.

Chandila, who were arrested on Thursday for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing, were remanded yesterday by a Delhi court to a further five days in police custody.

The Delhi Police have charged them under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with criminal breach of trust and is a non-bailable offence.

In a separate development, Mumbai Police announced

also known as Vindoo, the son of famous Indian wrestler, Dara Singh.

“The first is that of Alpesh Patel, who was a hawala operator connected to these bookies. We have recovered cash of Rs 1.28 crores (US$230,000) from the search of his premises,” Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (crime) in Mumbai, said.

“Vindoo has also been arrested for links with bookies who have

cricketers, pending enquiry, after the controversy occurred.

The three Royals players were arrested in Mumbai for allegedly indulging in spot-fixing during three IPL matches.

The Delhi Police also arrested several bookies, including a former Royals player, Amit Singh, for their role in the matter.

Stories culled from gspncricinfo.com

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

60 | SPORTS

Moses, Kalu’s absence, no major ‘injury’ to Eagles, say Okala, Kpakor

By Eno-Abasi Sunday AR from the concerns expressed by many after the duo of Victor Moses and Kalu Uche elected to opt out of the Super Eagles friendly game against Mexico on May 31 in Houston, United States, as well as, crucial World Cup qualifiers and the Confederation Cup in Brazil, ex-internationals, Emmanuel Okala and Moses Kpakor say their absence will not deplete the fortunes of the African champions.

In fact, while Kpakor is of the opinion that with the way Coach Steven Keshi has tinkered with the team, capable replacements were abundant in all departments, Okala believes that fringe players would have the chance to prove their mettle in these positions.

Chelsea’s ace, Moses, who performed brilliantly at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, said he is dropping out to treat a recurring injury and will not be fit in time for the

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World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup. His club say he will be with the rest of the squad for their pre-season tour of the states in order to be closely monitored by medics, but would not participate actively in the tour.

Turkey-based Uche claims he has been playing with injury for sometime now, but has, on the advice of his doctor, decided to use the opportunity provided by the off-season to undergo treatment.

Okala, Rangers Football Club of Enugu and Green Eagles legendary goalkeeper, in an interview with The Guardian said, “both players have done well for Nigeria in the recent past. Now that they are ailing, it is important for them to be allowed to take care of their health considering the importance of good health to athletes in particular and humans in general.”

He added that because of their pedigree, “they would be missed by the team, but this is what the team han-

dlers can handle. Besides, their absence will give opportunities to fringe players to prove their worth.

“Having proved their worth in the team, their absence will hand new players the opportunity to show what they can do, in other words, their absence is an opportunity some other players have been waiting for to prove themselves,” Okala added.

For Kpakor, a former Super Eagles man-marker, “Moses’ injury has been very evident over the while if not since he returned to base from the African Cup of Nations. That I think explains why he has only been starting from the bench in most games in recent times.

However, “because of the work that Keshi has done on the team, by raising the team’s profile and also building a side where individual talents blend, I am very sure there are capable replacements for the duo.

This is the reason I am saying that the team is not so injured by the ouster of Moses and Kalu.”

Super Eagles’ star, Victor Moses will be missing during the friendly against Mexico in United States.

German Embassy finally grants visas to Training taekwondo team Camp that will be

By Olalekan Okusan HE German Embassy yesterday finally granted entry visas to the Nigerian taekwondo, which is scheduled to begin a training tour of Europe.

The eight-man team is made up of Segun Olushola (-68kg male), Sunday Onofe (-80kg male), Uche Chukwumerije (87kg male), Joy Ekhator (-49kg male], John Victor (coach), Ekundayo Ogunkunle (physiotherapist), Joyce Ezeala (Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, secretary general) and Chika Chukwumerije (CEO, CCSF & organiser).

The German Embassy had ini-

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GTB Ogun Principals’ Cup

Ambitious RDHS battles Alamuwa School in final OURNAMENTleading scorer at the on-going Ogun State T Principals’ Cup, Adedeji Ojo of

Polo stars at the 2013 Lagos International Championship. The train has berthed in Abuja where teams are jostling for honours in the MTN/Abuja Unity Championship.

Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu, is already looking forward to his team lifting the coveted trophy this afternoon when they battle Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo in the final match of the competition.

“We have weathered the storm to reach this level, no magic from Ado-Odo lads will stop us from emerging victorious today and with the moral support from the school authority and our numerous Old Student Union, we are confident of victory in this match,” Ojo commented last night after the team’s final training s e s s i o n .

The school founded in 1965 have been united in ‘Dignity in

Labour’ following the interest and commitment by the school authority and goodwill messages from ex-students in the country and others in D i a s p o r a .

Remo Divisional School fought very hard to overcome hard fighting Adeola Odutola Grammar School, Ijebu Ode in the semi final match.

Ojo scored the only goal in the second half from a long range shot that beat the fast intuition of the goal keeper.

In his message to the team, the national President of Old Student Association, Mofopefoluwa Joseph (MFR), urged the team not to relent on their oars because all former students of the institution are proud of the feat they have attained in the competition and want them win the cup.

tially refused the team’s visa requests, but it finally issued the documents, albeit on single entry basis.

Speaking from Abuja yesterday, Chika Chukwumerije, the organiser of the trip, thanked the German Embassy for issuing the visas after reviewing further documents submitted to convince them that the team had good intentions.

“I am very happy that the German Embassy overturned their decision. It is a happy day for taekwondo, especially the up-coming ones, who can have hope that if they continue working hard at training, and being honest, they stand a real chance of getting opportunities like this.

“The team will depart on Wednesday (today). They have lost two days of the 24-day camp, but I am hopeful that the experience these athletes gained will come in handy in AAG 2015 and Rio 2016. The athletes will also transfer knowledge to their fellow elite athletes during the 2nd CCSF Elite

Sports medicine experts urge states’ toPORTS establish functional clinics medicine practition- Sports Medicine Department, Sers have recommended headed by Dr. Abdulkadir that every state sports council Mua’zu, between May 14 and be persuaded, encouraged and supported to establish sports medicine clinics.

In a communiqué issued after the first course organised in Abuja by the National Sports Commission’s (NSC)

Nadabo, NSK Farms, Sultana excel as MTN/ Abuja Unity Polo gallops off HE prestigious MTN/Abuja T Unity Polo tournament took to a blistering start on Monday with matches for three cups setting the stage for another exciting MTN Unity Polo fiesta in the Federal Capital Territory.

Three games were decided before a capacity crowd after a colourful opening ceremony at the serene Guard Polo Club in Asokoro, with Sultana Farms, Bauchi Nadabo and Abuja Corsa teams putting up impressive shows in their respective campaigns.

The prestigious polo fiesta, which is reputed for its high profile competition, lived up to its billing as Sultana Farms from Katsina made good their pre -tournament rating, handing Abuja ALBarak a thumping 81/2-3

defeat to set the pace in the Legislative Shield race.

The Suleiman Shema-led Sultana parading Tijani Hassan, Hassan Masanawa and Usman Idris playing in Katsina colours took the lead right from the first chukka of the hotly contested game and remained in front all the way to the final bell.

“We want to thank our numerous fans, whose supports gave us the energy to go all the way. It was a sweet victory and as far as the Legislative Shield is concern, Sultana Farm is the team to beat in this tournament,” declared an elated Shema.

The Prince Mubarak powered Al-Barak, who were playing their third MTN/Abuja Unity Polo tournament, had arrived with high hopes of clinching their first title. But

their push came a little late as the Katsina guys had already opened up a wide goals margin from the third chucka of the tense clash.

Debuting Bauchi Nadabo, who are making their first attempt at winning the glittering Guards Trophy, left no one in doubt about their intention as they upset defending champions, Abuja Unity Bank 5-4 in a closely fought battle that gave the capacity crowd a good value for their money.

“Winning our first game against a good side like Abuja Unity Bank was not an easy task, but our determination and team work did it for us, and we are looking forward to going all the way to the final and eventually winning the cup,’ enthused Haruna Ningi of Nadabo.

held at the end of June 2013,” he said.

He added, “I once again emphasis my determination to plead the cause of athletes while I am on the taekwondo board. We must expand the opportunities available to our young and talented athletes, so they will not be lured by the vicious cycle of visa racketeering.

“In addition, athletes and viable sponsors join us in this fight. This year alone, I am planning three or four more trips to expose even more youngsters.

That way, these youngsters will run to legal bodies that are actually interested in their welfare. My foundation will continue to assist these young athletes by creating more of these opportunities,” he added.

The CCSF boss also lauded the National Sports Commission (NSC) for sponsoring the wellpackaged Elite Training programme, adding, “the NSC has been very helpful and supportive.

Players vying for possession during the 2012 GTB Heritage Cup held at Campos PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI Mini Stadium in Lagos Island.

16, the practitioners agreed the Sports Medicine Course should be used as part of the CME recognised by medical professional bodies for renewal of practicing license, adding that the Sports Medicine Association should be resuscitated both at the national and state levels.

They reasoned that the Course should be a yearly programme to compliment expected major sporting events, and also recommended that the states sports councils as a matter of duty be provided with qualified medical personnel to accompany teams to all competitions, both locally and internationally.

The communiqué urged each states’ sports council/commission to provide adequate budget for sports medicine to facilitate provision of basic medical care in sporting programmes.

It also called on NSC to put together a curriculum for the training of professional Sports Medicine personnel at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) and other institutions of higher learning in the country.

THE GUARDIAN, Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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TheGuardian

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Nduka Odo NEMPLOYMENT is already so high, staring U us in the face no matter where we turn. But as people are crying and praying for jobs, the few opportunities available are turning out to constitute a huge financial burden on job seekers. Whatever they have to feed themselves is drained to attend interviews.

I have observed for some time now how big organisations in Nigeria carry out their recruitment exercises. They conduct their job interviews in only three cities in Nigeria: Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, leaving out the rest of the states, cities and regions. This means that anyone who wants to attend an interview or do a test for job opportunities has to move to any of the three cities.

Recently, I participated in one of the exercises to ascertain our suitability for employment in a brewery. There was no centre in the whole of South East and I had to choose between Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt. I did not know anybody in Abuja or Port Harcourt, so I chose Lagos because I have a distant cousin living there. I left Enugu three days before the Ability Test and ended up spending two days on the road because of the Enugu-Onitsha and Benin-Lagos expressways.

Two weeks later, after I got home, a media house invited me for an interview. I could not attend because first, the interview was to be held only in Lagos and Abuja. Secondly, travelling to Lagos or Abuja costs an amount of money an unemployed person could not afford twice in two weeks.

Before, I used to think that it was only corporate organisations and oil companies resident only in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt that did this. But, government agencies, departments, commissions and ministries are also culprits in this crime. These bodies recruiting for their wards, local governments, states and federal offices in Nigeria often state that their test centres are only in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

What about centres in South East, North East and North West? Are these job opportunities not meant for every Nigerian? If they are meant for everybody, equal opportunity should be given to all to compete.

Some people who are well qualified for the job will not be able to attend because they cannot afford the transport fare to get to the test or interview centre. I can’t see the reason why a person who is to be employed in a local government in Borno State will be required to travel all the way to Abuja for an interview. Or, the reason a person to be employed in a branch of a bank in Nsukka has to travel to Port Harcourt or Lagos similarly for an interview.

This leads me to think that leaders, in government and private organisations, are very insensitive to the plight of people in need.

Insensitivity is a lenient word, indeed heartlessness is better. Anybody who cares will never

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This unfair recruitment pattern

Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour and Productivity allow an unemployed person to spend such an amount and travel through the hell called roads of Enugu to Lagos, apart from the distance, to attend an interview or test in which, it is certain that, only very few will succeed.

I am not saying that recruiters should pay test or interview allowances to job seekers (even though it is not out of place in some nations and it even once happened in this country, too). What I am saying is that overconcentration on Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano does not help matters for job seekers living outside these places. All activities in Nigeria must not be scheduled for these cities. Nigeria is made up of six geopolitical zones and activities need to reflect that. This time, it is not for political purposes but to help young Nigerians seeking vacancies to get jobs without spending

more than they have, or money they do not have. Even if the jobs cannot be brought closer to people living outside Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, the test or interview should be arranged in such a way that it does not cost them much in transportation and stress.

It is not only in employment matters that there is overconcentration on Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja but also in their activities.

This trait runs through government, corporations, companies, non-government organisations, individuals, who are employers of labour. I remember, for example, in my undergraduate days, whenever my class approached banks and telecommunication companies to sponsor our activities on the campus they told us that they could not do anything until they secured approval from Lagos.

It is unfair, improper, inequitable, unwarranted, unhealthy, unmerited, unreasonable, undeserved and wrong. It detracts from the unity we want to build out of our diversity.

Lagos is already congested, yet every year it is the destination of many job-seeking graduates from different higher institutions of learning and from different regions bound to Lagos. It is believed the green pasture is to be found only in Lagos. Recently, I asked a corps member friend on Facebook chat where his destination would be after national service. He was asked why he would not consider Enugu his home state and where he grew up and did all levels of his education. His answer was simple: There are few corporate organisations in Enugu compared to Lagos. That is true because more than 80 per cent of corporate organisations in the country have their headquarters in Lagos. All banks are headquartered in Lagos. All major breweries, headquartered in Lagos. All major factories, oil companies, government agencies, etc.

There is nothing wrong in their having their head offices in Lagos. By the way, Lagos is the commercial capital of Nigeria. But, it is not reasonable enough to schedule all activities of a nation in one or very few places, even from the point of security which is a major concern already. If anything should happen to Lagos, Nigeria will collapse economically.

The government should put a policy in place not just to correct the insensitive recruitment pattern but also to ensure expanded development across the nation. If you are travelling to Lagos, for instance, from Benin City, all you will see is forest until you get into Lagos suburb.

When this expanded development is achieved, one will not have to travel from region to region to attend job tests and interviews, except for people who want to relocate. This is how it is in many nations which some call employment exchange. There should be recruitment centres in all the states or at least in the six regions established and managed by government agencies. This will bring corporations and employers closer to those seeking jobs. These centres will host tests and interviews for massive recruitments. The centres will serve as designated points for job seekers to go for notification.

This, in addition, will eliminate or reduce employment scams. When job seekers know where to call for a test and interview and notifications or from which websites they can obtain authentic information, they will not fall prey to scammers. Also, it would not be an opportunity for some individuals to steal public funds. Since there are government agencies in the geo-political zones this should fall among their functions, providing an arm of labour office.

When this platform is established, it will go a long way to alleviate the financial burden job seekers bear. It will also engender a generational paradigm that will ensure a smooth transition of our graduates from higher institutions to employment.

• Odo is a graduate seeking job.

Reality TV shows: A way out for unemployed youths

By Dami Adeoye EALITY TV shows have become popular in R Nigeria in recent times. In fact, the successes recorded by some of them have sprung up more of these shows that one can hardly keep up with them. Sponsorships from reputable corporate organisations and the following noticed from viewers have also increased their credibility.

Reality TV shows have become the preferred medium for multinational organisations to exhibit their corporate social responsibility which they owe their host communities. It is believed the youth, especially the unemployed, through participation in the shows have the opportunity to showcase and nurture their inherent talents for the benefit of the society.

Some people also reason that the programmes would help vicious youths turn a new leaf since it is believed that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

Every organisation wants to be involved as there are now different genres of reality TV shows, ranging from music, movies, sports etc.

Prominent among them are: Gulder Ultimate Search, MTN Project Fame West Africa, The Next Movie Star, Star Quest, Nigerian Idol, Maltina Family Dance All, Nigeria’s Got Talent, Knorr Quest and recently, Destiny Child- a gospel talent hunt reality TV show. Presumably, the Destiny Child initiative would help fill the vacuum gospel music opened for the secular music to thrive.

The reason for this assumption is because most winners of secular reality TV programmes

come from church where they have been properly trained. They go secular after winning due to circumstances beyond their control. The record labels they are signed under do not support them to sing gospel music because it is generally believed that secular songs make more money and bring more fame than gospel. However, it is baffling to know that the church is churning out its members to the secular world; especially to the people it is obligated to save.

Rousing emotions have been observed in those who get dropped during auditions and those evicted from the competitions, as they are not fortunate to compete for the grand

prize. Some take their loss in good stride while others break down in tears.

Contestants of these competitions get instant fame as they are watched by millions of viewers all over the world. The viewers are given the chance to vote for their favourite contestant(s) as the case may be. There is an ever-present live audience which the winners may not always get when they face the real world after the competitions. Asides these, they also get to meet important personalities from their various industries; people who become relevant to their career after the contest. An example is the recently concluded MTN Project Fame West Africa, which was aired

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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for 10 weeks on TV stations across the nation.

Ayobami Ayoola won the grand prize, while Marvelous Odiete and Adetoun Adekoya were first and second runners-up respectively. They all had the privilege to meet On-AirPersonalities, international music producers, dancers and entrepreneurs who taught them how to invest their winnings.

Winning a Reality TV competition does not guarantee sustainable success as some of the winners were last heard of during the contests.

On the other hand, tremendous successes have been recorded by some of them. Popular products of reality TV shows making waves in Nigeria at present are: Timi Dakolo, Omawunmi, Inyanya, Praiz, Tonto Dike, Lydia Forson, Mike, Jodie, OC Ukeje, Chidinma, Yetunde, Tolu, Yeka Onka, Mercy, Monica Ogha and more. The aim of these reality TV programmes has been achieved in a way, due to the fact that it has prevented some of the contestants from going through the hassles of unemployment which some of their mates may still be grappling with. Their gifts have made a way for them just like the book of proverb says.

More love should be shown to talented people especially the teeming unemployed youths by government and the private sector in any way they can in order to encourage youth development in the country.

Music has been observed to be the most popular and successful of the different styles of reality TV shows in Nigeria today; and if music be the food of love, why not let it play on! So the unsung can be heard.