Mon 26 aug 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Monday, August 26, 2013

Vol. 30, No. 12,660

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Drama as gov, Suntai, returns • Amid posers over his health • Fails to address crowd, deputy denied access • Family, associates shield state chief, help him to enter vehicle • Residents vow to stop ‘incapacitated’ helmsman from holding office From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) , Charles Akpeji (Jalingo) and Wole Oyebade (Lagos) FTER 10 months of medA ical treatment overseas, Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai arrived in the country yesterday.

He was flown to the domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the afternoon aboard a chartered aircraft with number N3889A at 12.48 p.m.

Suntai sustained injuries when his self-piloted plane crashed on October 25, 2012 in Yola, Adamawa.

Dressed in a dark grey suit, Suntai had difficulty climbing down the steps of the aircraft as well as getting to a car that took him to the reception at the presidential wing where he was received by his friends and close associates.

Although Suntai did not talk to journalists, he was

able to wave to some of his friends.

Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, who led a team of friends to receive the governor, explained that the discomfort experienced

by Suntai at the airport was caused by the long hours of flight from the United States (U.S.).

Shortly after unsuccessful attempts to interview the Taraba governor, journalists were asked to depart the venue to allow him rest.

“Gentlemen of the press, you have come and you have seen him (Suntai). I think that is enough for now,” Gana said, as security men quickly led journalists out of the scene.

Airport authorities said that Suntai would remain at the airport until after an hour when some stopover formalities would have been concluded before he could depart Abuja to Jalingo.

On the state of health of the

governor, Mr. John Dara, a special assistant to the former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, told journalists: “As we saw, the governor had some pains in his legs and the rest. Oh yes!

That is understandable. He is obviously recuperating.

He is well. He greeted each and everyone of us and called us by name. I was shocked that he recognised everyone. So, he is mentally alert.

“We were really excited to see the governor. What is clear is that after the long journey from America, he was obviously weak and tired.”

On changes made by the acting governor, Garba Umar, in the absence of Suntai, Dara said: “Those were minor administrative issues. If somebody was sacked and if he as the governor is convinced the person should be reinstated, he is reinstatCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State during his arrival in Abuja… yesterday.

Operators, FAAN bicker over alleged impunity

By Ade Ogidan, Business Editor FRESH legal battle may further unsettle operations in the nation’s aviation sector, with alleged non-compliance with court orders by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), stoking the crisis.

Specifically, alleged breaches of agreements reached between some concessionaires in the aviation industry and FAAN, are central to the brewing crisis.

Private sector operators handling the concessioned operations alleged that various court decisions, made

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against the agency, were being flagrantly disobeyed.

While not denying the court decisions, FAAN said it was only exercising its powers to protect the general public interest, as it viewed the pacts earlier reached with the concessionaires as being lopsided against the well-being of the agency.

But Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), which successfully delivered the public-private sector project of Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), said the culture of impunity enthroned by

FAAN could compromise sustainable growth of the nation’s aviation sector.

BASL’s Chief Operating Officer for MMA2, Adebisi Awoniyi, alleged that incalculable damage had been to

MORE ON PAGES 62-64 the concessionaires’ plans to provide world-class services at the strategic gateway.

Awoniyi pointed out that FAAN had already incurred several billions of naira as legal awards against it, sequel to court decisions made over “flagrant breaches of

concessioning agreements” it entered with the private sector operators.

Besides, she said resource enhancement facilities were either being crippled or stalled by the agency, through outright violations of the pacts reached with concessionaires at the airports.

Some of the breaches to the concessioning agreements, according to her, include decimation of BASL’s operational profile, which has, through FAAN’s alleged machinations, exited the general aviation terminal

from its control; non-operation of regional flights from MMA2; non-payment of charges by fuel marketers at the airport to BASL; and derailment of fuel supply scheme through a specially designed underground facility at the gateway.

She complained also that despite a subsisting court order, FAAN had refused to render account of “all income it derived unlawfully and illegally, by operating outside the agreement and pay same to Bi-Courtney.”

While reacting to security CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

PHOTO: NAN

Estranged PDP govs form new party, VOP

By Ehichioya Ezomon, Group Political Editor HOSE who argue that the T nation’s political space is already crowded may have a rethink as a new political party, Voice of the People (VOP), is in the offing.

Indeed, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may announce the approval of the new political association this week.

Its recognition by INEC would make it the fourth poCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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News Varsity teachers fault ‘no work, no pay’ threat From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan TRIKING university teachers Swork, yesterday dismissed the ‘no no pay ‘ threat of the Federal Government, describing it as an ‘obsolete familiar threat’.

The university teachers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a statement by the Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of the union said they have resolved to pursue the ongoing strike to a logical conclusion to revitalise the public universities.

He explained that the strike embarked upon by the union was a just one, to defend the integrity of the university system in Nigeria and save it from collapse.

He described the Federal Government’s N100 billion as unacceptable, saying government ‘is just begging the matter’ on ground as the money is like a drop in the ocean.

Military warns officers against bias

Chairman of the occasion, Frank Kokori (right); celebrant, Baba Oluwide Omojola; his wife, Dr. Yewande, his son, Akinola and Mrs. Kudirat Alao Aka-Bashorun (left) during the cutting of Omojola 75th birthday cake in Lagos at the weekend.

From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri)

Ughelli Power firm gets N13b AFC, banks lifeline

ILITARY authorities have warned all the Commanding Officers (COs) serving in the North East states of the country against ethnic and religious bigotry while they fight Boko Haram menace in the communities.

Meanwhile, the JTF’s spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, said yesterday in Maiduguri that it is not yet over in the task of protection of people’s lives and property against Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.

Similarly, Bama town in Borno State, which was on three occasions attacked and destroyed by suspected Boko Haram gunmen this year, will require about N3.5 billion to rebuild it, according to the lawmaker representing Bama/Dikwa/Ngala Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abdurrahman Terab.

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Group wants Wike prosecuted over threats From Ann Godwin, Port-Harcourt ESPITE the denial by the D Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike that he did not say he will make Rivers State ungovernable for Governor Chibuike Amaechi, a group under the aegis of Rivers Peoples Forum (RPF) has insisted that the minister be arrested and prosecuted for threatening the peace and people of the state.

The group also described as laughable the condition given by the minister for peace to reign in the state, which according to them, was the recalling of the suspended ObioAkpor Council chairman and councillors.

A statement by the President of the group, Charles Bekwele yesterday, said that the minister does not have the right to give conditions for the existence of peace in the state.

From Emeka Anuforo (Abuja) and Roseline Okere (Lagos) O boost electricity supply T in the country, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in conjunction with UBA Bank Plc, as co-arrangers, and FCMB and Fidelity Bank as co-financiers has provided a N13 billion debt financing facility for the acquisition of Ughelli Power Plc. The aggregate commitment of AFC for the acquisition is N8 billion.

Meanwhile, there is intense lobby at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to extend the payment deadline for Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which could not be paid for when the deadline ended on Wednesday.

In a related development, Eastern Electric, the reserve bidder for Enugu Electric Distribution Company, has made overtures to the BPE to respect the law and immediately allow it make payment following the inability of the preferred bidder to meet up.

Besides, an indigenous firm Forte Oil Plc, said yesterday that its subsidiary, Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited (Amperion Power) has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the 414MW Geregu Power plant with payment of $99 million.

Nigeria began restructuring and reform of its electricity sector in 2000 with the issuance of the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP) to unbundle the sector and establish a regulator, with a mandate to create and develop a competitive electricity market.

The provisions of the NEPP were subsequently enacted in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 (EPSR Act), providing the key legal and regulatory framework for the

• Pressure mounts for extension of payment deadline for Enugu Disco • Reserve bidder writes BPE • Amperion pays N11b for Geregu plant reform, including the establishment of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), paving the way for private sector participation in the power sector.

Ughelli Power Plc is one of six power generation limited liability companies established under the provisions of the EPSR Act following the unbundling of the vertically integrated PHCN. Ughelli Power Plc is a gas fired thermal power plant acquired by Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) in the first round of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s privatisation of power generation assets formerly owned by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Ughelli Power Plc was incorporated in 2005, is situated in Delta State and has an installed capacity of approximately 900MW. It currently generates approximately eight per cent of the total electricity within the Nigerian national grid.

Transcorp is the lead sponsor in the Transcorp Ughelli Power consortium, which will be purchasing 100 per cent of the shares in Ughelli Power Plc. Transcorp, incorporated in 2004, is a diversified conglomerate with strategic investments and core interests in the hospitality, agribusiness and energy sectors.

AFC, a multilateral finance institution, was established

in 2007 and has a current capital base of US$1.2 billion. It was established to be the catalyst for private sector infrastructure investment across Africa. AFC fills a critical void in providing project structuring expertise and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs, and is increasingly being seen as the benchmark institution for private sector investment in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the AFC, Andrew Alli stated: “AFC’s long-term vision is to help address Africa’s infrastructure deficit and ensure sustainable economic growth for the continent.

Growth of the Nigerian economy cannot be fully realised without an efficient and functioning power sector. Power is one of AFC’s high priority sectors for investment, and arguably Africa’s most significant need.

To this end, AFC stands as both an advocate and support of privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria, and has partnered with the U.S. government through United States International Development Agency (USAID) in the USD7 billion U.S. Presidential “Power Africa Initiative” to accelerate investment in Africa’s power sector over the next five years and increase access to clean, geot-

hermal, hydro, wind and solar energy. AFC’s investment in Ughelli power will contribute towards reducing Nigeria’s chronic power deficit, foster economic growth and create employment.

AFC was created to address the infrastructure investment deficit and is privileged to be providing an African private sector investment solution, to drive economic growth and industrial development in Nigeria.”

At the close of the official deadline on Wednesday, all the preferred bidders for the nation’s utilities for privatisation had paid up except Interstate Electrics, which was unable to pay the remaining 75 per cent of the bid price for Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Information released from Ministry of Power indicates that apart from the preferred bidder for Enugu Disco which failed to make payment that of Sapele Power Station had made ‘substantial part-payment’. It is not immediately clear if ‘substantial part-payment’ also qualifies as beating the deadline.

But The Guardian learnt at the weekend that spirited attempts to get Vice President Namadi Sambo, who is the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, to make a special case for Interstate Electrics were unsuccessful.

A source said the promoters of the defaulting firm have

been told in clear terms that international development partners like the USAID and the Department of International Development (DFID) of the British government, which are involved in the bid process as observers, would not accept it.

“This was why the bids from Dangote and Rockson Engineering for two generation firms were disallowed in July, last year; both bids arrived only a few minutes late.

Interstate Electric was also given the example of Mike Adenuga, who could not be awarded a GSM licence in 2001 when MTN, NITEL and Airtel received theirs because of a mistake,” The Guardian was told.

Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo is getting set to formally declare the Transition Electricity Market, to enable the new investors commence business in earnest and further drive the process.

He said in Abuja, “The completion payment now entitles the preferred bidders to take full possession of the 15 PHCN unbundled entities (10 Distribution companies and five Generation companies).”

Nebo reassured of government’s resolve to pursue the transformation agenda to the end, and monitor the emerging transition market, in order to protect the interest of both the citizenry and the investors.

He said the stability of the national grid was being enhanced to ensure effective transmission of any quantity of power being generated in the new dispensation.

He said efforts were also on to provide more electricity offgrid, especially for the rural areas, while also sustaining subsidy for low income electricity consumers in the nation’s tariff structure.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Supreme Court adjusts hearing date in appeals against Mimiko From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, has brought forward hearing in the four appeals, seeking to unseat Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State.

The appeals were lodged against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which declared Mimiko as the valid winner of the state’s governorship election conducted in April 2011.

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Operators, FAAN bicker over alleged impunity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 alert triggered by the confessional statement of a Boko Haram suspect, which indicated that fuel trucks at the Lagos airport could be a likely target of attacks, Awoniyi described the Murtala Muhammed Airport, international and local, as one of the few busy airports where trucks are still being carried on to the apron, to sell fuel to the marketers.

According to her, a N2 billion fuel hydrant project that could have prevented the menace of trucks at the airport was stalled by FAAN. She said: “It is interesting to us now that government is seeking to remove tankers from the airport premises; we foresaw this, 10 years ago, and we provided a fuel hydrant system at the airport. What does this mean?

It means that fuel will be sold from the various basements, or from the apron of the airport without buses.”

The Supreme Court had earlier fixed September 24, 2013, to commence hearing in the four appeals filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Mimiko and the party that sponsored him, the Labour Party (LP).

However, upon concerns raised by interested parties that hearing the appeal on September 24, 2013, will render the suit “dead” and “academic as it would have breached the mandatory 60 days to determine election petition appeals, Justice Aloma-Mukhtar decided to ad-

just the hearing date to Tuesday, August 27, 2013.”

By that decision, the Supreme Court will sit on the appeals while its vacation subsists. It is an uncommon practice for the justices of the apex court to sit on appeal while on vacation.

Specifically, a group, Concerned Ondo Professionals (COP), raised the alarm over the September 24, 2013, date given by the apex court for the hearing in the said appeals.

The group said the date falls outside the 60-day period within which the apex court must hear and determine the appeals, adding that it has generated tension in the

state.

Speaking at a news conference, President of the group, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, prayed Justice AlomaMukhtar to reverse the date if it is an error or offer a convincing legal explanation for it. “As we move closer to the statutory 60 days within which the Supreme Court will deliver its judgment, anxiety grows in geometric proportion. Expectedly, the people thought the judgment would be delivered on or before September 3, 2013.

But contrary to this, the Supreme Court on August 20, 2013, issued a notice of hearing wherein September 24 was picked as the official

date of hearing in the matter. By the provision of the constitution, the case would have been statutebarred by that time and the Supreme Court will no longer have jurisdiction to hear it.”

Ogele added: “Since the pronouncement of the date, there was palpable tension in Ondo State. People are anxious and disturbed because of their commitment to clean polls. We are equally disturbed. We felt it was an error but only realised we needed to speak out to douse the growing tension that finds expression in the reactions of the people to it.”

Suntai fails to address crowd, deputy denied access CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ed. If the governor is convinced they were fairly treated when the facts are presented to him, it is up to him.”

Other persons at the Abuja airport to receive Suntai included Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Taru Isiaku and a former Sports Minister, Damishu Sango.

Experiences at the Abuja airport were mixed as journalists and other friends of the governor waited for hours to see him. Journalists were initially asked to keep off the airport’s vicinity by policemen and airport authorities.

Later, the governor was assisted into a waiting red Range Rover by his wife, Hauwa Suntai and family

friends. Despite the large crowd that came to welcome him, Suntai did not address them.

Tears dropped from the eyes of some security personnel and his associates who drew close when the governor was being helped into the waiting vehicle.

One of the security personnel who The Guardian noticed was a senior officer with the Nigeria Police described the return of Suntai as “sheer wickedness,” stating that “this man is not yet fit, why for God’s sake did they decide to bring him back now?”

The acting governor, who was taken unawares by the sudden decision to fly the governor back home, could not meet his boss as security op-

eratives prevented dignitaries and journalists from getting close to the aircraft that brought in Suntai.

Though the return was described by some persons as a welcome development, many are still of the view that he should have been left in the care of his medical personnel in the U.S. pending when he fully recovers.

Wondering why the governor was not allowed to address the crowd or journalists, a top member of the ruling PDP told The Guardian that the decision to bring him back was “political because if it is what you and I saw, then it is obvious he cannot perform his constitutional responsibilities.”

The state co-ordinator of the

Save Taraba Group, Razaq Umar, said that Taraba residents were not afraid of his return but “what we are asking is can he perform his duties as the number one citizen of our state?”

The group, he said, would not condone a situation where the governor is kept from the public and “some groups would be dishing out directives under the pretext that such directives were being given by the governor.”

In the same vein, a top member of the PDP, Danjuma Munga, told The Guardian that “we are not against his coming back. We are glad they have succeeded in bringing him home, but it is going to be a disaster when he fails to act in his capacity as gover-

Estranged PDP govs form new party CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 litical party the electoral body would be registering within one month. The others are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and Independent Democrats (ID).

This time, however, according to sources, the new party is being sponsored and promoted by some governors

“who will have no need to deny their involvement.”

The source was apparently referring to the serial denial by alleged promoters of the PDM. Save for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who affirmed that his associates were behind the PDM, governors on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic

Party (PDP) all denied having any links with its formation.

But the coming of the VOP may be different, as sources disclosed that “those behind its formation are ready to stick out their necks for what they believe in.”

And that belief, one of the sources said, “is to stop President Jonathan in his 2015 ambition.”

APC raises state interim committees ROGRESS continues in the All Progressives Congress P (APC), which recently formed its interim national executive committee, and now the committee has approved the establishment of State Harmonisation Committees (SHCs) to regulate the activities of the party in the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the SHC followed the executive committee’s adoption of the Masari committee report after its meeting in Abuja last week.

According to the Masari committee, the SHC shall comprise President/Vice President, governors/deputy governors and senators. All of the above must be either former or serving, and members of the legacy parties. Others are serving members of the House of Representatives and speakers or minority leaders of states assemblies, who are members of the party.

Also listed are former ministers, all immediate past national executive committee members of the legacy parties, immediate past gubernatorial candidates of legacy parties and their deputies, where APC does not have a sitting governor from the legacy parties.

Membership also includes nine persons, comprising three elders, three youths and three women, one each from senatorial districts, state chairmen and secretaries of the legacy parties, members of the interim national executive committee and federal commissioners, who are members of the legacy parties.

According to the party, these persons shall be recommended to the interim national executive committee for approval and inauguration by the national vice chairmen, in conjunction with members of the interim national executive from their zone.

Three die as Kwara vigilance groups engage cultist From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HREE suspected members of Eiye Confraternity were killed yesterday in a confrontation with vigilance groups in Ilorin, Kwara State, which allegedly mistook them for armed robbers after their initiation in a hideout in Ilorin.

The incident also left four of the outlaws critically injured, while 18 were arrested.

Confirming the incident, the Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Fabode (DSP), said the command acted on a tip-off on Saturday night that suspected armed robbers were hiding in a bush adjoining NASFAT Village, along Airport Road, on the outskirts of Ilorin.

Fabode said the information “prompted various vigilance groups in the communities around the place to mount sentries on all roads leading to the bush and waited until the early hours of this morning (yesterday) when the Eiye Confraternity completed its initiation.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

FCT to compensate plot owners in centenary city From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Department of T Resettlement and Compensation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to facilitate all payments to the five communities affected by the demolition of “illegal structures” on the land earmarked for the construction of the centenary city in Abuja.

Meanwhile, there were indications at the weekend that the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed-led nine man committee for the centenary celebrations is set to begin construction of structures at the site proposed for the building of the mega city to mark Nigeria’s 100th year.

“Numbers have already been given to the affected communities by the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation, and anybody, including indigenes, making any claims to any plot with genuine papers and building plan approval should approach the authorities for compensation or alternative allocations. Funds have also been made available for that purpose,” the District Officer in charge of the area said.

Cleric tasks Nigerians on peaceful co-exisFrom Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja HE new Bishop of Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Abuja Zone, Rt. Rev. Victor James has urged Nigerians to live in harmony, love and protect one another’s life irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday shortly after his enthronement as the Bishop of Abuja zone of the church, James appealed to Christians to exhibit the true love of God. The Bishop who decried the high level of insecurity in the country, stressed the need for Nigerians to shun evil vices and embrace peace. “God should engender love in the heart of the perpetrators of evil in the country for them to realise that God did not create them for the purpose of committing crime but for Divine purpose of living for Him,” the cleric said.

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Edo PDP flays screening of primary school teachers From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City DO State Government’s E ongoing verification of primary school teachers’ certificates has drawn the ire of the state’s chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which yesterday described the exercise as a ruse.

State chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, said Nigerians should not take seriously the case of one Mrs. Augusta Osemwingie, who could not read from documents she submitted at the certificate verification exercise, alleging that it was stage-managed, and a ploy to divert attention from more serious issues.

“We condemn the home video-like show by the governor and can only compare it to that of retired Major (Lawrence) Loye, who was humiliated, handcuffed and described by the governor as a man who knows next to nothing about environmental sanitation, only to later appoint him as permanent secretary in the same ministry,” the party said.

Board Secretary, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Amaka Amechi (left); Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Jide Adebayo; FAAN’s Managing Director, George Uriesi and Director, Multi-Media Services of NAN, Joe Bankole, after a NAN forum in Abuja…yesterday

Youths, groups demand release of Ozekhome, others unhurt From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief), AlemmaOzioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos)

T is sad that Mike Ozekhome would be “I abducted in such a dastardly and cruel manner by those who are beneficiaries of his many years of social advocacy. The government has failed woefully to give practical expression to relevant sections of our constitution that make it imperative for it to guarantee the security of all citizens, which indeed is the primary duty of the government. It is a settled fact that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity and mass anxiety.

“On our part, we have directed our security committee to assist the security agencies in any way by immediately mobilising Afenmai youths to liaise and collaborate with them to ensure that Ozekhome is released unhurt. We appeal to the abductors to please free him now. An injury to one is an injury to all.”

With these words yesterday, the Afenmai Youth Coalition (AYC), in a statement, condemned the kidnap of human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome; his driver and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Athansius Ugbomhe, at the weekend in Edo State, and urged the abductors to quickly release them unhurt.

Other groups that called for immediate release of Ozekhome are Lagos branch of the National Association of Judicial

• We’ll ensure that, say police Correspondents (NAJUC) and Project Nigeria (PN).

The youth expressed regret that Ozekhome was abducted while on his way to Afenmai land despite the fact that “he has struggled over the years for good governance, equality, justice and accountability in governance. He has fought for the poor and has fought for the rich. He has defended the defenceless and has offered pro-bono legal services to the disadvantaged in society”.

While commending the bravery exhibited by the police officers who lost their lives, the group, in the statement signed by Wesley Olowojaiye, expressed their condolences to the families of the four policemen who fought to stop the abduction but lost their lives in the process.

Ozekhome and others were kidnapped late Friday afternoon in Ehor near Iruekpen. The incident led to the death of four policemen while the Divisional Police Officer, who is said to have led his men on a confrontation with the suspected hoodlums, sustained injuries.

The Police Command yesterday vowed to ensure that all those kidnapped are released unhurt as it was learnt that a contingent of detectives from neighbouring Delta and Ondo states may have been deployed to work with the Edo Command.

The Police Commissioner, Folunso Adebanjo, declined to comment on the issue, explaining that “this is a security matter.

But we will ensure that they are freed unhurt”.

The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development has appealed to the kidnappers of Ozekhome to set him free due to what it described as his humanitarian services in the legal profession.

Director General of the Centre, Chris Ebuetse, called on “all spirited Nigerians to join hands to see to the release of Ozekhome. Apart from being an indigene of Edo State, Ozekhome has traversed the country, advocating for good governance, peace and national development.”

The Executive Director, African Network for the Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, described the kidnap as a threat to peace and development in the country. “It is sad that those who over the years have risked their lives even at the expense of their own resources to agitate and advocate for a truly better Nigeria, are now victims of kidnapping”, he said.

In a statement, PN said: “We condemn in strongest terms this unfortunate act against a leading member of the forthcoming national political summit scheduled to commence next week Monday, September 2, 2013, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

“We call on the law enforcement agencies to ensure immediate release of Ozekhome and ensure that no harm befalls him in the process of his release.”

Also in a statement, NAJUC

urged the abductors to reconsider their actions and release the lawyer to reunite with his family unhurt.

The group further commiserated with the families of four police officers that were killed during a gun duel with the hoodlums, who blocked the road before abducting their captives.

Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, called on the Federal Government to provide jobs and boost security, to reduce the spate of kidnappings nationwide.

He said: “The situation where innocent, hardworking and law abiding Nigerians are regularly kidnapped for ransom is absolutely unacceptable,” he declared. “The government must work extra hard to improve on the situation.”

According to him, the high level crime is a constant reminder to the rich that they cannot enjoy their wealth in a desert of poverty and want.

He stressed that it was high time the government changed a policy that favoured economic growth without development and mass prosperity.

Appealing to the kidnappers to release him without much ado, he said Ozekhome had a track record of human rights activism, all aimed at protecting the vulnerable in the society, adding that it was ironic that he would fall victim to kidnappers.

He however appealed to youth to shun crime as it is not a solution to economic privation.

STF adopts new strategy to check crime in Plateau From Anthony Otaru, Abuja HE Nigerian Army has T embarked on community development strategies, including provision of social services, as weapons to fight crime and maintain peace and unity among the people in Jos, Plateau State.

The Commander, Sector 5 of the Nigerian Army Special Task Force in the state, Col. Alade Adedigba, disclosed this at the weekend while addressing newsmen at a three-day capacity building workshop for media groups in Jos. Col. Adedigba said the command has renovated some schools, 30 boreholes, instituted youth empowerment programmes, as well as initiated sporting competition among the youth in the various communities.

According to the commander, the sporting activities put in place are aimed at diverting the attention of the youth from criminal activities while the projects would create job opportunities for them and give the people a sense of belonging.

According to him, it was discovered that part of the problems of the people is lack of some social amenities needed to address their social needs and reposition their minds positively.

The STF leader, who explained that peace-keeping has gone beyond military force of using guns, stated that meaningful progress has been made through appeals to the minds of the people by tackling their immediate needs, a strategy that has assisted in no small measure to drastically reduce the rate

Jang

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

6 NEWS

Stakeholders urge greater focus on agric reporting From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi ISING from one-day workR shop on capacity building for civil society organisa-

Business, Ethics Specialist, Dr Schalk Engelbrect; summit chairperson, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Public and Corporate Governance Consultant , Dr Andrew Siddle; Counsellor, Municipal Council of Masuku, Sopho Masuku and Secretary General, Arterial Network, Peter Rorvik in Cape Town.

Health workers meet ministers today, may call off strike

By Chukwuma Muanya and Wole Oyebade HE five day old strike action by health worker under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) may be called off today (Monday) after a meeting between the leaders of the union and Ministers of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; and Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu in Abuja by 2 p.m.

An earlier meeting scheduled for Wednesday August 21, 2013 by 12 noon in Abuja could not hold because the union could not form a quorum to represent it at the meeting.

Minister of Health told The Guardian yesterday in a telephone interview: “The only hope we have that the strike may be called off is that JOHESU has accepted to meet with Minister of Labour and Productivity and myself tomorrow (today), Monday by 2 p.m.”

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Pharmacists predict more crises in sector When asked whether it is possible that the matter will be settled out of court, the minister said: “It won’t be good to preempt the meeting. Let us wait and see what happens tomorrow. We have been in talks with the president and secretary general of JOHESU.” Contrary to reports, not The Guardian, that activities at federal hospitals have been grounded because of the health workers strike, Chukwu said: “It is unfortunate that the media prefers to report only the negative side of events. Medical doctors, pharmacists and some senior nurses have been on duty.

Operations have been going on in federal hospitals across the nation.

JOHESU is made up of five unions in health sector: The Medical and Health Workers Unions of Nigeria (MHWUN);

the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM); the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRAI); the Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine (NUPMTAM) and the NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

However, some members of JOHESU have promised to change the gear of the strike if nothing comes out of the meeting tomorrow. The source, which preferred anonymity told The Guardian: “The strike is still on. I cannot say much until tomorrow.”

Also, the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo, has faulted the minister for ordering the health workers to go back to work since the matter is in court.

“The fundamental issue is that there is no equity in the health sector. It is not right for the minister to ask the health workers to go back to work when the issues they raised have not been addressed. If we were his professional colleagues, doctors, he would not have said that.

“We should do everything possible to make sure that consumers of health should not continue to suffer. How can we do this? It is to ensure equity, for as long as there is discriminatory treatment we shall continue to contend with strikes and distortions in health services.”

Also, Chairman PSN Lagos, Akintunde Obembe has predicted that the much-awaited National Health Bill is discriminatory and further promote imbalance among the health workers.

Obembe said if the bill is passed as it is, then it would engender “disharmony, ran-

cour and turmoil in the health sector” it is meant to transform, adding that the coalition of pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists and other health workers are currently on war path with the Federal Government because they are not satisfied with the way things are in that sector.

In his words: “The issue of making doctors to be in charge, whether the experience is there or not and the senior-junior relationship that is very glaring in these institutions is the cause of this problem. But from the way we see things, this is just the beginning,” he said.

Obembe added that the pharmacists were not in doubt that the much publicised health bill has the best of intentions to transform the health system, but have also noted contentious issues that would “never promote harmony among the health workers that are supposed to work as a team.”

The pharmacists frowned at

Obasanjo urges employers to engage competent security managers

By Anthony Chidubem Nwachukwu ORMER President, Chief Fenjoined Olusegun Obasanjo, has manufacturers and industrialists in the country to employ only competent security directors and managers who can help to prevent losses, crimes and hazards associated with their operating environments.

In a goodwill message delivered at eighth annual conference of the Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) over the weekend, Obasanjo observed that manufacturers and industrialists were becoming increasingly aware of the potentials for losses,

crimes and hazards in the industrial environment.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Security and Safety in Commercial and Industrial Environment: Changing Patterns, Challenges and Solutions,” he said the reduction of losses; crimes and hazards in the industrial environment could be achieved by employing knowledgeable security and safety professionals.

Obasanjo, who was represented at the event by Ambassador Albert Omotayo, stressed that these, then, would integrate security and safety functions into the environment at the conceptual stage while working with the rapid innovations in technol-

ogy, rather than allow them to remain isolated.

This recommendation, he noted, became imperative since utility security professionals take appropriate measures and perform a range of duties for the protection of people, property, information and other assets in the event of crime, natural disaster, technical emergency, resource shortage, civil disturbance, war and terrorist activities.

The two-day conference, where eminent scholars and security professionals presented papers on related subthemes, had in attendance the police, military and professional security operators from the private sector.

tions and journalists to reposition agriculture in Benue State and Nigeria at large, stakeholders have urged media practitioners to carry out in-depth reportage of issues in the sector so as to influence government policies.

Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Abuja, Auwal Musa noted with dismay that even as Benue State is endowed with lots of agriculture potential, much was not known due to under reportage.

Represented at the workshop by a senior programme officer of the centre, Mr. Kolawole, the Executive Director stressed that agriculture being a sector that employs over 80 per cent of the nation’s population cannot be ignored. He advised journalists to always take a closer look at government agricultural policies, in content and implementation, review and impact on the people.

Association laments dearth of radiographers From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin EMBERS of Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) have decried the alleged dearth of radiographers in Nigeria.

According to an official of the Institute of Radiography Lagos, Mr. Udoh Sunday, at the weekend during the grand finale of a two-week training programme for members of the profession held at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, the less than 2,000 radiographers in the country today can no longer effectively serve the needs of about 140 million population of Nigeria.

At present, only six Nigerian universities offer courses in radiography. These are, University of Calabar, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, University of Maiduguri and Bayero University, Kano.

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Fola Adeola denies guber ambition

By Tunde Akinola ORMER Vice Presidential candidate under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Fola Adeola has denied the rumour that he is contesting the governorship election in Ogun State under the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC).

There were campaign posters and banners of Adeola showing that he would contest on the platform APC. In a statement he issued yesterday, Adeola who is former managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank), said: “The news report in several news media of my running for Ogun State gubernatorial race was not just surprising and shocking, it was also very embarrassing.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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Reps indict 15 banks of tax evasion, forgery, others From Adamu Abuh, Abuja FTER beaming its searchlight on the financial sector, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance has found fifteen out of twenty one banks wanting, claiming that they defrauded the Federal Government of billions of Naira due to their alleged involvement in tax evasion and sharp practices in tax remittances.

The committee noted that the remaining six, CitiBank, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, GT Bank, Access Bank and Zenith Bank, supplied all the information requested for in the proper format, albeit with certain queries to answer.

The committee’s chairman, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who disclosed this to journalists at the weekend said the findings were based on months of intensive investigations on

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CBN Governor, Sanusi

UPP urges electorate to reject PDP, APC From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE United Progressive Party (UPP) has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) as failed political parties, which have nothing new to offer Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Enugu yesterday by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Benji Duru, the UPP urged Nigerians to reject the two parties in 2015 elections because the constitutional, structural and open deficits resulting to greed, extreme poverty, corruption, ethnic/religious diversity, mismanagement and terror plaguing the country were caused by the two parties, which it said, constitute greatly the political leadership of Nigeria.

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‘Defraud govt of billions of Naira’ tax assessments, remittances, and payments by the financial institutions to the coffers of the Government.

Shedding light on how the aforementioned banks allegedly circumvented laid down rules to short-change Nigerians of huge sums of money over the years, he noted: “Preliminary findings show a poor quality of returns by the banks, discrepancies in data submitted, outright refusal to present documentary evidence, blanket violations of existing laws, self exemption from existing rules, false declaration, manipulation and distortion of information among others.

“These despicable acts of gross misconduct clearly depict the unscrupulous and roguish character of some banks and their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). For the Committee on Finance, this is unacceptable!

“For instance, balances reported in the published audited accounts of some banks show huge variance with the figures submitted to the Committee. The data submitted to the CBN in their monthly returns on the same issues were found to be different from what was tendered before the Committee.

“Even more embarrassing are the inconsistencies and huge variances in some data provided in different pages of documents submitted, thus leaving the committee to con-

clude that many banks blatantly engage in the creative accounting technique of inflating their operating costs to reduce their exposure to taxes.

“Furthermore, some banks have also created exemption rules for themselves in total disregard for the provisions of extant tax laws, particularly violations of the stamp duty, withholding tax and VAT acts. Some CEOs deliberately refused to sign the templates, obviously evading presentation of the document under oath in line with legislative procedure. “ Similarly, key information and data were omitted. Such data include details of staff PAYE and utilities with tax implications, etc. There are also many cases of late remittances or outright failure to remit money collected on behalf of Government.

“Generally, returns made so far by the Banks are incomplete as the order of presentation was contrary to the guidelines provided in the template. Clearly, this is aimed at misleading the Committee. Documentary evidence requested was also provided in a haphazard manner.”

Consequently, he disclosed that the committee has summoned the CEOs of the banks to appear in person to defend their templates in a technical session before the Committee between September 23 and 27 of this

year.

Assuring that the exercise is being conducted in the most transparent manner, the lawmaker warned that all templates that are not signed by the CEOs and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of the various banks are of no consequence and will not be treated by the committee.

He further stated that such CEOs must sign the templates and complete their outstanding checklists within 48 hours to set the stage for the last round of engagement between the committee and the banks.

His words: “Pursuant to the statutory mandate of the House Committee on Finance and its oversight functions over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and tax matters, the Committee on Finance has been investigating tax remittances, tax assessments and payments by banks.

“Since the inception of the 7th assembly, the Committee on Finance has been inundated with reports on cases of tax evasion and sharp practices in tax remittances

by Banks.

“Consequently the Committee decided to bring the Banks under close legislative scrutiny. To this end, the Committee commenced a series of engagements with the deposit money Banks. As a fallout of two separate meetings with Chief Executives of the Banks,

Anambra LP tasks aspirants on guidelines, denies Ubah’s alleged exit From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki HE leadership of Labour Party (LP) has reminded all governorship aspirants and those intending to run for the November 16, 2013, race of the procedure for the party’s primary election scheduled to hold on Wednesday, August 28. It stressed that aspirants who are less than six months’ old in the party should apply for waiver.

The state Chairman of LP, Mr. Sam Osita Oraegbunam, who disclosed at the weekend while briefing newsmen on

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the rules for all aspirants for the governorship post, said the reminder became necessary to avoid a similar situation where a rival party disqualified governorship aspirants after collecting nomination fees from them.

The chairman also denied rumours making the rounds in the state that frontline governorship aspirant of the party, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, was planning to dump the party, saying it was the “handiwork of mischief makers and envious rivals who want to steal

from LP candidate fielded in the governorship polls”.

Oraegbunam said public enlightenment remains central to real practice of democracy, contending that “admitting party members, especially aspirants, without proper guidance on procedures and modalities amount to criminal ambush on citizen’s hard earned money”. He assured that LP was determined to do things differently to serve the people’s interest.

Northern govs extol Sultan at 57

NPC faults Kwankwaso’s call for removal of chairman

From John Ogiji, Minna ORTHERN States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday joined millions of Nigerians to felicitate with the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who attained 57 years of age at the weekend.

The NSGF described the monarch as a bridge-builder, who has consistently worked for peace, unity and tolerance among diverse ethnic and religious interests across the country.

In a tribute to Sultan Abubakar 111, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said Dr. Sa’ad’s years on the throne brought tremendous progress and modernisation to the Caliphate and across the length and breadth of the nation.

From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE National Population Commission (NPC) has faulted comments made by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, calling for the removal of the NPC Chairman, Eze Festus Odimegwu, over his criticism and credibility of the 2006 census.

In a statement signed by Chairperson of NPC, Public Affairs Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State, Oluseyi Aderinokun-Olusanya, the Commission said “the governor’s call for the sack of NPC chairman was diversionary, illadvised and a reckless attempt to politicise the yet-to-be conducted 2016 census.”

Aderinokun-Olusanya reiterated that the governor failed to address the substance of the issues raised by the NPC chair-

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man, but rather, chose to trivialise a serious national discourse.

According to her, though the chairman had raised some issues on the credibility of previous censuses, the comment was not to disparage the contributions of those who conducted these censuses, but rather, to underscore the determination of the current Commission to give Nigeria accurate and reliable census figures.

Earlier, while on a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan during the week, Kwankwaso told journalists that Odimegwu “had consumed too much of his product (beer) to be capable of conducting the census.”

The NPC committee chairperson said that “While it may be understandable that

Governor Kwankwaso feels threatened because Kano State had the highest population figures in 2006 census, however, Odimegwu’s comment on the inaccuracies in past censuses was not in reference to the population of Kano or any part of the country”.

“He has consistently maintained that the falsification of figures during the 2006 census took place in every part of the country,” she added.

She said that the current Commission’s administration is conscious of the significance of population data as an indispensable tool for national planning and is determined to separate census takings from politics and shield its processes and outcomes from political manipulations.

three different templates were distributed to all deposit money Banks in the Country to complete and submit to the Committee.

“In the last few months, the Committee had analyzed volumes of documents submitted by the Banks with tremendous capacity support from the DFID, NABRO and reputable professionals in the industry in conducting its revenue generation and remittances investigations.”

He added: “It is obvious that over the years Government has lost billions of naira in fraudulent and underhand dealings corruptly designed by some banks to evade tax.

This is in addition to being massively and callously shortchanged by banks saddled with the responsibility of collecting and remitting taxes.

“At this point it is pertinent to note that since Government continues the yearly ritual of domestic borrowing to balance its budget deficit, it has become a bazaar for many Banks who provide such funds at outrageous interest rates and care less about the implication to the private and real sector, both of which continue to struggle to get the crumbs at a very high cost.

“Domestic borrowing by Government has denied the private sector access to affordable funds to grow their businesses and in the process generate employment and create wealth.

“Yet again, some reprobate Banks are involved in the criminal act of converting the huge funds in dormant accounts into profits, even with known and accessible next of kin. Why should they not pay their taxes in full and remit in full and promptly what they collect on behalf of Government?

“The Committee on Finance expects maximum cooperation from the Banks in respect of this investigation.

Anything short of this, the Committee will not hesitate to bring to bear the full weight of the law on such Banks. Government taxes all over the world are sacred and our tax revenues must be so treated through complete and timely remittances.

Nigerians must know how well Banks are playing their role as tax collectors and how well they are discharging their responsibilities as tax payers.

“With the revenue challenges the Country is currently facing, it is imperative to look everywhere to plug all leakages in accruable Government revenue. The banking sector is one among other sectors that the Committee on Finance will be engaging. By all means at the end of this exercise, the committee will look at the various extant tax laws, introduce new clauses or make amendments where necessary in order to strengthen our tax system and block areas of leakage.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

NEWS

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Govt to partner traditional institutions to decongest prisons From John Akubo, Dutse HE Ministry of Interior has commenced collaborative plan to empower traditional institutions to be able to adjudicate minor offences to overcome the knotty issue of prison congestion.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, disclosed this at the weekend when he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Dutse, while on inspection and assessment tour of facilities of the various agencies in his ministry in the state.

“One of the disturbing issues that I am canvassing is that of too many prisoners, especially those awaiting trial. The sad thing about the whole situation is that most of these prisoners average 22 years.

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NSCDC impounds two vehicles with stolen diesel From John Akubo, Dutse IGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday apprehended two vehicles: Toyota Nissan XE534FGE and Toyota Corolla AH441YAB at Limawa, Dutse, loaded with 53 jerry cans of diesel (25litres each), alleged to have been stolen from a construction company in the Jigawa State capital.

Commandant of the state NSCDC, Muhd Gidado, who spoke with The Guardian in Dutse, said his men are still on the trail of the suspects who escaped in the course of the operation.

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Flooded Gombe-Bauchi road at Wuro Dole Village…at the weekend

PHOTO: NAN

Anambra LP tasks aspirants on guidelines, denies alleged Ubah’s exit

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE United Progressive Party (UPP) has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) as failed political parties, which have nothing new to offer Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Enugu yesterday by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Benji Duru, the UPP urged Nigerians to reject the two parties in 2015 elections because the constitutional, structural and open deficits resulting to greed, extreme poverty, corruption, ethnic/religious diversity, mismanagement and terror plaguing the country were caused by the two parties, which it said, constitute greatly the political leadership of Nigeria.

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki HE leadership of Labour Party (LP) has reminded all governorship aspirants and those intending to run for the November 16, 2013, race of the procedure for the party’s primary election scheduled to hold on Wednesday, August 28. It stressed that aspirants who are less than six months’ old in the party should apply for waiver.

The state Chairman of LP, Mr. Sam Osita Oraegbunam, who disclosed at the weekend while briefing newsmen on the rules for all aspirants for the governorship post, said the reminder became necessary to avoid a similar situation where a rival party disqualified governorship aspirants after collecting nomination fees from them.

The chairman also denied rumours making the rounds in the state that frontline governorship aspirant of the party, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, was planning to dump the party, saying it was the “handiwork of mischief makers and envious rivals who want to steal

Northern govs extol Sultan at 57

NPC faults Kwankwaso’s call for removal of chairman

From John Ogiji, Minna ORTHERN States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday joined millions of Nigerians to felicitate with the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who attained 57 years of age at the weekend.

The NSGF described the monarch as a bridge-builder, who has consistently worked for peace, unity and tolerance among diverse ethnic and religious interests across the country.

In a tribute to Sultan Abubakar 111, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said Dr. Sa’ad’s years on the throne brought tremendous progress and modernisation to the Caliphate and across the length and breadth of the nation.

From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE National Population Commission (NPC) has faulted comments made by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, calling for the removal of the NPC Chairman, Eze Festus Odimegwu, over his criticism and credibility of the 2006 census.

In a statement signed by Chairperson of NPC, Public Affairs Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Ogun State, Oluseyi Aderinokun-Olusanya, the Commission said “the governor’s call for the sack of NPC chairman was diversionary, illadvised and a reckless attempt to politicise the yet-to-be conducted 2016 census.”

Aderinokun-Olusanya reiterated that the governor failed to address the substance of the issues raised by the NPC chair-

UPP urges electorate to reject PDP, APC

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from LP candidate fielded in the governorship polls”.

Oraegbunam said public enlightenment remains central to real practice of democracy, contending that “admitting party members, especially aspirants, without proper guidance on procedures and modalities amount to criminal ambush on citizen’s hard earned money”. He assured that LP was determined to do things differently to serve the people’s interest.

He added that members of the party who have validated their colleagues and are not in arrears of their monthly dues of N100 are eligible to aspire for any position under LP in line with the Electoral Act 2010, pointing out that only members who have paid in full their expression of intent and nomination fees of one million and 10 million naira respectively, are eligible for screening.

While reiterating that the “National Working Committee (NWC) of the party may decide to grant waivers to any member on

man, but rather, chose to trivialise a serious national discourse.

According to her, though the chairman had raised some issues on the credibility of previous censuses, the comment was not to disparage the contributions of those who conducted these censuses, but rather, to underscore the determination of the current Commission to give Nigeria accurate and reliable census figures.

Earlier, while on a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan during the week, Kwankwaso told journalists that Odimegwu “had consumed too much of his product (beer) to be capable of conducting the census.”

The NPC committee chairperson said that “While it may be understandable that

request for whatever reasons and on terms it deemed necessary”, Oraegbunam declared that “such member granted such a waiver must show the evidence through a letter signed by both the national chairman and secretary of the party to the screening committee”.

The chairman added that the notification is to avoid disqualification of any aspirant on the ground of noncompliance with this guideline or party constitution, asserting however, that female aspirants and physically-challenged persons are exempted from payment of both intent and nomination fees.

On voting guidelines during primaries, Oraegbunam said “members shall queue behind each aspirant for the office being contested for and voting shall be done in line with Article 24 of the Labour Party Constitution as may be decided by the presiding officer”.

He added that the aspirant with the highest number of

Governor Kwankwaso feels threatened because Kano State had the highest population figures in 2006 census, however, Odimegwu’s comment on the inaccuracies in past censuses was not in reference to the population of Kano or any part of the country”.

“He has consistently maintained that the falsification of figures during the 2006 census took place in every part of the country,” she added.

She said that the current Commission’s administration is conscious of the significance of population data as an indispensable tool for national planning and is determined to separate census takings from politics and shield its processes and outcomes from political manipulations.

votes should have his/her name submitted as the party’s candidate.

On the speculating exit of Ubah, Oraegbunam said there was nothing to support the claim, stressing that “spin doctors of rival parties have noted with envy the

democratic and peaceable way LP is going about its candidate selection processes and feel frightened that any governorship candidate of LP stands a brighter chance of clinching the Anambra governorship polls on November 16.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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WorldReport African Union’s panel moves against illicit financial outflows From Mathias Okwe, Assistant Business Editor, Abuja HE fleecing of the African T continent of her most needed resources through illicit means by the welladvanced nations of the world has reached a fever height of a whooping $50 billion yearly, thus eliciting a reaction from the African Union (AU) on the review of the processes of these financial outflows aimed at halting them and retaining the resources on the continent for development.

This initiative is coming on the heels of a recommendation as contained in a communique by a Civil Society Forum on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last week in Ethiopia for increased flow of foreign direct investments from the United States (U.S.) into Africa to create opportunities for Africans to leverage on the AGOA provisions.

Already, according to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa ( ECA), a High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (HLP) led by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, will be on the field in Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) capital, Kinshasa, to examine the menace of illicit financial outflows from today to Wednesday – the first of a seven-nation case study exercise.

The Mbeki-led panel will determine, among others, how serious and complex is the problem of illicit financial flows from the Democratic Republic of

Congo (DRC); what are the key drivers of the flows, what are government and other stakeholders doing to reverse it and what obstacles stand in the way of their efforts.

The tasks before the committee are aimed at getting to the roots of illicit flows of money from Africa and make recommendations to stop it and repair the loss caused.

It would be recalled that the idea of setting up the HLP was hatched in Addis Ababa in March 2011 during the 4th Joint Annual Meeting of the Africa Union Conference of African Ministers of Economy and

Finance and Economic Commission for Africa’s Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The two institutions were given the mandate to coordinate the mission of the panel, which started fullfledged work on February 5, 2012. The panel’s overall mission, which is to make clear recommendations on curbing illicit financial flows from Africa, is considered crucial given current estimates that the continent now loses at least $50 billion yearly due to illicit financial flows – a figure that exceeds the Official Development

Assistance (ODA) it receives.

The ECA at the weekend said the highpoint of the HLP’s visit to the DRC will be ex-President Mbeki’s discussions with President Joseph Kabila, to be followed by a roundtable dialogue with the host president and members of the DRC’s Management Economic Team (EMT), including a cross-section of the DRC’s Cabinet Ministers.

The panel will also have working sessions with heads of several DRC state institutions, the Governor of the country’s Central Bank, the Head of its Financial Intelligence Unit and key civil society stakeholders.

United Nations (UN) inspectors probing alleged chemical weapons use and warned the West that military action against the Syrian regime would be a “tragic mistake”.

In a statement yesterday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Alexander Lukashevich, said: “We strongly urge those who, by attempting to impose their own results on the UN

actions against Western countries that have slammed sanctions on his rule, suggesting United States (U.S.) and British firms could be targeted.

“They should not continue to harass us,” the 89-year-old veteran leader told mourners at a funeral.

“We have British and American companies here and we are treating them well. There will come a time when we will lose our patience,” he said.

The U.S. and European Union imposed sanctions

including travel bans and asset freezes on Mugabe and members of his inner circle and several companies following 2002 elections which western observers said were rigged.

“They have companies here and we have not imposed controls or sanctions against them but time will come when we will say tit-for-tat. You hit me, I hit you. You impose this on me, I impose this on you,” Mugabe said.

“Our attitude is not going to continue as it was in the past — passive. We have had enough and enough is enough.”

Merkel says Greek debt write-down may trigger ‘domino effect’ ERMAN Chancellor G Angela Merkel yesterday warned that a Greek debt

the eurozone again fall to nothing,” she said.

The term haircut means a reduction in the value of debt bonds owed, with the effect that investors who have loaned money lose part of the eventual repayment of the amount owed.

Merkel said Greece’s debt and structural reforms would again be studied in 2014, as planned. “Until then the country still has much to do and must continue consistently to implement its reforms,” she added.

She pointed to a secondquarter return to growth in the eurozone and said there were also “positive developments” in Greece.

Muslim Brotherhood’s leaders, Mubarak arraign in Egypt HREE leaders of Egypt’s T Muslim Brotherhood and the movement’s former arch-

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius during their PHOTO: AFP meeting at the prime minister office in Jerusalem…yesterday.

Edward Snowden, Der Spiegel, on how the United States systematically spied on other states and institutions.

Der Spiegel said the European Union and the UN’s Vienna-based nuclear watchdog, the International

agents.

In the summer of 2012, NSA experts succeeded in getting into the UN video conferencing system and cracking its coding system, according one of the documents cited

by Der Spiegel.

“The data traffic gives us

one document as saying, adding that within three weeks the number of decoded communications rose to 458 from 12.

Internal files also show the NSA spied on the EU legation in New York after it moved to new rooms in autumn 2012.

Russia warns West against tragic mistake in Syria USSIAN Government has R welcomed Damascus’ offer to allow a mission by

RESIDENT Robert Mugabe P of Zimbabwe yesterday threatened “tit-for-tat”

write-down could spark a “domino effect of uncertainty” and scare off investors in the eurozone.

Merkel’s comments to Focus news weekly came a month before elections in Europe’s biggest economy and days after the woes of debt-mired Greece lurched onto the campaign trail.

“I am expressly warning against a haircut,” she said, according to a pre-released copy of the interview.

“It could trigger a domino effect of uncertainty with the result that the readiness of private investors to invest in

U.S. spy agency bugged UN headquarters, report reveals Atomic Energy Agency internal video teleconferNITED States (U.S.) cited secret U.S. documents (IAEA), were among those ences of the United Nations U National Security Agency obtained by fugitive former contractor, targetted by U.S. intelligence (yay!),” Der Spiegel quoted is in the eye of another storm intelligence as a fresh indicated yesterday that it bugged the United Nations’ New York headquarters.

The report that could further strain relations between Washington and its allies was published by Germany’s Der Spiegel weekly and it

Mugabe threatens ‘tit-for-tat’ action on sanctions

experts, are raising the possibility of a military operation in Syria to use their common sense and refrain from committing a tragic mistake.”

Meanwhile, the UN said its inspectors could begin work as early as today, after Damascus agreed to the probe yesterday during a visit by top UN official Angela Kane.

However, Washington, which has said that evidence President Bashar al-Assad’s

We strongly urge those who, by attempting to impose their own results on the UN experts, are raising the possibility of a military operation in Syria to use their common sense and refrain from committing a tragic mistake. regime used chemical weapons would cross a red line and warrant tougher action, said the Syrian offer was “too late to be credible”.

The United States said there was “very little doubt” Syrian forces used chemical weapons on civilians and dismissed the offer by

Damascus for a UN team to view the attack site.

The comments marked a significant escalation of a showdown over the horrific attack, which killed 1,300 people last week, at a time when Washington appeared to positioning itself for possible military action.

foe, Hosni Mubarak, faced separate trials yesterday on similar charges of involvement in the killing of protesters.

With Egypt now under an army-installed government after last month’s overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, local media seized on the symbolism of scheduling both sessions on the same day. “Trial of two regimes,” headlined alShorouk daily.

In the end, Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood’s “General

Guide”, and his deputies did not appear at the opening of their trial for security reasons, a judicial source said. Citing their absence, the judge adjourned the proceedings until October 29.

Meanwhile, a top Saudi member of Al-Qaeda has slammed King Abdullah’s support for the Egyptian army’s ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, in a video message posted online yesterday.

“One of their latest crimes is supporting the secular forces in Egypt against the government of Morsi,” Ibrahim alRubaish said in a statement.

Myanmar restores order after fresh religious unrest YANMAR yesterday M restored order in northern Sagaing region of the country after a Buddhist mob set fire to nearly two dozen Muslim-owned buildings and attacked rescue workers in the latest widening of sectarian violence in the former military-run state.

About 1,000 Buddhists, some carrying sticks and swords, attacked Muslim villagers in remote Htan Kone late on Saturday, destroying at least 20 homes and shops, according to witnesses and a government statement.

Police and soldiers arrived later and fired into the air to disperse the crowd, they said.

The violence in the rugged region about 665 km (410 miles) from the commercial capital, Yangon, shows how far anti-Muslim anger has spread in the Buddhist-dominated country following spasms of unrest in northeastern Lashio in May, central Meikhtila in March and western Rakhine State last year.

The Ministry of Information said the unrest followed the attempted rape of a Buddhist woman by a Muslim man on Saturday. After the man was detained, about 150 villagers and three Buddhist monks gathered at the police station, demanding he be handed over to them, it said.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

9

PHOTONEWS

Minister of State for industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom (right); Director General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Architect Abimbola Animashaun; and President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Kunle Awobodu during the SON Sensitisation Workshop on Sandcrete Blocks Manufacturing and Allied Products.

Executive Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; President, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Sekinat Yusuf; Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Computers, Florence Seriki; and Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke at the Presidential Dinner hosted by Nigerian Computer Society, during its 11th International Conference, held in Osun State

Rotary Club of Isolo empowered six widows in Isolo, Lagos State with a grinding machine each. In the middle is the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka with the beneficiaries by his left side. On his right is District Governor of Rotary International District 9110 Nigeria, Rotarian Godfrey Iweka; Rotarian Olugbemiga Olowu, and Rotarian Michael Olawale-Cole and other Rotarians.

Manager, Offshore Electric and Instrumentation, Samsung Heavy Industries, Jungmook Kim (left); General Manager, Samsung Heavy Industries, Frank Ejizu; Head Post Training, Office of Special Assistant to President on Niger Delta, Tam Mologe; Chairman/Managing Director, Bradama International Skill Work Ltd, Bibopere Ajuba, during Samsung visit to Bradama Factory in Agadagba Obon, Ese-Odo Local Coucil Area in Ondo State

Creative Director, Nollywood Movies Award, Dr. Kola Muniz (left); Executive Director Nollywood Movies Award, Alfred Soroh; and Event Coordinator, Esther Bankole during the Nollywood Movie Award Press Briefing and Showcase of the Nolly Plaque in Lagos.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio(left); Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike; and Prince Uche Secondus during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2013 South South Expanded Zonal Executive Committee Meeting in Calabar

Principal Babcock University High School, Timothy Adetayo(left); former proprietor St. Michael-Dee Schools, Soyebo Taiwo Ajibade; and his wife Modupe; Vice Chancellor Babcock University, Professor James Kayode Makinde; President Lagos Mainland Conference Sevenday Adventist Church, Emmanuel Adeniyi; Newly appointed Chairperson, Babcock University Schools Management Board, Dr. Janet Ola and Former Chairman Management Board, Professor Dayo Alao PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF during the inauguration ceremony of Babcock University Schools Ogba in Lagos.

Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Lagos State Chapter, Bolade Agboola (right), presenting Award of supporting bank to Skye Bank, to Head, Human Resources, Strategy, Skye Bank Plc, Ayo Fadipe, during the 50th Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) anniversary celebration in Lagos.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Politics

Anenih

Jega

Atiku

Anenih, PDM’s chieftains trade words over ‘secret’ registration

By Seye Olumide and Tunde Akinola HAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has joined the list of members of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) opposed to its conversion into a political party.

On Thursday in Abuja, zonal leaders and elders of the movement dissociated members from the nod given to it by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate as a political party.

They said the registration went against the position of the founding fathers of the movement that it should remain as a political pressure group within the ruling PDP. The zonal leaders, who signed a communiqué, were Senator Abubakar Mahdi (Chairman), Senator Ifeanyi Araraume (Southeast leader), Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulkadir Mohammed (Northwest leader), Chief Ejiofor Onyia (South/South leader), Kabiru Bawa (Northeast), Dr. Bala Ahmed Tafida (North Central leader), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi and Chief Oluponnle Ebo. Dubem Onyia was listed on the communiqué but did not append his signature.

But in a reaction last Friday, a source close to the new party leadership said those against the PDM registration, as a political party, were agents of the PDP. The source named the arrowhead of the ‘Jonathan for 2015’ campaign as the sponsor of the anti-PDM promotion.

Also yesterday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he believes in the right of freedom of association, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria.

In an electronic mail through his media man, Garba Shehu, to The Guardian, Atiku said the PDM, “even when Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua lived, never operated as a regimented organisation like the police or the army.”

Rather, he said the movement sought registration as a political party twice but failed.

However, supporting the position of the zonal leaders of the PDM yesterday, Anenih said the leaders did not intend that the movement should transform into a political party.

Anenih, who is a leader of the movement, issued a statement in Abuja, indicating that the PDM, which worked with other political associations to form the PDP in 1998, remained an integral part of the ruling party.

He urged concerned members to treat “the mischievous registration of the PDM as a political

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trickery,” which would not endure the test of time.

The statement, titled: ‘Our PDM is not a Political Party,’ reads: “Reports about the registration of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) as a political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have inundated the polity; and because of my leading role in the formation and nurturing of the Movement, concerned members of the Movement have contacted me to confirm if it was our PDM that has witnessed the transformation.

“After in-depth investigations and extensive consultations with a wide spectrum of the membership and leadership of the PDM, which is just like a pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I consider it moral to use this medium to clarify that the PDM, which some persons, purporting to be interim leaders, secretly and mischievously promoted and succeeded in registering with INEC to operate as a political party, is not our PDM that worked with other political associations to form the PDP in 1998.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the PDM, which we collectively envisioned under the leadership of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, remains an integral part of the PDP, whose Board of Trustees, I currently chair by the grace of God and the consensus of founding fathers and leaders of our great party.”

For those who look up to him for guidance in this circumstance, Anenih urged them to remain steadfast with him in the task of building a much more united and formidable PDP, and to discountenance the registration and treat it as a “political trickery, which will not survive the test of time.”

“Members of the Peoples Democratic Movement, which is working for the unity and success of the PDP and the Federal Government under the able leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, should not panic,” he said.

“They should, instead, see it as an attempt to undercut our PDM, which was never intended to be and should not be a registered political party within and against the PDP.” Recently, another leader of the PDM, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, said that the PDM was not meant to be a political party, but to serve as a bridge, a meeting point and a unifying forum for Nigerians from all walks of life.

According to Kwande: “PDM was never proposed to become a political party; it was estab-

lished to stand as a bridge linking the northern and southern parts of the country and between people in different political parties; a meeting point for people in different religions and tribes; a unifying forum for Nigerians from all walks of life.”

Still, a source told The Guardian on Friday that the anti-PDM campaign was part of the plot by the leadership of the PDP to create crisis in the party.

It said that one of the powerful leaders of the PDP, who is also a member of the PDM from the South-South, had reportedly promised President Goodluck Jonathan that he would deliver the PDM to him ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

The source revealed that before the registration of the party, the leader in question had called for series of meetings of the group, which most members avoided.

“The powerful PDP leader from the South-South has been calling Yahaya Kwande, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and other members of the PDM for meetings before now, but none of them has attended the meetings he called,” the source said.

“The man has been jittery since the party was registered last week and has enlisted some charlatans to parade themselves as leaders of the PDM.” The source said the party leadership does not know the people claiming to be zonal leaders of the PDM. “With the exception Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, who is now President Jonathan’s man, other socalled zonal leaders have no business in the PDM before and now that it has been registered as a political party,” the source said.

The new party is being administered by an interim National Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Abubakar iterated that Nigerians are free to form political parties of their own in accordance to the nation’s Constitution.

His spokesman, Garba Shehu conveyed Atiku’s response thus: “Thanks for requesting our views on this interchange between the new party, the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, (Chief Tony Anenih).

“H.E. Turaki Atiku’s position is that this is a wrangle between two politicians, which ought not bother him.

For the avoidance of doubt, the PDM, which we collectively envisioned under the leadership of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, remains an integral part of the PDP, whose Board of Trustees, I currently chair by the grace of God and the consensus of founding fathers and leaders of our great party.

“However, because there are deep principles in the discussion in which he believes, he has asked me to talk to you about these.

“Turaki’s position is only different to that of Chief Anenih to the extent that he believes in the right of freedom of association, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria.

“PDM, even when Shehu (Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua) lived never operated as a regimented organisation like the police or the army.

“Don’t also forget the fact that this is not the first time that the PDM had sought registration.

They (it) sought to register as Peoples Front (PF) under the Babangida Presidency but this was denied them.

“They tried to do this under Abacha but instead, parties described as “the five leprous fingers” were registered.

“When he called many of the then PDM members, including Chief Anenih, to the PDP in 1998, and they agreed to come, several others, including the Asiwaju, Bola Tinubu, chose the other parties such as the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the defunct All Peoples Party (APP).

“So they, as PDM members, were really never sworn to an oath, to belong to only one political party.

“So, while they, Atiku and Chief Anenih, have made the choice of remaining as members of the PDP, neither of them reserves the right to take away from a fellow citizen his right of freedom of association as accorded by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Atiku equally believes that it is time for some of them, the elders in the polity, to allow our younger members to express themselves.

“We can advise them without imposing our political views on them. It is by this spirit that we can guide and grow the next generation, not by hindering them,” Atiku said to me.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

POLITICS 11

Jonathan deserves kudos, second term, says Balewa Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, son of the late Prime Minister, Sir. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, is a Medical Doctor and a holder of PhD in Nuclear Chemistry.

He has put in many years of medical practice in the United Sates of America before returning to Nigeria to give back to fatherland. He was in Lagos on Wednesday, and fielded questions from newsmen on his current efforts to mobilise support for President Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections, reports Seye Olumide.

HAT is your general assessment of the W Jonathan government?

I think this government has done wonderfully well. I was reading in a newspaper recently whereby a mini tree that will take up to 40 years before yielding fruits was being planted by an old man who is in his late 60s.

And they asked the old man, ‘why are you planting this kind of tree at your old age, and the man answered: ‘My ancestors planted it for me to enjoy and I am also planting this for the benefit of the younger generation.”

One thing that this government is doing or has been doing but which the polity in Nigeria has not realised is planting a whole lot of things that will benefit the citizenry over a long period of time.

The bi-cameral system of government we have is such that the first four years will take time before you build a foundation. And in the next four years, you start building on that.

You will remember that in the last four years, we had quite a number of challenges because the elected President Umar Musa Yar’Adua was sick for a long time while President Goodluck Jonathan was never given a chance until much later.

Since he came, we have had better transportation system. The Lagos-Ibadan axis is, perhaps, the most important because it opens up Nigeria to other parts of the country. The President just fashioned out a groundbreaking rehabilitation of that road. The same goes for the OgbomoshoIlorin, and Okene-Benin road.

In the rail sub-sector, there has been massive rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, as well as the Makurdi-Port Harcourt rail line.

The colonialists handed over to us these infrastructures that have lasted us so long and it is about time we start building new ones that can meet the present-day challenges.

In terms of energy, you will agree with me that in recent time, there has been significant improvement in power supply and it doesn’t just go off like it used to be in the past. We have been able to reach 4,000 megawatts and before the end of the year, we might be able to reach 6,000, 7,000 megawatts.

Also, this President has succeeded in keeping the whole nation as one, as there have not been any ethno-religious crises in the country since its assumption of office. These are little steps but very significant ones.

Those criticising this government were in government before, and nothing worked.

They fleeced the government and there was no transparency.

Remember that it is the first time that a President would say, ‘No, there must be no junketing again for ministers and high government officials to mark birthdays and host weddings of their children outside the country at very extravagant ways.’

What would you say about the state of insecurity in Northeast?

There is no river without a source. A lot of bad decisions, dry decisions have gone into our politics. Whereas in the olden days politicians used to tell the people what they were going to do, all those ones have gone overboard.

Now, it is a case of which religion or ethnicity you represent and all of that.

There are lots of educated young men in the Northeast that have not been able to have either job or employment, but programmes such as SURE-P, YOUWIN are, however taking up on these unemployed youths and empowering them.

But for a very long time, a lot of these politicians had access to these young people and were using them as political hooligans, and jettisoned them after elections.

Tafawa Balewa These young men then internalised all they had helped perpetrate during elections. And that was why when the unrest first started, you could see that they were attacking government establishments and installations because those were the people who used and abandoned them.

Unfortunately, this was related to the fact that they were not particularly educated, and they were fighting Western education. That, of course, is not true because the question is: how many illiterates can man and time bombs?

How many illiterates can have the military know-how to attack military formations?

What this government is doing is to continue to empower the youths because there is nobody that will have food in his stomach and be taking part in unrest.

So, when you think of it, you will see that this unrest has many factors to it. Many of our youths lack access to opportunities, jobs. The devil always finds jobs for idle hands. We need to start engaging these idle hands.

Prominent northerners have been agitating for power shift in 2015; what is your position on this?

Democracy is about education. There is a shop in the US whose motto is: ‘An educated mind is our best customer.’ It is okay to agitate that power must shift to the North or to the South but it is the voters that are important here. If you are able to convince the citizenry and they agree with you, they will vote for you.

In a democracy, the position is not the traditional feudal system; it is not a God-given right whereby when you get there, you will stay there until you die. This is about politics. It is about trying to convince the citizenry on how best your programmes and thoughts are.

Not everybody will be a millionaire. Not everyone could be a billionaire either. But God has done it in a way that in this kind of democracy, everybody needs to work harder. Like the Latin says: When you work hard, you will get to the stars.

That is what this capitalist democracy preaches. It is not about right. What the constitution of the PDP says is that if the party wins the presidential election, other positions will be zoned to people of other geopolitical zones.

For clarification purposes, are you saying the Elders’ Forum that has been agitating for power shift to the North is not speaking for the entire North?

I haven’t said that. What I’m saying is that the Elders’ Forum has actually been speaking for its members. Nigeria is a country of many ethnicities and that is why when you read our newspa-

The bi-cameral system of government we have is such that the first four years will take time before you build a foundation. And in the next four years, you start building on that.

You will remember that in the last four years, we had quite a number of challenges because the elected President Umar Musa Yar’Adua was sick for a long time while President Goodluck Jonathan was never given a chance until much later. pers, every ethnic group thinks it is marginalised because we have over 240 ethnic groups or so.

We need to be able to encourage (each other) like President Kennedy in 1962 published a book, ‘America: a country of immigrants.” It can be said that Nigeria is a country of ethnicities.

As a northerner, what is your assessment of voters in that part of the country?

Well, I can tell you that an average northerner is more politically savvy than you think. You can imagine cattle herders coming from Maiduguri or Kano, they will have their radios plastered to their ears. They will listen to VOA, BBC among others. They are current about what is going on in the world than you think.

Unlike the South where people appear to be so immersed in commerce and other things, an average northerner is politically savvy and they need to be convinced what your intentions are because they have sharp imaginations.

I’m not saying the southerners are not, but it is instructive that what we should be talking about is Nigeria and not whether northerner or southerner (should occupy a position).

Since you will be supporting the President’s reelection in 2015, will you be advising the North to wait till 2019?

No, I won’t. In a democracy, every election deserves to be fought with all vigour; and let the best president win. Somebody like me is a core northerner but at the same time, I have roots in the South.

It is high time we do away with this North and South dichotomy. If any man or woman, who is qualified to contest, wishes to do so, so be it.

This is a Federal Republic. And it is high time we start seeing ourselves as a republic.

How convinced are you that if elections were to be conducted today, President Jonathan would

win and what are the indices that would make him win?

I will reiterate that it takes time to build what has collapsed. Our political system had collapsed very poorly in the past. President Jonathan and his government are trying to rebuild it.

One of the sources of rancour in northern Nigeria before now is the issue of Almajiri, but today, the Almajiri education has been repackaged in such a way that these children are exposed to both Western and Islamic education.

We have never had a situation like this where the President would be directly involved in negotiations with ASUU. For me, that is a handsome President.

The SURE-P is there. The YOUWIN is there and you will continue to see these gains accumulated and become bigger by 2015 even though the gains are there now.

Somebody you love, there is nothing he would do that you will dislike. And that is the reason this President will win. If you look at the APC, this government has the wherewithal to stop it but did not. That is the beauty of our democracy.

The APC is full of failed PDP politicians. Also, APC is a bunch of regional parties that still have these regional identities to themselves. The chances of being able to metamorphose into a clean party before 2015 are slim.

And do we really need a party that has not really defined itself to come and lead this country in the right direction? I respect a lot of older gentlemen in the APC like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Retd) and Chief Bisi Akande, but you don’t rub into the mud something that you aspire to attain.

Journalists’ writings and newspaper publications are read all over the world. They are there on the Internet. What will others think about us when you say the Nigerian President behaves like in a kindergarten?

They are fathers to us. They are people that are supposed to lead us. But what will you say when you have elder statesmen, who are touting words that are indescribable? I really think we need to be guarded on what we say.

But the likes of Tinubu, Buhari and Akande have never been in the PDP; so, why will you say the APC is full of failed PDP politicians?

Well, not entirely. You see, we have people who contested in the PDP but failed to win and they simply moved into other parties that dissolved into APC. Tinubu is a good politician but he is a politician that is encased in the politics of the Southwest.

His stretch outside the region is quite limited.

That is what I mean by the fact that they are regional political parties trying to balloon into national outlook. Their life history is like water, chemical and oil. Their chances of being able to mix together are quite slim.

Apart from the opposition attacks, the war of attrition in the PDP is fierce such that the umbrella is already in tatters. How do you reconcile this?

I will give you an analogy. When you lick a candy and you bite your tongue or a part of your body is not functioning well, you don’t take it out because you will still need it; so, you will cure it.

If there is strife within a party, which is an internal wrangling, you find a way of settling it. We will sort it out. But a tattered family, I beg to differ!

I am a card-carrying member of the PDP and I believe that PDP is the only real national party in Nigeria. The other regional parties that recently came together on the platform of the APC — I think it is good that we have an opposition party but they are going to be primordial. No structure, nothing.

Are you not worried with the crisis in Rivers State? People say the President has mismanaged it?

How can the President be accused of mismanaging it? It is not a national crisis; it is a Rivers State crisis.

But frankly speaking, everywhere in Nigeria, our culture is that whatever we call head you don’t walk on it. There is a President and a governor in the same family. The President is like the elder brother to the governor. There should be confluence of ideas whereby the older brother should be able to talk to his younger brother and advise him.

The crisis in Rivers State is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is just that every individual has different methods of managing crisis. I believe very soon, the issues will be resolved.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday August 26, 2013

TheMetroSection These motherless babies need your help From Lilian Chukwu, Abuja HE main attraction about Sarah is that she’s irresistibly cute. But her beauty did not deter her from being dumped by the callous hands that brought her into this world.

The infant was rescued four months ago inside a brown soggy carton, with her umbilical cord intact, by a woman who had gone to weed her bushy farm in Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Mrs. Gloria Enearu,

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owner of the Kubwa Divine Orphanage Home (KDOH) in Abuja where Sarah is receiving care, the farmer said she heard Sarah’s shrill cries and could not believe her eyes upon sighting the naked baby left by a “wicked mother” to be eaten alive by wild beasts.

Today, baby Sarah, named after the Senior Pastor of the Family Worship Center in the nation’s capital, Sarah Omakwu, is one of the eleven children (aged between four to 15 months) at the KDOH.

The other children’s stories of discovery are akin to Sarah’s; found abandoned and rescued at the nick of time by good Samaritans, they are lucky to be alive.

This particular Sunday, when The Guardian called the administrator on mobile phone 08037868391 and visited the Home, she narrated amid tears how she started the journey into caring for abandoned children in 2010 but now seeks the assistance of kind-hearted corporate bodies and in-

Mrs Enearu and children of the orphanage with their surrogate mothers

dividuals in tending the rescued babies.

She told The Guardian of her four biological children under 16 years explaining that and it was her husband who mortgaged his savings to pay her initial rent at the three-bedroom well-groomed bungalow used as the KDOH. Enearu, a civil servant in the FCT, said it was passion that inspired her into delving into caring for the less privileged.

She narrated the challenges of KDOH to include limited funds to pay rents, purchase of baby foods, medicals and off-setting staff salaries.

“It’s the passion for the less privileged including widows and the hopeless that made me decided to partake of this humanitarian activity.

We cannot leave everything to government alone. I just said let me be part of my generation that will improve the society,” the administrator said.

The home has four other helpers who act as surrogate mothers for the children.

She said that upon discovering any abandoned baby, the police is immediately notified and the baby is then taken to the FCT social welfare department before being brought back to her.

Subsequently, medical tests are then run for the babies just as it is done for the surrogate mothers.

The Edo born lady, explained that KDOH does not have the capacity to cater to the medically challenged infants especially the HIV positive ones hence they are taken to other government orphanages with such capacity around the FCT.

Fraudster arrested for forging bank customer’s signature in Benue From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi MEMBER of a syndicate that specializes in duping commercial banks in Makurdi, who is also a final year student at the Benue State University, Thomas Tsezua, has been arrested by security agents for forging a customer’s signature and withdrawing the sum of N1.5 million from the victim’s account.

The Guardian gathered that luck ran out of Tsezua when the account holder and Commissioner for the

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Ministry of Water Resources, Conrad Wergba, received an alert on his phone indicating the withdrawal of the said amount even as he had not sent anybody to the bank.

Mr. Wergba quickly alerted the bank officials, whereby security men swung into action and arrested the fraudster.

However, primary investigation on the fraudster further revealed that the culprit belongs to a criminal syndicate group led by one Chris Aernan, presently

Cleric tasks churches on humanitarian work From John Okeke, Abuja

church has to go beyond the four walls of HE General Overthe church to assisting seer of The Rethose who are in dire deemers Mission need.

(TREM) Bishop Mike He made the call at the Okonkwo has tasked churches to imbibe the weekend during the Alculture of helping the binos Foundation faith based program. less privileged in the The Bishop explained society. that the churches must According to him the

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Okonkwo

not concentrate only in preparing people to heaven but also need to identify those areas where people need help.

He said: “The church is the hands and legs of God. God must not come from heaven to help humanities. He needs the church to care for the needy in the society.”

Okonkwo also urged the federal government to assist the albinos in their predicament.

“What the government needs is further enlightenment and for them to buy into it and budget money for the welfares of albinos in the country. What they have done so far is peanuts concerning what they can do,“ he noted.

on the wanted list of security agents in the state.

The victim of the criminal activity, Wergba, advised members of the public to be cautious of the existence of such notorious group in the state, urging them to always provide useful information to security agents to fast-track the arrest of such gangs.

But as at the time of filing this report, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala denied knowledge of the incident, saying that he has not been briefed.

‘It would cost N3.5 billion to rebuild Bama town,’ says Rep From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri AMA town in Borno State, which was on three different occasions “attacked and destroyed” by suspected Boko Haram gunmen this year, will require the sum of N3.5 billion to rebuild, says a National Assembly member, representing Bama/Dikwa/Ngala Federal Constituency, Alhaji Abdurrahman Terab on yesterday.

The serial attacks in February, April and this month, claimed the lives of over 100 persons, including seven policeman and three soldiers, after the police station and Mobile Police Base were attacked with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol-

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bombs.

The once viable commercial border town with Cameroun has not remained the same ever since the attacks as it remains desolate with many buildings dilapidated, while most of its residents fled to Konduga and Maiduguri, the state capital to take refuge.

The town, which used to be one of the most populated in troubled Borno State with over 500,000 persons, now has a few thousand residents as people continue to flee.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri, Terab, who represents Bama/Dikwa/GamboruNgala in the House of Representatives, said the state government cannot be left alone with the burden of rebuilding Bama as “it is massive”

and will eat up a great chunk of the resources of the state.

He, therefore, pleaded that the federal government should come to the aid of the once viable commercial town, insisting that Borno State was already burdened with the heavy load of rehabilitation of towns and villages destroyed by Boko Haram He also said that life has started returning to the town with the market, which was closed for five months, now opened and traders allowed to trade unimpeded.

The 78-kilometre BamaMaiduguri road was also closed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) for five months, immediately after the April 7, 2013 terrorist attack which led to the killing of 55 persons, including policemen and soldiers.

Briefs Tastee launches TRAD in Festac N Saturday August 17, O 2013, Festac Town was agog with music, dance and mouthwatering dishes, as Tastee Festac commenced sales of traditional delicacies at her 22 Road, Festac Town outlet. FESTAC residents can now enjoy lip smacking Nkwobi, goat meat pepper soup, and roasted catfish with chips and Isiewu with friends and families in a relaxed and great ambience as from 3.00pm daily. According to the Executive Director, “also available to Festac residents are our Shawarma variants, comprising chicken, beef, chicken and beef shawarma. Our customers can also place orders for spring rolls and samosa.”

Action plan on women for launch IGERIA is set to launch the N national action plan for the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) on Women, Peace and Security. The event, which will take place tomorrow at the National Women for Development Centre, Abuja, is expected to bring together various stakeholders from the 36 states of the country, international donor agencies, civil society organisations, United Nations, with the Ministry of Women Affairs as key driver.

The Nigerian Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), funded by the Department For International Development (DFID), has been saddled with the responsibility of drafting, implementing and monitoring of UNSCR Resolution

Bethel Convention 2013 th

HE 14 Bethel Convention T of Christ Covenant Generation will continue today through Thursday August 30 from 4.30pm daily and Friday is main night from 10pm to 5am. Theme “The Voice of the Ancient of Days (Arugbo Ojo).” The grand celebration comes up on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the church auditorium: 7, Association Avenue, Atala Estate, Madam Poultry Way, Adesan road, Mowe, Obafemi Owode Local Council, Ogun State.

RCCG holds service HE Redeemed Christian T Church of God Miracle Centre will hold a one-day programme tagged: Jacob Service on Wednesday, August 28 2013 at 6.pm. It is billed for 19, Bello Folawiyo Crescent off Ikosi Road, by Mr. Biggs in Ikosi / Isheri LCDA of Lagos State. The programme which has “supernatural lifting” as theme, will also feature perfected praise Team and Zonal Mass Choir.

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

In Lagos, 300 indigent pupils receive education scholarships

By Abdulwaheed Usamah and Tolulope Okunlola OPES of attaining good quality education were raised for Christopher Dosu (2) Aisha Saadu (9) and Balogun Mathew (12) when news reached their parents that they were among 300 indigent pupils that would benefit from the free private primary education scholarship offered by a Group, the Caring Hand Foundation, in Lagos recently.

According to the Foundation president, Mrs Blessing Amobi, 300 indigent pupils was just the beginning to promoting private free education since public education, which both the federal and state governments offer, are beginning to plunge on a daily basis.

She stated that the private free education scholarship awarded to the indigent children was a means towards giving them a right to primary education, no matter their parents’ financial constraints, as many of them do not earn enough.

She said the scholarship covers the entire primary education of every children awarded the scholarship and it starts immediately schools resume in the new section.

At a press conference organized by the NGO in Lagos to project free education, Amobi stated that by universal generalisation, children have been identified as key to nation building but lack of education deprives many of them.

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She said, going by the United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) data recently released on children’s denial to primary education, Nigeria stood at about 10.5million out of which 3.6million were pupils of that category.

“It shows most uneducated adult the country produced today were victims of lack of primary or secondary education, their futures were toyed with and as a result, today they experience difficulties making means to survive,” she said.

The scholarship program is designed to cater for the primary education of children who are from poor homes from some parts of Lagos metropolis which includes Ikeja, Satellite Town, Ajegunle, Surulere among others.

Disclosing that funding for the scholarship is coming through personal efforts, she revealed that the budget for running the free primary education programme for 300 pupils for one academic year is N50million, while calling on other NGOs and corporate organizations to come and partner with the Caring Hand Foundation to attain this laudable objective.

“This is not first programme of the foundation, caring for the such needy children through education has been the focus of the group since inception and it is about building a just society through the next generation,” she said.

Cross section of the pupils.

We have a new Olori-Ebi, says Oshodi-Tapa Chieftaincy family

Akisanmi tasks military officers ahead retirement

HE Oshodi-Tapa ChiefT taincy Family of Lagos, Oshodi Town and Epe has

By Tolulope Okunlola

ities.

“There is no known pronouncement of any court reacted to publications in that runs contrary to the some newspapers, not The family’s position.

Guardian, which claimed that “Equally too, the exercise by no new Olori-Ebi had been which the new Olori-Ebi, Alappointed for the family. haji Surakat Alabi Oshodi apCommenting on one such pointed was foolproof, publication of July 25, 2013, a transparent and that the acposition statement dated Auclaimed spokesman and his gust 10, 2013 signed by the group participated. family Secretary A.R.T OsConcluding, the position hodi, endorsed by the heads statement challenged the of branches that make up the opposing group to make family and made available to public the court pronounceAlabi Oshodi The Guardian, said the ments where their claims spokesperson quoted in the originated from, stressing that the person who in the said publication does not that “the family shall republication, claimed to be represent the family while main focused in all ramificathe Olori-Ebi “ had since the Oshodi Family Descentions and continue with our March 22, 2009 ceased to be dants Forum had allegedly one as the entire family at its efforts at placing the family since March 21, 2012 been in its rightful place in the general meeting unaniproscribed by the family. state, country and world at mously removed him as the The statement also alleged Olori-Ebi for anti-family activ- large.”

N preparation for eventual retirement, serving military personnel have been urged to use the knowledge and skills they acquire at the Armed Forces Resettlement Center(AFRC) Oshodi, Lagos to overcome some of the major sources of retirement anxiety, which are linked to inadequate funds, challenges in managing mental health, new and uncertain social status, mismanagement of retirement benefit and the business environ.

The Commandant Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Center Oshodi Air Vice Marshal Moses Akiola Akisanmi who gave the advice at the graduation of senior military officers following a two-week Entrepreneurship and Management

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Gyneocologists, obstetricians fault Senate over child marriage tions for Vesico Vaginal Fistula and other major complications of pregnancy and childbirth sitting over the issue of age with scenarios of impaired reand full marriage and citizenship as in section 28 of the covery…leaving such victims with major scars…disposes constitution was “under them to destitution, neglect some teleguidance by religion and cultural sensitivity.” and abandonment by husbands.

He added: “Under-age mar“Under-age marriage with all riage creates optimal condi-

• Seek end to health workers’ strike HE Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) has faulted the recent Senate endorsement of girl-child marriage.

The body also wants government to reach “an implementable and agreeable” pact with the Joint Health Sector Unions that are currently on an indefinite nationwide strike.

President of SOGON, Dr. Fred Achem, said at a press briefing at the weekend in Abuja that the upper legislative chamber’s decision (on marriage of girls under 18 years) undermined “the struggle for the improvement of the reproductive and sexual rights of women.”

He noted that under-age marriage and pregnancies, stillbirths and immediate neo-natal deaths were common due to asphyxia associated with prolonged obstructed labour.

A motion moved by Senator Ahmed Yerima representing Zamfara State senatorial zone for the retention of under-age marriage in a section of the Nigerian constitution was approved and voted into law by his colleagues in the upper legislative chamber.

Achem flayed Yerima’s assertion that puberty signifies maturity for marriage in even an under-aged girl.

He noted that the lawmakers’

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attendant risks of immaturity, socio-cultural impediments to access to health facilities will worsen the outcome of the spirited efforts being made at various levels of government and by stakeholders…towards reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity.”

Enikuomehin honoured with CILGPAN award

By Florence Utor

state, an unparalleled development feat for which he is much beloved.

Registrar of the Council, Dr. Uche Okereke, said adopting Enikuomehin was “adopting a man of calibre, a man who has helped his people. The choice of Benson was done after due consideration of his manage-

ment of public institutions in Nigeria.”

Special guest and legal expert, Chief Wale Olanipekun, was also full of praises for Enikuomehin for his exemplary leadership and charged all Nigerians to emulate him for his selfless service to the people.

ARD work has its reward, they say. This aphorism became real in the life of a distinguished Ilaje, Ondo State indigene and former Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Benson Enikuomehin recently when he was deservedly made a Special Fellow and given a Distinguished Performance Award by the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria (CILGPAN).

At the banquet hall of Oriental Hotel penultimate Friday in Lagos, friends, associates and Ondo State Government gathered to honour a hardworking fellow, whose short stint in public office at the NDDC ushered a new dawn into otherwise forgotten communities of Ilaje, especially in the provision of electricity, pipe-borne water and roads. In a short time, Enikuomehin was able to attract over N20 billion worth of Dr. Enikuomehin displaying his certificate of Fellowship; his wife; members of CILGPAN and Chief Wale Olanipekun at the investiture ceremony. development funds to the

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Training on Friday at the Center, said: “In the course of this training, you were exposed to several presentations, lectures, discussions and exercises all which were intended to adequately equip you to handle the stress and strains that are likely to confront you in retirement.

“It is expected that the training skills acquired would be used in adding values to your respective services.”

The training is meant to provide the officers with skills and trades that would empower them to set up and properly manage their own businesses.

The programme also provides relevant information that will enable them to make plans and makes decision towards their eventual disengagement from service in order to enjoy

a productive life in retirement.

“You must consider yourselves lucky to have been selected to undergo this training at this stage of your career as it will enable you to commence early planning towards your eventual disengagement from service” Akisanmi said.

He told the officers to learn from mistakes of those who didn’t manage their retirement well.

Certificates were later presented by Akisanmi to participants some of who expressed their appreciation for taking part as well as readiness to put into practice what they learnt whenever they quit the service.

The entrepreneurship training programme was organised

by NAFRC in collaboration with Empretec Nigeria Foundation.

TheGuardian

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 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 NDDC and predatory governance IVEN the deeply entrenched system of abuse that has attended the operations G of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for which a new acting chief executive has just been appointed, it is almost futile to expect any good report from the agency. Given the “culture of expectations” amongst the regional elite, pertaining to NDCC appointments and the on-going scramble for slots, it is also almost pointless to expect that a new Board will make any difference when it is eventually appointed by the President. It is however appropriate to remind President Goodluck Jonathan that the NDCC was created in 2000 by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to bring development and welfare benefits to the Niger Delta rather than provide additional resources to recruit political allies or further the political careers or personal material aspirations of the elite of the oil-producing states and their acolytes elsewhere.

It is generally believed that Nigerians have little to show for the over $340 billion that the country has earned from oil exports over four decades. Citizens, as opposed to the elite, of the Niger Delta from where Nigeria’s oil is derived have received an even worse deal, gaining little besides environmental degradation and impoverishment from the oil production carried out in their land. From the early 1990s, vast sums of money have been transferred to the Niger Delta through preferential fiscal policies and institutions such as the NDDC to address the pervasive poverty existing amidst staggering wealth and the deep sense of injustice it bred in the region.

Between 2009 and 2012, about N880.8 billion (or $5.8 billion) was budgeted for the NDDC. This is a huge sum of money, especially if the fact that the oil producing states have other sources of preferential transfer such as the 13 per cent derivation principle of allocating funds to states from the Federation Account and the budget of the Ministry of the Niger Delta, which is N63. 3 billion for 2013 is also considered.

Visionary leaders, in Abuja and also in the Niger Delta States, with these huge sums, could have envisaged creating a regional economic hub that would have the potential to rival Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. In fact, they could have modeled it after the serenity and orderliness of Dubai. The funds that have accrued to the Niger Delta in the last 13 years should have gone some way in creating the infrastructure for a globally competitive region; industrial parks for manufacturing, modern ports linking them to markets in Africa and beyond, a booming petrochemical sector, world-class tourist destinations etc. The sort of bureaucracy required to attain this vision could have slowly but steadily been built. This bureaucracy would have had sufficient funds to train an efficient and globally competitive workforce. It would have been possible to bring in the skills of the most qualified Nigerians and expatriates to accelerate the pace of development as cities or states like Dubai and Qatar have done. Honest and efficient investment of NDDC funds and other preferential transfers to the Niger Delta should have attracted even greater private sector investment as Nigerian and global businesses compete to secure a foothold in such a place.

It is on record that since 2003 Nigeria had twice launched a plan, the Niger Delta Development Master Plan, to transform the Niger Delta into a model and pole of development. International development institutions like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank were enthused about the plan and would have been able to mobilize significant additional resources to realize the objectives of peace and development in the Niger Delta. Sadly, the Master Plan has become another wretched monument to the mediocrity and indeed depravity that afflict virtually all aspects and levels of governance in Nigeria. The comprehensive venality of Nigeria’s elite class has produced untold misery.

Indeed, the real tragedy of Nigeria is the utter inability of this wastrel class to shelter any project or institution from its own predatory dispositions. Nigeria has remained retarded while nations like India have become a force to reckon with in the world despite their own histories of corruption and sectarian divisions precisely because certain institutions were insulated to serve sacred national goals.

The failure to make any serious effort to ensure that the NDDC rededicates itself to its mandate is one of the greatest failures of the present administration. The probe of the NDDC in 2011 revealed what many Nigerians had long suspected: the organization had primarily functioned to award contracts to front companies of those lucky to be appointed to manage its affairs. More than 280 projects, many of them costing over N1 billion each were abandoned. Successive Governing Boards would rather award new multi-billion naira contracts rather than complete abandoned ones. The report of the probe reads like a work of financial crime fiction.

Directors clandestinely transferred tens of thousands of dollars between the various NDDC’s Nigerian and foreign accounts. Court cases were contrived against the NDDC, to be withdrawn once external lawyers were paid hundreds of millions of naira. The government had abolished NDDC’s predecessor, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1996 after its chairman even fled Nigeria to evade accounting for the corruption, which had overwhelmed it. As the replacement of OMPADEC, NDDC has also failed to curb corruption and there is no evidence that the 2011 probe of the Commission has had any positive impact. Cronyism and the preoccupation with the sharing of government positions have prevented Nigerians from focusing on accountability and performance in governance, especially in the case of the Niger Delta and all the interventionist designs for its rescue.

The abysmal failure of the NDDC should make it clear to Nigerians that the solution to predatory governance and the deep poverty and inequality it creates is for all Nigerians to unite in demanding accountability from their leaders. The time is now!

LETTERS

Towards Nigeria’s liberation I have nothing personal legislature raised no dust. I see what it requires to fight corSbutIR:against the Kwara State rulers, chop-I-chop syndrome as what ruption: self-discipline and I sense a kind of self-imaging is responsible for mass pover- the moral will to tackle the in which they only think about their own state. They seem to see the federal level only as a place where you go to scoop the national cake, and so, they don’t criticize corruption at the national level, other than get as much as possible of whatever is available to share, whereas both the nation and Kwara State can be better developed with a good federal authority.

Note that even when the late Olusola Saraki was the Senate President during the Shagari era, corruption was as high and the

ty, and the rulers in Kwara get money from whoever is at the centre to perpetrate paternalism.

Nigeria has been badly governed since independence.

Unless the paradigm shifts, the result will forever remain constant. Two military regimes made a clear difference: that of General Murtala Muhammed, and the regime of Muhammadu Buhari/the late Babatunde Idiagbon.

Providentially, Buhari is still around and kicking. He has

scourge headlong.

The imperialists would not like Buhari, and they have consolidated over the years, drawing into their fold kings, chiefs, religious leaders, academics, etc. But it is up to the masses to rise and vote overwhelmingly against them.

Nigeria must move forward.

1999-2015 is too long for a political party that is perpetrating mass impoverishment.

• Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Gradual and steady deterioration of Shomolu IR: As a residential suburb Splagued of Lagos, Shomolu is by problems of overcrowding, poor housing, and inadequate sanitation. This is a problem common with most residential suburbs in Lagos State, but the level of deterioration in Shomolu is reaching alarming proportion.

Shomolu, according to figures from the last population census has over 402,673 residents. This area has witnessed population explosion since the last census but virtually no new infrastructure has been added. At the state level, there is no serious commitment to develop the community, but what is even

worse is that the present council administration has brought about complete neglect in all developmental indices.

Pedro road on Johnson Street is riddled with potholes. Virtually no street has been tarred since the last election that brought in this administration and even those that are tarred are in advance stages of rot. Rufai Street is an eyesore as most houses are only inches away from collapse. The road on Awofeso Street has been turned into a market. Akoka communities are glorified shanties; Shiro and Morocco areas are blot on the landscape. Apata and Eyo streets

are also not left out of this rot.

These are just few examples, but suffice to say there is virtually no government presence in most areas in Shomolu.

Churches, it seems are in competition to outdo each other in noise making.

I firmly believe that the current revenue sharing formula that gives the Federal Government 52 per cent, states 26.72 per cent and local councils 20.60 per cent is absurd, but any responsible local council administration would still embark on developmental projects if it is not made up of corrupt and self-serving officials.

• Kokoro Kalami, Lagos.

ThE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

15

Business How culture of impunity has been compromising aviation sector’s growth - P.62

‘Nigeria loses $100b to oil lifting by foreign vessels’

By Roseline Okere hE nation may have lost T over $100 billion (N15.8 trillion) in five decades through the exclusive lifting of the country’s crude oil by foreign owned tankers, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa has said.

Nwapa made this disclosure on Friday at the launch of two new 45,000 tonnes tanker vessels-MT Abiola and MT Igbinosa by an indigenous firm, Ocean Marine Tankers (OMT).

According to him, the country also lost opportunities to build a virile national carrier fleet on the back of the hundreds of millions of barrels exported every year and equally missed opportunities to train and utilise youths especially from mar-

itime communities of the Niger Delta in formal shipping activities. he noted that the trend began to change with the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan and emboldening of relevant officials and agencies to insist that indigenously owned tankers should carry Nigerian crude.

Making reference to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke’s directive in 2012 that the crude lifting guidelines issued by the Board must count in the selection of companies to lift Nigerian crude, Nwapa said one of the key requirements included ownership of tankers or Nigerian equity in tankers that will carry the crude.

“In 2012, the guidelines were not fully implemented. The

excuse was that there was no Nigerian owned tanker but the message was sent around the world that the Jonathan government was insisting that a portion of Nigerian crude must be carried by Nigerian tankers”. he said that since then, over four other credible groups had demonstrated to the board various models they plan to adopt to ensure compliance with crude lifting guidelines issued in 2012.

Sequel to the guidelines, the Minister of Petroleum Resources will soon come out with regulations to enforce

relevant provisions of the Nigerian Content Act, which stipulate that Nigerian owned tankers must be utilised significantly in the transportation of crude oil.

The Executive Secretary commended Ocean Marine Tankers Limited for showing the world that Nigerians can own crude carriers, describing the company’s efforts as a clear demonstration of the confidence investors have in the current administration and a strong belief that government will protect any investment made in line with our laws, policies and

aspirations. he promised that the board will ensure that any company that invests in crude tankers which meet the technical requirements will be utilised for transporting Nigerian crude.

Nwapa also reported that the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act had resulted in the domination of the industry landscape by Nigerian companies, with tremendous impact on the national economy, such that other sectors are replicating the models established in the oil and gas sector.

he said there are measurable impacts in engineering to fabrication, oil field services, well technology and drilling rigs, marine vessel services, equipment assembly and component manufacture and logistics.

Noting that upgrade of facilities have injected billions of naira into the economy, he listed other areas of increased Nigerian participation include boat building and ship repair, coastal trade under the Cabotage regime, insurance, banking and legal services and crude oil and product sales.

NEXIM secures mandate for expanded sub-regional operations

By Chijioke Nelson hE Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) may have received new impetus for more international operations as the federal government disclosed plans to making its impact go beyond the shores of the country.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while inaugurating the new board of the financial institution, at the weekend, in Abuja, noted that NEXIM had a charge to further boost regional trade in West Africa.

Okonjo-Iweala said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration remained committed to the task of transforming the nation’s economy and expanding regional trade through the incorporation of the West African economic zone.

The minister, who described NEXIM as an important part of the Nigerian financial sector set up to promote import and export, noted that the government was desirous of making its economic weight felt beyond the sub-region.

According to her, the desire was necessitated by the fact that the federal government wanted to continue to partner with the private sector, with a view to harnessing the inherent talents in the sector and expand trade relations within and outside the shores of the country.

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She said that Nigeria’s economy was about 55 per cent of the West African economy, stressing that the country’s weight meant a lot to the entire sub-region, but said that Nigeria, through the NEXIM Bank, still needed to do more to facilitate trade among the private sectors in the region and the larger continent.

“This institution (NEXIM) is key if Nigeria is to continue to play its role of being the power house within the West African region and beyond,” she added.

She, therefore, charged members of the new board, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade, to stand up to the new challenge as the government expected them to bring their diverse experience to bear in transforming the bank into an instrument of trade facilitation.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, who is expected to run the bank in the absence of a board, enumerated achievements recorded by the bank under his direct supervision.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance, among other successes, put the NEXIM Bank on a path of sustained profitability and paid dividend to its shareholders, the federal government and the CBN for only the second time since its establishment.

Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Joseph Sanusi (left); Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu; President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Segun Aina; and First Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Otunba ‘Debola Osibogun, at the 2013 investiture of the institute in Lagos, on Saturday.

Again, Presidency bares fangs on pipeline vandals From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja hE Presidency has called on national security agencies to consider pipeline vandalism as a national threat and take full measures to tackle the menace.

This call was made at the weekend by the Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Power, Beks Dagogo- Jack, when he inspected some vandalised natural gas/ crude oil pipeline sites in River State.

Dagogo-Jack, who was visibly shocked by the quantum of vandalism, lamented that gasfired thermal electricity plants have had to be shut down with several parts of the country thrown into dark-

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• Classify culprits economic saboteurs • Community disrupts power generation, as Afam plant sheds 206mw ness, each time the pipelines are vandalised.

“Pipeline vandalism has a disastrous impact on electricity supply in that the production and availability of gas to fuel over 5000MW of thermal power plants representing over 80 per cent of the Marion’s available power totally depends on these pipelines’ ability to continuously evacuate certain byproduct liquids from the gas processing facilities to the export terminals during the production process.

“The PTFP has identified a

critical linkage between the acts of vandalism, the illegal refining activity and the threat to electricity supply.

The feedstock for the illegal refineries is the stolen crude from the illegal refining whilst the main crude from vandalised refining is poorgrade automotive gas oil (AGO, diesel) and then the single biggest market for this illegally refined products is fuel for generators sold through nationwide black market channels. “ “It stands to reason, therefore, that the agenda of these

saboteurs is to continue to expand the supply and sale of their illegally refined products which can only be sustained by the frequent organized pipeline attacks aimed at both stealing the crude and shutting down of the nation’s thermal generating assets.

This is a vicious cycle which can potentially cripple our economy and frustrate the genuine efforts of this administration to deliver on its commitment on power sector reform.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Community disrupts power generation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 He stressed that the activities of vandals represent vicious attacks on the critical areas of national revenue and environment.

“I consider this a major national security threat and a serious act of sabotage,” he noted, adding “In the area of national revenue, the crude oil and associated products being stolen have a direct impact on the level of export revenues the country can earn. Additional disruption of LNG production also denies the country of getting maximum benefit from its investment.

“In the area of environmental degradation, both the crude techniques deployed to vandalize the pipelines for product theft which despoil our water bodies with crude spills and the illegal refinery operations which rely on the stole by crude as feedstock all combine to inflict immeasurable assault on our environment.

“There is direct scientific correlation between these environmental pollution and several health related diseases to which our people continue to get exposed to on a daily basis.”

Pipeline Asset Manager at the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Jurgen Janzen stressed that tackling vandalism was a huge task that the group is battling with.

“Despite the actions taken and additional deployment of government security forces, there remains significant illegal,bunkering activities.

Whenever there is increased security presence in one of the areas, some of the activities shift to other areas. We have seen the extremely frustrating effects of these activities on the power sector of recent,” he noted.

He said Shell was installing fibre optics on its pipelines so that everybody gets close to them; the firm would get signals from its headquarters.

Director, Consolidated Breweries Plc, Didier Lelue (left); Company Secretary, Mrs. Temidayo Olaofe, Chairman, Prof. Oyinade Odutola-Olurin and Managing Director, Boudewijn Haarsma, at the company’s Extra Ordinary General Meeting, in Lagos… on Friday

NCCT tasks states, others on Nigeria’s domain name • ICT sector contributes 8.53 per cent to GDP

By Adeyemi Adepetun O further advance Nigeria’s T course on the cyberspace, the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT), has recommended that all state governments and their agencies should switch to the country’s domain name and adopt the gov.ng platform.

NCCT, which gave August 18, 2014 as deadline date for the switch to have been completed, noted that this would not only create a better cyberspace, but also engender economic growth.

This recommendation was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of a weeklong meeting of the NCCT in Akure, Ondo State, which ended at the weekend.

The meeting, which was the second in the series, had in attendance, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Henry Akpan, commissioners and officials of ICT, Science and Technology and other related areas from 22 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory among others.

Indeed, the minister of communications technology, who informed that the ICT sector, being the fastest growing sector of the economy in the last five years, had contributed 8.53 per cent to GDP as at Q1 of 2013, said over 382 Ministries, Departments and

Agencies (MDAs) had been connected in Abuja and other parts of the country, adding that 86,089 email addresses had also been deployed for government on .gov.ng domain names, with more than 250 websites hosted on .gov.ng platform.

Furthermore, the NCCT, which is chaired by Johnson, recommended that the national policy on ICT that FEC recently granted approval in principle should be adopted and states should develop policies that were aligned to the national ICT policies.

In view of the need for the establishment of institutional structure for coordinated approach to the implementation of ICT programmes across the country, the council recommended the estab-

lishment of the Ministry of Communication Technology by each state of the Federation and the ICT secretariat by the Federal Capital Territory.

Besides, part of the recommendation also include that state governments and the FCT should promote students PC ownership scheme in all state tertiary institutions through the vice chancellors and school administrations and recommend the use of locally assembled PC in all state government offices to further develop local ICT industry.

The NCCT also stressed the importance of states holding the Microwork/Elancing workshops, which should be focused on creating awareness about the work opportu-

nities in the Microwork and Elancing space, creating job opportunities for the youths and reducing unemployment and underemployment.

Other recommendations includes: “That all states and local government areas should collaborate with NITDA on the development of their IT Policy and establish the necessary institutional framework.

“That there should be an effective coordination between states governments and Federal Ministry of Communication Technology for programme interface.

“A comprehensive framework for application of ICT to all sectors of the economy be developed and state governments would domesticate the framework.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

BUSINESS 17

Afren’s revenue hits N127.5b in first quarter

By Roseline Okere XPLORATION group Afren E (AFR) has recorded revenue of $797 million (N127.5 billion) from its operations in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.

The company said in its half yearly result for 2013 that pretax profit fell by 16 per cent to $260 million.

It added that production increased significantly by 13 per cent, which it noted, was primarily from offshore Nigerian fields.

Dwelling on its operations in Nigeria, Afren stated that First Hydrocarbon Nigeria completed the acquisition of a 16.9 per cent economic interest in OML 113 for a total consideration of $40 million in July this year.

According to the company, OML 113 is located offshore Nigeria, and is contiguous to the Afren operated OPL 310

block. “The Aje field located on OML 113 was initially discovered in 1996. Three (Aje-1, Aje-2 and Aje- 4) of the four wells drilled on the field have encountered oil and gas in various intervals across the Turonian, Cenomanian and Albian sands, and two (Aje-1 and Aje-2) of the wells have comprehensively tested at commercial rates.

“The JV Partners estimate the Pmean contingent resources to be 167 mmboe principally related to the Aje field with an additional 205 mmboe of mean prospective resources on the block. The JV Partners are considering drilling and commencement of early production on the Aje field with full field development at a later stage likely in synergy with the recent discovery at OPL 310.

“Also, in May this year, Afren announced the completion of a farm-out agreement with

Lekoil Limited (Lekoil) (subject to Nigerian Ministerial Consent), in the OPL 310 licence. Under the terms of the farm out, Afren will receive a total carry of up to $50 million in respect of an exploration well drilled at the Ogo prospect and a side-track well currently being drilled.

“Post farm-out, Afren will hold a 40 per cent. economic interest in the licence once Afren and Optimum Petroleum Development Limited, the named Operator, achieve cost recovery. Afren provides technical assistance to Optimum in respect of Optimum’s obligations under a Technical Assistance Agreement.

“In June, we announced that the Ogo-1 well had encountered a significant light oil accumulation with 216 ft of net stacked pay. Following the discovery, the well was deepened to tag the crys-

Firm tasks govt on capacity utilisation, access to export market

By Femi Adekoya IGERIA’s exporting potenN tial in the food and drugs industry may be undermined if the Federal Government does not address the issue of low patronage and capacity utilisation in the sector, the Managing Director of Bioorganics Nutrient Systems Limited, Dr. Uzoma Acholonu, has said.

Speaking during the visit of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, to the company in Ibafo, Ogun State, at the weekend, Acholonu decried low capacity utilisation and commitment from large companies as well as dumping as key factors hindering the company from exploring its competitive advantage in the export market.

With over $1.5 million already invested in the company, Acholonu, the company was in a position to become a major exporter not only to West Africa, but to East Africa and other parts of the continent if supported.

He added that the company, which supplies vitamin and mineral premixes to the

Nigerian food, beverage, animal health and livestock industries, can be encouraged through an effective policy intervention to compel patronage in the industry.

To this end, the minister however assured the company of the ministry’s commitment to accelerating processes on how the issues would be addressed.

According to Aganga, the hitherto absence of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) has contributed to the low industrial growth witnessed in the country.

He however assured the company that with the development of a new NIRP, a strategic and holistic approach to addressing industrial challenges would soon be implemented.

He added: “The NIRP is different because it is very strategic. We are looking at industries where Nigeria can be the number one in Africa and top 10 globally. It is also holistic in the sense that we are taking a cluster approach to it.

“For instance, in order to have a successful automobile

Ecobank raises stake through promo

By Helen Oji COBANK Nigeria has unveiled “Giant Prize Give Away” promotion as part of its commitment to reward existing and new customers operating the bank’s current and savings account.

The promo, which was designed to promote and support financial inclusion, according to the bank enables participants to own a Honda CRV SUV, as well as other prizes at monthly draws till the end of the promotion, which would commence this month.

The customer is required to deposit at least N30,000 into his/her current or savings account. Maintaining such deposit for at least three months qualifies the customer for the grand draw.

According to the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Anthony Okpanachi, the bank

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is poised to reward and offer efficient service delivery to its customers.

“Ecobank will continue to contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy. Ecobank, with the largest Pan African banking network in Africa is the best platform to provide economic empowerment to our peoples across Africa hence its determination to build scale in Nigeria through products and services that provide convenience and value for customers”.

Okpanachi, who encouraged non customers to open an account in any Ecobank branch, said a customer is required to make fresh deposits of N30,000 into their current or savings accounts each month to qualify for the draw, adding that depositing multiples of N30,000 gives the customer more chances of winning .

industry, there was the need for all the support sectors to be working as well. Hence, there is a need for a policy to promote local content and that after a particular number of years; local content should be at a particular level.”

Aganga further said that government was keen on promoting the development of industrial cities based on an agenda driven by institutions.

“So, the idea is to build institutions to drive hubs and that is what we are doing.

talline basement and reached a total measured depth of 10,648 ft. A comprehensive wireline logging pro-

gramme was completed post period end and is presently under evaluation. Following the conclusion of drilling

operations at Ogo-1, the Partners spudded a planned side-track, Ogo-1 ST, which is currently drilling ahead.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Focus Maximizing benefits of tourism sector

A typical Six-Star hotel

By Tope Templer Olaiya ITH the opening of at least one hotel every other month, influx of international hotel brands, and high employment capacity, the hospitality sector seems to be the only thriving subsector in the travel and tourism industry in Nigeria and clearly depicts the obvious – that Nigeria tourism is globally competitive.

In July this year, Nigeria’s first six-star hotel began operation in Abuja with the take-off of AES Luxury Apartments. The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who declared the facility open, commended the owners and managers of the hospitality outfit for its high standard. Duke said the emergence of AES was particularly timely as patrons seek secure, yet opulent, alternatives to the few and often overcrowded five-star hotels in the city.

Underscoring the fact that the country’s tourism sector is globally competitive, President Goodluck Jonathan, last month unveiled a new “tourism identity” as part of efforts to develop the tourism sector and diversify the nation’s revenue sources. The new identity, Fascinating Nigeria, was launched at a dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, to showcase the country’s rich tourism and cultural potentials.

The president, who was represented by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, said the tourism sector, if properly harnessed, could generate income and attract investment to drive the country’s economy. He revealed that the Federal Government has placed greater emphasis on creating an enabling environment for harnessing the country’s vast tourism potentials and resources and subsequently increase the budget of the Ministry of Tourism.

“This is because tourism, another huge revenue source, is a means by which potentialities shall create employment and wealth for our teeming Nigerian youths. The cultural diversity, historic sites and slave routes together with the large Diaspora population provide an opportunity for success, when packaged with festivals and events for presentation to the international and re-

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Culture Minister, Edem Duke

gional tour operators,” he added.

According to the president, Nigeria has a lot to showcase to the world. “Our movie industry is second in the world only after Hollywood, our football team is the reigning African Champions, our festivals are unrivaled on the African continent and our music is reigning supreme globally. We are ranked as one of the best places to do business and we are one of the fastest growing economies and an investment destination,” he said.

Tourism Minister, Edem Duke, said tourism sector in 2012 contributed three per cent to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 2.6 per cent of total employment, making the sector second to oil and gas.

In the bid to add bite to the Fascinating Nigeria initiative, president of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, said his federation was working to ensure a reduction in operating tourism businesses in the country.

“FTAN is set to partner the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on privatepublic investments by broadening inter-regional tourism trade and investments, but the government has to be sincere about developing this sector, first by reducing multiple taxation and other business unfriendly policies.”

While there is a remarkable growth in the sector, all is not well, as challenges, especially in electricity power supply, importation of majority of the products and furniture, and dearth of skilled personnel, and recently, security still, pose serious problems. Despite the harsh business climate, the likes of Protea, Golden Tulip, Best Western, among others, added a number to their repertoire in their preparation to take on the big players and multinational brands such as Sheraton, Le Meridian and Hilton.

So many two-star and three-star hotels opened all over the country with established hotels adding more rooms and expanding facilities.

According to a report, Calabar and Enugu saw increased hotel development surpassed only by Abuja, followed closely by Lagos. With this development, hotel room rates are falling because of the shrinking economic activities and avail-

ability of more rooms.

The influx of these international brands, according to George Lucky Esiekpe, public relations consultant to African Sun, and CEO, travelafricanews.com, is a testimony that the sector is growing. “But, it is also sad that the indigenous hotels are yet to wake up to the competition by foreign brands.”

A thriving hospitality industry provides thousands of skilled and unskilled jobs, both of which are particularly critical in Nigeria, where unemployment levels have continued to grow geometrically.

As international hotel groups start moving into the continent they view as “the final frontier of hospitality”, this raises the critical question: What is best for Nigeria? Working with local partners makes the most sense from a hospitality perspective, but who should hoteliers be looking to partner with? Is an international group with a name but no African experience the way to go, or should a hotel management company have an African track record to be most successful?

These questions are critical to tourism development in Africa, especially in countries where tourism is a leading forex earner or is fast becoming one. Providing answers is Arthur Gillis, CEO of the Protea Hospitality Group, which is by a wide margin the largest hotel group on the continent, with approximately 130 hotels in 10 countries.

In an exclusive online interview with The Guardian, Gillis said: “One of our foundation principles is to seek local partners when entering a new market. We are hospitality experts and we have never claimed to be anything else, so we partner with those people who are the legal and financial experts in their home countries. It helps us get a better understanding of the needs in each country and gives us a business plan to follow that creates hotels of the highest standard where they are needed, where they will be profitable and where they will create employment.

“That doesn’t change, no matter where you are working in Africa. There are sometimes challenges like guaranteeing reliable Wi-Fi, but as a continent we all want to create long term and sustainable growth, so we all work towards that goal.”

Investing in Nigeria makes sense in every way; the country is the most populous in Africa, its economy is about to overtake South Africa as the continent’s biggest, the economic growth forecast is extremely optimistic and it has immenseresources that the rest of the world wants. That means the world travels to Nigeria. The recipe for success is simple: create a worldclass product, give it a trusted brand name, train staff well, install talented managers with sound financial knowledge and always remember that the reason you are there is to create a phenomenal guest experience.

For Gillis, Nigeria is the priority market. Outside of South Africa, the country has the greatest number of Protea Hospitality Group hotels and plans to double its presence within five years.

“We currently have 11 hotels, the latest of which is Protea Hotel Select Emotan that opened in Benin City in February.

“Investing in Nigeria makes sense in every way; the country is the most populous in Africa, its economy is about to overtake South Africa as the continent’s biggest, the economic growth forecast is extremely optimistic and it has immense resources that the rest of the world wants. That means the world travels to Nigeria and we believe we are setting the hospitality benchmark for superlative hotels and service.

“To illustrate that, currently the only superior deluxe African Pride Hotel under construction anywhere in Africa right now is going up in Lagos. It will set a new benchmark for five-star luxury in Africa and we will be opening doors next year.”

According to Gillis, the success story of the Protea Hospitality Group is a model for any new entrant into the hospitality sector in Africa. “We started in Africa and work exclusively in Africa, meaning every cent that is made from our hotels remains in Africa. We have been here for 30 years and we are by far the largest hotel group on the continent.”

Africa, for him, is still a tourism destination with its many challenges. “There is absolutely no doubt that Africa is a tourist destination and a very popular one. Security concerns have gone from pervasive to very specific regions and those, too, are shrinking. That is not to say one views the world through rose-tinted spectacles, but the reality is that Africa has had a taste of what it means to flourish economically and nobody wants to give that up. Tourism is a phenomenal forex stream that contributes to development and prosperity.

The Protea Group has been able to drive its growth on the continent in simple consistent ways. “We have three decades of experience in African hospitality. Our expertise in finance, marketing and management, as well as established supply chains and distribution channels, make money for hotel owners and convert guests from once-off visitors to loyal patrons.”

On how Nigeria can develop its hospitality industry and fully maximize its tourism potentials, the Protea group chief noted that the first hurdle has been cleared with government understanding the opportunities and revenue streams a thriving tourism trade can bring to the country.

“This has accorded the industry priority status after oil and gas. Without government buy-in, very few industries would survive in the world, so it’s a good start. That said, it falls to entrepreneurs to take those leaps of faith and commit to growing the hospitality industry. All the action won’t only be in the big cities, though.

“As with every country in the world, business travel is the lifeblood of the hospitality industry and more opportunities to develop hotels in secondary nodes will occur as regional development expands.

“The recipe for success is simple: create a worldclass product, give it a trusted brand name, train staff well, install talented managers with sound financial knowledge and always remember that the reason you are there is to create a phenomenal guest experience. If you stick to those rules, you simply can’t lose.”

CEO, Protea Group, Arthur Gillis

ThE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

BUSINESS 19

Dangote increases fleet, boosts employment generation

By Taiwo Hassan ANGOTE Group D Founder/President, Aliko Dangote Dangote has disclosed that the newly trucks the company acquired from Chinese heavy duty truck company, Sinotruck, were meant to boost the nation’s transport sector/supply chain distribution and employment.

According to him, the decision to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese auto firm was reached by the management as a way of expanding the bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and China. he, however, said that the vehicles would further create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Dangote Group of Companies had signed a contract with Chinese heavy duty truck company, Sinotruck, for the supply of 1,700 heavy trucks and 1,700 semi-trailers, as it embarked upon expanding its distribution networks on the home front.

The agreement papers was signed by both parties – led by Dangote Group Founder/President, Aliko Dangote and Sinotruk’s Chairman, Ma Chunji, in Beijing, China.

Emphasising the importance of the transaction, the founder said that the vehicles would be used to expand Dangote’s ground fleet, which he said that was “a critical component of its extensive distribution network.”

Union Bank unveils ‘bank-of-the-future’ project NION Bank of Nigeria Plc U has entered into a collaborative initiative with Samsung Electronics West Africa, to develop a ‘Bank of The Future’ prototype, aimed at providing superior experience in financial services to both existing and potential customers of the bank.

The initiative, which is a prototype e-branch that would completely re-design the banking hall as it is today, would transform it into a 100 per cent self-service, electronic branch and fits into the bank’s strategy to retain existing customers and attract new ones, especially the young and technologically savvy.

The ‘Bank of the Future’ prototype is being test-run at the bank’s Silverbird Galleria branch, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the unveiling of the initiative, Group Managing Director of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, re-affirmed that the focus of the bank was to serve its customers well, adding that Union Bank would seek to leverage on the Samsung technology platforms to deliver consistent and reliable service to its customers.

Executive Director, Commercial/Retail and Consumer Banking – South, Adekunle Adeosun, noted that the initiative was part of efforts to make Union Bank a leading provider of innovative financial services in Nigeria and beyond.

Second Deputy National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mrs. Alaba Lawson (left), Director-General, African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yoshifumi Okamura, Director, Asia and Pacific of Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Adekumbi Osunaike, Director General of NACCIMA, Dr. John Isemede and Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Godwin Agbo at the Nigeria-Japan Business Meeting in Lagos at the weekend.

DhL forecasts 60 per cent of Africa’s 2013 IT hardware growth

By Adeyemi Adepetun with Agency report hOUGh there is intense competition in the technology space, with Asia fast dictating the pace as both manufacturing location and a consumer market, Africa has also witnessed an explosion in technology adoption recently and is set to develop as a region.

This is according to the Managing Director for DhL Express sub-Saharan Africa, Charles Brewer, who said that DhL global technology conference revealed new trends around the changing dynamics of the technology market.

Corroborating this Brewer’s view, DhL’s Technology Sector head for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Florence Noblot said that mobile devices had preference over PCs as the access tool for the Internet, which was also highlighted at the conference.

Noblot estimated that 60 per

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cent of all IT hardware growth would come from tablets and smartphones this year, adding that both devices also elevated a trend towards high innovation cycles, which demanded logistics providers to improve time to market while supporting competitive price positioning.

But Brewer reasoned that due to the increased competition within the sector, suppliers needed to adapt and improve products and services in order to retain and grow market share. “This presents an opportunity for suppliers to be innovative and provide consumers with the best possible products, services and prices.

“Both of these trends also promise to amplify the role of logistics as a competitive differentiator in the technology industry, notably as global companies are looking for strong and established partners to support and simplify

Govt, Ecobank partner on N9b MDGs fund disbursements in 24 states hE Office of the Senior lion for each of the 24 benefitT Special Assistant to the ing states, while the states President on Millennium provide a matching grant of Development Goals (MDGs) has appointed Ecobank Nigeria as partner in its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme aimed at assisting indigent and less privileged families with monthly social subventions being part of the federal government’s MDGs assisted projects ahead of 2015 deadline.

The programme, which is planned to run in 12 months cycles, would have funds disbursed to over fifty-six thousand (56, 000) households in 600 communities in its first phase is part of the countdown strategy of the MDG office and a significant signpost of the determination of Nigeria to achieve the MDGs desirable objectives.

The federal government provides the sum of N187.5mil-

equal amount. This means that each state would receive total sum of N375 million. The states selected for this phase are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe and FCT. Announcing this partnership, Ecobank’s Managing Director, Jibril Aku said that the bank already had N6.2billion in its coffers ready for disbursement through the Ecobank Mobile Money platform. According to Aku N5, 000 shall be disbursed monthly for 12 months into the beneficiaries’ wallet while bulk-sum of N100,000 would be paid to each beneficiary at the end of the programme as an exit strategy.

access to the African market,” he stated.

According to him, within Africa, although there had been a significant rise in demand for electronic consumer products, the continent was still in need of increased investment from international technology companies, in order to become more than just an end-user for technology products.

To him, more than any other industry, constant innovation, short product cycles and new sales channels drove the technology sector. “From a logistics perspective this is a great challenge, but it also provides forward-thinking brands with

an opportunity,” he added.

Brewer said that by setting up shop in Africa, these brands were able to service this growing market and spend significantly less on logistics costs as they were based in much closer proximity to their customers.

According to a recent report

by Deloitte entitled The Rise and Rise of the African Middle Class, the continent has a disproportionately young population with 62 per cent of the population in Africa under 25 years. “This is positive from an outside investment perspective, as it effectively means that there is a guaranteed customer base for years to come

when compared to a territory such as Europe, which has a shrinking population.”

The Deloitte report also forecasts that if the African middle class continues on its current growth trajectory Africa’s middle class will grow to 1.1 billion (42 per cent of the continent’s population) by 2060.

The trend of mobile devices preferred over PCs as the access tool for the Internet was also highlighted at the conference. Florence Noblot, DhL’s Technology Sector head for Europe, Middle East and Africa, estimates that 60 per cent of all IT hardware growth will come from tablets and smartphones this year.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

20 BUSINESS

Stakeholders seek collaboration on standardisation challenge in building sector

By Femi Adekoya XCEPT the issues of profit maximisation, dearth of Structural Engineers and adherence to standardisation procedures are addressed, there may be no end in sight for building collapse in Nigeria.

This was the view of stakeholders at the sensitisation forum organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Sandcrete Blocks Manufacturing and Allied Products in Lagos at the weekend.

According to the stakeholders, prevention of project failures and building collapse may be difficult if block moulders refuse to adhere to standards prescribed in the National Building Code and provisions by the SON. To this end, the SON has concluded plans to partner with stakeholders in the building industry in to ensure adequate compliance to quality assurance procedures.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, urged builders to patronise only sandcretes duly certified by SON. According to him, the continued use of substandard materials was the major causes of building collapse in the country, noting that, most of the collapsed buildings are either recently built or still under construction.

He said: “This underscores the fact that the nation has

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a lot to do in quality assurance both in production process and the application of relevant specifications.

Sandcrete block makers should ensure that their products are of right quality as stipulated by SON. “The issue of sub-standard products and its negative implications and impacts on lives as well as the economy should be of concern to everyone, especially when such products are manufactured locally. The right application of specifications will ensure the durability of your sandcrete blocks thus aligning with the government’s aspiration for affordable housing for the nation.”

Director-General of SON, Dr. Ikem Odumodu, said that the wrong application of materials and resources was the major cause of substandard sandcrete blocks.

He added that, “Most times, block makers tend to compromise on quality and quantity of materials they use to gain more profit but this has adverse effects on structures,” he said.

According to him, SON will be visiting block making sites to ensure strict compliance to set standards.

He said that the organisation had resolved that every block maker must belong to the Block Moulders Association and be certified before such moulder commences operation.

Odumodu said, “This workshop avails us the opportu-

nity to interact with you and to create awareness on Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s zero tolerance for substandard products and increase safety in our buildings through the use of good quality products.

“Cases of collapsed buildings abound all over the country today and the only way to ensure safety in our building industry is to standardise both the building materials and the construction process.”

The National President, Building Collapse Guild, Kunle Awobodu, while speaking on how to overcome quality deficiency in Sandcrete blocks, urged moulders to place public safety above profit maximisation.

According to him, the use of a bag of cement to produce about 60 blocks rather than 35 blocks reduces the quality of blocks being made, while placing the public in jeopardy.

He however stressed the need for adequate supervision of projects as well as continuous training of block moulders to address building collapse incidents.

On her part, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Dr. Abimbola Animashaun implored stakeholders to effectively collaborate to address the issue, noting that only licensed moulders should be engaged in building projects development in order to curb the malaise.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 21

ICBC to lead China’s big banks in sliding profit report NDUSTRIAL & Commercial Iworld’s Bank of China Ltd., the most profitable lender, and its three largest local rivals are set to post the slowest earnings growth since 2010 as China’s economy falters and bad loans jump.

The four banks, among the world’s nine biggest by market value, will probably report combined second-quarter net income of 207 billion yuan ($34 billion), an increase of 10 percent from a year earlier, according to the median estimate of 11 analysts surveyed

by Bloomberg News. Profit at the four largest U.S. banks climbed 35 per cent to $20.2 billion.

The slower earnings growth may weigh on Chinese banking shares, already trading near record-low valuations on investors’ concern that an economy set to expand at the weakest pace in 23 years will curb loan demand and spark more defaults. Premier Li Keqiang triggered higher funding costs for banks this year with a crackdown on offbalance-sheet lending aimed at containing risks from an unprecedented credit boom.

“China’s banks have entered a downward spiral on profit growth,” said Rainy Yuan, a Shanghai-based analyst at Masterlink Securities Corp.

“Loan margins are shrinking, interest income is slowing and authorities are clamping down on shadow banking while China’s economic slowdown has hindered asset expansion.”

ICBC (1398), the largest Chinese lender by assets, will probably say on Aug. 29 that its net income climbed 9 percent to 67.4 billion yuan, allowing the Beijing-based company to retain its spot as the world’s most profitable bank, according to the analysts’ estimates.

China Construction Bank Corp. (939), the nation’s second-largest, may post 6.3 per cent growth in second-quarter net income on Aug. 25, the estimates showed.

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., ranked No. 3 by market value and assets, will probably report a 15 per cent gain on August 28. Bank of China Ltd., also scheduled to report earnings on Aug. 29, had an estimated 10.4 per cent profit gain.

Bank of Communications Co., the fifth-largest, said on Aug. 21 net income rose 13 per cent to $2.8 billion. It wrote off 4.8 billion yuan of soured debt in the first half, according to Citigroup Inc. analyst Simon Ho, helping limit the increase in bad loans to three per cent in the second quarter.

Shares of ICBC and eight other Chinese banks that trade in Hong Kong have dropped by an average 10 percent this year, compared with the 2.8 percent decline in the city’s benchmark Hang Seng Index.

(HSI) ICBC is trading at 5.6 times its estimated 2013 earnings, up from a record low of 4.76 times on June 25, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Construction Bank trades at 5.5 times its forecast profit.

The yield on AAA-rated fiveyear commercial bank bonds has climbed 44 basis points to 5.23 per cent since the end of March, according to an index

from Chinabond, the government debt clearinghouse, signaling growing concern that defaults may rise and funding may remain tight.

The speculation has been exacerbated by the faltering growth in China, whose economy will probably expand 7.5 per cent in 2013, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed

by Bloomberg News last month. That would be the slowest pace since 1990.

The outlook may sour even more for banks over the next three years, according to Josh Klaczek, head of Asia financial services at JPMorgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Ltd. Profits may start to drop as asset quality deteriorates, revenue growth slows and funding costs rise, he said July 31. Credit growth is likely to slow to the mid-teens over the next 18 months, from 20 per cent to 25 per cent in recent years, he estimated.

Press officers at ICBC, Construction Bank, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank declined to comment on the prospects for their earnings.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC), the largest Chinese lender by assets, will probably say on August 29 that its net income climbed nine per cent to 67.4 billion yuan, allowing the Beijing-based company to retain its spot as the world’s most profitable bank, according to the analysts’ estimates.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Oil & GasWeekly Remi Aiyela, Editor-in-Chief

editor@NOGintelligence.com www.NOGintelligence.com

UPSTREAM NEWS

Chevron's Chosen Eleven Revealed E announced last week that American oil W giant, Chevron has chosen its preferred bidders in the race for the acquisition of its interests in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 52, 53 and 55. We are still trying to confirm the names of those that have been shortlisted as preferred bidders. Initial indications are that the following qualified: Amini International, Britannia U, Eland, First E&P, Seplat, First Hydrocarbon, Network E&P, Sapetro, Seven Energy, Shoreline and Sogenal. We expect to confirm the shortlist by our next issue.

Mike Adenuga, GCON, at its helm, unscathed as the company announced that its profits have risen to N1.6 billion from N450.9 million in 2012, representing an increase of 255 per cent.

The company said its turnover had risen from N76.2 billion to N79.6 billion in the corresponding half-year period. Conoil has repositioned its core business, investing substantially in its retail network including mega stations around the country.

In the statement accompanying its results, the company said it now had clarity of direction and focus and that the downstream remains fundamentally attractive to it in the short, medium and long term. "We will sustain our improved performance and realize our aspiration to become the leading petroleum products marketer and one of the most profitable quoted companies," the company said.

Oando on the other hand has not done so well as it announced a decrease in its Q2 profit. The company's profits after tax slid to N4.3 billion from N6.6 billion last year. Turnover also declined from N350.6 billion in 2012 to N280.32 billion.

The company, which is heavily leveraged was able to reduce its total debt from N236 billion in 2012 to N289 billion. The company says that as a result of its new financing structures, it has reduced its total indebtedness by 18 per cent.

Investors do still have an appetite for the downstream powerhouse that, with the ConocoPhillips acquisitions, is about to morph into an equally strong upstream player. Its rights issue to raise funds earlier in the year was said to have been oversubscribed by 14 per cent.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu holds the Government to blame for the company's poor performance saying: "We have had to reduce our imports by over 30 per cent as a result of delays in the payment of our FGN guaranteed subsidy payments due, thus directly affecting our revenue and profit."

REGULATORY NEWS

DOWNSTREAM NEWS

$450 Million Eurobond Earmarked Gas Infrastructure OPEC daily basket price stood at $107.58 For HE power outlook for Nigeria appears much a barrel Thursday, 22 August 2013 HE price of the Organization for Petroleum T Exporting Countries (OPEC) basket of twelve crudes rose to $107.58 a barrel on Thursday after sliding to $106.95 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

OPEC has published its latest Monthly Oil Market Report in which it predicts that demand for its crude oil would slip in 2014, even as global demand for oil rises. The forecasts predict demand for its oil to continue to average 30 million bpd this year, representing a decline of 400,000 bpd from 2012 levels. It also predicts a further decline in 2014 by another 300,000 bpd.

Non-OPEC oil supply on the other hand is expected to increase this year by 1 million bpd, a forecast that is supported by anticipated growth from OECD Americas and China and by 1.1 million bpd in 2014. The supply increase is expected to come from the US, Canada, Brazil, the Sudans, Kazakhstan and Australia.

Introduced on 16 June 2005, the new OPEC Reference Basket is currently made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

FINANCIAL NEWS

Conoil's Profits Increase as Oando's Profits Decline

HE difficult challenges in the downstream T operating environment seem to have left Conoil Plc which has the reclusive billionaire,

meeting on regulating nuclear applications in the oil and gas sector, which was organised by the NNRA in Abuja recently, including the Acting Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Nuclear Regulation Authority (NNRA), Mr. Martin Ogharandukun. The figure is down from 90 per cent for the period from 2000 to 2011 in which oil companies were reported to have abandoned 26 radioactive sources in the Niger Delta region.

Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, a former Presidential Adviser on Petroleum Matters, who also spoke at the event, urged the industry to devise safe means for the utilisation of radioactive material in their operations. He revealed that 633 authorisations were issued by NNRA in 2012, of which 500 were for oil and gas operations, representing 78 per cent of applications.

Dr. Egbogah, who is currently chairman of exploration and the production company, Emerald Energy Resources and also former alternate chairman of the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), said: "Presently, over 80 per cent of all radioactive sources imported into the country are used in the oil and gas sector for nuclear well-logging, industrial radiography, nuclear gauging and radio-tracing amongst others."

Dr. Egbogah also revealed that in the past there had been incidents involving loss of control, illegal transfer and transportation, hijacking of vehicles carrying radioactive cargo, and mis-declaration of radioactive sources. He stressed the need for the implementation of programmes for physical security, radiation protection and emergency response given the itinerant nature of sources used in these operations.

The keynote speaker at the event was the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, who urged operators in the oil and gas sector to uphold regulations set by the NNRA. She said this would ensure an effective monitoring of nuclear applications in the sector in which some companies had close to 200 radioactive materials.

The oversight functions of the NNRA, which was established in 2001, include registration, licensing, inspection, and enforcement of compliance.

The main legislation governing the use of nuclear materials is the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act in 1995. In addition, oil and gas operators have to comply with regulations, which include the Nigerian Basic Ionising Radiation Regulations of 2003, Nigerian Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources Regulations, Nigerian Transportation of Radioactive Sources Regulations and Nigeria Radiation Safety in Industrial Radiography Regulations, Nigeria Radioactive Waste Management Regulations, Nigerian Radiation Safety in Nuclear Well Logging Regulations and Nigerian Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials Regulations.

HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS T brighter as the Federal Government unveils huge investment plans to radically improve gas

infrastructure and electricity transmission.

Following a meeting with the Ministers of Finance, Petroleum Resources and Power on how to improve the meagre level of power supply around the country, the Federal Government has announced the allocation of $450 million (N70.2 billion) for the improvement of gas infrastructure. The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, made this known when he was visited at the Ministry by a team from the Independent Power Producers Association of Nigeria.

Professor Nebo said the Government was doing what it could to address the gas issue, stressing that Nigeria has enough gas but that there were things to put in place, including the right pricing for domestic gas.

"Government is also trying to address gas infrastructure challenges. The first segment is the East-West axis. Government is putting in billions of naira to address that. The next is the SouthNorth, South-South and the North axis. So, there is a gas master plan and soon, the issue of gas will be settled," he added.

The plan is also to improve the electricity infrastructure. To this end, funding has been secured from different sources, including $800 from the World Bank, $170m from the French Development Bank, and another $500m has been secured from the Chinese EXIM Bank. These will all been spent on the improvement of the electricity transmission infrastructure.

"There is a huge investment going on for transmission. We hope with these, we will be able to produce the 10,000MW and at the same time wheel it out for full distribution," Professor Nebo explained.

Oil Companies Urged to Comply With Radioactive Materials Regulations

HE Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority T (NNRA) has revealed that over 80 per cent of radioactive material imported into Nigeria is used in the oil and gas sector. The revelation was made by a number of speakers at the technical

in association with

production shut-ins due to pipeline sabotage.

"The figure as at today is that 49,000bpd is lost to theft while about 350,000bpd is shut-in, that means production from a particular sabotaged line is stopped and the companies declare a force majeure; this figure is specific to the IOCs except for the NPDC," he explained.

Olubiyi also said that the figures are usually quoted on losses at a particular point in time, so for example, the figures obtained for June show pure theft losses of 25,000 bpd.

Country Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, explained that the Voluntary Principles are a useful tool for the extractive industry, which can contribute to the protection of human rights and the prevention of conflict.

She said that Shell, Chevron and Total have already signed up to the Principles.

Task Force Makes Significant Gains in Oil Theft War

HE Joint Task Force which was set up to deal T with the out of control menace of oil theft has had a very encouraging week in which 3 successful operations saw the recovery of a diesel-oil barge, the rescue of a 9-man crew and recovery of three boats laden with 126 kegs of petrol.

In the first operation the Nigerian Navy recovered the oil barge, MT Crow, which had been hijacked at gunpoint by an armed group of 4 in the Escravos area. The Navy detained them, and rescued the crew. In a twist to the story, the gang later claimed that the guns were not in fact loaded with bullets and two of the guns were even broken. However, they were also armed with machetes. The vessel was carrying 200 metric tonnes of diesel.

In another operation, the Navy was subjected to a vicious gun battle, which saw 17 of a 20-man gang killed. The vessels were hijacked in the Igobokoda area of Ondo State and pursued to Aiyetoro where 126 jerry cans of petrol and the boats were recovered. The report by the Navy did not reveal what had happened to the crew of the vessels that were hijacked but it is not thought that they were harmed.

In yet another successful operation, pipeline vandals who were caught siphoning petroleum products from a pipeline in the Majidun area of Ikorodu were detained after a surveillance operation by Naval operatives. Again, the vandals were armed and engaged the Naval officers in a shootout following which they were overpowered.

The regularity of the successes is encouraging, however commentators say the problem is so huge that the JTF may never be able to bring it under control. Only last week, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adebayo Olaniyi said a lack of effective assault craft is hampering the fight against oil theft.

HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS Advocacy Group Supports LADOL for Egina FPSO Project OPTS Clarifies Oil Theft and Illegal Bunkering Stats

LOBAL RIGHTS, a non-governmental associaG tion, recently held a roundtable workshop on the incorporation of Voluntary Principles designed to guide companies in maintaining safety and security of their operations within an operating framework that encourages respect for human rights.

Ayobami Olubiyi, spoke on behalf of the OPTS the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), an advocacy group, which includes 18 indigenous and foreign operators in the Nigerian petroleum industry in support of the work of Global Rights. Olubiyi pointed out the importance of the Voluntary Principles in relation to the protection and security of personnel and oil facilities in the Niger Delta. He said the Principles would boost investment, as stakeholders would see operators as partners rather than an occupying force.

Whilst speaking, Olubiyi also took the opportunity to clarify oil theft statistics. The figure that is usually given for oil theft in Nigeria is somewhere between 400,000 barrels and 450,000 per day (bpd) depending on who you ask. However, that is not quite correct according to the OPTS. Olubiyi said the global figure of 400,000 does not make the correct distinction between the amount stolen for the illegal distillation of crude oil, popularly known as bunkering, and the amount lost due to production shut-ins. "It is important that we clarify the actual figures being put out as crude oil stolen in the country," he said.

Olubiyi explained that there was a difference between what is lost to theft and what is lost from

MIDST widespread allegations that the Lagos A Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) comopany lacks the requisite capacity to execute the construction of a Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel for Total's $15bn Egina deepwater field off Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Nigerian Content Advocacy Group has thrown its weight behind the company The Egina project entails 44 wells being connected to a 330-metre long FPSO, which can store 2.3 million barrels of oil.

Samsung Heavy Industries who won the contract to build the FPSO proposes to use LADOL facility for the fabrication of the vessel. This is expected to use locally worked hours of about 75 per cent.

The group's Executive Director, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said LADOL had the technical capacity to execute the project. He said, "After due diligence and consultations, we can categorically state that LADOL's qualification to host this epoch-making project is not in doubt. Technically and commercially, LADOL has been assessed by all the oil majors and received business from most of them. " According to him, there is an ongoing expansion of the facility at LADOL and this includes an FPSO integration facility.

Akinola, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Ships & Ports, described LADOL "as a $500m company and far from a Greenfield site."

He said, "LADOL is already the largest rig repair facility in Nigeria through which it has created over 1,000 jobs, even as a 100 per cent indigenous entity.

"For the first time, a complete overhaul of shallow water rigs is now being done in Nigeria at LADOL. These savings in foreign exchange are already in hundreds of millions of dollars to the credit of the nation's economy."

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Insurance NAICOM may sanction underwriting firms for late financial returns

By Joshua Nse ORRIED by the inability of some underwriting companies to meet the statutory deadline of June 30th for the submission of 2012 statement of accounts, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) may sanction those companies affected for non-compliance.

Indications to this effect came from a letter of invitation to all CEOs/CFOs of the

W

affected insurance companies titled “Meeting with insurance companies on the delayed submission of 2012 audited IFRS accounts and annual returns to the commission”, for a meeting with the commission.

However, the status report of insurance companies as at July 2013 from the commission indicated that eight underwriting companies got approval of compliance, 29

insurance companies submitted the 2012 financial statements and are awaiting approval, while 31 underwriting companies have not submitted the 2012 financial returns.

The meeting, which was addressed by the Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Admin, George Onekhena and Director, Supervision, Nicholas Opara, the commission expressed concern over

delays in the submission of 2012 yearly statements and accounts.

The NAICOM top officials underlying the seriousness of the issue and the consequences of non-compliance with the stipulated deadline, pointed out common errors noticed in the reports already submitted by some insurance companies, the need to speed up the process to avoid further delays in the

approval of accounts by the commission and warned of grave consequences of further delays of submission and approval of the accounts to the affected companies.

The commission, however, agreed that there were challenges, but promised to help to overcome these challenges.

The Guardian gathered that a number of the underwriting companies were having challenges in the movement from the local accounting SAS system to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

According to him: “This is an international accounting system accepted globally, however, the insurance firms in this country may be facing challenges in understanding the transition issues to move from the local accounting systems SAS to IFRS, but with time the companies would overcome the initial problems, you can not rule out such challenges in any new initiative, but this is a new regulation required by the regulators in the industry which the underwriting

companies must do everything possible comply to avoid sanctions,” he said.

The 2003 Insurance Act stipulates: “An insurer shall, not later than 30th June of each financial year submit in writing to the commission the balance sheet, duly audited, showing the financial position of the insurance business of the insurer and its subsidiaries at the close of that y ear, together with a copy of the relevant profit and loss accounts which the insurer is to present to its shareholders at its yearly general meeting.

Besides, revenue account applicable to each class of insurance business for which the insurer is required to keep a separate account of receipts and payments, and a statement of investments representing the insurance funds.

However, the insurer, which fails, neglects or refuses to file the statutory financial returns and accounts under this section is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 per day for each day of default.

ARM obtains NAICOM approval to underwrite life business A journalist, who was a victim of a recent accident involving officials of Nigeria Union of Journalist, Mrs. Bimbo Oyetunde, (left), receiving a medical bill compensation cheque from General Manager, (Technical), Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Bode Opadokun and Senior Manager, (Technical), Nike Nihinlola, on insurance cover by the company for insurance journalists, at the Surgical Emergency Ward of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers launches mobile office XISTING and prospective E customers of pension fund administration will enjoy even more convenience as Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, deploys an innovative mobile office, the first of its kind in the pension industry in Nigeria.

At the formal unveiling of the Stanbic IBTC Pension mobile office in Lagos on August 19, the Pension Fund Administrator said that the move was in line with its commitment to ensure that clients were able to experience excellent and convenient service at all times.

The mobile office, sited on a bus, has been deployed in Lagos and will be subsequently deployed in other cities, and will enhance access to customers.

Head of Service, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Adesegun Ogunlewe, represented by Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, executive director, Technical, Lagos State Pension Commission, performed the unveiling ceremony.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Dr. Demola Sogunle, said that the growing visibility would demystify the pensions subject

and encourage more Nigerians to subscribe to the contributory pension scheme, thereby enhancing financial inclusion.

“We believe that this initiative which speaks of convenience and accessibility is one of our key steps towards building a legacy of exceptional service delivery where the customer is the focal point of all our activities. This initiative will bring pension service to the doorsteps of our customers and prospective customers alike.

Sogunle said that plans were finalised to deploy more mobile offices in various cities across the country. The new service window will complement the group’s expanding footprint in Nigeria by adding to the almost 200 branches of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ nine regional offices, as well as selected branches of Zenith Bank where the PFA operates.

Other access points include the Internet, telephone, email and SMS. Sogunle said that it was to enhance rapport and uninterrupted interface with its customers that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers launched its 24hour, multilingual call cen-

tre that came in the three major Nigerian languages; namely, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa as well as Pidgin English. Customers who call into this call centre, he said, had the option of being attended to in their preferred language.

As a member of the 150 year-old Standard Bank Group, Sogunle emphasized that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers was backed by the requisite expertise and experience, strong and sound financial clout, ensuring efficiency in the management and safety of clients’ retirement savings.

“We believe that the support, experience and capabilities of the Standard Bank Group to which we belong, have been instrumental in enhancing our expertise, resource base and general service delivery, thus reinforcing our goal of providing excellent service to all our customers,” he stated.

In its eight years of existence, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has emerged Nigeria’s biggest pension fund administrator with over one million retirement savings account holders and pays about N1.7 billion to over 28,000 retirees monthly. To date, approximately N178 billion has been

paid to retirees since commencement of operations in 2005.

“Our aim is to continue to set higher standards of service delivery and ensure that our retirement savings account holders derive maximum value from their pension savings. We believe that the addition of the mobile office to our line-up of convenient service channels, will further avail our esteemed customers and potential customers the opportunity to have access to quality pension fund administration information and services, which will in turn enable them retire well,” Sogunle concluded.

Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a member of Standard Bank Group, a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars - Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.

Standard Bank Group is the largest African bank by assets and earnings. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 18 countries on the African continent, including South Africa.

OLLOWING the acquisition FCrystalife of majority shares in Assurance Plc by Asset & Resources Management Company Ltd (ARM), the company recently obtained NAICOM approval to change its name to ARM Life Plc. The inclusion of a life insurance business in ARM’s stable further strengthens the group’s ability to meet financial requirements and needs of its market through the provision of sound financial planning advices and services; and risk management through its life insurance subsidiary, ARM Life.

Since its acquisition in 2012, ARM Life has been going through restructuring and is now poised to deliver innovative products and services tailored to the needs of individuals as well as corporations.

The management team has been strengthened to include individuals with

management and insurance experience.

Its partnership with Leapfrog Financial Inclusion Fund, a private equity investor with extensive experience in life assurance across Africa increases the depth of the company and its ability to support its vision “to be the leading provider of protection and wealth creation solutions in Nigeria.”

The company reached out to the brokers’ community at the weekend at a forum in their new office in Victoria Island, emphasizing collaboration and assurance of exceptional service delivery to the community.

According to Owolabi Salami, the company’s chief responsibility officer, ARM Life’s focus on living benefits would provide a stronger value proposition that promotes individual financial security throughout a person’s life.

Business Journal celebrates anniversary ALLAM Isa Yuguda, execM utive governor of Bauchi State and chief executives of leading insurance firms in the country are set to grace the fifth anniversary lecture/awards of Business Journal magazine scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2013 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

A statement by Prince Cookey, publisher/editor-inchief of Business Journal, stated that Yuguda would be the special guest of honour at the event and would also receive an award ‘Champion of Good

Governance & Sustainable Development’ in recognition of his sterling qualities in promoting the tenets of good governance in Nigeria and embarking on sustainable developmental strides in Bauchi State.

In the same vein, leading insurance firms in the country would be honoured with ‘Insurance Industry Leadership Award’ in recognition of their corporate achievements and performance in the insurance industry over the years.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

INSURANCE 27

Royal Exchange Prudential Life strategises to enhance performance EPOSITIONED Royal R Exchange Prudential Life Assurance (REPLA) has been urged to focus on customer service excellence, among other major initiatives, to drive its quest for market leadership and enhance the company’s status as a dominant player in the life insurance industry in the next three years.

The Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange Plc, Chike Mokwunye, speaking at a national retreat for management workers encouraged workers, especially those in customer-facing departments, to make service excellence their guiding principle and watchword in their interac-

tions and dealings with clients of the company.

According to him, “the customer is at the heart and soul of every organisation’s growth and success and it is very important to keep them satisfied if one wants to remain in operation. If the customer is treated well, he/she stays with you, but if they receive shabby and unsatisfactory treatment, they (customers) will take their business elsewhere.

“The future of insurance in Nigeria is the life business, which has not been fully tapped into, and for Royal Exchange Prudential to seek market leadership, an effective and efficient policy

of customer service, loyalty and retention must be in place in the organisation”, he added.

In his remarks, Managing Director of the company, Wale Banmore, said in addition to service excellence, his company’s focus is also on the deployment of a robust retail marketing strategy to take insurance to the grassroots, as well as training/upgrading of its marketing personnel, in line with current realities.

“The attainment of these goals, amongst others in the current financial year, will impact positively on the fortunes of the company, (profitability), improve service delivery to our clientele and

boost our premium income”, Banmore added.

He added, “management believes strongly in the Royal Exchange brand and its people, it’s most important resource, are more than capable of delivering outstanding service to existing and potential clients, nationwide”.

Banmore further commended all workers of Royal Exchange Prudential, for their drive and resourcefulness, which has resulted in ‘winning ways’ for the company. He further challenged them to “work even harder in the years ahead, in order to achieve our objective of becoming a world class company by 2015”.

Consolidated Hallmark pays medical bill to journalist IMBO Oyetunde of Radio B Nigeria, who was involved in a ghastly motor accident alongside others members of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) on their return from Abuja, has received a medical bill compensation from Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI) Plc. Oyetunde, an insurance reporter, got the monetary compensation having been part of a group personal accident insurance scheme initiated by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc as part of its corporate social responsibility.

According to the policy covering all insurance correspondents in Nigeria and renewed yearly, CHI will pay a death benefit of N1 million; permanent or temporary disability of N1 million or N200,000 maximum for medical bills.

Bode Opadokun, General Manager, (Technical), of the company who led the management team for the cheque presentation to at the surgical emergency ward of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, thanked God for the survivors and prayed God to grant families of the three people who died the fortitude to bear the loss.

He stated the need for all and sundry to embrace the culture of insurance because of its ability to provide succor in the event of unexpected, stating that journalists particularly needs to have adequate insurance because of the risky nature of their job.

He particularly called on media houses, the NUJ and other stakeholders to take insurance of journalists more seriously because of the high risk nature of their jobs. “Journalism profession both within and outside the country is exposed to different kinds of risks, and such calls for adequate insurance to mitigate the risks in the event of this nature.”

He stated that insurance is not a luxury but a necessity, and that is why as part of our CSR, we decided to provide group personal accident insurance for journalist covering insurance so that they can do their job with rest of mind.

He assured that CHI has over

the last 18 years been in the business of providing insurance services to people across the country and takes its claims payment very seriously.

Modestus Anaesoronye, one

of the insurance journalists covered in the policy while expressing appreciation to the company on behalf of the insurance journalist, thanked the company for its gesture, noting that the CHI’s

prompt response to the claims demonstrates that insurance does work in Nigeria. Mrs. Bosa Faji on behalf of Mrs. Oyetunde’s family commended the CHI for its wonderful gesture.

Does life insurance cover prison inmates?

AN a prison inmate obtain 3% of the U.S. adult population, been thrown into limbo by C life insurance? Do people or about 1 in every 34 U.S. the incarceration of a breadlose life insurance coverage adults — were behind bars or winner. Some inmates hope when they’re incarcerated?

These questions crop up frequently on prisoner rights and family support websites, and for good reason. Nearly 7 million Americans — roughly

on probation or parole at the end of 2011, according to the most recent data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics.

That translates to a lot of family members whose lives have

life insurance will provide financial protection for their spouse and children should they die behind bars; others seek merely to cover their own burial costs.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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Stockwatch In association with Lead Capital

Stock Market Report for the week Friday, 16th August to Thursday 22nd August, 2013 ajor equity markets around the M globe moved downwards as their various indexes lost marginal points. In our universe of sample equity markets; the S & P 500, NASDAQ and Dow Jones lost points by 2.53%, 1.89% and 2.87% respectively at the end of last week. In Europe, The German Dax index, FTSE 100 and France CAC 40 lost points by 1.81%, 2.98% and 2.41% respectively. In the Asia/Pacific region, Hangseng, Nikkei 225 and BSE Sensex lost points by 2.86%, 2.82% and 5.45% respectively. In Brazil, the Bovespa lost points by 0.96% while Russia’s RTS INDEX lost points by 3.23On the local setting, NSE ASI closed at 36,563.89 recording 1.48% depreciation at the end of the week’s trading.

In the week, the total volume depreciated by 36.67% and value traded depreciated by 40.90%. A turnover of 1.14 billion units of shares valued at N13.47 billion was recorded, in contrast to a turnover of 1.80 billion units of shares worth N22.79 billion that was recorded in the previous week.

Volume this week was driven by activities in the shares of FBNH, TRANSCORP, ACCESS, ZENITHBANK, GUARANTY, DIAMONDBANK, CONTINSURE, UNITYBANK, UBA and UNIONDAC.

ANNOUNCEMENT During the period under review, twenty three (23) stocks recorded price appreciation compared to twenty six (26) that depreciated in the previous week, JOSBREW was first on the top gainers chart to close with 57.55%, followed by THOMASWY with 31.34%, NEM with 13.64%, TRANSEXPR with 12.50%, NASCON with 12.28% and CADBURY with 9.60%. Other gainers in the top ten categories were COURTVILLE with 9.09%, JOHNHOLT with 8.62%, AIRSERVICE with 7.00% and AIICO with 6.45%.

On the flip side, Fifty three (53) stocks depreciated in price last week compared to Fifty five (55) that depreciated a week ago. INTENEGINS led on the price losers’ table with 26.60%, followed by ABCTRANS by 20.43%, LIVESTOCK by 12.66%, OANDO by 11.71%, RTBRISCOE by 10.96%, IPWA by 10.52%, ASHAKACEM by 10.44%, CHAMPION by 9.97%, ETRANZACT by 9.79% and CONOIL by 9.69%.

30 STOCKWATCH

COMPANY’S RESULT

Weekly Lead Equity Ratings (CONTINUED ON PAGE 51)

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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Homes & Property Govt begins zero tolerance on substandard materials Building Materials

By Tosin Fodeke OLLOWING high incidents of building collapse in the country, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), has warned block makers to desist from producing substandard products.

Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who gave this warning at a one day sensitization workshop on Sandcrete blocks manufacturing organized by the agency, said it would begin a serious assault on offenders.

He stressed that the move was part of the Federal Government’s zero tolerance campaign which is targeted at curbing the scourge of collapse building.

According to him, the agency had concluded plans to begin onsite factory inspections of Sandcrete producers with testing machines, which would determine the strength and composition of the blocks.

He added that the local manufacturers of Sandcrete blocks would have to emboss their names on their products so that they can be easily identified in case of collapse adding that failure to comply with the directive will lead to closure of the factory.

Odumodu noted that as Sandcrete blocks constitute about 80 to 90 per cent of the superstructure of any building, serious attention needs be paid to the production process to meet specified standards and quality to minimise the incessant cases of building collapse.

“We have agreed that all block molders and mixers will have to be part of an association which we can hold responsible as well organize capacity building seminars for. Each group will liaise with SON for training whereby we will offer 20 members of the block moulders association free 90001 certification.” He stated.

Also Minister of State, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, advised builders in the construction industry on the need to begin certification of block makers with Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP).

According to him, most of the collapsed buildings were either recently built or still under construction, adding that the use of substandard materials particularly Sandcrete blocks were the major causes of building collapse in the country Minister urged the sandcrete block makers to ensure that their products are of right CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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Stakeholders validate revised National Building Code Housing

By Emmanuel Badejo and Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja PPARENTLY impressed at the improved version of the National Building Code of Nigeria, stakeholders in the construction industry last week at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, validated the legal document meant to regulate activities of professionals within the construction sector.

The first edition of the National Building Code was published in 2006 with mandate for its review every three years and the current review was necessitated by the need to update the code in order to correct the lapses and omissions identified and align it with the current policy direction of government.

The Revised Code has been

A

Notwithstanding the current review of the National Building Code in Nigeria, since it is the legal document regulating construction sector, it is imperative for all states in the country to adopt the document to attain even standards updated to ensure conformity with the International Building Code, to emphasize the seriousness of fire hazards in buildings and the need for creating separate section for fire protection system in the Code has fully been addressed.

But beyond the validation exercise, the goverrnment believes that adoption of the Revised Code and its effective implementation would help in dealing with problems of building collapse, rampant use of substandard materials in building construction, improper housing maintenance and the new wave of flooding among others.

Addressing the professionals at a two-day programme

organised by the Lands, Housing and Urban Development with National Building Code Advisory Committee, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Federal Housing Authority last week in Abuja, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple, who expressed worry over the level of compliance, urged all state governments to as a matter of urgency to adopt the Code saying it is the path to attain the prescribed standards within the sector.

She particularly stressed the need to effectively regulate the construction of buildings and non-building structures through effective enforcement

of the Code.

Pepple spoke at the stakeholders’ validation workshop on the Revised National Building Code at the weekend in Abuja.

The minister noted that most countries of the world maintain and enforce their respective national minimum standards in the building construction and building systems, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

According to her, urgent steps must be taken to ameliorate the effect of improperly built structures and building collapse in the country through effective regulation and governance of human settlements through appropriate codes and legislation in order to

energize the sector towards ensuring rapid transformation.

The minister urged all the state governments to lead the drive to institutionalize the Revised National Building Code through adoption, legislation and enforcement.

Pepple said the scourge of building collapses in Nigeria was not for lack of requisite laws, but for ineffectiveness in the enforcement of these laws.

The Chairman, National Building Code Advisory Committee, Mr. Jimoh Faworaja, described the outcome of the review as a collective effort from international agencies, regulatory bodies as well as professional organisations.

He said that the review addressed lapses noticed in the first edition with certain reCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

The newly completed Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos

HDV unveils Lagos Ibis Hotel, showcases heat recovery system Construction

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam ITH eye on reaping the W benefits of Lagos as a mega city and nation's emerging economy, a venture capitalists company, has unveiled plans for the construction of nine hotels in various identified locations in Nigeria within the next 15 years.

Senior officials of Hotel

Behold The Pinnacle, a new luxury offer in Abuja Page 33

Development Ventures Nigeria Limited (HDV) made the disclosure at the formal dedication and official opening of 165 rooms Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, which may be the first to install heat recovery system as part of the company's environmental friendly policy.

The system utilises heat generated by air condition chiller to produce hot water needed in the hotel, by so doing conserve energy and reducing the effect on ozone layer. The company

had team up with Accor Group as management partner while Skye Bank Plc provided counter part funding for the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, HDV Chairman, Mr. Olufemi Okenla, noted that the project was completed 40 months after ground breaking ceremony held in March, 2010.

"We have been able to achieve this project within this timeline due to our adoption of building with conventional materials but using conventional

Local building materials cannot solve nation’s housing deficit, says Nubi Page 46

method of construction," Okenla said.

He disclosed that the hotel boost of effective underground car park, " thus reducing the potential menace of traffic congestion, which parking on the main road may cause to the general public."

Okenla recalled that "the search for a suitable land was a tumultuous task as we were faced with a lot of challenges including but not limited to exposure to serious financial

loss as we nearly paid for a land with an original certificate of occupancy but the owners have fraudulently moved the beacons of their land from canal to a solid ground."

He advised the state government to urgently develop a land bank policy, where willing and credible investors in Lagos can easily access land for commercial projects that would boost the economy of the state and provide the much needed employment opportunities.

Minister, legislator differ over N’Assembly complex contract Page 47

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

32 HOMES&PROPERTY

Archibuilt exhibition begins today Exhibition HE annual international T forum organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects through Archibuilt Development Services Limited (ADSL) will begin today at the Sheraton hotels, Abuja.

The four-day exhibition which is expected to be declared open by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban development Ms Amal Pepple is targeting audience and exhibitors such as manufacturers and representatives, producers, exporters and importers, suppliers, installers of housing fittings and fixtures, remodeling contractors fabricators, distributors, allied products suppliers, facility managers, home builders, building contractors, policy makers and non-governmental organizations.

Also expected are the presidents of all professional bodies in the Nigeria construction industry, the chairman senate committee on housing and his counterpart in the house of representatives will be the guests of honour. The managing director of Julius Berger Plc will deliver a keynote address while Mr. Jimoh Faworaja; the chairman of ADSL will be the chief host.

The statement reads, “The 24 years old Archibuilt, has been repackaged from sem-

inar and conference sessions to discussions on the theme: ‘Solutions For Everyday Living’ such as the issues of social housing, power, infrastructure, will focus on where we are, where we are supposed to be and how to get there”.

This year’s event promise to feature over 200 exhibitors drawn from within and outside the country, while most of the discussants are drawn from private sector for the purpose of finding practical solutions to issues on the discussion.

In a statement signed by the chairman, media and publicity Archibuilt 2013, Mr. Lanre Olusola, said: “Archibuilt is the single largest marketing opportunity for construction and building materials, and the single largest gathering of key players in the building industry and a showcase of the largest innovations, technologies and orientations in architecture and the construction sector.”

The statement said the Archibuilt 2013 exhibition being the first on the platform of Archibuilt Development Services Ltd (ADSL) will focus on bringing together stakeholders in the building and construction industry with a view at addressing the needs of the sector.

Members of the national assembly, NGOs and other stakeholders are expected to grace the event.

The demolished portion of the centre

Oyo demolishes Jogor Centre’s gate Urban Development ONTROVERSY is trailing C the pulling down of some parts of a popular event centre in Ibadan, Jogor Event centre along Liberty Stadium Road by the Oyo State government.

The event centre belongs to Mr Femi Babalola, an engineer and close aide of the former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao

Akala The owner of the centre, Mr. Babalola, who watched helplessly as the exercise was on, said the demolition by the Oyo State government was in outright disregard for, and violation of the court injunction, restraining the government of the state from carrying out any demolition or trespassing on the land pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction.

According to a statement, “ the motion ex-parte, issued on May 2, 2012, by the High Court of Justice, Oyo State of Nigeria, further forbade the state government from carrying out any construction on the land or in any way interfering with the exclusive possession thereof pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction filed in the suit.”

Babalola, who expressed shock at the demolition,

which according to him, was without prior notification, described the action by the Oyo State government as being rooted in politics and efforts by the government to frustrate his political ambition.

The officials, who pulled down the fence and the security post of the centre claim that the state government has awarded contractto construct a road along the axis.

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Prime Estates Behold The Pinnacle, a new luxury offer in Abuja Projects

By Tosin Fodeke HE government’s plans to give a fresh impetus to the housing dreams of the Abuja residents through the private sector may have begun to yield fruits as two foremost property development firms teamed up recently to kick-started work on a residential estate at the Maitama area of Federal Capital Territory.

The project, tagged The Pinnacle and is being built through a joint venture between UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) and Imani Holdings Limited.

The estate, developed on a land size of about 5,000 square metres consists of 27 luxury apartments which come in one, three and four bedroom flats as well as 4bedroom Maissonettes.

All the housing units have fitted kitchens, air conditioners and expected to be complete within the next 18 months.

Other facilities available at The Pinnacle include, swimming Pool, gymnasium, children’s Playground and a clubhouse.

The estate which will be fully serviced by UPDC’s team of professional facility managers will also come with borehole and water

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IIllustration of the proposed housing estate treatment plant, PHCN electricity and stand by generator, parking lots, security and fire alarm.

UPDC’s Managing Director Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran

while at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, revealed that some of the units have already been sold and that the major aim of locating the estate in the FCT was to meet the demand

for unique residents of the capital city.

He further disclosed that a number of consultants are in place to make the project a reality, and the project will be completed within the

stipulated time.

Also, Managing Director Imani Holdings Limited, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar, emphasized the firm’s commitment to deliver the project on time

Managing Director and Chief Executive officer Infrastructure Bank, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye said that the estate will live up to its name as the Pinnacle.

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FG urges states to embrace National Building Code CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 alignment and in-depth additional inputs to adequately take care of the nation’s peculiar national challenge.

Faworaja stated that structural re-alignment and additional inputs were made in the revised edition to adequately address the country’s peculiar challenges in the building sec-

tor.

“The document being validated today is a product of our collective effort at having a National Building Code that addresses the concerns of the

general public in the building sector.”

According to him, the committee in the course of its assignment, consulted widely, received inputs from professional bodies and other relevant stakeholders as well as made references to related international documents as guide.

He observed that the outcome of the review as a collective effort from international agencies, regulatory bodies as well as professional organisations.

Faworaja, a former president, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), said that the consequences of an ineffective and non-operational building code are enormous, hence enjoined all stakeholders to ensure compliance.

“There is need for a collective effort to ensure the implementation of this document to address the national embar-

rassment occasioned by the increasing cases of building failures…and takeover of the industry by quacks,” Faworaja added.

Several months back, former President of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Mr. Dachollom Jambol, had canvassed the implementation of the ``National Building Code 2006’’ to check incessant collapse of buildings in the country.

Jambol, a lecturer in the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Jos, made the call in Abuja at a technical workshop on ``Curbing the Incidences of Building Collapse in Nigeria’’. ``To curb the incidence of building collapse, there is no substitute for the immediate unmitigated and committed drive to legally address the root cause, human error, by the imple-

mentation of the National Building Code 2006, ’’ he said. He said the code was important to ensure quality, safety and proficiency in the building industry.

The don said the implementation of the Code would address fire in buildings, the use of non-professionals and quacks in construction industry and the use of poor materials by workers.

Also, the Director-General of Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) Prof. Danladi Matawal, said training and re-training of construction workers was important to curb cases of building collapse.

Matawal said the institute’s investigations had revealed the lack of skills of artisans and the use of poor materials as major causes of collapse of buildings in the country.

Abia partners Greenfield on Aba mega mall Projects

By Olawunmi Ojo ESOLVED to halt street trading ravaging its commercial town, , Abia State government has entered into partnership with a real estate investment and Infrastructure Company to construct 5,830 ultra modern shops in Aba. The project named Aba Mega Mall will be developed by Greenfield Assets Limited, in consortium with its development partners from Canada, US and UK and will consist of 5,830 ultramodern shops and come in four sizes of 12, 16, 24 and 48 square meters, is to sit on 23 hectares of land.

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The facility would also have provisions for banks, security post, petrol station, 25,000 sq meters of climate-controlled warehouse space, restaurants and a massive parking space for over 5,000 cars. The project is to be completed within 12 months.

The Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, said that when completed, the mall would be capable of “generating employment opportunities, as new businesses and the mall facility management will require considerable manpower in excess of 20,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs.”

According to him, “The conception and realisation of the need to build a modern mega shopping mall in the city is a

part of my administration’s drive to transform the landscape of Abia through our Urban Regeneration Policy, thereby providing a decent life for the people of the State.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chief Executive of Greenfield Assets, Paul Obanua said to develop the mega mall, the company would be working with its development partners, one of which is JK Structures UK Ltd to introduce cutting edge concrete building technology.

“Tried and tested in various parts of the world, the technology for example, was used in developing the Euro Disney, Paris, the largest Amusement Park in Europe,” he said.

Govt tasks engineers on professionalism, ethical practice

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35 HOMES&PROPERTY

Professional Practice

From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja DMITTING their role in the A development of the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan has urged on Nigerian engineers to drive national development by building capacity, comply with professional standards and ethics.

The President also told the engineers to ensure that the people get value for their money in any engineering project under the purview of its members.

And to resuscitate the power sector, Jonathan revealed that over 1, 000 graduates of engineering field are presently being interviewed for engagement in the nation’s power sector, as his administration is working towards reviving the federal technical colleges and training institutions across the country.

Speaking at the 22nd Engineering Assembly with the theme, “ Accelerating National Development: The Role of Engineering Profession in Nigeria” organised by the Council for the Registration of

Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), which ended at the weekend in Abuja, Jonathan called on indigenous engineers to identify and remove the clogs in the wheel of their progress and take commanding control of engineering works in the country.

Represented by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolumeme, the president, who described engineering as the bedrock of development, observed that the profession could contribute in bringing about the much-desired accelerated development for the country

and the actualization of the transformation agenda of the present administration.

He observed that Nigeria can attain its full developmental potential only when it resolves to advance the level of engineering as the country cannot continue to depend on the expertise of other nationals.

Jonathan, who emphasized the need to enhance the monitoring aspect of engineering regulation, assured that government would continue to give COREN the necessary support to effectively carry out its

Cross River in N500m take over of DESAM House Projects From Anietie Akpan, Calabar N its bid to demonstrate the State’s desire to expand the frontier of job creation, the Cross River government has spent N500 million in the acquisition and renovation of the popular DESAM House in Calabar, which will serve as Central Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Development Centre (CBNEDC).

The four- storey building DESAM House, once housed the defunct Savannah Bank of Nigeria and many other corporate entities. It is expected that the take-off of the CBN-EDC in Calabar will further enhance the resolve, commitment and tenacity of purpose by the Governors of the BRACED States to promote regional economic co-operation and integration Special Adviser to the State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke

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on Investment Promotion, Mr. Gerald Ada said the renovated former DESAM House would be used by the six South South States as zonal headquarters for the CBN-EDC. He said: “The Calabar Centre, which is to serve the other South South States, including Cross River, brings to six the number of EDCs established by the Central Bank of Nigeria in the six geo-political zones.

“The Calabar Centre shall be jointly commissioned on September 2, 2013 by the six BRACED States Governors (Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States). The Governor of CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will lead them.

Ada who urged the youths in the region to take full advantage of the centre for their economic well-being said that the curriculum of the programme was designed by SHEILD Academy Partners Limited in line with global standard.

DESAM House under renovation, recently

mandate.

Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state said that for Nigerian engineers to increase their contribution in national development, Nigeria as a country must strengthen its science and technology effort by doing a better job in taking the results of its investments in science and translating them into wealth creation.

In his remarks, COREN President, Kashim Ali observed that for Nigeria to achieve Vision 20-20-20 or any developmental target, the capacity of the lower cadre of the engi-

neering family (Engineering Technicians and craftsmen) must be fully developed as the engine of Small and Medium Enterprises lie in their hands.

He said: “ Its is disheartening that Nigeria go to neighbouring West African Countries to seek the services of good artisans to carry out basic engineering jobs. To stem this tide, we call on state governments to revive the technical colleges. COREN in 2011 carried out a visitation of 300 Technical colleges across the country and found out that there is almost a total collapse of the institutions.”

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Portland Paints plans new strategy to check adulteration Building Materials IGERIA'S leading paints N manufacturer, Portland Paints and Products Plc has announced plans to fight against adulteration and proliferation of products hurting the paints industry.

The new managing director, Femi Oguntade said its strategy will focus on ensure that there is differentiation. "We will continue to ensure that our quality is irresistible and one that creates meaningful consumer value. We have our strategy which is to ensure that we contain them by making sure that we close all loop holes and raise the bar."

Oguntade who spoke during the Company’s Appreciation Dinner for Architects held in

Lagos to announce his appointment said his vision for the company hinges on the organisation’s corporate vision which is to add beauty to the environment, provide peace of mind and create shareholder value.

He forecasts that the paint and sanitary wares giant will become a clear market leader in five years time and would control a significant share of the market in terms of volume and profitability.

The retiring managing director, Bayo Osibo. said the coming on board of Oguntade will bring increased performance and growth for the company, beckoning on its customers to sustain their loyalty to the news management assuring that necessary structures has been put in place to continue

with value creation.

Highlights of the programe include awards to its customers and partners that have contributed immensely to the company' growth, particularly during the tenure of the retiring managing director.

Portland Paints and Products plc is a leading decorative and industrial paints company with upwards of 40 years experience producing, distributing and marketing a wide array of products that support the building and construction industry in Nigeria.

The company is distributors of Ideal standard Sanitary wares, Portland Bathrooms and Jaguar range of sanitary products which has been largely embraced by constructions companies across Nigeria and beyond.

SON tasks block makers over building collapse CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 quality as stipulated by SON to be assured of their increased capacity ultilisation.

“The right application of specifications in the standard will ensure optimal use of resources, right quality and durability of sandcrete blocks thus aligning with the Government’s aspiration for affordable housing ,” he said.

Earlier Chairman of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Mr. Kunle Awobodu while expressing dismay over the deplorable standards of Sandcrete blocks in the country stated that most block producers today use a 50 kilogram bag of cement to produce as much as 45 block which is double the required standard.

“This trend if continued would definitely cause more building collapse. Many don’t even wait for the blocks to dry up very well before it is sold, this is dangerous and can cause big problems.

Similarly, Director General Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun urged Sandcrete block makers to properly instill discipline and professionalism in the minds of their artisans.

She warned that the agency had begun a serious clampdown on building locations that don’t have qualified professionals supervising it adding that the agency would also closedown construction sites without sign boards revealing the professionals involved in the project.

Also representative of Dangote Cement express worry over the poor capacity building among block moulders added that many of the bricklayers, block moulders and professionals don’t even know the right mix to get the best quality of blocks.

However, stakeholders, from the block moulders, granite and sand supplier association who expressed worry over at the cost implications of mixing higher quality block stressed that the move might put them out of business.

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Aaje’s family wins Oyo land ownership tussle in Supreme Court Litigation

By Emmanuel Badejo RADITIONAL land-owing T family in Oyo State, Aaje, has been declared the owners of the vast tracts of landed property in and around Abogunde homestead, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, courtesy of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a unanimous judgment, the apex court dismissed an appeal by members of the Abogunde family, while accepting the testimonies of Aaje’s household, and thereby permanently resolving the age-long ownership dispute over the landed property.

After a break out of disagreement between the duo, the Abogunde family, represented by the trio of Alhaji Sadit Ameen, Zacheus Ogunlude and Ajibade Adisa had initiated the legal battle against Amos Amao, Adigun Ogunmola, Ladejo Ajao and Mr. Olorunlowu Okewale, as representatives of Aaje’s family.

The appellants, as plaintiffs in the High Court Of Oyo State, Ibadan Judicial Division, had sought against the Aajes’ being defendants/respondents that prior to the promulgation of the Land Use Decree, the Abogunde’s family had been the original and absolute owner under Native Law and Custom of all the vast tracts of land in and around Abogunde homestead (Ahoro Abogunde) and that they were people entitled to the statutory right of occupancy (to the exclusion of the defendants) in respect of the land in dispute.

It was their case that they were entitled to N5,0000.00 damages for trespass allegedly committed by the defendants on the disputed land, and injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, privies from committing further trespass on the said land in dispute.

By their reply, the Aaje’s filed a counter-claim for a declaration of customary right of occupancy to all that piece or parcel of farm land situate, lying being at Igbonla Baale Ikosie, which land is demarcated, described and shown on the survey plan No. FFO 83/07/86 attached to the statement of defence and which land is about 6 kilometers away from Ogbomosho Township and N10.000.00 (Ten thousand Naira) being general damages for the acts of trespass committed by the plaintiffs on the said land between 1984 and 1985.

They also sought an injunction restraining the plaintiffs, their agents, servants, privies, workmen, whosoever from committing acts of trespass on the said land.”

The survey plan No. OB5197, which the plaintiffs filed with their pleading, was admitted in evidence as Exhibit “A”.

The plaintiffs’ case was that the area verged “RED” thereon formed part of a large tract of land upon which their ancestors settled many years ago. It was also their case that the large tract of land included granting of portions of the land to Baale Masifa family

Though lost at the court of first instance, the entire members of Aaje family have gotten the nod of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as owners of vast tracts of land in and around Abogunde homestead, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Iyalode family. They claimed that they were in undisturbed and peaceful possession of their said family land until a few years back when the defendants unlawfully entered thereon and started to lay claim to the same.

The defendants denied that the plaintiffs ancestors were the owners of the land verged “RED” on Exhibit “A”. Their case was that their ancestor was the original owner of a tract of land including the area verged “RED” and the area described as Baale Masifa Family land on Exhibit “J”.

They claimed that it was by virtue of a grant from their family that Baale Masifa family came to be in pos-

session of the area described as Baale Masifa Family Land.

Also, the defendants claimed to have granted other portions of the land to various persons including the plaintiffs’ family.

Both parties adduced evidence in support of their respective pleadings at the end of which the trial Judge dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims and entered judgment in favour of the defendants on some of the areas claimed to be in dispute.

Dissatisfied the plaintiffs appealed to the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the judgment of the trial Court hence the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the verdict, the appellants approached the apex’s court and prayed for the upturning of the Court of Appeal’s verdict.

In the brief were distilled four issues for determination. They are: Whether the order of nonsuit was hinged on the provision of Section 36 of the Land Use Act and whether the order made without hearing the parties can be sustained.

Whether the appellants were liable on trespass and whether the respondents proved any act of damages at the trial.

Whether there was conflict in the evidence of tradition of the parties if no, which of the traditional evidence

is more probable.

Whether the respondents adduced enough evidence in proving their counterclaim and whether the lower court ought to reappraise the evidence led in this case.

In her lead judgment, Justice Mary Peter-Odili, said she did not see where there was conflict in the circumstances to warrant recourse to recent years in this circumstance, adding that the evidence adduced by both parties were clear and that of the defendants were more credible and deserved that judgment be given in their favour.

“The defendants have in my view satisfied the court that they were entitled to the land in respect of which judgment was given to them.....I believe the onus placed on the defendants as plaintiffs in their counter-claim had been

discharged in accordance with the law and they did not rely on the weakness of the plaintiffs case. This issue is resolved in favour of the respondents.”

Similarly, issues two, three and four were equally resolved against the Abogunde family but in favour of the Aaje’s household.

Her lordship concluded: “With all questions raised having been determined for the Respondents, I have no difficulty in holding that this appeal lacks merit and is to be dismissed. I dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which in turn affirmed the judgment of the trial court except for the matter of the non-suit order. I award N100,000 costs to the Respondents to be paid by the appellants.”

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Minister, legislator differ over N’Assembly complex contract Contracts From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HOSE version should W Nigerians believe – Chairman, House of Representative Committee on House Services, Yakubu Dogara or the Minster, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed over the proposed renovation of the two Chambers of the National Assembly? Time, however, will tell.

Only some weeks ago, Dogara assured that the two Chambers complexes would be renovated and installed with modern facilities before the Federal Legislators return from their long recess on 17 September, 2013, but there was no sign of work in progress when The Guardian visited the parliament yesterday.

And last week, Mohammed has denied knowledge of the said renovation contract allegedly being facilitated by his administration for the project in question.

The two chambers among other facilities were part of the N22.9 billion National Assembly Complex phase 3 project, awarded in May 2007 by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to Messrs Julius Berger with a completion period of 44 months.

Dogara had while fielding questions on the matter, told National Assembly reporters that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration was already facilitating the financial implication for the renovation, which will run into billions of naira.

Specifically, The Guardian learnt that construction giant, Julius Berger had been contracted to carry out

While a member of the House of Representative claimed that the contract for renovation job of the two Chambers of the has been awarded to a construction giant, Messrs Julius Berger, the executive arm of the government and the firm say there is nothing like that the renovation work on the National Assembly including the entire electronic platforms installed in the two chambers in a move by the leadership to modernize the Nigerian parliament.

“We are talking about the entire National Assembly phase 3, and it involves the modernization of the two Chambers and an additional block that will be built with multipurpose halls, restaurants and recreation facilities among others,” Dogara had told reporters in an interview after members of the National Assembly began their recess.

He disclosed that a new electronic voting system would be installed when the renovation work is completed in the first quarter of next year.

“The FCT administration has given Julius Berger the contract to modernize both the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

Frantic work on the project will commence during this our recess. And by the time Julius Berger is done with the Chambers we are going to have an entirely new eplatform that is up-to-date with current technology.

“This renovation contract was given since last year, but the firm did not start work because we felt the process will disrupt our par-

liamentary sessions. When we reconvene from our recess we are not going to use these Chambers anymore until it has been mod-

ernized.

But the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media and

Public Affairs, Nosike Ogbuenyi, on Thursday said “it is not possible to start CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

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PropertyInterview Local building materials cannot solve nation’s housing crisis, says Nubi PROF. TIMOTHY GBENGA NUBI, a lecturer with the Estate Management Department of the University of Lagos, is an estate surveyor and valuer of note, whose opinion in housing, mortgage finance, planning and urban regeneration, has been source of several debate within the housing and construction industry.

Nubi, who began his career in the town planning section of the Federal Ministry of Lands and Housing, last week in his office spoke with The Guardian’s EMMANUEL BADEJO, decried calls for the use of local materials in reducing housing cost, and proffered ways Nigeria can overcome its rising profile of housing deficit. Excerpts: quantity is the issue in an urban centre. But can Housing we use the old tradition of materials around to E have witnessed your passion for housing in more than two decades, why is it that you take so much interest in provision of housing?

I come from a background of having my grandparents as tenants in the village, and to be a tenant you must be at the low cadre of the society.

But despite her poor state, she was able to build a four-bedroom house in her lifetime, and when she completed the house, she told my mummy that she did not owe anybody. My grandmother said while she was building, she only borrowed a little to buy some planks, roofing sheets, which she had repaid. Unfortunately, she did not live long, though she put everything within her means into the construction. That exposure means that it is possible to solve housing problem. If my grandmother with no resource could build a house, then it is a possibility. I also saw my dad building his mud house with the assistance of his friends; age group, my mum and others were involved. I saw the cooperative efforts with which the work was done. Again, I saw my uncle who sent me to school the way he went about it to get it done. He, as a head-teacher in a primary school then, was able to build a big house in the village; he built two houses at IjebuOde. All these keep giving concern why it is increasing becoming difficult for educated folks today to have their own houses. This underscores that something is wrong somewhere and that is why I have been preoccupied to find way out.

With so much work done and your experience as a university teacher, what have you seen as the problem with Nigeria’s housing system?

I will answer you question this way with a story once told by Pastor Enock Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The only thing that is constant in life is change. According to Baba Adeboye, there was a vendor, who was hawking newspapers within the neighbourhood. This man got promoted and bought a bicycle and he could cover a wider area. He got promoted again and bought a motorcycle, he could cover a wider area; he also got promoted and bought a pick-up van, with which he could cover a wider area. By this time, he had amassed wealth being a major distributor of newspapers to many companies.

Few years back, he started losing his client base gradually and from the pick-up van resorted to motorcycle and then bicycle and later he had to get to one of his buyers, who said they would not be buying any longer. The man was eventually told that with the advancement of technology, there was no need for hard copy newspapers, since they could access the same information on the Internet. From this short story, we could see that the vendor lost out because things around him were changing but the vendor was neither aware nor adapting to the change. That is the problem with us in Nigeria. We are not ready to adapt to change, which is inevitable. That is why we are, where we are today.

But some experts and local producers said that, we could get over the housing challenge with the use of local building materials. What’s your take on this?

In our local setting my parents and his age group could work together to build their houses. In their time, the local building materials were very near to them in the forest. For instance,my father had to dig the laterite from his surrounding to build the wall of his house; though it took about 15 years to refill the pit. Is our local building materials compatible with the type of housing that we need today? While we have problem with the quality of housing being built in the villages, the

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solve this problem? I do not see the possibility.

To start with, where is the clay in Lagos? Can we afford to build a clay bungalow like my father did in a mega city like Lagos? My father built five rooms and it took him 15 years to refill the land space from where the laterite sand was dug.

Today, where can we go to dig laterite that will build over 1,000 units of housing? Even if we do, can we manage the environmental effects this would cause? Any attempt to do that now will lead to global outcry, because we would have succeeded in creating a crater that generations after us will not be able to fill. Therefore, to be talking about using local building materials for housing needs, in my view that is not sustainable.

So, what would be suggesting in place of local building materials?

All over the world, the solution to housing challenge has gone beyond usage of local building materials. It is now steel, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Are we moving towards that direction? In the past, it used to be wood but because wood is not renewable, PVC is now in vogue. This will aid industrialisation. PVC is a by-product of a petrochemical industry. Should we be looking towards that direction rather than calling for local building materials that are not sustainable? I have observed that most of the recommendations we often draw up after our conferences are not sustainable; and it is a pity. Using local building materials will go nowhere to tackle the housing challenge.

As you know, having access to land automatically does not make anyone a homeowner. Why is it difficult for prospective homeowners to build liveable houses today?

For many years in this country, we just believed that land was the problem and that once you have land, your quest for liveable homes had been met. And then the Shagari administration came with site and services scheme, allocated more than 20,000 plots to people, who could not develop, several years after. Why? No funds.

Until that time, the general believe was that land was the problem; hence an attempt to solve that problem came with the introduction of the Land Use Decree of 1978. When that land problem was solved, then we realised that there was the need of funds to build the houses. So many cooperatives bought land for their members but the members, did not have money to build their dream houses and by the time they stayed for 10 years without any physical work on those lands, the Omo oniles took back their land. This was why I had to go for more study on how the Western countries were able to overcome their housing problem.

In 2004, I went to the United States of America (USA) and in 2006; I travelled to Europe to understudy their methodologies and approaches to housing delivery. I discovered that we couldn’t continue to do thing in the old way and still think we can get results. Today, all over the world nobody says, I want to build a house, only in Nigeria we are still crazy to build. In those countries, homes are bought after developers have built their houses. In UK, it was in the 1950’s when the local governments were building 500 units in London every week. They built to a point that the market was saturated with houses that they had to stop building. Eventually, they had to be selling those houses to housing associations, after the council estates ran down. Developers will have to build and when the houses are available, we can now seek to buy through a mortgage bank. The truth of the matter is that we have to follow the process of empowering de-

Prof. Nubi velopers who will build housing estates and with mortgage facilities. But as much as it is the rush to buy land, we can never solve the problem of inadequate housing in Nigeria. This method is more expensive. It is unfortunate that those who get mortgage loan only get construction loan and it is dangerous. In housing delivery, there is a modeland Nigeria cannot afford to be different.

There is standard method of construction; there is standard method funding. Mortgage is the approach all over the world. We just have to build in mass, which automatically crashes the prices.

But the nation does not have the kind of mortgage system you have painted. How then can we get out of these woes?

We have to build the mortgage system because there is no short cut to it. This is what the Lagos State Government is trying to do now. Jakande did it too. How did he do it? He purchased building materials in bulk, and sold at a very low rate.

There was a company at Isolo, which was known as Bulk Purchase’ Company. The bulk purchase idea crashed the prices of building materials.

Government has to be sincere because I believe we can crash price of construction.

What were your findings and recommendations

in the study you referred to?

Many of them could not work because the houses were not there. They gave out construction loans and not mortgage, as it should be.

Everyone that came to them was given loans to go and build, which did not go on as planned, as the Omo Onile would not allow them to work, coupled with other factors. That led to the abandonment of many projects, and yet the loans were not repaid.

There is a connection between the development of houses and mortgage itself; mortgage is not for construction of building but for purchase, which should be serviced within 20 to 25 years. I believe that once the mortgage sector is attended to, the housing deficit challenge would drastically reduce. Also, as a civil servant, we should be able to use our pension as collateral for loan facility and if I default in paying my loan, the lender has the right to collect my pension.

Housing is a system that demands every section of that system to work perfectly.

Both the mortgage and the lands must be in place for us to solve the problem with housing provision for the citizenry.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

HOMES&PROPERTY 47

Govt adopts time-based charges for professional services ...ACEN backs appropriate pricing for built environment professionals Professional Practice

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam COMPREHENSIvE new policy that ensures payments for professional services through the use of fixed fee, usually based on time and rates may have been adopted by the Federal government as a means to enshrine global best practices in building and construction industry.

The new Cost and TimeBased Remuneration (CTR) for professional services have already received the support of members of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Nigeria (ACEN)

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The government has mandated built environment professional bodies to articulate, harmonize and propose their own standard fee structure, following cost and time based remuneration procedures. ACEN has unfolded new rates for Time Based Consulting Engineering Services and members seem eager to embrace this new method and few professional bodies in the sector. It will complement the 1996 Federal Government's Scale of Fees for the Construction Industry.

Although, there is optimism and caution among some professional bodies to accept the use of Cost and Time-Based remuneration for professional services .

Senior members of ACEN disclosed that the CTR has

been in used within the oil sector, especially for all Engineering works, Government for Supervision and professionals such as Accountants, Lawyers, and Management Consultants.

It was gathered the CTR is being promoted by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which had charged built environment professional bodies to adhere to Time Based

FCT refutes NASS renovation contract CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 any major reconstruction or renovation on the existing Chambers in the National Assembly without an alternative venue for their sitting.

“Yes, the idea may have been there to renovate the Chambers but from what I have gathered, the contract has not been awarded. It’s still a concept, which has been agreed but then the contract processes have not been fully completed. So to that extent it is not yet awarded.

“Of course, in a project of that magnitude there has to be adequate preparations specifically in the areas of design and the scope of

work among others so as to guide the whole process.

Several efforts by The Guardian to Speak with the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr. Adamu Ismaila were not fruitful, but an official, who pleaded anonymity corroborated the Minister and hinted that the alleged renovation contract was false and designed by the Member of Parliament (MP) to create confusion.

“It is a lie! I say so because as far as I am concerned, there has not been any bidding done on the project let alone a contract award to Julius Berger. Up till now that I am speaking with you there hasn’t been any bidding on the project that I am

aware of,” he added.

When The Guardian sought further clarification on the said project, a source at Julius Berger, also could not confirm the contract allegedly being handled by the construction firm.

He said “We also read about the project in the papers.

The truth of the matter is that we don’t have a letter of award, and the FCDA, which is the oversight agency for such projects in Abuja, has not spoken to us. I suspect the Chairman of the House Services Committee, Yakubu Dogara may have been speaking in terms of projection, that is why we (Julius Berger) are not there at the National Assembly.

Charges (TBC) rather than the Sliding Scale Charges (SSC) as well as to articulate, harmonize and propose their own standard fee structure.

The association in its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Abuja, recently on Time Based Consultancy Services noted that CTR ensures appropriate pricing for professional services in the built industry and nation's rapid development.

ACEN President, Nuruddeen Rafindadi, an engineer, said, the first step is to establish and define remuneration for professional services, adding that a rigorous analysis of the business environment, professional obligations, industry characteristics and the cost of competence must be given due recognition.

“This workshop is one more of such effort by ACEN to engage our colleagues and other professionals in general of our findings and proposal of this subject and work towards a veritable industry wide benchmark,” he said.

The methodology of evolving the proposed new fee rates, according to him, must take into consideration as much as possible a

number of factors like the value of intellectual services offered, competitive levels of remuneration for qualified professionals cost, corporate establishment cost, the cost of overhead and practices, demand of subsisting public procurement policy, nature of progress the professional bodies undertake and any other contemporary issues.

On appropriate pricing, he said: “Our position is that the professional supervising and designing a project is key to the success of your project, without a sound professional guidance of your project, you can stand to lose 100 percent of your project. I have seen instances where projects started and had to be stopped in the middle of the execution because there were some designs flaws or misjudgment or some errors by some professionals that are not adequately experienced to handle the project. In the process you have to redo so many things all over again, and losing up to half of the project timing.

“Now if you look at professional fees of consultants handling projects, it is hardly ever more than 2 -5 percent of the project and for that amount you safeguard the integrity and soundness of the project.

So, we think money paid to a qualified Nigerian consultant to manage project is money well spent, because if you bring in a foreign consultant you pay him 5 or 10 times more.

"On the other hand, when you give the Nigerian consultant your job, you provide him income, he employs more Nigerians, he gets more skilled to handle future more projects and the money that he earn shouldn't be begrudged, because I have seen views expressed that cost of consultancy are derailing projects. Cost of consultancy is hardly more than 2-5 percent of the project.”

ACEN former president, and Chief Executive Officer, KOA Consultants Limited, Ibikunle Ogunbayo said: "When properly applied and carefully packaged, Cost and Time-based Remuneration should be able to provide consulting firms with adequate remuneration and returns on the owners’ investments and provide sufficient resources for business development."

However, he said, the challenges are that smaller firms using CTR suffer more as funding became scarce, and were unable to attract the best hands, Fee competition became prevalent, income and profits dropped, consequently, firms became unsustainable, no longer able to grow and invest in their businesses.

Ogunbayo said the benefits include ability to properly quantify the effort put into project – time and resources, changes to scope and contract prolongation is captured and invoiced, consultants become more business-like, more efficient, watch overheads and keep up to date with the tools of the trade.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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TheEnvironment National disaster recovery strategy, flood action plan underway Disaster Management

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam, Assistant Housing & Environment Editor FFORTS aimed at minimizing the potential impact of disaster on humans, socio-economic activities and the environment have begun in earnest, with plans by the Federal government to introduce a holistic and integrated approach to recovery process for national disasters.

The proposed National Disaster Recovery Strategy and Framework (NDRSF) and the Nigeria 2012 Flood Recovery Action Plan provide reference for stakeholders involved in ensuring recovery from emergencies, develop a shared understanding of the multiagency framework for emergency recovery at the local level, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, propose a common understanding of the role of local, sub national and national level.

The documents still in its draft stages was unveiled at a stakeholders review and validation workshop organized by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank as part of the broader strategic response to addressing the broader challenges of disaster management in Nigeria arising from the lessons learnt from the 2012 floods.

Under the 2012 flood recovery action plan, NEMA sets to expand and expand the recovery process, which will guide public and private investments in recovery from the 2013 flood disaster.

The purpose is to assist communities at least get back to per- flood levels, address new needs resulting from the disaster, pre-existing as well as new con-

Awards Y 2050, flood damage in B the world’s coastal cities is expected to reach US$1 trillion

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UNDP’s Coco

NEMA DG, Sidi

The documents serve as guidelines of operations towards disaster risk reduction and improving the national resilience as well as roadmap capable of preventing possible effects of looks and associated risks in 2013 rainy season and beyond straints for restoring livelihoods and systems, increase resilience and reduce future flood related disaster risks.

The UNDP Country Director, Programme, Bernardo Coco, who spoke at the Workshop noted that partnership with NEMA predates the 2012 floods, through their support in institutional mapping of all ongoing efforts in DRR, the Nigeria Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity Assessment, and development of a National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction.

He said: “ In direct

response to the floods however, aside from coordinating the UN systems inputs into the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), it also supported the preliminary humanitarian assessment, undertook a community consultation and validation surveys in partnership with the six Nigerian universities centres for disaster management as a critical part of the human recovery needs assessment (HRNA).

Consultations are also already ongoing on developing a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project which will be implemented

by NEMA.”

Coco assured the stakeholders of UNDP’s continued support in their implementation of the strategic documents. He said UNDP would provide expedited process of recovery from disaster situations and complements other existing policy frameworks for operational efficiency and effectiveness of disaster management in Nigeria.

NEMA Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi who was represented by the Director of Training, Daniel Balarabe Gambo, an engineer said that deliberations will address all kinds and sources, including those

caused by natural hazards, conflicts and technological hazards.

“Describe the principles, institutional arrangements and practices that promote effective federal recovery assistance. Emphasize the practice of per-disaster recovery planning as a critical element to holistic recovery and clarifies both per and post disaster roles and responsibilities for stakeholders in recovery process,” he said.

UNDP consultant, Prof. Seth Vordzorgbe explained that the workshop is meant for the development of action plan for PDNA dissemination, coordinate development of disaster recovery framework and flood recovery plan as well as plan and coordinate capacity building in PDNA conduct.

ERA seeks new techniques to tackle climate change Climate Change From Anietie Akpan, Calabar NE of Nigeria’s promiO nent environmental groups has expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the United Nations’ collaborative programme on Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (UN-REDD) to solve climate change problems.

Specifically, Executive Director, Environment Right Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Dr Godwin Ojo, who said this in Ikom, Cross River state during a sensitization campaign on REDD, described the programme as a total failure and “perverse incen-

Flooding could cost $1 trillion a year by 2050

The group alleges that REDD programme brings about land grabs, violations of human rights, militarization, scam and servitude, and threats to cultural survivals as well as detrimental to local owners of forests. They added that all the regions of the world where REDD are practiced are groaning in pains tives to rural folks”.

Ojo, represented by ERA/FoEN Project Officer Forest and Biodiversity, Rita Uwaka, posited that the REDD programme allows developed countries to “Buy permits/carbon credit to pollute the environment at the detriment of the local owners of such forests.”

He enumerated the ills of REDD programme to include land grabs, violations of human rights, militarization, scam and servitude, threats to cultural survivals amongst others.

He said, “It is an anomaly

to put a price tag on our forest. They should instead come out with concrete methods and technique of stopping climate change.

Some 1.6 billion people rely on forest, including 60 million people who are entirely dependent upon forest for their livelihood, food, medicine and/or building materials.

“People should be encouraged to stop unsustainable logging practices, but should not be stopped from making use of their forest.

All the regions of the world where REDD are practiced

are groaning in pains with a lot of issues. The people managing the program would make all kinds of promises but at the end nothing to show. African governments which are excited about that programme are making a mistake”.

Also speaking, ERA/FoEN Programme Manager, Mr. Mike Karikpo said the carbon market, which government in the developing nations are depending on for more funds may have collapsed irredeemably.

Karikpo said there was so

much carbon credit in the international market that its price has reduced drastically.

He said: “The market has collapsed. The emissiontrading scheme in Europe collapsed and the prices went from about $2025 per tonne to $3-5 per tonne. A few months back, the European Union held a meeting to try to see how they can subsidize the carbon market but most countries were skeptical on wasting their monies to keep the scheme alive.

“This happened because many countries provided to much emission allowance and that brought in too many carbon credits into the market, and by this the supply were more than the demand as such the market

a year as sea levels rise and global warming triggers more extreme weather.

More than 40 per cent of these costs could fall upon just four cities – New Orleans, Miami and New York in the US and Guangzhou in China.

Stephane Hallegatte of the World Bank in Washington and colleagues looked at the risks of future flood losses in the 136 largest of the world’s coastal cities.

Any coastal city is always at some risk – by definition it is at sea level, and often on an estuary or floodplain, and very often began as a seaport.

But risks increase as the environment changes: some coastal cities are subsiding; sea levels are slowly but surely rising as the oceans warm and the glaciers melt.

For two decades researchers have repeatedly warned that what used to be “extreme” events such as once-in-a-century floods are likely to arrive considerably more often than once a century.

But, Hallegatte and colleagues point out in Nature Climate Change, there is another factor: populations are growing, and even in the poorest nations there is greater economic development, resulting in more potential victims, with more investment to lose.

In 2005, average global flood losses are estimated to have reached US$6 billion a year.

This figure is expected to grow to US$50 billion a year, and unless cities put money into better flood defences, losses could pass the US$1 trillion mark.

To make their calculations, the authors matched average annual losses (and in a city like New Orleans, much of it already below sea level, this is estimated at US$600 million) against a city’s gross domestic product, to provide a measure of how much should be set aside to pay for such losses.

Both New York and New Orleans have already undergone catastrophic flooding this century, and flood hazard can only increase.

Some cities – Amsterdam in the Netherlands is a classic example – are highly exposed to flood risk, and the once-acentury flood could cost the Dutch US$83 billion, but in fact Dutch sea defence standards are probably the highest in the world.

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Alexandria in Egypt have less to lose, but in relative terms both are far more vulnerable.

Prophecies such as these are intended to be proved wrong: the idea is that a prophet warns of horrors to come, people take steps, and as a consequence the horrors do not arrive.

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Weekly Lead Equity Ratings

Lead Capital Stock Valuation

STOCKWATCH 51

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

STOCKWATCH

Biggest merger and acquisitio disaster INTRODUCTION &A) and corporate restructuring are a big part of the corporate finance world. Every day, Wall Street investment bankers arrange M&A transactions, which bring separate companies together to form larger ones. When they're not creating big companies from smaller ones, corporate finance deals do the reverse and break up companies through spinoffs, carve-outs or tracking stocks. Not surprisingly, these actions often make the news. Deals can be worth hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars. They can dictate the fortunes of the companies involved for years to come. For a CEO, leading an M&A can represent the highlight of a whole career.

And it is no wonder we hear about so many of these transactions; they happen all the time. Next time you flip open the newspaper's business section, odds are good that at least one headline will announce some kind of M&A transaction.

The benefits of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) include, among others: • a diversification of product and service offerings • an increase in plant capacity • larger market share • utilization of operational expertise and research and development (R&D) • reduction of financial risk If a merger goes well, the new company should appreciate in value as investors anticipate synergies to be actualized, creating cost savings and/or increased revenue for the new entity.

However, time and again, executives face major stumbling blocks after the deal is consummated. Cultural clashes and turf wars can prevent post-integration plans from being properly executed. Different systems and processes, dilution of a company's brand, overestimation of synergies and lack of understanding of the target firm's business can all occur, destroying shareholder value and decreasing the company's stock price after the transaction. This article presents a few examples of busted deals in recent history.

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NEW YORK CENTRAL AND PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD In 1968, the New York Central and Pennsylvania railroads merged to form Penn Central, which became the sixth largest corporation in America. But just two years later, the company shocked Wall Street by filing for bankruptcy protection, making it the largest corporate bankruptcy in American history at the time.

The railroads, which were bitter industry rivals, both traced their roots back to the early- to mid-nineteenth century.

Management pushed for a merger in a somewhat desperate attempt to adjust to disadvantageous trends in the industry.

Railroads operating outside of the northeastern U.S. generally enjoyed stable business from long-distance shipments of commodities, but the densely-populated Northeast, with its concentration of heavy industries and various waterway shipping points, created a more diverse and dynamic revenue stream. Local railroads catered to daily commuters, longerdistance passengers, express freight service and bulk freight service. These offerings provided transportation at shorter distances and resulted in less predictable, higher-risk cash flow for the Northeast-based railroads.

Short-distance transportation also involved more personnel hours (thus incurring higher labor costs), and strict government regulation restricted railroad companies' ability to adjust rates charged to shippers and passengers, making costcutting seemingly the only way to positively impact the bottom line. Furthermore, an increasing number of consumers and businesses began to favor newly constructed wide-lane highways.

The Penn Central case presents a classic case of post-merger cost-cutting as "the only way out" in a constrained industry, but this was not the only factor contributing to Penn Central's demise. Other problems included poor foresight and longterm planning on behalf of both companies' management and boards, overly optimistic expectations for positive changes after the combination, culture clash, territorialism and poor execution of plans to integrate the companies' differing processes and systems.

QUAKER OATS COMPANY AND SNAPPLE BEVERAGE COMPANY Quaker Oats successfully managed the widely popular Gatorade drink and thought it could do the same with Snapple. In 1994, despite warnings from Wall Street that the company was paying $1 billion too much, the company acquired Snapple for a purchase price of $1.7 billion. In addition to overpaying, management broke a fundamental law in mergers and acquisitions: make sure you know how to run the company and bring specific value-added skills sets and expertise to the operation. In just 27 months, Quaker Oats sold Snapple to a holding company for a mere $300 million, or a loss of $1.6 million for each day that the company owned Snapple. By the time the divestiture took place, Snapple had revenues of approximately $500 million, down from $700 million at the time that the acquisition took place.

Quaker Oats' management thought it could leverage its relationships with supermarkets and large retailers; however, about half of Snapple's sales came from smaller channels, such as convenience stores, gas stations and related independent distributors. The acquiring management also fumbled on Snapple's advertising campaign, and the differing cultures translated into a disastrous marketing campaign for Snapple that was championed by managers not attuned to its branding sensitivities. Snapple's previously popular advertisements became diluted with inappropriate marketing signals to customers. While these challenges befuddled Quaker Oats, gargantuan rivals Coca-Cola and PepsiCo launched a barrage of competing new products that ate away at Snapple's positioning in the beverage market.

Oddly, there is a positive aspect to this flopped deal (as in most flopped deals): the acquirer was able to offset its capital gains elsewhere with losses generated from the bad transaction. In this case, Quaker Oats was able to recoup $250 million in capital gains taxes it paid on prior deals thanks to losses from the Snapple deal. This still left a huge chunk of destroyed equity value, however.

AMERICA ONLINE AND TIME WARNER The consolidation of AOL Time Warner is perhaps the most prominent merger failure ever. Time Warner is the world's largest media and entertainment corporation, with 2007 revenues exceeding $46 billion.

The present company is a combination of three major business units: • Warner Communications merged with Time, Inc. in 1990.

• In 2001, America Online acquired Time Warner in a megamerger for $165 billion - the largest business combination up until that time.

Respected executives at both companies sought to capitalize on the convergence of mass media and the Internet.

Shortly after the megamerger, however, the dot-com bubble burst, which caused a significant reduction in the value of the company's AOL division. In 2002, the company reported an astonishing loss of $99 billion, the largest annual net loss ever reported by a company, attributable to the goodwill write-off of AOL. Around this time, the race to capture revenue from Internet search-based advertising was heating up. AOL missed out on these and other opportunities, such as the emergence of higher-bandwidth connections due to financial constraints within the company. At the time, AOL was the leader in dial-up Internet access; thus, the company pursued Time Warner for its cable division as high-speed broadband connection became the wave of the future. However, as its dial-up subscribers dwindled, Time Warner stuck to its Road Runner Internet service provider rather than market AOL. With their consolidated channels and business units, the combined company also did not execute on converged content of mass media and the Internet. Additionally, AOL executives realized that their know-how in the Internet sector did not translate to capabilities in running a media conglomerate with 90,000 employees. And finally, the politicized and turfprotecting culture of Time Warner made realizing anticipated synergies that much more difficult. In 2003, amidst internal animosity and external embarrassment, the company dropped "AOL" from its name and simply became known as Time Warner.

SPRINT AND NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS In August 2005, Sprint acquired a majority stake in Nextel Communications in a $35 billion stock purchase. The two combined to become the third largest telecommunications provider, behind AT&T and Verizon. Prior to the merger, Sprint catered to the traditional consumer market, providing longdistance and local phone connections and wireless offerings.

Nextel had a strong following from businesses, infrastructure employees and the transportation and logistics markets, primarily due to the press-and-talk features of its phones. By gaining access to each other's customer bases, both companies hoped to grow by cross-selling their product and service offerings.

Soon after the merger, multitudes of Nextel executives and mid-level managers left the company, citing cultural differences and incompatibility. Sprint was bureaucratic; Nextel was more entrepreneurial. Nextel was attuned to customer concerns; Sprint had a horrendous reputation in customer service, experiencing the highest churn rate in the industry.

In such a commoditized business, the company did not deliver on this critical success factor and lost market share.

Further, a macroeconomic downturn led customers to expect more from their dollars.

Cultural concerns exacerbated integration problems between the various business functions. Nextel employees often had to seek approval from Sprint's higher-ups in implementing corrective actions, and the lack of trust and rapport meant many such measures were not approved or executed properly. Early in the merger, the two companies maintained separate headquarters, making coordination more difficult between executives at both camps.

Sprint Nextel's managers and employees diverted attention and resources toward attempts at making the combination work at a time of operational and competitive challenges.

Technological dynamics of the wireless and Internet connections required smooth integration between the two businesses and excellent execution amid fast change. Nextel was simply too big and too different for a successful combination with Sprint.

Sprint saw stiff competitive pressures from AT&T (which acquired Cingular), Verizon and Apple's wildly popular iPhone. With the decline of cash from operations and with high capital-expenditure requirements, the company undertook cost-cutting measures and laid off employees. In 2008, the company wrote off an astonishing $30 billion in one-time charges due to impairment to goodwill, and its stock was given a junk status rating. With a $35 billion price tag, the merger clearly did not pay off.

CONCLUSION When contemplating a deal, managers at both companies should list all the barriers to realizing enhanced shareholder value after the transaction is completed.

• Cultural clashes between the two entities often mean that employees do not execute post-integration plans.

• As redundant functions often result in layoffs, scared employees will act to protect their own jobs, as opposed to helping their employers "realize synergies".

• Additionally, differences in systems and processes can make the business combination difficult and often painful right after the merger.

Managers at both entities need to communicate properly and champion the post-integration milestones step by step.

They also need to be attuned to the target company's branding and customer base. The new company risks losing its customers if management is perceived as aloof and impervious to customer needs.

Finally, executives of the acquiring company should avoid paying too much for the target company. Investment bankers (who work on commission) and internal deal champions, both having worked on a contemplated transaction for months, will often push for a deal "just to get things done." While their efforts should be recognized, it does not do justice to the acquiring group's investors if the deal ultimately does not make sense and/or management pays an excessive acquisition price beyond the expected benefits of the transaction.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013 In association with

RealEstateWatch

THE INSTITUTE FOR REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE (IREE)

Excellence. Integrity. Professionalism

IREE 201 - How to market a development without blowing a budget Most companies or individuals trying to market property developments usually have a marketing budget. A marketing budget is an estimated projection of costs required Excellence. Integrity. Professionalism.

The Institute for Real Estate Excellence (IREE) The IREE was inaugurated in 2012 Vision: To raise the standards in the Nigerian real estate industry through professional training and coaching to meet international standards.

Brought to you by The Institute for Real Estate Excellence (IREE) to promote a business' products or services. A The IREE was inaugurated in 2012: marketing budget will typically include all Vision: To raise the standards in the promotional costs, including marketing comNigerian real estate industry through profes- munications like website development, adversional training and coaching to meet inter- tising and public relations, as well as the costs of employing marketing staff and utilizing national standards. office space. Marketing budgets ensure that your marketing plan or campaign is realistic.

Cutting Edge Real Estate There are several ways of marketing real News. Trends . Advice estate. A relatively cost efficient and effective way of marketing a property is through the use of the internet. Over the years there has he Intelligent Real Estate Series been an increase in internet usage in Nigeria is a bi-weekly column aimed at leading to an increase in the number of Nigerians are searching for properties to buy educating readers on matters or lease online. Thus it is of great importance relating to the real estate industry. that real estate companies ensure they have some sort of online presence. The internet is We will be discussing the various an inexpensive form of marketing when factors that affect the industry, cur- also compared to other mediums like renting a rent trends and future projections in billboard for instance. The use of the internet practicing real estate in the 21st cen- is flexible and can be customised so that of property developments are directed tury as the industry is continuously adverts solely at the target market.

THE IREE

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evolving and business is no longer business as usual.

Enjoy!!!

mized so that it will rank high in clients search engine results. This is a great way to reach the target market without blowing your budget.

Social Media A large number of Nigerians are active on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This is a fantastic way to reach your target market. After conducting research on the general pattern of usage of social media by your target market, you can ensure steps are taken so that you are reaching them directly. For instance you can try and get relationships with Face book pages frequently visited by members of your target market and get your company and developments introduced creatively on your Facebook page. Social media can be used as a marketing tool without blowing your budget.

Online Newsletter Periodically, newsletters can be sent to clients in a company’s data base to build relationships. It can also be used as a tool to attract new clients. The newsletters may contain information about new and old property developments on offer. This is an efficient way of marketing because you can ensure that the newsletters are being sent purely to your target market and it costs next to nothing to do this.

Apart from using the internet to market property developments, other cost efficient methods of marketing a development are:

ARKETING is a very important aspect of any business especially real estate and M when done right has the potential to lead to great success (closed transactions). In order to carry out successful marketing, one must have effective ways of reaching their target audience. There is however a general notion that for marketing to be effective, it has to be cost intensive. Expensive marketing does not necessarily translate to increased sales.

The internet can be used to market properties in the following ways: Company Website This is one of the most cost efficient and effective ways of connecting with your target market. The website should be straightforward and simple to navigate through. It should also have sufficient information about any development being marketed and should answer most questions clients might have. Steps should also be taken to have the pages opti-

CREATIVE PRICING STRATEGIES Nigerian properties in certain areas are very expensive. There are also not many effective ways of raising funds externally to buy a property. Therefore, in order to attract people to your development, you can create pricing strategies. These are innovative financial structuring schemes that are tailored to suit the needs of clients, and are a valid and effective method of

powered by

Intelligent Real Estate

adding real value in a changing world of property market dynamics. Some of the schemes that have worked well in the past are; • Flexible payment plan options by paying in instalments, especially when purchasing a development over long periods of time • Offering buyers the option of renting a home at a minimum monthly rent, along with a specified deposit and a three-five year lock-in period, with the option of buying the rented home at a later date and other creative strategies.

This marketing strategy should however take into account the developer’s financial ability, cost and source of funding Referrals In certain Nigerian social circles, most people know or know of each other. Hence people within a company’s target market may be acquainted with each other. This means that existing clients can use the process of word of mouth to help market the real estate company and its products to similar people like them who are within the companies target market. Thus it is important that excellent services are provided at all times and ongoing relationship is maintained with them even after the business relationship has ended. A good client relationship is important because it is just as easy for them to blacklist your company and the properties you offer if you have a bad relationship with them.

REAL ESTATE TRIVIA Question.

What are the financial benefits of having a home near a body of water?

Answer. The mere presence of water within 300 feet increases a home's value by 22 percent.

Please send your questions or comments to iree2013@gmail.com.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 55

Lagarde seeks more global coordination for economic instability NTERNATIONAL Monetary IDirector, Fund (IMF) Managing Christine Lagarde, urged policy makers to work more closely together as they plan eventual exits from unconventional monetary policies, endorsing swap arrangements between central banks as an instrument to weather instability.

While there’s no agreement about the impact of measures taken by central banks such as the Federal Reserve or the Bank of Japan, officials need to better understand the potential spillovers, Lagarde said in prepared remarks for an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If the scaling back of stimulus creates renewed financial turmoil, some countries may not be able to withstand it on their own, she said.

“We need further lines of defense – lines of defense that reflect our interdependence, our common purpose, and our mutual responsibility for the global economy,” Lagarde said at the event sponsored by the Kansas City Fed. “Swap lines – along the lines provided by major central banks early in the crisis – can help,” and the IMF stands “ready to provide policy advice and financial support,” she said.

The effects of the Fed’s potential tapering of its $85

billion in monthly bond purchases are showing in global markets.

Emerging economies have seen an exodus of cash, with their 20 most-traded currencies falling about 4.4 per cent in the past three months, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg.

“We are all globally on a path to recovery, still fragile, not yet strong enough, and with this very strong support from the unconventional monetary policy,” Lagarde said in a Bloomberg Television interview with Sara Eisen.

Lagarde said that “clarity of when things will happen, how things will happen” is needed as the Federal Reserve considers unwinding its bond buying program in order to minimize the impacts on financial markets and the effect on emerging markets.

“The signaling effect matters almost more than the actual implementation,” she said.

As the global economy recovers, Lagarde said she thinks the IMF may shift to a role in which emerging economies use the fund’s precautionary instruments to insure their economies.

“The IMF will continue to be prominent if it really focuses on its members’ needs,” according to the IMF chief.

Currency Intervention

Emerging stocks rally as economies signal support MERGING-MARKET stocks E rallied, paring the biggest weekly drop in two months, as countries from Brazil to India signaled they would act to support financial markets. Samsung Electronics Co. drove technology shares higher.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index increased 1.1 percent to 932.76, trimming its weekly decline to 2.6 per cent.

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest smartphone maker, jumped 3.2 percent in South Korea. Tata Motors Ltd. (TTMT), owner of Jaguar Land Rover, climbed 3.1 per cent in Mumbai. India’s rupee rebounded from a record low, while the Brazilian real increased the most in almost two years.

Homebuilders paced gains in Sao Paulo, driving the Ibovespa to a third weekly advance.

All 10 groups in the benchmark measure for emerging markets gained, led by technology and industrial companies. Brazil’s central bank stepped up efforts to arrest the world’s worst currency decline, announcing a $60 billion intervention program involving currency swaps and loans. The Reserve Bank of India said that the nation’s economic and monetary policies must focus on preserving financial stability.

Central bank actions to curb currency depreciation are a “good first stage,” Michael Strauss, who helps oversee about $25 billion of assets as chief investment strategist at Commonfund Group in Wilton, Connecticut, said in a telephone interview. “They can temper it.”

The gauge of developing nations is trading at 9.9 times estimated earnings, below the valuation of developed markets of 13.7. The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index exchangetraded fund added 1.2 percent at $38.65. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Emerging Markets ETF Volatility Index, a measure of options prices on the fund and expectations of price swings, slid 5.6 per cent to 23.24.

Brazil’s real climbed the most since September 2011.

The central bank will auction $1 billion of dollar loans every Friday and offer the equivalent of $500 million worth of foreign-exchange swaps each day Monday through Thursday. The programme will run through Dec. 31. The Ibovespa (IBOV) jumped the most among major emerging-market indexes as Rossi Residencial SA led homebuilders higher, offsetting declines among exporters.

The Borsa Istanbul National 100 Index tumbled to the lowest level since October, extending its weekly drop to 8.5 percent. The Micex Index (INDEXCF) slid 0.3 per cent, trimming its gain for the week to 0.9 per cent.

Benchmark stock gauges in Poland and Hungary also dropped.

India’s S&P BSE Sensex (SENSEX) gained 1.1 per cent as Tata Motors extended a twoday rally to 6.2 per cent.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., the largest power-equipment maker, soared the most since May 2009. The rupee, which fell to a record 65.56 per dollar, climbed 2.1 per cent.

Lagarde (center), speaks with other guests at the Jackson Hole economic symposium, sponsored by the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank in Moran, Wyoming.

For countries that haven’t deployed unconventional monetary policies, exchange-rate flexibility “will help, but not at all costs,” Lagarde said in her prepared remarks. “Some market intervention may help moderate exchangerate volatility or short-term

liquidity pressures.”

Advanced and developing economies have done a good job managing the implications of unconventional monetary policies, she said, using a phrase that often describes asset purchases by a central bank to support growth. More needs to be

done to enable a smooth exit later, Lagarde said.

“Policies and policy coordination are not yet where they need to be,” Lagarde said. “Failing to act at the global level, with each country playing its part, could put the global recovery at risk.”

Needed measures include

repairing the banking system in the euro region in order to unblock credits to companies, she said. For central banks preparing for exit, it means communicating clearly about all the factors that will influence their decisions, including financial stability, she said.

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58 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Europe’s stocks rise for third week as growth tops forecast

Standard Bank’s profit rises on record lending

UROPEAN stocks E advanced for a third straight week as data show-

profit that missed analyst estimates as bad debts climbed.

Net income rose to 8.07 billion rand ($815 million) from 7.1 billion rand a year earlier, the Johannesburgbased bank said in a statement recently. Earnings per share excluding some items rose 10 per cent to 5.06 rand, missing the 5.22 rand median estimate of four analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Bad debt charges rose 28 per cent to 5.06 billion rand.

Standard Bank appointed Sim Tshabalala and Ben Kruger as joint chief executive officers in March after Jacko Maree stepped down after 13 years. The bank is seeking to attract more lowincome earners in South Africa while trying to boost returns at its operations in 17 other African nations.

“South African households continue to struggle with high overall debt burdens, coupled with sluggish income growth and rising inflation,” the lender said in the statement.

Standard Bank is the second-worst performing stock on the six-member FTSE/JSE Africa Banks Index this year after Barclays Africa Group Ltd. (BGA), having dropped 4.2 per cent compared with the average decline of 3.7 per cent. The stock fell 1.6 per cent to 113.95 rand in Johannesburg trading today.

Standard Bank increased its first-half dividend 10 per cent to 2.33 rand.

South Africa’s gross domestic product expanded 0.9 per cent in the first quarter, the slowest pace since a 2009 recession, while unemployment climbed to 25.2 per cent, up from 24.9 per cent in the previous three months. The price of gasoline in the country has gained about 22 per cent from July last year.

ing the euro area emerged from the longest recession on record outweighed speculation the Federal Reserve will trim monetary stimulus.

Italian banks led gains as Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA and Unione di Banche Italiane SCPA rallied at least 12 per cent. GAM Holding AG jumped the most in almost four years as the asset manager said first-half profit more than tripled. Fresnillo Plc and Randgold Resources Ltd.

increased at least nine per cent as prices for gold and silver rallied.

The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index increased 0.1 per cent to 306.36 this past week, extending its 2013 advance to 9.5 per cent.

The Euro Stoxx 50 Index added one per cent for a sixth week of gains. Gross domestic product in the 17nation euro area expanded 0.3 per cent in the second quarter after a six straight periods of contraction, according a report on August 14. That exceeded the median estimate of 0.2 per cent growth in a

Bloomberg survey of economists.

“The global economy is improving, which means company profitability will improve, which means equity as an asset class should attract new money,” Kevin Lilley, head of European Equities at Old Mutual Global Investors, which manages about $17 billion, said by phone. “For the first time in two years, with a continuation of positive news flows, the man on the street might go out and purchase that car he’s been thinking about, the new television or remodel

his house.”

The Stoxx 600 slid 1.1 per cent on August 15, the most in five weeks, as a U.S. Labour Department report showed initial jobless-benefit claims unexpectedly dropped to the lowest level in almost six years. The better-than-forecast data fueled speculation the Fed will pare the pace of bond buying and pushed 10-year Treasury yields to a twoyear high.

The Fed will probably reduce its $85 billion in monthly debt purchases at its meeting on September 17-18, according to 65 per

cent of economists surveyed by Bloomberg from August 9 to August 13. In a survey last month, half of economists predicted a reduction at next month’s meeting.

National benchmark indexes advanced in 13 of the 18 western European markets this week.

France’s CAC 40 Index climbed 1.2 per cent and Germany’s DAX Index increased 0.6 per cent. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index sank 1.3 percent, while the Swiss Market Index (SMI) retreated 0.2 per cent.

Faroes Island

TANDARD Bank Group Slender, Ltd. (SBK), Africa’s largest reported first-half

EU sanctions risk higher yields for Faroes HE Faroe Islands’ fight with T the European Union over herring could spell higher borrowing costs as the 49,000-person North Atlantic archipelago struggles to cut deficits.

Moody’s Investors Service this week placed the Aa3 rating of the self-governing Danish territory on review for a downgrade following last month’s EU vote to impose sanctions after a dispute over herring fishing.

The spat started after the Faroe Islands more than tripled an annual quota from the Atlanto-Scandian herring stock to 105, 000 tons in 2013.

The European Commission is due to decide this month on measures that may include import bans and blocking Faroese vessels from the 28nation bloc’s ports, according to the EU Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Moody’s review affects about 4.2 billion kroner ($745 million) in bond debt and a negative outcome could drive up borrowing costs when the 18island territory seeks to tap

markets again next year, Malan Johansen, head of debt management at the Faroe Accountancy and Financial Department, said in a telephone interview from Torshavn.

EU sanctions and a downgrade could “mean that the interest rate won’t be as good,” she said.

The territory, which relies on fishing for 90 per cent of its exports, sold one billion kroner in four-year bonds in June at a coupon of 1.75 per cent.

The main buyers include Danish banks, which sell them on to institutional investors.

Interest in the debt “was very good — the demand was greater than what we offered,” she said. “We got offers for about two billion kroner.”

The Governmental Bank of the Faroes said in a March report that it predicted a financing need of three per cent of gross domestic product this year, down from eight per cent last year. Next year the financing need will rise to 14 per cent of GDP as debt matures, according to a

report. The bank said that it expected nominal GDP to expand 4.9 per cent this year and 1.4 per cent next year.

“The government and parliament have a stated goal of achieving a budget surplus by 2016,” the bank said in the report. “It’s doubtful whether this can be achieved but as

household consumption increases, public finances also improve as revenue from taxes and duties grow.”

According to United Nations’ rules, the Faroese are required to reach an agreement on the size of the annual catch with the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland.

The Faroe government intends to take the dispute with the EU to a court of arbitration in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, state broadcaster KVF reported recently. A lawyer has been hired to oversee the case for the Faroese.

The current allocation doesn’t reflect “the distribution and dependence of AtlantoScandian herring in Faroese waters today, nor the longstanding dependency of the Faroe Islands on fisheries,” Prime Minister Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen said in a statement.

Mercedes raises production for 2013 deliveries AIMLER AG (DAI)’s D Mercedes-Benz brand, the world’s third-biggest luxury carmaker, produced more vehicles than ever before in the first half to cover demand for its new compact models and sportutility vehicles.

Mercedes manufactured more than 700,000 vehicles globally, the Stuttgart, Germany-based company said in a statement recently.

“We are planning for further growth,” Andreas Renschler, head of manufacturing, said in the statement. “We are also very opti-

mistic for the year as a whole.”

Mercedes is targeting record sales of more than 1.4 million cars and SUVs this year. This compares to a goal of Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi division to top the 1.5 million mark. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the world’s biggest maker of luxury cars, aims for another year of record sales after delivering 1.54 million vehicles of its namesake brand last year.

The European car market, which is heading into the sixth straight year of decline,

is stabilising, Germany’s VDA automobile industry association said in a separate statement recently. New car registrations in the region rose 4.8 per cent in July to 1.02 million vehicles, the second month of gains this year, the first being April, the Berlinbased industry group said.

Auto executives predicted the European car market would gradually improve in the second half and into 2014 supported by the euro area economy returning to growth after six quarters of contraction.

Mercedes hired about 4,

500 vacation workers to keep production volumes up during the summer holiday season, the company said in the statement. To meet demand for the compact Aand B-Class, the Rastatt, Germany plant worked 21 extra shifts, and the SUV assembly in Tuscaloosa produced on 10 Saturdays.

Mercedes is broadening its compact car line-up this year with the CLA four-door coupe, has revamped the upscale E-Class and started to deliver a new generation of its flagship S-Class model in July.

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BondWatch DLM BOND WATCH: August 26, 2013

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Published in association with (Regulated by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Nigeria)

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BusinessInterview How culture of impunity has been compromising

Awoniyi

PHOTOS: SOLA OJEDOKUN

The second terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, in Lagos, popularly called MMA2, is a private sector response to infrastructure decay and deficit in Nigeria under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) programme of the Federal Government. The terminal, on concession to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) for 36 years on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, was inaugurated on April 7, 2007 for exclusive facilitation of domestic air passengers leaving or arriving in Lagos. As the Chief Operating Officer at MMA2, the challenges before Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi is undoubtedly very big, considering government’s posture towards BASL, and the series of battles with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Just like her frank father, the late Senator Sunday Awoniyi, of the Arewa Consultative Forum, the graduate of Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, who bagged her Masters degree from Cardiff University, United Kingdom, where she also did her ACIB, didn’t mince words when she discussed the pains of doing business with government in an unfriendly political clime. She spoke with Business Editor, ADE OGIDAN. Excerpts.

S the first indigenous firm to successfully A deliver a PPP project - the MMA2 - in the country, what have being the gains and pains five years after?

Thank you for this question; PPP in Nigeria is a concept still undergoing development. As the pioneer institution, we give glory to the Almighty God that against all odds, the project was finally conceived and completed on schedule. But the journey so far has been very rough.

First, since 2003, when the project was conceived, we’ve had at least eight Ministers of Aviation, and seven to eight Managing Directors of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), with all having different ideas and different positions about how the project should be implemented. This has led to inconsistencies beyond imagination and it has also led to avoidable frustrations beyond description. The most trying point, though, is that the authorities, from the commencement of the concession, have done everything possible, and everything imaginable,

to frustrate the concession. Rather than receive cooperation from the grantors of the concession, that is, the Federal Government and FAAN, what we have received, or what we have experienced is deliberate, calculated, sustained opposition to the whole project.

Has it ever been like that from inception?

From inception, from the day of commissioning, the project has been opposed by those who ought to support it. I will give you a few highlights about the project. It is interesting to us now that government is seeking

to remove tankers from the airport premises.

We foresaw this, 10 years ago and we provided a fuel hydrant system at the Airport. What does this mean? It means that fuel will be sold from the various basements, or from the apron of the airport without buses. We created the facility; we imported the steel pipes required for this level of operation, since we didn’t have that capacity in Nigeria. We sought permission from the government to build our storage facility that will enable this fuel hydrant system to

So, beneath the apron of MMA2 as we speak, is a hydrant system that has been frustrated by FAAN that was never completed nor commissioned.

Beneath the apron is a direct loss of over N2 billion, which was spent on this project, which we now had to pay back to the bank, even though we did not have the benefit of the facility. The foresight of the promoters of MMA2 that saw, very clearly, that tankers around the airport was not a safe method of operating an airport system, was defeated directly by FAAN.

operate. After waiting in vain for over two years, we had to do the painful thing of covering up the hydrant system. So, beneath the apron of MMA2 as we speak is a hydrant system that has been frustrated by FAAN that was never completed nor commissioned. Beneath the apron is a direct loss of over N2 billion, which was spent on this project, which we now had to pay back to the bank, even though we did not have the benefit of the facility. The foresight of the promoters of MMA2 that saw, very clearly, that having tankers around the airport was not a safe method of operating an airport system, was defeated directly by FAAN. It is also very interesting to note that the Lagos airports (both local and international) are one of the few busy airports where fuel trucks are still being carried on to the apron, to sell fuel to the marketers. This project was defeated by FAAN. That is one. Twol: As part of the concession, we had permission to create a mono-rail system linking the international and domestic airports for the benefit of passengers in

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aviation sector’s growth plan, by Awoniyi Nigeria, preventing the horror we all go through now, moving from the international airport to local, or vice-versa if you had to change flight.

That project was not supported by FAAN, was not allowed to go on; it was also an expenditure down the drain by the promoters. More importantly, a fundamental clause of the agreement is that all domestic airlines will operate from this airport. It is clear; it is not subject to any other meaning, and it is there. That provision has not been obeyed for one day by the government. On the contrary, initially, the government was competing with Bi-Courtney, by allowing Arik and Virgin to operate from the international airport terminal. When the late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, directed that all domestic airlines should move to MMA2, what happened was the Ministry and FAAN opened up the current GAT terminal, which is where Arik now operates from. This place had been closed in honour of the concession agreement; it had been closed, long before MMA2 was completed. It was only opened by the Ministry and FAAN to directly violate the terms of the agreement.

It is unimaginable; it is far from contemplation, but it’s a continuous breach of the agreement till today.

Also on the power situation at the airport, we sought approval to build a power plant, that would supply electricity, not only to MMA2, but the entire airports and to those living within the airports. It was part of our plan to make electricity available to the airport barracks that is within the airport. Again, this project was killed by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation. What is interesting is that nobody till today has asked, queried, or found out how much has been spent by this institution in trying to provide power to the airport. Information reaching us says that the money that has been spent on this project is far in excess of what we would have spent on our own to provide this power. We challenge FAAN and the ministry to disclose the amount of money they have spent on seeking to provide electricity, which as of today is lacklustre, and rarely efficient. So, our experience, since we completed the airport, has been traumatic, frustrating, acutely hurtful and a setback for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

But FAAN has consistently been saying that you shot yourself in the feet from inception, by the higher cost profile, with which you executed the MMA2. At the same time, you’re also talking of some unfulfilled projects, within the scheme: Wouldn’t that have shot further your expenditure profile, which anyway FAAN was saying, was beyond the initial understanding?

You see, the difference between us and FAAN is that we are factual; FAAN dwells in fantasy and imagination. Everything that was done at the airport was supervised and approved by FAAN, including the cost. By the time we were less than 40 per cent in the project, FAAN, through its consultant, issued a certificate stating categorically that we had spent N15 billion on the project.

There was no single complaint about the cost profile of the project then. And in any event, we did not intend to build sheds and call them airports. We built an airport that would have successfully taken care of the domestic traffic that we had and we provided the facilities for such.

But FAAN has ensured, through its own mechanism, that the airport remains completely underutilised. We built for a 4.5 million to five million passenger traffic. As of today, our traffic is between 1.2 and 1.5 million. So, we built in accordance with the agreement, in accordance with the specification. And everything we did was not only approved by the Minister, it was also approved by the President of Nigeria. And all these are documented, and there are minutes available for these. So, FAAN was merely dwelling in the area of fantasy, not facts nor law.

But it was stated that your design ensured that you overbuilt for things that were not primary to the airport, to the extent that you are now left with a space that was not enough for aircraft, which reduced your projection from 4.5 to 1.5.

That statement is not only inaccurate but a blatant lie. But it’s not strange to us that FAAN has lied, because lying is an underlying characteristic of FAAN as constituted today. When we built, we did not only build for all the aircraft; we sought permission that so soon after we’ll

expand the apron, up to the boundary of where Arik Airline is today. The permission was granted, but we have not been able to implement that permission till today, because of the frustration being experienced from the authorities. Secondly, we did a simulation exercise and discovered that our terminal, as it is, will accommodate all domestic flights in Nigeria at all given times. But there was a chance of a spill over between two hours, seven and eight in the morning; and, four and five in the evening. In anticipation of this, we sought and obtained approval to operate for only those two hours, in a 24-hour day, to take passengers by bus to the terminal at the GAT. And we got approval for it. But when we got the approval to use the GAT, FAAN gave us conditions that, one: we’ll build a temporary apron for disused aircrafts that were on GAT terminal. If you remember, GAT terminal was occupied by disused aircraft; there was nowhere to take them. At our own cost, we built a terminal where all the disused aircraft were moved. That was what enabled GAT to have a terminal. We also built a link road from our own terminal to GAT to facilitate this movement for two hours a day, where we could end up with increased traffic. In law, we performed our own side of the contract and characteristically, FAAN reneged on its own part of the contract. That FAAN is using GAT terminal today has been made possible by the fact that we built a temporary terminal where disused aircraft were moved to. Yet, the same FAAN tells you that we incapacitated ourself.

We are private sector people with ability to think for the future. We knew that for a temporary period, while we were expanding our apron, we will need one to two hours maximum a day where we need to bus our passengers; we bought four international apron buses, stationed at the airport for this purpose.

We only use one now; the other three are in disuse, because of a deliberate attempt by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation to frustrate an objective that was not only predetermined, but agreed on; to be implemented and at the last minute they changed the goalpost, characteristically.

But again, as part of the agreement, was it BiCourtney that arrived at the 36-year period of contract, rather than the 12 years that was initially agreed as stated by FAAN? You see, FAAN is a disorganised organisation.

It’s an organisation that will make the propagandists of the Nazi era feel inadequate in their capacity to lie, distort facts and present issues as if they were true. When we signed the agreement, there was a 12-year concession.

During the period of construction, the Minister of Aviation, with the approval of the then President said that, “oh, this project is now more elaborate and more sophisticated than we planned for. We had to appoint a consultant to advice us on the number of years that it will take for the concessionaire to recoup its investment”. KPMG was appointed, pursuant to the supplemental agreement signed by FAAN, Bi-Courtney, and the Ministry of Aviation. KPMG advised that the minimum time for this concessionaire to recoup its money will be 36 years. Now, FAAN also appointed its own consultant - First County Consultant. We don’t know them, but fortunately, we were able to grab a copy of the report. Our research department discovered that FAAN itself appointed consultant, and the consultant reported back to FAAN that it would take 33 years and a couple of months for the concessionaire to recoup its investment.

Now, these are two reports. There’s the KPMG report, which we jointly appointed, pursuant to the supplemental agreement; there’s also, in addition, FAAN’s own report. It’s only FAAN in this world that will deny its own report.

They will tell you that 36 years was a figment of Bi-Courtney’s imagination. What they will not tell you is that it was FAAN that offered BiCourtney 36 years in writing. On the 12th of October, 2006, FAAN offered Bi-Courtney a 36year concession. So, contrary to what you have been told that Bi-Courtney created the 36 years, 36 years was a product of an objective

assessment by KPMG and FAAN. And then, it was a direct offer in writing by FAAN to BiCourtney. The letter dated 12th of October 2006, written to the Managing Director, BiCourtney Consortium, and titled: “Tenure of New MMA domestic Terminal by Messrs BiCourtney on BOT Business Arrangement” which is on a FAAN’s stated all the details.

What can be clearer.

Under the scheme of things, don’t you think FAAN’s resource base is being constrained and that could be the reason the agency is kicking against the initial agreement?

Well, I don’t understand your question. But, if I heard you well; what you are trying to say is that FAAN entered an agreement properly, executed it properly, was to implement it properly, but woken up to say that the agreement is not favourable to it and so, it’s going to kick against it. That is a statement of a banana republic. If an agreement turns out not to be what you want, there’s a dispute resolution process provided by the agreement.

Your option is not to break the law; your option is to go through the dispute resolution process and through that come, to a conclusion. For a party to an agreement at any stage to wake up and say it’s an agreement it doesn’t like and so will break it, showed that Nigeria has not moved forward as a country interested in commerce. Commerce is governed by the rule of law, not by the whims and caprices of anybody.

To which extent has this due process of resolution been employed?

I must thank you for this question. BiCourtney Limited is an organisation that premises itself very strongly as acting in accordance with the law. We, not only allow the law to guide us into entering into agreements, we insist on complying with the law

during the agreement; and we know that the only valid way of resolving a dispute is to go through the dispute resolution process provided by the agreement. As early as 2006, we discovered that a lot of clauses in the agreement were being breached, and we wrote to the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, that is the Attorney-General, informing trim, clearly that this agreement was being breached. And the Attorney General, acting in accordance with the law and the agreement, set up a dispute resolution process, with three members representing the Federal Government, and three members representing Bi-Courtney. This committee met for months. FAAN was invited, in writing, by the Attorney General, and was also invited by the dispute resolution committee. The team resolved all the issues, and an arbitral award was issued. A coordinating committee report was issued, duly signed by all the representatives on the 10th day of October, 2008, which resolved all the issues in accordance with the dispute resolution process.

Specifically, which of the issues were resolved?

The first issue was that the process found out that all domestic traffic must be through MMA2, and that any domestic traffic operating outside MMA2 is unlawful and against the agreement. Secondly, the dispute resolution process said that the term of this concession is 36 years. That was also resolved. Thirdly, it was also resolved that all the fuel marketers selling fuel to airlines operating domestic flights must pay their charges to Bi-Courtney, not to FAAN. Fourthly, FAAN should render an account of all income they have derived unlawfully and illegally, by operating outside the agreement, and pay same to Bi-Courtney. So, we followed the resolution process, and we got the award, and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 64

Bi-Courtney is a product of law, a citizen of law, and an obedient institution. We do not believe that any institution in Nigeria is above the laws of Nigeria. We’re of the opinion that whatever is happening now is an aberration that must be corrected, by all the parties concerned, to ensure that our democracy is not derailed. The essence of our democracy is that everybody is to be governed by law. This is why the Nigerian constitution is one of the strongest in the world.

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Rule of law imperative for aviation sector’s growth CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63 they are aware of this award, but they have disobeyed it to the letter.

Another one is that the General Aviation Terminal belongs to Bi-Courtney under the agreement, and should be handed over forthwith to BiCourtney by FAAN. Six months after, when we heard nothing about compliance with the agreement, we went to court. And the Federal High Court, on 3rd of March 2009, upheld all these submissions. FAAN will tell you that Bi-Courtney obtained the order ex-parte, which means that without hearing the other side. Again, it is part of the psychological problem of FAAN, which makes it incapable of telling the truth. This case was fought in the court; the Federal Government was represented by the Attorney-General’s office. It was not ex-parte; it was a considered ruling, after both sides had been listened to, and the Judge delivered the judgment upholding all the submissions we admitted` to the arbitral panel or the coordination committee, which had initially upheld the submissions of Bi-Courtney since 2009.

What had been the challenges in getting these resolutions actualised?

After the process, there were four appeals against this ruling. The first salvo was fired by Ojemaie Holdings. Ojemaie Holdings is the landlord to Arik. It went to court to prevent the court from implementing this agreement. On the 12th day of May 2012, court dismissed its appeal. The next one was the aviation worker’ unions. They went to court in the case of Satiu Dauda Mohammed and five others and Bi-Courtney; the two main unions - NUATE and ATSSAN went to court to overturn this ruling. On the 24th of May, 2010, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the unions. On 8th day of July 2011, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of FAAN. So, FAAN, aware that all these issues have not been resolved in its favour, went to court again seeking to set it aside. Again, it was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. FAAN went a step further to seek a stay of execution of the judgment; on the 5th day of April 2012 but the Federal High Court dismissed FAAN’s application for the stay of execution. Now, even in the face of this, FAAN again went to the Federal High Court in the case of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria versus Bi-Courtney, and obtained an interim order exparte restraining the handover of the GAT to BiCourtney, and the court granted it. Because the court believed that the facts deposed to by FAAN entitled FAAN to this relief. Bi-Courtney now went back to the same court, and showed the court that FAAN had simply come to court to steal an advantage by lying to a court that there was basis for restraining Bi-Courtney. And when BiCourtney showed all the papers, the court did not only dismiss FAAN’s application, the court noted, and I quote: “The plaintiff respondent misrepresented to the Court, that the applicant has threatened to disrupt and has actually disrupted the operation and maintenance of the General Aviation Terminal. This is a concocted lie and an affront to the Honourable Court. The applicant is a responsible corporate citizen and does not possess the capacity to disrupt the operations of a government agency. It is not in doubt that the responsibility to secure the airport premises rest squarely with the plaintiff/respondent and it is for the reason that there is a Police Command under the watchful eyes of a Police Commandant and the internal security officers of the plaintiff/respondent. “It is absolutely ludicrous for an agency of the Federal Government with all the security apparatus to state that a corporate citizen like the applicant has disrupted or threatened to disrupt its operations. Moreover, the plaintiff/respondent’s affidavits were designed to mislead the Honourable Court.”

Now, we don’t need to say more. This is a court of law coming to the conclusion that FAAN came to court to mislead it. That FAAN came to court to concoct lies; that FAAN came to court to cause confusion, and yet that organisation which is supposed to be guided by the laws of the country and the constitution, still have the Chief Executive and all the members of that organisation in their offices. It’s a scandal, and a poor reflection on the state of law in Nigeria.

The court added: “Also, the concealment and/or

What is interesting is that nobody till today has asked, queried, or found out how much has been spent by this institution in trying to provide power for the airport. Information reaching us says that the money that has been spent on this project is far in excess of what we would have spent on our own to provide this power. We challenge FAAN and the ministry to disclose the amount of money they have spent on seeking to provide electricity, which as of today is lacklustre, and rarely efficient. misrepresentation of the material facts in the affidavit in support of this application are clearly inequitable and demonstrate that the plaintiff/respondent has not come to equity with clean hands. This conduct or misconduct therefore warrants a discharge of the order of injunction and a refusal of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

“When the plaintiff/respondent sought and obtained the Ex Parte Order on December 6th, 2011, it did not disclose to the Court the existence of the judgment of Honourable Justice A.I. Chikere in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/50/2009 and the ruling of the Court of Appeal in CA/A/239/M/2010. If the plaintiff/respondent had disclosed such material information to the Court, I very much doubt that the Ex Parte Order of 6th December, 2011 would have been made. The plaintiff/respondent suppressed material facts to obtain the said Ex Parte Order.”

We rest our case that FAAN is simply a fraudulent institution that would go to any length in deceiving the people, and trying to create a crisis in the legal system through acute misrepresentation of facts.

Now, GAT has been remodeled. Don’t you think this will now create greater reluctance on the part of FAAN to hand it over, even as resolved by the various courts?

Again, that question of yours belies the law and it’s contrary to the law. We cannot continue in Nigeria to encourage institutions to defy the law. We cannot in Nigeria, continue to encourage institutions to break the law. If you break the law, the remedies are clear. The remedies of Bi-Courtney are clear; they’re stated, and it’s not subject to any ex post facto rationalisation. You cannot say because you did not obey the law when it ought to be obeyed that you now want to take benefit of it

because you made some improvements on the premises. The law has not changed, and the law is final.

Now, back to the MMA2, when are we likely to have regional flights taking off from there?

It’s FAAN that has stopped it. All the airlines, at a stage, applied to have regional flights. We applied, we were allowed to start, even the first regional flight of Aero to Accra was about to take off when it was stopped by either FAAN or NCAA, for grounds that do not have any basis in law or fact, other than the abuse of power. So, we’ve been ready. We’ve provided everything that is required for regional flights including customs, immigration; whatever is required, we anticipated it and provided it. And they were actually there to start operation. And they started operations, when it was stopped. It’s only convenient for passengers to have their regional flight taking off from here. In FAAN’s reasoning, the comfort of Nigerians doesn’t matter. All that matter to them, is for them to continue to pursue vendetta, to seek to destroy business, and to show that they’re all powerful, but without any basis in law. We await them on the issue.

But do you really have legal course, to have your advert placements within the airport, as FAAN actually opposed it.

The issue of adverts is another topic entirely.

Under the agreement, we are allowed to place adverts. And we put some adverts in a certain area at the airport; FAAN went ahead and pulled them down. The first time was about three years ago; we went to court. And the court stated very clearly that FAAN had no right to pull down the adverts. That if FAAN disputed what we’ve done, there’s a dispute resolution process in the agreement, FAAN should go and pursue the dispute in that forum. And that it was illegal for FAAN to have torn down the adverts. FAAN was represented in court in the

case, and FAAN is aware of the judgment.

Notwithstanding this very clear judgment of the court, FAAN had again torn the advert belonging to Bi-Courtney. The action of FAAN against our adverts is clear - demonstrably illegal, and they show a penchant for disobeying the law, and it’s a total disregard for the Nigerian democracy, which says all Nigerian citizens are subject to law.

Which way forward now? What lines of action is Bi-Courtney contemplating to ensure that the terms of agreement are obeyed?

Bi-Courtney is a product of law, a citizen of law and an obedient institution. We do not believe that any institution in Nigeria is above the laws of Nigeria. We’re of the opinion that whatever is happening now is an aberration that must be corrected, by all the parties concerned, to ensure that our democracy is not derailed. The essence of our democracy is that everybody is to be governed by law. This is why the Nigerian constitution is one of the strongest in the world. Unlike the American constitution, where the legislature came under the court, by interpretation in Mabry and Madison, in Nigeria, it is expressly provided for in the constitution, which states that all actions, of even the legislature, must conform to the law; and failure to comply with the law, the court will ensure that there’s proper redress. We think that the problem is that a lot of people are not aware of the scandal being perpetrated by FAAN. A lot of people do not know that FAAN, as it stands today, has done everything that even the President of Nigeria has no power to do.

The President of Nigeria, as high as his office is, as important as he is, has sworn to obey the constitution. Failure to obey the constitution is an infraction by his office. We do not think that the citizens of Nigeria will continue to watch FAAN disregard the law, disobey the law without its consequences. And, as we speak today, we have a judgment against FAAN running to billions of naira, which is a liability created by FAAN, which we also know that the Nigerian legal system must find a way of ensuring that it is paid and paid with interest, if we are going to have justices according to law.

My conclusion is that FAAN is a gangster organisation, presided over by a man deluded by the arrogance of ignorance under the supervision of the Ministry of Aviation that has totally ignored its responsibilities.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

CAPITAL MARKET 65

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at Friday PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS TRADED FOR 23/08/2013

The GUaRdIaN, Monday, august 26, 2013

66

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 23/08/2013

PRICe GaINeRS

LOSeRS

OTC market records N139.7b transactions in five days Stories by Helen Oji RaNSaCTIONS on the T Over-The-Counter (OTC) market for federal government’s bonds, last week recorded turnover of 136.734 million units valued at N139.687 billion in 866 deals, in contrast to 155.765 million units worth N158.595 billion in 1, 029 deals recorded in the preceding week ended august 16, 2013.

Similarly, a turnover of 1.118 billion shares worth N12.941 billion in 24, 489 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of The exchange in contrast to a total of 1.835 billion shares valued at billion that N23.966 exchanged hands in 26, 146 deals during the preceding week.

Specifically, the financial services sector led the activity chart in volume terms

with 724.394 million shares valued at N6.286 billion traded in 13,418 deals, contributing 64.79 per cent, 48.58 per cent and 54.79 per cent to the total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals respectively.

The conglomerates sector followed with a turnover vol-

ume of 129.621 million shares worth N223.102 million in 961 deals, contributing 11. 59 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 3.92 per cent to the total equity turnover volume, value and number of deals respectively.

The healthcare sector came third with 59.491 million shares worth N1.196 billion in

486 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (measured by turnover volume) accounted for 273.608 million shares worth N3.500 billion in 3,792 deals, con-

tributing 24.47per cent, 26.66per cent and 15.48per cent to the total equity turnover volume, value and deals respectively. also traded during the week were 1,670 units of NewGold exchange Traded Funds (eTFs) valued at N3.550 million executed in three deals

compared with a total of 268 units valued at N561,182.00 transacted last week in 4 deals.

1,595 units of federal government bonds valued at N1.808 million were traded during the week in seven deals in contrast to 5, 800 units valued at N4.833 million transacted last week in 9 deals.

Shareholders endorse Consolidated Breweries’ sale of 57 per cent stake in Champion Breweries haRehOLdeRS of consoliSapproved dated Breweries Plc have the company’s plans to sell 513,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in Champion Breweries held by the company to Raysun Nigeria Limited, a wholly owned heineken B V subsidiary.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the

Chairman, Consolidated Breweries Plc, Prof (Mrs.) Oyinade Odutola-Olurin at the company’s extra-ordinary meeting held in Lagos recently, noted that as part of the sale, Raysun would be assigned all the rights to and interests in the debt owed to Consolidated Breweries by Champion Breweries.

The sale, according to the chairman, would reduce Consolidated Breweries’ exposure to Champion Breweries’ debt balance and eliminate the losses from Champion Breweries’ operations that were consolidated with Consolidated Breweries group’s financial performance.

“Champion Breweries has

recorded losses over the years and has relied on financing from Consolidated Breweries in the form of intercompany debt. The associated interest burden of the intercompany debts on Champion Breweries has negatively impacted its profitability.

Champion Breweries’ losses, coupled with the high cost of financing Champion

Breweries’ operations, have in turn, negatively impacted Consolidated Breweries’ group earnings.

“Therefore, it is in the best interest of Consolidated Breweries and Champion Breweries for the company to now be owned by Raysun, where Champion Breweries’ financing and restructuring needs can be more adequately met.”

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

67

Opinion Revitalisation of the Nigerian Railways

By F.A.O.Oseni WAS surprised to read in The Guardian of TuesIhigh day 13 August that payment of excessively fees being demanded by engineering conth

sultants is hindering and slowing down the revitalisation of the Nigerian Railways. This is because the Federal Government has since 1975 as a matter of policy standardised the remuneration of engineering consultants working for Ministries, Departments and Agencies under “The Professional Scale of Fees for Consultants in the Construction Industry”. This means that the remuneration of an engineering consultant for a project is the same irrespective of the consultant appointed for the particular project and it is no longer an issue in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that Nigerian engineers have been playing considerable role at the planning and design stages of engineering projects in the country since independence.

The peak of their performance occurred during the oil boom decade of 1972 – 1982. This decade covered the reconstruction of some of the engineering facilities destroyed during our 30 months civil war (from July 1967 – January 1970) and the Third National Development Plan of 1975 – 1980. Incidentally most of the national assets being privatised in recent years were built or started during the Third Plan Period.

As a result of the ingenuity displayed by our indigenous engineers on both sides during the war, the Federal Government decided that they should be involved in the reconstruction works as much as possible. This led to the establishment of the Council for the Registration of Engineers (COREN) by Decree, so that professional engineers could be easily identified. The Council was also to regulate the practice of engineering in the country. In this context, professionals are regarded as a group of people who have acquired a basic body of knowledge and have demonstrated expertise in applying such knowledge to a specified standard. Also the accumulated knowledge and experience of the members of the group are available to every member of the group who in turn is committed to upholding the standards and reputation

of the group. Each member is also expected to contribute to widening and increasing the knowledge and experience available in the profession. Unfortunately COREN has not exercised its powers to prevent many foreigners from coming to the country and describing themselves as engineers in order to circumvent the Expatriate Quota Law, which forbids any company working in Nigeria from bringing any foreigner to do work which a Nigerian can do. The law also made it mandatory for any company bringing a foreigner to work in the country to train Nigerians to take over from the foreigner within a specified time.

The neglect of this law has hindered the acquisition of practical experience within the country by our indigenous engineers as well as their under-employment and most importantly, even unemployment.

The then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had a lot of projects to execute under the Third National Development Plan, in particular highway projects. The Ministry therefore adopted a policy of using indigenous engineering consultants as much as possible.

In order to control costs, the conditions of their engagement was standardised under “Professional Scale of Fees for Professionals in the Construction Industry”. Secondly, whenever a foreign consultant was appointed to design a project, at least one indigenous consultant was attached to such a consultant. These two policy measures ensured that indigenous engineering consultants had the opportunity of acquiring necessary experience and establishing virile practice in the country. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) also adopted the policy of using indigenous consultants in the same way as the then Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in its early development period. Subsequently, Nigeria has long reached the stage where it should be a matter of policy that all engineering consultancy work should be given to only indigenous engineers. They do not have to invent the wheel before their competence is recognised and it only needs to be left to them to seek for additional help from outside when they deem

this to be necessary.

Nigerians have long reached a stage where they can achieve any technological objective under their own guidance. There is no engineering project beyond our indigenous engineering professionals and what is needed is that they should be given the opportunity to prove this. Of course this philosophy does not mean that Nigeria should become an island unto itself, far from it, especially in these days of globalisation. What is being advocated is that Nigerians should decide what they need to take from the international community only after doing what they can do by themselves. Today, the Naira is continuously falling in value in comparison with the major international currencies and it will continue to fall even more rapidly if we persist in neglecting the use of our own manpower before going to the international community to supplement, but not as a substitute, for our own efforts. In any case, as far as the Nigerian Railway Corporation is concerned, Nigeria has on several occasions over the years, handed over the techno – management of the Corporation to foreign experts from nearly all continents of the world without any permanent or lasting benefit.

Next year 2014, the nation is planning to celebrate 100 years that the four hundred or more ethnic groups in the country formed an amalgamation. Subsequently Nigeria became the country with the largest population in Africa and consequently, naturally became the bulwark of the black race. We need to proclaim next year that Nigeria has to aspire and implement plans as we used to do during the periods of our National Development Plans of known duration and content, to attain the state of self-sustained growth like China in recent times, within the next 25 years, a period that is regarded as a generation in human terms. This will eventually stop us from remaining an appendage of foreign economies, which we have been since the days of the slave trade of the 16th to the 19th centuries, which devastated our continent for more than 300 years.

In order to achieve this goal, all we have to do is simply to adopt self-reliance as our develop-

ment strategy. Adopting the concept of self-reliance as our national ideology for instance will mean that the development of our human resources will take precedence over the search for foreign investors to come and develop our country at the expense of their own countries!

While we have a commission for promoting foreign investment, there is no such organisation for developing and promoting local talents and expertise. This is an area where the saying “charity begins from home” should be emphasised. After all, there is nowhere in history where foreigners have gone to develop foreign lands in the interest of the indigenes. Rather they either wipe out the indigenes or subject those who survive to a life of servitude. Nigeria is not likely to be the first exception.

Adoption of the philosophy of self-reliance as our national ideology can also be a very effective tool for pursuing poverty alleviation. This will mean that we must first look inwards to see whether we have individuals in our own country that can do whatever we want to do before going to look for or worse begging foreigners to do them for us at prices conditions and terms dictated by them! In this way millions of employment opportunities either being neglected or being enjoyed by foreigners, especially through importation of goods and services that used to be produced or can be produced in the country, will be taken up by our citizens, thereby allowing the wealth of the nation to be evenly distributed instead of being concentrated in a few hands. When employment opportunities abound in the country, there will be no need for our youths, at the most productive stage of their lives, to be desperate to go abroad, looking for opportunity to develop their God given talents to the best of their ability, ambition and interests. Today, out of this desperation, many of our youths are dying in the Sahara Desert, the Atlantic Coast of Northwest Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. There is an urgent need to put an end to this disgraceful and avoidable tragedy.

• Oseni, an engineer, is a consultant in planning, engineering and computer applications.

The perils of Pax Gallica

By Adekeye Adebajo HE recent French intervention to repel IsT lamic militants from northern Mali has been widely applauded. Though Pax Gallica may have brought temporary stability to France’s former West African colony, allowing elections to take place this month, it has also reinforced French neo-colonial influence in Africa. As the elusive quest for Pax Africana continues, Africans should be wary of this Gallic wolf in sheep-skin offering to provide security while shamelessly promoting more parochial political, strategic, and economic interests.

Since 1960, France has acted as a “pyromaniac fireman” in intervening over 50 times in Africa to prop up or depose assorted tyrants in a sordid relationship known as Françafrique. Paris also helped apartheid South Africa to develop nuclear technology.

More recently, France provided military support to prop up autocratic regimes in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2006, and again in Chad in 2008. Africa is the only area in the world where Paris continues to wield such influence to maintain the illusion of being a Great Power. There are still 7,000 French troops deployed across the continent.

With the discrediting of Gallic interventions following a dubious French role during the

1994 Rwandan genocide and the fall of Zaire’s Mobutu Sese Seko three years later, Paris is now seeking to multilateralise its previous unilateral interventions. France has used the United Nations (UN) – in which it is one of five veto-wielding permanent members – and the European Union (EU) to support its deployment of francophone African or European troops in the CAR between 1998 and 2000, and in Chad/CAR between 2008 and 2010. Paris currently has 450 troops in Côte d’Ivoire working alongside UN peacekeepers, and maintains a military presence in Senegal, Chad, Djibouti, Gabon, and the CAR. While stability may have occurred in some of these cases, they were incidental to primary Gallic interests of protecting other interests in France’s historical chasse gardée (private hunting-ground).

As Islamic and Tuareg militants moved towards the Malian capital of Bamako in January, routing weak and demoralised Malian government forces, France launched “Operation Serval” with 4,000 troops. (Appropriately, “serval” is an African cat of prey that urinates 30 times an hour to mark out its territory!) In a Blitzkrieg conducted with troops from autocratic Chad, France retook the major towns in northern Mali, forcing many of the militants to melt away into the desert and mountains of the Sahel. France’s clout within the UN Security Council and in its French-led Department of Peacekeeping

Operations (DPKO) was evidenced by the creation of a UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) last month. Though the world body had previously dragged its feet before pledging half-hearted support to a 3,300strong African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) last December, it failed to provide the Pan-African force with logistical and financial resources until the French intervention a month later. Paris further used its clout to ensure that the EU approved a training mission for the Malian army, guaranteeing continuing Gallic influence. France has already announced that it will maintain a 1,000-strong garrison in Mali to work alongside MINUSMA, undertaking counter-insurgency and peace-enforcement missions. An international donor conference in Brussels in May, cochaired by France and the EU, pledged €3.25 billion for the reconstruction of Mali.

Despite its supposedly “humanitarian” intervention in Mali, France has historically had economic interests in Mali’s uranium sector, and sent troops to guard uranium mines in neighbouring Niger. About a quarter of French electricity production relies on uranium. A French government White Paper on defence issued in April specifically singles out Africa as a priority area for defence and security, envisaging future interventions like the one in Mali and urging

Paris to maintain at least four military bases on the continent.

AFISMA, the African mission in Mali, was clearly set up for failure. This was a phantom force which was still-born and dead on arrival in Mali, having to be resurrected as MINUSMA. In the international community’s grisly “aristocracy of death”, the lives of African peacekeepers are still considered to be worth less than those of Western peacekeepers. The fact that, after the French military intervention in Mali, the UN authorised a force that was four times as large as the proposed African force, exposed the duplicity of its Western-dominated Security Council. AFISMA was a cheap way of sending African troops as cannon fodder to be slaughtered by Islamic militants in the full knowledge that the troops lacked the size, logistics, and financing to sustain themselves in the field. Its initial strength of 3,300 was tripled to 9,500 shortly after the French intervention occurred, and the support that had previously been denied it suddenly appeared. It is the Ivorian model, in which France keeps troops outside the UN chain of command while the world body subsidises stability in a country in which it has political, strategic, and economic interests, that will now be applied to Mali. Pax Gallica will clearly not bring long-term stability to Africa.

• Dr. Adebajo is Executive Director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution, Cape Town, South Africa, and author of ‘UN Peacekeeping in Africa’.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

68

Opinion Social security as anti-terrorism

By Chidi Nwafor ECENTLY, Nigerians woke up to witness an unthinkable pheR nomenon called terrorism, an extreme crime obsession that has ravaged the hitherto peaceful terrain called Nigeria. It is estimated that over 10,000 innocent Nigerians have lost their lives since the emergence of the heartless sect called Boko Haram. Indeed, the killing became so rampant, audacious and mindless that the Federal Government of Nigeria had no option than to impose a state of emergency in the three most affected violent states. Consequently, the Nigerian armed forces had to rise to the occasion and today, there is no argument that they have made much gains in quelling and curtailing the rapid spread of the highly condemnable cankerworm. The Nigerian military deserves huge commendation for their high level of professionalism in handling the dangerous national assignment.

Unfortunately, notwithstanding the highly commendable gains of the military, the nation continues to witness sporadic fatal eruptions, particularly in the far north. The whole thing seems a vicious unending cycle, calm today, storm tomorrow, sleep with two eyes closed tonight, sleep with one eye open tomorrow. So the natural questions are: Is that how we are going to continue to live in Nigeria? Can’t permanent peace return to Nigeria? Can’t we love and trust one another again? What can be done? In the past, so many options have been suggested. One is Amnesty for Boko Haram members, the sect that has been unleashing the mayhem on Nigerians. Without doubt, it is a welcome development, because the ultimate aim of mankind is peace, progress and happiness. And given that all Nigerians are brothers and sisters, achieving peace without further bloodshed is a soothing option and this is why we must all commend and support President Jonathan in this direction.

Unfortunately, terrorism by Boko Haram is not the only violent act threatening the sacred peace or the continued existence of the Nigerian nation. While suicide bombings and violent attacks reign largely in the Northern part of the country and have almost flattened the economies of affected states, kidnapping and robbery are ravaging the South East and South South, and are rapidly making enroute to the South West. This is in addition to militancy, oil theft and destruction of oil installations in the South South.

So why are these negatives bedeviling our dear country and what can be done? To proffer solutions, one must first understand their nature and genesis. Simply, they are social ills that have been notoriously elevated to stardom by political and economic dimensions. Political reason relates largely to power struggle by which desperate power wrestlers employ dangerous means to intimidate, frighten and maim their perceived opponents out of power contest. Man must survive! So how does a nation that churns out thousands of graduates every year expect them to survive when there are virtually no jobs for them and no veritable means of creating some, meanwhile, everyday they see inordinate display of monumental wealth! So what do they do?

Take to crime, whether violent or not.

But more than anything else, people take to extreme crimes out of extreme desperation, extreme fear, abject hopelessness. To many, there is no hope or succour in sight. Indeed, some while merely existing see death nakedly starring them at the face. What a pity! So what do they do? Simple: Cut your hand to take your Rolex watch, tear that gorgeous lady’s ear to snatch her gold earring or tear her neck to take her diamond necklace. Yes, that is what abject hopelessness can cause! So what do we do? Very simple: Go back to our roots, go back to our time tested system of collectively taking care of ourselves, both at the time of ecstasy and time of vicissitude – our brothers’ keeper’s system. We can elimi-

nate societal warfare through modernizing the traditional African system of collectively taking care of one another during low times. This is the instructive example of Social Security currently being championed by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) ably led by Dr. (Mrs.) Juliet Ngozi Olejeme.

But what is Social Security, you may ask? Simple: A public programme that uses public funds to provide a degree of economic security to people with inadequate or no income by providing them with monetary assistance and access to the three basic needs of man – food, shelter and clothing. A nation with effective social security programme guarantees her citizens access to those three basic essentials of life, such that they would not suffer hopelessness and desperation and therefore willing and vulnerable to doing anything, including shedding their blood, rightly or wrongly, so as to provide food for their families. Indeed, it is a coordinated sequence: Economic security leads to Social Security and Social Security ensures Physical Security. Meaning, without economic or social security, no nation can ever be physically secured, and this is notwithstanding the potency of your military arsenal.

Furthermore, social security is in tandem with Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right which states inter alia, that everyone, as a member of a society is entitled to social security and this is why the efforts of NSITF in moving Nigeria beyond Social Insurance for the employed Nigerian citizen to Social Security for the unemployed, disabled or somewhat incapacitated Nigerian citizen should be highly applauded and supported. But certainly, this golden vision of a secured and happy Nigeria can only be realized if all stakeholders – the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Workers, Employers, etc, play their part well.

• Prince Nwafor is the Executive Director, Brainsville Centre for Development Strategies (BCDS).

Better governance through e-government

By Victor Odili-Idiagbor HE fact that the United Nations Global e-Government SurT vey scored Nigeria low comes as a surprise to no one. What is surprising, however, is how governments continually start off with noble ideas and concepts but always fail woefully at implementation. From engineering to software projects, as we progress through initialization to implementation, as soon as money is earmarked, the projects are doomed. This continues to happen time and time again but it seems no lessons have been learnt, as we embark on these white elephant projects that don’t materialize.

Virtually every project is politicized or self interests override national goals or money embezzled with impunity. Projects such as the National Identification Card scheme, e-passport, eprocurements, e-health, e-taxation, e-tourism, fight against massive corruption, tackling youth unemployment, electricity generation and distribution, census, launching of satellite into orbit and recently e-government, have all failed at implementation stages. How did we get to this mess? The only thriving project is “e-corruption”. The giant of Africa has indeed fallen and has become the grasshopper of Africa. But hope is not totally lost. e-Government is the use of information and communication technologies (internet, wide area networks, mobile computing, and databases) to facilitate speedy and transparent dissemination of information to her stakeholders – state governments, local governments, organized private sector, development organisations, and religious organisations, etc. It is geared towards providing information to the public as well as her agencies in a most cost effective, accurate and timely fashion.

It focuses on service delivery, security, transparency and trust. Emphasis is on creating a “one-stop shopping” environment for government information and services. Many governments today have built functional portals to make information accessible to her citizens and at the same time be transparent in their dealings with all. This is not the case with Nigeria.

Millions, if not billions of naira have been wasted on socalled government portals that are outdated or lack content or display the same information daily. Portals are supposed to be dynamic, storing and pulling data from reliable and updated databases as well as interact with other systems. Some of the links on these websites are broken and what you see may not be what you get. You wonder if these websites were ever tested before being rolled out. Internet connectivity is so slow and yet very expensive compared to countries like Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya, not to mention South Africa. How could government portals serve Nigerians when very few can afford internet connectivity? It is much cheaper and more reliable to house one’s server outside the country than locally, given the unpredictable and unreliable nature of the country’s power supply. One may be surprised to learn that most of these so-called government websites are located abroad.

How can we as a nation continue to move at a snail speed

when smaller African nations have long embraced e-Government?

A functional e-Government portal would benefit everyone.

This could link the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), military/air force, immigration/Customs, healthcare/hospitals, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Road Safety Commission, banks, universities/JAMB, state/local governments, statistics, National Population Commission, with the National Identification Card scheme.

Would it not be nice for healthcare professionals to share information about their patients? Any doctor, whether located in Abuja, Ibadan or Agbor is able to see your medical history while carrying out diagnosis. The pharmacy system will be able to manage administration and distribution of medicines as well as outpatient clinic system. We cannot achieve better healthcare delivery without e-health. e-Police system could be designed for police personnel in the field who need to report accidents and crimes. Police personnel can access live databases of criminals, cars and cases, along with essential police contact details, news and events on PDAs, Internet and even via SMS. They can store real-time data, images (moving or still) and pictures on their handheld devices at the time of an incident. The stored information is submitted online to a central monitoring system for the department to take appropriate action. Any further instructions can be communicated to the officers via SMS, e-mail or GPRS. The traffic management system will provide invaluable, real-time traffic information in congested cities like Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja.

If you have ever tried to obtain an international passport from immigration offices in Festac or Ikoyi, you will know the frustration Nigerians go through, especially, if you don’t know the “oga at the top” or refused to patronize touts in uniform.

This is after the Federal Government spent billions in building and promoting e-passport. The entire process is still mundane, time consuming and background checks not conducted apart from collecting fingerprints and taking photographs. Yet, files are still being carried from desk to desk. A fully e-immigration would help maintain databases of residents and visitors, providing instant messages to concerned authorities during emergencies and alerts for expired visas and passports. I was disappointed when the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa told me there is no way to verify a Nigerian driver’s license from her office because her computers cannot talk to our local drivers/vehicle licensing offices.

As the 2015 election approaches, politicians are already talking about e-voting without putting the right technologies in place. This will be another project doomed to fail or disenfranchise Nigerians from voting. We are not ready for this exercise.

Let us stop wasting tax payers’ money and focus on building infrastructure and creating jobs which are more important to Nigerians at this time. INEC should be more transparent by making public registered voters by state, local government areas and cities before elections. We are tired of getting results of elections ever before the election and numbers that do not

match registered voters.

The Nigerian banking sector has really embraced e-banking and there is phenomenal change going on in this industry.

One major setback in the sector is government not being able to provide the industry with updated and accurate database of Nigerians. The banks are seriously pushing e-payments and when fully implemented, would make business transactions faster, more reliable and hassle free. e-Taxation and revenues will enable tax payers to access personal tax information, read about new laws and make payments online. So many private individuals and small companies do not pay taxes and even when taxes are collected they end up in private hands.

The Nigeria Customs needs to reposition itself through the use of complete e-Customs solutions to administer shipping and logistics by allowing submission of applications electronically, calculation of customs duties and automated billing and tracking of customs payments and able to interface with other government agencies and international trading communities.

According to the Chairman, National Population Commission, Eze Odimegwu, “No census has been credible in Nigeria since 1816. Even the one conducted in 2006 is not credible. I have the records and evidence produced by scholars and professors of repute.” Now he wants to adopt a high-tech approach for the 2016 census. This project is doomed to fail. The rest of the world gets ready at least two years before full implementation. He is asking for N600 billion to conduct this exercise. That money should be channelled into our demography needed for national planning. Let us put an end to this joke of wasting tax payers’ money. The rest of the world has adopted e-census, but we are not ready.

No nation building can occur without accurate statistics.

Statistics coming out of Nigeria are based on post-colonial forecasts or are politically motivated, when we do not even record births and deaths. Most countries post the population of each city as you drive through.

Some universities and higher institutions have attempted to build information systems to manage students’ records but most of them are not interactive enough or able to interface with government agencies like JAMB, NYSC, National ID Card or banks. Try asking for your transcripts in any of our universities, you will understand the frustration involved.

Corporate Affairs Commission could streamline most of its operations (incorporation of companies, registration of business names/trustees, conducting searches, etc) through the use of a functional e-CAC that interfaces with other government agencies.

The administering of contracts and procurements could be made more transparent through the use of e-contract and eprocurement systems.

Nigerians have a right to demand accountability from their government to provide accurate and updated information about governance through e-Government portal.

• Odili-Idiagbor is a Middleware IT Consultant based in Ottawa, Canada.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

MEDIA | 69

Media When editors gathered in Asaba (1( Conference

By Kabir Alabi Garba HIS year’s edition of All Nigerian Editors T Conference (ANEC) hosted in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State might have come and gone, the memory of the four-day outing would continue to linger for a while. Apart from high traffic of government functionaries from across the country that the assembly attracted, the choice of Nigeria Beyond Oil: The Role of Editor as theme endeared the conference to A-list personalities in public and private sectors as they grabbed the opportunity of the gathering to advance their socio-political, and commercial causes.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim who was the Special Guest of Honour underscored the significance of the conference as a platform to discuss “critical national issue”. The Information Minister, Labaran Maku was loud and clear promoting federal government policies and programmes. As an impressive and articulate speaker, Maku was simply on top of the game grapping the microphone occasionally to “put issues in proper perspective” but mostly from government angle as usual.

The richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote delivered the keynote address that focused on efforts to uplift non-oil sector of the economy.

He was represented by Joseph Makanju, an engineer; the host Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan spoke extensively on Oil, Soil and Toil: The Role of Editors in Promoting the Nigeria Beyond Oil Campaign. There were solidarity messages from the leadership of the Newspaper Proprietors of Nigeria (NPAN) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) presented by their presidents Nduka Obaigbena and Garba Mohammad in that order; as well as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Alhaji Bayo Atoyebi. The presentation by the Special Adviser to the President on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye on Economic Renaissance in Nigeria: A Non-Oil Approach drew curtain on the Day One of the conference last Thursday.

Friday, Day two of the conference also began on a discussion note with the presentation of the Managing Director/Chief Executive officer, Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede speaking on Opportunities in Non-Oil Nigeria; followed by the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina on Value Chain Roadmap; and Culture and Tourism Minister, Edem Duke’s Oil Exhaustible and Tourism Inexhaustible; and in the afternoon, it was the turn of seven state governors including the host offering their views on the path the nation should tread in order to shed its prolonged dependence on oil. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; and Peter Obi of Anambra came in person while the quartet of Akwa Ibom, Kano, Katshina, and Kwara were represented.

Foremost journalist and former Ogun State governor chaired the sessions from the opening day till Friday when he sought permission of the whole house to leave for another very important engagement outside the country.

But the conference was not about government people talking to the editors alone as Saturday, the last day of the conference was dedicated to four key industry issues of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC); life after serving as editor (retirement); code of ethics; and beat association.

Mallam Garba Shehu informed the house that the beat associations were actually outlawed 16 years ago when he was the President of the guild. Ray Ekpu corroborated this, saying similar step was taken in 2002 by the NPAN’.

And because of inadequate time to examine these issues dispassionately and exhaustively, the need to tinker with template of the yearly event which was inaugurated in 2004 with Osun State government under Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as governor hosting the

maiden edition was canvassed openly on Saturday. The thinking was that from the next edition in 2014, critical issues affecting the media industry must be thoroughly examined along side issues of national importance.

The Guild was strongly urged to begin to focus more on how to uplift the profession and media industry, and reduce the involvement of government officials who, obviously, had heavy presence in the just concluded edition tagged, Asaba 2013.

But the government involvement had its positive impact in the area of support in cash and kind that was mobilised for the success of the gathering. In fact, the Guild’s president, Mr. Femi Adesina could not hide his satisfaction saying that the subsequent hosting of the conference will be judged by ‘Asaba Standard’.

OU see the dilemma now, for two days, “Y government officials such as Ministers, Governors, and DGs of agencies had been talking to us, now that we are discussing industry issues, we are constrained with inadequate time! We do not need these ministers, these DGs. We should pay attention to things that are critical to our profession. These people do not respect us any more because of the behaviour of some of us (editors), they see us as just going around to collect money. With that perception, why should they respect us? Some of us who had served as officials of the Guild kept away from NGE activities because it derailed and attention was not being paid to critical issues,” a very top journalist had lamented during the hot debate.

He counseled the leadership of the Guild to take the lead in the process of professional reengineering that the industry is urgently required at the moment.

Except the discussion on retirement tagged ‘Life after the Chair, The Editors’ Colloquium’ featuring three distinguished journalists: Mallam Garba Shehu, Mike Awoyinfa, and Dimgba Igwe sharing their experiences, other issues generated very hot debate and two camps suddenly emerged, pro and anti subject matter of the debate.

On the code of ethics which was approved since 1988 in Ilorin, Kwara State, the concensus was that the document was long over due for a review, but that the on-going review exercise being undertaken by the UNDP in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and input from NGE and other stakeholders should be subjected to further discussion under the umberalla of Nigerian Press Organisation comprising the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), NUJ, NGE, and probably other stakeholders such as Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Media NGOs. With respect to NPC which had had, according to Ray Ekpu, “turbulent history”, the house agreed that the structure that the ombudsman should take need to be critically debated and concensus reached among stakeholders.

It is glaring from the submissions by senior journalists such as Ray Ekpu; Managing Director of The Guardian, Emeka Izeze; immediate past president of the Guild, Gbenga Adefaye among others that misgiving and distrust still exist among media stakeholders and government officials who promoting a renewed NPC that is acceptable to all and sundry. The Executive Secretary of the Council, Bayo Atoyebi had set the tone for discussion with a presentation on what could be tagged: NPC, the journey so far.

If debate on review of code of ethics and NPC was hot, the beat association generated more heat. It was roundly observed that the development had not only become a cartel, it is now eroding the integrity and credibility of the profession, hence the need to find a lasting solution to it. There were also comments on the inability of some owners to fulfil their obligations to their workers such as irregular payment of salary and other welfare issues.

Ted Iwere moderated the session and the wide

From left - Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State on arrival to the Day Two of 9th Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference, which ended at the weekend in Asaba, Delta State

Cross section of editors during the opening ceremony of the 9th Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference

From left - Mr. Ismila Futua; Publisher of Vanguard, Mr. Sam Amuka and Publisher of ThisDay, Chief Nduka Ogbegbana during the opening ceremony of the 9th Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference.

PHOTOS: HENRY UNINI applause that ushered him out of the stage reflected satisfaction by the editors of how he handled the session.

With ‘Nigeria Beyond Oil: The Role of The Editor’ as theme, the four-day conference ended on a resounding note last night with decoration of 10 personalities as Fellows, while 57 editors were newly inducted. The new

fellows are Gbenga Adefaye, John Ndukauba, Bayo Atoyebi, Jide Adebayo, Segun Babatope, Olusegun Aribike, Bonnie Iwuoha, Folu Olamiti, Modibo Kawu and Buki Ponle.

Editor, The Guardian on Sunday, Ogbodo Abraham Ogbodo was among the newly inducted members.

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THe GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

‘Why image building should not be about campaigns’ Stories By Gbenga Salau VeRY person wants to be seen from a posie tive perspective; the same goes for nations.

This is why many countries around the world make intensive efforts to project themselves and sometimes strategically communicate to shape people’s perception about how they should be seen.

Countries in Africa are also not left out this branding or image-building drive. Many have always claimed that African countries are usually not painted in the right light across the globe, especially by foreign media. To them, African countries are always seen from the dark side and only the bad is reported, projected and communicated in developed climes and by international media outside of Africa.

And because communication is critical to the survival of human beings, some have argued than man only exists because he can communicate. This is why many have also maintained that for Africa to take its rightful place and be rightly perceived in the comity of nations, it must engage in strategic communication with the rest of the world.

While Africans and even some foreigners have repeatedly said that African counties are being deliberately painted in black by foreign media, there had been coordinated efforts on the part of African leaders to counter or rightly project their countries’ image. Some stakeholders are of the view that though African countries are not rightly perceived in developed climes, its leaders and their manner of governance have contributed greatly to the battered image countries in Africa attract elsewhere.

Nigeria is one of such countries that have made attempts to positively project its image, with projects such as the Heart of Africa and Good People, Great Nation duly employed. Only a recently Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation added a new one, Fascinating Nigeria to rebrand the tourism sector.

However, there are questions from different quarters on why Nigeria should yet again embark on another effort image projection considering that such undertakings in the past on image laundering did not yield any positive result. The Guardian sought the opinions of some stakeholders on how the country could positively build its image.

Chief executive Officer, Caristas Communication, Mr. Adedayo Ojo, maintained that in trying to positively project Nigeria, the primary thing ought to be, ‘what is it exactly that the country wants to achieve?’

In his view, it would be too generic to say the nation should just be branded.

Ojo posited, “The essence is that branding a nation should not just be a generic approach at just publicity. We need to break it down into molecules of each sector and what has been done and these are the stories we have to tell and they should be experiences that can be felt.

“This is because when we begin the campaign about the good in Nigeria those who talk about it need to have proof and evidence, otherwise it will just come across as if it is a lie. It is something that should be methodical, not gimmick. If it is gimmick, it is going to fall flat and that would not be a successful effort.

“For instance, if we want to promote tourism, then we need to first of all tackle the issue of tourist sites so that people can have a positive experience there comparable to what people experience in Kenya or South Africa. We cannot, for instance, begin to say, ‘come to Nigeria to experience tourism’; there ought to be something on the ground first.

“So, it is necessary to lay the building blocks before the campaign. If we want to promote Nigeria, there is a lot of work to be done”.

Ojo, however, argues that to make the whole process succeed, it would take the commitment of all Nigerians, with everybody playing a role and not those in government alone, adding, “And it starts from the vendor who sells newspaper, who will occasionally put yesterday’s newspapers among the bunch he gives to somebody and he sells it as if it is that day’s newspaper, to the taxi driver, who has no courtesy, the policeman who is asking for a bribe. It is not just the politician or civil servants. And that is why agencies that are charged with national orientation have a lot to do. Unfortunately, it does not seem that they are doing a lot.

“So the first thing has to be orientation of the people. If you take your mind back to several years ago, when Buhari and Idiagbon were in government, over a few months, it became very clear that Nigerians can comport themselves in public by queuing and people taking their turns. If we do that then we can do it again.

“We need to empower institutions like

Maku

Apiati National Orientation Agency and fund them and get competent people to be there. On top of that, the leadership has to give good example.

There is disconnect when, for instance, a senator legitimately earns $1.5 million a year and a university professor earns ten percent of that.

There is some disequilibrium in that. And both are supposed to be public servants. These are the things we should be looking at”.

In his view, it’s the commitment of the average Nigerian that will make the process successful and that it should starts from the family because the family makes up the society; every family ought to have minimum acceptable standards of moral behaviour, saying, “And when children know that certain things cannot be done, they act according to the moral standards and propagate those standards which begin to build up gradually”.

He is of the belief that having a changed orientation and mindset are critical ingredients, noting, “I do not think that the problem with Nigeria is that the people that we have in the National Assembly are thieves. I do not think

that today if you remove the 109 Senators and we randomly pick another hundred people that they will do better. What is wrong is our attitude, our worldview, our national orientation; we all have to change. And that is why I talked about starting from the unit that makes up society - the family.

“But we need a strong leadership that is committed to doing those things and building public institutions, because it is not about an individual. So, even without spending money on branding and publicity, if things are changing in Nigeria, if you can get contract done, bid for contract without knowing anybody, do quality work, with time the story will get around and that is the story that builds a brand”.

Managing Consultant, Brandville Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade observed that there is need to renew Brand Nigeria noting that in its present form Nigeria has not attained the status of a brand – weak or strong.

“The truth is that Nigeria has never been developed into a “Nation Brand” in the true

and professional sense of this expression. The erstwhile “Heartbeat of Africa” project did not come across as a serious attempt at “Nation Branding”. It was simply a process of chest beating without any substance to support it.

“To many, in and out of the country, Nigeria has not lived up to expectations. Many have described it as the consistent failure of Leadership at every conceivable level. Whilst this may be true to some extent, I believe the problem really lies with the citizenry.

“There is therefore a lot to say in support of the Nigeria Re-Branding initiative. However, in its management wemust be as professional as possible. Our focus should be on the creation of a veritable “Brand Nigeria” that must come across as a monolithic identity without any of the current negative associations. We should seize the opportunity it offers to create an eldorado with values and value systems that can be leveraged to launch us into the league of top 20 industrialised and respected nations by year 2020.”

Akingbade also suggested behavioural and attitudinal change in a way people will respect the country and its citizens.

“Coming up with a campaign slogan upfront without having a platform to make that kind of communication, then the image is being built on nothing. They should get a marketing expert to advise them. A branding exercise is not just a naming ceremony. In branding Nigeria, we should look at where we are at the moment, there should be what is called a competitive context, then where we ought and want to be. And we do not start communicating it until we develop the things that could make us be called good people, great nation.

“A branding exercise is a holistic exercise, so you cannot do it without people, the face of any nation are the citizens of that nation. You can shout good people, great nation, but if my behaviour and yours does not support that slogan, it becomes a laughing stock of the international community. You go to places that are not as rich as Nigeria, they do not talk about power failure, how can we say we are great.”

For Chairman, Lagos State Council, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Mr. Joseph Okonmah, to make a success of any process would demand Nigerians voluntarily buy-into the Brand Nigeria project. Adding, “The enduring and internalized values will have to be imbibed in a way that every Nigerian will be a brand ambassador. NIPR, which has the mandate to drive such project, has to occupy the centre stage. More commitment is also required of governmental agencies saddled with the responsibility to brand Nigeria.”

Former Vice-Chairman of NIPR, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe, said that there are Nigerians all over the world who make the country proud, the government should use their influence and capability to brand Nigeria well noting that no nation can be great when his people are abandoned.

A body working towards building a better image for Nigeria is I-Nigerian Campaign, an arm under The Renaissance Project. Its National Coordinator, Mrs. Ada Stella Apiafi, recently said Nigerians must speak about the positive things in the country, and be proud of them rather than insist on the negativities. According to her, though negative things are present, and even more prevalent in other climes, but they are not often screamed on the front pages of papers.

The I-Nigerian boss said because Nigerians are by nature very vocal about everything, especially about their country – for good or for bad, it is therefore necessary to transpose the people’s minds such that the stories that are told of Nigeria give the country a ‘new’ name that reflects some ‘new order’ among Nigerians themselves.

“Whether in government or out of government, we are all Nigerians that should promote Nigeria. There are commendable initiatives from the government and the private sector.”

ADVAN Marketing excellence Awards holds October 26 DVeRTISeRS Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) A has fixed its third Marketing excellence Award ceremony for October 26, 2013 at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. Announcing the details for the award in Lagos last week, Chairman, Organising Committee, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti, said the heart of ADVAN Awards was to acknowledge and reward marketing professionals that have made outstanding contributions to the marketing profession. She promised that the award would truly be a celebration of hard work and ingenuity.

She listed award categories to deserving professionals to include Consumer Insights; Corporate Social Responsibility; experiential; Consumer Promotions; New Brand of the yearproduct and service; Digital marketing; Brand of the year; Innovation of the year-product and

service; Campaign of the year; Brand Manager of the year and Marketing professional of the year.

According to her, a panel of marketing and communications specialists would evaluate entries that would be received by September 20, the closing date for submission of entries.

Unlike past editions where only members of ADVAN were eligible to submit entries, she said that non-members of ADVAN could submit entries but must engage in marketing and marketing communications to be eligible.

“In the former editions of ADVAN Award, the selection process was based solely on the merit of entries sent in by participants without third party authentication. This year, ADVAN has upped the game. AC Neilson, an independent market research organization, will partner with ADVAN to validate entries received and ensure a

transparent selection process. In addition, other marketing services agencies will also be working with the judges to ensure authentic verification process and substantiate claims of entries received,” Ifaturoti said.

On creating a category for marketing communication or brand journalists, she promised to get back to the committee and convinced them on the need to create one for journalists since they were partners in progress.

Members of the Award Committee, besides Ifaturoti, are Dele Anifowoshe––Marketing Director, Kraftfoods Nigeria Plc; Mr. Onyekachi Onubogu– Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd; Mrs. Bukunola Ogunnusi– PR and Advert Manager Toyota Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Arafat Manliki– Media Planning Manager MTNNigeria.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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Interview ‘Why MDGs will not develop Nigeria, other African countries’ In building Africa of tomorrow, we need to have a vision and to define our dream for our continent...

Less than three years to the envisaged realisation of targets of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a group of key stakeholders in Africa recently met in Cape Town, South Africa, to review the gains of the continent from the scheme.

At the two-day policy research seminar entitled, ‘Achieving the Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa,’ the Executive Director of Canadian Institute for Development Research and Strategic Studies on Africa, Montreal, Canada and Chief Executive Officer, Congolese Institute for Development Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Prof.

Mbaya Justin Kankwenda, was at the forefront of those who called for a new developmental initiative for African growth vision and future.

Kankwenda, a former Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, presented the keynote address. He shocked participants at the seminar as he asserted that due to the manifest limitations and inadequacies of the MDGs, including the uneven achievements recorded in countries and regions of Africa, the continent must revisit the entire architecture of the agenda to reflect Africa’s experience and future.

In an interview with The Guardian’s BOLA OLAJUWON, he defended why he took such a drastic position despite being a former top official of the UN. On his appraisal of current MDGs E are invited here by the Centre for Conflict Resolution to look at the MDGs as a global development agenda, progress that has been achieved in implementing this agenda – the MDGs development agenda and the strengths and weaknesses of this agenda as far as Africa is concerned as well as the failure and prospects at a time when the UN family and the international community is in the process of designing or looking at post-2015 agenda.

This morning when I was delivering the keynote address, my first point was very normal basic question. I asked, ‘if Africa were to achieve the seven MDGs - since the eighth is basically a goal for the donor community - can we frankly say that Africa then will become a developed country?’ Everybody in the room said no. Therefore, if our experience of MDGs, from the African perspective, concludes that achieving the MDGs does not transform Africa to become a developed country, I conclude we were not on the right track when it comes to building the Africa of tomorrow.

In building Africa of tomorrow, we need to have a vision and to define our dream for our continent, the certain transformation that it requires and to see how not only we can achieve the eight MDGs but redefine the MDGs to fit into such strategy to implement our vision, with the social transformation we need. So, my message this morning was not only to analyse the MDGs, how it came into Africa. Afterall, the UN has been doing a lot for Africa - championing a number of development initiatives for Africa. But this is a new shift which is not specifically designed for Africa but for developing world as a whole. We called it MDGs. We are certainly in the same boat, changing the name and changing the concept. But it is a way to get African leaders to believe that it is a common feature for the world. And this common feature is within the creed of globalisation system.

W

Since the continent or countries are making progress. If Africa is lagging behind, let us give them time to achieve them. We hope that they will achieve it. The second scenario is to reformulate the MDGs, taking into account the new international context. Let us reform the MDGs to have the MDGs-plus. That also means that we do not address the root causes of our problems. So, we continue to access the social consequences. We may even come out with not eighth MDGs but with 10th MGDs

Kankwenda And they think that we can achieve these MDGs, which are about the social consequences of past and ongoing international policies. The eighth MDG questions this strategy. How can we then just address the consequences and not the root causes? So, Africa must first of all get out of that.

The other scenario is the process of looking at the post-2015 agenda. One is to keep maintaining the eighth MDGs the way they are, saying that for we in Africa the whole international community has invested so much in designing this MDGs, and that we need more time.

Since the continent or countries are making progress. If Africa is lagging behind, let us give them time to achieve them. We hope that they will achieve it. The second scenario is to reformulate the MDGs, taking into account the new international context. Let us reform the MDGs to have the MDGs-plus. That also means that we do not address the root causes of our problems. So, we continue to access the social consequences. We may even come out with not eighth MDGs but with 10th MGDs. Even with that too, we are not out of our situations.

I then said no. Since everybody agreed that we might not achieve the eighth MDGs even the 10th MDGs, we just continue to address the social consequences not the causes.

The third scenario is not to maintain or reformulate but to revise the whole architecture.

And I have been preaching this morning for this third scenario. If the MDGS is only dealing with the social consequences but not necessarily the root causes, first let us design the Africa of our dream. NEPAD has been a way of telling donors let us build a new partnership.

But a new partnership around what? What

kind of dream for Africa. That is not in the NEPAD. Let us come up with other institution to build our vision of Africa of tomorrow. Not only through the way we want it to become, but also interms of its voice, its place on the international chessboard. What Africa do we want to be? Let us think on that, not as leaders but in a consensual way. In a consensual approach with all the development partners, that include the civil society. It should be part of the process, the dream of this Africa’s future. With the private sector, let us sit together and think. But to achieve this, we need leaders who can listen to us, who can sit with us. Who can give us a voice to say something? The decision-makers too have to listen to us. They have to associate with us. The new approach has to have an inclusive process.

Secondly, to have a vision, a dream of Africa of tomorrow, what are the requirements, what are the prerequisite in terms of political, economic and social dimension of it?

Number three, how do we operationalise that? Who are the actors, who can be associated with? It is not just going to be a dream, hoping that this will happen with the support of some goodwill from donors. It is only on that basis that we have to address the root causes.

Therefore, the way the MDGs are designed now, we are just somewhere ahead and we are not touching the root causes.

On how idea of globalisation destroys Africa.

Globalisation is not only an idea, it is the current situation. The world economy is under the leadership of some big countries and transnational companies. It has been like that during the colonial period. Now, it is a reality.

We are involved. We have embarked on this

new ship. Liberal globalisation, which is not the liberal one. The market-led liberalsation.

We have embarked on this ship and then, our leaders thought it is the right way. Not only they think, but they are the driving force for the liberalisation. Our leaders are tied and are ready to tie, to accept our country and economy through this. We need to stop one day and to say look, where are we coming from? What are we aiming at? We need one day to stop and question the ship and the direction. And those leading forces are the kingmakers - all of them get positions in one way or the other.

So, they don’t question the way Africa has boarded on the ship and they don’t question the direction of the ship.

Therefore, African media, social movement think-tanks and other forces – political, economic and socio-cultural forces - have to stop one day and say, ‘look where are we going?

Where are we coming from? What lessons have we learnt from where we are coming from? Are we really on the right track?’ Taking into consideration our dreams of what we want to become on the world chessboard.

Our people’s expectations and their hopes.

Let us question that. Our leaders have not been able to do that. Because they are people who are products of some external kingmakers. Let us have genuine kingmakers.

We have another role to play. And this is to create a political developmental leadership that is committed to Africa, to its people. If Africa has to implement any vision which is a developmental one, it has not to maintain, not to reformulate, but to revise the whole MDGs architecture for the post-2015 global development Agenda. Not only to say it, but to come up with concrete proposals. We are ready to do it with the CCR and other African development think-tanks, we can get together. Not necessarily through a meeting, but we can get together through different ways.”

The world economy is under the leadership of some big countries and transnational companies. It has been like that during the colonial period. Now, it is a reality. We are involved. We have embarked on this new ship.

Liberal globalisation, which is not the liberal one. The market-led liberalsation. We have embarked on this ship and then, our leaders thought it is the right way. Not only they think, but they are the driving force for the liberalisation

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

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For TheRecord Programme evaluation: Back to the future (5) ageing issues within a ministry. The response of Nigeria to the declaration, I want to believe, is the Old People Bill of 2009.

By Oluwayemisi Obashoro-John Continued from Friday, August 23, 2013 Impact of women’s work on the quality of life of the family (2007) T investigated the impact of low class women’s work on the quality of family life in urban and rural women’s occupations. It looked at the time of departure from, and arrival at home; presence and absence of parents when children left for, or returned from school; feeding patterns, sharing responsibilities, care givers in the absence of parents and effects of work on family.

Learners’ perception of an ideal Adult Education Facilitator (2007) T he paper found out the perceptions of adult learners on the ideal adult learners facilitator. It looked at the facilitators’ expected personality traits, intellectual behaviour, and instructional methods usage level and interactive styles. Age and educational background of learners were found to affect their perceptive: Personal traits– Friendly, respectful, good listeners, strong character, empathetic and not emotional.

Intellectual–Versatile, knowledge of psychology of adults, knowledge of how adults learn and distinguishing adult learning from children teaching. Instructional method and interactive styles–Present learning materials clearly, available for consultations, democratic class atmosphere, allow self evaluation, give feedback, organize lesson, logically, make learning materials available.

Characteristics of an effective teacher: Implications for adult education (2009) It attempted to establish how an effective teacher could be measured, i.e. the distinguishing qualities of an effective teacher. It provided these characteristics as perceived by teachers, educators, adult educators, inspectors of education and learners. The following were considered - learners achievements, teachers personal qualities, ability to carry out the multiple roles of the teacher, responsiveness to learners needs and ability to enable learners achieve their goals.

Aspect and criteria for successful education within the social context of Adult Education in Nigeria (2011) The highest purpose of education is not only to train learners for specific roles but to help them gain sufficient understanding of the meaning of their lives–sensitivity to other people. The paper highlighted awareness on how the average urban slum dwellers respond to and participates in Adult Education; how adult education contributes to the attainment of specific roles and successful education. It also identified the processes necessary for successful education.

This exploration into programme evaluation led me to Nairobi, Kenya in 2001 for a two-week training on Programme Evaluation organized by the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). The dividend of that encounter is my book titled Evaluation in Adult Education (2004). The content among others includes Conceptual Clarifications of Evaluation; Programme Evaluation Types, Models and Approaches of Monitoring and Participatory Evaluation. It highlights practice problems in developing countries with special reference to the Nigerian setting; it examines Indicators and Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) tools. It also discusses what to look out for when commissioned to carry out evaluative studies and captures terms of reference, scope of work and report writing.

My work on vulnerable groups, Adult Education and Vulnerable Groups in the Social Change Process (2007), examined the social change process, the position of the powerless, voiceless and helpless– women, older persons, handicap in terms of treatment received from society, contributions they think they can make to family life and nation building, their expectation from society, needs and educational programmes were suggested.

This study opened my eyes to older persons in the Nigerian society. Thereafter, personal rather than academic interests threw me into the field of Applied Gerontology. Three books are the immediate evidence of this. They are: Caring for Older Persons (2007) Ageing Gracefully (2010) Successful Retirement (2012) The passion has grown to a full-fledged charity organization – Oluwayemisi Obashoro Foundation (OLOF) - that cares solely for older persons,

Old People Bill In 2009, the Old People’s Bill was passed in the Senate. It states that, efforts will be directed at ...providing basic welfare and recreational facilities for the old; maintaining and protecting rights of older persons, as well as stimulating consciousness towards attainment of higher levels of development and activity for older persons in Nigeria and the establishment of the National Centre for the Elderly Persons.

We may consider this as a move in the right direction. The issue is, how far has it gone since the bill was passed? By a quick show of hands, my esteemed audience, kindly indicate your awareness of this bill, whether passed or not.

How many Nigerians, young and old, are aware of the existence of the bill? What is the place of the would-be beneficiaries? What is the role of our children–younger generation in it? What does it offer the generations of the future?

With regard to old people policy and issues, as Nigeria’s ageing population increases, there is a need for improved information and analysis of demography. Sufficient knowledge is essential to assist policy makers define, formulate and evaluate goals and programmes as well as raise public awareness, enlighten people and mobilise support for needed policy (Obashoro, 2011). Policy programmes and services have to be formulated and developed on age integrated theories. It is expected that such a policy would be grounded on the education, health, family, leisure and work needs of the people within the context of adult education.

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Obashoro-John holds an annual lecture to discuss issues of older persons and a radio programme (Retirees Today) on Unilag Radio 103.1 fm.

My sojourn of eight months in the University of North Texas, Denton – Texas, USA in the Department of Sociology and Applied Gerontology, further exposed me to contemporary global ageing issues. Among these issues are: ageing population, demographic shifts, increased role of grand-parents, urbanization, ageing workforce, global economic trends and state policies (Obashoro, 2011). The questions that come to mind are: how will Nigeria cope with her ageing population and demographic shifts especially now when we have ‘sold’ our children to foreign lands? Do we have ageing policies and accompanying action plans? How will you, as an individual, manage your life in old age after donating your offspring to better living conditions and the high points of globalization? How will the ageing population adjust to the ageing process and its attendant issues without the traditional support of the younger generation who are now in Diaspora? What preparations do we have for future generations on learning to live longer healthy and fulfilled lives?

You will agree with me that the extended family system that catered for children and older persons has broken down. The decimated family structure is pushing us to the idea of Old People’s Homes. This trend in favour of care homes, foundations or centres to cater for the seniors’ needs is originally not an African idea. This option is not the solution, especially as developed economies are beginning to seek ways for community care and “ageing in place” strategies - rather than institutionalized care.

Everyone is aware of the fact that old age comes with aches and pains, and physical wasting away that culminates into eventual death. We need to pay attention to the things we have to give up and those to build, keep and improve on. Our senses and strength may begin to fail; illnesses and infirmities, boring days and long nights may be experienced, and then we may forget the good sides and joys of growing old.The joy and happiness of growing old can be taught, learned and acquired.

In agreement with Maria de Hennezel (2012),

we can learn to be positive, to look at life’s good side at the age of sixty, even if we did not acquire this attitude in childhood. We can learn to challenge our negative thoughts, develop positive thinking and have right attitudes, only if we accept personal, physiological social, economic, technological and environmental transfor-mations, without clinging to outmoded patterns and thinking. While individuals need to comprehend the roles of the seniors in our society, State authority needs to make provisions for policy stands to shield older persons.

Ageing Policy In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing was held in Madrid, Spain. The meeting addressed challenges of population ageing and adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

The Madrid Plan focused on mainstreaming older people in development, advancing health and well-being into old age, among many other issues.

It calls for changes in attitudes, policies and practices, which will ensure that older persons are viewed as active participants in the development process of their nations. Ten priority actions were highlighted to guide Member States to develop national policies and programmes. Three of these are particularly relevant to our discussion now.

They are: Recognise the inevitability of population ageing and the need to adequately prepare all stakeholders (governments, civil society, private sector, communities and families) for the growing numbers of older persons.

Support communities and families to develop support systems which ensure that frail older persons receive the long-term care they need and promote active and healthy ageing at the local level to facilitate ageing in place.

Invest in young people today by promoting healthy habits and ensuring education and employment opportunities, access to health services to improve the lives of future generations.

Available data show that in the whole of Africa, only Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda have adopted national policies on ageing. Of these, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania have evidence of budget allocations. Cameroun, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda have either established specialized bodies or have included

Ageing Education: Programme for our future In 1950, there were 205 million persons aged 60 and over in the world. Current data (UNFPA, 2012) reveal that across the world, over 810 million people are over 60years old, nearly an eighth of the global population. This will rise to 1 billion within a decade and 2 billion by 2050. Key facts on Africa show that, currently, there are 59.7million people aged 60years and over, representing 6 per cent of the population in Africa. By 2050, there will be 215million older people, representing 10 per cent of the regional population.

Figures on Nigeria show that in 2012, 5.3% of the population were aged 60+. By 2050, it will be 7.4% of the population. For 80+ in 2012, it was 0.4%; by 2025, it will be 0.6% of the population (Global AgeWatch, 2012).

In 2012, 5 million people in Africa were aged 80 or over. This will increase to 22.5million by 2050. On the average, a man aged 60 years can expect to live another 16 years, while a woman can expect to live another 18 years. Among those aged 80 or over, there are seven men per 10 women. The number and proportion of older people is increasing in all countries despite the impact of the HIV epidemic. The life expectancy gap between women and men is three years, with women having a life expectancy at birth of 59 and men of 56 years.

While the majority (82 per cent) of older men is married, only about half of older women have a spouse alive.

These figures have implications for access to health facilities, and other basic requirements for a relatively good quality of life. No doubt the African family ties of the past still remains strong, but the extended family system and the traditional intergenerational support systems show significant changes. According to an African proverb, “When the rhythm of the drumbeat changes, the corresponding dance steps also change”. The emergence of the term “ageing education” indicates that the rhythm of the drumbeat in the area of lifespan education is changing and Nigeria must be aware of this and move with the beats and dance steps (Obashoro, 2012). We should not climb the tree of ageing from the top. Let us start at the early years of life via ageing education, knowledge distribution and according older persons due recognition.

TO BE CONTINUED

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THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Sports Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifier

‘Saintfiet is playing a dangerous game’

By Christian Okpara FFICIALS of the Super Eagles say Malawi Coach, Tom Saintfiet has taken his kind games with the Nigerian technical crew too far by accusing Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, of racism.

Saintfiet recently accused Keshi of racism, alleging that the Super Eagles’ chief coach called him a “white dude who should go back home.”

The Belgian had complained that Calabar, venue of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi next month, is not safe, and urged FIFA to move the game to another place.

Saintfiet has now threatened that his lawyers would report Keshi to FIFA and possibly begin legal action against the Nigerian coach for the alleged racist comments.

But an official of the Super Eagles yesterday accused Saintfiet of trying to create enmity between Nigeria and Malawi, as well as Belgium by his ‘outrageous claims.’

The official, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian “initially, we dismissed Saintfiet’s utterances as one of those things coaches do to psyche their teams up and unsettle their opponents.

“But he has taking these thing too far by claiming that Keshi has racially abused him. It is unacceptable to us and I think he must be called to order.

“Our worry is that those, who do not know Keshi could be tempted to believe he actually racially abused Saintfiet. That is wrong.”

Praying that Saintfiet would

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make real his threat to go to FIFA with his grievances, the officials said the Eagles were waiting for the Malawi coach to prove that Keshi actually abused him.

“I thin Saintfiet doesn’t know Keshi hence he chose the part he is threading.

“Where was he when Keshi was made captain of Anderletch and Moleenbeck in the Belgian league? This is the same Keshi, who was the captain of Strasbourg of France when he moved to Ligue 1. He was also the captain of his side in the U.S. when the MLS kicked off in the late 1990s.

“In all these teams, nobody accused Keshi of racism and just because we have a game against Malawi somebody is saying that Keshi is racist.

“Saintfiet’s utterances is becoming worrisome because if he is not saying that Nigeria is not safe, he is accusing Keshi of racism.

Who knows what he would say the next time.

“He is insulting Nigeria and complaining that Nigeria is abusing him, all in one fell swoop.”

The official, who said Saintfiet’s comments have made the Eagles more determined to disgrace Malawi on the pitch, he added, “we beat Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and South Africa and he thinks Malawi will beat us if he makes outrageous claims against our coach.”

The source revealed that the Super Eagles will now converge in Calabar on September 2 ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Malawi.

Super Eagles celebrating Nigeria’s defeat of South Africa to win the Mandela Challenge trophy in Durban…recently.

FIFA to decide on 2022 World Cup fate Oct. 3 IFA President, Sepp Blatter Fmittee expects his executive comto decide soon that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be switched from the searing heat of summer.

Blatter told The Associated Press yesterday that an Oct. 3, 4 meeting in Zurich should approve the change, and begin consultation on the best time for Qatar to host the tournament.

“I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in

summer in Qatar,” Blatter said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual charity football tournament in his home village. “What will be following, this would be then decided later.”

Blatter said consultations would involve leagues, clubs, national associations and players, through their international union FIFPro but he set no timetable.

Qatar’s suitability in June and July was questioned even before FIFA’s board chose it in December 2010 in a contest

English Premiership

Cardiff shocks Man City, Soldado’s penalty secures win for Tottenham RAIZER Campbell’s late Ffamous brace earned Cardiff City a and deserved 3-2 win over Manchester City as they secured their first victory in the Premier League.

The newly promoted side was full value for their victory as they came from behind to take all three points with Aron Gunnarsson’s strike and Campbell’s late brace cancelling out Edin Dzeko’s opener.

Substitute Alvaro Negredo pulled one back deep into stoppage time, but Cardiff held on to secure their first win back in England’s top flight.

Cardiff started brightly and had claims for a penalty waved away inside the opening minute when Campbell went down in the box under

pressure from Fernandinho, but referee Lee Probert ignored the home side’s claims Cardiff was showing great energy to close down Manchester City every time they got on the ball and the visitors had to wait until ten minutes before the break to produce their first shot on target when David Silva’s curling effort was easily saved by David Marshall.

Campbell had two chances to break the deadlock in the closing minutes when he got in on goal behind some hesitant Manchester City defending.

Somewhat against the run of play Manchester City broke the deadlock on 52 minutes with a super strike from Dzeko.

PHOTO: AFP.

Sergio Aguero laid the ball off to Dzeko 25 yards from goal and the Bosnian drilled in an unstoppable right-footed shot which took a slight deflection before flying past Marshall.

Cardiff responded superbly to going behind and they deservedly drew level on the hour mark with Gunnarsson scoring their first ever Premier League goal.

Kim Bo-Kyung worked his way down the right with a fine run and his cross found Campbell at the near post who saw his close-range effort brilliantly saved by the legs of Hart, but Gunnarsson was on hand to smash home the rebound and send the home fans into raptures.

Negredo set up a tense finale when he headed home

his first goal for Manchester City in injury time and Aguero had the final chance when he fired just wide in the closing seconds as Cardiff held on for a memorable victory.

At the White Hart Lane, Roberto Soldado made it four goals in three games for Tottenham, as his secondhalf penalty was enough to see off Swansea City 1-0.

The off-season arrival opened his Spurs account from the penalty spot in the opening game of the season last weekend before scoring a brace in the Europa League on Thursday, and his spot kick against the Swans was again enough to earn the three points and maintain the side’s 100 per cent start to the campaign.

with the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia However, Qatar’s World Cup organising committee has repeatedly stated its confidence in developing stadium air-cooling technology, though the committee also said it will change plans if FIFA formally requested it.

FIFA and Blatter have gradually shifted their position from previously insisting that Qatar must ask for a change - a scenario interpreted as protecting FIFA against potential legal challenges.

Now, some of the same FIFA board members, who helped choose Qatar - in a decisive 148 vote over the U.S. - are set to change the tournament hosting plan.

“Those that have taken the decision at the time, they knew there is problems with

the heat. They knew it, because it was in the (technical) report,” Blatter said. “It was wrong to say, `Now we have to play in summer,’ because in summer you cannot play there.”

“Therefore the Exco now shall take the decision - and they will take it - that in summer you can’t play in Qatar.”

Blatter has previously suggested November as a possible start for the month-long tournament while recent speculation has focused on May. A January-February slot is unlikely because of a clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Finding new dates could be led by the 27-member FIFA board in its duty to set the fixture schedule for international matches, when clubs must release their players to national teams.

ARS 3: Port Harcourt conquers Nigeria double victory for the ItheTPortwas Harcourt contingent to National Championship of the season three of the Airtel Rising Stars National U17 Tournament as their male and female teams emerged winners.

The South South teams defeated their counterparts from Ibadan in the final matches played at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos yesterday.

In the female match, defending champion, Port Harcourt emerged 2-1 winners over their opponents from Ibadan. Action had started with play concentrated in the mid-field as the two teams struggled earlier in the game.

Port Harcourt, however, recorded the first corner of the match and a goalmouth scramble in the 9th minute, but nothing came out of both.

Incursions into the Ibadan vital area were becoming too many, and they paid for this when Edore Agbude beat goalkeeper Abubakar Ajimoh in the 20th minute to put the Port Harcourt team ahead.

The goal spurred on the South south team as they began the second but it was Ibaddan’s Joy Falegon eho got the equaliser.

As it appeared the game might be decided on penalty kicks, John Imeh Obong drove home a long range effort that beat badly-positioned Ajimoh.

76 | SPORTS

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

Excited Mikel looks forward to great Nigeria Pitch Awards IGERIA and Chelsea FC of N England midfield lynchpin, John Mikel Obi, has spo-

Mihai Bobocia of Italy in one of the foreign players at the Lagos International Table Tennis Championship, which main draw serves off today.

Lagos International Table Tennis Classics: Battle for N6.5m prize money begins HE battle for the N6.5m at T stake in the first Lagos International Table Tennis Classics begins today at Molade Okoya-Thomas sports hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)/ Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF)-approved tournament has players from Egypt, Italy, Lithuania, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Russia in attendance.

Current Africa Champion, Omar Assar, Italy’s Mihai Bobocica and the Congo Brazzaville’s team led by Nigeria-born Saka Suraju had their first training session

yesterday at the venue with most of them vowing to upstage Nigeria at the tournament.

Segun Toriola and Funke Oshonaike will lead Team Nigeria while other members in the team are Aruna Quadri, Ojo Onaolapo and Kazeem Makanjuola will compete in the men’s singles. Edem Ofiong, Janet Effiom and Rasheedat Ogundele will join Oshonaike in the women draw.

According to the Chairman, MOC, Wahid Oshodi, the stage is set for the start of the championship after the successful staging of the qualifiers at the weekend.

Over 42 Nigerian players will compete in the men’s singles,

while more than 20 of them will feature in the women’s singles.

“We are fully ready as we have done everything within our reach to ensure that we provide the best facilities and we are hoping that fans will come to the venue to catch a glimpse of what they are expecting.

“This is just the beginning of good things to come and we hope our players will gain from the experience from this championship,” Oshodi stated.

The players will battle for honours in 10 events in the junior and senior categories.

Winners in the men and women singles will get N.8m and N.6m respectively while

Lagos Beach marathon has come to stay, say organisers

By Toyosi Ajayi and Patience Ozioko RGANISERS of the Lagos O Beach Marathon, which is aimed at creating awareness on the rampaging ocean scourge in the Lagos beach coastlines, say the competition has been programmed to hold annually.

The second edition of the beach marathon will hold on October 1 in commemoration of Nigeria’s 100 years as a nation.

The President of the Lagos Beach Marathon, Philip Obuesi, disclosed that the race will attract musicians, actors and comedians, adding that it would take off at Lagos Bar Beach and terminate at Lekki Beach.

He revealed that less than six weeks to the start of the centenary beach marathon in Lagos, expected runners are already scrambling for the entry forms at designated centers.

Obuesi, a human rights activist, stated that over 500 to 1000 athletes and other Nigerians are expected to participate in the beach marathon, adding, “the entry forms are free and we expect that over 1000 runners would have picked the forms by the third week of September. Only 50 athletes participated in the first edition, which was part of the plan to create awareness for the ocean scourge and cervical cancer awareness programme. But this time, the beach marathon has come to stay and would be staged annually.”

The prize money for top finisher has been raised from last year’s N75, 000.00 to N100.000.00 this year. The second placed athletes will pocket N50, 000 while the third prize will go home with the sum of N25.000.00.

There will be other consolation prizes ranging from television sets, mobile phones,

t-shirts, etc.

Aside raising awareness for the ocean scourge in Lagos, he said the race is also aimed at engaging the teeming youth of Nigeria in meaningful physical exercise, providing cervical cancer education and advocacy programme for awareness on the scourge in the nooks and crannies of the country.

Obuesi added that the beach marathon would provide a new platform for sports, recreation, tourism, entertainment, business and charity as a vehicle for peace building, become a veritable advocacy tool for the campaign for combating ocean erosion and shore line protection.

“It would also facilitate the reduction of unemployment of young people and encourage career pursuit in the tourism and sporting sector to contribute to the national development and sustainability policy,” he said.

players that make it to round of 16 of the singles event will get cash reward.

“We believe that organising this competition will help our players and expose them to other top players from other nations. We are hoping that it will be an annual event will help to improve the lot of the sport in the country,” Oshodi added.

He added that tournament is made possible by the support of the private sector and the Lagos State government.

An excited ATTF President, Khaled El-Salhy believes the staging of the tournament would give Nigeria the opportunity to host a major tournament in 2014.

His words, “ITTF/ATTF is looking to organise a brand new event next year tagged “2014 ITTF-Africa Top 16 Cup” which should be in the second half of June 2014 as qualification for ITTF World Cups next year.

We believe it will be good to start this competition in Nigeria as I am hoping for a successful 2013. I am also envisaging that the Lagos International Classics will be among the ITTF World Tour Calendar in 2014 and this is to prove to ITTF that Africa could host sanctioned events in a

ken of his excitement at the upcoming inaugural edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, which has been slated for November 17, 2013 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Last year, the Nigeria Football Federation endorsed Matchmakers Consult Limited International to stage the first-ever Nigeria football awards blessed with the full backing of the supreme governing body for the game in the country.

In November last year, the pre-event Night of Stars, designed to generate nationwide awareness for the Awards, held with resounding success at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.

Mikel Obi, perhaps the most influential player in the Super Eagles’ squad that triumphed at the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in South Africa earlier in the year, said at the weekend that he is definitely looking forward to the event.

“Awards serve as great incentives for sports people all over the world. There is no doubt that awards compensate for all the hard work all year round. Every sports person looks forward to receiving awards, which they treasure.

“The Nigeria Pitch Awards has come at the right time. I am personally looking forward to the event in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State after we must have qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

The ceremony will serve as a real gloss on our World Cup

qualification.”

The lubricator, who scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil in June, says he would be happy to pick up an award at the event.

“Of course, I will be happy to pick up an award. It will be a real delight for me and I hope it will be a great event in every sense of the word.”

The Nigeria Pitch Awards will honour stalwarts in every area of the football pitch, as well as to referees, administrators, coaches, sponsors, sports-loving State Governments and other stakeholders.

At the weekend, Chief Executive of Matchmakers Consult, Shina Philips assured that his organisation was working assiduously towards ensuring a credible and successful ceremony.

“We have laid out a transparent process that will ensure the credibility of the Awards, and as for the ceremony itself, we are leaving no stone unturned to guarantee a highly successful and colourful event. We are working with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to be able to deliver a showpiece that every Nigerian will be proud of.

“Our commitment to serving the football community a glorious event is huge. We have ploughed on all along with tremendous faith and despite all odds, and now, we are at a stage that we can boast that everything is going according to plan for us to kick-start something that will run for many, many years to

Stakeholders predict bright future, as Cargolux Squash tourney ends

By Tony Nwanne TAKEHIOLDERS in Nigerian SLagos squash, who graced the Country Club, Ikeja, at the weekend to witness the grand finale of the ninth edition of the annual Cargolux Merchant Express Squash Tournament, were of the opinion that game has a bright future in the country.

Their optimism stemmed from the high standard of the games displayed by the players, especially in the junior category, at the one-week championship.

At the end of the competition, Tunji Agbeleye of Unilag Senior Staff Club emerged champion in the Club Players Men category, beating Funmi Bamkole of Lagos Country Club 11/4, 11/9, 11/8 in an energy sapping final marked by excellent display of skills.

Agbeleye cruised to the final

Managing Director of Merchant Express Cargo Airlines (middle), Capt. Sina Akinfenwa, whose company sponsored the tournament (second left), and his wife, Chioma (left), presenting trophies to Tunji Agbeleye of Unilag Senior Staff Club, winner of the Club Player Men category of the Ninth Annual Cargolux Merchant Express Squash Tournament, which ended at the Lagos Country Club...on Saturday.

by defeating Haniel Hadison of Lagos Country Club, while Bamkole got to the final courtesy of his victory over Billy Joseph of Police College in equally tight semi-final games.

Tunde Ajagbe trounced Gbenga Adeyi 11/9, 11/9, 11/7 in another highly physical final that trilled the crowded Squash Section of the club to win the Classic category, which is meant for National Seeded players.

Ajagbe, who is currently ranked number three in Nigeria and 302 in the world, beat Sadiq Taiwo to qualify for the final, while Adeyi defeated Jude Odeh in their semi-final encounter.

Sodi Pepple of Ikoyi Club clinched the prize for the Veteran category, meant for players who are fifty years and above. He beat Mike Nwabuzor also of Ikoyi Club 8/11, 9/11, 11/6, 11/6, 11/5.

But the picks of the tournamnet were in the junior category, where Kirnan Simon of Plateau State won the Under 16 Girls, while Adebayo Kehinde of Ondo State emerged winner for the Under 19 Girls.

The Under 16 Boys category produced Abel Shadrack of Ogun State as champion and Abubakar Adamu of Niger State won the Under 19 Boys category. Funmi Bamkole was declared winner for the Closed category, which is meant for only players of the host club.

Taiwo Sanni and Taye Ige were first and second runners-up respectively.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

SPORTS 77

Orji wants Federation Cup as birthday gift to Abia State • Anyansi eyes the double From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia BIA State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji has congratulated Enyimba of Aba for qualifying for the final of the 2013 Federation Cup, while urging the team to work hard to win the trophy.

Enyimba defeated Lobi Stars by 1-0 in one of the semifinals of the competition played in Benin.

The governor urged Enyimba players and managers not to be carried away by this victory but instead, start early to prepare for the eventual victory to lift the trophy, describing Federation Cup as one replete with surprises hence they must poise for the challenges ahead.

According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ugo Emezue, Governor Orji also

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tasked the players to strive to win the trophy as a birthday gift to the people of Abia State, whose 22nd creation anniversary will be commemorated soon.

Officials of the Abia State government revealed that the governor would personally be present to cheer Enyimba to victory in Lagos in the final of the competition.

Meanwhile, Enyimba Chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu is eager for the team to complete a league and cup double this term, as well as secure a CAF Champions League spot.

The ‘People’s Elephant’ are well placed in the Nigeria Professional Football League as they sit third on the table with 42 points from 26 matches, and only one point

adrift of the leaders, Kano Pillars.

“Getting to the final of the Federation Cup is not an easy feat so for that, I must congratulate the players,” Anyansi told SuperSport.

“However, there is still work to be done so the players must continue to work hard till they win the trophy.”

He added, “for a club like Enyimba, second place is never good enough. Our fans are used to titles and that is what we intend to achieve in the league.

“We have had our trying moments, just like all clubs do, when we went for a few seasons without winning any title.

“Now the good times are back. Remember, we remain the first and only Nigerian club to have won the CAF Champions League.

Hopefully, Champions League football will return to Aba from next year and we will make our mark on the continent again.”

Enyimba’s Sokari Kingsley (right) battles with Nasarawa United’s Baba Idris during their Federation Cup quarterfinal game in Abeokuta.

Enyimba will meet Warri Wolves in the final of the competition in Lagos…on September 15. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI.

70 basketballers set for Ejike Ugboaja U.S.A summer camp From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja TOTAL of 70 Nigerian basA ketball players have been selected for the seventh edi-

Mark Mentors’ Jean Ellong (centre) going for a dunk against Niger Potters during their DStv Basketball Savannah Conference Final at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Abuja. The Ejike Ugboaja Foundation is taking 70 Nigerian players to a camp in the US.

Benue, Ondo want to host 2013 FEPSGA Games • FEPSGA honours Akpabio, Mimiko, others From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja WO states, Benue and Ondo, have indicated interest to host the 2013 edition of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), according the FEPSGA President, Victor Orji.

Orji told journalists at the 2012 post games dinner and award ceremony in Abuja on Friday, that the governors of the two states have given their word that they would host the Nigerian public servants, adding that the FEPSGA executive would soon meet to decide which of the contending states to award the hosting right.

He noted that the award ceremony was to honour some state governors, philanthropists and athletes, who made the 2012 FEPSGA Games successful, adding that it was also an opportunity to launch the association’s transport and building scheme in Abuja.

The FEPSGA president, however, said the sports club (FEPSGA) was yet to finalise the logistics of hosting the 2013 edition of the games because of the interest shown by various states.

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“In fact, other states came that they want to host the games. The Head of Service of Ondo State said the governor has accepted to host the games, but that he will want to meet with us to know the logistics. The meeting will determine whether we will allow Ondo to host this year or keep their request for 2014.”

The FEPSGA boss revealed that Benue was delaying in giving its final approval because of Governor Gabriel Suswam’s involvement in the negotiation between the Federal Government and University lecturers.

“Benue has agreed to host, but it is just that the governor has not been around to append his signature. He has approved of the hosting and also made a position paper after we sent a proposal. But the governor is busy now with the ASUU/FG negotiation, if not, arrangements would have been concluded.

“But I think we will be going to Makurdi for the 2013 games,” he assured.

tion of the Ejike Ugboaja basketball summer camp in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

The players, who are billed to depart for the United States on Wednesday for the camp sponsored by the Ejike Ugboaja Foundation, are expected to train in the US for 12 days with officials of some NBA teams monitoring them for possible recruitment and scholarships to study and play in the country.

Addressing that successful players at the weekend in Abuja, coordinator of the trip and Cleveland basketball team former player, Ejike Ugboaja urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the United States, warning them to ensure that they worked hard for a future in the game by being signed on by NBA teams.

The former national team player said he decided to sponsor the players to give back to the society what he benefited from the game, stressing that apart from his

contributions to the society, he wants to better the lots of the players, as according to him, “playing basketball in Nigeria holds no future for any player.”

He said, “we have about 70 players embarking on this trip to USA and the departure is on August 28. The camp starts the next day. The reason I want to expose them is that it is an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. Having played from the grassroots to the highest level, I know what it takes to expose the players to a bright opportunity.

“I saw how we were treated while playing the game in Nigeria. If I had continued to play the game in Nigeria, I would have retired playing

basketball as nobody. I had promised myself that having seen all that happened to basketball players in the country, I will take it upon myself to change the fortune of others.

“Most families didn’t allow their children to play basketball especially in the basketball league in Nigeria because it holds no future for those players. I decided to help the young ones since nobody is doing it. A basketball player could finish his career and become somebody looking for food on the street.

“About 110 persons have succeeded through this project and I am hoping that many out of these 70 persons would also secure the scholarship

and further their academics.

“About 400 players attended the screening but only these few are selected. They have 12 days to spend in USA, playing basketball and enjoying themselves. I am happy that getting visa for basketball players is not a problem.

“On the financial aspect of it, I would say that it involves a lot of money but we cannot give a figure because we have not concluded the process.

The truth is that they all need flight tickets and I know that most of them don’t have it. We don’t have sponsors for now but some good Nigerians are helping us, some of their families are equally helping,” he noted.

New football website targets 10m users From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja NEW football online A social media, www.myxfield.com, has promised to drag at least 10 million Nigerian users to its website within a period of one year, as it works toward a new era in football reportage in the

country.

Unveiling the site to the media at the weekend, its founder, Sunny Williams Ohikhakhai said the strictly football website would be basically interactive, adding that the reports would be a potpourri of foreign and local league content.

Technical partner of Bet9ja, Dave Grodan, CEO bet9ja, Ayo Ojuroye, Chairman Remo Stars of Remo, Kunle Soname, during the unveiling of Bet9ja as partner to Remo Stars in Lagos…recently.

“The website is all about bringing the reactions of the fans to the net. I discovered that many Nigerians dissipate a lot of energy arguing unnecessarily because of their sentimental attachment to clubs without benefiting anything from it. So, we decided to build up the traffic on the net by involving these young and old people.

“It gives concern that nobody is picking interest in the Nigerian league yet we have clubs that play good football. We have not abandoned Nigerian league but have created problems with the interests in other clubs.

We fight over the clubs yet nobody is making any profit from it.

“So, myxfield.com would provide an opportunity where the supporters can make constructive contributions and benefit from it. Our target is to hit 10 million users in one year. We want to take over the country. The website is basically about football. It provides the fans the opportunity to react and interact with each other,” he noted.

78

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

SPORTS

Martinez fires back at Moyes over Baines, Fellaini VERTON boss, Roberto E Martinez has reiterated his reluctance to sell Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines to Manchester United.

The pair were the subject of a rejected double bid from the reigning Premier League champions earlier this month, with the offer subsequently described as “derisory” by Everton.

Goal.com understands the Red Devils have since submitted an improved bid for the duo with manager David Moyes urging Martinez to “do what is right for the players.”

However following his side’s 0-0 draw with West Brom on Saturday, the Spaniard hit back at his predecessor.

“I think my comment is quite clear,” he told reporters. “If managers start talking about players that are registered in other clubs then that’s the end of the whole thing.

“I think everyone should look after their own things internally. I’m sure they’ve got many issues in the same manner and I could easily come out and give my opinion about his players but I think I’ll be more respectful

Mourinho shakes Rooney’s hand after Chelsea beat United in 2005

Manchester United should sell Rooney to us, says Mourinho HELSEA Manager, Jose C Mourinho has urged Manchester United to sanction the sale of Wayne Rooney to a Premier League rival.

The Blues have been linked with the England international all summer and Goal.com revealed on Wednesday that the two clubs had re-opened negotiations, including a proposal for Juan Mata.

However, the deal looks difficult to push over the line with United reluctant to strengthen a title rival, something Mourinho cannot fathom.

Speaking to reporters, Mourinho highlighted the example of Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi, although he did not play for Inter, as the Portuguese claimed, “that old-fashioned mentality of ‘I don’t sell players to the same country’ doesn’t help the market and doesn’t help the players.

“You see in Italy, it happens every season without any problem. The player wants to move from Milan to Inter, from Inter to Milan, from Roma to Juventus, from Juventus to Inter, and they do this all the time.

“You see Inzaghi, he played for Juventus, for Milan, for Inter. From the big ones I think only (Francesco) Totti stayed all his life. (Andrea) Pirlo – Inter, Milan, Juventus.

“Sometimes you push players abroad when you should be interested in keeping them in your league, because when you keep players in your league you are contributing to make your league the best league.

“So when you want to sell and you are pushing the players abroad I think you are giving the wrong contribution to the league where you are.”

David Moyes has remained steadfast in his stance over Rooney, insisting the 27-yearold has a big role to play at Old Trafford this season, despite constant chatter emanating from Stamford Bridge about a move to London.

Mourinho though, rejected suggestions that he was deliberately seeking to unsettle Rooney, adding, “I don’t understand that (argument) because it’s normal that we want to strengthen our squad in every position.

“We did it from the goalkeeper, we did it in midfield,

we did it in creative positions, we didn’t in the striker’s position where we have kept the players we had last year.

“I think it is basic and normal that we want to give more quality to the whole structure. It is obvious that the striker’s position was a position where we would try to improve.”

Mourinho also revealed that he is only looking to bring in a ‘maximum’ of two players in the final week of the transfer window, with Anzhi midfielder, Willian (who has chosen the Blues over Tottenham).

“We are going to get a maximum of two players in this transfer window,” added Mourinho. “If we get the second piece, it will be the final piece. Let’s see, (if) we make the bid and they say no again, what do we lose? One email.

“The two answers we got from Manchester United were ‘we don’t accept the bid, we are not interested in selling the player’. That’s the only official contact we have had.

“It is the same till Monday, we have nothing else we would like to add to it and we want to respect them and football.”

than that.

“The position we’ve got is we don’t want to sell. So then you haven’t got a figure.

Everyone has got a price but when you see you invest money in a player and five years later you get offered the same money after performing really well, I think that becomes a bit of nonsense.

“The last thing I want is to get into a media war with a manager I really respect. I think the business should be done quietly but it’s very unfortunate when you read papers and people talk about your players.

“I could sit down here and give you half an hour of my vision of how the other club is being run, the players that they want to go and how they should be sending all the messages to all the clubs around the world that they’ve been trying to sign players and they haven’t been able to do it.”

And, on Fellaini and Baines’ performance in the draw with West Brom, Martinez added, “on the outside there’s a lot of talk and speculation but as you can imagine internally we are focusing on the games.

Rodgers praises Liverpool team spirit RENDAN Rodgers believes B team spirit has improved in the Liverpool camp since the start of last season.

Rodgers’ side were without a win in their opening five games last time out, but have started much better this campaign.

After beating Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield on the first weekend of the season, they won by the same scoreline at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Despite speculation surrounding striker Luis Suarez’s future, Rodgers has praised how well his side has begun the season.

“It’s much better than last year,” the Liverpool boss said of the mood in the dressing room. “It took us until September to get our first win. I think since January we have been getting better and improving. It’s all credit to the players. They have been absolutely first class.

“There’s a lot of speculation and maybe a lot of distractions over the course of the summer with everything that has been written.

“I think you have to give remarkable praise to them that we’ve just stayed and focused on our task, which was to make a good start.”

With Arsenal ending their pursuit of Suarez and no apparent interest from Real Madrid, the Uruguay international remains a Liverpool player.

Rodgers feels that his side’s togetherness has helped them cope with the absence of Suarez, who is serving the remainder of a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season.

“For me it’s about the team.

Suarez is a world-class striker and he’s proven that in his time at Liverpool,” Rodgers continued.

“The focus will always be on the team. So whoever goes into play, they have to play for the team. It was an outstanding team performance.”

Liverpool sit in second place after their two wins and face champions Manchester United at Anfield in their next Premier League fixture.

Pardew wants Cabaye replacement EWCASTLE boss, Alan N Pardew wants a replacement of equal quality for Yohan Cabaye, should he leave the club.

The France midfielder has been the subject of a rejected bid from Arsenal and has not

Cabaye

featured in either of his side’s games this season.

Pardew wants a resolution to Cabaye’s future sooner rather than later, with the transfer window closing on September 2.

“It is quite simple - we need

to resolve the situation,” he said. “If it is a situation where he leaves the football club, we have got to be stronger. That’s my aim when the window shuts.

“We need to get ourselves in a position where if he stays, great, and if he doesn’t stay we need to get someone equally as good.”

Newcastle has made only one senior signing this closeseason, with Loic Remy joining on loan from QPR. However, Pardew insists additional moves will be made, provided they are right for the club.

“It’s difficult at the moment, we have big clubs filling our players with disharmony,” he continued.

“There should be business from us, business that is right for Newcastle where our fans get in a position where they really want to believe in the team.”

Pardew’s side is yet to win this season, having lost 4-0 at Manchester City before drawing 0-0 with West Ham on Saturday.

Sturridge

Chelsea confirms Willian’s agreement HELSEA has confirmed that C they have reached an agreement to sign Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Blues have not disclosed the fee for the 25-year-old, but Goal understands they will pay the Russian club €37 million for the winger.

Tottenham had been the favourites to sign Willian, having agreed a fee with Anzhi and personal terms in principle with the player, who even underwent a medical.

But when Spurs then refused to improve their salary package, the Brazilian’s representatives offered him to other clubs and long-time admirers

Chelsea made their move.

A statement on the club’s official website reads: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with both Willian and his club Anzhi Makhachkala for the transfer of the Brazilian player. The transfer is subject to a work permit hearing on Wednesday.”

Willian becomes Chelsea’s third summer signing, following the arrivals of Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen and Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse Arnhem, while Wayne Rooney remains a target.

THE GUARDIAN, Monday, August 26, 2013

SPORTS | 79

Footballers to honour Akpabio

Mike Tyson ‘close to death from drugs and alcohol’ ORMER undisputed heavyweight world champion, Mike Tyson claims he is “on the verge of dying” from ongoing drug and alcohol problems.

Tyson, 47, admitted he is a continual substance abuser but added he is hopeful of finally getting clean.

“I want to live my sober life. I don’t want to die. I’m on the verge of dying, because I’m a vicious alcoholic,” Tyson said on ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights.”

F

“I’m a bad guy sometimes. I did a lot of bad things, I want to be forgiven.”

At the age of 20, in 1987, the American fighter held the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. But five years later, Brooklyn-born Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington and sentenced to six years in prison.

He returned to the ring but retired from the sport in 2006 and in 2007 was sen-

HE Association of T Professional Footballers of Nigeria, the official play-

tenced to 24 hours in jail and 360 hours of community service for drug possession and driving under the influence.

Tyson, who now works as a boxing promoter, added: “I hope they can forgive me. I want to change my life, I want to live a different life now.

“I haven’t drank or took drugs in six days, and for me that’s a miracle. I’ve been lying to everybody that thinks I was sober, but I’m not. This is my sixth day. I’m never going to use again.”

Sebastian Vettel triumphs at Spa Vettel cruised to SOneEBASTIAN the 31st win of his Formula career as not even Greenpeace protestors could throw a spanner in the works of the German’s Belgian Grand Prix triumph.

As the teams worked on the cars on the grid just before the start, two paragliders from the activist group initially flew over the SpaFrancorchamps circuit, trailing a banner slamming the Arctic drilling plans of race sponsors, Shell.

A second group of four men who had evaded security and scaled the main grandstand overlooking the grid then unfurled a banner from the roof that read: “ARCTIC OIL? SHELL NO”.

Once the lights went out, Vettel swept past Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton soon after and from that moment he

was never troubled in his onsong Red Bull.

Hamilton had to settle for third behind Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who is now Vettel’s closest challenger, but 46 points adrift.

Hamilton stated prior to the race he had to keep Vettel at bay down the Kemmel Straight that follows the sweep through Eau Rouge on the opening lap.

Tyson

U.S Open: Nadal is the man to beat, says Djokovic AFAEL Nadal’s scintillatR ing form has made him the man to beat at the U.S Open, Novak Djokovic has said.

The Spaniard has a 15-0 record on hard courts in 2013, having won Masters titles on the surface in Indian Wells, Montreal and Cincinnati.

His success is all the more remarkable as he only

returned from a sevenmonth injury lay-off in February.

“Nadal is definitely back and playing maybe the best tennis that he ever has played on hard courts,” said Djokovic.

The world number one added, “he’s definitely so far the best player this year.

There is no question about it. The results are showing everything.”

Defending champion, Andy Murray admitted Nadal will be “very difficult to beat” in New York.

Murray, who expects to play his opening match against Michael Llodra on Wednesday, has been hugely impressed by the 12-time Grand Slam champion’s form. “It’s hard not to be,” said the 26-year-old Scot.

“He hasn’t lost yet because

he’s beaten some tough players in tough tournaments, winning the two tournaments back to back in Cincinnati and Canada. I think it’s only been done once before.

“I think Roddick did it once (in 2003), so it doesn’t happen often. It’s not like he’s had easy draws or whatever.

He’s beaten some top, top players.”

ers union recognised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will honour Governor Godswill Akpabio for his outstanding contribution to the development of sports in the country.

The award would be presented to the governor during the Chief Godswill Akpabio Under 18 Boys International Unity Football Tournament, which is staged to honour the Akwa Ibom State number one citizen.

The footballers’ body, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, is the exclusive representatives and collective bargaining agent of all Nigeria Professional Footballers.

The body will partner the organisers of the competition to present the award to the governor.

The Nigeria Players Union Special Merit Award (NPUSMA) will be bestowed on Akpabio during the finals of the football tournament scheduled to hold from September 14 to 22 in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

The Nigeria Players Union commended the governor for his commitment to the promotion of Nigeria’s unity through the continuous sponsorship of the unity tournament for the past six years.

TheGuardian

Monday, August 26, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Oseni Oladipo Emmanuel T is a norm in Nigeria to flaunt wealth accumuImeans lated either through legitimate or illegitimate and the reason for this cannot be farfetched. Nigeria is a society where premium is placed on wealth (material things) as the basis for stratification. The society is less concerned about how you make your money; it is even common among Nigerian youths to be ranking the richest yahoo boys (internet fraudsters) in their localities.

It is quite unfortunate that in a country where a majority of the citizenry lives in abject poverty, one still finds the privileged few deliberately displaying their economic power publicly by acquiring luxury goods and services.

It may interest you to know that it is the lackadaisical attitude and conspicuous spending of Nigerian celebrities especially the nouveau riche social class (hip-hop artistes) that triggered this write up. It is an indisputable fact that the hip-hop artistes are the rave of the moment in the music industry and they emerged as a result of Nigerians’ love and patronage of local hip-hop at the expense of foreign music.

Only of recent, the media was flooded with the news of hip-hop singer, Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid replacing his N15 million crashed Porsche car with a new one just two weeks after crashing it on the Lekki-Epe expressway on June 15, 2013. Also, in what looks like a show of economic power, his opposite number, David Adeleke aka Davido acquired a Mercedes Benz GClass worth N21 million. As if that is the criterion for being a big boy, the Limpopo master, KCEE recently acquired two 2013 luxury cars (BMW X6 and Range Rover). In the same vein, the soft spoken co-owner of Primetime Entertainment, Dayo Adeneye (D1), just purchased a Bentley Continental GT valued at N25 million to add to his collection of exotic cars.

Did I hear you say it is their hard earned money; therefore, they can spend it as they like? I say NO! This is because with their gifts as leading musicians they have become not just public figures but role models. What they do must have implications for the health or ill-health of the nation. They have huge followership that adore them and want to emulate them, their ways, their lifestyles, hairstyle, and mannerisms: What do they eat, where do they go, and what do they say, when do they sleep, who are the new girls in their lives and so on? This is the burden celebrities carry all over the

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Nigerian artistes: Luxury or charity?

Davido and Wizkid world. Therefore, to the extent that they influence the society for god or ill they are accountable. This act of squander mania, it is observed, is gradually becoming a norm in the industry and sociologically, it tends to have negative effect on the socialisation of the young ones who look up to them as their role models. This, of course, is not to undermine the important role these artistes play in our society especially in this time of hardship. They should be applauded for putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians despite the fact that the economy is not smiling at us. They remain our companion at this time of suffering and smiling. Come to think of it, sometimes one feels that one cannot totally blame the celebrities when those at

the other end of the spectrum, the politicians (the government) that are supposed to lead by example, failed in their own capacity.

Nevertheless, we should take our mind away from the blind love we have for these artistes and put them to task publicly to use their endowments to engage in humanitarian services.

Apart from the fact that they make us happy through their God-given talent, they should realise that impacting positively in the lives of the masses would make us happier than to publicly display their economic power through the purchase of exotic cars. If a 21-yearold Swansea football club ball boy, Charlies Morgan that was kicked by Chelsea’s Eden

Hazard, could give up the tracksuit he wore on the day of the famous incident for sale, with all the money going to cancer charity; what then is wrong if 23-year-old Wizkid or Davido donates to the rehabilitation of the Almajiris? Also, if the newly crowned Wimbledon champion, Andy Murray, could donate all his hard earned £1.6 million Wimbledon cash prize for cancer research and care, just after a month he donated his £73,000 prize money for winning the AEGON championship to the Royal Marsden cancer charity; then what is wrong Tuface Idibia donating towards the support of the combat against HIV/AIDS in Benue State or to any other MDGs goals? What is wrong if Nigerian artistes organise a concert and donate all the proceeds to the victims of bomb blasts, plane crash, or even Boko Haram victims? We know that the artistes are already contributing to the economy either directly or indirectly, but is it a crime for them to invest their hard earned money on profitable businesses that can help reduce unemployment rate in the country? After all, the society made them what they are and they should be able to give back to the society.

It is high time we all realised that poverty will remain in the land when we leave the issue of poverty to government alone to tackle. We all need to change our mindset to make Nigeria a better place for all. What is the rationale behind the purchase of N25 million car that cannot fly you away from the traffic of Ikorodu Road? Although I am not a mathematician, but I am quite sure that as hard as our economy is, N25 million will conveniently pay the school fees of about 300 students or empower more than 500 traders. The earlier we all realised that all these material things are vanity upon vanity, the better for us all. Expensive cars or jewelry will soon become outdated but service to humanity will forever linger in the memories of the people.

As much as we genuinely love and celebrate the guys’ success, we also share their pains as in the case of Dagrin and OJB and we would appreciate it if the guys can reciprocate that love by genuinely giving back to the society. I may be wrong and I stand to be corrected: It could be that only few of them are involved in ostentatious display of their material endowments, and a majority prefers to give back and do all those I have suggested quietly.

May be we should turn the heat on the press that feels that stories about the celebs’ acquisition of luxurious goods and services will be more attractive than their social responsibilities!! Perhaps!

Perhaps!!

The fourth republic political system: Any lessons?

By Simon Abah OR a nation of over 160 million, it is hard to Fering believe that we are yet to find and replace towpolitical personalities such as the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and many others in today’s political corridor. Were these personages without faults? No mortal is. They believed in Nigeria, followed the strictest code of personal discipline, and their political appeal reverberated more with Nigerians of their time than the shortcomings they had. They campaigned for independence (Though history says it was given on a platter of gold) in different political groups with the resolve to emancipate the Nigerian from colonial rule. Politics after independence was without prejudice to the dignity of the men in the other political camps. Criticism was taken in good faith without bad blood. Criticism in many instances was offered after a careful review of facts. Reviews of the facts in public encouraged empathy and a great following. Why are today’s politicians different and why haven’t they measured up? Nigerians in this dispensation have taken for granted the importance of a strong political system and have allowed themselves to be deceived by politicians who want power at all cost.

Between 1999 and 2007, there was not a single politician in Nigeria who had a massive following that can be compared to that of the late Alhaji Aminu Kano, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Lateef Jakande or Alhaji Balarabe Musa (who unfortunately was impeached) and others. It has become worse since then. It was rare to see politicians defect to other parties but today it is fashionable for officials who have served out their tenure under one party to defect to another without shame. Aren’t there ideologues’ anymore? Are political parties formed without an ideology and strict code of conduct?

How come the recent registration of a new party, that should give Nigerians an alternative to the dominant party, is beginning to fan the embers of ethnocentrism by the request of a certain elder statesman for a section of the country to contest the Presidency in 2015? Which section in particular?

I recall that there are three geographical regions in that section. Do we now form parties only to

win election at the centre? Shouldn’t politicians be concerned about bringing development to the grass roots level, building roads, bridges, railways, developing agriculture, making the environment conducive for investors, strengthening social service units to take care of abandoned children, beggars and mentally disturbed people on the streets and empowering the man. When will this winner-take-all debacle foreclose in this country?

Political pundits have reasoned that ability alone does not make an elected leader succeed in governance but experience is needed. They argue that such politicians must have been educated, must have succeeded in industry, the public would have investigated them; they would have come through the ranks of the party and never just selected to run for an election. They would have handled minor and major assignments and passed the mark over time and must be willing to implement the party’s cardinal points. Alhaji Lateef Jakande succeeded in Lagos between 1979 and 1983 because he believed in his party, the UPN, and also because he implemented the party’s cardinal points (mass housing scheme and others) to the letter. Are we surprised why they got a following, loyalty and lifelong friends?

In the history of the United States only President Gerald Ford was privileged to have the vice presidency and presidency thrust on him without

election. This lack of political preparedness led to his defeat by President Jimmy Carter. History is replete with instances of men who have failed in their field because they were not prepared for office. Conservative pundits have pointed to the fact that most of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic politicians have not excelled in industry and have not carved a niche for themselves in civil society. Most were never part of their party’s inner caucus before they were selected to be elected. Lots of them just happened along and were anointed to lead. How then do you expect to entrust billions of naira to them monthly and expect probity, accountability and the provision of basic infrastructures? The forte of a man who is not prepared for office most likely may not be to develop but to make history. And people who set out to make history for history’s sake don’t serve well. Can you therefore see our bane? This is why this generation of politicians may never be able to take us to the Promised Land.

Fourteen years into the Fourth Republic, there is still no adequate power supply, no rail network, no good roads, same old nonfunctional refineries, agriculture is dead and Ajaokuta Steel Complex is what it is, a white elephant project. The minerals in Jos and everywhere in Nigeria are not mined; the civil service long dead is still dead. State assets are privatised to

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cronies and our politicians are collecting elephantine salaries higher than the salaries of their counterparts in the developed world while we groan without hope for a better life. To make matters worse, our country is still pitted against North, South, East and West with tribal jingoists ready for political war always.

So nothing happens when people rig their way to office, when monies are stolen and laundered.

Nobody is held accountable for his words anymore. “I will only rule for one term” can be jettisoned to the wind and nobody will hold you accountable for that when you decide to renege and contest for the second term. It is all “in the will of God’’. Politicians politicise religion (a private affair) leading to religious pogroms that constantly besiege us in this country but their victory at the polls was the “will of God” so they claim and nothing happens. Today’s politicians cannot manage the opposition and dissenting voices in the house, and they see people from the other side as always trying to subjugate them. There are now “pro” this governor and “anti” that governor - instead of pro state. But it is the “will of God” for them to lord over us so nothing happens. Our mentality must change.

Countries that don’t leave everything to chance and ride on the will of God excel. You are either executed in China for corruption or given a long jail sentence. The IRS in America investigates tax fraud as a state crime. Between 1991 and 1996 Japan had five prime ministers who were either forced to resign due to a vote of no-confidence, implicated in financial scandals, or their parties suffered massive defeat in a general election. A unique case in point is that of Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa, who became prime minister from August 9, 1993 to April 28, 1994. He resigned because of allegations that he misused personal fund in the 1980’s when he wasn’t even a prime minister.

The late former Prime Minister of Japan Kiichi Miyazawa was once quoted as saying, “A nation can be governed either by the rule of right or the rule of might. I will not stand by the rule of might.

The position of prime minister should not be acquired by really trying to”.

Our politicians should take a cue and rule by the rule of right.

• Abah is an executive team leader, Rinasham Multi Services Ltd, Port Harcourt.