Tue 11 March 2014

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,857

N150

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Jonathan kicks off N117 billion Second Niger Bridge project From Kodilinye Obiagwu, Chuks Collins (Awka), Hendrix Oliomogbe (Asaba), Nkechi Onyedika and Chuks Collins (Onitsha) ISTORY was made yesterH day at the commercial town of Onitsha, Anambra State, as President Goodluck Jonathan did the groundbreaking of the Second Niger Bridge linking the eastern part of the country with the South-South geo-political zone.

• To be completed in four years under BOT • Orji, Obi, Uduaghan, Achebe laud action Meanwhile, South-East governors, their counterparts from the South-South and other eminent Igbo yesterday commended Jonathan for kickstarting the project..

Coming almost 49 years after the commissioning of the first Niger Bridge by former President Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1965, Jonathan promised that

the landmark project being executed by Julius Berger would be completed in four years at a total cost of over N117 billion.

He told the guests at the ceremony who included host Governor Peter Obi, Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi and Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister

of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen; the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and a host of others that the project will be executed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a period of

25 years.

However, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, were absent at the ceremony.

President Jonathan said: “The first Niger Bridge was commissioned by President Nnamdi Azikiwe and the second will be built by the second Azikiwe. The second bridge is being built almost 49 years after the first. This will alleviate the congestion on the first Niger Bridge, es-

pecially during festive period. The bridge will improve road traffic between the South Eastern part of the country and the rest of the country.”

Jonathan remarked that he was only out to fulfill his electioneering promise way back in 2007 when as a vice presidential candidate, he came visiting Anambra on a campaign stump and promised to build the bridge.

Jonathan noted that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Guinness ex-MD Ubeku dies at 78 - Page 4

Court orders minister to disclose details of statutory transfers in budget - Page 4

Kumuyi urges perseverance, faith over nation’s woes - Page 7

‘Why Nigeria should not intervene in all crises in Africa’ - Page 9

Members of a youth group with roses and a banner during a prayer session for the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 plane at a hotel in Putrajaya… yesterday. Inset: The missing Malaysia Airlines jet…

PHOTOS: AFP

‘Why Malaysia Airlines jet might have disappeared’ It’s too early to say why a Malaysia Airlines plane vanished but here are some probable causes, reports Associated Press (AP) HE most dangerous parts T of a flight are take-off and landing. Rarely do incidents happen when a plane is cruising seven miles above the earth.

So, the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines jet well into its flight Saturday morning over the South China Sea has

led aviation experts to assume that whatever happened was quick and left the pilots no time to place a distress call.

It could take investigators months, if not years, to determine what happened to the Boeing 777 flying from Malaysia’s largest city of Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

“At this early stage, we’re focusing on the facts that we don’t know,” said Todd Curtis, a former safety engineer with Boeing who worked on

its 777 wide-body jets and is now director of the Airsafe.com Foundation.

Military radar indicates that the missing Boeing 777 jet may have turned back before vanishing, Malaysia’s air force chief said on Sunday as authorities were investigating up to four passengers with suspicious identifications. The revelations add to the mystery surrounding the final minutes of the flight. Air Force chief Rodzali Daud didn’t say which direction the

plane veered when it apparently went off course, or how long it flew in that direction.

Some of the information it had was also corroborated by civilian radar, he said.

If the information about the U-turn is accurate, that lessens the probability that the plane suffered a catastrophic explosion but raises further questions about why the pilots didn’t signal for help. If there was a minor mechanical failure - or even something more serious like

the shutdown of both of the plane’s engines - the pilots likely would have had time to radio for help. The lack of a call “suggests something very sudden and very violent happened,” said William Waldock, who teaches accident investigation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz.

It’s possible that there was either an abrupt breakup of the plane or something that led it into a quick, steep dive.

Some experts even suggested

an act of terrorism or a pilot purposely crashing the jet.

“Either you had a catastrophic event that tore the airplane apart, or you had a criminal act,” said Scott Hamilton, managing director of aviation consultancy Leeham Co. “It was so quick and they didn’t radio.”

No matter how unlikely a scenario, it’s too early to rule out any possibilities, experts warn. The best clues will CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

2 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

‘Why Malaysia Airlines jet might have disappeared’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 come with the recovery of the flight data and voice recorders and an examination of the wreckage. U.S. investigators from the FBI, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration and experts from Boeing were heading to Asia to assist in the investigation.

A massive international sea search has so far turned up no confirmed trace of the jet, though Vietnamese authorities said late Sunday that a low-flying plane had spotted a rectangular object in waters about 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Tho Chu Island, in the same area where oil slicks were spotted on Saturday. The state-run Thanh Nien newspaper said, citing the deputy chief of staff of Vietnam’s army that searchers had spotted what appeared to be one of the plane’s doors.

Airplane crashes typically occur during takeoff and the climb away from an airport, or while coming in for a landing, as in last year’s fatal crash of an Asiana Airlines jet in San Francisco. Just nine per cent of fatal accidents happen when a plane is at cruising altitude, according to a statistical summary of commercial jet airplane accidents done by Boeing.

Captain John M. Cox, who spent 25 years flying for U.S. Airways and is now CEO of Safety Operating Systems, said that whatever happened to the Malaysia Airlines jet, it occurred quickly. The problem had to be big enough, he said, to stop the plane’s transponder from broadcasting its location, although the transponder can be purposely shut off from the cockpit.

One of the first indicators of what happened will be the size of the debris field. If it is large and spread out over tens of miles, then the plane likely broke apart at a high elevation. That could signal a bomb or a massive airframe failure. If it is a smaller field, the plane probably fell from 35,000 feet intact, breaking up upon contact with the water.

“We know the airplane is down. Beyond that, we don’t know a whole lot,” Cox said.

The Boeing 777 has one of the best safety records in aviation history. It first carried passengers in June 1995 and went 18 years without a fatal accident.

That streak came to an end with the July 2013 Asiana crash. Three of the 307 people aboard that flight died. Saturday’s Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 239 passengers and crew would only be the second fatal incident for the aircraft type.

“It’s one of the most reliable

airplanes ever built,” said John Goglia, a former member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

Some of the possible causes for the plane disappearing include: • A catastrophic structural failure.

Most aircraft are made of aluminum which is susceptible to corrosion over time, especially in areas of high humidity. But given the plane’s long history and impressive safety record, experts suggest that a failure of the airframe, or the plane’s Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines, is unlikely.

More of a threat to the plane’s integrity is the constant pressurisation and depressurisation of the cabin for take-off and landing. In April 2011, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 made an emergency landing shortly after take-off from Phoenix after the plane’s fuselage ruptured, causing a fivefoot tear. The plane, with 118 people on board, landed safely. But such a rupture is less likely in this case. Airlines fly the 777 on longer distances, with many fewer take-offs and landings, putting less stress on the airframe.

“It’s not like this was Southwest Airlines doing 10 flights a day,” Hamilton said. “There’s nothing to suggest there would be any fatigue issues.”

Bad weather.

• Planes are designed to fly

through most severe storms.

However, in June 2009, an Air France flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed during a bad storm over the Atlantic Ocean. Ice built up on the Airbus A330’s airspeed indicators, giving false readings.

That, and bad decisions by the pilots, led the plane into a stall causing it to plummet into the sea. All 228 passengers and crew aboard died. The pilots never radioed for help.

In the case of Saturday’s Malaysia Airlines flight, all indications show that there were clear skies.

• Pilot disorientation.

Curtis said that the pilots could have taken the plane off autopilot and somehow went off course and didn’t realise it until it was too late. The plane could have flown for another five or six hours from its point of last contact, putting it up to 3,000 miles away. This is unlikely given that the plane probably would have been picked up by radar somewhere. But it’s too early to eliminate it as a possibility.

• Failure of both engines.

In January 2008, a British Airways 777 crashed about 1,000 feet short of the runway at London’s Heathrow Airport.

As the plane was coming in to land, the engines lost thrust because of ice buildup in the fuel system. There were no faCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Second Niger Bridge to be completed in four years under BOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 bridge is key to economic transformation of the country, adding that when completed, would improve commercial activities in the South-East and the South western part of the country.

He observed that government has made a proper arrangement for the financing of this major infrastructure, and government would provide about 25 per cent funding for the project.

The President thanked Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Delta State counterpart, Emmanuel Uduaghan for showing committed interest in the project, adding that he would rely on the support of all Nigerians to ensure the speedy completion of the bridge.

He appealed to the in-coming Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, to show the zeal and commitment exhibited by the out-going governor towards the project.

Also speaking, Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explained that the project would be 60 per cent equity and 40 per cent debt, adding that the financing model being proposed would be a template for the development of economically viable projects in the country.

According to her, the financing structure put in place by government would facilitate speedy completion of the project.

Okonjo-Iweala who described the existing Niger Bridge as a bridge of love, stressed the need for the country to build more bridges that would close our historic divides, and connect

communities and the entire country together.

Onolememen explained that the concession period of 25 years through Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) model will obtain for the bridge which on completion will be 1,590 metres long, and forms part 11.90 km length of the entire project.

The minister said that the bridge will be located 1.7 kilometres downstream of the existing bridge on a new alignment and consists of two Number equal end spans of 40 metres, 15 Number equal intermediate spans of 55 metres each and two Number intermediate spans of 90 metres each, 3 Number navigational spans of 150 metres each.

He added that the total width of the dual carriageway bridge will be 35metres consisting of 16.05 metres wide three-lane carriageway in each direction and 3.03metres central reserve, adding that two underpasses categorised as secondary bridges are planned at Amakon Village and Atani Roads with an interchange on Onitsha-Owerri Road forming part of the project.

He said: “The second bridge is being realised under the PPP model. The special purpose vehicle will be jointly owned by Julius Berger-Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority Consortium and Federal Government. And as obtainable under the PPP model, the concessionaire will have the right to charge tolls for the use of the second Niger Bridge as well as have full commercial rights on the Projects Right of Way.” Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the SouthEast Governors’ Forum and Abia State Governor,

Theodore Orji, described the flag-off of the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge as the flag off of the process of retaining President Goodluck Jonathan in office in 2015.

Orji noted that President Jonathan has made history, and is leaving behind an indelible legacy in the sands of time.

He said: “This Bridge is very significant to the South-East.

We have been discussing how to retain the President, and today is the flag off of that process of retaining the President. The President should have confidence in the South-East because you are doing what you ought to do and we would ensure that you are retained come 2015.”

Also speaking, Obi noted that by flagging off the 2nd Niger Bridge project, President Jonathan has made the South-East to be part of Nigeria.

He said: “We will over-pay you in 2015 because you have turned around the country and everybody is proud of Nigeria. When they conceived this bridge earlier, they said Anambra and Delta states would pay counterpart funding of N10 billion each but President Jonathan removed it. The fake flag off was done and we did not know the contractor, but we are happy that a 1st class construction company is handling the project. It took President Jonathan for us to give Odumegwu-Ojukwu a befitting burial; Nigeria did not bury Zik the way he deserved to be buried. They even promised us a Mausoleum and have not built it.

The construction of the bridge means rebuilding Anambra State and the Igbo

land and making us part of Nigeria”.

In his remarks, Uduaghan observed that there is a South-South, South-East cooperation going on, and that the bridge is very significant to the people of the SouthSouth and the South-East. He, therefore, requested that the bridge be named Asaba-Onitsha Bridge.

He stated that the President that is flagging off the construction of the bridge would also commission it in four years time, adding “he who cook food go chop am, abi no be so? Our wish is that President Goodluck Jonathan who flagged off this bridge today would also commission it in four years’ time in Jesus name, Amen”.

Uduaghan observed that the Delta State government would ensure a peaceful environment for the execution of the project.

For Achebe, the existing bridge and the new one have a significant impact on the lives of all Nigerians and not just the South-East as it connects the East and the West, the North and the South.

While calling on the Federal Government to ensure the payment of its counterpart fund, the monarch assured that Anambra State would provide enabling environment for the contractor to execute the project.

Also speaking, former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Infrastructure Concessioning and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Ken Nnamani, said that new bridge when completed would boost economic activities in the South-South and South-East as well as the entire country and reduce travel time.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

News PDP panel clears 13 aspirants for Ekiti gov poll

‘FG has not banned fish importation’

From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja INISTER of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, has debunked the rumour making the rounds that the Federal Government has banned the importation of fish into the country, saying the activity has only been discouraged by the government.

The minister revealed that the importation of fish amounts to N125 billion despite having waters in the country, with an estimated 16.3 million metric tonnes, engaged by Nigerians who sabotage the efforts of the ministry towards the local production of fish.

Speaking when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture to defend the ministry’s N36.2 billion 2014 budget proposal, the minister added that the government has reduced by 25 per cent the allocation of fish importation, with a view to improving local aquatic agriculture.

M

HE Peoples Democratic T Party (PDP) yesterday cleared 13 of the 16 aspirants seeking the party’s ticket to contest the June 21, 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The panel dropped Senator Bode Olowoporoku, Dr. Peter Obafemi and Bosede Cecilia Dada.

The disclosure was made by the party’s screening committee headed by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, while submitting its report to the party’s national leadership in Abuja yesterday.

According to the committee, Dada was not cleared for failure to present evidence of membership dues, failure to present West African School Certificate as well as failure to produce tax clearance certificate.

Olowoporoku’s lack of tax clearance and lack of evidence of court judgment overruling his previous expulsion from PDP led to his being dropped.

Obafemi was disqualified for lack of National Youth Service (NYSC) discharge certificate.

Some of the aspirants cleared include former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), former governor, Ayo Fayose, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Chief Bisi Omoyeni, Prince Bounde Adeyanju, Adewale Aribisala and Ambassador Dare Bejide.

Ijaw in Ondo seek slot in S’West confab list From Niyi Bello, Akure IQUED by what they P alleged as “ethnic marginalization” inherent in their non-representation in the list of 15 members nominated to represent ethnic nationalities from the South West zone in the proposed national conference, the Ijaw ethnic group in Ondo State yesterday called for a redress of the situation.

Leaders of the Arogbo-Ibe clan of the larger Ijaw nation who are domiciled in the riverine Ese-Odo Local Council of the state at a press conference yesterday, argued that “if an error was committed in our non-inclusion in the list, the error must be corrected now before the start of the conference as failure to do that will logically be interpreted to mean forceful excision of Ijaw from Ondo State.”

Speaking under the aegis of “Ijaw Community in Ondo State and the South West”, their spokesman, Chief Francis Williams, who is also a senior member of Ijaw National Congress (INC), said the South West geo-political zone is made up of two ethnic nationalities of Yoruba and Ijaw.

He wondered how those who picked the 15 delegates, which did not include even one Ijaw nominee, would justify the demands of the Federal Government that each political zone should send delegates to represent ethnic nationalities within their boundaries.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (right) being received at the Asaba International Airport by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and his wife, Roli for the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2nd Niger Bridge… yesterday.

APC wants Jonathan to visit Yobe, NLC flays closure of colleges From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Isaac Taiwo (Lagos), Njadvara Musa (Damaturu), Charles Akpeji (Jalingo) and Msugh Ityokura (Lafia) HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Yobe State to commiserate with the families of the innocent school children who were brutally murdered by terrorists last month.

The call came as President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Bobboi Bala Kaigama, identified lack of adequate cooperation from the neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic as major reason for increase in attacks by insurgents in the North-East region of the country.

Meanwhile, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has said Yobe State government has expended over N6 billion on logistical support to the armed forces and other security agencies to fight Boko Haram insurgency in the last 27months and to protect lives and property of the residents against terrorism.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said it is totally inconceivable that about two weeks after the heart-wrenching killings of more than 29 school children, President Jonathan has not deemed it fit to visit the state.

The party said far from being a mere formality, such a visit will provide a great succour to the families of the victims, reassure them and other residents of the state that their government has not abandoned them to their fate, and also serve as a morale booster for our gallant troops who are battling the terrorists, against all odds. ‘’There is no other democracy in the world in which that number of schoolchildren will be killed and the head of government will carry on with business as usual. Since the

T

• TUC berates Cameroon, others over killings • Yobe spends N6b on anti-terrorism crusade • Borno monarch declares three-day prayers killings, President Jonathan has made a national broadcast in which he mentioned the killings only as a footnote, instead of making it the central point of the broadcast.

“Since the killings, the President has presided over a wasteful national celebration, in which the drums were rolled out to mark the country’s centenary even as devastated families were still mourning and those injured were reeling from their pains. ‘’Since the killings, President Jonathan has been gallivanting across the country, surreptitiously kick-starting his electioneering campaign for 2015 under the guise of receiving some inconsequential political jobbers now wearing the tag of defectors. This junketing has taken the President everywhere, including Sokoto, Minna, Ilorin and Onitsha. But he has pointedly avoided Yobe.

This is not the stuff of leadership and the President must make amends by visiting Yobe today,’’ APC said.

The party said President Jonathan should take a cue to what obtains in other lands, especially in the U.S. after which Nigeria has modelled its democracy.

“In January 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama flew to Tennessee, where he spoke at a high school where students were still reeling from the shooting death of just one of their classmates. In 2012, President Obama paid a similar visit to Newtown in Connecticut, where he met relatives of the 20 schoolchildren and eight adults who were shot. These are examples worthy of emulation by President Jonathan,’’ it said.

The APC challenged the President to tell Nigerians why he has not or why he would not visit the scene of the gruesome murders.

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the United States, Chief Oluwafemi Sanyaolu, has condoled with the families of the students killed by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

According to him, it is callous, barbaric and unacceptable for anybody to take the life of another person, more so little children, in whatever guise.

Speaking with newsmen at his New York residence at the weekend, Sanyaolu said: “It is the height of heartlessness for anybody to kill innocent children in their sleep”. He wondered if the insurgents ever considered that the students they recklessly killed really did not have a say in the circumstances surrounding their being in school.

“These children killed by Boko Haram insurgents are in school because their parents want them to be in school. If you (Boko Haram) are not heartless cowards, why are you targeting little children that have not done anything to you?” he queried.

The TUC President said had Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic deemed it crucial to collaborate with Nigeria, especially in the area of security, the issue of insurgence that is now giving the Nigeria nation sleepless night, would have become a thing of the past.

Speaking with The Guardian in an interview yesterday at his residence in Jalingo, Taraba State, Kaigama lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in closing the Nigeria-Cameroon borders, stating that the action would go a long way to checkmate the activities of the Boko Haram sect members.

“I strongly believe that the Cameroon government is not giving us enough cooperation, the Niger government is not

giving us enough co-operation, and in fact our neighbouring countries are not giving us enough co- operations that would warrant us to face this menace of Boko Haram.”

Had the neighbouring countries extended the much needed co-operation to Nigeria, Kaigama believes Nigerians would have been going to bed with their two eyes tenaciously closed, drumming that “by the time they cooperate with the Nigerian forces, obviously we would be able to trace these insurgencies to their roots or down to their training camps.”

Also yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticised the decision by the Federal Government to hurriedly shut down five government colleges in states in the North-East after the attack by Boko Haram insurgents, saying that the action was belated.

Vice President of the NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu, who addressed journalists in Kaduna yesterday, said the government should have taken a proactive measure to avoid the killings of students

by Boko Haram in Yobe State.

“Our hearts grief over the terror attack on Federal Government College Buni Yadi in Yobe State in which scores of students were murdered by gunmen and scores of girl students abducted.

“While we understand the panic measure to hurriedly shut down 5 out of 80 unity schools, this government action is belated, reactionary and unhelpful to the good intention of transformation agenda in education.

“Why would government not proactively avoid the killing of these innocent students in the first instance? Why not shut down the schools to avoid the massacre? What happens to these students’ studies? Some of the students are said to have registered for their WAEC and NECO examinations. How will they write the exams? Who

will compensate them for the exams registered for and not written?” NLC asked.

Governor Gaidam, who spoke on Sunday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, said that since the insurgents’ deadly onslaught of November 4, 2011 on Damaturu, the state capital, the increasing security cost has eroded the state’s meagre resources from monthly Federation Accounts Allocations.

The statement reads in part: “Yobe State does not have control over the Army and the intelligent services, but we work together to provide them with whatever logistic support they need. Till date, we continue to spend a lot of money to ensure we provide that kind of support in terms of operational equipment like Hilux vans and other military gears.”

The governor, in the statement, urged the Federal Government to increase its troops to the state and other affected areas in the NorthEast. “Our request for more troops to this state was necessitated by the increasing rate of violence in the three affected states of the sub-region.”

He described the recent killing of students of Federal Government College, Bunu/Yadi as unfortunate and uncalled for, stating that “we must all stand up and work together so that the incessant attacks and killings are brought to an end to ensure lasting peace and harmony among the various ethnic and religious groups.”

To end the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East subregion of the country, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Ibn ElKanemi has directed all residents in the state to embark on three days of “fasting and prayers” for God’s divine intervention to prevent further killings of people and destruction of property in the state.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

4 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Court orders minister to disclose details of statutory transfers in budget

By Chijioke Nelson N the interest of the public, Ifarati Justice Abubakar Abdu-Kaof the Federal High Court,

pendence.

CSJ Lead Director, Eze Onyekwere, said the group approached the court to compel the minister to respect the law and release the information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Onyekwere said that following observed acts of impunity and fiscal lawlessness by government, namely the expenditure of several billions of naira without appropriation, fraud and illegal allocation of revenues under various questionable sub-heads, it became necessary that details of such

allocations be revealed to the people.

According to him, despite several requests since 2013, the minister had continuously refused to comply, alleging that it implied shielding the officials in charge of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) where ghost workers have shown up on their payrolls.

“Government has always claimed (that) it has saved billions of naira from its efforts to rid the system of ghost workers. But we have always asked, without any response, for details from each MDA prior to

and post-verification, including the numbers and names of the accounting officers in terms of permanent secretary, head of personnel and accounts/payroll officers,” he said.

“All we have is a minister of Finance that has refused to bring out the details of these scandalous findings, yet we talk about the commitment to fight corruption. Nigerians are entitled to know. We cannot continue to run a system where some people simply come to loot the treasury and want everyone to clap for them to go on.”

He condemned the continued appropriation of funds in the budget under servicewide votes, noting that any allocation for any MDA that cannot be included in its approved budget was subject to misappropriation or diversion.

“The provision of about N118 billion as personnel cost under service-wide vote in the budget was suspicious and questionable, as there is no agency or department of government called ‘service-wide’ that has workers that should be catered for separately,” he added.

Abuja, has ordered the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to immediately make public the details of all appropriations and statutory transfers in the 2014 budget.

The order followed a legal application by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) against the minister, and may have ended the era of statutory government bodies refusing to make their spending public.

CSJ had in a letter of April 5, 2013, sought the details of the statutory transfers in the nation’s budget, which the minister turned down. The petitioner had argued that no law authorises the lumping of statement of allocations, and that the practice is not acceptable in a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people.

Kafarati asked the minister to release to the group and the general public the details of releases in the budget to some key government agencies, specifically the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Judicial Council (NJC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Universal Basic Education (UBE) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Under the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the listed offices are considered statutory Managers Association of Nigeria, Peter Adegbite (left): Chairman, Assembly of bodies, which funding is drawn Representative of the National President of Health Information st directly from government Healthcare Association, Godswill Okara and National 1 Vice President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Toyosi RaPHOTO: OSENI YUSUF treasury to ensure their inde- heem, during media briefing in Lagos yesterday.

Jonathan urges health insurance, decries medical tourism From Mohammed Abubakarand Karls Tsokar, Abuja

I

N a bid to achieve the 30 per cent health insurance coverage as targeted by the Federal Government, stakeholders have listed ways to achieve this, even as the President has decried the large scale of money spent on medical trips abroad by Nigerians.

At the Presidential summit on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) yesterday in Abuja, it was the consensus opinion that quality healthcare can be achieved with the right political will.

President Goodluck Jonathan represented by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo said it is true that “we are not where we ought to be in healthcare delivery,” for this to be possible,

Stakeholders want govt to make service mandatory health insurance must be a regular culture as it is at an “unacceptable” level now.

While charging that every Nigerian must be involved and contribute to the drive towards affordable healthy care delivery, the president maintained that universal health coverage is top priority of government programme at all levels. He noted that the challenges that limit the attainment of UHC are surmountable, as the political leadership would provide all the necessary support and commitment for the people to access it.

“We set our own target to achieve UHC by 2015 and have invested in various programs towards this...we have worked

closely with partners to access primary health care medicine and have also improved infrastructure.

“Many Nigerians in the diaspora are now returning home to invest in our health care system...social health insurance is also gaining grounds, it is therefore important that physical access to healthcare be enhanced.

A nationally-networked framework that ensures that facilities, human resources and other vital components of the health chain are within reach of all in need is as vital to Universal Health Coverage system as a proper and streamlined reference system, that enables the transfer of patients from primary care to specialist facilities for major ailments.

‘Why Malaysia Airlines jet might have disappeared’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 talities.

Loss of both engines is possible in this case, but Hamilton said the plane could glide for up to 20 minutes, giving pilots plenty of time to make an emergency call. When a U.S. Airways A320 lost both of its engines in January 2009 after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York it was at a much lower elevation. But Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger still had plenty of communications with air traffic controllers before ending the six-minute flight in the Hudson River.

• A bomb Several planes have been brought down, including Pan Am Flight 103 between Lon-

don and New York in December 1988. There was also an Air India flight in June 1985 between Montreal and London and a plane in September 1989 flown by French airline Union des Transports Aériens which blew up over the Sahara.

• Hijacking.

A traditional hijacking seems unlikely given that a plane’s captors typically land at an airport and have some type of demand. But a 9/11-like hijacking is possible, with terrorists forcing the plane into the ocean.

• Pilot suicide.

There were two large jet crashes in the late 1990s — a SilkAir flight and an EgyptAir flight— that are believed to

have been caused by pilots deliberately crashing the planes.

Government crash investigators never formally declared the crashes suicides but both are widely acknowledged by crash experts to have been caused by deliberate pilot actions.

• Accidental shoot-down.

There have been incidents when a country’s military unintentionally shot down civilian aircraft. In July 1988, the United States Navy missile cruiser USS Vincennes accidently shot down an Iran Air flight, killing all 290 passengers and crew. In September 1983, a Korean Air Lines flight was shot down by a Russian fighter jet.

EFCC opposes Bayelsa suit over Alamieyeseigha loot • Seeks time on Fani-Kayode’s trial From Bertram Nwannekanma, Lagos and Abosede Musari, Abuja HE Economic and FinanT cial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described as suspicious, purported claims and lawsuit against it by the government of Bayelsa State on the stolen funds by former Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha ,which was repatriated by the United States.

EFCC added that the lawsuit and the allegations against it will not deter it from investigating the state government and its officials.

The state government had allegedly charged the antigraft agency to court to claim the N1.4 billion and another $1.3 million recovered from the former governor, alleging through its lawyer, that the commission had traded with the funds in contravention of the EFCC Act. While replying the newspaper reports, the EFCC in an official communication, called on the state to be prepared to prove its claims as the allegation strikes at the heart of the agency’s core value and integrity.

“The news reports about a matter said to have been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja by one Mr. George Uboh, ostensibly acting on the instruction of the Bayelsa State government, is provocative misinformation and very cheap blackmail, to say the very least.

Abel Ubeku, 78, passes on HE first Nigerian ManagT ing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc , Dr. Abel Ubeku has passed on aged 78.

Born on February, 24, 1936, in Araya, Isoko South Local Council of Delta State, Ubeku had a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Law both from London University.

In a tribute to him yesterday, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan described the late Dr. Abel Kprogidi Ubeku, as a statesman, outstanding academic and father to all beyond his family where he was the patriarch.

In a statement by his Press Secretary, Felix Ofou the governor said, “one factor that played out each time you met the late Ubeku was his good natured personality.”

The governor said Ubeku’s death was a big blow to Nigeria, Delta State, the Isoko nation, where the deceased hailed from as well as the entire Ubeku family and prayed God to grant all those affected, the fortitude to bear the loss.

Ubeku

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 NEWS | 5

MASSOB attacked Enugu Govt House, say Police ‘Burnt trucks on Makurdi Road carrying arms’ From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Msugh Ityokura (Lafia) attack on SwasATURDAY’S Enugu Government House carried out by members

Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki representing General Ibrahim Babangida (left); Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and Chairman, NIMAREX 2014 Planning Committee, Mrs. Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, during Nigerian Maritime Expo NIMAREX 100 years of Maritime Development in Nigeria at Eko Hotel, Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: GABRIEL IKHAHON

Yero pleads with PDP defectors to return Secretary’s suspension stirs crisis in Osun From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna) and Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) HEAD of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Kaduna State for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) North-West zonal rally today, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has called on those who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to forgive him, if he had offended them, and return to the party.

Jonathan is being accompanied to the rally by Vice President Namadi Sambo and other party leaders at national and state levels. However, Yero, who addressed a large gathering of PDP members and also inaugurated stakeholders committee ahead of the rally, said he had forgiven those who might have offended him before he assumed office.

Meanwhile, a fresh crisis is brewing in Osun State PDP following yesterday’s suspension of the secretary, Major Raphael Towobola, by the State Working Committee (SWC).

A

Zamfara swears in new SSG From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau OVERNOR Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar has sworn in a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State, Alhaji Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Tijjani, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month, was appointed SSG early this month. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House yesterday, Yari said his appointment was based on his track record of performance at local, state and federal levels, where he had served in various capacities.

However, the governor warned civil servants to desist from active politicking because his administration would not tolerate their active participation in political activities as it contradicts the state’s civil service rules.

G

of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) who came to hoist the Biafran flag there, the Enugu State Police Command said yesterday.

However, it said the motive of the attack had not yet been ascertained. But in a swift reaction, MASSOB leader, Mr. Ralph Uwazurike, refuted the claim that those arrested were members of his group and urged the police to

Ondo civil servants reject contributory pensions scheme From Niyi Bello, Akure ITH the notion that the planned Contributory Pensions Scheme (CPS) would ultimately shortchange them, civil servants in Ondo State yesterday protested against government’s resolve to enlist them in the pre-retirement savings scheme.

As early as 7 a.m., leaders of the various units of the organised labour had locked up their offices to prevent access while workers assembled at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square opposite the House of Assembly to demonstrate their non-acceptance of the plan.

The placard-carrying protesters, who condemned government’s action, called for its cancellation as their leaders insisted that the workers would not resume duties until the decision was rescinded.

Though disagreement on the

W

issue had been on for some time, the matter took a new dimension when Governor Olusegun Mimiko sent a bill to the Legislature requesting approval of the new payment structure to reflect the scheme.

Civil servants had last week threatened to block every road leading to the House of Assembly in order to deny people access to the venue of the public hearing on the bill slated for yesterday.

They had also vowed to use every legal means to fight the state government, including grounding government activities if the “hurried and forceful commencement of implementation of the scheme” was not reversed.

In a letter, a copy of which was made available to The Guardian, the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) said the scheme was a fraudulent means of enslaving the state’s entire workforce. It

accused the state’s Office of the Head of Service of colluding with the government to enslave the entire workers.

The JNC maintained that the law establishing the scheme allows it to be domesticated by each state with input from stakeholders, especially workers in the public service, and asked government to prove that it was prepared to contribute its monthly share, as well as the valuation, before commencing implementation.

However, the Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu, said the scheme is a matter of law as enacted in 2004 to help workers in the country save towards their retirement. He explained that the state was only working to constitute its own pensions commission to coordinate every other existing pensions board in the various state agencies and organisations.”

Dangote to introduce 52.5 grade cement

By Femi Adekoya the standardisFlocalOLLOWING ation crisis rocking the cement industry, Dangote Cement Plc has unveiled plans to launch its certified 52.5 grade cement into the market.

According to the cement manufacturer, a higher cement grade became necessary in view of the lingering quality issues recently thrown up by the recurring collapse of buildings, as well as the need for products that meet international standard and quality benchmark.

The move is coming on the heels of anticipated plan by the Standards Orgnaisation of Nigeria (SON) to commence the review of standards of locally produced cement.

Indeed, a coalition of civil society and professional bodies had recently raised alarm over the preponderance of the low-grade 32.5 product in the country, said to be partly responsible for collapse of buildings.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos yesterday, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote

Cement Plc, Devakumar Edwin, explained that the introduction of a higher cement grade into the market would address the lingering quality issues and also cater for the needs of consumers.

He disclosed that the company had been selling its 42.5 grade at the same price that some of its competitors were selling the 32.5 grade.

According to him, “Dangote Cement, as a responsible market leader, has continued to produce 42.5 grade in its three plants in strict adherence to the stipulations of SON. “We have incurred great manufacturing costs by producing a high grade of cement when some continue to make available 32.5 grade in the market. We stopped producing the 32.5 grade a long time ago.”

Displaying the firm’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate, Edwin noted that the firm had since November 2013 met SON’s minimum requirements for the production of 52.5 grade cement, adding that the firm had since tested the product and would be formally intro-

ducing it to the market on March 23.

He added that there were plans to introduce another superior product in the market before mid-year. On product differentiation, he noted that the company was presently the only manufacturer of 52.5 grade cement locally and in Africa, and that its products have been properly labeled according to regulatory frameworks and for differentiation.

However, Edwin dispelled the notion that the company would stop producing 42.5 grade of cement, as the grade remains relevant, depending on its application and intended use.

“There have been arguments on the best grade of cement, but it should be noted that the application and purpose of the product determines the appropriateness and grade to be used,” he said.

“The key strategy for Dangote at this moment is to deploy quality products in the market. Capacity building initiatives for users take a longer time. However, once there are quality products in the market, the consumers can be enlightened on the proper

“immediately charge them to court.”

In another development, an eyewitness has alleged that the two trucks burnt down along Lafia-Makurdi Road on Sunday were loaded with sophisticated arms, possibly meant for attacks on Tiv farmers by Fulani herdsmen.

The first truck, heading towards Makurdi and carrying rams and goats, was said to have been loaded with firearms and explosives, while the second, carrying cement and heading towards Lafia, ran over little children who were taking refuge in a primary school by the expressway.

“We had information that the truck conveying rams and goats was loaded with dangerous weapons and when we tried to stop the driver, he refused, but we eventually succeeded in forcing him to stop,” an eyewitness told The Guardian.

“These people are more sophisticated than us and we are saying that the fight is more than the normal Fulani people we know because we have had issues in the past but not to this extent that entire communities are (being) sacked.”

Confirming the attack, the Enugu Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, gave the names of those arrested as Ifeanyi Chukwuma, Francis Nwokocha, Sunday Okafor and Shedrack Onwukaobi, adding that they all hail from

Anambra State.

“They arrived the Government House at about 4.30 a.m. with the aim of forcefully entering the Government House so as to hoist flags of an illegal organisation called MASSOB,” Mohammed said. “As they tried to gain entrance, they carried some weapons with them, including machetes and other dangerous arms.

“Security agents within the Government House prevented them from gaining entrance and in the process, they used the machetes on the security personnel, one of whom was injured. The hoodlums were chased away and in the process, one of them was shot and injured but he is still alive.

Three others were also arrested.”

According to him, the items recovered from the group included two big banners with Biafra inscriptions, 34 assorted Biafran flags, machetes and one bag containing charms, as well as a piece of other metals.

He further disclosed that on interrogation, the arrested persons confessed being invited by some persons in the state, whose identities he would rather not disclose until their arrests.

“The motive of the people that invited them is what we are trying to establish and, therefore, investigation is in progress. We will very soon charge those arrested to court while we continue to look for their sponsors,” he added.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

6 NEWS Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Envoy, Bakare, others task women on nation’s growth

By Tunde Akinola IGERIAN women have N been told to use their numeric strength to influence the nation positively as they are imperative to the development of any society.

This call was made in Lagos yesterday at this year’s International Women’s Day public lecture organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative themed: “Inspiring Change: Lifting the Siege on Womankind in Nigeria”.

Addressing participants of the event yesterday, United States Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins said evidence has shown that investments in women’s employment,

health and education are correlated with greater economic growth and more successful development outcomes for everyone in the society.

Hawkins, who was the guest speaker at the event said: “For far too long, Women in Nigeria have been held back by cultural traditions that dictate that a women’s place is in the house. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, women in America faced the same stereotypes until they decided that a woman’s place was in the House of Representatives.”

He appealed to Nigerian women, (which is estimated at 60 million) to ensure that they raise their daughters

and sons in a manner that changes the perception that women are second-class citizens that certain roles are for women and others for men.

“Let’s create an enabling environment where women can also develop their Godgiven talents and fulfill their purpose in life,” Hawkins said.

Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare emphasised the need to end all discrimination against women, saying such attitudes were borne of “cultural bondages and religious prejudices.”

Bakare, who was the chairman of the lecture, explained that the provi-

dence had created both men and women equal, that the marginalisation of the women folk by the male folk was an artificial machination.

Bakare said: “The superiority of men over women is not true. The fact is, I am yet to see a man that can undergo the exact pain women go through during childbirth.

There is more to a woman than her body and I think it is high time we started giving them the opportunity to express themselves.”

President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said women’s equality has made positive gains but the

world is still unequal. She added that the International Women’s Day celebrates the multi-faceted achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Wife of the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Pamela Schmoll, said empowering women includes educating them about what important and powerful tool the vote is and how it cannot be taken for granted.

Present at the event were various advocacy groups, activists and other stakeholders within the Civil Societies Organisations (CSO).

Society for Corporate Governance holds breakfast parley

From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State has denounced allegations by youths in the state that the recent relocation of the FRSC academy from Jos in Plateau State to Enugu was politically motivated.

Rather, the corps said the idea to site the Academy in Enugu was conceived 15 years ago by a former regime of the FRSC and that Jos has over the years been used only as a makeshift site.

Plateau State Sector Commander, Sunday Maku at a press briefing in Jos yesterday said, “the idea for the relocation was mooted about 15 years ago by the former regime and not by the present management of FRSC.”

T

Oko poly denies plan to relocate school, others

HE Society for Corporate T Governance holds its breakfast meeting tomorrow

HE Federal Polytechnic, T Oko, Anambra State, has debunked various allegations

at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, will be special guest while president of the society, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, will be chairman of the event.

Govt rolls out centenary lottery From Karls Tsokar, Abuja HE Federal Government’s Centenary Lottery officially kicked off yesterday in Abuja with the roll-out performed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

The lottery, which will be operated by Secure Electronic Technology Plc (SET), is part of the nation’s centenary celebration. According to Anyim, the lottery stands out as one programme that all Nigerians could participate and “is also a means to give back to Nigerians and bring the benefits of the centenary celebration home to many.”

He said the prices were carefully selected to specially empower the lucky winners of the various categories.

However, “those who may not directly win prices stand the chance of benefitting directly or indirectly from any of the legacy projects that may be executed from the proceeds of the lottery,” he noted.

FRSC denies allegation over motive for moving academy to Enugu

T

Convener, Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare (left); Guest Speaker, U.S. Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins; President, Women Arise and Centre for Change, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Special Guest, U.S. Ambassador’s wife, Dr. Pamela Schmoll and Executive Director, Mediacon, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode at the 2014 International Women’s Day Public Lecture, ‘Inspiring Change: Lifting the Siege on Womankind in Nigeria,’ in Lagos … yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

FIRS generates N9.8tn revenue in two years From Adamu Abuh Abuja HE Acting Executive T Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabir Mashi has disclosed that his outfit raked in N9.812 trillion in the last two years.

Mashi told the Abdulmumini Jibrin led House of Representatives Committee on Finance that out of the amount, the sum of N4. 805 trillion was generated in 2013, as against the sum of N5.007 trillion gen-

erated in 2012.

The FIRS chief, who appeared before the committee Hearing on the Framework for the 2014 Budget and the Nigerian Economy, spoke in response to enquiries by the lawmakers on monies generated by the FIRS in the past three years, and the commission’s projections for 2014.

Mashi explained that the N4.805 trillion generated by FIRS was against the budget/target of N4.4 trillion in 2013, adding the projection

of N4.1 trillion is anchored on the PPT (Petroleum Profits Tax) benchmark which differs from the actual market price of crude.

Said he: “We collected N5.007 trillion in 2012 against our target of N3.6 trillion. In 2011, we collected N4.6 trillion against our budget of NN3. 7 trillion. In 2014, we target N3.9 trillion.

We are projecting to collect N4.1 trillion.

Apparently pleased with the FIRS performance, Jibrin said he was left with no option

but to treat Mashi’s presentations with dispatch.

Going by figures on FIRS website, FIRS collection of N5.007 trillion in 2012, is the largest in the history of the FIRS. Last year’s collection of N4.805 trillion was the second largest in the history of the commission.

Jibrin explained that the committee had considered the FIRS projections for 2014, to a point, when it looked at the commission’s 2014 budget about two weeks ago.

levelled against the institution’s management by some women during a protest recently.

About 20 women, carrying placards with different inscriptions had accused the Rector of the institution, Prof.

Godwin Onu of planning to relocate the polytechnic to his Ezira hometown, which is about 10 minutes drive from the institution’s present location in Oko. They also accused the Rector of masterminding the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic’s (ASUP) strike and also blamed the Rector for admitting a representative from another community on behalf of Oko in the just constituted Governing Council of the polytechnic, while also engaging some widows from the community in the polytechnic without paying them salaries for several months.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu affirmed, “The rector does not have the power to relocate an institution established by an Act without proper legislation. On the issue of the ASUP strike, Onuchukwu said it is a nationwide issue, which has lingered for over five months.

He also said there is no member representing the community in the governing council.

Health workers threaten to resume strike, meet govt Thursday

By Chukwuma Muanya HE country might be in for a total shutdown of the health sector, if the Presidency does not provide concrete evidence of having started implementation of agreements reached with health workers, at a meeting between the two parties scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2014.

The health workers, who include pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, medical laboratory scientists and health information managers, yesterday at a press briefing in Lagos said: “We find it necessary to alert the nation once again that the final opportunity to redress our numerous grievances has tentatively been shifted till March 13, 2014 when we shall

T

• Accuse Senate of refusing to amend bill

review all contentious health issues with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at a meeting.

“After a review of that meeting, our members will be mobilised to champion their liberties through lawful procedures.”

The health workers under the aegis of Assembly of Healthcare Practitioners Association (AHPA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) include the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Association of Medical Laboratory

Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria (HIMAN).

President, AMLSN and Chairman AHPA, Dr. Godswill C. Okara, accused the National Assembly (NASS) of refusal to amend Section 1(1) of the National Health Bill 2014, which was still reflected as in the original draft by the Senate recently.

Okara said the unions reject the proposed change of the scheme of service of health workers in Nigeria because the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) did not consult with any of the health professional associations or professional council in line with due process in his bid to impose a new scheme of serv-

ice on health professionals apart from his professional constituency of medicine.

Okara said: “The AHPA wishes to inform the Head of Service of the Federation (HOSOF) and the committee recently set up by the National Council of Establishment of its decision to reject the scheme of service proposed unilaterally by the Health Minister, Prof. C. O. Chukwu during the meeting of the council in the last week of February 2014.

“In pursuit of the Health minister’s agenda of vindictive purposelessness and resolve to deal with imaginary enemies, the Chukwu led Federal Ministry of Health did not consult with any of the health professional asso-

ciations or professional council in line with due process in his bid to impose a new scheme of service on health professionals apart from his professional constituency of medicine.

“One of the glaring absurdities in the proposed scheme is the desire of the Health minister to change the nomenclature of the apex cadre from director associated with other graduate ranks to chief which is totally unacceptable.

“We also observed that even when Prof. Chukwu’s FMOH has issued a circular on skipping of Consolidated Health workers Salary Structure (CONHESS 10), it is not accommodated in the proposed scheme of service by the Federal Ministry of Health.”

Okara warned that in a sector that has recorded more than

10 strike actions in the last five years and with a propensity towards industrial disharmony, the “office of the HOSOF must immediately discard of the ill-motivated scheme of service which is nothing more than another of Chukwu’s many plots to make healthcare professionals subservient to their over-pampered medical counterparts.”

On the review of CONHESS negotiation with the FMoH, Okara said: “The AHPA after a painstaking review of events of the last few weeks on the platform of the joint bargaining committee to review the salaries and emoluments of healthcare professionals, notes with concern that the process continues to be embellished with delay tactics and other avoidable bottlenecks.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 NEWS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

AIG decorates 354 promoted officers in Benue, 138 elevated in Kogi, 200 in Ogun From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi, Kolawole Timothy, Lokoja and Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta OT less than 354 newly promoted police officers from the Benue Police Command were on Monday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, decorated with their new ranks by the AIG in charge of Zone 4, Police Headquarters, Adeniyi Adeleke.

Speaking during the ceremony, the AIG Adeleke commended the IGP, Mohammed Abubakar for approving the promotions and charged the officers to work hard to justify their new ranks.

And in Kogi State Police Command, 138 officers were elevated to their next ranks by the Commissioner of Police, Saidu Madawaki.

Also, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, at its Eleweran Headquarters, Abeokuta yesterday decorated 200 of its men, who were promoted in the recently released promotion exercise announced by the InspectorGeneral of Police.

Ex -registrar lauds Redeemer varsity, others over education FORMER Registrar of the A University of Lagos, Mr. Oluwarotimi Shodimu has

N

Bauchi pays N232m compensation on varsity land From Ali Garba, Bauchi AUCHI State government has commenced the payment of compensation worth N232 million to about 335 villagers, whose farmlands and plots were acquired by government for the construction of the Bauchi campus of the state-owned university.

Presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries yesterday at the state Ministry of Higher Education, Chairman of the payment committee, Alhaji Sa’idu Jahun explained that government had acquired from the villagers a total of 1, 069 hectares of land: 545 hectares for the site one and 524 hectares for site two of the university respectively.

Jahun said the committee had spent three weeks at the affected areas to identify genuine beneficiaries and ascertain the value of their plots used in order to ensure fairness and justice in the payment of the compensation even as he urged them to see the establishment of the new university in the community as a good development.

B

Corporation Communications Manager, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Joseph Kadiri lectures the pupils of Childvelle and Edgewood College on the proceedings on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange at the gallery of the Nigeria Stock Exchange yesterday.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

A

commended Redeemer’s University (RU) and other faith-based private universities, for reducing the mass exodus of youths in search of admission for undergraduate programmes in other parts of world from the country.

Speaking at the first Annual Registry Lecture of RU, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Youth Centre, Mowe, Ogun State recently, Shodimu also praised the private universities for saving the university system from further depreciation, through their maintenance of discipline and stable academic calendar.

He, however, decried the poor global ranking of Nigerian universities, which he said, resulted from lack of infrastructure and enabling environment.

Kumuyi urges perseverance, faith over nation’s woes From Charles Ogugbuaja Owerri HE General Overseer of T Deeper Life Christian Ministries, Pastor William Kumuyi has stressed the need for Nigerians to remain steadfast and have faith that God would resolve the present security challenges in the North-east and other parts of the country.

Kumuyi, who in company

with his wife, Esther and pastors of the church in the South East geo-political zones of the country, stated this at a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Council, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri at the weekend, adding that the only way to overcome the challenges facing the nation was to keep faith in God at all times. He assured that similar prob-

lems had bedevilled other countries of the world.

The cleric, who last visited Imo State in 1994, said he was in Imo State to attend the four–day camp event taking place in Obisima, near Owerri for a serious supernatural encounter with God from March 7 to 10.

According to Kumuyi, the church, which was founded in 1973 as a ministry before transforming to a church

in1983, had grown from faith to faith and strength to strength, adding that the spiritual growth of the ministry when he started it made him leave his job as a lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Lagos to serve God, stressing that he has no regrets in what he did.

The man of God said at the last count, the church has recorded 40 branches in African countries, 20 outside

New minister tasks diplomats on conduct, solicits support From John Okeke, Abuja HE newly sworn-in Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Bashir Wali has assured the diplomats, ambassadors and other foreign missions in Nigeria of the ministry’s maximum co-operation and support.

The minister, who gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday at the maiden interactive session with the diplomatic corps, however, warned them against the violation of the communication channel.

“I will like to assure you of the co-operation and sup-

T

port of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and indeed, the Nigerian government in making a huge success of your respective missions in Nigeria.”

“In this regard, it is my intention to operate an open door policy so as to facilitate direct and faster communication between the Nigerian government and your respective countries.”

“I am sure you will agree with me that diplomacy must always be conducted on the basis of the universal practice of mutual respect, candour and sovereign equality,” he said.

Wali said it was intention to

build on existing relations and to promote new partnerships and collaborative initiatives, centered on issues that are germane to Nigeria’s national interest.

“I am confident that, together, we can achieve concrete foreign policy outcomes that will serve our collective aspirations for a brighter future for the people of Nigeria and a better world for all,” he assured.

Earlier in her remarks, the Minister of State 1 for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, while urging the diplomats to support the new minister stressed that the Ministry was privileged to have him,

Students protest against closure of Osun schools From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo PEACEFUL protest by students of the Osun State owned tertiary institutions over continued closure of their institutions due to strike by their teachers yesterday paralysed commercial activities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The protesters under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students’ Joint Campus Committee (NANS/JCC), Osun State axis blocked movement of vehicles at the popular Olaiya junction for several hours.

Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the students chanted anti-government songs asking the authorities to take quick

7

action to facilitate reopening of the schools.

However, security agencies were at alert and monitored the protesters to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were visible to control and maintain law and order in the peaceful demonstration.

State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu, in a show of diplomatic fatherly affection, led a team of policemen to the scene of the protest to appeal to the students to give peace a chance.

The protesters in a leaflet distributed to the public entitled: “Re-Open Schools Now,” urged the govern-

ment to meet the welfare demand their teachers were making.

“Government should as a matter of urgency meet with the demands of our striking lecturers and also recruit more and create conducive environment for leaning,” they said.

It would be recalled that four weeks ago the academic staff unions of the four stateowned tertiary institutions went on strike to demand for improvement in welfare and approval of 65 years retirement age for academic staff.

The affected institutions are Osun state Polytechnic Iree, College of Technology Esa Oke, Colleges of Education in Ilesa and Ila Orangun.

Reacting to the protest, State Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Communication, Sunday Akere said, “The issue is a general one because the strike is beyond Osun.”

“As a government, we are doing our best possible to resolve the impasse. We have met with the leadership of students over the weekend, so we did not expect this today. We are still holding meetings with their leadership. The protest is not against the Government of Ogbeni Aregbesola, it is a federally instigated one. We are appealing to the students to remain calm and go back home”, the commissioner said.

given his experience.

African countries and presence in all the local government areas in Nigeria.

In 40 years in the Lord and establishment of the church, he said he has preferred the title of Pastor, shunning titles like Bishop or Archbishop is good.

In his words: “The Lord has blessed us not in terms of money but things better, which is spiritual...”

He noted that the efforts of the Federal Government to handle terrorism was evident, but difficult to judge the process, urging Nigerians to attend the four–day spiritually packed event in Imo State.

8 | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

PHOTONEWS

President Goodluck Jonathan (left); Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III (right) and Governor Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto State during the visit of the President to the Sultan in Sokoto.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali (left); Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam and Chairman, National Council on Privatisation, Peterside Atedo, during the Financial Bid Opening for Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited in Abuja.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO.

Executive Secretary MTN Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma (left); Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro; Abia State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ude Chukwu and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogah during the presentation of the MTNF Y’ello Doctor Mobile Clinic to the state.

Managing Director, Cosmos Trade (Ice Cream & Coffee University) (right); Consul General, Italian Embassy, Stefano De Leo; former Governor, Cross River State, Donald Duke; Export Manager, Carpigiani, Antonello Uglino and Senior Instructor, Carpigiani Gelato University, Bologna Italy, Gianpaolo Valli, at the commencement of workshop on Gelato Ice-Cream, Coffee and Pastry in Lagos.

Former Deputy Governor, Ogun State, Rafiu Ogunleye (middle); Chairman, Organising Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu (left) and State Chairman of the party, Adebayo Dayo, addressing defectors from other party to the PDP in Abigi, Ogun Waterside Local Council.

Yul Edochie, son of Peter Edochie, winner of Industry Merit Award (left); winner of Trailblazer Award, Michelle Bello; Managing Director, M-net Africa, Biola Alabi; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; winner in the Best New Era Award, Rita Dominic, and Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth, during the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award in Lagos.

Executive, Parent Teachers Association Board, Mrs. Madu Bugini(left); Director of Schools, Pacesetters Academy, Kate Imansuangbon; Chairman, Pacesetters Academy, Kenneth Imansuangbon and Executive Director, Public Sector, FirstBank of Nigeria, Dauda Lawal, during the Pacesetters Academy Wuse Inter-House competition in Abuja.

PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO.

Prof. E.L.C Nnabuife (left); Engr. Emeka Agusiobo; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Isioma Omoshie; Alternate Chairman, Fred Udechukwu; MD/CEO, Polycarp Didam, HRH Eze Smart Nze and Alhaji O.A Kadiri, during the 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Guinea Insurance Plc, in Lagos.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 9

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

WorldReport ‘Why Nigeria should not intervene in all crises in Africa’ Charles Quaker-Dokubo, an Associate Research Professor at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, has been in the Department of Research and Studies of the Institute since August 1994. He was a member of the Economic Community of West Africa’s Technical Assistance Team to the 1997 Special Elections in Liberia in charge of voter registration. He has been a member of several inter-ministerial committees in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and helped in the policy-making processes on AFRICOM and the Gulf of Guinea. He specializes in nuclear proliferation, conflict resolution and other areas related to strategic Analysis. Quaker-Dokubo told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that it is imperative for Nigeria to tread softly when it comes to military intervention in the continent considering the position of France in the United Nations Security Council. will always do FventRANCE whatever she can to preNigeria from attaining those heights that God has given it. Some countries in Africa are still hanging onto their colonial masters. Also, the French have troops in

most of the Francophone countries and within seconds, they could mobilize or intervene before the subregion could gather to do this. Also bearing in mind their position in the United Nations Security Council:

They are the penholder, as far as peacekeeping is concerned. They will always use that position to enhance their own interest. France does not have history apart from Africa and they are a weakened power. Whatever

Civil servants queue in front of a bank in order to get paid after a month of wage arrears in Bangui…yesterday. PHOTO: AFP. Inset: Quaker-Dokubo

Merkel raps Putin as Russian forces tighten grip on Crimea ERMANY’S Angela Merkel G delivered a rebuke to President Vladimir Putin, telling him that a planned Moscow-backed referendum on whether Crimea should join Russia was illegal and violated Ukraine’s constitution.

Putin defended breakaway moves by pro-Russian leaders in Crimea, where Russian forces tightened their grip on the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula by seizing another border post and a military airfield.

As thousands staged rival

rallies in Crimea, street violence flared in Sevastopol, when pro-Russian activists and Cossacks attacked a group of Ukrainians.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping called for all parties to remain calm and urged a political solution to the crisis, during telephone calls with United States President, Barack Obama and Merkel.

“The situation in Ukraine is extremely complex, and what is most urgent is for all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid an escalation in tensions,” China’s foreign ministry yesterday cited

Xi as telling Obama.

“Political and diplomatic routes must be used to resolve the crisis,” Xi added.

Russian forces’ seizure of the region has been bloodless but tensions are mounting following the decision by pro-Russian groups there to make Crimea part of Russia.

In the latest armed action, pro-Russian forces wearing military uniforms bearing no designated markings sealed off a military airport in Crimea near the village of Saki, a Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesman on the peninsula said.

they are trying to do now, they are just punching above their weight. They use the UN umbrella to cover whatever they are doing to attain some responsibility.

For me, Nigeria should not intervene in all crises anywhere. We must look at the crisis and how well our soldiers are trained. Does it meet up to the standard set by the UN? So that we can do things for ourselves. We have the African security architecture of which ECOWAS is one of it to intervene in crisis situation. But if these troops are not well kitted, if they don’t have the access and platform to carry out operation even within the sub-region, it becomes difficult and Nigeria for me cannot continue to bear the burden of some power protestants when it comes to intervention. We are having a context of lack of resources and also the bigger French interest in Africa on post Francophone African states. These are the things that had stopped Nigeria.

For me I am really at ease with myself that we don’t just jump into this like Mali at the end what did we become, we become cheer leader, clapping for the French.

Nigeria is not a small country to be a cheerleader to a power that has no significant power as far as global political and economic situation is concerned. Before Kofi Anan left UN, in order for him to get the support of France, he gave them the department of peace operations and ever since that has been the contestation between Nigeria and France.

If the French continue to

Search for vanished Malaysia jet widens as frustrations grow HE desperate search for a T Malaysian jet, which vanished carrying 239 people was significantly expanded yesterday with frustrations mounting over the failure to find any trace of the plane.

The initial zone spread over a 50 nautical miles (92 kilometres) radius around the point where flight MH370 disappeared over the South China Sea in the early hours of Saturday morning, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Malaysian authorities announced it was doubling the size of the search area to 100 nautical miles.

“The area of search has been expanded in the South China Sea,” Civil Aviation Department chief,

Azharuddin Abdul Rahman told reporters.

He also confirmed the search area covers land on the Malaysian peninsula itself, the waters off its west coast and an area to the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

The huge area now being covered reflects authorities’ bafflement over the disappearance of the flight, with 40 ships and more than 30 planes finding no sign of it.

Emotions are running high as Beijing blamed Kuala Lumpur for a lack of information, while tearful relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers aboard voiced frustration with all sides of the response effort.

China said Malaysia needed

to “step up” its efforts after authorities admitted they were mystified.

“The Malaysian side cannot shirk its responsibilities,” the Global Times newspaper, which is close to the ruling Communist Party, wrote in a scathing editorial. “The initial response from Malaysia was not swift enough.”

A day of conflicting information deepened relatives’ anguish, with tests on oil slicks in the South China Sea showing they were not from the Boeing 777 and reports of possible debris from the flight proving to be false alarms.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department said that a pilot on a flight from the southern

Chinese city to Kuala Lumpur had reported seeing “large debris” while flying over Vietnamese waters in the latest sighting to be investigated.

Malaysia has launched a terror probe after at least two of the passengers on board the plane were found to have travelled on stolen passports.

Two European names — Christian Kozel, an Austrian, and Luigi Maraldi of Italy — were listed on the passenger list, but neither man boarded the plane.

Both had their passports stolen in Thailand in the last two years and questions swirled over how the two passengers using their documents managed to board the

maintain their position in the UN, they will always disqualify the ECOWAS or AU troops saying they are ill equipped to do that. Even Kofi Anan threatened to drag AU troops before the United Nations Human Rights Council if they intervened in Mali. These are due to the French being in charge of peace keeping in UN. Our aim should be to stabilize, build up the capacity of our troops in such a way that we can do things without any outside support unless perhaps from other like-minded African countries.

If we do things and we hope that the international community will come and support us eventually, the French will intervene because that is their area of competence and specialty in the UN. We have to be selective in our deployment of troops. We cannot send troops and leave them under the command of other countries whose interests do not tally with what we want in that area. If we have done that before, it was a mistake. I believe Nigeria will not do that again.

In recent times, we have not been involved in a lot of intervention because cost benefit analysis. Plays an important determining role. A country that is faced with internal insurgence cannot deploy its troops on peacekeeping outside its shores when the situation is like what it is in Nigeria at present.

“We have to be careful and I believe this government is doing what it takes. I believe our troops should be well treated, well kitted so that they could be on their own to

do things where it affects Nigeria’s interests instead of depending on others.

This is what this government is trying to do by retraining, repositioning, re-equipping, re-kitting and also providing platforms and assets with which our troops could be taken to areas of conflict without depending on other nations.

On whether the internal crisis will prevent foreign investors from coming to Nigeria, he said: “You have to keep your internal environment and security stable.

Even when there is conflict, investors look at the profit motive. In places like DR Congo where there have been lots of conflict, there is still massive multinational investment, because they believe the profit will outweigh the problem they face.

Despite crises, investors will still come to Nigeria.

Also the international community understands that though we have some security challenges , the country is also gaining the upper hand in this. We cannot wish it away. Government is trying to adopt the adaptive measures to make sure security challenges do not occur.

The fear we have is the reportage of this incident, which could give the terrorists the wrong impression they are winning.

However, the government is treading softly to ensure that it does not infringe on people’s rights and I believe human security is very key in this as we should not only be depending on military force to give us victory..

10 | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Politics I’m not angry with Jonathan, says Okorocha • But President owes Imo people a ‘thank-you’ for their support in 2011 Chief Rochas Okorocha, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor of Imo State, says he is in a “dilemma,” as he is uncertain if he should run for the presidency or seek a second term in 2015. Of course, the decision depends on unfolding events, especially threats by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to oust his government in the next elections. Recently, on the lawns of the Government House, Owerri, the governor spoke with journalists, including Southeast Bureau Chief, Kodilinye Obiagwu.

HERE is so much speculation regarding T your political ambition in 2015. Will you seek a second term or join the presidential

Okorocha company in which you have interests...

How can our free education be a lie? Let anyone show me a student in Imo who is paying school fees, from primary to the university level. We even provide school uniforms, lockers, books and shoes.

How did I annex the Ada Palm, which I changed to Imo Palm Plantation? Ada Palm made N3.2 billion, which we used in building schools.

The late Michael Okpara (governor of the Eastern Region) built Ada Palm and for many years, it never made profit. In fact, when we came in, the government owed N1.2 billion severance allowance to workers.

I revamped the place, brought in experts, and they gave us N3.6 billion. If people now say it is my company that is giving the state N3.6 billion, I thank God. ARE you angry with President Goodluck Jonathan?

I am not angry with the president. This state gave Mr. President 1.3 million votes three years ago and to have that figure means that it is extraordinary because I became governor

“

with less than 400,000 votes.

This shows that we loved him and we had confidence in him, but three years after, I feel like crying.

The only ‘thank you’ we could get was for him to come and commission Udenwa as a project for Orlu Zone, (Senator) Chris (Anyanwu) for Owerri Zone, (Senator Ifeanyi) and Araraume for Okigwe Zone and (Chief) Mike Ahamba as an addendum to the three projects.

This was his (president’s) first visit since we voted for him three years ago and they brought him to come and solicit our support for 2015.

Is casting votes all we are good at in Imo? Are we not good enough to receive dividends of democracy?

The PDP people should know that we are not fools. This visit has provoked rather than comforted the people.

If they have no projects to commission, they could have said they had come on a thank-you visit. Rather, all the leaders gathered in Imo, saying that they would take power.

As far as I am concerned, all these people are

They must have deceived the president because the rally at the Dan Anyiam Stadium was a political fraud. The so-called crowd they gathered was not Imo people because they can’t raise 2,000 people from Imo. It was a Southeast, South-South rally; people came from Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and even Bayelsa, and this is how they have come to capture Imo. If Udenwa said that he was taking 15,000 APC members to the PDP, then I wonder why he lost the senatorial election in 2011 in Orlu. He should show us his APC membership card; he is not a registered member. No one can claim to be a member of the APC without a registration card. They can’t deceive the people any more; the people know them better now.

“

race?

I have a problem here because Imo people do not want me to go. I am yet to make a decision on whether I should run for governor or the presidency.

The decision is even more difficult with the talks by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to grab power in Imo. How do you react to the PDP chieftains, who are berating themselves for the mistake in 2011 that paved the way for your entrance as governor, and want to make amends in 2015?

My victory in 2011 was not by accident; it was the mandate of the people of Imo freely given to me.

The PDP has never won any election in Imo. I, and not Chief Achike Udenwa (former governor), won the 1999 election.

We all know about Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who succeeded Udenwa (as governor in 2007).

They lied when they said my victory was a mistake; I have always won elections in Imo. Who made the mistake? The PDP had every security agency at their behest but the masses resisted them and voted for me. Did they have anyone better for the people of Imo? So, what do you make of the claim that Imo has always been a PDP state?

Imo has since left PDP. I was shocked that at their rally in Owerri, no one asked Mr. President what he could do for Imo. They were more concerned about how they would capture power in 2015. What follows after capturing power?

Only Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu spoke like an elder statesman. He told them the truth, which is that they should not go the way they were planning because they would be unpopular.

What did they do with the power they held for 12 years in the state?

I am happy that they have not said that this present government is not performing.

They did not want the president to see the development in the state; so, they ferried him by helicopter.

How do you feel about those who had left the APC, your party and the APGA, your former platform to join the PDP? They are like expired drugs. It was painful that the president could have spent as much as N200 million, mobilising their ‘who is who’ to come to Imo to buy products, low in political value, which put together, wouldn’t cost N1 million.

They must have deceived the president because the rally at the Dan Anyiam Stadium was a political fraud.

The so-called crowd they gathered was not Imo people because they can’t raise 2,000 people from Imo. It was a Southeast, SouthSouth rally; people came from Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and even Bayelsa, and this is how they have come to capture Imo. If Udenwa said that he was taking 15,000 APC members to the PDP, then I wonder why he lost the senatorial election in 2011 in Orlu.

He should show us his APC membership card; he is not a registered member. No one can claim to be a member of the APC without a registration card. They can’t deceive the people any more; the people know them better now.

The people that followed them (to the rally) did so due to the presence of the president.

None of them is in a position to gather 100 people without paying for it.

How can Udenwa face his people now in Orlu and ask them to vote for him? I am tarring the road to his house.

The president would have had a better visit if he had not come with these political liabilities.

Your free education has been described as a lie and that you have annexed the state’s palm plantation through a construction

While there is a temptation on their part to see our projects as theirs, I want them to tell me federal projects brought to Imo in the last three years. They have listed the dualisation of the Owerri to Port Harcourt road, Owerri to Aba road, Owerri to Onitsha road and a hostel for FUTO. I don’t consider hostel as part of the projects I have done in Imo. There is no single road by the NDDC; my government did the Aba road. Imo people can never be deceived again because 12 years of PDP have been terrible. The eight years of Udenwa was a waste; the four years of Ohakim was a disaster.

What I have done as a governor in two and a half years is more than what they did in 12 years. the problems of Imo. Perhaps, it is a good omen that they are now in one basket.

Is it true that you were stopped from traveling out of the country because of the visit of the president and that you directed that the president’s banners should be destroyed?

Why would I want to leave? President Jonathan is the president of Nigeria, and not of the PDP. It is my duty to receive him and hand him over to his party and that was what I did.

How could I destroy his posters when I gave them the stadium?

You were accused of inflating the rent from N500,000 to N5 million...

Don’t they have money to pay? That is good IGR for the state. The money they stacked away in the past 12 years, where did they keep it?

The good thing is that I did not refuse them the stadium. When I was running for governor, I gave them (the state PDP government) N10 million but they refused me to use the stadium.

But the truth is that I am not aware of how much they paid for the stadium.

A PDP governor had warned the people of Imo to be on alert because you could be claiming Federal Government projects and showcasing them as the achievements of your government...

That is unfortunate. Certainly, they are overwhelmed by the number of projects we are doing in Imo. We have done as much with the N4.5 billion federal monthly allocation to compare with states that get over N40 billion a month.

While there is a temptation on their part to see our projects as theirs, I want them to tell me federal projects brought to Imo in the last three years.

They have listed the dualisation of the Owerri to Port Harcourt road, Owerri to Aba road, Owerri to Onitsha road and a hostel for FUTO. I don’t consider hostel as part of the projects I have done in Imo. The Onitsha road was a project started 12 years ago by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. There is no single road by the NDDC; my government did the Aba road.

The president might not be aware that nothing has been done in the state and they are shielding him from the truth.

Imo people can never be deceived again because 12 years of PDP have been terrible. The eight years of Udenwa was a waste; the four years of Ohakim was a disaster.

What I have done as a governor in two and a half years is more than what they did in 12 years.

Why are you called the Emperor?

Maybe because I am the torchbearer and advocate of the masses in Imo. They (critics) see something wrong in someone standing up or something. That is the problem of those who see themselves as elitist.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 POLITICS 11

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘It’s mistake accepting Uzamere into APC’ HONOURABLE Philip Shaibu is the Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly. The former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) spoke to Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu on topical issues in the polity, and particularly the recent defections from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and the party’s membership registration.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) recentT ly registered its members nationwide; what are we expecting from the outcome of that exercise?

I am happy because what some people thought would happen didn’t happen, and Nigerians have seen that the APC is a disciplined party and also a party that is focused; a party with ideology.

People always say that Nigerian political parties are not based on ideology, but today, I am confident that Nigerians are gradually seeing a party with ideology.

Our ideology has obviously shown from our membership registration — how united and how peaceful it went and it has shown that across the country, in all units, we have members and the turnout was massive.

I think it is all about the wind of change.

Nigerians are yearning for positive change, which the party represents. It was very peaceful all over the country.

However, in some areas that we had skirmishes, they were as a result of the opposition party, the PDP, that tried to do what they are used to doing, by mobilising thugs to disrupt the process.

But I am happy that we brought the entire thing to a peaceful end.

What will you say about recent defections, particularly that of Senator Ehigie Uzamere from Edo South, who went back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he left less than four years ago to get re-elected on the APC platform into the Senate?

Well, I will say that I am not comfortable with it, but at the same time, we are a people that like admitting wrongs when we are wrong and admit right when we are right, too. When you make a mistake, the ability to correct them and move forward, makes you thick.

On the issue of Uzamere, those that said he should be ignored were very correct. So, for us, we have moved beyond him and his example has taught us a lesson. Anyway, I am not speaking for the party; I am speaking for myself. But I am part of the system, I am part of the party and I have seen that we made a mistake when we thought that we could rehabilitate him when he was dumped by the PDP. But we were mistaken.

There is this notion among Nigerians that the choice of a presidential candidate is going to make or mar the APC come 2015. Do you nurse any fears about the project of choosing a presidential candidate?

I am not losing sleep over it because we have leaders of integrity; leaders who are knowledgeable in politics, in the workings of Nigeria and knowledgeable in what is happening in the country They are also knowledgeable on how to fix it and that is what has resulted in a very strong, dynamic, viable and vision-driven party, the APC. For them (APC leaders) to have reached this point, I am very convinced that God is with us and if God is with us, obviously, He will give us a presidential candidate that will bring about that required change that our party represents.

What is your take on the move to get a new Constitution for Nigeria?

I think it is better that it takes a very long time than for us to bring a document that will not make meaning to Nigerians. We are talking about laws that govern us and when those laws are to be taken, they should not be taken in a hurry, most especially if they have to do with the lives of Nigerians, with the social wellbeing of Nigerians.

So, I think what is paramount is a workable document acceptable to Nigerians and that we also make provision for their welfare and also put Nigeria in a place where the international community will see us as law-abiding citizens and a society driven by law.

How do you assess the proposed national conference and its modalities?

I think it is going to take the role of the National Assembly. But the truth is that I see it as another jamboree that will bring all Nigerians together, make them busy and divert their focus from the real issues of governance in Nigeria. So, I see it as diversionary.

I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the conference, but obviously, with what I have seen in the past — all the Vision 2010, 20:2020 and all of them have become visionless.

Whether they remove Sanusi or not, we are asking the question; we need that money. We are all aware that money is missing and those monies should be remitted to the CBN. The man (Sanusi) came out and said N10 billion dollars because he was given an assignment to look at the books and everything. Before he looked at those books, Nigerians were already aware that it was N20 billion dollars before he came out with N10 billion and he checked his books and said it was N20 billion.

Whether N20 billion or N10 billion, the bottom line is that money is missing and the money is not supposed to be missing

Shaibu

When you make a mistake, the ability to correct them and move forward, makes you thick. On the issue of Uzamere, those that said he should be ignored were very correct. So, for us, we have moved beyond him and his example has taught us a lesson. Anyway, I am not speaking for the party; I am speaking for myself. But I am part of the system, I am part of the party and I have seen that we made a mistake when we thought that we could rehabilitate him when he was dumped by the PDP. But we were mistaken.

I don’t want to believe that it is one of those conferences but looking at the composition already and who will be in charge and how people will be mobilised, especially, who will be the chairman and the rules guiding the conference; it is obvious that it may be another jamboree.

Truly, I believe in a sovereign national conference but I don’t believe in President Jonathan’s conference. There is a great difference between a sovereign national conference and the Jonathan conference.

THEE have been comments that the conference is usurping the powers of the National Assembly…

Yes, we are all voted for to represent our various constituencies and when we speak, we speak on behalf of our constituencies.

Before now, questions were being asked about we Nigerians; the constitution says “We Nigerians”. Who consulted us before the constitution was enacted?

The people say it is a military constitution but as time goes on, it is gradually becoming the Nigerian constitution because Nigerians elected those amending the constitution and so, they speak the voice of Nigerians.

Look, the last time, they had to go back to

the various state constituencies to get inputs; it (constitution) is gradually becoming a Nigerian Peoples’ Constitution and not a military constitution.

Still, I do not believe strongly that the conference will make any meaning. Obviously, I want to see where the resolutions that will come out of the conference will be taken to because the president cannot implement the resolutions without the National Assembly.

It is when the president wants to implement the resolutions without the National Assembly that you talk about usurping the National Assembly’s functions.

What will you say about the suspension of the CBN Governor?

I don’t know the criteria that were used to appoint him and I don’t also know the criteria that were used to suspend him. But if it is because of his revelations to Nigerians, that money was missing, that led to his suspension, I don’t think they have solved the problem.

The real issue is whether money is missing or not. The number one banker in Nigeria, the Governor of the CBN, said money was not remitted to him. I think the real thing is for the NNPC to remit that money to the

CBN. We know they (CBN) are supposed to be in its custody; they are supposed to be the ones keeping the money; the NNPC should not sit down and tell us about spending money.

The NNPC does spend money but the money is budgeted for. They don’t have the right to deep their hands into our resources and tell us how they spent the money that is supposed to be in the Federation Account.

They don’t have the right to spend.

Money that accrues to the account, there is a place it goes to — to the Federation Account. And if the CBN says they (NNPC) have not remitted it, they should remit it.

Whether they remove Sanusi or not, we are asking the question; we need that money.

When the governors were shouting all over: Lagos State governor; our own governor (Adams Oshiomhole) — all the governors were unanimous, whether PDP or APC, they were all shouting that allocation was dropping.

The NNPC said oil theft and now, we are discovering that the small one (crude oil) that was sold, the money has not been remitted. I think the real issue is to remit the money and whomever they have put there cannot cover the fraud if there was fraud. They can’t cover it.

We are all aware that money is missing and those monies should be remitted to the CBN. The man (Sanusi) came out and said N10 billion dollars because he was given an assignment to look at the books and everything.

Before he looked at those books, Nigerians were already aware that it was N20 billion dollars. There were rumours that N20 billion was missing before he came out with N10 billion and he checked his books and said it was N20 billion.

Whether N20 billion or N10 billion, the bottom line is that money is missing and the money is not supposed to be missing.

What is your opinion on preparations for 2015 general elections?

Well, (INEC Chairman) Professor (Attahiru) Jega should know that he ought to write his name in gold in the hearts of Nigerians and not to write his name in the hearts of a few individuals that will not help him.

He is a man that has proven that he is a comrade, and I want him to live up to his name, as a comrade.

And one thing that I like in him, which we don’t want to hear again, is that he admits mistakes. The Anambra situation was one that he admitted the failure of INEC. Unlike in the past (former INEC chair, Prof.

(Maurice Iwu) would justify that the election was the most peaceful, and the most credible that we ever had.

Since he (Jega) had identified that INEC goofed in Anambra, what I expect him to do, to write his name in gold in the hearts of Nigerians, is to correct other elections that will take place in the country.

Nigerians are law-abiding but don’t push them to the wall!

TheGuardian

12 | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

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

Editorial On electoral offences tribunal HEN the evils stalking Nigeria’s electoral process are considered, W anything capable of some remedy is worth giving a thought.

With the level of abuses that have bedevilled past elections, the call for an electoral offences tribunal is not only understandable, it is a plan worth implementing. Recently, these evils perpetrated at elections and the damage to democracy topped the agenda of the customary working group meetings of the Nigeria-United States BiNational Commission where the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield pointed out some contradictions of the Nigerian electoral process, especially vote rigging and the attendant violence. Her view that many Nigerians who are worried about the notorious undermining of the electoral process through vote buying, alteration of vote tally and the corresponding violence which have characterised the Nigerian electoral process is unassailable. That the Nigerian security services have the professional expertise to ensure the conduct of peaceful elections, in which votes would count and reflect the genuine wish of the electorate is also not in doubt.

And the clincher: that the National Assembly should enact a legislation to establish an election offences tribunal to punish offenders and thereby act as deterrence to would-be offenders is a view shared by many Nigerians and shows the level of concern over the coming elections.

Whereas views such as the American diplomat’s may be seen as a form of interference in the affairs of a sovereign state, that does not deviate from the fact that they echo the fundamental concerns of Nigerians. Besides, such issues also fall within the remit of the BiNational Commission which engages in issues of good governance, transparency and integrity. An electoral offences tribunal is, no doubt, a necessity for the Nigerian electoral process and was first recommended by Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Panel a few years ago.

That panel went to lengths to recommend banning of politicians who commit electoral offences.

However, as with matters critical in Nigeria, it was discarded by the Presidency. While it may be plausible to argue that an election offences tribunal usurps the formal job of the judiciary, it could also be reasonably argued that the Nigerian system is a special case in need of special treatment. Importantly, electoral tribunals will only complement the regular courts and restore to the judicial review process some efficiency in terms of timeliness of justice dispensation.

There may be many offences covered by the extant electoral laws, but offenders are ever hardly prosecuted and punished. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said so many people were arrested for breach of the electoral process in the 2011 elections, but none appeared to have been sanctioned. Also, the cost of litigation is cited as a discouraging factor. Nevertheless, it is in the interest of democracy and the country’s future that the bashers of the electoral process are picked out, prosecuted and appropriately punished.

Pretending that all is well when the electoral process is abused, manipulated or bastardised is a disservice to democracy. The evil cuts across all the stages of the electoral process: from the manipulation of the registration process, through voting, to results computation. It is of utmost importance that these shortcomings are promptly addressed. If Nigerians acknowledge that democracy is endangered as a result of election malpractices, there is no denying that the nation needs to adopt a stern measure to stem the tide.

The huge loss to the state, damage to the people’s psyche and truncation of a people’s destiny are best imagined when elections do not reflect the preference of the electorate. Such electoral malpractices have also been factors in pre-and post-election violence in the country. Engendering confidence is indispensable to democratic consolidation. It is not enough to tout democratic credentials in the West African sub-region as Nigeria does now even when the practice is so flawed and a mockery. Nigerians need to be assured that the processes will be error-free and that their vote will count. In addition to being the only way the people’s destiny is placed in the right hands chosen by the people, it is the only insurance against violence which trailed previous elections and aborted democracy.

LETTERS

Malaria and the commercial on Lonart under a mosquito net, even if it is

IR: The commercial on Lonart, being “dealt” with. The punishSfantrine a brand of artemether/lume- ment for “Malaria” according treated. And there are many like combination made by to the judge’s ruling, is that me. Even the hope for a malaria the Indian company Bliss Gvs Pharma Ltd and marketed in Nigeria by Greenlife Pharmaceuticals never ceases to amuse me. The commercial plays regularly on television, and there is also a regular radio version of it. There were earlier editions, on television and on radio, respectively. Now, there are ones.

But, I still prefer the older television version. In this, a lawyer was prosecuting an apparently remorseless “Malaria” represented by a man that looked like an imp, with all his body painted in yellow. He could have walked straight out of a Hollywood alien horror movie. With “all” the lawyer accused “Malaria” of doing, and with “Malaria’s” conduct in court, you would expect that the judge would not be lenient with “Malaria”.

To raise hopes of a possible delivery of a proportionate punishment, the judge, with a scowl on his face, even started his sentence with “Malaria, your days are numbered!” But much to my disappointment the judge went on to say “Malaria, I hereby remand you in Lonart’s custody!” And the people in court rejoiced, chanting repeatedly “Malaria own don kwafuka,” but, to their own peril! For those of us who treat malaria, that kind of “sentence” is hardly comforting.

Ok, with the new Lonart advert there has been “improvement” in the way “Malaria” is now

“Malaria” has now been sentenced to “life imprisonment”.

That is good. But still not enough for me. There is “The Great Escape” and even in Nigeria we have “Presidential pardon.” Why not apply the maximum punishment for “Malaria”?

Malaria still remains a major global killer. More than one million people die from malaria every year. It is estimated that in Africa one child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. Yet, resistance to conventional malaria treatment is on the rise, even to ACTs (Artemesinin-based combination therapy), which is WHO standard drug for malaria treatment.

You would never find me

vaccine is still a long way off. The talk by scientists of genetically modified male mosquitoes that are designed to pass down a suicide gene that will kill their own offspring is still like a pipe dream.

Therefore, there is still need for cutting-edge technologies to produce drugs that are effective in the treatment of malaria - which malaria cannot be resistant to!

With malaria, it should be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Lonart, and others like it should be “decisive” and “ruthless” with “Malaria”. Until “Malaria” is “sentenced” to “death”, with no appeal, and it is seen that there is a proper “execution”, “Malaria” will continue to find a way out to “kill” us humans.

• Cosmas Odoemena, Lagos.

Benue varsity deserves support IR: The dilapidated condition Srapidly of Benue State University is changing since the Vicechancellor, Professor Charity Angya took over the institution a few years ago. The ongoing renovation of almost all the structures in the school, building of the new structures and construction of new roads is what necessitated this writing.

I heard of Prof. Angya’s hardwork, giving Benue State University a new look, but I thought it was one of those worthless and needless praises, coming from somebody in her community.

However, I can now testify that the VC is seriously working. I have seen it by myself during my recent visit to the university in Makurdi. I urge Prof. Angya to keep up with the good work, The students, teaching and non-teaching staff of the university, Benue State government and all the illustrious sons and daughters of the state should give their maximum support to our humble VC, to enable her do more for the benefit of the state and beyond.

• Awunah Terwase, Makurdi, Benue State.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 13

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Opinion CBN: How bank ATMs are ‘robbing’ Nigerians

By Luke Onyekakeyah N the morning of January 3, 2014, I took my O Wema Bank ATM debit card and went to an Access Bank ATM in Ijesha, Lagos to withdraw some money. On getting to the bank, there were many people waiting to withdraw money. The Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) appeared functional, blinking green, with the usual “Insert Your Card” indicator.

Without wasting time, I inserted my card into one ATM. The machine responded with the usual steps, which I followed. I always preferred taking cash in bits based on experience; for if you inputted big sum at a time, and the machine debits you without releasing the cash, you lose your money and go with the pain at that moment.

Sometimes, the debit error may be reversed within 24-hours but in most cases, it doesn’t and you will have to take the pain of going to complain at your bank and fill necessary formalities before you could get the money reversed, usually, after three working days.

In this particular instance, as if I knew there was problem, I inputted just ten thousand naira. The ATM indicated the usual “Transaction in Progress”, as I waited. But in about two to three minutes, the ATM debited ten thousand from my account, released my debit card without releasing the cash. I thought it was a joke, as I waited to have the error reversed to no avail. Shortly I got alert that my account has been debited with the sum. I complained at the bank but was told by the customer service worker to wait for 24-hours, within which it would reverse; otherwise, I should go to my bank and lodge a complaint the next working day, which was Monday. This happened on a Friday.

Some other persons in the queue tried with their debit cards, one after another, thinking that mine could be a “special error”. The ATM debited every one that inserted his or her card without releasing cash. After waiting for a while, the people left one after another angry and disappointed. The problem was compounded by the fact that it was a weekend (Friday), and barely the second working day of the New Year. The money was badly needed to ad-

dress some domestic issues but the ATM had swindled it.

Throughout the weekend, the money did not reverse. By Monday, I went to Wema, my bank, as instructed to complain. I was given a form to fill in details of the transaction, which I did and submitted. I had thought that within three working days, my money would be reversed but that has never happened.

Three days passed, nothing came. One week, two weeks, one month on, still the money did not reverse. It is over two months since the transaction took place but still the money has not been reversed. Over this period, I have made several enquiries at my bank without any positive outcome. I took further step to contact the head office customer service desk of my bank with details of the transaction. All I have gotten so far from the head office is that the matter is being looked into and that I should continue to exercise patience. But for how long should I exercise patience over my money that was debited in error? There is no doubt about it as the evidence is intact? Do I have to wait indefinitely?

While Access Bank whose ATM debited the money says the problem must be handled by my bank, my bank, Wema, on the other hand, says the money is with Access Bank, and that Access Bank has to reverse the money before I could be credited with the same. This is totally embarrassing and unacceptable. There should be a quick way of resolving inter-bank ATM transactions if the cashless policy would succeed. Customers should not be frustrated.

My investigation shows that thousands of people have the same problem hanging at various banks. And, when it is considered that on daily basis, thousands of voiceless Nigerians lose their hard-earned money through dysfunctional ATMs and nothing is done to rectify the anomaly, one sees the fraud element inherent in the CBN’s cashless policy.

I am writing this comment to draw the attention of the CBN to what appears to be a deliberate scheme by the banks to rip off members of the banking public, otherwise, nothing stops a debit error from being reconciled within 24 hours or at most within three working days once the matter is reported to the cus-

tomer’s bank.

The question is why should the banks leave faulty ATMs without warning that the machines are faulty? Is it deliberate? Granted that being mechanical cum electronic devises the machines could develop fault unexpectedly, but why should a customer whose money has been debited in error not get reconciliation promptly? Why should the money be held by the banks for months without end?

Is there no policy by the CBN for settling such inter-bank ATM transactions? After holding someone’s money for months, is the person not entitled to interest? Take note that the money was needed for some urgent purposes when the ATM “robbed” it. The owner, therefore, suffered serious inconveniences and damages. Why should the affected banks not be made to pay compensation?

A research recently conducted by the University of Ibadan funded by the Institute for Money, Technology and Financial Inclusion (IMTFI) of the University of California, Irvine, USA, found that perpetrators of ATM fraud include bank officials, among others. The research, which focused on the Southwest, Nigeria, identified un-reconciled inter-bank transactions as compounding the woes of ATM holders. This study clearly corroborates with my experience and investigation. How the CBN handles this open electronic “robbery” would determine the success or failure of the cashless policy as it applies to ATMs. That fraud is going on through the ATM platform is no longer hidden.

The CBN introduced the cashless policy on January 1, 2012, starting from Lagos. Among the benefits of the policy are to reduce the high cost of cash, high risk of using cash and above all remove inefficiency and corruption. The ATMs constitute part of the infrastructure put in place to, among others, facilitate increased convenience; more service options and cheaper access to banking services. With the ATMs, the banking public now has access to 24hour out-of-branch banking services relating to cash withdrawals in particular.

All one needs to do when he or she needs cash is to run to the nearest ATM and withdraw cash using one’s debit card. It would be defeatist for

ATM card holders to be restricted to their banks alone. That would defeat the purpose of the cashless policy regime. Card holders should be free to withdraw money from any bank ATM anywhere, as it is done elsewhere. All what is needed is for the CBN to put in place appropriate policy regulations to make the regime work.

Certainly, there were initial hiccups but most have been addressed since the policy kicked off. Also, the skepticism that greeted the policy appears to be waning as people see the benefits, especially, in terms of convenience. The days of having crowded banking halls are gradually getting over. But the euphoria is being clouded by the numerous complaints of people losing money through ATM frauds.

Whatever makes debit errors not to be corrected promptly has raised doubts about the workability of this instrument in Nigeria.

There is always the Nigerian factor in every good thing copied from abroad.

ATM is used worldwide, especially, in the developed world. It is unthinkable that in America, for instance, a faulty ATM would debit one’s account and the person is turned up and down by the concerned banks without apology.

Those banks would be paid in their own coin by being sued and made to pay damages to the customer. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the banks are capitalizing on the docility of the banking public. Many are illiterate and get frustrated and leave their money to the banks after being turned up and down several times. Maybe, it is by suing a bank to set an example that this matter would be resolved in the public interest.

The fact that, probably, hundreds of thousands of ATM debit errors that occur daily are not reconciled and the banks hold the money in their vaults is indicative of a serious systematic failure of the cashless policy. The CBN has a job to do in this regard. Since the cashless policy is yet to cover most parts of the country, these complaints should form the basis for sanitizing ATM transactions, if they are to be part of the cashless policy. The CBN should compel banks to reconcile all outstanding debit errors forthwith and have new cases resolved promptly.

Time to deliver a new Nigeria

By Femi Gbajabiamila N speaking of a New Nigeria, we must understand that we Isecures do not speak of an idea, we speak of an ideal. An ideal that for Nigerians a life more abundant.

But for us to reach that ideal, we must first of all take back the old to create a new. We must first embrace change and then go out and effect it through the ballot box. This process of newness is found not just in politics but is grounded in the spiritual. It is embedded in all religions and is quranic as it is biblical.

It is only after effecting this change, that we can all go to the mountain top and declare with one voice to the little child in the inner city of Lagos whose future seems bleak, or the father in Auchi who ponders everyday on where he will get the next meal for his family, or the policeman who because of the cost of living and a poor salary lays ambush on an unsuspecting motorist for a 20 naira bribe, or the frail old woman in Yobe petrified in anticipation of the next bomb blast that may wipe out her whole family, or the oppressed and restless youth of the Niger Delta who feels cheated of his natural resource by the system, or the young boy from Abeokuta who wastes away in a foreign land in search of pastures greener and because his country cannot provide him with good education or employment. Or the poor student whose eyes have been imperiled because he is forced to study under dim candle lights due to lack of electricity. It is only after effecting this change and creating a New Nigeria that we can say to these people and cry out from the mountain top old things have passed away, all things have become new.

In APC, we speak of a New Nigeria where our God-given human and natural resources are fully harnessed for the greater

good. Everytime I remember the words of the great Bob Marley, I wonder if he had Nigeria in mind when he sang “in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty”.

We speak of a New Nigeria that can truly be called a federal republic practising a federal system and not a unitary system. We speak of a New Nigeria where other arms of government are truly independent and where the rule of law reigns supreme.

We speak very expectantly of a New Nigeria where no child will be left behind and education will be a right and not a privilege and where being shoeless will no longer mean being clueless.

A new Nigeria where the word impunity will become a thing of the past and 16 will no longer be greater than 19. We propose a New Nigeria where whistleblowers will be protected as is done world over and corrupt officials will be served their just dessert.

Ladies and gentlemen we speak of a New Nigeria where no one is a second class citizen and where we will all be our brother’s keepers and though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we will stand.

Again to do this we must take the old that almost destroyed Nigeria from those who for 16 years have ravaged and scavenged our country. We must take our country back from rent seekers and extortionists. Apologies to Mallam El Rufai for this seeming surreptitious plagiarism, but we must take our country back from accidental public servants who do not give a damn and hand it over to those who care and are prepared and ready for the job. We must rescue our country from leaches and parasites, from vagabonds in power and from barbarians at the gate.

Let us be clear this roadmap that seeks to birth a New Nigeria is beyond the roadmap of a political party because APC is more than a political party as its recent registration exercise attests

to. It is a movement, a mass movement and a rainbow coalition of the North, South, East and West. Of Christians and Moslems, of the young and the old, men and women, able and disabled.

A pan-Nigeria movement whose time has come. This roadmap therefore, belongs to all Nigerians and I encourage you take ownership of it for embedded in it is the true Nigerian spirit, long suppressed. This movement for a New Nigeria crosses ethnic barriers, a cross border movement from the sleepy mountains of Plateau to the creeks of the Niger Delta. It is a movement for A Permanent Cure, which is my own definition for the acronym APC. The New Nigeria that we seek by way of this roadmap should be taken as our contract with Nigeria. We have no intention of breaching that contract. It was John F. Kennedy who said “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. When he said that, it was with the historical knowledge that America had already done so much for its people and it was now the turn of the people to do for their country.

Sadly in today’s Nigeria, the reverse is the case and most feel and rightly so that the country has done little or nothing for them. We seek a New Nigeria where in the not too distant future we can in good conscience give the same injunction as John F. Kennedy did, to the people of our own country. Like our revered Chinua Achebe said once upon a time “there was a country”, we agree but now we say in 2015, “there will again be a country” Ladies and Gentlemen, we must reach for the skies; this is our time, this is our moment, Let us seize it.

•Gbajabiamila, (Leader of Opposition, House of Representatives), delivered this speech at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit on March 6, 2014 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

14

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Opinion The letter that changed Nigeria

By Yinka Sayomi MR. PRESIDENT, HIS is not a letter to find fault, oppose or support anybody or any government, but it is a letter to shed light on the heart of the Nigerian situation. For more than 50 years now we have been pointing out the mess in Nigeria. Yes, I guess we all know that we are in a mess. But to stress the mess or dress the mess won’t fix the mess. We hardly see Nigerians point out a fix for the mess. We have had enough of mess talk it’s now time for a fix talk.

The talk has mostly been centered on people and events and not on ideas.

Instead of talking about our shortcomings, I will talk about practical fixes. Instead of finding fault with the government I intend to help until every Nigerian gets the best living comfort on earth as well as the best respect. To be sure this is not a dream, it is what can be done in 6 years and it is what has been done before by people in far worst circumstances than we currently are in Nigeria.

Mr. President I believe we should aim for creating the best society, not the best society in ECOWAS, not the best society in Africa, but the best society on earth. The only thing limiting us from achieving this goal is our imaginations. I believe we have resources both human and material to reach this goal. I am also aware of the impact reaching this goal will have on the minds of black people all over the world, black people have almost lost hope waiting for Nigeria to make an expected impact. Recognizing the head start obtained by the developed world with their huge financial resources and infrastructure, which gives them many decades of lead time, and recognizing the likelihood that they will continue to exploit this lead for some time to come in still more impressive and elaborate successes, we nevertheless are required to make our own bold moves. For while I cannot guarantee that we shall in six years be the head, I can guarantee that any failure to make this bold move will make us the tail.

T

Mr. President we have all been looking at the wrong places for our national salvation. The wealth of this nation lies not in the amount of crude oil reserves it has, it lies not in the amount of foreign currency in overseas accounts, it lies not in the number of professionals it has, it lies not in the strength of its military, but it lies in the quality of imagination that exists in the hearts and minds of our citizens. For all forms of wealth comes from the collective imagination of the citizens, it is the human imagination that produces innovations, creativity, inventions, ingenuity, resourcefulness and solutions to human problems. The Nigerian imagination has not yet been tapped, ignited or exploited. I hope this letter will provide the spark that will ignite our collective imagination.

For if our infrastructure is bad it means we have a bad culture, for we know that a bad culture cannot create or maintain a good infrastructure. Then if our culture is bad it means our mind-set is bad, for we know that a bad mind-set cannot create or maintain a good culture. Then if our mind-set is bad it means that what we believe is bad, for we know that a bad belief system cannot build a good mindset. What is the current belief (or bad mindvirus) that has held Nigeria captive? What mind-virus got us into our current state?

The mind-virus that has held Nigeria captive is a belief; it is a belief that the nation cannot make much progress in our lifetime. Anybody with this kind of belief cannot commit time or effort to a country that they are sure is going nowhere; it will be unwise to do so. Will you commit your time and effort to an enterprise that is certain to fail? The logical thing normal people will do is to grab as much money as they can get for themselves and their family.

Every human being needs comfort, respect and love; the pursuit of these values is what money is used for. And if people cannot grab the money they need legitimately they will grab it illegitimately. This mind-virus fuels corruption. This mind-virus has shifted our citizens from a collective vision to individual

visions. Let no Nigerian point a finger at another Nigerian, for we all suffer from this mind-virus, the difference is the degree to which we manifest it, which also depends on the positions we have occupied in society.

Mr. President, this is the road Nigeria is currently travelling, it is the road that has produced the current security situation in Nigeria, it is the road that gave birth to MEND, BokoHaram and many others about to be born, it is the road that will lead to destruction, but getting off this road will be a big challenge considering the speed and momentum we have gathered on this road You will agree with me that no one soul can hope to face this challenge, no lifetime is long enough, no mind sufficiently creative; no spirit a match for this indomitable plague of decay caused by this belief. By the citizen’s hands this ceaseless reach of corruption has barely been touched, it’s never been tamed; still today it stretches aloof and unhindered in hurried ugliness and horror, unstoppable and unrestrained. But by the same citizen’s hands this seemingly unstoppable decay will be stopped and a new course charted, but how? How do we get off this road? How do we turn this wagon around? We will turn this wagon around with the new belief. But where do we start? We start by talking to the hearts of the citizens and demonstrating to them the power of the new belief, this is how Germany did it in 1933 when it transformed itself from a defeated and economically dead country into a super power just within six years. Today Nigeria is in a far better situation than Germany in 1933.

We will not waste any energy or time trying to destroy the old belief or what the old belief has produced because it is impossible to do so, we will simply start walking with the new belief and as a result of this walk, the old belief will die off along with its by-products, and this is a wisdom supplied from heaven. Heaven says walk in the Spirit and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh; heaven did not say destroy the lust of the flesh then you will be able to walk the Spirit. So in the same vain I say let us walk

with the new belief and we won’t fulfill the old belief.

What is this new virus? The new virus is both a new knowledge and a new belief? What is this new knowledge?

It is the knowledge that the human heart seeks comfort, respect and love but instead of comfort we are getting insecurity in Nigeria, instead of respect we are getting jealousy and envy, instead of love we are getting hate. It is now clear that individual wealth cannot buy comfort, respect and love.

It is the knowledge that to feel respect as a human being in this modern age is made of three parts. A third comes from individual achievement, another third comes from the achievement of the country you come from and the final third comes from the achievement of the race you come from.

It is the knowledge that a soccer player who scores the largest number of goals amounts to nothing if his team loses the match. Nigerians individually have been scoring a large number of goals in various aspects of life but we are all going to amount to nothing because Nigeria as a nation is losing the match. This should make clear to us by now that the Nigerian is limited to one third with regards to respect internationally. What is this new belief?

It is the belief that Nigeria can be and will be the best place to live on earth within the next six years especially for the least Nigerian. Why aim for the best? Because unless it is the best we won’t get the commitment of the most wealth Nigerians at home and the commitment of Nigerians living comfortably abroad. Why should this goal be reached in a short time? Because unless the time is short we won’t get the commitment of adult Nigerians who would want to enjoy the benefits of this new nation in their lifetime. Why should we be concerned about the least Nigerian? Because unless it is done for the least of these ones we won’t get the commitment of God. Because doing for the least ensures that everybody benefits.

• To be continued tomorrow.

• Sayomi wrote from Calgary, Alberta.

Taming the shrew of elective dictatorship (2)

By Alade Rotimi-John UR current Assemblies [at national and state levels] visibly lack the presentation lustre and polemical ardour of the preO and immediate post-independence era Assemblies at Regional and Federal levels. Some of the debates or presentations in the Western Region of Nigeria House of Assembly between 1955 and 1959 have been captured verbatim in the trilogy put together by Fagbamigbe publishers appropriately titled Voice of Wisdom, Voice of Courage, Voice of Reason. The presentations are not only an interesting study in unrelenting logic, in scathing or reproving diatribes and in austere and severe verbal exchanges, they are a veritable sign post to a future in legislative excellence particularly for an environment that is truly desirous of catching up with the development that have been achieved in much luckier climes. Much of the Assemblymen were the elite of their respective constituencies – teachers, lawyers, medical practitioners, university dons, astute businessmen, etc. Performance of their functions at their duty posts at the Assembly was on part-time basis. They had other matters personal, professional or vocational to attend to whenever the Assembly went on recess. The free-wheeling time table of the Assembly allowed or permitted members to become or develop into rounded personages – performing multi-functional duties and not lagging in any way respecting their responsibilities to their constituencies, their vocations or their other callings. The public gallery or press cubicles of the Assembly were usually jam-packed with constituents from far and wide: avid watchers of proceedings, critics and students who came to learn or take home with them new knowledge, new attitudes and information on the workings of that arm of government or of government generally.

There were less agitative or disturbing concerns for personal safety or security or for the security of the hallowed precincts of the Assembly. Those were ecstatic times, a period of great expectations and of fulfilled aspirations or destinies. The long period of military interregnum is today trumpeted as excuse for the absence of unyielding rigour and effervescence, grace and glam-

our in today’s parliamentary practice. Inexperience, lack of commitment to values and sheer invidiousness have foisted on us an assembly of men and women that is neither representative of our common ideals or aspirations nor a reflection of our earnest choices.

Finally, we seek to disclaim at once the view that political parties forfeit their claim to be national simply by reflecting only particular interests. The purpose of politics in a free society is to focus public attention on possible alternative courses of action in a given situation or circumstance. It is therefore not disreputable but positively commendable for parties to reflect in differing degrees, the general outlook of particular social groupings. The rat race for a national outlook by fringe parties is a reflection of an unfortunate mindset which posits that their fortunes are circumscribed by a limited operation by them in only certain or particular areas of our social life. Their advocacy is suggested to them to be truly encompassing or holistic only when it covers all spheres of our national life. They must be vociferous in the advocacy for social welfare, industrial efficiency, technological development, etc. They must be the proverbial Jack of all trades. They are advised not to stick or allow themselves to be attached to a “tribal” or regional totem as a matter of ritual veneration or reverence. But these prescriptions are flawed and cannot be good reasons why there cannot be parties for furthering only the cause or causes of certain interest groups or situations. Such groupings are no less national without more than a party that straddles the nation’s entire landscape suffocating her with its putrid effluent and a manic stranglehold.

Parties need not attempt to copy the modes or operations of one another or insist for their relevance or legitimacy on a mythical national spread or ethic. There is no subject-matter in the social sphere that is not worthy of being championed at the level of reasoned discourse or praxis. The environment, public transportation, employment, education, industrial peace or harmony, housing, health, agriculture or food security, infrastructure development, etc. are all issues that require or beckon on patriots for committed attention for improving their present atrophy or prostrate state. Political parties are most appropriately suited for plying these issues and for canvassing public acceptance of their own per-

spectives or world view concerning the resolution of the issues necessarily thrown up by the subject matter of our quest.

A party that operates only in a geo-political zone, or in a state or local government or that canvasses issues that affect only a locality or a part only of the country is not necessarily inferior in rank or relevance to one that is supposedly pan-Nigeria but performs perfunctorily without gusto or at all its own enunciated or publicly-touted programmes or manifesto.

In our peculiar situation, a party is enjoined by law to reflect a national or pan-Nigeria motif to qualify it to be registered in the first place. A party formed in Lagos for pressing legislation regarding the peculiarities of Lagos life is an anathema to our extant laws and Constitution. It is submitted, however, given our general penchant for political pluralism, that it is desirable and healthy for parties to be formed even on the basis of expressed commitment to local issues and challenges. In historical perspective, the First Republic and the period immediately heralding it offer for our insightful consideration a refreshing array of vibrant political parties committed to a wide range of philosophies, ideologies and even mythologies all brandishing competing quests for resolving issues national, local, banal or arcane.

The frenetic dissipation of energy recently witnessed for putting together a large, wide-span party is a-historical. It has no basis regarding the differing respective political and social aspirations or goals of the diverse people of Nigeria. A behemoth that emerges from such effort is compellingly pulled in every direction by its attenuated links or joints causing it irreparable cracks and tellingly foreboding its demise even before a proper take-off. Our respective robust visions, aspirations and yearnings for a healthy, prosperous and self-reliant nation cannot necessarily be bottled up or contained in one or two gargantuan or mega parties speaking the same idiolect or strange language, offering token twitches and whimsically denying the locus of political power.

The time has come for establishing the empirical basis for the practice of a truly Federal gamut in its full amplitude of peculiarity, respective identity, diversity, plurality, panoply and competitiveness for taming the shrew of a top-heavy leviathan.

• Concluded • Rotimi-John, a lawyer and commentator on public affairs, contributed this piece from Abuja.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | 15

Focus

Wike

Secondary school students

Workshop exposes students’ deficiencies in English, Literature ANOTE AJELUOROU who attended a creative writing workshop organised for secondary school students in Asaba, Delta state recently, writes on some of the shocking discoveries.

HAT the quality of written and spoken T English among secondary school students has fallen in recent years is no longer in dispute. But the exact extent has always been a subject of debate.

But a sad discovery was made at an empowerment Creative Writing Workshop, organized by an Associate Professor of Literature at Texas University, United States, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo for secondary school students a few weeks ago in Warri, Delta State.

The findings at the workshop mirrored a nationwide malaise in the education system, where students’ enthusiasm for learning could be said to be declining.

On the last day of the workshop, Ifowodo sat down at a roundtable with five teachers from some of the participating schools, which include Hussey Boys’ Model College, Nana Girls’ Model College, Urhobo College and the Federal Government College, Warri.

Other were Oghior, Ekete, Ogbe-Udu, Army Day and Delta Secondary Schools.

In his remarks, Ifowodo noted that if there were no English teachers in a school (as some students attending the workshop alleged), there was no reason for the school to exist.

Although, he commended the Delta State Government and a few other states for rehabilitating schools, he lamented the lack of human capital (teachers) needed to make the provided first class infrastructure meaningful. He noted that spoken English by most of the students was poor, adding that schools were fast becoming breeding grounds for illiteracy. He stressed the need for training and retraining of teachers for effectiveness.

If Ifowodo’s comments about schools in Delta State were anything to go by, they represented the trend in virtually all public schools in the country.

For example, some Youth Corps members posted to teach in Ogun State said they had to teach with a Yoruba interpreter in order for the students to understand what was being said, as they (students) could not understand basic English, the language of instruction.

One after the other, the teachers took time to explain the delicate and impossible situation they found themselves as teachers of the English Language and Literature. Rita (not her real name) said students and their parents were not interested in buying school texts in the same way that the students were not interested in reading the notes given to them. “So, their responses to questions were poor. They couldn’t write properly; they have general apathy to studying and giving them three marks out of 10 is even being generous”.

Another teacher, Adesua (not real name) echoed Rita’s assertion. She said: “Our stu-

dents speak too much pidgin. As a result, they cannot speak proper English. They can’t express themselves beyond three sentences as answers to questions. They see Literature as a waste of time. They don’t want to read. They are more interested in watching home videos.

She continued: “So, I’m trying to form a drama club. They tend to learn more through practicals, as we make efforts to help stimulate their interest. The habit of reading is not there; they are not interested in studying”.

A recent mass transfer of teachers in the state might have caused more damage and instability than good, according to Marry (not real name). “I enjoyed Literature as a young person and I could forfeit a meal just to read,” she enthused. “But it took me desperate efforts to get my students interested in Literature. I want to see a difference; I’ve been battling to get them interested. I even award five marks for getting a recommended text, which isn’t enough incentive for them. Literature is a subject to enjoy, but it’s hard getting them to read.

“But when I introduced Unseen Literature to them through practical usage, they began to pick up gradually. The short pieces I used aroused them. Another problem is that students in my area don’t like coming to school”.

At this point, Rita interjected: “The foundation is mostly bad. Most of the students in secondary schools don’t even know the alphabets.

I had to ask them to get the Queen Primer meant for nursery pupils!”

Another teacher, Gladys (not real name) agreed. She personally bought Queen Primer to teach her students, she revealed, urging government to review the scheme of primary schools to assist pupils better. Gladys also complained about students’ poor attitude to school attendance. Her school asked some older youths in the community to forcibly bring to school, any student they saw playing truant during school hours. Perhaps, her school’s initiative foretold the Delta State Government’s planned introduction of School Marshalls scheduled to take off next month. They would enforce compulsory enrolment of persons of school age among other things.

“We preach to them to come to school,” Gladys continued, “and point the benefits of education out to them. But some always counter us and say: ‘our chairman’ (usually the political godfather in the area), did he go to school? Yet he is rich!’ They know that most of those in politics, who also have money, did not go to school, so why should they bother? That is the terrible mindset.”

Benedict (not real name, who teaches in a heavily populated girls’ school) said it took him time to come to terms with the reality of teaching about 1000 students Literature, as there was no other teacher before he was posted there back in the 1990s.

But since then, he said, “I make my students realise the importance of Literature and reading, as ways of motivating them. I started with the background to Literature. I teach them that Literature is life. I encourage them to see Literature as a means of building a proper society. I also make them realise the importance of being voracious readers. Attitude of buying books among students is zero; but a few come to me for counseling. Only 10 out of 80 students bought The Last Good Man recommended!

“Parents compound problems for teachers.

They are too money-conscious. Most parents don’t know the classes their children are in.

They just throw money at these children thinking that’s all that is required of them for their children to excel. They don’t care how the money is being utilised. Most libraries in schools are not functional. Most of the books are outdated.

“Another problem is that some parents take their children to these Miracle Centres, where they make 12 distinctions, where examination malpractice is the game. It’s affecting the standard of education. Criteria for admitting students into JSS1 must be standardised. Although schools’ supervisors still visit schools, but they only supervise the teachers; they don’t bother to see what the students are doing. Private schools are also killing education, as government is not supervising them properly.”

Benedict also insisted that government needs to thoroughly screen teachers before

Close interaction with a principal of one of the schools, whose students at the workshop complained of not having had an English or Literature teacher for over a year, narrated how difficult it was for her school to secure the services of good teachers in key subjects like English, Mathematics, Literature among others. She explained that with the recent redistribution of teachers in the state, more than 80 per cent were transferred away, adding, “I don’t have enough teachers. I have made several representations to Asaba (capital of Delta State), implored my community leaders to intervene, but it’s all promises we get”

employing them, “as most of them are illequipped to teach due to the poor training they received.”

Close interaction with a principal of one of the schools, whose students at the workshop complained of not having had an English or Literature teacher for over a year, narrated how difficult it was for her school to secure the services of good teachers in key subjects like English, Mathematics, Literature among others.

She explained that with the recent redistribution of teachers in the state, more than 80 per cent were transferred away, adding, “I don’t have enough teachers. I have made several representations to Asaba (capital of Delta State), implored my community leaders to intervene, but it’s all promises we get.

“I have impressed the urgency of the situation on my employers. I’ve had to draft other teachers to cover up so there will be no vacuum. It exacts a strain on my teachers”.

Ifowodo, who could hide his dismay at the level of disenchantment in public schools in Delta State, one of the states reputed for academic excellence in years gone by, wondered what other states in the country with less endowments and facilities would be grappling with.

While commenting on the overall performance of the students after the workshop, Ifowodo lamented: “My observation is that our students are being so poorly served. They are very eager, very keen to learn. But they haven’t had the best preparation. If back in their schools they have resources, they will do far better. But I’m encouraged. If they don’t let the spirit of the workshop die, they will go far.

“We all know that things are bad, and some governments like Delta State are trying to do something. Having good infrastructure, the atmosphere should give a sense of seriousness.

But the software – books, teachers, revised curriculum that help solve 21st century problems – are lacking. Some students who came for creative writing workshop said they haven’t had English teachers for two years. Some in secondary schools don’t know the alphabets; it’s so shocking you are agape. You don’t know where to start.

“But sporadic interventions like this alone cannot solve all the problems. Education is number one priority of any nation looking to advance. We’re in dire straits in the use of English language in Nigeria. Students literally transliterate from poorly understood spoken English or mother tongue to English. They don’t have a grasp of the basic elements of the English language; it’s a sorry situation. We all have to be advocates in our communities to make things work!”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

TheMetroSection ‘Hell’ in a place of worship • Three burnt to death in Ibadan church fire

Sympathisers in front of the burnt church

What remains of the church

Another view of the church

One of the burnt victims

From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan BOUT three persons were burnt to death at A the wee hours of yesterday when an inferno razed down a Pentecostal church in the state capital.

Four other persons, including a pregnant woman, escaped death by the whiskers in the fire, which lasted for almost three hours.

Items burnt in the inferno include two generating sets, two complete drum sets, ceiling fans, many sewing machines, plastic and wooden chairs.

When reporters got to the church premises, bodies of the burnt members and a coffin were in the church.

Scores of sympathisers, including school children gathered in clusters discussing the incident.

What actually worsened the situation, according to residents in the area, was the power generating sets, which were filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.

One of the lucky survivors, Mrs. Oyediran, an expectant mother, said the fire started around 2.00am when worshippers were sleeping.

PHOTOS: NAJEEM RAHEEM

She said she tried to crawl outside when a young man pulled her out.

Demola, who rescued the woman was quoted as saying that it was a herculean task pulling the heavy pregnant woman out of the thick smoke.

It was learnt that trouble started when the fire, said to have emanated from the front axis of the church, spread into some of the power generating sets fully loaded with petrol resulting in the sudden spread to other parts of the church.

The son of the 92-year- old man, who died in the inferno, refused to make any statement saying he was not interested in any case but to retrieve

Remains of slain U. S.-based show biz promoter buried amid tears • Group gives police seven-day ultimatum to produce report From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri T was a solemn moment characterized by wailings and lamentations last Saturday as the remains of the slain Imo-born United States- based show promoter, Mr. Emmanuel Tochukwu Unegbu Noel, was laid to eternal rest at his family compound in Akwu, Akokwa, Ideato North Local Council of Imo State.

No ceremonies were entertained as the community, friends and relations were in deep mourning mood.

But immediately after the body was committed to mother earth, a concerned group, the Imo New Generation Forum (NGF), went into a brain storming session, with the outcome that the state Police Command should make public, within seven days, the report of the confessions made by the suspected killers of the show biz icon.

The entertainer was said to have been invited by the Imo State government officials to entertain at the 36th anniversary of the creation of Imo State (created in 1976) which held on Monday, February 3, at Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Owerri. Onuegbu Noel was at the event.

In a statement signed and issued to journalists in Owerri after their meeting presided over by the President, Ig-

I

boayaka O. Igboayaka, and Secretary, Eze Dikebuaso, the body said the only consolation the grieving public could listen to is for the police to release and make public the report of the confessions from the suspected killers in the police net, insisting that they were giving authorities of the state police command seven days to do so.

While appealing to the family of the deceased to remain calm, the group noted that the state should not be a safe haven for assassins, who snuff out lives at will, from vibrant people.

Noel, who had floated Price Noel Incorporated, Huston Texas, U.S., was murdered gruesomely in his hotel room located in Akwakuma, along Orlu Road, Owerri, on the night on Tuesday, February 4, after he had returned from a performance earlier in the day in Owerri, apparently to have his night rest.

Unknown gunmen beat the security at the hotel, gained entry into the deceased’s room and shot him at close range.

His body was immediately deposited at a morgue in the state capital. Later, a post-mortem was conducted by the medical team on the orders of the police, while some per-

The late Unegbu

the corpse of his father.

The police had taken the pastor of the church, Pastor Samuel Oyediran and the man who rescued the pregnant woman to their station for interrogation.

Speaking on the incident, the Director, Oyo State Fire Services, Mr. Oyekunle Kareem confirmed the incident saying that around midnight, a distress call was made to them that “there was a fire incident at Alaro and we rushed there immediately. We put out the fire but three bodies were recovered. Only the doctor can certify them dead.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

17

That Mobolaji may make use of his mouth again • Cancer patient needs N4 million for reconstruction surgery

By Tope Templer Olaiya HEN Mobolaji Adeyemi W heeded God’s call to become a pastor years ago, he had his plans well laid out: establish a church known as Firstborn Faith Ministries in Abule-Egba area of Lagos and dedicate the rest of his life expanding the frontiers of the ministry.

Taking on the burden as the first son of the family after bagging a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Ibadan in 2004, he spent his early working years teaching Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Agricultural Science in several secondary schools.

He has hardly settled into his new schedule as a full-time pastor in charge of Firstborn Faith Ministries when fate dealt him a deadly blow.

Adeyemi was struck with a rare form of cancer, adenocarcinoma that led to the dissection of his neck and removal of his upper jaw.

Pulling himself and resources together, he underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja in May 2013.

But since then, he has not been able to feed well or talk properly. Apart from causing extreme discomfort, this has placed significant constraint on his ability to fulfill his roles in various capacities.

Mobolaji before...

Since the ailment began, Mobolaji has spent close to N2 million on various lab tests, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other ex-

Mobolaji now... penses in maintaining his health and taking him through some other medical processes to boost his immunity and restore certain cells that were af-

fected by the therapies.

The bulk of this fund was donated by friends, family and well-wishers. At the moment, he needs another 25,000 USD

(over N4 million) to take him through reconstruction surgery so that he could regain the use of his mouth and resume his normal life.

The reconstruction surgery was earlier scheduled to take place within the third and fourth week of November 2013 at Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad, India. Painfully, the surgery has been delayed due to insufficient funds.

He is, therefore, making a passionate appeal for financial support towards raising the medical bills, which covers consultancy fees and anesthesia, surgical fees by the chief consultant and two assisting surgeons, post-operation care/treatment, various laboratory tests, as well as therapy after operation.

It also includes cost of obtaining visa, feeding and moderate accommodation covering three good months.

Mobolaji’s father Revd.

Adeyemi Adio holds the firm belief that through Divine intervention and the support of well-meaning Nigerians, his son would be restored to his normal physical health.

“The reason for this public appeal is that Mobolaji, after the first surgery, can no longer eat well or speak properly like he did before going for the operation. This is a pathetic situation, which calls for Re-construction Surgery and we want kindhearted Nigerians to come to our rescue,” he said.

Bank details: GTBank Adeyemi Mobolaji Adam 0139375111

Five Nigerian pupils to enhance art education frontier in the United States pupils of Kingdom HerFhaveIVE itage Model School, Lagos State been selected by Creative Connections to participate in the 2014 International Children’s Art exhibition opening in May at Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, Connecticut, United States America (USA). Creative Connections is a US- based children art education and development foundation.

These pupils who have been selected include Princess Ajagbe Jomiloju, David Abraham, Divine Ekwualo, Chinwe Onuoha and Fade Omobuwajo.

The pupils were selected after participating in a children artlink exchange programme organized among primary and elementary school children from all over the world by Creative Connections in partnership with Peekok YouthArts Initiatives (PYI).

PYI is a Nigeria-based educa-

tional and nongovernmental organization, which is the only representative of Creative Connections in Nigeria and the sole organizer of the children art-link exchange programme in Nigeria In the said art exchange programme, pupils from two schools from all the participating schools are expected to win and participate in the International Art exhibition. While it is customary and mandatory that pupils from one of the US elementary schools will be selected, the second winning pupils will emerge from another school outside the United States of America but within the globe.

These Nigerian pupils made Nigeria proud after their art works presented by PYI to Creative Connections were selected to be the best among their global counterparts. Their works were selected on the basis that they gave expression to Nigerian culture.

The pupils exhibiting their art works

Briefs Borgu Emir honours Petinrin, others FORMER Chief of Defence Staff and 16th Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin (rtd.) and his wife, Linda, will on Saturday, March 15, be turbaned as the Baazukum and Tun-Baazulum of Borgu Kingdom by His Royal

A

Highness, Dr. Haliru Dantoro, Kittoro III in the New Bussa, Kainji, Niger State.

A statement signed by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Moyo Adewuyi, said: “Chief Petinrin, who is also the Jagunmolu of IpetuIjesa in Osun State, is being honoured in recognition of his contributions to the progress and development of Borgu Kingdom.”

Praise Tabernacle begins programme

Lunch Hour Fellowship hosts Turner Ogboru Ministries

HE Redeemed Christian Church of God, Praise Tabernacle yesterday began its five-day programme tagged: “In the days of His power,” at the church auditorium, Nos. 9, 10 and 12, Ebun Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos at 6.00p.m. daily.

A vigil holds on Friday from 10.00p.m. till dawn. It will be rounded off on Sunday with a thanksgiving services at 7.45a.m. and 10.00a.m. respectively.

Pastor Gbenga Kotila will minister, Pastor Amos Emovon is the host pastor while Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the General Overseer.

HE maiden edition of the Lunch-Hour Fellowship,, which will T host the Turner Ogboru Ministries, will take place tomorrow at The Chapel of Christ The Light, besides the Lagos State Govern-

T

UNILAG Law Class 1980-83 re-unite in Abuja HE 1983 set of graduands of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), will on March 14, celebrate its seventh yearly reunion at the Chida International Hotels, Plot 224, Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, Abuja. On Saturday, March 15, there will be a Business Session, followed by a Dinner/Dance at 7.00pm. It will climax on Sunday, March 16 with an interdenominational service. According to a release signed by the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Justice Baba Yusuf, the event will attract former lecturers such as Prof. I. O. Agbede, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, Prof. P.K. Fogam, Prof. Momodu Kassim Momodu, former Governor of Edo State, Prof. Osarieme Osunbor, as well as classmates based at home and abroad. The present Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Imram Wole Smith (SAN), is also expected to grace the

T

Petinrin

ment Secretariat, Central Mosque, Chartered Institute of Personnel, Secretariat Road, CBD Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos at 3.00 p.m.

The theme is: Prayer and Supplication for all Saints and the nation in the Holy Ghost. It will be attended by ministers of God, General Overseers and other religious faithful.

Bride Assembly Church holds family deliverance HE Bride Assembly Church holds its yearly family deliverance T programme from tomorrow to Friday at the headquarters of the church, near Ijesha Bus Stop, Lagos at 9.00a.m. daily The programme, instructed by the Holy Spirit, is aimed at using the weapon of effective prayers to destroy demonic traditions and evil covenants affecting the lives of Christian families.

It is strategically held every year to rebuild every broken hedge in the lives of Christian families.

According to Mr. Eric Oparaoha, “the event is aimed at solving the rampaging ancestral and family spirits seeking to frustrate or out-rightly destroy even the lives of Christians. Thus, it is aimed at waging war against any evil that ancestral river flowing down from generation to generation, could cause `Gods’ people.”

He said the programme is a non-denominational programme.

18

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESS

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 19

Business Govt floats N100b long-term agric financing scheme From Joke Falaju, Abuja

Government has floated a $100 million F(N16EDERAL billion) for long-term financing scheme for agricultural projects, to assist small-scale operators in the sector.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, at the budget defence of his ministry before the House Committee on Agriculture.

Adesina explained that the new funding scheme developed by his ministry would enable agro-small businesses to access funding for long- term projects in agriculture.

“I want to bring to the attention of the committee that we have developed a new fund because we know that funding for agriculture requires money not just from the banks.

“We have developed funds for farmers in agriculture in Nigeria. It is just an equity

fund that would allow agrosmall businesses in Nigeria to get long-term working capital for agricultural projects.

“This will provide $2 million to $5million per business. This fund came from German government. Part of the fund will be about $100million. I want the committee to be aware of this.

“This fund will help to bring about much needed capital to the agricultural sector”, he said.

The minister underscored

the need for Nigeria and the private sector to accord priority to agricultural development, arguing that the sector is central to the country’s security.

“Without food, there cannot be security in Nigeria.

The most important security is food security,” he said.

While reeling out his achievements in the last two years, the minister said the nation’s food import bill has declined from over N2 trillion in 2011 to about N1.5 trillion in 2013.

As part of the concrete measures to further reduce food import bill in the country, Adesina stated that the Federal Government was targetting to reduce wheat importation to Nigeria by 50 per cent over the next four years.

In this regard, he stated that the Federal Government would assist farmers to cultivate 75,000 hectares of wheat in 2014, adding that 150,000 hectares would be cultivated in 2015.

The government spends

over N635 billion for the importation of wheat into the country.

Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Mohammed Monguno, decried the poor budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector in the proposed budget.

Monguno, who described the allocation as “dismal and dwindling”, observed with dismay that the allocation represented about 1.4 percent of the total national budget.

Ecobank inaugurates ‘search’ body for new board

By Chijioke Nelson and Helen Oji HE expected internal governance reforms of T Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) may have received a boost, yesterday, as the pan-African lender said it has inaugurated a committee to scout for new board members.

The seven-member search committee comprises two former Chairmen of the bank- Gervais Djondo and Chief Philip Asiodu; two representatives of the current board; and three-shareholder representatives.

The committee, established as part of the detailed 51point Governance Action Plan agreed by shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting, held at Ecobank’s pan African Centre in Lomé, last week, will be assisted by Chairman, Idea Incubation Centre, Dotun Sulaimon (left), Minister of Communications and Technology Mrs. Omobola Johnson; and Chief executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dr. Wiebe Boer, at the inauguration of Techlaunchpad Phase Two, coordinated by Accenture Nigeria, in conjunction with Federal Ministry Of Communications and Technology, in Lagos, at the weekend.

Bayelsa parleys OPS on N10b SME Fund

By David Ogah, Bola Olajuwon and Seye Olumide AYELSA State government, in collaboration B with the Organized Private Sector, (0PS) at the weekend in Lagos, unveiled the state’s new economic plans aimed at encouraging Small and Medium scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) by floating a N10 billion Trust Fund.

Presenting the economic blueprint of his administration at the pre-event luncheon to business stakeholders ahead of the 20th International Conference on SMEs scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson said the new economic road map for the state was imperative in view of recent economic downturn in the country.

The state government, according to the Governor, would provide 40 per cent of the fund, while the remaining 60 per cent would be made available by the OPS Stressing the need for

the promotion of the SMEs, Dickson said the recent economic depression was an eye opener, adding that some states of the federation are presently finding it difficult to meet their respective financial obligations.

To ensure prudent management of the Fund, the Governor disclosed that it would be managed by the OPS. “I have encouraged the land and property owners in the State to apply for Certificate of Occupancy.

This will enable them to access this fund, which will be managed by the financial institutions.

“We are not here to raise fund. I am not known for that, rather we are here as Government willing to partner with the members of the Organized Private Sector on how to raise this amount. We have our own role to play as government.

Out of this amount, we will contribute 40 per cent while the OPS will source for 60 per cent or even more.

The beneficiaries, especially the title holders after presentation of the C of O will have the opportunity to access this fund after a thorough screening”.

Calling for the active participation of local and foreign investors in the economic development of the state, the Governor urged the investors to avail themselves of the business opportunities in Bayelsa.

“We are doing a lot of urban regeneration.

Already we have surveyed 20,000 hectares of land for the proposed new Yenagoa city which is to be a one stop entertainment and residential area and in the next two months, the Castle hotel will be opened to the public”, he said.

H e also revealed that work was progressing on the Golf Estate and the airport, adding that the ongoing projects would open a vista of opportunities for the people in the state when completed Stressing the need for partnership, the Governor explained that, investors

could partner with the administration in the areas of agriculture and aqua culture, tourism, waste management, housing and the development of a deep seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government, for which the government was planning series of road shows within and outside the country to intimate the local and international public, especially, with the port project.

Earlier in his address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SMEs, Dr. Ebiekure Eradiri told the investors to avail themselves of the business opportunities that abound in the State.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the OPS, the President of Ijaw Professionals Association, Denzel Ketebe lauded the economic policy of the government and pledged the support of his members in the realization of the s lofty objectives, especially in the plan of making the state the Dubai of Africa.

an external search firm as well.

The bank had last week, conceded to regulatory directive from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria and international accounting firm- KPMG, over its governance lapses, which it also agreed to pursue with immediate effect.

The nation’s regulator had earlier investigated Ecobank after former Director of Finance, Laurence Do Rego, said in August that Chief Executive Officer Thierry Tanoh and former Chairman Kolapo Lawson, planned to sell assets below market value, which they denied, marking the start unsettled governance struggle in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

20 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Govt to raise inter-ministerial committee on Onitsha river port

By Moses Ebosele HE Federal Government has concluded plans to T raise an inter-ministerial committee charged with the responsibility of ensuring optimal utilisation of Onitsha River Port in Anambra State.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREx)in Lagos, President Goodluck Jonathan assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to the construction of river ports in the country.

According to the President,the development of river port at Baro in Niger State, Oguta in Imo State and Lokoja in Kogi State have attained 90 per cent, 73 per cent and 50 per cent completion respectively,while the procurement process for the construction of a river port at Makurdi is at the final stage.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, explained that upon completion, all the river ports will be concessioned to the private sector.

Jonathan said:“I am happy to indicate that the contract for the dredging of River Benue is currently being processed by the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.

“This will further guarantee the sustainability of the Lower River Niger channel and expand our inland waterways”.

He added that the processes for the concessionning of the port is in progress with a transaction adviser appointed to midwife it,which will lead to invitation of expressions of inter-

Ship owners groan under N500b debt burden est from investors.

“Towards this end, the Federal Ministry of Transport and the National Inland Waterways Authority held a stakeholders conference with the theme ‘Putting Onitsha River Port into Economic

Use before Concessionning’ in order to produce a robust road map on how to maximise the use of the port for the entire region”.

Meanwhile, members of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) have

informed the President that the removal of the waiver clause from the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act, otherwise known as the Cabotage Act of 2003, will go a long way in addressing the plight of Nigerian ship owners

“whose businesses have been so badly damaged and who now owe banks close to half a trillion naira”.

President of the group, Chief Isaac Jolapamo said NIMAREx has become a veritable platform to showcase the maritime industry, discuss salient issues and make inputs

into the decision-making process.

Earlier, the Chairman of NIMAREx Planning Committee, Mrs Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi said Nigeria is indeed bountifully endowed with marine resources and mineral wealth “which can be the envy of many nations”.

Partner, Alkebulan Group, United Kingdom, Nick Chambers (left); Executive Director, Corporate/Investment Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo; and Leigh Hall of Alkebulan Partner, during a visit to Skye Bank Head Office in Lagos.

WAUTI seeks sub-regional harmonisation of tax administration Ax professionals within the West African subT region have advocated that regional integration of tax administration within the Economic Community of

West African States (ECOWAS) will encourage a common policy on tax incentives infrastructural development and job creation.

Rising from the third yearly International Tax Conference of the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) in Accra, Ghana, which was held recently, the tax professionals maintained that the harmonisation of tax policies among the member nations of ECOWAS would help the sub-region to achieve a seamless economic integration, which will facilitate trade and infrastructural development.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Tax Policy, Investment and Regional Integration: Challenges and Lessons, WAUTI President, Mike Kofi Afflu, said by 2015, WAUTI expects the 15-member nations of the ECOWAS to put in place a regional

integration mechanism that will promote borderless economic environment.

Afflu explained that WAUTI is already working harmoniously with ECOWAS to ensure that tax policies, tax practices and incentives are well structured in a way that all member states will benefit from the implementation of the new structure when it eventually gets under way.

He said that if member nations can integrate the economies of the region, the quest for foreign investment and fair share of the investment benefits will be achieved within a short time.

The President of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), who doubles as the Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority,

George Blankson, said that while member nations compete to attract foreign investment by granting generous incentives, the move has not been reciprocated by the investors by way of job creation, business growth and developm e n t .

He stated that any serious effort at tax harmonisation within a single market like ECOWAS must include

some form of uniformity of tax rates.

Blankson noted that harmonisation of tax structures in the ECOWAS subregion will help to improve the incentive structure in the region and also help member nations to benefit from reduced distortions imposed by existing tax systems on the private sector, in particular the elimination of tax competition.

Ecobank kicks off governance reforms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

bank.

According to a statement from the bank, the move to reconstitute the board was part of recommendations made by West African regulators of the Stock Exchanges, where Ecobank is listed.

It was also part of recommendations of a report by

the Global Board Center of the renowned Swiss Business Schoolthe International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

IMD’s report followed a review of ETI’s corporate governance, including the size and constitution of the board, its procedures for managing related party transactions, as well as its committee structures and incentive policies.

However, the search committee will recommend potential board members to the shareholders of Ecobank at its yearly general meeting, to be held in June this year.

Ahead of the yearly meeting, shareholders at the recent meeting, moved to limit the size of the board to a maximum of 15 people and comprise representatives of both majority and minority shareholders; executives; and independent directors.

They also preferred the reconstituted board to reflect the geographical spread of the bank, as well as a more balanced gender and professional mix.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

21

Union Bank kicks off global money week NION Bank of Nigeria Plc U yesterday announced its adoption of St. Mary’s Private School, Broad Street, Lagos, as part of activities marking this year’s Global Money Week.

The initiative, according to a statement from the bank, is also in furtherance of its commitment to the achievement of financial inclusion agenda in the country, for sustained economic growth and development.

Global Money Week, formerly Child and Youth Finance Week, is a worldwide money awareness celebration from Monday, March 10 to Monday, March 17.

The initiative is aimed at globally engaging children on aspects of financial education, including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment and entrepreneurship.

In Nigeria, the Bankers’ Committee has designated Thursday March 13, 2014 as

Financial Literacy Day. The day is being marked to focus attention on children and youth in primary and secondary schools nationwide and to empower them by enhancing their financial knowledge and planning skills.

“Union Bank is firmly committed to the achievement of

Adopts school in Lagos financial inclusion in Nigeria and we continue to work towards this aspiration by servicing otherwise underbanked businesses, communities and individuals across the country with our extensive network of over 300

branches”, said Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director of Union Bank and chairman of the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment SubCommittee of the Bankers’ Committee.

He added that “beyond this, we recognise that financial literacy is a key enabler in our quest for financial inclusion and that we must begin by ensuring that our children are properly empowered with a sound financial education”.

Union Bank will formally kick-off its adoption of St.

Mary’s Private School with a visit to the school on Financial Literacy Day during which Emuwa will teach the students a module from a special Financial Literacy Curriculum developed by the non-profit economic education organisation, Junior Achievement of Nigeria.

rialised or rematerialised between 17 April 2014 and 25 April 2014, both dates inclusive. Transfers between the registers may not take place between 17 April 2014 and 25 April 2014, both dates inclusive, for registers excluding South Africa and between 17 April 2014 and 28 April 2014, both dates inclusive, in respect of the South African register.

A scrip dividend alternative

is not being made available in relation to the Final Dividend. The full timetable for the Final Dividend is set out below: Currency conversion date Exchange rates announced Last day to trade cum dividend for shareholders on the branch register in Malawi Ex-dividend date for shareholders on the branch register in Malawi.

Old Mutual declares final dividend HE Directors of Old T Mutual plc (the “Company”) are recommending a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2013 of 6.0p per share (the “Final Dividend”), which will be paid (subject to being approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2014 Annual General Meeting) on 30 May 2014.

Shareholders on the South African, Zimbabwe and

Malawi branch registers and the Namibian section of the principal register will be paid the local currency cash equivalents of the Final Dividend under dividend access trust or similar arrangements established in each country.

Shareholders who hold their shares through Euroclear Sweden AB, the Swedish nominee, will be paid the cash equivalent of the Final

Dividend in Swedish Kronor.

Local currency cash equivalents of the Final Dividend for all five territories will be determined by the Company using exchange rates prevailing at the close of business on 10 April 2014 and will be announced by the Company on 11 April 2014.

Share certificates for shareholders on the South African register may not be demate-

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

22 BUSINESS Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Govt approves waiver for Pinnacle Oil on $250 million SPM projects From Nkechi Onyedika and Chuka nical partners to Nigerian Port Authority, analysing the Oditta, Abuja HE federal government has granted waiver to Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited for the construction of a $250 million Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility at the Lekki Free Zone.

Single Point Mooring is an off-shore anchored loading buoy that serves as mooring point and interconnect to tankers loading or off-loading gas or fluid products. The facilities also provide lowcost and rapid import and export of crude oil and refined products, using a range of tankers up to very large crude carriers.

Minister of Transport, Idris Umar who stated this when he received the Managing Director of Pinnacle Oil & Gas Ltd, Peter Mbah who led the company’s technical partners and consultants on a courtesy to his office Abuja.

Umar observed that President Goodluck Jonathan before granting the waiver to the company, looked at the issue dispassionately adding that the facility when completed would transform the logistics supply of oil and gas within the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Umar observed that the country stood to benefit tremendously from the project as it was a strategic project would help both in the import and export of petroleum products adding that tank farms could not be constructed within the Free Trade Zone without a facility of this nature.

The minister who urged the firm to demonstrate that the company had the technical and financial capacity to carry out the project, however advised the company to submit the list of all its tech-

T

company’s financial capability and technical know-how to carry out the project.

Umar gave the company the ministry’s full support to enable it carry out the project, which he described as beneficial to Nigerians and the entire country when fully on ground.

Speaking earlier, Pinnacle Managing Director, Peter Mbah said that the Single Buoy Mooring project would gulp as much as $250million, adding that project marked a radical transformation in the logistics and supply chain of the Nigerian Oil and Gas downstream sector.

According to him, the facili-

ties when completed would bring an end to the era of petroleum shortage and queue at the jetties as it would help marketers discharge their products with ease.

He pointed out that the facility had the capacity of 600,000 metric tones while about 100, 000metric tones of petroleum products could be discharged within 48hours.

Mbah stated that the partnership with the China Petroleum Technology Development Corporation (CPTDC) and Lekki Free Trade Zone Company (LFTZC) Limited would lead to the development of the Nigerian downstream sector as the

free zone provided a more convenient alternative to loading of oil products.

He stated that the facilities would be served by about 11kilometres of subsea and shore pipeline. “In view of this, Pinnacle is presently in the process of engaging a technical partner for the purpose of obtaining the required Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the project.

Mbah also noted that third party tank farm in the Lekki Free Trade Zone and environs would also benefit from the services to be provided by the facilities to avoid lightering and transshipment.

Fidelity Bank unveils new strategy for sector challenges

By Chijioke Nelson

IDELITy Bank Plc has unveiled strategies to meet the challenges in the industry, even as the bank remains committed to making financial services easy and accessible to its customers.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, who made the disclosure while speaking on the CNBC Africa Power Lunch West Africa programme, noted that the financial institution will not only seek to remain relevant, but evolve new ways of tackling industry challenges.

He however, explained that the current banking industry challenges are not entirely new and called on other banks in the country

F

to be proactive and forward looking.

Okonkwo recalled that similar development had happened in the industry about 24 years ago and that banks then braced up to meet the challenge.

According to him, the Federal Government in 1990 had withdrawn public sector funds from the banking sector and moved it to the Central Bank.

“That created some serious liquidity challenges. It’s just that this time around it’s been long we had that level,” he said.

He maintained that in terms of liquidity, the Central Bank did not mince words on what their focus was going to be.

He pointed out that since the apex bank had no control of the fiscal side, the best it could do was to employ all monetary tools at their disposal.

He stated that Fidelity saw the “handwriting” on the wall, noting that while it hit some banks more than others because they focused on

other matters, it had traditionally maintained a liquidity ratio in the range of about 48-50 per cent and around 38 per cent ahead of the Cash Reserve Requirement policy.

“We have been strong in commercial banking, retail and SME over the years.

Remember that Fidelity used to be a merchant bank.

“We also established a handshake between our corporate banking play and the retail side, such that some multinationals ordinarily wouldn’t have signed on by focusing on the value chain of their downstream banking- their distributors and other vendors.

“That gave us some kind of stable liquidity over the years, and we are present in key commercial centres like Onitsha, Kano, Aba, and Port Harcourt.”

Okonkwo stated that Fidelity Bank will be doing things differently from the crowd by raising the bar of what it already knew how to do, which is retail banking.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 Business 23

Ministry faults report on N500m PIB campaign funds From Adamu Abuh, Abuja N official of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Danladi Fikasi has faulted a publication insinuating that his ministry misapplied the sum of N500million earmarked for the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) campaigns.

Apparently piqued by the reports (not in The Guardian), Fikasi who is a permanent secretary of the ministry told reporters shortly after he appeared before members of the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives that those behind it must have been on a mission to undermine his integrity.

Explaining that the issue leading to the controversial reports came up, he noted: “The chairman of the senate committee on gas only passively asked what concerns PIB with gas matters. I told him the money was meant for campaigns and vehicles to be used to move around to places like northeast of Nigeria and we laughed over it. What was published in those papers were non-existent in that hearing.”

The Director, Information Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Kingsley Agha who spoke in the same vein debunked the story noting: “The said publication is a total distortion of what transpired at the sitting of the Senate Gas Committee on Tuesday 4th March 2014. The Gas Committee Chaired by Nkechi Nwaogu, was for budget hearing dealing with the ministry’s gas project as can be seen in the name of the committee. The reporters carefully and deliberately ignored the main subject of the sitting and delved into a subject the committee only mentioned in passing, disparaging the character and person of the Permanent Secretary, Danladi Kifasi as being incompetent to explain the ministry’s budget.”

Continuing, he recalled what transpired at the senate session, noting inter alia: “The Permanent Secretary had informed the committee that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources did not implement any gas project because they lack the expertise to carry the construction works, hence his decision to transfer the Vote to the NNPC where the necessary expertise is domiciled.

“At this point, the committee at the instance of the permanent secretary invited Ige, the executive director Gas, NNPC to speak. In his presentation, the Executive Director, Gas NNNPC, Ige was commended by the committee for the huge success registered in the gas sector.

Ige not only gave time lines but also unveiled the various PPP arrangements put in place to save government from the huge capital inflow required in the gas sector.

“The reporters ignored this laudable presentation and capitalised on an aside, a one line comment that came from the chairman who wanted to know the full meaning of PIB. The permanent secretary explained that the PIB stands for the Petroleum Industry Bill and that the vote allocated to this programme is for sensitisation, advocacy in the print

A

and electronic media as well as billboards and purchase of vehicles.

“He jokingly added that these vehicles could even convey the distinguished Senators to the northeast part of the country. A joke the vice chairman of the committee chuckled at and asked the permanent secretary why he was particular about the northeast and the permanent secretary responded that he was from that part of the country.

“That ended all references and discussions on the PIB. Now where did these reporters hear of the misappropriation of the N500 million and at what point in that meeting was the permanent secretary described as incompetent to defend the budgetary allocation of the ministry?

Chief Operating Officer, Norvatis Pharma Nigeria, Thomas Kowallik (left), Executive Vice President/Head, Malaria Initiative, Norvatis Pharma Nigeria, Dr. Linus Igwemezie, Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii and Country Group Head, Norvatis English West Africa, Vera Nwanze, during the launch of Coartem 80/480 in Abuja…recently.

24

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Russia invokes $2b Ukraine gas debt amid Crimea crisis USSIA said Ukraine’s natural gas debt climbed to almost $2 billion and signaled supplies may be cut, ratcheting up pressure on its neighbor as they scrap over the future of the Black Sea Crimea region.

Ukraine hasn’t made its February fuel payment and owes Russia $1.89 billion, according to gas export monopoly OAO Gazprom (OGZD), which halted supplies to Ukraine five years ago amid a pricing and debt

R

dispute, curbing flows to Europe. Lawmakers in Moscow said they’d accept the results of a March 16 referendum on Crimea joining Russia as Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine’s premier, reiterated that his cabinet deems the vote illegal.

While racing to seal a bailout, Ukraine is struggling to keep hold of Crimea after pro-Russian forces seized control of it in the wake of Moscow-backed Viktor Yanukovych’s ouster

as president. The standoff over the peninsula, once part of Russia and home to its Black Sea Fleet, prompted Western governments to threaten President Vladimir Putin with sanctions and Russia to underscore its clout as an energy supplier.

“My gut feeling is they wouldn’t want to see a disruption going into western Europe, politically that would not be the best thing to happen at the moment,” Trevor Sikorski, the head of natural gas, coal and carbon at Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, said of Russia in a phone interview.

“They are quite happy to put greater pressure on the prevailing government in Ukraine and certainly a gas supply disruption in March would be painful for the Ukrainians.”

Ukraine’s international bonds due in June fell 0.2 per cent to 92.89 cents on the dollar as of 8:01 p.m. in Kiev, increasing the yield 1.2 percentage points to 41.207 per cent. The hryvnia weakened 0.4 per cent to 9.23 per dollar, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.

The central bank in Kiev bought dollars on the foreign-exchange market, the Interfax-Ukraine news service reported, citing traders.

Ukraine is a key transit nation for Russian gas to Europe, whose passage was halted for about two weeks in 2009 amid a dispute over

supply and transit pricing and Ukraine’s gas debt between the neighboring nations.

“We can’t supply gas for free,” Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller said in the statement.

“Either Ukraine pays off its debt and pays for current deliveries or there’s a risk of a return to the situation we saw at the start of 2009.”

Ukraine had 13.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas in storage facilities as of Jan. 12, according to Ukrtransgaz, a unit of state gas company NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy. The country needs to import about 30 billion cubic meters of the fuel a year, in addition to domestic production of about 20 billion cubic meters, Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said March 5.

A gas cutoff is “an absolutely real danger because whatever Gazprom’s commercial motives — and they want to sell their gas and do their business — the problem is that the political relationships obviously are worse than they have ever been and the debt is very big,” Simon Pirani, senior research fellow at Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, said by phone.

There’s no indication that there’s “much risk” of a gas shortage in Ukraine, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters traveling with U.S. President Barack Obama on Air Force One. “Russia prides itself on being a reliable source of energy to countries around the world,” and it may not want to “undermine” its reputation, Earnest said.

As Gazprom released its statement, Yatsenyuk was meeting in Kiev with an International Monetary Fund mission over a bailout. The country needs “urgent” financial aid, he said on the government’s website.

Unilever buys majority stake in Chinese firm NILEVER Plc has bought a U majority stake in water purification company Qinyuan, its biggest Chinese acquisition in ten years, the consumer goods company said at the weekend without disclosing what it paid.

Unilever acquired a controlling stake in Qinyuan Group Co Ltd, which makes water purifiers, drinking water equipment and water treatment membranes and will complement its existing purification business under the Pureit brand, its website said.

“This deal will more than double the size of our water purification business and will bring together complementary technology from Pureit and Qinyuan,” the press release quoted Unilever global CEO Paul Polman as saying.

Qinyuan generated sales of about 140 million euros ($200 million) in 2013, Unilever said.

The Chinese company’s founder will stay on as CEO, it said.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 Business 25

Court upholds Econet International’s share in Nigerian arm

By Bertram Nwannekanma HIRTEEN years after, victory T had come the way of Econet Wireless International (EWI), with the validation by the Court of Appeal sitting, Kaduna of its five per cent shares in the Econet Wireless Nigeria (EWN) as it equity contribution for the operation of a Global System for Mobile Network (GSM) in Nigeria.

This was coming also when the same court sitting in Lagos held that the Arbitral Tribunal chaired by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Sanyaolu was in order for declaring offer letter made by Celtel Nigeria BV to Econet Wireless Limited in order.

The judgment of the appellate court read by Justice Habeeb Adewale Olumuyiwa Abiru, which was made available to The Guardian recently arose from the decision of Justice M .L Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna on January 24th 2012.

EWI had dragged EWN to the Federal High Court claimed among others for a declaration that the plaintiff was still a shareholder and member of Econet Wireless Nigeria (the 1st Defendant’s company and that the 1st defendant’s letter of 24th November 2003 removing the plaintiff’s name as shareholder and member of the 1st Defendant’s company is illegal, null and void.

It also sought for declaration that all General Meeting (be they annual or extra ordinary) of the 1st Defendant held after the 13th of November 2003 and to which the plaintiff was not put on notice were irregular, illegal, null and void.

Other reliefs sought by the company include, a declaration that all resolutions passed by the company in lieu of the holding of general meeting pursuant to the provisions of section 234 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 to which the plaintiff is not a party is irregular, illegal, null and void and an order setting aside the resolution circulated by the 1st

NCRIB seeks collaboration with IoD HE Nigerian Council if was resolved to change the of any national economy that T Registered Insurance trend, considering the fact must be accorded its pride of Brokers (NCRIB) has sought that insurance was the pivot place. collaboration with the Institute of Directors (IoD) to enhance the quality of leadership in the broking sector.

The President of the council, Ayodapo Shoderu, who made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the delegation of the council to the IoD said that the insurance industry had a lot of benefits to gain from collaborating with the Institute, considering its pedigree.

“From records, the IoD which is an affiliate of the IoD, United Kingdom was formed in May, 1083 by some notable Nigerians who were members of the IoD/UK. The institute has net worth membership drawn from directors and business leaders in the public and private sectors and from a diversity of enterprises in commerce, industry, services and professional bureaucracy.”

He said that the IoD also works to establish and maintain contacts amongst business leaders at the highest levels and interfaces with government for the creation and enrichment of favourable business friendly policies in seemingly challenging circumstances for the creation of wealth. It is a delight to note that the institute has over the years justified the reason for its inauguration as a prime leadership forum in the organised private sector having helped directors fulfilled their legal and professional responsibilities for the benefit of the society and business.”

On quality of the nation’s political leadership, Shoderu noted that the time was ripe for professionals in business to take more active role in the nation’s political process for effective nation building.

“I like to challenge the IoD, like other peers, to take up the task of galvanising professionals who are their members, at this critical periods to take preeminent positions by giving direction to our national polity.”

On the roles of the NCRIB, he disclosed that the council had continued to assist in the acceleration of insurance awareness, especially at the grassroots, through the industry’s new market development and restructuring initiatives (MDRI).

Shoderu noted that it was a matter for regret that as at the moment, the insurance industry contributed less than one per cent to the nation’s GDP, due to multifarious challenges confronting the industry and said that the council

Defendant pursuant to the provisions of section 234 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. EWI had argued that by the provisions of the CAMA 2004, it was a member of EWN validly holding five percent of the shares of EWN and that by the provision of section 90 of CAMA, EWN had no power to delete its name from EWN’s Register of members without the sanction of the court.

It also argued that CAC had no right in law to change its name in spite of its protest.

But in his judgment Justice Shuaib dismissed the submission of CAC that it had the right to change the name of EWI. The court held that EWI was duly registered in the Register of members of EWN and therefore dismissed the counter-claim of EWN that it suffered cash losses as a result

of EWI’s inability to pay its shares.

Dissatisfied with this judgment EWN appealed to the Court of Appeal urging the court to determine whether the lower court was correct when it held that the Appellant did not make out a credible case showing that the share certificates issued to the first Respondent as the registered owner of five million of its ordinary shares fully paid up were wrongly, unlawfully or irregularly given or were given in error without authorisation by its Board of Directors, or upon a mistake or misapprehension and misrepresentation and that the entry without sufficient cause.

But in a judgment endorsed

by Justices Abudu Aboki and Ita G. Mbaba, Justice Abiru upheld the decision of Justice Shuaibu.

On the arbitral tribunal issue, Celtel Nigeria BV had dragged Econet Wireless Limited, Delta State Ministry of Finance Incorporated (DSMFI) and others before a Lagos High Court seeking an order setting aside the partial final award dated September 22, 2011 and made by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted of Hon. Justice E. O. Sanyaolu (rtd), Mr. Fidelis Oditah and Stephen Bata. Justice O. A. Adefope-Okojie endorsed the award.

The decision was taken to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial division before the panel of Justices Sidi Dauda Bage, Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh and Tijani Abubakar.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Ikyegh, on February 14, 2014, the appellate court upheld Justice Adefope- Okojie’s ruling and upheld the arbitral award.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

26 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY Tuesday, March 11, 2014

EU aims for deal on tackling failing banks UROPEAN Union governE ments and parliamentarians will try to reach a compromise this week on how to wind down failing banks, in marathon talks intended to settle who decides to close banks and who picks up the bill.

A deal in the negotiations, set to span three days, would be the final step in a European banking union that would mean one supervisor for all euro zone banks, one set of rules to close or restructure those in trouble and one common pot of money to pay for it.

The banking union, and the thorough clean-up of banks’ books that will accompany it, is meant to restore banks’ con-

fidence in one another and boost lending to other businesses and households.

New lending has been throttled by banks’ efforts to raise capital and reduce the bad loans that proliferated in the recession triggered by the global financial crisis and deepened by the euro zone’s own sovereign debt crisis.

Policymakers agreed last year that the European Central Bank (ECB) would be the single supervisor for all euro zone banks and the ECB would take on its new responsibilities from November.

But talks on a single European agency to wind up or close failing banks, and on a single fund to back it up, have

entered a crucial stage: EU governments, represented by finance ministers of the 28nation bloc, and the European Parliament must reach a deal next week.

If they don’t, there won’t be enough time to complete the legislative process for the resolution mechanism before the last sitting of the current parliament in mid-April. The key law would be delayed by at least seven months, probably more.

“The ground is very well prepared, now we have to show political will. We will stay there (in the meeting) as long as it takes to find a solution,” one EU official involved in the preparations for the talks said.

“It’s clear to all EU member

states that if we want to achieve an agreement there’s only one direction to go - to try to accommodate the parliament,” the official said.

The problem is that European governments and the European Parliament want different things.

EU finance ministers agreed in early December that a decision on closing down a bank in the euro zone would be taken by the board of the resolution agency, but that decision must be signed into law by the EU’s executive Commission and by all the EU finance ministers.

The European Parliament wants no involvement of EU finance ministers, arguing it would politicize the process.

China’s exports unexpectedly drop below confidence level Distortions in the data from tain stresses in the financial HINA’S exports fell the most the customs administration C since the global financial said in Beijing yesterday, trail- the Lunar New Year holiday system from the credit boom crisis, dealing another blow to ing the median estimate for a and fake invoicing that inflat- that began with stimulus confidence as Communist Party leaders meeting in Beijing assess the risk from the nation’s first onshore bond default.

Shipments abroad dropped 18.1 percent from a year earlier,

7.5 per cent increase in a Bloomberg News survey of 45 economists. Reports today showed inflation eased to a 13month low in February and producer prices fell for a 24th month.

ed numbers last year make it harder to assess the true picture. As the nation chases a 7.5 per cent annual growth target, set at last week’s meeting of the National People’s Congress, officials need to con-

measures in 2008.

“People see a lot of negative news coming out of China: growth momentum is slowing and when there is a default of one company they tend to think it’s going to be a systemic problem and spill over into the rest of the economy,” said Ding Shuang, senior China economist at Citigroup Inc. in Hong Kong. “These numbers may support their negative views, that even external demand may not be that strong.”

Even so, the drop in exports isn’t as bad as it appears when taking into account the holiday, the inflated base of last year’s numbers, and a weatherrelated “soft patch” in the U.S. economy, said Ding, whose forecast of an 8.5 percent decline in sales was closest to the customs figure.

Imports rose 10.1 per cent, more than projected, leaving a trade deficit of $23 billion, the biggest in two years.

Shanghai Chaori Solar Energy Science & Technology Co. (002506), a maker of solar cells, on March 7 became the first company to default in China’s onshore bond market after failing to pay full interest due. The number of publicly traded non-financial Chinese companies whose debt-toequity ratios exceed 200 percent has jumped 57 per cent since 2007, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) last week had its first gain in three weeks, rising 0.1 percent after a 2.7 percent drop the previous week. The yuan posted its biggest weekly increase since October, following a record decline of 1.4 per cent in February, on speculation the central bank ceased engineering a decline in the currency to discourage appreciation bets.

Trade will be a “clear drag” on growth in the first quarter and the yuan should weaken this week, said Dariusz Kowalczyk, senior economist and strategist at Credit Agricole SA in Hong Kong. “The trade data explain some of the downward pressure on the yuan in February — it can be justified not only by central bank guidance but by actual deterioration of demand and supply in the forex market.”

Analysts’ estimates for February exports ranged from a drop of 8.5 per cent to a 14.4 per cent increase. The decline, after a 10.6 per cent gain in January, was the biggest since August 2009.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

27

28

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY 29

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

‘Global debt exceeds $100tr as governments binge’ HE amount of debt globT ally has soared more than 40 per cent to $100 trillion since the first signs of the financial crisis as governments borrowed to pull their economies out of recession and companies took advantage of record low interest rates, according to the Bank for International Settlements.

The $30 trillion increase from $70 trillion between mid-2007 and mid-2013 compares with a $3.86 trillion decline in the value of equities to $53.8 trillion in the same period, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The jump in debt as measured by the Basel, Switzerland-based BIS in its quarterly review is almost twice the U.S.’s gross domestic product.

Borrowing has soared as central banks suppress benchmark interest rates to spur growth after the U.S. subprime mortgage market collapsed and Lehman Brothers Holdings

Microsoft overtakes BlackBerry in smartphone sales ICROSOFT has overtakM en BlackBerry in the US smartphone market although both are far behind the market leaders Android and Apple.

Apple ranked as the top smartphone manufacturer with 41.6 percent OEM market share, while Google Android led as the #1 smartphone platform with 51.7 per cent platform market share. Google Sites ranked as the top mobile media property, while Facebook was the top individual app.

Android ranked as the top smartphone platform in January with 51.7 per cent market share, followed by Apple with 41.6 per cent (up one percentage point), BlackBerry with 3.1 per cent, Microsoft with 3.2 per cent and Symbian with 0.2 per cent.

159.8 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones (66.8 per cent mobile market penetration) during the three months ending in January, up seven per cent since October, according to Comscore.

Apple ranked as the top OEM with 41.6 per cent of U.S. smartphone subscribers (up one percentage point from October). Samsung ranked second with 26.7 per cent market share (up 1.3 percentage points), followed by LG with 6.9 per cent (up 0.3 percentage points), Motorola with 6.4 per cent and HTC with 5.4 per cent.

Google Sites ranked as the top web property on smartphones, reaching 89.4 per cent of the mobile media audience (mobile browsing and app usage), followed by Facebook (86.6 per cent), Yahoo Sites (86.2 per cent) and Amazon Sites (69 per cent).

Facebook ranked as the top smartphone app, reaching 77.6 per cent of the app audience, followed by Google Play (52.4 per cent), YouTube (49.7 per cent) and Google Search (48.9 per cent).

Inc.’s bankruptcy sent the world into its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Yields on all types of bonds, from governments to corporates and mortgages, average about two per cent, down from more than 4.8 per cent in 2007, according to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Broad Market Index.

“Given the significant expansion in government spending in recent years, governments (including central, state and local governments) have been the largest debt issuers,” according to Branimir Gruic, an analyst, and Andreas Schrimpf, an economist at the BIS. The organisation is owned by 60 central banks and hosts the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a

Given the significant expansion in government spending in recent years, governments (including central, state and local governments) have been the largest debt issuers. group of regulators and central bankers that sets global capital standards.

Marketable U.S. government debt outstanding has surged to a record $12 trillion, up from $4.5 trillion at the end of 2007, according to U.S. Treasury data compiled by Bloomberg.

Corporate bond sales globally jumped during the period, with issuance totaling more than $21 trillion, Bloomberg data show.

Concerned that high debt loads would cause interna-

tional investors to avoid their markets, many nations resorted to austerity measures of reduced

spending and increased taxes, reining in their economies in the process as they tried to restore the fiscal order they abandoned to fight the worldwide recession.

Adjusting budgets to ignore interest payments, the International Monetary Fund said late last year that the socalled primary deficit in the Group of Seven countries reached an average 5.1 per cent in 2010 when also

smoothed to ignore large economic swings. The measure will fall to 1.2 per cent this year, the IMF predicted.

The unprecedented retrenchments between 2010 and 2013 amounted to 3.5 per cent of U.S. gross domestic product and 3.3 per cent of euro-area GDP, according to Julian Callow, chief international economist at Barclays Plc in London.

MTN to take over rival mobile network Africa’s Telkom Sin OUTH has confirmed that it is talks that could see the outsourcing of its mobile network infrastructure to rival mobile network MTN. In a statement to the stock market, Telkom confirmed that the talks cover the potential outsourcing

of the operation of the Telkom radio access network (RAN) to MTN. If the deal is approved, MTN will take over financial and operational responsibility for the rollout and operation of Telkom’s radio access network (RAN). The arrangements will opti-

mise usage of their respective RANs but leave all other areas unaffected and independent.

The two companies will also conclude reciprocal roaming agreements to enable customers to roam between the two networks.

30

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

31

32

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

33

34

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

35

Appointments Gender equality as panacea for societal growth

Maina

By Yetunde Ebosele and Wole Oyebade HE 2014 International T Women’s Day, held at the weekend, has availed yet another opportunity to examine the plight of women and progress made in ensuring gender equality in the workplace.

From the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to Moscow in Russia, Beijing in China, Ottawa in Canada among others, the clamour for fair representation in the workplace is on the increase.

Though there is an improved awareness compared with the situation in 1919 when most women did not have the right to vote, experts are however of the opinion that a lot still need to be done.

In 1919, the year International Labour Organisation (ILO) was founded, most women around the world did not have the right to vote and numerous others in paid employment had little or no collective voice to advocate for their workplace rights.

Nearly a Century after, female participation in the labour market has significantly increased, along with progress on their rights at work.

However, millions according to experts still face significant barriers in accessing equal opportunity and treatment in their jobs.

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder observed that stubborn gaps in gender equality in the workplace still remain. “We need to assess the effectiveness of existing policies so we can renew strategies and take concrete action to improve women’s working lives. ” A major gap that has persisted in the Nigerian case and till date is the lack of adequate policy that support women and their maternal status visà-vis their work experience.

For instance, while the Federal Government campaigns for exclusive breastfeeding of babies for better health, there is no adequate policy that supports maternal and infant care in workplace environment.

Mlambo-Ngcuka

Olasanoye Such initiatives are left to the discretion of corporate organisations and the outcome is poor maternity considerations, if such protection exists in the first place.

Trade Union Congress of Nigeria’s Women Leader, Oyinkan Olasanoye while making reference to the just concluded International Women’s Day Celebration said it is another opportunity to look at all other areas that we need as a nation to focus on.

In a chat with The Guardian at the weekend, Olasanoye said: “We need to focus on as well as celebrate all our achievements. But as you know, the setup in Africa and Nigeria in particular is different from all other continents and countries that are celebrating women. Here, the normal opinion of men is that women should be seen not heard. So because of that reason, they promise us so many things such as 35 per cent women participation in government, even if you look at President Jonathan’s appointees, he gave more women slots which we appreciate so much, but we believe more women with quality portfolios should be included.

“Besides, most of the laws that empower women such as those from the United Nations, which fights against injustice and discrimination against women though ratified, but they are yet to be domesticated in Nigeria.

“The situation still favours our male counterparts as their wife’s are entitled to health allowances from their husband’s companies while our own husbands are not entitled to such benefits because of the feminine factor.

“Though, there have been political statement of more women in power under this dispensation, we believe for more women to be empowered in Nigeria today, the process must start from the grass-root because most of them are the bread winner of the family.

“As the World celebrates

International Women’s day, our plan is to celebrate the few achievements we have today and to talk to government as this year’s theme is ‘initiating change’ to permit us to contribute our quotas to better the society. Changes in areas of educations such as encouraging our girl child to go to school, finance, so that we can be empowered financially to start businesses. There is a lot of disparity between us and our male counterparts that still needs to be addressed and we intend to use this celebration to focus on such towards eradication of such anomalies”, said Olasanoye.

A banker, Adenike Esan, told The Guardian that breastfeeding practice is most important in infant care, but returning to work after three months of maternity break was a challenge.

In her case, she exclusively breastfed for two months instead of a minimum of six.

Esan explains: “It is just not feasible to exclusively breastfeed for six months. Is it that easy? Well, I’d like to do it, if I don’t have to work,” she said.

Esan was amused when asked of the crèche in her organisation, as is the standard practice in some maternal-friendly countries today.

She said: “Our workplaces are strictly for business, not for nursing mothers. If you still need your job, you’ll not take your baby into the bank. I don’t know of any organisation that allows that. They’d tell you it is not a crèche and rightly so. But you would not wait to hear that from your BM (Branch Manager), anyway.”

Some banking organisations do advice nursing mothers on their employ to use nearby crèche and close earlier (that is 9am to 4pm).

Esan said: “That is why some people are advocating longer maternity-break like six months. Though some banks would claim six months, but it is not true,” she said.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina, recently observed that 60 per cent of women in Nigeria were

unable to breastfeed their babies due to factors beyond their control.

Factors noted by the Minister include perennial discriminatory workplace policies, the quest for economic emancipation and career choices among others.

Maina said it should therefore surprise no one that

Nigeria’s non-compliance rate of breastfeeding has declines to 17 per cent, “though it is very sad as it impacts negatively on the health of both mother and infant.”

The lack of maternity protection, ILO says, is a challenge faced by millions of working women – despite the fact that many countries have adopted

the labour organisation’s conventions relating to this issue.

This is true for developing countries like Nigeria as much as it true of developed ones like the United States.

Marie Holmes, who teaches at a high-school in New York, has had to take unpaid leave fol-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

36

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

37

38

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 39

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Judiciary workers to join strike over financial autonomy

By Bertram Nwannekanma activities at the JbeUDICIAL Lagos State courts are to paralysed for three days from March 12, 2014 following the decision of the Lagos Branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to join its national body in a three-day nationwide warning strike.

The nationwide strike, The Guardian learnt is meant to compel the federal government and various state governments to obey a judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja ordering financial autonomy and independence to the Judiciary.

According to a communiqué issued recently by JUSUN, Lagos branch and jointly signed by its Chairman, E.O Abioye, Assistant General Secretary, Segun Agboola and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bayo Gbose, the union, states their readiness to join the strike.

“The EXCO in session hereby directs all staff to comply with the three days’ warning strike commencing from 12th to 14th March, 2014.

“The EXCO in session also wish to intimate all staff that if the judgment debtors (federal and state governments) refuse to obey/implement/ comply with the judgment/order of the court, the union will commence on an indefinite

The EXCO in session hereby directs all staff to comply with the three days’ warning strike commencing from 12th to 14th March, 2014 strike action on a date that will be communicated to all members by the National Executive Committee,” it stated.

It will be recalled that the national executive of JUSUN had resolved at a meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State to embark on the three-day warning strike.

In a communiqué read by its National President, Marwan Mustapha Adamu, it was said that decision to go on strike was caused by what the Union saw as the failure of government to pay funds accruable to the states’ judiciary in the Federation Account directly to the heads of courts.

The national JUSUN had insisted that a court order of January 13, 2014, declared the “piecemeal payment/ allocations of funds through the state ministries of finance to the states’ judiciary as unconstitutional, un-procedural, cumbersome, null and void.”

JUSUN had claimed that rather than implement the judgment, the judgment debtors, that are the Attorney General of the Federation, resorted to threatening the heads of courts and deducting

salaries of unions’ executives and members in their respective states.

“The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that the judgment/order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which is clear and unambiguous, and the financial autonomy and the independence of judiciary is non-negotiable.

“It is expected that from the date of the judgment/order of 13/1/2014, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Accountants General of states of the Federation, the Auditor General of the Federation and states and the Executive governors of states, who are already served with the court order, should have completed the process of transferring/handing over all necessary accounting materials affecting judiciary of the states to the heads of courts in accordance with the judgment.

“It is further expected that the preparation of Vouchers, issuance of cheques for salaries and allowances of the judiciary staff by the Accountants general of states should have stopped forthwith.”

40 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 41

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Importance of women development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 lowing the birth of her second child because she used up all her allocated sick leave and vacation days for her first child.

She said: “I was not eligible for any paid maternity leave, so we had to figure out how we were going to live on one income.”

Continuing, Holmes said: “I think it is essential for working women to have access to maternity benefits so that they don’t have to make the choice between having children and having a career or a job when they need income to provide for their family.”

Other key issues relating to women at work also need to be addressed.

According to ILO research, while many more women have entered the labour market, their share has stagnated over the last two decades. In addition, occupational sex segregation and gender pay gaps p e r s i s t .

Women are overrepresented in the informal economy, in precarious work and in lowpaid jobs. They are also often the targets of direct and indirect discrimination.

Campaigning for better consideration for women in workplaces, Former President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos, Dr. Dumebi Owa said it is when the well-being of women is on top of global agenda that nations would find the much desired wealth.

According to her, “A healthy nation will be a wealthy nation and this cannot be achieved without women’s well-being, that is, women’s general health and happiness in homes and workplaces.”

She said such emphasis could not have come at a better time in Nigeria, than a period when she is at risk of not meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially women-related MDG 3&4, as 2015 deadline draws by.

According to Owa: “We are just some months away from the deadline to achieve the goals. While Malaysia has met all MDG targets before 2015, Nigeria is painfully and seriously lagging behind in all the goals.

“As a nation, we must put women issues at the front burner, as women comprise the larger chunk of the population. The numerical strength of women in Nigeria is highly needed for development of our economy and more so for the much desired development and its sustainability.

“If we can positively harness what our women can offer, I can assure you that the sky will be the starting point of our road to economic paradise in Nigeria,” she said.

For improved maternal health, she added that it was high time the country had put policies in place that would mandate employers of labour to be maternal-friendly, by having facilities like crèche in workplace environment. This is to enhance women’s productivity and promote exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers.

Regrettably, “Women issues are often not on the front burner when it comes to policy and its implementation.

Our government needs to be more sensitive to the plight of women,” she said.

Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nigerian Air force Hospital, Ikeja, Dr Arafat Ifemeje added that while women in Nigeria and Africa

at large, contribute more to economic well-being of the continent, they also bear the burden of illnesses and deaths in the region, “due to perennial neglect of their contribution to nation building.”

Ifemeje noted that an estimated 80 per cent of food consumed in Africa comes from rural women and they are responsible for another 50 per cent of non-agricultural economic contribution.

Continuing, she said: “In many homes, women have become breadwinners of their families, with economic downturn that have thrown a lot of men into employment market. Women also do more of those unpaid jobs like caring for the family and the aged in the family. These are contributions that are often invisible, in the process neglected and abused. ” Ifemeje stressed that every mother that dies is an economy lost for the family. “A newborn that lost his/her mother is more at risk of death before the age of two. This is why we are saying an improved maternal health and economic empowerment for women, not only improve health of the nation, but also reduces poverty. A push for maternal health will help reduce the cost of maternal care and improve wealth sharing in the nation.

“It brings to mind the need for holistic policies that fac-

tors in the well-being of women, be it at home, workplace and the society, for us to have an effective social and health system.”

She added that men and women in the society must also have a united front to defend women. “It is only when we work together with our men that we can influence as girls, women, wives, mothers, workers and grandmothers, driving the most needed recognition to ourselves,” Ifemeje said.

In a statement titled, “We join our efforts with all who are striving for gender equality,” ILO boss at the weekend said “It is opportunity to take stock of the situation with respect to women’s status and gender equality in the world of work”.

ILO added: “There has been notable progress in the area of national legislation with most countries having incorporated the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Many governments have adopted active labour market policies to tackle discrimination against women and a growing number of employers’ and workers’ organizations are implementing initiatives on equal opportunity and treatment. A number of individual women have managed to advance and to break through the glass ceili n g .

“At the same time, stubborn and often profound gaps persist. Progress in increasing

women’s labour market participation has been uneven according to our 2014 Global Employment Trends Report.

“In developed economies, women are expected to benefit less from the timid recovery projected in the mediumterm – their unemployment rates will only gradually decline to 8.2 per cent in 2018, whereas for men it is projected to drop to 7.6 per cent. In North Africa women’s labour market participation rates in 2013 were barely 25 per cent, and in the Middle East not even 20 per cent.

“Occupational sex-segregation and gender pay gaps persist. Women are over-represented in the informal economy, precarious work, and in low-paid jobs.

“For example in South-East Asia and the Pacific, vulnerable employment in 2013 affected women most (63.1 per cent as compared to 56 per cent for men).

“In the formal economy women’s share of decisionmaking posts remains low notwithstanding a pool of talent.

“Services to assist women and men in balancing work and family responsibilities – particularly state-funded and quality childcare – are unavailable or inaccessible for many. Such care still largely falls on the shoulders of

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

42 APPOINTMENTS Tuesday, March 11, 2014

SAHCOL restructures operations, staff members get new postings HE Skyway Aviation hanT dling company Limited (SAHCOL) has commenced a restructuring exercise to refocus the company in line with current realities and make it more prepared to face future projections of surpassing customer’s expectations.

In the new structure, Olumide Odebiyi, David Olorundade, Adigun Olaniyi and Lanre Adekola, who were formally assistant general managers, Operations, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing and Engineering & Maintenance, respectively, have now been elevated to the position of general managers.

Also, Olujimi Osho, formerly

company secretary/legal adviser, is now general manager, legal services/company secretary, Lawrence Adejo, the erstwhile chief accountant, is now general manager, finance, while Basil Agboarumi, formally head, Corporate Communications, is now assistant general manager, Corporate Communications.

Furthermore, Mrs. Boma Ukwunna deployed from the Sifax Offduck, Okota, a subsidiary of the Sifax Group, is now the general manager, Cargo Services.

In a letter detailing this new structure, the Managing Director of SAHCOL, Olu

Owolabi, disclosed that the restructuring exercise, which was on going, would spillover to all staff.

He also used the opportunity to call for the support, loyalty, and commitment of every staff as part of measures to realize the company goal.

He explained that in order to build the organisation of choice, they must all be dedicated to their jobs, pay greater attention to customers, display integrity and transparency at all times and in all their dealings, while working as a team.

SAHCOL is an Aviation Ground Handling Company (100 per cent owned by the SIFAX Group). Its duties includes passenger handling, ramp handling, cargo handling/warehousing, aviation security, baggage reconciliation, crew bus and executive lounge services, as well as other related ground handling services, “executed in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, in line with international best practices, while also ensuring that the right tools are deployed.”

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 43

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Honeywell Flour Mills announces board appointments ONEY Flour Mills Plc, has H announced major changes in its hierarchy aimed at taking the Company to the next level.

Following 17 years as the chief executive officer of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Folaranmi Babatunde Odunayo, executive vice chairman and pioneer chief executive officer, will formally retire with effect from April 1st, 2014.

A graduate of the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), he attended King’s College, Lagos and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He has served in the Honeywell Group for 22 years having commenced his career in the position of group managing director.

Meanwhile, Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, managing director (designate) will assume the role of managing director on 1st April 2014.

A press statement issued by the company explained that he was formerly the Commercial director at the company’s Ikeja factory. He has been in the service of the

company for more than 20 years. His career and business management experience in the company, spans finance, sales and manufacturing management.

Also Dr. Albert Ozara has been appointed to the position of the divisional managing director (designate) for one of the company’s major divisions. He is currently responsible for managing the company’s Ikeja factory where he has responsibility for its overall performance.

Albert joined the company in 1998 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri where he had risen to the position of Head of the Crop Production Department. He holds a first class degree in Soil Science from the University of Ibadan, and a doctorate degree also in Soil Science from the Cranfield Institute of Technology, United Kingdom. He subsequently had his professional flour milling training at the Swiss Milling School, St. Gallen, Switzerland and the Buhler Training Centre Uzwil also in Switzerland. He also had milling operations experi-

Odunayo ence at the Swiss Mill in Zurich.

The company explained that Rotimi Gbenga Fadipe has been elevated to the Board in the position of executive director, Supply Chain.

Jaiyeola Rotimi joined the company 20 years ago as a management trainee.

He has acquired a robust business management experience in the areas of finance, audit and

supply chain management.

He was the pioneer manager for the supply and logistics function of the company.

Rotimi holds an accounting degree from the University of

Lagos, and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, United Kingdom (UK) and of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK. Similarly, Benson Evbuomwan, has also been appointed to the Board as executive director, Marketing. Benson joined Honeywell Flour Mills in 2006 as general manager, Marketing after holding senior marketing positions at Procter & Gamble Nigeria and Guinness Nigeria Plc respectively. He has over 16 years of rich brand management experience in the food and beverage sector. aBenson holds a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy from the University of Benin and is a member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

44

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 APPOINTMENTS 45

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Ministry to create 25 sustainable ICT jobs

By Adeyemi Adepetun HE Ministry of T Communications Technology hoped to create 25 sustainable Information and Communications Technology businesses that are fundable soonest.

According to the Minister in charge of the ministry, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, in Lagos, this move would provide the opportunity for Nigeria to raise software giants that will create jobs and wealth.

Besides, she said such initiative would make the country to become a regional and global players like Indian IT service providers (such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro and HCL

Technologies), stressing that these are indigenous companies that were created, nurtured and established in India, but servicing global markets.

Johnson, at the close out ceremony for TechLaunchPad first edition and launch of second edition, noted that the role of ICT innovation is in creating knowledge-based societies, jobs and wealth for citizens, stressing that the mandate of the ministry includes promoting the growth of the ICT industry.

“What we are doing today is part of the bigger plan that will strengthen innovation ecosystem and grow the digital economy in Nigeria. We

Importance of women development CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41 girls and women.

“Moreover, a large majority of women lack access to quality maternal and infant health care and other maternity protection measures – effectively penalizing them for their reproductive role. “ Risks and opportunities for women often vary depending on their colour, religion, social origin or skill levels.

“Women do not constitute a homogenous group.

Consequently it is also important to look both at how different groups fare in the labour market and how they and women generally fare relative to their male peers”.

The statement explained that ILO is renewing its own efforts to establish a solid information base that will be a shared resource to inform future action.

“With sound knowledge to back up evidence-based argu-

ments, declarations and policies on gender equality will have far better prospects of translating into change for the better in the lives of many more working women. And this, we know, also means stronger families and communities and ultimately businesses and economies.

“Today we recognize the valuable and indispensable contribution of women in the world of work. We join our efforts with all who are striving for gender equality: it is also our common challenge to ensure mutually reinforcing action to secure steady progress to this goal”.

The United Nation UnderSecretary-General and Executive Director of United Nation (UN), Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said progress has been “slow, uneven and in some cases women and girls face new and more complex challenges”.

are working to refocus the efforts of talented software developers in the country of not just writing code and developing applications, but creating successful and viable companies around the software that they are developing to create jobs and wealth – what has been called a ‘Companies not Code” approach,” she stated.

According to her, the programme is expected to create minimum of 25 sustainable ICT businesses that are fundable, increase the participation and investment of the Venture Capital and Private Equity managers in ICT in Nigeria, with an eye on over $100 million in the next few years; increase footprints of Nigeria young ICT companies in Africa as solution and service providers and create jobs.

Speaking on the techlaunch pad’s journey, the ComTech minister said there was a meeting with the Chief Information Officers of banks and oil and gas in 2012 to identify issues affecting the patronage of local software entrepreneurs and solutions to address them. She said this led to the birth of Techlaunchpad which was inaugurated in December 2012, and the subsequent admission of eight tech startups that applied for the programme in July last year.

According to Johnson, the collaboration with partners, namely Accenture, FirstBank, Access Bank, Exxonmobil, Totalfina Elf, Chevron, Fate Foundation to mention few have been tremendous both in cash and in kind to see to the development of the busi-

ness and product of these young Nigerians.

“I received reports of the mentorship and training granted to these startups despite limited time available by the Executives. Needless to mention the support that our flagship incubation centre called iDEA provided to them during the eight months’ accelerator programme. Such support includes mentorship, training, business advisory service, office space, connectivity and infrastructure services,” she stated.

Going forward, the minister said there would be continued support for the first edition startups in the areas of access to finance and market; network of professionals such as investors, mentors among others; access to subsidised incubation resources for a certain

period of time.

She informed that there will be technology events, exhibition that can showcase their solution to prospective investors and buyers; refine and improve on programme plan for second edition; expand the network of resources in the second edition, that is more mentors, more VC forum, pitching sessions, market readiness programme and create partnership with global technology companies to assist in advisory services and mentorship.

“As more entrepreneurs like Jumia, Konga, Jobberman begin to emerge across the country, we will gradually evolve into an innovation hotspot in Africa. Through this, our young men and women will be gainfully employed through enterprises that will come out of this,” she stated.

46

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 47

48 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

49

50 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Labour Labour activists seek end to girls’ abduction by Boko Haram From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women Commission has condemned the abduction of girls in the northeastern part of the country by Boko Haram.

The commission stated this in Abuja at the weekend while commemorating the 2014 edition of the 2014 International Women’s Day. While flaying the killings of over 40 students in Yobe State and abduction of girls by the Boko Haram sect, the group called on the federal government to rise up to the occasion and put an end to the spate of attacks on the vulnerable people especially women and children.

Chairperson of the NLC Women Commission, Lucy Offiong who made the call also urged government to get to the root of current fuel scarcity in many parts of the country and bring the situation under control.

She said that women were the worst hit in times of social or economic crisis, adding that women might be forced to rise up against

T

the injustices on the female gender.

Offiong stated that proposed national dialogue where issues affecting the country would be discussed was a welcomed development, as the event would create a better understanding of the need for one indivisible entity.

Her words: “We are saddened by the spate of killings in our dear country Nigeria, especially recent dimension of targeting young people in schools and colleges. The recent killings of student in Yobe and the abduction of girls by the Boko Haram sect, as mothers we are greatly disturbed and condemn in strong terms such cruel, inhuman and senseless killings. We therefore call on the president of Nigeria to take immediate steps and put a final stop to these unwarranted killings, enough is enough.

“We support the initiative of the National Dialogue because it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to express themselves.”

Meanwhile, NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar alleged

that the federal government’s plot to privatise the downstream sector of the oil industry is responsible for current fuel scarcity.

He said Nigerians are not favourably disposed to the planned privatisation of the downstream sector, saying the exploitative tendencies of businessmen in Nigeria would not let the system work.

Omar said: “What I make of the current fuel scarcity is that it is just a deliberate thing to put Nigerians into unnecessary suffering. What I learnt from some people out there is that government has intention of privatising the downstream sector of the petroleum industry but I do not know whether Nigerians are ready for this privatisation. If they go ahead with it, government will just fold their hands and watch the private marketers do whatever they like with us. I do hope that government will be reasonable enough so that Nigerians will not have cause to rise up again and protest this privatisation.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

51

52

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 LABOUR | 53

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Govt, aviation workers strike deal to prevent industrial action From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE looming industrial T action brewing in the aviation sector has been forestalled by the intervention of the ministry of labour and productivity.

The conciliatory meeting, which was convened at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu, had in attendance the Supervising Minister of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, the Chairman, National Salary Income and Wages Commission, Richard Egbule and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and four trade unions in the industry that included Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical, Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) attended the parley.

The issues in contention included payment of accrued salary arrears due to employees in the last twelve months, non-implementation of agreement on job

related hazard allowance and refusal to initiate process for the review of the staff conditions of service.

The meeting recognised that the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting held between the parties on August 7, 2013 remained relevant and a focal point for the issues in dispute.

In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of the Communiqué, the parties had agreed on a mode of payment of the arrears of the increment in salary.

NAMA had paid the 13th month in 2013 as well as two months out of the outstanding arrears while NAMA needed to receive an approval from the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to enable it commence the implementation of the Hazard Allowance.

It was noted that NSIWC is now in receipt of the letter from NAMA through the Federal Ministry of Aviation clarifying that it (NAMA) is capable of paying the Hazard Allowance from its internally generated revenues and shall commence the process of approval.

It also showed that the trade unions had not submitted their charter of demands, which is a pre-requisite for collective bargaining.

The trade unions showed concern over the non-har-

monised salary structure existing in NAMA. After due deliberations, the meeting resolved that on the receipt of the awaited approval from the NSIWC, NAMA shall commence the payment of the Hazard Allowance immediately.

It was also resolved that NAMA shall pay one month arrears of salary increment next week and thereafter, shall continue to liquidate the arrears owed to its staff based on a mode of installment payments to be agreed upon between the parties.

The parties agreed to meet this week to work out the above stated modalities for payment of the arrears.

On the harmonisation of salaries, the Supervising Minister for Aviation shall convene a stakeholders’ meeting to consider and take decision(s) on the matter.

It was agreed that the trade unions should submit their charter of demands to NAMA before collective bargaining could commence within an agreed timeframe between the parties while other relevant stakeholders may be involved.

Based on the above understandings, the trade unions shall not embark on any industrial action on the issues of this trade dispute to enable an amicable resolution of the industrial grievances.

54

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 55

56

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

57

58

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 59

60 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

61

62

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 63

64

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 65

66

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 67

68

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 69

70

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

71

72

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

73

74

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

75

76

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 ISSUES

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

77

Prioritizing education as a step in development

By Karls Tsokar HE need to secure quality T standard of education in Nigeria is the right path to bridging the gap between different cultures and to reconcile various civilizations. This is rightly so especially in our country, where ethno-religious and regional sentiments poses a wide chasm on equality, justice and fairness.

Education in Nigeria to some extent is an exclusive preserve of a few, with tuition and other necessary sinews even at the foundational level, beyond the reach of the middle class, the best schools, mostly private owned, seem to recognize the responsibility to ensure that every individual that can afford it, has the opportunity to receive a high quality education, thence they charge as higher than the public-government subsidized schools.

In Bauchi State like most states in the northern path of Nigeria, being educated, in the western sense of the word, to a large extent was not looked as a necessity, especially considering the socio-cultural setting of the area. But with the current realities, coupled with the fact that positions of leadership in these parts of the country is being attained by people who if not for their educational background and the exposure acquired while seeking to be educated, they would not be considered in the relatively totalitarian society, much less reach leadership spot.

While speaking to Journalists in Bauchi the state capital, the state Commissioner of Education, Ibrahim Aminu, said the commitment of the state government to improving the quality of education in the state is uncompromising.

“Creating learning opportunities and other avenues for all to acquire the necessary education they need to be a part of the development efforts of the Yuguda administration”.

To this end, the overhaul of all infrastructures of more than 300 learning centres, schools and related institutions, across the state have given the desired boost to the desired transformation of the sector.

This repair spans from reconstruction and refurnishing of classrooms, acquisition of science/technology equipment, remodeling of special schools and generally uplifting the standard of education.

At the elementary level, the Sa’Adu Zungur Model Primary School is a special feature in the Bauchi State education system. Commissioned in 2011 by Vice President, Namadi Sambo when he visited the state, it is a school that was established for the elites of the society but on assumption of office as governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda saw this as a form of segregation among the people and therefore made its admission open to the general public irrespective of your position in the society. Despite the state-of-the-art facilities in place, children from all strata of society now have equal opportunity to school with their mates in “high class” school.

Also, the Government Teachers Training College, Toro, an institution that produced many great Nigerians of predominantly northern extraction including the first Executive President of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was in a state of near total disrepair until 2011, when the government started the complete renovation of the old dilapidated structures and the building of

new ones.

Education must be seen as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in every human being, there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation, thence the need to give opportunity to those who might have lost out advertently or inadvertently in the past.

For instance, in 2011, the Bauchi State Non-Formal Education was called a “ghost institute”, with dilapidated buildings, some of which were classrooms and hostels, all without roofs. Besides the poor infrastructure, disencouraging learning environment and paucity of quality teaching staff, the students were confronted with the burden of financing their education, even in that deplorable state. Yet, the successive governments did not look their

way even though the school was established in 1978 (more than 30 years).

Suffice that this school was established to cater for the adult students who inadvertently missed out in the regular school system, a situation that pervades all sections of the country. The institution for the 2012/2013 session enrolled 46,877 students, after it was renovated and repositioned for better services to the people.

The Permanent Secretary of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, Titus Ryaghan said the diploma awarding institution in Bauchi town (there are 1,878 learning centres with 800 facilitators and 228 scheme organizers across the state), which is now being upgraded to award the National Certificate of Education (NCE), after the basic levels of primary and secondary, is fully residential

with 800 students whose tuition, accommodation and other fees are highly subsidized by the government, even though its admission of students spread even beyond the borders of Nigeria to Mali and Niger Republic.

The institute boasts of facilities such as state-of-the-art conference centre, lecture halls, student hostels, and staff quarters of the standard found only in a modern institution of learning. The school, which is now fully residential, moved to its present site in 2010 when the construction of all the structures started and was completed by 2013.

According to the Principal of the institute, Hajia Hadiza Isa, “the school was established to help out-of-school children, illiterate youths and illiterate married women get the best possible education in order to reduce poverty, basically to give education to youths and the aged who did not have

access to formal education from childhood.

“This category of education was introduced to give opportunity to the elderly to acquire basic education. This, we have done over the years, although the dilapidation of the infrastructure slowed us down, but the Yuguda administration has changed that for the better, so we are on course. We have students from all over the country, Niger, Mali and Libya who fled their countries because of the crisis there,” she said.

The focus on educational development also has seen to the establishment of 36 “Tsangaya” Koranic schools across the state, in addition to the three established by the Federal Government. The complete renovation of the Government Secondary School in Toro to a very high standard, for the reasons to firstly serve as a model for all government secondary schools in the state

and secondly to showcase the state, as it is the first point of contact as you enter Bauchi State from Jos, Plateau State.

Interestingly, 50 other government secondary schools spread across the state have so far benefitted from this intervention.

Technical and Vocational Education has also received reasonable government consideration, to the extent that the Government Technical College, Gumau displays the government’s quest to provide a veritable platform in the area of technical education for the development of the requisite manpower for a solid industrial base for the state.

These platforms are provided through quality infrastructure in the schools, reasonable compensation to the teachers, right equipment for science and technology and of course a highly subsidized tuition rate in all schools for all indigenes of the state.

78

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

MarketReport EQUITY MARKET SUMMARY

AS AT 10-03-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA www.primera-africa.com

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

MARKET INDICATORS

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 MARKET REPORT 79

AS AT 10-03-2014

PRIMERA AFRICA

Cadbury Nigeria restates commitment to long-term investment

By Bukky Olajide ADBURY Nigeria Plc has C adequate cash flow to sustain continuous investments in Nigeria over the immediate and medium term, the management of the confectionery giant has assured.

The management of Cadbury Nigeria yesterday visited the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to further explain the reasons for the recent capital reduction exercise to the investing public.

Managing Director of the company, Emil Moskofian, said the company is committed to continuous investment in its Nigerian business, noting that Cadbury Nigeria has demonstrated this commitment over its five decades of operations.

According to him, Nigerian market, the largest in West Africa, is a very important market to Cadbury and it cherishes its long history and iconic brands.

He explained that the decision on the recent capital reduction was taken because the company has surplus capital in excess of the current investment requirement and that should not be misconstrued as lack of appetite for the Nigerian market.

He noted that the company has continued to surpass projections and the business is in good shape with good profit

such that it can fund additional investments from its ongoing business.

“We believe all the investments we want to do between two to five years we can fund them from our current business, there is no need for us at this point to dip into that surplus cash that we are sitting on, hence the reason we looked at what to do with that cash. We went through a number of options and decided to give the surplus cash back to shareholders. That does not suggest our lack of appetite for investing in this market,” Moskofian pointed out.

He added that as part of the Mondelez International, the global snack powerhouse, Cadbury Nigeria has access to many global brands and innovation, which the Nigerian business could tap on to fuel its growth going forward.

Cadbury Nigeria recently completed capital reduction exercise under which it returned excess capital of N11.9 billion to its shareholders by cancelling two out of every five ordinary shares held by the shareholders. Consequently, it reduced the share capital account by an amount equivalent to the par value of the cancelled shares and share premium accounts by about N11.27 billion. Also, each shareholder will receive returned capital per cancelled share at N9.50 per share.

NSE lists Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF to enhance diversification

By Helen Oji HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has expanded its product offerings with the official listing of Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) this month.

The Executive Director in charge of Business Development at the Exchange, Haruna JaloWaziri, explained that the Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund (VG 30 ETF) is an open-ended fund that will be listed on the Exchange.

According to him, “the VG 30 ETF is designed to track the performance of the constituent companies of the NSE 30 Index and to replicate the price and yield performance of the Index. The NSE 30 Index comprises of the top 30 companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in terms of market capitalization and liquidity and is a price index weighted by adjusted market capitalisation.

“In order to provide an alternative investment window for investors, the first ETF was launched on the Nigeria bourse in December 2011. We are using the ETF product category to open up cost-effective diversification opportunities for investors, while giving the broker-dealer community an instrument to better service their clientele.

This listing of the VG 30 ETF is anticipated to help advance the investor market in

T

What Happened?

The NSE All-Share index increased by 57bps (0.57%) and closed at 39,172.76. This represents a year-to-date performance of 5.22% Market Capitalisation also appreciated 0.57% to close at N12.582trillion.Total value traded decreased 15.30% to N2.727 billion and total volume traded increased 12.01% to 383.28 million units.

Where?

At the close of trading, the banking sector represented 50.48% of the total market value traded, while the breweries sector represented 7.92% The Top 5 stocks as a % of total market value traded were: GUARANTY (14.78%), ACCESS (11.02%), NB (7.91%), ZENITHBANK (7.07%) and WAPCO (6.54%).

On a volume basis, the Top 5 most traded stocks for the day were: NEM (164.04m), ACCESS (39.24m), TRANSCORP (28.91m), GUARANTY (16.07m) and UBA (11.70m).

Africa’s fastest growing economy by further broadening the choice of asset classes open to local investors.” He said.

Speaking on the product, the Exchange’s Product Lead for ETFs, Osahon Aire, explained that ETFs are essentially index funds that are listed and traded on the Exchange like shares.

“Buying and selling ETFs is as simple as buying /selling of shares. Unlike shares and mutual funds however, the ETFs will trade continuously all day long and allow investors to lock in a price for the underlying stocks immediately, rather than being bought and sold based on end-of-day prices” The Managing Director of Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, Damilola Ajayi said, Vetiva developed the VG 30 ETF to give investors optimal exposure to the Nigerian bourse by tracking the movement of the NSE 30 index , in line with the industry’s commitment to grow product.

He added that the Offer for Subscription of 100,000,000 units of the Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Securities commenced on Monday, January 13, 2014 and closed on Friday, January 31, 2014.

“Further to the successful completion of the Offer, we expect that the VG30 ETF securities will be listed on the Floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange by March 2014.” He added .

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

80 Tuesday, March 11 2014

GlobalStocks Asian shares slip on economic data SIAN markets tumbled yesterday following a surprisingly poor batch of economic data out of China, while revised Japanese figures showed 2013 growth was slower than expected.

The losses came after healthy gains on most bourses last week and despite jobs growth in the United States, while investors are keeping an eye on events in Ukraine as leaders try to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Tokyo slipped 1.01 per cent, or 153.93 points, to 15,120.14, Sydney fell 0.93 per cent, or 50.8 points, to 5,411.5 and Seoul was 1.03 per cent lower, giving up 20.26 points, to end at 1,954.42.

Shanghai dived 2.86 per cent, or 58.84 points, to 1,999.07 while Hong Kong sank 1.75 per cent, or 395.56 points, to 22,264.93.

Beijing said Saturday it had seen an unexpected trade deficit of $22.98 billion in February.

The figure compared with a surplus of $14.8 billion in the same month last year, and a median forecast of an $11.9 billion surplus. Exports fell 18.1 per cent and imports jumped 10.1 per cent.

“It’s hard to ignore a number that looks like that,” said Sean Callow, senior currency strategist at Westpac Institutional Bank in Sydney.

Those figures were followed the next day by news that inflation eased to 2.0 per cent in February, down from 2.5 per cent in January, leading to talk of possible deflation, which could delay muchneeded investment and consumer spending.

While authorities blame the country’s holiday season for the weak results, they add to growing worries about the Chinese economy, with the latest surveys on its key manufacturing sector showing weakness.

The sell-off yesterday is “symptomatic of the mood of the market to be spooked by any poor China numbers and to only take moderate comfort from strong numbers”, he told Dow Jones Newswires.

In Japan the government said yesterday that gross domestic product growth was 0.2 per cent in the quarter to December and 1.5 per cent through 2013, slower than first thought.

Preliminary figures last month showed GDP expanded 0.3 per cent in OctoberDecember period and 1.6 per cent over the year.

While the data still marked Japan’s best annual performance in three years, it will put the focus on the central bank as it begins a policy meeting later in the day, with speculation that it will announce a fresh batch of monetary easing measures.

In currency trade the yen rose after seeing a sell-off for most of last week. In the afternoon the dollar fell to 103.15 yen from 103.24 yen in New York Friday.

A

U.S. stocks dip on weak Asian data, Ukraine NITED States (U.S.) stocks U yesterday fell in early trade following disappointing economic data from China and Japan and continued tension over Ukraine.

About 30 minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 47.92 (0.29 percent) to 16,404.80.

The broad-based S&P 500 dipped 2.09 (0.11 per cent) to 1,875.95, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index edged 0.37 (0.01 per cent)

lower to 4,335.85.

Weekend economic data from China raised questions about the outlook for the world’s second largest economy.

Beijing reported weak inflation data and a $23.0 billion trade deficit in February, while analysts had forecast an $11.9 billion surplus.

Meanwhile, Japan said its economy grew more slowly in the fourth quarter, 0.2 per cent, than the previously reported 0.3 percent.

Investors are also skittish over tensions between Russia and the West after Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that Crimea had the right to join his country.

McDonald’s became the latest big company to cite cold weather as a factor in diminished sales, saying frigid temperatures in the US were a factor in a 1.4 per cent drop in comparable restaurant sales in February. Shares of the Dow component dipped 0.4 per cent.

Boeing fell 1.9 per cent after Japan Airlines Sunday said its Dreamliner jet made an emergency landing in Honolulu reportedly due to a possible problem with its hydraulic system.

The news followed a Friday Boeing disclosure that hairline cracks were found in the wings of some of its 787 Dreamliners that are still in production, due to a manufacturing problem.

Chiquita Brands International announced it was combining with Irish

company Fyffes into a global produce distributor with a combined equity value of about $1.1 billion. Chiquita shareholders will own about 50.7 per cent of the new company. Chiquita jumped 12.6 per cent.

Bond prices were mixed.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury held steady at 2.79 percent, the same level as Friday, while the 30-year edged higher to 3.73 per cent from 3.72 per cent. Bond prices and yields move inversely.

Traders at a stock exchange…yesterday.

European stocks record mixed fortunes UROPE’S main stock E markets traded mixed yesterday as investors responded to economic data from China and the United States (U.S.).

On the corporate front, U.S.-based Chiquita Brands and Ireland’s Fyffes Plc said they were merging in a deal that would create the world’s biggest banana supplier with yearly revenue of $4.6 billion (6.4 billion euros).

London’s FTSE 100 slid 0.35 per cent to 6,689.45 points while the DAX 30 in Frankfurt fell 0.91 per cent to 9,265.50 points.

However, in Paris, the CAC 40 climbed 0.10 per cent compared with Friday’s closing values to 4,370.84.

Madrid added 0.30 perc ent and Milan rose 0.58 per cent.

“UK and European shares continue to falter at their

multi-year highs following weak Chinese export data released over the weekend,” said CMC Markets UK analyst Jasper Lawler.

“The DAX led the charge lower, with Germany also being the most exposed to the explosive situation in Ukraine, due to their high dependence on Ukrainian natural gas,” he added.

A threat by Russian gas giant Gazprom on Friday to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, which is the major transit country for the rest of Europe, put the chill on stocks.

Germany, the eurozone’s top economy, depends on Russia for about a third of its gas supplies, while other countries in central Europe are nearly completely dependent on Russian supplies which flow through Ukraine.

Asian markets tumbled yesterday following a sur-

prisingly poor batch of economic data out of China, while revised Japanese figures showed 2013 growth was slower than expected.

Beijing said Saturday it had recorded an unexpected trade deficit of $22.98 billion in February.

The figure compared with a surplus of $14.8 billion in the same month last year, and a median forecast of an $11.9 billion surplus.

Exports fell 18.1 percent and imports jumped 10.1 per cent.

“A poor Chinese trade balance reading has put the miners on the back foot once again, with the sector giving back most of February’s surge, as traders take advantage of weaker consumption expectations in the east Asian behemoth,” said Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at traders IG.

In foreign exchange, the euro edged up to $1.3877 from $1.3874 late in New York on Friday.

The dollar dipped to 103.22 yen from 103.24 yen on Friday.

On the London Bullion Market, the price of gold rose to $1,344 an ounce from $1,335.25 on Friday.

US stocks pushed lower yesterday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.42 per cent to 16, points in midday trade.

The broad-based S&P 500 shed 0.29 per cent to 1,872.64, while the techrich Nasdaq Composite Index gave up 0.26 percent to 4,324.92.

Wall Street had last week posted gains last week following a somewhat better set of economic data that helped offset tensions over Ukraine.

The gains were not the year’s most robust for a

single week, but markets still finished in the black despite the occasional hick-up over Ukraine, where Russian forces have effectively taken control of Crimea, alarming the West.

Highlights in economic news included Friday’s eagerly awaited U.S. jobs report, which showed the economy added 175,000 jobs in February, a big improvement after the December and January reports disappointed.

Investors were cheered also by a better-thanexpected rise in the Institute for Supply Management’s index of manufacturing activity, while the U.S. Federal Reserve’s beige book noted that the outlook in most of the country “remained optimistic” even as cold weather depressed economic activity.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 81

Law

Quote of the week Success produces confidence; confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which accuracy had raised.

- Ben Jonson

EFCC suffers from executive interference, underfunding, say lawyers The damning verdict recently passed on President Goodluck Jonathan’s government in its fight against corruption by the United States through its 2013 State Department Yearly Report on Nigeria, has again, opened a new debate on the ability of the nation’s anti-graft agencies to the scourge. The report released in February, revealed how the government has been frustrating the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in fighting corruption. For example, in its Section Four entitled, ‘Corruption and lack of Transparency in Government’ among others, the report stated that, “the EFCC faced several frustrating setbacks during the year (2013)”. BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA sought the views of lawyers on the Report vis-à-vis the EFCC’s fight against corruption and the challenges it faces.

FOCUS HE Economic and Financial Crimes T Commission (EFCC) established in 2003, was partially in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries non-cooperative in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering.

Under the EFCC Act 2004, which repealed the Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment), 2002, the Commission is the designated Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in Nigeria, which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the various institutions involved in the fight against money laundering and enforcement of all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

The agency is empowered to investigate financial crimes such as Advance Fee Fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering.

Under the agency’s previous chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, it addressed financial corruption by prosecuting and convicting a number of high-profile corrupt individuals, ranging from Nigeria’s former chief law enforcement officer, to some bank chief executives.

By 2005, the EFCC arrested government officials including, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

In September 2006, the EFCC had 31 of Nigeria’s 36 state governors under investigation for corruption.

In April 2008, the EFCC began an investigation of the very influential daughter of the former Nigeria’s President, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello for receiving N10 million ($100,000), stolen from the Ministry of Health.

The former Health Minister and her deputy, were charged for allegedly stealing over N30,000,000 ($300,000) from the ministry’s unspent funds.

On June 6, 2008, Chief (Mrs.) Farida Waziri was sworn- in as the new chairperson of the EFCC. Then, on August 6, 2008, the former chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, was demoted from Assistant Inspector General (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Waziri was dismissed by President Goodluck Jonathan on November 23, 2011 and replaced

by Ibrahim Lamorde as acting Chairman.

He was later confirmed on February 15, 2012, by the Senate.

The agency is also involved in the trials of several heads of banks removed during the 2008 sanitisation of the banking sector.

But, the once-vibrant agency has remained a shadow of itself, with little to show for its efforts.

Apart from securing minor convictions, in courts, the agency has not been able to secure a high-profile conviction, leaving many to wonder if it was established for the poor.

There was also an issue of under-funding of the agency, which many felt was the reason that officers of the agency, who normally attended court to cover its proceedings, were no longer able to attend. But the US Reports seems to be an eye opener to all.

Fred Agbaje, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, was one of that not amused by the report.

According to him: “Those of us in Nigeria,

Agbaje knew well all along, that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s claim of fighting corruption is not only euphemistically rhetorical, but also a sham!

Political interference and financial setback, he said, have become a major weapon by the present regime to incapacitate the oncevibrant activities of the anti graft agencies to the extent that the EFCC cannot even pay its lawyers.

“How then do we expect EFCC to carry out its statutorily responsibilities of prosecuting several former governors standing trials over corruption rated offence? “ It is a case of the more you look the less you see, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), EFCC and Federal Government”, he added.

For consumer rights lawyer, Uche Onu, what the report has merely done is to hit the nail on the head and reaffirm what has been said by some commentators that President Jonathanled government has not been serious in tackling the issue of corruption as it ought to be.

According to him, right from the time Ibrahim Lamorde was appointed as the chairman of the EFCC, it is not a hidden fact that the agency has been without proper funding.

“It is a deliberate attempt to incapacitate the

Onu ability of EFCC. “During the Ribadu’s era, when the EFCC was properly funded by both the Federal Government and foreign bodies such as the European Union and other collaborators, you could see how they were operating.

“However, a few months back, we heard the EFCC shouting that it did not have up to N5 million in its coffers. How do you expect such a sensitive agency that superintends the fight against corruption to perform without proper funding?”. He asked.

Onu also raised the issue of executive interference in the activities of the EFCC. “A cursory look at some of the things that had transpired in the past would point to the fact that those who suffered at the hands of EFCC were people who were perceived to be antigovernment.

“Hardly, would you see somebody who is progovernment that has been convicted by the EFCC. So to a very large extent, the issue of interference has created selective justice and therefore, affected the performance of the EFCC”. He sais Uche also said the claims by the EFCC’s chairman that there is no government’s interference in its activities is merely a window dress-

“ Poor funding and dearth of personnel can affect good results. And again, the leadership of the EFCC must be willing to be decisive, brave and bold, since in most cases, some of the victims may be more influential and richer than the institution.

ing. “ It is not easy in our clime for a public officer to come out openly to say that there is an interference in his activities. That is why we are advocating for the strengthening of institutions. The law establishing EFCC should be done in such a way that the appointment and removal of the chairman be isolated from the executive arm of government, to give room for independence that we are clamouring for.

“That is the only way some of these aberrations we see everyday in our system could be solved”, he added.

Also, Segun Tokode, a Lagos lawyer, believes that the problem with the EFCC, is the lack of political will on the part of the government to go the whole hog to deal with the issue of corruption, According to him, the body is either incompetent or ill- equipped to perform its statutory functions. This, he said, boils down to the foundation.

“The government, by the nature of how it came to the power, its composition and worse of all, the ambition of the President to contest in 2015 against all indices of serious performance and good governance, finds itself indebted in political patronage to so many people whom it lacks the strength and the will to commit to law and order. “ These are the very same people who are behind most of the corruptions and which the EFCC is incapable of dealing with because of their contact or connection to or “impor-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 83

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

82 LAW Tuesday, March 11, 2014

LawPeople

“All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.”

——Andrew Jackson

Independent judiciary as panacea for democratic challenges PROFILE

In developed climes, e-mails and phone calls are made to inform parties that the court will not be sitting, so there will be no need of going to court when your matter will not be going on. There is need for a law reform, there is no need to introduce any law to curb delay, there is need for a collaborative and concerted effort to tackle delay because there will be no master or servant.

By Bertram Nwannekanma HE judiciary is acknowledged T universally as one of the most defining and definitive features of a functional democracy.

An independent judiciary is thus seen by stakeholders as an essential bulwark against abuse of power, authoritarianism and arbitrariness.

A vibrant judiciary is, therefore, a critical indicator of the health or otherwise of a democracy.

There seems to be nowhere in the world where this reality is more apt as it is in Nigeria, one of the world’s largest democracies, with a population of over 140 million people.

Nigeria’s judiciary has, however, remained the last hope of the common man, especially in democratic experience in Nigeria, where it has helped to stabilise the nation’s renascent democracy through wellreasoned judgments.

But stakeholders have expressed worries over the ability of the judiciary to handle various political cases that are trouping at the wake of 2015 general election.

According to them, the judiciary may be overwhelmed by the quantum of cases that have already started following the recent defection of governors and legislators.

They also argued that with an illequipped judiciary, the politicians might overrun the third arm of government often touted as the last hope of the common man.

But a Lagos-based lawyer, Isaac Ayofe Adiatu, believed that the judiciary has fared well in the previous year by delivering various sound judgments in the national landscape.

This, he said, the judiciary had done within the confine of the resources available to them.

“Most of the judges still write in long-hand, which is not good for our system. We really need improvement in the infrastructure for the judges to perform very well.

“Their living quarters are also below expectations and our courts are not equipped with modern facilities that can aid proper functioning of our courts”.

The revered lawyer is also of the opinion that defection in the political landscape was good for our democracy because of the ongoing realignment of forces.

“Defection is good for our democracy. Many people are clamouring for better governance in the centre.

I expect the judiciary to remain bold to deliver judgments that would extend development of our democracy”, he added.

On the complaints of corruption in the judiciary, Adiatu said the allegation of corruption in the Nigeria judiciary is over-hyped because most of the people that complain sing a different tune whenever they win a case.

“In Nigeria, if one loses a case, he will say that the judiciary is corrupt but when he wins, he will praise the

Adiatu

Defection is good for our democracy. Many people are clamouring for better governance in the centre. I expect the judiciary to remain bold to deliver judgments that would extend development of our democracy. judiciary and extol it as a beacon of our democracy. When judgment is in their favour, the judiciary is the last hope of the common man but when it is against them, then the judiciary is corrupt.”

“Though there are challenges but I don’t believe on the corruption hype in the judiciary in view of the constraint under which they are operating. “Nobody has come out with empirical facts to prove allegations of corruption. People normally give a dog a bad name to hang it.

“We have seen a lot of improvements in the judiciary, which had ensured quicker dispensation of justice”, he added.

To tackle delays in the adjudication of cases in the judiciary, Adiatu said all stakeholders in the justice system, whether the prisons, judges, lawyers, police and judicial officers should meet to fashion a way out.

“If a process is before the court, it is not judiciary alone that is causing delays in the system. There is need for a collaborative effort to fast-track the administration of justice in Nigeria both in civil and criminal cases.

“Going to court and finding out that the court is not sitting is frustrating especially at the magistracy level, which had the majority of the cases.

“In developed climes, e-mails and phone calls are made to inform parties that the court will not be sitting, so there will be no need of going to court when your matter will not be going on. “There is need for a law reform, there is no need to introduce any law to curb delay, there is need for a collaborative and concerted effort to tackle delay because there will be no master or servant.

“All stakeholders should have equal stake in tackling it. If the defendants are not in court in criminal matter, the matter cannot go on”, he added.

Born on April 22, 1968, in Osun State, Adiatu attended District Council Primary School Ile-Ogbo for his elementary certificate; thereafter he proceeded to Iwo Grammar School, Iwo, between 1979-1984 for his secondary education. Between 1985-1986, he attended Baptist High School, Iwo, for his Higher School

If a process is before the court, it is not judiciary alone that is causing delays in the system. There is need for a collaborative effort to fast-track the administration of justice in Nigeria both in civil and criminal cases.

Certificate. Upon his graduation, he gained admission at the University of Lagos, between 1987-1990, where he graduated with 2nd Class Lower Division in Law. He was called to Bar after his graduation, from the Nigerian Law School in 1991.

Adiatu was inspired to read law after he played a role of an incorruptible judge in play during his secondary school days.

He spoke of that experience thus: “After the act, people that watched how he played that role started calling on him to focus on law profession; from then, it stunk and the rest became a story”.

Another major influence was his interest to fight for the poor and down-trodden. As a child, Adiatu developed the interest to fight for poor and he felt that the interest could best be served if he took to the legal profession. That interest was further honed by the activities of late human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the revered Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who had remained his role model because of his activism and fight for the masses.

Adiatu received his legal tutelage during his mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) at the Law Firm of S.A. Oviawe & Co in 1992, where he made his first court appearance in Maiduguri, Borno State.

At that time, he appeared before Justice Muazu of the state High Court as a new wig, where he courageously moved a motion that was granted by the judge to the admira-

tion of his principal.

From then, Adiatu gained exposure to become a fearless lawyer that has handled several matters in all area of law.

Thereafter, he worked at the Law firm of W. A. Sowunmi & Co in Mushin, Lagos, for six months without pay.

He then proceeded to T.O. Oladipo between May 1993 and June 1994 from there he went to David Jemibewon & Co. After spending 10 years at Jemibewon Chambers, he founded Isaac Adiatu New Life Chamber in July 2, 2003, where he had remained a notable figure on the area of litigation, real property, conveyance and commercial matters.

Adiatu’s most difficult case was a land matter he started in 2001 Shomolu area in Lagos State.

According to him, the matter involving a half plot of land, which is now before Justice Candide Johnson of the Lagos High Court, had gone through four judges.

“The case has taken 13 years and it is never ending as the matter is progressing, the trial judge will be transferred and then it will start de novo (afresh).

“The judge at the pre-conferences or what is now called the case management conference will not be the same that will handle it during the trial, hence, the delay”, he said.

Married with children, Adiatu said the sore point in his legal profession was the non-payment of legal fees by clients on concluded matters.

Though there are challenges but I don’t believe on the corruption hype in the judiciary in view of the constraint under which they are operating.

Nobody has come out with empirical facts to prove allegations of corruption. People normally give a dog a bad name to hang it. We have seen a lot of improvements in the judiciary, which had ensured quicker dispensation of justice Do you know…

Negligence…

A tort which is the breach of a duty to take care imposed by common or statue law, resulting in damages to the complainant:- Imo Concorde Hotel Ltd v. Anya [1992] 4 NWLR (Pt. 234) 219 at 220, [C. A.].

LAW Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

83

EFCC Suffers from Executive interference CONTINUED FROM PAGE 81 tance” to the government. “ For example, I understand that the son of the former PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, was involved in the oil subsidy scam. But up till this day, nothing has come out of his prosecution by EFCC for obvious reason.

“You can see that while the objectives and the law of EFCC is very clear and unambiguous but the body is calibrated by the unwillingness and seriousness of the government to allow it to perform”.

“I say this because there is no way EFCC will prosecute any important person without the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation

(AGF).

The AGF will not prosecute anyone who is a friend or member of the government. “ That is the major problem apart from other numerous problems, including the provisions of necessary infrastructure both for the body itself and even the court, appointment of competent and dedicated staff, training, adequate and sufficient funding to make it possible for it to perform effectively and efficiently”, he added.

But another lawyer, Silas Udo, saw it differently.

According to him, EFCC has not succeeded in fighting corruption because of the judicial system where witnesses are not compensated for time and money spent to

During the Ribadu’s era, when the EFCC was properly funded by both the Federal Government and foreign bodies such as the European Union and other collaborators, you could see how they were operating.

attend court proceedings and give evidence.

He also mentioned lack of government’s commitment because of political factors.

In addition Udo believes that the Nigerian Bar Association and the Civil Society groups have not

INEC sued for N7.5 million over alleged contract breach

Jega HE Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has been dragged before an Abuja High Court by a Media Consultancy Firm, Godson & Godman, promoted by the former editor of the Daily Times Nigeria Plc., Mr. Ken Ugbechie for alleged contract breach.

In the suit marked CU/ 818/ 14, the plaintiff through its counsel, Agwu. E. Agwu is demanding the sum of N7.5 million being the contract sum as well as 10 percent interest on the judgment debt starting from the date judgment is delivered until the debt is liquidated.

According to the writ summon, Ken Ugbechie had through his company Godson & Godman, on January 19, 2010, awarded

T

Tokode

Udo

contract by INEC (defendant) to inspire and generate expository articles, commentaries, news analysis, editorial and comments amongst other to sufficiently enlighten the electorates on all that the Commission was doing to ensure a hitch-free election of the 2011 general election.

The writ was supported by a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Ken Ugbechie, the company executive of the Godson & Godman and made pursuant to Order 21 Rule (1) of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja (Civil Procedure Rules) 2004.

In the affidavit, the deponent averred that said contract was thoroughly verified by the officers of INEC after completion.

He also stated that the defendant has not paid the plaintiff the contract sum of N7.5 million due to his company, since the contract was executed despite repeated demands. He averred further that he was made to write a demand letter to the defendant, where he demanded the payment of the contract sum to no avail.

According to the affidavit, his lawyer further wrote to the defendant demanding the payment of the said amount without any positive response from the defendant.

“After the receipt of the plaintiff’s Solicitors’ Demand letter, the defendant was said to has referred the matter to her department on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)” The plaintiff’s solicitor also had a meeting with the director of the Defendant’s Alternative Dispute Resolution wherein it was decided that the matter be referred to the Public Affairs department for confirmation.

The Public Affairs Department of the defendant, the deponent averred has since confirmed that the contract was creditably executed by the plaintiff but in spite of the above confirmation, the defendant is yet to pay the said contract sum to the plaintiffs.

The refusal by the defendant to fulfill her financial obligations in the contract, he further alleged has adversely affected the business of the plaintiff.

He, therefore, urged the court to order INEC to pay the money as it would not pay the said contract sum except it is to ordered by the court.

Also attached to the affidavit is four exhibits marked A, BX.

assisted the EFCC enough to attain success.

“There is a need for the two bodies to set up a monitoring committee to supervise prosecution of victims, especially those cases considered to be politically- motivated. “ Poor funding and dearth of

personnel can affect good result. And again, the leadership of the EFCC must be willing to be decisive, brave and bold since in most cases, some of the victims may be more influential and richer than the institution. “ Corruption is supposed to

be reduced in Nigeria, considering the powers of the EFCC, but that has not been achieved. Nigerians have lost confidence in the EFCC. EFCC owes Nigerians and foreign missions in Nigeria a responsibility to redeem its image and save our country from becoming a failed state.

Oil marketer knows fate March 28 in N1.7 billion subsidy fraud suit N oil marketer, Samuel mission, on the grounds that its case.

Consequently, Justice Buba A Owa, arraigned before a the accused has no case to adjourned till March 28 for Federal High Court, Lagos for an alleged N1.7 billion fuel subsidy fraud, will on March 28, 2014, know whether or not he will be discharged of the charge or continue with the trial.

Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba had on Wednesday last week, fixed March 28, to rule on a no case submission raised by his counsel.

Owa and his company, Stone Bridge Oil Ltd, are charged alongside a Cargo Surveyor, Oassisi Wajutom and his Company vibrant Ventures Ltd, on a four-count bordering on the offence by the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) The prosecution led by Mr. Dania Abdullahi, had on February 21 closed their case while the court had adjourned the case for continuation of trial.

But, the accused through his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), has, while opening his defence, made a no case sub-

answer.

Abdullahi, however, maintained that the accused has a case to answer and urged defence counsel to open the case for the defence.

He argued that since there were conflicting testimonies as to the vessels, which the accused claimed brought in petroleum products, there existed doubt as to whether the products were actually imported by the accused.

He submitted that such doubts could only be resolved, if the defence opens

He argued that since there were conflicting testimonies as to the vessels, which the accused claimed brought in petroleum products, there existed doubt as to whether the products were actually imported by the accused.

ruling.

The accused were arraigned on June 18, 2013.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charge, and were granted bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

In the charge, they were alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.7 billion from the Federal Government, under the pretext of having imported about 145 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

It was alleged that Vibrant Ventures and its Principal, Wajutom, while acting as Cargo Surveyors, aided the first accused, Owa, and his company, to obtain the said sum for their fraudulent purposes.

The offence, the EFCC said contravenes the provisions of Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

How Abia gov’s wife was to be defrauded, by witness

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo PROSECUTION witness, A Mr. Chucks Offor, last Tuesday gave a graphic description of how a former Kogi Central Senatorial candidate, Abdulazeez Bello, had planned to defraud Mrs. Mercy Orji, wife of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State.

Offor, a Special Assistant to Mrs. Orji on Protocol, in his testimony before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on the commencement of the trial of Bello, told the court presided by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, that the defendant conspired with another aide, Nelson Ndukwe (now at large), to commit the offence.

Bello was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

on allegation of impersonation of an officer of the agency with the intent of defrauding Mrs. Orji.

Bello was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by pretence and forgery.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Bello impersonated the Director of Operations of the EFCC, Mr. Olaolu Adegbite.

At the proceeding recently, Offor, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Toyin Owoduni, told the court that he was working with Nelson Ndukwe (now at large), to commit the offence.

According to him, Ndukwe called him on January 27, 2013, with an unregistered number, claiming that he

was being detained by the EFCC for an unknown offence.

Offor said his colleague told him that a certain number was going to call him and that he should cooperate with the caller so that the matter could be resolved.

According to him, the defendant later called him, posing as Adegbite and demanded that he should come to Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja for settlement.

The witness said he went to the hotel with an officer of the State Security Service (SSS) who apprehended Bello while negotiations were going on for Ndukwe’s release.

Further hearing on the matter has been fixed for May 26.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 81

84 LAW Tuesday, March 11, 2014

FamilyLaw

“The value of marriage is not that adults produce children, but that children produce adults.”

-Peter De Vries

Legal perspectives of marriage (15) better than fathers and that fathers have little experience in parenting.

Conversely, some judges may believe that fathers automatically are better OES the law help newly divorced at raising boys—particularly older spouses who must now get their boys. Judges with such biases may own health insurance? apply these views when they decide Yes. A federal law passed in the 1980s custody cases, although they are suprequires most employer-sponsored posed to base decisions on the facts of group health plans to offer divorced each case and not on automatic prespouses of covered workers continsumptions. As a group, judges are less ued coverage at group rates for as biased in deciding custody cases long as three years. The divorced today than in times past, although spouse of a worker must pay for the some bias still exists. coverage, but the coverage is availWhat is the most important factor in able. deciding custody?

Custody That will vary with the facts of each What is child custody? case. If one parent in a custody disChild custody is the right and duty From the early history of our counpute has a major problem with alcoto care for a child on a day-to-day try until the mid- 1800s, fathers holism or mental illness or has basis and to make major decisions were favored for custody in the abused the child, that could be the about the child. In sole custody event of a divorce. Children were deciding factor. If neither parent has arrangements, one parent takes care viewed as similar to property. If a engaged in unusually bad conduct, of the child most of the time and husband and wife divorced, the the most important factor often is makes major decisions about the man usually received the property— which parent has been primarily child. In joint custody arrangements, such as the farm or the family busiresponsible for taking care of the both parents share in making major ness. He also received custody of the child on a day-to-day basis. Some decisions, and both parents also children. Some courts viewed cusstates refer to this as “the primary might spend substantial amounts of tody to the father as a natural exten- caretaker factor.” If one parent can time with the child. Joint custody will sion of the father’s duty to support show that he or she took care of the be described in more detail later in and educate his children. child most of the time, that parent this section.

By the mid-1800s, most states usually will be favored for custody, How do courts decide custody? switched to a strong preference for particularly if the child is young If the parents cannot agree on custhe mother— sometimes referred to (under approximately eight years tody of their child, the court decides as the “Tender Years Doctrine.” old). Use of this factor promotes concustody according to “the best interUnder the Tender Years Doctrine, est of the child.” Determining the best the mother received custody as long tinuity in the child’s life and gives custody of the child to the more experiinterest of the child involves consider- as she was minimally fit. In other enced parent who has shown the dedation of many factors. words, in a contested custody case, a ication to take care of the child’s dayDo mothers automatically receive mother would receive custody to-day needs. If both parents have custody? unless there was something very actively cared for the child or if the No. Under the laws of almost all wrong with her, such as she abused child is older, the factor is less crucial, states, mothers and fathers have an the child or suffered from mental ill- although it is still considered. equal right to custody. Courts are not ness or alcoholism. The parenting May a child decide where he or she supposed to assume that a child is skills of the father were not relevant. wants to live? automatically better off with the This automatic preference for moth- The wishes of a child can be an impormother or the father. In a contested ers continued until the 1960s or tant factor in deciding custody. The custody case, both the father and 1980s, depending on the state. Then weight a court gives the child’s wishmother have an equal burden of prov- principles of equality took over, at es will depend on the child’s age, ing to the court that it is in the best least in the law books of almost all maturity, and quality of reasons. interest of the child that the child be states.

Some judges do not even listen to the in his or her custody. There are a few Are judges prejudiced in favour of preferences of a child under the age states (mostly in the South) that have mothers or fathers in deciding cusof seven and instead assume the child laws providing that if everything else tody cases? is too young to express an informed is equal, the mother may be preAlthough judges are supposed to be preference. A court is more likely to ferred; but in those states, many neutral in custody disputes between follow the preferences of an older fathers have been successful in mothers and fathers, many child, although the court will want to obtaining custody, even if the mother observers believe some judges are assess the quality of the child’s reais a fit parent. biased. Some judges, based on their sons. If a child wants to be with the How have the laws changed in decidbackground or personal experience, parent who offers more freedom and ing custody disputes between mothmay have a deep-seated belief that less discipline, a judge is not likely to ers and fathers? mothers can take care of children honor the preference. A child whose The law has swung like a pendulum.

Paternity and modern science

D

reasons are vague or whose answers seem coached also may not have his or her preferences followed.

On the other hand, if a child expresses a good reason related to the child’s best interest— such as genuinely feeling closer one parent than the other—the court probably will follow the preference. Although most states treat a child’s wishes as only one factor to be considered, two states (Georgia and West Virginia) declare that a child of fourteen has an “absolute right” to chose the parent with whom the child will live, as long as the parent is fit.

How does a judge find out about the child’s preferences?

Often judges will talk to the child in private—in the judge’s chambers rather than in open court. In some cases, the judge may appoint a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker, to talk to the child and report to the court.

If a parent has a sexual relationship outside of marriage, how does that impact on a court’s decision on custody?

That depends on the law of the state and the facts of the case. In most states, affairs or non-marital sexual relations are not supposed to be a factor in deciding custody unless it can be shown that the relationship has harmed the child. If, for example, one parent has had a discreet affair during the marriage, that normally would not be a significant factor in deciding custody. Similarly, if after the marriage is over, a parent lives with a person to whom he or she is not married, the live-in relationship by itself normally is not a major factor in deciding custody. In the case of live-in relationships, the quality of the relationship between the child and the live-in partner can be an important factor in a custody dispute.

If the parent’s non-marital sexual relationship or relationships have placed the child in embarrassing situations or caused significant stress to the child, then the relationship would be a negative factor against the parent involved in the relationship. In a few states, courts are more inclined to automatically assume that a parent’s non-marital sexual relationship is harmful to the child.

As with the issue of a preference for mothers in custody cases, the issue of a parent’s sexual conduct can be one in which individual judges may have personal biases that influence their decisions.

If a parent is homosexual, what impact does that have on custody?

The impact varies dramatically from state to state. Courts in some states seem more willing to assume harmful impact to a child from a parent’s homosexual relationship than from a heterosexual relationship. On the other hand, some states treat homosexual and heterosexual relationships equally and will not consider the relationship to be a significant factor unless specific harm to the child is shown. A homosexual parent (or a heterosexual parent) seeking custody will have a stronger case if he or she presents evidence that the child does not witness sexual contact between the partners and that the child likes the parent’s partner.

If one parent is trying to undermine the child’s relationship with the other parent, how does that affect custody? A. Most states declare a specific policy favoring an ongoing, healthy relationship between the child and both parents.

If one parent is trying to undermine the child’s relationship with the other parent, that is a negative factor against the parent who is trying to hurt the relationship. If other factors are close to equal, a court may grant custody to the parent who is more likely to encourage an open and good relationship with the other parent.

If one parent is religious and the other is not, may the court favor the more religious parent?

Normally, no. Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, both parents have a right to practice religion or not practice religion as they see fit. A judge is not supposed to make value judgments about whether a child is better off with or without religious training or about which religion is better. If a child has been brought up with particular religious beliefs and religious activities are important to the child, a court might favor promoting continuity in the child’s life, but the court should not favor religion per se.

Court reserves ruling on jurisdiction in suit against APC lawmaker

By Bertram Nwannekanma FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has reserved ruling on application challenging the court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate on the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2011 Federal House of Representatives election, Labrar Biodun Folami against Monsuru Owolabi, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Lagos Mainland Constituency in the House.

The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, announced this on Tuesday, after taking arguments from counsel on the matter.

In the suit, which also had the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants, the plaintiffs want an order declaring the first defendant (Owolabi) educationally unqualified to run for election into the office of the membership of the Federal House of Representatives in the April 9, 2011, general elections under the provisions of the constitution.

Besides, the plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Mr. Adolphus Omotesho, are seeking for an order declaring that the sponsorship of the 1st defendant by the 2nd defendant for the election into

A

the office of the membership of the Federal House of Representatives, Lagos Mainland Constituency, was unconstitutional.

Specifically, the plaintiffs sought the court for an order declaring that the acceptance of the 1st defendant and or clearance to contest the election into the office of the membership of the Federal House of Representatives in the April 9, 2011, general election by the 3rd defendant was unconstitutional.

They also sought an order declaring the 1st plaintiff, having scored the second highest number of valid votes cast in the April 9, 2011 general elections into the office of the membership of the Federal House of Representatives Lagos Mainland constituency, as the person validly elected.

They further want an order court directing the 3rd defendant (INEC) to issue a certificate of return in favour of the 1st plaintiff as the candidate validly elected to the office of the membership of the Federal House of Representatives Lagos Mainland constituency forthwith.

The plaintiffs also want an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant from acting or parading himself as member of the Federal House of Representative Lagos Mainland Constituency.

The suit was previously struck out for lack of diligent prosecution but was re-listed by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, who in a ruling ordered that the suit be re-listed into the court cause list, noting that “there is need for the court to appreciate the interest of the proper administration of justice, which demands that a complainant should be given reasonable opportunity to present his matter for its determination on merits”.

She said: “I agree with counsel to the plaintiffs that since the case has not been heard on its merits, the court will not, at this stage, try to determine the propriety or otherwise of the originating process.

“At this stage, the primary concern of the court is to ensure that the plaintiffs have convinced it to re-list their matter, and subsequently be afforded their right to be heard.

“It is also commendable that the plaintiffs have done the needful to regularise their originating process, even without the court’s direction to do so.

“This evidences the fact that they are willing to prosecute this matter”, she added.

Auta, Chief Judge, FHC

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 LAW

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

85

Lack of codified law hinders consumer-protection rights, says Onu

By Bertram Nwannekanma BSENCE of comprehensive A law that could protect the rights of consumers in Nigeria has been identified as the major problem in enforcement of consumer rights in the country.

Executive Secretary of Consumer Rights Project (CRP), Onu Eke Uche, told The Guardian that Nigeria has not fared very well in consumer protection because of the nature of her legislation.

According to him, the legislations from our colonial masters, as presently constituted, are in snippets and were not codified law.

“There is nothing that you can today call a law that deals with consumers’ protection. What you could find is a recourse to various laws that deal with negligence, vicarious liabilities and of course, regulatory agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)”, among others, he added.

According to him, enforcement of consumer law breaches are becoming difficult because of lack of codified laws, which are in multiples.

“For example, it is difficult to establish the issue of product liability, if you have consumed a product produced by a certain company, because you have to establish the onus linking the case to negligence.

“You only found recourse on whether the person owes you a care and whether the care has been breached upon, as well as what law that is linked to it.

“So these things make it difficult to establish your case even in an obvious clear case of violation of consumer rights because you do not have a relaxed law that seems to protect the rights of consumers and we still have to recourse to the issue of outdated law”.

Uche expressed worries that these authorities had different laws establishing them, which are being referred to, whenev-

Adoke, AGF er there is infraction on the rights of consumers.

“In other jurisdictions, you could lay your hands on the law called consumer protec-

tion law.

“That you do not have in Nigeria, and this is part of what we have been propagating. We need to create necessary

awareness both to our lawmakers and institutions of government that are in charge of regulation in the rights of consumers like the Consumer Protection Council, NCAA, NCC and others.

The consumer rights crusader, however, called for collation of all these rules together to be presented as a bill to the National Assembly so that they can pass it as a comprehensive law that will deal with the issue of consumer protection in Nigeria.

He said the Consumer Rights Project will utilise the World Consumer Rights celebration scheduled for March 15, 2014, with the theme “Is consumer really the king?” to educate Nigeria consumers on their rights as espoused under the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) since lack of consumer education has been identified as a major albatross facing Nigerian consumers.

“Most Nigerian consumers are even among the elite, they are not even aware of their rights

and so many of them are being shortchanged on a daily basis in the aviation sector, the telecommunications sector and the electricity sector.

“We cannot come out with one voice if they do not know their rights. I think that is part of the reasons why providers of those services are taking undue advantage of Nigeria consumers.

“We are saying that adequate consumer education should be propagated and people should begin to know their rights, because it is the only rights that you are aware of that you can effectively enforce. The major challenge is letting people understand their basic rights.

“We also need the codification of law in an organic form like; what is consumer right, what are the ways it could be breached? Do we need to have a special court like in other jurisdictions called small claims courts, that will handle issues on consumers’ rights matters exclusively”, he added.

Jigawa Attorney-General tasks lawyers on research From John Akubo, Dutse HE Jigawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, has urged lawyers to improve on their reading habits and research to enhance their practice for justice delivery.

Ruba, who spoke during a one-day seminar organised by the ministry for all practitioners recently at the conference hall of the ministry, said lawyers, who refuse to read regularly would be left behind.

The commissioner pointed out that his ministry engages the services of senior lawyers of repute to deliver lectures on topics that have bearing on the practice fortnightly to enhance their job.

“We invite seasoned, respected and experienced lawyers within the country to come to the ministry and give us a lecture series on practical aspects

T

to guide us for a quicker delivery of justice in our legal system.”

He encouraged lawyers to prepare in advance on the topics.

“It encourages reading habits among lawyers because if you don’t read on a daily basis, you would be left behind and this is what we are doing to bring the state to global standards in the practice of the legal profession.”

He said the training of legal practitioners in the state would be sustained even after the tenure of Governor Sule Lamido.

“This has been the policy of Governor Sule Lamido; as far as we are concerned, this training will continue even beyond his tenure.

“All the lawyers in the ministry benefited from the training. Even myself, I use the opportunity to correct mistakes I made earlier in court, it is a learning process. We ask questions on practical basis.

The topic of the lecture, “Leading and cross-examination of witnesses in the court” had a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Effiong Offiong, as its presenter.

Offiong reiterated the importance of cross-examination, which proves cases.

He said because the ministry is involved in defending or protecting persons against whom crime has been committed and in defending the interest of the state from the persons who have taken legal action against it, the practitioners have to know the art of cross-examination.

“The essence of this workshop is to equip the staff of the ministry in the area of proof; how do you ensure that when you have cases, you can achieve the outcome of successfully proving that case and, therefore, protecting the state interest. “Examination of witnesses is the key thing.

Judges and the court rely on

Businessman on trial for alleged attempt to defraud Cross-country boss FROM THE COURTS HE Force Criminal T Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police has arraigned a Lagos-based businessman and Chief Executive Officer of A.G Moeller Limited, Olukemi Adeloye before a Federal High Court Lagos for an alleged attempt to defraud the Chief Executive Officer of Cross-Country Transport Limited, Bube Okorodudu.

Adeloye , who was arraigned on a five- count charge by the police before Justice Okon Abang, however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During the commencement of his trial on Thursday, March 6, the complainant, Okorodudu, testified as the first prosecution witness and

was cross-examined by Adeloye’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba (SAN).

Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned till April 2.

The accused was arraigned for allegedly transacting financial business without a valid license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), contrary to Section 57 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 59 (6) (b) of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), Cap B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Adeloye’s company was also accused of transacting financial institution without valid

license from the CBN. In count four of the charge, Adeloye was said to have: “With intent to defraud, you did obtain the sum of N80 million from Okorodudu in excess of the capital sum of N140 million advanced to him through the medium of a contract of finance lease facility induced by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a-c) and Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”

Adeloye was said to have used the premises of his company located at No. 2, Ebun Street, Surulere in Lagos to commit the said offences.

what the witnesses say in order to come to the conclusion of who is right and who is wrong and, therefore, the manner in which that evidence in presented in the court is very critical.

He said the seminar has enabled him to share with them skills and actions, which they need to take in order to be effective in presenting their

cases to prove their points, as well as the steps they should take in debunking the case of those who want to defeat the state through the tool of cross examination.

Effiong observed that the essence of law is to ensure everything is not done by the force of arms.

“For reason that the state has the Police and the Army does

not mean they have to use them any how to suppress the people; they have to go to the court and ask court to clarify issues.

“That is why the court is there.

The judiciary is there to inter phase between the citizens and between the state and the citizens.”

A’ Court upholds Econet International five per cent share in Econet Nigeria

By Bertram Nwannekanma HIRTEEN years on, victory has come the way of Econet Wireless International (EWI), with the validation by the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna of its five per cent shares in the Econet Wireless Nigeria (EWN) as it equity contribution for the operation of a Global System for Mobile Network (GSM) in Nigeria.

This was coming also when the same court sitting in Lagos held that the Arbitral Tribunal chaired by Justice Emmanuel Sanyaolu was in order for declaring Offer Letter made by Celtel Nigeria BV to Econet Wireless Limited in order.

The judgment of the appellate court read by Justice Habeeb Adewale Olumuyiwa Abiru, which was made available to The Guardian yesterday arose from the decision of Justice M .L Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Kaduna on January 24, 2012.

EWI had dragged EWN to the Federal High Court claiming, among others, a declaration that the plaintiff is still a shareholder and member of Econet Wireless Nigeria (the first Defendant’s company and that the first defendant’s letter of November 24, 2003, removing the plaintiff’s name as shareholder and member of the first Defendant’s company is illegal, null and void; It also sought for declaration

T

that all General Meeting (be it yearly or extra ordinary) of the first Defendant held after November 13, 2003 and to which the plaintiff was not put on notice are irregular, illegal, null and void.

Other reliefs sought by the company include, a declaration that all resolutions passed by the company in lieu of the holding of general meeting pursuant to the provisions of Section 234 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 to which the plaintiff is not a party is irregular, illegal, null and void and an order setting aside the resolution circulated by the first Defendant pursuant to the provisions of Section 234 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. EWI had argued that by the provisions of the CAMA 2004, it was a member of EWN validly holding five percent of the shares of EWN and that by the provision of Section 90 of CAMA, EWN had no power to delete its name from EWN’s register of members without the sanction of the court.

It also argued that CAC had no right in law to change its name in spite of its protest.

But in his judgment Justice Shuaib and dismissed the submission of CAC that it had the right to change the name of EWI. The court held that EWI was duly registered in the Register

of members of EWN and therefore dismissed the counterclaim of EWN that it suffered cash losses as a result of EWI’s inability to pay its shares.

Dissatisfied with this judgment EWN appealed to the Court of Appeal, urging the court to determine whether the lower Court was correct when it held that the Appellant did not make out a credible case showing that the share certificates issued to the first Respondent as the registered owner of five million of its ordinary shares fully paid up were wrongly, unlawfully or irregularly given or were given in error without authorization by its Board of Directors, or upon a mistake or misapprehension and misrepresentation and that the entry without sufficient cause.

But in a judgment endorsed

by Justices Abudu Aboki and Ita .G. Mbaba, Justice Abiru upheld the decision of Justice Shuaibu.

On the arbitral tribunal issue, Celtel Nigeria BV had dragged Econet Wireless Limited; Delta State Ministry of Finance In corporated (DSMFI) and others before a Lagos High Court seeking an order setting aside the Partial Final Award dated September 22, 2011 and made by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted of Hon. Justice E. O. Sanyaolu (retired), Mr Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN and Mr Stephen Bata.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

86 Tuesday, March 11, 2014

ISSUE

NEWSPOT

Edo LG poll and tribunal ruling ‘Second Niger Bridge will boost Nigeria’s development’ Welcome address by Works Minister Mike O. Onolemenen at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha yesterday T is indeed my pleasure and IExcellency, honour to welcome His Goodluck Ebele

Oshiomhole

By Samuel Eguaikhide HE Edo Local Government T Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has given its ruling on the elections held on October 22, 2013, in Esan North East Local Government Area with different reactions trailing the verdict.

While the Tribunal upheld the election of eight out of eleven wards won by the All Progressives Congress (APC), it ruled in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the other three wards.

However, the Tribunal ruled against the Chairmanship result as announced by Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, the body recognised by law to conduct and announce the election results.

Interestingly, the tribunal ruled and ordered a re-run of the chairmanship election, not because the results so declared by the body were faulted, but on technicality that the results were announced in Benin City, the state capital and not in Uromi, headquarters of the Esan North East Local Government Area designated as the collection centre where it should have been announced as provided by the Electoral Act. Now the question: why were the results announced at the EDSIEC headquarters in Benin City and not Uromi? A number of factors are said to be responsible for this, chief among them being the state of insecurity and level of brigandage perpetrated by some politicians who wanted to force their irrelevance in the local government down the throats of the people.

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole had complained about this on different occasions, the first being at the swearing-in of the 17 local government chairmen after the April 20 election.

His concerns were more damning after the November 22, 2013 re-run election in Esan North East Local Government Area, where he was reported by Vanguard Newspaper in its edition of Thursday 24, 2013 at Page 45 as saying that: “I am embarrassed that the police have become electoral officials.

“Oshiomhole had accused the Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenmen, and other PDP chieftains of unleashing their police escorts on the people of the area during the elections, just as he alleged that the PDP leaders recruited some Uromi-born mobile policemen to intimidate voters and perfect arrest of APC leaders.

“According to him, ‘what I heard and I am still investigating; if the reports are correct, then Nigeria should be put on notice that the police may well have chosen to

Anenih become the INEC or EDSIEC officials and have chosen to overthrow those who are authorised by law to conduct elections.

“As a Nigerian, I am embarrassed that the police are involved in carrying electoral materials, arresting EDSIEC returning officers and coercing them into a police station and converting it into a collation centre supervised by policemen imported from Abuja and Lagos in order to subvert the will of the people of Esan North East.

“As a civilised man, I felt ashamed that men in uniform at rather very senior level supervised this criminal act in the election.

“The Minister of Works and other federal functionaries, including Assembly men used their exalted positions, taking unfair advantage of the police assigned to protect them and deployed them for election purpose, detaining returning officers and treating them as if they were prisoners of war compelling them to sign fake results.’”

It is noteworthy that the PDP published a full page advertorial same day at Page 20, in the same Vanguard Newspaper where it announced concocted results of the said election. One wonders where they fished their figures from.

What observers find amusing is how the PDP which lost the gubernatorial seat in 2012, and was rejected by the people in Esan North East, where they lost in all the wards to the Action Congress of Nigeria, which transmogrified to the APC in the said election suddenly, within a year, reversed its electoral fortunes such that it expected to win in the Local Government.

I read an amusing analysis by the Vanguard where the PDP candidate, Mr. John Yakubu (not Joe Yakubu as written in the said article) was touted as having the electoral clout and described as someone who “performed” when he was Chairman of the local government.

If John Yakubu were that popular, why would he need political oxygen from his masters, Tony Anenih and Mike Onolemenmen, to breathe in his domain? Why would his party create such a tense and unfriendly environment and engineer the arrest of electoral officers such that they could announce the results at Uromi? Why would the PDP publish falsified results to confuse the people and create tension in the local government with the sole intention of creating an unconducive atmosphere for the electoral officers to perform their duties in Uromi, which eventually necessitated the announcement of the result at EDSIEC’s headquarters in Benin City.

With the benefit of hindsight, and with the court verdict, one can infer that the PDP foresaw the humiliating defeat that awaited them in the elections, and their strategy was to do everything as to ensure that EDSIEC would not be able to adhere strictly to the provisions of the electoral act on announcing the results in Uromi.

• Eguaikhide, a university teacher, writes from Ekpoma, Edo State

Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other dignitaries here present to this major landmark of the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the “Construction of the Second Niger Bridge, linking Onitsha and Asaba in Anambra and Delta States”. You will recall that during the electioneering campaign in 2011, Mr. President made a pledge to construct the Second River Niger Bridge. Today, that promise is being fulfilled.

For the record, the existing River Niger Bridge was built in 1965 and it has remained the crucial South East-South West link over the years.

However, due to the immense traffic arising from the enhanced economic activities on Works Minister, Onolemenmen the South East-South West transport corridor, coupled with the poor condition of the ageing Investment Authority (NSIA) bridge, the Federal Government is Consortium in the course of the today, commencing the construc- transaction engagement with the tion of the second River Niger Consortium’s stakeholders. The Bridge, the procurement of which Ministry in 2013 procured and comtook about 27 months, in line menced Early Works Phase I comprising Surveys, Morphodynamic with extant due process.

Indeed, and as part of the Study, Soil Investigations, etc., and Transformation Agenda to finalised the design for the bridge improve the infrastructure and and the cost. I want to commend socio-economic activities of the the Chairman of the SURE-P and the nation, the Federal Government is Convener of Roads & Bridges of the executing this project under the SURE-P for their support during the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Early Works Phase I stage, and crave arrangement for a concession their continued support throughperiod of 25 years, through out the Early Works Phase II and ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate Main Construction Stages, which is being flagged off by Mr. President and Transfer (DBFOT)’ model.

The Ministry in December 2011 today. nd The 2 Niger Bridge is 1,590 commenced the procurement of the services of experienced meters long and forms part of the Transaction Advisor and 11.90 km length project, which concost is put at Concessionaire with full comple- struction ment of relevant skills compris- N117,860,700,741.82 (VAT inclusive). ing technical, financial and legal The bridge is located 1.7km downto collaborate with the Federal stream of the existing bridge on a Government to construct and new alignment and consists of 2 manage the project. In order to No. equal end spans of 40m, 15 No. implement the regulated phases equal intermediate spans of 55m of the PPP life cycle, the Ministry each and 2 No. intermediate spans commissioned a renowned inter- of 90m each, 3 No. navigational national Transaction Advisor, spans of 150m each. The total width Messrs Roughton International of of the dual carriageway bridge is the United Kingdom (UK), on 35.3m consisting of 16.05m wide 3August 24, 2012 to carry out the lane carriageway in each direction transaction advisory services, fol- and 3.03m central reserve. Also, two lowing the approval of the Federal (2 No.) underpasses categorised as Executive Council on July 30, 2012. secondary bridges are planned at To kick-start the process, interest- Amakon Village and Atani Roads ed Firms/Consortia were invited with an interchange on Onitshato submit Expression of Interest Owerri Road forming part of the (EOI) for the Design and project.

To complement and add value to Construction of the Bridge in nd Niger Bridge, the Federal three Local Newspapers on the the 2 Government with the support of December 30, 2011, with a closing date of 30th January, 2012. The five the World Bank, will commence the of (5) consortia shortlisted included: procurement and construction two By-Passes to the 2nd Niger Messrs ARM Consortium; Bridge: The first by-pass will be a Messrs Bouygues Consortium; connecting dual-carriageway from Messrs China Harbour; Messrs Matiere -Johnson Arterial Route A232, Benin-Asaba Expressway, by-passing Asaba and Consortium, and nd Niger Messrs Julius Berger – AIIM its Airport to link the 2 Bridge.

The second by-pass will Consortium. also be a connecting dual-carriageAll five consortia were issued way from Arterial Route A232, Request for Proposal (RFP).

It is hereby noted that the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway to Prequalification process evolved Arterial Route A6, Onitsha-Owerri from the Public Procurement Act Expressway (by the new full Clover which is a major part and Infrastructure Concession Interchange, nd Niger Bridge project), Regulatory Commission Act (ICRC of the 2 Act). These Acts provide adequate effectively by-passing Onitsha to guidelines for standards and sets link the new bridge. Let me at this appreciate the criteria for pre-qualifying compa- juncture nies or business entities wishing Coordinating Minister for the to bid for public contracts or con- Economy & Honourable Minister of Finance for her strong support in cessions At the end of the evaluation this project and for facilitating the process, Messrs Julius Berger-AIIM World Bank support in the proConsortium’s bid emerged as the posed construction of the two bypreferred bidder. The Julius passes.nd The 2 Niger Bridge is being realBerger-AIIM Consortium later metamorphosed into Julius ized under the Public Private Berger-Nigeria Sovereign Partnership model. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be jointly

owned by Julius Berger-Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Consortium and Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

And as obtainable under the PPP model, the Concessionaire will have the right to charge tolls for the use of the new 2nd Niger Bridge as well as have full commercial rights on the project’s Right of Way (ROW). This will be implemented within the framework of the FGN National Policy on Public Private Partnership and Federal Roads and Bridges Tolling Policy. Meanwhile, the existing Niger Bridge is to become the nontolled alternative route for local traffic between Asaba and Onitsha.

For us at the Federal Ministry of Works, we are thankful to Mr. President for his unwavering support throughout the 27-months gestation period for the procurement of this flagship project. I wish to assure Nigerians that the Ministry will hold the Concessionaire accountable on both technical and financial issues during the Construction and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) stages of the project. As Mr. President flags off the construction of this flagship project today, the Concessionaire, Messrs Julius Berger–Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (JB-NSIA) Consortium will immediately commence the construction of the Early Works, which include Preliminaries, Site Clearance, Earthworks and Road Works, Main Bridge Construction (Piling Works), Secondary Bridges (Atani Bridge construction), Infrastructure (soil storm water system) and Temporary Earthworks and Roadworks (Including Asaba Access road, Diversion at Atani Roads and Slipways).

I wish to also assure Mr. President that the Federal Ministry of Works will ensure that an enduring bridge is built across one of Nigeria’s great rivers, the River Niger, to serve as a legacy of your administration.

Mr. President, barely two weeks ago, and by divine arrangement you had the rare privilege of presiding over Nigeria’s Centenary celebrations. Today, divine providence is again at play in your life.

About 50 years ago, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first Governor-General and President of Nigeria built the existing Niger Bridge here in Onitsha. About 50 years later, Mr. President you are commencing today the construction of a bigger and even more elegant bridge – the 2nd Niger Bridge, that will not only improve traffic facilitation into and out of the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, but will also contribute immensely to the economic activities in our country through marked improvement in travel times and turn-around times for businesses, in a way that can significantly improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country.

Mr. President, as you flag off this all important 2nd Niger Bridge project today which the good people of the South-East and indeed Nigeria have waited for in more than two decades, it is my hope and prayer and indeed that of many Nigerians, that Divine Providence will yet again, bring you back to commission the completed 2nd Niger Bridge 48 months from today, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for your attention.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Mimiko unveils plans for coastal areas O

NDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has commissioned the Igbokoda International Market just as he vowed to continue to execute more people-oriented projects that will transform the lives in the riverine areas.

He said during the commissioning in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local council at the weekend, it was named international market because many of the traders are from the neighbouring countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Gabon and Benin Republic.

He described the market, which comprises 715 open stalls, 125 lock up stalls, 32 meat slabs, six ware houses, three cold rooms, clinic, public conveniences, fire station

• Commissions Igbokoda 1,000 shops market

and administrative block as the hub of economic and commercial activities within the West African coastal region.

Mimiko noted that the stalls would be allocated to those who were trading under the sun and in the rain before the construction of the market, urging the traders to cooperate with government’s officials in respect of the markets and ensure maintenance and regular cleaning of the market.

Speaking on the soft loan given to the traders by the governor’s wife, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko on behalf of the State micro-credit

Ahmed kicks off empowerment programme for transporters WARA State Governor, Dr K Abdulfatah Ahmed has kicked off a N150 million empowerment initiative for transporters in the state through the provision of taxis, buses and light trucks.

Speaking at the take-off of the first phase which was the distribution of 100 taxis procured at a cost of N50 million to taxi operators, Ahmed said other levels of empowerment in the sector will manifest in the next few months.

“In the coming months, this administration will provide further demonstration of this renewed determination to expand opportunities for our people through unprecedented socio-economic capital projects and programmes that cut across the state, including the provision of 8,200 youth jobs through Quick Win”, he said.

Ahmed noted that with the N50 million first phase transporter empowerment scheme his administration has distributed N674 million revolving credit to various beneficiaries under its entrepreneurship scheme from 2012 to date.

According to the governor, “it was noteworthy that over 70 per cent repayment rate of the previous revolving loan scheme has been recorded,” adding that it has brought added benefit to more people under the programme.

Ahmed who said the revolving loan scheme of taxi drivers was not a government largesse, urged them to “work hard and repay the loans promptly so that others can benefit.”

The governor also counselled the beneficiaries of the Taxi Scheme to maintain the vehicles regularly, obey traffic regulations and cooperate fully with security agencies to make the roads accident free and safe.

The governor, who appreciated the support of the people of the State to his administration, promised that his administration remained guided by a determination to exceed peoples’ expectation of good governance.

Ahmed stressed that as the country moves towards the 2015, good governance, respect for the rule of law and

adherence to equity should be the guiding principles of the national democratic experience.

Speaking on behalf of their members, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Badmus of National Union of Road Transport Workers and Alhaji Farouk Opeloyeru of Road Transport Employers Association said the vehicles and the payment modalities were not forced on them as they were also taken into confidence in the choice of vehicles procured under the taxi revolving loan scheme.

Meanwhile, the state government has outlined modalities for engaging 5200 youths in the first phase of its Quickwin Empowerment Programme in the first quarter of this year.

Giving a breakdown of the empowerment at a press briefing in Ilorin, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of Quickwin implementation committee, Alhaji Isiaka Ishola Gold, said of the figure, 1872 Youths will be engaged for Entrepreneurship training, 1872 for Clean and Green, 1100 for the new Environmental Corps, 350 under KWABES, 156 under the State Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA) and 50 as Special Intervention agents of the State Signage and Advertising Agency (KWASAA).

Alhaji Gold assured the people that another 200 youths will be engaged monthly to bring the total number of youths to be empowered to 8200 by the end of the year, stressing that Quickwin is open to all youths resident in Kwara State regardless of political affiliation, gender, ethnic or state of origin.

On remuneration, the SSG said KWABES, KWARTMA and KWASAA operatives will receive N10,000 monthly, while Clean and Green and Environmental Corps operatives will be paid N7500 monthly. Those engaged under the Entrepreneurship scheme will be paid N5000 per month for the duration of the training which can be up to 12 months while the Master Trainers will receive N5000 per month per trainee for the duration of the programme.

agency at the commissioning ceremony, the governor urged the beneficiaries to repay the loan on time so as to enable others to benefit.

Mimiko who was received by the entire people of the area with wild jubilation, including Traditional rulers, led by the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Lawrence Omowole, religious leaders, political leaders, market men and women and the youths among others used the medium to assure the people that work would begin in the next two weeks on the IgbokodaUgbonla road with complete asphalt overlay of the road. He added that his administration still has other laudable projects to be executed in the area.

He said the mega school already completed in the town would soon be commissioned to provide avenue for the children to learn in a world-class environment.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the commissioner for housing and urban development, Dr Bade Omoloja, described the project as the manifestation of the avowed commitment of the present administration to transform the entire landscape of the state, thereby making it the cynosure of all eyes.

87

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

88 Tuesay, March 11 , 2014

For The Record The more you see, the less you understand: Reflections

By J. Shola Omotola (PhD) Continued from yesterday GOALS and Activities of Boko Haram F the activities of BH are easily discernible and less controversial, it is not the same with its goals, which has been (and may continue) to be shrouded in controversy.

However, following the lead of Collier and Sambanis (2005), Oyeniyi (2013a) suggests any one desirous of knowing the real objective of any insurgency should look beyond the publicly avowed intentions to accommodate other inferential objectives of the group. This is important because, as he argues, drawing from the popular work of Collier and Sambanis (2005), ‘while a group’s stated objectives may point to a certain level of grievance, their activities oftentimes, reveal their unstated or inferential objectives’ (quoted in Oyeniyi, 2013a). It is these activities and other objectives, rather than the group’s stated objectives, that constitute the real objectives.

Such an argument reifies the whole essence of the greed-grievance debate in civil wars. It ignores new and empirical body of knowledge on African insurgencies that warn against a unidirectional frame of analysis that rejects alternative narratives, especially those that see African insurgents as rational actors (for example, Boas and Dunn, 2007). Granted that the real goal of an insurgency may truly be concealed, the logic of inferential analysis can produce conflicting results, depending on the ideological leaning and intellectual standing of the analysts.

Be that as it may, it would appear, from the declarations of BH itself, that its primary objectives were ‘the restoration of Islam and Islamic practices to its original, pristine state based on the Quran and Hadith of Prophet Mohammed, and the enthronement of the Sharia in Nigeria’ (Oyeniyi, 2013a). As an expression of the important it attached to this goal, the sect demanded that President Goodluck Jonathan convert to Islam as one of its important conditions for dialogue and negotiation. For BH, the contradictions associated with Islam cannot be dissociated from those of western civilization, allegedly responsible for the contamination of pure Islam and attendant societal vices such as official corruption. Thus the primary objective of BH can be expanded to include working against western education, or better still, western civilization, which it considers to be ‘sinful, sacrilegious or ungodly and should therefore be forbidden’ (Adesoji, 2010: 100). However, following the murder of its second leader, Muhammed Yusuf, its objectives transmuted to include (i) the release of its members held in different police custodies and prisons; and (ii) the prosecution of the police officers responsible for the extra-judicial killing of its members in July 2009, including its leader, Muhammed Yusuf, who was murdered while in police custody (Anonymous, 2012, quoted in Oyeniyi, 2013).

Certain observations can be made from these stated goals. One, the goal of Islamising Nigeria, despite the constitutionally guaranteed secular nature of Nigeria is, to say the least, unrealistic and unconstitutional. Two, no reasonable government will fold its arms and condone such a destabilizing and divisive tendency. Three, reforms of Islam and the purification of its alleged contamination should, ordinarily, be treated as internal affairs.

Holding the country hostage on such grounds, therefore, smacks of a hidden agenda.

If the stated goals are dismissed as unrealistic, then we are left with the inferential objective of BH, which can be gauged through its activities. Like other insurgencies, the BH has relied heavily on the deployment of various forms of violence, including guerrilla and terrorist tactics (Onuoha, 2012c; Walker, 2012; Zenn, 2012a, 2012b, 2011). As revealed by the timeline of its activities as detailed in Appendix I, the BH launched its first recorded attack on 24 December 2003 when a group of about 200 members of the Nigerian Taliban attacked police stations in towns of Kanamma and Geidam in Yobe State. It is, however, important to note that the threats of BH assumed a frightening dimension in 2004 when some students of higher institutions in Borno and Yobe states, two core northern states where the group is firmly established, acting under the influence of the philosophy of Boko Haram, abandoned schools, tore their certificates and joined the group for Quaranic lessons and preaching (Onuoha, 2012b; 2010). The sect launched four attacks on security agents that year. This was followed by a period of relative inactivity between 2005 and 2008.

The sect, however, regained its attacking instincts in mid-2009. Ever since, the BH has never looked back in its violent assault against the Nigerian state, its institutions, public buildings, utilities and civilians (Omotola, 2013; Zenn, 2012). For example, on 26 July 2009 when the current wave of uprising erupted, the sect attacked the Dut-

I

sen Tanshi police station in Bauchi, resulting in the death and arrest of over 40 and 200 members of the sect respectively. In another rampage between 26 and 27 July 2009, the sect attacked the state police headquarters, the prison and other government offices in Bornu state, killing a sergeant, a prison warden and five police officers; burnt more than 30 vehicles, churches and mosques; and the inmates of the prison freed. In a similar attack on 27 July 2009, against police area command, Federal Road Safety Commission and others in Damaturu and Potiskum, both in Yobe State, Boko Haram killed three policemen, a fire service staff, and seven other policemen sustained serious injuries; they also freed suspects in police custody. On 6 October 2010, Boko Haram freed 732 inmates in the Maiduguri prison, including at least 150 of its suspected members. Also on 17 March 2011, it attacked the Bauchi central prison; set it ablaze and freed members of the group who were jailed there following 2010 unrest (Onuoha, 2010).

Abuja, which killed at least 32 as they exited Mass; and the coordinated January 20, 2012, attacks in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest metropolis and the Muslim North’s economic, political, and cultural hub, which left more than 185 people dead (Pharm, 2012: 4). The gradual regionalization, if not transnationalization of the Boko Haram, is epitomized by the fact that about 100 members of the group reportedly supported the 2012 coup in Mali, constituting part of insurgents who laid siege to the Algerian consulate in Gao (Copeland, 2013: 4).

More recently, BH has also launched some devastating attacks in northern Nigeria. On 21 January, 2013, for example, the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, was attacked. Though he escaped unscathed, six people were killed in the attack. In March 2013, the BH also undertook a failed attempt to blow-up the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, Nigeria (Oloja, 2013). Also on 18 March 2013, BH bombed a luxurious bus at a motor park in Sabon Garin area of Kano, killing over 60 passengers, visitors and others. On 25 April 2013, BH attacked Bama Divisional police sta-

Omotola However, all these amount to a child’s play when compared to two other devastating attacks on the Police Headquarters and the UN building, both in Abuja, the FCT. In the former, which occurred on 16 June, 2011, Boko Haram ‘demonstrated a significant and ominous tactical and operational upgrade in its capabilities when it launched a suicide attack using a vehicle-borne IED’ on the Police Headquarters (Pharm, 2012: 4). Whereas the casualty figure was low, killing only two bystanders and destroying a few police cars, the suicide bombing, nevertheless, ‘showed that far from being a spent force, Boko Haram had adopted one of the deadliest instruments in the jihadist arsenal and had demonstrated that it was now capable of carrying out attacks far from its usual areas of operation’ (Pharm, 2012: 4). It was, however, the attack on UN building on 26 August 2011, where twenty-five people were killed and at least 80 others wounded that was the most devastating. That singular incident puts Boko Haram on the radar of international terrorist groups that have successfully attacked UN targets.

Other notable attack by the Boko Haram include the 4 November, 2011, assault on Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, which involved suicide attacks on various police stations and other Christian dominated residential areas, leading to the death of about 150 people; the Christmas morning bombing outside the Catholic church in Madalla, near

tion, killing six and kidnapped the Divisional Police Officer (DPO); and again on 28 April attacked security agents on patrol in Baga, a small community in Borno state, killing two military officers. The attendant reprisal by the military led to the death of about 288 people and the burning of over 2000 houses.

What does this series of insurgent activities, coupled with attendant security complications at both the strategic and non-strategic levels, suggest to us about the motive of Boko Haram, stated or inferred? At a general level, insurgents are known for the deployment of violence in the pursuit of the goals. The nature of insurgency, or better still, form of violence deployed is usually connected to the kind of insurgent actors on parade, be they terrorists, guerrillas or militias. This is not to say there is a neatly delineated boundary between/among various forms of insurgencies. By implication, insurgent actors of a particular genre can interchange its actions and tactics/strategy with those of another category of insurgency.

With specific reference to the BH, these activities/attacks reveal some measure of inconsistency in goals, making it hard to appropriately place it either as a terrorist, guerrilla or militia. That said, it is obvious that the attack on the UN building in Abuja constitutes a furtherance of its

Tuesday, March 11 , 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

89

on the Boko Haramquestion in Nigeria (2) Conversely, the attack on the Emir of Kano, one of the most formidable institutions of Islam and sharia in Nigeria, whose cause and reformation BH claims to be committed, was a negation of its stated goals. Could it be that the BH identified the Emir of Kano as one of the ‘collaborators’ with the ‘enemies’ of Islam in Nigeria, particularly the federal government of Nigeria, in betraying it? Such a poser is crucial given that in a five-minute video, Abu Shekau assured civilians that Boko Haram would not harm them, revealing that their target was the government, its security forces and anybody the group regards as a collaborator own publicly avowed intention of rejecting western civilization, of which the UN represents one of its most prominent symbols. Abubakar Shekau described the UN as as a ‘common enemy’, who along with the Nigerian government and the United States, is ‘infringing on the rights of the Muslims’. For him and his cohorts, therefore, the UN is nothing but ‘the forum of all the global evil’ (Zenn, 2012: 21). Unfortunately, the BH has, so far, been prosecuting its war with products of western civilization, most notably cars and information technology.

Conversely, the attack on the Emir of Kano, one of the most formidable institutions of Islam and sharia in Nigeria, whose cause and reformation BH claims to be committed, was a negation of its stated goals. Could it be that the BH identified the Emir of Kano as one of the ‘collaborators’ with the ‘enemies’ of Islam in Nigeria, particularly the federal government of Nigeria, in betraying it? Such a poser is crucial given that in a five-minute video, Abu Shekau assured civilians that Boko Haram would not harm them, revealing that their target was the government, its security forces and anybody the group regards as a collaborator. As he puts it: ‘We are just fighting those who are fighting us, soldiers and police and the rest; and anybody, even if he is a learned Muslim teacher, if we confirm that he exposes us to the government, his children will become orphans and his wife will become a widow, God willing. That is our way’ (quoted in Zenn, 2011: 9). Beyond the Emir, many more Islamic clerics so considered had suffered similar fate (see Appendix I).

Contending Perspectives on Boko Haram What then is Boko Haram? What exactly does it stand for, if any? The attempt to answer this question has generated a schism in the academic and public policy domains.

For many, BH is simply ‘an Islamic sect that believes politics in northern Nigeria has been seized by a group of corrupt, false Muslims… to create a “pure” Islamic state ruled by sharia law (Walker, 2012: 9). Several other studies label BH simply as a radical Islamic group indulging in sectarian rebellion (see LeVan, 2013; Hill, 2013). In this sense, BH is a movement for the propagation and consolidation of an Islamic theocratic state.

Even in Nigeria’s policy and political cycles, the definition of BH remains controversial and fluid. General Muhammadu Buhari, a former Nigerian military head of state and leader of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), there are three categories of BH, namely the original, the criminal and the most lethal of them all, the political, namely the federal government. As Buhari puts it in a press conference responding to his nomination by BH as one of its representatives in a proposed negotiation with the federal government: As we have stated in an earlier communication, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as a corporate entity, is the harbinger of the insecurity travails of the Nigerian People for the sole reason of ensuring perpetuity in governance.

From recollection of events of the last two years, there are three variants of the Boko Haram: the original Boko Haram that is at daggers drawn with the Nigerian authority for the extra-judicial killing of their leader; the Criminal Boko Haram that is involved in all criminality for economic reasons and of course, the most lethal of all, the Political Boko Haram, which this PDP-led Federal government represents.

It continues: The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had once alerted the Nation of the ubiquitous presence of Boko Haram in his government – a fact aptly amplified by his erstwhile National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi. Un-

doubtedly, the latest revelations by the State Security Services (SSS) on the complicity of the top echelon of the PDP leadership in Boko Haram activities aptly bear testimony of the noxious subterfuge to extirpate the essence of our nationhood (Fasakin, 2012).

Interestingly, why many Nigerians recognise and even privilege the political interpretation of BH over other explanations, they do not do so in the Buhari’s sense.

Rather, they do so in relation to the deeply divisive and vituperative nature of Nigeria’s politics of succession 2011.

The whole saga over the late President Yar’Adua’s health crisis, including the eventual cabalisation of the transfer of power, resulting in a needless constitutional crisis over the elevation of then Vice-President Jonathan to the position of Acting President (Omotola, 2011), set the tone for the acrimonious nature of succession politics. The attendant decision of President Jonathan to run for the presidency, following the death of Yar’Adua, contrary to the ruling party’s principle of rotational presidency between the north and the south, and attendant political intrigues, only served to complicate the problem. It was, however, the victory of Jonathan, against a northern candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, in an election considered by many northern elites as not free and fair that allegedly triggered the post-election violence. Many reached this conclusion in the light of the claims to make the country ungovernable if a northern candidate did not win the presidential election credited to some northern political elites. For instance, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, a close associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said: The North is determined, if it happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy. Anything short of a Northerner president is tantamount to stealing our presidency.

Jonathan has to go and he will go. Even if he uses incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the PDP, he would be frustrated out (Anya, 2012: 2).

In related statements, Buhari said: There may be no Nigeria. I draw parallel with Somalia so many times (Somalisation of Nigeria). I am scared about that. Somalia, they are one ethnic group, one religion, Islam, but for 18 years, Somalia became so selfish, so corrupt, so undisciplined and they have wrecked the country.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also quoted to have said that ‘those who make peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable’ (quoted in Anya, 2012). It is this form of political connections, most aptly summarised by Professor Wole Soyinka that Nigerians meant when they talk about political BH. As Soyinka surmises: Much play is given, and rightly so, to economic factors – unemployment, misgovernment, wasted resources, social marginalization, massive corruption – in the nurturing of the current season of violent discontent in Nigeria.

To limit oneself to these factors alone, is an evasion, intellectual and moral cowardice, and a fear of offending the ruthless caucuses that have unleashed terror on society, a refusal to stare the irrational in the face and give it its proper name – and response. This horde has remained available to political opportunists and criminal leaders desperate to stave off the day of reckoning. Most are highly placed, highly disgruntled, and thus highly motivated individuals who, having lost out in the power stakes, resort to the manipulation of these products

of warped fervor. Their aim is to bring society to its knees, to create a situation of total anarchy that will either break up the nation or bring back the military, which ruled Nigeria in a succession of coups between the mid1960s and the late ’90s […] Again and again they have declared their blunt manifesto—not merely to Islamise the nation but to bring it under a specific kind of fundamentalist strain (Newsweek, January 16, 2012, emphasis mine).

This political reading of BH approximates, to a very large extent, the class analysis of BH. The difference, however, is that while the former focuses on intra-class struggle, the latter emphasises inter-class competition. For those who share this perspective, therefore, BH is nothing more than a product of ‘an unending class struggle implicit in the hidden structures of oppression and structured contradictions of global capitalist system. The antagonistic class relations between the ruling class and the lumpen class translate into state and individual terrorism that has featured prominently in the recent times’ (Ogunrotile, 2013: 27).

Yet, some studies have made bold claims in classifying BH as a terrorist group. In his class analysis of BH, Ogunrotile (2013) qualifies it as a terrorist. Similar qualifications abound in the work of Onapajo, Uzodike and Whetho (2012) that stresses the international dimensions of BH terrorism; and Agiboa’s (2013a) which, drawing on identity theory, describes BH as a religious terrorist group.

For many others, BH represents all of the above and probably many more. John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, expresses this sentiment when he claims that BH connotes several things at once. As he argues, ‘Boko Haram “writ large” is a movement of grassroots anger among northern people at the continuing depravation and poverty in the north… It is also a core group of Mohammed Yusuf’s followers who have reconvened around Abubakar Shekau and who are exacting revenge against the state for their treatment… there is another aspect to the group that is often overlooked. The group could also be seen as a kind of personality cult, an Islamic millenarianist sect, inspired by a heretical but charismatic preacher (quoted in Walker, 2012: 9).

The attempts to rationalise its emergence is no less controversial than those of its definition and classification.

In the extant studies, prominence is often accorded to the greed-grievance explanations, underscoring the politico-economic softness of the state and attendant deprivations, including rising poverty, unemployment, excruciating corruption (Agbiboa, 2013a, 2013b; Ajayi, 2013 Onuoha, 2012a, 2012b, 2012c). This is what Salaam (2012: 147) calls ‘risk factors in the absence of protective factors, which make vulnerable young people turn into religious radicals or fanatics when seeking answers to the inadequacies in the polity and society at large’. The thesis also alludes to the temptation of opportunities for profiteering in chaos. Chabal and Daloz (1999) stress this latter perspective in their famous, but widely critiqued book, Africa Works: Disorder as Political Instrument. Readings as this have tempted to influence policy prescriptions that simply submit that the perfect antidote to BH is to embark on ‘significant governance and political reforms, geared at reversing the historic social and economic imbalance in northern Nigeria’ (Sampson, 2013).

Some others have admitted the difficulty, if not impossibility, of appropriately defining and classifying the sect, particularly in its current form and character. Raufu Mustapha, a respected Nigerian political economist of Oxford University’s Department for International Development explicates why this has been so: Throughout its existence, the organization has constantly morphed and changed its nature as it has gone through various incarnations. This evolution has made it difficult for observers to pin the organization down and define it. Clarity has been obscured because contact with the organization is difficult. When there has been contact with the outside world, the organization has proved elliptical. It has made announcements about its goals that are contradictory, not really achievable, or unrealistic. The water has been muddied further by the number of interpretations of motive and causation that observers attribute to anything that happens in Nigeria, and the conspiracy theories that flow from them (quoted in Walter, 2012: 8).

Without any doubt, Mustapha’s submissions are very instructive and helpful. Yet, we cannot surrender in our search for an appropriate definition of BH, without which appropriate remedial measures cannot be designed and administered. Before shifting attention to an alternative reading of BH, it is apposite to reflect briefly on official responses to BH. TO BE CONTINUED

90 | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sports NFF seeks Reps’ help over World Cup budget • Raises Eagles’ first round winning bonus to $10,000 From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday urged the House of Representatives Committee on Sports to intervene in its Brazil 2014 budget shortfall to, according to the federation, enable the Super Eagles prepare adequately for the World Cup. The NFF budgeted N2, 084, 053,765 for Nigeria’s participation at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Defending the federation’s budget before the House of Representatives Sports Committee yesterday in Abuja, the NFF said the estimate would cover Super Eagles’ players and officials’ allowances, winning bonuses up to the quarterfinals stage and accommodation, among other things.

NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, who led the federation’s management staff to the budget defence, noted that with what the Federal Government has approved for the team’s participation, the NFF will be running into a budget deficit of about N829, 893, 436, pleading that the legislators should intervene to aid the Super Eagles to a good outing at the Mundial.

The breakdown of the budget indicates that the NFF has reverted to the earlier $10,000 as match bonus for the Super Eagles in the group stage of the World Cup. The Eagles will also receive $12,500 and $15,000 if they qualified for the round of 16 and the quarterfinals respectively.

Like the players, Coach Stephen Keshi would earn $20,000 winning bonus at the group stage, while his three assistants will receive $15, 000 each.

Also Keshi’s winning bonus will be raised to $22,500 and $25, 000 if the Eagles qualified for the round of 16 and quarterfinals stage respectively, while his three assistants’ win-

T

ning bonus as well as other officials in the team will also be increase at the same 25 per cent for the stages.

“Considering the good performance of the Nigeria Football Federation last year, I would have seen a situation where the federation is asked to take a bow and go, but I also see the significance in asking the NFF to speak particularly on its tremendous outings year. last “With the budget we have this year, we expect to surpass our performance last year.

Everybody knows that we went to the African Nations Cup last year. Nobody gave us a chance but by the grace of God and the support of government, we won the AFCON. We also won the U-17 World Cup for the fourth unprecedented time in the United Arab Emirates, the Super Eagles also qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil for the fifth time, with other trophies, which the various national teams won at various levels.

“Nigeria has also played top quality international friendly matches.

“For the World Cup, the budget we have is N2, 084,053,765 and from what we envisage, government may likely gives us N1, 254,160,329.

So there will be a shortfall in this World Cup budget to the tune of N829, 839,436 and the way we look at it, this amount the government is bringing N1.2 billion will only take the Super Eagles to the round of 16 match in terms of the bonuses to be paid, air ticket, estacodes, preparation and the it. of rest “Then it means of course that we will have a budget deficit to the World Cup, that is why we are placing this budget before the house committee to have a look at it because the strategy is for us to go beyond any other African country in Brazil, which is the quarterfistage. nal

Super Eagles stars celebrating one of its victories at the 2013 African Nations Cup. NFF says the team would surpass their performance at previous World Cups if adequately funded.

PHOTO: AFP.

Malaysia 2014 WCL Division Five Championship

Tanzania dents Nigeria’s promotion ambition, Jersey move to Division Four

By Christian Okpara, with agency reports IGERIA’s ambition of qualifying for the Division Four of the World Cricket League (WCL) got a huge jolt yesterday at the Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, where Tanzania beat the Endurance Ofeminspired team by 10 runs.

The match was billed as a crucial encounter for both teams, with the winner tipped to gain advantage in the race for promotion to Division Four.

Although Skipper Adekunle Adegbola put up a man-ofthe-match performance, Khalil Rehemtulla was impressive as he got three wickets to help Tanzania to victory.

Adegbola got two wickets and 41 runs but it wasn’t enough to inspire Nigeria to a

N

Abia Warriors want relocation of League tie from Maiduguri ORRIED by the security W situation in the Northeastern part of the country, especially Borno State, Abia Warriors of Umuahia have pleaded with League Management Company (LMC) to move their Week Two Glo Premier League game against El Kanemi from Maiduguri.

In a letter to the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and signed by the Secretary of Abia Warriors, Oliver Ndife, the referred correspondence on the matter, according to them, has not received an answer and urged the LMC to relocate the

encounter to save the lives of officials and players who would attend the game.

“Our position on this matter is borne out of pressure from families and friends of our players and officials, who are refusing to let their loved ones travel for the match for fear of being attacked en route to the venue of the match,” the letter read in part.

It continued, “even though it could be argued that security would be provided in Maiduguri town, our club’s fear is, what happens in transit, say between Abuja and Maiduguri.”

The club recalled the

renewed killings of innocent people in the state in recent times, including the killing of several football fans at a viewing centre in the Ajilari area of the state, as well as the audacious invasion of a village in Maiduguri by members of a dreaded sect in military camouflage in which more than 39 people who were preparing for prayers were gruesomely murdered.

The club, therefore, urged the LMC to hasten action and relocate the Week 2 game from Maiduguri to a venue where the safety of players and officials would be guaranteed.

victory.

With the defeat, Nigeria has now lost two games and won two, while yesterday’s win was Tanzania’s second victory in the tournament.

As things stand, Nigeria must beat Malaysia tomorrow and hope that Tanzania would stumble against Cayman Islands to qualify for the final.

Today is rest day for all the teams.

Meanwhile, Jersey picked

their ticket for the ICC World Cricket League Division Four Championship slated for Singapore this June after beating Cayman Islands in a one-sided match at Bayuemas Oval. The British Island also booked a place in the final as they continue to top the standings in Division five.

Ben Stevens was the star as he recorded 79 runs and three wickets to continue his sensational form in the tournament in Malaysia.

Lagos leads Nigeria’s football Fives World tourney team to Dubai HE Lagos State government and the 32 countries, includT is championing Nigeria’s ing Nigeria. participation in the inaugural An estimated audience of 25 edition of ‘Football Fives World Championships, otherwise called F5WC, which holds in Dubai, United Arab Emirates between June 12 and 14, 2014.

The Football Fives World Championship 2014 is the first of its kind, a global incentive to find the next world super stars!

Inspired by the need to have Nigeria successfully represented at the global tourney, Lagos State, working with local partners, has put together framework for the local competition to lead to the emergence of a team that will represent the country at the tournament.

In all, 32 teams and the cream of world amateur talents will perform at the two indoor stadium pitches holding 10,000 spectators. The event will be televised by Dubai Sports, syndicated across the Middle East

million are expected to view the two days of the finals. The event is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, which is owned by the Dubai government.

Players from 32 of the top football nations will represent their countries for a spot in the finals. Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and Cote D’Ivoire are representing Africa at the tourney.

An official statement by the Youths and Sports Development Ministry of Lagos State, notes that as a sporting nation and with Nigeria’s pedigree in football, “Nigeria has bright chances of becoming the champion at this global event.” This explains why the state has thrown its weight behind the competition to ensure Nigeria’s successful participation at the tournament.

Sports administrator, Ademola ‘Fireman’ Alli, dies at 83 HE death has occurred of T veteran sports administrator cum journalist, Alhaji Ademola ‘Fireman’ Alli, 83.

Alli, a former table tennis star and coordinator of the Nigeria’s oldest sports competition, the yearly table tennis tournament ‘Asoju Oba Cup since its inception in 1968.

Alli was the first secretary of the Lagos State Sports Council and a one-time spokesman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

The erstwhile member of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and Lagos State Table Tennis Association will be buried today at the Ikoyi Cemetery by 1:30 p.m.

Agbaje for Gloryland School meet AGOS lawyer, Jimi Agbaje, Lkeynote is expected to deliver a address at the inter-house sports meet of Gloryland School, Aguda, billed for Union Bank Sports Complex, Surulere on March 13.

Agbaje will speak on Youth Empowerment through sports at the event that would also be attended by such sports icons as Chioma Ajunwa, Falilat Ogunkoya and Peter Rufai.

According to the proprietress of the school, Mojisola Onitiri, four houses, namely Blue, Yellow, Green and the defending champion, Red House, will compete for honours in volleyball, basketball, athletics and football.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 SPORTS 91

NSC boss sure of Super Eagles’ Brazil 2014 success From Adamu Abuh, Abuja ATIONAL N Commission Director General,

Sports (NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye, is already beating his chest that the Super Eagles will live up to expectations at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The NSC boss, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Sports to defend his 2014 budget proposal, believed that the Super Eagles are capable of surpassing the second round feat attained in both the USA ‘94 and France ‘98 tournaments.

Elegbeleye, who was made to take a bow before members of the Godfrey Gaiya-led committee during the budget defence session, spoke while fielding questions from newsmen at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

The NSC boss, however, said the Super Eagles could only achieve such feat if there was a timely release of funds to ensure adequate preparation for the reigning African champions.

He said the recent match between the Mexican national side and Super Eagles, which was part of Nigeria’s preparation for the 2014 World Cup campaign, where it would play in Group F against Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was in line with the desire of the authorities to achieve the objectives.

Applauding President Goodluck Jonathan for his continuous support for sports, he enjoined the Finance Ministry to ensure timely release of funds to ensure early preparation for the June 12 to July 13 World

Cup. He noted: “Anything that we have to do with Nigeria’s sports is very important. For every competition that Nigeria participates, we should go there and win medals. For us, the World Cup is very important and I believe sincerely that we will surpass our previous outings

in the World Cup. “We are good to go for the World Cup because we have a President who has a listening ear. I appeal for timely release of funds so that we can prepare for our competitions and have enough time to do camping, so that we can prepare properly for the competition and win laurels

for the country.”

The NSC boss said the Sports Ministry proposed a total allocation of N5, 546, 009, 100 for 2014. Of the amount, the sum of N2, 418, 069, 776 was voted for sporting activities.

Earlier on, Chairman of the committee, who applauded the NSC for winning laurels

for the country last year, expressed concern over the non-adherence to the appropriation Act. Noting that the implementation of the NSC budget in 2013 fiscal year fell short of expectations, he reminded the Commission that a breach of the Appropriation Act remained an illegal act in the country.

Heineken sends ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ winners to Bayern/Arsenal game N fulfillment of its promIbeginning ise to consumers at the of this season, Heineken has sent five lucky consumers to watch the high profile UEFA Champions League match involving Bayern Munich and Arsenal live at the Allianz Arena in Germany.

Olawale Ajadi, Ejike Nonso Emmanuel, Oguama, Onimisi Anibasa and Chimezie Onwumere are the lucky consumers who won tickets to watch the match.

They all triumphed among thousands of participants in the Heineken ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ promotion, which was held during the group stage of the on going season.

The traveling team left Lagos last night aboard Lufthansa Airline and arrived Frankfurt this morning for a short trip to Munich for the all-important match this evening at Arena.

Allianz the Interestingly, it will be the second time that Heineken consumers will

enjoy all-expenses paid trip to same stadium for a UEFA Champions League match.

Earlier, five lucky consumers of the brand enjoyed the spectacle of FC Chelsea’s triumph of May 2012 when they lifted the trophy for the first time in history. club the “This is a once in a life time opportunity that Heineken has offered the consumers.

There are millions of football fans out there that have the financial means and would have loved to be at the stadium live, but the precious match tickets are not available.

Heineken has made it possilucky these for ble Nigerians to feel the passion of the game directly and be part of the 69,901crowd. seating “While we congratulate them for this feat, we also want to appreciate all our consumers especially those who participated in the ‘Match Your Half Ticket’ promotion in the group stage last year,” said Ngozi Brand Senior Nkwoji, Manager Heineken.

Regina George is one of the stars the NSC is preparing for this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Ahead 2015 U-20 Africa Youth Championship

Ugbade rules out automatic shirt for UAE 2013 Eaglets

By Alex Monye Eagles assistant FsaysLYING coach, Nduka Ugbade, the Flying Eagles technical crew would not give the UAE 2013 Golden Eaglets automatic shirt in the national U-20 team, which

screening is on-going in Abuja.

Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, the former Super Eagles defender noted that the Flying Eagles coach, Garba Manu, has given all the invited players equal opportunity to fight for shirt in the team, adding that the technical crew were serious in their determination to get the best players for the team.

Ugbade, who revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation was yet to announce the venue of the Flying Eagles camp in preparation for the African Youth Championship qualifiers, added: “You should understand that the U-20 team is a more mature side, so there is need to use a different approach from the screening process

we used for the Eaglets last year.

“There are basic skills and knowledge a player must possess to be eligible to play for the U-20 team. The coach of the Flying Eagles has already started picking the best players he needs.

Foreign-based players would also be tested in the course of building the Flying Eagles,’’ he said.

Handball Veterans hail Danagogo’s appointment From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE appointment of Dr. Tamuno Danagogo as the Minister of Sports by President Goodluck Jonathan has been described by the League of Handball Veterans as a welcomed development in the quest by the President to consolidate on his transformation agenda in the sports sector.

Congratulating the new minister on his recent appointment, chairman of the Veterans, Jacob Mark, said the handballers had no doubt that the coming of the

T

Chairman, Premier Lotto Limited, Chief Kessington Adebutu (left); Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi and Chairman, National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu, at the grand finale of the season two of Lagos Premier Lotto Schools Athletics Championship held at Teslim Balogun Stadium…at the weekend.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

former Chairman of the handball to an Traditional Sports admirable height in Nigeria, Association in Rivers State adding that they were ready would change the fortune of to partner with the NSC to sports, especially handball. tackle the challenges facing Jacob pointed out that the handball.

Handball Veterans in Nigeria According to Jacob, “the is an integral component in Handball Veterans will the development of future accord total support to the players for the country, espe- new minister in ensuring the cially with the just-conclud- sports in Nigeria are tremened Mega Veterans dously lifted both locally and Championship in Abuja, globally. where over 25 teams took “As we congratulate you, we part. will soon seek heart-to-heart He pledged that the interaction with you in order Veterans would work with to find lasting solution to the new minister and the some of the enormous chalNSC management to develop lenges in handball.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

92 SPORTS Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Why we are eager to feature in WTF Youth Olympics qualifiers, World junior championships, by taekwondists

Honeywell reiterates commitment to sports development

By Olalekan Okusan OR been selected to be part of Team Nigeria to this month’s World Taekwondo Federation Youth Olympics qualifiers as well as the world junior championships in Chinese Taipei, the athletes are all in high spirit to taste action in readiness for the global tournaments.

With the nine invited all gold medalists at the maiden National Youth Games, the contingent are in Abuja tuning up for the championships scheduled for March 20 to 27.

The captain of the team, Shola Olowookere of Lagos State said: “I feel great to be representing Nigeria for the very first time. It has not been difficult to combine my school with participating in sports. The camp has been interactive, and we have learnt so much from each other.”

Also Mohammed Bashir of Yobe said: “Training in camp

F

ONEYWELL Flour Mills H has reiterated their ambition to support good cause in Nigeria through sponsorship of sporting events and other laudable programmes.

The presence of the company was visibly felt at the weekend during the grand finale of the 1st U-10 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Kids Cup inside the Campus Mini Stadium, Ajele Lagos to mark the 105 years posthumous birthday of the late political icon.

Honeywell’s Executive Director, Marketing, Benson Evbuomwan, said the company would continue to support good cause especially those that has to do with grassroots development in sports.

“When we received the request from the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation to sponsor the kids cup, knowing the value that Obafemi Awolowo stood for, the integrity of the foundation, and also when you put into consideration that it has to do with kids, it didn’t take us long to agree to be part of it.

We love to support initiatives that help the grassroots, which I can say is in line with the company’s vision and mission statement.”

Evbuomwan added: “We are also involved in basketball, but you know that football is very big in Nigeria, there is much passion around football.

“What we are trying to do now is to see how this partnership goes first and once we see the success of the competition, we can also see if there are other initiatives by the youth federation and see if there are other sports we can be part of.”

De-Grace Football Club of Lagos Island won the 1st U-10 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial kids cup, coming from 1-3 down during regulation time to end the game 3-3 before winning 3-2 on penalties against Greater Tomorrow from Mainland.

When the going was good…Uche (right) celebrates one of his goals for Nigeria with Musa Ahmed during a past Super Eagles’ game in Calabar.

Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup

NFF technical will not impose Uche on Keshi, says Bassey

By Alex Monye HE Nigeria Football T Federation’s (NFF) Technical Committee has urged Super Eagles’ fans to stop pressuring Coach Stephen Keshi to recall Villarreal striker, Ikechukwu Uche, saying such pressure was capable of disorganing the Eagles.

NFF Technical Committee member, Paul Bassey, told The Guardian yesterday that Keshi has the power to select any player he desires for his World Cup campaign, adding: ‘’the Technical Committee would never impose any player on Keshi ahead of the World

Cup.’’ On the coach’s continued omission of Uche from his World Cup programme, Bassey said: “Keshi has made his final pronouncement on Ike Uche. It is a wrong idea for some people to keep clamouring for him or other players, Keshi does not want him to be invited to the Super Eagles.

“This move is capable of putting the Eagles technical crew under-pressure and at the same time disunite and cause the team to lose focus.

“Uche is not the only player fit to play for the Eagles.

Players like Anichebe, Osaze and others are also doing fine

Ekwempu wins LCC’s Sixth Rainoil Tennis tourney APTAIN Ndubuisi dent of victory because “I lenges in this competition, C Ekwempu on Saturday at don’t see anybody here beat- but I will plead with the sponthe centre court of the Lagos ing me.” sor to engage professional Country Club defeated John Asan by two sets (retired) to win the Sixth Rainoil Tennis Championship for the fourth time.

Ekwempu, a pilot, showed from the onset that he was ready to reaffirm his superiority on the Lagos Country Club’s courts in a game marred by Asan’s protests over alleged bad calls by the umpires.

The game, which victory pendulum swung from one player to the other, saw Ekwempu winning a hotly contested first set 7-6/. But that was not after Asan had walked out of the court alleging that calls were always against him.

When the sleek and gazellelike player was eventually persuaded to continue with the game, he could not regain the fire in his shots, allowing Ekwempu to take an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Asan eventually retired from the game citing fatigue.

Speaking at the end of the final, Ekwempu told The Guardian that he was confi-

He added: “I won it last year and I want to say that people expected me to win again because Asan is somebody I can beat any time any day.

He withdrew because he knew I would beat him.

“Everybody wanted me to lose but in a clay you cannot have any advantage because the court is clearly marked.

“I have been the number one seed here for 10 years and until another person comes, I will continue to dominate this championship.”

Ekwempu thanked the Managing Director of Rainoil, Gabriel Ogbechie, for his continues support for tennis in the club, adding, “he has been a great ambassador of tennis in this club for a long time and we pray he continues sponsoring the championship despite what happened today.”

Reacting to his defeat by Ekwempu, John Asan said he came in to give the champion a run for his money, “but a lot of calls went against me and that affected my game.

“I am ready for future chal-

umpires in future editions to avoid situations like the one we had today. I am saying this because the ball boys are neither here nor there.”

In other matches decided at the tournament, the pair of Ekwempu and Matt Holmes defeated Obed/Sani 6/3, 6/3 to win the men’s doubles, while Ideh Jolomi/Rasky Gbinigie defeated Silva/Peter to take the veterans’ doubles title.

in their clubs. But Keshi has the wherewithal to know the right players he needs for the World Cup. “If the NFF is not satisfied with his selection, they have the right to sack him. But at this point he should be allowed to do his job.”

Meanwhile, Super Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has reaffirmed that Keshi has shut his door on new players ahead of the World Cup. Shorunmu said the coach was concentrating more on assembling a formidable squad for the championship, adding that Keshi was satisfied with the performance of the new players tested in the warm up tie.

The former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper revealed that the tune up tie against Mexico has given Keshi an insight on the deficiency in the senior national team, adding that the Eagles boss would select the right players for the team.

“Keshi is satisfied with the performance of the new players invited for the Mexico friendly. For now, I don’t think the big boss would have the time to test any player again except there is urgent need for replacement of a particular player where

has been educative, and I have learnt a lot. Speed techniques and movement are some of those key areas I have learnt some things. I hope I can win a medal in Taiwan Isa Allah.

“It exposes the youth to international competition, and makes us to feel the Olympics is not only for the adults but for us again. It feels great to be one of the people to participate in this upcoming championships representing Nigeria. By the special grace of God, we will make Nigeria proud,” said Abdullah Adegoke of Osun State.

Also, Adegoke’s sibling, Luqman said: “I feel ready, but I know we need to train harder to become even better. The camp was very short, but with the little time, we are ready. At the Junior Olympics, I expect to see young people like us. The camp has been very lively, and I have enjoyed it.”

Odemwingie urges private sector support for sports From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City UPER Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie, believes that without the support of individuals and private organisations, Nigeria’s quest to attain some height in sports development with its counterpart in the western world would continue to be a mirage.

The Stoke City forward stated this while donating football kits to Bendel Insurance FC on Saturday in Benin.

Represented by Austin Uwagboe, Odemwingie stressed that government alone cannot develop sports in the country, just as he challenged sports personalities, individuals and organisations to contribute their quota to the development of the sector.

“My decision to donate the kits was not all about donat-

S

ing but in appreciation of where I am coming from. We must all support the government to develop the sector in the country, but the government can only play little role at developing the sector,” he stated.

In his response, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who commended the Stoke City forward on the donation, stressed that the state government would continue to encourage him in his professional career.

Ihonvbere regretted that many sportsmen and women, who had benefitted from the government to become successful, hardly remembered to give back to the society.

“It is very interesting to note that Osaze played for Insurance before he left for professional career abroad.

Record 23 countries confirmed for AIPS Africa Congress in Dakar PORTS journalists across Smarch the continent are on the to strengthening their voice and singing a new song of collaboration with no fewer than 23 countries confirming their record participation in the AIPS Africa Congress that opens in the Senegalese capital Dakar on March 17.

For the AIPS family fully padding her sectional baby in the start of her 90th anniversary celebration, it is a return to the famed city of arts and culture and pointedly so.

The gathering is the first

President, Lagos Country Club, Wale Osomo (left); Executive Director, Rainoil, Mrs. Ogbechie; Managing Director, Rainoil, Gabriel Ogbechie; Matt Holmes; winner, Sixth Rainoil Tennis Tournament, Captain Ndubuisi Ekwempu and the Chairman, Tennis Section, Ayo Olanrewaju, during the prize presentation at the end of the competition at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja…on Saturday.

meeting of African sports journalists organised under the leadership of Mitchell Obi since his election last year in the Olympic city of Sochi, Russia.

The rekindled interest by many African countries to participate in the Congress marks a turning point in the drive of sports journalists within the continent to fashion a strategy that will improve and lift their professionalism and working conditions as well as keying into the benefits of a vibrant and activity charged region.

Obi remains confident that the meeting, still attracting participation requests, will unfold a blueprint on the continental section’s action plan in the long term as well as this year with a loaded sports calender.

“We can’t afford the luxury of watching from behind. With unity of purpose and a vision shared we can begin to do the little things that will not only signal our commitment but also reflect our readiness to speak and act with a voice so loud that it can’t be ignored.

“This is the season of endeavour and African sports journalists must cultivate their garden with pride and sureness.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 SPoRTS

THE gUARDIAn www.ngrguardiannews.com

93

Ronaldo is World’s richest footballer RISTIAno Ronaldo was C yesterday named the • Messi is second, Eto’o third world’s richest footballer The Goal Rich List is collated after topping the annual list of players’ net worth compiled by global football media title Goal.com.

The Real Madrid forward just held off Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in the Goal Rich List 2014 with an estimated wealth of €148 million.

Ronaldo has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in which his value to club and country has been never been more evident.

He scored all four goals as Portugal beat Sweden in the World Cup play-offs, landed the 2013 Ballon d’or and signed a record-breaking new five-year deal with Madrid.

Messi, who lost his Ballon d’or crown to Ronaldo in January, came in second after inspiring Barcelona to the Spanish title and signing up for a range of lucrative endorsements.

by a team of analysts and takes into account all streams of revenue for active footballers over the course of their careers.

Ronaldo succeeds David Beckham who led the way in the 2013 Goal Rich List but called time on his playing career in May 2013. only current professionals are eligible with the earnings of more than 200 contenders assessed before Goal’s experts finalised on their selection.

Wayne Rooney makes the top four on the list following Manchester United’s decision to offer him the biggest contract in British football history, worth €365,000 a week. neymar’s controversial transfer to Barcelona sees him rise sharply in the standings to sixth, with his parents’ €40m ‘compensation’ payment included in Goal’s figures due to its game-

FA Cup defeat won’t damage Man City, says Pellegrini AnCHESTER City boss ahead from the spot and M Manuel Pellegrini says James Perch doubled their his side’s shock 2-1 FA Cup lead after half-time, while it defeat by Wigan will not damage their chances of winning more trophies this season.

The Capital one Cup winners are nine points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with three games in hand.

They also trail Barcelona 2-0 going into the second leg of their Champions League tie on 12 March.

“We have won one trophy and we have a lot of things to fight for until the end of the season,” Pellegrini said.

“First we must win in Barcelona on Wednesday and then try to go top of the table with our three games in hand.”

City struggled to find their rhythm against a wellorganised Wigan side, who advance to Wembley to continue their spirited defence of their trophy against Arsenal in next month’s semi-finals.

“I think we played the worst first half we have done in my time here,” added Pellegrini.

“We did not have the pace we needed against a team with Wigan’s intensity.”

Jordi gomez put the Latics

Manuel Pellegrini

was only in the last halfhour that City began to create chances.

“We only reacted in the last 35 minutes. We scored one goal and we had at least three or four more chances to score more,” said Pellegrini.

“But if we do not have the same intensity as these teams then it is very difficult to win. We knew we were playing a difficult team.

“It is very difficult to say that we were unlucky, but we at least deserved a draw.

We had three or four chances to score but it was too late.”

changing significance.

The rest of the list is made up of global superstars, who have accrued huge wealth over significant spells at the top of the professional game.

Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o is at number three, ahead of Rooney, thanks largely to the millions he earned at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, gianluigi Buffon and Thierry Henry completing the top 10.

The list 1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid €148m (£122m) 2. Lionel Messi, Barcelona €146m (£120.5m) 3.Samuel Eto’o, Chelsea €85m (£70m) 4.Wayne Rooney, Manchester United €84m (£69m) 5.Kaka, AC Milan €82m (£67.5m) 6.neymar & family, Barcelona €80m (£66m) 7.Ronaldinho, Atletico Mineiro €78m (£64m) 8.Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paris St-germain €69m (£57m) 9. gianluigi Buffon, Juventus €63m (£52m) 10.Thierry Henry, new York Red Bulls€57m (£47m)

Ronaldo

Win FA Cup or step down as Arsenal manager, Wenger told AVIng already drawn H Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton, a semi-final against Manchester City was probably the least Arsenal fans expected – until the unthinkable happened.

For the first time since 2011, Arsenal got a slice of luck in a cup draw when Wigan Ko’d the mighty City to set-up their own Wembley date with the gunners.

Most people, except

clichéd football managers, accept the old myth about needing to beat the best to win a cup is nonsense.

Hull have played Middlesbrough, Brighton, Southend and Sunderland to reach the last four, and could potentially win it by beating Sheffield United and then Wigan in the final.

Arsenal haven’t had such luck – until now, and the chance to end their nineyear trophy drought is tantalizingly close.

Champions League: Midfield battle will be key, says Simeone TLETICo Madrid will A advance to the next stage of the Champions League if they win the battle in midfield against AC Milan in the Spanish capital, according to coach Diego Simeone.

The hosts carry a 1-0 lead into today’s last 16 second leg following Diego Costa’s late header at the San Siro three weeks ago.

“They need to score, and, naturally, they will be play-

ing attacking football,” Simeone said of AC Milan.

“Accordingly, our game will be different.

“We need to try to control the game. I think the key will be in the intensity that we put in midfield.

“If we can be strong then we can play the game we need.

“We need to be focused and careful not to give away many spaces as that would only benefit our rivals.”

Atletico - who are second in

La Liga, just three points adrift of leaders Real Madrid - have not reached the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition since 1997.

Milan, meanwhile, have won the European title seven times and Simeone, a former Inter Milan and Lazio player, knows the Rossoneri can never be underestimated.

“Milan are a strong club,” he said. “They are accustomed to playing in this competition.

“I expect the best Milan and I’m sure we face a very hard game against a very difficult rival.

“They have great players.”

Simeone sees AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli as the biggest threat to his team.

Balotelli returned to play at the weekend having missed Milan’s last two league games with a shoulder injury.

Milan have endured a dismal domestic campaign and travel to the Vicente Calderon stadium on the back of Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Udinese.

The outcome dropped the Rossoneri to 10th in the Serie A standings, 37 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.

“We have to think positive and be optimistic,” AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf said.

So close, in fact, that you can’t see how Arsene Wenger can continue if they fall at this hurdle.

It seems clear that Wenger is resting Arsenal’s championship hopes on little more than plain luck Wenger, rightly, will never be sacked by Arsenal, but with his contract expiring at the end of the season, there comes a time to ask whether this great man and manager can do any more than he already has.

If the height of your ambition is to cling on to a topfour place and hope for a fortunate cup run every season (nothing to be sniffed at), then there seems to be

no better man for the job than the Frenchman, and he should renew his contract.

However, if Arsenal have a genuine desire to compete for trophies at the highest level, Wenger must see this FA Cup campaign over the line to prove he still has what it takes to succeed, or graciously step aside and let someone else have a crack.

There may prove to be no one out there who’s capable of eclipsing Wenger’s achievements, and Arsenal fans may quickly find out – like Manchester United supporters are – that the previous manager overachieved with the current crop.

Arsenal’s Uzil ready for Bayern Munich today

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

94 SPORTS Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Why Reed’s post-win rant was warranted HEN the World Golf W ChampionshipsCadillac Championship took place at Doral, the boast by organisers was of the “top 50 players in the world” jousting for the cup. And “top 50” was code for Tiger, Rory, Phil and other assorted firstname-only dudes.

Little did anyone know it would be a brand-new first name-only player who would go wire-to-wire to win Doral for his third PGA Tour win at age 23, metaphorically slapping the bumper sticker on his courtesy car that reads: “How’s my playing? dial 1800-eat-dust.” Yep, that’s Patrick Reed’s game.

If you have to ask who Reed is, you haven’t been following the exploits of the thickforearmed, scruffy-faced, necklace-wearing Reed, who alternately laughed off and sweated through challenges

from the world’s best to fire a final-round 72 to back up Saturday’s 69 and bag his third PGA Tour win in the past seven months.

He not only joined the shortest of first-name lists – only Tiger, Rory, Phil and Sergio have also won three Tour events by age 23 – he also became the youngest winner ever of a WGC event.

And he also told us all, on national TV, that we shouldn’t be surprised. After declaring himself a “top 5 player in the world” Saturday, he was asked to clarify on Sunday by NBC’s Steve Sands. Quoth the stocky fella: “I’ve worked so hard. I’ve won a lot in my junior career. I did great in my amateur career. I went 6-0 in match play in NCAAs. We won NCAAs two years in a row (at Augusta State). I got third individually one year at

NCAAs. Now, I have three wins on the PGA Tour. I just don’t see a lot of guys who’ve done that, besides Tiger and the other legends of the game. I believe in myself. I feel like I’m one of the top five players in the world. I feel like I’ve proven myself.”

Somewhere, “Three Win” Jimmy Walker grimly nodded, tipped his cowboy hat and said, “I’m not much for the talkin.’ I’ll see y’all at Augusta National. Good day, now.”

Listen, if Tiger Woods is going to turn 2014 into one long discussion of lumbar rehab sessions, and if Phil Mickelson is just whittling wood until the Masters, and if Rory McIlroy is still in a suspended state of agonizing self-exploration, we might as well have some sort of entertainment factor on the Tour.

Reed, to his credit, provides it.

‘Why I am walking away from £1.2m-a-year job’ ASHARD Mendenhall is R just 26 and made $2 million (£1.2m) playing American football in the NFL last season but has now decided to walk away from his job even though he admitted it was a “lot of fun.”

Mendenhall made his name as a running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he played in two Super Bowls (winning one of them), before playing for the Arizona Cardinals last season.

However, he has shocked his friends and family by deciding to walk away from the sport, and there are some interesting reasons as to why.

Mendenhall went without

the traditional, emotional press conference used by most athletes to announce his retirement, and instead wrote a thoughtful article in the Huffington Post, to explain why he was quitting, and walking away from millions.

It may be an NFL player talking but pretty much all the points he made could have been uttered by a retiring Premier League star and be equally relevant.

“I decided not to hold a press conference because I didn’t want to have to say things that were cliché. I’ve done enough of that since I’ve been playing football. I actually

Mendenhall

didn’t really plan on saying anything about my retirement at all. I just kind of wanted to disappear,” he admitted.

“I feel like I’ve done it all. I’ve been to two Super Bowls; made a bunch of money; had a lot of success; travelled all over the country and overseas; met some really cool people; made lasting relationships; had the opportunity to give back to causes close to my heart; and have been able to share my experiences and wisdom with friends, family and people all over the world.”

That’s the good part of being a sports start, but Mendenhall then went on to say there were tough realities that made him want to walk away.

“Imagine having a job where you’re always on duty, and can never fully relax or you just may drown,” he asked in his letter.

“Having to fight through waves and currents of praise and criticism, but mostly hate. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been called a ‘dumb…’. There is a bold coarseness you receive from non-supporters that seems to only exist on the internet.

However, even if you try to avoid these things completely - because I’ve tried - somehow they still reach you.”

Reed

Pistorius: Court hears Steenkamp autopsy details SCAR Pistorius broke O down yesterday when a South African court heard details from the autopsy of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom the track star is accused of murdering on Valentine’s Day last year.

The testimony of pathologist Gert Saayman was interrupted twice by Pistorius’ sobbing and retching but the defence team argued against an adjournment, saying a break would not improve the 27-year-old Paralympic and Olympic athlete’s state of mind.

Earlier, Judge Thokozile Masipa imposed a broadcast blackout on Saayman’s testimony out of respect for Steenkamp’s family and to prevent viewers such as children from accidentally hearing its contents.

“Broadcast would compromise the privacy of the deceased, hurt the interests of the Steenkamps and be against the morals of society,” Saayam said when he took the stand to argue for a temporary broadcast blackout of the trial, which had so far been shown in its entire-

Olympic and Paralympic track star, Oscar Pistorius, at the high court in Pretoria for last year murder of girlfriend...yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP ty on live television.

Masipa, who has been presiding over the week-long trial, extended the ban to live reporting on Twitter.

Pistorius admits he shot 29year-old Steenkamp but argues that it was a tragic case of mistaken identity and that he thought she was an intruder who had broken in to his luxury Pretoria home.

In his testimony, Saayman

Murray shocked by Baltacha’s cancer diagnosis NDY Murray has spoken of A his shock at learning Elena Baltacha has been diagnosed with liver cancer.

The Wimbledon champion was told the news by his mother Judy, coach of the British Fed Cup team.

Former British number one Baltacha, 30, said on Friday that she was undergoing treatment for the illness.

“I heard about it from my mum a couple of weeks ago she’d gone in to see her in the hospital. You’re obviously shocked to hear that,” said Murray.

“I’ve known Bally for a long time. She’s so young, she’s just retired, you’re expecting her to enjoy just a nice happy life.

“She’s just got married as well so you feel bad. Life is very, very unfair,” he added.

“I think she has the right attitude. My mum told me that she was unbelievably positive very soon after finding out.”

Murray is keen to get involved in another Rally Against Cancer event this summer at Queen’s Club and hopes Baltacha will do so as well.

He took part in the 2013 fundraiser after fellow player Ross Hutchins was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“I’m sure this year, if we do the Rally Against Cancer, that’s something that would be great to get Elena involved in at an early stage,” said

I heard about it from my mum a couple of weeks ago - she’d gone in to see her in the hospital. You’re obviously shocked to hear that,” said Murray.

Murray.

“I believe that helped Ross a little bit as well, so maybe that would be a nice thing to do.

“If there’s anything I could do - I’m sure any of the guys on the tour and the girls - if there’s anything we could do that could help, we would.”

Murray, 26, was joined by coach Ivan Lendl and other tennis players and celebrities

following the climax of the Aegon Championships last year.

The event was the brainchild of Hutchins and raised more than £275,000 for the Royal Marsden Hospital, where he received treatment.

Hutchins, 29, underwent a course of chemotherapy and was told he was in remission in July before returning to action in January.

Baltacha

confirmed that Steenkamp died from multiple gunshot wounds, having been hit in the head, arm and hip by three shots fired through the locked door of a toilet cubicle. A fourth round fired by Pistorius missed.

As Saayman spoke, Pistorius sat with head bowed, covering his ears with his hands and a white handkerchief.

• Culled from Eurosport

THE GuARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 SpORTS 95

IAAF World Indoor Championship fallout

George promises Commonwealth Games medal, thanks Nigerians ECupERATING Team R Nigeria quarter-miler, uSbased Regina George has thanked Nigerians for their goodwill messages and support in the last forty-eight hours.

George who was tipped by many athletics buffs to win the 400m title at the just concluded Sopot 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championship based on her glowing performances in the indoor circuit between January and February, pulled out of the semi-final due to cramps.

When the championship started on Friday, George show the world she is the woman to beat for the 400m title when she won her heat with little effort running a 51.60, the fastest time in all the heats.

After the heats she suffered cramps, which ruled her out the semi-final.

George said: “I thank

Nigerians for their messages of goodwill and support; I also thanks my mates and all the officials, especially our president Evang. Solomon Ogba.

“Coming here, I was hale and healthy, very strong and determined to do well in my individual event and help my

teammates so that we could also medal in the relay.

“After my heats, I felt normally, it was when I got to the hotel that I started feeling some pains. I immediately contacted the doctor and I was advised to rest and seek adequate medical attention, that running in the semi-final

and other races might aggravate the injury. I decided to heed to their advice because I know this championship is just part of our build-up to the Commonwealth Games and I would not like to do anything that will jeopardize my dream of competing and hopefully winning medals at

the Commonwealth Games.’’

For George, it is painful that even 52.10 seconds could win a medal in the final. “It is real painful not running in the finals, but it is one of those things. Like I said, my ultimate dream this season is the Commonwealth Games and the African Championship.’’

It’s a dream come true wearing Nigeria’s colour, says Mozia EAM Nigeria America born T shot put thrower, Stephen Mozia, is loving every minute in the green-white-green colour of Nigeria and his failure to reach the final in his first major championship of his budding career is not damping his enthusiasm.

Mozia at the end of the just concluded IAAF World Indoor championship that he had been waiting for such an opportunity to wear Nigeria

colour.

“I have always wanted to wear the green/white/green colour of Nigeria, my fatherland, and I stared taking concrete steps to represent Nigeria last year. I discussed with my coach, (Megan Johnson) and she said ‘why not’. She encouraged me a lot; she is one of the pillars behind my dream coming true. I am so happy and excited today that my dream to represent Nigeria has been

realized.’’

Though tipped by many to at least make the final in his first major competition, his mark of 18.91 was way behind his national record of 20.79m, which he set last month in the united States.

If Mozia had achieved his national record mark, he would have been the second qualifier after German David Strol whose mark of 21.24 led

the field in the qualifying round.

Mozia did achieve the mark that would have qualified him with last throw, but in the process of gaining his balance, he fouled, leading to the throw not being counted.

But Mozia said he has put the disappointed behind him: “I am focused on making the Commonwealth Games team, he told athleticsnigeria.com.

It’s an eye opener, says Akwu EAM Nigeria 4x400m T men quartet of Tobi Ogunmola, Noah Akwu, Isah Saliu and Ameachi Morton, who set a new African record of 3:07.95 in the 4x400m Indoor at the just concluded Sopot 2014 IAAF World Championships has promised to overcome the disappointment of not making the final in Sopot to ensure success at the Commonwealth Games and the Africa Championships.

Ogunmola who ran the first leg for Nigeria, said that recalling them after they had ran more than 100m in the first race destabilized their plans, “I was doing very well and my race was going as planned until we were recalled after over a 100m due to technical failure. At the time we re-started the race, we have not rested very well. But am happy that we ran well. We set a new Africa record in the indoor and we also beat Bahamas.

TheGuardian

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Simon Abah

OW long shall we remain lethargic and passive? Nigeria is in ruins because we have not made use of our authority to vote first-rate, reliable leaders into office. The consequence is that there is no middle class to any extent, only a wide gulf between haves and havenots.

How long are we going to wait while political figures lie, take what belongs to us and watch us die? So many people are dying every day from diseases that can be prevented. A lot of Nigerians are begging on the streets for stipends that will enable them take care of bad health.

People also beg for money in the print media so they can go for medical treatment. In the intervening time, those we elected with promises to tackle this social malady do nothing on assumption of office.

How long are we going to remain silent without trying to find justice and the fulfilment of our dreams? Citizens are suffering so much and the cost of everything is so high. The political classes have not made life easy for those in the rural areas leading to the influx of people to the city with inadequate infrastructure to take care of them.

Private schools are so expensive in the cities and access to education is denied families who cannot afford outrageous fees. The social tribe of private school graduates will be the ones to rule Nigeria totally someday if we do not stem the tide quickly.

Some public schools that should provide succour have decayed infrastructures, lack qualified tutors and are underfunded. Leaseholders are in ruins because of the abrasive manoeuvres by homeowners who impose outrageous rents without control.

What happened to all the promises made to us? The promises of liberation from poverty and neediness? The promises of good healthcare, employment and quality life?

Where are the people who we can trust?

Who do we run to for justice when our homes are bombed, torched and people killed audaciously? Why is there no peace in our land? Has justice suddenly disappeared?

Who are we going to hold responsible for bad governance and to provide us with solutions to the mounds of state and country challenges? Who will provide us with secure homes, first-rate education for our children and stable wages?

The time to change Nigeria is now. It is our responsibility to vote the right people into office. Let us not be swayed by the deceit of office-seekers. Never again are we going to be so diffident as to allow politicians to deceive us with paltry amounts of money to buy our votes and mortgaging our childrenís future. We will henceforth be counted to make a difference.

H

Listen to this call to honour my fellow voters. Hear the call from our founding fathers. They beckon us to be good citizens and to do the right thing this time. They have disregarded our erstwhile errors so long as we do not repeat them this time around. We must not betray them.

Even in their burial chambers they hope for a better Nigeria because they died for this mission. They perished doing the right thing and still wish they were here to do the right thing. Why squander our opportunity? Do not waste your votes by voting for the wrong people and for the wrong reasons. Only little minds do that. The sagacious amongst you should help the weak to make the right choice for conscience sake.

Please send reactions and feedback for YOUTH SPEAK to:

editorial@risenetworks.org and 07067976667- SMS ONLY

A call to honour voters’ rights

All of a sudden, people are indispensable even when they engage in wrongdoings as public officials. To whom must we

appeal when police officers turn their guns loose on citizens? How swift will the state respond to atrocious jungle-justice

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

Also join our on-line conversation

RISE GROUP

@risenetworks

21676F3E

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

E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

Editor: MARTINS

OLOJA

.

ABC (ISSN NO 0189-5125)

that navigates through our lands every day?

Who are we going to hold responsible for bad governance and to provide us with solutions to the mounds of state and country challenges? Who will provide us with secure homes, first-rate education for our children and stable wages?

The time to change Nigeria is now. It is our responsibility to vote the right people into office. Let us not be swayed by the deceit of office-seekers. Never again are we going to be so diffident as to allow politicians to deceive us with paltry amounts of money to buy our votes and mortgaging our children’s future. We will henceforth be counted to make a difference.

Awake: Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo. Hear the voices of Nigerians begging for a better life. You all died in the struggle to make this country a better place to be. Your visions have been ruined by this generation who some have described as a ‘wasted’ generation.

Listen to this call to honour my fellow voters. Hear the call from our founding fathers. They beckon us to be good citizens and to do the right thing this time.

They have disregarded our erstwhile errors so long as we do not repeat them this time around. We must not betray them.

Even in their burial chambers they hope for a better Nigeria because they died for this mission. They perished doing the right thing and still wish they were here to do the right thing. Why squander our opportunity?

Do not waste your votes by voting for the wrong people and for the wrong reasons. Only little minds do that. The sagacious amongst you should help the weak to make the right choice for conscience sake.

Let those we elect to office know that they have a moral duty to keep their promises. This country belongs to us all and they do not have more stakes in her affairs than we do.

The sun has set on all voters to save the future of our children. Our integrity must be intact to achieve this goal so that our children and our country will not drown.

We must all be patriotic and honourable for Nigeria.

• Simon Abah writes from Port Harcourt.